#Max isn’t flawless

[fanfictionismyaddiction]

The Frustration of Victory

Summary: After a disappointing Dutch Grand Prix and a series of frustrating races, Max Verstappen returns home with a storm of frustration and exhaustion. His girlfriend is there for him to help him unwind.

Word count: 1.1k

Warning: smut

Pairing: Max Verstappen x reader

Request are open

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The Dutch Grand Prix had ended in disappointment for Max Verstappen. His home crowd cheered, but Max couldn’t shake the anger that simmered beneath the surface. Finishing in second place was an incredible achievement for most, but for Max, it felt like a bitter defeat. The last few races had been equally frustrating, with mechanical issues and strategic missteps clouding what should have been a flawless run. His frustration was palpable, and he needed an outlet to release the pent-up energy and stress.

You, his girlfriend, had seen Max’s frustration build over the past weeks. You knew that his anger was not just about the races but also about the mounting pressure and feeling of letting down his team and his fans. You had watched him storm around the apartment, his mood fluctuating between silent brooding and explosive outbursts. Tonight, you were determined to help him find some relief.

You were waiting for him in the living room of your shared apartment, the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the windows. The room was dim, with candles flickering softly on the coffee table, setting a calm and inviting atmosphere. You wanted to create a space where Max could relax, even if only momentarily.

When Max finally walked in, his face was set in a tight frown, his jaw clenched. He threw his keys on the counter and ran a hand through his tousled hair. He looked exhausted, the weight of the race and the last few weeks clearly taking its toll.

You approached him slowly, wrapping your arms around his waist and resting your head against his chest. “Hey,” you said softly, trying to offer comfort through your touch.

Max let out a heavy sigh, his hands resting on your shoulders. “I’m so damn angry,” he admitted, his voice rough. “Everything’s been going wrong. The team isn’t working as well as they should. We should have been on top.”

You could feel the tension in his body, the way his muscles were tight and rigid. You knew that words alone wouldn’t be enough to ease his frustration. “I know, Max. It’s been tough. But you’ve got to let it out somehow.”

He looked down at you, his eyes searching yours for some kind of solace. “I don’t know how,” he said, his voice softer now. “I just feel like I’m going to explode.”

You took his hand and led him to the couch. You wanted to offer him more than just emotional support. You needed to help him release the built-up tension in a way that would leave him feeling renewed. “Let me help,” you said gently, guiding him to sit down. You straddled his lap, facing him, and began to massage his shoulders and neck. Your fingers worked in slow, deliberate circles, applying pressure to the knots in his muscles.

Max closed his eyes, his breathing slowly evening out as you continued. The tension in his shoulders began to melt away under your touch. He leaned into you, his hands resting on your hips, feeling a mix of relief and appreciation.

You leaned in closer, your breath warm against his ear. “You’re doing great, Max. Let it all go.”

His grip on you tightened slightly, and you could feel the last of his frustration ebbing away. “I just want to forget the last few races,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “I want to focus on us.”

You smiled, your fingers still working their magic. “We can focus on us. Tonight is about letting go and finding some peace.”

Max turned his head slightly, his lips brushing against your neck. The touch was light, almost tender, but it spoke volumes. He moved his hands up to your back, pulling you closer. “You always know how to calm me down,” he murmured.

You looked into his eyes, seeing the mix of exhaustion and gratitude. “That’s what I’m here for,” you replied, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. “To help you find your center again.”

Max’s kiss was deep and intense, his frustration fueling a fervent and unrestrained connection. It wasn’t a gentle peck; it was a raw, passionate clash of lips and teeth, a desperate exchange that spoke of all the emotions he’d been holding back.

His fingers tangled in your hair, pulling you in even more deeply, as if trying to meld his entire being with yours. The kiss was punctuated by breathless gasps and murmurs, each touch and movement a declaration of the passion that had been building beneath the surface. Your bodies pressed together, the friction of your clothes adding to the heat of the moment.

Max’s frustration was channeled into the kiss, his need for release transforming into an electrifying connection. His kiss was demanding, urgent, yet filled with an underlying tenderness as he sought solace and understanding. The world outside ceased to exist, leaving only the fierce, consuming passion that ignited between you.

With a fervent determination, Max’s hands roamed over your body, his fingers deftly working at the buttons of your shirt. His touch was heated and impatient, as if he wanted to feel every inch of your skin against his as quickly as possible. The fabric of your shirt fell away, exposing your bare skin, and Max’s gaze was a mixture of longing and admiration, his eyes drinking in the sight of you.

Your hands moved just as eagerly, your fingers slipping beneath the hem of his shirt, pushing it upwards with a fervent urgency. As you tugged his shirt over his head, it got caught momentarily, causing a brief, shared laugh before Max helped pull it off completely. His chest was exposed now, muscles taut and defined, and you traced your fingers along his torso, feeling the heat of his skin.

The pace quickened as you both navigated the buttons and zippers of your clothes. Max’s movements were a blend of frustration and passion, his fingers trembling slightly as he unfastened the clasp of your bra. His eyes never left yours, filled with a hunger that spoke volumes.

Your hands were equally frantic, reaching for the waistband of his pants, sliding them down with a mix of impatience and desire. Max stepped out of his pants, his eyes locked onto you with a burning intensity.

As the evening progressed, you both let the world outside fade away. The focus was on each other, the way Max’s hands explored your body with a mix of tenderness and need, and how you responded in kind, helping him release all the stress and frustration of the past weeks.

By the time the night wound down, Max was visibly more relaxed, his earlier frustration replaced by a calm, focused determination. As you lay together, wrapped in each other’s arms, you knew that while the challenges would continue, tonight had been a step toward finding balance and peace.

“You were right,” Max said softly, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your skin. “I needed this. Thank you for being here.”

You smiled, resting your head against his chest. “Always, Max. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

[its-avalon-08]

heyy can we please have a fic where the reader is feeling insecure about maybe her height or body, thinking she’s not enough for him (could be any driver but maybe lando or logan, please?) he realizes something is off and reassures and comforts her? sorry if u already wrote something like that, i found ur acc recently x

you are everything (ls2)

✦ pairing - logan sargeant x female!reader

✦ genre - self doubt, comparison, tears, fluff, logan being cute

Y/N walked hand-in-hand with Logan into the paddock, her heart pounding in her chest. The sun was shining, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement, but all she could feel was a growing sense of dread. As they made their way through the crowd, she saw the other WAGs gathered near the team garages, laughing and chatting effortlessly.

Her eyes darted from one woman to the next. There was Carmen, George Russell's girlfriend, chic and graceful with legs that seemed to go on forever. Y/N's own height, which she had always considered average, suddenly felt inadequate. She straightened her back, trying to stand taller, but the feeling of being smaller, less significant, nagged at her.

Then she saw Kelly Piquet, Max's girlfriend, with her perfect smile and flawless skin. Y/N's mind spiraled, thinking about every blemish and imperfection on her own face. She unconsciously raised a hand to her cheek, feeling the rough texture of a recent breakout.

As she looked at Alexandra Saint, Charles Leclerc's girlfriend, with her stunning physique and effortless style, Y/N couldn't help but compare her own body. She was thin, but now she felt scrawny rather than elegant. Her clothes, which she had chosen carefully this morning, now seemed plain and unremarkable compared to the chic outfits around her.

Logan squeezed her hand, pulling her back to the present. He smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling with affection. "You okay?" he asked, his voice warm and reassuring.

Y/N forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine," she lied, her stomach churning with insecurity.

