#not aiming for the whole month because i know i won't be able to

[cosmerelists]

Cosmere Characters Trying to Sell You a Mattress

I've always thought that it must be kinda tough to be a mattress salesman. Mattresses are expensive, after all, and working on commission must make the job extra stressful. So anyway let's make Cosmere characters do it.

1. Kaladin: Jogs around the store with a mattress hefted high over his head

Remember when Kaladin wanted his crew to practice carrying bridges with him so he jogged around shirtless with a log hefted on his shoulder to inspire them? I like to think that Mattress Salesman Kaladin would do the same thing, only they do make him wear his uniform shirt.

Sales: Surprisingly good. ...Or maybe it's not that surprising.

2. Lightsong: Sleeps peacefully to show you how wonderful the mattress is

Or so he says. It is possibly he is simply napping on the job.

Sales: Pretty good, but only because Llarimar is handling the actual sales part.

3. Kelsier: Gives people the code to the door and some hints about the guard schedule

He then claps them lightly on the shoulder and comments that everybody deserves a nice mattress, even people who can't afford one.

Sales: Very bad, so far as the store is concerned. Kelsier thinks it's going quite well.

4. Elhokar: Is intentionally sabotaging his own sales

Elhokar has been convinced for MONTHS that one of the other employees is sabotaging him. Since the manager won't listen, Elhokar has taken to sabotaging his own sales in order to gather evidence of sabotage. It's a plan that can't possibly fail!

Sales: Honestly kinda middling, even before the whole fake sabotage plot

5. Nikaro: Waits for the customers to find him

"People who truly desire a mattress will seek me out," he murmurs from the shadowy corner he's sitting in. He aims to sound intriguing, but he may in fact just be shy.

Sales: Bad; Nikaro may not be cut out for sales

6. Adolin: Doesn't know shit about mattresses, and yet

He skates by mostly on charm. "Oh yeah, a lot of people buy this one! One guy the other day said that he researched all the mattresses and that this one was the best" --Adolin, about to make a sale.

Sales: Better than he rightly deserves

7. Vivenna: Knows everything there is to know about mattresses, and yet

Vivenna did all the research. She can tell you about how mattresses are big problem in landfills, how buying a new one probably won't fix your marriage, and how the extended warranty probably isn't worth the money.

Sales: Worse than she rightly deserves

8. Jasnah: Acts as though you need to convince her to sell to you

Jasnah isn't sure you're ready to commit to this new mattress. Can you really handle its upkeep? The remote control? Do you have references from your previous mattress store? Somehow, this makes you desperate to prove that you are ready to buy this mattress--yes, even the more expensive one!

Sales: Good, somehow. How does she do that??

9. Kenton: Doesn't even work there and yet

Kenton is in there every day, aggressively selling mattresses to even the toughest customers. He's sure that if he can only sell enough mattresses, he'll get hired! His dad owns the store, after all. (His dad does not want to hire him.)

Sales: Good, but not good enough to impress his dad

10. Shallan: Draws Your "Ideal Sleeping Self"

Once you see yourself sleeping peacefully on the Feathered Dreaming Quality Mattress 5000, you won't be able to leave without one.

Sales: Would be better if Shallan didn't get distracted so often sketching Kaladin jogging around with his mattress...

[hopefulmuffins]

I have conflicting feelings about the most recent To Be Hero X episode. But I feel like that was the point. Spoilers for episode 4 underneath the cut.

I wasn't hyped when Lin Ling started getting cheered on by the public. All I could think is that he was falling into the same trap all the other heroes fell into.

Like, the few origin stories we've had so far show them having a true moment of heroism, a moment where they genuinely wanted to save people. But it was after they went public and gained the 'trust' of the people did he truly gain enough strength to defeat God's eye. Essentially trapping him into the people's will all over again. Soon enough they will start to shape who he will be and what he can do because he won't be able to do what he did that day without the power trust gives.

Then there's the fact that someone else was spurring on God's Eye. He was given the means from an outside force to go up against 'Nice' and expose him. But it's bittersweet if you think about it because he exposed someone who he wasn't truly aiming for. The wrong Nice. Plus, it's been shown that a lot of the big baddies and moments are manufactured by the companies that run the city, every hero and villain has been monetized to some degree and the head corporations are the ones keeping this hero business alive. Both Lin Ling and God's eye are victims of the same system. Just from two different view sides of it. It just felt a bit like someone knew that Lin Ling had the capacity to realize that he could shed the 'Nice' persona by just deciding to go back to being himself, but didn't want the lost revenue that the 'Nice' franchise would lose them. So they found a way to entrap him more fully into said system to eliminate potential loopholes for his freedom. After all he still put on a show. Can a good deed done with an audience be truly heroic?

And the fact that he claims that it was moon that made him want to be a hero, made him want to give up his life for her was very... parasocial of him. He only recently got to know who moon is and even then I feel like he wasn't paying as much attention to who she was. Like no offense but I wouldn't be myself if I was forced into captivity with someone I was slated to marry for public clout. Plus it was only a month in a sterile environment. Him being willing to die for her with no regard for himself made me a bit sad. But he comes off as a very lonely individual who idealized Moon whether he realized it or not. And honestly that was probably used against him as well.

The fact that moon got what she wanted in the most literal sense feels like she was being punished. Like, you wanted to have your 'freedom' and to be 'left alone' well here you go you ungrateful bitch. We gave you everything and now we will give you exactly what you wanted. She was expecting to go back to a type of luxury she didn't realize she profited from and was met with the absence of both physical and emotional comforts. She ended up being trapped in a completely different way. Hate that she died, but I find it very interesting that she died in the same way that he had that vision of her. I'm not sure what purpose her death serves yet, but I am intrigued to see where it goes.

Maybe the whole hero schtick is a huge façade to keep the public from paying attention to the true villains. I'd argue a whole system dedicated around manufacturing scenarios to keep the people feeling 'safe' in their everyday lives is a great distraction. Don't you?

Sorry, I feel like there is just so much to dissect here and I'm a pretty stupid person so maybe this isn't ground breaking analysis. But I just like putting my thoughts out there and see if anyone else can add better/more context.

[itsscromp]

Spending Christmas with Jason Todd for the first time after his resurrection?

Jason todd x reader

Oh... I like this idea a lot, I think y/n would do anything to make Jason feel at home again with the holidays. Word count:1.2K

Jason being revived was overwhelming as it is, But you were glad to have your best friend back... But you could tell the whole experience left him shaken, I mean he literally died and was brought back to life, Not only that you had to guide him through everything as he also lost his memories as well.

Christmas was coming up really fast and it's usually one of Jason's favourite holidays, Maybe this will help him remember just a little bit, Not a lot but a little bit. Baby steps. So you went out and got a Christmas tree for the Belfry, Beginning to decorate it soon after putting it up.

"What's all this y/n ??" Jason looked over from his training.

