#something something whatever trying to just draw pretty things

[the-modern-typewriter]

I absolutely love your writing. Any advice on how to get as good as you?

Practice! (I've been writing pretty regularly for at least 15 years, not to discourage you, just to highlight that it's a learned and very much practiced skill). It doesn't matter what format this practice takes - fanfiction, tumblr snippets, boldly jumping into your first novel, trying to write out a short story idea. Just sit down and actually write. That's the single most important thing in my opinion.

Figure out what you like writing about. This doesn't have to be one thing. But you're going to be spending a lot of time with your writing projects, so while you will inevitably go through periods of not feeling it, it's important that it excited you once. Be a little bit obsessed by your niche, or your love of enemies to lovers, or whatever. Be self-indulgent.

Remember that 80% of great writing is actually good editing skills. Your ability to come up with ideas and a good story or lovable characters is a different skill to beautiful prose and execution. It's okay to get the story/idea down and then work on perfecting it with study/second opinions whatever. If you are editing, leave at least a 2 week period or something so you can see the piece with fresh eyes.

Read books and learn about writing. Figure out what you like in the books you like and why. Or, what you don't like. Equally important. You will find, as you drill down to different stories, that they often have a similar structure that you can draw from in your own work, etc. However, don't necessarily feel tied to this. It's useful as a jumping point to know craft, but it's ultimately a creative medium. If you're doing what you're doing for a reason and it feels right for your story, then it's probably valid.

I hope this helps!

[tarotnoob]

Pick a Card: Next Romantic Partner & What Could Be Blocking Your Love Life

This is a next romantic partner reading. It contains messages that will help you if you feel that there are blocks to finding your person. And then there's also the part where I describe that person or how you could potentially meet them.

Pile 1: The Star Pile 2: King of Cups Pile 3: The Magician

Please pick one pile and then scroll for your reading. It's up to you to decide if you want to read this if you're not single.

Keep in mind, I'm pretty honest in my readings. They're long because I tried to be as specific as possible for as many scenarios as possible. But of course tarot reading is not science. Please do not take it as absolute truth. Not just for me but from any reader that you interact with.

Also I'm sorry for typos as always because I voice to text my readings.

Pile 1

I think you know by now I only speak the truth. More than about being a romantic partner although I might try to draw some cards to make sure I can describe a person. What I'm actually getting is more advice on what to do to manifest your next relationship or what you should be doing before you even enter into another relationship. This is actually showing me that there is some work for you, or potentially even this partner to do, before you guys can come into Union so to speak. 

Because what I'm getting is somebody who has a tendency to be very caring, to the point that you may attract people who would take advantage of your kindness and empathy. So to me the eight of pentacles represents the work that you need to do. The seven of swords is showing me that either in the past or currently or whatever, that there have been people who have taken advantage of you. Lied to you. Cheated on you. So you've either already done the work to set boundaries and recover from those situations or you need to. Some of you might have even gone through abusive relationships and are either hoping to meet someone after resolving those issues or you are at the phase where you're still doing the work. It's also possible someone may come across this and need validation that this relationship you're currently in is not healthy. Because even the oracle card says codependency. Addictions are affecting your romantic life. 

Those can be your addictions or someone else's of course depending on the situation. This can be even the need to habitually be in a relationship or obsess about the next relationship or a partner or when you're going to be dating somebody.

And the little tarot deck that I have here, shows the Aquarius and ten of wands. So again that's almost like a difficult journey or burden and then the star is actually a card that represents rebirths and coming to that point after a hard journey or difficult situation. Also notice how the ten of wands looks a lot like the seven of swords. And that can be that you are carrying something from another relationship. If it's guilt or bitterness. Those are things that tend to happen after a betrayal in a relationship anyway. And there's a lot of emphasis on death here and strength and Earth mother so again there's just lots of stuff here about willpower and ends and New beginnings and femininity and womanhood or feminine energy. So to me I'm getting a lot of healing happening here. 

So you're like okay but what does this have to do with my next romantic partner? Well like I said I have to tell the truth. If you haven't gone through this healing process or you are still in the works of it, maybe this is a message to keep working on that before you feel like entering into a new relationship. I can relate to that. I've been healing from an abusive relationship for a long time. And will I ever completely heal? I don't know but have I really dated since then seriously? I haven't. And no I don't even know if I would be ready if that person hit me in the face and I'm often wondering well have I healed enough? Or some people say you know even if you haven't healed completely then does that mean you aren't deserving of a relationship? You can't have a healthy relationship? Me a few years ago probably would have said no because usually people who aren't healed or have some type of hole that they need to fill can end up taking that out on a partner. But there probably is a difference between being in the process of healing or somewhere in the middle and someone who genuinely has issues and would still remain abusive if they were to get into a new relationship or would still be susceptible to being abused in a relationship because they haven't entirely created boundaries.

This isn't meant to scare you but it's definitely meant as a message I need to pass on or as validation if it's something that you have experienced. Now let's talk about okay you've done the healing and you are ready for a relationship. Let's hope that the cards understood I would never want you to end up with somebody bad so they shouldn't be showing your next relationship is going to be in any way abusive. So for this pile in particular I want to draw more cards about okay yeah but tell me about the person who is waiting for you out there. Show me the person take that one 

It's funny when I grabbed you more cards and I did additional tarot cards I ended up with the star at the back of the deck. So you could be an Aquarius or you could meet them during that season or they could be an Aquarius. I would also say even though it's not really that these animal oracle cards are tarot, they definitely remind me of those cards so Leo, Scorpio, Libra or Taurus Eva.

I'm still going to use your old cards but I want to tell you about the new ones that came out when I asked specifically okay we don't want any messages we want to know about the person. So there is six of pentacles, getting to know each other as you reveal your innermost selves to each other your bond deepens, stay optimistic about your love life positive thinking and faith will bring you romance, three of wands, queen of cups 

So again definitely lots of contemplation about when will this happen, when will I meet this person, a sense of being pessimistic about if this will ever happen or why you keep being drawn to the wrong people. Six of pentacles again I'm feeling like you're somebody who gives a lot of themselves and doesn't always get as much back but you're looking for somebody who gives as much as you do. You want an equal relationship where nobody is being taken advantage of and there isn't some kind of crazy power dynamic. 

Totally understandable after the things you've gone through. Queen of cups and the Three of wands again of just seeing somebody thinking about the future, what's going to happen next. Maybe there's so much emphasis on what's going to happen or why isn't it happening that it could be blocking this manifestation. I don't usually say stuff like that because sometimes I think it's hokey. But yeah it's just like not having a lot of faith that this will come. So I guess I can say with this stay optimistic card is that it is coming. You shouldn't rush into anything. Definitely if somebody comes along that you need to take the time to really get to know each other. I would definitely suggest not rushing into anything with somebody. And again this might be saying for the second time that you really need to take time to figure yourself out and what you want and heal any wounds from previous relationships before you get into the next relationship. 

Yes I also find this frustrating because I thought it would be more specific about the person and I hate to look at the cards and be like well it's got to be a person like this but I feel like it keeps wanting me to tell you that maybe it will be a while and like I said there are things you need to do with yourself or again it could be about your partner having to do this first. 

But let me try to now look at everything from the perspective of what kind of person this energy would draw in or if I look at this more like how is it describing your next partner. But please really keep in mind that if this sounds like you and deep down you know that you're not ready or that you still have work to do that this is the message for you and we can end it here. It doesn't mean you'll never find anybody, it just means that now's not the right time for her relationship. 

But for those who have done the work and feel like they've been healed and are still wondering okay I've done the healing I've gone through all this. I don't feel like I'm that bitter anymore or if I am it's a normal amount and I'm trying so where's my person? These are valid questions. And I find them very relatable 

Now let's pretend all these cards are solely about the person and not you.

I actually feel like probably they will mirror you in certain ways like about your journey or having gone through some rough relationships and having to do their own work and set their own boundaries and even having that skepticism of whether they're going to meet somebody.

I would say that yeah they would have to be compassionate to sometimes a fault. I think they are a person who is genuinely kind. I think that they think a lot about the future. They could have recovered from not just issues of codependency and relationships or with friends or family or whatever other that mostly probably includes boundaries. They could also have had issues of becoming obsessed or addicted in other ways. They could be recovering from drinking or gambling issues or just like obsessively shopping online. Mostly I'm not really seeing things like that. I'm seeing more someone who really had to learn that they didn't need to get validation from other people. And again it doesn't just have to be romantic partners. They could have issues with family and trying to appease them. Having them people pleasers at some point and really having to learn that they need to respect them themselves first. So there's been a lot of contemplation about that as well. 

I think sometimes they can be a little lonely as people can when they are kind but feel like they can't always connect on the same level. I would say very empathetic especially about world events. When other people suffer, they tend to hurt too.

I think they're very generous. They might have this is very specific but like a Venus that's very domestic. Like a Venus in cancer which is funny because I think we're entering that now maybe? I'm not sure. They could be a cancer or some other water sign. Because I get the sense that their love language is more about actions than words. In fact this person may have a difficult time verbally expressing how they feel. They could be a bit more introverted. They might even prefer to be alone rather than out in a crowd or partying.

Again the getting to know each other card could indicate that you meet through a friend group or a friend of a friend, at a party, on a dating app, on a blind date. It would be a very slow process. I'm also suddenly getting Gemini energy because we tend to like to get to know each other but if the other person moves too fast you can scare us off. So I feel like both of you are kind of like that but this person especially might want to take it slow.

They could be quite alluring and mysterious. Not only are they attractive, but they're very deep. They might want to have deep conversations. They could be a bit prideful. They might not be shallow or anything but I think they definitely care about their looks. I feel like they have really nice hair. Whether it's a man or a woman I feel like they have really thick nice hair. Well groomed in the hair area. As in it's not like long and Tangled and unkempt. Well it could be long but it's not going to be all over the place.

I do think that they have a strong personality. Even if they aren't extroverted, I'm not seeing them as shy. I see them as quite loyal. For the most part, it does seem like they have a steady job or steady income and are responsible or reliable in that type of financial area. As for what they actually do? I guess it could be a lot of different things if a lot of people are reading. I am feeling like they are a very unique individual. Because I'm still seeing these oracle cards as their tarot cards. With that Leo and Scorpio and Libra and Taurus energy plus a bit of Aquarius. That would make somebody be very intense. I'm capable of being flirtatious. Naturally attractive. Unique style or a unique perspective on life. If I had all of these qualities, what kind of job would I do? Aesthetic and bold. They could be a graphic designer or an artist but someone who has a very unique style of art. What I would be seeing is someone whose brain is almost kind of mathematical and how they do art. I don't know art well enough to compare that to something but I guess I would say very sharp imagery like geometric patterns or modern art that focuses on natural elements organic elements. That's so specific. Basically they could be doing anything but they have a very sharp and unique and narrow perspective or niche I guess would be the word with what they do. Not just an artist but somebody who paints this type of specific style about this specific type of subject a person who is an accountant but they're an accountant in this specific industry that focuses on this.

Again I'm feeling for sure you would be meeting them through a friend group. I guess you could be set up by mutual friends or it's a very casual get-together of people and then you get introduced to this person. But basically any situation where it might be kind of awkward at first because you don't really know each other and you have to sit down and talk and ask questions and not just that but you both have to maybe put effort into keeping the conversation going. Not because it's boring or weird or anything, it's that you both might be a little bit rusty when it comes to romance or relationships or having these types of conversations. 

And I think you both might be thinking okay I don't want to get too deep into this because I don't want to scare them off. Or you could even thank or not realize that it could potentially go somewhere. It might feel like oh I'm just like we're just talking and then you get to talking you're like I don't know I kind of like this person. But again I still feel like the cards are saying don't rush into it. Not just because you shouldn't rush into it but because I think the other person doesn't want to rush into it. And again I'm really seeing that this person is quite generous. Especially with their friends or family. As in they give them money when they need it or give them practical gifts when they need it. Like oh my dad said he needed a new fishing pole because the last one just got broken so you buy them a new fishing pole and a couple of lures. I don't know why that example it's just what came to mind. But not just like a gift card. Nothing wrong with gift cards but it's like oh you said you needed that so I went ahead to the store and got it for you and it's functional. They aren't going to give you something that's crazy overpriced and kind of superficial just to impress you. They're going to give you something that you said you need or they know you need.

I think they're really good at offering solutions. Now if you want to vent to somebody just to have them listen, I'm not sure this would be the person for you LOL because I do feel like this is a person that will listen but then expects that you want a solution unless told otherwise. Because there's something very practical about this person. Logical. I don't think they're stiff in any way I just think they lean more toward being rational and logical than being emotional. 

The only number that comes up twice is eight eight. So they could be born on the 8th or in the 8th month or you could meet on the 8th. Your first date could be on the 8th.

I feel like they have a lot of responsibility or have a feeling they need to carry more than they should. So I think what you could do for them to show them affection or what they want in terms of a love language would be well it's kind of difficult to pinpoint. Because this feels like somebody who is pretty used to doing things on their own so they aren't used to other people doing stuff for them. So I would guess that what comes to mind first is something simple like let's say they come out of a store and they're carrying a lot of bags and then you made them and they're pretty intent on carrying all of them and you're like do you want me to carry a couple of those? 

And at first they might be like no I got it but then you just take it. Like slowly and burdening this person of things where you can. Like they say something like well I'm so busy I got to go get groceries and then I have to go pick up some stamps and then I need to go do this and you're like well I can go to the post office and get you some stamps that's on my way to go do this thing. And I'm like I don't know that's too much trouble and you're like no really bro I can do it. Thank you but I still feel like they're going to be resistant to allowing other people to help them. And that's really again because they're used to doing things all on their own and taking care of themselves. They're pretty independent.

In terms of entertainment they might like things where they mostly are by themselves. These could be like doing more solo sports like golf. Although I could see them playing pickleball I guess. Going to an exhibit by themselves. Going to the movies by themselves. I don't think they're a complete hermit, I just think they like to do things on their own. I don't think they're antisocial either because I do see them doing things with a small group of friends or maybe even into sports or Ellie's like doing things outdoors running hiking walking working out. I'm feeling a lot of Scorpio now because I feel like I'm just constantly worrying or brooding I guess is the right word. And then I feel like a little Libra coming in too. I guess I feel a lot of different things. Granted that this could be that there are different signs for different people. But mostly I just think this person isn't easy to fit into a box. They are complex. They're smart. But they are empathetic and think deeply and feel deeply like a Scorpio. But I have very bold ideas and bold thoughts and bold ways of expressing themselves when they do. And yet I do think there's something very open and spiritually about them that they can appreciate the beauty of a moment. The beauty of the sunrise. The beauty of an intimate experience with a friend or loved one enough to say that wow you know this is something I want to remember forever.

