#like... IS it gem in nature? it's a bit fuzzy

[novantinuum]

random post, but there's like... only a single point of SU canon that I outright ignore, and that's the tiny moment at the beginning of Monster Reunion where Steven somehow "mends" a plushie as their re-introduction to his healing powers.

i think this is very lame and personally ignore the idea that he can "mend" matter that isn't organic or gem in nature completely, because i just don't see how it makes sense. i would've far preferred him re-discovering his powers by healing a wilting flower or something

[another-lost-mc]

gmorning my lovely!!! I recently read your first date fic with Karasu and it has me feeling all warm and fuzzy 🥹💘 I was wondering what the ideal first date would be like for some of your other oc’s! I must admit, I’m most intrigued by the idea of a date with Tenebris, Belial, and Azra hehe 🤭 (but ofc if you wanna gush about any others pls do!!!!!)

First date ideas with the OCs! Love it. This got really long. lol

SFW (with a NSFW-ish part at the end) below:

Azra takes you somewhere for dinner, a middle-ground establishment that's not too ritzy but just enough so that he has an excuse to dress up for you. It'll be formal but not too stuffy, with a warm and almost romantic ambience. He's the kind of demon to play coy and bump his foot or knee (or tail) against you under the table during the meal. (If you seem uncomfortable with it, he'll stop.) He's not going to be put off by excuses about having nothing to wear, either. He offers to set up an appointment at Majolish for you to pick out something (charged to his account, of course).

Zee is finally asking you out after denying for way too long that he was interested in you romantically at all. Chances are he's skipping the typical "date night on the town" and inviting you to his home for dinner, because he doesn't mess around and nothing can say how excited or grateful he is than cooking something for you.

Karasu is a bit more traditional so naturally his first date suggestion is dinner at the most expensive joint in town. You can talk him down easily to something more casual when he realizes that his first impulsive choice might've been overwhelming (he'll wait a few dates and then try suggesting it again).

Tenebris invites you to things that aren't obviously dates but they might as well be: picking up more potion supplies, going to the bookstore to check out the new releases, stopping by one of the cafes near RAD after classes are over. He's hesitant to put a label on your relationship and his feelings for you, but he can't help himself and feels more and more tempted to act on them. What shifts these little outings into dating territory, whether he admits it or not, is that he offers to buy you things. If something catches your eye, it's no trouble at all for him to slip it into his own order and pay for everything together. He offers to get you a drink or a snack, or even a full meal if he thinks you're willing to stay with him that long, and orders himself something even if he's not hungry or thirsty. He's content just to spend time with you and give you little tokens of affection. Err, appreciation, he calls them later when Diavolo asks how things went later. Nothing suspicious at all about that, right?

Belial methodically plans out your first proper date but it's highly dependent on the type of date he thinks you want.

If you're a bit shy, he knows the best undiscovered gems in the Devildom where you can get a fantastic meal without the usual crowds of the city's popular eateries. He's dressed down by his standards so you feel comfortable and less insecure about whatever casual outfit you might be wearing. Chances are he rushed over to pick you up as soon as you texted him you might consider going on a date with him (he took that as a decisive yes). His enthusiasm is contagious and it's kind of flattering too - when was the last time someone was so happy and grateful for your company?

If you don't mind being in the spotlight a bit, your first date happens to coincide with an event at Diavolo's castle. He paid for whatever outfit you picked out to wear at Majolish (and he ordered an outfit for himself to match). He picks you up at the House of Lamentation so he can escort you personally, and his choice of transportation isn't subtle. It'll be one of his many cars that you seemed to like most, or maybe you were enchanted by his stable of dreadsteeds more - he can bring the old chariot out of retirement just for you. There's no mistaking his intentions when he leads you through the castle doors with your arm tucked into his.

Metatron is sort of like Tenebris because he invites you to accompany him to do all sorts of random and inconsequential things, but judging by his constant blush and the shy way he keeps looking at you and biting his lip while his fingers brush your hand but he's too shy to take hold of it...well, you get the idea that maybe this wasn't just a platonic outing after all. The Celestial Realm has so many amazing and beautiful places he wants to show you, and all of his suggestions will be what he thinks you'd enjoy. He might even sneak you away to the Human World to show you the places he likes most there, but try not to let Seraphiel find out. Three's a crowd and all.

Curious about who puts out on the first date?

Azra wants you. He wants you so bad. He's trying to be patient because he thinks that's what he should do. This is one of the rare times he drives himself rather than letting Zee drive for him. He might not want to sleep with you on the first date, but he won't be able to resist a car makeout if your goodnight kiss at the end of the night gets heated. He wants to wait until date #2 before doing more, but he'll make it up to you.

Chances are this has been a long time coming, so Zee definitely has high hopes that you'll be welcoming of his many advances once the dinner he's cooked for you is finished. If all you want is a kiss, that's okay too - it'll be the best kiss you've had in a long while, and he won't complain about a cozy little makeout session on his couch before driving you home. (He's very careful about not cutting your lips or tongue with his fangs.)

Karasu is too shy to kiss you after a first date, or probably the first handful of dates. Let him take his time and get used to handholding and hugging and sitting closer than friends should - his affectionate side will bloom not long after. He'll be very obvious when he's ready to move onto kissing chastely, and then kissing passionately and other things after that.

Tenebris will kiss you if you want him to. He kisses your cheek first and he's just close enough to your mouth that you can tilt your head into it, or you can pull away if you don't want more than that. He doesn't mean to be teasing, but he doesn't want to come on too strongly either. (He probably won't go further than kissing on the first date.)

Belial won't make the first move, but if you've given him any indication that a kiss (or more) would be welcome, he's practically vibrating at the thought of getting to touch you. He gets very affectionate and touchy-feely when he's turned on (you might be surprise how affected he is). He brings the back of your hand to his cheek and rubs against it, or he squeezes your waist lightly when he wraps an arm around you, or he just blatantly stares at your lips if you wet them, or even when you talk. He's tempted. Very tempted. He can't bring himself to ask for a kiss no matter how much he wants one. If you're agreeable to a kiss (or more), let him know without any room for doubt and he'll happily oblige you. (He manages to get you both home before he practically carries you to his bedroom. Barely. The backseat of his car looked awfully tempting.)

Metatron is waiting for the right signs from you that not only do you enjoy his company, but that his romantic advances are welcome. Because the line of friends-to-more than friends gets blurrier over time with him, it's hard to pinpoint when your first date really is. It's probably a scenario where you've gotten used to holding hands or cuddling beside each other, and chances are he'll ask if he can kiss you when he thinks you're ready - or perhaps he's waiting longer than he needs to, in which case, feel free to kiss that sweet angel senseless.

[completeoveranalysis]

[1]

Chapitre 183 - The World of Sand 

In which ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THIS IS INCREDIBLE. 

BLACK AND WHITE INVERSE COLOUR SAKURA AND SYAORANS? OHHHHH CLAMP ARE GENEROUS. CLAMP ARE GIVING.

Even just how each couple is wearing the colour opposite to their background, but also the opposite of the opposing pair.

And how the feathers are in the SAME but OPPOSITE part of the page for each side, showing that they are visual inversions of each other’s reality, but the feathers don’t look the same, and are shown at unique angles. Potentially they’re falling on one side but rising on the other. Potentially it’s the same for each, but its showing that neither story is complete without the perspective of the other. 

And how the small circles on the right are small and clearly defined against the background - perhaps falling water droplets, like the falling feathers around them? - while the ones on the left are fuzzy shiny orbs, like motes of air or magic rising through the sky. I think the implication of movement is a bit open to interpretation, you could go either way. IS one side falling and the other rising? Is the fate of that Sakura/Syaoran pair falling downward while the other rises? Is one falling to ALLOW the other to rise? Is one pair doomed by fate BECAUSE they are clones? Or are they drifting down and out of the narrative and into freedom, while the other pair takes up the fight in their stead? Is one background Black because their future is dark, or because they CAME from that darkness, as created tools of Evil Wolverine? Or is it their clothes that matter? Are they the light in the dark, the fragments of people who fought to change the future despite their origins? White clothing because they were initially empty and devoid of anything? Is the other background similarly white because it hasn’t been written yet - a future so undefined that no-one can tell what it will be when this is all over?

Are the circles actually heading in the same direction on both sides of the page, and the difference is how they are perceived? How one stands out against the darkness while the other needs help to be seen at all? The clones WERE the most visible throughout most of the story, and only through their existence did the other pair get the chance to enter the narrative again. 

I - oH fuck I forgot that this would be in colour and that I HAVE IT. PLEASE HOLD. WHERE IS IT. 

HERE IT IS! LOOK LOOK LOOK

EVEN THE SPLASH TEXT IS INVERTED

MIRROR IMAGES

And OH all that gorgeous golden ornamentation, the gem colours actually staying the same on both sides of the page. The clasp on Syaoran’s upper arm is the same symbol as on the previous cover, on Fai and Kurogane's clothing, which is a very fun connection that shows it wasn’t just an alternate world we didn’t see, but an intended shared thread of imagery for them all. 

