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somethingpersonarelated · 2 months

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Akechi's taste in Literature

I've taken an interest in the books Akechi reads. Obviously from the first time you talk with him, you can already tell what he tends to: psychology, philosophy, and mythos. Also, I read at least a little bit from every text. One of my professors out there is proud of me. I hope. So: let's talk about it!

Ok, but why care? Quick Introduction

No particular reason. I simply want to tinker with his brain. I think it could give us insight on the character! And there's an easy way to dismiss this conversation: Akechi uses books as a way to appear intelligent. I don't think that's wrong per se, but he does express an interest in psychology and philosophy in his third semester Jazz Jin discussions. His thieves den conversations also point to interests in mythos. Use this as a "Annoying Person Bookshelf" if you'd like, I certainly will.

Aristole's De Anima (Mementos Mission - Chapter 3)

De Anima, or "On the Soul" [Leob Classical Library], is an examination of the soul and how it functions within the body. It's pretty dense but easily accessible. On page 15,

"There are times when men show all the symptoms of fear without any cause of fear being present. If this is the case, then clearly the affections of the soul are formulae expressed in matter."

Now, I'm not going to read every book, that would be a huge investment. And unfortunately I am still a university student, so I'll stick to the introduction/first chapters or so. But anyways, to the point of the quote, De Anima tends to get metaphysical. Theory time: Akechi has morbid fascinations with the soul. Not only because he well, kills people, but also messes with the restraints on their heart. I choose this quote because it's a good summary of the kind of body horror someone messing with you in the metaverse is like. It's fear and anger unchained, but it manifests in reality through subway accidents... for example.

Hegel's Dialectics (did Akechi misquote Hegel?) - Rank 1

Look, almost all of these texts are slogs to get through, so I wouldn't blame Akechi for not catching this. Or not reading the 2017 in-universe equivalent of cliffnotes. Note: Dialectics refers to the structure/strategy that Hegel uses, not a text itself. Looking at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy we see that Hegel never makes mention of the thesis, antithesis, and synthesis idea. Rather, thesis-antithesis-synthesis is a pattern in his arguments. These are also projected by people reading his text, so we can't fully be sure he's using this to formulate most of his arguments. So not only has Akechi forgotten synthesis, the "unification", but also the fact that Hegel doesn't talk about this. Did he read Hegel? Probably. Did he retain the information? Questionable. Do I blame the writers for making the mistake? mmmm. Maybe. If you're asking me to guess which book he read, I would estimate it was The Phenomenology of Spirit [Google Books]. And yes, I'm going to say it was just because of this quote on page 9 that just, screams Black Mask:

"The force of the mind is only as great as expression; its depth only as, as deep as its power to expand and lose itself when spending and giving out its substance."

Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin vs Sherlock Holmes (Herlock Sholmes) (P5A)

This book I read because my curiosity definitely got the better of me. Since I've gotten into Persona 5 again, I've been DYING to read this one, but never got around to it. I think this one is also interesting to look at based on how it was represented in the anime, a crow escaping a bird cage. I can say that this doesn't happen in the book, but this is why I think Akechi is self inserting on Holmes/Sholmes here. Holmes is much freer as a person in this text than Akechi, but also in a deep rivalry with Lupin. Their banter is also pretty reminiscent of what they [Joker and Akechi] have, but... with older language. Longer quote, so here's an image in its place:

Edit/Correction: Edogawa Ranpo's Kogoro Akechi Series!

As pointed out by a couple people, we can't leave out this series. (credits to @heavy-metal-papillon) I don't know why my mind blanked and left this out. Because when I was doing research for this post someone had mentioned it. Just by name, it should be obvious why this is here! Here is a part of the preface that explains Kogoro Akechi, Arsene Lupin, and their presence in Edogawa's novels (written by Ho-Ling Wong):

Literature he makes references but doesn't mention (note: headcanon/my opinion)

John Stuart Mill's On Utilitarianism

Because Akechi knows how to flirt, he recommends philosophy to Joker. [Early Modern Texts] In my eyes he definitely doesn't agree with this philosophy (in fact some quotes are definitely more aligned with Maruki's philosophy). Page 8:

"That’s because the utilitarian standard is not •the agent’s own greatest happiness but •the greatest amount of happiness altogether; and even if it can be doubted whether a noble character is always happier because of its nobleness, such a character certainly makes other people happier, and the world in general gains immensely from its existence."

Yes, Akechi reads Freud. Freud's essays: Beyond the Pleasure Principle & The Ego Principle

In an offhanded comment about Personas in the Thieves Den to Ryuji, Akechi says:

I love you Akechi. I will not read Freud for you. My love has limits.

Carl Jung's Two Essays on Analytical Psychology

Okay I'm NOT reading this (a lie, i did. [Internet Archive]) but this was the foundational text on the Jungian Archetype of the Persona as well as addressing concepts such as "the will to power." Going to leave this quote from page 78 for you to munch on:

"Logically, the opposite of love is hate, and of Eros, Phobos (fear); but psychologically it is the will to power. Where love reigns, there is no will to power; and where the will to power is paramount, love is lacking. The one is but the shadow of the other..."

There's a couple things here that point to Akechi reading this, but ultimately I just headcanon that he wants to reason through why Personas exist.

Generally reads about the casts Personas!

Similarly to how Joker can read about the other PTs Personas, Akechi does as well. Well, if his morbid discussion about Captain Kidd in the Thieves Den is an indicator. Does this mean Akechi is familiar with the Carmen stage opera? I think so. Besides, it's also the smartest move. Akechi (head)canonically reads lovecraft.

Conclusion

Akechi really enjoys psychology and philosophy, and while some of it seems like he's doing it for attention/to appear smarter, he DOES continue to show interest in third-semester/thieves den. I still can't forgive him for reading Freud.

The List (of ones directly mentioned here)

De Anima, Aristotle

The Phenomenology of Spirit, Hegel

Arsène Lupin vs Sherlock Holmes, Leblanc

On Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill

Beyond the Pleasure Principle & The Ego Principle, Freud

Two Essays, Carl Jung

The Fiend with Twenty Faces, Edogawa Ranpo

Other notes and headcanons I can't justify giving sections to:

he probably read that fuckass billiards book

definitely stuff on justice. i was just lazy. Some of these texts do cover these ideas, but definitely not all of them

he likes detective novels. he's probably read a fair share of sherlock holmes.

he probably reads adjacent literature to some of the philosophers mentioned (for example: Nietzsche to Jung, Plato to Aristotle)

#goro akechi #p5 meta #p5r #p5 #akechi goro #akechi #thinking emoji #making goro akechi's philosophies everyone's problem

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sailorblossoms · 30 days

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A reason I wrote so much about Simon and Agatha as a couple – a subject I would prefer not to dedicate a second of thought to – is spite. Another is because I'm too annoying not to overthink every single detail, and because I notice imagery of romance and shortcuts being applied to them, and I'm sure it happens without much thought involved. It happens because we're used to them, because we take them for granted, because it's hard to question even when we're told it's wrong.

Like the blushy boy looking at the pretty girl while she walks in slow-motion while romantic music (or music that talks about desiring a woman) plays is a movie cliché, and I knew damn well some people were reading Simon's memory about meeting Agatha like that, not because of what Simon actually says, but because of how used we are to that type of scene. Simon's words aren't about desiring her, but about wanting to be like her, about wanting what he believes Agatha's beauty gives her (acceptance, protection... notice how he keeps talking about being untouchable while being associated with her instead of talking about having feelings for her – he doesn't have them!). Same with the ideas of teenage romance, the image of young love I've seen associated with them (like the blushy kids bumping heads or the boy twirling the girl in the air or lying on the grass staring into each other's eyes as sparkles float in their air and so on) or the dozens of times I've seen people get that they're obviously not in love at the start of CO, but then they ruin it with "but they must have been at some point." Gonna be real here: if we were meant to read these two as "used to be attracted or in love but not anymore," I would question the quality of the writing. I would question the author's ability in the genre, because at no point do they ever say anything that gives me the impression that actual love or attraction had anything to do with their choices. But I know the author is good at romance, so I take them seriously when talk about being together like it's duty and expectation and they have no idea of what else they're supposed to do, and the idea of not conforming is too scary to even contemplate, because if you don't belong here something is wrong, etc. In a moment where Simon should be like "I don't want to let her go as a gf, because [insert romantic feelings here]" he's talking to you about how they became friends and how it would suck to stop being friends after so long. He's not ever like "she used to awaken [insert romantic feelings or attraction] but now I just feel nothing"... there's nothing indicating a romance that run its course!

I'm rambling here (don't even get me started on the assumptions regarding the attraction part, especially the ones associated with Simon because he dares to be a boy who happens to not be great at processing and thus doesn't always present things in obvious exposition) but something less important that kind of bugs me....

The image of Simon towering over Agatha. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I neither remember nor care about the canon heights, but this one bugs me in the way heteronormativity and its imagery bothers me when it's not applicable… isn't Agatha supposed to be tall? I mean, neither Simon nor Baz, who I do remember is tall, should be fitting in that girl's hoodie if she were supposed to be a petite pretty little thing who needs to stand on her toes to reach the boy she's dating (I think Baz mentions the sleeves are a bit short for him, but he should not be able to wear that shit at all if Agatha wasn't at least a bit tall, she doesn’t seem like the type to have clothes that are way too big for her). Isn't that an image that pops up simply because there's a boy and a girl? Even if I'm wrong and she's not tall (which I'll call an inconsistency, given the hoodie business) I'll be willing to bet not everyone indulging in this imagery remembers the canon heights either. I mean, a lot of people forget Agatha's eyes are brown, not blue (which I think also proves Simon's lack of attraction to her. Part of his attraction manifest as obsession – he won't ever let you forget Baz's eyes are grey, and he's very detailed about all the shades of gray those eyes can be. One would think Simon is intentionally getting close – close enough to be in Baz's personal space – to be able to catalogue those shades so clearly)

#simon snow #snowbaz #simon snow trilogy #baz pitch #carry on #baz grimm pitch #baz x simon #agatha wellbelove

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jccatstudios · 5 months

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I have been following your soc comic adaptation and it just so good!!! I love how you draw them!

I have just one question: Why did you not include Inej's opening musings about Kaz on the first page? (Kaz Brekker didn't need a reason etc) I actually really like how there is not text on the first two pages, it's really atmospheric and moody so this really is not a criticism, I don't want to insult you. I guess I was just wondering what the thought process behind that was?

Oh, I've been wanting to talk about this for a while! Buckle up, this is gonna be one of my long comic rants. (Also, no offense taken at all! Anyone's welcome to question my artistic choices and I'm always happy to take critique, even though that isn't your intention.)

So, the thing is I actually planned on including that first paragraph into the comic! Here's when I first shared the thumbnails on here. Just for the sake of this post, I'll insert them here too.

The boxes are meant to be where excerpts of that introduction would go. When I was creating the thumbnails, I was thinking about how iconic these lines were and how well they introduce the world and characters. I even finished the pages with the intention to include those lines. This is from my original csp file.

When I lettered it all out, I felt like something wasn't right...? Hard to explain. I wanted silence for the opening and the narration took that away. I then thought about the reader who'd go into this without reading the novel first, wondering if they'd be thinking, Who's this Kaz Brekker guy? Is it this character on the page? It's clearer in the book, but I didn't think it paired well with what I drew. I didn't want any confusion. It's also Inej's chapter, and while Kaz's parts take up most of it, I still wanted it to feel like her POV and her story. We can hold off officially meeting Kaz until page four.

But the main reason I took it out comes down to my philosophy when it comes to comic adaptations. I believe that an adaptation should use the original story in the best way for the secondary medium. A comic adaptation should play to the strength of comics, not the original source material.

Time and time again, I see a lot of comic adaptations of books try to use a book's strength instead of a comic's. When that happens, you get pages upon pages of narration boxes and exposition that could've easily been told in a single panel's image. If you want to read excerpts from the original novel, go do that! They're beautiful and well-crafted and you should be reading the original anyway! If you're making a comic adaptation, make a comic, not an illustrated version of the novel (that's a whole field of its own).

This whole thing really ties well into what I'm doing for Chapter 3. Kaz is such an internal character, his chapters have a lot more exposition that isn't setting description or character actions. I've had to do a lot more of my own writing for this chapter than the last just to turn that exposition into his own voice as an internal monologue. Sometimes, it's just a change from "he" to "I," but there are other times I've had to write new dialogue and find ways to naturally flow between thoughts. If I didn't do the work to adapt the expository text and instead just put in narration boxes of text from the book, there would be a greater disconnect between the reader and Kaz. Third-person limited works great in books and doesn't separate the readers from the story, but in comics, first-person internal dialogue keeps the readers inside the scene better.

