#and to laser focus on my goals

[k1dkh1dr]

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[ripplestitchskein]

Desperately wishing my brain would attack my novel with the same blitzkrieg of words it does media analysis no one but me and a few cool people want to read for small fandoms. I would be a God.

[appelsiinilight]

You may have heard of analyzing doc ock through the lens of physical disability (and unintentional allusions to it that arise in the process of writing villains with augmented bodies), and now i present to you: analyzing doc ock through the lens of adhd

[whsprings]

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[maxknightley]

What advice would you give to an aspiring henchperson?

now to be fair this is a bit of an armchair analysis thing since I'm currently between villains. (optimistic about my next interview though. I can't disclose too much but I might finally get to work with tractor beams.)

the main things I'd suggest are:

figure out what you're best at, and zero in on it! are you a schemer constantly out to usurp your employer, but too useful to kill? focus on muttering darkly and keeping a list of good betrayal opportunities. more of a bruiser with a hidden intellectual streak? hit the gym, but make time for reading and theatre as well! the important thing is that you have a clear view of yourself, your goals, and how they relate to your employer's needs. if you're a mad scientist working for an evil businessman, you're only wasting your time if you learn to wield ordinary small arms instead of lasers that transmute stone into gold or cannons that shoot mutagenic goo.

be a team player! if you were a lone wolf, you wouldn't be getting into henching - you'd be going independent. remember, your employer's other 2-4 major henchfolk are there to provide comedic/dramatic contrast and to let you do that thing where each of you fights a different one of the protagonists at the same time, and at first you're winning, but then they switch who's fighting whom and turn the tables. as for the nameless and disposable minions, they're your minions too! any decent supervillain will be eager to give you a squad or two to command and re-theme to better match your whole deal.

you gotta be gay! self-explanatory.

[zzzzzestforlife]

🎀 My That Girl Exam Success Checklist 💯

it's the day of (or before) your exam!! a gazillion thoughts may be running through your mind: should i review all my notes and flashcards one more time?? set my alarm super early to be sure to make it on time or set it super late so that i get as much sleep as possible?? let's prepare everything step by step calmly and together ☺️

The Night Before

pack your bag with everything you need — school ID, pens/pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, extras of everything!!, brain food like nuts/chocolate, lunch, full water bottle, etc.

pick out a cute but comfy outfit — the goal is to feel as confident and laser-focused as possible!

don't skimp on your night routine — cramming does not take priority over a good night's sleep before an important day, so take care of your mind and body and trust them to take care of you too

skim the highlights/summaries/key flashcards just before bed — when you sleep, your mind is not idle! it's reorganizing and filing everything away neatly to be retrieved when you wake up, so do yourself a favor and take advantage of your mind's natural abilities!

double check your alarm — but more important than this is to go to sleep at a reasonable time that you can expect yourself to feel well-rested by the time you need to wake up, so whether you need 7, 8, 10 or more hours of sleep, go get it!! right now!! come back to this post in the morning to complete the rest of the checklist~

The Morning Of

eat breakfast(!!) — you can't think on an empty stomach!!

take your vitamins

drink water

stretch!! — get your blood flowing where it needs to go and get your energy levels up!! 💪

if you can, try not to consume anything else outside of your review materials before the exam that might confuse or preoccupy you! — sometimes it's unavoidable if it's part of your job or your other courses, so just take a quiet moment to bring your mind back to the material from time to time if necessary!

get to your exam location as early as possible you can chill and review~ (same idea as the night before, summaries, highlights, flashcards, don't get too bogged down by the details and confuse yourself at this point!)

Exam Time

arrange your desk neatly and comfortably so you can focus and find everything you need when you need it

deep breaths

one question at a time

even if it seems like you don't know or remember anything, the information will come back to you when you need it

you got this!

i believe in you 💕

[hermajestyimher]

Repeat After Me:

I am obsessed with being disciplined. I enjoy pushing through temptation and distractions in lieu of remaining committed to my goals and visions. I love the feeling of satisfaction I get after achieving a goal that could have only materialized through laser focus and discipline. I know that discipline is a muscle that can only be strengthened with consistency and tenacity. I love that my disciplined personality allows me to live a life beyond mediocrity, complacency, and misery. I am strong, committed, resilient, and capable.

[lilacura]

Halftime kisses | Nakamura Kazuha

pairing: nakamura kazuha x reader

>wc: 500

sypnosis: just fluff :3

Kazuha dribbled the football up and down the field, practicing her shots on goal as sweat poured down her face under the hot afternoon sun. Despite putting her all into practice, her mind kept drifting to the argument she had with Y/N earlier that day.

It had started off innocently enough, with Y/N reminding Kazuha that they had a big test coming up in their shared literature class. But when Kazuha mentioned she needed to stay late for football practice to prepare for their upcoming game, things quickly escalated.

"Your team isn't the only thing in your life, Kazuha!" Y/N had shouted accusingly. "We've barely seen each other this whole semester because you're always at practice. What about your studies? You're going to fail if you don't start focusing more on school."

Kazuha tried to defend herself, but her excuses just made Y/N more angry. In the end, Y/N stormed off without letting Kazuha get a word in edgewise. Now here she was at practice, mentally and physically kicking herself for prioritizing football over her girlfriend.

Just as she took another shot at the goal, Kazuha froze at the sound of upbeat cheering coming from the sidelines. She turned to see the cheerleading squad, including Y/N, running drills of their own at the far end of the field. Kazuha's heart sunk as she realized they must have accidentally double booked the field for practice.

