#other uses for dropbox

[eclecticopposition]

seeing personality disorder discussion on the dashboard. the impulse to share all the self-therapy books and tools we have has never been stronger

[katya-goncharov]

i feel like as a society we should start burning copies of cds for friends more again

[mars-ipan]

hey folks. quick interest check.

i am currently taking an intro to diversity class! it's super interesting and i love how much i'm learning, but because it's asynchronous i actually. have not been able to get myself to read a lot of these papers that we're given. but i still want access to this info! so. i'm gonna download all of them into one nice file (which i will likely have to zip but yanno) so i can read them at my own pace. my question to you is as follows:

you can rb for sample size if u want i will not stop you but like. not a requirement lmao

[dcmk-icons]

HAKUBA SAGURU ICONS // DETECTIVE CONAN FILES 1119 - 1122

please like / reblog if using; credit is appreciated but not required!

feel free to alter as desired!

100x100, 163 count!

[Dropbox]

(Previously, large numbers of images could be uploaded and added under a read-more, but that was using the legacy post editor and uploading images to text posts to bypass individual post limits. Since legacy is gone, Dropbox will now be used.)

[starryeyedstray]

hey if you're the type of writer that's like me where you tend to write specific scenes first that vaguely weave together into a plot, you might like using obsidian as a writing app.

my frustration with other writing applications is that i will write my scenes out of order and it's hard to move things around and rearrange them on a regular document.

but with obsidian there's this canvas feature where you can just write all your scenes and plot moments on these little cards that you can freely rearrange. you can color code them and connect them too.

here's the canvas i've created for my current multi-chapter fic: (if you zoom in you can see all the text in each card this what it looks like zoomed out)

as you can see, i color code them based off chapters and will group them next to a document card with the working title of the chapter. anything not color-coded are scenes that don't have a proper place quite yet or it's just world building references. this app can also be good for note-taking and collecting research!

best of all, it's FREE!!! the only downside is that if you want your stuff to sync across devices, you do have to pay for that. i constantly hop between my laptop and desktop so i pay for the syncing. but if you write on only one device it's completely free! EDIT: some reblogs have mentioned that you can apparently link your own personal cloud storage (dropbox, gdrive, icloud, etc.) to obsidian for free! that way you can access your obsidian vaults across multiple devices without the extra fee. i don't mind supporting the devs but just something to look into if costs is a concern.

i typically use it for organizing my thoughts for a first draft. once i get all the scenes arranged and mostly written out, i will copy and paste them into ellipsus (also free & highly recommended as a google doc alternative) so that they're all in one document that i can edit.

[rosegoldplumbob]

BackTrack Enchanted Dress Part 1 4t3

hello friends! i have been working on this set for a bit and the last two are giving me issues so i decided to release these two for now. Depending on how the other two dresses go, i might not even release them but im working hard to try! info and download under the cut:

Backtrack Margot Long Dress

All cc credit goes to @backtrack-cc. The original can be found here!

10.9k poly

Found in the everyday and formal also enabled for maternity

fully recolorable and 7 presets

pls tag me if you use them. i would love to see and reblog

Do not claim as your own or reupload

let me know if there are any issues that i did not catch!

Backtrack Ophelia Ruffle Dress

All cc credit goes to @backtrack-cc. The original can be found here!

12.2k poly

Found in the everyday and formal also enabled for maternity

fully recolorable

The back of the bow is a tad wonky and im not really sure why but its not bad enough to not release and only noticeable up close

pls tag me if you use them. i would love to see and reblog

Do not claim as your own or reupload

let me know if there are any issues that i did not catch!

DOWNLOAD- mediafire | dropbox

[shepherds-of-haven]

The End of an Era, and the Road Ahead

Hi everybody, the recent news about Dashingdon shutting down feels like it's a bittersweet turning point for many in the ChoiceScript community. Before Don stepped up and took things into his own hands, volunteering his own money, manpower, and time to create and maintain the site, there was no good way for people to host ChoiceScript demos and games in one place: I think the previous solution had been different Dropbox links (which was eventually nuked by security changes in how they hosted files) and possibly separate Neocities sites? Without the Dashingdon site, none of us would have had such an incredible space to gather, share and explore and experience games together, or--for some--even feel motivated to write a ChoiceScript game in the first place, not without an easy and intuitive way of sharing it with others in a playable format. The Dashingdon site significantly lowered the barrier of entry for anyone wanting to make or play or share games; more than that, it was a place of memories, creativity, and connection, and I fully believe that it served as a vital backbone of the ChoiceScript community for many years. A lot of that community relies on the efforts of volunteers--including the creator of CSIDE and the moderators on the forums--and, as with them, I can only thank Don wholeheartedly for his generosity and his 10 years of tireless, selfless, and often thankless work. The fact that a lot of people didn't even know he was a volunteer shows his altruism!

However, all of that work could have only fallen on the shoulders of one person for so long. It's a sad loss to see, though, and I'm very sorry to everyone mourning the loss of the community space, old or inactive WIPs, and save files that will be lost when Dashingdon goes dark at the end of the month. I do wish that there could be an official, stable, company-supported place for authors to host their games in one place, but at least there are alternatives for people to migrate to! (Thank you too to @hpowellsmith and everyone in the community who's taken it upon themselves to spread the news and try to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone surprised by this announcement. And thank you to the volunteer who's taken up the banner at cogdemos.ink!) I don't know if cogdemos.ink has a page set up to help defray costs, but Dashingdon himself has a ko-fi if you want to leave a tip or thanks for his years of service to the community!

To that end, I want to reassure you all that Shepherds of Haven is safe and isn't going anywhere, and that this change won't affect the game's future. The news has, however, sped up my announcement of something I've been working on for a long time: transitioning away from ChoiceScript and moving Shepherds of Haven to Twine.

Granted, this wasn't how I originally planned on sharing this news. Patrons have known about this move since I decided on it, but I'm a dogged perfectionist, possibly to a fault. I wanted everything to be absolutely polished before unveiling the Twine build, but this unexpected news has been the nudge I needed to take the leap sooner. It's always been my habit to polish my work to an extreme degree: I will rewrite entire novels five, seven, however many times it takes before I send it to my agent or editor... or even before I show it to my own fiance! I still haven't let him read Shepherds, or the novel that I've been talking to him about since 2019, because it "isn't ready" yet, not in my own mind. A common refrain I've always heard from career associates is that my work is "unusually impeccable" by the time it hits their desk. When I do share something, it's usually done. But if I'm learning anything as I grow as a writer, it's that progress matters over perfection. The sudden closure of Dashingdon has made me realize that no one moment will ever feel perfect--and that’s okay. I have to accept that things will never be as perfect as I want to make them before I let them out into the world. Instead of holding myself to an impossible standard, I’m embracing this opportunity to push forward and bring you something I'm truly proud of. (However nerve-wracking that may be!) So, instead of reuploading the ChoiceScript demo somewhere else, only to take it down again later, my efforts are going to shift entirely to getting the Twine version ready for release. It’s a huge task, but it ensures I’ll have complete control over Shepherds of Haven and its future. If I drop everything and focus entirely on this for the next several weeks, my best estimate is that it will take 3-5 weeks of full-time work to make that final push and finally get everything caught up and ready.

Why Twine? There were a lot of reasons behind my decision to move. The biggest of all was that, as the game's wordcount grew, so too did my creative vision for it, and I found myself longing for a version of ShoH that could be just as visually rich and mechanically engaging as I was imagining. Codex entries, interactive maps, infinite saves that can be downloaded directly to your device! Moving to Twine removes the limitations of ChoiceScript's simpler engine, and allows me to honor the game's creative potential and deliver on it in a way that feels true to the journey we've shared so far. It's also a platform that offers greater flexibility and independence for both me and the game: I've put so much work into this project that I'd prefer for its success to rest more in my hands, even if that means taking on the monumental task of publishing it myself, rather than anyone else's.

So. Both the public demo and the alpha build will be released in Twine as soon as I can make that happen. The majority of the work's already done--I just need to get the alpha build caught up with some lingering day off interludes and Chapters 8.5 and 9, and I need to address a queue of lingering quality-of-life questions and tweaks. I want to also note that, while there are very exciting additions to unveil, everything foundational to ShoH remains exactly the same. The story, text, and original functions have been ported in their entirety to Twine, outside of basic edits and refinements that would have happened in the normal course of revision, anyway. I have even taken pains to implement a visual "classic" setting that will replicate the font, colors, and general simplified look of the original version, if players want to use that instead. :) But otherwise, this thing is stuffed to the gills with awesome new features. Custom music soundtrack! Clickable maps! Actual trading card collectibles! Stunning new art! Revamped codex and store and inventory systems! Helpful tutorials and autosave points! Important quality of life improvements, like being able to select pronouns separately from gender and change them any time! This doesn't even touch the surface of it, but needless to say, I think we're going to have a lot of fun. Thank you all for your patience, encouragement, and support so far, and please give me some time to get my ducks in a row. A new version of Shepherds of Haven will be ready for you to play soon!