If I were to redo Chapter 2, I think I would try to find a way to incorporate the information from the chapter intro better. I think by losing the intro I initially planned to include, I didn't establish certain ideas very well. Ketterdam and Kerch are established later on pages 4 and 5, but I don't think I ever go back and mention The Barrel. Also, the idea that Kaz is deliberate, even if his reputation says otherwise, is important too. I've made sure to fix this kind of issue in Chapter 3 and keep record of what kind of information I'm losing as I adapt it.

#comic rant over!#thanks for the ask I really love talking about this stuff #soc comic adaptation #asks #comics talk

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littleabriel-blog · 7 months

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Why You Shouldn't Watch Loki S2

With Season 2 of that show making its debut tomorrow, I thought I would make one last ditch effort to convince people not to watch it. It's not just because it's a horrible show that makes a mockery of my favorite Marvel character. There are a lot of problematic elements that contribute to the long list of reasons why people should not give Disney their money or ratings.

I am imploring people, one last time: If you must hate-watch the season, pirate it. If you must watch with some lingering hope that the real Loki will somehow make an appearance (and based on the reviews I have seen, that seems very unlikely), pirate it. Please don't contribute to Disney's ratings. Disney isn't going to care if you're hate watching or if you are only watching it hoping to get a glimpse of the Trickster we all know and love. They only care about numbers, and high ratings might mean we'll get stuck with another season of this utter dreck.

That said, here are some reasons why you should rethink giving this show your views:

It glorifies abuse and torture

In this show we are treated to the sight of Mobius using torture as "therapy", emotionally beating Loki down to the point where he capitulates to the TVA's demands, punishing him for having a crush on someone else by sticking him in a room for hours (at least) with an illusionary Sif who kicks him in the balls and punches him on repeat while further hammering the whole "you'll always be alone, you don't deserve good things" message, and generally working for an organization that subjects Loki to mockery, bullying, sexual assault (being stripped without his consent--that scene wasn't hot. It wasn't sexy. It was horrifying and I really, really have to wonder about the mental state of anyone who is at all turned on by it. Think about it, if Loki were a woman who was being forcibly stripped, there would have been loads of hatemail filling up Disney's servers), and slavery.

That's even before we get into the atrocious way Sylvie treats him. I've gone into how she treats him many, many times, how she belittles, invalidates, silences, and oh yes tries to kill him for daring to ask her to reconsider killing HWR. If the roles were reversed and Loki treated Sylvie like that? You ladies who love the ship so much would be boycotting Disney. It's no less abuse just because it's a woman doing it to a man.

It glorifies fascism

The TVA is very much Nazi coded yet they are framed as heroes...well, except when they're picking on Sylvie of course, since she's all pure and good and can do no wrong (Mary Sue powers activate!) They torture a character who is very much Jewish coded, an effeminate man who is very much the Other in the home he grew up in.

And what the hell is this?

As a Jew, I find this image deeply, deeply disturbing. It's a fucking gas chamber, y'all. It. Is. A . Gas. Chamber.

I don't know how anyone can NOT see how problematic it is.

It has Jonathan Majors in it

I really don't give a flipping shit if they're "only" allegations or if they wrapped up filming before the allegations came out. People boycotted Flash for Ezra Miller doing basically the same thing, so I don't see why it should be any different with Majors.

But then I know from experience that some of you so-called feminists out there are only about protecting or believing women when it suits you. Can't have a little thing like not supporting a domestic abuser get in the way of your wish fulfillment self-insert fantasies of beating the crap out of Loki before fucking him.

The first season was written by a total creep, and that same creep is producing the second season

'Nuff said.

Selfcest/Incest

I don't want to hear how "selfcest doesn't exist", especially in a fictional universe where you have sorcerers, witches, men with super soldier serum running in their veins, magic plants that turn individuals into superstrong Cat People, and talking raccoons.

And even without the selfcest, that ship is a very problematic one, as I stated above, and have continued to talk about at length.

It's just plain awful

The plot is predictable, full of holes, and not even that original (it's cribbed directly from a script Waldron wrote that was so awful, even SyFy wouldn't produce it, plus see my post with the clip from Batman Returns). Loki is grossly OOC in it...seriously, there is not a single hint of the character I had grown to love from Thor 1, Avengers, and the Dark World. He's nerfed all to hell (an Asgardian god who can take on Thor easily is beaten up by human rednecks?), and he's lost all his cunning, wit, intelligence, and grace all in favor of turning him into a sophomoric slapstick clown and the butt of everyone's jokes. The newer characters are poorly mapped out and one dimensional.

It's just...bad.

So there, that's my last ditch attempt to convince people to boycott this piece of shit. I realize my pleas might be falling on deaf ears, much as Loki's pleas fell on Sylvie's, but I had to get it out there.

Other Loki show antis can add to this or elaborate if they want. I'm too tired to be too coherent right now.

#anti loki series #anti sylki #anti sylvie

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gaiuskamilah · 2 months

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Hey drop the Poppy opinion babe (please!)

CW for mentions of in-canon racism, harassment. also i've only read the first QB book so i don't know how things played out in the second one.

i think one thing choices players sometimes forget is that yes, while the nature of the game of makes it so you typically self-insert as the MC, you are ultimately not the MC and this isn't wholly your story. the writers are in charge of the story, and they have a narrative in mind. the problem with poppy is that so many entered queen b with a pre-conceived image of her in their heads and got mad when canon showed otherwise. because suddenly then, she wasn't the funny just mean girl you wanted to become an LI, she became a full-on racist, classist, misogynist bitch who didn't care that her rival was sexually harassed. in my opinion, to deny her these traits is to misread queen b and misread poppy's character.

reiterating: poppy is a racist, classist, misogynist bitch who didn't care that her rival was sexually harassed, and in the context of queen b, it makes perfect sense. queen b is satire. you are not supposed to blindly root for poppy or for MC who is "taking her down" (more on the latter later). it's set in an university, a historically exclusionary institution that for the longest time has dictated what ontology is, often to the benefit of the (white, european) ruling class. belvoire itself is a mockery of universities, where majority of the people who attend are rich, where they form alliances between themselves to get ahead in life more than they already are, where they hold each to such disgustingly weird standards to protect their own status quo. these old money families and these institutions are racist, they are classist, and they are threatened by anyone who doesn't wholly fit the ideal image of who should be a member. that is why MC and zoey are ostracized by the rest of belvoire - they're new money, their blood isn't blue enough, and in zoey's case, it's no doubt it's partially because she's Black.

poppy exemplifies being raised in these institutions and blue blooded families. she is old money, she is racist and classist towards anyone beneath her, she only cares for people as a means to her end, she is a misogynist who doesn't care that her rival was sexually harassed, and she holds everyone impossible standards of beauty, even herself. she's blonde and blondness has long been associated with wealth and the upper class, which hasn't exactly been a very open group of people. these are neutral statements; i am simply describing how she is in-canon. these institutions allow for people like her to come into being and into power, and to deny her those traits and demand that her bacchanalia plot with zoey be removed so you can continue fantasizing about her in peace is to miss the point of queen b, as queen b is fundamentally criticizing people like her.

in the latest choices secrets: revealed, chelsa stated that she never intended for poppy to be an LI because then she would have to be redeemed, and she simply isn't a character where that seems plausible:

and i agree. if you want to romance someone like poppy, or whatever picture in people's minds were of poppy, characters like becca davenport are right there. queen b isn't the place for it because of the book's satirical nature. i think that getting mad (if there are any people who got mad) that poppy isn't a "true" LI is to not give justice to the vision that chelsa, a Black woman, had for the book.

now, do i personally think stanning poppy is bad, or that poppy is a terrible person? well, poppy already is a terrible person. again, a neutral statement. however, i find her a good character in which she was used by the writers to exemplify everything wrong in archaic institutions - she serves her function well as that. it's similar to how i think miranda priestly from the devil wears prada is a good character in which she embodies everything wrong in the fashion industry and how it holds women to impossible standards and pits them against each other; she is terrible, and that is the point. you are meant to appreciate and know that she is terrible without stripping those features of her character away. you are not supposed to be upset that anne hathaway left her terrible boss behind, you are supposed to be happy that she stopped stripping away and molding herself into an image that conformed to a fucked up, exclusionary image of womanhood and fashion. that a lot of people seem to miss this point and just view the devil wears prada and queen b (and mean girls!) as "yass girlboss slay" stories is concerning to me. big win for capitalist feminism and i hate it.

related here is the queen b MC and how she is postured as someone who will "take poppy down". one thing i liked is that in the book 1 finale (at least how it turned out for me), MC is framed as someone just as bad as poppy, and this makes sense. no matter if you played her as a good girl or a bad girl, she is still someone who works within the institution, playing the rules of the game, and someone who upholds the legitimacy and power of the institution. a ruler is still a ruler and being queen still means that you hold a significant amount of unbalanced power over others. you still maintain the status quo, which is an inherently exclusionary one. nothing fundamentally changes; the only difference is who's on top, and that's a very shallow way to make progress, if any.

another related topic is how queen b is actually pretty good in showing how living in and being raised in these institutions is to the detriment of those in it, which also criticizes the very nature of the institution of the family. i think it also does well in stories like veil of secrets and crimes of passion 2 where archaic old money families serve as antagonists. but that's for another time lol.

tl;dr uwu-ifying poppy is to miss the point.

#anonymous #answered #playchoices #queen b #poppy min sinclair #my post

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turtletaubwrites · 5 months

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Everything’s Fine. ~ Part 2

Thank you @lonelystarsstuff for the request for a more angsty part 2, I hope you like it!

Pairing: Sanji x Fem!Reader & Zoro x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1383

Part 1

Summary: You've been seeing both Zoro and Sanji for awhile now, and now they've each been seeing one of your friends. How well do you handle sharing your boys after some time has passed?

Rating/Warnings: Fem!Reader, Reader Insert, Polyamory, Angst, Pet Names, Established Relationship, Jealousy, Relationship Drama

A/N: These blurbs are from the We've All Got Needs series (sometime after part 9), however won't fit in that storyline because I've got other plans. I hope you enjoy these, and the drama coming up in future installments!

Sanji Seeing Someone

It’s supposed to be my day.

Sanji leaned over the table to kiss Nami softly. You tried to look away, but they both looked so happy. So lost in each other

You lost your appetite. Luffy took your food, of course.

Wouldn’t want to waste it, and see Sanji hurt.

Not that he would even notice now.

I hate this feeling. I shouldn’t be thinking like this. He’s been so good with sharing me.

But you couldn’t get the lump of nausea out of your throat.

You noticed that he’d focus more on you during your days, but he still went to her. Still praised her, still winked at her, still kissed her when he handed her the same treats he’d made for you.

She grinned at you, and you desperately wanted to feel happy for your friend. But you couldn’t get there.

“Y/N, dear?”

Your eyes closed for a moment as you were almost out the galley door.

Turning slowly, Sanji stood with his plate of breakfast looking confused. You usually stayed with him after meals on his days.

His brows furrowed as he saw your breathing, too angry to keep your body steady.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“It’s nothing. I just need to catch up on work.”

He left his plate on the table, moving toward you with concern in his eyes. He reached toward your face, and you couldn’t stop yourself from stiffening at his touch. He looked liked you’d slapped him.

Fuck, why am I being such a bitch?

But you couldn’t shame yourself out of it.

Nami is so useful to the crew. I’ve been doing almost nothing since I started seeing the boys. I need to remember why I’m here in the first place.

Especially if Sanji can’t even remember when it’s my day for his affections.

“Y/N, are you mad at-“

“I’ve been spending too much time in here everyday. I need to do my part.”

“O-Of course, darling. Can I bring you anything while you work?"

“No, thank you.”

You hated every second of this, but your mind kept getting flooded with images of him with Nami.

It’s true. I’ve been so lost in being pampered, I haven’t been myself.

You left him in the middle of the kitchen, determined to find yourself again.

I can’t forget why I’m on this ship.

You propped yourself up with your field notes next to Chopper, realizing you couldn’t remember the last time you worked beside him.

I won’t lose myself again.

As Time Passes

As more time passed, you found yourself getting engrossed in your work again. It felt good to me practicing your skills, being creative with your projects, and being useful. The scent of dried flowers pressed to preserve their shape. The scratch of your pencil softly capturing every detail of the specimens you’d picked up on the way. I’m going to find plants on the Grand Line that no one has seen before. I’ll find out their uses, I’ll help people. You found yourself spending less and less time with the boys, even on their days with you.

