#oc: Tollbooth

[enteragoodnamehere]

OCtober but with my Rain World OCs - Day 1: Introductions

WOO YEAH BABY THAT'S A LOTTA GUYS!!!!! I wanted to doodle all of my Main slugs and iterators and I forgot how many I had lmao. anyways closeups + more info under the cut but warning that its a lot lol

The Mediator (and Timmy) - they/them (and he/him) - The Mediator was a slugcat that lived near the Stranger's colony of scavs/Tollbooth and would frequently mediate disputes between them and other slugs. They had no interest in living with a colony and were perfectly happy with living by themself... until they met Timmy, a weird aquatic slugpup with an intense attachment to a red pearl. Unable to find his family/colony and recognizing that the area was no place to raise a pup, they go on a quest to find somewhere better for Timmy, which ends up being on Five Step Dance's can. They also befriend the Scribe too!!

The Stranger (or "pearl" in scav sign language) - it/she by iterators- A normal slugcat raised by the scavenger colony living in the ruins of Tollbooth's can. They deliver a message to Five Step Dance from Tollbooth informing her of Toll's collapse and how it was 100% Rapid Ascent's fault (not really but Toll's pretty biased). It's treated basically as another scav by scavengers, but other slugcats are unnerved by it and its mannerisms (hence the name). A good hunter who cares very deeply about its colony

The Scribe - they/them - purposed organism created by Rapid Ascent to find a specific pearl (the one Timmy has!). Their antenna and mane allow them to "read" pearls (its not true "reading" but more like. I forget what its called but when a image is represented by numbers and letters y'know?). They eventually revolt against Ascent though and go join The Mediator and Timmy's little group to live like a normal slugcat.

The Diver - it/its or she/her specifically by Butcher - genetically modified "slugcat", its really more eel lizard than slug though. Created by Butcher's Blade for no real purpose besides "can I make an organism that would instantly be an apex predator in a marine environment". It ended up loving The Diver though and now it treats her like a spoiled house cat. It'll rip and maim and try to eat anything that gets too close though so watch out

The Entertainer - any prns - another modified slugcat created by Butcher because it was bored. The Entertainer was supposed to be entertainment for Butcher, but it grew bored of him really quickly and kicked her out of its can. It's mostly only still alive through its good relationships with pretty much everything lmao

The Visitor - any prns - wild slugcat that can sorta sense/manipulate electricity. How? idk lol. They were made for a challenge a while back and were meant to resemble a green alien, but she's evolved since then.

The Friend - he/him - my very first rain world oc!! he's pretty much what the Stranger would become, being another slug raised by scavs.

The Killer - she/her - joke character based off a co-op session I did with my sibling that I got attached to lmao

Five Step Dance (FSD or "Dance") - she/it - (cw: brief mention of attempted suicide) - the group senior and oldest iterator in the entire region. all my iterators are supposed to represent one of the 5 Urges, and she represents number 1 (violence). She had a bad upbringing, with Ancients that didn't really care about her, leading to her can falling into disrepair and no one doing anything about it. She grew to hate her creators, going as far as to try and kill one of them using The Executioner (the modified centipede in the image with her). She felt immense guilt about this and tried to get a better grip of her feelings, which lasted until Tollbooth told it that Ascent (her closest friend) was lying to and manipulating her and was also responsible for Tollbooth's collapse. She had a mental breakdown, sent the Executioner after Ascent and killed him, tried to kill herself, failed, spent a bunch of time being angry and taking it out on anything she could, and then calmed down when the Mediator showed up at her can. Its very angsty and I care so so much about it.

Rapid Ascent (RA or "Ascent") - he/they - the 3rd iterator of this local group built, representative of the fifth urge (survival). Dance's communication technology had failed during his construction, but rather than trying to fix it the Ancients just gave him executive control over the entire group's communications, meaning any calls or messages to or from Dance would have to go through him. The Ancients also drilled the idea that any emotion was bad and that he was the only sensible one of the local group. This really fucked him up, and post-mass ascension he became paranoid and desperate for control and attention from people he respected (basically only Dance lol). He began blocking communications from other Iterators, subtly manipulating Dance and lying to it, ignoring Tollbooth's cries for help as it was collapsing. This came back to bite him in the ass though after Tollbooth sent a message by slugcat courier (the Stranger) to Dance exposing them. Their puppet died after Dance sicced the Executioner on them, electrocuted to death. Now, if their consciousness is also dead or if they're still sentient but unable to interact with the world? Nobody knows.

Tollbooth - it/its - the youngest iterator of the group, represents the 3rd urge (companionship). It took after Butcher pre-collapse, being rebellious and only doing the bare minimum for the Ancients. It wanted to be liked and accepted by its local group and didn't really care what its creators wanted. Post-mass ascension, it noticed that one of its legs of its can was damaged and could lead to a collapse. It went to Rapid Ascent for help, but was ignored and blocked from contacting others. It eventually collapsed, although it still had some consciousness afterwards unlike Moon. Many cycles into its collapse, a group of scavengers moved into the ruins of its can. It was able to communicate with the scavs, and they performed some "repairs" to make it more stable. The scav colony also designated it as a Tollbooth and good ally, and gave it clothing (a cloak made out of rain deer hide, a vulture mask fashioned after toll markers) and rudimentary "prosthetic legs" as a peace offering. Moved by the scavengers kindness, and still bitter about Ascent, it forsake its old name and devoted its remaining life to caring for the colony. However, before this it also made a pearl for Dance explaining its situation and casting blame on Rapid Ascent for its collapse, which would eventually lead to Ascent's death.

Butcher's Blade (BB or "Butcher") - it/its - the second iterator constructed, representative of the fourth urge (gluttony). I'll be real guys I've been writing for 2 hours and I'mm tired so uhh. It likes genetic modification and gives itself the rot :thumbsup:

[pomegranate-vinegarete]

As I am evil, as I am holding mistif in my heart.

[ticenchantedtoc]

where did you get the idea for your blog name? we had a dream that it was a phantom tollbooth reference & now we're curious as to what it actually was

So I've actually had this username for ages and ages, much longer than I had a tumblr. Thankfully, it's unique enough that it's never taken! The name comes from my special interest, Beauty and the Beast, and the clock onomatopoeia is because Cogsworth is my favorite character <3 I can't say for certainty why I chose the word "enchanted," but it's also part of the title for one of my very first ever groups of ocs, created around the same time in my life.

[callsign-joyride]

Don't Fear The Reaper - Chapter Three

Description: Weird things start happening around the camp. You start putting the pieces together.

Content warnings: For the fic; violence with a knife, blood, death, gore, sexual themes, drug use. For this chapter; blood, animal death, gore, descriptions of a dead animal, fear.

