#and this is way more a matter of personal opinion to me but

[vincentbriggs]

Do you need a sewing machine to start making shirts and vests? Is hand sewing an option worth considering, or should I invest in a machine, in your opinion?

That's really a matter of personal preference!

Do you need a machine? Absolutely not! Every garment ever made before the 1840's was sewn by hand, and a lot of them after that too. I've sewn many garments completely by hand, including the early 18th century tiddy-out-violinist shirt, these bright orange breeches, and this green waistcoat.

Is it nice to have a machine? I think so, but again, individual opinions vary!

One of the costumers I follow sews everything 100% by hand because she finds it meditative and isn't interested in using a machine at all. Some people hate hand sewing and prefer to do everything by machine, with maybe a bit of hand finishing if they absolutely can't avoid it.

I do about a 50/50 split overall, maybe skewing a bit more towards hand sewing. I like to do pants, shirts, and nightgowns mostly by machine with some hand finishing, but for jackets and waistcoats I usually do considerably more hand sewing than machine, because I like 18th century tailoring techniques and think they give a nicer looking result. I do most of my buttonholes by hand, or I do them by machine first and then cover them in hand stitching.

Most people who sew do at least some of it by machine, but again, I don't know which way you prefer to work, so I'd suggest trying out both to see how you feel abut them.

For hand sewing, I suspect a lot of people hate it because they're using shitty needles and/or shitty thread, and perhaps haven't found good resources for hand sewing techniques.

Here's a post of hand sewing advice that I found quite helpful a decade ago. Use good needles because the eyes of the cheap ones have jagged edges and will ruin your thread! Use nice thread because the wrong kind will be twisty and tangly and will fray more!

Thimbles are good and useful, and typically they go on the middle finger of your dominant hand, and you use them to push the needle. I prefer metal thimbles and dislike using leather ones, but some people prefer the leather ones, or rubber ones.

The metal ones come in sizes, and I don't know how to find out your size aside from trying them on in person, but I know I'm a size 11.

One very important thing is that if you're hand sewing a garment, look for hand sewing specific instructions on how to do the construction techniques you're going for. A lot of the time when someone nowadays is trying to figure out how to hand sew a thing they'll just try and copy the machine sewn version, and a lot of the time that's inefficient and more difficult and the result looks worse, because machines and hands work very differently!

This is something I'm going to briefly discuss in the outro to the very long shirt video I'm working on, because it's so very common, and I've done it too! On several of my earlier hand sewn shirts I didn't know to turn the edge in on the front slit and do a little narrow hem, so I instead sewed on a facing for the front slit and cut and turned it, just like I'd seen on machine sewn shirts. This made it about 3x more time consuming, and the result was much bulkier and looked worse.

I've got so many more things to say about sewing but it's almost bedtime and I don't want to make this post too long.

For machine sewing, again there's a lot of personal choice. Some people like newer machines, some people like vintage or antique ones. I'm one of the ones who prefers solid metal vintage machines. I grew up using an old cast iron Singer, and the newer domestic machines just feel so plasticy and insubstantial to me. I'm used to ones that just do straight stitch and can also go backwards, but some people are perfectly happy with ones that can't even backstitch.

I do think that for a beginner the vintage machines are a better deal, because if you're patient and look around for a while you can snag one for really cheap at a thrift store, yard sale, facebook marketplace, etc. Also they're mostly metal and therefore harder to break.

I recently got a Pfaff (from I think the 1960's?) at an estate sale for 25 bucks. The zig zag mechanism is stuck and needs fixing, but I cleaned & oiled it up and it works just fine for regular straight stitching.

There are SO MANY online resources for how to clean, oil, and fix vintage sewing machines, especially the more popular brands, and a lot of the time cleaning & oiling is all they need. Read the manual and get an oil bottle with a nice long pointy thing so you can reach all the parts, and get some compressed air to whoosh out the fuzz. If it's old and hasn't been used in years, turn the hand wheel and observe every single place where metal rubs against metal, and Make It Greasy There.

(If you don't have the manual, you can often find those online too. I even found the service manual for my new-old Pfaff! I have the original users manual, but this one's for the people doing repairs.)

Oh this post is getting much too long! If you don't know yet if you like machine sewing, try seeing if you can use one without owning it, perhaps at a sewing class or in a makerspace. I know some libraries can loan out machines. A sewing class would probably be a good idea actually, if there are any available where you live!

Much like how you'll have a bad time hand sewing if you've got shitty supplies and no proper instructions on good techniques, you'll have a bad time machine sewing if it's not oiled well and if the tension is uneven.

There are so so very many things to learn about sewing and I hope I'm not making it sound too overwhelming, because I promise it's not if you take it one step at a time!

Also, when someone who's been sewing for a long time says "You may think you can ignore (piece of sewing advice), but actually that's bad and you will regret it", they're usually right. Oh, how I regret not learning to use a thimble years earlier than I did...

Sorry this post is so long, I hope it's helpful!

Basically, there's no one best way to sew anything, and you should try different stuff and see what works best for you, because everyone has different preferences.

[withleeknow]

minho and https://open.spotify.com/track/4gAIUEY7VkeiKQOPwIYaYb?si=oZNdDS-aTUm9V7bEycscDQ 🩷🩷

flower.

pairing: minho x reader genre/warnings: established relationship, fluff, a teeny bit angsty?; minho's pov word count: 0.7k note: i am very sorry if this is bad i wrote most of this while half asleep so please forgive me kshdkfhsk

as always, i’d appreciate any thoughts or comments you may have, and please drop a like and/or reblog if you enjoy reading ♡

main masterlist / request masterlist / ko-fi

one day if a flower blooms in your heart would you be able to understand me?

Flower - DANIEL

minho has been up for a while now, just lying here with you as you snuggle close to him like you can't help but gravitate toward him even in your sleep. one of his hands slips under your shirt where he gently traces the smooth skin of your waist, careful not to rouse you from slumber.

he fails though. maybe a particular swipe of thumb over your body was too ticklish.

"you're so warm."

the words come out a little slurred, a little muffled from where your face is tucked into the crook of his neck, safe and sound on this chilly saturday morning. you stir awake for long enough just to say that, and before he knows it, you're off to dreamland once more, from where you probably won't return for at least another hour or so.

minho halts instantly. you're none the wiser, still sleeping peacefully with your soft breaths fanning his collarbones.

cold, mean, unwelcoming, standoffish, callous. you could name any synonym of these words and he's probably been called that before, by friends and by strangers alike. some of them didn't utter it with malicious intent, but rather it was only a passing comment said in a teasing manner, with a lightheartedness that they didn't think he would mind because, well, apparently he just didn't have enough heart to take it as anything other than a joke.

he's used to it, he's gotten numb to it. somewhere along the way, minho accepted that maybe his name is merely one of those synonyms. it's fine, it doesn't matter. he doesn't really mind it because at the end of the day, none of these people could ever be you.

you're the only person whose opinion he cares about. when all is said and done, he doesn't care if the rest of the world thinks cold and heartless, as long as you know who he is. you're the only thing that matters; everything else just simply... falls away.

