#rabbit-holing a new medium

[bonsha]

I wasn't expecting UV maps to be one of the more fun parts of 3D modeling. Maybe I just haven't gotten to the horrifying part yet.

[somerandomdudelmao]

Thinking about Sculptors choice in name. From a writers perspective it’s an excellent choice to convey that this person is a deeply focused artist specifically. He’s not just a researcher or scientist, but explicitly someone who makes and creates, in part by reshaping and carving away at their chosen medium.

That combined with the knowledge Sculptors preferred medium is organic life makes for a deeply unsettling character.

That said, I’ve also gone down a meta interpretation rabbit hole that makes Sculptor as a name very funny.

See, Marmor can’t see so their kids aren’t doodling on paper (or walls) as a creative outlet.

So what would Marmor art “look” like? And what would kid’s emulate? Well sculptures are perfectly visible to them! And some Marmor artists could probably do some really clever layering with how the eye rays see through things as well.

All this to say, it’d be very funny and kind of sweet if this terrifying mad scientist got the name Sculptor for being the kid that wouldn’t play with anything other than chunks of clay.

My new head cannon is that to Marmor, being called “Sculptor” is the equivalent of getting nicknamed “Play-Doh” for the rest of your life

LMAO

Some Marmor: What do you have there kiddo?

Young Sculptor with his clay statue with all anatomically accurate internal organs:

[k-hippie]

A BRAND NEW SIMS 3 WORLD : SHETLAND HARBOUR

And here we are ... At last :D

10 years ago, Rope crafted a remarkable world, inspired by Starlight Shores, and generously given away to the community : Brightwater.

We embraced this gift, transforming and reshaping it, creating an island to eliminate distant terrain, and thus, Shetland Harbour was born ...

While many creators have fashioned stunning Sims 3 worlds with a Northern charm—like Saaqartoq, Greymont Bay, Lillebror, or Plymouth Isles—ours, stands a little apart.

Shetland Harbour is a unique blend : a touch of Aurora Skies, a hint of Moonlight Falls, and a dash of the unfortunate Barnacle Bay, all interwoven with our own vision of course. It is a vast yet easily navigable world, balanced between lightness and richness, featuring nearly all the Rabbit Holes the game offers.

Our aim was to craft a cohesive and vibrant world, one that feels alive and contemporary, with harmonious architecture and a spirit that invites exploration and delight :)

Welcome to Shetland Harbour, a picturesque coastal town nestled between rolling green hills and a fantastic bay … It is a beautiful medium/large-sized world, a community nestled on its own secluded island, accessible only by ferry. The town is known for its charming cobblestone streets, a vibrant fish market, and a rich history dating back centuries, dotted with quaint cottages, a bustling coast, and a grand lighthouse standing guard at the harbor’s entrance ...

This hidden gem is a haven for sheep, but don't let that fool you – Shetland Harbour is far from a sleepy place. With its rich maritime history, the town offers a unique blend of tradition and vibrant local culture.

Designed to capture the essence of a northern European island, Shetland Harbour offers a self-contained community with 100 lots in total : 65 residential lots + 35 community lots. Each Lot ( except the Old Renovated Factory ) is fully furnished.

In addition, there are multiple sheep ( all by Murfeel ) fields here and there – the latter being especially dear to the local culture, a close-knit community, where the ocean's presence is always felt and the simplicity of rural life is celebrated.

Shetland Harbour combines a lively downtown with peaceful suburbs and serene neighborhoods, featuring quaint cottages, charming gardens, and scenic paths through lush greenery.

The town's historic churches, like Old Church, Albert Church or Lux Chapel, are steeped in tales of ancient rituals and ghostly apparitions ... Albert Church, built on a Druidic site, is haunted by druid spirits, while Lux Chapel is known for the ghost of a sailor, seen on stormy nights ...

The mysterious stone circle inside the Graveyard, Ghost Place, adds to the island's mystical allure. Rumored to be a portal to another realm, it activates during celestial alignments, with visitors reporting strange occurrences. Town elders speak of a prophecy foretelling the return of ancient spirits and the awakening of the island's mystical powers. Signs include a rare star alignment, the stone circle's awakening, and three chosen individuals with the island's ancient bloodline ...

• Harbor Bay : The central feature of Shetland Harbour is its expansive bay. The bay is a natural harbor with calm, crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for fishing and sailing. It is surrounded by gently sloping hills and cliffs that provide stunning vistas of the sea. The marina is bustling with fishing boats, sailboats, and yachts sometimes … It’s the hub of maritime activity, with a fish market ( aka Grocery Store ), boat repairs, and a sailing club ( aka Business and Journalism Center )

• Lighthouse District : Right beside the Harbour, stands the Lighthouse Point, this district features historical homes and buildings, including a Norman cottage, a strange Diner and higher into the Hills, a fantastic museum dedicated to the town’s maritime history and a recent Hospital ready to welcome all the citizens of Shetland Harbour :)

• Beaches : The Coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, perfect for beachcombing, picnics, and bonfires. These areas are popular spots for locals and tourists alike. And you may want building some Coastal Houses for your Sims which is possible almost all alongside the sea ;)

• Old Town : The heart of Shetland Harbour is the Old Town, characterized by cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a charming town square. Shetland Harbour's downtown area is a kinda picturesque pedestrian square, and quaint paths perfect for leisurely strolls …The Old Town includes the Town Hall, the Old Toad, the Talking Dog, a Fish and Chips, and even a Geek Store, all of them under the shadow of one of the oldest shop of the Island : the Elixirium ...

• Rolling Hills : Surrounding the town are rolling green hills covered in wildflowers and dotted with grazing sheep. These hills are perfect for hiking and offer panoramic views of the town and the bay. Beware of the fog !

• Forests and Woodlands : To the north of the town are more dense forests and woodlands with waterfalls upstream of the river which separates part of the island. These areas are home to various wildlife and provide a natural retreat for the residents. There are several well-maintained trails for hiking and exploring :)

Come and explore Shetland Harbour all your content ... Whether you're building your dream home, running a local business, or simply soaking in the serene atmosphere, this unique town promises endless possibilities and a truly captivating experience ...

Download Shetland Harbour today and start your new adventure!

\o/

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IMPORTANT : Before downloading Shetland Harbour !!!

Shetland Harbour contains custom content. As much as we try to include them into the world building process, we learned with time the necessity of providing a list those items. No worries, we used the same cc creators as usual and added 2 or 3 more. Such as the grey/dark roof we made, based on the terracotta roof of the game and the Wood walls you'll find on different lots, the same as the ones of Oaksoak Hollow ... Or more important, the boats used in the world and of course ... The sheeps ! All you need should be included and/or available down here ;)

1) the ANTS & CC :)

ANTS stand for Absolute Necessary Things & Stuff to enjoy Shetland Harbour :)

Download ANTS and CC ( both are needed to have all the right textures, the right look and feel of Shetland Harbour )

You will need too some of our Rabbit Holes

Not mandatory but nice : our 88 Patterns mostly brick, masonry, concrete and wood ;) A bit of fabric & paper too ...

ATTENTION : if you have played with one of our Worlds, you might see duplicate files. We try to use the same objects as much as possible. Of course, you don't have to install twice. Skip whatever you already have. We use Blams objects for some Sims 3 objects ... so if you already have those objects from any other means, just skip ;)

CREDITS & THANKS due to all the following creators :

ATS, Noir and Dark Sims, pitheinfinite, Brunnis-2, Blams, CycloneSue, HydrangeaChainsaw, Leroy157, Lisen801, Murfeele, Nilxis, PotatoBalladSims, Qahne, TheJim07, Mammut ( from BlackSimsZoo ) BlueCoco, BuffSumm, JomSims, Ladesire, Mutske

2) the Saved Games

They are in the same page than Shetland Harbour itself. You have the choice between Unpopulated and Half-populated. Whatever you choose, we always strongly advice with a save game ;) But as far we know, once we delivered a World, it is entirely up to you to begin a new adventure and make your own challenges with your own Sims :D

Download a save game

3) the Lots ( both residential & community )

Quite a bursting town, Shetland Harbour has 100 lots : 65 residential and 35 community and very important : many small sheep fields ( visitors not allowed com lots )

Download ALL the lots

Some lots are Maxis ones we modified, some lots are our own creations, and for the others, they come mostly from MTS ;) And we are very grateful to those creators who always offer a special flavor to our Worlds :)

CarlDillynson - Bellakenobi - Bast - MySimRealty - stonee206 - Norn - Cutbacks - Ferguson Avenue - SimplySimlish - hazelnutter100 - PolarBearSims - RubyRed2021 - CircusWolf - Moihi - Lasciel

Well, it is time for discovery now and you are ready for sure ! We wish you all the best, all the fun with your new life in Shetland Harbour !

Download Shetland Harbour World

PS : Shetland Harbour is a medium/large sized world of 88MB, and has been tested 1 week long on both Mac and Pc ;)

xoxo - blackgryffin

[m00neroni]

in response to your latest reblog re: popular fics, are there any lesser known fics you'd recommend? I feel like every tiktok or tumblr rec list is full of the same stuff now... preferably on the medium to long side (90k+)

oh, hi, nonnie! love this ask because I love yapping about fics! it feels like my moment! let's see, 90k+ directly from my very messy bookmarks that are, in my opinion, highly underrated:

(The yapping got too long, sorry)

Precious Love by AdrianManwaring: Remus and Sirius, upon moving to a new city, are called to become foster parents. Really lovely story about family and finding a place in the world. (kid fic-adoption. established wolfstar. 188k.)

call it fate, call it karma by veridity: Sirius wants to make an entire corrupt empire fall down and recruits Remus, a journalism student with a big sense for justice and his sworn enemy since, probably, day 1. A personal favourite, highly highly recommended. (university au. journalism. 103k)

Harry Potter and the Dog and The Wolf Series by thewholeofthemoon (on-going, main story finished): The Full Moon doesn't fall during the Shack reunion, so Peter never escapes and things adjust according to it. I always recommend this series for a reason. One of my favourite wolfstar. I've reread it several times. (fix-it/canon rewrite. 605k)

Second Generation Series by @languagelessonswolfstar: Teddy is found in a broom closet with his boyfriend, Leo, who happens to be Sirius' kid. When their parents are called into school, things get a bit awkward, considering they are exes. Completely obsessed with this fic and this dynamic and the pain.

Glorified Foresight by irrelevanttous: Remus comes back to England with the promise of Wolfsbane and has to face his previous life, very pissed off with him ex lover included. This fic is such a fucking rollercoaster. It also has one of my favourite magical battle scenes so !! (kinda enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers again! and a mystery! canon divergence. 157k)

How Long 'Til My Sould Gets It Right by @severedreamerfox: Remus and Sirius try to build a life together while they stay at Grimmauld Place. But destiny has its surprises, ones better than others. If you know me, you know how much I love krabapple's fics, but this will probably always be my favourite, not only of hers but of any fic ever. Highly recommended. (bring back black. mpreg. 88k)

The World Is Waiting For You by thechanchanman: Lily and Remus participate in a reality show around the world. Their main rivals happen to become more than that at quick speed, but first, they need to win the race. Very light funny and lovely story if you need fluff in your life. (amazing race au. 92k)

couple more, this time shorter:

Ullswater by @eyra: Winter term at the Ullswater Institute. Lots of classical music, pining and just, so lovely. (university au. 30k)

Let Me Get What I Want (This Time) by Sierra_Sitruc: Teen Sirius starts having visions that seem from a different life. Personal favourite, right at the top and brilliant concept. (canon divergence/fix-it. 69k)

The Adventures of Captain Sirius Black and His Most Excellent Dragon Padfoot by OptimisticDinosaur: Sirius is a pirate who, somehow, gets adopted by a lovely dragon and fights a war alongside a very grumpy Remus. They fall in love while on it. THE DRAGONS !!!! THE ACTION !!! just so good (historical fantasy. 37k)

The Killing Time (unwillingly mine) by @kaaaaaaarf: Sirius loves getting engaged to lame and insufficient men, so Remus takes matters into his own hands. I love this fic so much I went down a rabbit hole of making all my friends read it, so trust my delirium. (murder husbands. 17k)

9 Months by @billspaid: Lily is expecting, and these are the nine months of her journey. Such an amazing and heartwarming fic from such an amazing and talented friend. Any of her works is brilliant, but this one will always be my favourite. (pregnancy fic. 32k.)

Blood Sugar Sex Moony by @emeryhall: Sirius and Remus from 1981 London are magically deposited in 1995 Sunnydale High, with its cliques and a bit of murder. The concept of this fic is the coolest thing ever I devoured it in a day !! (canon divergence. 63k)

Step & Repeat by @theresthesnitch: In which Remus accepts to be famous actor Sirius' fake boyfriend, they platonically share bed and live in a lovely denial. I want to remark not only the amazing writing and story but also the media content used in the fic, because it is such a brilliant work it needs to be addressed. (fake dating au. 62k)

Best Friend's Wedding by amberlink: Sirius is in love with James. But James is marrying Lily. So Sirius has a plan to get James back, and it involves Remus. What can go wrong? An absolute masterpiece of pining and bad decisions. (fake dating au. 61k)

drop your recs too if you want!!

