#[ from space it'd mostly be white and black ]

[midnightactual]

What canon or OC muse are you adapting?: Karin-chan :3

Setting vibe check: give any three (3) words that describe your feel of your muse's origins.: spooky, guilt-ridden, Complicated

Setting vibe check: earth, fire, water, or air?: FIRE

Setting vibe check: hot, mild, or cold?: idk what this means? hot i guess?

Setting vibe check: clean or dirty?: clean-ish

Setting vibe check: high-tech or low-tech?: low tech

Muse vibe check: pick a difficulty between easy, normal, or hard.: hard

Muse vibe check: noble or corrupt past behavior?: noble maybe

Muse vibe check: peaceful or violent past behavior?: violent

Muse vibe check: government, corporate, mercenary, or small-time/unaffiliated presently?: govt

Muse vibe check: augmented or baseline human presently?: baseline

Muse vibe check: give any three (3) professions you feel your muse might have presently.: defense, some low-key merc?

You may add two (2) specifics I'll try to take into account.: go ham

[ For I’ll write an Armored Core VI Verse/AU for your muse ]

World: Karakoram 3b Catalog Number: ISB0373 Type: terrestrial moon, mountainous Climate: varied, glacial or subtropical Population: 49 million Satellites: n/a Notable Features: space elevator

A habitable world only fractionally less massive than Earth, Karakoram 3b is the second moon orbiting a Saturn-like gas giant on the outer edge of its system's habitable zone. Tidally locked like most moons and kept in an eccentric orbit by Laplace resonance with the planet's other satellites, it experiences significant tidal heating and lithosphere compression, with the result being an extremely mountainous surface regularly dotted by volcanoes. The moon has low surface water coverage, though this is not the result of any scarcity—rather, its mountainous terrain hosts massive glaciers which lock up most of its water reserves. What seas and large lakes there are boast surprisingly warm climes, as do most lowland valleys, all heated by ubiquitous geothermal activity. The world is a study in extremes, with ice above and steam and sometimes even fire below.

Most of the arable land hosts subtropical conditions with hot and humid summers and extremely mild but wet winters, as the planet's temperature is regulated more by geological processes than stellar flux. That same tectonic activity has resulted in rich and easily accessed mineral resources from deep below the crust, which recommended the moon for colonization above and beyond even its quixotic habitability. Dominated by regional extractive mining concerns with all the attendant 'company town' developments one might expect, it functions both as a minor industrial hub in and of itself, and a major exporter of rare minerals to the nearby Seiko system, on account of Seiko 4's restrictive policies on mining and the comparatively more expensive mining operations on other celestial bodies there. Civil unrest and armed worker strikes are commonplace.

Name: Karin Kurosaki Augmentation: baseline Occupation: government enforcer Affiliation: Karakoram Elevator Authority Registration Number: Kr259 Callsign: Noxious Armored Core: Plume

Karakoram 3b is divided by its inhabitants into two hemispheres depending on what dominates the sky: strandside where the space elevator is more visible, and planetside where Karakoram 3 is more visible. The vicinity of the elevator is largely managed by the Karakoram Elevator Authority, which not only oversees the operation and defense of the elevator and its surrounding support infrastructure, but also guarantees passage to and from the elevator both on the moon and throughout the system at large, and sometimes even out-system to export destinations. It is the closest thing the moon has to a government, with its core territory always getting first pick of imports from other systems and having notably higher living standards.

The daughter of a doctor who ran an independent clinic, Karin was born in a dense suburb near the elevator's base, and grew up in rather nice conditions compared to those found across most of the rest of the moon. Her life was not without tragedy however, as her mother died early in her childhood. Thereafter her heart was never really in schoolwork or helping out at the clinic, and her relationship with her family gradually faltered. The day she turned 18, she signed up with the KEA's security and enforcement arm, the Line Monitors.

Initially placed with armored forces rather than infantry, her aggression, simulation scores, and field experience marked her out, and she was promoted first to piloting a Muscle Tracer, then finally to one of the relatively few Armored Cores employed by the KEA. She has subsequently seen operations across the moon and system, and even been dispatched on escort missions elsewhere.

A relatively low-tech and straightforward AC, most of Plume's construction is rugged and functional, although some of its weaponry is surprisingly sophisticated. It remains unclear why or under what circumstances ALLMIND chose to provide the KEA with weaponry, or whether such hardware was specifically intended for Karin or not, but whatever the case she fields it now.

Plume is built around shock and awe. Quite fast for what it is, it makes extensive use of indiscriminate high-explosive weapons to dominate its battlespace, with its spread bazooka, explosive thrower, and detonating missile launcher all laying waste to opponents either massed or singular. Its flamethrower is employed to finish whatever remains. In peer-level combat with enemy ACs, an assault boost-assisted kick leading into point-blank shots with the bazooka and thrower, and a follow-up with the flamethrower or assault armor, are a common occurrence.

[onlyseokmins]

babymaker • c.s.c

Pairing: choi seungcheol x afab!reader Genres: smut (minors dni!), roommates!au, fwb!au, lil angst if you squint plus gross fluff Warnings: swearing, mentions of past rough/marathon sex, edging, overstimulation, fingering, mentions of oral sex (fem. receiving, male teasing), biting (bc i wrote this), scratching, marking, mentions of car/exhibitionism sex, objectification, degradation, slight choking, tiny obsession w/ cheol's ass + tatts, making out and tons of kithing uwu, reader's a brat and economic major, cheol's a wealthy arrogant bbygorl, creampies <3, breeding kink, light mentions of babytrapping (look at the title lmfao), lots of touching and groping and teasing, sappy stuff ew, messy sex, kinda bulge kink haha, paragraph/word heavy, throwing in some silliness as usual, & lmk if i missed smth WC: 7.9k A/N: i know it's like a month late but this was suppposed to be for cheol's birthday lmfao but it's also meant to be a sequel to Lusty Gallant although it can be read on it's own ig esp since the characters seem ooc </3 also thanks to @hwanghyunjinenthusiast for giving me details on what cheol kithes taste like mwah

Seungcheol and you still live together. And yes, that means you're still committed to fucking on every surface possible in the very nice apartment space comfortable for two.

Roommates with benefits works out well for the both of you — seeming to lean mostly in your favor. 

University is a hop and a skip away, close enough for Seungcheol to swing by on his way home from the office with a minor detour. The attractive man's appearance always causes several students to squeal and twirl their hair when he parks next to the sidewalk in a sleek, expensive black and red car. Silver rings that probably cost as much as your tuition adorn long fingers as they tap, tap, tap against the leather steering wheel while he waits. 

Seungcheol looks for you over the rim of fake sunglasses perched on the tip of his nose and tongue poking between brilliant white teeth revealed by a smug smirk. Your friends are not subtle — a few in-the-know of what kind of arrangement you have with him and the majority of others not — when they dig an elbow into your ribs or smack your arm in excitement. 

You loathe the gawking stares with the same amount of intensity as the tiny sparkle of delight that allows yourself to bask in Seungcheol's showy display of attention that's only partially for you. Aware of what he really loves is soaking up everyone focused on him, brushing back bangs with a pleased grin after checking himself out for the hundredth time in the rearview mirror. 

Still, the man is as punctual as clockwork despite a hectic schedule. Deluding yourself is fun whenever he rolls down the window and asks just loud enough for onlookers to hear and swoon over, "How was night class, sweet stuff? Did my luckiest charm learn anything new to advise me on the market's trends?" and receiving an eye roll in return.

"I keep saying you don't have to do this," you remind him every. single. time. because you're sincerely fine walking back the same route you take in the morning.

"Nonsense, it'd be a sin to let a pretty little thing like you walk the city streets in the dark all alone. 'sides it's on my way." 

"Of course, as long as it's convenient."

"Convenient?" he repeats with a cocked eyebrow and watches as you slide into the ridiculous car with a cute but sulky pout. An indication that something has ruffled your feathers, if even just a little.

You know not to slam the door too hard when closing it because the one time you did just to be a brat, your battered pussy paid the price. It was very sore for a good couple of days after being repeatedly edged for hours as punishment. First by his fingers during the drive home, next with his mouth on the hood of said car after he'd pulled into the garage, and then teasing touches along the several little pit stops on the way to the bedroom. 

All until you were pressed face-down into silky sheets, finally allowed to let go for the first time of the night with his thick girth easing its way inside of your aching cunt to the hushed words of, "Have to touch my baby gently, treat 'em with lotsa care. Always gotta play nice with the things I like, 'kay?"

Safe to say, you learned your lesson. Who wouldn't after being nearly bedridden and limping around for almost two days?

Seungcheol lets out the same kind of disappointed huff when you apologized to him for having to take care of you after that particularly harsh sex marathon — or any time, for that matter. "I've never thought of it as an inconvenience."  

"You're a busy man."

"Not so busy that I can't pick you up, 'specially given that we live together."

"Under various terms and conditions. One of them being that I put up with all your inconveniences, not vice versa."

"Then simply think of it as an additional nuisance of mine you have to deal with. You know I won't do anything you don't want, but at least let me have this so I know you're safe." Another harsh sigh leaves his mouth as he adds, "Even if the university was on the other side of town, I'd be there."

"Yeah, okay."

While there's a general love-hate relationship with your sassy behavior, it's in times like these where he extremely dislikes it since the timing is rather improper to fuck it out of you. Alas, he's left to fumble for an alternative that presents him as a man who possesses some semblance of decorum. 

"Can drive something else, find a car that doesn't draw so much attention."

"It's not the car," you snap back without thinking. Lips pressing together in a thin line when Seungcheol's fingers that wish they were on your thigh drum menacingly on the console as a substitute, rings flashing under the glow of the passing streetlights.

"Then what is it?" Your name falls from his lips in a soft, commanding kind of plea. 

Lucky for you, the short drive is almost over and you can avoid answering for the last couple of minutes. Pretending to mull it over as you focus on steadying the pounding thump of your heart and the erratic breath caught in your lungs.

"It's nothing," you lie fairly easily, already slinking out of the car the minute he brakes in the garage and ignoring the dark brown eyes trained on you because they will make you hesitate. You have to stay firm or end up caught in his trap. "Just tired, 's all. I'm gonna head to bed early, see you in the morning?"

And you don't wait for a response. Gently closing the car door and then sprinting as unsuspiciously as possible into your designated bedroom. Seungcheol won't follow or pry for now. He's always made a point to respect any boundaries you set and the promise to see him when you wake up will keep the man at bay for now. And you sure as hell were going to use all of that to your advantage, curling up under a blanket and trying to figure out what the fuck is going on. 

This "roommates with a multitude of benefits" arrangement worked. Chugging along like a well-oiled mechanism. So why were you contemplating the risk of messing it up and throwing the machine off its steady track? For something so fleeting? So emotional? The one thing that always fucks up these kinds of relationships?

Sure, you were in love with the way Seungcheol carried himself. His swagger. His money. Confidence, charisma, oh… and his cock, too. Who wouldn't be? But now, oh no, now you were also in love with the man himself — stupid Choi Seungcheol!

It was a gradual build. Always there in the background. All it took was for you to acknowledge its existence. Perhaps it was meant to play out this way. But you were still going to hold him responsible as an equal in contributing to this mess just as much as you were for falling. Your fingers clutch at the blanket, the poor fleece serving as an unfortunate outlet for your frustration.

When did the crazy marathons dwindle out? By no means had the two of you stopped fucking — absolutely not. It just meant that, well, rather than Seungcheol just fucking you, he more or less made love to you.

You feel a shiver down your spine and scream into a pillow at the worms writhing in your brain.

The sex was still terrific. You habitually muffle your sounds as it is — not ones of pure frustration like tonight — but out of extreme pleasure. The filthy debauchery hadn't changed either. The two of you deeply reveled in your depraved dynamics and more insane acts, maybe even getting dirtier once this subtle shift happened. 

Safety. Security. Seungcheol.

Words you would've never thought to use in relation to him.

And then there was the aftercare. A strange new intimacy. He cuddled in bed after taking the effort to clean each other up for a good night's rest. Remaining there fast asleep and quietly snoring long after you untangle yourself from the comforting warmth of his arms to start the day. Mornings were no longer cold because he chose to stay.

Weekends were becoming your favorite too. When he waddles around shirtless, barely awake upon discovering you gone from his embrace. A back-hug immediately when finding you again. Soft gropes at your curves and low groans of contentment while pressing his nose into the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent mixed with his while you prep breakfast. Turning you around for kisses and pursuing long, slow makeout sessions that were quickly becoming the norm. Only for you to accidentally bite down a little too hard on his bottom lip when you realize the toast is burning.

You miss the way his eyes shine with affection as they follow you panicking around the kitchen. When did this big apartment of his begin to feel so alive? Even previous roommates and their loud yammering hardly made him feel at home. Tonguing at the indentation marks of your teeth molded into his lip and the sting that keeps him rooted in the present moment, the man meets your flustered expression with a grand, playful smile. 

Ah, he thinks fondly, obviously.

Afternoons no longer consist of being stowed away in respective bedrooms or different rooms. Seungcheol sits at the kitchen table, furrowed eyebrows as he chips away at the excel sheet reflected in the glasses perched on his nose. You sit across from him, dutifully typing up assignments for Sunday night submittal. 

He'll ask occasional questions just to learn more about you, your classes, and your dreams. Or if you simply need any help. Meanwhile, you make sure you're both staying hydrated and taking necessary breaks to rest your eyes from the screens. Sometimes you'll even get to assist him by analyzing a report. The real-world example aids as a unique use case scenario to better understand the concepts outlined in your textbooks.

