#or read if that's your cup of tea

[polarisbibliotheque]

Silly writer things and some musical ramblings

*sigh* just a little silly writing update to you all before I come back with serious stuff, shattering whole worlds, making you cry over feels for these unhinged half-demons,

I 100.000% blame my sister for throwing me back into my Richie Sambora crush and I must warn you all it will show in the next things I write for Dante - we'll have 'you yee'd your last 'haw' silly red devil in these premises soon enough and I regret nothing.

Though Dante will be more like this, probably

Before you guys ask, it's the Bon Jovi docuseries. I first listened to them when I was 6 y/o, probably, and Livin' on a Prayer was the first song I felt things I didn't even know I could feel with music. I saw Richie singing and playing, bam, love at first guitar chord.

Plus, Wanted Dead or Alive is one of Dante's life anthems, he would sing and play it 10/10 dressed like Richie, I'll die on this hill. I'll leave you with the video that made me go "I wanna be a badass guitar player someday":

(and some of my music ramblings under the cut for those interested in it, feel free to not read it but give the video a shot! Seriously. It's a very long ramble, though you might learn a thing or two on music!)

OK! MUSICAL SHENANIGANS!

Little disclaimer: I'm just getting back to it, so sorry for blabbering about this here - I kinda need an outlet and I have no one else to talk to about all this. Music has been my best friend ever since I was a kid and I had to muffle it for a very long time in my life, I'm just now coming back to life and it feels amazing!

I had piano classes at school, but I always wanted to play and learn things that weren't quite in the curriculum...

Hence why I got used to watching videos and observing musicians extensively. It's kinda creepy actually

So, Richie has a triple neck guitar here, first time I ever saw one. The first neck, I think it's something close to a mandolin, second neck a normal 6 strings guitar, third neck a 12 strings guitar - basically, 2 strings instead of just one like a regular guitar. The 12 strings is the one that gives Wanted Dead or Alive that cowboy feels to it.

Now, that behemoth of a guitar must weight a fucking ton. My normal, 6 strings stratocaster already weights like hell - don't ever be fooled by those guitarists manhandling their guitars around like nothing 'cause those things are heavy - imagine a triple threat like that. No wonder he plays most of it sitting down.

Hence why Dante can play and wield Nevan like it's made of cardboard, it's his demonic side showing, that showoff

Another thing to note, is that when he gets his electric guitar, his strap is adjusted so his guitar isn't super low on his body... And he doesn't look like young Beatles with the guitars on their chests. He looks cool, I can play my guitar like Richie and I'll be cool, 'cause I CAN'T for THE LIFE OF ME play with my guitar almost on my knees. I personally find it easier and better to play like he does.

My arms aren't that long, I'm pocket-sized, thanks Richie for avenging me back in the 80's and looking cool regardless.

And size has nothing to do with it, 'cause this man is big - and I say that by his hands. My main pet peeve with guitarists worldwide: men have big hands and can wrap them easily around the guitar necks and play 5 finger chords using their thumbs like it's nothing.

Not exclusive to men, though: my sister can do the same, but she doesn't play anything. Blessings were wasted on her :')

Nevertheless, I love watching guitarists hands and how they do stuff: how they hold their picks, how they play the notes, how they move their hands. Richie has wonderful hands and hand movements, and there's a lot to learn there by carefully watching him play.

For instance: I can rest assured I'm not learning alternate picking and training to play faster wrong, 'cause Richie rests his pinky finger of his rhythm hand on the guitar while picking the strings and it's exactly what I naturally do.

I can ditch all those "5 things you're doing wrong when playing guitar!! Avoid this!! Bet you're doing the 3rd example!!" videos, 'cause if Richie Fucking Sambora plays like this, then I'm not doing it wrong, just differently. It gives you some reassurance if you don't have a teacher or if your teacher is an asshole.