[odileeclipse]

In the Presence of Truth {"Sage of Truth" (SMC) x Reader} PT 25

<<<Previous Next>>>

It had been three weeks.

Three long, buzzing, sleepless weeks since your portfolios were submitted, carefully reviewed, triple-checked, and delivered into the arcane dropbox guarded by an enchanted golem who had politely wished you “good fortune” in five different languages. 

And now, the final wait was nearly over. The results would be posted tomorrow at dawn. You sat at your usual spot in the dining hall, the table glowing under soft lanternlight, half-listening to the hum of your friends’ voices. Every student around you carried the same barely-contained energy, like the whole Academy was holding its breath.

“I swear,” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie muttered, slumping dramatically over his tray, “if I don’t get placed in the Mythos Lab, I’m transferring to one of those boring wizard academies by the marsh.”

“You’d last two days before dying of boredom,” Chai Latte Cookie replied, poking at her mashed roots with her spoon. “Or trying to enchant the entire faculty into giving you snacks.” Hazelnut grinned. “So I’d go down in history.”

“You’d go down in flames,” Earl Grey said dryly, not looking up from his tea. “Which would be poetic, but still tragic.” 

You chuckled softly, but your thoughts wandered. Three weeks. It felt like a blur and an eternity all at once. Between lectures, late-night study sessions, and whispered evenings in the Scholar’s Wing, it had passed without warning.

“Do you think we’ll all get in?” you asked quietly. The table stilled for just a breath. Chai was the first to speak. “I think we’ve done everything we could. We worked hard. We submitted early. We made each other better.” 

She gave you a pointed look, warm and firm. “You’ve come so far.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti nodded. “We’ve got a real shot.”

“And if not,” Earl Grey added smoothly, “we’ll simply rewrite the future until it suits us. That’s what scholars do.” 

That drew a laugh from all of you. But the nerves didn’t quite fade .As you reached for your tea, Chai leaned forward suddenly, that familiar glint in her eye.

“And speaking of rewriting futures…” she said slyly. “What’s going on with you and the Sage of Truth?”

You blinked. “What?”

She grinned. “Shadow Milk Cookie. You’ve been seeing him almost every day for weeks, and I’m just supposed to believe you’re only talking about metaphysics and portfolio formatting?” 

Hazelnut made a quiet “ooh,” and even Earl Grey quirked a brow with interest. 

You hesitated. “It’s… kind of the same. I mean, we’re close. There’s this understanding between us, this rhythm we’ve fallen into. But-”

“But?” Chai’s voice softened.

You exhaled. “It’s like there’s this barrier we keep pretending doesn’t exist. We’re not just friends anymore. I think we both know that. But there’s no label. No definition. And it’s… starting to feel like that lack of definition is keeping us from something.” 

Earl Grey set down his tea. “From moving forward.” 

You nodded, voice quieter. “Maybe.” Chai looked at you, really looked, and reached across the table to squeeze your hand.

“You’ve already walked into the unknown once,” she said. “What’s one more step?”

You didn’t answer right away. You just looked at your friends how far you’d all come. How much tomorrow might change. And how much, already, had changed. Maybe in the morning, there’d be answers. Maybe even the kind that couldn’t be written into a portfolio. 

Your fingers curled around your cup, the warmth grounding you as you exhaled softly. 

The laughter and chatter that had filled the table moments before quieted, a subtle shift as your friends sensed the sincerity behind your silence. “It’s not that easy,” you said, voice low but honest. Hazelnut Biscotti, halfway through chewing a roll, paused. Chai Latte leaned in just a bit, eyes softening. 

Even Earl Grey tilted his head slightly, setting down his teacup. “It’s not like we don’t care about each other,” you continued. “I know we do. But there’s this… line. One neither of us wants to cross.”

Chai gave you a gentle smile. “Because of who he is?” 

You nodded slowly. “Because of everything he is. He’s the Sage of Truth…Shadow Milk Cookie. He’s someone with centuries ahead of him, someone who speaks in riddles and answers with stars. And I’m…” 

You gestured vaguely. “Just a student. One who nearly flunked their way through the first half of the semester and once tried to enchant pineapple ice cream.”

Hazelnut Biscotti let out a soft snort. “A noble disaster.”

You smiled faintly but didn’t look up. “I guess… I don’t know where we stand. We never really say anything. It’s always these quiet moments holding hands under the table, walking in the gardens after dark, falling asleep in his office. But we don’t call it anything.”

“Maybe he’s waiting for you to name it first,” Earl Grey said gently. 

You looked at him, surprised. “He’s older. Wiser. But that doesn’t mean he knows how to navigate this,” 

Earl continued. “Maybe he’s giving you room. Letting you choose if you want something defined…without putting pressure on it.” 

Chai reached out and brushed her thumb lightly over your knuckles. “But not knowing still hurts, doesn’t it?”

You gave the smallest nod. “It’s like… it doesn’t matter if we both know what this is if neither of us says it out loud. It feels like we’re keeping it in a box we’re both too scared to open.” There was silence, but it wasn’t heavy. Just thoughtful.

“I’m not asking for anything big,” you added. “I just want to feel like we’re standing on something solid. That I’m not imagining it.”

“You’re not,” Chai said quietly, her hand still resting over yours. Hazelnut raised his cup. “And if he breaks your heart, we’ll steal his ink bottles and sabotage every quill he owns.” You laughed, the tension in your chest loosening just enough. “Thanks, I think?”

“Anytime,” he said, grinning. “You’re doing fine,” Earl added, calm as ever. “Better than most.” And for the first time that evening, you believed that might be true. That maybe even the undefined had meaning. And maybe tomorrow would bring something more.

Your fingers curled around Earl Grey’s hands, seeking reassurance, seeking something that felt steady. His warmth was grounding, the weight of his certainty anchoring you even as doubt pulled at your edges. 

“…Do you really mean that?” you asked, your voice quieter than before. Earl Grey’s gaze was unwavering, calm as ever, yet beneath it, there was something almost tender. 

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.” The world around you faded just slightly. The dim glow of the dining hall, the quiet hum of voices none of it seemed to matter as much as this moment.

Your hands remained clasped across the table, a touch that to you felt natural like time itself had woven trust between you both, like this was just another moment in the long thread of your friendship. 

But to an outsider? To someone watching from across the room? It looked like something entirely different. Chai Latte’s lips parted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face before she masked it with a small sip of her tea. Her fingers twitched against the table, as if resisting the urge to say something. 

Hazelnut Biscotti, however, never resisted such urges. “Oh no,” he gasped, placing a hand over his chest with theatrical flair. “Are you two eloping? Has true love blossomed right before our eyes?” Hazelnut Biscotti was just jesting and his bluntness was more playful than Earl Grey’s.

Your head snapped toward him so fast you nearly knocked over your tea. “What?!” Chai Latte groaned, reaching over to lightly smack him on the arm. “Hazel, I swear-” But before she could scold him properly, something changed. A presence. A shift in the air, subtle but impossible to ignore. 

Hazelnut Biscotti, who had been grinning just a second ago, stiffened. Chai Latte’s shoulders squared, and her gaze flickered just past you. Even Earl Grey composed, unshakable Earl Grey tensed ever so slightly.

Slowly, you turned. And your breath caught. Shadow Milk Cookie stood behind you. His eyes were unreadable, sharp yet measured, scanning the scene before him your hands still clasped in Earl Grey’s, the warmth between you unmistakable, the way your friends had suddenly gone completely silent. But more than that, he felt different. The air around him carried weight, the kind of presence that made words feel insignificant. And then, your eyes dropped to his hands.

Your notebook.

Your forgotten notebook.

Your stomach twisted.

Shadow Milk Cookie lifted it slightly, his voice smooth, yet oddly restrained.

“I believe this belongs to you.”

You hesitated, barely breathing as you reached for it. Your fingers brushed against his just for a second, fleeting but tangible. His gaze did not waver. “…Thanks,” you murmured, your voice smaller than you meant it to be. For a moment, neither of you moved. Neither of you spoke. The world shrank down to the inches of space between you, the unspoken questions hanging in the air, thick as ink spilled over parchment. Then, slowly, his eyes shifted not to your notebook, not even to you, but to Earl Grey. You barely noticed the way Earl’s fingers subtly pulled away from yours. 

