baldwinboy5ive

[baldwinboy5ive]

Modern Blades FMC Outfits

Long story short, I saw this fanart by @baldwinboy5ive and thought it would be fun to try to modernise some of the Blades outfits. The idea was to keep the colours, some of the original design elements and silhouettes, but still make them different and cute. Tell me how I managed! Full versions (with original outfits for comparison) under the cut.

#omg YES this is so cool and omg it makes me feel so seen haha!! #aahhhh thank you for the tag #playchoices #blades of light and shadow #blades mc

[baldwinboy5ive]

adjacent advice: if you need more confidence, get a cool jacket or a haircut or something and think about how cool it makes you. this is loser advice, but we're all losers here. swallow your pride and roleplay as a cool guy and you'll become a cool guy.

#literally what happened #hawk cobra kai

[baldwinboy5ive]

thanks for tagging me for WIP Wednesday, @oh-so-youre-a-nerd ! it is officially no longer Wednesday for me haha, so I'm responding to the tag as WIP I Couldn't Get On the Computer Until Right Now.

I don't really have any true WIPs so have some sketchy sketches

Tagging @idontknowkaratebutiknowcrazy and @asphodel-storm and @cookietastic and @desolateice (and for you I know you're away right now but anytime later is fine too!) for WIP Whatever Day You Get This (for art/fics/whatever other thing!)

#wip wednesday

[baldwinboy5ive]

Always so cool seeing sketchy WIPs! These look great and thanks for sharing, thanks for the tag, thanks for being so cool!!

Thanks for the tag @saibug1022 and @lilyoffandoms

Most of what I’m working on are gifts or commissions so I don’t want to show those til they’re done but I do have a couple pictures I set on the back burner for now

We got Aerin ripping’ that shit outta his chest , but idk I might completely restart and change the pose to a crouching position or something 🤔 at the time I wanted it to be grim subject in a delicate pose with pretty lighting as a contrast to the subject matter…. But now I kinda wanna make it more grimdark or whatever

And then we got Ernest and Matias from @noesapphic ‘s bi Sinclaire fic

Aaaand I’m gonna tag @baldwinboy5ive I know you said you’d be busy lately so idk if you’re working on anything rn 👀

#wip wednesday #playchoices

[baldwinboy5ive]

You know as much as we clown that Kieran is an uggo at least their face is distinctive and recognisable, which is more than can be said about a lot of modern choices LIs.

#hey Leaf started it ahahahaha #but also yes I agree and I like that about Kieran #the cursed heart

[baldwinboy5ive]

For @choicesfandomappreciation's Countdown to 2024.

There are so many talented artists in this fandom. I could never pick only four. I am seriously in awe of all of you and your talents. You truly make this fandom a more beautiful place. We are lucky to have you all.

In no particular order

💛 @hydn-jpg: I absolutely adore you and your talent. I can't thank you enough for the beautiful creations you've made for me. I just adore your style. I'm glad you are doing better. I've loved seeing your art on my dash again. Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful visions with us.

💛 @cashweasel: What can I say?! I absolutely adore you and your art. You've created some of my favorite Mal pieces and you gifted the world Valen. How can we ever thank you enough for that?! Valen is everything, but I adore Gideon too!

💛 @oh-so-youre-a-nerd: I've only been following you for a few months but ohmygosh you are so freaking talented. Like how?!!! I absolutely adore seeing your art on my dash, no matter the subject matter, each piece is just stunning. Your use of light is unlike anything I've seen. You are amazing.

💛 @artbyalz: Your art is so much fun! I LOVED your 12 days of Christmas art series. You gifted the fandom so many beautiful and unique pieces. I absolutely adore all you've created, and ohmygosh how can I even thank you for this gift you've given me?!!!

💛 @cassie-thorne: GAH your art!!! The recent art with Astrid is still living rent free in my head. She is so gorgeous! I truly admire and adore all of your work, though I'm a little biased toward your CoP art! I can't wait for the next book to see how you tackle all the new content we get!

💛 @baldwinboy5ive: I've absolutely enjoyed all of your art and memes from Blades. They were simply fantastic. Your work always puts a smile on my face!

💛 @fairymatchmaker : JOY!!! You are just so so lovely and amazing, and your art is brilliant. I know you haven't been able to draw as much as you'd like to have recently, but please know we are here waiting patiently for when you can. Your art is just brilliant.

💛 @violentinecrl: I am still absolutely in love with this gorgeous gift you made for me. I never expected anything like this and genuinely treasure it. It lives rent free in my head always.

💛 @callmebeem: I only discovered your art this year, but I am so in love with it. I love the 3 commissions you've made for me so far (even if I'm still holding on to one of them) but I absolutely treasure each and know I will be back for more soon! Thank you for them!

💛 @rosefuckinggenius: what can I say about you and your art besides you actually are a fucking genius. Your talent is amazing and I'm grateful for all the times we've worked together!

💛 @bayleedraws-sometimesx: you are an absolute delight! You are a sweetheart who creates such lovely art for the fandom. I love your minimalist style. You bring so much love to your work and it shows.

