#coloring this beast is quite a challenge

[xamag-draws]

[Monster High] so since pink lagoona is a hot topic in the fandom, i though it'd be a fun challenge to try and make some pink lagoonas myself. there's actually a lot of material to work with imo!

these are all essentially looks for a recolored g1 lagoona, only the last one being intended for her g3 personality. i wanted to make more for g3, but didn't quite like them in execution, so maybe another time..

tropical treasure: beautiful, glamorous, colorful, but a bit more of an aquarium decoration than a strange beast. loosely inspired by bettas

ghost ship cruise: etherial haunty lagoona, inspired by jellyfish. light, translucent and probably cold to the touch

coy classic: elegant mermaid pond lagoona, inspired by koi fish. this one is kind of an amalgamation of her g1 dolls that exists in my head tbh

little axolotl: cute and quirky, like the new lagoona. inspired by axolotls and sea slugs :)

[valaenatargaryensdragon]

Whispers of Desire

pairing: Aemond Targaryen x twin!reader

summary: Finally betrothed, the twins are more than happy.

Word count: 2,9K

Warnings: smut, P in V, Daddy kink, Orgasm denial

The Red Keep in King’s Landing stood as a majestic backdrop to the grand feast held in honor of the engagement between Aemond Targaryen and his twin sister, Aerra. The Great Hall was resplendent with crimson and gold decorations, echoing the colors of their House. Lords and ladies from across the Seven Kingdoms had gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Aerra, the lively and effervescent twin, was at the heart of the festivities, as always. Her fiery charisma and vivacity had the guests enthralled. She moved gracefully through the hall, engaging in lively conversations, twirling on the dance floor, and enchanting all who crossed her path.

Aemond, on the other hand, couldn’t hide the green-eyed monster that had taken root within him. He watched as Aerra shared laughter and danced with lords and knights, and a deep sense of jealousy consumed him. His martial prowess and fierce determination had earned him respect, but tonight, it felt as if all eyes were on his sister.

Rhaenyra, their elder sister, noticed Aemond’s growing frustration. She excused herself from her own admirers and approached him. “Aemond, you seem troubled. Is something amiss?”

He sighed, his violet eyes betraying his inner turmoil. “Rhaenyra, I can’t help but be jealous of Aerra. It feels as if I’m always in her shadow.”

Rhaenyra placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Aemond, jealousy is a dangerous beast. Remember that Aerra’s light does not diminish yours. You are both unique, with strengths that complement each other. While she shines in the spotlight, your strength is the shield that protects our family.”

Aemond’s gaze softened, and he nodded in acknowledgment. “You’re right, Rhaenyra. I should be happy for her. It’s just that… I’ve always felt the weight of our family’s expectations.”

Rhaenyra smiled warmly. “We all do, dear brother. But together, as Targaryens, we are stronger. Our bond is unbreakable, and we support each other through every challenge.”

As they returned to the feast, Aemond’s jealousy gave way to a newfound appreciation for his sister’s charisma and an understanding that their unity was their greatest strength. The celebration continued with renewed joy and harmony, showcasing the resilience and power of House Targaryen within the hallowed halls of the Red Keep.

The Red Keep’s Great Hall buzzed with merriment as Aerra danced with several lords who had come to celebrate her engagement. Her laughter rang out like music, drawing the attention of everyone present. She moved gracefully from one partner to another, her vibrant presence captivating them all.

Aemond, watching from a distance, couldn’t shake the growing unease that gnawed at him. As he saw lords vying for Aerra’s attention on the dance floor, jealousy flared within him. He had always been fiercely protective of his twin sister, and the thought of sharing her with others grated on him.

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Aemond left his spot and approached the dance floor. His commanding presence was undeniable, and the lords who had been dancing with Aerra took a step back, yielding the floor to him.

Without a word, Aemond extended his hand to Aerra, his violet eyes locked onto hers. “May I have this dance, sister?”

Aerra’s sapphire eyes widened in surprise, but she accepted his hand with a smile. They moved onto the dance floor, and as the music swayed around them, their movements became a silent conversation of emotions.

As Aemond and Aerra danced together, the tension between them crackled like wildfire. The music’s sultry rhythm seemed to mirror the heat that had built up between the twins. Their bodies moved in sync, but their words were laced with desire and jealousy.

“Aerra,” Aemond purred, his voice low and seductive, “you’re quite the enchantress tonight. You revel in the attention, don’t you?”

Aerra’s sapphire eyes darkened with a mix of emotions, her pulse quickening at her brother’s provocative tone. She leaned in closer, her voice a sensuous whisper, “Why, Aemond, jealous, are we? Perhaps you’re just not used to sharing.”

Aemond’s jealousy had given way to a more primal desire, and he pulled Aerra even closer, their bodies pressed together in an intimate embrace. “Sharing is not something I’m accustomed to, especially when it comes to you.”

Aerra’s laughter was a seductive melody in his ear. “Oh, Aemond, there’s no need to be possessive. I’m yours, always.”

Their dance became a provocative battle of wills, a dance of desire and longing. Aemond’s jealousy had transformed into a heated passion, and as the night wore on, they continued to dance, their movements filled with sensual tension and unspoken promises.

Their hearts racing with a mix of excitement and forbidden desire, managed to slip away from the raucous feast unnoticed. The castle’s winding corridors provided cover for their secret escape.

Aerra couldn’t contain her giggles, the thrill of their clandestine rendezvous making her feel like a teenager in love. She tugged at Aemond’s hand, urging him further into the shadows.

Aemond, usually so stern and composed, had a rare hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. The tension that had consumed him earlier had given way to the intoxicating anticipation of what was to come. He pushed Aerra gently against the wall, their bodies pressed close, and his lips descended to meet hers.

The kiss was tender yet filled with an intensity that had simmered beneath the surface all night. Aerra’s fingers tangled in Aemond’s platinum blonde locks as she deepened the kiss, their tongues dancing in a passionate, unspoken declaration of their desires.

Aemond’s hands explored her curves, their desire for each other burning brighter with each passing second. The abandoned hallway became their secret haven, a place where their love and longing could be expressed without restraint.

As the kiss deepened, Aerra pulled away slightly, her breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. She looked into Aemond’s eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Aemond, I’ve always wanted you.”

Aemond’s response was a heated kiss, a promise that their secret rendezvous was only the beginning of a night filled with passion, desire, and the breaking of boundaries they had once thought were unbreakable.

Aemond’s kisses, like soft feathers, trailed down Aerra’s neck, igniting a passionate fire within her. Her body trembled with desire as his strong arms enveloped her waist, guiding her down the dimly lit corridor.

Lost in the intoxication of his touch, Aerra barely registered their surroundings. She allowed herself to be led by Aemond’s tender yet passionate ministrations, every kiss sending shivers down her spine.

As they reached a doorway, Aemond gently guided Aerra into the room. Her senses were overwhelmed by the pleasure of his kisses, and she remained blissfully unaware of their surroundings.

It was only when they were inside, and Aemond closed the door behind them with a soft click, that Aerra finally realized where they were. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she looked around to find herself standing in the small council meeting room of the Red Keep.

The room was dimly lit, with the long wooden table and high-backed chairs creating an unexpected backdrop for their passionate encounter. Aerra’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and desire as she met Aemond’s gaze.

Aemond, his own desire evident in his platinum blonde hair tousled from their passionate kisses, gave her a mischievous smile. “Well, it seems we’ve found an unexpected venue for our rendezvous.”

Aerra chuckled softly, her embarrassment giving way to a sense of adventure. “I suppose we have, dear brother. Let’s make the most of it.”

And with that, they allowed their passion to consume them once more, their kisses and desires filling the small council meeting room with a fervor that surpassed the boundaries of decorum.

Their lips met in a slow and passionate kiss, a sweet exchange of longing and devotion. The small council room, once a place of politics and strategy, was transformed into their private sanctuary, where their love and desires could flourish.

As their kiss deepened, they lost themselves in each other’s arms, their hearts entwined in a dance of love and romance. The room, with its grand table and high-backed chairs, bore witness to a different kind of council—one where the language spoken was that of love, trust, and unbreakable bonds.

Aemond eager to be close to his soon to be wife wasted no time to push her against the table, his lips attacking the sensitive skin under her jaw with bites and kisses to sooth the pain. Aerra's breathing was already laboured, her nibble fingers running through his hair that was in it's usual half up do, well not anymore.

"Aemond" She whispered, his name sounded like the sweetest tart rolling off her tongue. Aemond began pulling her dress up desperate to feel her skin. This was not the first they had been intimate and surely never will be the last.

"Daor" No. Aemond breathed in her ear. His fingers finally touching the skin of her thigh. He ran his thumb around the edge of her stocking before pushing it down fully. Aerra gasped as the cold air hit her legs causing goosebumbs.

"Kepa" Father/Daddy. The twins were twisted, that was no shock. The father they had was anything but a father, he was more of a stranger to them, they were shocked he even showed his face at the feast- most likely because Rhaenyra was there.

Aemond groped her thigh so tightly it will surely leave his fingerprints behind on it. He wrapped her exposed thigh around his waist before moving to the other one. His lips trailing up to her ear, biting and sucking the her earlobe. She whimpered shivering in his arms, she was desperate for his touch. Her second stocking and shoe followed the first on the floor, her legs now both wrapped around his waist he finally could touch more of her skin.

"My sweet girl, so desperate for attention" Aemond teased. he pulled back admiring her, her lips swollen and red from his attacks earlier. Her neck was already beginning to bruise from his bites. Her chest heaving as she sat on the table, her legs around his waist. His cock was throbbing in his trousers at the sight of her. Her hair was all over the place.

"Kepa, Kostilus" Please. Her begging was like the lemon cake to his ears. His fingers worked quickly undoing her bodice until her tits were spilling out.

"Shh, sweet whore" Aemond shushed her quickly. His hand grabbed at her breast, the perfect size in his hand, she was just perfect for him. Her entire being fit him so perfectly, her love handles and breasts were just the right size.

"Kepa, please it hurts" Aerra begged. Her cunt was crying in need of friction. She tried rubbing herself against him, gasping when she felt his hard on. Aemond smirked with delight at the sight of her wide eyes and dropped jaw. She knew just how to push his buttons even without trying.

"Shhh" Aemond gave a quick slap to her breast. He reached down to undo the ties of his trousers. Without her having to beg anymore or preparations he shoved his cock inside of her tight cunt.

"Such a perfect cunny" Aemond complimented. Aerra had to slap a hand over her mouth to stop a scream from slipping past her lips. He was just in so deep, he reached places she couldn't even imagine reaching herself.

Aemond stayed still not wanting to hurt her. He was amused with how wet she was and he didn't even need to touch her down there, he did not need to prepare her, she was always ready to take his cock. She was his perfect twin and no one can change that. No one can separate them, not even their disgusted mother.

"Move, Kepa" She whined, rolling her hips for some friction. Aemond lowered his head to take one of her tits into his mouth, suckling at it. She let out a loud moan without warning at the sensation, he always knew how to pleasure her. The pleasure went sparkling down to her lower region making her walls squeeze around Aemond's cock, making him crazy.