[feverdreamjohnny]

The Epitaph of Anything Goes

I decided that this morning I would talk about The Museum of Anything Goes and the subject of lost media.

For the uninitiated, The Museum of Anything Goes is an obscure "game" released in 1995 by Wayzata Technologies, a company that is so far under the radar that I was unable to find any useful information about it outside of TMoAG.

All I could uncover is that they published a few multimedia projects (which are essentially lost now) alongside some asset discs (clipart, SFX, etc.). That's it.

The brains behind Wayzata are even more difficult to locate these days: there are only two main names credited inside of TMoAG - Michael Markowski and Maxwell S. Robertson.

The game alleges that Michael and Maxwell are well known in the art world, but any additional information about the duo is scarce beyond the confines of the museum. Attempting to search for either name online turns up plenty of rabbit holes - but none of them have anything to do with the Michael and Maxwell responsible for TMoAG.

This is particularly fascinating because it essentially means that TMoAG is the only accessible record of their lives. Before we dig any deeper into that statement, let me step back and actually address what this game is.

The Museum of Anything Goes is, by definition, a virtual art museum. Functionally it's a prerendered point-and-click adventure game where you can explore a bunch of multimedia exhibits that give the surface-level impression of a children's edutainment game, but once you start exploring further it reveals a side that firmly plants the game's feet into a haze of substance abuse and surreal humor.

Many exhibits are essentially just toying around with the astonishing new powers of CD-ROM. Everything has to make noise. Everything has to spin and flitter around. There's an air of genuine excitement for the medium, and I can't help but find it extremely charming.

The game also functions as a scrapbook, filled to the brim with photos of random trips to the zoo and snow-mobile rides with friends. At one point we even get insight into something as specific as Michael's one-year job as a tutor at a Chicago middle school, where he talks about how it opened his eyes to how poorly funded and mismanaged the school system is.

It's simultaneously quaint and chilling to see so much personal history packed into a world doomed to obscurity. As I explore the deeper parts of the museum, I contemplate if the creators are still alive today. It's a bit morbid, but imagine that - you create a single obscure game with your friend and it's all the world can see. TMoAG is currently the only surviving piece that gives any insight into who these two men were.

While many exhibits are lighthearted or nonsensical, there are occasional moments where the game dips into the eerie.

One exhibit has the player kill a man by dropping him from the sky, and after burying him you open the coffin to a video of a rotting pig carcass being put into an incinerator.

Other exhibits just feature simple 3D renders shifting around a dark screen while haunting groans play in the background.

While I would never refer to the game as "scary," its darker moments combined with the occasional mature subject matter definitely begs the question: Who is this game for?

You have to remember that this game came out long before the concept of "alt-games" had become codified in the digital space. Sure, unconventional digital art had been around before the advent of 256 colors, but TMoAG was being sold on disk as a game! It came out 2 years after DOOM hit shelves!

The trend of using the PC for entertainment was certainly on the upswing around that time, but It's not like TMoAG had a massive audience to find a niche in. With its mature themes it certainly wasn't suited for the kids market either, so who was it for?

At the end of the day, it's a moot question. We already know the target audience for The Museum of Anything Goes: Nobody. It doesn't have an audience because by its nature, TMoAG wasn't being made FOR someone, it was being made BY someone. It's a raw, unfiltered form of personal expression.

I think games like these are pivotal, because they question why people assume a game has to exist for the sake of being a consumable product. TMoAG certainly has the shape of a product: it features an intro cutscene, it has a tutorial, it features intuitive UX, it even has a map! These are all features that are solely integrated to provide comfort to an end-user. But once you actually wander around the museum for a bit, you realize how bizarrely its packaging fits its contents.

I think TMoAG is criminally underrated. It's not because its core content contains some earth-shaking truth, it's because the game defied all odds and cheated death.

How many thousands of other personal projects were deemed a little "too exotic" to be archived? How much history was lost these past 40 years as the digital space evolved and ate its old skin?

God knows how many other TMoAGs we'll never learn about because they weren't lucky enough to be preserved.

The Museum of Anything Goes isn't just some nonsensical art piece, it's a grave marker for so much lost media. Its existence is a reminder that some people's lives were fossilized, then macerated into nothing because a construction company built a skyscraper over them. The only evidence we have of those other games existing is this little fossil that somehow slipped out from under the skyscraper unscathed.

Even though so much has been lost, TMoAG survives as an epitaph.

[vestaignis]

Болотная сова (Asio flammeus) – среднего размера сова: длина ее тела колеблется от 34 до 42 см, вес самцов - 0,23-0,39 кг, самок - 0,24-0,43 кг. Крылья у нее длинные, ноги украшены пучками из перьев, на голове расположены маленькие вертикально стоящие "ушки" из перьев.

Болотная сова распространена очень широко, она обитает на всех континентах, кроме Австралии и Антарктики и населяет соленоводные болота, прибрежные равнины, хвойные леса, тундру, трясины, поля, прерии, высокотравные степи (часто с солончаками), луга (в поймах рек и озер), гористые местности и субальпийские луга, сельскохозяйственные угодья и парковые насаждения. Во всех местах обитания болотная сова придерживается открытых пространств.

Большую часть рациона этой птицы составляют мелкие грызуны (мыши, полёвки, лемминги, крысы, хомяки и ондатры), кролики, землеройки, летучие мыши, птицы (кулики, крачки, мелкие чайки, жаворонки и дрозды), насекомые (кузнечики, жуки, гусеницы) и иногда рыба.

Охотится болотная сова в любое время суток, низко паря над открытым пространством. На добычу она обычно нападает с полета или из засады и несёт ее в когтях. Болотные совы – моногамы и образуют постоянные пары. Самец привлекает самку на свой участок красивыми пируэтами в воздухе. Иногда в брачных полетах участвуют обе птицы: они гоняются друг за другом, сцепляются когтями или в шутку борются. Гнездом обычно служит расчищенная самкой ямка диаметром до 40 см на вершине плоской кочки среди густой травы или тростника. В кладке 4–7 яиц, которые насиживает самка.

Swamp Owl (Asio flammeus) – medium-sized owl: its body length ranges from 34 to 42 cm, the weight of males is 0.23-0.39 kg, females - 0.24-0.43 kg. Her wings are long, her legs are decorated with tufts of feathers, and small vertically standing "ears" of feathers are located on her head.

The is very widespread, it lives on all continents except Australia and Antarctica and inhabits saltwater swamps, coastal plains, coniferous forests, tundra, bogs, fields, prairies, tall grass steppes (often with salt marshes), meadows (in floodplains of rivers and lakes), mountainous areas and subalpine meadows, agricultural lands and parkland. In all habitats, the swamp owl adheres to open spaces.

Most of the diet of this bird consists of small rodents (mice, voles, lemmings, rats, hamsters and muskrats), rabbits, shrews, bats, birds (sandpipers, terns, small gulls, larks and thrushes), insects (grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars) and sometimes fish.

The swamp owl hunts at any time of the day, hovering low over an open space. It usually attacks prey from flight or from ambush and carries it in its claws. Swamp owls are monogamous and form permanent pairs. The male attracts the female to his site with beautiful pirouettes in the air. Sometimes both birds participate in mating flights: they chase each other, lock claws or jokingly fight. The nest is usually a hole cleared by a female with a diameter of up to 40 cm on top of a flat hummock among dense grass or reeds. There are 4-7 eggs in the clutch, which are incubated by the female.

Источник://www.ebirds.ru/vid/225.htm,/bigenc.ru/c/bolotnaia-sova-bb9577,/zoogalaktika.ru/photos/aves/strigiformes/asio-flammeus, //www.mos.ru/news/item/86280073/,://ecology.polotsk.museum.by/node/42982,/russia.birding.day/v2taxon.php?s=423&l=ru.

[legendofmorons]

Modern Hyrule Au non housemates

Artemis

22

Famous singer

Has known Wars forever, childhood friends

Decked Cia :)

Is War's emergency contact

Aurora

24

Hyrule's cousin and Dawn's sister

Was in a coma from 17-22

Half fae

Currently works as a monitor for the sleep study part of the hospital, night shift

Cia

24

Currently in jail for her crimes and has her magic blocked

Time mage

Part of why Aryll dosen’t trust most people...

Dark Link

28

Really hates Time

Runs a motorcycle repair shop and tries to be evil

Has a softspot for Wild

Demon

Dawn

22

Hyrule's cousin / aurora's sister

Half fae

Almost done with school to be a teacher, wants to teach english

Works at the library

Dot

22

Four's friend

She's a jewler and works with Four sometimes

She is in school for enchantment

Dusk

24

Twilight's manager at the horse place

Dating Midna

Is slowly becoming Twi's friend

Fable

22

Legend's twin

Enchants jewelry and other small things at a local shop

In school for masters in potions

G is her shifty ex

Fierce

Literally just a God that took a look at Time and went 'yoink that's my kid now'

The only one fully aware of the blood ties and time travel

Has a fondness for Wild, Wind, and Aryll

Runs a self defense school

First

Sky's dad who has been in a magic come for.... a while

Age? Great question!

He's looking for his son, but thinks his son is a baby

Friends with Fierce

Flora

18

In school to become a history teacher

Comes from a long line of mages but dosen’t care

Best friends with Wild since elementary school

Always getting into some new rabbit hole

Ganon

Technically there's several of them, they're all related and all dark magic users. They run a dark magic shop and are good with hexes and bindings

Ganondorf - 56, saw Lulaby and Time when they were kids and had INSTANT beef :)

Gan - 26, Wars Ganon, has a weird relationship with Cia

Ganon - 38, Wild's Ganon, just really hates Flora's family

G - 21, Legend/ Hyrule's Ganon, theatrically evil

Ghirahim

22

Demon

Hylia's least favorite sword twink

Weirdly obsessed with Sky and Sun...

Works at a bar

Lana

24

Cia's twin

Oracle!

She works at a psychic shop with Midna

Lullaby

29

Time's childhood best friend

Mayor's daughter

Will forever have a fued with Ganon (all if them they KNOW what they did)

Plays flute in the orchestra

Owns and runs a book shop

Absolutely gossips with Time and Malon

Malon

28

Time's Wife

Ranch girl!

Currently handling things with her family ranch but wants to come home.

She has Epona with her

Maybe a little plant magic

Midna

23

Twilight's ex situationship/ bff (lost contact at 18)

Dating Dusk

Getting a degree for necromancy

Works at a psychic shop as a medium

Has a motorcycle

Wants to get back in contact with Twi but dosen’t know how... she just left.

Navi

Ah yes, the cause of Time's mommy issues

Ganondorf curses her to have to stay away until her son gave up on her.

She's a healer that travels everywhere

She's been treating Wild's wounds his whole life and adores her great grandson

Ravio

23

Runs a semi legal shop out of a pop up tent that's on always moving

Legend's Promblem <3

In school for art but drops out later

Shero is always nearby

Halfway lives with Legend (and the boys) and just shares his bed sometimes

Saria

Time's big sister

A fairy of course

She works at a national park and uses her ocarina to help the trees grow

Times emergency contact

Loves to show off Time's baby pictures

Sun

Sky's fiance

Daughter of the dean of the Hylian University of Prestige (HUP!)

Demigoddess (daughter of Hylia)

She's going to school out in Faron for music and healing though

Tutors harp

Works at a local Cafe as a baker

Tetra

15

Wind's best friend

Absolutely menace

Water fae

She's working to become a sailor

She has bitten people

Loves Aryll

Shadow

20

Four's shadow given hylian form (four still has a shadow but it's a WEIRD one now)

Plays bass

Works as at a game store

Plays DnD, always a Rouge does try to seduce BGE

[technicolorfamiliar]

D O U B L E F E A T U R E !

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Dir. Robert Weine 1920 // Orlacs Hände (The Hands of Orlac) Dir. Robert Wiene 1924

I recently watched both, Caligari specifically because I was invited on a friend's podcast to talk about the film (I was totally normal about it and definitely didn't make color coded note cards about the making of the movie… I did, I did make color coded note cards). So I figured I would lump these two in one post to switch things up.

--- Even though we talked about the movie for an hour and change, the conversation we recorded for the pod easily could have gone longer. There's so much to unpack about The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Between its historical, cinematic, artistic, and cultural significance and legacy, but also the various players on and off camera, not to mention the film's genesis from concept to page to screen -- there's no shortage of rabbit holes to go down.

Something I wish I had brought up during the recording was the score: The score matters! These updated silent film scores really do affect the viewer experience, and they're so often hit or miss. Of course, the original score for Caligari has been lost to time, but I read that the premier of in New York had classical music (Prokofiev, Stravinsky, etc) played along to the screening; part of me thinks this would be fun to try to recreate. I have no memory of the music when I first saw the film in 2009, but when I rewatched Caligari about a year ago, early in my Conrad Veidt journey, I chose a version on Internet Archive (which is, as of late October, sadly still out of commission *cries in nerd*) and the updated score was almost entirely minimal strings, which created a suitably eerie effect. I couldn't find that exact version elsewhere, so I this time opted for the 2014 restoration that's on Kanopy. The 2014 score is… fine. It’s very busy, trying too hard to sound like a traditional movie soundtrack. There's another version with a really painfully bad guitar-heavy score that I couldn't sit through even 5 minutes of, and still another that's entirely synths. Apparently the new 4K UHD/Blu-Ray that was just released has two new options for the score -- hopefully at least one of them doesn't totally suck!

