#~adventures in applying to uni~

[daughterofhecata]

The second the linguistics textbook goes "you can use your intuition here for a first impression/to try figure this out before we get to the theory!" I just laugh and skip ahead to the theory because frankly, almost nothing about linguistics is intuitive to me.

[magenta-malice]

The Five Love Languages: Stupid Rabbit Edition

A/N: I have a uni class called Social Skills Development and we were talking about relationships and the main love languages. Naturally, I spent almost the entire class thinking about how these would apply to the bnnuy rabt. Then I did the same in my next class… then I came home and turned those thoughts into whatever this is – instead of studying for my three upcoming exams.

I’m also writing this intro two days after completing the whole thing, when I’m also supposed to be studying. Am I going to pass any of these exams? Should I be making better choices? Will I ever succeed in anything in life like this? Do I even care? Let’s not find out! 

So anyway, enjoy! My academic achievements certainly won’t!

CW: none | asshole rabbit (affectionate) | prompts are NOT cohesive AT ALL | also I think I tend to write Jax a bit OOC so be aware of that I guess?

Word count: 1571 | Masterlist

Gift Giving

“Oh wow, a gift? From me? To you?” He smirks, handing you a tiny, glittery box. You open it to find... a single peanut.

“I got you a present.” He holds out a tiny piece of paper with ‘You Suck’ written on it.

“I found this and figured you’d like it.” Hands you one of Zooble's parts that he stole from them earlier.

“Here, I made this for you.” Gives you a poorly drawn doodle of you with “Dumbo” written above it. (It’s actually kinda cute.)

He tosses something at you without warning. You barely catch it, looking down to see... a single, slightly crumpled flower. “Eh, it was in my way.” He shrugs, avoiding eye contact.

“Pfft, no, I didn’t get that for you. It just appeared out of nowhere. Weird, huh?” He says after gifting you something genuinely nice but refusing to take credit for it.

Jax casually flips you a small, shiny bracelet. You realize it’s the one you lost a while ago in the circus during the gloink adventure. “Found it,” he says, walking off before you can react.

Words of Affirmation

“Wow, you suck at this.”

“Huh. Guess you’re not completely useless.” After you do something impressive.

You make a self-deprecating joke about yourself. Jax frowns, his ears slightly twitching. “Okay, no. I refuse to let you talk about yourself like that.”

You mess up something huge during an adventure, making everything more difficult for the whole group. Your face is flushing with embarrassment. Jax leans against the wall, barely suppressing a laugh. “Yikes. That was so bad I almost wanna be nice to you. Almost.”

“Ugghh, why do I even like you? Oh, right. Because you’re so great and cool and all that other annoying stuff.” Gives you the biggest side eye.

“No, no, no, don’t give up now! You’re my main source of entertainment!”

Quality Time

“Wow, alone time? In this economy?” (You've JUST sat down to do something on your own.)

Wordlessly follows you around for hours. When you finally ask why, he shrugs. “Dunno. Just seeing how long it takes for you to snap.”

OR you're reading a book on the couch. Jax is just sitting on the other end, staring at you like a creep. “So how long are you planning to do this?”

“What? You’re busy? Nah, c’mon, whatever it is can wait. I gotta show you something.”

You decide to take a walk by yourself to clear your head. After just two minutes, Jax appears beside you out of nowhere. “Did you really think I wouldn’t follow you?

You're trying to focus on something, but Jax keeps lingering over your shoulder and walking in circles around you like a clueless puppy. Finally, you snap and give him a groan. "What? We’re bonding. This is quality time."

BONUS, if somehow you'd have phones: He randomly yoinks your phone out of your hand while you're using it. “You’re welcome. It’s called being present, ever heard of it?”

Acts of Service

Steals your things so you “learn independence.”

Sneaks in your room and rearranges your stuff just because it "looked off." ((((based on this post of Jax's very organised room from @backtothedrawingboard hehe))))

You’re struggling to reach something on a high shelf. Jax smirks, grabs it easily, and then holds it just out of your reach. “Oh, you wanted this?”

“I technically helped you, so, y’know, you owe me now. And I'm definitely cashing that in later.”

"I’m practically doing all the work here. Just saying." (Does literally 1% of whatever it is that needs to be done.)

You’re carrying a bunch of stuff, struggling. Jax takes exactly one item from your arms. “There ya go. Better?”

Jax hands you something before you even ask for it.  “How’d you– ?” You blink.  “I pay attention. Sometimes.” He grins. 

Physical Touch

Flicks your forehead out of nowhere – “Just checkin’ if your brain’s still in there.” 

OR flicks your nose for no reason – “Dunno, just felt like it.”

Pokes your cheek repeatedly. “Just makin’ sure you’re real.” (None of you are.)

Ruffles your hair and immediately messes it up, making you groan his name in annoyance – “Nah, looks better like this.”

Casually throws an arm around your shoulders. “Look at us. Best buds.”

“Whoa, careful there.” After he stuck his foot out to trip you, but caught you last second.

Drags a single finger down your arm just to see you shiver. “Ticklish, huh?” (He's a 100% aware of this already.)

“Ughhh, standing is so hard.” Leans on you dramatically.

[zosa95]

Gemma: How about your teen years?

Jude: Much of the same, but add in stupid teen activities. We drank cheap-ass booze, smoked weed, occasionally experimented with harder drugs, built bonfires for parties, skinny dipped, gave each other poke tattoos, and played games like Seven Minutes in Heaven.

