#they have different flavors depending on vulnerability

[the-raging-tempest]

My nose won’t stop bleeding so I am just sitting up in bed with tissues. Bad migraine but you know what… Filling out this little chart Romeo posted in discord. I can already tell I fucked some parts because I feel so out of it but whatever I’m vibing

(Fixed ish)

Lariel’s song Zrise’s Song

[tendergraphite]

Camilla & Henry: A Relationship Analysis

I've witnessed many TSH posts about the characters that aren't based on their actions at all, but their perceived beauty.

Take Camilla, instead of being seen as boyish/gender ambiguous (To the extent Richard used her as Charles stand in) And as cold-hearted enough to match Henry's bitterness—She is viewed as a darling graceful soul; A damsel in distress even.

We hardly understand Camilla because Richard didn't—We know so little, that there's much room for imagination. All the characters worp her identity, their notions about girls being innocent (Translated Meaning: incompetent) A mask for the sour milk on her breath.

However bits of the truth have always sneaked by—Peace's Richard didn't see as damning written in without him realizing the meaning behind the actions. That's why I've always been of the belief the characters true intents can be understood, even if that's not the point of the story.

Title: Satan Meets An Angels Corpse

Richard assumed it was difficult for Camilla to be the only female scholar in a group of men: But it was quite the contrary.

Camilla held similar beliefs as the Greeks, having a superiority complex I'd argue was the reason for her disliking of women—She's actively pointed out as having brawled with the only other two women in the book: If many of us really met Camilla, she'd harner an instant disdain for us—You'd have better luck getting Bunny to genuinely like you.

I believe she's been used as a self insert by the fandom—which is why she in particular is so wrongly understood—And why many are so eager for her romantic relationship with Henry to be canon. I've always hated that, as I believe that's really what's been stopping many from seeing what was really going on with Henry.

Oh yes, Henry Winter, whose largely over glorified for the surface level psychopathy and bone chilling murdering of his best friend. What I like to call one of the ''True'' plotlines in The Secret History is Henry's mental decline. Now, I've been building up this theory for awhile. so to fully understand you'll need to read the following posts about Henry 1) Not being in a car accident, and is in fact a victim of abuse 2) Why he chose to kill himself, and why the decision had been inevitable.

If you don't read the above, do not come into my comment section asking for explanations.

With the context set, what was their relationship?

Firstly, the two are a similar flavor of chaotic—The two saw Bunny's shenanigans and both went ''I mean, why don't we just kill him then?'' They are the equivalent of two high school girls besties, who have a secret ring code just so they can gossip about the latest sauce.

The two are very vulnerable people: Henry, who for the first time in his life was away from his abusive home—With no real social skills or awareness for the new world—Who probably only had his Mother prior; And Camilla who lost both her parents, and whose only real reliable company was her brother: They needed someone outside of their immediate circle, so become dependant on one another.

I feel the fandom forgets this, but Camilla held the exact same spiritual beliefs as Henry. Both of them navigated the world differently because of these beliefs, and would've bonded over their mutual understanding. So, do I think the two slept with one another? During the attempted/actual bacchanal sure, but past that? No, as that's not what their relationship was based upon.

Now the elephant in the room room. What was happening with the erm, love triangle? There wasn't one. Camilla distanced herself because Charles was changing in ways she couldn't support and was hurting her. She couldn't help him so helped herself as she should've, and ended up trusting who she saw to be her only good friend.

Henry's reaction to "Isn't that what you do to my sister every night?" Was largely caused by him actively self-sabotaging and not caring at that point. He knew Charles wanted a reaction, so didn't give it to him; He was playing a game he knew would end with him losing and did not care.

Along with the fact Henry was entirely under the impression Camilla was being physically abused. As someone who had been abused himself, of course he stepped in and whisked Camilla of to a hotel where he felt confident no one could simply trespass and attack her. This wasn't some possessive romantic get-away, he was worried.

As for why the two are so comfortable within their interactions with one another: Physical affection is comforting, it isn't just about romance for a lot of people it's about feeling safe. Why wouldn't they do these small gestures? They were comfortable with each other because they were friends.

Henry's support network had consisted of 1) Bunny, who was his best-friend and I'd argue to be brother figure; him being the only one to be able to get him to laugh, and come out of his shell. 2) Julian, who acted as a role model and parental support; he was the one to bring purpose to Henry's life and needed validation for his deep seeded insecurities—And Henry's last line of defence, 3) Camilla.

Henry lasted so long because of her nearing the end, but the flaw in their friendship was that Camilla couldn't empathise with him. She cares about those around her, really she does, but those people are a limited number and like Henry she is capable of feeling no remorse for manipulating the people she cares about.

She found Henry's display of misery embarrassing. Where Julian would have comforted him (In his own fucked-up egocentric way) And resolved Henry's feelings of worthlessness—Camilla couldn't. Even Bunny would've shown some form of affection—But Camilla's and Henry's relationship wasn't built on that, that's not why the two were friends.

A special thanks to bandaiddd for the following question: ''1) the relationship is shown through Richard’s eyes, do you believe/how do you think Henry manipulated his vision of their relationship within Richard’s narrative? 2) what do you think he whispered to her?''

To begin, he would've shaped the narrative to fit Camilla and Henry being romantically involved for a couple of reasons. The book is written after his last interaction with Camilla and her rejection, so it better suits him to believe Henry was the reason to her not accepting his marriage proposal (She just wasn't interested, and felt incredibly awkward.) Another way he shifted the narrative was just the fact Richard loves intrigue. Henry being a jealous lover and not a worried friend was simply more interesting—Along with making more sense to him.

With the second question... You just had to break my heart and make me genuinely answer this.

A tender kiss is often a mournful goodbye in tales—But a forehead kiss specifically represents friendship... And an apology. It's a much more respectful way to show adoration, more supple than a kiss on the lips. Before Henry kissed Camilla, he had already made up his mind—It's why what he had whispered was ''I love you.'' Prior to another kiss, and another ''I love you.'' Before he pulled back.

[virgo-79]

I have a new (I think) take on the coffee theory.

Now first off, I don't think the coffee theory is needed to make Aziraphale's actions make sense in terms of his motivation, his hopes for Heaven, or his desire to be with Crowley safely. I think the Aziraphale we know could absolutely get there on his own, for all the reasons that have already been examined very eloquently in other posts.

No, I think there's something to a coffee theory of some sort just because SUCH a big deal was made out of something that would otherwise be minor. They didn't have to show the Metatron getting it at all; we know there's a coffee shop right there across the street. The only reason I can think of that they needed to show it was to highlight the fact that what the Metatron ordered and what he told Aziraphale was in the drink were different: a dash of almond versus a jigger of it. That is a HUGE distinction. Adding a dash means you take your flavoring, your bitters, whatever liquid you're working with, and do a quick, tiny splash. A WHOLE JIGGER OF ALMOND IS SO MUCH ALMOND. That's anywhere from an ounce to 2 ounces of liquid depending on the jigger you're using. A drink containing a whole jigger of almond is going to taste STRONGLY of almond.

They drew our attention to that fact. Not only was it a point of discussion twice, there was a significant difference in the ingredients mentioned. If they just wanted to paint the Metatron as using all of Aziraphale's sweet spots to manipulate him, all they had to do was have him bringing coffee -- or whatever -- as that gesture.

I don't think for a second Metatron mind-wiped Aziraphale, but I absolutely think he put something in that coffee. The level of attention brought to it and the discrepancy don't make any sense if we're weren't supposed to notice it.

But to what end?

I1¹ understand the jump to cyanide -- strange almond taste you say? And we have a canon example of poison affecting celestial beings very differently than humans, what with Crowley shotgunning a whole bottle of laudanum and getting high as a kite.