I noticed deep into my third time viewing the film that I hadn't reached for my phone once. These days, I'll occasionally pick it up and mindlessly scroll through social media while watching a movie. But I think Caligari and a few other silent films require closer attention since they're a purely visual medium. I found myself greedily devouring every frame of Caligari. No shot or scene feels wasted. Honestly, I feel like every movie should be 90 minutes long or less. Anything longer should be turned into a miniseries. But in all seriousness, Caligari is another film I want to physically walk into. It would be pretty easy to recreate these sets, life size in grayscale black and white. The more I think about this, the more I need it. So, so bad.

I also came away this time with a lot of questions, mostly about the main part of the narrative, the story Franzis is telling. But the framing device makes the questions pointless. If the main story is just Franzis's delusion, then the absurdity of the script is totally fine I guess? Except the script that Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer wrote didn't have Franzis as a patient at the asylum, they hated the framing story twist that was forced on their movie, so all those weird parts of the script and character choices that I'm overthinking and reading too much into are rendered meaningless. It's all in Franzis's head! The story and the characters in it don't matter! Or else are just part of his subconscious! Face palm. Eye roll.

Does the movie even work without the framing device? It would be interesting to show an edited version of the movie without the first and last scenes to someone who's never seen it. And if the twist ending was supposed to dumb down the anti-authoritarian message of the script, I don't know that it's successful. In the end, I still have empathy for Franzis. And we still have an ambiguous ending: Caligari/The Asylum Director looks at Mad Franzis and says, "I know just how to cure him," and there's a creepy iris wipe in on Werner Krauss's face that maybe leads us to think Franzis isn't as delusional as we think he is. So like… even if the whole Dr. Caligari with his sleepy twink in a box story is fake, whatever is happening at the asylum is probably just as messed up if not worse.

Speaking of the twink in a box, I love that Conrad Veidt's German Expressionism is totally different from Werner Krauss's German Expressionism. They both trained and performed with Max Reinhardt, so their foundations as theater actors in the 1910s and 1920s were likely similar. But, regardless or in spite of that shared experience, they are diametrically different human beings and that comes across in their performances in this movie. These two actors are like the textbook definition of "showing" your art vs. "being" your art. Krauss as Caligari is like "ooOOOoo look how ooky spooky and evil I am!", whereas Connie's performance as Cesare, even though it's hyper-stylized, is infused with something deeper, something primal that feels believable in the context of the film.

If Cesare has been asleep his whole life, waking only to be fed Chunky Campbell's Soup and commit murder at Caligari's bidding, then no wonder he reacts the way he does when sleeping Jane finally brings him out of his trance. When she freaks out, he freaks out too because he's had no opportunity to learn how to behave like a human or how to filter his primal emotions in a socially acceptable way. He hasn't lived his life except to be a madman's puppet. He reacts to Jane's panic on instinct and impulse, his desire and fear feel feral, like he's more creature or an animal than a human man. He may not actually want to hurt Jane, but he reacts violently because fight or flight is a basic human stress response! He runs away and eventually collapses because his body can't handle the sudden onslaught of stress and emotion he's never before experienced! And this internal, instinctual tendency to violence is subtly alluded to in the final scene when Asylum Cesare both caresses and slowly picks apart the flowers he's holding. Ahhhhh, I have so many FEELINGS.

And that said… Connie's performance here is wild, but it's real in a way that Werner Krauss's work could never be because Connie was a spiritual humanist who cared deeply for others and Krauss was an anti-semitic piece of shit who therefore could NEVER dig deep enough into his soul or into the collective unconscious the way Connie did to breathe life into his characters. So everything Krauss is doing here and in The Student of Prague is all surface, it's "showing" the audience his training and his actor toolbox rather than bringing a level of honesty and in-the-moment groundedness to these roles.

This is not to say Connie's intense commitment to his work couldn't be, uh, excessive. I really hope Lil Dagover was being serious when she said he would lurk around the studio in character when off camera. Can you imagine? You go up to the craft services table for a snack. Suddenly you feel like you're being watched. You look up and he's looming over you in the shadows, his unblinking glazed eyes boring into your soul. God, I hope this happened and I hope whoever it happened to peed themselves a little.

I also wish we had a behind the scenes photo of Connie in costume with the Cesare dummy. I can't believe someone actually had to make that prop. It'll haunt me forever. (The 1920 Cesare Dummy isn't real, the 1920 Cesare Dummy can't hurt me.)

Bottom line: It's an important film, I appreciate it for both its timelessness and timefullness. But it's not a movie I need to revisit often, regardless of how enchanting Connie's nostril acting may be.

---

The first time I watched The Hands of Orlac, I was floored by the visuals, the staging, and the heavy eroticism. Up until that point, I hadn't seen very many silent films, certainly few as visually striking. I think my initial impressions of this film were somewhat muted on a second watch, but that may just because I knew what to expect.

This time, I wasn't as swept up in the magic of silent era German Expressionist cinema, although stylistically I'm still absolutely 100% obsessed. Art direction wise, this is my favorite between the surviving Wiene-Veidt films (I haven't seen Furcht and I don’t plan to). Orlac is like the darker, sexier, more grown up sister to Caligari's mall goth teen. It's Vampira vs Lydia Deetz.

Orlac is just as much if not more of a cinematic feat than Caligari. The production design and art direction alone feels more mature and in itself tells more of a story.

Very early in the film, we're thrown into a very impressive, very realistic train crash. Opening the movie this way was a really interesting choice -- we don't get to meet the characters before the accident that starts Paul and Yvonne Orlac on their doomed and bizarre trajectory. There is a brief establishing scene of Yvonne reading a really horny letter from her husband, and one of pianist Paul at his final concert before returning home. Then there's a very long sequence of the aftermath of the train crash that almost kills Paul, and this scene brings a level of realism you don't really get in other films of this genre/done in this style. The set construction looks expensive; the mangled train cars piled up in heaps may have been fabricated in the studio, but because of the lighting in the night scene, the billowing smoke from passing locomotives and fires from the crash, it looks pretty damn real for 1924. It's extremely effective and harrowing, especially as Yvonne races to the site of the crash and climbs through the wreckage to try to find her husband. The chaos of the scene, made all the more disorienting by the movement of search lights and the haze of smoke and steam, feels true to life. People are running around, pulling bodies from the ruined train cars, carrying them away on stretchers. Survivors look around dazed, clutching their belongings in shock. It's such a well directed moment in the film, but maybe not the first thing people remember about it. And I think it's inclusion is important because it offsets how weird the movie's about to get.

And boy, does it get weird. However, the doctor does say Paul suffered a skull fracture, so it's not a huge stretch to think he also has some kind of brain injury. So I wonder if that has something to do with how the filmmakers chose to show Paul's intense fear and paranoia, as well as the movie's shift in tone and style after his accident. The nightmarishness of the film, from the exaggerated performances to the set design, feels like an extension of whatever might be going on in Paul's head as a result of his injury.

Regardless, I love the choices the art director made. The set, especially the Art Deco mausoleum the Orlacs have for a home, is so perfect. The huge, cavernous rooms are completely unnecessary, but they make the characters look and feel so helpless, like dolls in a doll house. The lines of the walls and the furnishings draw the eye through the frame with just as much intention as the painted sets of Caligari. Even places outside their house become symbolic and iconographic. The news stand is just a window cut out of a massive wall of loose sheets of newspaper that takes up the entire frame. The interior of Orlac Sr.'s house is like a old, drafty castle, looking more like the home of an evil, miserly king. The tavern where Paul is confronted by Nera feels dank and subterranean, just a lamp or two removed from literal catacombs. The outer world is fully a reflection of poor Paul Orlac's inner torment and despair and I AM LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

The new music composed by Paul Mercer is perfect, too. It's all skronky violins and cellos, ominous percussion and piano. It's just atmospheric enough, creating moments of soundscapes, echoing footsteps, aural suggestions of the oppressive cave-like rooms where the story unfolds. There aren't really any memorable themes like in the updated score for The Student of Prague, but that works for this movie. I would buy this soundtrack and actually listen to it on its own, it's that good.

Everyone in the ensemble is basically on the same page in terms of acting style, no one feels out of place or miscast. Connie of course steals the show, but Alexandra Sorina as Yvonne gives him a run for his money. She's a good match for him, delivering an appropriately desperate and hysterical (and deeply, deeply horny) performance as the touch-starved wife. Their scenes together are maybe some of the best on screen romantic moments of Connie's silent film work because these two are wildly hungry for each other. This movie is so funny, it tells you immediately how horny it is; in the first 30 seconds of the movie, Yvonne gets a letter from Paul that says, "I will feel your body beneath my hands," like they're telling you straight up this is going to Horn Town. And the way she grabs at him, presses her open mouth to him, hovers over him in his hospital bed, she is DTF anywhere any time. And no shame, no shade, good for her. This is a sex positive film, and we love to see it. But she's not just the sexy wife, she's also totally ride or die for Paul. She truly trusts him and believes his absolutely buck wild story about being blackmailed by a dead psycho killer. What a gal.

Then there's Paul, aka Eraserhead Baby… because when he wakes up from surgery covered in bandages, he looks like the Eraserhead Baby. Connie is doing some of his finest nostril acting in this role, I have to say. As always, I am fascinated by his physicality and the choices he's making with movement and gesture. When his bandages are finally removed, he reacts as though drugged, his movements slow as though underwater or in a dream. And when he confronts his surgeon after discovering the original owner of his newly transplanted hands, he holds them out and away from his body as if they were coated in something dirty or disgusting. As Paul's life and sanity unravel, his hands and fingers are in almost constant motion, curling, twitching, clutching; his body language becomes more creature-like, moving in a way that calls up Cesare the sleepwalker -- interestingly, the two characters both seemingly at the mercy of forces outside their control.

We don’t get to know what Paul was like before the accident, how much this traumatic event changed him. There's something this movie is trying to say about trauma and how it affects people. The doctor tells Paul, "Nature and a strong will can overcome anything." But if Paul sustained any kind of serious brain damage, who’s to say his personality wasn't affected, or that he wasn't fragile and suggestible to begin with? Either way, in the wake of the accident, Paul's vulnerability and circumstance makes him a perfect target for Nera's grift.

Even without being targeted by a sick weirdo con artist, it's no wonder Paul's really going through it. He tortures and punishes himself relentlessly for something that wasn't his fault! (Been there.) He puts on a recording of one of his old concerts and crumples in grief for having lost not only his livelihood but also his outlet for creative expression -- not being able to do what you used to creatively because of trauma is REAL. He's trapped in his misery. Even his handwriting is different, now a violent scrawl he imagines is due to the murderous acts his hands supposedly committed. He secretly retrieves the planted murder weapon in order to further convince himself he's somehow become evil, wielding it as through he committed the crimes of the dead man whose hands now belong to him. And the scenes where Yvonne comes to him, wanting to both devour and comfort him, he cannot bring himself to touch her. Clearly they love each other very much and their relationship was very physical, so the agony and yearning in his face when she embraces him is UGH IT'S SO GOOD. It's heartbreaking. There's a lot to unravel here about trauma, body dysmorphia, and intimacy that I'm interested to dig into during subsequent viewings.

Final thoughts: There's an annoying part of my brain that wants the movie to make sense, for the timeline to be clearer, for loose ends to be tied up. But I know that none of that really matters because this movie is better received as a dream or a nightmare. And by that logic, it doesn't have to make sense. The Expressionist beats are being hit particularly hard, but the surreal quality allows the filmmakers and cast to get away with it. For fans of Conrad Veidt, this is a must-watch, even before Caligari -- he gets more screen time in this film, gets to play with his silent film artist's palette, and gets to do pathos like he's the king of tragic, pathetic characters. He's gangly, glassy-eyed, and trembling like a small wet dog the whole time and it's superb. Despite not really getting a chance to know the Orlacs before they're thrown into their own personal hell of body horror and credit debt, they're both pretty sympathetic. From psychological commentary to the erotic visuals and tension, it's all very ahead of its time.

[whiteraven90]

hello, I hope you're having a good day <33 I saw your recent post on my dash and I was STUNNED at the animated scene! It's insane to me I get to see your characters animated. Feeling blessed to be alive to see it, I am not exaggerating. You know, one of these times where you wake up and things are a little bumpy in your life but there's one thing that shines brightly you didn't know it could give you so much excitement? Yeah, that kind of thing ((:

I took my time for the past hour to reminisce over your blog again. It is one of the places I really love scrolling through and reading your writing. I had a question, if you don't mind me. The way you have improved is truly admirable. I know this might not be an easy ask to say "hey, how did you learn how to paint", so I'll ask this instead: I don't know how long you've been working full-time in art, but when do you make time for studies / drawing for fun? If it's not too much to respond to, how do *you* study? I remembered your posts with your redlines and wanted to ask how do you go about those, or if you switch your routines based on your needs (sketches vs speed painting backgrounds etc). The notes there were very interesting, seeing the mental exercise.