The long pieces of jewellery that the Sakuras wear are gorgeous and delicate and intricate. It could be echoing the design of vines and natural growth - perhaps because she can communicate with spirits, and is in touch with the natural world, or perhaps because she is a desert flower herself, growing out of a literal world of sand but also blooming despite the extreme adversity, and blossoming out of pure determination. It also has visual echoes of imprisonment - it circles her neck not at a low level like a necklace, but high like a collar. It spreads across her like roots, holding her in place - or is it the opposite of that now? Is she, aware of her fate as she is, wearing Evil Wolverine’s designs like they're just a gown to be worn? Something she can’t take off but has learned to make work for her?

The Syaorans have a circular loop in the design of their coat around their necks as well - because they’ve been just as trapped in Evil Wolverine’s schemes. For the Syaoran on the right especially the loop around his neck has two circular gems visible that could echo the same shape as the goggles he used to wear, bringing in an element of the past that shaped who he is but at the same time was a design placed on him from birth, one that was all by someone else’s plan. 

AND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM. The colour version lets you see the heterochromia in Syaoran's eyes on the right, showing which pair is which, and the DIFFERENCES in how they stand. (If they ARE in the pairs you would expect) Clone Sakura looks down, as if unfocussed, because she IS currently narratively dead. Or is she instead gazing at her hand, being held by Syaoran? She has wanted this so desperately and for so long. Does she look sad because she is currently dead, meaning they might never be actually together? Is she unfocussed because she has not yet had the chance to truly see that her sacrifice worked, and that Syaoran really has been restored? Either way, Syaoran holds her hand up in support, gently from below. 

The Syaoran on the left holds the other Sakura’s hand up close to his chest, hand clenched tight. This Sakura and Syaoran both look ahead - at where they are going? At what lies ahead for them both? Neither looks especially happy, but neither looks especially unhappy either. Lava Lamp has always been particularly unreadable, but the way he grasps her hand betrays how hard he’s been fighting for her. Sakura in turn looks just as unfocussed as her counterpart - and if Evil Wolverine is to be believed, it’s because she’s also dead. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS THOUGH. She could potentially be in dreams, asleep for the entire plotline, held as a backup until they free her. She is not particularly aware that her hand is being held, and isn’t participating in the motion like the other Sakura seems to be, but she looks ahead all the same. Whatever they're looking at, they're clearly moving in a different direction entirely to their clone counterparts.

Meanwhile Clone Syaoran looks directly at the camera.

[thetoplinecb]

halloween at the topline

usually, halloween at the topline didn't cause any changes. a few decorations here and there, and of course, the club goers would come in costume. this year, though, there was definitely a change.

jisung shoved the heavy metal door to the staff room open, grinning as he looked at chan and minho. "what d'you think?" he did a little twirl. jisung was in a vampire costume, fake teeth glued on and all. he smiled widely to show off his new sharp teeth, adorned with two little diamond tooth gems on either one. he had a smoky eye done, his lips a bloody shade of red to match the fake blood smeared at the corner of his mouth. his outfit was simpler, a baggy black graphic t-shirt that was way too big for him, and tight black jeans with a few silver chains, plus his regular black platformed boots.

"i'm a vampire!" he exclaimed, as if it wasn't obvious. "yeah." minho mumbled, more focused on fixing his own costume. jisung couldn't stop himself from bursting into a fit of laughter upon seeing minho, flopping onto the couch and writhing around as he laughed loudly. "shut up." minho growled and jisung did, after a few moments.

minho was dressed as a bunny, two fuzzy white ears pinned into his hair, a sharp juxtaposition to his black hair and sharp eyes. he wore a white sweater, one that was baggy enough to expose his collarbones, the knit of it being slightly see-through. a small, round white tail accompanied his ears, pinned into the back of his tight, form-fitting black jeans. his eyes were lined with thin black eyeliner, and his lips and cheeks were lightly colored. it was softer than anything he'd usually go for.

he stood in front of the full body mirror, blinking a few times at himself. he wouldn't say he felt insecure, but maybe a bit uncomfortable.

"i feel stupid." minho mumbled, fixing the fluffy white ears upon his head. "you kinda look stupid." jisung grinned wolfishly, the smirk getting smacked off of his face when minho hit him in the back of his head. "no one asked you." he glared, and jisung giggled to himself.

chan was busy, fixing his own ears, a pair of dark gray, almost black wolf ears. he wore his usual uniform, a white button-up, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, accompanied by black slacks. the only addition was a tail on the back.

chan turned around, arms crossed across his chest. "be nice! this is supposed to be fun! plus, we're charging an entrance fee, so we're all getting paid good. it's just one night, right? don't be all dramatic." chan huffed to the both of them, glaring at minho who was standing awkwardly and jisung, who was splayed out on the couch.

it wasn't long before felix and hyunjin came out, dressed as two opposites. felix looked angelic, which was appropriate for his costume. an angel. he wore a silky white button-up with way too many buttons undone, light wash denim jeans on his lower half. he had a little fuzzy white halo above his head and feathery wings to match. silver glitter adorned his face, all the way down his chest, with more concentrated amounts of it right under his eyes and cheeks. his cheeks were blushed sweetly, and his lips were sparkly and glossy.

hyunjin was the opposite, which was a bit ironic, considering hyunjin definitely had the more reserved personality of the two. he had two little red horns pinned to his hair, his own long black hair pulled up into a half ponytail. he wore a wine colored button-up and a simple, velvety black choker around his neck. he had a tail in the same shade of red attached to his tight, black faux leather pants, long with a little sharp tip. he had reddish eyeshadow around and under his eyes, a black liner emphasizing the sharp corner. he wore a natural cherry lip that went well with the theme.

the aura shifted as soon as they walked in, so confident in themselves. it made everyone feel a bit better soon. "how do you guys feel? gonna become like us for a night~" felix preened, hyunjins arm wrapped around his shoulder as they walked in.

"don't remind me." minho muttered, fixing up his lipstick. "it does pay well, though..." chan trailed off with a shrug.

it was a decision they had collectively made. that for this halloween party, they'd all be available, and their boss would be managing the rest of the party.

they thought it might be an effective way to make extra cash, especially considering this party was going to have only the most important of guests, the most high paying. the entrance fee cost basically guaranteed that they'd all be going home with a stack of cash.

"don't stress, really. it's not so bad." felix reassured, splitting off from hyunjin to sit down with jisung.

their special halloween menu was lined with their usual options, from the more simple and innocent ones to the ones that warranted a private room. the first cost was who you wanted to be with, the second being the amount of time, and the third being the action. a date, a kiss, a lap dance or performance, and the options only went further.

"well... are we all ready?" chan asked quietly, tilting his head, his artificial ears flopping as he did so. "i think we're ready as we'll ever be." jisung grinned.

the club was packed, filled with individuals in expensive outfits that could barely be described as costumes, throwing on one or two accessories at most. there was decor all around, and the lights were dim, a reddish hue cast across the club.

the boys made their way to the back part of the club where the workers would typically wait to be chosen. jisung made himself comfortable on the couch, kicking his feet up. chan sat next to him, while felix and hyunjin were already on the dance floor. minho leaned against a wall, drink in hand. at least tonight would be fun.

[buddys-follows-and-likes]

hi hello!

I looked at this blog and I am super interested I am looking politely. Anyways. What do the elements entail? What're the specific abilities/notes you have for them? just curious SORRY

No need to be sorry!

Anyway, this world is probably gonna go through a major rehaul, so don’t get too used to any of these concepts.

I’ll put them under the cut, cause this is gonna get long.

Fire monsters are lizard dudes who can breathe fire and exude heat. They can only eat meat.

Sound monsters kinda look like tropical birds from the neck up, but their bodies are humanoid and they have dinosaury tails. They like to sing and have the most advanced medical technology.

Toxic monsters look like snakes and have arms, but no legs. Their septic bite is deadly to all other monsters. They eat venomous plants, mostly, so it’s unknown where the stereotype of them chowing down on grandma when they get a bit peckish comes from.

Psychic monsters look a bit like cats with red gems in their foreheads and can read minds and see into the future if they’re born under the moons. They used to live on a volcanic island (the volcano’s smoke blocked out the sky) until they moved to the rainforest.

Metal monsters look like little gray drakes with sharp claws, frills, and tail blades. They eat metal because it strengthens their scales. They’re known for being anti-social due to them being naturally solitary.

Plant monsters look kinda like six-limbed jaguars with rainbowy fur. Their tails are prehensile and they can hang from trees, but it’s not the most comfortable. They only eat plants.

Air monsters look like Utahraptors with more flight-able wings. They can’t hover or perform complex flying tricks because their bodies are too heavy. It’s said that half of all of them are gray, chatty, and huge people pleasers. Apparently, the other half is brown, chatty, and huge people pleasers. It used to be canon that they didn’t eat birds because they could talk to them, but not anymore.

Electric monsters look like little velociraptors and like to run. They can fire electricity from their mouths. It used to be thought that they were just loners, but it’s a known part of their culture now that they just go on long solitary trips that can last for weeks, sometimes up to a month.

Crystal monsters look like ceratopsians with rocks for horns. They’re named after whichever gemstone they eat first, as their horns will grow with its color and texture. Other than minerals, they also eat underground-dwelling moles, bugs, mushrooms, and fish.