But. There's also the "almonds for purity" symbolism. And that's the one I'm particularly interested in. Not for the possibility of Aziraphale's mind being made "pure" and supernaturally suggest able. But as some kind of deterrent against *impurity.* Against demons.

Against Crowley.

Because while I think Aziraphale is absolutely in a place where he would have been vulnerable to the idea of ruling Heaven with Crowley, the part of their scene together that does seem like it could have gone differently in Aziraphale's reaction to the kiss.

Watch that scene again and tell me it couldn't read as Aziraphale being in pain. Watch him touch his lips afterwards. Shock at the kiss? Sure. But doesn't it also kind of look like he's been hurt? Or burned?

This is Aziraphale getting kissed by Crowley. When they were just dancing hours before, and he was gushing about how much Crowley loves rescuing him. Fight or not, conflicting beliefs or not, I still feel like Aziraphale would react to being kissed by his Crowley with pure joy.

And the "I forgive you" then reads TOTALLY differently.

I think the Metatron poisoned Aziraphale against Crowley specifically.

[prince-liest]

Hi! About your staticradio series (which is PHENOMENAL omg😍) - I know you said Vox is kinda falling in love while Al will remain aro. Which is awesome, we love to see rep! But I'm wondering if they will end up as QPPs (who fuck, lol)? Or it'll strictly be FWBs? Gah it's diffifult to describe it bc labels are so subjective and often too limiting, but I guess what I'm asking is whether they'll have an emotional relationship too, however it might look with their orientations? Will Al in particular have any soft feels for Vox & be fond of their unique bond? Even if Vox is in love with him when Al himself isn't? (I worry that would scare Al away😭) An intimate emotional closeness regardless of the specifics?

Thank you so much!! I've been enjoying writing it enormously so it always brings me a lot of joy that other folks are, too. >:D Just a heads up, this post has turned a little long because it got me talking about Alastor and the way he handles his feelings vs his ego in general.

First: I think the answer to this depends fully on how you personally define a queerplatonic partnership! I don't think Alastor would ever go for, like, a committed relationship with Vox in any form, but I also don't think that this would necessarily be a sad state of affairs for Vox, who I obviously write as poly as fuck with his toxic yaoi husband. Maybe it's because I'm aro af, but I feel like from Vox's end, "Yeah, I get to fuck around with the guy I'm obsessed with and he's not, like, nice, but I think I Stockholmed him into giving a shit about me!" is not actually a state of affairs he'd dislike! Especially since it's got that shiny "I'm special!" vibe in the sense that Nobody Else Gets To Get This Far With Alastor.

As for Alastor's side of things...

I think that so much of their dynamic dynamic isn't just set by Alastor being aroace, it's also set by him being a fucking sadist and a narcissist, HAHA. Like, he is very much in the middle of developing feelings about Vox, which (if my favorite interpretation of his little breakdown in the finale is correct) is also where his character arc is heading with regards to the hotel crew in canon, too, but his friendship-and-trust arc is slowburn as all hell and not entirely linear.

Part of the fun in writing Alastor is the process of qualifying all of his feelings with his sense of superiority in a way that is protective of his ego. He is freely and openly fond of people when that fondness doesn't expose any kind of emotional vulnerability in him. For example: He feels a condescending but genuine fondness for Niffty and Mimzy, whom he protects, and that's safe! He's quirky friends with Rosy, who is a benevolent semi-equal who uplifts his ego, and that's safe! He... may or may not have started caring enough about the hotel crew to have put himself at risk for them, and that is not only dangerous to his physical well-being but also massively humiliating, which is arguably worse to someone like Alastor.

He has SO many ego-prioritizing defense mechanisms and it's fun for me to pay attention to because I, too, am someone whose cardinal sin is probably pride. Anything is permissible only as long as it can be framed in a way that doesn't insult his ego.

Anyway, the point is: I don't think "soft feels and fondness for their unique bond" is on the list of ways that Alastor is able to find himself feeling about someone like Vox. The whole reason their whole situation in 666: Live on Air! started is thanks to Alastor's awareness and amusement at how obsessed Vox is with him. He sees himself as above Vox, and knowing that Vox is more emotionally invested than he is is part of the appeal. It's just gone from (derogatory) to (fond). (Which is, guess what? Safe!)

(It also means realizing that Vox is falling madly in love or whatever just nets a reaction somewhere in the region of, "Wait, is that significantly different from what you were already doing?", lol, because the only thing that's changed is the flavor of feeling, not the level of exposed emotional underbelly that he thinks Vox is showing him.)

TL;DR: He likes Vox like a cat likes a favorite mouse.

[deckofflora]

Wizard101 Combat/Game Mechanic Head-Canons * Note, all quotes are fan-written in-universe flavor-text, and any mentioned events that differ from canon are due to the fact that these exist within my AU's storyline

Health

“Enveloping every entity within the spiral, exists an aura unseen by the naked eye. This aura, often referred to as an individual’s ‘Health’, protects the body, spirit, and mind against attacks.” “Originating from the ‘antibodies’ of Raven, Bartleby, and Spider’s inflictions in the Primordial Nebula, ‘Health’ provides a means of preventing the full force of magical or physical damage.” “‘Health’ withstands the attacks of spells and weapons, the body remaining unscathed.” Despite its wonders, ‘Health’ is not a means of invulnerability. It can be worn down, pierced through— stolen. It is merely nothing more than the byproduct of their environment, this Spiral they inhabit. The will of a wizard or the power of a pirate is enough to break down this barrier, have they not the strength of their own to persist and triumph. Once the barrier has fallen, the individual is vulnerable to the full force of an attack, leading to possible unconsciousness, illness and/or injury, or fatality. The natural ‘Health’ of an individual is dependent on their physical health, mental health, and most importantly: their willpower. Those with injuries, illnesses, or mental health concerns are often deemed to be unsuited for combat, due to their lower ‘Health’. Fortunately, health can be replenished via rest, healing spells, and ‘Health’ wisps found throughout the spiral. The practice of increasing one's ‘Health’ is often done via self-care, meditation, and physical training; it is common to see a variety of practices throughout the worlds of The Spiral.

Mana

"A permeating energy that separates our Spiral from what lies beyond the veil. This force- This 'Mana'- indiscriminately seeks to fill the space it occupies, even imbuing itself within spellcasters." "Those whom open their mind, body, and spirit to Mana's flow- spellcasters- have the unique ability to pull upon this energy within, casting their own intentions forward." "Mana is the fuel for the very spells we cast." 'Mana' exists virtually everywhere within The Spiral; it can be compared to the air our words flow through. It acts as both the canvas and the paint for spells. Despite the wonders that can be achieved, those with reliance on this energy often find themselves needing to manage an appropriate intake and outtake of this force. Too much mana within The Self leads to symptoms of magical outbursts and overflowing instability, while too little mana often shows symptoms of fatigue and inability to spell-cast. Fortunately, these ailments can be both prevented and amended. Cases of mana-drought can be cured via rest, stored-mana consumption, and 'Mana' wisps found around the spiral. Those experiencing mana-overcharge can expel this energy via spellcasting, mana-pulling, and other grounding techniques. The practice of increasing one's 'Mana' limit is achieved through meditation and magical training; it is common to see a variety of practices throughout spellcaster-inhabited worlds of The Spiral.

