#to say some variation of 'good for you!! i am glad!!! i love this and/or you!'

[autisticlancemcclain]

What’s your most hated fandom characterization for each of the main 7?

hoo boy am i glad you asked. although i’m gonna be real, my issue is less with fandom characterization, because you do you i don’t give a shit, and more with how people go batty if you personally are not a fan of fanon characterizations.

like, lemme be obvious and talk about my biggest example. i am a brown eyed lance truther. we know this. the amount of weirdo comments, weirdo DMs, and weirdo asks i get is atrocious. i post a lot of them bc they’re so stupid they’re funny but the amount of people per week that tell me to kill myself is lowkey wild. the amount of people that love to say some variation of “i liked your fic but you ruined it by making lances eyes brown! his eyes are blue!” and i’ve checked other brown eyed truther’s fics — either they delete their comments better than me, or they do not get the same thing. idk what the deal is lol.

i will concede to the point that i’m a contrarian and annoying about it, but a list of the following non-fanon headcanons/characterizations i hold that have been commented on in some derisive way:

- bitchy hunk (lol)

- non “cinnamon roll too pure and baby and good for this world” hunk*

- allura is a good character (🤡)**

- allura is a sweetheart

- allura is not a drill sergeant

- kuron was a good iteration of shiro

- red paladin lance/black paladin keith/blue paladin allura

- retired shiro

- pidge is not cruel

- pidge is not an infant and can handle things a regular 14-15 year old can handle

- small details are irrelevant (think lances family, exact prekerb details, etc)

- keith gyeong and lance sanchez

- fucking brown eyed lance. i’m saying it again

- tall keith

- non omega keith***

- readmores

- autistic lance

- adhd keith

- non asshole/cruel keith

- comphetting gay lance****

- shallura

- bi shiro, demi keith, essentially any sexuality headcanon that isn’t mainstream

- hunk who isn’t food obsessed

- that’s about it

*stop infantilising hunk

**the allura hate is ridiculous and largely rooted in anti-Blackness. it should not be a fight to say that she had a reason to feel betrayed by keith’s heritage, that she did not “get in the way” of klance, that her death was stupid and ridiculous, that she is often pushed over in favour of klance (not as in she’s less popular, but that her/her death are used as a plot device to further klance), and that she is as interesting, nuanced, and multifaceted as the rest of them.

***people, inevitably, feminize characters in fandoms (largely because many people in fandom are young women, i know i feminize characters simply bc i’m making them like me and i’m feminine lol), and my issue is that people (in the general sense, not everybody) love to feminize keith and then get really mad if anyone else is feminized. this is not about fem or trans woman keith btw. this is about people omega-ifying him and then losing their MINDS if i don’t share that headcanon.

****i literally only wrote this once and then never again because people lost their minds. but as much as i love bi lance, i think it’s interesting that usually, when we see “boy crazy” or “girl crazy” characters, especially if they have a lot of chemistry or homoerotic tension with a same-gender character, people are like oh ya that’s comphetting. that character is desperately trying to outrun the gay thoughts. but with lance, who was definitely girl crazy and cared more about having a girlfriend than actually dating and falling in love (think “mrs blue lion” — he didn’t give a fuck about who he was marrying, so long that it was a girl), calling him gay will have people saying you’re erasing bisexuality. as if he was not fucking straight in the show. so.

sorry this is so bitter and ranty lol. been in a mood

[extra-vertebrae]

Hello! I followed u an eon ago on a different account, and am so excited to see ur art come up on my feed again. Idk if this is the best place to send this; Id feel awkward sending a whole email for this and I dont have a twitter anymore (dumpster fire.) i love all ur designs, but I keep coming back to ur pokemon ones. I’m so fond of them. It makes me want to experiment w body horror art.

I know ppl have sent u mean-spirited asks in the past abt them. I just want to say: I went thru ur old art and said a variation of “aww, a cutie!” Or “oh, poor babyyy :(“ in the occasion that their breeding has created things like chronic pain. At no point was I thinking. Idk, they were ugly or mean (to the pokemon franchise)? To me, ppl like that just have bad taste 🤷🏽‍♀️

I do wanna see more of ur original stuff, certainly! Im just being nostalgic rn.

Thank you so much for your message! I'm glad you still enjoy those old designs, and that they're inspiring you to give body horror themes a try!

Thankfully most of those types of messages are gone, though I'm sure my lack activity in the Pokemon space since then has probably helped a lot in this regard.

Haha, I still find a lot of them pretty cute, too. There's some good design shapes and ideas in some of those older pieces that maybe I can recycle and refine or develop into something new someday.

I definitely would like to share more original work; I'm going through a sort of transitional phase with my art at the moment, so there isn't much to share that I legitimately feel like posting. I can, however, share this lineup of vehicular characters that were sketched up some weeks ago for Funky Town:

I've always had a general appreciation for mechanical shapes and design; I've learned that that general appreciation runs deeper than anticipated, so hard surface focused / adjacent design has been where my mind has been at recently.

[campbyler]

I just finished part 2 of chapter 9 and thea you really outdid yourself in this chapter!! I loved every second of it! Acswy Mike was insane throughout this whole chapter, from teaching Will how to drive his car, to saying that him and Will were middle school sweethearts to the waitress…along with Will realizing his feelings for Mike as well!!! Such a good chapter and it was well worth the wait, this chapter may have been the death of me.

I do have two questions, what scene do you think was the most insane thing that you thought of and wrote, and which one was your absolute favorite?

thank you 😭 i definitely think it was my favorite chapter to write, even though it was so long and stressful at times!! and the fact that i wrote 55k in like 5 months is insane to me omg. sorry to have killed you but i hope that it's a consolation that i am also typing this from beyond the grave!

i think that the most insane thing i thought of and wrote for this chapter was probably the middle school sweethearts comment lmfao. if i were will once the waitress had left i would have been like "cool, so you like me, right? we can date now fr?" but alas. i am not will and he is not me. but i came up w it months ago and i am Still feeling insane about it.

as far as my absolute favorite goes, definitely the realization scene, although the entirety of thrift store scene is a close second! the realization line -- "he feels safe in the passenger seat of a moving vehicle for the first time in his life, and he has feelings for mike wheeler" -- is something that has been floating around my head in Some variation for months now. i have always wanted to write a realization scene that just lists the realization itself as a fact among many other statements, and had been considering using it for a few other fics i had been planning to write, but i am So glad i saved it for acswy and ch09. it really felt like the perfect way to get will to where he needed to be with his feelings and i am really proud of it <3

[arlechinav-blog]

Trancework Percussion Dive, Part I

This is really long so I will split it into 2 parts.

Different instruments and combinations of instruments are used for different things in the wonderful world of Mediterranean (and well beyond) trancework. Instruments that fall into the frame drum category are generally the ones used for ecstatic rituals but that is not always the case. So, let's take a look at some instruments to go over what they are used to do and at least some of the reasons why. Apologies in advance to the lyre people (or should I say Apollo-gies?), no stringed instruments in this line up.

First up we have just a basic frame drum. These are usually round, unless you are going for a Spanish or ancient Egyptian model--in which case the drum will sometimes be a square. Like so:

Some modern versions of the frame drum use a synthetic head, which is very good for learning. You get a good sound and an opportunity to build up some strength and toughness in your hands without obliterating your hands on goat hide. A rough goat hide drum will take the skin right off your hand if you are playing for hours and hours. So, either make sure you have a very smooth head or start with a synthetic head drum. I am very partial to the Remo Renaissance frame drum, 16" up to 18" for learning to make trance music. It has a lovely resonance that improves as the drum ages.

If you want to make ecstatic trance music, that's where things start getting more interesting. Most ecstatic traditions of the Med (perhaps all but I am saving room for anything I may have forgotten) involve making music using metal ringing against metal. This is because metal ringing against metal has been used to compel spirits in the Med since at least the Iron Age, if not before. Those associations run really deep to this day. So, any cult that has a focus on that sort of thing will have instruments built for it. Like these!

This is basically a cake pan. Like the kind you would have in your kitchen if you were inclined to bake. Percussion instruments have a very deep association with accessibility to the common person, the peasant classes, the public, the impoverished. Drums are meant to be smacked and you can do it to just about anything that makes a sound. They are not meant to be expensive or hard to play. So there are quite a few types of percussion instruments that have a whole other life in the kitchen apart from making music.

I am a firm supporter of the cake pan/cooking pot drum revival, especially in ritual context with the Mountain Mothers (like Kybele, Ida, Rhea, Magna Mater, & the Black Madonnas). Other instruments that are devoted specifically to the Mountain Mothers, apart from basic frame drums, include tambourines, tammorras, tribballacce, metal cymbals, sistrum, and pretty much any drum made with some kind of metal that rings against itself.

(Pictured: Tribballacce, Tambourine with a hennaed head, metal finger cymbals, a sistrum, Azeri Dayereh, Maghrebi Bendir, Persian Daf, & Egyptian Riqq)

These are all specifically used for compelling spirits, which is something the Cult(s) of the Mountain Mothers are devoted to. And this is something that the Dionysian cults adopted directly from the Cults of the Mountain Mothers. The Mediterranean style of play is what I call single handed frame drum--for lack of a better description. This is a style that is still prevalent among many of the Mediterranean islands and in what is now Southern Italy but it used to be a method used by pretty much everybody in the region.

Okay, I lied. There is one lyre in this post. lol ^

How do you play with one hand? So glad that I imagined you asking! There are a few ways. I started out by studying Southern Italian tammorra and tarantella rhythms but you can start anywhere you find single handed frame drum.

Now Dionysian trancework does everything and goes everywhere. Some variation of the Cult of Dionysos utilizes every possible avenue of trance. And sometimes so do the Mountain Mothers. I would say Dionysian trancework is an even split between metal and wood/hide percussion while the Mountain Mothers are more strongly associated with ringing metal--especially iron or bronze.

And that is where instruments like this come into play. These are classical Hellenic krotala. There are also even older Egyptian versions made of bone or ivory but the Hellenic version is largely made of wood. More modern options may include large nutshells as well. I did a whole two part deep dive on the Krotala. These instruments are found heavily in the Cults of Artemis & Dionysos but the Mountain Mothers do also occasionally get in on the action with these.

The Egyptian version, dated to about 1900BCE. ^

Classical Krotala in context. ^

You can still find the dances that go with these traditions out in the world today. The Turkish and Hellenic/Turkish variations use wooden spoons (Kaşık or Kesik). And here's how you get down with these things.

There is also a Southern Italian version in the same family tree. This is Tammurriata.

And honestly more variations all over the place that I will have to get into in the 3rd Krotala dive installment. Tammurriata uses naccere, which are basically another name for castanets.

Now you might be wondering why we use different types of percussion for different things. The reason for that is compartmentalization and the inherent spiritual authority of the instrument. Wooden instruments are associated with wilderness deities and are valued at least in some part for their potential to burn. This makes them suitable for gods that double as both wilderness and death deities. Death because of the association with burning on a funeral pyre and special folkloric relationship between the dead and fire. Metals are not used in the same way.

Metals are associated foremost with the mountains where ore was pulled from. This gives them associations with darkness, caves & caverns, as well as monsters that go bump in the night. Secondarily, later in the timeline, metals took on an association with weather-based sorcery--which translates as Wind Spirits and Storm Gods as well as gods and spirits associated with Blacksmithing. So the cult of any deity who rules over caves, the sky, or weather spirits will use metal instruments in their rituals. This encompasses both the Cults of the Mountain Mothers as well as the Cults of the Storm Lords--and all their attending deities. This is where the practices of the Kouretes & Koryvantes come from.

And I will have to pick this up again in part II because I have reached my maximum allotted number of images for this post. Whee!

[miss-little-luna]

Hey there!

I for one am glad to see you being open about your Christian faith. I’m also a Christian and a DL, so you’re not alone!

My question first is: I’ve struggled wondering whether or not diapers are sinful. How would you answer this?

Second question: which Bible translation do you read, and how much of it have you read?

Thanks, and God Bless!!!

