mothduchess

[mothduchess]

The Handshake (Ben 10 AU idea)

So, a little backstory. I *LOVE* Ben 10. We always have since we saw it as a kid. Surprise, the Therian autistic trans girl loved the show of the shapeshifting boy who had an alien device that was made to understand all the aliens in the universe. It was cool as hell, and thus it's been off and on in my mind forever. Same with our BF, which is what compelled us to do an RP about it. This AU/fan character idea is based on that RP with some changes.

Premise:

Dr. Aloysius James Animo is a brilliant and utterly unhinged geneticist. In the series, he's made plenty of inventions that involve tampering with other lifeforms and controlling them, usually imbuing Earth animals with gigantism and extraordinary abilities, or intending to mutate large populations of the Earth. He displays delusions of grandeur with a god complex, thinking himself the superior tinkerer of life. He also has had numerous intimate contacts with the Omnitrix and its inner workings as well as aliens and even cryptids or other supernatural lifeforms throughout the franchise (and Secret Saturdays). But he rarely deems fit to change himself. It seems there's limits to his transhuman fascinations. So he used his knowledge to create

THE ANIMATRIX

A bionic arm that replaces 80% of the biological matter on a user's limb, fully integrating with the user's circulatory and nervous systems painfully, with tubes running throughout that distribute mutagenic chemicals, influenced by one of 20 samples physically stored within the arm. Its junkyard appearance is accompanied by a sickly yellow and purple glow from its old school interface and interior structures. Due to being created by a mad genius, the Animatrix is inferior to even the Prototype Omnitrix in virtually every way. From lack of any comfortable safeties aside from a life preservation mechanic; to its habit to cause partial transformations when the arm is jostled or doused in water, covered in particulates or overheats; a lack of knowledge of an alien's capabilities; or even its potential hybridization of forms if activated during a cooldown. The only "positive" comes from a massively expanded operating duration, from 10 minutes to 1-12 hours at base. The device is painful to use and wear, but the forms are healthy and fully functional with the adjustment of added bulk from the shifted mass of the bionic arm. The Animatrix contains 20 unique samples from aliens Dr. Animo fancied or had access to in some variety.

That's all I have for now, but thanks for listening.

[mothduchess]

Trans Prom: The Precession

It was timeless. A Polaroid of hours. It would appear in no yearbook, yet it felt like it could. The venue was nothing special, a large building prepared for just the occasion. But there were still puddles in the parking lot and leaves crumbled upon the rug. This wasn't a perfect prom. Some might even call it fake or unreal.

But, it was ours.

Our arrival began with a fat tongue of clouds darkened by night lolling down from the heavens. From the billowing folds of the undulating softness came what else, but a fox; resplendent and devious, orange white and black. But this fox begat two, then ten, then a teeming tango of tangerinic troubles. They were, are, and always would be the Swarm, and each little fox was dressed with a charming bow tie for the occasion - all cockeyed of course. They're foxes. So they tumbled over one another as a tide of screams and shrieks across the dark asphalt until the swarm reached the staircase. And suddenly.... they were still. Stiff as statues every one of them, a path forming from an inner circle formed of the foxes.

Then, a flair of motion! A little girl, dressed in a delightful yellow color, came hopping out. Her tail and ears fluttered in the company of ribbons. Her felt skin caught and hugged the light, thread curling with her smile from a bounded snout. A single button eye gazed upon the doors of the building with such unbridled happiness as her tiny paws tip tap tapped upon the ground. "We're here! We're here we're here!" The Little One squealed. The ragdoll spun happily sending her dress twirling into a circle. The Swarm's tide carefully made sure she never hit a puddle in her dancing. She was going to run to the doors, yet a trio of obsidian-black-sharp claws took hold of her tag loop, causing her to fall onto a fox's back. The claw then slipped back into the collective as another figure arose.

In contrast to the Little One, whose every fiber and thread read as soft, huggable, and a touch scuffed, the Creature was.... different. Light fled from its presence and its irrationally towering stature cast a cloak of shadows, its body monochrome like a rough sketch. Dark compound eyes beheld the scene as previously hidden mandibles clicked and clacked in anticipation. Rail thin legs propelled the lepidopteran horror forth as gaunt arms swung lazily in time. The frightening moth of tooth and claw, with its gangling neck and vivid terror of a form would not be constrained by dress nor suit. Instead, the figure's massive wings formed a gleaming gothic garb that flowed effortless from the monster's full neck fluff, clearly sprinkled with golden dust.

The Creature whirred and chittered, addressing the Little One. The living doll whined and crossed her arms.

"But I don't wanna wait! We missed the last one!!! And all the dumb dances before that!"

A croaking click came in response. The plush softened and hugged the Creature.

"I know I know, I just wanna show you a fun time too big guy. You rarely come out with us."

"Oh this one'll be fine Lil One! Iiiiiiiiii PROMISE!"

