#notes in bloom

[notes-in-bloom]

002/100 Days Of Productivity - 13082023

I have a love-and-hate relationship with Sundays. I feel like it’s a day when you can rest but also take care of yourself and your home, which can mean the same thing sometimes.

This morning I went to the grocery store, and I cooked a delicious Italian oven pasta for lunch. I also called my mom.

Tonight I worked with my bestie on our projects, and it feels good.

Things I need to do and did:

Make a nice desktop set-up for my pc

Clean my pc and iPad

Create that notion template

Find a job

Finish that book

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

eternity float of the coral sea event synopsis + speculation

OKAY

So “Eternity Float” refers to a wedding tradition or custom that originated from the Sea Witch’s matchmaking morays that once gave a “love trial” to the mermaid princess and her beloved human prince (from the Sunshine Lands). I assume that this “love trial” must refer to when Flotsam and Jetsam flipped over Ariel and Eric’s boat In the Twst world, the boat flipping is interpreted as an event which brought the two lovers of different races closer together. (This was a story previously established in Jade's Platinum Jacket vignettes.)

For this event, Jade and co. will be visiting an harbor/seaside town (Azure Town) in the Sunshine Lands. You can see some of its buildings on the cliffs in the background of the limited event SR cards:

The event synopsis also mentions “[congratulating] the newly weds”, though it does not specify who they are. It doesn’t seem to be referring to w celebration of the mermaid princess in her prince (which I had previously speculated), so I wonder who the lucky pair is…?

The premise of “Eternity Float” poses a few questions to me when considered alongside other lore we know of 🤔 Like... how common is it for merpeople to have their weddings shoreside instead of entirely underwater??? Because Ruggie mentions (in his Halloween Dress vignettes) working at a wedding venue (which I assume is on land) and how the merfolk couples would specifically request a warm dessert rainbow soup with trident cookies, things which would be pretty difficult to prepare underwater. Did the mermaid princess's wedding end up influencing what is popular for merfolk weddings in general? Sort of like how Queen Victoria's white satin dress set the trend for western weddings? Or would merfolk marrying on land be something more akin to a destination wedding?

In Floyd’s Beans Camo vignettes, he mentions it is “pretty rare” for merfolk to live on land… but maybe it’s more common to go there temporarily? I only say this because if it’s fine for merpeople to go to land temporarily, this doesn’t conflict with other lore which states that adult merfolk like to visit stores along the coast + Mr. Leech owns similar businesses. So does this imply that merfolk like to visit the land for special occasions and celebrations, including weddings and vacations???

Also!! I know there's a lot of fandom speculation about what the Leech family "business" could be, with the most common one being they're the undersea mob. There is also a variant which suggests it would be funny if it turns out their business is actually Normal and is just related to the government, meaning things have to be kept hush-hush.

I wonder if the tourism businesses Mr. Leech runs along the shore are like... cover-ups for shadier dealings, or if these are just genuinely how he makes his money. Does he have fingers in the wedding industry as well??? This might give him a reason to be the parent present for this hometown event (though of course there's no confirmation yet).

[moomoorare]

Finally, Cleo as Spring inspired by Mucha's 1896 painting!! 🩵🌿 Couldn't choose a version so you're having both <3

[sanestkanadefan]

‼️ANY MELANIE MARTINEZ STUFF IS NO LONGER INCLUDED, WE DON'T STAND SA'ERS HERE‼️

[studyblr-perhaps]

07/02/25 || Friday

It's a more chill day in lab and I am done with most required work. I'll probably sit and study a bit more later but right now I think I'll play Infinity Nikki (if anybody is a player let's be friends!) Although it makes my laptop fan sound like a helicopter so I can only play around half an hour lol

[doodlenoodleboi]

WELCOME SMALL FANDOM ENJOYERS!

Gonna be writing for my less talked about anime and manga babes maybe even cartoons and other media think of this of a master list of sorts. I will have characters from well known media in here but l it will just be about those characters because we don't get much exclusive material about our boys and possibly girls, they them's as well won't be excluded.