Duel Circles

"Historians say the circles originated from The Titan War as a manifestation of conflict itself, though in my opinion… only them prissy spellcasters from them fancy schools use 'em." "The tampering of them things, now that's what's scary, there be these so-called 'rules', and man… you don't wanna be around when one of them circles go off." "We don't play with them rules 'round these parts, why 'r askin' 'bout such things?" An unintended consequence of The Titan War, Duel Circles are manifestations of pure Conflict. This energy, often theorized by scholars to be a direct counterbalance to Harmony itself, acts as a catalyst for 'resolving quarrel' within The Spiral. Despite it's namesake, origins, and typical-use, these catalysts can manifest themselves for many types of interaction, acting more as a compromise between two opposing ends. Duel Circles define their own laws of magic when called upon, the 'rules of combat' being appointed beforehand- whether verbally or as a subconscious middle-ground between participants. Once the participants enter the ring, there is a short grace period before the battle commences, this 'planning phase' is known to occur between each round of action, each member getting their own turn. The variation of appearance and mechanics makes this ancient construct a great tool, able to provide a stable environment for spells, confine the impact of magic to a closed space, limit the effects of combat on non-participating individuals, and enforce a fair fight. In spite of it's accomplishments, Duel Circles have a concerning impact upon Mana and Health. It pulls upon the bounds of an individuals Health, stretching it to fill a larger confine, any adverse or beneficial side effects of this are unseen. These perimeters also take a heavier toll upon a spellcaster's mana, seemingly feeding upon excess mana from spells that otherwise would have recycled itself into the caster's system. The existence of rules subsequently creates the desire to test their elasticity: a practice known as The Arcane. Followers of this discipline hail back to the Titans themselves, known to force their own ideals upon the field. They manipulate and act between the laws of the Duel Circle, cheating the battle to their favor. Like all rules, they have consequences when broken. Due to the nature of Duel Circle's impact upon Health and Mana, destabilizing these battlegrounds can lead to fatal consequences; including, but not limited to, complete depletion of health and mana, physical and spiritual deconstruction of one's self, combustion of organic and inorganic matter, and unconfined spell-impact; affecting participants and surrounding onlookers. The diversity of cultures within The Spiral lead to many variations in how Conflict manifests between worlds, even mana-lacking societies opting to not utilize them at all. These disparities often open the doors for magical institutes to be founded for their respective teachings of combat and methodologies of spellcasting.

[hungwy]

Part of what's interesting about Disco Elysium in terms of gameplay is, yes, the developers recognize the player knows nothing about the world and so they give you an amnesiac character to address that. But it has very central implications for the actions you take, and how Harry's character develops: the player must recognize that they act in Harry's name, a man with numerous pre-existing... Quirks, and yet still must play in the style they want to play. He is so traumatized by suffering (more proximally, drugs) that he's forgotten what it's like to be him, but part of his old self is still there throughout the game. Though you are one of the many voices in Harry's head, and the main one that controls his decisions -- though those are often limited -- you are a new presence in his life. You are playing a Harry who is pretending (and being made to pretend) to be a Harry, a new Harry. Your actions are turned into idealizations of what Harry wants to say and do, reworded into disco, and often completely incorrectly executed on Harry's behalf. This is the conflict between the player's vision of the character and the limits you must work with.

There are hints of his idiosyncrasies here and there, hints of a history of personality, consistency in certain dialogue and thoughts, and these are extremely important for recognizing Harry's limits. They are invasions into Harry's new post-amnesia self, and they remind the player that he isn't capable of full reinvention -- he can't be what you want him to be. (He can't be what HE wants to be.) The player must eventually come to terms with Harry's inadequacies and limits. By design the game forces these limits into your stats: for example, a powerhouse of muscle must be completely insufficient in some other brainy stats, and a brainy detective must have an extremely weak body. A well-rounded Harry is in turn good at nothing at all, rather than being extremely good at only one thing and a failure at everything else. But no matter what Harry is he is extremely diligent in trying to be the person he wants to be, which is a central theme in the game -- coming to terms with what you want to be and who you can be.

It's clear most paths you take as a player are probably going to be very different from Harry pre-amnesia. Not out of the question, but different -- it's not unusual for Harry to be an eccentric, as we find out. But the flavor and manner of his eccentricism can be made wildly different depending on the players choices. Harry in his deep sadness is vulnerable to all manner of substitutions for the hole in his heart, taking on exaggerated ideals and behaviors -- even the moderate, boring ones are made comically central to his addictive and romantic personality. Of course these decisions are necessary to the RPG genre, allowing the player to role play in the way they want, but the game very explicitly comments on the fact that many of your thoughts are hyperbolic and experimental. But you still have them, and you try to live them.

The way roleplay is executed as a poor and sad middle aged divorced cop having a disastrous crisis suddenly radicalizing himself (to the players desires) and yet having to come to terms with the fact that he is not wholly this new (temporary?) personality is simply wonderful. Harry never really escapes anything in the game. At the end he is still a poor sad middled aged divorced cop that nonetheless wants to become more and better than that. And the player gets to participate in the transformation of his beautifully hideous life, getting to help a man who we see is truly only trying his best to be the best person he can be. And in it we can come to terms with the fact that change is always difficult -- another central point of the game. We never escape our past so much as recognize it and react to it, because even if we are able to forget everything about ourselves over night in a drug-filled stupor we are still that very person, and must confront that in order to become something more, if we ever can -- but one must try.

[audinosaur]

aoba johsai <3 lover

hi here’s some songs from taylor swift’s lover album that i think match each seijoh pairing :)) 

iwaoi <3 lover

i mean c’mon

it’s IWAOI ofc they get the title track

“and you’ll save all your dirtiest jokes for me / and at every table, i’ll save you a seat” 

AHSJDJ it’s them !! they don’t even have to say anything, if there’s a chair open next to iwa/oiks, everyone automatically knows who it’s unofficially reserved for

“and i’m highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you”

^ i think this covers both oikawa’s natural jealousy as well as how iwaizumi’s watched time after time again as countless amounts of people crush on his tooru

just the term “lover” for them. i think it’s the word they’d use in the timeskip when describing their “secret relationship” during interviews, it reveals as little as possible about the “mystery person” while still properly communicating just how important they are :)

matsuhana <3 it’s nice to have a friend

makki and mattsun genuinely have no fucking clue how they got together, they just sorta slowly shifted from being friends and doing friend things to doing boyfriend things and being boyfriends

bc of this they just picked a random ass day as their anniversary and just rolled w it

matsuhana’s so interesting to me because they’re friends to lovers like iwaoi/kinkuni yet each of them is a different FLAVOR of friends to lovers that i can’t quite explain but i love em

“something gave you the nerve / to touch my hand”

THEY!! YES! doing all their coupley shit all the while saying “it’s nice to have a friend” even though they both realize it’s faded into something much more

“twenty questions, we tell the truth” idk they just seem like they’ve never lied to each other before bc they’ve never had any reason to hide what they’re feeling

kyouhaba <3 afterglow

*deep inhale* OKAY there’s a LOT !

it should be noted that literally so fucking many of the other songs fit them but i want something slightly kinda happy pls :’)

i really love this song and it’s portrayal of arguing w your loved one and then taking the time afterwards to apologize and take accountability 

and there are so so many kyouhaba fics where they fight and then make amends (although i still think there should be even MORE)

i just love them having so many feelings and not enough ways to deal w them and the vulnerability when they own up to their mistakes and AAHHHHHHHH

“i don’t wanna do this to you / i don’t wanna lose this with you” and “hey, it’s all me, just don’t go” 

(^ examples of them being VULNERABLE AND OPEN)

also “tell me that you’re still mine / tell me that we’ll be just fine / even when i lose my mind”

i am normal about them! (lie)

side note i like how when perusing the seijoh couples gallery you just see “childhood friends to lovers!”, “best friends to lovers!”, “pals to lovers!”, then you turn the corner and see the most aggressive, tension-fueled enemies(?) to lovers pairing you’ve ever seen for no goddamn rhyme or reason

kinkuni <3 paper rings 

paper rings has a childlike whimsy that suits kindaichi & kunimi’s relationship perfectly 

half of the lyrics seem like things kindaichi would say to kunimi w full earnesty too

“i’m with you even if it makes me blue” and “wrap your arms around me, baby boy” !!!

