#this is in really bad taste and faith(kind of like his work) I will admit it (unlike him)

[holyluvr]

If my father hadn’t of crushed my dreams of being an author apart like he crushed my laptop full of years of work on my vampires in half over his knee, maybe…..just maybe I would have reached John Greene’s potential.

[caparrucia]

Full offense and pun fully intended, but I genuinely think the very existence of "dead dove, do not eat" was a fucking canary in the mines, and no one really paid attention.

Because the tag itself was created as a response to a fandom-wide tendency to disregard warnings and assume tagging was exaggerated. And then the same fucking idiots reading those tags describing things they found upsetting or disturbing or just not to their taste would STILL click into the stories and give the writer's grief about it.

And as a response writers began using the tag to signal "no, really, I MEAN the tags!"

But like.

If you really think about it, that's a solution to a different problem. The solution to "I know you tagged your story appropriately but I chose to disregard the tags and warnings by reading it anyway, even though I knew it would upset me, so now I'm upset and making it your problem" is frankly a block, a ban and wide-spread blacklisting. But fandom as a whole is fucking awful at handling bad faith, insidious arguments that appeal to community inclusion and weaponize the fact most people participating in fandom want to share the space with others, as opposed to hurting people.

So instead of upfront ridiculing this kind of maladaptive attempt to foster one's own emotional self-regulation onto random strangers on the internet, fandom compromised and came up with a redundant tag in a good faith attempt to address an imaginary nuance.

There is no nuance to this.

A writer's job is to tag their work correctly. It's not to tag it exhaustively. It's not even to tag it extensively. A writer's sole obligation, as far as AO3 and arguably fandom spaces are concerned, is to make damn sure that the tags they put on their story actually match whatever is going on in that story.

That's it.

That's all.

"But what if I don't want to read X?" Well, you don't read fic that's tagged X.

"But what if I read something that wasn't tagged X?" Well, that's very unfortunate for you, but if it is genuinely that upsetting, you have a responsibility to yourself to only browse things explicitly tagged to not include X.

"But that's not a lot of fic!" Hi, you must be new here, yes, welcome to fandom. Most of our spaces are built explicitly as a reaction to There's Not Enough Of The Thing I Want, both in canon and fandom.

"But there are things on the internet that I don't like!" Yeah, and they are also out there, offline. And, here's the thing, things existing even though we personally dislike or even hate or even flat out find offensive/gross/immoral/unspeakable existing is the price we pay to secure our right to exist as individuals and creators, regardless of who finds US personally unpleasant, hateful or flat out offensive/gross/immoral/unspeakable.

"But what about [illegal thing]?!" So the thing itself is illegal, because the thing itself has been deemed harmful. But your goddamn cop-poisoned authoritarian little heart needs to learn that sometimes things are illegal that aren't harmful, and defaulting to "but illegal!" is a surefire way to end up on the wrong side of the fascism pop quiz. You're not a figure of authority and the more you demand to control and exercise authority by command, rather than leadership, the less impressive you seem. You know how you make actual, genuine change in a community? You center harm and argue in good faith to find accommodations and spread awareness of real, actual problems.

But let's play your game. Let's pretend we're all brainwashed cop-abiding little cogs that do not own a single working brain cell to exercise critical thinking with. 99% of the time, when you cry about any given thing "being illegal!!!" you're correct only so far as the THING itself being illegal. The act or object is illegal. Depiction of it is not. You know why, dipshit? Because if depiction of the thing were illegal, you wouldn't be able to talk about it. You wouldn't be able to educate about it. You wouldn't be able to reexamine and discuss and understand the thing, how and why and where it happens and how to prevent it. And yeah, depiction being legal opens the door for people to make depictions that are in bad taste or probably not appropriate. Sure. But that's the price we pay, creating tools to demystify some of the most horrific things in the world and support the people who've survived them. The net good of those tools existing outweighs the harm of people misusing them.

"You're defending the indefensible!" No, you're clumsily stumbling into a conversation that's been going on for centuries, with your elementary school understanding of morality and your bone-deep police state rot filtering your perception of reality, and insisting you figured it out and everyone else at the table is an idiot for not agreeing with you. Shut the fuck up, sit the fuck down and read a goddamn book.

[ryo-maybe]

can u explain why AI art is bad without fearmongering, moralizing or bootlicking lol

I'm going to answer in good faith, even though the tone you're using sounds like you're harboring anything but. The issue with AI art isn't specifically inherent to the tools used to produce it, because, ultimately, a tool is merely that: something devoid of will which, in the hands of a human, can produce a specific outcome. It's the human element that taints what we could otherwise enjoy for the unquestioningly fascinating topic that is AI art and, by extension, AI software as a whole.

Now, the problem isn't people, period, but the kind of people that are responsible for giving AI the bad rep it's been getting, along with the intent that goes into both the development of AI tools and the things produced by dint of said tools. I'm talking about the tech bros happily rubbing their hands, waiting to provide business moguls with a brand new means to commodify and mass-produce what artists stake their entire livelihoods upon, because when you have enough zeroes lined up in your bank account, your eyes are utterly blinded to the soul and personality that human beings put into their handiwork, and which a machine won't ever be able to reproduce no matter how much stolen art you feed it. Oh yeah, by the way, that's how AI art tools have been making the rounds: by chewing on thousands upon thousands of stolen pictures made by actual people so that they may learn how to ape someone's style and spit out absolutely soulless derivatives, while the original authors don't see a lick of recognition or monetary retribution for any of it. Do I need to tell you why stealing and parading someone else's art as your own is a terrible, vile thing to do?

But sure, you did ask me to refrain from "fearmongering, moralizing or bootlicking", which I guess I've already done. So since you'd rather I skipped straight to the point in a concise manner, lemme offer some quick examples of why the culture surrounding AI art has already developed into one of the most abysmally disappointing displays of how greed and an utter lack of human decency can ruin something objectively brimming with possibilities:

Less than a week after the sudden death of Korean artist Kim Jung-gi, someone trained an AI model to mimic his artstyle, having the audacity of asking for credits if anyone wished to use it. I sincerely hope I don't have to explain to you why this is a ghoulish example of the kind of tone-deafness sported by tech bros who buy wholesale into the AI art craze.

A piece of AI art was submitted to an art contest and won. The "artist"'s work amounted to little more than picking a series of prompts and letting the machine do the work. It's as much art as googling a smattering of terms and making a collage of pictures taken from Pinterest (and even then, you would have put more work into it than this person did). That they won at all says a whole damn lot about how abysmal the respect given to artists - real artists - nowadays is.

There are a multitude of people out there already selling prints of AI-generated art. I could link some of them here, but honestly, type "ai art prints" on a search engine and you'll get inundated by them. I've seen and personally know artists who have had to undersell their works because commissions were the only thin, frayed string they could hang on in hopes of making it through the week without fucking starving themselves, but here we are: any random asshole can now yell "MASSIVE BREASTS, THIN WAIST, COCKTAIL DRESS, HUGE BADONGAS" at a computer, let it mash together a trillion of other people's hard work, and print it for easy bucks that the actual authors of the basic ingredients of their insipid soup will never, ever see a dime of.

It really bothers me that you mentioned "no bootlicking". Whose fucking boots is this side of the debate supposedly tasting? That of the artists who post every day about how angry, sad and terrified they are by the prospects of what the development of AI art will entail for their livelihood and passion? What kind of gall did your mother birth you with that you have the spiteful spunk to type that word, when you've got shit like an artist who had their sketch stolen while they were drawing it on stream, then fed to an AI and posted by someone passing it off as their own art? How does that not ignite your indignation? "Bootlicking". Like anyone's tongues have been tasting leather but those of the same tech bro chodes who kept trying oh so hard to convince us NFTs were the future while ruining the environment to make the absolute stupidest point ever made in the history of humanity.

[cu7ie]

what do you think toman boys are like in relationships like loyal or nah

content: discussions of cheating, general relationship head canons and love language discussion towards the end.

I think Mikey doesn't cheat because he's lazy. The kinds of relationships he likes are ones of great emotional depth and the actual physical steps required to find someone suitable, hide it from you or eventually break it off is too much. Doesn't have the mental capacity for that level of espionage, the emotional strength to lie to someone's face like that. Toman Mikey does not have that dog in him, Draken has taught him too well. Bonten Mikey has no problem fucking other people however! Not a sad thought in his mind or tear in his eye, might even think about you while he's going at it and wonder if you'd notice the taste of someone else on his lips when he gets back to ya. Sanzu seems like a hopeless romantic with obsessive and possessive tendencies. I don't think he'd cheat but he also has high expectations and probably strict rules for a partner. Doesn't like overly friendly touches and certain attitudes.