As they walked closer to the group, she could hear snippets of their conversation, the easy way they interacted, as if they belonged in this world of glitz and glamour. Y/N felt like an outsider, an imposter in a world she didn’t quite fit into. She tugged at her top, suddenly feeling self-conscious about her outfit. She wondered if the other WAGs were judging her, comparing her to the standards they all seemed to effortlessly meet.

Why did she have to look so plain? Why couldn't she be as glamorous and perfect as them? Her thoughts were relentless, a storm of self-doubt that she couldn't escape. She felt like everyone was staring, scrutinizing her every move, even though she knew logically they were probably just focused on their own lives.

Logan stopped to talk to a few people, and Y/N stood by his side, trying to look composed. She felt Logan's hand on the small of her back, a comforting gesture, but it did little to soothe her turmoil. She glanced at herself in a nearby reflective surface, critically assessing her face, her nose, her figure.

The voice in her head was relentless. Fuck, Fuck, Fuck why did I choose this outfit? Your nose is too big. Your skin isn’t clear. Your body isn’t toned enough. You don’t belong here.

She wished she could disappear, blend into the background, but with Logan being who he was, that was impossible. The pressure of being in the spotlight, of feeling like she had to measure up to these other women, was overwhelming.

Y/N’s heart sank. How could she ever be enough for Logan when she felt so insignificant compared to the women around her? She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the insecurity gnawed at her, a constant reminder that she felt out of place.

I just want to be enough, she thought desperately, her eyes flicking to Logan. He looked so at ease, so confident, and she wished she could share in that feeling, even if just for a moment.

a few days later

Logan leaned against the counter of his kitchen, sipping his coffee and glancing at the clock. Y/N was supposed to be back from her morning run by now. He frowned, worry creasing his forehead. She had seemed off lately, quieter than usual, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Y/N stepped inside, her cheeks flushed from the workout. Logan's heart did a little flip, as it always did when he saw her, but today it was accompanied by a twinge of concern.

"Hey, babe," he greeted, setting his mug down and walking over to her. "How was your run?"

Y/N managed a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It was fine."

Logan took her hand, leading her to the couch. "Sit with me for a bit?"

She nodded, sitting down and folding her legs underneath her. Logan could see the tension in her posture, the way she seemed to be trying to make herself smaller.

"Y/N, talk to me," he said gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You've been quiet lately. Is something wrong?"

She hesitated, biting her lip. "It's nothing, Lo. Really."

He shook his head, his expression soft but firm. "It's not nothing if it's bothering you. Please, tell me what's going on."

Y/N sighed, looking down at her hands. "I just… I've been feeling really insecure lately. Being in the spotlight, with everyone looking at us, at me… it's overwhelming. I keep thinking I'm not good enough for you."

Logan's heart ached at her words. He cupped her face in his hands, lifting her gaze to meet his. "Baby, you're more than enough for me. You're everything. Why would you ever think you're not good enough?"

She shrugged, tears brimming in her eyes. "I see the way people look at us, at me. I'm not a celebrity, Lo. I'm just… me. And sometimes, I feel like I don't measure up to the glamorous world you're part of."

Logan shook his head, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears while his own turned glossy at hearing the love of his life think she wasn't good enough. "You are perfect just the way you are. I don't care about the glitz and glamour. I care about you. You're stunning, inside and out, and I love you for who you are, not for what the world thinks you should be."

Y/N sniffled, leaning into his touch. "But what if I can't handle the pressure? What if I'm not strong enough? What if I crack?"

Logan took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. "Y/N, love of my whole fucking life, let me tell you something. You're one of the strongest people I know. Just because you feel overwhelmed sometimes doesn't mean you're weak. It's okay to have moments of doubt, to feel scared. But you don't have to face it alone. I'm here for you. Always."

He continued, his voice filled with love and determination. "Every day, I see how amazing you are. Your kindness, your strength, your beauty—it all shines so brightly to me. The way you care for others, the way you light up a room just by being in it—those are the things that matter. Not what the media says, not what anyone else thinks."

Logan's words flowed from his heart, each one meant to reassure her. "You know, there are days when I feel like I can't live up to the expectations of being a driver. But then I think of you, and I remember why I do what I do. Because you believe in me, and that gives me the strength to keep going. I need you, Y/N. I need your love, your support. And I'm here to give you mine."

He paused, taking her hands in his. "As long as I'm with you I've got a smile on my face and I know we can face anything. You don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to lean on me, to let me be your strength when you need it. We're a team, and I wouldn't want it any other way."

Y/N took a deep breath, Logan's words slowly sinking in and easing the knots of insecurity in her heart. "Thank you, baby. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You'll never have to find out, because I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, beautiful."

Y/N laughed softly, the sound like music to Logan's ears. "I guess I can live with that."

Logan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "Good. Because you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Y/N. And I won't let anything make you feel otherwise."

As they sat there, wrapped in each other's embrace, Y/N felt a warmth spread through her. She wasn't alone in this. With Logan by her side, she knew she could face anything, and together, they would shine brighter than any spotlight ever could.

[starcanwrecked-confessions]