he's always struggled with opening up, even if the person on the receiving end is you. it doesn't come naturally to him at all. minho was never raised to be openly affectionate, and it just isn't an inherent trait that he possesses. he's not the kind of guy that tells you he loves you every hour of every day, nor is he the type to smother you with gifts and kisses and grand gestures on a daily basis.

no, minho's love comes quietly, rooted in almost every mundane aspect of life that it's often easy to miss if you don't know where to look. his love comes in the form of packed lunches and home-cooked dinners, of a blanket draped over your form after you've fallen asleep at your desk while working on a project for work. of his hand holding tightly onto yours when you get overwhelmed in crowded places. of his eyes always looking at you as though you're the eighth wonder of the world and he'll never get tired of being mesmerized by you. of texts asking if you've eaten. of sporadic videos of soondoongdori simply sleeping or munching on treats, accompanied by no other message or explanation.

there's a million ways that minho cares for you; he doesn't have to shout it from the rooftops for you to know. you do know, and that's enough for the both of you.

but it's not until you uttered those simple words just now that minho realizes how much he needed to hear them out loud. he's well aware that you didn't mean it like that. you meant it quite literally, because sometimes he does run hot and you've always loved that. your personal human furnace to keep you nice and toasty whenever you wanted. he knows it and yet, he still lets the words wiggle their way inside his ribcage and make a home there. they settle somewhere beside his heart and mend something in him that he didn't notice was cracked and chipped, worn away after years and years of people telling him he was callous.

minho isn't sure how long he's been holding his breath, but the very second he inhales again, everything feels lighter, like he's finally leaving behind some of the weight that he's been carrying with him his whole life.

his fingers resume their ministrations on your soft skin as he presses a kiss to your forehead. he holds you a little tighter, and everything feels like it's going to be okay.

even in your half-asleep state with your mind completely elsewhere, you still manage to take his breath away. maybe you really are the eighth wonder of the world after all.

all rights reserved © withleeknow. reposting, translating and/or modifying is not permitted by any means. [posted 19.05.2024]

[ayakashiz]

Reposting this from my twitter thread because it hasn't left my head (and adding a tiny bit more).

Seen so many questionable takes lately about the ivantill kiss, and I know everyone is allowed to have different opinions and interpretations but.

No, Ivan didn’t just pretend to kiss Till for the show. And no, he wasn't trying to make Till hate him either or trying to trigger him over his implied SA to snap him into action.

I think the whole point of the scene (confirmed by the creators) is Ivan finally breaking his mask of perfection and control and giving in to his messy, all consuming feelings, being selfish for once.

Yes, by the end before the strangling starts, he appears more clear headed and now focused on the objective of manipulating the score. But he doesn't really look at it until AFTER he starts strangling Till.

The kiss itself wasn't part of the strategy, or at least not entirely something calculated. Ivan could have skipped the kiss and strangled Till right away and gotten the same result.

The fact that he kissed him AGAIN after he started strangling him, more softly and 'personal', almost like a goodbye or an apology (whether for his selfishness or for their past), tells me he wanted it.

I think a last selfish act doesn't diminish the love he had for Till, it just shows the tragedy of ALNST. Ivan is only human after all. And no matter what kind of mask he built for himself and what illusion of control he had over his life, when faced with the real, imminent possibility of losing Till, he crumbled and did something unexpected.

I have more to say about the Ivan and Sua parallels and how he finally understands her in the Confession comic etc etc but I think I've yapped enough.

I just don't like it when people try to mold the narrative because they're uncomfortable with an unconsensual kiss. It's meant to be painful and heartwrenching, a reflection on Ivan's one sided-feelings and his desperation at the moment —to be seen for the first (and last) time, to not be left behind, to convey his emotions in the only way he could when being seconds away from death.

After all the team confirmed that Ivan is clumsy with emotions and only knows to convey them in 'childish' ways (the nuzzling against his face, the picking fights with Till and teasing him).

I think some people like to think of the kiss as something purely calculated and selfless because it makes it more 'palatable', but in my opinion this take washes out Ivan's character and the flaws that make him just as human, vulnerable and complex as the rest of the cast. He was willing to throw away his life and his perfect image because he wanted something that badly.

[aphroditelovesu]

Yandere poly Nico and will from Percy Jackson please 🙏🏼 I love your work 🥰

❝ 💀 — lady l: It's almost 4am and I haven't slept yet, but I needed to write this before I forget lol. I got a little carried away, but I hope you like it and forgive me for any mistakes! 🤎🖤

❝tw: toxic relationships, polyamourous, manipulation, obsessive and possessive behavior, forced relationship (?).

❝☀️pairing: yandere!nico di angelo/yandere!will solace x male!reader.

Nico and Will were quite satisfied with their current relationship. They matched, they had common interests and future plans to be realized. That said, they weren't thinking about adding a third demigod to their relationship or being obsessed with you in general. You shared many of the same interests as them and had a personality that complemented the couple's dynamic. It was as if you were made by the gods themselves to complete them.

Nico thoroughly enjoyed your company and he felt comfortable around you, something he felt with few people. You made him laugh, feel happy and understood and di Angelo found himself wanting more and more that feeling you brought in him. A feeling of belonging to something, that he belonged to you.

Will, on the other hand, was a little more skeptical at first. That didn't mean he didn't like you, he was just more cautious. As he got closer to you, mainly because of his boyfriend, Solace understood what Nico saw in you. You had something that attracted people to you, that attracted them to you.

In conversations about different topics, both Nico and Will found themselves mentioning you more and more. You were a constant presence in their lives, and your company was always pleasant and welcome. It was then that they began to consider the possibility of including you in their relationship in a more intimate and meaningful way.

Nico and Will wouldn't force you into a relationship with them. If they can't have you romantically, that's okay, they have other ways of keeping you with them. As long as you were theirs, they would be fine with it.

For Nico and Will, it was important that this new phase of their relationship was based on respect, consent and mutual love. They believed you could bring a new dimension to their relationship, enriching their lives in ways they had never imagined. They were eager to see how this new configuration could further strengthen the bonds between them.

And when you said yes, when you accepted them, it was the happiest moment of both of their lives. You were finally theirs to love, to own, and to adore.

The relationship with them is quite dynamic and comfortable, you suppose. They respected you and respected your limits and choices, although they would always give you their opinions. You have a lot of freedom, you can hang out with your friends and go on missions, although Nico doesn't particularly like it, he knows he can't lock you away. or can he?

Nico is the clingiest of the three of you and it shows when he loves to snuggle next to you or just stay by your side, even if in silence. He likes to steal t-shirts from you, as a mild form of marking you as his, and also because he likes them.

In addition to being clingy, Nico is also quite overprotective and as a result, he can become possessive. He just wants you to be safe, why is this so hard? Nico has already lost someone he loved, he won't lose you too. It doesn't matter if you know how to fight, he won't allow it.

Will is already more subtle in his displays of affection, but that doesn't make him any less clingy. He likes to hold your hand, sing hymns, and appreciate your beauty when no one is watching. You can expect many poems written by him, all of them describing how much he loves you.