I hate people who put so many rules in music. I'm kinda like Barbossa, the Code (theory) is more of a guideline than rules set in stone, anyway. I'm learning theory, but I personally believe the ~feeling~ is more important

One thing I always do, is watch where they play on the fret and their rhythm hand movement, and I managed to figure out some songs I had trouble with just by watching them playing live.

Figured out the C9 chord while watching this video of Richie and "why isn't he playing the C chord that I play when I learned this song?" because the man knows best and taught me a thing or two I didn't know ;)

Hahahaha so, my fellow musicians, I do this with all instruments. I learn the chords, but I always watch thoroughly various videos of the guys who made the songs playing live so I can double, triple, quadruple check if I'm doing it right or how to get unstuck in a particularly annoying part I cannot figure out for the life of me.

You know those videos people make of musicians playing live on social media? Currently I'm getting a lot of Nameless Ghouls on my instagram hahahaha and said videos are WONDERFUL to watch hands and learn. I have a hand issue

And I'll end this on: Richie's ragged voice singing his part of the song at the end does things to me. Sorry Jon. But Richie snatched my heart right then and there.

I hope you guys who were patient enough to read this learned something from it and NOW I shall go write a little more and go to sleep, 'cause it's almost 2 a.m over here and I think it's showing :)

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Decided to take the leap and post the little fanfic I wrote at the start of the month to AO3. The Yiling Laozu takes a break in the burial mounds. Also, there is a worm.

[ender-lune]

does anyone else think about nlm beeduo . anyone else .

[the-magpie-archives]

Several times recently I've found myself making tea whilst listening to The Magnus Archives, and as a result I've developed a silly little headcanon...

I'm not sure if it's a nationwide thing, but certainly throughout my life I've experienced the weird stigma of having sugar in your tea. It's not direct or aggressive, but there always seems to be this vague notion that sweetening your tea makes you less strong, less manly. I rarely see men ask for sugar, and often observe an obvious proudness in teenage boys when they say "no sugar, thanks."

Picture Jonathan Sims, newly appointed archivist, worried he's not good enough, placed haphazardly in power of people who were very recently peers, and desperately trying to prove he's the right man for the job. Everything seems to be falling apart a bit, and he's not at all sure his assistants have any faith in him; he had to ask for a tape recorder because he couldn't get his laptop to work properly - that's embarrassing.

Now imagine Martin: office sweetheart, gets along with pretty much anyone, just moved to a new position working with two close friends, and the attractive guy from research is his boss (he's a bit rude and stuck up, but it's probably just the stress, right?). He's pretty comfortable! Aside from the occasional snide remark from Jon it is a good job, which is especially pleasing considering how he got to work at the institute in the first place.

Two opposing forces, as we all well know! But what's better at building bridges than a nice cup of tea? Martin makes a lot of tea, but I like to think he memorises how everyone takes theirs. Regardless, he has to ask at least once.

And so, kind, sweet, gentle Martin, his offer of a cup of tea promptly accepted, would have the misfortune of saying, "do you take that with sugar?" to an embarrassed, flustered Jon, who's trying desperately not to confront any romantic feelings he might have hidden away. The ensuing scoff and slightly too enthusiastic 'No! Thank you.' would be enough to remember that preference for a while.

As times go on, hundreds of cups of tea later, things get less tense between the pair, and Martin never has to revisit the question; but late one night, shortly before Jon is to leave for Great Yarmouth and Martin is to risk it all to take down Elias, Jon places a hand gently on Martin's shoulder and asks "Could I have a cup of tea?". Of course Martin says yes, it's the least he could do, but as he turns to go and make it, Jon calls out again. "With sugar, please."

Just a tiny vulnerability, but enough. By that point most of Jon's facade has been torn roughly away many times, but letting go of small points of pride often means more than non-deliberate actions. Having enough bravery to admit to liking something soft and sweet is harder than you'd think.

Maybe during those six months after, Martin would watch the sugar dissolve into his own tea with a painful melancholy, the sweetness a bitter memory.