This is definitely going to be an unpopular take, but I think that if Max lived and became a better person the nerds would’ve forgiven him and the jocks wouldn’t have. Like with how weird, over the top and mean in their own ways the nerds are I can totally see them being like “Ugh, FINE, we still hate you, but you can hang out with us” then incorporating him into their friend group and slowly forgiving him. But the jocks?? The second Max stopped controlling everybody, Kyle would be like “oh, sweet, we don’t have to hang out with you anymore?? BYE ✌️🥳” Then he would say all of the meanest, nastiest shit about Max that he’s been holding back all these years. He’d actually make him cry and I love that for Kyle, I think he deserves it. As a treat. Jason wouldn’t participate, but Kyle’s his actual friend and Max isn’t so he’d still side with him and be like “well he kinda has a point”. I have nothing to back this up but Vibes lol. (And the flawless line delivery of “he forbade me from dating and he crashed my dad’s Ski-doo. Fuck that guy!”)

~~~

[lovebugism]

Okay, hear me out. The reader has a birthday in the summer and boyfriend!Steve is throwing her a little surprise bd party somewhere outside of Hawkins, along with Eddie, Robin and the kids 🥹🥰

thanks for your request!! — the one where steve harrington and the rest of the gang try hopelessly to celebrate the grump of the group (grumpy!reader, established relationship, 2k)

bug's summer fic fest ♡

A heart-shaped cake sits on top of a rotting park bench.

It’s obviously homemade, slathered with sage green icing that’s visibly uneven — bare in some places and thicker in others. Your name is written on the very center in a darker shade of juniper. At least, you’re pretty sure it’s supposed to be. The letters are sloppy and nearly illegible. It could say anything really, and you’d have no way of knowing.

Several smaller hearts are dotted around the top and the sides, looking more like gloopy circles and poorly drawn birds. You figure they were added as an afterthought, perhaps to distract from the various dents around the edges of the cake.

Despite all that — or maybe because of it — your heart swells with an inhuman sort of warmth.

You didn’t think people cared enough about you to bake a cake for you. Or to throw a surprise party for you. Honestly, you didn’t think anyone besides Steve even knew it was your birthday. The thought makes your chest feel tight, a healthy mixture of mirth and panic.

Several faces smile expectantly at you. You blink owlishly back at them. The twittering sounds of nature fill the anticipatory silence.

“Sorry,” you apologize in a half-sincere monotone, fidgeting awkwardly on the wooden bench seat. “I just… I never know how to respond when a group of people sing Happy Birthday to me.”

Steve smiles and smoothes a palm up and down your spine. His honey eyes flit between your profile and the burning striped candles on top of the cake. “I think most people usually blow out the candles at this point, babe.”

“Yeah,” Robin concurs from across the bench, sitting squarely on the edge to fit beside Dustin and Eddie. Her blue eyes widen as her maroon-tinted mouth quirks slightly upward. “If they burn too low, they’ll set the cake on fire.”

Eddie beams at her words. His chocolate eyes dart between Robin, the cake, and you. “Wait… That actually sounds kinda cool,” he lilts with a soft chuckle.

“No! Not cool!” Dustin argues in response. His bushy brows pinch together in disdain and his nose scrunches at the thought. “We worked hard on this cake, okay? So let’s maybe not ruin it—”

“I thought it was already ruined?” you blurt before you mean to.

The curly-haired boy snaps his attention from Eddie to you, equally as confused as you seem to be. “What?”

You shrug with a flat face. “I don’t know… I thought you guys, like, dropped it on the way over here or something.”

You’re too kind to be mean, too aloof to realize how insensitive you sound. 

You thought it might’ve been the perfect explanation for why the cake looked so… messy. Dustin was a perfectionist to boot, and Max commanded the boys like it was her job to do it. With their forces combined, you figure they could make just about anything five-star bakery-worthy.

This heart-shaped cake in front of you isn’t perfect. It looks more like what would happen to a sheet of paper if you gave toddlers a bunch of finger paint. Because they weren’t trying to make it flawless at all. They were making something sweet for you and having fun together while doing it.

You can imagine the kids laughing as they flick flour at one another and smear green icing on each other’s cheeks. Your chest warms all over again. Your heart glows with a happiness you often keep hidden.

“Considering it’s your birthday, I am actively choosing not to take offense to that statement,” Dustin responds after a beat of silence, a sincere smile on his boyish features.

“We made it ourselves, actually,” Lucas tells you with his own grin. He sits adjacent to the former boy, shoulder-to-shoulder with Max. Despite the many inches of space on either side of them, his bare arm brushes against her freckled one.

“That makes sense,” you mutter to yourself.

Steve exhales a laugh from beside you. His broad hand squeezes gently at your shoulder. “Blow out the candles, babe. Before you actually do set the cake on fire.”

Your chest inflates with an inhale that you blow out through your mouth. The flickering orange flames shift sideways for a moment before turning into wisps of gray smoke. 

The group around you starts to applaud. Some of them cheer quietly for you. It makes your brows furrow with distant contempt. You shrink into yourself, not made to be easily celebrated.

Steve smacks a kiss to your cheek, then. His plush, pink lips smush against your skin and pull into a beam a second later. His eyes sparkle with the sunshine expression when you turn to look at him. 

His arm curls more intently around you to hold you closer. Even though you make no move to hold him back, you melt into him just the same. His smile widens when he feels you grow heavier against him — much less tense than you usually are.

“What’d you wish for?” he wonders with his brows raised.

In a deadpan, you answer. “That goes against the philosophy of wishes, Harrington.”

“Right,” he concurs in a scoff. You feel his chest rumble with breathy laughter. It makes you lean further into him before you realize you’re doing it. 

Steve notices, though — rather quickly, because physical affection never did come easily to you. His already wide smile grows somehow fuller. His nose smushes into your hair when he pressed a kiss to your temple.

—————

The cake quickly disappears as everyone cuts themselves a slice and downs it with vigor. It’s less about being dreadfully hungry and more about there being something innately delicious about homemade pastries. 

Dustin tells you he calculated the recipe himself — comparing the backs of several cake mix boxes and what he knew you liked best. That, along with Max’s strangely distinct cheffing ability, created the perfect cake.

It was just dense enough, just sweet enough, just soft enough.

Despite its mess, it was undeniably made with love.

When Steve dismisses himself to get the cooler of drinks he left in his car, you take your slice of cake with you. You hold the festive plate in one hand and a plastic fork in another. Blanketed by shade at the side of the vacant road, you confess with green icing on the corner of your mouth — “Can we go home now?”

Steve huffs as he drops the heavy cooler on the grassy trail. He rises with a furrow to his brows.

“What? We just got here,” he answers with a soft chuckle, reaching his arm out for you. His knuckles brush gently at your chin as his thumb swipes over the corner of your mouth. 

The action is too quick for you to dodge. Your features scrunch in disgust when he licks the rouge icing from the pad of his finger. 

“We haven’t even finished eating yet.”

“But it’s so hot,” you gripe, face twisted in a distant pout. “And there’s, like, a million things I’d rather be doing.”

“Well, that’s rude,” the boy jokes with his head tilted to his shoulder.

“Everyone just, like… keeps talking to me. And looking at me. I don’t like it— it’s weird.”

Steve smiles, pink and lopsided. “God forbid someone pays a little attention to you every now and then, huh?”

“You do it enough,” you grouse like you’re not grateful for how much he loves you. Your face is fixed in a deadpan to conceal the adoration you have for the boy in front of you. Your eyes twinkle with all of it, anyway. “I don’t need anybody else to give me attention.”

Steve’s chest swells — with pride, perhaps, or maybe with how much he loves you. A healthy mixture of both, maybe.

“Damn right, you don’t,” he singsongs lowly before leaning down to kiss you. His soft lips press against your scowl. He feels like the white puffy clouds above you and tastes like the blue sky surrounding them. 

You don’t want to lean into them, still a bit pouty in your way. 

You regret not kissing him harder the second he pulls away from you.

He picks up the cooler and flashes you a soft, sympathetic grin. “C’mon, babe. Just a little while longer, okay? And then I’ll take you home. I promise.”

