#maybe i'll tinker around with them more and make them better

[octyfish]

The feeling when you finally think you're going to see Clown without his makeup...only for him to show up to the party as a different kind of Klown...

An extra thank you to @silverxcristal for helping me with some of the backgrounds and text so I could get this done. Even if it still unfortunately ended up being late.

[ddejavvu]

Hiccup meeting reader who works in welding and is making him a new stirrup, and they have a conversation about riding and he offers to teach her. She’s scared of heights but would go to spend time with him 🙂‍↕️

It's strange, realizing you have a fear of heights well into adulthood, but to be fair you've never been presented with the offer of flying on the back of a dragon before, so you'd never really figured it out.

You'd stayed clear of Berk's cliffs in your youth but that was more anxiety than cold, solid fear. Your feet had stayed firmly away from the edge in case you'd fallen onto the unforgiving rocks below, but all of the village kids were taught not to get too close to the edge. Flying, being completely airborne on nothing but a creature that used to raze your village, is what makes you realize you have a fear of heights. What's even stranger is that your fellow blacksmith may be the biggest fan of flying in all of the Archipelago.

The dragons aren't the scary part- you've been used to them for years, and Toothless knows you from how often he accompanies Hiccup to the forge. There's no hesitation from you anymore before you reach out to scratch at the small scales around his snout, but when he rustles his great wings or throws them out to his sides you take an instinctive step backwards.

Hiccup tinkers with his metal foot almost weekly, but this stirrup is better fitted when he's seated in Toothless's saddle, and he can't work from that angle. And- even if you're the only logical choice, seeing as you're the other blacksmith on the island and you'd been occupying yourself by throwing pebbles into the flames from across the building, it's nice to know that Hiccup trusts you with something as important as his limb. You trust him too, and the unspoken agreement makes you feel special.

Right now you're crouched by his side, tongue pinched between your lips as you check the mechanism that locks Hiccup's foot into the stirrup of the saddle. It's important that it locks tightly, otherwise he could fall or be injured during flight, but he needs to be able to extract it at will, too.

It had loosened itself slightly, but it seems to work fine now, and when you give him the go-ahead, he unlocks his foot and finds himself free of the saddle without any pain or warped metal.

"Perfect," He gushes, almost laughing in relief as his eyes shine brightly. He clicks it in and out of place experimentally, "Y'know if you hadn't been here, I'd have folded myself in half trying to weld my own stirrup shut."

"You'd singe off your eyebrows," You snicker, your palm butting against his shoulder in a gentle, good-natured shove, "I don't mind helping- I've got nothing else to do today. But you can thank me by fixing the clasp of my bracelet later- it broke," You look down sadly at your bare wrist, "And I'm not as good at the small stuff as you are."

"I'll fix it," He assures you, settling further into the saddle atop Toothless's back, "But I was really gonna thank you by taking it for a spin- you wanna go flying?"

Your spine tenses as dread pools in your gut.

You're always able to dodge the question, feigning hunger or remembering suddenly that you'd forgotten to hang your washing out to dry. Now that you've just revealed your totally empty schedule for the day, you're not sure how to weasel your way out of flying without being obvious.

But it seems any effort is in vain. You should have known- maybe you could have placated Snotlout with a half-baked excuse, or told Ruffnut you were just feeling queasy and couldn't handle a zippleback flight, but Hiccup notices things the others don't, and he's always been that way. He picks up on the momentary shift of your face- a briefly furrowed brow, and sees the way your teeth dig into your lower lip with unease.

"Come to think of it," He speaks again, his voice quieter now, "I've never seen you fly before. I know you're not afraid of dragons," He concludes, "But... you're afraid to fly, aren't you?"

"I'm not afraid," You protest meekly, eyes downcast as you spend entirely too long meticulously replacing your tools, "I'm just- I don't know, it seems risky. Your leg is connected to the saddle but mine won't be. Even in stirrups, it'd be so easy for me to just fall, and there's no guarantee I'd be caught, and it just seems like a pretty quick way to die, if you ask me."

"You sound a little afraid." Hiccup teases tentatively, searching for a smile on your face, even briefly, "But that's okay. It is scary- I mean, at least the first time. But Toothless is a pro." He promises, patting the side of the dragon's scaly head, "And I'll be there too. That's just about as safe as you can get for your first flight. And if you want, we can just glide over the forest. Nothing too high, and not over the ocean. Just ten minutes?"

Ten minutes on the back of a dragon.

Hiccup holds out a hand, and you seem to have accidentally welded your feet to the ground, because they won't move.

"Come on," He smiles, gesturing encouragingly with his outstretched hand, "Do you trust me?"

You do trust him, you remember, as you squeeze your eyes shut and take his hand. You do trust him, and you let him tug you across the floor and maneuver you onto the back of his dragon all while you're staring at the backs of your eyelids- you do trust him, and for the next ten minutes, that will have to be enough.

[qwiopty]

TAILS GIJINKA BREAKDOWN!

FINALLY!! i put together some tails gijinka/humanized stuff LOL!! see below for some goodies and an in depth (kind of indulgent) breakdown!!

[for the third image: sonic gijinka design belongs to @noka-exe !! i havent really come up with my own but i like theirs :-) ]

thisss gijinka is packed with headcanons LOL.. beware!! for starters...hes just a little guy!! i took visual inspo from markl (howls moving castle) and simon (gurrenn lagann)!! mostly simon bc i find a lot of similarities between him and tails.. short and unassuming shy boys who are also compassionate and brave!! (isn't it also awesome how simon and tails both have an older brother figure who encourages them to be brave.. 💥💥🤯 and they both have some sort of space opera and id go on but thats spoilers!!) i also went with a prosthetic leg to kind of represent his tail!! i think it could parallel to how tails' tails can act like a mobility aid, and he'd get the opportunity to tinker and repair them too!! it could also possibly correlate to how tails makes something he was picked on and bullied for, his tails, and uses it to his advantage! and again tying in his interest for mechanics and being able to customize and repair it is a concept that i find neat!! (maybe some inspo from fullmetal alchemist.. bahahaha..)

speaking of customization. i also love the idea of him covering them with stickers!! i've already added tails' own emblem on there but this has prompted me to look into adding some more!

(sorry that im singling you out again @tornado1992 LMAO i just loved your input!!) but i also love the hc that tails gets hand me downs from sonic!! for instance his gloves.. ik theyre not directly from sonic but it is such a sweet detail that tails has a rubber band around those oversized gloves to mimic sonic! and tails definitely has the means to make his own fitted gloves yet he still has those bands on in his modern models!! auhgh!! so yes.. lets say the hoodie is so oversized and oozing with swag cause it originally belonged to sonic! :-) maybe tails likes it so much that he designs the cyclone after it!! just some ideas... more depth into his clothes: i drew a lot of inspo from already existing tails-related designs!! the main outfit i draw him in is a large short-sleeve hoodie with some elements pulled from the cyclone and tails' racesuit design from sonic speed simulator! he also has his goggles and shoes from sonic riders, with some slight details added on!! see below for a better look at the outfit LOL

(the pins on his crossbody bag are a fly-type emblem, a mint, and a red star ring! theres also a sonic keychain that i keep forgetting to add/switch out with the fly type emblem LOL)

here's some more doodles from last year with this design!

yes i did make a classic design for him!! his younger hair is more of that nice vintage orange-yellow but as he gets older itll turn amber then maybe gold? i was also thinking he dons some red clothing to reflect his admiration for sonic but later starts implementing his own style with some grays and blues!!

i'll also point out that i lean into more of a space-pilot design instead of the usual aviator pilot!! tbf i was raised on sonic x season 3 which is just a huge space opera.. 😅😅 but i still do love the aviator pilot concept!!

this should be about everything i have to dump about my design!! im not usually this talkative in posts so im a little embarassed to be sharing this at all 💀 but if u read through all of this thank you so much LMFAO im so crazy about him!! if you have any questions or ideas youd like to share id love to hear them!! maybe draw them out too... i may even do a cosmo design update/breakdown!! for fun.. heres the first tails gijinka post i ever posted!!

also shoutout to @corvussio for the incredible detailed comment on my other tails design post!! i know its been ages but i still think about how you took the time to look into each and every detail!! thank you greatly pal!!