Characters/Shows/ Games/ Media etc... like:

- Shino Aburame - Naruto

- Jack the Ripper - Black Clover

- Characters in General - Hajime no Ippo

- Decim - Death Parade

- Garry - Ib

- Micah Yujin - ERROR143

- Cove - Our Life

- Sal - Sally face

Don't be shy to make a request I do prefer that you don’t it anonymous so that I can tag you maybe even become friends!

I’m not saying that I will exclusively make content for that purpose, but I will make a lot of my content based off of that since I cannot find that type of content!

I’m almost willing to write for every fandom and every character. If I’ve not watched the show or consumed the media, I’ll try my best to do research on it! Or even watch the show or consume media. Who knows I just might find my new hyper fixation!

Updates: I ALSO WRITE FOR POC PEOPLE & I WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT AS ONE SO DON’T BE SHY.

My english isn’t good so there might be a lot of typos.

[sideblogdotjpeg]

a couple of duck team epilogue designs ive been noodling on!

[syysyys]

wed 3.27.3 // chill spring studying ‎૮₍｡´ᴖ ˔ ᴖ`｡₎ა

yall love those cherry blossoms LOL but anyway today i’ve been kinda just coasting thru classes bc im excited for easter break ₊*̥(°´˘`°) i wanted to share some more cherry blossom trees around campus with u all bc its so pretty and it makes me so happy everytime i walk under them. i lwk need to lock in for physics and calc this semester but im just gonna keep being chill and work steadily

‎𓍢ִ໋🪷˚*ੈ♡⸝⸝🦢‎✎✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚📝 ‎𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚♡ ‎୭🗒️˚. ᵎᵎ 🎀

[paopu-blossom]

Seemed like a fun thing to do to think about anime I like and maybe find others who like the same while I try to use Tumblr again

[maddieplum]

Floral Legacy Challenge

So a while back my computer died and I lost all of my saves and screenshots and because of that I haven't wanted to play in a while. However, recently to get myself back into the game I wrote a legacy challenge for myself based upon flower meanings. I have started playing it and really been enjoying it, so wanted to share with anyone who might be interested as well!

This is more of a story based legacy than a challenge one, with goals written more as guidelines for what story to tell in a given generation than objectives or challenges to complete. Each generation I have chosen 1-3 aspects of a flower's meaning to focus this story around and I've compiled them in a way where I think it makes sense how one generation leads to the next.

If you are interested, more is under the cut!

Sims 4 Floral Legacy Challenge:

Some housekeeping: As far as general rules go, make this your own! Traditional legacy rules need not apply unless you want them to. This is for my personal gameplay and if you want to do it, choose what rules you want to hold yourself to that will make the gameplay fun for you. I tend to use cheats in ways that make sense from a storytelling perspective (e.g. for the iris gen I will likely cheat to give a coworker the genius trait). You can also opt not to follow any of my generation guidelines if you don't want - just take what interests you!

The only required packs are Horse Ranch, Spa Day, and City Living, but I added optional and recommended goals incorporating packs I either already have or hope to buy. If you don't have the required packs you can still definitely play this by either skipping those gens or modifying them to fit what you can do. I would recommend using the generation theme written under the flower name to help guide you in your choices as well (these are the aspects of the flower meanings that I have chosen to focus on for each given generation).

And without further ado:

Gen 1: Bluebell -humble beginnings and everlasting love- Choose one of more of these traits: generous, good, loyal Career: something that means humility to you - ideas: education, gardener, barista/babysitter/other part time careers, self employed by selling collectibles Aspiration: Soulmate Style: any, but live whole life in a small home (not necessarily by the game's standard but no more than 3 bedrooms), blue should be a main color, stay away from pricey furniture as well

You are a simple sort of sim. All you ever wanted is a place to call home and someone to love. Moving to a new place was scary, but you think you are starting to figure it out. However, things get a little more complicated when a choice you make on a lonely night results in a surprise pregnancy. Even though you aren't sure you're ready for single parenthood, you are going to give it your best shot, you already love the kid to bits after all. Luckily, your kind neighbor is there to help out. Wait, they're kind of cute…

-Start on an empty lot or in an unfurnished house with 0 simoleons -Recommended: live in willow creek -Make money to build/furnish your house through your career -Have a child from a one night stand with someone you meet at a public lot before your house is fully finished (this is the next gen heir). -Never date your child's other parent but optionally remain good friends. -Err on the side of leniency as a parent (e.g. if you have parenthood, hug it out to discipline your kid, use the permissive family dynamic from growing together). -Fall and love and get married to one of your neighbors, completing the soulmate aspiration. Stay together in a happy marriage until death. -Optional: have 1-2 more kids with your spouse -Until you switch to the next gen, go on at least one date every week with your spouse.

