#unexpected dilemmas

[unhingedpirates]

When Pete asks 'does that make us horrible people?' when they're planning on passing on the curse by leaving the suit to someone else...

Honey. You are -and I cannot stress this enough- pirates.

[enchantingepics]

Story Prompt 56

In a world plagued by darkness, where the skies were a permanent shade of gloom and the land lay shrouded in despair, two figures emerged as opposing forces. One was hailed as a hero, revered for their courage and selflessness. The other was branded a villain, feared for their ruthless ambition and disregard for life.

The hero, adorned in armor gleaming with the promise of protection, stood tall against the shadows. Their every action spoke of duty and honor, a beacon of hope amidst the encircling despair. But beneath the facade of valor lay a heavy burden—the knowledge that to save the world, they might have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Across the realm, the villain plotted in the depths of their fortress, surrounded by flickering torches and whispered secrets. Their gaze pierced through the darkness with a chilling intensity, driven by a singular obsession—to protect one individual at any cost. For them, the lives of countless others paled in comparison to the value of that single soul.

As fate would have it, the paths of these two opposing forces collided on a fateful day when the skies trembled with impending doom. The hero, with sword in hand and determination in their heart, confronted the villain atop a windswept cliff overlooking a desolate landscape.

"You cannot comprehend the magnitude of your actions," the hero declared, their voice ringing with conviction. "You would sacrifice the lives of innocents for the sake of one."

The villain, unfazed by the accusation, met the hero's gaze with a chilling calmness. "You speak of sacrifice as if it were a sin," they replied, their tone laced with icy resolve. "But what is the worth of a world devoid of the ones we cherish most?"

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

aaaaahhhhhh stevie nicks will be performing close by me in december

and @actuallylukedanes told me about it because they knew i would want to know and that i might want to go and now i'm like...

it's expensive, but i could put it on a credit card? i've never been to a stadium-style concert alone, but i'm an adult and can surely figure that out? i'm fat and i worry about fitting in the seat, but when that happened with florence and the machine i just stood most of the time and it was worth it? a hotel room would cost more than the ticket and i don't want leander to have to come get me just cuz i won't have another way to get home... but it's STEVIE NICKS? and the time i was set up to go to a comic con carrie fisher was at i didn't end up going, and then she died?!?

so i can't decide if it would be dumb to go because i might regret it, or more dumb to not go and risk regretting that

[variousqueerthings]

strange interaction at the local farmshop today in which an elderly man very intensely interrogated me on what my job was, said it was a "waste of government money" despite I am fairly certain not understanding anything I was saying, and then may or may not have been trying to figure out if myself and my flatmate were lesbians

but in general in one of those quite jovial tones of voices? loud but not aggressive. have no idea whether it was a successful interaction or not, my flatmate quite bluntly told him he was rude when he got to the "what a waste of government money" part of his opinions and pulled me away, which may have been the right decision, because I never would have been able to extract myself from this

also very difficult to explain what I do without mentioning trans people, and I just am not looking for a potential "debate" with every random stranger when I'm just in to buy some sausages, so yeah I was vagueish but not so vague as to invite obtuseness imo

[dkniade]

As a story-lover I’d love to check out the Sumeru Archon Quest with its interesting themes and nice music and visuals, and see how it’s all brought together

As a person however, I would not want to go through some of these themes, uh

[tsukiyadori]

Reading Log 2024.05 - May

Previous: Reading Log 2024.04 - April

Trying to grasp the moon. Wonder if anyone would ever want to come over to my moon? Maybe we can try grasping it together?

——————————————————————————

Reading languages: German, English, French, Japanese, not listing which was what. (There's also been some feeble attempts at Chinese.)

Titles are as I’ve read them either first or most and thus remember it for that title mostly

Not going to bother putting in the original titles of translated reads unless there is something worthy of note to it

Cursive titles have been completed

If it says a volume number it may mean it has been finished or is still in progress

Some notes’ content may be subject to repetition here and there, as I also copied some older notes from casual conversations over and didn’t go through any rounds of cutting things down.

——————————————————————————

MAY

JNC (English) puts A Pale Moon Reverie into this month' Catchup Lineup, so there goes a subscription. You gotta make most use the buffet, do you?

I still failed to finish trying out all that was in the catchup...

Also struggled with the JNC Nina deadlines

The JNC quota of my monthly reads have not been counted, but they must make a notable percentage.

What does that tell me again? I get the most things done with a deadline leash.

The distinction between LN/WN regular novels is a bit fuzzy this time due to the potion of Rosmei previews...

Light Novels/Web Novels/Novels:

A Pale Moon Reverie v1-2

At the World’s Mercy Rosmei Preview

Brunhild v3p1

By the Grace of Gods LN v14

Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers v1ch1-2

Don't You Like Me Rosmei Preview

Fushi no Kami v1

Hell Mode v3p4-6

How to Survive as a Villain Novel Rosmei preview ch1-5

How to Survive as a Villain Novel ch137-235

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? v10

Kaleidoscope of Death Rosmei Preview

Marriage, Divorce, and Beyond: The White Mage and Black Knight's Romance Reignited v1p1-v2p1-6

Mushoku Tensei v1p7-8

Nanchan Rosmei Preview

The Defectives Rosmei Preview

The Earth Is Online Rosmei Preview

The Killer of Killers Rosmei Preview

The Rebirth Of The General Who Always Sees Himself As A Replacement ch1

The Saint's Magic Power is Omipotent LN v3p7-8

Unnamed Memory LN v1p2-5

Wolf and Parchment v5-6

Zilbagias the Demon Prince: How the Seventh Prince Brought Down the Kingdom v1p1-5

Manga:

12 Jahre v18

A Livid Lady's Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires (Manga) v2ch7-11

An Archdemon's (Friend's) Dilemma: How to Babysit a Crybaby Knight ch1-5

An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride v1-10, ch52-54, ch60-63

Are You Okay with a Slightly Older Girlfriend? ch16.3-21

Arte ch86-87

Bibi & Miyu v1ch5

Buta no Liver wa Kanetsushiro ch36.1-2

Daijuukou to Unicornis no Otome ch15.2

Dead Mount Death Play v6

Dekiru Neko wa Kyou mo Yuuutsu ch109, ch88-91

Domestic na Kanojo v9-11

Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte (Manga) ch1, ch6, ch10, ch14, ch18, v5ch23-26

Everyday Escape v1-4

Fragtime v1-2

Girl Crush ch85-87

Hari to Hitsuji no Fune ch10.2

Heart Gear ch4-10

How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer ch5-16

I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic (Manga) ch1-5

Is Love the Answer? ch1

Isekai de Ane ni Namae wo Ubawaremashita ch18.2-4

Just Because I Love You

Kakan no Oukoku no Hanagirai Hime ch13.2-13.3

Knitter's High ch27.3-4

Living With My Brother's Wife ch49-65

Loop 7-kaime no Akuyaku Reijou wa, Moto Tekikoku de Jiyuu Kimama na Hanayome Seikatsu wo Mankitsusuru ch32

My Not-So-Fair Lady is Doomed! (But Not If I Can Help It) ch4.2-9.2

My Unexpected Marriage ch10.3-14

Nagiko no Hanashi (re-read)

Okazari Ouhi ni Nattanode, Kossori Hataraki ni deru koto ni Shimashita ~Usagi ga Iru no de Hitorine mo Sabishiku Arimasen!~ ch26.5-6

Oshi no Ko ch145-147

Shinde Miro to Iwareta no de Shinimashita. ch11-12

Shuumatsu Touring ch38.1-3

Sleeping Moon v1

Solange wir zusammen sind v8

Sonna Kazoku nara Sutechaeba? ch68sample, ch69sample, ch70sample, ch70-71

Suicide Notes Laid on the Table ch35.2-50

The 6th Loop: I'm Finally Free of Auto Mode in this Otome Game ch3.3-10

The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses ch81-99

Unnamed Memory ch37.1

With the Light v1

Webtoons:

Closer Heartbeat ch0-1

Fall in the Night with You ch74-101

Ice Lamp: The Chronicles of Kira ch49-51

Taberare Usa ch102-105

The Goddess of Healing ch80-92

The Silent Concubine ch1-32

To be or not be ch95-101

Notes:

A Pale Moon Reverie v1-2: What a gob smack disappointment. I really (really) do like Unnamed Memory, but this thing from the same author is just… doing everything UN does right, not all that right. I'm kind of… just astonished. And makes me a bit wary of the rest of the author, which I had planned to buy and read in JP if it doesn't get licensed.

A Livid Lady's Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires (Light Novel) v1: It's interesting how the hook is basically identical to 7th Time Loop, but the route it goes down is already so completely Anti-Fluff as can be. The hook is easily the least interesting thing, as it's a complete dumpster trope by now, but so far MC doesn't feel like a bad person per se, or more like not even really a person, but more like a completely OP mirror. She does not set out to do evil, but if you do her bad, she will reflect it, as she would honor you doing her good. And then the world is full of evil and incompetence, so it just winds up her mirroring all the mud and dirt of it. Which creates all the more of it in the process.

That's very much an Anti-Fluff spiral and kinda somewhat uncomfortable…. Tho, she remains a badass female MC with some brains and guts at least.

I think another issue probably is. This whole revenge objective. It's not even really feeling like it's genuinely her own. It came from her servant, who had a moment of being passionately full of hate. And she was like "oh you're right" and just adapted it. So she really just feels like a mirror, absorbing and reflecting what crosses her path. And she's unlucky that apparently she's not granted the blessing of meeting anything fluff on her way.