Respectfully, I think Bonten Sanzu fucks other people and will laugh in your face about it. But his inclination to do it more rests solely on the idea of it bothering you; he likes making you upset and to some extent grows irritated with the idea he's so invested in you emotionally that a chunk of his pleasure is derived with tormenting you in such a way, but it's a vicious cycle... He finds a soft body to indulge in, but can't help but think of you while doing it.

Nahoya fucks man. I mean.. like I don't think he really pursues concrete relationships in the first place. He likes something ambiguous he can't put a name to, the fun of it is the attention, you know? It's the assurance of something he can come back to, because if nothing ever starts it can't end.

Souya is the complete opposite of his brother. Sometimes he can put in a lot of faith in little time, and he can turn up with the shit of the stick right - and it's the worst, because he can't help but be so genuine. He's just not a liar, doesn't have it in him really.

I think Draken is very loyal. I don't think he'd cheat like cheating on Emma with you or vice versa.

He's very reliable, he's sticking around just because he thinks it's the proper thing to do. Even if he was in love with someone else entirely, if he has an obligation to a partner he will honor that first and foremost.

I think that Baji is… questionable? It's not emotional cheating he'd participate in, I just feel like he's a simple-minded, high sex drive kinda guy. He'll feel... bad about hurting you so much, but also has trouble comprehending why it might hurt. He loves you, isn't that more important? If you don't care that he has sex with other people, y'all should be cool.

Kazutora is possessive above all. I think he considers you less and more about how he needs to keep you close to him more, and he really does like you, just works harder and not smarter.

I think takemitchy is very loyal.. but idk .... I feel like ....

He's only loyal to Hina because she's the only girl interested in him. I feel like if he had Catherine situation - like there was a girl trying to seduce him away from Hina, he'd eat some shit like that up. He's brainless. Not entirely a dick-thinker but he doesn't always use the right head you know???

Mitsuya and Chifuyu are pretty straight laced. Their dedication to people is obvious in canon relationships and I don't think much changes beyond that! I think they differ in their demonstrations of affection, however:

Mitsuya performs acts of service and is a huge gift giver, especially after he gets into design and fashion in his later years. Too often though, sometimes he can neglect a good old fashioned 'i love you' in favor of grandeur and extravagance. He hopes that in any case, you'll love the things he gives you - knowing he didn't get gifts a lot growing up, it's more important to him than you'd think.

Chifuyu is an opposite to him. He is very open with saying I love you to the point where he'll say it in front of other people and follow it up with a kiss (or six), and most regularly he can be overbearing with his PDA - forgoing gifts to emphasize spending time with you and physically being there for you.

[princessbrunette]

line cook jj who notices his favourite waitress isn’t bringing in lunch so he starts making some for her. she always gets the best meals and when one of the guys mention they don’t bring lunch either he’s like yeah but you aren’t pretty ✊

KEKFJDJS the end is so out of pocket

no but you’re his sweetest waitress who always goes out of your way for anyone, employee or customer :( you’re never involved in any workplace drama, you’re polite, you’re kind, jj just thinks you’re the cutest thing ever.

so he keeps an eye on you because just watching you restores his faith a little in humanity, but every lunch time he notices you skip it to carry on working, looking a little weaker by the end of the day. one day he blurts out “no lunch?” and you just turn and look at him, a little off guard, smiling like it was no big deal with a shrug saying something like “can’t afford it lately, it’s okay though, not hungry anyway.”

but jj grew up going hungry, so he knows that lie like the back of his hand. when you reenter the kitchen to take another order out he pretty much sheep dogs you into the staff room to sit you down.

“jj, really it’s no big deal.”

“yeah okay, so you won’t mind if i fix you a plate? i tried somethin’ new and i need someone to test if it tastes good. you’ll help me, right?” he slings a rag over his shoulder, looking mighty proud of himself. you sigh, a smile creeping up on your face.

“it can’t hurt, i suppose. as long as you’re sure, i don’t wanna take up any of your time.”

“please, for you? anything.” he waves you off, going to fetch your plate.

this becomes an everyday thing and you get more and more comfortable with asking for help from jj when you need it :(( you go through better stages when you can afford to bring your own lunch (even though he insists on continuing to make you food anyway because he just has the undying urge to look after you) but when it gets bad again you return to him looking a little shy and unsure like “jj, do you think you could maybe make me something? i don’t have anything right now.” and he just melts bc :((( of course :((( yk??

[pupmkincake2000]

So, I never thought that I'd play Baldur's Gate 3, since turn-based RPGs are not my thing. But I was literally persuaded to play this game and I just have to share my impressions.

I did watch shorts and videos on YouTube, so I was aware of the world and characters before playing. That's why I decided to start Gale's origin

and I think if I decide to replay the game, I will choose him again, since he is the best. Yes, I think he is. I love good characters, kind, sympathetic, a little ambitious, gentle and loyal. And Gale fits my taste standards perfectly. He kind of reminds me of a sweet Hank Anderson from Detroit: Become Human. Noble, kind, gentle and faithful.

And, the funniest thing is that I decided to romance Astarion. Playing as Gale.

But not because I like Astarion.

On the contrary (and now hear me out), the more I played, the more he annoyed me, and I didn’t understand why people were so crazy about him. I mean, if you want him to like you, you need to do morally questionable things. Not to mention he is absolutely not my type, I never liked characters like him. That is, Astarion is the embodiment of everything that disappoints me in characters.

And you can talk as much as you like about his life being difficult. Because this does not justify many of his actions.

However, the ship itself works surprisingly well. I mean, I really like Gale and I don't like Astarion, but their ship surprisingly works. And now in a ship Astarion seems much... likable?

Basically, they are a perfect complement to each other, which is exactly the type of relationship I love. They help each other, they do not “fix” each other, but complement each other. They heal each other. Their relationship is not abusive if both work on this relationship, and the love between them is that type of love that happens probably once in a century. And to be honest, I don't want to make Astarion an ascended vampire (I haven't finished the game yet), I'm sure Gale will find a way for him to walk in the sun without the ritual.

Well, now to the other characters. Karlach and Wyll

are just two incredible sunshines. I tried to build friendly relations with them, I didn’t choose flirt while answering their lines, but for some reason they still ended up offering me sex, and it was really awkward and painful to turn them down.

So I just started shipping them together because it's another type of relationship I enjoy. It’s a pity that their couple is not popular (is there such a pairing at all?). This is the perfect “enemies to lovers” ship and it’s a shame that they can’t, like in some games, flirt with each other if they don’t have any affair with the main character .

I have almost nothing to say about Shadowheart, I’m not particularly interested in her (my party consists mainly of Astarion, Karlach and Lae'zel), but I think she has enough fans.

Halsin… oh, he is a magnificent man, and I would have romanced him if not the reasons. But I want you to know that he is also an incredible sunshine too, kind soft teddy bear who I wanted to hug and never let go.

And finally, HIM. Mysterious Guest. I knew this was an emperor, but I really liked the look I've created for him! I made him look like Hank Anderson, of course he didn’t look exactly like him, but nevertheless… I think he turned out very beautiful.

Let me scream about this beaty for a while!

In general, apart from problems with the gameplay (it took me a long time to get used to it), the game is really nice. The only thing that, it seems to me, would be worth changing is the permissiveness of choices when you go through the origin of any of the main characters, as was done with the Dark Urge. I mean, Wyll, Karlach and Gail are sunshines, so I absolutely can't believe that they are capable of doing bad things. If you can't avoid bad deeds when playing as the Urge, why can't you make it so that good characters are unable to do bad deeds? Would you really believe that Gale, Wyll or Karlach would be capable of slaughtering the whole village of children? For example, I believe that Astarion most likely would not have saved Shadowheart in the first act; he behaves selfishly throughout the entire first act. But I don’t believe that Karlach, Wyll and Gale would be capable of leaving her caged.

So, yeah, that's it.

[notori]

On a more genuine note from my previous post though: I do not think Imodna will go the same way as Vaxleth for a few reasons.

Vax's story was very personal to Liam. It always frustrates me when people act like the Raven Queen 'took Vax away' (and thus she is a bad goddess) when in fact she answered his prayer and granted his wish. Vax's story is about "Take me instead!" - not some kind of "Don't let Vex die!", and certainly not someone who was raised from the dead without their consent and bound like a puppet. Unless such an ending is expressly what Marisha wants for her character, I don't see it being narratively satisfying. Even if Laudna dies in sacrifice to save the others, because of the breadth of Delilah's power, it would be more of a general "I'm dying to save everyone" and less personal (and impactful) than Vax's trading his life for Vex's.

