#the way to our heart is through our shrimps

[lethargarian]

Bonus -

[fisherrprince]

the problem is I’m such a staunch believer in the slow buildup, the earnest enjoyment of meandering through terrible story decisions and weird nothing subplots to build up into a conclusion that explodes out from all that as fantastic storytelling and intrigue based on all that buildup, such that it makes it necessary to get through all that or you’re missing something essential, that I’m also a terrible person to talk to about what makes a story good. I can tell you plenty of what actually makes something tight and well-written and all that technical speak but how could anyone take my advice when I so so so love excruciatingly long unnecessarily complex fumbling and weird nonsense that spirals into, inexplicably, weird nonsense that makes you cry your lungs sore

[lotus-pear]

LOTUSPEAR 5K DTIYS RESULT‼️‼️

ok i'm an entire month late but here are the results of this competition at last!! i would like to preface this by saying a big thank you to everyone who participated as this was my first time doing smt like this! i'm so glad it was met w so much participation and unique entries, and i genuinely cannot express enough gratitude for the ppl who submitted their version. seeing everyone's individual posts w the diverse amount of art styles and mediums was so cool and i loved each post sm!! so thank you for participating and for your support!! it really does mean the world to me!!

with that, without further ado, let me announce our winners...

FIRST PLACE: @latapadraws

I WAS ABSOLUTEY BLOWN AWAY BY NOT ONLY THE COMPOSITION BUT THE LIGHTING OF THIS PIECE. REALLY. MY JAW IS STILL ON THE FLOOR LOOKING AT IT. the warm golden and red glow like evening rays of sun is so gorgeous not to mention dazai's musing expression. hes soo beautiful in your style op he looks like he was carved from marble. so elegant and sharp.

SECOND PLACE: @thornedarrow, specifically @velaversal

bea oh my god i still get heart eyes whenever i see this. the fuchsia is so gorgeous it looks like whorls of fire and the marble effect of the background is so ethereal. the color palette and rendering in general just astounds me, i feel like i'm on another plane of existence looking at this.

THIRD PLACE: @kokoasci

koko!!!!! i'm always enamored by translucent feel of your pieces and it always looks like rose-tinted glass, i always want to break off a piece and let it melt on my tongue bc it looks so sweet and sugary. said this in the tags but the background also was incredible and dazai kind of reminded me of the mad hatter!! the coy expression, the dramatic pose, the whimsical pastel color palette, the tea spilling from the porcelain cups...100/10 for mood and storytelling

FOURTH PLACE: @sableeira

SABLEEEE OH MY GOD......LIKE WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN.......THIS WAS SUCH AN OUT OF BOX WAY TO LOOK AT THE OG PIECE.....AN ENTHRALLING INTERPRETATION. dazai being haunted by his former self, conveyed through the earthy color palette and dramatic lighting that ties the entire piece together. literally was blown away by how unique this entry was, absolutey incredible

FIFTH PLACE: @shrimpkini

shrimp i'm being so honest rn i want this as a poster and i want it hung on my wall bc my heart still stops every time i look at it. the hard light that casts dazai's entire face into shadow which highlights the red of his eye makes me rattle the bars of my cage every single time, not to mention the rimlight on his entire frame basking the piece is an eerie glow. phenomenal play of lighting. i'm swept off my feet.

[wynsummers]

i've been thinking about the whole "friction in his jeans" thing a lot lately, and while it is certainly one of the more iconic instances of the lyric in the CD booklet being different from the actual song, it is far from the only one. on top of that, there are quite a few lyrics that play with double meanings that only become clear when they're written out.

so, i present a collection of every lyric in the fob CD booklets that differ from the final version, punctuation and double meanings that aren't noticeable unless the song is written out, and any other interesting details i find in the process, or a really long post of me cornplating about fob:

disclaimer that if the difference is small enough/doesn't change the meaning of the line i won't include it because that would take me years (for example, the book says "light that smoke for giving up on me" and patrick says "yeah, one for giving up on me" but literally who cares that changes nothing. everything i include here is relevant, i think)

follow-up disclaimer that there are a bunch of fucking typos in every single one of these books because these boys never proofread anything but unless i think it's significant in some way i probably will skip it

TAKE THIS TO YOUR GRAVE:

tell that mick:

"I hope you choke on those words, that kiss, that bottle - I confess / now ash yourself out on the insides, when I said I loved you I swear I lied"

grand theft autumn:

"someday i'll appreciate in value, get off my ass and call you... but for the meantime i'll sport my brand new fashion of waking up with my clothes on at 4:00 in the afternoon"

saturday:

"pete and i said goodbye to astoria with promise and precision and mess of youthful innocence"

(most of these are just silly but this one fucking hurts)

sending postcards:

"fake it like you matter - cause that's the biggest secret you have to keep"

chicago is so two years ago:

"that means that I believed every single lie you said (and learned from the best)"

"cause every pain of glass that your pebbles tap negates the pains i went through to avoid you / and every little pat on the shoulder for attention fails to mention i still hate you" (pain of glass instead of pane of glass - i think this is supposed to be a parallel. that or pete just misspelled pane)

patron saint:

"I'm holding out and I'm holding on to every letter and every grudge"

*flashes forward 20 years to hmlag*

anyway

FROM UNDER THE CORK TREE:

our lawyer made us change the name of this song so we wouldn't get sued:

"we're good friends only when you're on your knees"

sugar:

the icon, the legend

"don't mind me, i'm watching you two from the closet wishing to be the friction in his jeans" 🎉🏳️‍🌈

dark alley:

"joke me something awful just like kisses on the necks of 'just friends'"

"I'm hopelessly hopeful that you're just hopeless enough"

champagne for my real friends, real pain for my shrimp friends:

"you steer away in a rearview mirror, make my head swim"

i slept with someone in fob:

"someone old, no one new / always borrowed, always you"

THIS ONE!! THIS FUCKING ONE [CAR CRASH] [SIRENS]

ahem. anyway

sixteen candles:

"i confess, i'm just messed up / dropping 'i'm sorrys' like you're still around"

XO:

"to hands"

(that's it. no "between legs, and whatever it takes" just hands. just fuckin. to hands)

"to hotel stares/stairs" (wordplay!! to clarify it literally says "stares/stairs" in the book)

"choose awe or sympathy"

also in the last verse it says 'to the "love"' with the quotes which is just kinda funny

INFINITY ON HIGH:

this ain't a scene:

"crashing not like hips or hearts"

i'm like a lawyer:

"i only keep myself this sick in the head cause i know how the words get you (off)"

"collect the bad habits that you couldn't bare to keep" (idk this one might just be a typo)

hum hallelujah:

similarly, this might also be a typo, but "versus" is spelled "verses"

(after) life:

ok. ok. hear me out. this is the cornplatiest i have ever been. but on genius it says "death's in a double bed"

and on the lyric book it says "deaths in a double bed"

that changes everything!!! (not really, i know) it's not death as a concept or figure or whatever it's deaths. as in multiple people dying. aaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaughhhhhhhhhhh

moving on

carpal tunnel:

"we take the sip from life's lush lips"

the line "we might've started singing just a little soon" isn't listed, it's just the goodbye line twice

"but i'm just tired yawns for fawns"

you're crashing:

"the cause, the kid, the charm, and the curse"

ginasfs:

"lips pressed this close to mine"

"but the prince of this failing empire knows" (hhhnnnggggggghhh)

"i've already given up on myself once but the third time is the charm" that's not how numbers work pete <3

"just kind of figured on not figuring myself out"

FOLIE A DEUX:

folie a deux doesn't have a lyric book. just portraits of the boys with empty white pages that have their names written on them. my poor beautiful masterpiece

BELIEVERS NEVER DIE VOL. 1:

fnowae:

not a lyric but for some reason the whole fuckin song is in quotes

SAVE ROCK AND ROLL:

the phoenix:

another punctuation thing but instead of "hope to die" it's "hope-to-dies"

"you're wearing our vintage misery"

alone together:

"my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broke in" instead of "broken" (i love double meanings!! i love wordplay!! i love pete wentz!!)

where did the party go:

"i will appear to you if you make yourself shake fast enough"

the mighty fall:

the lyric book straight up doesn't have big sean's part 💔

rat a tat:

at the end there's this "talk less / mean more / let's be electric / like we were before" that i have literally never heard so i'm assuming it's a neat little cut lyric

save rock and roll:

"i will save the songs / the songs we're singing"

AMERICAN BEAUTY / AMERICAN PSYCHO:

irresistible:

"coming in announced" this one. this one's just a typo. come on boys it's been 12 years at this point read the books more than once

"i just dragged my nails on the tile / i just follow your scent" ?? idk

"this will not be a battle"

ab/ap:

for some fucking reason it just says "she's an american beauty" three times at the start of the song 😭