Sanji seemed hurt when you'd first asked for more time to work, but he was quickly caught up in more time with Nami. The festering anger you started to feel made you sick, and you kept focused on yourself.

He always liked her more than me anyway.

You pushed that thought away, but after time went on even your time together was feeling strained.

Until Sanji started going overboard.

You woke to a soft knock at your door, and he paraded in with breakfast in bed.

“My beautiful, Y/N. I’m sorry, I couldn't wait a moment longer to see your perfect face this morning.”

“Sanji-”

“Not to worry, dear. Whatever you need today, I am here to serve. I’ll make your favorite latte to help you focus on your work if you like. Or a back rub to help you relax?”

You laughed at him, still not fully awake.

“Sanji, I’m fine. I’ve just got some work to do.”

“Will you be making supplies in the kitchen with me?”

“Not today.”

Sanji swallowed, his shoulders slumping a bit. Feeling guilty, you took a breath.

“How about I stay with you after lunch for a bit before heading back?”

His eyes lit up, and he practically ran toward you, showering you with kisses.

“Thank you, my sweet, every second in your presence is heavenly. I’m so lucky to have you, my darling. My beautif-”

You couldn’t stop laughing now, gently pushing him off so you could get up.

You pulled him into a hug, having a feeling why he might even be more over the top lately.

“I’ll see you at lunch, Sanji.”

You sighed into his soft kiss. Your hurt was still there. It didn’t feel like it used to with him.

I guess we need to talk about it.

Zoro Seeing Someone

“Hey, Needy?”

You’d followed him out on deck, happy to watch his morning training routine before he took you in the shower again.

Robin waved at you with a teasing smile as she found a spot on deck to read. Blushing, you looked back at Zoro, only to find his eyes trained on Robin.

Your gut twisted uncomfortably, and you felt too awkward to stand and watch him like a cheerleader while he looked at her.

Fidgeting for a few moments, you went back inside.

He can find me when he’s done.

You had your head in the cupboard, looking for more ideas to share with Usopp for his ammo.

“I wondered where my Needy girl was hiding.”

For the first time since he gave it to you, the nickname didn’t feel comfortable.

I don’t just want to be needy. I want to be needed.

You turned to find him glistening with sweat, breathing heavy, ready to take you over, make you forget everything. Again.

“I’ve got some work to do, Zoro.”

His head tilted, brow tensing slightly as he looked at you.

“You alright, Needy?”

Letting out a breath, you touched his hand, the skin hot in yours.

“All good, I just want to get some work done today.”

He stared for a minute, seeming to size you up.

“Alright weirdo, see you later?”

“Mmhm.”

You turned back to your work, waiting to hear his footsteps out the door.

As Time Passes

A heavy knock at your door jolted you from your work. Standing from your desk you opened the door to find Zoro leaning against the frame.

“Hi, what’s up?”

He frowned at you.

“What’s up with you, Needy?”

With a sigh, you stepped back and let him in.

“I’m working on monographs from the last island. I’d like to finish up before we land anywhere else, it takes a lot of time.”

He crossed his arms.

“I didn’t know you wanted a break today.”

“We don’t need to have sex every time it’s your day, Zoro.”

His brows tensed, body stiffening at your words.

“That’s not what I meant. I… I mean we. We haven’t even talked today, Needy. I thought it was our day.”

Your head fell back to look at the ceiling as you sighed, stepping further away from him.

“I’ve got a lot to do, Zoro. I’m not like you, the fighters, and the devil fruit users. I can’t fight. I have to use my other skills to be useful.”

His face softened, his arms uncrossing to reach for you.

“You are useful to this crew, Needy. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.

You wanted to believe him as he held you, but you couldn’t get the image of how he looked at Robin out of your head. The respect, the admiration. She was so strong, powerful. He’d never look at you the way he looks at her.

“Th-Thank you. I really need to get back to work, Zoro.”

He kissed the top of your head before pulling back to look at you. He still looked concerned, but he let you go.

“You’d tell me if something was wrong, right, Needy?”

Your stomach dropped, a feeling of nausea and shame swirling in you.

Why can’t I just tell him how I’m feeling?

But you couldn’t form the words, feeling too hurt and ashamed with yourself to manage it.

“Everything’s fine.”

Thank You For Reading! 💜

TurtleTaub Fanfic Masterlist

Buy me a coffee ☕🙏🏼

#fic requests #one piece fanfiction #mine #zoro x reader #sanji x reader #reader insert #Fem!Reader #zoro fanfiction #sanji fanfiction #one piece x reader #x reader #turtletaub fics

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greenhorn-art · 7 months

Text

Keep Your Head Up to the Sky (As Your Day Unfolds) by alphera [Twitter]

Illustrated by Shirou_UOHS @shirou-oh-sakura

Fandom: 全职高手 | The King's Avatar

Rating: General Audiences

Category: M/M

Words: 9 270

Time is rarely kind, and impossible to escape. At the ripe old age of 30, Han Wenqing retires from the Glory Professional Alliance and moves forward the only way he knows how: fearlessly and without hesitation.

About the Book

FONTS: Coelacanth, Segoe UI Emoji

IMAGES: Illustrations by Shirou; pastel sky ID: 7007221 from Rawpixel; dark blue sky ID: 7044483 from Rawpixel; Han Wenqing & Desert Dust image from The King's Avatar Wikia; Ye Xiu & Lord Grim image also from TKA Wikia; Glory card png also made by Shirou via Discord

MATERIALS: regular ol' printer paper (8.5"x11", 20lb, 96 bright); ~1.5mm chipboard; Neenah cardstock (8.5"x11", 65lb, bright white); Iris bookcloth (Madeira colour); paper from Gilded Ink paper pad by Recollections; waxed linen thread (30/3 size, white); wheat paste (1:4 flour:water)

PROGRAMS USED: typeset in Affinity Publisher 2; endpapers designed with Affinity Designer 2 and Affinity Photo 2; imposed with Renegade's Community Imposer (settings: Quarto, snug against binding edge, signatures of 2 sheets).

Text & QR codes printed with colour laser printer (duplex, flip long edge), images printed with inkjet printer (HP Envy 5055; one sheet at a time, single sided, place facedown in tray)

BINDING: quarto (quarter-letter) size, sewn board binding with french link stitch and breakaway spine.

Absolutely LOVED this story! I've reread this one a number of times, and keep going back for more. Alphera's writing is so good! Ye Xiu is the series protagonist so things usually follow him, which makes it refreshing to see a story through Han Wenqing's eyes. And the author does it SO WELL! AHHH!

It's been a while since my first read-through, but I'm pretty sure this was the first TKA fic that I actually downloaded and started typesetting. Absolutely chuffed to have it finished! (Love me some growth-- the typeset looks a LOT better than my earlier attempts!)

RAMBLES

Another sewn board binding and breakaway spine! Since this isn't my first go at it, the construction of the book was considerably faster and smoother than my last one. It's just as well, because I ran into a speed bump that stretched out how long it took to typeset and print.

The culprit: (very pretty) illustrations. My laser's colour printing capabilities are shot to hell, so I used my inkjet for the artwork. This involved creating 3 copies of my typeset: 1) the completed typeset; 2) just the text, images hidden; 3) just the images, text hidden/white. Then I ran them through the imposer and printed the text version. The real issue was figuring out how to feed the sheets through my inkjet printer to print the images where I want them. Had to go one page at a time, single-sided. (Just need to place sheet facedown in the tray. So flip along vertical axis.) It took a while, but I got there in the end. And the results were SO worth it! 😊

For the scene breaks I left them as written. I had tried inserting images of the Glory Logo and account card, or using crossed swords emojis ⚔️, but nothing I tried worked as well as what the author did. (It's really neat! Different characters were used to indicate the direction of the timeskip: >>>> for a jump forward in time; <<<< for a flash into the past; and ==== for regular scene breaks, a 'next' rather than 'before' or 'later/after'.)

The cover and endpapers were based off of Shirou's fantastic cover illustration of HQW and YX walking hand-in-hand down a beach at sunset. The art itself is phenomenal so I had it stand alone as a frontispiece and didn't do anything fancy with the title page. For the covers, I looked through my decorative paper stash for something red or black to represent HWQ or Team Tyranny. What I found was paper with pinks, oranges, and purples similar to that illustration -- and that was that. I liked how the colours matched the art, and the gold splashed across it. (Gold for victory, gold for wedding rings and a happy golden future together.)

(Sidenote: I love how the beginning of the end of HWQ's career as an e-sports player "starts with a tingle in his ring finger", leading him and YX to taking the next steps in their relationship and eventually getting married 💍🖐)

I went with a red bookcloth for the spine because it's a common team colour for Tyranny, Excellent Era, and Happy. It also represents good fortune, courage, passion, and love -- things that come to mind when I think about YX, HWQ, and HanYe. The particular shade of red I used is Madeira. It's darker than Ruby Red and leans a little cooler, which suits the decorative paper more.

The endpapers use two background images (overlayed, adjusted, using multiple blending modes) and some images of HWQ and YX from The King's Avatar Wikia.

The background images are from Rawpixel -- I was just minding my own business looking for images of clouds and maybe some mountains to represent overcoming challenges/glory/looking up to the sky, when I found some clouds with the same sunset colours of Shirou's art. Figured it was too perfect, and if I'm going to lean into that design-wise, I might as well go whole hog and full-ass it. Then I found a starry night sky to add some darker blues and stars to it to match. After that it was a matter of overlapping them and positioning them to fit. I also grabbed some images of HWQ and YX from the King's Avatar Wikia and added them to it because HanYe. (After removing the backgrounds).

#Keep Your Head Up to the Sky (As Your Day Unfolds)#alphera #fanfiction #bookbinding #the king's avatar #qzgs #tka #sewn board binding

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dreadsuitsamus · 11 days

Text

U Got It Bad | Kensei Muguruma x Reader |

author's note: i'm testing the waters here. this is a modified version of one of my personal selfship writings i've done, and i've changed it up into a reader insert rather than the kensei x ellie story it originally was. i am very tentative about this lol but i figured i should at least try it. this is an au, and if you have any questions feel free to ask! it's based heavily on my own imaginings, obviously, and there are many details not mentioned as this is part of a series of events i've already written. it's inspired by the song u got it bad by usher, as that is mine and kensei's song

pairing: kensei x fem!reader

warnings: au, first date, mentions of sexy selfies but that's as nsfw as it gets, fluff

When Kensei wakes up on an early Saturday morning, he begins his normal routine of breakfast and prepping his protein shake. And as he sits down to eat, he checks his text messages and snorts softly as there's a new one you sent to him just a few hours ago. That alone is the difference between you both, he thinks. He's up early at five a.m., and you were up late at three a.m.

He likes you, he truly does! How could he not? You're mischievous and witty, not to mention quite cute, an extreme flirt, and sexy too! He hasn't seen you since that night at the bar when you ‘met’, but he turned on just a bit of his charm to get a picture of you to ‘refresh his memory' the day after he got that napkin with your name and number scribbled onto it.

Now, did he use it with intentions of maybe getting a sexy picture? Yes, yes he did.

He's not exactly proud of it, but he did get what he wanted! Your mirror selfie of you in a tiny robe had Kensei's mouth practically watering at the image of your gorgeous legs, and the cleavage naturally drew his eye as well! Your friends chided you when you showed them the picture that you'd sent him, but with the encouraging words of a particularly wonderful friend, there was no room for any shame in your heart. Plus, Kensei’s opinion and returned selfie certainly boosted that confidence. He was at the gym at the time and took a perfect picture just as he finished his shower! Towel around his waist and no shirt to be found, with that silver hair all mussed and that wet body—

Though that's when you admitted to him that you are, in fact, a virgin, and God if that didn't shake Kensei to his core. Beyond the how the hell has nobody ever fucked you senseless part of it, it's a stark realization of the maturity difference between you. You may only be four years apart in age, but when you were fourteen, Kensei was eighteen! He was in the military for a year at that point! It makes him feel weird.

Twenty-one and twenty-five is different than that, though the playing field between you still isn't exactly even. He's a grown man with the PTSD to show for his military tenure, and he's in college with a full time job under his belt. You're a young college girl who still has her bright eyes!