Gen 2: Crocus -playful childishness- Recommended Traits: lazy, goofball, outgoing, family oriented, childish, cheerful Career: any except entertainer - do not reach level 10 in your career, continually neglect work tasks and goof off/socialize at work to lower work performance if need be - optional (or if laid off): switch careers several times Aspiration: Big happy family - optional: if you have high school years you can complete the live fast aspiration as a teen Style: any as long as its casual, shouldn't look too put together, t-shirts would be good

As a kid you were loved and admittedly somewhat spoiled by your doting parent. At times you neglected your responsibilities and your homework preferring to goof off with your many friends. Growing up… well, you never really did that did you? You did eventually get a job (even though you aren't the best employee) and you gave dating the old college try as well. Unfortunately, just like working, being in a relationship doesn't seem to come easily to you… Luckily though there is something you're good at: parenting. Being part kid yourself, you find it easy to connect to your many kids and you're always ready to cheer them up with a laugh when they are feeling down. That, at least, is something worth devoting your time too.

-Neglect homework as a child (optional: age up with the irresponsible trait if you have parenthood) but have several friends at school -Perform poorly in a career of your choice (NOT entertainer) - do not reach level 10 in any career (if you get close, lower job performance or quit and start a new job) -Live in childhood home until parents die or until you have too many kids for everyone to fit -Get divorced from / break up with every partner you have (your choice how many people to date, but must die single) -Have 3-6 kids - at least one should be adopted and one should be biologically yours but the exact ratio is up to you -Be best friends level with all kids -max out comedy skill -Complete happy family aspiration (may require temporarily returning to this gen after some kids are adults) -Optional: whenever someone leaves the household, get a pet so the household is continually at 8 members (the idea of this gen is cheerful chaos after all)

Gen 3: Dahlia -creativity and true love- Required traits: non commital, Recommended: creative, maker, art lover, green fiend Career: Something creative - recommended: making money through painting or fabrication or photography Aspiration: Any in the creativity category (or the jewelry one, which is IMO creative but not in that category) Style: Colorful and eclectic, feature warm colors and travel Knick knacks, bohemian

You grew up in a chaotic but joyful home surrounded by your siblings and raised by a parent who loved and accepted you as you were. Your creativity was able to bloom and flourish in this environment and you learned the value and power of familial love. However, you never quite understood romance in the same way as you watched your parent struggle to maintain a loving relationship. In high school you found someone special, but your relationship was too important to put through the trials of romance. You maintained your friendship into adulthood as you followed your passions into a career and your heart into several (failed) relationships, all the while standing by each other. Then one day you realized, what if this elusive goal of romantic love had been right besides you all along?

-Complete the creatively gifted aspiration as a kid -Briefly (briefly) date your best friend in high school, then decide to be just friends (option in social menu). Maintain friendship (remaining just friends) into your young adulthood and adulthood, spending lots of time together. -Have a creative job and max out your career / chosen creative skill -Get married and divorced at least once and date and break up with at least 3 people total -Have at least one kid -After a midlife crisis start a relationship with your best friend and get married - this time stay together until death do us part (optional: at this point swap out the non committal trait with the loyal trait via cheats or self discovery moment) -Go on vacation at least twice with your family and your best friend/best friend's family

Gen 4: (white) Lily -beauty, mourning, and rebirth- Recommended traits: gloomy, romantic Career: something you associate with beauty - ideas: actor/actress, style influencer, social media Aspiration: any - ideas: soulmate, world famous celebrity, master actor/actress Style: classic, somewhat minimalistic, elegant (think Kennedys)