The moment stretched. Too long. Too quiet. Shadow Milk Cookie’s gaze flickered back to yours, something unreadable in his expression something composed, but not detached. Something lingering. “Try not to leave it behind next time,” he said, his voice perfectly even. Then, without another word, he turned, steps sweeping behind him, disappearing as quickly as he came. You exhaled shakily, suddenly hyper-aware of the tension hanging in the air. 

Hazelnut Biscotti cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “…Sooo. That was dramatic.” 

Chai Latte snapped out of her daze and smacked his arm. “Hazel, shut up!” 

“I’m just saying! That was a moment.” 

Earl Grey took a slow, deliberate sip of his tea, expression unreadable. “Intriguing.” But you weren’t listening. Because Shadow Milk Cookie had left. But something stayed. A presence, an impression, a lingering sense of something unspoken yet undeniable. And for the first time, you wondered…Was this a line being crossed? Or a boundary being drawn?

Your fingers curled around your notebook, grip tightening as your mind tried and failed to catch up with what had just transpired. You stared at the door Shadow Milk Cookie had disappeared through, heart pounding, an unsettled feeling creeping up your spine.

“…What just happened?” you asked, voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it out loud might make it make sense. 

Hazelnut Biscotti let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Oh, you’re in trouble.” 

You turned to him, eyes wide with something close to panic. “What do you mean I’m in trouble? Should I- should I go after him? Should I just leave it? What do I do?” 

Hazelnut leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I mean, if it were me, I’d probably start worrying about Earl here.” 

Earl Grey blinked. “Pardon?”

“Yeah,” Hazelnut continued, as if he were making some grand revelation. “You should probably watch your back from now on.” 

You paled slightly. “What? Why? What did he do”

“Relax,” he said, waving a hand dismissively as he turned to Earl Grey. “He wouldn’t do anything. You’re (y/n)’s friend. But if looks could kill? Earl’d be a goner.” 

Earl Grey exhaled sharply, closing his eyes for a moment. “You are truly a master of easing tension.”

“I try,” Hazelnut Biscotti said, grinning. You groaned, pressing your fingers to your temples. “No, but…what do I do?” You looked toward the door again, heart still thrumming against your ribs. “Do I go after him? Do I just pretend that didn’t happen?” 

Chai Latte finally leaned in, resting her chin in her palm, gaze softer than usual. “Well,” she said, tilting her head, “if I were him, and I walked in on that little moment between you and Earl? I’d probably be spiraling.”

You stiffened. “What…why?” Chai gestured vaguely toward where your hands had been clasped just minutes ago. “I mean, come on. If you were an outsider looking in, that whole moment looked intimate.” 

You hesitated. “But Earl and I-”

“I know it wasn’t that kind of moment,” Chai interrupted, waving a hand. “But if he did or didn’t hear the full conversation? If he just saw you two, holding hands, looking all serious and soft with each other?” 

She shrugged. “Yeah, I’d be spiraling.” Hazelnut Biscotti nodded solemnly. “I mean, you were looking at Earl Grey like he hung the stars for you.” Earl Grey sighed. “You are really not helping.”

You groaned again, covering your face with both hands. “I wasn’t! I mean, maybe a little? But that was just…he was just giving me advice! I needed to hear that from him!”

Chai tapped her fingers against the table. “And now Shadow Milk thinks you’re running off to elope.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti let out a loud snort. “You should’ve seen his face. That was the face of a man having an epiphany he wasn’t ready for.”

You peeked at her through your fingers. “Are you guys sure he was…?” 

Chai Latte gave you an exasperated look. “Do you really think he’d show up here just to return a notebook? He wanted to see you.” You opened your mouth, then closed it.

“Oh no,” you whispered. “Oh no no no.” Hazelnut Biscotti clapped a hand over his mouth, clearly thriving on your panic. “They’re realizing.” Earl Grey, ever composed, simply sighed. “Would you like to calm down before you decide what to do?” 

You didn’t respond immediately. Your brain was moving too fast, rewinding through every interaction you’d ever had with Shadow Milk Cookie, trying to pinpoint the exact moment you had somehow caused this mess.

“I have to talk to him,” you said finally, voice firm even though your heart was still a frantic mess. Chai Latte smiled, just slightly. “That’s probably a good idea.” Hazelnut Biscotti looked vaguely disappointed. “So no eloping?” 

Chai smacked his arm. “Shut up.” You barely registered their bickering, already grabbing your notebook and standing on shaky legs. Whatever just happened you needed answers. You barely registered the scrape of your chair as you pushed back from the table, the voices of your friends fading into background noise as your pulse roared in your ears.

You had to go after him.

Your legs carried you before your mind fully caught up, weaving through the dining hall’s thinning crowd, past lingering students, out into the dim corridors of the Academy. You caught a glimpse of him ahead, his clothes moving fluidly with every step, his pace measured but unwavering. He wasn’t storming off, wasn’t making a scene, but there was a distance in his stride that you felt.

A deliberate parting.

The kind that hurt.

“Shadow Milk!”

Your voice cut through the hush of the hall, sharp, urgent. Eyes watching but he didn’t stop. You picked up your pace, practically jogging to catch up, your heart hammering wildly.

“Shadow Milk Cookie, wait!”

At last, he halted.

But he didn’t turn right away.

You could see the tension in his shoulders, the subtle way his hands curled into fists at his sides before relaxing again. It was as if he was composing himself building walls you hadn’t even realized you were capable of breaking. When he finally faced you, his eyes were not cold, not indifferent, but guarded.

“I returned your notebook,” he said, voice even.

“That’s not-” You exhaled sharply, stepping closer. “That’s not the only reason why you left.” 

“No,” he admitted. You hesitated, caught off guard by his directness. But there was something else in the way he looked at you, something just beneath the surface, something aching. You swallowed. “Then why?”

His gaze flickered, just barely. Then, in a voice quieter but no less sharp.

“You turned to him.”

Your breath caught. “What?”

“Earl Grey Cookie,” he said, his expression unwavering. “You looked to him for the answers you sought. Not me.”

A strange, unfamiliar panic clawed its way up your throat. “I-I didn’t” You took another step forward, shaking your head. “That wasn’t-”

“You asked him,” Shadow Milk continued, and this time, there was an edge to his voice, something rawer than you’d ever heard from him before. “You held his hands. You let him be the one to give you certainty.” You stared at him, chest tightening. How much had he heard? Not like it mattered but still. You wondered if he had really good hearing, or if you lacked spatial awareness…maybe both. Still you had to say something anything.

“Because you never do!” The words left you before you could stop them, too loud, too vulnerable. They hung in the space between you, trembling, fragile. Shadow Milk Cookie’s eyes darkened just slightly. “And do you believe I would give you falsehoods?”

“No!” You ran a hand through your hair, exasperated. “That’s not what I…god, you always do this! You always make me untangle things myself, always guide me but never say anything outright! I needed something clear, something solid!” Something you wouldn’t dance around like a riddle. Something you wouldn’t have to question.

His jaw tightened just slightly. “And you believed Earl Grey was the one to provide that?” 

You faltered, breath uneven. “I just” You swallowed, hands curling into fists at your sides. “I don’t know. Maybe. I needed to hear it from someone. That what I feel is real.”

“And my actions have not made it real?” His voice was lower now, careful, but lined with something sharp. 

Your heart twisted. “That’s not what I meant,” you whispered. A silence stretched between you, heavy and taut. Then, quietly he asked “Do you not trust me?”

Your breath stilled.

You looked up at him, at the slight furrow in his brow, at the rare, barely perceptible hesitance in his expression. His eyes held you in place, searching; waiting.

“I do,” you murmured. “I do trust you.”

Shadow Milk Cookie exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for the briefest moment. “Then tell me, scholar.” His voice was softer now, but no less serious. “What is it that you seek from me?”

You hesitated.

“I-” Your fingers trembled at your sides. “I don’t know.” A long pause.

“Would you like me to name it?” Your breath caught. Shadow Milk Cookie’s gaze was steady, unreadable. His posture was composed, but there was something behind it, something that made your chest ache. For a moment, you stood frozen, the weight of the question pressing against your ribs.

Would you?

Would having a name for this make it easier? Would it make it real in a way you were both too scared to face? This is what you wanted is it not?

Your lips parted, but nothing came out. Shadow Milk studied you for a long moment, then, without a word, he let out a quiet breath.

