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#I kind of want to go and thank ppl individually for that but I was out of energy... I missed the timing..
yuseirra · 3 months
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if there's one thing I personally focus on when I draw something, it would be the emotions. I try to convey the exact emotions of a character when I make art, and portray how they'd be feeling at that exact situation, as they say something, and so on...
I try to feel the same feelings they would when I draw an expression, as close as I can get at least, it's what I do over and over. You don't really have to do that ofc, but for me, it's a huge part of the point and it's really fun to do! It's what I believe could give my drawings more life and make them more genuine, even if it's a sketch (in fact, sometimes sketches can be more powerful on that aspect so I used to stick to drawing exclusively those for a very long time). That's how I pour my heart in, and I'm sure a lot of artists would do the same in their own ways when they create their works.
For that same reason, I really like drawing smiles (and characters that can make genuine ones) because that makes me happy. Other feelings are cool, too, but drawing happy art is so soothing, so I draw a lot of smiles!! It's also why I feel the need to understand a character, because you can't exactly feel what they'd be feeling unless you aren't so aware of what they're going through. I wouldn't be entirely right, I'm sure, but I really want to try. It's maybe why I usually stick to drawing a select few characters from a series all the time, because there are some characters I "get" better than others, and feel I can bring out better(and most of the time, luckily, those kinds of characters end up to be my favs, so I can draw then alot ;v;) Then again, I'm seeing them through my own lens of thinking, I'm just putting out what I see in those characters in the end. But it's usually the good things I love! Or something I feel is really intriguing and want to think about, or want to explore on, emphasize? Anyhow, it's the feelings and emotions part I've always been interested about! So I hope I can do that well!
My drawings aren't perfect, but they aren't too bad either, and I've been trying all the way. If they could imbue some sort of feeling for you, that's definitely what I wanted to accomplish! It makes me so excited when I get feedbacks about it being able to make someone "feel" something.. it means what I wanted got across so I'm like "yes"!!
it'd be nice if they will feel genuine one way or another!! I was and is and will be happy to continue to share my works with you all
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starlooove · 6 months
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Someone asks “where is this money going and do we have any evidence of it” and suddenly they’re being negative y’all just wanna play at helping ppl without using common sense or listening to the people saying MONEY IS NOT MAKING IT IN! Like. Can we be serious for 5 fucking minutes
#I will say apparently creators clarified it’s not going to Palestine but Palestinian based charities so I’m gonna be looking into that#but ppl just using the filter and saying ‘use this or u support genocide 😍’ and don’t even know how the fuck the filter is helping#like I understand the desperation of wanting to do anything ANYTHING in the face of all this#but y’all A) are being dumb as fuck about it and KNOW it’ll come back to bite you if it turns out to be bullshit#and B) taking the opportunity to gloat 💀 thank you so much for using a filter and donating a few cents to a person who’s word ur taking at#face value. bc lemme remind you these people are calling anyone saying ‘can we get some proof ur doing what u say u are’ NEGATIVE#like if it’s going to charities and individuals who are being impacted and need help or can get some kind of help out to those being impacte#that’s PERFECT#but not only do we NOT know that y’all are using the fact that ur form of revolution is stupidity and half a prayer to feel morally superior#which is sick as fuck to do#anyways#idk if I already said this but I’m not fixing tags but apparently she has evidence that she’s being honest#-the creator of the original filter-#so duh I’ll look into that and see#BTW! there’s more than one filter. this is not a good thing to me sorry#well not that there’s more than one the fact that there’s so many#and if y’all can’t handle a question about one I know you’re not fact checking them all#and unfortunately ppl like to take advantage#and even if they’re not spreading it out across a bunch of filters with no evidence is the same as that person who had a list of shit to#boycott that reached the 30s when BDS already has shit out there#WHICH IS WHAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST#there ARE things you can do orginizations already out there literally saying ‘if ur x age in y financial situation you need to do Z’#but y’all wanna be katniss everdeen so bad that it’s impossible to handle that ur not the main character or calling the shots#and as ‘noble’ as it is to feel that ur not doing enough sometimes u do all u need to do and u still have time to kill and that sucks. but#going overboard in ways that are only not productive but harmful is so much worse#whatever tho what do I know#at least it’s sweet that ppl WANT to do so much but it’s not always the thought that counts and shit
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latinokaeya-moving · 1 year
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have had many thoughts abt gender* recently that all Essentially revolve around the idea of me going ‘well my gender is whatever you want me to be for you i suppose’ which i guess is arguably kind of regressive but also i just do kinda feel that way sometimes idk. insert gender is a performance but like you get to choose the play each time depending on the mood
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gay-dorito-dust · 20 days
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YOOO I SEE U FELLOW UNUS ANUSER🫵🫵 i fucking love ur works keep at it bestie pls feed our delusions😫😫
may i ask for, dan heng, blade and jing yuan with a sweet and kind s/o but the moment theyre (the characters) are talked to in a disrespectful way, s/o is immediately turning into a guard dog with a “i’ll tear out your guts with my hand showed down your throat”? idk i just love feral but also gentle s/o tropes so much😔
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Thank you 🫵 my fellow Unus Anuser for the ask and enjoying my writings, despite me thinking half of them could be better but I’m not going to complain if ppl enjoy them regardless.
Dan Heng:
He’s taken aback by your sudden threats of violence towards a random pedestrian for intentionally bumping into him.
He was more use to Caelus rummaging through trash cans before waxing poetry about them and whenever March 7th going off on her own as it was expected of their characters.
You however? His sweetheart, his precious jewel and beloved partner? It was extremely unexpected. Dan Heng had to physically stop you from actually fulfilling your threat by holding you against him before putting a good deal of distance between you and the rude individual.
He’s not against you defending his honour, he just doesn’t want you engaging in fights with random people just because they said something about him that you didn’t like. He didn’t want you to stoop to their level and become like them, no matter how good your reasonings for doing so may be. Dan Heng just wants you to be better than them and not give them the reaction that they needed to fuel their own narratives.
That and Dan Heng knew that you could easily kick their ass but he didn’t felt like dealing with being chased by the authorities for unprovoked acts of violence. However some exceptions can be made to this but Dan Heng would much rather that you kept out of trouble, just for his sake and his sanity as he didn’t want to make breaking you out of jail a reoccurring thing.
Jing Yuan:
His interest is peaked.
Who’d knew that someone as sweet and kind as you had such a vicious side, waiting to come out.
Jing Yuan didn’t care for much what others said about him, but having you come to his defence without hesitation had him smiling with pride. His reputation precedes him wherever he went, so naturally he wasn’t going to be easily intimidated by senseless yapping of others, especially those who had not even the slightest clue of the things he’s put himself through in order to get where he was.
While Jing Yuan appreciates your need to stick up for him, he didn’t think it was necessary for you to waste your time and energy on those who lack the capacity to listen to a voice that wasn’t their own.
‘Always pick your battles wisely my dear,’ he said all the while looking at the person who insulted him dead in the eye with that half asleep expression of his, ‘for most aren’t worth fighting in.’ He finishes before gently pulling you by the waist and walking away.
Blade:
He had an inkling that there was more to you than meets the eye. However he didn’t expect someone who went out of their way to feed stray kittens and puppies, patch up his wounds despite knowing he could heal, would ever spout such detailed threats towards another person.
He didn’t give two shits about what people said about him that he hasn’t heard before, he had long grown immune to ignore the comments from those who didn’t know him nor his past. Yet he couldn’t help but revel in the look of surprise on the persons face the words left your lips, chuckling softly at the countless possible thoughts that must be running through their head in that moment.
It was always the sweetest people that everyone was the least suspicious about, it was near enough impossible to fathom that they were capable of hurting anyone.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing is what described you best in this moment as Blade watched you with new found interest. He found this side of you rather exciting and wanted nothing more than to help you hone in on this side of you and use it to your advantage; Yet he found another part of himself wanting to be the one inciting violence, as he refuses you to tread the same path he did, he wouldn’t allow it.
After all he was the weapon.
He was the one stained in the blood of others.
He was the one that inflicted pain onto others and himself and it was something he will continue to do until death was finally granted to him in whatever form that may be. Blade will refuse you from ever embracing that side of yourself if it meant sending you on a projectory much like his own.
You were his light in the dark for a reason and while it was reassuring to know that you had what it took to fight back, Blade would much rather be the one to fight instead and to be the one to keep your hands clean of blood and violence overall.
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I like how Jason's reputation amongst the gods kind of cements his character as a dutiful leader. I know most ppl don't like the fact that he's all goody goody, but it really fits his arc well, and i like reading about it. it's one of the things about Jason that Rick didn't fumble. He was consistent with his character being dutiful and noble till the very end and makes it a point to show that through others perception.
Zeus- Okay he's a horrible dad, but he did initially respect his son (before jason opposed him in front of the gods, that kinda warped his ego) even going as far as to saying that he was proud to have him as a son and stuff. Which was a pretty ooc thing for Zeus to do especially to his sons. Too bad it only lasted for a few seconds before he went back to being bitchy.
Hera- Jason changed her perception of demigods, we know Hera hated all demigods bc half of them are sired by her husband, she wanted to use jason as a pawn to Gaia's defeat. But all those times she treated jason as her champion, she ended up actually caring about him and considered him a son. She mourned and cried about Jason MONTHS after he died, even going as far as to yell at her husband for not caring or grieving about the child that HE sired.
Apollo- self explanatory, Jason stood up for Apollo from the very beginning, and ended up dying for his sake, even when didn't have to do that. Jason made Apollo understand to have empathy for humans ("Remember what it's like to be human") and made Apollo stop being so full of himself with his selfless sacrifice. So apollo is the Olympian who has the most amount of respect for Jason. And made sure that Jason's sacrifice would not be in vain.