Hi there 🩷

Thank you for the kind words! I get a good bit of hate for sharing this side of me but I still do it! Im happy there's other Christian ABDLs 🩷

I personally don't see diapers to be sinful, not one bit! The way I look at it is, wearing is completely normal. When we are born we have to wear them. When we get older, we have to wear them. The only difference is we decide to wear them in-between because it's what we enjoy. Who says that's wrong in anyway? Or sinful? Never feel like that! God loves us and He made us all in His own image. Before we were born He knew we were going to be like this. And guess what, He still loves us either way!

You are not the only one who struggles I promise! But just know you are loved no matter what. If you enjoy it then that's all that matters. Talk to God about it, sit down and fully explain your thoughts. He's always listening 🩷

And for reading the Bible, I grew up Baptist so it's always been King James version. But with my ADHD and my difficulty with learning its hard to find a Bible I can actually understand. So i go back and forth between different variations. I actually have never read the whole Bible to be honest but it's something I know I need to do. I feel stupid most of the time for not being able to understand things fully and that's something I actually struggle with, not wearing diapers but I know I'm not the only one with learning disabilities. So it's ok🩷

I hope this answered your question and gave you some reassurance, just know we all gave our own struggles friend 🥰

[raylangivins]

twenty questions for fic writers

thank you @acorrespondence for tagging me in this! i love shiteing on about writing :)

How many works do you have on ao3?

33, which shocks me because for some reason in my head the number's permanently at, like, 8.

What's your total ao3 word count?

195,093

What fandoms do you write for?

I mean currently it's beatles rpf 🌝. But also Check Please (specifically jackparse, I have absolutely no interest in anything else), Wolf 359, The Social Network, Community (although none of these are an ao3 due to I wrote them when I was 15), and some random one hit wonders.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

live through this, and you won't look back - Jack/Kent, Check Please

if being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side - Kepler/Jacobi, Wolf 359

baby, it's all relative - John/Paul, Beatles

Time May Change Me - Mark/Eduardo, The Social Network

Five Men Roy Ruined For Jen - Jen/Roy, The IT Crowd

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes, always, unless I forget!! I don't know why I wouldn't like, if people are reading I am genuinely excited and grateful for that. Why wouldn't I tell them? (I'm very bad at thinking of things to say which aren't just "I'm glad you enjoyed it", but I try).

What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I think lately you've been feeling so good i forget my future (in which jack and kent go to prom) is pretty grim not even because the ending itself is the worst but also it foreshadows so much worse to come. Most of my jackparse fic is them as teenagers because I love that "the worst is yet to come" doom that constantly hangs over them in those years. Also one and one and one is three (in which john/paul/yoko have an emotionally fraught threesome). I hurt my own feelings writing that one lol.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Not one of the recent ones, I can tell you that! Although it depends if you mean fluffy or happy by my own metric because EYE think the best happy endings are the ones you have to work through some angst to get. So if you're looking for fluffy, probably Five Men Roy Ruined for Jen; if you're looking for a journey that ends in happiness, then I'd say wouldn't it be? nice makes me feel euphoric at the end.

Do you get hate on fics?

I've gotten a couple bitchy comments but generally no.

Do you write smut?

Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I've only written one and it's where Jean-Ralphio from Parks and Rec becomes the Eleventh Doctor's companion in Doctor Who. It's cute, I still like it.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

God, I hope not. Although, I did have someone once finish a fic I abandoned on ff.net without really asking me first, which I thought was both flattering and hilarious of them. So true, babe. Write the finished fic you wish to see in the world!

Have you ever had a fic translated?

I think someone translated one of my old Gossip Girl fics on ff.net, also. I can't remember what language it was though.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, but I'm not opposed to it.

What's your all-time favorite ship?

All my fave ships are pretty much variations on the same dynamic with a few exceptions. It's comical how consistant I am about this without even trying.

What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Tbh I never truly rule anything out. There's a post-canon Justified fic that has lived in my head for years, that I mostly haven't written because it's a lot of work, and I don't really care about sharing it that much it's mostly just for me. There's a Dawson's Creek Pacey genderswap fic I dream of writing, but likely will never bother. There's a beatles fic where Paul can talk to instruments that I actually wrote 20k for but it's so dogshit I can't bear to try to fix it so it's going to just sit on my computer forever probably.

What are your writing strengths?

I hate this question, I'm so bad at identifying these things. Vibes? I think I'm good at dialogue but that's mostly because that's what I start with, so it's like the bones of most of my fics. I've been told I'm good at like being thoughtful to all the different characters in fic even if it's not about them or their POV, which is always a nice thing to hear.

What are your writing weaknesses?

Physical descriptions probably. I don't care about them very much and therefore I don't put as much effort into them as I probably should. Also, I write chronologically so most of my endings are slightly lazier than the rest of the fic.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I don't know. I've never tried it. As a bilingual person, seeing people who are not bilingual completely miss the nuances of that is actually really irritating. Especially as someone who speaks Portuguese but grew up in an English speaking country, reading TSN fic was so specifically annoying. And don't even get me started on the concept of "untranslateable" words and "saudade".

It can be done well, but often isn't. Also, if you give me a bunch of text in a language I don't know, my brain is just gonna skip over it, so it's often redundant when it's more than, like, a sentence.

First fandom you wrote for?

First fic I published was for Gossip Girl, but when I was like 11 I wrote what was essentially a Life With Derek canon-divergence fic in a copybook that I showed to a teacher in my school.

Favorite fic you've written?

All of them. But some that have not yet been mentioned on this post:

kissing just for practice - Jack/Kent (idk, I set out to do something specific with this fic and I really felt I did)

i want every other freckle - si-5 ot3 kind of (this fic means so much to me)

tomorrow i'll miss you - mclennon before sunset au (before sunset is one of my favourite movies and i worked really hard on this one)

i thought i knew one, what did i know? - paul's girlfriend catches john and paul together (this one makes me crazy and i'm the one who wrote it lol)

tagging: @softbrah @jeanharlowseyebrows @scurator @wurmzirkus @coyotesuspect @midchelle

[atlasofthestaars]

i love love love this timeline's raiden i want to hold him in my hands like 🤲 and the little moment reader and him have at the end of chapter 4 was so cute oh my word 😭😭😭 "Yes please!" DO YOU HEAR ME CRYING 😭😭😭😭 ++ a question if you dont mind!! which of the characters (either ones you have written already or havent yet) would you say was the hardest to get a grasp on, personality wise? i deeply admire your dedication to writing a series following the story mode!

Same! I've always been a fan of Raiden, but this variation of Raiden has a VERY special place in my heart. I'm glad you enjoyed that part! I wanted to end it on a cute and light note :D

Hopefully within the next few chapters I can continue to provide more of those cute moments!

Oh and for your question, you gave me an opportunity to rant on characters for my FAVORITE series, so I will take this opportunity.

Also! I finally figured out how to put the keep reading link, so hopefully now I can prevent my page from being such a scroll LMAO

I have a lot of different reasons and feelings why the characters I find "difficult" are difficult, so I'll be splitting them into tiers/groups so you can kinda get a grasp on my mindset, tiers are ordered from "easy hard" to "hardest"

Also I'm JUST talking about MK1 characters in this post.

VILLAINS

On the BASE level I think the villains are actually pretty easy to write for. Aside from Shang Tsung and Rain who I am NOT including in this tier, I find that most of the villains are kindaaa one note. General Shao seeks power and seeks to elevate his position (actually, on second thought this isn't the BEST way to describe him, but I feel like I can write dialogue for him no issue), Bi-Han wants power and is kind of an asshole (sorry! but it's a good way to describe how he talks towards others) Quan-Chi, etc. etc. they all kinda fall under the "want one thing and are willing to do anything to get it with varying degrees of assholishness. And then there's Reiko who feels like the slight exception to that rule but his gimmick is General Shao and fighting. So why do I have a tier for them for hard to grasp personalities?

It's trying to figure out how to flesh out these characters without making them too far off from their original characters. It's not TOO hard, but I do think a lot on how to add depth in a believable way.

I'M IN JUST MY HEAD

This tier is like, I understand them, but I feel like I ALWAYS need to double check with their intros to make sure that I am getting them right, and when I do I just find oh. Nevermind I'm right.

Scorpion - I do NOT know why I struggle with Kuai Liang in this timeline, but I do! I just think for some reason I write him weird or don't quite understand how to write him, but every time I double check I'm like, yeah no that works.

Johnny Cage - He confuses me for NO reason at all, and I think it's because of how in every game his attitude is SLIGHTLY different every time in storymode/intros. In MK9 he's full comedic relief. In MKX/11 they tone him down a bit, but in 11 his younger self is more akin to his 9 self. I would say 1 is a good balance of comedy and and seriousness, but I always want to make sure I'm striking that balance.

Kung Lao - I don't know WHY I doubt myself so much on him. He is legitimately my favorite character, and that's probably it. I trust that I know him, but I worry that I might flanderize him despite how much I adore him. I think this is just me putting a lot of pressure on myself to get him so right so I can show you all why I personally love him.

NOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE

While I've finished the MK1 story and watched a lot of intros, I've not dedicated a lot of time to these characters and looking too much into them.

Tanya - I like her! I just haven't gotten around to looking too much into her. I get the basics of her character, but I don't quite get the nuance of her yet. She also mostly sticks around the princesses in story mode too so her personality doesn't get to shine too much there either.

Havik - I haven't looked too much on him, and it doesn't help that the story mode doesn't do much with him (probably due to the credits scene), so I don't really know much! I know about his whole archanist schtick for the freedom of his people, his self heal, etc. but I don't really know much about him outside of that.

Sindel - I like her as well, it's just that she keeps on changing in every iteration so this has me all jumbled up. I know she's a strong, firm leader who cares about her daughters and isn't afraid to do what she must for her people, but I don't really know why I don't feel confident. I feel like I don't quite understand all of her motivations as deeply as I should to call myself "confident", and I don't have a clear grasp on how she would treat those she isn't too familiar with but cordial with vs those she knows better, and even though that may not seem too important, it is to me since I don't know how to quite write a proper interaction between her and the reader yet.

VILLAINS PART TWO

Here I place the more complex villains.

Shang Tsung - He's sly, sneaky, cunning, etc. But he's a bit more than that I feel. He looks out mostly for himself and tries to gain power by putting others down, and I feel like despite me dabbling in villain characters, I'm a bit afraid that I won't know how to write the nuances that make his character more than just a simple snake and into an iconic character.

Rain - Okay. Lowkey I did NOT care for Rain before until this game. I didn't care for the descendant of Argus schtick before, so having him in this game as an ambitious mage with a character arc that goes from greeding for unlocking more of his power to a man who regrets those he hurts really interested me. I just wish that WHOLE arc was in the story mode and that most of that story wasn't locked behind his story. So the issue with him is that I feel like he never got much time in the story to show how he acts before he was revealed as a character, he was kinda just there. And we don't really get to know how he acts before because I feel like a good chunk of his intros talk about the aftermath of his crimes and how he feels afterwards. So basically, I know how to write him after the tragedy, but not clear on how to flesh his arc out since he was sidelined so much.

COMPLEX TO ME

I just feel like these characters always make me question if I'm writing them right, both in actions and in dialogue

Kenshi - Everytime I think of him his MKX variation pops up instead. I know he's more of a serious character in 1, but I know there's definitely more there. I just feel like I always need to refer to all the material I can for Kenshi because I get SO worried that I'll butcher him badly and I do NOT want that because I think he's a cool character. He's a character I struggle to write for at the moment, and I hope to improve on that.

Reptile - I feel like most times people brush him off as just a "good man" but I feel like there's more to him than that? And I cannot describe him well. I know he's a good guy at heart but that's all I feel like I can describe him as despite watching a good chunk of his intros. I don't know, I feel like I'm just ALSO worried about butchering him.

HARDEST

Smoke.