I suppose another bit that makes her very different to Rishe from 7th Time Loop is that Rishe got her OP cheat skills over time though effort and maturity, and she got it all through teachers who were nice enough to take her in. In this one's case, she is simply a prodigy, and it all came from herself. She knows modesty by advantage/disadvantage calculation, etiquette not really having any real innate greed and pride, but there is also a sense of natural condescension that comes out of it towards anyone else, even if she can honor people doing things for her.

German first impressions:

Uffz. Das Inciting Incident ist praktisch 1:1 identisch zu 7th Time Loop, aber die Route, die das hier einschlägt ist so Anti-Fluff wie es nur irgendwie sein kann. :NotLikeThis:

Es ist dabei nicht nur "nicht fluff" sondern geradewegs anti-fluff.

Die MC, mal abgesehen, dass sie viel zu OP ist, sie wirkt ein bisschen wie nicht wirklich wie ein Mensch, sondern eher eine Art gut geölte Maschine + ein Spiegel. Sie reflektiert quasi alles, was ihr widerfährt irgendwie in gleicher Art, und offenkundig hat sie nie was Fluff oder wirklich emotional Gutes erfahren, jenseits von Loyalität, die sie erfährt, weil sie es sich irgendwie erarbeitet hat. Und sie reflektiert das irgendwie und dabei verstärkt sie es noch mehr, was am Ende zu einer Spirale von evil begets evil führt. Und dann ist sie dabei auch noch vollkommen methodisch, effizient, ohne jedes Mitleid oder Verständnis für irgendwelche Motivationen, die dazu geführt haben, dass ihr widerfuhr was ihr widerfuhr (obwohl sie es z.T. auch genau weiß) und das wäre noch eine Sache, aber ihre ganze Rache fühlt sich nicht mal richtig emotional an (so wie bei Brundhild oder so), sondern geradezu Secondhand übernommen, nachdem die Dienerin einen emotionalen Rant voller Hass ob der Ungerechtigkeit (und auch Mitgefühl) abgelassen hat. Buchstäblich quasi "oh you're right" und dann zieht sie, ohne mit der Wimpern zu zucken ihre Konsequenz daraus und alle, die ihr im Weg stehen, kümmert sie nicht, egal was.

KA, irgendwie wirkt sie wie ein leeres Gefäß voller Skills, Wissen, Etikette und Macht. Sie hatte ihren Job, den hat sie wunderbar gemacht, wurde dafür aber nie honoriert und dann wurde der infrage gestellt und sie hat die Rache zu ihrem neuen Job gemacht und das ist irgendwie alles, was sie ausmacht und sie scheint auch nicht das geringste Interesse zu haben daran, großartig was zu ändern.

Am Ende vom Band ist sie geradezu teuflisch, aber irgendwie auch, das Teuflische wurde erst erweckt durch Missetaten und irgendwie ist das so eine Dynamik, die nur das Schlechte vom und im Menschen weiter propagiert.

Fushi no Kami v1: The Maika side of things are still extraordinary uninteresting. Unfortunately, you can't exactly skip them. Probably.

Marriage, Divorce, and Beyond: The White Mage and Black Knight's Romance Reignited v1p1, v2p1-6: Maybe skipping the rest of v1 because streaming has expired was not the most bright thing there, but it somehow worked out still decently fine??

Mushoku Tensei v1 finished: Aaand somehow there's now yet another pervy guy.

Side character: "He reminds me a lot of you [….] like stealing underwear or watching me while changing […] Maybe all heroes are just sex-addicted?"

This series is really…..

How to have some good moments and then just throw of pervy curveball to ruin it, and then it gets better again and yet another curveball….

It's kind of interesting how at first I thought it structurally was very much Hell Mode, but now I was thinking structurally it's a lot like Fushi no Kami, but obviously both are younger so much rather they got inspired the other way round.

Fushi no Kami's switches of PoV are definitely more obnoxious, tho. Cheese striken Maika is for the trash bin, but here there's a strange comicalness to it in MT.

The Rebirth Of The General Who Always Sees Himself As A Replacement ch1: From the same author of How to Survive as a Villain. I had read the beginning of the webtoon, but wasn't exactly wowed, but the novel is coming around with poetry, idioms and literature and everything, and I'm already liking it a hundred-fold more just because of this and how it's used to depict the MC's inner turmoil.

An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride v1-10, ch52-54, ch60-63: Sooo, this was also in the JNC May Catchup list.

Me, before reading: Nothing but a doubtful stare.

But I was being told it it would have fluff, and that came from the same one who made me read Otonari, so....

Me, upon noticing I've been binging this rather fast:

Me upon finding out, I'm liking this, despite, let's say a bit of a wacky beginning: (It screams cheese! It screams it!!)

If A Pale Moon Reverie was a complete flop, reading this directly afterwards immediately amortized the JNC subscription all on its already. And then it was pwoerful enough that sorta everything else tasted staler and worse than it actually was so I needed several days of a reading break to avoid souring me on the other stuff.

The series' primary draw definitely are the masses of good faces (especially Chastille is Lady Good Faces), but even behind that it has a really strong going Found Family aspect to it and while the romance bit is there from the beginning and a central part to it all, it considerably overlaps with found family in its most foundational aspects, which makes it that much less just your ordinary cheese. (And they are kinda doing things backwards, that's also a nice pattern I vastly prefer, but is seen all too rarely.) I also like it how the series has the girl coming from the slave trope, but quickly ties over all the apparent submission into a deeper going characterization and turns it all on its head. She is definitely not your a naive innocent something, not an obedient, subservient damsel in distress, if she exhibits it, it's out of self-loathing and self-punishment and there is a component of active choice and agency to it. And that conversation between her and Chastille about how she refuses to stand at the frontline (despite actually being more than qualified to be there), because she has decided upon which role she considers to be most needed by her and therefore leaves the frontline part to Chastille was such a great way to avoid the trap of both Damsel in Distress or OP Mary Sue. How she's fairly wary of her powers also implies an additional reason why she chooses to continue wearing the mana-sealing neck-chocker (and thus not engage with sorcery on top of her mysticism) aside it from being basically their the engagement ring-replacement. (Altho, her wearing it while confronting an unknown demon alone that turned out to be an archdemon may have been a bit silly.) Chastille's holding it somewhat together while on clock vs. a bit of a hopeless idiot when clocked out is also a streak I find, uhm, hitting a bit too home. She is a great dork in any case. The only thing that did me more in were the good question mark faces. Like, they are glorious. And despite all the dorks, fluff and compf, the thing also has an actual plot to follow, that is both having acute stakes (due to danger baring it fangs already), but also not (because no one knows about any sort of concrete time limit beyond it's coming). And there is a whole mystery component surrounding not only that, but characters themselves as well. The romance aspect comes off as downright simple in comparison, and that also makes for a decent balancing off the scales that gives even the more regular simpleton romance elements more flavor.

But in any case:

Question mark faces ftw!

And Chastille

is just adorkable.

Also this is such a mood, aside from the question marks:

An Archdemon's (Friend's) Dilemma: How to Babysit a Crybaby Knight ch1-5: This guy's dense, an airhead and a tsundere. Also, he's already very much done for. The spin-off is also having a fine amount of good faces, but beyond that I still find it a bit lacking. In part because the side characters aren't as engaging and the two MCs don't exactly have as much freedom for development due to constraints in the main plot (where still nothing much as happened). And kinda, it lacks a proper plot of its own to draw you in.

But it also has Lady Good Faces. And maybe it needs not be more. (It just makes me not so sure about its re-read value.)

"Erm, I'm... not here to listen to your lovey-dovey talk, am I?"

Domestic na Kanojo v9-11: I still do not know what I am reading, beyond that it is definitely a series about a bunch of idiots.

Reactions per volume as they were being read:

Volume 9: Somebody please isekai them to a place where bigamy is legal already…

While at Volume 10: This author really seems to have a thing for lingerie… The ecchi situations are a bit much atm, I'm stuck with this book for 3 days already :NotLikeThis:

As in the sense of them being extraordinarily dumb and feeling artificial. Like if Rui goes to undress herself while telling the guy to not look and then withdraws without him ever knowing that's kinda fine, it's clearly for the reader, but it's still making sense in character.

But like the whole thing around Rui's father's new daughter-in-law with the tripping and everything is just =_=

(Also the hell you go to shower yourself without preparing towels and change of cloth, or if you were dumb enough to forget, then just tell them to leave the room and get it yourself, instead of screaming kyaaa and hitting the other for being a pervert, draahhhh)

Across v11: [An assortment of screaming idiot at just about any of them one after another]

Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte (Manga) ch1, ch6, ch10, ch14, ch18, v5ch23-26: Good Faces and lots of tsundere tsun tsun, and I'll probably complete reading this (will it drop in a catchup maybe?), but I worry about its re-read value or general amount of being memorable. Considering how I could jump all those gaps and not feel too much like I missed out on a lot of plot, so there is that…

I still laughed at this.

Everyday Escape v1-4: It has nice covers. The art is decent and pretty at places. Its content for me, however, is kinda for the garbage trash bin. (Right, you can't get the feels of winter in summer, so turn the air conditioning on to freeze, and then turn on a heater, because it's too cold? Excuse me?) Also, I feel like I picked it up thinking it was GL, but if anything it's just GL-bait.