Earth monsters have the heads of ceratopsians, and the bodies of lions. They have designated “breeding nights” once a month, as they’re not raised by their parents, but their siblings instead. They lay 3-6 eggs at a time. Romance isn’t really a thing in their culture, so they’re often dumbstruck when they realize that it’s real and not something that other species invented to write saucy books.

Ice monsters are pretty much anatomically identical to polar bears other than that they have blue manes that run down to their long tails. They’re fancy and have a class system that updates every month, which determines how “useful” you are to their society.

Water monsters are “cetacean mermaids”. From the hips down, they have normal cetacean bodies, but above that, they have humanoid bodies with cetacean heads and narwhal horns on their foreheads. It used to be canon that they didn’t eat fish because they could talk to them, but not anymore.

Light monsters look like fuzzy critters with any combination of “cute” traits (floppy ears, fluffy tails, short snouts, etc). Their queen, with the help of a book and an evil plant, colonized their entire continent, which is different than the one the previous 12 live on. They cut down all the trees, killed off the Dark monsters, and integrated the Faeries as second class citizens.

Faerie monsters are kinda bird and kinda bug. They start off as birds with talon-hands in place of wings, then they go through a month-long metamorphosis in at age 12 or so, which is when they get the cool butterfly wings on their backs. In Light monster society, they don’t get to choose their jobs, and if they’re born able to spin a special kind of silk, they’re sent off to textile mills where they spin it and are only let out to breed and create more special silk spinners.

Dark monsters look like any kind of theropod, with dark blue feathers all over their bodies aside from their hands, feet, and face regardless of which they resemble the most. They were pushed off into a corner of their continent, a place which is now known as the Dark Forest. They’ve been conspiring to overthrow Queen Shining (queen of the Light monsters) ever since she drove them out.

And that’s the last of the monsters! There’s critters too, if you care to read on them.

Trolls look like ugly cute little fuzzy guys with big noses and ears. Their opposable fingers allow them to learn various tricks and even to be service animals.

Goblins look like upright standing, green-skinned pig things that live in the forest and like to steal whatever catches their eyes, which is most often shiny things and treasure (bonus points if it belonged to a monster). Their tails are also absurdly long, which can seem like an evolutionary disadvantage since that’s how they so often get preyed upon.

Orcs, for lack of a better comparison, look like Moblins from Breath of the Wild specifically, other than that they have green skin, a slightly more stocky build, tusks, and a less disproportionate arm:leg ratio. Orcs know how to use tree branches as weapons and that they can tie rocks and bones to them to make them more effective. Troops of them go to war just about every day, and it’s unknown if that thing about them eating rivals’ babies is true or not.

Ogres resemble large theropods, but they stand more upright and have way longer arms which reach down to their hips. They are extremely rare, so it’s unknown if they even exist. They apparently live in far-off, remote caves and only come out when they’re starving.

Rocs are giant, beautiful birds of paradise with colorful tails and head feathers. Both sexes show off to attract each other.

Unicorns are decidedly more majestic and pretty than monokeros, for some reason. No one exactly knows what their horns are for, since it would be less than practical to fight with them as they jut straight out of their heads. Unicorns live in large herds and run around, going wherever the wind takes them.

Monokeros are related to unicorns, despite not really resembling them. They have three toes instead of two, short tails, and horns that can resemble hadrosaurs’ crests. Their crests are colorful, and the ones with the prettiest crests end up breeding. They don’t tend to live in groups, but ones with young babies will probably form them.

Yeah, if you couldn’t tell, this was originally just an uninspired Wings of Fire rip-off. I’m trying to rework it into its own thing, but I’m so far deep into rip-offness that I’ve started subconsciously replacing the word “dragon” with “monster” when I read the books lol. In any case, if you have any more lore questions, don’t be afraid to ask!

Also, thank you for being my second ever ask! I’d give you a silver star, but I couldn’t find any on Google images. So instead, you get a verbal thanks!

[atths--twice]

Chapter Eleven

Samantha's last night in town is spent hanging out together and having a conversation.

Wednesday evening 

“Hey,” Samantha said, stepping out onto the balcony. Fox turned his head to look at her and she smiled at him as she wrapped her long gray cable knit cardigan around herself, nearly covering her fleece pajama set. “You’ve been out here for a while. Aren’t you cold?” 

“A bit, I suppose,” he answered, smiling as he started to move over and make space for her on the couch. 

“Oh no, you don’t need to get up. I’ll sit here,” she said, sitting in the armchair and putting her stockinged feet up on the coffee table. She smiled again and raised her eyebrows at him. “You okay?” 

“Yeah, I’m okay,” he said, placing a pillow in his lap and picking at a stray thread. 

“You’ve been quiet tonight. The dinner was okay?” 

“Oh yeah. More than okay,” he said, smiling at her. “It was great. Thanks, Sam.” 

“Of course.” She looked to her left and sighed. “It’s nice out here, hearing the city around you.” She scooted down in the chair a little and smiled. “Of course, I prefer the quiet of the suburbs, but this is nice for a few days.” 

He smiled at her and sighed with a nod, the thread longer now and wrapped around his finger. 

“Talk to me, Fox. What’s going on in that head of yours?” 

He tugged hard and the thread came off the pillow. Unwrapping it from his finger, he pulled it through his fingers repeatedly, sighing deeply and shaking his head. 

“Is it Dana? Did something happen?” 

“No. Nothing happened. She’s great.” 

“And she loves your books,” she said, smiling at him. He nodded and looked down at the thread in his hands. “Fox…” 

“I really like her, Sam,” he said quietly, looking over at her. “A lot.” 

“Yeah, I know,” she said, grinning at him. He chuckled softly and dropped his head back onto the couch. “That’s not a problem is it?” 

“Not a problem. But does it seem too fast?” he asked, turning his head toward her, asking the question that had been plaguing him. 

“Fast? No.” She smiled again and tapped his knee gently with her foot. “You’re not a fast person, Fox. Never have been. You think and think some more. You watch and observe before jumping into everything. You’ve only had one serious relationship and that was years ago.” 

“And you never liked her,” he said with a smile and she scoffed. 

“Because she was awful,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Took advantage of your sweet and kind nature and your willingness to help others. No, I did not like her.” 

“I know.” 

“And?” 

He looked at her and she smiled, her eyebrows raised again. She blinked and made a keep going motion with her hand. He laughed and nodded, looking up at the ceiling. 

“And you were right. She was awful.” 

“But you wanted to see the good in her because that’s who you are,” she said softly and he sighed with a nod. She tapped his knee again and he raised his head. “I get a good vibe from Dana. She’s good people.” 

“She is,” he said with a grin. “And Ivy…” He shook his head and laughed quietly as he thought of her excited smile when Dana had brought her to the diner on Monday after school. 

She had run in wearing a pink, sparkly cat ear headband, a silver heart necklace with little colorful gems around the edges, black socks with neon butterflies under a pink long sleeved dress, black fuzzy gloves, and her teal puffy coat. 

Everything, aside from the coat and dress, had been a gift from her birthday advent calendar which Dana had told him she had given her when they had come home the night before. Days had been missed and so there was quite a stockpile for Ivy to open. 

Taking off her backpack and then her jacket, dropping them onto the floor, she had flung herself at him and given him a huge hug. He had been surprised, just as he had been the first time she did it, but he had hugged her back happily. 

“Fox,” she had said, pulling back and smiling. “I have so many pictures for you.” 

“Let’s see them,” he had said, grinning at Dana as she caught up to Ivy, smiling as she had picked up Ivy’s coat from the floor. 

Ivy had taken off her gloves and shoved them into a side pocket on her backpack before she had unzipped the main section and took out a purple folder with unicorns on it. 

“My cousin said I could have this folder so the drawings didn’t get wrinkled.” 

“That was nice of her,” he said as he had moved his things out of the way to give her space to open her folder. 

“Yeah, she’s nice,” she had said, opening the folder as she stood by the table and Dana sat down across from him. 

He had listened to the stories behind each drawing as Ivy laid them out and pointed to each one. Praising them all, he had asked questions, wanting to know more about the colors she had chosen and why. 

Ivy had giggled as she answered him, her blue eyes sparkling. He had smiled as he watched her, his eyes flicking to Dana every so often, watching her as she also watched Ivy. There was something different in her smile when she looked at Ivy and he found he wanted to draw it, capture the moment so she could then see it for herself. 

When he had left the diner Monday evening, he carried the folder in his bag, with the promise that he would return it the next day to Dana, as Ivy really liked the unicorns. 

Stopping at the stationery store, he had perused the magnet selection, deciding on a pack of rainbow colored happy faces. Taking the time to figure out the best placement of them, he had hung all of the pictures on the fridge, moving to the freezer door when he had run out of room.

When Samantha had seen them, she had given him a curious look, but had said nothing. After a simple dinner of pizza and beer, he had told her about Dana, everything about her pouring out, his tongue loosened with someone to talk to about his feelings. 

By the time he had finished, chuckling about Ivy and giving her a demonstration of the funny panda voice she used, Samantha had been grinning. Nodding at him, she had tipped her beer bottle against his and grinned again. 

“You got it bad, big brother,” she had said, taking a drink and he had sighed with a nod. 

