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literalgrill · 4 months

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Do NOT Support Hard Drive On Patreon

You might see friends today suggesting you support Hard Drive on Patreon today. You know, the funny video games version of The Onion? As a journalist, I will firmly tell you DO NOT GIVE THEM A DIME.

The CEO has pushed out all former staff that have built the site up to its current greatness and has been pushing the use of AI. The staff begged to have a Patreon before basically all being pushed out, but the idea was refused until now, when it will only line the pockets of a single person instead of hard working writers.

I know they might have provided laughs before, but Hard Drive is a shell of what it was once. Let it die and support the people who actually made those moments of joy possible. Don't believe me? Check out what former employees are saying below:

Kevin Podas: Okay you know what, I would feel bad saying nothing about this, so here goes:🚨SAVE YOUR MONEY🚨

We passionately advocated for a Patreon at Hard Drive & were aggressively shot down. The talent & people who built the site were pushed out. To see this now is beyond upsetting. For the past few years or so I put a lot of myself into this website. I pitched a ton of jokes, got over 120 articles published, & met a lot of great people. I'm sure if you've been following me for some time you could easily see this.

However, there is a lot of misinformation. I was eventually promoted to Managing Editor of the site & was ecstatic. Grateful for the opportunity. Felt like all of my hard work in the comedy mines was finally paying off. But things took a turn for the worst, & each day there were new surprises that affected our livelihoods. These were all very avoidable surprises, mind you.

A patreon was going to be our hail mary, but alas, for some reason, the power that be did not want it. Causing us to leave a dream job behind. "At least we did all we could," we consoled ourselves afterwards. I put a lot of myself into this project. I pitched all sorts of ideas that could have helped-- we all did. Merch collaborations, Patreon-integrated YouTube content, so much more. And most of them were shot down out of sheer stubbornness and nothing more. To see lie after lie spread, and multiple big publications and YouTubers that I am a fan of promote this Patreon under these pretenses is incredibly upsetting. There are so many receipts.

Please share this and consider pulling out if you've already put money into this. On Hard Drive using AI, also from Kevin Podas: I can't personally confirm that part aside from some of the recent header images for articles on both Hard Drive and Hard Times are being made with AI. As far as writing, it's been mentioned in the past, but I personally do not know. Maybe others do, maybe not. MORE From Kevin Podas suggesting the owner denying a Patreon being set up earlier cost an artist a job that was replaced by AI: We had a social media person who was awesome! He made the images until this AI implementation. He had to leave because ad revenue was low and a Patreon was aggressively refused.

Luca Fisher: at the risk of burning some bridges, i have to back up kevin here. i've only been part-time, in-and-out of hard drive since i got in last year, but i can corroborate that management doubled and tripled down about not hosting a patreon/crowdfunding and that many other suggestions and ideas, including mine (and ones much smarter than mine!), were shot down in really long, apocalyptic threads of everyone left on deck desperately trying to come up with ways to keep the lights on. managerially it has been messy and sad

i've written for multiple publications that have long since died, ones that were in the process of dying, and ones that, in this case, are soon to be put in the ground. it is sad and sucks every time. i don't know what could have been done differently, but i do know that a lot of great writers and content creators were left shorthanded and unhappy by the way things have gone. and it is sort of puzzling to see the sudden championing of patreon after we were all told plenty of times that it couldn't work and we should move on also, just to add my own personal two cents here, i was really disappointed by the shuttering of many different article sections on the site over the past 6-8 months. i understand cutting corners in a deficit, and i know it had to be done. that said…

all in all, i'm really sad to see this all happen. i don't fault anyone, if only because i don't really know enough about how this all can happen to make sense of it. games journalism is in a sad, sorry state, and will likely no longer be a thing in the next decade

VideoSealMan: I'm gonna say this because I think I deserve to. For months, MONTHS on end I was bugging Hard Drive management about a Patreon. Often I got ignored for a week+, but when I actually got a response I was encouraged to - of all things, write up a Google Doc pitching the concept I did it regardless. I wasn't the only one trying to sway management on a Patreon, but so fiercely was I fighting for it that last night, I was accused of making this comment directly by the CEO! With no evidence whatsoever! After I'd been gone for over a month.

I vouched so hard for Patreon because I wanted all the writers and creatives working with Hard Drive including myself to get paid better. When I actually got a response, the idea was often shut down. Eventually due to the state of my company, my pay was cut for a second time I confronted management alongside a couple other important figureheads at the org and told them that if we couldn't do a Patreon - I could no longer financially justify staying there. The answer was still no, so I left. Baffled at the decision, but whatever.

It is unendingly frustrating to know that myself and many other people who put their soul into Hard Drive LEFT because of management's absolute refusal to compromise on a Patreon, to then see them launch one anyway a month later and get over 1000 people pledging money. I'm seeing a lot of things float around about greed and people being fired. No one was fired. Everyone who left, left because they were sick of management's decision-making. And honestly, management is a lot of things but I would not call them greedy. (From my experience.) They did genuinely make an effort to pay people as much as possible. I found the pay very fair for a while. I am not disputing that I was paid what I was owed - yet management frequently feels the need to remind critics of that. Lmao, yes. I was paid what I was owed. No one is disputing payment. You did the bare minimum a business owner should do and paid everyone their due, very well done. I make no allegations of greed, cheating or foul play. I make allegations of poor management and incompetence that has fucked over other people.

Basically the only people left at Hard Drive have been there for about 2 months. They will reap the rewards of this successful Patreon I and so many others passionately fought for for so long. We will not see a dime.

I do not know the new people at Hard Drive, But I feel bad for them. They were haphazardly thrust into Hard Drive's workplace with little to no explanation on how anything works, or given any context on the state of the place. Even now managements feeds them half-truths and misinformation about other people's grievances. I am broke and have been for a while. I had to move out of my flat in Reading and back with my family because of how little money I was making. This has basically doomed my flatmate to moving back in with abusive parents, which is something I feel guilty about every day. If we had gone with the Patreon I worked myself hoarse over back then, this could have been avoided. Some of my other good pals could also not have been fucked over.

It was a bad judgment call, but it's not a crime. It's just management getting it wrong.

So should you give to the Hard Drive Patreon? I don't know! I don't think any of the new people working there to patch up the holes left by the recent mass exodus have any bad intentions. Maybe they deserve it! But it is not the same site you knew a year ago, or even a month ago. Myself and many people who were there far longer than me and did far more for it than I did are all gone now because we could not deal with management's terrible decision-making and dogass communication any longer. That's what you should know, imo

I had an agreement in place with management that I would receive the next 8 months of revenue from the Hard Drive YT channel from my leaving in November. This was a deal I appreciated, and thought was very fair on management's behalf. So far, the deal has been honoured for 2 months. However as of last night I was removed from the Hard Drive Slack without warning, and as an editor for the YouTube channel. This means I no longer have any way of verifying how much I am owed, I just have to take their word for it. I'm sure management will make their own statements full of half-truths and weird language on the many cases being brought against them - I'd take everything they say with a pinch of salt if some of the screenshots I've seen of them talking about me are any indication lol

To management; I do not want to talk to you. I want you to DM me a screenshot of how much I'm owed every month and then send me the money per our agreement until June, then we can go our separate ways. Do that and admit to your mistakes, and maybe you can recover your reputation! That's it from me, lol. If they pull out of the deal and fuck me over I'll have more to say, but most of what I know is other people's stories of incompetence and poor decision-making, lol. I genuinely get no pleasure out of doing this; I do not think management is evil - I just think they're really bad at what they do and it's cost other, more talented people, lol. You should believe the writers imo

One last thing I wanna say btw, management did often stress that no one should try to make Hard Drive a full time thing. They were transparent about that, and that is fair. I was working on it because at a few points, I was lead to believe we actually were doing a Patreon. Many other ppl have similar stories of being strung along by management changing their minds and stop-starting shit every 2 weeks. We all made the fatal mistake of overestimating our manager - who would tell you one thing one day and something totally opposite the next week lol

Hunter R. Thompson:

I'm not your dad, but speaking as a Hard Drive writer, I don't know that funding Hard Drive on Patreon is worth it

The driving talent on the back end—behind the kickass site I joined in 2019—have peaced out over the years as the site's been (in our view) increasingly mismanaged. Mismanagement like, not setting up crowdfunding before the ship sank and all its best crew failed; or publishing a screenshot of Andy Ngo pedojacketing a trans writer, complete with her deadname; or a disgruntled ex-writer getting falsely accused of shit-talk, by actual staff. I'm grateful for the writing I've gotten to produce for HD (and will forever be kicking myself for not writing even more, in the four years I've had to do it!! i'm a dumbass!!!) but it is very much no longer the site I signed up for.

I don't want to resign as a contributor altogether, because I'm open to the idea of the site recovering and bad practices being retired as finances level out-- it would just be dishonest for potential backers to not be Aware Of The Circumstances, I think.

Jeremy Kaplowitz: i truly don't want to start shit, but feel compelled to say: i want to see Hard Drive succeed w/o resorting to throwing former writers & editors, myself included, under the bus. surely there's a way to save the site without building it over the corpses of those who left. my $0.02 i don't blame anyone who wants to sign up for the HD patreon and i support the website, but that includes those who worked on it for years, have complaints, and don't deserve to be treated like bitter assholes like this kind of stuff is just objectively true, meanwhile there's these new writers who joined the site after i left (meaning, in the last ~3 months) claiming people are liars. decide for yourself if you care, but this is what happened! [Quotes this Tweet]

Seth Finkelstein: Writing for Hard Drive has been a privilege the past few years, and it makes me so angry to see people I looked up to get jerked around behind the scenes. The amount of grenades the editors jumped on our behalf is immense, and I don't think the way they're being treated is right.

Other Bits On AI: We do know for sure however that AI art has been used by the site. Its fucking owner confirms it here:https://twitter.com/MattSaincome/status/1743040541603123622. Seems the owner pushed AI written articles as well! TayFabe: My vaguetweet is making the rounds & these made me apoplectic. - owner regularly lobbied using ai. Once he tested it & said ai was writing better satire than 25% of the HT/HD writers. - ai images were used on the site & socials w/o consulting the team or disclosing it publicly I found the ai bit relevant to include bc 1) it illuminates a stark change in HD's current direction & leadership, 2) ai images have previously been used on the site and (since deleted) ig posts, 3) ai content fucking sucks, and repeatedly pushing to use it is a telling quality The "handful of writers who chose to leave" includes 2 editors-in-chief (both cofounders who wrote a combined total of >1,000 articles & defined the voice of HD), & at least 3 other editors. These guys put in WORK since 2017, so cool to be corrected by ppl who joined in Nov 2023 [Link to mentioned vague tweet from post.] More from TayFabe: owner continuously lobbied for using ai in every possible way. No one else wanted to do it, but he kept on, saying ai was writing better satire than 25% of the HT/HD writers. Also, ai images were used on the site & socials without public disclosure or consulting the team.

The owner has responded now multiple times in a private discord... Thank you for people sharing screenshots! First Screenshot:

Kevin's Response: He banned me from the server for speaking out, so no, I didn't see it. And he gave no indication of a timeline, it was just "we'll do one when *I* say so" and gave every inclination he was totally against it. It bred an environment that pushed our hands to have to leave. Screenshot Round Two:

Kevin's Response: "Starting one in 3 months" is an absolute lie. He denied it, I have screenshots and others who can confirm. No timeline was given. Just "this is what it is now" and like, I couldn't live off of that. I wanted to do more but he was allergic to good ideas from others around him.

Matt, owner of Hard Drive, responds publicly on Twitter.

Matt: Kevin, the patreon launch was delayed because I didn't think it would work. Everyone is happy that it did work. Everyone who left the site because we didn't have money to pay for creative content which didn't revenue is welcome to return home. But unclear why the hostility.

Hard Drive paid out literally every dollar it had, then a bunch more, to creative people who worked on the site. When we ran out of money, we couldn't pay anymore. We did our best.

Kevin: Right, and my point of this thread was that it was completely and totally avoidable. This is reasonable to be upset about. How could I have been any more clear?

Matt: If we knew with 100% certainly that the community would have supported us via patreon, we would have done that. We didn't know. We had tried 4 years ago and got no support. We were wrong this time. We did our best to figure it out. We paid all the money we could.

Kevin: So you knew with 100% certainty this time? Or you took a leap of faith?

Matt: It was a last gasp panic effort after ad rates got cut in half on january 1st due to seasonal spending changes. We didn't know it would work. We were embarrassed to ask for support. We wanted to figure it out.

Kevin: Every site has a Patreon. Every YouTuber, comedy group, etc. But you insisted that nobody cared about Hard Drive. Which is wildly untrue. I know you see that now, but again, I think you can see why I and many others are pretty upset. A last ditch panic effort was long overdue. A couple more things from Matt:

It was about the size of the hole we needed plugged budget wise, the time I had left of personal resources, and the past data I had about us trying a patreon (which turned out to be a bad indicator). I didn't think the Patreon would help us fast enough. I made a bad estimation

aka "if we make $1000 more dollars a month via patreon, which would be 10x what we got last time, we will not solve any of our problems. If instead we try to plow down path B, we might make it out in time." That was the thinking. I chose the wrong path, but didn't mean to Kevin also retweeted this comment from the user Matt was responding to: So you're saying that you're bad at running the business, didn't listen to any of your employees until after they were forced to leave their jobs, and now you're going to get more of the money from the Patreon that was their idea in the first place? Matt's Response: Respectfully, I made a mistake delaying the patreon decision. But keeping a comedy site alive for 9 years is not easy, there are lots of potential ideas, and think overall we've done a good and honorable job. Will leave this thread in peace now to allow people their space.

Sorry for linking to Elon's hellsite (derogatory), but sources need links so...

#video games #patreon #hard drive #ai critical

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luv3rx · 11 months

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" Patience "

─ LEE TAEYONG X F!READER ♡

─ Taeyong fucks you after getting distracted by you while working on his mini album˚◞♡

─ 1.7k words

─ Smut, dom!Tae, Sub!reader, artist bf!Tae, praises, pet names(Baby and princess), choking, slight rough sex, slight breeding kink?, Unprotected sex.