"and as we're drifting off to sleep" isn't in there, it just says "and all those dirty thoughts of me, they were never yours to keep"

the kids aren't alright:

indulge me once more, reader. i am cornplating again

instead of "former heroes who quit too late and just wanna fill up their trophy case again" it's "wanted to" do you understand why that makes me insane

also they have it as "will put your curse in reverse" instead of "we" which could be a typo but could also be a neat little change

uma thurman:

"you cut me deep like uma thurman"

jet pack blues:

"i'm the kind that can turn june to september / the last one that you'll ever remember"

"between these two white highway signs"

immortals:

"i try to picture you without me but i can't"

M A N I A:

hold me tight or don't:

the line "i'm pretty sure that this isn't how our story ends" isn't included

wilson:

"i know it's just a number but to me you're the 8th wonder"

sunshine riptide:

they didn't include any of burna boy's lines 😒

SO MUCH (FOR) STARDUST:

smfs doesn't have any lyric changes that i noticed, just the usual typos.

update: future emma here, upon further contemplation I have decided to add the line "I'd never go, I just want to be invited" since the first verse definitely says "I'll" (thank you sugarweregoinin and foliejpg for inspiring this revelation)

and there we have it! if you're insane patient enough to have made it until the end, thank you for reading and i hope you enjoyed! if there are any i missed/any in CDs that i don't have please let me know i find these so fascinating (if you couldn't tell). i just love getting glimpses into their writing process and seeing how the songs we know and love evolve before they get to us. i might also do a post about how spotify/genius gets a bunch of their lyrics wrong because it pisses me off but this is all for now, good day/night!

[olivyh]

Hihi!! I absolutely love your writing :DD

Can I request an Azul x Gn!Reader in which the Reader asks Azul a bunch of ocean questions and Azul answers them in excruciating detail? Fluff please!! The questions are completely up to you :D

Please take as much time as you need on this!! Make sure to take breaks and drink water :))

Hi!! Thank you so so much <<333 sorry for the delayed response, but this was so much fun to write! I'm not the best at ocean facts, so I hope this will suffice!!! I also hoped going to more lore-based questions was alright with you!

"So... how exactly do you breathe underwater?" Azul paused and looked up from his paperwork, unable to stifle the smile that slowly crept onto his previously pursed lips. It was a quiet day in the Mostro Lounge- Floyd was actually working for once, and there weren't any rowdy customers. He'd only gotten two contract deals, much to his dismay, but he was glad that he had more free time to spend with his lover. The prefect sits in one of the wooden chairs pulled up to his desk, a plate of shrimp chips and seaweed wafers between them and munches happily, their crunching breaking the silence that was otherwise occupied by the scratching of his pen.

Lately, the two had not had much time to spend together- what with their constant running around (Azul swore that he was going to pluck all the feathers from that crow if he overwhelmed them one more time) and his busy schedule. He felt a stab of regret after watching them fall asleep in his office one night, waiting for him to finish his endless mountains of work simply so they could have dinner together. Azul had never felt his heart constrict so painfully that it brought tears to his eyes when he saw that they made him dinner in a small box, the food having gone cold hours prior. He'd sat beside them on the firm leather couch then, slowly tracing over their features with his ungloved hand and biting back the tears that broke free from his sky-blue eyes and fell freely onto the back of his other hand, clenched painfully in his lap.

"We have gills, naturally," He pauses and lifts a finger, dragging it along the large marks that lined the sides of his neck- now made visible from his unbuttoned collar. "They never fully went away in our human forms. As you know we have gills on our ribs as well. We actually have to breathe through our mouths, which then moves through our bodies and into the gill's capillaries-" He pauses, looking over to meet the prefect's eyes. He flushes a bit under their unwavering attention, but he clears his throat and continues despite the pounding in his chest. "From there, the water runs over the gills and the oxygen is picked up by these blood vessels before being expelled from the gills."

"So the water goes out and not in?"

"Correct," He smiles, raising his hand and wiping away some crumbs that made their way onto their cheek. Azul huffs playfully, chuckling under his breath. "Really, such a messy eater~". The prefect sticks out their tongue playfully before moving onto another chip, popping it into their mouth and chewing carefully while staring at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought.

"What if you accidentally breathe something in? Can you choke?"

Azul sighs and sits back in his chair, placing his pen down and crossing his arms. He doesn't miss how they seem to grin at him and his now relaxed posture- meaning that they would be talking like this uninterrupted for a good amount of time.

"We can't choke, my Dear," He takes a breath before pointing to the marks on his neck once more. "The oxygen goes in here and then is pumped into our lungs- unlike humans, our lungs aren't connected to any sort of windpipe and is instead filtered through our blood vessels-" He moves his hand down to his ribs, drawing invisible lines along the sides. "And food can't necessarily get stuck in here either. There are no direct passageways- they're simply slits in our skin to allow for breathing."

"So," They eat another chip, offering him another one. He gladly accepts it, leaning over and allowing them to feed it to him before leaning back in his chair. "Your lungs are free floating?"

"Not exactly. It's more like... there's nothing connecting them to our throats, if that makes sense." They hum in understanding, standing quickly. The mer jumps in his seat from the sudden action, feeling his face flush when they decide to abandon their seat and replace it with his lap.

Azul swears that he saw the heavens themselves beckoning for him when he feels their fingers lightly trace over the lines on the sides of his neck before trailing down to his ribs.

"So here... and here..."

Azul, struggling to catch his breath, nods. They had been dating for quite some time, and he should very well be used to their antics by now, but he could never get over the sudden spurts of physical affection they'd give him. The small and intimate gestures made his heart race and his head spin as he could swear that his legs were turning back into tentacles as the floor seemed to warp beneath his leather shoes. Their hand slowly traces back up to his neck, giving the marks one more affectionate rub before cupping his cheek. Their soft thumb rubs the skin just below his glasses, their nail clicking against the glass for a moment as he sighs happily and leans into their touch, allowing his own hand to run gently up their forearm. He relishes in the way their hand trembles for a moment and the goosebumps that begin to litter the exposed skin of their arm, glad to know that they weren't the only one to have this effect on him.

He cups their hand in his own, pressing his cheek deeper into their warm palm as he slips his eyes closed and sighs happily, turning his head ever so slightly to press a small kiss on the underside of their wrist, allowing his lips to linger there for a moment until he could hear the way their breath hitched and their thumb's movement on his cheek stuttered.

Azul opens his eyes in time to notice their face approaching his, and he beams at the giddiness and excitement that bubbles in his chest as they pepper his face in kisses playfully, spending more time to give extra love to the mole that sat below his lip. He chuckles and does the same to their face, using his free arm to hold them close to his chest as they squirm and giggle at his actions.

The mer parts for a moment, smiling softly as his eyes trace over their flushed face, still painted with a warm smile as their eyes crinkle from the effort, turning them into the most gorgeous half-crescent shapes he swore he'd ever seen. He looked over each and every one of their features, trying in vain to immortalize this moment and live in it forever; to take hold of this comfort and adoration that consumed his spacious office and put it in a bottle for his eyes alone.

"Any other questions for me, my Dear?" They shift in his lap, now fully facing him and resting their head against his shoulder, yawning. "I'm all yours."

"I know you are," He chuckles at their response and presses a kiss to their forehead, running his hand along their hairline until he notices that their shoulders begin to rise and fall evenly as their soft snores fill his ears. Slowly, he releases their waist and reaches behind him to pull his jacket off the back of his chair. With a little difficulty, he manages to wrap it around his still-sleeping lover as he relaxes beneath them. He sighs and takes his glasses off, tossing them haphazardly onto the hardwood of his desk, and rests his head against his lover's own, deciding that he was due for an afternoon nap as well.