You really were Seungcheol's lucky charm. He often wonders if you'd like to apply to work at the company he's in. But he'd hate to pressure or patronize you. So ultimately all he can do is stare in awe and provide steady encouragement as you formulate calculations, clean up the data, and transform it all into a presentable display of information.

It's usually his turn to cook in the evenings. Constantly getting distracted by your presence that he insists needs to be around to taste-test the vegetables that keep overcooking when he gets too caught up in tasting you. Innocent smooches here and there amid shy giggling that seems far too intimate than if he lapped at something else like in the past when he eagerly devoured your cunt right there on the countertop. 

When dinner is served, you honestly never know or care how tasty it is or isn't because Seungcheol himself is the spice in your life. Your plain world now explodes in a bountiful amount of flavor thanks to him. Later, you tidy up the kitchen together — similar to how you move in tandem to freshen up in the bathroom after sex and much like a married couple would act.

And that's why your damn roommate leaves you wanting more. 

These nights he kisses you bathed in the moonlight, working up a blistering heat that doesn't just simmer in your lower abdomen but follows the journey of his dedicated mouth. Upwards the wildfire burns, swooping into your chest and underneath the skin of your cheeks until it tangles with the expert tongue poking in between your lips. Seungcheol charts familiar territory with dancing fingertips across your skin, re-committing it to memory while yours sear into his, scratching at the wide expanse of his back and burying themselves in the curls of his unruly hair. 

He takes you to bed — not always in a sexual manner — and it really doesn't even matter how you end up there because that is where you'll find yourself anyway. Falling asleep in his arms and waking up to repeat this strange and newly established cycle.

So the fact that you are sleeping alone speaks volumes. What is said, you're unsure but little do you know that Seungcheol continues to fear you might slip out of his hands. The attached-detached battle strategy always lurks around the corner and somehow, it's almost better when he treats you like some sort of fucktoy only. 

The gentle sparkle in his eye was shielded by the switch to a mean glint, eyeing you up like you're nothing better than a piece of meat. No longer acting as the sweet yet cocky, handsome roommate you've gotten to know and grown feelings for. But reminiscent of the aloof and arrogant — still deviously attractive — man who propositioned this whole situation a little over a year ago.

Like now, as you kneel on all fours naked. Save for the humble pair of underwear whose innocence has long been destroyed due to the stains of your arousal mixed with Seungcheol's cum. Ruining the fabric that nestles between your legs for the sake of modesty you've thrown away hours — no, months — ago.

The very man sits before you on the poor couch that's seen its fair share of sinful acts. He's reclining comfortably, black t-shirt stretching out across a firm chest and broad shoulders while infamous gray sweatpants strain against thick thigh muscles as he manspreads so casually with a large hand laid over his crotch. Teasingly hiding the thing you so desire and are begging for. 

But he wants you to work for it. Harder. A lot more than you already have. Put on a proper show of how much you deserve to have him. And want him.

"Come," he commands and pats his thigh like he's talking to some stray dog. When you go to sit back on your knees to stand, his eyes narrow as they darken. "Crawl."

What you don't know is Seungcheol would easily yield to and for you if you'd just let him. Be honest with him. Tell him your feelings. Unfortunately, it's in both of your natures to be hella stubborn. Too prideful to admit defeat and be completely vulnerable. You've come to an impasse.

But crawl to him physically you do, shamelessness long gone. Because what could be more shameful than how willing you are to be used by him and how wonderful it feels to be degraded?

Obviously admitting how much you like the damn man. 

Goosebumps thrillingly cover your skin at how the gaze trained on you never loses its intensity with you coming closer, following all the way until your head is between his spread legs. Because he knows at least this is the most definitive way he can hold onto you for now.

"Kiss me."

And you obey, puckering your lips and tenderly placing them against the growing bulge beneath the gray fleece. Looking up with lidded eyes, blinking slowly as you let out audible smooch noises along the hard length before mouthing at where the tip lies. Leaving an even damper spot than the salty excess seeping through the fabric, suckling around the area to replace it with the hot saliva dribbling from your tongue that laps enthusiastically at the taste.

"C'mon pet," Seungcheol's tone is mocking in its chastisement, but the rough pad of his thumb rubbing your warm cheek is gentle. "Gimme a real one."

"Yes sir," falls breathlessly out of your mouth at the assumed permission, hands quickly reaching for the waistband of his sweats only to retract just as fast upon the disapproving click of his tongue.

"Not like that, up."

Uncertain, you brace yourself with the support of his quads so you're kneeling. Leaning in and tentatively pressing a kiss to the spot where you know at least one vein starts from the bottom of his pelvis and leads up to his abdomen. Tongue poking out in an attempt to feel and trace it, also effectively wetting his shirt just for good measure.

This time, a wistful sigh escapes between the man's pouty lips despite the furrowing of eyebrows because you're still not quite getting the message. The hand on your cheek slides down to your neck, briefly running his thumb tantalizingly across the side of your throat, landing on your shoulder, and grasping at your arm. Tugging up until you follow along with the motion and a bit of a surprised squeak, ultimately landing right where he wants you — straddling his lap.

"Oh," you mutter in surprise, abruptly snapped out of the lust haze that had been clouding your mind. 

Center of gravity thrown off balance until your knees finally ground themselves on either side of his spread legs. Your hands hover awkwardly in the air, struggling to find something to hold onto before resolutely settling on the back of the couch. But not before Seungcheol's sturdy hands steady your hips, sporty reflexes acting faster than you can complete any of these actions.

"Oh, indeed. Already too fucked out to think?"

"No… s-sorry."

"You can make it up to me," he teases and you wait for the punchline, "with a proper kiss." It's both amazing and brow-raising when the Choi Seungcheol lets out the lowest of whines at the smallest sign of hesitation. "Don'tcha think it's the least I deserve today?"

Spoiled is what he is — but it is his birthday after all — so, of course, you're more than willing to indulge. Although the trepidation is real, manifesting in the tense stiffening of your body and the acceleration of your heart rate.

"Relax," he says gleefully — a little too gleeful. "I don't bite."

"Most times, not."

"If anyone's the biter between us, it's you so…"

The taunting murmur of, "Go ahead and bite baby," turns into a satisfied groan when you press your lips against his. Contrary to the jest and much to his delight, you're gentle. It's so adorable that he finds himself melting below you into a puddle of goo. Becoming absolute putty, lips readily parting so you can lick into his mouth.

He tastes like cherry chapstick and coffee, flavors so Choi Seungcheol that it hurts with how much they alone can possibly overwhelm you. Your nose scrunches, eyebrows following suit. Unaware of how he observes close-up through heavily lidded eyes because he wants more and more of what he can't get enough of. Afraid you might disappear. Even though you're right here — on his lap, kissing him sweetly. Yet you're still not all there.

So, he works on anchoring you to him — somehow, some way. One hand urges you to release your support on the couch, bringing your arm down to sneakily thread his fingers between yours. Naturally, the opposite one falls to eliminate the odd angle and rests on his shoulder. Seungcheol's other palm shifts to splay across your bare back and push you further into his chest, your sensitive nipples brushing against the cotton material of his shirt. 

When that burning hand also encourages your ass to sit on his thighs to nearly smother him into the couch cushion and your damp core effectively presses onto the heated length stirring inside his sweats — he finally gets what he's been waiting for. The wanton moan that bubbles out of your throat is quickly swallowed up by the man himself, who ceases the passive role in the makeout session and kisses you back with a fervor that quite literally steals your breath.

He waits for you to surrender.  

Not to be confused with submission. Seungcheol no longer cares about any fucked-up or sexual kind of power play nor does he want to win. He doesn't even want you to yield to or for him. Oh, he wishes you would of your own free will — but if you at least give in to the moment, to the feelings of now, and the warmth shared between you two — that's the most he can ask for and what he's grateful to accept for the time being.

Your fingers slip beneath the neckline of his shirt, inadvertently starting to trace along the same pattern as the ink that decorates his skin. The menace of a man smirks, pausing his assault on your lips to croon knowingly, "Wanna move this to your room?"

It's annoying how Seungcheol can read you even before your mind can think. And it's even more irritating at how your body reacts, thighs betraying you. Viscerally squeezing around his figure today, much like the memory of them wrapped above his waist the other day. Legs spread by him in between them as you clung to his body that had been railing into you like there's no tomorrow. Your gaze locked over his shoulder at the man's pride and joy — his nice ass — reflected in the mirror deliberately across from your bed along with the inked designs of things he held dearly marked across his back. Including the healing scratches from your nails.

"No," you grit out and break the kiss to shoot him a pointed glare, "just take off your stupid shirt."

"Thought you'd never ask."

No one should ever look that sexy taking off clothes, but of course, Seungcheol does. Any snark left in you immediately fizzles out at the teasing reveal and intentionally flexed expanse of his stomach as well as his bare chest. And yet something shifts in the air after he throws the shirt off to the side, covering his torso with his arms and giggling.

"Stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're gonna devour me whole, it's making me shy!"

It's not like you can stop yourself. Goddamnit, even that weird farmer's tan is drool-inducing. And the boyish smile he dons isn't helping either. You scoff to salvage a fraction of sanity, hands back on his bare shoulders and leaning in close enough for your noses to almost touch.

"Bullshit."

"Bet."

"You love it when people stare at you." 

There's a beat of silence. "But you look at me… differently."

"Hey — don't get weird on me, Seungcheol, or your dick's gonna deflate."

Normally he'd bite back at you. Stuff like: "My dick's just fine," or "Baby, it's so easy to get hard around you," and "You'd appreciate if my dick got smaller 'cause it wouldn't make you whine so much," but this time, he doesn't. He just stares at you. Thinking. Long enough for you to start getting antsy, unable to hold eye contact for any longer than two minutes, especially with him so close.

"What?" 

"You like me, don't you?"

It's the damn question he throws around all the time and your eyes roll up out of habit. "Yeah, I like you better without a deflated — "

"Forget about my cock for a bit." 

"Kind of hard to do," you fire back and try to grind down on the very inflated length twitching needily for the snug cunt it senses between the layers of clothes cruelly separating it from its warm home. 

Of course, Seungcheol is a little too familiar with your ploys and swats at your behind before squeezing your hips. "I know it is for a cock-hungry slut like you," he growls out in frustration before reverting back to his original soft tone, "but just humor me for a second."

"… Alright."

"You like me," he states and then repeats it in earnest when you sigh again, "you really like me. I would even be so confident enough to think you're… you're in love — "

"Well quit thinking," you interrupt with a snap, "I know your high and mighty arrogance causes you to believe everyone worships the ground you walk on but that doesn't mean a damn thing!"

Seungcheol's caramel eyes flash — with irritation or hurt, you can't quite place the swirl of emotions. "So that's all it is, huh? Just a figment of my imagination. A totally unfair projection of my thoughts and feelings onto you."

"If you wanted a session so badly on your birthday, then you should've scheduled with your therapist. And if you didn't want to continue fucking, then we could've stopped after the first round 'cause I was fine but you wanted more."

"You and I both know we're not just 'fucking'," he snarls, "and yeah, I do want more and that's why I need to know — with or without the sex, forgetting about the looks I know aren't just lust-filled because I see the ones you think I don't, I need to hear it out loud — do you like me?"

The plea of your name is the doomed cherry on top, heart thudding to the floor. It feels like the breath has been punched out of you. Though his skin is fiery warm beneath your palms it's not enough to thaw the way you've completely frozen over.

"Fine," you eventually wheeze out and Seungcheol relaxes — relieved — despite the crack in your voice, only to tense at your next words. "I'll move out tomorrow. Might take me a few days to get all my stuff gathered though."

"Wait… wait, wait… '' And this is the moment when the two of you find out that the black jujitsu belt he'd earned wasn't all for naught, effectively using a well-maneuvered technique that takes you off his lap and onto your back before you can escape from him again. "Please."

He begs, desperation evident in the way he clings to you and flops his forehead defeatedly onto your shoulder. As if he isn't the one who has you pinned to the couch cushions. He's never tried to hinder you before but honestly, he thinks he's hit the breaking point.

Don't you dare fucking leave me, is what is thought — but what comes out is a broken, "Why?"

"Because… because I… I breached the c-contract and made you uncomf — "

Seungcheol's head flies back up. "Then it should be me who moves out 'cause I'm pretty sure I violated the contract first."

"Wh-what?"

"Look at me," he commands and grips your chin so you can't turn away, "look at me, baby." And when your eyes squint open to stare into his, he fixes you with the most sincere expression you've ever seen. "I'm in love with you." 

Tears spring to your eyes at the wild admission. Neither of you are sure if your hearts are mending or splitting to fuse and complete the other's. What you do know is that Seungcheol melts into you with a kiss of elation and celebration, the big man further turning into an even bigger pile of mush when your hands cup both of his cheeks during it and a thumb rubs soothingly at his jaw. He smiles against your lips when you whisper back, "I love you too."

"Took you long enough." Your flustered protests are cut short when he sits up to lean against the opposite armrest, pulling you on top of him like your original positions. "Have a present for you."

"But you're the one who should be receiving gifts."

He shrugs. "I already have the prettiest one right here in my arms… even if I was almost left alone on my birthday."

"Sorry," you stroke his pouty lips, "to be fair, I was going to wait until tomorrow."

"While holed up all by yourself in your room in the meantime. Little shit, you know I wouldn't have let you go, right?" 

"Yeah… because you love me!"

There's an extra giddiness to your exclamation that's contagious enough to crack Seungcheol's chagrined expression with another grin.

"And you were gonna leave 'cause you loved me…" He lets out a huff. "Whatever, water under the bridge. Anyways, the gift. It's underneath the couch."

