#unexpected inspiration aesthetic

[posttoxic]

‘The secret of life,’ he said, ‘is to become very very good at somethin’ that’s very very ’ard to do.’

Excerpt from More Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl

-via posttoxic

[loregoddess]

Engage has the best outfit designs actually, bc everyone has a casual outfit which means I don't have to suffer drawing armor or trying to make something up if I draw fanart, and also bc the two most egregiously sexy casual outfit designs are worn by men, and all the women are basically chilling in like, normal, not-sexy clothing

[nyc-looks]

Maya, 25

“Everything is second hand/thrifted: pleated wool skirt, purple zip pullover (Surf Style), Nike AF1s, lime green vintage Toucan Sam Adidas tee, matching knit legwarmers and hood, denim crossbody purse and polkadot trench coat hanging over it. My style is inspired by color/patterns/silhouettes and my personal art projects. I love to mix different aesthetics in an unconventional and unexpected way. I try to wear 2 to 3 statement pieces in each look.“

Mar 9, 2024 ∙ Chelsea

[winterarmyy]

Until Then

A series of random Bucky Drabbles that I can't let go but don't have the brain to make the whole complete plot of.

Summary: A mission back in time brought Y/N to an unexpected encounter with the man she fell in love with.

Words: 2.3k++

Pairing: 40s!bucky / avenger!bucky x female!reader

Warnings: melancholy-ish plot line with fluffy ending

Inspiration: "You still would've turn my head, even if we'd met on a crowded street in 1944 and you were heading off to fight in the war" – Timeless (From the Vault) by Taylor Swift

Read my other works here: Masterlist

It was supposed to be a quick in and out mission. Y/N and Tony were sent back in time to 1944; one day before Captain America and the Howling Commandos deployed to their next mission at the Austrian Alps, in Europe.

The duo were supposed to retrieve some lost files regarding Hydra's hidden bunks and labs back in the days. After the fight with Thanos, there were rumours of the re-creation of Project Winter Soldier lead by an organization that once associated with Hydra. So, they need all the information they could get their hands on; including the ones that are lost decades ago.

Unfortunately for them SHIELD used to be shitty at storing physical files back in the days. To be fair they still do, especially now that technology had advanced. Every single information were at the tip of their fingers; from typical criminal records to the name of every single doctor and nurses who were present when the person was born.

They literally have everything. And nothing at the same time.

And honestly, the mission was quick as they predicted. Tony managed to scanned the needed files and some others that he thought would be important. He's extra like that too, which was a plus.

However quick the mission supposed to be, they barely make it though, especially when the guards were suspicious of Tony's apparently "hippie" beard. It was such a shame. So much for dressing up in 40's style. They kind of nailed the outfit and aesthetics, according to Steve anyway.

However, thankfully by the time they got out of the facility they managed fit right in with crowd. The wave of people lead the duo along its current, more and more people joined in to the point that they weren't able to find any quiet place to activate their time device.

"I thought we're still in WWII? Why is there fucking a parade in the middle of the day?" Tony being unapologetically sarcastic as always.

Y/N looked around as she observed, there was couple of people animatedly, albeit, excitedly exclaimed to the streak of success of Captain America and the Howling Commandos in the war.

A little to the right of them, were a group of children who were semi-cosplaying as Captain America and his dream team, passionately play-fighting with the enemies as if they were in a theater performance.

"I guess they're celebrating small wins. Steve and his team did have several successful raids since the battle at Azzano." It was in fact true; what Y/N speculated was exactly the very reason of the current occasion.

Tony simply shrugged as he stretched his neck higher to hopefully find the end the crowd, "Sure, just keep your eyes open for a place to time jump. I don't want to be stuck in the middle of another war." Y/N nodded as she looked around the sides, wondering if there's an empty alleyway that they could use.

The more sketchy looking it was, the better.

The crowd was chaotic with different mix of conversations and cheers; voices intertwining with one another, each sentences criss and crosses into indecipherable storyline. But even then, Y/N could recognized that breathy, slightly giggly laughter anywhere.

Especially when he brushed right by her.

Y/N was well aware of how madly in love she was with Bucky even with the coy cat-and-mouse game they were playing for months. She knew exactly the hold he had on her soul that at some point, she was conviced that he still would've turn her head in any lifetime.

But that idea was only supposed to be one of the secrets in her mind; the thoughts of a hopeless romantic that she was. Certainly, she didn't dreamt of the vision for it come true. But there she was, frozen on her spot when the time stood still on the crowded street in 1944; fortuitously crossing path with man she fell in love with.

There weren't any suitable explanation for this other than it was fate. In that short milliseconds, Y/N saw the resemblance of the sight to a memory of hers in the crowded room a few short years ago; his left arm slung around Steve's neck, letting his weight leaned on his super soldier friend as he let out a hearty laughter.

There were only slight difference from what she saw before and what she currently seeing; Bucky wore an all black suit at that party, now he's wearing his military uniform in a parade. Bucky was dead drunk on Asguardian mead that night, now he's as sober as a soldier deprived of liquor. Bucky's left hand was adorned with high-tech vibranium metal, now that very hand was still made of flesh and blood, still alive.

During that brief moment of revelation, she truly believed that they were supposed to find this.

Whatever this is supposed to be; Fate? Love? Both? She was not sure either.

She was so stuck on holding her gaze on his back as the young soldier walked a few steps away from her that she didn't notice how the people in the surge glared at her unmoving state or how she had been astray from Tony.

Well, at least it only lasted until someone bumped into her and she staggered backwards, inevitably fell on the ground.

Y/N groaned but quickly patted her pockets to find her time device was still there. I mean, she can never be sure if it was just an accident that she fell or someone intended to distract her while pick-pocketing her belongings.

Though other people would probably already stood on  their feet but Y/N was still on the dusty road, as she was busy recollecting her mental state rather than her physical.

That was when a calloused hand reached out to her, offering a kind help.

She didn't think twice to take his hand, let alone looking up at his face when she gripped it tight enough to make a solid foundation to push herself against the gravity, "Oh dear me! Thank you so much, sir. I really..." She lost her momentum when she met the pale blue of his eyes, "...appreciate it." She ended the sentence breathlessly.

It's Bucky. Her brain tried to let her process the thought. It was not her Bucky but still... it's Bucky. Her eyes then fell to where their skin touched. Warm and gentle. His left hand felt the exact same as his right. It made her to cave in the urge to hold it a little longer, to savour the memory of what it could've been; not that she weren't fond of his vibranium arm but curiosity can be such a fickle thing.

Bucky smiled, "Glad to help, my lady." And oh dear does he smiled effortlessly, freely; as if he knew he deserved to feel joy in his life.

Even if she didn't want to, she had to let go of his hand after a few seconds too long of holding it when she was already up and ready to go. She returned his smile though her heart was barely tough enough to stop the spreading of its cracks, "Really, I can't thank you enough."

In reality, it was probably unnecessary to thank him that much for helping her to get back on her feet, but Y/N wasn't really thanking him just for that.

Unbeknownst to him, she was thanking him for not holding back a smile, for not overthinking about the things he might have done to draw a conclusion that he was undeserving have the luxury to smile, for unapologetically just living the life he supposed to have.

She thanked him for it.

Bucky chuckled amusingly as he slightly titled his head to the side. A charming pull on the corner of his lips revealed a smile that could swoon anyone on sight, especially her.

"Well, we're having a little party tonight before deploying to Europe tomorrow. So, maybe you can thank me by letting me bring you to the dance? How about that, doll?" She almost forgot that Steve was there next to him, until Bucky references the word "we".

And especially when his words might just pulled Y/N's heartstrings in ways that she could never thought someone could do. It was awfully slow, almost too delicate of a pull, but each inches of it pained her deeply.

If it was up to her, she would've said yes a million times over but she knew she can't. And the voice in her earpiece reminded her of it, "Y/N, we gotta go." Tony urged as he watched her from the corner of the street.

Y/N tried her best not let her facial expression flatter, "Unfortunately, I can't. I'm going back to my hometown today." It wasn't exactly a lie when she made that excuse.