Gemma had read of such activities and even pretended to experience them in acting roles. But her real life was devoid of any teen adventures like this.

Gemma: (hesitantly) Did you and Chessie date?

Jude: Nah, contrary to the rumors, there was never anything between us. She and Marcello became an item in their first year in high school. She went straight from "that shit is gross" to "I'm going to marry Marcello." And while every couple I know has wobbles in their relationships, not these two.

Gemma: Why would there be rumors to the contrary?

Jude: Because she always picked me for Seven Minutes in Heaven. She loved to piss off Tinsley, and she knew I wouldn't paw at her. We usually planned the next party or trip into Windenburg during our seven minutes. Growing up in a tiny village has disadvantages. Everybody knows everything. If you tried to purchase condoms, you were labeled a lecher, and no one would let you date their kid. If you bought a pregnancy test, then you were grounded until adulthood. And forget about getting booze unless you bribed the town drunk to go into the liquor store for you.

Gemma: Where was my other sister? I don't even know her name.

Jude: Carlotta - never Carla or any other nickname - is wired differently. Whereas Chessie saw rules as suggestions, Carlotta saw them as laws. She's damned smart and very reserved. While Chessie and I ran wild, Carlotta practiced the piano or calligraphy, read books, and dressed up for tea. Sometimes, despite their age gap, she'd play dolls with Eva.

Jude: She applied for a posh boarding school between Britechester and Windenburg during high school. It was there she found her people. She thrived in that way of life and never looked back. She went to uni and law school, where she met her old money-husband from a titled family. Don't get me wrong, they are always gracious when you talk to them, but they live in a different world.

Gemma: Carlotta isn't going to like me, is she? I'm the illegitimate child and a former Del Sol actress. I hardly fit into a posh life.

Jude shrugged and didn't answer immediately.

Jude: (carefully) Carlotta has always felt like a misfit in her family. I believe that you will fit in and become Chessie's best friend. That will bother Carlotta. And yes, slotting you in the family tree will cause her discomfort, too. Her husband will probably ask if you trained at the prestigious acting uni in Britechester and which Shakespeare plays you have starred in. When you say you starred in daytime television, he'll likely say, "I think our family maids watched that type of show."

Gemma: (slowly) I see.

Jude: Gem, don't take it personally, and don't allow it to affect your relationship with the rest of your family. Carlotta isn't mean; I'm positive she won't try to cause you grief. But don't expect a lot from her.

Gemma: (quietly) Okay.

[demigod-shenanigans]

I’m never going to write this out because I simply don’t have the motivation, the time or the ideas for which myths/gods to use for this but please know that in Orpheus Eurydice Valgrace-verse newly resurrected Jason eventually applies to New Rome University and gets told like Percy that technically being a forbidden child and especially one who’s been dead, he is not eligible to go to uni in New Rome. Unless, of course, he gets godly recommendation letters.

Yes, Zeus made this rule and yes, he’s absolutely going to make it apply to his own kid because he’s a dick.

This is purely so I can enjoy the thought of Percy and Jason venting at each other because what the hell as well as the thought of Lost Trio going on relatively low-stakes adventures à la CotG.

Leo and Jason are so affectionate and annoying the whole time and Piper can’t even bring herself to be (lightheartedly) annoyed at them because they’re her best friends and they’re safe and they’re happy and she’s so relieved to have them both back.

Piper is still finding herself and trying to figure out where she fits into the mythological world and how attached to it she wants to remain after everything it did to her and her friends and also her poor dad, who isn’t even a demigod but keeps getting dragged into these things anyway simply due to being related to her. Eventually she decides that after helping Jason with this, she’s done with quests, but she also seriously considers New Rome as a university location because that way she can live semi-normally but still be connected to that part of herself and be with her friends, and any big decisions about what she’ll do afterwards don’t have to be made right then.

One weekend Leo can’t come (possibly due to some Waystation-related emergency) so Reyna comes instead and Jason has to grapple with the fact that his childhood best friend is now closer with his ex-girlfriend than she is with him. But the sticking point is even though their relationship isn’t the same and probably won’t ever be the same, Reyna will still come and help in an instant if he asks. And sometimes change is good. Sometimes change means they’re different now because they’ve both learned to be happier.

Well, there’s one concept for a quest, I suppose. Something with Janus where they all realize that endings and beginnings are sometimes the same thing.

[wri0thesley]

i do not know if any of you are particularly interested in my adventures applying for uni/drama school again, but we are currently at 1 flat-out rejection and 3 (!!!!) recalls! i have two pending irl auditions (most have been self-tapes), two places i'm waiting to hear on for rejections or recalls, and one self-tape left to film!

i intended to use this year as a kind of practice run because i've been out of the game for a little while and auditions can be very scary, many people don't get into drama school until four or five years in, so getting three recalls (and two of them are for like, extremely well-known and well-respected schools) feels very exciting and validating when i've been feeling pretty bad about myself as a performer for the past year!

[akitasimblr]

michael fink-harper, a meow legacy spare, is applying to love for lira: a bachelorette challenge by @simsinfinitylt. wish him luck!