Solace is more jealous and possessive than Nico, although he doesn't show it as much. His normally warm and gentle gaze will harden, his mouth will form a thin line, and his grip on you will tighten. He doesn't like to show his jealous moments, but he can't help the hatred that arises within him when someone gets too close to you.

They both make a wonderful duo and they knew how to manipulate you if they so choose. Nico is the most emotional manipulator, he will make you feel guilty when you are being stubborn. Will is already the cruelest manipulator, he knows how to make you feel bad about yourself and he will use that to his advantage to keep you with them.

They adore you, love you, albeit in their twisted way. They will spoil you and adore you from head to toe, all you have to do is be good to them and listen to them. You won't be allowed to go on missions without them by your side, nor will you be allowed to make friends that they don't approve of. Your life should revolve around them.

You don't want to get on their bad side. Nico is the son of Hades, he has his own means of taking whoever he wants from you, whoever he thinks is interfering in your relationship. And Will knows very well how to manipulate people to keep them away from you. And they are not against killing to keep with them.

You are theirs the moment they met you but you officially became theirs when you agreed to enter into their relationship. A relationship you can never end. Nico and Will will take good care of you, however, don't worry.

[44st4rs]

❝WHERE HIS WORDS END❞

・❥・pairings: Author!Choso Kamo x Assistant!Fem reader

・❥・cw: soft!choso, body worship, fingering, nipple play, use of petnames, squirting, implied aftercare

・❥・from chris: my heart <33 we all deserve a choso in our lives

Out of all twelve months in the year, it’s the month Choso hates most of all.

Deadline month.

Stress and fatigue ravish his body like no other. He knows it’s harmful, the effects to strike him when least expected. But his reason for such travesties remains in the hearts of his beloved fans, all waiting in anticipation.

He’s even caught wind to the rumors—none of his doing and all were made of pure speculation. All his fans sit with high expectations for the release, the latest erotic novel rumored to top his previous works.

Perfection, that’s what Choso drove himself ragged for. If he expected nothing less than that from others, then who was he to deliver less than perfect results.

Choso’s all too aware of what awaits him in the coming weeks to follow, but it’s ill-willed to plan ahead without conquering what laid before him now. Manuscripts, drafts, references, all of it drenched the grand mahogany top of Choso’s desk, his mind overrun with knowledge.

In his honest opinion, the novel’s been complete—all except the final scene. Now, it wasn’t what Choso had in mind that stumped him, it was the “how”.

How could he best articulate such a crucial moment without falling into the cast of lackluster? He knew what he wished to write, but the words were far from his reach.

Such a case of writer’s block forced his hand in many of ways. All his sources, readings, even the primed fruits of his imagination couldn’t provide Choso with the confidence to continue any farther. What he needed was a visual, something he could hold in his hands and describe from his own eyes, adding all the twists and input needed.

And who else suited for the task than his pretty assistant?

Prying his head from the clouds of despair, Choso gathered himself together before calling out to you, though you were never too far from his reach.

“Y/N?”

“Yes, Choso sir?”

At the sounds of your closing steps, he cleaned up what could be salvaged from his ruined appearance. Digits sent on a combing frenzy, eyes wiped of exhaust but obscured by darkened rings. Even if Choso managed to hide all his evidence of over-exhaustion, he knew your caring tendencies would get the better of him.

The guilt, disappointment, and sorrow that crossed your visage always seemed to dot his own. The least he could do was ease your mind with a faux smile and warming words as the door creaked open gently.

There you stood before him, a sight for sore eyes indeed. The tips of your fingers lingered around the door’s knob as you slipped inside the room, the softened glow of the sun’s rays granting the room light. Tugging at the hem of your emerald camisole, a slight curve spread itself thin across your lips with the ponders to follow.

“Are you hungry? Or need me to-”

“Actually, Y/N…I need your help with this last part. It’s been killing me these past few days.”

A single nod suited his inquiry, Choso adjusting himself into the leather chair. He watched as you came to stand by his side, arms politely folded at your back’s curve.

His eyes washed over you, breathing in all you offered his feeble mind. He always found himself with a boost of energy when you were around, just having your presence near was more than enough motivation for him.

All the early morning brainstorms to the late night rambles, he had you at every step of the way to bear all facets of his person. That’s why he couldn’t help but take pity on you, a beauty like you resorted to answering his beck and call.

He knew you weren’t the happiest, no matter how well you hid it from him. But it was the cruel selfishness within Choso that kept a firm hold on you, swearing that you alone kept him sane.

Only time could tell what was held for you both and right now…time was Choso’s biggest enemy.

His head leaned along the curved edge of his seat, cold hues meeting your own. “I know you’re probably missing your own home right now, but I appreciate it when you come over. As you can see…I honor work before all else–even myself at times.”

Choso’s failed attempt to make a joke brought a tender grin to your features, your hand falling from its folded hold. Resting along the supple crook of his neck, your words filled his ears with the sweetest coos of assurance.

“That old place? Please, I like supplying the company. But what can I possibly do to help you?”

At the immediate realization of his question, Choso only froze with the cold shrills of sweat to sweep over his body. It was from casual topics, even crossing the lines of perversion should he give it any more thought. But with the apples of your cheeks polished from your welcoming smile, he couldn’t find it in him to end it all. Swallowing the hefty lump in his throat, Choso allowed the words to roll from his thoughts into the air.

“How does it feel when you have an…y’know…orgasm?”

“O-oh…well,” you stumbled over, sharing in the fury of embarrassment with Choso. “It feels…good, I guess.”

He shook his head, the vast palm of his hand covering what shame swelled beneath his face. “No, that’s not good enough, sadly. I need…more. If I could just experience it, then the book would’ve been completed a week ago. Nothing, not a damn book on this desk helped me, thousands of dollars reduced to shit.”

You bit your lip anxiously, the thoughts pummeling through your brain. Choso’s request was nothing like before, not a cup of tea, his favorite snacks, not even bringing him the best blanket in the house during one of his infamous all-nighters.

Out of all of Choso’s inquires he brought upon you, in your yield with him, one was never this salacious. A genuine question indeed, deserving all the attention that could be offered.

Yet, it still couldn’t dispel the idea from mind, the vindictive thorns of curiosity prickling at your sense of intrigue. There were the underlying laces of thrill within what he asked from you. It carried the wonderings of what could be, enticing you with every heavy second to pass. Your thighs pressed into one another unconsciously, your once charted breaths growing heavy.

Of course, what kind of assistant would you be without offering your all to the job? To Choso?

“Experience it you say? Like watching it happen in front of you, Choso?”

A low hum rang from his chest, Choso gradually turning away from you. He’d embarrassed himself with such a question, one posed to you nonetheless. He deserved all that was coming to him, anything that you merited necessary. But what Choso didn’t expect was your hinge on the long forgotten interest, his blazoned ears piqued to the mumbles of your voice.

“Mhm, if you don’t mind…I think I could help you out with that.”