"Ohh, I see. You're not from here, huh?" Bucky was very honest as his reaction clearly showed his disappointment. Though not at her, just at the situation.

Her brows briefly crunch into an apologizing plead before she boldly grabbed him by the collar of his uniform, slightly pulled him down to her level, while the other hand cupped one side of his face.

She tiptoed herself upwards as she pressed a firm yet sweet kiss on the smooth skin of his cheek and whispered against it, "But, I hope this would do."

Lost for words, heck, Bucky was lost for thoughts. What was left was his own heart thumping hard and loud that he bet Steve can hear it from where he was standing. His cheeks became warmer by the second and the redness spreads even to the tip of his ears.

Of course he had his cheek kissed before, but not like this. None of them felt like this. They were always too fast, too hasty.

Hers was different. It lingered a little longer, gently leaving her imprint on him. He can feel her grip on his collar, the stroke of her thumb on his cheek and of course the soft pressure of her lips on the other side of his face. He could everything so particularly.

Bucky was rendered speechless even after she pulled her lips away; it was too soon for his comfort. Eyes wide open, his lips slightly parted as he let himself lost in the pleasant surprise.

He thought she would parted herself and ran away feeling embarrassed, but she did the very opposite. Y/N lead his forehead to lean on hers, tip of their nose grazed, and her lips hovered above his.

So close, yet refused to merge with one another.

Y/N whispered quietly, as if she was talking to herself, "You'll be fine, James. You'll find home in the future. I promise."

Her voice trembled as Bucky just noticed how wet her eyes were becoming. With that amount of tears in them, he wondered if her sight were all blurry now.

Y/N took in a shaky breath before continuing, "You just need to survive the winter and trust me at the end of that season, you'll reach the sun again." Her thumbs softly traces his cheeks as she spoke.

Bucky didn't quite understand what she was saying but if he loosely translate it, it would mean that 'she believed that he'll be back soon after the war'. But then again, he felt like there were some major things that was missing from the context that he came up with.

Y/N's earpiece send another transmission of Tony's voice, "Okay, seriously. Come on, Juliette. Your other Romeo is waiting for you." She couldn't help but to smile as she closed her eyes, letting the excess tears fall down to her cheeks.

She didn't want to say goodbye, as she knew that this was not where their story ends, at least not his; that's for sure. So, she simply smiled up at him with a reassuring look in her eyes before stepping back. She then, briefly turned her attention to the dumbfounded Steve, gracing him with a similar smile before walking away.

It was just a few steps away when her hand was caught in between someone's, "Hey!" Y/N looked over her shoulder to see Bucky; wide eye, blinking in disbelief and blushing red, all at the same time, "WiIl... Will I see you again?" He asked, though hesitant; wondering if he was being rude.

Compared to what she had done to him, he was just being too polite.

Y/N chuckled dearly, "Of course." Then she replied confidently, "I owe you a dance after all." Her lips parted into a cheeky grin.

Bucky let out a sharp relieved sigh as his lips mimic hers, "I'll look forward to it, doll." He slightly bowed as his hand pulled hers closer to his lips, "Until then." He placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand as his gaze remained on hers.

Apparently, it was Y/N's turn to blush to his antics. She stepped back shyly as her cheeks brightens before scurring away. Maybe, Bucky was right with his prediction prior. She did ran away feeling embarrassed after all.

She jogged towards the next corner of the street, meeting up with Tony. The older might have eyeing her in a teasing manner, but his smirk was the biggest giveaway. Y/N simply rolled her eyes, even if her lips maintained its shape from the aftermath of her encounter with Bucky.

As they entered deeper into the alleyway, Tony spoke, "I gotta admit, young terminator was a hottie. Not hotter than me, of course." he claimed.

Y/N frowned, letting out a scoff, "What do you mean "was"? He still is." Call it bias, but at least she was telling the truth.

Tony shrugged, "Meh. Would argue to differ. But, whatever that floats your boat, I guess?" Tony sassed as they clicked on the time device at the same time, revealing a swirlling portal, in front of them.

Y/N quirked her brow, her hands on her hips, "You're just jealous that he aged like a fine fucking wine and you don't." She purposely challenged his ego.

Tony dramatically rolled his eyes, "Please. He wishes." He walked into portal with an attitude, making Y/N laughed at his childish acts.

She looked back at the alleyway one last time and reminisce the last moments of a past that she never belong in. As she walked into the portal, she thought that maybe, it's time to pay her debt to Bucky.

End.

Read my other works here: Masterlist

A/N: The start of bucky drabbles because why not. This is considered a drabble for me because i feel like there's lack of story building. But, you tell me. And did you enjoy it?

[jellys-compendium]

Special Delivery

A Rika x GN!Reader Valentine Special

Rating: G

Summary: Rika gets an unexpected Valentines Day gift from her affectionate s/o. Cw: nothing to see here but FLUFF Word count: 1.2K A/n: Exposing my love for Rika with this post. She deserves a lovey-dovey partner who'll treat her right. Happy Valentines Day! 💖

The Paldea Pokemon League was uncharacteristically quiet for a Wednesday afternoon.  However, given that today was Valentine’s Day, the quiet stillness was not entirely unexpected.

In fact, Rika thanked every deity that she could think of for the minor holiday. With everyone out and about enjoying their day, it allowed Rika to tackle the mountain of paperwork that Geeta had so graciously left on her desk the day before.  

The words on the paper blurred and Rika groaned, blinking hard as she pushed her ‘purely for aesthetic purposes’ glasses up the bridge of her nose. It wasn’t even 2pm yet and she could already feel her head starting to pound. 

If she had her way, Rika would have solely blamed the headache on Geeta. But as she glanced at the full and untouched water bottle sitting to her right, she became acutely aware of the source of the throbbing. 

"Coffee isn’t a replacement for water. Be sure to drink it all because I don’t want you getting any more headaches Rika."

A private little smile spread across Rika’s lips at the memory of her partner fussing over her that morning at the table. Half-asleep, Rika had “ah-hah’d” and “mm-hmm’d” as she watched her significant other scurry around the kitchen, finishing their packing of Rika’s lunch before setting down a black coffee and little heart shaped pancakes on the table.

“Happy Valentine's Day, pookie.”

Rika’s heart fluttered as the phantom sensation of her lover’s lips pressed against her cheek. Gosh, she really was whipped for you, no matter what her prickly and standoffish exterior might suggest. You had a knack for catching Rika off guard, flustering her while also simultaneously melting her heart. Some days it didn’t even seem to matter what Geeta threw at her, as long as Rika got to see your smile at the end of the day, she was happy.

WIth you in mind, Rika reached for the untouched water bottle, but just as she was about to open it, the sliding doors from behind her opened, and the unmistakable elegant clack of impeccably shined dress shoes rang through the room.

Speak of the devil.

“Hard at work, today? Shouldn’t you be out celebrating?”

Rika tosses her boss a glancing scowl over her shoulder.

“Well, I wouldn’t be here if a certain someone hadn’t decided to announce an impromptu tournament.”

If it weren’t for the bobbing of her impressive head of hair, Geeta’s poised way of walking would have made her look like she was floating. She’s mesmerizing, powerful and certainly not someone to be trifled with. Rika learned that lesson the hard way early on.

Rika watched Geeta circle her desk from her periphery as she slowly nursed the water bottle. She had a sinking suspicion that her headache was about to get a whole lot worse. 

“What can I say? I was inspired by our newest champion.”

Geeta's smile was the perfect mixture of sweetness and iron. It was difficult to describe, but every time it graced her boss’ lips, Rika knew that she’d be in for the long haul. Still, that didn’t mean that she had to go down without complaint.

Armed and ready with a scathing rebuttal, Rika opens her mouth—but the moment she does the familiar sound of the sliding doors interrupts her.

Rika sighed and restrained herself from rolling her eyes. Seriously, another challenger? Today? It was Valentine's Day for crying out loud, didn’t they have anything better to do?