He’s about to walk away from you, turning on the heel of his dirty sneaker and expecting you to follow him. 

You don’t, though. You cross your arms over your chest and stand in one place, calling out for him before he can get too far. “Wait!” you blurt, still quiet in your plea.

Steve stills. He turns back to you, his brows raised expectantly. “Yeah?”

A beat of silence passes. You shift your weight on your feet and hold yourself tighter, letting the sounds of chirping birds and rolling breezes fill your quiet until you can find the words — the courage to say them, more like.

“That wasn’t my wish,” you confess gently.

You don’t say anything more than that, despite how vague it sounds. You expect him to understand you without having to plead for him outright. He usually does, though sometimes he loves to hear you beg.

Now, he’s just purely confused. 

“What do you mean?” he presses, not teasing you, just trying to understand you better.

“When I blew out the candles,” you explain, monotoned and still slightly pouting. “I wished that… you’d kiss me.”

That wasn’t entirely true. 

Actually, you wished that all of this would be over a lot quicker than how dreadfully slow it was going. 

You loved your friends, you really did, but you were not the same extroverted being who loved surprises that your boyfriend was. You’d much rather pretend you weren’t another year older and spend the day in bed, wrapped like a present in Steve’s arms.

And you don’t mean to lie about all that, but you don’t know how else to ask for another kiss.

You’re still learning how to be more openly affectionate with him — how to let Steve be more affectionate with you. He’s learning how to give you more space just the same. He can be too suffocating at times, he’s found, and his relationships have wilted like a dying flower accordingly.

You’re both looking for that sweet spot, the exact middle between too clingy and too distant. You’ve found that in each other in a lot of ways. The two of you bring a bit of both that balances you out perfectly.

Your words make Steve melt. 

He exhales a sharp laugh through his nose, chest swelling with so much love that it hurts him. His nose scrunches as he walks the short distance back to you. “Well, what kinda douchebag would I be if I didn’t let my girl’s wish come true on her birthday, huh?”

He drops the cooler at his feet again, and it crunches beneath the green grass. Melted ice and canned soda swish audibly from within it as he takes you in his arms. In the cool shade, his wide palms smooth around your hips to warm you like the summer sun.

You keep your arms crossed over you like you didn’t just beg him to be this close, still holding your plate in one hand.

“A huge one,” you answer, voice as flat as your face as you blink up at him. “You already are, actually.”

“Says the girl asking me to kiss her,” Steve jokes with a crooked grin.

Though your own smile threatens to quirk the edges of your lips, you fight to keep it hidden. “I take it back,” you quip at his teasing.

You’re lying, but he already knows that.

“No, you don’t,” he lilts with the shake of his head. He beams at you, perhaps too fondly than you deserve, and leans down once more to give you exactly what you wanted.

His pink lips lock with yours in a mixture of vivid hues. He tastes like sweet cake and sweeter soda. The rough pad of his tongue licks against your mouth to get a taste of you, too. It’s as soft and sweet as you’re still learning how to be.

[mh-dreamscape]

Fun fact brought to you by a marine biologist/marine affairs major!

Part 3: Creature from the Black Lagoon Edition!

Sooooo I ended up getting her and when I finally got to look at her details up close, I got inspired to do another one of these! Now that I’m graduated, I’ll most likely be taking her out of the box at some point! This will also be a little bit of a review too!

In my previous post, I rated her a 9.7/10 because I was confused by some design choices, like the harpoons in her heels. I feel that would’ve looked better with some type of shoe unless her feet are supposed to be like boots? Anyways, I’ll be going from head to feet with aquatic biology and my feedback!

The Fin Headpiece:

Most fins have multiple lines or filaments like that and tend to start with either a darker color or color that matches their body on the inside. That color starts to fade out the further on the fin we go because the material is a lot thinner. They can appear to have a sheen look sometimes because they can be shiny and reflect light a little!

The Face:

Probably the most informative part, the face has many qualities to it! Makeup? Iconic. Flawless. The only thing I might change about it is maybe a not-as-bright lip color, but I think I feel that way about many designs and might just be a personal preference so I’ll let it slide. Aquatic factors? To. The. MAX!

Unless a fish has a protruding lower jaw, they don’t typically have an upturned smile. Body shape and mouth position can be linked together too. Bottom feeders, like catfish and sturgeon, are usually wider and flatter with an inferior mouth or a mouth that’s toward the bottom of their face or completely under it. Fish with superior mouth types (“a” in the picture and towards the top of the body) and terminal (“b” and towards the middle). As you can see, either way, the fish will have a downturned mouth and I just love that quality on this doll. This follows with her nose as well! Her nose does stick out like a normal monster high doll. It’s flattened a bit and has wider nostril sides which goes along with the snout on fish.

Now, I know most of her design is literally based on the Creature of the Black Lagoon so I’m probably just listing facts about him too, but let’s talk about the sides of her face, the part I highlighted the most in this 3/4 perspective!

Probably the most prominent features on her head sculpt: Gills! They generally follow the rules of anatomy having the the arches and filaments, but she is missing an operculum, which is a protective covering for the gills made by a series of bones. This doesn’t mean she’s entirely inaccurate though as only bony fish have operculums!

The Hands:

While it isn’t related to fish much, I wanted to admire her hands too! On Mattel’s page for her, they mentioned amphibious a couple of times so I thought I should show that. This is a comparison to frogs hind leg and foot (I couldn’t find a good picture of a “hand” or front leg).

The Body/Clothes:

As mentioned above, this piece was called “Pearlescent amphibious body armor” and while it does resemble a frog-like skeleton a bit, I felt it looked more like a fish! The top part that rests on her shoulder reminds me of the head portion of the skeleton.

Now, let’s take a look at her tail/fin which I believe is made of some type of tulle, but please correct me if I’m wrong! I don’t know much about fabrics.

The way the tulle sticks out in the first set of body pictures (middle one) reminds me of a caudal peduncle which as described in the picture above, connects the main body and the caudal (tail). The way the tulle is spread, it looks like it would be a truncate tail. Tail shapes are connected to the maneuverability and speed of a fish and each in the third picture shows how they could work. I know it probably doesn’t lay that way when she’s taken out of the box, but it was a cool design choice!

The Feet/Shoes:

I haven’t taken her out of the box yet, meaning I don’t have any good pictures of her feet or the stand so I’m using the stock photos from Mattel’s site. The fins follow fish biology with them being a lighter or different color and the tops and bottom of her feet/shoes resemble a more amphibious or reptilian nature. Taking a closer look at it, I can now see that the harpoon is attached to a rope that wraps around her ankles! I wish they colored it differently so we could distinguish that (or maybe I was the only one who thought they just stuck harpoons in her heels lol). After finding that out, I don’t have much complaints. I think it’s kind of cool they made the feet into boots!

The Stand:

I adore the stand! I love when stands can add a bit of background or a pop of color to the doll! The kelp/seaweed was a great idea to hold her up and there’s detail on the sea floor as well! My only tiff is that I don’t quite know how stable this will be. With the usual stands, the clamp in the back holds their waist up while the bottom gives their feet something to rest on. It makes it stable in general posing of dolls. These pictures show her feet barely resting on it and I’m sure you could probably stretch her one foot out to land on the higher part of the terrain, but it wouldn’t quite look as good as the stock.

I tried making a quick edit of another way to keep the pose. I originally wanted it to be a harpoon and harpoon gun but I felt that was sort of off brand with Mattel and Monster High so I instead lifted that anchor from the terrain, colored it differently to look like it was covered in algae, and rested it in the seagrass! The only drawback would be that it requires a bit more plastic for each stand and may make it a little more clunky. Like I said, I haven’t taken her out of the box yet so I don’t quite know how stable the original stand is, so this is more so brainstorming!

Overall:

