#your interpretations are just as good as mine and I'm so excited to see what you make!!!

[jojo-schmo]

hi jojo! im just wondering but ive been wanting to make a comic for a little while but im not too sure where to start 😅. i really love your style of art and your forgotten land roleswap, and i was wondering if you had any tips for beginners?

Hello, hello! Thank you for enjoying my Forgotten Land Roleswap comic, it means a lot! <3

I'm very honored that people have been asking me for tips and advice. All of this is coming from a hobbyist who draws these comics purely for fun outside of my regular day job. Some of my methods would probably deal psychic damage to a professional, LOL. But I'm more than happy to share some things I've personally learned! :)

First of all, the book, "Understanding Comics" by Scott McCloud ROCKS. It literally gave me a new dimension to understand the medium of comics and how it presents ideas and emotions to readers! And I haven't even had the chance to finish it all the way! I'm very happy I own a copy and I recommend having one of your own if you can, but it's archived here if you want to read it :D

I also like analyzing other comics and thinking about how they get information across to me as a reader. It's helped me learn more effective ways to visually tell a story, like what to include in a frame, how zooming in or out affects the feeling from the panel, maybe building a scene by focusing on other stuff if someone is talking a lot... etc.

ANYWAYS-! Some other tips I've learned through my personal experience-

I had to overcome a lot of negative self-talk in order to tackle a huge comic project like this and stay committed. I was a pretty severe self-deprecator for most of my life so far, and getting help has allowed me to catch myself when I'm slipping back into those habits, look in the mirror, and go, "NO, JOJO! You pour your heart into what you make and that is a wonderful thing! You are appreciated and loved and you deserve to have fun making something you are passionate about!!" Some examples of the negative self-talk I catch myself in....

"I'm a noob at writing and making a story interesting... What's the point of even trying?"

When it comes to starting a project, whether it's 2 pages or 2000 pages, is to just jump in and start! It's okay to be a little insecure or nervous about your technical art skills, writing skills, etc... But writing a "bad" scene is better than no scene- because you can always edit a "bad" scene down the line, but what can you do with nothing? Nothing!! I also put "bad" in quotation marks because I am trying to use that term less, and instead call them "early drafts." or "works in progress."

The first Roleswap scene I fleshed-out was the first Bandee boss fight, in May 2022. I made this drawing on an impulse, getting my ideas down on the page without thinking about the technical stuff like comic panel borders. I consider it like a "pilot episode" almost, haha. The final project is going to be very different from how things play out here. But it got me interested in the concept and excited to see where I could take it, and I made the decision to commit to an entire game plot's worth of AU comics!!

Also, what's the point in trying you ask? The point is to have fun! Making a fan comic in my free time means I don't have restrictions like deadlines, nobody's telling me what I can and can't write, and I can make the story as long or as short as I want! I have full control, which means the world I'm writing is all mine to create! Yes, with a fan comic there is a pre-established world with existing characters. But a universe like Kirby has enough open-ended concepts for people to take basic concepts in the world and take them to whole new levels! I think that's why there are so many amazing fan interpretations of Kirby characters and OCs. The rules are so vague, you can just make up your own a lot of the time!! And it's a wonderful exercise to learn skills for someday building an original world with all original characters from scratch! Magical!!!

"I'm not good enough to make a comic. I don't understand perspective or color and other stuff. Anything I make will look bad.

I once read a two panel comic on here. I can't find it anymore but I remember most of it. First panel showed the artist looking at what they're drawing on their tablet, looking defeated and sad. "Man, I don't even know how to draw this....."The next panel was like them smiling and shrugging, I think rainbows and sparkles were coming out of their tablet, ".....I GUESS I'LL JUST HAVE TO DRAW IT SHITTY!! :D "

IF ANYONE KNOWS THIS COMIC I'M REFERENCING, PLEASE TELL ME AND I'LL LINK IT!!! Because it permanently and positively changed my brain chemistry.

No kidding, making the decision to just do my best even if it's not perfect, helped me a LOT. I was always waiting to "reach a certain level" to tackle a huge project because I felt like I'd never do it justice at my current state. Except I had been telling myself that kind of stuff for years and I still didn't start any projects!!

So the day I said, "Oh well! If I draw backgrounds shitty, then it is what it is! I'll learn from it and draw the next background a little better," Was the day I could commit fully to the project. I'll keep studying how to draw them better for my own benefit, but I won't let my skill issues stop me from even trying!

And for my limited confidence in full-color art, I solved that by making the comic in black and white with no-to-minimal shading lolol. Because I can only address one skill issue at a time before it takes me 25 years to finish this HAHAHA.

It saves a BUNCH of time to work with skill issues rather than against them! Because at least experience is gained in other ways, and who knows, maybe that new knowledge will help address the skill issues someday! So identifying your personal skill issues and deciding which one to try to grow stronger, and which one to work around, could help with big projects!

"Nobody will read this. I'm going to put months or years of my life into a dumb little thing nobody will even care about."

Learning how to draw for my own enjoyment instead of somebody else's was one of the biggest breakthroughs I ever made. Enjoying the feeling of being challenged artistically and just doing my best, even if it's not technically perfect, is the reason why I was even able to start this!

And just because someone doesn't directly like, comment or whatever on a post doesn't mean nobody saw it! I used to get really down on myself for the lack of engagement on my art on other websites.

I was a lurker for pretty much my entire teenage years and never posted my own stuff or commented much. But that didn't take away the fact that I really enjoyed the things I saw online. Those positive feelings were real to me, even when I didn't know how to articulate it in words. Granted, I grew up into a Words of Affirmation main, and I use words to tell people the positive things I think about them as much as I can! But I know not everyone prefers words to express themselves. So I think about the people that I don't know enjoy my work- that just because I don't see it doesn't mean I didn't make a positive impact on someone by sharing my stories.

THIS IS GETTING LONG-- UHHH, STORY TIPS!!

If you work best on technology, start building the story in a Notes app, or a Google Doc! If you work best with pen and paper, start a notebook and rearrange stuff as you need to!

Or if you're chaotic like me, a mix of tech and paper!! I bought a notebook with ring binding so I can remove and rearrange pages of drafts as much as I wanted to! Like here's two very rough concept pages of one Chapter 1 scene made months apart.

I'd say planning out the biggest basic plot points and then filling in between as I went was most helpful! I also have separate notes for character motivations, important story-changing events, etc... So I can have my own reference when I'm writing new scenes!

Okay this was a lot, sorry about the yapping! Hopefully it helps even a tiny bit. If you have any specific questions I'm happy to talk about my experience in the creation process! Or elaborate on anything I said above.

And finally, because I'm not a professional there are probably plenty of other tactics that could work better for some people. My ADHD probably doesn't help with the chaos of my process either, HAHA. But thank you for reading this far and enjoying the peek into the rainbow glitter and soap bubbles that inhabit the right side of my brain, heehee.

[fridgrave2-0]

We share so many headcanons for Felix and Turbo that it's actually so exciting to see someone who shares a perspective very similar to mine on their characters! I feel like Turbo while dating Felix was less grumpy and sad as a lot of people interpret him :[ like he's not a perfect person ever and he has a million flaws but he also lived as king candy for a while. He's gonna be a little silly, I think. In fact, I think he'd only get that way (mostly) bc of Felix. Like Felix saw this mentally ill guy and went, "I can make him WORSE!" And then justified it to everyone as "I don't know what happened he just went insane!" for almost 30 years. I'd bet half my money that he even coined the term "going Turbo"

YES, EXACTLY, THIS!!!!

let the guy feel happy and silly in a company of someone who's "safe". turbo cannot allow to change others' perception of him by acting out of the line (aka his constant "I'm the best" bravado), but with felix he can relax a little and have a moment of peace when he doesn't have to put on a façade so much. but in the end, the only time he didn't wear a mask was when he was all alone after roadblasters, and being apart from felix was exactly what set him free

felix can't understand anyone else's problems until he goes through something similar and it gets shoved in his face, and even tho he liked turbo a lot back in the day, he was ignorant to things what were troubling turbo. his need of attention and appreciation wasn't normal, and there's only two options: felix supported it to the point when it got out of control, or he was dismissing turbo's concerns and frustrations. I don't see turbo as someone who understands his own emotions, and felix isn't a guy who would help him and guide him into healthier ways of seeking attention because felix himself is just immature and doesn't look outside of his bubble. if he feels good and happy and that his life is fulfilled, that means everyone else like turbo or ralph or else feel that way too. "you have your game, you are a main character, you earn your rewards. what else do you need?" felix would say, genuinely not understanding how neglectful he is. and turbo, disdained by everyone but felix, cannot explain why it's so important, or give a sign how damaging it is to his self-perception and self-esteem. turbo is already shaped into someone who keeps everything to himself, and seeing that felix doesn't want and won't understand him just makes every negative emotion and every concern accumulate in him, rot and poison him until it's too late

