#might not be transparent at first oops

[saffronscribbles]

GET APPLED!!!!

[sanguine-prince]

i’m sure i’m not the first to say something like this, but let me tell you about my poc-passing-as-white jay gatsby headcanon!!

for some background, in the 1920s there was an interesting shift regarding (white) skin tones. previously, tans were viewed as a sign that a person worked out in the fields, and therefore a trademark of the lower class. however, slowly after the industrial revolution, it increasingly became a representation of luxury, since the rich upper class would have the time to lounge about and sunbathe at their leisure.

i say all this to show that a poc gatsby would have the ostensible class and wealth for a tan, which would ‘excuse’ a slightly browner skin tone in the public eye.

(the 20s was also the setting of passing by nella larsen, so that’s neat.)

in my vision, he’s biracial (maybe his mother was black & his father was a german immigrant) with skin light enough to pass for white.

the fact that nick states that gatsby keeps his hair neatly groomed and cut might be to prevent it from curling up.

additionally, i think it could contrast tom’s white supremacy & his fear of poc social progress.

it would also create a deeper divide between gatsby and daisy, and once again the contrast between him and tom. in my mind, daisy wouldn’t know about it until the point where tom reveals everything about gatsby’s bootlegging etc. with jay revealing it to her in the car ride back (oops then she hits myrtle).

then, when she chooses tom and the life of comfort, wealth, status, etc that their marriage offers, she also rejects not only gatsby’s new money but also his race.

it’s a lot more thematically significant for the american dream as well—it’s still unattainable and essentially tainted by capitalism, and it also emphasizes that it’s restricted to the white upper class. social mobility only becomes available to gatsby when he disguises his racial identity.

similarly, it fits with gatsby’s identity reconstruction—the quintessential american is white, rich, and educated.

daisy and tom have that ticket into society because they have that inherent thing that he will never have—pedigree, in both class and race. that’s something that even nick has.

(in my mind, he tells nick all about it the night before he dies & nick understands as best he can and doesn’t think less of him, because it further highlights the differences between his & gatsby’s relationship v. gatsby’s relationship with daisy; namely, the transparency -> acceptance give-and-take that he and daisy never had. because of having to hide himself from daisy in order to maintain her affection, he builds an expectation that he must be someone that he is not as well as developing a transactional definition of love (he gives, and people love him as long as he can continue to give) in order to be loved. therefore, nick’s immediate curiosity and fascination with who he truly is is foreign to him. not to get too into their dynamic lmao i just think it’s really interesting.)

finally, the very last part where nick is sitting and looking at the bay and thinking about the first immigrants and their dreams and how gatsby embodied the purity and naivety of those dreams is further exemplified by his racial ‘otherness.’

and there’s,,, technically nothing in the book to explicitly refute this from what i remember!

(n.b.: it has been a hot second since i’ve read tgg, so lmk if i’ve got anything wrong!)

[zhongrin]

Miss rin, the al haitham and nahida comic you put out? It's not helping me in staying loyal to my husband tartaglia 😭 how are you able to elicit such responses from me no matter the medium?? Writing or through visual art, your art brings out the same reactions in me everytime without fail. The said reaction being squealing and giggling madly while kicking the air 😭

Sorry if this turned out to be too long but in short I just wanted to remind you that you're awesome and your blog makes me unfaithful to my man (Am I complaining idk... no I'm absolutely not complaining, tartaglia is ig)

Also thank you every delicious fic you put out for us, I kinda feel honoured that you choose to share your writing with us here... they're scrumptious (especially your angst fics oof I'm in love)

Have a great day and take care, miss rin! ❤❤❤

[ yan!mafia boss!al haitham + child!nahida x nanny!reader comic -> ]

(⸝⸝⸝O﹏ O⸝⸝⸝) uehdhejjfskjfsk mx naya you're a blessing to me fr <3 everytime i see you in my notifs i go "!!! *imaginary ears perk up & tail starts helicopter-ing*"

ngl your first paragraph is making me brainrot even more…. forgive me for the word vomit below oops

cw. yandere, implied kidnapping

childe who's one of the executives under tsaritsa, another mafia family that rules snezhnaya. this man gives me obsessed yandere stalker vibes, but at the very least his upbringing makes him respect you enough to not make it your problem.

... that is, until he stalks you one day and saw you coming out of a luxury penthouse… and al haitham's seeing you off.

the thread holding his restraints snap.

childe is a protector through and through. he's only doing this so you'll be safe. you're none the wiser to what kind of man al haitham is, but that's okay! you have him! his hands might not be clean either ー heck, he probably has more blood in his hands personally compared to al haitham, but he can take care of you better, that he can promise! he'll be with you 24/7 unless he needs to go out of a mission! he'll cook you your favorite foods, he's practiced enough times to be able to make it blindfolded by now! he knows how many pillows and bolsters and blankets and plushies and the kind of pajamas that'll let you sleep the deepest, he has the same soap and shampoo and moisturizer you use daily in his place, he has a wardrobe full of clothes in your style he knows you'd like and the accessories you've pined through transparent glass because you had to save moneyー you see?

you'll be happy with him. so you understand why he has to do this, right?

Right?

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Trey Clover Outdoor Wear Personal Story: Part 3

"Something a little tastier"

(Part 1) (Part 2) Part 3

[Dwarfs' Mine – Interior]

Trey: What is this place…? There are red and green stones shining all over the bedrock. Are these all magestones…?

Trey: No, I can't feel any magic from them. They're big enough that I'd think I'd notice immediately.

Rook: Whether they have magic or not, it does not change the fact that these stones are exquisite.

Science Club Member A: We were hoping to unveil the true nature of these stones. That's why we were trying to find some way to bring them back.

Science Club Member B: But the bedrock in this area is way too hard. Basically, we were digging in a way to try to not damage the stones, and that was taking way too much time.

Trey: Hmm, but if it's a gemstone that has some worth, wouldn't it be bad to take it out of the mine?

Science Club Member A: We confirmed with the ghost on that front.

Ghost C: Yep, it's no problem. This is just another part of this extracurricular learning experience. Go ahead and take a few and research them.

Trey: Wow, that was a quick okay… Maybe the ghost knows what these stones really are?

Trey: Well, I guess that pretty much throws it being a valuable gemstone out the window, then.

Trey: Well, whatever. I'm also pretty interested in what these stones are. Let's dig them out quickly and bring them back to the tent.

Trey: I say that, but yesterday, it was Malleus who did this task for me, so this is my first time I'll be digging.

Trey: I don't have any skills in using a pickaxe, let alone know how to use one, so I might not be that useful.

Science Club Member B: We're just happy to have more hands to help. Trey, Rook, let's do our best!

Rook/Trey: Oui!/Yeah.

[clink, clink…]

Rook: This bedrock truly is so very hard. We may be chipping away at it, but at this rate, it'll be dark before we know it.

Trey: We only came out here to find our delayed clubmates and this is what happens… We should probably pause here soon… Ah, oops!

Science Club Member A/B: AAAAAAHH～～～!!

Trey: Oh man… I got distracted by the conversation and my hand slipped… The pickaxe hit the stone. My bad!

Trey: But still, this rock is pretty brittle compared to the bedrock around it. I can't believe this many little pieces broke off with just one hit.

Trey: …Hm?

Rook: Trey-kun, what is it?

Trey: I just though the way this stone broke looked familiar. Hm, what could it be…?

Trey: Ah, I know!

Trey: This stone' true nature is… rock salt.

Science Club Members/Rook: ROCK SALT!?

Trey: Yeah. I couldn't tell while it was embedded in the bedrock, but the broken shards look exactly like the salt I've used to make sweets with.

Trey: The one I bought at the school store was colorless and transparent salt… If I recall correctly, the package said "crystal rock salt."

Ghost C: Correct. Just like Trey-kun says, all the stones you can see in this area are rock salt.

Rook: Rock salt, I see… Vil has used it in his meals and skincare products, but I didn't realize there were any that would be this transparent.

Rook: I cannot even fathom how it would taste. I will try just a few of these pieces.

Science Club Member A: Don't do it, just because he says its salt, doesn't mean we know what else might be in it…

Rook: [bite]

Rook: Urrgh…

Trey: Rook…!?

Rook: What a complex flavor. Within that mild salty flavor, I also taste a hint of bitterness and sweetness.

Rook: It is a very flavorful salt. With just these pieces, I don't think I'll have any problem replenishing my salt intake while attempting to survive in the woods.

Trey: Just what kind of situation are you coming up with in your head…?

Trey: But still, rock salt, huh…

Trey: Ah! If I use this to salt the grilled fish, don't you think it could taste better?

Rook: Très bien! That's a great idea, Trey-kun.

Trey: Now that that's settled, let's try to take a few pieces back with us.

[clink, clink… clank!]

Trey: Right, I got it!

Trey: I never expected to find salt in a place like this… Maybe it really was true that this place all used to be underwater ages ago.

Trey: But, really… This has such a beautiful color. I don't think I would have guessed it was salt just by looking at it.