Donning her practiced scowl for the second time today, Rika turned to face the guest. But instead of the student she expected, a delivery man stood at the threshold. Rika’s jaw slackened when she realized that in his arms sat the most extravagant bouquet of flowers that she had ever seen in her entire life. And given that she lived in Paldea, that was saying something.

Must be from one of Larry’s many admirers no doubt. 

Rika leaned back in her chair, ready to point the man in the direction of the parcel room, when with a smile the young man marched up to her desk and placed the bouquet of flowers right on top of her mountain of papers.

“Special delivery for Ms. Rika!” 

The room became dead silent as both Rika and Geeta studied the monstrous mass of flowers. The bouquet was comprised of every flower in the book. Carnations, roses, bluebells, lilies, daffodils, daisies, oleander, tulips…just to name a few.

And nestled in the bed of flowers sat a red envelope covered with sparkles, hearts, and an adorable little stick figure doodle of Rika holding hands with her partner. The cherry on top was the words “I LOVE YOU RIKA!” written in massive bubble letters in the center. 

Rika’s face turned the brightest shade of red. She could practically feel flames simmering on her cheeks as she was rendered utterly speechless. This was simultaneously the sweetest and most mortifying thing that anyone had ever done for her.

The soft little chuckle from Geeta broke Rika from her stupor. With eyes wide like saucers, Rika looked up and stared at the grinning delivery man over the mountain of flowers. 

“That’s not for me.”

The delivery man raised a brow as his gaze lingered on the glittery envelope.

“Preeetty sure it is, ma’am.”

Before she even realized what was happening, Rika found herself with a clipboard thrust into her hands, and an eager delivery boy tapping on the dotted line.

“Sign here please.”

Flustered and dazed, Rika signed the paper and then watched in stunned silence as the jolly delivery man made his way towards the exit.

“Enjoy your Valentines’ gift ma’am!”

Both Rika and Geeta were left alone once more. Well…not exactly alone. What with the new ecosystem that had just moved into the office and all.

“Well,” Geeta’s tone scarcely hid her smile. “Don’t you have the sweetest Valentine?”

If Rika’s cheeks could get any redder, she could have passed for a Pikachu. Yet despite her simmering embarrassment, Rika felt her heart flutter softly in her chest. With each beat a soothing warmth coursed through her body, tingling along her skin and consuming her from head to toe. She felt…elated and light. 

Arceus, you really could be the pinnacle of embarrassing sometimes—but there really was something to admire about the way you unabashedly showed your affection. It was so liberating and deep down Rika secretly wished that your emotional confidence would rub off on her someday.

For now though, Rika would happily indulge you with kisses before work, cuddles before bed, and encouraging words when the two of you needed them. In the end, Rika loved you more than anything else and she would do anything to make you happy.

With that thought in mind, Rika reached up and plucked the envelope from the bouquet. Carefully opening it so as not to rip the paper, she pulled out the card which–surprise, surprise–had more glitter.

The card read,

My dearest Rika,

You are the love of my life

Thank you for everything that you do

For making me smile and laugh

And for grounding me when I need it

I cherish every second I’m with you

Forever and always

Love you Pookie!

xoxoxo ❤️🩷❤️🩷

“How sweet,” Geeta wistfully sighed from over Rika’s shoulder. “For your sake, I hope you got your Valentine something equally as heartfelt.”

With her heart swelling, Rika’s fingers reached down to brush along the little square box that sat protected in her pants’ pocket.

“Don’t worry. I did.”

divider source

[heartmachinez]

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF HEART MACHINE

A Decade of Creativity and Community

A decade ago, we began a journey that would lead to the birth of Heart Machine - a game studio committed to crafting immersive, vibrant experiences that resonate with players on a profound level. As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we reflect on our history, achievements, community, and the exciting future that lies ahead.

THINKING BACK

Glitch City, Kickstarter, and Hyper Light Drifter

In 2013, we took a leap of faith and launched a Kickstarter campaign for our debut project, Hyper Light Drifter. Little did we know that this campaign would not only secure the funds needed to bring our project to life, but also ignite a beautiful connection with supporters, players, and community members who believed in us from the outset.

Fueled by a need for camaraderie and knowledge, we spent those early days of Drifter’s development as a part of Glitch City, a then-small collective of independent game developers, artists, and creators all working together out of Alx’s basement. Those early days and (often) sleepless nights vision were critical in defining our design philosophies, studio culture, and grassroots community connections - setting the stage for what was to come.

Our Heartfelt Gratitude to Our Early Contributors

To date, thanks to the incredible support of our community, the Kickstarter for Hyper Light Drifter remains one of the most successful game projects on the platform. It smashed through the initial funding goal of $27,000 and ultimately raised over $600,000.

To our early backers who believed in us and our vision, and those fellow devs who helped us through endless rounds of playtesting and feedback, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering support enabled us to bring our dreams to life and emboldened us to continually push the boundaries of game design.

Special shout out to core Drifter team members: Alx Preston, Beau Blyth, Teddy Dief, Casey Hunt, Rich Vreeland, Akash Thakkar, Sean Ward, Lisa Brown, and Cosimo Galluzzi.

The critical reception following the release of Hyper Light Drifter was incredible - beyond our wildest expectations. We never could have anticipated the accolades and recognition it received, or the impact it made on players far and wide. It was humbling, and affirmed our dedication to continue to make great games to share with the world.

Moving Into a New Dimension

We started development on Solar Ash about a year before the multi-platform release of Hyper Light Drifter. Early on, we joined forces with Annapurna Interactive, whose expertise and resources facilitated our exploration of 3D game development. Over the next five years, Annapurna's support played a pivotal role in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. The vastness of the game's ethereal landscapes and fluid movement mechanics opened new avenues for worldbuilding and storytelling.

To date, Solar Ash continues to engage new players and inspire returning ones to create beautiful works inspired by the game. It is following in the footsteps of its predecessor and is now available on a a wide array of game platforms for a worldwide audience.

All of the positive reception that followed Solar Ash’s release proved that our community was ready to continue along this new aesthetic path with us. Just as Drifter smashed through its initial Kickstarter goals,  we are poised to once again smash the boundaries of possibility with our upcoming projects.

HEART MACHINE TODAY

Reimagining a Familiar World

As we celebrate our 10-year milestone, we're thrilled to now be well underway with our newest title set in the familiar Hyper Light Universe. This new project, Hyper Light Breaker, builds upon the foundations we've laid, evolving our creative vision in unexpected ways.

A Shared Journey

Our journey would not be complete without acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our community. From community leaders who pave the way forward with creativity and kindness, to creators who challenge us with incredible skill and passion,  to modders who continuously breathe new life into our games, to wiki writers who meticulously document every detail, to speedrunners who push the boundaries of possibility – you are the heartbeats that keep our worlds alive.

Over the years, we've had the privilege of connecting with our wonderful community at conventions and events across the digital and physical world. These gatherings allowed us to share our passion, hear your stories, and learn from your insights. Your presence and enthusiasm continue to inspire us.

We’re so grateful to: Polare, Lukas, Durtle, Clark, Yrrzy, CornMayor, Aza, Andreas, Conscy, Perfectly Mediocre, Thunderbrave, Bryonato, Utsu, NicowithaC, Covert Muffin, Sylvi, among many many others who make our work worth doing.

Our Company Vision

At Heart Machine, we've built more than games. We've cultivated a company culture that values kindness, inclusivity, and pushing the envelope. Our mission has always been not only to entertain but also leave a lasting impact. This dedication has enabled us to support and grow a thriving studio of some of the most talented, thoughtful, and fun people in the entire industry.

Our ethos revolves around fostering a work environment that prioritizes professional advancement, mental and physical health, and employee happiness. This commitment takes shape in various dimensions of our culture. We proudly offer Heart Machine University (HMU), a collaborative peer-teaching initiative where we cover everything from how to LARP or make sculptures out of driftwood to environment, concept, and tech art techniques. We also organize activities like group gaming and anime sessions, provide access to networking and learning resources, and support social and charitable initiatives to reinforce our team’s sense of purpose. As a studio, we strive to hang our culture on a framework where each individual can flourish and achieve their own growth and learning goals.

