#idk i’m just a very big fan of this trope lol

[tired-biscuit]

the thing about friends to lovers that is so appealing to me is that you already know everything there is to know about that person, and yet when romantic love and intimacy get involved, it’s like a whole new world opens up and you get to explore it together, hand in hand

all of a sudden everything is foreign and exciting and thrilling again, but at the same the comfort of familiarity remains, making you feel safe and more confident in your decisions and actions that have to do with the relationship

[bicth-and-in-that-order]

Rambling thoughts of various Yuri manga I’ve read

1. Kase-San and Yamada (Morning Glories sequel series) by Hiromi Takashima

notice how Kase’s name is first, which is representative of her being the main one to cause problems in their relationship

If you asked me what my favorite yuri manga was like 2-3 years ago, I’d say Morning Glories and Kase San everytime. Every avid yuri fan has either read or watched Morning Glories because, at the time in 2010, it was groundbreaking, and I stand by the fact that the original series still holds up to this day. It was cute, sweet, wholesome and only had a few obligatory “we love each other but we’re giRLs😳😳😳” moments. Most of all it wasn’t a pseudo-incest-straight-male-porn-pandering-garbage-fest—also known as “Citrus”. Was it cliche at times? Yes, but they all are lol. Did they add to the dumb ass “blonde femme and dark hair masc” trope? Also yes. But it was adorable and it was my first ever yuri so it holds a special place in my heart.

And it SEEMED like it was only going to get better in Kase San and Yamada, the sequel. The girls would be heading to college and the story could theoretically focus on more mature topics while they navigate their new relationship. Keyword: theoretically. Unfortunately, instead of exploring interesting relationship dynamics and storylines, the plot of each story arc boils down to: Kase is insecure because a man breathed next to Yamada or Kase is being completely insensitive to Yamada’s feelings…again…—> ✨miscommunication drama ✨—>big over dramatic apology scene—>boring makeup sex or other romantic gesture.

Literally that’s how every single plotline goes. Kase is so goddamn dumb and insensitive to Yamada’s feelings and Yamada’s a complete doormat who can only stay mad for 0.2 seconds before getting pussy whipped like a spineless ass bitch. And for all that Yamada sacrifices for Kase; her hometown, her dreams, her apartment, what does she get in return from Kase? Oh that’s right; bare minimum romantic gestures and a neglectful partner who can’t even call her “girlfriend” in front of others:

Like I thought we were over this shit. It’s been THREE years of them together, a whole anime production, and god knows how many irl years and we’re going back to “we love each other but we’re giRLs😳😳😳” WHY???

And then Kase later goes onto bet her entire three year relationship over the ugly bitch in the next panel, so now I’m questioning whether or not Kase even loves Yamada with the amount of bullshit she’s put her through. Which COULD be an interesting plot point, but Kase never gets any consequences for her actions and the creator genuinely thinks this is romantic and full of tension so I’m 10000% positive that this arc, just like all the others, will end with some makeup sex and we’ll be right back to step 1. Sigh.

2. Tamen De Gushi by Tan Jiu

Tamen De Gushi’s problems are interesting but it’s NOT because of the Chinese government💀

So today’s dark haired masc and blonde femme of the day are Sun Jing and Qiu Tong, respectively. Their personalities aren’t anything to write home about, if you read ANY high school yuri romance, then you know exactly what happens in this story beat for beat. But, BUT, however derivative it is, I find their dynamic very endearing and down to earth. Idk maybe it’s just the translation, but other yuri stories often have this very inauthentic “anime” vibe to it. Which is to say the characters act very cutesy, overly dramatic, and have this stilted, caricature-esque acting of how the creator thinks teenage girls are supposed act.

However, I’m happy to report that Tamen De Gushi is a breath of fresh air in this regard. The characters and interactions they have are grounded and feel organic, which makes them feel like real people, not aliens pretending to be human. This really elevates the humor in turn, oh did I mention that Tamen De Gushi is super funny? Because Tamen De Gushi is super funny, here’s one of my favorite panels and it’s all because of Sun Jing’s goofy ahh expression:

Like go girl give us nothing

If you’re wondering why I haven’t spoke much about the actual romantic relationship between the girls, that’s because there isn’t one💀 Which, okay, that’s not a fair assessment, they have a ton of romantic tension and they flirt a lot. It’s certainly building to a great romantic relationship, but it can’t quite get there due to legal/political reasons sadly. 😔

Edit: I received new information in regards to what happened to Tamen De Gushi. While I reached my limit for posting pictures, I want to point out that the Chinese government had nothing to do with Tamen De Gushi getting censored, rather it was a dispute between the author and the publishing company. The prior information I received was false and I prob should’ve looked it up more so sorrrry. The fact still remains though that after their big lesbian kiss towards the middle of the story and maybe a few other moments, that’s just kind of it. You’re stuck waiting for something to develop, but nothing really happens. The comic very quickly becomes a collection of slice of life segments and cute pictures that imply a relationship between the girls, but not really ;) ;).  Now things are just kind of left in purgatory for the foreseeable future and, well, that’s Tamen De Gushi y’all.

Compared to Kase San and Yamada, the characters were much better, which is not saying much, but without an actual romantic storyline, there’s just not a lot for me to comment on to be honest. It’s really pretty though, look at this art :

3. Beauty and the Beast Girl by Neji

my personal favorite and the BEST yuri I ever read

So next on the list is Beauty and the Beast Girl (I’m going to abbreviate to BatBG from here on) , which I already spoiled my feelings on the matter so this will basically be me gushing about this story for several paragraphs straight, enjoy.

Contrary to what the title suggests, it really has nothing to do with Beauty and the Beast’s story except in name. The main girls are Lily Blind, who is actually fucking blind 💀 and Heath the monster girl. Already I’m happy because instead of blonde femme and dark hair butch, it’s blonde femme and of-course-you-have-purple-hair-and-pronouns masc. Lol, all jokes aside, Lily, unlike her blonde femme counterparts is quite assertive and voices her opinions all the time. In fact, she’s the one who pushes Heath to be more open and communicate with her rather than the other way around. This is, in part, due to the story BatBG is trying to tell. I say BatBG is in name only to Beauty and the Beast because Lily isn’t trying to find the “beauty” within Heath or learning to love a beast or whatever, she’s fine just the way she is and her love for Heath is unconditional. Plus the only thing beastly about Heath is her appearance…which I’ll harp on later, but her behavior is in no way different from a regular human except in very rare, specific moments.

At its heart, BatBG is a story about forgiveness (the creator literally says as much) , but it’s also about the cycle of violence that results from being outcasted and deprived of love. BatBG is set in a world of humans and monsters, where the monsters are outcasted and either have to stay away from human society like Heath or assimilate themselves by hiding away their monster like traits, which is a really queer narrative on top of an already queer story. I don’t want to go into too much spoilers, but sometime before the beginning of the story, Heath in-directly hurts Lily before they ever meet. However, it’s not about Lily needing to forgive Heath, or trying to get over the pain she inflicted upon her, rather its Heath learning to forgive herself and in effect, learning to love herself as much as Lily loves her.

Another big aspect of BatBG is disabilities, Lily Blind is in fact Blind lol and while there are times she struggles with her blindness, she never views her disability as something she needs to be ashamed of and never, ever, blames Heath for it or holds it against her unlike what many, many, many, many other stories end up doing. Her blindness isn’t treated like a super power either, it’s a legitimate disability. She just accepts that it’s a part of her and goes onto say that if not for her blindness, she would’ve never met the love of her life, which I found to be an incredibly profound thing to say.

Now that I’ve gotten this far, I suppose I can add a bit of a disclaimer. So BatBG is waaaaay more explicit about the physical affection between the girls than in any of the previous stories I talked about. Heath and Lily are constantly kissing on, hugging, and almost always flirting with each other, and make no mistake, these girls do be fucking. The sex scenes are never perverted or gross, but genuinely super sweet and romantic, which makes it way hotter imo (huh imagine that🤔). And aside from being hot, it also serves a purpose! Lily’s pretty damn horny underneath all her nice girl antics and while it’s not a major part of her character, it does give a slight edge to her personality and, most importantly, balances out the dynamic between Heath and Lily. It would’ve been very easy to fall into that boring trope where Heath is aggressively horny and Lily is the submissive blind girl, but by making Lily be the one to initiate the sexual encounters, it not only compliments Heath’s more reserved nature, but breaks the stereotype that people with disabilities are pure precious being who couldn’t possibly have sex, which is ableist af btw. Many people think the existence of any sex scenes at all is superfluous, but in BatBG, it truly elevates the story, the characters, and the romance in ways that wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying without it.