"Oh I'm just setting up the Christmas tree" You said while continuing to decorate it. You could hear Jason lightly huff before heading back to his training, Sighing softly, you continued decorating the tree.

After which, you went out the next day and got gifts for the others. You were struggling to find a gift for Jason, Something that he might like. It almost took you 5 hours until you found a familiar comic book... It was Jason's favourite comic book. You rushed in and got it, Quickly going back to the belfry and then wrapping it all up, Placing it under the tree.

Jason saw you rush in and shook his head lightly, He had no time for Christmas or anything else, He had to continue training to get back out as Red Hood. Dick saw you trying to do this to help him remember... He gently went over to you.

"Y/n... I know this has been tough on you and Jason, But you can't just rush his memories back. It's not how it works..." He placed a hand on your shoulder and gently squeezed it.

"I know... I'm trying not to but... It's been 5 months since he came back and... I'm worried that he might not be able to ever remember it... remember anything." He could see the worry in your eye.

"Baby steps y/n... I promise" he smiled reassuringly.

Christmas Eve rolled around and you and Jason were tasked with patrolling Gotham for the night, As usual this time of the year, crime around Gotham picks up rapidly. Suiting up and then heading out. You two mostly stopped petty theft from charity tins and such. But the real kicker in the jaw, was when the clock struck midnight, Christmas day. You two saw a bright beam go into the sky, soon which it got rapidly cold very quickly.

"Freeze..." You said shuddering.

"Quickly we have to stop him" He then grappled a nearby building, ready to take him down.

"No wait, Jason !!" You quickly followed him, You both needed to come up with a plan before trying to take freeze down. The comms from the belfry picked up but were becoming choppy because of the unexpected storm.

"Crap, the belfry is losing reception" You said to him.

"Then let's give him a Christmas he'll never forget" You could tell he was smirking under his mask.

Reaching the area, You both went up the building only to find what looked like a rather large machine, Whatever was going on, that machine had to be the cause of it.

Jason was quick to head down and try and turn it off, only to be knocked away by Mr freeze. "Get away from my storm machine !!" He threatened while aiming his freeze gun at him.

Jumping down, you landed in front of Jason protecting him from harm. "Looks like you'll be on Santa's bad list" You smirked, looking over and nodding at Jason.

"You two won't be able to stop me this time" He charged his freeze gun before shooting at you both, but soon quickly dodging his attack.

"I'll distract him, you take care of the machine !!" Jason said to you as you nodded.

Jason put up a good fight, the training was coming back to him... He was slowly starting to remember... During this, he had his flashback where you and him were sparing. Before you became an official member of the bat family, He would always knock you on your ass, but it always ended in laughs, You... were his friend...

Meanwhile, you got to work decoding the machine to stop the machine from plunging Gotham into an ice age, You frantically looked over as freeze. who after knocking Jason over, Aimed his gun at you and shot a beam at you... Before you could even react, you were pushed out of the way, falling to the ground... looking over to see Jason who is now trapped in ice. "RED HOOD !!!" You rushed over trying to get him out of the ice. But then... something happened... Jason started to glow... almost in the colours of the Lazarus pit. Soon he released a burst of energy, Freeing him from the ice he was once trapped in.

"You're gonna get it now Freeze !!" He yelled and then lunged into action again, Freeze was baffled and overwhelmed by what was happening, You managed to decode the machine in time and stopped it, soon releasing Gotham out of the freezing hellscape, But them you heard glass smash as Jason smashed his helmet open, repeatedly punching him... He was going to kill him.

"Red hood stop !!!!" You grabbed his wrists before he could do any further damage. "This isn't the way..." You knew Jason had different philosophies to justice, but again he lost his memories and all the training went away... But he quickly calmed down as he got up when the police arrived. "Let's go" Was all he said as you two headed back to the Belfry.

Once back, Jason unmasks himself and takes a deep breath, Looking over at you. "Y/n... I.. I don't know what came over me... I saw you in danger and then... well everything happened..." He looked away for a bit before you went over to him. "Jason... I know everything has been hard for you since you were brought back..." You could see how this still affected him. "But the important thing is, we stopped him in the end..." You smiled softly. Jason simply nodding, but you could see the hint of a smile.

"Oh wait" You rushed over to the Christmas tree quickly pulling out his gift and rushing over to him. "Merry Christmas" You handed him his gift.

Jason was slightly taken aback by this offering but nonetheless accepted, Opening the gift, he saw the comic... You looked up at his face but saw no glint of remembrance in his eyes, You were saddened... But you tried.

As you turned away, Jason quickly grabbed you and pulled you into a tight hug, You were baffled by what happened before he pulled you out, Seeing the remembrance in his eyes... He remembered you. "Y/n..."

You smiled as your bottom lip wobbled a little. "Welcome back buddy"

"Merry Christmas Pal..." He pulled you back into a tight hug as you did as well, The first Christmas since Jason's revival... Who would've thought it would be this good.

Taglist: @callofdudes @fun-k-board

[lennalefay]

heavy thread but I want to talk about it a bit. CW mentions of death. This 'hurricane season' thing, let's talk about it.

I lived in Fort Myers, Florida for ~35 years. Fort Myers is in Southwest Florida, an area that is a geographical magnet for tropical disasters. *Just that city alone* sees some degree of hurricane hit every 2.35 years.

Southwest Florida is not all snowbirds, partiers, MAGAts, whatever convenient excuse people make to justify their righteousness in them having their lives potentially up-ended (or just ended) every potentially 2.35 years. More under the cut.

Even with literal round-the-clock coverage and support of these storms, the tolls are shocking. I remember driving to see a family member's house after Charley hit in 2004. We got access to the area early because they had a home there, and we were warned to not look around too much as we drove. That warning was, as we found out, because while many crews were performing S&R, the poorer areas and trailer parks in Charlotte Harbor were being treated by a cleanup crew, just scrambling to remove blood and other things that I won't mention from any remaining structures/trees.

When storms came, those of us with the least means often meant we stayed no matter what. Many codes of conduct for employment in SWFL had clauses stating you're not supposed to be able to lose a job from fleeing from a disaster - but everyone who lived there knew that was a lie, and they'd find a way to make you pay for leaving. If you were able to evacuate, free bus routes only started in the bigger parts of cities and only went so far.

On top of that, the median age in Charlotte Park, one of the areas most affected by that storm, is 69.8 years old. The average salary? $27,785. That area of Florida is also staggeringly car-dependent, scoring a pathetic average of 28/100 in combined walk/bus usefulness. (Census data and Walk Score taken around 2023 on average.)

All this is to say - people don't get out.

You'd come back to work, if you were lucky enough to have work off, and someone would still be missing. Maybe not a coworker, but a parent, distant relative, pet, livelihood, something, someone. You'd measure life differently as it was before the storm and after it, even if you weren't directly affected, even if there "aren't that many deaths" as people love to claim for some obscene reason, like a collective of smaller cities isn't going to feel deaths in the hundreds per storm in their community and far more lives affected.