Bewilderment dressed his tired hues, the heavy lids freed from the woes. The stilled blood of Choso’s veins surged with fervor, the excitement rushing to the surface of his skin. He wasn’t able to hide it, the rising flairs of heat resting at his cheeks. He never did expect you–his timid aid to burst with the vibrancy of thrill. The sudden turn throw Choso for a loop, his tongue caught in a stammering struggle.

“A-Are you sure? That’s asking a lot of you, Y/N. You’ve done so much for me already and–”

“Or you could make me cum yourself, Choso. That’s as firsthand as you could get, in my opinion. Either way, the book has to get done. This is the easiest way and well…we both gain from it, don’t we?” Taken aback by the brash nature, Choso was faced with the effects of his own creation.

“Fine. Sit here…o-on my lap.”

You made no mistake to settle onto the clothed curves of his thighs, your spine fitting against Choso’s bulging chest. His arm laced around your hips, holding you as close as he needed. Was it all real? Something this blissful wasn’t welcomed in his life, only reserved for the bounds of his dreams. Not a fiber in his body could believe he had you sitting pretty on his lap like this.

It wasn’t enough to touch you, keep you near, even the warmth of your body wasn’t enough for Choso. He’d managed to sum it all to be a vivid fever dream, a conviction with short-lived conclusions.

Was it all real? Something this blissful wasn’t welcomed in his life, only reserved for the bounds of his dreams. But the moment you shifted to better your position, the fragile strands of his mind shattered with the conclusion.

To distract himself, Choso’s nose was caught by the scent of your perfume, the rich imbues of lavender and honey flooding his senses. He wanted to compliment you, tell you all the thoughts he was forced to store away at that very moment. He wanted to worship every inch of you, his worked hands stained with lust destined to cherish you at last.

His lips graced the shell of your ear, the heated huffs tingling the roused nerves. “ ‘M gonna start, just tell me when you wanna stop, okay?”

Choso had no utter sense of self. He had no clue where to begin with you. His mind was shot, hands trembling and a salivating mouth ready to indulge in you. The tips of his fingers trailed along the curve of your shoulder, tugging at the thin straps of your top. His eyes were pinned to the lazy sight, the silky material slipping down your arms.

“So fucking beautiful, Angel. You’re doing such a good job.”

Finding way to your chest, Choso cupped his hands at the shell of your bra, the pulsing squeezes traveling through your body. His ears perked at the suspended sobs muffled behind your lips, presenting the shy display of your arousal before Choso.

Even Choso fell victim to your hymns, his face flush with awe. He couldn’t begin to believe just how soft, how warm, just how perfect you were. He wanted more, to explore more, to hear more of your voice in its peak of bliss.

To chase his goal, Choso softly yanked at the curved edge of your bra, guiding the supple mounds of your breasts to spill over the shaped cups. His hands were swift to return to their compressing grasp, careful to never lose the steady pace.

When he deemed it worthy, he turned his attention to the perked buds of your nipples, rolling the hardened peaks between his digits. It only drew the pitiful of whimpers from your throat, your head resting atop the broad of his shoulders.

“Even your moans sound beautiful, Y/N. I’ve got such a good girl on my hands, don’t I?”

To your unknowing, Choso took note of everything. The way you threw your arm around his neck for support, the harsh arch seizing your spine whole. The shuddering lags of breaths escaping your hollowed lungs, down to the threatening rolls of your eyes.

The desire he held for you was deep, coaxing a single hand to trace down the valley of your chest. He was met with your rolling hips, the black skirt barely hanging onto you.

Choso gently hooked his fingers around the waistband of the skirt and the panties beneath, guiding the silky cloth down your legs and off into the discarded pile of clothing.

Taking in a deepening pull of confidence through his nose, Choso prepared what self was left. The plush curve of his digits drifted along the puffy lips of your cunt, just barely touching the skin.

“Tell me how you feel, Gorgeous.”

“It feels really–”

“No, Y/N. Not how “it” feels, tell me everything in that’s going through that mind of yours right now.”

Choso was met with the widening stare of your teary eyes, dewed lashes batting for a sliver of sympathy. But you gave into his demand out of the desperate search for relief.

“I-I feel so…hot. My head’s spinning a little, my body’s on fire and my heart’s never raced so fast before. Even my legs are a twitching mess and you haven’t even touched me yet.”

Pleased with your words, he pressed a rewarding kiss onto your lips, the weightful push leaving an impression in his wake.

“Good, that’s what I wanna hear. I’ll make you feel even better, angel.”

Pulling from your lips, Choso laid his cheek onto your chest. His mouth latched onto the stiffened bud, sealing the fragile mounds between his lips. Gentle flicks of his tongue strummed along your nipple, easing the swell with tender swirls.

In the midst of his worked mouth, Choso allowed for his fingers to sink past the fat of your cunt’s lips. welcomed by the gummy warmth of your folds. A, tracing the clenching curve of your entrance to surfacing at the hood of your clit. To entertain himself, he smothered the glistening bulb beneath his fingers, falling into a series of loose circles.

Each pass of his fingers brought along a spew of fueled mewls from your lips. Choso could feel it all, the stirring. The blood swarming at your clit. Even to his fingers, you grew hotter by the minute. He wasn’t sure just how much more you could take, the overwhelming urge to guide your body to its earned high hounding his mind.

“How ‘bout now, still feels “just” good?” he mocked smugly, the strands of spit thinning from his puffy lips.

You delivered a spool of drunken nods to Choso, swallowing down the pools of drool threatening to spill from your lips. “I-I can feel it, it’s s’ heavy in my tummy but this one feels so different. Fuck, please Choso, ‘m just so close!”

“Shhh, pretty girls don’t beg. Better make it a good one fr’ me, ‘kay?”

Choso’s digits descended from the perked bulb, the essence slicked pads nudging at your slit.

The mere pecks panged at your core as you relaxed in his hold, allowing from the thick of Choso’s fingers to bask in the viscid clasp of your walls. A hefty gasp rang from his chest, spurred from nothing but pure shock.

He hadn’t expected for you to be so tight, leaving his digits to bully your walls for even lick of dominance. He knew you were nothing short of close, from the whites of your eyes now displayed for him and the uncontrollable tremors lining at your legs.

Choso made way to your sweet spot, his fingers placing the wet kisses onto the gummy pad. Unbeknownst to him, the knots within the pits of your tummy unraveled at incomprehensible speeds.

The sudden gush of your essence spilled over his thigh, paired with an empty shrill ripped from your throat. A warm chuckle rang from Choso, bearing witness to your undoing.

“That’s my girl! You look so pretty when you cum!” he cooed, reeling his from between you. Your thigh came into a slamming shut, the wayward quivers licking through your body. Choso pulled you into his chest, large arms crowding about your body. Nuzzling into his care, you buried your face into his navy sweater, the wafting warmth sweeping over you.

You peered at him with a dazed glare. “But Choso, I…I can’t even describe it. It’s like a sudden rush of energy, blood, adrenaline mixed into one. And once it’s there, it takes everything out of you.”