Growing up in an artistic household, you quickly developed a keen eye and a strong aesthetic and sense of style. Unlike your parent however, you were very interested in what was popular. You built your knowledge of trends and used it to cultivate your own look until it became your passion, and ultimately your career. You were becoming quite successful, loving your job more and more every day, when you met… them. The love of your life. You remembered watching your parent dance around their love all their life, and had seen how much time they wasted because of it. You weren't going to make the same mistake. You had a whirlwind romance, engagement, and marriage that grew into a stable, enduring love. You had everything, a great career, a wonderful relationship, and you and your spouse had just welcomed a child when tragedy struck. And now, without your love, you don't know what to do. How will you go on?

-Enter and max out a career that is associated with beauty -Optional: if you have get famous, become a celebrity with a good reputation -Meet your spouse through your career -Date, get engaged to, and marry your spouse quickly (within 1-2 sim weeks) -Have a relationship with your spouse at the soulmate level -Have exactly one kid with your spouse -Before your kid is a teen, your spouse dies -Mourn your spouse for the rest of your life (at least 3 times weekly visit grave/urn) and never get into another romantic relationship -Optional: after spouse's death, change outfits to be all black for mourning colors (or what ever mourning colors are in your culture) -Neglect child emotionally because of your sadness (less than good friends level friendship) -Repair relationship with child after they move out and your grandchildren are born (they return the spark to your life)

Gen 5: Dandelion -resilience and recovery- Required trait: horse lover Optional: active, loves the outdoors, adventurous Career: Rancher/self employed Required aspiration: championship rider Style: western, rustic farmhouse decor, country

You grew up in the midst of a tragedy. All you remember is the dark cloud that seemed to surround your parent everywhere they went and the loneliness that came from all but raising yourself. As soon as you could, you got away, following your heart to the countryside. In the picturesque small town of chestnut ridge you built your own life, learning to ride the horses you had grown up loving, and making a living by building a ranch. The solitude of nature was like a balm to your wounded soul. Eventually, you fell for one of the locals and got hitched. They moved in to help grow your ranch and before long you were building a family as well. As you discovered the joys of parenthood, it brought your mind back to your own parent, and you started to wonder if those bonds could be reformed…

-move out to Chestnut Ridge as soon as you become a young adult -Complete the championship rider aspiration and max out the riding skill -Fall in love with an marry a sim you meet in Chestnut ridge with the rancher trait -Have 2-4 kids with your spouse -Optional: name one of your kids after your deceased parent -After your first kid is a toddler, start to reconcile with your parent (inviting them over to meet grandkids) -build back your friendship with your parent before they pass (good friends level or higher) -run a thriving ranch

Gen 6: (red) Carnation -justice- Recommended traits: good, hot headed, self assured Career: Politics, charity organizer branch Aspiration: any - ideas: neighborhood confident, city native Style: any - alt fashion would work well, esp. punk, dark colors with red accents also good

Life as a child in the countryside was idyllic, but you always had bigger dreams. Bright eyed and with a zest for life you moved to the city as soon as you could. But once there, your idealistic nature quickly shattered. The world wasn't as nice outside of your small town bubble. Rather than fall into despair over it however, you decided to rise to the occasion. You would dedicate your life to fighting for change and making the world a better place. Even if it was just a drop in the bucket, you would do everything you could to make a difference. After all, what better way to spend your time than speaking truth to power?

-move to San Myshuno as a young adult -Join and max out the charity organizer career -meet your spouse at a protest -fall in love and move in together, but don't get married -have at least one kid -join or start a protest at least once a week -have at least one wealthy enemy (bonus points if they are in the politician career or a landlord) -Optionally: have a midlife crisis / burnout (via growing together mechanics or imaginative storytelling) during adulthood and change your life around (stay in same career, but protest less and pick up a hobby, spend more time with family)

Gen 7: Iris -intelligence and prestige- Required trait: genius Optional traits: perfectionist, ambitious, neat, overachiever, loner, hates children, bookworm Career: something you associate with intelligence - ideas: doctor, scientist, law, engineer, astronaut Recommended aspiration: any in the knowledge group or bestselling author Optional: complete the goal oriented aspiration as a teen and the academic aspiration as a young adult Style: academia (dark or light), traditional, have at least one library / study in the home