All of this is with, I will remind you, round-the-clock coverage of these storms, often with a full month of preparedness taken into consideration. Anything less than this kind of response and our death tolls will look like they did before the 70s again - in the thousands, not hundreds, per storm. And any gutting of FEMA is a gutting of direct, rapid aid to the people most hurt by these storms. Say what you will about government efficiency as a whole, but FEMA gets checks into bank accounts in weeks, sometimes days after storms, to people affected in all manner and priority of ways. Lives are saved by this.

So, with all that, here's the point I'm ultimately trying to make:

If you think the gutting of the NOAA and FEMA is sensible spend reduction, or, even worse, some kind of blessing for the people you assume to "deserve it",

If you don't think that the aim of this administration is anything less, with the knowledge had on these storms, than to actively kill constituents,

If you think that the once-acting head of FEMA being ousted for not kissing the ring and replaced by someone who apparently doesn't know about the US's hurricane season (???) is a "partisan issue", or is justified as the administration claimed FEMA "use[d] “woke” ideologies to appropriate funds", or

If you think now is the time to ridicule anyone for not being able to just "pack up and leave",

I'd better see your ass on the Volunteer Florida website or local food bank's page this hurricane season peak donating your time and/or money to make it right.

[sonicasura]

Comforting Shadows

The official in depth look into one of my species swaps for Kafka Hibino, the ghost route. I won't lie that this might be a bit dark as death is a main topic here. We are talking about ghosts after all. Let's get started.

Kafka was 26 years old on the day he dies. Work had just been finished and everyone was currently packing up so they can go home. That is until a wasp kaiju attacks the Monster Sweepers as the recent dead plant type corpse they had to clean up attracted it.

Knowing this particular monster is a Spitter Type, Kafka warns his fellow coworkers to take cover. All but one manages to do so as Toku slips while looking for a hiding spot. Kafka makes the ultimate sacrifice, luring the wasp away by marking himself with the plant kaiju's nectar and running.

He dies alone in alley as the wasp's venomous silk traps the man in a suffocating cocoon. The sweeper's body quickly mummified until he breathed no more. Yet something strange began to happen that the panicking masses couldn't see. A shadowy dark green substance steadily oozes from the cocoon.

It begins to move and writhe before reshaping itself into an eeriely familiar humanoid shape. Piercing green eyes emerged on its "spikey head", their gaze purely erratic until it spots the wasp. A green jack-o'-lantern smile that held untold malice spread across the mouthless face before what was now Kafka Hibino lunged forward.

The 3rd Division would arrive to find the lifeless body of the wasp kaiju. All color seemingly drained, warmth completely gone and its core missing despite no visible injuries. No one noticing the shadows in the alley looking off or the melancholic air aimed at their captain.

Kafka's body would take months to identify as any attempts to break the cocoon were met with unnatural resistance. Over that time, the ghostly man had a chance to adjust to his new situation and hunger. Now a Shade type Onryō, Kafka has to feed on souls to sustain himself.

Luckily Kaiju/Honju/Yoju will do perfectly as he rather not eat humans or human spirits. Speaking of the latter, Kafka became frighteningly aware that he isn't the only ghost around. There were multiple spirits who still lingered in the living realm.

Most not taking kindly to him as darker spirits like Shades are considered dangerous threats. Even if Kafka only fed on Kaiju, the other ghosts would run away from him. All except one who saw the man behind the monster: Hikari Shinomiya.

Like Kafka, she lingered after her death but refuses to pass on. Hikari's daughter and husband being what continues to tie the woman down. She teaches Kafka how to thrive as a spirit, remaining by his side even when his form began to change from eating kaiju souls.

His body becomes more serpentine in appearance, elongating and stretching to 25 ft long. Kafka's fingers conjoining into three thick pawlike claws, legs merging to form a ghost tail, and a thick 'mane' going from the back of his head to his lower back. His power also grew to monstrous proportions as the living were now able to see him.

To hide from the public, Kafka decides to delve into alchemy and magic. He would rob his old body of some parts like the heart to craft a temporary vessel for him to inhabit. Although this lead to an open investigation about the organ robbery and the ghost becoming known to the Defense Force. (Kafka was the only one who could tear apart the cocoon.)

Mina felt two emotions after this particular incident. Sorrow as her life long friend had perished and rage since his body can't be fully cremated because of the newly dub Shadow. Her Division would be assigned to handle this kaiju, half of the reason being Mina's new vendetta against him.

Kafka's death wasn't made public until the Shadow is apprehended or dead. Something that works to the ghost's advantage as he returned to his Monster Sweeper job with none the wiser. (Yup, his coworkers are unaware of the whole thing and he rather keep it this way.)

Kafka spends the next six-seven years doing three main things. Work at the Monster Sweepers, hunt Kaiju with the occasional 3rd Division clash and haunt the Shinomiya household. The latter being a favor of sorts from Hikari who been worried about her daughter Kikoru.

Kafka often tormented the Shinomiya patriarch, Isao, for emotionally neglecting his daughter. The man would find himself subjected to supernatural misery whether it be important documents disappearing or his room an upside-down mess. Kikoru, however is shown love and kindness from Kafka.

At first in the form of gifts until he eventually reveals himself to the younger girl after she had a really bad day. Both would continue to be friends even when she moves out for her scholarship. Kafka's afterlife soon changes as a certain small kaiju comes into play.

Fixing his temporary body often required some energy so he often fed on kaiju souls to replenish himself. The little kaiju flying into his mouth felt like a lucky meal for Kafka. However he didn't expect the extra kick behind the creature's soul or what it would do next.

The vessel he had made began to grow warm, color coming to its flesh, as the once dead heart pulsed to life. Meanwhile Kafka himself was shoved out while he underwent a sudden harsh metamorphosis. Black scaly carapace manifest across his ghost body with bones of different kinds holding them tightly to his hide.

A ribcage, spike covered spinal cord/column, a twin horned demonic mask full of sharp teeth overtook his face while his mane floated haphazardly from behind akin to an Oni mask. The sound of an invisible lock slamming shut rang between both entities. Kafka was now caught in morality's threshold, alive and dead.

The living can now harm him no matter the form. Kafka could die again but with the possibility he won't come back from it. Things got both interesting and a lot more complicated. Especially since his vessel resembles his old body but covered in stitches. (It was supposed to be temporary.)

Before I forget, here are his abilities for those wondering.

Intangibility

Shadow Manipulation (includes Teleportation/Hiding/Regeneration)

Ghostly Wail

Empowerment (can empower allies)

Bone Generation (post upgrade)

Possession (hampered post upgrade)

Pyrokinesis

Elasticity

Alchemy (requires formulas, sigils, or ingredients)

Form Shift (Humanoid, normal, No.8)

Please enjoy this Snatcher Boss fight which served as some of the inspiration for Ghost!Kafka.