Now, with as much praise I gave BatBG, there is one criticism I have, but it’s a quibble really, and it can be explained in a single image:

There is a dissonance between the story and the art, the story says: “Heath is a big, ugly scary monster”

The art says:

And like yes, it can be argued that Heath is simply regurgitating the things bigoted people have said to her, but at no point in the story is this ever challenged or brought up in any meaningful way. Lily is blind so she doesn’t know what the hell she looks like and the other characters aren’t any help either. It’s not a big deal or anything, it just would’ve elevated the story if Heath was actually kinda ugly/more monstrous and not incredibly beautiful because right now it’s giving skinny girl who calls herself fat all the time, and it’s like, babe, who tf are you fooling? 😭

Other than that, BatBG is incredibly profound despite its premise being so deceptively simple and I love it to pieces so …yeah! READ IT.

4. Superwomen in Love! Honey Trap and Rapid Rabbit by sometime

Well, at least there are no blondes

So imma just abbreviate to SiL btw

Alright, let’s get started. The premise is that a villainess falls for the super hero girl and then that plotline is dropped in about 16 pages. I’m not even joking, the villainess falls for the hero, loses her job as a villain and then joins the hero all in one chapter. The REAL plot is actually about a council of evil alien-humans who want to destroy humanity because of generic super villain reason #434: the leader of the aliens is sad and misunderstood :( I’m not even going to lie, I had 0 interest in “X” (the generic ass name of the main villain) and her band of useless lesbians. They did literally nothing in the story except be a nuisance and contribute to X’s incel breakdown at the end. Their inclusion actively made SiL worse because the story has this weird tonal problem where in one breath the villains are portrayed as complete jokes and then you turn the page and now they’re shooting children like girl what💀 And these useless lesbians hog sooooo much of SiL that desperately needed to be given to Honey trap and Hayate to develop their relationship.

When the story DOES actually focus on Honey Trap and Hayate, it’s pretty good, even cute at times, there just wasn’t enough time given to them to flesh their relationship out. As it stands, Honey Trap and Hayate don’t have much of a dynamic, or personality for that matter. Honey Trap’s main gimmick is that she’s extremely horny for Hayate and delulu:

Aside from that, she’s a great value version of Heath, but even a watered down character is better than, like, nothing. All I really know about Hayate is that she’s nice, heroic, likes wearing tacky clothes and ….that’s it. She loves Honey Trap because…………they fought together a few times so why not🤷‍♀️ I’d say at least that’s better than Tamen De Gushi, but actually it’s not because these grown ass women don’t even kiss , all we get is a love confession and their gremlin love child and that’s supposed to be satisfying I guess.

And the worst part is that SiL has the audacity to pretend the romance was something that it clearly wasn’t:

Girl…yall were “””enemies””” for 10 panels.

Now, it’s stated they have been rivals for a while, but I guess Honey Trap forgot all of that because the moment she sees Hayate’s face, my good sis is pussy whipped for life. And that’s in spite of apparently being the evilest one out of the evil group because Honey Trap has no grudge or baggage toward Hayate. She immediately turns good with no issues and Hayate is only distrustful of Honey Trap for 1 or 2 speech bubbles and then she’s not. Anything else that happened was off screen, which means it didn’t happen. Ironically, the very next entry on this list will do a MUCH better job at an ex-villain love story, but for SiL, there’s just not much going on.

Another reading of this story is to call it a “parody” but…no, it isn’t. SiL isn’t a comedy, yes there are comedic moments that poke fun of the genre, but the rest of the story genuinely wants you to take it seriously. Except it can’t. X and her league of dimwits are boring as piss and they oscillate between Saturday morning cartoon villains and child murderers seemingly on a whim. So I can neither be endeared to them nor take them as a serious threat. Honey Trap and Hayate are there, but I lament on all the potential lost from what could’ve been an amazing relationship.

5. Yamujiburo/Kianamaiart’s Hanamusa webcomic

This one is kind of cheating, but I also don’t care let me talk about hot MILFs💀

So the final entry on this list is a webcomic series by one of my fave artist: kianamaiart! And it’s right here on tumblr so check it out!

I stumbled upon this webcomic a few weeks ago, fell in love and now I want to talk about it. This yuri pair thankfully has no blonde femme in sight and instead features two popular Pokémon characters: Jessie from Team Rocket and Delia Ketchum, Ash Ketchum’s mom. What I love about this ship and the world Kiana creates around them is that it’s a very unconventional pairing. There’s just not many romances where a single mom falls in love with an ex gang member and the best part is, Delia being a mom is a big part of her character and she doesn’t ignore Ash in favor of her new relationship with Jessie. She has time for both and doesn’t prioritize one over the other, which many ppl fail to do even irl so good on you Delia!

Now, as for the romance it self, Jessie and Delia are a unique pair. Jessie’s overconfident, brash, drama queen personality doesn’t automatically put her in the “dominant” role and Delia’s sweet, motherly personality doesn’t automatically put her in the “submissive” role. Their dynamic in the webcomic actually plays out in the reverse, Jessie is the one who gets easily flustered and Delia’s…intense, to say the least:

(But Tbf if Delia looked at me like that I’d be at her beck and call too💀)

This subversion of these tropes creates a fun dynamic for the couple and it’s super adorable to see how their energies bounce off each other in each new situation Kiana puts them in. I also love how both Jessie and Delia inspire each other to live out their dreams and they become better versions of themselves by being together.

And one last thing, I don’t have any smart commentary to go along with this, I just really like this drawing of Jessie:

no thoughts, head empty

Final Thoughts

Soooo yeah, that’s the end of my dissertation on yuri comics. I know I ended up dragging a lot of popular yuri, but it wasn’t my intention to make you guys hate any of things I talked about. These were just my thoughts as an avid yuri fan, so let me know your thoughts as well, especially if you read any of the yuri I talked about. And even though I’m super picky about the type of yuri I read, I’d still love to hear any recommendations. Who knows, it might dethrone the undefeated champ that is Beauty and the Beast Girl.

[littlecrittereli]

Hello! Big fan! But one thing I notice about ur AUs got me thinking, do u ship Aviva x Martin or any other ships?

Not really! I don’t have anything against Aviva x Martin but I honestly just see them as good friends :)

I’m not really into ships?? Maybe it’s bc I’m aroace LOL

But idk I just love a good group of friends who platonically take care of each other

Im assuming you’re talking about guardianship AU where I kinda refer to Aviva as Chris’ motherly figure. In that AU it’s like a “it takes a village to raise a child” kinda trope. So they are all very involved in Chris’ upbringing, Aviva and Martin especially so, but they aren’t in a romantic relationship

[biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer]

hiii :3!! Could you do a gn!reader x geo one bed left trope pls :3? (IM A SUCKER FOR TJAT DYNAMIC PLS ☹️)

A Lone Respite (Geo x MC/Reader - One Bed)

Hope you enjoy Annonie.

You're in an established relationship with Geode muahahaha

Anyway uhhhhh. Yuh.

- Signed by biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer

Lone: having no companions; solitary or single.

Respite: a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

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

You and Geo had decided...well, you decided — you just had to stubbornly convince him — to go travel places after school. Specifically Japan and possibly parts of Europe.

So when you both finally flew there (on Geo’s private jet of course), it mostly entailed him just taking you to all the fanciest places (because he’s 110% new-money-rich...or old money idk) and just showing you around. 

Most people actually don’t side eye you (because you know how some tourists like to assault the Geishas and all that? I don’t blame the Japanese personally), and some are just happy that A. (at least) one of you two speaks the language and knows the culture well; and B. that you (if not of Japanese descent, which I know is most of you readers), are trying to speak their language. 

I’m 99% sure Geo has Japanese citizenship, so if –when– you get married, you bet your ass you’re getting one as well (muahahaha)

You both are just going to places he knows are good, mostly in the more urban cities, like Tokyo,  until you both decide to visit the more coastal regions.

