#highlynerdy

[queerofthedagger]

Happy belated birthday, Mona! I hope it was a lovely day for you!! 💛💛💛

Gracie!! Thank yo so much, it was!! 🩵🩵🩵

[highlynerdy]

I have been working on this ouroboros block for an actual eternity and it's still nowhere near done. It's legit the hardest block I've ever carved.

Sadly, I really think I need the smallest size tool Pfeil makes to get some of these lines done...

But even though I'm not remotely close to done, I still wanted to do a test print anyway just to see how it was looking. It is looking pretty dope,I think?? That's motivating at least.

It's based on an illustration (from an old book as far as I can tell) that I found on Pinterest.

Seriously and truly I think I started this when @swanfloatieknight was visiting me last October! ETA: I've been told that Swan visited me in September. So I'm doing great.

Am I doing this for any particular reason other than a challenge? No, of course not.

[guardianbingo]

Get Ready For Bonus Bingo 2025!

The people have spoken!

Last month's survey revealed enough interest that we're bringing back Bonus Bingo for 2025, which will start in June.

We'll post prompts on the first day of each month. Participants will have the entire month to fill that prompt and then a grace period at the end for any missed prompts.

Filling all five prompts will earn a new badge created by @highlynerdy!

There are no signups, no minimums, and any creation format counts. Derivatives and RPF are also fine. If you're interested, check back on 1 June for the first prompt.

We'd love to have you join us!

[thefollow-spot]

'Merlin' and 'Lancelot' by Edwin Arlington Robinson

This is the first full book I've typeset and bound that is not fanfiction—which means I finally have something to show off to the normies in my life LMAO!

'Twas a Christmas gift for my lovely Misery (@whoawhataconcept), who has dragged me right after her into a fascination with Arthuriana ❤️

✨ Details below the cut! ✨

🤍 NEW METHODS 🤍

Printing at home: In the past, I've sent my typeset PDFs off to a local print shop to be printed, but with access to a home printer for the first time, I battled the fucking thing to print it entirely at home. I had a lot of trouble getting my printer to do the whole thing (I think it was so long that the printer's memory started giving up), so I eventually ended up sending the PDF to print in smaller signature groups at a time. Due to misprinting, I ended up with many good glue sheets & pages to protect drying boards and such

Leather-core for endbands: I finally splurged and bought some leather jewellery cord to use as the core in my sewn endbands and it was FANTASTIC!

Ribbon bookmark: 🤍🤍🤍

Backed papers: I purchased two large sheets of artisan paper for the endpages and the cover material. Both were too flimsy for my comfort, so on the advice of some folks at @renegadeguild, I backed some cut-down sheets with regular printer paper using a mix of 50/50 PVA and rice paste. I pressed them flat between protective sheets and they came out perfect!

Paste mix: I enjoyed working with the PVA-paste mix so much that I used it for the rest of the project for pretty much all of my gluing :)

Using an actual book press: Not much to say here except that I finally have an actual press and it made everything 100% easier haha!

Cricut stencil: My sister donated her time and cricut to help me title my cover and spine (under the dust jacket). We cut out stencils with cricut's stencil material & with stick-on vinyl (when we ran out of stencil material LOL). The spine turned out lovely but with some bleed; the cover was a bit of a mess since the stencil material started peeling up the fibres of the cover paper (which I had somehow not thought to seal). But live and learn!

🤍 BOOK INTERIOR 🤍

Copy-editing: Done by they lifesaving and gracious @highlynerdy, who saved me from agonizing over if the raw text source I took from had typos or mistakes. Thank you again, Gracie 💛

Typeset: I was inspired by the original typesets from when these poems were first published, updated to my own aesthetic sensibilities (as much as I had patience for)! The main body-text font is 'Lancelot' which seemed the only appropriate font to use for this project <3

Art: (Not pictured) I included some art by Edward Burne-Jones, "The Beguiling of Merlin", and "The Failure of Sir Lancelot"

🤍 EXTERIOR DESIGN 🤍

Cover: I originally wanted to do this book in blue, but when I went to the paper store, I could not find any marbled blue paper that wasn't wildly over-budget, so I ended up doing another red book. I tried to stick to a colour scheme of white-heavy monochrome + red + metallics.