And I think you'll be drawn to that mysteriousness and allure and sensuality. You might be a bit nervous about it because I'm feeling like you or I guess this could be vice versa but so one of you is that type of person and the other is more like air energy and kind of anxious but what you have and in common is that kindness and these experiences that you went through in life that are similar so you are both at a place where you have learned similar lessons even if individually you might have different personalities I think in you they might find some what do I want to say whimsy? Softness? Optimism I? You are more like a light to them I guess while they see themselves as not like a dark brooding figure and they are more grounded and serious than you are. You might get youthfully excited about silly things and they might find those things I won't say trivial but wouldn't have been as excited as you but they grow excited by seeing you be excited. I don't feel any of the possessiveness of a Scorpio. So there's nothing telling me that this person would want to hurt you in any way. Thanks or have some secret tendencies of manipulating. 

I really meant to keep these piles short but I guess if I can tell you as much as possible that can help. Any final thoughts let me see. Nope I think we covered pretty much everything. I'm seeing lots of muted colors. I was trying to decide if there's a color that stands out for me but really I'm just saying muted greens and blues and Earth tones. Not jewel tones because it's not that bright but not pastel either. Nice Earth tones so I guess my advice is also be as authentic as you possibly can because I think they'll be attracted to that aspect of you which is why they're more likely rather than during a one-on-one conversation but when they see you interacting with other people in an authentic way they will be charmed by that moment. Like if you do meet at a party even after you've had that conversation.

They're more likely to then after you leave and interact with other people to be watching you and how you interact with those people and something about what you do or how you talk or some small gesture that you do like tucking your hair behind your ear or the way you laugh will be something they'll be drawn to. I definitely don't think they like people who put upprete Texas or act fake. If you do act fake in any way I think that they would be turned off. You wouldn't even have a chance with them. And yeah I think they'll be drawn to something that they see as being unique not like kind of oh pick me out I'm so special kind of way. Just this aspect of you that they happen to observe and find charming. That's all.

Pile 2

Why is this giving a bit of the same vibes as pile one. Pile one there was an issue regarding codependency. This time we have cards talking about control issues. It also kind of fits with the tarot cards. The eight of swords and the Ace of swords. I'm getting kind of like the same idea that okay you are locked in and tied up here and then you have this Ace of swords that could cut your bindings so that you're free. In fact it almost is giving me five of cups because you can't see it but there's the sword in the bottom left corner of that card and it's like oh if you could just see it if you could just reach it you could get yourself out of the situation.

But the let go of control issues card says allow this situation to unfold naturally. It's kind of a strange image on here because it looks like a woman who's holding a vase with probably water or I don't know. And she looks like she has a kid. And then there is a guy to the side that's a little bit shady looking who's staring at them. With these angels in the background. To me it's actually a pretty uncomfortable card but we'll come back to that.

We also have the king of cups. And the four of wands. These are two spectacular cards right. Then we have the Divine card, the lovers card, and rise card. The Divine card reminds me a lot of the king of cups. But also clearly it would remind me of the high priestess or the empress because it's a lot about feminine energy. It's about pure flowing emotion, rooted and overflowing with sympathy and compassion.

Then we have the lovers card which says this is a card about choosing love or fear. You can choose to live out of love or live in resistance to love one opens the heart while the other closes it. And then you have the rise card which says rising out of the ashes, taking those first steps after darkness, finding your wings and a new dawn. Yeah this is very similar to pile one 

I guess it's possible people would be going through similar things around relationships or you could have been drawn to both piles. I thought pile one just had a lot of advice for the people who picked it and then I tried to talk about okay but but tell me more about the actual person that will be next. Although sometimes the cars are like I don't care about that I'm just going to tell people what they need to hear. And it's like that's great and all but like people want a fun reading with everything happening in the world so could you just be chill.

So again like with the first pile there's this sense of coming out of a situation where maybe things didn't work. So maybe a lot of you have had past the experiences that didn't work out well. You might be in between whether you actually want a relationship or not because of what you've been through. You might not have even been in a serious relationship for a while. You could be skeptical of being in a relationship. So I think the cards are basically saying you know rather than worry about all those negatives or what ifs, just let the next relationship come to you naturally. There's really nothing that you can possibly do about it to make it come in quicker or know the very exact details of the person that's coming.

So if you want more advice you can always scroll up to pile one but ignore the part where I talk about codependency and potentially abusive relationships that could have happened to you before. That could be a case for some of you here. It's not talking about that directly. To me again it's talking more about giving advice regarding this pile seems more intense than the previous pile and how much you want to know about what's coming. You know there are people who are like okay we'll like maybe I just want to know some details are like something but the people in this pile make me feel like okay I'm expecting an Excel spreadsheet with the exact details of what they're going to look like, how many kids we're going to have, how much money they make and like how many people they've dated and probably people who go to different readers and ask them about their next romantic partner. Like you've asked 50 different people and it still doesn't satisfy you. I'm not saying that's a bad thing that's a question I've asked readers a lot too. They all give me different answers. I haven't met the person yet so I kind of understand why people keep going.

But what I'm imagining is let's say you're sitting on a bench and you're so busy scrolling through your phone reading about like astrology things or checking up on what other tarot readers are saying that you don't even notice that your person just walked by you on the bench. You're not even paying attention to what's in front of you anyway. So much so that you are actually getting in the way of your chances of finding your person. So I do think the cards are saying let go and chill out a little bit and that will make you more likely to meet a person. Now let's get into okay so who the hell is this person? The last file I wanted to draw more because I felt like okay yeah great you guys gave your advice. But who is the person. If I just use the cards that are in front of me…

And that's what I used to describe the person. The king of cups is a great card right. It wouldn't make me think that you two would be kind of a match in the sense that one person would be the king of cups and the other person seems like the queen of cups. So you could both be water signs I guess. That doesn't really matter to me. But in the other sense you both just seem like really compassionate people. Or this person is very heavy in water and maybe air as well. But there's a lot of compassion and empathy and kindness. Somebody who would be a good listener. Regardless of the gender, they might gravitate more toward being in their feminine energy.

I feel like it's also somebody who tends to be kind of a cheerleader for their partner. You know somebody who's like really enthusiastic and whenever you feel down they're going to say you know you got this. They could have a bit of Gemini in them. Or like a Gemini Moon. I'm definitely feeling a lot of water and this spark of air particularly yes Gemini. So also really good at communication. I feel like they would be very direct. I when I say cheerleader I don't mean like it's fake enthusiasm. When you need to be told something, like this is how it is then this person will say that but for the most part they don't feel the need to be direct or blunt or honest in a way that would feel hurtful. As some Gemini can be I can say that because I am one. Sometimes I'm so interested in being honest that the way I say it can be very self-righteous 

This card about control issues could be something that they went through in their own life. Like having to learn to let go and relax. This could be more about spiritual practices as well. Always kind of getting in your own way when it comes to manifestation or just worrying so much about things playing out in a certain way that you never let it happen naturally. And in theory yeah those things can create blockages. When you get to specific about the things that you want it doesn't really allow the universe to do what it does.

I think this person might like to gossip a little bit. They could have a cat or you could or they just might really like animals or be good with animals. You could meet them at a party, particularly like a happy celebration such as a wedding in particular or an anniversary party or birthday. I think they have a pretty upbeat personality. They might be from somewhere near water or really enjoy the water. They might like to travel. I feel like they're really observant because the king of cups in this card has like a telescope in his hand so it makes me think that he watches people very carefully. But again I'm picking up that they're quite the gossip. They would enjoy watching like let's say for example that this was a guy. Not that it couldn't be a woman. Brian is saying like a guy or woman this person would watch stupid reality TV shows with you like The bachelor or love Island. They might say they don't like it but they do. Like silly gossip stupid stuff. They would get a kick out of it because they aren't uptight or snobby about their entertainment. They seem like they would be pretty light-hearted and fun. Again I'm getting lots of Gemini or even Libra. But a lot of water 

I do think they are a bit opinionated or have lots of different opinions on things. I think they could be quite chatty or sociable. I think that Gemini is coming through again in that they like to learn things. And they learn things by talking to people or asking people things. They might come from a family where they have several siblings. Like more than usual. They might be somebody that dies their hair frequently or has really kind of like an interesting fashion style 

I do think that they are probably either religious or spiritual. I'm also wondering if I need to give a very specific message to somebody that could be like okay well I'm in a situation where my parents want me to partake in an arranged marriage. But I don't feel comfortable doing that and would rather get to know somebody naturally. Or like a situation where okay there is an arranged marriage but you want to be able to get to know the person better before you actually have to marry them. Which I think when people do this they can meet up and talk and it's not like it has to happen right away. Some of you could be single parents or they could be a single parent and it's not like I'm saying that as an issue but I keep coming back to the control issues image on that card. And I guess I'm seeing a specific scenario for anybody reading in India. But even so when I look at the other cards it's making me think you're not trapped or you know there's a way out of it that can either be through asking for something or some type of communication. Or saying whatever it is you need to say to either your family or the person that they set you up with 

But yeah I just feel like somebody's really worried about making the wrong decision or saying something wrong or not saying a thing or trying to make everything feel perfect or wanting everything to come out perfectly. I think that's the major control issue thing here. Is somebody expecting perfection and everything wrapped up nicely in a bow. That's just not realistic 

And if it is the case I kind of feel like this person isn't going to be what you expected anyway. If you put down a list of all the things that this person is. I think they'll be different. Because you expected like somebody on a 12 out of 10 scale and not to say this person isn't a 12 but they're more of like a personality find. They could be perfectly good looking but this is more about their personality and I think you'll fall in love with their kindness and empathy and ability to listen to you. 

Like when you talk they aren't looking at their Apple watch or their phone. They're genuinely listening to you and they won't interrupt you when you talk. And then instead of giving like cold advice I think they would say something in a way that's very encouraging but not patronizing. They'd be very easy to talk to. Very charming and romantic. Probably a little witty but I still feel like the most important quality about them is their kindness and not many people are able to encourage others. Lots of people want encouragement themselves. But this person is very happy to let other people shine and wants them to shine and thinks that they should help other people to feel good about themselves. Just a genuinely nice person. I would even venture to say that they come from a good family that gave them a good upbringing.

I don't feel like they're the oldest in the family. When I go back to the siblings card I would think that they have siblings that kind of taught this person how to behave or act and because of that family they've kind of grown up to be a good person. Again I'm wondering if they are from somewhere near water or genuinely enjoy being near water. I'm getting a lot of emphasis on water here. Even when I look at the mountains in these cards I'm seeing them as water.

What's interesting is I talked about that little telescope and then in this Divine card it looks like she has eyes all over her body. Which kind of makes me think of the Uchiha eyeballs but anyway. So again there's a lot of emphasis on watching or being watched. I mean it could be that this person is either super observant or they also might have a lot of admirers who watch them. Like I don't know even some of you might attract a celebrity I guess now I'm hearing the song I've got this feeling somebody's watching me.

I'm pretty sure you're not manifesting a stalker. But maybe it's part of their job or something else. I'm seeing it as being really observant. Almost two very particular degree almost to that perfectionist level that I was feeling. Like I feel really focused on something. Maybe that's why I feel so focused that this person is tied up.

But again this could be something from their past or something that is in your personality where there's so much focus on something that I guess I don't want to say it doesn't matter cuz that could be invalidating but these other cards are showing me that like you're much happier when you're free. When you aren't worrying or watching what other people are doing or comparing yourself to what people show on social media which is mostly fake. If you have to post your life on social media so that other people can think that you're doing great then that person probably isn't doing great right. Because if you were truly happy with your life as is you wouldn't need validation from other people. 

I'm not saying that's all social media is but I think we all know that when it comes to influencers they put the best stuff out there when it almost never is like how they show in photos. So there's no point in comparing yourself to what you see on social media. It's more about just go out and do what makes you happy and that might be the solution for how you find your person. Actually living life instead of being tucked inside somewhere or limiting yourself because you have a certain expectation. I almost feel like you know in the past you could have been with people and kind of nitpicked them to death. Like made them feel they had to be a certain way that you wanted instead of letting them just be themselves. Or it could be vice versa perhaps you dated somebody who told you you know what to wear or that you should lose weight or that kind of stuff.

So take that however any of it resonates but my advice would be if you're asking how to find the person well you need to do the things that you enjoy. Like you would meet them going to a party or going on vacation or going out with friends and just having fun instead of scrolling on your phone and not paying attention and letting life go by. By not having really specific narrow expectations of what this person should be like. Like nobody's perfect and you're going to miss out on somebody really great if you are looking at social media and you're like wow I wish I could have somebody that's perfect like that and we just get a dog and get married and have a cute little house and it's like well that even make you happy that's just what you see online and think will make you happy. So once you go through that phase of life then you might be ready for this person. Who seems genuinely kind and wonderful and supportive. So they will give you all the love that you could possibly want but you also have to be in a place where you can give that equally as opposed to draining them or making it feel like one-sided. 

So I guess I would have to wonder you know a lot of people that picked this pile are they quite young and a little emotionally immature? It's not an attack but I just feel like there's a lot of unrealistic expectations about what a partner should be like or what marriage should be like or a relationship should be like. I think you need to reflect on what's realistic and what mature love is really like and what it's like to be in a relationship when there are two people. One person doesn't serve the other one. It's supposed to be if someone needs something the other one can give but then when the other person needs something that person can give. And just the obvious thing is you know don't be controlling? Mind what you say. Maybe you have a bit of a sharp tongue.

I see a lot of red and blue in the cards so a bit of communication or throat chakra or what have you with a bit of root chakra. Maybe this could be about again being more logical. Because when I think of root chakra it's something that's grounded. It's kind of not being fearful of the unknown. And then throat chakra would be about how you think or communicate. So again I feel like this person is going to be very rooted in their conversation and thinking skills. Like very good with people. If I had to say what job they would be good in, I would think not really life coaches sometimes those folks can be a little wacky but because they're so good at encouragement but also aren't egocentric. I could say like a workout coach but the kind of workout coach that isn't crazy. You know somebody that's genuinely encouraging and wants to help people live a better life like in a holistic way. 

Really they could do anything because I'm just feeling like they're a good person. Maybe a bit average like an average good person you know. Even if they were somebody famous, when they come home they still act like a regular person. They aren't stuck up. They don't think they're better than anybody. They like to let other people shine. They'd be really good if you had kids. Because they'd be good with kids and somebody who has like a natural fraternal or maternal instinct. Because again they let other people have their space and the room to grow and be who they are and do what they want… 

I'm trying to think if I can compare them to any celebrity. I guess that's hard to say since I don't know any celebrities personally. Harry styles comes to mind. What's his face who's with Zendaya. Like a gentleman right. Somebody who's probably I guess I won't say progressive because I'm not sure in all cases. Physically I wonder if not that some of you won't have somebody who's good looking that I keep feeling like this would be somebody who has just a little bit of a belly but for some reason the belly is really cute to me.

With the telescope and the eyes and a couple of figures looking up at the sky I wonder if they're interested in stars and astrology as well. Or if that isn't it maybe they're interested in physics or the universe or space exploration. They might particularly like to watch movies about space like the Martian or interstellar. They might be interested in exploring. In all kinds of different fields whether it's like exploring bacteria and biology to exploring different animals under the ocean that nobody has discovered yet. I think this is more about this person's interest in the world. They're interested in people. They're interested in things. Like if you were walking in the woods. It reminds me of namjoon. 

