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#still trying to figure out a style for them
valyrfia · 1 day
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The Sainz Effect on Media: What the Hell is Going On?
Last weekend, Carlos Sainz Jr. won the 2024 Australian GP, and subsequently, almost every single F1 media outlet has seemingly lost their minds. From the aramco power rankings giving him a perfect score (despite Max not getting one for a grand slam last weekend), to motorsport.com acting like a fan account, everyone is tripping over themselves to sing his praises.
F1 is a complex sport, it requires several different aspects to even get a car moving, even more to make it competitive, and even more to enable a championship fight. From driver line-up, to aero, from international politics, to tyre deg. There's no other sport like it. To truly be an expert in Formula 1, you have to have knowledge of how a track works, an understanding of combustion engines and aerodynamics, a grasp of interpersonal and sports psychologies, and a sense of international relations. This is why, even more so than any other sport, good journalism is vital to the sport's ecosystem. No one person can be expected to be an expert in all these areas, you need a team of people who are willing to pool their knowledge and resources before coming up with conclusions to disseminate to their audience.
But media also likes narrative, and media likes an underdog, that is undeniable. And you can create an excellent underdog narrative with Carlos. From losing his seat despite his teammate keeping his, to him having to get his appendix out in Jeddah, the circumstances are there to set up an underdog narrative. But the crux of the issue is this: anyone with any sort of F1 wheel knowledge understands why Charles was kept over Carlos (a better driver even in a car built away from his driving style, who is revered almost as a messiah figure amongst the traditional fans of the team), why Sir Lewis Hamilton is a much more desirable asset to a top team than Carlos (7x world champion, who brings in a massive draw for talent that will far outlast his stint with Ferrari). So what do you do with these characters who don't match the narrative that you want to push?
Simple. You discredit them.
Make no mistake, this is what we're seeing across every major F1 news outlet in the past week. A plain journalistic choice to choose narrative over integrity. There's all sorts of rumours whizzing around as to why that could be: from possible covert payouts from Sainz Sr, to possible misogyny towards Leclerc fans to pundits simply not being bothered to do their research. But the why of it, although important, doesn't matter nearly as much as the fact that however you look at it, these journalists are failing the sport they claim to love. What's even worse, is that it takes a simple glance at numbers to tell us that these media outlets are digging themselves a hole, and are going to have to backtrack or try and excuse their belief in this narrative in the coming months.
Let's take a common line that Sky Sports like to use as an example, "Carlos Sainz is driving for himself. How incredible would it be if Carlos could compete for the championship this year." Max Verstappen will likely win the championship this year, there are no ifs and buts about it. Red Bull are still developmentally leaps ahead of their rivals, and even if Ferrari were to catch them, Max is still at the wheel. And if Ferrari were to catch them, why would Ferrari prioritise Carlos over Charles? The only driver who has been proven to be able to beat Max in his current form at Red Bull on pure pace is Charles Leclerc, which he achieved in Las Vegas last year, and would've gone on to take the win at that same race if not for the safety car. The most likely championship fight this year is Max Verstappen vs. Charles Leclerc, and that's hinging on Ferrari matching Red Bull development. This outcome is blindingly obvious to anyone who knows how this sport works, and yet the current media angle seems to not be to explain how the sport works to the general public, but rather to double down on narratives that are certainly going to be proven incorrect in a manner of months, if not weeks.
Let's look at another common angle the media seem to like to take, "You have to ask, did Ferrari make a mistake swapping out Carlos Sainz for Lewis Hamilton?". Now, if you've been even near a TV showing F1 in the past ten years, it's pretty obvious this answer is of course not. Lewis Hamilton is likely the greatest driver of all time, his name in a lot of cases outshines the sport itself. No other driver on this grid even comes close to his level of acclaim. This reason alone is enough for Ferrari to sign him. Ferrari has not won a championship in close to two decades, the best and brightest engineers want to be working where they know the results are going to come from, and right now, as a stellar engineer, Red Bull or Mercedes or even McLaren would be a choice over Ferrari, which has the added hurdle of moving to Maranello (considering nearly all the other teams are located in the Midlands in the United Kingdom). Acclaim aside, Lewis Hamilton is still a very impressive driver. P3 in the championship last year to a Red Bull 1-2 is not something to be taken lightly, considering his teammate finished in P8 in the same car with only one more retirement. It does make pure racing sense to sign him over Carlos, who finished in P7, especially since Ferrari have an up and coming talent in Ollie Bearman, and what they need is someone with experience to fill that gap until Ollie can make it to Ferrari, and will likely happily step aside when that time comes at some point in the next five years.
However, has there been a single major F1 news outlet calmly and rationally explaining this thought process for those who may enjoy the sport but are not experts? No. Instead, what we get is Sainz sensationalism, and bias so explicit it tips right over into unprofessional. From The Race saying that a Sainz/Leclerc civil war is Leclerc fan hysteria, despite their own outlet running an article just months ago about tensions in Ferrari, to motorsport.com creating a CV for Carlos, and then proceeding to harass fans who ask why they are so keen to ignore facts. Every single F1 outlet seems to have lost their minds.
The sad thing is this will only backfire massively on Carlos himself. Charles will outperform Carlos, every metric from the past year indicates so. Ferrari may be in the running for the WCC by the midpoint of the season, but Carlos's win will fade into distant memory long before we reach Spa, and the average enjoyer will look back on all this crazy media hype and go "hm, well he didn't live up to expectations did he? He was massively overrated." And this too, will be the fault of F1 media.
In conclusion, F1 media sensationalism has failed Charles, Lewis, and Max, it will fail Carlos in the coming months, but most of all, it has failed the fans of the sport, by choosing to focus on far-fetched narratives, rather than deliver proper journalism and build equally compelling narratives out of the data on the table. It highlights a lack of skill and awareness, which threatens the entire ecosystem of the sport that we all know and love.
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thechy-fychannel · 2 days
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I saw a few other blogs doing this so I thought I'd share my input on what I think would happen in the House MD universe in 2024:
the constant jokes abt house and wilson's relationship turns into the fellows jokingly writing fanfic abt their boss and his boy best friend. somewhere along the way they all get very serious abt the quality of it and it turns into a Whole Thing, a 150k+ novel that they vow to take to their graves.
house discovers the fic by accident and sends it to wilson. wilson discovers things abt himself and then he and house discover each other shortly thereafter.
house purposefully posts the fic online and credits the fellows by their entire full names so it embarrasses them more than house and wilson. It's never spoken abt again but it gets way more online attention than any of them expected.
wilson doesn't get how the Cloud works and accidentally uploads his and house's nudes to the google nest hub on his desk. He doesn't notice it until one of his sweet little old lady cancer patients points it out to him during their appointment. He throws the google nest hub into his trash can until he can figure out how to get the naked pictures off of it.
house has an alexa and abuses the hell out of it. sometimes ppl hear him screaming at someone in his office, only to walk in and find a robotic voice replying with "sorry, I didn't get that" and house throws it off the balcony.
wilson gets addicted to online shopping. house has to stage an intervention bc they do not have enough room in their closet for another pair of prada loafers and their kitchen is full of shitty gadgets that wilson bought off temu or something.
some right wing social media influencer comes in with a mysterious illness and ends up getting castrated as part of the solution. 13 personally does the procedure herself and house watches like a proud dad.
a patient reveals chase's grindr by shoving his phone at him and asking "is this you?" abt the headless profile with the ripped abs that says Dr. Feel Good, 0 feet away, in front of the rest of the team.
foreman finds the team doing tiktok dances bc house told them to learn it in order to understand their 15 yr old patient better.
chase medically murders mitch mcconnel and the entire hospital celebrates ding dong the witch is dead style.
there's a whole episode where house faces his transphobia bc of a trans patient that he connects with. the patient tells him to fuck off and go face his own problems instead of pretending to make it right by being nice to one trans person. And house does, even if he's not perfect, he really tries to do better.
13 gets her medical marijuana card and accidentally becomes the team's plug. her main customer is wilson who still supplies it to certain terminal patients. She hears "hey, can I hit your pen?" at least four times a day.
foreman buys a tesla and it blows up in the parking lot. they spend the entire episode trying to figure out who tried to kill foreman, but it turns out that teslas just do that sometimes.
there's an episode where house finds out that netflix is removing his favorite obscure tv show that ran for 2 seasons in 2002 and wilson recruits the team to hunt down a dvd copy of it without house finding out. they somehow manage to find one and spend a ridiculous amount of money on it, only to open the dvd case and find a copy of the porno wilson starred in that one time instead of the dvd of the show. park saves the day at the last minute by finding a copy of it in a box of dvds in her parents house.
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bouncybongfairy · 2 days
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Sleepy
Simon (Ghost) Riley x Fem Reader
Summary: After going days without sleep, you start to experience the effects of sleep deprivation: anxiety, hallucinations, irritability and lack of appetite. Ghost helps calm you down and rest after an intense mission.