TRAITS: erratic - genius - lactose intolerant - insensitive - responsible DEGREE: economics

high-adrenaline, adventurous and intrepid jojo, would describe his younger brother as a... nerd. michael, or mikey, is indeed a bit of nerdy genius. chess master in his childhood days, rocket scientist wannabe in his teens, mikey is kind of an outsider. certainly his erratic ways doesn't help.

mikey does not have the best social skills... that's something he really has to improve. perhaps it would have had been better to spend his free time playing around with kids of his age instead of joining videogames tournaments - well, he did manage to win a few tournaments, so not all time was lost, i guess...

mikey went to uni to study economics and graduated with honors - no surprise here, i think! but once again, he didn't really joined the university community. he studied hard, did his college work, attended extra classes and even tutored younger students. but he didn't make friends.

mikey shared lira's BC announcement with his brother jojo, complementing her looks and her kindness. jojo motivated him to send an application. maybe nerds can win challenges like these too, right?

[hpsaffics]

✨ WLW Wed: Bellamione (Part 1) ✨

A biweekly HP femslash rec list made by the lovely members of the HP SAFFICS (18+) discord server. See all previous rec lists in the WLW Library.

Currently: Hermione Granger/Bellatrix Black Lestrange (see Part 2) Previously: Fake Dating (see list)

—

💫 HELLA LONG (>100k) 💫

Cover to Cover by NavalCat [E, 745k]

Hermione is lost... She has left the wizarding world behind her, hiding from the reality and expectations in muggle London, passing the time working in a small bookshop... When Hermione keeps being rescued by an oddly familiar stranger and discovers a new author she feels she knows through the pages, she doesn’t know if she is losing herself more or if she is finally found.

Breaking the Window by Useful_Oxymoron [E, 271k]

When they find a magic pool in the Forbidden Forest, it kicks off an unlikely friendship for two lonely girls thirty years apart of each other. Hermione begins a desperate search to find a way to save her new friend from the fate she knows awaits her, all the while dealing with the severe repercussions of having lived through a war. It becomes the start of an unexpected adventure.

Glass Silence by Zarrene Moss (Menzosarres) [E, 270k]

In another world, Hermione Granger never attended Hogwarts. Orphaned at age three, she grew up supporting a low-income adoptive family without the means to pay for her education. Post-war desperation and a chance encounter lead her into the employ of the three Black sisters. She finds herself caught in their deadly web, helplessly waiting to see who will reach her first.

Under My Skin by Harrytoad [E, 265k]

What if meeting Hermione had been enough for Bellatrix to change sides; the very feel of her in her arms enough to risk everything? Hermione is finally about to embark on her final year. As she approaches her 22nd birthday, she still cannot shake thoughts of the dark witch from her mind. How will she cope when they come face to face once again?

In the Dead of Night by Lost_my_soul_in_a_black_hole [E, 180k]

Hermione discovers something about her professor that leads her to go knocking on her door, late at night.

The English Rose by Loislame84 [M, 109k]

Non magical AU- 30 year old Hermione Granger is gifted a bookshop from her grandfather. She meets an intriguing patron who communicates through letter correspondence.

There's no blood like yours by isuckatnicknames [E, 102k]

Bellatrix is a pretty ancient vampire and Hermione is her 'meant-to-be'. There's no stronger bond that that.

The House Ring by annacec [M, 102k]

On September 19th, 1979, the life of Bellatrix Black was forever altered. 16 years and an Askaban stay later, Bellatrix is tired of waiting, and begins the process of claiming her witch. Hermione Granger receives a ring and innocently slides it on her finger, changing her life as she knows it, and paving her path to destiny.

—

💫 LONG (10k-100k) 💫

Black Jaguar by toujourspurbh [M, 97.1k]

Recently divorced, Bellatrix Black is looking for a helping hand whilst trying to juggle a young child and world famous business. Hermione Granger, star student at university, is looking to broaden her future horizon and teach English to the new generation. After applying for a nanny role one day, the student comes to find her life turned upside down by black curls and blood red lips.

Catching Midnight by deepforestspecter [E, 96.9k]

Bellatrix Black always gets what she wants, and right now that's the cute little barista that works at her sister's coffee shop. Hermione Granger turns out to be not at all what she's expecting.

Just an Itch by Loislame84 [E, 91.8k]

Hermione Granger is starting her Doctoral Program at her University and has a one night stand the night before. Little did she expect her one night stand to show up the very next day.

The Dark Mark by Loislame84 [E, 83.6k]

Bella owns a tattoo parlor and is looking for a shop girl. Hermione is a uni student who needs a part time job.

A Home at the End of the World by @ludling [E, 56.4k]

Hermione becomes Bellatrix's Horcrux. A love story in twelve parts.

Heaven is a Pirate Ship by @vitaminpops [E, 33.9k]

Hermione's being shipped off into an unhappy marriage when the most incompetent pirate crew captures her. Featuring: one trigger-happy but sexy pirate, a dysfunctional father-son relationship, a general absence of morals, and the many uses of knives.

Muse by deepforestspecter [E, 32.3k]

Hermione responds to an ad titled Artist Seeking Model. One thing leads to another.

September by @hustlingrube [M, 31.3k]

Bellatrix’s uncharacteristic behaviour gives Hermione cause for concern.

—

🌙 Want more Bellamione? 🌙

@bellatrixfest | AO3

Discord Communities: Bellamione Cult | Bellamione Coven

Bellamione: Tag on Tumblr | Tag on AO3

WLW Library: Tumblr | Tag | AO3

[hisui-dreamer]

ode to the ace of hearts

Pairing: Ace Trappola x gn!reader

Synopsis: there were more than enough people who wanted to punch him in the face, but you still adored that stupid grin

Tags: drabble, fluff, slightly poetic hehe, reader is a simp for ace

Word count: 602

Notes: going back to uni has me so drained, but a very belated happy birthday to ace! he's an idiot but he's sometimes my idiot lol

Masterlist

Your lover's laughter is a symphony of joy that resonates deep within your soul. It's infectious, spreading like wildfire and consuming your worries in its blaze. In those moments, you see the mischievous spark in his eyes, the glint of a prankster who revels in turning the mundane into a spectacle of mirth.