Dust jacket: Much to my dismay, I realized that I've been lucky in the past, with access to a small nonprofit print shop where their ordering process involves emailing them and describing what you need. To print a dust jacket, one needs access to a print service with "large format" printing, and as I've discovered, that usually means an industrial printing service. Sorely missing my usual nonprofit print shop, I ended up going with a custom photo printing service, requesting a large photo print on their thinnest paper. Due to my special instructions, the cover came back almost-perfect. The edges were jagged, and the paper was a bit too thick, but it is perfectly serviceable and I'm overall happy with how it came out.

[dangermousie]

So adorable!!!

As I was telling @highlynerdy, it's been so long since we've seen a truly perfect married couple cdrama team and they are that - they match each other in every way but there is also so much joy and comfort and (bathing scene is a perfect example) cherishing tenderness.

AAAAAA

[mayonnaisetoffees]

Pick your tropes!

Tagged by @mistchievous (hey look I actually remembered to do one in good time!!)

coffee shop or flower shop | au or fix-it I enemies to lovers or childhood friends | angst or and fluff | love at first sight or pining I modern au or historical au I break up & make up or proposal & wedding I get together or established relationship | soulmates or unrequited I fake dating or secret dating | obvious pining or domestic fluff | hurt/comfort or crack | meet the parents or meet cute

Tagging (if you want to of course) @insane-ohwhyfandoms @thefollow-spot @highlynerdy @queerofthedagger @feuxx @emryses @magicinavalon @glaftwlet @idyllic-idioms and anyone else who sees this and wants to (not least because I'm crap at remembering urls)

[earlgreyinpajamas]

any himbo arthur fics? fics where arthur is just a complete babygirl himbo r my true loves

1.  Brambles or Flowers by MerlinLikeTheBird           

Arthur doesn’t need practice.

He has natural talent.

~~~

he's so stupid i cannot

2. perfect plan by radioactivesunflower

Arthur was back. It was the 21st century and two men can marry. So Arthur has a plan to marry Merlin. Everything works out according to plan, right?

aka the fic in which Arthur plans his wedding but forgot to ask something important

~~~

sdfjkhdsakjh i love them sm in this fic. the ending we deserved

3. Am I The Clotpole? by highlynerdy (@highlynerdy), tehfanglyfish

Business is booming at the Rising Sun thanks to a new game called “Am I The Clotpole?” The rules are simple: people write in with their interpersonal disputes, an anonymous arbiter determines who was the clotpole in those disagreements, and tavern goers enjoy a night of gossip and reasonably priced drinks.

Even though his mouthy manservant proclaimed him a clotpole years ago, King Arthur loves the game, as it gives him an excuse to spend more time with Merlin.

The game is bringing people closer, including Arthur and Merlin, and all seems to be well until Merlin starts disappearing on Sundays, refusing to tell Arthur where he’s gone or what he’s been doing. When Arthur’s curiosity gets the better of him, he makes several unexpected discoveries about the man he’s been secretly in love with for years.

Will Arthur handle these revelations with grace and confess his own secret, or will he earn the title of Camelot’s biggest clotpole?