Trey: It didn't even cross my mind that I'd get to see a rare spectacle like this before we headed out this way.

Trey: When we get back to the tent and before I use it for cooking, I think I'll have to show this to the other Science Club members.

Trey: Ah, that's right. Maybe I'll reach out to Idia if he's back at camp then, too.

Trey: He did say he had a bit of interest in this kind of thing… I bet he'd really like it if I told him about this.

(Part 1) (Part 2) Part 3

[izicodes]

Improving Your Time Management Skills

Hiya! This is the part 3, and final post, of what I talked about in part 1's post (LINK) where I talked about tips from my manager, who's Senior Software Developer, about 3 top skills to work on in the workplace, and I wanted to share them here! She mentioned; Work Ethic, Communication and Time Management.

Today, we will go over improving your time management skills in the workplace - but remember, her tips can be applied to any other environment that this might be useful to apply!

Time Management?

Time management skills at the workplace mean being able to use your time effectively and wisely.

It's about knowing how to prioritize your tasks and make the most of the time you have. Helps you stay organized, meet deadlines, and accomplish your work efficiently.

It's important to plan ahead, break down big tasks into smaller ones, and avoid wasting time on distractions. By managing your time well, you can get more done and feel less stressed at work.

Tips To Improving Your Time Management Skills

Just like last time, it's a long list but worthwhile to think about! Here are all of the tips that my manager gave me and some extra notes I made afterwards:

Prioritize Tasks

Identify the most important and time-sensitive tasks in collaboration with your team. Focus on completing those tasks first. Consider the frog method!

Set Clear Deadlines

Make clear deadlines for your tasks and communicate them to your team members. This helps everyone align their efforts and expectations. If for some reason there is not urgency or no deadline to get it done, make one up to keep that productivity up!

Break Down Tasks

Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable subtasks. This makes them less overwhelming and easier to handle within the allocated time.

Regularly Assess Progress

Continuously review your progress and adjust your time management strategies as needed. Sticking to one type of method at all times is something not the best strategy. Different tasks may need a different type of time management strategy.

Keep Your Team Updated

Provide regular updates to your team about the status of your tasks. This helps maintain transparency and keeps everyone informed about progress. They can even help you if you need any! This is one place I personally need to work on since I like working alone and forgot to update people on how I'm doing! Oops!

Learn From Past Experiences

Reflect on past projects or tasks to identify areas where time management could have been improved. Learn from these experiences and apply the lessons to future endeavors. Don't repeat bad habits...

Well, I hope this was helpful to you! If you want to read the other two posts, here are:

Part 1 "Improving Your Work Ethic" - LINK

Part 2 "Improving Your Communications Skills" - LINK

Remember, time is a precious resource, and how we manage it can make all the difference in our productivity and overall success!!

[raccoonfallsharder]

Window Across the Galaxy ✧*:･ﾟupdated 1/25 ❤︎

18+ only MDNI | rocket x f!oc | 26/27 chapters | wip| word count: pending. ♡ check the masterlist for expected updates ♡ ♡ see the "holiday special" ⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙‧͙ Winter Across the Galaxy * ‧͙*̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆ [new 12/5] ♡

girl falls first; racoon falls harder.

On the mornings after nights built on nightmares — nights when Rocket has spent hours haunted, or bitter, or weeping — there’s always something different than usual. If there’s sex, Rocket’s touch is lighter:  more careful. He makes Jolie come relentlessly, like he’s trying to make up for all of his own past hurts by filling her with more bliss than she can bear. There’s less teasing, and more ragged reverence. He might not call her names, but if he does, they sound holy: slut uttered in the same tone that someone else might say saint. He doesn’t let her touch him on those rotations, and he doesn’t come till he’s satisfied that she can’t possibly have another orgasm left in her.  If there isn’t sex, everything is the opposite. He’ll take whatever physical comfort she can think to give him: slow, soothing strokes along his back, full-body embraces, comforting kisses on his shoulders and face and chest and hands. One morning, as he lies on his stomach with his chin resting on folded forearms, she strokes his tail. He closes his eyes, and shudders, and melts, so she strokes it again and again, wrapping her fingers around the silky appendage and letting it run through her hand like a waterfall, over and over. They lay like that for a dozen-dozen minutes. Longer. But  the nightmares don’t come often anymore. Instead, most mornings are full of laughter or stories, and mocking, and tinkering and sketching, and cups of coffee that one of them brings down to share.  And yeah, of course, more sex. The Guardians take more jobs, make more units, save more people. Make more art — more versions of Rocket, more golden jump-points. Groot grows taller and lankier and somehow even moodier. Gamora and Pete grow more transparently in love. They all squabble and tease and fuck and fight. And whenever Rocket touches her, Jolie grows more certain that he does love her after all, even if he can’t say it.

[NEW 1/25]✧･ﾟ:*Chapter XXVI. The Other Side of the Window. in which old friends are reunited. ❤︎

i'm crying in fear of the final chapter update in like a week and a half. god i've put so much stupid love into this silly thing. thank you for all your support and for taking part in this with me so far. i truly could not be more grateful ~♡

explicit lines or references* abbreviated explicit sequences ❤︎ detailed/prolonged explicit sequences ❤︎❤︎

General summary/notes + links to recently preceding chapters behind the cut.

let me know via comment, message, or ask if you'd like to be added or removed from my fanfic taglist ♡

Rocket is captured by a Ravager crew hoping to get rich off the excessively large bounty on his head. Throwing a wrench in everyone’s plans is the Terran girl they hired to do some freelance assessing on a recent haul of goods they’ve seized from a Xandaran luxury liner. Oops.

slight AU starting pre-GOTG volume 1 (but will hit most of the same major plot points). slow burn + eventual smut with a lot of pining in the middle. kinda enemies-to-lovers? (but only one of these idiots thinks they're enemies).

let me be real with you: this fic is really about wish-fulfillment. not just the eventual smut (but that too). mostly i just want someone to be nice to my best boy raccoon

*･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:*✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*

Chapter I. A Delicacy. in which our reluctant heroes meet atop a crate of Sovereign porn in the bowels of a Ravager ship.

Chapter II. Monster For A Pet. in which one hero wrestles with his inner Groot, and the other is quite possibly a moron.

Chapter III. A Kindness. in which Rocket gets in his own damn way: not for the first time, and certainly not for the last.

Chapter IV. Got There First. in which our heroes obtain an arsenal and street food.

Chapter V. Things No-One Has Said Before. in which one hero refuses to babysit and the other refuses to leave.

Chapter VI. Two and a Half Billion Units.in which we lean into the “they were roommates” trope. Jolie has misgivings, while Rocket has fantasies - about getting rich, of course.

Chapter VII. I'm Here. in which we visit Knowhere.

Chapter VIII. The Care & Feeding of Human Pets. in which our heroes practice breathing and we lean into a new trope: “there was (technically) one bed.”

Chapter IX. Scrapmetal and a Dream. in which we redefine homemaking.

Chapter X. Thin Fucking Ice. in which our heroes get fucked. Not in the good way.

Chapter XI. Let It Be. in which Xandar is saved and good lives are lost.

Chapter XII. So Much It Hurts. in which we try not to fuck up the vibes.

Chapter XIII. Don’t Wait. in which a lost sister is found and Drax grapples with the concept of sarcasm.

Chapter XIV. Exactly Like a Flower. in which comfort is shared.

Chapter XV: Galaxy-Breaking Shit. in which more comfort is shared, and life is good. Briefly.

Chapter XVI. Run. in which Rocket falls victim to his superstitions.

Chapter XVII. A Seedling. A Fox. A Little Girl. in which the party is divided.

Chapter XVIII. I Happen to Know a Guy. in which our heroes get fucked. Again. Still not in the good way.

Chapter XIX. He Was Loved. in which a planet is killed, a friend is made and lost, and nobody still has any frickin’ tape.

Chapter XX. Some Nerve. *in which an ultimatum is given.

Chapter XXI. I Very Still. ❤︎❤︎ in which our heroes get fucked. In the good way, this time. Finally.

Chapter XXII. Got There Worse. ❤︎❤︎ in which Rocket does not say "I love you."

Chapter XXIII. We're Gonna Need a Bigger Table. ❤︎ in which the galaxy continues to spin.

Chapter XXIV. Space Would Be Better. ❤︎❤︎ in which Rocket ~discreetly~ claims the title of boyfriend.

Chapter XXV. Little Love Stories. * in which both of our heroes learn a little bit about themselves.

Chapter XXVI. Other Side of the Window. ❤︎ in which old friends are reunited.

Chapter XXV. The Most Beautiful Thing in My House. ❤︎❤︎

⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙‧͙ Winter Across the Galaxy * ‧͙*̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆A Holiday Special *

Epilogue: Interviewing Rocket & Jo. ten years after Window ends. short/drabbly, silly fluff.

explicit lines or references* abbreviated explicit sequences ❤︎ detailed/prolonged explicit sequences ❤︎❤︎

taglist ♡ @evolvingchaoswitch ♡ @wren-phoenix ♡ @pretty-chips ♡ @suicidalshitstick ♡ @glow-autumz

[carrd-and-blog-resource]

I just think that era of the internet where we put little pixels and shit on our pages was really cool. So, welcome to my blog where I collect graphics that you can use!  I reblog useful pixels, dividers, backgrounds, transparent images; and more, all of which I try to look at in a lens of "would this look cool used on a Tumblr or a Carrd?"