[leo-interactive-fiction]

ROs being teleported to the past and finding MC as a cute child

Haha, let's see...

E: Your wide, saucer like eyes look up at the smiling figure as they squat down to your level.

"Hey MC... It's been a while... since I've seen you like this..."

"You look familiar..." you murmur quizzically.

"I know... you don't have to recognize me now, but always know..." They envelop your small hands in theirs, "I'll always be by your side, so please don't forget me... okay...?"

------

R: You see them brush a strand of golden hair from their face as they stoop down.

"Well, I wasn't expecting this..."

"Who are you...?" You tilt your head obliviously.

"Oh, me? You don't have to worry about it for now," R looks into your eyes for a moment, finding something in it that makes them chuckle before standing back up and turning away, "Yeah... just forget about me for now, okay? I want our first meeting to be just as it is..."

------

You have to crane your neck to look up at the towering figure before you.

"A-Ah, that must be uncomfortable... my apologies," They awkwardly move to sit on the floor with you, "My curiosity got the better of me, and I wished to see..."

"Who are you...?" You ask, still having to tilt your head slightly to look at them.

"I am, um..." L tinkers with the small silver hairpin that catches your youthful fascination, "Oh! Would you like to see? Be careful though... it's important to me..."

As you grasp the elegantly crafted spiral shaped hairpin, you sense a vague, foreign feeling welling up within you.

L continues softly, "Maybe... you would like to keep it? I truly believe that someday... it will find it's way back to me..."

------

You watch as the silver haired figure sits down next to you, taking in the world around them.

"This is... where you came from..." They draw their legs to their knees, as if trying to shield themselves, "There's no gunshots... no smoke... no death..."

"Who are you...?" You ask hesitantly.

"I will tell you... next time..." They look at you for a fleeting moment before turning away, continuing quietly, "When you see me again... tell me that I'll be okay..."

------

You gaze up at the brutish redhead standing before you.

"So it's actually you, huh...?"

"Do you know me...?" You wonder aloud.

"Yeah, something like that..." They huff and crouch low to look you in the eyes, "Don't worry too much about it. Eventually we'll see each other again."

"When?"

"I don't know, but when we do... try to ignore what I tell you."

------

Your attention is taken by the humming redhead crouching in front of you, wearing an amused smile.

"Oh... you're so... adorable... as a kid..."

"Do you know me...?" You wonder aloud.

M taps a finger to your lips, hushing you playfully, "You shouldn't... ruin... the surprise... Just look forward... to when... you're ready for it... okay...?

------

K: You feel a sense of overwhelming unease as the unkempt stranger reaches towards you, gripping you by your shoulders in a tight claim as they look deep in your eyes.

"You are important. Do you understand? So very important..."

"W-Who are you...?"

"Me? You want to know... me?" A strangely sharp smile creeps onto the strangers face, "I am... the only one you need... Promise me... that you will remember me..."

------

S: You yelp as the homely stranger suddenly picks you up.

"What! Ya got so small! I could throw ya!"

"W-wha-- AH!" You scream in fright as S does a small practice toss of you up in the air, nearly dropping you onto the hard floor below before finally catching you.

"Oop! That could'a been bad! Nearly pancaked your head there!" S merely laughs it off as you are striken with unrecoverable childhood trauma.

-------

You instinctively shudder under the frigid gaze of the stranger before you, even as they bend over to look at you more closely.

"Oh...? How wholly unremarkable... to think you would grow to be..." They pause, seeming to silently berate themselves.

"Do you know me?" You murmur hesitantly.

"That is correct... though it appears you do not know me... rest assured, though, that will not be the case for long..." A devilish smile creases the thin line on their face as they pat your head, "Perhaps if I start feeding you information from a developmental stage, it may expedite our process later... I look forward to seeing how you internalize this..."

F chuckles darkly and settles in as you are subjected to everlasting mental trauma.

-------

Thank you for the ask! I had a lot of fun with it haha

[yanderes-galore]

First time asking sorry, but what do you think about platonic yan redson with orphan reader?

Hi! Welcome to my blog ^^ I'll try my best to see what I can do for this idea... I hope it's okay. Sorry it took so long to make, I kept returning to it for months but kept running out of ideas since the request was vague :( Hope you like it even it it's short!

Yandere! Platonic! Red Son with Orphan! Darling

Pairing: Platonic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Overprotective behavior, Manipulation, Coerced adoption (?), Isolation, Implied kidnapping, Implied forced companionship.

I couldn't tell if you meant Red Son being aged up and caring for an orphan or not?

Either way, I can see Red Son being an overprotective sibling more than a parent.

Red Son would at first be unsure how to deal with you.

Even MK has a parental figure, so hearing you have no parents makes Red Son... unsure about you.

Although he's surprisingly sympathetic for a supposed villain.

Red Son probably didn't know you were an orphan until he got to know you better.

You often hang around MK's friend group so he originally never bothered to ask such a question.

It isn't until Red Son starts to get closer to you that you let it slip.

He was probably doing something like venting to you... talking about his parents and what they expect from him.

Only for you to say something that baffles him.

"At least you have parents... I'm sure they love you a lot if they ask for so much."

He pauses his sentence, staring at you in bewilderment.

You... huh???

This entire time he hasn't known you were an orphan!?

Granted, it's not like he was actively looking into it...

That and you never mentioned it.

He's stunned... but never says anything mean.

He's more just... surprised.

"You're telling me you have no parents...?"

Then you start explaining to Red Son that you see MK's friend group as your family.

He hadn't known they meant so much to you, either.

Red Son was quite oblivious to you until he actually got close.

Afterwards he feels oddly... sympathetic? Protective?

It's a strange feeling to him...

He doesn't know why he cares so much.

Nevertheless... He's still drawn to you.

Imagine over time Red Son actually tries to be your friend...

Although, friendship soon becomes something akin to an overprotective sibling.

Red Son has never had siblings.

But naturally he seems to stick around you like an older brother.

The others no doubt comment on it, MK and Mei especially.

He usually snaps at them, trying to deny that you're anything special to him.

It's all a lie of course... Part of Red Son actually likes the idea of being your older brother.

Red Son nearly dies inside when his parents catch wind of him being so close to you.

He tries desperately to explain himself, he isn't sure why.

Maybe part of him is scared they'll harm you if he doesn't defend you?

I can see his parents finding it... amusing that Red Son cares so much about you.

Human or demon he seems to defend you like you're actually related.

Red Son's parents no doubt want to meet you, which is unnerving for you.

When you meet DBK and Iron Fan, the two may even accept you into their family eventually.

Doesn't matter if you like it or not.

Red Son acts as your brother... and his parents act as your parents.

He takes the role VERY seriously, too.

Even when you don't want him to, Red Son is very protective and strict.

He considers you part of the Bull Family...

Which means you should act like it.

Red Son even drags you to learn tinkering and inventing with him.

He views it as bonding.

Pretty soon he even tries to isolate you from MK and the others.

His family is yours... It's the only family you need.

Actually, why stop there?

Why not just move you in?

You want a family, don't you?

You're lucky Red Son cares...

He can give you a family, a home, even brotherly love if you want! (Even if you don't....)

It's concerning how fast he becomes obsessed...

It's all a whirlwind before you're moved into his home and practically having a bunk bed with him.

By this point you're in too deep.

Red Son doesn't want you to feel alone.

He'll try out this brother thing for you.

No one's going to convince him otherwise.

Not unless they wish to be incinerated.

Long story short, Red Son becomes obsessed with being your big brother...

Which in the end makes you join his family... most likely against your will.

[temporalhiccup]

In an effort to ease out of burn out and try to feel real and human again I'm digging around old games and seeing what would be fun to tinker with. For most of my games they get to at least an Alpha Build/Playtestable stage, but Never Break The Chain is one of the few that didn't quite manage to get that far (though it honestly wouldn't take that much more I think!)

Never Break The Chain mechanically and emotionally is a response to The Eventide Club, which was @jdragsky's response to Apocalypse Keys.