I joked about how this is Delilah Briarwood vs Laura Bailey again, so don't sweat it, but it's true! The players play their characters differently. Liam loves tragedy and plays it well; Laura loves romance and plays it well. Percy also had a dark streak with a hunger for power, and Vex would not let him go. I see more parallels with themes like: "I feel cruel, but in control." and "Take the mask off." Meanwhile, Imogen and Keyleth are different characters and their love interests have different relationships with death. In the end, the reason Keyleth could not do anything against the Raven Queen isn't because she's a god and Keyleth is not, but because Vax - as a paladin - chose to honour his faith and uphold his end of the deal. Imogen is not in that position because Laudna is not in that position. Laudna may see herself as just a puppet, or a risk, or a dead end - but we the audience, and Imogen, know that she is not (maybe a bit of a calculated risk). If anything, I see us on the precipice of an arc of Imogen inspiring Laudna to fight for her independence again and figuring out a way to do that (this is a world of magic after all).

And that theme of fighting for independence is something that has been there since the beginning. We have seen it both in analysis and confirmed on 4SD that Laudna's relationship with Delilah is in many ways similar to struggling with addiction. And now, into year three of C3, we are really seeing that take form when things get rough. When things get out of control, when you get desperate, that's when you grasp at anything to make it easier. It would be a real kick in the teeth to have her not overcome that struggle. Of course, there's the possibility that she does overcome that struggle by getting rid of Delilah and dying as a result. But out of game it has been referred to more in line with addiction that is constantly managed rather than addiction that is ended cold turkey - which for some people is the only way. I'll admit this one is more a personal preference but I do see it overall leaving a bad taste if Laudna were to die from Delilah in some way (again). Presuming they resolve issues with the solstice and resurrection spells, True Resurrection does exist and I'm certain the Hells would work off a 25k GP debt to bring Laudna back for good (which I see as more of a final episode/epilogue/post-game situation).

Regardless, it's a beautiful story and I'm sure that whatever happens will be what the players want. However, in this case I genuinely don't see them repeating something they have done before. Although we saw many parallels last night, there is still much which sets Imodna and Vaxleth apart narratively.

[chorizoa]

Entrail of faith — König x f!reader

part 2!!!!!!!! part 2 part 2 part 2!!!

pt.1 is here

I would like to state that I'm literally just throwing myself into this and letting the thoughts blurb; so if it seems messy, loose, or unorganized its bc I am trying my best :) sorry in advance for anything that may seem plot-holey, geographically incorrect, etc. please feel free to comment on my use of language, setting, wtv— I love feedback and want you guys to enjoy it!!!

this one is also a bit longer tee-hee, and also more revoling around you!

cw: more of konig being a stalker, more talk of kidnap and the like, very brief mention of a daddy kink/use of daddy as a title (its more of a sugar baby kinda way, but hes also just gross), he wants to take full advantage of you, he is very nasty but he loves you so :3

no sex.. yet.

You were a smart girl, but maybe if you were a smarter girl, you wouldn't find yourself staring at an empty message log— thumbs dancing over the screen while you gnaw, and gnaw, and gnaw at that pretty lower lip.

It's insane of you, you think. Giving salt to the interest of a stranger, a man who was clearly dangerous— could so obviously kill you given the chance— one you'd caught glances of during your shifts, always seeming to show up only when you work.. But— Christ.

  The years had not been kind, and being a girl settling into her early twenties, a totally foreign land to start a new life in— not a single soul to keep her warm— well, it embeds a certain sense of desperation. Perfect for men like König. Who, of course, could barely handle a woman under any legitimate means.

Inexperience dripped off of you like a waning ooze, glistening with incompetence for what you could be experiencing— a misted perfume that engulfed you, an aura that "spooked" most anyone anywhere near your age. It kept you at lengthy reach from others, and plastic toys had become your only solace in the pariah'ed life you've lived.

Not him, though, it drew him in— and he could taste it on his tongue, swirl it against his gums and swallow like the loveliest shot of Jager. You would be his favorite spirit to indulge in, and all you needed to do was speak.

He already knew your name, of course he did; so when you texted him— confirming that, yes, this was the cute girl from the diner, and frivolously providing your sweet name in your fluster— it didn't surprise him, but it did make him purr with satisfaction. You were so much closer now, so much easier to bend to his will than you could imagine.

Retirement wouldn't be too bad, it seemed.

Perfect, actually, when he really thought about it. Enough savings in the bank to keep him comfortable until he died of old age, or took an unexpected bullet in the neck; and with the added addition of you? Oh, he was going to bask in heaven's light every night. God had sent him his very own angel— maybe he'd pray, just to say thanks.

He wasn't worried about you not liking him— no, not a bit. It wasn't a choice in his mind, either you liked him, or you didn't… and what he had in mind for if you didn't — well.. it was a particularly nasty thing, and he certainly wasn't bringing it up in therapy. Lest he enjoy the comfort of a solitary, padded room with a jacket to match his confinement— maybe even a damp cell, if they felt so generous.

He was going to have you, whether he had to chain you up in his basement, chain you to his bed post, adorn you with a proximity collar— it didn't. matter.

He was going to have you, and you would have him— a smart girl like you would understand, right? He only wants what's best for you.

That's why he followed you home tonight. Silly girl, don't you know you should take the trolley? There's so many bad, scary men out here— you're lucky he watches your every step, and memorizes the direct path to your home from the shadows, someone could hurt you, sweet girl— and he'd have to make a mess, just for you.

He even watched as you poised your fingers to text him, that sharp sight was a blessing— and observing you as you gnaw at your bottom lip until it swelled was stored into a deep, dark part of his mind for later. Ever still, he found it so amusing how oblivious you were— you should really scan your surroundings more.

Though, when he made it to your home— he found a deep frown tugging at him. Oh, this simply would not do. This was not the place to be for his princess, his darling girl— no, not at all.

This rundown complex was much too grimy for one as stunning as you, everything paled in comparison to you— of course it did, nothing mattered like you— but this was just.. sad, nobody as lovely as you deserved to be so impoverished. The dappled foundation, the assumed stench of cigarettes that must cling to the walls within— he had to get you out of there, and fast.

He almost considered marching in right then, ripping you from the safety of your supposed "home"— but he knew better of it. You needed to be won delicately, you were so sweet, but wracked with nerves like a stumbling fawn— one wrong move, a step too quick, and you'd bolt— he could smell fear, and you held it like a cross to bear. That didn't keep him from feeling angry, however.

He was going to pray, offer thanks, but not anymore. No gracious lord would allow such divinity to suffer like this— no self-proclaimed "God of Man" would allow their subject to wallow in such filth. His sweet girl, he was going to give you much more— so much more than this. He would do what God had failed to. He would help you to understand the divinity of man— and what he had to offer. Father was roiling in his grave at the sacrilege.

That was a nice piece to chew on as he walked back to his car— of course he parked elsewhere, home was much too far to walk from— stuck in a wish-washy daydream of you worshipping him, kneeled at his feet and devoted just as you should be. He'd make it better, he'd make it all better, you need only give him time.

— What are you doing tomorrow night, maus?

He texts, already churning with ideas. Most of them are to capture you, of course, but we've established this— we can't do this. However, he is on the more mundane side of things, wondering how he can somehow pay your rent for a few months— or atleast until he can coax you out of that fucking hellscape in the worst part of town. Regardless, totally normal, gentleman-like, things.

— I work a shift from 17:30-21:00 tmrw night :( but I'll be free after work!!

You're even cute with the way you text, so fitting of you— it makes him chuckle, especially with how quickly you'd replied. In his mind, you're hovering over the phone, jumping at every notification in hopes of it being him.

— No worries, little one, I'd like for you to get your rest. Maybe I could walk you home tomorrow, get to know each other?

He's as articulate as ever, feeling as if you'd appreciate his use of grammar and pronunciation— he hopes you read books, he'd buy you a million books, make you read to him while he bounced you on his knee— maybe you'd call him daddy, if he spoiled you enough. He had so many plans for you, it almost made his head hurt, though his cock absorbed most of his rushing blood.

— That would be lovely :)

It would be, wouldn't it? He'd already walked you home now, you just hadn't known it (you'd never know,) and he'd be able to spend tomorrow evening staring at you the whole time— hence why he memorized the path, and for.. other reasons; but those weren't currently relevant, now were they?

— Good. See you then, Engel.