@discoknack @drmarune @renard-dartigue

[summitclan-chronicles]

would you ever consider a design prompt for kits? or will kit players be able to make some minor tweaks to designs at all? Just trying to understand this a bit more, sorry if it's a bit repetitive! :0 I'm used to a more collaborative way of litters being done, via a secret litter channel that has the nesting parents + the chosen kit players or the previously stated design prompts. Again, sorry if you've answered all these questions before! The randomness is a very new system to me im interested to learn more about it ^o^

Hi-hi!

Let's get something more minor out first: the more times a question is asked, the more people are likely to see & know the answer. When followers get notifs, and new friends scroll the blog, they get this info repeated to them - and repetition is EVERYTHING. The more we ask, the better we know!

Alright, onward to the real question 🤺

I want to make it absolutely clear that the systems I put in place are not new or different because the old & traditional ways are inferior or flawed. I don't consider my methods improvements, only different methods.

That being said, the whole point of this new system is that noone actually knows what they look like when they're born. Noone can choose their nose, their eyes, their ears - noone knows they have those things at first. Nor can parents eat certain foods or drink certain teas to ensure their child grows over 6'4 or has green eyes, or go to a special land where they pluck features. Because of this, there's an element of gift-recieving when a new person arrives: he has your nose! she's got auntie's smile! she sounds just like her daddy! wow your sister looks just like you! you really grew up to look like grandpa!

In every single other roleplay, everything can be fully decided by the person experiencing it, and modify the situation into which their character is born via discussion with parents. My aim with a system where everything is pre-decided for you* is to invoke new feelings of excitement, surprise, connection and intrigue. Something to look forward to, get butterflies about, and celebrate.

*well in advance! kittens don't get players nor gain real sapience until they're 1 month old. your character already experienced 4 weeks of events they won't ever remember, but may have already affected them fundamentally.

Now that you know the why, I will answer your question: no, members will not be able to tweak or change their character's appearance should they be born ingame. they will always be based on genetics & designed by me, a surprise first when the litter is born and second when the new player arrives!

& as a reminder, joining as an already living individual does allow you to fully decide the design of your character regardless of how young they happen to be, as long as their genetics check out with known kin.

[ladybugjournal]

New Chapter: The Planning

31 July 2024

Growing up, I never liked changed. I hated when things were moved around in my play room, I hated when I changed schools, I hated things I couldn't control. I still hate when I'm not in control, but I'm working on it. Now, I'm actually excited for the changes that are coming in my life.

Soon I will be moving, and then I will be moving again, and I have a lot of feelings about this. The main reason I'm moving, the real big change is that I'm going to Grad School! I've decided to get my masters in creative writing, and I'm excited for that.

The first move will be when my lease is up at my apartment in the hills (not The Hills TM). That move will come around November. I'm excited and scared, but ultimately, I know this is the best move for me.

My current living situation is not sustainable, it hasn't been for a while. Honestly, it hasn't been great for the past couple years, but I was blinded by love and trusted people who were lying to me and playing games with my head. It's corn dipped in cheese but that quote "betrayal doesn't come from your enemies" is so fucking true and I hate it.

I don't want to get into the whole thing right now, that is a story for another time, but I will say, in relation to this move, it's important. I know this will be better for me, it will allow me the freedom to take the next steps and not have extra stress because I'm walking on egg shells and not feeling safe in my own home, and also it will allow me to save money.

I'm planning on moving back in with my parents for a while (the couple months from the time my lease is up until I get into a program and move to that school). I'm going to try and transfer so I can keep working at the job I've had for the last five and half years. I wouldn't be paying rent (my parents are generous and want me to be able to save money, but I'm planning on helping out with groceries and whatever they'll let me pay for). But it will be good. I'm excited.

I'm applying to a bunch of schools (I have a list that I'm narrowing down right now). I'm leaning more towards the east coast, lower populations, small towns, forests and shit. I think I want to be around nature. I've lived in an over populated city/county for the last six years and I'm ready for the underpopulated. I want space to breathe, space to write, space to just be me. I need to slow down. I need the quite.

Also, if I'm under-stimulated my creativity will thrive because I will need to keep myself entertained. Plus, I'm aiming for a 4.0 (or at least graduating with a higher GPA than the 3.66 I graduated with in undergrad). Honestly, anything 3.8 and higher I will be happy with. So, less distractions would be nice.

I think I also just need to be by myself. I haven't been by myself for a very long time and I think we need to get to know each other again, become friends again. I've already started working on getting to know myself again. I've been journaling (by hand and here), and I've been having adventures on my own again. I think the best part about this is that even when I'm alone I don't feel lonely anymore. So, I'm calling that a win.

Okay, enough with the sappy shit, here is the plan:

September trip

Apply for grad school (applications are not open yet 😖)

Pack stuff I won't need for like 2 months (and take it to my parent's house already)

Tell my roommates I'm moving out at the end of our lease (and hope they don't explode on me)

October trip

Transfer request

MOVE

Start next steps for Grad School :)

This seems... doable.

I feel a little out of control, mainly because I'm just doing a lot of waiting. Waiting for the applications to open, waiting to hear back, waiting for my lease to be up, waiting to hear about my transfer. And yes, there are things I'm doing while I'm waiting. I'm preparing my portfolio and getting editing my submissions, I'm packing and planning, I'm going on trips and spending time with friends, but I'm still just waiting. I can't move past the next step because it's not time yet.

This is really turning out to be a training in patience. I'm not an impatient person, at least not an obnoxious impatient person. I'm fine to wait in line, I'm fine to sit in a car and drive for a long time to the fun destination, I'm fine to wait for a trip or something, but I like to be moving forward. I hate being stagnant , especially when I've decided on something.

Alas, I must wait, might as well plan and maybe try to distract myself from spiraling with creativity.

Wish me luck, Ladybug

[taehyungfirst]

https://x.com/Iam_Kths/status/1772507576132841937?s=20

You know, I used to shrug off this idea before and pass it as just an excuse, but now I realized how they can affect a song's success. With Layover, I just thought the timing was bad because the album was overshadowed by Olivia's. I was aware of the sabotage, though. The lack of support from Geffen. Geffen's focus was solely on Olivia at the time. HYBE's incompetence. Comparing their promotions to JK's, the difference is glaringly obvious.

I remember how stressful it was during Layover. The most stressful album release among all the album releases of BTS. I remember how we call out every single platform because there's one problem after another, but I never realized it then, how they could affect an artist's success. Maybe I did, but I wasn't too deep into it before. I know if you're going to look at it from an OT7 perspective, what company would sabotage its own artist, right? But, if only they would compare what's going on with Tae, they would also realize that Tae is the least favored member. What I don't understand is how HYBE would release the members' albums so close to each other when there are so many months in a year they could release them.

All the other projects of Tae are not because the company was pitching him to other brands and shows and magazines, but because those brands and magazines wanted him to do the projects for and with them.