Artemis- if you go to the official Riordan wiki fanpage for Artemis, it's mentioned that Percy and Jason were two of the only male demigods that she had immense respect for. She mentally thanked Jason for standing up to Zeus for Apollo. Of course, being Thalia's brother could also give jason browny points aswell lol.
Athena- She seemed to respect Jason's wisdom in blood of Olympus, when he told his dad that it was unwise to punish apollo for Gaia's waking. Well know Athena respects anyone who has shown wisdom. She shot Jason a very approving look. So it's nice that Athena, who is very critical and picky, observed that Jason is a well thought out and insightful individual.
Aphrodite- kind of self explanatory too, she called jason a lovely boy in piper's dream, even alluding that jason needed absolutely no physical improvement in his looks aswell. I know this has nothing to do with Jason's dutifulness but Aphrodite can sense a person's heart and nature, and she immediately thought jason was perfect for her daughter even before they started dating. We know how picky Aphrodite is when it comes to who people date lol
Bacchus/Dionysus- We know that Bacchus had somewhat remembered Jason (calling him John green and all lol) because jason had done services for him (something about a leopard, iforgot lol). And annabeth pointed out that it was a good thing that jason and Bacchus were on fairly good terms. So there's that.
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laxmiree · 9 months
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[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Blooming Amidst Turbulent Desires MQ translation
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️
This post contains a detailed spoiler for a MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~
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[Warning]: The content of this MQ is pretty explicit and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.
As Lucien speaks, he raises his hand under my gaze and meticulously unbuttons the topmost button.
In the faint and elusive light and shadow, his slender neck and collarbone gradually reveal themselves, following the movements of his fingertips and the downward opening of his collar.
Lucien, as if completely unaware, raises his hand and casually winds the work badge around his wrist, tightening it leisurely.
“As you can see, I can't move freely right now.”
‘‘So, would you say I'm cooperative enough like this?”
[Note: This time I haven’t had time to subtitle due to acads and research stuff. I’ll do subtitle later when I have time, for now I’ll just post the transcript to quench ppl curiousity lol. If you want to follow along the voice acting you can follow here]
[Exclusive Radio- Longing for Returning Home]
Conference Participant: Professor Lucien... Professor Lucien, please stay!
Lucien: Hm? Is there something you need from me?
Conference Participant: Just heard from other professors, did you book the earliest flight back home on the day the conference ends?
Lucien: Yes, that's correct. Is there anything else related to the conference that I need to be involved in afterward?
Conference Participant: No, it's just that I feel it's a pity for you to leave in such a hurry.
Conference Participant: Granada can be considered a famous tourist destination. It's a rare opportunity to come here, so why not appreciate the scenery?
Conference Participant: Why don't you join other professors and explore the local area for a few more days? I'd be happy to extend my hospitality to you as a host.
Lucien: Thank you for your kind intentions. It's just that due to our respective business travel arrangements, my girlfriend and I haven't seen each other for a long time.
Lucien: When we were talking just now, we discussed our itineraries. She will be returning to our home country a few days before me. By the time the conference is over, she should be waiting for me at home.
Lucien: Being by her side is more relaxing for me than traveling around.
Conference Participant: Girlfriend? Oh, is it the person who messaged you during dinner today?
Conference Participant: Haha, no wonder you looked at your phone in a good mood and even took photos of the churros on the table from different angles.
Conference Participant: So, you were taking those pictures for her, huh?
Lucien: (chuckles) You caught me… Um, she's curious about the snack.
Lucien: It's a pity that I can't bring a portion back for her to taste.
Conference Participant: Indeed, freshly fried items like that don't hold up well during long-distance transportation. However, there are other local souvenirs you can bring back from the area.
Conference Participant: I remember some shops are selling hand-painted tea sets and unique patterned textiles... They are very popular among girls.
Lucien: (in an interested tone) Is that so…
Lucien: Can you send me the address of the shops you just mentioned?
Lucien: If I have some free time during the conference in the next few days, I'd like to go and take a look.
Conference Participant: No problem, I will send it to you shortly.
Conference Participant: Ah, originally I was planning to be the spokesperson for a few other professors, and we were all going to travel together for a few days.
Conference Participant: Seeing you like this, I won't continue to persuade you anymore.
Lucien: Indeed, when the heart longs to return*, it's hard to stay for long.
(T/N: "归心似箭" is an idiom that literally translates to "the heart returns like an arrow." It is used to describe the strong longing and eagerness to return home or to a familiar place. It expresses his sentiment of wanting to go back to her, his 'home' where he truly belongs and feels comfortable 🥺)
Lucien: When we have the opportunity in the future, I will come back to Granada with her and explore the scenery and cuisine here.
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[Part 1]
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The taxi speeds along the cobblestone streets of Granada, passing through the dappled light and shadow beneath the palm leaves.
Moving forward, the outline of a hotel in the distance gradually becomes clear. The colored mosaic wall reflects a bright luster in the sunlight.
I compare it with the photo on my phone and feel pleasantly surprised. I give a thumbs-up to the driver beside me.
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MC: You're amazing! That's the hotel!
The driver raises his eyebrows in satisfaction, smoothly turning the steering wheel. I switch back to the chat interface, suppressing my excitement as I look at the message just sent by Lucien.
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Lucien's message: "If I remember correctly, you are finishing work and returning from Finland today, right?"
MC's reply: "Yes, I'm currently checking in for the flight with my colleagues. How about you? How much longer until you return home?"
Lucien's message: "Very soon. The conference has entered its final stage, and it will end within the next two or three days."
MC's reply: "Sigh, it's been almost a month since we last saw each other. Even two or three days feel so long…"
I switch to a music app and deliberately share a sad love song with a mournful melody.
I imagine him in front of the screen, raising his eyebrows with a slightly helpless expression, and I hold back a laugh as I step out of the taxi.
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As I walk, my fingertips slide across the screen, searching for the room number he had told me during our previous conversation. Suddenly, a notification for a new message pops up.
Lucien's message: "Mm, I also really want to see you."
My heart suddenly becomes soft. As soon as the elevator door slides open, I eagerly walk towards the corridor and stop in front of the door of room 1609.
I suppress my quickening heartbeat and knock on the door, then speak in a rough and hoarse voice.
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MC: Good afternoon sir, room service.
When he opens the door and sees me, Lucien should briefly be taken aback, then call out my name and hug me, right?
As if in response to this speculation, the next second, the familiar voice slowly but steadily emerges from the room.
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Lucien: The door is open. Come in please.
MC: (suprised)….
While this makes it more convenient, how can this person have no sense of caution? I must remind him properly later.
With these thoughts in mind, I gently lift the suitcase and hold my breath as I push open the heavy room door.
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The bright and spacious suite exudes tranquility, and the gauze curtains gently sway by the floor-to-ceiling window. I quickly scan the room but don't see the familiar figure I've been yearning for day and night.
I place the suitcase against the wall and am about to walk towards the inner area when suddenly, I hear a familiar voice from behind me.
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Lucien: I've been waiting for you for a long time.
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With his words, warm arms envelop me. The familiar scent embraces me from behind, instantly wrapping me in a hug.
I let out a surprised gasp and felt the softness of his hair brushing against my neck, causing a slight itching sensation.
In his usually calm voice, now there's an unmistakable sense of joy that can't be ignored.
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Lucien: (playfully) So, this hotel even has such thoughtful room service, huh?
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[Part 2]
Upon hearing his voice, my heart seemed to be filled with light and joyful happiness all of a sudden.
I smile and release the handle of the suitcase, swiftly turning around and throwing myself into this long-lost embrace.
The hand around my waist tightens imperceptibly. Lucien's nose gently nestles itself in my hair, and he lets a barely audible sigh.
The shadows of the trees sway in the tranquil room. Neither of us speaks as if we want to make up for the time apart over the past month through this wholehearted embrace.
After a moment, I finally raise my head and look into his slightly brightened eyes.
MC: I had planned to give you a surprise! How did you guess that it was me who came?
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Lucien tilts his head slightly, indicating for me to look at the Bluetooth earphones in his ear.
Lucien: I was just about to play the song you sent me and carefully "appreciate" it, but unexpectedly, it automatically connected to another device.
Lucien: So, I guessed you must be nearby.
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MC: Damn it, I can't believe I was caught at the last moment because of such a small detail.
(T/N: "功亏一篑" is an idiom that means to fail at the last moment due to a minor mistake or oversight. It describes a situation where one's efforts fall short of success, often due to a small oversight or mistake, after putting in a lot of effort up until that point.)
I playfully raise my hand in a mock expression of displeasure, and Lucien cooperatively lowers his head, his slender eyebrows slightly curved.
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Lucien: But I feel that no matter how it happens, your presence itself is already enough of a surprise.
MC: (laughs) Professor Lucien, you're getting better and better at coaxing me aren’t you?
As I say this, I reach out and ruffle his hair. Lucien doesn't get up; instead, he leans closer and gazes at my cheek.
Lucien: Weren't you supposed to return to our home country with the team today? How come you came to Granada on your own?
MC: You know the answer already... What do you think?
I let out a soft hum and coquettishly poke Lucien's arm.
MC: I had to take a connecting flight from Finland because there were no direct flights. After landing, I took a long taxi ride to find this hotel.
MC: I must say, it's really difficult to meet Professor Lucien in person.
Lucien holds my hand and nods earnestly.
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Lucien: Mm, it is indeed very challenging. (playfully faking a sigh) What should I do, how to reward this hardworking Miss Producer who traveled from afar?
I look around and point to the soft-looking sofa by the window.
MC: Then, I want to ask the Great Professor to accompany me to lie down for a while. My waist is sore after traveling for such a long time-!
Before I can even exclaim in surprise, Lucien swiftly picks me up in his arms. The next second, we both sink into the sofa bathed in the scent of sunlight.