“So in other words–it’s beyond words,” he surmised, granting a giddy smile to curl across his lips. “It’s nothing I could have ever explained, to begin with. You’ve helped me so much, Beautiful. Saying thank you wasn’t cutting it anymore. I’ll put you to bed soon, alright?”

Before officially nodding off into a world of sleep, Choso took to your ear once more to endow you with a final word.

“I’ll be sure to call on you more often.”

thanks for reading ♥︎!

[saquesha13]

Unpopular opinion:

Crystal wasn’t my favorite character in Dead Boy Detectives. (the writers might have done this on purpose because she was trying to literally run from a demon who kept popping in her head, so naturally you aren’t going to be that loveable to be around) I didn’t like her from the very start all the way to episode one where she weasels her way into the boys life, - uh afterlife -and although the last episode her character finally felt more fitting (memories returning might have helped her be more enjoyable) she still felt like the main character of a book you cannot get away from.

Don’t get me wrong at all, she’s so pretty and has decent powers so she’s useful and all. It’s not just because of how her relationship with Charles feels dull & forced (because it literally does, lol imagine walking in her room while they were making out and she’s just making out with air) or because I love the whole Edwin/Charles trope so much. I just think her whole character needs.. more. I get she’s supposed to be a grungy alternative type of character, I just wasn’t all into her personality.

The actress did incredible at portraying her and she is a literal goddess, so no hate to her whatsoever. This is all on the writing. Not that it will matter anyway because with Netflix’s history we probably won’t be getting a season 2.

And also on the fact that I used to go to a skating rink named Crystal Palace growing up all the time. So it’s strange to have a character named after an old fashioned skating rink.

[autisticmao]

║▌ CRAYONS OF NATURE ・・・

child/teen!joel & etho! | [WIP]

> hecklers. imma post another unfinished bit, sorry. burnout is real, and i hate it so much- :(

"What about... this colour? I think it suits you!"

"I don't know..."

A young Joel groans at the response he was given to by his close friend, Etho. A large book and a bunch of crayons of various colours sprawled out in front of the two, one of the few crayons Joel held in his hand, and then slammed it against the blank pages. "You have to choose one eventually, or we can't begin this project!"

"But I wanted the green crayon. All the other colours aren't as cool." The ashen-haired child whines.

Joel glares at the other boy, reeling the green crayon he held close to his chest, puffing his cheeks out. "I chose it first, so it's mine forever!"

Etho lets out a small pout, the two staring on into each others eyes for a while longer.

Charcoal and carnelian sparkled against the umber until a few seconds go by, and Etho looks away with a defeated sigh and reaches out from where he sat against the dry grass of the garden belonging to Joel's home, and reached out for a blue crayon. "Fine," he speaks, "so what was the idea again?"

"Do you not ever listen?" The brunette boy deadpans.

"I got distracted..."

"By what? A butterfly? When with me, you're supposed to pay attention to me - alone. I'm your best friend, not nature!" Joel huffs once more, and changes the subject of the talk back to the main drive as he directs his focus onto the book in front of him and Etho, "by the end date of every month, we write a singular thought - opinion or something, about each other." As he explained, Joel leans over the thin papers and directs the point of his green crayon onto it, the dust-likeness of the crayon washes onto the whiteness of the paper as he writes a small sentence out. "Like this, see!" Joel points to a sentence that included Etho.

Etho leans over Joel's side, reading what Joel wrote. A warm feeling catches in his heart, a soft smile making its way onto his features.

"I understand now," Etho looked back towards Joel with the same smile.

"Cool. Now hurry up and write something down, I'm hungry!"

"Okay, okay!" A small laugh comes from Etho, following Joel's pathway with writing in his blue crayon, connecting it to the paper and letting words flow like a river.

Time after the first month flows. After what was made as a child's promise turned into a tradition of friendship. No matter the age they were, the two always got together to write down in the same book, in the same colours, in crayons, to compliment each other, or write something other about them.

Compliments. Secrets. Questions. They were all written down, but a rule within the first few months was settled down by Joel to Etho. When writing in the book, they weren't allowed to see what the other person wrote until a certain time came.

Months turn into a year. Then, five years, and it doubles to a decade, and so on, various things between the duo changed. They matured and fulfilled their dreams and wishes they've made along the way, but still, they wrote down in the very same book.

No matter the moment of time...

...

"When are you ever taking that damned mask off?" Joel points out as soon as he walks into the bedroom, closing the door behind himself with a gentle shut.

"When are you washing that streak out of your hair?" Etho, from where he sits upon his bed bites back, earning a dishonest noise of somewhat from the other male, his dyad eyes focused on Joel's figure as Joel walked towards Etho's bed, sitting on the mattress off to the side, one leg sturdy on the mattress, as the other swayed lightly from the gravity and hitting the heel of his foot against the body of the bedframe every few seconds.

"Shut up... I got this streak for a special reason."

A small chuckle comes from Etho.

"So... did you bring the book with you~?"

"Of course I did, I'm not forgetful when it comes to things like this - unlike someone else in the room~"

"Wonder who you're on about," Etho's eyes glint with a sense of mischief.

Joel tuts and then rolls his eyes, grabbing the bag he wore on his back, shuffling the straps from his shoulders and moving the bag to his lap, with unzipping the main part he grabs a worn down and slightly rolled up book. The inside papers begin to form a colour and fold in ways it shouldn't when not handled properly. Alongside that, Joel grabs a pencil case from the bottom of his bag, taking two coloured pens out. He places the bag to the side and has the book in its place instead. Joel flips through the various pages, finding one of some blank spots that the two could easily write in.

"How many things do you think we've written in this book by now?" Etho asks as he attempts at peering over, only to look off to the side when Joel clicks his pen and starts forming a sentence. Like a tide mixed in the ocean, words begin to form with such weaving. Joel's writing was the bubbly foam, as Etho's was the cooling salt water.

"Who knows. We've been doing this since like... what? Five or six years old together? So maybe more than twenty thousand notes."

"Wow, I've really been dealing with you for this long, surprised I haven't gone insane yet around you."

"Oi..." Joel darts his umber eyes towards the smug looking male for a second and then back to the book, quickly reading over what he wrote and hoping it made more sense. Once he was alright with what he wrote, he places one hand over the writing, and hands the book and a blue pen to Etho who takes both items, alongside hovering his hand over Joel's just as Joel took his away from the paper to keep what he wrote hidden away.

Etho situated the pen he held in his hold more comfortably, and with pointing the led to the same paper as what Joel wrote on, words came to life similarly to Joel's.

"Are you allowed out today?" Joel asks after a minute of silence.

Etho stops writing for a second, letting his thoughts tick and carry on writing as he answers back to the question. "I wish, but no."

A sound of defeat forms from the smaller adult. "I wish you were better already from... whatever it is you're suffering from. The friend group feels so damn boring without you."

"Aww, does someone miss me~?"

"Heck no! You're just more fun and easier to make fun of than the others!"

"Sure, sounds like it..." Etho then finishes writing in the book and closes it over without a glance to any of the messages coloured in green as he hands the pen and book back to Joel who immediately starts packing the belongings away back into his bag. "Would you like to play a game with me?"

"What are we, three now?"

