#she's incredibly guarded

[bookwyrminspiration]

ok sorry for sending another ask but can you do some analysis of marella? just like whatever you want. I need to know how to characterize her.

you have nothing to apologize for. i'm going to answer your asks a little out of order for sake of thought progression, but I will try my best to help! (no short story spoilers, only reference to one minor line not about its plot)

For Marella, I think it's crucial to keep in mind how alone she is--or at least has been in the past. She was never fully part of her world because of her mom's condition, and she had no one to turn to. So she had to be the one standing up for herself, the one to figure things out.

So she keeps secrets even now she has closer friends. She's careful about the information she shares and when, and excellent at deflecting. She's a master of social spheres--not just the gossip, but of controlling what people see. And even with friends, that part of her is still there, unwilling to let them see everything; she's private.

Something I try to keep in mind with her as well is that she explicitly said she didn't think she was cut out for the kotlcrew's activities (Lodestar). She felt left out at first, but changed her mind. The only reason she's part of things now is because being a pyrokinetic turned her very identity into a rebellion. This wasn't a choice for her in the way it was for people like Fitz and Biana. We see this manifest in how she says she doesn't mind being bossed around. I'd describe her as almost exhausted, just wanting everything to be over. She has never had the chance at a normal, easy life. And while she loves her family, she's tired sometimes. So she follows orders, keeps to herself, contributes when she can, and is just waiting for it to end

That's more of her internally. Externally, she covers it up. She's peppy, and stubborn, and hits back. She plays at confidence and strength. Like how she makes a show of embracing her pyrokinesis and joking around when she has conflicted feelings.

Something else I've noticed is that she prods. So much. Take the lunch scene in Unlocked. She just kept talking about Sophitz and drama. Even when they got uncomfortable. Possibly to keep the conversation away from herself, possible because she's just like that. Either way, she doesn't let things rest, she keeps pushing--including past boundaries.

To sum all of this up: she is an incredibly self-reliant person because she had no one to turn to, making her private. It also makes her mask her true feelings and keep secrets a lot of the time, putting on a show of confidence and feisty strength that hides how tired and uncertain she is at times. She's talented and powerful, but has never belonged or opened herself up fully. So when writing her, when she talks she's never saying everything, and you'll have to really work through her layers or get her to say it another way.

Of course we can analyze her beyond this, but hopefully this is a helpful start!

[misuutira]

“The curse had fallen upon her shoulders, one that she had taken willingly at the time. But her regrets increased with time, much like the threads she added to the tapestries she wove.” ― D.A. Henneman, Web Of Lies: A Goddesses In Love Novella

OKAY LOOK-

HEAR ME OUT-

I have zero clue if anyone's done this concept before for an Akumatized!Marinette, but I think a Spider-themed Akuma based around the Greco-Roman myth of Arachne (Arachnette?) just works too well not to try and sketch out myself. Especially in the wake of the Season 5 finale, where she a.) was forced to weave an elaborate web of lies about her confrontation with Gabriel, the Wish, and his death, and b.) was unable to stop Monarch from accessing the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous to make the Ultimate Wish--the mission she's had since the very beginning of the series. I can only imagine how miserable girly's feeling in the aftermath and the potential Imposter Syndrome that comes with her involvement in all of it.

So, an Akumanette who believes her Akumatization to be divine retribution for thinking that she could have ever been strong or special enough to embody the traits of the gods? It seems rather fitting here imo. :)

The design is a bit busy, I'll admit, but I was having way too much fun trying out brushes that I don't normally use. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out all things considered!

[yardsards]

hey i'm on episode 20 of taz ethersea and... did amber ever get new pants??? is she still wearing the hologram suit??? is she just walking around pussy out???

[good-beanswrites]

Yor Week Day 5: Family ☕🍵

A quick drabble of Yor and a teen Anya! I just wanted a sweet little snapshot of their daily life post-canon/post-reveals

“Your birthday’s coming up.” Yor stirred her coffee. “Are you busy? Your father and I were thinking of taking you to the aquarium, he said there’s a special event going on the same day.”

“I’m not sure,” Anya leaned her chin in her hands. The pair sat at an outdoor table at the local cafe. “Becky wanted to go out. She and a few friends wanted to spend the day together.”

The aforementioned friend’s sense of fashion had started to rub off on her. Happy to lose her high school uniform on breaks like this, she was dressed in current trends and styles. She’d grown her hair long to style in her own way, refusing help from her friends. Yor never said anything, but she recognized the way the thick braids tucked just at her neck, with curling pink locks framing her face.

Anya’s features scrunched up, lost in thought for a moment. “So...” 

She was slowly ridding herself of the habit, but Yor couldn’t help her thoughts from carrying her away in nervousness. Of course the girl’s friends would want to take her out. She thought the aquarium was a good idea – Yuri had loved going too, as a kid. But that was just it, Anya wasn’t a baby anymore. She had to stop thinking she knew how to care for a family just because she’d cared for her brother for a little while. Having a daughter was different.