─ A/n: IM DEFINITELY HAVING THS ALBUM ON REPEAT. ITS LITERALLY SO FIRE. Plus the concept photos literally have me on my knees for this man. Maybe This is just a little drabble. I was writing this at 3-4 am so I was tired asf. this is my first ever smut so please tell me if I did well or better. I enjoy feedback.

Taeyong 🔛🔝

Taeyong was really hyped about his new album. that's all he would talk about. He would constantly show the lyrics he worked on or would let you listen to the beats.

He would take you with him to every concept photoshoot and let you take some pictures of your own. He enjoys when you show support of his passion and excitement. He always tells your support makes him want to work harder and push himself as far as he can.

Of course he does try and make time for you in between. He wouldn't want to ever leave you out. You were the only thing keeping him moving and giving him motivation.

You were his antidote to keep him pushing and you were all the feedback he needed. No one else's opinion mattered except yours. If you liked it he would continue and if you find like it he would instantly scrap it.

He would constantly insist in using your voice for ad-libs but you would always deny and say you wouldn't want to hear your voice in a song when you already hear it enough. He was very upset about it but did didn't want to push you so he just decided to pay someone else to do itm

︶︶︶︶︶︶

“Babyyy! How much longer are you gonna work?! Im bored..” You complained sitting in the lounge chair behind Taeyong in his studio as he was working on another one of his songs for his album.

He was instinctively focused. He hadn't looked away from his computer screen yet. He could hear you whining behind him from one ear being uncovered by the headphones he wore on his head.

“Im almost finished. Just maybe a few more things I have to do. Be patient for me, baby.” He pleaded because your whining was making him want to just quit was doing and go to you but this album was something he had been striving for awhile now. He needed to get it finished, now or never.

“But it feels like we've been in here for hours and I need you..!” you whine even louder stretching yourself out on the lounge chair. You layed your head on the arm of the chair and groaned as he ignored you.

You sit up and watch him glare at you through the glass of the studio mic room. You glare right back him and roll your eyes. You would have been on your phone but he told you to leave it home so you could watch him work and motivate him but that backfired. You sigh heavily and decide to leave. You picked up your shoulder bag and heading towards studio door but the call of your name from Taeyong cause you to turn back around.

“Baby don't leave yet.. I need you.. I can't focus without you..” he implied as he finally removes his focus from the computer and towards you. He fully removed the headphones on his head. He put on his best begging face. He deep down did need you to focus but he also wanted you to just be near him.

“Well your more focused on that stupid computer. i think you need it more than me.. but I guess I'll stay.” You pout and sigh as you walk back over to the lounge chair but Taeyong calls out to you again.

“Dont say that ever and No, don't sit there. C'mere and sit on my lap, since you need me so bad.” He backs his up his chair and pats his lap for to come sit. He was in desperate need to be close to you right now. He was more desperate to be finished and be able to be with you too but he didn't wanna rush. This was an important project for him.

You hesitantly sat on his lap and he instantly wrapped his arms around your waist and held you for a bit. He took in the scent of your perfume and groaned.

“You always smell so good baby. Your making me crave you more.” He whined burying his face in the crook of your neck. His hands held on to your waist as he continued to take in your perfumes scent. He would be lying straight through his teeth if he'd say that this wasn't slightly turning him on.

He was finally able to push away his dirty thoughts and instantly got back to work. You on the other hand was needy for him to touch you and fuck so you decide to tease his a bit. You would slightly just rub yourself against him, to hopefully distract him.

You were slightly shifting on his lap and eyed even his slight movements. Taeyong was clearly unaware of what was going on your head but when you began to rub against he felt his breathe hitch in his throat. His hands stopped moving along his computer. His whole body pretty much came to a halt.

He tried to hold back any lewd sounds that was tempted to slip out. His breathes were shallow as he tried to keep himself focus and ignore any sexual frustration that was getting pent up right now.

“Y/n. Stop and sit still for me. Your driving me crazy right now..” He hissed. Both of his hands instantly went to hold your hips, his nails digging harshly into your hips. He head was hidden in the crook of your neck. You could feel his warm breath against your neck.

“But, Tae.. I need you baby.. really bad..” You whined. Rocking down against him again. His nails dug deeper into your hips as he breathes became more shallow. That's when you felt it. His hardened dick was poking against your covered cunt. He smirked at your sudden mood change when you felt him against you.

“Why so quiet now, baby? You were very vocal about how you wanted me so bad. I'll give you just what you want.” He started kissing your neck and grinding against you. He was mesmerized by the moans and whimpers that left you. It only made him want you more. He was quick to slide his hands up your skirt and rub your inner thigh, he wanted to tease you and make you beg for it.

His hand went higher up your inner thigh just close enough to your cunt. He looked up at you with his lustful gaze. He needed you badly and this was making his just as needy as you. 'Fuck it.' he thought to himself before pushing your panties to the sides and sliding 2 fingers between your folds, collecting your slick. He hummed and sucked your slick in his fingers, groaning.

“I would let you sit on my face but fuckk I'm absolutely do needy to feel that pussy around my cock.” He backs up his chair and makes you stand as he slides down his shorts. His dick immediately springs out from him not wearing boxers. He hissed from the feeling of his dick finally being free from it's containment. He stroked his dick a few times before motioning for you to cmere. He made you hover just above his dick and looked up at you with a big dough eyes.

“Tae please just fuck me..!” You whined slightly sinking down on his dick. You didn't really have to tell him twice. He instantly slammed himself into you. He didn't even give you enough time to adjust as he was instantly fucking in n out of you. He had wrapped his arms around your waist and had his face buried between your chest.

You bounced against him trying to match his utterly fast thrust but failed miserably as he was fucking you like an wolf in heat. He was drowning in your moans, Turning him on more. He was completely ignoring your pleas for him to slow down. He was to lost in his own thoughts and he wasn't gonna stop until your leaking with his cum.

“T-Tae, I'm gonna cum! Don't stop..” You begged. He instantly stopped and pulled out of you. You whined at the feeling of your orgasm being denied and the feeling of being empty.

“What are you-” “Just changing positions, princess.”. He replied after cutting you off. He picked you up and brought you over to the lounge chair and layed you out on your bag with you legs spread. He instantly slipped back into you and started pounding into you once again. He wrapped his hand around you neck while the other held your thigh. He couldn't help but lean down and kiss you harshly. Your lips plump and soft against his.

He pulled away from the kiss and lightly squeezed tighter around your throat. He watched as his dick slipped in n out of your cunt. He smirked when he watched your eyes in the back of your head, clearly fucked out from the way he was destroying your cunt right now. His dick was hitting your cervix repeatedly from this angle.

“C-cum.. I'm gonna cum..!” was all you were able to muster out before you released along his dick. You were completely out of it. Taeyong smirked to himself, proud that he was able to fuck you out of your mind like this. His pace didn't seize just yet. He slipped out of you and quickly slipped himself back in.

You were an total wreck under him from the overstimulation. his pace slightly seized as he felt himself about to cum. He pumped in n out of you a few more times before he felt himself release his seed inside you. He let himself sit inside for a little bit before pulling out quickly and pulling your panties back over to cover your cunt. Even tho it was an amazing sight to watch is seed drip out of you but he wanted your cunt to savor it.

He fixed himself back up and sit on the couch next to you. He knew you were completely out of it and had fallen asleep so he pulled you back into his lap and held you. He wrapped his coat over your shoulders and held you close.

He had completely forgotten about the song he was working on. He was to deep in thought and to focused on you. He didn't want to wake you so he decided to head home later in the morning.

He just sat there and held you. He kissed your cheek before dozing off along with you..

꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱

#nct smut #nct 127 #nct 127 smut #nct x reader #nct taeyong #lee taeyong #taeyong x reader #taeyong shalala #taeyong smut #taeyong scenarios #lee taeyong x reader #nct scenarios

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timetoletmyimaginationfly · 5 months

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Coffee

Nanami Kento x Reader

(Song inspiration: Coffee Breath by Sofia Mills)

“We have one already?” Nanami said.

“But this one is different.”

“Our coffee pot makes a bunch of coffee. Why this?”

“It makes espresso.” Nanami was quiet and put in a bunch of pros and cons in his head. You held his hand and placed your head on his shoulder. “Please! It’ll save money because I won’t have to buy eight dollar lattes!” Nanami sighed. It was a good reason and you convinced him more with puppy dog eyes that he could never resist.

“Alright,” he said. “Go pick one.” He watched your smile grow.

And when you two arrived home, you happily set up the new coffee/espresso maker next to the coffee pot. Nanami watched and smiled. He loves doing anything to make you happy. Once you finished setting up, you sat on the couch next to him and went on the website.

“What are you doing now?” he asked curiously.

“Ordering the espresso. We need to go to the store so I could buy flavored syrups and more milk for my lattes,” you said.

“Can we go tomorrow? We should’ve just gotten it before we arrived home.”

“I forgot.” Nanami shook his head at your sheepish smile. He pulled you in closer and looked at your phone screen.

“That looks good,” he said. “Caramel.” You added it to the cart. “Really? An intense one? I thought you hate bitter.”

“It won’t be after I add all the sugar and milk in it.”

“So when are they coming in?” Nanami asked.

“It says sometime this week,” you said, reading the notification. “That’s really quick. Do you want some coffee, Kento?”

“Sweetheart, it’s four in the afternoon. You really need coffee?”

“I’m gonna need it for the grocery store.” Before you could add coffee grinds to the filter, Nanami grabbed you by the waist. “Kento!”

“Sweetheart, don’t worry about it right now. I promise you’ll get your things before the espresso comes in.” He leaned in and kissed your pouty lips.

“Sorry, I’m just too excited.” Nanami lightly chuckled.

“I know. It’s very endearing on you.” You gave him a bright smile and kissed his lips. “Now, you keep bugging me all week about this new show you found.”

“I totally forgot about that! Kento, it’s so funny!” And you grabbed his wrist, excitedly dragging him to the couch.

You stirred in bed. You swore you could smell coffee in your dream. The idea of your new coffee machine made you so excited. When you woke up, Nanami’s side of the bed was empty. But with the door slightly ajar, you could hear the news from the TV. And the smell of coffee…it smelt different. You got up as you rubbed your tired eyes. When you left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen, you watched Nanami place your coffee mug on the counter. He smiled when he saw you.

“The espresso came, sweetheart,” he announced. Your eyes widened.

“Already?!” you exclaimed. Nanami nodded his head. “Wait, did you make one?” Nanami nodded to your mug.

“I went to the store,” he said. He opened the cabinet, where it used to contain the spices, were various syrup flavors. “I bought one of each. Except the vanilla and caramel. I bought three of each. And I have a project for you.”

“Which is?”

“I bought a new spice rack since the syrups are taking over. And I bought those empty spice containers with the cute labels that you love showing me on Pinterest.” You hugged him tightly and kissed him.

“Thank you, Kento.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Go try your latte.”

“Okay!” You skipped over to your mug. You smiled. He added whipped cream on the top with sprinkles of cinnamon. You took a sip and smiled. “Mmm that’s delicious.” Nanami walked over to you. You took another a sip and before you swallowed it, Nanami passionately kissed you. He pulled away and licked his lips.

“Very tasty,” he said with a wink.

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smartycvnt · 7 months

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The Look

Title: The Look

Pairing: Meredith Grey x Reader

Prompt: 10. Somebody taking an off-guard picture of you staring at each other, completely in love.

WC: 957

Whenever Y/n had walked into the hospital, everybody was talking and whispering about something. She was pretty sure that nothing was going on that day out of the ordinary. There weren't supposed to be any new faces, which was usually the only time whenever the hospital staff got like that. Something had to have happened with people who already work there. Y/n had been trying hard to be above the gossip, so she refrained from asking around about what was going on. Instead, she focused on her research project that she was working on with Dr. Grey. If there was one place where the gossip was unlikely to spread, it was the lab where everybody was focused and on their absolute best behavior. They had another grant proposal coming up and wanted that money to finish their project.

"Oh my god, they are so doing the thing," Amelia muttered. Y/n glanced over to where Amelia and a few of the other doctors on the project were looking over test results. Y/n's job was essentially to run the equipment and administer the tests. She didn't understand what everything on those result papers meant, but nobody else could really use the machine like she could. It balanced things out. Y/n was finally a valued member of a team instead of the doctor that they sent to do the easy work because of her specialty. It wasn't useful in most scenarios, but medical school had never really been Y/n's plan. She had always been a mechanics and engineering person.

"That look is so cute," one of the interns muttered. Amelia nodded in agreement, and Y/n tried to ignore them. Meredith was doing a much better job than Y/n was. Meredith wanted to know how to use the machine, so she spent most of her time in the lab leaning over Y/n's shoulder watching her work. Y/n liked the proximity of Meredith to her. There was something about Meredith that made Y/n feel calm. Y/n felt like she did her best work underneath Dr. Grey's watchful eye.

"They're chatty today," Meredith whispered as she pointed to the files that she wanted Y/n to open up for her. Y/n let Meredith look over the older results to compare them to the newer ones. There had been vast improvement with quite a few of the patients, something that made Y/n so proud of herself and everybody they worked with. They were on the verge of figuring out how to improve people's lives for the better. Deterioration of the mind would no longer be the horrid thing that it was for so many people in the world anymore.

"Everybody has been chatty, since I walked this morning. I wonder what's going on?"

"The pictures from the promotional shoots that Bailey and Webber decided to do arrived. I'm surprised nobody talked to you about it, apparently you're the most photogenic person here," Meredith said with a small smile. Y/n let out a little huff of air. She wanted to be better than to need to look at the stupid pictures, but now she was curious. Y/n glanced up at Meredith with her best puppy dog eyes and pout before she even started to ask Meredith if she could go to the website to look at the pictures. "Go ahead, I know there's some of me in there too. I need to make sure that I look good."

Y/n pulled up the hospital's website and looked at the new image gallery that had been added. All of the pictures looked good, and were mostly generic shots of things going on at the hospital. It wasn't until Y/n stumbled upon a picture of her staring at Meredith with the biggest set of heart eyes she had ever seen that she realized what all the gossip was about. Everybody had seen the way that Y/n looked at Meredith, her secret was out. She was about to become the laughing stock of the whole hospital because she had a big, stupid crush on Meredith Grey.