Pairing: Daisy Jones & The Six x OC Donna Smith

Series Masterlist Playlist Taglist Previous Chapter

June 13, 1978 All of the kids huddled in the mess hall as The Phantom Tollbooth played on the projector. You were originally going to go swimming at night but rain was in the forecast and none of you wanted to risk it. You had made it about twenty-five minutes into the movie before Astrid walked up to Daisy and asked if she could take her to the bathroom. Karen and Graham were in the kitchen, pouring M&M’s into disposable bowls when you all heard a loud bang from somewhere outside.

“What was that?” Camila asked.

“I don’t know. Probably fireworks,” Billy said.

“Dude, we’re in the middle of butt fuck nowhere. I don’t think that was a firework,” Warren said.

“Let’s just stop talking about it, okay? You’re gonna scare the kids,” you said. Warren nodded his head and put his arm over your chair. You didn’t pay any attention to the fact that he nestled his face into your neck. Daisy and Astrid came back in and Daisy looked freaked out.

“You guys heard that, too, right?”

She felt relieved when you all nodded your heads, but Karen said that you weren’t going to talk about it in front of the kids. Once the movie was over, you and Camila stayed to clean up as rumbles of thunder could be heard. You were standing on the deck of the mess hall and talking, but Camila kept on looking at something behind me.

“Someone’s about to come and scare me, right? That’s why you keep on looking over my shoulder?”

“No… I think there’s something in front of the art cabin.”

You swiftly turned around and you could see the faint outline of something under the dim porchlight by the door of the cabin. You started to run over to your cabin to check it out, and Camila was trying to keep up with you. She came to a screeching halt right as you did, nearly crashing into you in the process. The sight made you feel overcome with nausea as you shined your flashlight on it.

“Stay here. I’m gonna go get Warren and Billy,” you said, with your voice barely above a whisper. 

You frantically knocked on the door and Warren stood there in a Star Wars shirt and basketball shorts.

“Woah, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said. The roof of your mouth was beginning to feel dry.

“There’s… There’s something at my cabin. I need your help.”

“Okay. Alright, kids. I’ve gotta go help Miss Donna with something but I’ll be back. I’m turning off the lights now and I want you all asleep by the time I get back.”

“Is she okay?” One of the little boys asked. Warren didn’t say anything as he turned off the light and walked out into the warm night air. You grabbed Bily from his cabin and anxiously walked to Camila. As soon as Warren saw what it was, he pulled you behind him.

“What is it?” Billy asked.

“I think it’s a dead deer. It looks like it was shot first but the head is obviously gone,” Camila said. Billy stepped forward and crouched down to swipe his fingers on the blood-soaked wood.

“This is fresh. I’ll go get Graham and Eddie. We’re moving it now so that the kids don’t see.”

“But the-,”

“We’ll scrub off the porch. Maybe put a rug over it for now. Donna, it’s okay. Warren, can you take them back? I don’t know how long this’ll take.”

Warren nodded his head and took your hand. Camila followed shortly behind, but none of you said anything. Billy, Graham, and Eddie dragged the deer behind the cabin and threw a tarp over it. It was too dark to be able to see the blood on the porch so Billy went inside of the cabin in search for a rug that was big enough to cover the stain for now. In between the floor boards, there was what looked like a folded up piece of paper. Graham bent down to pick it up, and his heart sank at what the message said. When Billy came back outside with a large rug, Graham passed him the note with shaky hands.

“Probably just some stupid prank. Everyone knows what happened back in 48.”

Warren walked you into your room and closed the door as you sat on the bed to take your shoes off. You put a tank top on and sat next to him with your head on his shoulder. The anxiety from what you had seen was finally starting to pass. Warren had his hand on your thigh as Because The Night by Patti Smith started to play on the clock radio. This time, your heart wasn’t beating from fear or anxiety, it was beating from excitement as Warren put a hand on your cheek and slowly moved closer to you. 

You were interrupted when Camila knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for a response.

“Sorry! I didn’t know you two were… Nevermind. I was gonna ask if I could eat some of your ice cream.”

“Yeah, go ahead. But you really didn’t need to open my door like that.”

Camila nodded her head and closed the door. You could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks as you turned to Warren.

“Uh, I should probably go. We both need to sleep and someone’s gonna need to clean out the pool in the morning. Just try and get some sleep, okay?”

You nodded and watched Warren leave before closing your window and turning the fan on. You could barely sleep. When you were able to keep your eyes closed long enough to welcome sleep, nightmares about the dead deer and the slasher from thirty years ago haunted you. Deciding that you’d just have to deal with being tired, you gave up on the idea of sleeping at around four in the morning. It was noticeable at breakfast when you almost fell asleep over your bowl of cereal.

“Donna, you good? You seem exhausted,” Daisy said.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just couldn’t really sleep last night, is all.”

“You know you can go and take a nap, right? We’re gonna take the kids to play kickball so you won’t be bothered,” Warren said.

“I’ll be fine, I just need another cup of coffee.”

Everyone took your word for it and you all walked out to the scout cabins after cleaning up from breakfast. Camila had to stay in the nurse’s cabin in case one of the kids got hurt but she gave you her camera to take pictures of everyone having fun. The game went well, and Billy showed all of the kids how to do archery before sitting with you and Eddie. None of you were paying attention to the blocked off trail, but you didn’t think that you needed to. That was until you heard a shriek and saw Astrid running out of there with tears rolling down her face.

“What’s wrong?” You asked as she ran up to you.

“There was a man back there and I followed him and then he scared me! Miss Donna, I wanna go home!” You immediately gave her a hug and stood up.

“I’ll take you to Miss Camila and she’ll check you out, okay? I’ll call your parents later and we’ll see if we can get you home. I think we’re having s’mores again tonight.”

“Will you be at the s’mores?”

“I don’t know, sweetie. I’ve gotta call your parents and see if anyone else wants to go home, but we’ll see.”

“I’m not allowed to be there when you call my parents?”

“I don’t think so. This is a pretty serious situation so it’s going to be a grown-ups only conversation. But I’ll let you know what they say. Let’s walk back to the camp, okay? Eddie, do me a favor and see if there’s someone back there who shouldn’t be.”

You ended up having to carry Astrid back to the camp. She genuinely seemed frightened, but you wouldn’t have minded if she felt too tired to walk. When you walked into the infirmary, Camila stood up and walked over to Astrid to ask her what was going on. As she told her story a second time, Camila glanced up at you and sighed.

“Come sit over here. Miss Donna is gonna get you a popsicle and bag of chips, okay?”

Eddie walked over to the trail and stepped over the neon orange “DO NOT CROSS” tape. He walked about 100 yards into the trail and stopped to look around for a moment. Billy and Karen kept an eye on the area until he came back a few minutes later.

“I didn’t see anyone. What if she’s lying?” He asked. Warren got up and walked over to him.

“I don’t think she is.”

“Come on, man. She’s a kid. Kids lie. I didn’t see anyone or anything that seemed out of place. She probably just needed an excuse to go home.”