Curious, you lay flat and brush your hand beneath the furniture. Waving it around back and forth in the blind search, subsequently shifting all over Seungcheol's chest — bare skin gliding across bare skin. 

You snicker, feeling his cock stiffening once more with your movements. "Calm down, horndog."

"It's not my fault you're rubbing your very sexy body all over me!"

"… Why'd you even decide to put it here?"

"'Cause you never clean."

"Hey! Don't make me bite your dick off." It twitches beneath you. "Freak."

"We'll see who the real freak is when I go ahead and get it pierced with a barbell you'll like."

"Oh, fuck off!" comes your retort and he grumbles at the lighthearted jab while your hand finally bumps against a hard box that you grasp onto tightly. Pulling it out and frowning at the suspicious amount of dust covering it. "Gee, how long was this down here?"

"… Six months."

Your eyes bug out. "Six months?!"

"Told ya you didn't clean under there!"

"Oh yes, because that's the point here."

"It kind of is," Seungcheol teases despite the slightly wistful look in his eyes. "Knew you wouldn't find it there."

All you can do is shake your head, gingerly opening what you assume to be a jewelry box only to abruptly shut it out of pure shock. "What the fuck did I just see?!"

"Do… do you not like it?"

"That's so not the question that needs to be asked right now."

"It kind of does 'cause if you don't want it, I'll buy something else. "

"You've gotta be shittin' me." You fix him with a hard glare though he barely reacts to it. "How much of your bank account did you deplete for that?"

A satisfied, cocky smirk is all you get in return. "'Tis but a bucket of water taken out of the ocean, sweetheart. Trivial."

"Choi Seungcheol."

"C'mon," he takes the box from you with one large hand and pops it back open. You can actually feel the ache in your eyes set in at the sight of the dazzling jewels once again. "Thought it'd look gorgeous on you."

It's easy to visibly melt at his words because he's such a smooth talker along with the knowledge that he's kept this hidden for approximately half of a year. But that still doesn't distract you from the insane amount of delicate crystals forming a beautiful open heart shape linked to two short double-strands of diamond studs on either side that join together with a silver clasp. 

"It looks expensive," you correct, "how much was it?"

"Hmm, well it's seventeen carats so… a couple thousand, maybe?" 

Your jaw drops, eyes widening as one of Seungcheol's beefy fingers carelessly thumbs at the choker like the piece of jewelry couldn't pay off more than half of your student debt. You likely also get some type of look on your face because he clicks his tongue.

"Now, don't you worry your pretty little head about it. I would happily spend ten times as much to get something that expresses just a fraction of what your worth is — in the world and… to me."

"You're so sappy, what the heck."

"Better not start something you can't handle, love." Seungcheol kindly warns, a little affronted when his puppy dog eyes and babygirl pout aren't as effective at distracting you as he'd like. Well, there are other ways. "You can't return it without testing it first."

"Testing?"

"Mhm, but why don't you give your sugar daddy a kiss of gratitude first?"

You scoff. "The only thing you share in common with a glucose guardian is being filthy rich."

"Not because I'm sweet like sugar?"

"Maybe just a little," you admit and lean in to give him an even sweeter kiss, much like earlier. And like before, the man turns into a puddle of syrupy goo at the featherlight touches of your lips on his.

But it's different at the same time. Kissing your roommate has always been with a bit of restraint. That all fades away as you melt into him — safety, security, Seungcheol, surrender — the both of you addicted to and lost in one another's taste while everything else falls away.

Until the little shit that he is distracts you enough for him to deftly extract the choker from its box and fasten it around your neck. You hiss at the shock of cold metal and gemstones as well as the physical and economically ethical weight around your neck, breaking the makeout session.

"See? Gorgeous, just like I thought. Not that you can look at it right now… maybe next time, we'll test it, heh, in your room."

"So that's what you meant by test…" 

The lightbulb finally goes off in your head but all you receive in response is a smug look. Unaware that the grand menace is pondering what position he'd like best to see the choker for the first time in action. Something inside him clicks after absentmindedly slipping a finger underneath one of the diamond chains and watching you attempt to swallow at the increase in pressure constricting your airflow.

It's all bright white teeth when he smiles and whispers, "On your back, baby."

And you shuffle backwards obediently, letting gravity take your body down in almost a mini trust fall, knowing there will be a soft landing and that Seungcheol would never let you fall — unless it's for him.

Indeed, he does fall with you. Bodies pressed close together before he starts a burning trail of kisses starting below where the jeweled collar lays sparkling prettily against your throat. Down between your breasts he goes, an appreciative squeeze to both with warm hands that follow along with his movement. 

Little nibbles to your skin and brushes to your sides that first have you squealing at the sharp nips and ticklish sensations. They're accompanied by the upward curl of his lips that only spreads wider when those airy giggles of yours transition to light moans the closer he stakes his claim to the more intimate parts of your body.

He lovingly suckles the skin of your tummy, leaving stinging signs of affection littered around your belly button and right above the band of your panties. There, Seungcheol pauses and lifts his head to look directly at you, not even trying to hide the fiery swirl of lust and adoration in his eyes and it makes you wonder how you've ever missed it before. 

But that's neither here nor there, every nerve in your system is lit up in a wave of heat that has your hips instinctively rising as if pleading with him. Enough that his brown irises can't help but flit down to observe with raised eyebrows only to meet your flustered expression again with a totally-full-of-himself stare.

"So sweet and needy," Seungcheol murmurs appreciatively and hooks both thumbs underneath the side wings of your underwear to tug them off. "So fuckin' messy too," he adds in a condescending tone as if someone between your legs isn't licking his lips like a man lost in the desert for days stumbling upon a hidden oasis.

The bold eye contact he gets a kick out of maintaining is broken just to watch how the fabric adheres to your center thanks to the mix of his cum from much earlier and the constant leak of arousal pooling from your heated core. He's slow in the process of removing the saturated clothing. Giddy anticipation building until it finally peels away with a suggestive squelch to reveal your creampied cunt.

A choked groan rumbles in his chest. You're caught in the struggle between snapping your legs together out of shyness or letting them fall open just as he likes, the fear of soiling the couch again no longer even a thought. But still in no rush, Seungcheol slips your panties down one leg and while they hang off the other, supports your heel in his palm to place butterfly kisses along your ankle.

You peek at him in between the fingers covering your eyes and heated cheeks. "What are you doing?"

"Admiring you." Smooch. "Adoring you." Peck. "Marveling at how beautifully wet you get… this all for me, love?"

"Yeah, so… so you should take re-responsibility."

"Oh? And how so? What for?"

"Mmph!" You jolt at how fast he moves to fling your underwear over his shoulder and hover over top of you, whispering naughty words into your ear while roughened finger pads brush against slick folds.

"For knockin' you up? Not my fault this hungry pussy is never satisfied no matter how many times I stuff it. Greedy lil' thing."

"'m s-sorry… I — oh! Ohh…" 

"You don't sound sorry." 

Seungcheol mocks the shuddering moan that spills past your lips like he hadn't just shoved two chunky digits past those slippery folds and into the suffocating warmth beyond. His pointer finger bears its usual silver ring, the cold metal there and around your neck causing you to break out in a sweat at the chill engulfing your whole body. All from the heat swirling from the neck down, the torturous buildup between your legs, and meeting in a firestorm that explodes in your gut and makes your cunt tighten around his moving digits.

Your right arm snakes behind his nape and clings around it for dear life, nearly slamming the man's face into your tits — not that he's complaining — while the other sneaks between your bodies. Trailing down to where Seungcheol's fingers plunge inside of you, running yours across his exposed knuckles to dampen them with the filthy mix of arousal and cumstains he's playing in before tugging and teasing at your clit right above his vigorous actions. 

He clicks his tongue. "Now, what did I say about touching things that belong to me?"

"Don't touch without permission." A warning look that lacks any ferocity is shot your way but the corner of your lips quirks up, eyelashes fluttering, because he's really just full of shit. "And to handle… handle them with care, which 's all I'm doin'."

"Brat."

"You love me." 

"Damn right, I do. But if you're gonna use that against me like this maybe I have no choice but to discipline you."

You whimper when he withdraws his fingers, the loss and emptiness a punishment itself. "D-don't be mean."

"I'm never mean to you."

"You're not." You acquiesce with a cute little sniffle, interlocking your hands behind his neck to bring him down nose to nose. "'cept when I want your dick but s'kay, love you anyways."

"Using the L-word on me now, huh? Speaking of which, I never got you back for the little stunt you tried to pull earlier."

"Wha — ?"

The new position you had pulled him into grants Seungcheol the full teasing power he was honored to be blessed with. A dripping cock leaks precum between your bodies and smears your belly with the hot excess. Supported by a forearm beside your head, he languidly strokes his hard length and snickers. Barely wedging the mushroomed tip into your moist outer folds with a noisy squish and emitting a strangled groan from the back of the man's throat. Just enough so you can feel the faint tantalizing burn his girth promises in its efforts to stretch out your cunt, a buzz to the underside of your deliciously sore and engorged clit upon contact.

He's all toothy when you moan in response. Wiggling his hips lets him dip in a little further for the sole purpose of watching your eyes glaze over and threaten to roll to the back of your head. Lips parting wider in an adorable 'o' shape.

"Thought you could just leave like it's nothing. As if I don't fuck you full of enough cum to babytrap you here with me… Oh? You'd like that wouldn't you, pussy tryna gobble me up like the slutty whore that you are."

"Mmph, ah… only yours!"

No one has to be your special someone to read your body so easily but it's the fact that he is the one who's able to make your cunt react and squeeze around him just like so that fuels his ego. A mean sneer chisels his softer face features — less of a reaction towards you and more of him struggling not to plunge his pelvis forward and rearrange your guts. Or even worse (better), to bust a nut inside, painting your velvet walls with a creamy white. 

It would be so easy to slide in a little further… you're begging him with slurred words and a steady pulsating grip around his dick — just daring him to ease the rest of it inside.

But then you would never learn your lesson. And if there's one thing Seungcheol loves more than being wrapped up in the tight clench of your cunt, it's making you work for it. Show off how desperate and cock-drunk you are. 

"Y'know, all you had to do was tell me. Would've fucked you on every surface of this house, make sure there wasn't a moment that passed where you didn't have my cum dripping down your legs." He relents with the most meager of thrusts forward, widening the spread of your pretty folds suckling around him. "Anything to keep my darling 'lil babymaker satisfied, pump you full every minute of the day and make sure it takes."

"Ch-Cheol… please! Wan' you so bad."

"You'd like that, right? Givin' you a baby so you stay here forever. We'll make as many as you want, I'll even take time off to help." The sudden rush of paternal instincts makes the man pause, chuckling and muttering more to himself, if anything, "maybe you've been tryna babytrap me all along."

"Jus' want, just want your dick."

"I know, baby."

Seungcheol simpers at your pitiful plea but the menace in him victoriously pulls out and away, the departing wet 'pop' as loud as the slight fracture in his heart at doing so.

"No!"

In visible grief, your seizing legs clamp at his side with your heels digging into the dip right before the curve of his ass, clawing at his shoulder blades like a cat. That does nothing though except squish his length against your needy cunt, gliding pathetically against it but not once inside. 

He smirks and whispers hoarsely, "If you want it so bad, put it in yourself."

A shaky hand reaches down to grasp and stroke at his dick, inadvertently brushing against your swollen clit that has your hips jumping. You bite down on your lower lip in an attempt to concentrate, blindly guiding his slippery cockhead to where it rightfully belongs. All while Seungcheol watches with amusement and a pained expression of how heavenly your hand feels on him — and even more when you succeed and bully him inch by inch inside of your gummy walls that suction and ripple greedily.

"There we go, yeah fuck… just like that."

Further and further, squelch by squelch until your pussy stretches to swallow and take him all. Only a finger's width between your pelvises kissing one another, knuckles snug against his heavy scrotum. You release him with triumph, clinging again to his neck. Seungcheol takes the final push and you let out simultaneous moans when his balls settle warmly against your ass and the neatly trimmed hairs at the base of his shaft are flush with your pubic bone. The tiny rough strands becoming even more soft and soaked by all of the arousal leaking out of your hole and his slit.

"Mine," he affirms and sticks his pinky through the open diamond heart pendant, nail lightly scratching the front of your throat. 

"Yours." You hold onto his wrist, finally feeling so deliriously full and giggling a bit because you're somewhat light-headed. "You're mine too."

"Yeah, all yours, baby."

Seungcheol's beginning thrusts are slow, deep, and concentrated. He barely leaves your warmth, only sliding a little bit back before a harsh thrust forward to nudge his tip against the rougher spot that has some drool dribbling at the corner of your mouth out of sheer pleasure. 

That doesn't last long though, the both of you are extremely worked up and super sensitive. It only takes a few minutes before he's setting an erratic pace. Strong forearms cage your head to protect it and keep you somewhat stationary while giving him enough strength to absolutely plow into you without forgiveness. 

The couple thousand dollar choker starts to shift against your skin, bouncing ever so slightly in time with each repetition of relentless slams into your pussy. Such a sight delights Seungcheol so much, eyes focused on the glittery accessory and listening for its rhythmic jingle — bruising your tender flesh in ways that his lips don't — that ends up drowned out by the continual slap of the hard fucking he delivers.

"Gonna cum for me, sweetheart? Let me fill ya up?"

"S-soon! 'm gonna cum… so soon!"

"I… know. Oh fuck, I know baby. Let go for me, please. Surrender… ngh 'n give it all to me."

A powerful climax washes over you like a surprise, the setoff finalized by the large hand placed on your tummy. Applying just enough pressure to feel every vein and ridge of the cock against your inner walls while on the outside, Seungcheol lets out a guttural and feral groan at the upward bulge beneath his fingertips. 