I'm sure turbo seeked for an advise when roadblasters were plugged in, but, as always, he was treated with "you're worrying too much. it's gonna be fine. just calm down. no one is trying to take your place". the same exact place by felix's side turbo doesn't feel he belongs to anymore. the same place for which he stepped over himself to open up, made a crack in a safe shell and was met with ignorance. is this what he tried to bent himself for, to be a different person for someone who just isn't willing to understand? to expose his back to others who are waiting for him to fall?

turbo felt rejected. he was rejected. by players and by the person he trusted most. and then he lost control, let the emotions boil out. and then the games were unplugged, his rivals and his home. he felt the invisible strings tearing up, ripping pieces of him out and living a hole that cannot be filled anymore. his connection to his game, his code, his life and soul

he crawled back to the one he also called home, damaged by another crash, the damage that won't heal anymore, because his game was gone. he crawled to felix, hiding from everyone's sight, scared of seeing nothing but "we knew it would happen" in their eyes. he didn't want to prove their expectations to be right. but when he noticed felix through the cracks in the tunnels under gcs, this was exactly what he saw

"he was so jealous. he was crazy... i should've seen it coming", felix said with a glimpse of regret on his face, too small to show the loss he should've feel. instead, there was it. the disappointment — and nothing else for the long ten years of hiding. his name turned into a common noun, a scary story, a legend he never wanted to be. but still, thanks to felix and his fantasies, his inability too see further than his exes' fake façade, turbo did actually become

a legend

[unforth]

Prefacing this TGCF post with: people can draw and write however they want forever and I support them and this is about my personal view of these characters.

Anyway.

I saw a post today that had Xie Lian singing "when will my life begin" from Tangled and it drove home what really bugs me about a lot of fan casts of Hualian onto popular media (see also my Howl's Moving Castle take). It's this idea that Xie Lian is, well, waiting for his life to begin, and Hua Cheng swoops in and makes it exciting, when this is imo so utterly antithetical, and in fact opposite, to canon.

Xie Lian has lived and lived and lived. He was a prince, he fought in wars, even during his 800 years fallen the whole book is an exercise in showing that he WASN'T just waiting around, he kept doing things the whole time - Fang Xin Guoshi and General Hua and and and. AND he also cultivated to the point of ascending again. Xie Lian is a fucking bad ass idealistic martyr who doesn't know when to quit and at least to me that's the whole point of his character and I love that about and for him so to see him inserted into existing franchise AUs as the wilting flower waiting for a moment to shine is utter character erasure and it makes me insane enough that I'm writing this post about it even though I think I shouldn't and even though I genuinely don't want to rain on anyone's fandom parade. But like. That's not him!

You know who it is?

It's Hua Cheng!

Hong Hong'er lives in Xianle, a kingdom where all this stuff is happening, and he just watches from the sidelines. He's an observer at the parade. He's just some kid. And then he falls (or jumps, or is pushed, you pick your interpretation) and he's caught by literally the coolest guy in the entire kingdom. He's the nobody who gets swept off his feet! And it changes his whole life! Like I think it wouldn't irk me so much to see Xie Lian get typecast that way if Hua Cheng wasn't right there literally living his "I met God and it changed my whole life for the better" fantasy. He seriously deserves to get recognized for this. I get that he's the loud flamboyant one so that makes it seem like he should get cast as a Howl or a Flynn or whoever, but like. He was waiting for his life to begin, and it does, when he meets Xie Lian.

And like. I get that these are kinda competing interpretations that depend on when you look at canon - I'm looking at the original 800 years ago events, others are looking at Hua Cheng coming in 800 years later - but still the "present" in TGCF isn't imo about Xie Lian having waited to be saved, he hasn't been in a hat shop for his whole life boredly making hats, he's never stopped moving and never stopped adventuring and never stopped striving to change the world. Hua Cheng is living out his "you saved me now I save you" fantasies but fundamentally they save each other over and over and over again and that's beautiful and I hate seeing it erased to make Xie Lian into the wilting flower. Like. The one who basically hasn't done anything that whole 800 years is ALSO Hua Cheng. We don't hear about him going off and having idealistic adventures. Everything we know of that he's done was directly related to Xie Lian (ie burning the temples). Other than that he seems to sit around in Ghost City chilling with his ghoulies. So again, finding Xie Lian is what pulls him out of his funk and prompts him to start acting for good, whereas Xie Lian has been acting for good the whole time.

Ugh. I should shut up now, just, I've been in this fandom for four years and this has become such a pet peeve of mine because it reflects such a huge disconnect between how I perceive these characters and how much of the rest of fandom does. And that frustrates me, cause I wish there was more content in line with my perception.

[zoeykallus]

smh i cannot believe i missed your first maul hc post 🤤

haha omg maul waking in on fem reader doing “self care!” and if you can, a version where fem reader has to seduce maul and another version where maul has to seduce fem reader? (if that is too much, just pick the scenario you like best.)

Aloha!

I'm so sorry for the late response! These days I can barely find time to write. Most of the time, I write at nights when I'm supposed to be sleeping 😅 Which is good and bad. My creative side is wide awake at night, much more so than during the day. The downside is, I don't get nearly enough sleep, I might get mistaken for a zombie and catch a headshot some day. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Okay, enough excuses and crying over spilled milk.

If you don't mind, I really like the idea of Maul walking in on fem!reader doing self-care. He needs to punish her, of course.

Maul x fem!Reader Oneshot - Bad Girl

Warnings: Smut/Sexual Content/Dub-Con/PiV/Toy Use/Dom Maul/ Sub Reader/Cunnilingus/18+

________________________

These days, Maul is on the road a lot again. You don't know exactly what he does, he doesn't talk much about his missions, the things he does. In any case, you haven't had any intimate contact for a long time. You are ravenous, Maul is on the road again, and you take the opportunity. You have completely undressed, naked self-care just feels better. With one hand you caress and massage your breasts, play with your nipples, the other hand wanders between your thighs. Your fingers dance over your clit. It feels good, always close to the edge, but somehow not close enough. Something is missing. You grab your favorite dildo, a custom one you had secretly made, it's modeled after Maul's cock, with the same nubs, and ridges. A cheeky smile is on your lips. You touch the dildo, it feels deceptively real, in excited anticipation, juices gather in your pussy. You place the dildo on your wet entrance as your fingers continue to rub over your clit. "I've been a bad girl," you say softly as you begin to push the lifelike dildo inside of you. It feels so good, so relieving, almost real. This is it, this is what you've been missing. With a moan, you drop your head back on the sofa cushion and start moving the dildo between your slick walls.

But then you hear something, it sounds like a growl. You lift your head in surprise. Maul is standing in the middle of the room, staring at you, his gaze gloomy, hard to interpret.

You haven't even heard him coming in. He stands there with his natural crown of horns, his eyes like a burning ember.

Startled, you tear the blanket off the back of the sofa and want to cover yourself, but Maul darts over to you and snatches the blanket from you, throwing it carelessly behind him. You lie there, naked, with the dildo in your pussy, heart racing as he stands over you. He examines you, his gaze falling between your legs. "I guess you couldn't wait for me to come back?" he growls. You swallow, searching for your voice, and finally say, "You've been gone so much lately, it's been a long time since we've.... well-" He interrupts you, "And you thought you were cheating on me with a piece of plastic?" You blink. "Cheating?" you ask, confused. He points to the piece of dildo sticking out of your wet pussy. "Yes, cheating. Or is that my cock in your pussy?" Again you blink in confusion. You know that Maul is prone to jealousy, very much so, but jealousy of a dildo is not what you expected.

"Well, it's basically your cock," you say meekly. He frowns, kneels on the sofa between your legs and grabs the bottom of the dildo, pulling it out a bit, eliciting a small moan from you. His gaze shoots back up to your face. You look at him shyly, cheeks heated. Finally, he looks back down, at the dildo, turning it a little inside your pussy to see more of it. You have to bite your lower lip to keep from moaning again. "That one really looks like mine," he murmurs thoughtfully. He looks back up into your face, a teasing smirk on his face. "Well, in that case," he says, sliding the dildo back in. Your mouth pops open, and you can't hold back the moan. You hear him laugh softly. "While we're at it.... what's that?" He spots the vibration switch, turns it on, eliciting a sweet little sound from you. His grin widens, and he increases the vibration level, all the way up. "Oh gods," you squeeze out, feeling like your whole body is being shaken.

"If you're going to do it, do it right," he says, amused. He lies down between your legs, grips your thighs tightly with his hands, and his mouth descends on your clit. He sucks on it while his tongue slides wildly over it, circling, applying pressure. "Fuck... Maul..." You can't even manage to form complete sentences anymore, the vibration in connection with his tongue play is just too much. You're literally racing towards the edge. His tongue is so fast and deft, the dildo filling you vibrates wildly between your slick walls. You long for the climax, but you're also a little afraid of it. You know he will overstimulate you mercilessly, that's his way of punishment. But you can't stop it, your orgasm lets out a loud moan from your lungs, rolls over your whole body like a wave and makes your thighs quiver. But he doesn't stop. His tongue dances wildly on your swollen, overstimulated clit, the dildo continues to vibrate in your pussy. You moan, twitching, trembling in his hard grip that is sure to leave marks. "Maul... please... no more..."