Making this post made me glad I got her and appreciate her design more. I got her about a month before graduating and it seemed fitting for my final doll delivered at college to be one that’s similar to my major (er I guess I should start saying degree now huh 😅)! I know this was such a long post and I’m sorry for it but I figured combining my “Fun Fact” series and an observational review of her in-person would be great! Her rating still stands at a 9.7/10!

What do you guys think? Do you like her design? What’s your favorite or least favorite part? What would you change about her? Should I keep doing this series??

[j4m3s-b4k3r]

The Darkest Of Angels

The latest instalment in the MAD MAX series, FURIOSA, is not as inventive as its predecessor, FURY ROAD. There are few moments to match the kooky joy of seeing the DOOF WARRIOR thrashing his guitar made out of a bedpan, atop a truck full of Taiko drummers in this movie. But FURIOSA delivered, and not in the ways expected. It is dark. A post-nuclear Dickensian western. A harrowing tale of an orphan taken to the Wasteland workhouse. With no inheritance to save her day, she wants revenge. There's plenty of George Miller’s signature kinetic storytelling. This isn't mere mayhem, but a thoughtful meditation on war, revenge, grief, and hope, told in 5 chapters.

1: The Pole of Inaccessibility

“Do Not Look Away, You Mustn’t Look Away.”

The tale begins in the “Green Place”, an EDEN hidden in the Wasteland. Instead of an apple, a peach is plucked by a little girl - a much younger FURIOSA. For the first hour, the titular character is played by Alyla Browne, who gives an absolutely riveting performance. Many of the traumatic moments that will shape the character are dealt with by this incredible young actor. 

Furiosa is soon kidnapped by the motorbike crazies that populate the MAD MAX films. Unfortunately for the goons, Furiosa’s mum MARY JABASSA is a veritable fury, and relentlessly hunts them down. Played by Charlee Fraser, the character isn’t in the story for long but she absolutely fizzes with intensity while she’s on screen. Leaving a white hot afterglow that lasts for the rest of the film. Unfortunately, she is soon dealt with by the villain of the tale. 

When we first meet DEMENTUS, he is clothed in white robes, like a desert messiah in his tent. Hemsworth’s performance is one of the highlights of the film. Dementus has a rural Australian accent, and a speaking style reminiscent of earlier generations. This may be lost on anyone without a small town Australian grandfather, but for me it had a chilling effect. At once folksy, familiar and terrifying. Most of the quotable lines from this film are from Dementus. He’s a bad egg, but eminently watchable. A Long John Silver of the desert.

2: Lessons from the Wasteland

"Who's got the goods? The bollocks, the testes to ride with Dementus?! "

Anya Taylor-Joy was arresting, and did wonders with a largely non verbal role. She was a strange choice for the role though. Alyla Browne believably played a child version of Charlize Theron, but Anya Taylor-Joy’s distinctive features and slight frame aren’t going to look like Theron in 10-15 years time. 

When Charlize Theron’s FURIOSA spoke with a north American accent in FURY ROAD, I accepted it as possible in Miller’s Wasteland. After all, we’d already learned years ago that way out in the middle of the outback, you might meet... TINA TURNER. So yeah, that accent made sense in 2015. However, we now know that Furiosa’s parents and childhood accent were both Australian. Then, she somehow acquires a North American accent growing up in the Citadel. Surrounded by Aussie War Boys?

George Miller deservedly gets praise for his imaginative visual world building and storytelling, but sometimes his world doesn’t make ‘sense’. I know that these films are best taken as kinetic & operatic comic books, taking place in a mythic world. However, inconsistencies sometimes break the spell, popping me out of the movie watching experience, to ask real world questions. 

However, Tom Burke’s Aussie accent was flawless, and his turn as PRAETORIAN JACK was wonderful. A stoic character, with as many wounds and losses as any other wretch in this misbegotten landscape, but who hasn’t lost the ability to be humane.

3: The Stowaway

“Didja see that? How they fought for each other, this little army of two? Where were they going, so full of hope?”

Each MAD MAX film thus far took us to a completely new part of the Wasteland. FURIOSA too shows us a new location, the Green Place. Experienced for mere moments, before being hauled to locations we’d previously seen in FURY ROAD. 

Though shown 15-20 years earlier, they looked exactly the same. Instead of seeing The Citadel only partially built, ruled by a younger Immortan Joe (perhaps not yet needing his mask, but already showing the signs of physical frailties?) characters & locations look as they did in a movie set 15-20 years later.The only character who shows the passage of time is Furiosa herself. 

George Miller takes big swings with these MAD MAX films, but in completely different ways with each one. FURIOSA is back to a revenge story, which is where the series began, but with a completely different structure this time. Ending on a dialogue in the desert, instead of blow-the-hinges off action sequence. After the excitement of what came before, a verbal showdown in the desert was anticlimactic for some. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, climaxing with jibber jabber instead of Leone’s gunfight. For me though, this ending (and Hemsworth’s speech) was one of the high points of the film.

The film has many images that stay with me - A time-lapse shot of a young tree growing from a discarded wig. A lizard eats flies buzzing around a skull in the desert, only to be crushed under a racing motorbike tire. Parasailing marauders attack a giant truck from the sky. The sadistically twisted villain wears a child’s teddy bear. Owned by a victim? Or his own children from long ago? What a grimly beautiful world this is.

4: Homeward

“There will always be war. But to get home, Furiosa fought the world.”

Some critics said FURIOSA was “an epic slice of myth-making”, while others called it “a joyless, pointless, pretentious and inartistic slog”. Generally though, critical response was effusive. 90% on Rotten Tomatoes with an 89% audience score. Interestingly, these action films are consistently rated higher by critics than by audiences:

FURIOSA: 90%/89% FURY ROAD: 97%/86%  BEYOND THUNDERDOME: 79%/49%  ROAD WARRIOR: 94%/86%  MAD MAX: 90%/70% 

Also interesting, is that FURIOSA’s audience score is the highest of all the 5 films. Stranger still is that this favourable response didn’t result in box office success.. There are many theories as to why this is so. Although some say that this is the best prequel ever, any prequel is by definition unnecessary. Perhaps those that focus on a sidekick character will have a harder time connecting with audiences. Especially if the franchise’s main character is a no show. (Likewise, SHORT ROUND: AN INDIANA JONES SAGA might tank at the box office too, if Indy only has a cameo of mere seconds.)

This gets to why an audience decides to go see a movie. Personally, I just needed to know that George Miller - a director I’ve followed since my teens - was making another movie. That’s it. I was already in line before I knew what it was about. But most people, even MAD MAX fans, lost interest when they heard the famous character wasn’t in it. Joe & Jane Public bond with actors and characters. Directors not so much.

5. Beyond Vengeance

“D’ya have it in ya to make it epic?”

Movies used to be cheap entertainment, that audiences could afford to take a chance on, but they are expensive nowadays. Especially with all the bells & whistles of IMAX and reserved seating. People have been burned so many times by gushing press luring them to lame movies, that positive reviews and ‘buzz’ are now simply assumed to be studio psyops. Flatly ignored. Instead, if it’s a film they are unsure of, many prefer to wait a few weeks and try movies at home, affordably. On the big screen TVs & sound systems bought during the pandemic.

Given FURIOSA’s poor box office, we may never get the 6th instalment in the MAD MAX saga; WASTELAND. Which makes me regret that George Miller hadn’t made that film before this one. FURIOSA isn’t my fave of the MAD MAX films, but ranks high in my personal list. A fantastic addition to this series, that deserved more success than it got, sadly. Seeing George Miller stretch himself, in this mythic world he has constructed over decades, is a true cinematic joy.

“To feel alive, we seek sensation — any sensation to wash away the cranky black sorrow!”

[arcadiabaytornado]

I appreciate Pricefield's ability to set boundaries and communicate when they have a problem.

What Chloe does here isn't malicious but is insensitive. She knows how hard it was for Max to be on that roof, and she doesn't know how to deal with that, so she acts normally instead of being cautious about Max's feelings. This is understandable but also hypocritical, considering how heavily she expects Max to always consider her emotions.