Gorgeous, glittery eyes that is…

Kensei shakes his head and opens up the text, snorting at the contents.

stop being stubborn and give me your saturday night!!!!! 😤

He can't fight the smile that pulls his lips. You've been talking for about a month now and have been prodding him to take you on a date for weeks. Kensei's been on dates, but he's never really been on one he liked or ultimately wanted to be on. To say he's had girlfriends in the past isn't a complete overstatement of the relationship status, but they were ultimately never anybody he'd consider taking home to his mother.

He thinks it's cute how badly you want to go out with him though. And he's run through all of his go-to excuses by now, and if he wanted to he could probably find another… But he doesn't find himself wanting to do all that. It's been a while since he's had some fun and his classes and job keep him busy and stressed, so why not take a pretty girl on a date? It'll certainly only be the one date, that's for sure. You're far too precious for his usual tricks, and he's not sure he should be the one to take your virginity. You should save yourself for someone special, like you said you wanted to when he asked why you hadn't taken that step yet.

Send me your address and I'll pick you up at eight o’clock tonight.

Kensei laughs out loud when you text him back within a handful of seconds, quickly typing another message out. Get some rest. You want my Saturday night, you're getting the whole night.

fiiiiiiine. but tell me this first— what color dress should i wear?

Ken hums thoughtfully. That black dress you wore at the bar was so sexy... But he'd really love to see you in something red.

And the thrill that runs through him when he picks you up and lays eyes on you has him lit up from head to toe. Not even his wildest dreams could have prepared him for just how good you look for him. Red dress, as requested, matching stilettos, and a fresh gel pedicure with shiny red nails, gold jewelry and shiny lips that just scream vanilla cupcake lip gloss…

You have so much fun together that the night’s come to a close before you've even realized it. You had dinner, took a walk, bar hopped… And Kensei can't keep himself from willing the clock to slow down, just a bit. This is your one date he agreed to… But as he watches you sing Mr. Brightside with a vodka cranberry in one hand and a chicken tender in the other, he just can't stop thinking about more.

More time together. More dates. More… Everything.

Two a.m. rolls around and the last bar you stopped in closes, and Kensei takes you back home then. The ride to your apartment building, which isn't too far away from his own, is the quietest it's been between you the whole night. You've sobered up quite a bit, thanks to Kensei ordering regular cranberry juice for the last three drinks you asked for. Humming along to the music on the radio, soon Kensei’s parking the car and coming around to the passenger side. He's slow, savoring the final moments of the best date he's ever been on. Casually yet boldly slipping his hand in yours as you walk inside and to the elevator, you carefully rest your head on his arm as you head up to your floor.

Glancing up at him and smiling warmly, your eyes sparkle. “Thank you for tonight, Kensei. I had so much fun.”

God, he's melting. “Me too.”

“I told you you would! We could've done this weeks ago!” You laugh, and Kensei just shakes his head. It wouldn't have been this perfect any other time but now, he thinks.

You gradually approach the door to your apartment, and you stop before him and squeeze his hands. “Goodnight. Get home safe, okay? You better text me!”

“I will, I will.” Kensei murmurs. How the hell does he cut this one off? Can he?

Your hand gently slips to the back of his neck as you get on your tiptoes to place a sweet kiss on his cheek, your red lipstick leaving behind a perfect stain, the gloss on top making it shiny and even more obvious. Swiping your thumb over his jaw, you go to turn towards the door to unlock it. Kensei cups your face, though, with one of those large palms, pressing a soft kiss to your temple first. And next thing he knows, he's in the car that smells like your perfume and is on his way home.

The first song to play as he leaves the parking lot feels like a bullet to his chest, and he finds himself looking in his rearview a little too often, just to see that gorgeous proof of your kiss on his skin.

You got it, you got it bad.

#kensei muguruma x reader #kensei muguruma x you #kensei x reader #kensei x you #bleach imagine #bleach x reader #x reader #reader insert #fic

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elizaditton · 4 months

Text

Too Small To Be Afraid (Chapter 11)

Links:

Cover / Master Post / Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

TW: Blood

- - - - - - - - - -

Brittney's words echoed in my mind all the way home. I guess I haven't really paid much attention to how I've been handling my fear. It just sort of screams at me to get away from pertheans by whatever means necessary, and I've been listening to it. I thought I was doing a good job of handling my fear, but... could I have hurt my deskmate in the process?

"I don't have time to think about this," I utter to myself as I approach apartment 825.

I take my apartment key out of my bag and insert it into the lock on our door. When I turn the key, I hear a click, and quietly push the door handle downwards to open it. I creep into the apartment's entryway, carefully closing the door behind me and locking it back. I then begin to tiptoe through the apartment, ever so quietly, lest Dad hear me and start bombarding me with questions about my day. I'm pretty sure I have nothing to worry about, though, since he's sitting on the couch focused on his laptop and likely didn't hear me come in. I turn to enter the hallway. Now I just need to get to my room.

"How was school?" Dad says from the couch.

Drat. Should I make a run for it? I sigh, turning around. I've done enough running for today.

"Terrible, just like I predicted," I say.

"Terrible, huh?" Dad says, setting his laptop down and turning around in his seat.

"It was crowded with pertheans everywhere I looked!"

"That's kind of the point, dear."

I shift in place, my blood beginning to boil. Of course that's the point, and that's the problem. I just don't understand what good being forced to intermingle with the very people I'm afraid of is going to do for me. If I have to endure one more minute of 'open hand' or 'balcony' etiquette, I might just explode! I take a deep breath and hold it, pursing my lips together.

"Well," Dad says, pushing up his glasses, "was there anything about the school that you did like?"

I cross my arms and keep my eyes glued to the floor. "The time I didn't have to spend with my deskmate," I scoff.

"And how is your deskmate?" Dad asks. "What are they like? How are you getting along?"

"I— he—" I stammer. Images of my deskmate hurt by my rejection flash through my mind. His brows upturned and his wide eyes without that spark they had when we first met. That big, stupid smile of his, gone. I'm quick to shake the thoughts away. I sigh. "Dad, I really don't want to talk about this right now."

Dad scratches his head and nods. "I get it. I do. This is all new to you and you're still processing everything."

Right. He totally gets what it's like to live in constant fear of being grabbed or crushed by someone twenty times your size. Their fingers wrapping around your entire being, weak and pathetic by comparison, their grip on you tightening at a devilishly slow pace while all you're able to do is stare up at their sickening smile and into their cold, narrowed brown eyes—begging them for mercy as you struggle in vain to cough up the blood that floods your crumpled up lungs and threatens to drown you. My whole frame trembles at the very thought of... that face. Those hands. That... demon...!

I'm brought back to reality by the sound of Dad, now in front of me, snapping his fingers. When I look up at him, his furrowed brows and widened eyes relax. He lets out a sigh, and with both hands, begins to wipe away tears I didn't know had started to creep down my cheeks.

"You're going to be okay," he whispers. "Don't go back there. Look forward."

Against my better judgment and in spite of my temper, I do exactly as I did when I was a little girl. I lunge forward, sinking my face into Dad's chest. He wraps his arms around me, and with gentle shushing, he strokes the back of my head with his hand. Immediately, I'm taken back to when I was a little girl.

Until I was about eleven, I had terrible nightmares on the regular. When I was really little, I used to wake up screaming and run straight to Dad. No matter how late in the night it was, he always got up and held me just like this. I wish what I'm afraid of now was only a nightmare. I wish I could wake up.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A sigh escapes me as I shove my English, History, and Algebra books into my bag and close my locker. I try not to think about the inevitable: seeing my deskmate again after that abrupt exit I made yesterday. Yet it keeps on coming to mind, and I know that eventually I'm going to have to see him again.

What's he going to say? What did he think of me running off for a second time? I wouldn't be surprised if he's caught on to my fear by now just because of that! What if he's angry at me for not wanting to hang out with him? A knot forms in my middle as I think of all the ways a perthean could lash out at a human. Yelling. Beating. Crushing. Squashing. I look down at my quivering hands. What have I done? Don't I know better than to anger a perthean? What's going to happen to me now?

I pull out my phone. It's 7:56. I better be getting a move on if I want to make it to class on time. I take a deep breath and exhale, but it does nothing to calm my nerves. My heart beats faster with every second that passes on my way to the balcony, and my legs, wobbly as ever, threaten to give out with each step. I'm never going to get through this school year, am I? I'm such a wreck!

I weave through the crowds of human students blocking the entryway to the balcony, my whole body shaking more and more as I near the spot where I'll be interacting with my deskmate again. Can the others see me shaking? Can they tell I'm scared out of my mind? Everyone looks so happy to be here—smiling, talking amongst themselves, talking with their deskmates. I feel so utterly out of place, even among my own kind.

I approach the spot on the balcony where I last met my deskmate, and, reluctant as ever, scan the room for any sign of him. He's nowhere to be found. I scan the room again, and still nothing. Where is he? Maybe I should text him. I pull out my phone again, only to realize that I still haven't answered any of his texts. Would it be too awkward to text him now?

As I'm standing there worrying about the social etiquette of sending text messages, a shadow engulfs the area of the balcony I'm on, surrounding me entirely. Do I dare look? My heart pounds as an index finger bigger than my couch presents itself in front of me. I gulp. My eyes trace the oversized digit up to an oversized arm and across the mountain of green cloth that comprises the school's uniform before landing on a pair of dead, drooping blue eyes. I blink. Is this... my deskmate?

"Miss Finch," the boy in front of me mumbles.

I stare up at him, mouth agape. What happened to him? I envisioned him being... angrier. Confused, I take a few steps backward. I look at his finger again, which hasn't budged from its place in front of me. My eyes turn back to the boy's. He doesn't say anything. I don't say anything. We stand in silence. Something tugs at my heart as I look at my deskmate. Did I do this? Did I... break him?

I realize we can't stand in silence forever, so after I've had a moment to process the sight in front of me, I step forward and grab on tightly to my deskmate's outstretched finger. Once I'm secure, the boy lifts me from my place on the balcony and gently sets me down in the palm of his hand. He doesn't remove his finger until I'm situated. My heart pounds hard in my chest, but not for the reason I would have thought. I'm less concerned with being in this perthean's hand, I find, and more concerned with him looking... miserable. Could I have really done this to him? Am I the reason he's miserable? From the palm of his hand, I look back up to his face as he starts walking down the hall towards our first class.

"M-mi—" I start, my voice cracking. What in the world am I doing?! "Mr. Dr... Drake?"

There's no way he heard such a tiny squeak like that. Gosh, I'm so pathetic, I can't even bring myself to say his name!

His head turns downward, and his gloomy eyes meet my gaze. My heart pounds and pounds—a hundred times a second! There's a twisting, turning, churning deep in my core—and I can't keep myself from trembling helplessly where I sit in this boy's palm. His eyes, so full of energy and wide with enthusiasm when we first met, are now void of any hope or joy. I can't look at them. I turn my eyes to my own hands, folded in my lap, as the boy's stare burns me from above like a laser.

He doesn't say anything. I don't say anything. We move in silence.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I have to do something, I can't stand this. It breaks me to see him so downcast. And the fact that I did this weighs on me like a whole mountain of boulders.

Brittney's words from yesterday echo in my mind again: "your actions, whether you intend them to or not, can affect others. Especially your deskmate."

Especially my deskmate...

I have to fix this. What am I going to tell Brittney when she sees her friend like this? I can almost see her now, asking 'what did you do to him?!'

The bell rings. As students stand up to leave the class, the teacher rambles on.

"The bell doesn't dismiss you, I do," he says sternly. As students scramble out the door, he waves one hand in defeat. "Whatever, you're dismissed."

The sound of a chair scraping against the floor behind me catches my attention. I look back and see my deskmate stand to collect his things. I close my Algebra textbook and stuff it in my bag along with my notes. This is my last chance to make things right before we separate for our P.E. and lunch periods. I don't know what I'm more scared of, apologizing to this guy or the reactions his friends will have when they find out I'm the reason he's so upset.

I stand and turn around. The perthean boy in front of me is still shoving things into his bag at a sluggish pace. My heart thumps about in my chest as if it had a death wish. Pound, pound, pound! I wring my sweaty, quivering hands together and search my racing heart for anything, anything I can say to smooth things over with this guy.

"E-excuse me," I murmur.

Nothing. He didn't hear me this time. I have to speak up, don't I? Can I really do this? Should I really do this?

"E-excuse me, M-Mr. D-Drake?" I say, my legs quaking and my spine threatening to crack as I crane my neck back to look at my deskmate.

His eyebrows furrow, and his gaze shifts back and forth. He turns to look down at me, raising an eyebrow. His body, towering over me, takes up my whole field of vision. I nearly stumble backwards trying to keep my eyes fixed on his face, high above me. The boy, perplexed, points to himself as if to ask if I'm really talking to him.