THIS MAN. Okay, so I feel like he is the one I fear flanderizing the MOST. I feel like I already wrote him kinda off character in the two lines I wrote for him. I feel like a lot of people simply write him off as a golden retriever, which I personally disagree with. BUT, I can see why people misinterpret this. I only get that vibe when he's with Johnny Cage since he seems to really look up and almost idolize the dude due to his acting career. Aside from that, I think he's a more down to earth person who is really respectful. He's a bit more lighthearted and can be an optimist at times, and even has a more playful and I feel like people take this aspect way too far. I don't think it's helped by the fact that he is contrasted by more edgier and serious characters like Bi-Han and Kuai Liang. I could go on and on about Smoke, but yeah. I think I understand him and can put him into words, but I feel like putting all those concepts into paper is just...a struggle for me.

[theroundbartable]

Who are your favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series (can be canon or non-canon)? Feel free if you want to write the reasons or not of why you love them...

Haha XD ships aren't fun if they are canon, are they? xD

To me, anyway. I love getting together stories with loads of pining. And I prefer it if it could possibly align with canon. If a ship turns canon... it kinda ruins the purpse. Because... It's already a thing. It's fixed. I dunno, maybe I'm just not imaginative enough XD

Funnily enough, I'm often right about which ships turn canon XD

1. Merthur (BBC Merlin)

I have to say that, don't I XD

2. Mergwenthur (BBC Merlin)

I ship them in all variations.

3. Klance

A 3 year obsession. XD i'm half glad they didn't become canon and I am soooo frustrated too. Also, I think Allurance wasn't done Justice. It felt very one sided and that makes me sad for that boat. They could have gotten better and they should have.

4. Drarry (Harry Potter)

*Sighs frustratedly* you know? I am fine with them not being canon, but it should have been addressed! It made sense, even if it was unresolved/unrequited, whatever. nothing would have had to change!!!! On the same note: Wolfstar. But that one is a bit out of my interest zone

Gajevy (Fairy tail)

My first real shipping experience. And I loved their story arc. Especially Gajeel grew so much and it's the one time I think a bully actually deserved to be forgiven. He really worked on himself to do right by his friends.

Zosan (One Piece)

I ship this for the shits and giggles XD

Lumity (The owl house)

Luz and Amity are just so cute together and I love them and it's only downside is that it's already canon :( the show moved too quickly. Had to... But still

Ineffable husbands (good omens)

Do I need to say more?

Morgwen

The reason I put this so late is that I can't imagine them having Problems? I dunno. Perfect fit, no fallouts. it's all hearts and flowers and not leading me into a hellhole of pining idiots. Cause they are smart. It's difficult

Venom x Eddie Brock (Venom)

Vor reasons unknown to me... I like it. It's the one ship where allo aces and monsterfuckers Shake hands and it's wild. Love it. XD

This is what I've got so far. At least they are living in my head rent free. I think there is a theme in the characters I ship romantically. I have some pure platonic ones too XD

Thank you for your question anon :)

[lemurzsquad]

Music to Owl Ears (Ch 1)

Ch 1: Jogging Laps

Pairing: Bokuto x musician fem!reader

Summary: After being knocked over, your morning is hijacked by the pair of students responsible, and your mind is jogging laps trying to figure out one question: What in the world just happened?

A/N: I have once again been dragged along by my own story, I have no control of what happens lol

In all seriousness tho, I was not expecting some of this stuff to happen right off the bat, but we're going with it. Also, this is NOT going to be a love triangle---Akaashi is a very important character, but I am not adding him to the romance problems TvT he just got a surprising amount of attention this chapter

I hope you enjoy!! And please read the prologue if you haven't! (It's essentially the actual Ch 1 lol)

Word count: 1510

cw: overthinking, some jealousy, rambling

"Bold for English"

"Not bold for Japanese"

- Masterlist -

< Prologue | Ch 1: Jogging Laps | Ch 2: Lunch Break >

Your first day of school turned out… interesting, to say the least. Chaotic may have been a better word—maybe hectic. Or perhaps unexpected and eventful were more accurate. Confusing? Not quite, save for the lingering question of how you got to this point in the back of your mind.

You found yourself at your assigned desk, running through English synonyms for your experiences that day and trying to think of Japanese synonyms in the process. Your teacher was running through class expectations for the year that you only vaguely listened to but never fully locked your attention on. It wasn't intentional; your mind was simply jogging laps to process what had happened that morning.

You recalled the course of events once more, attempting to grasp some sort of understanding of the question that ran through your head over and over: What in the world just happened?

After you had been pulled to your feet, eyes wide and taken aback, you finally got a good look at the person who you assumed had knocked you over—and you could immediately tell how that happened. He towered over you, still holding on and moving you around slightly to inspect for any signs of injury. From the way he had picked you up with such ease, you gathered he was pretty well built under his partially disheveled uniform. His hair was two-toned in black and silver and slicked back into what you would describe as spiky owl ears—the thought almost made you chuckle, but you kept it to yourself.

You glanced over to the left in the direction of his friend. His stature was not quite as tall or nearly as visibly brawny, and he was much more put together. He gave you a very brief look of sympathy and apology that you barely caught before your eyes turned back.

The one still holding you by the shoulders finally spoke a coherent, complete sentence that wasn't some broken variation of “Are you okay? I'm so sorry!” When he deduced you had not sustained any wounds due to his carelessness, he said, “I'm so stupid, I'm sorry. Glad you're not hurt, though!” He gave you a grin, one that was somewhere between sheepish, apologetic, and lighthearted.

“I told you, you should have been paying attention,” his black-haired friend interjected dryly. “You might want to let her go, though.”

Something seemed to click beneath his owl ears that reminded him he was still clinging to you. He pulled his hands back finally, chuckling as he scratched the back of his head. You smiled and sniffled whatever remains of your previous tears were left.

“It's no worries,” you reassured. “I should have been paying attention, too, but I didn't know where I was going.”

“Oh, are you new? A transfer student, maybe?” The shorter of the two asked while his companion went to pick up your bag and hand it back to you.

“Was it that obvious?” You joked, brushing off the remaining dust, pebbles, and strays bits of grass from your uniform. You tried your best to straighten out your outfit—the first uniform you'd ever had to wear to school before—before slinging your bag back over your shoulder and across your body.

The one to the left tilted his head slightly, replying, “Well, you were speaking English earlier, so I just took a guess.”

“And you have a strong accent,” his friend interrupted. He grinned brightly and held out his hand, unexpectedly blurting out, “I'm Bokuto Koutarou, by the way!”

You probably would have shook his hand if you didn't get distracted by your own thoughts. “Bokuto's your… surname, right? Last name, first name, I think. Sorry, I haven't met many people since I got here even though it's been a couple weeks,” you rambled. “Also, sorry if I get anything wrong, I'm kind of new to this whole ‘being in Japan’ thing.” You gesture with your hands as you speak, using your fingers as quotation marks near the end.

Bokuto laughed lightheartedly, and his friend almost joined him. “Don't worry, you are doing okay,” he said—to your surprise—in English. It was a bit stiff, but you could understand it just fine—it was about as good as your Japanese. You turned to him, the faucet of your thoughts running out of your mouth quickly closed, and your jaw hung open. “My name is Akaashi Keiji. You can just call me Akaashi,” he added.

For some reason, his words seemed to hit you right in the chest. Maybe it was because he went through the effort to say them in your own language, or maybe it was because you were still emotional and unsure of how living in Japan would go. A couple of subtle deep breaths were enough to stop the tears threatening to well.

“My name is Y/n– I mean, L/n Y/n,” you replied, making sure to correct yourself. “Please just call me Y/n, I'd feel weird being called by my last name.” You held out your hand with a hopeful smile, shaking their hands in turn. I have no idea why I just did that, you thought in reference to the handshake. That felt way too formal.

You shook your head softly at your own thoughts before continuing, “It's nice to meet you, Akaashi and… Bokuto.” You took a guess in calling him that, not entirely sure which name to use. You were already uncertain if you were being impolite, but the wide grin you got in return told you it was fine.

The whole situation went by in a blur to the point you almost had to ignore your own awkwardness, finding yourself just trying to form sentences. It somehow made you both anxious and relieved by having to focus solely on the conversation. There was no time to think about how or why the conversation was happening in the first place.

You briefly pulled out your phone, and your heart leapt in your chest when you saw the time. School would be starting in seven minutes. “Oh no, I have no idea how to get to class—” You looked between Bokuto and Akaashi, the panic of unfamiliarity rising in you once again.

When you asked if they knew the way when you mentioned your class, Bokuto piped up, “That's on the way to my class! You should totally come with me, I can show you where it is!” Before you could give any sort of answer, grabbed you by the arm and started to almost race into the building.

You had just enough time to wave at Akaashi and for him to see the flustered, stunned look on your face. He shook his head, putting his hands in his pockets and heading to class at a much more leisurely pace—he didn't bother trying to catch up. He had the sneaking suspicion that this year was about to be a very entertaining one.

Bokuto had dragged you a good while before you had managed to get him to slow down, saying you couldn't tell where you were going and needed to commit it to memory. Eventually, you had made it to your class. You found it odd that the classroom was just open with no teacher inside. You had glanced around, confused, but didn't bother asking about it.

In the time it took to get to where you needed to go, it was evident that Bokuto was fairly popular. He had loudly greeted people along the way with a shining smile and enthusiastic waves.

A feeling started to eat away at you—a guilty emotion that brewed of envy, discomfort, and something else you couldn't quite place. You were grateful that he had shown you around, but a nagging in your mind told you it was just to make up for his first impression. And seeing him so carefree and able to talk to people so casually made you infinitely more aware of your standing. The realization that he may have been that comfortable due to years of enrollment at the school didn't make you feel any better.

You now sat at the back of the class, running through the busy morning once more. You wondered mindlessly if you would ever run into Akaashi and Bokuto again as you listened to your teacher. You hadn't greeted anyone or introduced yourself; you knew you should have if you wanted to make friends, but the thought alone made you start to feel nervous.

It was too early to be coming to the conclusion that, in reality, you knew you weren't going to go out of your way to make friends, but you couldn't help it.

The bell that signaled lunch rang just out of your current sphere of focus.

And just as you started to get fully immersed into your spiraling reasoning and excuses, jogging laps in your mind with an ever-increasing speed, a voice pierced through your protective, self-destructive bubble, loud and clear.

“HEY, HEY, HEY!! Y/N!”

It would seem that you didn't have a choice on that friendship front.

Thank you for reading!! <333

- Masterlist -

< Prologue | Ch 1: Jogging Laps | Ch 2: Lunch Break >

Do not copy and/or repost!! Any likes, comments, or reblogs are appreciated, though! (c) 2024 LemurzSquad

[respectthepetty]

Since I decided the best way to make it through Our Skyy 2 with minimal damage is to drink my way through it, welcome to the fifth round of

CockTails in the Skyy!

GMMTV is taking the music club into the multiverse of cuteness, so this week's drink is For Goodness' Sake:

sake for Chinzhilla's hot pot adventure

more white wine for all the whining and pining the boys did

lemons, limes, oranges, grapes, and apple slices for the sweetness overload (I was going to comment about the variation of fruits, but I don't know the crowd's feelings on the word, so . . . *takes a big sip directly from the bottle*)

There will be a lot of singing. I fear sake was not the right choice. I did not think this through. I need something stronger like everclear, but it's too late now. *pushes the play button*

Bottoms up!

Glad to know that the gay sheets exist in every universe

And so does Scrabble-telling-the-plot

The colors being gray and brown so far better be a statement about how love brings color into our lives because these two were color-coded in the original, so if we can get The Gay Sheets™ and Scrabble in every universe, I want the colors in this one too!

That lion doll is the cutest merchandise, and I need it.

Oh, so Gun just gets the president position. Nepotism at its finest.

I know some people do not like the Our Skyy 2 theme song, but I LIVE FOR IT! It's Pitch Perfect but gayer.

Tinn's roar is adorable. Like a toddler, just looking cute and making cute sounds.

It's the first song, and it's barely the first part of the first episode. This is not looking good for me.

Damn! Tinn's mom did them like that?! Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas in more.

Does Tinn already like Gun?! He gave him the cape thingy in the gym and now the shaved ice.

ANOTHER SONG! Is there going to be a song each part of this. *doing mental calculation* Are there going to be eight songs?!