However, what's important here is that Max can call her out for this. She can state how she feels, and because of it, Chloe is more considerate in future chapters. She's so sweet in the hospital when they go to see Kate if you save her, and in episode five, where Max tells Chloe about her experience in the dark room, Chloe says she's sorry that Max had to go through that and doesn't try to brush off the topic because it's a heavy one. She learns from this moment and does better, which is a sign of a relationship that will be healthy about setting boundaries and communicating in the future.

I appreciate how real their relationship is. They love each other more than anything in the world, but their dynamic still isn't flawless, and there are some things both girls need to improve about themselves. That’s very true to life and part of why I love them so much.

[cookie-crumblr]

How yanderes react to a reader who only wants to have sex after marrying them. And after marriage how they would be in taking the reader's virginity.

What a sweet lil ask!🥺✨

MINORS DNI!!

CW: gender not specified, generally NSFW, some are mean. some are cute tho too!

they’re all secretly honored that they get to keep you as their partner legally. buuuut-

Enix: he’s still a depraved somno creep before you get to know eachother, never takes it that far until you’re awake when you tell him. “oh” he says. within the next week you’re married and he’s being gentle and loving at least the first time! doesn’t start to choke you until the third time…

Dev.in: doesn’t believe in marriage. but Issac thinks it’s cute, so he’ll marry you and take you first. is very inexperienced and probably hurts you on accident. will be the first one to cry tho, and will definitely need to be comforted.

Zachriel: Thinks that is a wonderful idea, flawless in fact. You are their GOD. so of course they will obey your rules. They take you flawlessly, and your first time(along with every other time) feels like heaven itself has opened up to you even though you are very much still alive.

Max: he’s a sensitive bugger at heart. This might make him tear up tbh. Thinks you’re too precious for this world. 100% spoils you with a grand wedding and then makes sure your first time is as precious as you are to him in general.

Professor Reisgraf: Agrees, and wishes to wed you properly. Is very formal about the whole thing, another grand wedding for you. You feel like absolute royalty with him. and it doesn’t stop at the wedding, will bow down to the crown, and isn’t afraid to give you anything you want or need.

Alastair: Feels the same way as you always, will spoil you and want to be spoiled by you as well. will NOT wear a tux. Probably catch him wearing a short dress honestly, with lots of frilly volume, and will wear a white choker, instead of his usually black. HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO TAKE YOUR VIRGINITY, and his life long dream has been realized, will study for MONTHS to be properly prepared. Will definitely cry.

BONUS:

Tzaisol: is so freakin excited, marries you in the traditional way for his clan. everyone welcomes you and you feel like you’re at home. Your first night together changes any life goals you had before to just wanting to be a good parent to some cute lil troll babies.

[thundergrace]

December 16, 2022

DEADLINE: Let’s start with Leighton. I’m sure there will be mixed reactions to her reigniting things with Alicia, but I really loved it for her. Why did you decide that was where she should land at the end of Season 2?

JUSTIN NOBLE: I think we start Season 2 with her doing the thing that she couldn’t quite do in Season 1. She comes out to all these people, and that opens the door to a hallway full of other doors of comedy opportunities for her. Do a lot of people who just come out after a closeted stint have a pretty promiscuous phase? Yes, they do. So she does that. Do a lot of those people then get STIs? Mhm. So that happens. Then my own personal favorite, which is like dating your twin, the doppelbanger, which I feel like I’ve just seen so many friends do and it’s like one of them leaves the brunch table and you’re like, ‘Is anyone gonna point out that they’re identical?’ But the goal for the season was to introduce Tatum in that light, episodic comedy love interest vibe, like we would see on a show like a Sex in the City or something, but then to have it surprisingly evolve into more depth. The interesting flip on it is that there was more there than we ever would have guessed when we first met them. When they first met, Leighton’s desire for her felt so superficial. It culminates in this moment that I really love with her dad, sitting outside that restaurant saying, ‘I really liked this girl for you.’ For Leighton, who’s just come out to her dad moments earlier, her dad saying that to her has to have a profound effect on her. It solidifies that she had probably been thinking that too. I think she really fell for Tatum and felt that there was something there. Gracie’s performance as Tatum is just so flawless. She just matches Reneé every step of the way. But Reneé and Midori were fantastic in Season 1. I loved every scene between them, but there was this one roadblock between them which was that Leighton wasn’t out. For Alicia, that was a line in the sand. I think both of them had really good points on why they just couldn’t be together that I think we should respect, and halfway through Season 2, those boundaries are gone, but I think we’re so wrapped up in Tatum that we don’t really remember that the boundary with Alicia is gone. So we reintroduce Alicia because there’s nothing really holding her back anymore. She has most certainly heard about Leighton’s journey through campus, and there was something there that was undeniable. So Leighton has to choose, and I think seeing a reflection of a part of her personality in Tatum was enough for her to see, ‘Maybe this isn’t the right choice for me'.

DEADLINE: I’m glad you brought that up. Leighton telling Tatum that she saw parts of herself in Tatum that she didn’t like was pretty brutal, but also felt like a moment of needed self reflection.

NOBLE: I love that line. I remember laboring over that line. The network called it out at the table read, and I was like ‘Great. It works.’ But I do think it’s true, and I think it hints at the backbone of the show, which is that these girls are 18 and 19 years old and they’re finding themselves. I think it shows incredible self awareness for Leighton that she says that out loud.

[danshive]

I’m plotting to make Maple in Skyrim. Again.

This will be non-anniversary edition in Japanese. It’s not important that it’s in Japanese, but if I want non-anniversary edition, that’s the version I have that’s non-anniversary, so… 日本語です。

Here are the rules / goals for Maple:

Breton. Smol, plus magic resistance.

Only level health.

Block is priority #1. Block is where most damage reduction will come from.

Vegetable Soup. FIND TOMATOES O_O

Heavy Armor is #2. Getting the “if wearing all heavy armor” and every rank isn’t important, as Maple will get the armor cap without them via smithing (AND ancient knowledge), and will likely not technically wear all heavy armor (Falmer helmet doesn’t actually count towards all heavy armor, and spoiler warning, that’s what she’s going to be wearing, along with a circlet).

All crafting. All three. No restoration loop except MAYBE to quickly finish leveling Alchemy. No actual exploiting the loop beyond saving time. Just Smithing and Enchanting would arguably be fine, but we’re maxing defense. We NEED that poison resist.

Join the companions. This is useful for training, but also? Werewolf. Werewolf + everything else Maple will be doing is absurdly powerful and Atrocity worthy.

Alteration. Need that +30 Magic resistance.

Blessing of Mara. Even MORE Magic Resistance.

That standing stone that offers EVEN MORE RESISTANCE. We want Maple to have 70 magic resistance EVEN WHEN A WEREWOLF (and 95 at all other times, which is above the cap, but the cap isn’t even the cap, because elemental resistance is on top of that, and can half damage again while blocking with a shield perk).

As many Daedric Artifacts as possible. Don’t worry about morality! We’re roleplaying Maple in a game, not Maple actually isekai’d. It wouldn’t be Maple if she couldn’t do horrific things without it being fine because game.

Find, AND HANG ON TO, a flawless Ruby. This is for getting Spellbreaker.

There’s more. Definitely more. Just manipulating when I take Illusion perks is a thing (fear boost AFTER fire empowering Destruction perks, stronger against humans before muffle perk), but I just looked at how much I wrote, and wow. It’s, um… Quite a lot.

Anyway, werewolf Maple should be absurd. If all your points are in health, you’re constantly healing by feeding, AND you have a race-independent passive resistance of 70% to magic? That’s an absolute tank (at least on normal. On legendary difficulty, that wolf’s in trouble, but that’s why screw Legendary).

[lestappenforever]

Hi. I just wanted to say I love how rational you are. Your answers to asks are so well thought out and thoughtful as well as kind. So keep being amazing.