Words by tehfanglyfish Art by highlynerdy

~~~

for a longer fic, i'd highly recommend this one!

[magicinavalon]

aesthetic tag game

search your name + core on pinterest. Post six pictures, tag six people. Thanks for tagging me gracie 💛 @highlynerdy

I also decided to do both Mia and my real name (left and right respectively). This was so fun!!

No pressure tags for: @atlantablack-chaotic @kairenn-n @feuxx @aquilathefighter @emryses @courtjestermerlin @amyisatpigfarts @softest-punk @mistydaysofavalon and anyone else who wants to <33

[programmedradly]

Tagged by @forerussake! 🫶

Rules: shuffle your ON REPEAT playlist and list the first 10 songs and tag 10 5 people

I assume that's a Spotify thing, and I only really use Apple Music, so I used the Replay 2023 playlist, which should be similar? Here goes!

01. Ah! Per L'Ultimate Volta from Turandot

02. Hozier: Abstract (Psychopomp)

03. Laura Marano & Wrabel: Worst Kind of Hurt

04. Jupiter Jones: Mein Viel und dein Vielleicht

05. Karine Polwart: Salters Road

06. Dermot Kennedy: Dancing Under Red Skies

07. Don Chu: 穿行 (Ultimate Note OST)

08. Bear's Den: Summer & Smoke

09. Hozier: Butchered Tongue

10. Tia Ray: 一生等你 (because Ultimate Note)

Tagging: @highlynerdy @clevermanka @siterlas @miss-ingno @distressednoise

[queerofthedagger]

You have a "#gracie tag"??? 🥺🥺💛💛💛

I dooooo 🥺🥺🥰🥰🥰

[highlynerdy]

One of my very favorite things (in a long list) about Fangs of Fortune is the relationship between Bai Jiu and Zhou Yichen.

Like. Everyone in this story has oodles and piles of trauma that informs how they interact with the world. Our Demon Hunter boy especially. Losing his brother and father is definitely going to change his outlook on life and other people.

He is very standoffish and curt to almost everyone. So it's especially moving to see him be so kind and gentle with Bai Jiu.

Zhou Yichen assures him that it isn't his fault after the fight with the solider zombies. And that he is valuable and needed. And more than that, wanted.

The tenderness of him wiping Bai Jiu's tears away is so touching. Especially from him, someone who has long thought of himself as an oddity and an outsider. It's just that simple act to make Bai Jiu stop blaming himself.

Like. Our little doctor is always looking for Zhou Ge. And takes him over everyone as his safety and support. Over the bad ass demon or the assassin. Or even the goddess.

And it's very telling that Zhou Yichen doesn't lose his patience like he often does with others. Even when Bai Jiu is grabbing him or pulling his hair or shrieking obnoxiously loudly (oh how I love them using Lin Ziye's puberty voice for comedic effect).

When ZYC asks why Bai Jiu is always holding onto his bells. And he finds out it's because Bai Jiu finds comfort and security in knowing he's nearby??? My gods, my heart! It's just. They're all so broken. And even still, they muster up the courage and the care for the smallest and most innocent member of their group.

Gentle affection and tiny smiles. For a broken and scared kid from a broken and cynical man. So. Damn. Good.

[hils79]

Monday Fic Recs

Zhao Yunlan/Shen Wei (Guardian)

Anywhere Beside You Is A Place That I'll Call Home  by highlynerdy & tehfanglyfish

Zhao Yunlan didn’t realize how much he hated the Hallows until they threw him nine decades into the past. With no other options, he and Shen Wei can only wait on the SID to get them back, settling into an apartment that affords them a place to stay, but with limited privacy. They manage to make the arrangement work, but the longer Zhao Yunlan lives with Shen Wei in the past, the more he finds himself dreaming of a home they might share in the future.

This was such a soft and gentle read. Lots of domesticity and sweetness with minimal angst and drama.

any hope for the love that i hold back by mumblemutter

"You remembered," Shen Wei says, the smile turning softer. Quietly pleased. He's gotten up to join Yunlan at the edge of the outcrop, his face bare and his hood down. Beautiful.

"Who could forget this view," Yunlan says, spreading his arms to encompass the dark scenery before them. The tree tops below, the camp just near enough to keep watch, the stars all around them.

Nothing like the night sky in Dragon City.

This is so soft and tender and lovely

Wang Pangzi/Zhang Qiling (DMBJ)

Only by looking at your eyes I can tell Whatever may happen I want to know this emotion by bimingjue