Mostly, I reblog stuff or post stuff from obscure media that fits these standards, but sometimes I make new original graphics meant to imitate old web styles. You are very welcome to send me asks asking for me to find you a certain kind of thing, it's fun for me to go find stuff based on what you specify. You want old web pixel backgrounds? Okay, got you. Cute buttons to put on your Tumblr theme? Yeah, got it. Aesthetic goth pngs for decoration? Sure, I've got it.

Didn’t mean to, but now this blog is mostly me digging through old websites for graphics that were free-for-use when they were first posted. Oops.

Tags You Might Like

#Dividers / #Headers / #Icons / #Favicons / #Backgrounds

#Blinkies / #Userboxes / #Transparents / #Cursors

#Carrd / #Themes / #Templates (HTML/Neocities) / #Rentry Pixels

More Links:

[Read before following] (Updated 2/2023)

[About me]

[Stuff you can request from this blog]

[My DeviantArt]

[My Neocities with a big gallery of graphics I made]

[galaxia-art]

[image description: 2 anthropomorphic cats in the same colour scheme as the bi and pan pride flags. the first image has both in the same image over a bi &pan flag gradient, the other 2 images are each cat on a transparent background. The bi cat is purple with darker patches, short fur, and a wirey tail. they're themed like a pirate, with a peg leg and eyepatch, blue trousers, an open pink shirt, and a purple sash belt. the pan cat is yellow with a slightly lighter underside. they're themed like a knight, with a pan flag shield almost as big as them, blue armour, and pink underarmour. end id]

Realised I forgot to post the rest of the cats, oops. Anyway here's the bisexual and pansexual fantasy pride cats!

The two I have left to upload are the genderfluid and intersex ones. I'm currently planned on doing the poly flag next because someone at a convention asked if i had any so I want to next time! they didnt specify if they meant polyamorous or polysexual so i might as well do both. If anyone wants to suggest any other flags they want to see as pride cats like this, please do suggest which ones so ill get to them faster!

Also, I have these on my redubble or my etsy! i'll have to link them in a rb because tumblr and its link problems.

some more cats

intersex inclusive progress pride flag | lesbian | mlm

nonbinary | transmasc | transfem

asexual

aromantic

misc sketch ideas

[forecast0ctopus]

i loveee ur art its sooo expressive and it has such a 90s feel to it.. if i may ask, how do u pick ur colours? do u have a specific colour pallete u adhere to? thanks!

thanks so much :DDD im curious what might make it feel 90s 🤔 thats so interesting

anyways stuff abt coloring below

honestly i kinda just fuck around with color, technically i somewhat understand color theory but despite that im bad at choosing the right colors straight from the color wheel so a lot of times i just hsb adjust things until theyre right

ive got two different ways i color things currently:

softish shading with a marker brush in greyscale, applying too many color adjustment layers, and then coloring a little on top of the greyscale to make things not monochrome. usually i color on top of a clipping mask bc its a lot easier, which i did in the ace attorney one but not in the merlin one for ?? no reason i guess i just didnt think abt it lmao

the other way is i decide what color i wanna cast the whole drawing in and i make that the base clipping mask layer (which ive been making like. neon green a lot lately lmao) and then i block in color on top of that, and shadow color on top of that. the cybersix ones a great representation of what im doing there but its a little chaotic since all of the sketches were meant to be cropped oops. the cowboy danny phantom ones a lot cleaner of an example haha

i really like doing the second method because it also works great with lineless and also i really like comparative colors? i know theres a better phrase for it but like. when one color looks like a different color when its put in a different colored space. like when im making things green, id color blue things in the scene green and red things in the scene a muddy orangey color. or when i was really into yellow id make the blues purple. idk usually the “blue” in the scene is first color i like to figure out im not sure if its because its my favorite color or if its because i love drawing jeans but thats just how it goes lmao

oh also putting things on a or neutral bg helps to pick colors a lot easier than keeping the default white bg, i always turn it off and leave it transparent until im finished lmao. i use procreate light mode so its still rather light but not too bad

i dont really have any palettes that i intentionally adhere to, no, but i do get kind of stuck using the same colors for a few months before moving to something different. rn im very stuck on green and need to accept that not everything needs to be the grossest greens ever and ive been stuck on it for about six months? in the past i was really stuck on yellow haha

[groundcontrol21]

Perfumed Peril (M, Musketeers)

Lol remember when I said I had written my first and only allergy fic? Oops my hand slipped (I had an idea for a scenario that just screamed A/ramis)...

The ever-changing location of Marie DuPont’s hands on his body was making it increasingly hard for Aramis to devote his complete attention to the poetry he was meant to be reading to her. The room was awash in candlelight, but Aramis knew it was not their pitiable flames which contributed to the rising heat in his cheeks.

“My dear,” Aramis said breathlessly, her palms inching upward from his thighs. “For all you assured me that these cantos would be to my taste, you seem determined to ensure I cannot focus on them.”

“Perhaps,” she said, hands sneaking up further, “a bit of a break is in order, hmm?”  

Aramis set the book of poetry aside on the engraved oak table as Marie led him, her soft hand in his, to her magnificent tufted bed. She parted the curtains and ushered Aramis in as though she were the driver helping the master into the carriage, but for the chaste kiss she pressed to Aramis’s knuckles and of course, the increasingly less chaste kisses which followed, snaking up his arm to his shoulder and then his neck. Her lips parted the cambric of his shirt away from his skin deftly, and Aramis moaned his pleasure. 

“Wait here a moment,” she whispered, chin brushing against Aramis’s ear as she spoke. With a mischievous grin, she snapped the curtains shut, leaving Aramis with her tantalizing silhouette as she slipped off her outermost garments.

Aramis peeked out his head. “You wicked, wicked woman.”

Marie smiled at him and retrieved a clear bottle from the stand nearest her bed. She flicked a few drops of the transparent liquid therein upon her fingers and patted them on her cheeks, her neck, her breasts. Immediately, Aramis was assaulted by a sharp, pungent scent that may have been pleasant had his nose been able to get over the shock of smelling it. As such, the very air he breathed felt ticklish and itchy. 

He sniffed once, hard, hoping that this might help him acclimate to his new surroundings. Marie hummed as she dabbed more of the liquid on her wrists, clearly mistaking Aramis’s sniff as one of approval, or at least of interest, and not a desperate attempt to stop the feeling of insect wings whirring in his nose.

“It’s a new perfume,” she said, giving the bottle a shake. “Sandalwood. My husband procured it for me from one of his trading partners in the East and gave it to me as a parting gift before he left for Amiens. Isn’t it lovely?”

Marie came back and perched herself on the bed beside Aramis, who did all he could to subtly angle his head away from her without being outrightly offensive. Still, it was no use, the scent was wafting through the entirety of the chambers now, and already Aramis’s nose was running, his eyes starting to water.

“It’s–hihhh–It’s quite strong.” He scrubbed quickly, hopefully surreptitiously, at his nose. 

She smiled at him, tracing a neatly-manicured finger along Aramis’s hairline at his temple. “Do you like it?”

“Snf!” On any other occasion, Aramis would have welcomed the contact, but as such it put his nose in even closer proximity to her fragrant wrist, a fact which was rapidly proving to be his undoing. “I think I’m–HESHHOOO! Snf! ITSSHOOO!”

“Oh, Aramis,” she cooed, stroking his cheek. “Are you well?” She slipped a gentle hand to the base of his head and pulled him toward her breast. 

“Nnnn, it’s–” Frantically, as the whole of him began to leak ceaselessly, Aramis did his best to wrangle himself free, to push himself away from her, too desperate to worry about how such a motion would be received. “The p-perfume! Ihhh’HISHHH’ooo! Snf! I’m—HISHHH’uhh! I think I’m–HESHHH’uhh!” He swiped his fingers across his burning, streaming eyes, and croaked, “Allergic.”

“Oh, my poor Aramis.” 

Marie frowned at him, which only deepened when three more explosive sneezes burst out of him, leaving him spluttering, gasping, and sniffling in the aftermath. “Here.” She reached for the cloth which rested beside a bowl of water on her nightstand. “Take my handkerchief.”

His breath already hitching with the promise of another sneeze, Aramis accepted the proffered cloth without question. “Hhh’RSHHH!” But as soon as he pressed it to his nose he realized the folly of what he had just done; even as stopped tight with congestion as he was, he could still smell that the handkerchief was as doused in perfume as its owner. 

Aramis groaned. “I n-nneed–HETCHHH’OO!--need to… HEHHSHHHH!” He sniffled and did his best to swallow around his inflamed throat, every inch of him on fire with the burning itch. “Need to go.”