He waits a few more seconds until he gives in to your pleading. Maul sits up, jerks the dildo out of your pussy, which elicits a surprised sound from you. He doesn't turn the dildo off yet, though. He just puts it aside for a moment, grabs your hips, and flips you onto your stomach. "Spread it," he murmurs. You spread your legs for him as instructed. Maul slides the dildo under your pussy so the toy vibrates right against your clit. You start to twitch again, still overstimulated, but he puts his hand just above your butt on your lower back, pushing you down, onto the dildo. You let out a squeak, and you know he's smiling with satisfaction right now. One leg on the floor, one knee on the sofa, he kneels right behind your bare ass. With his free hand, he opens his pants, freeing his now hard, thick cock. He gives you a good slap on the butt, not aggressive, almost tender. "My bad girl," he says, laughing softly.

In the position, pressed by him into the sofa, naked in front of him, about to finally receive the real cock, your arousal picks up momentum again. Then you feel his tip bumping against your opening, slowly plunging between your slick walls. He penetrates you completely. Maul pauses there a moment with a growl, deep from his chest, he can feel the vibration of the toy as well. "Interesting," he says softly. Then he gets going, his hips starting to thrust back and forth, faster and faster. His pelvis keeps hitting your buns loudly, the clapping fills the room. He now has both hands on your hips, pushing you towards his thrusts and down onto the vibrating dildo as he does so, his balls touching the toy and causing a surprising rush.

His fingers dig into the flesh on your hips as he fucks you harder and harder. You bite into the pillow on which your head has been lying before, your fingers claw into the fabric of the sofa. Your saliva wets the pillow, your eyes roll back. The moment his warm cum spurts into your cleft, your walls twitch around his grooved cock, your orgasm pulsing sweet and heavy through your swollen pussy as he fills you. Both of you are breathing heavily. Slowly, Maul lets go of your hips, you can feel that he has left bruises there. He bends over you, kisses the spots and says, "I had to punish you". You can live with this kind of punishment, you think to yourself silently. But you know Maul knows full well that you like it. He gets you some wipes, so you can clean yourself up, then he says, "Get ready, we're going out tonight." "You're taking me out?" you ask with a smile. He rolls his eyes, but then he also smiles and says, "You're right, I've been out a lot, leaving you alone for too long."

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

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[rainbowsky]

Hiiiiii. I'm here again!💛 My question is: what are your top 3 solo dance performance of Web?

Mine includes his recent interpretative dance of Like the Sunshine, opening dance during SDOC4, and the classic Versace on the Floor, duh! 😘

You're anonymous so I have no idea who you are, but hello! Nice to see you! 😊

I absolutely love this question, thanks so much for asking it! DD's dance performances are always exciting, and something I eagerly anticipate - probably more than anything else from him!!

#1 Like the Sunshine

There can be no other winner. Truly the most memorable performance he's ever given. So special on every level. Even though I've been unable to watch it since January (long story that I talk about in my post* about the song, which is still in drafts), I think about it a lot. Exceptional, beautiful, powerful.

*Sorry to bring up a mystery post, it WILL be published eventually!

#2 SDOC3 Captain Dance & Rehearsal

I loved this practice version because we got to see DD dancing out of costume, and he looks so fucking amazing (he really can rock a tight-cuffed pant, windbreaker and ball cap like no other). This clip holds a special place in my heart. I love watching his practices. DD in his own clothing, just being DD, being a great dancer.

Both the practice and the live performances show DD's strong skill, professionalism, and talent. (DD's starts at 12:40).

After the captains' opening performances the dancers all voted with their towels to choose the best one. DD ended up getting the fewest votes of all the captains.

If you rewatch the performances you can see that other performances weren't nearly as intricate, coordinated or frankly 'cool' as DD's, but we got to see these performances from a very different vantage than the dancers, so I'll cut them some slack for being so blind. There were even some comments after the fact, that they couldn't see the complexity of it from where they were sitting.

It's crazy to me to think that he ended up in the bottom from this, and he even made a statement about hoping to improve. 🥺

This dance was so good, he performed it so well. It really shows that perspective is everything.

#3 VOTF

It feels like this performance wasn't meant for our eyes (😅), but I love it anyway. For all the same reasons everyone else does. It's just so smouldering and sexy, and he looks godly here.

My CPN post about the performance can be found here.

Special Mention: YH Practice Clip

This practice dance has to be mentioned because it's been a favorite of mine for years. Not just because he looks so stellar in it, but also because more than a lot of other videos out there, this one really shows DD's exceptional gift for dance.

If you watch the presence/power of his performance vs the two dancers behind him, you can really see how much he stands out - how much star power he has just based on his overall demeanour. He has such beautiful lines, precision, musicality and quality of movement. He hits every beat and every step effortlessly, while giving so much swagger and fluidity. His transitions are unbelievable - so smooth and so strong. It's mesmerizing to watch.

It's crazy to think it's only 1 MINUTE of dance. It feels like an entire epic story of movement.

The same is also true with the Swalla video that is popular among fans. Same thing. You can really see DD's talent in these clips. I fervently wish he'd release more of these, although I understand it's not likely to happen again. It would be a feast for me if he did.

[real-reulbbr-band]

@godnattakatta asked for my favorite Victoria actresses in a previous message so here they all are!

Hyla Mayrose Wright (US Tour 6, 2021)

Her Victoria takes and her understanding of her overall are just so intriguing to me, I feel like she understands who Victoria is but also what can be expanded about her, like her saying Victoria has an actual connection to the Jellicle moon itself was everything to me and it still is, because it makes sense; the moon can symbolizes femininity but also (at least in some interpretations) the ebb and flow of time, which relates quite well to Victoria’s arc of coming of age. Focusing on her performance though, I kept finding myself looking for her in the crowd- she has such cute background interactions with the other jellicles that each have their own uniqueness to them, like she thought of how Victoria feels about each and everyone. Granted, the US Tours do seem to have had some direction to further character interactions among the cast but Hyla’s really stuck out to me. I was so focused on her during the ball- which I think is saying a lot since so much happens in the US tour choreography she’s just so fun to watch and can really capture your attention.

Georgina Pazcoguin (2016, Broadway revival)

Her expressions during the white cat solo are everything- and she really evokes the feeling of being captured by these strange feelings she's having and still being intrigued by them as much as she's nervous. She wants to and then does surrender to the feelings, and her heavy breathing by the end of the solo (whether intentional or just because of exhaustion) I think adds a really nice touch. I'm really partial to her expression at the end of the solo and how she interacts with Mistoffelees afterwards. Very good stuff but no surprise since it was directed by Gillian Lynne! Also she's what drew me to Victoria in the first place so I have to include her.

Hanna Kenna Thomas (Various London productions and Vienna revival)

Her Victoria comes off a little more playful and even sassy to me, which is really fun to watch. A notable moment for me is when she's encouraging Jemima to play with Jenny's tail and whenever she interacts with Munk. I also like the subtlety of her acting during the solo, she moves very beautifully and her expressions when lowering into the splits- so good. I also think she has an overall excellent reading on Victoria (though I do disagree with one thing she said) but I do think she's ultimately right that there is an innocence in discovering yourself and your body for the first time and it's beautifully presented in the solo.

Honorable mentions: 

Ellis Van Evert (Amsterdam and Original Paris Production)

Ellis really embodies the "Unselfconscious" trait the best for me, like she doesn't even expect the pas de deux to happen because she's so deeply caught with these feelings inside and overall she's just really cute. Particularly during Skimble’s song, she’s very excited about creating the train and being in the front, she starts twirling with the cowcatcher- again super cute. Like on my first watch of cats Paris I was taking physical notes and pausing every other second because I was so into her performance.

Ebony Jayne Kitts (RCCL Cast 12) 

Ebony’s performance as Victoria, to me, really showcases the ‘loving life’ aspects of Victoria’s character and just seeing her perform makes me happy, her Victoria is so smiley and cute she’s become a newer favorite of mine. She has this very timid but excited energy during the pas de deux which is very fun to see and her acting flows very well with her movements during the white cat solo. I’ll admit there’s some small bias here because I did see Ebony perform live, it just wasn’t as Victoria but even then her movements were so fluid and gorgeous to watch just like the clips I’ve seen.

 I don’t think there are any Victoria performances I dislike- so I like just about any Victoria, as long as the performer gets those key moments down like the white cat solo and Grizabella’s first touch I’m happy.

[agent-calivide]

🎙️ and ✈️ for the ask game!!

✈️ Give a shout out to a fan artist / fic writer / etc. in the fandom that you appreciate!

Oh boy, get ready for a list.

@/lunacornfan2k24 has their AMAZING Celebrity Crush series that actually kicked off fanfic writing for the IEYTD fandom as a whole and holds up as one of my favorite fanfics I've ever read! All of the OC's are so fun, so real, and feel like they'd just be IEYTD characters in game!