How like he might stop at a tree because he sees this little insect and he like goes over it and he gets really excited about it. And then when you go home he'll look up about it be like oh that's a so and so and then tell you like oh it likes to eat this and it only comes out of night and blah blah blah. They're just really interested in the world and people and things and learning things that's why they can listen to people. Anyway so that's a lot to take in. I'm personally kind of really interested in whoever this is. Because they smell like such a good person and such like ea kind-hearted person. You could have really nice conversations with them and then at the end you wouldn't be left feeling tired or flustered because you talked about too much you'd feel like oh wow now I really feel like I can write that book. You wouldn't even know that they're doing it but they just have this ability to make other people feel better about themselves. It would definitely be a good person to grow old with.

Pile 3

Well the first two piles were kind of complicated and instead of just giving me a simple idea of the person, it felt like giving me messages that people needed to hear before they could connect with that person. We'll see if that happens here too. 

This might end up being kind of straightforward? Let's just talk. Because I almost feel like it's more a personal message again. But all of the cards seem to indicate that you have the potential or it's within your power to manifest whatever you want or you're already manifesting this, in particular I would think that it is romantic love. Because you have the magician and the queen of cups. And out of all the things on The magician's table, it's accompanied by a card where she's holding the cup right. So it indicates you want to manifest this relationship, you already are, or you have the power to right.

But what is strange or interesting about the other tarot cards is they kind of match up well with those oracle cards. Because the void card is about even when you're in the space where like you might feel kind of empty or detached or just like in this bubble where it's just you, there's room to be able to create something right. And this looks a lot like what is happening with the moon and the four of cups 

I know it would be easy to kind of read this as negative because well and we can talk about that aspect but I'm still seeing because the moon makes me think of Pisces and then this person is sitting by the tree kind of just contemplating things and so something about the stopping and pausing to think about what you want or how to get it leaves space to be able to manifest it or create it or make it happen. But it's like okay what do you need to pause on. What's the advice here? I guess we can look to the gratitude card which is basically like look to everything you already have with thanks and be appreciative of what you do have. The other part of the advice we have is heart-to-heart conversations. Honestly discuss feelings with each other.

This might be more for people who are in a situationship perhaps? I guess you could already have a partner. It could even be that you have somebody in mind and again it's feeling more like a situationship. I guess it could be somebody who hasn't confessed their feelings or entered into a relationship but has somebody in mind. Because it's almost like okay you're contemplating what to do on something right. But there's a part of you that's not accepting the reality of something or not accepting that it's a possibility or the other person hasn't accepted it completely yet.

But regardless of what is actually happening in this situation, it seems like the issues can be resolved by talking about it. Even in the image of that oracle card there is at least one person who doesn't want to hear it or doesn't want to talk about it or isn't listening. And it almost feels like they've pulled away. So if you are in a situationship and there's something like this going on it still recommends that you find some space where it's just the two of you to talk about it. Or besides that it feels like a little bit deeper I guess. Maybe this is very specific for a specific person but that's fine. It feels like there are two people. And for some reason space has come between them. This could be emotionally or physically. But it still feels like within that space there's room to grow and create something if you talk about it.

So this could be a matter of some issue with forgiveness or anything. It doesn't have to be an Ex-Lover exactly. But I'm just getting the sense that there are two people. One person is being a bit stubborn. They asked to take space or want space. Another person is trying to explain something but it feels like that person has already kind of started to pull away. Maybe one person isn't feeling appreciated and that's why the gratitude card is here. So if you are in a relationship where you aren't feeling appreciated or heard then I would suggest having a conversation about your true feelings. Or vice versa if you're in a relationship and someone has pulled away and you're like okay why aren't they talking to me as much like why do they feel detached. I would have a conversation with them about it and it might be that they are feeling neglected or unappreciated. 

So one scenario which I guess we could talk about is that if you are in a relationship and you are like reading this and you picked this pile and you're actually not sure if she should be staying with this person so you were looking to see if there's another person out there for you that's better or this matches up. Yes sure this could be the tail end of your relationship and maybe there's somebody else out there for you. Especially if this person doesn't want to talk about it or fix anything or change and you feel unappreciated. Could you talk about it and fix it? Yes could you talk about it and it doesn't get fixed and you break up? Yes. 

So that handles one group of people. But what about the people who picked this pile and they aren't in a relationship is there anything here for them or do they need to pick another pile. 

Now if I'm talking to somebody who is single and still wants to learn about their next romantic partner let's talk about it that way and then we'll try to figure out what this person would be like based on the cards that we got and then as I pull more cards for a more concrete idea of what this person is like.

Now if you're single and if not in a situationship and you're like what I don't like anybody at all. Okay let's talk about that too. Again I would think that it is somebody who is attempting to manifest or has maybe been attempting to manifest a romantic relationship for a long time. They could be feeling a little bit depressed that it's been awhile or that they haven't been able to find somebody. It could also be what I'm seeing more is that there have been opportunities for a relationship and it could be that your standards are high or the timing wasn't right or whatever but it's like okay well I've been thinking about this thing and there's this cup being offered to me but I'm not interested or I already have my hands full or like I just don't have time for a relationship. But you want companionship it seems like. 

And maybe the void card is saying you know it's okay to take that time to figure out what you want. Because within that time of you being single and not being in a relationship and you thinking about what you want and your standards that's actually allowed you the ability to understand what you want to manifest exactly. Whether you're thinking about the things that you don't want in a partner or whatever maybe that's helping the universe narrow down what to bring you. I know some people say don't be so picky but in this instance I don't get the feeling like you're wanting too much. Like just that the options you've been given are of interest to you 

In fact I feel like you've probably been pretty disappointed with options. Whether you did try to date a little bit you were like no this isn't for me none of these people will work. Or you've been single without dating and just nobody has crossed your path that you would be interested in. I wouldn't say there's a lot of bitterness per se but it's just like disappointment, some loneliness, some uncertainty about why you can't find anybody or if you're ever going to find somebody. I feel like there have been thoughts about okay am I just going to like be alone forever?

But on the other hand I think because you've been single and you haven't poured all of your time into a relationship, you've been able to put more time into yourself and the things that you want to do like a career or studying or travel. So it's giving you the opportunity whether you have really acknowledged it that being single has given you opportunities that you couldn't have had if you were in a relationship and even though you were lonely it feels like you should be thankful for what you have been able to do. I won't say there is a purpose for you to be alone but I think for a lot of people it just wasn't in the plan for you to find somebody immediately and settle down. It feels like if you believe in soul contracts that you signed up for something that was more about your individual journey than some type of companionship. Or I guess I should just say it doesn't have to be that you were alone forever but it might take a while for you to find the person because it just feels like you are on a specific type of soul journey. To figure out yourself or contemplate other things. Romantic stuff wasn't really a priority. And again you could have had several relationships before this point but they were disappointing and they just didn't work out.

You could even be a person who sometimes thinks to themselves that they don't have any special skills or talents even though when I look at the magician card I think this is a person who was actually really capable of doing anything. Especially paired with the queen of cups. You know you would definitely be somebody who could be creatively skilled, empathetic. This makes me think of anybody really that could be an artist or a teacher or a therapist or a social worker somebody who actually even if it's not romantic you're actually really good with people or good withdrawing people to you. I think you're a good listener and so I think people appreciate that about you. 

I don't necessarily think you're all an introvert but I definitely think a lot of you need time to be alone and think about stuff. In fact I don't really see you as being an introvert. I definitely see somebody who appreciates their alone time but enjoys being social. Without even realizing it. Like maybe you are quite popular at work and so you do a lot of socializing there and then you go home and you're just chilling by yourself and wondering okay well nobody really wants to do anything. But you're definitely capable of being social. 

Again I'm thinking that most of you really do have your mind on somebody. Or if it's not that then it's weird that you would be reading this reading because it's like you might be focused on something else. You're not even really ready for a romantic relationship right now. You might be curious but you seem focused on other things anyway.

I also wonder if you're bored. I don't know if you're bored because you're lonely and alone or you're bored if you are one of the people in a situationship and you're just kind of like not feeling like the relationship is going anywhere so again you're here looking to confirm if this person is for you or if there's somebody else.

Some of you might have even dated just because you were lonely and bored and not because you particularly liked the person either. But I mean hey at least it taught you something about being in a relationship and what you do or don't like probably.

What's also interesting about the heart heart card is I feel like you know with the angels kind of bringing these two people together, there are a couple of specific scenarios. Another thing could be you might be asking if there's a romantic partner and then previously you've actually dated somebody who has passed away. Like I said it's specific but it's something I'm getting and then you would be still caught up on that person. That's a specific scenario. 

Another scenario feels like again there could be somebody around you already. Like say in this card the Angels have brought this option or this person to you but you're staring off. And it's like this four of cups where you're being offered this person and you haven't considered them or you just haven't had this conversation yet but this person actually is a very good option. It could be that they are around you now or they are coming very soon. The moon card although whether you associate it with Pisces or cancer. But we are currently in cancer season so there's a possibility some of you will meet somebody very soon if you don't already know them and within cancer season. Do we actually have two lobsters. I moved my which tarot deck and the cards are in my car so I just have the photo to look at but I'm pretty sure there's a lobster in that Queen of cups picture and then there's a lobster in the Moon. The first thing that comes to me is that thing from the friends series about somebody being a lobster which is like a soulmate.

But let's talk about the people that either have somebody around them now that has potential as a romantic partner or this person would be coming in very soon. Let's talk about that scenario now. So it's like fate has brought this person to you. You either haven't met them yet but will soon or they are already in your peripheral I guess but you are so focused on something else that you haven't realized that they could be that person. I mean you might kind of know them or let's say you work at a school and they work at the school but you have only seen them in passing or haven't bumped into them yet but you're in the same space.

Now if that person has been put somewhere around you and you haven't met or even if you have met and are kind of aware of them or you've met them and you know them but you haven't seen them like that yet. These cars are saying there's definitely romantic potential with this person. I do think that if you believe in soulmate stuff or whatever that the universe has offered you an option and you're not really paying attention or just uncertain about if you're ready to commit. So even if you met this person and you were given the opportunity to talk to them, I think you would still put up a wall and be like I don't know if I'm ready I kind of like being single or I'm just not sure what I want or I've been alone for so long that I don't know if I'm ready to bring another person in. So it's like you're making up all these different scenarios or excuses in your head when there are options around you or there will be options coming shortly.

I was trying to figure out why the image of the hand on this black whatever in the void card made me think of a hand on a button. And maybe this is again about being uncertain because you use a button in a game show if you know the answer or if you want to reject the thing right like it's a no thanks kind of buzzer. So you might be indecisive in that whether or not you want to hit this button. Do you want to enter the relationship or don't you or do you want to enter it with this person or what do you want. I feel like you're really conflicted when it comes down to it.

I think in terms of solutions or what to do, again we come back to having a conversation. Like if they come up to you to talk to listen to them and not ignore them for one. It could also be that you're being asked to take the initiative and have a conversation with them or hear them out. It could be that if there is someone and you're conflicted to talk to friends or somebody else about what you should do. Or if you're just feeling a certain way and you're like there's no person and there's no option for whatever to talk to this person cuz we barely know each other, again it could be about talking to other people in your life about something that's happening.

I guess another message I could present is okay let's say you aren't interested in a relationship right now. Why are you reading this? I don't know you're free to read whatever you want. But somebody is interested in you, you're contemplating whether you want to be with them but you just aren't interested, the cards again say you know don't leave them hanging go ahead and tell them how you feel and be like no I'm just not interested I'm appreciative of your feelings but I'm not interested at this time. 

Okay now let's talk as if we are using the cards to describe your next romantic person. And then I'll pull some extra cards if I need to. 

Well looking at the cards you would think probably a water sign or heavy water in their chart. We have three water cards in the tarot and then magician is Gemini and Virgo so a bit of air and Earth. Gratitude makes me think of air with the bird. And then void could be actually it's giving me water. Maybe a bit of Earth. 

They could in particular be a cancer since we have the moon card here. Sure they could be a Scorpio or Pisces. They could especially have a water moon because I have the moon card next to a water card. I guess maybe for a few of you they could have a moon in the air sign or an earth sign. But I'm leaning more toward a lot of water. Maybe even a Scorpio Moon or Pisces moon in particular because it feels like somebody who's very deeply introspective. I don't want to say broody because that does make me think of a Scorpio but like I'm also getting Pisces too. And then again yeah we could go back to cancer. They could be a moon in cancer or Moon and Scorpio or moon and Pisces.

I think that in terms of career like I said before it could be a person who works in a creative field but I'm feeling more like they're multi-talented, multi-skilled, good at a lot of different things. Kind of like a Gemini so maybe some of them have like Mars in Gemini or Saturn in Gemini? Is that even possible I'm not sure.

I think those cards also make me think of somebody who feels a lot of different things. Super empathetic to the point that I do think they could be a bit of an empath. I think their ability to connect with people or something about the way they feel or their emotional IQ makes them a good candidate for a lot of different jobs and can bring a lot of different opportunities into their life. So like I said you know they could change careers quite a bit but any kind of career that has to do with compassion or a good listener or somebody who's a bit emotionally mature or deep. Definitely any kind of artistic skills from writing to painting to directing to acting. But then they could really make a great teacher or somebody who would be a good mentor.

I think they would be a person who if you were a friend of theirs they would give really good advice. Unlike one of the other piles where I felt like the person was a bit light-hearted and more of a cheerleader type of supportive partner. I do think this one is more likely to not always tell you what you want to hear. They're going to tell you the truth not because they're particularly honest but because they are looking at a situation from all sides. I'm not seeing a lot of air or anything but I'm still getting the impression that maybe they would be the type of person to play devil's advocate if not verbally emotionally. As in I guess this comes back to being an empath but able to see different people's points of view and not in terms of how they think but in terms of how the situation makes different people feel or how it makes them feel in different ways if that makes sense. It wouldn't be where like they would look at a political situation be like well I can see both sides I can see both points of view it would be like I feel hurt on both sides because the world isn't always black and white. 

Sometimes it's shades of Gray and there are people herding on both sides. And they are more focused on that than what the person might be doing. Not that they can't say oh that's not good. I'm sure their morals are there but I just feel like they're able to empathize with all kinds of different people. Which is probably why they would be really good at the arts because they would be good at writing characters because they could understand the heroes as well as the villains. They could be a good director for the same reason. I guess any role where you can empathize with so many different people and then create this point of view.

Sorry I'm also thinking of Darcy from pride and prejudice all of a sudden where he's just kind of like staring off into the distance. So this could be a sign for you about pride and prejudice and that maybe romantic situation will be kind of like that where it's a bit difficult at first, maybe like an enemies to friends to lover situation. And then through talking and different encounters you get to learn more about each other and realize that perhaps you were wrong about each other from the beginning. And this is why you've ignored the option that's around you. Because you're like prejudiced LOL or too prideful. And then as you keep having more encounters with this person and having more conversations you come to understand that they're just living from a different perspective or seeing things in a different way and suddenly the two of you come together to understand what's happening. Which is funny because I was actually watching K-pop demon hunters or whatever that's called right before this and there are two characters that kind of go through a similar situation and it's feeling like this and it's funny that I watched it right before. It's also funny because I can see the DVD cover forever after which has a similar beginning too. My friend just got me that as kind of a joke because I used to watch that when I was young and we were best friends in high school.