Tuesday, Samantha had early meetings and had been gone by seven. They had met for dinner, Fox treating her to anything she wanted, which happened to be sushi. She had brought him more up to date about Greg and their seven-year-old twins, William and Adam. He had smiled at the stories she told, laughing when she imitated William’s angry face.

A later meeting the next morning had allowed her to accompany him to the diner. She gave nothing away to Dana about how he felt, but kept giving him knowing glances and smiles. 

When he had left the diner at five, he had arrived home to the delicious smell of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. His stomach had growled as he set his things down and washed his hands, asking Samantha how he could help. 

After they had eaten and cleaned up, the leftovers stacked in containers in the refrigerator, Samantha had gone to take a shower and he had come onto the balcony, needing a moment to himself.  

“Ivy,” he said again, thinking of the newest picture Dana had given him that day. “She’s the sweetest little kid, aside from yours of course.” He smiled at Samantha and she hummed out a huff. 

“I was gonna say,” she teased and they both laughed. She stared at him and sighed, searching his eyes. “Have you told her about mom and dad?” 

“No,” he whispered, shaking his head. 

“You should tell her. Considering what you’ve told me about her and her past, you should do the same. Tell her everything and put it all out there.” She smiled softly, her eyes sad. 

“Yeah. I… I just don’t want her to hear it and think that I’m looking for sympathy or to-”

“No, Fox. She wouldn’t think that way. Not at this point into your relationship… friendship,” she said, putting up a hand when he opened his mouth to correct her. “You’re friends and friends deserve the truth, especially when you’re feeling the way you do about her.” 

“Yeah,” he said with another nod. “I was actually thinking about telling her the other day, but our conversation led to her learning about my books.” 

“No, it’s not a casual… diner type story,” Samantha said, shaking her head. “Invite her over. Both of them. Have dinner and then once Ivy is preoccupied or asleep, tell her.” 

“Yeah,” he said again, swallowing his suddenly dry mouth. 

“Hey.” 

He looked at her and she smiled as she took her feet off the coffee table and stood up. 

“Come inside. It’s cold. Let’s watch a movie. Something we used to watch as kids. But this time with a glass of wine. Or glasses.” 

“Okay,” he agreed with a chuckle. Setting the pillow onto the couch, he stood up and stretched with a shiver. “You can pick, I’ll open a bottle of wine.” 

“Perfect,” she said as she danced a happy dance. Turning around, she looked at him with a smile when she reached the door. “I love you, Fox. Very much.” 

“I love you too, Sam,” he said, pulling her to him and hugging her close. “I’m glad you had this chance to visit.” 

“Me too,” she whispered, squeezing him tightly and then letting go. “Okay! Let’s see what movies are streaming!” 

He laughed as they walked inside and he shut the door. The apartment was warm and as it stung his nose and cheeks, he realized he must have been outside longer than he had thought. 

Telling her he was going to change into his pajamas first, he left her happily scrolling through different streaming devices, calling out movie title suggestions to him, not caring if he answered or not. 

A bowl of popcorn was set between them on the couch, and they each had a large glass of wine, when the chosen movie began to play. He looked at her and gave a fake groan when he saw the title. 

She grinned as she popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth and hummed along to the song that was playing over the opening credits. Taking a handful of popcorn, he smiled and settled back to enjoy a bit of nostalgia, mock groaning once again when Samantha stopped humming and began to sing loudly. 

[drop--pop--candy]

hiya marin, sylvie here! i saw you reblogged that "which eeveelution is prev" ask game, and i wanted to say you give me super vaporeon vibes (◍ ´꒳` ◍) however i feel like for me, my vibe might be slightly more skewed towards sylveon, hence my name and all.

i hadn't thought about triggering others' paranoia, hmm...i was thinking about a specific emoji like this star 🌟 or a particularly colored heart 💚 or a flower 🌷 ... something innocuous and unsuspecting that is still particular to us, playing the game. or maybe the message could be something like, "hi, i hope you're having a good day 🌼" ^^; i don't know. you can also be more selective with your guesses, too, if you don't want to worry too many people ( •̀ - • ) and i personally think it might be easy, as i haven't tried to conceal my identity at all, lol. oops ?

what sorts of music do you listen to? i love clairo, and yesterday she released a new album called charm. i've had it on repeat the entire day! i don't know if it's your vibe since i have no clue what music you like, but charm is really fun, casual, homey....very sweet sounds. there are lilting breakdowns and sparkling instrumentals that are like shiny candies for your ears! i wonder what it's like to listen to music with synesthesia. listening to good music and other sensory experiences inspire me like nothing else. it moves me to write and give justice to what i experience. if you decide to listen, i'd love to hear what you think! no pressure at all if you don't want to or don't have the time, though. just being able to talk about it with you makes me happy.

i think i'll gush about individual songs a bit, too: - second nature sounds like a conversation to me, like watching your friend talk and the only thing you can focus on is their face; everything goes fuzzy and you're drinking in every soft laugh that comes from them. there are laugh samples in the background and brief moments where the music totally changes up, but that only adds to the conversational feeling to me. a 'stream of consciousness' sort of song, blurred and buoyant at the edges. very cozy listen. it makes me feel like i'm suspended in honey :3 - thank you is my favorite track off the album, i think. i had it on loop for hours today. it expresses such a sweet sentiment... i think clairo excels at inventing new ways to say 'i love you.' my sister and i listened to the album when it dropped together, and when i said that, she told me: "i think clairo said that in an interview once, that she tries to say 'i love you' in her songs without explicitly saying it." i don't know if this is true or not, but she was successful with thank you. it also reminds me of my favorite characters of all time, so of course i love it. of course. - juna is such a lovely, fun song that i actually decided to try out the name juna for myself. if i'd contacted you after this album came out, no doubt my signoff would be just that: juna. this treasure of a song is, to me, like an ode to casual, lived-in intimacy...an ode to knowing someone so well that nothing about them is new, but loving them so much that every moment is as dizzying, light, and new as the first. there are twinkling sorts of sounds in this one, particularly one at the end that my sister told me felt like a coy wink from clairo herself. it's a playful end to the song, and i think it fits perfectly. the instrumental in this one is so yummy, especially the breakdown. a gem, truly !

I THINK THAT'LL BE IT FOR SONG GUSHING LOL I GOT CARRIED AWAY. but there are lots of treats in this album beyond the ones i talked about. my apologies for talking so much all the time LOL. thank you thank you thank you for listening ! i hope life is wonderful and kind to you! ʚ(´꒳`)ɞ .｡✧･ﾟ:* ~♡

♡, sylvie

hihi sylvie!!! despite your name, i kinda get leafeon vibes from u :o

honestly, i have no clue who you are '':D i thought maybe you were one of two blogs but i've since crossed both off the list and am now without any leads again @w@ i didn't think about the extra addition to the message tho!! specifically i was worried that just like. hi with an emoji would scare people. but adding a simple message like the one you suggested would be alright!! maybe i could send something like "hiii, i hope your day is going well!! 💛" if that works? i like the yellow heart emoji bc that's what i use with my friends in discord dms when i don't have any of the normal fancy emojis that we have in servers lol

not knowing what i listen to is actually a clue for me >:3 because i really only have mutuals in two fandoms, those fandoms being project sekai and in stars and time. project sekai is a rhythm game with vocaloid songs in it! so i can pretty safely rule out most of my "exclusively prsk" mutuals' mutuals, since a lot of that pool is within the fandom. (admittedly that doesn't narrow it down much since i don't interact very much with most of my prsk only mutuals,,,, shhh let me have this)

my url is actually a vocaloid song :D the jubyphonic cover of drop pop candy is actually one of the very first songs i ever listened to that wasn't just generic stuff that played on the radio. it was my first vocaloid song and it's sort of a symbol of me finding my own style so it's very special to me :3 "vocaloid" isn't exactly a genre tho, more of a medium,,, so it's hard to put an exact pinpoint on it ^-^;; i kind of have a wide range of styles i like?? it just kind of comes down to how much the artist commits to it. like i love songs with lots of real instruments but i also love songs that really go for a technical kind of feel yk? just kinda depends on how i'm feeling! i'd say in general i tend to like upbeat and energetic songs the most tho :3

i've never heard of clairo! i might go check that album out tomorrow once i can get back into my apple music account (only my dad has the password and. im supposed to be asleep rn. so im stuck with the song i was looping atm LMAOAOAO)

as for the "listening to music with synthesasia" thing, if you actually want to know you might be better off talking to someone who has like. more of it???? my synthesasia is super mild so mostly it's just the same as any average person lol. i just kind of get like Vibes from songs and it's pretty random what vibes and which song?? like the reason i found out i had synthesasia in the first place was because i listened to a song for the very first time and it smelled like. chicken tenders but like from far away and with sugar kind of mixed in, like when you're at a food fair. and that was so specific it shocked me out of denial HSGSHDGHDHD so basically for me it's like. most of the time it's normal but sometimes i'll listen to a song (and it can be ANY song, a song i like or a song i hate, a new song or one i've listened to a million times) and it'll just,,, smell like something. or taste like something. if i close my eyes sometimes i can see like squiggles and shapes n stuff that are like the song to me too but i don't tend to close my eyes when im listening to music because usually i listen while writing or doing some other task that requires my eyes to be open lmao

nws abt the song gushing!! it was lots of fun to read your thoughts on them :D thank u for sending me another ask and listening to me ramble!! remember to drink water and have a nice day (⁠づ⁠｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡⁠)⁠づ

[talkingfilmsnet]

From Action to Art-house: A Journey Through the Best Indian Films of 2023

2023 wasn't just a year in Indian cinema; it was a kaleidoscope of colors, emotions, and storytelling styles. From pulse-pounding action sagas to soul-stirring dramas, rib-tickling comedies to thought-provoking art-house gems, there's a film for every mood and cinephile in this diverse cinematic landscape. So, fasten your seatbelts, cinephiles, because we're embarking on a journey through the best Indian films of 2023, a journey guaranteed to leave you exhilarated, moved, and perhaps even a little bit wiser.