A streak of ink laced with colors streamed out of the foxes like an oil slick before swirling into a twister. Stuttering and flailing, a third regained their balance. Similar to the first, there were hints of a fox. But unlike the young doll, this figure was a living cartoon, and less of an animal - more the implication of one. A beaming pearly smile cut through the muted colors as two large paws adjusted a set of suspended straps and a cozy set of britches. Every action was accompanied by a sting of sound and popping black bubbles.

"Has she come out yet?" asked the Little One. The Talker produced a new button and some thread. They jaunted up smoothly with a bouncing bob and got to work - Little One sat on a concrete railing adjacent to the staircase. "Oh no no no the Lady is getting herself ready! Think she's the most excited of any of us yesiree! Looking like a fine beauty our girl." "But last time I saw her she was looking on her phone!" "Oh that's just her anxiety you know how she is. But take it from me, she's shinin' like a star! And now don't I always tell the truth~?" The Talker grinned like the moon as Little One giggled, her new button eye blinking good as new. They always had the right words, the living cartoon with the argent tongue. The Creature stared down at the two, then across the lot for threats. But all that was found were other prom goers. A cow, a dragon, a rat; some came in crowds like this, others came alone, others came with friends. But no one judged who anyone was. Yes, most here looked rather different any other night. They weren't so many, they weren't as smooth or likely as confident. But such was the magic, such was the dream. For one final time did the foxes part. Little One held her breath as the Talker snickered. And reflected in the Creature's eyes was a white figure garbed in a light pink robe emerging from the swarm of foxes. A vixen of pearly fur and red markings that swam across her surface, occasionally floating off the tips of her many tails. Wrapped about her large ears were headphones, providing a soundtrack to this wonderful day. Sharp and strappy heels clicked and clocked across the lot as she walked in a strut, a nervous chuckle bubbling out of her snout. "Do I look good?" the Lady asked. Her paws laced and weaved through each other, tails squirming behind her with every anxious buzz. But the smile on her snout slipped her feelings to be here. Little One nodded excitedly as the Creature clicked mysteriously. "You're lookin' wonderful!!! You dressed up great hun, you're gonna knock em dead!" "We're so pretty! Do you think we can meet some friends here?!" Little One chirped. The Lady patted the small girl. "Hehe, I'm sure we will. We didn't arrive early. But I don't think we're late." The kitsune strolled on forth as the rest of her trailed behind. The Creature lurked and shadowed as the Talker bounced and strutted. Little One scurried and scampered to and fro with the energy of youth, all the while the Swarm fled to places the eyes don't see. But it was the Lady who took the front; her chest pounded with excitement and a long repressed joy as tears danced at her eyes. Her ears twitched - music pumped from the vibrating heart just beyond the double teeth of the mouth of the prom venue. Chattering, foot steps, the faint whiff of punch and chips. Her eyes screwed shut before the rest of her patted her softly on the fur. As confidence returned, she pushed open the doors! All together, the group hollered! "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ROSE HAS ARRIVED!!!" ====================

@zaigg is the creator of trans prom! Check out the tag for other creative types!

[mothduchess]

crossposting here bc this tactic needs to spread like wildfire

[mothduchess]

Reblog if you’re polyamorous, support polyamorous people, or think polyamorous people and relationships are valid

[mothduchess]

Minecraft if it was awesome

[mothduchess]

current fan creation landscape is kinda like if you went to a party with a homemade cake and everyone takes a slice and silently thumbs up at you with no attempt to start a conversation except for occasionally some guy sits in the corner with a tape recorder critiquing the cake as though he was a restaurant critic and another guy is handing the cake to an uber driver like "yeah i need you to find a restaurant that makes cake like this so i can have more of it" and the only person that's talked to you in 30 minutes is a very sweet little guy who was like "hey i liked your cake" and then ran away apologizing for bothering you the moment you said thank you.

[mothduchess]

[mothduchess]

The first time I came out to a coworker, it was early May, 2024.  I had just started HRT the week before, and I wanted someone at the office to be in the know just in case it was necessary for some reason.  She’s a wonderful person who I look up to and trust immensely.

I didn’t come out to any other coworkers until October, when I decided it was “go time” to start telling folks at large as I couldn’t hide being on hormones forever.

There was a massive work event going on that week, and I think the stress of it all gave me a push to open up.  The night before this comic, I came out to my cubicle row buddy, and he was as lovely and accepting as someone could be.

The next night, I came out to Yuqun on the stage of a music festival that was part of the multi-part event we were working.

I’ve talked before about not having had any “girl” socialization growing up, last week’s comic touched on it a little and ended on the idea that there’s hope to create some “girl” memories.

I like to ask my friends first if they’re ok with being featured in a strip.  The ask goes a little like this:

“I’m going to do this anyway, but I’m asking permission.”

My phrasing definitely sounds kind of sinister, but I’m not great with words sometimes so I’ll have to ask for your forgiveness.  What I mean by this is that these are experiences that I am going to talk about no matter what, but the permission I’m asking for is if they want their character to look like them (to the best my drawing ability allows).

I asked Yuqun a couple months ago about if she was alright with this strip, and in particular, using the pictures we took.