“She looked terrified, so either she’s really good at believing her own lie or she actually saw someone back there. He could’ve run away or something, y’know. It’s not impossible.”

Astrid finally calmed down after she ate her popsicle. Camila said that physically, she was fine. She was obviously pretty freaked out, but before you left, she tugged on your arm and looked at you and Camila.

“Am I gonna be in trouble? I know I wasn’t supposed to go back there and I’m sorry,” she said.

“Oh, no, you won’t be in trouble. We’ll make sure of it and I’ll make sure this never happens again. Do you wanna go back to kickball or do you wanna go and color a picture in my cabin?”

“Color a picture.”

The other kids kept on asking if Astrid wass okay on the walk back to the camp. No one really knew what to say. Astrid seemed to want to stay with you for the rest of the day, eating lunch and dinner at the same table as you and the other counselors. A few other kids walked up to you during clean up saying that they also wanted to go home. Everyone was freaked out after what happened with Astrid. 

While they were eating s’mores and singing songs by the campfire, you and Camila pulled forms and started making phone calls. Teddy had said to call him in an emergency, and when you did that, the line gave you the busy tone. You tried to call three more times with the same tone playing.

“What’s going on?” Camila asked. She wasn’t going to start calling parents until someone talked to Teddy. It was part of protocol.

“It’s not ringing,” you said.

“Move over. Either he disconnected his phone for whatever reason or we have a problem.”

You watched as she pressed 9-1-1 and you both anxiously waited for someone to pick up. She looked like she was about to cry as she put the phone back on the hook.

“We have a problem.”

The wait for everyone to put the kids to bed and get to the infirmary was painfully long. Camila sat on one of the beds and you paced around the room as they all finally walked in. Warren walked over to you and gave you a hug before anyone asked what was going on. As Camila explained the situation, Eddie walked over to the phone and started to dial random numbers.

“So we’re trapped here,” he said.

“We have our cars and the bus that the kids were on to get here. We’re not trapped.”

“But we can’t call anyone for help. Parents don’t know that we’re trying to get kids home, and we can’t all leave at once because there are some kids who want to stay. I think she might’ve been lying about seeing someone in the woods because I didn’t see anything, but something is definitely going on. Smeone cut the phone lines, for fucks sake. It doesn’t seem like a prank anymore.”

“So what are we gonna do tonight?” Karen asked.

“Go back to our cabins, act like everything is normal. We’ll get this figured out in the morning,” you said.

“You want us to lie to the kids,” Daisy said.

“Not lie, but you shouldn’t tell them the truth, either. I don’t wanna scare them any more than they probably already are. Just say that we’re staying away from the scout cabins. Don’t mention the phones, though.”

“I think there’s something that you all need to know,” Graham said.

“And that is?”

“Last night, with the deer, there was a note. We shrugged it off as a stupid prank because pretty much everyone knows what happened here but now… I don’t know.”

“What did it say?” Eddie asked.

“That he was gonna kill all of us.”

The room went silent as you clapped a hand over your mouth and started to cry. Warren wrapped his arms around you and leaned over you as a way to hug you. You started to sob into his chest and Karen joined in on the hug. Camila had a death grip on Billy’s hand and Daisy was pacing around the room. Eddie started to argue with Graham and Billy about what the new plan was.

“We’re not gonna die! None of us are gonna die! So, everyone, let’s just quiet down and find something to agree on,” Daisy yelled.

“We need to get this to the police, like yesterday. We also need to get all of the kids out of here. I say that if he’s coming for us, let him. But he’s not touching the kids. If he was the man that Astrid saw, he already messed with them. That’s where I draw the line,” Karen said.

“Okay, Graham and I will go to the police first thing in the morning. We need to get the bus running, too. Protecting those kids is our top priority,” Eddie said.

At the entrance of the camp, the man parked his truck to block it off and broke off the top of the ignition key. The parking lot was somewhat out of sight from the camp and everyone was distracted, so it was easy for him to pop the hood of Eddie’s red ‘75 Pontiac and take the battery out. With the battery under one arm and his tools under the other, he walked back to the truck and slashed all of the tires with his pocket knife before making the trek back to the cottage.

Taglist:

@idontcare-11 @kmc1989

[mirrordaltokki]

Fandom Peeps to Get to Know Better

Tagged by @punchelf

Tagging @destinidestati, @tallmatcha, @wickedwildsurge

Three Ships I Like: - Wolstinien, Clive Rosfield/Cidolfus Telamon, Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier. That last one is impressive considering how I've never even played/read The Witcher and just watched like, four episodes of the show.

First Ship Ever: OC x Chang Wufei from Gundam Wing. I was so young and didn't realize this was going to become a type.

Last Song You Heard: Like Sugar by Chaka Khan

Favorite Childhood Book: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Currently Reading: Shishi's Little Mushroom

Currently Watching: Slowly picking my way through Squid Game

Currently Consuming: Raspberry Lemonade

Currently Craving: Everything bagel salad

[luna-3-clips]

Do you ever just... create an Oc in your sleep?

It wasn't last night but it was the night before where I had this dream about a character who I've never seen before anywhere.

His hair length went just below his chin and was blonde and wavy. I can't remember exactly what his eyes were but they were either blue or green. I think his first name was Kazuki? And his last name started with a T but I forgot what it was.

I don't remember much of his backstory, but I do remember his parents were horrible.

I even got to talk to him in my dream. You know how some school's (at least here in America) have something like a tollbooth outside the school to open the gates? Well Kazuki was sitting and crying outside of one (it's a dream, some things won't make sense). I remember walking up to him and asking him "Are you okay?". Which he responded by looking up at me with large eyes that have tears in them.

And then I woke up.

I think I'm gonna add him to my list of Oc's now, I like him.

(I decided to give Kazuki a last name of Takeuchi and now I am gonna write lore for him because I can and am now obsessed with him.)

[probably-a-plant-thing]

Explaining that Tasty OC Info

So I got this ask a while ago, and while I'd like to post one massive comic series to explain them, I kinda can't lmao.

BUT I CAN RANT IN A BLOG POST.

SO LETS GET THE BALL ROLLIN.

So the story with Ivanushka (who this ask is referring to, I believe) doesn't really have a name yet just because I'm bad with that kinda shit.

What I'm gonna do is slap a height chart here:

Then explain each character left -> right

Ivanushka 29: [Peach] Ivan starts the story as an immigrant from Russia, living in San Francisco with his boyfriend Vladislav. He works as a bridge tollbooth operator on the Golden Gate Bridge. So one night on the bridge, it's near the end of Ivan's shift and he gets into an argument with a guy about being short ten cents and gets shot in the argument (because America)

Then when he wakes up in the hospital perfectly fine, naturally he's confused as hell but turns out he got an emergency blood donation from his lovely boyfriend who just "happens" to have his exact rare blood type. But WHOA HEY Vlad has been a shapeshifter this whole ass time? Holy shit-?