You let go with a wail that's swallowed by his lips capturing yours. Your nails dig into whatever you're grasping onto, teeth unconsciously biting down on his tongue you meant to simply caress with your own. 

He lets out a strangled "oomph!" but the pain is easily sedated by the seductive way you contract and massage his dick in your unraveling — and then unprompted, he's spilling over the edge too. Coating your walls in thick ropes of white that sear your insides, gobbling up the release with repeated clenches as you both pant and wait for the orgasmic bliss to fade out.

"I think you're so sexy." Seungcheol mumbles the words tiredly into your shoulder and the laugh you let out sounds more like a winded wheeze.

"How lucky I am that you think that, has the post-nut clarity hit yet or… ?"

"I'm serious. I love you."

"I love you too. Happy birthday to my perfect sugar boyfriend or whatever."

He snorts, lifting his head to send you a lazy grin. "Yeah, happy birthday to me — the luckiest bitch on the planet to be loved by you."

"Spoiled is more like it but yeah. I'd say I'm pretty lucky too."

Adoration shines in both of your weary eyes, though Seungcheol has the audacity to lick his now very dry and cracked lips. "Say, was I right in picking out your gift or do you need more test runs?"

"What I need is a hot bath — no funky business — and at least twenty-four hours of sleep."

"That sounds good too. Y'know… if we sleep for a whole other day and confirm our relationship then, we can fuck for two days straight every year as an anniversary celebration!" His voice lowers, already acting naughty and unintentionally work himself up. "And then I'm positive you'll be bred properly."

You slap his shoulder. Hard. "Choi Seungcheol!"

"'m just kiddin'," he blatantly lies and gently pulls out of your sloppy pussy. Grunting at the goop and messy wetness that got everywhere. "Think we'll need to get a new couch."

"Great idea! Now, you can spend your money on something practical."

"Love you too." 

"God, what did I get myself into." When you roll your eyes, a toothy grin is what you receive in return. 

"I dunno, love, but I think this roommates to fuck buddies to lovers arrangement will work out beautifully, don't you?"

You give him another kiss just to shut him up. If you ever admit he's right, well, that would be with a mouthful of cock and a story saved for another time.

onlyseokmins: September 2023 ©

[theglamorousferal]

Ancient of Space Danny

Danny doesn't notice at first.

That's a lie, he knew something was happening to him, he just didn't know what.

It's been a year since he took the title of High Prince, the Zone waiting until his ghostly majority was reached to crown him King. He doesn't like to think about the fact that it'd be on his 100th deathday, as thinking about the fact his family will be fully dead and he'll be spending eternity doing paperwork made him panic. He's mostly adjusted to the influx of power he gained by taking over as King. New artifacts were made better to suit him, new royal jewels made for a more peaceful rule. The ring, made of onyx, containing a star sapphire that glowed an icy blue. The crown made of ice that shone bright white, electricity flashing in the crystals. The Ring of Peace, and the Crown of Chaos. Both artifacts together helped him as the new Balance. The point between life and death.

His power had settled in the last year. He'd spent hours training with Pandora and Frostbite to control the strength to his attacks. He talked more with his sister , and found he did like meditation. He kept track of his progress with the help of Sam, Tucker, and Jazz. He was settled.

So why did it feel like his skin was too small for him now?

Why does it feel like no matter how much power he expends, that there is still more to him?

Why doesn't he tire anymore? He's not sleeping, he doesn't feel tired, but people aren't supposed to be awake this long right? It's been a week.

His skin itches as he lays there trying to sleep. Tossing and turning, and why do I feel bigger than my body?

He finally decides to just go for a fly, maybe it will help tire him out if he does a few laps around the city. He transforms and shoots off above the cloud cover. He bursts through the clouds and he can see the stars and the moon and -

Peace.

His skin stops itching, his body seeming to radiate outwards, glowing like a beacon. Waves of an aurora begin to trail behind him as he paints the sky with light.

A cloak of stars tumbles into existence from his shoulders and his arms extend outward as if to embrace the clouds. His smile grows and grows and it's so large it's nearly splitting his face. His hair flows around him and little glittering stars fall from it like snow. His eyes darken to black holes with pinpricks of light at the center. His laughter echoes through the air, the clouds muffling it to sound like thunder.

He glides through the sky, broad strikes of light dancing behind him until finally, finally, he tires.

Slowly he begins to shrink, he morphs back into his normal body. the cloak of stars fading away, his hair moving it's normal way, no stars falling from it, his arms folding in on themselves until they are back as well. His eyes brighten back to his normal ecto-green. His smile softens until a small contented sigh leaves his lips.

Drowsily he gently floats back to his bedroom window and flops onto his bed after transforming back into Danny Fenton.

Tomorrow he'll have to figure out what is going on. Tomorrow he'll have to face whatever it was that just happened. Tomorrow he'll have to tell everybody else about what happend.

For now, he's going to finally sleep.

[letters-to-lgbt-kids]

My dear lgbt+ kids,

I was quite surprised to look into my notes this morning and see multiple people call me biphobic for saying that you can be a lesbian even if you have had crushes on men before.

I stand with that statement: Labels are descriptors. If you feel like "lesbian" describes you and you feel most comfortable with that word, then it's a great word for you - even if "I have never been attracted to a man in any way ever" doesn't ring true for you. Life and people and feelings are much more complex than those strict textbook definitions!

Of course, I would never wish to push a label on anyone who doesn't want it. "I have had crushes on men before but I am only/mostly attracted to women now and that's why I identify as a lesbian" is valid and beautiful and good - and "I am only/mostly attracted to women now but I have had crushes on men before and that's why I identify as bisexual" is just as valid and beautiful and good! Neither of those would be the right or the wrong answer, a good or a bad way to feel. It's all about what feels right for YOU.

We like to believe that you are always clearly one thing or the other -but the reality is that some people live in the grey zone between "lesbian" and "bi". The goal is not to fit people neatly into one box and to keep each box as "clean" as possible by making sure they live up to a strict definition. The goal is for everyone to have the freedom to use the words they feel comfortable with, and sometimes this means that two people feel the same way and use two different words.

Well, while I was thinking about all this, I noticed that those comments were all by blogs that had names like "rad girl" or "gender critical fairy". Got suspicious, took a closer look - and sure enough, there were plenty of posts like "We need to steal back wlw spaces from the predatory males who tricked their way into them" and "I've never met a trans woman who wasn't a white male" (really wish I was exaggerating for comedic effect here... ) on those blogs. Temporarily lost all of my hope in humanity.

This puts the whole discussion in a completely new light, doesn't it? "Don't push the label lesbian on bisexual women" seems innocent enough on its own and is a good point in some contexts - but the intention matters. Like all extremists, TERFs love to create division. Extremists rely on you thinking in black & white with no grey zone in between. They need an easy, clear-cut picture of the "enemy" vs. "the good ones" to lure people in.

They really love strict textbook definitions and boxes you can't climb out of. The pure existence of grey zones is threatening to their worldview: How could they convince people that hurting "them" is necessary and justifiable as long as it benefits "us" if there is not always a clear divide between "them" and "us"?

Obviously it'd be wrong to say "Anyone who calls you out for biphobia is a TERF" - but I still wanted to share this as a reminder to check the source of call-out posts. Sometimes people have a more sinister agenda than you assume at first glance.

With all my love,

Your Tumblr Dad

[caashmoneynae]

A RIM-SHOT.

D'ANGELO x BLACK!FEM!OC

SUMMARY: in which Essence gets a shot at D'Angelo, her long-time instrument-playing crush who played a local club she frequents. ✨

❦

𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 and her sister Erin sat at a table in the front row of the poetry and neo-soul club as they watched the band perform, both of their focuses on different instrumentalists while Essence gently tapped her foot to the rhythm of the song playing underneath the table.

the club was more of an African American club, and i say this because mostly Black folks were seen visiting it. sure, some earthy-looking white women visited occasionally to enjoy the sounds of catchy soul and smooth poetry slams, but the club was more of a safe space for Black people, especially since all of the employees and the performers were black.

the owner? black. the bartender? black. the instrumentalists? black. the singers? black. the poets? black.

it was a black-owned business with black employees, black visitors, black performers, and black instrument players, and Lord knows you'd never find that anywhere else but there.

"you think i could transform into a drum set, Erin?" Essence rhetorically asked, resting her hand underneath her chin, as the sisters locked eyes and Erin let out a soft chuckle.

"as long as i can transform into a guitar." Erin joked, a playful smile on her face, as Essence cracked a smile and let out a soft laugh while their dark brown eyes averted back to the stage in sync.

the drummer of the band on stage was D'Angelo, also referred to at times as just 'D'. he was one of the reasons why Essence was a consistent visitor at the peaceful club. he was an extremely attractive man, and nobody in the room could deny that. from his neat and slightly lengthy black cornrows, his caramel and seemingly smooth skin, and his gorgeous and hypnotizing brown eyes to his beautiful aura, his calming energy, and his enticing and slightly raspy vocals; it was clear as day that he was definitely one of God's favorites.

Essence hadn't made a move on the brown-skinned man yet, and honestly, she didn't know why. she wasn't a very shy woman and approaching a man she wanted wasn't hard for her to do, but for some odd reason, she hesitated on approaching D'Angelo. sure, he was intimidating and he made her nervous, but that never stopped her before, so it confused her and her sister why she hadn't pursued the drummer yet.

as for Erin, the guitarist she was fawning over was none other than André, referred to as André 3000, Dré, and sometimes just 3000, and he was also stunning as well. Erin wasn't as bold as Essence, so it was understandable why she hadn't approached him yet, but she wanted to grow out of her shy ways and pursue the man she wanted, which is what she said she'd do tonight, and this caused a deal to brew up between her and Essence.

the two made a deal that they both had to let go of their anxiety and timidness and approach the men they secretly adored, which Essence agreed to without a second thought. the goal was to spark up a conversation and get their numbers, but if it went further than that, it'd be extra points for the two.

ending up in their beds wasn't the achievement they were going for, but if they got that far, they wouldn't complain about it. it'd just push them further into wanting to seal the deal they had agreed upon the night before.

—

"you takin' that shot because you want it or because you need somethin' to make you bold?" Essence asked, raising a brow, as she watched Erin down a shot of Vodka and Erin slightly cringed at the sensation of the strong liquor going down her throat while she gently cleared her throat.

"both," Erin croaked, lightly hitting her chest, as she signaled the bartender over to refill her shot glass and Essence laughed while she sipped on her strawberry margarita, "don't worry 'bout me tho', tell me how you gon' approach D."

"i still ain't figured that out." Essence mumbled, letting out a soft chuckle, as she fiddled with a few of her black locs and Erin raised a brow at her before chuckling, downing her shot and biting down on her bottom lip to keep her from making a face while she wiped the corners of her mouth.

"girl, you ain't got a lot of time to try and figure that out. you shoulda' had that planned out last night," Erin chuckled, shaking her head, as she sat down her shot glass and stood up from her stool, "i see André's off stage, so i'm 'bout to go holla' at him before this liquor wears off. i wish you luck in gettin' ya drummer boy, Essie."

"and i wish you luck in gettin' ya guitarist, E." Essence smiled, playfully winking towards her, as Erin sent a wink back and walked away from the bar, going towards wherever her dream man was while Essence turned around to face the bar and swirled her straw in her glass.

maybe if she would've gotten something stronger than a margarita she'd be able to approach D'Angelo like Erin approached André, but she hated the taste and smell of strong liquor so that option was quickly thrown out of the window. sinking into her overthinking, Essence rested her hand against her jaw as she stared at the counter and slipped her slim black straw between her plump lips, sipping the rest of the margarita in her cocktail glass while she tried to come up with a way that she could imitate Erin's actions and go up to her crush.

she didn't know how she'd do it, but she knew she'd bag her dream man tonight. however, she believed it would be much easier for her to pursue him if he acknowledged her first.

"what'll ya have, sir?"

"i'll take a glass of Whisky. and refill this pretty lady's glass with whatever she had before. put all that on my tab." the familiar silky voice made Essence's ears prick up, and she snapped out of her thoughts as she watched the bartender pick up her glass and the dark-skinned woman averted her eyes to the person next to her, signaling for Essence to look at the person who was seated beside her.

turning her head, Essence's eyes nearly shot out of their sockets as she stared at D'Angelo, a small warm smile on his face while a soft blush coated Essence's brown-skinned face once she realized he had referred to her as "this pretty lady." the way he randomly appeared next to her and acknowledged her was like the universe had read her mind, and if it did, she wasn't complaining.

"a great drummer and a gentleman? i think the men in here got some competition," Essence joked, raising her brows, as D'Angelo let out a laugh and Essence giggled before holding out her manicured hand, "i'm Essence, but some people call me Essie for short."

"i'm D'Angelo, but i'm sure you knew that already," D'Angelo chuckled softly, shaking her hand, as he brought her hand up to his lips and gently kissed each of her knuckles, "so you think i'm a good drummer, huh?"

"good is an understatement if we're referring to you. sometimes i come here just to hear you play," Essence smiled, the blush on her face starting to intensify, as the bartender came back to the adults with their drinks and the both of them thanked her at once before she smiled and walked away to let them continue their conversation, "when did you learn how to play the drums?"

"when i was 12. when i was younger, i was exposed to a lot of soul music and i saw a lot of black people who played instruments, and that made me wanna be one of 'em, y'know what i'm sayin'? i started wantin' to learn to play the piano, the guitar, the saxophone — all'at. but when i found the drums... that's when i knew i found what i truly wanted to play," D'Angelo explained, rubbing her knuckles with his thumb, as Essence nodded her head and took a sip of her drink, "now, don't get me wrong, i can play all of that, but my favorite is definitely the drums. if it wasn't the drums, i'd probably be playin' the piano, not gon' lie."