[solastalgiart]

🫧

the last night i was working on finishing my minchan comic for valentine’s day, my shoulders and back hurt so bad i had to ask my mother for her nastiest, foulest, strongest pain-relief balm.

it stung, it stank, but it also numbed me for those last few hours that i needed to put in all the finishing touches and be satisfied with the final product.

in the morning, the effect wore off (and so did a little bit of my satisfaction—i found mistakes right before posting. back to more cleanup it was).

all of this is to say, yeah, we artists should take better care of our bodies and take plenty of breaks between sessions of shrimping over our desks! and hydrate! and stretch!

but also. that we put in pain and time and effort into what we do. sometimes it’s for the love of the act of making something of our own. sometimes it’s venting an unsurge of feelings. sometimes it’s spite or hate or loneliness or unspeakable grief or rage.

it comes down to very human emotions though, and self-expression, and this feeling that i must show you my heart this way, even if it’s terrifying, so that atleast one other person in the world would get it.

i trade away hours of my life and the comfort of my body and the drab, static ennui of my mind for this. i exchange my easy, uncomplicated, unchallenging existence and take on something so scary and full of promise. most of all, i barter my perfectionism and fear of not being a good enough artist for the mortifying ordeal, the inexplicable joy of doing it anyway.

because no one else will. no one else can tell my stories the same and convey emotions the way i do—certainly not AI and those who swear by it lol.

anyway, i’ll go back to putting my body and mind through their paces and working on more art and taking my time with it and having lots of fun (with occasional interludes of despair) in the process! just need to rest up a little first ^.^

[thehotelpod]

👀 can u tell us abt the hotel shrimp genders....... (only if u want to of course)

the shrimp genders (people know about the shrimp colors right? the mantis shrimp can see more of the spectrum, allegedly, and therefor has access to colors unimagined by our laughable cones?)

yeah so the Hotel can probably see all kinda of gender we haven't even started fucking with yet. Like in Aj, Taylor, & Wayne when she describes seeing their friendship, or I think in the Haberman's she could see love?

Where you and I might have plowed through the cis binary, opened our hearts and minds to our nonbinary, genderfluid, blanket 'queer' friends, or any other designation being explored, "she" has dimensional understanding that makes our perspectives look like a coloring book. She looks at our understanding of gender the way we look at ancient understands of the medical 4 humors.

When you wear humanity like one of infinite dresses from an infinite closet, gender has as many shapes, tones, and distinctions as each of us has from one another.

She still struggles with social cues though because even for the great and powerful Hotel herself, interacting with humanity means playing Calvinball.

[winterspellsfrozenkit]

Floyd and Rook's nicknames

So I was thinking about why our character in Twisted Wonderland has the nicknames of "Shrimp/Koebi-chan" and "Trickster" and I haven't seen anyone point out the obvious reason: It's because we're tied to Mickey.

Floyd's is pretty clear. Mickey's small stature is often pointed out by whoever is his rival, like Mortimer Mouse or Pete, and "Shrimp" is a nickname used for someone small. However, Rook's is a nod to Mickey from the late 20s-early 30s.

If you haven't done deep dive into the beginnings of Disney's Mickey Mouse cartoons, Mickey was more of a trickster character when he was first animated. He was cited in the early 1930s by writers of the time as "scandalous" and an "imp". He was about getting ahead in life and finding the fastest way that served him what he wanted. An example, in one of his cartoons from 1928, "Plane Crazy", Mickey flat out yanks a turkey's tail off just so he has a tail fin for his plane. No asking, no speaking, just sees the tail and TAKES it, ignoring the pain and embarrassment the turkey goes through because of his actions. Later in the same cartoon, while flying his plane, he asks Minnie for a kiss, she says no, so he pulls a series of scary plane maneuvers to try and get her to kiss him when he asks a second time. She says no AGAIN and he forcibly kisses her. Don't worry, he does get comeuppance for this, but comparing the image of Mickey we have now to his old self; there's a lot of cognitive dissonance.

Honestly, Mickey in his original conception before they started to change his character would fit more with the student body of Night Raven College rather than the student body of Royal Sword Academy. Late 1920s Mickey is selfish, mischievous, a bit of a jerk, and all about his wants first. It wasn't till a few short years later they started shifting his character to be more like Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp character and lessening Mickey's more jerk behavior. Then, as time went on, he went from being like Chaplin's character to become more of an everyman archetype which is one of the roles we play as in game.

Considering that basis of the nicknames, I wonder if that's part of why we were picked up by the Carriage, but the Dark Mirror can't classify us. The cartoon that Twisted Wonderland (and Epic Mickey as well) references is "Thru the Mirror" which aired in 1936, which is a couple years into that start of his becoming more like a "Little Tramp" based character of being childlike and bumbling, but good hearted at the core. In short, we're tied to Mickey who, at the time of "Thru the Mirror" was in character shift, going from a character who would definitely fit in at NRC, to a more good-hearted character who may mess up, but doesn't really act like a villain at all.

Now this isn't to say we are Mickey, obviously Mickey is in the game and Yana Toboso has made it perfectly clear that all Yuus are valid as 'Yuu' is supposed to be whoever the player wants them to be. I mean, personally speaking, my character is NEVER going to change from what I set her up to be (WHICH IS DEFINITELY NOT MICKEY). I want to keep her the way she is and I have no reasons to change her (I plan to post about her in depth one of these days when I finally have time to get the art for her done and where I'm happy enough with it). I just find it interesting that our nicknames seem to be nods to our connection to Mickey Mouse.

[onmyyan]

New to your blog, but I’m curious. What if your ocs: Ricky and Ashley fought over a darling?

No cuz why this such a scrumptious thought🤔

For this scenario let's say you just moved into your new apartment complex and are sandwiched between the rugged cowboy named Ashley, he lives on your left and is all too eager to help you move in, and on the right was the stern faced bad boy with a heart of gold Ricky who drinks you in through his door's peephole, a goofy smile on his face the whole time you're moving, his heart doing backflips as he watched your clumsy yet all the more charming movements.

Pretty soon after meeting you, both men are absolutely smitten and working up their individual courage to ask you out, Ashley is a helper by nature, he uses your crappy apartment complex to his advantage, offering to help with leaky pipes or squeaky hinges, he somehow manages to always catch you on the way back from the store, the beefy blonde making sure to subtly flex while he takes the many bags from you hands.

Ricky keeps his cards close to his chest, "coincidentally" getting his mail whenever you do, lingering around the lobby when he knows you get off work, just for that five minute elevator ride, rizz's you up the entire time, he gives you a coffee one morning when your machine randomly breaks down (he totally didn't sneak into your apartment with a screwdriver and purposely dismantle it last night when you went on your usual snack run he swears) he always makes you smile with a witty comment or snide joke at the expense of your terrible landlord.

The second they notice one another circling like sharks, it's an all out war. A war you can't see but a war nonetheless. Sneers and heated glares, scalding comments and passive aggression flood the air any time to two are in a shared space. They keep it cute when you're in sight but the second you can't hear the claws come out honey.

"You think your slick you limp-shrimp-dicked backwater country bumpkin, I see you creeping around her, yeah that's done."

"Oh that's real cute coming from a sissy boy like you, hey how much time you reckon you spend in the mirror each mornin'?"

If we're talking a physical fight for their Darling Ashley would mop the floor with our boy Ricky, hate to say it but all his prowess is useless against the cowboy, he's got that country grown strength and is used to wrestling dangerous animals, no matter how hard he fought if it comes to fists, Ricky is going down.

However if it's not physical, Ricky would play Ashley like a mf fiddle.

Ricky the type to have cameras in your house like a week after he decides your his, it's hard not to take note of the way Ashley finds so many irritating ways to linger like the fly he was, Ricky would come to the quick conclusion that Ashley is a threat.

All it would take was one phone call to a friend of a friend for Ricky to get all the information he needed to know about Ashley. He comes over at some point that afternoon, booze and snacks in hand, he comes over under the guise of watching a bunch of movies he knew you'd been meaning to watch because the last time he snuck in he looked through your watchlist, you and Ricky spend the day getting blasted and enjoying each other's company, when just as he predicted, Ashley comes knocking, you answer the door in a blissfully tipsy haze, excited to see your other new friend and greet him happily, Ricky comes up behind you with the biggest grin, his face flushed, and rests his chin gently on your shoulder, you lean back into his chest holding the buzzed conversation with your other neighbor, Ricky reveled in the way the tall man twitched at the scene before him, not only did you feel absolutely perfect in his arms, he could see Ashley visibly deflating the longer you two stood there in the comfortable embrace.

All it would take was one well timed kiss to your temple for Ashley to lose it.

Ashley's composure would immediately break and he'd make a show of losing his temper, throwing Ricky off of you and grabbing the lean man by his shirt collar, it instantly kills your buzz and you're yanking the snarling Blonde off by the back of his shirt.