With new determination, Kazuha resumed her drills with vigor, hoping to catch Y/N's attention. She dribbled at top speed, fired shots with laser precision, and showed off with fancier tricks than usual. But no matter how impressive her skills, Y/N refused to even look in her direction. It was clear Kazuha had some serious apologizing and making up to do.

When practice finally ended, Kazuha hurriedly chugged her water bottle before jogging over to the cheerleaders. "Y/N, can we talk?" she asked, slightly out of breath.

Y/N pretended not to hear, busying herself with rolling up her pom poms. Kazuha gently grabbed her arm. "Please, I'm sorry. You were right - I've been neglecting my studies to focus on football. But it's not because I don't care about you or our future together."

Slowly, Y/N turned to face Kazuha with a raised eyebrow, giving her a chance to explain. Kazuha took a deep breath. "Football is important to me, but so are you. I want to make you proud as much as I want to win games. Can you forgive me for losing sight of what really matters?"

For a long moment Y/N was silent, staring into Kazuha's earnest crimson eyes. Then finally, the ghost of a smile flickered on her lips. "I suppose I can find it in me to forgive you, on one condition."

"Anything," Kazuha said instantly.

"Study with me tonight. And no more late night practices without letting me know first, okay?"

Beaming, Kazuha nodded enthusiastically. "Deal! I promise, from now on you come first before any game.” She pulled Y/N into a hug, which was sweetly returned. All was forgiven between the star athlete and her cheerleader sweetheart, who both vowed to find a better balance going forward.

a/n: this was SOOOO rushed im so sorry if it sucks ass

[babydollmarauders]

have u seen the video of jason kelces daughter pointing out aj browns pink shows during the nfl game? anyway, theres definitely a video of little el pointing out her daddy on screen and its the cutest thing ever. shes like "daddy again! i see him mommy! oh! i see him again!" and jack literally melts when he sees the video because its literally the cutest thing ever

i love this so much 😭

it’s definitely when she’s like 3 and he’s on a roadie, Lovie just thinks it’s too cute to not record

***

it should’ve never surprised me how focused my daughter could become whenever a hockey game is involved.

with every male in her life being a former or current player, there’s constant hockey around her. i guess i just never assumed that at three years old, she could be so content in watching a hockey game.

El is sat on the couch when i return from the nursery, her bowl of fruit next to her and her eyes laser focused on the Devils game that plays on the tv. she looks over as i sit beside her, taking note of my empty arms.

“my Leo sleeping?” she wonders, her eyes wide and curious.

i wrap an arm around my daughter, pulling her close to me as my other hand runs through her wild blonde curls.

“yeah, lovely. Elio is asleep, so we can’t be too loud, okay?” she nods at my words, laying her head against my chest and dialing back into the game.

i tune in as well, noticing the score has yet to change from 0-0 since i left to put my son to sleep. it’s well into the second period, and i know my husband and his teammates must be frustrated.

i’m proven correct when the camera pans to the bench, where Jack heatedly converses with his brother.

“mommy!” El’s head pops up from its spot, her sticky little hand patting my cheek to make sure i’m paying attention. “it’s daddy! and uncle Luke!”

“yeah?” i laugh, pressing i kiss to the top of her head.

“yeah! i see them, mommy!” her voice is near yelling, high with excitement as she leaves my arms, bounding closer to the television.

the camera is back on the ice now, where the ref calls a penalty on the other team for tripping.

sliding my phone out of my back pocket, i swipe into the camera app, discreetly propping the now recording phone up on a toy on the coffee table. the camera captures the expanse of the half of the living room that El and i currently occupy, providing a good shot of my daughter that stands at the tv, and of me where i sit on the sofa.

i focus back on the game, my husband on the current power play unit.

he passes the puck back and forth with his teammates around the opposing teams net, and in a matter of seconds, he’s got the puck back and he’s shooting it straight past the goalie.

a wide grin spreads across my lips, a squeal escaping me in excitement.

“GO DADDY!” El cheers, jumping up and down in front of the tv. she turns back to look at me and runs over, climbing back up on my lap. “he did it, mommy! daddy got a goal!”

“he did, munchkin!” she climbs back down, looking back at the tv.

“daddy again! i see him mommy!” she calls out as the screen zooms in on a closeup of my smiling husband before panning back out to show him skating over to the bench.

the game cuts to media break and i look back at El’s smiling face, a spitting image of Jack’s smile.

when the game returns, it opens on a shot of Jack sitting on the bench, talking animatedly to Nico.

“oh! i see him again!” El cries out, pointing at the tv as she bounces around. “that’s daddy! that’s my daddy!”

i gather my phone from the table, cutting off the recording as my daughter rejoins me on the couch. she curls up in my lap, pulling the bowl of fruit on the couch back into her own lap.

i quickly send the video to Jack, for him to watch when he gets back to his hotel, and then set my phone down on the arm of the couch, wrapping my arms around my three year old.

we sit like this for the remainder of the game, El falling asleep during the second intermission, and only once the Devils have won 3-1, do i move her into her bed.

i turn the tv off, cleaning up the living room and placing the empty bowl from El’s fruit into the dishwasher before retreating to my own room for the rest of the night. i plug my phone in, changing into my pajama’s, brushing my teeth, and washing my face before climbing into my bed.

i’m just about to turn my lamp off when my phone begins to ring, and i look over to see an incoming facetime from Jack.

accepting the call, it’s no more than a few seconds before it connects, his smiling face filling my screen.