“…Then we wait.” 

You swallowed thickly. “…Wait?”

He nodded, his expression unreadable once more. “Until you are ready to cross the line you claim neither of us dares to step over.” 

The breath you hadn’t realized you were holding came out shakily. He wasn’t giving you riddles. He was giving you the choice. The realization hit you with startling clarity. Shadow Milk had never been holding you back. He had been waiting for you to step forward. You let out something between a breathless laugh and a sigh, rubbing your temples. “You’re impossible.”

A faint hum. “So I’ve been told.”

You glanced up at him, expression softening. “Shadow Milk-” He tilted his head slightly. “Yes?”

You studied him for a moment, the way he watched you patient, unwavering, genuine

“…I’ll see you tomorrow,” you murmured.

Shadow Milk’s lips curled, barely perceptible. “Tomorrow,” he echoed.

You walked back toward your friends, feeling the weight of the conversation settle in your chest like an unfinished sentence, words unsaid, truths skirted around, both of you sidestepping the things that felt too fragile, too dangerous to bring into the light. Nothing had been resolved. Not really. All you had done was push it aside, tuck it neatly away like a book neither of you were ready to read, ignoring the way the pages still ached to be turned.

And so, you let it rest for now. When you reached your table, the atmosphere had simmered down. The initial chaos of your sudden departure had faded, replaced by the quiet hum of conversation, half-eaten plates, and stolen glances in your direction. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie was the first to speak.

“Hey, uh-” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely sheepish. “Sorry about earlier. I got a little carried away.” His gaze flicked to Chai Latte. “I’m apologizing…Partly because someone nearly yanked my arm out of its socket.”

Chai Latte huffed, arms crossed. “You deserved it.”

“But also because I-” He exhaled, looking at you more seriously. “I didn’t mean to make things worse. I thought I was being funny, but I should’ve read the room better.”

You stared at him for a moment before shaking your head. “It’s okay, really.”

“It’s not, though.” Hazelnut Biscotti frowned. “That was a whole thing. And I guess I kinda made it into even more of a thing.”

Earl Grey Cookie, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. “It’s not your fault,” he said smoothly, setting his teacup down with precise grace.

“And perhaps… maybe I was in the wrong. A little bit.” Chai Latte immediately turned to him, eyes narrowing. “Oh, don’t you start.” 

Earl Grey gave her a look of polite skepticism. “You don’t think I was at least partially responsible?”

“You did nothing wrong,” Chai declared, shaking her head. “Seriously, what is with all of you acting like you committed some grand crime?” 

Hazelnut Biscotti raised a hand. “To be fair, you literally just scolded me.”

“Yes, because you turned it into a whole dramatic scene,” Chai shot back, before gesturing vaguely to Earl Grey. “But him? He was just sitting there, minding his own business, and then boom he’s caught in some weird, unspoken relationship war.” 

You winced. “Please don’t call it that.”

“Then what should I call it?” Chai asked, giving you an exasperated look. You hesitated, lips pressing together. Chai let out a long sigh. “See? This is the problem.” 

Hazelnut snorted into his drink. “She’s got a point.” 

Earl Grey, ever composed, simply hummed. “Regardless, I meant what I said earlier,” he said, meeting your gaze with something softer than his usual impassiveness. “You’re not alone in this.”

Your chest ached, but in a way that felt warm. “…Thanks,” you murmured. 

Chai Latte reached out and flicked your forehead lightly. “You stress me out,” she grumbled. “I’m stealing your desserts for a week.”

“That’s excessive,” you protested. She raised a brow. “You’ll let me.” You groaned, but didn’t argue. The tension from earlier wasn’t entirely gone but here, in the company of your friends, it didn’t feel as suffocating. Though nothing was fixed not yet it was enough to know that you didn’t have to carry it alone. Still though, Chai latte just had to ask…

“Soooo…What happened?” 

You exhaled sharply, running a hand through your hair as you finally finished recounting everything. Your friends sat in varying states of contemplation, processing the storm of emotions you had just unraveled before them. 

Hazelnut Biscotti was the first to break the silence. “…Okay, first of all, damn.” 

Chai Latte Cookie let out a slow, theatrical breath, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I told you this was a slow-burn academic tragedy waiting to happen.”

Earl Grey Cookie, ever composed, leaned back slightly, studying you. “So… that’s where you left things?” His voice was careful, like he was handling something delicate. 

You nodded, still feeling the echo of Shadow Milk’s words in your chest. “Yeah. I-I don’t know if I handled it right. He looked… I don’t know. Disappointed? Or maybe just done with this whole thing.”

Chai Latte shook her head. “No, no, no…he’s not done. He just threw the ball into your court. He’s waiting.” Hazelnut Biscotti looked deep in thought. “I mean… he literally asked if you wanted him to name it. You could’ve had all the answers right then and there.” 

You groaned, dropping your head onto the table. “I know! But I panicked!” 

Earl Grey sighed, fingers steepled. “It’s understandable. Naming something makes it real.”

“Exactly,” you muttered, lifting your head just slightly. “And what if once we say it, we can’t go back? What if it changes everything? What if I’m wrong?” 

Chai gave you a pointed look. “Are you?”

You hesitated. “No,” you admitted softly. 

Hazelnut Biscotti smirked. “There it is.” 

Chai clapped her hands together. “Alright, so you do love him.” You immediately recoiled. “I never said-!”

“You never denied,” she sing-songed, leaning in closer.

Earl Grey merely raised a brow. “You have feelings for him. That much is clear.” You rolled your eyes, feeling entirely too seen. 

Hazelnut Biscotti snickered. “I’m just saying, if you’re gonna elope with him, warn us first. I need to know what kind of outfit is required for a ‘Fount of Knowledge’ wedding.” 

Chai immediately turned and shook him. “Shut up.” Earl Grey pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hazelnut, please.”

You could feel your face burning. “We are not eloping!” Hazelnut Biscotti only grinned. “Yet.”

You buried your face in your hands again. “I hate all of you.” Chai patted your shoulder, but there was an undeniable gleam in her eyes. “You love us.” You muttered something incomprehensible into your hands. 

Earl Grey, sensing that you were moments from combusting, redirected the conversation. “Jokes aside,” he said evenly, “you’re going to have to talk to him again.”

You let out a breath, still not looking up. “I know.” Chai nudged your side. “And what’s the plan?”

“…Survive.”

Hazelnut Biscotti shot you a glance. “Not a great plan.” 

Earl Grey sighed. “At least be honest with yourself.” You let your hands fall from your face, finally looking up at them at the concern, the support, the absolute lack of judgment.

“…I just need time,” you admitted. Chai Latte gave you a soft smile. “Then take it. But don’t take forever.” 

Hazelnut raised his cup. “To our poor, lovesick friend, may they figure this mess out before we all die of old age.” You groaned but clinked your cup against his anyway.

Earl Grey simply shook his head, but you could see the quiet amusement in his eyes. You sighed, slumping forward onto the table, your hands tangled in your hair as the weight of everything settled heavily in your chest.

“So, what do I do?” you asked, your voice muffled. “I didn’t fix anything. We didn’t actually talk about it. I just ran after him, panicked, and now it feels like we shoved everything under the rug again.” 

Chai Latte Cookie hummed, sipping her tea before giving you a thoughtful look. “Well… you could talk to him.”

Hazelnut Biscotti snorted. “A revolutionary idea.” 

You shot him a glare. “You know what I mean. What if he’s actually upset with me? What if he thinks I don’t trust him? What if I made things worse?” 

Earl Grey Cookie tapped his fingers against the table. “Do you really believe that?”

You hesitated.

“...I don’t know,” you admitted, pressing your forehead against your palm. “Maybe? I mean, he did leave. That means something, right? If he wasn’t upset, he would’ve stayed.” 

Chai Latte reached out, flicking your arm lightly. “He was upset. But not in the way you think. If he was actually angry at you, do you really think he would’ve stood there, listened to you, offered to name whatever it is between you?”

Earl Grey nodded. “He’s waiting. That much is clear. But you’re right about one thing, this conversation isn’t over. It’s just on hold.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand. “So, how do you unpause it?” You stared at the table, feeling the pit of uncertainty clawing at your stomach. 

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “I want to talk to him, but how do I even start? ‘Hey, sorry I looked to someone else for answers because I was scared of what yours would be’? Yeah, that sounds great.”

Chai sighed dramatically. “If only there were a world-renowned scholar of truth and knowledge who could help you work through the answers you’re looking for.” You shot her a flat look. “Helpful.”