Fragtime v1-2: I didn't know anything about it beyond the Anime movie key illustration used as the Blu-ray cover, so kinda read into this blindly. From the manga covers I did not expect anything too great, but it was to a surprising level kinda garbage yet again. (What up witht eh GL grabs this month being bad ones?) Peeking panties in any case was not something I expected…

Girl Crush ch85-87: Tenka is great, but now there are even more clear signs of a budding potential romance and between her and that guy, that may get to be a male lead or not, there's now a very interesting dynamic: She's kinda tsundere to him and only him and part of it is she can't help it because his character's obnoxiousness just provokes it and in part because he's a total tsundere himself hiding behind arrogance (which has substance to it, as he is capable however) and she just does him the favor to be just like that in turn. He clearly enjoys it. And to her, it in a way widens her horizon as well as being silly like that just puts away the tension she tends to build up herself. This is a pretty interesting dynamic.

Is Love the Answer? ch1: Read the German sample as it came out, which is ch1. It's still good and authentic, but also just makes my face muscles go rather grumpy.

Isekai de Ane ni Namae wo Ubawaremashita ch18.2-4: These two totally are going openly dorks from now on, now that the cat is out of the sack.

Loop 7-kaime no Akuyaku Reijou wa, Moto Tekikoku de Jiyuu Kimama na Hanayome Seikatsu wo Mankitsusuru ch32: Pouts. Pouty Pouts!!

My Unexpected Marriage ch10.3-14: This… could have been so much more interesting. It had all the good ingredients, but in the end it just served up a decent, but nevertheless rather standard narrative dish, tho I am not particularly surprised, as it seemed more simple from the get-go. The court intrigue was still decently wrapped up, although it does feel a little bit anticlimactic. (And to have a fortune-teller have actual supernatural abilities was rather unneeded, especially as he was kinda painted and implied as a gross pedophile at first.) The entire supernatural bit at the end was kinda weird, but oh well.

To have a tsundere mother-in-law was definitely a kinda very interesting dynamic and the thing I'll probably remember from it most.

Nagiko no Hanashi (re-read): It's still just great, but this time I realized, having read Archdemon right before it: It also has the sort of good cute question mark faces! Apparently that latent preference has been there since forever, I just didn't notice??

Sonna Kazoku nara Sutechaeba? ch68sample, ch69sample, ch70sample, ch70-71: Ok, me messing up the time limited free reading deadlines yeet again and the gaps are not going it any good, but it's rather interesting where this has gone. The initial hook and premise is solved, for the time being at least, but the arc that is now ongoing is kinda dark in its own different way. I unfortunately missed the chapters where the new teacher characters explained themselves, but it really now has a plot surrounding someone nonbinary who has a few issues about that, while there's also somebody else with some entirely different issues herself, will be interesting where this is going.

Suicide Notes Laid on the Table ch35.2-50: finished. The ending twist reminds me a bit of Be My Slave in its mood, it has a sense of something quietly sinister but at the same time still being really human in its own way on the character, who turns out to be quite different from what was painted and then overturned twice.

The lesson it comes out with is still a nice thing, while also not and somehow it leaves me with a similar feeling Piece ~Kanojo no Kioku~ left me as well: That inconspicuous character has kinda ruined somebody else's life with their lack of care and manipulations, but also it was the ruined persons own choice as well to a good extent, and to a considerable number of people the learnings coming from the incident probably may stick and improve their life, although, you definitely can't do anything about human nature in itself either. And that's also interesting to just observe.

With the Light v1: The English omnibus vols are definitely bricks. I had read v1 in JP before, and it has been on the back of my mind from time to time, but I can see that this series will take a while to read. While it's informative and interesting in a learning something you maybe didn't know already way, it's also kinda just so very unpleasant to read, too. So far, at least.

How to Survive as a Villain Novel ch137-235: How to just shy away of reading the last chapter, because you don't want it to end, but then also you've long since read it anyway, because while reading you read out of order. So technically I had finished it already at ch223. In any case, everything I blurbed about it last month still holds. Xiao YuAn really is about as aroace as you can be at the beginning and even after he notices how important Yan HeQing is to him, he's just approaching the things is more directed by his rather misguided ideas of being that tyrannical president (that he never wanted to be, that is against his nature, but he still is proficient enough to be… until Yan HeQin who naturally is the real thing takes over). Like, aside from suggesting they could just have sex for him to "find out", he's also talking about it like "And then we do the things we should be doing". Should be doing? And there is this bit in the fan translation that has him consider him "attractive", but the Chinese word is more like dazzling. And it still just feels all too aesthetic whenever he looks at him and has his eyes stolen, because he's just, well, so dazzling. And then he also seems to jump at doing things spicy for reasons like, he knows Yan HeQing is weak to his seductions, so it seemed like a go to way for him for distracting from the thing at hand or a means of reconciliation, or later it sounds more like it's just become a habitual activity, and he feels "nostalgic" about it, and then maybe because he doesn't have this hunger and appetite he goes and does all the strange ideas he has about it and a playful way. It just comes off very different to Yan HeQing who really is very horny, knows it and therefore keeps trying to restrain himself. What, in the end, I find most interesting: it works out regardless. So at the end of the day: Same difference. And the series makes a good case just how much it complements each other's flaws or gives them what they need most in their life, even if some other aspects they may have liked as well may fall short of it. The novel also has none of the things I felt like were lacking when I finished the webtoon. I still find myself wanting more of it, the characters and the world, even as the main plot is over. And if the extra bonus stories prove, the characters alone are engaging even without an overarching big main story plot hanging around.

Also in terms of Isekai: I find is very pleasant that the narrative never flaunts Xiao YuAn's modern life knowledge as cheat skills. Something that gets frequently used to drive the plots forward in the genre otherwise. The extras do shortly reveal that he makes use of them, like suggesting the imperial exam system ancient has had, but other than that, the only modern knowledge ever gets to be shown is his first aid for saving Xiao Fengyue. Usually it's just his songs and weird words nobody understands that make him a oddball for the rest, but as for the narrative, trying to blend in bits of modern civilization does not drive it whatsoever, but character relationships and politics.

Speaking of him singing, the amount of poetry and idioms or also contemporal slang and tropes just needs another mention. I really do like how every single emotionally tangent thing is expressed in classic literature quotes. You have trouble to express things in your own words? Maybe just let the masters of old do it for you. It's not a new thing, is it? (And they still talk and act on their own, too.) Xiao YuAn's self realization and the nature of his love and how it was just there, there never was a start proper, but simply has sunk into his bones to notice some when just seems even more plausible with there not being any sort of Love at First sight for him, or any of the overtly deep infatuation and cravings that otherwise usually get sung and talked about over and over.

I am also quite interested how this will be translated officially:

Also, I finally found all the footnotes together, well, bar one, which I know on my own I think. (The Internet Archive ftw. Why didn't I think about this from the beginning?)

Anyway, Rosmei's official Singapore English one is coming next month or so, will be fun to have another re-read.

To be or not be/How to Survive as a Villain Webtoon ch95-101: Uh, well, this is a case of you read something liked it quite well enough, then read another version, and then it just falls from your graces a bit… And one of the scenes I found hilarious (the bit about Zhang Changson caughing because he knows they were doing the spicy stuff last night), suddenly makes no sense whatsoever. Yan HeQing wouldn't have done that and then even go to overtly humiliate him by spanking his butt, or like running away from him, leaving him alone all night while knowing he can't sleep without the breathing sounds. And them having done it already before he came back in his new body being all like he wants to sleep with him, also comes off considerably more different. (Like one is, he just comes off as irresponsibly unreasonably horny. While the other is he'd otherwise he'd regret it, especially if he considers it something that he should be doing. And then he's using the entire speech to mentally torment the guards and just generally he as a habit of elevating his anxiety of talking distracting nonsense.) Or like he realized his feelings, because he couldn't imagine Yan HeQing being with a woman? Oh come on, after all the shipping attempts and thinking it to be the natural state of things for him to have his harem? Mere jealousy as a realization trigger makes no sense at all here and more than that it really comes off as trite compared to how he realized it only in the cave in a life and death situation and the prospect of maybe loosing him for good and really really not wanting it.

It's still good when it's good tho, some other bits were just cut in a too bad way and I reaaaaalllly would have preferred the other extras over the AU arc, but oh well. The first third is still good and on the whole also what got me to the novel and that one has opened some gates to getting interested in Chinese stuff generally, something that has lingered in the back of my mind behind a bit of a blockade, so just that alone is a pretty enormous thing.

The Goddess of Healing ch80-92: The two MCs are just such nice fluffy dorks.

The Silent Concubine ch1-32: I saw this on the Monogatari Novels webpage (the publisher that licensed up How to Survive a Villain's webtoon for English release, but still has yet to release anything in English.) Then I noticed it's also up on Comikey, to trying it out it be. Uuuuh. So the premise is kinda the same as The Male Bride (aka Lala no Kekkon), but unlike The Male Bride which has ostensibly the MC make his own choices only to then get drugged, sexually assaulted, kinda confined only to then reveal his agency was fake, because he was being all kinda manipulated in it, while the other guy ostensibly is also a good guy at heart, just the other one is way to seductive to him so he's frequently out of his mind (i.e. your usual questionable BL tropes), this one……….. has all that, but it doesn't even try to put things in a better light. Things are happening to MC Shen Yu, because he's mute and thus disabled, because he's poor and at the mercy of those in power. He never had a real choice in the matter. And so his being all subservient is a literal matter of survival rather than just the trope. Even his winding up going all happy and romanticizing both the guy and his circumstances seems more like Stockholm Syndrome proper and desperately trying to find the silver lining in the hell he's stuck in, and it's delusive, and the plot never even tries to paint it differently.