So maybe it's that the universe thought you were bored and so they're going to give you this person that's going to give you a bit of a challenge. It might be somebody again who you argue with at first or you don't seem to get along with at first or when you talk you just aren't on the same page but I think eventually you would if you allowed it to happen, you would grow to like this person the same way that Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy grew to like each other 

What's also funny is I'm looking at the gratitude card and I think there's another card in this deck called rise and I was thinking this was the rise card because of the bird flying up. And so I again was thinking this is a relationship that's going to keep rising in level once you learn to appreciate each other. I can't tell if the bird is a falcon or an owl. Right now it's kind of looking more like an owl so maybe there's some wisdom to be found in the other person. You could be particularly wise in how you give advice or they could be. If it's like a falcon I would say the person has a bit of masculine to neutral energy. Regardless of gender of course. So again in terms of appearance they could be very Darcy like a bit masculine but also kind of pretty. So physically I'm getting that they are a bit neutral. I'm not talking about being androgynous I'm talking about just like either really pretty with like some masculine qualities or really masculine but like pretty qualities that soften. I'm also feeling like they would be quite protective but still very independent. Protective of their family especially a spouse and family. Probably a good provider. A bit spiritual. I don't feel like they believe in nothing. I feel most of these people would be have a spiritual element to them where they think there's something bigger than what there is.

The person is quite fierce. I think they have an interesting perspective on life because this bird is also up in the sky and so it's thinking from a higher perspective or a different perspective than how other people would think. Same with the moon in the sky in this card the person is like up in the sky and looking down and thinking about all kinds of different things and there's the dog the wolf and the lobster. So it's like the Moon is considering all different kinds of people and connecting with them despite there being three very different creatures in this card right. Same with four of cups we have somebody who's sitting and contemplating all kinds of different things. Including these three cups. 

I just think it's somebody who thinks and feels a lot. Which again is giving me all the water signs. Void definitely links me to Scorpio. And it could be that this person has had mental health concerns like depression or other things. I'm not really feeling that hardcore I'm just saying that's a possibility and of course there's nothing wrong with that. But they could have gone through a period where they were depressed or going through some kind of grief or tragedy and had a lot to consider and think about and the perspective on life might have done pretty much a complete 360 or do you say 180 when it changes I don't know…

So yeah I'm really seeing that ending scene from pride and prejudice when he's walking through the field. Definitely a person who feels very prideful and sometimes caught up in their own worlds and their own thoughts and feelings that if you ever feel like they aren't paying attention to you that you need to remind them and anchor them back in because they just seem to live in this different universe within themselves. I'd be curious to know what's in their 12th house. Or where Pisces lives in their chart.

I would also think in terms of career this could be somebody who uses their hands a lot by the way but also has climbed in their career. Like steadily. They might start somewhere quite at the bottom like let's say if they did work in the movie industry they could start as an assistant or a runner or something and then work their way up to a director and then even own their own company. They have that kind of potential to rise to any place of work where they are from the ground up. And I think that's because not only they are creatively talented but they're good with people in a way that people like to work with them. It could be respect but they just seem to feel like they can get behind whatever passion project this person starts.

So my advice would be if you meet this person or there's some person like this. You can get through to them by talking to them. And if they are kind of blowing you off or in their own world and this of course goes within limits. If somebody constantly ghosts you or doesn't care about your feelings and is showing clear signs of disinterest then just back off and it doesn't need to go anywhere. That wouldn't be your person. But this person may be so preoccupied with work or thoughts about other things going on that they might accidentally blow you off like once or twice so you have to be patient. Because again pretend that you are in pride and prejudice and you try to make conversation with them at first and they sort of are rude because of other things going on. And then you meet again and maybe it happens but you get a little more out of them. Until finally you know you have some type of encounter where you both kind of have a change of heart and become interested. Anyway if you haven't seen the movie just watch that. You can also watch ever after.

And it's not to say you can't be mirroring each other in a way that like you've also gone through something similar where you had a time in life where you really felt like you needed to pull inward to kind of explore different things. They might have very long fingers as well. Like the kind of fingers you would use if you played piano. Long slender fingers.

I mostly see a lot of yellow and blue but that makes me again come back to thinking about having the confidence to talk about different things. This person definitely has some really bold thoughts. They could be even innovative in some ways and the way they think or in the way that they create something in their mind and then execute it. Like I'm not talking about science stuff although I guess that's a possibility but to me it's more creative. Like this is a small example because I think they have more potential than this but let's say they come up with a really unique type of film. Like when you saw eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind for the first time or being John malkovich. 

ÚThese are very different films done in a different way but good films that have a point about The human experience. So this person could come up with a song that's just like oh that's a really good song that I can relate to and it's not like all the the manufactured pop or whatever that's out there now. Or the film is done in a different way kind of way. And I'm not getting like oh my art is misunderstood. It's like literally they just think about things in a different way so that they can put it together like completely different than other people have. So I can see where sometimes they might get absorbed into their work and you might be like well I kind of feel neglected because all you do is work. So I guess it depends on whether you can keep up with a person like that or you can fit into that person's life. Just because we're asking about the next romantic partner doesn't mean that it's like the last partner you'll ever have.

I'm trying to think if there's anything else and maybe I would have more if I had those two small cards in front of me even though I remember what they are and basically what they look like…

Do I want to touch on the fact that the queen of cups looks pregnant? Not really because to me it's just giving me empress vibes or the potential to manifest something that resembles something you can grow. And that comes back to creative projects or being able to create a relationship with another person. There is the potential with this person to do that but again I do think that not to say it'll be difficult but like just with any relationship it won't be super simple. It'll take time to not just get together but then even when you're in a relationship together with this person who's extremely talented and very deeply emotional that this isn't a light relationship to jump into. 

You know like imagine jumping into a relationship with someone who just like doesn't have a care in the world. And this person s isn't like that they're very intense… they're not boring I would say but they're quite serious. So if you aren't prepared to enter into a relationship like that if you need something that's light and fun then great. But if you want passion and intensity and something a little dark and deep and complex and layered then this is the kind of person. Not to say that when you get together after 10 years this person wouldn't lighten up but at the beginning they're definitely very broody and kind of detached and maybe Moody. I'm not saying that they're abusive or anything I'm just saying they're artist in their own little world.

I tried to think of somebody in the life that you could compare it to so I don't want to say Johnny Depp because there's lots of icky things surrounding him so…

Wait why do I have to come up with an example I already told you that he was like Mr Darcy or even the prince from ever after. Somebody kind of pretentious and snotty in the beginning a little broody but sexy and intellectually interesting and creative who grows on you especially if you're kind of like a rebellious I don't give a f*** what you think type of person perhaps. Or you can challenge them at their own game. Some people might be into that. I think other people have probably met this person and thought damn this is too much work I'm not here for this or this is too serious and I need something a little bit lighter. But for the right person this match will make sense and still be something they didn't exactly expect and didn't think that they would ever probably try to work for but something about you I think when you meet this person like instinctually you'll feel a connection and like you want to get to know them more and then you'll be intrigued as you learn a little bit more about them each time.

As for timing like I said it could be very soon for people who read this now since it could be anytime around cancer season. It could be another time where the Moon is in a water placement coming up in the future. Do I see any indications of where? Buy a tree LOL there's two cards with trees in them. So I mean it could be a park. It could be a picnic. A barbecue. On a nature visit thing or a hike. They seem to especially enjoy nature and thinking out in nature. They could be wearing red and green or just red. I guess that could mean you could meet them around the Christmas season which would be in December/ January ish.

I think those colors also speak to their temperament with the red being somebody who's quite passionate and then the green and blue kind of mixing to show somebody who's also a bit grounded especially by nature and then also has this creative and empathetic side. The only thing that they don't seem to have as much of to me is air. Which might be there's a card here that's about you need to be the one to bring up stuff because maybe they aren't used to talking about their feelings. Maybe they can talk about it through their art but literally having conversations about their feelings could be difficult. So in order for you to know how they feel you would have to ask them. They might be a person who's more likely to show their affection through action or services. 

Awesome maybe bring in another card about that I'm focusing on the hands and stuff and then when I think of the void card it makes me think of showing your hand like that phrase about cards but it also means you know to show how you actually feel or what you really think. So again I think this person is a bit hard to read as to whether they're interested in you or not. Again back to Mr Darcy. Hard to tell that he was interested in Elizabeth but he definitely was as the story goes along. So if you're unsure but you both seem like you're probably attracted to each other. If they're giving you the signs you just have to ask. They might even be surprised that it's not obvious that they like you because to them they've been doing everything to make you realize that except saying it. 

So I hope that's pretty detailed enough to help you with your next romantic relationship.

[deadmercenaryslover]

ok maybe you know. WHAT is going on with ol istys nobleman status? some stuff indicates he was always one and other that sigismund gave him a title after he saved his ass. What Is The Truth?

Oof, I definitely wish I knew that, because I could really use the information for fic-writing purposes, but unfortunately, I don’t. I suppose no one knows the whole truth, except maybe some lorekeeper at Warhorse, assuming they have one.

That said, there are a few in-game hints that could be used if someone wants to form their own headcanons.

Here are some of the tidbits I’ve used while shaping my personal take on Ištván’s background for the fic I’m currently writing, probably in a fairly random order. Just keep in mind that I’m going to veer pretty heavily into headcanon territory here, and I’m not claiming any of this is canon. Just some random thoughts put together.

Thanks for asking, though! 🖤 I just love to yap about Ištván and KCD in general, I’m just usually a bit too shy to share my thoughts unprompted.

(It's going to be a pretty long post, so I'm going to put the whole thing under a cut.)

So, what we do know for certain is that Ištván was born in Banat, his parents were killed by the Turks, and his father had a fortress, which somewhat implies that Ištván was originally highborn.

I think this is where we have a gap we can fill with whatever we want and veer deep into headcanon territory, since he trails off and never finishes the sentence. Personally, I feel like it's quite heavily implied that whatever happened to him after his family was slain and his home destroyed must have been deeply traumatizing for him. I know the devşirme theory is quite popular, though I believe becoming a war captive and ending up in regular slavery is just as plausible an option.

I don’t know if it’s just me, though probably not based on what I’ve seen, but I get the feeling that Ištván is kind of dancing around the issue here, despite usually being all about tough talk. To me, that suggests there's deep trauma behind it, likely connected to sexual abuse.

I also believe that what Henry says to him, "You pretend to be cruel, but you take good care of Erik. Someone must have really hurt you, am I right?" also points in that direction.

Another thing we know for certain is that, at some point, he fought the Turks, as we hear from both Ištván himself and Erik (in KCD1), and that he also fought in the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396. There's still a lot left open to individual interpretation, but I think one possible reading is that the events at Nicopolis led to Ištván, who might’ve been just an ordinary mercenary back then, becoming personally acquainted with Sigismund.

I imagine it's also possible that Sigismund rewarded him for his service by elevating him to the nobility, despite the battle itself ending in disaster. Saving your king’s life has to count for something, right?

I think this bit is also interesting to take into account. More often than not, Ištván seems to look for connections between himself and Henry, but here he draws a rare distinction. The way I see it, this doesn't necessarily contradict the possibility of Ištván being noble by birth. I could see it implying that he simply lost that privilege at some point in his life, likely when his family was slain and his home destroyed.

I imagine noble blood doesn't count for much when you are all alone and have lost everything. With his family gone, and the possibility of him being taken into the Ottoman Empire and kept there for some time, would he even have had any way to prove he was of noble origin? Even if he had surviving relatives, they might not recognize him after so many years and could be inclined to think he was just some impostor trying to get his hands on family wealth or something.

I don't know, just some food for thought.

And then there's this small detail. I just find it interesting how he says "the noblemen," not "we noblemen." Again, we can't be sure whether he's simply trying to influence Henry by highlighting their supposed similarities, or whether he genuinely relates to Henry here, even though he's a nobleman himself. It could just as well be both, I suppose. This doesn't have to mean anything, but I wanted to include it because it supports my personal interpretation that Ištván might personally not relate much to those nobles who have led easier lives than he likely has.

And from there, we come to another aspect I’ve been thinking about lately, one that’ll probably need its own post at some point: taking a sociolinguistic approach to Ištván’s background. I don’t have the screenshots at hand to support my theory yet, but it seems to me that he can switch between appearing as a rough mercenary and an eloquent nobleman, depending on what the situation calls for (and yet, he's often being clocked for this, too.) The clearest example of this, I think, is the way he code-switches during the prison scene in Nebakov while speaking with Sir Jaromier.

This doesn’t have to mean anything in particular, either. We could just draw a parallel between Ištván and, say, the Dry Devil and leave it at that, but as a language nerd, it’s just something that’s caught my attention. If anyone’s interested, I could ramble some more about it.

[soullessseraphim]

-ˋˏ ༻𖤓༺ ˎˊ-

"They call them star tears. Legend has it they actually are literal angels' tears."

ambiance / background study??, I dont fuckin know anything is a pretext for practice I need to feed my portfolio asap is it even good enough for it bro is this even crk related anymore idk what im doing help 😭

obviously based on those spaceship/rocket thing debris I saw on social media... it was pretty as hell

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[gretagator]

What if the Joker was blue and orange

[yellllowstar]

slowly I'm recovering the beauty of discovery

(creature by half•alive)

(textless + timelapse below cut)

[sensitivegoblin]

👉🏻👈🏻 if you like littles pls feel free to dm meeee

[444venicebitch444]

Something something TF 141 gets a new secretary because their old one decided to finally retire, and you show up.

A sweet little thing, no military experience, all shy smiles and nervous chuckles, punctual and neat.

You take care of their paperwork, their mail, schedule their meeting, bring them coffee, and most importantly it’s not half bad to have a good set of legs and a pretty face to look at.

Price was a right gentleman, a nicer boss than you could’ve ever expected from a military man, and Soap and Gaz really had your confidence going whenever they made their flirtatious quips (which was everyday, really).

Ghost, though? Ghost was exactly what you’d expected after hearing the stories: a stoic, intimidating man who spoke in grunts and monosyllables, and who was, in your opinion, quite rude.

Did the man have no manners? Had his mother not taught him to say ‘thank you’?

You tried making an extra effort with him, your need to be liked overpowering your annoyance towards the lieutenant, because you intended to keep this job; the pay was great, it was a short drive from your apartment and you weren’t going to let a guy who wore a bloody skull balaclava everyday ruin this for you.

So you smiled more, made your good mornings and good afternoons sweeter, same as the tea you’d leave on his desk everyday at 4 pm sharp, and the little squiggly hearts you’d draw on the post it notes on top of his files. 