Zhang Qiling has never been interested in kissing anyone, not even his boyfriend. But when he finds out just about everyone he knows has kissed Pangzi except for him, he wonders if he's missing out on something.

I love fics about asexual characters and this was so good it made me tear up

Hei Xiazi/Xie Yuchen (DMBJ)

not making peace by chancellorofxtrash

Geya didn't plan to eavesdrop

This is so sweet and so perfectly them

Liu Sang/Wang Pangzi (DMBJ)

You’re like the summer without the overbearing heat by bimingjue

When Liu Sang arrives in Wushanju, Pangzi is giving Ouxiang a manicure. After seeing how messed up Liu Sang's nails are after his latest job, Pangzi insists to give him one too. While he's working on him, Ouxiang gives Pangzi a well deserved pedicure. Liu Sang is jealous, but not for the reason they think.

This is so fun. Cute, and a little bit spicy.

[guardianbingo]

Bonus Bingo Shoutouts

With Bonus Bingo now over, we'd like to thank everyone who took part. Whether you made creations, cheered on others, or both, we are so glad you decided to participate.

The nine people below managed to fill all five prompts, earning a bingo and a gorgeous new badge made by the ever-amazing @highlynerdy!

@amedia-anaktoria @avaantares @buriedbybooks @forerussake @hideyseek @jayswing101 @the-marron @tinypinkmouse @tehfanglyfish

While it's too late to earn a badge, if by some chance the bonus prompts inspire you to create something new, feel free to tag this account when you post and we'll gladly reblog it.

And with that, it's time to say goodbye. (At least for now - who knows, we might have another round of Bonus Bingo at some point in the future).

[dangermousie]

Ok so as I was telling @highlynerdy - the Weis are full of these gorgeous, manly, TALL (Vengo is 6’3, Liu Yuning is 6’2 and Liu Duan Duan is 6’1) men* while the Qiao men are shifty, unhot and useless but their women are gorgeous and competent and are the lynchpin of their leader’s sneaky plan to achieve Qiao goals by sending beauty to Weis’ macho playhouse.

You know what this is?

A non-assassin My Journey to You 😂😂😂

* well except for the only unhot that is the comic relief general but there’s always gotta be one for contrast. It’s like the ugly friend a certain type of woman always carts around.

[queerofthedagger]

Tagged (also ages ago) by @sallysavestheday <3

Last song listened to: I'm currently kind of all over the place musically, but 93 by flora cash is a frequent loop right now!

Favorite color: i'm so terribly at picking a favourite anything ever, but dark red, for now

Last book: I finally finished Tolkien's Letters, which was both great and... long.

Last movie: Rewatched the second Iron Man last week. Still a banger

Last TV show: the first season of Loki! also fun!!

Sweet, spicy, savory? Savory/spicy! I don't actually have that much of a sweet tooth

Last thing searched for online: Google maps route from DC to Miami lmao <3

Current obsession: Really funny toss-up between Marvel and Tolkien/the Silmarillion

Looking forward to: @magicinavalon is visiting me the coming monday, for three weeks!! literally what's been keeping me going for weeks now 😌

Tagging: @mykingdomcomeundone @highlynerdy @clotpole @hobbitwrangler @amidtheglitz @mithrandirl @holocrone @m-b-w @persephonesfill and anyone else who'd like to! <3

[highlynerdy]

So, I'm already rewatching my favorite bits from The Prisoner of Beauty (yes, I know, but I can't help myself) and I caught something that I don't think I noticed the first go through because I was just so 👀👀👀 but!

In ep 10, when she's sleeping and he's trying to check out the gnarly af bruise - that he caused during his drugged out madness

And she jolts awake, because she's startled. OBVIOUSLY.

And he looks so upset because also obviously

They translated this as "Are you afraid of me?"

But like. He's not asking a question. He doesn't say "你怕我嗎?"/"Nǐ pà wǒ ma?", he says "你怕我"/"Nǐ pà wǒ." Which - and do correct me if I'm wrong because I'm not a native or remotely fluent speaker - is "You're afraid of me." Or maybe like "You fear me."

A statement, not a question. And damn. At least to me, that hits so, so different in the context of this scene and what preceeded it. That he's now certain she's afraid of him. I mean look at his face. He's not questioning it.

He knows the damage he caused and her reaction just makes it sink in even more.

And then, we see the next morning in their interaction when he turns to bow to her, how she steps back just a little bit?? Like. Crush my heart with how perfect this is. This show is so damn good.