"I love this picture of you. You look so focused and passionate. I wish that everybody felt this way about the things they were working on. The world would be a much better place," Meredith said. She glanced down at Y/n and smiled, which did help to relax Y/n a little. "Do you remember what you were doing?"

"You were trying to explain to me what the first bunch of results meant. If I'm being honest, I don't think I was paying attention to a word that you said," Y/n admitted. Meredith blushed as she scrolled to the next picture. They were pretty run of the mill, until they got to a picture that had been taken in the lab while Meredith was watching over Y/n at the computer. Y/n looked a little wild as she explained what she was doing with the next set of tests, but it was Meredith that Y/n couldn't stop staring at. In that picture, Meredith was looking at Y/n just like Y/n had been looking at her earlier. "Do you spend all day staring at me back there?"

"Not all day, but I will admit that sometimes my eyes drift a little," Meredith said. Y/n's boldness ended there, but Meredith's had just begun to pick up. "I'd love to look at you some time outside of this room. This angle is nice and all, but I think you'd better sitting across from me at a candlelight dinner."

"Dr. Grey, you sure do know how to make a woman swoon."

#my writing #meredith grey #meredith grey x reader #grey's anatomy x reader #grey's anatomy #one shot

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accio-victuuri · 5 months

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BXGs + IQIYI night ( and other fandom issues ) 🍵

11/25 is upon us and i’m personally excited to see WYB at a public event but my expectations are in check. He is obviously there because of his work with Chang Feng Po Lang and he has some obligation to promote it this way. He has no drama that aired with them this year and he has virtually no ties with them like he would Youku or Tencent even if the latter was in the past.

So i’m not expecting him to be fighting it out with other celebrities present for the spotlight. He doesn’t need it, the attention will naturally fall on him anyway. He also doesn’t have to try so hard to be relevant because he is already WYB. As much as I would love for him to perform, I don’t think it’s gonna happen but I hope i’m wrong.

Anyway, since the event will have lots of celebrities, the fandom activities are on. As expected. Online, it will be making sure your bias will be on top comments about IQIYI night related posts. Or when the individual photos come out, most likely 11/24, WYB should have the highest likes or shares.

Sohu’s weibo account shared what offline activities fandoms are doing and the first one is WYB. ✌🏼

( caption: Fans of male artists on iQiyi’s Scream Night support offline. There are large-screen displays on various transportation and landmark buildings in Macau, exclusive customized banners, etc. the fans are so attentive. )

What I love about the post is the project they shared there is by BXGs. ☕️

It’s a ad screen to be played in two ports close to Macau. IQIYI night is gonna take place on the same venue where YH concert took place this year. So that’s a memorable place for BXGs too. This is not something new. If you’ve been into fandoms like this before, then it makes sense. It’s actually standard and pretty simple, nothing extravagant. There are even companies that will do voting polls and the winning fandom will have their faves on LED Ads.

Video below is how it actually looks like in Gong Bei port. So many foot traffic omg!!!! They even used an edit by Stardustkii who is everyone’s fave. && The video is focused on his Movie Era 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

If you look at the main post of Sohu, all the top comments are BXGS. Passion Fruit supports WYB! 💪🏼

The drama ( sort of ) comes from one of the “fanclubs” of WYB sharing and commenting on that Sohu post.

Wang Yibo Cool Leopard Club and all fans responded to the Cyberspace Administration of China's "Qinglang" series of special action calls to guide the positive development of the fandom and have always put an end to any irrational support behavior.

Reject any consumption and gathering behaviors in the name of artists; reject any irrational support and other illegal fandom behaviors; put an end to any extravagant and wasteful support habits!

Let’s all work together to do more things that are of positive significance to society and jointly maintain a harmonious online environment.

My first reaction to this, aside from heavy eye rolling for sure 🙄🙄🙄, is utter confusion. This is because as soon as WYB was announced, even before that, another WYB fan group was telling fans what time WYB will be announced so everyone comment. They were also doing test posts and preparation to make sure WYB has good KPI numbers online and offline for the event. Even WYB’s FC Guangdong Group was calling on people to meet in Macau.

So everyone was like ?????

and how some so/os were supporting that repost. I mean come on. this has nothing to do with qinglang. they are rejecting that post cause it’s a BXG project and once again, it’s a shame for so/os. it’s giving them flashbacks to what happened in YH concert in Macau where they utterly failed to show up for WYB. Tho I have to give it to them, pulling Qinglang and acting all high and mighty compared to other fandoms is an infuriatingly genius route to go. I’m in a different fandom, I don’t know what happens in the inner circle of WYB’s so/o fandom in CHN but this incident gives me the clue that they are once again uncoordinated. He has a couple of “fan clubs” and groups per city and that has always been the reason for lack of unity. I mean, hate the 🍤🍤🍤 all you want, but those bitches are coordinated as fuck. They listen to one account only. There are no scattered fan clubs. It is cult-ish in some ways but it works when it comes to making sure everyone is doing the same thing and working on the same goal.

WYB so/o fans in CHN should get their act together. I know they work so hard ( that green banner for GRA was so sweet ) and I see it, but the lack of planning and coordination in times like this is hard to watch.

Now I don’t know what SOHU’s motive is only that they wanted to cover fandom projects for IQIYI Scream night. Maybe whoever it is just saw Yibo and Green and thought that’s it? They didn’t know BJYXSZD? Who knows. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m seeing BXGs who are going to Macau and are organizing together. I would think it’s harder to get tickets for this cause you are competing with other fandoms too. I just hope they have fun! I’m so excited for fansite photos too!

I was actually not supposed to share this cause it contains fandom “issue” which is sensitive. but the purpose of my tumblr have always been to write my thoughts… As much as cpfs are supposed to hate so/os and vice versa, I have never wished or hoped for their respective so/o fandoms to fail and be humiliated. Because they represent the boys and we support the same person.

Let’s just see what happens on 11/25 ✌🏼

#yizhan #fandom thoughts #bxgs are really something else

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kisstuals · 2 years

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the art of love [m.list]

PAIRINGS. dream 00 line x fem reader CONTAINS. fluff, angst, romance, college!au, art school!au & other various aus WARNINGS. cursing, alcohol consumption, suggestive content, more to be added INSPO. personal experience, the kdrama nevertheless, for the titles & beatopia by beabadoobee NOTE. check end for extended authors note! while all of these take place in the same universe and are loosely connected, they can be read as standalones! if you’d like to be added to the taglist, send me an ask! and i hope u enjoy what is to come <3

The New School of Arts at Neo University has a top ranking, state-of-the-art program for all aspiring artists. With any distinguished college degree comes sleepless nights, copious amounts of coffee and hours spent working, but students Jeno, Jaemin, Renjun and Haechan find it especially difficult to balance their professional passions with, well, their personal passions. Will they be able to figure out the art of love before they venture out into the real world?

LIKEWISE,

pairing. sculpture major!jeno x sculpture major!reader contains. fluff, romance, angst, college!au, sculptor!au, classmates!au

Despite having had several classes with Lee Jeno, you never realize how much you have in common with him– that is, until you have to spend your entire semester working on a sculpture piece together for the new exhibit at your school’s gallery.

UNDOUBTEDLY,

pairing. photography major!jaemin x neuroscience major!reader contains. fluff, romance, minor angst, childhood best friends to lovers!au, college au

Everyone thought that you and Jaemin would end up together, but something always seemed to get in the way. After years of missed opportunities (and both of you being complete dumbasses), Jaemin realizes how undeniable your presence is in his life, all thanks to his photography final.

NEVERTHELESS,

pairing. theater major!haechan x journalism major!reader x painting major!renjun contains. fluff, romance, angst, college!au, theater!au, enemies to lovers!au or friends to lovers!au

On one hand you have the loud and annoying (yet, unfortunately attractive) Haechan, the lead of the play you are covering for your article. And, on the other hand you have his kind and approachable (yet, emotionally unavailable) best friend, Renjun, who volunteers with the set design crew in his free time. Perhaps… this was much more than you signed up for.

LEELA’S NOTE. hi omg welcome to kisstuals, this is the first thing i am planning on posting here :) honestly i was scared to start with a series because it's a lot of pressure but i am way too excited not to. this is pure escapism for me because i am an art student and i am planning on projecting all my thoughts and desires onto these fics lol. that being said, a lot of this is based on my personal experiences in art school but obviously there are other parts where i have to fill in on my own. i haven’t started writing any of these but please let me know if you’re looking forward to this so i can motivate myself to write! i also have a bonus piece planned already if i can get through these initial ones!!! also some of these are from dream’s pov, others are from reader’s pov, it’s just whatever is convenient for the storyline. but pls pls lmk ur thoughts and keep ur eyes peeled for some teaser content!!! xoxo, leela

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nite-puff · 11 months

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Tonight’s one of those nights where i can’t fall asleep unless I jot something down.

So here’s my long list of Takemichi Yukimaru headcanons! Because he’s nothing if not free real-estate for them.

This will mostly be backstory with some smaller, more light-hearted, headcanons interspersed throughout. Enjoy!

(cw for mentions of abuse. he’s still a danganronpa character) (this is also my longest post. by a long shot. i just have a lot of thoughts on him)

- my intense desire to make my favorite characters latino in some capacity out of self-projection is very real. so in my mind, michi’s half-japanese, half-latino (whichever region is up to you. he doesn’t really know himself, but i will always be compelled to say mexican because i am biased). (edit: also because “michi” is a term of endearment for cats in some latin american countries. so that makes the nickname itself a little cuter. he’s like a little cat guy compared to the owadas, who are strongly associated with tigers.)

- his father was born and raised in japan and his mother moved from overseas to japan out of desire to travel during a gap-year from college. the two met during her stay and had a very explosive and passionate start to their relationship. like a long honeymoon phase. his mother actually decided to stay longer than her intended visit after she found out she was pregnant with michi, and the two were soon married. the rose-tinted glasses were still in full effect at this point in their relationship.

- michi’s hair color is naturally dark brown, like his mom. he actually inherited a lot of his mom’s physical features, including her short stature. what he got from his dad were a couple a facial features, but most notably his yellow eye color.

- also transmasc michi is so real. he doesn’t realize it until a little later in his life. a little while after meeting mondo.

- while things started out fine after michi was born, things were bound to turn sour. the honeymoon phase ended. the added expenses of a new baby along with the already poor state the family was living in raised a lot of tension in the household, and his father quickly became abusive toward his mother. michi didn’t remember much, either because he was very young when it all happened or because his brain did a good job at repressing some of the memories, but what he does remember is particularly bad.

- The only good memories he has of his childhood are with his mother. like her reading him stories or teaching him some simple words in spanish. and her favorite songs, which she would play to him a lot. the reason why he doesn’t have many memories of her is because she left when he was five. neither him or his father know her whereabouts, but michi likes to believe she’s back overseas with her family. she left behind her old cassette collection, something that was largely untouched until michi got a little older.

- michi actually really liked school. he’s described as being a smart kid, so i like to think that he did well in his classes. while he still did well as grew older, his studies took a major backseat after he met the owadas.

- he met mondo first. they went to the same grade school together and mondo was a grade higher than michi. i think that their initial meeting went something along the lines of michi witnessing mondo deck a kid who was picking on a girl classmate of his. michi is immediately enamored by this boy who wasn’t afraid to fight against bullies like that. he is less enamored by the fact that mondo immediately scared the poor girl away as well after trying to talk to her. he was an interesting character, and michi really wanted to be his friend. they proceed to do that little kid thing where they hang out for like 15 minutes, like each other’s vibe, and then say something like “we’re best friends now.” and the rest is history.

- to harken back to trans michi. mondo is taken aback by this supposed girl who wasn’t scared of him and wanted to actually be friends with him. his small naive kid-brain at first thought this could be his shot at a relationship, but 15 minutes into knowing michi and mondo abandoned the idea because michi was perfect best friend material. and because he kinda got scared at how much this kid wanted mondo to teach him how to sucker punch someone.

- mondo and michi’s friendship took off like it was nobody’s business. They were hanging out anytime they could see each other on campus and quickly got to learning about each other. mondo talked a lot about daiya and how cool he was. he mentioned how his older recently got into motorcycles and even got one from one of his friends, and how michi should come over to his house one day to check it out. michi shared a lot of his favorite music with mondo, which mainly consisted of that old cassette collection mentioned previously.

- michi doesn’t actually meet daiya until a year or two into him and mondo knowing each other. he randomly picks mondo up from school on his motorcycle. the gang had already started then, so he had his hair and makeup done and was wearing his gang jacket. michi would probably still say that it was the coolest thing he’s ever seen. mondo asks if michi wants to go with them, and it’s the first time michi doesn’t immediately go home after school. he’s in his last year of grade school at this point.

- another year goes by and michi grows closer with the brothers, basically becoming the honorary third owada brother. he gets to learn a lot about the gang, motorcycles, fighting, etc. he even starts learning how to ride his own motorcycle after daiya mentions that he may or may not be fixing one up for him. he still hasn’t joined the gang at this point because daiya won’t let him. he’s too young and has to be at least the age that mondo was when he joined. which meant michi had to wait until his next birthday.

- while all of this is happening, tensions are brewing back at his home again. michi was a able to avoid his father’s abusive tendencies for the most part because he’s at work when michi is home from school/hanging out with the owadas. but he later had a change in work schedule and soon found out about what michi had been out doing using context clues. the diamonds have also gotten some traction, so the larger population of their hometown are starting to know about the new gang, including michi’s dad. michi elects to ignore this and just doesn’t acknowledge his father when he sees him, but things all come to a head one day and the two of them fight. not physically, verbally. it’s very ugly and it ends more or less with his father telling michi that he can go join the gang if he wants, but he’ll never be allowed to live in his house again if he does. michi storms out and goes to his room, and it’s the last interaction the two of them have. michi is gone with his belongings the next morning.