(kunimi calls it “corny”, kindaichi calls it “romantic”, both with dumbass, lovestruck smiles on their faces)

“i hate accidents except when we went from friends to this” is 100% kunimi though, he doesn’t like surprises and events that require him to exert extra effort, but for kindaichi? he’s more than okay with it

the whole song is just so sugary sweet and shamelessly adorable and at the end of the day that’s what kinkuni is! (at least behind closed doors, bc they get embarrassed sometimes)

and bc i can’t leave my boy out, it should be noted that watari shinji is a red man to his very CORE. you bet your ass on his twenty-second birthday he was blasting 22 like his life depends on it

[sleepynegress]

CASTEVANIA: NOCTURNE....EARLY SCREENING REVIEW

For those who missed it,

Netflix briefly posted the first 3 episodes of CASTLEVANIA: NOCTURNE on youtube. They are gone now, but here are my thoughts...

SOME SPOILERS INCLUDED

I loved all the changes to the backstory of Annette, specifically injecting Orishas into the background of her conjuring abilities. Also, including the Haitian Revolution, 1 of only 2 depictions I've ever seen in pop culture media was a great addition.

Vampires being involved in enslavement actually being a solid signifier of the awfulness of who they are this time, instead of all the handwaved vampire confederates, we've seen in the past (Twilight's Jasper, Vampire Diaries' two male leads, and True Blood's "Beel" I'm looking at you), is another improvement here.

The character designs are gorgeous and I have never seen so many "anime-style" characters of color so well-drawn, w/ cultural signifiers and details; hairstyles, symbols, and so on, included so well. Olrox, for example, I noticed has Native colors (aka the medicine wheel) embellished in the wings of his serpent-form. Annette's conjuring used actual symbols from Yoruba/Vodun spiritual practices...(which, depending on who you are might be something you'd squint at and were specific enough to know what energies she was summoning!). I am most invested in her relationship with Edouard right now, despite him giving this:

Loved the detail of him having synesthesia and the angsty twist there in the end, which adds some intrigue and moral conflict to their mission.

Annette really loves Edouard, but there were like one or two exchanged glances with Ritcher so, hmmm (also yea! for a Black woman having that two-men angst trope, this time!). Richter has the OG whip...and I'm just imagining Alucard finding that thing behind some corner in his castle back in the day randomly, and returning it to the Belmont fam on his land/village (fic-writers?). His opening angst scene... -Forgive me, because I have compassion for the fact of his boyhood at that time, but I wish his mom's vulnerability wasn't catalyzed by a really basic childish mistake (that I'd assume his mom would have prepped him on?!) on his part. Better fight choreo-, would have been her seeming to *need* his intervention at that moment, IMO. The development of the cast is very flashback-based. There isn't near enough banter between them to have a feel for the core group chemistry yet, for me, right now. And the action scenes aren't as detailed as the OG Castlevania. I have my issues with Warren Ellis in other ways, but I'm missing his touch here.

Still, there's enough meat for me to continue to check this out, but lower your expectations going in.

The flavor is different from the OG Castlevania.

It's giving B- for me for now, with maybe an upgrade to a solid B just because of Drolta's hoof-boots. EDIT: Rewatched and it's now a solid B to OG Castlevania's solid A.

They had better renew with that cliffhanger.

[cognitosclowns]

This might be a big ask but what characters do you think are dom/sub and top/bottom? If thats too long, just Brett, JR, Glenn. Thank you!

ANON YOU KNOW I LOVE LONG ASKS SMDNSDMSN

NSFW BELOW!!

okie im gonna need,, a system,, okie okie okie,,

Brett Hand

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

YEA BABEY <33 NOBODY IS SURPRISED HERE, HES SUPER SUBBY

mostly bc he struggles with being,, Confident and Dominant and In Charge smdnsmd. 

It just doesn’t suit him!! Not a fan!!

If he does try to dom, he’s definitely very Soft Dom territory - all cooing and praise, super affectionate and doting!! Maybe some light pinning of your wrists if he’s feeling particularly,, confident.

and even then by the time he’s cumming he’s probably gonna default back to being super submissive.

it’s just so nice not having to think. He can just be soft and safe in your arms, and know that you who can enjoy yourselves without him being put together. 

He can be all rambly and incoherent bc. he knows he’s safe!! He can be vulnerable with you he can be himself!! <333 twue wuv babey!!

I hold strong to the idea that he’s a vers bc not only would he be the Prettiest, Sweetest Bottom known to mankind but. I can just see him adoring getting his lights fucked out?

LIKE RAILING SOMEONE IS ONE THING, BUT BEING RAILED?? Whole different sensation. Completely different flavor of Brain Shutting Off, Nothing To Worry About to enjoy!! <33

Gigi Thompson

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

<3333 ANDRE SAID HE WAS ‘A LITTLE SCARED’ DURING SEX W/ HER. PLUS HER WHOLE ‘I LIKE POWER’ ON HER RIGHTSWIPE PROFILE. SHES A DOM COME ON <333

I was gonna say,, VV Dom but tbh?? I can see her letting herself unwinding a bit and letting smb else take care of her. She likes to treat herself <3

esp when she’s stressed and tired and just. everyone is pissing her off and she wants to be anyone else in the world but Gigi Thompson??

YEAH <333 those are especially the times where she just wants smb to fuck her brains out while she lays face-down in bed. Pure bliss nothing like it <3

But overall,, she’s gonna favor being dominant. she knows what she likes and she knows how to get it <3 and she knows how to make you feel perfect all the while!!

Vers, she loves both to death <3 all depends on her mood, not uncommon to,, switch halfway through and back again <3333

SHE HAS SUCH PRETTY STRAPS. SORRY YOU’RE GETTING A PARAG ABOUT THIS I THINK ABOUT IT SO OFTEN.

she gets them custom made to match her lingerie - clear and all these different glitters inside so it shines against the glow of her bedlamp <3333 the harnesses are covered in this super smooth silk <3 aaaa <33

She’s gonna have hold of your jaw, to make you’re you’re keeping eyecontact <3 whether shes giving or recieving - you’ll be able to feel the dig of her nails the whole time (stiletto, ofc)

Reagan Ridley

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

ARE WE SURPRISED NO BUT STILL VERY FUN <333

she much prefers to be in a,, dominant role vs submissive - gives her more room to maneuver + she’s usually the one initiating, so she can orient herself!! 

She’s very specific about what she does and doesn’t like, so it just makes things easier for her!!

that isn’t to say she’ll never enjoy some submissive stuff - every once in a blue moon it’s really nice to just,,, lay back and let someone do the work.

usually with oral she’ll get more submissive, bc it feels ‘safer’?? She doesn’t have to worry about really unexpected touches or sensations. It’s super straightforward so she can,, just let her brain shut off <3333

But also. Oral is super imprecise so it isn’t usually her go-to

THAT BEING SAID SHE PREFERS BOTTOMING OVERALL

Mostly bc she doesn’t have the stamina to top. Pegging is fun but she doesn’t have the core strength to keep that up for long 

MSNDMSNDMD IF YOU WANT SOME OF THAT,,, JUST RIDE HER. PLEASE. HER HEART WILL GIVE OUT IF SHE TRIES TO TOP. 