And when Simon’s grunts started mutating into full fledged sentences, and he actually told you a joke, you found yourself grinning, more out of self satisfaction than because of whatever ridiculous pun he’d said in that deep, rumbling voice of his.

For you, it was over, your plan had worked, and now all your bosses liked you, getting rid of that lingering uneasiness in the back of your head. 

For Simon, on the other hand? You’d unlocked Pandora's box, if said box contained the lieutenant’s affection (obsession) for you.

It was true, he hadn’t liked you at first: you disrupted the routine, the practised flow of the office, and gave Johnny and Kyle an excuse to be fucking insufferable in their working space instead of only in the shitty pubs where they’d drag him after shifts. He was going to lose his fucking mind if he had to hear another “can’t walk into the office looking that good, darlin’. won’t let me get anything done”.

The worst part was that they weren’t wrong; you were pretty and Simon couldn’t deny that. I mean, what did anyone expect, for him to not shoot a look at your arse in those tight trousers? He was but a man.

But when you started your little routine, it sent him down a spiral. What the fuck was your problem? Why would you draw a bloody heart next to the note that reminded him about his debrief? 

What you hadn’t understood, though, was that with a man like Simon Riley, that wasn’t just being nice, it wasn’t getting him to like you. it was an enablement of his ugly heart, something that fed the flames of his desires, because why else would be making him tea? that was practically a wedding vow, love. 

So he decided that you were his, that he didn’t need to discuss it with you because you already worried your pretty, little head too much with work and what future husband would he be if he didn’t try to make your life easier?

That included tellin Kyle to fuck off when he flirted with you, giving you a lift when your car broke down (which had absolutely nothing to do with simon messing with its battery), and helping you find your cat when it ran away (the fucking thing had scratched the hell out him when he’d taken it to that alleyway). 

The most important part of his duties, however, was watching you, making sure you were safe. Because who was gonna do it if not him? certainly not your, in his assessment, untrustworthy friends.

And your locks were so easy to pick, it had only taken him one try.

So Simon watched as you read a book and bought the same the very next day, he watched you prepare meal after meal with the nutritional value of a brick and made a mental note to make you something healthy when he’d finally cook for you, and he watched as you came out of the shower, completely enthralled.

Unfortunately, he had no way of looking into your bathroom but you’d walk into your room wrapped only in a towel so he wasn’t going to be too picky. Especially not when he got to see you rub that vanilla scented lotion that drove him insane into your soft skin, or drop the fluffy towel to the ground only to cover the delicate swell of your breasts with your pyjama top.

His favourite part, however, was without doubt when you’d lie against your pillows, your fingers dipping below your waistband. His sweet bird, not so innocent after all. 

His body would burn as he watched, his hands aching to replace your fingers, his tongue wetting his lips because it couldn’t touch yours.

He held onto every tiny gasp, every quiet whine, knowing that he’d make you sound so much better.

But he was patient and he was going to do things properly, take his time: take you to dinner, buy you gifts, eventually give you the ring he’d already bought. He wasn’t a total wanker, lovie.

So for now he was going to be satisfied with watching you and stealing your panties, offering a gruff “morning, sweetheart” the next day.

[snekdood]

so august 2018 is when my peak being-crazy-made art craziness happened, huh

[bobzora]

hate drawing backgrounds & not good at them anyway -> oh i'll just 3d model the backgrounds for my game -> wait. i still have to design the locations to model them. mfw

[gyudons]

despicable

updates as of 22 oct

Travis Dermott knew that he would draw attention with his actions in the Coyotes’ home opener against the Anaheim Ducks at Mullett Arena on Saturday. The Arizona defenseman just hoped that the spotlight might shine on the issue that he was addressing, not on him.

“You don’t really want to go against rules that are put in place by your employer, but there’s some people who took some positive things from it,” Dermott said. “That’s kind of what I’m looking to impact.

“You want to have everyone feel included and that’s something that I have felt passionate about for a long time in my career. It’s not like I just just jumped on this train. It’s something that I’ve felt has been lacking in the hockey community for a while. I feel like we need supporters of a movement like this; to have everyone feel included and really to beat home the idea that hockey is for everyone.”

“I won’t lie,” said Dermott, who is playing on a one-year, two-way contract. “From the outside, it’s easy to see that I’m putting my career on the line for something. I definitely went through some emotional ups and downs that night, not regretting anything by any means, but I’d love to have maybe done a couple of steps a little different by making sure that everyone was aware of what was going on before I did it.

“I don’t want to put my teammates or my coaches or my GMs or the equipment managers in any kind of bad light when it’s their job to kind of look out for something like this happening. It was definitely something that I did just by myself and was prepared to kind of deal with whatever repercussions the league decides to push towards that. I’m not going to back off and say that this battle is won, but we’re going to find better ways to do it.”

As Dermott noted, LGBTQ+ inclusion is an issue that he has supported for a long time. Without getting into specifics, Dermott said the issue is personal for him because it impacts people close to him.

“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t shed tears about this on multiple occasions,” he said. “So yeah, it’s something I’m definitely very passionate about.

“I’ve met a lot of people that from the outside, it looks like they have everything going right in their life and they have a smile on their face every time they talk to you. But sometimes when we get closer to people and get comfortable enough for them to open up to you, you can see that there’s some pretty dark stuff happening to some good people. It doesn’t take too many times encountering something like that for it to really change someone.

“I’ve been blessed to have some of those opportunities put in front of me to really change my view of what being a good person means; what being a good father and a good example and role model means going forward. You really see how people are hurting and it’s because of a system that maybe no one’s intentionally trying to be malicious about, but until you’ve really had that first-person experience seeing people hurting from it right in front of you, it’s tough to kind of take steps.”

It would be a surprise if the league handed down any sort of punishment. The optics alone would add to the public relations damage that the original ban created. Even so, Dermott reiterated his desire to bring the entire franchise into the fold before he takes similar actions in the future, but he also made it clear that he will not be silenced on the topic.

“It’s not like I’m shutting up and going away,” he said. “I know more questions are going to be coming. We’re just going to be as prepared as we can be to just spread love. That’s the thing. It’s gay pride that we’re talking about, but it could be men’s health. It could be any war. It’s just wanting world peace. Everyone’s got to love each other a little bit more.

“Like my parents said growing up, ‘How awesome would it be to be the guy that people look up to?’ That’s what really hit home when I was a kid, especially from my mom. You want to grow up and be that guy. You want to be the guy that’s having the impact on kids like NHL players had on you. If they had been racist or bigoted, that’s going to have an effect on you.

“With how many eyes are on us, especially with the young kids coming up in the new generation, you want to put as much positive love into their brain as you can. You want them to see that it’s not just being taught or coming from maybe their parents at home. They need to see it in the public eye for it to really make an effect.”

[kianamaiart]

🌟KIANAMAIART FAQ🌟

FAQ wahoooo!!

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Who are you?

I'm Kiana, I'm a queer, Japanese Jamaican woman, and a Director/Storyboard artist who works in animation. I'm currently at Disney Television Animation.

What are your pronouns?

I usually go by she/her but I don't really mind any pronouns~

Where did you go to school?

California College of the Arts (but I dropped out when I was hired at Disney)

How did you get hired at Disney?

My bosses found me on twitter. They liked my drawing style and asked if I wanted to take a storyboard test. I did, I passed, I got interviewed and moved to LA two weeks later to start storyboarding.

Your work seems familiar. What do I know you from?

I've been on the internet for a long time! It could be a number of things. As maimai97 on dA I had a comic about next gen Pokemon characters called Pokemon 25 Years Later. As kilala97 I had some popular next gen ponies and also had a Steven Universe gemsona named Larimar. I'm also @yamujiburo, known most for drawing Jessie x Delia (hanamusa) a lot. I also work professionally! I've worked as a storyboard artist and director on Disney Channel's Big City Greens, I was a storyboard artist on one of the Steven Universe anti-racism shorts and I was a storyboard artist on Pokemon: Path to the Peak. Most recently I've been on season 6 of Dropout's Game Changer!

What program and brush do you use to draw?

Default brush in Storyboard pro. Photoshop sometimes just for compositing or specific effects.

PPPIDWTBAMG QUESTIONS

What is this project?

This is a project that started off as a silly idea that has since grown into me creating a 10 minute pilot animatic.

What does "pilot animatic" entail?

It means that it's effectively a pilot/episode 1 of a (potential) larger series. It's fully voice acted but is not fully animated. It's an animatic, meaning it will be comprised of storyboards in video form.

When and where can I watch the pilot!?

Now and right here!

What would this series be rated?

Ideally like PG13/TV14! Or whatever they call it. Definitely more geared to a YA audience. Not completely kiddy but also not what most people would consider adult animation to be

What are you planning to do with the project now that the pilot has released?

Don't know yet! There has been a lot of studio interest and even offers, so I'm in the process of talking with them and seeing if I can find this show a home or if I want to try doing it on my own or if I want to even continue with it at all. I know you guys are curious, but even if I wanted to tell you I couldn't. Just trust that I will make announcements as they come~

You said Aika had teammates, will we see them?

Because of the studio interest and potential for more of this show, there's some stuff I'm still holding close to my chest. This is one of them.

Do the characters have parents??

Zira does! As for Aika and Eclipse, this is something I'm still developing and don't really know myself haha

What are the characters' sexualities?

Don't know right now. Headcanon away!

Is "Star Guardian: Guardian of the Stars" a reference to that vine?

Nope! It's more so a parody for just really long and redundant titles which I love. Similar to the title of this project, which is called "Pretty Pretty Please I Don't Want to be a Magical Girl"

[gloomwitchwrites]

Good evening to you. I thought about writing you many times but never had the courage to do so 😅 I saw a TikTok Trend some time ago and thought about the Reaction from our beloved task Force 141. How would they react when you "accidentally" sent them the message "He just left our house, you can come now. He'll be gone for some time". Basically pranking them by implying something shady. You can ignore this if it's weird of course. Thank you for your time and amazing writing 🙏😊

I'm so glad you finally got the courage to send in a request because I had so much fun with this one! Many many thanks because I pretty much cackled and giggled the whole time I wrote this. I'm not exaggerating. I adored this prompt. It not only gave me room for a little humor, but it also gave me the opportunity to be a little naughty!

For the masterlist and how to submit your own request, click HERE

Task Force 141 x Female Reader

Content & Warnings (MDNI): established relationship, pranks & shenanigans, suggestive themes, mild sexual content, dirty talk, dirty thoughts, swearing, possessive behavior

Word Count: 1.5k

ao3 // main masterlist // imagines & what if series

John Price

Five minutes.

Five. Minutes.

Five minutes and you're already causing problems.

John isn't surprised. Not in the least. Sometimes, you enjoy being on your worst behavior just because it stirs him into a frenzy.

John is sitting at a stoplight, staring down at his phone screen. A car honks but he ignores it.

He's gone. Come over.

There isn't anyone else. John knows this explicitly. Not because he completely trusts you—which he does—but because he knows your exact location at all times. He knows what you search on your phone and what things you look at on the internet. And because he knows that, he knows you're just trying to take the piss.

Locking his phone screen, John turns on his blinker. A few turns later and he's back home, marching through the door. He's not mad. Far from it. You just need a good lesson—a good spanking. Over his knee with a bare ass. That way he can watch it bounce, watch as you wiggle and squirm, hear you whimper, and watch as your arousal grows with each strike.

Then, and only then, will he keep you under him. Which is what you want anyway.

John walks silently and with purpose, approaching you as you casually lounge on the couch.

"You're home early."

John ignores the jab. "You're on one today, cabbage."

"Whatever do you mean?"

John holds up his phone. "Think I'm going to believe this?"

Your eyes widen but John can see the bluff. "I meant to send that to—"

"To me," interrupts John. “You meant to send it to me.”

"To a friend,” you correct, but John notices the smile you attempt to hide. “I meant to send it to a friend.”

No. You wanted John to come home—to be a bit neurotic, even a little possessive.

"Fine," growls John. "I'll bite."

He places one hand on the top of the back cushion while the other rests above your head. He leans in, lowering his voice.

"Who do you belong to?"

"You."

"Show me you mean it."

You tuck your knees in, drawing back your top and removing your lounge pants. When they're gone, you spread wide, revealing your glistening pussy. Your arousal is clear, and John cannot wait to sink inside.

"That's my good girl."

John "Soap" MacTavish

You sent the texts not long after Johnny left for work.

He’s gone. Won’t be home for hours. Come over.

At first, you believed that Johnny would get those texts and immediately turn around, to head home and bust down the door. He did no such thing. He didn’t even respond. Not a peep from him. You spent the rest of the day in limbo, unsure if Johnny received the texts at all.

So, when he does come home, you expect him to say something.

“Hey you,” he murmurs, going in for a kiss.

“How was work?” you ask.

“Good,” he replies, heading down the hall to the bedroom. “Had a briefing. We’ll be heading out for a mission next week.”

“Do you know when exactly?” you ask.

“Tuesday!” he calls back.

Nothing. This man is completely glossing over the fact that you sent those texts to him. When he reappears in nothing but a pair of sweatpants, you nearly swoon at his bare chest and stomach.

“What did you get up to today?” he asks, sauntering over to grasp your hips and pull you close.

“Nothing much,” you reply, and Johnny hums in reply, placing a kiss on your forehead.

“You know,” he says after a beat, fishing out his phone from his pocket. “You did send me a few odd texts earlier.” He taps away at the screen at turns it around to show you.

The texts you sent are right there, glowing brightly.

“Oh, those—”

“I checked the cameras.”

“Cameras?” you choke. “What cameras?”

Johnny grins and then he’s tapping away at his phone again. When he shifts the screen around, you see yourself and him in real time. You turn to the corner of the room from where the feed is coming from.

“I never saw anyone come over. But I did see this.”

Tapping again, he changes to an earlier time during the day. It’s a feed of the bedroom, and you’re masturbating. Johnny ups the volume and you hear yourself moan.

“There’s this, too,” he says, switching to the night before when he had you on all fours, ass in the air.

“Johnny!”

He tightens his hand on your hip, keeping you close. Lowering his voice, Johnny grins. “Try again, love.”

Simon "Ghost" Riley

You watch from the window as Simon’s car pulls out of the drive. You wait until he turns the corner before unlocking your phone and selecting his name.

He’s just left. Come over.

With a wicked grin, you hit send, knowing that the texts will reach Simon any second. Leaning against the window, you wait, and then smile wider as Simon’s car sharply turns the corner and speeds down the street back to the house.

He’s hardly parked the car before he’s exiting the vehicle, storming toward the house, malicious intent clear with every step. With a triumphant giggle, you rush to the bedroom and flop onto the bed, pretending that you’re up to nothing at all.

You hear the front door slam, then Simon’s thunderous footsteps followed by doors opening and closing. Sprawling out across the bed, you tap away at your phone, acting like you're not bothered at all.

When he appears in the doorway, you deliberately ignore him for five long seconds before you casually turn your head and smile.

"You're home early," you observe.

Simon looms in the doorway. "What the bloody hell was that text about?"