I'm just amazed at how expansive Tae's social circle is. He probably has the widest network. He has no official positions. Never the center, but he was able to expand his network and fanbase like that. And what's more amazing is how cool he is about all that. He isn't doing any of that to outshine his members or anyone. You can clearly see he's not there for popularity or anything. He's just doing whatever he feels like doing.

When akgaes and antis call him flop, it's just baseless, coz clearly, their circumstances are not the same. The comparison is truly biased. But Tae's achievements are impressive! Without radioplay, playlisting, CDs, like, wow! Compose coffee, Siminvest, Seoul Tourism Board, and countless magazines won't hire him and fight tooth and nail to get him if he isn't THAT.

Tae may not be as visible as JK, but he is on a league of his own, too.

Comparisons, specially between Tae and Jk, are never fair because Tae and Jk were never given the same tools and rollouts. They never started from an equal situation (during chap 2!) so the comparisons should be made for songs that received Tae’s treatment, now that would be fair. He is indeed on a league of his own, I highly doubt any other artist could accomplish what he’s getting, he’s walking at his own pace and he’s establishing a loyal fanbase who works hard for him.

All the projects Tae did are also because Tae wanted to do them, for example WUR, he was in Umi’s dms speaking about music and arranging things to gift us something and gave her the whole management of the song. His connections are crazy!! It’s just amazing how many people he knows in the industry and how many people love him and speak highly of him. He’s truly an artist that loves what he does, and that’s comforting.

I know that things seems difficult every time he drops a new release, but I’m also hopeful that with every release we aim higher and he gets a more loyal fanbase that can support him despite his main fandom ignoring everything. In retrospect, I’m glad his name was never connected to those people in the company. He’s a star.

[literaticat]

I don't particularly like selling on proposal. For my fourth book, my agent says we aren't going to submit anything to my editor until fall. If I write an entire manuscript by then, can we submit that? Or will my agent still have me do a proposal (I assume because it's faster for my editor to review/easier to take to higher ups) even if the manuscript is finished?

My love, you know that this is YOUR book, YOUR career, and your agent wants (or SHOULD want) to do what's best for YOU... right?

Now here, I'm assuming that when you say you don't like selling on proposal, you mean, "I don't like selling a book that isn't done, because then I feel pressure in a weird way about finishing it, and I'd just rather know the whole thing is done and is just what I want it to be before I sell it"*** -- which is FAIR ENOUGH, to be honest!

So if you know that about yourself, just have a conversation with your agent about that. It doesn't have to be dramatic -- just, "Hey, I really don't like selling on proposal, it makes me feel [some kind of way], I'd prefer to wait until I have a full ms. I'll aim for that by Fall." And if you finish the ms (or get it close enough that you are comfortable, anyway), great. And if you don't, your agent can wait to send it. If your agent/editor would rather just have a short sample and synopsis to "take to the team" just because it's faster, that's fine, you can give them the first couple chapters and whip together a synopsis or outline or whatever, but you'll know that the ms is actually done, your agent and editor will both know that the ms is actually done, and that will be one less thing for you to worry about, and you'll be able to get to the editorial stage much more quickly.

COUNTERPOINT: I don't know you or your sitch, obviously. But it has to be said: There is a POSSIBILITY that your editor won't WANT the manuscript you just spent months writing, or that their team won't go for it, or whatever. This is one part of "selling on proposal" that is good -- if the editor or publisher doesn't want the book, or wants it but in a different way, you haven't just invested months and months of effort writing the whole darn thing, so it's much easier to pivot. Your agent, knowing this, might feel like, hey, wouldn't it be nice to know this and get it sorted out BEFORE You write the whole thing? Which, hey, I can also feel that, it's a reasonable position (and indeed, that's why many writers WANT to sell on proposal when they can!)

COUNTERPOINT TO THE COUNTERPOINT: OK, but if the editor doesn't want this book, and it's REALLY the book of your heart, you don't WANT to change it dramatically or write something different entirely, then it's better to have a full ms, because then if the editor turns it down, it will be easier to try and sell elsewhere. I generally only go out on proposal when an author has a relationship with that editor (OR they are extremely well-published, great track record, "famous", etc). If you've only ever worked with one publisher and aren't established like that, it will be easier to sell to somebody else if you have a full.

Anyway, these are all points for you to ponder, but I don't think there's anything wrong with having a discussion with your agent, being candid about your preferences, etc. Maybe they will have compelling reasons for you to do it "their way" that I don't know (because your situation is known by them and not by me!) -- so, you know, having the conversation is great -- but ultimately, you and your agent are PARTNERS, and you are the deciding partner.*****

--

*** (umm if you have some OTHER reason why, or this isn't what you mean at all, then IDK!)

***** (Some people say, "YOUR AGENT WORKS FOR YOU" -- but I don't like the implication that you are your agent's boss, any more than I like your agent being YOUR boss -- neither of you is the BOSS, you are both working TOGETHER for mutual benefit! That said, your agent is your fiduciary and is acting on your behalf, which means they can give you their best advice and wisdom, but ultimately, they shouldn't be doing things in your name that you don't want them to do!)

[darkgotihcnox]

Things I Notice

I've been traveling between dimensions for 30 years and I've only discovered 10% of the whole aus. I'm not surprised at all, really just scared how long it will take me to visit other places. Sure, I'm having fun, yes, but I also notice a few um weird things.

First: I don't seem to age. Like, yes, inside the au i age and all, but once I leave that au. My age somehow reset, like I didn't stay there for 7 years. I tried going back into that au to see if I could stay with the age, but no, I was back being 21. Sure, it's a cool bonus so I can trivial far and wide without worry, but why can't I keep my old age for the same au? I don't know how to explain it, but it bothers me a lot.

Secondly: The main au has branches that connect to other from the same trop!? I found this out by accident when I was in the bakery au. The main au was normal. Having the close to canon ships, looks, and character roles, but when I accidentally travel to the branch from the baker's au. Everything was off. Like birthdays, where different (Example: Sonic is June 23, but the branch Sonic birthday is May 23) characters look different, Other ships, looks, and personalities were not the same. This changes from branch to branch. I only found three other Baker au branches. I know there are more, but I don't know if it's close or if it only has three. Which is exciting because what if I enter a branch au first before the main one?! So many endless possibilities!