Anyway so long story short, Vlad's shapeshifter blood in Vlad caused him to turn into a human/shapeshifter hybrid I call a "Form Morph" and he can only change his head because that's where he was shot, blah blah. Now he's in debt with the hospital and Vlad knows just who to talk to.

Vladislav 30: [Blue] Vladislav immigrated to the states with Ivan and he's basically the biggest dumbass with the biggest confidence and the least impulse control. In order to immigrate cheaply, he made a deal with a gang in San Fran to smuggle them into the city and make them papers for the low low price of doing whatever the gang leader wants. Pretty easy, huh?

So when Ivan is shot and Vlad takes him to the hospital, he's basically now trying to help Ivan understand his new shifty powers and also confine his boss it's a great idea to let the emotionally unstable wreak into the crime circle.

Cowboy 35: [Green] Cowboy is more a nickname he forces everyone to call him, but basically, this is the southern son-of-a-bitch that shot Ivan over ten cents. He's a gun-loving, all-proud Texan that ran over to Cali because his family was busted for illegal moonshine.

He has more relevance to the story, but I don't wanna spoil everything for these guys.

Fox 25: [Orange] Fox is yet another nickname, he's a mutant like Vlad and 1/3 Ivan except instead of a shapeshifter, he can use mind control! He's been a thief for the majority of his life on the streets, so he started collecting gang members to make his little adventures more exciting.

Though through years of living in his own mind and the minds of others, he's gotten pretty arrogant and gets easily pissed when things don't go his way. He's a big man-child except with the ability to make you do whatever he wants. Normally he's "nice" but he does get his scary moments.

Styles 35: [Purple] Styles is the oldest/first member of Fox's gang and is basically the guy's right-hand man. He doesn't have any powers other than the power of alcoholism and common sense. He used to work at a rodeo derby until he met Fox

Frank 20: [Red] Franky is the youngest official member and he's basically the gang handyman. Again, he's just your average guy (I realize I forgot to color it, but Franky is supposed to be Latino-Japanese)

But yeah that's the main info I can give about these dorks right off the top of my head, but please! If you bothered to make it this far then thank you a lot! I love talking about my OCs. Never be afraid to ask for further info on these guys! I have even more lil guys I could talk about in different universes/stories.

I plan on making little comics to go into these guy's dynamics more, but like. Motivation n shit, ya know

[gloves94]

Kingdom of the Sun [Fire Lord Zuko] 2

Chapter Warnings: Steamy smut, thigh grinding, cursing Rating: M Pairings: Zuko/OC - I have written a NSFW tollbooth so you can skip that part if you want :) Kingdom of the Sun MASTERLIST Last Airbender MASTERLIST My MASTERLIST

The air grew colder and dryer as a large metal trade ship approached the Southern Water Tribe, sailing through dark waters and dodging every odd iceberg and glacier on the way.

Tsai hugged her body closer gripping the fabric of her beige parka, she brought her cold palms into her mouth and breathed into them. Her breath visible before her eyes in white puffs.

Her brother had encouraged her to come to this ceremony. Her mother had strongly opposed against it.

“Tsai, I have repeatedly told you over and over again,” Her mother warned. “Mom I’m going, no matter what you say-“ “It’s not about the boy- it’s not about him…” Her mother sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. “But you have to understand that it is not safe. Is it not enough to wake up to riots and protesting? Tsai someone could hurt try and hurt you and by hurt you I mean kill.” Her mother had almost begged her not to go. However, the guilt trip was not enough. She had promised to keep a small profile to give her mother some peace of mind and took a small ship with a matching crew of less than ten people.

Despite never having been to the Southern Water Tribe the nation was similar to its northern sister, the ice desert seeming just as cold, yet not as desolate the bay crowded with numerous ships that were docked in from different parts of the world. It was almost nighttime when she arrived. Just in time for the celebration.

Despite having spent most of the trip self-consciously analyzing her imperfections in a mirror and nervously doing her hair over and over again, it was quite never perfect. She hesitated before getting off the ship, unsure if she would run into her ex-boyfriend or not, yet the nervousness still lingered, uneasily twisting her stomach into knots.

She had a feeling she would see him. She’d never admit it out loud, but she had in part come in hopes of running into him.

The party was lively and filled with plenty of familiar faces from all corners of the world. Pleasant ambiance music was being played. The celebration was being hosted outdoors in a snowy plaza covered under a massive tarp from which colorful lights and decorations hung down from. It was a beautiful set up. Very beach, wonderland wedding vibes. The plaza was near an icy ledge which allowed guests to a lovely view of the horizon. She glanced around the crowd and saw no sign of Zuko. Sighing, almost in relief, she walked around looking for the newly engaged couple to congratulate them. It took a while before she spotted them standing with some other members of the Water Tribe.

“Tsai! You made it!” Aang said excitedly embracing his friend. Katara also hugged her and introduced her to Kanna, her grandmother and her husband, a waterbending master, whom Tsai was already acquainted with, Master Pakku.

“Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe,” Chief Hakoda, Katara and Sokka’s father, said welcoming her to their land. “Hope it’s not too cold,” he added with a slight smile noticing how the girl kept her cold hands hidden inside of her parka’s sleeves.

“It’s bearable,” She said with a tight smile. “You’ll get used to it. Just stay away from the water. If for whatever reason you fall, you’ll go into hypothermic shock and be dead within minutes.”

‘Geez, well that’s comforting…’

“How was your trip?” Katara asked. “No assassination attempts or bombings so I guess you could say successful. I’m just happy to be here.” She laughed nervously.

“Tsai, there was something else that we wanted to ask you,” Katara began and exchanged a look with her fiancée. “It’s just that, well, when we visited you last time. We fell in love with the palace and we were wondering if we could have the wedding in the former Colonial Palace?” “We also think it would be safer. Considering the political climate…” Aang added.

The girl from Yu Dao blinked twice in surprised. They had a point it would be safer; the palace was basically impenetrable. She couldn’t decide if her mother would have a stroke or would be thrilled to having a wedding there.

However, how could she say no?

“We understand if you can’t or don’t want to-“

“No,” she said quickly. “I mean- yes. Yes! Of course, you can have it there! Aang’s right, it would be safer. Whenever you want.” She smiled at both of them.

Again, Katara threw her arms around her hugging her tightly. Who would’ve thought the two would grow to be so amiable considering the turmoil the two had had in the past.

“Hey Zuko!”

Her eyes shot wide open in panic as she saw Aang waving at someone behind her. She swallowed a heavy lump that had formed in her throat and exchanged a panicked look with Katara who nodded her head to the side. Tsai very indiscreetly ran away from the approaching Fire Lord and from her friends approaching the bar for some plum wine a delicacy around these parts. Carefully, hoping not to be noticed, she darted her eyes back to where the Fire Lord was now standing chatting with Aang and Katara. He looked absolutely regal, he was taller, impossibly more handsome than the last time she had seen him. His black hair was longer, worn in a half top knot Fire Nation fashion. He wore his royal head piece and he carried himself well as a nation’s leader should. He stood out like a sore thumb how was it that she hadn’t spotted him in the crowds? She was lost in thought when he suddenly turned, and his eyes met hers.