It’s no accident that the trajectory of these past 10 years has led us to forming the team we have now. We have always and will continue to adhere to our culture of high quality standards, emphasis on creative innovation, and heart-first leadership practices.

LOOKING AHEAD

As we stand at the threshold of the next chapter, we're excited to announce that Hyper Light Breaker will be arriving in Early Access in 2024. This project represents our ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries, taking risks, and creating experiences that captivate and challenge players in our specifically unique ways.

Beyond Hyper Light Breaker, we have other projects currently under wraps that will continue to define us as a studio. We can't wait to share these journeys with you as we forge into this next decade.

Thank you thank you thank you for joining us on this incredible ride. Heart Machine wouldn't be the same without each and every one of you. Here's to the many more adventures that lie ahead!

With love and gratitude,

The Heart Machine Team

[fuckyeahdindjarin]

Palomino Masterlist

COMPLETE | Explicit 🔞 NO minors allowed

Jack Daniels x F!Reader

Series tags: Dude ranch cowboy Jack AU | mini-series | solo travel romance | lots of horsey details | self-indulgent AF | set in Wyoming | no physical descriptions of Reader

Note: You guys voted for Palomino to be the next WIP after Consent, and who am I to refuse? But honestly, thank you for voting for Jack, because I've been dying to write this story. If you'd like to be tagged, please comment, reblog or sign up at my taglist.

Part 1: Palomino

Unable to get a refund for a week-long horse-riding pack trip you'd booked with your ex, you decide to go solo. As it turns out, a rebound with a cowboy named Jack while traversing the wild landscapes of Wyoming might just be what you need.

Part 2: Buckskin

It's an eventful first day on the trail, to say the least.

Part 3: Dapple Grey

Tinder is a dangerous game. So is Never Have I Ever.

Part 4: Strawberry Roan

Jack pulls out all the stops for your birthday. All of them.

Part 5: Appaloosa

You and Jack play house for a day.

Part 6: Mustang

On the fifth day, you leave the Halfway House behind, and the conversation turns homeward.

Part 7: Fleabitten

You and Jack spend your last night together in the mountains - for now.

Part 8: Silver Pony

And just like that, your week at the Statesman Ranch comes to an end, leaving you grappling with the prospect of saying goodbye to Jack.

Part 9: Warmblood

The hardest goodbye you’ll ever say.

Oneshots & drabbles

Deleted scenes from the series that I didn't have the word count for.

Bernaise: You watch Jack cook. Deleted scene from Part 4 - Strawberry Roan.

If Only: Jack smiles and brushes a thumb across your cheek. If only you knew.

Peeks into Jack and Darlin's life after the end of the series.

Pressing: Jack marks you as his in an unexpected way.

Real: You call Jack after running into your ex at a wedding.

Cowgirl Aesthetics: 'This dress won't last ten minutes in a real horse yard and you know it, darlin''.'

Headcanons

Miscellaneous headcanons - some requested, some no one asked for.

Silver Pony | Jack’s moustache | Jack and horses | Jack's guilty pleasures | Jack is king of the two step | Jack's allergies | Teak the artist

Visuals

Mostly made/commissioned for A Palomino Farewell.

Special edition chapter banners

Horses of Palomino

Palominogram: About last night

Palominogram: The cellar

Commissioned art

Belt buckle inspiration

Moodboard: Buckskin

Moodboard: Palomino

Horse girl representation

Recipes

Mama Daniels' express chili: featured in Fleabitten

Poppy's chocolate & rum cupcakes: featured in Strawberry Roan

Chapter sneak peeks: two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight

Bonus content

Art and misc. generously gifted by my sweetest friends ❤️

A Palomino Farewell

Palomino playlist

A birthday message from cowboy Jack and Cowboy yearning by the most talented @guiltypleasure-art

Palomino edit by the loveliest Heidi @wildemaven

Moodboard by the sweetest Keira @k-ra

Playlist by sweetest Sil @psychedelic-ink for A Palomino Farewell

Palomino-inspired cocktail recipe by darlin' Skye @iamskyereads

I can't believe that Palomino now has its own cocktail!!! I'm so honoured that Skye created and shared this recipe with us. All the elements are perfect, from the Campfire whiskey (Darlin's favourite time of the day - snuggling with Jack by the fire), apple (If Only reference) and Ginger (who convinced Darlin' not to cancel the trip). I cannot wait to try this cocktail myself, thank you so so much my love ❤️

More notes: This is a very personal story to me as I grew up loving and riding horses. I've been lucky enough to go on several horseriding holidays, and I'm writing directly from experience - except the hot cowboy part, sadly. Even if you don't ride, I hope you enjoy this story, and I will be the happiest writer if I impart to you even a fraction of the joy of exploring the great outdoors from the back of a steady (or speedy) steed.

{ Inspo }

{ Main Masterlist | Taglist }

[zedecksiew]

THE BLOGGIES 2023: NOMINATIONS OPEN

If tabletop roleplaying games were a hydra, blogs would definitely be one of its heads.

Probably the smartest, zaniest one? The one with the unexpected ideas; the silliest quips; the most devious schemes; the most profound observations.

The OSR / post-OSR style of play arose on blogs. I was inspired to make roleplaying games because of a blog post (this one, by Patrick Stuart, specifically).

Beyond the actual playing of games with friends, blogs are the most important part of TTRPGs, to me.

+

Last year, Prismatic Wasteland hosted the inaugural Bloggies.

64 excellent posts from across the TTRPG blogosphere were considered. A celebration of our community, our psychic brain-trust---the many heads of this, our TTRPG beast.

All the nominees are worth perusing. Winners list here.

My post, "D&D's Obsession With Taxonomy", won Best Blog Post of 2022. (Thank you, everybody who voted!)

Because I won, it falls to me to host this year's Bloggies.

+

Nominations are now open for the BLOGGIES 2023!

Is there a blogpost about TTRPGs from the past year (December 2022 to December 2023) that you think deserves attention and recognition?

Tell me about it! Drop a link to it, tell me why you like it, tell me which category it falls under:

Theory---broad criticism, observation, and analysis about TTRPGs (its cultures, its aesthetics and texts, its politics, etc);

Gameable---cool stuff (monsters, subsystems, bits of design, etc) you could grab and add to your own games;

Advice---ideas, tricks, and procedures for making your games better / easier / more fun, basically adding to the play-culture;

Review---specific criticism of specific books / games / systems / adventures / products.

Drop your nominations in the comments below, or in this Xwitter thread, or wherever else you can get in touch with me on the Internet. Do this before the end of 31 December 2023.

+

How BLOGGIES 2023 Will Work

Here's how I am thinking of running things:

25 Dec 2023 - 31 Dec 2023: Nominations open!

1 Jan 2024: Nominees shortlist announced!

First week Jan 2024: Public voting for Best Theory Post!

Second week Jan 2024: Public voting for Best Gameable Post!

Third week Jan 2024: Public voting for Best Advice Post!

Fourth week Jan 2024: Public voting for Best Review Post!

First week Feb 2024: Final round of voting for Best Blog Post Of 2023!

"Imperfection is a feature, not a bug, of blogging," as Warren said about the Bloggies, last year. I am but a single person. I will be copying much of his methodology.

I will be whittling down the nominations I receive to a shortlist of 64 posts (16 per category bracket), via personal judgment. No blog will be represented more than once per category---except for reviews (3 posts per blog).

Public voting for each category will happen in four rounds (16 / 8 / 4 / finals). Winners in each category will face off in a four-way vote for Best Blog Post.

Voting will most likely happen on Twitter, same as last year. (I am loathe to do this, but Twitter is still the social-media network most TTRPG people are on, sadly. But am also considering Google Forms. Thoughts?)

Month-long voting gives us the space to celebrate / argue over all the work our community has turned out this year---and gives me time to create prizes. (Am thinking of making linocut prints, inspired by the winning posts.)

Finals being announced in February just before the Lunar New Year justifies the header art above---as the Year of the Rabbit gives way to the Year of the Dragon.