I laugh and sit up, using one hand to support myself against his chest.
MC: (laughs happily) You're pulling a sneak attack!
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Lucien: (laughs softly) What sneak attack, I've only learned a thing or two from Teacher MC.
As Lucien speaks, he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, and I take the opportunity to intertwine my fingers with his. I gaze at the person beneath me, lost in my own thoughts.
Even though we video call every few days, being this close and gazing at each other, I can still sense some subtle changes.
His cheeks seem a little thinner; I wonder if it's due to not liking the food or being too busy to eat properly.
His hair has grown longer, now covering his eyebrows when lying down like this. Under his eyes... there seems to be a faint shadow of dark circles.
I can't help but put down my smile, and my hand gently brushes against the area under his eyes.
MC: (displeased) You even have dark circles... Didn't you say the conference was entering its final stage? Why aren't you resting properly?
Lucien: It was only the introduction of new topics that had come to an end, and the information left over from the previous meeting needed to be summarised.
Lucien: We still need to make good use of the time before the wrap-up.
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MC: So do you still have work scheduled for today?
Lucien: Um, there is still much experimental data to compare. After summarizing the results, I must submit the analysis report to the organizers before ten o'clock.
MC: Is that so? I had hoped to hug you a little longer... Sigh, I guess I'll have to watch work take you away again.
I glance at the remaining time, reluctantly about to get up, but Lucien shows no intention of letting me go.
The hand around my waist tightens a little more, making me bend my elbow and get even closer to him.
As soon as I get closer, his warm lips follow, gently and affectionately kissing from the sensitive curve of my ear to my cheek.
Unable to resist the tickling sensation, I laugh and tilt my head slightly, trying to evade. The next second, Lucien firmly holds my jaw with a little dissatisfied expression.
Lucien: (gasps and whispers hoarsely) MC, don't hide…
With a hoarse voice near my ear, his cool and slender fingers caress my neck, slowly trailing upwards with an irresistible hint.
Wet and deep kisses accompany his movements, falling on my body like drizzle.
I clench the corner of his clothes tightly, unconsciously tilting my head back, feeling the sunlight reflected off the glass flash before my eyes.
I close my eyes, and it seems like my mind is also becoming hazy in this intense heat.
It isn't until the curtain hanging above us brushes against my face that I finally come to my senses. I take a breath and push Lucien's shoulder as if waking him up.
MC: W-Wait a moment.
Lucien: (breathless, in a hoarse and somewhat dazed voice) …Huh?
Lucien's dark eyes are filled with turbulent depth, and his hair is slightly damp. The actions of his hands don't stop; as if he is about to lean down again the next second.
I try to push his shoulder harder, my breath slightly unsteady as I speak.
MC: Didn't you just say that there is still a lot of data to organize and summarize?
MC: ...Then, now... shouldn't we…?
Lucien: (still trying to steady his breath) Mm.
Lucien responds vaguely, his lips still lingering on the side of my neck.
Lucien: (whispers very lowly in a clingy tone) But right now... I can't bear to let you go.
The intimate bewitchment leaves me feeling dizzy. I try to hold on to what little rationality I have left and tilt my head up to peck his nose.
MC: If Professor Lucien is going to be this unreasonable, I seriously need to consider whether I should continue creating these "surprises" in the future.
Lucien tightens his lips, a hint of leniency and resignation flashing across his face. I button up my disheveled collar, smiling as I stand up from the sofa and nuzzle against his neck.
MC: (smiles) We still have a few more days to spend together, there's no need to rush…
MC: But I'll be here working with you~ After you're done with your busy work, we can go out and have a delicious meal!
I say as I walk to the luggage. After a moment, the sound of the sofa rubbing against the floor finally emerges.
Only then do I sit next to him, gently holding my notebook. I casually place a pillow behind my back and begin browsing through my work notes from the past few days.
Perhaps it's because I'm by his side, I feel like I'm back at home, and without realizing it, I become more relaxed and at ease.
After flipping another page, I lazily adjusted to a more comfortable position, and one of my feet habitually rested on his leg.
The room falls silent for a moment, with only occasional faint sounds of paper rustling. After a while, Lucien suddenly speaks my name in a low voice.
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Lucien: MC.
I respond absentmindedly, my eyes still fixed on the screen. The voice by my ear pauses briefly, seemingly carrying a hint of helplessness.
Lucien: Do you want to go inside and wait for me?
MC: Hey, did I disturb you? But I haven't even made much noise.
I don't understand, so I lift my head from the screen and notice Lucien's eyes flickering unusually. Suddenly, I grasp what's happening.
A mischievous idea springs up. I lift my heels and move along the long legs hugged by his trousers.
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MC: You haven't said the reason why you suddenly 'asked me to leave' yet.
Through the firm fabric, the legs beneath my tiptoes seem to tense for a moment. I persistently speak up, refusing to relent.
MC: Did I really 'disturb you? Professor Lucien, could it be that you can't even resist this level of 'temptation'?
MC: Oh, this won't do~ When doing research, you must stay focused. How can you let yourself get distracted by a little bee that tests your self-control?
With those words, my tiptoes press on his leg, watching as Lucien bites his lip, and I can't help but curl up the corners of my mouth.
Having witnessed his usual ease, the sight of him struggling to restrain himself now makes me tempted to tease him further... Unfortunately, it's not the right moment.
However, being able to see him so openly longing is enough to satisfy me.
I close my notes, intending to leave as soon as I can, and am about to do so when he suddenly grabs my ankle.
Lucien's voice seems a little hoarse, and his fingertips are caressing gently.
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Lucien: (whispers hoarsely) My teacher's "lesson" is indeed something.
Lucien: (x2) In terms of concentration, I indeed still have much to learn.
Lucien: (x3!!) So, (chuckle) can MC teach me how to do it?
His voice seems to carry a certain bewitchment. My breath catches for a moment, but I quickly snap out of it.
He's setting another trap, waiting for me to step into it willingly.
I let out a light snort in my heart. I pretend to take the bait and place my hand on his face.
MC: Of course, I can. However, I believe in tailoring my teaching to the individual, so I need to have a basic understanding of the student's situation first.
MC: Tell me, how far can you restrain yourself when facing my advances? And what would your reactions be at different levels of the advances?
Lucien holds my hand on his cheek, and lightly rubs against it, as if teasingly.
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Lucien: This is a bit challenging for me.
Lucien: (chuckle) After all, when faced with your 'invitation', I seem to have never tried to resist.
I let out a long "oh," my voice softening a bit.
MC: They say learning requires understanding things thoroughly. Since there are things I don't understand, I have to figure them out.
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Lucien: So, how does Teacher MC want to conduct this research?
I lock eyes with Lucien for a moment, then suddenly withdraw my fingertips from his hand, leaning forward to lightly peck his lips.
Before he can react, I quickly get up from the sofa and take two steps back, smiling mischievously as I speak.
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MC: How about we conduct a little experiment~ Let me see how self-controlled Professor Lucien can be when he gets serious.
MC: I will adjust the variables to obtain accurate results. After all, as your special assistant, I've also accumulated a lot of experience and knowledge.
MC: Then, the experiment of an intern professor officially begins now. I kindly request this gentleman to cooperate accordingly.
MC: As for this special report, I will definitely record it diligently~
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[Part 2-Intertwined Memory]
=Flashback, Narrator POV=
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In the afternoon sunlight, there's a hazy and drowsy warmth floating around.
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The cicadas are buzzing loudly, but Lucien seems completely unaware as he browses through the continuous stream of data. Other than the movements of his fingertips while flipping through the materials, he remains almost motionless at the desk.
Until the sound of a text message, like a small pebble, broke the frozen silence.
MC: "Yes, I'm currently checking in for the flight with my colleagues. How about you? How much longer until you return home?"
Looking at the message from the girl, Lucien's expression softened subconsciously. Thinking about the schedule that still had two or three more days to go, he lets out a light sigh.
When he realizes his actions just now, he pauses for a moment.
...It's strange. Whether for himself or the girl, business trips have become routine. He shouldn't feel this kind of helplessness.
Being separated from her just feels like something he can't get used to, no matter what.
After pondering for a moment, he replies in a composed tone, detailing the upcoming work arrangements.
However, he can't help but continue scrolling through the photos the girl had sent during their previous chat, not putting down the phone just yet.
She pointed at the reindeer statue behind her, her eyes shining as she looked at the camera; the photo of her holding up her unappetizing work lunch, making a distressed expression and sticking out her tongue.
The last picture is of the entrance to the Arctic Museum, with a caption that read, "If you were here, I'm sure I could understand more clearly."
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Lucien's lips unconsciously raised upwards, and his fingertips gently stroke the phone screen.
During the days they hadn't seen each other, it seemed that the girl's life had experienced many exciting moments.
Even though they chatted every day and occasionally shared interesting experiences through video calls, he still felt it wasn't enough.
Having grown accustomed to the girl's company, this time their parting feels exceptionally long. The fleeting moments shared through digital communication can't fill the missing hole left behind.
Lucien purses his lips and gently places the phone on the table.
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Just wait a little longer... When they meet again in a few days, he is determined to embrace her and listen to her happily recount all the moments she didn't have a chance to share.
Ding.
The notification sound rings again. The girl sends a sentimental love song—a melodramatic tune with a cliché title "Golden Song of the Year."
Imagining her acting sorrowful, Lucien can't help but curve his lips and replies with a "Mm, I miss you too."
Afterward, he takes out the Bluetooth earphones from the case, intending to listen to her spontaneous sharing. As his gaze unintentionally sweeps across his phone screen, he suddenly freezes.
...there is no indication of a connection on the screen.
These earphones seem to have automatically paired with another device.
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Lucien instinctively holds his breath, carefully listening to the sounds outside the room. Soon, he hears familiar footsteps in the corridor, precisely stopping at the door.