Through waterlogged eyes, Aramis glimpsed Marie’s blurry figure rise alongside him. “I’ll escort you.”

“No!” Aramis cried desperately, all but sprinting away from her and to the door. “Please. Th–heh–the p-perfume. EHH’TSCHOO! Snf! I–” He could hold on no longer; the perfumed air of the bedchamber was slowly suffocating him, and so he was forced to dash out the door, down the staircase, without sparing a backward glance toward Marie nor her servants as he rushed forward with the singular purpose of reaching the outside and its sweet, unadulterated air. 

Uncaring of the people he passed (and likely frightened), Aramis stumbled and staggered his way amidst sneezes and wheezing coughs until he ducked into a shady courtyard where he could be hidden from view and succumb fully to his affliction. “ITSCHOO! Hhhh’IDSHHH! HESHHH’uhh! Snf! EHHH’KSHOOO!” He sneezed again and again until he whimpered for mercy between ragged gasps for air. Every inch of him was positively consumed, his eyes inflamed, his throat and chest tight, his vision blurred as hot tears streamed from his eyes. 

“Hehh’ISHHHH’uhh! HEHSHH!” And yet still the infernal sneezes came, one after another, until Aramis was sure he would never taste freedom from them again. 

Gradually, as his nose began to settle and breathing became merely an arduous endeavor and not a torturous one, the memory of how urgently he had quit Marie’s chambers and scuttled out the door flooded back to Aramis’s mind, sending him awash in horror. He groaned, leaning his aching, heavy head against the trunk of the tree under which he had sought refuge, and shut his burning eyes. The chances that Marie DuPont welcomed him back into her home, let alone into her bed, after such an insult were slim, and though Aramis was confident in his ability to find another woman just as stimulating in mind and body as she (Paris was full of such beautiful creatures), he would surely miss her. The fact that the end of their relationship lay outside a jealous husband or a need to keep up a reputation and instead solely with Aramis and his own bodily weakness merely added to the sting.

“Eh’HISHHH!” Aramis wiped his nose with his now-sodden handkerchief, releasing another groan at its pitiful, woebegotten state. Though the prudent choice of action would have been to take himself back to his rooms for a clean handkerchief to deal with the residual effects of this perfume, Aramis found himself drawn in the direction of the tavern where he knew Porthos and D’Artagnan to be playing dice, reasoning slightly deliriously in his foggy mind that such a place was as good as any to sneeze out any remaining irritation. 

He entered the tavern, sniffling wetly and wiping at his eyes, but nonetheless spied his friend’s corner table almost immediately. Aramis trudged over, feeling every bit as exhausted as if he had spent the day in the saddle. Porthos glanced up at him as he approached, wide-eyed. 

“Did the Madame DuPont kick you…” The rest of his question died on his tongue as he better surveyed his brother, narrowed eyes scanning the length of Aramis’s undoubtedly dishevelled frame. “What happened to you, Aramis?”

D’Artagnan winced. “You look a bit…” 

Mercifully, the Gascon did not finish his thought, yet still Aramis found himself rankled. He dropped heavily into the chair beside Porthos with a thick sniffle, burying his still-itchy face in his hands and rubbing. “I don’t want to talk about it. Heh’KSHIEW!”

D’Artagnan narrowed his eyes further, his expression softening minutely. “Did you get sick?”

Porthos shook his head. “Nah, I think he’s…” He trailed off, brow creased in thought, until his face turned bright and he huffed an incredulous laugh, a loud guffaw that shook the table. “You turned allergic to Madame DuPont!” He grabbed at his rumbling belly, tears squeezing from his eyes. “Oh, that’s a new one.”

“I’m not allergic to her,” Aramis said bitterly. “Snf! Snf! Ihhh…” He rubbed at his nose with his already-soiled (though mercifully unscented) handkerchief, releasing a low growl in his throat at the way the gesture irritated his already raw skin. “Hihhh… Ihhh’TSHHHH!” 

He blew his nose hard enough that his ears popped, though he could still hear his friends laughing at his expense. “It’s–snf!--her perfume. Sandalwood.”

D’Artagnan snickered. “Damn, I guess I’ll have to throw the bottle I just bought away.”

“Ha ha.” Aramis lowered his handkerchief with a pointed glare, and was gratified when the Gascon had the good grace to look at least a bit chagrined. 

Porthos, too, took on an expression of greater concern. “Her perfume never bothered you before.” 

“Snf! HESHHH’oo!” Aramis groaned softly at the pounding in his head, wishing that his friends would prove their merciful countenances genuine by putting a bullet through it. “That’s because it’s new. Snf!” He coughed, his throat still lamentably tickly, especially given all the time that had passed. “Her husband gave it to her before he left for his travels.”

“Her husband…” Porthos whistled lowly and shook his head, mouth turning downward in disapproval. “Jesus Christ, Aramis.”

For reasons likely related to the sheer misery he was experiencing, the words from Porthos rankled him far more than they usually would. “Well, that is typically how one becomes a madame, is it not?” Aramis snapped, the words hot on his tongue. He shifted his watery gaze to their youthful companion. “And don’t look at me like that, D’Artagnan. As if you don’t have your eye on Constance. Eh’KSHHHH!”

Because Aramis had shut his bleary eyes and buried himself in his handkerchief once more, he did not see Porthos mouth grouchy at D’Artagnan, nor did he notice the subsequent pair of grins at his expense that followed. All he did notice was Porthos’s hands, warm, firm, and steady on his shoulders as he guided Aramis to his feet.

 “Come on,” Porthos said. “Let’s get you a bath and then to bed.”

[mythica0]

The potion incident

🎂: tOH

🧁; Luz

🍫: Amity (with help from potion)

🍭: Lumity

🍨 fic

Summary : Luz claims that she’s no longer ticklish, and uses a potion to prove it?

A/N: this is a request by @rosytickles !

The potion incident

In the human realm, a group of witches and a human were in the same room.

“And bobs your uncle!” The human finishes a speech. This humans’ name is Luz. “What does that mean?” A chorus of voices sing. The witches; Gus, Hunter, Willow, and Amity . “Oh, it just saying like ‘and that’s all!’ Or ‘that’s that’ it’s what humans call an idiom. “

“Oh. Okay. I’m going to bed, good story, Luz! Good Night everyone!” Hunter said.

“I think I’ll follow him, night!” Gus followed .

Willow yawns. “Yeah, I’m beat, see you in the morning!”

Now it was just the human and her girlfriend.

“I can stay a little longer.” The witch said.

“Awesome!”

“Hey Luz, do you remember that time when we were in the human realm for the first time and you said that you weren’t ticklish?”

“Uhh… y-yeah… not my brightest moment.” Luz blushed at the memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~flashback time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One day during a sleepover , Amity and Luz were watching something while the others were out getting food. And, a tickle scene came on.

“Hey Luz.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you ticklish?”

Oh no…..Lie! Make something up!

“Nope! Not at all! Haha…”

“Really? Cause I’ve been looking for someone to test this potion I found on, but everyone else won’t even try!”

“What potion?”

She would find out soon enough. Amity took out a pink transparent bottle with the label torn off.

“So your really not ticklish, huh?”

“Nah, I used to be, but I grew out of it.”

“So…you wouldn’t mind taking this to prove it , would ya?”

“What does it do?”

“I’ll tell you. Once you drink it. I promise it won’t hurt you, okay?”

Luz nods. Then she drinks the potion. It tastes like iced tea, how strange.

“So what does it do?”

“It multiplies someone’s ticklishness by 2. If your not ticklish at all, it wouldn’t work, because 2 times 0 is still 0. “

Oh. OH. This might be a problem.

“So … uhh… how are We testing this exactly?”

“I’m gonna tickle you silly!” (A/N: With an optional comma )

‘Oops. I made a big mistake.’ Luz thought.

Amity crept closer….and then struck!

She dug her acrylics into Luz’s stomach, and…. She couldn’t even hold it together for 5 seconds. “Ahahahahahw crahahahap” she giggled out. Can you really blame her for breaking! It tickled so bad! Why did amity have to go for Luz’s worst spot!

Amity saw this reaction and said, “well. I never took you for a liar, Luz!” In mock offense.

“EEEK! AHAHAHaHAahahahHa SToHOhOHOHOP THaHa- Gahaha! “

Amity had started kneading into Luz’s belly .

A bit of time and a lot of laughter later, Luz was on the floor gasping for breath and huffing out tiny giggles.