"Fuck" The curse came muffled from his lips. His hips began rocking back and forth, the way she sounded, the way she felt were just overwhelming.

"Aemy" Aerra cried throwing her head back. Aemond pulled away from her breast and placed a hand between her breasts, he applied just enough pressure to push her back to lay fully on the table. His eyes sparkled at the sight of her breasts bouncing with each thrust.

"That's not my name" Aemond's hand came down at her bouncing tits, giving each a quick slap. Aerra's back arched, legs beginning to tremble.

"Kepa" She moaned loudly, no longer caring who heard, they were betrothed and to marry soon, no one can separate them.

Aemond picked up the pace of his hips, his cock was just begging for more frictions. "Yes...fuck yes" Aerra was not one to curse, so now that she did Aemond knew he was doing it right.

"Do not cum" Aemond warned, his one eyes blazing with almost anger. She did not earn cumming yet.

"Please kepa" She begged. Her left hand reached down to touch herself but he slapped it away in a second. Aerra cried with frustration. Her eyes teary already from the pleasure began pouring with frustration.

"Kepa!" Aerra cried desperately. He picked up the speed of his thrusts, he was slamming into her at this point. He was going to teach her a lesson.

"Whores do not get to cum" Aemond growled. One of his hands reached up to grab her jaw. His hips not stopping for a second. Her eyes rolled back, back arched but he pulled at her jaw making her eyes snap back to normal and her back to lay still down again.

"Do you understand?" Aemond asked. His nails digging into her flesh.

"Yes kepa, please kepa, I am sorry" She cried. Her hand reached to grab his wrist. He pushed her hand away and moved to focus on the movement of his hips.

His hands grabbed at her hips moving her hips just the right way to match the rhythm of his own. Aerra's hands tried desperately to grab onto anything. Her right found comfort on her own breast, kneading the full flesh, twicking her nipple evoking herself to more pleasure. Aemond had ruined her forever, she was no longer the shy and innocent sister she used to be.

"Kepa, please please please" Aerra's pleas filled the otherwise empty room. She did not care if she was to be heard, it aroused her more actually, she wanted the lords she danced with and lusted over her to see her being absolutely being destroyed by her own brother.

"Fuck, cum" Aemond was not a vocal person in general let alone during intimacy. His voice was low and gruff, it turned Aerra on even more. She rolled her nipple begging every god for the release her brother was chasing for the both of them.

"Yes please" Aerra's breath got caught in her throat. It was like lightning struck her and moved through her entire body. Her legs shook so hard they went numb for a second. They unraveled from around Aemond's waist and shot up in the air shacking. Her body obeyed only his command. No one else's but his and it will forever.

Aemond grabbed her legs behind her knees and pulled them up to his shoulders and continued the assault on her cunt. This new position allowed him to reach deeper, he could feel her cervix if that was possible. He was very close, he was going to seed her. He was desperate to seed her. He wanted her to swell with a pure blooded Targaryen.

"Sweet twin" Aemond tried to comfort her as her eyes rolled back, her orgasm being prolonged with his movement. With a groan of pleasure Aemond came shooting his cum so deep inside of her it probably went straight into her womb.

"Gods" The word came out forced from her lips as she tried to pull her hips away from Aemond, too overstimulated. Aemond let her crawl back a little only enough for his cock to slip out of her. His singular eye watched as his spend ran out of her slit and down onto the table. Her legs fell limp like the rest of her body. He leaned down on top of her to place a kiss on her forehead.

"Mine" He whispered against her eye before placing a small kiss to her closed eyelid. Her chest heaving made her breasts brush against his, her sensitive nipples perked at the touch and made her groan a little.

"Kepa" She whined. Opening her eyes lazily, Aemond smiled at the sight, she just looked so sweet like a little girl, his little girl that he gets to fuck fro the rest of his life.

"I'm right here" Aemond helped her sit up again. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her head rested on his chest. Legs open again welcoming him inside, his cock sheathed inside like it was going home, to keep them both warm.

"Kepa's got you" Aemond whispered against her hair line, placing a small kiss there as well. Aerra hummed happily and nuzzled even more into his chest, her arms tightening around his waist. He was hers and She was his forever.

[writingoddess1125]

You Cook For them even though you suck at it-

Buggy, Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Shanks, Mihawk

Buggy

You you offer to cook for him he is hesitant. Buggy is actually a great cook and will take over making food for you if he catches you in the kitchens of the Big Top.

"I don't know about that (Y/N)-" He would say quickly as you smile at him.

"It will be fine I promise! I've gotten better!" No the fuck you hadnt- he shouldn't have trusted you with this when you set down a bowl of slop.

"Oh What the fuck (Y/N)!? What is this?! Why is it still moving?" He yelled poking some form of meat with a spoon and watching it twitch back.

"It's just rare!" You argue back. "Rare my ass!!" He yelled before forcing himself to take a bite.

He quite literally falls apart to the ground.

Luffy

Luffy would be excited that you offered to cook for him. Being too happy to ignore the weird smell from the kitchen and from the bowl you set down.

He quickly tucked in, eating away at the bowl until it was gone and smiling brightly at you.

"Thank you for the meal (Y/N)!" He said cheerfully, you smiled excitedly.

"Did it taste good?" He stares at you for a moment like he was thinking. "No it was pretty disgusting" you stare at him shocked.

"Why did you eat it then?" You question at his bluntness of willing to eat something gross.

"Cause you made it!" Eh Good enough-

Zoro

Is equally as bad as a cook as you- So when the two of you come together it only means chaos.

"Zoro im going make us a special meal!" You chime, watching him nod and follow along.

In the kitchen he drinks as he watches you attempt to cook. Even using his sword to cut up random vegetables and fruit. Once done it is a jet black color pouring out purple steam- He stares at it a bit afraid before taking a bite.

Zoro body would lock up- Like he had been hit with electricity. His eyes beginning to water and he grabbed the booze again to down if quickly- all of it very quickly.

"....That was awful-"

He manages to groan out as he rubbed his face.

Sanji

Will be head over heals for you, and when you offer to cook for him his whole body freezes- His eyes wide and practically screaming to not have this done-

"M-My Love! My Sweet! No need for that I can cook for us!" He insist sweat hitting his brow.

"No No, You cook for us every night! Let me do it!" You'd insist and go into his kitchen. It would quickly turn into a battle of if he loved food more then you- Once he sees you hold the knife wrong and damn near cut off a finger he steps in.

Shaking his head at this and taking the knife from you.

"Please dont- Love you um.. are cookingly challenged- I'm taking over"

Before he kicks you out of his kitchen.

Usopp

Usopp has actually pretty good taste in food, He enjoys food and has been heavily pampered by Sanji's cooking and food he be served when visiting Kaya.

So when you offer him food at first he's happy and talks about his experiences as a 'Chef' but when you bring down a half burned and half raw fish that still seemed to be twitching and some other odd trimmings that seemed to be stewed.

"Uhhh (Y/N)- you made this?"

He would question as he stared at the questionable plate.

"Yep!" Hearing your cheery voice he tries to sweet talk and lie his way around eating it at first. But once you insist he would nod and take a hefty bite. His face draining of all color as he chewed, forcing himself to swallow as he sits frozen.

"Usopp?-"

He ends up fainting-

Shanks

Shanks will try anything once, however he found out early on that you couldnt cook- While he never openly confronts you about it he does know damn well you shouldn't be near a kitchen.

Once you offer to cook for him he is jovial as normal and supportive. However when you bring out the bowl of- what looked like what a sea beast would vomit he started to sweat. Taking a big swig of his booze before taking a bite.

His whole body shivered in disgust and paled. Slowly trying to chew as he gave you a watery smile.

"It's alright It's Alright-"

Shanks said, his face turning purple as he tried to keep the food from coming back up as quickly as it came.

Mihawk

While it may be surprising but Mihawk is the pickiest of eaters- So when you say you made him a meal, He tries to hold himself back from making any comments before he's seen it.

'Maybe it's not that bad?...'

He thinks as he takes a seat at the dining room table. Waiting quietly as he hears you clattering in the kitchen- however he knew knew it would be unpleasant when the smell hits him. You step out cheery and happy as a massive bowl is set infront of him. His eyes widened at the sight- he had seen many horrible things in his life but nothing like this-

"Why is it that color?-" He would ask as you explained away that you didn't know the exact ingredients to make it so you improvised. Mihawk took a shaky breath and leaned down to give a sniff- once the fowl odor hit his nose he pushed the bowl back.

"(Y/N) Darling. You can't cook- I can't eat this... I love you dearly but whatever is in this bowl has been damned"

[graceofagodswrath]

Humans are Feral: Part 3

This is actually a continuation of the first part, but in a different scenario. I wanted to write a story with the idea of a human pack-bonding to an alien and going feral after seeing the alien hurt. It would a be a moment where aliens realize that while humans are dangerous, this kind of loyalty they can have for anyone or thing is a rarity and should be respected.

I also wanted to play around with the ideas of aliens reacting to human courtship. I’ve seen lots of headcannons and ideas as to how aliens may react to our openness when it comes to romantic relationships. Aka alien/monster fuckers. I hate you all because I am one of you.

So I decided to mix both and go with the scenario: what if a human’s alien S/O was threatened and hurt? I love the cliche of people going rabid after a loved one is hurt, it’s so nice to see humans actually caring for each other in this day and age.

WARNINGS - Implications of sexual trafficking, death, and violence.

Inter-species relationships were not an uncommon thing. However, they were met with equal skepticism and hate as they were welcome.

When humans joined the mix of races in the outer systems, it threw off those with prejudices against such relationships. While the young race was not without it it’s own trivial prejudices, the openness at which they had to forming lifepairs with non-human beings was unexpected. As humans branched out and their strange reputation became more than simple youngling stories, another reputation began to rise. That was of humans as life-mates.

While many still spurned others for finding partners outside their races, among the community it was seen as a huge honor to have a human as a life-mate. They were deemed high-maintenance and challenging to match, yet their loyalty held no bounds.

It wasn’t long before this became a small joke among the humans. They knew their species, and the idea the outer races had of them as lovers was too good not to joke about.

While they could not quell the rising rumors and fantastical stories surrounding their species, as much as it annoyed some, others took it in stride.

Quil’ian was a xicali of the dexi-10 planetary system, from the jungle planet Huvarrh. Stunningly large beasts, xicalis resembled bipedal humanoids with two pairs of arms and four fingered hands. Smooth, iridescent skin emblazoned with unique patterns covered their bodies. In dark spaces they often glowed with their own soft bioluminescence. Two large eyes of various dappled shades sat on either side of their flat noses. Scientists theorized that humans and xicalis must have had a similar evolutionary path from an ancestor of ape-like characteristics. But where humans remained in the ground, xicalis remained in the trees, their strong arms capable of immense strength for swinging from branch to branch.

Quil’ian was such a xicali. His skin shimmered a cerulean blue so deep it rivaled the gemstones of Farcauv. His eyes were pools of amber, one his partner said reminded them of a sweet syrup called honey from their home.