+++

Here we go here we go here we go!

[eatifa]

somebody that i used to know

a/n - hello! this is inspired by a scene from the manga of tokyo ghoul. i only wrote for one character because this was a little bit hard to do. i may write for more in the future with this concept.

trigger warning - mention of terminal illness.

concept - amnesia made him no longer remember her.

starring - rindou.

tagging @mitsuyeaah because she like angst a lot along with supporting my works a lot and being a lovely mutual.

"she gave me a smile. a smile that looked a little troubled, and a bit… sad. and the thought that i had such a beautiful person in my life crossed my mind."

no one wanted rindou to find out the truth.

it was strange for rindou to comprehend that he couldn't remember anything about his older brother. ran was the first person that rindou saw upon waking up in a bed.

the mechanical beating sounds of a monitor and the anaesthetic smell is the only recognisable thing that could rindou tell where he was.

the hospital's bedroom was the only thing that he could recognise in the room. the younger brother have no idea who the man was standing next to his bed that leaped out the chair when he saw his eyes slowly opening.

"rindou, are you alright?"

ran became concerned when he saw his brother shoot him a confused look along with saying the next words that caused his heart to drop.

"who's rindou?"

at first, ran wanted to believe that he was just pulling a sick joke but when he saw his brother diverted his attention to the needle jabbed into his vein, he knew something was wrong.

ran wanted to doubt his theory with the hope that his brother's strange behaviour was caused by an unexpected side effect of the aesthetic.

surely, things would be back to normal when the anaesthetics would completely wear off but ran didn't want to take the risk. if he was right, the best option would be for rindou to stay longer at the hospital despite how much ran didn't wanted want to do that.

ran couldn't neglect rindou. as the older brother, ran always made the final decision. the pattern of ignoring rindou's input was the norm but for the first time ever, ran wanted to swap the order with him. ran didn't want to find out if he was right or not.

"rindou, do you know who i am?"

"no, why would i? we just met." rindou ignored how his face dropped and didn't stop him from darting out of the room.

why should he care about a stranger.

being inside the apartment that he apparently share with ran, his older brother just felt foreign to rindou. he couldn't recognise any of the items or the interior designs of the rooms that the apartment entailed.

at first, rindou didn't want to goes along with him but the doctors sitting him down and telling the events that led up to his hospitalisation gave him but no other option to trust ran.

"you have amnesia caused by a head injury and your brother is the one that rang the ambulance."

so rindou didn't started a war with the older man when he shoved him inside a taxi but his apparent older brother still felt like a strange when he tried start a conversation in the taxi.

"rindou, how much do you remember?"

"not enough to believe your claim of being my brother."

the rest of the journey was spent in silence.

but rindou could no longer deny it when he saw photos of them together pinned to the fridge by coloured magnets. there were too many photos and the resemblance was strong enough to believe ran was telling him the truth.

the main reason why rindou couldn't notice the similarites with his brother is the differences between their hair.

ran's hair was styled into two braids with black and yellow highlights whereas his hair reached his shoulders with blue and blondish strands.

as he snuck a glance at the taller man standing next to him whose was observing the photos together with him, the shorter brother realised something that he didn't know.

his age.

"this is when we went france together." ran placed a slim finger over a photo of them standing in front of a tower.

rindou noticed the carefree look on the past version of him in the photo and it was enough to erase the last doubt that ran wasn't lying about his identity.

but rindou noticed that their hair looked a lot different. neither of them had dyed it since their hair look completely jet black. as rindou snuck a glance at his brother, he couldn't help but ask a question.

"am i the younger brother or you are?"

it was the second time that ran was shunned into silence. his eyes widened into a state of disbelief, rindou couldn't even remember how old he is.

ran wasn't going to let him out of his sight anytime soon.

finding out that he was the younger brother didn't made anything less awkward for them. the photos show that ran was a caring older brother along with it being portrays in his actions.

"rindou, do you need anything?"

"when i'll goes out, i will get it so relax."

"rindou, it's not a good idea to tell others about your amnesia."

his actions started to suffocate rindou, he would walk out of the door and disappear on ran for a long time when he would gain his memories back.

ran told him about the basics of rindou's life but it might as well been someone else because rindou really couldn't remember any of it. to rindou, it felt like he was peering into a vase without flowers inside.

at this point, rindou might as well forget about his past life and just start anew. what's the point of keeping onto friendships and relationships that he no longer knew about.

ran had tried to encourage him to text his friends, hoping that it would start to bring back his memories because ran couldn't despite how hard he tried. and his younger brother's behaviour wasn't helping.

rindou never got past a how are you text from anyone since he just gave a shrug and left them on the read mode. at this rate, ran would need to tell everyone that his brother was suffering from amesnia before he accidentally push everyone away.

the only thing is that ran really wanted to use that as a last resort. rindou values his privacy and he knew shit would hit the fan when his original personality would returns.

so ran pinned all his hopes on the weekly visits to the hospitals but even the medical staff couldn't make a breakthrough. after the third visit, ran started to feel deflated that he left rindou in the dust to take a smoke outside their apartment

rindou never paid much attention towards what ran wanted to do since he just mumble out an okay and accepted his fate of being left alone in the apartment.

after a while, the ticking sound of the clock was loud enough to catch his attention when rindou switched off the tv.

20:30

his older brother would never leave him for this long because of the memory loss.rindou would apprecipate being left alone but the fear that ran may become more overwhelming if he felt gulit towards this mistake motivated rindou to get up and hunt him down.

as rindou was wrapping a scarf around the neck, an unexpected sound echoed throughout the apartment.

knock.

surely, it must be ran but rindou couldn't help but frown at this thought. ran would never be this careless enough to leave without a house key but rindou could recall the disappointment in his brother eyes as they were leaving the hospital earlier on in the day.

the negativity must made him forget.

so rindou discarded the scarf from his neck and placed his right hand on the silver handle and opened the door without a second thought.

it was not ran.

it wasn't even a male.

it was a woman.

rindou took a double take at seeing her standing in front of him.

who is she?

for some reason, the woman became quiet too almost as if rindou was a ghost that she just encountered. a pair of blue jeans and a black shirt concealed her shoulders but rindou couldn't paid too much attention to her outfit.

she was smiling at him.

he didn't know why.

"she gave me a smile. a smile that looked a little troubled, and a bit… sad. and the thought that i had such a beautiful person in my life crossed my mind."

his monologue at seeing her smile. rindou must had knew her before the amnesia came along.

why else would his feelings be this intense? the tears shouldn’t be escaping from his eyes.

"rindo-"

her sentence was cut short because someone else grabbed onto her arm and another voice stopped her from uttering out another word.

"i told you not to come."

rindou couldn't see his face but from the hostile tone in his voice, ran was clearly pissed off at her.

but why? she have such a sad glint in her eyes. what did she do?

rindou couldn't help but stop these thoughts from articulating inside his mind but ran whisked her away before he could stop him.

"she is just an ex that broke my heart. "

this is what ran told his brother the next day after the incident.

rindou didn't entirely believe this was the truth since the woman looked so sad when she laid eyes on him.

there must be a white lie embedded inside his explanation.

but whenever rindou would try, his brother would change the topic and with the last attempt, he completely snapped.

"shut the fuck up, rindou. if you ask one more time, i am leaving your annoying ass behind in this apartment. "

rindou finally believed him at hearing his abrupt threat. it was the first time that ran ever shouted at him along with using vulgar language.

so he stopped asking his older brother since it must be a pretty bad breakup. rindou genueinly thought that she must had cheated or something. rindou was convince that getting a slap from ran would be his reply if he dare ask again.

throughout the upcoming months, the memories started to return but nothing major.

his favourite colour.

the name of his high school.

did he go to university or not.

all but nothing little tabs to rindou but whenever he would tell his brother this, a smile would appear on his face where ran no longer detested taking rindou to the hospital.

his little brother was slowly coming back.

it was only a matter of time.

the moment finally arrived but came in the worst way possible.

in a rush to get to work on time, ran carelessly left something in his room that he definitely shouldn't had. a photobook album that he never shown to anyone else.

unfortunately, rindou got to it first and when he arrived home, the first thing that greeted him was a porcelain plate being thrown at him.

on instinct, ran used the briefcase to deflect the flying plate that landed on the floor instead but the force was enough for it to shatter into fragments.

seeing the enranged look on his younger brother face hinted one thing.