Geo does not live near the beach, so you’ll have to book out a hotel (this mf will book everything reluctantly lol; he’s not a fan of hotels at all, he probably thinks they’re filthy).

Anyway, after you both just wander around a beach (probs the Ishigaki one idfk), you return to the hotel you guys booked and…well…you get your keys, go to your room and...

One bed.

One single bed (heheheh imagine making your requester suffer couldn’t be me).

And Geo is malding. Very very stoically.

He’s death-staring the bed, a very cold, menacing glint in his ocean eyes.

You’re a bit concerned, because you know Geo isn’t gonna share a bed with you; and annoyed, because now Geo was probably gonna lose his McMarbles™.

So, you both take your stuff and leave to the reception (mostly him stalking out, vehement ornery in the rigidity of his posture).

You stayed behind to watch over your things, in case Geo deemed this place unworthy and dragged you both out.

And, well, that’s exactly what happened.

He came back and proceeded to bluntly state you’re leaving.

“We’re going, they refunded us.”

“Geo what-”

So you both go somewhere else, because, apparently, they didn’t have other rooms to spare with a double bed, then the staff started claiming he hadn’t even paid for it, so he got his money-decked ass (and yours) outta there ASAP.

Anyway, by the time you get to another hotel, Geo states, in Japanese, something that seemed formal, at least it sounded formal, you didn’t know lmfao.

Due to the fact it was getting later in the night, and Geo is a very big fan of beauty sleep, the first thing he does is check the bed.

A n o t h e r   v e r y   l o n e l y   b e d. (can we have 100 likes for the lonely bed thank you😔)

At least it was a queen sized bed this time.

It takes 27 minutes of pure debate, but you convince Geo to just sleep, because you’re both tired —and you told him people who get stressed get wrinkles and he doesn’t want those lol–.

So he pulls out one of those weird lights that reveal stains on bedsheets and whatnot (you know those janky ones that people use to check if their bed is actually clean or not?). And he’s *very* paranoid about cleanliness. He hates dirt.

Thank God the bed is actually clean, so Geo immediately unpacks the bare necessities and steals the bathroom (dw he already checked it as well it’s clean).

Yeah bro I’m sorry this man won’t let you wash up before him.

He might even be a germaphobe tbh.

Anyway, after his very long, very amazing skincare routine and shower, Geo emerges, his hair loosely falling down his lanky frame (omg omg omg bark bark woof?!?!?!?!!?!?!).

He tells you to hurry up and usurps a side of the bed (probably the one nearest to the restroom so he can freshen up bright and early).

So when you shower and get out of the restroom, he’s telling you to sleep. (also btw, he’s gonna crack all his joints before sleeping, he probably even meditates, so be quiet when you’re in the restroom).

You better make sure to not snore or kick in your sleep though, this man will throw you off the bed if he has to, sleep is superior to relationships for him (such a mood tbh).

But usually when it comes to one bed, he’s gonna take it from you. (He’d have to really like you to share a bed with you in the first place).

If you are the type to get nervous when sleeping in an unfamiliar place though? He’ll “reluctantly” offer his arms and you squish into him. (don’t push it guys I know it’s tempting ngh)

He’ll also be the type to go to a buffet (there is definitely gonna be one, he refuses to go to anyplace that doesn’t have one, especially in the more remote areas of any country).

So expect, when he wakes you up at like 7am, to be served food at a table. He won’t allow eating in bed, both from the fact it’s weird to him and also just…what if you drop some food or something??? He’d get embarrassed on your behalf…

But after that funny time is over, you both continue to traverse Japan, deciding to put that time behind you. Well, Geo does. You 110% are gonna try and sleep in his arms more often now. >:)

[blakbonnet]

AUTHOR OF THE WEEK: @adhduck

Please give it up for the nicest and one of the most creative writers in this fandom: Duck! I'm just such a fan because not only does Duck manage to write the softest, gentlest, loveliest Ed and Stede (both together and apart), their fics somehow perpetually keep me looking like 🥹 all the time ough. And they were very very nice about sharing their writing process with me:

What's your writing process like? Do you start with the beginning or the end? Do you write in order or as the scenes come to you?

Mostly it’s the Taika “look at a document for 8 hours and then close the document,” honestly. I’m a very slow writer and lose motivation very easily, so I mostly get by on the muse’s fire hydrant and forcing myself to write those fifty words even when every single one feels so bad.

I go moooostly beginning to end because even though I’m generally an outliner, I always end up with little details that will affect later scenes and I don’t wanna lose continuity or have to rewrite a bunch. However, I do definitely let myself do a [finish this scene later] and move on to the next scene because otherwise I will get really fucking stuck, and sometimes I’ll write a line or a paragraph I thought of that sounds really good and tuck it away for a later scene.

Favourite trope or headcanon you like to explore while writing?

Ooooooooh, I don’t know if this is a trope but there’s just nothing I love more than huge feelings contained in mundane stories, of feelings so big you can’t actually express them and so they’re this constant hum throughout the story. I also love writing about touch for both of them, how Ed gives casual touch to hide the deep well of desire for intimate touch, how Stede is so unused to touch and craves it so deeply. (Can you tell I just really like subtle yet overwhelming emotions? Maybe it’s the aroace in me idk but that shit hits HARD.) Oh, and I love a fuckin’ allegory or object to discuss all those big feelings, whether it’s monsters or gardening or peaches or what the fuck ever (I have used all of these lol).

Whose voice is easier to write - Ed or Stede? Why?

I think Ed’s voice comes to me faster because the way I personally speak is closer to Ed’s voice, but it also means I’m sometimes double-checking myself to make sure I’m still deep in his voice, not my-voice-but-Ed. Stede isn’t necessarily harder for me, I’m just doing all that double-checking to make sure I’m not slipping into Ed voice or, god forbid, Aziraphale-lite voice. So, idk! I love writing them both, the little details of each of their inner dialogues are SO important to me (Ed’s tangents and his pshh-I-don’t-care moments, Stede actively avoiding thinking about things he doesn’t want to face, etc etc etc).

Your personal favourite thing you've written that you'd like more people to read

For the longest time it was There is Love That Doesn’t Have a Place to Rest, mostly because it was posted the day before another fic and, while I find them to be siblings and equal quality,  the other one got way more attention. That fic is about the time between signing the Act of Grace and getting to the academy and I think I really nailed where the two of them are at.

However! (And I know this is cheating okay shh.) Nowadays the one that I wish people read the most is Not Only the Sugar, But the Days. It’s the sequel to my “offscreen 30 year slowburn friends to lovers finally get together” fic and I put my whole fucking heart into it, honestly. The two boys basically go on a bunch of dates to live out the teenage experiences they never got together and work through the biggest feelings and I just! Really want people to see it! (It also can be read as a standalone, which I didn’t advertise super well lol.)

What is the one word that you think you use a lot?

Unfortunately it’s probably “just” or “a little” or filler words like that. Also obviously if the word fuck counts then, yeah, that. Maybe warm? Or something about yearning??? If I have a classic word please tell me I’m fascinated by this idea.

Do you have a beta reader? Have they made you a better writer?

The person who beta’s for basically all my fics is Owen @trans-top-stede and they are sooooo fucking helpful and incredible. So good at catching all the little things I miss, making sex scenes make sense, reminding me positioning in general is a thing, cheerleading me on, etc etc etc. My fics are so much better for their help.

Why OFMD 🥹

Ed and Stede just fit so fucking well into all sorts of AU’s (they try to invent their own AU’s in canon, even) while also having so much fun space to explore within canon. Their range is also perfect perfect perfect for writing fics—they can be in the wells of misery and fluffy as fuck and obnoxiously cheesy and realistic all in the same fic, if you want, and it’s completely accurate to their canon selves. It’s also helped me to embrace being silly and cheesy and earnest because life is about being yourself and finding your people and feeling deeper, feeling bigger, feeling more authentically without fear of being too much. Fuck I just really love these boys. (Also they’re so pretty and the whole crew’s so pretty we WON.)

Please head over to @ofmdlovelyletters (who also made the header) and send your love to all your favourite authors (and authors of the week 😈 watch that blog for some special letters coming your way)

[thequietesthing]

Bridgerton S3 Part 1 REVIEW!!!