Adrenaline Rush with the Action Kings:

·         Jawan: Shah Rukh Khan sheds his romantic charm and dons the rugged avatar of a global espionage agent in Atlee's high-octane thriller. Expect breathtaking stunts, mind-boggling fight sequences, and a gripping plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to see King Khan like never before in this action spectacle.

·         Pathaan: Siddharth Anand raises the bar on Bollywood action with this stylish spy thriller starring the sizzling pair of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Exotic locales, smoldering chemistry, and edge-of-your-seat action sequences make Pathaan a visual feast. Prepare for car chases, high-tech gadgets, and thrilling escapes in this adrenaline-pumping ride.

·         Animal: Ranbir Kapoor takes on a dark and gritty role in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's gangster drama. Raw realism, intense performances, and a gripping storyline promise a stark contrast to Kapoor's usual romantic persona. This film delves into the Mumbai underworld, exploring themes of power, violence, and the complexities of human nature.

Laughter is the Best Medicine:

·         Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani: Karan Johar returns with his signature brand of quirky rom-com, starring the effervescent duo of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Expect an explosion of energy, slapstick humor, and a whirlwind romance that will leave you in stitches. This film promises to be a feel-good escape filled with classic Bollywood masala at its finest.

·         Dunki: Shah Rukh Khan teams up with Rajkumar Hirani, the master of heartwarming stories, for this lighthearted adventure comedy. Global mishaps, witty dialogues, and Shah Rukh Khan's infectious charm promise a laugh-fest that celebrates life's unexpected journeys. Get ready for a film that will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling and a renewed sense of optimism.

·         Fukrey 3: The beloved gang returns for another round of side-splitting antics in Mrigdeep Singh Lamba's comedy caper. Absurd situations, relatable characters, and non-stop laughs make Fukrey 3 a perfect dose of escapist fun. Be prepared for hilarious one-liners, slapstick gags, and unexpected twists that will leave you rolling on the floor.

Drama that Touches the Soul:

·         Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two: Mani Ratnam's epic historical saga concludes in 2023, promising grand visuals, a sweeping story of the Chola dynasty, and powerful performances. This film is a treat for history buffs and drama lovers alike. Get ready to be transported to a bygone era filled with intrigue, political maneuvering, and epic battles.

·         The Kerala Story: Based on the real-life 2018 Kerala floods, this poignant drama is a testament to human resilience and the spirit of community. Tales of rescue, the power of hope, and the raw emotions of the tragedy touch hearts and spark inspiration. Be prepared for a film that will move you to tears and leave a lasting impact.

·         Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway: Rani Mukerji delivers a tour-de-force performance as a mother fighting for her child in this courtroom drama. Expect a thought-provoking exploration of cultural clashes, parental rights, and the lengths a mother will go to. This film promises to spark important conversations and stay with you long after the credits roll.

A Touch of Art-house Magic:

Indian cinema isn't just about mainstream spectacles; it also boasts a thriving independent scene. Look out for films like:

·         Aamis: This Assamese drama explores the complexities of gender and identity through the lens of two meat shop owners. The film's unconventional narrative and nuanced performances challenge societal expectations and offer a fresh perspective on human relationships.

·         Sher Shivraj: This Marathi period drama, while steeped in history, resonates with contemporary environmental concerns. The film's portrayal of King Shivaji's dedication to water conservation and sustainable practices offers a historical perspective on ecological responsibility and challenges viewers to think about the present.

·         Writing with Fire: This documentary sheds light on the fearless female journalists who run India'

Conclusion

The year 2023 will mark a new era for Indian cinema, with a lineup of top films that will leave a lasting impression. These films represent the best of the industry and showcase the immense talent and cultural richness of India. Whether you are a fan of action, romance, or comedy, there will be something for everyone to enjoy in the top Indian films 2023. So mark your calendars and get ready to be immersed in a cinematic experience unlike any other in 2023.

[lastweeksshirttonight]

mahonia, camellia, and papyrus!

Mahonia -> This one is one I've been mulling over a while, because inspiration comes to me in such odd ways. But I think one of my biggest sources of inspiration is nature, particularly the beach. I love being in the sun and running around in the sand. I try to bottle those feelings and sensations so I can use them to inspire writing, but I also bring sketchpads to the beach to get in good drawing time.

Camellia -> I was an annoying shithead.

People say I wasn't that bad, but I think I seriously obnoxious, looking back. I thought I was so above people because I had very niche tastes, and had a chip on my shoulder over them. I was well-liked despite this but looking back, I wish I wasn't so dang pretentious about things like Gorillaz. Like, it's Gorillaz. Everyone loves Gorillaz. I'm not special for liking them!! In that way, I've changed a fair bit.

I've always been open to listen to or try watching/reading anything, though. That hasn't changed at all and I'm glad I've retained that, even as it gets harder to set aside time for new things.

I also have become quite baffled at how niche things I enjoy have gone fully mainstream. If you told 20 year old me that K-pop bands would have fucking billboards in Times Square, John Oliver would be culturally beloved, and Wal-Mart would sell manga, I would have seriously thought you were fucking with me.

Papyrus -> Okay, so my playlist threw out this recent lofi hip-hop gem:

This song is honestly everything I'm loving about non-mainstream rap right now - fuzzy ominous beats, deep-voiced and gravelly rap, solid flows from everyone on the track, yet another genius feature from my man RM... this reminds me a lot of recent Corpse Husband work, but when the melodic flute and RM's singing come in at the end, this goes to another level entirely. It is also so loopable.

If you let me, I'll write for days about how BTS is my favorite fourth wave emo band, btw.

[nahasoffice]

The lorax free online book

#The lorax free online book how to#

From the Once-ler's wacky inventions, to the peak and decline of the forest creatures, to the beauty of the Truffula Trees and their tragic demise, The Lorax draws kids into its world. But even at its ugliest, this world keeps kids awake, alert, and engaged. The Lorax is about an environmental disaster. So enjoy, and prepare yourself for the toughest question you'll ever get from your little ones: "What is miff-muffered moof?" Why Your Kids Should Care (Also a good way to teach avoidance of sharp, spiny things.)īe it at sea or on land, in mountains or sand, in the forests or a penthouse suite, you'll find many ways to connect, compare, and contrast the natural world in The Lorax with the one in which you and your kids live. Or, seriously, you can plant something green with your youngster and help them make it grow-hopefully! Cactus is a fun and easy one to try because you can place a cactus ear in soil and it will start sprouting little baby cacti before you know it. If that happens, take your kids on a wild Truffula Tree hunt, or bribe them into doing chores with the promise of a trip to the zoo to see the real live Lorax. You might like it so much you'll want to get interactive. The Lorax is so smart, and visually appealing, you're likely to get just as into it as your kids will. But wherever you stand, this tale is a fun way for you to talk about this stuff with your kids. Not every adult is going to be on exactly the same page after reading this gem: for those of you in the logging industry (too many to count), you might find that the book oversimplifies the big issues and demonizes your peeps. The Lorax is a great place to start a conversation with your kids and students about nature, and to increase their ecological smarts. To not read the book, or to skip the Shmeuss. Now one last thing before we Shmoop back to prose:Ĭheck out the movie, and see how it shows He created new worlds with this beautiful touch. To a new color palette: more lush, plush, and rich. Such reds and greens! Even yellows and blues!ĭoc's second wife Audrey suggested he switch The illustrations, for one, were delightfully new. It's a fine work of art, on top of a lesson. They say Seuss-onomics just ain't all that sound.īut The Lorax is more than just rhymes and confessions. (They seemed to have missed that it's very artistic!) Some people, like loggers, thought it too simplistic,

#The lorax free online book how to#

Reminding us how to keep our earth clean. (You know what that means-it's a bit controversial.) This fuzzy guy said, "don't be so commercial!" The Lorax (the star!)-he protested and yelled. His own greedy deeds caused this assault.īut don't worry, readers, someone rebelled, It turns out it was his own careless fault, Let's meet the players: the Once-ler does shineĪn inventor, he is, who messed up big time.Īnd so he confesses to a special young boyĪbout the Truffula forest, the one he destroyed. To keep our trees green, our lakes and skies blue. We're telling you, Shmoopers, this book is great fun, Now try it again, with a big booming voice,īorn Teddy Seuss Geisell (well, we guess, Theodore)Īnd now, you say, you want some more facts? So read him with us-there's no way you'll lose.Īha! You misspoke, you silly young goose. He couldn't cure measles (we know, not a shock).Īn American man, Dr. He penned The Loraxto show us what's what.įirst, some background on our favorite kid's doc: You may call yourself green, but let's walk the walk.ĭr. Get ready, dear Shmoopers, for some major tree talk

[especdreamy]

Thinking abt my version of endermen again so lemme just ramble a bit.