"Mhm," I nod. Oh, what am I doing?!

The boy sits down in his chair. "Y-yeah? What's up?" he clears his throat. "I mean... is something wrong?"

"I-I..." I stare into his eyes, still drooping, still cold, still... distant. "I-I was wondering if we could... talk."

"Well, we're talking."

Ouch.

"Umm... I... there's something... I mean I want... no, I need—" I ramble on aimlessly.

"Yes?"

"There's something I need to say to you," I finally spit out.

"Something you need to say to me?" he asks, eyes widening as he sits up in his seat.

"Y-yes."

"Okay, I'm listening," he says, folding his arms.

"I-I-" my heart, oh my heart, I've run out of words to describe how badly it wants to beat right out of my chest and run far, far away from here! My insides contort into a big, twisted knot, leaving me mangled from the inside out. What do I say?! What do I do?!

"Miss Finch?"

I cross my right arm over my chest. Trembling and out of breath, I lean forward to bow the deepest I know how. "I-I'm sorry!"

"Huh?"

"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry for how I've treated you, for ignoring you and acting cold! A-and for r-running away, I didn't know what to say to you, and— I—" I look back up from my bow and see eyes wider than I've ever seen before. "If... if it's okay with you, I- I was wondering, can... can we start over?"

The boy blinks. I just made a fool of myself, didn't I? There's no way he'll forgive me! I've already done too much, what was I thinking even trying to apologize?

The boy's eyes soften, and he smiles. He lifts his right arm and crosses it over his chest. "I'm Derrick," he says. He opens one eye and looks at me. "And you are?"

My heart stops. Is this... is this him accepting my apology?

"Kaylin," I say, my arm crossing my chest as I dip forward again, this time only slightly.

"Well, Kaylin," Derrick says, "I guess you and I are deskmates. And we really should be headed to our next class."

"O-oh! Right," I say.

Derrick offers me his index finger, and I grab onto it tightly. As he lifts me up, I feel lighter. Not just because I practically weigh nothing in comparison, but... because I somehow managed to make up with a perthean. A perthean. And not only that... I think I just made a friend.

#too small to be afraid #tstba #perthea #g/t #giant/tiny #g/t writing #tw: blood

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surlifen · 11 months

Text

guide to surlis sonas

aka an excuse to Poast Images and drone on because I love to do that!

current main sona I think and closest to a truesona: this otter guy who remains unnamed because all the names that are my name have already been used at this point LMAO

art by nepeteaa and by me! I'd honestly draw him more often if he weren't hard to draw? surli was easy because. Fox. (and Generic Thin whereas my body type is, while still pretty thin, specific in a way that's hard for me to draw) and honestly I enjoy drawing him more oTL.... otters are super hard to stylize cutely + in a way that looks Like Me... surli does not look Like Me teebeehaiche

surli fennec surlifen main sona of the past and still like... kind of me it's complicated

imbages by jilf and vhsdruid

i kinda ended up disconnecting from his Design as a Whole and the alt palette didn't really fix it but nonetheless he's never leaving my possession. it's weird cause my brain can really only connect fully to one character per Thing/Setting as a Sona who is Me so ever since splitting off into otter I don't feel FULLY connected to either the way I once did to surli :( but I am experimenting with having multiple sonas and maybe ill try that thing people do where they also do sonas for different Aspects of themselves so I don't just have an army of Normal Nice Blonds

pokesona: liam

art by me, cicadaghost, me

not much 2 say he is me pokemonned! he's much Smaller Cuter than I am and I really enjoy his simple design + imagining him in the pokemon world :3 like what berries he'd like best and what specific cities/landmarks he hangs out at... hiking in ilex forest and visiting the national park yk

lee: bunny....sona....?

art by me, purrker

he was a bit of an experiment in "CAN I have more than one fursona?" and also "CAN I make a sona who isn't Exactly Like Me?" i've always seen people whose sonas have Supernatural Elements and been like how can you do that. I respect it so much but if EYE am a normal human person how can I connect to something with strange abilities and qualities. and I still couldn't go so far as like... my friend whose sona is an honest to god several stories tall kaiju with a backstory and shit, but lee has supernatural luck and a connection to/control of storms/lightning because that's sick and awesome and cool. and also glows and has cool antlers when he wants. he's not as me as the others but he's there and he's not... NOT me?

fucking... willie dustice, silver city "self-insert" joke guy

unfortunately I DO love his stupid ass. you know how sometimes in a comic or animated show there'll be some obscure reference to one of the creators or someone on the team like as a gag that goes over most people's heads well he's supposed to be that. his appearance is me at my worst (needs haircut + shave) and he has the OP superpower of putting people in pocket dimensions of altered reality he controls entirely but he ONLY uses it to make stupid filler bottle episodes like They All Have To Play Softball or Beach Episode or whatever. represents my oft-abused ability as a creator to Put Those Guys in a Situation. he's not so much a sona (cause if I made a silver city sona it would be genuine not this greasy freak) but he sure is Representative of Me.

horse: horse

i was challenged to make a horsesona. I don't plan to do anything with him but kept him around because I liked his design. someday I might make a more natural horse sona for in case I ever joined some kind of equine rp setting or some shit equivalent but for now my sparklehorse

spinxynsona: coast

art by capricorne, me, me

coasty woasty... made for the nephfei world for the spinxyn closed species. first closed species sona ive ever had and i think hes neat! nephfei is such a well designed world that is really conducive to stories and characters influencing each other's arcs but coast is just some guy he's just there. he just lives there and minds his own business. (he has no gifts or curses so nothing really requiring a Story) but maybe i should get him some Friends at least maybe i can have a sona who has Story OC Friends from other people and still be like yes thats me if i was friends with everybody's ocs

dnd character who was based on me: august

art by me, thembodino

it was suggested since I have a very hard time being In Character (i get so self conscious) that I start with a character similar to myself! so august is incredibly Just Me FR. if i were to go on an adventure i would be bad at it and terrified. his campaign is suspended due to Life but i accidentally, due to knowing nothing, picked a pretty OP blend of stats that has made him bizarrely competent (not like. the best in the party or anything but he really can hold his own and once like critted twice and turned invisible and flew and killed a dragon) and honestly that's hilarious and I like it for him

that's it! the rest of my characters are just characters not sonas though I still love them dearly, some of them even more than some of my sonas i won't name names though ty if you made it this far. i love to Talk

#surli #liam #coast #lee #willie dustice #august

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ellie-shy · 5 months

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Tav-insert Epilogue banter with Halsin 🐻

Very self-indulgent of what my Tav, Salju, would banter with Halsin during the epilogue party.

P/S : no, I haven't finished the game with Salju yet :')

===========

Salju : *sees Halsin drunk dancing*

Salju : Oh, look at you! You're dancing, my love! Ha-ha!

Halsin : I uhh-- it seems the drink has started to kick-in, I suppose.

Salju : Hahaha! How adorable! *laughs*

Halsin : That's the laughter that I always strive for. Heh.

==========

Halsin : I wonder how the children are faring. Hopefully... they are well.

Salju : They will be fine, love! They have grown and learnt so much under your care. Besides, I trust Taruna will be a great big brother to all of them. He did say he wanted to teach them about meditation.

Halsin : Oh, to have your confidence, my heart.

Salju : Where would you be without me?

==========

Salju : You know, it's been a while since we were afforded a time like this. We should really spend it wisely, won't you agree? *winks to Halsin*

Halsin : Indeed, I still have yet to talk to Wyll. Wonder if he has any adventurous stories to share for--

Salju : I meant us, my Halsin. We should... enjoy ourselves... intimately. After this. Amongst nature, perhaps?

Halsin : Oh- How foolish of me. *chuckles* Of course, my heart. The thought has been... a recurring image tonight. We will slip away soon.

Salju : Glad I've read your mind.

============

Halsin : You are still as beautiful as the day you freed me from the goblins' prison... *totally drunk*

Salju : And you sounded as drunk as ever!

Halsin : I love you so much, my heart... I-- LOVE YOU! *stumbling in his feet trying to embrace Salju*

Salju : Gods... at least you said those words to me.

Jaheira, from the corner : We know! Now go somewhere private!

============

Salju : *talking with the girls*

Halsin : *walking towards the river, away from everyone, dazed and drunk*

Salju : *spotted him mid-conversation* Hm?

Halsin : *turns into a bear*

Salju : *looks into the camera like in The Office*

=============

Salju : Halsin, when we return, would you kindly help in cleaning the treehouse where the children played before we left? It has been... untidy for a few days now.

Halsin : The treehouse? The children have been playing in there?

Salju : Yes... and I'm afraid they may have found your wooden duck collection, judging by the quacking sounds I've heard. Perhaps 'Daddy Halsin' would like to intervene?

Halsin : *gasp* M-My collection... Ah, those ducklings.

============

Salju : Oh, have you heard how wonderful the new little tiefling boy played the violin? I just taught him the strings, yet he sounded amazing! Definitely a bard at heart.

Halsin : Hah! Indeed. Although, I did saw him hugging a tree one day. And he also managed to upkeep a poppy bloom flourishing. I can sense a druidic talent in the child. Perhaps, some more tutoring...

Salju : Not unless I tutor him first, dear.

============

Halsin : Your eyes seem locked onto me. Is something the matter?

Salju : You are enjoying yourself... I'm glad. *sniffles*

Halsin : Ah, my love, I can see your drink has made you melancholic. Come here...

Salju : I love you so... *sobs*

Halsin : As I do you, my heart. *embraces her*

[Salju succeeded a Performance check in being dramatic to get Halsin's attention]

=============

Salju : *performing for everyone in the party*

Halsin, under his breath, smitten : Thank you Oak Father for allowing me into her heart.

=============

Halsin : I am eager to have you, my heart.

Salju : As am I. You are not allowed to sleep tonight.

Halsin : I intend not to.

=============

Thank you Larian for giving us Tav and Halsin living their domestic parental life with bunch of adorable children and their owlbear 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #bg3 halsin #halsin #bg3 tav #tav x halsin #my oc #my post #Please this is very self-indulgent but i have to get it out of my system

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sazzujazzu · 2 days

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Hello, as the days count down and the Bad Batch finale draws closer, may I show to the fine folks of tumblr my first Star Wars OC in 20 years, created thanks to this show? 😃

Too bad, I'm showing them anyway 😊 somberly chilling while listening to their bestie talk.

Please excuse the poor background (I got lazy) and half-finished Tech (I got sad)

there's, uh, a big mess of words under the image because I wanted to put into words the importance this show has for me, and I am bad at doing so.

I want to get some thoughts off my chest, because I have no one in my day-to-day life who cares about the animated Star Wars shows, and especially the Bad Batch. (well, other than my mom, but I don't want to bore her with my rambling too much. she already banned star wars from me once, i won't let that happen again lol)

I can't stop thinking how much I don't want Bad Batch to end.

This show has been so dear to me. I can't remember the last time I've loved something this much.

Before the second season started, I had an artistic block that had lasted way too long. Anything I drew or wrote, mostly turned out a horrible mess after staring at a blank page for hours and hours, if I ever managed to create anything at all. For someone who tends to draw whenever their hands aren't otherwise busy (aka all the damn time), such a block weighed down on my mental health.

Well, then season two happened, and full-on gave me back my love for Star Wars, a love that had somewhat gone out over the last few years. Then, Plan 99 happened, and broke me because again my favorite character "died" (I'm in team Tech lives until I draw my last breath or until proven correct. That chocolate-eyed cutie-pie is alive nothing will convince me otherwise). Pretty much after finishing the episode and staring at a wall for another 30 minutes, I said "nope" and began writing.

I wrote for hours. I believe it's been well over a decade since I last wrote fanfiction, but here I was, creating a Star Wars oc, something I'd last done as a ten-year-old. And now, roughly a year later, I think I've written over a hundred pages of (very self-indulgent) fanfiction with the Batch, and with my oc that I've come to love.

And drawing, oh boy, have I been drawing!

(... Sure, I've mostly been drawing Tech, over and over again, to a point I once actually considered lying and saying "yeah that's my boyfriend haha!" to a man at my job last summer, when asked who it was that I was drawing for maybe fifth day in a row 😂 likely would've been a more acceptable excuse for someone my age. But, I mean... I just really love drawing him, not only because he is my favorite character of maybe all time, but because he is just so fun to draw! And most of all, at least I draw again!)

And it is all thanks to this wonderful show about a bunch of defective and effective copy-paste boys and their sister.