- he is welcomed into the owada’s home with open arms, joking about how he practically lived there already. though he does sleep on the couch because the small apartment the brothers rent out only has two bedrooms. he doesn’t mind this.

- michi officially joins the gang on the day of his birthday because he is so excited to do so and can’t wait another day. he is also given the motorcycle daiya mentioned as a present.

- he gets the makeover! complete with bleaching his hair, doing the makeup, getting a couple piercings! and getting his new gang jacket courtesy of mondo.

- michi was picked on by some of the gang at first, mostly because of his height and softer features. not much happened outside of that because it was established upfront that michi was close to the brothers, but most importantly, close to daiya. he also shut the naysayers right up after his first gang fight with them. he displays some unnaturally good skills at fighting other guys twice his size.

- michi grows to be a great fighter, even surpassing the owada’s in that regard. he’s the leader of the elite guard and Mondo’s bodyguard for a reason. mondo taught him the basics when they were younger, daiya taught him some of the more higher-level stuff as he grew older, and michi perfected his technique with the sheer amount of practice he did. it was a lot. all so that people wouldn’t pick on him or abuse him anymore.

now for some random, not that important headcanons as a break from all the story:

- michi is allergic to dogs. that made living with chuck very awkward when the little guy was still around. he’s perfectly fine around cats though

- his fan club is very quick to form. it started out on school grounds with some girls who found him cute following him around. news gets out that he joined the crazy diamonds and he gets more attention the higher he climbs up in the ranks. daiya jokes that michi is the most popular crazy diamond member, second only to himself. he teases mondo with the notion as well. michi avoids all interactions with his fan club and is greatly embarrassed by it. to the point that he gives them dirty looks if he sees members following him.

- i cannot for the life of me decide if i want michi to be homoromantic asexual or aroace. so i just combined the two. he’s asexual and arospec and if he were to pursue a romantic relationship, it would be with a guy. he’s thought about this more than he’d like to admit.

- mondo being genuinely curious as to why michi hates his fan club so much leads to michi clumsily coming out to both of the brothers and admitting that he doesn’t really like girls like that (also that he just finds the fan club annoying). they ask how he feels about guys, and he genuinely can’t give them an answer because he doesn’t know how he feels about guys. daiya tells him not to lose so much sleep trying to figure it out. he’ll know when he knows.

- michi sometimes likes to collect more cassette tapes for his collection. he can’t waste too much money on them but he’ll sometimes buy a couple if he thinks it’s music his mom would’ve liked.

- michi never forgot those small bits of spanish his mom taught him. his pronunciation is shoddy and he’s not by any means fluent, but he knows what they mean.

- when daiya and mondo are talking about the switch in leadership, michi is the first to come to mind for mondo’s right-hand man. it’s a no-brainer there.

- he’s been to juvie the same amount of times mondo has. the two are just always together when they’re caught.

- he continues to be more intelligent than what he lets on. this mostly shows through his more level-headed personality because he doesn’t fall for the things that are clearly meant to get a rise out of him. mondo does though, so it’s good that he can be the reasonable one to drag him out of a situation like that.

back to the story:

- on the night of the race, michi can’t stop himself from following after the brothers some time after their race started. he’s always had a strong need to protect people, and he’s scared of what mondo could do while that angry and recklessly driving his motorcycle. he doesn’t see the accident happen, but he’s the first to show up to the scene after it occurs. he’s the first person mondo tells his lie to.

- the weeks after daiya’s death are rough. michi isn’t as bad as mondo was, but he’s still grieving. he doesn’t expect mondo to be back on schedule as quick as he is and even encourages him to take a longer break. he’s ignored.

- michi is uncomfortable having to be back to the gang so soon, but he has to because he now basically has the highest non-leader power. at this point, he is immensely respected by the rest of the gang, and new members who try to make fun of him are shut up by the older members.

- mondo at first doesn’t plan on going to hope’s peak when he is given the invite and even starts writing the letter telling them such. michi convinces him to go, telling him it would be stupid to give up an opportunity like that. that serves as excellent angst material after michi learns about the killing game and mondo’s death.

- michi is left in charge of the gang when mondo is gone and can be considered the third leader of the crazy diamonds, even if it’s not official.

- kinda random, but michi is jealous of mondo and taka’s friendship at first. like, who’s this other guy claiming to be mondo’s best bro??? this hall monitor, straight-laced, son of a cop no less. that period of time doesn’t last very long because michi is quick to figure out mondo’s more than friendly feelings toward taka. before either of them do. jealousy becomes pity with a side of secondhand embarrassment from watching mondo deny his feelings for taka then witnessing his terrible attempts at “flirting” when he does realize said feelings.

- then he’s kidnapped, demon game, library, gontakerus, yada yada yada. we know this.

- there’s something so cool about thinking of michi as “the last crazy diamond.” idk maybe the title is just cool. but he still holds hope that some of the other members are alive and out there somewhere. he makes it his mission to find them and restore the gang. he kind of blames himself for not being there to protect them when the tragedy does happen. he doesn’t think about how he really had no choice in the matter.

- also michi, takaaki, and hiroko found family dynamic is so real. let that boy have a loving mother and father figure in his life. he needs it.

- he never really gives up his goal to find some crazy diamond members, though it becomes less about restoring the gang and more about wanting to see his old friends again. but that mission is put in the backseat after he’s found by the future foundation.

um that’s mostly it, but here’s a non-despair universe thing:

- the tragedy never happens, and mondo hands the gang down to michi after he graduates from hope’s peak. michi is an awesome leader and hands the gang down to his successor because he wants to try his hand out at getting a higher education. what he wants to be, he has no idea (because i have no idea).

- also michi is mondo’s best man at the ishimondo wedding. because why wouldn’t he be?

AND THATS IT!!! I PROBABLY FORGOT SOME STUFF BUT GOD I AM SO TIRED ITS 4 AM

i love michi, i wish he was real.

#hi takemichi enjoyers!#my dumbass was sensible enough to not post this until after i got some sleep #but here’s 12 pm isa telling you that 4 am isa was out of her mind #but michi my beloved i wish there was more depth to you than just a flat sheet of paper. literally #danganronpa #danganronpa ultra despair girls #takemichi yukimaru #mondo owada #daiya owada #long post #ramblepuff #why is this my longest post ever wtf #also shout out to people who don’t really care about michi but still read through. hi

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dearest-and-nearest · 7 months

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Songbird

TW: Unhealthy relationship, yandere, minor character death

Rilliane was his most perfect creation.

The most beautiful and the most beloved, no other spawn could even dream of her place. Astarion adored her with as much passion as he adored his new powers. After all, how could it be otherwise? Beauty had always been with her, unspoiled even by Tiefling nature. The liveliness of character and lust for life, however, made him desire this insolent girl for himself. Of course, when he was elevated, he wished to take and subjugate, for could it be otherwise? A superior being was entitled to the best, and she was the best. Bhaal's child sounds like a fitting match for an ascended vampire, doesn't it?

She was his favorite perfection.

How could he not love her? With the scars from his bites, in the outfits and jewelry he'd chosen. A true beauty. And could he not fulfill her every wish? She shouldn't even have spoken, he already knew what she could have asked for.

None of the spawns could even think of all that she had. Astarion saw this, saw their envious looks, and smirked. He wouldn't let her fly far, of course, but did he have to say that? She realized that every creature had its place, and hers was right next to his.

Everything was right.

Even though she was no longer reflected in mirrors, she still had the entire mansion filled with those panes of glass. Astarion let her, after all, everyone should have some entertainment. And if she wanted to look at an empty mirror, why forbid it?

When she was once again spinning at the mirror, as if she had remained mortal, Astarion approached behind her. He moved quietly, as was his habit, and Rilliane flinched when he touched her shoulder. Turned around with a smile:

"I think this dress suits me." She glanced at the black fabric. Astarion nodded. All outfits suited her, and could it be otherwise? He couldn't choose imperfections for himself. Of course, he would have preferred to sew her outfits himself, or at least embroider to whom the owner belongs, but Rilliane was never satisfied with her passion for clothes. Of course, her every whim was catered to the second it was fulfilled. Astarion remembered well how he himself had been a spawn, remembered that visceral feeling of helplessness and anger. And that was why he knew Rilliane should not feel that way.

He must take care of her.

"I wish someone besides you would look at him," the tiefling added more quietly, still squinting at the blank reflection. Astarion frowned. Doubt did not suit her, and certainly not sadness. Gently taking her by the chin, Astarion forced her to look at herself. Tiefling did not resist, only continued to look at him with that underlying hurt. She had these occasional outbursts of defiance, and Astarion loved her despite them. After all, she could sulk all she wanted, the finale of this play was known to them both.

"My darling, don't frown. We can have another ball and believe me, no one will be able to take their eyes off you." His hand rested on her waist, gently but firmly. He liked balls, liked the way everyone looked at his treasure and realized who she belonged to. It made a smirk spread across his face, because could anything be truer? The way the others were looking away, not daring to stare for too long lest they anger the master of the house?

There was no other way.

Rilliane, as if catching his thoughts, shook her head. She didn't try to pull away, but Astarion found himself liking her gaze even less. A note of discontent slipped into her voice:

"What's the use of these balls if I can't even talk to anyone? I'm as if I'm contagious. I don't even have Bhaal's blood in me, what are they so afraid of?" She turned away and looked at her hands. Blue, with long claws - what had she seen in them to make her so upset? Astarion rolled his eyes. Every bird sooner or later tests how high it can fly with clipped wings. You just have to wait.

"'Come on, stop it. You can talk to me." And why would she need others? She was his consort. She should have spent more time with him if she felt so alone! Surely one of the spawns hadn't kept their mouth shut after all. It doesn't matter who, they'll all be punished. They'll sort it out amongst themselves. Of course, some would have to be dealt with gently, Rilliane didn't like the scars on the faces of those useless creatures, but the ones she didn't see? Oh, those will be screaming.

Astarion touched his lips to the other's temple, very close to the horn:

"Don't get so upset. It's just that maybe you're not getting enough blood? You haven't eaten much these days." He didn't like that. Why deny herself the simplest of pleasures? Of course, he didn't use force yet, because he knew she'd come to her senses sooner or later. And if she was stubborn, he would have to persuade her with effective methods. The girl had been careless and thoughtless before, and even turning into a vampire hadn't erased the scars from it. Now it had to end.

Well, if Rilliane objected, as she often did, never having gotten rid of the childish habit, why listen to her? She liked to be outraged. Astarion paid no attention to it, for he knew exactly what she needed.

After all, he was a spawn too.

Even now, she wouldn't let up:

"I don't want blood, I just want to talk to someone. Even you are completely distant. Give me one of the spawns! Come on, don't be stubborn. I promise I'll be careful!"

Astarion frowned. This was out of the question. Another foolish request, even more foolish than her desire to leave or drink his blood. Nonsense! Why would she want one of those useless and stupid creatures? Astarion had already chopped off one hand for daring to touch her, and would have left it in the sun if he had to. No one dared go near his consort.

Rilliane saw it all in his face and rose on tiptoe, grinning slyly. A familiar light flickered in her eyes, her pupils narrowed and her lips stretched to reveal fangs. Long fingers rested on Astarion's shoulders, and Rilliane must have thought herself a brilliant manipulator. He was letting her do it like a true lover.

"Please, Asty... You have no idea how boring it is to be alone all the time. Those maids scurry away from me like I've really crawled out of hell, and the rest of the spawns..." She rolled her eyes. Astarion watched, waiting for her to realize the folly of her desires. She had to see things for herself, he would just have to be patient for a while.

Rilliane sighed:

"Come on, don't give me that look. When I become a real vampire I'll give you my spawn, you can have all the fun you want."

The smile disappeared from his face. Wants to broach the subject again? How many times had they already discussed it: she wasn't ready. Too impetuous, too impulsive, and too intemperate. And, worst of all, there was no doubt that once Rilliane was free, she'd take advantage of it. Fly away faster than a heartbeat.

And Astarion wasn't about to let her go.

He ran his knuckle along her cheek, watching for the slightest change in her mood:

"My dear, you realize they are all not worthy of your attention. Why clutter my precious treasure's head with thoughts of the rabble? Or perhaps you'd like to chat with some more of the food?" He kissed her lightly, not allowing her to pull away. Then let go, smiling. Sure, she'd sulk for a couple more days, but then she'd figure it out for herself. When he was a spawn, he hated the others quickly, and hate was completely out of character for her.

***

Rilliane tried to talk to the maids who sometimes dressed her. She rarely saw them, usually dressing herself or with Astarion's help. He couldn't stand the idea of anyone else seeing her naked, but he admitted that it would take her all day to dress herself.

All attempts to chat crashed against the wall of fear and obliging silence. Rilliane tried to be kind. Tried to threaten. Ordered them to answer her, but the maids' behavior remained unchanged. If they didn't occasionally mutter their eternal "yes, Mistress," she'd think they were mute.

The other spawns avoided her. Not ostentatiously, of course, Astarion wouldn't allow it. They just abruptly stopped all whispering once she was near and tried to back away, out of sight. Their glances did not bother Rilliane, she was used to hatred and contempt.

Gradually the walls of the mansion began to turn into the bars of a cage. Astarion did not want her to leave, and it seemed increasingly unbearable to stay. There was life outside the windows, and Rilliane was cut off from it. She couldn't remember the last time she'd spoken to anyone other than Astarion. With Shadowheart, correspondence had waned in the second decade, with the others it had ended even faster.

She was alone, and it made her want to howl.

It was sickeningly wrong. There were always people around, even if she couldn't remember their faces or their names now. Bhaal's servants, victims, just fools - it didn't matter. What mattered was that she had always been able to talk, to impose herself and listen to other people's speech, to feel alive. Now, however, everything was different. Even at Astarion's adored balls, people smiled at her, nodded, but simple conversation? No, it was too much. They were afraid of her. Rilliane didn't understand what, but she could feel it.

The days flowed with a visceral boredom. The spawns continued to avoid her, and Astarion continued not to hear her. Then one day Rilliane noticed a newcomer among them. A blond boy, very young and even smiling. That interested her, and how could it not? It had been a long time since she'd seen someone new among the spawn.