@/rojaceartandgaming is the creator of Jackson "Agent Phoenix" Winters and has such a fun story going with his Out of the Ashes and Into the Flames fics! He's got such a strong personality and his rivalry with Juniper because they're both actors is such a fun twist! And that's not even touching on his other OC's, I Want To Punt Them! /pos

@/lavalampstealer has a super unique, silhouette style that I absolutely live for! They were a major art inspiration of mine and I get so excited whenever they're back in the fandom! I may or may not have stolen their idea of Kinesium making the agents glow (if I recall right?) and all around Cyan showing up on my dash always delights me!

@/neurotonic has such a strong artstyle with sharp shapes and bright colors and HOW ARE YOU SO CREATIVE??? Every art piece that comes from her is so neat, the body language, the expressions, I could ramble forever about how cool his art alone is, and then the OC's??? God tier, wanna be friends Black Mamba but I know they'd probs kill me.

@/an-asexual-idiot is another really cool artist that I'm always excited to see from! She's making the jump from Insta to Tumblr, so her blog's a bit empty, but her work is always so polished and detailed and I love seeing Gibson getting the attention he deserves. I am amazed by her backgrounds and would commit crimes to draw Juniper half as well as she does.

@/definitelyunhingedagentphoenix has hilarious incorrect quotes compilations that are always just the right amount of feral and is always feeding back into the fandom whenever I see their posts! It's a delight to see a string of them RPing out Phoenix getting into a problem or needing a loving family based on one meme post!

@/wyvchard is an awesome writer who does some pretty fun, pretty painful works! I'm living for their interpretation of Radio Host Phoenix, and their angst just hits different ngl- I've also gotten some of my favorite comments on Ao3 from them, they always put so much thought into them and make my work feel so appreciated in such a genuine way!

@/purplebehittindifferent AGH her COMICS. They're so pretty, they always melt my heart, and I am just thrilled to see them on my dash! The found family, the gremlin-y Phoenix, mom and dad Prism and Crane, the hurt comfort I LOVE them!!! They're so pretty and silly and sad and it's always neat seeing her work!

I could go on, this whole fandom is so gaddamn talented and we'd be here all night-

🎙️ What’s your favourite (used or unused) voice line in the games?

That's a hard one- honestly there's a few.

Again, obvious answer is obvious, "Oh, don't get any ideas, you're not going anywhere. As a matter of faaact~, you and I are gonna have a little chat" Is beautiful work from both voice actors and still gives me chills to this day!

But I also really like basically all of Zor's dialogue in KBOOM. "Ah, the creator and her creation working together..." "So you fooled Prism into believing in you... Well, even the great Phoenix will one day burn out..." "A bit late for that. And it seems Prism didn't die in the explosion at her factory either..."

Zor just scares me and I love them for it. The slightly patronizing edge, the condescension, the amusement. Zor feels so in control the whole time, and when they lose that control their mask only ever so slightly slips.

"Believe me when I say there's nothing worth saving at the agency... I would know.

IT'S SO GOOD

[bite-the-bloody-hand]

6 SONG SOUNDTRACK (PART 3 - BLUEGRASS)

Rules: If you're tagged, make a new post with links to music and/or lyrics describing the following: 1. An event that defines your character's past 2. How your character sees themselves 3. How others view them 4. Their closest relationship (platonic or romantic) 5. A major fight scene 6. End Credits song

This is a very special mixtape. Today would've been my dad's 69th birthday (nice, pops) and in honor of him, this playlist comes from his personal record collection. I cannot stress enough that this man was a deeply closeted bisexual from Chicago who rode a horse exactly once and hated it the entire time. He was the farthest thing from a cowboy you could possibly get, excepting, of course, the loads of pot he smoked (and dealt), but god damn did he love him some country music. So here's to you, Mongo. This is the soundtrack for the gayass cowboy stoner action comedy epic you'd insist you only like for the soundtrack … kinda like how the Mapplethorpe flower print in your living room was 'just because you liked the flower.' <3

Spotify || Youtube music ||Part 1 - Disco ||Part 2 - Post-Punk GothRock

1 THE DOOBIE BROTHERS - Steamer Lane Breakdown [instrumental]

It's always about the leaving with Zell - running away from 'home' in Ustalav was the first huge decision he made for himself. He looks back on leaving with fondness, it was a moment of true joy, a wild and boundless freedom he hadn't felt in a long time.

2 EMMYLOU HARRIS - Born To Run

Well, I take the chances, sometimes I made mistakes But you don't get nothing unless you take the breaks Living is dangerous as dynamite Sure it makes you feel nervous, but it makes you feel alright Makes you feel alright

He's ambitious, but not so much competing with anyone else as competing with himself; finding out who he really is. He's impatient to find out what living really feels like.

3 GREGG ALLMAN - Midnight Rider

And I don't own the clothes I'm wearing And the road goes on forever And I've got one more silver dollar But I'm not gonna let 'em catch me, no Not gonna let 'em catch the midnight rider

Zell's stories of being a wanderer travel as far as the rest of his more imposing reputation; the idea that he's a criminal on the run (not… 100% untrue), a vagabond and roving lover (also not 100% untrue he just didn't believe anyone else was as serious about him as he could have been about them) are romantic ideas that really catch on among the general public. He doesn't disabuse people of this, because he digs how cool it makes him sound and not like. A kinda pathetic loser who's terrified of commitment.

4 THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND - Heard It In A Love Song

I'm the kind of man who likes to get away Like to start dreaming 'bout tomorrow today Never said that I love you even though it's so Where's that duffel bag of mine, it's time to go

I've always interpreted this song in a playful tone, like the singer has no intention of actually leaving. He's teasing the idea, but knows he's already so far gone that there's no way he's finding anything better down the road; after a certain point, Zell gets the same way. It takes the right kind of person to keep him off the road.

5 NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND - Foggy Mountain Breakdown [Instrumental]

Zell can't count how many bar fights he's gotten in when this exact song was playing on the jukebox but it's enough that he has something of a Pavlovian reaction to it now.

6 WILLIE NELSON - Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die* (Feat. Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Jonson)

When I'd go, I'll have been here long enough So sing and tell more jokes and dance and stuff Just keep the music playing, that'll be a good goodbye Roll me up and smoke me when I die

One of the most exciting things about finding yourself and falling in love with life is accepting the end will come, and making sure it'll be a damn good party when it does.

*Our outsider track of the list - it came out a few days after Dad passed. This one's close to my heart for that reason especially. We did in fact smoke out and play this at his memorial, it was a wonderful goodbye. I'm getting high as hell at this very moment, in his honor.

[fabbyf1]

I woke up to your post about the stolen story and I’ve been trying to find the right words. I write too (privately) and my stories are very close to my heart and I’m very defensive about them. So I can only imagine that’s even worse when you actually publish your work and make yourself vulnerable. Still not sure I’ve managed to put my thoughts, but here we go:

First of all I want to tell you how sorry I feel for what a night/evening you must have had. I cannot imagine how much it must hurt to realise that people try to profit from and steal something that you have put and keep putting so much work, love, passion and dedication into. (English is not my first language so I hope I’m making sense here) I can only imagine that it feels like someone is using you and taking something away from you that is close to your heart and I‘m so sorry someone made you feel this way.

I also went through all my bookmarked stories on AO3 from the past two years to check if there might be some of the „similar“ stories you mentioned. Obviously I don’t know what stories you’re talking about. There were a few stories with a similar character dynamic, but nothing as blatantly copied as the one from your post. But (and I don’t know if that’ll make it less painful and disappointing for you): there are very very VERY few stories that I go back semi-regularly to re-read. There are even fewer stories that I go back to when I have a bad day. That are even less stories that made me tear up and keep making me tear up when I go back to them. And there are even fewer stories that are just open as a tab, just in case I want to read them again. But most of these very few stories are your stories.

If I want to cry and be sad and happy at the same time, I go back to the amnesia fic.

If I want to deep dive into Lestappen feelings and laugh and cry at the same time, I go back to Long Live.

If I’m in the need of some laughter and banter with great smut on top, I go back to like a Vapor

If I feel angsty and want to feel comfortable and distract myself with some good smut with feelings, I go back to the Warming Verse

If I want to read great character dynamics and studies, banter and unhinged smut, I go back to lestappen + guest (although I sometimes skip Carlos, depending on how annoying he is in real life…)

And the list goes on!

They can try to copy your character interpretation, steal your dialogue and write stories that are similar to yours, but they will never get this. They‘ll never be able to get these feelings out of people, because it will never feel as real, BECAUSE A COPY CAN NEVER BE AS GOOD AS THE OG!