It's clear that this game is partly a love letter to jay dragon's design and how it makes me feel, and I wrote this during a time when I was insecure about my design. I was reeling from the idea that my games were too emotional to be enjoyable, that strangers were never going to like the games I create. (Typical Capricorn, even the way I work through my shit has to be productive in some way)

Every player character is made up of two components: a Musician Playbook and a God Playbook. It's my take on the very popular idea of fallen gods feeding off divine worship as musicians. I wanted to create a really fun and emotionally intense game (inspired by how famously messy Fleetwood Mac and other bands can be, definitely The Wicked + The Divine too).

It's been three years since I took a look at this stuff and it's fun remembering the mechanical shenanigans I was up to: tightening chains, breaking them, creating halos, shattering them, etc. I'll tinker a bit with these mechanics and see what comes of it.

The more complex of the playbooks are the Musician ones. What remains of the divine is raw and simple, ever fading and barely there. In comparison, the Musician playbooks are a chance for me to explore some truly messy human stuff.

Here's the Musician playbook, The Mask, it's mostly intact from the last time I touched it years ago. I just tightened a few options here and there.

I'll spell out the inspiration for this playbook: David Bowie, specifically the maddened Bowie interviewed by Cameron Crowe in 1975.

Bowie was famous for his different personas, and you can see some of them represented in the masks below: Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, Halloween Jack, the Goblin King, and the Minotaur.

This playbook is an exploration of what it could have been like for Bowie exploring these different personas, based on various events written about or talked about in later years, offering points of tension and intensity (deconstructed and awaiting creative input, like always) and hopefully creating explosive moments of playable drama.

I do think this playbook leans most into Bowie's contentious phase as the Thin White Duke. This was a man who was clearly breaking apart on stage, underneath the thinnest veneer of a persona that was holding itself together with a white-knuckled grip. Other personas were haunting him, discarded or never worn. Station to Station is my favorite Bowie album on most days, and his live performances of its music are almost painful to watch (while impossible to look away from).

I think, if we ever get this to playtest, I'll probably leave this playbook mostly as is (barring some mechanical tweaks that will be applied to all playbooks maybe) and just see where things go.

The Mask

You understand better than anyone that music is a story, and that performance is a mask well worn. You have created several Masks and stories over the years, and the Masks have recreated you. But as you seek fame and fortune, will the Mask become more real than you ever could be? One day you'll wake up and there won't be anything of you left, just a blank face both empty and signifying nothing.

Your Name

(Choose 1): A completely made up name that is never questioned, an appropriately dramatic name, a single initial that no one pronounces properly, I change my name every few months, a series of letters and numbers that only makes sense to my fans, a name that is as enigmatic as it is beautiful.

Your Look

(Choose 3-4): A painfully sharp and pale business suit with splatters of paint and blood on it, shades that almost no one has ever seen me take off, hair dyed into every imaginable color, the cruelest smile, the kindest eyes, an intoxicating scent, small and delicate tattoos that tell all my secrets, the body language of a predator, an unexpected scar, something else that betrays my mortality and weakness.

Your Role in the Band:

(Choose 1-3): Lead vocalist, lead guitar, muse, song writer, fuck buddy, everybody's ex, the face of the band, I'm here to look pretty baby

Choose the Mask you currently wear, one Mask you discarded, and one Mask that threatens to consume you.

I am an alien from a dying planet and harbinger of an inescapable apocalypse, my music is wild and haunting

I am royalty from a fictional past and deride the love I desperately need, my music is rhythmic and romantic

I am a rebel leader from a dark future and I shall orchestrate a dystopia of our own making, my music is hypnotic and delirious

I am the fae king who grants ill-cast wishes and offers dark bargains, my music is ethereal and manipulative

I am a serial killer who turns willing victims into impossible art pieces, my music is violent and eerie

I am a fallen angel, on the run from divine hunters and mortal lovers and only you can save me, my music is soft and beautiful

I am a broken doll mimicking life, perfect and made to fulfill your every desire, my music is naive and inviting

I am a warrior from another time and place, only you can heal my wounds and recreate my fate, my music is loud and lustful

As The Mask I gain 2-4 tokens when I:

Hide my true feelings behind a Mask

Ask someone to wear one of my Masks, for now

Give a part of myself to a Mask

When you gain your fifth token:

The divine music swells within you and seeks release. You cannot gain new tokens until you choose one:

Go to another band member and take off your Mask, reveal something vulnerable and raw about yourself. If they reach out to touch your real face, they break a chain. If they do anything else, break one of your chains.

Reflect on the god you once where, and create a new Mask to contain that memory. Your power wanes, crack one halo.

The Mask's Chains:

A whisper that comes from my mouth but doesn't sound like me at all

An embrace that promises more than it should

A kiss that comes dangerously close to unmasking me

One of my Masks on someone else's face

A song I wrote that will weaken a single Mask

A Mask I created that takes a life of its own

A Mask someone else creates to imprison me

Someone I love wearing my true face

The Mask's Move:

When you put on one of your Masks to tell its story, describe how you embody it and how you draw others into your spell. Spend tokens and roll.

On an 8-10 You are in control of the Mask, choose one:

A part of your Mask becomes more real than real, create a new Chain that reflects this.

A part of your true self gives way to the Mask, one Halo becomes whole again.

Someone is inexplicably drawn to you, you have them wrapped around your finger, for now. Say who they are and place a chain on them. If they're a band member, they place a chain on you as well.

On an 11+ The Mask begins to consume you, and you cannot tell the difference between art and reality. Choose one:

Another band member must become a part of your story, both of you place a chain on the other. For now, you are obsessed with crafting a Mask for them to match your own.

One of your fans is convinced the Mask is your true self, you cannot outrun them. For the rest of the scene you are at your fan's mercy. Describe how their obsession for you draws out something painful and real from you. When you return in a future scene gain the chain: an obsessed and dangerous fan

On a 7- your sense of self shatters and the Mask bleeds through. Until you regain your sense of self and remember you are not your Mask, you cannot perform. The Audience will tell you what happens next.

At the start of every session:

Spend a moment with your Masks and consider who they are and what story they have to tell. Choose one:

Put down the Mask you're currently wearing and pick up another, why does this one call out to you?

Change something essential about one of your Masks, what part of you refuses to bend or break?

Create a new Mask, based on someone you're obsessed with and yearn for. What does it feel like when you pretend to be them?

[roosterforme]

Here's a fluffy blurb for the nonny with the new Bronco neighbor. May you enjoy every happiness in life.

Ouchie

Bradley looked at his wife laying next to him in bed. Her hand was resting on his chest, and her lip was a little bit puffy from being overworked by his mustache, but she was smiling softly, eyes closed and lashes brushing her cheeks. 

"I'm still shocked that you agreed to go out with me, let alone marry me," he muttered, leaning down to kiss your forehead. "I must have looked like an idiot that first day we met."

Your soft laughter left him grinning as you ran your fingers through his chest hair. "No, you didn't look like an idiot. You were sweet."

Another uhaul truck. The cute little rental house across the street from yours seemed to have a new tenant every other month. As soon as you took a freshly baked treat over to meet your new neighbor, it felt like they were moving out again. Maybe this one would stay longer?

"Sweet Lord," you muttered when you set eyes on him. He was tinkering around under the hood of his vintage Ford Bronco on the driveway next to the uhaul, and he looked up to smile at you as you parked in your own driveway. You wouldn't mind if this one stuck around longer.

When you climbed out of your car, his soft eyes were still looking your way, and you saw that he had a mustache too. Well, you didn't have any fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies for him, but you definitely wanted to get a closer look.

"Hi," he called out with a smile that just made him look even more handsome, and he waved the wrench in his right hand in greeting.

"Hi," you replied, walking toward the street, and he looked so happy that you were coming his way. You felt giddy inside, and somehow your feet got tangled up at the curb. 

"Oh, no," you gasped, falling as if in slow motion. Your palms hit the pavement first followed by your knees. And yeah, the scrapes hurt, but the sting of mortification washed over you just as fast. You wanted to disappear and reappear in your bed which you were never going to leave again after this. Because your hot new neighbor was rushing over to get to you as you scrambled to your feet.

"Are you okay?" he asked, skidding to a halt in the middle of the street. Why was he stopping in the middle of the street? You looked down at your hands as the small cuts started to bleed, and you just held your palms up for him to see like some sort of weirdo.