Quil’ian’s life partner was a human named Amira. She was a well-respected starship engineer from the eastern reaches of the Terran homeworld. Black hair, sun-darkened skin and eyes the color of rich garden soil. She had a laugh like the singing bird calls of his homeworld, and soft words of whispered sweetness that made his legs weak. She was the light of Quil’ian’s life.

When they were about in public and chose to display their affections, it more than often drew side glances. Scathing looks. Jealousy. Yearning. Disgust. They paid no mind.

They found work together, traveling to distant worlds and exploring the nether reaches of the universe. Amira would be hired on as an engineer for a ship, while Quil’ian would work as a docker, using his natural xicali strength to move shipments and ship parts. They made quite the pair for any employer.

It was on such a job, on the freelancer starship Queen Diogovay, they found themselves in a dangerous situation. Alien Marauders had attacked, demanding all shipment and valuable items. And the captain was going to let them have it. They weren't going to risk violence and an injured crew. Until the marauders realized there were humans aboard.

Ever since humans had entered the galactum, the trafficking industry boomed. The want for humans for servitude, experimentation, and especially sexual uses made humans beyond valuable. One pretty Terran could make over several billion kronor.

Upon the Queen Diogovay there were five human crew members, including Amira. And the marauders wanted every one of them. When the pirates first grabbed hold of the ship, three of the humans disappeared while Amira and Sam stayed with the crew to try to keep the trespassers at bay.

This proved to be of no use, as the bastards pushed their way past the barriers and blood was spilled without hesitation. Quil’ian made a split second decision and grabbed both Amira and Sam, throwing the pilot over his shoulders and his mate safely in his secondary arms. Then they were booking it down the hallway.

Quil’ian had it in his head to reach one of the evac pods before the pirates caught up to them. The Captain had been against using them to try to keep the ship and goods from the marauders, but they were most likely dead now, the orders void. And Quil’ian had decided from the start his mate was his first priority.

He was several turns from the pods when a kalik hound rounded the corner and slammed into them full force. A creature commonly used for violence, it opened its massive jaws and jumped at the xicali. Pain tore its way up Quil’ian’s leg, and he couldn’t think past the feeling of the hound’s fangs tearing his calf apart and Amira screeching like a jakvy bird. Then the feeling of the hound’s fangs disappeared as soon as they sunk in.

Quil’ian opened his eyes to see Amira atop the hound, arms wrapped around its throat as she attempted to choke it into submission. Sam had a metal pipe in their hands and was slamming into the hound’s face. The two were snarling and screaming right back at the alien dog, enough fury in their eyes to rival the violent creature. And Quil’ian watched as his mate tipped her head back and sunk her own teeth into the soft flesh of the beast’s neck.

It screamed, and Sam shoved the metal pipe down its throat, flesh tearing as the pole exited through the underside of its jugular. It fell to the ground thrashing, but the two humans doubled down in their efforts until the beast stilled. Quil’ian had never witnessed a hound fall so easily, the beasts known for their dexterity.

Then Amira was by his side, her mouth covered in the hound’s orange blood. Her hands made quick work of the sweatshirt she was wearing, tearing it into a single strip to wrap around the massacre that was the xicali’s leg. Her hands were gentle, a drastic change from the viciousness he just witnessed. The xicali stared at her for a moment, then concluded he would have been just as violent had the beast wrapped its jaws around her. If anything, a shiver went up his spine, one that was not unpleasant, at the realization that his human mate was willing to go to such drastic measures to protect him.

When the binding was done, Amira and Sam did their best to haul Quil’ian to his feet, the xicali towering above them. They made their way to the evac pods, spurred on by the distant yells and screeches from the marauders. It was both surprising and not when they got there and found the three other humans preparing the pods. One of them, Kaeveon, immediately went to their aid, muttering about the captain being a “fucking fool” and how they should have jumped as soon as the pirates boarded.

But all went calm as they entered the pod. The pirates were apparently too busy searching the entire Queen Diogovay for the missing humans to consider that they were already gone. In moments they were out in deep space, heading to the nearest station they could take refuge at. Amira was tucked into Quil’ian’s side for the whole duration, the couple refusing to let the other go. They treated the xicali’s injury with the med kit in the pod. It was enough the keep the woman from fussing over him too much, though her mate admitted to himself that he was rather basking in her concerned care.

Perhaps, after this incident, Quil’ian would try to convince her to settle somewhere. Maybe back on his home planet, in a small home in the trees, with a view she would love.

I’m sorry this took forever to put out. Not my best work since I started it months ago and lost the motivation until now. My mental health hasn’t been the best these pst few months, but we’re on the up, and writing this has definitely put some inspiration back on the table. Hope y’all enjoy this smaller snippet. And I really like the possibilities with Quil’ian and Amira, so maybe I’ll have some more stories starring them.

[epitomereally]

Renegade Binderary 2 of 3: Kept in Cages by @sweet-s0rr0w and @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm

Deep in the heart of the Ministry lies the Beast Division: a hidden room where ancient beasts roam, and winged creatures soar, and grumpy giant ferrets eat all your biscuits unless you keep them well hidden. Draco Malfoy would know – he’s been working there for five years now, after all.

Meanwhile, on Level One, ex-Golden Boy Harry Potter is stuck in another interminable policy meeting, completely unaware of the mysterious comings and goings just three floors below. But when a giant snake emergency requires the assistance of a Parselmouth, Harry finds himself thrust, unprepared, into Draco’s weird and wonderful world – and naturally, he can’t keep away…

In this fic, Sweet and Joy wove an incredibly hopeful and gracious journey of healing for both Harry and Draco against a lush backdrop of magical creatures & friends. I am so happy to have bound this fic for Sweet and me. I bound this as a part of Renegade’s Binderary 2023 (where we challenge ourselves to make as many books as we can). I specifically focused on some of my favorite fics published in 2022 that I hadn’t already bound :)

I was quite burnt out of writing & reading fic at the end of H/D Wireless 2022 and so I slept on this fic for months and SHAME ON ME! It took me until December to read it and I was just blown away by the world that Joy and Sweet built together. I had this two-toned blue/green bookcloth, knew I wanted to have a cut-out, found this gorgeous William Morris tapestry, and boom, the design was born. I also want to say that Joy’s gorgeous illustrations & Sweet’s beautiful words were so evocative that designing & typesetting this was a breeze; if you have any doubt, see how @a-gay-old-time (who did such an amazing bind of this here) and I came to very similar design choices independently :)

I also used text from @sitp-recs' rec here and @getawayfox's rec here at the front of the book, which I would love to start doing for all of my binds.

I learned a ton of stuff that is totally boring to a non-fanbinder, but was huge for me: footnotes, full page illustrations, double French-core endbands (still need some refinement, but I am so happy to be able to use more than two colors!), cut-outs!! Some technical challenges of this bind: getting the cut-out exactly in the right spot, using a guillotine for the first time & having some pretty tight margins as a result, painting on Duo bookcloth (the texture makes it really tough!), but I'm still so happy with this bind. I also have to acknowledge @pleasantboatpress who inspired both the headbands and the cut-out with their absolutely gorgeous binds.

Materials:

Title font: Argaka

Body font: Alegraya

Endpapers: Birds by William Morris (public domain)

Bookcloth: Duo Laguna (sadly no longer being manufactured :()

[maxwell-grant]

So yesterday was my birthday and I invited a friend over to watch some movies we’d been each putting off. He showed me They Live, which I’d somehow never seen, for the first time, and I repaid the favor by breaking his brain with Speed Racer and letting him see how everyone ever was 100% wrong about that movie at release and it is in fact the best thing ever, but in regards to They Live:

I expected a good time and had a really great one. I knew about it’s central alien allegory, and how it’s been co-opted by anti-semitic memes and right-wingers who think they’re being cute. I knew it inspired dialogue in Duke Nukem, I knew it was a John Carpenter film starring Roddy Piper with Keith David in it, and that was it. I was blissfully unaware of everything else, including the fact that it somehow winds up being a spiritual successor of “The Challenge of the Beyond”, the pulp writer round robin exercise nowadays most famous for it’s H.P Lovecraft - Robert E.Howard parts.

There’s a post on it that floats around regularly and I’ll link here for better explanation, but in short: Lovecraft’s section of this story had the protagonist George faint from terror constantly and go mad after turning into a giant alien centipede, which was followed by Robert E.Howard immediately retconning said madness in his opening line and having the character embrace his new life as a horrid centipede beast in a new planet and go on a conquering rampage of “titanic adventure” as George the Centipede Barbarian. I bring up George the Centipede Barbarian not because it’s funny, but because They Live intentionally pulled off a very similar kind of brutal tonal dissonance.

They Live is very comparable to The Thing in the sense that it is a 50s concept told through 80s filmmaking and distorted accordingly, to the extent that the black and white parts are not just colored differently, but shot differently from the rest of the film in a way that’s far more reminiscent of 50s horror films. Our protagonist is an 80s meathead cowboy who lives in a struggling urban landscape with mysteries and horrors he never quite understood but continue to plague him and those around him, and he has a moment of truth when he puts on magical sunglasses and finds out that he’s been living in a Twilight Zone episode the whole time, and so has everyone. The black and white allegorical terrors won and have been running everything all along, and that is the point the episode should end with our protagonist horrified and broken, “wouldn’t that be fucked up / doesn’t this remind you of something / these horrors are real” message conveyed, episode over.

Except our protagonist is an 80s meathead cowboy, so instead of surrendering to the horrors after finding out everything is a monstrous lie, he fights back with a shotgun and a bag of one-liners. Dude just immediately, like not even 10 minutes after he first puts on the glasses, starts blasting alien cops and bankers and spaceships. I really did not think that “bubblegum” one-liner happened that early in the movie. This dissonance would have been wonderful regardless but it helps that it’s done so intentionally.

I really didn’t expect that the movie was this 100% completely blatantly unsubtle about the true nature of the alien ghouls as bloodsucking capitalists. It’s not some veiled allegory that can be left to interpretation, the movie tells you repeteadly and explicitly what it is about. The film tells you that the aliens are weaponizing communist paranoia to gain control over cops, preceding a line “We'll do anything to be rich” and then a description of them as “They are free enterprisers. Earth is just another developing planet, their third world” is actual dialogue from the film and that’s just before we learn the aliens all wear expensive watches, that most of the cops going around brutally gunning down the resistance are humans who sold out, and get scenes of the aliens and humans standing around in suits congratulating each other on profit margins. I don’t meant this as an insult but it’s frankly cartoonish in how unsubtle it is, it’s insulting that John Carpenter even had to set the record straight with Yes This Was About Capitalism and Reagan and Yuppie Bloodsuckers You Stupid Fucks like the movie isn’t hammering the point constantly.

If you haven’t watched it, did anyone ever tell you that the inciting incident of the movie is the protagonist being radicalized by police brutality? Yeah, funny, nobody ever talks about what happens in the movie before George puts on the sunglasses. The first 20 or so minutes are about the protagonist, George Nada, arriving in the city and struggling to find a job or place to stay and being offered one by Keith David’s character Frank, who takes him to a homeless community. They have a handful of dialogues together where Frank repeteadly expresses a cynical viewpoint towards life under You-Know-What, over opportunities turning into traps and steel mills giving themselves raises by screwing workers over, and George brushes him off stating he still believes in America, he still believes in getting a fair shot.

