#i am also pretty sure this put the nail in the coffin for me having tendonitis or carpal tunnel or something

[buttelf]

this is a comic based on a sonadow drabble written by (and a gift for) @viacursecasting​ :) 

this was my first time making a comic and im still learning how to draw sonic and shadow consistently, so pls forgive that :) thank you to viacursecasting for letting me post this! enjoy!

[guiltyasdave]

a long time coming

pairing: Dave York x f!reader

summary: You were supposed to go to a concert with your best friend. You end up going with her dad instead.

word count: ~1.1k

tags/warnings: best friend's dad!Dave, fluff, allusions to smut, huge age gap, able-bodied reader, no use of y/n, please be warned: Dave has inappropriate (though reciprocated) thoughts about his daughter's best friend - if that makes you uncomfortable, don't read

a/n: daphne @sizzlingcloudmentality and i were freaking out about those new photos of pedro, and because daphne apparently wants me dead, she said that it's giving bfd!dave who's at a concert with you and also provided me with a snippet that still has me in a chokehold and that's part of this story now. i am already experiencing heavy brainrot because i'm going to the eras tour in three (3) days and this was the final nail in my coffin tbh. i should be working on my dress, but instead i did this. the most self indulgent shit i've ever written lmao, please enjoy <3

follow @guiltyasdavenotifs for fic updates and find my whole masterlist here :)

dividers by @saradika-graphics <3

“Please, daddy? Please?” 

Dave sighs, rubbing a hand over his forehead. Molly’s hoarse voice keeps pleading with him before it dissolves into a fit of coughs. 

With a groan, she lets her head fall against the pillows, wide eyes still trained on him. 

“No one else wants to go, and I can’t let her go alone, I’d feel terrible. Please?” 

She pouts at him, knowing fully well that her father doesn’t deny her anything when she looks at him like this. 

“Fine. If you’re sure that she’s okay with it?” 

“She is! I already asked her.”

Dave cocks a brow at his daughter, earning himself an exhausted but triumphant grin. 

“Don’t look at me like that. It will be fun!”

Admittedly, Dave really has much more fun than he expected when his daughter all but begged him to accompany her best friend to the concert that she wanted to go to herself before she got sick. 

He knows most of the songs, has been witness to you and Molly singing along to the music while dancing through his kitchen often enough. It’s not bad music by any means, and the show is nothing short of spectacular. 

It’s not the reason he’s enjoying himself so much though. He’s barely watching the show, eyes only occasionally flicking towards the stage. 

His gaze is fixed on you, has been since before the show even started. Watching you interact with other fans, beaming smiles and giggles, eagerly exchanging bracelets, excitedly cooing at the especially pretty ones. 

Meeting your eyes when you turned to him, not able to suppress his own smile at the sparkle in them. Suppressing the flicker of something in his chest when your fingers wrapped around his wrist, tugging it closer to put a few bracelets on him as well. You don’t seem to notice the faint blush that’s rising up in his cheeks at the unexpected touch. 

He’s watching you bouncing on your feet seconds before the show starts, snaps a few photos of the pure joy on your face without you noticing. Just to send them to you later, having enough experience from being the father of two daughters to know how much you’ll love them. After that, he’ll delete them from his own phone. Of course he will. 

He’s watching you dance, your body moving to the beat of the music, your lips forming every word. Your silhouette shimmering with the lights reflecting off your dress. It’s mesmerizing. You dance with the girls beside you sometimes, shouting lyrics at each other. Other times, you turn to him. He doesn’t protest when you take his hands, starts moving with you without a second thought, starts singing the words that he knows along with you. You’re laughing, your eyes shining with pure happiness. It’s intoxicating, and he wants more, wants all of it, wants to be part of that happiness. He doesn’t remember the last time he smiled this wide, the last time his body felt this light. 

It takes a long time, longer than it should, until he remembers why this is bad. Until the weight comes crashing back into him. Until he remembers that he shouldn’t feel like this with you. 

You’re so much younger than him. His daughter’s friend. His daughter who asked him to come here with you, because she trusted that you’d be safe with him. 

Your brow furrows when you catch his eye and notice the change in his expression. No. He wants you to enjoy yourself, doesn’t want to be the reason for any kind of worry for you right now. He allows himself to drink in your energy right now, to let a smile grow on his face again. 

There’s no harm in indulging just for one night. Just a little bit. No one has to know. Least of all you. 

So he keeps singing with you, keeps letting you move with him. Keeps watching. 

It’s easy, being with you, talking to you. Effortless in a way that he’s not used to. 

It’s just because you’re at his house more often than not, going wherever Molly goes. It has to be. 

But it’s different, your giggles ringing out in the confines of his car, not mixed with his daughter’s, the sound that he knows. And he’s the one who’s elicited those laughs from you. 

"Explain it again, please. You’ve glued every single of these stones onto your dress?" He laughs and gives you another once over, glad he can disguise his inappropriate ogling with an appreciating glance. Act like he’s studying the intricate, shimmering patterns on the fabric. Not the way your tits are straining against the low cut over your chest. Not the way the skirt has ridden up your thighs, exposing a new inch of bare skin. "Great job, sweetheart. You look good. The dress looks good, too." 

He wonders how the dress would look bunched up around your waist. Or on the floor of your apartment. If your skin is as soft as it looks in the dim shine of the red light he’s stopped at. How it would taste under his tongue. The sweet sounds you would make when his teeth dig into you. 

You breathe a thank you and bite your lip at the compliment, and his cock twitches with interest. Wrong, wrong, so wrong.

He has to be imagining the way that you keep glancing his way, stealing looks when you think that he doesn’t notice. Wishful thinking on his part. 

He pulls up in front of your apartment building, killing the engine and turning towards you. You’re already facing him, more shy than you’ve looked all evening. 

“Thank you for tonight,” you say softly, lips pulling up into another smile. “I’ve had a great time. I— I hope you did too.” 

His hand lands on your thigh before he can actively think about it. A soft gasp escapes you, but you make no move to back away from his touch. 

“Trust me, I did.” 

He doesn’t intend for it to come out as low and breathy as it does. Teeth dig into your lips once more. Your contemplative gaze burns into him. 

You inch closer, close enough that he can feel your breath against his face. 

Wrong. He swallows thickly, forces his grip off of you. You blink, eyes growing wider, the growing tension’s fog lifting from you. Clearing your throat, you sit up straighter. 

“Good night, sweetheart.” 

He needs you to leave this car. Right now. 

You nod, shakily bidding him a good night as well. 

He watches your retreating silhouette, finally able to exhale deeply when you enter your building. 

He’s fucked.

comments and reblogs are love and make my day every single time <3

[razorblade180]

Crazy Night

Ruby:*picks up scroll* Go for broke? This is Ruby speak-

Yang:Pick us up.

Ruby:….Hm?

Yang:.You have to pick us up from the club. Please make sure you bring the tow hitch and straps for bumblebee.

Ruby:Geez, all of you are drunk.

Yang:No. but uuuhh-

xxxxxx

Ruby:WHY ARE YOU ALL BRUISED!?

Blake:Ask Weiss.

Weiss:*over Jaune’s shoulder* I am not in the mood.

Jaune:So umm everything was fine until-

Weiss:Until that bitch kept fucking pushing me and talking shit! Let me back in!

Bouncer:No!

Yang:*snickers* So, things were fine. The vibes were good. Jaune was killing it on the dance floor a little too well and some gals noticed…

Ruby:Weiss-

Weiss:I do not care if some rando gets ideas about Jaune. I did not actively assault anyone.

Blake:First of all, ya did. Second, Weiss was on good behavior actually. Some girl started flirting with Jaune and he politely declined the advances.

Jaune:Girls number two shows up; at this point I’m actively dancing with Weiss. Girl number two is tipsy and friends with girl number one.

Yang:Ruby when I tell you she was on this man! Budged Weiss out of the way and everything! To give me credit, all Weiss said at first was “Excuse me!?”

Ruby:At first?