- Theyre made of end magic thats pulled together from the air by their Ender Pearl (so kinda like a Magic black hole per say?)

- No bones, no organs, their insides are just flowing end magic - when injured it's like they have glittery blood that evaporated in the air after a few seconds. Their outside is magic too but more "solid"

- Liquid Water destabilizes the "solid" magic from their "skin" (and "fur". They're slightly fuzzy. Because having fur means they have a bigger surface area which makes it harder for the water to pass onto their more fragile insides) which is why it hurts them.

- They can stay alive as long as they have enough magic on their bodies and can regenerate any limbs. But if they lose magic past to a treshold they just destabilize and evaporate.

- Ender Pearls lose pull effectivity over time (a very long time) and sometimes they "create" more inside their "cores" (located in the chest) to have enough magic pull but over time it becomes harder to keep it together and they slowly disintegrate (this is a natural death) the extra pearls can also be used to create new endermen (they puke it like a cat would puke a hairball /hj)

- The enderpearl is basically the enderman too btw. Think of it like gems from SU.

- They can teleport bc the enderpearl basically creates a fuckign- wormhole to the place they desire to go to.

- Ender pearls are fragile and unstable outside the body of an enderman which is why sometimes they break upon the enderman's death and also hurt the player when used.

- They got some slight shapeshifting capabilities - which is why some can have longer hair (most normal endermen are just fuzzy tall creatures), change voice intonation, and body shape somewhat. There's some limitations that depend on the enderman.

- I don't know how hybridation works cRanboo is just a Freak.

[jade-parcels]

Thinking about how kaeya probably used to have fun birthday parties as a kid…

He had a small handful of friends from school. He wasn’t very outgoing when he was younger so he had three or four friends but that’s about it. Diluc had a bunch of friends! Diluc loved his brother and would encourage him to play with them even though they were older than him. Kaeyas birthday parties always included his own and Diluc’s friends. There would be treasure hunts, crystal fly catching, all the sweet treats a kiddo could dream of!! Kaeya would get toys, wooden swords and pirate hats to wear! And he’d jump for joy when he found the ‘treasure’ hidden by pirates (Crepus) beneath the winding grape vines. The treasure hunt became a tradition, every year the chest would be harder to find. Even the older kids had a hard time! But Kaeya would always find it! He had a way of sniffing it out! Of course, inside would be toys, mora or candy, not real gems or anything like that.

As he got older, less friends came to his parties. Diluc got busier with knight duty so his old friends from school drifted away. That’s natural! Everyone has their own career path. But kaeya couldn’t help but feel a bit sad when only 6 people came to his 13th birthday party. That’s okay though! He still had Diluc there! And Crepus too! He’d just gotten back from Liyue and brought all sorts of gifts for both of the boys! In Crepus’ absence, Diluc hid the beat up treasure chest himself, not wanting his brother to miss out on something he always looked forward to

For his 15th birthday, Kaeya only had Crepus by his side. Diluc had gone out for cavalry training. Something about the horses getting used to the mud and snow…Whatever. Kaeya was a little peeved, he always looked forward to his birthday. It was a day where he had attention but not in a suffocating way, it was nice. It was nice to have everyone wish him happy birthday, sing to him and be around him on his day. Then the day after, everything would go back to normal and he’d go back to being shy and quiet again. But instead of having a party, he was stuck having dinner with his dad. Crepus obviously felt bad for him, he had the staff go all out with this birthday dinner but Kaeya was feeling grumpy. He still didn’t have any friends…He was looking forward to having time with his brother. They both train with the knights but Diluc trains much more than Kaeya does. He’s out all night and he’s up first thing in the morning, running, lifting, swinging swords. He’s never around anymore…Kaeya misses him. He felt left out. And the cherry on top was his dear brother missing his birthday. He felt a bit silly for being upset…And he felt even worse as he watched his own tears hit the edge of his plate. Crepus was up in an instant, coming to his son’s side to comfort him but…ugh…feelings are hard “I’m fine, I’m fine- just- really, let go” though he didn’t fight off his fathers embrace, he cried into his shoulder as the sun set. There was no treasure chest that year.

No treasure chest the year after either. Or the year after. Kaeya spent his 18th birthday utterly alone. He’s been alone for 7 months now. After Crepus’ passing, Kaeya has been banished from the winery. So instead of that warm, fuzzy feeling he always got on his birthday, the excited buzzing in his veins when he thought about having people over just for his special day…He doesn’t have that now. Turning 18 in Mond is a big deal, usually there’s a big party with wine, cake, songs and story telling. The whole family is supposed to gather round and watch the birthday boy/girl drink their first legal glass of wine! (As if they haven’t drank any before. It’s all for show of course) Not today though. Instead, Kaeya holes himself up in his dinky dorm in the Knights of Favonious building. He can’t bring himself to get out of bed, his limbs feel heavy and his insides feel like cold spaghetti. He’s so alone… His outgoing facade is tiring, he doesn’t want to see anyone today. So he curls in on himself, humming the most pitiful birthday tune to himself as he tries to sleep through the day

Years have passed and traditions have changed. Kaeya has opted to forget about his birthday every year after his 18th. Once November rolls around he just stops looking at the calendar, deciding to actually work instead of procrastinating. He files his papers on time, clears out treasure hoarder camps in record time, even cleans his office when he has nothing to do. Every other night, he stops by the tavern to get a drink, secretly hoping to see his brother. No, he doesn’t drink just to see Diluc but it’s an added bonus. It’s the only time the two of them converse, sometimes…it’s almost like they’ve never fought. They’ll talk for an hour or so but inevitably, something will remind them that they’re still not on good terms. Then the conversation dwindles and Kaeya decides to head home for the night.

Tonight isn’t that night. It’s his birthday yet again, he only knows because Jean wished him a happy birthday and let him have the day off…otherwise he would have ignored it. He had no plans for his big day. He wasn’t tired so there was no need for a nap…He wasn’t hungry so it wasn’t time for lunch just yet… He spent nearly all of his mora on a new sword so he can’t go shopping. So he settles on a walk. Kaeya has memories associated with almost every crevice of Mond, he’s played in all of the woods, fought slimes by lakes and ran from hogs by the cliffs. He remembers it all as his legs just carry him wherever they want to go. Little did he know, they wanted to go home. Along with the rest of him.

He stopped at the winery, mouth open in shock as he found himself there. It wasn’t even that he planned to walk this way it just…happened. He hates that he feels awkward at his old home so he pushes on. Kaeya walks up the front path, looking around at the vines and the crystal flies he loves so much. With a sad sigh, he goes to lay in the grass between rows of vines. Some crystal flies investigate him, landing on his hands when he reaches up or on his knee which is propped up. If he thinks really hard…maybe he can turn into a kid again. Maybe he can turn back time to when he had a warm house full of family and friends. Maybe he could have appreciated his childhood more if he knew what his adulthood looked like . Maybe he would have convinced Diluc to hang back with him or hell! Maybe he would have left his comfort zone more in order to hang around him. Tears slowly trickled down his cheek and wet his eyepatch. It seemed that his birthdays nowadays always required tears. Perhaps allowing himself to be here wasn’t the best choice. With a groan and some cracks from his stiff joints, Kaeya hauls himself up. It’s time to go, he’s been here too long.

He makes his way back to the main path when a crystal fly catches his eye. It looks smaller, it’s light is weaker and it ducks under a vine. Kaeya doesn’t know why he feels drawn to it…but he does. He kneels down, nudging the vines out of the way to see where the little guy went- Kae freezes as his eye lands on a treasure chest. It isn’t the same one from when he was a kid. This one looks worn but still newer. It isn’t rusted and beaten up like the old one was. He almost doesn’t want to open it but his curiosity gets the better of him. He shifts his weight, reaching through the vines to open the chest. A bottle of wine, two glasses…and a letter

“Kaeya,

Happy birthday. If you would like to, please come in and have a drink with me. We should catch up.

Your brother, Diluc”

[nostomannia]

An in-depth look at your muse.  

—    basics.

▸     is your muse tall/short/average? Average. 5′5, she’s not notably tall or short. Can’t reach the top shelf without getting on her tippy toes. ? ▸     are they okay with their height? When it comes to being compared to people massively taller than her? No. ▸     what’s their hair like? Curly and unruly. It’s soft and springy, and quite thick to boot. In cases where she hasn’t put in the same care as she’d normally do, her hair can be quite dry and tangled, even feeling brittle and her curls barely keeping any shape.  ▸     do they spend a lot of time on their hair/grooming? An almost-obsessive amount. She keeps a fairly strict hair care routine, just to look her version of presentable. Although, she doesn’t particularly care about her hair. If something were to happen, she wouldn’t be heartbroken in the slightest. The meticulous care is to simply keep up an appearance. ▸     does your muse care about their appearance/what others think? She cares a lot about her looks. In every world she visits she tries to strike a balance of what’s fashionable and practical. She looks to be noticed and draw people in, and she cares on a surface level how people view her. If she has personal attachment to individuals her care becomes much stronger, starting to worry how they’d view her if they ever got past her lies. 