Pretty sure you have a fKTON of stuff on your plate, so please don't feel obligated to respond quickly or even at all. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my message and for all the time you take to respond in general. Love reading your responses <3

Take care, ok? <3

I'm glad the animation made you feel better! I'll put the answer under the Keep Reading thingy.

I'm not entirely sure... I think I don't study as much as I should/could. I mostly learn as I go. Standalone studies are helpful, I'm just drawn to doing things that are more fun/satisfying to me or things that actively progress my creative goals. Imperfect illustrations for my stories, and incomplete research for worldbuilding! Many people learn faster than I, and those people do a lot more studies than I, but I have no info on whether they have more fun than I. Dopamine is rocket fuel, so it's important. :)

I'm always on the lookout for reference pictures, but I study almost only when I have a practical goal in mind, I guess. Studying is part of my job too, I think? As an indie concept artist I'm supposed to build a hoard of references and pull several new/sensible things out of them, and I think part of this process is understanding the material, and revisiting even what I already know. Illustration is similar. If I'm commissioned to draw an anthro alligator, it's time to study gators. It's not separate from work.

I mean, straightforward version: I wake up at 03:30, make coffee, and start working for myself until the paying work starts, lol. Brain is fresh before noon, and tired late in the evening just like everyone else's. It also helps that the city more or less shuts up at 4am.

The studies with the redlines... I do them when I fancy drawing characters or creatures but feel out of shape. I can get discouraged, feel like I forgot how to draw. I sketch if I plan to sketch, and paint if I plan to paint or want to study colors Drawing live models helps. Studying videos of people and things in motion. Hopping down rabbit holes about how/why things work (e.g. flintlock, Davy lamp, mansard roof). Drawing from refs. Hoarding refs. Trying different mediums (e.g. charcoal, 3D, etching). Small screenshot of one of my ref boards for the animation; I'd say I studied it a lot. How clothes move, what are good clothes, how do good clothes move, lion/tiger + human + eagle anatomy (from specific angles during specific motions if/when possible), how to dive roll, proper sprinting form, how to survive falling from a great height, spearfighting, pole vaulting, poledancing, lighting, colors, environment, kicked-up sand in motion, spear types, emu/cassowary/griffon vulture feet, etc. I didn't draw studies, unless you count the animation itself (I would).

[blimbosworlddd]

Nirvana: A Rock Lee Tale (Chapter 7)

Summary: After an abysmal day at work, you find solace in the dojo- only to be greeted by a charming stranger. Shikamaru has one last chance to fix his marriage. Will he finally lock in?

Notes: slow burn fic, afab/fem/black reader.

Warnings: cursing, light portrayal of suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, angst, explicit sexual content, dry humping, petnames.

Word count: 5k

Masterlist

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Throughout the following weeks you go on a few more dates with Lee: to the movies, an art museum, and even a local manga store! You both share a love for shounen and shoujo. Outside such popular mediums, he introduced you to his favorite seinen series while you familiarized him with your favorite josei. You’re both hardcore suckers for romance, the only difference being that you’re the hopeless one and Lee is hopeful.

Deep down, you know Lee can’t be the answer to all of your problems and he shouldn’t. But how can you remember that when he always opens the doors for you and buys you orchids; when he carries you bridal style so you won’t have to climb the stairs; when he stares lovingly into your soul every time you speak to him?

And it’s not like you care too much to remember, considering that you’re busy enough gushing over your new flowers at the dojo. Not many patients visited your office today, but that’s common. You decide to use it to your advantage and relax for the remainder of your stay.

You no longer let the commotion on the other side of the room disturb you: as a matter of fact, you enjoy hearing Lee’s powerful voice echo through the walls. It reminds you that he’s real, that he’s here.

Being at the dojo, in your office tucked near the training rooms, is a complete 180 from the nauseating day you had at work: Ms. Fink had a tantrum that was provocative at best, you missed your break, and a long-time patient went comatose under your care.

You have to constantly remind yourself that people’s failing health is never your fault, because if you don’t then you would’ve killed yourself a long time ago. So as soon as you made it to the dojo you rushed straight to your office and didn’t look back.

Which probably explains the sinking, vacuous sensation in your chest you call shame. Slouching against your chair with a frown, your eyebrows softly scrunch together in distress. You throw your head back, staring up at the dull, lifeless rays of fluorescent lights.

Why does it always hafta be like this?

Why can’t I just take my own advice?

Your advice being to take responsibility for your own happiness, and yet happiness doesn’t even look like an option at your disposal right now. It’s so confusing. The way it comes and goes. But before you fall deeper into the rabbit hole of your depression, a couple of knocks on the door snap you back to the present.

Lee?

“Come in!” You chirp eagerly.

As the knob turns, you immediately shove your worries to the back of your head and straighten your posture. In your mind your arms are open, beyond ready to receive whatever priceless affection Lee has in store for you.

The person who enters is not only not Lee, but it’s a man you do not recognize.

The first thing you notice is his long, black, spiky tresses. A voluminous mane that covers his right eye while framing his sharp jawline beautifully. A black turtleneck shirt contours his broad shoulders, his sleeves rolled up to the very top of his toned and veiny forearms. A coffee colored pantsuit drapes impeccably around his sturdy legs, and what seals the deal is a matching leather boot. This man looks comfortable and powerful all at once.

When you finally meet his gaze, so potent with intent, the words you try to say eviscerate in your throat. The man’s lips curl in a subtle smirk at your stunned expression.

“My apologies for intruding,” the brooding timbre of his smooth voice urges you to shoot up from your seat. “You can call me Madara.”

Madara closes the gap with long strides and extends his arm for a shake. He’s got to be at least 6 feet tall. You accept his well-mannered demeanor with a weak smile. His grip is not firm, but for some odd reason you believe he could crush your hand.

“I’m Y/n. What brings you to my office?”

“Let’s just say I’m an old friend of the former owner of this dojo.”

Former owner?

Madara reads the confusion on your face and clarifies.

“Rock Lee’s master, Might Guy. The notorious taijutsu veteran.”

Ah. Now that you think of it, Lee does talk about his master from time to time. He always speaks highly of him. But who is this man to Might Guy in particular?

“I see now!” You nod fervently, not really knowing what to do with yourself at the moment.

Madara turns his back to scan the room, taking in the  practical minimalism of your space. He strolls by the tiny nurse bed, hanging portraits of you and the dojo family, neatly placed medical supplies. And how could he fail to notice the boisterous bouquet of white lilies and lavender sitting on the corner of your desk?

“Usually when a miracle happens, people tend to make a spectacle of it. And if big enough, that spectacle creates buzz.”

You remain silent, slowly sitting back in your chair to process his point.

“How long have you been nursing here?” He pries.

“…No less than a few months.”

Madara hums amusingly, “Been here for that long and he still hasn’t paid you?”

You blink a few times with a concerned glare. “I volunteered to help. And how do you know about that?”

The man before you turns once again to meet your gaze. “Buzz, remember?”

More questions are bubbling up faster than you can process his answer. Where exactly is this man getting my personal information? Does he have connections inside the dojo? Am I in-

“My apologies,” the man grabs the chair in front of your desk and takes a seat. “I didn’t mean to frighten you so I’ll be more transparent.”

Polite as he is, the way his left eye effortlessly pierces through you while casually folding his legs has your knee jutting rapidly. He just looks so unbothered.

“I’ve seen the fruits of your medical treatment, we all have. Any establishment would be lucky to have you, so why waste your services where they aren’t being compensated?”

You feel your right eye twitch, completely dismayed by the fact that no one has ever asked you a question like this before. So why is he, of all people, the first person to do it? Nursing is no doubt a stable and lucrative profession. Nursing allowed you to permanently move out of your parents’ house. It got you your own home, your own comfortable lifestyle, your own future, your own joy.

But does that mean you should continue overextending yourself at work and the dojo? Does that mean you should hold onto what no longer serves you simply because it always used to? Your palms begin perspiring at the thought.

“And what do you, of all people, suggest I do about that?”

Madara leans against his seat. “Simple: work for me instead.”

You snigger ruefully, mentally preparing yourself to escort this man out of your office.

“I’ll pay you double what Lee’s students pay monthly to stay in his classes. You choose the hours and work on your own terms. As long as you treat my men.”

An enticed chuckle escapes Madara’s lips at your bewildered stare, wasting no time to reach for his front pocket. He pulls out a card and slides it on your desk.

“Call me when this place starts getting old, yeah?”

Your office door wrenches open, and the sight before you disperses all the air you didn’t know you kept in your lungs–

Eyes.

Big, mesmeric, violent eyes are the first thing you notice.

Madara takes his time when he ascends from his seat, turning to face the taijutsu master himself.

Lee’s eerily silent when he meets Madara’s gaze. His eyebrows furrow in focus while staring menacingly at the spiky-haired man. Seeing you hurriedly storm off into your office earlier without acknowledging anyone was worrying enough.

But to watch Madara follow you not long after when he knows he’s only supposed to observe student training will never sit right with him. Lee’s gaze diverts to the white card on your desk. And when he finally looks at you- sweet, radiant you- with that startled expression on your face, he feels his iron grip on the door knob loosen.

“Oh, Lee, we were just talking about you!” A delighted grin adorns Madara’s features as he rests his hands in his pockets. He strolls towards the door and stops where Lee stands.

“I’d say your pupils are more than ready for the upcoming tournament.”

Lee doesn’t reply, and instead side-eyes him with silent repulsion. Madara’s boots tap the pavement with every step he takes as he makes his way to the exit.

After your sensei shuts the door behind him, he turns to face you once more. God he looks exquisite: Lee’s gi is looser around his chest, so you can see a peek of his glistening pecs. You love how they rise and fall as he tries to control his breath. If you didn’t know how weak he is for you, you’d find the nearest window to jump out of considering how malignant he looks when upset. Either way you’re always happy to see him, no matter what emotional state he’s in.

“H-Hey!”

“What did he say to you?”

Something in his tone urges you to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. “He offered me a job at his dojo. Umm, is there something I should know?”

The master’s stomach muscles tighten as his eyes shut with disillusion.

Of fucking course, he thinks. 

Lee sighs before taking a seat to level with you.

“Madara and my sensei were fierce rivals. They often sparred together back in their prime days. After the Great War, they both decided to compete in a national tournament. And after the battle was over, Guy Sensei could no longer walk.”

You look down at the white business card in a daze, failing to fathom the aftermath of that fateful fight. That same well-mannered, charming gentleman who was so concerned about your financial well-being, took Might Guy’s legs??

“Y/n,” his spine-chilling voice drags you back to earth. “That man is very dangerous. He has no interest in your personal needs, only what you can do for him.”

Lee scoots closer to your desk and rests his forearms on the surface, leaning closer to your face.

“If he ever contacts you again, I need you to tell me immediately. Do you understand?”

You nod affirmatively, taking note of his beauty despite the muted lights that shine dryly on his face: his chiseled jaw, the distinct bridge of his nose, his spotless skin, his perfectly trimmed hair, those little lashes that frame the roundness of his eyes, of course - the bushiest brows you’ve ever seen, and those soft lips that slowly form a deeper frown than previously.

“Words, princess,” he commands.

“You got it, Sensei. I understand.”

Lee closes his eyes with a sigh, feeling his body decompress against the chair. “Good.. oh, and Amanda fell on her tailbone.”

-

Temari can’t stop thinking about what her husband said: “If you want a divorce, I’ll sign the papers.” He sounded like he barely cared, as if he didn't mind if she broke up with him. And that just won't do for her.

But he’s trying: he’s present for all of her doctor visits, never misses her calls unless he has a good reason to and still calls back to check on her. He doesn’t try to fuss with her when she voices a concern, although it’s challenging. He asks her on dates and movie nights but she declines every time, still upset about his recent behavior.

He chalks it up to her being stubborn, but she doesn’t open up to him like she used to. She doesn’t crack jokes anymore, especially the ones at Shika’s expense. Sometimes she silently scowls down at her wedding ring when she thinks he isn’t looking. She’s colder, more miserable. And it wasn’t just affecting her anymore.

“Never thought I’d be asking you for relationship advice.”

Shika lounges on his couch, sipping a can of beer while talking with Lee on the phone.

“Agreed! You must be desperate.” Lee has his old friend on speaker while bandaging his hands for an upcoming spar.

Shika kisses his teeth at how enthusiastic yet unsurprised the fighter sounds. If he hadn’t known him for years he’d mistake his delighted attitude for enjoying his current misfortune.

“I uhm,” Shika shifts in his seat, as if the cushions beneath him will absorb his cowardice. “…I’m doing everything I can. I have a therapist now, I make myself available, I cook her meals. I-I even go out of my way to plan dates- that she always turns down, by the way.  It’s like she’s so… uninterested in me now.”

Lee pauses wrapping his knuckles and side-eyes his phone. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”

Shika’s eyebrows furrow in offended confusion. 

So I’m ‘supposed’ to grow gray hairs over this woman? 

“She seems mad at you. What did you do?” Lee probes.

“…I’ve been a shit husband.”

“How so?”

Shika grumbles under his breath. “I was neglecting her. I ignored her calls, wasn’t talking, avoided spending time at home. I thought sex would be enough to shut her up about it.”