Gentle readers, the time is finally upon us…

SPOILERS AHEAD - books and tv show 

Read at you your own risk

let’s go storyline by storyline

Polin: I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOR. they are great. the first episode you wanna smack CB up and down bc he behaves like an ass. Pen my darling i love you but some of your scenes give me second hand embarrassment and i had to watch them thru my fingers lol. I enjoyed the insertion of the character of Lord Debling; he was there, he did his part, which was basically making Colin more evidently jealous. In the books there is no need for that because we follow the thought process of the characters, but in a visual adaptation they have no way to do that so they used the old fashioned jealousy trope, that never disappoints. Confession time, I’m really not a big fan of friends to lovers because a lot of times there is the risk of falling into a series of banalities, BUT in the series, like in the books, it was really really well done. I like how they showed the progressive obsession that Colin has with Penelope, (and I feel like the best is yet to come), because of one thing you can be sure is that that man is OBSESSED with his (future) wife. Scene in the carriage: NAILED IT. Personally I’m also really fond of the scene in the book when he follows her and finds out that she’s LW, which from the promo for the second part I assume will happen (yey!). ALSO THE MIRROR SCENE. I’M WAITING.

Moving on

Francesca: my beloved. Not only do we share a name, but also a core deep awkwardness and the inability to be at the center of attention for more than two minutes straight; not to mention a deep appreciation for silence. I’M LOVING her storyline, I think it has great potential, and we’re finally discovering something more of the mysterious Bridgerton. The way I SCREAMED when John presented himself at Bridgerton House!!!! He is also a sweetheart and they are absolutely lovely together (this characterisation is needed as it will serve as a counterbalance for Michael later). Also Hannah Dodd is just the sweetest tootie-patootie and has such an angel face (which makes me really eager to see her in her season, IYKYK). Idk if you can tell that her book is my favourite lol.

Eloise: my girl, I cannot blame you. Like, let’s be honest, when a friend keeps something from you, especially of such magnitude, you can’t help of being a bit mad. I do think that she still has a great love for Penelope and it shows during these first four episodes. Also, only Eloise can make Cressida Cowper nice apparently. I think it’s going to be very interesting in the second part see her trying to protect her brother from Pen’s secret, but I do believe that in the promo that they showed us there are mostly scenes from episode 5 and 6. She has embraced the mentality if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em, which makes her less “contrary” to society but she still has her quirkiness and wit that distinguishes from the rest.

Kanthony: they are happy, they are in love and they are enjoying their marital bed, and honestly who can blame them?! I love that they are happy and that they are showing us them being happy. I feel that is something that lacked with Daphne and the Duke because of actors unavailability, but I’m happy that both Johnny and Simone decided to continue. Especially Johnny because I have to say I’m a sucker for Anthony as “father-figure” for the youngest siblings, so I’m hoping for a scene with Frannie/Eloise/Gregory/Hyacinth and Anthony, even in future seasons.

Benedict/Violet: I really think that the next season will be Benedict season, and I will elaborate later why, because my man here needs a change of scenery. 3 seasons, every single time the same freaking storyline for my beautiful Benny that is a precious soul and could do so much more than to shag the first person that comes across his path. Violet is really sweet. She worries for her children a lot, like it’s normal for any mother but she’s learning, with a trial-error approach, how to let a bit go. I’m not entirely convinced of this Marcus guy. I think that Lady Danbury needs to sit Violet down and come clean of why she and her brother are estranged because she (being me) needs to know. 

Mondrich family: they are so cute, but I feel (and hope) that we will be able to close their story this season because it’s starting to feel a bit dragged on.

All in all, the first part of S3 gets 4,5/5⭐️

Now, my predictions: like I said before I do think that the next season will be Benedict turn, and not Francesca or Eloise, for the following reasons

1.They don’t know what to do with the poor guy anymore, every season a different person but his story arc feels a bit incomplete. They did something last season with the whole art school debacle but we are mostly back to square one.

2.Eloise has not given any indication that she has started writing to Mr.Philip. I think she will start at the end of this season or beginning of the next one.

3.Since we don’t have anymore debutantes for a while, I think next season will begin with Francesca and John’s wedding, and as a secondary storyline they will start to show more of their relationship + they will introduce Michael and all their dynamics. 

4.If they continue, I believe Eloise will have the fifth season , with her running away after Benedict (her favourite brother) gets married. 

ALSO, and this is more a personal curiosity, I wonder what they will do with LW. Technically, in the books Penelope is discovered and LW dies out; in fact in E/F/H/G we don’t have any LW at the beginning of the chapters but extrapolates of letters from the main character to other characters. It’s interesting I think because, if they do decide to cut her out completely, it will change the format of the series quite a bit as it has become such a core part of how the show is perceived by the audience. Which leads me to a reflection on how they decided to promote/present the show. If Benedict is actually next, I think it will be a bit of a transitional season. Let me explain myself; I don’t think that the queen (and the court in general) will have a big role like she’s been having for the past seasons because the next Bridgerton debutante will be Hyacinth, which is quite a few seasons away. We won’t have anymore LW (technically) and also the stages set in the books, especially for E, but also for F partially, takes place far way from London. If they actually manage to get to H/G seasons (which I hope because I want to see Garrett and Lucy), they will bring back the entire London setting. OBVIOUSLY ASSUMING THAT THEY FOLLOW WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOKs AND DON'T DECIDE TO SWITCH IT UP AND MAKE EVERYTHING HAPPEN IN LONDON (honestly, I hope not)

All this to say that I think that they split this season for two reasons: one of purely economical nature; being the fact that they have been absent from the screens for very long and in order to keep the people talking about the series more (and for longer) and to regain all the money spent, is very strategic to split it in half, keeping engagement high for all the time before/in between/after. The second reason I think is of narrative choices, if we assume that I’m right and Benedict is next, for the reasons I told you before. They want to show a bit of a detachment between the Bridgerton we have known until know and the one that will come later.

Ok I’m done. Gosh, how I ramble.

I have a sixth sense that I need to add this, just to be sure: these are my opinions, feel free not to share them just please be nice if you want to manifest your disagreement.

[princessfbi]

okey so i need some tv recs for this hiatus 911 fan overall procedure fans i guess that's all the vibe i can think of to ask lol so hit me with your recs

EXCELLENT! So glad you’ve come to me Nonnie. I am honored. This is in no particular order but in terms of general procedurals with similar 911 vibes I’ve got a couple:

1. Sirens

It’s about a paramedic team in Chicago and it’s fucking hilarious. We're talking laugh out loud can still quote it from memory hilarious. There’s two seasons and each episode is about 25 minutes so it’s easy to get through. There is a British counterpart that is also funny but it’s definitely a different tone for sure.

**If you were a fan of Arrow then you'll recognize Josh Segarra

***Also you can scream with me and @lucydonato about the show

2. ER

I always describe 911 to people as ER for first responders. Part of that is because it’s so episodic. It gets really melodramatic at times and there are a LOT of story lines but for the most part the general stakes keep to one episode at a time and the show gives you permission to let things go which is nice. I’m a fan of the earlier seasons as opposed to the later seasons but Angela Bassett is in the last season. Lots of great guest spots and very character driven.

**Characters do die in this show so be aware of MCD warnings. No one is safe in that show. Except maybe Noah Wylie but that's cus it's Noah Wylie.

3. Numb3rs

It’s an awesome crime procedural with a twist on it. The oldest brother, Don, is an FBI agent who has his baby brother, Charlie, help him solve crime using math. This show has all the tropes too. Brother relationship, found family, etc etc.

4. Psych

It’s a procedural with a much lighter tone. Shawn pretends to be psychic and solves crime. It’s chaotic and messy and wonderful and perfect.

**Gives me coming home from the pool and vegging on the couch summer vibes.

5. Castle

On the same side of the coin, it’s another procedural with a twist. Castle is a successful mystery novelist who helps solve crime. Nathan Fillion for those fans of The Rookie and there's a lot powerful female characters in it.

6. Murder, She Wrote

MSW walked so that Castle could run. This is an oldie but a good. Angela Lansbury is a mystery writer who solves crime. It’s super cool knowing that she insisted on hiring a lot of older guest stars so that they could continue to be in the union and get their benefits. Also omg the 80s/90s wardrobe. There's also a couple of episodes with other detectives and crime solvers when Angela started to get tired carrying the weight of quality television on her shoulders.