Thirdly: I accidentally entered the werehog aus…… Never again (never aim top west)

Fourth: The creepypasta aus are the only ones that has no branches, but they have a whole au dedicated for old, forgotten, or scrap ideas. Does not make sense, but at the same time, it does. Also, I met this adorable Sonic there. He goes by rewriter. Very adorable! UGH, especially that laugh ADORABLE. I gave them a red bow as a gift because come on, they are fucking cute!! I didn't understand why the other were looking at me in horror like Look at this cutie! Especially X. He looks at me like “how tf she survived with him” Eh mister adorable wouldn't harm a fly! (note: i read on rewrite lore….I feel so bad for him reading my mind. Bro, I'm sorry. I was thinking of sonadow that day, and it wasn't PG-13)

Fifth: Rewrite sonic leaving his au. I haven't figured out how they do it. He has no idea either. But I have company at least… maybe

Six: Found the metal virus aus!!! It was by accident, and I ran like there was no tomorrow. I was stuck in that au area for 13 years. I don't know how I survived, but I lived and never again. I don't even know if I'm respawn when I get killed, but I'm not risking it ;-;

Sevent: I never figure out what the hell this bracelet's main reason is and why I have it, but one thing is for sure, it has the prism shard. Why does it have one? Why im the only person who can use it and see it? Also, why does it have a prism shard? I dont understand 

That's all I notice for the past 4 months, maybe I'll find more and write it down. Oh yeah, I forgot to put this, but somehow rewrite cannot use his voice when they're out of their au? Like he can speak in his au fine but once out. He like mute we decided to learn ASL. It's easier for us to talk, but it's super freaky that they cannot speak at all. 

My one theory is that his god powers are helping him walk around different au, but since he is overusing them. He won't be able to talk, but that shit doesn't make sense. Because they can speak well in X au, lord X au, and EXE aus just fine with no problem. Plus, he can talk to me on my phone as well. Very creepy man. None of the creepypasta tails know why this is happening. 

But hey, I can insult the living shit out of rewrite in asl and run before he catches me. I keep losing, tho but they start the insults! 

[propavampda]

An update, I guess--

At least once a day I think about how glad I am that I don't live in Virginia anymore. 😵‍💫 Or Georgia...

(Long post under here!)

Part of me knows I'm getting old because I miss the simple things back home in Georgia, like the big Live Oak trees and the grocery stores I live nowhere near now. But goddamn I'm glad I escaped when I did. I had hope for the state when it flipped blue, and now it has become an absolute hellhole. The shit going on there scares me. I'm glad my mum is seeing the light, at least. She does still have some sense of right and wrong.

I miss my childhood best friend, too, and the goth friends I met in Macon. I miss the cities and I'm sad that it'll never be the same. I'm sad I won't get to visit my childhood favorite spots in Florida without feeling like it'll be a big issue for no damn reason. All because people are obsessed with genitals.

Virginia isn't nearly that bad, but I'm glad I'm gone from there. My friends all left the job I had because it kept getting worse. I like where I am now. There's people like me and what they do makes sense. My old boss in VA is running things into the ground, just as we predicted.

I don't miss the apartment, though I miss my room and alone time. I can't believe I lived there 4 years. I miss the friends I once had, or at least the fond memories we occasionally shared. I moved in thinking it would be great for friendships and then my perception of one friend of many years almost immediately got shattered, and the other one fucked over the friendship we made by not being there for me like I had been there for them.

I don't miss how they'd fuck with my triggers after I explicitly told them not to and was always careful about theirs, when they made me aware of them. I don't miss the arguments created over stupid shit and the heavy silence that they both created that weighed on the whole apartment.

Word of advice: never room with a couple if you want to keep your sanity, even if you THINK you know one of them. You probably don't.

I also hate that I'm now tethered to them for God knows how long because I signed their fucking student loans bc their partner and parents wouldn't. I didn't want to, but I didn't want them to not be able to go to school. I will be livid if they stop paying and that shit impacts me...

---

Now I've been in Maryland for what, like 9 months now?

I get what people mean... it really does have everything. It's beautiful. You can fuck off into the woods whenever, but go to the city pretty easily too. I'm finding new favorite things all the time. The weather so far is pretty good, too. Driving I'm the snow isn't nearly as bad as I thought--but maybe I've just gotten lucky so far.

MD is surprisingly good with queer stuff. I'm getting to table with my coworkers at one city's pride fest on one weekend, and then the other closest city has their first pride parade ever the next. Hank is actually letting me drag him to his first pride ever and I'm so excited!! If only I had something queer-coded as fuck for him to wear lol.

Speaking of events, I went to a couple protests over the last couple of months. Love that. Get to see one of my fave artists in DC next month and probably going to meet up with my coworkers there lmfao. Aiming to go to the ren faire this year, too. Lots of stuff in store!!

It's so nice being here with Hank. No driving back and forth. Warm cuddles at night and all the kisses we could ask for... not to be gay or whatever. It's so weird, how opposite yet compatible we are. It feels like we've been married for a couple decades, not dating for a couple of years. I'm desperately hoping the US will pivot back and we can get actually married without it being something we worry will randomly get revoked. A handfasting is enough for me, anyhow. We're already dedicated to each other through and through. 😊

Anyway, we're slowly renovating the basement and it's looking better all the time! I have a bit of a crafting space and honestly I'm gonna need some more soon. Started working on a fursuit again a couple months ago and now also really want to start making my own clothes sometime. I could say a lot more about that, but I'll keep it inside (for now).

So... lot of rambling to say that I'm doing better and I'm doing my best. The world is scary and I'm trying to distract myself while also staying aware. It's a tough balance!

[enjambedlife]

Goals for 2025

I used to be a little unhealthily into new years' resolutions--the allure of a fresh start is always strong, and I'd fall into the trap of thinking I could wake up on January 1st and be a whole different person. I also had a tendency to set goals that were like "do X thing every day," which meant as soon as I slipped up once, I'd ruined things for the whole year. (Yes, this was back when I was in a severe depressive episode and not managing my anxiety very well, why do you ask.)

Anyway, for the past few years, my tradition has been to wait until the first MBMBaM episode of the year drops, and put in on in the background while doing goal-setting for the year. Makes it a little more fun, and gives me some breathing room since on actual new year's day I'm usually recovering from partying and/or holiday travel. I have a looot of goals for 2025! But here are my ten main ones; I try to go for a mix of Big Important Life Things and stuff that's going to be fun/interesting.

Get a better job: Currently I'm freelancing which means I'm technically employed but in practice it's wicked unstable in terms of how much I'm actually making month-to-month, and I would like that to not be the case! Right now I'm in a dry spell with freelance work, so job-hunting is my full-time job and I'm being so brave about it.

Apply to grad school: For the maybe 2 people who've been following this blog since I made it, you may remember the period of time when this was a studyblr while I was doing an MFA, and then I dropped out due to various life reasons. It's been a couple years and I've thoroughly enjoyed not being in school, and also I really miss it! I'm aiming to get it together to apply to some local grad programs this fall.

Be on top of STI testing: It's one of those things that I've been a little too cavalier about honestly, and while I've gotten lucky so far in terms of not getting sick, I know I should be a responsible adult and actually get tested regularly.

Learn about different cooking oils and smoke points: This one came out of intense Christmas dinner planning with my sibling about the best way to roast potatoes. I'm not working in food service anymore (and hopefully I'll be able to avoid going back) but I still want to keep expanding my cooking knowledge and this feels like a next step for leveling up.

Do @batmanisagatewaydrug's reading bingo: Someone else already put it on Storygraph which is a slay. I want to get back into not only reading, but reading critically, so I'm going to try and write lil reviews of the books I read as well as hitting as many bingos as possible.