Word Count: 1.0k+
TW: Protective Ghost, Comfort fluff, Soft Ghost
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
As a new recruit, you were getting chewed up and spit out everyday. The days were slowly starting to blur together and you weren’t sleeping well. The tiniest of sounds scaring you awake at least twice a night. Or having recurring night terrors from more gruesome missions. Everyone on the task force was starting to get concerned, it was evident you were suffering from a lack of rest. The group, you included, were walking back from a mission. You were drenched in blood after going completely feral in combat. Even strangers, you were walking ahead of everyone. Making it clear that you didn’t want to converse with anyone. Walking past Soap to get to your room, his eyes widened and looked over at Ghost and Keegan. 
“What happened?” he asks. 
“I don’t know, she just went crazy,” Ghost sighed, the situation clearly stressing him out.
“Crazy is a nice way to put it,” Keegan scoffed, Ghost shot him a death glare but he continued anyway, “don’t look at me like that bro, you were there. You saw for yourself, she bit and I repeat: bit that guy’s finger off,” he defended himself. 
“y/n did that? You know she hasn't eaten since last night? And when she did it was only peanut butter and an apple,” Soap said, taken back by this report. Ghost gave both of them a dirty look before walking to your shared room. 
He walked in and saw you sitting on your bed. You haven't taken any of your gear off, just sitting in dark silence. Unlike others in your platoon, Ghost had a first hand look into why your behavior was so erratic. All he hears at night is you tossing and turning, not even mentioning your night terrors. He just pretends he doesn’t notice, he couldn’t ignore it anymore. Shedding his gear but leaving his cotton mask on before walking over to you. He rests his hand on your shoulder, making you jump up. Slightly disoriented from being broken out of a haze, you pull out your knife. Ghost grabbed your wrist, gripping it so tight the blade drops from your hand. Slowly starting to come back to reality, sinking to your knees and crying. He helps you to the ground, letting you rest your weight against him. 
“I’m sorry,” you kept mumbling weakly. Still having full combat gear on was making you sweat. He was slowly taking your stuff off, unloading your gun and tossing it onto his bed while coaxing you down. 
“It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you,” he said, standing you up and walking you to the bathroom. 
Sleep deprivation was starting to kick in, you haven’t eaten anything in a day. After the burst of adrenaline on the mission, you could barely walk. Sitting on the bathroom floor, enjoying the cold tile against your hot and flushed skin. Ghost turned on the water, letting the tub fill up then turning his attention back to you. Resting his hand on your forehead and cringing when he felt how warm you were. He lifts you up bridal style, letting your feet dip into the water first. You jump and cling onto him so tight, it makes two of your fingernails start bleeding. 
“Holy fuck it’s freezing,” you gasp, wrapping your arms around his neck.
“I know but you have to break the fever, and you’ll throw up if you take any medication right now,” he said, trying to pry you off him. 
“Please,” you pleaded with him, death gripping his neck and wrapping your legs around his waist. 
After struggling trying to get you off, he was becoming overwhelmed. Your face was tucked into his neck and your cheek was resting on his shoulder. Breathing hard against his ear while unknowingly rubbing yourself against his erection. Once he came to the conclusion that he couldn’t get you off, he got into the water. Figuring he was killing two birds with one stone by killing his hard-on with the freezing water and getting you into the tub. You struggled underneath him for a while, until the small amount of strength you had was gone. Teeth chattering and sniffling as you cried quietly, keeping your grip around his neck. 
“I’ve gone fucking crazy,” you whispered, ghost looked down at you. 
“No love, you’ve just gone days without sleep,” he said, wetting his hands and whipping the blood off your face. Trying his best to untangle the strands that were caked to your skin. 
“Stop. You know, like my brain is fucked up. I’m fucked up,” you cried, working yourself up again. Hyperventilating and trying to get out of the tub. 
He changed your positions, sitting up and pressing his back against the tub. Pulling your back into his chest and changing the subject. Resting his chin on the top of your head while he talked, gripping your wrist so you couldn’t get out. 
“You know I used to have night terrors because my brother would scare me awake?” he said, using his thumb to stroke your hand. 
“Yeah?” you mumbled. 
“Mmhm, but I grew out of it, just like you will eventually,” he said. 
“I have blood on my hands,” you slurred, at first he thought you meant metaphorically. Until he saw you looking down at your palms, trying to wash the ‘blood’ off. Ghost isn’t a rookie and knows what sleep deprived hallucinations look like. In his experience, validation rather than conflict helps deescalate things.
“Let me wash it off, don’t worry about it,” he said, rubbing your hands under the water. 
After a few moments of this, you finally fell asleep against his chest. He got out of the water, changed the two of you into dry clothes before joining you to get some rest
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oceanisty · 2 days
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Hello, you can skip if you want.
After reading your anemo boys harem fic I just wanted to ask if you can give us headcanons or another one shots, I just like the way you write them and your writing is great.
P.s. love your writing
Hello! I'm glad that you enjoyed my anemo harem fic! and thank you so much! I'm so happy that you love them <3 I'm currently forcing myself to get outta the writers block cause MY GOODNESS it's draining me. I am SO SORRY that this took TOO LONG cause I'm getting more and more burnt out lately cause I'm gonna enter my senior year of highschool in like a few months (Damn I'm getting old...) Also, 2 blogs in a day? Damn that's a personal record. Anyways, MORE SHORT KINGS! I decided to make a few headcanons for them individually but this is STILL AN ANEMO BOYS HAREM!
Part 1
YOU ARE A TRAVELER IN TEYVAT, BUT YOU ARE NOT THE TRAVELER!
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➼ Venti who would wait for you at the gates of Mondstadt whenever he heard from Aether that he's coming for a visit with you.
➼ Venti who would greet you with his cheerful giggles and tight hugs like he hasn't seen you in AGES! (It was only for a month but it felt like ages for this little man)
➼ Venti who would give you a personal performance, a song he wrote dedicated to you. His precious windblume <3
➼ Venti who would not even try to hide the fact that he is really, literally WHIPPED for you.
"[Name]! Could you do me a favor? A tini tiny one!"
"What would it be?"
"Can I have a kiss?"
"....what?"
"what?"
➼ Venti who demands you to play and braid his hair in any style you want, he will wear for the whole day with a proud grin.
➼ Venti who would go around and tell people that you're his favorite person and his beloved flower, you had to keep reminding people of Mondstadt that you and Venti are not dating whenever you visit.
➼ Just Venti being Venti, very deeply in love with you.
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☆ Xiao who would wait for you at Wangshu Inn, hoping to see you once he got the words that you're coming to Liyue for a visit.
☆ Xiao who would uncharacteristically be worried about how he looks for the first time in decades cause he doesn't want to look different from the last time you saw him.
☆ Xiao who would hand-make jewels using pearls, crystals, pretty rocks, just anything he finds beautiful in the wild to give it to you.
☆ Xiao who tried to hide that he wants to spend time with you but fails miserably.
"[Name]... if you don't mind, would you like to join me to watch the stars again?"
"Didn't you told me that you're mostly busy at night, fighting off demons?"
".......... I sensed earlier that tonight, they wont be much of a problem to handle unlike the usual days. So... I assumed that I could take a break for once in a while."
"That's... very unlike you. But alright!"
☆ Xiao who accidentally called you "Qingxin" once when he was admiring you watching the night sky.
☆ Xiao who would watch over you if you fell asleep, putting some crystalflies on your hair. How dare you being the most beautiful glowing star in his live. It makes him feel weird.
☆ Just Xiao being Xiao, obviously in love with you.
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𖥸 Kazuha who would purposely go to places you would visit on the same day just so he could run into you and join you.
𖥸 Kazuha who would accompany you on your adventures most of the times and didn't even realized it until later on.
𖥸 Kazuha who would collect flowers that would remind him of you and keep it in a special box.
𖥸 Kazuha who would obviously write a poem to you, purposely using fancy words so you would have a hard time understanding what it means.
"That was so beautiful... could you write me another one in this second?"
"Why of course, my dove. Anything for you..."
"By the way, what did it mean?"
"That's for you to figure out <3"
𖥸 Kazuha who would play with your hair anytime, anywhere. Even place some soft kisses. That little blush that appeared on your face makes you look so cute!
𖥸 Kazuha who would be very affectionate to you both in public and private, makes other people wonder if you two are a couple. He doesn't even bother to correct them if they asked.
𖥸 Just Kazuha being Kazuha, hopelessly in love with you.
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༄ Heizou who would immediately look for you once you arrived in Inazuma.
༄ Heizou who would walk beside you with his arm around your shoulder like it's not a problem. Ignore the stares and focus on our mission!
༄ Heizou who would flirt with you 25/8 non-stop, your flustered face is just so adorable!
[insert Heizou leaning close to your face]
"U-Uhm... Heizou?
[insert Heizou holding your chin with his thumb and index finger]
"H-Heizou?!"
"Hm... your eyes are much more beautiful up close."
༄ Heizou who would stare at you with the FONDEST, THE SOFTEST SMILE whenever you're happy or excited. You're just the prettiest person in his eyes.
༄ Heizou who would tickle your tickle spots just to hear those melodic laugh of yours.... and to also annoy the hell out of you.