7. Drop Dead Diva

THIS is such a good law procedural. It has the added bonus as having the same casting director as 911 so you’ll see a lot of familiar faces. But Deb is a model who died and got reincarnated in the body of a plus size lawyer named Jane and it’s the most wonderful little nugget that just existed in its own space. It was SO ahead of it's time on certain issues and it deals with a variety of topics such as body shaming, slut shaming, mental health, etc in such a kind and compassionate and positive way.

**Gives me late summer 'I haven't moved from the couch and omg it's season three' vibes

8. Scorpion

A team of geniuses (with neurodivergent representation in action genre scenarios) who help solve crime and crisis situations for homeland security. Lots of found family feelings! SO MANY! Big time character driven show.

9. White Collar

A white collar criminal agrees to help solve crime with the FBI agent who arrested him. Neal is so whumpable and it's one of the few times I've seen a fandom really embrace the idea of a poly relationship in fanon? Idk I wasn't really in it but the fics I saw all seemed to agree that no one would complain if Peter, Neal, and Elizabeth all lived happily ever after with their golden retriever. NOW, I will say this is a Jeff Eastin show and he has a tendency to take the amazing female characters in the show, throw them in a blender, and then bring them back as Frankenstein's monster bride and act like he didn't just ruin their character and it drives me fucking insane. BUT those first couple of seasons are fantastic.

Ask Me for TV Recs To Get You Through Hiatus

[vorelover23]

Missed Potential 😔

I’m still so upset that Street Fighter 5 gave us Necalli, this hot ass muscle man, who’s gimmick was literally Vore, and they proceeded to do nothing with that, both narratively and gameplay wise.

Like, I mean, yes we got that hot moment where he eats Akuma and gets a huge stomach on top of his muscles, before Akuma escapes (wish someone made an animated version of this or a live action recreation so badly), and don’t get me wrong, as a Vore moment in any media period, I think it’s one of the hottest ones, (I’m actually a big fan of the “be careful what you eat” Vore trope, of any over confident pred eating someone he perceives to not be a threat or problem, only for that to be their undoing, so Necalli this young hot muscle dude eating goddamn Akuma of all people, feeling all confident at first but noticing something not right, only to start gagging and throwing up, just to suddenly feel something going on in his stomach before he explodes from akuma’s wrath? Yeah I liked that lol) and incredibly underrated, but that was at the very end of his story. His gimmick is eating people and he never really did that or imposed a threat.

Imo, in the story, (*spoilers*) it would have been both a great narrative point, and hot, had Necalli, who’d been failing up to that point, at the end during the final segment, instead of us fighting M. bison again, for the 100th time, Necalli actually consumes Bison to everyone’s shock and surprise, and is the final boss/bad guy of the story. Perhaps as a story exclusive boss in this form “big belly Necalli” lol. Of course plot things after the fight would happen, and Bison would either escape Necalli’s stomach on his own, or Ryu or some other character would use their power to help him escape, but man, that would have been so awesome and a good use of the new at the time villain… (if anyone would like to do a alternate fan story retelling for SF5 and wants to do this, I think I’d love you, just sayin lol 👀)

Also, like, gameplay wise, he should have leaned more into the eating people aspect somehow. Like imagine one of his moves being what we see with akuma, where he grabs the person, consumes them and gets a big stomach for a bit before having to release the opponent. Or maybe that’s an ultimate finisher move! Gah, so much missed potential *sigh* and likely won’t be brought back in SF6 or any future titles given his poor reception. Idk I’m rambling lol

[skania]

What’s ur opinion on aqua and kanas relationship? I genuinely feels like they are going to platonic route and kana will soon get over her little crush on aqua and be genuinely good friends until the end. I have never gotten romantic feelings vibes from aqua when he’s with her.. yeah kana has lots of romantic moments and panels with him but it feels one sided and innocent compared with aquas relationship with Akane? Idk but I’m curious to what you think

I feel like this is the question. Where exactly does Aka intend to take their relationship?

Because, on one hand, I feel like the manga is written in such a way that it wants you to think it is romantic. It uses the subtlety of a hammer, the most low-hanging fruit possible (like characters continuously commenting on Aqua's feelings for Kana even when they spend dozens of chapters without interacting), in order to get the reader to assume Aqua has romantic feelings for Kana.

And it's even easier because after reading a few manga/watching a few anime, you come to recognize that when a girl is essentially said to be the light to a boy's darkness, it's safe to expect romance from that trope.

But the thing is, this all kind of falls apart when you take a closer look at the manga, because why are all the big scenes with Aqua going to Akane? Why have Akane and Aqua received so much development while Aqua and Kana have barely developed beyond Chapter 40?

So either Aka is going the route where the intended love interest is left on the sidelines, doing nothing of value until the end is near, and ends up with the main character simply because that's the character's entire purpose.

Or we're not supposed to take their relationship at face value. Considering how good Kana's character is, I feel like this option is the better deal out of the two.

This leads me directly to your question, because I do think that Aqua's feelings actually being platonic is the most interesting route and the one that gives more depth to the story. After all, it would also resolve the hanging question of: What exactly did Aqua feel for Ai? Because it seems pretty clear to me that Kana is his Oshi in very much the same way Ai was.

Pretty much everything Aqua is said to like about Ai, you can apply to Kana.

How cute she is? Check.

Her adorable ego? Check.

How tough she is? Check.

Her frank personality? Check.

Standing out? Check.

And of course, the way she shines? Check.

They're both even compared to the sun!

Even when Aqua describes Ai as his ideal girl, you can apply everything he says to Kana. So his feelings for Kana are intrinsically tied to whatever it is that he feels for Ai. Needless to say, Aqua's feelings for Ai falling firmly in platonic territory would be the best outcome for more reasons than one lol

Even then, maybe Aka wants to show both feelings being very similar but different all at once? Like having a "romantic" Oshi and a "platonic" one?

Could be, but according to this interview, Aka seems to see "Oshi" in a strictly platonic sense. He says that "Oshi" is a mentality where the fan does not want to have romantic feelings or ulterior motives towards the one they support, and that they just want to genuinely support and root for the person.

This isn't the first time he explores that concept either, he did the same thing in Kaguya-Sama and even used the exact same word to describe the girls' romantically-coded yet very much platonic feelings for the boy: Oshi [推し]

This is how he explained it:

With this mind, it's interesting to look back at the Love Now arc and at the First Concert arc, because there seems to be a clear contrast between the two.

Aside from this moment in Chapter 1, the nature of Goro's/Aqua's feelings for Ai was never questioned. At the contrary, he was deeply troubled by how inappropriate it would be for him to see her naked, etc., thus supporting that the "emotions driving his fandom" were indeed as pure as he claimed them to be.

When Love Now happens though, we see Aqua questioning what Ai was to him, and also referring to her as his first love only to admit that he doesn't actually know if it was romantic love at all.

So in Love Now, the focus was on romantic love, and Aqua only starts to seriously give this some thought after Akane starts playing her "Ai" character.

He concludes that his feelings for Akane aren't the same he harbored for Ai, and this in turn allows him to make a very clear difference between Ai and Akane in his mind, so that everything he feels for her from there on out doesn't have Ai's lager than life shadow hanging over it. This is why he is shown giving his feelings for Akane so much thought afer he thinks his revenge is over: because he doesn't have anything to compare them to.

Meanwhile in the First Concert arc, despite the romance, the focus is actually on being a fan (thanks to @miko-ishi for bringing this up to me).

It's not a coincidence that while the climax of Love Now involves Aqua kissing Akane, the climax of the First Concert literally involves Kana saying she'll be Aqua's "Oshi".

That arc also showed that while Ai performed because she wanted somebody to love, Kana performs because she wants to be loved. This is why she only shines when Aqua acts as her motivation, because unbeknownst to her, he has become the fan she has always been looking for. Someone who looks at the actual her, someone she can give it her all on stage for.

Romance doesn't need to be involved there, and I think this would explain the reason why Aqua's relationship with Kana has hardly developed since then. I think Aqua's feelings for Ai are very ambiguous to him, to the point he may even misinterpret them; and if he has misinterpreted his feelings for Ai, it is very likely he has done the same regarding his feelings for Kana for all the reasons mentioned above.