"I'm fine," you replied sheepishly. But he winced and started your way again as a car pulled down the street. 

He slipped his wrench into the pocket of his jeans and reached for your hands. His thumb stroked gently along your wrist, and then he glanced up at you. "Ouchie."

And you couldn't help but smile at his sweet expression of concern. "Yeah. Ouchie."

Then he blushed, probably realizing what he had said, but he didn't stop stroking your wrist. "If it makes you feel any better, I actually hit myself in the face with my wrench earlier while trying to change my oil."

You laughed at that. "You know... that does somehow make me feel a little bit better." 

"I'm Bradley," he said, giving your wrist a little squeeze.

You told him your name and then asked, "Do you like chocolate chip cookies?"

"I like all cookies," he replied easily.

"Perfect," you said softly. "I always make some for my new neighbors. Maybe after I get my hands cleaned up, I'll bake them for you."

Bradley nodded once, gently lacing his fingers with yours, but still careful not to bump your palm at all. "Want me to give you a hand?"

"No," Bradley disagreed. "I looked like an idiot. The first thing I said to you was 'Ouchie'. Who even says that?"

You laughed and rolled on top of him. "That wasn't the first thing you said. It was like the second or third. And you were so sweet, and I was already mesmerized by your mustache, so it didn't really even matter."

"And then I almost burned down your kitchen."

You pressed your lips together to try to stifle your laughter. "Okay, yes. That's true."

"And you still agreed to go out to dinner with me," he said, kissing the tip of your nose.

"I sure did. There's just something about you." You slid up a little further and kissed his lips as you whispered, "Ouchie."

[isat-script-project]

How did you get started creating the script project? I think it would be fun to try to do something similar for deltarune, but I'm not sure how feasible it would actually be

the age old tale is "i was writing isat fanfiction and really wanted to get some dialogue exactly right, so i combed through 100% playthroughts on youtube to find the right spot and jotted down what i needed in a document except it got so fucking annoying i contemplated just making a website for it and then i got my grubby mits on both rpgmaker mv and the isat data files and it was all joever"

if it's the actual PROCESS. well. it was a bit of a mess. the first thing i did was make the website itself, hammering out a general layout using the sadgrl layout builder over a whole weekend and an increasingly yelling filled call with my sibling who actually knows how websites work.

you can take a look at this post where i answered what to look out for more in-depth.

i've only played ch1&2 but honestly? deltarune seems feasible. i've seen people datamine sprites from it, at least, it seems like the engine is pretty well documented.

so yah i first figured out i COULD do it, then i made the website + website layout for it (if you know how, you should also hammer out your individual page layout at this point and not wait for other people to show up and do it for you).

then i just took a crack at making a page except my process was fucking horrid, i didn't actually have all the data files nor a proper way to read them (didn't have rpgmaker mv back then, i just looked at the .json files and tried my best, which is why some weird half completed pages were floating around in the site's early days, like the tutorial one from back when). I got tired of this pretty quick and very legally aquired rpgmaker (i actually own it on steam now and i never talked about piracy in isatcord and you can prove nothing and because this ISN'T isatcord i can make blatant euphemisms.)

and at that point i just went at it making whatever scrappy pages interested me. it was a sorta trial-by-fire thing where i got more familiar with rpgmaker and isat in specific as i went along, instead of putting in the effort to figure out how shit works first, because i am just a very learn by doing kinda guy. and that's how it all went along till the legendary hero Gold showed up and taught me github and made everything better and prettier (before this i was pushing every minor change directly to neocities which was especially funny when i was tinkering w the layout so the site just updated twenty bajillion times that one weekend)

for deltarune you'd probably also be pretty chill splitting things by area, and maybe subdividing area stuff into normal/weird route as is the room pages with normal/act5 or something. the battle stuff looks interesting to do with all the act options.

so yeah refer to the linked post for general tips but again for deltarune you do probably have a good shot? just the general stuff, decide how you wanna host it early, make a test page to check out what a page should look like and how to format it, and everything else (like How The Hell Do I Portray Conditionals: the story of how the <details> tag saved us all), but the real obscure stuff is only gonna sneak up on ya when you're already many many pages deep and trying to figure out where one specific variable is increased because the rpgmaker search function SUCKS SO BAD. s192 my fucking nemesis.

best of luck 👍

i'll prolly stop answering questions about this stuff at some point unless someone is asking for smth specific (like how to connect ur github repo to ur neocities or smth) bcuz i feel like i've said all that can be said at this point on the topic. go forth wiki warriors

[dixongravesart]

Zukka hand headcanons

(Click for better quality)

I've seen hand hadcanons posts quite a bit frequently so I thought I'd try it out.

I'll probably do the rest of the gaang + azula and her girlies cause this was simple and really fun to do.

Explanations for certain details and headcanons + variations ↓

<3

Sokka

- Thick, kind of pudgy fingers and a wide palm (im not sure if that makes sense)

- I gave him a friendship bracelet, everyone in the gaang has them, I can see aang and katara, maybe suki making them for everyone and acting completely devastated whenever they see someone not wearing it.

- I like the thought of suki and sokka doing eachothers nails and gossiping about random stuff.

- I feel like he would buy a lot of little trinkets especially rings, I think he would own a lot and wear a lot of them sometimes together although they don't really match or go together.

- some random scars from tinkering or training

- An ivory bracelet, I'm pretty sure most Inuit jewellery is made from ivory, it is also kind of a blatant rip off of sokkas canon choker (i saw a tumblr post by @atlaculture mentioning that sokkas choker could just be a braclet hes put around his neck cause in Inuit culture necklaces are typically looser fitting and his choker is idential to traditional Inupiat braclets, maybe he finally grew into it)

- A leather band (this dosent really have any specific headcanons behind it i just thought it felt like something he would wear)

Zuko

-Thin long fingers, maybe slightly knobby

- lightning scars from where he attempted to redirect Azulas lightning during the agni kai

(Slight cw for very brief mention of scars from s/h and abuse in just this line)

-Some scars around the wrist from ozai and some from himself

- Friendship Braclet ™ once again

- A jade bangle, in China jade bangles are said to protect the wearer and bring good luck. More traditionally they're given by mothers or grandmothers but I can see Iroh giving it to him cause I think in atla verse people would wear it for protection from spirits more significantly also because gifting someone a jade bangle can represent deep affection which is why they're mainly gifted by family members or lovers. (I feel like zuko would at first not wear it cause he thinks it will distract him also cause theyre known for being a bitch to put on, but he'd feel quilty not wearing it especially when iroh asks him about it.) It took 4 hours with the help of suki, sokka, ty lee and a bunch of oil but eventually it was around his wrist.

- a chronic nail biter, he'd probably start doing it more after the war when dealing with stressful diplomats and nobles. It's not that noticeable but there's a kind of sheen on his nails from that type of nail polish some people wear that taste really bad to stop them from biting their nails.

- I have a headcanon that after the war zuko found a box of his mums old jewellery which are what the rings are for.

Variations

[bluegekk0]

What would be Milo’s special interest while growing up? Would it just be engineering or something more lowkey like reading or some other weird hobby?I’d imagine the kids would become infatuated by something throughout their childhood and maybe through adulthood too. And I feel like the people need more Milo lore

Since he can't keep up with his peers physically, I definitely see him taking a similar road to Vyrm when he was young. That is, focusing more on his smarts than his strength. And I love the idea of him growing up to be a bit of a genius, very similar to Vyrm, in that he would love tinkering with things and creating new inventions. Though unlike Vyrm, he would be a bit more petty and mean, so I could absolutely see him coming up with some contraption that would ruin the day of his bullies hahaha

I was assembling jigsaw puzzles the other day and I could imagine a scene where Milo, while he was still a baby that couldn't even speak, becomes very interested in the puzzle and tries to help, even managing to fit some pieces together. It'd already show that he's very smart even at such a young age, and I think this would get more and more obvious as he grows older.

But something different that I think he would be very interested in is animals, in particular fish (or I guess fish-like creatures, but I'll just keep calling them fish). It started when he started visiting Jiji's house for check-up appointments, to make sure he's healthy and to help him with any ailments that he may have. I love to imagine Jiji's place having a fish tank that Milo would be very drawn to. He'd love watching the fish swim around and he'd keep asking Jiji questions about them. In general I enjoy the idea of them having a closer relationship, I think Jiji would find him to be very endearing, he'd for sure be her favorite patient.