༄ Just Heizou being Heizou, head over heels in love with you.
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❥ Wanderer who would place his hat on your head whenever it's sunny or rainy.
❥ Wanderer follow you everywhere and anywhere you go in Sumeru because Nahida "told him to" and that he has "nothing better to do" currently.
❥ Wanderer who would make so many excuses, just to engage in a physical contact with you. Your body is just so warm against his, he couldn't help it. He likes the feeling of warmth...
"Uhm... Wanderer?"
"What?"
"Why are you holding me close?"
"This forest is dangerous to travel if alone, bet you'll get lost if I don't keep you close."
"There's literally little to no creatures roaming around this area, the forest rangers said it."
"..."
"..."
"Listen, who knows if-"
❥ Wanderer who would be a clingy little octopus in close doors, our man has no shame to cuddle up to you at night like you're a little plush.
❥ Wanderer who couldn't hide his jealousy if you came to Sumeru accompanied by Aether or Kazuha.
❥ Just Wanderer being Wanderer, totally in love with you.
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✭ Aether who would go around collecting flowers, just so he could have a bouquet ready for you whenever you cross paths.
✭ Aether who would tell you stories about his twin sister, his little secrets, and even hinting some small confessions to see if you caught onto it. You didnt
✭ Aether who would ALWAYS help you with anything in any way, even if you don't need any help, he insisted that he should. Sometimes, his eagerness shows a little too much.
"Hey [Name]! I heard that you've taken a commission from Neuvillette. Let me help you with it?"
"Oh! No need, Aether. He just wants me to deliver a few boxes of important documents for Wrio-"
"Great! Let's go get them!"
"Wait, I didn't agree-"
"It's fine, c'mon! More time to spend with you, the better!"
✭ Aether who would take you to the BEST places in Teyvat to spend time together. Thanks to him being a very active traveler, he knows which places would make your jaw drop.
✭ Aether who would insist on making his teapot your second home, he even made you a room right next to his! He also insisted that he wouldn't mind if you go to his room to sleep with him- wait what?
✭ Just Aether being Aether, extremely in love with you.
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Made by @oceanisty on 27/03/2024.
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groovyfrog420 · 2 days
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SV Redeemed AU
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INTRODUCTION / DISCLAIMER
First things first, these designs for Shadow Milk and Pure Vanilla are FAR into the future. Quite literally end game phase of the story, the “they grow old together and live happily ever after”. There's a long way to get there, and while I will write some of my thoughts about their journey, I'm a shitty writer. There's no single thought-out plot, it's just bits and pieces of my thoughts in one place. 
I don't think I'd be making a tag or naming this AU anything specific. I'm still calling it an AU because there is a bit of canon divergence, but I don’t have a start-to-finish story. (EDIT: wellp that lasted long. new name is #False-Truth AU because I like the oxymoron. I still don't think I'll do much - maybe a few short comics, which you'll be able to find under that tag on my profile)
Keep in mind that these are just my own interpretations, if you imagine these cookies acting differently, that's ok! This is just my own made-up alternate version
LONG POST UNDER THE CUT - don't say I didn't warn ya
I’ve tried to divide it into sections, so if you are looking for just smth specific / only care about one of the characters, you can skip right to it!
Prepare for the ramblings. 
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PURE VANILLA'S DESIGN 
more relaxed now - doesn’t need to keep up perfect appearances and the image of a hero, so he can lay back a bit more. (messier, less perfectly styled hair - more like his younger years. comfier clothes.) 
focusing on herbology - with less power now (why explained below) and trying to not overwork himself, he’s taken to different healing methods, as well as taking on gardening as a hobby
slightly more open eyes - (heavily elaborated on bellow) 
different staff - due to being able to use his own eyes more now, as well as staying more on the low, he’d decided to retire the famous staff. Since it’s a flower, it was planted somewhere and allowed to blossom and grow freely - fitting symbolism for a new beginning, I think. The lantern light glowing blue makes it easier on his eyes.
PV STORY BITS 
In this AU Shadow Milk and Pure Vanilla retire together. I think PV would still like to teach, but would focus more on the medical and practical side of things, like herbs and healing practices. (He’ll leave telling tales about the past  to Shadow Milk, though he might throw in his own comments from time to time…) He mostly offers advice and shares every-day methods for protection of different kinds with those who ask, but may take on an apprentice or few to fully pass down his healing knowledge to. He uses magic sparingly now. 
This way with not focusing on a variety of subjects and many, many students, he’s able to rest more and doesn’t have to split himself between multiple worries. He can focus properly and give his students more individual attention, to make sure his knowledge will be retained for the future. 
Eyes
(don't jump me pls read the footnote) 
I've decided to take the closed/covered eyes motif PV has in a bit more symbolic way *. I want to interpret it as PV being blind (=ignorant) to the world around him, choosing to see the world and his own actions in an idealized light, and to look away from anything that doesn't fit that idea. Light sensitivity would be very ironic yet fitting - since his own powers are very light-based, by using them to help others he’d be blindinding/hurting himself in the process... 
Over time, he realizes how futile it is. Even if he turns his eyes away from the wrongdoing in the world, from his own mistakes and imperfections, they will still continue to happen. He begins to understand that he has to accept that neither he nor the world is perfect, to stop wallowing over the past and start fixing the present. To keep moving forward and keep working on himself, not hide his imperfections under literal and figurative wraps. 
With the help of Shadow Milk, he begins to open his eyes more and more and accept the real truth, no matter how imperfect it is. 
*I’m not sure how confirmed it was in canon that he’s blind (from what I’ve seen it was mostly implied, but still). I'm not erasing that - for the sake of this AU, I'd like to say that he has partial issues with sight (including the mentioned light sensitivity), but now he learns to accommodate them rather than ignore them and hurt himself more for the sake of others. No, he doesn't magically gain full sight now, but he's more comfortable, healthier, and more honest about the world around him with all of its imperfections. 
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Burnout
I believe SM and PV complete each other so perfectly because they can help each other grow in areas where the other is lacking/struggling. With PV, I’d like to focus on burnout, false ideas, and how the pressure he’s constantly under has affected him. He was very much just a normal guy before receiving his Soul Jam. Years beyond a normal cookie’s lifespan of hard work and trying to be the perfect leader, to always ensure the happiness of all his people (whether that be as king or otherwise) are bound to take a toll on anyone. Obviously he'd never admit that, always putting everyone else before his own needs, and he’d likely run himself into the grave. That's where I think Shadow Milk would be helpful - he’d make him realize how unsustainable what he’s doing really is. He wasn’t built for handling immense power for all of eternity, he’s just a single cookie and whether he likes it or not, he can’t save everyone or make every single one of his people happy... Being selfish isn’t entirely wrong, sometimes might even be necessary. 
Onto the idea of false truth - Pure Vanilla has a very idealized view of a lot of things and people. He’s trying to see everyone in the best light, but he also holds a high standard for himself - that he must be the ideal, shining and caring hero and a beacon of perfection . Shadow Milk is likely to pick that image apart - probably not in the kindest way, saying that in trying to be perfectly selfless, PV is putting himself on the pedestal above everyone else while still being just a single cookie with limited capabilities. He’d likely call this image egoistical, and while PV would argue that he’s doing it for the good of others (he is helping after all, right?), Shadow Milk wouldn’t be entirely wrong - this way of thinking, that he’s the one who must take care of everyone else, is harmful for both him and the ones he’s trying to protect. 
Shadow Milk would show him that truth is relative, that “pure truth” doesn’t exist, for anyone could interpret it differently. That PV isn’t (and doesn't have to be) the perfect blameless hero. That his people aren’t as good or pure as he’d like to give them credit for, but neither are they helpless. 
Shadow Milk metaphorically and literally helps him open his eyes - he slowly learns to lay back, to accept the reality and “truth”, whatever it may be, and is no longer blinding and burning himself out by trying to help everyone at once. With a new mindset and outlook of the world, he can allow himself to retire, and leave a calmer, out-of-the-spotlight life. 
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Retirement
Ok, controversial idea, but I think the ancients will have to one day retire and pass down their SoulJams. Yes, I played Cookie Odyssey, I know how important it is to them, but hear me out. As I said above (which is shown in the game btw, but correct me if I'm wrong), they were just normal cookies before taking on the roles of the Ancient Heros. Cookies with high achievements, yes, but still. They aren’t The Beasts, baked specifically for the purpose of handling the Soul Jams, and even then, The Beasts weren’t perfect. I’m not saying they’re bound to get corrupted like their predecessors did, but I am saying that this role is bound to take a toll on them. Not even just from the perspective of power, even just handling so many responsibilities with running their kingdoms is going to be extremely draining mentally. (Physically likely too, even if they’re said to stay “always young” thanks to the Soul Jams - many stories teach that you can’t mess with nature and that nothing lasts forever...)
I don’t know who they’d pass the Soul Jams along too - whether that’d be Gingerbrave and his friends, or a new batch of heroes, that is to be decided. The point is, they have served their purpose, they have (from the perspective of this AU) defeated Dark Enchantress, and deserve to now leave the rest of  their lives in peace.