Yang:Oh we will get to the colorful language in a minute. Jaune gets the girl dancing off of him to help Weiss. In the most annoying voice ever, the girl goes-

Weiss: “Oh sorry! Is that like…your girlfriend or something?” I don’t have to be his girlfriend for what she did to be shitty!

Ruby:Oh I would’ve swung instantly. Also, where’s Nora and Ren?

Jaune:We’ll get back to that.

Yang:I start making my way over a little because alcohol and anger brings out feelings and I just want good vibes. That’s when girl number one walks back over!

Blake:To be fair, I think she thought you were about to hit her friend. Not that she could stop you, but solidarity and all.

Ruby:What were you doing?

Blake:Watching the drinks. By the way, Weiss had three shots at this point.

Ruby:Weiss! You’re the size of one shot!

Weiss:I am fine! Plus you think I’m dancing in a club fully sober!? I had eaten beforehand and was with Jaune perfectly fine.

Yang:(You were using him like a pole.)

Jaune:*red* Anyways, the girls start getting a little more…bratty. Mainly towards Weiss and continuing to wink at me.

Weiss:They touching your chest and making you uncomfortable! Do not under sell that!

Yang:Was swatted the second girl’s hand away and said “take a hint, you bitch.” That’s when things got a little…dicey.

Ruby:Please don’t say it.

Blake:So uhhh clubs are loud and dark. Lots of people; pretty hard to look at completely. However, I started making my way over the moment I heard low growling.

Yang:And the rest of us quickly noticed fangs and a poodle tail.

Ruby:Weeeeeiiiisssss!

Weiss:Don’t call my name like I’m the problem!

Yang:The real nail in the coffin was the girl saying “What? He’s single. You scared your little boy toy wants a real woman?”

Weiss and Jaune:…..

Ruby:Oh.

Yang:*snickers*

Ruby:Why are you laughing!?

Yang:Because you need to understand Ruby. I fucking blinked, and everything changed. Our loving Weiss is a bad ass with years of combat training. I didn’t see any of that tonight. Tonight I remembered Weiss and a literal “rich bitch” and I wasn’t prepared! Beacon training was gone! She yanked this girl by the hair and was hammer fisting her face before I could process anything!

Weiss:*covering face*

Blake:And listen, most people might course correct learning they’re fighting a Faunus, but like Yang said, alcohol and anger brings out nasty feelings. Jaune and Yang are struggling to get Weiss away from that girl while I’m blocking the first one and alll I hear behind me is-

Bouncer: “Let me go. I’m gonna put this tramp in a kennel.”

Ruby:WHAT!?

Weiss:…

Blake:I’m gonna be honest, I kinda wanted to laugh because all I could think was “Oh my god, Weiss is actually fucking pissed! It’s freshman year Weiss!”

Weiss:I was not this bad freshman year!

Blake:I know! That’s what made this so crazy! I don’t believe in ghosts but your ancestors whispered in your ear for that level of hate. Anyway, bouncer showed up and now we’re here.

Ruby:What happened to the other two girls?

Bouncer:Didn’t start the fight. Get to stay in.

Ruby:….May I please enter this lovely esta-

Bouncer:No.

Ruby:Sorry yall. I tried. Yang, where’s your motorcycle?

Yang:Conveniently, the air has been let out of the tires when the club owner and others threatened legal actions. *red eyes* Fortunately for them, I choose to be responsible and call my sister so everyone gets home, instead of causing trouble.

Ruby:And dad would be proud. Alright, everyone into the convertible. Also, once again, where is-

Nora:Engine. Start. Now!

Ruby dashed by everyone and put them in them in back of the car then super sped bumblebee over to the tow hitch while Ren and Nora hopped in the front. As Ruby drove away quickly. Weiss leaned over the outside out of fear of puking, then felt a sense of ease as Jaune rubbed her back with his semblance activated.

Jaune:Thanks for standing up for me.

Weiss:I was more made than virtuous.

Jaune:Next time, you can just lie and say we’re dating. The outcome has to be better than this.

Weiss:*red*…Sure thing.

Yang:*mumbles* Or they can make it the truth.

Blake:We can’t judge them…

Ruby:So, I take it you got revenge?

Ren:It’s going to suck when they leave and wonder why their tires are flat.

Nora:I’m sure someone helpful has tire pump. Still, that doesn’t do much for a fried battery.

Ruby:What did we all learn today?

WBYJRN:Nothing. Fuck those girls.

Ruby:…Well as long as you all are in an agreement. Let tonight end with good music! Weiss, your payment is a song!

Weiss:Zzzz

Ruby:Yeah, definitely too many shots.

Weiss:Zzzz He’s mine~ Zzzz

Everyone:*red*….

Ruby:……*turns on radio*

[wildflowerdoeeyed]

𝑀𝑜𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒪’𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒶

the character overlook part 2!!

this is going to be shorter but i still want my yap (spoilers it’s not im passionate about this), spoiler heavy for chapter 4-6

i’m not really proof reading any of this so sorry if anything’s wrong please tell me

🪞before i say anything i want to point out a bit of dialogue between sean and molly

m - i dont have much opinion on you

s - ah but you don’t like me, i can see it in your eyes

m- i don’t know what you’re talking about mr macguire

s - but you look down your pretty little stuck up nose at me

m - i guess i didn’t come to america to meet boys who crawled out of the local bog. when i could have paid them to sweep my chimneys at home

s - i knew it. you’re a snotty nosed little west briton

m - i am no such thing

s - ‘course you are, i see it now. you probably have a family with a big farmhouse and titles

💋 i want to bring this up for a few reasons

1. sean is one of the only characters in camp proud of his heritage, molly is quite superficial and she doesn’t talk much about it, kieran doesn’t know much about his heritage and doesn’t know how to pronounce colm even though kieran was with the o’driscolls

2. he calls her a “little west briton” which usually means an irish person who greatly admires England or Britain, thinking them superior to Ireland

3. i said in my last post that i assumed molly became well off from. a family business in agriculture

🩰𓈒⋆⑅˚₊୨୧

💋now i don’t have much to say about her outfits here because of the fact that they stay the same so i’ll talk more about her and dutch

💋from shady bell onwards molly really starts to loose it and there’s more and more arguments between the two of them at one point she screams that he ruined her life

💋molly starts getting really paranoid, she sits at one of the docks by herself and karen even tries to comfort her in her own drunken way even when molly approaches her and confronts karen about talking about her (i’m not entirely sure if she actually did) molly smacks karen, karen hits her back harder and molly storms off to behind the house

💋i feel molly starts to realise she is the fool that everyone calls her for falling for dutch, and there’s a held sentiment that dutch probably never loved anyone more than annabelle and molly was more of a distraction with a pretty face

💋walking around shady belle, molly is usually found sulking in the corners of the house on her knees with her head down, i’d also like to put out there that in their room one one side of the bed is disturbed

💋i think kieran’s death was a way to put into perspective how the gang was falling apart molly asking arthur how this is allowed to happen

🩰𓈒⋆⑅˚₊୨୧

💋molly is absent at the end of chapter 5 and i’m not entirely sure that people really questioned it at all (i was obviously trying and failing to find my wife)

🩰𓈒⋆⑅˚₊୨୧

💋now let’s get into the deep shit of the start of beaver hollow

💋molly is clearly drunk back in her casual outfit with her blue shirt, which i think personally is how she felt more comfortable in

💋she curses out dutch and says that she told milton about the saint denis robbery

💋i think she went through the realisation when she was away of dutch’s complex about himself, calling him “your majesty” or “master” when she makes fun of him

💋dutch talks a lot about loyalty and having faith and him and miss grimshaw carry the sentiment that she broke the rules

💋miss grimshaw shoots molly, and i think, though i love molly, she is my wife, it was the last nail on the coffin that when molly died she sees dutch, the only person she thought liked, even loved her, looking disappointed in her

💋she also didn’t get a proper burial and got burned

🩰𓈒⋆⑅˚₊୨୧

(only doing positive ones bc that’s what my baby deserves)

💋 karen’s the most aggressive after mollys death as she holds a grudge to miss grimshaw, calling her a filthy murderer and saying that she probably liked doing it, karen had seen (imo) that molly just wanted dutch’s attention and she was blinded by love