"What text?" you shrug, all innocence.

Simon, deadpan, replies "He's just left. Come over."

"Oh. That was for a friend."

"Which friend?"

"A friend."

Simon slowly walks up to the side of the bed. "You're fucking with me."

"Don't know what you're on about, Simon."

The murderous demeanor you saw earlier melts away, leaving behind a mischievous glint that you know all too well. With a viper-like quickness, Simon grasps your ankle and yanks you to the end of the bed.

"Simon!" you shriek, but he's already flipping you over onto your stomach.

He plants both knees on either side of you, keeping you trapped beneath him, his large hands coming down on your wrists to pin them above your head.

"Was last night not enough?" he asks, voice a gruff whisper. "Or do you need another lesson?"

You lift your head as Simon transfers both wrists beneath one hand. He has his phone, tapping away at the screen.

'What are you doing?"

"Telling Price I'm not coming in."

"But you're scheduled."

Simon locks the phone and then tosses it to the side. "He'll understand." Pressing his lips to the shell of your ear, his voice drops to a breathy whisper. "I have a woman to breed."

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

It's cruel, perhaps. Even mean. But getting Kyle worked up is so goddamn sweet.

He’s protective, sometimes even a bit possessive, and nothing is hotter to you than watching him stake his claim.

Which is why you sent those texts in the first place—a way to make his heartrate spike.

He just left. He'll be gone for hours.

Kyle bursts through the bedroom door, his chest heaving as if he just ran several miles.

“Where are they?” he asks, voice a growl.

Kyle heads for the bathroom. Throwing open the door, he storms inside, but finding nothing, retreats back into the bedroom.

"Where's who?" you ask in mock innocence as Kyle opens the closet, pushing aside clothes as if he’ll find someone hiding there.

Kyle exits the closet, hands on his hips. “I saw the texts.”

“What texts?” You casually retrieve your phone, already knowing what you’ll find there. Opening up the messaging app, you click on Kyle’s name, and laugh.

“Sorry,” you giggle. “I meant to send that to a friend.”

Kyle’s eyes shut, and the sigh he makes is so loud you laugh harder. Clutching his own phone in his hand, Kyle shakes it in his fist.

“You’re having a laugh,” he says.

"No," you giggle. "Just a mistake."

That thin line becomes a smirk. Kyle tosses his phone onto the bed and you immediately know you’re done for.

“I know you, love. Think you’re clever, yeah?”

He saunters forward, and you push up onto your hands, sliding back along the bed.

“Kyle,” you warn.

“Tricking me just to get me home. For what? Think I’m going to bend you over the nearest surface and fuck you?”

Yes. That’s exactly what I think.

You scoot away, sinking into the pile of pillows at the head of the bed. Kyle matches your movements until he’s nearly horizontal over you.

“You’re right,” he continues. “I will.” His gaze roams over your body and then returns to your face. “But first, I’m going to train you into never making a silly mistake like that ever again.”

[daisies-and-domming]

Zayne: In Heat! (NSFW)

Right Here, Right Now!

Summary: A new sort of Wanderer keeps appearing around Linkon City, sending the Hunters Association into a frenzy trying to figure out just what it does. When killed, it releases some sort of dangerous “pollen”, but that’s all you’re really cleared to know - other than the clear warning to get back to headquarters as soon as possible if you are hit. Turns out, that’s easier said than done.

Warnings: yes this is an A/B/O fic (the demons got me), afab!reader, omega!reader, alpha!characters, heat, swearing, petnames (Zayne calls you "darling" and "wife"), marking/mating, breeding kink (Zayne), office sex, a little bit dubcon!!

This is Zayne's part to this series! Looking for someone else?

Rafayel | Xavier | Caleb

Or use the tag #daisy's series: in heat!

Let me know if you think I missed anything!!

All characters are over 18 :)

– – –

It was a simple mistake, you try and tell yourself. You didn’t know the Wanderer was going to explode like that!

But even the simplest of mistakes gets people in your profession killed. Being a Deepspace Hunter, especially a hunter in the UNICORNS unit, meant you couldn’t afford to make mistakes, not when other people’s lives were on the line. 

So you don’t go back to headquarters, not yet anyhow,heading straight for the hospital instead.

You know for a fact Zayne’s in office tonight, because you were complaining about him cancelling yet again your plans to hang out. He was your best option right now - whatever you got hit with is making you feel all sorts of weird. 

The first thing you noticed was your vision blurring and your sense of smell dulling; like the world was fading into grey. You smack the side of your head, trying to keep yourself in one piece. The hospital was only two more blocks away, and you couldn’t afford to not make it. Even if Zayne didn’t know exactly what was happening to you, hopefully he could draw your blood or send you for an eval in one of the other offices. There’s no one in your life that you trust quite like  Zayne, and you’re certain that he can help you with whatever the hell was going on with you.

The second thing you notice, as you draw nearer to the hospital, is the looks. People always look at you, especially when you’re in your hunter’s uniform, but there’s something…different. Some people look sympathetic, like they know something you don’t. Others jeer at you, making comments that made you wish you were off the clock right now and could kick their ass. But you’re a professional - so you hold your head high, and you keep moving.

You make it into the clear glass doors of the hospital, and that’s when the third thing hits - the smell. Your sense of smell had dropped drastically when this “pollen” had originally got you, but there was a mysterious smell coming from somewhere in the hospital that was calling out to you. It smelled like hot chocolate on a winter’s day, the kind that you have right next to the fireplace after having been outside for too long. It smelled like home, and almost mindlessly, you try to follow it.

You’re stopped pretty quickly by a nurse, who mutters something about “heat” and “omega” to one of the passing nurses. You’re led to sit down, but the bright lights of the waiting room are nauseating, and you almost lose your whole lunch as your world spins.

“-you okay? Is there anything we can do for you? If you forgot your heat suppressants, I can direct you to the pharmacy down the street-”

“Heat? What are you talking about?” You respond, snapping your head towards hers, “I’m here to see Dr. Zayne. He’s my primary care physician? Something’s wrong, I just went through a Wanderer attack, and-”

She shushes you, looking over her shoulder (likely for back-up, even you can tell you’re acting a bit crazed right now).

“Honey, you’re in heat. At this point, all we can do is suggest a heat partner. Do you have a ride home?”

You frown, still not understanding. In heat? You’re a beta, always have been. You don’t have to worry about finicky things like “heats” or “ruts”. You move to try and explain this to her, but a voice from behind the nurse cuts you off.

“Is everything alright? What could you possibly be doing here this late - oh.”

Zayne’s voice sends a spike of heat through your body, and you can’t help the smallest of whines from slipping out of your mouth. It’s quiet, but you can tell he hears it, and his whole demeanor shifts.

“Did they tell you what happened?”

The nurse tries to tell Zayne what you’ve told her so far, but he’s not actually listening - all of his senses are honed in on you. He notes your symptoms - visible fever, shortness of breath, pupils dilated - and he motions for the nurse to move, offering you an arm.

“They’re my patient. They’ll listen to me,” he tells the nurse, keeping his composure as much as he can.

He won’t tell her that it’s because he’s merely a man, a selfish one at that, and he can’t stand the burning looks of the other alphas in the room boring into you. To them, you’re nothing more than a good time, a pretty little omega for them to fuck and move on. Something protective rumbles in his chest before he can stop it. The nurse sends him a skeptical look, about to protest, when you grip on to his extended arm, and oh. Your skin isn’t even touching his, and yet it’s like a wet dream come true. You set him alight, and it takes everything in his power not to coo at you as you lean your weight into him.

“Zayne, what’s happening to me?” You sigh, looking up at him with your eyes blown wide.

“Let me get you to my office, okay? I can tell you everything you need to know there, just need to get you away from-” he sends a weary, menacing look to any wandering eyes behind him, “-from all of these heathens.”

“Okay,” you respond, so soft and sweet it sends a sick sort of thrill down Zayne’s spine.

He knows as he leads you to his office it’s a bad idea. He knows, but he can’t help himself. He’ll regret it in the morning, but for now? For now, he can have you, his darling, all needy for him in his office. He imagines bending you over every surface of the room, pushing your bare body up against the glass for everybody to see - and he’s already leaking. If you were a well attuned omega, you would be able to smell the lust rolling off of him in waves, but you don’t know what’s happening to you. All you know is that something about Zayne is sending your body into a frenzy, and you want nothing more than to burn under his touch.

Finally, finally, you make it into his office, where he guides you to sit on the couch there. He hovers for a moment, as if contemplating his next move, before leaving you there to lock the door (odd - you don’t remember him ever locking the door for your other appointments). He’s almost on top of you in the next instant, and his scent makes your brain foggy and your limbs heavy. He smells like warmth on a winter day, and you’re acutely aware, if only for a moment, that you’d let him do anything to you.

He reaches out with a hand, tilting your chin up so you’re forced to look up at him. His other hand brushes stray hairs from your face, before falling back to his side. He looks just as crazed as you feel, his pupils swallowing the chocolate brown of his eyes. If it weren’t for the lab coat he was wearing, you’d be able to see the wet patch he’s leaving on the front of his slacks, his cock already straining for release.

“So?” Yyou ask, eyeing him curiously. You’re a little on edge now, your senses a little sharper.

You may have been hit by something funny, but you’re not stupid. Zayne, in all of his quiet composure, has a tell - the tips of his ears are dusted with a light pink, and he pushes up his glasses not once, but twice (even if they’re not on his face. It makes you giggle every time). He’s holding something back, and you’re worried all over again.

That’s when a terrible pain rips through your body, like your abdomen is being ripped apart from the inside. It feels like something is trying to claw its way out of you, and a sob wracks your body. Zayne rushes forward as your body goes limp.

“Hey, hey, look at me, darling,” he says, urgency lacing his tone. 

“Look at me.”

The pain ebbs a bit as he nears, but you can still feel the way the pain tears at your stomach. Barely lucid, your weary eyes find his, pleading and wet.

“I can help, okay? Are you okay with me helping? Just let go for me, darling.” 

He’s close - too close - but God, you could care less right now. There’s nothing in the room right now but him, in all of his glory, hovering just inches away from you.

You give him the smallest of nods, but it’s enough. Enough for him to spring into action, hand already working at the button of your pants. You’re so wet with slick that he has to peel them off your skin, but it’s worth it to see you, poised on his work couch in only your underwear.

He thumbs at the waistband of your underwear, fingers dipping under it teasingly. 

“May I?”

“Y-yeah, yeah, go ‘head,” you say back, voice gravelly with want.

But he doesn’t take them off like you thought he would - instead, he shoves his face right up against your entrance, lapping at it through the soaked fabric of your underwear. Your hips buck instinctually, and his hands find their way to your thighs, kneading at them. Your legs try to close around his head, but he gives you a warning look over his glasses, and you try your best to keep them spread. A small smirk appears on his face at your obedience, but it’s gone as quickly as it came, because he’s already diving back in for more.

Even through your underwear, he can taste your arousal so potently, coating his tongue like the sweetest ambrosia. He’s sucking it through your underwear like a pervert. All open-mouthed and nasty, but it’s only making the slick pour from your entrance like a waterfall. Watching the usually cool and collected Zayne fall apart at merely a taste of you was dragging you close to an early edge. His glasses are starting to fog at the heat you’re radiating, but he doesn’t care - just dives deeper into you. He wants to taste you on his tongue forever, to keep his pretty, perfect omega satisfied. He doesn’t need anything from you, the bulge in his pants meant nothing to him. All he can think about is drawing those sweet little noises from you.

Your hand finds its way to his hair, and in a pleasure-seeking haze, you grind his face into your entrance. He groans, rich and deep, and it sends pleasant shockwaves through your system. Everything is hazy, like you’ve stepped into a dream, but you keep rolling your hips against his face, chasing your high. You’re heavy eyelids lift long enough to catch him staring up at you reverently, glasses askew and foggy, and that’s all it takes to send you spiralling over the edge. His unabashed worship for you, even now, made you clench around nothing as you came, the universe exploding into a million stars behind your eyes.

You’re not sure how long it takes for you to come back down, but by the time you do, Zayne has you in his lap, your head resting in the crook of his neck. The sensitive spot just below his ear is where his scent is the strongest, and when your head feels like your own again, you shift to nuzzle your nose into it. When that’s not enough, you start to nip at his neck, placing gentle kisses between lips. You can hear him exhale through his nose, and you feel the way he stiffens beneath you, trying not to interfere with whatever you’re doing. But he’s just so sensitive, and the little “anh!” that escapes his lips at your ministrations sounds almost like a whine.

“Are-mnph-are you feeling-ah-better?” He stutters out, his whole body weak to your touch.

“Mhm,” you mumble out against his neck, still not quite sure what you’re doing.

All you know is that he smells intoxicating, and you need more of him. You want to feel every inch of his skin against yours, want to cut him open and crawl inside of his skin so you can feel him everywhere. It makes you sick just how badly you yearn for him at this moment, and you bite down a little harder at the soft flesh of Zayne’s neck, grinning against his skin when his hips buck up against you.

“Mine.” You declare, before you can stop it.

It feels so natural, to call him yours. Almost like it’s always been that way. It twists your gut in a way you don’t understand, so you don’t try to. Instead, you lean back, taking in Zayne under you.

He’s flushed, a pretty red that spreads all the way from his cheeks down his neck, and he looks like your wettest dreams. He’s gnawing at his lip as he looks up at you so prettily, and your eyes flick down to them - a question. As you lean in, you give him enough time to back out, but he sinks into you instead, meeting your lips halfway. It’s a juxtaposition to the filthiness that went on earlier, the way he kisses you like you’re something delicate. You can still taste the hints of yourself on his tongue, and it makes you melt against him, fingers tangling into the short hair at the back of his neck. The moment shifts, and everything starts to feel more intimate. With the worst of the pain gone, you realize this is Zayne, your Zayne, the one who made you little snow seals when the seals at the aquarium made you feel bad. The one who texts you to make sure you’ve eaten lunch, and to make sure you’re not overworking yourself (to which you usually respond “hypocrite”, which shuts him up awful fast). You’re overwhelmed with something akin to embarrassment, and you pull away.

“Are you okay, darling?” He searches your face, concern written all over his expression. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

You hum, a noncommittal thing, still too embarrassed to properly look him in the eyes. He huffs, and squeezes your cheeks between his thumb and forefinger, dragging you so close that your forehead knocks against his.

“Talk to me.”

It’s not a question, this time. It’s a command, and heat sparks in your stomach anew.

“I just…’m sorry I dragged you into whatever this is,” you say, unsure of yourself. 

“I know this is probably just work to you, but-”

“It’s never just work with you.”

He says it with such sincerity you can’t help but lean in to kiss him again, short and chaste. You hope he can feel your love in every move you make against him, that this means something more than just sex to you. 

And then it hits again - that twisting heat in your abdomen, like a punch to your stomach. It’s less bad, now that you’re pressed against Zayne, but it still makes you hiss, hand moving to put pressure on your stomach. He moves to pull you closer, looking down at your shaking frame.