As for Lestappen going mainstream, there are two sides to it. One is that Max haters want Max to be a villain so badly. They want everyone to hate him and especially the F1 prince (he’s a princess but to each their own I guess) but what they don’t know is Charles loves Max and vice versa. They are the same, they see themselves in each other. Two, Lestappies are also scared because we have a bubble here on tumblr and Ao3 (X doesn’t count because that place is toxic AF) People don’t want that bubble bursted because once it is and Max/Charles get a whiff or any negativity they might start hiding their interactions. But the thing is, of course they know people ship them, just about any celebrity knows people ship them with whatever other person out there, the problem would be breaking the fourth wall and just being outright insane about wanting them to be together or harassing them and their partners about this.

Do people really think if both Max and Charles were not happy about it they’d allow their teams to post about them with the actual ship name??

Also, we have Carlando. Everyone and their grandmother knows about Carlando. Both Carlos and Lando use that ship name. So does Carlos’ dad, F1 commentators etc. So why should Lestappen be any different? Yes there are people out there with no value for basic human decency and lack of common sense but if we are all respectful, I don’t see why Lestappen can’t be as fun as Carlando and even way better. So if some people think they are doing the nasty behind their gfs backs that’s on them, but keep it to yourself or fandom spaces don’t go to Max and Charles or their partners with that bs and that includes their comments or tagging them in whatever. We don’t know the extent of their relationship whatever they are to each other makes them happy and we should be happy for them too.

Looking forward to today’s podium (Lestappen 1-2) and their honeymoon in Las Vegas as per F1 Las Vegas suggested 😉

Good evening, my darling anon! Thank you so much for your kind words. I love getting asks, and this fandom makes me so happy, so I'm very glad to hear that you think that’s reflected in the way I answer asks. ❤️

And you are absolutely right, with everything you've said. Max haters will make Max out to be the villain he isn’t no matter what, and that’s never going to change. But they will be free to live in their delusion because there is no denying that not only do Max and Charles respect each other, they also like each other. Genuinely. The people who can’t deal with that are going to keep trying to convince themselves of a reality that doesn’t exist, which is fine. What isn’t fine is trying to force their narrative on people who clearly disagree with it.

As for them being aware of people shipping them: Oh, absolutely. Shipping is everywhere, and if they were truly uncomfortable with the concept of Lestappen, their teams would not be posting about it on main. It’s that simple. But keeping certain parts of shipping, like fanfics, far away from the people of the ship is a given anywhere, with any ship, in any fandom. That’s something that’s meant to be fun for fans, and nobody should be pushing those things onto the people involved, their partners, their families etc., in any capacity. That’s simply a matter of common decency, and being a reasonable human being.

Shipping is supposed to be fun, and if you take it to the real world and the real people involved, it stops being fun and starts being incredibly uncomfortable for everyone involved. Let’s stay in our little bubble and be happy here, and take the Lestappen content we get on main with open arms.

Oh, babe, me too. I'm manifesting a Lestappen podium with everything I have, and I am so excited for this race.

I absolutely love your take on this whole thing, anon, and your logic is flawless. I love you. ❤️

[chs-miraculous-prompts]

Miraculous – Better Kwami Combinations (Prompt)

Before anything, read the rules.

The reason I am doing that is because, honestly, I hate a lot of combinations of canon, mostly because many of them don’t make sense with the personality, abilities and even color pallet of their holder’s civil form.

This is to help those that are starting their AUs, and will use the canon ones because they can’t think of more interesting ones.

So, down below, there are present some combinations that I consider better than canon.

 Alya: The Dog

Seriously, everyone, why has canon given her the fox? Alya’s character is all about going after the truth and unmasking lies. And they don’t even show her struggling to use it. All the times she use mirage, she does it flawlessly (the closest we got was a slight insecurity in Sapotis, and still, she created a a flawless illusion of an Amusement Park).

The dog would be a lot better considering her dreams of becoming a journalist. And the color pallet isn’t even that different from the fox, so, the changes on the outfit could be minimal. Besides, the concept of Adoration fits her role as Marinette’s best friend.

 Max: The Rabbit

Can someone explain me why one of the smartest kids in the class, who understands about science, isn’t using a miraculous that involves time-travel, and, with misuse, can tear the space-time continuum? Like, if someone would understand of how to use the rabbit miraculous properly would be Max. Besides, if miraculous followed any of the rules of physics, they should have used the rabbit in Startrain (since time is faster in space, and it would have been months ever since the train left Earth).

 Alix: The Snake

The girl’s color pallet is green, she has snake drawings in her sleeves, and her akuma power is closer to the snake miraculous than the rabbit (since it only brings her back a few seconds in time, and only after charging her rollerblades with the life energy of others).

Besides, Luka plays a lot of instruments, did he need another one?

 Nathaniel: The Goat

Honestly, even if I understand the critics of Nathaniel using this miraculous, I think there is a better solution than giving him another jewel. His natural hair color is brown (as confirmed by miraculous secrets).

Just make his hair brown in your Aus, and make it became black with white streaks when he transforms.

(But honestly, I am not that well-informed about why people dislike Caprikid besides the color palet).

 Mylene: The Horse

Many episodes show that Mylene seems to be interested in other cultures and places (like the bracelets of Gang of Secrets). And they use the horse a lot to go to space, and Mylene had an arc of protesting against the project of throwing the garbage on the sun, so, it sorta works as connection.

Besides, Kaalki’s personality could help Mylene be more confident on herself.

 Zoé: The Fox

People have stated before that Lila and Zoe have lots of parallels, and, honestly, they aren’t wrong! Zoe can act, and she did use lies to be popular. The difference was, she had good intentions (unlike Lila). So, why not make her Volpina with good intentions?

Besides, there is literally no way of connecting her with the bee miraculous. She isn’t bossy or a natural leader to wield the miraculous of subjection/action.

 Sabrina: The Rooster

Canon constantly shows that Sabrina has a lot of abilities. She is a great student (miraculous secrets confirm she is only behind Adrien in in the matter of grades), she play soccer well enough, can cook, and is always prepared to help.

So, why not give her a miraculous that allows her to do all of that? Besides, who says she isn’t a writer in her free time?

 Luka: The Mouse

I just think it would be interesting if he and Marinette shared a miraculous (just like how I think that Adrien should have temporally wielded the Dragon not the Snake, but it’s a story for another day).

Luka seems to understand a lot about teamwork, and working with many versions of himself seems like something he would be able of doing.

Besides, it isn’t hard to imagine someone like Bob Roth having a sentimonster that worked like Mega Leech (that would help him get inside people’s minds to convince them to buy a product he is selling or something like that).

 Juleka: The Bee

This one is a little trickier. Besides me believing that Juleka’s interest in modeling fits the concept of subjection/action better than Zoe’s dreams of acting, it’s also because of her past interactions with Chloe.

Chloe was the responsible for the events of Reflekta, something that was pretty traumatic for Juleka.

So, why not giving her the bee as a revenge? Besides, Pollen’s encouragement could also help her become more confident.

Marc: The Tiger

Well… Marc is shy, the Tiger could help him out and… he would probably look great with the Tiger. (Couldn’t think of anything else, sorry).

 Remember, this are all just suggestions. I would like to hear you guys’ opinions and thoughts.

[johndilaye]

Ceramic Coating Excellence for Your Car

You might have heard the term "ceramics" mentioned by car care brands and detailing experts, but don't confuse these with the ceramics from your pottery class. The ceramics we're talking about serve a very different purpose.

So, what exactly are ceramics in the context of car care, and how can they benefit your vehicle? Keep reading to uncover the answers and learn more about the advantages they offer.

Basics of Ceramic Coating:

A ceramic coating is made from a blend of silicone dioxide and other polymers, creating a tough and durable shell that shields your vehicle's paintwork. Think of it as a thin, lightweight armor for your car. While it won’t make your vehicle bulletproof, it does protect against light to moderate scratches, swirls, and oxidation in the clear coat.