"No, I mean video game wise. I was able to download one from the game shop on my console."

A small huff comes from Joel. "Well, it's not like you're allowed out of your so-called imprisonment, so sure. Show me what you've got."

"Okay, so, about the games theme. It's about..."

...

idea if anyone cares about it? idk my writing sucks, but...: joel and etho are already friends as children, joel comes up with the idea to write something positive about each other in a random notebook he found from inside of his house, and the idea sticks between each other for years. i had an idea for how to end this - admittedly cliche and angsty on joel's side, but the burnout is saying otherwise. oh, and there's hints to etho being deadly sick as he ages by-

[cripplecharacters]

Hiya, I'm hoping you can help me understand if an idea I have is problematic. I'm writing a fantasy novel at the moment where the main character (who is overcome by guilt for something she did by accident), undergoes a ritual to make herself look as awful as she thinks she is. I'm not 100% sure on the details of what this looks like yet, but at the moment I'm considering something like having the bones of small animals embedded under her skin. Running out of text so will continue in another ask.

Continued from first ask. The idea is that she wants people to be disgusted when they see her, because she can't tell anyone about the accident she caused, but still wants to feel punished. I'm partly inspired by my own experiences of self harm, of wanting to see a visual representation of pain. I'm wondering if this kind of disfigurement is problematic, especially considering it's not reflecting a real condition and that its not a villain. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hi dearest asker!

It doesn't mimic anything of a disability nor is it a fantasy disability in your setting so I think it's good! It is more Body Horror than anything but what I would do is while you're figuring the aspect of the character, is research extensively and make sure it doesn't align with any real conditions. This does kinda balance on the edge of Disability As Punishment because of just the concept, but using your own experiences is what matters here!

Also here is a good post about body horror and disability that makes some good points and has good ideas too!

I actually want to reiterate from the post on how they cite stuff like Junjo Ito and Kafka on a way of expression though Body Horror which (to my understanding, if not feel free to correct me) is like you're doing. Others I would recommend is Frida Kahlo, where she does this in some of her paintings (Here & Here) and in many others.

Other movies like Swan Lake (2010) and Annihilation (2018), also take this concept and do really well with it in my opinion. (Both centered around self-harm and other things) Pain Exhibit is a non-profit online library where people who are disabled or have chronic pain all share their artwork depicting it and is another great example.

This article What Is Body Horror? makes so many good points and it cites a lot of good books, novels, and short stories. It goes into the different aspects of it and really breaks it down into sections. (I want to warn before anyone clicks on that link that it talks about extensive body horror in details). A lot of people's perception of Body Horror has long been associated with people with disabilities. So I think more stories written on actual depictions of what is and people's personal experiences it is so good!

Happy writing! (and I hope the story goes well it sounds really good!)

~ Mod Virus 🌸

[anxiousdreamcore]

I saw that recent post you made writing out how you view all the Avatar characters, and in it, you mentioned that your opinion of the characters has changed a lot in the past year and a half (I can't believe it's been that long since ATWOW!)

So how did your opinion of the characters change and why? Who changed the most radically? I'd love to hear your thought process!

Warning: yapping ahead

My opinion changed as I began consuming content from different people in the fanbase, as I sadly started out my journey relegated to mostly the recom side of the fandom.

A very specific vision I’ve formed was one of him and Neytiri. Two individuals forced to be close by circumstance, and not necessarily liking each other but they’re known each other for so long that they know each other, you know? The way I see it, they can’t pretend to be strangers, and their argument in the high ground comics, which is the only time any of the children oppose Neytiri makes me think that this is the dynamic going on between them.

Being a Spider fan outside of the recom space was a horrible experience for many of my mutuals, and I heard from more than one person that just liking the character earned them death threats, so I kept to the only space where he was actually liked, which uh…may or may not have been a bit of an echo chamber.

First months after ATWOW came out the opinions were extremely polarising and there was little depth to go around. I realised later on though, I didn’t have to pick a side and didn’t have to force myself to forgive Quaritch, because I never wanted to. I didn’t have to see him as either a 🥺baby gworl🥺 or an emotionless monstrosity.

As I said before, the essays made by Quaritch fans sold me at first. They seemed to provide a lot of proof and I was on board with the identity crisis theory, but as time went on I believed it less and less. Looking at the movie with fresh eyes months later, I formed and opinion of my own and that is — That recom Quaritch is an amalgamation of his past self and the Na’vi instincts/perspective of his new body. He’s a fucked up soup that is, in a way, different than his human predecessor but not different enough to be considered a wholly separate creature. If human Quaritch was a dying garden then recom Quaritch is that same garden decayed to the core, with one single flower emerging amongst the rot, not yet consumed by it. (That flower being his fatherhood obv)

I went from seeing him as a man perhaps capable of redemption and seeing value in Pandora, to a man who, while not enjoying it per ce, obviously doesn’t give much of a damn about the moon or its habitat or its many cultures. All that matters to Quaritch is that these things matter to his son, so he’ll entertain them and go easy on the destruction, just for him. He doesn’t yet accept Pandora, not fully, but he accepts that Spider does so.

The way I began to see it, Socorro is somewhat his only functioning organ. A breathing lung in an otherwise dead body. Miles hasn’t felt anything but manic happiness and rage for as long as we knew him on screen, and that only changed when he stood in the boy’s presence, constantly challenged by him, and brought out of his comfort zone over and over again. He needs him to be remotely alive and likeable to the audience. He needs him to be something more than a chained army dog.

That brings me to my next point; my other big change in perspective was one of his dynamic with Spider. The more I analysed the franchise the more I came to conclusion that Miles is just an unbearable softie for him, and it was really the deleted scenes and the fact that Spider has a new bow in the ikran taming scene that sold me. He not just likes Spider, he loves him, to death. His sacrifices might not seem sufficient, but for his character, they‘re very much drastic, as Miles is traditionally not a loving person.

Quaritch is canonically a traitor to the RDA because he jeopardised his mission three times in a row, all for a single child. His inner father and colonel are constantly fighting each other, as he knows what he should be focusing on, but can’t resist being a father; having priorities of his own. He was an old fool who thought he could have his cake and eat it too; make Spider safe and happy and be a colonel at the same time, but in the end he made up his mind on what matters more, and it’s Spider. The way I see it now is; Quaritch is only truly loyal to Spider. He can hate it, but he can’t run from it.

[ravelqueen]

Hello! I'm the anon who sent the last Dom!Kim ask (about the Pale) I'm glad you like it!!! I have, like, SO many thoughts on Dom!Kim (especially specifically your Dom Kim!)

So, I hope you don't mind if I share some!

I'm actually curious about who this au of Kim would defer, besides just mentally, from canon Kim. Like in canon Kim doesn't make that many decisions himself, and pushes you/Harry to do the talking/make the decision. Even when Harry makes a bad decision, Kim doesn't step in, and really only give his insights if you ask him about it.

I'm reminded of the scene where you can choose to go into the apartment that Mr Evrart gives you, and Kim lists both the pros and cons of doing either, before stating that it's ultimately your (Harry's) decision.