George is quickly and immediately reduced to horrified bystander as the police storms his community and destroys their church and goes around beating up them up and evicting tents by bulldozer, while George runs around trying to help and save at least one of them. The next time we see him, he puts on the sunglasses and learns the awful truth and starts his rampage (framed in no uncertain terms as an act of revolution) by doing, what else, shooting cops. Or, well, aliens who approach him as cops and tell him that, now that he sees them, they can work out a deal to profit together if he just goes quietly. The movie makes it as obvious as it could possibly make it.

So yeah, watch They Live, it’s Duke Nukem vs The Twilight Zone’s Episode on Capitalism (with Extended “Guys Being Dudes” Action, I’m glad I didn’t know about that alleyway fight scene beforehand). Also watch Speed Racer, it’s glorious, and it has the exact same villains. Had a really great time yesterday with both.

[violet-the-bandit]

Here’s the bio for my cool, little rvb OC:

Name: Jackie (last name unknown)

Codename/chosen name: Violet

Age: unknown; likely his late 20s/early 30s

Occupation: Outlaw for Hire/Ex-Sim Soldier

Personality: A gleeful guy, with a tendency to get overly excited and easily distracted.

He’s also been described as erratic, with a habit of getting into fights and overly enjoying them (in actuality, just likes the challenge)

He’s known for having an obsession with sea life, ice cream, and a strange man he calls “The Beast” or “Michael J. Caboose” (yes, that Caboose). He often randomly breaks into weirdly religious, culty, brainwashed ways of speaking.

Appearance: Standing at 7’3ft, Violet has a beefcake build, adorned with tons of muscle and decent fat to healthily balance a body of his size & strength without dehydrating/starving himself (no freaky celebrity abs)

He has tanned, light brown skin, short black hair, and some slight facial stubble.

Armor Appearance: His older armor is much bulkier to fit his body, and is a mixed color of purples and violets, painted over his previously red armor.

Backstory: He was once apart of the red and blue zealots found at Battle Creek (the weird, religious cult guys in season 3). More specifically, he was among the red team.

That changed when Caboose & Sarge arrived. When Caboose forced himself to be angry, taking out both teams, Violet becomes inspired and enlightened by Caboose. He quite literally looks up to Caboose as a kind of deity and role model.

Since then, he’s cluelessly wandered from place and time on a crusade to become stronger and faster so that one day, he’ll meet the mysterious “Michael J. Caboose who hates babies” and challenge him.

He also chose to paint his armor violet. Not for some deeper meaning, but because he simply likes the color

Prefered Weapons: Fuel Rod Cannon; Brute Spiker; Gravity Hammer (DO NOT let him have the hammer for too long without supervision)

[karaamberlight]

FEBRUARY DWC 2024 DAY 3 - BARGAIN

Kara exhaled a big sigh, crossing her arms over her chest as she stared at the hardwood floor, which was now covered in various colored paw prints. The culprit hadn’t strayed too far from the scene of the crime and looked as if he had done absolutely nothing wrong. It was, after all, her fault for leaving out open cans of paint that could accidentally be tipped over - or purposefully knowing him.

“Shabby, what am I going to do with you?”

Her cat responded with a pleased mew, closing in to greet her while leaving behind more painted paw prints in his wake. She picked up the chonky beast and began to run some lukewarm water in the large sink and placed the cat inside. He didn’t protest, in fact he quite loved being in water and sat there placidly as Kara gently scrubbed at his paws and fur to remove all the paint.

“You know it is kind of pretty.” She turned to admire the colorful art; Shabby seemed to (unknowingly) demonstrate quite a bit of knowledge in color theory. “Okay, how about we make a deal?” It wasn’t the first nor would it be the last time she bargained with a cat.

Shabby trilled in response, slowly blinking as he stared up at Kara. 

“I’ll put out some clean paper on the floor with some kitty friendly paints and we can have weekly painting time, and in return you stay out of my human paints, ok?”

Shabby stared blankly. No deal.

“Okay how about every other day?”

Shabby once more gave a high-pitched trill as he lovingly bumped his head against her arm. Maybe her next piece could be collaborative.

@daily-writing-challenge

[citruscitrushope]

The outfits for the April Fools units just being recolors ticked me off so I made my own with the power of photo editing and dress-up mode, under the cut :D

Since the main difference in Leo/need's outfits beyond the colors is their jackets and bows, I figured the same would apply to Aoharu/friends. Airi's is sleeveless like an idol's outfit, and Ena's is closed so she doesn't get paint and such on her shirt while doing art. Airi wears her ties as bows in her hair, and Ena's is a bow to emphasize cuteness and such.

Even though MORE MORE JUMP's standard outfits are already quite uniform, I wanted to give YUME YUME JUMP's more personalized traits, not only the ones shown in their live2ds but also Shiho's shorts and socks, An's knee socks and fingerless gloves, and Kanade's undershirt and leggings. The group also all wear flowers in their hair, An no longer having the stars in her hair due to no longer being a street musician, and Kanade's being attached to headphones to both help with her composing and so she isn't overwhelmed by noise and such as an idol.

I wanted to give Tsukasa and Rui more street musician-esque outfits and hairstyles, thus their anniversary hairstyles are used with Tsukasa wearing Len's No seek No find outfit and Rui wearing Akito's Find A Way Out one. Not much to say here, I just wanted Tsukasa and Toya to have matching necklaces and for Rui to still look whimsical whilst being a street musician.

I feel like Happiness Sentai Sunny-Sunny Wonder☆ have the best outfits of the five (seeing as, you know, they're not all the same thing), but I wanted to try and give them outfits that emphasize both their "ranger" concept and their stage names (Sunny-Sunny Happy Emu, Goodness/Darkness Smile Mafuyu, Stoic Challenger Haruka, Makeover Beast Kohane).

"That's just Painful Hope Haruka" shhhh shhh shush

I'm not sure why, but I feel like decora fits Fellow Hobbyists on Days Off a lot, at least going off of their Venom 2DMV, they just deserve to be pink and mildly over the top and somewhat edgy and yay.

[dnangelic]

full name. niwa daisuke (丹羽大助) / dark mousy (ダーク・マウジ) / kokuyoku (黒翼) pronunciation. knee-wa die-skay / dark mow-see ( mau-jee ) / ko-ku-yo-ku meaning of name.  kanji for red/rust-colored + wings/feathers, english for lacking light + timid or lacking in character / black wings aliases. dark / dark, sagami yuma, gondawara saburouta, whatever else he feels like age. 14-15 / 2000+  date of birth. nov 11 place of birth. azumano, jp zodiac sign. scorpio species. human / live artwork race. jp nationality. jp gender. male sexuality. it's complicated profession. middle school student, phantom thief, hikari artwork tamer

appearance.

height. 5′2 (160cm) / 5'11 (180cm) weight. eety bitty but not too eety bitty / skinny ass twink  eye. red / red or violet hair. red / black or violet complexion. fair / light  build. small, but fit / tall, fit and acrobatic voice. soichiro hoshi (if i had to pick between him or miyu irino) / onosaka masaya (sorry okiayu) traits. perpetual rosy red flush on his cheeks. easily prone to tears. when he transforms into dark, his pupils are often the first thing to change. very fluffy hair. / slit, almond-shaped pupils. canines a little too sharp. black wings, retractable 'talons' (nails). no fingerprints, few visible hand grooves, extremely cold hands. feathery, lightweight hair.

parents. emiko and kosuke niwa. daiki niwa, daisuke's grandfather, also lives within the niwa family mansion. siblings. none, unless you count argentine for dark given others have called them 'like brothers' before.  children. n/a enemies. hiwatari, krad, the hikari at large, but also not really. figures related to law and law enforcement are the natural enemies of any thieves.

mental.

education. still in middleschool / has all sorts of random, excessive skills and talents, none of them particularly useful literacy. jp, eng, assortment of european languages (french, italian, german, etc) languages. same as above  disorders. well he's quite literally cursed for one thing. avoidant and occasional dissociative tendencies, absorbs much of dark's depression / deeply ingrained learned helplessness and depression, any other mental illness you can imagine an ancient isolated personality that learned to cope through theater kid methods can have habits. toying with and unlocking imaginary locks with his hands when he gets nervous. curls up into his knees and refuses to move when he gets depressed. fleeing from others as soon as he feels his heartrate pick up. / grinning, smirking, sneering, etc. he's naturally grabby and handsy and performs a lot of skillful, dexterous tricks with anything inanimate he can grab or touch around him.

traits.

positive. compassionate, responsible, good under pressure neutral. impulsive/quick-acting, protective/possessive, sensitive, sentimental, independent, rebellious negative. self-blaming, reckless, insecure, volatile, impatient

moral alignment.

jung. INFP / ENFJ enneagram. 2w1 (caregiver/reformer), 8w7 (challenger/noncomformist) four temperaments. melancholic / choleric tropes. red eyes take warning, satan is good, magnificent bastard, obfuscating stupidity, beauty and the beast/fractured fairy tale archetypes. innocent / joker tarot cards. the moon / the tower, the devil

[uenodivision]

Beasts of Rap Cypher (Mega Yozakura Ver.)

Bring the Beat!

[Aranai:]

I'm Ride or Die, with a tale that's quite the fix

Channeling the power of Kyuubi in the mix

Like Naruto, I've got a spirit that will not bow

A fiery will inside, that's burning bright right now!

In the shadows, I move, a silent fox's stride

With Kurama's strength, I face the world with pride

Cold as the moon on a clear, frosty night

Yet hot like the chakra flames, taking flight!

Against all odds, I stand, fierce and unafraid

My resolve is like the seal, strong and well-made

Loyal to my pack, like the fox to the leaf

In the battle of life, I command and lead (Yozakura!)

Ride or Die, a name that echoes with fame

In the anime of life, I play the ultimate game

With a spirit both cold and hot, I fucking thrive

Like the Nine-Tailed Fox, I'm eternally alive!

[Lana:]

I'm Facade, the artist, with a vision so vast

My canvas tells stories, from the first to the last

Like the Beast Titan's strength, my art stands tall

A protective shield, it's a fortress wall

With every brushstroke, I fight life's cruel test

Guarding my sister, ensuring she gets the best

My colors are a haven, a safe, warm embrace

Like the Titan's arms, a secure, mighty space

In the gallery of life, my paintings are the key

Unlocking a world where my sister can be free

My murals, a battleground, where I fiercely contend

Against any foe, on me, she can depend

Facade, that's me, an enigma, a guide

With the Beast Titan's might, I won't let harm betide!