She said yes!

…I mean, obviously, otherwise I wouldn’t have used them.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago she mentioned that she keeps checking my strip and hasn’t seen the one with her yet.  I thought that this would pair well with last week’s, so it was "go time" again.

Yuqun helped me create my first “girl” memory that night, and I’m eternally grateful.

Love you, Yuqun.

[mothduchess]

poster for your poster needs (grossly oversimplified but i'm going for broad strokes not intensive academic rigor)

free to use, repost & reproduce, no credit necessary

[mothduchess]

[mothduchess]

Video essay by Jellybox about what's good and bad about indie animation!

Wanted to share this in case it's helpful to anyone wanting to pursue making animation independently. It's also for fans of indie animation who may want some insight into how an indie studio works, why indie cartoons are always selling merch, why release schedules are often erratic, etc.

I also wanted to clarify the video's context, because it seems to have been somewhat misconstrued in some circles. Not long ago, WGA and SAG strikes, followed by TAG negotiations were very much in the news, shining light on the struggles the artists, writers, and actors in the Hollywood studio system are facing. In response, the words 'just go indie' have been tossed around quite a bit lately.

Gene and Sean at Jellybox approached us a few months back explaining that they were planning to make a video about the realities of running an indie studio/producing indie animation, largely in response to that 'just go indie' attitude. They were curious if we'd be willing to share our experience, including information about actual costs and the various difficulties and complications we've encountered. We said yes! We'd like for people to know what it's like. As much as it might look appealing next to the currently very broken studio system, indie has its own set of problems, and we think it's a good idea to be transparent about that because talking about problems is how you begin to address them.

Of course, while you get creative freedom and you have no shareholders to appease with indie production, the primary struggle you're always going to face is funding…and funding avenues are limited. Banks aren't eager to hand out business loans to freelance artists making cartoons, for instance. Social media algorithms reward frequent updates you can't swing with hand-drawn animated content, so you can't rely much on things like AdSense. You can't really insert sponsored ads into your animated videos without being too obtrusive. You can take on client work, but that interferes with your ability to focus on own animated project. Crowdfunds can be great for seed money, but they're also a ton of work to fulfill, and fulfillment itself will tend to eat up a considerable amount of the funds you've raised. Once your animation is produced, there is no well established way to sell the animated episode itself like there is for, say indie games sold on Steam. So, while we consider ways to try to make the terrain a bit more hospitable to indie creations, if nothing else, let this explain why productions rely a lot on merch drops!

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And hey, if you're an animation fan, consider supporting the independent productions you enjoy, whether you're tossing a few dollars their way, buying their merch, or just mentioning them to friends:

The Far-Fetched team is launching a crowdfund very soon to help them complete their pilot!

The Monkey Wrench team is killing it lately, and they deserve so much more fanfare than they've gotten!

And of course, thank you to the excellent folks at Jellybox for starting an important conversation!

[mothduchess]

Lights Out!

[mothduchess]

me clicking on a video from the silliest man in the world: teehee what wacky hijinks await me

world renown block clown mumbo Fucking jumbo: you ever think about how old technology seems to live forever in the suspended state of whatever the newest advancements were at the time. how most technology immediately and fundamentally tells you when it was important and when it was left in the dust. it’s suspended in its era forever, and in that it is perfect.

stagnation is a form of death but nostalgia is cruel immortality. still i find myself locked in pursuit of it until i finally stumble across the undeath of the mechanical. as my hard earned improvement truly begins to pay dividends, surrounded by my opus of change, i will freeze myself in eternal utopia. the only way to never die is to preemptively kill whoever you might become. i will not have a grave, i will not be ashes and dust. i will be a perfect, extant machine.

me: Ok. i dont think this will plague me at all actually. like video.

[mothduchess]

i watched steven universe and im woke now

[mothduchess]

I think poor people deserve to buy luxuries for themselves

[mothduchess]

My fellow American hobby bakers, demoralized by egg prices and scarcity and how you will make the American apple pie or the chocolate chip cookie, fear not. I have spent many years turning regular baking recipes vegan for my corrupt and traitorous sister who last week ate a salmon cream cheesed roll. There are many, many substitutes for eggs including but not limited to:

Mashed banana: best added to compliment flavors of whatever it is you're baking (peanut butter, chocolate) make sure it's MUSHY and ripe

Apple sauce: again, best with complimentary flavors (cinnamon, brown sugar) use unsweetened and have the rest as a snack

The big boy champ, ground flaxseed: flavorless, though it does darken your batter/ dough a bit. Bags found next to cornstarch and almond meal, etc. Instructions on how to use right on the bag! Make sure to let the flaxseed water combo sit in a separate bowl until it has the consistency of mucus 👍

Now with all of these you MUST add a bit more leavener, they don't have the lil bit of lift eggs give, so make sure you add a touch more baking powder. Sort of ok for brownies and cookies if you want them a bit more dense but KEY for cakes, quick breads, muffins and other things like that or she is gonna be SQUIDGY 🫡