It's probably something many say, but I've always felt like a bit of an outsider. I've felt like I have no place; when I was a kid, my interests were very different from the other kids of [gender assigned at birth], and trying to play with them while inserting my own interests into the games, often didn't go so well. I was... kind of an odd child (although now, older and questionably wiser, knowing that I might actually be autistic, many things make more sense now. me kind of discovering this about myself is also partially thanks to Bad Batch)

Also, growing up trans/non-binary, while not even knowing what that is or having a word for it, didn't really do much to help with the feeling of "I'm different and an outsider because of it". Perhaps it was one more reason I fell in love with Clone Force 99, because I could see some of myself in them. Being different from the "regs".

I love this show, and these fictional people have become my family, and I am not ready to say goodbye to them.

Alright, weird pile of thoughts over. In case someone read all this, uh... thanks 😊

#i'm nervously rambling into the void #the bad batch #the bad batch fanart #star wars oc #jedi oc

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laxmiree · 4 months

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[CN] MLQC Season 2 Chapter 54 Translation (Lucien's Route - Part 2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

This post contains a VERY HEAVY SPOILER for the chapter that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

"The world of the future should be something we both anticipate."

"Do you want our lives to be perfectly woven together from now on?"

"Or do you want to explore an unknown, new world that might not be as good as the current direction?"

Lucien takes my hand, placing a solemn kiss on it, as devout as when he once crowned me.

"This decision is yours, my Queen."

Translation under the cut!

Previous part-> [Here]

[Chapter 54-7]

I suddenly opened my eyes, breathing a bit rapidly, my throat sore as if I could still feel the suffocation from being choked by water.

A crescent moon quietly hangs in the sky, and outside the car window, pure white ice crystals continue to fall silently.

I tilt my head slightly downward, and on the dashboard of the steering wheel, faint white numbers indicate it's been less than half an hour.

How has only this much time passed... It feels like I've experienced several days in that dream.

Lucien, who's hugging me, seems to sense my movement and lowers his eyes.

Lucien: What's wrong?

When I lift my eyes and meet his serene face, all of my uneasiness instantly dissipating. I let out a long sigh of relief.

MC: I just mentioned to you that I've been having frequent nightmares lately, and now I've actually had one…

Lucien gently reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, a hint of meaning fleeting through his eyes, and a subtle smile curves his lips.

Lucien: (teasingly) So... now that you've seen me first thing, are you still scared?

His hand gently caresses me, his fresh scent lightly lingering in the air, and the images of the nightmare faded from my mind.

Outside the car window, it's as if the sky's breath has eased, and the snowfall gradually lessens, becoming gentle and lighter.

MC: Of course, I'm no longer scared.

I smile and shake my head.

MC: Lucien, let's go home.

—--------------------------------------------------------

MC: Then I'm heading back~

I stand at the doorway, looking at him with reluctance.

MC: I promise, before going to sleep, I'll have a big glass of milk so I won't have nightmares.

Lucien: Alright, then I wish this lady a beautiful dream.

MC: Goodnight, Lucien.

I turn to insert the key into the door. Just before pushing it open, Lucien's hand suddenly holds mine. I turn back in surprise.

MC: What's wrong?

Lucien's gaze drops to our entwined hands, seeming a bit surprised as well. After a moment, he releases my hand.

Lucien: ...I recently discovered a nice restaurant and thought of trying it together with you.

Lucien: But you shouldn't have time tomorrow.

I blink, unable to suppress a laugh.

MC: Even if I'm busy, there's always time for a meal~

Lucien: (chuckle) I'll pick you up after work tomorrow, then.

Lucien turns and walks towards the next door, his movements seeming a bit slower than usual.

In my line of sight, there's an indescribable attachment in his expression and actions, as if the one who just had a nightmare wasn't me, but him.

It's only after the sound of the closing door next door reaches me that I chuckle softly and return to my room.

Why do I always feel... from a few months ago, this person has become even clingier?

I brush my teeth, my mind replaying the details of his recent actions, and a big grin forms on my lips.

"Gurgle gurgle" As I spit out the foam, I've already figured out how to respond to this "clingy" person.

MC: Tomorrow, when we go for dinner, I'll bring a small surprise gift for Lucien~

Just as I finish speaking, I suddenly hear what seems like a muffled sound from outside.

MC: It can't be that the flowerpot got blown off, right…

Dragging my feet, I walk towards the balcony, searching for the source of the noise. Just as I lean out, I suddenly feel the ground beneath me tilting.

MC: ….!

In the moment of realization, the ground beneath my feet collapses with the thunderous sound of bricks and stones.

After a muffled crash, everything falls into silence.

—-------------------------------------------------------

Lucien: MC…..

A softened call reaches my ears, gentle as if afraid of disturbing me. I drowsily open my eyes and meet Lucien's gaze.

Sunlight streams through the large glass window of the flower shop, bathing all the flowers, and Lucien's hair tips in warm light.

Memories flood back, it seems that... when I and Lucien passed by this flower shop during our walk, he went to choose flowers, and I took a short nap there.

...But how come I had another nightmare? Lately, my nightmares are becoming more frequent, and my imagination is getting richer.

Passing by a bridge, and it breaks; stepping onto a balcony, and it collapses. Could it be that I'm really under too much stress?

Fortunately, after every nightmare, I can always look into those reassuring eyes.

Just like now.

Lucien: Did I take too long to choose flowers?

MC: No you didn't. It's just that the sunlight was so comfortable and warmed me up, that I couldn't help but close my eyes for a while~

I look at the jasmine flowers he's holding, the white petals shimmering in the sunlight, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

MC: Are you only buying jasmine flowers today?

Lucien: Mm, jasmine has a calming effect, and it's more suitable for you who haven't been sleeping well lately.

I stretch lazily and casually loop my arm around his.

MC: Lately, I've been drinking a lot of milk, relaxing quite a bit, and now buying flowers too.

MC: If things still don't improve, I might have to resort to the ultimate dream strategy!

Lucien looks at me with a hint of confusion, innocently blinking his eyes.

Lucien: What's this ultimate strategy?

—--------------------------------------------------------

In the soft glow of the bedside lamp, the tranquil fragrance gradually fills the room. Lucien places the jasmine in a vase and sits on the edge of the bed.

Observing my expression that's like facing a formidable enemy, Lucien can't help but smile amusingly.

Lucien: Is there anything else this little lady needs for her bedtime preparation to battle the nightmare?

I haven't figured out exactly what's missing, but I always feel a lingering sense of unease in facing nightmares, as if I haven't found the right solution.

So, with a bit of scrutiny, I started "examining" everything in the bedroom, attempting to smooth out all the "flaws."

MC: Could it be... the blanket isn't soft enough?

Lucien: Mm, it's possible.

As he speaks, Lucien reaches out to pat the blanket, and the cotton underneath the cover does seem to become softer and more fluffy.

MC: Hmm... or perhaps the arrangement of the flowers is a bit odd?

As I reach out, Lucien has already picked up the vase and placed it in a corner of the bedside table.

Under the gentle light, his refined face is defined by a soft play of light and shadow.

He seems happy to satisfy all of my wild and weird ideas.

[T/N: In the original CN they use the phrase "甘之如饴" (gān zhī rú yí) to describe him indulging MC's ideas 😂. This phrase means "to endure hardship gladly" or "a glutton for punishment." It is used to describe being willing to bear difficulties or pain with contentment and patience ahah]

MC: I can't pinpoint any flaws, but it feels like something is still missing... Professor Lucien, do you have any ideas?

Lucien and I lock eyes for a moment, and he slightly curls his lips into a smile.

Lucien: How about listening to a bedtime poem?

The scent of jasmine mixed with the fragrance of cedar enters my nostrils. I bury my head in his embrace and nod.

After the rustle of turning pages, a deep voice resonates in my ears.

Lucien: Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;

Lucien: Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk….

As if finding a refuge within my heart, I contentedly closed my eyes.

This sleep is incredibly comfortable, sweeping away all exhaustion and stress with each breath. In their place, a warmth spreads, reaching every pore.

It feels as though I've replenished all the missed sleep during this time, experiencing a long-lost sense of contentment and relaxation.

[Trivia: "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal, Now the White" is a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It's part of his larger work called "The Princess." Also a bit of fun fact, the poem is considered erotic poem-you'll see what I mean if you read the whole poem]

—-------------------------------------------------------

MC: Lucien-

I squint my eyes, elongating my tone as I call for him, and lazily stretching. However, as I reach out, I don't find his familiar warmth.

Did he leave after soothing me to sleep? I open my eyes, realizing that the sky outside is still dark.

—How many hours have I slept? I couldn't have slept for a whole day and night, could I?!

I jolt up, wondering why no one has called me to go to the office, and why hasn't the alarm clock rung?!

As I feel for my jacket, I absentmindedly pick up my phone to check the time.

It's 2:11 AM, and there's a line indicating the day bellow the Gregorian date — the fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month.

I cross-checked with the date in my mind and found no discrepancies.

... It seems my sleep quality has been poor lately, messing up my circadian rhythm.

I exhale in relief, tossing aside the half-changed clothes, and flopping back onto the bed with a "thud." Since I haven't slept for long, I might as well continue sleeping.

Just as I close my eyes, there's a soft sliding sound from the window, followed by familiar and elegant footsteps.

MC: Lucien?

A trace of excitement surges in my heart. It turns out Lucien hasn't left yet, so I quietly get out of bed, intending to go look for him.

Pushing open the balcony door, under the winter night sky, a faint chill envelops my surroundings.

The crescent moon hangs high, casting its pure light on Lucien's figure, outlining his silhouette.

Unable to resist, I sneak closer and gently wrap my arms around him from behind.

Lucien senses my embrace and turns around to shield me from the cold wind. He then smoothens the tousled strands of my hair disheveled from sleep.

Lucien: (softly) Why didn't you continue sleeping?

MC: It feels like it's been a while since I slept so comfortably; I'm a bit unaccustomed to it now.

MC: Well, actually, I'm not used to waking up and not seeing you. During this time, every time I wake up from a dream, it feels like I…

My voice suddenly pauses.

Lucien: (quietly) What's wrong?

MC: ….

I glance at the crescent moon in the sky, gaze at it for a moment, then shift my focus back to Lucien.

MC: Lucien, can you be the first thing I see when I open my eyes, regardless of whether it's a good dream or a nightmare?

Lucien: Yes.

He answers simply and naturally as if this is a task that can be easily accomplished.

MC: I want to skip work tomorrow and sleep in for the whole day. Is that okay?

Lucien: It's okay.

MC: Then... I don't want to see the crescent moon, I want to see the full moon. Is that okay too?

The crisp winter wind sweeps through the balcony's curtains. Lucien's gaze is profound and quiet, his voice carrying an unyielding indulgence.

Lucien: (chuckles softly) Yes, it's okay.

Lucien: I promised you, in this dream, my MC can do anything.

[Chapter 54-8]

As Lucien finishes speaking, the crescent moon in the sky transforms into a full moon.

Its bright and clear radiance spreads across the dark horizon, illuminating the tranquil night before me.

Not sure if it's my imagination or not, but even the winter night air seems to have warmed up. I lazily lean back into his embrace.

MC: (smiles happily) It's really convenient.

MC: But Professor Lucien set the dream temperature higher, is it because you don't want to cuddle me anymore?

Lucien chuckles softly, tightening his hand around my waist. His distinct joints touched my skin through the thin layer of pajamas.

After a long silence, he speaks again, his voice seemingly blending into the night.

Lucien: (chuckles) Are you satisfied with this dream?

I open my mouth but don't respond immediately.

In this dream, Lucien has been by my side, much like the time we spent together before when he entered my dreams to wake me up.

[T/N: MC talks about S2 CH 34]

Yet, it's different from that time. Instead of fantastical scenes, this dream resembles the mundane aspects of everyday life.

I don't know why he created another dream— one that isn't necessarily perfect.

So, I decided to throw the question back to him.

MC: Well, are you satisfied?

Lucien: (quietly) I am not satisfied.

Lucien's response was straightforward.

Unknowingly, he has adjusted the surroundings to a temperature that's just right, allowing me to instinctively seek and indulge in his body warmth.

Lucien: Those unsettling nightmares are data I failed to handle properly.

MC: Data?

Lucien: Mm… the unexpected deaths in those nightmares will be real experiences you'll face in the waking world.

His words leave me momentarily puzzled, and I can't help but widen my eyes slightly.

MC: I... I don't quite understand.

MC: Are you saying that if I wake up, I'll be surrounded by death like in those absurd horror movies?

MC: But why? I've never experienced anything like that before.