“I am helpful,” she said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. “But seriously, you’re overthinking this.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti snickered. “Like that’s new.” Earl Grey ignored him. “Start simple. He’s always been someone who gives you the space to figure things out, hasn’t he?”

You frowned. “Yeah…”

“Then take that space. But don’t leave it empty,” Earl Grey said. “If you don’t want him to think you’re avoiding the conversation entirely, show him that you’re still there.” 

Chai smirked. “Or, you know, just ambush him in his office and demand he help you understand what you want.”

“That’s what I always do,” you groaned. Hazelnut clapped your shoulder. “Then you’re already ahead of the curve.” You shook your head, laughing despite the tightness in your chest. “You guys are terrible at giving normal advice.”

“We’re terrible at normal in general,” Chai corrected. Earl Grey sipped his tea. “You don’t need a perfect plan. Just take a step forward.” You exhaled, rubbing your temples. “Alright. Fine. I’ll figure something out.”

Hazelnut grinned. “That’s the spirit. Now, if you do elope, can I officiate?” Chai immediately lunged at him, and you buried your face in your hands again. You had no idea how you were going to fix this. You let out a groan, dragging your hands down your face before dropping your head onto the table.

“Why doesn’t he just take the lead?” you grumbled, voice muffled by the wood. “Why does it always have to be me asking the questions? Why does he answer every single one with another question? Shouldn’t he be the one to fix things?”

Chai Latte Cookie let out a soft snort, sipping her tea with amusement. “You do realize who you’re talking about, right?” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie grinned. “Yeah, we’re talking about the Sage of Truth. Mr. ‘The Answers Lie Within You,’ Mr. ‘Have You Considered the Implications of Your Own Inquiry?’ Mr.-”

“Alright, alright,” you groaned, waving a hand to cut him off. “I get it.” 

Earl Grey Cookie, ever composed, tilted his head slightly. “Do you really want him to ‘fix’ this? Or do you want him to say something you’re too afraid to say first?” You huffed, crossing your arms. “Both.”

Chai Latte smirked. “Oh, so now you want him to tell you what to do?”

You slumped further into your seat. “Yes. No. I don’t know.” You lifted your head just enough to glare at them. “I’m allowed to rant.”

Hazelnut Biscotti leaned back, grinning. “Of course. Please, go on about how the all-knowing scholar should do all the emotional labor for you.”

You groaned again, flopping back into your chair. “I don’t mean it like that! It’s just…he always makes me figure things out on my own. Even now, when it’s us. It’s like he’s waiting for me to piece together some grand revelation, and I’m just” You gestured wildly. “floundering around like an idiot.”

Chai Latte patted your shoulder, not unkindly. “Sweetheart, you’re always floundering.”

“Not helping.”

Earl Grey, who had been quietly observing, finally sighed. “He’s not doing this to frustrate you.” You huffed. “Could’ve fooled me.”

“He’s giving you control,” Earl Grey continued, voice calm. “If he were to take the lead and define this for you, that would mean he’s the one deciding what it is. That’s not how he operates. You know that.” 

You opened your mouth, ready to argue but then you paused. Because, well… he wasn’t wrong. Shadow Milk Cookie never imposed his truth onto others. That wasn’t his way. He let others seek, find, discover and let them come to their own conclusions. So of course, when it came to this, to you he wasn’t going to define it for you.

You slumped, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Ugh.”

Hazelnut Biscotti raised a brow. “That’s it? Just ‘ugh’?”

“Yes.” You gestured vaguely. “Just… ugh.”

Chai Latte laughed. “You really are hopeless.” 

Earl Grey simply took another sip of tea. “You don’t have to figure everything out tonight.” You sighed. “I know.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti smirked. “But for the record, if you do decide to confess dramatically, let me know so I can sell tickets.”

Chai Latte smacked him on the arm. This was going to be a long night. Not just for you, but for poor Hazelnut’s arm…

The following day anxiety ate away at your will. The sun had barely crested the horizon when the four of you found yourselves huddled together in the main hall, where the announcement would be posted. 

The tension in the air was palpable, thick with anticipation and unspoken prayers. The events of the night prior still lingered in your mind Shadow Milk Cookie, his unreadable expression, the weight of everything left unsaid but right now, there was only this.

The results.

The Spire of Knowledge’s early decisions.

Chai Latte Cookie bounced on the balls of her feet, hands clasped together like she was physically holding herself back from sprinting straight to the notice board. 

“I hate this,” she whispered dramatically. “Why do they make it feel like we’re awaiting some divine judgment? Just post the names and let us live.”

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie cracked his knuckles, squinting at the large parchment still being pinned to the board by one of the faculty assistants. “I say we just charge in. Strength in numbers. If we’re gonna be disappointed, let’s at least be disappointed together.”

You swallowed hard, fingers twitching at your sides. The weight of weeks, months of inadvertent effort, of sleepless nights and endless study sessions, pressed against your chest. 

You thought of the research statement, the carefully compiled portfolio, the nights spent poring over notes until your vision blurred. You thought of Shadow Milk Cookie’s revisions, of the way he had taken your work and strengthened it with a precision only he could wield.

You thought of him, and what it would mean if your name wasn’t there. Earl Grey Cookie, the only one among you who appeared remotely composed, adjusted his cuffs. “It’s posted,” he murmured. 

Chai Latte let out a tiny noise of distress. The four of you exchanged glances. Then, all at once, you surged forward. The notice board loomed in front of you, names scrawled in elegant script beneath the seal of the Academy. Students rushing towards the board didn’t help your anxiety. Your eyes scanned frantically, your heartbeat hammering against your ribs.

Then-

You found it.

Your name.

It was there.

You got in.

A sharp breath left you, disbelief crashing over you in waves. For a moment, you could only stare, the words blurring as something deep and overwhelming settled into your bones. Relief. Joy. Maybe even a little fear, knowing what came next.

“YES!” Chai Latte Cookie practically screamed. “WE DID IT!” Your head snapped toward the list again, your hands shaking as you searched for their names. There, Earl Grey Cookie. Chai Latte Cookie. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie.

All of you.

You all got in.

“Holy!” Hazelnut Biscotti choked out a laugh, gripping Earl Grey Cookie’s shoulder and shaking him slightly. “We did it! We actually ha!” 

He ran a hand through his hair, grinning like a fool. “This isn’t a dream, right?” Earl Grey Cookie exhaled slowly, a rare, pleased smile tugging at his lips. “It would appear that it is not.”

“Oh my gods,” Chai Latte Cookie wheezed, clutching your arm like she needed to steady herself. 

“I was so ready to start crying. I was so ready to throw myself into the abyss of despair.” Hazelnut Biscotti laughed, light and full of life, and suddenly, it felt real. You turned back to your name, tracing over the letters with your eyes like they might vanish if you blinked too hard. You did it.

You were going to the Spire.

You let out a breathless laugh, your chest feeling so full you thought you might burst. Your friends were still celebrating beside you Chai Latte was gripping Earl Grey Cookie’s sleeve and shaking it wildly, Hazelnut Biscotti was dramatically wiping an invisible tear from his eye but all you could do was stare at your name, committing it to memory. 

Then, without thinking, you turned to them, voice shaking with laughter. “We actually did it.” Chai Latte Cookie let out a small, breathless sound that might’ve been a laugh or a sob. “We did.” Hazelnut Biscotti threw an arm around your shoulders, grinning ear to ear. “You’re stuck with us now. There’s no going back.”

Earl Grey Cookie gave a quiet chuckle, nodding. “Indeed. The Spire won’t know what hit it.” And as the excitement buzzed through the air, filling the space between you and them, between the past and the future, between the uncertainty of last night and the surety of this moment.  You realized something.

Even with all the unanswered questions.

Even with the ache in your chest that hadn’t yet faded.

Right now, this was enough.

For just a little while longer, you let yourself celebrate.

The moment the realization hit that you had made it, that all of you had made it was the same moment the rest of the Academy surged forward. Or perhaps in your own excitement you hadn’t noticed it…

A tidal wave of students pressed in, eager, desperate to see their own names among the chosen. The quiet tension that had filled the hall just moments ago shattered into an excited frenzy as hopeful scholars rushed to the board, jostling against one another, voices rising in overlapping cries of victory, disbelief, and, in some cases, quiet disappointment.

The four of you barely had a moment to bask in your triumph before the wave of bodies closed in. “Oh!” Chai Latte Cookie yelped as she was nearly knocked off balance, gripping your sleeve like a lifeline. “Chaos! Absolute chaos! I love it!” 