[mayhemspreadingguy]

the sketches were directly inspired by @posthumousvigor 's amazing series The Outcast's Gambit. I couldn't get it out of my head for days... my coping mechanism? draw.

[daffi-990]

WIP Wednesday 📝

Tagged by @tizniz and @fortheloveofbuddie

So even though yesterday’s snippet kinda flopped like a dead fish, I kept at it and ended up writing almost 1K for my buddie Fantasy AU! 🤩

I’ve been trying to work on my descriptive writing and am quite happy with how this turned out.

(Prev snippet here & AU synopsis here)

The sun is still sitting below the horizon, its light not yet touching the city and waking it from its slumber, when he hears a crash from down an alley. He knows it’s probably a bad idea to investigate, that a mysterious noise in a dark alley is an opening in almost every crime drama for a reason, but someone could be in trouble and Buck’s conscience won’t just let him walk on by without checking. He makes his way down the alley, his steps quick but cautious, careful not to make too much noise. If someone dangerous is lurking down here, he doesn’t want to give away his position so easily. Assuming they don’t have a visual on him already.

Buck's heart thuds in his chest as he moves further into the alleyway. The alley is shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the streetlight on the road that is struggling to pierce through the shadows. The air is heavy with something that smells like rotten eggs, the scent so thick it makes Buck gag. He covers his nose and mouth with his hand, trying to block the pungent smell as best he can.

He reaches the end of the alleyway but finds no one, only a dumpster overflowing with construction waste and a rat that quickly scurries off into the darkness. Buck scoffs and shakes his head at himself; trust him to wander all the way down an alley because of a rat. As he turns to leave and continue his trek home, he jolts with a sudden fright. Standing at the mouth of the alley is a large dog.

“Holy fuck,” Buck exclaims, pressing a hand to his chest, his heart beating rapidly under his palm. “You scared the shit out of me buddy.”

The dog lifts it’s head as if sniffing the air and emits a low growl that has the hair on Buck’s arms and the back of his neck standing up. The dog begins to move forward, its form seeming to grow larger with each step until the once Rottweiler sized dog is now the size of a small horse, it’s shoulder easily at Buck’s hip height.

With trembling hands, Buck pulls out his phone and turns on the flashlight, casting a dull light onto the creature. Its black fur blends in with the darkness of the night and appears short in length everywhere apart from what Buck can only describe as a mane mullet along the back of its neck. It has razor- sharp claws protruding from each massive paw and its face is scarred and skeletal in appearance, its eyes blood red and glowing, pointed teeth on full display as it snarls at Buck.

No pressure tagging: @spotsandsocks @hippolotamus @disasterbuckdiaz @diazsdimples @wikiangela @wildlife4life @watchyourbuck @exhuastedpigeon @elvensorceress @eddiebabygirldiaz @evanbegins @rainbow-nerdss @rewritetheending @thewolvesof1998 @try-set-me-on-fire @theotherbuckley @puppyboybuckley @alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @athenagranted @shortsighted-owl @steadfastsaturnsrings @devirnis @fiona-fififi @giddyupbuck @honestlydarkprincess @homerforsure @hoodie-buck @jeeyuns @jesuisici33 @lover-of-mine @ladydorian05 @loserdiaz @spagheddiediaz @sunshinediaz @captain-hen @bekkachaos @nmcggg @missmagooglie @mellaithwen @monsterrae1

[tabl3]

Not a fan of the brylar focus recntly tbh. Can we get more Chaz in the story??

😃🤚

huh?

brother WHAT???????

hate to burst your bubble bestie, but this is NOT a really long series about chase and kaz ft. Background Lesbian 1 and 2. this is a series about all FIVE of them?????

that's actually super rude to almost insult my work by complaining that they get more of a spotlight because chase and kaz had it from decimation-requite and I shifted focus in the recent books that I happen to sacrifice my soul into. literally wtf dude

[radioactive-earthshine]

I am still so perplexed by the fanon argument and belief that it is 'no different from canon's inconsistencies' when the driving thing about fanon is that it is based on things that never happened at all. It's not even an inconstancy in most cases - it's a direct lie. It's not even headcanons or an interpretation of the source material at this point.