Your lover's cleverness is a constant source of amazement. His mind, quick as a lightning strike, finds solutions where others see dead-ends. He thrives in the world of magic, effortlessly crafting spells that seem like child's play to him but leave others in awe. It's a gift he often squanders on frivolous pursuits, yet when he chooses to apply himself, his potential is boundless.

Your lover's playfulness, his uncanny ability to turn even the most mundane moments into adventures, is a reminder that life is meant to be enjoyed. His carefree spirit is a beacon of light in your world, a reminder that life's burdens need not weigh you down. With him, every day is a new chapter in a never-ending story, and you can't help but be captivated by his infectious spirit.

Your lover's brutal honesty is both a blessing and a curse, a double-edged sword that cuts through the facade of politeness to reveal the unvarnished truth. He's fearless when confronting injustice, his courage unwavering as he stands up against the unfair treatment of others. Even though he can be stubborn and headstrong, it's impossible not to admire his unwavering determination. There's a certain comfort in knowing that you can rely on him to speak the truth, no matter how harsh it may be. It's a quality that endears him to you even more.

Your lover, as much as he may love being blunt, is a skilful liar as well. He possesses a remarkable ability to tell lies and cloak his true intentions when it suits his purposes. This skill, a shadowy counterpart to his honesty, is a testament to his quick thinking and adaptability. It's a dance of light and shadow, a reminder that nothing about Ace is as straightforward as it seems, but you're comforted that you always manage to squeeze the truth out of him when need be.

Your lover, as endearing as he may be, often makes you feel a surge of frustration so intense that you can't help but imagine delivering a playful punch to his charming face. He has an uncanny ability to push your buttons with a teasing grin, and his bluntness can sting like a thorn. But, oddly enough, even these exasperating instances only deepen your affection for him. Of course, the puppy eyes he gives you after said punches always make you forget your anger temporarily.

Your lover may appear to be indifferent to the needs of others, prioritizing his own desires above all else, putting up the act that he's not one to go out of his way to help unless it benefits him directly. But as you learned more about him, the walls he's built around his heart begin to crumble, revealing the warmth and loyalty he keeps hidden. Even though he'll never admit it, he becomes the unspoken protector of those he holds dear, always ready to lend a helping hand.

You love every facet of your lover's complex personality. His mischievousness, his cleverness, his brutal honesty, and even his ability to bend the truth when necessary—all of these qualities are part of what makes him the extraordinary person he is. And as you more time together, you're continually amazed by the layers of his character that slowly unfurl, revealing a heart that is as deep and vast as the universe itself.

Your lover, is none other than Ace Trappola.

Masterlist

if you liked this post, don't forget to reblog!

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Hello! I hope you're doing well. I discovered your blog and i just love it! I wanted to request a Jack x reader version of the story called ''tell me you'd live for me'' you did with Fuegoleon (maybe i read half your fuego fics in one night, maybe not), if its not too much trouble ofc. I really love your writing and so i wanted to request smth for the tall boy hehe. Thank you in advance, have a good day <3

Hi! I've been a bit so-so lately because uni, but I have a free weekend ^^ I'm not sure if I have really written for Jack, so I was intrigued! (bdahsdasfda T^T <3 you binged my stuff?? *doki doki*) I hope you like this! As said, I'm new to writing for Jack ^^

Pairing: Jack x gn!reader Genre: hurt-comfort Fanfic type: Oneshot Length: ~1.0k Contains: Jack is worried about s/o dying in battle or on a mission, there is an argument between reader and Jack, Jack is worried about s/o dying due to diving head first into battle, confessions about Jack wanting s/o to live for him, a forehead kiss and a hug in the end

Another mission. Another adventure. Another danger conquered.

Only that it felt like every time there was a new thing to overcome, a new enemy, a new feat, you managed to escape it by even narrower and narrower margin. Which you didn’t think was all too different from what Jack did.

After all, he was the one to dive head first into things with the simple mentality of “I’ll slice it up”.

Attack was the best method of defense.

That had been what had gotten him this far.

It was the only way he knew how to live; by believing that no matter it was in front of him, he could, and would, cut it down. Just like he had cut down that one bear; a beast, a monster, back in the day. When he had been much weaker than he was now.

Every new enemy was just another bear. Though he was much less afraid these days.

Not that he would ever admit having been afraid even back then.

Never.

It’d have to be dug out of him, and even then he’d hold onto that admission; tooth and nail.

But that didn’t apply to you. Because he was confident about himself always coming back. He had to be. He had to believe that he’d survive. Cut that mountain. Cut that foe and feat.

Cut. Cut. Cut.

Cut.

He had to believe in the sharpness of his blades. Like a mantra. Like a stubborn, simple, straightforward manifesto that would become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But you…

He wasn’t as sure. It was out of his hands. Out of his reach. The lack of control when it came to the troubles you faced on your missions… He trusted you to do your best. And you had always come back, still to this day.

But with every mission, every story, every report… he grew less and less uneasy.

“You can’t just barge into things like that!” He yelled.

“Oh yeah?! You do it all the time too!” You yelled back.

“That’s different!” He tried to argue.

“How is it any different?!” Blood rushed to your head, your face, behind your eyes, almost as if to keep you focused on this. The argument. The fight.