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SHADOW MILK'S DESIGN 
“mellowed out” a bit - continues to be eccentric and dramatic, but less manic
still unsettling - most level-headed cookies upon meeting him immediately get a feeling that there's something.. off about him, even if they can't put their finger on it. (I purposefully left some of his corrupted design elements or callbacks to them, like the marking over his eye, for that reason) 
vibrant, colorful, very extra in both behavior and looks, everything he does he does with drama and flourish 
quiets down when out of the eyes of the public, or alone with Pure Vanilla 
peacock elements - fitting for someone with such a vibrant personality. also the eye connection is perfect - if you look closely at the feather he's wearing, you might even notice a familiar symbol in its “eye”
a playful bard - (elaborated heavily bellow) - an identity allows him to enjoy his favorite activities, while also being a slight callback to his academic past 
SM STORY BITS
The bard 
While spending more time with Pure Vanilla, PV encouraged him to pursue his creative interests. Partly to have smth to get SM’s mind off of causing chaos, and partly because they let him indulge and express himself without causing any serious damage. Now he’s joined PV in retirement, though still not fully stepping down from the stage.
Being a bard allows Shadow Milk to indulge in everything he likes most: being the center of attention, dramatics, theatrics, mischief, a tasteful dose of lies and half-truths, but also, in a way, calling back to his past self: for while a lot of his stories are made-up tales, he can also share the history of Earthbread that he’s witnessed. Yes, he may do so through over-dramatic performances or behind caricatural characters, but every tale holds a grain of truth, does it not? Whether his audience chooses to believe him or not is their choice to make.
Referencing the fact that a big part of human history survived through word of mouth, and how storytellers play an important role in preserving it, I think it’s only fitting to make him a bard.
About visual choices
I made his redeemed design less chaotic and asymmetrical, but still vibrant and based mostly on his current color palette, rather than the one from Blueberry Academy. That's because while he may be rediscovering his interests from the past, he’s not the person he was before corruption and never will be again. Instead, he too is learning to rediscover the world in a new light, with a new identity. 
Visually I’ve tried to keep some elements from his current design, if slightly toned down: a wide collar, puffy sleeves, a flowy cape. Elements of his corruption are also still there: different colored sclera (= his one eye being black), the sharp teeth. He may have settled down and calmed down slightly, but he remains as playful as ever :)) 
He still causes local chaos once in a while or resorts to pranking unsuspecting cookies nearby (the slight charring at the bottom of PV’s robe is a result of one of such pranks getting out of hand), and PV has accepted that he'll never be a calm, put-together cookie he once might have been. However, SM's learned to not be a danger to others for the sake of the one he cares about the most, and that's enough for the both of them. 
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And that's all for now! If you've managed to get this far, thank you SO much for your patience, I hope you've enjoyed my thoughts and brainworms <3
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Happy 28th! Here is my March 2024 fic rec, organized by word count, from longest to shortest. You can view my other fic recs here. Enjoy!
Sunshine, Baby! by staybeautiful / @harruandlou (106k)
Louis was the first one down the row for their group. If he hadn’t been they would have never met.
He was turned around, walking backwards and saying to Liam, “No, I’ll get you to a real footie match next,” when he bumped into someone.
“Oops,” Louis laughed, tripping over his own feet. A hand curled around his upper arm as he nearly fell over the seat in front of him. “Sorry about that, mate.”
He turned around, still teetering in his vans, to apologize again, but the words dried in his throat. Another hand gripped his other elbow, steadying him, but all Louis could see were green eyes and dimples.
“Hi,” the man laughed, a bright, bubbling sound. “Are you okay?”
Or Louis is in his first year of law school, Harry is a junior on the swim team dreaming of the Olympics, and they both agree that they don't have time for anything more than friends with benefits... right?
Follow Your Arrow by Anonymous (78k)
Harry was the golden child, blessed in every way; Niall was the charming miscreant, a bad boy; Liam was the future-son-in-law parents of daughters dreamt of, and Zayn was the kid parents wished was their son. But Louis, Harry thought, Louis was the special one. 
It's senior year and everything is about to change.
Where We Landed by blueskiesrry / @blueskiesrry (70k)
The leaves were green the last time Harry stepped foot in Holmes Chapel, a stark contrast to the candy apple, butterscotch painting them now, years later. Harry first notices them on the train, gazing out the window with a downturned mouth. A warm something floods his stomach–memories, Harry imagines, of him as a boy, longing for the days when he’d live elsewhere and have to take this very train home for the holidays. He wonders how it’s possible to have once felt eager and euphoric at the sight of changing leaves yet now to feel nothing but tired. He sighs softly, turning away from the trees to look at his daughter, half-curled in his lap, asleep.
or: harry returns to his hometown with his sick daughter and more reminders than he bargained for of the boy he once loved when he left a handful of years ago
You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home by styleandsin / @styleandsin (43k)
Now, as he’s standing in the doorway, he’s trying not to get choked up. He hadn’t realized how much he missed this: the smell of his mother’s baking, the sounds of each of his family members, the sight of some of his old toys scattered about the foyer where his littlest siblings had presumably left them. All these things scream home, and he hadn’t felt at home since he left this house eight years ago.
 Louis needs a break from everything, from acting and the constant pressure of life in LA. He decides to move back home for a bit, some time with his family is exactly what can lift his spirits. What he doesn't expect is to fall in love. Both with the town he hated so much so that he couldn't wait to leave it years ago and with a curly haired florist that was the complete opposite of the guys he'd often meet in LA.
Something About Liminal Spaces by kingsofeverything / @kingsofeverything (34k)
Searching for inspiration for his latest book, and hoping distance will help heal his broken heart, Louis Tomlinson heads to the village of Piha on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island.
There he meets Harry Styles.
Fifteen years older than Harry, Louis tries to keep his distance, but Harry is impossible to avoid and harder to ignore.
At Risk, I Fold by clare328 / @bearmustard (15k)
2015 is a stream of hotel rooms and whisky on the rocks, tired glances and touching hands under tables. It’s the bears and the bees under a rainbow sky, and Harry and Louis have to figure out how to grow up together, instead of apart.
Wedding Bells Will Never Ring For Me by lousmoonshine / @lousmoonshine (14k)
After a failed proposal a few years back, Louis gets an unexpected invitation to his ex - Harry’s – wedding
Some Kind of Night Into Your Darkness (Colors Your Eyes With What's Not There) by larryismylifesource (5k)
Harry’s body buzzes with heat, like a current underneath his skin, because it’s been too long and his husband is right here and for once they have no obligations other than each other and he just wants.
“Lou.”
And Louis must sense it, the way the atmosphere shifts against him, the way Harry’s eyes get all big and dark with need, because he meets Harry’s gaze and then yanks him down for another kiss.
or, the boys get a day off in the middle of tour and harry and louis use it to their advantage
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kel-lance · 6 hours
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Movie Night: fem!reader x Itadori, Megumi, Toge, Yuta Part 2
Warnings: MDNI, Group sex, camera use, teasing, humiliation, mmfmm, everyone’s bi/pan, overstimulation, worship, etc(?)
premise: You hosted a game and movie night, bc it was making and nobara s anniversary and they were going out for the weekend. Okay so sodas, pizzas, snacks, really really bad movies…. sad movies, and finally scary movies. Perfect to watch with whoever could make it to your last minute plans. Turned out to be Yuuji, Megumi, Toge, and Yuta… oh great…
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“Megumi, are you paying attention?”
“And if you want them to do this,” you yelp higher this time, more surprised than anyone that Toge knew exactly which spot Yuta was talking about. He does it again to show his underclassman, slowly this time drawing out the same noise.
“Remember what I said, if you make her come before I get to I’m unleashing mahagara on all of us.” The other guys sigh and let you go. They sit back, beaming, almost satisfied with what they got out of the moment.
You’re moved from everyone’s reach, to sitting in-between megumi’s legs, his body almost swallowing yours. His long arms tried to hide you away from the others’ greedy hands and you almost let him erase you before feeling more of him. It almost took you by surprise, that he was poking at you.
You let your head fell back onto his shoulder, wondering what face megs could be making. He’s trying so hard to hold back right now. The faint grinding of your ass onto his thighs was already enough. He gasped hard, trying not to look at you, focusing so his body could last.
You crane up and kiss his cheek, this was the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. Megumi never fights back against you, so seeing him trying to deny what he’s fantasized for years, you regained your playfulness and hopped off his lap.
Turning to face him, you grasp his face and pull him into a kiss, continuing his streak of pleasure. “They thought they had the upper hand because of numbers, hah.” You were surprised, they almost made you forget how they melt under your touch. You got them to keep up with you, though, of course no one else could compare to Yuuji’s.
Either way, you’ve got fresh meat now and everything from the past comes flooding back. You met tsumiki-chan in elementary school and knew she was going through hard times. You just had a knack of figuring people out as a kid and something drew you to her, more or less a curse found her because of the loss of her parents, you pitied her and exorcised it.