And the other guy is a cruel, controlling, violent man and he stays it. He just finds out, that if he stays as cruel, his gonna break his latest concubine whom he finds himself drawn to, so he goes and does a few uncharacteristic nice things to keep him safe or humor him, but quickly enough the narrative makes it very clear: He did that with expectations. Nothing about it changes his fundamental nature. Of him looking down on everyone else, of him thinking that MC being subservient is what is to be expected. Ultimately, the romanticized dream pops as exactly that, just a dream. And Shen Yu actually goes to set out finding real agency using everything he can use, despite his handicaps. Which makes things interesting, because the plot is a power struggle between the Male Lead and the emperor, but at the same time it's also a power struggle between him and MC Shen Yu and also an internal conflict inside the latter, because of lingering attachment to the man that doesn't exactly do him good, but still gave him a few things he needed and wanted most in his life for the first time (and still isn't really getting from anyone). At the beginning I thought this was going to go terrible things happen, but the oh so holy grail of love is gonna reform the heinously cruel Male Lead and then everything's good afterward despite all the terror inflicted in the beginning. It put that one on its head, at least so far. It's quite an interesting read, but it's also rather very toxic in all the ways that be.

But then it also wrecks pouts like these:

Which looks almost like an entirely different series. Well, I suppose it's a scene from the middle of the delusive dream era.

Artwise it's solid, but it does seem to take 'shortcuts' by using real life images thrown through some filter and sometimes not even that, which at times feels a bit weird, because those and the drawings themselves don't always blend too well.

[deception-united]

Let's talk about killing off characters.

Killing off characters is a dramatic device often used to advance the plot, create tension, or evoke emotional responses from readers or viewers. We love doing it. The initial shock, the mourning after. The effects of it on the other characters. It's fun.

Nevertheless, you can still achieve the desired impact on your plot and characters without necessarily resorting to fictional murder.

Here are some alternatives to drive the plot forward:

Character Transformation: Instead of killing off a character, you can have them undergo significant personal growth or change. This could involve overcoming challenges, facing moral dilemmas, or undergoing a shift in beliefs or values. Their transformation can still drive the plot forward and impact other characters. (I especially love it when the transformation is negative—like when a traumatic experience of some sort completely strips a character of their soul. But that's a sentiment for another day.)

Betrayal or Conflict: Introduce betrayal or conflict between characters that challenges relationships and creates tension. This can lead to significant plot developments and character arcs without resorting to death. And it can be cause for quite a lot of angst.

Separation or Estrangement: Have characters physically or emotionally separated from each other, causing tension and driving the plot forward as they strive to reconnect or deal with the consequences of their estrangement.

Sacrifice without Death: Characters can make significant sacrifices that don't necessarily involve their death. This could be sacrificing personal goals, relationships, or values for the greater good or to achieve a specific objective.

Injury or Disability: Instead of killing off a character, you can incapacitate them through injury or disability. This will create challenges for the character and those around them, leading to character development and plot progression as they're forced to adapt to their new circumstances.

Redemption Arcs: Characters who have committed wrongdoings can undergo redemption arcs where they seek forgiveness, make amends, or strive to become better individuals. This can drive the plot forward while also adding depth to the character. Keep in mind that this may not be a suitable alternative to death for some characters—for instance, the protagonist forgiving their abusive parent despite all they were forced to go through may evoke a sense of indignation rather than admiration for their supposed selflessness.

Revelations or Secrets: Introduce revelations or uncover secrets that have significant impacts on characters and their relationships. This can lead to conflict, tension, and plot twists without the need for death.

Forced Alliances or Unexpected Partnerships: Characters can be forced into alliances or partnerships with unlikely allies, leading to interesting dynamics and plot developments as they navigate these new relationships.

Loss of Power or Status: Characters can experience a loss of power, status, or reputation, which can drive the plot forward as they strive to regain what they've lost, seek revenge on those responsible, or adapt to their new circumstances.

Time Constraints or Pressure: Introduce time constraints or pressure situations that force characters to act quickly and make difficult, split-second decisions that may end up being quite regrettable later on. This can raise conflicts of who's to blame, or what should have been done.

I feel like I strayed off a little, but there you have it. Hope this was helpful! ❤

Previous | Next

[flwrstqr]

[박성훈] ✧ ₊ BAD IDEA RIGHT? P.SH x F!READER

SEEING YOU TONIGHT 𓏲࣪ after your breakup with sunghoon, you write a heartfelt song that goes viral. unexpectedly, sunghoon accidentally posts a video with your song, captioning it "relatable song?". an unexpected opportunity to get back together. " yes, i know that he's my ex, but can't two people reconnect?"

✶ PAiRiNG 🎀 idol!sunghoon x pop singer fem!reader

FEATURiNG〻 an yujin, naoi rei (ive), lee heeseung, park jongseong, sim jaeyun, kim sunoo, yang jungwon, nishimura riki (enhypen), sakai moka (illit), song yuqi (gidle)

WARNiNG ─ cursing, kms/kys jokes, cho miyeon as yn faceclaim, more tba . . .

GENRE ♡ social media au, humor, fluff, angst, written parts, exes to lovers

⭐️ NOTE ִ ۫ ּ ﹗ hii guys!! i'm back with another smau, my last smau was officially canceled due to personal reasons. probably lack of motivation and everything, so im so sorry about that 😓 so excited to post this smau !!

⏤ ✧ MEET THE CAST !!

(📁) girls only club !!! featuring . . . yn ln, an yujin, naoi rei, sakai moka, song yuqi

(🌙) sunghoon out featuring . . . park sunghoon, yang jungwon, lee heeseung, park jongseong, sim jaeyun, kim sunoo, nishimura riki

TRACKLIST

001. banger of the year or what | smau 002. relatable song?| smau 003. tba . . .

TAGLIST 1 (CLOSED) @bescitos @dollyhoons @mioons @kgyam4 @whateverhoon @gyurtl @mumeimei @soobinbunnie5 @rairaiblog @d-dilemma @luvj4key  @herebyaccident0 @cyjzzl @illvding @dioll @clampclover @hoonics @engeneeee-168 @daniellesyellowhands @txtlyn @wanderers-archive @ottokenta @aespaslut @thenastone @firstclassjaylee @wonsdoll @rik1muranishi @tlnyjoong @jakesoneandonly @mirrorbvllhoon @jiawji @en-verse @idkwhyimheresworld @moon0fthenight @icewons @neos127 @microwavedstrawberr1es @i03jae @lunaryoongie @onlyhyunjin @yizhoutv @sol3chu @jungwo-nnie @yoyotea @yourssincerely-mimi @tnazips @doublebunv @tocupid @jiyeons-closet @woorcve

TAGLIST 2 (OPEN): @roryirl @soobeboobe @luvqiris @tzyunaes @losraire @sophi-ee @onlyhyunjin @riksaes @realrintaro @heeheesang @woorcve

[golden-cherry]

deal - cl16 (39/?)

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x Reader

Series Summary: Your whole life has gone to shit. Your boyfriend broke up with you, you just lost your job and the Monegasque, who suddenly stands in your doorway, claims that it’s his apartment.

Chapter Summary: Addicted is the only word to describe Charles.

Warnings: 18+ (mentions of sex, male masturbation, cunniligus, breeding kink and choking (if you squint)), angst and fluff

Word Count: 3.8k

series masterlist

previous part

A/N: tbh, I'd be on my knees for this Charles in a heartbeat. feedback is appreciated!

Your fingertips on Charles' naked thigh make his brain short-circuit. 

Your unexpected, gentle touch shoots like lightning through his skin like lightning and then through his veins until the heat spreads throughout his body and his muscles are on fire. His heart is beating so hard that he fears it will break his bones and jump out of his chest. He can hear the blood pounding in his ears, goosebumps are spreading across his skin – but when he looks at you, he can no longer think clearly.

He never would have expected you to be so close again. He could never have dreamt of it.

After the night before yesterday, he no longer believed that he would be able to feel your touch again.

The memory of you fleeing from the bed is as deeply ingrained in his thoughts as your touch and your expression when you came on his thigh. 

He had to hold back the whole evening the day before. To be honest, he had struggled with himself and forced himself to behave normally, even though all he could think about was you sitting on his lap and him rubbing you over his bulge until his damn phone rang. And even though he jerked off in the shower after his workout, it definitely wasn't enough to satisfy his craving for you. His hand is not you – and by God, he's addicted to your touch.

When you touched his hand in the car on the way to dinner with his family and played with his fingers as if it were the most natural thing in the world, it had taken him an incredible amount of strength and willpower to keep the car in the lane and not to pull over to the nearest lay-by or parking lot and rearrange your guts. 

He is extremely embarrassed by how much like a horny teenager he acts as soon as you are around. 

Since you first shared a bed and you unconsciously pressed against him in your sleep, he can no longer get the feeling of your body against his out of his head. The way you snuggled up against him, how your curves perfectly matched his. And you still had your pajamas on then. 

He feels very ashamed of how good you felt when you lay in his arms and cried. How soft your skin was on his, how warm you were – how perfect. He would have liked to give himself a slap or two because your dilemma had been so profitable for him personally. That he could hold you and protect you. That he could feel you. 

And your touch hasn't stopped since. Your fingertips on his bare shoulder, your palm on his stubbled cheek when he told you he was jealous of Lando and your friendship, even though that was never entirely true, of course. Your legs between his, your hand on his chest and your lips on his neck as you poured your hearts out at dawn and purple skies. 