Ricky let's himself get a little roughed up, and you kick Ashley to the curb with a curse, you spend the rest of the night nursing his wounds and fall right into his palms where you belonged

[rosetheocto]

Hey! If you'd be open to it, I was interested in hearing your thoughts on any Failtopia pairings that you particularly enjoy and the reasons you do? Whether they be platonic or romantic-

YESSSS I HAVE AN EXCUSE TO YAP ABOUT CHARACTER INTERACTIONS YWUAJSJEJJEJR!!! OKAY!! So idk how put together this is since there is a mix of my typing when I’m super tired + typing when I just woke up so I’m praying that what I’m saying makes sense LMAO. TLDR: I really like failtopia’s characters

So starting off with what is probably the most popular dynamic in this series: Bo and Erica!! To say they’ve both Gone Through It is an understatement, and them both finding comfort and safety in each other is amazing to me!! Like. Erica’s had so many people die on her and the reaction to finding out that was nearly impossible to lose Bo was just. Flawless. Can’t believe Dan improvised that. And Bo was sent to just kill Mar and work for Screamith but Erica was pretty much the start to her letting her true self shine and developing an actual attachment to The Incident!! It’s so awesome how Dan has wrote them. we love our gay level 6 “friendship” girlbosses ‼️‼️

Mar and Orion have also gone through a handful of things before the series begins, and the relationship they develop as the series progresses is pretty dang interesting! as much as the fandom focus on EriBo as a romantic thing, more people need to talk about how Mar has explicitly shown he has a crush on Orion. MULTIPLE TIMES. The idea of Orion opening up to Mar after he lost his wife and Mar opening up to Orion after his time as the Dark Curse and AGGHH I love these two so much and the way they interact every time they’re on screen is amazing. old man yaoi

I imagine C!Failboat and Erica as exes. like they dated for like a week and were both mutually like “that was awful let’s just stay friends”, They had a bunch of small interactions together (especially in S1) and I like them being friendly towards each other, Erica finding a friend in C!Fail was a pretty good step for her arc! I also think the idea of C!Fail and Erica being childhood friends in non-Miitopia AUs very intriguing!! Any content of those two interacting (that isn’t romantic) is always a nice thing to see!

Taking a break from the more popular relationships/friendships in this series, we have Deko and Joker!! For two characters that barely interact in canon there’s a lot you can do with them! They’re just two anime boys trying to survive in this weird party. I have a lot of thoughts on them but I just can’t form it aghahajsjjs but the main one is that they aren’t alone in what they’re going through, and no matter what backstory you use for Joker it still has a lot of potential!! I’m sure people can explain this one better than I can I just really like this rarepair!! while on the topic of Joker, shoutouts to his friendship with Lanc!! You can’t convince me Joker didn’t have a crush on them. Just watch their interactions in Karkaton and you’ll probably get what I mean lmaoo

I just need to mention the sisters!! even if they aren’t sisters by blood, Chi and Erica both have the energy! Chi being the thing that really gets Erica out of her “I hate everything” phase in both seasons needs to be talked about more. They bring out the best in each other I swear,, again I promise I can talk about them more my brain just isn’t giving me the words rn, but I think Gnome explains it best!

While on sibling dynamics, Bill and Shrimp is so great to me. Like. Bill helping Shrimp out not only because he likes her music, but also out of the genuine kindness of his heart is so sweet to me!! They’re so nice every time they’re on screen together and it’s fun to see them battling by each other’s sides!! plus the matching outfits in the finale was also a great touch :]

I’ve mentioned these two before, but Bill and Chi are criminally underrated imo. Like. They’re the only members of the Incident who have just recently turned 18, Chi’s literally Bill’s mentor after he changed jobs, and their dynamic is just so fun to work with!! Bill’s more mature and ‘normal’ while Chi is Chi and will set things on fire For Science and I think scenarios where they’re together are really fun to come up with!! Same with Shrimp and Chi!! The sister dynamic they have is also super underrated, like they’re a Fire and Water duo!! I think there’s a lot of things you can do there :0

look I am more than aware these two have never interacted but that’s cuz Dan is a COWARD and knows that Bo and Lanc being in the same room would lead to so much mayhem lmaoo. Out of everyone in The Incident (apart from Chi obviously) I see Lanc getting along with Bo the best! a lot of stuff I have for them is pretty based on fanon but you can’t tell me they wouldn’t gossip about the lastest drama with the party and the outside world. I swear they’re besties, they relate to each other, just hear me out. I also think Rose and Bo can be great friends and they really have a LOT in common!! Princess who faked their whole identity gang ‼️‼️

I love Erica and Rose just being each other’s biggest hater, it’s my favorite thing ever. it’s canon that Rose only shows off for Erica to prove to her that she’s better than her and that’s amazing to me. They’re both just so done with each other lmaoo (also the headcanon of them each other’s gay awakenings is perfect)

I think Friend and Mar interactions could be cool!! Like for starters they had some pretty huge connections to Hank they could bond over. also I find Mar being canonically a demon mixed with the headcanon of Friend being an angel very fun!! I also think Friend and Erica could be fun to see, especially with Erica’s past as a Cleric!! shared jobs and trauma!!

Mar and literally any FailFleet member can be funny I think, like we already have the Neksdor Three obviously, but I think an ACTUAL Bob and Mar reunion will lead to someone getting beat up lol, everyone in the S1 Squad would all have very different view points on if Mar deserves to be forgiven or not, or if he’s a good leader, etc. and I think that there should be more done with that!!

Orion’s friendship with the rest of The Incident is also a very important part of why the party is the way it is!! There’s absolutely characters with awful relationships to their dads, fathers that are barely around, or just never had a parental figure at all. I LOVE that Orion was able to fill that void for those party members, and he does a damn good job at it too!! And of course the parallels he has with Erica is great, both are stubborn warriors with a lot of baggage, but also have a lot of differences, like their views on stuff like becoming a healer!! Orion being like a mentor to Erica is great. also shoutouts to Slapo, we love her. I think her interacting with other members of The Incident is also something that’s needed more!!

Speaking of fathers, scenes with Chat and C!Fail are downright hilarious! Chat’s insanity mixed with C!Fail’s attitude always leads to some crazy thing going down! Chat with anyone really is always a treat, since they’re way more than too much to handle most of the time, and seeing how everyone reacts to their shenanigans is always gonna be fun!!

Smuk, Rose, and Bob’s relationship is just perfection. Bob obviously crushing on Rose is so great to see when they have scenes together and Smuk basically proposing to Rose (but not really) with that ring is also cool!! And of course we gotta mention Smuk and Bob’s bromance in Greenhorne, those two were inseparable a lot of the time I swear, I love them a lot, I’m praying if we get S3 we have those three come back (along with Petunyawn)

Deko’s friendship with both Chi and Lanc is vital to his arc!! Similar to Erica, he had gone through quite a lot before S1 and traveling with them got him to warm up to them and helped him get better control of his powers!! Lanc and Chi being absolute goofsters while Deko has no energy is VERY amusing!! also Deko, someone who was experimented on, being paired up with two soon-to-be scientists is vile lmaoo, why do you do this Dan /pos

SPEAKING OF THOSE SCIENTISTS!! If you thought I wasn’t gonna bring up Lanchi at all then you’re wrong. These two. These two are my everything. They’re undoubtedly my OTP!! There is quite a handful of canon evidence (in both seasons!) that point to Something going on between them!! I’d list them all out rn, but imma save that for another time, so I’ll just stick to saying everything I like about them!! The way Lanc and Chi just bounce off each other is insane. I swear they can read each other’s minds sometimes, they actually just share a braincell!! Lanc being all nervous in the Finale and Chi comforting them,, and ofc Chi being inspired by Lanc to switch jobs in S2 is just GAHAJJJJW I LOVE THEM!! They’ve been living rent free in my head since 2021 and I can’t get them out even if I tried!! EVERY SINGLE INTERACTION they have can be read as romantic. I refuse to believe they’re just friends lmaoo

[khruschevshoe]

Lucius Spriggs and Izzy Hands

Don't forgive me when I fail

'Cause everything I touch just turns to pain

I don't struggle either way

Suppose some things never change

All I know

You can call me the devil in disguise

I don't care, call me anything you like

I can see my redemption in your eyes

From my fool's paradise

-The Wandering Hearts, Devil

Lucius gently rubs his thumb along Izzy's cheek, as tender as Pete is when he massages oil into Izzy's joints. "I get it," he says, and reaches out his free hand to Pete, who takes it with a smile. "We all have our shit to deal with. We've all been fucked up in one way or another. Some damage will never go away. But when we hurt, we have each other to turn to. That's what a relationship is about. That's what love is about. Sticking through it all. Fighting not each other, but the world."

"Great speech, babe," Pete says, and Lucius flashes him the brightest, fondest of smiles.

Izzy breathes in the possibilities that are rising in this room, this faith that does not demand but asks, this relationship that throws love about like it is a gift and not a punishment.

Then Izzy leans in and presses a soft kiss to his sea god's mouth, giving Lucius Spriggs his offering.

And the sea god offers him a kiss of his own in return, tribute for tribute, faith for faith.

-aletterinthenameofsanity, the sky above us shoots to kill (hold on hope)

Saint Izzy and the sea god. I don't think I've ever had such visceral shrimp emotions to a metaphor before but there we have it- the way that the devotion, faith, and love Izzy has for Lucius mirrors and refracts the faith he once had in Blackbeard is going to be imprinted on my brain as THE way to execute an intimacy arc for a very long time. I've already screamed about it multiple times to my apartment. I am still not over the ending lines of this fic and I'm pretty sure I never will be. Simple as that.