Your parents were smart people, you'll give them that, but they didn't care enough to do anything with it! They could have been something great, but instead they decided to waste their time fighting for 'justice' without making any real change. You wouldn't be making that mistake. From an early age you dedicated yourself to your studies, determined to learn everything you possibly could and become someone important. Learning fascinated you, and you loved using your intelligence to figure out solutions to hard problems. This was what was important, not love, or family, or doing good, or whatever other nonsense your parents and grandparents believed. This was how you really changed the world, intelligently. Now just to get that one coworker of yours to stop pestering you at work and challenging your ideas. Wait, why do they want to meet you for coffee?

-Complete the mental aspiration as a child -Enter and max out a career related to intelligence - optionally: then switch careers and max out a second -max out at least four skills of your choice, writing and publishing skill books related to them as you do so (this may require you to max out the writing skill, if so this counts towards your four skills) -Date and marry one of your coworkers who also has the genius trait (bonus points if this is a former workplace rival) -Have exactly one child with your spouse via the science baby option -Be a strict parent (maintain this family dynamic if you have growing together) and be emotionally distant from your kid (less than good friends friendship level ideally) -If you have discover university, attend university and complete the academic aspiration before beginning a career

Gen 8: Lotus -rebirth and self-love- Required trait: high maintenance Recommended: perfectionist Career: start in something you see as a high stress job - ideas: salary person, business, anything that uses the logic skill - then switch to making money via spa day activities Aspiration: any or all in the wellness category Style: minimalist, biophilic (plant parent), 'zen'

To say your parents had high expectations growing up would be putting it lightly. Nothing you ever did seemed good enough for them. Even so, you continued to try, pushing yourself towards excellent grades and into a career (and relationship) they would approve of. It was hard but you were managing it, and you kept pushing and pushing until… One day you just couldn't do it anymore! You quit your job, ended your relationship and changed trajectories. Now you are focused on healing and self-love, and on helping others on their self love journey as well. It might take some time, but you are learning to be happy with yourself. Next, to start building a new family, one you'll be happy to be a part of.

-maintain an "A" level grade throughout your education -Enter a high stress career as a young adult -Start a relationship with someone in a 'respectable' career as a young adult (you decide what counts as 'respectable') - if you have growing together you should have bad compatibility with this person -sometime during young adulthood (bonus if after in game burnout) while your sim is feeling badly (tense, angry, uncomfortable, or sad), quit your job and end your relationship -Optional: before this switch dress and decorate in your parents style, afterwards, change to your own style -Switch to a wellness career - continue this until retirement -max out wellness skill -complete at least one of the wellness aspirations -marry someone you meet at the spa -have 1-3 children with them

Gen 9: Lavender -family and home- Required trait - at least one of three: loner, paranoid, socially awkward Recommended traits: family oriented, foodie, loves the outdoors, animal enthusiast Career: make money through cooking and/or baking - this can involve running a bakery, the culinary career, or using the food stall from home chef hustle OR be a stay at home parent and partner makes money Choose one or more of the following aspirations: Appliance whiz, master chef, country caretaker, super parent Style: French country, cottage core, pastels

You grew up in a peaceful and tranquil home with caring and kind parents. Lucky for you because as it turns out - the rest of the world? Not so peaceful. Being outside your home and surrounded by strangers was always stressful for you, and as you grew up you learned to retreat towards the things you knew: your family, your pets, and the delicious things you loved to cook. Another support for you was always your best friend turned love; you've promised to stay by each other's side through thick and thin and you can’t wait to build a home together. Will these supports help you get through the stresses of adulthood? Will be able to find and build a home that's peaceful and safe for your new family? Only time will tell…

-From teenagehood to death have at least one pet at all times (including non household animals like cows) -Marry your childhood best friend / high school sweetheart and stay together until death do us part -max out the cooking skill (and baking if you have get to work) -have 3-5 kids with your spouse -maintain best friends level friendship with all kids, spouse, and any cats or dogs you have -don't maintain friendships with anyone outside the household (this can change when you switch to playing sunflower gen if need be) -make sacked lunches for all family members at least twice a week -Make money through food (chef career, bakery, or food stall) OR be a stay at home parent -Recommended: live in Henford-on-Bagley -Max out one or more of the following aspirations: Appliance whiz, master chef, country caretaker, super parent