"i used to play the piano at my church when i was 13. i joined a band at my school so i could continue playin' it and after i graduated, i forgot all about my passion for it until i came here," Essence chuckled, watching the male across from her take a sip of his brown liquor, as she absentmindedly ran her tongue over her lips and tingles spread up her arm once she realized her hand was still in his grasp, "you gon' get me jumped in here like half of these women not feenin' for you, D."

"half of these women only want me 'cause they think i'm attractive. i ain't worried about them. i'm worried about you," D'Angelo chuckled, licking the excess alcohol from his lips, as he sat his glass down and his brown eyes slyly flickered between Essence's eyes and lips, "you always come here by ya'self? or you come here with ya man?"

"that's your way of checkin' to see if i'm in a relationship, huh? so you a great drummer, a gentleman, and smooth... a lil' sweet-talker, ain't you?" Essence joked, a small smirk on her face, as she raised her brow and D'Angelo laughed, causing her to laugh with him, "but, nah, i don't have a man. i come here with my sister Erin."

Essence nodded her head towards Erin, causing D'Angelo to look over at her sibling, as the two looked at Erin and André and watched them flirt with one another, making both of them chuckle while they turned their attention back to one another.

"does likin' instrumentalists run in the family?" D'Angelo joked, raising a brow, as Essence laughed and picked up her drink, taking a sip of it while she removed the straw from her lips and sat it back down.

"we like what we like... and i like drummers with cornrows." Essence flirted, an enticing smirk crossing her face, as a smirk crept onto D'Angelo's face and the atmosphere around them suddenly filled with sexual tension, causing Essence's pupils to slightly dilate in lust while she lightly squeezed D'Angelo's hand.

"yeah?" D'Angelo smirked, scooting closer to her, as Essence raised a brow at him before mimicking his actions, their legs resting against each other while D'Angelo's hand trailed up her arm, "well, i like pianists with locs."

"you do, huh? you got a piano at ya crib, D?" Essence smirked, picking up her glass, as she wrapped her lips around the straw and drank the rest of the liquor in the glass.

"is that your way of askin' to come home with me?"

"maybe."

—

"ooh, nice place. i see you do a lil' decoratin' on the side." Essence complimented, a small smile on her face, as D'Angelo chuckled and closed and locked the door behind them, looking over at her while he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"thank you, beautiful. i got a lil' music room in here too, that's where all my instruments and stuff at." D'Angelo added, guiding her down the hallway, as Essence raised her brows and looked up at him.

"you got a piano in there?"

"see for yourself."

opening the door of the room, a smile crossed Essence's face once she saw D'Angelo's customized drum set but her smile widened once she saw his piano, an abrupt squeal coming from her while she walked over to it.

"oh, my Godddd, it looks like one from my high school!" Essence exclaimed, a large smile on her face, as she pulled out the wide leather piano bench and sat down on it, looking over at D'Angelo and patting the spot next to her, "c'mere. i'ma play sum' for you."

"yeah? what'chu gon' play?" D'Angelo chuckled, smiling at her enthusiasm, as he walked over to her and sat down next to her.

"listen and see." Essence playfully smirked, gently nudging the man with her elbow, as she cracked her knuckles and D'Angelo laughed at her playfulness, earning a giggle from Essence before she positioned her hands above the piano keys and began playing.

as Essence played, a wide toothy grin crept across D'Angelo's face once he realized she was playing "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers, and Essence noticed his realization when she glanced over at him, causing her to let out a soft chuckle.

"i know you know the words, drummer boy. sing a lil' sum' for me." Essence smiled, looking over at him, as their eyes locked and D'Angelo's brows raised once he realized she could play the piano without looking at it, making a small playful smirk cross her face while she raised her brows as well.

along with drumming, sometimes D'Angelo sang at the club as well, so not only did Essence fall in love with his instrument-playing, she fell in love with his skillful vocals as well.

D'Angelo let out a soft chuckle and listened to her play as he slowly caught the rhythm of her fingers on the keys and gently cleared his throat, preparing his voice to sing while his eyes gradually shut.

"LEAN ON ME, WHEN YOU'RE NOT STRONG, AND I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND," D'Angelo sang, his brows slightly furrowing in concentration, as Essence smiled widely at him and lightly nodded her head to his voice, continuing to play the piano while she looked at the singing man next to her, "I'LL HELP YOU CARRY ON. FOR IT WON'T BE LONG, 'TIL I'M GONNA NEED SOMEBODY TO LEAN ON."

"okayyy, i see you! you better sang, boy!" Essence joked, giggling, as D'Angelo let out a laugh and shook his head while Essence's piano playing gradually came to an end, "teach me how to play the drums."

"right now?" D'Angelo asked, raising his brows at her, as Essence took her fingers off the piano keys and wiped her palms on her bootcut blue jeans.

"yeah, right now. i played the piano for you, i deserve to be taught how to play the drums." Essence pouted, lightly poking out her bottom lip, as D'Angelo chuckled and shook his head, standing up from the bench and grabbing the woman's hand.

"c'mon. i'ma teach you, pretty," D'Angelo led the woman over to his drum set by her hand and pulled out the drum throne that was seated by the bass drum, "sit right here. i'ma go get another chair so i can sit behind you and show you."

"behind me?" Essence asked, her face slightly twisting up in confusion, as D'Angelo chuckled and walked back over to her with a chair in his hand, sitting it behind her while he gripped the sides of the drum throne and pushed closer to the drum set.

"yeah, behind you, Ess'. i gotta' guide you, don't i?" D'Angelo chuckled, sitting in the wooden chair behind her, as he scooted closer to her and grabbed the drumsticks that were resting on the snare drum, placing one in both of her hands while he nudged her right thigh with his knee, "put your foot right there on that drum pedal. that's how you'll hit that bass drum down there."

"okay so, here's what you're gonna do..." D'Angelo held Essence's hands as he instructed her how to create rhythmic beats, his arms resting on top of hers and his broad chest pressed up against her back as his head nestled on her right shoulder. as she listened to his instructions, she couldn't help but zone out as he spoke to her, drowning in the sexually intrusive thoughts that were beginning to cloud her mind.

with the smell of his cologne flooding her nose and his minty breath fanning her neck, Essence's mind was filled with thoughts so raunchy and vulgar that she couldn't bring herself to say them out loud, and to be honest, she didn't want to say them out loud. she could feel his body heat radiate off of his toned upper body and onto hers, and it only fueled the fire that was secretly growing inside her lower region.

who knew teaching someone how to play the drums could be so intimate?

"...you got that, ma?" hearing this, Essence was knocked out of her thoughts and she looked to her right, seeing D'Angelo look up at her while awaiting her answer to his question. as she looked into his eyes and he looked into hers, the room was gradually filled with sexual tension, and it was very similar to the tension the two felt at the club, but since they were alone, it seemed much stronger than before.

Essence's eyes flickered between D'Angelo's eyes and lips, causing him to mirror her actions, as his head rose from her shoulder and moved closer to her face, their lips inches apart while Essence's breathing softly hitched in her throat. she looked between his eyes and lips for a final time before smashing her lips onto his, capturing his lips in a passionate lip-lock while he returned the favor. D'Angelo's hands and arms were still touching hers and his chest was still pressed up against her back, and it seemed to only increase the burning flame of desire inside of the brown-skinned woman in front of him as she squeezed her thighs together and the drumsticks abruptly slipped from her grasp, the wooden sticks hitting the floor while D'Angelo gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

slipping out of his grip, Essence turned around on the drum throne, her lips still engaged with his, and she cupped his face in her hands as her acrylics ran over his chiseled jawline, making a soft grunt come from his lips while his hands rested on her thighs and caressed them through her jeans.

"got a bedroom you can fuck me in or you wanna make some music together?" Essence mumbled in the kiss, a small smirk crossing her face, as D'Angelo let out a soft chuckle and smirked with her before standing up and picking her up from the drum throne, her legs instinctively wrapping around his slim waist while he carried her over to the red loveseat near his guitars and recording booth.

"Let's make some music, baby."

[obscurecharactershowdown]

Before I reveal the contestants, I want to shout out some characters that didn't end up getting in, for one reason or another, but stood out to me

Prince Peasley (Superstar Saga): I mentioned him as a character I really enjoyed learning about, but since he won the Luigi ship competition, I'm unsure of his obscurity status and he may overpower the other characters. I'm sorry your highness, please know I love you

Francis York Morgan (Deadly Premonition): I was stunned to see not one, but 2 people submit this character. I'm endlessly entertained by his weird ass game. He would've been a shoe in had he not been submitted twice. Sorry buddy. Also if he was I would've put in my own propaganda, consisting only of this image

and a video of the squirrels that make monkey noises

Crow T. Robot (Mystery Science Theater 3000): the only reason he's not in is because another MST3K I consider comparatively more obscure was submitted, but I am going to post part of the propaganda for him now because I really loved it and it would be a shame if I was the only one who got to read it:

i have to take a chance on crow, for he is my #1 blorbo and my favorite mst3k character since forever. i charted out a whole TIMELINE for him and there's like. 4-6 of him just existing in various locations. he's shaped like a friend. he can be folded into a torpedo. he has legs and i constantly forget this until he has them on-screen and i'm like OH SHIT this guy is mostly leg (he's around 5'4"). he managed to kill mike (the human guy he lives with in space) TWICE on accident and neither time stuck. all of his presentations are insane and completely factually inaccurate. he claimed women were myths like bigfoot in a short-film style black and white presentation. he's friendly/friends? with pearl, one of the main antagonists (and a woman, who he just claimed didn't exist). he can play the trombone. he just kinda bounces up and down sometimes and is so shaped. he spent 500 years alone because he got bored of being pure energy at the edge of the universe after five minutes. he wrote patrick swayze christmas, the only christmas song ever. he's constantly doing t-rex arms. he keeps falling from extreme heights. to a few ancient romans he's a spider-duck god. he's a bit of a pyromaniac. he went to thanksgiving in deep 13 and walked away unharmed (everyone else got poisoned). he causes an illusion in the theater where it looks like he's staring at you instead of the movie. he's an absolute menace. he contains so much gender yet none at all. he's different! he wants to decide who lives and who dies, and i think he should. he is simply so guy. ty for reading my crow rant sorry for the wall of text

Thank you for this. I love Crow and MST3K too, you are in good company

Mister Qi (Stardew Valley): In the propaganda section, the submitter wrote: "He sucks and I hate him. It'd be really funny if he lost." and it made me laugh

Chuck Cunningham (Happy Days): The submitter's dad told them to submit him and that was also funny to me

Vincenzo (kdrama of the same name): Submitter's dad has a crush on Vincenzo <3

Pioneer 9 (17776): This was the most submitted character, with a total of.....4 submissions! Wow!

Husky (+Anima): This is the second most submitted character, with 3 submissions! I'm sorry to you both but this means you are automatically excluded from being picked for the competition.

Less specifically, shout out to the many characters who were just barely well known enough to drop out of priority. And the major characters/protagonists of major series. A couple were clearly jokes, but several were not.

And all of the characters from albums, commercials, various Real Life Things, myths, some OCs, etc: I have a plan for you. It's not the main bracket, but you are not being left out here. More information on that when the time is right.

Thank you for all your submissions! The list of contestants and their matchups are coming soon!

[eldorr]

Some Aldernic terms

Row 1 (Pasentadernic): With symbol (left), symbol-less (right) Row 2 (Viventadernic): With symbol (left), symbol-less (right) Row 3 (Darentadernic): With symbol (left), symbol-less (right)

Pasentadernic: An aldernic term for when wants or has a body with a skin tone that can be described as pastel or light. Pasentadernic includes any color from white to light gray, and to any light non-vivid color.

Viventadernic: An aldernic term for when wants or has a body with a skin tone that can be described as neutral or vivid. Viventadernic includes any color from to any light gray to dark gray, and to any non-pastel and non-dark color.

Darentadernic: An aldernic term for when wants or has a body with a skin tone that can be described as dark or muted. Darentadernic includes any color from dark gray to black, and to any dark non-vivid color.

.

These terms do include colors already found naturally in human skin since human skin is naturally anywhere from very dark brown to pinkish (just as a generalization). One could choose to describe their current physical body with these terms if one wants, these terms were coined to be deliberately broad in their definitions.

These terms were mostly coined with alterhumans and system members in mind, provided one has skin or something that is basically the equivalent of skin. "Skin" here is a broad term. (Essentially anything that's not liquid, scales, feathers, fur, etc.)

There's no concrete line between what colors are defined as pastel, neutral or dark, so it really depends on one's own personal perception on what colors are what if one's trying to decide if the color is light or neutral.

.

I mostly coined these for myself since I'm a shapeshifter but two of my forms I can remember have pure white skin while the other has black skin. Well technically I don't have skin but it's the closest human word. One of my headmates also as brown skin and it'd be nice to have a term for her since her inner world body sure as hell doesn't match this flesh capsule.

I'll probably coin a term for being fluid between colors or these terms.

The flags include the gradients on the sides for nonhuman skin tones, the horizontal stripes are just colors I felt were important to note since these terms technically include human skin tones, and it's hard to blend brown and gray into a rainbow color palette, especially pastels. Hence why there's the small stripes for black and white as well for the light and dark versions. I just needed a good way to add a rainbow gradient without inducing eye strain due to the stripes being very similar tint/tone/shade-wise. This is just what I came up with. (The other alternatives would've just had way to many stripes and color variance for what I wanted to go for.)

