#I desperately want her to think I'm Cool and a Good Educator

[blackbearmagic]

a coworker who I very much admire and respect, and who I am very much a little bit very afraid of, watched me do a tour today

I did not do well.

I did my best! But there was so much room for improvement.

At the end of it, my coworker said she had some feedback for me, "but only if you want it, I know that some people feel a certain kind of way about getting feedback from people who aren't their managers, and you and I are equals here", and when I told her I would love to hear it, she led me off to a private part of the museum and spent a solid half-hour talking with me about how I could have improved

She had written notes. Like, her copy of the day's schedule was covered, front and back, in notes. Which she happily gave me when I asked if I could have it.

I forgot about this part of working in education. The part where we all want each other to succeed, because we have a mission together, and the more we build each other up, the more able we are to put that mission forward.

[roosterforme]

Adult Education Part 12 | Hangman x OC

Summary: Jessica enjoys showing off her closet almost as much as Jake enjoys unwrapping his gift. When the two of them head to the fundraiser she's spent weeks planning, Jake recognizes the strong feelings he has for her. And there's no way he'd let anyone take this night away from her.

Warnings: Fluff, smut, oral f receiving, angst, swearing, frat boys, 18+

Length: 4400 words

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Female OC

This story is part of the Beer Boy and Sugar universe but can be read on its own! Adult Education masterlist

Seriously, who let Jake on my masterlist!? Banner by @mak-32

Jake was trying to play it cool on Friday night as he knocked on Jessica's door. "I'm coming!" she called from inside as he shifted the baking dish around in his hand along with his garment bag. He had everything he would need for the weekend, including his suit for her fundraiser. 

When she opened the door for him, she looked breathless and flushed. "Hi," she whispered, and then Jake had her in his arms, too. 

"I missed you," he replied. "But I need you to take this lasagna before I drop it."

"Oh! You brought dinner?" she asked, looking astonished as she took the foil covered dish from his arms. "You didn't have to do that."

"I like feeding you," he told her with a wink as he walked inside and closed her apartment door behind him. And then he really took a look at her. She was wearing a deep purple jewel toned robe and seemingly nothing else. It was short and silky and barely covered her backside as she ran into her tiny, mostly unused kitchen and peeked inside the foil. 

"It looks so good," she moaned. 

Jake draped his garment jacket over the back of the couch and tossed his overnight bag with it as he headed for the kitchen as well. "Preheat the oven and we can eat it in about an hour."

She did, and then she spun to face him as she adjusted her glasses. Her nipples were peaks against the silk fabric, and Jake desperately wanted to untie it and see if she was wearing panties. Jessica was his girlfriend, and technically she had invited him over to look at and enjoy her lingerie collection with him, but he didn't want to make it seem like that was the only reason he was here. Because it wasn't. 

He leaned in and kissed her. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow night."

"Me too," she replied, leaning away from him a bit as she reached for the sash holding her robe closed. "But I'm looking forward to tonight just as much. And I have a great idea of how we can entertain ourselves while dinner cooks."

Jake watched her fingers work the knot until the fabric drifted open to reveal her delicate skin from the valley between her breasts all the way down to her pussy. "I love the way you think," he murmured, running his knuckles along her belly button. "You're so damn smart, Baby." He trailed his hand slowly up her body until he was cupping her chin while she shivered. 

"You stay here while I go change?" Her eyes were wide and focused on his as  he stroked her neck.

"Mmhmm. I'll put the food in the oven and set the timer. Be there in a minute."

Jessica bounced off toward her bedroom with her robe flying behind her while Jake had to unzip his jeans for a little relief. He had to fight the urge to touch himself as he waited for the oven to preheat. How the hell was this happening to him? He counted his blessings as he put the lasagna in to cook and followed Jessica at a slower pace. Her bedroom was softly lit and smelled as sweet as she always did. When he found her, she was standing in her small walk-in closet with her back to him.

"Reedy," he crooned. She was wearing more of those black stockings he liked so much. The tops of them just barely dug into her soft thighs, and she had on her black high heels. This time she paired them with a black garter belt and thong, and when she tossed her hair across her upper back, he saw her black bra straps, too. 

She peeked at him over her shoulder and whispered, "Wanna unwrap your present?"

He was already sweating. Jake tugged his own tee shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor as he stepped up right behind her. "I think I'd like to enjoy the way it looks first."

Soft laughter filled the small space as Jake's hands found her shoulders and then trailed them down her arms. She shivered when he pressed the front of his jeans to her ass, letting her feel the rough fabric on her perfect skin. "Jake," she whispered, rubbing back against him as he brought his hands around to the front of her waist to her soft belly. 

When he kissed the side of her neck, she arched her back, and those pretty breasts were jutting out covered in black lace. "I like this look on you," he whispered, bringing his left hand up to squeeze her tits. "It's a little filthy. Where's my sweet Jessica?" 

She whined as his right hand dipped into the front of her thong and went right for her clit. "I'm still sweet," she mumbled, already sounding out of breath as he sucked on the side of her neck. 

"You sure are," he mused, pushing two fingers through her folds and inside her as she bucked. He licked her neck and whispered, "Let me taste your pussy?"

Jake was rock hard in his jeans as she rubbed on him and moaned, "Anything you want."

He smirked and sucked on her neck hard enough to leave a mark. Then he withdrew his fingers and pulled his hand free from the black lace. He spun her around to watch him lick his fingers clean of her slick, and she already looked a little dazed. "If you offer up everything, I can't promise I won't take it."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and chased his lips, and Jake let her taste herself there. He palmed her ass and scooped her up, and she gasped and giggled when he dropped her onto her back on the bed. "What are you gonna do?" she asked, adjusting her glasses with a little grin as she looked up at him. 

"Well first of all, I'm gonna take that little grin off your face," he whispered, reaching for her ankles and pulling her to the edge of the bed as she squealed. "Then I'm gonna make you come." He kissed the inside of her left calf before gently guiding both legs over his shoulders. The silky stockings felt nice on his bare skin as he bent and kissed along her belly. Her fingers were in his hair as he reached beneath her and unclasped her bra. She helped him toss it away as he licked and nuzzled the undersides of her breasts. "Jesus," he moaned, pushing her thighs back with his shoulders to get better access to her tits. 

Jessica whimpered as he rubbed at her wet pussy through the thong while he sucked on her nipples. She was lying here, prepared to let him do what he wanted, but the only thing he needed was to prove he was good enough for her. Jake took his time, licking and sucking and worshipping her breasts until she was begging him for more. He took her hands in his and guided them from his hair and wrapped them around the backs of her own thighs. 

"You keep yourself open nice and wide for me," he grunted, kneeling on the floor and kissing her inner thigh. She smelled sweet and ready for him; she'd already soaked through her lingerie. 

"Okay," she whispered, watching him with parted lips as he tugged her thong to one side and buried his nose in her pussy. He kissed her opening as her high heels dug into his back a little bit, and she bucked up toward his face. 

"Shh," he coaxed, holding her hips still as she whined his name. "I'm right here." That just seemed to make her go crazier, because he had to pin her down to the bed to enjoy her the way he wanted to: leisurely and thoroughly. 

"Fuck," she gasped, spreading her own legs wider as Jake wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked softly at first and then harder. The little bud was as smooth as a pearl against his tongue and oh so sensitive. "Jake," she whispered as he lapped her up before kissing the little patch of her trimmed hair. 

"You want me to stop?" he teased, and she tried to buck up for more.

"No!" she whined.

He kissed her clit. "Then spread 'em wider for me, Baby," he crooned, licking her up and down when she obeyed him. He ate her out like she deserved, coating his chin and lips with her slick and his saliva, licking and sucking until she was shaking. Then he just sucked a steady rhythm on her clit until her gasps and cries grew louder and louder. The gentle roll of her hips fighting him for more pressure let him know she was close. 

Then he felt and tasted the little gush against his tongue as she dripped down his chin. Her legs fell limp as he looked up at her perfect body where her breasts shook alluringly with each little aftershock while she chewed on her fingers. 

"Damn," he grunted, easing her legs down gently. He could hear the kitchen timer going off as she looked up at him. When he eased his body down on top of hers, he cock twitched, but he convinced himself he could wait to get himself wet. "You're gorgeous," he whispered, and she brought her fingers back to his hair as he kissed her cheeks and then her parted lips. "Let me get your robe, and you just take your time coming to the kitchen for dinner."

"You don't need to fuck me?" she asked softly. 

Jake chuckled. "Not as badly as I need to feed you dinner so you have energy for later."

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

Jessica was sitting at her table in her lingerie with her robe wrapped around her, a clip holding her messy hair on top of her head. Jake was bustling around the kitchen in just his unzipped jeans wearing her oven mitts and humming along to a song that must have been stuck in his head. She groaned and cradled her face in her hands. He was so sexy and so damn sweet. How was she supposed to have stopped herself from falling for him?

"Baby, you want me to open this bottle of wine?" he asked, holding up the merlot that was on the counter. 

"Sure," she replied, watching his biceps work the wine opener. Then he brought her a plate of piping hot, homemade lasagna and a glass of her favorite wine. Before he could turn back to the kitchen to grab the rest, she reached for his hand. "Thank you."

Jake chuckled. "I should be thanking you," he muttered, kissing her forehead before he went to get his own food. 

She didn't realize how hungry she was until she took a bite. "It's so good," she whispered before she worked on cleaning her plate. Jessica mostly subsisted off of cereal, sandwiches, and lean cuisines unless he cooked something for her, and this was so delicious, she could have cried. She ate a second serving with no remorse. 

"I was going to change into something else," she whispered as she finished her glass of wine. "I'll let you choose something this time. But it's your fault and your lasagna's fault if I look bloated now."

Jake pushed his chair back, sitting there looking like a model from Men's Health magazine. When he patted his thigh, she straddled his lap and took a seat. Once again he untied the sash of her robe and stroked her from the top of her chest, down between her bare breasts, to the top of her garter belt. "Still looks perfect to me," he mumbled, pushing her robe open further and playing with her nipple. "You said I get to choose this time?" he asked, smirking up at her as he cupped her breast and leaned in to kiss the bruised spot on her neck. 

"Mmhmm," she hummed, leaning into his touch. "Pick a color and I'll get changed so you can fuck me."

Jake grunted. "Navy blue."

She smiled and kissed him before heading back to her closet with just the perfect thing in mind. As she slipped into a lacy, crotchless teddy in a rich, dark blue, she could hear Jake cleaning up in the kitchen. She selected a pair of red heels and let her hair out of the clip. She felt really sexy in this one, and when Jake walked into the bedroom, she was already bent over the bed, resting on her elbows, on display for him. 

"That's a beautiful sight," he murmured, his voice deep with need. Jessica could feel her nipples furl at his words alone. "Is this for me?" he asked, patting her bare pussy from behind. 

"Yes," she moaned as he slid his hand up to her butt. 

"How about this?"

"Yes," she repeated, feeling like she must be wet enough to drip on the floor. 

Without another word, she felt his knee wedge between her thighs, and he knocked her feet further apart with his own. "Jake," she whispered, legs spread wide as he squeezed her thighs, and then she felt his mouth on her again. "Oh."

He licked her pussy until she was practically seeing stars. When her legs shook, Jake helped her kneel on the edge of the bed, and then he ate her some more. His hands were a little rougher this time on her thighs, but it felt so good. And he was a quick study, because he had her coming again on his tongue.