Glenn Dolphman

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

again we aren’t surprised but ALSO,,,, THERES A LOTTA FUN HERE <333

HES A TOP AND HES GONNA TOSS YOU LIKE A HACKYSACK WHICH IS,, SUCH A DELICIOUS COMBO <333

he manhandles like nobody else. It’s like a goddamn tilt-a-whirl with how often he’s gonna be flipping you over, moving your legs, pinning you, etc. You’re gonna feel like a rodeo clown. <333 IF YOU LIKE IT ROUGH THEN HE’S ABSOLUTELY YOUR MAN

AND THE TEETH <333 look at that absolute maw,, he has such a thing for leaving marks!! If you ask he will,, gladly put those chompers to use.

JUST <333 he always gets this amazing Grimace where he bares his teeth when he’s close and. his teeth get so shimmery 

he. does have a bad back though and several other injuries from several things (deployment, surgery, misc injuries he ignored and they’ve just,, got worse) so,,,, riding him will probably be the best for this knees!!

DON’T TELL HIM YOU WANT TO RIDE HIM TO MAKE SURE HE ISN’T IN PAIN THO, HE’LL GET SO HUFFY. He’s too prideful and stubborn for his own good.

Andre Lee

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

TRUE NEUTRAL BABEY <33  SMDNSMD

with,, the SLIGHTEST lean towards sub - just because he’s a lot more used to it!! 

When he goes to orgies he loves to just,, bend himself over the nearest couch and wait. Tried and true method, never fails smmnmdsnds.

MSNDSMD HE’S ALSO VV EXPERIMENTAL!! He’ll try (almost) anything once - he lives by the idea of Don’t Knock It Till You Try It.

(granted he’s tried almost everything. but. shush.)

GOD BUT HE’S SO ENERGETIC AND FUN DURING SEX IM NEVER LETTING GO OF THIS <33

he’s just got this Vibe about him of pure excitement and shameless enjoyment.

like whyyyy should sex be so serious,, this isn’t a funeral,, please he wants both of you to be happy and giggly and feeling good!!

So whether he’s dom or sub, he’s gonna be keeping that vibe!! 

Sex with Andre just has this. super Light feeling. Like afterwards you feel all floaty bc you’ve basically spent the last 3 hours,, laughing and cumming. 10/10 he’s the perfect man.

like some ppl are shy about sex, worried what ppl will think of their sounds, etc, NOPE NOT ANDRE LEE BABY

He has no problem telling you exactly how good you’re making him feel. In as much detail as his brain will allow him, the most dazed smile plastered on his face <333

Myc

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

YEAH NO BEING SUBMISSIVE IS VERY HARD FOR HIM. He likes having a lot of control - being submissive takes,, some vulnerability so it’s. not ideal.

Having so many tentacles <33 just,, come on, being a top fits so naturally!!!

I have thought very hard about the logistics of how he would bottom and what I’ve come up with is either,

Sounding 

_______

_______

So do with that what you will MSNDMSND

OVERALL THO??? JUST,, THE MOST FILTHY DIRTY TALK. He’s absolutely shameless. Andre’s rambling turned up to 11. He’ll comment on your thoughts, his thoughts, any little details to get you even more fucked-out and eager <33

Idk why I imagine him being pretty rough?? Like wrapping his tentacles super tight around your hands, wrists, thighs, etc. Tight like a tourniquet, as he holds you up against the nearest surface <333

LIKE TEASE AND DENIAL IS ABSOLUTELY HIS JAM. So many tentacles <3 so many fun sensations to play with. 

Jr Scheimpough

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

THE MOST SUBBY BOTTOM TO EVER BOTTOM. we already knew this but COME ONNNN <33333

He may rival Brett in that regard smdnsdm I’m unsure.

he will top,, sometimes,, but that submissiveness never goes away <33 he’ll be begging and apologizing the whole time.

NO IM NEVER GIVING UP ON THE,, ‘JR apology kink’ train. It lives in the walls of my brain. I don’t even know if there’s a specific word for it but this man has such a thing for Apologizing and Begging Forgiveness. Half of his work is groveling. He throws himself on his knees at the slightest provocation. I am a JR Apology Kink Truther.

ALSO DEGREDATION SMDNSDM

<333 HE WANTS TO FEEL LIKE THE SCUM OF THE EARTH BABY BE MEAN BE CRUEL <333333

I would go Full Bottom but,, I feel like he does likes topping, he just lacks the energy most of the time.

He’s always so stressed and exhausted from working around whatever the last disaster was, that most of the time he just wants to get his brains turned to jelly. and not have to do anything. Greedy bastard <3

Alpha-Beta

vv sub - sub - switch - dom - vv dom

vv bottom - bottom - vers - top - vv top

YANNOW,, I was gonna go vv dom but. I feel like you could get this man submissive

His preference for being dom + top is mostly due to

This bitch loves being in a role with power,, having ‘control’ over smth or someone,,,,, it fulfills the same biological niche that Ruling Over The World would occupy MSNDMSND

Oh No Vulnerability Is Terrifying (tm)

If you know what buttons to push, this man will be as pliable as tinfoil for you <3

Praise and/or Overstimulation are the fastest avenues, but there’s plenty of room for experimentation with him!! He’s,, almost always up for a challenge, and he loves seeing how far he can be pushed.

MWA OK I THINK THATS ALL OF EM <333 this was very fun, please lmk if you had something else in mind!!!

[elphael]

SOFT SWAPPING DAMAGE

I've brought up the concept of soft swapping damage types at least a couple of times and I keep meaning to actually explain what I mean by that because I don't know if I've actually done it. Anyways I'm borrowing the name I've seen used in the Souls community for swapping to a secondary ability briefly in the middle of combat as part of your strategy. So let me explain:

What is it?

Soft swapping damage in D&D is being able to semi-spontaneously change the type of damage an ability should do with another ie. switching fire to cold damage. There are also a few ways in D&D to have damage versatility adjacent to soft swapping that I'll talk about too but aren't really the same thing because it's being able to choose your damage type, not a specific replacement. 

Why?

Soft swapping damage is great for flavor, to synergize with another ability your character has, or to overcome resistance/immunity or capitalize on damage vulnerability. 

How do I do it?

The ways you can specifically do what I would call 'soft swapping' are a Sorcerer's Metamagic option Transmuted Spell, Horizon Walker Ranger's Planar Warrior, Undead Warlock's Grave Touched, or Scribes Wizard's Awakened Spellbook. 

Transmuted Spell lets you switch between six damage types: acid, fire, cold, lightning, poison, & thunder, exchanging damage types within those listed. 

Horizon Walker lets you turn "all damage dealt" into force damage, letting you stack it with spells like searing smite or even hypothetically divine smite in the case of a Paladin multiclass.

 Grave Touched lets you do something similar but states "you can replace the damage type" not all, however I would interpret them the same way in the hypothetical of there being multiple damage types, like with Hex or Eldritch Smite or any other multiclass shenanigans.

 Awakened Spellbook lets you swap the damage type of a leveled spell with the damage type dealt by another spell in your spellbook of the same level. So theoretically, any damage type is up for grabs depending on what you do. 

Any of these abilities lets you specifically control the type of damage you're dealing in a case by case instance which is specifically useful for certain gimmicks in combat or general damage coverage. One of my favorites is picking up either the Tempest Domain or Zeal Domain channel divinity and getting to either change the damage type (Transmuted Spell & Awakened Spellbook) then incur max damage or incur max damage and transform the damage type when the hit lands (Planar Warrior & Grave Touched), either of these can create huge bursts of damage in unexpected ways.

Other than that It's just a generally useful function to have in a build. 

There are also spells and abilities that specifically let you pick a different damage type every type you do damage. For example (and this is not an exhaustive list as far as I know): Ascendant Dragon Monks can change their unarmed strikes between: acid, bludgeoning, cold, fire, lightning or poison damage. Drakewarden's can use their Drake Companion's infusion to deal additional damage of their choice, as well as later gain resistance to that damage type on a case by case basis. The same applies to spells like Summon Draconic Spirit, Chromatic Orb, or Elemental Weapon, and feats like Gift of the Chromatic Dragon.