He could see you now, punching these little nicknames into a poorly guided translator— the blush smattering across your soft little cheeks, your eyes creasing as you couldn't help that smile— God, even the small things about you made his palms itch. He was so excited to have you, hold you, touch and use you when he got close enough. It wouldn't be long now.

He was always so good at planning things.

-

The following evening was a rampage. A festival, perhaps, had ripped through the small town— something about music, either way, the streets were eruptive with fervor.

You, just starting out here, are not well accustomed to this area's cultures— and when the café becomes swamped? Well, you're definitely fritzing for some form of substance. Anything to keep a smile on your face while grown adults trash your place of work, and the surrounding area, in a drunken wake. For crying out loud, you barely knew the language here, and people tend to forget any English instruction they've had once a fiery drink hits their system.

Austria. It'd be the death of you.

Forced to close early due to the mess— much to the dismay of drunk, middle-aged men looking for something greasy to fill their maws— the last hour of your day was spent putting a rag to the wall, the floors, the windows; anything your mind could think of, it had to be cleaned. Tired was an understatement, and 'aching' could not be a severe enough adjective for the sensation settling in your joints.

Maybe if you were a more aggressive person, you'd take it out on your manager. Take a bottle of bleach and splash it in his eyes, maybe a bit of strangulation— that was always on the forefront of your concious— and especially now, as he stood outside and lackadaisically sweeped at the "dirty" corner the building sat on. The lazy fuck, can't even make a proper payroll— the bleach sounded a bit more enticing.

You of course shove these thoughts into the supply closet, along with all the other cleaning products that had been collected from their strewn about positions across the diner. It was almost time to go home, maybe ten minutes or so— and you were getting paid for your last hour, come hell or high water. Rent didn't pay itself, and you almost wish you hadn't treated yourself last night to delivery with that tip König slipped to you— could've been handy.

If only you knew how he was itching to have you practically keep his wallet, you'd find out soon anyways.

You stood behind the bar, leaned into it with a placid expression on your face— slumped and tired, and there was no taming your hair. You partially wanted to cancel the little walk you had so eagerly agreed too, but thought better of it— exhaustion ate at you, however, almost in an irritable sense. The urge to cancel just got stronger, and stronger.

Until he was spotted down the street, that almost completely soured your mood— had not the very sight of him set your pulse to palpitate uncomfortably quick. You took a minute to really observe him, at least from a far. He was giant, no doubt about it— regardless of your size or shape, he dwarfed you, and he didn't have to be up close and personal to tell.

His face was mostly obscured, little black mask hanging across his features— this time around though, no sunglasses to hide his eyes— you were fluttering with excitement at the thought of someone's eyes, Jesus, you're kinda weird. Desperate girl, aren't you?

Regardless, he seemed a bit more.. exposing of himself— and, he was here before the agreed time, like an actual fucking man would do.

Huh, maybe the big giant wasn't a bad choice.

Maybe you just didn't know him well enough.

— Schatz! Nice to see you..

He was warm, inviting. If you didn't have sense in your head, you'd climb into his strong-looking arms, beg him to carry you home like a whiny child— of course, you didn't. Only offering him a smile, and taking his arm as he offered it— the sight making your heart stir a little more.

— Nice to see you too, König. I hope it wasn't too much trouble getting here, I know it's a mess out here right now.

You laugh, but you feel almost guilty for making him come all this way. Yes, he offered, yes, he came here anyways— but Innsbruck during a music festival wasn't exactly.. controlled, and he didn't seem to be the type to like crowds. Something you understood, and sensed very quickly.

— Nonsense, even more of a reason for me to accompany you, little one. Keep you safe.

He gives your arm a squeeze with his free hand, it's soft, gentle— so unexpected from hands that looked as if they could rip your throat out. A frisson of heat creeped it's way up your spine. You'd never been the type to depend on someone, or need someone— but hearing him speak that way.. it was definitely flipping some form of switch inside you.

— You're very kind.

You hum in response, taking a step closer to him as you walked— and he kept his eyes on you the whole time, the route burned into his mind. Though, your phrase did not fall on deaf ears— and he had to keep himself from shoving his tongue down your throat right there— you cannot say things like that to him, you are too good and pure.

— To you, at the very least.

— Why's that?

— Why not?

Banter could be good for the soul, and you almost felt desperate when he looked down to you— eyes creasing from what could only be a smirk. You felt flustered under his gaze, small and compact, but.. safe. Watched over, and protected.

Something about his eyes, his demeanor— the way he so graciously walked you along and made sure you didn't step on a single crack or bump in the sidewalk— it tip, tip, tipped you over into a fuzzy headspace you hadn't felt before. Something small, something compact, something malleable.

— Dunno. Men aren't usually kind.

— Boys, then. You are much too beautiful to be handled by a boy.

You cocked a brow at his statement, an amused chuckle leaving your tired lips. He was a strange man, no doubt caring, but even you could tell he harbored things— kept himself from saying and doing things that might be taken incorrectly, or be downright abhorrent. You should be afraid of him, you should run for the hills and scream for help, you should sense the predator who already has his claws dug deep into your skin. 

But you don't, and you don't think you ever would.

Call it string theory, call it hope, call it desperation or an offered entrail— but you placed faith in him, praying that he wouldn't make decorations of your guts— because something more spoke to you, something outside of the two of you held you together steadfast. Mother had always told you to heed universal implications.

— Are you from around here, König?

— Nein, places like this..? eh, not my style. The mountains are much quieter, prettier.

Just how far had this guy traveled? Innsbruck had mountains, yeah, but it wasn't the most secluded of places— quiet didnt exist here. You had to gauge that maybe he blew in from Salzburg, it got less noisy and more rocky the further you went along the North chain. Either way, it was clear to you now that he wasn't just strolling about, he definitely had an agenda.

— Mm. Quite right, starting to regret settling down in such a busy area. I've always enjoyed the quiet.

— Agreed.. What brings you to Austria, Maus?

A good question, a fine one. You didn't know, you got a lump sum from a dead relative— and took off running. America never suited you, and the country was falling to ruins; what would you have stayed for?

— Something refreshing.

— ..And that is..?

— Sights, sounds, self-recognition- I'm unsure, but it's better than home.

He seemed to understand that, a knowing hum vibrating through the berth of his chest. He curled your arm closer to his body, your hip brushing against him as he took an even, slow pace— clearly difficult for him, but you could only move so fast.

The closeness felt nice in that moment, like it was unnecessary to share words— just enough had been said. It was a different sensation flowing through you. Yes, to be frank, you'd been lusting over him since he gave you his number— a little attention can go a long way— but it was different. That feeling of safety was blanketed with another— familiarity.

— Any family, libeling?

— Estranged, haven't spoken to them in years.

Another knowing hum, but it was followed by an amused sound— a chuckle. If the melancholy of the fact hadn't been refreshed, the sound would've made you pounce like a starved animal. He was attractive as all hell— and you didn't even need to see his full face.

— What's funny?

You try not to sound offended, you aren't, not really. Though, his amusement is of interest to you.

— Nothing, I assure you. It just seems that you and I are very similar. You are an interesting little thing.

— Ha! I'm as face value as they come, I promise you that.

— Don't be so humble, it's unnecessary for a lovely girl like you. I'll be the judge of that.

It was almost as if he was scolding you, but you brushed it off with an amused huff of air— leaning into his shoulder as he walked you along. You could stop his heart with such a thing, you saw him so much differently than others, didn't you? What a rare girl you were.

He wound an arm over your shoulder, pulling you into him. He was surprised by his own boldness, but the energy you held was so.. comforting, something in his core shook at the sensation— like a blockage finally being relieved. It could only get sweeter when you returned the gentle grasp, slipping an arm over his slender back.

— I.. this made my night better. Thank you.

You blushy little angel, of course, of course, anything for you. Oh, he needed to give you the world. He'd start a war for you— his very own Helen of Troy.

— Of course, sweet girl. Need to make sure you get home safe and happy, ja?

You laugh and squeeze his side, and he's pushing down another round of nasty thoughts like burning tequila. You have him chomping at the bit for every artifice of your affection.

— Such a gentleman..

— As I was raised to be, Schatz.

It burns him when he has to drop you off at that complex.. again. He wants nothing more than to take you home, invite you to a bed much-too-big, suffocate you in thread counts your wallet couldn't fathom— but it was much too soon, and you were much too angelic for him to ever want to spook you.

It burns you in turn, looking up at him with a shy smile. You want to invite him in, have him over for the night— but it seems you both agree on the terms of "much too soon", and you can't help but feel insecure at the.. state.. of your livingspace. It's nothing lavish, and it's moorish— maybe some other time.