💛 @erixafleur: I've loved seeing all your gorgeous Blades art throughout book two. I can't wait to see more. Your style is lovely whether it's fully rendered or the sketchy style.

💛 @sazanes : Your art is so beautiful! I love seeing all the gorgeous stuff you create for the various appreciation weeks. I truly look forward to seeing all your works. You can see your care for each piece in every stroke.

💛 @twinkleallnight: you write, you do art, what don't you do? Thank you for sharing all of your many talents with the Choices fandom

💛 @mydemonsdrivealimo: Jensen is an amazing character and your OH art is so lovely. Thank you for the Valentine's doodles you made for my Bryce and Olivia. I truly treasure it!

💛 @gaiuskamilah / @talasintahan: your art is simply brilliant. I haven't been following you long, but I'm loving seeing all your gorgeous work.

💛 @weetlebeetle: You're technically not in our fandom, but you've created so many amazing pieces for me and so many others, you might as well be. Thank you for sharing your talent with us! We are so lucky to have you

💛 @hashiedraws (I know you're no longer active in the fandom, but I will always adore and treasure your art!

There are so so many amazing artists in this fandom, just mentioning a few more:

@somewillwin , @garlickk , @myautumnrose , @rainesenator , @ellezelindraws, @totojo2 , @choices-ceri , @crowlion ; @gremmiie ; @cpt-indigo , @mavidraws , @javsarts

This list is by no means exhaustive, please know that it was not intentional if you were left off!

#thank you so much it was so kind of you to mention me! I really appreciate it #choices fandom appreciation

[baldwinboy5ive]

I'm sorry it's two days late, but it's been a crazy week! :) I posted some shoutouts on Thursday, but there are many other talented artists in our fandom that deserve appreciation, and y'all know I wasn't following that "4" rule anyway. 😊

I'm really happy that CFWC added art to our blog this year because it exposed me to many other artists who are in Choices fandoms that I'm not as involved in, and I'm really grateful for that.

@oh-so-youre-a-nerd - WOW! That's all I can say... WOW! You have been such a force in the fandom - between the in-fucking-credible art you create (your TALENT!) and the positivity you bring - you've blown me away this year! I'm so glad you're a part of our crazy corner.

Fantasy isn't usually my genre, but some of the artists here have convinced me to read Blades. That's how powerful and beautiful their art is. To @erixafleur (who has one of the most beautiful MCs I've ever seen!), @artbyalz (I love your work and the advent calendar! That was amazing!) @baldwinboy5ive (your talent and creativity boggle my mind! I'm in awe) and @cashweasel (the most recent Tyril... holy crap! I stared at that for longer than I care to admit. Wow!) All of you make this a far more beautiful place. Thank you!

This year, I had such a great time reading Crimes of Passion 2, and we were lucky enough to have artists that made the experience even better. Among them, @cassie-thorne (Cassie is just badass, and your Trystan! This piece blew me away, and from that point on, every time I saw your post, I was giddy!) @nukritus I simply loved your renditions of Trystan, you had such a creative style that just brought something new to him. Thank you for sharing with us! @fairymatchmaker the way you can see the love for your creations in your work! Seriously, it just shines through each and every time. I'm always excited to see something new!

One more shout-out, and I'm sure they will probably say they don't deserve it because they're just starting out, but this is about what brought us joy in 2023, so I have to mention @inlocusmads. I know how much you love Nora through your words, and now I get to see your vision through your art, and I can't tell you how cool this is! I love what you've created so far, and I'm so proud of you for doing this!

I know my ADHD brain likely forgot someone, so I truly want to thank all the artists who create for our little fandom. You bring so much joy to this little corner of the world!

#thank you very much it’s so kind of you #choices fandom appreciation

[baldwinboy5ive]

Thanks for the kind words!

About the origami… this sounds extreme hahha but I actually made one just to have the drawing reference

this is a whole comic. I shamelessly stole a thing from Blade Runner to extend the Aerin prison visit scene:

To me in this context, this little origami unicorn is a symbol of not knowing what the truth is when they reunite for the first time in book 2, and wondering what that truth is... but... not... either of them being a replicant ahahah, definitely not hahah - it's about Aerin not knowing if Raine could ever take him back after what he did, Raine not knowing if anything Aerin felt for her was real, if anything wasn't a lie, but leaving this unicorn here as a sign of hope and a reminder, and both of them having very, very real feelings while not knowing for sure if the other does, too.

And much like Blade Runner, this comic, too, has a Director's Cut:

tagging: @choicesficwriterscreations !

[baldwinboy5ive]

Awww!!! Ahhhh thank you for the tag. Awww Robin. It’s so good to see him again. Like being reunited with an old friend 🥲 yes this is your villain meme thing but still, I still feel that way

Could you draw pose A1 with Anna Schuyler and Robin Flores from The Nanny Affair?

You guys have the Same Brain 👏

@baldwinboy5ive forgot to tag you in this, thanks for letting me use your Mc!

#Robin Flores

[baldwinboy5ive]

HAPPY…. FINALE…. DAY…!!!!!!! HAPPY…. HAPPY….!!!!!!!!