I don't think I would consider any of these soft swapping in the same way I consider the above (sub)class abilities to be, but it's interesting to note when discussing options in damage versatility and ease of gaining alternate damage types. 

Anyways, that's all, send post.

[cursedfortune]

violentemperor the fact that she is touch starved is really the strangest thing about her.

I'm going to actually address this as more of a headcanon post for a few reasons. It's an old but very active still headcanon, and still valid to this day. I don't expect anyone to remember every detail about my muse, fuck knows I forget a lot myself xD But also since I have new moots/followers, I thought it may be helpful. I'm quoting friendo above for the sake of having a clear basis to answer, btw, not out of negativity.

You know how you behave with strangers vs people close to you differs, yeah? Maybe for some people not a lot, maybe for others it is. It's like that. It's still you, just a different flavor of you depending on who it is.

Witches in my lore communicate less verbally and more through touch and energy. They can share a look and it will contain a conversation, because they share energy with one another that carries with it the impression of how they are feeling/what they are thinking to whatever extent they wish to share.

Mortem's natural tongue is touch and speaking without words. She had to adapt to the other races and learn the value of speaking with her tongue since they value it so. Yes, in her canon, fae and elves - as well as specific mage-types can communicate with her in her natural "tongue" but very early on in her canon she is sentenced to exile for being convicted of treason.

By default with people, since I keep all interactions separate unless plotted otherwise, Mortem interacting with anyone will have her in that solitude of exile. Does she go out into cities and other places? Yes. Why? Because her work as a witch requires her to. She was exiled from a neighboring country she called home. Her homeland hasn't exiled her, but she is shunned from being involved in their affairs. You can't really stop a witch unless you put them down, and Mortem is temporarily immortal and can't be. So her homeland tolerates her so long as she just stays away from the politics and keeps to her forest mostly. Which she does. She only leaves her forest when she has to for her work as a witch (aka fulfilling her purpose that is directly related to mortals).

So when it comes to touch and all that, Mortem is deprived of her natural form of communication. She is essentially mute because no one speaks to her and she is shunned, outside of those who don't realize they are speaking to traitor usually. Other witches exist, but because Mortem has witch hunters solely dedicated to killing her she doesn't usually venture near her own people because she doesn't want to risk troubling them with her burdens either.

To circle back to the initial point:

You know how you behave with strangers vs people close to you differs, yeah? Maybe for some people not a lot, maybe for others it is. It's like that. It's still you, just a different flavor of you depending on who it is.

When it comes to her engagement with mortals - yes. Sometimes she has a fling. She doesn't get close to others emotionally, however. In the RPC, it's a little different because it's not strictly me being 100% in her canon. She has three ships at this time that are all long term and mostly slow build ones. She doesn't get close to people because people don't live much more than what feels like a blink of the eye to her. By close I mean, she will value someone and enjoy them but she won't let them know her and make herself vulnerable, by the way. Her relationships, when they randomly pop up (or at the start of rp interactions) will always be friendly and one-sided because Mortem will fully enjoy someone and accept them sharing themselves with her - but she is very... sleight of hand when it comes to how much she shares in return.

How she engages with people casually and by default is very honest, but she omits a large portion of herself because 1) witches just be like that and 2) because of her longevity and isolation.

Being touched by someone who cares about you is different from being touched by someone who is casually friendly with you. And for a witch, those differences are loud and clear. She is a war veteran that was promptly exiled and isolated, she has been hunted by witch hunters the majority of her life and all her tolerance for torture and pain comes from them. Her life is mainly made up of physical hurt and emotional distance. Which is why I've said when her smiles falls, it's her true expression showing. Because Mortem is relatively neutral down to the emotional base. She doesn't lie about how she feels, she'll tell you she's pissed off or upset with a smile on her face because she doesn't feel close to someone. But when she relies on someone, like one of her ships for instance, she'll let that smile that wards off others fall and touch/want to be touched in the ways that she needs it. The way her people communicate to some degree. Those are the individuals that get to see how things really make her feel without the vaguely threatening smile she usually always wears.

Touch may never be what it was once back when she was younger and among her people, but it can be close when she has bonded with someone closely.

You can say she has a pretty face and sex appeal and therefore wants for nothing, that she has a personality that can easily make friends. And you'd be right. Because that's the point. She made herself that way because it was necessary, and what she didn't is just natural to her/her kind. But just because she has it doesn't mean it's utilized and it certainly doesn't mean she lets others touch her often or gets close to others to have their touch matter (<The big point here). Physical touch is important to Mortem and her people. Her isolation has made it so that she is both hesitant to engage in it (because mortal customs differ) and wanting it very much (because it's natural to her kind). She is touch-starved but she keeps it to herself unless someone she feels like she can be vulnerable with comes along. Aka, like the three ships I currently have with her.

Mortem is old, war torn and has been isolation for a very long time by default when it comes to any of her interactions. That's how I write her. In every ship she has, I don't hesitate to write about it either. This blog has documented it well. I'm not expecting everyone to keep up with that, that would be insane. I just hope this helps clarify her usual persona vs when she allows herself to be vulnerable for anyone new or anyone wanting a reminder or something. ^^

If you made it this far I can only give you raw onions and finger guns. But at least the onions are peeled.

[synnthamonsugar]

drifter/oc for the ask game bc we talked about it the other day lol

Ship It! (Interpreted as guardian OC/Drifter)

What made you ship it?

Season of the Drifter. I think the Drifter's and Guardian's dynamic can be read platonic or romantic but gawd did that season convince me they care about each other.

What are your favorite things about the ship?

There are so many different flavors it can take depending on the Guardian on question. In general I like to think the Guardian is one of the few people capable of getting Drifter to drop his carefully maintained persona and be vulnerable. That Drifter genuinely feels comfortable with them. I think they trust each other enough to have the kind of relationship that suits them, even if it falls outside the expectations of society.

Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

I don't really jive with touch starved Drifter - I don't think the Guardian brings him anything novel in that regard. However, the emotional intimacy is different from what he's used to.

[dailycharacteroption]

Elemental Familiar (Familiar Archetype)

(art by Frederico M. Cugliari on Artstation)

 Two weeks ago we saw animal companions with the touch of the elements, and now we are looking at a similar concept with familiars!

While animal companions are typically associated with nature-themed classes, giving a natural association with the elements, the inherently more magical nature of familiars makes this archetype feel even more magical than that.

Like the companion archetype, this one does not change the creature enough to make them more than animal, but they do boast various elemental powers based on the element they are associated with.

Similarly, only a rare few probably look like they are actually made of the element in question, but they might sport vibrant and unnatural fur, scale, or feather colorations, eyes that gleam with their favored elements, perhaps flaking off some of the element in question in times of stress or excitement, and so on.

Additionally, since the “spirit animal” familiars of shamans can also have elemental traits depending on the primary spirit of their master, this could be a good way to make a familiar extra special by having an even greater connection to their element, or even blending two different elements, such as fire and earth for a magma-themed familiar, and so on.

 Naturally, these familiars gain different abilities based on what element they are connected to. Air grants them flight (or faster flight if they were already flying creatures), as well as making them naturally resistant to powerful winds; Earth makes them even more resistant to harm than familiars already are thanks to the protection of their bond; fire grants them the ability to spit globs of fiery fluid at foes; and finally water grants improved swimming, amphibious breath, and a certain fluidity that makes it hard to force them to move.