“Anything you need, darling. Anything.”

So you beg. You plead until all that’s left of your voice is wispy breaths. You’re not even quite sure what you’re saying anymore, overwhelmed by the raw need to feel him fill you up, to have him carve the shape of himself into you. Your lips find his neck again, and your hands fumble for his belt, buried under the thick weight of his lab coat. His thighs twitch underneath you, and you shift just enough to yank his pants and boxers to his mid-thigh, enough for his cock to spring out of its confines. It smacks heavily against his black button-up, and god, is it glorious.

He’s impressive in length and in girth, the kind of thickness that would just split you apart if you weren’t already dripping for him. A lone blue vein runs up the underside of his cock, prominent and glistening with his own precum.You can feel your mouth watering at the idea of tracing it with your tongue. But when you go to slide off of Zayne to do so, his fingers find purchase on your hips, dragging your dripping heat to rest just over his leaking cock. You both groan at the contact, and you can’t help but press down into him, catching your clit right on the throbbing head of his dick. Heat overtakes your body, and your hips can’t help themselves as they began to rut down into him, your body begging you for more.

“I-fuck-I need t’feel you, need it, alpha,” you pant out, already forgetting your desire to taste him.

His eyes roll back in his head, fingers digging into the meat of your hips, hard enough to bruise. Something inside of you purrs at the idea of him marking you up with the kind of bruises that leave no doubts about what happened tonight.

“Darling I-hngh!-can’t hold b-back anymore,” Zayne starts, heaving as your hips refuse to slow down, “I have to have you. Can I? Please, can I have you?”

You can barely nod before an obscene rip echoes in the room. Between Zayne’s fingers is the tattered remains of your underwear, a lewd string of slick connecting it to your entrance still. You watch in awe as he presses the ripped fabric to his nose, inhaling deeply. His tongue darts out, and a groan rumbles out of his chest when he gets another taste of your slick, his dick twitching pathetically against your now bare entrance. 

And when his tip just barely catches against your entrance? It’s over, his cock already spurting hot cum against you, coating his abdomen. 

“W-what a waste, darling,” he murmurs, muffled by the underwear still pressed to his face. “Should-hah-should’ve been i-inside.”

And his free hand moves from its place on your hip down to his release, scooping up some of the sticky mess onto his fingers. Before you have a chance to question him, he’s pressing his fingers to your entrance, forcing his cum inside of you. The feeling of his thick fingers stretching your entrance has your head falling back and your mouth falling open in a silent scream. His fingers reach so deep, and you wonder, briefly, if you’ll even be able to take his cock. They escape your entrance once again, just to messily smear more cum into your hole, mean and unforgiving. 

If you weren’t so lost in your own pleasure, you’d be able to see how Zayne couldn’t look away from your entrance, now dripping with a mix of your slick and his release. He was hypnotized by the way you can’t help but grind down on his fingers, begging for more of him. He curls them just right, and his breath catches in his throat when you fall forward into him, moaning out his name. No pleas, no “alpha!”, just Zayne.

A sick, twisted part of him hopes it takes. He can already see it - how beautiful you’d be all round and heavy with his pups - and it makes him burlly another finger into your entrance, trying to dig his cum deeper into you. All he can think about is you, his sweet little darling, all powerful and strong, reduced to his little housewife.

“Can’t take it anymore,” you whine, snapping him out of his perverted  daydream. “Want your knot, want to feel you fill me up, please.”

And something mean twists in Zayne’s gut, something sharp twinkling in his eyes as he looks up at you. He slips the tattered underwear into the pocket of his lab coat, and his now freed hand moves to tilt your head to look at him.

“Are you sure, darling? I’m not sure I believe you,” he responds, eyes glowing with mirth, “Beg for it.”

What a cruel alpha he is, making a heat-riddled omega beg for his cock. But the idea of him not filling you up sends you into a frenzy, frantic pleas falling from your mouth as you squeeze around his fingers pathetically.

“No, no! Need it, promise I do. C-can’t you feel how-ahn!-wet I am? Please, ‘m drippin’ for you, need to feel your cock fill me up, need you to mark me as yours-uhn! I’m yours, aren’t I, Zayne?”

At the sound of his name, so sweet falling from your lips, Zayne rips his fingers from your entrance, fumbling to grasp at the base of his aching dick. It’s flushed red and he’s not sure how long he’s going to last inside of you when you’re looking at him like that. Like he’s the only thing left in the world, like you love him.

But neither of you can even think once his cock slides into your entrance. No amount of fingering could have prepared you for just how thick he truly was, and tears bead at the corners of your eyes at the stretch. And it just keeps going, keeps sinking into your heat until you feel him all the way in your stomach. His tip is kissing your cervix so sloppily, and it makes your walls clench around him.

And suddenly you’re in the air. You’re dizzy and disoriented as you move, his dick sliding impossibly deeper in a way that has your legs locking behind his back, keeping him there. His teeth dig into your shoulder at that, trying to keep his sounds down, but it’s impossible when you just feel so good.

With one hand, Zayne balances you against his body, and with the other, he sweeps the papers and trinkets off of his desk, not caring where they end up. He cradles your head as he drops your back to meet the cold surface of his desk, always worried about your safety, even when he’s balls deep in you. It makes your heart squeeze in your chest, an unfamiliar warmth flooding your body.

You don’t have much time to think, though, before he’s pulling his hips back until only his tip is still inside you. He stays there for a moment, loving the way you pulse around his sensitive head, before his self-control fully snaps, and he’s bucking into you wildly. The desk creaks under you, shifting under the raw power of Zayne’s thrusts, until you hear it roughly thunk against the wall. 

You’re certain the whole wing can hear you two, bodies sliding and humping at each other like animals, but you don’t care, not when his cock is slamming into that spot that makes you see stars. Your body surrenders to the heat overtaking it, surrenders to him, and you’re limp in his hold, forced to take until your body is satisfied.

“Z-Zayne, mark, pl-uhn-please?” You beg between moans.

And this isn’t really consent, not when you’re so deep in an unfamiliar heat, and the back of Zayne’s mind is screaming at him to stop, don’t give in. But when your head falls to the side, baring your neck to him so submissively, how was he ever supposed to resist?

His canines sink into the delicate flesh of your skin, right in the juncture where your scent gland rests, and it’s like fireworks explode behind your eyes. It feels like your souls are intertwining, a metaphysical connection that fills your entire being with the warmth of a thousand suns. Your body convulses under him, but that just makes him dig his teeth into your skin harder, the metallic taste of your blood filling his mouth. Only when your convulsing turns into weak twitching does Zayne’s jaw unlock. He presses gentle kisses into your shoulder, licking at the blood dripping from his mark, unable to stop his hips from still bucking into your sensitive body.

“You’re mine, mine, you hear me?” He babbles, not even realizing he’s saying anything at all.

“My omega, my perfect little darling, a-aren’t you? Fuck, ‘m gonna fill you up so good, make you-mhm-round with my pups, make you a pretty momma, knot you again and again and again until i-it takes. Do you-hah-want that, darling? Want to be my perfect little wife?”

Your head is filled with cotton and your limbs don’t feel like they’re even yours anymore, but you blink your weary eyes up at Zayne. His silhouette is blurry from the tears you can’t seem to control, but even blurred he’s still a sight to behold.

His glasses are barely still on his face, askew and only really still hooked on one of his ears. He’s still almost fully dressed, but his collar is mussed, and his pants and boxers have made their way around his ankles. His belt, still looped through his pants, clanks against the floor with every harsh thrust of Zayne’s hips, mixing into the symphony of moans and squelches filling his office. 

It’s obscene and sloppy, everything is dishevelled in a way that is so markedly not Zayne, but it makes you clench around him nonetheless. Only you get to see him like this, make him like this. It sends a thrill down your spine, and a rush of heat floods your abdomen, your walls fluttering around Zayne’s girth. 

“Darling, darling, feel so good for me, are you going to let go? Let go, let me feel you cum around me.” Zayne coos, looking down at you adoringly.

You frantically shake your head. You’re close, unbearably so, but you want-need Zayne to come undone with you. So you lift your feeble hands to grip at the hair at the back of Zayne’s neck and to pull his collar to the side. With the last of your strength, you yank him down to you, right into your eager mouth. He gasps as your teeth sink into his scent gland, and that’s all it takes - the base of his cock swells, and you can feel his knot start to take. The pathetic whimper that escapes Zayne’s mouth as your teeth sink deeper into his skin is enough to tip you off the edge, and you cum hard, biting into Zayne’s neck in a weak attempt to muffle your noises. It doesn’t matter anymore, really - the slam of the desk against the wall and the wailing you did earlier was certainly enough to tip anyone off to what was happening in here. But as you start to come back down to Earth, a wave of embarrassment overcomes you. This was your best friend. You just had sex - you just mated - your best friend, and an embarrassing part of you doesn’t even care. You’ve just claimed and marked the illustrious Doctor Zayne as yours, and he’s going to have to walk around the hospital after this, smelling like you and wearing your mark on his gland.

“It’s going to be a while before my knot goes down.” Zayne says, his voice still strained but mostly back to his normal matter-of-fact tone.

His knot. It all floods back to you - how you pleaded for his knot, how you begged him to mark you - and you fluster under his watchful eye.

“I’m sorry,” you mutter, still unable to really even look at him, “I shouldn’t have forced you to do this, to…to mark me.”

You say it with so much contempt that it makes the ever-stoic Zayne frown, concern written in the creasing of his eyebrows. The hand thumbing at your hip moves to cradle your face, and he leans closer to you, wincing at the way his sensitive cock shifts inside of your gummy walls.

“Do you…” he ponders for a moment, “Do you regret it?”

He looks at you, searching your eyes for even a hint of anger at him, but all he finds is guilt. Like somehow you were at fault for all of the sick things Zayne did to you when you didn’t know what was happening to you. It makes something in his stomach flip, sadistic and cruel. You were so sweet, thinking that any of this was somehow your fault, and it makes him want to bite into your scent gland all over again. It was likely that the effect of whatever hit you would soon fade, but a little voice in the back of his head hopes that the mark he left doesn’t fade with it. That when you have to go back to work, all of the people that so much as glance at you can tell that you’re his, that you’re off-limits forever. In every lifetime, he’s given himself up to get even a taste of your love, and a certainty settles into his gut that he’ll never be able to let you go again, not after he’s had you.

“Do…do you regret it?” You ask, still carrying that heavy guilt in your eyes.

“Of course not,” Zayne responds, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, “I could never regret anything if it’s with you.”

– – –

ehehe thank you for reading!!! I don't have a sylus part planned, buuuut if anybody wants it please let me know! I just unlocked him and I wouldn't be opposed...

(also if you have other ideas for LADS send them in! I am so feral about them right now I will write just about anything)

[poisonofthepaint]

Day After Tomorrow

read part two here!

a/n: hi! this is my first time writing for abbot so i hope this is okay! hoping to make this a series, it was really fun to write this :-) and i would love to hear if u liked it!!

content warnings: none serious, age gap between abbot and reader, lots of dialogue, spiraling reader a tinsy bit, maybe ooc jack? definitely some wacked up medical school hoopla i made up to make it fit my abbot backstory headcanons, reader is a barista who's studying philosophy, this is their first meeting. i barely proofread this. enjoy!

It was early. Way too fucking early. You could not believe that your boss had bumped up the hours again. The shop opened at 4:00 now. Four in the morning. You couldn’t believe your eyes when you got the text. You had woken up at 2:50, the latest you could sleep in and also get to work at 3:30. Honestly, you think you’ll get used to it, but right now, in the transitional period? This felt like hell. Who even gets coffee at 4:00 A.M.? 

You regret the thought the second it enters your brain, because, of course, the bell goes off on the door to signal someone is walking in. 

“One second, sorry, getting my bearings,” you say, not bothering to look up at the first of many customers.

“That’s okay. You are open, yes?”  he says while walking to the ordering counter

The deep voice makes your eyes shoot up, and his attire makes them linger longer. He’s adorned in black scrubs, a gray t-shirt peeking out from beneath them. You draw your eyes away quickly, probably not quick enough for him to not notice you were staring, but again, it’s early, you’re just moving slow.  

“Yes, open, and– shit,” you mumble. “Shoot,” you correct yourself as if your boss is around to hear it. The stranger smiles and huffs out a laugh.

“Sorry, this drawer is a pain in the morning, it never wants to unlock itself. Technology,” you say and shrug. You grab the physical key and unlock it, which has the computer registering you’re open. 

“I get it, I prefer to do things the old fashioned way.” he says. You shoot him a look. “I just mean, no technology.” he shakes his head, and pulls a hand down his face.

“What can I get you…”you glance down at his badge, “Jack.” A smile finally warms on your face, and it brings a small one to his too. 

“Just a small hot coffee, nothing in it.”

“Easy enough,” you turn around to the machine and start pouring the fresh coffee into a cup. “Starting or ending your shift?” you ask.

“I’m almost done, few more hours, just needed something better than whatever the hell they serve in the cafeteria.”

You nod your head, and put a lid on the coffee. “Well consider this a courtesy, on the house.”

He looks shocked, and… a little bit offended? You can’t tell. Honestly, he’s pretty mysterious. You feel like you can read him, but maybe you can’t? 

“I don’t mind paying.” he says, pulling out some cash from his wallet.

“I’m sure you’re good for it,” you push away the cash in his hand, softly grazing his knuckles, “But, I’m really trying to prove a point to my boss that no one comes in this early. You’re kind of putting a fork in my master plan.”

  He laughs, a genuine laugh. You smile, again. You want to impress him, but you’re unsure why. Maybe it's kind of like a kinship thing. Like, hey, I’m up this early too. I see you, we’ve got the night covered while almost everyone else sleeps.

“Oh, I see. You don’t want to be up this early.” Jack’s back to, what you assume is his normal, stoic, expression. You didn’t even notice he stopped laughing

“Do you like the night shift?” you ask. You don’t deny his claim. Who wants to be up this early to work?

“I do, yeah, I do.” Jack does, apparently.

“Is it quieter?”

“Is it ever quiet?”

He stares at you. You open and close your mouth– look around the empty cafe. “I mean, here? Yeah. in a hospital? I’m gonna go with no.”

He nods his head slowly, and looks down. He doesn’t leave, though. Even though the transaction is over. He needs someone to talk to, you realize. Someone who isn’t dying, and someone who doesn’t know what the hell is going on in a hospital at 4:00 A.M. He doesn’t pick his head up, fiddling with the stopper you put in the lid of the coffee.

“Well, I hope that coffee doesn’t make your hands shake, I don’t want to be implicated.” That gets his eyes to meet yours. He looks like he forgot he was still standing there. “You’re free to stay however long you need, say the line was long, or, whatever. I am gonna set some more stuff up but, feel free to hang out. It’s kind of nice having someone to talk to.” You turn the blame on yourself; make him feel like he’s treating you instead.