She almost spilled her wine when she rapidly turned back to face the bar. Face burning from the embarrassment of having been caught starring so boldly.

“Hiding from someone?” She felt a nudge on her side.

She turned to see Suki standing next to her also leaning on the bar. “Suki!” She greeted almost tackling her friend into a hug.

Suki explained that she was here as a guest and also an undercover along with Ty Lee. Both were keeping an eye on the Fire Lord as his personal bodyguards in case there were any assassination attempts. Years ago, Tsai had suggested to Zuko that he hire the Kyoshi Warriors as his personal guards since the Fire Nation’s were practically useless. Seemed like he actually took her advice. “He’s lonely,” Suki said as both girls walked away from the bar with their drinks. “He misses you. Do you miss him?”

Tsai lowered her eyes and took a distraught sip from her wine. Of course, she missed him. How could she not? She thought about him on the daily. “Yeah,” She admitted. “But I’ve been seeing other people. Or at least trying too… Do you know how hard it is to date when the Fire Lord is your ex-boyfriend?” She half rolled her eyes. Suki laughed. “Well, are you going to talk to him?”

“No!” Tsai responded a little louder than intended as panic filled her. “What would I even say?”

“What would you even say to who?” A manly voice asked loudly.

“Sokka!” She turned and gave her old friend a half hug. Tsai was about to ask Sokka a question when Suki interrupted with a sharp whisper. “Tsai, he’s coming,” She hissed lowly not breaking eye contact with her friend.

‘Fuck… fuck… fuck!’ How obvious would it be if she untangled herself from Sokka’s arm and made a run for it? She wondered if she could manage dodging him all night. She had to put herself together. Act normal. Stand up straighter, maybe a little taller. “What do I do? What do I do?!” She asked panicking shifting uneasily on her feet fidgeting with the sun stone necklace she always wore around her neck. “Pretend like Sokka just said something funny!” Suki whispered. Sokka looked beyond confused. When both girls threw their heads slightly and let out a loud laugh.

“Hey Suki-“ Zuko said as he approached the trio with that looked to be a pretend excuse. Despite speaking to the Kyoshi Warrior his golden eyes were locked in on his ex-girlfriend’s. Hers were noticeably fixed on him as well. A familiar tension suddenly becoming evident between the couple. Sokka removed his arm from his friend’s shoulders. She didn’t hear what he said to Suki. Much too struck by his presence, it was almost like seeing a ghost. She looked at his high cheek bones, his sharp jaw, even the scar on his face made him more enticing. His lips…

‘Oh no…’

She swallowed the wine she was drinking with a loud gulp.

‘He was hot.’ “You know, I always thought it would be you two first,” Sokka said bluntly referring to the marriage. She snapped her out of her trance. ‘Great. Way to add salt to the wound Sokka.’ She almost spit out her wine, slightly choking on it. The expression on his face unreadable as she avoided his eyes. She didn’t want to think about that. The last time they had touched the subject had been the day they broke up, it was a painful enough memory…

“Ty Lee needs you to untangle her braid,” Zuko said to his bodyguard in a serious tone.

“Sounds serious,” Suki said in a faltering tone. She made eye contact with her friend who lightly nodded as she was keeping her lips busy still sipping on the wine. “Come help me Sokka,” she said to her boyfriend. “But she’s right there! She’s fine!” Sokka pointed out dumbly. Girls were an enigma he’d never be able to figure out. Suki hissed at him to shut up and dragged him away leaving the ex-lovers alone and to themselves. There was a heavy awkward silence between them. The heavy tension seemed to linger. They hadn’t been in the same room in years. She couldn’t help but wonder just how much he had changed. Hell, how much she had changed. ‘Say something, say something, say something,’ she racked her brain for anything she could say or ask to him. ‘SAY ANYTHING.’ “Nice weather we’re having.”

Oh dear, he was still so painfully awkward. She couldn’t help but laugh a little at his comment. Something so simple which lightly eased the growing tension between the two. “Are you kidding? It’s awful,” she said glancing around at the icy tundra. “Everything is wet and cold and covered in snow. I wonder how Toph can walk around barefoot like that,” she responded her eyes drifting to the blind girl in the crowd. The thought of being barefoot in the snow made her feel even colder. “Well, it’s Toph. She’s tough you know?”

Again. That uncomfortable silence between the two.

Should she ask how he has been? How his mother and sister have been? Should they talk about something other than the New Ozai Society or the Anti-Revolutionary Movement? Maybe the fact that he gave her half of his lands?

But that was a story for another time… “So Aang and Katara huh?” She managed. “Yeah.” “They’re really cute. I’m happy for them.” “Yeah, same,” he said nervously holding the back of his neck. “They’re so cute- it’s kind of gross?” He gave her an odd look. “I mean they call each other sweetie,” She cringed and downed the rest of her drink seeking for some liquid courage. “I mean, we-we were never that corny.” She said addressing the elephant in the room.

This was really not going well. “Yeah,” seemed to be the only word of agreeance he could manage. He let out a weak scoff. “Never.” Both looked away awkwardly. Just in time, as it became night and the sky darkened the party progressed the music’s beat changed and they both noted how the people in the crowd started moving in unison either in groups or in couples. Swaying to an upbeat tune. “What are they doing?” He asked confused. “I think they are… dancing?” She responded just as confused.

Both being Fire Nationers the concept of dancing was completely foreign to them. The art of it had been outlawed for the past one hundred years, both never having witnessed or partaken in the activity. Everybody looked happy dancing, lightly swaying holding each other at a close distance. He looked at her from the corner of his eyes working up the courage to ask her to dance. Maybe it had been years, but the spark was still there, hidden, but he knew it, he could feel it and she looked- just wow…

“Uh, I don’t know how to.”

Zuko snapped out of his daydream to see that guy from the Earth Kingdom, what was his name been, Haru, asking her to dance. “That’s okay. I’ll teach you!” He said encouragingly stretching out his hand to her. She looked at it hesitantly, but he didn’t give her a moment to think it over. “Come on,” he grinned grabbing her hand and dragging her away to dance to an upbeat cheery dance that involved a lot of twirling.

Tsai looked back at Zuko’s who’s eyes had narrowed as he glared daggers at the back of Haru’s head. He glowered with his arms crossed over his chest starring with jealousy as the two danced, even if she was stepping on Haru’s feet the whole time.

“Ty Lee!” Zuko barked at his other bodyguard. Meanwhile said girl was busy flirting with some Water Tribe boys and turned to give her boss an irritated look. “Let’s dance,” he commanded grabbing her hand and pulling her to the dance floor not even giving her a chance to say no.