“hi, love.” i greet, smiling back at him.

“hi, lovie. El asleep now?” he questions, and i notice his hair is damp, apparently freshly washed, but he’s not in his hotel room, rather sitting on the plane.

“yeah, she fell asleep during second intermission.” i tell him. “pretty sure she was just waiting for you to score before she let herself crash.”

he chuckles and i speak again, “i thought you guys weren’t coming home until tomorrow afternoon?”

“no, we’re about to take off. i’ll be back by the time you wake up, i just wanted to talk to you before you go to sleep.”

my heart flutters in my chest. eight years together and he still never fails to make me feel like i have a schoolgirl crush.

“i loved that video, thank you for capturing that. and for sending it.” his eyes are soft, and i know he must be missing El a lot right now.

“yeah, well, i wanted you to see your number one fan.” i laugh, and he feigns offense, holding his free hand to his chest.

“i thought you were my number one fan.”

“i think El’s got me beat now.” i exaggerate a pout and he chuckles.

“i gotta go, we’re about to take off.” he sighs, and i nod in understanding. “i’ll see you when i get home. i love you, beautiful.”

“i love you too, love. see you when you get home.”

[emilylorange]

so there's the somewhat more common answer: if you are feeling overwhelmed, simplify the problem as much as you can.

if you want to learn to draw people, then yes, figure drawing helps (look up adorkastock and theposearchives if you want solid free archives of SFW references)

if you want to learn to be more accurate with shapes, pick a simple image or set up a still life if you have the space and focus on nothing else but getting the shapes right (if you're doing this digitally you can do it freehand, then check how close you are by pasting your lines on top of the reference to see)

if you want to learn to paint faster you have to set timers for yourself and try to get as much of the image done as quickly as possible

if you want to learn colors you laser focus on images with color combinations you like

etc.

my addendum:

if you are ND like me and it effects your ability to focus on tasks that are tedious, you're going to have to make it fun for yourself. teachers tend to hate it if you break the bounds of their assignment but if it's just for you? who cares?

if you hate hate hate doing figure drawing but you love sailor moon? pull up a bunch of the manga and try to break them down like you would a photo ref

if you don't really want to be a 'realistic' artist and are more interested in cartoons and comics? a lot of the skills you get from basic study carry over, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with pulling up a screenshot of something you like and trying to break down how it's made.

experiment and try different things until you can land on a routine that keeps you engaged. if it turns out you just like making abstract collections of swatches? that's 100% fine, you made something! if it turns out that you can't stand handling the physical texture of most trad art supplies, but you can mimic them pretty well in digital? terrific!

the art you like to make may be totally different from the art you like to look at.

'study' is like exercise, it's not going to do anything for you if you hate it so much you never do it. find an activity you can do at length and brings you joy, even if it's not what you had in mind, because working at your goal a little bit is still better than getting frustrated and giving up

[drdemonprince]

hi devon! love your work so much and also just rly want to take an edible with you and shoot the shit but my actual question is as an autistic person who was taught to orient around other peoples needs how can i re train that laser focus to kind of hone what i need/like/desire? i feel really lost and spend so much time thinking about what other people may like or want i have no idea what i want even at 29

oh my goodness, my entire next book on Autism is all for people like you! I believe that part of unmasking requires that we learn how to disengage from the opinions of others, widen our distress tolerance, get more acclimated to the possibility of change, learn how to initiate the activities we like more, and just generally get more in touch with our bodies and our desires. this is a lot of work but it's all in the realm of skills that can be practiced... which is why i'm currently trying to sell a book that is entirely research, examples, and exercises around these things. i will also be publishing lots of small tastes of this work pretty regularly on my substack in the next few months.

in the meantime, i would encourage you to start reallllly really small, by taking greater notice of what you don't like. and i mean really start out with miniscule declarations of negative feeling. "i dont like this song, can we change the channel on the radio?" "i dont want to eat at the olive garden actually" "im cold, can you turn up the heat or tell me where the blankets are?" "this bar is too loud, i'm going to have to leave." REALLY small stuff. even stuff of that scale probably feels TERRIFYING. start with these things, and ride out the initial discomfort or embarrassment that arises when stating a need or preference.

you'll notice that each of these "no's" is actually getting you closer to figuring out what you want as well. you're saying you dislike something, or that you are uncomfortable -- but you're also practicing articulating a thing that you actively do want, whether that's a blanket, a more comfortable place to spend the evening, or something better to listen to or to watch. it's hard to ask oneself massive existential questions about who you truly are and what you want out of life. but asking yourself if anything small in your immediate environment is uncomfortable is far easier.

the great thing about this method is that you can practice it all the time. any time you're in a new space or situation, just take a moment to ask yourself: what would i change? the goal is to always find something you could advocate or ask for. this flips the masked autistic instinct to never ask for anything until you're in absolute agony completely on its head. you are LOOKING for things to request, LOOKING for sources of mild discomfort to voice -- and youll get better and better at noticing what you like and what you dislike the more that you do this.

with time, you will be able to articulate far greater wants. i dont want to spend my weekend at my grandmother's house. i dont want to live in an apartment with someone who is constantly criticizing me. i want to live by the water. i want a job where i can control the temperature of my workspace at all times. i want dogs. i want to be able to go running in the morning. i want a bathtub. i want to paint and listen to music. i dont want to marry this person. and so on!

this is a massive oversimplification, but there you go. a little bump of the full supply that hopefully will hit bookshelves early 2025 if i play my cards right

[authorautism]

Always on my Mind

Summary: Bakugou x GN!Reader soulmate au where soulmates are able to share thoughts but are censored/restrained prior to their meeting. Reader has always spoken to their soulmate and with their shared goal of getting into UA they hope to meet and truly fall in love.