I like Tinn's wiggle when he is singing about squishing the bullfrog.

This is how I like my animation.

Another blowing-in-someone's-ear GIF for my collection.

"We'll get to date at the water park" - - Based on a true story via Pond and Phuwin's Little BIG World.

What am I supposed to do with these colors?! Does Tinn already like Gun?! TELL ME! He does, right?!

A song while dancing makes sense, but I'm upset. In my DJ Khaled voice "another one."

Mark looks delicious in this tux with his hair like that. De. Lish.

If SoundWin hadn't ruined my Star in My Mind SeanMaithee agenda, I would be thrilled about them now in this episode. But I'm petty, so I'm going to stay mad.

But I am happy for the TiwsonPor crew.

Another For Goodness' Sake because this is a lot of singing.

Why is this man coming with the logic of throwing out the sake instead of drinking it? WE DON'T WASTE LIQUOR IN THIS CLUB!

Kajorn likes Pat's accent?! Babe, that's so gay of you.

Damn it! I should've named the drink For Love's Sake.

Mark jogging in these sunglasses with those shorts and jacket = Delicious. I'm so excited to see him be a slut and film a sex tape in Only Friends. I pray he blackmails Neo's character with it. I deserve that treat.

I have never experienced such a tensive piggyback ride as the one being depicted on my screen right now. God, just make out already!

Por saying "get out" in English is feeding my soul because it sounds like me telling people to leave my office: "Get out. Okay. Bye!"

Tinn's shirt reads "Happier Times Are Coming" yet I don't believe it because there will be more singing.

This SoundWin umbrella scene is trying to win me over. It's almost working.

I think I forgot pivotal moments of the original series because I don't remember Gun asking Tinn directly during the questions if Tinn liked him, yet here, Tinn directly asks Gun. I like this!

Tiwson and Por talking as boyfriends is giving me everything I didn't think I needed.

How dare this installment make me think Tinn's mom was a sick when she was just asleep!

Giving SoundWin and TiwsonPor some of Tinn and Gun's moments is genius, like Sound not wanting this kiss to be in act with the red and blues, and Por disclosing he is already dating Tiw.

Tinn and Gun running around looking for each other is top-tier romance.

The moms stay doing the heavy lifting in this show. Which is why the dad, who never had a name, is MIA in this installment.

The boyfriend question!!!!! WITH THE FRIEND ZONE BARRIER!

MSP got that Lay's money too! We are rich, fam!

Why did I not think there would singing during the Aof tribute?! It's a music video, so of course there would be singing.

I feel this is GMMTV's way of thanking Aof for keeping the lights on and the fridge stacked these past years because this man is giving this company its life!

I don't need these dolls, but gosh darn it do I want them!

My School President should get a sequel called My Doctor Boyfriend, and they should meet Tan and Bun of Manner of Death (WHERE IS TRANSPLANT?!).

I have no idea what was happening with the colors, which bothers me (and there was singing in a show about singing), but the salute to some of Aof's greatest hits with Tinn and Gun being Med and Thun were an excellent choice. Because of that, I'm going to give this installment the score Vice Versa's could've had before it decided to LIE!

9/10 CockTails for being a solid offering that delivered the same story but with a few twists.

Because A Boss & A Babe just ended last week, getting an Our Skyy feature immediately after feels like it didn't end, and we are simply getting another episode, so I'll be watching (and judging) this in its normal Friday slot before I watch Be My Favorite, that way I'll be too tipsy to care how either of them turn out.

Will we finally get to know the backstory about Jack's previous relationship?

[adarkrainbow]

hey! I just wanted to say that I love your blog, and I have a question. I’ve noticed that you’ve been compiling a lot of different takes and analyses on Hansel and Gretel, and I was wondering if you could also perhaps take a look sometime at the various takes on Jack and the Beanstalk?

It’s one of my favorite fairytales, as the idea of Giants has always fascinated me. I find it to be my favorite in particular due to its ties to other stories like Jack the Giant Killer, and also the fact that it’s apparently an extremely old story (I’ve heard it’s been suggested that the story has Proto-Indo-European roots). There’s additionally a lot of Giant folklore in Europe that I find very fascinating, from the idea that Giants once lived in England before humans, to the Giants’ Causeway, to Gogmagog and the Jotunn of Scandinavia.

I also just like the idea of Giants and Ogres in general. They’re a good example imo of the uncanny valley. They look and act almost human, but there’s just enough about them that is off-putting and unnerving. They’re too big, too tall; their proportions are always subtly off in some way. They sometimes have tails or claws, and even sharp teeth. And of course there’s the fact that they often eat humans, despite being humanoid themselves. I’m curious as to your thoughts on the matter.

Well, thank you for your interest, and I am glad someone enjoys my blog that much!

I talked heavily about ogres before - which I do treat and consider as different from giants - and you'll find lots of posts about them. I mean one is not wrong in the sense that giants and ogres were confused, not just in media, but also in folklore (there are lots of "ogre tales" where the ogre is replaced by a giant). Take British stories such as Jack and the Beanstalk precisely: the same way the Germans lacked "ogres" and replaced them by figures such as the devil or witches, the British also lacked "ogres" in their folklore, and so we rather find giants in their folktales. But all these beings, giants, ogres, child-eating witches, often find themselves sharing one type of story, a same tale-structure and a same role. So in a wider scale, ogres and giants can be considered similar enough to be taken as one group.

But it doesn't mean we should erase the differences and specificities between the two. Ogres and giants are NOT the same thing, even though they sometimes meet and overlap - the same way in fairytale witches ad ogres also frequently overlap, but stay two distinct creatures. (Baba Yaga is the most famous example of the character halfway between the ogress and the witch). If we take the famous French fairytales, madame d'Aulnoy's ogres are definitively giants - being described as giants, and more precisely inspired by the cyclops of Greek mythology. But the ogres of Perrault? Nothing indicates that they're giant. It is hinted they're a bit larger and taller than regular human beings - but you can depict them as regular-looking humans, and you wouldn't betray the text. This is why the wicked queen of Sleeping Beauty is so many times depicted like a regular human being, despite explicitely being described as an ogress.

Anyway... To return to your ask, I am indeed very much willing to take a look at the Jack and the Beanstalk story! I just have one more post to do about Hansel and Gretel, and then I can move on to this one (I also plan on finishing my Bluebeard posts for this october - to have a creepy fairytale for a spooky month). The thing with Jack and the Beanstalk is that it is a VERY English fairytale - and it is why it stays one of the most emblematic fairytales of England. To my knowledge there is no similar tale in the French tradition, and I doubt there is Jack and the Beanstalk variations among Germanic tales. I am not expert on that however, and by looking into it I might discover some... But there is probably several English and American variations - since a lot of English fairytales were carried on to Northern America, and the Jack tales of England became especially popular in Appalachia, creating the whole "Appalachian Jack" folklore.

[nottapossum]

Father knows best chapter 7: The Family Jewels

Summary:

Millie is trying to find Moxxie, Cash and Blitzø talk, Crimson’s the worst, Alessio is sus.

Notes:

TW: language, creepy people, blackmail, calling a trans woman he/him in past because it was before they knew, will not be using any variation of a deadname or anything like that. And feelings. Lmk if I should add.   ‘I can't break the cycle, am I just a fool? Falling down like dominoes, hit by family jewels Pass it down from kid to kid, the chain will never end 'Less I decide to go to it, will I see the end? Ooh, don't you find it strange? Only thing we share is one last name Did I beat you at your own game? Typical of me to put us all to shame.’ ~The family jewels by Marina and the diamonds.

~~~Moxxie~~~

Alessio sent Moxxie to Crimson’s office the next morning.

It was taking Millie and Blitzø forever to find him, but he had to stay strong for them.

The walk to his father’s office gave Moxxie a creepy deja vu feeling, remembering when Alessio would often send him there when Crimson wanted to talk to him. Usually it was about work, sometimes it had to do with Moxxie doing something wrong.

“You wanted to talk to me….sir?” Moxxie asks.

“Come in.” Crimson says to him, setting his pen down and giving Moxxie his full attention.

Moxxie does as he’s told and walks into the room.

But, Moxxie’s hand clenched the door handle tightly as if closing the door behind him would result in repeating the actions of yesterday…

“Moxxie…” Crimson warns.

Moxxie takes a deep breath in attempt to slow down his fast beating heart. He closes his eyes, then closes the door slowly.

“Good boy.” Crimson says. “Now, take a seat. I’d like to talk about how things are gonna work around here now that you’re home.”

Moxxie turns to Crimson, but he doesn’t sit. “Sir. Why are yo-“

“Don’t interrupt me.” Crimson snaps at him. “You’re lucky you’re not dead after the stunt you pulled, do you have any idea what you di-“

“I don’t want to stay here! I dont- I can’t-“ Moxxie shouts, slamming his hands on the desk. “I won’t! Why don’t you understand that?”

Crimson stands and interrupts. “I couldn’t care less what you want, you ungrateful bitch! You’re staying here with me and that’s final!” Crimson says.

“No, I’m not! Why the fuck would I ever stay here? Why do you even want me here? You don’t care about me!” “Is that really what you think?” Crimson asks. “Yes! And you can’t change that! You can force me to regress all you want, but that won’t change anything, my REAL family will find m-“

“You really think those clowns are your family? Don’t be stupid.” Crimson says. “I suggest you learn who your real family is fast before somebody gets hurt.” Crimson pulled out a cigar and lighter. “W-what do you mean?” Moxxie asks. Crimson lights his cigar, then puts the lighter back in his pocket. “Your boss, Blitzø adopted a hell hound a few years ago, goes by the name of Loona; funny, he’s even stupid enough to call the thing his daughter.” Crimson explains.

Moxxie’s heart increased volume as the rest of the room remained silent for a moment. “What?”

“He also has a twin sister, goes by the name Barbie Wire. She’s currently dwelling in Sloth. St. Alan hospital’s rehab center to be exact. She was omitted by Blitzø after overdosing on Hydromorphone. She’s making some great progress I hear. Expected to get out of there any time now.” Crimson grins. “His father is also still around, I had a lovely conversation with him.”

Moxxie looks away for a moment, biting down a comment about how glad he was that Crimson got to meet another shitty father to bond with.

“And you’re lovely Mildred.” Crimson starts again, chuckling, causing Moxxie to snap his eyes back at him again. “Her parents Lynn and Jo, live on a humble little farm in wrath with their four sons-“

“Three sons.” Moxxie corrects.

“What?” Crimson asks.

“Sally Mae is trans.” Moxxie says.

Crimson raises an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

Moxxie sighs. “She’s a girl.”

Crimson rolls his eyes. “Fine. Whatever.”

“I don’t understand, dad. Why are you doing this? I’m not even-“

Crimson harshly grabs Moxxie’s face with his claws, digging deep into Moxxie’s skin as his father pulls him closer. “I know it’s very hard for your dumb little boy brain to understand, so I’ll make it simple for ya. You work at I.M.P no longer, you will take your rightful place in the organization, and you WILL start fucking listening to me!” Crimson’s voice suddenly becomes softer: “In return, you’ll be protected and properly taken care of.”

Moxxie gulps.

“It’s better this way.” Crimson says, letting his chin go in favor of patting his head. “I mean, did you honestly believe they’re better with you there holding them back all the time?” He asks.

A sharp pain of guilt struck Moxxie’s chest, he felt like death.

Would Millie really be better off without him?

No, of course not, Millie loved him!

Crimson was trying to manipulate him.

But, if he doesn’t agree, he’ll just go after Millie and Blitzø’s family.

He’ll be hurting Millie and Blitzø in a way they could never recover from…

It’ll be all his fault!

Moxxie rubs his arm anxiously. “But, what about…”

“If you’re worried about the rest of I.M.P, don’t be. So long as you’re obedient, they won’t be hurt.” Crimson says.

Moxxie sighs. “Promise?”

Crimson looks into Moxxie’s eyes, his gaze cold and deadly. “You have my word.”

Moxxie sighs. “Okay…”

“Good boy.” Crimson smiles.

“But-“

Crimson raises both eyebrows at him.

“D-Do I really have to regress?” Moxxie asks. “I’ll do whatever you say, I just- I don’t want to-“

“Moxxie…” Crimson grabs his face again, but gentler this time. “Someone needs to look after you.” He says, caressing the young imp’s cheek with his thumb. “It’s not like you’re capable of doing it yourself.” He scolds.

“Sir-“

“Don’t fucking question me again, Moxxie. Do you understand?”

Moxxie deflates. “Yes, sir.”

“Good boy.” Crimson praised. “You know as well as I do that you have commitments here, responsibilities. You really thought I was gonna let you try and run off like your mother did? I don’t think so.”

His mother died! She didn’t abandon him!

She never would…

She never left him!