Lee’s eyes widen as he frowns in shock, bringing his phone to his ear as if he didn’t hear him correctly. “And she hasn’t divorced you yet?”

“…Till death do us part?”

Lee raises a brow. “You can’t be serious.”

“If I’m not serious then why am I calling you?”

“That’s a great question, Shikamaru. Why are you calling me?”

“So that I can make it up to my wife before it’s too late.”

Despite the disappointment he has in his friend, Lee still registers the genuine dread rearing itself through every word. Shika squeezes the chilled bottle in his hand as his knee juts rapidly. It is now or never.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he begs shamelessly. “So help me out?”

Lee lounges against his seat and sighs hopelessly, already knowing what he’s getting himself into.

-

Hours have passed by when Shika finally hears the familiar jingle of keys unlocking the front door. He zooms his way there, making sure he’s ready to greet his lovely wife. After opening the door, the first thing Temari sees after a long, strenuous day is her low-down dirty spouse sporting a chef apron. Whatever he’s cooking smells divine so she’ll let it slide.

“Hey baby. Let me hang up your coat.”

She kicks off her sneakers and places them neatly by another pair. So he wants to put up the perfect husband act now? Nice try. Temari arises and grips her sleeves, staring hopelessly at her husband. “Why did you marry me?”

Her question was so painfully clear, he could hear the pure grief in her warbled tone. He despised it.

“H-Hey, let me take off your coat first so you can get comfortable-“

“Answer me!” She cries.

Shika's eyes fill with dread when he sees the pain she’s fighting contort her face. He takes the time to fully process her question so that he doesn’t half-ass his answer like Lee advised him not to.

“I… I married you cause you’re patient enough to understand me, and you’re understanding enough to be patient with me.”

Initially this sounds like bullshit to Temari’s ears, but when she also takes the time to process his answer she finds herself silent.

“You know me in a way that no one else can. But I took advantage of your earnestness, just like I did to Y/n. And she’s my best friend.”

His wife lowers her head to the floor as she feels her eyes and nose begin to sting.

“Mari, I don’t want a divorce-- I just knew that you probably wanted one instead. And that scares the shit out of me. But taking off your coat for you would be a good start. Don’t you think, sweetness?”

Shika’s wife feels a big sob rising and gasps a bit of air to choke it down. Shika’s gaze is laced with an overwhelming urge to just hold the woman before him, like how she’s done for the past five years.

This warmth that suddenly washes over Temari, how long has it been? Why can’t she remember the last time she felt this connected to her husband? Wordlessly, she turns around and grants him access to keep his word.

He gently hooks his fingers underneath the hem of her coat and drags, letting it slip off her shoulders. After hanging up her belongings, Shika wraps his arms around her. Temari releases the hot tears she so desperately held back.

A few moments later, she stifles a gag before ripping herself from his warm embrace and runs to the bathroom. Shika cringes when he hears retching sounds, hurriedly rushing to his wife's aid. After jogging to the bathroom, he crouches down to sit behind Temari and gently holds her hair back as she vomits all of her lunch from earlier today. Her energy leaks out with the regurgitating bile in her mouth; she couldn’t stand even if she wanted. But she doesn’t need to.

She collapses against her husband’s chest when she finishes puking, feeling like she’s an iota away from passing out. Shika’s one step ahead of her, opening a cold bottle of water and raising it to her lips. He praises her gleefully when she swallows a few sips.

“There we go,” he murmurs softly while caressing her perspiring forehead. “I’m here, sweetheart.”

He pecks her temple with a chaste kiss and looks straight ahead, facing nothing in particular with brewing determination.

“I’m right here.”

“Yeah whatever, poser.” Temari sighs contentedly, her voice hoarse from the stomach acid.

-

While going to the dojo always uplifts your spirit, nurse work has been sucking the life out of you the past few weeks. So you decide to bring back something you thought you’d permanently left behind: clubbing. For some reason you think it’s a splendid date idea, so you invite Lee to tag along.

When you call him about it, of course he obliges to accompany his lady. He can admit he was quite familiar with raves in his earlier years. It may not be his forte like yours but he’s open to potentially enjoyable experiences- especially if he can share them with you.

It’s now club night, so you open that old bedroom closet. Your hair is in a natural pineapple style as you scan your options.

You pick out a pleated black mini-skirt, a white tank top, black knee-high leather boots and a biker jacket.

“Gosh, I feel like a college graduate again,” you grumble while staring at your reflection in the mirror. You feel kinda old considering how long it’s been since you’ve done something even remotely daring fashion-wise for yourself. You lock your apartment door behind you and strut your fine ass out of the building.

You notice Lee’s car pulling up and walk down the stairs to meet him when he parks. Lee steps out of his vehicle: dressed in dark green joggers and sneakers with a matching skin-tight short sleeve that lusciously accentuates his muscular physique. He finally makes his way to you and lord he almost faints when he’s bestowed with seeing your outfit up close.

You still can’t get used to how small you feel when this man looks down at you, especially when he has the gall to grin so charmingly.

“Hey gorgeous,” He leans down to peck your round cheek with a kiss before turning away to open your door. “Hop on in.”

As much as you two would like to fawn over how delectable you both look, as much as y’all would like to see what’s only left to the imagination, you refuse to take the chance of being inappropriate. So, you’ll both just have to lose your minds about each other internally.

The outside of the club you arrive at just looks like… a dark alleyway. The only implication of an event undergoing behind the simple black door is the security who verifies tickets. Although, once you’re allowed entry…

A bellow of dance music booms through the scene. A flurry of stark neon lights animate every attendee, including the ones residing in the dimly booths. The people on the dance floor look intoxicating, almost possessed by the rapid beat of the music. Now, you’ve gone to your fair share of clubs, but this place is a whole other world. This place looks like what people think clubs should look like.

Since Lee is too mesmerized by the vibrant atmosphere to look for seats, you interlace your fingers with his and guide him through the busy space. Luckily you find a vacant booth to sit at, looking through the menu for drinks.

“What are you getting?” You make sure to raise your voice so Lee can distinguish you from the background noise.

“Hmm. I’ll have a coke. You?”

“…This virgin piña colada looks good.”

You both decide to chat while you wait for a waiter to approach you for orders. Well… that’s until Charli XCX’s Delicious plays, and now you know you’re about to go bonkers. Your jaw drops and eyes widen with glee as you shimmy your jacket off. Lee watches you with curiosity as you grab his wrist and drag him to the lively dance floor.

At first you jump up and down to the rhythm, grooving to the electrifying melodies that flow through you. Lee follows your lead and sways to the music. A simple one-two step. But when the main beat drops you lose it, not thinking of Lee or anyone else around you as you let the song take over your body.

You whip your head side-to-side, letting your coils fly along the beat as you run your hands down your curvaceous body, a delirious smile adorning your features. Lee couldn’t help but marvel at your blissed out state, how your hips and rolls sway to the fast pace of the song, the way your tits bounce as you rock your body to the music. He wanted to devour you right where you stood. This is the version of you he absolutely adores, the version who doesn’t give a fuck.

You open your eyes and Lee is barely dancing: just lightly jiving while shamelessly staring down your wondrous form. An idea comes to mind, and it’s naughty but you don’t care.

You imitate a rope tied to Lee, and approach him as if you’re pulling him closer. It takes a moment for Lee to register your intent. And when he does he smiles so hard at your contagious charisma he almost giggles, deciding to entertain your advancements.

When you’re finally close enough you turn around, let your hands fall to your knees and shake your butt right on his groin. Lee yelps at how absolutely lovely your soft cheeks feel rubbing against him.

He hasn’t been touched like this in years, completely hypnotized by the sight of your back arching in tandem with every effortless jerk of your hips. You look over your shoulder and side-eye him with the most sinful smirk he’s ever seen you make. With his erection bordering on painful at this point, he decides to test how far you’re willing to take this.

Lee’s heavy hands firmly grip your lower waist to anchor you both, as he grinds against the fat of your ass to the music’s quick tempo. His movements are superbly calculated as they are natural. You wonder if Lee has ever gotten this nasty before.

But when a certain thrust bumps your clothed cunt, your eyebrows scrunch up instinctively at the sensation. He increases the force and utterly debauches you: your knees nearly buckle to the floor when his dick print repeatedly prods your most intimate entrance. It’s almost embarrassing how you huff and puff like you just ran a marathon, as you cope with the swelling arousal.

“…fuck,” you whimper pathetically. The heat pulsing between your legs makes you want to cum. You feel so dirty, so addicted. He’s addictive.

Lee skims his palm up the exposed contours of your back until he carefully grips the nape of your neck, while continuing to keep your hips in motion. Your oxygen isn’t cut off, but his grasp is tight enough where you feel lightheaded. You’re finally getting a taste of being at the mercy of his strength and it makes your vision go blurry. He steadily pulls you up until your back is flush against his front. Hot breath fans your skin as his lips brush the shell of your ear.

“I’m trying to be a gentleman and not fuck you over a bathroom sink,” He gives the front of your throat a delicious squeeze before cupping your jaw. “So chill out, princess.”

His words rumble down your spine, you would’ve never expected such initiative from a man. The way his deep voice makes your tummy flutter should be a health hazard, you just can’t think with him having you like this. Something about his outrageous warning makes you want to obey him, no matter how horny you’re feeling. So you nod wordlessly while rocking back and forth, trying to cope with how torched your body feels.

“Good girl.” He releases you from his grasp. You take some time to catch your breath, processing what this night could have led to before you both continue to dance like y’all weren’t dry humping a moment ago.

“You’re better at this than I thought, Sensei.” You purr.

Lee chuckles tentatively, feeling his body stiffen at your playful use of the nickname.

“I guess It’s been a while since I’ve attended the club scene.”

“Oh, so you’re used to women throwing ass at you?” 

“Yeah, but none of them were quite as good as you.” He replied like it was so obvious, like it was a fact that you should know too. Now it’s your turn to shy away, for you couldn’t detect a single lie.

The DJ switches to a slower club classic, ultimately subduing the chaotic atmosphere of the dance floor. You and Lee decide to take a break and have drinks on a balcony for some fresh air. He orders a coke and you a virgin piña colada.

-

The fresh air and quiet landscape make your eyelids feel a bit heavy. There is now some good room for your mind to think, despite the muffled music echoing in the background. It’s a comfortable silence you both share, which relieves you in almost every aspect.

“Thank you for not escalating…” you sway your head as if that will explain your point. “Y’know– when we were dancing.”

You think it’s cute the way Lee’s eyes widen as he processes your words, before tilting his head to look at you. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m comfortable when you’re comfortable.”

You shoot him a dopey grin and take a sip of your yellow beverage.

“Would..” Lee pauses. “Would you like to accompany us at the tournament?”

You lower your glass before looking back up at your dark-haired date, reveling at how the moon rays paint his face.

“Y-You sure?”

“Mhm!” Lee insists, his determined and hopeful gaze igniting that floaty warmth in your chest.

“You’ve not only been nursing my students. You’ve seen their struggles and growths. You’ve cheered them on through every step for as long as you’ve been at the dojo. They would absolutely love it if you came to see how far they’ve come!”

You smile hopelessly, “Ok then. I’ll be there.”

Lee’s smile is even brighter, now amplified by unbridled relief.

“Now,” you order smugly as you playfully poke his brick wall for a chest. “My question for you.”

Your date’s expression melts into a more serene smirk. “Shoot,” he challenges.

“Why did you stop clubbing?”

Despite your question being random, he still takes the time to carefully process an answer. You watch him while he’s thinking: there’s a distant look in his eyes that makes him appear a bit unsettled, as if he’s seeing something that you can’t.

“I partied during a time when my dojo needed me, so I quit and focused solely on training again.”

While his answer is kind of vague, you accept it for what it is and hope for a time when he’s ready to open up to you more. You remember when you told Lee you didn’t expect much from men, and that’s still true. But you’ve felt his essence enough to accept that he’s simply a rarity among the masses. Your rarity.

“I.. I still really enjoyed our date tonight.” He gulps while blushing profusely. “I’d love to dance with you again. Plus, I have to ask that DJ where they get their music.”

Lee looks at you as if he’s terrified you got the wrong idea of how he feels about you. His earnest nature is so adorable sometimes, it makes your eyes sting a bit. You lay your head on his shoulder and look up at the full moon, a lonesome beacon illuminating the black sky.

“I enjoyed our date too.”

“So why did you stop clubbing?” He pries.

You hum in deep thought, deciding to answer with the same level of honesty.

“At some point I thought my job was all I needed to make it in life, since it was the only thing I was good at. I know that’s not true, but I wanted to be the best so that no one under my care would suffer...”

How naive I was.

Lee takes a sip from his pop and looks down at you.

“Your will to make sacrifices is admirable.” He commends.

You down the rest of your fruity drink and sigh wantonly. “I’m still a party girl at heart.”

“Apparently,” he deadpans with a smirk.

You swat his shoulder and he laughs heartily, complaining about his coke almost spilling. The comforting silence creeps back in, and you lean against him once more.

“Are you driving me home?”

“Do you even have to ask?”