What’s more, these familiars also learn to speak one of the four elemental tongues, which makes them useful as interpreters and envoys in the right scenario

A simple archetype, but one that can make for a flavorful and useful familiar without sacrificing any of the typical familiar utility. Just remember that you lose improved evasion for this, making your familiar a wee bit more vulnerable

 Much like the companion archetype, I imagine that the influence of the element within them affects the personality of the familiar. However, familiars are more intelligent than animal companions, so the exact quirks have more opportunity to manifest themselves, especially since they get a language for free without being an improved familiar or one of those special bird options that get one, though naturally they may be difficult for most mortals to understand.

  In certain reefs of the Manshani Sea, elemental energy infuses the sea life, and water-blessed sea turtles are considered prized familiars if you can find one. However, one best be on the lookout for their megafauna kin, the archerons, who might mistake visitors for prey.

 In their natural form, flying tree frogs merely glide using oversized webbed feet, but in the soaring heights of the Sky Pillar Jungle, some are infused with elemental air to truly soar where they please in search of small insects. Such frogs are considered sacred by the local grippli.

 The shaman Vashan of the dwarves is rarely seen without his familiar, a rocky-shelled beetle on his shoulder, and the works they have done together are legendary among their people, shifting rock and stone in the defense and service of dwarfkind, among other feats.

[depressedstressedlemonzest]

Chapter Four of 'The Upside' is Finally Fucking here!

After a lot of Real Life bullshit, I have updated The Upside!!

In this chapter Mickey finds out some of what his job is going to entail as Ian's caretaker besides just getting on Fiona's nerves. Ian tries to grapple with a new person seeing him with his disabilities as a result of his accident. The pair of them share their vulnerabilities with each other after there is a misunderstanding.

Read Chapter Four HERE

Mickey used the butter knife to cut the pieces of banana pancake into bite size pieces as he did he asked, "Do you like butter and shit on these? Fiona brought a whole fucking fanny pack of condiments." He nodded his head towards the ziplock bag of various syrup flavors and butter that was always a part of the breakfast experience. But depending on who was assisting him he never got what he really wanted. Fiona and Lip usually assumed basic maple syrup was how he wanted them, and he didn't want to be a burden, more than he already was, and request something different.

"Um, what I'd really like is peanut butter, and honey drizzled on top, but I don't think those are in the baggie." Ian felt the tips of his ears heat as he spoke sheepishly.

Mickey dumped the baggie out on the tray and looked through it.

"I don't see either. There's maple, strawberry, and blueberry syrup, and grape jelly and strawberry jelly." Mickey muttered as his tatted hand weaved through the various packets of sweetening packets.

Ian held back a sigh, "That's okay, I'll take the um, blueberry syrup."

Mickey's hand paused a second and he glanced up at Ian, "How often do you have banana pancakes?"

Ian shrugged, "Depends on the day of the week, and who is cooking, but usually two to three times a week."

"Two to three times a week, and they can't even get the toppings you like for them?" Mickey felt frustration growing in his head, like a single bee buzzing around getting more and more agitated at the fact that he was being denied the flowers that had the good nectar stored.

"Are you good here for a second? You're not going to like spontaneously fall out of that chair if I leave you alone for a minute or two?" Mickey asked raising a brow at Ian.

Ian's clover eyes looked surprised, "Um, yeah?"

"Good, be right back boss." Mickey said with a wink before covering the food back with the cover it had arrived under, to keep it warm while he was gone.

"O-kay..." Ian's voice trailed a bit as he watched Mickey walk out of the room.

Mickey didn't want to leave Ian alone for very long, he wasn't sure what all he needed help with yet as he quickly walked to the direction of the kitchen, his tims thudding on the file and wood floors. He carefully avoided the little ramps between entryways as he made his way to the kitchen. Fiona was sitting at the counter on the phone while a kid that looked to be maybe thirteen looked at Mickey questionably. Mickey ignored both of them and started opening cupboards and the fridge.

"Hey kid, where do you keep the peanut butter and shit?" Mickey asked as Fiona gave him furious eyes and a snarl as she held the phone to her ear.

The boy looked at him and pointed with his fork, "Third cupboard on the left."

Mickey reached for it and shoved aside different sauces and condiments before finding a little bear shaped bottle of honey, and some crunchy and creamy peanut butter. He hadn't thought to ask Ian which one he liked more, he juggled the three jars in his hands and tilted his chin up at the kid, "Thanks buddy."

While Ian waited for Mickey to come back he looked around his room, the pictures on his dresser in particular, he felt a piercing of his heart when his eyes flitted to the picture of him and Trevor, he really needed that one fucking gone. He bit his lower lip trying to contemplate the best way to do it when Mickey came back into the room.

"Didn't know if you liked creamy or chunky better so I brought both." Mickey kicked the door shut gently behind him as he came over to the little serving table and placed two jars of peanut butter and a jar of honey next to his tray.

"You... got these? For me?" Ian felt his voice wanting to waver as he asked. It was a stupid response, the way he was getting emotional over fucking peanut butter.

"Yeah man, that's how you like your pancakes, and I don't see why the fuck you can't have them that way." Mickey shrugged, as if this wasn't one of the nicest acts Ian had seen.

Just then Fiona barged into the room, "What the fuck Milkovich? Can't even handle feeding him breakfast you leave him alone for God knows how long?!"

Mickey rolled his eyes, "Calm your tits Joan of Arc, I was just getting Ian peanut butter and honey."

"Why?" Fiona huffed putting her hands on her hips.

Mickey's eyebrows raised up like peaks of a mountain range, "To slather him with it and shove him outside so the stray dog population of Chicago eats, why do you think?" He snapped.

Ian couldn't help the contorting his mouth was doing, he was trying hard not to cry, or smile too much, but this exchange was... very interesting to watch, and more emotional than he should be.

"For someone who has been helping him for however long, you don't seem to know him very well." Mickey huffed.

Fiona puffed up like an angry fish and crossed the threshold of the room, a finger pointed angrily at Mickey, "You've been here, one fucking day, not even that. I've been here for Ian for twenty-six years." her voice was shaking with emotion as she pointed from Mickey to Ian.

"You'd think, in twenty-six years, you would have asked him how he likes his pancakes." Mickey's voice was a wavering hum, like the plucked string of a harp.

Fiona's brow furrowed and the anger smoothed out on her face, leaving behind tired lines that were carved around her mouth and eyes. She turned to Ian and tilted her head to the side, "Ian, you never told me you liked peanut butter and honey on your pancakes." She murmured softly.

"You never asked. And before the accident you didn't really need to know, I was capable of putting them on the pancakes myself. But now... I didn't want to be more of a burden than I am." Mickey's expression smoothed as he turned away from Fiona and looked at Ian closely, a little groove forming between his brows as he looked, before letting his shoulders fall and he walked back over to Ian, "Crunchy or creamy?" He murmured gently.

"Creamy please." Ian answered just as gently.

Start from the beginning HERE

[kindan-no-kanojo]

꧁•⊹Frequently Asked Questions

❝If you don't terrify people a little, then what is the point?❞

╬━━━━━━ ❪ ❦ ❫ ━━━━━━╬

01. What happens when someone touches Scarlett's hands?

Her hands are very sensitive due to a trauma she developed during her servant days, involving her fingers, hands and part of her arms being broken as a punishment. Nowadays the pain it's mostly in her head, her hands don't physically hurt that much. Plus, as an aspiring musician, her hands are crucial for anything she puts her heart to, so she protects them at all costs by wearing gloves daily. When someone threatens her hands or is capable of inflicting some harm on them, she recoils.

To answer the question of What exactly happens: it usually depends on how and who. She trusts no one by default, but it's not a 'lost case', if you will.

→ How, based on pain levels, will determine the level of her reactions. Going from flinching or complaining, for gentle(ish) approaches, to a screaming and apologizing mess, when it actually hurts.