But even though he is addicted to your closeness and the feeling you evoke in him like a drug addict, it's not as if he actively or consciously sought your touch. Like two magnets, you hadn't been able to separate after the night, whether it was at breakfast or when you were in his embrace when he told you how good your touch felt and that you shouldn't stop. 

And as if his prayers had been answered – you definitely hadn't stopped. You had intertwined your fingers, felt his heartbeat under your hand. And for a moment he had enjoyed it and let himself be carried away. 

His hands on your hips, his palms on your cheeks and his nose on yours. None of his touches had been conscious, but the result of his desire, which he suppressed so as not to jeopardize your friendship. How can a simple touch make his cock so painfully hard that he has to arrange his erection in his pants so that it is not visible to everyone?

He can't even imagine what would have happened if Pierre and Kika hadn't entered your apartment without getting a raging boner.

It would definitely be smarter if he at least made a reasonable effort to stay away from you a little and not look for your touch every second. But even when you were sitting in the car with Kika and Pierre, he had longed for you. And it had taken about three turns in Pierre's SUV before he had reached out for you and wrapped his long fingers around a calf. Thank heavens you even held out your leg so that he could grab it better. 

From that moment on, he became more shameless around you, even though he cringed inwardly every time. For example, when you were standing in front of the bed in the furniture store and he whispered to you that you should lie down on the bed so that he could see what you looked like in it before he bought it. And that he insists that you continue to share the bed. Of course, only under the pretext that you can sleep better if you fall asleep snuggled up together.

He didn't hesitate for a moment to lift you off the couch and onto Jori's terrace, only to lie down on it himself so that he could then pull you onto him with your full weight. He had seen the insecurity in your face, the way you shifted from one foot to the other, but he had also seen a sparkle in your eyes – desire perhaps? – and nothing in this world could have stopped him from feeling your weight on him. 

You felt perfect on top of him when he wrapped his arms around you and pressed you against him so hard that there was a chance you might leave an imprint of your head on his chest if you ever got up again. His lips found their place on the crown of your head and his hand found your bare skin under your shirt as you snuggled up to him and giggled that he was very comfortable despite his muscles. 

What went through his mind when he offered you that he could lie on top of you, he doesn't know himself. But something about being able to burn all the things that have caused him so much pain in the last few weeks had made him brave and maybe a little crazy. His hand in your hair, the other under your sweater on your spine. His lips on your nose and forehead. 

Then let's stay here. On this couch. It's not as comfortable as our bed, but at least I'll have you lying on top of me.

Charles fears he is losing his mind. 

He lost his mind when he asked you if you would snuggle with him and his heart skipped a beat when you assured him that friends can snuggle too. When he put your leg over his hip. When you pressed your face against his neck and inhaled his scent. He had to move your leg down onto his legs, otherwise you would have felt his hard-on. And all because you touched his neck. 

He didn't even know how sensitive his muscular neck was until you brushed your lips over the soft skin there. And as if there was a switch in his body, blood shoots to his cock every time you come anywhere near his neck. As if his body were programmed to react to your gentle touch. Just as his heart reacts to your closeness. 

He couldn't wait to introduce you to his family. The fact that his maman had already taken you into her heart had only encouraged him more to keep you close to him – in whatever way. Be it as a friend, as it was unspokenly agreed, or as more – as his family now saw you. 

Another crucial point that made him more bold. Because if you didn't want to address the matter and clarify it, then surely you have no problem with him leaning far out of the window and demanding your closeness? 

Are you a good girl, mon amour? 

He is so happy that you get along so well with his family and that they have apparently adopted you outright. The way they have taken you into their midst – even if it meant that he had to sit on that damn stool all evening. But every time he looked at your beaming face, it was worth the back pain. 

He would do anything to see you happy. And he definitely wasn't lying when he told his mom that you're “the absolute best thing that could have happened to him.” 

He has never felt so good or so loved by anyone else, even if you only consider him your best friend. This is a fact that he tries to ignore, but it is repeatedly brought to his attention whether he likes it or not. 

Every time he looks at you, he hears Joris voice in his head, whispering best friend to him, along with the question of whether he loves you, which he has left unanswered. He can't answer the question, he doesn't want to answer the question, because if he were to answer it in the affirmative, then – then – 

Your hands on his naked back, your ass on the back of his thighs, your palms on his chest. 

If you only see him as your best friend, how come you looked so indescribably divine when you came on his leg? Why do you assure him that nothing changes when he touches you intimately, when his whole world is shaken by the way you cling to him and moan when he runs his tongue along your neck?

He would have liked to throw you on your back and rip your shirt open to get to your naked skin faster. He would have sucked, licked, bitten, if you had let him. He would have pushed his face between your thighs and tasted you on his tongue until you came for him several times, burying your hands in his dark hair and moaning his name. 

But you weren't ready yet. And he definitely wasn't going to risk everything. 

Look at me, mon amour. Look at me when you come for me. 

Even if he suffered a severe concussion in the next race, he would never be able to forget the look on your face. What his hand looked like on your throat. How your ass felt in his hand. 

How you left the bed because you felt uncomfortable because of him. 

He doesn't know where it all went wrong. One moment you were moaning his name, his fingertips had felt the curve of your boobs and you had snuggled up to him – and then you were gone, unreachable and distant. He didn't buy the excuse that you weren't tired for a second. But why would you leave him?

Had he crossed a line? Did you feel pushed when he rocked you back and forth on his thigh to make you feel pleasure? What happened in the few minutes you were lying in bed cuddling that you found his closeness so unbearable that you had to flee the bed?

Was he too forward? Too – too non-platonic, that he frightened you with his behavior? Did you feel so uncomfortable about his touch, his comments, that you saw no other way out than to create an insurmountable physical distance that unconsciously shattered his heart?

He had sworn to himself that he would do everything to maintain this friendship. And if that meant giving you this space, not touching you anymore, not calling you mon amour, then he would do so without hesitation, even if it hurt him more than he would ever admit. 

Calling you mon ami felt strange and forced. Your cheek burned on his palm as he touched you one last time. A selfish move he couldn't suppress, that he had to claim for himself before moving away from you so that you wouldn't give up on this friendship. 

The night on the couch had been hell – and not just because the cushion was uncomfortable. Charles had barely been able to get any sleep because his thoughts revolved only around you, the look in your eyes and the tears that had rolled down your cheeks.

He would keep his distance, as little as possible and as much as necessary, so that you would continue to tolerate him around you. He would do anything to save this friendship, even if it meant swallowing his feelings. 

He didn't know what was happening to him when you brought him breakfast the next morning. Apparently, the night on the couch had been the right direction, the first right step to keep you around, which is why he invited you to his boat as a makeshift solution – under the pretext of having to take photos for his Instagram profile – but had forwarded the tickets he had booked for the two of you to Pierre so that they would at least not expire. 

There would be time to visit Paris during Christmas. Hopefully. 

The day on the boat went much better than he had imagined. Although he held back and didn't touch you under any circumstances, you had been as close emotionally as friends could be, which was certainly due in part to the alcohol. Or maybe it was his honesty when he called to you over the roar of the ocean that he was afraid that things between you would never be the same again. That he would lose you. 

And you looked so beautiful lying next to him on the sun bed. So carefree, as if nothing had ever happened between you. As if you had never been anything but friends. And when you assured him that you would like to work with him, he would have liked to kiss you until there was no air left in his lungs. 

You would work with him. Spend time with him – voluntarily. You would travel the world with him, see the most beautiful places and get to know different cultures – with him. And maybe, just maybe, you would fall in love with him at some point during your journey together, give yourself to him, just like you did once before.

An imagination he clung to as he touched himself in the shower a short time later. How your lips would feel on his. Your mouth on his cock, your tongue on the soft underside of his dick. 

He imagined you lying on the bed in front of him – his new bed – face down, ass up, while he slowly and deeply pushed into you, knocking you over the edge. How your skin would feel, naked and warm as he filled you up with his load, how it would run sticky and hot down your thighs, only for him to catch it with the tip of his tongue and lap it up and stuff it back inside you until you were crying with pleasure and overstimulation. 

He sincerely hopes that the walls of the boat were thick enough. 

What he had hoped for, but couldn't have imagined, was the moment when you smiled at him the next morning. After he had confessed to you, without thinking about what boundaries he would cross or what ocean he would cross, that he couldn't be without you anymore – and you had replied that you couldn't live without him either. 

Another step in the right direction. 

Another step when his mother told you that she had prepared your bed – singular – for you – and you didn't instinctively refuse to share the room with him. You could have gone home, you could have asked Charles to sleep on the couch or to get another room. 

But even when he looked at you and promised you that he would do everything in his power to fix this friendship and to keep you from turning away from him completely, you didn't push him away. He had laid his heart open to you as much as he could without having to answer in the affirmative to that lingering question. 

You are the first thing he thinks about in the morning. You are the person he looks forward to seeing most when he comes home. 

And even when he revealed to you that he couldn't stop thinking about how you feel, you didn't back down. When he confessed to you that you may be his best friend, but you're also so much more and that he craves you. 

You didn't leave. 

Quite the opposite. 

The thought that he carried around with him for a whole day, that you feel uncomfortable around him, that the distance between you is the right thing, is swept away with just one touch. Erased. Non-existent. 

He wants to kiss you, feel your skin against his, claim you for himself. But all he can do is stare at your hand lying on his. He doesn't even feel the tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. All he feels is your hand on his. 