This work belongs solely to ©️ blimbosworlddd. Do not plagiarize, steal, copy or repost. I worked very hard on this; reblogs, comments, and likes are appreciated. And please don’t hesitate to engage with writers. That’s how communities are made.

[ballsandbabes]

More Than Gold

authors note: y/n = your name// not proof read// GIF not mine //Just a silly little story// Have fun <3

series: part.I // part.II

pairing: Reo Mikage x fem!reader

summary: Reader and Reo are daiting, but once reader finds out about him being super rich, insecurities and problems arise. How does this new information changes their relationship???

genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Modern AU with canon elements I guess???

You’d always thought Reo was the definition of "put-together." Stylish, confident, maybe a little extra sometimes — but in a charming, captivating way. It made him fun. Fun to be around and so charming. He walked like he had the world in his pocket and smiled like it was his to share.

And maybe that should’ve tipped you off.

But you’d never asked. Because you liked him for his laugh, the way he texted you good morning and good night (always), the way he’d always pay attention even when you talked about boring work shifts or broken water pipes in your cramped tiny little apartment. He never acted bored. He was happy for you, loved it when you shared a new interest with him or just brabbled about your day. He made you feel… important.

Your relationship had bloomed in the quiet hours between Blue Lock training breaks and late-night calls. You knew his ambitions, his soccer dreams, his frustrations when training pushed him to his limits. You knew he had expensive taste — the skincare routine alone made your wallet wince — but you always thought that was just Reo being Reo. Dramatic, playful, and weirdly elegant. You always thought, since he played for BlueLock, he must have a nice check to his name.

You just… didn’t know he was Mikage Corp Reo.

You found out on accident. Scrolling through your Instax feed one lazy afternoon, a reposted article caught your eye: "Heir to Mikage Corporation spotted supporting Japan’s rising football stars." Your stomach dropped at the name, but the photo made your heart freeze.

Reo. In a tailored suit. Standing next to his father.

Heir? Corporation?? Billionaire???

You clicked through article after article, mind spinning. The rabbit hole swallowed you whole. The Mikage name wasn’t just on shampoo bottles and luxury apartments — it was f*cking everywhere. His family owned more businesses than you could count. The kind of money, that wasn’t "upper middle class" rich. It was "I-have-a-private-island-and-I-fly-there-for-the-weekend" rich.

You sat on the edge of your bed in stunned silence, phone glowing in your hand.

He never told you.

___ _ _ _

You didn’t respond to his usual good-night text that evening, too confused by all this new information. You also skipped the next morning’s call.

Instead, you stood in the tiny kitchen of your shared apartment with your roommate, staring at your chipped coffee mug and feeling like a fraud. You felt bad. How could you keep dating someone like that? Someone who could buy ten of your apartments without blinking? Someone who’d never had to choose between gas money or groceries?

You thought about the times he offered to pay for dinner and how you used to laugh it off. "Next time, Mikage," you’d say, nudging his shoulder, knowing you couldnt afford to eat at a restaurant or take-away. he offered to pay for your meals so many times, but you refused so many times. You thought he was just being generous. But now? Things changed. It actually didnt matter to him, financially seen.

Now it felt like you’d been playing pretend. He was the Mikage successor. the one who would inherit the million, oh my, quadrillions in money. Together with a business that was worth more than…you couldn't even imagine the dimensions. You, on the other hand, basically had nothing. A tiny and very ugly apartment, a medium paying job and sometimes problems making ends meet. The public - a thought flashed into your head. Omg…what would others think? But sure you would be after his money. that made you feel sad. The thought of being in the spotlight of the world just like Reo was too much for you…what if people didn't like you? If they bad-mouthed you or worse… You felt sick.

___ _ _ _

That night, he knocked on your door. You almost didn’t answer. But you couldn’t ignore the way he called your name — quiet, concerned, real. You opened the door, and there he was: sweatpants, oversized hoodie, hair messy from training. Reo. But suddenly, painfully, a stranger.

“I… saw the articles,” you murmured.

His face froze for half a second. Then softened. “Yeah. I figured that was coming eventually.”

“Why?....You never told me,” you said, and it came out more hurt than you wanted it to.

“I didn’t want it to matter,” he said simply. “You liked me...the person I am... Not Mikage Corp.”

“But it does matter, Reo.” You bit your lip. “I live paycheck to paycheck. My parents are still paying the loan for the house. You’re out here casually wearing shoes that cost more than my monthly rent. Have you ever thought about, how this... I Look like in this situation???”

He stepped forward, eyes intense. “You think that changes how I see you?”

“I think… I’m starting to wonder if we’re in the same world.”

Silence.

Reo didn’t interrupt. He just let the truth hang there. He was never one to rush an answer — he always made you feel heard, and it hurt more now, because you knew he was listening. You expected him to say something rich-kid clueless. Like “money doesn’t matter” or “just let me take care of you.”

Instead, Reo sat down on the stairs outside your apartment and said, “Do you know why I play soccer?”

You blinked. “Because you’re talented?”

He gave you a crooked smile. “Because I didn’t want to be just the Mikage heir. Everything in my life was handed to me. Tutors, houses, cars. But I never earned any of it. Soccer was the first thing I chose. The first thing that made me feel like a real person.”

You sat beside him slowly, your chest tight. He looked up at the stars — city-dim, but still there. “When I met you, it was the same feeling. You didn’t ask for anything. You didn’t expect anything. You teased me for being extra, you laughed when I burned toast, and you made me feel like just Reo. And I love that!”

Your voice was small. “I didn’t want you to think I cared about the money.”

“I don’t care if you do. It would only be normal. But I didn’t tell you because I was scared you’d look at me differently.” His voice softened. “And I was right....because now you are.”

You closed your eyes. The hurt was still there, but under it… was love. Deep, real love. Reo had never treated you like less. If anything, he’d made you feel like the most valuable thing in the world.

And now he looked so vulnerable — like a boy caught between two worlds, waiting for you to choose if you’d stand beside him or leave.

___ _ _ _

The next few days weren’t perfect. They were bad actually. Both sides thinking about the conversation you had a few days ago. It was so much to bare. Feeling watched, whenever you stepped outside the apartment. Always in fear some paparazzi knew about you and your relationship with Reo. Suddenly thinking more about what you should wear and if it looked good, if it made you look poor or not. You needed space. He gave it.

But he still texted every morning, even if you didn’t reply. He sent a photo of his burnt omelet with the caption: "Still can’t cook. Still yours if you want."

And slowly, you realized something: Reo didn’t make you feel small. Your fear did. Your insecurities whispered that you didn’t belong — but he never did.

So you texted him: "Come over. We need to talk. (And you owe me toast ;))"

___ _ _ _

He arrived at your place late, but with a new loaf of bread and that same hopeful glint in his eye. You sat together on the couch, knees touching. “I still don’t know how to deal with all this,” you said honestly. “But I miss you. And I want to try.”

He smiled, eyes soft. “We can figure it out together. And hey, worst case — we suck at budgeting, but at least I can bribe you with croissants.”

You snorted. “As long as they’re not from your private chef., I can life with it....”

“Deal.” He grinned. “They’ll be from the bakery down the street. The sweet and buttery ones you like.”

“And Reo?” You took his hand. “Don’t hide parts of yourself from me again. I want to know all of you. Even the rich, famous heir stuff. Even if it’s intimidating.”

His voice was quiet. “Okay. Then I want to know all of you, too. Even the fears. Even the hard days.”

___ _ _ _

Months passed. You got better at talking about money. He got better at listening when you said no. He never made you feel like charity — he made you feel like a partner. You helped him learn to cook (kind of). He helped you with your resume (Now it sounds like you are the most professional person in the world, with how many of his consultants looked over it). He sent you flowers on your bad days, but not the expensive ones and always with a card that said something dorky and cheesy like: “Because you’re already blooming.”

One evening, as you sat together watching the sun dip behind the city skyline, he nudged you and said,“You know, I could buy you a yacht.”

You gave him a shocked and amused look, “What would I even do with a yacht?”

“Take over the ocean. Start a sea bakery. Name it something cool like ‘Toast & Tide.’,” he laughed. You laughed until you couldn’t breathe,“ Reo, you’re the dumbest rich boy I’ve ever met.”

He leaned his head on your shoulder. “Yeah,b ut arent you forgetting something?? I’m your dumb rich boy.”

You kissed the top of his head, “Damn right you are.”

Things were going better. it was easier to deal with now that you knew what you were getting yourself into. Looking back, this new information had only strengthened your relationship. Even if it wasn't easy at first.

But the little world you created with so much love and effort would soon collapse.

Stay tuned for part.II

[zooophagous]

Tuunbaq is really cute, im excited to see what his future holds :) i never heard of kishu ken before you got him, what got you interested in the breed?

Honestly I saw one on tumblr and went down the rabbit hole reading about them lol. I've always been interested in spitz breeds and "primitive" dogs that are more cat like, as cats are my background and what I'm more used to.

But the kishu seemed to be different. A spitz type primitive but one that actually wasn't standoffish with strangers, and that enjoyed being trained, that wasn't quite so stubborn while retaining enough independence to not be directly on top of me all the time and be able to think for itself for a bit. A hunting breed but one more into large targets like deer and hogs but soft on small animals like cats. A coat that's easy to keep clean and a flexible temperament that's up for anything.

Once I got to meet a couple of them in person it was all over and I needed one lol. Tuunbaq so far has perfectly fit into the description that got me intrigued. He's eager to learn, bold enough to try new things without much convincing, moderately obedient without being fawning and up for anything as long as he gets to be with his people.

The one stand out bit of the breed standard that stuck with me is that kishu are described as being unflinchingly loyal. Which, all dogs typically are, but they amp it up by a few degrees.

And I do see it. He won't shove his entire body into mine and sit on my foot like Egon, but if I close a door he waits behind it for me to come out. He will follow me into a room and lay down at my feet patiently until I stand up and it's time to go. When he sees something new and can't decide if it's good or bad he looks back at me to decide what to do next.

He's moderate energy and fairly low drive, even less so than Egon who's much older. He loves to train but won't go bananas and destroy my house if we skip a day.

They're just great all rounders and it's truthfully baffling to me that these relatively easy, medium sized dogs with wash and wear coats aren't as popular as other Japanese breeds like akitas who will eat your neighbor's arms off if you don't hammer them with training from puppyhood and even then they won't like everyone.

[rebuke-me]

be more chill : hero, heroine, both or neither

or, jupes cares way too much about the journeys of media and audience reception

to start, am I allowed to flex my (near) college degrees? I'm going to. I'm doing college level research into the heroines journey, writing, and how audiences respond to it, and I have a fascination with fandom experiences. this is going to be mostly intellectual, but also be an attempt to be accessible for non-obsessed nerds like me. but this will assume you have at least a passing knowledge of the plot of the musical be more chill, a semi-awareness of the heros journey, and care about storytelling/writing.

now that that's out of the way, there's one more thing I want to get out of the way: my critiques of this show and it's writing is not reflective on the fans that enjoy it. I am a fan of it. I also like media analysis and criticism of things I love. if you are the type of person to take media criticism personally, this post may not be for you. 

on with the actual crux of my post! 

most (fictional) media falls into one of two categories: the hero's journey or the heroines journey. if you've dabbled in media criticism or storytelling, you've probably heard of the hero's journey. if you haven't, maybe you've heard terms like the Call to Adventure or The Death of the Mentor. if you still have no idea what I'm talking about, it's okay, I'll explain beat for beat later.

the heroines journey is more complicated. most writers aren't taught it, it's swept under the rug. which sucks, because it's a very popular storytelling medium, arguably more so than the heros journey. it's just frowned upon and ignored because it's mostly used in genre fiction, like romance novels. I don't have time to unpack misogyny right now. just know that the reason you probably haven't heard of this is because of misogyny.

also, to clarify: a hero does not have to be male, and a heroine doesn't have to be female, at least in the context of journeys. male characters can go on a heroines journey, and vice versa. stories also don't have to hit every single plot beat of a journey to be considered one- it's more of a guideline than a checklist. 

onto the actual topic of be more chill.  I saw a post that sent me on a rabbit hole, that mentioned bmc in the context of a heros journey. and I was like, hold on, no, it's a heroines journey. sure, it has some plot beats of the heros journey, but it's a heroine. right? 

kind of. 

but also kind of not. 

see, be more chill is an interesting media, because it follows, at its core, both journeys at the exact same time. 

we'll start with the heros journey first. it's more familiar to people, and therefore easier to explain. 

the Hero usually has a magical or fantastical birth. strike one against bmc- Jeremy, at his core, is just some guy. he's not special or magic. he's some teenager. 

however, he does get the Call to Adventure- rich, offering him a squip in the bathroom. Jeremy is promised everything he'd ever want. popularity, girls, respect. and still he Refuses the Call at first. he hesitates, then goes and seeks answers on his own, bringing him to the payless, where he buys his squip. 

the squip acts as the Supernatural Aid/Mentor figure. usually, these are male parental figures, or wizened old men. the squip guides Jeremy through his new life and prospects, giving him help that's almost magical. it is the reason he does a lot of things in the plot. this is jeremy’s Withdrawal/Quest- he wants to get popular, get the girl, so he Abandons his Community (his dad and michael) to do so. he metaphorically leaves his home, and it’s all self-motivated. he chooses to leave. 