This actually led me to get a sub read on Kim (I didn't get the authority check because I thought asking Kim to give me a secret would be too personal/mean). Like, I kinda envisioned Kim as someone who needed/wanted someone to lead him and make the decisions (because Dom used to do that for him, and he feels so lost without him?).

But! That's not to say I don't vibe with your Dom!Kim headcanon/au, like, I can have multiple/contradictory thoughts about a character. I just wanted to share my thoughts on how I see Kim as someone who doesn't really make decisions.

Which could be taken in a sub way, or, following your au, maybe Kim is so hyper critical of how he acts in a controlling matter that he's trying to course correct. So he keeps saying that it's ultimately Harry's decision, and letting him take the led, as a way to combat his controlling Dom thoughts.

Also, I do wonder how a play through would go down if Harry was able to pick up Kim having this internal thoughts (probably through an Empathy, Inland Empire, Esprit De Corps build), and being like "actually, I would like Kim to make all my decisions for me" (Harry would probably need to have pretty low Authority and Physical Instrument, lol)

And because he's, well, Harry, he would absolutely be like "hey Kim, you know how you want to control my actions, why don't we do that? I'm kind of a mess here, and could use the help".

Though I still bet Kim would be like Absolutely Not, purely because out of principle (even though he really wants to), and because he doesn't actually know how much Harry is aware of BDSM, the life style, or if he's just asking because he's so much of a wreck and that he trusts Kim. Though I do think it's funny if the skills try to like, help you convince Kim you can be a good sub by telling Harry if Kim is displeased by a choice (like Visual Calculus, Empathy, and maybe Conceptualization and Inland Empire could help).

Though I do wonder how this version of Kim (with a Harry who seems to make it one of his goals to get Kim to Dom him/accept him as a sub) would react to Jean.

Like, Kim in the original game didn't seem to have much of an opinion on Jean. Maybe some respect for being a fellow cop, maybe some hostility for not being there during the shot out. But in this au/verison of this au, maybe Kim gets a little pissed off at Jean for scolding Harry at the end of the game?

Because at this point, maybe Kim has begun to dom Harry a little bit (justifying to himself that he's only doing it to further move along the case), and having someone else scold Harry gets his dom brain going because only *he* is allowed to scold Harry. He's the one whose supposed to publish Harry if he messes up, who does Jean think he is? Abandoning Harry and then coming back to scold him? That's not how this works!

Anyway, I also have a drabble idea after Kim and Harry find Harry's crashed Kineema, and Harry feeling guilty about it, and asking for a punishment from Kim, and this being the moment Kim steps more into the dom role. But! This ask is already getting WAY too long! So I'll just stop now, lol. Anyway, I would love to hear more of your thoughts!

(For anyone joining us/organizational purposes: OG Dom!Kim post and the first ask)

My dear lovely anon: I adore talking about ideas that's why i throw them into the world in the faint hope I get to talk about the more so you really made my day here! <3

(also never apologize for multiple headcanons/interpretations I think that's honestly the beauty of fandom that all characters exist in this sort of schrödinger's cat/multiverse sphere where as long as it's consistent with characterization it's valid)

And yes! In my mind the constant checking in and deferrals are basically two-fold: One Kim has a very dear love of Order and Structure and Rules Governing Interaction, especially in a professional setting - in this case Harry, no matter what, is the lead on this case and therefore gets to make the decision.

Second in this sort of AU version of him where he struggles with his urges, he'd be extra conscientious about not infringing on someone's agency in a way he's not been invited to. That's what the Structure is for: an outside hierarchy imposed on him, so he's not feeling resentful of someone aside from him exercising authority.

And normally that's not a problem for him, but Harry, because of his absolute level of fuck-up (and being pretty much his type overall) is crossing all his wires and fucking up his Very Carefully Created Systems, so he's like EXTRA deliberate in letting Harry call the shots in a way he probably wouldn't normally, course-correct as you say

Therefore he would probably absolute fucking FREAK OUT if Harry would be like "the city told me, you'd like to make decisions for me", because he'd be like FUCK I'VE TRIED SO HARD TO NOT BE OBVIOUS WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ME and like double-down on fully suppressing any indication of his thoughts (making them perversely worse probably).

Not necessarily because of a SSC reason/Harry's amnesia and therefore unclear relationship to the scene (bc fucked up version of Kim here, he'd probably get a weird thrill out of being able to be the only one to show him/teach him about this) and more because the loss of control implied by being able to be read so easily by someone who - let's be clear here - is dealing with a lot of stuff and therefore should not be able to pick up Kim's internal struggle.

Jeaaaann oh Jean yes what an interesting thought.

Ok so Jean and Kim even in game have an interesting dynamic imo even though it is so heavily impacted by player choice, because no matter what you've done if Kim is there he defends Harry.

But he defends Harry in this really interesting way, because (at least in Good Cop runs) it's almost a conversation at cross-purpose, because they clearly aren't even talking about the same person.

That conversation to me reads weirdly aimless and strange, because Jean is talking to Kim about Harry the way he's clearly used to talking about him to people that also know him well - as commiseration.

Very "have a load of this guy" and "the things we have to deal with". Not getting into whether that's fair or not (I already know fandom is very divided on that point lol), it is very clear that this is almost rote to him and what is also rote is the way the other side responds: with equal levels of annoyance and pain and trash-talking.

Kim breaks this script.

To Jean, Kim is also someone who spent an extended amount of time with Harry so he expects the other side of his rote conversation to happen the way it always does, but Kim - someone he clearly respects both as an officer as well as his intellect and character - keeps refusing to engage, simply because he doesn't seem to have met the same Harry and that fully throws him for a loop.

In that entire conversation he keeps backtracking, apologizing, amending his aggressiveness at the slightest push-back from Kim.

So I think (to finally come back to your question sorry) that yes Kim absolutely would be annoyed - (idt that during the course of the actual investigation he'd ever let himself indulge in much, but he's certainly started smaller behaviour when it doesn't seem to concern the case - make Harry sleep, eat, dress warmly etc., so there is that kind of possessiveness about him for sure.) even angry at Jean for just coming in and sort of staking a claim on which behaviours Harry should even be scolded for.

But i don't think he'd lash out or anything, because really this is about control - both of the situation and of Harry's responses. And just by responding naturally - by pointing out how well Harry had solved the comprehensive, complicated mystery, how he had taken care of himself, how he'd comported himself quite well, how he'd been kind and capable - he's not just taking control of the conversation, keeping Jean always on the back-foot, deprived of his trusty protocol, but also control of Harry.

Because when at first his attention was fixed on this person who he only somewhat remembers and his (justified?) anger, simply by saying the truth, Kim manages to get him to focus on him, to accept his version of reality, of himself and his character - despite the fact that realistically, Jean's version of himself is probably more correct (simply by virtue of him actually knowing him).

Harry wants to believe that this person Kim is talking about is who he really is and to have someone who he respects say these things he desperately wants to be true, they start to become reality.

And isn't that the ultimate rush for Kim, a dopamine push the likes he's never experienced - to not just have someone accept his rules and judgement and decisions, but to have them accept his reality over their own.