“Because it is!” He wasn’t giving a good reason.

“No it’s not!”

“Yeah it is!”

“I don’t want you hurt!”

“You think I want to be hurt?!”

“Then don’t go headfirst into a mission!”

“Then neither do you!”

“I’m a captain!”

“That doesn’t make you immortal!”

Jack clenched his fists.

He knew that.

He knew that he wasn’t immortal. He just had a tendency to forget it, from time to time.

“You’re not immortal either!” He continued, but this time his eyes flickered.

It wasn’t a flicker you had known before. Not that you… thought you had.

Your eyes squinted at him, with something that was half way between suspicion and concern. A point where you weren’t sure where you were going in this argument.

“I… I don’t want you to die,” he admitted, after a breath; a long, wavering breath that sounded like his heart was cracking in his chest, and through its still beating echo it sent vibrations coursing from him to you.

The admission. The message of a fear that had born the cloak of anger.

Jack had never been the best at admitting, or talking, about his emotions. But he knew what he wanted.

And what he didn’t want.

He didn’t want you injured, or worse.

“You think I want to die?” You asked with disbelief. Because was this even a question? You weren’t fighting this hard to not stay alive. And you thought he’d know it.

Judging from the way he was silent, he did.

He just wasn’t thinking.

He was feeling.

As said, he just wasn’t good with his feelings. Speaking them out.

“I don’t want you hurt,” he continued, almost as if changing the topic. “I want you to… live, for me. For us.”

A moment.

Silence.

Just the ticking of inaudible seconds that flowed through the air.

And… for whatever reason… it felt like the statement, sounded like a confession. Something aching to a prayer. That if he was to ask for something in this life, in the way a mortal man may, it’d be this. It’d be that you’d live.

His one, simple wish.

But the thing was: this door swung both ways.

“I want you to live for me too,” you insisted, but it made his eyes shift.

“I can’t make that promise, you know that. I’m a cap-“

“You can make it as much as I can make it.”

You weren’t about to back down from this. Because while you could promise to do your best. You could promise to give more consideration, to try and be a little bit more careful, you could never control everything that happens on a field of battle.

The same as him.

So if you were going to make this promise, he’d have to make that promise too.

An impossible promise, perhaps.

But it’d be your shared impossible promise.

“I promise if you promise.”

His chin was hanging low. Eyes down. Brows furrowed.

He knew he couldn’t back out of this one. This was a corner into which he had backed himself.

Not that he’d admit it.

Yet another thing he wouldn’t admit.

So instead, he took a step forward and wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer, into his embrace.

“Okay, I promise,” he spoke with a hushed tone, a whisper, a secret that’d be shared only by the two of you. And pressed a kiss onto your forehead. One that was sweet and gentle like summer rain, before you managed to wrap your arms around him in return.

“I promise too,” you replied with a whisper of your own.

His hold of you grew tighter, almost as if to seal the vow you two had just made. But more so it was about the simple wish to hold you. Feel your warmth against him. Imprint into his memory your scent, your voice, your very being.

His most priced and precious person in the world.

[tchaikovskym]

so far the worst thing about doing a phd is that i have to navigate my own finances from uni. hello. why are you giving me access to request things from different budgets and how am i supposed to know about bills hello

[kumeko]

A/N: For the Shorelines and Sandcastles zine! My first ship in the game, I’m still very partial to them now. Especially to Kairi being a bit of a shit to Riku XD

…

…

…

…

Riku was a traveller. Kairi had known that going in, had known that since they were little kids, sneaking around the yard as they pretended to explore a jungle. Sora and Riku had always taken the lead, wayward adventurers clearing the path, and she had tagged along because it had looked fun. None of this had changed as they grew up, as backyards became neighbourhoods became cities, as their journeys took them further and further from home.

Even now, half-way through university, Kairi could hear Riku’s wanderlust on the phone as he rambled on and on about his new city. Sitting on her bed, her red blanket half covering her legs, she leaned back against the headboard as she listened to him describe the beaches near his dorm and the crusty old man selling spicy fries. If she closed her eyes, she could see his bright eyes, his small smile. There was none of Sora’s energy in his words, but she preferred it that way. If Sora had been the sun in their childhood, their leader and constant motivator, then Riku had been the earth, stabilizing them all and keeping them on path.

And she was the moon, pulled along by their gravity.

“Kairi?”

She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Huh?”

“Were you listening?” Riku sounded mildly exasperated. In the background, she heard seagulls cry and waves crash. He gently teased, “Or is it past your bedtime?”

“If it is, it’s only because you had to go to another time zone for uni,” Kairi huffed in response, covering up her embarrassment with mock hurt. It wasn’t like her to be so gloomy, especially when their timetables finally synced up for a proper call. “I can’t believe you left your girlfriend behind like that.”

It was an old disagreement, one they delved into when they were bored. She could almost hear him roll his eyes. Wryly, Riku pointed out, “You didn’t even want to apply for this school. What did you say again—that it was too much packing?”

“Well, it was. It took you a day and you don’t even own anything.” Kairi grimaced as she scanned her bedroom. Between her posters and her clothes, she’d have trouble getting the bare necessities. “It’d take me a whole week.”

He chuckled, deep and rich. She’d missed the sound. “You just have too much shit.”

Riku had always been a minimalist, preferring functionality over form. Kairi understood, but only to a point—what was the point in having an entire room if you didn’t personalize it? Why even live if you weren’t actually going to live? The only good thing was that he had an eye for style and quality; if Riku bought something, it would last for years.