#your Aerin art genuinely gives me HP #it restores me #thank you so much for sharing it aaaaaaaa #blades of light and shadow #aerin valleros #aerin x mc

[baldwinboy5ive]

Ngl I feel like the fortune teller's predictions back in ch 8 led me to believe b2 would be more dramatic than it was.

#well shame on me really for putting stock into the words of a charlatan I GUESS #blades of light and shadow #and yes this reblog is about Aerin #but also agree with OP’s tags about valax too yeah

[baldwinboy5ive]

When he finally returned, Raine sighed quite morosely “You simply just left,” she cried, holding him closely “I left a letter?” was the boy’s lame reply “Are you serious?!” said Raine, “Not even goodbye?!” “Did you not see Ted Lasso, my dumb, sweet, dear Aerin? For that is the reason he got mad at Dr. Sharon. You both made excuses, running off leaving a letter, But she told him sorry, so she treated him better!”

T’was the week before Christmas and off in the night

One princling was hiding his damn self from sight

The note had been left on Raine’s pillow with care

Instead of the person she thought would be there

While she was all nestled all snug in her bed

That backstabbing jerkface had turned tail and fled

By law he’s a prisoner, he’s just out on bail

By running he basically broke out of jail

But Raine was not sad over these legal matters

It’s only that now her heart was in tatters

Off to become worthy, to change his foul way

When all that she needed was for him to stay

Her friends were immediately on the attack

Tyril even offered to drag his ass back

But duty and questing could simply not wait

Whether they’d meet again would be left up to fate

They journeyed on, for the realm needed saving

Despite what one quester’s heart was now craving

More vapid than seagulls, his excuses came

Echoing in her mind like a constant refrain

“I’m sorry, I promise, this has meant so much

I just find that I’m unworthy of your touch

I will go for now, myself to redeem.”

So she was left wondering: what did THAT mean?

Surely he’d only do right by the land

If he stayed beside her, fought hand in hand?

It wasn’t to be, he’s been gone a while

But perhaps by Friday there will be cause to smile?

When Aerin returns will he prove himself true?

He certainly has some explaining to do >_<

I've never played tbolas, so this may be wonky. But @baldwinboy5ive apprised me of the situation and so I wrote this for her on a whim. Happy holidays Aerin enjoyers! I hope Friday is everything you've been hoping for.

#can't believe how darmok-able ted lasso has been #blades of light and shadow #aerin valleros #aerin x mc

[baldwinboy5ive]

Aerin repeatedly says that Baldur would've been a terrible king. I am 1000% biased but I believe him. "Sounds about right," I say.

I want the books to do something to show how he saved the people of Morella from themselves by getting rid of* that guy. And have the citizenry acknowledge it somehow.

*such a euphemism for what he did ahahahahahahaahaha

#blades of light and shadow #aerin valleros

[baldwinboy5ive]

Countdown to 2024!

This blog is officially 3 years old! The first event I hosted was the end of the year countdown as a way to look back and remember all the good things we enjoyed as a fandom in the previous year (as a way to hold on to the good even when Covid had taken so much). So I'm bringing it back for the third year!

Prompts

Please note the countdown number in the prompts is just for fun. You can use that number, more or less, whatever you prefer.

⭐️ December 28: 4 artists or artworks that brought you cheer

⭐️ December 29: 3 writers or stories that made this year bright

⭐️ December 30: 2 edits, moodbaords, social media stories that made you smile

⭐️ December 31: 1+ fandom friendships that made you feel special

*BONUS* ⭐️ January 01: What are you looking forward to in 2024? (this can be Choices stories/books, your own creations, etc) Do you have any creative goals for yourself in 2024?

Guidelines + How to Participate

Please make sure you tag @choicesfandomappreciation in any posts you make or share so I can reshare them. You may also use the tag: "choices countdown to 2024"

You can post your countdown as lists on your blog (tag this blog so I can reblog/share) or if you prefer anon, feel free to submit it here.

However, I also encourage you to support the original posts that you enjoyed. Reblog them, leave new comments, or share the creator's masterlist highlighting the parts you enjoyed most.

The number is just for fun, you are welcome to include more or less than the daily “guide” number

You are welcome to self-promote. If your favorite artwork is one of yours, reshare it, tag the blog! If you want to post your personal 3 favorite stories and 3 from other writers, go for it. The goal is to remember things that brought you joy this year! If you are proud of your work, reshare it! I’m happy to promote whatever has brought you joy, because we can all use a little more of that!

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions to make it better! I look forward to a great event!

#choices fandom appreciation

[baldwinboy5ive]

fwiw I think the reason why BOLAS 2 took so long to release wasn't because it took them two and a half years to write a single new book, but bc they at the very least also outlined a book 3, so I (perhaps harboring under deep delusion) think we're not going to get the same insane wait time for book 3

#I mean it’s what I’ve been saying for AWHILE now….

[baldwinboy5ive]

a little something I got for myself!! Art commission by @beidak-art of my special, special boy

It is SO lovely!

#aerin valleros #blades of light and shadow #not my art #commissioned art

[baldwinboy5ive]

merry bladesmas to one and to all. see you all again in 2027 for blades 3

#blades of light and shadow