The series hasn't reached the point where it can truly have an introspection about what Oshi means to the narrative, and I feel it's only then that it'll finally address the true nature of Aqua's feelings for Ai and thus of his feelings for Kana.

All this to say, it could go either way. Either we're supposed to take it at face value, or we're supposed to ask ourselves questions. In either case, I personally would love for them to go the platonic route, because I feel this is the route that provides a deeper reading of the manga and its themes lol

[juniperhillpatient]

1, 6, 7, 16 :)

1. the character everyone gets wrong:

Xander! I totally understand finding him annoying times TRUST me I occasionally want to strangle him. He can be infuriating, especially in early seasons.

However. He often gets reduced in fandom discussions to “Joss Whedon’s self insert” or “the goofy human who doesn’t grow.” And that’s SO unfair to the complex traumatized struggling boy who loves his friends so much.

I’ve always said if I genuinely without nuance truly just HATE a main protagonist of a show I can’t fully love the show & it always baffles me how many Buffy fans seem to actually simply hate Xander. He’s a very real & human character with real flaws & strengths & he’s part of the heart of the show. Missing his nuance means missing a huge aspect of the series in my opinion.

6. which ship fans are the most annoying?

Both Bangel & Spuffy fans drive me nuts with the endless moralizing & worrying over who’s a better man or whatever. I’m totally not innocent in this either lmao I’m a shameless Spuffy lover & Bangel’s melodrama annoys the shit out of me.

BUT I feel that if you can’t recognize that Angel was Buffy’s first lover & find the beauty in that you’re missing a big part of the story. Just like you’re also missing a big part of the story if you can’t recognize how Buffy’s dynamic with Spike was key to her growth. Like most ship wars, this shit loses all nuance & reduces all characters involved to their most boring traits. Unlike most ship wars, people forget it’s not even a freaking love triangle. Buffy’s story is about BUFFY & romance is part of it & both men represent different parts of her arc.

So yeah the ship war stuff annoys me I guess 😅

7. what character did you begin to hate not because of canon but because how how the fandom acts about them?

this has actually never happened to me in any fandom ever. I’ve grown to hate fans themselves but fandom has never had this kind of impact on my opinion of canon for any media.

16. you can't understand why so many people like this thing (characterization, trope, headcanon, etc)

dang I really can’t think of anything 😅 I’m sure there’s something but idk I guess I just only follow people who’s ideas I like? I’ll think of something later or as soon as I post this I’m sure lol

ANYWHO thank you SO much for the ask & for playing along with the game 😉🥰🥺🫶❤️

(choose violence)

[ravynous]

fic recs, but with additional fangirling.ᐟ (twst edition, part two)

▌| note: HI, I’M BACK WITH ANOTHER PART TO THIS, PLEASE READ THESE WRITERS WORKS ‘CAUSE THEY’RE AMAZING AND I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO FANGIRL/FANBOY (idk fan scream???) ABOUT THEM (again, i’m sorry for any grammatical errors)

P.S. please check out their blog descriptions, rules, and dni’s first. ALSO, a warning for spoilers that may come with my ramblings

1. @dilatorywriting  (sfw/a bit of nsfw)

my faves: THEIR WHOLE HEROES VS. VILLAINS SERIES - octavinelle part 1 ; pomefiore part 1 ; diasomnia part 1 ; nrc staff part 1

THEY ARE SO BIG BRAINED FOR WRITING THAT SERIES, LIKE THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE (/pos? we like angst okay) MY FRIEND AND I HAD WHEN WE READ THE NRC STAFF’S WAS SO INTENSE (/hj).

i’m amazed at the way they weave humor, angst, and fluff so seamlessly, and the way they capture how someone rational would react to all of the things happening to them in twst (mc’s troubles in nrc, their breaking point - UGH, SO GOOD). plus, the moral dilemmas that come along with being friends with the twst boys and how being too good can either come off as insensitive (prince rielle dismissing azul’s improvements to know mc instead) or y’know, privileged (just seeing the world in a black and white lens when there’s so many morally grey areas), etc.

I MIGHT BE LOOKING TOO DEEP INTO THIS, BUT LIKE, JUST READ THEIR WORKS AND YOU’LL UNDERSTAND

2.  @kaleidoscopewonderland (sfw)

my faves: making a tied fleece blanket for the nrc first years ; shrimpy’s at it again (savanaclaw) ; when the prefect helps crewel grade tests for extra credit ; lmao just going to link their whole masterlist ‘cause everything’s a banger

have you ever felt so giddy after reading such a tooth-rotting sweet fic that you just had to kick your feet up or scream into your pillow? ‘cause that’s what’s reading their fluff makes me do

BUT THEN, THEY WRITE SUCH A HEARTBREAKING FIC THAT CAN SOCK YOU IN THE GUT. i love the 180, the absolute skill that takes

OH, AND THEY HAVE THE CUTEST SMAUS, like scrolling through their writing makes me forget the time passing by LOL, everything is such a joy to read, be it fluff or angst!

3.  @coralinnii 

my faves: being reincarnated into a new world as the bad guy ; legend has it (twst series)

ARE YOU AN ISEKAI VILLAINESS ROFAN HOE LIKE ME? WELL, I’VE GOT JUST THE WRITER FOR YOU! coral’s series incorporates the characters of twst and isekai villainess tropes so well. she’s able to keep wonderful characterizations, while giving unique and individual plots to each character! (ugh, leona and vil’s *chef’s kiss*) 

ALSO ALSO, i love love love the legend has it series ‘cause it features different horror stories and legends (as a person who’s very enamored with mythical beings, this was right up my alley)

note: amazing how more articulate my fangirling is when i do it in the afternoon LOL

[httpiastri]

mistletoe - liam, clem, marcus

last christmas - what sort of fanfics do absolutely not read? do you have any red flags in fanfics?

let it snow - i’m 22, british (and stereotypically british. strong accent, need my tea to function, love cricket and rugby, name any stereotype and it’s probably true). i’m very confident and very good at helping others, i’m always the therapist of the friend group. i’m a big sports fan, and although i only know british sports, i’m really curious and open to learn about sports of other countries/cultures.

winter wonderland - paul aron

mistletoe: pls this is so hard :( uhhhhh i think i’ve been forced to choose between liam and clem before and i think i chose clem for marrying. because idk even tho i love liam tons, clem seems more like a marriage candidate? if you get what i mean? i can imagine myself and clem being one of those cute couples getting married before they’re 25 🥺 while with liam, it’s more of a… young, teenage kind of love? at least in comparison to clem… not that it makes a lot of sense since clem’s only about a year older….. idk what im talking about, sorry 😭 anyway i’ll go for marry clem, kiss/fuck liam and sorry marcus 💔you’re sweet and all but you can’t really fight them for my heart

last christmas: oooo i’m actually very very picky when it comes to fanfic reading lol! i dont read a lot these days, and when i do, i spend most of the time just reading descriptions…. i usually only read established relationship aus, especially if it’s smut, so no like coworker!aus (except for reader!driver x driver). except for also maybe like best friend!aus or possibly possibly brother’s best friend!aus (but they have to be longer then and i must have time to get emotionally invested lol). and i only read pretty soft smuts, no degradation or super kinky stuff, i love and fully support that other people enjoy reading it but it’s just not my cup of tea. and i can’t really do oc x reader or fics in third person, i almost only read fics written in second person pov? with exceptions for tasia’s fics and like two other writers maybe. hmmm i probably have more but this is all i can think of rn!

let it snow: omg i ship you with logan sargeant!! i think the american x brit trope would be so cute. he would love your accent, and also like to make fun of it, but don’t worry! you will definitely get to make fun of him too!! teach him about british culture and he will teach you about… hotdogs and… hamburgers….. 😍 and he would love to introduce you to his favorite american sports!! and you being the therapist of the friend group would be very good for him, let him rant and get everything out and you’ll have a very happy logan <3

winter wonderland:

it's easy for you to get carried away by the sight of his arms. the way his fingers fit so perfectly between yours, the way little freckles and moles are scattered across his skin, the way the muscles in his forearm flex when he gives your hand a little squeeze. it's like time and the outside world doesn't exist: it's just you and paul. and his hands and arms.