"You're new here, aren't you?" She regarded him with undisguised interest and scrutiny, like a ripe apple at the market. His hair was blond but not gray, not a single scar on his face, and why disfigure such a pretty little thing?

The boy looked at her in surprise. He turned around to look for the other spawns, but the hallway was empty. Rilliane waved her tail:

"You don't know who I am?"

A faint hope flared in my chest. If he wasn't afraid, maybe he'd tell me something. Anything, even how he came to be here, or where he used to live, or how the Gate is nowadays - whatever comes to mind! Seeing her joy, the boy shook his head gently:

"You are the master's consort. The others have mentioned you." He eyed her with obvious doubt, as if he didn't believe his own eyes. Rilliane hummed. They did look the same age, and how could the boy know how old she really was? So she just shrugged:

"Wow. What did they say about me? They probably told you to stay away, didn't they?"

"Not the others. Master said so. Warned us not to dare... Desecrate you. " He looked embarrassed, poor fellow. Rilliane hummed. She hadn't expected anything else. Of course, they weren't frightened of her by herself, but by fear of Astarion. At least it wasn't about her looks, already good. She glanced at the boy again:

"Who else is going to desecrate who. Do you even have a name? Or does the 'master' call you by numbers?"

"Viren." He looked funny, spoke well, and didn't even try to get away from her. How adorable. Rilliane smiled, extending her hand and introducing herself. The guy even smiled at her, awkwardly and fearfully, as if he expected all the punishments of heaven for this conversation.

"You talk to me, okay? And I'll talk Astarion out of punishing you unnecessarily."

"Talk?" Definitely a newcomer, still hasn't learned how to behave properly. The others had long since donned their masks of submissiveness and emotionlessness, for Astarion didn't like disgruntled faces. Rilliane rolled her eyes, laughing:

"Silly, don't know anything at all yet! Just to talk, yes. Don't be so embarrassed! I'm bored, and I don't have anyone to talk to. You know?"

He looked at her strangely, as if he couldn't believe it. He even dared to look her in the eye, which was unthinkable for any spawn. And that was exactly why Rilliane wanted to hear him. And for someone to finally hear her. And if this young man could help her with that... The thought made strange and almost forgotten feelings come alive in her chest.

Viren looked at her again, then nodded:

"And what should I call you... you? Mistress?"

"Fool. Call me by name."

***

Viren had a talent for listening.

Rilliane was eager to talk.

She talked a lot, about everything at once and nothing in particular. About past and present, old friends and new faces. The boy still couldn't believe that she was among that heroes who had saved Baldur's Gate, but that didn't bother Rilliane. On the contrary, she was only more eager to talk about those days. About the journey, about trying to decide who was cooking today, about the songs she sang and the enemies she slew. Speech poured out of her like a full-flowing river, tearing down all the dams of loneliness and longing. She wanted to talk and talk and talk.

At first Viren was tense, but gradually he realized better and better that there was no danger near her. In time, he even began to joke, and Rilliane considered it a small victory. People still liked her, she still knew how to charm and make friends.

Astarion didn't know about her conversations, but that was for the best. Rilliane had no doubt of another fight, worth him listening in on his consort's amusements. And even if all communication with Viren was limited to chatter in the evenings, Astarion had enough of that.

When she warned him about it and ordered him to keep his mouth shut, Viren nodded:

"I didn't doubt it. I hear the master kills for looking at you too much."

Rilliane snorted. Would talk more! Astarion is cruel, but reasonable. Those spawns probably did something very serious, so they paid the price.

"And I heard none of us even got a monument in the end. Awful, isn't it?"

Viren laughed, still too simple and kind for what he had become. But Rilliane didn't see it as a big deal. If Astarion hadn't turned this boy, she would have continued to languish alone. Now she had... Not a friend, no. In her entire life, she could only call Shadowheart a friend, and no one else was closer to her. A companion, yes, much better. A good conversationalist, a listener to her stories and a savior from the longings.

The boy looked at her glumly:

"Tell the Master and you'll get as many monuments as you want. You're the only one he lets talk to himself like that."

"Why, are you jealous?" The tiefling smirked. Then added:

"Come on, I can convince him to be gentler. After all, we do have a really..." She chuckled, "a special relationship."

He was taking everything too seriously! Yes, Astarion was not a kind master, but Rilliane knew that every punishment had a reason. Too slow, too stupid, too careless. The spawn of an ascended vampire should be fit for a master, and they dared not be. That was the truth of it, not that anyone had looked at Rilliane for too long.

"There you are, my treasure."

Rilliane turned around to see Astarion entering the room. He didn't dignify the frozen Viren with a glance, but that was exactly why Rilliane tensed. Too much of the familiar smoothness appeared in his movements, and his smile was too satisfied. She'd seen him like this before.

A moment before he ripped Ulma's throat out before he could shout the order to attack.

"Yes, Astarion?"

Viren tried to become more inconspicuous, unsuccessfully trying to hide his fear. He glanced pleadingly at Rilliane, but she did not look in his direction. She only smiled at Astarion. He tucked a strand behind her ear:

"Did you miss me?" It was as if he didn't notice the boy, but inside everything was a lump of tension and fear. Rilliane usually liked that look of adoration and desire to possess, but now it sent shivers down her spine. Tiefling nodded without averting her eyes, Astarion continued, deliberately soft and affectionate:

"We haven't talked much lately, but I've decided to remedy that. I know you can get... Lonely, so now you won't be alone."

Something in his words made his tail lash against his thigh nervously. Rilliane didn't give away her emotions, continuing to smile and pretend everything was fine. Yet his gaze, his tone, everything about him reeked of menace. She hadn't paid attention before, because it would be bad for others, not her, but now, for the first time in her life, she felt something akin to fear.

Still, she answered nonchalantly, as was expected of her:

"Of course! Because I'm so bored alone."

She struggled not to look at Viren. If the boy had any sense at all, he should get out of here as soon as possible and pray that the master forgot about him.

The kiss seemed scalding. Astarion clutched her waist, biting her lips as if afraid he would loosen his grip for even a second and Rilliane would disappear.

She wasn't sure how that made her feel.

***

When he saw the boy beside her, he wanted to destroy him that very second. How dare that stupid, useless spawn try to steal his consort? How dare he dare look at her, talk to her? As if he could be her equal!

Astarion didn't blame Rilliane, the girl had always liked to mess with bad company, and some habits even time couldn't eradicate. Of course, she had found someone to chat with here too. Perhaps she didn't even really see the spawn's glances, didn't mind the excessive touching, and didn't notice how he dared to smile around her. Astarion knew she was foolish, overconfident. Of course, he expected nothing from her.

But it was his duty to protect his own.

To make sure that no one else dared to infringe on her, to try to trick or steal her. And the girl needed to be taught a lesson, reminded who she belonged to.

He prepared everything slowly and unhurriedly. He furnished her new room with everything she liked, because he didn't want his consort to be bored in her new home. He made sure that she didn't suspect anything, and that the boy was still hanging around her as if he had forgotten his orders. This was what convinced Astarion that his plan was right.

When he ordered the boy to go downstairs to the kennel, he understood immediately. He shook his head, mumbling another nonsense. Begging, groveling, but how many times had Astarion heard it all before? "Don't, please, please, please, master, lord"... He hadn't been affected by it in the first decade of his new life, and he couldn't be affected by it now.

Especially when he had already planned out how he was going to spend the evening.

First, he was going to gouge out the eyes with which that traitor dared to look at her. Not in a hurry, because there was still so much time left, and why rush the pleasure? Cut off the hands he dared to touch, even accidentally. Rip out the tongue he tried to steal her away with. And, of course, he'll drive a stake through his vile heart.

All this Astarion said as he hung the boy in shackles. Tears were rolling down his face and it was so annoying. It was the same thing every time, every spawn reacted so similarly! They all swore that they would never dream of trespassing on his consort. Astarion did not listen to this, for he could see through the lies.

They were all lying, every last one of them.

Godie was a bastard and Astarion enjoyed stomping on his bones, but his lessons were remembered for life. The metallic odor of blood never left the kennel, soaking into the walls and floor, and thanks to Astarion, it was even stronger. The boy had stopped screaming midway through and it was disappointing. Did such a weakling really think he could fool his master?

A contemptuous grin curved his lips.

When Astarion finished, he ordered the spawns to remove the remains. No one could call it a body, he made sure to set an example of what happens to those who don't know their place. And the fear in the eyes of the others as they peered into the kennel was the best reward for all the effort.

Taking care of his dear bird, however, was something Astarion had to do on his own.

For now, Rilliane slept, unaware that nothing else would bother her now. Astarion smiled, as his lips touched her forehead. Her breathing continued to be measured and calm.

She didn't wake when he gently took her in his arms and carried her to the topmost room. Cazador used to store unwanted things here, but now the most valuable treasure in this cursed house was to live here.

She mumbled something in her sleep. Astarion stroked her cheek gently, smiling. Wasn't she beautiful? Now his and his alone. No need to worry about her trying to leave, no need to worry about someone planting vicious thoughts in her pretty little head, no need to worry that she might be stolen. She was his and it was right.

Astarion carefully fastened the collar on her. It had taken a lot of work to get one of these. Fortunately, Gortash had many prototypes before he developed the one he needed. The tyrant had been dead for years, and no one was interested in his stuff until Astarion remembered such useful inventions. Of course, it took a lot of trouble to find someone who would rework the prototype to suit his needs, but wasn't the result worth it? This one couldn't explode, no harm to the cute little bird, but if she tried to fly away without permission, Astarion would know.

Rilliane opened her eyes:

"Astarion? What-" She looked around sleepily, rising. Immediately she touched her collar and looked at Astarion incomprehensibly. He smiled:

"Don't worry, my love. I've figured out how to make you feel better, so take a look at your new room."

Sure, it was cramped, but Astarion knew he would fix that later. A blissful calm spilled into his chest, a pleasant sense of control. Now everything in their lives would be as it should be. Rilliane would belong only to him, and he would have no fear of anyone hurting her.

Wasn't that wonderful?

The first thing she did was try to rip off the collar. Yanked a few times, then looked at Astarion with that familiar fury. Bhaal could rid her of his blood, but not his temper, and now it was showing again. The girl jumped up from the bed, hissing curses and insults. Astarion watched this with a chuckle. Rage was good for her, especially such unbridled and wild rage.

"How dare you! Get this crap off me now!" She bared her fangs. She tore at the collar again, but the metal was strong, Astarion had taken special care of it. He waited patiently for her to calm down, for they both knew how it would end. So why the stupid tantrums?

Well, could she have done it any other way?

"Honey, everyone needs to see who you belong to. And you need to remember that."

"Belong? Oh, don't you dare think about it. Take it off, I say!" Realizing the futility of it all, she dashed for the hatch. Astarion continued to watch. There was something about that angry intemperance that made it impossible to tear his eyes away. Perhaps even a pity that Bhaal had spared his child the bloodlust and killing.

Rilliane yanked the knob a few times as Astarion pulled out the key. Only he will have access here, only he will be able to see her. But of course, he wasn't violent and would take care of her. Leaving his beloved to pine in the dark would be too cruel, so he ordered a window to be made here overlooking the city. Magically protected so she wouldn't break or fall out by accident.

What more could one wish for?

The girl stared at the key in his fingers, growling low:

"Let me out, honey."

"It suits you to be angry, my treasure, but you understand perfectly well yourself."

She shrieked in impotent rage. Unrestrained and half-crazed, remembering all the old bloodthirsty habits. Astarion was not angry with her for that. After all, of course she couldn't understand all his intentions, too fixated on freedom and the incomprehensible desire to be a "real" vampire. But he loved her, despite this outburst of defiance.

And that was the only thing that mattered in their lives.

***

She stubbornly refused to know her place. Astarion went to see her every day, and every day he endured the hurt looks, the tortured answers, and the tantrums and demands to let her out. At first Astarion had been lenient, and she was getting angry, but gradually it was getting tiresome.

"Rilliane," he called out. Rilliane stared out the window, stubbornly not turning around. Her tail flicked from side to side, showing off all her emotions. Ignoring it, Astarion came up behind her, gently touching her tense shoulders. Rilliane snarled, immediately stepping back:

"What, you think one collar isn't enough, you should add a chain too?" She jerked her head, still unaccustomed to the jewelry. Astarion grinned. Of course, he wasn't going to keep her here forever. Her attempts to resist were amusing, and any bird needed to stretch its wings from time to time.

"My treasure, you know it's best for you."

The fierce look spoke better than any words. Rilliane shook her head, still nervous and unsteady. Astarion hadn't expected anything else from her, though he hoped this misplaced anger would pass more quickly. Well, he should teach her a lesson then.

"You can get out of here though, all you have to do is prove your desire."

"Talk to no one and look at no one?" she inquired mockingly. She moved her gaze quickly from one object to another, especially avoiding eye contact with Astarion. He was amused. How many years had they been together, and she still hadn't learned to control herself! Any other spawn would have been destroyed for such a thing, but Rilliane was different. Her intemperance was something to smile at.

He moved closer again, ignoring her displeasure:

"Come on, don't be mad. Trust me, you'll love it. Strip first." He stroked her cheek affectionately, admiring his most adorable spawn. She was beautiful even in a rage that wouldn't have gone to anyone else or even in her attempts to push him away:

"How dare you! You lock me in here, put this on and you think I'm..."

"It's not for sex, believe me. If you prove you can control yourself, why would I keep you here?"

Of course, he wasn't going to let her out right away. Too many people wanting her for themselves, too many who could actually steal her. She'd better be safe until Astarion got rid of them, and after that he would of course let her walk wherever she wanted again.

Rilliane looked at him in disbelief. Shook her head with a twitch of her shoulder:

"And what am I supposed to do? Besides undress?"

"You'll see."

She took up the dress with apparent reluctance. When the fabric, rustling, fell from her skin, Astarion grinned. She was beautiful. Naked, wearing a collar with his name in three languages for all to read, breathing hard with anger - could there be anything more perfect? Glancing over the Bhaalite's tattoos, scars, and other reminders of her past life, Astarion exhaled.

He would not allow anyone else to own her. Not even herself.