Finish first draft of novel: I have a plan I have an outline I have a scene breakdown I have weekly targets to hit surely this will be the year I actually finish a draft (← has never finished anything)

Ride every L line: I just moved to Chicago so this seems like a fun challenge to explore the city more! I use 2, maaaybe 3 lines in my daily life so I'll have to plan little quests to make use of the other ones!

Move to a bigger apartment: contingent on goal 1 of getting a better job, or maybe getting lucky and finding people I could be roommates with (I have the sensibilities of one of those fucked-up shelter dog that needs a home with no other pets or all their hair will fall out from stress) but I am really really hoping I don't have to renew my lease on this shoebox.

Keep in touch with long-distance friends: I made a lot of good friends through my seasonal job that I've now retired from, and I want to be more proactive about staying in touch with everyone since I won't be automatically seeing them every day for 5 months out of the year :(

Improve relationship with social media: This always feels tough because it's not as cut-and-dry as just reducing screen time; I genuinely feel like I get a lot of worthwhile stuff out of social media (see above point about long-distance friendships). I think my focus this year is going to be a) using social media more intentionally, i.e. no mindless scrolling on the instagram explore page, and b) no using my phone as a distraction while doing another task--I want to be able to just watch a TV show without scrolling at the same time.

[neurosky]

Very personal and possibly triggering post, so feel free to scroll by. I just need to talk about this somewhere people might understand 💗

TW: Abuse, ableism

I know I'm not the only one that this has happened to, but I don't see a lot of people talk about it (understandably - it's hard to talk about).

I've dealt with verbal abuse and some physical abuse since I was 7 or 8. I didn't know until the past few years that I was being abused mainly because I was disabled. Up until then, I thought I was lazy, inconsiderate, mean, and basically just broken. I got yelled at when I couldn't do things because of fatigue, or pain, or executive dysfunction, or whatever else it may be. I was called all of the above names, plus more. And that's genuinely what I thought I was, because I'd never met anyone else with a disability like mine. I knew disability as wheelchairs, canes, and kids who went to special ed classes or different schools. I had one friend with a disability at the time, but they were in the same shoes as I was; they didn't know. So I was alone.

Then I found this whole community of people who were like me, who were proud of who they were, and who weren't ashamed to be disabled. And I realized for the first time that I wasn't a horrible person - I was disabled. But I don't know if that knowledge makes it better or worse. On one hand, I have more confidence in myself and what I do. On the other, now I know that the abuse wasn't justified, and it wasn't aimed at my flaws, but at something I can't change.

To be completely honest, this is still going on, just to a lesser degree. It's less of an every day thing and more of a ticking time bomb that results in huge fights every few months and small bickering every week. I recently had a huge fight because I was too fatigued to go to school. I won't go into too much detail as to what exactly happened, but it ended in bruising, me getting kicked out for a day, and now I haven't spoken to this parent since. There's nothing I can do to get them to see that I'm not lazy or ungrateful or something. I suggested a support group, and one of them took it, but this specific parent didn't even listen when I was speaking. There's literally nothing I can do.

Those dreams I've had about getting good mobility aids usually also have an aspect of actually being accepted and understood to them, but then I wake up, and it's never real. I feel so alone, even though I know there's people out there who've had the same experience, unfortunately. I'm a legal adult and I planned to move out by now, but I can't hold a well-paying job long enough to get the money. I'm just stuck in this.

This was mostly just a vent post, really. Most of my friends are able-bodied, and the ones that aren't would be triggered by this topic, so I don't want to bring it up. This blog is really the only place I can talk about it. Thanks for reading, if you read this far. There is love in the world, despite scenarios like these.

[swordsmanoftranquility]

PINNED

TOA Canon [Knight of Seiros]

PATH OF RADIANCE/RADIANT DAWN [Radiant Dawn NG+ Post-Game]

After the events at the Tower of Guidance, Zihark found himself travelling as a mercenary once more. He spends his time resolving disputes between beorc and laguz, occasionally returning to Gallia as a home. Hearing about the academy, he imagines it as a place where both beorc and laguz may live in harmony and packs a bag once more. Wielding his trusty sword, he puts himself to work for the Knights of Serios, aiming to protect both beorc and laguz students as well as defend anyone who may need his skills.

ABOUT | INTERVIEW | Please kindly do not use small test! (post) | Current Month's Plotting (post)

NOTES UNDER THE CUT

In accordance with my other Tellius muses, Zihark is taken from ~3 years post game. He has spent that time as a travelling mercenary, following the path his ending sets for him.

Rather than Daein, after Radiant Dawn, he finds himself thinking of Gallia as his home. As Lethe says his "soul is more laguz than beorc", and he finds himself far more welcome there with his beliefs than he ever did in Daein. He does not intend to return to the country of his birth until significant changes have occured. That will take time, of course. And he's certainly willing to wait. But he won't falter until then.

He is a Knight of Serios but he will still strike out on common mercenary jobs if the knights aren't willing to take them up, especially if there are innocent people involved.

Assumptions are made that he was recruited away from the Dawn Brigade at the first chance that is avaliable (3-6) and also that he was present for the events in the tower. Anything that was said aloud to the whole group as a revelation is something that he will be privy to. Private conversations like those between Nasir/Gareth and Kurth/Ena/Micaiah are knowledge that he does not know.

It can't be a Vergil muse without a little bit of gender fuckery, so woe! Trans Zihark be upon you! (FtM, He/Him)

In theory, he is bisexual, but as he himself states: "But I’ve never loved another woman. To this day, I think that I never shall." So in accordance with that, it will be extremely hard for him to get romantically involved with a woman/female presenting muse in TOA. Didn't say anything about men though😏

Addtionally, I am following the JP canon where his girlfriend died rather than her simply leaving him because of the pressure. It hits a different level of angst, especially for his motivations. (Smth smth a part of him wanting to protect other laguz because he wasn't able to protect her smth smth.)

[spidori]

WAIT! WaitWaitWaitWaitWait!

It's a cult based around protecting children? Like specifically children? And has iconography which can be recognized as Batman or Bruce but only if you're really looking for it, and possibly a genius like Tim? Am I getting that right?

Because if I am, you know who is definitely a card-carrying member of said cult? Red Hood. Because you cannot tell me with a straight face that the vigilante who rolled into crime Alley and managed to make kids off limits wouldn't be the type of person this group would want to at least reach out to.

And sure, Hood would absolutely do his due diligence, dig through any information his contacts can get a hold of, and try to find the catch. But after a couple of months go by and he's only found evidence that these people are actually helping from the shadows, maybe he starts considering actually meeting them.

He probably won't join or anything, but it never hurts to have more contacts. And hey if these guys are even half as legit as they seem, then they're all gonna be on the same side most of the time whether he's part of their club or not.