Word count: 2.7K

Warnings: Angst, Cursing, Hints of injuries

"Mommy! Daddy! Look look look what I can do!"

a young child yelled eagerly running towards their parents in the kitchen only 4 years old today their quirk had finally manifested. In the palm of their left hand lay a single glass marble clear with a stripe of red raising their free hand they focus and slowly the marble lifts out of their hand. "Oh wow baby you have Gran's quirk we're so proud." Their mom says bending down to observe as the marble falls back into their palm.

"Yeah seems it skipped a generation that's so great honey," their dad adds setting down the support gear he was tinkering with. "Are you gonna be a hero like Gran and your mom?" He asks.

"Nope, I wanna be like you Daddy. I wanna make cool laser to help Mommy like you do." They proclaim happily. Mom turns a playful glare to dad who is quick to defend himself, "I don't make that many laser I promise." They all laugh as slowly time skips forward.

It had been only a year since then and everyday you made time to practice your quirk as much as your small body could handle learning from Gran how to use you telekinesis and the limits of it, unlike your Gran you could barely lift heavy things at all so that meant flying and levitating was off the table. But it was during one such time as you were making the tv remote fly that you heard thoughts in a voice that wasn't your own.

'this is so lame i didn't do anything wrong'

Eyes widening I run to find my Daddy and Gran in the living room Gran is watching her soaps half awake while Daddy is reading a magazine.

"I've gone crazy from using my quirk!!!" I cry tears welling in my eyes, "Hey woah sweetie what do you mean?" Daddy asks setting his magazine down on the coffee table and Gran jolts into focus turning down her shows volume.

'WHO THE HELL IS YELLING?'

"I hear a voice I'm crazy!" "Oh dear don't worry that's just your soulmate." Daddy explains patting my head a smile on his face from enjoying my torment. "Ha you two forget to tell them." Gran chortles turning up her soap now that she knows there's no danger present.

"Me and Mommy have been too busy to explain, but the voice you're hearing in your head is your soulmates. Or rather their thoughts." Daddy explains as he picks me up to sit in his lap, "So don't worry my dear because your soulmate is sorta like a best friend but more."

"Are you and Mommy soulmates?" I ask beginning to understand what Daddy was explaining. "Yes, in fact I just told her what happened and she's laughing" Daddy says having closed his eyes briefly as if willing the thought to Mommy. "Tell her its not nice to laugh at her own child!" "Ha ok I will sweetheart, why don't you go talk to your new soulmate?" Daddy says setting me down on my feet the whole time I was listening to the whispers of my soulmates thoughts to quiet to hear but present still.

"Ok." With that I return to my room and sit down at my desk where i had been practicing my quirk.

'Um, Hi my Daddy said you're my soulmate my names ---'

'huh? whatever you said i couldn't hear. whatever my mom said the same this is annoying.'

'I don't think this is annoying actually I'm excited! Its like having an imaginary friend that's all my own but you're real and just far away y'know!'

'i guess but i don't even know your name or nothing. plus what if you're some weirdo huh?'

'Well I could say the very same for you! Plus it's already too late I claim you as my friend and you cant change that so haha ha!'

'ha well fine then don't be annoying i'm gonna be an awesome hero some day so you can't get in my way'

'Well then I'll make all your gear like my Daddy does for my mom so you have to hang out with me!'

'fine, but only because i want friends that aren't weak losers like deku.'

With that promise me and my soulmate Soul as I had nicknamed him talked all the time, I learned about Deku or rather Izuku his childhood friend that was quirkless and scolded him for being such a meanie to Zuzu. Often forcing him to convey my words to Zuzu so that I could be friends with him too. He sometimes did the same especially when it came to the rowdy boys in my class, even though I can handle them myself! But slowly the years passed, both of us training our quirks and sharing small moments of our thoughts. We both learned how to block out one another when need be such as on tests where we wanted to focus.

"Try and keep up Deku." Katsuki shouts leading the shorter male towards the playground. Katsuki using the play structure to dull the sounds of his small explosions as he practices his quirk. Truthfully the only reason he brought the boy was at his soulmates request.

'You really gotta stop pretending you bring Zuzu along just for me Soul, we both know you like how he praises you for your quirk control.'

'whatever.'

"Ah sorry Kacchan, I was distracted." Izuku said sprinting to catch up quickly. "Oh I almost forgot to say hi to your soulmate."

"Whatever they say hi back, ugh Zuzu. Such a stupid nickname." Katsuki groans lighting his palms with tiny explosions. "Hurry up I need to practice before it gets dark and our mom's come looking for us."

"Right, sorry Kacchan, oh Gear you said you were practicing too today?" Izuku asks. He often made conversation through Katsuki rather to said boy which was often considered strange to others. As it's very uncommon for the bond to be used this way before soulmates meet.

'Yeah, I took apart Mom's straightener and Dad had to fix it haha.'

"Of course they did Deku neither of us are slackers after all, why are you asking such dumb questions?"

"Sorry I just, I have another question for you Gear." Izuku stops walking causing Katsuki to pauses too annoyed with the stopping.

Tears gather in the shorter males eyes, "D-do you think, that even though I'm quirkless I can be a hero?" He asks the tears now slowly falling as Katsuki's eyes widen.