[definesanity]

Dear God: Why Are Women So Attractive?

Marian Greco is a holy woman.

Her parents taught her ever since she was a child, along with her sisters.

The exception, naturally being Ye--... Schneider.

And after the events of 1929, the two had... somehow, braved The Storm.

And Marian cursed.

But that was a tale for another day. What matters now is the problem.

Namely, because of the women of the Suitcase.

The first she met, ironically enough, was Lilya. The Russian was from a different time, and is an ace pilot.

Above all, she was pretty. And also everything against to her way of childhood.

She was loud, at times obnoxious, prideful boarding, and sometimes exceeding, arrogance, and not to mention the excess drinking...

Normally, Marian could excuse the final. In her own opinion, she believes that drinking itself is not exactly a sin, but drinking in excess, was.

Still, she could not just go up to the Russian and ask her; Marian was now Arcanist, but her powers were still yet to be fully developed...

Which made it all the more stranger when, whenever Marian is around, Lilya slows down on her drinking.

Lilya looked at Marian out of the corner of her eye. "Somethin' wrong?"

"A-Ah, no, nothing." Marian replied instinctively, before shaking her head. "...Mind, there... is."

"The drinking, right?" Lilya replied instantly, waving her flask in her hand. "I heard from Vertin you're a holy woman, so I thought I'd best not go around insulting your Lord."

"Mm. I... thank you, for that. I am still getting used to... all this."

Lilya looked at Marian fully, her eyes not filled with warmth, but not ice, either. "I'm not the one to go to for advice... but, if I had to offer some, it's this: Don't stress over every single thing, or you're gonna start stressing over stress itself.

"And before you say anything, yes, I know: It ain't easy as said as it is done. But what's the point, if you won't be able to do if you're busy worrying about saying stuff?" Lilya shrugged. "My own take, feel free to leave it."

Marian blinked in surprise, and was stunned silent for a moment. Eventually, she found her words: "You would make for a good public speaker."

Lilya snorted. "Ha! Didn't expect that! Must mean I did something right, then!"

Lilya was... interesting, to say the least.

But Marian briefly wondered why it was that she looked oddly cute, like a fluffy bear...

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

Marian was beginning to doubt.

It was something that gnawed at the back of her mind for ages, even before The Storm of 1929.

If God was there, why did He always give Marian and her family the hardest of trials?

She decided to sit down, and ask the worst person possible. But hey, any advice is better than none, right?

"...I'mma be honest with ya." An-An Lee said. "I ain't religious. Never have been. Ya still want my advice or...?"

Marian nodded. "Please. I... would like an outsider's perspective on it."

An-An Lee kicked back a bit, sitting on her chair with her feet on the table. "Well, let's start from that; God is granting you His most difficult challenges, right?"

A nod.

"So, let's say you were a kid, still, who would have heard numerous stories of God at this point. What would you say the reason is?"

"Because He has a plan, not just for me, but for everyone." Marian replied without hesitation. The Ghost Hunter hummed.

"And how about now?"

Marian paused to think. What would she say, now?

Her faith had been shattered the moment that she was saved and rescued, but it was her transformation into an Arcanist that really made her realise it.

God... what was His plan, in turning her into something hated by humanity, his own creations?

"...I'm not sure." came the eventual reply.

Even still, An-An Lee remained calm, and gave her a reassuring smile in response. "I'm no religious girl, but I can say that... you've got a plan yourself. And it's a good one. So, hey, don't let anyone try an' lead ya astray, la?"

Marian looked at the grinning face, and found herself smiling back.

Curses, what has she gotten herself into...?

[ithinktheygotthealias]

here’s your friendly reminder that wanting your ship to be canon is a cool motive, but still bi-erasure

[twinstxrs]

the gorgug-porter conversation is interesting to me because like. yea for the overwhelming majority of the conversation porter’s being shitty & trying to fit gorgug into a box that gorgug just does not fit into by trying to make gorgug’s relationship with his rage more focused on the aggression aspect of it. but then there’s also this specific thing that brennan brought up again in the ap, which is that gorgug’s relationship with his rage is wholly “this is a tool i use to protect my friends.” which isn’t a bad thing! but that’s his Whole relationship with it, & gorgug seems to place next to no value on his rage in relationship to himself. which is problematic, because it’s first & foremost his rage.

being raised in a household with a sort of toxic positivity largely meant that, whether or not it was his parents’ intention, gorgug internalized the message that more traditionally “negative” emotions such as anger are the wrong response to something. part of the reason he prioritizes his artificing is probably because it’s “fixing” things. in comparison to being a barbarian, which gorgug associates with “breaking” things. good vs. bad behavior, in his eyes.

it’s a totally unacceptable bar to measure a 16 y/o by, but i do think part of porter’s reasoning for not letting gorgug multiclass is him recognizing that gorgug generally does not value anger as a valid emotional response to something, at the very least for himself. & that directly conflicts with what being a barbarian is, because whether you like it or not, that rage is what fuels you. but again, barring a kid from pursuing something they deeply care about in part (not entirely, porter has a lot of more bullshit reasons) because of their fundamental values & world outlook is crazy.

so yes, 98% of porter’s reasoning is pretty shitty, immature, rife with a toxic view that there’s only one proper way to access rage, & generally not a good thing to do as a teacher, but also within that reasoning is the 2% of ‘there is a fundamental part of yourself that you only value if you can use it to take care of other people & you need to accept that as something that can take care of you, too.’ but that’s something to discuss with a therapist or a guidance counselor, not something that should hugely impact gorgug’s academic future.

[goobygnarp]

.

[uncanny-tranny]

I wish it were more common for people to accept that trans people are often going to have very complex relationships with a lot of things - sexuality, gender, presentation, even growing up.

I'm just really disheartened when I see people expecting trans people to neatly fit into boxes that ridgedly force us to conform. I'm really disheartened with the idea that in order to "really" be a true man, woman, or person, you have to have the right experiences rather than authentic ones. And oftentimes, the "right" experiences for us to have are whatever make cis people (or even other trans people) the most comfortable. It's never truly about the individual's experiences or comfort.

[icewindandboringhorror]

I have a big google doc thing where I keep track of media and stuff (putting everything in loosely ranked categories), which is mostly just for my own reference so I know what tv shows I've already seen before, etc. and I never really look back through it, typically just a quick "okay, watched two movie in the past 8 months, need to quickly slap them somewhere in the lists. okay. done. save document. exit". But today I was actually reading through some of the old notes and there are like... MULTIPLE places where my comment is basically "It would have been good if it were about elves" or "I wish there was a fantasy show made in this same style" or "It's well made, but I just keep thinking about how I would like it more if everyone was an elf or was in old 1700s costumes" or etc like...... lol.... Most biased media ranking system on earth blatantly made by someone with an extremely hyperspecific range of narrow interests. It'd be like if a food reviewer only had 5 foods they actually liked, so they'd just go to a pizza place and be like "eh, the pizza was okay, but I just think it would be better if it was cereal instead. :/ ...2 out of 10"