In the next moment, the heavy door is knocked on. Someone deliberately lowers their voice and speaks in a rough manner, "Good Afternoon, sir, room service."
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It's her.
His heartbeat seems to quicken involuntarily. Lucien stands up from the desk and walks lightly towards the door.
As he walks, that missing hole seems to be suddenly filled by some intangible presence, gurgling and flowing gently.
The warm breeze in Granada lifts a soft corner of the curtain, and the vibrant colors of summer flood into the room.
Lucien: The door is open. Come in please.
Lucien heard himself speak.
=Flashback and Narrator POV END=
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[Part 3]
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I walk quickly to the inner room, hook the door handle with my hand, and slowly close the door, blocking the view behind me.
I hold my breath and listen carefully through the gap in the door. After a moment of silence, the sound of paper flipping resumes. It seems that Lucien has started working again.
I comfortably lie down on the lounge chair and continue to look at my notes. Occasionally, I raise my head to glance in the direction of the balcony outside.
The soft curtains gently sway with the breeze, concealing the figure in the living room from my view.
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Is Lucien currently working diligently? If I don't do anything, how long will it take for him to knock on this door?
I retract my gaze and ponder with interest. In the warm afternoon breeze, I lazily flip to the next page of the data.
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As the sunlight slowly moves to the west, the steaming heat gradually dissipates. When I raise my head again, I realize that the sky has darkened.
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*sexy bgm playing*
I walk to the balcony and notice that the lights are on in the living room, casting a shadow of Lucien on the gauze curtain. I yawn and glance at my phone.
The afternoon has passed since the announcement of the experiment, yet there hasn't been a knock on the door. I haven't even received a message from Lucien.
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MC: Huh? When you get serious, you actually have quite a strong willpower.
I squinted my eyes as I looked at the shadow cast on the gauze curtain. It seems that it's time to introduce some "bait" as the experiment's variable.
After contemplating for a moment, I unhurriedly send him a message.
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MC's message: "Is the work still going smoothly~"
I spin a pen around my fingers, and soon enough, my phone receives a reply.
Lucien's reply: "Mm, I've already read most of it."
MC's message: "So, Professor Lucien is quite efficient when I'm not around, huh."
MC's message: "Speaking of which, would sending text messages disturb you?"
On the other end of the screen, Lucien seems to have pondered seriously for a moment before replying.
Lucien's reply: "If only seeing the text, it seems to be manageable."
Oh~ that means there might be a little ripple in his heart, but not so much. Come to think of it, we do indeed communicate more frequently through voice calls.
If I were to use 'voice' to entice him, what would his reaction be?
MC's message: "I'll be relieved then~ However, it's almost 9 o'clock now. How much longer will it be until you can rest with me?"
The name in the chat box is replaced by "Typing..." A moment later, a new message alert sounds again.
Lucien's reply: "It will take some more time to process the remaining data. You can go ahead and rest."
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MC's message: "But I'm having trouble falling asleep Q.Q How about letting me listen to the sound of you working? It can serve as a soothing white noise to help me sleep."
After a moment, Lucien's voice dialed in, his calm voice is accompanied by the sound of pages flipping.
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Lucien: (in a calm yet a bit wronged tone) I thought a certain Miss Professor who's immersed in the experiment wouldn't come to see me today.
MC: Haha, actually, I was planning to just sleep like that. But…
MC: Thinking that you're so close to me, I feel a little unwilling to give in to sleep.
Lucien's breathing seems to have slowed down a bit, but he still speaks calmly and unhurriedly.
Lucien: Alright, rest assured and take your time. We don't have to rush things, after all, we still have several days to spend together, don't we?
...This person has quite a good memory.
(lol he 'jabs' her back with the same sentence that she said earlier 😂)
I silently curl the corners of my lips and casually respond as if nothing happened.
MC: Indeed, that makes sense. Oh well, don't mind me anymore, just focus on your work~
Lucien responds with a sound but doesn't say anything further. On the other end of the phone, the sound of flipping pages resumes.
The rustling sound mixed with faint breathing noise echoes in my ears, like the evening breeze brushing through the drooping branches. I lift my fingertips, tracing the shadow cast on the window.
MC: Lucien, actually I've been thinking about how to spend this evening with you since several days ago.
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Lucien: Hmm? (chuckles, and then whispers seductively) What have you imagined?
I chuckle softly and shift to a more comfortable position, leaning against the railing.
MC: ...Many things. Um, so many things.
MC: I heard this place is famous for its night views, and many hotels have private outdoor baths.
MC: Embracing each other under the cover of night, watching the flickering lights on the water's surface... It should be a very cozy and romantic experience.
MC: Or maybe like our previous trip, getting close under the moonlight, sharing a glass of red wine, and then…
I let out a soft sigh, as if recalling the lingering and intoxicating kisses from that night.
The sound of flipping pages on the other end of the phone stopped at some point. I turn my head with interest and speak softly.
MC: Do you really have to work on your report until so late tonight?
MC: After being apart for so long... I really miss you.
The shadow cast on the gauze curtain seems to pause for a moment, and an unspoken understanding silently flows between us by our ears.
When he speaks again, Lucien's tone is subtly deeper than before.
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Lucien: (his voice noticeably deeper and a bit hoarse) This lady has quite a gift for teasing people, even more so than I had imagined.
MC: (pretending to be dumb)...Why suddenly bring that up? I just wanted to chat with you, that's all.
Lucien: (slowly whispers) Is that so? It seems like I misunderstood then.
Lucien: (whispers with even lower and more hoarse voice) I originally thought this was an observational experiment with escalating variables.
I lazily raise my tone at the end of my sentence.
MC: Can't it be both? While I do want to conduct the experiment, I also want to tell you the truth.
MC: Don't you have anything to tell me right now?
The shadow on the gauze curtain gently sways with the breeze, and Lucien seems to chuckle softly.
Lucien: (chuckles softly) For example?
MC: For example... "Miss Professor, I want to terminate this experiment early because I miss you very much too."
MC: However, I only accept applications submitted in person.
I hang up the phone before Lucien can say anything else, feeling intrigued as I gaze in the direction outside.
Will this door be knocked on tonight?
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[Part 4]
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The warm morning light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the balcony, drenching the room with harmonious light and shadow.
I sit in front of the dressing table, lost in thought as I tidy my clothes and glance at the door that remains unknocked. I purse my lips slightly.
I pick up the notebook and write the word "physical contact" next to "sound".
Dealing with this cunning person, it seems like it's time to further upgrade the variables.
If I "tempt" him a little today, he'll probably cross that boundary, won't he? After all, yesterday he seemed reluctant to let me go on the sofa.
As I'm reminiscing about the unfinished 'embrace', I suddenly hear a knock on the door behind me, and the door is gently pushed open.
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Lucien leans against the door, smiling as he meets my gaze through the mirror. There seems to be nothing unusual in his expression.
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Lucien: Breakfast has arrived, do you want to eat together?
MC: Coming right up!
I take three quick steps and grab the hem of his clothes, leading him toward the outer room while teasing him as I speak.
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MC: Let me guess, it's not black coffee with bread again, is it?
Lucien: Of course not. I had the hotel prepare some local churros for us. I remember that you mentioned being curious about its taste in our previous conservation.
Lucien then speaks as his gaze falls on my ear.
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Lucien: (chuckle) Your earring seems to be slightly askew.
I blink belatedly. I'm about to raise my hand to adjust it when suddenly I think of something and naturally glance at Lucien.
MC: But I can't see the angle at which the earring is askew... Could you please help me adjust it, Professor Lucien?
I step forward and see Lucien nods as he bends down toward me.
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Lucien: Mm, I'd be happy to help.
The warmth of his fingertips reaches my earlobe as the slightly cool earring rotates in my ear piercing. I tilt my head slightly and hear a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Lucien: The clasp design is quite intricate, so don't move around too much for now.
MC: It's just a little disturbance, it should be fine, right?
I smile and lean closer to him, almost feeling the warmth of his breath brushing against my face. The hand near my ear seems to pause for a moment.
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MC: Why don't you continue?
The temperature in the air quietly rises amidst the tranquility, his figure silhouetted against the morning light, enveloping me within.
My ear is gently caressed as if by an elusive touch. I gaze into Lucien's deepening eyes, anticipating the kiss that may descend at any moment.
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But in the next second, Lucien loosens his fingertips.
Lucien: Hmm, it's all adjusted now.
Amidst my astonished gaze, Lucien straightens up and calmly walks to the dining table. It's as if that momentary flash of action was just my imagination.
I hide my inner astonishment and sit across from Lucien with a calm expression, but my mind is racing with thoughts.
Strange, why does he seem so nonchalant as if nothing happened…
The long-awaited delicacies seem to have lost their appetizing flavor. I stir the juice absentmindedly, not noticing the fleeting smile that appeared on Lucien's face.
After a while, the person in front of me calmly puts down the fork.
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Lucien: Weren't you curious about the taste of churro for a long time? Why does it seem like your interest is lacking now?
Lucien: Did you try it and find that it doesn't suit your taste?
MC: ....Haha, maybe I ate too many snacks on the way yesterday.
Lucien: Have some juice first. There's still some work to do at the seminar, I'll head to the reference room first.
MC: So soon... Take it easy. I'll be waiting for you to come back.
I say it while casually adjusting his tie. It's only when I hear the sound of the door closing that I slowly withdraw my gaze.
The variable has already been upgraded from "voice", but Lucien hasn't shown a more noticeable reaction than last night.
Could it be that this light and fleeting "physical contact" wasn't enough? Or is this person deliberately acting like nothing happened?
As I ponder, I set the cup down and suddenly catch a glimpse of a badge lying in the corner of the dining table. Picking it up, I find it contains Lucien's job title and other information.