~~~Past~~~

His parents were screaming at each other, it wasn’t even lunch time yet, and they were screaming like there was a fire.

Moxxie was trying to read in his room when he hears his mother shout: “That’s it! I’m going to my sisters!”

“Great! Knock yourself out! Have a fucking good time getting drunk with your slutty sister!” Crimson shouts. “See if I care!”

Moxxie’s mother sighs. “Moxxie!” She called.

Moxxie closes the book and sets it aside.

Book abandoned, he starts to walk down the stairs. “Yes, Mama?”

“What are you doing? You are not taking him!” Crimson says.

Moxxie stops moving at his father’s tone, he hoped they wouldn’t go at it again.

“Pack a suitcase, Chip. We’re visiting your cousins for a few days.” His mother tells him.

“The hell you are!” Crimson says. “Moxxie, get down here. You’re staying with me!”

Moxxie stays where he is, he wants to listen to his parents, but his father wants him downstairs and his mother wants him upstairs, so mid-stairs seems like a good middle ground to satisfy both parents.

“I want him to be a regular kid for once! Going to wrath will allow him to play outside, get some sunshine, some fresh air!” She says.

“Overrated bullshit!” His father says. “He doesn’t need any of that!”

“He never gets to see his cousins.” She says. “He’s just a kid, he should be allowed to have some fun every now and then.” She says.

Moxxie knew the truth though, it had nothing to do with him, and everything to do with his father; Mama never let him alone with daddy for long.

“Fine, if it gets rid of you for a few days, it’ll be fucking worth it.” Crimson says, leaving the room and slamming the door.

Moxxie didn’t like when they fought, why can’t they just get along for once?

His mother smiles at him. “Pack a bag, chip.” She instructed.

Moxxie forced a smiled back at her, then did as he was told.

But He hates his cousins, and he hates when his parents fight…

Why can’t they just love each other?

Was it really that hard?

~~~Blitzø~~~

Blitzø returned to greed to meet with his father as requested.

He knew whatever it was he was up to, wasn’t going to be good. He hasn’t even spoken with Cash since the incident. What could he possibly want to about now?

‘You did this, she’d still be alive if it wasn’t for you.’

No, it’s okay. It’s over….

Blitzø’s okay.

Blitzø walks into the tent without warning as Cash sat at a desk to collect his little profit.

“Blitzo.” Cash greeted with a sadistic smile. “You actually showed up, what a surprise.”

Blitzø crossed his arms. “Let’s get this over with quickly, alright? I have places to be.”

“Can’t even make time to talk with your own father?” Cash asks. “You alway we’re a disrespectful little shit.” He scolded.

Blitzø rolls his eyes. “Oh please, the best parenting you’ve done was on the stage, and even then it wasn’t very convincing.”

“You haven’t changed a bit, have you?” Cash asks, rolling his eyes aswell.

“I’ve changed plenty actually.” Blitzø explains, eyes going dark. “These days, when I shoot someone, I don’t fucking miss.”

Cash glares daggers at Blitzø. “I suggest you talk to me more respectfully, boy. I do have something you want after all.”

“Yeah? What might that be?” Blitzø asks.

“Information.” Cash smiles. “You want your employee back, well I know who took him.”

“I’m not sure if I believe you.” Blitzø says.

“His name is Moxxie knolasname, he has white hair, he’s short, loves night at the opera-“

“Doesn’t prove anything.” Blitzø says. “Also, it’s phantom of the…”

“Does this prove anything?” Cash asks. The older Imp grabs something from the dresser behind him and shows it to Blitzø.

Moxxie’s bow tie…? At least one of them. How did he-

Blitzø takes out his revolver. “I swear to fuck, if you hurt him…”

“Looks like you finally believe me, eh?” Cash laughs. “I really should just let this be, let you suffer and not tell you a thing about your stupid employee, especially after what you did to my Tilla and my beautiful circus all those years ago.”

Blitzø feels a pain in his gut, and his legs feel faint. “I didn’t-“

“Yes, the fuck you did, you little prick!” Cash yelled at him.

Blitzø’s heart pounded inside him, he’s resisted the urge to run, or rip this man’s head off. “It was an accident and you know that! An accident you caused in case you forgot! Which by the way, if you didn’t sell me to stupid birds, you wouldn’t have had a circus to burn down anyway!”

“You could never let that go, could ya? You know you loved it, you manipulative whore!” Cash scolded. “You always had to use other people to get what you wanted, I just capitalized on it.”

“That’s not true…” Blitzø says.

He hoped it wasn’t…

“That’s why you were with Fizzarolli, wasn’t it?” Cash asks. “So he’d make you look good, he’d benefited you.”

“No!” Blitzø says. “I was with him because I love him-“ Blitzø hears himself and lowers his voice, “loved. I mean loved him.” He corrects softly.

Fuck.

Of course he can finally admit it, now that they’re not together. Why couldn’t he just tell Fizz how he felt before?

“And what about that demon prince? Stolas right? The one you constantly complained about, the one I sold you too?” Cash asks.

“It’s a mutual agreement.” Blitzø says, arms crossed.

“Of course it is.” Cash scoffs.

“We’re not dating, it’s nothing serious.” Blitzø says. “But we both know that. I’m not manipulating him and he’s not manipulating me. I’m not you!”

Cash laughs. “Sure you’re not. I’m sure you both have good intentions.

“We do, not that it’s any of your fucking business!” Blitzø says.

Cash chuckles. “Maybe it’s not, but it will be.”

Blitzø growls. “The fuck is that supposed to mean? If you think you can just-“

“Ah-ah.” Cash interrupted. “Daddy’s speaking now, little one. Unless you’d rather not know where he is.” Cash condescendingly remarks.

Blitzø sits down and crosses his arms again.

Unfortunately, cash is right. Blitzø needs answers.

He can’t just leave Moxxie to deal with this alone.

“That’s a good boy. I thought maybe to let you watch as they killed the little bitch boy, but then I realized I could benefit from this. You have something I want, I have something you want.”

Blitzø didn’t like where this is going…

Cash then grabs a pile of papers and hands it to Blitzø.

Blitzø’s eyes widen as he looks the papers over. “You want I.M.P?”

“No, what I want is money, but I don’t suppose you have that, do you?” Cash asks.

When Blitzø doesn’t answer, Cash continues: “It’s a pretty simple contract, you give me I.M.P and all its assets, you and your employees will work for me for the remainder of your pathetic lives, and I will tell you where the little shit is located. We got a deal?”

Blitzø exhales deeply…

This can’t be happening…

~~~Mille~~~

Millie knocked on the door to what she assumed was Moxxie’s aunt’s house.

She had no clue what she was doing, but had confidence in her ability to convince herself she knows what she’s doing.

The door opens and a tall woman with long dark hair answers: “Hello? Can I help you?”

“Hi, my name is Millie. I’m looking for the family of Moxxie knowlasname.” She says.

“Moxxie?” The lady asks. “Like Kay and Crimson’s kid?”

“Yes.” Millie says.

“And who exactly are you?”

“Millie, I’m his wife.” She says.

The woman smiled, then pulled Millie inside the house before she could say more. “Well, why didn’t you say so, come in darlin’ let me make you somethin. I’m Liz, Moxxie’s favorite aunt.” She says.

“Nice to meet you.” She says. Millie walks in the house, following Liz. Something about her rubbed Millie the wrong way, she found herself eager to leave. “Look, I don’t have much time to chat, you see, Moxxie is missing, and he-“

“How long have you and Moxxie been together?” Liz asks, as if Millie hadn’t said a thing.

“Did you not hear what I just-“

“I heard you, we’ll get back to it.” Liz says. “Answer the question.”

Millie raises an eyebrow. “Uhm, okay. Well, we’ve been together for almost three years now. Married for only a year and a half.” Millie explains.

Liz nods. “Wow. Well, congratulations. I can’t say I’m not disappointed that I wasn’t invited, but I suppose under your circumstances I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“What circumstances are those?” Millie asks.

“Well, his family. You know his dad is into some dirty dealings, don’t you?”

“Yes. But Moxxie cut ties with those people.” She says.

“Oh, sweetie. If you think he’s not involved in that business, you’re in denial.”

“Guess I am then, because he isn’t.” Millie says, crossing her arms.

“Sure, hun.” Liz says.

“He isn’t!”

“Alright. How long has Moxxie been missing?” Liz asks.

“He was taken two days ago.” Millie says.

“How do you know Moxxie was taken?” Liz asks. “You sure he didn’t just leave?”

“Of course he didn’t leave, Moxxie would never just leave me.” Millie says.

“You sure? Not even to protect you?” Liz asks.

Millie thought about it…

He wouldn’t…would he?

Well, he didn’t tell her about his father, or

No! His phone was smashed, and he would have left a note…

He would never hurt Millie…

“You’re trying to distract me, and it won’t work, I will find him wether you want me to or not!” Millie says. “And if I find him here, I will kill you.” She snarls.

Liz doesn’t look scared. “I’m sorry, dear. You may look all you like. Don’t forget the attic and the cellar.” Liz says.

Millie glares at her. “Thanks.”

~~~Millie, Past~~~

Millie didn’t use to believe in fate. She didn’t believe in soulmates or one true love. She didn’t believe in meant to be’s.

She believed hard work earned you everything, this was something drilled into her from a very young age.

But then, she met Moxxie.

“Mildred, get in here!” Her mother shouted.

“Yes, Mama?” Millie asks as she made her way downstairs.

“Your teacher called. She said you beat up a kid at your school.” Lynn says. “Is that true?”

“He called me a messy haired bitch!” She says. “I had to show him who was boss!”

“That’s no excuse, young lady. You get too carried away. Now they’re demanding we handle the medical bill. When will you learn? You fight fire with fire. Not gasoline?” Lynn asks.

“But he deserved it!” Millie says.

“It wasn’t a fist fight, Millie. If they insult you with words, you fire back with words. Got that?”

“Yes, Ma.” Millie mumbles, arms crossed.

“Honestly, what are we gonna do with you? You’re worse than your brothers.” Lynn tisks. “You’re going to be paying us back every dime of this.” She says.

“But-“

“No arguing, get upstairs and take some time to think about what you did.” Lynn demanded.

Millie stomps upstairs to her and her sister’s room.

“It’s not fair, I always get in trouble!” She says. “How come you don’t?” Millie asks.

“Because,” her younger sister shrugs. “I’m better than you.”

“You’re not better than me!” Millie says.

“Ugh, yes, I am!” Sally says.

“Nah uh!”

“Uh huh!”

“Yes, and besides he’s right. Your hair is messy.” She says. “It’s gross.”

Millie’s blood boils. “You’re gross! You seriously want to fight me? You want to get what he got?”

“Bring it, sis. Let’s settle this once and for all.” Sally challenges.

“You’re on!” Millie says.

~~~Moxxie, past~~~

“Roxxie, let go of your sister!” Moxxie could hear from inside. He never understood his cousins, they were loud, they ran around, they fought. Why did they find that enjoyable? What was the point? People just get hurt.

“Not until she says uncle!” Roxxie shouts.

“Oww! Mom!”

“Knock it off you too! Your aunt Kay will be here any minute!”

“Mom?” Moxxie asks, tugging on his mother’s sleeve. “Do we have to go in there?” He asks.

“Come on, Chip. Don’t you want to see your family?” His mother asks.