@polikate @possumsmushroom @yuenity @angxlwiings @bricksbloggyplace

[wonderlandleighleigh]

I'm sharing this recipe from the NYT cooking blog because it turned out so, so good.

We often have frozen dumplings in our house as a "nobody feels like cooking, steam these" option, and as much as I love dumplings, they don't feel like a complete meal.

NYT to the rescue:

Kosher salt

Rice vermicelli noods

1 tbs sesame oil

2 inches if ginger, peeled and grated

2 (or however many your heart desires, we all know garlic is measured in feeling) cloves garlic, grated

1 tsp ground turmeric

6 cups veggie stock

2 tbs white miso (I used 1 white and 1 red)

16 Oz frozen dumplings of your choice (We used TJ's shrimp ones) not thawed

The recipe calls for broccoli and baby bok choi but...they're veg. Use whatever. I used corn and spinach.

Herbs for plating.

1. Make your noods. Whatever the pack says. Make 'em and then divide them up into the bowls you're plating with.

2. In the same pot you just cooked your noods in, add the sesame oil over medium heat. Once it's doing its thing, add the ginger and garlic. Stir for 30 seconds then add your turmeric and stir until it's nice. 15bl ish seconds.

3. Pour in veggie stock and some salt (like a tsp) and let cook for about 10 min.

4. Add your miso and stir to dissolve. Add salt if needed but miso is pretty salty so you likely won't need much.

5. Increase the heat to medium high and drop in your dumplings. Wait for them to cook through. Do not be like me and add your veg directly after. Wait for them bitches to float to the top.

6. Add your veg and cook for a few minutes. Like 2-3. More if you didn't let your dumplings cook all the way.

7. Ladle soup into bowls where your noods have been patiently waiting. Top with herb of choice (I used Thai basil, but there's cilantro or whatevs).

...and I added chili crisp because I am a fan of delicious pain.

Eat. Enjoy.

[captainkurosolaire]

X4 ~ Therapy

Reference ~ Mending Past ~ ♪"Transgender"♪

Fidgeting callous digits drew together, coral incense diffuser carried a eucalyptus scent to tranquil nerves being judder, open nasal-ways passages to breathe palpably again. The bold standing in the seat never felt this got anymore untroubled. Plunged-seeking for help from a dearest hearty found himself comfortable to confine in. Instinctively airing out, grievances, pain bottled within, wasn’t natural. It was attempting to relearn or change nature altogether. Kinsmen would call this act by being here, a sign of definitive weakness. They’d shun him even further, mocking his stake as a man, calling his pride pitiful… Artificially determined by underachievers of our society. However to expose your vulnerabilities, requires unprecedented power. Grit against that lingering, nagging feeling when your entire existence wants to crawl away. Is contesting against what’s supposed to be ‘nature.’ Upon this lounge seat, he was never-braver. A pirate-chasing after the grandest treasure, all forget-to-often, Tormented inner seas to navigate and master; Self-discovery! If someone were to acquire all the wealth in that… One must have to wonder, where’d they stand? Perhaps higher… Of a place not-yet charted to the fullest.

Sweat drenched palms, his throat gulped and dried before, “Ugh, this feels like I’m on a casting-couch n’ th’ local Red-Light District, tryna’ get some virgin hole’s stretched this Sennight.” Doing what often did to everyone who came in-contact, crudely buried and joked it away. Mocking his own feelings-until it was numb, displacing their noise. Throwing a popcorn-shrimp into his mouth with snacks on display, Council was also his Chef aboard too. Across from patient, a kind-hearted, Sea Roe and motherly-like maiden, giving a small-giggle at his remark, “It’s okay. We can wait for you to lax, this isn’t something we need to force open. There’s no-fires, here Cap’n. You’re safe, waves outdoors from us, under that sail-breeze accompanied.” She stumbled-across him when concerned, after nearly-dying from experimenting on narcotics and mixing strong-rum together one-night. Without her keen-observance the Sea Maiden didn’t notice his eyes incoherently devoid of sense, that faithful-Sun. She would’ve been too-late. Suffering more scars-than physically the canvas conveyed on him. Early on taking a mantle. Faltering when it came to multiple Crews. Incurring, mutinies, several enemies, known. Or lurking within depths of the unknown. Bounties that became steep from his escapades of fearlessness. Always targets at his back the moment he donned the inherited Tricorn Hat. From fallen Cap’n who founded this Goldbrand. Inside that-wee-bit part of us that holds us back ushering, whispering like a conniving parasite. Crept-in, saying to flee, run-away. Holding us back from growth-ushering and flourishing. It often won. Looking for any way to get-off-the-hook, from achieving anything, may lead to either happiness or deemed-fortune. Important to often resist that insignificant-part. To combat this requires a shout of frustration, and committing to your declared steps to truly heal. “What would ye’ like t’ ask?” Nerves turned to stone, a deep-inhale taken and exhalation followed. Amusement, candle-lit her visage, before an earnest-smile followed, “We’ll start discussing, what brings you thrill, fulfillment? You’ve a coffer of stories, Captain. They’re written not just upon but through you. Acquiring a healthy outlet to release them may help you astutely, or give room to castaway and relinquish unnecessary weight.” She had an ease sharing empathic attributes. Every emotion someone underwent was her own. Devilishly uprooted, a no-good expression of debauchery collected his features, “Ye sure about that? I could go-listing many pleasurable affairs with vivid details. Can’t say none of those experiences weren't a thrill. Worth th’ voyage my partners I’d bet could vouch fellow sentiments.” Looking to stir-up or shake, but she didn’t waver. Expecting to have her roll-her-eyes, give up on him before starting, hopelessly. As many before-her claimed to be ears. Was obvious she would’ve listened to anything. Nothing could deter her aid, cradled around him knowing just his actual hurt. This what a true-friend exhibited; a Crew? Uncanny, selfishness often was prime here, a believed-necessity. Expect everyone with a knife-of-betrayal equipped Loyalty, if held, resided the strongest-currency. Not glinted gold nor silver.

Bested by her with a pout, seriousness followed his features loosened actually thinking of what her words asked. “I guess seeing dreams realized ov’ others. Particularly my mateys anymore is enough satisfaction. I’ve held many wonders upon this realm. I scoured formerly n’ my shade, claiming Voidal Relics, t’ lost treasures left forgotten and barren. Every-time, I felt further from complete. Would-think with the infamy and power I was collecting, even the fortune I had. There’s no way I wouldn’t feel a sense of freedom sought or grandness. Regardless a gap waged between. Acquiring those ambitious endeavors took extreme sacrifices, not always on my account. I asked much ov’ my fellows. Two-men on the crew who were lovers had much to still-live on and found eachother in my stead, recently-wed, n’ they willingly chased after these materialistic-gains, fer me…  One voyage, required t’ see a difference-make against a War of the Depths that came t’ our shores. Despite their commitment to each other that adventure was seen-through by them. It’d prove the last-moment they shared together. One of them became corrupted, tainted by a relic’s influence, consumed ov’ ration, and killed their own heart; the very partner.” Broke-down and strings inside holding his composure, snapped. Quivering in his voice to encounter realization, “W-what, kind of Cap’n does that? I kept getting my hearties killed! Thwarting away futures not my claim t’ take. Cause of selfishness, greed, to prevent others from having all th’ cards n’ their own coffer? What th’ HELL was th’ justification!? They should still be together…” Balling his fist, nails-delving into his palm until bled. She wrote notes on her clip-board before setting it down. Unknowingly a part of her… Slumbering was strictly-involved in that War of the Depths. Reincarnation of the very-prime-foe. Even beyond both their known. Captain felt it instinctively during their meeting. Soon washed away the notion and mistrusted his own instinct. Because it wasn’t all-true. She demonstrated a whole difference to the advisory, formerly named Siren among Sirens in mythos, who orchestrated and owned an Empire at Depths of the Rohtano. Calmly and understanding from his perspective, “Cap’n we can’t carry everything outside us and blame our shoulders for not staying upright, otherwise we anchor and quickly follow-pursuit of the dead. You said it yourself they willingly followed and saw crucially a mission you-mentioned for that War? What would’ve happened if they didn’t? I’ve to bet more lives lost; War unfortunately is that, there’s no real-fortune any side attains. Always loss-occurs. Think they would-agree that was in-vain? Would they-be any happier or rested souls, knowing their Captain they shared who guided them to another foremost, sabotaged and chained himself because of their behalf? Your survival has a lot of guilt, it’s harmful.” Lowering herself to extend the reach of voice, it never once, impacted a sense of thought or deep-truth to reflect in. Frustration was being quelled, she further descended down to pull him from shallow-bellows of torment. 