💋 i personally hold a grudge too but she seemed remorseful that she did it because she had to

💋 abigail feels guilty but they’re still under the pretence that she ratted on them

💋 charles says he feels bad even though he didn’t know her well

💋 strauss, though i think he probably did not gaf he actually includes molly in him saying the camps falling apart

💋 marybeth just feels guilty about her, saying that she doesn’t believe it, she probably said that in the way of she couldn’t believe that mollys dead but i’d like to think she also didn’t think that molly did it

💋 swanson says she’ll be in his prayers

💋though i’d like to add dutch’s reaction to yknow the supposed lover of him saying that he shoulda cut her off ages ago

🩰𓈒⋆⑅˚₊୨୧

💋i feel like people forget that milton tells arthur they couldn’t get anything out of molly , if you know micah is the rat you have to know molly isn’t

💋 off topic but i want to say i also saw someone say mary (linton) was one of the rats, i feel like people forget that mary knew arthur was never going to change for her, her missions never affects the plot, she’s always going to send the infamous letter at the start or beaver hollow, she never changed the ending you can not help her and never talk to her again and there’s still the same ending it’s all micah

@lovearthur since you got tagged in the last one 🫶🏼

[randomgentlefolk]

CPC CHAPTER 167

YO PROPS TO WITCH!!!

Hm, I wonder how Leelathae writes in her diary? I mean, does she write them in just dialogue, or narrative, or what? Either she is writes in dialogue, or she described the witch pretty well for Gwen to recognize who the witch is.

I mean, I didn't expect these ingredients, but sure. Does this imply there's a cemetery near The Pastel Kingdom? Cause Leelathae isn't allowed to be far from home, right? And I doubt she would ask someone to get dirt from cemetery for her...

I wonder what Leelathae plan was? Cause she didn't get the chance to execute it since her portrait was stolen by Leland. Or maybe she did execute it while in the Plaid Kingdom?

I agree with the witch so much. The painters fr did Leelathae dirty 💀

THE WITCH WASN'T LYING. SHE DOES LOOK COOL AF. LIKE. BRO?? HOW AM I NOT SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE.

Huh. How does the ingredient turn into a paint-like liquid?? None of the ingredients are liquid based. Maybe the dirt?

This whole spell thing is sick man. It's so dang cool!! I wonder if anyone notices Leelathae sparkling?? I mean, one of the maids has got to notice right?

Also I've never knew there's tea inside snickerdoodles (chai is tea, right?). Well, it's not like I've ever tried snickerdoodles, but last time I read the recipe, I don't remember tea being in the recipe. But that was years ago so it might just be my memory.

Well, the mystery of the portrait is finally solved! And yet there's another mystery.. what writing did Leelathae put behind her portrait? Yes, the diary is one of them, but there are other things too. Like those brown and green papers. I'm guessing it's a message toward her kids?

Ohh, that's why!! Leelathae was glowy because of the spell!

BRUH SO WAS IT LIKE, A MISUNDERSTANDING THIS WHOLE TIME?? I did kinda predict it in my really old post, but I was joking T_T

Something's kinda bothering me about what Leelathae said in her 3rd wish. Why is she only talking about her daughters? What about Jamie? Or is there a hidden meaning that I am not getting here? If someone would enlighten me, that would be nice.

Aw. It's actually pretty sweet when you think about how they didn't even know how to speak to each other at first, but they still fell in love with each other <3

Oh. Oohhh....okay. This doesn't justify what Leland is doing right now, but it sure give a big reason for it. Yikes. Damn. That must've hurt.

Okay okay, let me just remember the past episodes to realize all the causes here.

Leland's parents died due to tragic carriage accident (didn't a carriage accident happen more than once? Tho I can't remember to who besides Leland's parents)

His best friend, Jack, didn't arrive to Leland's parents' funeral, which is the moment he needed him the most (not Jack's fault though, since he was literally stranded in an island)

Leland obviously has a little crush on Jack, which is why it hurts him when he found out Jack brought Leelathae to Pastel Kingdom (again, not Jack's fault). I think this is where he jealousy starts, the point where Leland thinks he has to be better at every love things than Jack.

He overheard Jack saying he didn't need him, which is probably the nail in the coffin for Leland. I mean that monologue Leland has? That's kinda internal mental breakdown right there. (I gotta say, this scenario is kindaaa similar to Gwen overhearing Frederick calls her ugly. I wouldn't say it's the exact same thing of course. It's just the overhearing that makes it similar)

So! Looking at these 4 reasons, it is highly likely that Leland has some problems (no shit sherlock). HEAR ME OUT. I don't know what it is yet. I was thinking of abandonment issues, but I have yet to read much about it, so i'm not sure yet.

HAH! Glad Leelathae decided to haunt his dreams tho!

OH SHIT OH SHIT. NAH LELAND NAHHHH. HE BETTER NOT. ....well at the time i'm writing this the next episode is already out so.. guess we're gonna find out...IN THE NEXT REVIEW!!

Yeah I haven't read the episode yet lol. I bet it's gonna be chaotic though.

That's it for now, until next time.

Mono out! (But still in to hear your thoughts)

[mentallyshattered]

This is part 5 of the "What if Yuu didn't want to go back?" Series!

(I, the author of this work, do not consent to this work being crossposted/translated without my knowledge or used to train an AI, ever.)

Masterlist

Class starts in 15 minutes. First period is History of Magic- should be easy to find, right? After all, Vil made sure to give all of Pomefiore easy access to a map of the school. First floor, somewhere on the left...is this it? The room numbers match up.

The room is about half full. The paper says we have assigned seats, but it doesn't say where those seats are, so... where the hell do I sit?

"Grim... where's our seat?"

"Says we're in seat 34... so, third row, fourth seat?"

Counting the seats, we take our spot and hope for the best. Soon after we remove our notebook, textbook, pencil case, and folder, a boy with dark blue hair and an upside-down black heart on his face bursts into the room, panting heavily. The red color of his vest indicates that he's a Heartslabyul, but I can't tell if he's in the right room or not.

"Myaah? Hey, are you in class A?"

"Yes," the boy pants out, "seat 24... I'm not late, am I?"

"Nope! You're right in front of us."

The boy looks up, seemingly suprised at the sound of my voice. Our eyes meet- his are a beautiful, bright cyan. He'd fit right in at Pomefiore, at least visually.

"Wh...what?"

"We're in seat 34. Your seat is right in front of ours."

"Oh, okay." He looks grateful now, jogging to his seat and turning around to reach us.

"Ah, Deuce Spade- it's a pleasure to meet you!"

He sticks out his hand. I shake it.

"I'm Yuu- Y-u-u, not y-o-u."

Grim follows suit and sticks out his paw. Deuce takes a moment to catch on, but he does.

"And I'm Grim! Pleasure to make your acquaintance. "

Deuce looks relived, but that look soon turns to panic when he hears someone much older behind him.

"We are still missing someone."

A panicking #24 sits down quickly and puts his stuff down. The man- who is probably Professor Trein- lets the door shut behind him, but someone catches it. Another Heartslabyul, by the looks of it.

"Hey, teach! I'm on time, right?"

"Hey, Yuu! That's Trappola, from the entrance ceremony," Grim whispers. "He's claustrophobic. "

I laugh quietly. "That he is, Grim. That he is."

To Spade's horror, Trappola plops down right next to him, in seat 25.

"Heya! Nice to meet'cha. I'm Ace."

Deuce is visibly horrified. "I'm Deuce Spade. Please try not to be late in the future. "

Entrance Ceremony Claustrophobe scoffs. "What's up your ass this morning?"

Grim raises his paw. Trein calls on him. "Yes, Grim?"

"Trappola just asked Spade what's- and pardon my language- 'up his ass this morning.' It's distracting."

Now it's Trappola's turn to look horrified. Deuce, taking the opportunity, raises his hand. "I can confirm that. I can also add that he said that in response to me asking him to try to be on time more."

Trein looks pissed. Trappola looks terrified. I raise my hand, ready to put the final nail in the claustrophobe's coffin-box. Trein calls on me.