[winns-stuff]

are there... actually any good webtoons on webtoon? i used to be a big fan back when i was 17/18 and i started reading them again (i'm 22 now and a bit more critical of what i read lol) and i'm just... appalled... i agree with all the criticism of lore olympus, true beauty was a mess, snailords apparently abuses his fans, and in his recent story he had a lesbian woc be a victim of sa who was eventually graphically murdered. he used the fact that she was a lesbian as advertisement. unordinary used to be a favorite of mine but as i was getting caught up i was so triggered by one character's abuse of another (idk if you've read it or plan to read it so i won't specify) that i felt physically ill and could not read anymore. i skipped ahead a few chapter to see if they end up together or if the victim cuts off her abuser but she doesn't and now it seems like she's in a trauma bond. it paralleled my own abusive relationship so strongly i was horrified to see so many people shipping them and defending the abusive character. i only found one post on reddit pointing the abuse out and it was downvoted. i used to like let's play too but i tried rereading it and just couldn't take it seriously, the workplace harassment that happens in the first few eps is just ridiculous. i've also heard that mongie is also very bad at taking criticism. i love yoo has a romance between a 17 year old and a man in his i believe mid 20s. is there a single healthy relationship on this app? or a quality story? i feel like i should just delete the app at this point.

sorry for ranting in your inbox lol, i'm too anxious to make an actual post and i really appreciate your lo criticisms though i am genuinely curious if there are any stories worth reading on webtoons at this point.

you’re more than fine to rant in my inbox you don’t have to apologize, I encourage people to rant and such! I appreciate that you like my criticisms they’re mainly all over the place. But I can say that there are some good webtoons out there! Me personally I enjoy a lot of the canvas ones since I feel like their stories are very promising and interesting. But I can tell you some of my favorites just in case you might want to check it out.

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures — I really liked this one honestly, it’s just a slice of life and the plot surrounds itself with the family and fighting crime and such in Gotham. It’s pretty funny too and wholesome.

Roach — I stopped reading around episode 6 but not because I didn’t like it, I just got caught up with other things and forgot to check in with it. But it’s a horror one so beware of the blood and such, I’m not sure if they have any triggering themes but I’ll double check in the comments for that one.

Midnight Furies (Canvas) — Very interesting and fun, it’s about magical basketball basically and whenever you go to the court you gain these superpowers. It’s got drama and such and it also has a woman of color as the main character. I think it’s really neat and it could be good for you if you enjoy action.

The Human Spirit (Canvas) — I haven’t exactly checked in with this one either in a bit but it starts in a fantasy world where powers exist. There’s a lead singer for I believe an alt band (could be metal but genuinely I don’t remember, I’ll edit this once I check back in) that plays live music for this female fighter (also a woman of color) and they instantly like each other and go out on a date until during their time together the inner city gets their individual powers taken from them. Like superpower wise, which lead these two to go on this journey. Although there is a falling out between the two main characters after this, still interesting though.

Emmy The Robot (Canvas?) — This one is my all time favorite. It uses a trope that I love a little too much which is when a robot nanny accidentally starts wiring out of control (not in a violent way) but she’s in need of answers. It’s like this cool dystopian world where androids take care of your children and they all have personalities and such, it’s a very cute and light hearted story.

The Reincarnation Of Countess Diabolique (Canvas) — This one is one of those tropes where a person dies and they’re sucked into a book that they got but unlike the other ones I actually really like this one. The main character was this political figure who I believe either got assassinated or something but after death she got teleported into the book that her husband or boyfriend gave her. I enjoy that she’s really rational and less cheerful about it, she’s mainly trying to rebuild the economy in her kingdom even though the character before created numerous amounts of terrible things using dark magic. I think the characters and art is really nice, there’s some things I have to say about it but I think it’s just a personal nitpick. It’s one of my favorites as well though.

Pyramid Game — Okay this one isn’t as light hearted as the other webtoons I discussed, it’s definitely in need of a trigger warning since there’s creepy behavior between a student and teacher and I believe some other heavy topics. But it’s all about the main character transferring to this prestigious school that has like a sort of popularity system where if you are voted around the D ranks you’re in the spot for being bullied pretty badly. I think it’s interesting but it might not be for everyone which is completely fine, but it does have an engaging plot. It’s a drama though.

Of Swamp & Sea — This is also a lighthearted webtoon, it’s set in a world where wild monsters run free and monster hunters have to round them up and capture them. The main characters father was eaten by one of them and she called a monster hunter in order to protect the rest of her land but after she accidentally got possessed by the very creature who ate him. Feeling guilty the monster hunter takes her along with him in order to free her from the monster and such. There’s romance going on between them but also a lot of action, drama, and a bit of lore. It’s set in like western times (I think?) and it’s a nice read.

Blue Love (Canvas) — Okay this one is filled with a few tropes which includes standoffish x friendly, perfectionist x laid back, closed off x open, and mix it in with an office romance. Luckily though, it’s without the power imbalances (at least I believe so) and their friendship isn’t at all toxic or anything. It’s basically about the main character being contaminated with blue blood (literally she bleeds blue) because of drinking a blue drink over the years while the main interest finds out about it, he swears not to tell anyone about it and helps her keep her secret from the other workers. Although she doesn’t have much of a good reputation since she is a perfectionist and a little more guarded than the average person. I like the dynamic and I have a few nitpicks with it but nothing too big, I enjoy it though.

Hippo Meets Piggi — It’s an adorable story about like animals but make them walk on two legs and work in a little office. It kinda reminds me of sanrio and it’s adorable, it’s a slice of life and the main character Hippo has a huge crush on Piggi which is her coworker, yeah it’s another office romance. It’s super duper lighthearted and adorable I recommend reading it if you enjoy stuff like that.

Super Cutie Sundae Force (Canvas) — I discovered it today and it’s also adorable, it’s a magical girl group and it follows a lot of it’s tropes. It’s got a lot of jokes and fun comedy though and the style is so cute since they’re all so little and pastel.

Get Schooled — I really enjoy this webtoon honestly, it does go into heavy topics of abuse in parents and adults and such so it might not be very suitable for you possibly, but luckily the victims always get a much better ending than the ones who inflicted pain upon them. Not only that but I enjoy how the webtoon highlights minors and advocates for them in times where adults would probably side with each other, it’s nice seeing a comic highlight something like that and although I have a few gripes with it I think the story is very entertaining and very emotionally engaging. But again, there’s a bunch of triggers so be warned if you are willing to read it, if not I understand completely.

Blue Star Rebellion (Canvas) — Now this also handles a very dark topic of human trafficking and trade although it is set in outer space with aliens and mages. The characters are very cool and I enjoy their designs, there’s also a lot of lore and such which I always enjoy in stories and the interactions between them are really good. I’m sure the heavy topic at the source will still be prevalent within the story so also be warned for that, but for now it’s pretty lighthearted and such.

My Superhero (Canvas) — I enjoy the art style and the world that the creator and I really enjoy the dynamic of the main characters. It’s sort of a slice of light showcasing a villain trying to find an arch-nemesis and wanting for a specific superhero to be that although he’s very busy trying to defeat the arch-nemesis he already has. I think it’s pretty fun and entertaining honestly and I’ve had fun reading it.

She Makes Hungry (Canvas) — This is a story set in like a dystopian future where there’s monsters and such with I believe like a hunter or scientist hunting them and defending the people? I’m not sure it’s been a while since I’ve revisited it but the scientist ends up falling in love with the monster even though she knows that it’s against the laws. But she tries to hide her and keep her safe and such. I think they’re banter is really cute and I really like the story, I believe it’s starting to pick up but I could be wrong.

Lemon Soda & Coffee (Canvas) — This one handles a toxic relationship from a man’s point of view since he’s the victim of it. So there’s a trigger there, but I believe that that’s the only heavy topic that it dives into. It’s mainly about this office working man falling in love with a teacher who has a kid. It’s a really cute romance and they’re neighbors so they become friends before anything and then build their relationship overtime which is cute to me. But again, beware of it if you are interested please tread lightly.