As-if her spirit was diving to rescue him, where misery and sorrow; drowns their victims. She attempted to explain with insightful unfathomable wisdom, “Perception carries and decides our reality. Instead of seeing your failure, think of victory. You won in some semblance a War, a tremendous feat; prevailing over it. Every-breath you take on carries extra-life of every fallen hearty you said goodbye, departed to those early sea-bed graves. Look what’ve you achieved, how you’ve mustered courageously, standing against that Past. You’re able to discern; what’s wrong or is containing your gravity. Wallowing is dangerous, making people stuck in-limbo, devouring the Future and preventing a Present from ever-leaving unwelcome shadows. One foot of yours seems to be stuck on shore. While another contemplates a leap to the tides. I’m not saying to forget. I’m saying to swim with your knowledge and experience, forward, forward, forgiving forward.” Her words didn’t instantaneously make a difference, but they were making-brief dents. Never-valuing or understood forgiveness especially towards one-self. Wasn't it easier to quickly throw down the hatch a few-pints of bottomless ale, hasten numbness? No-one wanted to confront-this, or themselves. Burdened with confronting our own burdens. Pain happens when caring. In-the-deep the rulers residing; sharks swam in this manner. Forward, never deterring. It’s all they knew, otherwise they lose breathing, resulting in death. Yet they reigned and exhibited lessons. Captain felt a lighter-sense of him wasn’t an instantaneous recovery but a progressive, steadied one. “Thanks Slafhota, I’ll see ye’ n’ Seven Sun’s same time, aye?” For first-session, it already felt like a right-step towards entering that tide becoming a king of his depth.

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 92. brb x oc

a/n: god i hate these two ( my day...was better so I hope this chapter was too <3 )

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: two idiots in love. <3 again.

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

50/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64/65/66/67/68/69/70/71/72/73/74/75/76/77/78/79/80/81/82/83/84/85/86/87/88

/89/90/91

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-

He missed her, just like he said he would.

Today more than any other day for some odd reason, maybe it was just because he was so clingy that morning. Maybe it was because Beatrice was - no,is - the kindest person he had ever met in his life and worried about his well being so often his own heart couldn’t fathom the reasons for it.

Beatrice was like that and Nicole the same way, both of his girls had him around their fingers and he wouldn’t have any other way. He pulls out the folded sticky notes from his pocket, smiling down at the cute puns she wrote that morning, brushing his finger over the tiny drawings on the sides as he leaned down on his chair.

Ah, he was a fool in love really.

He inhaled softly, slipping the papers inside his pocket before he stood up with his reports clutched in his hand. As he opens the door however, he’s surprised to see McAllister outside with his hand up as if he was about to knock. He’s about to ask what happened, only for McAllister to salute him so fast Rooster could feel his hair move because of how quick it was, “Sir!”

He clenched his eyes, then arched his brow, “McAllister.”

“Good morning,sir!” he still has his hand up, so Rooster has to physically put it down to his side before walking around the young recruit, “How is your day going,sir?”

“Good,” Rooster arches his brow to the recruit, “Yours?”

“Very good! Oh!” It was only then that Rooster noticed he had one of his hands behind his back, pulling out to reveal a glittery bag with a large red bow keeping it closed, “Here sir, it’s our gift for the little miss.”

Rooster blinked at the bag, then at McAllister, letting out an amused chuckle, “Well,I’ll be damned, thank you.” the young recruit nods, about to salute him only to keep his hand down, “I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“It’s a gift from all of us,sir!” McAllister smiles, “I hope she will!” but before Bradley could turn around and put it inside his office, he’s only able to see that McAllister’s face was pale…as in, ghostly white. 

Rooster frowned, keeping his eyes on the young recruit whose mouth opened without any sounds coming out, like a fish out of the water trying his best to keep alive. The Lieutenant just frowned, “McAllister.” he tries, ‘What’s wrong? You look ready to pass out.”

A sudden clap on his shoulder makes Rooster look behind him…then a few inches lower, meeting his godfather’s light colored gaze, “Rooster, good morning. So, lunch on me today yeah?” 

Oh.

“Oh, yeah Mav.” he smiles, looking back at the young recruit who just looks absolutely flabbergasted by the whole situation, “By the way did you meet recruit McAllister?” The poor boy seemed like he was ready to jump off his own skin at any second, wide eyed and slack jawed at the mere presence of Maverick. Maverick, who either didn’t care about the wide eyed stare or was oblivious to it, just smiled towards the younger recruit.

“I didn’t but nice to meet you kid.” He just gets no response as McAllister is just staring googly eyed at him, his face going from white to red in a matter of seconds “You okay? What’s wrong with him?” Mav questions Rooster, leaning closer to his nephew in hopes the other pilot wouldn’t hear.

“I think he’s starstruck.” Rooster replies as he crosses his arms, the gift bag dangling from his fingers as he watches the scene with pure amusement. He knew the three new recruits referred to Mav as an ‘unbelievable fighter pilot’ and asked Rooster if they could meet him one of these days. 

He was pretty sure McAllister didn’t think he’d be the first one to do that. He just stared and he stared hard at Pete who looked just a tidbit uncomfortable, “Rooster.” he tries again, “What is he doing?”

“He’s starstruck,Mav.”

“By who?”

“You!”

Pete blinked, “Me? What? No, come on, kid.” he gently touches McAllister’s shoulder, earning a gasp from the younger pilot whose eyes only got bigger, “ I’m no one, you don’t have to act like that,you hear? McAllister,hey.”

But poor McAllister just looked so shocked and ready to cry that Pete felt almost too bad to continue talking to him. He sent his nephew a worried look, one that Rooster only shrugged his shoulders and smirked at, “Oh…my God…” it was the first thing McAllister said after minutes, “...Cpt.Mitchell– Sir! I–” he quickly salutes him, “I-It’s an honor! I-I…you–we!” He salutes Pete again, out of nervousness and it only makes the older pilot offer him a confused smile.

“Rooster…?” his uncle calls, through gritted teeth but Rooster is too amused to do anything else right now.

“Oh my God, the guys will never believe me.” McAllister says, elated, “I can’t believe I’m standing face to face with you! They’ll be so jealous!”

“Rooster…!”

“I have so many questions,Cpt.Mitchell! I have,” he holds up a finger, patting his uniform, “Hold on,I keep some notes with me– wait, can I ask you about them over lunch?”

Pete was ready to say no, but Rooster cut him off “Of course,McAllister.” his uncle just gave Rooster a confused look, “He won’t mind,right Pete?” there’s no response but a heaved out sigh from Pete who immediately regrets it because the younger recruit is just so excited.

He shakes Pete’s hand again, letting them know that the other guys would ‘go crazy’ when they find out about it. Both Bradley and Maverick watch as McAllister leaves them alone, saluting them one more time, before almost skipping away from them. Pete just makes a face, “That was something.”

“Sure was.”

“And you sound too happy about it.”

“Sure am.” Rooster chuckles, holding up the gift bag on his index finger, “Let me just put this in my office so I can deliver these reports.” and check on his phone but he didn’t want to appear desperate because of Beatrice.

As he walks back to his office, something flutters down his shirt onto the floor, making Maverick blink and tilt his head at it before crouching to pick it up. It was a bright colored folded paper and when he opened it he couldn’t help the smile on his face. Okay, that was pretty cute, he thinks looking down at the obvious pun and the tiny versions of himself and Beatrice drawn on it.

Pete looks back up to where his nephew’s office is, only to sigh softly because…well, memories come back and sometimes you feel a huge amount of sorrow. Because Carole used to do this with Goose, many times he’d find folded pieces of paper - mainly notebooks pages ripped quickly - whenever Goose was seated and/or staying.

He ‘huh’s quietly, folding the little piece of paper closed again just in time for Rooster to return, “Hey,” he holds it up between his index and middle finger, “You dropped this.”

The look of realization on his face only makes Mav grin, speeding his steps towards his uncle to shove it inside his pocket as if it was the most precious thing he had ever held in his hands, “Thanks I uh, must’ve let it slip.” he muttered, clearing his throat with a soft flush to his cheeks.

“Hmhm,of course.”

“Did you look at it?”

“Me? Who do you think I am,Rooster?” his nephew just stared at him with the subtle squint of his eyes, “I did yeah.”

“I don’t know why I bother asking.” but he’s smiling, there was no anger in his voice. He wasn’t ashamed of Beatrice nor about the love he had for her…he just liked messing with his uncle a little bit, “So, uh, next week Nikki is going to stay with you.”

“Oh yes,” Pete grins, “I know.”

Rooster rolls his eyes, “Well, please don’t teach my daughter weird shit, okay? That’s my job when she gets older.” which will take a long time, she’s not even one year old yet! 