.

Also! If you tag this as transx/transid I'm hard blocking you! Also if you try to argue with me saying these are basically trace or whatever because brown happens to be a human skin tone, I'm just going to ignore you.

These terms exist to describe a color one has or wants as the color of their skin or whatever equivalent of skin one has. Whether one is using the terms to describe their inner world body or outer world body or as a want/have is none of my business. I just coined these to fill a blank in my experience.

(Sorry for the long foot notes I just wanna cover the bases before posting, I just don't want to get back on after work to find like 20 people angry at me or something for not mentioning it and/or clarifying my intentions for these terms in the first place. /gen)

(I do not consent to these terms being used: to denote transition to another race, being used in diaracial/trace spaces, to fetishize BIPOC or anyone's physical meatspace forms. /srs)

[ninja-cat-alien]

it's KITTY TIME

not finished yet (hence the space) but here are some main characters from the handful of dc movies I've seen, as cats.

I like to nerd out about cat colors and breeds so details under the cut

1. Harley is a Domestic Shorthair aka street cat. Her colors here are fictional but this white spotting pattern is called Harlequin :3 since it's two colors on white it'd qualify as a tortoiseshell harlequin.

Diana is an Aphrodite's Giant, a cat breed I only recently found out existed tbh. Her colors are supposed to be black smoke tortie bicolor but it was kinda hard to draw. I tried to emulate the shape of her crown and also the red of her top as the orange parts but eh.

John is a street cat, his color is cinnamon agouti tabby. This color and pattern is mostly seen on breed cats but this is my au and I get to choose the colors lol. Anyway he picked that cig up from the street somewhere.

Clark is an American Shorthair in the color black classic tabby and I even checked the breed standard to draw this (and cat Diana). If you google ASH most that show up are black silver tabbies but the breed can be so many more colors.

[mindsmade]

aeren doesn't have a tent; he just pulls up several slabs of earth to provide shelter. again: referring to toph in atla. the inside and exterior of it are flavoured with some personal items:

aerendyl usually situates himself along the periphery of the camp, on or very close to the edge. he wants his privacy once he's chosen to retreat from the main 'body' of the camp, and will prefer to find a spot that affords him a view of the surroundings – either as a calming view to wake up to, or a way to put his mind at ease and be certain he's aware of any incoming threats from that direction.

several rugs and pelts overlap each other on the floor inside his ... hut?

his bedroll is usually on the right ( pov: looking in from the outside ), with the pillow near the far wall. said bedroll is very thin, as he likes to be in contact with the earth whenever he can. he piles on various blankets when they're in the shadow-cursed lands; the earth there 'doesn't feel right' and keeps him from sleeping. ( will also offer to pile on several more blankets should someone come around for a cuddle. he knows his bedroll is otherwise dreadfully uncomfortable to most, lmao )

crystals. so many crystals – on the floor along in bundles along the corners, embedded into the walls, and potentially in the roof ( if closed ). honestly, it's like stepping into a geode sometimes. e.g.: yellow jasper close to his shelter's entrance, aragonite along the walls, aquamarine literally wherever he has space, black obsidian and malachite most likely by his bedroll, and sardonyx along the outside of his shelter.

tucked under his pillow: romance novels to read before sleeping. some are smutty; it can't be helped!

on the other side of his tent ( left side when looking in from outside ), he keeps his sling bag, various letters he's held on to over the years and the stonecutter’s diary.

outside his tent, there's a comfy pillow with a low table he uses when journaling, poring over his father's diary, and jewelcrafting. it's not uncommon to find his toolkit left there when he's gone from camp.

he'll druidcraft plants along the outer perimeter of his shelter – mostly whatever's native to the area. in the shadow-cursed lands, he very obviously fails at that, leaving the outward appearance of his space looking threadbare.

the top might have an opening on clear nights so he can look at the stars.

his armour ( once cleaned ) is hung out to dry outside of his tent.

honestly, he's not opposed to wildshaping into a cat or smth and just snuggling up to someone for a few hours either. if he feels it'd be a welcomed gesture, don't be surprised to find an off-white / sandy looking cat traipsing into your tent and taking up residence next to you!!!

[thorntopieces]

41, 35, 34, 27, 26, 23, 16, 8, 2 for ask game - 🌙

gonna do them in the opposite order you put them /lh

2. do you drink tea or coffee? how do you take it?

i can't drink coffee anymore due to oas (oral allergy syndrome) but i love tea. depending on the tea i drink it differently - if it's fruit tea it's with a bit of sugar and lactosefree milk, if not i just put sugar in it. i like sweet-tasting stuff

8. what's your favourite band/artist?

based on my listening history, it'd currently have to be wardruna (spotify link / youtube link). also like aurora, ghost and jack stauber

16. want any tattoos? what of?

oh yeah, multiple. i've been looking specifically for a tattoo artist to get a double triforce from a link between worlds done. apart from that i really want to get simple bats tattooed somewhere on me, a spooky house in lineart style and a black and white broken compass. depending on if i can cope with it, i would also kind of like to get doll ball joint tattoos on my knees

23. do you believe in aliens?

if you ask me emotionally, i'd tell you i hate the concept of space really fucking bad and so aliens? don't want to think about it. but academically? i see no reason why there wouldn't be aliens out there somewhere, but i heavily doubt they look anything like we imagine them to in popular fiction and whatever nasa's ufo stuff is on about.

26. what are some seemingly childish things you like?

i still sleep with a lot of plushies at night, i am really really heavily motivated by candy/sweets and ig i still go back to old comfort shows from my childhood now and then (winx club, captain sabertooth etc)

27. what's your favourite book? or one you've read several times?

favourite book? hard to tell, i mostly read fanfiction nowadays. but it's probably before the coffee gets cold (toshikazu kawaguchi). also really liked hamnet (maggie o'farrell) a lot when i read it a year ago. also some of the original sherlock holmes stories bring me a lot of joy.

34. what's your favourite flower?

i've always had a great fondness for lilacs. every house i lived in as a child had a large lilac bush/plant. also cherry blossoms, though. pretty

35. do you currently have a squish?

you ig lmao /lh

41. what's your favourite cartoon?

electing to include anime here. fullmetal alchemist brotherhood. no question about it.

[romildaxo]

. ✧ . * . ⌜ paulina singer, twenty-two, cisfemale, she/her / best they ever had by rozes + immediately checking your horoscope in the latest copy of witch weekly (as well as that of your crush), an unwavering commitment to a glass of red paired with scratches in your diary, & a gnawing, childhood need, to fill that empty space at the dinner table no matter how good the meal.⌟ hey, have you met ROMILDA VANE yet? they’re a FOURTH YEAR at hogwarts and are a GRYFFINDOR. makes sense given they tend to be a bit PASSIONATE and IMPULSIVE. it seems the death of the boy who lived has placed them on the LIGHT side of the looming war. let’s just hope they make it out alive.

tw: absent parent, unwanted pregnancy, drug mention, death mention

full name: romilda yemima vane

date of birth: march 1st

star sign: pisces

place of birth: whitechapel, london

family: reuben katz (father), addah vane (mother)

sexual orientation: tragically heterosexual

religion: jewish, mostly non-practicing

tattoos: none yet

style: skirts with a hem or slit high enough to test dress codes, cropped white tank tops in various styles, sweaters/jackets with faux fur on the collar and sleeves, gold jewelry, necklaces stacked one on top of the other, jumpers stolen from exes and hookups worn as 'dresses', chunky boots, light wash denim, button ups knotted up and worn off shoulder, two go-to baguette style bags (one black, one faux dragonhide)

immediately checking your horoscope in the latest copy of witch weekly (as well as that of your crush), unwrapping a strawberry flavored lolly in the middle of class, the lingering smug of makeup on the bathroom counter, openly reading a spicy romance novel in public, an unwavering commitment to a glass of red paired with scratches in your diary, manicured fingers rolling a fresh joint, a ever-present letter exchange with mum, dark curls hiding the bitter sting of rejection, multiple candles burning at once, setting your sights on someone far across the room, a lacy red bra abandoned on the floor, a mild attraction set ablaze with a bottle of firewhiskey, flirting as a form of 'self-care', & a gnawing, childhood need, to fill that empty space at the dinner table no matter how good the meal.

reuben and addah— and thus romilda— were the effect of a holiday party, when liquor had been flowing and inhibitions were lowered in the sake of 'togetherness'. two young adults that made a one-night stand last a long weekend. it was meant to be a fling, a one off, a nice story to tell their friends... and it had been up until weeks later. addah was pregnant: both muggle and magic tests confirmed it. and reuben didn't want to be a part of any of it.

and so addah did it alone, no parents around to help. it was why, when the baby girl had been born, she'd received her mother's surname becoming romilda vane. as a result, the two were thick as thieves, still are.

romilda has maybe seen her father all of four times. the first time was when she was twelve, when she'd asked if she could meet him just so she could know— yes, her mom could and did answer questions but truthfully even she didn't really know him; and romilda had just wanted some sense of understanding, some semblance of his essence to go off of. two times, it'd just been a spotting across the street. the fourth, she'd heard about his wedding and despite lack of an invite romilda went to the reception but sat towards the back. it was an act done out of curiosity, one that'd led her to see with her own eyes him with not just a new wife but a kid on the way.

meanwhile, the worst thing she had to deal with with her mother was her boyfriends. and, no, it wasn't some long string of losers. the losers were there but they were in and out with no more than a few days stay. addah actually had great taste in men, wonderful guys that treated romilda nice, that bought flowers, and noticed when you got your hair cut. but addah had gone and made a habit of breaking things before they could break her. and so steady was a feeling that only lasted so long.

maybe it was everything with her parents, her mom that had sent romilda practically flying towards romance novels and muggle romantic comedies. it was an interest that festered and built, that led to poetry and, well... spicier reads and watches. nowadays, romilda will have at least three books on her nightstand and one non-textbook in her school bag at all times.

since stepping foot on hogwarts' soil, romilda has quickly earned a reputation as a flirt, a romantic, and a 'crazy bitch'. to those latter-leaning people she'd claim they either didn't know her or clearly did her wrong. yes, she will be the type to scan any room and spend the time looking at each and every face. yes, she might like one more than the rest and zero in. does zeroing in entail asking them and/or their friends questions? maybe. but that's doing research, babe. any use of love potions are neither confirmed nor denied.

while romilda actively ends most of her nights with some red wine and writing in her journal, that's not necessary still her drink of choice on a 'night out'. sometimes it's red, other times it's a shot of whiskey (a habit taken up initially as a means to feel like 'the cool girl'). aside from drinking, romilda also partakes in smoking— absolutely not cigarettes but more than a good bit of cannabis. what can she say? this gryffindor likes green.

religiously a witch weekly girlie. she will be late to class if its necessary to finish an article. and while romilda is pretty good about reading it cover to cover, she makes an exception to check out the horoscopes first. she hasn't prioritized giving astrology the deep dive so she understands all the suns and moons and rising stuff, but she trusts it implicitly.

has sent more than her fair share of drunk owls.

one of her favorite past times is sneaking into the prefects baths. lavender has been her favorite scent as of late.

can admittedly be a judgmental bitch, casting people into categories or tiers (depending) upon initial thoughts. thankfully she's not very stubborn and changes her mind when proven wrong fairly easily. the trouble is when proven right.

if you've hooked up, no, she will not give you your jumper back.

romilda was shocked by harry's death, going still and speechless in the stands. it didn't feel real. no, it'd felt more like she'd read a dramatic chapter of one of her books and she was waiting for the page to turn or the chapter to end and for it be resolved. it hadn't. and though she didn't know harry that well, she had developed a crush on the boy who lived over these last few years. in ways she'd imagined him this knight in shining armor. she'd imagined plenty of things, just never this, and so even as time has passed there's this empty spot in her, this uncertainty, this naivety that still wants to cling to the idea that they'd gotten the story wrong.

... still figuring out more, as she's a new muse. any gaps/questions, feel free to ask!!

general connection ideas: best friends, friends, ex-friends, pseudo siblings, childhood/family friends, classmates, library friends/run-ins, flirtationship, fellow romance novel lovers (maybe a book club?), exes, fwb, one night stand, one-sided crush, old crush?, enemy, annoyance, drinking buddy, bad influence, stoner friends, extended fam… others that i cannot think of

[ PINTEREST ]

[thetenamongstthesethrees]

Here's my semi-finished drawing of my main character! Ima delete this post and repost it with a quote once this is done, but basically im taking SVTFOE's idea on the whole "a wand that changes form depending on the user" thing and i wanted to know, based on appearance, what do yall think her wand might look like?? Personally my idea was to design it a bit off of Eclipsas design and wing it from there but i wanna know yalls opinion. Also, the wand does kinda take form from the users personality and backstory, so while im not gonna say much abt her backstory so i can have the joy of keeping it secret(or at least i wouldn't say it in a public thread...) I am gonna give a bit for yall to go off of:

•Color Scheme is Magenta/Purple/Indigo + Black + (maybe) White + (rarely) pink + (rarely) ocean blue/aqua

•Is meant to be the goddess of night/goddess of all magic and witchcraft (still in indecisive mode)

•Is based off of me so absolutely has S/A trauma, abandonment issues, Daddy/Mommy issues, attachment issues, Anxiety, Depression, and more!