MC: ...Conference badge? Did he accidentally drop it?
I quickly stand up, ready to return the badge to the conference venue, but suddenly, I pause, as if realizing something.
Then I turn around and go back to the room, putting on the new long dress I bought.
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The hotel's architectural structure is far more complex than I had imagined.
With the guidance of several staff members, I finally navigate through the maze of stairs and find the corner where the reference room is located.
The bright corridor is empty, with no one in sight, and occasionally, I can hear faint footsteps in the distance, but they never come close. I withdraw my gaze and gently push open the door in front of me.
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The air seems to be infused with the subtle scent of books. The dark metal chandelier and the light wooden bookshelves work together to create a bright and clean atmosphere.
As expected, there is no one in the reference room at this moment. I tread lightly, passing through the light and shadows cast by the rows of bookshelves until I finally spot Lucien in the corner.
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He is dressed in a cold white lab coat, sitting on a chair, his gaze lowered as he flips through something. His slender fingers occasionally brush over the yellowed pages.
The eyes and eyebrows that are usually slightly curved when facing me are now focused and carry a distant coldness that keeps others to remain at a respectful distance.
Perhaps it's because I haven't seen Lucien in work mode for a long time, I couldn't help but stop in my tracks and silently watch him for a moment before finally walking over.
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Noticing the sound behind him, Lucien casually raises his eyes to look. He seems somewhat surprised and lets out a soft "Hm?". The expression in his eyes instantly softens.
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Lucien: How did you find your way here?
MC: I came to deliver something to a certain careless professor~
I smiled and waved the work badge in my hand, walking briskly to his side while also glancing around the area.
An extensive collection of anatomical diagrams and texts, medical tools, and X-ray films emitting a cold glow... I withdrew my gaze and curiously asked.
MC: Is this conference related to medicine?
Lucien sets the work badge aside and naturally takes my hand in his.
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Lucien: Mm, it mainly focuses on the application of neuroscience in rehabilitation medicine.
Lucien: Local scholars have proposed many ideas in the direction of neural circuits. After exchanging our research progress, we are considering jointly publishing new research findings.
MC: Indeed, sparks are more likely to fly when minds collide~ But why is it that only you are here?
Lucien: The locals are accustomed to having a chat at the dining table after finishing their meal. Since mealtime has just passed, it will take some time before they're coming over.
I nod thoughtfully, keenly picking up on a message — which means, no one will come to disturb us right now.
I respond with an "Oh" and curiously open my mouth to speak.
MC: By the way, we haven't really talked much about your research in this area.
MC: Neuroscience and rehabilitative medicine... Does that mean helping patients recover through certain brain activities?
Lucien: The brain and body are naturally coordinated through interactions to maintain dynamic stability in various basic physiological indicators.
Lucien: Many physiological phenomena are influenced by the central nervous system. Similarly, they can also reflect the state of the human brain and even cognition.
Lucien: If you're curious, I can use heart rate as an example to give a simple explanation.
As Lucien speaks, he casually picks up a stethoscope from the medical kit in the corner. I calmly stroke my chest, but suddenly feel nervous.
If Lucien hears my rapidly beating heart right now, he will probably notice that I'm plotting something…
MC: ...Let me do it! It will leave a deeper impression if I do it myself~
I say as I pick up another stethoscope. I notice Lucien raises an eyebrow and his eyes slightly curve.
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Lucien: Not only do I have to be MC's teacher, but I also have to play the role of teaching aid?
MC: Talented people should take on more responsibilities, so I'll trouble you a bit~
As if accepting my words, Lucien obediently leans back on the chair, watching me with interest as I put on the stethoscope.
Just as I'm about to place the stethoscope against his chest, he suddenly extends his hand and I stop him.
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MC: Please, Mr. Teaching Aid, stay still and don't move around.
Lucien: Don't misunderstand, I just want to minimize any factors that might affect your auscultation.
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As Lucien speaks, he raises his hand under my gaze and meticulously unbuttons the topmost button.
The sound of the buttons coming undone is barely audible in the confined space.
Like a small electric current passing from my auditory nerves to my chest, my heartbeat accelerates uncontrollably.
In the faint and elusive light and shadow, his slender neck and collarbone gradually reveal themselves, following the movements of his fingertips and the downward opening of his collar.
The air in the cramped information room carries a sense of warmth and stuffiness, there seems to be a hint of humidity reflected in his eyes. His jet-black bangs stick moistly to his head.
In the silence, a bead of sweat drips down his jaw, landing silently in the shallow valley that rises and falls with his breath, only to be absorbed by the damp fabric.
I exhale.
The electric currents entwined around my heart suddenly transform into a hidden flame. I can almost hear my breath slowing down as I tighten my grip on the stethoscope head.
Lucien, as if completely unaware, raises his hand and casually winds the work badge around his wrist, tightening it leisurely.
His cold white lab coat is disheveled, and the tie that was neatly adjusted when he left is now loosely hanging around his neck.
Yet, he calmly gazes at me, his tone still carrying a meticulousness that makes one want to break through.
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Lucien: As you can see, I can't move freely right now.
Lucien: So, would you say I'm cooperative enough like this?
MC: ...It’s enough!!
As if trying to conceal my increasingly rapid heartbeat, I press the stethoscope against his chest, moving it along the gently rising and falling chest.
Immediately, I hear the low and rhythmic sound filling my ears.
Lucien's voice sounds timely.
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Lucien: Did you hear anything?
I purse my lips without showing any emotion, trying my best to maintain a calm tone.
MC: Y-your heartbeat seems to be very fast... 81 beats per minute, is that a normal rate?
Lucien: Don't worry. Under the influence of special factors, a resting heart rate can approach around 100 beats per minute.
Lucien: (with his voice noticeably a bit hoarse and low in the end) The load brought on by exercise, changes in temperature, and the control of the autonomic nervous system... all of these can have an impact on the heart rate.
I seem to sense something and meet Lucien's gaze. His eyes look deep, as if a bit darker than usual.
But I feel like I've been scorched by flames, and my gaze involuntarily flickers. My instinct whispers softly in my ear, telling me that the person in front of me is not as calm as he appears to be.
Even though I don't feel thirsty, my throat involuntarily moves. I grip the stethoscope head, which has warmed up with his body temperature, and continue to slowly lower it.
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MC: But we haven't left the data room since a while ago, so we can probably rule out the first two factors.
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Lucien: Hm, a very keen deduction. What else?
I can hear the vigorous and rhythmic beats in my ears, almost in sync with the rhythm of my heart beating in my chest.
Lucien's lips curve up with a hint of praise, and his voice still carries a trace of unruffled calmness.
I casually take off the stethoscope. My knees press against the surface of the chair between his legs and move closer to him.
(...she gets on the chair👀)
Our breaths intertwine, and I can almost see my own reflection in his eyes.
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MC: Your pupils have dilated a bit, and the color of your eyes has deepened.
MC: From the physiological knowledge I know, there could be many possible reasons…
MC: But considering the earlier deduction and the current situation, it seems like there's only one conclusion.
Lucien seems to let out a very soft laugh, and his hands bound by the lanyard move slightly.
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Lucien: Speak out.
My fingertips slide into the tightening gap of the lanyard, pressing against his increasingly warm wrist.
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MC: Are you... trying to restrain yourself right now?
MC: Or should I say, you really want to do something right now?
The wrist that I'm touching moves, and the strong pulsations under my fingertips seem to be telling me the answer in advance.
A dangerous curve forms at the corner of Lucien's mouth, and his eyes look at me from bottom to top.
Lucien: (whispers hoarsely) If I say yes, what measures do you plan to take?
My fingertips skillfully hook and release the rope binding his wrist.
The sound of the work badge hitting the ground resonates. Amidst Lucien's sudden proximity and his intense gaze, I softly laugh and speak.
MC: This is my answer.
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[Part 4-Intertwined Memory]
(T/N: I KNOW y’all want to jump into the fun part but please read this part first so the next part will make more sense-)
=Flashback From Last Night=
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The darkness spreads across the skyline of a foreign land, and distant lights begin to twinkle one by one.
The gauze curtain flutters, and it seems like footsteps can be heard on the balcony outside, but it quickly falls back into silence.
I turn my head slightly, only to find that Lucien has quietly brushed aside the gauze curtain and is leaning against the door, looking at me in silence.
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In the flowing tranquility, ambiguity grows quietly like creeping vines. I tuck the strands of hair lifted by the night breeze behind my ear and gaze back into his eyes.
MC: At this hour... Professor Lucien, are you planning to submit an application to terminate the experiment early?
Lucien smiles and shakes his head.
Lucien: (chuckles) I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Miss Professor.
Lucien: I just thought that there are some special circumstances in the experiment, and perhaps we need to discuss them.
I raise an eyebrow and teasingly ask for more details.
MC: Is that so? How come I feel like you deliberately found an excuse to see me?
MC: If you change the experiment process without permission, be careful, I'll consider that as cheating.
Lucien's lips curl up with a hint of slyness, and he takes a step forward.
The warm airflow brushes against his bangs, revealing those deep eyes as dark as the night.
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Lucien: It's just a step-by-step progression, from hearing your voice to seeing you in person. Next, MC can continue upgrading from the current level.
Lucien: Or... are the variables you prepared ending here?
Under his smiling gaze, I choke for a moment but casually speak as if nothing happened.
MC: ...Hmph, of course not.
MC: Then do tell me, what are the circumstances you want to discuss with me?
Lucien nods and speaks seriously.
Lucien: In actual scientific research, there are several possibilities that may lead to the experiment being terminated prematurely, aside from the participants voluntarily withdrawing their applications.
MC: Hmm, I haven't heard you mention this before... For example?