At first, he moved awkwardly unsure of where to put his hands or how to move his feet. Ty Lee, however, was more graceful; all eyes were on the acrobat as the music continued getting louder and faster. The dance shifted into some type of traditional Water Tribe dance where everybody danced in a circle spinning their partners into the arms of others.

Tsai continued stepping on Haru, profusely apologizing. She felt awful about it. Regardless he was nice and continued dancing, giving her a twirl and a spin, letting her go for a moment. Sokka caught her and did the same, as it seemed part of the dance was switching partners. He did the same and twirled her to Aang who twirled her to- “Y-You’re supposed to twirl me!” She protested with a nervous stammer to Zuko who was now holding her at an arm’s length. However instead of twirling her he was greedy and kept her away all to himself. She felt vulnerable under the intense way his eyes were locked on her face. Her face felt warm.  

“Oh, I guess I forgot,” He said sheepishly letting her go. The song was over, and people stopped dancing. People around clapped and the band suddenly began to play a slower tune. Both looked around and saw couples starting to get together and sway to the slow music. She looked away from him and began to walk away when she felt she was being held back. She looked back and saw his hand holding hers. “Dance with me.” It wasn’t a request. It didn’t sound like he was asking either. She scoffed a little at his sudden demanding nature. Yeah- right. What would he do if she refused?

“You don’t even know how to,” she couldn’t help but laugh at his demand. He arched an eyebrow giving her a meaningful look. She sighed and joined him. After all, what was one dance right? She held him at arm’s length a hand on his shoulder the other in his. His other hand snaking around her waist and resting on her lower back. She swallowed nervously when he pulled her to him completely pressing his body against hers.

Why was he so warm? Why did he smell so good? Why did her heart pace quicken like that? “See? Easy?” He said as they danced right before stepping on her. “Right,” she said in a strained voice, wincing slightly at the pain. He mumbled a painful apology and despite the ache she couldn’t help but laugh a little. She looked up from her feet and saw the way he was looking at her and she couldn’t help but melt in his arms. And just like that. It was almost as if no time had passed in between the two of them. She relaxed, smiling a little, returning the endearing look. She sighed before resting her head on his shoulder. She missed him. She missed him so, so, much. His expression mirrored hers as he let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Tsai, I’m ready,” he suddenly said. “For what?” She asked perplexed, continuing to lightly sway against his body, barely lifting her feet off the ground hoping not to step on him. “For the next step,” he said decisively. “As long as you don’t step on me again,” she sniggered playfully. “I’m serious,” she saw his lips were drawn into a sober thin line. “I’m ready to take out relationship to the next step.” She swore she could hear a needle scratch on a record somewhere in a loud sound in her head that made her snap out of her daze.

“Our relationship?” She pulled away looking at him startled. “We don’t have a relationship.” She was about to let go. She was about to run away and hide in the crowd, but he held her in place. “Tsai, look at me,” he spoke in a low tone holding her closer. “Look at me and tell me you don’t feel it.” She struggled but met his warm, honey colored eyes. Her eyes moved down to his lips which suddenly looked extremly inviting. She wanted to kiss him, she wanted to do it right here, right now. Yet- she remained silent, slightly shaking her head attempting to pull away from his touch. She couldn’t be with him. They shouldn’t be together. Not when- “Don’t. Run away.” He whispered in her ear, hands firm on her body, planting her on the spot. His hot breath against her skin sent chills down her spine. He pressed his forehead against hers. “It wouldn’t be fair…” She whispered back to him in a voice filled with pain. “I don’t want to make you…” She shook her head again slightly, alluding to one of the main reasons why they had broken up. The song was over and they both pulled apart when they heard clapping. She cleared her throat and joined in on the clapping.

“I need a drink,” she said nervously returning to the bar. What was this her third, maybe fourth drink?

Zuko’s eyes trailed after her, watching from a far. He sighed to himself.

It was then that the ground trembled violently. Some lost their balance collapsing as a massive explosion blew up in the docks erupting in a massive cloud of smoke. Snow going up in the air and falling like hail.

BOOM! There was another explosion and another, dark snow and flames blowing up in the air in the plaza around them. The music stopped. The crowd scattered unsure of where to go.

Tsai looked turning her attention to the plaza where everybody was when she suddenly felt a blade being pressed against her neck from behind. She gasped lightly at the surprise attack and elbowed the figure in the stomach before ducking. She turned to face her assailant, the bar tender, who held two blades one in each hand.

She reached into her sleeves and pulled out a pellet that when cracked against the floor became a smoke bomb. Her attacker coughed and swatted at the fog, she ran opposite of the explosions towards the ledge. The attacker emerged from the smog coughing loudly and ran towards her with his blades up. This time however, she stood her ground and pulled out the two hidden blames she always wore under her sleeves.

“Who sent you?” She demanded to know as both engaged in a knife fight.

Zuko saw Aang, Katara and the rest of the original Avatar group disperse as they divided to check on guests and on the nearby explosions. He turned back and his eyes went wide when he saw the auburn-haired girl under attack.

“I’m going after her!” He said out loud to his bodyguards. “Go with the others! Make sure everyone is okay!” He didn’t hesitate in rushing to her side. He saw her reach for her assailant and drive one of her blades into his torso in a fatal wound. The man bent over in pain, but he held onto her arm as fell back off the ledge dragging her down into the abyss with him.

“No!” Zuko shouted rushing to the edge, he could see the crimson dotted spots of blow staining the snow in a stark contrast. Peering over the ledge he saw nothing but an icy ocean that stretched out for miles ahead. The wind blowing harsher and louder on the edge cliff. In the ice below a dark hole of broken ice from the impact of the crash and fall. He stepped down without caution and slid down the icy slope, running down, almost falling twice. He stepped on the ice which cried in protest to his weight, he removed his long cloak and braced himself for the cold before leaping into the icy, dark waters. The cold didn’t affect him due to his mastery of his fire bending nature. Underwater he could see a dark string of water going up to the surface. It was blood… Looking down he saw the enemy sinking deeper into the ocean, at some distance was Tsai also sinking unconsciously from the terrible shock of the freezing waters which stabbed you like knives. His eyes squinted as he attempted to peer into the dark waters and past the sea salt that itched. It took him a moment to reach her. He held her tight against him and swam up to the surface almost out of breath. He pressed his palms flat on the ice and used his fire bending to break free. He regulated his breathing, spitting out yellow flames, keeping himself warm like his uncle had taught him.

