#highlynerdy makes

[toboldlynerd]

QUESTIONS FOR 15 FRIENDS

I was tagged by @die-schwanenkoenigin thank you :3

ARE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?: it's complicated. My moms grandmothers were named Helena and Hanna Lotte tho so kinda

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: …idk?? Maybe in therapy. But there was also that one buddies fic last year!

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?: not at the moment

WHAT SPORTS DO YOU PLAY/HAVE YOU PLAYED?: I did karate for seven years. I have the 5. Kyu.

DO YOU USE SARCASM?: not much as I used to and only if I know it will land how I meant it.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?: their eyes, their smile, their laugh/voice/inflections, their hands. What lingers is the vibe and laughter

WHAT’S YOUR EYE COLOUR?: Brown/Green

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?: I don't watch scary movies. Enough horror irl thank you very much

ANY TALENTS?: baking, knitting, trying to make my friends laugh with memes/gifs

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?: Germany babeyyy

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?: writing letters, knitting, devouring fic and reblog tumblr posts about the situation

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?: No, I had rabbits once

HOW TALL ARE YOU?: 1.64m or 5'3"

FAVOURITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL?: German, Latin, later also English and History

DREAM JOB?: Idk but preferably something social involving supporting children

I'm tagging @flowercrowngods @lilolilyr @swanfloatieknight @skiddit @fraddit @bunk-o @h0usesoftheh0ly @observethewalrus @cephalopodvictorious @leothil @hattalove @eddiebabygirldiaz @karolincki @thetinymm @highlynerdy

[guardianbingo]

Fest Recap

It's hard to believe it's been TWO YEARS since Guardian Bingo launched. In that time, we issued 138 cards and more than 100 badges. There are 456 works in the AO3 collection and many other posts on tumblr with art, edits, meta, fanARTifacts, and other creations. While it's now time to say goodbye (at least for this fest - the story will keep on going), I didn't want to leave without recognizing the people who made this fest so amazing. First, a HUGE thanks to @highlynerdy, who created all of the gorgeous fest graphics (banner, icon, cards, and badges) and @sasamelons, who provided invaluable help with initial prompts and then supplied each month's bonus prompt. Without them, this fest wouldn't have happened. They have been awesome co-mods!!! Second, a massive thank you to everyone who participated!!!! It's been so great to see all the amazing creations that the prompts inspired. Guardian fandom, you are truly talented!!! To celebrate everyone's creations, I'm loading the queue with reblogs of fills from the past two years.

Below the cut, I've posted a list of badges claimed. (Not everyone who participated claimed a badge.) I'm only tagging people once with the highest badge they earned. (So if you earned a Lit Guardian Lantern, your name will only appear in that list since earning that badge means you also earned the others.) Users that aren't tagged aren't on tumblr. I think I have everyone, but many apologies if I missed you.

I hope you've all enjoyed this fest and that it was fun and low-stress. In a week or so, I plan to post a few cards in case anyone is looking for inspiration. While we won't be issuing more badges or posting new bonus prompts, I am leaving the AO3 collection open and will periodically check the fest account. If you create something based on a card prompt, @ us in your post and we'll reblog it. Guardian Bingo, it has been a BLAST!!! Thank you all for making this a fabulous fest!!!! mod @tehfanglyfish

First Fill @unforth Lit Guardian Lantern (Blackout)

@tinypinkmouse @miss-ingno @the-marron @stupid-lemon-eater @buriedbybooks @theworldisabrokenbonebutitishome @flamingwell velithya @forerussake @jayswing101 @bladedweaponsandswishycoats @programmedradly @avaantares @tehfanglyfish Unlit Lantern (Two Lines) @elenothar Mountain-River (One Line) @mimosaeyes @sasamelons @justacoyote

Longevity Dial (One Fill) @yaaurens @missfangirll @crystalinn @true-unicorn-queen jade @spicymayoblandketchup @presumenothing @drjezdzany samarium @dancing-out-in-space @evnissyn @lacommunarde @silvandar

[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!

[theworldisabrokenbonebutitishome]

I completed the set! There were many times I didn't think I'd manage it, ideas were elusive and time for creativity felt non existent, but I got there.

A special thank you to highlynerdy for making these gorgeous badges <3

A huge thank you to all of the guardianbingo mods for organising this whole event, it's been a really fun challenge to take part in but also just really lovely to see all the different types of creations fellow participants have made. The creativity in fandom never ceases to amaze me. <3

There's just under one month left for people to complete their fills/cards and I am cheering everyone on!

Thank you to mid-n0vember and ascel for letting me bounce ideas around with you (or straight up providing inspiration), I couldn't have done it without you guys. The encouragement is so very appreciated. And thank you to mumble for listening to me complain when things got particularly bad and for talking some sense into me (and apologies for being so whiny).