"I can confirm that both Spade and Grim are telling the truth." Trappola is very pale. He should get more sun. And more time management skills, but that's been pretty obvious for a few minutes at this point.

Trein's cat meows, and Claustrophobe's fate is sealed.

"Trappola, see me after class."

Deuce, Grim and I smile. Time to learn.

The rest of class goes by without a hitch. Ace's detention is that he has to wash all of the chairs in the classroom after school. Fitting, I think.

Deuce walks with me and Grim to alchemy. Crewel seems strict, but kind, so long as you stay in line. We don't brew anything just yet- big whoop, first day- but we do get a lot of notes. Deuce is turning out to be e great friend, too! He's an honor student, recovering delinquent, and generally great guy- Vil would approve. He doesn't look like he has much of a skincare routine, though.

The big thing happens during Phys Ed. Grim and I faint during the laps- Vil is going to be pissed when he hears about the lack of water- and Deuce is the one to single-handedly carry us both to safety, and then the nurse's office. Apparently, we already lacked energy. Oh, well. Nothing eventful occurs until lunch.

Back at Pomefiore dorm, where lunch is free, Rook stops to talk to us.

"Monseur Mystery, Monseur Chat! I heard you fainted today?" The concern in his voice sounds real.

"Yeah... the nurse says we already lacked energy."

"And we weren't drinking enough water. There's that too, Grim. "

"Why weren't you?" Vil sounds rather intimidating right now.

"Myaah, no water bottle."

Vil just sighs.

[lillonvia]

Ayyy mama! guizhong asker is back! (I couldn't use my phone for a while, anyways-) part 3 bAby. So like I said guizhong is alive and well in the game, still pretty cheerful but kinda off for r e a s o n s we already know. (I think it would be pretty cute if both zhongli and her disguise as mortals together as a couple) traveler doing the story quest and all, But it's a bit different. I like to think at this time and age of liyue lots of people would know reader's story and would incorporate it to lantern rite and just other things in general (like how in the game zhongli asks traveler to get the perfume and glaze lily as offerings, I think this can just be coincidence but guizhong). Like how superstitious farmers and shepherds putting bells on their flock of sheep so they would be able to find them, and people putting bells on graves so their deceased loved would be able to find their way home, heck the story itself could be a use for parents for their children to not stray away from them. Okay enough story building and on to the actual ask- ghuizhong meeting a reincarnated reader as a shepherd using the bell for his flock (reader is a teenager in this) how they met is because traveler and zhongli was trying to convince reader to give them the bell for a discount. (since I also wanted to add that bells are really only sold by farmers/blacksmiths since other than for spiritual reasons aren't really sought out for) oh yeah- the stuff that zhongli needs are different in the game it's now like- a toy, the bell, and jade

i have been procrastinating too much i hate myself- IM SO SORRY ANON I CANT WRITE A FIC ABT THIS I AM PHYSICALLY INCAPABLE OF DOING SO </3 but ill share my thoughts and interpretations on it utc instead if that workshsj

guili stepping down from their pedastals and instead posing as a mortal couple is just so adorable to me <3 i have LOVED (platonically) guizhong and guili ever since i saw the lantern rite 2023 cutscene on youtube YOU DONT UNDERSTANDD why did hyv kill off such beautiful and wonderful ppl 😭 first tomo, then signora, makoto, then bonanus, menogias, and guizhong?? WHY. ok thats enough outta me-

and the shepherd bit is also really interesting, since we don’t really have any sort of hint of agriculture yet and i think that it’s really intruiging and unique <3 i love the fact that reader’s story is still well known across liyue to the present day, and i’m sure guizhong is happy that reader’s memory is preserved via the usage of bells.

AND M O R E FOUND FAMILY TROPES W/ GUI AND REINCARNATED READER?? YES PLEASE‼️ i feel like at first, guizhong would try to stray away from helping to find the bell that once belonged to reader, bc she most likely feels that if she did come along (not to mention zhongli was so understanding of this JSJSJSJJ), the memories would come rushing back and theres a chance she can’t hold it in anymore. you has always been so very special to guizhong and by extension, zhongli, after all. <3

the moment guizhong realizes that reader was reincarnated in a mortal body is probably when she notices how similar current you’s speech mannerisms and little habits—that no one else really noticed but she did, shes your mother after all—greatly resembled the traits of the half-qilin!you.

and the final nail in the coffin is when they asked to spend a moment with guizhong in private, and they dropped a BIIIGGG bomb by saying,

“ its nice to finally be able to see you again, mama. ”

HEHEUJTLRB im so delulu when it comes to mama!guizhong <3

[serendertothesquad]

Seren's Studies: Wordsville's Official Release -- Is It Really an Odd Squad Clone? (Part 1)

You can bet your fine ass I am, because, to put it nicely, the fuck is this?

All right. Anyway. So part of what I used to weaponize my YouTube channel for was doing Seren Reacts videos on new PBS Kids shows. Basically, I'd take the first episode they'd upload and react to it. Since I don't have the capacity to actually do that for this show, and since I did tell you all I'd do a Seren's Study on Wordsville when it came out and I had a chance to see it...here ya go. I watched the first episodes of this thing so you don't have to!

...Uh...well...if you don't want to, anyway.

In this essay, I'm going to put the final nail in the coffin as to the issue of whether Wordsville is truly an Odd Squad ripoff or not. I'll also be picking apart the first episode screencap by screencap, just like I used to do in the good old days of Odd News.

(At the very least, the America's Funniest Home Videos animation I'm not a fan of. At least with Tom Bergeron it was funny.)

Below the break we go!

(Just as a side note: this will be split into multiple parts because Tumblr apparently has a photo limit now. That's...gonna make these followup Seren's Studies just a bit trickier.)

Ohhhh they're really trying, bless their little hearts.

Look at that, they even threw in a goddamn university degree like these kids up and went to Harvard. Because Odd Squad agents didn't go to university and aw God man you gotta be shitting me.

Man, the theme even follows the same schtick of Odd Squad agents explaining who they are and what they do! I guess that's one for the Half-Ass list...

(And on a related note, because I don't think I brought this up: Gabby's actress sounds like she was on Odd Squad at one point, but hell if I know where. Guess I'll know when the credits come up.)

Hm. Hah. Just like, y'know, Olive and Otto, Orla and Omar at one point in ti- really, do I have to keep going?

You could tell me this was an Odd Squad sequel spinoff in disguise and I'd 100% believe you.

(Also is that...is that a rainbow bead design in the upper right there? Does Sly is gay or am I just going nuts because this episode was uploaded in Pride Month and Sinking Ship already has some LGBTQ+ rep under their belt?)

I will say that, unlike with Odd Squad, I appreciate them not making this out to be some stupidly thinly-veiled Zoom or Skype parody. It looks like a new fresh platform that isn't supposed to reference anything. I like that!

...Nah, not even I'm desperate enough to pry an Odd Squad jab out of this title.

I am, however, getting flashbacks to Wonderful Precure and people speculating about the colors in the title. If this were one of those seasons we'd have a group of five with a blue-green Cure as the leader, which would melt the Internet. Definitely. Maybe.

Also, unless they're working on Odd Squad UK and we don't know it yet, Christin Simms is not an Odd Squad name I recognize. Seems they've worked on pretty much every modern Sinking Ship series but Odd Squad, which I choose to take as intentional just due to the similarities between the two series alone. I mean let's be honest...if it were an Odd Squad writer, it would really only reinforce a few of my points.

So I've chosen to watch "The Case of the Disappearing Donuts", mainly because I believe that's the episode that was featured in the sample script I talked about in the previous Seren's Study. Just...y'know, as a heads-up. I tried to go for the first episode.

And needless to say...I'm not sure if this is it (TVO released five episodes in a bundle and your guess is as good as mine as to which one is the series premiere) but I can already see a striking difference with Odd Squad, in that yes, Wordsville does indeed launch us clear into the plot without any warning. Yeah yeah they explained it in the intro but I do not care. Let me get to know your characters first!