He held her trembling body close, she was silent, remaining mute from the shock of the hypothermia. He picked up his tossed wool cloak and wrapped it around her. Looking up he could see smoke emitting from the top of the cliff. Going up wasn’t safe, it wasn’t a choice. The first priority was getting her warm before the hypothermia or frostbite set in. He spotted a nearby hole in the wall, a possible makeshift cave and took her there. He carried her wrapped in his cloak, she had already been tipsy, which only made matters worse. She was trembling violently, her face was pale, lips were turning blue and her wet hair stuck to her face. Clothes dripping with freezing saltwater. She had a glazed over disoriented look in her eyes and her speech was slurred as a symptom of the shock. He wasn't an expert, but his uncle had once lectured him on the effects of hypothermia and how to avoid it the last time they had been to the north pole. From what he could see she was still conscious and the fact that she was shivering meant that the effects of the hypothermia were thankfully mild. He set her own her feet and she stood wobblily, her knees weak, the disorientation getting the best of her. He saw her stumble and collapse forward barely managing to catch her mid drop. Both falling to their knees. She was soaking, cold to the bone. His thick, wool cloak wasn’t of much use this way. “I have to take off your clothes,” he said reaching for the buttons of her wet parka almost as if waiting for her consent. Agni. It was a life or death situation. “Do it.” She managed to speak through chattering teeth. He undid her clothes quickly removing her parka and bottoms, leaving the poor girl to hug her shaking body only in her undergarments for the sake of modesty. She flinched at the flesh that became exposed to the cold pole’s night air. He was trying his best to be respectful and avert his eyes from her body, but they couldn’t help but wonder. He didn’t waste any time in wrapping the cloak against her completely engulfing her in it. The only thing visible was her face. He pulled her into his dry lap. He leaned back against the icy wall and with fiery breaths warmed his system thoroughly. Heat radiating from his body. She clung to him burrowing deep into his chest desperate for his warm touch, he lightly rubbed her back placing his head on top of hers trying his best to radiate some, but not too much warm. If he fucked up, she’d probably go into cardiac arrest from the harsh change in temperature. A moment passed and she was silent. Panicking he looked down and lightly shook her body.

“Tsai, tsai! You can’t fall asleep! You have to stay awake!” He said lightly shaking her body. She grumbled and let out a shuddering breath at the absence of his warmth. “I need you to touch me,” she whispered in a shuddering breath. He looked at her for a moment his eyes hard with an unreadable expression. With icy hands she reached for his warm ones and placed them on her sides underneath the cloak. She sat on his tight and greedily touched him needing more of his warmth. His hands roamed her sides, her arms and her upper and lower back, the light firebending in them making his large slender hands toasty, warm and inviting to touch. “I never thought this is how I would die,” she whispered dramatically against this skin. “You’re not going to die,” he said reassuringly gently back rubbing her body. Her body was ice cold to the touch.

She was already starting to feel better, the warmth returning to her body little by little, slowly as it should be. “Keep me warm. Please. I need you,” she quivered clinging to him desperately. Fisting the fabric of his coat opening it slightly to palm the bare warm skin of his chest. He saw that look in her eyes. They held in more than the wanting and need for his touch. There was another dark emotion reflected in her eyes. He warmed his breath, knowing that she’d be immune to the fire due to part of her nature which was made up of the Sun Spirit. The same part that made her be able to walk through flames and made her hair unnaturally red. Slowly he leaned in and placed a firey kiss on her neck. On that sensitive, tender spot just underneath her ear. The flames licking her body, sticking to her in a caressing warmth. His hands underneath the cloak sparkled lightly against her cool flesh with elicited flames. He continued kissing every exposed inch of her skin, each touch hotter, wetter, more ardent than the previous one. She stretched her neck to the side allowing him more room to paint in the canvas of her neck and with a deep exhale she let out a low moan. One that shook him to his core. He froze in the spot. Seeing as the two had never crossed that strongly marked line…

“I-I’m sorry,” she apologized and pulled back trembling slightly. She knew this wasn’t the sort of thing he was comfortable with and didn’t want to put him in that undesirable position. His eyes never left hers. “It’s okay,” he said reassuringly, his hands rounding around the back of her waist once again sitting her on his thigh. She looked at him with a tentative expression. After all this had been one of the reasons of their breakup. “It’s okay,” he repeated in a comforting tone. Maybe… Just maybe like he had said he was ready for the next step… He breathed out a tongue of fire and took in a deep breath before diving in and kissing the underside of her jaw. One of his hands held her face, the other held a rough grip on her hip. His fingers digging into her skin. She sighed and her eyes locked on him giving him almost a feverish look. She remained unmoved, instead he moved up and caught her lips in his.

After all this time, it really was the same as before, nothing had changed. The spark lingered. Both felt a familiar warmth spread through their bodies. Her heart jumped to her throat. He stroked her face and she parted her mouth slightly, his tongue softly tracing her bottom lip. Scratch that- maybe it was even better than last time. She unconsciously rolled her hips forward letting out a throaty groan, wanting to ease the demanding tickling that had formed in between her legs. She wanted him. Oh, she had wanted him for years. She could feel him turning hard against her leg. She continued grinding against him, forward and back in deeper rolling motions. His hands like his skin were hot, his breath against hers steaming in clouds of white as she pressed his body against his. He let out a deep groan against her skin before kissing it. God, how he’d missed her. How touch starved he’d been all this time. She reached for his hands and testing the waters raised them up slightly, they trailed her skin, sending shivers down her spine before she placed them on top of her breasts. He grasped them lightly, his hands melting what she felt were hard icicle that had formed on her chest. Patches of her skin now glowing with a rosy glow from his hot touch, the paleness and blue frost gradually waning. Her hair and body now safely dry.

She rubbed her wet core against the rough clothing of his leg riding him as if there were no tomorrow. She strained in her breathing struggling to hold the lewd sounds she was making inside of her throat.

He observed the flustered expression on his face and wanted more. He throbbed for more. Moving a steady hand to her hip he followed her movements, pressing him down harder against her. She rubbed harder and deeper. She was so greedy to please herself, so desperate for that release. Until she let out a small cry her head tilting back slightly, breathing heavily as she reached her release. The knot that had formed in the pits of her stomach fantastically becoming undone. She sighed content. Coming down from her high. Both of her arms were wrapped around his neck, she lowered them to his chest and looked at him with a post haze from her momentary high.

She kissed him hard, harden than she ever had. Leaving absolutely no space between them. If she pressed herself to him any harder the two might’ve morphed into one. Both having forgotten they were in cave, that an assassin had just tried to kill them, that she had almost gone into hypothermic shock. “You’re shaking,” he said with a small smile stroking the inside of her arm.

She let out a little laugh. “Yes, but I’m not that cold anymore.”

He kissed her face while she spoke and again held her tightly against his body.

“I miss you.” 