Sorry for spamming your inbox, I hope you have a great day and I cannot wait to read lestappen + Oscar: the feelings edition (personally hoping for an actual conversation about what they are, but I promise I’ll get equally excited about 10k of feelings and a great blowjob)

bestie 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 this is so?

wow.

thank you so so so so much for spending the time to write this to me. i can't even tell you what it means to me. it definitely made me cry a little bit lmfaoooooo. i'm so glad that you enjoy my work. i really am. it's why i do it.

writing is a selfish hobby in a lot of ways because i'm clearly writing what i want to read, and i'm doing it for me, but i'm also very much doing it for you guys. i like writing things that you all enjoy and that can mean something to you, and i'm SO glad you get it. and that my fics stick with you so much.

seeing that somebody had stolen my work was... an interesting wave of emotions for me. i was clearly angry, i think everyone can see that in my response to them because i'm not one to anger-respond to things on this platform or on AO3. i'm pretty good at holding my tongue and bitching about it offline to my gf or my friends. i don't like to engage in anon hate (which is why i never publish them. i think every creator who has a following similar to mine receives anon hate and i'm not immune from it, i just refuse to publish it.) and i don't like to engage with anybody who's intentions are not good.

i want my little corner of the internet to always be a safe space for everyone. i want everyone to have a good time. to be happy, to love each other, to feel like they can come to me with things they might not be able to say out loud. i never want that to change, which is why i try really hard NOT to respond to haters or other bad things that happen around my fics.

but this time, i couldn't be silent. and i won't apologize for it.

before i posted my repsonse, i thought about going back and making it more... professional. taking out the "fucks" or whatever. i can write a corporate email like you wouldn't believe. i have "fuck around and find out" tattooed on me, sure, but ya girl is 33 years old. i'm a writer. i can destroy you with my words in a way that is so dignified and HR-approved, you won't even realize i've ruined your life until the end of it lmfaooooo.

but i think at the end of the day, in this case, i was just pushed too far lmfao. i can only stay silent for so long. and it felt good to let my raw emotions out without censoring how angry i was. because fuck yeah my feelings were hurt. they're still a bit hurt. i'm confused why somebody who claims to be a fan of mine, who follows my work here and on ao3, who has supported me and read my fics, would do something like this to me.

but i don't want my blog to become a negative space. i don't want this to be the only thing we ever talk about again on here. but i think it is important that we talk about it right now because it's a real thing that's happening outside of my works. lots of creators are getting their art, gifs, fics, manips, etc stolen and not getting credit for their work.

and that's just... not okay.

as a fandom, and as a society, we need to be better. tumblr and ao3 are an escape from the real world. it's a place you can go and be free, and happy, and goofy, and silly, and--frankly--embarrassing about the things you like. there is no reason any of us should be stealing someone else's art in any capacity. because if we do? if we let this continue? it's not fun anymore. and what the FUCK is the point if it's not fun?

this is not our real life. this fandom does not define who i am as a person, and it doesn't define who you are either. we all have real lives outside of this space. if we keep plagiarizing each other's art and sending anon hate and being cunts about everything, we will ruin all the good things we have here.

we need to recognize other creator's hard work and thank them for it.

appreciate their work and get inspired by it, without stealing it. make it your own. make it DIFFERENT. don't put the same quotes, don't put the same characters, don't put them in the exact same scenario as your inspiration. don't have them sitting the exact same way as the characters in your inspo were!!! BE BETTER.

anyway, happy saturday. my coffee tastes great. i hope you all have a wonderful day, wherever you are in the world. don't let this ruin your day.

[pomefioredove]

Hi hi! I hope you're doing well! I adore your writing and the way you characterize the twst cast so I'm *very* excited about this event of yours, so I'd like to request a matchup if that's alright with you! No rush, ofc!!

In terms of personality, I'm actually rather shy/timid and meek, but can be quite stubborn when it comes down to whatever it is I refuse to compromise on. I'm also quick to tears too due to being really sensitive so I'm also kind of known for being a crybaby even tho I try to hide it ^^;

I also really like to help others and being able to be the reason I made someone's day, makes mine even better!

For my interests and hobbies, I love singing and drawing/painting even though I'm not someone who's skilled at either. But I find these activities fun since I get to express myself and allow myself to just enjoy things. Especially since it helps me to feel less stressed after finishing a shift at work. I always feel re-energized afterwards!

I'm also into astrology and tarot, it's a lot of fun looking into the symbolism and hidden meanings behind them! It's so intriguing, especially how many ways something can be interpreted!! Is it really any wonder too, that I've always loved the stars as well? They're very pretty to look at even without the astrology aspect involved!

I also love the beach and collecting things like rocks/seashells/pretty leaves. Being outdoors is a great way to get out of your head and being more present in the moment, just like singing and drawing does! So I guess it's kind of also a no-brainer that I prefer it to being stuck inside working all day ^^

As for romantic partners, I don't think I'm very picky? But I do seem to gravitate towards people in general who are kind, intentional, and thoughtful as well as good at looking after others (even if they may not seem the type to do so, which makes it even sweeter to me because I think it's kind of cute). Though, honestly, I think just about anyone would agree they'd like those kinds of things in a partner haha ^^;

I'm open to any of the characters since they're all kind of loveable in their own ways and I'd like to read your thoughts on who'd be a good match! It's fun to hear your thoughts since you have a pretty good grasp on them! Thanks a bunch!! ☆

I match you with 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐥

The First Impression:

The first time he sees you helping someone out, or making someone smile, it's so over for him. Jack is all about loyalty to one's family (think of that as more of a loose term), and he really respects those who devote themselves to their packs.

Why He Fell:

...And what starts as a simple respect for you blossoms into admiration. Your dedication to the hobbies you enjoy, whether you excel at them or not, tells him the exact kind of person you are- someone honest, hard working, with integrity and the determination to better yourself. You have such a great outlook on life, one that he almost envies himself!

You're truly something special, especially at NRC, and he makes a little mental note to keep up with you in the future.

The Relationship:

Jack isn't so open at first, though as time goes on, he's more than willing to share the softer, gentler parts of himself with you. As much as he's intense and stubborn about his values, he's sweet and patient, as well.

And, as stated, Jack is very loyal and devoted. You can be sure of his honesty and trustworthiness, because he would never go behind your back for any reason! Sometimes he can even be a little too honest, especially when it comes to his personal values- but he's never mean. Deep down, he's a pretty big softie.

Jack enjoys living in the moment with you, whether that means taking long walks outdoors together, or simply hyping you up when it comes to your passions.

[lara-kaminari]

Excerpt from chapter 11 of: "The serpent and his forbidden fruit".

Or, the first time Ominis and Catalina almost kiss.

—Tell me something else. —Ominis proposed. —Read my fortune in love.

—Love?

—So I'll know if your predictions are true.

—My word alone is not enough?

Ominis smiled mischievously and offered me his hand again. This time I would not take him seriously. I began to trace circles on his palm with my finger, just playing a little.

—I need clarity on what you want to know. —I said, lowering the volume of my voice.

—Can't you just know? —Ominis asked, pulling his body closer to me. Not that it was necessary, we were already very close and in the library there was only silence; his voice had that hypnotic teasing tone I liked to hear.

I resume my reading, letting my fingers glide gracefully. As I moved on, I heard his breathing become more ragged: my nearness seemed to affect him in a way I hadn't anticipated.

—Maybe; maybe I do see something: a woman.

Ominis' eyelashes are long, the perfect complement to her opal eyes. Her face is so close to mine that I can now see it in detail.

—And is she beautiful?

—Does it matter?

—I'm just curious.

—I'm afraid that's just up to your interpretation.

—Something tells me you're out of practice. —Ominis said; in a clever move he was now holding my hand. I was so distracted that it was easy for him to turn the tables. —I'll show you how to read a love prediction.

—You can't see.

—I know how to use my hands to feel everything.

Merlin.

Ominis ducked his head as if he could really look. However, the trace of his fingers on my palm made it clear that he could perceive every little line as if it were Braille. In a few seconds I found myself as much into his prediction as he was into mine.

—I see here... A path full of possibilities, it looks like a bright and exciting future awaits you.

His voice was soft, almost a whisper, as if he were sharing an intimate secret. I gasped for a moment, surprised by the sudden proximity and the suggestive tone in his voice.

—What else do you see?

—In the theory of physics it is announced that even small objects can make big changes; a woman like you, small and delicate as a wildflower, you strongly attract those around you and make them fall for no reason. —Said Ominis. —You attract just like the myth of the Adam's apple, and the first one to taste of the forbidden fruit will open a door you had closed: Your chance to love.

His words faded to a whisper, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still as he allowed the gravity exerted by the earth to merge me with him. An electric current passed between us, charged with a palpable tension that neither of us could ignore.

I closed my eyes, opened my arms to whatever that physical force had for me and my lips began to tingle at the shock that was now inevitable.

Surprise! It's a fanart 😈 I mean, I did it hehe. That background is NOT mine, I'm not that far along 🤣 I had to google "big window good lighting" and that's what came up ahshzhs BUT everything else is mine ;).

I still don't understand about outlining and shadows, and I have to draw on a sheet of paper first and then upload it to the computer and follow the lines but hey, it's a cool result.