“Ohohoh titahahn. Thahat wahas bahad.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t lie to me then!”

~~~~~~~~Flashback Over~~~~~~~~~

“You’re blushing. It’s cute.” Amity commented

“Shut uuuupp” Luz groaned .

“Absolutely not, night light.” Amity stated. “I love you. “

“I love you too”

——————————THE END ————————

[deafeninggardenerpanda]

a while back on twitter i livetweeted my process with making my meta knight charm

im kinda going insane so i thought i would do the same thing here on tumblr for the new magolor charm im working on. its a lot of images so theres more + a Lot of general merch making commentary from me under the cut

despite being the easiest to make a concept of, with my very first concept sketch being the one i went with, this drawing has fought me every step of the way. the lor is self explanatory (damn you lor) but i had a lot of trouble with magolors proportions and shapes too. in the end i ended up going for something closer to the second sketch to be closer to magolors canon appearance

the lors oars ended up not being able to be as long as my initial concept sketch. i had them extend so high up for framing and to round out the shape of the charm a bit better. without them the charm ends up being really oddly shaped and unbalanced looking, so i added a vortex in the back to help round out the shape in the middle and on the right side. thats not the only reason i added the vortex though! in order to celebrate rtdldx coming out soon i wanted to make the back alt the new manager magolor outfit. because his hat extends into what would be a clear area on the front side (the gap between the lors window and the sail) i had to put something solid in that area if i wanted the alt side to work seamlessly

related to the physical specs, im planning on printing these on rainbow acrylic for the sole reason of i thought it would look really cool if i made the rainbow tech lines on the lor transparent on my artwork, so that the rainbow acrylics effect would shine through, instead of just painting the rainbow effect on the artwork itself. i went to a convention a few weeks ago and apparently rainbow acrylic and gradient colored acrylic charms are really popular right now, so i got a lot of inspiration from there

gonna be honest just drawing the lor alone has kinda burned me out LMAO. i was planning on making another new charm for this batch too initially, mostly considering marx since ofc those two go really well together as a pair but that design requires me drawing nova which No. second i was considering susie but that requires me not only drawing her mech, but doing it at a difficult perspective. and then theres taranza whos very difficult for me to draw in general and i still have not made any concepts ive liked for him so oops

it probably sounds kinda money grubbing of me to make Two magolor designs right as the rtdl remake is coming out, but hear me out first of all ya boys got deadlines to keep on (my manu has a discount that will expire at the end of this month) and i really wanted at least 2 new designs for this batch (plus i still need to draw up a new sticker design to make for freebies) so i wanted to make something a bit more simple, and if you know me, i fucking love elegant shit with frames and halos and that, so here we are. this will be a wooden pin based off this kirbtober drawing i did, which ive always loved. i had a very specific idea for this pin in mind but wood is apparently a finicky thing to work with by nature, so ill have to see if the specs allow. maybe itll be a colored acrylic pin instead?

might reblog this post in the future if id like to update with more progress. (i love that tumblr allows you to be wordy but Man i miss being able to have unobtrusive threads like twitter)

[fullmetalpotterhead]

Hello, I had some more HuaLian thoughts...

Even in terms of being expressive, they're opposites. Xie Lian, through the years, has learned to smile and keep most of his thoughts to himself even when it might be good for him to rather speak up (and also because he IS kinda unhinged which would be something they both have in common)

Anywayyy, there's Hua Cheng on the other hand, who feels everything rather intensely and expresses it the same way. Where honesty is requiree, he speaks, no filters. (I can't imagine the restraint he must have had to contain his simping around Xie Lian, though) He may or may not understand everything he may feel but he sits through it anyway.

Xie Lian seems to be helpless when he's confronted with his feelings? (Idk if that makes sense) But the way he was bawling his eyes out in the end in THE chapter without caring about anything else just goes to show how hard he fell for Hua Cheng.

It seems like my thoughts are all over the place... Oops

I am lapping up your thoughts like a thirsty puppy on a hot day. Furthering your thoughts with my thoughts in the read more because saying things around me a dangerous game to play

I think Hualian are actually so interesting about being open/closed off.

Because like yes XL has mastered his customer service face but also HC is incredibly good at reading him anyways, at watching for any little tells of anything wrong and adjusting accordingly and I think because of that XL really feels like he can rely on and open up to HC

The problem is XL has no practice doing that. Even more he kind of closed off emotionally XL didn’t really complain about his feelings or open up. He was the shining crown Prince. He was a young god. He was expected to know things and be the bigger person and mostly he was! But he’s old enough now to realize when he needs help. He’s just not practiced in receiving in. He’s not practiced in letting himself feel his feelings and HC recognizes that.

HC works really hard to make it explicitly clear to XL that he can be vulnerable around him, that it doesn’t make HC think any less of him, that the chance to soothe his god is an honor! And that’s new for XL but he does trust his husband and cries for him and tries to make an effort to find words for the desires and pains he usually masks.

And HC is so honest! He will honestly tell you how much he hates you or loves you and all the terrible things he’s done but he also shys away from showing actual weakness. There’s this thing some people do that’s like Repression+ where when you first meet them you’ll be struck with how open and honest they are about their feelings and trauma. But over time you realize they actually aren’t. They’re coming out with the heavy/honest stuff they want to tell you and appearing transparent because they can control the narrative that way. They don’t have to actually open up about what hurts them because you think they already did, but really they just gave you a surface level snapshot. It holds other people at arms length.

HC doesn’t hide his feelings. There is nothing subtle about the way he interacts with XL, he never acts while he’s in disguise, he openly tells people how he thinks their trash. But he has a very hard time being vulnerable. He draws inward when he’s upset about XL’s pain. He hesitates to show XL the temple, he tries to essentially run away from the conversation about the cave of ten thousand gods. He doesn’t even ever tell XL he ascended, Guoshi does.

HC is honest, but he’s very much in control of the narrative he’s projecting. And XL understands that and doesn’t pry more than he has to. XL is patient and encouraging and by the end of the book we find out XL has helped HC feel at liberty to shamelessly ask for what he wants more often.

XL hides his emotions to the point he doesn’t know how to express him, so HC remains steady, stable, and gives just enough of a push that XL can help find what he needs to express his wishes.

HC flaunts his emotions while hiding all the soft spots he’s most attached to so no one can use them to hurt him, so XL is patient, gentle, and reassures the lost inner cursed child HC has that he’ll be loved and accepted no matter what.

The heart of their relationship is based on their mutual enjoyment of each other’s company and this space to be vulnerable they’ve crafted for each other and I just *screams*

[fastigiums]

Konstantinos Volanakis, Argo, after 1850

In which Jaesun strikes some deals. Alternatively: Oops! All Bargaining. SETTING: May 2023 FEATURING: Hwang Jaesun, Lee Taein, Park Yundam WORD COUNT: 3.1k

“No lawyers” is Taein’s only stipulation. To be honest, Jaesun hadn’t even considered bringing a lawyer in the first place. It’s only when Taein starts talking, and he’s stuck sitting across from him in the dim lighting of a fine dining restaurant specializing in contemporary Korean cuisine with two Michelin stars—all Taein’s words—that he realizes he should have brought a lawyer anyway.

Taein talks in circles, about his entertainment company and his credentials and his experience. He barely touches his food. Jaesun, on the other hand, does not find the way the portions are dwarfed by the plates appealing. He’s cleared all eight courses and a full glass of wine so far. He has little to add to the conversation. More importantly, he’s trying to keep from eating or drinking too quickly. Taein’s words are so dry and draining that Jaesun starts at his second glass anyway.

Eventually, Taein shifts the subject back to Jaesun’s future—the much more important topic. Jaesun could find everything he wants to know about Taein on the Internet. He didn’t need to hear it from the horse’s mouth.

“What are your goals? What are you looking for?”

He’s been waiting for this for too long. Without any preamble, Jaesun says, “I want a debut. Now, or as soon as possible. The next few weeks would be perfect.”

Taein takes a sip of water as the tenth course is served. “That’s a very crunched timeline. There’s still the matter of your contract, your creative direction, marketing, design, manufacturing, promotions. It's not as simple as you may think.”

Jaesun can feel his ambitions slipping and sliding away. He grabs hold of them again. “It might be hard, but it would benefit us both.”

“You sound like you’ve made up your mind.”

“I have. I want to be Zenith Entertainment’s next artist.” He made up his mind before tonight. The days are passing faster and faster, and each one he spends out of the public eye correlates directly with a decrease in his popularity. He isn’t sure how much longer he can wait. His appearance on Boys Planet was nowhere near as explosive and momentous as he thought it might be. Jaesun didn’t win, and is currently fielding offers from no more than three companies, all of which are small and insignificant.