She braced her hands on her light blue bedding, ready for him to start thrusting; he had more than earned it. But instead, Jake helped her roll over onto her back as she caught her breath, and then he plopped down next to her and took her hand. 

"You wanna change one more time?" he asked, stroking his fingers through her messy hair. "This time I'll unwrap my present before having my way with it."

She closed her eyes and basked in his words before she started to stand. "I have just the thing."

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

Jake eased his jeans down his legs, his lips still wet with Jessica. He'd be lying right now if he said he didn't desperately need to cum. He stroked himself slowly as she opened and closed some drawers in her closet, and his hand was still wrapped around his cock when she returned. 

Somehow she'd gone from the naughty, strappy lingerie to this cream colored set, but he was just as turned on for this more innocent look. A cupless bra that tied into a soft, satin bow over her breasts and some high waisted underwear. "Come here, Smart Girl," he growled, and she seemed to know just what he wanted as she crawled on top of him. "I like this." 

He adjusted her glasses and kissed her lips as he ran his big hand along her panties. Everything was so soft. Like he'd never had before. Even her voice as she whispered, "Go ahead and unwrap me," sounded sweet to his ears. So he slid her underwear down to her bare feet, and she kicked them aside. Then without warning, she wrapped her hand around his cock and sank down on him. She swirled her hips slowly as he untied the satin bow slowly until her tits popped free. 

Jake brought his lips up to her chest as she braced her hands on his shoulders. She made soft, needy little noises as she bumped along with her tits in his face. "You're the perfect present," he whispered. "Can't get enough." 

When he rolled her onto her back and thrust into her until he came, he kissed her flushed cheeks and her lips as she moaned. Then he got to enjoy the sight of his cum leaking out of her hole and down her ass before he accompanied her to the shower. 

She was soft and drowsy in his arms, resting her cheek against his chest as he told her how she was always so sweet for him. How she was everything he wanted. He knew he was falling in love with his Smart Girl who kept him on his toes.

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

Jessica slept so well snuggled up tight with Jake, her fingers in his chest hair. Apparently she was more worn out than she thought, because it was after ten on Saturday morning when she opened her eyes. And as soon as she did, he wrapped his arms around her tighter. "Morning," he whispered. "You ready for your fancy fundraiser?"

She groaned. On paper, yes, she was ready. Mentally? Hardly. "Can we just stay in bed all day instead?" she asked softly as Jake kissed her shoulder.  

"No," he replied. "I want to see you in action. Work up an appetite for tonight."

She chuckled. "Well I'm putting you, Bradley and Dev to work all evening."

"Dev is coming?" Jake asked abruptly, his hand pausing on her body.

"Yeah. I invited him when he donated the beer. I've been emailing him to coordinate since he sent me things for the silent auction."

"He has a thing for you," Jake said bluntly. Jessica shimmied around until she was facing him. "Bradshaw told me like a hundred times with a smug look on his face."

She felt her cheeks grow warm. "But I have a thing for you. You're my boyfriend."

Jake kissed her softly and asked, "Did you give him your phone number inside one of the journals from your personal collection?"

"No!" she replied, scandalized. "You're the only one I could ever want to tease like that. Although I was honestly a little afraid I took it too far and you had given up on me." She buried her face against his neck since she didn't have her glasses on.

"Baby, I was so hooked after the first night at Chippy's, I'd still be begging you for your number now. I mean, Jessica... I bought a new truck for you."

"Oh my god," she moaned, certain her face was bright red. Butterflies erupted in her tummy as she thought about it. "Jake. Stop."

"I don't want to."

The morning gave way to lunchtime as they made love. She knew it would take her a while to get ready for the event, but she just couldn't rush something that felt so good. "I love this," Jake whispered against her ear while he had her hands pinned on the pillow above her head. Goosebumps covered her arms and legs. All the fine hairs on her body were tingling at the sensation of him rocking into her while he whispered, "Love it."

Then he made her brunch while she took a quick shower and cleaned up the mess he made with his cum. She ate eggs and toast with a huge mug of coffee while he headed off to shower, leaving her with the words, "I could get used to Saturdays like this."

She could, too. Jake was the best combination of everything. Sure, he could cook and he was hot and good in bed, but she liked having him around. She thought about him all day when she was at work. And he seemed to know how often she needed to have her own space. He bought a truck to make sure he wasn't late meeting her again. She groaned softly, already feeling needy for him again. How the hell was that possible? She was actually quite sore at the moment. 

With a soft smile, she put her plate in the dishwasher and headed to her closet. She was pulling on the tiny emerald green underwear when Jake strolled in completely naked. "Hey," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She melted against him, his skin still warm and damp from the shower. "What color are you wearing so I know which tie to put on?"

She pointed to the long, green dress hanging up. "This one."

"Pretty," he mumbled against her temple. "Then I'll wear my black tie instead of red or gold."

Once he was gone again, she shivered as she fixed her hair and makeup in her underwear. Jake was completely dressed and shaved with his hair styled by the time she was ready. He helped her into her dress and zipped up the back. It was tasteful with a flowing skirt, but there was a long slit going up her left leg. The top fit snugly over her breasts, and the thin straps accentuated her collarbones and shoulders. 

When she put her glasses back on, Jake said, "You're a knockout, Reedy. You ready to go to this thing?"

She slipped her heels on, gathered up her bag filled with notebooks and folders and then laced her fingers with his. "Let's go."

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

Jake could tell she was nervous. His main goal for the evening was to help make everything as easy as possible for her, but she was quiet in his truck on the drive over. He wasn't sure what he could do for her right now. When she reached for his hand, she held onto him while she anxiously checked her phone. Jake was pretty sure they had plenty of time to get everything done, and he would take care of whatever she needed.

"Okay, so Bradley is loading the chilled kegs into his Bronco right now according to his wife, and then they are heading over to campus. The ice buckets should be ready. The frat boys reassured me they did everything on the checklist, including moving the furniture outside. The string quartet should arrive at 5:30. Dev should arrive around then, too. You and Bradley can set up the tables for beer pong. The culinary students should be in the kitchen within the next hour. Oh my god, did I miss anything?"

"Baby, I think you have it all under control," Jake said in as calming a voice as he could manage. 

But she went silent and stared out the window. Several minutes passed before she quietly said, "I need this to be perfect if I ever stand a chance at tenure under Brian."

Jake let his fingers tighten around her small hand. He didn't even like hearing her say his name. "Will he be there?" Jake asked, his voice sounding a little rough. 

She kind of shrugged as he turned down the block near the frat houses. "I wouldn't be surprised if he stops by. But I sold so many tickets, I don't see what he could complain about," she replied, her voice sounding a little more confident. 

"Right," Jake said, parking behind the Bronco where Bradshaw and his wife were making out on the sidewalk. "Just stay with me, okay? And if you need anything, I'll help you take care of it."

"Okay," she whispered with a smile. And Jake knew he'd punch Brian Conley directly in his face before he let him upset his girlfriend tonight. 

Bradshaw and his wife managed to separate long enough for Bradley to help Jessica down from the truck. Jake just shook his head at the other man sporting a black suit without a tie paired with a University of Chicago cap perched backwards on his head. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone.

"You have a little something right there," Jessica told him, pointing to his lips and cheek where his wife's red lipstick was smudged. 

"Yeah," he replied with a nod and a smirk and then did absolutely nothing to clean himself up. 

His wife was wearing a form fitting black dress reminiscent of the one she wore on New Year's Eve when Jake got severely drunk and called her Dr. Tits. But this dress wasn't low cut, and it had a pretty sheer fabric covering her up to her neck and down her arms to her wrists. 

"Hi, Jake," she said, almost like she knew what he was thinking about. "Are you going to behave tonight?"

He nodded at Jessica and said, "I've turned over a new leaf." That made the other woman smile. 

"Listen," Bradley said, adjusting his cap before he wrapped his arm around his wife. "I helped the guys put the kegs in the tubs of ice. But I gotta ask, is this like some sort of nerd frat or something?" he asked Jessica, jerking his thumb at the Kappa Pi house behind him. "They called me sir, and there are absolutely no half naked girls hanging out inside."

Both women laughed at the look of concern on his face. "I told them no personal guests. Only those with purchased tickets will be admitted. In fact, I'm going to have one of them stationed at the door scanning the tickets on everyone's phones."

"I still think it's a nerd frat," he muttered as Jessica took Jake by the hand and led him up to the front door with the other two in tow. "And I don't know how I feel about that."

Once they were inside, Jake looked around the entryway with appreciation. Victorian style wallpaper, crown molding and glossy hardwood floors. The wide stairs had a carpet runner, and it actually smelled nice. "Is this what your fraternity house was like, Bradshaw?"

"No." The other man nearly doubled over in laughter as he shook his head. "Not even close, Hangman. We would have destroyed all this shit within a week."

"I can vouch for that," his wife added as she patted him on the back.

Jessica turned and looked at him. "Were you in a fraternity, Jake?"

"No," he replied. "But I'm pleasantly surprised by this house. Might have pledged if something like this existed on my campus."

And then suddenly the four of them were no longer alone. A dozen or so guys in tuxedos made their way into the room at the same time the string quartet entered the house. People with chafing dishes came parading through, and Jessica pointed Jake toward five ping pong tables folded up against the wall. 

"Don't worry," Bradley said with a knowing smile. "We'll show you how it's done. It'll be just like New Year's Eve."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Jake replied as Jessica blew him a kiss before she got pulled into the kitchen. "Let the fundraiser commence," he mumbled.

"No," Bradley replied, cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders. "Let the fratraiser commence."

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

Welcome to the fratraiser. What could go wrong? Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 13

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[dr-spectre]

Hello everyone, I got some announcements to share and some plans for the future of this blog now that the Grand Fest is over and the news drought begins.

(LONG POST AHEAD!!!!)

I think going forward I'm gonna change how I approach myself acting online and be less "OH MY GOD HOLY SHITENWIOEDISIWIEOE GUYYS!!!"

Because to be honest with you all... I've been feeling very self conscious about the way that I've been acting online and I feel like I gotta channel my passion for Splatoon in a much more healthy and less EXTREMEEEEE way.

I am aware that um.... people have blocked me... and you know, that's to be expected of course when you are online and you're slowly building a following. Still really stings, though, and I think it's due to the fact that sometimes I can be sorta- "This is what happened, and if you disagree with me, you're an idiot and you're wrong!!!!!" When I make posts. And I don't wanna do that, and I don't want to come off as a gatekeeping fan that thinks lower of other people who might not know my stances very well. I wanna educate people and present my stuff as more of "Hey guys, this is what I think actually happened in this event. Feel free to take a look! I think this is really cool and I wonder what you guys think of this perspective that i have?"

And sometimes I can be pretty loud mouthed and stuff and I have talked shit towards certain characters. I remember one time I made a post where I said "what the fuck is wrong with Marie?" And said some stuff... I probably rubbed a lot of people the wrong way with that post... and other posts. I'm so sorry if I have made some of you upset in the past or have said some awful things about your favourite characters in the series...

As you guys probably know, I am passionate about Hypno Callie and I have very strong stances and opinions on her. And that leads to me get a bit... out of control. Callie is my biggest comfort character and to see certain people try and push this vile and disgusting event that happened to her... that she was kidnapped by Octavio and the Octarians when she was alone, and that he brainwashed her and forcibly put the shades on her, or he tricked her and he removed her memories too...

and I try to see the same event in a completely different lens... I see it as more of Octavio manipulating her in a more subtle way and due to Callie's poor mental state and desperation, she heard him out. Octavio used the shades as a way to control her more easily but he doesnt have full direct control over her because her influence helped motivate the Octarians. Octavio still wanted Callie to be... well... Callie. Plus, Callie was more than willing to help the Octarians as well, as she thinks they are cute. I do have evidence to back it up as well as articles and definitions explaining how hypnosis actually works and its limitations.