Gen 10: Sunflower -friendship and loyalty- Required trait: loyal and choose at least one of: cheerful, outgoing, generous Career: any Aspiration: one or more in the social category Optional: Additionally complete successful lineage or big happy family and continue gameplay Style: any - home with lots of space for hosting gatherings, yellow as a focus color would be a good choice

You had a pretty perfect childhood - supportive parents, siblings to play with, space to roam, the whole nine yards. Only… it was still a little lonely. There's a whole world out there, and as much as you love your parents, they didn't really expose you to it, preferring to stay home. Well, you're grown up now, and you are going to bring the world to your family and your family out into the world. There's so many cool people out there and you are going to be friends with them all.

-Complete the social aspiration as a child -Maintain a group of friends (use club system if you have get together) your whole life, adding members as you age and make more friends -maintain good friends level friendship with all club members -Fall in love with and marry someone with the family oriented trait -have at least two kids -take at least one family vacation -maintain friendship levels with all family members (siblings, parents, spouse, kids) at at least the good friend level -host family and friend gatherings frequently - if you have growing together: have a family reunion at least every 4 sim weeks - if you have seasons: host gatherings for every relevant holiday (e.g. no gathering needed for lottery day or love day, but harvestfest yes) -Optional: have one parent die as an elder and move the other in to live with you and your family, take care of them until they die -Optional: have a pet dog all your adulthood -Recommended: complete an aspiration in the family category as well (successful lineage or big happy family) - this will require continuing to play a bit beyond the 10th generation

[xeniums]

daily thoughts about how no one will match 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓴 like those two characters matched freak

[prettylilyanime]

So many of you guys have asked me for visuals on yn’s hero costume in blooming hearts….THIS IS MY INSPO RIGHT HERE ♡ (ily forever winx club)

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I see a lot of people saying that Azul can cook well, but the I see some others saying that no, Floyd is actually the only one who can cook but THEN someone says that Floyd actually can't cook and it's Jade who does that, so could you say what is actually true? The game is not available in my country so the best acess i have to the source material is YouTube videos, and they don't cover everything

Of the Octatrio, Azul is the one with the least cooking experience. He's not Lilia levels of catastrophic in the kitchen though! Azul is familiar with cooking techniques and prides himself on his sense of taste. He's able to tell which flavors will go well together (Apprentice Chef vignettes) and can even discern ingredients by smell or taste (Glorious Masquerade, Dorm Uniform vignettes, etc.) However, he lacks hands-on cooking experience. Azul is able to follow a recipe and recreate it, but, again, lacks the finesse of a trained chef. For example, he doesn't know how to get a proper grip on a knife. It's easy for others to mistake him for a skilled cook because of how he carries himself with confidence and due to his own mother being a successful restaurant owner.

Jade and Floyd both cook and are reasonably skilled at it; Jade works in the Mostro Lounge kitchen every day, but it's actually Floyd who is supposed to be the chef. (Problem is, Floyd doesn't always consistently do his job, so Jade often has to take over and cover for him.)

The ghost chefs commend Jade for having the basics down, but Jade insists that he has much room for improvement. Indeed, we see him learning new recipes and methods of preparation in his Apprentice Chef vignette as well as in Ruggie's School Uniform vignette. Jade is also in the habit of experimenting with his food by adding the forgeables from various hiking trips. For example, the weeds he picks can be brewed as teas served at the lounge (his Bloom Boom vignettes), and he also incorporates mushrooms into menu items (his Labwear vignettes).

Floyd is described by the ghost chefs as a student that demonstrated exceptional culinary skills, so I'd consider him the best of the Octatrio, despite the impression he may give off. In his Apprentice Chef vignettes, Floyd is able to put his own unique spin on a recipe and make something even more delicious as a result--and barely even trying! He is also able to cook delicious foods when trapped on a remote island--food so good that stubborn ol' Riddle literally begs him to have seconds (Lost in the Book with Stitch). You could even say Floyd a cooking genius, albeit he is very casual about it. Again though, the only problem is whether or not he'll be in the mood to cook consistently! (When Azul nags Floyd for his behavior, Floyd actually tells him off for nagging him since Azul doesn't do any cooking.)