So of course, seeing his passion for the swimming critters, Grimm and Vyrm would get him his own fish tank, built by Vyrm naturally. Maybe the fish would be sold by a merchant who stopped in the town, or caught in the Blue Lake, or maybe they'd buy one from someone who breeds fish for food. Regardless, it would become Milo's pet fish, and he would become very attached to it immediately. He'd feed it every day, clean its tank, and play with it, it'd make him so happy. I can't think of a name for it, so I'm open for suggestions. I definitely want to draw him with the fish one day.

But unfortunately, fish don't live very long, so it would also be Milo's first encounter with loss. It'd make him the first of the kids to actually experience it, and since I imagine he'd have a pretty pessimistic outlook on the mortality of others as he's older, I'm sure losing his beloved pet would contribute. Though it could also serve as a very sweet lesson Vyrm and Grimm would teach him. Maybe they'd approach him and mention how happy the fish was with him, and that there are other fish out there that could also need a better life. So I love the idea of him adopting more fish and taking care of them, to give them that happy life they deserve. And since he also needs others to look after him as he struggles by himself, I think he'd feel some connection with them.

As for the fish that passed on, maybe Holly would give Milo a chunk of their garden to use as a little burying place for all of them. I love the mental image of them helping Milo plant a flower for each of his dead fish, it'd be such a sweet bonding experience for both of them. In general I think it would be a good lesson for him in regards to mortality as a whole. Those around him will eventually pass on, but there will be others in their place. His immortality doesn't have to be a curse, it can also be a gift he can use it to make others' lives better. Whether he'd adopt that mindset or not, I'm sure it'd at least make him a little bit less pessimistic going forward.

[eluxcastar]

The little brotherfication of Pierro

── ୨୧：pierro & reader

୨୧﹑synopsis :: little siblingfication second last instalment lets gooooo

୨୧﹑genre :: fluff

୨୧﹑content :: gn reader, child pierro, back to fluff this time guys it's ok, not proofread

୨୧﹑words :: 1.1k

there has been interest in regards to either expansions of these or a sister series of older siblingfications after this concludes and I think that would be interesting. I would love to do an older siblingfication series. I don't know the order of those posts yet maybe I'll do a poll later or just leave it to people in my inbox and I'll do them in order of whose shows up first

all little siblingification posts

Life was never easy in Khaenri'ah, a nation devoid of a god and built on flesh and blood, but such was the way of the world when no alternative existed in his mind. It is strange how something so constant could so quickly become foreign once the world became bigger. Teyvat was a continent fought for by the gods rather than the hands of humans and their machines.

The land was never to be tilled with farming tools but rather was to be fought for with iron and blood. That principle doesn't apply anywhere else.

It was not so violent when you spoke those words to him, despite having watched you try to tinker with one of those machines before. You got your hands on the first thing you saw and promptly took to tearing it apart in search of what makes it tick. Watching you is mesmerising.

First, it was alchemy, as you tried in vain to teach him the art. He just didn't have the touch for it, but you assured him it was fine and left it at that, allowing him to watch you fumble your way through whatever your latest interest happened to be. If not alchemy, then it became mechanics; if not mechanics, then it was life itself and its creation. Neither of you thought to question your childhood spent in a wasteland so long as you had life at your fingertips.

You were something he thought he might never be.

The future where he grew into being anything like you felt to him was a dream and nothing more. He'd calculate the years and imagine they'd never come because, at the time, they felt like they wouldn't.

More than anything, you sought to haul him up to the top with you. You were not by any means leaps and bounds ahead of him, a comfortable gap of power between you; however, you saw merit in teaching him anything you learned. Wherever you were going in life, you were going to make sure your little brother got there with you, and to such end, Pierro spent his years as a toddler being carried on your shoulders when he didn't want to walk to see the husk of a field tiller you found, or up the hill that was so high he could see the palace over the rooftops.

At the time, it was, to you, the consequence of your parents forcing you to watch him when he wanted to play outside. To him, the forming of cherished memories that would lead him to linger at your side for as long as they were at the forefront of his mind.

The luxury of being carried around on your shoulder died as he outgrew it. He was too heavy for you not to tire yourself out in the first minute of walking, and it hurt more than it used to. It didn't stop him from fussing until you'd flick his forehead and call him some mean name.

He found his calling in the idea of becoming a mage. He's not sure where it came from, perhaps something you'd shown him sparking as thought that settled in his brain and never got around to leaving. Either way, it seems to be the one thing that doesn't absorb your undivided attention through your ever-changing interests. Nonetheless, through enough begging, whining and irritating you, he managed to convince you to at least try to learn with him.

Someone was always better than him, and you were no exception. You could easily outclass him in many facets of life, yet you preferred to help him despite it all, even in this which bored you to tears. He supposes it came from the fact that you had grown up with your parents shoving him at you and telling you both to work it out.

You were older than him, stronger than him, wiser than him—though only barely—and had more expectations than him. Your parents asked things of you because you were the oldest and the one who would be their legacy. He had less responsibility regarding the things they wanted, though it never kept him from yearning for approval. Yours, theirs, he wanted what felt like the greatest gift—the chance to make you happy.

If you could look at him and smile and tell him that you were proud of him and liked what he could do, then it didn't matter who was better than him. There would always be someone, but your shows of admiration could make him feel like the strongest boy Khaenri'ah could offer.

You should have resented him for being forced to tolerate him as a child, but there remained a soft spot for him all your life that you couldn't shake no matter how willing you were to fight with him. It makes it easier for him to practically dangle off you in search of the things he wants, down to asking you to go scare some kids he didn't get along with or read him bedtime stories under a blanket on his bed well past the time both of you were supposed to be asleep.

You make exceptions for him in his eyes because you love him enough.

At some point, you convinced yourself that the only reason you were willing to keep doing the things he begged of you was because Pierro was annoying and needy, but you were unable to say no to him. It was not for a lack of trying. You tried over and over to shake him off when he'd run up behind you and beg for you to carry him home or shove him away and shoo him to bed when he shook you in the night with a book in his hands.

On nights he was emboldened by disregard, he'd try to sleaze his way into your bed and wriggle under the covers to sleep soundly by your side. Pierro was convinced that no matter what existed out there, you could somehow protect him from all of that, and the safest place available was asleep under your arm.

You drew the line at his audacity to try and crawl into your bed and threw him out.

You had not fallen asleep by his side since winter when you agreed to read stories to him when the cold kept him restless, though your eyes would try to close, and he would feel your head relaxing beside him. It wasn't uncommon for him to witness and take advantage of your exhaustion rather than wake you, snuggling by your side and under your arm. It was more comfortable there than anywhere else.

He spent his youth by your side like you were salvation.

He wants nothing more than to find his way back to your loving arms, where you will spoil him with the luxury of ignorance.

CROSSPOSTED ON AO3

[fightingthetoxicallegations]

Don't get close, I bite.

What's your name?

Theodore. If you have to know. Theodore Woods Commodus Antoninus. M- maybe Jordan. I need to look closer into that.

How old are you?

What is this, a cop report? Always hated those... I'm seventeen.

Who's your godly parent?

Gods, what does it matter? Achlys. Okay? Can I leave now?

Sexuality?

That's creepy. And doesn't matter because I'm taken. Don't touch me.

And your... gender?

The hell- man. I'm a guy. Fuck you if you say otherwise. Just 'cause I wear binders doesn't make me-

Yeah, we get it. Anyway! Thank you!

My family (it's a lot of people):

@the-great-emperor-commodus

My dad. He's the best dad ever. I love him a lot. He's an insane murderous emperor but gods damn is he a good dad. But he's not my dad anymore. He should probably be glad he isn't.

@hasfuckedagod-willfuckoneup

...babbo...? Why would I ever think I deserve to call this man that? Or even be close to him?

@literally-tinker-bell

My sister! She's the best ever and I love her because she's amazing. She made me so many cool things I love her. She's probably doing great, I hope she is.

@another-argo

... You ruined my life. I hope you're happy with your family. No, really, I do. Go and be happy and never talk to me again.