[pagannatural]

i've been following you since, god, since i think you were only six or so episodes into season 1??? i've been rather shy about talking to you directly but i really wanted you to know just how enamored i am both with your quest (writing analysis posts for every episode) and with your product. i'm so impressed with the way you've built up such a strong emotional narrative that's cohesive and compelling, to the point that even if the writers/kripke himself weren't conscious of every element they injected into the story, i can't possibly see it any other way anymore. like what was the intended reading of this show if not freaky psychosexual incest brothers, seriously. you make strong arguments for your reading and interpretations, and i love seeing you put together the evidence and draw connections across and within episodes.

anyway all this to say, whenever i try to get a friend of mine to watch this wretched show i always send your posts to them as additional reading after every episode they watch haha. it's a genuinely good breakdown of each episode, and on top of that the wincest narrative you've woven via the text drives me insane, and i want my friends to understand that insanity too :)

sorry for the long ask! i'm long-winded by nature lol. keep fighting the good fight; i'm so so so looking forward to your post on playthings :)

Me rn

I am so so happy that you decided to reach out, thank you!! 🩷 I’m having so much fun writing them. It’s taking me a lot longer now because I really am trying to track the whole thread of their relationship through season 6 and there’s SO much. Many of the points I make are hills I would die on but some are moreso just observations that I’m not sure were on purpose either, but yeah at a certain point you just can’t ignore that it’s more about the degree and type of psychosexual incest than it is about whether it exists. Kripke our lord and savior was fucking nuts.

I LOVE that you’re sharing these posts with friends- I do that exact same thing when I’m really into something. Sharing things I’m excited about is my love language so hearing that other people were thinking the same things or noticed stuff I didn’t is just. It’s the best you’re the best.

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Drama CD - Shimabara Disturbance Track 4 English translation

Now that this is done, I'm finally going to get to that Warframe update which I still have yet to start... also I don't think I'll be translating anything else this week since I want to try and finish one of my piano arrangements this week for Morimyu week... one of the side effects to having eye problems was that I did more music stuff since I just needed to do a lot of listening for that.

Anyway, enjoy! Tracks 5 and 6 will be up shortly!

Hakuoki Drama CD - Shimabara Disturbance Track 4: Kazama's raid [jp is 風間襲来]

Translation by KumoriYami

Sen: Ara, Chizuru-chan, what is it? Ah, the hairpin fell out? I'll help you do your hair again. Come here, and sit down.

(shuffles)

Sen: Hehe, Chizuru-chan is very happy. That's good. Sure enough, you're quite happy to wear such beautiful kimono. I was actually a little worried. Would Chizuru-chan be happy with those people? You're asking why? Because those people are taking advantage of Chizuru-chan...!

(door opens) 

Kazama: I've come to disturb you!

(door closes behind him)

Sen: Ka-Kazama!? Why are you here?!

(he walks closer)

Kazama: It's because I heard that something interesting would be happening here. Oh, it appears that this was worth the trip.

Sen: To actually barge in without permission... what if we were changing clothes?!

Kazama: Everything about my beloved wife is mine, so there's nothing I can't see.

Sen: You're speaking nonsense again!

Kazama: Rather than that, quickly do her hair and put her hairpin back in. I can't take her away like this.

Sen: I will do her hair after you leave.

Kazama: Ha... then there's nothing that can be done. We shall have to have our wedding like this.

Sen: I don't understand what you're saying. Why are you suddenly talking of such things?!

Kazama: This isn't sudden. It's already been decided that she would be my wife. All that remains is to choose a date to get married. With such a gorgeous outfit, isn't she silently expressing her desire for our wedding to be held right away?

Sen: How could that possible be?! How self-centered do you have to be to interpret everything like that...?!

Kazama: Stop/Don't yell! If you don't want to help with the hairpin, then at least assist with the wedding preparations.

Sen: I won't be helping, and there won't be a wedding.

Kazama: I should have brought Amagiri. As expected, it would better to leave the wedding preparations to him. Give me a brush, I'll write a letter to Amagiri.

Sen: I don't have a brush to lend you.

Kazama: Truly, such a small-minded woman who can't even lend a brush.

Sen: You're the one who needs to be a more open-minded. Is it because Chizuru-chan is so cute that you're feeling anxious/jealous?

Kazama: Anxious/Jealous? You're telling me that?

Sen: I'm not wrong. Are you worried that such a cute Chizuru-chan will be snatched away by someone else? That's why you're talking about holding a wedding right away.

Kazama: Hm, my wife has indeed become very beautiful. However, I know that my wife will certainly choose me, so there's nothing for me to be anxious/jealous about.

(walks over to Chizuru)

Kazama: Quickly come here, we need to go before those Shinsengumi guys arrive.

Sen: Aren't you quite anxious?

Kazama: Shut up! Is yelling all you're going to do?

Sen: Is kidnapping all you know how to do?

Kazama:....Regardless of what you say, I will be taking my wife back with me.

Sen: Hold it!

(lots of footsteps)

(door opens)

Harada: Hey! What's wrong?! What happened?!

Hijikata: Ah! You bastard!

Kazama: We met again, Shinsengumi.

Hijikata: Kazama!

Toudou: Hey! Let go of Chizuru!

Kazama: Who do you think you're talking to? Why are you admonishing me for touching my wife?

Sen: For that reason, no matter how cute Chizuru-chan is, don't get carried away by your own excitement!

Kazama: This woman already decided that she would be my wife! Regardless of what you say, that will not change. Didn't she dress up today just for me?

Okita: Hehe. There's no way. Chizuru-chan doesn't even want to marry you.

Kazama: A woman's true feelings are hidden by her shyness, is the Shinsengumi so desperate to have such a brat be one of its executives?

Okita: Heh, interpreting what she said out of shyness? Are your ears broken? I can help cutting them off for you.

Kazama: For you to try cutting without a blade, I'd like to see that.

Nagakura: Damn it. When we entered the store, we deposited all of our katana

Kazama: Then do you intend to fight me with those wakizashi?

Harada: Ah, there's no helping it, just shut up and watch.

(unsheathes)

Kazama: Hmph, I don't want to play with you right now. I'll let you go today.

(smashes door)

Hijikata: Hey, wait!

Toudou: Chizuru!

Saito: Vice-Commander, what should we do?

Hijikata: Obviously, we'll chase him!

Sen: Please wait!

Hijikata: What? We're busy now!

Sen: It's my fault that Chizuru-chan was kidnapped, I will take responsibility for this and save her! Please return to your headquarters first.

Harada: Sorry, we'll have to ignore that.

Saito: I was the one who asked you to dress Yukimura in a kimono. We can't just leave things like this.

Okita: I also have a score that needs to be settled with that oni, how can I just go back?

Toudou: That's right! We can't just leave Chizuru by herself!

Hijikata: You seem to know that man, right? It doesn't appear to be within your power to make him listen to you. Even if we leave things to you, You seem to know that man, right? If this continues, you won't be able to let that guy listen to you, I don't think you'll be able to bring Chizuru back.

Sen: That's... However, aren't you using Chizuru-chan for the research related to the rasetsu? How can I safely leave her to you?

Hijikata: Well, if you don't plan on helping, we'll go after that bastard Kazama ourselves. It's useless to talk here, let's go!

all but sen: Yes!

(footsteps)

Sen: Wait!

Hijikata: What is it now?!

Sen: I know where Kazama will go. Although we have our own intentions, since our goal of saving Chizuru-chan is the same, let us cooperate.

...............

Kazama: As expected, you truly are the most suitable to become my wife.

(protests)

Kazama: I should have got some sake so you could pour me a cup. What's wrong? Are you still feeling shy now? Hmph, although I don't hate your hard to get and shy reactions, it will be difficult if you continue not being used to me. Chizuru, if you come with me, I will let you see Kodo. He would also be very happy to see his daughter dressed like this, right...? Hah... why do you want to go back to those people? Isn't your goal to find your father, Kodo? I'm telling you that I'll let you see him. I know where Kodo is, so there's no need for you to be with those dogs. Are you not dissatisfied with your current life? Being restricted from going out, needing to wear men's clothes, and doing chores all day, it resembles a life of punishment. Even so, why do you...?

(commotion)

Kazama: It's noisy outside, I'll go take a look.

(sound of rope)

Kazama: I'll be tying you a bit, so bear with it a little while. Stay here and don't move.

(steps out, and Kazama exits the building [?])

Kazama: You came quickly. Your noses are quite good. As expected of stray dogs.

Hijikata: Shut up! You kidnapper! Hurry up and return Chizuru to us!

Kazama: What a shameless misunderstanding! She is my woman!

Toudou: What misunderstanding! Chizuru obviously doesn't want this!

Kazama: It appears that some children cannot understand a woman's shyness.

Okita: Everything you say to this person is pointless. Hijikata-san, it'd be best to kill him quickly.

(uhsheathes)

Kazama: Without a group, weak and pathetic stray dogs will not even dare bark.

Harada: Say whatever you want, but saving a kidnapped woman will always be just!

(charges and swings spear)

Hijikata: Souji!

Okita: I get it, no need to tell me!

(blades clash)

Kazama: Oh? Despicable people who only dare fight when in a group!

Nagakura: I don't want to be told that by a villain uses uses force to kidnaps a girl against her will!

(more blades clash)

Hijikata: Heisuke, use this opening!

Toudou: Understood!

Kazama: Do you think I'll just let you pass?!

Saito: That is what I would like to say!

(more blades clashing)

Kazama: Get out of the way/Get back!