“Some of us like having things. Also, that’s sacrilege,” Kairi huffed, wrinkling her nose at the insult. “None of my things are ‘shit’, that’s all Sora’s poor-quality impulse buys.”

“Oh, don’t get me started on that.” RIku groaned. There was a soft thud as he leaned against a wall. “He sent pictures of his room. I don’t think he has a bed anymore. Or a floor.”

“Same-day shipping was a mistake,” Kairi agreed, remembering all of the pictures Sora had sent in the group chat. Alone in a new city, there was no one to protect their poor friend from his terrible lifestyle choices. “Did he get a pet? Or two?”

“I’m not sure,” Riku admitted. She was certain he was rubbing his forehead now, though that wouldn’t save him from his frown-wrinkles. “I thought his roommates were dressing up as a prank, but maybe he really did buy a duck and a dog?”

“This is why I didn’t leave home.” Kairi shook her head sadly. “Look at all the misery I’ve been spared.”

Riku laughed, a short, bark-like sound. “Look at all the adventures you missed.”

“There’s plenty of adventure here,” she countered.

“Like the trip to the ice-cream shop? You can say what you want, but I know the truth.” She heard a squeak as an old window slid open and the seagulls’ cries grew louder. Riku teased, “You just wanted to stay home, didn’t you?”

“It’s comfy here,” she weakly protested.

Riku laughed fondly. “You’re such a homebody.”

“And you’re a nomad,” she retorted.

They’d had this argument before. For fun, when she relaxed on the beach while Riku dreamed of rafts and pirates. Seriously, when they were tykes and she had been scared to step onto the sidewalk.

And now, it hit home like a punch to the gut. It was such a basic fact. She’d known it before they’d started dating, before she’d fallen in love with him. His eyes had always been on the horizon, on the places just out of sight. Hers had always been on the ground, focused on familiar comforts. If he liked travelling, she liked staying still. If he liked adventure, she liked lazing around. And now he had actually left. Would he like his new home? Would he stay? Would she be forced to follow? The questions crowded her throat, wanting to get out, and she stared at the phone.

“Kairi?” He sounded concerned when she didn’t respond. “Kairi?”

She swallowed down her worries, too afraid to ask. Weakly, she grumbled, “You know, it’s not fair you’re right next to the beach. It’s still cold here.”

“I don’t think there actually is ‘winter’ here. Seriously, Kairi, what’s wrong?” Riku replied quickly, not dropping the matter. He’d always been ridiculously perceptive when it came to her.

“Nothing’s wrong,” she mumbled.

“Kairi. You’re a terrible liar.” There was a long silence before he added, “If you want, I’ll ask Sora to call you—”

“No!” Kairi immediately cut him off. It had been an old insecurity of his, comparing himself to Sora, and she knew how hard it must have been for him to suggest that. “It’s not…He doesn’t…I’m just scared.”

Riku breathed in sharply. “Of what?”

“I don’t know…” Kairi ran a hand through her hair. “No, I do know, I’m…here. You’re there. It’s just…It’s exciting over there and it’s boring here and I’m not, I’m not really—” She dropped her hand, staring at her palm. It felt silly, complaining about this. Like she was in elementary school again, crying that the boys had left her behind.

They were adults now. This was just whining. Softly, she whispered, “I miss you.”

In all honesty, that was the root of her fears.

It was silent on his end. A seagull squawked, the wind blew, and she could just picture him leaning against his window, staring at the sea. His expression would be tight, his brows knit, and she really wanted to see his face right now.

Finally, he broke the silence with a simple “Oh.”

That quiet response knocked her back to her senses. Mortified, she flushed. “Never mind, I—”

“You know,” Riku interrupted. “I was going to keep this a secret, but I’m coming home next weekend.”

Kairi almost dropped her phone. “R-really?” she squeaked.

He chuckled. “Yeah, really.”

“Why—” She glanced at the Mickey Mouse calendar on her wall, taking note of the date. “Oh, the long weekend?”

“It is, but that’s not why.” Kairi heard him shift, his clothes rustling in the breeze. “I didn’t come back for the last one.”

She half-wished they’d done a video call instead. Riku had never been much of a talker, his body often speaking for him. Kairi couldn’t read his voice at all. It was terrifying. “Then why?”

“It’s nice out here,” he replied evenly. “There’s a beach. There’s a series of caves. There’s so much to see and do here.”

Kairi had no idea where this was going. “You’re bragging,” she accused.

“A little,” Riku admitted with a laugh. “But the thing is, whenever I find something new, I just want to call you after. I only like finding these places because I want to see your reaction. Even now…I’m just counting down the days till I come home to you.”

She didn’t have to see his face to know how red it was, to hear the slight hitch in his voice whenever he got embarrassed. Not that it mattered; even if they had video on, Kairi wouldn’t have been able to see him. No matter how quickly she blinked, tears filled her eyes. “That’s mushy,” she mumbled, her voice cracking.

“I’m never saying it again,” he stated. “Ever.”

“Still mushy.” Kairi wiped her eyes. “I love you, too.”

There was an embarrassed cough on the other end. Riku cleared his throat. “Hey, Kairi, next time why don’t you visit me.”

Kairi was a homebody. She always would be. Yet, that didn’t mean she didn’t like a vacation every once in a while. Especially if Riku was waiting on the other side, with his warm eyes and confident smirk, with his firm hands and gentle hugs.