"why didn't you tell me about my wife?"

the question had confirmed it. his memories had come back.

more untensils and glasses were thrown at him along with his brother swearing at him non-stop.

in the end, ran wrapped his arms around his brother neck to force him into a headlock before either of them ended up seriously getting hurt.

it didn't meant that rindou was backing down though.

"ran, you manipulative fuck, no wonder you chased her away when she came that day."

the photos from the wedding album revealed that rindou was the groom and the girl that gave him such a sad smile that knocked on the apartment's door months ago was his bride.

"calm down."

"fuck off. you guys must had an affair or something like that. it explains everything about not telling me the truth and getting rid of her when she saw me again. "

"shut up."

"she must had thought it was you. i swear that i'm going to murder you and i'm going to divorce that slu-"

ran wouldn't let rindou finish his sentence since he yanked him by the hair before pushing him away.

"shut the fuck up, you don't want to insul-"

the way that ran paused his sentence made rindou narrowed his eyes at him in suspicious but ran decided it was better to come clean before his brother would say something that he would regret forever.

"she got cancer. it's the reason why you got amnesia. when she found out, she cut ties with you because she wanted to give you a fresh start. she begged me the most not to tell you."

the horror dawned on him. it was the truth.

the explanation filled in the last gap. rindou couldn't remember the last event that happened before he woke up in the hospital.

now he did.

his wife told him about the diagnose but she wasn't ready to tell him yet. she confessed through a text when he asked her about what she wanted to do for her birthday.

rindou didn't want to ring her but he wasn't ready to come home straight away after work.

he just wanted to run and that's how he ended up being in a pub late at night before getting into a fight in a drunken haze. whoever the person was, he must had aimed for his head and their force must been strong enough to make rindou blackened out from the pain.

the incident that triggered off the amnesia but rindou no longer cared about that.

"where is she?"

ran went quiet.

he wouldn't answer him.

[igotsnothing]

Simblr Gratitude Day

Ok, ok- I was stuck at work until late today and didn't see this outpouring of awesomeness early enough.

Thank you, @simstrashkingdom, @lynzishell, @thebramblewood, @stargazer-sims and @maxfaiden, for remembering me and tagging me! It was honestly such a sweet surprise to find! It's really special- I hope you know that! And, of course: right back at you! ❤️

It may be a small thing, but I am truly grateful for all the kind support I've found here. "I love my moots" is a tag I use often and honestly. I joined Simblr at the end of March not really knowing what to expect. I appreciate all the friends I've met and the interactions I've had with so many talented people!

I tend to ramble, so I'll try to get to the point: every comment, DM, reblog, and "like" makes my day and makes me so happy. I want to especially show love and appreciation to the following people, who make my Simblr such a good place to hang out in:

@alinelie- My simblr birthday buddy! I love her ocs, her aesthetic, her ability to convey so much through her images! @damseljamsel, who is genuine- I mentioned feeling out of sorts once and she was right there, with kind words, offering an ear, and cheering me up. She also puts up with my completely out-of-control comments about her awesome stories. You're a good person, Damsel! STAY GOLD, PONYBOY! @agena87- an early moot who is super creative and has been learning and growing and sharing so many amazing images! They're also super cool and supportive! And there's @crabbeychick, who is sweet and generous with her comments and goes along with my wackiness (and drives our getaway car and feeds me snacks to keep me happy quiet). I hope that in 2024, you'll feel ready to share more about your OCs- I really enjoyed the little bit you let us glimpse! @akitasimblr is such a treasure- generous, so talented and fun- and Alexander Burns better find a way into Nat's family! 😆 @simarcana hasn't been around as much, but I hope they know how much their encouragement meant to me when I started posting here! They're funny and cool and their edits and ocs are everyone's favorites, with good reason!

I also want to send a virtual hug (or nod- whichever is more comfortable!) to these simblrs- some older friends, some newer- who always, always make me happy when I see them here: @silentsundown, @lynxsimago, @merrymomo, @eljeebee, @izayoichan, @smok3inm1rrors, @aheathen-conceivably, @theosconfessions, @aurorangen, @nata1997, @lilamausmaus @moonfromearth

And because this is about gratitude, I want to let the following super talented, big-league player simblrs know that they are so inspiring and bring so much heart and beauty to this game and community! @rebouks, @cinamun, @pralinesims, @lilis-palace, @strangestorytellersims, @arcanewonder, @panterabsims

...And I will never miss an opportunity to brag and gush about @greighish/@maxfaiden. I don't want to overdo it and bug you again, but I mean it from the heart when I say that you and your friendship are the best, most unexpected gifts I received when I joined Tumblr. I'm looking forward to sharing more books and music and marvelous and whimsical ephemera with you in the year to come! Thank you for always making me feel seen and welcome. *Bows* (*Immediately loses balance and topples to the side*)

[cirusthecitrus]

People of the Galactic Horde (the OGs)

Since I'm working on a Horde Prime origin story, it was inevitable that one day I would have to come up with designs for his species aka the original spacebats. And well, it was a fun challenge!

(click/tap to have a better look!) My first attempt at drawing other bats was with the High Priests of the Four Temples - the most influential and powerful people on the planet, also known as Anillis'/Prime's teachers :)

See that last guy? That's the emperor of the original Galactic Horde! Though after his unexpected early death his wife had to become the new Prime. Gladly, Horde World was not left without a future heir to the throne^^

Fun thing is, I never planned on making designs for Anillis' parents, since they never appear in the actual story + even the twins don't remember what they looked like. But idc making fanparents is fun! (In my vision Horde Prime inherited the death stare from his mother and the sly misleading smile from his father >:} )

(I talk more about the characters and worldbuliding in my fic "Violent Youth". U can find the link in my pinned post)

I also had to design tons, and I mean tons of episodic characters of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Now after all this training I'm ready to fill the backgrounds with bats :3

Some general notes on the people of the Horde under the cut

Every spacebat is born with a white face. Any deviations were rare and considered a type of skin condition

Facial markings slowly appear once baby bats hit puberty. When spacebats' white faces were seen as blank canvases, the facial markings were their life journey drawn on said canvases. The markings were seen as the real window to the soul. Having no marks as an adult was simply outlandish, people of Krytis even had a belief that such bats "had nothing behind their soul" and thus could not be trustworthy

Facial markings (as well as ears) came in many forms. In ancient times one could tell in which of the four original provinces a person was born by simply looking at their faces. Nowadays it became nearly impossible to guess someone's homeland this way (mostly everyone are people of mixed descent), but to those curious this is how bats used to distinguish one another by their markings:

North - straight lines across/all over the face (e.g. the emperor)

South - wavy lines across/all over the face e.g. (the High Priestess of the Southern temple)

West - straight minimalistic lines (e.g. horde clones)

East - wavy minimalistic lines (e.g. the empress)

Hair never held much cultural significance on Krytis, so the styling was only a question of one's personal preference and fashion trends. Some bats (mainly from the south) saw no point in having hair whatsoever - those would choose to go bald or shave parts of the head to better show off their markings

Everyone had one set of eyes. Only local deities were sometimes depicted having 3 and more eyes. And yes, their eyes and teeth do glow in the dark

I wanted to make colorful bats to futher emphasise their whimsical and peaceful nature :) Well, if u think about it many poisonous creatures are colorful too...

I wouldn't be myself if I didn't say anything about local fashion. I don't have my own concepts at hand sadly, just references, but my main inspiration for the fashion of Krytis are late 90s-early 00s futurism and cyber aesthetic. Here and there u will also see smth similar to mall goth or streetwear style, but it's mostly something what young blood were into

Some bats like the royal family and council members would wear more classy and regal clothes but still more or less modern looking. Such choice of attire was espeically important to the empress, who, unlike her late husband, stayed far away from religion and magic and made it the main goal of her campaign to weaken the influence of the religious community and push for scientific and socio-cultural progress

If you have any questions about the people of the Horde/Krytis, feel free to ask! I'm always happy to talk more about this AU!