Once again, I will reiterate for you all: this show being purely digital instead of live-action completely hinders it. It is 2024. The pandemic is not an excuse anymore. I'd get more enjoyment out of this if it weren't two people communicating through mock Apple laptops.

And if you aren't getting what I'm picking at, imagine if, for the nearly ten years it's been on, Odd Squad was a purely-digital show. Would we get the worldbuilding? The lore? The character development? The funny interactions? No, no, no, and no. It's like the difference between talking to someone in video chat and talking to someone in real life. One boosts your health. The other one, not so much.

Clearly they didn't really try for this bit in the audio department, because this cookie is all about that bass with absolutely no fuckin' treble.

(To be fair, though, Odd Squad has soundbytes like this from time to time too. So I can't really complain all that much.)

Something I was shocked to find out about Wordsville: each episode is all of 8 minutes long. Which...doesn't really help the series' case because the pacing is utterly atrocious. For Odd Squad, which has mostly 11-minute episodes, the pacing is smoother for a lot of them. I can take my time, understand what's going on, and enjoy what I'm seeing. Hell, even Tiny Time Travel's pacing isn't awful for the short time it has, and I wasn't gonna even touch that show for this Seren's Study because it's not made by the same people outside of Tim...until people brought up similarities, and I felt at least obligated to mention it once.

This falls squarely into the category of "if I go on an acid trip, can I drag out this episode three times longer than it actually is?"

We.

Are 55 seconds in.

And we are already getting to the conflict.

...Hand me the bong. The BIG bong. If you see dogs in my front yard, just tell 'em to get inside and glow upstairs because I'm goin' hard.

BIG BONG.

...I'm not touching the timing of this call because convenience is in literally every piece of media with video chatting ever. It's not just a Wordsville thing.

The Town Baker walked so Baker Graham could work his hand at a whip.

No but seriously, I can't look at this character and not think of Chef O from Odd Squad UK. The brainrot set in once I viewed the trailer. It hasn't left.

Hey, it's a good marketing tactic.

And it makes a great gift for your SO if they happen to have a name that starts with any of the letters. Hell, get the U, the T and the I and you'd have a winner!

...

Waaaaaaait a second-

In this era of super-powerful processors and AI seeping into anything and everything, there is no scientifically possible way Gabby can pull up a computer dictionary within milliseconds.

And when Odd Squad, the show that has ironic low-tech stuff, is more realistic than your high-tech show, you got a problem.

Minute and a half into this thing and this is the only bit that got me close to smiling thus far.

But something I wanna point out is that I've gotten cookies from bakeries that look a lot better than that. Hell, the cookies at my local supermarket look better than that! Just as big, and far yummier!

I see they switched around the personalities for Sly and Gabby, and I can see why.

Gabby emotes the most.

So does Olive.

Gabby is Olive with a braid and a fedora.

Gabby is the serious o- guys, really, must I go on?

Something something substituting bagels like in "Soundcheck" for donuts instead.

This is what happens when you let your co-CEO binge-watch all the Shrek movies, Sly.

Careful, Gabby...please don't drop the title.

Odd Squad doesn't drop the title all that much, but the fact that the episodes are referred to as cases in-universe sells the comparison. Wordsville's cases are just...different. Copyright infringement and all that. When Oprah sues, she sues hard.

Thank you. I hate it. Off you will fuck from my lawn.

...Look, I know what the "Sly-mation" is and y'all are not being slick. You don't get to wave a fucking stylus in my face and say what you're doing is animation but with a fancy name. Animation is hard. Animating stuff halfway and slapping your client's head on their animated body instead of drawing a face resembling your client is a disservice and I will abso-fucking-lutely take that personally as a fan of animation.

I mean, hey, if I were an animator, I'd fully commit. You people remember that the studio who made this worked on a Spongebob movie. Lemme repeat: a Spongebob movie. And yet this is what they decide to do for animation.

When Odd Squad does animation, it's good in most instances. (I choose to forget "Olive and Otto in Shmumberland", TYVM.) Not anything stellar, but it certainly is passable. Here? Lol. Lmao, even. God no. This feels like a way to insert animation into the show but without employing the CGI that other shows, Odd Squad included, have. Like a "lol I'm so quirky" thing.

Get out.

This is like if Disney had Disneymation. Dreamworksation. Laikation. Netflixation. Huluation. So on and so forth.

Point being, it's dumb. Just say it's animation and stop plopping flowers onto it. When you get more of a time limit, then you can be quirky all you want.

We are now 2 minutes into an 8-minute episode. I know what's happening. Kids know what's happening. Unless you're banking on the research that kids' attention spans are the size of a pea, we do not need a recap.

...Is this really the same person who wrote for Endlings? Because apparently they can't handle something in an 8-minute timeframe.

You either get the Chad Blender/Flash/ToonBoom, or you get the Virgin Mock Scratch.

I just feel cheated. Disappointed. Like when your mom and dad drove by McDonald's when you were a kid after they promised you they would get you some. I've seen good animation. They had the chance to do better, and didn't. That's what pisses me off the most. It's that complete utter wasted potential.

I know Vet Wilder is a reference to some celebrity (the name is at least somewhat familiar), but I'm at a complete loss as to if they did the same thing for Athlete Glory or if they just confined a girl named Glory to one destiny in life.

So she'll become...a Faded Glory.

(I'm sorry, I had to.)

Okay, they're reiterating this for the young children, and I- guys, this hurts. It's like they're trying to differentiate themselves from Odd Squad but tripping over their own feet in the process.

Ten cookies Gene Vet Wilder gave it to an animal named Yummy and that this series will go down another Odd Squad route and defy biology.

Either that, or "Yummy" is his pet name for Not-So-Faded Glory, which I am banking absolutely nothing on because romance.

...No, not Baker Graham's cookies. I'm sure dude's good at what he does, but I know of a better bakery, thank you very much.

*aggressively takes out the ibuprofen for the headache this shit is giving me*

This reads like TVOkids font, and I'm not even mad.

I'm only sad I didn't get the "I know so much about fonts" autism.

(Also, this is really just called The Bakery? They have one bakery? That's it? Even Toronto has more than one!)

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

Onward to Part 2!

[banamine-bananime]

preface: i was writing a list of my headcanons for funsies and got completely derailed with angsty grimmons shit that needs to be scooped out of that post because it’s stupid long. so here

grif worked in honolulu a couple years after hs graduation until kai was old enough (17) he felt he could leave. did a year at university before realizing he’s smart enough to be admitted to cornell but not to get the scholarship he realistically needs to not be in crushing debt on graduation, and also there’s not nearly enough regimentation to college life to prevent him from rotting in bed paralyzed by “oh my god i don’t have Responsibilities That Need To Be Done Right Now for the first time in forever and idk what to do now” and executive dysfunction. went through basic and stationed on the doomed outpost. That Whole Thing (a polite way of saying “sneaking off for a nap on duty, sleeping through a massacre, and waking up to find literally everyone else dead”) was the nail in the coffin that pretty much shot his last shred of motivation and hope to shit, and based on his behaviour and psych eval afterwards (best summarized as “learned helplessness that everything is shit always and he’s useless and never gonna be able to help anyone so 👍 fuck everything fuck everyone just try to eke some hedonistic joy out of life before you die”) he was reassigned to the sim soldiers.

meanwhile simmons tried to do university several times and had to drop out for mental health reasons (a very polite way of putting “rapid spiral into absolute disaster every time”. it leaves room for giving him the benefit of the doubt that this was a proactive “ah i should take care of myself and this is not working for me :) #selfcare #therapy” decision. this is not benefit of the doubt that anyone who knows him would extend.).