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[threeletterslife]

Chana! What are some stories that have stayed with you through the years, and writing that has impacted your own?

ooh nice question! i wasn’t sure if you meant some of mY stories or others’ stories, so i’ll answer it both ways! (this post is crazily long i’m so so sorry)

some of my own stories that have stayed with me through the years: you & me both, over the moon and insurrection/the exam

y&mb was the first full-on angst story i’ve ever published. (before publishing that, i was actually known for being a fluff writer 🤡 i know, crazy, right??) but y&mb sits in a very special place in my heart. when i was writing it, i was happy with where my life was going (i’d finally gotten out of the slumps) and the topics showcased in the story actually really hit close to home so i was also seriously invested in the characters too. overall, it was my best work for a while. but looking back, i feel like i could’ve written it so much better. it was only like what? less than a year ago? but idk i love it but hate it at the same time. the kind of thing where i laugh and cry at the memories from it, but also would HATE to read it again. still, the plot of y&mb was something i developed for YEARS before i even attempted to write it, so yes, it did stay with me through the years. and i know for a fact it’ll stay with me for longer in the future

otm is an interesting one. i finished the series this year i think (which sounds so crazy,, it feels so long ago). but the plot i planned for years! i always save my *special* plots until i think i’m capable of writing them. i still think i should’ve waited a lil longer when i wrote otm because i’m not 100% sure that was my best work ever. but otm just makes me reflect back on the crazy times. like the characters in the story, i also felt so confused and unsure and NUMB when i was writing otm—mostly because the pandemic had just gotten serious in my country and things had started to become like a mf SHITSHOW :(( i connect so much with the characters in otm... (i mean, who doesn’t love an intj mc qUEEN??) so yeah. i also LOVE oc and yoongi’s relationship in otm. their romance is actually something i want with my future s.o. LOL (something subtle, something steadfast and most importantly—STEADY). i wish i could rewrite it now fsjfjj but that goes for all of my stories

insurrection/the exam kinda go together. i’ve had the idea for insurrection the longest out of ALL of these stories lol. i think i mentioned it before but i always felt so intrigued by a ‘school revolt’ kind of idea. so i always kinda wanted to write a lowkey satirical(?) story full of morally ambiguous characters and questionable academic organizations. that turned out to be insurrection, which i waited for (i think? three to four years?) before i finally wrote it. AGAIN, it could’ve been better, but at this point, let’s just accept the fact that i’ll never be satisfied LOL. insurrection’s welton high school is based on my own high school,,, so you can tell how shitty my experience with education was in my high school years 🥳anyways, that’s why insurrection is so important to me. i feel like, in a way, it tells my story (and my friends’ stories too). the exam is a less optimistic (more satirical) view on the education system. while insurrection focused more on the students (their passions, their will to rebel and ‘cheat’ the shitty system), the exam focused more on the unfairness that students’ intelligence could be scored with fucking TESTS. one test that determines your whole future. utopia and dystopia respectively represented privileged children (who were more likely to succeed in the exam) and the lesser privileged children (who would inevitably fail the exam because they were never given the resources). yeah, i think the exam could’ve been executed better, but i think the overarching theme was there, which i’m pretty satisfied with. i’m passionate about screaming that the american education system sucks (as you can tell by this painfully long paragraph) lol i’m thinking of writing a fic in the future about an education system that actually works!!

ANYWAYS I’M SO SORRY I WROTE SO MUCH FUCK. BUT THERE’S MORE,,, HANG ON

others’ stories and writings that have impacted my own!!

starting with published authors! i’m a huge HUGEJFLKDJFLSDJ fan of louis sachar (i’m convinced this man is a genius lol). i LOVED holes, i LOVED small steps, i LOVED fuzzy mud, i LOVEDDD the whole wayside school series. he’s so witty? and creative??? like i owe all my outrageous ideas to him because he probably single-handedly taught me creativity when i was a kid LOL another author i LOVE is fredrik backman. he writes the best slice of life/coming of age stories. i’m particularly fond of a man called ove and my grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry (which inspired nothing a lil green can’t fix!!). honorable mentions go to ishiguro’s never let me go, faulkner’s as i lay dying, juster’s the phantom tollbooth. omfg i also had a HUGE shannon hale phase (the goose girl, enna burning, rapunzel’s revenge)—very fairy tale-esque but so magical and charming and CAPTIVATING!! i owe all of these authors a huge motherfucking THANK YOU. because they built me up this far 😭😭😭i love authors who are able to fully develop their characters or have the most amazing world-building ever. i think that’s why i put so much emphasis on my characters too. i rlly learned from the best 😭😭

as for internet authors!! i actually IDOLIZED this one author from wattpad (she was SERIOUSLY underrated). and i know there’s a stigma around wattpad authors (lowkey rightfully so; there’s some nasty stuff on there) but chloe was so SO talented. she wrote like a poet. it was insane. i never saw anyone who had a way with words like her. we were actually pretty close for a while but lost touch over the years. anyways, she wrote this beautiful, heartbreaking story called chrysanthemum,,, she deleted her account though so it’s not there anymore. (i know. i agonized over this for hours). she also wrote a horror fic (creatures) that STILL chills me to the bones. she inspired me to try writing horror too (in the future, i will!) 

other than that, i love all of @inktae​’s fics! she’s also an AMAZING writer. (her writing style is so eloquent and elegant and ugh! perfection!) her stories will make you feel nostalgic and lowkey heartbroken. she also writes a lot about nature/being around nature—it’s such a nice, beautiful, serene feeling. (she’s also the master of bittersweet endings!) i think i became obsessed with bittersweet endings because of her LOL some of her works that literally breathed LIFE into me: the blue notebooks, below thunder showers, written on the sky, first light (all of them are worth reading. her fics make you want to become a novelist—the inspiration i get from them is amazing!)

another legend is @jimlingss​!! i still keep up with literally all of her works because istg she never disappoints. she has such a simple but fluent writing style, which i LOVE! it’s engaging through and through. and man, she has a talent for storytelling! but the one thing no other internet author can top is kina’s characters. some published authors can’t even develop a single protagonist in the 456 book pages they wrote yikes. (but just saying, kina can do it in like 9k words.) i have no idea how she does it but her characters just feel human—even if they're not, they STILL FEEL REAL??? (sorry i’m just fangirling) but like i’m serious, she really did inspire me to start putting more depth to my characters. after all, why would the reader be invested in a story if they don’t give two shits about the bland-ass characters?? her pivotal works that made ME wanna pIVOT my whole writing career: tears of a villain, flames and floe, game of temptation, head over heels to hell, a voyage to liberation, ghost in the machine, the weekend massacre, love pages, moirai, a piece of the moonlight

i mean look, i’d put down way more fics of kina’s that inspired me to become the writer that i am now,,, but i don’t wanna make this long ass ask even longer so ummm i’ll have to stop 😭😭but i am literally in love with all of these published and internet authors. i just don’t understand how they are so talented. i really DO learn from the best. and i learned different things from each author too!! 

all of these stories (mine and others) have impacted my writing in some way or another. from my own, i learned from my mistakes lol. from others, i learned how to be a better writer. you can only write as much as you read. i stand by that fact to this day

anyways i’m so sorry you had to read this whole fucking essay 😭😭😭😭

[enteragoodnamehere]

umm. more refs for artfight but this times it’s all my rain world ocs. world’s shittiest polycule <3