@roryandthethorns

My sister again. She's very annoying sometimes but that's okay because I love her anyway. Haven't talked to her in a while, and I probably never will again- but that's better for her.

@littlest-sunbeam-of-hermes

My sister... again. Look, I have a lot of sisters. And brothers. My dad has a lot of them. I didn't know her that well but I hope she's doing good in school.

@onlymythologypersonincamp

I guess my sister...? My dad kinda married her dad, so- I like to think of her more as a friend though. Hah.. Eve. I guess. She's a really good friend of Argo- I think. I hope she's happy with him :)

@judas-of-eris

Brother! Real cool dude, I think. Haven't talked to him a lot, but he seems cool. Can he stop thinking I'm a sinner? Actually, nevermind. He can think whatever the fuck he wants about me because he'll never see me again

@nikenotnikey

My sister! I dragged her here hah. But her wolf friend gives me weird vibes. I hope the wolf guy isn't influencing them that much. And that whatever happened heals.

@notaeoluschild

My brother, another one. Uh, he's very cool, needs to relax sometimes though. He's got to be better to himself. I hope he'll be happier now

@tearslikeacid

My half-brother from the godly side, I wish I could protect him from everything... I never wanted to leave you- but it's probably for the better. Have fun in life, if that's possible :>

@the-little-tadpole

My daughter, she's such a sweetheart. She's the most precious little thing ever and I'd give her the world. I'm sorry, honey. I promise I'm not leaving you. I promise you won't be forgotten. You're still my daughter, I'll just be somewhere else, okay?

Probably a lot more people that I don't even know about... my dad adopts a lot of children.

My partners (yeah, partnerS, cry about it):

@reluctant-son-of-time

Xan! He's a son of Kronos but I don't mind that because he's awesome and also we are not our parents and if you say we are then you're stupid. He used to be dead but he's not anymore. I love him a lot and I would kill and die for him and ughhh I don't deserve him- I'm sorry, Xan, I hope you understand that I can't be around people. I promise this isn't personal...? I still love you, just- please let me leave?

@reyno-solis-real

My boyfriend as well! He's SUPER fluffy and kind and caring and everything- I could talk on and on about how much I love him and Xan I love you caro I would give you everything you ask for AAA- ...I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while. I wish I could see you more- I love you so much.

Other people I know:

@daughter-of-thanatosss

...I still don't like you. But you tried to help me with stuff so I guess you're not THAT bad. I hate this I hate this I hate this none of this would've happened if you just staYED OUT OF ARGO'S LIFE OR SOMETHING AND NOW I CAN'T FUCKING TRUST MYSELF AND I HAVE A FEELING IT'S PARTLY YOUR FAULT I HATE YOU

@eleos-the-forgiving-goddess

I kinda have a deal with her...? I don't know. She gave me a cool sword and told me to take care of her shrine and protect her dogs. So. I don't know.

@the-tickle-anon

They're... very particular. They don't exactly... I don't know. They have a one track mind. But- at least they're trying not to be an asshole about their end goal. I hope they learn one day. Maybe. In the very far future.

@bird-brains-and-imperial-gold

Delilah! The super cool and nice and polite harpy! She's the best and I like hanging out with her! Calls me "little boss" :D Stay positive, Delilah ^^

@sick-and-sleepy

That's just Lyssie. Hangs around the palace a lot, is cool. Keeps trying to eat things that'll make her feel bad though, should stop that- I don't want her to get hurt. She's very polite.

Everyone else keeps getting adopted by Commodus. Uh. Yeah.

Ooc under cut!

Heyyy!! @somebody-insertlyric here :p meet my blorbo!! Bit of a rp guide because there WILL be other voices present:

"___" — Theo!

'___' — Andrea (his dead sister) in Theo's mind!

'___' — His dead dad in his mind!

'___' — His dead mom in his mind!

Tags!

#poisoned the mind — general posting tag

#i told you not to waste my time. — ask tag

#leaked poison — end rp tag

#mod spreading the silly disease — ooc posting tag

#mod's... trying to think — me/mod answering asks :>

Special tags!

#i could give you all the time in the world 🧡 — Xan

#barking up the right tree 💚 — Rey

#forgive the unforgiven. ❤️‍🩹 — Eleos

#tickle? me? never. 🪶 — tkl anon

#primordial demigod buddies! 🫂 — Eve

#i don't like you and i don't know why 🪦 — Rose

#do NOT let 'em pounce 🐺 — Logun

Family tags:

#stop tryING TO EAT THINGS THAT WILL KILL YOU— 💉 — Lysanias

#imperial gold family 👑 — general family tag

#dadmodus ⚔️ — Commodus

#my daughter who's such a sweetheart ❣️ — Froggy

#i wish you weren't related to mother. 🧫 — Max

#memory fucker. 🧬 — Argo

#i... haven't been treating you well enough. 💫 — Lucas

#shh they're learning let 'em pounce! 🐾 — Cole

#somehow so similar in terms of trauma?? 🏹 — Sophia

#what's the weather like up there? ☁️ — Wysper

[clowning-raven-fanfics]

Emerald Promise: Chapter 2

Sonic's POV

"Tailsss," I spin around in the chair next to him, kicking my feet up on the counter. "Hey, buddyy."

"Yes, Sonic?" He doesn't even glance up, totally focused on whatever gizmo he's working on. Classic Tails. Always tinkering, always light-years ahead of the rest of us. Honestly, sometimes I wish I had even half his focus.

Last time we were out collecting rings, I got distracted by some fancy-looking laser lights and smashed face-first into a pillar.

Good times.

"What're you working on?"

He snorts softly, like he's amused I even asked. "You really wanna know? Sure it won't fry your brain?"

"Wow, rude," I elbow him lightly. "EXCuSE me for not having an IQ of a million."

"Sonic, it's not-"

"Yeah, yeah, just spill already. C'mon, I've been sittin' here for hours."

"It's been... twenty minutes," he says with a small sigh, finally pointing to some shiny circular component in front of him. "See this? It's going to be an advanced battery-super efficient, super lightweight. Once I work out the last bug, it'll power just about anything."

"A battery, huh? Riveting stuff, bud. Here I thought you were building a teleportation chair or, like, a chili-dog racer or something actually cool."

Tails smirks. "Battery not good enough for Sonic the Hedgehog? Shocking."

I laugh softly, shaking my head. I'm kidding, of course. I'm proud of Tails and everything he builds, even if I don't always get it. I know this battery is probably going to change lives-or at least power some epicc machine.

I try to sit still and keep him company. He deserves the quiet to focus, and I want to be here for him. But sitting still? Definitely not my thing. After a while, I can't take it anymore. I spin in my chair a few times before hopping up to wander around the workshop.

Tails doesn't stop me, but I can feel his eyes flick toward me every so often, like he's half-expecting me to do something dumb.

Pff like I need babysitti-

"Shoot!" I accidentally knock over a stack of parts, sending them clattering to the floor.

"Sonic!" Tails yelps, whipping around to see the mess. "Those were organized for a reason!"

"Ah, sorry, sorry!" I crouch down to help, but he waves me off with a sigh.

"It's fine, I've got it. Just-be careful, okay?" His voice is sharper than usual, but it softens quickly. "You don't have to go or anything. Just... maybe sit still for once?"

For once.

I rub the back of my head, forcing a small laugh. "Yeah, well, you know me. Sitting still isn't really my thing." I give him a big, cheerful grin as I head for the door. "I'll get outta your fur. See ya later, buddy!"

By the time I'm a mile away, the grin's long gone.

It's better this way. Better if I'm not there to mess something else up.

"Ugh..." I sigh, letting my face relax into something more honest.

There's this tightness in my chest, like a weight pressing down. I don't know what to call it, but I know how to make it stop.

Running.

When I'm running, everything blurs. It's like I've got my own little world, one where nothing can catch me. Nothing can hurt me. No one can keep up.

So I take off.

Maybe if I keep running, I'll leave the feeling behind too. Maybe this time, I'll outrun it for good.

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

Shadow's POV

He really let me out of the room.

At first, I didn't believe it, waiting for the mockery to hit. I thought the second I caught a glimpse of the outside, I'd be shoved back. But it didn't happen. The door stayed open, and I stepped through, as the commander stayed silent.