— We should do this again.. I enjoyed this.

— I agree, liebling. Let me know when you work next, hm? Or maybe when you're free, I'll come visit you.

He made you feel as blushy as a school-girl, like you were a gift wrapped in fine bows just for him.

— I'll send you my schedule.

— Guten Mädchen.. I'll see you later then.

And, as if the gods had their hands on your shoulders, he leaned in— pulling his mask down just enough to kiss the top of your head before swiftly moving it back into place, and giving your cheek a quick brush with his thumb. Your skin was on fire, that cheek was never getting washed again.

Good fucking God, coming undone at the smallest touch, are we?

— Goodnight-! Get home safe..

He was already halfway down the block, damn, he's fast.

You're already getting obsessed, damn, he's good.

[artist-issues]

(I may have accidentally clicked the Unfollow button instead of the Ask button, my bad!! 😅 Still following ya!)

I'm here to deliver you a fun question amidst a world full of negativity, and that is;

If you ever had the opportunity to create your own story/animated film, what would you want it to be about? Who would be the characters and how would you want to write their stories? Would you bring in subtle tenets of your faith, or go all-out Lewis/Tolkien and dive into analogy/Christian values? Fantasy or Sci-fi? Romcom or thriller? Adventure or something cosy and intimate? Any worldbuilding?

Basically, if you could write your dream stories, what would they be about?

Sorry if you've got a similar question before, but I am really curious. Your posts talking about storytelling and faith always fascinate me, and I'd love to know how someone with such a love for Christ and stories would go about creating their own stories 💙

This is a wonderful question! I can't tell you how wonderful. Thank you! I'm so glad you follow me still!

I guess I'd always lean more toward allegory, and fantasy. I don't know how to make a story that isn't saying something very intentionally about God and people and their relationship to God.

It's funny, my taste in stories is more intimate. My favorite Disney movie is Lilo & Stitch, for example. But I have a hard time boiling it down when I make my own stories, because I like to trace every character's motivations back to their source--and when I do that, I wind up world building without meaning to, for way longer than I planned!

I make my stories based off of the Invisible Ink model by Brian McDonald, with a few tweaks to the outline so that it makes sense to me specifically.

So I always start with a thesis statement, the Point of the Story, the lesson I'm hoping it teaches. Then I break it down by listing "characters that need to learn it" and "characters that believe the opposite of it" and "characters that know it already." And then how they all interact, and where they'll be by the end of the story. Fun stuff like setting and fictional history and characterizations come while I'm filling all of that in, kind of naturally, which I wish I was better at giving in to.

Anyway! On to the fun part of your question;

I keep my stories really private because I have learned that if I "tell" the story, even just in a summary or a tumblr post or a text to a friend, I lose a lot of inspiration and a lot of...mental freedom to finish the story itself. It's like once I say it out loud, that version of the story is final in my subconscious, and I have less motivation to tweak it.

So I don't tell people about my ideas. Not unless we're officially or professionally collaborating.

But this question is so GOOD and I so APPRECIATE IT, that I'm going to get over that and tell you about one, for example, that I started doing but probably won't get to make.

I call it "Come When You're Called" and it's a story about a sheep farm, from the perspective of the farm animals (but specifically the dogs.) The style is like if all of Ruyard Kipling's Serious Animals With Their Own Noble Cultures met Albert Payson Terhune's How Animals Thrive Serving Their Owners met Disney's Fun Anthropomorphic Animals.

The main character is a border collie named Sky Blue (she's liver-colored with blue eyes) who is learning the lifestyle of a good dog on her master's farm. She's very energetic. Thats the one word you could use to describe her. She never stops trying to play or have fun. She's proud of being the fastest dog on the property; the older border collie she's learning from, Sharps, isn't even as fast as she is. He's teaching her how to recognize the Master's commands and obey them immediately.

Sharps is excellent at what he does, but he's super irritable because all he cares about is the work. If he had a character arc, it would be to find his identity in how much his Master loves him instead of how well he can do his job. When he first meets Sky, he doesn't like her because there's a subtle fear that he's getting too old to do the work himself. He's very strict.

There's another older dog on the property. His name is Lockjaw but everybody calls him LJ, and he's the opposite of Sharps. He's even older, wiser, and downright jolly. He used to be the guard dog for the whole huge property, but he's been raising a young German Shepherd named Buckwild to take it over. Buckwild and LJ have southern accents and Buck is a very smart, good dog...as long as someone tells him what to do, and exactly how to do it: his default state is laziness. He becomes Sky's love interest.

Anyway, the music would be very highlands-folksy—think The Oh Hellos. Each animal species on the farm has its own "culture," but they all function like a kingdom serving their king, the human Master. When you're living by that code of obeying and fulfilling your purpose, the animals generally call it "Coming When You're Called." But if you are disobedient, lazy, or out for yourself, stealing food or killing the Master's chickens or whatever, you're twisted and looked at with scorn and apprehension by the good animals.

It would be super episodic. 🤷‍♀️ There's villain characters, like a pack of wolves that like to try picking off the sheep every once in a while. Theres also a tomcat who does not Come When He's Called, but just sort of does whatever he wants around the farm and causes mischief. Theres a tiny black kitten who Sky teaches what she's learning, about how to Come When You're Called, who wants to grow up and chase the lazy tomcat off and take his place. Stuff like that.

I have other ideas. One, in particular, I've mentioned before, got me involved with the studio I'm currently working in. It's an allegory to do with a siren, vampire, and werewolf in the early 2000s. But I'll keep that one to myself 🫢 for now! The story the studio and I are making right now is sci-fi fantasy adventure, about a family that needs to figure out their relationship to each other and the world they're finding themselves rulers of...but that's all I'll say about that until it's out there for people to watch!

Really I like creating all of it. I've got a sci-fi idea, three fantasy ones, and then an ongoing batch of monster stories, too! I guess I always tend to create as if my audience is...in that 12-20 range? But really, like Disney, I'd like it if my stuff could be enjoyable for all ages. We'll see! I think! I hope!

Thank you for this question!

[jicklet]

Rage+Hope, and how they work for Razer

[ID: Razer from the GLTAS episode “Regime Change” looking surprised at his red ring as it flickers out from the blue energy, and Razer from his Young Justice episode wearing both red and blue rings.]

So we’ve been presented with two important pieces of information about the red and blue energies.

Saint Walker says that "Rage is the orphan child of fear and despair."

The blue energy is seen to de-power the red lantern energy

and yet,

Razer in "Blue Hope" is able to break through and use his red power, and is (as of the end of his YJ episode) using both together.

Plothole? Nah. Let's break that down, and why this works.

[ID: Saint Walker from the GLTAS episode ‘Lost Planet’: “Rage has no real power. Or taste, for that matter. It’s the orphan child of fear and despair.”]

We all love Saint Walker, but he’s not entirely right here. Not about all rage, anyway.

So, “fear and despair.” In other words, scared and hopeless, the opposite of the green and blue energies. And that's what powers the red lantern army, they're focused on the past. It’s their despair at all they’ve lost, their fear of being powerless again. They've lost hope to make anything better, and only want to make others hurt. It's that vengeance they keep going on about.

And the Razer we first meet is in line with that. At the end of the pilot, he tries to goad Hal into killing him. As of episode 7, he's still willing to throw his life away for a small chance to kill Atrocitus. At the end of the episode, he even gets his chance... But if he takes it, they'll all lose their chance to escape.

It's his vengeance vs his crewmates’ lives, and he chooses them. He's started to have faith in them, that there will be a future beyond this moment, where they'll have another shot at stopping Atrocitus, and maybe they’ll even get to live to see a future after that.

Over the course of his journey, and due to his crewmates’ influence, Razer loses his despair. He stops being suicidal, he starts hoping for a future, one that includes Aya in it somehow. 

[ID: Razer from the GLTAS episode ‘Blue Hope’: “There are many kinds of anger. In this case, I believe my rage was righteous.”]

In Blue Hope, Aya is attacked by a Manhunter and in response Razer's rage flares, overpowering the blue energy. At the end he tells Saint Walker, “I believe my anger was righteous,” and that he now knows what his path is—it’s with Aya. And that's the difference between his new and old rage. When Aya was attacked, it wasn't despair or hopelessness he was feeling. It was “how dare you.” He still wasn't sure what he was hoping for at that point, but as long as Aya would be there, he was hopeful for the future. You could even argue it’s possible the hopeful blue energy was boosting his rage at that point too.