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

[finchwingart]

Seeing your birthday art made me realise I’ve been following you for about 9-10 years, probably the longest I’ve followed anyone online consistently. I just wanted to drop by to say thank you for sharing your art these past years. You and your work set me on the art path super early as a kid and now I’m turning 21 on wednesday, waiting for my admission emails from art unis I applied to. Your art had the biggest influence on me in my early teens and honestly I can’t be more grateful that you’ve decided to share stuff online. Happy birthday Finch!

Gosh this is the sweetest thing ever, thank you ;___; all the best with your uni adventures and ur upcoming birthday!!

[illogarithmil]

I'm presently writing* a short Mage: the Ascension adventure for the TTRPG JAMuary jam on Itch, so MtAs is very in my brain at the moment. And it's remarkably how much stuff just in the world feels like it comes straight from Mage:

Walking the dog around a nearby posh private estate absolutely gives an impression of what moving through a different Reality Zone should feel like. Even though it's not really a gated community and none of the people are unfriendly per se, you get a sense of full-body unwelcomeness that just seems to permeate the environment. You can feel that really basic things like interacting with neighbours and moving between estate and non-estate spaces Work Differently Here. I get this with the distinction between the university town and normal town bits of my uni city, too.

There's presently an elaborately set-up stack of three books and a pen which hold my laptop charger in the one specific position where it will keep my laptop alive. There is no obvious reason why it only works in that position. The position changes every 2-6 hours and I have to readjust the books. This is a capital-T Technology which interacts with not-obviously-related objects to produce an effect largely confusing to everyone around me; most obviously, it feels like an Etherite thing, but you could extrapolate out to say that this is sort of what all mages do. It makes sense from their very specific perspective and appears like random, useless chaos and clutter to basically everybody else. (Oh look, the position needs changing again.)

Starting drinking coffee has really adjusted my perspective on how adjusting your perspective (with mind-altering substances or anything else) could be a magickal practice. It doesn't have to be as obvious and direct as 'trip on shrooms until you hallucinate a dragon; now there's a dragon!'** Rather, different perception of the world, greater clarity or somethingity of thought (depending on method), allow you to interact with it from wholly different angles. In a subtle fashion, they shift the entire pattern of life over a course of days so that new things become possible, new avenues that you literally couldn't see or imagine before. Make that magickal: now you can find the alleyways-between-alleyways because your Awakened LSD is (from your perspective) letting you look at angles sideways for the first time... if you see what I mean, there aren't really good words in the English language for this. And then if you want to go super vulgar, apply that more directly - it's not that you're just hallucinating a dragon into existence, it's that you're giving yourself the spike of vision, of possibility, needed to see and talk to the dragon that was always there in a space which is much more accessible than it normally seems and convince it to give you a hand.

I love finding the magic(k)al in the mundane.

*Attempting to write, I'm mainly working on it in the breaks between dissertation work so whether it'll get done... ** Nowt wrong with perception=reality as an element of paradigm of course, but it does tend to prove the point of the MtAw fans who insist that all MtAs mages are basically just solipsists. I've definitely played that character, but it's always good to underline that there can be others within the vaguely Ecstatic-y mind-alteration space

[nsuyeula]

Seeing how teen!ShaunaHat and adult!ShaunaHat is most def canon in Season 4…what’s their dynamic like as shapeshifter’s as adults? I’d love to hear your headcanons for them!!!

Hello!!!!

First off it makes me so happy that so many people love this silly little AU. Shapeshifter Melissa and Shauna are my babies now, officially adopted by Nsu ™.

Now onto my adult headcanons:

Shauna goes to Brown University, and her and Melissa do long distance while Melissa is still in high school. They call once a week, and they send physical letters to each other as well on the regular.

Melissa applies and gets into University of Rhode Island. Her parents only agree to let her go / fund it because she's going to be rooming with Shauna (they think they're just friends, don't know they are dating).

Since the universities are in highly dense urban areas, the pair have to forgone their favoured animals (Wolf for Shauna since that would cause a huge scare, and Golden retriever for Melissa since people would think she's a lost pet), and instead explore the city as foxes, raccons, birds, opossoms etc.

I said this in a deleted post, but while on one of these urban adventures, they get snapped with Melissa (in raccon form) on top of Shauna (in fox form) by a photographer, and the photo ends up winning an local arts award. Melissa gets the image printed and hangs it in their apartment.

Whenever they get an extended weekend or a lull in university work, they will pack Shauna's car up and drive somewhere that's remote, camp there for a night or two, and let themselves fully embrace their shapeshifter forms for a while. They particularly enjoy exploring the coastline during their time at Uni.

Melissa does most of the cooking because Shauna works so hard to excel academically, and she wants to help take the load of her girlfriend. At first, she isn't particularly good at it, makes a complete and utter mess of the kitchen, but she sticks at it and becomes somewhat decent. Shauna appreciates the effort.

Sometimes, when Shauna is close to graduating, Melissa encourages her to reach out to Jackie next time they're visiting family in Wiskayok. Shauna is hesitant at first, but after running into Jackie's parents while out shopping for last-minute stuff for Christmas, she does. The two girls were able to repair their friendship, and they keep in semi- regular contact going forward.

Melissa and Shauna never publicly announce their relationship. If people ask, they say yes, but otherwise, they keep it to themselves. The exception is with their parents, who they come out to once they graduate university out of a sense of obligation. Melissa's younger brother loves Shauna, her older brothers are like, "Cool, good for you." and her parents aren't against her being gay but it takes a while for them to get their head around it. Shauna's dad isn't in the picture anymore, and her mom just kinda ignores the whole confession and treats Melissa like Shauna's good friend.