In summary:

Azul: least cooking experience but eager to learn more, familiar with techniques, has a good sense of taste, can follow a recipe

Jade: cooks for the Mostro Lounge, always looking to learn new recipes and methods of cooking, often experiments with things he collected from his hiking trips

Floyd: (inconsistently) cooks for the Mostro Lounge, a highly skilled chef, able to cook on the fly and reimagine recipes very easily to make them even tastier

[plushiefucker-moved]

thinking about daisuke and art and. working with your hands. starving artist. gendered labour. lower class. high expectations. never understood. "Not real art" expensive gallery art. young eyes. different standards. "not serious enough". you'll never be as good as the people before you. suffering as an artform. saturn devouring his son. paintbrushes made from horse hair. fashion as a form of art. art as a form of expression. the beauty in pain. only valued after you're dead. self portrait. face paint. performance art. catering to your audience. hobbies vs a career. finger painting. ai art. replaceable. "you had so much passion as a kid. where did it go ?". family legacy. weaponising your trauma for your craft. immigrant parents. no mistakes, only happy accidents. always needed but never valued. art museums. never good enough. idk. idk...

[invinciblerodent]

That "least favorite companion" post I referenced earlier today keeps haunting me.

Because... well, it was obvious that many would say Oghren. I expected many to have said Oghren.

But it still makes me a little bit sad just how much of Oghren's depth and potential was lost by him being written as a "comic relief" character that both fell flat, and aged poorly.

I remember, the first time I played Origins when I was like 17-18, I was a bit put off by him immediately: he reminded me of people I knew in real life, and were not people I liked, or was proud to know. I was a little disappointed that I'd have to have him in my party for the last part of "Paragon of Her Kind". But that short little scene, where he first steps out under the open sky...

That scene, I still think about regularly.

The moment he casts off his caste, the last thing he still genuinely had. When he first looks up at the sky, and realizes just how vast and open it is. When he takes that step he knows would mean that he can never go back.

That tiny little scene, less than a minute long, made not just him, but my own Aeducan click for me immediately.

Because Oghren is a clear failure of the caste system. Or better said, a failure of dwarven society, really.

He's a castoff, a reject, a lost cause: a once respected warrior, a famed dwarven berserker and husband to a Paragon, who fell through the cracks because he fell out of his house's favor.

Because he got hit hard by his wife and his whole family leaving him behind. Because he got too hard to deal with, too embarrassing.

So under the carpet he went, in both his own mind and everyone else's.

Oghren's, is... an ordinary tragedy. A story of an everyday struggle for men like him (lonely, middle aged, depressed), with feelings that are quietly shoved to the side, joked about, tamped down by both him, and the people around him- and him not being “likeable”, well... isn't that just the way it usually is? People who are suffering are sometimes genuinely not good people.

And despite his best efforts, I can't bring myself to dislike him. I don't like having him in my party because I don't find him funny like he was clearly intended to be, and a lot of his dialogue, I find deeply frustrating and off-putting (in Origins and Awakening alike), but... I can't bring myself to dislike him.

I just... feel sad for him, more than anything else. Because in a few rare moments, there is loyalty. There's honor. Care. Sadness. Even humor when it's allowed to be there, beneath the very 2009 "sexual harassment is totally funny you guys".

There is a lot to talk about regarding Oghren, starting with mental health, and ending with the typical dwarven mentality being to cut ties with what they perceive to be lost causes (which also goes for Kal-Sharok, really), but... I can't shake this feeling that had he been written a few years later, with a touch slightly more careful than the ones with which he was originally handled, he could have been so much more.

..... Though I suppose there's some poetic irony in how the character who was let down by his people would also be one that was let down by his time.

[liroyalty]

BEHOLD, MY FIRST DESIGN.

I did Sue's default attire, as that was honestly the easier to get out of my brain.