“MOVE!” a particularly aggressive student bellowed, elbowing their way toward the list. Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie barely sidestepped a flailing arm. “Okay! Okay! We got our results, time to retreat!”

“We can’t retreat!” Chai Latte Cookie shot back, clinging to you as the crowd pressed in tighter. “We have to bask!”

“There is no basking in a stampede,” Earl Grey Cookie muttered, though even he had to take a careful step back, his usual composure momentarily disturbed by the sheer force of bodies colliding around him. You barely managed to keep your footing as someone stumbled past, their arm nearly knocking the air from your lungs. 

The press of students was relentless, an eager, anxious current sweeping through the hall like a flood. For every scholar who cried out in joy, another walked away in tense silence, their shoulders stiff with disappointment. For the four of you, though for you and your friends it was nothing but exhilaration.

“We did it,” you gasped out, ducking slightly as someone leaned in too close to read the names. “We actually did it.”

“Yes, and we will continue doing it if we can get out of here alive,” Earl Grey Cookie noted dryly. Chai Latte Cookie beamed, gripping Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie’s arm as she practically bounced in place. “I thrive in this energy. It’s like an academic battlefield.”

“We need to move before someone accidentally takes us out,” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie said, already maneuvering away from the thickest part of the crowd. 

You didn’t argue. Pushing through the mass of bodies wasn’t easy, but eventually, the four of you managed to escape, stumbling into the open hallway where the air was clearer, where you could breathe. Eventually finding a table. And that’s when it finally sank in.

No more wondering.

No more waiting.

No more agonizing over whether your name would be there.

You were going to the Spire of Knowledge.

Chai Latte Cookie turned to all of you, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Then, suddenly, brightly she laughed. “We did it.”

This time, there was no rush of students, no chaotic crowd, no distractions.

Just the four of you.

Just the weight of this moment.

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie grinned. “Yeah,” he breathed. “We did.”

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie leaned back in his chair, balancing it precariously on its two back legs. “Okay, but why does it feel like such a big deal? The Spire is literally brand new. It’s not like there are centuries of tradition tied to it.” 

You sighed, tapping your fingers against your tea cup. “Because it’s not just about the Spire. It’s about him.”

Chai Latte Cookie pointed at you in triumph. “See? You get it!” 

You rolled your eyes. “Of course, I do. The Spire is being built in his name. It’s not just an extension of the Academy…it’s his legacy.”

Earl Grey Cookie gave a small nod. “Exactly. The ceremony isn’t just for the scholars who got accepted. It’s also for Shadow Milk Cookie; he's being formally named the Fount of Knowledge. That title isn’t just honorary. It means he’s the first of his kind, the foundation upon which the Spire will be built.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low whistle. “No pressure or anything.” 

You let out a slow breath, staring down at the steam curling from your cup. You’d known all of this, but hearing it said aloud framed like this made it feel heavier. Chai Latte Cookie, of course, picked up on it immediately. “And you,” she added, leaning in with a grin, “get to have a front-row seat to all of it.” 

You scoffed, shaking your head. “I’m literally just a student. And you know we won’t be in the front row.”

Chai Latte Cookie gasped, placing a hand over her heart. “How dare you reduce yourself to such a common title! You are his student. The most special student.” 

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie grinned. “Maybe he’ll mention you in his speech.” Chai Latte Cookie gasped again, dramatically this time. “‘To my most persistent and exasperating scholar…’”

You deadpanned. “Can we not do this right now?” Earl Grey Cookie smirked, but his voice was even. “It’s understandable if it feels overwhelming. This is more than just an achievement for you it’s entwined with him.”

That was the part that made your stomach twist. Because of course it was entwined with him. Your acceptance into the Spire, your entire academic growth, everything had been shaped by him in some way. He had challenged you, guided you, waited for you in ways that even now you weren’t entirely sure how to name. 

And now, as the Spire’s foundation settled into place, he was at the center of it. Chai Latte Cookie gave you a softer look, resting her chin on her palm. “Have you even asked him how he feels about all of this?”

You blinked. “…I guess not.”

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie nudged your arm. “You should. You are his” He wiggled his brows. “favorite.” 

Chai Latte Cookie clasped her hands together. “Ooooh, what if he really does mention you in his speech? ‘And to the scholar who nearly burned down my office…’”

“I hate all of you. And for the record I didn’t come close to burning anything…I just thought I could do a magic trick…”

Earl Grey Cookie sipped his tea, unconcerned. 

You sighed, shaking your head. “Okay, so just to clarify…there’s no dramatic tradition yet, right? No elaborate robes, no candlelit rites of passage, no century-old academic oaths?”

Chai Latte Cookie shrugged. “Nope. Just a very official ceremony.” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie smirked. “With him in the spotlight.”

Chai Latte Cookie shot you a knowing look. “And you watching from the front row.” 

You exhaled sharply, tapping your fingers against the table before finally blurting out, "I have to face him today." 

Your friends stilled for a moment before Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie let out a low whistle, setting his cup down with exaggerated care. “Wow. You sound like you’re about to march into battle.”

Chai Latte Cookie, ever dramatic, pressed a hand to her forehead. “A noble warrior, braving the battlefield of emotional confrontation.” You shot her a flat look. “I mean it. I can’t just ignore what happened last night. If I don’t talk to him, it’s just gonna sit there, all weird and unspoken.”

Earl Grey Cookie hummed, ever composed. “That does seem like the wisest course of action.” Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie smirked. “Yeah, no offense, but watching you both avoid the actual problem is kind of exhausting.” 

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “I know! And I hate it! Why does he always answer my questions with more questions? Why can’t he just take the lead for once and fix things?” Chai Latte Cookie grinned, resting her chin on her palm. “Oh, you’re mad mad.”

“I’m frustrated,” you corrected, lifting your head. “Why does everything have to be a slow-burn philosophical riddle with him? I ask him one thing, and suddenly I’m left wondering if I even know what I’m asking.”

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie pointed at you. “That’s a you problem.” You shot him a betrayed look. Earl Grey Cookie finally sighed, placing his teacup down.

“You should know by now that Shadow Milk Cookie has never been the kind to force things. He waits. He guides. But he will not define this for you, no matter how much you want him to.” 

You chewed the inside of your cheek. “…So it is on me.”

Chai Latte Cookie shrugged. “Pretty much.” You inhaled deeply, then exhaled through your nose. “Fine. I’ll talk to him. I’ll fix yesterday. And then we can all sit in a circle and sing kumbaya together like civilized people.”

Hazelnut Biscotti Cookie burst out laughing. “Oh yeah. That’s totally what’s gonna happen.” Earl Grey Cookie gave you a knowing look. “You’re aware this might not resolve everything in one conversation.”

“I know,” you sighed. “But I have to try.” 

Chai Latte Cookie grinned, nudging your arm. “That’s the spirit. Now go on, brave scholar. Face your fate.” You huffed, rolling your eyes but standing anyway. Your heart pounded as you pushed back from the table, nerves buzzing beneath your skin. This wasn’t going to be easy. But nothing worth holding onto ever was.You marched down the corridors of the Scholar’s Wing with renewed determination, your friends’ words still echoing in your ears. Face it. Fix it. That was the plan. No more avoiding. No more waiting. The heavy wooden door of Shadow Milk Cookie’s office loomed ahead, its familiar presence oddly reassuring. You knocked thrice out of habit more than anything before pushing it open, already preparing to dive straight into conversation.

But the room was empty.

You blinked.

For a moment, you hesitated, hand still gripping the door handle as you scanned the space. The usual air of careful organization lingered the scent of parchment, ink, and something faintly celestial. The room looked exactly as it always did, as if time itself hesitated to disturb it in his absence.

But he wasn’t here.

You frowned. It wasn’t like him to leave his office unlocked if he wasn’t expecting someone. Did he step out for a moment? Get caught in some impromptu meeting? You had no idea. 

Your gaze drifted toward his desk. More specifically, his chair. It looked… comfortable. Too comfortable for someone who spent so much time seated in it. Sturdy, elegant, high-backed and well-worn from years of use. 

The kind of chair that radiated both authority and the promise of unparalleled back support. You glanced at the door behind you. Then back at the chair. Well. He wasn’t here. And you’d come all this way. What was the harm? Without a second thought, you strode forward and lowered yourself into the seat. And immediately understood why he sat here so often.

“Ohhh,” you muttered under your breath, leaning back against the plush cushion. “This is dangerous.” The chair cradled you in luxury, the perfect balance of support and comfort. 

You stretched your arms over your head before resting them against the armrests with a sigh of satisfaction. No wonder he always looked so composed. With a chair like this, you could solve existential dilemmas and nap without consequence. 