“You’ve changed your mind since the last time we met,” Taein says.

Jaesun doesn’t remember ever meeting Taein. He tries to think of any situations that would put him in the vicinity of any entertainment company CEO.

“You’ll have to refresh my memory,” he says. It sounds smoother and cleaner than admitting he’s forgotten.

“It would have been about six years ago now,” Taein says. He laces his fingers together, resting his forearms on the table. “You attended a Zenith Entertainment audition—the only Zenith Entertainment audition. You passed, but you declined the offer.”

Six years ago means Jaesun was in high school. He did a lot of auditions at the time. Six years ago also means that Zenith was still a fledgling company. Of course Jaesun hadn’t paid them any mind.

“I doubt that counts as a meeting,” he says.

“You made quite an impression. Attending audition after audition and never accepting an offer.”

Was his high school self really that transparent? “You knew that, and you still made me an offer?”

Taein shrugs. “I’ll admit I was conceited and thought I might be different. I saw potential in you then, and I still do now.”

Jaesun loves the sound of that, although he’d argue he has more than potential now. What has he done, if not prove himself, televised to the nation and the world? He clasps his hands together, forearms flat on the table, and leans forward. “You seem hesitant.”

“And you’re overly eager.”

Jaesun is young and energetic and afloat with hope. He’s supposed to be eager and accommodating and willing to give more than he’ll get.

“I am,” he concedes. He has to retract his arms from the table so the twelfth course can be served. Suddenly inspired, he adds, “What if I find my own debut album?”

Taein saws delicately at his meat. “Find? Not write?”

“I have nothing at the level I want to show,” Jaesun says. It sounds better than saying he doesn’t write music.

“You’re confident in your ability to find an album?” His voice is heavy with doubt.

“Yes,” Jaesun replies with more confidence than he feels. Good acting might be genetic, he thinks. It’s that, or the alcohol, coursing through his veins in the form of liquid courage. “You know who my parents are.”

“On the off chance you’re unable to procure yourself an album, you’ll debut according to my timeline and direction.”

Jaesun swallows his beef and agrees. It won’t come to that. He craves agency and control—he was never going to let anyone else dictate his image or his future.

He relaxes considerably after that, polishing off a second glass of wine. The meal is fifteen courses long and Taein peppers him with meaningless questions most likely meant to reveal something about his psyche until the end. Then he foots the bill, just as Jaesun expects.

“I look forward to working with you,” Jaesun says after, as they stand in the bustle of the mall outside of the restaurant. He straightens the hem of his suit jacket.

“As do I,” Taein says curtly. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “The exact terms and conditions of your contract will need to be discussed. I’ll contact you to discuss everything further. Good night, Jaesun.”

“Good night,” Jaesun says to his back, slightly slighted by his dismissal. He watches Taein’s quick clip across the tiled floor.

Not long after, he sobers up and regrets his bravado. He lets himself into his house, scrolling through his contacts at the same time. He wedges his phone between his shoulder and his ear, listening to the dial tone.

“Jaesun.” On the other end of the line, his former dance academy rival, Yundam, sounds surprised. “It’s been a long time. I thought you would have lost my number by now.”

“Why would I do that?” Jaesun puts the call on speaker as he struggles to untie his shoelaces.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you stopped talking to me years ago.”

“That was the past.” Jaesun flicks the living room light on and lies down on the couch, crossing one ankle over the other. His parents are rarely home and his younger sister, Sara, happens to be out with her friends. That’s good, because he doesn’t want to talk to his family about the shitty deal he made tonight.

“If you want to gloat, then get it over with. Did you finally pass a HYBE audition? No, wait, I have it. HYBE scouted you.” His voice drips with condescension.

Jaesun curses his younger self for being so idealistic and open with his dreams.

“That’s not it. I have a favor to ask of you,” he says. “Do you know any producers? I need an album in a few weeks.”

There’s a very long pause.

“We only speak when you want something from me,” Yundam says eventually.

“I don’t remember the last time we spoke.”

“And now you want something from me.” Yundam clicks his tongue disapprovingly. “We’re not friends, and we never were.”

Jaesun sighs. He didn’t expect him to say yes immediately. “What do you want? A shout-out or something?”

Yundam laughs. “You can’t seriously think that’s all a debut album is worth. Do you know how important it is? Don’t answer that. I want a cut of your profits and your continued goodwill. That includes shout-outs.”

“My goodwill,” he repeats.

“I mean it would be a disaster for you if people knew who you really are. Narcissistic, self-centered, arrogant, rude, spoiled, entitled, overbearing, a braggart, and unable to talk about anyone other than himself.”

Jaesun listens to the—unequivocally false—laundry list of his worst traits, staring at the ceiling in boredom. It wouldn’t be the worst scandal anyone’s ever faced. At the same time, it’s not a risk he wants to take. He’s never known Yundam to be so malicious. Or maybe he’s never known Yundam at all.

“Forget I asked,” he says. “I’m sure my parents know someone. Coming from you, it isn’t a guarantee anyway.”

Jaesun is loathe to ask his parents for help. They’d tell him he should give up being an idol, then. He can do this on his own. But it’s a better option than letting Yundam blackmail him.

Yundam changes his tone. “We can work something out. I’m sure Myungseo-hyung knows someone.”

He must want something from Jaesun just as badly as Jaesun needs this album from him.

“Then ask him,” Jaesun says, “and find out what else you want. I won’t let you extort me.”

“I know you like to exaggerate, but extortion is a reach.”

“I don’t, and it’s not.”

Jaesun ends up the call and drops his phone onto his chest. He’s so fucking screwed.

Two days later, Yundam sends him six audio files. The attached message reads, so myungseo does know a guy. one of his uni classmates. his name’s sungjae. this is meant to be an entire ep. if you don’t take it in two days he’ll sell it to someone else.

That gets Jaesun to sit up in his bed. Two days to decide if the files he’s just received are what he’s willing to stake the rest of his career on. Even without listening to it, it doesn’t feel like he has much of a choice. He’d rather die than ask his parents for help. He puts his AirPods in and presses play.

Nineteen minutes later, Jaesun’s worst fears are assuaged. The songs fit together well enough. The producer has the same low tenor voice range as him. He assumes that’s the producer singing his own demo tracks. It makes him feel as if he has a bit of a connection to the music.

He decides to let Yundam wait for some time. Jaesun will take the EP. He’d take it no matter what it is, he thinks. He’s more desperate than he realized. Even if it was fifteen minutes of incomprehensible noise, he’d have to use it.

He hates how trapped he feels. It isn’t supposed to be like this. He’s supposed to do so much better. He’s supposed to be so much more—not in the midst of signing a contract with a third rate entertainment company.

He spends a tense three hours trying not to think about his future or Yundam. He spends all three hours thinking about his future and Yundam. When he can’t wait any longer, Jaesun sends a text from his normal position splayed across the couch.

i’ll take it, he tells Yundam. Belatedly, he wonders if he should have asked Taein first. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Besides, it was his responsibility to find his music and his sound, and now he’s done that.

great! Yundam sends back. i want 40% of your profit. also, you can tell him yourself.

Jaesun chokes on his own spit, barely noticing the second part of Yundam’s message, which includes an attached phone number. That’s ridiculous. Sara sits across the room from him at the dining room table, editing a video. She doesn’t even look up.

He coughs once and sits up.

15%, he sends back. Is Yundam trying to rob him? It seems like it. He’s not making money. Jaesun knows that for certain. Field Day never took off—Jaesun kept more tabs on them than he’d like to admit, maybe out of jealousy or resentment or something else he’s not quite sure of. For as disappointed as he feels in his own career trajectory, he knows he’s more popular than Yundam is or was or ever will be.

30%, is Yundam’s extremely annoying answer.

20. An extremely uncomfortable thought occurs to Jaesun. this is only from the music profit, right?

Yundam doesn’t text back. He calls instead. Jaesun has to lie back down to get through this.

On the other end of the line, Yundam is laughing. He doesn’t try to hide it. The flush of anger that spreads through Jaesun’s chest is entirely unfamiliar. Yundam didn’t act like this years ago, when they were closer. That, he’s sure of.

“Music doesn’t make money, Jae,” Yundam says through sharp bursts of laughter. “God, Siyun must think I sound insane.”

“Don’t call me that,” Jaesun says coldly. He knows music doesn’t make money. But money is the one thing he’s never had a need of, the one thing that’d be so easy to give Yundam. Just not so much of it.

Yundam ignores him. “You’re so stingy. A miser. You’ll have it all soon. The endorsements, the commercials, the advertisements, the acting roles.”

There’s an obvious hint of resentment in his voice.

“Fifteen percent,” Jaesun says slowly, “and we’ll be friends in public.”

Yundam is silent for a moment. “That won’t help.”

He doesn’t know how much bargaining power he has. He makes another promise he’s not sure he can keep anyway. “I’ll get us a variety show. Just the two of us. You and me.” He knows he’ll have his own show. It’s an unnegotiable part of being an idol in the current era. The involvement of another person is a bit more unprecedented.