Together we stand, in this art-filled fight

A duo of strength, in the day and the night

[Aika:]

I'm VeeXn, living life with a hedonist's flair

Savoring each moment, like a breath of fresh air

With Renemon's grace, I dance through the fray

A golden glint in my eye, I seize the day

My laughter rings out, a melody so sweet

Indulging in life's pleasures, I never skip a beat

Yet, with a mother's heart, I fiercely decree

To my daughter, Keiko, a guardian I'll be

Like Renemon's swift strike, my resolve is clear

In the digital world or here, I hold her near

My love's a shield, from any harm, I'll defend

For her, I'll fight, to the very end

VeeXn, that's me, a spirit untamed

In the game of life, my joy's proclaimed

Hedonistic, yet a protector so keen

Balancing both, I'm a force unseen

[Eldrid:]

I'm Valkyrie, the champ, in the ring, I reign

With fists like Lucario's aura, I bring the pain

An MMA warrior, with a title to claim

I face any challenger, no fear, no shame!

From city to city, wherever I roam

I stand as a guardian, making any place home

My brother's keeper, in the fight of life

I shield him from trouble, from any strife

Like Lucario, I sense the auras around

In the silence of battle, I hear every sound

My spirit's unyielding, my resolve is steel

For my wife's safety, I'm the real deal!

Valkyrie, that's me, I'm a force so rare

In the octagon of life, I'm fully aware

Defending my kin with every move I make

I'm the champion of bonds that none can break!

[Nadya:]

I'm Vipera, the smartest alive

Crafting plans so cunning, you'd think I connive

With a mind so sharp, like a snake in the grass

I slither through problems, none can surpass

Revenge is a dish best served with my wit

Enemies beware, or in my trap, you'll sit

I'm the viper with venom, in every word I spit

A touch of poison, oh, isn't it legit?

Like Chopper's transformations, I adapt and thrive

In a world of pretenders, it's how I survive

Sarcasm's my shield, my tongue, a swift knife

Cutting through nonsense, it's just my life

So here's to the foes who think they can cope!

With Vipera's mind, you've got no hope

In this grand game of life, I'm the queen, the pope

And if you think otherwise, you're a hilarious trope

[Kanra:]

I'm D.Vil, don't test me, my temper's a flare

Dare to pick a fight? I'll give you a scare

My strength's abnormal, a power untamed

In a world of the normal, I'm unashamed

Short-fused, quick to ignite, like Retsuko's rage

On life's vast stage, I'm a force uncaged

I roar in defiance, my voice loud and clear

Challenging the world, without a hint of fear

Unmatchable might, in my fists it resides

With each battle I fight, my spirit abides

I'm searching, seeking, who am I to be?

In this reflection, what truth will I see?

Like Retsuko's metal, I'm a rebel's song!

In the heart of the mosh pit, where I belong!

D.Vil, that's me, fierce and unbowed

In the quest of self, I stand proud!

[Shian:]

I'm 'Ready or Not', in pursuit, I never rest

Like Legoshi on the prowl, I'm on a quest

A bail agent by day, a hunter by the night

Tracking down my targets, until they're in sight

Time is money, and I invest with care

In the urban jungle, I'm fully aware

Like a wolf, I stalk, with patience and grit

For every fugitive, I'm a perfect fit

My prey may run, they may try to hide

But like Legoshi's instinct, I won't be denied!

I value my hours, each minute's a gain

In the chase of justice, I endure the pain

'Ready or Not', that's the name I uphold

With a spirit unyielding, fierce and bold

In the world of the chase, I'm the leading plot

For those who skip bail, ready or not

[Aoba:]

I'm Guinevere, in this world, feeling lost

Navigating the present, at such a high cost

Haunted by guilt, a shadow from my past

Seeking redemption, a peace that will last

In a sea of ignorance, I stand for the wise

Disdaining the haters, who knowledge despise

Like Michiru Kagemori, I've changed, I've grown

In a world unfamiliar, I've stood alone

Transformed by my trials, like Michiru's plight

From human to beast, from darkness to light

Guinevere, that's me, a seeker of truth

In the library of life, I reclaim my youth

[Taria:]

I'm Misfit, the free spirit, no chains on my soul

Like Komamura's heart, my courage is whole

In a world that judges, I stand apart

Living my truth, my way, straight from the heart

I value my freedom, it's my right, my song

In the melody of life, I'm where I belong

No fear of being misunderstood, I'm clear

I'm the author of my story, I steer

Don't tell me how to live, I won't conform

Like Komamura's loyalty, I weather the storm

I'm unique, not a piece in your societal kit

In the puzzle of life, I'm the perfect misfit

So here's to living without a scripted plot

Like Komamura's strength, I'll give it all I've got

Misfit, that's me, unapologetically bold

In the book of my life, my story's told

[Kureha:]

I'm Eclipse, with a brush, I command the night

Painting dreams on canvas, with colors so bright

Grateful for each sunrise, a life anew

In Saitama's embrace, my passion grew

Protector of home, a shield for my kin

Like Panda in battle, I'm set to win

My art, my heart, both fiercely ablaze

For family and city, my love's a craze

Dare harm a hair, you'll meet my dark side

An eerie promise, in shadows, I'll bide

With Panda's spirit, my resolve's unshaken

In the face of danger, I'm not forsaken

Eclipse, that's me, a guardian so bold

In the gallery of life, my story's told

With a palette of valor, I paint my creed

For those I cherish, I'll always lead

[Sumire:]

I'm Diabla, the anarchist, with a vision unbound

In a world of chains, it's freedom I've found

No rulers, no thrones, just the people's sound

In the ashes of power, my hopes are crowned

I despise the corrupt, their hearts are so vile

Like demons, all they fucking do is beguile!

With Monokuma's grin, I see through their trial

In a game of deceit, I'm the judge and the dial

A new world I crave, where the free will rise

Away from the shadows, under open skies

My hatred for tyrants, it's really no surprise

Like a demonologist, I see through their lies

So here's to the fall of the unjust decree

With Diabla's chant, we'll set ourselves free

In the dance of anarchy, it's clear to see

I'm the change that's coming, the key to the spree

[Sanyu:]

I'm MC Rogue, not your average prototype

In a world of copies, I'm the real hype

"Normal" is a myth, a bland disguise

I rock my quirks, that's where my power lies

Like Keroro Gunso, I lead my platoon

Marching to my beat, under my own moon

We're all different, that's the master key

Embrace the odd, let the unique be free

I rap about acceptance, drop bars of truth

In the studio of life, there's no soundproof booth

We hear all the stories, the flaws make the groove

In the mix of humanity, we all can improve

MC Rogue, that's me, with a message so strong

Like Sgt. Frog, in this world, I belong

Celebrating differences, we dance along

In the symphony of life, we're all the song

[Yuriko:]

I'm Black Dahlia, with a vibe that's lethal

Dancing with death, I fear no equal

Refuse to bow, my head held high

Like Beerus & Champa, I rule the sky

I dare you to test, to try your luck

Against my might, you'll find you're stuck

In the rap of life, I am the dark beat

My presence alone will knock you off your feet

I'm the whisper of fate, the shadow of night

With a power divine, I'm the ultimate fight

Don't underestimate me, I'm far from least

In the hierarchy of rap, I'm the fearsome beast

Black Dahlia, that's me, a force so grand

Like gods of destruction, I make my stand

Last on the mic, but first in command

In the universe of verse, I'm eternally planned

@kyoto-division @minato-division01 @taito-division @edogawa-division @akihabara-division03 @kumamoto-division @ota-division @saitama-division @shinagawa-division @fukuokadivision1

[animehouse-moe]

The Witch and The Beast Episode 2: The Witch's Pastime - Opening Act

The first episode in proper of The Witch and The Beast aired today, and I must say it's left me a little confused about the whole production and approach. Some great work here, some not so great stuff, and a lot of unanswered questions. Of course, I'm a big fan of the manga so this is almost exclusively a conversation of visuals, but I think there's some interesting discussion to be had.

First off, the second episode has a new storyboarder and episode director. While the director is really not of much importance, Toshiyuki Sone is. They're not a very common storyboarder so I didn't have too much to expect out of their work, but admittedly, they've done a passable job with the content that they were given.

Sticking close to the manga in a lot of places, Sone's episode remains rather faithful to the manga. Some of their original ideas are great, as you can see below, but quite a bit of what they bring from the manga doesn't translate in the way they might have expected.

For example, the zoom sequences that are added in various parts produce low quality and poor detail, though you can't really tell because of Tumblr's pesky compression.

If I were to explain the episode in broad terms, it's from someone that has some good ideas, but little confidence and experience within the role. There's potential, and there's some great work involved, but it's hampered by a lack of understanding in how to approach various challenges.

One such example being the challenge of Iijima's piss poor animation direction. The designs they've made are great up close and personal, but at a distance they're god awful, and can hardly even be considered consistent in any way shape or form. I'm really desperately hoping that they'll be relieved of their position as CAD at some point during this season, just so I can see what can be done beneath another person.

Something else that I'm curious about with this episode is the work in brighter scenes. It's really just not as good as darker layouts or anything that happens at night.

And it's hard to pin down because the line drawn between color design, composition, and art direction/background is hard to make in these spots. Whatever the case is, the scenes in bright daylight simply can't compare to the quality nighttime work. Thankfully a lot of The Witch and The Beast deals with darker sequences so it shouldn't be of too much concern.

And also since I mentioned it, I really do still like the color design and composition. The colors really do best when in more homogenous scenes, but the composition overall has been really great still, even adding a good deal of feeling to some sequences.

The only place that really has not shown any promise is the animation. There was a bit in the first episode, but nothing really to write home about here, and that's where the big question for me comes from.

We're yet to encounter a heavy episode in terms of content, so it's hard to gauge just how this production is faring. As my friend Blue would (most likely say) though, it's very typical of a Hamana production within our small frame of reference. He directs the first episode and brings with him a lot of previous staff members to round out the ranks behind this series.

Because of that, and because of the content of these early episodes and this "arc" (if you can call it that), it's hard to tell how things will go. Is Hamana padding the easy episodes out to save room for the more intense ones, is Sone's episode more limited because of the buildup within the arc, or is it just the limitations of the ability behind his boards and the work of the episode director?

There's a lot of blanks in terms of how this production operates still, so I'm hoping that within the next 2 or so episodes we'll get a better grasp as to just how good this series will be. Of course, I'm hoping it'll be good, but with Yokohama behind it it's hard to have much confidence in my words.

[cari-ousel]

Is it that time already? @art ‘s Build-A-Beast challenge continues and this week’s prompt is to Fashion your Familiar! Build-A-Beast is an ongoing October art challenge here on Tumblr, and all the templates can be found on @art

Did you know Blue Jays are in the Corvid Family just like Ravens and Crows? That’s fabulous for me because I really wanted a bird (I resisted hard the temptation to make a cat) but a crow or raven felt too easy. Plus doesn’t a colorful familiar just tickle one’s fancy just a bit?

Mr. Blue Jay here doesn’t have a name, but suggestions are very welcome. He helps Rosalind make deliveries in exchange for trinkets, snacks and access to the library. He avoids Rosalind’s granddaughter, as she constantly asks questions and wants to take a ride on his back (as if he’s big enough to do that?!) He’s quite young, a bit serious, but takes pride in a job well done.