Taking her hands in his, he forced her to follow him. Rilliane didn't look at him exactly until the second he sat her on his lap, controlling her almost like a puppet. The girl glanced at him incredulously, trying to get comfortable. She was shivering, not from the cold, but from anger, and it couldn't help but amuse him. She still avoided making eye contact, though, and though it was right in some ways, Astarion still wanted otherwise. He took her by the chin, keeping her from looking away:

"You're going to need self-control if you want to stop being a spawn. And I intend to help you with that. Just relax and don't move for a few minutes."

Her breathing quickened and her body tensed. Astarion could feel her trying not to touch him unnecessarily, so he didn't hesitate to act. He placed her hands on his shoulders, watching for the slightest changes in her facial expressions. Rilliane clenched her teeth, trying not to move.

Yet she flinched when Astarion touched her spine, forcing her to lean forward. He knew her body and how to control it almost as well as he knew his own, though Rilliane didn't want to admit it.

Still, she pressed herself against him, breathing heavily. His tail twitched from side to side, and his claws dug into his shoulders almost to the point of pain. Her breath stung his neck, and Astarion turned his head away, knowing full well what she wanted. He had once been willing to do anything for a few drops of his master's blood.

But Cazador was different. His entertainment ended in screams and pain. Astarion on the other hand is different, he is different and their bond with Rilliane is completely different. No one would dare argue with that.

Astarion ran his fingers along his spine again and touched tail, wrenching a convulsive sigh from the her lips. He remembered well the special way thirst turned his head when he could stop being a spawn, and he waited. There was no doubt how Rilliane would act.

Her whole body turned into a taut string, freezing. Her insane in its unquenchable thirst for freedom intoxicated even him, and the moment seemed like an eternity.

Rilliane's breath came in even more gasping gasps as she moved closer to his neck for a second, and then with a helpless growl she buried her forehead in his shoulder. She shuddered, muttering curses and finally relaxing.

Astarion grinned.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #baldurs gate 3 #astarion ancunin #baldurs gate astarion #astarion #bg3 astarion #ascended astarion #bg3 rilliane #rilliane #ascendant astarion #bg3 fanfiction #astarion x mc #astarion x dark urge #bg3 oc #bg3 mc

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self-indulgent-paw-patrol · 18 days

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Do you think any of the PAW Patrol members are on the spectrum? Because I HC Ryder and Rocky as both being Autistic (it's why Rocky hates water and Ryder hates brussel sprouts, bad sensory experience)

Particularly I think the brussel sprouts thing might be more of a combo of sensory and taste, if it was only sensory, Ryder would hate a bunch of vegetables altogether. What would tell me Ryder is autistic is mostly how his knowledge on engineering for his age is just-- Miles Tails Prower level of spawning new buildings and vehicles overnight. It's canon he's the one projecting, building and maintaining all their vehicles, we see him doing maintenance on his ATV pretty regularly and he taught the pups to inspect their own vehicles and do basic maintenance as well. Not to mention he projected, programmed (and regrogrammed several times) and built the Robo-dog from scratch. That implies he not only knows engineering but also has plenty knowledge in the field of Artificial Intelligence! And he's TEN.

But for Rocky I agree! It could very well be an autistic trait. He's also extra passionate about his stuff and both his creativity and ability to learn things of his interest are off the charts. I also picture him into the ADHD part of the thing, mostly on the HD part of it. He's one of the pups we get to see doing things on their own sometimes, outside of missions. Tbh Rocky only stops moving when he sleeps, and maybe not even then XD

Personally, I headcanon Ryder, Chase, Rocky and Zuma as autistic to some degree each in different ways. As for Marshall, my headcanon on him has nothing to do with any spectrum but with genetic health. Skye, Rubble, Everest, Tracker, Rex and Liberty (the other pups I know so far), I don't have anything on them.

With Ryder and Rocky explained already, let's go to Chase and Zuma, under the cut, post's getting long again, omg.

Chase would be this one "kind" of autistic person I've met at least a couple autistic kids like him before: They get one subject to hyperfocus on and it LASTS LONG, they just don't change interests. They might go and also focus on something that's very alike to the main subject too, but they won't switch their focus target. They're also extremely perfectionists, very hard on themselves, failure when working on something is NOT an option.

Chase is pretty much like that. We know he's intensely passionate about his job as their Police and Spy pup, he follows the rules, he enforces the rules, he does all he can to make sure the task will be complete and always gets extremely upset and/or worried with the possibility of failing or disappointing Ryder (or anyone else for that matter, but it's to a personal level when it's with Ryder), to the point it makes him lose his ground, driving him into anxiety and panic attacks on the most extreme cases.

As for Zuma, I think he's one of those cases in which the person also has this hyperfocus on something and sticks with it, but to him it's less intense than Chase, I mean, to be a cop you gotta study and learn a lot of stuff. Zuma's case is that one that looks more like a very intense hobby. Getting his natural passion for water as a Labrador Retriever and adding it to a greater level of interest on water related stuff, Zuma just put together the fun and the usefulness in his life. So, not only Zuma does the aquatic rescues for the Patrol out of convenience on being the pup whose breed actually doesn't mind getting wet, he also has fun and enjoys it all.

"But that's expected from a Labrador, isn't it?" you ask me. Well, I raise you the fact that Labradors are also usually extremely hyperactive dogs, but then we have Zuma who's... Totally chill. He's there in his spot, content, just enjoying himself. He's not constantly running or jumping around unless prompted to do so, he's playful but only when the others go out to play as well. Otherwise, he's just there, just vibing. Zuma is literally that pup who's there in his corner, vibing, minding his business, until someone else interacts with him or invites him to go do something.

He's literally the chill dude who will go out to surf on his own because he enjoys it and doesn't feel the need to interact with others unless necessary - doesn't mean he's rude, it only means he's vibing his own vibes and will gladly interact if prompted to do so, but doesn't usually takes the initiative because he's already happy in his world.

JUST A REMINDER, IT'S ALL MY PERSONAL TAKE on watching these characters and thinking way too much about their behaviors outside of missions and the vibes I get from them. Mind you, I might be autistic myself but I'm not diagnosed and most I know about it comes from research I've done years ago up to nowadays, the first time being when I wanted to create an autistic OC and didn't know much about it and didn't want to get it wrong to not be attacked over it.

#AND HERE I GO AGAIN #At least this time it wasn't as long as the other posts XD #Thanks for the ask!!#Paw Patrol #Ryder #Chase #Zuma #Paw Patrol Ryder #Paw Patrol Chase #Paw Patrol Zuma

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romanceclub-lovers · 2 months

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Romance Club week festivities with interviews from our favorite authors, technical designers, artists and the boss Vlad...

📣Stay tuned upcoming interview with Arina (Theodora & W: Time Catcher) and the boss project manager Vlad...

First we'll start with Wincy Wong author of Heart of Trespia and Soulless

Greetings, dear Wincy! Today your favorite Romance Club turns 6 years old, and you are already celebrating your 3rd birthday with us. How are you feeling on this beautiful day?

Answer: Happy 6th Birthday! I can't believe I've been working at the Romance Club for 3 years and writing my second story! I am truly grateful for the passion and love with which you support us and our stories! Thank you for making our community so special!

We would like to ask you some interesting questions :)

1. How do you approach creating technical specifications for cut-scene artists? How do you decide where and when a cut scene is needed? Do you immediately imagine what you want to see or do you first look for a picture?

A: I think the ideal time for a cutscene is when a costly choice is being made, but sometimes I favor my favorite moments in updates.

2. What century would you like to find yourself in if you were the heroine of a visual novel and in what setting and genre?

Answer: This is a difficult question. From a writer's perspective, I love them all, just as I love writing fantasy, but I wouldn't want to live in a historical period with tyrant rulers and no flush toilets. Although, if I really had to choose, I would choose the Tang Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Taizong.

3. Has there ever been a time when you wanted to write a scene and the character took you down a completely different path, refusing to give in to the original idea?

Answer: Several times. The first one that comes to mind is Christina, Reinhold's childhood friend. I planned for her to be much more jealous, but when I got to this scene, I felt sorry for her because Reinhold would never reciprocate her feelings. So I abandoned the idea of her conspiring with her mother, instead placing all the blame for Ellaire's poisoning on the evil old witch.

4. Were there any scenes in Heart of Trespia that never made it into the plot for a variety of reasons? If there are any, could you briefly tell us about it?

A: There weren't many possible scenes included in the story, mostly due to character development or new plot twists that changed the course of the story. I can say that there is a secret ending for Wyatt, which I planned for a long time, but in the end it turned out to be inaccessible to the players. There's even a sketch of a diary. This ending requires Wyatt to go through a bad breakup with Ellaire, but there are enough improvements with him that he is able to survive the war. It seems to me that no one has yet managed to unlock this ending.

5. Knowing your approach to developing stories, you probably have drawn a map and thought out the political structure of the world, the types of magic used in it. Could you tell us more about the world order in Soulless?

Answer: “Soulless”, unlike “Heart of Trespia”, is an ordinary fantasy. Silverport is a fictional city based on Chicago. Besides adding some real world elements, much of the lore of this story is centered on supernatural elements such as Vincent's magic, the powers of various demons, etc. In terms of hierarchy, I'd say Trexio/Trexia is what you'd call the "supreme" demonic presence in Silverport, and Vincent acts as an accompanying force that is more like the administrative authorities in our world, maintaining order and not truly interfering in our daily lives unless we give them a reason to. The Vixaria, after all, is just “one of us” trying to navigate a fast-paced world with no major strings attached other than not killing people.

6. Who proposed the idea of introducing such new features into “Soulless” as choosing love preferences, stat tips, different descriptions of romantic scenes - you or the management?

Answer: Including selection hints was the team's idea. I suggested other ideas, and we worked together to implement them. I've been wanting "thought clouds" ever since I wrote ST! You have no idea how excited I am to finally see all those cute little clouds showing off Vixaria's evil thoughts with her smug grin.

7. Surely many will be interested to know, including us, how long in the story of “Soulless” it will be possible to carry on parallel love lines? And will this affect the relationship with the finally chosen character in the future?

Answer: Honestly, I don't have a definitive answer to this question right now, but I think you won't have to choose until at least the middle of the second season. Until then, I'll try not to punish players for exploring different paths, but I can't promise anything just yet.

✅Favorites in full size/Characters in full size:

8. Finally, what would you wish to the Romance Club team on this day?

Answer: I wish that the Romance Club continues to expand throughout the world! Our stories are too beautiful not to be known in all corners of the world.

Thank you for your time! We congratulate you and your entire YSI team on the birthday of your favorite application! And we wish you all inspiration, stunning ideas and prosperity.

Wincy also shared with us the sketch and Wyatt’s original version. Wincy also shared with us a sketch and the initial version of Wyatt.

Source: Wincy's fantasy world | Soulless | ST | RC

#romance club #romance club game #rc writers #rc soulless #rc theodora

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no-white-dress · 10 months

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Alright everyone, gather around for

RIMINI COMICS INTERVIEW WITH IGINIO STRAFFI

Translated by me word by word because I do not have the patience to correct fake news spreading from half-baked translations again

HOST: As we already said, the Winx are turning 20. An incredible journey between 8 series [seasons], movies, spin-offs, and even a reboot, which I know you're preparing at this moment. In which moment – is there a particular moment when you noticed that this project was becoming something crazy? Was there a moment that made you understand this?

STRAFFI: Well, yes. It all happened fast. In 2004, when it aired first in Italy, then in France, then in the United States, then in Germany, in all the main countries and we got ratings that were double the normal for the various channels that aired Winx, and we got the data from Mattel and other licensees that sold products – dolls and whatnot – as if they were bread so we realized that these characters had, in fact, let's say, broken through everywhere. The recipe, the contents of the Winx were truly global and universal.

HOST: They worked. Cool, cool. I imagine it must have been an incredible emotion to find out that they were becoming an event...

STRAFFI: For me it was even earlier, when we started the animation tests, to see from the static drawing these characters who moved, flew, who talked etcetera, I already realized they had something really special. We studied the eye, a bit all that was the look of the Winx, it was all really, really powerful and us boys asked "please come out of the screen".

HOST (laughing): True, true. Raise your hand if you ever fell in love with a Winx! ...Pretty much everyone. What do you mean only Musa? [to the audience] And going back to the beginning of it all, were there creative difficulties during the creation of the show, maybe in regards to the construction of the Winx's world, the story, or their very personality?

STRAFFI: No. For the story I took almost a year, 9-10 months, like a real gestation, to pinpoint everything, so much so that I had already written the first 3 seasons, hoping for the first to do well. But there was already the fil rouge, the revelations that had to happen proceeding with the story. Instead, the graphical part was indeed a little more complex, because after having already realized one episode, and even presenting it to TVs, I realized that they weren't as strong, as original as we wanted, as made in Italy, as innovative, so we restarted everything. I told my closest collaborators, "I realized they aren't strong enough, we must start over with the graphic research". There have been scenes of people who wanted to jump out of the window, it wasn’t easy, and I added to the team a real fashion stylist, going back to the discourse about the arts, of how important specialization is. This girl, she was from Ancona but worked in Milan for the Prada group, Miu Miu, realized for us a series of looks, haircuts, very fresh and innovative, and from there, translated into models for animation, were born the Winx as you have known them on TV, because of the pilot which was called Magic Bloom, nothing aired.

HOST: I imagine in a creative process, to be ready to take the idea and set it aside to restart...

STRAFFI: You never do that in a cartoon, because it has frightening costs, so when you've already arrived to animation and color, you don't throw anything away, you go on anyway. However, this project was so important, Rainbow had some extra money from Tommy&Oscar, from previous projects, and since I'm passionate about my profession I said "who cares, let's throw everything away and make something even stronger".

HOST: It worked, it worked great! So I would give him an applause. Now, I'd have some questions that come directly from the community. A lot of questions were selected, we took the most requested, and we bring them here so maybe the community can satiate some curiosity. They ask: "if you could change something in the plot of Winx, what would you change?"