And then all the way at the final battle, where he tries to stab Aya but his construct disappears, he's back to despair, but that can't power his rage anymore. He doesn't want to cause pain. His hope and rage are tangled by that point, he can’t go back.

And then we see him 4 years later. He’s still viewing his rage as a curse to be locked away and he’s had no progress on his quest with Aya. Despair is back. But again, it can’t power the red ring. He isn’t linking despair and rage anymore, he’s a different man. It’s only when Metron reveals he’s been fucking with him all that time that he’s able to access rage again.

When Razer hurts Forager, I’m not totally sure what he sees, but I think A) it reminds him that this is a person he doesn’t want to be anymore, someone who thoughtlessly causes destruction for its own sake, and B) seeing the Foragers together reminds him of him and Aya.

So in the end, he chooses hope, but doesn’t give up rage. And he uses them together to defeat Metron. The righteousness is back.

And you know, I really like this for him. Anger doesn't have to be a bad thing. If you let your anger consume you, like Razer had in the beginning, like the rest of the Red Lanterns, that's when it turns toxic. But anger can drive you forward too. I've been half-joking that hope + rage makes spite. Like, Fuck it, I’m going to believe in a better future despite what the universe has done to me.

tl;dr—Razer's rage is no longer powered by "fear and despair," which is what the blue energy cancels out. It's righteous, and he remains hopeful for a future.

Anyways, those are my thoughts! I’d welcome others :D

[jewishconvertthings]

I’m considering converting (not definitely yet as I feel I don’t know enough to make a proper decision yet) but I’m a bit nervous about the whole thing. I think I could possibly be halachicly jewish? It’s so far back and I didn’t grow up Jewish so I’d probably still have to go through a kind of conversion regardless but I also grew up very strongly atheist and my parents were often quite critical of religion (mostly Christianity but they would refer to all religion). They have both since found faith and are quite happy for me to be exploring Judaism but I’m just struggling with the idea of god after growing up so strongly atheist I suppose. I know some Jews are secular but I don’t know that, as a convert, I could be? I don’t know if it would be considered bad taste for me to be seeking to convert when I’m unsure about the religious aspect of the religion.

Hi anon,

It's really lovely that you're reconnecting with your heritage, whatever that ends up looking like. I'd recommend reaching out to a rabbi to find out (1) if you are halachicly Jewish, and (2) if you aren't, but do have Jewish ancestry, what ways you might have of reconnecting with or without converting. I'd also recommend bringing up to the rabbi your concerns about your background and exploring the many different valid Jewish ways of understanding the Divine. You may also want to check out the books Finding God, by Sonsino and Syme and Sacred Fragments, by Rabbi Neil Gillman for some preparatory reading on this topic. Both introduce different Jewish ways of thinking about G-d and Jewish philosophy and theology on the matter. There is a huge spectrum that encompasses views that would be considered agnostic or even atheist within the broader culturally Xian discourse.

Even if you do land on a truly atheist viewpoint (even by Jewish standards), that does not disqualify you from converting through many liberal communities. You will simply want to work with the rabbi to figure out how to build a religious life that is focused on mitzvot, Torah, and/or community, rather than directly on theistic motivations. And, even if you decide that converting is not the right choice for you, I'm certain that there are other cultural ways you can connect with your Jewish heritage that do not require a religious lifestyle or beliefs, and that the rabbi can help you find your comfort zone.

Best of luck in your future explorations!

[bonefall]

Similar to how Storm felt like she was defending an abuser because victims do that, Thunder almost feels like a legitimate reaction to knowing you were abandoned and wanting to somehow make up for it as if it’s your fault even though it isn’t - and then the series is immune to Clear Sky being bad and Thunder’s rose-tinted glasses are just the narrative’s shitty lens. And like you’re right the dissonance between everybody acting like he’s great and his actual frustrating appearances is so strong it feels like it’s building to some kind of “actually he sucked the whole time” realisation and it just?? Isn’t. So like shit dude maybe if Thunder didn’t wanna be abandoned he should’ve simply been a cooler baby, obviously it’s not Clear Sky being awful /j

In my own family, there are two people in the generation above me who were abandoned by their father "I'm going out to get milk" style, and were adopted by a new man when he married their mother.

(also btw shitty biodad loved the taste of licorice alcohol which I think is the nastiest thing any human has ever invented so there really was not a Single Redeemable Thing about him. I'm gonna call him Licorice Biodad)

The older sibling, a boy I'll call... Hamilton, spent his entire life trying to get their biodad to notice him. They all lived in the same town, so there were times where Hamilton would work for him (not properly compensated obviously) or go out of his way to try and visit him. Saddest story I know is this one time the siblings walked across town to visit biodad's apartment, he answered the complex door, said "Ohh so nice to see you! I'll brb" and left them standing there. For hours.

Never came back out lol they had to walk home.

Licorice Biodad only died recently (survived covid somehow and died of old age). Hamilton spent his entire adult life trying to include the man in his life and never reconciled with how awfully he was treated. I never even learned the sad stories from Hamilton; I learned them from his mother and the younger, girl sibling. I'll call her uhhh.... Alexandria

Alexandria by contrast is what you imagine an abandoned child is like. She does not call Licorice Biodad by his name; she calls him 'sperm donor', is ADAMANT her adopted dad is her real, only dad, full of a lot of clear rage about how she was treated.

It probably factors in that every time Hamilton dragged Biodad back into their lives for brief stints of time, it always ended in Alexandria being dogpiled or humiliated in some way.

So, how I engage with adoption narratives is colored a lot by these two members of my family. Clear Sky's writer favoritism is uniquely painful. Thunder reminds me immensely of Hamilton, like it's a story trying to tell me that his destructive impulse was justified.

That the suffering he went through is completely correct because deeeeeep down, Clear Sky, just like Licorice Biodad, was actually a good person who needed the help to show it.

And I just think that's sickening. I think that's a disgusting thing to put in a series for young adults. They don't go far enough by just having Thunder leave his group and fight him at the first battle, because it's immediately undermined by framing Clear Sky as a sad boy worthy of forgiveness, despite his behavior not fundamentally changing.

It undermines my faith that these writers are capable of handling redemption arcs at all, when Clear Sky and Tom are the characters they think are redeemable.

[dailylucifernetflix]

I wrote a beginning of an ask, clicked at a notification, and got deleted. Never mind that. "I was premaetitevely saying sorry for complaining at fandom stuff in your ask box" pretty much covers what that was. Sorry for that. This. (Or not, if you do want to talk about this stuff.) You are just about the only active Lucifer (TV) blog I know about. I would love to talk about this. This is very out of nowhere.

As I watched the show I (in a I may yet get this sort of a way) wanted, very much, to have a different show than I got. I saw the setup, the characters, their experiences, the events. I enjoyed watching it, but I also wanted for it to be a little more critical and a little less of a comedy. I wanted things to not be played for the laughs as much. I wanted for things to get serious, for Lucifer to be agreed with that he has been hurt, for him to be said to have been done wrong to. And, above that, I wanted that followed through with. I wanted for God to be punished for what he did to him.

Preferably killed in a fun little magic war with magic superpowers, I never expected that to happen in the show. Just in fanfic. I do not think it has happened in fanfic. (this is me asking for fanfic recs, if you have any)

I saw Lucifer. I empathized with Lucifer. With his situation, with his reactions. I saw that he was hurt.

I wanted for him to hurt the person who has hurt him back.

I can think that punishing people is a shit thing that hurts them. I can think that, from a mortal standpoint, punishment is bullshit. God having a redemption arc would have left me satisfied... but, no, I didn't expect that. I did think it was more probable for it to happen than for war on God to happen. But I expected the show to disappoint me.

As I watched it I remember I thought it was not quite brave enough to say what it sometimes showed. That it was not brave enough to straight up say God is a bad guy here. (if it had it would have probably not ran as long as it did, so, fair of it to itself, but still dissatisfying to me as an audience)

I am probably rambling. (I am writing this in an ask box, on mobile. I have accidentally delated three paragraphs. This is the Tumblr experience.)