Your gaze flicked to the neatly stacked papers on the desk. From here, the entire office looked different. His perspective, not yours. This was where he sat when he pondered over ancient texts, where he rested his chin in thought while listening to you struggle through complex theories.

A strange thrill ran through you at the thought. You drummed your fingers against the desk. I could get used to this. Smirking slightly to yourself, you mimicked his usual poised demeanor, lacing your fingers together and resting your chin atop them. “Hmmm,” you mused in your best impression of his voice, “and what is it, that you wish to unravel today?” You snorted at your own ridiculousness, shaking your head. Maybe this was the real source of his power an excellent chair and a great vantage point.

You barely had time to revel in your success before you heard the faint click of the door handle turning behind you.

Your stomach plummeted.

Oh no. 

The second you heard the door handle turn, panic took over. Every logical thought vanished, replaced by one singular, all-consuming instinct: hide.

Without thinking, you dropped.

One second you were basking in the absolute power of Shadow Milk Cookie’s chair; the next, you were crouched on the floor, heart hammering in your chest, palms pressed against the cool stone beneath you.

Oh no. Oh no no no.

You barely had time to scramble into a somewhat reasonable position before the door swung open. Footsteps graceful, measured, and all too familiar crossed the threshold. You squeezed your eyes shut for half a second, bracing yourself. Silence.

“…I see,” came the calm, level voice of Shadow Milk Cookie. You did not see. You didn’t see anything. You were on the floor. You cracked one eye open. From your incredibly dignified position below the desk, you could just barely make out his shoes and the pointed dip of his shadow against the floor. He hadn’t moved past the doorway yet, meaning he was

Probably staring at this entire mess. Slowly, carefully, you tilted your head up just a fraction. Shadow Milk Cookie stood in the doorway, eyes fixed on you. He was holding a book in one hand, as if he’d been carrying it absentmindedly. His brows were slightly raised, but beyond that, he conveyed nothing. For a moment, neither of you spoke.

“Dare I ask,” he continued smoothly, “what you are doing?” Your mind went blank. Every excuse you could think of was horrible. 

There was no reasonable explanation for this. You scrambled for words, for dignity, for anything. “I uh” You cleared your throat, shifting slightly. “I was looking for something.”

He blinked. “Under my desk?”

“Y-yes?”

Shadow Milk Cookie’s expression did not change. “And did you find it?”

You hesitated. “Not… yet?” A pause.

“I see.”

You had no idea what he saw, but you knew it was bad. Your hands twitched against the floor. Should you just commit to this? Stay here forever? Was this your life now? He took one step closer, barely brushing the edge of the desk. “And, if I may, what exactly were you searching for?” You opened your mouth then shut it. You could not say ‘my dignity.’

“…Something important,” you said vaguely. Another silence. Then, to your absolute horror, his voice dropped into something… thoughtful. “I could assist,” he mused, as if genuinely considering it. “If it is so crucial, surely a second pair of eyes would-”

“NO.”

Your panic made your voice slightly too loud, slightly too fast. You winced immediately. Shadow Milk Cookie arched a single, elegant brow. You scrambled, waving your hands. “I mean no, no need. I got it! All good!”

 “…Is that so?” 

“Yep. I-uh-I should probably get up now.” Shadow Milk Cookie gestured, utterly composed. “By all means.”

Very slowly, very awkwardly, you shuffled out from under the desk, brushing off nonexistent dust and avoiding his gaze as much as possible. You straightened your back, willing yourself to look casual completely normal.

His eyes flickered to the chair.

Back to you.

A moment passed.

“…You sat in it, didn’t you?”

You froze.

Your silence was incriminating enough. Shadow Milk Cookie exhaled, closing his eyes briefly, as if collecting some last shred of patience. “I would ask if it was everything you dreamed,” he murmured, “but I suspect I already know the answer.” 

You, still wildly off balance, had the audacity to cross your arms. “Listen, in my defense-”

“There is no defense.”

“You weren’t here!” Shadow Milk Cookie sighed through his nose, shaking his head in a way that somehow managed to be fond despite everything. You, still flustered beyond repair, threw your hands up. “Okay, fine! I sat in the chair. It was dangerously comfortable. But you weren’t here, so what was I supposed to do? Stand? Like some kind of commoner?”

“You are a student,” he pointed out.

“Semantics.”

“Order.”

“Semantics.”

A long, drawn-out sigh. “You are truly impossible.” 

You grinned, recovering just barely. “And yet, here I stand. Not banished from your office.” Shadow Milk Cookie gave you a slow, unreadable look. Then, finally he turned, setting his book down atop the desk. “For now.” Your victory was minor, but you took it.

And as he settled into his chair, you couldn’t help but eye it one last time, mourning the sheer luxury you had just lost. Maybe if you were subtle, you could try again. The playful air between you wavered. Just slightly. Because even though Shadow Milk Cookie matched your banter with effortless grace, even though he sighed in that way that made it seem like you were merely an amusing puzzle to him yesterday still lingered between you, unspoken, unresolved. You could pretend things were fine. He certainly wouldn’t stop you.

But as he settled into his chair, the one you had just vacated you hesitated. Your gaze flickered up to his, searching. He didn’t look upset, not exactly. But he was composed in that way that felt too careful, like a book shut too quickly before you could finish reading the last sentence. It made something in your chest tighten. You fidgeted slightly, fingers curling against the hem of your sleeve. “…Are we okay?”

Shadow Milk Cookie stilled. For a moment, the room was quiet just the faint hum of the enchantments woven into the walls, the soft rustle of his sleeves as he adjusted his posture. Then he sighed, long and slow, like the weight of the question was something he had already anticipated.

“I have no quarrel with you,” he said, voice as even as ever. That wasn’t the same as we’re okay.

A/N So it's been a while since I last posted so sorry to keep you all starved, I hope this makes up for it next chapter is coming out soon just need to finish editing it but I thought may as well let you guys read this while I finish ch 26 edits and revisions, I have to say I'm not entirely happy with this chapter but I hope that I'm just being overly critical of my own work.

Anyways....

Remember to follow and reblog for more bangers 😎😎😎🔥🔥🔥

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[deniisu-sims]

Music Stuff - several creators - 4t3 conversion - for @bomberrysims

Here's the first part of her (public) commission, a set of mesh edits and conversions for a nice music / recording studio. The Get Famous small screen and the floating microphone (floats at desk height, please use ALT to make it fit from any angle) are clutter, but all the other items are functional:

The Get Famous music station works as a Showtime turntable and requires it. Screens are backlit with fullbright shader for extra cool points. When in use, the sim will step in a platform that doesn't exist, but unfortunately that's part of the animation and not just a slot. Despite that, works fiiine

The @ravasheencc ring lights from their Get Famous add-ons work as mirrors, also have fullbright shader in the lamp area, and also have a slot for a camera, plant, whatever you want. The small one is a wall mirror (as Bomberry asked me to), the big one is a regular ground mirror

The @lulujarresims microphones also work as mirrors, but no slots. They're a tad higher poly, in the 3k range, though.

All of the items are recolorable even if partially - the music station is only really recolorable for the table and the desktop computer, really. They're the kind of stuff that aren't meant to be recolorable but goddamn it, everyone here knows how I am about this kind of stuff :P

Also comes with a collection file.

Original links:

https://ravasheen.com/download/separated-more-choices-streaming-station/ (they're geostates of the standing camera and video station)

https://sims4studio.com/post/157506

DOWNLOAD (package): Dropbox / SFS

p.s. I've updated my commissions post, now Ko-fi is working :) Hope it gets easier for everyone!

[glimersims]

cloud spirit - a gshade preset

hello we are back! i made a new preset because i felt like it and now here we are :) this preset also includes some shortcut keys!

the images have not been edited at all, except for the second and third leaf pictures from the first image and just doing the gshade on/off edit.��

T.O.U:

don’t steal/claim this as your own, and do not put this or any of my content behind a paywall. Other than that, feel free to use this however you like! tag me in your posts :))

Download - free on patreon

Download - dropbox

other notes + images are under the cut!

so the shortcut keys are as follows;

shift 4: warm color shader

shift 5: relight toggle

shift 6: bloom toggle

feel free to change these buttons as they may not be super convenient for you.

ALSO, the relight shader is NOT included in this download! if you would like it and have had trouble finding it, don't hesitate to shoot me a message. here I have a picture of the gshade with and without relight in case anyone was curious.

[polarmoon]

🏜️ slip 42: starter trailer

now that the first generation of my occult legacy is over, i've decided to put together a cc-free version of josie's starter trailer :) i'll probably do this for other lots i build for the legacy each gen. enjoy!