“You and I,” Yundam corrects sardonically. “I’ll settle for 20% of your profits if you get your show. 25% if it falls through.”

It still feels like highway robbery.

“If you do fuck it up,” he continues, “I’ll go straight to the tabloids, like I said before.”

Jaesun sighs. There’s no incentive for him to ruin anything. If he burns his bridge with Yundam in public, it could signal the beginning of the end for him too. He won’t even need the baseless rumors.

“Don’t worry about me,” he says. “Focus on yourself first.”

He ends the call before Yundam can get another word in. There’s no way they can pretend to be friendly with one another.

Jaesun will cross that bridge when he comes to it. He sends an introductory text to Sungjae. It occurs to him that he’s never done so many seemingly small and menial tasks for himself. He’s gone from the son of celebrities to a celebrity himself. There should be people willing to do all of this for him.

Disgruntled, he sends a borderline passive aggressive message to Taein. He attaches the music an almost secondary thought.

Taein reads his message almost instantly. Jaesun waits in suspense for a response. A full minute passes before he realizes he’s waiting for something that won’t come. As much as he hates to admit it, there’s nothing else he can do right now. He decides his time would be better spent standing behind Sara and breathing down on her neck until she notices him.

The days stretch slowly into a week. And then, just when he thought he couldn’t wait any longer, Taein calls him in again. He hasn’t responded to Jaesun’s texts in days.

Jaesun spends a few hours listening to Taein’s representative go back and forth with his aunt, a corporate lawyer who previously negotiated his trainee contract at Cube.

Then Taein makes the very strong suggestion that the two lawyers should leave. Jaesun’s aunt squeezes his shoulder. “You’ll

The ink has yet to dry on his idol contract when Taein says, “I have a few matters to discuss with you.”

Jaesun does not like the sound of that. He’s more entranced by the featureless white walls than anything else.

“First, about your album,” Taein continues.

Jaesun snaps to attention again.

“Before we go any further, I want to meet your producer.”

He feels his house of cards begin to waver. He’s never met him himself. All he knows is the little bits and pieces Yundam’s told him.

Grasping at straws, Jaesun says, “His name is Sungjae. He’s always busy, and he’s secretive about his work.”

Taein folds his arms. “How did you meet?”

“Through friends. One of my friends went to university with him.” He gives a highly simplified version of the true story. Jaesun isn’t friends with any of Yundam’s group members. He’s not going to explain that.

Seeing the stony expression on Taein’s face, he elaborates a little more. “They both studied music composition at Dankook University.” He has no idea what Myungseo studied. He’s certain Taein doesn’t either.

One more trivia fact comes to mind. “He’s a session musician now. I think he used to be in a band.”

“That’s enough,” Taein says, cutting him off.

Jaesun wonders what’s gotten into him. It works out, because he’s exhausting his store of information.

“The music is enjoyable. One more track will be added, and another will include a feature.”

Jaesun balks immediately. “With all due respect, sajangnim, that’s unnecessary.” And I don’t want to do it, he adds in his head. He already has six songs to learn, and not nearly enough time.

“I’m a soloist. I want to be the only person singing my songs.”

“This is not a discussion,” Taein says. “These are the changes I will be making to your album. I’ve given you enough concessions with your freedom to find a producer. Have you forgotten what you’ve signed?” He taps the stack of papers that make up Jaesun’s contract.

Jaesun makes the saddest, most desperate puppy-dog expression he can muster. It’s something he hasn’t had to do since he was thirteen begging his parents to please come and see his performance in Fiddler on the Roof.

“Don’t do that,” Taein says, looking unaffected and unamused. His tone softens slightly. “This will be good for you. See it as a chance to expand your reach as a celebrity past the people who saw your previous television appearance.”

Jaesun doesn’t quite believe him, but he lets it go for now. He has more to ask. “I have one more request.”

Taein looks like he’d rather eat glass. “What is it?”

“I want to have a variety show with a friend.”

Taein’s brow creases. “I assume your friend is a celebrity. Would it be too far to assume your friend is friends with Sungjae?”

Jaesun feels like a pane of glass—he’s been seen straight through. “That’s correct. He’s an idol too. I want to do this as a favor.”

He sits uncomfortably under Taein’s sharp gaze. It takes some time before he responds. “I’ll see what I can do.”

He doesn’t know who Taein would have to consult with, but that isn’t Jaesun’s problem. He’s done all he can. He reaches across the table for his contract and a pen. Flipping it over to the empty backside of the last page, he scribbles Yundam and his manager’s names and numbers.

Jaesun stands up and bows shallowly. “I’ll see you tomorrow, sajangnim.” And nearly every day for the next seven years. It’s all he’s ever wanted.

[gladdyator18]

Ready For Anything - TickleTober2022 Day 11 (Endurance)

Summary: As per recommendation of Renée, Andy must undergo endurance training. Lurana is his trainer, and she has the perfect method to build up the Apex Guardian’s endurance.

Word Count: 2065

"You wanted to see me, Lady Renée?" Landon asked.

"Yes, Landon" Renée said, "I want to put your endurance to the test."

Landon looked at his superior with a quizzical look. He was asked to come to Renée's office for a small meeting, and now he knew why.

"My endurance?" Landon questioned politely.

"Yes," she said, "It has come to my attention that the endurance training isn't... intense enough, as some would put. I made an endurance test, and I appointed Lurana to oversee it. Would you be willing to test it out for me?"

Landon stared at his leader blankly. This was such an honor; the boy was left speechless. Out of all the other officers Renée could've asked, she chose him.

"I-I would be honored, Lady Renée!" Landon said, standing up and bowing deeply.

"At ease, Quartz," Renée said with a smile, "Come with me. Best not to keep Lurana waiting."

The officer nodded and followed his leader out of her office. The duo walked past many corridors before stepping into one of the many training rooms. In the center of the room, the cursed Feral stood, her blackened tail swishing back and forth. When Lurana saw her superior and subordinate walk in, she smiled.

"Welcome, you two!" she said, "So, this is the test dummy?"

"Test dummy?" Landon parroted.

"Wrong words." Renée said.

"Oops, my bad! Test subject!"

Renée sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose, suppressing her smile.

"Don't take any of what she says to heart, Landon dear," Renée said, "She's only kidding, right, Lurana?"

Renée gave the Elite a knowing look as if she were telling her to cool it with the names.

"Of course I am!" Lurana said, "Thanks for appointing me to lead the endurance training, Renée."

"My pleasure. Thank you for agreeing to do it," Renée said, "Take all the time you need. Report back to me when you've completed."

The cursed leader turned on her heel and left the training room, leaving the Apex Guardian and Elite alone.

"Alright, little buddy; let's work on your endurance!" Lurana said.

"Right!" Landon said enthusiastically, "But, what kinds of endurance? Magical? Physical?"

Lurana smiled as she snapped her fingers, a clipboard soon appearing in her hand.

"Hmm... Looks like we will be testing your physical and magical endurance and a bit of mental endurance," Lurana said, "That's a new one."

"So, which are we going to do first?" Landon asked.

The cursed Feral Elite hummed as she waved away the clipboard. The Feral glanced at Landon and scanned him. The Elite felt a sly smile appear on her face.

"Actually, I know a way we can test all three at the same time." Lurana said.

"Really? How?" Landon asked.

The cursed Feral grinned before raising a hand toward the ceiling. Then, a transparent reddish-purple sheet encased the room.

"Soundproof spell," Lurana said, "Don't want to be disturbed."

"Why would you need a soundproof spell?" Landon asked.

The cured Feral smiled before raising a hand towards Landon. The young magic-bearer took a few steps back, unsure what the Elite might do. Then, reddish-purple rings appeared on Landon's wrists. The magic rings lifted Landon in the air before slamming him against the wall behind him. The magic rings had Landon's arms raised slightly above his head.

"U-Uhm, Lady Lurana?" Landon questioned, "How is this supposed to be an endurance test?"

"You'll see," Lurana said, walking up to her subordinate, "Also, no need to address me as Lady Lurana, kid. Just call me Lurana, or Lura, if you like."

Landon shifted uncomfortably as Lurana inched closer and closer.

"Riddle me this, Landy: are you ticklish?" Lurana asked, inches away from the Guardian's ear.

Before the officer could answer, he felt nimble fingers claw at his ribs. Landon yelped before giggling uncontrollably.

"Luranahahahaa! W-What are you dohohohoihihihihihing?" Landon questioned.

"Endurance training, obviously," Lurana answered, "When someone is getting tickled, their physical and mental endurance is tested. And that's where this endurance training comes into play."

Landon tried to break loose from the magic bands, but they were too strong.

"Oh, right! We also need to test your magical endurance," Lurana thought out loud, "No worries; I have an idea for that later! For the time being, let's see how long you can withstand getting tickled by me!"

Landon rocked his body from side to side, trying to get away from Lurana's fingers. The young magic-bearer giggled most adorably, making the Feral Elite swoon.

"Oh, you are so cute when you giggle this way, Landon!" Lurana said, "You should laugh more often! It's a good look on you!"

"Lurana, plehehehease! Stohohop ihihit!" Landon giggled.

"Stop? We've only just begun! This is endurance training, so we need to see how long you can hold out. Imagine if I was a bad guy, and he uses tickling to get information out of you. You need to be able to take it so you don't crack."