But this perspective gets compromised and put into question in my head when people keep pushing and pushing and PUSHING the other thing. Then it feels like I have to yell and get mad.... I've seen it as recently as when Blushing Tide came out and I looked at the YouTube comment section on one of the uploads and I just kept seeing people say "oh it's like Tidal Rush but without the brainwashing" or some shit like that idk. I dont remember it well but i know I saw the word floating around. (Don't look at YouTube comment sections. You won't get anything of value from them.)

Anyways, I also wanna cut back on swearing too because sometimes I border on being a hazbin hotel character and I DO NOT want myself to get to that level LMAO!

So what shall I be doing now that Splatoon 3 is officially wrapped up? Well... I wanna do more creative projects and fun stuff like that. I got good reception from my haikus for the Grand Fest and I think doing more stuff like that sounds really really fun!!! And it might actually give me a reason to finish stuff as well lol...

Like I have a God damn Splatoon 2 hero mode finale rewrite that's nearly done and it's been sitting on my Google docs since JULY!!!! I have also made plans to do a fan sequel to the Squid Sisters Stories that takes place in between Splatoon 2 and 3 because that time frame for the Squid Sisters has been barely touched upon. I'm also doing a personal project where it's basically what I want to see out of a Splatoon 4 and I've been really enjoying making that. I dont know if I would ever share it but... it's something to do for me at least.

I also wanna involve myself in the community more, I received an ask where someone said (I forgot who asked I'm so sorry) if I could do a thing where I receive Splatoon OCs and critique them. That sounds really fun!!!

Maybe i can do photo mode competitions or showcases!!! Where I choose a theme (Callie, water, Splatsville, etc) and people submit their photos and I critique them and showcase them to everyone!!! Does that sound like something people would be interested in?! I would love to know as virtual photography is a hobby I love to partake in and I wanna encourage more people to try it!

There is also other stuff i can do like going over the Idols outfits and rating them, but I don't have the motivation to do that at the moment and I know it's not gonna be as in-depth as the one I did for Callie.

Anyhow, that's basically what I have so far. I think im gonna slow down on posting and I'm gonna chill out. Or at least I'll try to chill out.

I've just been feeling incredibly guilty and kinda... sad that I've been acting in a certain way for a while. And I really wanna change that. I dont like making people upset and I don't wanna be the kind of Splatoon fan that puts down others who don't even know any better and don't know who I am....

But enough being sad, I wanna focus on the present and make sure that my future on here is bright!!!

[silviakundera]

Does it feel like they're trying to redeem the dickless bore? idk if he's doing a con on her or they're showing he has real feelings for her wasn't the novel different?

One thing I'm really noticing in the Princess Royal (Grand Princess) adaption is that they will 'play it straight' with characters like Su Rongqing and the Emperor: giving the character similar dialogue and facial expressions as they would have in the novel -- except without PWX or LR's internal dialogue of 🙄 why u lying???

🙄 lol ok sure

😒 oh i see, back on your bullshit again

😤 the AUDACITY

😬 oh shit oh shit danger BE COOL

The consequence is that if you take everything at face value, the Emperor seems like a reasonable guy and not up for The Absolute Worst Dad award. Under the surface, the novel reader knows he is acting out a play and coldly calculating every interaction with Li Rong, the Crown Prince, and Consort Ruo. Every single scene with him, Li Rong is in peril and she knows it. She's pretending to be his sweet, obedient 19 year old daughter who believes in him and is following Pei Wenxuan's direction and acting as a puppet, making moves that he has already approved PWX to make. The Emperor's pretending that this play isn't supposed to end with LR and the Crown Prince taken down & the power transferred into Consort Ruo and the other prince's hands.

The viewer can just interpret all the words coming out of a character's mouth as facts & just believe everything they claim about their motives/real agenda as true. Or they recall the implied horrorshow of Life 1 and view all of these interactions with a cynical eye, questioning what else could be under the surface.

With SRQ, that guy is so fucking complicated. I think actually he's portrayed in character. Nothing we have seen isn't .... him. At least so far, as of ep 19 he aligns with the novel.

But 3 different factors: A) The music is romantizing him; B) The audience is given a couple internal-thought voice overs from him, which other antagonists don't get; C) With those voice-overs, the screenwriter has chosen to affirm his love for his brother and LR way earlier than the reader has it confirmed in the novel (where he is intentionally kept a total mystery for far longer, while the reader is the math lady meme, trying to piece together clues to figure him out).

And ultimately, when in SRQ's PoV in the drama, we have to deal with him being the hero of his own story. He is absolutely sincere about himself and, as has been revealed, in his own way he's sincere about wanting LR and his brother to have a good life this time around.

So does that mean the writer intends to do a swerve in the narrative arc and redeem him in the end? It's totally possible. Maybe?

However, not necessarily.

#1 There is a certain refrain from many of the great cnovel/drama villians: I had no choice! You all forced me to this!

We saw it from Shen Yurong in The Double, we saw it from Meng Yao/JGY in The Untamed, and in the novel (and I presume in the drama), we're gonna see it from Su Rongqing.

And it's the reason why they become villians who can't be saved. Because so many people suffer in life or experience unfairness. But they don't turn around and use this as an excuse to enact horrible cruelties on others.

Out of the billions of people in the world, few have no problems but so many of them actively chose to do good, or are willing at least to turn back and be better.

#2 imo the reason LR has historically been bad at reading people's hearts but has an exquisite read of SRQ, his flaws & darkness, is THAT'S HER FUCKING MOM. And I do think ep 16-18 put that out there in the text, if you're looking for it. He and the empress are the same sophisticated aristocrat who is clever & educated but with a narrow perspective limited by their privilege and desperate need to maintain the status quo. So sorry bro, but no wonder she might have settled for marrying you in the first life if you wanted to, but she was never gonna fall in love with you 💀.

PWX can see that SRQ loves her and he thinks that matters, so it scares him. LR has tender nostalgia for her empress mother and her former companion but she's all too aware that their love for her will not necessarily get in the way of stepping on her to protect the social structure of a powerful aristocracy class operating at a higher level above the peasants and restraining the throne. To them, this is safety and stability that guards the realm.

(ofc both those characters are complex and when it comes to LR's life & death we can't be confident on what they will always choose. that's part of what made all the palace drama aspects of the novel incredibly suspenseful. So many of the suppporting characters are layered and tho everything they do makes sense when it happens, you can't often predict people's hard choices when their back is up against the wall)

Story of Kunning Palace and The Grand Princess say that caring about people and trying your best to understand them, wanting what's best for them by listening to what's best for them, can make a huge difference. But not everyone is willing to change.

[eemamminy-art]

not obligated to answer this but if you have anymore thoughts about alex sdv (or stardew valley at all) please share. i am obsessed with alex

Oh hell yeah anon you've activated my current hyperfixation 😁 I have a google doc where I'm dropping my headcanons and a bulleted timeline for a Alex/m!farmer longfic I've been writing in my head that's up to about 13 pages now ahaha so here's a few things!!

When he first moved to Pelican Town he was actually really quiet and reserved because he was still grieving heavily, so he never really got close to the other kids. He talks about how he played gridball with his mom so I think once he got the chance to play that in school (in another town no doubt) I think he came out of his shell then and made some friends, but all those friends lived far enough away that after graduating high school he's been pretty lonely and never could connect with the other people his own age in town.

He never goes into the saloon to my knowledge prior to the 10-heart event dinner scene, so I headcanon that it's because he doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't want the temptation to try it. I don't remember if it's said explicitly but I got the impression his dad's abuse stemmed from being drunk so I imagine Alex refuses to touch the stuff out of both principle and fear of becoming like his father one day.

I said it in another post but I headcanon him as gay and suffering comphet. He's built himself up as this cool popular guy, so he tries to emulate the sexist straight guys he's seen in movies but there's absolutely nothing behind it. He says something rude to a girl and then is like uhhh (shit what now) bye! 😅 I want to think that in getting to know the farmer he not only does away with that facade but also gets more comfortable in his sexuality!!

and on a sidenote to the above: I hc most of the town as gay or bi and I am toying with the idea of Abby being transfem! Sam/Seb is a given, and maaaybe they're in a poly relationship with Abby but I'm still undecided!! I like Maru/Penny as a concept but need to marinate on that a bit more, I see them always sitting together and it makes me happy but I need to think more on how they met and what their relationship would be like. I don't have anything solid yet in terms of other characters' gender or sexuality headcanons exactly, other than Caroline and Jodi being bi and desperately yearning to run away together 🥰

But back to Alex!! With how his storyline goes of trying to impress others with his jock persona, then trying to switch gears and be super booksmart, I headcanon that he gets close to the farmer via the farmer tutoring him so he can take a community college placement test. :3 My thought for why he's in the rut he's in is that he wanted to play college gridball but his grades in high school were so bad he has done nothing with himself since graduation and has just been stagnating and becoming more and more bitter (which only amps up his shitty attitude when the player first meets him). So trying to get educated is doubly good for him because he can work toward his sports dream (in a way) and try to impress the farmer. Though of course, the thing that brings them closer is Alex learning to be true to himself 😊

This is getting long, so last thing: he's actually a really well-rounded homemaker but does not even think about it really. George has been disabled for a long time, so all of the handy work around the house has to be handled by Alex, and he's so eager to help out his grands. :3 They put a roof over his head so of course he'll climb up onto it to fix the leaks when it rains! Evelyn is always cooking and baking and Alex is so soft for his granny he has been in the kitchen helping her for as long as he's lived with them, so he's actually got a real talent for cooking and baking too! One of the first things he learned after moving in with them was the proper way to set a table, and the best way to wash dishes efficiently. He's spent enough time at Haley's house having no chemistry with the poor girl, but found Emily's whole sewing setup really fascinating and she taught him to mend the holes in his letterman jacket when he asked so he knows how to hand sew! These are all skills that he has but doesn't recognize as skills, he just inherently has this desire to help the people in his life so he picks up this and that to make it easier!

Anyway! Thank you for letting me ramble 😄 Alex is really sweet and soft underneath the mask he wears, and he's been rotating in my head for the last few months hehe

I had bought sdv when it came out but barely touched it, and started it up again on a whim earlier this year and I'm so glad I did!! I really adore the game and it's bringing me a lot of joy currently 🥺

[thefloatingstone]

Not to be like "haha I'm better than you guys!!!" or elitist or anything because that very sincerely is NOT the point of this post.... but I never really understood people extremely love for Harry Potter.

I read them as they were coming out. Most of the time they came out soon enough that I was the same age as Harry. I liked them. They were cool. Goblet of Fire was my favourite and I was always happy to see what story the next book would bring but that's all it was. Interest to see the next story whenever it came out. Like a sitcom you enjoy but you didn't set your tv to record for you in case you missed it.

And then the word "Chosen one" was uttered and, just like that, I fucking lost all interest. Honestly there was "Chosen one" talk in the 4th book and already I was like

Honestly I think I liked Goblet of Fire the most because there was no friggen Quidditch. And there was less focus on the SCHOOL part of Harry Potter and more this weird Video game Quest setup which just appealed to me more.