EA ID: detectmagic

🔗 more info + tray files under the cut

📁 tray files: simfileshare | mirror on dropbox

general information:

this is a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom cc free starter home intended to be placed on the slip 42 lot in strangerville. it costs §19,536. it's not classified as a tiny home, but it fits the 64-tile requirement if you'd like to change it. you should place this lot with moveobjects on.

packs used: get to work, get together, city living, cats & dogs, discover university, eco lifestyle, snowy escape, cottage living, high school years, outdoor retreat, parenthood, strangerville, dream home decorator, werewolves, tiny living, nifty knitting you should be able to use this lot with less than the packs listed, but i did use a lot from strangerville, outdoor retreat, eco lifestyle, and werewolves.

interior previews:

one of the bedrooms is unfurnished, and can be used as a kids room or an office if needed.

enjoy! 🌵

[asphaltwhims]

Edit this screenie with me!

This is an unused screenie of Penny Pizzazz and Marcus Flex. Feel free to save the screenshot (Dropbox link below) and follow along with the instructions, or play around with it and do your own thing! I’m going to keep the instructions as simple as possible; hopefully they make sense.

Note: My process is kinda involved, but it’s a relaxing hobby for me. You do not need to do all of these steps! If the process doesn’t bring you joy, don’t bother!

I’m using procreate, but I’m also a photoshop user. You can use any software that has layers and blend modes :)

Instructions and downloads under the cut!

Dropbox link to the screenshot, and overlays!

1. Let’s start with shadows. The first step is to create a new layer. Put the blend mode to “multiply” (this darkens anything you draw on the layer). Then select a soft brush. We’ll start with Penny’s face. Use the eyedropper tool to choose a shadowy color of her skin (hold your finger on the color you want).

2. Decide where the light will be coming from (we’ll be placing it behind them on the top left). Deepen the shadows already made by the game, and add some shadows opposite to where the light will be. Choose a darker color to match each area you’re drawing on (Penny’s hair, her shirt, Marcus’ skin, his sweater).

When you’re finished drawing the shadows, go into your layer and lower the opacity. Less is more!

3. Choose the eraser (set it to soft brush). With a light hand, soften any shaded areas that are too harsh. Basically you want to blend the shadow with the skin using the eraser. You can also use Gaussian blur!

4. Let’s add some background lighting. This will also be our guide as we add bolder highlights in the next steps. Make a new layer and set the blend mode to “add.” Take your soft brush and a yellowy-orange color, and draw some glowy light coming from the top left.

Lower the opacity and take the eraser and erase much of the light on the right side of Marcus, and erase a bit of the light on their skin/ hair/ etc (like we did with the shadows). You can use Gaussian blur here too!

Note about lighting and highlights: experiment with the color of light, because some will look better depending on the environment and the sims skin tones. Because Penny and Marcus have dark skin, a bolder or darker yellow/orange will look much better than a pale yellow.

5. Let’s start adding more highlights! Make another new layer and change the blend mode to “add.” Choose a yellow-orange and paint some highlights on Penny’s hair, her left shoulder, her chest, cheekbone, and the left side of Marcus’ face. I made the image on the left a different color so you can see where I put the highlights.

Lower the opacity, and use the eraser or Gaussian blur to blend.

6. More highlights! Make a new layer and set the blend mode to “overlay.” Overlay lightens while adding color. I use “light pen” for any outlined highlights (the outer left of Penny’s hair, Penny’s shoulder, the left side of Marcus’ face), and I use a soft brush for the rest. Lower with the opacity, and use the eraser to blend.

This is a great time to play around with other highlight colors! I’m sticking with yellows, so I chose a peach color. Note: the red is to show what I drew.

7. We’re going to import a light leak overlay, and set the layer to “screen.” Then take your eraser, and erase any areas where you don’t want there to be too much light (red areas).

Finally, I’ll merge the layers together and bump up the highlights by going to adjustments > curves. Then I’ll add noise, and a vintage dust overlay. Sometimes I do more than this, sometimes less. I also like to draw hair strands and stuff, but that’s a whole second tutorial.

[alcearosea-sims]

Caruso's Pizzeria & Ice Cream

A very small pizzeria next to an even smaller ice cream shop. Two separate apartments on the 2nd and 3rd floor- one is a 2br/1bath and the other is a studio with 1 bathroom. I have played the restaurant in my own game before and it seemed buggy (not sure if that's me or EA or what) so these would probably be best as "set dressing". More stuff under the cut:

This build is very very CC heavy! Placed on 20x15 lot in Brindleton Bay. I used these packs: Snowy Escape, Eco Lifestyle, Discover University, Seasons, Cats & Dogs, Get Together, Get to Work, Vampires, Parenthood, Dine Out, Spa Day and Outdoor Retreat. Download from dropbox here or the gallery (alcearoseasims)

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

Animal reference photo compilation concept test!

I've been saving this project for a new website I'm planning, but that's been delayed by the grindstone of capitalism, so I'm going to set up this part early. This is the concept test for a repository of reference photos of a whole bunch of different species of exotic animals.

For every 50 or so photos I take of an animal, there's generally only a couple that I like and are also in focus and also framed correctly. But that led me to realize... all those slightly blurry or off-center photos are probably a great set of references for people interested in general shape/form/movement for their art! So I'm setting up of the idea before fully committing the time into making it happen.

I've been going through my photo backlog and pulling out the shots I think will be useful for art references. Lots of them show posture, facial movement, close-ups of feet or eyes, and walk cycles, but also other behaviors like jumping or drinking. They're not perfect - there's often stuff out of focus or reflections on the glass - but I think they'll still be useful for art?

The link below is to the Dropbox where I'll host these photos until I eventually get that new website/project up and running. Right now I've got folders of four species uploaded for this test: California Condor (CW for carcass feed photos), Jaguar, Komodo Dragon, and Moose. Please go check them out and tell me what you think!

~~WADTT Animal Reference Photos Dropbox Link~~

What I'm looking to learn from y'all is:

Is this type of reference photo repository useful / worth doing?

Do these photos work or are they too blurry/wonky/there's too many?

What things would make a project like this better? (Caveat, it has to stay on Dropbox for now).

If this turns out to be as useful as I'm hoping, and the photos work, I've got a whole bunch more species to upload.

[softerhaze]

dogwood tree fix;

i was complaining about this the other day and couldn't rest until i figured it out 😤 basically, something is up with the debug dogwood trees used in brindleton bay and it's causing them to appear neon green for people who have seasons installed. the dogwood trees that are purchasable in the catalog don't have this issue, so i made the debug trees reference the materials of the catalog trees 💌

∴ requires Cats & Dogs (EP04) ∴ conflicts with any file that overrides the EP04 debug dogwood tree

download (dropbox) || alternate download (sfs)

[aching-joints]

DOWNLOAD LINK HAS BEEN CHANGED TO DROPBOX, because apparently google deleted my account???

Tattoo Paint Mode Mask Remover

You know that green/blue mask on your sim when you go into paint mode for the tattoos? Yeah, that one, that creates banding in soft spots when you try to apply stencils slot by slot.

This will remove it, from every single slot.

KNOWN ISSUES THAT I !!!CANNOT!!! FIX (if anyone can, plz go ahead, I don't muck with the game files like that):

There is an order to how the tattoo's will appear on the skin, I cannot fix this as this "mod" is simple a default replacement of the pre-existing masking textures they used, it does not change any other game files or anything else.

Right Forearm > Right Bicep > Left Forearm > Left Bicep > Right Foot > Left Food > Lower Back > Shoulders > Belly > Chest > Head/Face

So if you start by painting on the Right Forearm layer, anything you paint on the Right Bicep slot will paint over the Forearm layer details. Which is fine, just be aware that there's an order to how it has to be painted.

Gallery:

Gallery uploads work correctly, as far as I could tell, you simply won't be able to display the full body tattoo if you do one. I do NOT know whether EA will accept these uploads or not, they are not automatically tagged as modded when saved, so please consider tagging them as such, just in case.

Big thanks to @j3lly-fish for helping me out with testing <3

Please do not save this file somewhere deep in your folders, simply because it would be annoying to find it if a future update breaks it (in case they actually give us a full body tattoo slot).

You need Business and Hobbies expansion pack for this to work.

DOWNLOAD (Dropbox)

If there are any other issues you find, let me know, but as far as I could tell, it seems okay and if there are any actual issues, they are likely ones that I cannot fix as this is simply a default replacement of the existing tattoo masking maps.