Additionally, a ceramic coating makes your car’s surface hydrophobic. This means that instead of rainwater lingering on your car's hood for hours, the coating repels water, encouraging it to bead up and roll off the sides. This helps prevent streaks and water stains, keeping your car looking pristine.

Like car wax, a ceramic coating acts as a protective barrier for your vehicle's paintwork. However, ceramic coatings are significantly stronger and more durable than natural wax. While carnauba wax needs to be reapplied every 2-3 months, most ceramic coatings can last at least six months with regular touch-ups and maintenance. Ceramic coatings also offer superior protection against scratches, swirls, UV rays, and chemicals.

Ceramic coatings have been a robust alternative to car wax for over 20 years. Many consider them to be superior in terms of protection and longevity. However, traditional ceramic coatings often require professional application, which can make these benefits rather costly to obtain.

SAME BENEFITS, DIFFERENT FORM

Silicon dioxide not only provides durability and hydrophobic properties but also enhances performance. Ceramics maximize the benefits of other active ingredients, making them an excellent addition to car care products. Combining the strength of silicon dioxide with the incredible shine of traditional carnauba wax, we developed the perfect formulation of ceramic wax.

The result is a new type of ceramic coating that anyone can apply, offering the protective strength of a professional coating along with a showroom-quality shine. This formula became the foundation of our Hybrid Solutions collection, a new line of products delivering professional-grade protection and shine, easily achievable in your driveway.

Our Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating provides up to a year’s worth of protection and a stunning shine in just 5-10 minutes. The Hybrid Solutions Polish & Wax removes light scratches and imperfections, leaving a smooth, flawless finish with a fresh coating of ceramic wax. The Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wet Wax can be applied right after the final rinse of your car wash, drying your car and adding a fresh layer of ceramic protection in one easy step. Simply buff it in with a microfiber towel to see your car shine and sparkle like new.

You know what’s better?

If you thought ceramic coatings were impressive, the future holds even more promise. When combined with the strongest substance known to man, ceramic wax reaches a whole new level.

Enter graphene—a compound stronger than diamonds. When paired with ceramics and carnauba wax, genuine graphene offers unparalleled scratch resistance, heat resistance, and durability. It bonds directly to the clear coat, preserving that incredible showroom look for up to a year with proper touch-ups and maintenance.

This isn’t just a promise; it’s a reality. Our newest additions to the Hybrid Solutions collection, Hybrid Solutions PRO Flex Wax and Hybrid Solutions PRO to the Max Wax, bring this innovation to your car care routine. Experience the unmatched protection and shine these products offer, keeping your car looking brand new all year round. So, are ceramic coatings beneficial? Absolutely. And when combined with wax and other powerful ingredients, they deliver some of the best protection and shine your car can get!

[evasivaardilosa]

Almost finished the seasonal tower today

I was going really well and made it really high but I had to stop playing so I lost my progress

It doesn’t even matter because it actually isn’t that hard??? I mean, it will be a pain to go through all of that again, it’s *tall*, but I actually managed to go as far as I went without even using my talisman, not even once! I even got a flawless victory, against the Johnny cosplayers

You might be wondering, what about my worst enemies, the survive puzzles? Well. I was theorizing about it, why did was the third so much harder than the others (that I had done so far)? I was getting hit in all of them, I only managed to avoid some projectiles in the second one, with the meteors, because it worked differently. The first and the third were very similar, and when I got hit by almost every projectile in the first I still made it to the end, while with the third I died after being hit once or twice. So I wondered, maybe this had to do with elements? So I equipped a relic that raised my magic resistance (since the projectiles in the third puzzle are magic) and. That was it. I survived the third. None of the other puzzles gave me trouble either

I didn’t think it would work, it was just my first guess. I was planning on trying to farm those syringes that give you permanent resistance. I didn’t even check what Smoke’s elemental stats are

Btw I was using those syringes as they came, because I thought they applied to everyone, but I took a look at the stats of someone, don’t remember who, and saw they had negative levels of resistance to some element. Which worried me, because I am sure I have taken syringes for all of them. Then the possibility that they only apply to the character I am using when I use them came to me. I haven’t checked but it makes sense, the base stats for each character must be different since they are different elements too. Since them I have started switching to Smoke before using them, as I was already planning on using him in the seasonal tower (I didn’t get many since thinking of this though). Idk if it helped but maybe

So, yeah. The solution was getting a relic for the element I seemed to be weak against. It reduces physical resistance but it didn’t make too much of a difference in the fights, but it changed everything in survive

Idk if I will try again tomorrow, I am very frustrated that I lost my progress today so I may need more time. But I think it’s just a matter of time now

I’m already thinking of the after. I managed to get everything (except Havik’s stuff, for now, but I have the coins for him too) from the seasonal shop, but I have no idea of where I am in the shrine and, maybe because I decided to level up everyone at the same time, I’m only at level 8~9 with everyone (except, again, Havik). I don’t think mastery is seasonal so I probably won’t miss anything if I don’t max everyone in around 30 days. The shrine doesn’t seem to be seasonal in the sense that some stuff won’t be there anymore next season, but I am less sure of this one. Anyway the seasonal tower seems to be the last actual seasonal thing I have left to do, then it’s just collecting regular coins for the shrine and xp for the mastery. Both which are things I will get as I do it all over again next season anyway

So, if I finish the tower, I’m done? I still won’t have *everything*, but the stuff I’ll be missing is stuff I can get at any point? This is… weird. I don’t think I ever got this feeling with any of these games, of being done

Oh, right. I will try to max my profile level as soon as possible, if I am quick I may get just enough dragon crystals for fire head Scorpion (I wonder if I will regret spending what seems to be the only free dragon crystals I will get in those, what if there is something cooler later? But I mean, it’s fire head Scorpion. I don’t think anything could beat them.)

[infinitefluffderg]

I feel like this is the year I got caught up on really good cartoons. It’s not much of a symbol, but I feel it to be true. It was me just deciding one day that I had the means, and usually I had the time, just had to see it through.

Amphibia was the first, and holy smokes that was an excellent show. The Owl House was second, followed by Ducktales, Primal, some Tuca and Bertie, Venture Bros, and then finally Adventure Time. Every single one of these were INCREDIBLE experiences.

Sure some cartoons these past five-ten years have been stinkers, but, I feel like for every meh mainstream entry, we got one or two really really kick-ass ones. It’s painful to see HBO Max implode like it is since streaming platforms really felt like the next step in getting weird ideas onto the market without needing to fight for programming space on different channels. And yeah, a lot of these were programmed shows, but that’s the past, and streaming is (or maybe was) the future.

There’s still A future for animation, the titans of streaming industry bleeding and showing that they are not flawless gods does not mean civilizations of potential will fall with them. But “modern day cartoons will keep getting better” and “there’s a very slim chance for original non-franchise animated ideas in the coming years” can both exist in the same sentence.

If you haven’t seen any of the above cartoons I can strongly recommend Amphibia for all audiences. Venture Bros is really good too though though you need to filter out some of the icky humor bits and that it’s intentional 80% of the cast are flawed/awful people. Primal’s just a modern day classic.

And Adventure Time is incredibly good!! It helps when you aren’t overexposed to it. Watch Distant Lands too if you have finished AT and haven’t seen it yet. It’s a A+ sendoff that having full series knowledge helps (but isn’t necessary).