Lucien: Insufficient rigor in the process, lack of experimental funding, missing key personnel... Of course, our experiment won't involve such complex factors.
Lucien: Excluding all of the above, there is only one situation that needs to be avoided.
A hint of nervousness mixed with curiosity arises. I blink my eyes and instinctively ask for further clarification.
MC: What is it?
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Lucien: The experiment leader voluntarily announces giving up.
There seems to be a hint of implication in his low voice. I pause for a moment and then nod with understanding, shaking my index finger slightly.
MC: Professor Lucien is worrying too much~ In this self-control experiment, there won't be such a possibility occurring.
Lucien chuckles softly.
Lucien: At the beginning of any experiment, the experiment leader is filled with enthusiasm and belief. However, as it progresses, their mindset can unconsciously change.
Lucien: So I believe there's no need to rush to a conclusion... After all, you just said it yourself, that you really wanted to see me, right?
As he speaks, Lucien's body quietly draws closer. The night breeze is gentle, making the end of my hair caressing his face, as if there are some hidden thoughts entwined between us.
Even though we are still leaning on the railings of our respective rooms, I can't help but feel like he can hear the drumming heartbeat in my chest.
Lucien: I do have something I haven't told you yet.
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Lucien: Not just today, but every night since we parted... (whispers softly) I've been missing you.
My heartbeat suddenly quickens. Under his focused gaze, I try to distract myself by pinching my palm, attempting to appear nonchalant as I avert my gaze.
MC: Hearing this before going to bed, I think I can have sweet dreams tonight.
MC: But if you want me to give up, you'll have to try a little harder~ Good Night, Professor Lucien.
Lucien gazes at me intently for a moment, then sighs lightly and straightens his body.
Lucien: (chuckle) …Good night, MC.
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I nod and return to the room under Lucien's gaze. Calmly, I close the gauze curtain, then place my hand on my chest. My heartbeat is so fast that it feels like it could take flight.
I let out a sigh, half delighted and half annoyed, and bury my heated ears in the blanket.
What sweet dreams... Tonight, I probably won't be able to sleep.
[NOTE THAT, in this flashback Lucien is giving MC two choices that’ll available for her through the experiment, for MC to keep increasing the variables; or to stop the experiment by announcing that she's giving up with the experiment. And as you can see from part 3, MC still hasn't announced her surrender, only making it harder for Lucien to control himself by taking off the work badge. Since she hasn't announced her surrender, as far as both of them know the experiment still goes on, Lucien still needs to control himself, and she will increase the variable in the next part.]
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[Part 5]
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The air in the afternoon seems to be frozen in the silent gaze, with only the heat slowly spreading between us.
The heartbeat beneath my fingertips, the breath brushing against my face... everything about the person in front of me is telling me that he shares the same desires as I do.
I let out a sigh and dazedly gaze into Lucien's dark eyes. Suddenly, I feel a little regretful.
If we don't start this experiment, we would have more time to enjoy.
However, he's so smart that even if I don't say anything, he should have sensed my silent surrender, right? ...Then why doesn’t he 'respond' to me quickly?
I whispered in my heart, my high heels fell to the ground somewhere along the line and tangled with the pile of work badge.
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Lucien: MC….
Lucien didn't speak, he just softly murmured my name.
The hand gripping my waist is caressing and tightening, as if wanting to embed me in an embrace, yet also trying to stop my movements.
The voice by my ear is as low as a sigh, brushing against my crumbling rationality. I clutch onto his clothes and bite my lips in frustration.
[Note: to avoid CN censorship- the narrative doesn't describe her actions and focuses more on her thoughts as she increases the variables and makes advances, remember that from the previous part (Part 4) Lucien is sitting on a chair, and MC also get on it- Now his breath is brushing against her face, so they're now looking face-to-face, the high heels fell to the ground somewhere along the line, so she's been on his lap for quite… some time now. She's a bit frustrated that Lucien hasn't 'responded' to her 'movements' on his lap. To put it bluntly, she’s ‘riding’ him right now.]
At this moment, Lucien's phone suddenly rings with a notification sound.
A sudden clarity flashes through my hazy mind, and I instinctively turn my head to see "The Seminar Group invites you to join the voice conference" flashing on the screen.
MC: ….
As my drowsy rationality returns, I become aware of the burning sensation in my ears. Worried about what urgent work might be, I force myself* to lean forward and take the phone from the table, handing it to him.
(T/N: 强撑 means to force oneself to do something despite struggles or difficulties, and of course, she's struggling to lean forward and take the phone because she is 'stuck' on his d-)
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Lucien takes the phone with one hand, but the hand holding my waist doesn't let go. He softly shushes and casually taps on the screen.
The noisy voices suddenly come through the receiver, breaking the cramped silence.
Scholar A: ...I insist we need more evidence for this experiment.
Scholar B: It would be a waste of time..... Why do you keep quiet, Dr. Lucien?
Lucien: Keep going. I'm listening.
Despite saying so, his eyes are still stained by the tide and remain fixed on my face, as if he has no intention of letting me go.
I shake his unmoving arm, feeling slightly stifled by the situation.
Just a moment ago, he was acting all calm and unmoved, and now he's pulling and teasing me like this….
I lower my head with a hint of resentment, following the force on my waist as I go down and vent my frustration by biting him on the shoulder.
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I hear a restrained gasp near my ear as I take his phone a little further away and quickly lean in to whisper in Lucien's ear.
MC: Since you have important matters to attend to, I'll take my leave.
MC: ...Once again, I have to let work occupy you first.
Amid our conversation, footsteps echo in the hallway, getting closer and mingling with the intense discussion that sounds just like the one on the phone.
The scholars who haven't hung up the call seem to have arrived outside the reference room. I swiftly place the phone back into Lucien's hand and get down to pick up my high heels from the ground.
It seems like leaving now is not an option; at least, I have to tidy up our appearances before they come closer….
The next second, my waist is tightly embraced, and I fall back into the embrace behind me again.
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Lucien: I've been cooperating with MC's experiment... (whispers hoarsely) but is this as far as the variable changes go? Won't they continue any further?
His tone carries a casual yet dangerous smile. And as if responding to my previous retaliation, his scorching breath slowly trails up my shoulder.
This man is really…!
I lightly hum and give his shoulder a push.
MC: Let's talk about that later. Let me clean up first.
Lucien: No matter the reason, giving up halfway is not a good habit.
The sound of the door opening suddenly echoes, and the noise and footsteps from the corridor rush in. Separated by a dozen rows of bookshelves, I can almost see those approaching figures.
The restraint on my lower back shows no sign of loosening. I open my eyes slightly wider, and my tone finally becomes faster.
MC: Don't bully me, we won't make it in time…!
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Lucien: (whispers teasingly) Really? But MC was obviously very bold when she taught me just now.
Lucien: Bold enough... to make me want to watch a bit longer, to see how far your experiment will progress.
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As the words are spoken, the dark colors in my vision suddenly turn into a golden-red illuminated by sunlight. The footsteps that were close just a moment ago also disappear all of a sudden.
I snap back to reality and realize that the surroundings have turned into the rooftop at some point. I'm momentarily stunned and then realize that he has used Evol to take me away from the reference room.
The lush foliage reflects on Lucien's figure, and his eyes also flicker with changing light and shadow. His voice carries an unabashed smile.
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Lucien: I thought you knew I wouldn't let anyone else see what you just did.
MC: (blushing) ...You, you did it on purpose!
Saying this, my tense shoulders finally relax a bit. I take a deep breath and suddenly remember something.
MC: They must have something to discuss with you, right? Will leaving like this affect their work?
Lucien: Don't worry. The final stage is just a continuation of the discussion, and there won't be any new issues to address.
Lucien: Compared to that, what's happening right now is even more important.
I blink my eyes and hesitantly open my mouth to speak.
MC: What you mentioned, could it be the experiment between us that hasn't yielded any results yet?
Lucien gazes at me without confirming or denying anything, moving closer in my direction. Without getting an answer, a kiss descends upon me without any hesitation.
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It's as if the long-restrained emotions have finally found an outlet, his scorching lips moving passionately and entwining, and almost stealing all my breath away.
I have no choice but to part my lips, and the next second, Lucien takes advantage and delves even deeper, as if wanting to entangle and capture my tongue.
I find myself clinging to his neck, lifting my head as if surrendering to a hunter, feebly responding to this kiss.
Until I finally find a moment to catch my breath, I tilt my head away, struggling to open my mouth as if trying to gain more breathing space.
MC: Wait... this isn't scientific-
The embrace around my body seems to tremble. Lucien lifts his head, as if seeing through my intentions, his eyes filled with surprises and tinged with a sense of provocation. He shows me a rogue smile.
Lucien: ...Do we still need to discuss that experiment at this moment? Then let's continue.
Despite his words, he entangles me with a tidal-like kiss, voraciously devouring my words.
It seems like a layer of mist has clouded my vision, but I can't ignore the stirring of his fingers, so I can only beg softly for mercy.
MC: (blushing) I-I didn't mean to discuss…
Lucien: (whispers hoarsely) I told you before, giving up halfway is not a good habit, Miss Professor.
Lucien: So, make sure you let me hear it all, your judgments and conclusions…
With his words, his fingers press in as if punishing. I moan and my fingers clutching onto his solid back begin to tremble.
MC: (still blushing)....I-I remember that in the experiment, the variables need to progress continuously... to see more significant results.
MC: I-I haven't done anything now... w-why... why is it more... than when I just gave you "physical contact" earlier, I seem to be-
Lucien: Getting a stronger reaction?
Lucien takes over my words, and there seems to be a hint of amusement in his unsatisfied tone.
His deep breath comes close to my ear, and his fingertips teasingly dance around, then suddenly press in again.
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Lucien: (whispers hoarsely) Because this Miss Professor hasn't considered the most core variable yet.