Saito: I won't let you!

(more fighting)

Nagakura: That guy Saito appears to be in a very good condition.

Harada: He couldn't get enough of seeing Chizuru in a kimono, so he's probably very angry.

Nagakura: If you put it that way, I'm also quite upset. To monopolize someone so cute, it truly is a serious sin!

(more fighting)

Kazama: You bastards, don't get full of yourselves. This farce ends here.

(running)

Toudou: Stop it, Hijikata-san, Chizuru isn't here!

HIjikata/Kazama: What?!

Saito: What do you mean, Heisuke?!

Toudou: She had probably been tied up inside, but all that remained were cut ropes. But this hairpin had also been left behind, so there's no doubt she was here.

Kazama: (Did you escape through your own strength? Do you really want to continue doing those odd jobs? I can't understand it.)

Hijikata: What are you mumbling about over there? Don't tell me you handed her over to your comrades, you bastard?

Toudou: No, the ropes looks like they had been forcibly cut, but could it be that she also want to escape from us?

Kazama: (They didn't even realize it themselves... this is becoming more and more incomprehensible. What exactly does Chizuru expect from these people?)

Hijikata: What nonsense are you saying?

(sheathes)

Kazama: You should go. There are very limited places where she can go.

Hijikata: What?

Kazama: I can steal her away at any time, I'll leave her in your safekeeping for a while longer.

(Kazama vanishes[....?])

Harada: What the hell is that guy doing? It's so strange.

Toudou: In any case, what should we do, Hijikata-san? Anyway, we need to find Chizuru first!

Hijikata: Ah, I got it. Let's all look separately!

(they run off)

---to be continued----

[rainingskeletons]

Hi I hope you're having a good day. (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)

I've been working on an OC for a while now and, I was wondering... How did you decide what design you wanted for slumber-sans? Was there a process?

I've been struggling with mine for a few months, so...

I feel like I'm in a hole, and I was hoping for some advice??

Heya, that's so exciting, it's fun to make OCs but I know it can be frustrating when you hit a wall!

I'll attempt to explain my process! Slumber-Sans changed a lot over the years and I think that's an important part of the development of an oc. Let them evolve over time!

To start, I designed slumber Sans way back in 2017 and it was a combination of things! At the time I had a pintrest board filled with clothes with like celestial/star patterns that I loved.

I also had a different original story I was working on at the time, that followed a hero who fights in the world of dreams. So combined with my love of Undertale I got inspired to draw this AU Sans :p

When approaching design, I want to reflect the character's personality! Emphasise his sleepy personality with a sleeping robe and sweat pants. I left him shirtless so you could see the space patterns in his robe more and tried to use a photoshop brush to make a pattern that would be easy to replicate. I was also playing with the idea that Sans' magic is tied to the "third eye", so I gave him one very literally (which I chose to change later)

Here's how I first drew him! (the Lilakrain watermark is the account I posted it to at the time)

Back then his style was really based on the game sprites. I drew him really square, I remember at the time I was trying to give him some kind of shape language that was cool and angular but still friendly. That changes over time as I saw how other artists drew him and was inspired by other shapes that I liked. For a few years I had to leave the design but when I started thumbnailing the comic and made the blog, I chose to update his design. My style had really simplified and streamlined over time, so I played around with an interpretation of that design with my new style. and thumbnailing the same character over and over shows you how you like to simplify them.

I like to mix soft curves and sharp angles to create contrast and to give energy/personality. And then finally when I wanted to draw the comic for real, I took a little more time to perfect a reference sheet for myself (but even this is just a suggestion! Some small details of the design have naturally evolved even now)

So tldr:

-Don't be too hung up on the final design, It's ok to let your OCs evolve naturally over time! -Ask yourself what kind of personality traits you like about your character and explore them (in my case with doodles)

-Combine the things/artists that inspire you! Mix and match as many things as you like and have fun✨

[askbensolo]

Journal Entry #44: roller coaster.

I returned to my senses when I heard the door open and a bag get set down. “Ben! I got those cookies that you like from the—oh.” Then I heard a chuckle and felt her sit down on the floor next to me.

"Ben...what are you doing with your face on the ground?"

I didn't say anything. It was like I couldn't. Too many thoughts were spinning wildly around my brain, except they weren't even developed enough to be thoughts. I shook my head.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't tell you," I muttered, because I thought too hard about what it would be like to marry you and panicked for two hours was too difficult to tell her.

"Well...okay. But at least sit up, silly." She put her hand on my shoulder and shook me a little.

I obeyed and sat up, not wanting to make eye contact. In that moment, I found her terrifying: all five-foot-one of her.

She sat quietly with me for a moment.

"...Is this about...you and me?" she asked finally. I shrugged, which she correctly interpreted as an affirmative.

"Ben, I...I think we should talk."

I covered my face and shook my head, feeling like I was about to implode. "Please. No."

"Ben...I hate to see you get all upset over nothing," she pleaded. "I want you to know I don't expect a single thing from you. You were right, that we'll always be friends, and I know you can’t force feelings you don’t have. I've accepted that you don't like me—"

I tore down my hands, revealing an anguished expression. "Well, I've accepted that I maybe kind of do, which sucks, because now I have to think about what our future would look like together and I don’t think I’ve ever thought about anything so serious in my entire life."

She blanched. She had been standing on her knees, but she slowly sank down onto her heels in shock.

I couldn't tell what she was feeling. Shouldn’t my confession have made her happy? But she looked about as confused as I was. Maybe even a little scared, too.

"...You're joking," she said finally.

"Well, I don't know if I'm right or not, but I'm not trying to be funny," I told her.

She looked like she didn't know what to say. We stared at each other.

And then...tears started welling up in her eyes. She shook her head. Two fat droplets spilled down her cheeks, and she started doing that imaginary knitting thing with her hands.

"Hey...don't get all excited, Fan," I said, embarrassed, catching her hands up in one of mine. Her hands were so little.

"How am I supposed to not get excited?" she asked quietly, her big eyes dripping diamonds that glittered like stars. "I've always loved you."

I didn't expect those words to make me dizzy, but they did. She looked at me, for a moment...then collapsed into my arms and absolutely lost it, sobbing like a baby.

I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight.

“Listen…I’m scared,” I admitted, fully aware she might not have the mental bandwidth to register what I was saying. “I’ve…I’ve never thought about being with someone that way. I’ve never thought about what that would mean, or what it would invite into my life, or the challenges it would involve. I mean…everything could go horribly wrong. We work pretty well as friends, and I guess as housemates, but as anything else—who knows? We could end up being way in over our heads and totally unhappy.”

“Well…I’m scared too,” she snuffled. “I mean…goodness, Ben, I just told you. I was okay with you not liking me. I didn’t have anything to lose. But now...I have everything to lose. I didn’t even love Deirak the way I love you, and it was still so hard when I said goodbye. What am I going to do if I lose you?”

“You’re afraid of something ending that hasn’t even started?” I teased her weakly, rubbing circles on her back.

“Well…you’re afraid of starting it, when there’s every hope in the galaxy it’ll end,” she said miserably, in a dumb, mopey little way that made me chuckle in spite of how anxious I felt. I rocked her back and forth for a moment, then gently lifted her head off my shoulder and held her at arms length so I could look at her.

A loose dark hair had gotten plastered to her wet face. I picked it off.

“Look…I still don’t know if I’m in love with you,” I told her.

“Well…I still don’t know if I want you to be in love with me,” she said, laughing softly and wiping the heel of her palm against her eyes. “You should have just stayed the way you always were: handsome and charming and thoroughly unattainable, so that I could have gone on admiring you in silence forever, and never had to risk anything.”

“Well…you shouldn’t have made me dinner, and you shouldn’t have had coffee with me every morning for a month despite hating caf, and you shouldn’t have let me walk in on you dancing like a moron,” I replied softly, pushing my fist against her shoulder playfully. “I mean, please. You’re too cute for your own good.”

“Cute like a loth-cat? Or cute like a girl?”

I flicked her cheek with my thumb and index finger. “Oh my Force, not this stupid thing again.”

She giggled, her wet eyes sparkling.

My hand stayed hovering over the side of her face as I looked at her, and I let it rest on her cheek. She smiled and leaned into my hand—maybe she was part loth-cat after all.

My thumb poked at the corner of her mouth, and I looked at it for a second. Thought about it.

Nah. No way.

“Don’t kiss me, Ben Solo,” she said seriously.

“I wasn’t going to,” I said, annoyed that she had noticed. “Ew.”

“You looked like you were thinking about it.”

“Yeah, thinking about how it would be gross,” I said, which was true. “Hey—we’d be perfect for each other, you know. I have a pathological fear of physical intimacy, and you’re a prude.”

She squinched up her nose to keep from smiling and smacked her hand lightly against my face. “I am not.”

“You’re twenty-two and you’ve only had one boyfriend, who you never kissed once in the two years you were together,” I teased.