In retrospect, I think that might be a big part of why I enjoyed it but never LOVED it like other people.

Like

"Oh boy my absolute biggest most favourite fantasy! THE BRITISH EDUCATION SYSTEM!!!!"

The fact that the books take place in a school seemed like a default to me because, well, most teenage focused cartoons and shows I watched had the main characters at school. Because they're teenagers. But the school wasn't why I enjoyed the books. The school was just a location. No I didn't want to go to Hogwarts. No I didn't want to get attached to a specific school house (although I feel it worth mentioning that when I was 13 I did the online house quiz thing on the official site and it said I was Hufflepuff so make of that what you will).

I really disliked whatever the one was that came after Goblet of Fire. So much so that it completely killed any and all enjoyment I had in the series. Which, considering I was only mildly entertained by them wasn't a massive loss or anything.

I know I read whichever book it was where Dumbledore died but I very genuinely cannot remember one single thing that happens in that book whatsoever. I read half of the Deathly Hallows after coming back from College and gave up because I wasn't enjoying any of it and I never picked the book up again.

I saw the first movie in theaters when I was 13 and I did not like it. It was visually very very dark and gloomy and just... extremely uninteresting to me. Idk how to explain it. The first book just felt so much more vibrant than what I was watching on screen.

I know I saw the 2nd movie although I have no memory of where or why. And I... THINK I saw the third one??? I think??? I'm actually not sure. But that's about where I just stopped and completely lost interest.

Because it wasn't very good.

They just weren't very good books.

They weren't TERRIBLE or anything like that but they were just so.... blah. The earlier ones 13 year old me enjoyed the one time I read each of them but I don't think 13 year old me had the best taste considering I also disliked the Princess Bride at this age.

But I was reading other books because I was a kid with ADHD in high school who desperately needed something stimulating to stop myself from going insane. And frankly, there were just far better books out there. Books I actually re-read. Books I borrowed from friends which ere just... so much better and more interesting.

So I just don't understand this insane appeal so many people have for it, even if they have severed that connection due to Jowling Kowling Rowling's bufoonery and showing herself to be a withered old crone with a shrivled heart and mind every time she opens her mouth.

I grew up with these books the same way as a lot of people. I was the exact age to go through the series' highest popularity and I just did not click with them despite reading them.

So seeing so many people my age or a little younger try and do their best to re-analyse and de-tangle what the books actually are and that... maybe.... just maybe.... they might not have been very good?? Maybe?? is very weird to me because I'm just like.

"Yeah they're overrated as hell and not that interesting."

It's a very weird thing to live through because it's like looking into a bizarro version of the world you remember living through... but not like THAT. I remember the Pokemon craze and yes, it was like that. I remember when anime started to become big and yes, it was like that. I remember DBZ airing and yes, it was like that.

But this insanity around Harry Potter while it was releasing?

Yeah I don't remember it being like that at all.

They were just mediocre books I read because I needed something to occupy my attention and eventually they got worse and worse and I just stopped reading them. That's all.

[allwormdiet]

1.1 Gestation

Before the text even starts I'm a little impressed that Wildbow has already been like "hey if you want trigger warnings then don't read this," that's really helpful and not at all a sign of dismissive attitudes towards trauma hey I wonder if that's gonna come up at some p

Apropos of nothing I wish I'd gotten an hour for lunches back in high school, that would've ruled.

Mr. Gladly already grates pretty impressively as a character, honestly, but that's probably just me. Taylor's own biases aside, like half my family are educators and it's not a good sign when a teacher doesn't take their job seriously. Also not a good sign when a grown adult apparently craves being seen as "cool" by teenagers, but that's more a case of being kind of a loser

Taylor's voice as a narrator is already strong. You can feel her bitterness, resentment, and self-deprecation with how she looks at Madison and at herself, and she's convinced that a lack of femininity is part of what marks her as an outsider. Appearances are a tool, or in the case of Taylor's torturers, a weapon, and she has no armor against it.

This is just. So miserable. The paranoia and the desperation to try and find safety in a bathroom stall, and the fact that it doesn't protect her from getting bathed in cranberry juice? Agony.

Gee Taylor you sure spend a lot of time thinking about the specific categories of attractiveness that other women fall into (I know Wildbow says that Taylor is straight but I don't know if Wildbow is reading his own text)

The juxtaposition of anger and futility is powerful here. Taylor realizes who's penning her into the stall and it lights a fire inside of her that immediately proves useless for actually solving or escaping the problem.

Yeah called it.

Haha, she said crystal

But no for real this is such an awesome first time for both displaying a power and describing what it's like for Taylor to be connected to this, to have a constant link with so so so many bodies and senses. Do people really think this is a weak power? What's up with that.

If I remember correctly she never actually gets back at her bullies with the bugs, which is a reflection of incredible restraint on her part, and even when her capacity and willingness to inflict violence escalates there's still enough of her rationale to just never cross this one line.

Can't wait to watch her speed past all the others.

Poor girl. I know you get there eventually, but you're going to have to pay so dearly for it.

Immediate thoughts

1.1 leaves a really strong first impression; you're sympathetic to the protagonist immediately, you can see who she is and what she cares about and how she thinks, and you get a sample of what her status quo is, which is in a word: miserable. Great job setting the tone.

The impressions from other characters are shallow so far but I get the sense they're meant to be. Any depth on the part of Gladly or the bullies is incidental rn, and frankly not something that Taylor would be privy to.

I want to see what's next. I've got time before work so I'm gonna keep going, and then depending how slow things are going I might get some reading in on the clock. Stay tuned.

[jayoftheorb]

The Bad Kids class switch; by class

Cleric

Fig- her parents were never really religious, but gilear had a few religious texts from fallinel, started on galicaea, switched around alot, even tried helio for a little, settles eventually in sophomore year for Cass and her unnamed wife(I'm thinking ayda has the name and is some sort of paladin of ankarna, keeping her alive)

Gorgug- saw an au where he was a cleric of Vulcan god of tinkering and I like that But, what if while researching his orcish heritage wigby(wilma and Digby) find out about an orcish God and try to introduce gorgug to it, he's not super interested til he finds a God of metalwork(name pending) and start making "healing potions" they're just water and glitter he'd pour on any wound and pray over, the first time this works is when he's six and Wilma gets cut on some metal, wigby are so excited they throw a "cleric party" and invite everyone in little branch. When he dies in freshman year he meats his God and builds smthn with him, before coming back w it in his hands (maybe a flower that blooms?)

Adaine- she got so desperate to do magic she prayed to galicaea and it actually worked, her parents were.. okay with it, being a Cleric to elves is kinda like being a doorman to automatic doors, so for most of her childhood she studied at hudol and figured out healing on her own, becomes Cleric of Cass after Kristen finds her, kills her dad with one good smack from her staff

Fabian- actual chosen prince of the sea, amphitrite; goddess of deep seas and wife to poisidon, grew up on the hangman while it was still sailing, really only recently (like a year ago) did Bill decide to dock the ship for a while, though it can still sail, he want Fabian to have a proper high school education, and actually learn from other clerics (No other clerics on the ship, mostly shitty warlocks) has a staff carved from his dad's first ships mast, later gets a staff from telamine that he carved from one of the trees in sylvaire creating a connection to Cass, later makes a pantheon w his ocean goddess and all them

Riz- riz would definitely worship a goblin God, I really like Riz Aasimar au on ao3 (link) all that goblin religious lore is really cool, basically riz worships a goblin God of cycles and rebirth, how nothing is permanent and how matter cannot be destroyed just moved to another plain.

[pbaintthetb]

Invincible s2e5

It's here, it's here!! Some of my thoughts. Spoilers ahead

"He's never on the hook for the lives he destroys. Just leaves it for everyone else to clean up. Again and again." -> incredible

Brothers eh!! and also Debbie saying mark must get his nobility/reluctance to abandon people from her side ;-)))), especially since this is like one of if not the only time mark is compared to his mum and not his dad. (Whether it's a you're nothing like you're dad, you will be your dad, your dad doesn't influence my view on you)

debbie taking time off work ot look after mark's brother just after they all said they wer so glad she was back :-(( I get that she priortises mark's education though

oop the donald sub plot, forgot about that but now Im hella intrigued again, he a cyberman, though he's the six million dollar man to hear Cecil tell it (we can rebuild him...)

william boxed up mark's stuff.... oof that must have been rough (for william i mean, assuming he's dead)

cecil stfu and stop being a creeper- although if he wasn't like that he wouldn't be cecil, his job is to be a bastard in order to do what he deems necessary

"He's an alien. We're more qualified to take care of him."- very ominous very uncomfortable, glad to see mark isn't having any of it but still. actually ingernal loving mark's convo with cecil

Cecil's little side eye at the end, he's scared ohohoh. and that petty "im sureyour mum will love ooking after her ex's kid" like uh, no but she said she'll do it for mark and otherwise mark will do it so so?

Mark and Amber are cool, and yeah it's nice to see him listening to her problems even if maybe it's revealing that uh... yeah he can't be there for her and that's complicated (as mark said)

Rudy and monster girl is intersing, like i get why she's pissed and i get where he's coming from

DECEASED they all knew he was from mars.Almost disappointed because him desperately trying to be human was hilarious but also this reveal was the funniest fucking thing so, even his reveal felt so unhuman

also how noble and excited the abckstory is until the awkard... so I sort of tried to kill him but I didn't even do that right and now he's coming to earth to kill us all possessed by a hive creature

"No, before, I was lying. Now I'm telling the truth. It's very different." hilarious, might steal that.

Rex, gonna go OOC real quick, then pan to Atom Eve AMV... iconic, I wonder what this could mean /s

Ok I was like, stop commenting on everything but like Rex is a prick but the absolute funniest, saying that maybe Eve's parents WANT her to be abducted because they still haven't fixed her broken window lock killed me

also more seriously actually the familiarity with which they talk and rex moves around eve's room (the l atter would be weird if it weren't so obvious eve could make him stop if she wanted) is great? Because yeah they dated for a while, like they should know each other even if they don't get on anymore and it's great to see the evidence of that Similarly the fact taht Eve reveals at teh end she knew rex just wanted something but that she also does think he genuinely helped her see that she helps people

Man, mark :-( spread too thin, and he's realising it but what is the way out?? Butter spread over too much bread and you can't just put it back in the tin

Shapesmith's intonation and diction and also just his timing of what he says is, mwah, chefs kiss, incredibel

when is the shapesmith show coming, we've already had "Allan"???

was gonna say "nice fight scenes" then kate happened, and i mean they're still good but oh fuck holy shit oh god hog do

.um. well post the homeward guardians fight all I have to say is that it seems that Rex is ranking guardian after all.

Or um, them some cliff hangers amirite, sure do hope everybody is fine

but no did like Rex's last line of the episode and also King lizard's smarmy evil pragmatism ooh very nice.

[why485]

So, I've decided to read the visual novel first before watching the rest of the anime or reading the rest of the manga. I'm generally a proponent of checking out the original before any adaptations, I want to see what the source material is like, and it's been a while that I read a proper VN.

So far, I've read just a little bit past where the demo ends, which corresponds with the end of episode 5 of the anime, and the end of volume 2 in the manga. If Atri were a video game, this'd be the end of the prologue and the real game starts here.

With all that mind, there's two things that have been driving me crazy about Atri, and now that I've seen all 3 versions up to the same point, I know where to point the finger.

Why does nobody ask Atri what's so special about 45 days?