It’s as if fireworks are blooming in my depth, my heartbeat echoes with a humming sound. I pant a little, feeling a bit dazed, and open my mouth.
MC: ...And what is that?
A kiss that seems both like a reward and comfort lands gently on my lips.
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Lucien: (exhales lightly and then whispers huskily) Your influence.
The flickering lights reflect in his glistening eyes as if trying to peer into my soul.
Lucien: "Lovers are like mirrors, reflecting their desires for each other."
Lucien: Every bit of my desire is tied with you.
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Lucien: When you wish to explore the limits of my self-control, I'll be equally eager to satisfy your curiosity…
Lucien: Just like how I long to explore everything about you.
Lucien: But when you personally unlock this restraint named "self-control", naturally, I'll have even more desires.
His face looms larger in my field of vision. I tremble involuntarily, feeling his touch once again, accompanied by ambiguous whispers.
Lucien: (whispers lowly and hoarsely) ...Compared to seeking the result that we both unanimously don't care about... Right now, I'd rather immerse myself in every moment spent with you.
The kiss between our lips gradually deepens, and I involuntarily close my eyes. I feel like floating into the high clouds and falling into a soft marsh.
Every little gap in my consciousness is deeply imprinted with Lucien's traces.
In the hazy sunlight, it's as if I can hear his unfinished whisper.
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Lucien: For example, in the present kiss.
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[Lux's Ramble Corner]
For once I can actually see why it gets past the censor HAHA. Compared to the UR that's more explicit, PG is very careful with the kiss SP, using vague wording that can be interpreted innocently if you don't know the context😂 although you can also interpret MC's 'increasing variable' in the reference room as simply touching, or grinding against him; I think she was really moving up and down to f- him because her appearance also a mess and his finger slid very easily inside her until she reached the climax (the 'fireworks') in the rooftop garden ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). Besides, if they haven't met in a month and it's explicitly stated that they haven't properly f-ed since MC arrived in Granada, where else Lucien gets the scratch mark on his back if not in the reference room (ft. frustrated MC), right?
ALSO it’s mentioned that MC wears a long dress before she went into the reference room, see the how in the CG it gets rolled up lol. The angle of the CG is smart asf bc it hides their front appearance. 
ANYWAY H-WORD ASIDE, this date is really good. I enjoy their dynamic as 'opponent' and their battle of wits. Although you can say that Lucien is 'winning', at the same time he said it himself that his desire is under MC's control and influence. If MC wants to continue the experiments he's more than happy to oblige (and surprisingly he has a *really* good self-control), but since she's kind of already given up then it's just natural that he also let go of his restraint. The choice ultimately will always be in her hand.
In the MQ there's a conflict between satisfying MC's (and his) curiosity and satisfying their longing for each other. It's evident from the way Lucien immediately books the earliest flight home and MC literally takes a flight to Granada just to meet him. The experiment started smoothly, but they clearly grew to miss each other again too, and they began caring less and less about the experiment.
Although Lucien can also stop the experiment, he still wants her to be the one to put it to a stop. Because, again, her desire is his, if she wants to explore him more deeply, he will oblige. But, still, since he also misses her, he also entices her to stop the experiment, either by purposefully leaving the ID card so she will meet him in the reference room, or by tying himself up while stripping 😂.
'However, he's so clever that even if I don't speak, he should be able to see my silent surrender, right? ...Then why doesn't he 'respond' to me quickly?'
-
Really? But MC was very bold when she 'taught' me just now.
Bold enough…. to make me want to watch a bit longer, to see how far your experiment will progress.
As she increases the variables, she eventually silently surrenders, thinking that they could enjoy more time together if it wasn't because of the experiment. I think Lucien noticed this too, but at that point, he was also curious to see how far she could go.
"Lovers are like mirrors, reflecting their desires for each other."
Still, this curiosity doesn't last long because, in the end, his desire is tied to hers. The experiment doesn't matter anymore because she unconsciously desires more to spend every moment with him and for him to respond to her rather than to really test his self-control. And because of this he also let go of his self-control, showing a greater reaction even if she hasn't done anything because that's what she desires.
I think that’s all from me? Just my take on the plot lololol. Hope y’all enjoy this date as much as I do~
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obscure-entity · 4 months
Text
ok so going back to this post from wayy back in august (rbing it again would be a mess)
i think it'd be important for me to give a reflection on what this was about. i was making a planning-presentation months ago, which i shouldnt be so afraid to show but rereading my writing produces the same guttural yuck and fear that looking at my old art used to. and it led to all of these pieces. click for full view bc some of them are cropped
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writing being the one thing im horrified of is ironic for me asking. but i have to ask if anyone's sincerely interested in my personal analysis of these ? i considered video format but if i wuss out of using my voice i might find some other way
and um. as for how i feel about them, i love these to death and can feel my hand aching thinking about every colored-pencil motion but i just dont feel like i attached myself to these in the way i wanted to. EXCEPT the second piece where a lamb is being snatched by the sky itself. although they do live up to their own messages to me
i discovered that, while i wanted to focus a lot on the aspects of feeling inhuman as a personal identity, in the second half it shifted more to perception. every individual is some sort of monster, creature, or animal because they are not "known" or acknowledged by hypothetical human-set standards, thus making them "unknown." this entire mini-portfolio is literally about the "unknown." the "unknown" is something i keep repeating a lot when im trying to grasp at this same concept. if a person cannot read your expression or wants to mischaracterize what you're thinking, you are "unknown." its really basic nature to be afraid of the unknown, but it's another step to invent new reasons to be afraid via an untrained disgust reaction for anything not reasonably comfortable, familiar, safe. and the attempt at creating "familiarity" is through assigning labels to things around you, simply put. which is just a bandaid shutting the teeth of some beast, to me
after all these months i still dont know what part of me this is about by the way. something behavioral. for example im pretty sure i weird people the FUCK out by staying silent or keeping to myself. and it took me years to realize that actually has a reason to scare people
what im saying is. dear marginalized ppl please keep depicting yourselves as weird monsters that scare people and bite. or some other strange thing that accomplishes the task of Just Sitting There.
im so happy this is essentially completed by the way ? i had another piece i never finished (im not sure i want to, colored pencils fucked me over hard) its just that i didnt think the months would pass that fast. writing about it was really nice when i was trying to kind of realize the mindset for my future personal art too. idk if anyone from the old post is still here but thanks again for the resources :)
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thatdeadaquarius · 1 year
Note
hi! quick tip: if you’re on mobile type ‘:readmore:’ then hit enter! i dunno if you’ve been told but. yeah :)
also, your recent piece on apd was incredible!! very nice to see representation!! keep up the excellent work <3 it did get me thinking though: reader with vocal stims, cementing it in the acolytes’ minds that you don’t speak the language of teyvat, and then you’re all just stuck in this loop of “oh man they don’t speak the same language of me” but they DO
if asks are closed or this is outside of your comfort zone then feel free to delete! have a lovely day <3
AHFJLAKLOSUDBABWB U FELT REPRESENTED YAY!!
A cookie for thee, and also extra for telling me how to do Expand thingy on mobile ilysm 🤲🍩🍪✨️ (pspspsps all askers,, u get cookies,,cometothedarksidepspspspspsss)
I was so worried bc it wasnt like super all the aspects of Apd issues, and it was very based on my personal experience w/ similar symptoms + other bits of ppl's experience so i was hoping it still felt somewhat recognizable for ppl w/APD!! Tysm for the feedback :D
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NOTE ABOUT VOCAL STIM DEPICTED:
So i think ive experienced verbal stims, so this is a combination of others shared experiences + personal experience, and while everybody experiences things individually/their own way, please let me know if there is something obviously inaccurate/maybe even offensive.
You will definitely not make me mad or otherwise offended, I really want to hear that kind of feedback from others who vocal stim!
Thank you so much for reading! :)
___________________♡_____________________
So lets just say that ur vocal stims r pretty non-verbal or non-sensical ("her sister was a WITCH BRO-" like memes that dont make sense to them)
Or like, u have verbal stims that r actual language but they dont hang around long enough to hear it maybe ??
So like, this ends up happening
Chongyun was exploring near Qingce village for supernatural stuff as usual
And U were just vibin, chillin near Qingce village livin ur best Creator god cottagecore life
And ur like planting a new seedbed, Jueyun Chilis :) (bc jfc however bad it was to collect them in game, its 10x worse in person, ur tired of running around town getting chilis, Qingce isnt exactly flat 💀)
And every seed u put in the dirt ur like "boop!"
And Chongyun comes by, bc u at edge of town, and the villagers mentioned a strange new traveler settling here
He immediately feels a wave of that same feeling he used to feel when the Creator god had their eyes on him, or would assist him in battles
So poor boy almost overheats trying to climb up the hill to ur house
And is like "??...Creator??"
Then kinda stops bc ur just like-
"Boop!" "Boop!" "Boop!" ☺️ LMAO
And then u finish planting seeds, get the watering can,,
And everytime u pour it just-
... "EJACK! Come, water!"
(Ur saying it so fast too, and he's still somewhat farther away, so he cant rlly hear that well too)
...
..
And its just so incomprehensible to Chongyun he's deadass like "A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE??!"
So of course,
He waves, 👋
And ur like omg icy boy!! :D 🧊💙
But u dont say anything yet, and then he starts,, miming?? He points at u? Then like?? Points up? The sky?? Then like, mimes swinging his claymore???
(ARE U THE CREATOR??!!)
U look up, very confused 🧐
He seemes frustrated.
Then he just kinda, bows and leaves?
...
...oh no.
Do Teyvat people speak that crazy language that u saw in game?
Instead of English??
Well.
Shit.
...