Suddenly they hear a loud ‘crash!’

“Roxxie, Trixxie!” His aunt shouted.

“She did it!” The twins shout.

“Not really.” Moxxie answers.

“Come on, chip. It’ll be fun.” His mother promised, taking his hand and knocking on the door.

Moxxie sighs. “Yes, mama.”

“Aunt Kay!” The twins shouted, hugging their aunt, then they both hugged Moxxie.

Moxxie just sorta stood there while the twins hugged him. The twins were just full of excitement, he wasn’t sure how to respond to it; hhis entire body just froze.

“Hello, Moxxie.” His aunt Liz greets.”

“Hi.” Moxxie says nonchalantly, just staring and forcing himself to keep eye contact.

“Lively as ever I see.” Liz says sarcastically before turning her attention to her sister. “Hey, sis.”

Moxxie’s mother hugs her sister. “It’s been ages.”

They said more, but Moxxie couldn’t concentrate on that, his cousins were chatting and talking to Moxxie about certain events in wrath; But it was hard to pay attention, hard to register, there was too much going on at once, his body wanted nothing more than to disappear, or just go home.

Suddenly aunt Liz picked up Kayla their youngest child and leaned over to Moxxie. “Kyla, can you say hi to Moxxie?” Liz asks her in a babyish tone.”Can you say hi?

The one year old only stared at Moxxie who stared back.

“Hi Kayla.” Moxxie says. Not sure why Liz wanted this, Kayla probably wouldn’t remember this interaction from being too young, and Kayla can’t talk so Moxxie receives nothing from this interaction.

Liz smiles, “come in, I have sweet tea.” She says to Kay. “Roxxie, Trixxie, play nice now.” She says.

“Come on, Moxxie! Let’s play capture the flag!” Roxxie says.

“Mom?” Moxxie asks desperately, he doesn’t want to play with his cousins.

But: “Go play, chip.” Is what his mother ordered.

Moxxie sighs. He doesn’t want to, but he does as she says. He’s not sure why his mom insisted on forcing him to interact with his cousins, they’re have nothing in common.

Honestly, Moxxie would rather be at home. What if something bad happened? What if Sir needed them?

What if Moxxie did something wrong, and he wasn’t there to explain himself?

He didn’t want to be in trouble when they got back.

“Moxxie!” Roxxie calls. “Come on!”

~~~Moxxie, past, Later~~

“Moxxie! There’s a huge mud fight happenin’ over by hudson’s barn. Wanna come with?” Roxxie asks him.

“No.” Moxxie answers, not looking up from his book.

“Mox, go outside and play.” His mother ordered, taking the book from him.

“Wait, I’m not done with that!” Moxxie complains, trying to reach for the book again.

“You need some sunshine, it’s good for you.” His mother says. She sets the book down without a bookmark… Great, now he’ll have to start the chapter over again.

“But they’re playing in mud.” Moxxie argues softly.

“Then go get muddy! It builds character.” She says.

“Reading builds character.” Moxxie mumbles grumpily.

“Moxxie, I’m not going to tell you again.” She says sternly. “Go!”

“Okay, okay.” He surrendered. “I’ll go.”

“Drop the attitude, Moxxie. I’m doing this for your own good.” She says.

Moxxie didn’t believe her

~~~Moxxie~~~

Crimson left shortly after their conversation, knowing Moxxie wouldn’t dare cross him after threatening Blitzø and Millie.

So, with nothing left to do, he went to his room…

And he stayed there for hours.

Crimson knew exactly what to do to make Moxxie listen.

He threatened good people, people he loved.

He’ll never see them again…

Never take part in Blitzø’s idiotic schemes,

Never quarrel with Loona,

He’ll never kiss Millie again… It’s all over for them.

His life is over.

There’s a knock on the door, but Moxxie doesn’t answer, he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t care who it is!

But, the door opens regardless.

Moxxie sighs. “What do you want?” He asks, knowing exactly who it was.

Alessio steps closer. “Are you alright?”

“What do you care? You would have shot me in cold blood.” Moxxie mumbles.

“You brought this on yourself, you know. You know what happens to those who cross Crimson.” Alessio says.

“How exactly is me living crossing him?” Moxxie asks.

“You ran away.” Alessio answers.

“Maybe, but what’s so wrong with me being happy for a change?” Moxxie asks. “I got everything I could ever dream of. I worked hard and life got so much better for me the second I stepped out of this stupid fucking house!” He shouted. “Away from you, and away from him!”

“There are more important things in this life than mere happiness, Moxxie.” Alessio says. “Like family for instance-“

“Like my wife you forced me to abandon?” Moxxie asks.

“You want her to join us instead?” Alessio asks. “You are not like them, you’re different.” Alessio says.

Moxxie’s eyes fill up once again with tears. He hates this, hates this life, hates his father, and Alessio!

Moxxie shakes his head. “What are you even doing here?” Moxxie asks, not knowing how to respond to Alessio.

“Your father asked me to inform you that lunch is being served.” Alessio says.

Moxxie shakes his head again. “I don’t care.”

“Moxxie-“

“I’m not hungry.” Moxxie says. “Please leave me alone?”

“Very well.” Alessio agrees, walking towards the door.

Moxxie crosses his arms, and turns away from Alessio.

“Your life isn’t over, Moxxie.” Alessio says. “It has only resumed.”

“Al?” Moxxie’s asks.

Alessio turns to look at Moxxie.

“Why does he want me here?” Moxxie asks him. “Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?”

“That’s a question for him.” Alessio says. “Don’t you think?”

“He won’t tell me anything.” Moxxie says.

“Then perhaps you simply don’t need to know.” Alessio says, closing the door behind him as he exited Moxxie’s room.

~~~Millie~~~

Millie was trying to not be irritated at Liz. She kept going on about her sister, saying that Moxxie must have left with the mafia and Millie wasn’t going to find him.

No wonder Moxxie never introduced them, Liz is crazy.

“Crimson almost never let her visit, he hit her, he was always extremely possessive. And I’m sure he is doing the same thing to Moxxie. He had been since he was a young’n, he never was very strong.” She says.

Millie growls. “Moxxie is the strongest person I know!” She says. Liz doesn’t reply, and Millie can’t find anything in the house, she practically tore it upside down and found nothing. She was about to just leave when three imps walked into the house.

They were chatting. Two adults. And one that was in their late-teens it seemed.

“Girls- I mean, daughters and non-binary offspring.” Liz greets. “Meet Millie.”

The trio paused to look at her.

“These are my kids, Roxxie, Trixx, and Kayla.” Liz says.

Trixx, the gray haired Imp smiles awkwardly. “Sup.”

“Hi.” Kayla, the youngest one says.

“What’s going on?” Roxxie, the dark haired imp asks.

“This is Moxxie’s wife Millie. You remember Moxxie, right?” Liz asks them.

“Of course.” Roxxie says.

“Sure.” Trixx says.

While the youngest one shook her head in confusion.

Roxxie shakes Millie’s hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you Millie.” She says.

“Who’s Moxxie?” Kayla asks.

“You were too young to remember him.” Trixx says. “Is Moxxie okay? Did something happen?”

“Moxxie’s missing.” Millie explains. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay. I have to find him.” She says, trying desperately to leave without sounding rude.

“Millie, he’s probably with his father.” Liz says again.

“We’ve established this, we checked there. He’s not with Crimson!” Millie says loudly.

Liz takes Millie’s hand. “Moxxie isn’t coming back, Millie! Not if he knows what’s good for him.” Liz says. “Let him go…”

“Mom!” Trixx scolds.

“What the fuck are y’all even talking about?” Kayla asks.

While Roxxie’s eyes widened with intrigue, she stayed silent.

Millie shakes her head. “You don’t know him. He’d never give up on me. He loves me!” Millie says. “And I wouldn’t give up on him either.”

“He’s one of them, Mildred. I know, I went through it with my sister. He wouldn’t want you to share her fate.” Liz says.

“Well, you don’t need to worry about me, I can take care of myself.” Millie says, heading to the door.

“I know about these things, Millie. Trust me! They go after what they want! No mercy or exceptions!” Liz explains. “Love can’t save you from them.”

“You’re wrong.” Millie says, walking out and slamming the door behind her.

Moxxie would never leave her…

He couldn’t.

~~~Millie: past~~~

Millie and her siblings were engaged in the mud fight of the century! Kids from all around were joining in.

It was a blast!

Suddenly, a trio of imps caught Millie’s attention.

Two dark haired imps, and one with white hair.

“Come on Moxxie!” One of them shouted.

“I’m coming!” He said, trying to keep up with them.

Then he slipped, falling backwards into the mud.

But the other two kept running, didn’t even look back.

Millie knew what it was like to be left behind, so she approached him. “Need help?” Millie asks, offering her hand.

Moxxie looks her up and down, then takes her hand and allows her to help him. “Thanks.”

“I’m Millie!” She says.

“Uh…Moxxie.” He says.

“Nice to meet you, Moxxie! I’m playing war with my brothers, wanna be on my team?” She asks.

“Uhm-“ Moxxie rubs his arm anxiously. “Well I don’t really-“

Suddenly Moxxie is hit with some mud, and he recoils.

Millie grabs his arm and leads him to her earthworks to hide behind.

“You good for nothin’ scoundrel!” Millie grabbed a glob of mud and threw it in her sister’s direction.

“You stupid bitch!” She shouted back.

“Come on, Moxxie!” Millie shouts. “It’s fun!”

“What’s fun about throwing mud at people? Wouldn’t throwing grenades or something be more effective?” Moxxie asks.

“Probably.” Millie says, “but, I can’t kill my own brother (sister).”

“I see.” Moxxie says. “But, it’s important for you to win this mud fight regardless?” He asks.

“Yeah, I gotta teach him (her) a lesson, he (she) thinks he’s (she’s) so much better than me! Can you believe that?” Millie asks.

“Hmm,” Moxxie thinks. “I think I might have an idea.” Moxxie says to her.

“Really?” She asks.

“Yeah, you helped me, so I supposed I should help you.” Moxxie says.

“What is it?” She asks.

Moxxie smiles and proceeds to show Millie how to make a bomb out of random stuff he found, as well as some parts he brought with him.

Instead of anything dangerous though, they were made to splatter mud everywhere.

Safe to say, Millie won the mud fight thanks to Moxxie’s assistance.

And it was so fucking worth it, even if everyone there was completely covered in mud.

And even if Moxxie slipped and broke his arm afterwards…

Yeah…

The siblings gathered around Moxxie to ask about the bombs he made, Moxxie feeling overwhelmed by them slipped and fell on his arm which made it break.

That was the first time Millie saw an actual bone sticking out of someone’s body.

And Moxxie seemed more annoyed by the injury then upset.

His cousins ran to get their moms.

So, Millie sat with him until they showed up to help.

She refused to leave him alone.

She told him all sorts of stories while he just sat there holding his broken arm.

Millie talked about home, she talked about school,

“And that’s why you should never play football on a golf course, I’ve never really understood golf, why should the lower points win? That’s just silly- wait, I’m not talking too much, am I? My Ma and pa say I always get carried away, I don’t try to but I just do!” She says.

Moxxie shakes his head. “You can talk all you want. I like it. You have a nice voice.”

She smiles and him, and he smiles back, and she continued until his mom showed up to help.

~~~Present~~~

Moxxie always had her back… he always supported her.

And she was never going to leave him alone. He was going to be safe and sound and that’s final!

“Millie?!” Called Trixx who ran out of the house.

“Oh…hi.” Millie says.

“I’m so sorry about my mom. She’s been through a lot.” Trixx says. “I still follow Moxxie’s socials, he seems like a decent guy.” They say.

Millie smiles and nods. “Thanks. He is.”

“I hope you find him. Call me if I can help at all.” Trixx handed her a card with a number.

“Thank you.” She says.

“Of course, Moxxie has always been nice to me. He was the first person to text me when I came out. He’s always been supportive. I hope mom is wrong.”

“I almost wish she wasn’t, I’d have a chance at finding him.” Millie says.

Trixx nods. “Yeah… So, where you gonna look next?”

Millie shakes her head. “I don’t know, any ideas?”

Trixx shakes their head. “I haven’t seen him in years.”

“Well, thanks anyway.”

“Good luck, Millie.” Trixx says. “Tell him hi when you find him.”

Millie smiles. “I will.”