“No promises.” Mav laughs, clapping his shoulder.

-

By the time lunch time arrived, and so did the three over enthusiastic recruits, Rooster excused himself from the table - leaving his uncle wide eyed and horrified - to talk to Bea. It wasn’t an excuse considering he did want to talk to her every day.

But it was pretty fun seeing Mav looking so worried.

Rooster pressed her contact and waited, checking his nails and patting his shirt of any crumbs as the phone rang, twice, three times and he was about to get worried if Beatrice’s laughing voice didn’t come from the other end “Hi,Roos!”

Oh just her voice was enough to make him melt, “Hi,gorgeous.” he smirks, “How’s your day going? Having fun with the girls?”

He could hear laughter and the sound of cutlery in the background, followed by a modern song he couldn’t identify, “Yes! We are at the mall right now.”  she giggles, “Nikki is enjoying some carrot purée and I’m having sushi with the girls! It’s been really good. How are you though-” there’s the subtle sound of Shells’ voice teasing Bea, asking if she wanted some alone time but the brunette just scoffed on the phone, “Ignore that if you heard,Shells is trying to be funny.”

“I am funny!”

“Sometimes you are Shells,” Evelyn’s voice adds up “Tell Rooster hi,Bea.”

“I will, Ev and Shells said hi.”

He closed his eyes with a sigh, leaning his back against the wall because holy shit she was so sweet, “I know gorgeous,I heard them.” he smiles, folding his arm over his chest and under his opposite limb, keeping his eyes around just to pass the time, “Did you find what you were looking for?”

“Oh,yes! Yes I did and I got even more stuff- oh Roos,baby stuff is so cute and Nikki will look so precious! I even got her new shoes!”

“Did you now?”

“Yes, they look like tiny combat boots but like…made of cloth.”

Rooster smiles more, keeping his eyes closed to hear her voice, anyone around him would be aware of the fully enamored look on his face, “Of course,gorgeous.” he sighs dreamily, “...I miss you.” and it comes out quiet, his eyes still closed as he whispers, “I miss you a lot today.”

Beatrice is quiet for a few seconds, only to laugh softly on the phone “I miss you too.” Shells’ obvious fake vomiting could be heard as well, followed by an ‘ow!’ because Evelyn undoubtedly slapped her  “I miss you so much, but…I know you are safe and okay and I’ll see you again later.”

“Baby…” he chuckles, “You are too cute.”

“Did I make you blush?”

He snorts, looking down at his shoes, “A little.”

“Good!”

Oh my God he couldn’t handle her. He just…he was in such a peaceful state in his life, he’s so happy, he’s so fulfilled and so eager to have this life with Beatrice and Nicole. Some of the older officers made fun of him when he announced his engagement then wedding then Nicole’s birth, saying it was too soon too fast and he wouldn’t even see much in his early years.

But what the hell, he was happy with this, he couldn’t ask for something better. Maybe it was…the hole inside of him that longed for a full family, longed for days spent together on a beach, seeing their daughter’s milestones together with a woman who loved him so unashamedly and so purely…he couldn’t really complain. He had nothing to complain about.

His job was dangerous and stressful and even if he loved it he couldn’t deny he got thoughts every now and again. Worrisome thoughts, thoughts that involved him and his father, thoughts that dared to think about the what ifs of his profession…and how much these what ifs weighed on him.

Maybe that’s also why he was so…open about his love for Beatrice and Nicole. He had to live day by day to his fullest, that’s all he had to do. “Roos.” her soft voice snaps him out of his thoughts, blinking his eyes open “You got quiet, everything okay?”

“Everything is just great,gorgeous. Just great…still thinking about you, about Nikki…about us and the many things we’ll do together when I get home later.” he lowers his voice when he says that, chuckling through the phone at her surprised inhale followed by her quiet giggle.

“You,” she whispers back, “Are a menace.”

“I am, especially to my wife.”

Beatrice laughs again, it’s like music, before she continues speaking “Your wife appreciates it. She really does…oh! I also got something for you!”

“Something? Baby you already gifted me today…”

“I know but I saw it and thought of you!” she replies sweetly, “Plus, I think your home office needs…something more but I won’t tell you anything else besides that!”

He smiles with the phone still glued to his ear, looking back to where Mav was just to see his uncle trying to desperately find him in the crowd…so Rooster just backed away even more to hide himself from his view, “Oh,you are not telling me anything else.”

“Nope!”

“Can I guess?”

There’s a short timed pause, “...no.Because you’ll manage to answer out of me and I don’t want that!”

“...baby I love you so much,did I told you that?” he says sweetly, “Because you are the sweetest woman I’ve ever met and my God I’m going to–” he lowers his voice even more “Kiss you so much when I get back.”

“Good,I’d hope so.”

It takes one fleeting glance down at his watch to earn a sigh out of him, “Gorgeous,I need to go back.” He sounds so disappointed it makes her giggle a bit, “Have fun with the girls,okay? I’ll see you later. I love you.”

“I love you too,Roos! See you later!”

He whispers ‘bye’ to her with so much softness he almost felt like he was floating, finishing the call only to fall back against the wall with a dreamy smile on his face. “Fuck,I love her so much.” He pushes himself away from the wall so he could walk back to where Maverick was with the three young officers, his uncle still looking distraught and annoyed at the same time when he meets his eyes.

“Had fun?” he asks once he’s close to the table, earning an amused glare from Pete, who just rolled his eyes because the three recruits were still talking amongst themselves, about Maverick specially.

“Yes, yes, joke all you want.” Pete says, “How’s Bea?”

“Good,she’s out with the girls and she’s having a lot of fun.” he smirks sweetly, “That girl got me good,Mav.” and he didn’t even care if the three other guys were within earshot, hell he didn’t care at all.

“She sure did, Rooster.” Mav adds, “And so did Nicole.”

Rooster’s cheek dimples when he gives his uncle a small grin, sliding his phone in his pocket before he sits back down.

-

Beatrice sighs dreamily while looking at their wedding picture - her background that she couldn’t really change even if she tried to - giggling like a little girl with her longtime crush as her friends watch amusedly, “Well,” Evelyn begins, sipping her lemonade, “Love sure does look good on you.”

The brunette just offers her friend a knowing look, “I can say the same about you.” she smiles, “You and Jake are adorable together.”

Evelyn’s smile widened subtly, but Bea knew she appreciated it a lot. Jake was a good guy and he really liked her, he had his issues - obviously - but he was really in love with her…and he was going to marry her…and they were expecting their first child together, a child that already had a very nice wardrobe. “Ahem.” Shells arches her brows, pointing at herself, “What about me?”

“You are crazy about Bob, Shells and you make fun of me because of how I act around Roos…when you are the same way.”

Shells smiled knowingly, “True,I do love my sugarpuff.”

Beatrice sighs softly, leaning back into her seat while keeping her eyes on a sleeping Nicole, “...I’m so happy.” she whispers, ‘I…I feel like…I don’t know, it’s–when we dated it was amazing, then we got married and now we have a child. And he keeps making me feel like I’m over the moon every single time.” she looks down at her wedding ring, rubbing the golden band with her thumb, “And we have a house and we have a healthy relationship and…and there’s nothing hidden in there. It’s so crazy…sixteen years old Bea would never believe it.”

If she could talk to her younger self she was sure she’d be stared at like she was crazy, “Yeah, well, you two are just two peas in a pod,” Shells smirks, flicking her eyes towards Nicole as she sips her juice, “So…” 

“So?”

“Are you and Rooster planning for another one?”

“Planning for– wait, you mean another baby?!” Beatrice’s eyes widened at Shells’ nod, “I…no? Shells,Nikki is not even one year old yet. She doesn’t even have teeth.” just imagining getting pregnant again so quickly was crazy. There was no way they’d do that, they’d have to really think about it and then figure out if it was viable or not.

Sure, they had enough rooms for more kids - and maybe she’d like more - but there was only so much that could be done…during the time they had. Especially Rooster. “We aren’t thinking about it yet, no.”

“Jesus,Shells, let me have my own baby first.” Evelyn muttered, “You got baby fever of some sort?”

“I’m an only child,I wanna be an auntie!”

Beatrice huffed a laugh, mentally hating how the thought of more children ingrained itself in her brain…no. No she shouldn’t think about that when Nikki was so young, and especially because they couldn’t have more children yet, they talked about having one not more than that. 

She looks down at the sleeping baby by her side, Nicole’s hair mussed up because of the seat and one of her favorite toys close to her side - obviously it was the chicken Jake gave her - and Beatrice just thought that she could talk to Rooster about it, at least to have it out of the way.

Yeah, just to have it out of the way.