You’ve always been kind of attuned to people’s emotional baggage. And a few years of customer service in a city has certainly bumped up that ability for you. People came and went, but you could remember who was hurting, and who needed the extra bedside manners that baristas could sometimes supply. You catch his eye while you make yourself a shift drink. A London fog today, with an extra tea bag, because you do need the caffeine.

“A barista who doesn’t drink coffee?” he says, gesturing with his cup.

“Oh, I drink a lot of coffee. But, I try to save those for when it gets busy. Right now, I’m okay with just tea. If I drink the coffee now, I’ll crash by the rush, and there won’t be time to make a drink. But if I drink it closer to the rush then…”

“Smart girl,” he says.

The comment makes your face feel hot. It’s your turn to put your head down, you polish the espresso machine in front of you instead of meeting his eyes. 

“Are you in school?” he asks.

“I am, I’m getting my Masters. Last semester,” you smile. 

“In what?” His bluntness is more attractive than you care to admit. It feels like an interrogation, but also like a first date. You wonder why he’s stayed this long.

“Philosophy,” you say as you exhale out.

“Plans after?” 

“I thought everyone knew they weren’t supposed to ask people that?”

He laughs, again. Two laughs from mysterious brooding Doctor Abbot. Three if you count the tiny one. You want to go for four. You want to go for sixty.

“I guess it’s easy for Med School students. Very clear plan there.”

“Very clear. But I took a work around.”

“Oh yeah?”

He gets a small smirk on his lips, “Yeah, I served, and was a medic out there.” Your face drops, everything you think you know about anything leaves your brain, you have another stupid 4 A.M. thought and think maybe you should salute. Luckily, you don’t.

“That always stumps people. But, I loved what I did so much I did an expedited Med School program to get me in as an ER doctor.”

“So, here you are now.” you regain your thinking.

“Here I am,” he says. “Hey, are you here alone?”

“You should know there’s cameras everywhere.”

“Whoa, whoa,” he says, understanding your joke. Another laugh, that makes four. “I just wondered.”

“No, I’m not. There’s other people in the back doing, what needs done in the back.” You say, not wanting to bore an ER Doctor with what goes on at a coffee shop.

“Good, you shouldn’t be here alone.” 

“You worried about me, Doc?” 

The nickname, and question, sends him for a loop, that he can’t hide. His gaze seems to change, and he stares at you with such intensity you have to look away for a second before you can look back. When you do, his eyes are still there. He clears his throat, does a little pace around the spot he was standing. He seems like he’s stalling. You peak over his shoulder at the analog clock. 4:30 A.M. Long coffee run for a doctor, he’s probably thinking so too. 

“Do you work this early every morning?” He asks with furrowed eyebrows.

  So, ignoring your question then. “Mostly, yes, but not tomorrow, thankfully.”

“But after that?” He asks with urgency.

“I’ll be here the day after tomorrow, yes.” You try to keep a cool demeanor, but his nonchalant nature is rubbing off on you. You’re starting to get antsy. You spin the ring on your pointer finger around to try to calm yourself.

“Okay, good. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.” Like it’s nothing. Like it’s not a fucking second date type plan. Like he doesn’t even think of it.

“Okay, good.” You say, parroting him. He walks toward the door backwards, not breaking eye contact with you. He pushes it open with his shoulder, tossing the empty cup into the trash bin right next to the front door. He stands there for a second before leaving. And when he is forced to turn around from you, he shakes his head.

You’re off the rest of your shift. Everyone can tell. You’re not as fast, you’re making mistakes. You feel like you’re in a fucking dream. You can’t remember if he was even real. Jack Abbot. Jack Abbot. Jack Abbot.

You repeat the name until you feel like you’re gonna choke on it. Doctor Jack Abbot. You try to remember everything you said, and you try not to feel embarrassed by any of it. God, he caught you off guard. And it wasn’t fair! You could’ve handled it so much better if it wasn’t so, fucking, early. And he had hours of consciousness on you! When he came in, it had been, what, maybe an hour since you had woken up? 

And you really try not to think too much about it.  He said he’d come back, so it couldn’t have been too bad. But you like him, and you have never had a crush on a customer. It was a rule you had always followed. Anyone you thought was cute, you didn’t let yourself spiral about, you cut it in the bud. You didn’t want to have someone the whole staff knew suddenly disappear because you two went on a bad date.

But the staff didn’t know Jack! It was just you two, there wasn’t even a goddamn transaction on record! So of course you’re spiraling! And he’s a doctor, a good doctor, who obviously cares about his patients. You wanted to pry his brain open, have him teach you all the science knowledge you didn’t get from your Philosophy degree.  You wanted him. And all you had was a promise.

You do get yourself under control, about an hour before your shift ends. You didn’t let yourself google him. You didn’t let yourself think about him. You focused on your work, and honestly, it got so busy it did kind of get pushed to the back of your head. But he was lingering around. He was like a piece of sticky gum on your shoe. It was a promise that you would not let yourself be sad if it was broken. You will yourself to not spiral about a promise from this man you didn’t really know. Your whole life wasn’t going to be over if Dr. Jack Abbot didn’t come in promptly at 4 A.M. the day after tomorrow. 

He didn’t seem like the type to break a promise. You don’t know why he would have been so adamant about asking you when you work if he was lying. No, you’d see him again. You just had to be calm, and wait. Tomorrow was going to kill you, though. A day off with nothing to do but classes. You hoped the coursework would be interesting enough to distract you from him in your brain. For a brief moment, you wonder if you should change your thesis to applying different types of philosophy to ER Doctors. You couldn’t believe you were so caught up by a thirty minute conversation, but you were. There was no changing that. You just had to get to the day after tomorrow.

Yes, the day after tomorrow, maybe you’d get another thirty minutes.

[ivorivet]

Fellowship Cloak Weaving Draft

Hi all! I've been kind of quiet on this blog, but I have something really exciting to share today: after six years, I FINALLY figured out the weaving draft for the Fellowship cloaks from Lord of the Rings.

This is a problem I've been trying to figure out since shortly after I made my Legolas cosplay in 2018. The cloaks that the nine members of the Fellowship receive in Lothlórien look like a nondescript gray fabric from far away, but zoom in and you'll see a very complex pattern of horizontal and vertical bars of dark gray and white.

(First image from Alleycatscratch, second is a photo of the scarf of the same fabric I bought from Stansborough where I was attempting to trace the pattern repeat with orange thread)

This is going to be a long post, so I'm just going to lead with the completed draft:

Imagine me Will Smith wife posing at this for the last 24 hours.

It's got the correct size of pattern repeat! It's got the five individual ripples! It's got that dumb little pattern break in the middle that breaks up the center of the leaf motif! I am OVER THE MOON about figuring this out, especially starting out with very little knowledge about weaving drafts in general. More ramblings about this type of draft and my thought process below:

This particular pattern is known as "shadow weave," a subset of color-and-weave where the pattern is created from the interplay of different warp and weft colors plus the weaving draft itself. To get an idea of how that works, let's start by looking at plain weave in one color:

The solid purple bar at the top indicates the color of the warp threads, and the solid purple bar at the right indicates the color of the weft threads. So far we've got our basic under-over-under-over pattern in a single, solid color (purple). But what if we add an additional color (green) to the warp, and alternate those colors? Then we'd get a speckled fabric like this:

The visual effect looks pretty much identical regardless of if you start with green or purple. However, if you also alternate purple and green in the weft, it produces a very different effect depending on if you start with purple or green (note the differences in the bar on the right):

So cool, now we can make either vertical or horizontal stripes! If you double up on the colored threads in some areas, you can even flip between the two and start dividing the fabric into "blocks," like so:

Note that with all these changes, the only thing we've been doing is changing the order of the colors in the warp and weft. The actual weave structure itself is still just regular ol' plain weave. The pattern that we've created in the pictures above is called "log cabin," which you can read about here. But similar effects can be created by skipping shafts/picks in the weaving draft as well. So how do we get from log cabin into the more complicated and general category of shadow weave?

It's weird to describe how to convert a given pattern into shadow weave. There are multiple very good books with chapters on shadow weave as well as books entirely dedicated to it. Despite my best efforts, all these explanations still got so technical so fast it feels like, to me at least, asking a 6 year old to recite an entire Shakespeare play verbatim immediately after confirming that they can, in fact, sing the alphabet song. So I'm going to give my best shot at explaining it, and if it doesn't make sense, just blame it on me and check out some of the linked books above if you're really curious.

Think of shadow weave as a beauty filter for a black and white drawing. If you create a pattern out of black and white blocks/pixels/whatever, the shadow weave "filter" can be applied to it to create a similar pattern that preserves the shapes in the original, but makes them out of vertical/horizontal lines instead of solid color blocks. So in some of these books you'll find mention of converting a twill or an overshot pattern into shadow weave - that's what this is referencing. The original pattern (usually designated with light yarn) gets a secondary shadow pattern (in dark yarn) inserted into in between every other thread (also called an "end" when referencing warp yarns).

I got stuck at this point for literal years. I could find examples of weaving drafts using shadow weave, but couldn't figure out how to generate ones of my own. I imported some of the drafts I found in books into weaving software and poked around to see if I could push the patterns in the direction I wanted by changing individual elements. My experiments in changing individual warp ends and weft picks always ended up looking like stretched or compressed versions of the original pattern (when I was being careful), or incomprehensible garbage (when I was being daring). I even bought a sample of the fabric from Stansborough in the form of a scarf, thinking I could brute force it by using a magnifying glass to figure out the interlacements. I was able to figure out how large the pattern repeat was (approximately 160 x 80 ends), but otherwise I got nothing but eye strain. I ended up tabling the project and coming back to it every couple years, banging my head against it until I gave up.

Until one day last week when I was flipping through the Strickler book and saw this page:

And I was like

HOLD UP

IT'S HER

...or at least a close cousin of her. BUT IT WAS A START.

So the first step was to identify what about this pattern needed to change in order to make this look like the Fellowship cloak. Overall, the main differences were:

Pattern repeat on Strickler 304 was too small - it was 42 x 42 ends and I needed it to be somewhere in the ballpark of 80 x 80 before altering the repeat.

The Fellowship pattern has a weird vertical dividing line that runs down the middle of the leaf motif, effectively doubling the width of the repeat by creating two similar looking but different leaves. This was the change I was least concerned about, as flipping between vertical and horizontal lines is pretty a straightforward process as shown above with the log cabin draft.

Strickler 304 also has a different number of waves (peaks and valleys, or whatever you want to call them) compared to the Fellowship pattern. There are 3 waves in Strickler and 5 in Fellowship. Figuring out how to add these extra waves was the biggest obstacle for me to address.

And finally, a couple of things I didn't need to care about for the weaving draft: 1) the Fellowship pattern is elongated in the warp direction, but this has more to do with a little extra spacing between weft picks as compared to the warp threads. When weaving this you'd just need to make sure you don't beat it very hard and you'll get that tall rectangle shape instead of a square repeat. 2) Both patterns have mirrored symmetry around a diagonal line drawn through the center, meaning that for treadling I could "tromp as writ" or basically just mirror the threading diagram to get the treadling instructions. For reasons I can't figure out, the Strickler pattern isn't exactly tromp as writ but looks close enough to it that the effect is still there. But I don't really care enough to figure out why - the important thing is that it gives us a threading diagram to start with!

So to start with, here's what Strickler 304 looks like in my weaving software:

(By the way, this is Fiberworks PCW Bronze. The trial version is free, and the only difference between that and the paid version is that the save/print options are disabled. I'm not sure they know about screenshots, bless their hearts.)

This is a design for 8 shafts and 8 treadles, thus the 8x8 square in the upper right corner. And you can see in the threading diagram (upper horizontal bar) and treadling diagram (right bar) that the curvature of the waves takes a similar shape to the curves of the final pattern. We just have to figure out why. And since I had already tried changing individual warp ends and treadling patterns without much success, I needed to approach in a different way.

What ended up helping me see the forest for the trees was de-shadowifying the pattern. It's relatively easy to get the black-and-white version of the pattern from the threading draft - you just need to delete the shadow, which means removing every other warp end. This is what deleting all the dark ends from the warp and light ends from the weft looks like:

We can also see with a little more detail how the threading diagram is similar to the curve in the pattern. The pattern is 21 pixels tall, but it's been chopped up to repeat over 8 shafts, like so:

OKAY COOL COOL COOL. EVERYTHING'S COMIN' UP MILHOUSE IVORIVET. From this green squiggly line we know two things:

The final number of warp ends in the shadow weave pattern is double whatever the height of the squiggle is. In the case of the Strickler pattern, we're going from 21 to 42. Since we know that we need our final height for the Fellowship pattern needs to be 80, the squiggle for that pattern needs to be around 40 pixels tall.

We needed to stitch three repeats of the Strickler threading diagram together in order to see the full squiggle. How many waves does the Strickler pattern have? Three. How many waves does the Fellowship pattern need? Five. How many shafts do we have to work on? Eight. What is 5 x 8? 40!!!

So how about we make a NEW squiggle, only 40 pixels high instead of 21? (We're gonna drop the pixels in blue, since threading diagrams won't work if you put a single end through two shafts.)

Next, we're going to chop up that squiggle and use it to create a new threading diagram in Fiberworks. I'm also using "tromp as writ" here to create the treadling pattern.

LOOK AT THAT. IT'S GOT MORE WAVES!! FIVE OF THEM!

And then we add back in the shadow by creating a space for a new end between each existing end:

And then add in the shadow. I'm using 4 as my number for the shadow offset since we're using 8 shafts. So shaft 1 shadows to shaft 5, shaft 2 shadows to shaft 6, etc.

And we're going to apply tromp as writ again to get:

AYYYYYY WE'RE GETTING CLOSE! I'm fairly certain that the reason why the Strickler treadling wasn't exactly tromp as writ had something to do with centering the pattern repeat a little more than this, but I don't really care about that so I'm going to leave this treadling the way that it is.

From here out, we need at add that weird vertical dividing line that chops up the center of the leaves. So we double the pattern repeat along the horizontal axis, and offset a 40 pixel section in the middle of the threading diagram by 1 pixel. I've also colored in the differences between the dark and light ends to help differentiate the original and shadowed curves a little bit more. (I also tried offsetting the colors of the warp ends by 1 as well like what we did in the log cabin example, but I ended up liking the way that this looked more.)

THERE SHE IS!!! MY PRECIOUS!!

From here on out, there is still a ton of work I need to do if I actually want to weave this cloak from scratch. I did buy roving in quantities that could be used to spin both the dark and light yarn (dark gray Gotland for the dark yarn, and dove gray merino + white alpaca for the light yarn), but there's still the matter of, like, handspinning a cloak's quantity of extremely fine yarn. I did start spinning the Gotland several years ago as fine as I could possibly manage, and got through maybe 20 ounces of it. However, I'm a much better spinner now and I'm not sure if the my skeins from several years ago would be suitable for weaving, or if it would be worth replicating what I did back then vs. just starting over with a new standard. There's also the possibility of just... buying weaving yarn if I want to skip that step, which would definitely save me a significant amount of time.

Anyway, thanks for reading this far and I hope it helped break down why this was so exciting for me!