[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.

[queerofthedagger]

Thank you for the tag @softest-punk <33

Favourite Colour: Oh god please don't make me choose; cyans and turquoises and purples and dark reds and. yeah

Currently Reading: I'm about to finish Anne Carson's 'Eros, the Bittersweet,' and apart from that I just started Terry Pratchett's biography 'A Life in Footnotes' by Rob Wilkings, am slowly making my way through Whisnant's 'Queer Identities and Politics in Germany 1880 - 1945', and fight with Foucault's 'Discipline and Punish'...

Last Song: Chuck Ragan - Rotterdam

Last Movie: ... this is the point where I out myself as the person who never watches anything huh? 😶I genuinely have no idea, the last thing I watched at all was the Sandman....

Sweet/Savory/Spicy?: Savory and/or spicy, I don't have much of a sweet tooth tbh

Currently working on?: Editing and writing my last few Merlin Bingo fills, finishing up the bit of NaNo prep I tend to do, and very purposefully ignoring the 35k Dreamling fic that's done but still not edited... 😬😂

Tagging: @highlynerdy @marshmallowmcgonagall @seadeepy @feuxx @shana-rosee @mykingdomcomeundone @magicinavalon @kairenn-n @atlantablack-chaotic @aeonthedimensionalgirl and anyone else who'd like to! <3

[spicymayoblandketchup]

*breathes heavy into mic* i’d like to thank my producer, and my fans, and most of all i’d like to thank%534 // 

[toboldlynerd]

Fuck it Friday

Sweet beloved Frida @leothil tagged me to post whatever I want to and I got a little inspired.

A dear friend has awoken the need to start working on poetry again lately and this one was one of the first tries that I actually finished. It still feels a little unpolished but hey, that's poetic too sometimes

A bumblebee in flight

When I see sun shine through the bare tree trunks

so tempered and warm

When I smell the flowers that come to me

as a surprise

so soft and fondly

When I make plans to meet friends at last and miss them when they leave

so human and happy

When I remember kindness is a better medicine than hatred

so rational and true

When I eat so I am no longer hungry

in baby steps

When I drink so I am no longer snoddy

in toddler steps

When I clean so I am no longer dusty

in childish steps

When I launder so I can wear my favorite sweater again

In half-grown steps

When I cut my hair shorter again so I am happier with myself

In still-young shoes

When I see the first bumblebee of the year

drunken in her search for food and shelter

too cold to think fully yet

too warm to be kept from flying about

I see her and I know.

I'm made from exploding stars

Alive against stupendous odds

Thinking, loving, dreaming

As one of many visions of the future

Drinking in the present moment

I'm tagging @poebin @fraddit @lilolilyr @flowercrowngods @hattalove @observethewalrus @swanfloatieknight @highlynerdy

[guardianbingo]

Announcing Guardian Bingo 2023!

Announcing Guardian Bingo 2023!!

Due to popular demand, the fest is continuing into 2023, though with a few minor changes.

Much of the fest will remain the same. Guardian Bingo will continue to be a low-stress fest with an emphasis on fun and enjoyable creation.

Whether you are new or returning from 2022, we would love to have you join us. (Returning participants have the option to keep working on their 2022 card.)

Full info about signups and other things to know are below the cut.

Cards/Signups

Participants from 2022 will have the option to sign up for a new card or choose to continue with the card they are already using. If you like your card and want to keep working toward a blackout on it, then you don’t have to lose the progress you’ve made. If the old card isn’t very inspiring or you want a fresh start, we’ll be happy to provide a new one.

New participants will obviously get a new card.

Badges

Remain the same as in 2022. The majority of participants did not claim all badges during 2022, so we’re keeping them as-is to allow more people can earn them.

Social Media Presence

In 2023, Guardian Bingo will only operate a fest account on Tumblr.

In 2022, the fest had both Tumblr and Twitter accounts, but due to Twitter’s recent chaos and tehfanglyfish’s need to have one less login to keep up with, the fest is going Tumblr-only. That’s where we’ll post announcements, reblog creations, etc.

If you are mostly active on another site, we’ll have submissions open so you can submit links to your creations on our Tumblr account and everyone is welcome to participate regardless of whether or not you’re active on social media.

Tagging

Please use #guardianbingofest as your tag on Tumblr. Or better yet, just @ us at @guardianbingo. Sometimes Tumblr tagging works in search results and sometimes it doesn’t. We don’t want to miss your creations!

Bonus Prompts

Will also continue, although there will not be a new prompt for January. Instead, that month will still serve as a time to submit missed prompts from 2022. Then a new prompt will go out in February.

Creations For Fills

The rules remain unchanged from 2022. While some information is posted below, our About/FAQ and carrd both have full details.

What Works Are Accepted?