Cannot wait to see everyone’s creations this week! Good luck!

[esther-dot]

What do you think about song Bear and the Maiden Fair? While the bear is described as brown and black with hairs while the maid described as honey in her hair and pure. Many think that song is about Hound and Sansa because he saved her when other knights couldn't but the bear in song didn't seems to saver as it tastes the honey of maid when she was shrieking and kicking. Seems like forced touching just like Hound forcing on Sansa. Tyrion, Penny and Jorah had played the characters in Meereen.

I also received this ask about the song:

(These are so old, neither of you may be around anymore, but I finally typed up some thoughts on this. Sorry for how belated this is! 😬)

I would assume that the reason so many relationships have a connection to the song is that Martin has an interest in developing relationships between extremes. At one point or another, he’s formed a relationship between youth/age, brother/enemy, beauty/ugliness, life/death, love/hate and I totally forgot the big one and had to circle back to add: ice and fire! Lmao). “Beauty and the Beast” is based on the interest in the juxtaposition of extremes, The Bear and the Maiden Fair offers something similar, so it makes sense to me that he repeatedly utilizes it.

The placement of extremes in relation to each other is an aesthetic thing some find compelling (created via The Hound’s size and scars against Sansa’s remarkable beauty and youth, Dany’s size, eye and hair color contrasted with Drogo or Jorah’s…), but more importantly, a thematic thing. We see the contrast vividly with Brienne and Jaime as well as Sansa and the Hound. Their appearance is at odds, of course, but what really matters are how their values are contrasted. Sansa’s beliefs and her nature are entirely opposed to the Hound’s, and if you think of Jorah as the knight exiled for being a slaver and the shame of his house helping the woman who attempts to end slavery (until she needs it) and restore her house…well, you get a version of that there too.

Being that Martin has stated he played with the Beauty and the Beast angle with Sansa and the Hound, but was surprised people shipped it, we should accept that Martin uses tropes/references for different purposes, not necessarily to signal an endgame romance or mutual interest even if that is the initial thought by the reader. Martin likes the inside/outside view of things, likes to examine ideas from multiple perspectives, and a character occupying different roles throughout the story allows him to extract a lot of meaning. Fans like to focus on how Sansa is wrong about a certain character, but the main intent behind all of this is the author challenging his reader when he forces us to examine and re-examine who characters are and what he is saying with them. The lyrics of the song twists our perception of things, so, even if I reject how it’s often applied, I agree that the concept behind the song is being discussed in these relationships.

We see the same beast/knight ideas with the Hound and Sansa as with Jorah and Dany. Both Dany and Sansa have these guys who are associated with specific animals (bear, hound), who function as protectors at some point even though they also betray them. Jorah’s betrayal is labeled as such in the book, but the Hound going from rescuing Sansa to assaulting her is a betrayal as well. Both men develop loyalty to the girls, they offer some protection, both have a sexual interest in the girls and both sexually harass them (Jorah kisses Dany without permission, the Hound assaults Sansa). I suppose Sansa and the Hound fit a little better with parts of the song because the girl is initially frightened by the bear while Jorah presents quite differently despite all the bear references. The bear-ish description of Jorah isn’t just the bear sigil, we also get all the hair stuff:

"I shall wish to speak with Ser Jorah before the night is done," her brother said. Dany found herself looking at the knight curiously. He was an older man, past forty and balding, but still strong and fit. Instead of silks and cottons, he wore wool and leather. His tunic was a dark green, embroidered with the likeness of a black bear standing on two legs. (AGOT, Daenerys I)

“He had a neck and shoulders like a bull, and coarse black hair covered his arms and chest so thickly that there was none left for his head.” (AGOT, Daenerys III)

and of course, he is referenced as a bear pretty often:

“Ser Jorah, her gruff old bear” (ADWD, Daenerys VI) and he’s referred to as her “bear knight” (ADWD, Daenerys III) and “My bear, she thought, my old sweet bear” (ADWD, Daenerys X).

I selected those from ADWD because to me, that’s when it for sure was deliberately connecting back to the song as Tyrion puts Jorah in the role of the bear:

"That one is part of our show. The bear and the maiden fair. Jorah is the bear, Penny is the maiden, I am the brave knight who rescues her. I dance about and hit him in the balls. Very funny." (ADWD, Tyrion X)

So, we begin the story knowing Jorah is a bear (Mormont), that he’s described as bear/beast, called a bear/bear knight, and then eventually, he’s playacting the bear from the song. Interestingly, the "knight" who fights the bear is acted by someone Martin has called a villain. I could never argue that the author isn’t being intentionally self-referential, he clearly is. However, we do have the fact that Jorah betrayed/molested Dany, and this:

Jorah Mormont's face was dark with anger, but he answered. "To serve her. Defend her. Die for her, if need be."

That made the widow laugh. "You want to rescue her, is that the way of it? From more enemies than I can name, with swords beyond count … this is what you'd have the poor widow believe? That you are a true and chivalrous Westerosi knight crossing half the world to come to the aid of this … well, she is no maiden, though she may still be fair." (ADWD, Tyrion VII)

I’m uncomfortable with the emphasis placed on virginity in the books and hate to use that (or beauty) as a determining factor in which couple the song is “really” about, but we have this line which I see as direct guidance from Martin about interpreting the Dany and Jorah relationship as a straight up version of The Bear and the Maiden Fair. The way it’s presented and challenged indicates that while in a particular dynamic or in a specific scene a character fulfills a certain role, that isn’t necessarily their overall role. To me, looking at the story as a whole, Brienne’s role is true knight, more so than maiden. Just as the idea that Dany is the maiden/damsel is present in her interactions with Jorah, but that isn’t her role in the story as a whole, no more than Jorah is the true knight. (He’s a slaver ffs).

As for the Jaime and Brienne of it, Jaime protecting Breinne from a bear slots him into the knight role, but as they struggle over who is fighting the bear, there’s a play on who is in the knight role and who is in the “maiden” role. Also, Brienne is mockingly called beauty and Jaime is described as a beast, and while those characters are being cruel to Brienne, to the reader, we know Jaime has done horrible things (attempted kid killing = monstrous), and we know Brienne is the purist soul (goodness=beauty), so taking a step away from the superficial, we are getting a layered play on the trope. And yes, Brienne is a virgin and Jaime a knight, we can leave it there, but Brienne is a knight in the truest sense and Jaime is beautiful, so I think the best way to look at this question of who this song is “about” is to accept that the trope being discussed is getting a rotisserie chicken treatment. We’re allowed to see it from every juicy angle, not limited to one. After all, Jorah is a knight and a bear.

Of course, as I already said, since the author likes to reference things without implementing them the way people expect, this doesn’t necessarily mean romantic endgame, but saying that doesn’t mean I’m dismissing Braime because I do think Martin wrote in the romantic stuff deliberately. The whole knights/fools etc is at play in that scene too:

"What are you doing here?"

"Something stupid. Get behind me." He circled toward her, putting himself between Brienne and the bear. (ASOS, Jaime VI)

Brienne is referenced as the maid in this scene, but later she reads like a knight on a quest to save the fair maiden --Sansa. We even get some “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” singing there. If they ever meet, I would expect some beauty/beast discussion to crop up just as part of this continuing conversation about roles, part of the characters revolving through them to allow the author to thoroughly analyze the ideas and evolve what fairytales are/say. In their pairing, Brienne would be the knight to Sansa’s maiden to allow for Martin to contrast Brienne with all of our failed knights.

We get a lot of duality with these characters/their roles which means we can ask, who is the knight/who is the bear and come up with many, many answers. All of them true in a certain light, only to then turn them on their head. Sometimes, a failed knight rises to the occasion, and sometimes the maiden saves the knight, and sometimes, the knights are evil, sometimes the knight isn’t a true knight. Sometimes salvation comes from where you least expect it, and sometimes, rescuers are also a threat. The roles are there, but Martin is playing with them, challenging them, so the multiple ways we can read these characters and dynamics is very much intentional. All of that being said, it’s undeniable that there is one maiden for whom the song is particularly relevant.

Sansa fits the maiden role in a much more overarching way than our other contenders. Not only because she’s a virgin, not simply because of her interest in romance or because so much of her story has been driven by various people’s sexual/political interest in her/marrying her, but because she represents certain attributes, foremost of them, mercy. We get in trouble when talking about how beautiful she is, but it can’t be disregarded because she represents hope, innocence, compassion, peace. Martin made her beautiful not just as a physical thing, rather, because she is representative of ideas; she is the beauty of certain ideals.

The Hound who laughs at killing children is moved to protect her, can’t follow through on his own desire to harm her. Dontos tells her,

"A knight?" Joffrey had decreed that he was to be a knight no longer, only a fool, lower even than Moon Boy. "I prayed to the gods for a knight to come save me," she said. "I prayed and prayed. Why would they send me a drunken old fool?"

"I deserve that, though . . . I know it's queer, but . . . all those years I was a knight, I was truly a fool, and now that I am a fool I think . . . I think I may find it in me to be a knight again, sweet lady. And all because of you . . . your grace, your courage. You saved me, not only from Joffrey, but from myself." (ACOK, Sansa II)

Personification is a thing and even though she is a multidimensional character, I think the way Martin has written Sansa makes it clear that he is calling back to old archetypes here which is why, when you hear “maiden fair,” Sansa is the referenced character in an overarching way, not just in a specific dynamic, not just in a specific chapter or one book, but in the series, this is who she is in a way that no other character is.

Her role in the story is notably the tropey damsel in distress/princess in the tower (in a way that Dany and Brienne are not), and even with the revision of what that means by a modern author, even with the idea growing and evolving into something new, with the girl having far more agency and inner life than in older stories, it’s so clear this is who she is that even her haters know it. They call her a princess in a tower to show their disdain, but all they’re doing is admitting that even they recognize who she is in the story.

And of course, there is the fact that Sansa is referred to as a fair maiden, even in her TWOW chapter, that her beauty is often remarked upon, and that she has some parallels with Persephone which seems pertinent due to the Beauty and the Beast/Hades and Persephone/Death and the Maiden connection:

Petyr cut a pomegranate in two with his dagger, offering half to Sansa. "You should try and eat, my lady."

"Thank you, my lord." Pomegranate seeds were so messy; Sansa chose a pear instead, and took a small delicate bite. It was very ripe. The juice ran down her chin. (ASOS,

LF is her uncle (by marriage), he spirits her away from KL and is clearly intent on making her his, and as we know, he’s orchestrated destruction for her family/the realm, so he fits in here as a kind of Hades (death) to Sansa’s maiden which is relevant considering how loosely related death and the maiden is to the beauty and the beast idea.

However, the thing that feels the most like the author directing us to a specific conclusion must be reading her first chapter in ASOS which might as well be called “the Bear and the Maiden Fair chapter” because we finally get the lyrics to the song, and it’s interspersed into a scenario that is kinda telling a similar story. Sansa wants a beautiful knight (Loras), but is offered a stranger instead (Willas). We’ve also just read a speedrun through all the fake knights/bears/suitors/“love interests” Sansa (or fans) have selected for her:

Sansa wondered if Joffrey knew of this supper. For all she knew, it might be his doing. That thought made her fearful. If Joff was behind the invitation, he would have some cruel jape planned to shame her in the older girl's eyes. Would he command his Kingsguard to strip her naked once again? The last time he had done that his uncle Tyrion had stopped him, but the Imp could not save her now.