STRAFFI: I must say nothing, because it worked so well I wouldn't change anything. Maybe I'd be more careful from season 4 onwards, since we, let's say, followed the requests of broadcasters etcetera; instead, like we're doing in the reboot, I'd be more careful with that, meaning, with maintaining the story really, really in syntony with what is Winx's DNA, which is to always be one step ahead, with content different from the usual, ideas that maybe are new to the public, and I think this is the only element we always need to keep in mind.

HOST: Absolutely, absolutely yes. They also ask if it would be possible, although we just talked about it earlier, to know more about the origins of the Winx Club as Magic Bloom.

STRAFFI: Well, what I said before, I mean, the series was called [that as] working title because we never thought of calling it Magic Bloom, it's a too childish title, but, let's say, it was really different especially in regards to graphic; the story was pretty similar but the graphic was very different. From there, this huge work I mentioned to remake everything to make something new.

HOST: Then we have, instead, a curiosity about your personal taste: who is your favorite villain of the animated series?

STRAFFI: Which one? [to the crowd]

CROWD: Valtor

STRAFFI: Valtor is the favorite villain, but come on guys, the Trix are too cool. I'd even make a spin-off on the Winx, maybe live action, I'm thinking about it. [pretty sure he mixed up and meant Trix here] Because we know little of the Trix.

HOST: Exactly. Instead, your favorite transformation?

STRAFFI: Heh... Enchantix.

HOST: Enchantix. Dr Straffi gave something away about transformations. Then the community asks: "have you ever wanted to add a fairy with a different power, and in that case, which power?"

STRAFFI: I thought about it sometimes, but then... they're already so many, because 6 characters are a lot, plus Roxy, who is this seventh Winx who arrives every now and then, let's say I would've liked to have a telepathic fairy, who could read others' minds a bit, but let's say Musa is a bit like that, so we don't need another one, we have them all.

HOST: Instead, in the case of a brand-new character to add as a member of Winx Club, can you give us a famous person you'd be inspired by to create a new character?

STRAFFI: Well, now in the reboot we will have big news. A very, very important character will make his entrance in this new series [NOTE: he uses male pronouns because "character" is a male noun in Italian, we don't know the gender for sure yet!], and for the visual part we haven't got an inspiration yet, but...

HOST: There's a few ideas.

STRAFFI: There's a few ideas.

HOST: You have already answered the last question, in fact they asked if new characters would be introduced in the reboot, apparently there will be a few surprises.

STRAFFI: There will be big surprises in the reboot, something really, really new, so I invite you all to... now one more year, about one year and a half of production, but, but I think the new fans but especially those of yesterday will find it an interesting and engaging show, from all points of view, from the content to the graphic part of it.

HOST: I am really curious. Hands up if you're curious! But we can't do any spoiler, of any kind, can't help it. So I ask you one more big applause for Dr. Iginio Straffi, thank you again for being with us...

STRAFFI: Thank you.

#winx club #winx reboot #rimini #rimini comics #iginio straffi #interview

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dowhatteverer · 1 year

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An honest critique of FRWBY by someone who actually watched it and was willing to give it a chance

Ok so LF and CS have proven themselves to be disingenuous liars who go out of their way to make rewrites of RWBY look poorly written and bigoted because they have diluted themselves into believing that the show doesn't carry all of the same problems that they accuse these rewrites of having. That being said, Fixing RWBY does happen to carry over a lot of problems from the original show. While I personally believe that Fixing RWBY is a better story structurally from RWBY proper, that doesn't mean that it didn't keep many of the flaws associated with the original show. This is not a defense of FRWBY, nor is it really a bashing because I will come right out and say that I do actively enjoy it and am excited to keep up with its version of volume six. I wouldn't recommend it to any of the people I interact with a lot on Tumblr simply because it's definitely not something they would like very much.

It's impressive how much passion is put into this project honestly, seeing all these fans come together to take the time out of their days without payment just to create something they care about. I definitely think the art and animations are some of the best parts of FRWBY. And I think the story does a far better job of utilizing the amount of characters that the show already had without constantly adding new ones that are completely unnecessary. It also makes a lot of changes to the characters interactions and relationships with other characters that I appreciate. I like that Weiss's time in the Brawnwen was changed from being held prisoner and threatened, to being a taste of freedom and potential new life for herself that she eventually had to ditch for the sake of her friends and the mission. And I really liked Changing Vernal to be Yang's secret half sister and having her develop a friendship with Weiss, it did a lot more to make her death feel more impactful by making her a character that the audience has to care about because these other characters care about her, and goes a long way of proving how selfish and short-sighted Raven could be where her own arrogance and desires ultimately ended up getting her own daughter killed and the tribe she chose over her own husband and first daughter to leave her. And I'm actually quite happy with Roman being Ozpin's host, I think it's handled pretty well and in a way that doesn't overshadow Ruby at all. One change that I thought was pretty cool from a story and representation perspective was having Neo use ASL and have Yang also learn it with her during her recovery period (which was actually a recovery period thank God, not just a showcase of her suffering and then just being fine without seeing her journey). And one thing that I like by default is it going out of its way to humanize Ironwood. That's always an A+ in my book as an Ironwood fan.

Now let's get into the bad stuff that is actually worth criticizing and not just sweeping under the rug just because LF and CS are lying liars who lie.

First and foremost, the Faunus plotline.

I don't like it.

There was very little effort put in to change the actual problems with the Faunus plotline in the actual show. The White Fang are still the bad guys, Blake is at the same time, still a rich princess with parents who love her, and Racism in Remnant is explicitly stated to be an individual to individual thing (though in a Livestream Celtic Phoenix said that racism in Atlas is systemic, so I'm holding out a little bit of hope that will at least be treated like a big deal) and still far more fighting against civil rights activists than fighting actual racists.

There's some interesting stuff in the beginning with Cardin starting out pretty racist, but after being forced to do some actual research on the subject and finding that his views have no historical or scientific basis quickly changing his mind about it and growing into a better person, but that's not enough to forgive the rest of it.

Effort is being put in to make Adam a more dynamic character who seems to have an explicit tragic backstory regarding the racism he faced (and not just implied with his nasty hate crime scar) but that actually makes the whole thing kind of worse. Because I kid you not, in the final episodes of the volume 5 rewrite, when the White fang is defeated, Blake tells Adam, "this isn't the world your mother grew up in anymore" and I'm just like, Adam's mom is implied to have been a Slave woman who was abused and possibly killed by her owner! Who is Blake, in her mansion on an ethnostate where she never had to face racism or cruelty or worry for a family member's safety, to tell Adam how he should react to Racism?! And I know that the reason she has to stop him in the rewrite is because the White Fang are trying to stage a cou that would lead to a war that would cost far more faunus lives than do good for them, but that doesn't change the fact that it's extremely tone deaf that it was Blake who is telling him this when her backstory hasn't been changed at all.

Either make the White Fang the good guys, or make Blake an orphan who has had to experience racism and cruelty her whole life, because you can't have both and still have a story that doesn't feel jarring and pro establishment as hell.

Next, the cultural appropriation. Taking inspiration from multiple Asian cultures for Mistral is kind of unavoidable since Mistral itself is fundamentally meant to be based on a multitude of Asian cultures. (I personally try to mitigate this problem by having different parts of Mistral be based on different Asian countries, and do the same for the other kingdoms too) but I think we all remember the thing about the Brawnwen tribe from a few months ago. Since the Ainu people are heavily discriminated against in Japan and stereotyped as being bandits and thieves, having the Brawnwen tribe be inspired by them in some aspects is definitely a bad thing. It was especially a problem when that cultural appropriation was also misinterpreted and used without fully understanding the culture of what the traditional bear was. And then the attempt to crack down and defend that was just a bad look altogether.

And to bring up the Shay D Mann and Ren and Roman bathroom scene, these are things that I think the creator just didn't realize could come across as queerphobic or a bad look for the character. The joke about Roman not realizing that Ren is a man and then having a conversation about all of tells that would have tipped him off about Ren being a guy and then having them be rebuttaled (at one point pointing out that Weiss has small boobs and that doesn't make her less of a woman, which while I think was well intentioned was just uncomfortable in general) was just in poor taste. And Shiloh (as he's called in FRWBY) didn't need to still be showcased sexually harassing Yang. He was actively physically and verbally abusing the man at register anyway in the rewrite, Yang could have just done the heroic thing and punched him to protect the civilian, instead of trying to ignore him while he comments on her figure and then saying something incredibly abelist about her prosthetic before being thrown out by Neo and her umbrella. Although It's not necessary to make all of your important characters good people. So I guess this has a lot more to do with how you feel about bad people still being important and sympathetic characters. Though I wouldn't say Shiloh is that important to Volume 5, all he really does is provide some Vernal backstory, serve as some comic relief, and is the one who ultimately decides for the tribe to leave Raven after she gets his daughter killed.

If I were to defend these choices, instead of trying to claim that Shiloh didn't sexually harass Yang (which was honestly far more present in the rewrite, no actual dialogue but he is described as complimenting her figure) and that lesbians are stupid, I would instead say that a character doesn't have to be a good perfectly squeaky clean non problematic person to be a character who isn't necessarily a villain. Or alternatively I could just acknowledge that it was unnecessary to have him actively sexually harass a girl his daughter's age because there was already something else that could have been used to show that he wasn't a good person and end up bouncing right out of the gas station anyway.

I think that's everything I want to talk about, because combing through all of it would be like rewatching an eight hour show and taking notes the whole time and I don't have much time for that.

But all in all, FRWBY isn't above criticism just because it's a rewrite of RWBY and has some aspects that deserve to be criticized, but it's also not the worst most biggoted thing in the world. I like aspects of it, but I honestly like other rewrites better. It honestly just feels like watching the original show if the original show had a more coherent story but didn't change any of the more problematic aspects.

So yeah, there's my review. I'll tell you how I felt about Volume six when it's over.

#rwde #fixing rwby

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serioussimming · 1 year

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Los Santos - Progress Report 2022 - Part 4b: Back on track talking about roads

Okay now again...

This is a pretty in depth, technical and passionate talk about road textures I guess

During last years work on Los Santos (which was mainly september... Okay actually I think it was only september. But hey I haven’t made that much progress in any other year!) I replaced some road textures and reworked some road layouts that already existed. When a project is stretched out in such a long time window (2016-now) you not only work in one direction (from start to finish) but you also occasionally completely rework stuff from before. In all these years from 2016 this has been the only CAW project I’ve worked on. With every year I’m learning new quirks and tricks about the game and caw.

Now this is the point where I diverge from Part 4a

My issue with the previous roads is that they were compelety random textures grabbed from everywhere (GTA V Assets, Store Worlds, Internet and more...). They kind of looked like what I wanted them to look like but they didn’t match that well across the board.

If there was one single thing that I could change about how the worlds work in The Sims 3 it would be the road system. Don’t get me wrong. The roads in The Sims 3 are miles ahead (haha miles) of what we got in say The Sims 2. Sims 3 Roads can curve, run in any angle to the world grid, have different textures, working bridges,... Thats all stuff that Sims 2 can’t. At least from neighborhood view. In lot view roads can be a bit more flexible. But still I’d say that Sims 3 Roads are superior. Yet they only have one lane per side. They always have a sidewalk. They always have the same width. They are completely flat and normal maps can only do so much. I mean it’s okay. Its not Cities:Skylines or SimCity but things could be better.

My new roads work around many of the issues that I previously had with Sims 3 Roads. The new road textures are AGES ahead of the old ones and I spent like 2 weeks making and adjusting the textures (shoutout to the Pixelmator Pro developers for creating an Image Editor that doesn’t drive me crazy)

But let me go into detail:

The difference in detail when you see before and after next to each other is simply astonishing even for me. Look at how much more grungy and used the new roads look. Also note the asymmetric nature of them.

The old textures for this road were mainly modified roads from Roaring Heights. I had then made minor modifications by adding a curb to give the road more dimension. I originally picked that road because I liked the yellowish sidewalk which is also in Sunset Valley I think and it was the only one that also had these red plastered crosswalks that LA is so famous for.

Here you can see more of how much more detail the roads have. The curb has proper coloring compared to the sidewalk and there is a *whatever you call that part between the curb and asphalt* which has a dirty appearance while not looking too repeated.

Note: The curb has no seams and seems to be like one super long piece of curb (new insult unlocked you pice of curb) because the road detail texture repeats three times in one sidewalk til. If there was a seam the curb pieces would be super small.

A difficulty with repeating textures is always making them look detailed, contrasted and sharp without making them look too busy and repeated.

The sidewalk texture is a blend of the default sidewalk texture and a concrete texture. I then changed the color and added details by hand like the all the cracks and irregularities. Notice how the sidewalk gets very slightly darker to the seams too add more depth. Something like this has to be done very subtly so it doesn’t get overdone.

By crafting the road textures myself I can also work around issues that I had before.

I was actually a bit sad replacing the road texture in the vinewood hills area since that light road texture was the very first I used in this world. It was here from the start you could say. The textures were sourced from Lucky Palms where they’re used as freeway.

Now with the new roads I can fix the crossings that can’t have transparency on the sidewalk. The corners have the dirt/sand texture painted onto them so It gives them the illusion of transparency and they blend with their surroundings.

The road details are also handpainted. The yellow lines in the middle and the white borders. In the newer picture you can see how this unifies the different types of roads. The darker old road had white lines in the middle, while the lighter road had yellow lines that were also bigger.

Notice how the old roads were all over the place. The dark and light roads had no actual connection to each other. I mean they were connected but there is no relation between them. They could very well be in two completely different worlds. They don’t tell a story. The new roads do. You can see how these two roads are subject to the same law. The lines have to be the same as that’s how they are meant to be. You could think about how the darker roads are more fresh and how they were paved onto the lighter roads because they were too broken but they didn’t pave the road completely because of financial constraints and other parts still being okay.

It’s laughable but you can really think of an entire story just for a section of a road.

Now onto my favorite part about the new roads! I got really excited when I realized I could do this. Using the road detail overlay I created road sections that are bicolored. In my opinion this little detail makes the world look so much more realistic. It just gives it that extra layer of depth and I love it.