Lucien: Because the previous world was three-dimensional.

Lucien: And now it's transitioning into four dimensions... Do you remember?

I recall the experiment we conducted more than ten days ago and Lucien's explanation about the "four-dimensional worm."

...When standing in a higher dimension, time becomes a visible axis.

From birth to death, all forms of a person will be displayed, like an elongated shadow.

My thoughts briefly clarify within the recollection, only to once again plunge into confusion.

MC: I still don't understand. The world is ascending in dimensions, but what does that have to do with me…..

Lucien: Because you are the CORE. You are the sole variable in the world's transformation, the anomaly it wants to completely erase.

It's me again.

Surreal emotions wells up in my heart. Hearing Lucien's words, I can't help but smile wryly.

It's as if I'm always a stumbling block in the world's progress, and it will always have issues with me.

MC: So, should I just keep hiding here until its evolution is complete?

MC: But I can't imagine what the world will be like after its evolution is complete….

If everyone becomes an elongated "four-dimensional worm" does that mean every moment, we are all constantly splitting into our past selves?

I've never had a clear concept of the world after ascending, and Lucien's mysterious explanation only adds to my confusion.

I look at him and hesitantly speak.

MC: ...What's the difference between the world after ascending to higher dimensions and the current one?

Lucien: If you still don't quite understand, I can try to illustrate it for you in the dream based on my understanding.

While he speaks with a calm tone, I catch a faint and almost imperceptible... delight.

As his words linger, the dream before me begins to transform.

The balcony we stand on, the bustling streets... all scatter into countless points of light.

Then, they intersect and merge, gradually forming two long trajectories composed of images of both me and Lucien.

I pause my breath, staring blankly at the unfolding scene before me.

This view isn't unfamiliar to me.

This is the fourth dimension—

Time.

Like an extended scroll, every segment of our past unfolds vividly before my eyes.

On one side, the shadow represents my journey. From babbling words to stepping out of school, the chubby baby face gradually fades until it matches my present self.

On the other side is Lucien's trajectory.

A young Lucien sits upright at a table, diligently sketching patterns in an insect atlas. The scene radiates a vividness surpassing any photograph.

I find myself unable to look away, involuntarily drawn closer.

MC: So, you used to draw these kinds of pictures when you were young…

Lucien smiles ever so lightly.

Lucien: Mm, I used to enjoy spending time in this way back then.

I gaze at the scene before me in a trance. As it progresses, I see the young him turning around, closing the door of the once-empty laboratory behind him.

Further in the distance, he stands in the center of some academic hall, receiving honors.

Following my gaze, Lucien seems a bit absent-minded as he speaks.

Lucien: After the world ascends in dimensions, all our trajectories can unfold before us like this.

Lucien: Whether it's the future, the present... or those missed moments of the past.

I lightly inhale, feeling my heartbeat quicken a bit.

...I've often wondered with curiosity, picturing countless scenarios before meeting Lucien.

What expression would appear on his face the first time he picks up an experimental instrument?

How would he look while delivering a lecture on a foreign stage?

And after the world ascends in dimensions, such questions will cease to exist, and we'll genuinely see every second of each other.

All of this floods into my mind, like a dream coming true.

So... this is what Lucien wants to achieve.

Like me, he's also curious and feels regretful about the moments he missed in my past.

Holding onto his warm hand, I can't help but ask softly.

MC: Is this the world you long for?

Lucien: Just one of them…

Lucien's voice is soft, and I don't quite catch it, so I turn to look at him.

He gazes at the intersecting trajectories before us, his eyes shimmering with emotions that alternate between doubt and brightness.

Lucien: If this is the evolutionary direction chosen by the world, then it should be an ideal scenario for me.

Lucien: But I don't know why…

He murmurs while holding my hand, as if questioning, and yet it also seems like he's speaking to himself.

Lucien: I always feel like it's not ideal enough.

Lucien: And you, you can guide the world to evolve in even more unexpected directions.

As Lucien speaks, he finally turns to look at me. Those ink-like eyes hold my reflection deeply.

Lucien: The world of the future should be something we both anticipate.

Lucien: MC, do you want our lives to be perfectly woven together from now on?

Lucien: Or do you want to explore an unknown, new world that might not be as good as the current direction?

Lucien takes my hand, placing a solemn kiss on it, as devout as when he once crowned me.

Lucien: This decision is yours, my Queen.

[I choose dimensional ascension]

[I choose the exploration of the unknown.]

#mlqc lucien #mr love queen's choice #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mlqc #mlqc translation #mr. love queen's choice #mr love lucien #mlqc xu mo #mlqc spoilers

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sunbloomdew · 7 months

Text

my olba mc timeline!

introducing my darling buttercup, Haru Nakamura :D

finally i can post this! i'm very happy to talk about a character i have been working on since may haha. does that mean they are fully cooked? let's talk about something else :) insert why do they call you babygirl meme

you don't wanna know how long was the process of making this one drawing,,,, 1/10, would do it again no question, but god did that take time. here's the sketch for comparison :]

(hopefully) short and concise description of each step below + a couple of songs that i assign to each step, from their playlist because i can and i will

ʰᵃʰᵃʰᵃʰʰᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʰᵃʰᵃʰʰᵃᵃʰ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰⁱˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵐᵃʳʳⁱᵃᵍᵉ ᵇᵗʷ

now before i move to each step, i want to take a moment to talk about Haru's name. they are japanese american (their biological parents were both japanese people who moved to california) so i wanted them to have a japanese name.

first their birth name, Kaito. i picked this [快仁] way of writing it. 快 means "pleasant, comfortable, agreeable" and 仁 means "humanity, benevolence and kindness". i chose it as their birth name because of a few reasons:

first, some other ways of writing this name include a kanji that means "ocean, sea". it's an obvious connection to the setting of olba, as well as the character's deep connection with sunset bird, especially in their childhood.

the meanings assigned to the version i chose, describe haru at their core and during step 1 when they use this name. they are a comfortable presence whose greatest desire is to make meaningful, genuine connections with other people (fucking extravert). while they are pleasant they are a people-pleaser as well - part of their journey is to unlearn that.

it sounds very cute and they are the sweetest kid

now the name people actually know them for, the one they feel describes them the best - Haru. the kanji that i picked [春] means "spring, season of growth and renewal" and it's precisely what Haru's 'arc' is about. the meaning and value of their personal growth, understanding themselves and working with oneself instead of against.

a little tidbit about their name: there is a kanji with which it can be written that means "cherry blossom". those flowers are considered as a symbol of spring in japan, usually blooming between the end of march and beginning of may. another fun fact, haru's birthday is on the 2nd of april :]

Nakamura is a surname i chose instead of Last in the game. i thought it would be fun to headcanon that the family's surname is actually from Noelani's side (some Hawaiian last names are Japanese in origin, hence Nakamura). The kanji i picked to write it are [中村] - 中 meaning "in, inside, middle, center" and 村 meaning "village, hamlet". I think of it as a reference to sunset bird itself.

so once we put all of the ingredients together it already forms an image of a character. i've been reading a book by david day "the hobbits of tolkien" in which the author describes j.r.r. tolkien's process of creating the hobbits. it's very fascinating, the way in which he used his philologist knowleadge - digging up the word first and then tracing it's origins and the word family to slowly create the hobbits we know today. my process of creating haru was somewhat similar in methods, though definitely not the process (god no, i am nowhere near tolkien's level). i wanted to mention that because the words we use to describe the world, or in this case characters are important.

i like to think that haru's whole name means "spring in a village", with them being the embodiment of said season, connected to an undeniably summer town. a little bit like baxter, our resident autumn boy stumbled into a seaside tourist town. only in haru's case the lines are more blurry. i think of them as the manifestation of the spring/summer period, when the sun shines brightly and trees bloom but the wind is still chilly and strong.

in any case, let's move further! fairies know i could talk just about their name forever

Step 1: welcome to childhood folks! in step 1 Haru uses their birth name, Kaito, and he/him pronouns. Kaito is a lonely child who wants only one thing - to have a friend. he is too fat, too shy, too different from other kids his age, which leads to him being isolated from them. this plants the first seeds of his insecurities that will follow him into the future. being ignored and laughed at really impacts Kaito, who only wants to make friends with anybody. it makes this thought slowly grow at the back of his mind: "there is something fundamentally wrong with me." thankfully, he has the support of lizzie and their moms and the soothing sound of the waves and the warm sand at the beach, which make his social isolation feel less hurtful.

when it comes to his personality, Kaito is an open-hearted, open-minded kid who is quite shy. he is naive, terribly impatient and impulsive which can be a fatal combination. curiosity is another defining trait of his - not really with any things of an academic nature, but definitely about other people, so much he can be very nosy. despire that he is pretty good at reading social cues and figuring out people's feelings. if only he had enough foresight to actually confirm his thoughts with others - he is prone to assume things solely based off his judgement. he is empathetic and a good listener. his tendencies in people-pleasing are only starting to grow, but it will be a huge problem down the line.

a sidenote about his design: colours chosen for each step hold a meaning. the colour palette for step 1 is a triadic colour scheme with purple, teal and yellow. i chose those colours because they remind me of summer, and in step 1 kaito is at the beginning of his growth as a person. at this point in their life, they are connected with summer as a season the most, because they have yet to begin the process of figuring themselves out and understanding themselves.

Cove moving in is a turning point for Kaito. he changes his life by befriending him. it doesn NOT alleviate the insecurities and doubt still nestled in Kaito's heart. rather he views Cove as someone special for befriending him. the setting for their relationship is Nervous Fond. Kaito likes Cove immediately (as they do with most people, they are very open) but is very nervous about this whole making friends process.

Alright this all probably sounds very angsty but this internal turmoil of Kaito's is (for now) very much in the background. think of it like a box covered with sheets, dusted over and hidden in the attic. step 1 is mostly cute kid shenanigans (and some crying).

Songs:

hawaiian roller coaster ride - mark keali'i ho'omalu, kamehameha schools children's chorus; lilo and stitch original soundtrack

the right amount of dumb - kan gao; finding paradise (original game soundtrack)

i have a hole in my tooth (and my dentist is shut) - dodie

take me anywhere - kan gao; to the moon (original game soundtrack)

second child, restless child - the oh hellos

(the right amount of dumb is like their theme in step 1 because they are a bit of a dumbass <33 silly little kid)

Step 2: ahhh early teenage years. i think 12yo and older is the time when you start to realize how profoundly fucked up reality is and react appropriately! which is exactly what Haru is going through, on top of being obsessed with becoming popular. sigh.

step 2 is very rough for Haru. for one, their insecurities from childhood only grow. they see their inabilty to create a large circle of friends as a reflection of their worth. their self-esteem is at all time low, which is why they do everything they can to cover it up. kids are cruel so they cannot show any weaknesses. in order to cover up their low self-confidence they become very arrogant,they arrive at this conclusion: if they are so unlikable (false) then they only need to pretend to be someone else entirely to make people like them (bruh. teenage brain is a mystery).

and so begins their fabrication of themselves, altering parts of their appearance, personality even giving up and picking up hobbies just to appeal to the 'popular kids'. deep inside they know that this is futile. you cannot make people like you, you cannot make them respect you if they don't no matter how hard you try. but they are so starved for social interactions, that it doesn't matter at the moment. if they get to hang out with the cool kids, if people wave to them in the corridors then what does it matter that the person they are greeting is fake?

those purposeful but forced changes consume them. they are constatly playing a role around people they know but don't trust - they can only relax with their family, Cove and Derek. but even then, they aren't fun to hang out with that much. seeing as they can reveal their true thoughts only then, it makes them constantly angry (at everything, but at themselves the most probably) which affects their relationships with their friends and family.

to them it feels like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. they can't bear their soul to the cool kids group, because that would mean admitting that they are not a person they pretended to be - this loud, out-going, larger than life, perfect person. and in their head they think they can't reveal anything to their loved ones either - it would mean admitting defeat in making friends.

so yeah, the struggle is there y'all. despite all the harm that comes from their behaviour and their environment, they learn a couple of things too. they realize they aren't a mind reader and perhaps asking people about their problems is better than assuming you know what is wrong, even if you are like 99% sure you know. doesn't mean they won't ask in the most blunt, tactless way possible tho. their shyness as if evaporates completely - you're not gonna make it far in middle school being shy. funnily enough, they are a massive people-pleaser. you'd think that this bold, boisterous teen star would be far from it, but every action Haru performs in their school circle is for the approval of others. if there are any mild upsides to their state is that they can fulfill their innate need of connecting with other people. it's not deep or meaningful in most cases but what can you do.

as you probably noticed, the main colour of this step is green. but why? green is such a nice colour, with so many positive meanings... sike! i mean yeah it is, but you know what else green symbolises? greed and envy. i used green for this step to highlight haru's desire of becoming popular not as a genuine dream, not even as a way to connect with others but because of the immense jealousy they felt. of other people who got to have friends that liked them for who they are. of elizabeth especially, who never seemed to struggle with making people like her. in this stage of their life, green is definitely a negative colour for them.

the comfort level in step 2 is Direct Fond for both Cove and Derek. no matter which route i'm deciding on romantically, haru does not have a crush on anyone in step 2, or at least doesn't allow themselves to have.