Megumi wondering what happened to that weird thing he used to see on tsumiki and she suddenly feels better when she’s around me? You didn’t mind as they were a fun duo, and you get how they grew up, though you had the school take you in for your sorcery instead of certain super famous super powerful super hot descendants of certain clans. *rolls eyes*
“This is my best friend’s brother, she knew about his crush but will she kill me?!” You’re brought back as you felt meg’s tongue trace your bottom lip. “She’d be happy for us.” You dive into him, pushing him back into the headboard, ignoring the other guys watching, commenting among themselves of the show before them.
You’re on all fours while kissing him into the bed frame, ass in the air, hands pressing onto his hard chest and abs. It was someone completely new, a body that you haven’t fully familiarized yourself with, yet it’s been waiting for you.
“Are you ready?” You asked, pulling yourself back to take off just the t shirt you were wearing for movie night. I mean it was your house and you asked them to come over… you could’ve started this whenever you wanted.
——switching writing style-——
- you hover over him and tease him by dipping your hips down, he’s barely entering you but still getting his raw head
- He’s whimpering and holding onto you as he cums right away and you’re loving it, giving him words of encouragement and saying how he’s so good
- He’s whisperer he’s sorry and you tell him he’s gonna fuck you as much as he’s waited for
- “She’s loving this” they chatter
- “I remember our first time…”
- “Salmon salmon”
- Tell me when you want me to move. You’re still hard, unless you need a second?
- He huffs as he holds you and says yeah
- Yuuji comes over to sit him up and hold him as he needs aftercare.
- I guess we have our order now. Don’t tire yourself out y/n yuujis bright eyes gave a lustful hint that he’s really going to enjoy todays session
- Toge pulls you to the end of the bed and has you bend kneed on the floor as he uses his fingers to fuck you into finishing and to make it easier to scoop out megumi’s cum
- He licks you clean and spits it onto megumi who both try to fight before you hazily ask them to help you do that again and you loved it
- Yuta has you sit on his dick, showing the others about the rules of your body and how to treat you until you try to move.
- He gets excited and start to go crazy with the angles and how he’ll manipulate how gravity will make you fall back onto his dick splitting you open, getting deeper and deeper, getting more intense, so intense you gave up breathing until the involuntary gasping comes.
- There was no one else but you two, his hand grabbing at your throat to keep you up, the other hand across your womb, feeling himself through and jerking his hips. Your arms were pinned by his chest and behind your back. “Yuta, plea-“ That was the final straw, he didn’t care anymore. Taking his time? Saving his energy? Fuck that, he’s known you once, letting you love him was a huge step from coming out of “neglectbernation” or his hermit phase, but he couldn’t choose between his trauma and you, his past or his future, Rika or you. You knew he didn’t need her, you were fine with it actually when he broke the curse, but then he started to be weird about it. almost forgetting that you and rika weren’t the same person, that you weren’t a body replacement for her, it just was bad to be around so you left, noticing that he and toge started to hang out together more if they’re not watching u.
- Anyway from this position if he lets go of the weight of your whole body falls onto his cock, and he bounces you back you in ease. This would be so hot if the other boys weren’t trying to claim your face
- Yuta was the most fixed on you while toge was the most needy. Yuuji was the most clingy and Megumi was the most yearned.
- Toge come over here and help us out. Toge puts himself in you too, you can feel yuta digging in deep from behind while toge rubs against your g-spot or is that your bladder?
- You don’t know as yuta holds you up between the two boys.
- You lol your head to the side and the boys nip at your neck and ear and kiss at each other, tongues twirling before they separate on soft parts of your body
- Toge pulls himself out and brings your head down on him. Changing angles yuta rhythmically pounds into you from behind. The angle making him feel larger, you waste no time taking toge in your mouth, you tasted megumis cum, your own juices and the precum of the other two.
- This was an average Tuesday tbh, sometimes yuuji comes by to watch, sometimes we just record and watch later with everyone.
- Right now could be a good time, maybe they set up a camera somewhere before you milked Megs.
- You’ll think about it later, right now why don’t you give him a show.
- You held yourself up with your hands, sometimes with your knees. Putting your hands on the back of his hips to pull and push him into your head rather they bob your head all around.
- You pull him all the way into your throat, letting him adjust and lose himself into the tight wet hot hole. Yuta moving you all around was also aiding in his pleasure.
- Looking up trying to get a glimpse of his pretty purple eyes, you loved being able to hear his voice, so him whimpering had you all sorts of messed up
- Yuta knew it too, his voice being so pretty though demanding, it was so cool. But he also knew because you’d squeeze in him whenever toge got loud.
- Megumi couldn’t stop watching you, he could only admire you, his best friend holding him as he caught his breath.
- He was eating up every angle of you, Yuuji also watching intently, patiently. His bulge was grinding into Megumi, his hands teasing and sensually grabbing at the mess you’ve created. “He could control himself.” We all hoped.
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A/N: Next ch is 3/9 (megs fr this time, yuuj, n sukuna. (And finishing off these two.))
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Paring: Ni-Ki x Rearer
Style: fluff, soft romance, soulmates, love at first sight
Warnings: None
Word count: 5409
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Niki groggily opened his eyes, blinking several times as he tried to adjust to the morning light seeping through the curtains. "Why does my head feel like it's been stuffed with cotton?" he mumbled to himself, sitting up and scanning the seemingly empty bedroom.
"Guys?" Niki called out, his voice barely above a whisper, but there was no response.
Shrugging it off, he swung his legs off the bed, intent on finding his bandmates, but his feet got tangled in the bedsheets. With a comedic lack of grace, he tumbled to the floor with a soft 'oof'.
Just as Niki was contemplating his life choices, the door burst open, and in walked Sunoo, Jake, and Jungwon. They paused, taking in the sight before them, and then burst into laughter.
"Did the floor miss you that much, Niki?" Sunoo teased, offering his hand to help him up.
Niki, now sitting up but still on the floor, looked up at them, a sheepish grin on his face. "Seems like it. The love affair continues," he quipped, accepting Sunoo's hand.
Jake, still chuckling, added, "You okay, man? Took quite a fall there."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just...confused," Niki admitted, dusting himself off. "And dazed. I don't even know why."
Jungwon, now more concerned than amused, suggested, "Maybe a hot shower will help clear your head?"
Nodding in agreement, Niki made his way to the bathroom, hoping the water would wash away his confusion. Stripping down, he stepped in front of the mirror and that's when he saw it—a small black heart tattooed on his neck. "What the—" he gasped, fingers scrambling to rub it off, but it wouldn't budge.
Panic set in as he realized the implications. "This can't be happening," he muttered, wrapping a towel around his waist and rushing out to the living room.
"Guys! You need to see this!" Niki's voice, laced with urgency, filled the apartment.
Within seconds, Heeseung, Jay, Sunghoon, and the others who had initially been in the living room, gathered around him. "What's wrong, Niki?" Heeseung asked, concern etching his features.
Niki turned his neck to show them the tattoo. "This! I—I don't remember getting this at all," he confessed, his voice tinged with panic.
Jay whistled, inspecting the tattoo. "That's a neat design, but...how?"
Sunghoon, always the logical one, chimed in, "Did something happen last night that you're not remembering?"
Niki shook his head, frustration mounting. "That's just it. I don't know. I can't remember anything out of the ordinary."
Heeseung put an arm around Niki, trying to reassure him. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe there's a simple explanation for this."
"Yeah, like maybe it's one of those temporary tattoos that look real," Jake suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"But it won't rub off," Niki pointed out, on the verge of despair. "And what if the manager sees this? It's not exactly idol-like, is it? Or at least for my age."
The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation began to dawn on them. Then Sunoo, ever the optimist, spoke up. "Hey, maybe this is a sign of something new. A change. Who says idols can't have tattoos?"
Jungwon nodded in agreement. "Right? Jungkook has tattoos. And we're here for you, Niki. We'll figure this out, okay? Let's not panic and think this through. Maybe we can cover it up for now and talk to the manager."
Following the shower that had done little to alleviate his confusion but much to refresh him, Niki found himself sitting in front of a mirror, a determined Sunoo wielding a collection of concealer and foundation like a seasoned artist.
"Okay, hold still," Sunoo instructed, his concentration palpable as he dabbed concealer over the black heart on Niki's neck. "We'll make this thing disappear, at least for today."
Despite their efforts, the mark seemed resistant, darkening under the layers of makeup as if it had its own will. "That's...odd," Sunoo mused, stepping back to observe his work.
"You weren't drunk last night, were you?" Sunoo teased, knowing full well that Niki wasn't old enough, even though he was turning nineteen soon.
Niki chuckled, shaking his head. "Even if I wanted to, you guys are like hawks. Besides, where would I even get it from?"
Sunoo laughed, agreeing. "True, we run a tight ship. Alright, let's try one more layer."
They continued, attempting to mask the stubborn tattoo, but it seemed futile. Finally, Niki, with a sense of resignation, admired Sunoo's attempt to cover it. "You did your best, thanks, Sunoo."
"No problem, man. But let's hope it stays hidden," Sunoo replied, packing up the makeup.