→ Who, based on trust levels, is how likely it is for the other to get one reaction or another. A stranger is not allowed to touch her hands, no matter the intentions. However, she'd be less hostile with a friend or potential interest, and offer little-to-no negative reaction with a lover. She won't react whatsoever if the one provoking the harm is herself (i.e. a strong grip on something/someone, injuring herself, etc).

Needless to say, fear is an automatic reaction in any situation where her hands are involved. As soon as the 'pain' is gone, or she realizes (sometimes too late) that there wasn't any harmful intention behind the action, she snaps back to her cheerful persona like it never happened.

Otherwise, if the harm was intentional, she will not talk to whoever witnessed her utterly vulnerable and broken side after this for a while, and expect serious resentment from her if they ever meet again.

Now you can have this in mind or not, I just warned you (?).

02. What does Scarlett's blood taste like? Is her smell different?

Another thing that depends. This time, on which form she's in.

As some kind of hybrid Ghoul, she's able to shift from human to Ghoul and vice versa, including a crow. Her blood changes as well, so does her smell for the demon nose, and her body temperature.

In her human form, her blood would be rather average, no special flavor other than the characteristic metallic iron one, and it might get stronger or softer given her emotions (just to follow with the DL lore ig. I don't have any flavor HCs for each emotion lol-). Her natural smell might strike as odd, not exactly good or bad, and she wears a citric perfume daily to cover it (mostly from humans). Plus, while she's not as warm as a normal human, she's warmer than a cold-blooded demon.

However, in her Ghoul form, one way to put it it's that her body turns into a living corpse. Her blood turns into a repulsive goo, rotten in flavor and smell as it is the Ghoul nature. If she's not bleeding, though, her smell would remain as something bitter or dismal, if you will. A smell that someone could describe as the smell of death. Lastly, her body turns absolutely cold.

Her crow form is just like a regular crow. Nothing special other than the possibility of turning back into a full-grown woman(?). But don't hurt this poor crow pls.

03. Why isn't she always in her Ghoul form?

Since she can choose when to shift, it's simply because she doesn't want to, honestly. She's more used to her human form, and she would rather walk around like that with humans than in the shape of what she, and many, consider a monster.

If she visits Rottenberg, though, she'd be in Ghoul form by default. The deadly aura eventually turns her into one even if she decides otherwise.

04. How does her Ghoul side trigger? Can she control it?

Scarlett can control the Ghoul urges most of the time. She can decide when to turn into a Ghoul or a crow in normal circumstances. However, a strong smell of blood/flesh or sudden taste of it (without her anticipation) can be enough to trigger her. This means: She can, for instance, feed on someone and remain normal if she puts her mind to it, but if she's forcibly fed or there's a lot of blood in a scene she just came into, she might struggle more to keep it together.

05. Why does she go to school?

Why not.

Well, for now let's say that she loves the piano in the music room. An unhealthy amount. She goes to school to play it, and also attends a few classes to not get expelled. She's in third year, like Shu, Reiji, Ruki, and Kino. Also Carla, in theory, but he attends a special classroom alongside Shin, so I don't think he counts? Any OC from third year might share classes with her, too.

Scarlett constantly fails school years, much like Shu does, but she (also?) doesn't care. She wants the piano.

06. Does Scarlett know Kino in every AU?

Check the Available verses here to see Kino's role outside of the Canon AU!

07. Knowing this information, should my sadistic/rude/toxic character keep distance to respect her boundaries?

Nah. LOL. You don't have to tone your character down, but have in mind that I won't either. She will react to what she considers disrespectful or threatening, usually in a bad way, but that's the fun of interactions imo.

I'm not strict with X character respecting her boundaries if it's not an in-character thing for them to do. I'd rather have mine respected, at least. I don't take in-character harm personally whatsoever, I think it's all part of character and relationship development. I like to think that if there's any conflict, they can overcome it if they want to, too. So, as long as I'm replying, I'm okay with the situation, even if she's not 💀 (unless I forget, but that's another problem). I'm also going to let you know if something crosses my limits.

She'll be fineeee.

08. What does the URL mean?

禁断の彼女 — Kindan no kanojo — Forbidden girlfriend

It's just wordplay I made up from a bunch of things:

→ A reference to DL 2nd season's OP: 禁断の666 → The use of kanojo as 'girlfriend' as an alternative of 'bride', referencing the DL lore. She's no bride, no human, no Eve, therefore forbidden to romance (allegedly). → Kanojo can also be used as a sweet nickname for a significant other in third person. It's also used as a pronoun: 'she'. However, it doesn't literally translate as 'she's forbidden', although it gives the same message. → It might give a hint that she's not allowed to be 'used' or 'owned' without repercussions, though.

I'm delusional let me be😔

09. Is Scarlett always weak? Why does she fight back if she knows she can't win?

I've been asked this in many shapes and forms so let's get the cat out of this bag(?).

For one, Scarlett is not one to lower her head just because that's what she's meant to do, but rather she'd attempt to voice her thoughts, her standpoint, and see who is willing to hear it. Of course, this fact doesn't mean she'll make the smartest decisions, or that she'll deal with stuff the most healthy way when things don't go her way. She's not perfect, she's far from that, but she wants to try, if there's a small chance for that, instead of giving up right away.

In a lore-based reasoning: now that she's not enslaved, she doesn't want to act like a slave. And she won't. If anything, she'll do everything she couldn't before. A question always lingering in her mind is: 'Am I really that worthless or did I just met the worst kind of people?' So she puts everyone into a test. Good luck if you want to force her, though, probably everyone will lose there(?).

That said.

Scarlett can gain extra strength with blood, or feeding herself with flesh. Then again, not too much. She could reach a vampire's strength in this artificial way and, depending on how she uses that 'power', the time it takes for it to wear off depends on the quantity she's taken. I personally don't recommend testing this out too often but who am I to stop you(?).

10. Can I show you this thing I made based on her (drawing, drabble, HC, etc.)?

Y E S . Give it to me!!!!!!!!! 😩💕

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[ Masterlist ]

[starsdies]

i know your pinned says you prefer dominant obi-wan, but do you like bottom and sub obi-wan too? i’m just curious, because i’d love to see your take on a scene with him like that!

hey hey! honestly when i came back to obikin fandom after a few years break, i was super convinced i was into one dynamic and that’s all. but that’s just a lie i’ve discovered fjfk so yes, i do like pretty much any obikin dynamic! i have a slight preference for dominant and topping obi-wan, but i 100% enjoy the reverse of that. there’s just different flavors of dynamics that come with each so it depends on what i’m in the mood for. for example:

i tend to prefer writing obi-wan kind of the “leash” to anakin’s “feral dog” in the sense that both sexually and non-sexually, obi-wan has the ability to be like one of the only people ever to calm him down / see him vulnerable. to me this comes easiest when i write obi-wan in the dominant/leading position. there’s just something extremely appealing that the strongest person in the galaxy has a certain weakness for obi-wan and only obi-wan. it’s also fun to explore anakin’s shame in knowing this.

but on the other side, i also love a selfish anakin who takes what he feels he deserves and is owed, and that’s obi-wan and his love. usually when i write the opposite of the above dynamic i tend to visualize kenobi era obi-wan most? just broken down and festering with guilt. let’s anakin just kind of do anything bcos he wants to appease him, utter devotion and exhausted about it? this dynamic is darker in my head and i’m not always in that mind space so that’s why i prefer the other more! both are delicious though and i love the different ways that others interpret their amazing dynamic potential <3

here are some of my fave works that kind of remind me of the vibes i'm describing for both:

my body aches to breathe your breath by isolde, comfort by skyl_tales, star birth (abandoned i think?) by thatsakitkat, who do we call at the edge of night by hidden_humours, satellite mind by intermundia and septemberist, should you need to come undone by zaecula.