'Soul don't say that you know you both have the same dream. So say exactly what I'm saying or gonna be super duper mad at you!'

"Deku- I mean Zuzu what they want to say to you is that the believe in you. Maybe not all quirkless people can become heros, I mean they have a quirk and they're not gonna be a hero but even still they think you can be a hero. I mean not as good as a one as me but whatever." Izuku smiles hugging Kacchan who begrudgingly lets it happen only because he knows its what his soulmate would want. And maybe he kinda sorta does wanna make them happy deep down even if he has to deal with crybaby Deku.

'Finally free!' I laugh along to my thoughts leaving the school for a final time. 'It all really flew by huh?'

'yeah next is ua for us' Soul every cocky replies remarking that he sees Deku leaving at the same time. 'Oh, I wanna say bye to Zuzu come one Soul.' He huffs but as always obliges me fake begrudgingly.

"Oh hey Kacchan. Did your soulmate wanna talk to me?" Izuku asks ever clever it's why I had forced Soul to let me be friend him, and like usual the name he calls Soul is blocked out.

"Of course they do, dunno why they always wanna talk to a useless nerd like you." Soul says 'hey be nice to Zuz!' I scold him making him grumble.

"Whatever, they just wanted to say bye and, ugh really? FINE, and Goodluck." Katsuki grumbles the last bit with an angry expression. "Ah I forgot they're also applying to U.a. with us-" "Not with US with me damn nerd." Katsuki cuts off Izuku with a glare. "But whatever you-- what fine I won't say the TRUTH. Anyways we gotta go bye nerd." With that Katsuki leaves Izuku waving over his shoulder.

'gonna take the shortcut, need to start my summer training quickly.'

'Yeah yeah, always busy Soul but be careful remember what your mom said about villains in the area.'

'i'd blow up and damn villain before it even touched me just wait!'

So Katsuki walked home taking the shifty alleyway just as he said unaware of the slime villain that hide from his sight only to strike now.

'FUCK'

'Soul? What's happening?!' Worry brewed in your chest sure it wasn't unusual for Soul to swear but, but not like this.

'GET THIS SHIT OFF ME! I-I CAN'T BREATHE!' With that I'm cut off from Soul. Blood thunders in my veins I can't hear Gran's soaps or Dad's tinkering I can't hear anything but my own thundering heart, I'm frozen in place fear coiling around me.

'I CAN'T LOSE HIM'

Even as my thoughts turn frantic there's nothing I can do helplessly waiting for anything. After way too long for comfort I get something from Soul 'I CAN'T BELIEVE--' its anger not at me but yet still it fills me with relief 'I was so worried!' But just as quickly I'm cut off though this time its different intentional this continues for days, slowly into months only getting glimpses of his thoughts when his barrier slips slightly. I always offer kind words of what I hope is comfort whenever I can.

Till finally it's the day of the entrance exams or rather the recommendation entrance exams, my Dad having given me one as a well know support item making and an alumni of U.A. I felt out of place around these would be heroes and rich kids but soon it's my turn to shine. I had brought in several small items to showcase my quirk and my own skills. A hair dryer and invention I was working on and the heaviest thing I could find that I could lift with my quirk.

"Ah, you have telekinesis like your grandmother on your mother's side, yet you're following in your dad's footsteps?" The Principle asks with a grin. "Correct sir, thought its the same as my Grans" I say slowly lifting the heaviest item and trying to not let the strain show on my face, "I am able to apply it to support items better." Now I raise the hair dryer into the air focusing on each individual part as slowly its separated into all of its small components hanging in mid air.

"Impressive don't you think Aizawa?" The Principle asks the man in a bright yellow sleeping bag. "So your quirk is more suited towards detail work?" Aizawa asks intrigue in his tired gaze.

'I've got them hook line and sinker now.' Despite the silence I try and involve Soul.

"Yes I can take a part any item so long as I can lift it with my telekinesis and just as quickly--" I snap my fingers and the hair dryer reassembles instantly, "I can reassemble it too." I finish a grin on my face. "As expected from your mother and father, you can expect your letter in the mail soon good job." With that the Principle dismisses me others seem shocked and intrigued as I can't help but grin taking my props with me.

'I did it Soul so you can't fail either!'

'you know i won't idiot.' Eyes widening at his response and I smile wide.

'Good to finally hear from you, I missed you y'know...'

'even though you're annoying i guess i missed you too. i just had a lot of shit to deal with but im back now for good so don't worry yeah.'

'Ok I trust you Soul so know you can trust me too with anything on your mind!'

'yeah yeah i know just don't mention it ok i'll tell you later.'

Walking home with glee I tell my Mom, Dad and Gran the news that I'm probably in already. Being congratulated and warned to not jinx it I slowly unwind getting ready for bed.

Laying look at the ceiling anxiously today was the day well more the morning of our first day. So anxious was practically an understatement I would maybe meet Soul today and yet here I lay frozen in bed.

'are you really that nervous?'

'Yes, I know we've both been working towards this for so so long but, I just...'

'get up. get ready and we won't plan it if we meet by chance today then we meet if we don't that's fine. so stop stressing gearhead our you'll be late.'

Smiling and feeling more confident I get ready for the day. I get well wishes from my family and a knowing look from my mom who leaves with me. We now take the same train to get to work and school.

"Are you excited?" She asks as we walk to the train station.

"Sorta school I know but this is new Soul said we can let our meeting be organic and we don't have to meet today." I explain.