Previously I only had roads connected to each other that had completely different colors (top picture). Now I am able to connect these in a way that makes them look like only one side got new pavement and the other lane was still okay so they left as is. This one road you see in the bottom picture looks completely natural like one road that got new pavement in some areas, when it’s actually technically 3 different roads:

more used light colored road, mix of new and old road, newer dark road

How much a neighborhood can change when you replace the roads. Kind of funny how clean perfect roads were replaced with cracked used roads yet the crappy roads make the area look better.

Some roads in Los Santos are really, really broken and in dire need of complete repaving! Why do I even pay taxes??? I wanted a road that resembles just that! Look at how broken the road is. Full of seams filled with tar and how each tile is colored a bit differently. Also I alternated the direction of the road every now and then to break up the repetition. Do you notice the thin lines that run on each tile?

I feel like this was the hardest road to not overdo. It’s a really busy pattern but in my opinion it still looks good. For each road I had to balance the textures between GTA V’s art style, Sims 3′s art style, my desired art style, and reality. I wanted to make them look as good and realistic as I could without making them look completely out of place. Always remember: They need to look good with a Sim standing on them, a house being next to them and a Sims 3 basegame car on them. All of these have to fit together without making any one of them looking edited in. I cant replace every single game asset after all. Or could I? *Vsauce music starts playing*

Road beside 12 Residue Apartments

Only a few weeks ago I learned that red curb means no parking lmao

Do you notice that one side of the road looks a bit different from the other? One side is lighter and other a bit reddish. Another example of depth/detail

Wow. You really read a nerd talk about roads for like 10 minutes?

Now after my TED Talk about Sims 3 Roads is over I may have come to the conclusion that the roads are the single most important thing to mind when creating a world (next to terrain). They are the connection between every single point in the world and a gateway into the heart of the created world. When you see the roads, you know what kind of place the world is trying to represent. Just take a look at all the different EA worlds and how different the roads can be (e.g. Monte Vista vs Twinbrook).

Now thank you for reading this <3

I hope the road of your life is not as bad as this...

#ts3 #sims 3 #the sims 3 #caw #sims 3 caw #roads #caw road #los santos #sims 3 los santos #los angeles sims 3 #gta v #sims #progress report #sim santos #video game development #worldbuilding #create a world #ty for coming to my tedtalk

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ideasatemynights · 8 months

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I headcanon that newt used to be self conscious about his weight but stopped caring after awhile

Oh yeah definitely, I 100% agree with that!! I've thought A Lot about Newt's relationship with his weight as someone who's fat irl and is also pretty similar to him in personality according to irl people I know, which definitely leads to the Projection. Some general sorts of headcanons about this (warning for internalized fatphobia, disordered eating, and just a fair amount of self hatred below. Also I wrote this in one big block in the middle of the night, so it's going to be kind of incoherent.):

☆Absolutely is someone who's always been naturally chubby/fat. He didn't really think anything of it when he was really little because he looks like his dad and uncle and they're so cool and he loves them so much!! He was always more focused on catching cool bugs and playing Godzilla with his dad and uncle anyway.

☆Once he got to be a little bit older in school, he definitely started feeling insecure. He already had a target painted on his back because he was too smart, too loud, too passionate, too rude, basically too ND for all the other kids and even the teachers (not helped by the fact that he was always ahead in school), so his classmates absolutely started picking on him for his weight and probably his height too. Because of all of that, he started feeling really bad about his body and wishing that he looked different.

☆This also intersects with my HCs about Newt being trans and his relationship with his mom. His mom was the only person in his family who was more thin and conventionally attractive and because he was AFAB, before he came out she basically just wanted to use him as a doll to parade around and show off on the rare occasions she actually saw him and because of that she tended to be critical of a lot of aspects of his appearance. There was a lot of her fussing over him and telling him that he should diet, grow his hair out, be more proper and less messy, dress more feminine, etc, which didn't help his self esteem. Once he came out as trans, she basically just stopped talking to him altogether.

☆There's also a lot of fatphobia in trans spaces, medical gatekeeping based on weight, belief that fat people can never be read as their correct gender, lack of gender affirming products for fat trans people, etc, which also doesn't help.

☆Once he started at MIT (probably around 15 based on canon info??), he was even more in the spotlight because he was known very publicly as a prodigy, was in a lot of news articles and stuff, won a lot of awards, etc, which added a whole other layer of scrutiny from the public to his appearance. He was also pretty isolated from same age peers because of it, so when he did get to socialize with them, his naturally poor social skills were even more atrophied because of it. Because of that, he was subjected to even more weight based bullying than he would have been otherwise, which did an additional number on his self esteem.

☆When Newt started writing with Hermann, he never would have admitted it, but he was kind of happy that Hermann couldn't see him. He had kind of reached a point where he assumed anyone would immediately write him off because of his appearance and particularly his weight and he was so happy to finally be able to make a friend who couldn't dismiss him based on the way he looked. He knew that Hermann could definitely find pics of him online, but he was hoping that the relationship he built through writing would cancel out the way he looked (obviously a super unhealthy thought process, but uhhh). The fact that the first healthy relationship Newt had ever had with a peer was also with a guy who didn't originally know what he looked like also unintentionally reinforced some bad body image stuff.

☆When Newt figured out he was falling in love with Hermann, he was even more terrified of Hermann learning what he looked like. Like he hadn't had a good track record with making friends or people affirming his appearance in the past, but he uhhhh especially hadn't had a good track record with romance. He had been rejected a lot and when someone had gone out with him, they were clearly using him for easy make out sessions and the sort, while not really caring for his personality or appearance in the slightest (and oftentimes making digs at them). Newt was certain Hermann wouldn't do that, but he was still convinced that the only way someone could like him was despite his weight and he was terrified that Hermann wouldn't like him enough for his personality to cancel out the difference (once again, not true and definitely unhealthy, but he's having a real bad time).

☆So they finally meet in person and it goes poorly. It had nothing to do with Newt's appearance and logically he knows that, but there's still some small deeply unkind part of him that's convinced that Hermann took one look at him and decided he was too fat and ugly to even consider staying in contact with, much less dating.

☆(In actuality, Hermann took one look at him and instantly thought that he was the most attractive man he had ever seen in his life. He desperately wanted to press Newt up against the wall and grab his love handles and kiss every inch of his mouth and face and neck and chest he could get his hands on. Being Hermann, he was deeply mortified by having such lewd thoughts about a colleague, especially one so obviously attractive to him, which definitely contributed to them both being incredibly awkward and off their game while meeting.)

☆By this point, I think Newt's in a really bad place mentally with his body and his relationship with his weight, so I think he ends up in a depressive episode for a while. This has the side effect of killing his appetite and so he ends up losing some weight which is really not physically healthy for him, but he feels a sick sort of pleasure in anyway. When he meets back up with Hermann when they're both stationed in HK, Hermann is still fucking pissed at him (just as Newt is likewise), but he's also legitimately worried about Newt because he doesn't look well by the standards of his body. Hermann ends up eventually asking about it, which only pisses Newt off and honestly brings up a fuckton of trauma for him and also causes Newt to believe that Hermann really is disgusted with him and his body.

☆As the war rages on and rations get tighter and they start working longer and longer hours, Newt loses even more weight which once again causes a sick sort of pleasure in him, despite logically knowing as a biologist that this is in fact very very bad for him and his body. He never intentionally tries to restrict food or lose weight, but he can't help feeling some pleasure at being so much more thin than he's used to. By the time the movie starts, he looks like he actually does in it, where he's soft around the edges, but not fat anymore. Hermann doesn't bring it up both because it's the result of the last days of war and because last time Newt got very upset, but he watches from the sidelines and is very worried about him.

☆When Newt drifts with Hermann, there's a lot of surprise on Newt's end that not only does Hermann like him and not only is Hermann actually in love with, but Hermann actually likes his body in its natural form when it's treated well. In fact, Newt is kind of stunned at how attracted Hermann was to him at their first meeting and the fact that while Hermann would be attracted to him at any weight, Hermann definitely distinctly prefers him fat and healthy and happy. This also causes Newt to realize that Hermann was legitimately concerned about him when he asked about his eating habits, etc, and that maybe the way Hermann treats him is the way he should have been treated all along.

☆Now this obviously doesn't fix everything in one go because a lifetime of trauma doesn't just go away overnight, but going to mandated therapy post war helps, along with a healthy relationship with Hermann, more time to relax, the ending of rationing and the entire world recovering, etc. He eventually gains all of his original weight back and then some and Hermann is so fucking in love with his incredibly handsome sexy fat husband and his wonderful mind and personality. Like don't get me wrong, they're still complete bitches to one another, but they adore each other and work through their insecurities together and it's wonderful.

Once again, I'm writing this at 3 am, so I'm sorry if this doesn't make any sense. Also forgive me for the huge block of text, you unlocked A Thing I Go Insane About.

#tiegan talks #answered asks #pacific rim posting #newt geiszler #newton geiszler #hermann gottlieb #newmann #<-also just for the future you might want to block these tags if youre following/mutuals with me because we're friends #and you dont want to see me lose it and have an epic autism moment over my Very Niche In 2023 Special Interest

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tavyliasin · 4 months

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The second chapter went live at nearly 4am my time, which is why I didn't share it here yet, but it's here for you all now! I have some very entertaining responses to share with you all (2 are publicly visible on AO3, and the Discord ones are shared with enthusiastic permission~) Whilst the first part was a lot of tension, talking, and the making of the deal, it gets straight to the spice in the second chapter as the contract is made.

As a reminder, The Scent of Cinnamon is a prequel, set before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, and starting when Raphael and Haarlep meet for the very first time! It includes how Haarlep got their name, and what they looked like before taking Raphael's form. They do hope you will mark their true existence in your memory as surely as Raphael will after their deal is made...

Here are the reviews so far~ (Graphic design is not my passion, sorry!)

SAMPLES OF THE CHAPTERS FOLLOW! ~ Smut below the cut ~

--- --- 1 - The Cambion, The Gift, and The Contract --- ---

They sighed, hand dropping back to their side from where it had been hovering above the thinner and more sensitive skin of the cambion’s wings. “ Fine , if you insist we shall have it all in writing. You are to ensure I do not go hungry. Either provide me with partners to satisfy my hunger, or satisfy me with your own body.” “Agreed.” Lines appeared upon the page in infernal script, glowing on the parchment with the power they contained. “And you shall not lay so much as a finger upon a client without my permission.” “Then make it simple. This room will be mine as much as it is yours. Those you allow to cross the threshold are by rights my own to take, should they agree to it.” They smirked, adding to the letters upon the page. “The house is your domain, but in this room I am the only Master .” Raphael’s ego failed to pick up on the edge of their tone as he easily agreed to the term, and moved on to the next. “Then the illusion must be maintained. Once you have my form, you are to wear it until or unless I specify otherwise.” This time the incubus wavered. “You are asking me to give up the last shred of my personhood, to become you ?” “No. You will retain your personality as you see fit. You are to be my mirror in appearance, I cannot have a stray client or debtor seeing through that. They must believe, at least to a degree, that it is me they are laying with, and not some brothel-hired -” He paused. His finger traced a few letters in the air, moving them around, reforming his own name into something new. “That’s it. Haarlep . A perfect anagram, the version of Raphael that is closer to the Harlot that you are.” “You scorn me even as you wish to use me to your own ends?” The incubus frowned, though the name…was not entirely objectionable.

“The name should be a fitting match for the wearer, should it not? Or do you have a better idea?” He raised an eyebrow, staring directly into the incubus’ eyes. “I suppose I can become accustomed to it, with time.” They looked at the page, filling with more rules as they talked. --- ---

2 - The Contract, The Kiss, and The Cambion's Pride

“Marking me already~” their voice purred close to his ear as they pulled him closer, “do go on, I shall return every mark in kind. I will ensure your body knows nothing but me .” “You are very sure of yourself, Harlot. ” He growled deeply, pushing back against their control again, even as the heat in him built further. “My my, Archduke , you gave me a name and yet you do not use it? Very well…” Their lips pressed to his ear, quickly replaced by sharp teeth that bit down and made him hiss from the moment of pain. They smirked as they licked the droplet of blood from his heated crimson skin. “When you lose control, when you give yourself over to me, when you are ready to turn over your pride to the pleasure that only I can give you, when the only word left upon your breathless tongue is me - that is when you shall call me by my proper name.” “If you believe yourself capable of such a thing, you are welcome to-” Raphael’s voice was cut short. He had forgotten about their wicked tail, but now the almost sharp arrowpoint tip was at his throat. “It is adorable how you fight me even as you want me. How your lips speak of rebellion but your hips are pressing you to my body to seek your greedy release already.” They kissed more softly now, each touch of their lips a heated lie of affection, another spark to his overheated libido. They began to alternate little bites with their soothing tongue when they reached his neck, nudging his frilled collar out of the way even as the tip of their tail still pressed into the vulnerable flesh beneath his chin. “Go ahead, Archduke , let yourself go. We have all night, or longer if I have to - I shall not let you have a moment’s rest until our deal is complete. Do not think you shall get away with finishing swiftly and considering our business finished.” “Haa-” Their tail pressed down now on his tongue, stopping the word even as his body quivered against them with his release. “Too easy, and not even honest. There is more to your pride than preventing the stain spreading through your smallclothes.” They smirked, aware of the damp spreading through the layered finery. All Raphael could do was groan against the invasion in his mouth. The Harlot pressed against him did not seem to care one bit for how easily he had been overtaken by a swift climax, driven over the edge by the stimulation of their voice in his ear, their body possessively gripping him, the scent of cinnamon hot on their skin… --- ---

The chapter titles are active links to the full works on AO3 for those who wish to read the full story so far~ I do hope you enjoy! There's plenty more to come yet, too, though it may take a little longer as I have other works on the agenda and some event pieces for Xmas that need finishing off~ Feedback, loves, is always welcomed~ If I can do better, I should like to know so I can improve and grow. If I'm already doing well? My ego does enjoy being soothed, too~

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #bg3 fanfiction #haarlep #bg3 raphael #ao3fic #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #genderfluid haarlep #bg3 haarlep #raphael bg3 #house of hope #raphael the cambion #incubus #shapeshifting

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