[middletone]

Introduction Post

Spring – Year 1: Week 1- Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4

Summer – Year 1: Week 1- Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4

Current Goals:

Fast-track Blue Chickens

Mining Level 10

ACHIEVED - Fishing Level 10

Weekly Summary: As the Valley erupts into brilliant flowers and vibrant greens, Aurora Fields Farm meanders it's way into the beginning of a lazy Summer.

After many days spent on the docks, Leander ability skill with a rod has come to rival even that of Willy's! The clear, blue waters of the valley still have many bounties to offer, but our Farmer feels the call of the Valley pulling him deeper— downwards, towards the Mines.

However, there are strange happenings on the surface; Green Rain descends upon Pelican Town. As the viridescent storm passes through the Valley, weird and wild foliage erupts from every available patch of land. Yet, even as the trees changed shape and the wilds overtook the town, Leander felt only a strange peace flood over the valley along with the waters. Once the benign nature of this strange phenomenon was confirmed by both Linus and the Wizard, Leander spent the rest of the day checking in with the townsfolk to assure them of their safety.

Strange how, in only a season, Leander has formed such close ties...

Daily summary & donation checklists under the cut; mod list in the Introduction post.

Day 1:

Bought and Planted Summer crops

Gave Evelyn a Joja Cola to enjoy while reading The Blue Tower

Spent the day fishing; Treasure: Magma Geode, Diamond, Deluxe Bait, Bait, Bait and Bobber book

Hit Level 10 Fishing - Chose Pirate

Got Ol Mariner Achievement

Day 2:

Donated items to the Museum

Day 3:

Moved the Farmhouse

Built a Silo

Donated items to the Community Center

Cleared some area in Cindersap Woods before bed

Day 4:

Gave Jas cookies for her birthday

Red Mullet frenzy at the beach

Cleared some area in Town & the Mountains

Day 5:

Green Rain! Spent the day checking on townsfolk and gathering moss

Found 3 Mossy Seeds

Found and Read Woody’s Secret; gained foraging XP

Passed out in the rain and was billed 392g by Harvey; mean

Day 6:

Got Emily’s 2 and 4 Heart Events

Spent the day clearing the farm

Hit Level 6 Foraging

Day 7:

Donated items to the Community Center

Spent the day clearing the farm

Got Cowpoke Achievement

Donations:

Community Center - Crafts Room 2/6:

4/4 Spring Foraging: Wild Horseradish, Daffodil, Leek, Spring Onion

3/3 Summer Foraging: Grape, Spice Berry, Sweet Pea

2/4 Fall Foraging: Common Mushroom, Wild Plum, Hazelnut, Blackberry

0/4 Winter Foraging: Crystal Fruit, Snow Yam, Crocus, Holly

4/5 Exotic Foraging: Coconut, Cactus Fruit, Cave Carrot, Red Mushroom, Purple Mushroom, Maple Syrup, Oak Resin, Pine Tar, Morel

2/3 Forest: Moss (10), Fiber (200), Maple Seed (10)

Community Center - Pantry 1/6:

4/4 Spring Crops: Parsnip, Green Bean, Cauliflower, Potato

0/4 Summer Crops: Hot Pepper, Blueberry, Melon, Summer Squash

0/4 Fall Crops: Corn, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Yam

0/1 Rare Crops: Ancient Fruit, Sweet Gem Berry

2/4 Garden: Tulip, Summer Spangle, Fairy Rose, Blue Jazz, Sunflower

0/4 Brewer’s: Mead, Wine, Juice, Pale Ale, Green Tea

Community Center - Fish Tank 0/6:

2/4 River Fish: Sunfish, Catfish, Shad, Tiger Trout

3/4 Lake Fish: Largemouth Bass, Carp, Bullhead, Sturgeon

3/4 Ocean Fish: Sardine, Tuna, Red Snapper, Tilapia

2/3 Night Fishing: Walleye, Bream, Eel

4/5 Crab Pot: Lobster, Crayfish, Crab, Cockle, Mussel, Shrimp, Snail, Periwinkle, Oyster, Clam

1/2 Master Fisher’s: Lava Eel, Scorpion Carp, Octopus, Blobfish

Community Center - Boiler Room 2/3:

4/4 Geologist’s: Quartz, Earth Crystal, Frozen Tear, Fire Quartz

5/5 Treasure Hunter’s: Amethyst, Topaz, Emerald, Diamond, Ruby, Aquamarine

1/3 Engineer’s: Iridium Ore, Battery Pack, Refined Quartz (5)

Community Center - Bulletin Board 0/5:

0/6 Chef’s: Maple Syrup, Fiddlehead Fern, Truffle, Poppy, Maki Roll, Fried Egg

2/4 Field Research: Purple Mushroom, Nautilus Shell, Chub, Frozen Geode

1/2 Forager’s: Salmonberry (50), Blackberry (50), Wild Plum (15)

0/3 Spirit’s Eve: Jack-O-Lantern, Corn (10), Bat Wing (10)

0/2: Winter Star: Holly (5), Plum Pudding, Stuffing, Powdermelon (5)

Community Center - Bulletin Board 1/5:

0/1 2,500g: 2,500g

0/1 5,000g: 5,000g

1/1 10,000g: 10,000g

0/1 25,000g: 25,000g

Museum - Artifacts 9/42:

Dwarf Scroll I, Dwarf Scroll II, Dwarf Scroll III, Dwarf Scroll IV, Chipped Amphora, Arrowhead, Ancient Doll, Elvish Jewelry, Chewing Stick, Ornamental Fan, Dinosaur Egg, Rare Disc, Ancient Sword, Rusty Spoon, Rusty Spur, Rusty Cog, Chicken Statue, Ancient Seed, Prehistoric Tool, Dried Starfish, Anchor, Glass Shards, Bone Flute, Prehistoric Handaxe, Dwarvish Helm, Dwarf Gadget, Ancient Drum, Golden Mask, Golden Relic, Strange Doll, Prehistoric Scapula, Prehistoric Tibia, Prehistoric Skull, Skeletal Hand, Prehistoric Rib, Prehistoric Vertebra, Skeletal Tail, Nautilus Fossil, Amphibian Fossil, Palm Fossil, Trilobite

Museum – Minerals 18/53:

Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby, Amethyst, Topaz, Jade, Diamond, Prismatic Shard, Quartz, Fire Quartz, Frozen Tear, Earth Crystal, Alamite, Bixite, Baryte, Aerinite, Calcite, Dolomite, Esperite, Fluorapatite, Geminite, Helvite, Jamborite, Jagoite, Kyanite, Lunarite, Malachite, Neptunite, Lemon Stone, Nekoite, Orpiment, Petrified Slime, Thunder Egg, Pyrite, Ocean Stone, Ghost Crystal, Tigerseye, Jasper, Opal, Fire Opal, Celestine, Marble, Sandstone, Granite, Basalt, Limestone, Soapstone, Hematite, Mudstone, Obsidian, Slate, Fairy Stone, Star Shards

[jamela-21]

"Through the Lens of Flavor: Culinary Capture"

Vermosa, Daang Hari- On April 10, 2024, savoring every bite of this culinary masterpiece choices captured in Peri- Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar. It was a blast.

As someone who enjoys eating and we mainly order our favorite dish originally from Italy, Shrimp Aglio Olio Pasta, is one of the dishes that best captures the spirit of flavor and simplicity. This ageless masterpiece enthralls diners with its harmonized savory blend of succulent fish, aromatic garlic, spicy red pepper flakes, and golden olive oil. Explore the lovely world of Shrimp Aglio Olio Pasta and discover why food lovers' palettes and hearts continue to hold a particular place for it.

Unlock a new variety of item to your palettes, grilled goodness of Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla Delight with Fresh Salad Medley. This delightful fusion of savory cheeses, tender chicken, and crisp greens that promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to a world of culinary bliss. As you take your first bite of the cheese quesadilla with chicken and salad, you'll be greeted by a symphony of flavors and textures on your palate. The crispy tortilla gives way to a molten river of cheese, mingling with tender bites of seasoned chicken and the crisp crunch of fresh greens. So go ahead, take a bite, and let your taste buds embark on a journey through the flavors of the Peri-Peri restaurant best sellers Bon appétit!

Picture the mouthwatering aroma of smokey barbecue filling the air, along with the promise of a filling meal that pleases both the stomach and the soul. Now those smoked ribs paired with sweet corn, flavorful Spanish rice, and tart coleslaw—a culinary symphony that honors the finest aspects of comfort food cuisine. Get ready to experience barbecue ecstasy like never before when you light up the grill, assemble your loved ones, and go on a culinary adventure through layers of flavor and texture with every bite. Welcome to the realm of indulgence. Life is too short to eat anything less than exceptional, after all.

Theme: Food and Drink

@therealrodthings