As they made their way to the HYBE building, the weight of the situation hung between them, an unspoken anxiety about the mark's stubborn visibility.
Upon arrival, they realized their worst fears—the mark was as visible as ever, seemingly mocking their attempts to conceal it.
"Niki, your neck..." Heeseung's voice trailed off as he caught sight of them.
"Yeah, it didn't stay covered," Niki admitted, feeling a mix of embarrassment and apprehension.
The group huddled together, brainstorming what to do next. "What if we say it's for a role? An acting gig or something?" Jay suggested, trying to find a quick solution.
"But who would believe that?" Sunghoon countered, skeptical. "We need a better plan."
Jungwon, ever the voice of reason, suggested, "Let's be honest. We tell the management the truth. We don't know how it got there, but we'll deal with it."
The suggestion was met with nods of agreement, a collective decision to face the consequences as a team.
As they made their way to their manager's office, Niki couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. "Guys, what if this changes everything? What if..."
"Hey, no 'what ifs'," Heeseung interrupted, placing a reassuring hand on Niki's shoulder. "We're in this together. Whatever happens, we face it as a group."
Their solidarity was a small comfort to Niki as they reached the door to the manager's office. Taking a deep breath, they prepared to explain the unexplainable.
"Let's just be honest. It's the best policy," Jake whispered, as the door opened.
The manager looked up, surprised by the entire group's appearance. "What's going on? Is everything alright?"
Niki stepped forward, the mark on his neck now a symbol not just of mystery but of the unity and support of his bandmates. "There's something we need to talk to you about," he began, his voice steady thanks to the reassuring presence of his friends.
Niki, with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity, stood before their manager, the mysterious black heart tattoo prominently displayed on his neck. The rest of ENHYPEN clustered around him, a united front facing uncertainty.
"Sir, I...I woke up with this," Niki began, his voice slightly faltering as he gestured to his neck. "We've tried covering it with makeup, but it's like it has a mind of its own. It just won't stay hidden."
The manager, a seasoned veteran in handling idol crises, inspected the mark with a thoughtful frown. "Hmm, I see. Well, it's not the end of the world. We'll cover it with a band-aid. It's a common enough solution for visible tattoos."
He looked around at the worried faces of the group. "Don't panic. Focus on the schedule we have planned for today. We've dealt with bigger issues before."
The reassurance from the manager was a small comfort, but tension still hummed in the air. "But sir, it feels odd. Like it's supposed to be seen," Niki couldn't help adding.
The manager smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe it's a sign of your rebel phase, Niki. . . Just kidding. Let's just keep moving. These things have a way of working themselves out."
As the day unfolded, Niki's usual grace seemed to abandon him. Whether it was the weight of the mysterious tattoo or just an off day, he found himself in a series of clumsy mishaps. From tripping over seemingly flat surfaces to a comedic tumble from a chair, his day was a montage of accidents.
"Whoa, Niki, are you auditioning for a slapstick comedy?" Jay teased after helping him up from yet another fall.
Niki, trying to brush off the embarrassment with a laugh, responded, "haha, very funny. Maybe I should consider a career change."
Meanwhile, in the bustling heart of the city, an ordinary girl named Y/N was experiencing an extraordinary day. Surrounded by her friends in their favorite hangout spot, the conversation turned to the peculiar heart tattoo adorning her neck—a new, unexplained addition much like Niki's.
"Isn't it weird?" Y/N mused, lightly tracing the outline of the tattoo with a finger. "I woke up with it this morning and have no idea how it got there."
Her friends, equally puzzled and fascinated, leaned in for a closer look. "It's actually pretty cool. But, you know, it's also kind of spooky," one friend commented, a playful smirk on their face.
"And have you noticed?" another friend piped up, a twinkle of amusement in their eyes. "You haven't walked into a single lamppost today. What's happening, Y/N? The tattoo comes, and suddenly you're grace personified?"
Y/N laughed, the sound bright and unburdened. "Right? Maybe it's a magical tattoo. Grants you balance and coordination."
The banter continued, light and teasing, but Y/N couldn't shake off a strange feeling—an inexplicable connection to the tattoo that felt more significant than a mere coincidence.
Back with Niki and the group, as they moved through their day's schedule, the contrast between Niki's sudden clumsiness and his usual adeptness became a source of concern and curiosity among them.
"Do you think it has something to do with the tattoo?" Sunghoon speculated quietly to Heeseung as they observed Niki narrowly missing another mishap.
Heeseung frowned, deep in thought. "I don't know. But it's too strange to be a coincidence. Maybe we should look into this. There might be more to that tattoo than we realize."
The day gradually transitioned into evening, carrying with it the weight of the day's events and the mystery of the tattoos that seemed to bind Niki and Y/N, two strangers, in an inexplicable way.
As the sky darkened, the bustling activities around the HYBE building began to subside. Niki, alongside Sunoo, Jay, and Heeseung, made their way towards the parking lot, their footsteps echoing in the quiet. Other members bid their goodbyes, branching off to attend to their solo schedules, leaving the quartet to return to the shared apartment.
Meanwhile, Y/N, her day with friends winding down, found herself walking past the very same building, her laughter mingling with the evening air. She was deep in conversation, recounting the day's events, when a sudden chill swept through her.
Simultaneously, Niki felt the same unexpected cold breeze, causing both groups to pause. "Did you feel that?" Niki and Y/N asked, almost in perfect unison, turning to their companions in search of confirmation.
Sunoo, Jay, and Heeseung exchanged confused glances with Niki. "Feel what? It's just a normal evening," Sunoo said, looking around, puzzled by Niki's reaction.
"Yeah, man, what's up with you today? First the tattoo, the clumsiness, now this?" Jay added, a hint of concern laced with his words.
Heeseung, ever the supportive one, placed a hand on Niki's shoulder. "You've been on edge all day. Maybe you're just tired."
Across the street, Y/N's friends responded with laughter to her question. "Feeling cold breezes now, are we? What's next, Y/N? Talking to ghosts?" one of them teased, her amusement clear.
"It's just your clumsy mind playing tricks on you again," another friend joked, nudging Y/N playfully.
As the groups continued on their separate paths, Niki's attention was inexplicably drawn towards a figure walking away from the HYBE building—a girl, he noted, accompanied by a friend. It was a fleeting glimpse, but it was enough for him to spot the unmistakable outline of a heart-shaped tattoo on her neck, identical to his.
Niki stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Guys, did you see that?" he whispered urgently, his voice barely above a murmur as he pointed in the direction of the departing figure.
"What are you talking about now?" Sunoo asked, following Niki's gaze but seeing nothing amiss.
"There was a girl, and she... she had the same tattoo. On her neck, just like mine," Niki explained, the excitement and confusion evident in his tone.
Jay squinted in the direction Niki was pointing. "I don't see anyone, Niki. Are you sure you're okay?"
Heeseung looked at Niki with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "This tattoo thing is getting weirder by the minute. Maybe we should really look into this."
As Y/N turned the corner, disappearing from view, the groups went their separate ways, the encounter leaving Niki with more questions than answers. The cold breeze, the simultaneous shivers, and now this—a stranger bearing the same mysterious mark. The coincidences were piling up, each one adding another layer of mystery to the day's unfolding events.
Back in the car, as they drove towards the apartment, Niki's mind raced. The brief encounter, although silent and distant, felt significant. He mulled over the day's oddities—the clumsiness, the unhideable tattoo, and now this connection with a stranger.
"Maybe there's something more to this tattoo," Niki mused aloud, more to himself than to his companions.
Sunoo leaned back in his seat, pondering Niki's words. "Yeah, it's starting to seem like it's not just a coincidence."
"We'll figure it out, Niki," Heeseung assured him, his voice firm. "Whatever this is, we're in it together."
As the night deepened, Niki found himself in the living room of their apartment, surrounded by his bandmates but lost in his own thoughts. The image of the girl with the identical tattoo etched itself firmly in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something significant about her, something beyond the mere coincidence of their matching marks.
"Guys, I can't stop thinking about her," Niki finally admitted, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. "The girl with the tattoo. It's exactly like mine. And that cold breeze... it was so bizarre."
Sunoo, who had been idly flipping through a magazine, looked up, his expression one of mild interest. "You're still on that? Man, it must have really gotten to you."
"Yeah, it's not like you to dwell on things," Jay added, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "But you're sure she had the same tattoo? Exactly the same?"
Niki nodded, his frustration mounting. "Yes, I'm sure. And it's not just about the tattoo. There was this... this cold wind at the exact moment I saw her. But none of you felt it."
Heeseung, always the voice of reason, chimed in thoughtfully. "It does sound strange. But we're talking about a city of millions. Coincidences happen."
"But this feels different," Niki pressed, his voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "It's like there's a connection or something. And the fact that none of you saw her or felt the wind... It just doesn't make sense."
The group fell silent, each member processing Niki's words and the weight they carried. After a moment, Sunghoon, who had been quiet, spoke up.
"Maybe it's not for us to see or feel," he suggested, a contemplative look on his face. "Maybe this is something personal to you, Niki. Some things can't be explained easily."