I saw God do terrible things to Lucifer. I saw that he put him in hell (a terrible place) that he set the world up in a way that allowed for hell to exist (humans can leave, the show says, it is just the guilt that holds them here, but the thing about building a world is that you decide how it works and defending God's actions on the basis of its just how it is is a lot like saying the female characters fight magic wars in bikini and shoot lasers from their boobs because that's just how magic wars work in superhero city) (the world works how the writer decides it does)

This is pretty much just me complaining. I probably dont have a point I am gatting at. (This was brought on by Good Omens Season 2, in a side effect short of way. Mostly I was just reminded that damn remember how you watched that other christianity fanfic, remember how you stared at a wall and imagined a version of it that was more suited to your personal tastes and opinions and also had more superpowers shit because those do always look so cool)

Actually, if there was a point to this, then that point is fanfic. Have you, by chance, ever found the sort of a fanfic that really gets into God Is Bad Let's Wage A War sort of thing? Or if not, then something that approaches it? Something that at least frames God as a villain? Not only Lucifer's-Imaginary-Abusive-Human-Parent (pre-reveal kind of stuff) but full of actual God. Altrough, well, I'd read that too.

I suppose the thing I specifically really want to read is: Ella losing faith, properly so. Linda not just... going wow that's God but going oh shit that's Lucifer's abuser. I suppose I want to read about angels falling from Heaven and being framed as the ones in the right by the narrative. I suppose I want there to be a war. I suppose I would like to read about Hell Economics.

I probably should just write something myself at this point, but I am never very attached to but that's canon and would go if I change this I can change so much many more things to create a world I, myself, would like reading about more, and at that point, this would get very far from what the actual show was doing and I would stare at it and go that is a little too ambitious for me.

Yeah, no, the point of this was: do you by chance have any fanfic recs that you think I would like. Really sorry for bothering you if this bothered you... If you don't want to post this ask (very understandable) but would be open to offering any fanfic recs could you, idk, do a hello to that anon, have some fanfic in a separate post? I would really appriciate that.

...I'll, uh, go ask you about any active Lucifer blogs you know in a separate ask. (the fandom seems dead. is it dead? is it just you here?)

hello dear anon!

ngl reading this was an experience but one that i actually really enjoyed. i loved reading all of your thoughts and some of them i actually understand quite good. i enjoyed what we saw with lucifer but yes, there are some things that were missing for me, too. it's totally okay that you kind of even expected something different from it. you're allowed to have your own opinion.

either way i'm sorry to tell you that i don't read any fanfics but PLEASE if someone who reads this has any fanfic recs specifically like asked above that would be appreciated.

also sorry your initial ask got deleted and also some paragraphs accidentally by yourself. been through that and it's annoying.

the fandom is indeed dead except an occasional gifset every now and then (also by me @mauraeyk lol) i think it's more active on twitter and you're definitely not bothering me. i'm just sorry i can't be more helpful. take care! <3

- kers

[veradescent]

❥ PATIENCE IS KEY — EDGING THEM

❥ WARNINGS — whining / begging , crying (scaramouche) ,

❥ FEATURING — scaramouche, kazuha

# BANK NOTICE INCOMING ! ;

# RECEIPT ! ; omg omg omg i’m going feral tbh i love edging sm and the begging ugh like yes anyway here u go

# DEBT ! ; this work contains smut — i am freshly 17, please keep this in mind when reading. if that makes you uncomfortable just scroll 🫶

bank vaults — got a key?

# Kazuha ! ;

— He is so good, so kind and so sweet about it. Not once does he get upset or try to cause any issues or even protest (until he’s rlly rlly desperate). He agreed to it and he knows he did and he’s grateful you can go through this scene together. He trusts you and adores you

— Overall Kazuha is sooooo so so so soo good. He communicates rlly nicely too. He sits back a little nervously for the first few times bc it’s hard for him to be all out on display but with reassurance he’s certainly more comfortable.

— He’s def a flirt don’t get me wrong! But when you’re really being vulnerable in bed he’s gonna be a little softer.

— Edging for Kazuha helps to relieve him of a lot of stress for some reason!! It means letting go of control and then after doing something hard he gets a huge reward and praise.

— After a looong time of edging he’ll be really desperate and try to keep his head straight bc his mind gets super foggy bc he’s giving u his full trust and wants to let go. all he can focus on is how hard he is and how painfully hard his cock is as it keeps dripping with precum, while he trembles to no end.

— The only time he’ll even begin to protest is when it’s been ages and even then he’ll only let out weak pleads. He rlly just wants to do well and it takes everything in him not to give in fuck into your hand or give into however you’re edging him. He wants it so bad but he still puts alll of his effort into behaving like he said he would.

— Only thing in his mind? Trying to restrain how bad he wants it.

— He can only do that for so long tho before he snaps and is begging because he just can’t keep holding back and he wants to cum.

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶

He’s so close…

Kazuha’s cock aches, begging to release and spill his cum all over his stomach and your soft hand. The relief he knows he’d feel is so close he can taste it.

Kazuha moans into his mouth, lips shut tight as he accidentally pulls against the restraints you put on him which hold his arms behind him. With one particularly rough pump of his cock and quietly mumbled praises from you, he knows he’s going to snap. If he let go right now and thrusted up into your hand one more slight time… He had to be able to come.

But instead he yanks his hips back away from your hand as he pants. “Stop stop- stop-“ He gasps out “I’ll come- please i’ll come,” Kazuha tells you in a weak but urgent voice, almost keeling forward where he kneels. He had to tell you, right? As tempting as it was he knew very well he had to behave. He can’t help but bow his head and close his eyes before he had the chance to look into your eyes.

If he doesn’t look and doesn’t see you, and focuses solely on calming down…

The urge to come finally fades back away and as much as he wants to chase after it he has to let it go. He trusts you’ll let him soon. And even if you don’t he puts all of his faith in your hands regardless. He always will.

“So good for me Kazuha. Can you do one more time?”

He nods, his amber eyes looking up at you and a soft smile comes to his lips. “Please..”

# Scaramouche ! ;

didn’t rlly know how to start his little drabble ☹️☹️☹️ i almost deleted it so!!

— Scaramouche is an ass. We know this!!!

— But he’s also an ass who breaks down easily. Who gets srsly frustrated and angry.

— He’ll be so aggressive at first even if it was his idea, grumbling about it or even snapping at your teasing or complimenting of him. Secretly he likes hearing your affirming words obv! But he hates how vulnerable he feels bc why would you have the balls to say smth like that? smh tsk tsk. maybe he snaps, maybe he tries to smooth talk you into doing it- whatever it is he wants you to just let him cum.

— Scara is seriously impatient. He’s by far the most desperate and frustrated when he doesn’t get what he wants. We know he’s actually quite emotional and I just KNOW the frustration and anger from him not getting what he wants would manifest in tears.

— Once he finally breaks he’ll be begging and pleading you, wiping away tears and gritting his teeth to try and let go of his pride. After that he just gets desperate beyond belief and gives up any sort of shame and breaks for you.

— Scara goes through the seven stages of grief every time he is edged LMFAO

— Overall he prefers overstim more. He doesn’t have the patience for this- but it’s fun to see him fall apart for u!

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶

“Are you- ah- serious?? Again?”Scaramouche snaps harshly between each breath he’s gasping in. He can’t count how many times you’ve edged him. You’ve never been merciful when fucking him but you certainly haven’t been today and he’s nearly at his breaking point. Tears of frustration beg to break from him and fall down his flushed cheeks. In contrast to his harsh remarks, you don’t miss the way his hands squeeze into the blankets and the way his thighs try to squeeze shut around you. “Fuck you- agh.. fuck!” He blurts out, feeling the effects of your thrust directly into his prostate.

The feeling is so intense he wants to keep in inside and keep letting you fill him up. It’s like it was what he was designed to do. But he would rather die than ask you for that. Because you’ll remark about it just as you do now. “Not so high and mighty now, huh?” You tease. Your wit has always matched his. He can’t say it’s working in his favor right now.

“Shut up! Ah— ahn..” He groans, but as his moans get quieter they arch up in pitch and form into more of a whine or cry. Within seconds you can see Scara’s demeanor change, his frustration changing into something more pretty. More needy and pleading. For only a second he arches his back and lets his eyes flutter shut, dollike features finally relaxing into the pleasure, and his lips fall open into an ‘O’ shape.

He’s just on the cusp and waiting to spill over before it stops completely. He breaks then, throwing his head back and letting out a frustrated sob once he closes his mouth.

“Scara.” You hum in a low tone before cupping his cheek to which he glares up at you. In return, you pat his cheek lightly, giving him a fake pout. His sneer only worsens.

“What?” He asks. “What.”

Without any further notice your hand wraps around his cock and your thrusts resume.

“Wouldn’t it do you better to behave?”

For the first time that night Scaramouche finally begs.