I imagine he was not overjoyed by the fact I was about to walk around his grounds. GUN grounds. People who I resent ever since that day, ever since they came and ruined Maria's home. My home. The place where I was needed. Maria needed me, and I didn't mind all the tests, even when they hurt.

I knew it was all to find a cure. That was what I was created for, after all. Maybe if GUN didn't attack, that purpose would have been fulfilled. Maria could finally see the Earth, like she always wanted, without her sickness holding her back.

My teeth ground together, and I forced the thoughts down. Showing weakness could jeopardize everything. I couldn't afford that. Maria is still out there, and I will find her. I will save her.

"Don't mistake this for friendliness. You will be kept an eye on," the commander's voice cut through the fog overtaking my mind.

"Hmph." I stepped forward, ignoring him completely. I needed to look around, see the layout, see the threats. And about that mission... when would they deign to share the details with me?

The commander left, no doubt heading to his office. I stayed on my path, walking down the corridor.

The halls were pretty lifeless, sterile. As they were on ARK. Well, unless Maria had something to do with it. Her room was decorated with all sorts of things. I shouldn't think about this-just focus.

The other agents gave me a wide berth as I walked. I could feel their stares. Some looked at me with fear, like I might lunge at them at any moment. Others with disgust, muttering under their breath or sneering as if I couldn't hear them.

"Robotnik's hybrid freak."

Their looks reminded me of the researchers who assisted Professor. They too would give me such eyes, and I wouldn't understand why at first. But after some time... I came to know why. I am just a monster.

I sighed and decided to ignore everyone as I walked through the facility. Judging by the way some of them stiffened when I passed, I'd bet the commander gave them strict orders not to engage me directly. A few of them looked like they'd shoot me on sight.

You love doing that, don't you, GUN?

I clenched my jaw and kept walking, but my mind wouldn't let it go. The memories clawed at the edges of my thoughts, threatening to drag me down. I needed to focus, to push it aside, but the harder I tried, the more it crept in.

Stop thinking about it.

I gritted my teeth.

Stop. Just...

My breathing hitched, unsteady. My fists tightened at my sides as I came to a stop, willing the rising heat in my chest to go away.

Am I seriously about to cry?

I froze, the thought jolting me. I haven't cried since they pulled me out of cryo. Not once. I can't afford to. Not until she's safe.

Feelings won't help her. Emotions won't save her.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.

I can't let them get in the way. Maria's depending on me.

She's all I have.

[corishadowfang]

How do you generally plan out your fics? Because Fallen Stars seems to incredibly well planned I want to attempt to write something that is just as intricate 😂

Ooooh, man, I'm not sure how good my planning actually is (I say, staring at my many, many outline documents), but I'll explain things as well as I can? And hopefully at least some of it'll be useful.

(General writing advice disclaimer: What works for me might not work for everyone, so take everything with a grain of salt, and feel free to toss out anything that you don't like, haha.)

I...think I'll break this down into stages, maybe? Just to hopefully keep things more organized. (And also throw this under a cut, since I have a feeling this'll get long...)

Pre-Planning

So, uh...everything is very freeform to start off with, haha. The earliest stages are less, "What would make a good story?" and more, "What's fun about this concept?" So there's not a lot of structure to this part! I might write pages and pages of worldbuilding; I might just tinker around with a punch of different scenarios in my head; I might write snippets of concepts that I think would be fun--whatever! I tend to do this for a couple of reasons:

There are a lot of times where I get struck with an idea when I'm already working on a big project, so like...I don't really have a lot of time to actually plan out a story right at that moment, haha. So it goes on the backburner to marinate for a little while!

It kind of lets me figure out if this is something I'd actually like to write, or just something I'd like to play around with in my head.

Even with fanfic (which is generally a low-stress hobby), I can still sometimes...kind of get into "perfectionist" mode. Just messing around with things, focusing purely on what I find fun without worrying about whether it works narratively, with no expectation that I have to write the story, kind of gives me the freedom to figure out what I actually like about the idea and really hone into that. It helps fuel excitement for the project if I do decide to write it, and can give me a lot of cool ideas that I might not have given myself the freedom to think of otherwise!

Planning

So there's...no real timeline for anything, aha. Usually at some point, something will click over, and I'll go, "Yeah, okay, I do really, really want to write this story." At which point, I start taking some of the random ideas I have and trying to get them a bit more organized. This usually ends up being broken down into three broad categories.

The Characters

This is probably the biggest thing in regards to actually developing the story. Before writing, I generally like to have at least some basics down:

What is the character like at the beginning of the story, and why?

What sorts of things have caused them the most problems, and what would it take for them to resolve those problems?

What is the end goal for them in the story? (Do they get better? Worse? Learn how to live with the hand they've been dealt?)

What sorts of things would need to happen to get them to that point?

The main character(s)' arcs generally affect the direction the story goes in--essentially, I'll tailor events around what would help to push them toward their arc's end (ideally, with some interesting emotional conflicts for them to grapple with)--so I want to at least have a pretty solid idea of the main characters' overall arcs before I begin writing.

Uh, I guess just for an example, here's some of my early notes on Skuld and Brain for Fallen Stars:

Skuld: She’s still…she’s still reeling a little.  She hasn’t stopped to examine what the end meant for her, but she’s grieving the loss of her home, of people close to her, and she’s…in a lot of ways, Scala feels alien.  She wants to stay here, but she doesn’t, because it’s not home.  She’s also…just very tired of being in a position of authority that she doesn’t feel prepared for.  She was put into the position of Union Leader, and with her friends, she managed that fine, but now she…well, she’s tired.  She wants to be a kid again.  She wants someone else to worry about the world, and she’s angry over the fact that her childhood was basically stolen from her and that she’s been put into this position she didn’t want.  She’s angry because a part of her feels like if she hadn’t been put in charge, maybe she would’ve been able to make the most of her time with her friends.  (She also has very complicated feelings about Scala in general.  She wants to stay, but she also wants to leave.  It’s hard.  Mostly what she wants is just to run away for a while and not have to deal with any of this.  She’s tired.) Brain: The boy basically repressed all of his feelings about the end, but they’re all coming back baby.  As usual, he threw himself into his work—and now he’s throwing himself into this, too, working himself to the bone because the sooner he can find the others, the sooner he can stop grieving them.  (He’s totally fine!  No trauma at all, definitely.)  That said, he’s also tired.  He feels extra responsible for the end of the world because he had the Book of Prophecies; he’s trying not to think about it, but it’s the reason he won’t ask for Master’s Defender again.  He thinks he doesn’t deserve it.  He has complicated feelings about Scala, too, but tries to hide them a lot.  He also…he’s not quite as set on the ability to change fate anymore.  After his failure, he doesn’t really feel like it’s possible, so mostly he just wants to leave and spend time with his friends; worry about the things he can control.  (Skuld and him fight over it later, I think; probably after they find the Book of Prophecies and learn about Darkness.)

The World

I...quite often go overboard with worldbuilding, haha. It's a lot of fun! That said, a lot of worldbuilding ends up popping up organically during writing, too.

Before I start, though, I at least like to know the basics. I find it helps to like...sit down and go, "Okay, what sorts of things might trip me up when writing if I don't know them?" If all else fails, I'll usually take the time to sit down and think about:

Basic culture and how the society functions. What sorts of things are important to this society? What sorts of myths do they tell? How do they interact with other societies? Do they have trade? What's their governing system like? Things like that.

What sort of history does the world have? This can be very basic, but a couple of small notes can still help inform what it's like.

If there's magic--how does it function? Are there any consequences or limitations? What lets people use it?

If there are important non-human characters or creatures: how do they work? What's their basic biology like? How do they intersect with society?

For Fallen Stars, I ended up:

Determining some very basic stuff about how Scala functioned--essentially, stuff like, "They have a lot of trade," and, "they're run by a council," and, "because of the Keyblade wielder thing, they have a lot of stories focused around light/darkness."

Creating a very basic breakdown of the council--who was one it and what the individual roles did.

Getting a basic idea of what Ephemer's family's role in the society was (both previously, and in the current day).

Building up some ideas about legends--specifically, ones about the Union Leaders, and how Scalans would think about them in the modern day.