“You already know I want my first kiss to be with the one I marry,” she said, rolling her eyes at me and smiling. Her hand went on top of the one I had holding her face—it felt weirdly electric. “That was one of the first conversations we ever had, wasn’t it? When you took refuge in my hut while the others played spin-the-saber. Ironic of you to make fun of me for never having been kissed, since you’re twenty-three and you’ve never been with anyone at all.”

“Yeah...until now,” I said. “Possibly.”

“Possibly,” she echoed softly.

We looked at each other, our smiles fading. The uncertainty of the whole situation came creeping in again.

“…We should probably just…stay friends until I go back to Ryloth,” she said finally. “And then...figure it out after that. I don’t know if we should…date as housemates.”

I frowned. Until she went all the way back to Ryloth?

She picked up on my troubled look. "...What?" she asked.

“Well, it's just...you’d be so far away," I said. "We would barely see each other. I mean...I’m not crazy about starting things right away either, but if we were to…y’know, date…wouldn’t it be easier to start while you’re right here?”

She blushed. “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to be living with my boyfriend.”

I took my hand off her face. “But…you’re living with me right now, aren't you?"

“Yes, but you’re not my boyfriend right now.”

“Yeah, but...what would change if I was? Why would it be inappropriate then, if it's okay right now? I don’t understand.”

"Ben, don't you remember? Even before all of this happened, I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for us to live together—"

"Yeah, I know you weren’t sure about living here before, but you changed your mind, right? ‘Cause you’re here. And you’ve never brought it up again till now…”

She looked like she was about to say something, then stopped.

“I…I just don’t want to be living with a man until I’m married,” she repeated, embarrassed.

“But that’s what I’m saying, you’re literally living with one right now,” I repeated, frustrated.

“Yes, but you’re not my boyfriend right now,” she repeated, flustered.

“No, but I’m still a guy, and you’re currently living with me, and that’s not what you said,” I repeated, annoyed. “You said, ‘I don’t want to live with a man’—”

“But you’re not my boyfriend,” she said again.

“Fannie. You’re just saying the same thing over and over!”

“Well…so are you!”

We both giggled tensely at the same time: a weird kind of laugh that was 0% mirthful and 100% awkward and uncomfortable.

“Look, I was under the impression you already decided you were okay with living here, because here you are,” I said. “I’m not suggesting we like…start sharing a bed or anything. I’m still expecting that you’re gonna move out in the fall so you can go back to doing your thing. All I’m saying is, for the summer, we could just keep things exactly the same—”

“But they wouldn’t be the same, because we’d be dating,” she said.

“What would be so different about us dating from the way things were two weeks ago?” I asked impatiently. “You were already living here. Sleeping on the couch. We were hanging out all the time. Making dinner together, watching movies, going out on the weekends—”

“Yes, but everything was different, because when I agreed to move in, I saw you as a brother,” she said, looking stressed.

“But you didn't just see me as a brother,” I argued. “You said you always liked me.”

“Yes, but you didn’t like me, so nothing was ever going to happen,” she said, anxiously doing the knitting thing with her hands again.

Happen? I let go of her. What did she mean, nothing was ever going to...happen? Like...something that would make it inappropriate for us to live together?

“Wait,” I said, looking at her. “What are you afraid would ‘happen’?”

I looked at her expectantly. She couldn’t answer. Or wouldn't. Was she trying to say something bad would happen? Like...I would try to do something bad to her? Like…I would try to violate her? Or something?

“What?” I stared at her. “What, are you afraid we would, like…have sex or something? Do you think I'd try to have sex with you?”

“Ben. Do not talk about us having sex,” she said, shocked, her face red. But she didn’t deny it or try to correct me, and that really, really bothered me. I didn’t think that was what she was thinking…but what was I supposed to think, when she wasn’t giving me any reason to think otherwise?

“Well, you’re the one who’s thinking about that, apparently,” I said, starting to get worked up. “Really? Me? With everything you know about me, that’s something you’re worried about? Why, just ‘cause I’m a guy? Who do you think I am? You really think that I of all people would try to take advantage of you like that?”

She shook her head, her eyes all big.

“Then what are you trying to say?” I snapped. “Because if it’s not that and you’re thinking about something else, I would love to hear it! What is this, a guessing game? I mean, come on! Give me something to work with here!”

She wouldn’t talk. She would only stare, her eyes wide like twin moons. Usually, her big eyes were cute, but right now they were both pissing me off and scaring the hell out of me.

A minute went by in total silence. Then two. I know, because I counted the seconds. I waved my hand in front of her face. “Uh, hello?” She didn’t blink. Her eyes began to cloud up with tears, but she still wouldn’t speak.

Why the hell wasn’t she talking?? My heart started pounding and all my thoughts started speeding up inside my head and my hands started shaking. I started panicking again. Things had been okay and then for a second they’d been better than okay and now they were worse than they’d ever been. This was hell; we were in hell right now.

Suddenly, everything just felt so terrible and I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up and yelled and kicked the leg of the coffee table.

That seemed to wake her up.

She jumped to her feet. “Why are you so mad that I said I wanted to wait till I moved out before we started dating?” she asked, glaring at me. “You’re the one who said you weren’t sure about dating at all. Why are you suddenly all in a rush?”

“I’m not!” I shouted. “You’re the one who apparently thinks I’d try to sleep with you if we started dating right now. Do you know how physically sick that makes me feel?“

“Ben, I never said that.”

“Well that’s how I interpreted it, since you wouldn’t tell me what you actually meant, and I asked you—like, twice, and you didn’t kriffing correct me!”

“Don’t swear at me!” she yelled back.

“I’m not swearing at you, I am swearing in general!" I seethed. "There’s a difference!”

She glared at me, but didn’t say anything. I waited for her to open her mouth and use actual words like a grown-up, since apparently she’d finally gotten in the mood to talk, but no words ever came. I threw my hands out to my sides.

"Well? Are you gonna say something, or what?"

She didn’t. Just stared at me with those big brown eyes like daggers.

“Oh, so we’re back to this now,” I said sarcastically. “Cool.”

Her eyes were boring holes into me and it was like being on fire.

I turned and shouted and slammed my fist against the wall. “Cool! Just ignore me, I guess! I don’t get what’s happening right now! You’re not being you! You’ve always been so great at communicating and now you won’t kriffing talk!” I body-checked the wall and yelled again. RIP my neighbors.

Fannie’s eyes flashed violently. The same way they had when she told me she hated her father.

“No, I’ll tell you something, dumbass,” she blurted angrily. “We shouldn’t kriffing date.” Then she grabbed her keys and stormed out the door.

I had never heard those words come out of her mouth before. And right after she’d told me to watch my language. I was so shocked, there was a split-second where I laughed out loud. And then a ton of other emotions barreled into me like a space freighter crash-and-burn, and I slid down the wall on my back and ended up crumpled in a heap on the floor with my head in my hands.

What the hell was that? Nothing like that ever happened when we were just friends. Are we still friends? Because if that’s what it’s like to be more-than-friends…I’d pretty much rather just die.

[rosekasa]

Has this ever happened to you? People saying that you’re just a discount “insert popular artist you’re trying to study”? Recently I’ve been told that I am stealing art from these popular artists and I’m somehow lesser than them?? I don’t know what I’m trying to say but it really dampened my excitement to show others my art 😭😭😭

ANON WHO SAID THIS TO YOU?? DIRECT ME TO THEM, I'LL FIGHT THEM

that is such a discouraging thing to say to someone!! i'm really sorry you're going through that!!

on one hand, i do believe it's important to develop your own style so you're creating art through your own voice. but also, it's my opinion that very little of an 'art style' is created through conscious choice and rather giving yourself space to experiment and explore with all the OTHER styles that you enjoy. this sometimes means that your art will look similar to another artist's style as you're growing and developing your artistic vocabulary! and that's okay! that doesn't make you a 'discount' ANYTHING.

my art from like, 2021-22ish, with that logic, looks like discount sui ishida. like a really bad discount. because i was so obsessed with his art and literally just wanted to ABSORB it. i was studying his works all the time, with every piece i would do i would have some of his art nearby so i could look at it and see what parts of his art i liked and where those were missing in my piece. and because his art is obviously much better than mine, a lot of the new theory that i had to learn to achieve a style that made me feel excited to draw was being replicated in my pieces in the way that he did it, because i still wasn't sure what all the rules were yet. i still am not! but the point is, as you grow more as an artist, you learn those rules, you learn how to spot those rules being used in more than just the artist that you like, and how to interpret them in your own way.

studying other artists is one of the BEST things you can do with art, imo. to me it really encapsulates what the experience of art should be -- exploring art that makes you Feel Something, learning from it, trying to see how you can make art that makes you Feel Something, too. in the same way we follow recipes online to make food that tastes good until we can figure out what exactly makes them taste so good so we can make dishes to our own exact taste, studying others' styles to learn why exactly they make you so excited to consume their work is so important to develop an authentic style that YOU LOVE !!!! to be your own favourite artists you need to look at your favourite artists!

IM SORRY THIS IS SUCH A LONG RESPONSE I JUST GRRR GOT SO MAD KNOWING YOU'RE BEING MADE TO FEEL BAD ABOUT THIS. you are fine bb, keep persevering!!!