Pretty much any new creations, including:

Fanfic

Fanart

Edits/Gifsets

Vids

 Moodboards

 Playlists

Rec Lists

FanARTifacts (tangible creations)

Podfics (with original author’s permission and a link back)

Translations (with original author’s permission and a link back)

Meta Analysis

If you have another idea, check in with the mods, but it very likely works.

What Are The Length Requirements?

None! This is meant to be fun, not stressful. Want to write a 100k multi-chapter epic? Sounds great! Is this the year you master the drabble? Also wonderful! The point is to make stuff, not worry over min/max requirements.

Is This Fest Novelverse or Drama?

Either or both! It’s totally up to you, though some of the prompts are more closely tied to one or the other. (If you get a card with a drama or novel specific prompt that you are unfamiliar with, let a mod know when you receive the card.)

Crossovers, Derivatives, And RPF?

All three are allowed, but please be aware that some prompts will be Guardian-specific.

What About Ships And Ratings?

All ratings and any ships (or no ships) are allowed, though works should be appropriately tagged.

Questions

Please direct questions to guardianbingofest@gmail.com or our Tumblr account. Replies may be a little faster with email.

Mods

Coordinator and Logistics – tehfanglyfish

Badges and Graphics – highlynerdy

Prompt Coordinator - sasamelons

[earlgreyinpajamas]

merthur fic recs: oblivious!arthur

1. Am I The Clotpole? by 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

~~~

arthur misses the most obvious clues in this fic and i love him for that. he’s so precious it’s insane.

2. Curling. For Camelot! by ravenwilds (@ravenwilds)

 Not for the first time, Merlin is late for training. He really hadn’t meant to be, but he’s had a very disturbed morning. He’d been woken up at five o’clock by the sound of Arthur singing “I feel pretty and witty and gay,” in the shower. It was a brave choice for the captain of a men’s curling team, and for a Crown Prince – but then Merlin had to admit Arthur was brave in his own way – brave or crazy – one of the two.

At the age of twenty-one Prince Arthur is proud that his men’s curling team are the first people from the tiny country of Camelot to ever compete in the Olympic games. He just wishes his rag-tag teammates – and one very distracting team member in particular – would take the whole thing more seriously.

Meanwhile, Merlin can’t believe he’s at the Olympics – he didn’t even know what curling was a year ago! This would be the trip of a lifetime, if only he didn't have to share a room with his very bossy, very attractive, prat of a team captain.

~~~

adhjfjkfhdakjf merlin literally confesses and arthur goes “hm he must find me disgusting. shame”

3. Destiny by diner_drama (@diner-drama)

"Merlin," yelped Arthur, outraged and relieved in equal measure. "What on earth are you- Is this what you meant by powerful, ancient magic? You can make your eyes go sparkly and then fix people's clothing?"

Merlin stopped short and rubbed the back of his own neck awkwardly. "Among other things, yes."

"And you've been moping around all day about this?"

"You didn't believe me! I was baring my soul to you and you were so arrogant that you just-"