the next part of the journey is encountering obstacles which is, in fact, the rest of the show. between brooke and chloe, christine liking jake, the halloween party, etc. if there’s a part between jeremy taking the squip and him getting rid of it thats hindering his goals, it falls into this category. 

then there’s the Visit to the Underworld. this is, in most modern media, purely metaphorical. it’s a place where there’s intense pain, death, the main character is at rock bottom. for our purposes (both here, and in the heroine’s journey) this is the play. its entire thing is zombies/zombified people, which is a big thing in metaphorical and literal underworld areas. 

this is where the hero’s journey falls apart. usually, the hero has to face the villain one-on-one, drawing strength from his isolation. he deals the killing blow, he takes down the whole thing, either in a noble sacrifice or with his own wit/skill. 

but jeremy, notably, doesn’t do that. michael brings the mountain dew red, jake attempts to help michael save him, and even in the end, christine is the one to drink it, shutting down the entire web of synced squips. jeremy, as a whole, doesn’t really save himself. potentially, you could argue that him giving the last of the red to christine is him giving a noble sacrifice, but he still had no intent to defeat the squip for himself, get revenge, or get glory, which are the hero’s main motivations and pillars of success. so strike two against the bmc hero’s journey. 

the ending of the journeys are arguably most important. it determines whether or not the media sticks the landing, if its satisfying for the reader. so how does the hero’s journey end? with the hero returning home, fundamentally changed, unable to fit into his previous role. he’s acknowledged for success, rewarded and honored, and receives glory, but also has to leave, isolating himself, but receiving a boon. 

jeremy receives a boon, sure, in the form of christine. (sorry, christine, i wish you weren’t reduced to being a prize to be won, but i can’t pretend that isn’t what you are, from a hero’s journey lens.) but he’s not isolated, he has no reason to leave his community. he gets the best of both worlds. he gets the girl, new friends, new self-confidence, and he keeps his old friends. if this is a hero’s journey, then it’s a terrible ending- jeremy seems to have gone through all of that for nothing. it lands poorly. so, if be more chill is a hero’s journey, it sets it up pretty well, but fails to commit to the ending.

but what about a heroine’s journey, i hear you asking (if you’re still here, that is.)

this is where it gets really interesting. because the heroine’s journey, at its core, is the inverse of the hero’s. it all focuses on community, networking, making connections. there’s a reason a lot of romance novels fall into this journey. It falls into three main arcs- the descent, the search, and the ascent. 

interestingly, if bmc is a heroine’s journey, the Descent starts before the musical does. the first step of the heroine’s journey is the breaking of a familial network. jeremy’s mother has left, leaving just him and his father, who do not get along, and michael, who doesn’t understand, not entirely. jeremy Withdraws. usually, in heroine’s journeys, the heroine withdraws involuntarily, but jeremy chooses to do it. he pulls back from his support network, because of a main factor in the heroine’s journey- Family Offers Aid but No Solution. 

if that doesn’t describe michael’s role in bmc, i have no idea what does. michael’s the one aiding jeremy on his journey, at the beginning. but his aid is “just stick it out,” but that’s a further down the line answer, not a solution to jeremy’s problems now. so he has to pull back from the support system he had, because its not working for him. 

this leads him to Isolation and Danger. because he meets with rich in the bathroom alone. he takes michael to the payless, but he makes the decision alone. and when the squip activates, he’s left by michael, surrounded by people he doesn’t know. he’s isolated, maybe not on the stage itself, but metaphorically. 

this starts jeremy on his Search– he forces himself to withdraw, all to search for unity. he breaks all ties to his previous life, just to look for the one thing he wants. 

in the heroine’s journey, there are two main throughlines– Loss of Family and Disguise. jeremy loses his first family, disguises himself, and attempts to create a surrogate family network. he tries to rebuild his community, shaping himself into something different, trying to find something that he can be or do to be worth it. each of his obstacles is an appeal to a new community, and each one is rejected. 

and then comes the play, which, again, is the underworld. death imagery, loss of control, the literal rock bottom for the characters. jeremy is at his lowest point, everything he’s done is falling apart. and what happens?

his family and friends render aid. as previously mentioned, the hero’s journey focuses on isolation, strength in loneliness, the value of doing things for you and only by you. but the heroine’s journey focuses on strength in numbers, in relying on others for help, in the importance of being saved, sometimes. jeremy’s dad reaches out to michael, who knows how to help, and christine is the one to drink the mountain dew red in the end. jeremy, as a whole, is nothing and would get nowhere without his friends. 

with the defeat of the squip, the Ascent can start. and this is where we, again, ask the question of if be more chill sticks the landing. sure, maybe it didn’t succeed with the hero’s journey ending, but if it sticks the landing for the heroine’s, then its fine, right? it successfully completed one journey, at least!

not really, actually. 

there’s parts where it does land. jeremy’s new network (the popular kids) is established, meaning he has more friends, more opportunities and advice handed to him. his previous network (michael and his dad) is re-established in an altered form. his dad is going to attempt to be better, more involved, and michael is more understanding of where jeremy is at. jeremy also establishes his connection with christine. the defeat of the squip is, as a whole, kind of irrelevant, from a “villain defeat” perspective. there’s no revenge or glory in it. it’s not even entirely gone, but the defeat is more metaphorical. 

so why doesn’t this work? i just told you that it mostly succeeds, that it fits almost all of the criteria. but there’s one fundamental issue with the ending of be more chill as a heroine’s journey. 

see, the heroine has to make a sacrifice, to make negotiations, to give a compromise. otherwise, it feels too easy to the reader. so what sacrifice does jeremy make? he keeps his previous friendship with no issues. he makes new friends who don’t question his decisions. he gets the girl. he gets (mostly) rid of the voice in his head, or gains the ability to ignore it. he gets a happy ending, and it doesn’t feel earned.

so, is jeremy a hero? a heroine? did i just draw you into reading this to leave you with a wishy-washy answer of “he’s whichever you think he is!” maybe a little bit. 

the hero’s journey doesn’t land because there’s no isolation, no sacrifice that jeremy makes to his own connections. he doesn’t draw away and stay there. the bad is defeated, and he doesn’t have to make sacrifices. the heroine’s journey doesn’t land for the same reason, because he doesn’t make a compromise. there’s nothing to prove that something’s changed, that he’s grown, because he’s given everything he wants in the end. 

this is why the story of be more chill, as a whole, doesn’t land for most people, even subconsciously. critics, especially those who love the hero’s journey, are upset that there’s not a satisfying ending to the hero’s journey, that it feels too childish. the happy go lucky “everyone is friends at the end” moment falls flat for those looking at the journey from a hero’s journey perspective. the bones are all there. the plot beats make sense, for the most part, with some minor flaws, right up until the end, where it trips and falls flat on its face. 

but what about the heroine’s journey lovers? well, if you’re in this fandom (or any fandom, for that matter) it’s probably you. (its also me, hi, im calling myself out here, too. i wouldn’t be writing this if i wasn’t so into this.)

the heroine’s journey is particularly attractive to those who are active in fandom. there’s a reason there’s a lot of fanfiction focused on relationships, connection, group dynamics, and not so many on the characters put in a vacuum where they have to defeat the big bad alone. not to say that there aren’t any, but fewer. so how do people who love the heroine’s journey cope with the lack of a satisfying ending? 

fanfiction, mostly. fanart. alternate universes. seeing potential in the bones of the thing, the messages it offers, and making it our own. and there isn’t anything wrong with that. i do it, if you’re reading this, you probably do it, or like when others do it. 

personally, i am more intrigued by be more chill as a heroine’s journey. clearly. i’m biased, i know. because, while it doesn’t stick the landing entirely, it has the messages of a heroine’s journey. that your strength is with other people. that you are not alone. that you should ask for help, you should be kind, you should find the people who care about you. your friends matter, old and new. isolation and disguising yourself as someone you aren’t is never going to help you achieve your goals. and that’s an important factor. 

maybe you see jeremy as a hero. maybe you see him as a heroine. maybe you think that both of these journeys suck and you don’t think it matters which one it follows, or if it follows one at all. but clearly, there’s something to love, to latch onto. there’s flaws, which give us something to analyze, to pull apart and make art and creative works and essays about. it’s not perfect, and that’s why we love it. 

[ because im a library science student, i’m going to give brief sources. i drew my knowledge of the plot of be more chill from my own brain, if i missed anything, its because of that. feel free to point out if i said something wrong, if i did. the hero’s journey is the one by john campbell, and i used the heroine’s journey structure from gail carriger’s book. some other heroine’s journey sources may not fit this as well. if you’re interested in any part of this concept, read The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger, its a fascinating read, and its pretty tongue-in-cheek, and goes way more in depth with a lot of the stuff i touched on. ]

[ also, this should not be used in any actual classes, this is a 20 year old college student with autism and a hyperfixation, i did not do in depth research, i have not graduated yet, i am simply a bitch with a weird brain. do your own research babes <3. with that, thank you for reading this, if you got to this point, feel free to reblog this or like it or leave a comment or whatever. ]

[zukosdualdao]

despite my lack of enjoyment for most of the atla post-series comics themselves, i'm very fascinated by the discussions around them because, as with many post-series comics, two of the biggest questions are: are these canon? and does that matter?

it's interesting, too, because i have never seen a single post-series comics continuation that was widely well-received. which is not to say that no one enjoys them - you can find avid supports and avid detractors for just about any property and any storytelling medium you can think of - but that the contention around them is not contained just to atla. (the buffy post-series continuation comics, for example, are pretty controversial as well.)

i think part of it comes down to fan resentment, because as much people say they want more of a certain thing, it's actually often better, at least i think, for a creative project to be self-contained and not try to keep milking the cash cow. and when creators are doing that and not delivering a story fans are happy with, it shows.

but then that also leads to this question, right, of are these post-series comics canon? i think the answer is genuinely more nuanced than some have given thought to. bryke would say yes, as they are the official creators and have been heavily involved in the production of the comics. and anyone who subscribes to the idea that the original creators of a thing hold the final word on the idea of what's canon and what's not would therefore agree also.

but if someone was more inclined to think that once a creator puts their work out into the world, they're sort of giving up the the idea that they have total control as to how people interpret the thing they've created... then it's a lot murkier.

i guess, to be clear, i do not, strictly speaking, see the atla comics as canon. i'm not the type (at least these days, there's a lot of past fandom follow-the-leader-ing i was doing that i now cringe back at, i was sixteen, it's fine) to declare something as 'not canon' if i simply don't like it. i think that's important to acknowledge because sometimes canon is worth criticizing. this is, incidentally, where i (again, these days) find myself uninterested, by and large, in deriding a character for behaving 'ooc', and instead far more interested in contextualizing and analyzing their behavior. after all, if it's in the thing, it’s in the thing.

... except the comics aren't the original thing. they are influenced and backed by the original creators and presumably a lot of people on the original team, but they're an entirely different medium, and presumably not entirely the same team, and they may well have had a very different artistic mission statement or way of brainstorming ideas, etc, etc. (also, to anyone who says the medium does not matter, i implore you to think about how different the show would be with a different musical score! for an instance. and then think about the fact for as big an influence as the music had on the series, the comics inherently cannot translate that.)

which leads me to a rabbit-hole train of thought question there is, i think, no clear answer to, but i will pose it regardless: can something made (at least in part) by the original creators be a 'transformative work'? if you're defining 'transformative' as: "adds "new expression, meaning, or message" to the original work", then i think you could easily argue that the new medium, if nothing else, constitutes a 'new expression.' but then you could also argue that the whole point of the term is to protect creators of transformative works from copyright claims made by the original creators, arguably making that irrelevant.

anyway! even more than the nebulous nature of what a post-canon comic even is, i find fan engagement - or lack thereof - pretty important to the conversation, too. because i think those of us deeply entrenched in fandom spaces tend to forget that casual viewership probably takes up a much larger percentage of most audiences than those in fandom, and that's probably true even years after a show has ended. that being the case, a lot of the audience has probably never even heard of the comics, let alone read them.

there are, naturally, nuances and variables to this, such as the idea that someone who goes back and watches a show from twenty years ago might be more likely to engage in fandom, and the way that 'fandom' has a concept has evolved (as i do think what i'd term 'casual fandom', eg. tweeting about bridgerton but not necessarily consuming or creating fan content is a lot more common now than it was twenty years ago due to social media), as well as the fact that you don't have to be involved in fandom to say, receive the comics as a gift from an uncle who knows you like the franchise.

but all of this can be true and it can also still be true that a pretty big percentage of people who have watched and even love atla haven't read the comics/have no knowledge or interest in them. and so that gets to the issue of does it matter whether they're canon or not? i've seen some KA shippers, for instance, argue that the comics 'fixed' the issue of aang kissing katara without her consent in teip because there's a comic (iirc) where he asks if he can kiss her, she says not right now, he listens, the end. and to be clear, i'm not trying to demean the creators for including that scene, as i think it's important to model healthy examples of consent for kids. but i also really empathize with the idea that it's sort of too-little-too-late because the original issue was never addressed in-show and, again! many people who did watch the show have never and will never read that comic.

so when i hear the debates back-and-forth of whether they count as canon or not, my head hurts, and i just can't find it in myself to care. who knows, right? maybe the real canon is the friends we made along the way. etc.

what it boils down to for me is this: generally speaking, i don't enjoy the comics and have no need or desire to incorporate them into my understanding of atla's series narrative. there are elements that i can appreciate, and they are largely zuko and the fn royal family backstory details, because, unlike the additive adventure narratives, it primarily serves to deepen and contextualize things we already saw in the show. i know some people see this 'i take what i like and dump out the rest' philosophy as, idk, a cheap cop-out or something. maybe they're right! i just can't find it in myself to care. at the end of the day, i think the big important thing for me is that i am able to define and decide on these things for myself. i think we should get more comfortable doing that in fandom in general, tbh.