"That's good me and your dad did that actually he was so nervous that it made my hands shake." My mom laughs smiling and no doubt receiving a scolding from my dad in her mind. "But it was good I scared him when I saw him."

"How did you know it was him?"

"Well dear I just knew it was something I knew like breathing and then I clung to him for a whole day straight." My mom finishes with a laugh a smile on her face as we approach the train station.

"Wow a whole day? You really are clingy Mom." I laugh.

"So you'll do fine kid alright."

With that me and my mom parted ways into different train cars so I could face my first day. The ride was uneventful making it to class about fifteen minutes early. I change into my school shoes and look for my class, passing by a rather loud classroom labeled 1-A, none the wiser of what lay inside. Assemblies and meeting classmates and teachers await me this Mei girl seems to be at my level as we chat with one another. Days continue on like that almost in a trance me and Soul still speak to one another in fleeting exchanges but I can tell there's something missing.

'i have a fieldtrip today.'

'Ooh, are you excited Soul? I haven't gone to one with UA yet so you'll have to tell me how it goes.'

'sure, sure. its just a boring search and rescue thing.'

'Still it sounds so exciting I just have normal classes then lab time today.'

'how's the invention coming along?'

'Good! I'm excited to begin testing today actually.'

'hopefully you don't blow it up again idiot.'

'HEY, that wasn't even my fault I shouldn't have let Mei tinker with my baby after all!'

'pfft whatever, i gotta head to class so we can go on this fieldtrip now. maybe i'll see you today...'

'Ha, maybe yeah.'

With that I start another day. Until we're being evacuated from campus due to a nearby villain attack at the place Soul just said he was going. Fear and panic fill my chest was something going to happen to him? Was he going to get hurt or even die before I even got the chance to meet him? Tears well in my eyes but I feel paralyzed stand in the classroom as people start getting their things and clearing out.

"Hey, are you with me now?" Mei asks shaking my shoulder.

"M-my soulmate's in that class..."

"Hey, its going to be ok Almight's on his way over and there was already two proheros there." She tries to reassure me as we both grab my things and leave the school. Mei takes me to a cafe hoping to calm me down a little.

"Pass me your phone I'm gonna text your parents ok?" Wordlessly I hand it over.

'hey, soulmate or whatever don't freak out ok... no matter what I'm going to fight to meet you ok? so just you fucking wait for me!'

[lynxgriffin]

"I think what Kris may have lost with Dess's disappearance is less innocence, and more self-confidence. I think their primary problem (and why they sought out being possessed in the first place) is that they feel indecisive and lack courage. They withdraw from people and refuse to participate in regular life less out of a lack of kindness, and more out of the mindset of "Why bother? I'll just screw it up anyway." (Which is probably part of why they feel kinship with Susie…they feel like they're on the same wavelength there.)

And Ralsei aggravates that position for them because, aside from his kindness and optimism, he is very insistent that specifically Kris should be the decision-maker. He pretty much tries to always make Kris feel good about their decisions, even the ones that he clearly doesn't like. If Kris's primary problem is they lacking the courage to make their own choices, Ralsei seems laser-focused on convincing Kris otherwise. Which, I feel makes Ralsei being a manifestation of Kris's soul all the more interesting…that for all Kris believes that they aren't capable of that courage, there is a part of them that does believe they're capable, and that's the part that has taken on a life of its own. Just! I think that could end up being pretty powerful!

Sorry, I know this is kind of a tangent from your original tangent, but it is a thing I enjoy thinking about, so thanks for the opportunity! "

…

I'm glad that people and in particular you, Lynx, like this topic. So I'm here again to share my thoughts :D

I want to talk about Kris's injuries, and that line "Why bother? I'll just screw it up anyway."

It's like a learned helplessness injury, if I'm not mistaken. When many bad events happen in a row in a person’s life, and no matter how hard they try, they cannot influence them. Kris faced enough problems that they began to consider themselves completely helpless and unable to influence the world on their own. Dess's disappearance, Asgore's dismissal from the police, parents' divorce, brother's departure to college. Having finally lost faith in their own strength, they decided to give control of their body to someone else. This sounds very logical.

Ralsei, in turn, seems to be really focused on restoring Kris's faith in herself, and the belief that something can still be done even without the player's participation. Progress in this direction is noticeable already at the end of the first chapter, when Kris, seemingly lost in everything, without the player’s command, independently, being wounded, protect Susie from the King’s attack. Susie is also an important figure here. Unlike Kris, on the contrary, she is extremely strong-willed and self-confident. She will break through the wall, demolish everything in her path, but achieve her goals. She even violated the mechanics of the battle just out of spite, took it and learned how to act, and even gave this option to her partner. There's a bit of Undyne from UT about her. DETERMINATION :D Susie for Kris is the same image of the ideal as Asriel. Only Asriel was a model of friendliness and success, Susie was a model of confidence and determination to act, something that Kris now lacks. That's why they probably like her.

As a result, we see that Kris is now positively influenced by two characters. Ralsei is focused on supporting and regaining self-confidence, while Susie says less, but with all her appearance shows that believing in yourself and your strengths is cool. And not only will Kris become more independent as the chapters progress, but Ralsei, with Kris’s condition improving, will be able to focus more on personal problems and the questions “who am I?” It's very interesting where this will all lead in the end.