~~~Moxxie, past~~~

Moxxie was leaving the next day, and for once he was upset about it.

The harvest moon festival was going on, so Moxxie walked as far away from it as he could to read.

The noise was just too much. So he found a tree, where it was quiet.

Moxxie didn’t like quiet much, but on rare occasions he found the pleasure in it

“Moxxie! I found you!” A voice shorted.

“Millie! Hi!” He smiles, abandoning his book to give her his full attention.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Can I sign your cast?” Millie asks him, already holding up a marker she had brought herself. “Please?”

Moxxie smiles and gives her his arm so she can. “Of course.”

“Thanks. I wanted to properly thank you for helping me win.” She says.

“Oh, you’re welcome. It was fun actually.” Moxxie says. “I’ll say!” Millie says. “What started the mud fight anyway?” Moxxie asks her.

Millie sighs. “I dunno, I was angry and got carried away.” She says. “A boy at school…he said I was a messy haired bitch. I hate him.” She says, “and no one disagrees with him… I guess he’s right and maybe I overreacted.” Millie says.

“I don’t think you overreacted.” Moxxie says. “And you have nice hair.”

Millie smiles. “You think so?”

“Yeah, it’s nice.” Moxxie shrugs. “And you’re nice too.”

“No, I’m not.” She scoffs.

“You helped me up, no one else did.” He says.

“I guess that’s true.” Millie says. “I think you were very brave out there.” She says.

“Me?” Moxxie asks.

“Yeah! Your arm broke and you didn’t even cry! My brothers probably would have, that looked awful painful. Not me though, I’m tough.”

Moxxie chuckled. “Oh, well…I’ve broken it before. It didn’t hurt that much.” He says.

“Still cool though. Where did you move here from anyway?” Millie asks. “I assume you’re not from here on account of you being so different then most folks around here.”

“I’m from Greed, we’re only visiting. We’re going home tomorrow actually.” Moxxie explains.

“Oh.” Millie says sadly. “Will you ever come back to wrath?” She asks.

“Yeah, we visit every year.” He says.

“You can visit me next year…if you want.” Millie suggests.

“I’d love to.” Moxxie smiles.

Millie and Moxxie continued to talk. Despite loving the festival, Millie didn’t regret spending the rest of the day with Moxxie.

He really was so different then the other kids around here…

And she liked that.

~~~Blitzø~~~

“Stolas, I really can’t talk right now.” Blitzø says as he answered the phone. He told Cash he needed some time to think it over, and luckily he agreed. But, now Blitzø was left with a stupidly impossible choice!

“You can never talk, Blitzø! You’re always ready with an excuse, please stop trying to avoid it and just talk to me?” Stolas asks.

Blitzø hates how much Stolas knows him. “Stolas, I-“

“I promise no one is judging you.” Stolas says. “You don’t have to be embarrassed based on a little meltdown.”

Blitzø sighs, he should have known Stolas would eventually put two and two together.

A little meltdown is an understatement, he’s had multiple meltdowns, none as bad as this one…

Honestly, Blitzø was embarrassed…and confused about what happened afterwards- maybe even a little scared…

But that didn’t matter now. Stolas didn’t need to know how upset he was over that.

What he doesn’t know won’t kill him. Besides, he’s got a real reason to avoid the bird this time.

“This isn’t about that.” He says to Stolas.

And it wasn’t…kinda wasn’t at least- he hated that it happened, but he was willing to let it go until he and Stolas talked and it made everything worse.

‘I want to give you all the love you deserve.’

He was just so nice! He cared so much!

Too much…

“Then why have you been avoiding me?” Stolas asks. “Every time we talk, you have an excuse. Just talk to me, don’t you think I deserve that at least?” He asks.

He does, Blitzø owes a lot to Stolas. Stolas has done everything he can for Blitzø… he at least deserves the truth. “Okay, maybe it was because of that- before- but not because of what happened…”

“What do you mean?” Stolas asked.

Blitzø realized that lying may be his best option now, he can’t risk loosing or hurting Stolas. “I just- I needed some time to get over it… but now- it’s about Moxxie.”

“Moxxie? Your employee?” Stolas asks.

“He’s missing.” Blitzø confirms.

“Oh dear, that is troubling.” Stolas says.

“Yeah.”

“Any idea where he might be?” Stolas asks him.

“We have a lead, but I’m not sure if I trust it.” Blitzø explains.

“I’m sorry.” Stolas says. “I had no idea-“

“It’s fine.” Blitzø says.

Stolas sighs. “I am sorry, I should have given you space-“ Stolas sighs. “I thought maybe after our conversation-“

“Stolas, it’s fine. You haven’t been bothering me. I just don’t know how to communicate…that’s all.”

“I promise I’ll do better, just tell me if you need space before, and I’ll give it to you…I just-“

Blitzø was about to interrupt, but he was interested in what Stolas had to say…

“I thought maybe you were mad at me…I thought I messed up and you were upset and avoiding me.” Stolas explains.

“I wasn’t mad, okay? You were helping me.” Blitzø says.

“I tried…” Stolas says. “But, you were still so upse-“

“Stolas, we’re good! Next time I’ll tell you. I’m sorry I made you worry.” Blitzø says.

“It’s alright.” Stolas says. “I know that wasn’t your intention.”

Blitzø sighs again, he needs to get off the phone, but he doesn’t want to…

What was wrong with him?

“Would you like some assistance in finding Moxxie?” Stolas asks.

“What?” Blitzø asks.

“I asked if you needed help, I have some connections that may be useful.” Stolas offers.

Blitzø considers it, maybe he can ask Stolas’s help with the situation…

Stolas has already done too much, he can’t take advantage of him. “No, we don’t need anything, Stolas. We’re fine.”

“Keep me updated?” Stolas asks.

“Yeah.” He hangs up the phone and drops his head…

What the fuck was he going to do?

~~~Moxxie:~~~

What’s he going to do when Millie and Blitzø find him?

They are looking for him…right?

They wouldn’t just- give up.

Moxxie wanted to cry. He didn’t want them to give up. But what was the use in hoping if they’ll be rejected and cast away even if they find Moxxie.

He’ll be foced to watch as everyone he loves is taken away-

Just like before.

He felt like a child again…

He was acting like a child again…

Why can’t he just grow the fuck up and move on?

He couldn’t though… if he were anywhere else, he’d

But he felt so small, so weak.

He felt like a scared child again, he wanted his mom to help him the way she used to.

“You can’t possibly have nothing left for me.” Moxxie says to her as if she were listening somehow from beyond the grave. “You must have some words left, some guidance..”

Moxxie walks over to the window and looked to the sky.

They say Imps don’t have an afterlife- but they have to have something…right?

“What do you want me to do, mom? Please-please just tell me what to do and I’ll do it!” He begged. “You were always so good at that…”

But she doesn’t answer him…

She’s not there…

Or- or maybe she was ignoring him…

The way she used to when she was mad…

Was she mad at him? Because-

Moxxie’s mind is turned back to the cast-

“No…”

~~~Past~~~

Moxxie and his mother got back from their trip to wrath.

Crimson have got one look at the cast and flipped out. “What the fuck is this?” He asks, grabbing Moxxie’s arm.

“There was an incident. But he’s fine.” She says.

“He’s not fine! If he was fine, he wouldn’t be wearing a cast on his arm, would he?” Crimson asks.

“Relax, Crimson. He had some fun for a change.”

“That’s the last time I’m letting you take him to wrath, I didn’t sleep with you just so you could break our kid.”

“I’m breaking him? Really? He breaks his arm all the time!” She says.

“Yeah! Here, where it’s safe to do so!” Crimson says. “I don’t need him breaking it when he’s that far from home!”

Moxxie went to his room, he doesn’t want to hear his parents fight anymore.

~~~Later~~~

His mother walks into Moxxie’s room as he was drawing something in his notebook.

“Chip?”

“Yes, mama?”

“Did you have a good time?”

“The best time!” Moxxie says.

“You really liked Millie, hm?” She asks.

“Yeah, she was cool.” Moxxie says. “She told me where her house is so I can visit her next time, see?” Moxxie shows his mother a map he drew himself that went from his aunts house to Millie’s house.

“I do see.” His mother says. “That’s very impressive, Chip.”

Moxxie turns back to his notebook, finishing the details of the house.

“You know, I knew her mother Lynn in highschool. We weren’t really friends or anything, but I knew of her. They comes from a really nice family.” She says.

Moxxie smiles, but then notices his mom wasn’t…

His smile deflates. “What’s wrong, Mama?” He asks.

“Sweetie, you must promise me something: You can’t let her get caught up in this.”

“Caught up in what?” He asks.

“All this, your family. You can’t see her again, Chip.” She says. “I’m sorry, but you can’t. You’ll ruin her life.”

Moxxie’s eyes widen.

He doesn’t want to ruin Millie’s life.

“I know you’re very young, and it’s hard to understand now. But. Please promise me, Moxxie?”

“I promise…” Moxxie says.

~~~present~~~

“You can’t be mad at me about that…” he says to his mother like she was still there. Tears pour down Moxxie’s face more and more at the realization that he may have disappointed her. “No- You’re not allowed to be mad at me! Just because you couldn’t be happy doesn’t mean I don’t get to be! I needed her, it was too much to ask of me!”

Moxxie sits down on the floor and curled up to himself. “You don’t know what it was like, I was just a kid, taking care of you! Doing everything you ever asked of me- everything he asked me… I’m allowed to be selfish for once!” He says.

Did he really ruin Millie’s life like she said? Did he hurt and abandon the woman he loved?

Was she going to be okay now that Moxxie’s not there?

He wiped the tears from his eyes, and he curls up against the corner of his room.

‘Please don’t be mad at me, mama…I’m sorry.'

It was like she was leaving him all over again.

Notes:

‘Family said that I decided to live a loveless life Is it my fault we stay divided? 'Cause I got too much pride?’ ~The family Jewels, Marina and the diamonds.

~~~ Notes: I’m so sorry this took me so long. I swear I was working hard to get it done, but it wasn’t coming out the way I wanted it to.

Hopefully the hard work paid off and the chapter is decent enough.

I know this is probably not how M&M met, but I had this idea and for some reason couldn’t see it any other way…idk.

Lol lmk how you’d imagine M&M met, I got a feeling it may have been an enemies to lovers dynamic. (Or maybe I just hope that cuz’ it’s so funny to me that these perfect lovers were once enemies. Lol.)

Hope to update soon, next chapter will have more sharks. love you guys! Taglist: @todayimfour

[samwise1548]

:o i am Looking (pun absolutely intentional)

THERES SO MANY COOL DETAILS IN THE BACKGROUND

YESS!!! Thank you Tumblr people for letting me rant about my own art for a bit.

I have to go to the city today which is about an hours away. Let's hope I can get through everything I wanna say before then :)) Already gonna say, this'll be a long post so I'll put it all under a cut.

For context, this is the piece I'll be talking about. It's a redraw of an older piece I did for The Magnus Archives podcast.

Ok so, where to start... I suppose just with setting up all the details in the background? That took ages!! Imagine having to cram 14 fears into one small box, where only 2/3rds of it are visible? I excluded the Extinction for my own benefit, and the Eye and Web were covered by the giant eye at the top and the webbing at the bottom of the piece. So only 12 fears, but still that was a real struggle haha. I'm glad I was able to do it tho. Here's some of the drafts I did:

[ID: Six similar rough drawings of Jonathan Sims and Martin Blackwood embracing as the cry while a giant eye looms above them. The artwork is rough as they are simply to lay out the design of the piece. A blue watermark of the artists signature is slightly visible above the pieces. \End ID]

I knew I wanted the Vast to be on top, because, well obviously. It's the Vast! And likewise, for the Buried to be on the bottom. But everything else was kinda mixed in wherever I had space. My favorite mini domain is the Strangers carousel!! I'm also particularly proud of the Slaughters war trenches below it.