[drconstellation]

Brazil and The Dream of Escape

I was delighted to find in the Xtras that the machine created to be used by Furfur to use to find out how many demons Shax could requisition for storming the bookshop was inspired by the movie Brazil. This is another nod to Monty Python member Terry Gilliam, who directed this film, and who almost directed the failed GO film in the 1990's.

I love this film. Always have. Yes, I was around when it came out in 1985. I'm that old. It's always been in my top 5 favourite films. And its totally relevant to Good Omens.

Brazil can be described as a dark dystopian story based on the novel 1984. It doesn't have a happy ending, but its funny, horrific, ludicrous, romantic and timelessly beautiful all at the same time. Its so iconic that when ever I see its influence in other productions its been unmistakable.

It stars Jonathan Pryce long before he was a James Bond villain or the head Sparrow in Game of Thrones, a comedic turn from Robert de Niro and a handful of other famous faces that you are bound to recognise, such Bob Hoskins, Ian Holm and Jim Broadbent.

Pryce, as Sam Lowry, lives in a world that is strictly controlled with paperwork that comes in multiple copies, where people are routinely arrested and tortured and a long running unexplained terrorist campaign sees bombs explode in the most random of places. Sam has dreams of a beautiful woman floating in the sky, and he is a sliver-armoured winged hero trying to rescue her. He eventually finds that she is real, and finds out her name through various means via his work and contacts. He tracks her down, but that is where it all starts to unravel as she is mixed up with an unfortunate case of mistaken identity.

Its easy to see the common themes and elements that run through the film with GO: the desire to run away and escape (that doesn't work,) a totalitarian authority controlling the masses, propaganda, piles of paperwork, an undercurrent of rebellion, torture and abuse, forbidden love between classes, a villain hidden in plain sight.

There is an art deco aesthetic to the film that also carries over to other films and shows it has influenced, and the busy work floor scene that stops on a dime to watch the tv show de jour while the boss isn't looking is one of the highlights of the film.

It was a reference of this that caught my eye in the Cohen Brothers modern fairy tale The Hudsucker Proxy, where they copied the busyness of the work floor for their mail room scenes, but also the art deco aesthetic. That's another film that is always in my top five films, and could go a round of comparisons with GO - its got time stoppage, an angel appearance and a near-godlike manipulator.

It also appears, surprisingly, in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The casino at Canto Bight is Brazil inspired, in the way its introduced to us, its decor and the music. I know some people hate this film because of what they did to Luke, but I love it, the whole thing is just utterly gorgeous to look at.

And if you've watched any of Loki recently, since S2 of that show finished not long ago, you would also seen some influence from Brazil in the retro look.

I love the classic art deco style. my grandparents had an art deco house that I spent many of my childhood hours in. The style itself is a clean, unadorned look, and often is meant to give a look of movement, speed or strength. A classic example of this is the Bentley, of course, which comes from the height of the art deco era in the 1930's.

Hell is the other place we see the Brazil influence in GO, where is looks like it's constantly several decades behind the times, with overhead projectors and manual typewriters and odd looking not-quite steampunk contraptions.

Brazil is available to stream on Disney at the moment, if you'd like to take a look. I highly recommend it, its one of those influential films that once you know it, you see its long reach in the most unexpected places.

[aiaesthetics]

Scan kei (スキャン系) 

Scan Kei is a unique Japanese street fashion subculture that draws inspiration from the digital world of arcades, trading cards, and 2000s technology. The fashion incorporates elements of both cyberpunk and kawaii culture, resulting in a playful and futuristic aesthetic.

The Scan kei fashion is characterized by its use of bold and bright colors, with neon hues and metallic accents being particularly popular. The clothing often features bold patterns and graphics inspired by arcade game characters, anime, and manga. The use of high-tech materials like PVC and vinyl, as well as holographic and reflective fabrics, is also common. The style incorporates oversized jackets, baggy pants, and crop tops, often layered in unexpected ways. Shoes are also a key element of Scan kei fashion, with popular styles including platform sneakers and high-top sneakers with LED lights. The shoes often feature bold graphics and bright colors, adding to the playful and futuristic aesthetic.

Accessories in Scan kei fashion are often inspired by technology and gaming culture, with items such as oversized headphones, cyber goggles, and LED light-up jewelry being popular. Other accessories such as handheld gaming devices, and trading card binders are featured, often customized with brightly colored stickers and charms, creating a unique and personalized look. Accessories like headphones, colorful visors, and transparent backpacks are also popular.

Hairstyles and makeup in scan kei fashion often incorporate elements of anime and video game characters. Hairstyles are often bright and colorful, with bold streaks or accents. Makeup often features bold graphic eyeliner, bright eyeshadow, and colorful lipstick.

Overall, Scan kei fashion is a unique and playful blend of cyberpunk and kawaii culture, inspired by the digital world of the early 2000s. It celebrates a bold and futuristic aesthetic that embraces the digital age and offers a unique and personalized way to express oneself while also providing a sense of community and shared interest among fans of arcade games and technology. The subculture has a strong online presence, with many Scan kei enthusiasts sharing their outfits and styles on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

[techtow]

The Magic of Words and Quotes: Navigating Love, Beauty, and Wisdom.

Introduction:

Step into a world where #words, #quotes, and #books become the companions in our journey through the intricacies of love, the allure of beauty, and the pursuit of wisdom. From the enchanting vibes of "dark academia" to the warmth of "light academia," let's explore the simplicity and richness that these elements bring to our lives in a language that resonates with every reader.

Quotes: Sparks of Wisdom

In the realm of wisdom, #quotes stand as sparks that ignite our understanding of life's complexities. "Book quotes," especially, offer bite-sized pieces of insight that encapsulate the essence of stories. From tales of love to the profound beauty of existence, these quotes serve as doorways to contemplation, offering moments of reflection that are both simple and profound.

Aesthetic Journeys: Dark, Light, and Chaos

Discover the beauty of intellectual exploration with aesthetics like "dark academia," which brings forth a mysterious and contemplative vibe. On the flip side, "light academia" bathes us in the joy of knowledge and learning. For those who find beauty in chaos, "chaos academia" celebrates the unconventional and unexpected, offering diverse perspectives that resonate with a wide audience.

Books and Libraries: Portals to Imagination

Explore the timeless enchantment of #booksandlibraries, where every page tells a story and every shelf holds a world waiting to be discovered. Vintage leather-bound tomes or modern paperbacks, these spaces serve as portals to realms that spark motivation, inspiration, and moments of escape. In the quiet corners of libraries, minds find solace and imagination takes flight.

Empowering Words: Feminism, Mental Health, and Positivity

In the realm of words, some serve as catalysts for positive change and empowerment. "Feminism" finds its voice in words that challenge norms and advocate for equality. Discussions about "#mentalhealth" are enriched by compassionate words that break stigmas and foster understanding. Amid life's challenges, quotes of "#positivity" become beacons of hope, inspiring resilience and optimism.

Conclusion:

As we navigate life's tapestry, let's cherish the simplicity and magic of #words, #quotes, and #books. From the gentle whispers of love to the intellectual allure of academia aesthetics, each element contributes to a rich narrative that speaks to the human experience. In this enchanting world of language, let's embrace the wisdom of quotes, the timeless allure of books, and the empowering messages that echo in our hearts. After all, within the simplicity of these elements lies a universal language that connects us all.

[certified-ni-ki-lover]

“Aren’t you the model from my figure drawing class?”

SEVENTEEN The8 Oneshot

You finally got hands-on tickets to one of the most famous art museums. Not only were you able to finally see all the spectacular paintings & sculptures but you also saw an unexpected piece, which was undoubtedly the most gorgeous artwork in theworld.