This is the big one. It's almost okay at the beginning of the story when Natsuki doesn't care that much about what happens to her, but that changes pretty quickly. For whatever reason, Atri needs to do something before 45 days is up, and at that point she doesn't care what happens to her. That's kind of a weird thing to say, and she's so adamant about this she draws up a calendar where on the final day she writes "That's all folks!" That's a pretty big deal, and I think it's sloppy writing that nobody's asked her about this.

This is not the fault of a bad adaptation. This is how the VN is.

It's probably just that Atri's battery runs out by then. It's the simplest and most obvious thing, plus it'd make for a really sad way to end the game for maximum drama. You can even have Natsuki finally read through her logs/diary once she runs out and it's going to hurt. I'm like 90% sure this is going to happen.

Speaking of batteries...

2. Why does nobody ask Atri what powers her?

The entire prologue a big commotion is made about how nobody on the island has electricity outside of some small homemade generators. Meanwhile, you have a walking talking android that you've never once seen recharge and has shown no signs of weakening. What in the world is powering her? How does nobody ask about this? She's a portable battery bank that could be used to power any number of things, even if only temporarily, and nobody, not even Natsuki, wonders about this.

This also feels really sloppy, given the circumstances everybody is in, and Natsuki's education and thoughtlessness towards Atri, especially towards the beginning.

The one cool part about this whole conundrum though is that despite nobody asking what powers Atri, they do pre-empt and answer some of the questions I've had about her power source. For example:

Is there some tiny fusion reactor in there or something? No, Natsuki makes a point about how fusion was never figured out.

Does she produce energy from the food she eats/wastes? No, Natsuki mentions once while Atri is eating food that this was tried, but nobody figured out how to make it work.

I think that's neat. All that put together, I don't think she's generating any electricity, and I'm pretty sure she's just running on some kind of super advanced and efficient battery.

What's really neat though, is that the anime actually goes out of its way to address the battery problem in what is, as far as I know, a completely anime original plotline and scene.

In both the VN and manga, Natsuki and friends are able to find the batteries they need for the turbine they're building. In the anime however, a whole episode is devoted to trying to find a battery, and I really liked this episode.

At the end of it, Atri desperately suggests using her own battery for the turbine because she is compelled to be "useful", and of course Natsuki turns her down. Not only does it answer this nerd plot hole I've had with Atri, but it goes to show how much Atri is starting to mean to Natsuki and it's a really good scene! Not just for Natsuki but Atri as well.

It goes hand in hand with a theme I've noticed in the anime stronger than in the VN/manga, and it's that Natsuki is often asking Atri what she wants. At first, it's just out of curiosity to see how she responds, but the more he does this the more he starts to wonder about her.

In the above battery scene, even though Atri is convinced she should either be sold or give up her battery because it'd make her useful. It's what she needs to do, but Natsuki is able to fish out of her that it's not what she wants to do. It's good stuff!

[seancamerons]

I'm watching sex education. I'm in early season 2 and i love it and theres so much ti discuss and unpack. I'm still learning names but I love different characters for different reasons but here goes.

So first, the dude who's dad is like their principal seems to be at this point not so much a typical bully but the vibe he's giving a vibe of a closeted guy with complicated feelings for Eric who he tortured and bullied for years for a likely related reason or he's so desperate for a friend. Poor dude. He's all messed up, and he has a shitty relationship with his dad. He can't escape him he's either at home battling his expectations and disappointmenting him at every turn or when he was in school miserable with him as his principal. Maeves ex reads Shakespeare so well with his tutor. I love their dynamic idk if she likes him romantically he's a very cool guy but I love this.

as for the principal, his poor wife is so sad. Otis mom who is now working the school suggested helping her get closer to her hubby and he shut her down when she tried to make the first move, I'm so sad for her. I hope she dumps his ass. She deserves to be happy. She can't leave her son she's gotta take him with her I'm afraid for her son living with her soulless hubby.

Maeves mom seems to be trying to be there for her and shes juggling alot as it is, she doesnt wanna see her daugter f up her life or make mistakes shes made in the past in dating or life. I find her to be someone who is trying and maeve should at leadt trt tonsee from her pov too bc she has wisdom and life experience. Its no doubt shes snart and hates wsking for help but sometimes she can't help others if she can't let others in. That's speculation tho.

Poor otis and his gf got cockblocked by maeves text I'm sure shes now jealous or suspect somethings going on. It's clear Ola (I think that's how her name is spelled) needs answers but I hope she doesn't pull the ultimatum card.

I wanted to say I love Aimee as of last episode from where i am, so much more than before, but she's amazing and she's growing so much especially after what happened to her on the bus. Maeve is so good to her, and i think they see each other as her best friend and decide to spend her birthday making her feel better. Good lord, season 2 is so good.

So much I can't wait to see and discuss. I highly recommend.

[dev-nxbody-h3re]

i am unable to make a coherent thought right now. i need another au to think about. i need to create lore. how do i satiate this feeling.

With a new AU of course.

So have you guys seen *cough cough* The My Little Pony Equestria Girls movies? No? Yes? Well it doesn't matter. Because I'm going to explain my MLPEG AU.

This one actually starts with Evan. He's Princess Twilight Sparkle. Or, well, Prince Evan. He's the Prince of Childhood Innocence or something, idk.

So the before part doesn't really matter, but Elizabeth (who takes the place of Sunset Shimmer) steals Evan's magic crown. Obviously big no no. So Evan goes through the portal and is human and not pony. Helpy is Spike.

There, Evan meets Gabriel (taking the place of Applejack), Jeremy (Rainbow dash), Susie (Fluttershy), Fritz (Pinkie Pie), and Cassidy (Rarity). He does his friendship thing and Elizabeth takes the crown and transforms into Scrap Baby.

The MCI pony up and beat her ass with friendship, turning her back into Lizzy. They have a heart to heart and Evan goes back to Ponyville.

And then the second movie :)

My favorite movie :)

RAINBOW MOTHERFUCKING ROCKS. FUCK YEAH!!

So, Elizabeth is the outcast of the school now. The MCI are doing their best to help her, but it's difficult. Then, just like in Rainbow Rocks, we cut to a small cafe. People are arguing, and there's a faint green mist on the floor. We pan up to find four teenagers sitting in a booth, singing.

"Ugh, are you sure this is worth it? I hate eating fast food." One of them pouts, flipping their hood back to reveal black hair, dyed blue at the front. This is James.

"We take what we can get, James." Another flips their hood back, and they're Taylor, their hair coiled in a long braid. "We can't be picky."

"Doesn't mean it's good. It's just not enough anymore." A third pulls their hood down, and brown hair reveals Matthew.

The last opens their mouth to talk, but the friendship beams from Equestria Girls is shown in the background. All four of them gasp.

"Equestrian magic.." The last pulls their hood down, and they're Michael Afton, eyes shining with hunger.

He turns to his fellow Sirens and opens his mouth, the screen cutting to black.

Blah blah blah, boring band things. Anyway, the Sirens are defeated in a cool ass song. Their Siren forms are just their representative masks (Bonnie, Chica, Freddy, and Foxy respectively).

But their gems aren't destroyed, so Michael pulls them back and they run off.

And then the Friendship Games!

Instead of SciTwi being here, Crystal Prep's star student is one Jeremy Fitzgerald. Because I can't not have him.

He's wanting to pursue a higher education, but needs a scholarship to do so. He discovers magic and becomes enamored with it, trying to understand it with the help of a little doohickey circle thing.

He finds the portal, and sucks the magic right out of it and Elizabeth. He gets scared and gets on the bus.

Throughout the movie, their magic is depleted one by one.

They're all getting desperate. They need to win the games and everything is going wrong, and they can't even contact Evan. Elizabeth makes a decision, and during an intermission she goes out from the school.

The games continue on. The magic Jeremy has is getting harder and harder to contain, and Unleash the Magic happens. He releases the magic and turns into (wait, can you guess) Nightmare Mangle. What a shocker. Look, when there's only one thing the guy is known for you gotta use it.

He becomes obsessed with magic, and starts destroying everything a la Midnight Sparkle.

Everything is almost broken, until someone shouts.

"HEY!" It gains Nightmare Mangle's attention. "What do you think you're doing?!"

It's Michael. He looks different- more mature, bolder, more confident, whatever. But it's undoubtedly Michael.

Nightmare Mangle cackles. "Who do you think you are? A hero? Why even try when the world is breaking at my very presence?" He gestures to the gaping holes in the ground and in the air, which are slowly but surely growing.

"This isn't the right way to get what you want. Trust me, I'd know." Michael chuckles, clutching at the gem worn around his neck.

"What do you know of ambition? Is all you have to say meaningless words and promises of redemption?"

He clicks his tongue. "Well, I certainly know whatever the hell you're doing is giving off a lot of negative energy. And stop talking so poetically, you're not that kind of villain."

"Oh? Then, pray, what kind of villain am I?"

Michael doesn't look impressed, kicking a stone into the vast sky of the portals. "A lousy one."

This sends Nightmare Mangle into a rage, flying at Michael. The Siren hums a little tune and a giant fox is barreling into Jeremy.

All this time, Elizabeth is searching for the magic circle thing. Eventually she finds it while Michael distracts Jeremy, and does the Sunset Shimmer Friendship Games power up to try and talk down Jeremy.

Michael is eventually knocked out by Jeremy, and Elizabeth gains his attention.

They start fighting, and start beam attacking each other. Jeremy almost wins were it not for a blue rabbit kicking him away.

Nightmare Mangle growls and looks at James, who's standing over Michael's unconscious body protectively.

"You didn't think he came alone, did you? You're a fucking moron!"

While he's distracted with James, Elizabeth seals up the portals. The magic circle thingy is laying on the ground, and Taylor picks it up. They whistle, gaining Lizzy's attention, and they throw it up to her.

"Take his magic back! It's corrupting him!" They yell, narrowly dodging a beam.

Lizzy opens the pendant and points it at Jeremy, who claws at himself to keep the magic but is drained, falling in a heap on the floor.

She depowers and goes over to him. He's barely conscious, but shivering and shaking.

Matthew comes up to them, staring down at Jeremy thoughtfully. "He almost died, you know. That much magic in a person who hasn't had any before is dangerous."

Elizabeth sighed. "I know."

Jeremy is taken to the hospital for examination, and the MCI reconvenes near the school doors. The Sirens are with them too.

"Thank you for helping us, Mike. I think we would've died without you guys." Elizabeth brings Michael into a hug.

The MCI is confused. They tried to enslave the entire world last time they saw them and now Elizabeth is treating their leader as her brother?

"It's no problem. Just a thank you for helping us out."

Turns out Elizabeth had been visiting them and talking with them, and apparently had even convinced them to join the good side. They hardly ever used their Siren powers for anything malicious, usually just saving them for party tricks or real emergencies.

And then we get to Camp Everfree. The Sirens have re-enrolled in Canterlot High, and Jeremy has kind of joined their little clique. Turns out that having the magic of six borderline pony gods in a dude at once has some lingering effects, so Jeremy's learning to control his new magic. He's terrified he's going to slip back into Nightmare Mangle, but the reassurance from his ten (10!!) new friends can only go so far before he breaks.

Michael is determined to give his friends the most normal field trip of their lives. No magic weirdness, no powerups, no Siren junk, no nothing. Just being teenagers out in the woods.

Of course nothing can ever go to plan and Jeremy's magic starts misbehaving. The others are also having trouble with their powers, and the only people who know how to control it are the Sirens and Evan. So Cassidy finds a way to contact Evan, and he shows up.