I go back and forth on whether to roll with the “that one throwaway line with a suspiciously specific hypothetical of being in a unit that was stranded and had to eat their dog to survive” thing or just say he was assigned straight to sim troopers. on the one hand, i really love grif and simmons having a parallel immensely traumatic first assignment that made them both Worse in kinda similar kinda opposite ways in line with the ways they were each already fucked up

(grif “life is inherently a garbage fire. i am useless. all i can do is look out for myself and save my own hide by absolute never trusting any authority, refusing to get attached to the other fuckers around here (they’d hate me anyways so just let them hate me), and obsessively hoarding any access to food and shelter and comfort because Maslow said I can’t work on health or belonging or esteem until i do :/ yeah i know, sorry, i’ve got a doctor’s note from him right here.” vs simmons “my life is a garbage fire probably because everyone around me is an idiot fucking something up but also because i’m not trying hard enough. i’m sure if i keep Performing The Maladaptive Behaviours even harder they will work and i THEN will feel respected and powerful and loved. you see you just have to keep repressing every feeling so you can suck up to anyone you detect a whiff of Authority Figure on no matter how little you actually respect them, and follow EVERY RULE and work and work and work. and you had better abandon any compunctions about things like eating a dog you loved or backstabbing a friend for brownie points from the CO who hates him or Literally Murdering your CO for a promotion. and if you ever stop desperately trying, fighting dirty looking out just for yourself, and instead just sit still for a moment and enjoy sincere zero-ulterior-motives connections with people, you will probably definitely immediately die of starvation or exposure (it is a metaphor you see. of exposure to the elements while stranded without resources. for the agonizing exposure of allowing yourself to be known.)”)

on the other hand i’m like whoa now. this boy’s got enough problems we really don’t need to be giving him any more or we’re really never gonna pry him free of the woobiefication fics.

[goldentigerfestival]

if there is one thing I am deeply upset about in Vesperia, it's how sidelined Raven got in the Alexei arc and in post. he should have been one of the primary characters in that fight - like, I'm talking "Raven is not in your party. Please reorganize your party to include Raven" levels of being a primary character. imo they made Alexei's arc include too much of Yuri. I understand he's the main character and needs to be included, but I feel like in general he had a much weaker story with Alexei.

that's not to say he didn't have one, because he definitely did - they did have a small rapport going in arc 1 and Alexei very much treated Yuri like he held him in high regard. of course, yes, Alexei had plans all along, but on Yuri's end, as far as he knew at the time, Alexei wasn't faking it. he didn't like how the knights did things, but he had no immediate disrespect toward Alexei as a person. actually, he treated Alexei like he treated anyone, which is a very good thing with Yuri because it means he's relaxed enough to not feel threatened by Alexei in any sort of way. there was a pretty cordial relationship between them all things considered.

that said though, it should've been Flynn and Raven who had the most impactful stuff with Alexei when it came down to it. Yuri could've been a sort of support for them, but he wasn't close to Alexei. Flynn respected and admired him, even taking orders from him directly sometimes. Raven was by his side and his shadow man for a very long time. ultimately he, unlike Flynn, knew he was being used and not for anything good, and it's likely he never truly liked his role... but that's exactly why it mattered so much and why he should have finally stepped up to fight Alexei personally (and I don't mean optionally).

Raven should have been more resolute about ending his ties with Alexei. he should have been written to decide that he was living now, and that he was living for his friends. not just being alive, but truly living. their story together should not have ended with "you buried that old chap yourself". more on that later! but Raven should have put the final nail in the coffin to sever that tie by being Raven and fighting him as Raven. that happened, you say? sure, it kinda did... except the game didn't force you to use Raven in that battle, which takes away a chunk of the impact for me.

also, they could've added to the impact by having Raven make a comeback as Schwann being Flynn's right hand man once Flynn became the Acting Commandant. it could've been a way to have Schwann also start anew. to let Schwann become something more than Alexei's tool. Raven is Raven for the guilds, but the Schwann Brigade was never disbanded. they still call themselves the Schwann Brigade. plus, imo, since Raven can use his position to bring good to the empire the way Flynn does, he absolutely should have been able to get more story as Schwann. I don't mean one little sidequest so he can walk around in the outfit for gameplay - I mean the man should've gotten a full goal oriented reboot.

the thing is, Schwann is associated to Alexei in Raven's mind. he doesn't want to do anything that would retain that tie. that's exactly why he should resume his role as Schwann - not all the time (because Dahngrest still needs him a heck of a lot by the end), but during times he can do good for the knights and when he can make use of his high position. he can make it so that Schwann is not a consequence of Alexei. he can remove Schwann from Alexei and give him his own identity.

and also, despite Raven's insistence, Schwann was never gone. Raven thought he was because he thought Schwann was a consequence and extension of Alexei. like I said, the Schwann Brigade never disbanded. nobody ever replaced Schwann the way Flynn replaced Alexei. Alexei didn't bury Schwann, because the brigade itself did not let Schwann die. if they had accepted it and moved on, sure, I'd agree Alexei buried that chap himself! but he didn't, because they didn't. he didn't because Schwann was never Alexei's alone. he had love and respect from many knights, and that heavily includes Flynn (who continually brings up his thoughts on Schwann to Raven, such as asking Raven who the real him is), who wasn't part of his brigade.

what Alexei buried was his connection to Schwann. eventually, at some point, Schwann had become something more than Alexei's tool to others, and that was what freed him from just being an extension of Alexei. his knights are what they are because he guided them that way, and that's why you have that scene in Caer Bocram where they effectively save our cast from Cumore's brigade. they go on and on about Yuri's petty crimes, but they don't get into all the nasty stuff. they don't go along with the idea that Yuri kidnapped a princess (at first they think he "coerced" her at worst) like Cumore is trying to spin. they see things for what they are, and they recognize that Yuri has only engaged in minor crimes that are not dangerous.

they recognize Yuri is, as a person, not harmful. that's exactly why when Leblanc offers Yuri a position back into the knights, when Yuri declines, he says he wouldn't have it any other way. it's not an antagonistic relationship at this point, because Leblanc has also grown from everything. he respects Yuri. he appreciates Yuri. he recognizes that Yuri was there for their captain when they couldn't be. also, technically speaking, there was the silent implication that Yuri would've been reinstated into the knights under the Schwann Brigade. let that sink in on all the levels and extensions it'd reach. also, the water levels are deep. maybe I'll talk about it another time.

when Zaphias was in danger and all the nobles evacuated, it was the Schwann Brigade that rescued the entire Lower Quarter. they didn't need to be ordered to do it. they did it instinctively. no matter what Raven says about himself, that man is still their captain. Schwann is no longer Alexei's puppet. he's the captain of the Schwann Brigade and he's his own man. he's the man that led them to do what was right for the people. they are good knights and good people, and they're who they as knights are because they were set on that path by their captain.

so no, Alexei didn't bury him. Alexei couldn't get rid of him because he no longer had the power to do so. if Schwann had no other connections to anyone at all, yes, I'd agree, Alexei buried him and everything he stood for; but he didn't. he couldn't; because Schwann stood for more than just Alexei. eventually, at some point, he still naturally became his own person.

his brigade could do the things he was unable to do because of his duties for Alexei. when he personally couldn't be there to defend the people because Alexei had him off being shady and doing bad things like watching over Estelle and eventually kidnapping her for him, his brigade could do that. when he had to do the dirty work, he had people he guided to do the right thing, so when he did the bad things, they could course correct for the people. he knew he'd have to do the shitty work for Alexei, so he taught others the correct path to be on to save others. he had a failsafe ready for anything bad that he couldn't personally step in for, and that was his brigade.

this man needs a raise.

also, I was robbed of them making Yuri, Flynn and Raven the golden trio thank you very much. give me the guild member, the knight and the Both Man.

well at least in my mind they are and forever will be the Golden Trio.

tl;dr raven and schwann both got sidelined hard by the story. they deserved more to their story and more importance than what they got.

[woozapooza]

Kennedy and Heidi

Well. I am absolutely reeling from this episode. When it was over, I said "What the fuck" out loud.