The Plot

The plot is...probably the least fleshed-out of the three, aha--for me, at least. That's because, no matter how much planning I do, the story almost always goes off the rails eventually. (Sometimes as soon as the first chapter, depending on what the characters do...)

That said, I do like to at least make sure I know two or three key things about it. Generally, these are either a) a major plot twist, or b) a major event. I generally call these "pillar points"; essentially, these will be spaced out across the story, and are the things that I'm working toward. Unlike a lot of the finer details of the story, these remain relatively stable; they're what help me stay on track, even if how we get there ends up changing.

Fallen Stars ended up having three pillar points:

Brain exploring the abandoned town and finding out about Darkness.

The whole crew going to confront Darkness, with Darkness appearing fully for the first time.

The end of chapter 39 all the way through the end of chapter 41. (Which...I can't explain exactly what some of those points are yet because of spoilers, aha.)

The pillar points are the main things, but I will sometimes do a brief outline or summary of the story--just with the knowledge that the details may change later.

Writing

And...after that, I'll usually start writing! That said, I still, like...adjust things as I work, haha. A big thing I'll do while writing is to like...think about the specific purpose of each chapter? Like, what sorts of character and plot points do I want to hit to move things along, etc. Sometimes I'll build out a general outline of chapters between the beginning and the first pillar point, then between one pillar point and another, etc. These are all really flexible, haha, but they can at least help get me thinking about what needs to happen.

And, uh...I think that covers the basics? (Don't look at the size of this post, it's fine--) Hopefully that's at least somewhat helpful--even if it's just to kickstart ideas for your writing process, haha! Good luck, and I hope you have fun with your story!

[universalzones]

"You all must've been in desperate need of proper repairs for awhile," Belle said as she worked on the wiring of the current Scrapnik. The tinkerer didn't except the rumors of an moving island that pulled up to the mainland full of abandoned Badniks that set up a village were this true. She thought maybe it was blown out of proportion, though clearly that wasn't the case.

"While not untrue we've managed to scrape and still had a supply of decent parts to keep us running for a few more years. Though fresh new wiring and parts is much better," Sigma said as he focused on repairing another Scrapnik. "You are rather skilled at this, and your friend has been a great assistant."

"Well, I've had lots of time to practice on repairing Badniks which includes Motobud. I call him a Tinknik though." First Badniks, then her Tinknik, and now Scrapniks? Things were becoming very interesting. "Still, I can't believe you moved an entire island all the way to the mainland."

"We decided it was more practical as we only had enough fuel for a one way trip which means we might've not been able to bring all out spare parts with us." Sigma would close up the Scrapnik he was working on and send it off, then moves to the next.

"We?" Belle asked putting the panel on the Scrapnik and sending it off. The tinkerer then notices a shadow over her and turns around.

"...Hello," Mecha Sonic said as he stared down at Belle with his optic sensor.

"Gear's and starters!" Belle shouted as she fell back in her seat and onto the ground. The tinkerer quickly composed herself, standing up and dusting herself off. "I'm terribly sorry, I didn't meant to react that way. You just spooked me a bit."

"Oh, it's quite alright. Mecha Sonic is still learning the concept of being social and perhaps boundaries as well. He is completely harmless, provided you don't intend to harm the village." Sigma could at least say Mecha Sonic was trying.

"...You may call me Mecha, and I apologize for scaring you." Mecha Sonic supposed he had some more research to do to fully understand how to be casually social.

"It quite alright Mecha. Just, boy you're tall." Belle knew Eggman had gone through several designs before settling on Metal Sonic, though she'd never heard of this one before. "Are you next in line for repairs?"

"No," Mecha Sonic said looking at his hands. "I was repaired by those who went offline fixing me by giving me vital parts. They're... special to me. If that makes sense." He was still coming to terms with his new emotions and feelings.

Belle smiled softly at Mecha Sonic. "There's no need to explain yourself, I completely understand. As for your friend that went offline, I'd be more than happy to help get them up in running. I maybe have to make a trip to the store for more supplies, though I'll get it done." The tinkerer was sure none of the Scrapniks could walk into town and buy fresh parts so she'd do it for them.

"That is... appreciated." Mecha Sonic then stared intently at Belle for a moment. "Would you, like to be mayor of Scrapnik Village?"

"...What?" Belle asked, not expecting the random offer. The tinkerer was just here to help fix up these abandoned Scrapniks. How should she respond to politely decline?

"Oh, I see the idea now. Someone who is native to the island, though also more like us. That makes perfect sense. Let us have a vote!" Sigma suddenly chimed. "Attention everyone! Who would like to vote Ms. Belle as mayor of Scrapnik Village?" This earned various different sounds from all the Scrapnik. "Well, what do you say Ms. Belle?"

Oh dear, everyone in the village is now looking at her, and they all seem so excited. "...Alright, I'm sure it'll be fine." Gears and starters why does she always found herself in the most unusual situations.

[steamworksfairy]

Hi Fae!! My thoughts were: oh my gosh, Verde fan!! My assumption was also that you're a sciency person, whether a student in STEM or someone who is really pulled to sci-fi? I also thought you're an Arco fan in general but Verde is your baby girl! Also your name is incredibly pretty so I wondered if you're a fan of fairytales or more contemporary fairies? If I had to pick hm...maybe a mix? You also read as a cool person to me! How I feel now? A very sweet, lovely person!! I like that you're always engaging. You also seem like someone who plans to a T and very patient. I admire that!

Hi Nimo!!! Hope everything gets better soon. Giving you lots of hugs 🫂 💚

Dhfjfifif I love how everyone has me pegged for a Verde fan. Like I know I make it obvious but I love that it's the first thing people realize. Means I did a good job with my blog. Tho I should probably start drawing other characters soon lmao.

You're half right, Nimo! While I'm not a STEM student, I have been taking writing classes. And I do like sci-fy, tho I'll admit I'm picky with that genre. Like I'm not a fan of Stars Wars, but I do like Star Trek. Specifically the Kirk and Picard generations (courtesy of my mom who got me to like them lmao). I do love Twilight Zone, Tin Man----basically any part of scify that goes into supernatural elements/creatures or fantasy I usually find myself drawn towards. Aliens are always going to be hit or miss with me. Some are 👌 others just aren't my thing. I do like alternative dimensions and mad science adventures tho. Like Doctor Who or Rick and Morty is so much fun. Also Gravity Falls is literally my spirit animal.

Verde is my babygirl!!! I love all the Arcobaleno but I was born with Verde fan genes. If look at my DNA under a microscope you'll see a picture of Verde's in the sequence 💚

Omg!!! You think my name is pretty?! Thank you 💚 Its based off my love for steampunk and as you guessed fairies. I loveall types of fairies. From Tinker Bell and Shirley Barber to the wicked and gorgeous and grotesque ones you'd find in modern ya like Holly Black's books all the way to their origins in golk lore. I just love fairies. I 100% blame my mom for this and maybe the fact I grew up on Winx Club and in Barbie's Fairytopia era as well. Like tbh fairies were everywhere when I was kid and all the toys for them went above and beyond. Looking back it feels like the perfect storm to fall in love with these mischievous creatures 💚

As for fairy tales....I FUCKING LOVE FAIRY TALES!!!!!!! Like ph my god anything fairy tale related and I'm sold. Again grew up in the era where these were the rage. Like Disney was delivering with so much Disney Princess stuff both new and old, Once Upon a Time was rearranging my braincells with how epic is was, and djfjfjfjdjshfh I just love fairy tales. Especially when people put their own twist on things. And the Brother's Grimm stuff is always a classic. Also can't forget Hans Christian Anderson. Um........I can't think of much else rn but let be known fairy tale character assignments is one of the first I give to characters. I can't help it. It's just who I am inside. I love it so much I actually have a Once Upon A Time inspired au for khr floating around in my head 😆

Cool person alert!! 😎 I think I need to start using this emoji now XD/hj/j/lh

🥺💚 Thank you!!!! Now look away, I'm ugly crying 😭/lh/j I do try to engage and interact as much as I can. I feel like I can do better but maybe that's just me being too hard on myself. I do try to plan things out as best I can. Admittedly in some areas I do need to get better at this. I actually bought a day timer so I could....I just have to use it :3