Now something else occurred to me. Throughout the game we are told that the choice does not affect anything. What if this appeal is not to us, but Kris’s appeal to themselves?? Their entire childhood was not influenced by anything, they could not choose who they would be born with and suffer from it, they could not choose what would happen to Dess, they could not choose whether their parents would be together or not. And will my brother go to college? All their lives their choices didn't matter. And this is exactly what we will hear before the first chapter.

The player’s choice, in turn, has weight, because the player can go for murder (they don’t survive after freezing the entire body, I verified). Kris, on the other hand, doesn’t try very hard to resist the player, because they don’t believe that they can. We don’t know for sure, but I assume that extracting a soul from a body is possible not only in the light world. Then, if the Kris believed in themselves enough, they would try to interrupt the battle with Berldy, force Noelle to ignore the creepy voice (which continues to sound even if Kris is defeated), and give everyone time to get out of sight.

But I don't blame Kris, they need some more time to gain the determination to act and interfere with the player's actions.

Now at the time of two chapters we have the following diagram: Kris is convinced that their decisions don't matter. The player's decisions matter and can significantly impact the world.

The further we move, the more the influence of Susie and Ralsei will affect the will of Kris. And if they don’t like our decisions, we will be thrown out of the body more and more often, and perhaps they will learn to choose options for us by moving our hearts against our will. If Kris see that we are doing our best and really want to help, they will give us more freedom of action. Now we don't just control Kris, but they decide when to give us the right to control them. Now we obey.

Another interesting thing is that during the game you can sometimes come across dialogue options that would suit the character of Kris. For example, posing for the camera, we can choose a rude gesture, I think this is what they would choose. Or when Susie asks whose side Noelle is on, we can jokingly answer that she is our enemy.

If future chapters are released as an installation package along with the first two chapters, then it is possible that part of the code of the first two chapters will be supplemented and all information about our elections will be saved and used in the future, even if we did not take cruel paths. For example, like in UT when Toriel remembers our flirting at the end of the pacifist, Kris if they ever talk to us, they can remember how we made them hug Ralsei. We can choose what we want throughout the game, or we can choose what we think Kris would choose, and our decisions will influence dialogues or events in the future. We have already seen how the decisions from the first chapter influenced the second; in the battle with the capture of the Rouxls houses, Kaard uses exactly the same structure that we assembled in the first chapter. Also, for some reason, the game stores information about which vessel we collected at the very beginning.

Ultimately, we can either find common ground with Kris or make them hate us. If hatred leads to a battle, then against all three at once, Susie will be just happy to thrash someone bad, and Ralsei will never leave Kris and help them. But my intuition tells me that this will not be a battle, but something else, I don’t know why, the battle would be too obvious or something.

If you’ve read this, thank you) I love to think, and it’s especially nice to do this when there are people with similar interests.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts!!

My thoughts on Kris's feelings towards their actions (again, may be art coming for this soon!) is that they feel a degree of responsibility for the bad things that have happened in their life, stemming from the incident with Dess. It could be like a learned helplessness, but I also see it as a "I cannot be trusted to make the right choices" kind of conditioning. Being the only human in a monster town, I can see them even pinning the blame on their humanity for their mistakes, since well…it's clearly the thing that's always made their life harder, anyway.

They do need their friendships to help set them on a path to self-acceptance and self-reliance, and the Dark World is facilitating that, which is why I think they are more and more focused on going back there!

In regards to the whole "your choices don't matter" theme, which people seem convinced applies to both the player and character…I think it's actually a lot more subtle than that. After all, the theme of Undertale is not "kill or be killed," even though an authoritative character tells you that at the start of the game. I actually think that the second voice at the end of the goner maker sequence saying "no one can choose who they are in this world" IS Kris speaking, because that's the mindset that they're currently in, and it's one they need to learn how to grow past by the end of the game. All of the main characters feel, in some way, that they are trapped by their own identities. Breaking free of these roles they feel they have no choice in is, I think, a narrative thoroughline we'll get through the whole game.

And I have a whole long twitter thread about this, but yeah, I do think that it's inevitable that we'll be cut off from controlling Kris at the end, because that feels like the natural conclusion to Kris's character arc. Kris starts out feeling like they can make no good choices, so someone needs to hold their hand. So by the end, it feels appropriate that they come to realize that they can act on their own, and that they don't need anyone holding their hand…not even the player controlling them. Whether that parting is on good terms or bad ones depends on how the player treats them and their friends…Ralsei does say that how we treat others can make all the difference!

I know this is just rambling on top of your rambling, but I appreciated reading yours, so I hope this rambling is appreciated, too!

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Gale’s Top Ten: Worst Akuma to deal with in real life.

Rules:

1. This is solely based on how difficult life would be if the akuma was active. (Rules being in the city in which the akuma is active)

2. Their effectiveness of getting the Miraculous is not a factor, but their ulterior motives and abilities are. (Basically I’m not going to be the Focus of their goal in most cases)

3.And when I say deal with, it’s being a normal person having to cope with the akuma present.

4. I will be rating them at their absolute worst/most powerful. As to get the most accurate rating

5. This is a personal list, but trust me I have given it some thought.

6. No sentimonsters, so Strikeback isn’t making the list

7. Tv episodes, Specials and movie only.

10. Robostus

Robostus is an akuma that’s slept on. Whether he is taking over all technology to make a giant mech, or hypnotizing people with screens he is a threat. And as a guy that works with technology, I’m in danger. Though in most cases it’s a direct inconvenience at best or I get put in tech storage at best.