No one can save me but my Florian. Ser Dontos had promised he would help her escape, but not until the night of Joffrey's wedding. The plans had been well laid, her dear devoted knight-turned-fool assured her; there was nothing to do until then but endure, and count the days.

[…]

Even so, she must accept. She was nothing now, the discarded daughter of a traitor and disgraced sister of a rebel lord. She could scarcely refuse Joffrey's queen-to-be.

I wish the Hound were here. The night of the battle, Sandor Clegane had come to her chambers to take her from the city, but Sansa had refused. Sometimes she lay awake at night, wondering if she'd been wise. She had his stained white cloak hidden in a cedar chest beneath her summer silks. She could not say why she'd kept it. (ASOS, Sansa I)

So, we have the prince who turned out to be a monster (Joffrey), the guy everyone thinks of as a monster who protects her (Tyrion), a knight who she saved but sexually harasses her (Dontos), a man who threatens her but ended up saving her only to then turn around and be a threat himself (The Hound). See what I mean about multiple roles? My gosh, it’s almost like the author has intentionally been writing variations of the song into Sansa’s story all along, or even, dare I say it, he's written Sansa’s story into a song, only, none of these match up perfectly, so we are still waiting for the true(est) incarnation of this song to manifest into her story.

Or, all of that shorter:

"I CALLED FOR A KNIGHT, BUT YOU'RE A BEAR! (ASOS, Sansa I)

"I prayed to the gods for a knight to come save me," she said. "I prayed and prayed. Why would they send me a drunken old fool?" (ACOK, Sansa II)

So, if Sansa is the maiden of the song, the maiden fair of A Song of Ice and Fire, who is the bear, who’s the knight? More importantly, where is this poor girl’s hero?

Y’all, this is getting ridiculously long. Now, I’ve never not done something for a silly reason like not wanting to appear ridiculous, but I can’t post seven thousand words all at once. tumblr staff will deactivate my account to save me from myself! I will get to Jon and the Jonsa of it all in part two.

[artzychic27]

Can we see more of the total drama au? It sounds fun!

Alec: *As the contestants drag themselves out of the water* Welcome, all! I can tell by your eager faces, that you’re all thrilled to be here!

Nathaniel: This is my resting bitch face, you psycho!

[Confessional]

Nathaniel: No one told me I had to jump out of a HELICOPTER! Why did I sign up for this thing?! WHY?!

[End confessional]

Alec: Well, if we can get the tantrums out of the way, it’s time to assemble teams! For team Glamazon, we have Marc, Reshma, Denise, Simon, Ivan, Juleka, Kim, Zoé, Chloé, Alya, Nino, Adrien, and Aurore!

Nino: Alright! I got my best bro and my girlfriend on a team!

[Confessional]

Nino: I’m weirdly excited for this! And the best part? Alec put all the tall people on a team together! And with Denise and Kim, we can’t lose any physical challenges!

[Confessional]

Alec: For team Shorties, we have Nathaniel, Cosette, Ismael, Lacey, Jean, Mireille, Rose, Alix, Myléne, Max, Sabrina, Vivica, and Marinette!

Alix: We’re gonna kill them all!

Cosette: BITE THEIR ANKLES!

[Confessional]

Lacey: Never underestimate the power of short people.

***

Max: I can become quite feral when the situation calls for it… HEAR THAT, TALL PEOPLE?!

[End confessional]

Alec: Your first challenge will be a test of brains, brawn, and how well you can wrangle animals!

Glamazons/Shorties: …

Reshma: … What did he say?

Alec: Your first challenge is called… Critter Catch! The object of this challenge is to mark the most animals my underpaid and underfed interns have released into the wild before five hours are up! To mark said animals, you will use these brightly-colored, super adhesive stickers with your team’s logos! *Tosses rolls of stickers at the teams* Designed those myself, by the way. Now, once an animal is marked, an opposing team member cannot mark them! And trust me, I’ll know. The team who has the most animals marked by the end of the challenge wins immunity and will not be getting sent home via voting system by the loser team. The loser who does get sent home via voting system by the loser team? They’ll have a little surprise waiting for them. Are we ready?!

Ismael: NO!

Alec: Great! Release the beasts!

*A few of Alec’s underpaid interns open metal cages, releasing some feral and unnatural looking animals*

Kim: Ew! What’s wrong with them?!

Simon: That ferret has a third eye!

Juleka: That gopher is giving me the middle finger.

Alec: Hehe, yeah… Here’s the thing. The island is sort of… Littered with toxic waste.

Max: I beg your pardon?!

Myléne: WHAT?!

Chloé: Where’s my phone?!

Alec: So, watch out for glowing barrels, and don’t let them smell your fear!

Zoé: What happens if- *A squirrel pounces on her* AAAAHHH!! IT’S TRYING TO EAT MY EAR! *Denise punches the squirrel off of her*

Alec: Well, don’t just stand around! Get those mutant animals!

Myléne: This is highly- *Alec blows an airhorn in her face*

[Confessional]

Myléne: I signed up so that I could use the million euros for good. But tormenting poor animals for the cause just seems… I-I don’t even know what.

[End confessional]

*Team Shortie is walking through the woods, trying to come up with a plan*

Max: Okay, we should cover more ground if we split up. Alix, Lacey, you two take to the trees. The rest of us will stick to the ground.

Kim: *Walking by* As always.

Alix: Shut up, Kim! Max, you were saying?

Max: If you have to, trip a memeber of Team Glamazon. Trust me, they won’t see it coming.

Jean: That, I can do- RABBIT! *Grabs the rabbit by its ears and slaps a sticker on its fur* Gotcha!

Myléne: Jean!

Jean: Honey, I need that ten million! I intend to buy tickets to every Broadway show… Or, you know, my University fund. Both are important.

*Meanwhile with Team Glamazon, Zoé, and Kim come across a crocodile resting on the ground*

Kim: Alright, I’ll sneak up behind it an cause a distraction. Then, I’ll climb a tree. While it’s trying to eat me, Zoé, you slap a sticker on its tail, and then-

Zoé: Marc’s wrestling it.

Kim: … WHAT?!

Marc: SAY UNCLE! SAY IT!

Kim: Whoa.

[Confessional]

Kim: So, I was not expecting a crocodile wrestler from someone so… Lanky. Don’t get me wrong, Marc’s cool, but I just wasn’t expecting… That.

[End confessional]

Marc: *Hog ties the crocodile with his hoodie and slaps a sticker on its snout*

Kim: Marc! Where’d you learn how to do that?!

Marc: I’ve got family out on the countryside. I learned how to do that with my cousins when they get on my nerves. Now, let’s go! *Runs off*

[Confessional]

Zoé: It must be the thrill of the competition. It happens; one minute, you’re all meek and shy, but when a competition with a big prize at the end comes along, you’ll do whatever it takes. Including wrestling with a killer reptile. I gotta say, though, I’m hoping to see Marc take down a bear, or something.

[End confessional]

*Lacey inches along a branch, ever so slowly… Then slaps a sticker on a vulture*

Lacey: YEAH! I OWN YOU! *The vulture pecks at her* OW! Hey! Little help?!

*Alix throws a stick at the vulture, making it fly off*

Lacey: Thanks.

Alix: Hey, no problem. Never liked those things. Now, come on. Between you and me, we’ve got nine animals. Who knows how far ahead The Glamazons are?

*Meanwhile*

Aurore: Oh, hell no, Bourgeois!

Chloé: It’s not like anyone will notice! Just put your sticker exactly where the other team put theirs, and make sure it’s not an inch off! How hard can that be?

Aurore: Very, when the animal is moving!

Alix: *Points to the ground where Aurore and Chloé are arguing* Trouble in paradise.

Lacey: *Snickers* This should be good.

Chloé: Ugh! It’s not that hard! *Notices a snake with the Shortie sticker on its tail, and places a Glamazons sticker on the exact same spot* There! And look at that. Nothing happened.

Alec’s Voice: Team Glamazon loses five points! Bringing their total down to eight!

Aurore: WHAT?!

Simon: Okay! Which fucker did what?!

*Lacey and Alix, meanwhile, are giggling from the treetops*

Alec’s Voice: Did I forget to mention? You cheat, you lose points. And that deduction puts team Shortie ahead! Good luck, Glamazons! You’ll need it!

*While walking, Ismael comes across a cave*

Ismael: Let’s see. Million… Or possibly get mauled by a mutant bear… I’ll find some tall-ass to help me out. *Notices Alya walking by* Hey, Alya! If the Shorties win, I’ll talk to Reshma and convince her to not vote you off.

Alya: … What do you want?

Ismael: Just be a distraction. A loud one.

Alya: … I’m in. *Follows Ismael into the cave and starts screaming. Seconds later, she runs out while being chased by a bear with a sticker on its hide, courtesy of Ismael*

Ismael: You’re a trooper, Alya! I owe you.

*In another part of the forest, Nathaniel is hiding behind a bush as a group of mutant rabbits go past him. With a bated breath, he runs out and slaps stickers on three of them*

Nathaniel: YES! *They start snarling at him* Fuck.

*Meanwhile, Nino is trying to coax Adrien into putting a sticker on a sleeping fox*

Adrien: What if it wakes up and tries to attack me?

Nino: It won’t while I’ve got my stick. Just do it quick and-

Nathaniel: *Runs past them screaming* RUN! THEY’RE GONNA KILL US ALL!

*His screaming wakes the Fox up, and it snarls at Adrien and Nino*

Nino: N-nice, fox. Let’s just-

Adrien: *Points ahead* RABBITS! *He grabs Nino’s hand and drags him away from the massive group of rabbits coming after them. Once they swarm over the fox and leave, all that’s left of the fox is a pile of bones*

[Confessional]

Nino: *Rocking back and forth; shudders* S-so… So many rabbits.

[End Confessional]

Alec: *Reclining in a lounge chair and watching the events on a flat screen* The Shorties take the lead thanks to Chloé deciding to cheat! This won’t do well for here during voting! Let’s see how Denise is doing. *Changes the channel, showing Denise wrestling with a bear* This! This is why I do these things!

Denise: SOMEONE SLAP A STICKER ON THIS THING!

Kim: *Runs by screaming a slaps a sticker on the bear’s arm* RUN AWAY NOW! FERRETS ARE COMING!

Denise: What are you- MIERDA! *Pushes the bear off of them and runs after Kim as a hoard of ferrets give chase*

*Meanwhile, Marinette and Vivica are fending off against several animals using tree branches. Jean slaps several stickers on the animals getting hit toward him*

Jean: Keep ‘em coming!

Marinette: You could help us!

Jean: Then who will put the stickers on these weirdly deformed animals?!

[Confessional]

Jean: Plus, I just got a manicure.