"You told me that you'd saved my life a hundred times with the mystical power of your warlock skills," said Arthur, wiggling his fingers as though casting a spell. "Not that you were hiding the ability to dress me more efficiently."

~~~

arthur himbo is my fav trope

[azimuthalis]

Bagginshield fic recs

Here’s a list of amazing bagginshield under 500 kudos that deserve so much more love- (i made this list so long ago that a lot of them have a lot more kudos now BUT they’re still amazing so-)

These are all completed. In no particular order-

1. Journey’s End by @vtforpedro​ (G)

In which Bilbo's time in Valinor ends, and his next adventure begins with someone he has waited a long time to see.

2. I Saw You In A Dream by vintagelilacs (NR)

 Dwarves and Hobbits do not share the same afterlife.

Bilbo resigns himself to the fact that he'll never reunite with Thorin; not even in death. He'd do well to forget everything that transpired, but acclimatizing to life in the Shire proves difficult when he starts seeing Thorin in his dreams. And as the dreams start to recur, Bilbo learns that Thorin's presence might be more than his subconscious at work.

3. The Road Goes Ever On And On by paranoid_fridge (NR)* the best goddam roadtrip fic ever

Years after the battle, Thorin and Bilbo live in Erebor, though Thorin has left the crown to Fili. In that prosperous time, they are invited to the wedding of Dorwinion's crown prince; and once on the road, Bilbo and Thorin find that they wouldn't mind seeing a little more of the world.What was supposed to be a diplomatic mission to Rhûn brings them to distant lands, lets them walk over a sea of stars, cross the Eastern Desert, and gaze at the shores at the end of the world. Far from home they make new friends, and find that the world is wider than they thought - there are hobbits living in the east, and dwarves from Erebor that found a home there after the dragon came. And eventually that same road also leads them home.

4. Do You Like My Stupid Hair? by Memories_of_the_Shadows (G)

In which Bilbo is a proper Hobbit until he goes on a scandalous adventure, Thorin is offensive in his ignorance until he learns better, and cabbage patches are not for walking in until they are.

5. At a Wedding by femmebingley (G)

“I speak of Thorin’s marriage,” Dain announced.

Bilbo’s mind stuttered to a stop. “What?”

“Thorin’s upcoming marriage. It is widely expected.”

Everything in the Great Hall suddenly seemed louder, almost suffocating. A cold tension swept through Bilbo’s body as the idea tried to take hold. Thorin? Marriage? To whom?

6. Tangled by xxxSparksxxx (G)

Bilbo was an oddity, and no mistake. He hated himself for it. He hated himself for ruining the best thing that had ever happened to him – for oh, Thorin. Thorin, who was his best friend, who was both teacher and student to him, who blessed him with such easy smiles and such eager attentions. Thorin, who was quite contented to sit beside a fire with Bilbo and exchange stories. Thorin, who had opened up Bilbo’s heart once more, until Bilbo woke one day to realise he was so deeply entangled in love that there was no hope for it.

There was no hope for it. He loved Thorin, heart and soul, and he had ruined it all now.

9. This Too Shall Last by @highlynerdy (T)

What if Thorin and Bilbo had tried harder to understand each other? What if every single thing hadn't gone wrong on their journey? What if the different Peoples of Middle Earth were forced to work together? Would that have changed their story?

11. Rock Dust by furorscribiendi (M)

Bifur watches as Thorin and Bilbo keep sneaking off together. How the others don't notice is beyond him. 

12. The Spiders Of Erebor by @kaavyawriting (T)

Hobbits and Dwarves celebrate vastly different holidays in vastly different ways… Thorin would dearly like to know what All Hallows Eve is, and why it involves spiders.

13. A Gift Of Daisies by issaro (G)

Every Hobbit was gifted a soulmate, a promise from the Green Lady that they’d never be alone. Sometimes though, the gift is a bit less straightforward than a Hobbit might wish. 

14. A Typical Dwarrow Afterlife by Tamloid (G)

Thorin Oakenshield was having a rather decent afterlife  yes, I am, thank you very much Frerin! Until he wasn’t anymore.

15. World In My Eyes by objectlesson (M)

A confessional conversation by smoke and twilight. 

16. An Airing Of Grievances by twelvemagpies (E)

Bilbo extends his stay in Erebor to wait out the winter and aid with the reconstruction however he can: namely, by creating quite a problem of his own.

17. drinking about you by @vtforpedro (T)

In which Bilbo has too much and just the right amount.

.

-and a few sad ones cause i’m a sucker for angst

18. We Will Write Our Own Happy Ending by trulyunruly (G)

“You must let go. Bilbo, please.”

In which it is Bilbo Baggins who must take the ring into Mordor. For what could the One Ring offer someone who had lost everything?

19. The Stars Are Not Wanted Now by BurningFairytales (T)

 Lobelia sees Sariadoc Brandybuck talking to him. Before she turns to leave, she catches a glimpse of Bilbo's eyes. It makes her shudder. Because she may be young, but she is still a woman, and she knows what he hides behind that pleasant smile of his.

Or, the one where Bilbo goes home and it's Lobelia who realises he isn't the same Hobbit he used to be.

20. And I thank you for not leaving in the night by toitsu (G)

He is not a father of the spirit of this child you claim as your own.

[temporoyales]

Thorin and Bilbo on their journey (there and back again?).

The third and final collaboration I did for this year’s @tolkienrsb with the great @highlynerdy! I’ve had a blast discussing this piece and the fic with you- thank you so much for making the process so enjoyable! 

Please look forward to the fic when the TRSB collection on AO3 opens September 5th!

[queerofthedagger]

10 fandoms, 10 characters, 10 tags

Thanks for the tag @highlynerdy and @speaknowtv !! <3

Rules: List ten of your fandoms and your favorite character from each!

In no particular order:

BBC Merlin: Arthur Pendragon

The Sandman: Dream of the Endless

The Raven Cycle: Ronan Lynch

Captive Prince: Laurent of Vere

The Priory of the Orange Tree: Sabran

The Witcher: Yennefer of Vengerberg

Doctor Who: Clara Oswald

HP: Regulus Black

Gilmore Girls: Rory Gilmore

One Last Stop: Jane Su

Honestly it was easier to come up with ten fandoms than I expected which is. slightly worrying 😂

I have no idea who hasn't done this yet but tagging (if you want): @kairenn-n @magicinavalon @atlantablack-chaotic @shana-rosee @aeonthedimensionalgirl @feuxx @seadeepy @mykingdomcomeundone @marshmallowmcgonagall @loveconquersall

(please don't reblog this to add on but make your own post <3)