Blood Stain (Canvas) — This is by the same creator who created Punderworld and actually I’ve been reading this one before it came out really. It’s about a woman down on her luck and in need of a job decides to take up a sketchy job offer from a location of a mad scientist and his assistant basically. It’s actually really lighthearted and entertaining, I really like the dynamic of the two characters and I think it’s a nice story for what it is.

Planetarium (Canvas) — Okay umm.. so this is another workplace romance (I know, crazy right) but it does have a power imbalance between the two characters but around this time of the story they’re more like enemies than anything so there’s still a bunch of development that needs to be done. I think it’s pretty lighthearted and cool to see personified planets all working in a huge building in the middle of space. There’s drama of course but it’s actually very enjoyable and not suffering so yeah, take that as you will.

The Croaking — It’s a really complicated story and it’s one I just cannot explain with words honestly, there’s a lot of twists and turns and at times you’ll get confused but there’s never a dull moment with them. I really like the world building and such, also since the people in the story have bird wings you get so many patterns and animals facts. Some people even carrying animalistic traits with them which I think is really cool. But there are some tense moments around 68 so if you are interested be aware of that.

Suitor Armor — I really like this one too, although it does have some moments where it’s really heavy so beware of that if you aren’t already. I do enjoy the fantasy and drama elements and I’m really excited to see where it goes.

Downtrotten (Canvas) — I really like this story, it’s a cute story about unicorns and I think it’s neat I also started reading it today and I enjoy how cute it is.

Night Owls & Summer Skies — This one is pretty cool too, it’s about a romance between two girls who are at this summer camp. I have a few nitpicks with it but all in all I think it’s pretty interesting. It does showcase divorce and it’s affects though so beware of that, but otherwise it’s just pretty fun to read and really funny.

After School Lessons For Unripe Apples — I really like this one it’s a slice of life but it’s a constant plot revolving around two teens who knew each other from childhood forming a friendship and working their way through adolescents. I really enjoy it although at times I do get a little confused but that’s just me and I really love the way the characters are written and such.

Nevermore — I haven’t read all of it but from the feedback from other people it’s pretty good and it’s got really nice art. I believe the story is kinda putting a supernatural twists to sapphics or at least I think that’s what the ads sorta say about it. I think it’s really cool though.

Rotten — This one is a finished webtoon but it’s really cool. It’s a horror drama thriller though and it does handle topics of abuse, murder, and etc. So beware of that if you’re interested in it but it’s one of my favorites.

Anyways, that’s the end and I hope that this gave you a good selection or helped you in any way! If none of these are for you I understand completely and I hope you find a story that suits you well! Good luck!

[gunsatthaphan]

what didn’t you like about the first episode of dangerous romance? i actually liked it more than i expected it to but maybe because i didn’t have any expectations since i wasn’t keeping up with it. i just enjoyed to see a different take on the “bully romance” trope which i’m not the biggest fan of in general so

idk I guess the bullying bothered me more than I thought it would. Like I knew it was gonna be a thing but I had to skip so many scenes. Kanghan is an asshole and not the funny kind but the actual toxic kind lol. Also I know this is enemies to lovers but the bro vibes between them are already too much lmao. like that kiss at the end? big yikes. that was very 2016-coded lmao.

idk why all this is bothering me because that's what the trailers suggested but it just does. I'm gonna give it a few more episodes but so far I'm not into it sadly.

xxx

[aemonds-sapphire]

Hi!!! I'm so sorry if I just kinda jump out of the blue but I couldn't resist join the "discussion in your aks...

You know I think that fan art wise helaena and aemond are quite cute. Some artist are so talented but helaena in my opinion deserve and should definitely be alone. She went trought so much and mainly for the hand of men leave my poor girl alone. Most fans def use her as self insert or are into incest idk 🥴

For the Alys discourse I'm gonna be so honest with you I have absolutely no idea. I Emma I rceentrly reread the books (gift for Xmas so it's very recent) and a lot of person forgot that one book is like a book in their universe and everthing is basically a rumor (I will not trust mushroom with a cup of tea so why would I trust a whole story??) and the other are just paragraphs that talk about some events??

Hotd aemond is so dutiful and golden child and he lust for Revenge of his eye so fans are like "he would never go for a bastard strong!!" saying that she's or this bitch of a witch or a poor victim. The reality is that we don't know!! We have no idea it's up our preference / writer choice.

Sure I tought alys bewitching him was a valid idea because why would he save only her??? But also I mean if she's a witch she can be useful?? And maybe they just fall in love in the process??? At the beginning both of them had reason to help each other so idk. I use to not be a big fan of their relationship because I will admit when deep in hyperfixations I get jealous and I need a few days to remind myself they are fictional 😭 also It doesn't help reading angst fic with the cheating trope and her as the other woman BUT the moment I saw people hating her for non valid reason and just using her as an excuse for being sexists and mysoginist ughhh alys defender for life.

I will wait to see how the writer will do in season 2. Making her bewitching him after him being already victim of abuse would def a bad choice but also for how they written season 1 i really can't see this show aemodn juts fall in love it's so weird I'm so confused 😭🥴

One last thing I swear I'm so sorry but saying that aemond is a rapist/used her as prize....AND USING THE WHOREHOUSE EXAMPLE???

I have no idea whta kinda of show all this antis are watching truly.

So sorry for this long message expecially cuz a lot of things are already been stated I hope I didn't bother you too much.

Your blog is very lovely and you seems a very nice person. and it's a pleasure see when you post! Happy holidays❤️❤️❤️❤️,

Cordelia🤍🪐

Hi, Cordelia 😊 thank you so much for your input! Loved reading through all of it 🤭 happy holidays!

I’ve run into absolutely amazing Helaemond art! There’s no question fan artists are talented. I don’t mind shippers as long as they don’t insert themselves into other ship spaces and try acting holier than thou. At the end of the day, none of this is real and we’re just here to have a good time 😁

If they go with “she bewitched him” but just figuratively speaking then I’m fine with that. But if they pull that love potion bs then… 😅 also, why bother fleshing Aemond out if you’re just going to turn him into a cliché antagonist…… I hope they don’t go this route tbh.

Mushroom is the absolute worst out of all the narrators. He gives accounts of events that happened in King’s Landing when he was in Dragonstone LOL he thinks he’s Gossip Girl or something

Fire & Blood is to be read a history book, meaning we only know about the great battles and major events, but everything in between can be embellished and made up by those writing about it. Some people are taking that what happens in the book is canon and others are taking what happens in the show as canon… both are wrong approaches… they’re just different versions. This is not like ASOIAF…

[raccoonspooky]

22, 25, 40?? 😚

ooh these are good ones. \(★ω★)/

22. Are there certain types of writing you won’t do? (style, pov, genre, tropes, etc)

Not really! I’m not the biggest fan of first person but I totally get why people like it. I think just typical stuff that squick most folk? Like BATHROOM KINKS or something lmfao.

25. What fic do you wish you got more of a response on?

X readers tend to get more attention than anything else. So I’m very happy with the level of engagement of anything that I write for this blog!

That being said, this dragon age inquisition fic i just UGH i love it. I think that blackwall is a lesser popular character in general as are female qunari characters. People dont like big giant girl and lil guy i guess? Like smh does the DA fandom not see the appeal of big ass horned buff baddie x a sad little man??? Hahaha. I also think that Bioware fandoms are VERY oc heavy and if youre not actively engaged in the fandom, making friends with people and actively engaged in oc talk then your work tends to be ignored.

Oh. And this self indulgent ass fic of some milf getting railed by raiders set in the fallout universe. This fic is just… my favorite ever hahaha. I just wanna force everyone to read it. I totally get why original works and original characters not related to the main story are lesser popular though. Like cmon its a CONSENSUAL RAIDER GANGBANG with older gal younger guys!!! BARK lol.

40. If someone were to make fanart of your work, what fic or scene would you hope to see?

@pretty-possum made some hilarious and adorable doodles for my rougarou fic and I love love love them but im unsure if im allowed to share hahaha.

In one of my chapters of my Brahms fic, he gets all mad at his family photos and smashes them to bits, and the reader finally touches him for the first time to get the glass out of his skin. That moment is very stuck in my brain hahah. So like idk fkn whiny crybaby brahms with bandaids on his hands haha.

OR the scene where he’s all starry eyed over baby bunnies they found in the yard lol.