[alwaysnyc14]

Commander Joseph Lawrence - Some of his best quotes

“I’m not a big fan of flying or children”

“Well, you’re off the hook, or off the wall, I should say for now”

“June: I just need to know if my husband is safe” Commander Lawrence: “I don’t know. Does he use a seat belt? Does he watch his blood pressure? That’s the silent killer, you know”

“Speaking of the Waterfords, you really mucked up that house, didn’t you? Fred demoted. Serena defingered. Baby baby-napped. You left the place literally in ashes. Do you think they got what they deserved?”

“You have to let the rabble-rousers blow off a little steam or they’ll smash everything to bits”

“Does this really work on Fred? Not exactly an intellectual giant. Then again, neither are you”

“Oh that’s cute. Would your heart glow or something?”

“THOUGHTS?!”

“AND HELLO CANADA!”

Emily: “Praise be to you, and may God make me worthy.” Lawrence: “Super”

“He’s not a used Subaru”

“I wonder what the voltage is on those things”

“I guess he didn’t bring 52 children with him “

“Wow, you’ve gone soft in Toronto. Must be all that maple syrup.”

“Go in grace”

“We just want our brother home”

“Cheer up. Fred and Serena are toast and you just got away with murder. All in all, not a bad morning.”

“Oh, well he’s a toady with no taste.”

“Did you do something to your hair?”

“I guess he doesn’t like music.”

“I guess he’s got us over a barrel”

“Are you gonna sit in the bed with us too? Because that would definitely make things more interesting.”

“Your love f***s people up. You’re a fountain of heartache and trouble”

“You’re an unusual woman, and we don’t have the proper infrastructure for unusual women to live within our borders”

“These are pious men. They need a little kink”

“Oh, you’d love it. It’s elegant yet brutal”

“America is dying. It’s an idea that has outlived its usefulness”

“Can’t we all agree, gentlemen, that it’s embarrassing to be running a country in which people are constantly trying to escape?”

“You mean go to the Red Center, kind of Handmaid’s Hotel, where you’re the concierge?”

Commander Lawrence: “I got them to say yes.” Serena: “How?” Commander Lawrence: “By not being a woman.”

“I’m just one commander. Nick’s on the rise, but he’s still a puppy. There’s only so much we can do.”

“Oh, look at us all, getting along like friendly diplomats, trying to bury the hatchet.”

“Commander Lawrence: If I object will it make a difference?” Nick: “No, sir. At the border, the Eyes maintain tactical control.” Commander Lawrence: “Oh, he seems to have us over a barrel. Go in grace, Fred.”

“Fred, praise be. You’re home safe. The nation’s prayers have been answered.”

“Your love fucks people up. You’re a fountain of heartache and trouble.”

Commander Lawrence: “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Aunt Lydia: “I believe I can be of service to you.” Commander Lawrence: “Lucky me.”

“Gilead doesn’t care about children. Gilead cares about power. Faithfulness, old-time values, homemade bread, that’s the just means to the end. It’s a distraction. I thought you would have figured that out by now.”

“You’re going to single-handedly repopulate the planet”

“Motherhood’s always been an evolutionary puzzle to me.”

“We’d never leave a brother out in the cold”

“Well, she isn’t stupid, but she is stubborn, which I guess is a form of stupidity. Perhaps, it’s the most virulent form.”

“I always took you for more of the Jezebel’s man less of the quickie behind a desk before a funeral kind of guy”

“I have been grooming Nick, not sexually, but he is helping me.”

“And now I’m done talking about your breasts.”

“Do you have an irony deficiency?”

“Gilead’s gonna Gilead”

“I know you enjoy inflicting pain. I’m not judging, everybody needs a hobby.”

"Cake? Gentlemen"

[orionhere]

Kamui & Camu's Launch Day CN Message and Gift

Happy birthday to our two precious babies!!! 🎂🎉🎁🥳 I want to draw something for them, but sadly I can't bc busy with works😥 So instead, I tried to translate their message and gift!

(Again, please excuse my grammar and mistranslation if there's any, I've just started to learn mandarin😅)

Mission Notice!

Commandant, it’s been a long time! It’s the first time I’ve communicated with you like this….. What’s it called? “Mail”?

Whatever! It’s pretty much the same anyway, but the feeling of waiting for a response is quite refreshing.

The captain informed that there was a mission to assist the commandant alone, so I immediately took it! The thought of fighting alongside you, fills my body with power!

I’m already looking forward to it! No matter what the mission is, it was all fun with the commandant!

By the time you receive this message, I’m already on my way to the location! It’s time to show you how awesome I am after I’ve grown!

Hehe, see you later!

From: Kamui’s Mail No.1

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Commandant, I’m so happy!

So today’s "mission" was actually a surprise for my launch day! Although I have a little guess, I didn’t expect such a surprise!

And also, you guys’ gift for my launch day, I’ve really been wanting it for a long time! Someone must have seen my browsing history, who is it? Is it the captain? Wanshi? Or…. you, commandant?

I—will—-definitely won’t forget this day!

By the way, do you also have a surprise for Camu? I’m so excited to see how he’ll react! Hehe~

Oh, right, commandant, speaking of gifts, I also have something for you! Although I didn’t make it myself, it's one of my collections that I have treasured for a long time— The Great Sword of Courage! Isn’t it cool!

I’ve been wanting to pick a good time to give it to you sincerely, but it’s always at a bad time, so this time, I can finally take this opportunity to give it to you!

In the world of war, the constructs are warriors, and so are you. When we were charging ahead, Commandant is a warrior, trying your best to protect us from behind, and with that thought, it gave me courage to fight against the future.

Ahem…. Although it’s a bit strange to say thank you so formally, I still want to say thank you, Commandant. Not only for the launch day surprise you gave me today, but it’s also to thank you for protecting the world and us.

From: Kamui’s Mail No.2

Sword and Warrior

Attached with Kamui’s launch day letter, later will be stored in the Commandant’s secret corner.

A weapon that was used most often by the hero in the RPGs prevalent in the Golden Age, but this peripheral model was discontinued a long time ago, it’s something that Kamui himself treasures. The sword is engraved with a line: All in war with time.

He has given you his love, courage and faith along with this sword, without reservation.

-------------------------------------------------

Hmm…. Ahem.

I knew such an event must be your idea, although Kamui and my launch day are on the same day, but unexpectedly that guy didn’t care that much about the date either.

Although I feel like he must be quite expecting some kind of surprise.

Ahem, I didn’t expect you to prepare a special dish for this event…. Even thought it looks stupid, it tastes pretty good, much better than what Chrome, Kamui, and Wanshi did.

Also….. Thank you for the cake you brought, the sweetness of the cream….. It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted it.

It’s been a while since we’ve gotten together like this, the occasional get-togethers like this don’t seem to be annoying as I originally thought.

Is it because I’ve been in this place too long that I've become weak, or is it something else? I can’t believe I feel the world is not so annoying….

Tsk, I originally ordered dinner, but since you ruined my plan, these cheap meals are for you, no need to thank me too much.

From: Camu’s Mail No.1

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———Don’t eat what was in that lunchbox!

Oi! Are you an idiot? How can you put anything in your stomach?!

Thankfully, I found out in time, or else I would have been court-martialed for “murdering a commandant”.

The lunchbox just now….. Ahem, you guys cook something to celebrate my launch day, so I don’t think cooking looks that complicated.

But…. that first box of fried rice burnt a little, I intended to throw it and buy some more, but I took the wrong lunch box…. Who knew that you would eat it!

Ahem, I don’t think you ate any of it so far. This time, I packed a lunch box with the Golden Egg and Hell Rice and Cheese Biscuits from the restaurant at the commercial district, something I had planned to eat tonight, and I already checked that it should be okay.

Is it just me? This launch day is a mess. But…. It feels like it’s coming together.

…..Well, after causing the trouble, it seems like there's going to be some "compensation" to make up for it?

There’s a new restaurant I want to try, so I’ll use you as a guinea pig. I’ve made dinner reservations for the next week, and I’ll be waiting for you there every day at dinner time.

See you tomorrow.

From: Camu’s Mail No.2

Lunch box

Attached with Camu’s launch day letter, later will be stored in the Commandant’s secret corner.

The lunchboxes distributed by Babylonia, unique and iconic with Camu’s secondary creation. The heat-insulating alloy material provides excellent insulation, the first layer of the lunchbox is crammed with a few cheese biscuits, the second layer was filled with Camu’s favorite Golden Eggs and Hell Rice, which indeed look like Camu had packed a dinner for himself. But if it’s true that Camu is preparing to eat it himself, why didn’t he add the double spice he always asked for?

Yes, Kamui's gift really said 'love'. It's literally written 热爱 which mean 'deep affection' or 'deep love'.