The crazy thing is, I already knew what happened to Christopher, because, just as it is within Tony’s power to be less selfish and violent and controlling but he’s simply not going to do that, it is within my power to steer clear of spoilers but I’m simply not going to do that. So I knew that Tony killed him, I was pretty sure he suffocated him, I knew there was a car involved, I had even seen glimpses of the actual scene in YouTube thumbnails. I thought that when it came, it wouldn't be shocking, but it shocked me even more than many TV character deaths that I wasn't spoiled for. I had built up this expectation of how it would all go down: I thought Chris would spiral out of control and that he'd die as the culmination of some really intense episode in which he and Tony would have some massive falling-out. But he didn't spiral out of control like I expected, aside from the end of the previous episode (and his death had nothing to do with that, anyway). [EDIT: Okay that's not really true, since it was the fact that Chris was using again that sealed his fate, but it was just the nail in his coffin.] And what actually happened to him was so unceremonious. That's the word that keeps coming to mind. His actual death was unceremonious—so sudden, semi-accidental, and within the first ten minutes of the episode—and so was the rest of the episode (though I can't really articulate how). I kept thinking "no, this can't be it, it can't happen like this" until Tony actually put his hand over Chris's nose and mouth.

I'm not sure how I feel about this episode. On a meta level, I mean. On an in-universe level obviously I feel devastated. On one hand, Christopher is such an important and complicated character, it feels unfair for him to have such an unceremonious sendoff, especially given that other major characters (Pussy, Adriana, Tony B.) got the kind of death I would expect. On the other hand, you can't really write a show based what's "fair" to the characters, and anyway, I'm sure the unceremoniousness of it all was an intentional creative choice. It's an extremely unsatisfying end for my second favorite character, but maybe that was the point. But also, I think the main reason it feels so unsatisfying is that I just didn't quite buy Tony's journey from loving Christopher to killing him. That doesn't mean it was poorly done. There have been other times when I thought some development in a show was unearned, but when I rewatched it, I was like, oh, actually that was completely earned, I just didn't notice the buildup to it. Right now, however, this death just feels unreal in a way that all the other main character deaths have not felt unreal.

Man, I'm gonna be processing this forever 😭 Rest in peace, Christopher "That's The Flying Ointment" Moltisanti. I will always keep my eye on the tiger in your honor.

[monty-glasses-roxy]

Now that I'm actually home on my computer, here's a screenshot of the newspapers you see in the opening of the game. Regarding what others have mention, I have heard the speculation that it's less an actual earthquake and more that it's the Blob doing its thing, and the earthquake is the "official" explanation put out by the company, but as far as I know, there's been no solid confirmation of that.

And just because I feel like responding to all the things at once, I agree re: the evidence for Cassie's dad being missing. Like, I saw videos of people reacting to "Dad wouldn't tell me what happened to Bonnie" with 'oh it's past tense so Dad's not around currently!' and I was just there thinking, like... or it's a discussion they had previously and it doesn't come up anymore?? Like I get speculating around it but I don't think it's really solid enough to treat it like a near-certainty.

Also I am beyond baffled by the thing about the Minis. Especially because, if they had the Vanny virus, wouldn't they be less hostile to Cassie when she was wearing the mask?? But they're not. So that one also gets a massive shrug from me.

Ohhh I see about the earthquake thing. I could be the Blob and then covered up, but surely that's like... the worst excuse you could have? An earthquake would have been felt by the surrounding area I dunno if that's gonna fly unless the whole place collapses in itself and the ground swallows it up. That would probably be felt I think. It would also feel like Fazbear Ent knows about the Blob? It's not off the table, I mean they knew about the Mimic and still kept reactivating the fucking thing so... I dunno that's an interesting one I think. Definitely a lot of room to play around with it.

However, I do find it interesting that the newspaper says the place is temporarily closed because of the earthquake. Surely, the fire would have been a better excuse? There's no way they're going back and fixing the place up now. It's abandoned now for sure. If the earthquake wasn't the last nail in the coffin, then that begs the question of, what was? Curious...

For Cassie's dad, yeah honestly? I've seen it in a few fics for a bit and it just felt like an excuse to clear the way for Roxy to adopt Cassie? Which is valid! It might not be, but honestly, it just feels like they've been looking for lore and not actually thought about it for more than two seconds. Because yeah, if she were referring to her dad in the past tense, it could mean he's missing, but like. None of the times she refers to him like that would suggest that? They all have perfectly normal explanations, there's way bigger fish to fry than that one. It's a fun concept! I'd use it if I had an idea for it! But in terms of what's canon, I don't think that's it. Glad I'm not the only one that feels that way about this one.

In terms of the Minis, the Wiki itself says that it's implied that Vanny freed them, reactivated them, and infected them with the virus but that just doesn't make sense. You're right, it should make them less hostile towards Cassie with the mask on, but it doesn't. Vanessa seems pretty confused in the one log talking about them, and if it was Vanny that did it, surely that would mean that Vanessa would at least have a vague idea of what happened? Like... she doesn't know what to do about the situation so... I dunno it just doesn't add up at all. I feel like if they had the virus, they would be chasing after Gregory more often than just in the vents too?? And how they look isn't effected by Cassie wearing the mask at all, unlike almost everyone else, so that just tells me they're not in the same situation as everyone else.

So yeah, I'm chalking all of Vanny's involvement with them entirely up to an assumption and not an implication because it's not backed up at all by literally anything but them jumpscaring the player. I'm glad it makes as much sense to other people as it does for me!

[lavender-long-stories]

Nari's Feral on Display Part 3

spoilers for Lavender Clouds

I can be your personal clown

And then they were. You are adorable Nari.

If I was in Hinata's position I would just leave Hidan be. Leave him screaming and crying and throwing up until death takes pity on him. Leave him outside in the cold for all that I care [...] I vibe so much with Kisame when he “I would have at least tortured him a little. Maybe put his legs where his arms go.” I feel you, bro.

Nari… please never become a prison nurse. 

I'm pretty sure the last time Itachi felt taken care of was when he was a literal child. 

I think people forget that the massacre happened when he was 13, and he had already been a working nin for a while at that point. It’s likely that he just acted like an adult from that point on even when he needed a guardian because he is actually a kid, can you imagine a 13-year-old taking care of themselves regularly on their own let alone to the level that Itachi was?

Hinata mothering the fuck outta [Deidara].

Hahahaha I love this line so damn much.

Can you imagine how much it meant to [Sasori] to have someone caring? 

I think that this is what really made this story heartfelt is that most of the antagonists had tragic backstories that made them fully dependent on themselves they either went rogue because they were misunderstood, demonized, betrayed, or unloved.

Giving them someone who sees through their facades, sees them as people, trusts them and expects them to trust her, and genuinely gives the care and affection is effective on almost all of them because they don’t realize how starved they all are for it.

She's not only their medic, but she gets attached and they know it, they can feel it, they can fucking see it.

Her getting just as attached to them as they are to her is the final nail in the coffin for some of them for loving her because it’s one thing to trust someone it's another to have the trust returned.

Reading about her time with them is so funny because, at times, it just feels like a really tired kindergarten teacher dealing with super powerful toddlers.

Now that is a fun fic concept. Hinata runs a daycare and all the kids are the Akatsuki? 

I would exchange an arm to read more about Sasori all nervous around Hinata. 

🫣🫣 I should work on that SasoHina if I want that arm shouldn’t I?

The domesticity of everything is what hits harder for me. The normalcy of having a home to come back to, the will to come back home alive, having someone who simply wants you as you are and wouldn't change you (because of something as irrelevant as murder). 

Some people really hate all the little slice-of-life moments that I put in and think I am just dragging out the plot, but all those little moments are why the characters feel human, why they feel like people. Kisame isn’t just the aggressive shark man, he can’t cook, but he would try. He’s not got at medic work, but he will hold Hinata all night to make her feel safe. Hidan is a psycho murderer but leaves his things around where he shouldn’t and will playfully make you admit that he won. Sasori doesn’t need to eat, but he will have a cup of tea. Little details you don’t think you need for the plot, but I think are the key to making the plot hit.

I remember back in the day there was someone very upset that most of the Akatsuki were getting a happy ending because they were ‘bad guys’ and yes but what story did you think you were reading??? Everything is pointing to I am completely ignoring atrocities for my fluff-found-family fic.

I also love how they get to know Hinata. How every little thing is mutual, like when Itachi noticed the clothes around the house weren't hers. This is such a small detail, but it shows that they cared to learn about her as much as she did them.

I love it when people notice the little details. This whole comment could just be this and I would still die happy.