"Hey, weren't you.."

"Yeah, trying to enslave humanity? That was a couple months ago, keep up."

So, they try and work on their magic, but a being known as Vanny Everfree shows up and wreaks havoc. (It's just their camp counselor, Vanessa A., using magic rocks she found in a cave.)

They have to power up to save the camp, but Jeremy's terrified. They try managing without him, but they are quickly overpowered.

Jeremy is forced to do a magical girl transformation, and it goes better than he hoped.

The Sirens are pretty useless here, so they're tasked with keeping people safe.

They do power explosion beams, raise money for the camp, and go on their merry way.

And they live happily ever after, fighting pony magic and being awesome.

That's it

[gayrobos]

Why not have Thrash's frustrations over the war be linked with how Bee was forced to go back into hiding? Speaking of the war episode, why have Shockwave act like that? I was expecting him to come out, not caring that the war is over or anything that wasn't his scientific plans to terraform earth into a Cybertron 2.0. And, you know, not act disgusted at the sight of the Terrans. WHY have a scientist who sees this LITERAL PHENOMENON and act racist to it? No? [2/4]

Shockwave should have been like "Oh good, this could help advance my research." AND TAKE THRASH. It would have been interesting to have Shockwave show the same dissmissiveness Thrash showed when Megatron was retelling the war. Having him question the scientist and receiving answers that reveal how little he cares about anyone outside of his plans. Even if it causes human to be erased, and horribly experimenting on the terrans, in the processed! [3/4]

Also, the absence of Optimus, the lack of him and the autobots on what happened with Bee, THE PARASITE GRUBS! WHY DIDN'T DOTTIE CONTACT ANY OF THEM ABOUT THAT?! Just-! Augh, it feels like so much information was lost in between episodes from the plot's refusal to cover those little moments that should be there to keep it consistent! [4/4]

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

tragically, anon, your first ask got eaten. ::( I'm tantalized by the link between bee having to go into hiding and thrash's frustrations about the war. I also thought it was kinda weird that shockwave, who is famous in at least 2 popular continuities for using science to create things that should not be, was not more into things that should not be! and we know he's a scientist in this so it's kinda weird that he's engaging with an unknown phenomenon as like... some kinda robo alt right dude and not as a scientist.

um and then I wrote like a billion words of speculation so I'm putting it under a cut. I know your ask wasn't really about this but oops

you ARE making me want to think about a rewrite to center the terrans + siblings thoughts and feelings about their history. I think it would be cool to have them model "coming to your own conclusions about historical events" since they're the audience identification characters. maybe not the three babiest terrans (who honestly make these episodes SO crowded, there's not a lot of time for established characters). but I really like twitch's motif of being desperate to protect her family, and I'd want to foreground what's going on with thrash--as you point out he doesn't seem to care a lot about the history, he doesn't see why it should affect him. they don't understand how they're supposed to relate to this, which is great! I might have the last piece of season 1 see them accepting that they DO have to care, realizing that no single person who was there for the war can give them an unbiased account of it, not even their parents.

as for mo and robbie, they've already had a very specific education on the war, at least the part of it that was on earth--both their parents were there for it, and we know public schools teach it. and how does it affect THEM? they're not being held accountable for it like their terran siblings, but they do feel protective of the terrans and they're in this weird place where they're half "with the autobots" and half "unaffiliated." it really seems like they've been taught differently than most of the humans we meet in the racism parable episode; the malto kids believe autobots are not to blame for the war. I mean it seems like they have weirdly little blame toward the decepticons either but I think that might just be inconsistent writing. I really want to know what they actually think and how their opinions have changed after personally meeting a bunch of transformers.

e11: doesn't need to change, no notes. I like that the first 3 episodes are just baby terran nonsense and I like the twitch + hashtag relationship. wait actually no we need to address the fact that soundwave got captured on purpose and like... did they escape? what is their plan?? we need 1 crumb of foreshadowing so viewers (me) aren't rattling the bars of the fence like HEY WHAT'S GOING ON!!!

e12: deals with personal identity as a transformer and crucially!! personal identity in relation to war and politics! we hear that megatron adopted a new alt mode when she changed sides--she now has a form that humans can ride in. I think I'd want to have thrash in here instead of hashtag, because he chose his alt mode specifically for mo... we could introduce early the idea that he gets uncomfortable and checks out when he has to think about the war and the fact that he's expected to relate to it. he's not very interested in cybertronian society and falls more on the side of feeling like he's fully From Earth.

e13: deals with the idea of transformers wanting to integrate into human society. I don't get why they didn't introduce anti-transformer racism here if they were so excited about it. also I'm arbitrarily replacing tarantulas with sky-byte, the number 1 guy who is known for being a nonthreatening decepticon. he likes poetry, he likes history, one can easily see him being interested in humans and wanting to experience their culture as one of them, whereas it's not really clear why tarantulas wants to be a human. so I might make this an episode that complicates the enmity and separation between humans and cybertronians. I also want to make a little room to see mo and thrash's opinions about decepticons... cos we DID already do an episode about what if a decepticon seemed nice and fun, and mo and thrash got burned there. here we see them both trying to be responsible big siblings and stop nightshade from hanging out with a decepticon, but thrash also has some complicated feelings about the idea of transformers Becoming humans.

e14: look. if we're doing an arc about how much bumblebee cares about decepticons, we've got to go all the way. we HAVE to talk about decepticon ideology and why breakdown actually joined. friends don't split up for no reason; can we model for kids what it looks like to have a real important disagreement with someone and have to decide whether you can forgive them? how is that a parallel to megatron and optimus' relationship????? which wasn't in this series of episodes at all despite being really important in the first 10??? so I'd add that. I'd also retcon some of episode 8 bc as armcontrolnerve pointed out bee was really blithe about sticking mode locks on the cassettes, which doesn't really jibe with the idea that he values decepticon freedom. anyway. in my perfect world (I'm keeping twitch's freakout obviously) breakdown would be bitter about how bee wants to pretend they don't have any real differences and that their situations are the same and they can forget factional conflict and have a beer together. bee says something obliviously hurtful and breakdown is genuinely going to leave and save his own skin--until he sees bee give himself up for breakdown. we get some reciprocity to their relationship, and we get the sense that bee is willing to put himself on the line for people he cares about even if they're decepticons. the lesson for kids is that good intentions mean nothing if you don't say and do things to care for your friends.

e15: ummm okay I don't think the plot of this episode adds anything. it just makes me feel so bad for dot because she's been assigned saintly mom of infinite patience by the writers but her life is genuinely so hard. if we're gonna have a dot episode let's have a dot episode!!! what are the things she's trying to protect her children from knowing? what happens when she loses her cool and panics or yells or breaks down? I'd want to do a thing where she's trying her hardest to present her strong cheerful face for the kids but when it's over she goes to alex to be weak and express sorrow and frustration. "it's not your fault, kids. your mom isn't upset at you. she's just upset." my priorities are 1) allowing dot to be human and have faults, 2) showing that parents have an obligation of care toward their kids but that doesn't mean they don't need support too.

e16: this is the first time any of the kids get the sense that the war was actually ABOUT something. twitch is uneasy because she understands that the war is still happening and she feels it's her responsibility to defend her family from it. I might show this by having her ask pointed questions: what tactics were used in the war? what were casualty rates like? how can I best prepare for it to happen again? megatron finds this disturbing. the war is over, she insists. (I'd want to start to explore here in what ways megatron's account of the war is self-serving! maybe having nightshade ask cogent questions megatron ends up answering "well it's uhhh complicated.") twitch doesn't press the issue, but it's clear she doesn't agree. thrash, meanwhile, is checked out again and wanders off. shockwave gets reawakened, captures him, and we get the threat he'll be experimented on--I'd use visual parallels or even flashbacks to when they were captured by mandroid. shockwave is foiled and refrozen but thrash realizes: lots of people see us as symbols of whatever they want to see, not as people. thrash understands that there are people who are trying to make his family into a battleground. I'd end this episode by reaffirming that the malto family is not a battleground; they're not divided along those lines, they're whole. to his parents and siblings thrash is just a person. ideally he also looks cool in front of his younger siblings and feels the big brother emotion ::3 the thing that's fun about thrash, which is obvious comparing his shield to twitch's swords, is that he's really not about fighting. he wants to be a good big brother and help his siblings become their best selves; he's empathetic, he's about strengthening internal family bonds through fun and (eventually in my perfect world) also emotional intelligence. so his big moment isn't about taking the burden of battle, it's about being the one who's not freaking out and who allows his younger siblings the space to make informed choices about whether and how they want to fight. so the terrans take down shockwave together while megatron is frozen! we end on something nice with mom and dad... but nightshade, whose lessons in history from sky-byte have made an impression, wonders how shockwave would have told the story of the war.

e17-18: I'm completely changing the plot of these because I think "people are terrified of you because your countrymen destroyed a bunch of their cities, you can't do anything about this because you're just a kid" is a shitty thing to have to put in your biracial family metaphor. so. I'm going to make some wild claims about what the plot of this finale is going to be, and I'm not totally happy with it because I think the show writers came up with a premise that's pretty impossible to do well (giant alien robots on earth as an analogue for marginalized human groups).

I think the intro is bee and brawl and they're genuinely teamed up. we can use this to convey that bee has a reputation among decepticons as a whole for being willing to ignore factional boundaries. yo okay you know what would be really cool? is if bee is using his exile to try to free decepticons who are under human control, being threatened with getting handed over to GHOST in the same way mandroid was threatening novastorm and skywarp. this can be about gladiating as opposed to what I think is a more realistic case (the military extorting people to join? never!) because it's a kids' show. but it's crucial that the same people hurting the decepticons are also the ones hurting humans who are under their power. people who are capable of causing genuine harm to transformers have the power to do that to other humans too. we can even use this to build a little human/tf solidarity. brawl pushes a heavy cart for a custodian whose back isn't what it once was, because it costs him nothing and he has a new perspective on having a job that sucks and hurts you. bee remarks on how he's changed. then we have this bee/brawl friendship and it makes it starkly weird when we see grimlock and realize there's something wrong with her. brawl says that she didn't used to be like this.

the malto half of the plot can be that hashtag and nightshade have teamed up to investigate something suspicious they found on the internet or something. a video of a transformer acting really weird? they dive into forum posts and supply lines and realize that someone is selling devices that mind control transformers. jawbreaker hangs back and tells the four older siblings, who now believe it's their responsibility to bring everyone back safe without waking up mom and dad. so now we have hashtag and nightshade infiltrating the arena in time to see bee fighting grimlock. knowing about the control chips, they realize what's going on and interfere with the fight, freeing grimlock, who furiously demolishes the arena. bee hurries the kids away to find brawl, who's been injured in his own fight against grimlock. at the end of the episode bee and brawl will leave together, with bee citing breakdown as someone he shouldn't have let out of his sight in the first place.

we end up finding out that mandroid is selling control chips to fund his projects, with the rationale that it keeps humans safe from transformers. I think we can still have him appear and have the hashtag fight, because that was really fun. I might cut the GHOST/mandroid connection because the good cop/bad cop thing they're doing with the schloeder siblings is extremely tiresome and irritating. I do want to keep the subplot where robbie meets one of his old friends and realizes he's changed a lot as a result of having the terrans in his family: he's more empathetic to people who are different than him, he interrogates what he's told to see if he believes it. in my mind his friend is excited about transformer fights and robbie's like "dude that's messed up."

so the overall thing the finale episodes are about is 1) people in bad situations feel empathy and solidarity and help each other out, 2) the babiest terrans are developing their moral compasses and teamwork skills. I feel like there's got to be a way to make the plotline more coherent but I've been looking at this post for like 3 hours and I'm just not smart enough to fix the mess the writers have made lol

[whetstonefires]

For the oc ask game 2, 3, 6, 20, 21, and 25.