"Yeah, like a mystery that's only meant for you to solve," Jungwon added, trying to inject some enthusiasm into the conversation.
Niki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just wish I knew more about her. Like, why does she have the same tattoo? What does it all mean?"
"Maybe you're meant to find out," Sunoo said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Like, this could be the start of an adventure or something."
Jay laughed, shaking his head. "Listen to us, talking like we're in some fantasy novel. But, hey, if there's anything we can do to help you figure this out, you know we've got your back."
"Yeah," Heeseung agreed, his gaze meeting Niki's. "Whatever this is, we're here for you. Maybe there's a way to track her down? Like, if you saw her around HYBE, maybe she's a fan or something?"
Niki considered this, the idea sparking a glimmer of hope. "That's true. I hadn't thought about that. But it feels like it's more than just about being fans of the same place. There's something about that tattoo... and the timing of everything."
The conversation continued, each member offering their theories and suggestions on how Niki could possibly learn more about the mysterious girl and the connection they seemed to share. Ideas ranged from asking around the area to see if anyone else had noticed her, to checking social media for any mentions of similar tattoos.
As the night wore on, the topic gradually shifted to other matters, but the seed of curiosity had been firmly planted in Niki's mind. He knew that the next days, or even weeks, would involve him trying to unravel the mystery of the tattoo and the girl who bore its twin.
In his heart, Niki felt a stirring of excitement mixed with apprehension. This was uncharted territory, a real-life mystery that felt as if it had been lifted from the pages of a book. And though he had no idea where this journey would lead him, he knew one thing for sure: he was not alone. With his bandmates by his side, ready to support him, Niki felt a surge of determination.
"I'm going to find her," he resolved, more to himself than to anyone else. "I need to know the story behind our tattoos."
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the apartment as Sunoo, already up and armed with his phone, began his quest for answers. With Niki's unusual encounter from the previous night weighing heavily on their minds, the atmosphere was one of quiet anticipation mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism.
"Anything on there about tattoos that decide to crash the party uninvited?" Jay quipped from the kitchen, fetching himself a glass of water.
Sunoo, scrolling intently, didn't look up. "Trying to find something. There's a lot about temporary tattoos gone wrong, but nothing about...you know, random matching marks."
Niki, seated at the dining table, sipped his coffee, his gaze distant. "There has to be something. It can't just be us."
Just then, Jake, who had been quietly tapping away on his own device, looked up, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Guys, you might want to hear this. Found a soulmate website that talks about matching marks, random personality changes, and even the red string of fate."
Heeseung leaned in, curious. "Soulmate website? Really? Are we diving into that pool now?"
Jake nodded, undeterred by the skepticism. "Yeah, but listen. It talks about how these marks are a sign of a deep connection, possibly soulmates. And with Niki seeing that girl with the same tattoo... It kinda fits the narrative, doesn't it?"
Sunoo perked up, his interest piqued. "Soulmates, huh? That's... kinda romantic, if you think about it."
Niki blushed slightly, the idea both thrilling and terrifying him. "But That's a big leap from just a mysterious tattoo."
Meanwhile, across town, Y/N found herself amidst her friends once again, the conversation inevitably circling back to the previous day's events. Her mind replayed the moment she passed by the HYBE building, the cold wind, and the boy who seemed to stare right at her.
"I swear, there was this chill, and this guy was just... staring," Y/N tried to explain, only to be met with laughter and playful jabs from her friends.
"Sure, Y/N, and I bet he was one of those famous idols, fallen madly in love with you at first sight," one friend teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Yeah, and the cold wind? Probably just the air conditioning blasting from the building," another added, chuckling.
Y/N rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips despite the skepticism. "Okay, okay, I get it. But it was weird, you guys. It felt... different."
Back in the apartment, the group was deep in discussion about the soulmate theory, weighing the possibilities against their own doubts and skepticism.
"So, what, we're just gonna start believing in soulmates and destiny now?" Jay asked, half-joking.
Heeseung shrugged, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Who knows? Stranger things have happened. And if this helps Niki figure things out, I say we explore every possibility."
Niki nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "I need to know more about her. About this connection. Soulmates or not, there's something there, and I can't ignore it."
Sunghoon, ever practical, chimed in. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. First step is finding her again. Then we can dive into the whole soulmate debate."
The cool evening air was a welcome reprieve for Niki as he, Jay, and Sunghoon stepped out into the bustling streets. The weight of the conversation about soulmates, about unseen connections and mysterious tattoos, seemed to cling to him like a second skin. He needed to clear his head, to find some semblance of normalcy in the whirlwind his life had become.
"I just... I need to think, you know?" Niki confessed as they walked, his voice barely above a whisper against the noise of the city.
Jay nodded, placing a supportive hand on Niki's shoulder. "We get it, man. This whole thing is... it's a lot. But we're here for you, whatever you need."
Sunghoon chimed in, his tone light but sincere. "Yeah, even if it's just to breathe some fresh air and forget about mysterious marks and destiny for a while."
Meanwhile, Y/N, her mind a maze of questions and what-ifs, found herself walking aimlessly after leaving the cafe. The encounter from the night before, brief as it was, had left an indelible mark on her heart. She felt drawn, pulled by a thread she couldn't see but felt all the same.
"Y/N, are you even listening?" her friend asked, snapping her back to reality.
"Huh? Oh, yeah... sorry, just got lost in my thoughts there for a moment," Y/N replied, forcing a smile.
As fate would have it, their paths converged once again. Niki, guided by an inexplicable warmth and the delicate scent of gardenia and vanilla, found himself face to face with the girl from last night—Y/N. The sight of her, the realization that she was real and not just a figment of his imagination, made his heart race.
"Guys, do you smell that?" Niki asked abruptly, his gaze fixed on Y/N.
Jay inhaled deeply, looking around with a puzzled expression. "Smell what? It just smells like the city to me."
Sunghoon, too, seemed confused. "Nope, nothing out of the ordinary. What are you talking about, Niki?"
But Niki barely heard them. His entire being was focused on Y/N, the girl who shared his mysterious mark, who somehow felt both like a stranger and an integral part of his life all at once.
Y/N, feeling his presence, looked up. Their eyes didn't meet, but the air between them crackled with an unspoken connection. It was as if they were both aware of the other, yet held back by an invisible barrier.
Without a word, Niki turned away, a tumult of emotions swirling within him. Confusion, fear, but most of all, a deep, unyielding curiosity about the girl and the mark they shared.
Sunghoon and Jay, witnessing this silent exchange, exchanged a look of disbelief before quickly following Niki.
"Hey, wait up! Where are you going?" Sunghoon called out, concern lacing his voice.
Jay, catching up, added, "Dude, was that her? The girl with the tattoo?"
Niki, his pace unrelenting, nodded. "Yeah, it was her. But I... I don't know what to do. This is all so overwhelming."
As they walked, the trio fell into a deep conversation, pondering the mysteries of fate, connections that defy logic, and the possibility that some things in life are simply meant to be.
"Maybe it's not for us to understand right now," Jay suggested, his voice thoughtful. "Maybe it's something that'll make sense in time."
Sunghoon, ever the practical one, added, "For now, let's just focus on what we know and can control. We'll figure this out together, step by step."
Y/N, her heart thudding in her chest, couldn't shake off the intense need to follow the path Niki had taken. Her friends' laughter still echoed in her ears, their disbelief doing little to deter her.
"Niki?" she had whispered, more to herself than anyone else, the name tasting like a secret on her lips.
Her friends burst into laughter. "Niki, as in ENHYPEN's Niki? Girl, you're dreaming!" one of them giggled, clearly amused by the thought.
Y/N, wasn't deterred though. Despite their teasing, something within her urged her to follow him, to find out if the strange connection she felt was real. With a determined look, she quickened her pace, leaving her friends' laughter behind.
Niki was feeling an inexplicable warmth grow within him, sensed that Y/N was getting closer. The scent of gardenia and vanilla, subtle yet unmistakable, filled his senses, guiding him towards her. He slowed his pace, allowing the inevitable meeting to occur.
When Y/N reached out and grabbed his hand, both felt a gentle jolt, a sensation so profound it seemed to pause time itself. Their hearts skipped in unison, and as they looked into each other's eyes, the world around them blurred into insignificance.
Y/N's friends had followed out of curiosity and came to a stop, a respectful distance away. Their earlier jests forgotten as they witnessed the undeniable connection between the two.
"Did you see that?" one friend whispered to the others, her voice a mix of surprise and awe.
"I...I can't believe it. Maybe there's something real happening here," another responded, her skepticism waning in the face of the palpable bond between Y/N and Niki.
Meanwhile, Niki and Y/N, still hand in hand, could barely pull their eyes away from each other. Niki, a blush creeping across his cheeks, managed a shy smile. "Hi... I'm Niki."
Y/N, her own face flushed with a gentle pink hue, returned the smile. "I know who you are. I'm Y/N."
The air around them seemed to shimmer with a soft glow, their smiles and blushes a testament to the innocent and pure connection that had drawn them together. For a moment, they forgot about the world around them, lost in a bubble of mutual recognition and unspoken questions.