“That sounds fun,” she forced a smile. Knowing it wasn't the most convincing of looks, she flooded her mind with the thought. She did believe it. It did sound fun. Things with friends were always great. Yor was so happy Anya had such wonderful friends in her life. Anya deserved to have fun with them.  “Yes, you should do that!”

Sure enough, she saw Anya’s bright eyes studying her. Though her mind was spilling with positivity, the conflicted look on the girl’s face didn’t lessen.

“The thing is… we’ve been doing a lot as a family recently, and, well…”

Yor’s hands clutched around her mug. Hairline cracks appeared on the side. She willed herself to calm down, but her heart was breaking as much as the cup. It was no wonder her daughter would rather spend the day with others! She’d been too overbearing, too enthusiastic to do lame things. She’d been keeping Anya from being the free teenager she wanted to be. 

She’d heard accounts of children growing up too fast, but it was even more painful than she’d expected. It seemed like only yesterday she was threatening parents of students who were insulting Anya’s tiny stature, and now she was grown and running off to make her own birthday plans.

“So it was you that scared Mrs. Greene our first year!”

“What?!” This time, the mug did shatter. Coffee and porcelain shards spread across the cafe table.

“I knew it!” She let out a giggle. “You had papa fooled, though.” Anya handed her a napkin, and helped to mop up the mess. “And mamaaaa…” She tugged on one of her pink curls, looking away.

Yor was surprised; that little gesture was a habit of her own. “What’s wrong?”

“I was going to say… I really want to hang out with you two.”

Her eyebrows raised.

“I just thought it would be silly to cancel on Becky, you know? Since we’ve already done so much together lately. But… the aquarium sounds fun. I really want to spend my birthday with you.”

Yor nodded, trying not to let her face betray her giddiness at the sentiment. “That sounds wonderful!”

The two continued making plans. Yor wanted her to be able to see her friends as well, and there was certainly room for everyone at the aquarium. Anya wanted to make sure the 'special event' wasn't an invention of her workaholic father. The three were used to working cases together, but it was her birthday, after all.

Suddenly, Anya’s eyes narrowed. Her lips twisted into something mischievous. “So… what are you guys getting for my present?” 

“I told you, it’s a surprise,” she said as her daughter stared intently.

Her look of triumph immediately turned to horror. She swatted her hands at Yor. “Noooo! Stop that! I don’t need to hear about you and papa making out!”

“Maybe you shouldn't have been snooping.” Yor grinned shamelessly. “Come on, I get to keep one thing from you all year.”

“That’s still gross.” She made a theatrically disgusted face, which only made Yor’s smile soften. “Hey! It's not adorable when I do that.”

“You’re always adorable.” 

Anya huffed. 

“And also,” Yor grimaced.

“Mm?”

“That whole thing about Charles’ parents stays between us, alright? Your father can never know.”

The girl let out a laugh. “Aw, mama. I'm you're daughter – you know I can keep a secret.”

[miutonium]

Its 4 am, I should be sleeping but why is it that I just have the urge to draw and ship her with a pathetic nerd gf??

[horsemage]

I think we should bring back basic etiquette lessons such as shutting the fuck up when you’re watching a movie in a group that is not exclusively your friend group 🙂

[heyitslapis]

draw your (OCTP) as the one who is so touched starved it hurts & the one who can't keep their hands off of the other

(couldn't decide which color i liked better. Tumblr nerfed the images, so click for better quality) As always, reblogs are appreciated, but don't feel obligated to. I made this for me & if others enjoy it then thats a bonus!

Original image & credit under the cut!

Original image by Benaya-Trash

[revserrayyu]

One HSR Character a Day Day 41: Serval (aka: revs' favorite)

[jeremiahthefroge]

I've always said I've had more of a cat like vibe but tbh there's something about the raw loyalty of a guard dog that I identify with on a deep emotional level. There's something about the way that I would lie down beside you and let myself rot too if you died. There's something about the way I would follow your command even if it hurt me. I would follow you far after the callouses on my feet begin to crack and bleed, heedless of any thorn or sharp rock getting stuck in them. I look up at you like you're the only thing that matters. I reject normal morality and, in substitution, I put your wellbeing, your satisfaction with my efforts. I'd rather be miserable and uncertain beside you than carefree anywhere else. And when(if) I catch your attention, when(if) you express any scrap of gratitude for what I've done, it all becomes worth it, I light up. That's the highest of highs that I chase, ignoring my health to do it, knowing vaguely in the back of my mind that maybe I should prioritize myself at all, but not bringing myself to give much of a damn.

[stuck-in-the-ghost-zone]

stfu ART cannot be dead. surely not. this book is lying to me

[ophthalmotropy]

Cherish remains the standing world champion of the suibait.

[eyes1nthewoods]

watched nimona. it was ok.

[val-el]

hm. i think when jason flirts back rose stops working for .5 seconds.

[gilfrespecter]

Smore Firmament stuff

[chaoticentropy]

Navia you lovely, lovely girl.

[sonic-adventure-3]

I FAIIIILLLED. AGAINNNN. maybe this time with 105 skill points and recovery mode and rouges strength support i’ll make it. is club rouge just a brutal stage to play or is rouge wayyyyy wayyyyyyyyy harder to beat in that event compared to practice on battle highway