Okay this time I'm gonna do Darya. She's from the same story as Marl, and technically in story structure terms she's one step less Main Character than he is, but she's also one of the main POV sources and we're not allowed in his stupid head, so no she isn't.

2. What do they think is their best feature? This can be both physical or personality wise.

Her greatest asset has always been her looks, but she knows she was only able to use them to her advantage instead of getting victimized for them because she's a schemer, goal-oriented and patient. Also she's 37 and aware the usefulness of her beauty is very much in decline.

So definitely her ability to think long-term, even in circumstances that pressure you toward thinking only about surviving to see tomorrow.

3. What is something they are really self-conscious about?

She tries really hard to be aware of how she's coming across every second of every day but also not to care what people think, except as it's relevant strategically. So this is tricky! :D

The places she's worst at the latter are...she's overly defensive about being seen as an opportunist in the places she's acting out of loyalty or something approaching altruism, but since she identifies as an opportunist generally assumes people are always assuming it.

But at the same time she's very touchy about the idea that she's letting herself be taken advantage of and the possibility people might assume that instead.

6. What is something they are absolutely hopeless at doing? Why?

Darya has a lot of holes in her education generally because she basically brought herself up and not in great circumstances. But she's done a pretty good job of filling most of them in. So there are a lot of things she's pretty bad at but can scrape by in, and mostly avoids having to attempt. She's a bad cook, but that just means the food is bland and overdone.

I guess what she's hopeless at is vulnerability? I was going to say emotional honesty but while she's pretty avoidant about it, and will often default to either appeasement or anger, she could be a lot worse.

The funny thing about her is she considers herself a schemer but is pretty straightforward, for the most part. Which is only partly because she observed from a very young age that every additional point of complexity introduces a new potential point of failure, so the strategic thing to do is usually not to over-strategize.

20. What makes your OC special? Why are they important or different ? What makes them a particularly wonderful and/or evil character?

I should make a case for her?? Like in the story or in the literary canon?

The point of Darya, for me, is she's someone who's always had to rely on herself but in a way that's made her acutely aware of how false and untenable the concept of self-reliance is. That people need people. So her personality is defined by the need to obtain security from others without trusting them. Which is a shitty way to live.

But she's not like some glamorous mastermind or social predator, she just ingratiated her way from abject poverty, to mild respectability, to the leisure class. Then found that position insecure in a fun new way and was eventually forced to choose between 'kill a decent person to ingratiate yourself with Asshole Social Leader and become his direct client' and 'chuck it all and throw yourself on the mercy of Cool Bandit Teenager' and chose the latter in a fit of basically violent reaction against the sunk-cost fallacy.

That was nine years ago and they've since overthrown the government, so she's just constantly torn between viewing her relationship with her found family as a healthy mutual-reliance thing built on trust, and seeing it as a complicated web of mutual exploitation that may collapse at any moment as their individual needs evolve.

And she wants it so desperately to be the former, but she can't bring herself to rely on it. Or even admit this conflict is a thing.

Which means everything she does has at least two motives and both of them consequently feel a little like lies she's telling herself.

Like, she's quietly setting aside a small fortune in relatively liquid assets--is she embezzling from her friend's nonprofit militia to set herself up in comfort when she's left hanging since they have no more use for her and have moved on, or is she socking money away to take care of her family when Elaine's stupid refusal to let the wealthy buy her off leaves them all in the lurch? It's both.

21. What sets your OC off? What will make them go from a docile little lamb to a rampaging, fire-breathing dragon?

This is a weird question, why would everyone's OCs default to lamb? I don't think any of this group are docile lambs. Marl can be uncomfortably slavish but only to (1) person, Owl only does what people want if it seems like a good idea, Elaine's entire Deal is about personal autonomy. Duluth likes to get along with people but he's got a lot of pride and grew up with Elaine as his top role model. Dan is probably the most biddable overall, but he's also royalty so the number of people he actually defers to is low and mostly he's kind of high-handed.

Anyway though. Intent of query. Darya gets mad pretty easily, but she usually channels it through her survival instincts so there's no rampaging, because she doesn't have the kind of power that makes that useful to do.

She gets mad about injustice but she's also really inured to it and thinks of herself as a strict pragmatist, so what truly pisses her off is being sold dishonest narratives about why an injustice is actually Good and Moral. Still wouldn't fly off the handle about it, though.

I guess the main exception turns out to be when someone she trusts lets her down severely, and she's the one in a position of power subsequently? Or at least enough power? Like that's the one scenario where she'd consider it worthwhile to just have a yell, and/or her survival instincts wouldn't be enough to counterbalance the amount of emotion.

If she doesn't care about someone personally and she's yelling at or attacking them it's not because she's simply lost her temper, it's because she thinks it'll help in some way to do that. If someone has offended her deeply and she's destroying them because of that she will probably do it like. In a way that isn't obvious.

Not, again, that she's someone inclined to or capable of deep elaborate manipulations, but it's just safer to cut a throat or publicize someone's dirty laundry than to confront them directly. And if she's planning to murder you (note: she has never actually assassinated anyone but she thinks of herself as the sort of person who would if it was ever a good idea) she's not going to blow up at you first. That would be stupid.

So yeah, her first instinct is to sit on that kind of feeling.

If she's betrayed and she's at a disadvantage she'll keep her head down and try to find a way to salvage the situation for herself, regardless of level of seething--the anger will definitely inform her choices and is likely to make her more reckless, but she's not going to actually blow up unless she feels secure. You know? She's a survivor first.

That's kind of what makes Elaine stand out, in the setting. She's the person who can get apocalyptically angry and go on a flaming rampage and find she's accomplished something thereby, and isn't dead. But you can't count on that happening every time, even when you're a hero.

25. Describe your OC in one sentence.

When your second midlife crisis is that your first involved leaving your husband (who let his boss throw you to the wolves) and joining a nomadic commune, and now the commune finished killing evil wizards (like your husband's boss) and is breaking up.

[tenthgrove]

Hello, I just saw that you opened your request. I'm the one who ended up writing a whole prompt! Imagine this for each member from La Squadra: they had an one-night stand with a random woman, she accidentally got pregnant and decided to have the baby without telling them. After a while, the woman got ill and passed away, but not without before sending her child with their father (let's imagine she has the direction of their hideout even if it's ooc, or she knew where they hang out). So, one day someone knocks the door and introduces themselves as the kid of one of the members/if it's too young, someone left them on the door with a explainatory note... How do you think each member would react by discovering that they have a child and they're supposed to take care of them from now? You can make each kid with different ages if you want, it would be funny to see Prosciutto or Ghiaccio dealing with a rebellious teenage son or Risotto trying to take care of a toddler, but I guess not all of them would want to keep their children. Sorry if it's a lot, haha.

La Squadra did a Diavolo

La Squadra x Reader, Platonic/Familial, SFW

A/N: your idea about mixing up the ages got me thinking, and I ended up using randomisers for the children’s ages (though I did consciously change some of them) and genders. It added a fun bit of chance to this prompt.

Formaggio, with an 8 year old daughter

The whole thing feels surreal to him. There's a little girl on his doorstep calling herself his daughter and by all evidence, it's true. He doesn't really know how to feel about it at first. On one hand it's kind of cool he had a kid all this time and you're clearly a lovely girl, but on the other hand, what the fuck? Still, not being the practical sort, his sense of sentiment far outweighs any question of how he's actually going to look after a child, so without much deliberation, Formaggio agrees to let you stay.

Formaggio isn't too experienced with kids but he doesn't exactly dislike them either, so he figures he knows what to do. At your age you can at least do the basics of looking after yourself, so he isn't too worried. The only problem is that if you ask him to cook for you or help clean your room, his eyes go very wide. He never quite picked up those skills himself, he's afraid, so you're going to have to ask someone else for that one.

The good news is that Formaggio is a very easy-going, fun sort of dad, who is a natural at playing with you and lets you do what you want when he can't be around. He quickly gets used to showing affection to you, letting you cuddle up to him on the sofa in front of the squad and even carrying you around once in a while. He gives amazing piggy back rides.

The bad news (or more good news, depending on how you are) is that you have to leave school. Risotto says that at your age you can't be trusted not to tell anyone your new family is a bunch of assassins, and taking you to and from school each day would be too much of a hassle. Nonetheless, you're welcome to continue your education from home, though Formaggio will hardly push you if you don't keep up with it. Melone is much better on that front.

Despite the risk, Formaggio can't bring himself to force you to lose all your friends, so he lets you keep meeting with them. Furthermore, he knows a few guys in other squads who have kids about your age, so he's happy to introduce you to them if you want a friend you can be more honest about your home life with. Formaggio might not have a clue what he's doing, but he's doing pretty good.

Illuso, with a 3 year old daughter

He's been fearing this day would come for years. A small child knocking on the door of the hideout, holding a note in hand addressed to him, just as a shady looking car drives away. Yeah, Illuso remembers your mother pretty well and he remembers the distinct lack of precautions they took during their encounter. Now, the consequences of his actions are here at his house, and Risotto is currently standing in the doorway of the office looking ready to give him the biggest dressing-down of his life.

After his tongue-lashing, Illuso frantically agrees to take responsibility for what he's done and see to it that you're well cared for, and begins the task of looking for relatives who might take you. Unfortunately, none of your mother's family can be traced, and Illuso can't exactly call up his own right now. Leaving you on the door of an orphanage isn't an option because you're old enough to say where you've come from, so it looks like for the time being, Illuso is stuck with you.

Initially, Illuso is not thrilled. He pawns you off on Melone, Sorbet and Gelato whenever possible and tries to live his life as before. But increasingly, he can't help finding himself visiting your room whenever he's stressed or has had a bad mission. There's something so pure about gently stroking your hair as you sleep. He can't help but feel... attachment, as he rubs his thumb against your tiny palm.

From then on, Illuso starts to make a point of spending more time with you. You're at the age where you just want to touch and explore everything you're given, so letting you make a mess with his makeup and beauty creams is an easy way for him to observe and learn about you. He even starts doing the more practical things like washing and feeding you every so often.

Eventually, Illuso becomes an actual father to you. He loves you as a father should and puts his time into making you happy. Illuso is glad he didn't give you away, as you've opened his eyes to so many things. For the first time in many years, he feels human. He feels redeemable.

Prosciutto, with a 13 year old son

As you tell him your story Prosciutto racks his brains. He didn't have many one-night-stands in his youth but the ones he did have were so far back he barely remembers them, so your mother's name doesn't immediately ring any bells. If it weren't for the striking resemblance between you, Prosciutto probably would have thrown you out for a liar there and then. But as you are, it's clear you're being honest. He lets you in.

After a short interrogation by Risotto to make certain you aren't acting on behalf of some third party looking to infiltrate the squad, it's agreed you can stay, so long as you keep quiet about it to your friends. At your age you can largely look after yourself and all you really needed was a roof over your head, so there's no problem with you moving into the spare room as long as you stay out of the others' way.