No, really, I want a whole soap opera on Gaara's point of view. The person he loves fucked off to be a terrorist and was siding with a guy he not only despises but looks a lot like him. HMMM. Jokes aside, I think it broke him when she said “he left me here”.

Not me breaking his heart every way to Sunday throughout this fic and only being okay with it because I was writing Lavender Sand to heal the damage I was doing to my own soul.

And Hinata was so worried about being a failure and facing Sasori... but he was so tender.

Hinata so desperately wants to be useful to them. She didn’t want to be what she thought she was, useless, a burden. But in this moment she almost wants it to be confirmed that this is the final straw because then she doesn’t have to find out what is worse in their eyes. My heart. T-T

I can't even imagine how they felt when they found out what happened in Suna. 

Head cannons on what they thought while she was still there? Kisame freaking out Sasori and Deidara came back without her? Plans to get her out if they didn’t let her go? Worrying if she would even choose to come back? (Mainly Sasori because he’s always worried about Gaara)

How hard did it hit everyone thinking that they almost lost her that really cemented that they didn’t want to, that they couldn’t bear it.

Now... Sasohina. Sasori already knew about Gaara, and Gaara found out about Sasori. 

Really would have been amazing to end this wonderful love triangle with Hinata ending up with Sasori, wouldn’t it? This is the problem with soft harem is that you just want her to end up with everyone separately, but she can only end up with one of them. T-T

Lavender Clouds

Pairing: Sasuke x Hinata Rating: T

Description: Hinata runs away from home into the arms of the Akatsuki. Bonds with Itachi. Saves his brother. Learns to reverse Gentle Fist. Raises a demon baby?

Tags: Adventure  |  Fluff and Angst  |  Romance  |  Slow Burn  |  Happy Ending  |  Akatsuki Hyuuga Hinata  |  Hyuuga Hinata-centric  |  Akatsuki Uchiha Sasuke  |  Canon-Typical Violence

@nikandrros

[softguarnere]

GIVE ME THE ZENIE’S HEADSPACE ANALYSIS FOR THE MOST RECENT CHAPTER I NEED IT

Of course my dear!! 🫶🏼

God, when I tell you chapter 13 KILLED ME to write. I am having so many thoughts.

Okay, so Zenie is the kind of person who is pretty much always operating under the assumption that she's the least wanted in any scenario. She has good reason to believe this - her father makes it very clear that she is not loved; she feels left behind/disconnected from her siblings; her "best friend" really just kept her around for a laugh; and the only person she felt understood her has passed away. (While she and Bobby are friends and she does appreciate him, there is a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that maybe he's only helping her so that he can live vicariously through her since he also cannot fight in the war, but I digress.)

Then she meets Shifty. Even before he knows her secret, she feels seen by him. They're so similar, and, hey, wait a second . . . does he like her back? That's never happened before. She's on top of the world.

And then when Shifty says that he's not sure their relationship would work, it's a crushing blow that knocks her back down to earth. He might as well just be reaffirming everything she used to think about how she doesn't belong anywhere. When she hears all the "I don't wants" in chapter 13, it's pretty easy for her to overlook all the things that Shifty says he does like about her . . . And everything that he's trying to say before he gets cut off. ("But maybe we - ")

At the end of the chapter, Zenie is back in her old headspace, since it would appear that Shifty has just reaffirmed all her old beliefs. She's unsure of herself, she feels unwanted, she's anxious - all because she thinks that she's been rejected. (And if she was wrong about him liking her, what else might she be wrong about?) This headspace is going to carry over to chapter 14, where Zenie doesn't want to be alone with Shifty, since she assumes that being alone with him would just give him the chance to put the final nail in the coffin of what could have been.

But who knows what he might have said if Earl hadn't fired that gun?

In conclusion:

For this ask game!

[r6shippingdelivery]

What are your thoughts/headcanons on Ash x IQ, if any? It's a ship I like but to my knowledge it used to be semi-popular but it seems dead these days and fanart of them that is traceable to the original artist is hard to come by.

I am pretty ambivalent about this ship. It doesn't really appeal to me but I don't dislike it either 🤷 I'm pretty sure it was more popular in the early days since there was a very limited amount of female characters and the combinations for f/f ships were also extremely limited, so it made sense. However, after the roster has expanded like it has, there are a lot more options to ship them with other female characters that are more intriguing/appealing to the community. Which must suck for the real Ash/IQ fans, my condolences on that.

I think Ash and IQ might have bonded heavily during the early times of Rainbow, both being engineers and attackers, and also being some of the few women admitted into the program so far. They're also both pretty serious and hard-working, although Ash leans into workaholic while IQ is a perfectionist. They'd definitely be a power-couple, but I have the feeling that work comes first for them, and their relationship second. Also, if we follow the lore, their relationship is doomed the moment NH come into play NH ruining things again, what a surprise lmao.

The Ash vs. Kali fight would already put a huge stress on AshIQ, not to mention IQ seeming so enthusiastic about NH and spending time in their base and all... and IQ leaving Rainbow would be the final nail in the coffin. I think it would be a pretty ugly breakup tbh. Cause Ash would have felt her worries and problems about Kali and her group (not) integrating in Rainbow being dismissed/downplayed by her own partner, and IQ is too enamored of NH's tech that she'd feel like Ash is being unreasonable. Also, we know other ops felt betrayed by a mere teammate leaving (Thatcher with Smoke), and Pulse and Hibana's relationship didn't survive that either.

Things are looking much better for them in Extraction tho! We know Ash is in charge of REACT, so it's not far fetched she'd try to find and reach out to people to join, and it seems she thought of IQ pretty early on. And with no NH in sight mucking up things, they can keep being a power duo, but now fighting archeans instead of terrorists.

[dcafpaperback]

I'm sorry but we clearly have opposing views. Saying Ginny has flaws is one thing, but saying she's a Pick Me is another. She was badly portrayed, yes, and the movies were the final nail in her coffin.

I don't support calling her a Pick Me, first of all, because it gives leverage to her haters. This is exactly what I was saying and I already saw one Ginny hater using your post to justify their hatred. Typical.

Now the "internalized misogyny" stuff. People accuse Ginny of being "less feminine" as if not being overly girly dismiss her own womanhood and how her experience in the books is shaped by being a girl woman. Then they state that Ginny's complaint of Fleur is because the latter is more feminine than Ginny. I'm pretty sure Ginny disliked Fleur for being condescending and not for being a woman. Unless these same people are saying that women as a whole are condescending.

To me it seems that her haters hate the fact that Ginny was revisited as a character so now they need to bash her with different tactics. As I said, if we can't call her a slut, let's call her a Pick Me. We can't call her a flat character, let's call her a Mary Sue. See what I mean? The other day I saw someone criticizing that she was good at Quidditch.

What else? Call her a Pick Me for having hormones? Reduce her whole personality as "she's doing to please someone"?

If you wanna discuss Ginny's flaws, that's fine. But calling her a Pick Me is reductive and I stand by that.

I stated in my previous post that I understand Ginny was being that way towards Fleur because Fleur was being condescending towards their household in the first place. And it is justified. But her beauty literally had nothing to do with her personality. I think you are missing the part where Harry said 'she is not that bad' and then hastily added 'still ugly though' just to validate Ginny's feelings. The same Harry who refused to call Hermione ugly to please Cho, called his future sister in law ugly just to please Ginny. It was not of his usual character and it shows that Ginny at that time clearly had a problem with people appreciating Fleur's beauty. They BOTH were in the wrong here. And putting another girl down, quite firmly and purposely in front of her guy best friends for not knowing a particular field of interest that she excelled in, is by definition a pick me behavior. And that was where JKR's personal internalized misogyny was speaking. And I said it multiple times that this also counts as a flaw, which is acceptable, because at the end of the day she was a teenager. I am not one of those haters who thinks she is a flat character, or criticizes her quidditch skills. I spent the majority of my time in this fandom loving and defending her. You disagree with me that is totally fine. I respect it. I already gave you long paragraphs explaining why I feel this way, I don't owe you any further explanations. If you scroll further down my blog, you'll know this blog is devoted to Hinny and Harry. I still love them both, flaws and all.