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You loved art. You loved how there were so many forms of art you could express yourself with. Sculptures. Paintings. Sketches. Photography. You loved them all. You could express yourself in different kinds of art. You loved how some artworks could have such deep & beautiful meanings behind them & how some were just simple &aesthetically pleasing.

You loved sketching & painting. You were in a painting club & sketching class. You enjoyed seeing how different everyone around would paint. Some would paint sadness, some happiness some anger, others just did it for fun & to please their minds.

Your sketch class was rather interesting. You signed up so you could develop your skills more. They brought in models for everyone to sketch. Each time the same model came in you would barely recognize them. Their outfits & hairstyles would get more complicated & detailed. But you liked that.

Today you were so excited. Your aunt surprised you last minute by giving you tickets to one of the most popular art museums. You’ve been trying for months trying to get your hands on these tickets. Now you finally had them. You couldn’t wait to see all the beautiful artwork & get inspired by all the amazing artists. You hurriedly got dressed, grabbed a quick bite to eat & then headed to the museum.

When you got in you were special at how elegant & unreal everything looked. Not only was the artwork in there beautiful, but the building itself was also gorgeous. The architecture was spectacular, from the floor tiles, pillars everything.

You roamed around observing all the artwork, taking pictures & writing down notes. That when you saw him. Staring at a painting was a model that came frequently to your class. Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday. All your sketches of him were stunning. You paid very close attention to him & to every little detail. You sort of developed a crush on him. It was hard not to. The way he talked about art was like music to your ears. You could hear him talk about his favorite paintings, why they were his favorite & the meanings behind every one of them 24/7. His eyes sparkled whenever he talked about them, which made him look even more breathtaking.

You decided today was the day you were going to ask him out. You took a deep breath & walked towards him. “Aren’t you the model from my figure drawing class?” he jumped at the sudden voice. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you” you said embarrassed. “It’s ok,” he said laughing a little “& yea I’ve seen you around there. Your sketches always turn out amazing” he said smiling. You could feel you cheeks heat up at the compliment “Thank you,” you replied shyly. “So, which is your favorite piece here so far” you asked trying to start a conversation with him. You could see his eyes light up & he began explaining his favorite pieces here & their meanings behind them. “Woah you know a lot about this museum” you said. “Yea, my parents own it so I’m here often” he replied. Your eyes grew wide “Your parents OWN this museum??!” you asked shocked “woah that’s so cool & lucky” you said, he just chuckled. “By the way, I never got your name,” he said smiling down at you. “It’s Y/N,” you replied smiling, “what about yours?” you asked back. “Xu Minghao” “but you can just call me hao” he said smiling.

“Well Y/N since it’s your first time here why don’t I give you a private tour of everything?” he asked “I would love that” you replied. Both of you walked around the museum & he showed you everything. Both of you talked about what you think each painting represents & what the artists was thinking while he made them. He even introduced you to his parents. They were super nice & were impressed by your art skills.

Around closing time you both went out, “um Y/N, I was wondering if you could give me your number?” he asked shyly. “It could be cool to hangout sometime. I know the perfect place we could go to paint the sunset” he said. “Sure, I would love that” you replied smiling, he smiled back. You gave him phone & he put in his number. That night both you texted each other till 1 AM making plans for your date the next day.

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Let me know if anyone wants a part 2 to this!!💚💚

[hwei-theories]

╰┈➤Hwei's connection to the Surrealism and Impressionism art era

In the article "CHAMPION INSIGHTS: HWEI" it says the following: “There’s more than meets the eye for someone like him,” adds Lonewingy. “You don’t know that there are beautiful things happening in his mind and how he sees reality. That's impressionism. And how he combines fiction and reality, like realistic experience and also imagination—that's surrealism.”

I found that very interesting. I thought about it more and realized that there are many parallels in Hwei's design and personality to the art era of Impressionism and Surrealism.

Hwei embodies elements of both Surrealism and Impressionism in his design and personality. The article mentions that Hwei combines fiction and reality, similar to the artistic movement of Surrealism. Surrealism sought to explore the realm of the unconscious mind and merge dreamlike elements with reality, which aligns with Hwei's ability to manifest his imaginative visions through his paintings.

Furthermore, Hwei's artistry and expressive style are reminiscent of Impressionism. Impressionism focused on capturing fleeting moments and the play of light and color, which is reflected in Hwei's dynamic. The article describes Hwei's power as being fueled by his own artistic expression, drawing a parallel to Impressionist artists who aimed to convey their subjective impressions and emotions through their artwork.

Hwei's art serves as a means for him to navigate his deep sorrow and inner turmoil. The article also describes him as a character who has experienced major loss but has emerged as an artist, not as a cynic or avenger. Impressionism, with its emphasis on capturing emotions and subjective experiences, provides a fitting artistic style for Hwei to express and process his complex feelings.

Surrealism aimed to tap into the subconscious mind and explore the depths of human emotions, while Impressionism celebrated the artist's individual interpretation of the world.

I believe the creators of Hwei's character drew conscious inspiration from the Surrealist and Impressionist art movements. It is my strong conviction that Hwei's artistic style bears resemblances to both Surrealism and Impressionism.

During his time in the temple, I anticipate that his art might reflect an Impressionist aesthetic, in accordance with the expectations of the temple masters. Hwei's paintings may bear similarities to the works of renowned artists such as Auguste Renoir and Claude Monet. Subsequently, after leaving the temple, it is likely that Hwei explored the realm of Surrealism in his art, as opposed to continuing with Impressionism. Surrealism, being markedly distinct from "traditional" art, likely provoked displeasure among the temple masters of that era. Furthermore, it is plausible that Hwei also has an affinity for Impressionist-style painting. If we delve into the historical context, we find that Impressionism emerged as a counter-movement to the prevailing "traditional" art of its time.

Hwei's lore alludes to his inability to freely express his own artistic vision. The temple masters consistently restrained him, emphasizing the need to conform to academic rules and limiting his self-expression in art.

In Surrealism, the night motif is often associated with mysterious and dreamlike imagery. Again: Surrealist artists sought to explore the realm of the unconscious mind and tap into the depths of imagination, and the night served as a symbolic backdrop for these explorations. It is during the night that the boundaries between reality and the fantastical blur, allowing for the manifestation of strange and unexpected visions.

During his time at the temple on Koyehn, Hwei secretly indulged in his true passion for painting. Fascinated by his intense imagination and fearful of his own power, Hwei would retreat to the solitude of the night to express his emotions and explore the depths of his creativity. It is in these clandestine moments that he would create his artworks, which likely took on a surrealistic style.

Surrealistic paintings often feature juxtapositions of seemingly unrelated objects, dreamlike landscapes, and distorted or fantastical figures. Hwei's secret nighttime creations may have embodied these elements, as he sought to merge fiction and reality, infusing his art with his deep emotions and personal experiences. Through surrealist techniques, Hwei could convey the complexity of his inner world and communicate his unique perspective on reality.

Hwei, with his brooding nature and intense artistic drive, embodies the essence of a surrealist artist.

I rather think that Hwei tended to paint Surrealist paintings after the massacre in the temple. The Surrealists, in our real world, were against rigid norms and habits, against logic and pragmatism - just like Hwei. They demanded that the unconscious, the repressed, such as dreams, intoxication, desires and visions, should no longer be ignored. People should free themselves from taboos. The Surrealists identified with a new, higher reality: surreality. The artists of Surrealism aimed to create a higher reality, the "supra-real", and to expand people's consciousness.

I see a lot of Hwei's views in this!

Hwei's exploration of Surrealism following his departure from the temple evoked parallels to the genesis of the Surrealism movement. This artistic movement was significantly shaped by the impact of war, which not only influenced its development but also fueled a profound fascination among Surrealists with mental illness and its intricate ties to creativity. It is striking to witness how Hwei harnesses his own traumatic encounters, employing art as a means to provide solace and healing to fellow survivors in Koyehn.

The horrors of war have indeed been a major influence on Surrealism artists, as they grappled with the traumatic experiences and sought to explore the connection between mental illness and creativity - similar to Hwei.