Songs:

freaks - surf curse

kawaki wo ameku [カワキヲアメク] - minami [美波]

carnivore - starset

stand out fit in - one ok rock

remember my name - mitski

(i especially like carnivore for this step because haru starts avoiding eating meat, cause they don't like the taste that much. the choice of this song is a bit of an inside joke for me, also the lyrics fit very well)

Step 3: we enter era of healing! i'd say in step 3 haru is at a solid 3/4 way to doing better internally. step 2 was their lowest, but now they are beginning to bloom. but growing older doesn't only bring knowleadge and growth, it also brings a new lot of issues to deal with.

Haru has been confronted about their behaviour. the impact it had on others and on themselves (there was a lot of crying and broken confessions, not a good time). as they reached their limit, they finally decided to speak their feelings and accept help from their loved ones.

now, it's hard to simply get rid of one's insecurities, especially those that seemed to be reinforced by the outside world for a long time. they use a strategy as old as time to deal with (not cover up anymore) their low self-esteem - fake it till you make it. some of their arrogance stays with them, as a blanket of security in a way, but they are determined to be confident in themselves.

their growth starts with a somewhat superficial thing but one that they always cared about: their clothes. they were always interested in clothing and fashion but only in step 3 they move a bit further with that interest and begin to make clothes on their own. it's an important passion to them, not only being very therapeutic but also allowing them to express their true self, both in terms of their personality as well as gender.

a major shift in their perception of their relationships with others was caused by realizing, that gaining popularity was not going to make them feel fulfilled. they had always desired deep, meaningful relationships, and while being recognized at school was nice, it wasn't really what they were looking for. this in turn make them rethink their whole "pretending to be someone you're not" business and with their loved ones assistance they figured out that... it simply wasn't worth it.

and because haru is the most impulsive person on this side of the globe, they did not ease themselves into this realization but again forced themselves to abandon their old ways in favor of being painfully true to themselves. and then everybody smacked their foreheads.

haru is a lot kinder to themselves now, courtesy of cove and others, but they still tend to ignore themselves in favor of somebody else. their shyness returned, and they no longer try to force themselves into acting more out there than they are. since the let down their walls, they speak their mind without thinking and are prone into agreeing to things immediately, often finding themselves in uncomfortable or annoying situations.

right now their most pressing struggle is dealing with becoming an adult. they feel as if they had just got peace and stability in their life and yet their friends are leaving or staying, getting jobs, time is slipping through their fingers like sand and everything is different. haru themselves feels very lost and overwhelmed by the future, so for now they latch onto people, their friends, sister and moms and try to spend as much time with them as possible, drowning the sound of their own fear in their laughter. on top of that there is a new guy in sunset bird, who seems to have a bit similar internal struggles to them, and haru feels like they could make a connection for life. i wonder how that will go :]

step 3 colours! they wear a lot of different colours because their style is mostly inspired by the 80s, plus they like to go crazy with the clothes they make. but colours that appear the most are definitely pink and yellow, plus a little bit of green. green appears in smaller amounts and in shades closer to yellow to express it's different nature than the green in step 2. this time it represents growth, freshness and hope.

now yellow is a very important colour that i consider haru's main colour. they are simply inseparable in my head. it was completely gone from their colour palette in step 2, and in step 1 it had more of a golden shade, one reminiscent of summer, but in step 3 it brings forth thoughts of spring more. it is purposeful, as Haru is finally growing into the person they want to be. yellow's positive meanings are among others optimism, happiness, creativity and enthusiasm. but it can also be associated with fear and cowardice and that is definitely something that fits haru in this step as well.

pink is prevalent in this specific outfit, but like i said, the clothes they wear in this step are pretty colourful. still, it holds meaning, seeing as it's also visible in their step 4 clothes. pink is invincibly linked with romance and romantic feelings - something haru allows themselves to open up to in step 3. like most things about them, if they have a crush on somebody their infatuation comes fast and strong, seemingly out of nowhere. but other than romance, pink is a colour of youth and playfulness.

after dealing with all that teen angst, they are very playful. combined with the dread of the future and genuine excitement they finally feel, they are a sweet, sociable person. the comfort level is Relaxed Fond, unless they have a crush on either Cove or Baxter, then it's Nervous Crush.

Songs:

permanence - bears in trees

wishing well - the oh hellos

infinite - lyn lapid

summer depression - girl in red

what if it doesn't end well - chloe moriondo

(i didn't put this song here despite it being the first one on haru's playlist, but teenage dream by katy perry is such a step 3 haru song)

Step 4: sweet woes of adulthood! Haru has grown and grown up but of course, life is a continuous string of things happening and us having to deal with them. some things stayed the same, for example their big ego. from aiming to cover up their low confidence, to actually gaining a healthy amount of it, like in most things they do, they went overboard. and while some of it is still a little bit of a defense mechanism, they are also completely insufferable and a beast of self-esteem. you win some you lose some.

they grew into the person they were always meant to be: free spirited, open, empathetic and creative. even so, they still retain their oh so recognizable traits. their curious, almost nosy demeanor, impatient nature and people-pleasing ways. they are still reckless though not quite as impatient, they learned to be a bit more chill.

haru learned to manage their intense nature. especially when it comes to meeting new people, they realize and respect the fact that not everybody will be eager to form a deeper bond, as much as it confuses them sometimes. they have always been ride or die type of person, but growing up has mellowed them out a bit.

the most growth happened with their way of managing their relationships as well as their perception of themselves. they are a lot more mature and as such manage to maintain their relationships. even if they still sometimes assume other people's thoughts or take up too much upon themselves, they see what they have accomplished and are very proud of themselves.

their struggles now involve the usual perils of adulthood, but mostly keeping up with their friends and making sure everything is alright. other than that though, they eagerly travel and go out of their way to meet even more new people - they do need someone to anchor them, or they will get carried away and eventually step on somebody's toes (or fail to return from another state on a scheduled date).

speaking of their adult relations, baxter leaving was a huge blow to them. like traumatic event rank S type of thing. when they meet again it's a storm lol

when it comes to Haru's other dreams and goals, i picture them with a business that makes custom clothes, like handmade ones. their side job would be helping out cove with surfing lessons and his business. they like to work with other people and are a fairly good leader, but they dislike doing the simple tasks because they are so boring.

last design notes! so there is yellow and pink, a bit of blue and white, at least in this outfit. yellow, pink and white are their characteristic colours, but green finds it's place here too sometimes (to drive home the spring theme more).

like i mentioned, haru's colour is yellow. it's the colour of sunshine, buttercups, the sand and some birds and fish, and most importantly it's the colour i associate with spring (along with green). haru is a character that represents the late spring, teeming with life and joy, intense in growth and weather, downpours or clear skies alike.

i don't think there is much more to say about the colours in this step, as in my opinion yellow is most significant. pink also connects with haru's acceptance of femininity and figuring out exactly how much they associate with it. and blue is the colour of the sky :)

in step 3 they are at Direct Fond or Crush. I like their energy in relationships with other people :]

Songs:

hey blondie - dominic fike; barbie the album

everybody loves me - onerepublic

never gonna not dance again - p!nk

sick of losing soulmates - dodie

rebel rebel - david bowie

dancing with myself - billy idol

(hey blondie is such a bop holy shit you guys- also very much a haru song <3)

wow i can't believe i actually wrote this. i am very particular about my characters so now that i have this sort of "introduction" for haru posted, i can post other things about them! don't ask me how that works, it has to be chronological

if you've read this thank you very, very much <3 and if you didn't, fair i feel you lol. feel free to ask about them if your heart desires :]

toodles~

#my eyes are closing on their own #so tired #but i'm proud of myself for finishing this :]#if you've seen any typos you didn't!!!#mei's kids #olba mc #olba #our life beginnings and always #our life beginnings & always #our life #sunbloom draws #sunbloom talks #<3 #this post is over 3.5k words long btw

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sincerely-sofie · 22 days

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Do songs that you listen often to ever remind you of characters or events from TPiaG or other stories you've written? It happens to me a lot with stuff from a story with OCs I've been helping my best friend make for years now.

Anyways, I'm asking about it because a song from my playlist reminded me a lot of Twig when I heard it while driving the other day. I had heard the song a million times before, but when I was thinking about the lyrics more they seemed to perfectly fit her internal conflict. The song was Blurt by Mega Mango if you want to take a listen.

The song is definitely just about dealing with mental health issues in general, but my PMD brainrot made it so that this was all I could think about after my epiphany. On that note, I want to offer you a congratulations for writing characters so well that they takes over my brain from time to time. I greatly appreciate it. :D

First up: Thanks so much for your kind words! Second: Oh my goodness. My friend, you are opening up Pandora's Box.

TPiaG doesn't have as many songs associated with it as my other projects because it hasn't been in development for several years— however, a vital part of my story development process is listening to music and imagining all the animatics of the characters and storyline that I want to make set to them. I do this for every project that sufficiently resonates with the blorbo frequency in my brain, and TPiaG is no exception!

In terms of songs that embody specific events but aren't connected to a single character, I regularly listen to “Turn the Lights off” by Tally Hall and imagine a sort of extended theme song animation for if TPiaG were an animated series. There's so many lines that mention concepts important to the story!

Another animatic song, this one set in the Dark Future when Twig was human and starting her and Grovyle's quest to save the world, is "Running Out Of Time" by Lin-Manuel Miranda--- specifically the stretch spanning at roughly 1:10 to the end of the song. I have a very vivid image of Twig repeatedly shouting at Grovyle that they need to abscond ASAP as he frantically gathers supplies that spilled out of his bag while they're being pursued by the sableye, and then of Dusknoir being dismissed by a ferryman as he's interrogating him on which way they went.

I also still listen to “Let's Get This Over With” by They Might be Giants and imagine the rest of that one unfinished animatic I posted forever ago. That song isn't as blatantly connected to the events of the game, but there's a few anchor points in the lyrics I really enjoy.

As for individual characters and songs I associate with them, here’s a selection with links to Spotify for easy listening!

Twig:

"Hey, Doctor Doctor" by Milk in the Microwave

"Monster" by Half Moon Run

"Smile" by Ukuletea

"Feelings Are Fatal" by mxmtoon

... And now, "Blurt" by Mega Mango as well!

Ark:

"Problems" by Mother Mother

"Rule #21- Momento Mori" by Fish in a Birdcage

"What You Know" by Two Door Cinema Club

Kip:

"I'm Not Fine" by Blixemi

"Don't Throw Out My Legos" by AJR

"Just Take My Wallet" by Jack Stauber’s Micropop

Grovyle:

"The Villain I Appear to Be" covered by Annapantsu

"Surface Pressure" covered by Annapantsu

(I don't know why both of these songs are specifically the versions sung by Annapantsu. Apparently she's Grovyle-coded in my head.)

Celebi:

(Insert any bubblegum pop or kawaii future bass song of your choice here.)

(Celebi has somehow evaded my ability to assign her songs. I’ll get her someday.)

Dusknoir:

"I'll Be Good" by Jaymes Young

"Never Love an Anchor" by The Crane Wives

"I Was Me" by Imagine Dragons

Twig's Aunt:

"Family Jewels" by Marina and the Diamonds

"In Fact (Demo Version)" By Gregory and the Hawk

"Ain't It Fun" by Paramore

Twig's Mother:

"Brother" by Madds Buckley

And for those who'd enjoy some Travailshipping songs...

"You Are The Moon" by The Hush Sound

"Dark Clay" by Levi Weaver

"When the Day Met the Night" by Panic! at the Disco

"Can I Have the Day With You" by Sam Ock

"Tongues & Teeth" by The Crane Wives

#the present is a gift au #travailshipping #ark/twig #pmd darkrai #pmd2 partner #pmd grovyle #pmd celebi #pmd dusknoir #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokémon mystery dungeon #pmd explorers #pmd sky #pmd eos #pmd2 #pmd #sofie answers asks

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