—    preferences.

▸    indoors or outdoors? Outdoors. She likes her small spaces, but sometimes even she gets a little claustrophobic. ▸    rain or sunshine? Sunshine, do some comfortable sunbathing. ▸    forest or beach? Definitely forest. Beaches can be a bit of a trigger. ▸    precious metals or gems? Gems, just by a slight bias. ▸    flowers or perfumes? She prefers flowers, perfumes can just be too much for her sometimes.  ▸    personality or appearance? Personality tends to come first. She’d rather have someone to goof off with than someone who can sit and look pretty as long as they don’t open their mouth. ▸    being alone or being in a crowd? In a crowd. She feels the most alone like that, ironically. ▸    order or anarchy? She leans more anarchy. Order gets monotonous, and if Sol is anything, it’s a rulebreaker.  ▸    painful truths or white lies? White lies. She'd rather delude and be deluded rather than confronting what she doesn't want to see. ▸    science or magic? Science. Magic and Solita don't mix. ▸    peace or conflict? Conflict, she likes causing a bit of spice. ▸    night or day? Day. She’s gonna get her sunbathing in, or just paint in the afternoon sun. ▸    dusk or dawn? Dusk, who's awake so early? ▸    warmth or cold? Warmth.  ▸    many acquaintances or a few close friends? Many acquaintances is how she tends to operate, but she enjoys having a couple close friends. ▸    reading or playing a game? Reading. She likes the feeling of flipping through pages? It’s calming. 

—    questionnaire.

▸     what are some of your muse’s bad habits? Lying. It’s second-nature to her. Sometimes she lies even when she doesn’t have to. Her life is different to everyone, and if you pay attention, you may notice inconsistencies. She has a lot of self-destructive tendencies, cutting people off, using substances, or even harming herself when she gets stressed.  ▸     has your muse lost anyone close to them? how has it affected them? Far too many to count. It's effected her pretty deeply, and she closed herself off emotionally from others because of it. Just from not aging, it’s hard watching loved ones grow old without her. Sol tries to convince herself it’s better to just not connect at all because of that. ▸     what are some fond memories your muse has? A lot of fond memories Sol has are lost to time, or have been corrupted with how her relationship with Deity has broken down. Other memories that she picked up while drifting often tend to be lost much more easily. She has fuzzy memories of spending time cooking with others,  ▸     is it easy for your muse to kill? Easy enough that it ends up unsettling herself. She’s become used to it, thanks to Deity. Living the way she does, she has to make a choice: Help herself or save Deity’s targets. Saving others and getting severely punished for it gets tiring.  ▸     what’s it like when your muse breaks down? Sol doesn’t break down often. She buries her feelings, trying to hide them and pretend that they don’t exist. Last thing she wants to do is break down in front of someone, or possibly worse for her, in front of Deity. When she does, it’s almost unsettling, given her normal personality. Trying to make herself small, muffle any noise she makes, and push everyone away.  ▸     is your muse capable of trusting someone with their life? Not like she has anything to lose if she does. She doesn't trust easy, and she'd rather have to do something by herself than let someone have her back. ▸     what’s your muse like when they’re in love? She's extremely conflicted. Caught between her attachment and responsibilities for Deity, wanting to be better but being stuck in her trauma. Often guilt-ridden, but she's a romantic at heart and starved for affection. She's wanting to spend more time with the person of her affection, often prevents coming up with outings just to spend as much time as she can with them. She tends to soften up, still spontaneous but certainly not as much of an instigator as she would be normally.

[mewrising]

In a lot of cases, primal eyes are seen as a rare blessing, but I imagine it would be a curse in a lot of ways, too.

Say you’re a shadow primal.  Your eyes never stop dripping; the ichor gets everywhere, staining your clothes and making your floors slick.  You spend all day cleaning, and it still isn’t enough.  You wake up in a puddle of purple sludge every morning--that is, if you ever sleep.  Sometimes, the magic makes it hard for you to even shut your eyes.

Say you’re a fire primal.  Your eyes burn anything--and anyone--that gets too close to you.  You live in a house of the strongest stone, because every piece of wood or paper or cloth you’ve ever tried to own has burnt at some point or another.  Char marks trail across the ceiling; the air smells like smoke.  Your tears are almost hotter than lava, and they can burn holes in anything--even stone, as you know too well.  The floor is littered in pockmarks.  You have no comfort.

Say you’re a light primal.  You cannot see; how can the sunlight possibly enter your eyes?  You cannot enjoy the radiant beauty of your goddess; the only thing you can see are shadows.  And how quickly do they disappear when you approach?  You hold everything at a distance.

Say you’re a water primal.  It didn’t seem so bad at first; it’s only water, after all!  But water flows even faster than a shadow primal’s sludge, and can fill a space quite assuredly.  You sleep in lakes to avoid flooding your den; you read from stone tablets because any book or scroll you grab is soaked the moment you touch it, the ink bleeding freely.  You scream half-seen bits of prophecies whenever you dream, even now.  The Tidelord has forgotten everyone, it seems, but somehow, he hasn’t forgotten you.  It was his blessing, after all.

Say you’re an arcane primal.  The runes on your face were never natural; no part of you really is.  They burned themselves into your scales, a unique pattern of pain that never really stops--because you’re exuding magic every moment.  All around you, strange things happen.  Nonsensical runes line the walls of your cave, glowing ethereally and taunting you with their vagueness.  Crystals form where you least expect them; any time you turn around, you can be certain to find a fuzzy swath of them.  Items float when you look at them, sometimes.  You’ve broken more glassware than you could ever dream of counting.

Say you’re a lightning primal.  Your eyes snap and spark, lashing out at the world.  Your clan knows well to keep you away from the circuitry; one wrong look could fry a whole grid of lights.  You have no control over the bolts that dance around your eyes, and they strike on their own pleasure.  And they hurt--not you, but others.  It takes a sturdy dragon to keep your company, or a suit of rubber.  And you know well just how difficult electrical fires are to quench.

Say you’re a nature primal.  Of the batch, you seem quite tame, but to have a living thing embedded in your face is no easy task.  It needs water and sun and careful tending; it drinks your blood and tears, and you can feel when it’s failing to thrive.  Every fallen petal hurts like a blow to the gut, a little more of your power drifting away out of exhausted negligence.  Gladekeeper forbid if you were to ever let it wilt.  Roots drift in your veins, and flowers bloom at your every step--sometimes tethering you in place.

Say you’re an earth primal.  Your danger doesn’t come from within; rather, from without.  Precious gems encircle your eyes; your tears are diamonds and sapphires and other precious stones.  You’ve been hurt so many times for nothing but profit; so many friends have ulterior motives.  All the Earthshaker ever wanted was to bring his children together, but this was not the way to do it.  You have a hard heart and a skeptical eye, now; you cannot trust.

Say you’re an ice primal.  The snowflakes around your eyes never really melt; they flutter and fall and freeze holes wherever they like.  It takes strong concentration to keep them in place, to keep them from doing harm--either to the world you inhabit or the creatures around you.  Often, they dance around your eyes and obscure your vision.  Your touch leaves frost, even in the heart of the Ashfall Waste.  You are paranoid.

Say you’re a wind primal.  The breeze follows you wherever you go; its gusty presence is felt whenever you enter the room.  One wrong thought could send a dragon sprawling; a fit of anger could fell a forest.  You can feel yourself becoming deaf, the wind’s constant howls wearing slowly at your ears.

Say you’re a plague primal.  You cannot blink; your dozen eyes are ever open, the blobby scar tissue on your face refusing to shut over them.  Outside the humidity of the Wasteland, they become terribly dry; it hurts to be out in the sun.  Disease follows you, striking when you least expect it.  You are immune, but your companions are not.  Too often, you can do nothing to help.

-

Just an idea I had.  I imagine that magic helps in many cases, but some of these things are quite impractical, no?  Feel free to use these as lore prompts if you’d like, or add on to them with your own thoughts.  I’d love to see!

[aquaticstyles]

unchained

A while ago I was asked for a “Have You Ever Been In Love” sequel, and while this is probably not the direction you guys were expecting, this is what I came up with. Also, this one’s (loosely) inspired by the song “Scott Street” by the lovely Phoebe Bridgers (highly recommend listening to the spotify sessions version while listening). Fun fact, for forever I misheard the lyrics, thinking she was saying “unchained” instead of “ashamed.” After noticing that I have, in fact, been wrong this entire time, I realized I kinda liked my version better (sorry Phoebe). And, me being me, I ran with it and it spun into this quick, 1.4k part two. Reblogs + feedback help so much! Enjoy!! xx, Jane 

“Have you ever been in love?”

Harry’s heart stops.

The question catches him off guard, and not just because he’s not used to interviewers asking such personal ones (he guesses this is what he signed up for when he agreed to be the first male flying solo on the cover of Vogue). It makes his heart stop because of his answer, because of the woman that had once asked him the same exact question.