Lurana then hummed in thought before smiling.

"That's a great idea!" Lurana said, glancing at Landon, "Alright, Apex Guardian. Tell me where your leader is hiding Dr. Geroji's documents,"

"What are you tahahalking abohohohout?" Landon asked, "You should knohohohow, Lurana!"

"Who is this Lurana you speak of, kid?"

Landon tugged at his wrists, but he was locked down. Landon squealed as Lurana moved to his armpits.

"Nohohoho! Plehehehease stop!" Landon giggled.

"I'll only stop when you tell me where those documents are," Lurana said.

"I don't knohohohohow! Please, let me gohohohoho!"

"Not a chance, kid. Unless you tell me where your leader's hiding those documents, you'll just have to endure this. Let's see how long it'll take before you crack."

Landon stomped his feet on the dirt ground, trying to find some way to escape the Elite's fingers.

"Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?" Landon thought.

Landon tried to pull his arms down as Lurana dug deeper into his armpits, but his attempts were in vain.

"Lurana, stohohohop! It tickles sohoho baahahahahahaaad!" Landon cried.

"I'm sure it does, little Guardian," Lurana purred, "Mark my words: it'll be ten times worse if you don't tell me what I want to know."

"I already told yohohohohohou! I don't knohohohohohow!"

Lurana grinned before looking down at her wristwatch.

"5 minutes already," Lurana thought, "This kid's good, but what if I kick it up a notch?"

Lurana moved her hands slightly and started pinching the space between Landon's armpits and top rib. Landon's giggles escalated in volume, and his squirming became more violent.

"How ya like that, Guardian?" Lurana asked, "Gettin' too much for ya?"

"Nohoho! Plehehease stohohohop!" Landon giggled.

Lurana did her best evil laugh, making the younger officer kick out his legs and giggle louder.

"That's right! Laugh for me, little Guardian!" Lurana said, "Unless you want me to make this a lot worse, I would fess up if I were you."

"I don't know anythihihihihihing!" Landon cried, "Let me gohohoho!"

Lurana shrugged with a grin.

"Fine, have it your way," Lurana said, "Remember, you asked for this."

Lurana's grin widened as her purple eye started glowing. Landon's body was cloaked with a transparent sheet of purple. With Lurana's power, she's able to spot her opponent's weak spots. Lurana looked down to see Landon's thighs and knees were his weak spots. The cursed Feral smiled before slowing her hands to stop, leaving the young officer breathless.

"Now, are you going to tell me where those documents are?" Lurana asked.

"I don't knohohow where they ahahahre, I swehehehear!" Landon giggled breathlessly.

Lurana sighed before raising a hand towards the officer. The magic bands around Landon's wrists moved downward, forcing the magic-bearer on his rear. The Elite crouched in front of her subordinate and smirked.

"Are you sure you don't know where they are?" Lurana asked.

"I-I swear, I don't!" Landon said, "We're not authorized to know that information. Only Lady Renée and the Elites know where they are. You should know this, Lurana!"

Lurana leaned in close, her nose and Landon's almost touching.

"I hope you're not getting smart with me, Guardian," Lurana said, "I don't know who you think I am, but I can assure you, I am not this Lurana character."

Landon swallowed a lump in his throat before looking away from his superior.

"Aw, what's wrong?" Lurana asked, "Can't make direct eye contact?"

When Landon didn't answer, Lurana started pinching up and down his sides, forcing giggles from the officer.

"Nohoho! Not theheheheere!" Landon giggled, scrapping his heels against the ground.

Lurana smiled as she moved her hands, squeezing the young officer's knees. Landon squealed before dissolving into adorable laughter.

"NOT THEHEHEHEHEHERE! ANYWHERE BUT THHEHEHEHERE!" Landon laughed, "S-STAHAHAHAP!"

"Ah, is this your weak spot, little Guardian?" Lurana asked, "What if I..."

Lurana then started scratching underneath Landon's knee, causing him to squeal and bring his legs up, almost crushing Lurana's nails.

"NAHAHAHAAAAA! THAT TICKLES SO BAHAHAHAHAAAAD!" Landon cackled.

"If you just tell me what I want to know, this will all be over." Lurana said.

Landon tried to free his wrists, but it was to no avail. Lurana looked down at her watch and smiled.

"Almost 10 minutes," Lurana said, "This kid is amazing. His physical endurance is good, and even his mental endurance. Now, time to bust in some magic!"

Lurana pulled away from the boy and sat back on her legs, grinning as the boy panted.

"So, ready to talk yet?" Lurana asked.

"I don't know anythihihing... I swehehear..." Landon panted.

Lurana sighed heavily and shook her head.

"Didn't want to do this to you, kid, but you leave me no choice." Lurana said, feigning regret.

The cursed Feral Elite extended a hand towards Landon's thighs, and a translucent reddish-purple sheet encased them. When Lurana snapped her fingers, Landon screamed with laughter.

"WHAT IS THAHAHAHAHAAAAA!? MAKE IT STAHAHAHAHAAAAAP!" Landon cackled.

"I told you I'd make it ten times worse," Lurana said, "Now, you're paying for it."

Landon tried kicking away the magic, but it was not letting go.

"PLEHEHEHEASE! I DON'T KNOW ANYTHIHIHIHING!" Landon laughed, "I SWEHEHEHEHAR!"

"Mhm, sure," Lurana deadpanned, "Until you're ready to talk, I'll be right here."

Lurana crossed her legs and pulled out her phone, letting the boy's laughter sink in.

"DON'T LEHEHEHEHEAVE ME LIKE THIHHIHIHIHIS! AAAAAHAHAHAHHAA!" Landon laughed.

As the magic crept closer to Landon's inner thigh, the young magic-bearer lost it.

"MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STAHAHAHAHAAAAAP!" Landon screamed, "PLEHEHEHASE!"

Lurana looked up from her phone and grinned.

"You ready to talk?" Lurana asked.

"YEHEHEHEHEHES! I'LL TELL YOHOHOHOU! PLEHEHEHEASE! LET ME GOHOHOHOHOOO!"

Lurana grinned and waved a lazy hand, causing the magic sheet on Landon's thighs to disappear. Landon's wrists were released, and he slumped against the wall, panting like a dire wolf.

"17 minutes," Lurana said, "Impressive timing, Landon. If a villain were to do this to you, you'd be good, so long they don't go for your legs."

Landon glanced at the Elite with a tired smile on his face.

"I think you did well with this endurance test," Lurana said.

"Y-You're not gonna tell Renée what you did, right?" Landon asked.

"What? No way! If she found out what I did for your endurance training, she'd have my head!"

Landon chuckled as he sat up.

"Well, I think it is a good way to test one's physical, mental, and magical endurance," he said, "It'll take some getting used to for many, but you never know what a villain might do. You've gotta be ready for anything."

Lurana blinked at the young officer before smiling.

"You're a good kid, Quartz," Lurana said, "Sorry if I went a little overboard."

Landon waved her off with a fond chuckle.

"No need to apologize," Landon said, "I needed a good laugh, so thank you, Lurana."

The cursed Feral Elite smiled as her tail swished behind her.

"Come on, kid," Lurana said, standing up, "Let's go report to Renée."

The Feral extended a hand to her tired subordinate, and Landon pulled himself up. Lurana grinned and hooked her arm around the young officer's neck.

"H-Hey, Lurana?" Landon began.

"Yeah?" she asked.

Landon bit the inside of his cheek, feeling his face heat up.

"Would... Would you be willing to test my endurance again...?" Landon asked sheepishly.

The Elite's eyes widened before they softened.

"You and I are gonna get along just fine, kid," Lurana sighed, "Just fine indeed!"

[joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

Apropos of nothing I have suched mix feelings about video game remakes these days. Examples that fundamentally change the original game like FF7 Remake or the Resident Evi remakes are totally fine to me, but it’s when you pretty much get sold “here’s the original game again but with higher res textures and maybe some QOL updates” that I’m always a bit more huh. Cause on one hand, it’s obvious enough why we get these. They’re relatively easy to develop since most of the core work is already done. Games are taking longer to develop so a remake is a good way to hold down fans of a series while they wait. They sell well and people want them, it’s nice having all your games on one modern platform and not having to bust out the CRT and Gamecube setup or dust off your old 360 controller. And for series that haven’t had a proper new entry in a while it’s a great way to gauge fan interest and work forward from there a la Crash N.Sane Trilogy. Like the benefits are obvious! And hey, I’m someone that asks for remakes or remasters or whatever have you as well. Above all else it’s just convenient, you know?

But then the main obvious drawbacks are like. First of all, a lot of remakes are generally charged at full price, which just feels about as transparently “please give us bigger profits” as it gets. Pay full price, sometimes even more than the game originally launched for - just to get that game that already existed but again. And then there’s also just the creativity argument. It doesn’t take a genius to slap HD textures on a 15 year old game. Remakes aren’t interesting games because they already existed. We already know what they have on offer. The fact that “an old game but new” can end like a huge gaming conference or something feels kinda wild to think about, right? Persona 3 fans are about to get to play Persona 3 again but with a new UI and some other stuff but it’s fundamentally the same game as the one Atlus re-released on modern platforms like last year, and jesus christ that’s one hell of a con they got played for.

But then who am I to play a high ground here, as if I haven’t asked for and been excited for remakes of games from the literal last console generation that I already own and have played. And more than that, as easy as it is to critique the fact that the industry is just releasing games we’ve all played but again, some of us actually haven’t played these games! The remakes are an excuse to! New fans are checking out games they might not have had the chance to play otherwise and that’s absolutely a good thing.

Suppose just yeah, very multifaceted thing. I’d maybe say more but oops I have to go now byeeeeeeeeeeee