"So, this is...weird, right?" Niki finally broke the silence, his voice a mixture of nervousness and wonder.
"Weird but...nice?" Y/N replied, her smile widening. "I've never felt anything like this before."
Jay and Sunghoon, observing from a distance, exchanged glances, both feeling a mixture of happiness for their friend and curiosity about what this meant for the future.
"Looks like Niki's found someone special," Jay whispered, a soft smile on his lips.
"Yeah," Sunghoon agreed, nodding. "We should probably give them some space, though. This looks...important."
Back with Y/N and Niki, the initial shock of their connection was slowly giving way to a comfortable, if slightly awkward, camaraderie. They began to chat, sharing light, tentative details about themselves, each question and answer weaving a delicate thread of understanding between them.
"Do you...do you feel it too? The connection?" Niki asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Y/N nodded, her grip on his hand tightening ever so slightly. "Yes, since the moment I saw you. And then there's this," she gestured to the mark on her neck, visible under the soft light of the streetlamp.
Niki mirrored her action, revealing his own mark.
As the afternoon gradually melded into early evening, the connection between Niki and Y/N deepened, the world around them shrinking until it seemed they were the only two people in existence. Their laughter filled the air, a sweet melody against the cacophony of the city. They exchanged stories, each tale pulling them closer, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences and serendipitous moments.
"Do you believe in fate?" Y/N asked, her eyes locked with Niki's, a shy smile playing on her lips.
"I think I'm starting to," Niki replied, his voice soft, his fingers tightening around Y/N's. He took a step closer, their bodies mere inches apart, the world around them fading into a blur.
Meanwhile, Jay, caught up in the excitement of his friend's budding connection, quickly dialed Sunoo to share the news. "You won't believe what's happening," he said, the excitement in his voice palpable.
Sunoo, on the other end, immediately put the phone on loudspeaker, allowing the rest of ENHYPEN to tune in. "Tell us everything!" Sunoo urged, his voice echoing the collective anticipation.
As Jay recounted the events, laughter and cheers could be heard from the members, their joy for Niki's unexpected encounter filling the room. "They're like a scene out of a movie," Jay chuckled, painting a vivid picture of the connection that seemed to transcend reality.
Back with Y/N and Niki, the realization that their friends had departed, leaving them in their own little bubble, only served to heighten the intimacy of the moment. Deciding to find a café to continue their conversation, they walked off, their hearts still doing somersaults with every step.
As they made their way, their fingers entwined, shy smiles were exchanged, a silent conversation flowing between them. "This is nice," Y/N murmured, her gaze fixed on their joined hands.
"It is," Niki agreed, a warmth spreading through him. "I've never felt this way before either."
They found a cozy café tucked away from the bustling streets, a haven that seemed to exist just for them. Settling into a quiet corner, the world outside ceased to matter as they delved deeper into conversation, exploring the myriad ways their lives had somehow led them to this serendipitous meeting.
"Do you think this is how it's supposed to be?" Niki asked, his eyes searching Y/N's for answers neither of them fully understood yet.
Y/N, her heart fluttering at the question, nodded. "I do. Everything about this feels right. Like we were meant to find each other."
Meanwhile, Sunghoon and Jay, still on the phone with the other members, shared the unfolding love story with a mix of humor and awe. "They're off to a café now," Jay explained, the excitement evident in his tone. "Niki's totally smitten."
The members' reactions ranged from playful teasing to genuine happiness for their friend's newfound connection. "We need to meet her," Heeseung suggested, the sentiment echoed by nods and murmurs of agreement.
"Definitely," Sunoo added, a grin in his voice. "But let's give them some time. This is their moment."
Back at the café, Niki and Y/N lost track of time, their conversation meandering from lighthearted banter to deeper, more meaningful topics. Each laugh, each shared glance, solidified the bond that had so unexpectedly brought them together.
As the evening drew to a close, they reluctantly parted ways, promises of future meetings hanging between them like the unspoken acknowledgment of something profound and life-changing. The night air was cool against their flushed cheeks as they went their separate ways, their minds replaying every moment, every word, and every shared smile.
The connection between them, though newly formed, felt as ancient and inevitable as the stars above. As they lay in bed that night, miles apart yet closer than ever, they both knew that what they had stumbled upon was rare and precious—a connection not just of hearts, but of souls.
And as they drifted off to sleep, their last thoughts were of each other, of the serendipitous day that had changed everything, and of the shy smiles and entwined fingers that had sealed their fate.
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joelletwo · 2 days
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gintama time loop reading that i had while watching
(laid out for my own reference. this doesnt have to interest u guys.)
okay so like. watching gintama and getting to kintoki arc. what i knew was 1. i was getting into the anime art style changes i had varying feelings about which signaled 2. i was getting into the back half of gintama 3. what i knew about the back half of gintama is that utsuro exists, gintoki did something fucked up on that cliff that ppl cant stop talking about and drawing parallels to with every arc of gintama, and ppl (i sensed) think the writing of the ending is stupid
kintoki arc has yorozuya and tae promise:
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before breaking Gintama The Series into a distorted au where the chars are WILDLY different but still play out their roles to their arc-concluding purposes. birthing in me the image of a gintama that can fill any shaped-hole you put it in and still have the same basic inherent form it moves towards (whatever happened on that cliff, which i sensed was being gestured at in kintoki arc w the beheadment seppuku but had no idea the fucking. extent of lol)
gintama making formal changes (ugly or lovely art style shifts, at some point a radical change in thrust of story with the introduction of utsuro as a final and plot-twisty villain) but (hoping that it's) remaining the same at heart... or being railroaded into being the same. somehow the yorozuya promise became about. being cognizant of being in the narrative timeloop** and being subjected to Circumstances. being cognizant that something was being taken from u (catharsis of ending--) and also inflicted on u (--replaced with episodic and genre-typical* endless storylines)
(*not a slam. just that gintama's storylines are all about like. accepting the horrors. which is a journey of experiencing the horrors in order to come to terms with them that is harrowing to be subjected to over and over and over again. [cest la vie]
**and timeloop was also being flavored by me understanding yoo joonghyuk orv's regressions as about the endless iterative failures of making progress on a journey of recovery from trauma. all timeloops are about that to me now.)
thought shelved until obi-one's arc where, although i understood him as an oboro figure, he was performing a shouyoutsuro role of being a dearly missed mentor figure who comes back for happy family times yayyyyy but oh no he came back Wrong (a disabled cyborg programmed to betray against his own will). and Evil (needs to be taken down, and the shimuras-through-gintoki have to be the ones to dismantle their own happiness that it turns out was always retroactively tinted by this grief).
the presentation of nostalgia as longing for a return to the past that cant actually be achieved. or rather, you can achieve it, but Time changes things, and the past you get back won't actually be the same.
this helps me shift what i know about utsuro (shouyou but Wrong) into being about. what actually isnt that textually present in the series? but has to be assumed, i think? bc like? of course? the desire to have shouyou back (tho now i ask: whose? gintoki's? again, not really... in the text?). you can have shouyou (idealized gintama timeperiod where everyone is happy and innocent) back! you can have all the shouyou (early days swagful gintama anime that i am constantly missing as i move into the future material) back that you want! and its gonna fucking suck (for the chars and for the audience)!
and that basically ends up being the framing thought i take with me into utsuro's introduction................... it gets lost the more i actually see him and late-game gintama for myself and gain the context i never had for everyones blogging i was seeing. but. still. the theme i understood to be what gintama was telling me. you cant get back what you lost. and if (when) you try, you only come face to face with what was damaged in the losing.
however...................................
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the further i got into silver soul and through to the ending the more it was............ interesting but confusing that, as i put it, the chars were "fighting the representation of the dangers of Nostalgia with More Nostalgia"?
and still i dont know what to do with the ultimate last-pages ending of gintama being a return to the status quo (with cosmetic changes). yay we defeated the evil specter of our past that haunted us and kept us in the desire timeloop. now we can get back to the episodic timeloop that we spent the fight with the specter... desiring to get back. hm. well!
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caramelcorgi · 1 year
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I just think they‘re neat
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tsaikonautz · 13 days
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hey what do you think of this? *holds up tails plush*
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bubbeebear · 1 year
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Good for them!
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ferronickel · 14 days
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A bunch of webcomic Ralseis! I've been wanting to do fanart for all of these comics for a while and I've got an upcoming page of my comic that requires a mix of styles/shading, so I thought this would be good practice!
Eldritchrune by @lynxgriffin
Looking Glasses by @ferronickel
The Chara Timeline by @lilybug-02
Reconnecting by @purplebehittindifferent
Twin Runes by @akanemnon
Flat colors under the cut because I think you can see some of the stylistic differences better without shading.
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spring-maidens · 4 months
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12.12 - alles gute zum geburtstag, liebe ariane!
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babygirlkaramatsu · 7 months
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hello, my fellow karamatsu comrades.
⛔ BLMATSU / PROSHIPPERS DNI!! ⛔
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kokoasci · 6 months
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lu guang style test
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