•likes flowers, the water, {"dark"} magic, stars, space, the night

•Got a villian arc where she became a corrupted ruler(to say the least), and mass murderer, died 2-3 times, and got "reborn"/revived at LEAST 4-6 times

•Believes theyre a martyr, is in fact, a pathetic loser who pushes herself away from anyone

•Hates herself and starts the story grieving the death of her lover, and then the mid-beginning is spent mourning her sibling and end-beginning was spent reuniting and moving on with loved ones

•Can be unintentionally manipulative (picked it up from her mother), Compassionate, Creative, Curious, GREAT at acting(had to do it her whole life), Ambitious, Pessimisticly Realistic, Persistent, Stubborn, Intelligent/"Gifted", Thoughtful, Messy, Perseverant, Emotionally Distant, Ignorant(?), Quiet, Eccentric(??), Cold, Overworking, Insomniac/Sleep Deprived, Indecisive, Impulsive(sometimes, not most of the time tho), Overthinker, Amoral(..at least, during her lil villian arc), (mostly) Cynical, Cunning, Miserable, Ambivert, Impressionable(at least in the beginning), Witty, Outspoken(this only happens later on tho), Unpredictably Predictale(in the beginning and middle), Authoritarian(villian arc), "Obidient", Progressive(?), Reserved, (at times) Hypocritical (mostly in beginning, villian arc and beg-end), Self-Aware, Depressed, Anxious, Determined, Devoted, 'Elegant'

I cant really remember anything much out of this to say, so do with this what u will. Anything is helpful, especially specific combinations for the wand design/sketches with lil notes beside it, but its also fine without!!! Also sorry if this is wayy too much to ask for, but it'd help alot!

[heartofspells]

I loved your Effie outtake!! I would love to see a monty one 🥺

Of course we need Monty! Thanks for this!

Another outtake from At the Healing Edge of Broken, occurring before the main story.

Left, right, feint to the right again, left out, connect, dribble to the line, hard pass, intercept, clinical finish.

Sirius is panting, sweat dripping, running into his eyes, hair plastered to his head where it's slipped free from its knot. He's running as hard as he can, pushing himself further than he ever has, but he stops, skids across the grass of the large back garden a bit before his cleats grip in when a foot comes down on the ball, halting its powerful progress towards the net that had been fashioned for him years ago.

"That was a mighty kick," comments Monty Potter, hazel eyes sweeping over Sirius' exhausted form. "Would have made any crowd lose their minds. But how about a break, Sirius?"

Sirius shakes his head, restarting in a job, running forward to reclaim the ball from the older man. "I can't," he says breathlessly. "I have to get this right."

Monty doesn’t relinquish the black and white sphere from beneath his foot when Sirius attempts to take it back. Instead, his hand comes down over Sirius' dampened shoulder, holding him still for a moment.

"If this isn't right, I'm not sure what you could possibly consider right to be," he argues gently. He studies Sirius for another small bout of time, a few more panted breaths before he lifts his foot slowly. "What if we do some passes between us instead? How does that sound?"

Sirius' toes flex in his shoes, aching to run, break into a sprint, keep pushing onward. His own eyes drift over the older man, his mostly grey hair slicked back on his head neatly, probably with the use of his own products, nothing similar to James' chaotic, untamable mop. That came from Effie, the woman's flyaway strands unmanageable even under the best circumstances. Monty looks at him encouragingly and Sirius finally relents, back away a bit, creating some space between them.

Monty dribbles the ball back and forth between his feet for a minute before he kicks it Sirius' way, who snags it up quickly and does the same, tapping it with the sides of his shoes before passing it back. They carry on this way for a while in silence, Sirius beginning to lose himself in the near laziness of it. It's been a long time since he's simply done this.

"Are you nervous?"

The question comes from nowhere, and Sirius' head jerks up, his feet faltering a little beneath him, the ball trailing to the side before he manages to catch it and bring it back to him. "No," he denies quickly, adamantly. His brow furrows at his surrogate father. "Why would I be?"

Monty shrugs, waiting for Sirius to pass the ball back to him, knocking it about a little once he does. "Just wanted to check in with you," he supplies easily, his body loose and relaxed while Sirius feels as though he's wound so tightly he'll snap in two at any second. "It'd be fine if you were. Understandable, even. Being a bit scared wouldn't be surprising either." His eyes flicker up to Sirius briefly before dropping back down to the grass, nudging the ball in Sirius' direction again. "I'd say it would be almost normal."

"M'not scared," mutters Sirius, frowning, something in his chest clenching down harder, strangling his lungs. "I'm fine."

Monty nods, seeming to accept the answer. Silence falls between them again before he finally says, "Can I tell you a secret? I'm terrified."

Sirius stops his motions, leg pulled back in mid-kick. "Why?" he questions, his frown deepening as he stares across the garden at the older man.

"Why wouldn't I be?" counters Monty, leaning back on his heels a little, eyes fixed on Sirius. "You and James, free from school at last. Nineteen, fresh-faced, the entire world spread out in front of you. It's an exciting time for you, but for parents, it's bloody horrifying."

Sirius watches the other man, taking in his expression, but Monty only smiles at him, not looking stressed so much as guiding.

"Effie and I aren't quite as worried about James since he's chosen to stick around and learn the business, but we'll always have some level of tension. We always have. But you, Sirius…" He trails off, and Sirius doesn't move as Monty steps forward across the garden until they're standing in front of one another again. His hands lift and rest over Sirius' shoulders warmly. "You're off. You've got this huge thing looming ahead of you, such a marvelous opportunity. And we're so very proud of you and all the hard work you've put into it. We know how talented you are, and now everyone will see it, too. We also understand how much of yourself you've pushed into this, because you love it.

"And that's all Effie and I will ever ask of you and James, that you both always do the things you love, no matter what, because we love you two so much," continues Monty softly, though his voice is just firm enough. Sirius' eyes drop to the ground, but the other man nudges his head back up with a finger under his chin. "You're going to see the world, Sirius. You'll be travelling more than you're ever home, and that's scary for us, simply because of how much we love you. But we want you to have everything you want.

"But it's okay and it's natural to be nervous even if it is something you desperately want," affirms Monty knowingly. "It's an entirely new world. You're leaving your home and your family behind, in a way. Don't ever feel bad or guilty about having emotions. Don't lock them away, Sirius, because that benefits no one, especially yourself. Do you understand?"

Sirius rolls it around in his head a little before he finally nods slowly. "I – I might be slightly nervous," he admits in a near whisper.

Monty's smile widens but remains just as soft. "I'd think you mad if you weren't," he says with a hint of jest, and Sirius smiles back at him, sagging a little under the gentle weight of the other man's hands. Monty reaches up and brush his fingers lightly over the side of Sirius' face. "Effie and I will be at every single match we can attend, and the ones we can't, we'll always be watching. Don't ever worry about that."

Sirius nods again, his lower lip trembling, and then he's crashing forward into Monty, face burying into his shoulder. The older man engulfs him in his arms easily, and they remain until Sirius has calmed again, Monty urging him inside, leaving the ball behind in the grass.

[il-aristosachaion]

Okay so I had a lot of time to work on shit today and I got a few more scenes written :DDD

Scene four:

Cut to overhead shot of Laurens in his bunk/hammock laying down. It's dark, thunder can be heard. Laurens is staring blankly into space; White asks what's wrong. Laurens says he's thinking about Martha, she doesn't like storms. He hopes it's not storming there. Left ambiguous if this is said in genuine (platonic) affection or to keep up appearances. This ambiguity is continues throughout the series. White reassures him she'll be okay, Laurens looks away, guilts. White misinterprets this as sadness at leaving his wife and child and says he'll be able to write to her until they see each other again. Laurens half-heartedly agrees. Laurens rolls onto his side. They say goodnight; and fade to black.

Scene five:

Shot of the sun rising over the water; it's calm and peaceful. Camera pans backward to the ship. A seagull is sitting on the railing of the middle of the ship. It's preening, then it looks up, shrieks, and flies away just before someone runs past. Another man runs behind him. The camera cuts to the two men, Laurens and White, standing in front of the poll that houses the crow's nest. One of them asks the other if they're ready, to which they nod. Laurens grabs the ropes and begins climbing. White hesitates, mutters that they'll get in trouble, and follows him. Camera cuts backwards, showing the silhouette of the ship with White and Laurens climbing up in front of the sunrise. Cut back to Laurens and White, now in the crow's nest. Both are leaning on the rail, but Laurens is leaning further out. White has his hand on Laurens' shoulder. Conversation ensues. They get interrupted by a crew member, who scolds them and makes them get down. Laurens mostly ignores him until White drags him down with him. The crew member shoves Laurens away out of annoyance, to which he attempts to fight him. White has to drag him away again.

Scene six:

Cut to White and Laurens back below deck, arguing. White says that Laurens can't go picking a fight with everyone who annoys him, Laurens defends himself. More arguing ensues. One of them storms back above deck, the other remains below. Something something something Cut to later in the evening. Both are now below deck in their bunks/hammocks. They apologize (homoerotic undertones?)

I have two notes from these scenes. The first reads: "They fall asleep holding hands? Which John and Alex do later?" Husband you don't understand how tempted I am to show them as more than just friends. Listen. They're in a boat for months with nothing to do. Point made.

The second is, "Have scenes with the colors of the pride flag throughout the show." Ngl this one is solely for our benefit and for gifmakers benefit. The idea is basically to have eight scenes throughout the show where the color pallet is/is almost entirely one color of the original pride flag. Listen. I want to be able to make a pride flag with our show. Don't question me, you know you want to as well. Also it'd be so much fun too like?? Trying to figure out how to get some of the colors? Like the blues and purple would be easy - the sky. But what about red? A legion of British troops? A splash of blood when Laurens dies, if we choose to show that? Hamilton's hair? There's so many possibilities and it sounds so fun jhgbvgyuhgvfgyhgbhjkm

@maip-macrothorax

Tbh I feel like if Laurens and White were edging around having a relationship, like they kept nearing to that point but never made anything official because they were both restrained by society's homophobic ideals of them, it could come into play later. White does soonly show up in the army because he fought at Germantown as we all know, so maybe he can run into Laurens and Hamilton prior to the battle. I'm not sure when you want to make Laurens and Hamilton confess their love for each other, but my best suggestion would be to wait until after Germantown. (I'll get to why in a moment) but we could make it that Hamilton is jealous that Laurens had such a close relationship with White but has been pushing away him in fear of being a homosexual, yet has no issues playing with White about it, but Laurens has to explain they were never actually a thing and it was just edging around that. This could help into Hamilton's realizations of his own feelings, realizing he cares about Laurens more than he likes to believe because no one would be this jealous of their friend flirting and playing around with another friend.

But anyways I believe Hamilton and Laurens should confess their love after Germantown, and give Laurens a sort of depression phase, like that he blames himself for White's death. This will help in the realization that this is war, and not the heroic fairy tales everyone hears as a kid. People risk their lives and lose so much for this world that they want, and I think it would really capture the audience as well to realize that all of these soldiers in the revolution weren't just men fighting and winning, but dying young and losing everything. And it would help in Laurens' arc that his belief of what war was, was a little childish. And that it isn't just battles and earning glory, but strategy, risking your own and other's lives, taking risks in general. So Laurens could have a mini depression at the loss of his friend, and this could open room for Hamilton to get closer to him because he is in need of a friend at his worst moment currently. Thus letting them get closer and more attached, driving their relationship forward.

As for the pride colors I think that's something we should consider in the setup, but I can't see it happening all the time. Maybe in romantic moments? Or moments when Laurens is letting loose and becomes more relaxed about being a homosexual, the color palette can show more. But that's just me.

[noro-noro-noro]

forgot to write this down earlier. so basically cats is bugs

in my dream i was at some kind of conference in a narrow building with like 10+ identical floors. the building was kind of capital I (with serifs) shaped, & the body of the I was just a walkway connecting one set of offices to the other side that was open all the way up from the 10th floor. the walkways took different paths across the big open space so they were kind of offset from each other. kind of a waste of space if you ask me. but it did look cool! also all the walls on the front of the building were windows, & the back half was mostly solid (still with window but not like a wall of windows). i was here with my dad, who was dressed in his work clothes. his shirt was pink or blue. it kept changing colors.

after our meeting, we went outside. there was some kind of little festival going on, & some people i knew were there. the event took place in the backyard area & inside on the first floor. there was a stray kitten, white with a black spot, & people were trying to catch it to take good care of it but it kept shrinking. i realized it was too scared & we had to leave it alone, but it had already turned into earwigs. we were supposed to catch the earwigs & combine them together until it turned into a kitten again, but i was tired & wanted to eat some of the free food & decided it wasn't my problem.

later i saw the kitten again when i was about to go home, & i picked it up & put it in my pocket. it was about 2 inches long. i wasn't really sure what to do with it - i'm allergic to cats, i've never had a pet before, & my house definitely isn't cat-proof. it'd knock all my paperweights off my shelf & destroy all my stuffed animals & probably get stuck inside a machine in my dad's workshop & die, so i decided to take it to my friend's house. my friend's house in the dream was a 2d stage set - picture of the house & a porch, some bushes in the middle, grass ground, & probably osme trees where the audience would be. the house was orange, & they had a pelican nesting in one of the bushes (this was related to a prior dream). i really didn't want tto adopt the cat & they had animals here so i thought i could just leave it with them, but they were hesitant too since they'd never seen a cat turn into bugs before. i took the kitten out of my pocket. it was difficult to hold on to. the pelican scared it & it turned into a centipede & scuttled into the mulch & i was like man i don't want to dig through the mulch for it to bite me

[davidmariottecomics]

Shelf Space/WonderCon

Hello! 

Great news: Apparently my lost blog is not so lost! I thought I deleted most of this, but the site did save it, but was just giving me trouble over the weekend. So, let's talk about that viral set of photos that was going around last week of the graphic novels bookcase vs. the manga bookcases at a Barnes & Noble. 