On their seven year anniversary, Melissa gets necklaces made up from imprints the right paw of her and Shauna's main shapeshifter forms. Shauna wears Melissa's paw mark and vise versa. It's essentially their version of a wedding ring / proof of commitment, since gay marriage wasn't legal at the time.

Once they graduate, they relocate to Seattle - for more work opportunities and better access to the wilderness for them to enjoy shapeshifting adventures.

Shauna would end up doing some kind of writing job - editorial, op-eds for newspapers etc. A mix of freelance and corporate. Melissa meanwhile I could imagine getting a job in a very hands-on field, such as engineering or mechanical work. While not as bright as shauna in the theoretical side of it all, Melissa is very good at visualising stuff, putting things together, and fixing them.

Shauna is against having kids. She just doesn't think she would be a good parent and struggles a lot still with expressing her honest feelings. Melissa doesn't push her towards it, but after a decade or two, Shauna starts to warm up a little to the idea, and they eventually adopt.

Melissa is always the one supporting Shauna, doing all the housework, balancing her calender so she's working enough to feel validated but also making sure she is getting time to let loose in the wilderness and cuddle time with her partner.

Since Shauna never gets pregnant in this AU, she never develops postpartum psychosis, but she still struggles with emotional irregularity, and explosive fights do happen. The pair eventually settle on a form each which they can transform into to indicate to the other they want to be left the fuck alone / they need to cool down, which helps with communicating when they need space.

While Melissa is more obvious with her displays of love, Shauna does deeply love Melissa and often does it through acts service and gift giving. She will always bring home Melissa's favourite soda or desert on her way back from the office, or collects trinkets while on their wilderness outings such as flowers, pretty rocks or feathers etc. Which Melissa hordes or uses as part of the various sewing, embroidery and craft stuff she makes in her free time.

[nandinish27]

From Visa to Campus: A Step-by-Step Study Guide in Australia”

Study abroad consultant make sure to turn your dream into reality

Why Choose to Study in Australia?

Australia is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students, especially from India. Here’s why:

 Home to 7 of the world’s top 100 universities (QS Rankings 2025)

Work while studying (up to 48 hours per fortnight)

 Post-study work visa of 2–6 years

 Multicultural society with strong student support services

 Step-by-Step Study Guide: Study in Australia 

Whether you're just starting or midway through your application, here’s the roadmap every student needs👇

 Step 1: Choose Your Course & University

“Where you study matters as much as what you study.”

Key Considerations:

Field of interest (STEM, Business, Healthcare, Arts, etc.)

Graduate job market in Australia

University rankings, scholarships, and location

Top Universities in Australia (2025):

University

Global Rank (QS)

Location

University of Melbourne

#14

Melbourne

Australian National University

#30

Canberra

University of Sydney

#19

Sydney

Monash University

#37

Melbourne

University of Queensland

#38

Brisbane

 Step 2: Meet the Eligibility Criteria

Every course has specific requirements, but here’s what you’ll typically need:

10+2 or UG degree (depending on course)

 English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE (Minimum IELTS score usually 6.0–6.5)

 Valid passport

 Proof of funds

 Step 3: Apply to Universities

Most applications happen through the university website or portals like StudyLink.

Required Docs:

Academic transcripts

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

CV/Resume (PG courses)

IELTS/PTE score

Passport copy

 Application Timeline:

Intake

Deadline

February (Primary)

Aug–Nov (Previous Year)

July (Secondary)

Feb–April (Same Year)

 Step 4: Receive Offer Letter & Accept

There are 2 types:

Conditional Offer: Subject to final docs/test scores

Unconditional Offer: You're IN!

To confirm your seat:

Pay initial deposit

Sign Acceptance Form

Receive Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

 Step 5: Apply for an Australian Student Visa

 Visa Checklist:

CoE from university

Valid passport

Proof of funds (minimum AUD 24,505/year as of 2025)

OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)

English test scores

GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) statement

 Step 6: Book Flights & Plan Your Arrival

 Flight Booking: Do it 4–6 weeks in advance Airport Pickup: Many unis offer free pickup   Travel Checklist:

Passport & Visa

University CoE & Offer Letter

OSHC Details

 Must-pack Items:

Indian spices & snacks

Adapters & power banks

Copies of key documents

Step 7: Arrange Accommodation

Types of Housing:

On-Campus Dorms: Easy but pricey

Homestays: Cultural immersion

Off-Campus Shared Housing: Budget-friendly

 Start searching via:

Uni websites

Flatmates.com.au

Facebook groups

Step 8: Settle In & Start Your Campus Life

 To-Do After Arrival:

Attend Orientation

Set up Australian SIM & Bank Account

Apply for TFN (Tax File Number)

Explore part-time jobs (hospitality, retail, tutoring)

 FAQs: Study in Australia

Q1: Can I apply without IELTS?  Yes! Some universities accept medium of instruction or allow conditional admissions.

Q2: Can I stay after graduation? Yes! You can get Temporary Graduate Visa (485) for 2–6 years depending on course & location.

 Final Thoughts

Australia offers world-class education, PR pathways, and an incredible student experience. With the right planning—and expert guidance from Eduvisor—you can transform your dream to study in Australia into a successful and fulfilling journey.

 Start your 2025 study abroad adventure the smart way.   Reach out to Eduvisor today. Because your future deserves the best start.