9. Simpleman

An akuma that can impact the intellect of EVERYONE IN PARIS. That’s terrifying. And we saw first hand how his simple antics made everyone as smart as Cosmo from fairy odd parents.

My intellect would drop dramatically and I would probably die from being that stupid.

8. Queen Wasp/Miracle Queen

Honestly they are basically the same akuma with slightly different powers but the same method of control. My main gripe is being completely frozen by the venom which is just the worst feeling. Would I be made aware? Comotose? Plus I REALLY hate bees/wasps because of childhood stings. So no thank you. But it’s this low because it is still somehow avoidable.

7. Zombizou

My fear of intimacy aside, this is somehow worse because it spreads like a plague AND, imagine the allegations that would spawn from this. No thank you. That’s a hell no from me dawg.

It’s only this low because as long as I’m not stupid I can avoid it.

6. YanluoShi

Basically the stand in for all Giant akuma. The difference is his death laser kills and He was DECIMATING shanghai. All the other giant akuma were threats but Yanluoshi was just a bit more dangerous. And without heroes, shanghai would be SOL.

The Shanghai special really did have a heck of an akuma threat.

5. Akumatized Hawkmoth

For those who haven’t seen the movie. Hawkmoth akumatizes his own heart and basically gives himself even more power.

He had telekineses and was flinging rubble everywhere, he turned the water in La seine into lava by FLOATING OVER IT. He was creating storms just by existing.He decimated Paris, and civilians were in serious danger.

The only reason he is so low is because he was so focused on ladybug and chat noir and despite the damage to Paris, no one was seriously hurt (except ladybug and chat noir)

4. Syren

She Flooded Paris in minutes. It’s implied a LOT of people got caught in it. Like seriously. I can swim but even I don’t know how well I could handle a suddenly flooded city. At least with the previous entry there were more clear chances of survival. The next entrees have very little survival chances for me

3. Stormy weather

She can make Volcanic eruptions. Category 5 hurricanes. Stormy weather’s powers are easily one of the most dangerous in the series. If she was allowed to go all out, I would put her on Akumatized Hawkmoth in terms of raw power. Now we never see the full extent of it, but she can Manipulate the earth by creating natural disasters. She likely would have wiped Paris off the map if she got her way. So that’s why she’s here.

2. Bubbler

I know you all might think this is a joke, but I’m dead serious. The bubbler is probably the most dangerous direct threat. You know what his goal was? No more adults. Guess what, I’m an adult! And you know what else. He sent EVERY ADULT in a bubble to FLOAT IN SPACE. In the manga Tikki even points out that they would DIE up there. Bubbler combining my two greatest fears. Heights and tight spaces. Plus either I die of suffocation or the bubble pops and my body implodes from space. Or worse, I fall to my death at terminal velocity. My only hope is I can pop the bubble BEFORE then.

1. Chat blanc

You know what your chances of surviving chat blanc are? Zero. He blew up the moon and killed everyone. Either from the result of the moon being destroyed or his power Cataclysming everyone.

He was Alone, this implies everyone else is dead. Not even the heroes on the other side of the world could do ANYTHING!

Survival chance with the other entries was varied. But chat blanc the answer is 0.

[inamindfarfaraway]

See, the thing about my Lydia the Bard-style villain song animatic script for Princess Sofia the First was that it would take extremely dire and specific cirumstances to make Sofia even morally grey. So I had a precise idea of the plot from the beginning of my process. But Elena has much more potential for a fall from grace. Her consistent major flaws include recklessness, single-mindedness, overconfidence and bitter vindictiveness. She experiences a vast amount of trauma and stress throughout her story and much focus is dedicated to her mental health as she learns healthy responses to it, non-linearly with plenty of self-destructive moments. Then she suddenly gets powerful magic controlled by her emotions that emphasizes this arc. I'm almost spoiled for choice on how to turn her evil! She's like the Anakin Skywalker of Disney Princesses. Except canon hasn’t given us Darth Vader.

Also, does anyone in the fandom have a definite answer on whether or not the Sceptre of Light only works in the hands of a good person or toward good? Because it vaguely says so on some wiki pages, but not others. And Elena attempts to directly use Blaze on Esteban several times in Season Three. Her final test by fate/the universe/whatever was to forgive him and she's acting out of unreasonable wrath at these points as he never tries to hurt her, but the laser is still fired. How immoral do you have to be for it not to work? An overall bad person or just currently having bad goals and/or motivations? Tell me what you think!

This is what I’m doing, by the way.

[nerves-nebula]

Art school doesn’t really teach you how to draw btw most of us did most of that learning before we got here. You can definitely learn more important stuff once you’re here and having access to seasoned professionals helps but almost all of us are here cuz we’re hungry for MORE. but like it’s hard to not be at least partially self taught when so much good art & drawing information is just. Out there.

Art school mostly just forces you to practice a lot, gives you access to resources you might never have otherwise (like laser cutters and clean studios and paper guillotines) and gets you in contact with other artists. Which is great, but the focus is mostly improving the skills you have, not teaching you the very basics.

Then again I go to one of the best & most competitive art colleges in the USA so idk my experiences aren’t universal. it’s just weird to me when I see people act like art is inaccessible because art school costs a shit ton like… I drew almost exclusively with cheap graphite pencils until I was like 14. My first tablet cost 30 dollars & I used a free drawing program until I’d gotten the hang of things. Some of my best illustrations are still ones I did in order to get *into* college.

You don’t need college if your goal with art is to just make art.

Anyway I need to get out of bed so I’m gonna try to motivate myself by pounding a baja blast