He can't answer the question Joris asked him with words, without risking losing his heart to you forever, but the Monegasque can squeeze your hand. Twice. 

Your fingertips on Charles' thigh make his brain short-circuit, as your hand squeezes his. 

Twice.

[luna-azzurra]

Strategies for creating conflicts between the protagonist and the antagonist that drive the story forward.

Creating conflicts between the protagonist and the antagonist is vital for driving the story forward and engaging readers. Here are some strategies to help you craft compelling conflicts:

1. Goals and Motivations: Establish clear and conflicting goals and motivations for both the protagonist and antagonist. Make sure their objectives are mutually exclusive or directly opposed to each other, creating inherent conflict.

2. Personal Stakes: Make the conflict personal for both the protagonist and antagonist. Connect their goals to their personal desires, values, or relationships. When something deeply important is at stake, the conflict becomes more intense and emotionally charged.

3. Ideological Differences: Explore ideological differences between the protagonist and antagonist. Present opposing beliefs, philosophies, or worldviews that clash throughout the story. This can lead to profound debates and arguments, driving the conflict forward.

4. Obstacles and Challenges: Introduce obstacles and challenges that stand in the way of both the protagonist and antagonist achieving their goals. These obstacles can be physical, emotional, or psychological, forcing them to confront each other in a series of conflicts.

5. Strategies and Tactics: Allow the protagonist and antagonist to employ different strategies and tactics in pursuit of their goals. Show how their contrasting approaches intensify the conflict and force them to outwit each other.

6. Reversals and Setbacks: Incorporate reversals and setbacks for both the protagonist and antagonist. Just when one gains an advantage, have the other seize an unexpected opportunity or achieve a significant breakthrough. This keeps the conflict dynamic and unpredictable.

7. Emotional Confrontations: Create moments of emotional confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist. Explore their personal histories, traumas, or vulnerabilities, and bring them to the surface during pivotal confrontations. This adds depth to the conflict and raises the emotional stakes.

8. Physical Confrontations: Include intense physical confrontations between the protagonist and antagonist. These can be action sequences, battles, or confrontations that test their strength, skills, and determination. Use these moments to escalate the conflict and heighten tension.

9. Psychological Warfare: Incorporate psychological warfare between the protagonist and antagonist. Show how they manipulate, deceive, or psychologically torment each other to gain the upper hand. This adds layers to the conflict and tests their mental fortitude.

10. Moral Dilemmas: Present moral dilemmas that force the protagonist to make difficult choices and challenge their values. Allow the antagonist to exploit these dilemmas, further fueling the conflict and testing the protagonist's resolve.

[misspygmypie]

Masterlist

ONE SHOTS

Saturday Morning Dilemma

Gourmet Disaster Cookies

The Golden Box

We're A Team, On And Off The Track

What's That Brush For?

Witnessing A Dream Come True

Ginge with Lando & His Overly Affectionate Girlfriend

Spring Rolls For Lando

The VIP Girl

Age Difference

SERIES

Meet & Greet... and more? (Finished)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

One Shots within the universe

You're Not My Real Dad

Unexpected Return

Best Uncle Competition

His Little Hero

The Promise

Park Panic To Crawling Crisis

Beyond Biology

Baby Duties

A Tiny Tifosi?

Neighbor Wars: Lando vs. Jake

Playtime With Maebry - Or Not

A One-ce Upon A Time Celebration

Can We Get Mom?

The Anniversary

The Ex

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Creating Compelling Character Arcs: A Guide for Fiction Writers

As writers, one of our most important jobs is to craft characters that feel fully realized and three-dimensional. Great characters aren't just names on a page — they're complex beings with arcs that take them on profound journeys of change and growth. A compelling character arc can make the difference between a forgettable story and one that sticks with readers long after they've turned the final page.

Today, I'm going to walk you through the art of crafting character arcs that are as rich and multi-layered as the people you encounter in real life. Whether you're a first-time novelist or a seasoned storyteller, this guide will give you the tools to create character journeys that are equal parts meaningful and unforgettable.

What Is a Character Arc?

Before we go any further, let's make sure we're all on the same page about what a character arc actually is. In the most basic sense, a character arc refers to the internal journey a character undergoes over the course of a story. It's the path they travel, the obstacles they face, and the ways in which their beliefs, mindsets, and core selves evolve through the events of the narrative.

A character arc isn't just about what happens to a character on the outside. Sure, external conflict and plot developments play a major role — but the real meat of a character arc lies in how those external forces shape the character's internal landscape. Do their ideals get shattered? Is their worldview permanently altered? Do they have to confront harsh truths about themselves in order to grow?

The most resonant character arcs dig deep into these universal human experiences of struggle, self-discovery, and change. They mirror the journeys we all go through in our own lives, making characters feel powerfully relatable even in the most imaginative settings.

The Anatomy of an Effective Character Arc

Now that we understand what character arcs are, how do we actually construct one that feels authentic and impactful? Let's break down the key components:

The Inciting Incident

Every great character arc begins with a spark — something that disrupts the status quo of the character's life and sets them on an unexpected path. This inciting incident can take countless forms, be it the death of a loved one, a sudden loss of power or status, an epic betrayal, or a long-held dream finally becoming attainable.

Whatever shape it takes, the inciting incident needs to really shake the character's foundations and push them in a direction they wouldn't have gone otherwise. It opens up new struggles, questions, and internal conflicts that they'll have to grapple with over the course of the story.

Lies They Believe

Tied closely to the inciting incident are the core lies or limiting beliefs that have been holding your character back. Perhaps they've internalized society's body image expectations and believe they're unlovable. Maybe they grew up in poverty and are convinced that they'll never be able to escape that cyclical struggle.

Whatever these lies are, they'll inform how your character reacts and responds to the inciting incident. Their ingrained perceptions about themselves and the world will directly color their choices and emotional journeys — and the more visceral and specific these lies feel, the more compelling opportunities for growth your character will have.

The Struggle

With the stage set by the inciting incident and their deeply-held lies exposed, your character will then have to navigate a profound inner struggle that stems from this setup. This is where the real meat of the character arc takes place as they encounter obstacles, crises of faith, moral dilemmas, and other pivotal moments that start to reshape their core sense of self.

Importantly, this struggle shouldn't be a straight line from Point A to Point B. Just like in real life, people tend to take a messy, non-linear path when it comes to overcoming their limiting mindsets. They'll make progress, backslide into old habits, gain new awareness, then repeat the cycle. Mirroring this meandering but ever-deepening evolution is what makes a character arc feel authentic and relatable.

Moments of Truth

As your character wrestles with their internal demons and existential questions, you'll want to include potent Moments of Truth that shake them to their core. These are the climactic instances where they're forced to finally confront the lies they believe head-on. It could be a painful conversation that shatters their perception of someone they trusted. Or perhaps they realize the fatal flaw in their own logic after hitting a point of no return.

These Moments of Truth pack a visceral punch that catalyzes profound realizations within your character. They're the litmus tests where your protagonist either rises to the occasion and starts radically changing their mindset — or they fail, downing further into delusion or avoiding the insights they need to undergo a full transformation.

The Resolution

After enduring the long, tangled journey of their character arc, your protagonist will ideally arrive at a resolution that feels deeply cathartic and well-earned. This is where all of their struggle pays off and we see them evolve into a fundamentally different version of themselves, leaving their old limiting beliefs behind.

A successfully crafted resolution in a character arc shouldn't just arrive out of nowhere — it should feel completely organic based on everything they've experienced over the course of their thematic journey. We should be able to look back and see how all of the challenges they surmounted ultimately reshaped their perspective and led them to this new awakening. And while not every character needs to find total fulfillment, for an arc to feel truly complete, there needs to be a definitive sense that their internal struggle has reached a meaningful culmination.

Tips for Crafting Resonant Character Arcs

I know that was a lot of ground to cover, so let's recap a few key pointers to keep in mind as you start mapping out your own character's trajectories:

Get Specific With Backstory

To build a robust character arc, a deep understanding of your protagonist's backstory and psychology is indispensable. What childhood wounds do they carry? What belief systems were instilled in them from a young age? The more thoroughly you flesh out their history and inner workings, the more natural their arc will feel.

Strive For Nuance

One of the biggest pitfalls to avoid with character arcs is resorting to oversimplified clichés or unrealistic "redemption" stories. People are endlessly complex — your character's evolution should reflect that intricate messiness and nuance to feel grounded. Embrace moral grays, contradictions, and partial awakenings that upend expectations.

Make the External Match the Internal

While a character arc hinges on interior experiences, it's also crucial that the external plot events actively play a role in driving this inner journey. The inciting incident, the obstacles they face, the climactic Moments of Truth — all of these exterior occurrences should serve as narrative engines that force your character to continually reckon with themselves.

Dig Into Your Own Experiences

Finally, the best way to instill true authenticity into your character arcs is to draw deeply from the personal transformations you've gone through yourself. We all carry with us the scars, growth, and shattered illusions of our real-life arcs — use that raw honesty as fertile soil to birth characters whose journeys will resonate on a soulful level.

Happy Writing!

[whalesforhands]

the swimsuit dilemma

summary: you’re reminded that swimsuits are back in season after seeing a certain someone on gojo satoru’s lockscreen. (star plasma vessel era)

“Waka Inoue.”

You blink at his phone as it hovers in front of the you, the glowing screen of a gravure model in an all-too revealing bikini that left little to the imagination floating in front of you.