But then he goes to a meeting as a possible recruit. (Just to be clear, this is all happening years before Batman gets lost in the time stream, I'm imagining early Hood, like before he's even made it onto the Bat's radar as more than another new wannabe local crime boss). Hood expects, ya know, a cult, because that's how it was described to him. Robes. Flickering candles. Arcane rituals and prayers.

He gets the robes, with every single person present dressed seemingly at random in solid black, white, or grey. And kinda the candles, but they were only there to provide light since the abandoned warehouse didn't have power, so he doesn't really feel like it counts. Then, after a short prayer of "may the light be strong enough to reach through the walls abusers hide behind, the shadow deep enough to hide those they would abuse, and may the place they meet be the threshold to escape and safety," the whole meeting seems to become a mix of mutual aid and grief support group.

People break out into packs, some even pulling casserole dishes and baked goods out from under their robes. Jason is only a little disappointed to realize that the food is a lot more prevalent in the couple of groups talking about grieving (with a lot more of the grey robes, he notes) than in the mutual support planning he'd been led over to.

He can't really be mad though. It's not like he'd be able to eat anything with his helmet on anyway.

More importantly, by the end of the cult meeting he was thoroughly impressed by the group. The group passed the tests and checks Jason had drilled into his memory in his training before. They were still a cult in the classic sense of worshipping some secret gods, having a couple of strange rituals, and the secrecy. But Jason can definitely see some ways he could work with them.

So he goes to a few more meetings. He learns a lot from them about setting up a robust mutual aid organization, and applies a lot of it to his growing gang; they both have to deal with the powers that be trying to break them up the same way, so a lot of the same things apply. Eventually he trusts the cult members enough to call them when one of his raids on a rival gang leads to him busting into a room full of child slaves while checking the basement for any remaining members of the gang.

It's that call, more than anything else, which leads to him being offered initiation into the rights of the cult.

And fuck, but he kinda wants to join.

They're good folk! Mostly Crime Alley natives too; Jason can tell, even without his training from before, Crime Alley natives know their own. He can trust these people. So fuck it, why not?

The initiation itself is pretty basic. There's a ceremonial swearing of oaths. To protect the vulnerable, especially children. To never intentionally put them in harms way. To call out or punish those who do. Really it's what Jason aims to do as Red Hood already.

Then comes a blood oath, with each member adding a small amount of blood to a bowl on the altar beneath the print of a tapestry said to depict their Light and Shadow (who reminded Jason ironically of the Bat, given how said Bat went against the cult's teachings with his Robins, but c'est la vis). They even sterilized the knife between each member, Jason was impressed! The glow effect when he added his own blood to the bowl last as the new initiate was a bit cheesy, but he could see how it would leave an impact on the type of person who hadn't seen a Lazarus Pit, aka most even semi normal folk.

After the ceremony, it's business as usual for the rest of the meeting. Or it was until the door slammed open to reveal another cult member, this one in a mostly black robe, but with a white star on the point of their hood.

It only takes him a few seconds to guess that the special robe meant someone important. All the other cult members bowing, curtsying, or kneeling was a good clue. Something in him kept him standing rigid though, and not out of any pride or issue with bowing to someone.

No.

Jason was all too familiar with this tensing and stiffening of his muscles. With the cold sweat and taste of dirt and coffin wood heavy on his tongue. With the way his lungs felt like they couldn't get enough air. Some part of him was terrified, verging on triggering an all out panic attack, at the mere presence of this stranger walking through the door and up to him.

Then, as suddenly as the terror welled up, it just as quickly dissipated as the figure's slender hand moved from his chest to his arm and she(?) began to bodily drag him out of the room.

"Sorry for scaring you" she said, and it was definitely either a she or at least someone partially female presenting judging by the voice, as soon as she'd pulled him into a private room. "I thought you might be trying to steal my group for your own. Although I don't think I could even be that mad if you had been, it looks like you haven't had a proper meal in ages!"

Ok... That last part felt out of place. "What, did you think I was going to try to drink the blood after the ritual?"

"Hah! Good one, but it's obvious you're not that type of dead" She said. "Trust me, I know vampires, and wannabe vampires, and you're clearly not either of those" she continued seemingly uncaring about the gun Jason had pointed at her head.

"Want to unpack what you mean by calling me dead before I take it the obvious way, as a threat to make me dead, and make you dead first?"

"Hey! Chill! Chill! I know you're probably really hangry, but c'mon dude! I'm just saying that you've died."

The FUCK!?!? "Who are you and how did you know that?!"

"My name is Elle." The woman said, pulling down her hood to reveal the face of a young woman with white hair with a black streak, mirroring Jason's own under his helmet. "And dead recognizes dead dude. Plus, you triggered one of the safety measures I set up to warn me about potential threats trying to sneak in when you put your Ecto into the bowl. Didn't you notice it glow?"

"Ecto?"

"The green stuff that runs through your veins? The stuff pretty much every single ghost or undead except vampires- which we've already established you're not- and some extremely rare exceptions called halfas have?"

"Hate to disappoint such a pretty girl, especially after I just joined your cult, but I have normal, red, blood, see?" Jason said, holding up his palm to show the cut scabbing over there.

He wasn't sure what he expected the woman's- Elle's, he supposes- response to be, he sure hadn't been able to predict a single turn of this conversation so far, but even then her suddenly vibrating with excitement was enough to throw him even more off balance. So off balance that he just stared as she pulled out a positively ancient flip phone, dialed a number, and, as soon as the other end picked up, full force yelled into the receiver "New Halfa just dropped, cuz! And he's cute too! Get your ass over here! And bring some Ecto! The guy feels like if he tried to survive on nothing but ambient since his death."

And I'm going to stop here. Mostly because I have an early morning and long day of travel tomorrow. I have more ideas, but anyone is absolutely welcome to run with this if it sparks anything in your brain. I absolutely love bouncing ideas back and forth and continuing to build.

Prompt 171

Danny would like everyone to know it was a complete accident. Look, normally he was really good at not altering the timeline! He was! 

But the dude was definitely not in the right Time, and he had to get his trust which took so long, like damn he thought he had anxiety. Seriously though, kevlar in the 1700s? Yeah that wasn’t right, and Peepaw always complained about the messes that the speedsters caused, so he was trying to prevent a mess by tugging the dude away and helping him out. 

Falling in love maybe a little, was not in the plan. But honestly the man had a worse sense of self preservation than he did as a teen and was also straight up adorable, in a wet cat  who could kill you sort of way. 

So maybe he helped the dude grab a child that was going to be drowned. It wasn’t like anyone else saw them! Even if similar situations might’ve happened a few different times. 

Still, no one saw them! 

So why is there now a small cult who worships the Shadowed one and Radiant one, aka his companion (who would not give his name save for B, which, fair, probably didn’t want to accidentally wreck the timeline either) and well, him?! At least they worship them as guardians of children, but uh. Should he maybe, perhaps, fix this…? 

[artofmisi]

junicorn day 1 - goblincore