Moving on, I wanna talk about the coloring now!! BOY HOWDY, DID THAT GIVE ME STRESS!!! For reference, here's some of the variations I made while trying to find the perfect colors:

[ID: sixteen variations of the same drawing, now with finished lineart. Each variation is colored differently than the next. The artists signature is watermarked over the drawings . \End ID]

GOING IN ORDER!!! first one is obviously not colored. That's just the lineart with a random color as the bg. Second and third ones I discredited cuz it didn't fit tma vibes. The fifth one is one I kinda still do like. The only problem with that one was that Jon and Martin were a bit too dark for my liking. The gold frames one next to that is one of my favorite ones. I color picked from the Mona Lisa for that one. I do like the gold frame but again, jmart didn't fit the vibe. The next few are random variations with slightly different color palettes and values.

What I ended up settling for in my final piece is honestly so beautiful in a symbolic way to me. The fear domains inside the frame were done in colors from the original piece from 2021. Kind of like an homage to my past self. Like I'm giving my past self credit for making a good drawing by including actual elements from that directly into this revamped version. I was so happy when I figured that out. It's especially lovely considering that I was struggling so much with coloring this whole thing. But looking back at the old piece made me realize that I just had to go back to my roots. I'm learning from a me that I no longer am and I feel so happy for that!

With that, thank you for letting me ramble about this drawing. It may not have came out perfect like I'd hoped, but I did make something I can be proud of while still honoring the original. And I'm happy with it :)

[duskydrawings]

what is your ship about Pk

You've no idea how long I've waited for someone to ask about this.

And still, I've got no good answer. Honestly WL x PK is very beautiful-looking and also supported by canon, but at the same time I don't have her fleshed out to nearly the same extent as PK, which makes it difficult for me to be hyped/invested. The same goes for Grimm. I'm not particularly attached to him, but he is super cool nonetheless!

Probably the closest thing for me is Pale Watcher. And like, I'm not talking about some variation where both PK and Lurien survive and get a happy ending together. No. Because I am evil, I greatly enjoy the concept of Lurien sacrificing himself out of one-sided love. And, as much as I think they would mesh well together personality-wise I can't see my interpretation of PK being comfortable in a relationship with Lurien, due to many reasons.

For one, there's a pretty huge power discrepancy, two, my mans would basically be sending his would-be-boyfriend to his death, three, I still think PK would hold lingering fidelity toward WL, and four, he's understandably got self-esteem issues and would deem himself unworthy of a loving relationship even if the opportunity presented itself. Has he always had those issues? No, but I think it got increasingly clear to him as things escalated that he's not who he thought he was — more on all of this later*.

Also, Lurien is probably too chicken to confess and PK is too socially oblivious (sperg) to know when someone wants to put a ring on him. IMO it's a great will-they-won't-they dynamic I basically never get tired of. Truly, a source of endless giggles AND silly leg-swinging whilst twirling my luscious locks.

TL;DR, PK is super single, you guys. He's too busy trying to dad after I unceremoniously revived him for that very purpose. I can't let such a tragic dadfailure go unchanged!

*So, I know not everyone has this interpretation, but my particular variation of PK values his moral integrity IMMENSELY and strives to do the Right thing. Entering a relationship with Lurien, for example, would probably not be the Right thing. I think Lurien is perceptive enough (it's his job) to realize this as well and would not push it. SIMP <3.

With all of that said, the vessel plan haunted PK to his death and tore him asunder, mentally. Like, he was probably guilt-free and doing fine during the dawn of his reign, considered himself worthy of love — but after having to create the vessels? Nah. I do not have any doubt in my mind that PK recognized how fucked it was. Guy literally had a mantra to soothe himself (no cost too great) and I'm not even sure he believed it... Dude probably had the cognitive dissonance and self-gaslighting turned up to 100 in order to live with himself. So yeah, if someone asked him out on a date or something he'd probably just go: "oh, you can do better than me".

*pinches his cheeks*

Which cheeks, you ask? Yes.

Also, you might find it weird that I would say PK has fidelity for WL considering the canon infidelity. Some jokingly/seriously characterize him as a 'playa' because of this. Well, my specific boy is not a playa!!! Too awkward for it and not nearly horny enough. He's running on fumes as-is. WL is the horny one, goddammit.

So, in my opinion, that dalliance wasn't really something he desired and was more a means to an end. I'm glad he did it though! Otherwise we wouldn't have our girlboss Hornet. Thanks king!!! 😘

Anywayyyy I think I got pretty off-track but I enjoyed getting my sperg on. I appreciate the ask!

[just-a-carrot]

If the topic of your game has already been raised, I would like to talk about how I see your game:

As you said in the description of the game, “this is a terrible dating simulator,” I still remember this, and it makes me laugh, because it’s true, because this game is more about accepting “from cute to scary” than "Who will Iggy choose out of the three? Hmmmm" and that's... Okay, for me.

But, still, if you look at it in terms of playwriting, things are going well for you so far:

In 1 arch, we get acquainted with the characters, but more for Iggy - as the main face of this story. And with each arch, I notice that he has less and less attached to his work, but more to his friends is good, so the arch of characters should work: "From the state A - in the state of B."

And his emotions too (I found it especially funny in Arc 3, where Iggy was constantly angry, even on a flower 🤣)

Well, a dating simulator isn't a dating simulator unless we're talking about other characters. You showed a variation, I honestly forgot that I was playing a dating simulator 👀🤣🤣🤣

I only remembered this in Arc 2, the moment of the kiss, because I thought:

"👀... I thought their kiss would happen later, somewhere in the ending- Ah... That's right, it's a dating simulator🤣."

And the main thing is that everyone changes. Although this is a cycle, it changed depending on how Iggy changed, which influences a certain cycle (yes, yes, 2 Arc with Genzou, 3 Arc with Orlam and 4 Arc with Gidget, I know, so that we have an option with whom it will be in the end Iggu, and the 5th Arc with Bucks, and the solution to their problems. Or - the finale. Or not. Or the 6th Arc is the end, but a continuation of the 5th Arc 🤣).

So far, the arches are working for you, I believe that they are changing, that some people accept it as is, that Orlam found out the reason, because he didn’t know that until now, believing that they simply hate him.

Genzou. I believe that you will change too and will not hide your feelings (I don’t know why I don’t believe him. Maybe it didn’t work for me 🤔).

So that all character arcs are closed; So that the problems in the plot are solved, and there is some kind of morality? That is, what you wanted to teach the player: You need to value yourself. We must value our loved ones. Love yourself for who you are. They are not afraid to express their feelings, otherwise they will regret that they didn’t try it once. (Yes, Genzou, I’m talking about you 👀)

But, if it speaks about my assumptions, what am I waiting for: That Iggy’s values ​​will change: That work is not the main thing, but neither are friends, because they give you a feeling of what life is like, that it can be pleasant. (I remembered the moment from Arc 2, where Iggy and Genzou were sitting and talking, and he realized that outside of work, he felt good and even alive.)

At least I see that Iggy really wants, because he is the only one who did not make a wish (either because he is happy with his life, or because he did not think about what he wants, and this is Iggy’s intravenous conflict.), like told Orlam: “He wants everyone to be happy... But he is just as selfish as everyone else.” (Orlam, we are all selfish, and so are you, but we love you ❤️)

I'm glad you're sharing a piece of yourself in this story, and I'm glad that there are people who have found an echo in your game where they can say, "This character reminds me." And you're right - nothing is perfect, because we all make mistakes, but we still love your game.

If we didn't love people because of their shortcomings, who are we after that? There are no ideal people, but for someone, in other people's eyes, they are ideal. 🦊✨

Sorry for such a long text, I hope you are not tired of reading it, hehehe

I thank you again for sharing this game, which gave me so many emotions and like-minded people ❤️

- Your strange fox friend, Casey (LookingViewer)

ahhhh thank you very much for sharing your thoughts with me, this is really lovely 💕

DATING SIMULATOR LKDJFADS th-that is more of just my own joke, "world's worst dating simulator" because not only is it nothing like a real dating simulator but also everyone just dies all the time. but i put that in there because i did want people to understand that that's mainly what their choices are doing and they will get to influence that part of the ending

I'm glad you're sharing a piece of yourself in this story, and I'm glad that there are people who have found an echo in your game where they can say, "This character reminds me." -> ah thank you for this. this is one of my greatest joys tbh. when people say they can relate to or see parts of themself within one of the characters. it makes me feel a lot less alone. and i am happy if my chars can inspire others or help them also feel a bit less alone

i really appreciate you sending in your thoughts, this meant a lot 💕

[merrycrisis-if]

allie hi omg i’m so late but i finally played the update and I LOVED IT SO MUCH like idek where to start because i played all the routes and they’re all so good. plus the 18+ scenes got me slutting out for real 😭😭

okok listen the added details in qiu’s first flashback literally drove me crazy like “you’re a hard person to catch alone” QIU PLEASE SHUT THE FUCK UP IM IN LOVE WITH YOU 😭😭😭 and the new flashback!!!!!! like not to make it about me but it reminded me sm of the bday drabble you wrote me last year and let me tell you. a bitch (me) was giggling <3333 the bit where qiu wiped a bit of cheesecake off mc’s lips and mc teased them about making a move to kiss them was so fucking cute :((( and even taking them fishing and the dinner ugh just ALL OF IT!!! they really pulled all the romantic shit and even cut classes for mc and still couldn’t commit to a relationship smh

also nat…… when i say that steamy scene blindsided me and the way they did what they did underwater… i lost my damn mind over that flashback 😮‍💨😮‍💨 but omg that phone call idk what i was expecting but it wasn’t a breakup conversation. when nat said “i need someone who’s here” and “i don’t want scraps when i’ve had all of you” ……. yeah i’m fine 🥲 when mc was like “i wish nat would say smth hurtful so i could hate them” i was like yeah same because nat is so nice and supportive and so spouse material it’s literally impossible not to fall in love with them

but also shay…. god their scenes were fucking insane i was BLUSHING 😭😭😭 there was just no way for me to play different variations of their scenes and stay normal like the little motorcycle bit if you skip the show and they pick you up at dinner was so cute but also the way they make eye contact with you the whole time at their gig…. “tell me why you’re leaving and why it is that we’re kissing on borrowed time” yeah i’m mentally ill. and when they kiss your forehead and your closed eyelids and was like “stop being cute all the time” and the scene in their apartment…. yeah shay’s fucking insane but also very hot but also the biggest sweetheart. i will never be normal after all that

this is so rambly now but i really genuinely enjoyed the demo. i keep saying it but the characters are all lovable even mc’s chaotic and prying relatives which make merry crisis all the more relatable and realistic. i hold this if so close to my heart thank you for writing it 🩷

AHHH!!!! Nikka you have no idea how excited I was to see this in my inbox, and the smile on my face just kept growing and growing as I read this message. It's been a while! I hope 2023 has been kind to you!

I loved writing that update, and I hold Merry Crisis very dear to my heart as well—so it always just hits me in the feels when people like it too/relate to it, ya know!

The Qiu flashback was 1000% inspired by the drabble I wrote for you last year, and I'm so glad I got to use it and expand on it in the game!! I am soooo happy that you liked the scenes, especially because I consider you a Qiu-authority at this point! And on Qiu doing literally everything except commit to a relationship.... yes. Exactly. I think this is what MC also cannot. believe.

Ahh omg. Heh. The Nat spicy scene at the beach was definitely... quite something to write. I wanted the call to really hit hard, but also offer some opportunity for redemption/hope (I wonder if you managed to get the scenes where MC does get a 'maybe' from Nat!)

Yeah, this last update was definitely one for the Shay fans—I packed in as much as I could in there, and writing the music/performance scene was fun, but so were the... bedroom / pillow talk scenes... especially for same-sex Shay!

Anyway, this message made me so so happy, so thank you so much for sending it. (It also makes me happy to know that the side characters / MC's family are also welcome and not simply an annoyance.)

Sending you a million hugs and all of my love!!