Harry has never been one to linger in his sadness; he finds it unproductive, and quite honestly, completely depressing. After a break up, one can find the caramel-colored curls belonging to the world’s latest phenomenon sweating out his sorrow, or frustration, at the gym, pounding the boxing bag again and again and again. “Nothing another set can’t fix,” his trainer, Mike, would often tease the man in denial, knowing good and well by his posture upon entering the ring, slumped shoulders and an ever-present crease between his eyebrows, that another one had bit the dust the night prior. Mike had learned fairly quickly to never ask questions, to simply let Harry work out his emotions as he pleases, even if that means letting him walk out with wrapped fists masking throbbing, crimson knuckles.

Harry has never been one to talk about his sadness either; he finds it prolongs the pain rather than diminishing it, an annoying gnat swarming around an abnormally large bite from a crisp apple, halting his progression in enjoying his afternoon snack because he just can’t catch the bloody thing. His sister has tried to break him from his stubborn ways, even resulting to getting the lanky man drunk off tequila in hopes of him finally opening up about his incessant missed targets; however, that only ever ends up with Gemma’s arms holding up the giggling teddy bear and folding his bulky body into a taxi, mimicking cramming a cotton ball into a straw. Therapy was suggested and waved off with an inked palm, because if he doesn’t want to talk to his sister about it, how on earth is he supposed to talk to a stranger?

Never-ending claims of “I’m fine,” and “It just didn’t work out,” and “Don’t worry ‘bout me,” and “It wasn’t even that serious.” Sure, each breakup took a little something out of the man that insisted he was “fine,” but eventually, a couple dozen inked journal pages later, Harry would be back to his normal, happy-go-lucky, perfectly-kind self.

All of these rang true for most of Harry’s young adulthood.

All of these were common occurrences, that is, until Harry met you.

You were unlike anyone he had ever met. Selfless, but not in an over-bearing, walk-all-over-me kind of way. Funny, but not in an underlying-hatred, fake-laugh kind of way. Genuine, but not in a look-at-me, fake kind of way. Honest, in a I-want-to-know-everything-that-makes-you-you, ask-you-questions-until-the-sun-rises kind of way. Drop-dead-gorgeous in the most unbelievable, glowing, ethereal, kind of way that he constantly reminded you of. You were the perfect balance, the missing diamond to even out the coal on the other end of the scale.

Loving you felt like the ocean.

In the morning when there’s a hazy screen covering your lenses, clouding the soft sunlight in a muted, white-washed filter. It’s more gray, yet still golden as the shining mass of fire lazily rises from its slumber. It’s calm, clouds stretched apart like cobwebs in the faded blue sky above, waves leisurely, almost too relaxed, crashing along the bleached shore then disappearing back into the horizon. Still sleepy, still new, an entire day ahead of you.

In the afternoon when the sun is at its highest and hottest, radiating down ultraviolet rays that burn your skin, causing alarmingly red shoulders in need of aloe that soon progressively heal and turn into a bronzed exterior. Speckles of light dancing upon excited waves, similar to a neighborhood of children dressed in pink polka dots and orange overalls running towards the ice cream truck filled to the brim with dreams of sugary stomachaches. It’s saturated, every color its brightest and loudest, pops of cerulean and coral. It’s a blanket of comfort, a suffocating scarf. It’s sweet. It’s sour. A cool glass of lemonade sinking into a bed of quicksand. Annoying and astonishing.

In the night, when the yellowing presence is long gone in the awakening of the moon, the deepest indigo swirling in between pockets of stars dotted and flecked into the atmosphere like freckles. It’s black and blue. You don’t know where the earth stopss and the water begins, familiarity lost as the waves erase each new footprint in the sand. The tide is an abuser, sweet as it sings you in, terrifying as it pulls you under. Skinny dipping, vulnerable, exciting, adrenaline, heart thumping, diving, sinking, drowning.

The morning, the afternoon, the night. The happening, the honeymoon, the heartbreak.

Ever since it ended, everything Harry had ever known was cast aside, thrown out like a Gucci jumper from last season. For the first time in his twenty-six years of living, fourteen of those juggling the obstacles that relationships can and will bring, Harry was irreversibly numb, a pair of frozen, gloveless fingertips blue from the icy wind. Not only did he linger in the gut-wrenching grief, he was absorbed by it. Instead of waking up each morning tucked into the bare side of your body diffusing innocent warmth, sipping a steaming cup of black coffee received by hands much smaller than his own, he woke up with a stranger laying on his chest, cold, with a pounding headache the bottle of whiskey had gladly supplied from the night before. The days felt as if they lasted an eternity, time stuck in slow-motion, tick, tick, ticking, one second, one and a half, one and three quarters, two. He watched the seasons pass, the grass dying and regenerating into its natural emerald shade from his bedroom, dust pocketing in the corners of a picture frame containing two pairs of sparkling eyes and genuine, toothy grins sitting on the windowsill. Nights consisted of him lying sleepless on his back, eyes wide awake, thumbs twiddling as the echoes of helicopters overhead drone in and out. Dozens of missed calls remained unanswered: Mum, Gem, Mitch, Mike, Adam, Sarah, Mum, Mum, Gem, Mum, Mike, Mitch, Gem, Mitch, Mum…

He was stuck, a pancake glued to an ungreased pan, charred. It was when this melancholy had prolonged for nearly its sixth month, and all at home remedies (which included drinking, writing, drinking because he was writing, and writing because he was drinking) failed to provide any peace that he decided to give in to the recommendations from almost every single one of his friends: therapy. After the first session, he was ready to book it and sprint off to a deserted island with nothing but a coconut filled with rum to accompany his solitude. Turns out that one session was the mento to his coca cola of bottled-up emotions, exploding months’ worth of buried feelings and memories in an hour. It took the will of God (and Gemma purposefully lying and telling him they were going to get lunch) to get Harry back in the baby-pink-painted interior of his therapist’s office. After months of talking, sorting, compartmentalizing, yelling, crying, healing, unpacking, and reflecting, Harry tackled down the closure he had been chasing. A year and an album later, when he heard your name, he no longer felt trapped, heart beating rapidly, trying desperately to break apart his ribcage, he felt unchained—a prisoner uncaged, pounds and pounds of metal unlocked from his wrists, free.

Before, your name was paired with a colorless photo album, snapshots of vibrancy draining into black and white, frozen, lifeless, still.

Now, your name resembled a film reel of the best moments, your sweater hanging in his closet, your arm thrown around his mother’s shoulder in a polaroid candid, your laugh echoing in the acoustics of his shower after you nearly slipped on the lavender bubbles coating sudsy toes, your hands massaging his scalp, twisting curls into detailed plaits, your foamy lips smushing against a stubbled cheek, leaving remnants of peppermint mocha in the winter air, your satin skirt contrasting from his purple flares in his backyard, playing thumb war and whispering confessions in the moonlight. The good memories built a brick wall to block out the bad, dimming the light of your downfall.

“Have you ever been in love?” The question echoes again in Harry’s ears, causing a grin and a dimple to pop into his cheek. The fuzzies. Once, twice, three times. Click, shake, tape.

“Yeah, I have.”

[guardian-of-the-eldin-caves]

Volga headcanons/info (subject to change)

Volga actually wouldn't be in the war at all if it wasn't for Cia's magical influence.

He's alive post-game. Flies away honorably after he's beaten.

He's very honorable and doesn't look kindly upon those like Wizzro

Volga is actually good with kids as he has the more protective instincts that a dragon would have

Asexual Demiromantic King

Has more patience than people would think and less of a temper than they would think, though his temper is still pretty bad at times. It is amplified by Cia's magic.

Has infinite patience for children though and would eat anyone who threatens them.

Is very protective of his clans/people. Lizalfos, dinolfos, aeralfos, even gorons- Those in Eldin Caves are under his jurisdiction and he will fight for them.

His draconic form is actually his most comfortable form, he just has to remain in his humanoid form more often while with Cia and Ganon.

He is a walking furnace

The gem on his chest, if shattered, would cause intense pain and would likely disrupt his transformations or leave him too disoriented to transform.

His social awareness is nonexistent. That or he just doesn't care enough. Either way he can be blunt at times

Dragons can purr because I say they can

During the events of Hyrule Warriors Cia's magic makes it hard for Volga to think of his home. His memories get a bit fuzzy and his head starts to hurt if he even considers leaving.

Post-Hyrule Warriors he returns to Eldin Caves, though if approached by the Hylians is amenable and calls for a truce. His people are relieved that Cia's control his gone and are a bit more willing to help the Hylians rebuild.

Poor dragon is very homesick during the events of the war though he can never pin the feeling down.

Is left with some psychological trauma post game because of Cia. Having your mind bent to someone else's selfish ambitions and being forced to fight in a war and sacrifice your people for them sounds pretty traumatizing.

That and he was essentially hurt in some way every time he tried to think for himself or break away (usually in the form of severe headaches, borderline migraines if he fought back harder)

If given the option to find Cia post-game and attack her he'd probably consider it but ultimately would stay away. He fears being influenced again.

When sick, he tends to prefer to stay in his draconic form because it feels most natural. He'll try to sleep the sickness off and stay in the sun to warm up. The heat and red usually beneath his scales will dim almost to a black and the fire on his back will go out entirely.