[End confessional]

Myléne: Where does that man get off? *Places a sticker on a squirrel, only for it to hiss and try to bite her* Hey! I’m on your side!

Cosette: *Kicks the squirrel away* It doesn’t know that!

[Confessional]

Cosette: I’m sure we’ll see a more feral side to Myléne as the show progresses.

***

Myléne: There is no way in hell I would ever harm an animal!

[End Confessional]

Nino: *Checks his watch* There’s only two hours left, and the shorties are ahead! No thanks to you, Chloé!

Chloé: Do you HAVE to keep saying that?!

Glamazons: YES!

Zoé: *Slaps a sticker on a bird as it flies by* Here’s what I’m thinking. Don’t think! Just tag! Do not be afraid of the mutant animals!

Reshma: But-

Zoé: NO FEAR! *Grabs a possum by its tail and slaps a sticker on its back, making it try to scratch her* See?! Easy!

Kim: I’m liking this plan! *Runs into a bear cave, screaming*

Alya: … He’s gonna die.

*Meanwhile*

Alec: There’s only an hour and forty minutes left until the end of the first trial! Will the Shorties come out on top for once? Will Kim get mauled by a bear? Will I stop asking questions? Find out right here! Right now! On Total! Drama! Paris!

*Commercial Break*

Alec’s Voice: With only thirty minutes left, The Shorties are still ahead!

Aurore: *Groans* Why are we so bad at this?!

Kim: *Covering up his arm wound* Maybe the fact it takes some of us three minutes to touch the floor when we bend over?

Marc: Was that necessary?

Kim: There’s no shorties nearby to poke fun at, so yes!… Tall-Ass.

[Confessional]

Marc: I just might vote him off for saying that to me… *Sighs* No, I won’t.

[End confessional]

*Mireille, Sabrina, and Ismael are hiding behind some bushes, watching a mutant platypus sleeping*

Ismael: Okay, who’s got a plan?

Mireille: Maybe I can make a distraction?

Ismael: That’s good. Alright, maybe-

Nino: DON’T THINK! JUST TAG! *Slaps a sticker on the platypus’ hide, and runs off. However, the platypus spots the other three and hisses*

Sabrina: Oh, shit.

*Meanwhile*

Cosette: Come on out, you freaky-looking animals! I just wanna put a sticker on your furry selves!

Nathaniel: Hey, maybe let’s no provoke the mutant animals.

Cosette: We’re still alive, aren’t we? *Hears someone screaming and turns around to see Mireille, Sabrina, and Ismael running toward, and then past them* What the?

Sabrina: RUN! AND DON’T LET IT KICK YOU!

Cosette: What’s she-

Nathaniel: PLATYPUS! *He and Cosette run from the platypus as it gives chase* I HATE NATURE!

Alec’s Voice: *Laughing* Fifteen more minutes! Who wants immunity the most?!

Simon: I want it! *Slaps a sticker on a deer’s face and runs away* I regret auditioning!

Myléne: On his face?!

Simon: *From a distance* Yes!

*Meanwhile*

Kim: We’re too far behind! We need to find a bunch of animals, and fast!

Adrien: But, the Shorties already got lost of them-

Aurore: Wait, wait, wait. Shut yo our mouth. Look. *Points to a bunny poking it’s head out of a burrow* When there’s one. There’s more…

Ivan: At this point, I’ll risk anything. I did not jump out of a pane for nothing.

Zoé: GET ‘EM!

*The Glamazons run toward the burrow*

*Fifteen minute skater, the airhorn goes off*

Alec’s voice: So ends Critter Catch! Glamazons and Shorties, return to the start!

*The Shorties make their way back*

Rose: I feel good about this.

Marinette: Yeah, we- What happened to you all?!

*The Glamazons are covered in bite marks and scratches, and some patches of hair are missing*

Nino: … Bunnies, Nettie.

*Both teams return to the start*

Alex: Whoa! You all look like hell!

Aurore: Thanks for noticing, jerk!

[Confessional]

Aurore: I will hurt one one day. I will.

[End confessional]

Alec: Let’s all turn our attention to the screen to see who one, and therefore, gains immunity!

*The screen shows that the Glamazons have 67, making the team cheer, only for it to die down when they see that the Shorties beat them by one point*

[Confessional]

Nathaniel: … I actually won something sports related! I’m somewhat and athlete!

***

Ismael: YEEEEAAAHH! SUCK IT, MOM!

***

Alya: I blame Chloé.

[End confessional]

*Later that night, the Glamazons are gathered around a bonfire, sitting on logs, while the Shorties stand off to the side*

Alec: This is truly the saddest part of the day… Because I can no longer torture one of you. You all voted for who you want to see go, and here are the results. If I toss you a marshmallow, you get to stay… Denise. Marc, Simon, Reshma. *Tosses them marshmallows* … Ivan, Juleka, Kim, Zoé. *Tosses them marshmallows* Alya, Adrien, and… Aurore. *Tosses them marshmallows* Nino and Chloé? That just leaves you. The person who will be getting sent home tonight… Will be…

…

…

…

Alec: … Chloé. *Tosses Nino a marshmallow*

Chloé: WHAT?! No! I deserve to be on tv!

Alya: And we deserve a teammate who doesn’t cost us points.

Ivan: Nice.

Alec: Follow me to the docks!

*The contestants are gathered on the docks, where Chef restrains a struggle Chloé, and stands next to some sort of tube that goes into the lake*

Alec: This is the Loser Chute! I’ve had my interns test it a few times and it… Somewhat works. It’ll take you back to the mainland and hopefully not rearrange your organs. Chef, if you please?

Chloé: *Kicking and screaming* You can’t do this!

Alec: If those are your final words, then all I have to say it, goodbye!

Chloé: You’ll hear from my lawyers! *Chef drops her down the Loser Chute feet first* AAAAAAAHHHH!!

Alec: Head to your cabins and get some rest, campers! Tomorrow’s a new day, where you’ll face more insane challenges, come across more mutant animals, and probably become exposed to toxic waste!

Sabrina: Excuse me?!

Adrien: What?!

Max: This is why I suggested we read the contracts.

Kim: Who reads contracts anymore?

Alec: Well said! And viewers! Tune in tomorrow! Watch as I put these campers through the wringer! Only right here! On total! Drama! Paris!

Glamazon: Marc, Reshma, Denise, Simon, Ivan, Juleka, Kim, Zoé, Chloé, Alya, Nino, Adrien, and Aurore!

Shorties: Nathaniel, Cosette, Ismael, Lacey, Jean, Mireille, Rose, Alix, Myléne, Max, Sabrina, Vivica, and Marinette

[mareenavee]

Last Lines Tag

Hi! I was tagged by @greyborn2 and @archangelsunited to share the last lines of a few WIPS. I do have some of those!

tagging the amazing and wonderful @paraparadigm, @changelingsandothernonsense, @tallmatcha, @thana-topsy, @thequeenofthewinter, @dirty-bosmer, @gilgamish, @snippetsrus, @elfinismsarts, @rainpebble3, @rhiannon1199 and an honorary tag to @kookaburra1701 in case another WIP snuck up on you while you weren't looking (:

Without further ado, small tiny snippets below the cut! 5 active, 1 inactive, with two more collabs in planning stages and too many more of my own with plans but no words yet.

So not quite as unhinged a deal with the Daedric Prince of Unfinished WIPs as KB has going(💖), but a deal nevertheless.

(The thing about that Daedric Prince is She always wants more words, but never grants more time, sigh.)

From Chapter 29 of The World on Our Shoulders:

Teldryn carefully placed everything he carried on their desk, content to be ignored and eavesdrop. Neloth was explaining something he’d been able to puzzle out — he pointed at a rough diagram depicting a cross section of a skull and brain. Unnerving, but nothing anyone who’d studied Restoration wouldn’t have seen before. Nyenna reached out and touched his wrist without looking up from Neloth’s notes. It was a silent thanks, or perhaps a reassurance. He could see the set of her shoulders; the conversation was stressing her out in equal measure to how much it calmed Neloth.

From an Untitled (so far) Sequel to Little Dragon:

Teldryn heard the crackling of Magicka being pulled over the sound of the Familiar – soft, like embers on a log. He turned, and watched as Anisa, cheek still pressed to the bench where she sprawled, curly hair cascading down, untucked her arm from underneath herself and lazily cast Magelight with a small grumble. Shalnouada reached up and scooped the ball of light into its mouth in smooth, practiced movements. The Magelight passed through it, causing its body to glow a myriad colors, throwing glittering light across the walls and ceiling. The happy chittering of mudcrabs filled the room. Teldryn blinked in shock, then ran his palm over his face. He cast another instance of Magelight and pushed it toward the spectral crab. Its eyestalks rotated, locking onto its food source. Again, faster than anything, it scooped the magic up into its mouth, then made a contented sound as the glittering erupted and faded, just like before.

*Shalnouada = Dunmeris for River Spirit (Shaln (Spirit) + Ouada (River))

From Darkest Before the Dawn (A Varlais extra chapter):

Varlais jumped back as it expelled a stream of bile and blood. Ancarion had resummoned his Atronach, which crashed into the side of the dragon’s head with the full force and weight of its whole body. There was a sickening snap, likely somewhere in the beast’s neck. It was just a beast, after all. It had to be. Its bones still broke the same as everything else’s.

From Recurse, an upcoming Ondolemar fic for a prompt challenge:

He thought back to the revelations the odd Dwemer machine had given him. Each moment was recursive, trying to tell him something, puzzle pieces clicking into place. Things he’d forgotten, or not seen in the right frame of mind.  It could have been a blessing, had things not already been so complicated.

Untitled Sideways Sequel to World, featuring Athis:

"Think of it like this," Farkas started. He paused and tapped the edge of his fist against his forehead. Athis snorted. Farkas grinned, but squeezed his eyes closed. "We'll be founding members of a new guild, kinda, right? And I know how much you hate vampires. It'll be fun to bring a bunch of 'em down. You won't have to think about, well, all of this. We'll be too busy." Optimistic, really. Athis did appreciate it, though. He looked over at his friend and managed a half-smile. "That's the idea, Farkas," he said. Farkas nodded and grinned widely and returned to his task. "I miss Nyenna, too, though," Farkas said after a moment. "A lot, actually." He pulled a long piece of grass taught and carefully braided together another ridiculously tiny row. "I'm sorry it all fell apart like this. It wasn't fair. But I'm with you, whatever you want to do." Athis looked at his friend who pointedly did not look back up from his work. This time it was the right thing to say. He felt marginally better. Maybe just halfway not as alone as before. He sighed again. "No turning back now, I suppose," he said with a shrug. "We'll be at the fort in no time at all."

and BONUS! The last lines of my writing from a secret, untitled prompt fill collab I'm writing with @changelingsandothernonsense.

You cannot stop it no matter how you rail. No matter how hard you pull back against destiny. You scream, and once again, the sound is lost to the Heart.  And then –  She is there, her golden skin a balm in this place of terror. She approaches, gilded form languid and graceful. Unbothered by the mountain. Untempted by the heart. She is real, and she is not. You are not. And still she approaches.