“Oh? Satoru, you changed it?” Suguru’s directly behind you, leaning over the back of the sofa and your seated self to get a good look, the scent of lavender incense with a hint of strawberry weighing heavy on your nose from his closeness.

“Yeah, yeah! Whaddya guys think?” The cellular device waves around lightly, a grin growing on the white-haired boy’s face as he watches your expression, eyes blank as you focus in on her.

“She looks nice, I suppose.” Not his type though. Geto’s response is curt, his eyes much more interested in watching your reaction, the slow tapping of his fingers against the plush material of the seat as they await your opinion.

Would you be jealous? Or would you be so adorably embarrassed, hiding your face away?

“Mmm…” Your eyes are slowly losing their focus as your brain churns, still fully fixated on the picture in front of you. “…do you guys think that style would suit me?”

(Now that’s one unexpected reaction.)

Two pairs of eyes nearly bulge out of their heads, a choke going unheard as your lax expression remains, a tapping of your finger against your chin as you tilted your head to the side in focused thought.

“Shoko mentioned that it was about time I bought a new swimsuit—“ You sigh. “But everything I’ve shown her ends with a rejection…” You slump onto the couch, slightly agitated with your precious Shoko’s resistance to your choices.

“Not cute enough.”

“Choose something else.”

“…are you serious?”

You’re sighing again at the memory of her dissatisfaction with you, at her crossed arms and furrowed brows, a small pout forming on your face as you let the thought simmer on. Inoue Waka must be a model of sorts, you gather. So her clothing must be acceptable by Shoko’s standards, right?

“Inoue-san looks fashionable… Are they expensive? How much allowance would one be…?” Your mumbling doesn’t go unheard as two jaws start to unhinge, red splashing all over their cheeks as you suddenly snapped out of your daze, a thought occurring to you, as a cute smile of realization on your face forms. “Oh, Satoru! Could you show me more—“

The phone is immediately slammed shut. “No.” A smile, no; something akin to an even brighter grin is upon the pretty face of your white-haired friend.

“Eh?” Your head tilts to meet dark, sunglasses clad eyes that rejected you all too soon. “…would it not suit me after all?” There’s an awkward scratching of your cheek as you let out a dry laugh to ease the odd tension in the air.

“No.” Gojo Satoru does not stutter. “It’d suit ya well.” A glimmer of his perfect teeth. “You’d wear it?” Excited blue eyes appear in your view as you simmer in more confusion.

“Well… Yeah. I suppose I would?” Your smile returns as you try to decipher his words.

(Did you just leave yourself open to more teasing…?)

“That’s cute.” A pat to your head that messes with your hair. “But you can’t wear it out,” His smile is too tensed, his face a little too close as he leans in, his breath nearly fanning your lips had you not shifted back slightly. “Okay?”

“Okay…?”

(Would it look bad on you after all? You’re sighing again as you see him pull away from you, a proud smirk upon his face.)

There’s a shadow cast over Suguru’s eyes when you confusedly lean back, looking up to face him when you feel his larger palm rest upon your shoulder.

“…why don’t you allow us to pick one for you? I’m sure Shoko wouldn’t disapprove of our choices.” His expression is quick to shift, to reveal an all too tense smile, teetering just between the line of mischief and his usual genteel, his chest against the back of your head as his arms settle on both sides of your head, his long fingers mindlessly playing with your hair as you feel Satoru’s head loll and rest on your shoulder in pure boredom.

Hmm… Maybe you should…?

(…or are you just feeling too comfortable right now that you’ll agree to anything they say?)

“We have finished packing our luggage.” Kuroi’s voice rings out as you hear the creaking of the door and the rolling of a few luggages. Her footsteps are quiet against the carpeted floor as your ears pick up on another set of feet tottering in, braided hair swaying as her uniform skirt flutters with her movement.

“We’re ready for the flight to Okinawa!”

(“Riko, please do not yell. We will disturb the neighbors.���

“Oh. Sorry, Kuroi…”)

——

“Hey.” Riko is leaning in towards you, whispered words and close proximity as you sat beside her on the plane. “What was that about swimsuits?” Her eyes gleam with a hunger to know, to get in on the action whilst her other escorts were far too busy intimidating the other passengers.

You giggle lightly in embarrassment, your cheeks feeling a little hot. “Oh— You heard?”

“Duh.” A smile of pure, unadulterated pride sits upon her smug face. “As the vessel who will become one with the almighty Tengen-sama, of course such matters do not escape my mighty ears!”

(She sounds kind of impudent, you’re not gonna lie.)

You’ll humor her. “Oh, it’s such a trivial matter, great vessel!~” You sing out your praises. “It was just—“ You take a pause for the dramatic effect as you see her cross her arms, nodding at your choice of dramatics.

“Letting them pick my swimsuit for me.” It does sound more embarrassing now that you’re saying this out loud.

“Wha— Don’t let them pick for you!” She’s quick to break character, grabbing onto your hands with a look of stout determination in her eyes.

“I’m much better suited for the job!”

Notes:

Riko thinks she’s much suited for it due to her yearning to experience the true ‘school girl’ experience! And that includes shopping for clothes.

You did this to yourself. Gojo went online to go find and order the exact same swimsuit on his lockscreen. He thinks it’s ready to be replaced soon too, if you get what I mean.

Geto is upset Riko managed to goad you into picking her as your swimsuit stylist. What kind of future husband is he if doesn’t pick out your clothes with you…?

Whilst in the clothing store, there was quite a battle between the dynamic duo and Riko.

“What do you mean this colour isn’t suitable?!” Gojo is quite frankly offended as he held up the skimpy blue two-piece.

“It looks cheap and nasty, just like your bug eyes!” Riko is sticking out her tongue at him as she hides behind you, grasping onto your shoulders and using you as a shield.

“Come now Riko, you shouldn’t be saying that to your poor security escorts. We’re working very hard, you know?” Geto is quick to jump in, a deep royal purple one piece with a deep-V in the front in his hands, as he appears directly behind the both of you. Riko jumps in surprise, quickly turning around with her arms up defensively.

“Bugger off, you weird, conman-looking delinquent! Your tastes are just as bad!”

He feels a vein pop.

It seems that only you and Kuroi are of sane mind.

masterlist

KOFI does being in okinawa give you okinawan dreams? (continuation of this specific fic)

nvy’s aftertalk:

HAH u THOUGHT i was gonna do my animal ears special but YOU THOUGHT WRONG WAHAHAHAHA

[soaringwide]

PAC: What should I focus on to achieve success in my chosen field? - Career tarot reading

Pile: 1 > 2 > 3

Today's reading is a career reading about "What should I focus on to achieve success in my chosen field?"

The reading is going to be kept open regardless of your chosen professional field to be applicable to various situations. I will focus on two aspects: 1) an analysis of your current situation so that you can asses and work on yourself; but also 2) the steps you can take in the world to better the situation.

It is important to have a chosen field in mind when picking the pile/picture as it is not meant to tell you what you should do, but rather help you move forward on your desired path, whether you're currently working in this field, or thinking of doing so in the future.

PILE 1

Cards: Wheel of Fortune rx; Justice; Death rx; 9 of Wands + Queen of Wands; Page of Pentacles rx + The Moon rx + Page of Wands; Knight of Swords rx + 5 of Wands + 10 of Pentacles; the Chariot

Let's start with where you're currently in your career to see if it resonates with you and if you got the right pile. For some of you, it seems you've recently experienced a pretty harsh turn of events in your career that was sudden and unexpected. Perhaps you got laid of or something you were hoping would work didn't. For others, it could also be that you're still waiting for luck to turn in your favor, you may be looking for the job or opportunity of your dreams and feeling quite frustrated by the constant struggle. In both case things are not exactly going well so we'll see what you can do to turn things around.

If we're talking about success, we need to define what success is like for you in your chosen field. With Justice upright, being successful for you would mean a sense of authority in your field, as in, people come to you for advice and look up to the quality of your work but also your work ethic. They would see you as someone very knowledgeable and with a form of wisdom regarding their field. Someone who's able to take hard decision where others would fail to be up to the challenge and face the dilemma. They would respect you and your position.

For the strengths you can count on in order to achieve success, with Death reversed, I definitely think you're not someone to give up easily. Regardless of the setbacks you face, you're able to stay on track and keep your eyes on the price. There is an element of stubbornness but in this position it's actually quite positive since it's what's allowing you to keep pushing where others would have given up. This determination, even in the hardest moment where all hope seems lost, is key to your future success.

Now for what's hindering you, it's quite interesting because it seems to contradict your strengths but I think it's only here to show that these weaknesses have the potential to be turned into strengths, and also bring some nuance to the reading.

What I see is that despite not giving up as we previously saw, you're also prone to feel like the underdog, doomed to be alone against everyone having to constantly fight against people richer and stronger than you for what belongs to you. You have the potential to be a leader and be fully confident in your capacities, but right now it's appearing as a weakness, showing that you haven't embraced your leader-potential just yet. You might be hesitant to take risks due to the uncertainty and you're merely reacting to events rather than taking them as an opportunity to climb higher. You need to learn to take initiatives if you want to step into your power.

3 cards popped out for you mental or emotional blockages. I definitely think that you have this ingrained belief that you're not worth the qualities I described in the previous paragraph. You feel too young, too inexperienced and perhaps not strong or passionate enough to embrace them. But it's a mental blockage and not something rooted in truth. You also have some type of trauma regarding financial abundance, as in, part of you is stuck thinking you will always lack what you need to be at ease, or that you will always miss the opportunities that arise in front of you. I would definitely work on dismantling these beliefs because they are hindering your growth. Everything is learned either from childhood or from later in life, and there is no reason for history to repeat itself unless you let it dictate the way you think and act.