[cosmicflare]

・﹒・ single dad, huh?

Summary: You had just moved into the sprawling suburban neighborhood after inheriting your late-grandparents' house. Your new, next door neighbor wanted to help you move it and you couldn't help but accept it. You soon fall down a rabbit hole of "is this guy too old for me?" after you realize your true feelings for him.

Warings: Age gap, fluff

Pairing: Don!Mobius x GN!reader

Notes: I finally watched the Loki Disney+ show and when I tell you the moment I saw dad Mobius...I'm a sucker for DILFS, guilty as charged 😔. Should I make a part 2????

The neighborhood was nothing special, it was your average suburban area with picturesque houses and families. You grew up closer to the city so you never had to deal with driving everywhere as eveything was walkable, but you have visited here occasionally since the house you were moving into used to belong to your grandparents. So you held some fond memories of this place, it would take a while to get used to it, but in time it would get better.

You never visited here much though, as it was over a two hour drive, but cherish the little memories you had of this place. You had been saving up to move out of your parents' house but no apartments seemed to work for you. Of course its not nice to find out your grandparents had passed, but you were blessed that they left you their house. All the papers were in order and the house was officially in your name before they bit the dust.

Today was your move-in day and the medium sized moving truck sat outside as you did everything yourself. Since it was just you- you didn't feel the need to pay a few guys to move your stuff as there wasn't that much, but still a decent amount. You briskly walked back up into the truck to lug a box into the house and as you walked down the ramp, someone called out to you.

"Need any help there, new neighbor?" It startled you at first before you quickly recovered and looked over to see the source. It was your next-door neighbor. He was an older man with grey, short hair. Maybe he was in his 40s? He probably just didn't want to maintain dying his hair all the time so he kept it natural, but you couldn't lie and say he wasn't at least a little bit attractive. You thought about this and contemplated his offer, it wouldn't be so bad, right? You could get to know him and he could get to know you. Knowing someone right off the bat would be helpful in this new area, you just hope he didn't have any bad intentions.

"Sure!" I just need to get these boxes all inside first, so bring them in and I'll tell you where to put them. I can handle the rest" You walked down the ramp with your box of who knows what and he got closer with a smile on his face. "Now I hope you aren't some creep because if so, I will have to ask you kindly to leave" You laughed awkwardly- partially afraid of that being the case but also trying to make a joke out of it.

"Oh, pfft. I'm a single dad. My days consist of selling- or trying to sell jet skis and telling my sons not to burn their toys. I mean- why do they think that's cool? You know what's cool? Jet skis" Huh, he was a single dad, why did that make your heart skip? He was a dad, a dad! And he has multiple sons, you were single and in your early 20s with no big plans. He seems to like jet skis though, a man has to have his hobbies after all, it honestly was cute.

"Single dad, huh?" You mused with a small smile as he passed you going into the truck and picking up a random box and following you.

"Yeah. My eldest is twelve and my youngest is eight and they are my boys. My wife left me a few years ago so I've been raising them on my own the past few years. It's been a learning curve certainly, but they're good boys, not counting burning their toys. Seriously I don't get it, why would you burn your own stuff?" It made you slightly sad that his wife left him when he seemed like such a good father, from first impressions at least. "Oh shoot, I never introduced myself! My name is Don" he flashed a smile with excitement as he stood next to you. Saying your name, his face switched into one of concentration before snapping his fingers with a smile.

"Now I remember! You're the grandchild of that old couple that lived here! Sorry for your loss, by the way. They were nice people" From the way he went from excitement from remembering where he heard your name from then unfortunate passing of your grandparents, it was obvious that he didn't want to brush over that fact and tried to be kind.

"Thank you. I miss them but they were nice enough to leave me this house since they knew I've been trying to save up. But I can't wait to meet your sons" Changing the conversation was needed as you didn't want to lament on them being gone, but didn't want him to think he did anything wrong. So you gave a genuine smile as he walked next to you into the house and you had a feeling that he would become a good friend.

"Well, every two weeks I plan a cookout and this Saturday is the next one. A few neighbors from this block usually come over so you can get a chance to meet them too. No pressure, of course! Only come if you're comfortable!" You thought it was really sweet of him to invite you over, even if he didn't know you weren't the most sociable person ever. He followed you through the front door and set the box down in the kitchen since it was well...stuff for the kitchen. The box you held was for the livingroom so you set it down there.

"I'll think about it"

"Think about it? What's there to think about?" He exclaimed as he started to talk with his hands, but not in anger, in was very amusing how animated and passionate he was. "You're hangin' out with the coolest dad on the block, you'll meet my sons, meet the other neighbors, and have some good food" He walked closer to you and you couldn't help but feel your attraction to him grow stronger. You're so fucked.

"I'm not the most...social...person. I prefer to spend my time alone...and in my house" it wasn't a lie, you truly did prefer to spend time by yourself reading, playing games, and a few other things. But you didn't know how you would react to being near him for that long with a bunch of strangers around.

"Well, the offer is still on the table. It starts at six sharp, but showing up fashionably late wouldn't be bad either. As long as you're there" He winked at you as he left to grab more boxes. Wait...he winked at you? He winked at you! Your face burned slightly as you replayed it in your head a few times before shaking your head and stood in your house for a few seconds before meeting him back outside. You had to get it under control, this stupid little crush would get out of hand very fast if you didn't put an end to it now. But...would it be so bad? You haven't had a crush on a long time much less dated anyone, might as well have a little fun if it makes you happy. But you wouldn't actively go for him, no way. He's too old and has two kids. Nope.

"Wait, where are your kids now? School?" It was a Tuesday morning so they most likely were, but the thought had just occurred to you then as he walked back inside with a box for the bathroom and a box for the bedroom.

"Yeah. They take a bus everyday since my work schedule usually lets me off after they get out. This is one of my off days. They're decent at school, I'm not trying to pressure them into a career they want to do so as long as they pass its fine" Your heart flipped yet again as he truly seemed like a caring father if not a little quirky, but who isn't? Smiling, you walk back out with him to get the other boxes.

This went on for the next few hours- you'd talk about yourselves to know each other better as you grabbed more boxes and set them in the right room. It honestly took a lot longer than it should from the amount of boxes you had- it wasn't that many- but got caught up in just...talking. It was really nice though, as you felt like you made a new friend already and it was your first day here. As you were talking about the good restaurants here so you can get takeout at, the sounds of kids outside signalled that school ended and Don's sons would be home soon. He looked down at his watch and smiled.

"Right on time! You just got one more box in there I'll bring out. You sure you'll be fine unpacking this all?" He insisted that his kids could wait and that he wanted to help you unpack all the boxes, but you would rather him not see all your things because you were more of a private person, and plus you didn't want him to miss making dinner for his boys.

"Yeah I'll be fine. It was really nice to meet you, Don. Maybe I'll see you again tomorrow?" You shook hands and couldn't help but feel tingles up your spine from the contact, but still smiled and he smiled back before letting go.

"I work tomorrow and you'll probably still be unpacking but you can always visit me at work! You know where I work, stop by anytime you feel like it, you know my schedule. Well, I'm off, see you later! Nice to meet you!" He started towards back towards his house just as you saw two young boys enter the yard, those must be his sons. Heart feeling warm, you watched as he happily grabbed what looked like his oldest into a headlock and rub his hair. Sighing. you decided to check out one of the places he recommended to get takeout since you were hungry and looked it up on Google. You couldn't help but be tempted to take his offer to his cookout on Saturday. Maybe you'll visit him at his job too.

[munchboxart]

Fountain pen ink update, I've collected quite a collection of inks! Unfortunately, I underestimated how many blues I decided to get LOL I still have more on the way as well.

I just bought Machu Picchu by Diamine, Milky Way by Troublemaker, and a sample of Quantum Teal by Birmingham Pens that I'm really excited to try.

I just realised I didn't swatch another purple I had that's also called Milky Way (but it's by Pentonote). I also swatched Classic Green by Diamine but just didn't show it off because I... only have 1 green, but I'll be happy to share if anyones interested.

By the way, all of these swatches (except for the Classic Green) is done by a glass dip pen.

Some notes for similar inks: Boilers Steam by Birmingham Pens and Dragon by Octopus Fluids are pretty much identical, the main difference is that Dragon is a lot more sheenier. Maskara and Simulan by Vinta Inks are also extremely similar, the main difference is that Maskara is a little more warmer, while Simulan is cooler. Bog Sage and Snowfield by Dominant Industry look similar on camera, but Bog Sage shades a lot more, while Snowfield is just lighter (and has glitter).

As for favorite inks, my opinion heavily depends on how it looks when writing with a fountain pen, but I will say I really like Dugong Bughaw by Vinta Inks (my mega sheener ink) and Dragon by Octopus Fluids. I'm really looking forward to using Blueze Hadancourt by Dominant Industry on my pen because It looks really pretty (Yuletide by Diamine as well). Oh! Classic Green too, but I just put that in yesterday so I'll have to do more writing, but I like how it looks (but maybe it's just because it's a change from blue-purples). LASTLY, I really love the Cat swatch by Colorverse, I believe it looks best with dip pen.

As for inks I want to get in the future, the only ink I have in mind that I want to get 100% is Gyeyu Jeongnan by Colorverse. I love snow, and it looks like blood on snow which I think looks really cool. And at least one Wearingeul ink. I almost caved and bought The Great Gatsby for myself, but I heard a lot of reviews that it was underwhelming so I held back on it. I bought 1984 for a friend and red glitter on red ink is crazy. Enki, Wendy Darling, White Rabbit, I am a cat, and The Happy Prince seem like inks I'm interested in, though.

As for new pens. From left to right: Lamy Safari (M), Jinhao Acrylic 82 (M), Monteverde Ritma (Omniflex), Jinhao Tiandao 1935, and Pilot Kakuno (M)

I'm pretty sure I showed off my Lamy Safari before but I'll show it again because I like how it looks and reminds me of a Premier Ball (my fav).

I do have more pens but they're unremarkable. What I do want to talk about is my Monteverde Ritma. I've wanted this thing since the beginning of my proper Fountain Pen journey. I believe it's the most expensive pen I have so far. The capping and posting is magnetic which I absolutely love. The unfortunate part is the Omniflex nib. I never heard of it before and wanted to try it, good fucking god do not ever get this nib, it will not work 95% of the time. You need to be gentle with it otherwise you will permanently spread the tines so far apart that ink wont flow anymore. Just get a medium nib, my Monteverde has been rendered useless for now before I get a JoWo #6 replacement. It's unfortunate because the nib is gorgeous too! It just fucking sucks nut

The other pen I wanted to talk about is the Jinhao Tiandao 1935 (2 pictured under the pen pic). This is my absolute favorite pen. I wasn't sure I was gonna like it because it's the fattest pen I have but I love writing with this thing! Unfortunately, it does leak a lot more by the slit/breather hole of the nib compared to my other pens, but it's cool. I did also get this pen for the design at first. I think my friend finds the guitar clip corny but I like it a lot!!! It's funny as fuck. I might get a red version of this pen just because of how much I love it.

I'll be laying off of the pen collecting after that, I did get a Moonman M2 (not pictured) as my first eyedropper and it's just fine, I like how the ink looks in the barrel though. The only other pen I have in mind that I still want to get is an Opus 88 Demonstrator. I LOVEEE frosted stuff, I wish more pen companies did that style of design. I'm just... still working my way up on whether I am willing to spend 100+ on a pen.

I'll be slowing down a lot with these since I barely used any of the inks since I don't really write outside of work stuff, but also I've become very picky with what I want now, especially since I've made a conscious effort to go for more warmer or green inks because I have a crazy collection of cool colors right now. I'm also picky with inks in general, I really don't like normal ass inks where there's nothing special about it (no sheening or shimmer), but funny enough, I'm also very picky with the sheen was well (I don't like purple/green sheens). Also, I find that a lot of my inks look a little lighter compared to my glass dip pen samples, but I don't know if it's just that most of my pens run dry or what. If that is the case, then that's a little disappointing.

But that's it so far, I'll be happy to do a writing sample of any of the inks if anyone's interested.

EDIT: I just remembered one other thing.

I've wanted to get an ink muddler for a long time but they just do not fucking sell this one (this is by Dominant Industry) in NA for some reason OR they just sell out fast, which is really sad. I need to get one of these because my glass dip pen fucking sucks at swatching with, and I really do not want to waste Q-tips.