Much of fanon is not even making a mosaic of different elements across media (picking and choosing things to accept or reject, which most fans to do personal enjoyment), it's taking one element and inflating it and declaring that it happened everywhere else with such confidence it convinces new fans that even in the comics Bart Allen says "crash" when it was exclusive to the animation.

IDK maybe I am putting more faith in the broad ability to engage in media with compartmentalization.

My friends who do engage in only fanon are a little confused too but they're honest that they just like the fanon part of fandom better and it makes them feel better, which I cannot argue against - you do fandom the way you want, but they do agree that the Bad Dad Clark thing and UwU Bart is offensive as hell, and generally bat-propping over other characters is also just.... they don't understand why other people need to to do it.

You cannot make a transformative work fairly out of something unless you know what you are transforming.

[frownyalfred]

I mean this in the best, most educational way:

You don’t get a gold star for not liking something.

If a tag, story or trope isn’t your thing, it doesn’t make you better — or more interesting, pure, appropriate, etc.

[sparrowmoth]

all this (but heaven too) • [AO3]

Explicit | 20.5K | Wesper | Dead Dove (see details/CW on AO3)

Excerpt:

They had left the TV on for him, cycling the news. “Suspected serial killers,” was on the lips of the anchor, but she added that the Stadwatch had no credible leads or descriptions of the suspects beyond a profiler’s guess they were probably white men, middle aged and unmarried or divorced with troubled childhoods. “If you know anything, please call 1-800…” Wylan glanced at the phone on the nightstand beside him. He let his head roll back and fall against the headboard, closing his eyes. He wondered if the Stadwatch would ever catch up, and if they did, would they just trade these cuffs for another set…

Summary:

In modern day Kerch, 23-year-old Wylan has run away from home and his abusive father. He's hitchhiking between Ketterdam and Belendt when he's picked up by two men calling themselves only "Miggson" and "Prior." What he doesn't know at the time is the men are serial killers on a cross-country roadtrip, and worse than taking his life, they steal it from him. There doesn't seem much point to surviving in the weeks that follow, until one night when Wylan is sent in as a lure for Miggson and Prior's next intended victim: Jesper Fahey.

➵ Read on AO3

[littlexdeaths]

just gonna put this out here friends, please never feel pressured to read something i put out just because we are mutuals.

[cobaltfluff]

my man could you be any more obvious

-

bonus me overanalysing maruki after seeing him twice vs my smug friend who has been recommending me this game for years

[m-ilkiee]

I love how tumblr makes fun of booktok smut as if you don't read AND write the same thing or worse. Like honey that's your cousin. Your twin in fact. Pot calling the kettle black.

[dolcinos]

somewhere in canonverse, alfred totally jabs at ivan's weight during arguments and just generally wanting to humiliate him in front of the entire UN. definitely jealous because ivan is actually big-boned and has crazy height to warrant being heavier than al is; of course, he has a bit of a tummy roll, but it's mostly mass and some muscle. alfred would like to believe his own weight is from muscle and natural stature, lmfao, but alas. 99% fat.

a year later after pestering him, though— alfred is nearly double ivan's weight and counting, and it's definitely not from gaining more muscle~

[suzannahnatters]

Going back to revisit stories you haven't read in years is such a wild ride, you never know what you're in for. The gamut runs from "whoah this is terribly racist/ableist/misogynist" to "this is a much richer and more transcendent experience than I remember" to "yes I loathed this the first time I read it as an immature twerp and while I can see now that Valid Decisions Were Made...I STILL DON'T LIKE IT AND NOBODY CAN MAKE ME WOOOOOOOO"

[chaosduckies]

*rises from the dead*

Hehehe- The size shifter story is done >:3