As for what steps to take in order to move forward towards success in your chosen field, you need to resist the temptation to rush and be hasty in your progress. With all the setbacks you're experiencing, it can seem like a good idea to go full force but it's not what's needed in your case. Rather, you should plan ahead and take deliberate steps and building your foundations with a directed focus instead of splashing around. You also need to be mindful of your words and how you come across and keep the idea of collaboration in mind, be it through working directly with people or through networking I'm getting. With that said, you still need to be your own spokesperson so be assertive and don't let competition trample you over. Perhaps your field is very competitive so you'll have to learn to find that stimulating and bloom in that instead of feeling crushed and diminished. There is also the idea that you will be able to achieve success through the help of people around you. It can either be family, friends or work connections you networked with. Perhaps you need to team up with someone and start to make your own path. Regardless, don't look at everyone like they are a potential threat but see the opportunities that can arise when you join forces.

Finally, you need to believe in your own success and abundance. Yes things aren't so great right now but it doesn't mean it will always be the case. You need to learn to believe you're the one in control of your life and lean into that power.

PILE 2

Cards: Ace of Pentacles rx; Knight of Wands + Queen of Cups; 5 of Cups + 7 of Swords; 8 of Pentacles; 7 of Wands; King of Swords + Queen of Pentacles; the World

First of all, we need to start with where you're currently at in your journey to see if it resonates as the right pile for you. I definitely feel like you're quite early in your journey, perhaps even at the ''planting the seed'' phase. You got the Ace of Pentacles reversed in this position which to me means that the seed of your journey just hasn't landed in the soil yet. All this potential and energy is currently still in the realm of your mind.

It's underlined by the bottom of the deck being the world which signifies a world of opportunities waiting to happen in reality. You're definitely at a crossroad so we'll see what can be done about that.

I felt like it was a good idea to define what success looks like to you before looking at what to do to achieve it. So I think for you being successful entails being passionate about what you do, having the motivation to wake up every day without feeling like you're wasting your life. You want to feel in control of your life and that means spending most of your time doing something meaningful to you. I also feel like doing something that's emotionally fulfilling is important, and for some of you that might include something creative or artistic. In both cases, the financial abundance is important but it's a byproduct of doing what you feel fulfilled by.

As to what are your strengths, I think you're someone who's not afraid to take twisted path to achieve your goals. You might be ''street smart'' in the sense that you learn things on the go and in unusual ways and are able to see shortcuts where others only see the main road. I also get the sense that you're able to take a loss because you know that not everything is ever going to waste and that there's always something to learn from every defeat.

For your weakness, I definitely see a lack of experience and skills, which is good because it only take time and energy to remediate. However you need to be set on putting in the work in the long run in order to actually kick of your career otherwise it's remain nothing but a dream. I'm also getting that some of you might struggle with procrastination and feeling overwhelmed by tasks easily.

As for your blockages, and it is in line with my warning of the last paragraph, you might have a tendency to get discouraged easily and give up, where, again, success is all about being determined and working in the long run. Do not let setbacks or obstacles waver your motivation and ambition. It would be a good idea to reflect on what situation triggers such reactions and where it is rooted from.

Finally, for the steps to take toward your success, you definitely need to learn to be disciplined and structure your thoughts, and I'm getting, learning journey. Be clear with what you want to achieve, set down goals and work earnestly towards them. You also need to be practical about your goals and nurture yourself like you would a garden. You're not gonna shout at the plants because they don't grow fast enough. Instead, you research how to better care for them and you provide. Stay flexible in your mind and actions in order to react to events with grace, build onto your strengths to sharpen them, and stay focused on your goal. I'm getting drawn to the idea that the task you're trying to tackle requires many different elements of things to learn or acquire, so really focus all your attention toward one at a time, make it stable and fully integrated, and move onto the next stage of your progress.

PILE 3

Cards: Ace of Swords; Ace of Pentacles; 10 of Swords + the Fool; 5 of Wands; 3 of Wands; 5 of Swords + Ace of Cups rx + Temperance + 4 of Wands rx + the Moon rx

Let's start with where you're currently right now, so that we can make sure it resonates and that it's the right pile for you.

Right now, with the Ace of Wands, you seem to be at the very start of this venture, whether it's a new career path or your very first idea. More precisely, you're in the planning stage, using your mind to figure out what's the best course of action to take in the future, weighting the pros and cons and drawing out a path for the future. I see you gathering information and knowledge about your chosen field so that you can make your entry in the best condition possible.

As to what success looks like to you, with the Ace of Pentacles, I think it's simply pointing at when you'll be able to make money from it. Not that you don't want to aim for something more, it's almost like a symbol of making your first coin, that will lead to many more. With the Ace there's always the idea of potential to come, so I definitely see that at the moment success for you will be to get your foot in the door so to speak, in order to build on it later on. It's also possible that this venture for you is a new chapter of you life and putting the gear into motion is what success is to you.

As for the strengths you can count on in order to achieve success, I definitely feel like you've been through a lot and that it's taken it's toll on you, but that it actually became a strength for you since it's paired with the Fool. I was trying to express this idea when I thought about a qhote from Nitzsche which I think expresses it perfectly:

"One returns regenerated from such abysses, from such a severe self-consumption of grave suspicion, having shed one's old skin, more ticklish, more wicked, with a finer taste for joy, with a more delicate tongue for all good things, with more joyful senses, with a second and more dangerous innocence in joy, at once more childlike and a hundred times more refined than ever before." - Nietzsche - the Gay Science

So yeah, I think you are now rejuvenated and you heart is strong and you're full of desire to take on life and make something glorious and beautiful out of it.

For your weaknesses regarding your career, I think you lack a competitive mindset and that you compare yourself too much to others, thinking you're somewhat lacking in various departments. You're overthinking what others think about what you do and you overheat yourself instead of directing this energy towards your goal. Definitely something you can work on if you find the roots of this lack of self-esteem.

For what mental or emotional blockage you hold, I think you're blocked in the thinking stage of you project and you fear taking the first step. It's like, you know it's not going to be easy so you navigating the waters because you feel safer on the shore even if nothing happen. Perhaps you just need more time but really nothing is ever going to happen if you don't take the plunge so be careful with that. Putting your project into action is not going to be easy, but it will be even harder if you never leave the harbor.

For advice on how to move forward, a whooping four cards came out.

You need to recollect your strengths and prepare for the next battle. Take stock at what you've learned in the past, what has been lost vs won, and how you can build on it in order to propel yourself forward and get out of your current situation.

There is also the need to feed your own emotional fulfillment and not think about money and practical aspects only, which might be a reaction to our current capitalistic world but is not going to feed your soul. Whatever you chose to do next, make sure it aligns with your heart's desire and not just what will bring you a quick buck.

[ddarker-dreams]

scaramouche spots your journal while you're out and about (without him, not that he's bothered by this, nope, of course not), and is thrust into a moral dilemma. this moral dilemma is overseen by two little imps on each side of his shoulder. there is no angel, just an imp with slightly less pronounced horns than its compatriot. this one poses the argument that if you ever found out, you'd be upset, which would make him upset, because he sustains himself off your positive attention.

the other side contends that there's no chance you'll ever find out if he's discreet. the benefits outweigh the risks — how much useful information could he glean from an unfiltered look into your mind? he could nip any dissatisfaction you profess about your relationship in the bud. or investigate any individual you mention more than the acceptable amount of once (twice for family). this last point especially entices him.

in the end, he heeds the fully formed imp's counsel.

he's familiar enough with your presence to know when you're nearby. with this failsafe in mind, he gets to reading.

naturally, he flips to the date where you first met (yes, he has it memorized). he scoffs at your initial take on him, which says you met a 'haughty yet pretty individual.' from his recollection, he was quite amiable with you. hmph. nonetheless, he continues his diligent search. experiencing the progression from 'stranger' to an 'unexpected friend.'

your fondness for him gradually lifts from the paper and touches the heart he thought he didn't have.

'... he acts indifferent, but i can tell he cares in his own, unique way. he does so many little things, like planting flowers in my garden that i admired during a walk we went on together.'

'if we encounter any hostile creatures, he immediately moves his body in front of mine to protect me. i know he can take care of himself, but if he ever got hurt on my behalf, i would be devastated...'

'love has always sounded like such a nice, abstract concept. i patiently waited for the day i'd get to experience it myself. i've finally found it with kunikuzushi.'

scaramouche is presented with a new dilemma once he's finished reading.

how will he explain away the fresh tearstains that've seeped into the pages...?

[violent138]

Hilarious to picture the Batfam watching in universe superhero films and:

Some of them get disappointed at not getting included as a parody

Some of them are deeply disappointed that they are included (Dick and he's atrocious at hiding it)

They're horrified when a film loosely based off the League implies several unexpected relationships and even more shocked when Bruce thinks there's a mole in the League

They develop mortifying crushes on the actors playing parodies of certain characters and their siblings never let them forget it

They accidentally internalize false memories from the films and only realize it never happened years later while retelling the plot

Similar relationship dilemmas to their own lives only handled by people much healthier, which are resolved during the two hour runtime instead of lasting several years (this has led to several broken TVs and laptops)

The Batkids decide to recreate cool stunts they've seen, with mixed results, but always involving Bruce feeling ulcers coming on as Gordon gives him the play by play he's getting over the police radio.