Education isn't much of an issue either, since you're likely well settled in your current school and can get yourself there and back. Just whatever you do, don't go telling anyone you live with a bunch of gangsters now. Prosciutto means it, you could seriously put yourself in danger if you do that.

Much to your father's ire, you end up befriending several members of the squad, especially the younger ones like Melone, Ghiaccio and Pesci who have some generational overlap with how you were raised. Prosciutto would rather you didn't do this but at the end of the day, he can't really stop you. God forbid you call him an old boomer again.

Your relationship is overall positive- Prosciutto makes a point of taking you on outings when he has the time, and giving you parental advice when you need it. However that doesn't stop you from making fun of his stuffy, old habits, and playing the moral high ground in regards to his work.

On that note, the problem comes when you develop an interest in the squad's work. It's only inevitable, given how pervasive the topic is in conversations around the house, and the fact you're more than old enough to know what a gang is, but the day you first ask him about it is no less welcome. What's scary is that you're about the same age as Passione's youngest recruits and, well, if you ended up joining them because of him, Prosciutto might never forgive himself.

Pesci, with a 6 month old son

He knew it had been a mistake. Not long after his 18th birthday he'd given in to the squad's pestering about his virginity and finally gotten rid of it just to shut them up. Now he's ridden with guilt. Not only did the poor woman get pregnant because of him but now she's died. He can't help but wonder, the letter attached to the basket you came in was very vague after all, was your mother's death at all related to your birth? If so, Pesci doesn't know how he'll forgive himself.

Pesci immediately panics and stumbles into his Fra's bedroom crying louder than you are. Prosciutto remains calm, advising him to first make sure this actually is his baby through Melone, in case this is somebody trying to trick him, and to then think through his options rationally. As far as Prosciutto sees it, he has two. He can either see to it that you're taken in by a caring, reliable individual, or he can keep you for himself. Surprisingly, Prosciutto's actually okay with the second one, since in his eyes duty to one's family is absolute.

Pesci stammers a bit and asks if he can wait a few days to make his mind up, which Prosciutto permits. But it isn't long at all until Pesci is far too attached to you to ever let you go, and it becomes clear you'll be staying for the long-run. Risotto is hardly happy about this but agrees with Prosciutto's sentiment of family, so he doesn't try to insist you be sent away.

Pesci is an incredibly loving father. He'll dash from the other side of the house at a moment's notice if he hears you crying. That said, being so young himself it's inevitable he requires some help with raising you. Sorbet and Gelato chip in quite regularly, as does Melone when Pesci is desperate enough to fall on using him. Prosciutto helps out too, being your uncle, and occasionally you've even had Risotto answer your cries.

La Squadra can only hope their situation improves somehow in the coming years, since Pesci has no idea how he's going to deal with an older child in a house full of assassins. At very least, being so young it's a long time before he has to worry about things like school. For now, what's important is that you are loved very dearly. Pesci has discovered a new protective streak in himself, something he discovers every time he looks in your eyes.

Melone, with a 4 year old son

When you arrived you were frightened and confused. You struggled to babble out the story you were told to tell as the strange men crowded around you in the front room of the house. Then, a bizarre looking man with purple hair pushed to the front of the crowd, insisting he knew what to do in a situation like this. He carried you somewhere quiet, and gently asked you to repeat your story again. You told him you were looking for your father, Melone.

Melone is elated. He's always wanted a child, but getting into a relationship stable enough to produce one has never been an option with the life he lives. Now the happy accident he never new he had has come home to him! Carrying you back to the living room, Melone introduces you as his son and announces to the team that he will be keeping you.

This is met with some protest. Not only are you of the age where you'll need constant supervision, but quite frankly, nobody trusts Melone to take care of a kid. Melone refutes their accusations harshly, making it absolutely clear he will not be giving you up without a fight. Finally, Risotto surrenders, on the terms that if he catches any signs of abuse or neglect, he will see to it personally that you are re-homed elsewhere.

Melone's parenting style is relatively laid-back. He believes parents should be a 'safe base' from which children should explore the world, coming back when they need advice but ultimately following their own whims within reason. He encourages you to play as you wish and does not stop you from bonding with the rest of the squad. Finding supervision for you while he's on missions proves to be a non-issue, since his stand's massive range means he can often do most of a mission's work at home.

When the time comes to educate you, Melone decides against the risks of enrolling you in school. He is an amazing teacher and can teach you everything you'd need in half the hours of a typical curriculum. Beyond the essentials of literacy and simple maths, Melone largely encourages you to follow you own interests rather than stick to some boring, arbitrary list of useless things a normal curriculum for some reason expects you to learn.

That said, he knows the importance of making friends, so he frequently takes you out to meet with neighbourhood children. All-in-all, the squad is surprised at his sensible parenting choices, and the happy child you are turning out to be.

Ghiaccio, with a 2 year old son

It's almost comedic the lengths Ghiaccio goes to to avoid the problem. As the others crowd around you in Melone's lap, Ghiaccio cowers in the corner insisting that you absolutely cannot be his. It's very obvious you are, of course. You look almost exactly like him, and have a cry to match. You've even inherited the same, mild visual impairments that earned him his glasses. There's no getting away from the truth.

After accepting the truth, Ghiaccio takes you away to his room to 'clear his head' before deciding where to send you in the morning, but when morning comes, that deliberation time quickly turns into a few more days, then a month, then never. It's clear Ghiaccio's become attached to you, and he cannot bring himself to give you away.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have the foggiest clue in hell how to look after a toddler. He has a hard enough time understanding what it is adults want from him, let alone small children. There are times he even considers giving you away again, but they never last long enough for him to go through with it. Bit by bit, he slowly learns how to be a father.

Melone is his primary co-parent. As cautious as Ghiaccio is about letting him around his baby, it soon becomes clear Melone can understand your needs far better than he can. The pair have many sessions together teaching Ghiaccio how to do things like wash you or cook your food. It's honestly a massive help, and probably the main reason Ghiaccio doesn't completely melt down within a month of having you.

These issues aside, Ghiaccio is a person who is very genuine in his affections. He would break the shins of anyone who even looked at you threateningly, and every fibre of his being wants you to be happy. He even learns to control his temper, as he knows from experience just how damaging an angry parent can be for a child. He's going to give you a better childhood than what his parents gave him, and that's a promise.

Risotto, with a 6 year old daughter

Well, perhaps this ought to have been expected. In his early 20s Risotto was really far less careful than he ought to be in regards to his encounters, so he probably had this coming. You are at a difficult age, old enough to understand your father is a criminal but young enough to still need his care. If he takes you in, there will be many challenges. And yet he cannot bring himself to turn you away. Looking at you he feels... obligation.

In the early days he tries his best to shelter you. He keeps you in his room and tells the others not to talk to you. But that's no way for you to live, and he knows it. Eventually, he swallows his fears and lets you explore your new home, even taking you out to the park a few minutes each day so you can run around. He talks to Melone about continuing your education, and asks Sorbet and Gelato if they'd let the spare room next to them be turned into a bedroom for you. He's going to make sure he raises you right.

Risotto may be quiet and introverted, but do not mistake that for emotionally distant. He does not underestimate his vital role in your emotional well-being, and is quick to pick up on when you are feeling sad or lonely. He makes sure to pick you up in his arms and ask what's wrong when that happens.

Though he didn't know her well, he mourns your mother with you, and is very watchful for the signs of attachment issues that may result from losing a parent at such a tender age. Being all you have left, Risotto gains a new instinct of self-preservation. For the first time in years, his life has meaning.

In terms of bonding, he prefers calm activities that allow him to passively observe your interests, such as watching movies or reading you books. When he's working in his office and doesn't need his camera on, he's happy for you to sit in his lap as long as you're quiet. He would ask if you don't read what's on his screen, though, at least not while you're so young. He'll give you a better explanation of what he's doing some day, but not just yet.

Sorbet and Gelato, with a 12 year old daughter

First of all, let's make clear that regardless of which one is biologically your father, they both feel equal responsibility for you. No doubt they were both present for your conception anyway, so as far as they're concerned, if one of them has a secret kid from a hookup, they both have a secret kid from a hookup.

Having always wanted children, they are happy when you appear on the doorstep and introduce yourself as their daughter. Though they don't say it out loud to avoid upsetting you, they kind of wish your mum had kicked it sooner so they could have raised you from a younger age, but they're more than happy to make do with what they've got. There's no hesitation in welcoming you to live with them permanently, and anyone who has a problem with this isn't brave enough to say it.

Right from the get-go they are very permitting parents, awarding you a generous helping of their cash each week and having a rule list that pretty much starts and ends with "don't talk to the police." Despite your age they don't expect you to be independent, and are happy to cook for you and help you out with other things when you ask. It seems parenthood was made for them.

Despite all this, there is one problem in your relationship that is making things difficult. That of your fathers' work. You're 12 years old and you aren't stupid. You know they kill for a living and you know they enjoy it. When you stumble into the bathroom at 1am to find them covered in blood and laughing together, there's no making excuses. No matter how good they are with you, this is going to make you afraid of them.

Sorbet and Gelato are incredibly stringent in solving these early issues. After all these years they've finally got the family they wanted, and they aren't going to let it slip away from their own cruelty. They are honest with you about their occupation, since they want you to know you can trust them, and make absolutely clear it won't affect their care for you. You are welcome to ask questions and receive honest answers, but other than that Sorbet and Gelato will make a point of not accidentally causing you to witness something you shouldn't.

With them, you are welcome to continue your old life in terms of school and friends. They want to spend time with you, but they don't want to overtake your existence completely. When you are up for it, they are keen to take you on outings that interest you so you can spend time together as a family. They hope you know how happy you make them.

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

Hi so... I'm getting married soon and one of my bridesmaids recently came out to her parents as a lesbian. she's Sixteen and I really desperately want to show her support. Her parents both rejected her and from what I heard she isn't in a great place. She hasn't come to me about any of it and today I messaged her to ask if she's still happy to be a bridesmaid. She said yes she is but she doesn't want to wear a dress so she understands if I choose someone else. I told her I honestly don't care whether she wears a dress or not and we can go shopping for something she's more comfortable with. I'm not sure how to let her know I'm supportive of her and I have to be careful how I go about it because I don't want her parents who disapprove to mark me out as a bad influence and keep her away from me. I think being cool with her not wearing a dress was a step in the right direction but I really want her to know I'm here as a support even if her parents aren't

cw bad coming out experience, parental rejection

Hey anon, congrats on your upcoming marriage <3

I'm so glad this person has someone like you in her life during this really rough time! I bet your willingness to let her wear what makes her comfortable spoke volumes to her.

Besides that, just letting her know you're there if she needs a listening ear, or somewhere to crash for a while (if that's something you can offer; I imagine things are pretty chaotic getting ready for your wedding at the moment!) is powerful in itself.

I hear you about needing to take care that the parents don't mark you as a "bad influence" — do any followers have ideas for avoiding that?

Lastly, if you're not super knowledgeable about LGBTQA+ identities at the moment, I'd suggest you dig into some educational materials. PFLAG's site has some good stuff.

If Christianity comes into this for you or this teen or her parents at all, the books I'd most highly recommend are Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQA+ Christian Teens and the companion text made for adults in a teen's life. Both books introduce the reader to identity basics; deconstructing harmful Bible passages and finding the affirming ones; questions about coming out and masturbation and getting trans affirming care and finding an affirming church....so much stuff!!

Wishing you well, and praying that this teen feels supported and loved in the face of such painful rejection.

Does anyone have any other encouragement or advice for anon?