There are a lot of bad takes off of the original thread and in the retweets, but there are a few folks who went out of their way to try to contextualize what's actually happening on those shelves.  Here's a thread from Morgan Perry (currently over at Skybound, formerly at Boom and a former comics retailer) that provides a quick rundown of the state of manga and non-manga comics in the book market at large and specifically how that relates to Barnes & Noble. I really recommend giving it a quick read because I'll refer back to it. 

I don't want to just retread what she's talking about here, so first let's establish some basics, and then we'll talk about shelf space and how it is or isn't indicative of the heath of an industry and what lessons should be learned from manga in the book market. 

Manga is Just Another Word for Comics

Okay, starting with the most basic part of all this. Manga is quite literally another word for comics. Manga specifically refers to comics from Japan or in the style of comics from Japan, but that's it. It's almost like that rectangle/square thing: not all comics are manga, but all manga are comics. And just like it'd be kind of weird to pit rectangles against squares, it's weird to pit one type of comics against another--especially when the primary basis for that is country of origin. 

But neither you nor I are naive enough to think that there's not some separation between manga and non-manga comics. Generally speaking, most manga that would be in an American bookstore is black & white and printed in a smaller size and on cheaper paper than the books in that graphic novels section. Manga is also sometimes distributed in a magazine format and, yes, as a style of comic coming from a common point of origin, often does include thematic and stylistic similarities. None of that should be taken as a given for something to be a manga, nor should it be taken as a given that other comics don't sometimes also meet these characteristics. 

To the actual discussion at hand, probably the most noteworthy distinction you can make is that sometimes, manga is broken out onto a different sales chart. But, depending on what sales charts you're looking at, so are middle grade & young adult comics and, sometimes, so are "superhero" comics. 

Understanding the "Manga" Section, Part 1: Numbers

Standard is set, so let's talk about what's actually pictured and what we can actually get out of it. From the initial posting, one of the most common refrains was that given the shelf-space "graphic novels" had given how much manga had, manga has "won" and non-manga comics are "dying" and blah-blah-blah. Obviously, it's overstated and oversimplified. There are a lot of ways to measure the health of an industry and a single set of pictures isn't. 

One way you can look at it is of course sales. $$$. People care about money. And when you look at it that way, yes, you can see that manga is really succeeding right now. I'm looking at the ICV2 pulled overall comics sales from NPD Bookscan, and in an average month, if you're looking at overall top 20 comics, yes, the list is going to be *mostly* manga with one or two other comics on it. It's also true that in 2022, manga sales grew 9% which is part of their overall growth in the book market that we've seen for the past 3 years. What is also true is that adult graphic novels grew 4.6% and YA graphic novels grew 20% (and kids & middle grade graphic novels actually fell slightly--the only book market comics to have fallen in 2022). And, like manga, you can see that overall book market comic sales across categories have been growing over the past few years. 

I've defined it before (and now might be a good time for a refresher), but when we're talking about the "book market" we're talking about data that includes almost no comic shops. NPD Bookscan looks at data for bookstores--both chain and independent--and stores that carry many things including books, like Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Some stuff that Bookscan doesn't include? Well, besides comic shops, it doesn't factor in numbers for things like ebooks, libraries and schools, and Scholastic Book Fairs. So, even with these impressive numbers and growth, which should be regarded for what it is, there's a lot of data that just isn't included here. 

Let's check in with Publisher's Weekly, who in that article about comic sales growth took the time to ask direct comics market retailers about the performance of manga in their non-book-market stores. Interestingly, one retailer mentioned manga is a solid category in their store, and makes about 30% of their graphic novel sales. 

That speaks to how well manga is doing in the direct market, and how much it is growing there (though like the photos we're talking about, a single shop is extremely anecdotal and should not be the basis of a larger trend). If we take it at face value, though, we can expect that for this comic shop, the ratio's pretty much reversed from the book store. You can expect about 70% of graphic novels sales to be non-manga. And that's not even getting into single issues or trading cards or Funko Pops or whatever else it is that the store sells in a year. 

It's also interesting that a different retailer mentions that in the DM, the most valuable manga were the current hits, and having a larger variety meant having more shelf-warmers. Only the big names were moving.  

Now, because there are some bigger picture numbers we can look at, let's go back to ICV2. For their quarterly market share charts, in Q4 of 2022, the top manga publisher was still below the 6 top American comics publishers in terms of actual dollars. Comic shops are investing more money in non-manga publishers overall, presumably because they're seeing some return there. 

Understanding the "Manga" Section, Part 2: Buyers & Shelf Space

Getting back to Morgan's thread, she mentions that in 2019, after Barnes & Noble was acquired, the chain moved away from overall buyers to store-specific buyers to better match their local markets. I think another interesting set of photos are these ones from a B&N in Brooklyn. Similar to the first set of photos, they have a massive manga section and a smaller, but not non-existent selection of other comics/comic-related books. Steve Flack, who posted them, does something that is totally missing in the other set of photos though--he took pictures of the Kids/Middle Grade and Young Adult comics sections, which unlike manga and "adult" comics, are kept in their age-specific sections rather than with the general comics. 

I bring up the point of matching local markets because there are a BUNCH of comic shops in Brooklyn that may not be catering as highly to the manga crowd, but that have other kinds of comics on lock. Or, for a different example, I've had conversations with my co-workers about when we hit up the "comics" section at our local Targets. Again, it's kind of spread-out with Kids/MG/YA comics being mixed in with other kids books and a smaller selection of "adult" comics. Near me--and yes, I do live in a city with a lot of comic shops--mostly manga. For some of my coworkers? Almost no manga. It depends on your market. 

Looking specifically at the two pictures that started this whole thing, one of the things that really struck me was the comic selection. Obviously, it can be hard to really know what you're looking at on crowded shelves in a Twitter picture or whatever, but I know a lot of those books by sight. First of all, let me say, that section is arranged in a genuinely strange way. It is constantly alternating between being shelved by title and by publisher. Like, that first shelf is almost entirely by title, except the Boom Dune books are under B and that might be a Dark Horse section before the DC shelf, then it switches back to by title for most of the next shelf until it hits Marvel and then for some reason the Walking Dead is just there, and then it goes back to by title? Odd shelving. 

But, and this is the part that's actually meaningful, a lot of the books on those shelves actually meet the criteria that people were asking for in the comments and retweets when making a divide between comics and manga. A lot of these are single volume OGNs (Black Hole, Jerusalem, Jack Kirby, My Favorite Thing is Monsters, etc). A lot of these are complete runs (Watchmen, Infinity War, Sweet Tooth, From Hell, etc). A lot of clearly marked and large starts of runs (Walking Dead, Monstress, Paper Girls, Saga, etc). A selection of things that people might be more likely to buy at a Barnes & Noble rather than a comic shop and/or that are meant to be omnibus style entry points. Is it a limited selection, sure, they only have so much room and a lot of their physical space is being taken up by bigger, heavier, and more expensive books.

I know this is not the only/best way to consider these things, but those 3 Walking Dead Compendiums, when they sell, are kicking off as much cash as like 15 manga (BIG NOTE: That's a bit of a guesstimate because I don't actually know what sort of discount B&N is buying at and how much they're making, but that's my rough estimate). But, yeah, if we say that's about right, it's those 3 books and that Sweet Tooth compendium ultimately kicking off the same amount of money as all the Chainsaw Man they have taking up half a shelf? 

If they're selling through their manga faster than their other comics, absolutely, it makes more sense to take the space necessary to have a larger section because, sure, if they can sell all that CSM before those big compendium books, they need the room for it. And, to what we were talking about earlier, and what Morgan was talking about in her thread, the manga is largely being sold at a lower price than the other comics because of the smaller size and the paper stock and being B&W and, crucially, because it's cheaper to do a translation of foreign material than to make something new. They cost less for the store and if they're in a boom, like is happening now--see the previous numbers about manga's year-over-year rise--and are selling through faster, sure, why not make space for the thing you can do at high volume to make the same amount of money? 

The "Lessons" of Manga

A temptation that I very much understand from just looking at the pictures and seeing how big the manga section is compared to other comics is to say "well, why aren't you learning what makes manga so appealing?" I get it. And people all have their own thoughts on what makes manga appealing. A few folks have actually problematic hot takes like manga is good because it isn't woke or political or gay or whatever (which... is both incredibly frustrating and maybe one of the dumbest things I've ever heard). 

But once you've thrown those out, a lot of the common refrains come to general ideas about what American comics should be learning. 

Probably the biggest point of contention and most repeated refrain is the classic (that I've written about before and kinda revisited here) issue of jumping on points. If you don't want another detour, the short and sweet version is some people think that all the reboots and relaunches and Vol. 1s for similarly named series and 90 years of continuity have made American comics too confusing to read because you don't know "where to start".

Now, I'd contend that's also something manga can have a problem with (looking at you, Gundam, Evangelion, and Re:Zero) and that, of course, it's a very Big 2 (Marvel & DC) centric view. Again, I've covered this all before and don't to waste too much time getting into it, but to the points I've said before: 1. the reboots are direct responses to these pleas in trying to simplify things (and then dealing with backlash of people who don't like the simplicity/the natural problems of shared universes) 2. it's actually a good thing if different people have different recommendations--that's actually no different than like any other book and might actually help you find the thing you are actually interested in. 3. you don't have to read superhero comics to get into American/non-manga comics. There is so much variety and so many cool people who are there to guide you. 

There are other, more specific concerns which vary in their validity--from the people saying there aren't enough new characters to become easily attached to, which leaves me kinda scratching my head; to the people saying it's easier to follow the story across mediums, which... has its benefits and downfalls--I certainly like watching faithful adaptations sometimes, but I also really like seeing how the fundamentals of storytelling work in different formats; to the people saying manga generally have a single creator across the series life which makes things more straightforward. That last one is particularly interesting given how bad burnout is for many mangaka and how often assistants and other contributors are overlooked and missing the difference in the corporate nature of something like a Big 2 comic (or licensed title, which it's a good time to remember, Big 2 comics often practically are) to an original title, but if you aren't as well versed in this stuff, I totally get why it'd look that way. 

But let's say these are all right and our takeaways are that we'd like comics that are closer to manga format--be that size or use of B&W or limited color or release schedule or style or whatever--where there are clear jumping on points that have a strong creator-identity across the whole run and that feature new or easily-digestible versions of existing characters and that may match any other media interpretations of the works and... this is what's happening in the middle-grade and YA markets. Not exclusively, you can definitely find some of these things in the "adult" comic and graphic novel market, but a lot of what I'm describing is already in that bookstore--it's just in the comics for young people. And you know where the other comics like that are happening? Here. Online. Webtoon and Tapas and whatever. And, going back to those February 2022 sales charts--when you look at the "Author" chart as opposed to superhero or manga--that's over half webcomics to print. Like, you know the best way to get into whatever DC character now? Either their Webtoons or the comics formerly known as DC Ink/DC Zoom! Or if you like manga for slice-of-life stories, good news, that's online and in those markets too and is growing in the adult print market! 

I'm not going to say there aren't things that we can learn from manga. Of course! Manga excites a lot of current creators and--while it might not always be obvious--excites a lot of folks working at comic companies. What I am saying is that those lessons are in progress and we don't always see the results if we don't know what we're looking for. But what's been good for manga has been good for comics overall and the two should be looked at as two parts of a whole rather than at odds in your local bookstore. 

Stray Thoughts That Didn't Quite Fit

A few other points I don't want to leave unsaid but wasn't quite making into what we've talked about so far. 

1. Not that I think many people are clamoring for this, but it isn't like the Big 2 (and various other publishers) haven't tried their hand at original American manga and/or "manga-ified" versions of their characters, often to controversy or a lack of success. Again, this isn't to say there hasn't been good influence of manga on American and international comics and comic artists, just that purely taking the characters and putting them in "manga" often doesn't work. 

2. It's hard to enter manga publishing. Almost conversely to my earlier point about how foreign licensing can be cheap, it is hard for a publisher that isn't doing manga to enter the marketplace because it is a large investment in a new category and one that has some very dominant players. 

3. Finances and shelf-space really shouldn't be the only way of measuring the health of an industry (and, just to have it said... I think posting about a company's stock prices to an employee just trying to say that the medium is in a good place is a real weird move, as is accusing him of gaslighting about how well comics are doing). It should also be about people in the companies and freelancers making living wages and having good lives and being happy with their work and about readers being happy and enriched by the work and whatever. But that's unfortunately a bigger, different conversation than the one posed here. 

I'm sure I could say more, but if you're still reading, you probably want to get to the good stuff, right? 

What I enjoyed this week: Blank Check (Podcast), Honkai Impact (Video game), Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (Anime), The Circle (Trash TV), Wall of Chefs/Wall of Bakers (TV shows), Who Wants to Marry a Billionaire, Vol. 3 (18+ Manga), putting the finishing touches on Becca's revised website (more below), sleep. Sweet sweet sleep. 

New Releases this week (3/22/2023): Godzilla: Best of King Ghidorah (Editor)

Announcements:

WonderCon 2023! I'll be at WonderCon. This weekend! In just a couple of days! I won't be updating my blog because I'll be there! Right now, my schedule is still pretty open, so if you'll be around and want to meet up, please drop me a line. I will not be at any particular booth, so the earlier we can figure things out, the better!

The new popculturepunk.com is here! New galleries! New commission info (and Becca's open for comms)! A major new shop update including lots of leftovers from AZCAF and WaifuExpo! Digital comics! And more! Also, Becca's streaming Wednesday (3/22) at 7 p.m. PST on Twitch if you wanna come hang out! 

Pic of the Week: I dunno. This is a nice picture of me and Tian holding hands.