.... U havent rlly talked to anyone in Qingce yet since u just got here in Teyvat like a week ago
And found this abandoned house
It just gets worse 😭
Bc slowly, one by one,
Each playable character in Liyue comes to attempt to talk to you
(And since u have a farm, and they keep giving u food/goods? For some reason?? U still dont need to go into town)
At one point, even Zhongli shows up
And thru complex miming and hand motions u think he means dont worry abt him? Like just go back to what u were doing?? Okay??
U guess he's just gonna chill here for now?
...
...Zhongli just kinda,, squints, and puts his hand on his chin in his classic "thinking very hard" face
So ur tending to the garden saying,
" FREDDY! You're supposed to be on lockdown!Vanessa...I'm... a Material Gworl✨️"💀
...Just, on an endless loop LMAO-
...
(Hes trying to see if he recognizes any part of ur language, poor old man 🤔🤔😭)
And it just snowballs even more, and now,
None of you have even tried to say a word to each other. 🤡
(Other than ur vocal stims)
...
Keqing: "Perhaps, it's similar to Fontaine's native language?"
You, in the background: "🎵 dUdE,,, sHe'S jUsT nOt InTo YoU 🎵" (mimicking the autotune and everything)
Ganyu & Keqing: "..."
You: " 🎵 gOtTa MoVe On, mOvE oN-🎵 Hurricane Katrina?? More like Hurricane Tortilla!"
Ganyu & Keqing: "...Can't be,"
"what else do we got? Should we call Yunjin to better mime for us??"
Xiao's the first one to even get close to knowing u can actually talk to each other, bc he's always checking in on u most often <3
And he only heard u bc u swore u heard a monster outside ur house one night and came out ur house with a pitchfork, very nervous,
"...Hey there demons.. it's me.. ya boy."
(And u just keep stimming that out of nervousness to make urself feel better as u check around ur house lol)
Xiao: "??? Demons???!! WAIT-"
By then, it literally took like 6 months for yall to finally have a real conversation 💀💀
...
(Chongyun got so embarassed bc he was one of the first few to misunderstand he overheated rip🙏)
Im. So. Sorry. This. Is. ✨️Ass✨️
Twas the best scenario i could come up with, im telling yall, im not as funny as the ppl who send in these asks 😔
Keep in mind, I never claimed i was funny or a good writer, u cant hold it against me lol /lh
Lower ur expectations LMAO
Well i hope u got sm enjoyment outta this anon, sorry abt the quality!! :)
Cheers,
🌒🌊🌧Aquarius♒️🌌🌘
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ihopesocomic · 29 days
Note
I’m gonna mention. I feel like the Travelers are p Romani coded. there are lies spread abt them abt infantacide (or in the case of Romani ppl, kidnapping), the slur used in place of their actual name, and their beliefs. So far it hasn’t been too offensive, which is a breath of fresh air, since SO MANY stories that take inspiration from Romani ppl do it the most horrible way possible. Some seem like they went down an itemized list of harmful stereotypes and tropes. I just want to let you know that even if this wasn’t intentional, it seems really baked in there, and if you’re worried abt anything, getting a Romani sensitivity reader could help! There’s also lots of literature written by Romani ppl detailing their history of oppression, and how it’s been used in pop culture (What We Do In the Shadows, for example, was an incredible anti-romani show)
That said, thank you for the kind representation. I really like Storm, and her being a butch gnc maned lioness just kind of rocketed her to the top of the fav list lol.
Ahh thank you so much, it's so good to hear these kinds of asks where we're doing OK with this kind of cultural representation because it's obviously something we're quite passionate about showcasing. Without buying into stereotypes, of course. The whole Traveller culture actually draws inspiration from Irish travellers, as they are also subject to the same discrimination you're talking about, especially in the UK. I mean, that's not shocking considering they're Irish or of Irish descent.
They are stereotyped as being thieves and basically leeches of society over here, except their "thieving" is actually them going around and asking for any items that are broken and useless so that they may take them and either repair them or use their parts to fix something else entirely. Extremely useful if you need something getting rid of for free and it's just something that's always been a thing for as long as I can remember.
They'll also contribute other things to the community such as tuck shops (basically selling candy from a moving truck) and handymen services. Like I say, they've just always been a presence around me and I went to school with some of their kids.
They're basically just about getting resources from honest labour and reusing materials and they get hated on for it, purely because it's "different" and "weird" and it's truly not right. Especially when we as individuals outside of their culture take advantage of these services anyway.
There's plenty of media over here written by Irish travellers detailing their childhoods growing up so I'm also drawing inspiration from those sources.
But yeah, Irish travellers are subject to similar discrimination as Romani so completely understandable why you're getting those vibes. c: - RJ
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jadetheblueartist · 2 days
Note
IM SO SORRY I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED YOUR TEGAN ASK
I feel so bad :( you said it took you three hours and also I had written a huge response and now it’s gone ;-;
Okay so I’m going to rewrite my response but I’m really sorry if I get things wrong since now I can’t review what you sent ;-;
————
I LOVE THE IDEA SO MUCH!!!! And I would love to hear more about their training and life on the ship!
I may be obsessing over Talon and Megan a tad bit…
I love all the possibilities of how they passed the time in the car so much. It would be so awkward at the start and I’m all here for it!! I imagine Talon carried most of the conversation from the beginning until after they really got to know each other. I feel like at the start Talon would just awkwardly try to tell her what has happened to the earth while she was gone in hopes of starting some conversation. I’m imagining the parking lot picnic with them just drinking slushees and eating whatever gas station food seemed good (I’m assuming everything is kind of run down?)
Car karaoke. Oh it would be amazing. Talon trying to find songs Megan likes and trying to get her to sing along, windows rolled down, it’d be such a vibe.
With the race scene I can’t stop picturing the scene from princess bride where they both are rolling down the hill XD
Their relationship is so great, two strangers bonding in a long car ride… oh wait they already knew each other? They were already in love from book one? But Megan’s memory was wiped- WAIT NO THEY WERE IN LOVE AND HER MEMORY WAS WIPED!?!? Okay, okay, it’s fine at least they became close again, just a fresh start nothing to worry about… HER MEMORY WAS WIPED A SECOND TIME!?!? TALON THOUGHT SHE WAS DEAD!?!?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (this is so tragic but I love it so much)
Talon nooooo why the tragic backstory ;-; (I love it very much)
Oh and the art? I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! I love Talon’s design!!!!!! The drawing of him saying happy birthday to himself makes me so sad ;-;
Also question time!
Do you have designs for the sci fi ppl? Are they like aliens or just advanced humans chilling in space? Does Talon hide his tattoo? (I love that type of angst so much mhm hidden scars [in this case a tattoo tho]) and you said there was an image limit… could I see those drawing you couldn’t show? Also why is it called Tegan (is it bc Talon + Megan = Tegan…)? That should be all of my questions…
Anyway I absolutely love this story and please feel free to tell me more whenever! (I’d love to hear a lil more about Ivan too)
Again really sorry abt deleting the ask ;-; I hope you have an amazing day though!!
(I feel like I’m forgetting things I wanted to mention but idk)
Oh my I wrote out this whole thing and it deleted it for me hahaha let’s try this again
No worries about deleting the ask it happens hahaha and it doesn’t look like you got anything wrong so yay!
I’m gonna answer this paragraph by paragraph
-IM SO GLAD YOU LIKE IT and I’m pretty sure I have either the original google doc or a “Megan’s POV” doc that I can look into to give you those details :)
-I’m so glad you’re obsessing so we can be in the same boat
-I’ve been mulling over that car scene for years and somehow you managed to squeeze out even more serotonin for me to devour I thank thee. And I think it’s run down ish, like people are still there but WW3 is kind of happening/ just happened soooo you know
-it would be the vibiest ^^
-I’m so glad you said that bc I couldn’t connect the dots as to what that scene reminded me of but yeah that’s amazing
-IKR the mind wiping rocked my world. My friend was at the point where she was writing the post separation explosion and we were on face time and she casually mentioned “oh you know the cars weren’t the first time they met, right?” I went feral trying to get all the info out of her hahaha
-yes his backstory makes me so sad…
-I’m glad you like the design! It was our group’s “hot guy” design hahaha I’ve tried to make it more individualized to him over the years tho, and that happy birthday one gets me every time (especially since that’s probably how he spent most his birthdays…)
Yay Question Time!
-I believe I could at least get the designs for those people sometime soon. They are just random people who decided to work for big bad (aka the voice, bc they only heard his voice through speakers at first). The voice decided he could make some good money abducting children and forcing them to be assassins so he did that. The government doesn’t know about them bc they hide in space. The few organizations trying to take them down are the only ones who really know about it
-talon has a few different tattoos, the one he got initiated with is a tattoo/ permanent burn so it has to stay covered to protect it, the other is just on his neck and he leaves that one in the open (I can point it out in the pics below)
-and yes! Tegan is the ship name for Talon and Megan (it was that or Melon hahaha)
-Ivan didn’t really have much personality in the oh other than he was angry bc the scientist that snuck into the escape ship was dating his crush, I’ve made some personal modifications to him in my head though making him more protective rather than just angry (he’s also Megan’s cousin) and I just remembered I have a drawing of him? So cue the picture section :)
Picturesssss
Here’s Ivan, the permanent third wheel (he doesn’t know tho)
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The first ever drawings of Talon and Megan 😬
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Moving on… idk which of these are repeats so lemme know if they are and I could probably substitute them for new pics
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And now the og Megan design vs the much needed redraw
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Ughhhh the one on the left still haunts me…
I was struck by the limit again so I might reblog this with a few more, idk hahaha
But reading through this ask made me so happy you have no idea (insert the “I don’t normally feel things but that one got through” donnie gif)
Thank you so much and I’ll look into the daily life on the ship and the sci fi guy designs :)
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throughtrialbyfire · 24 days
Text
20 Questions for Writers
thank you so much to @wispstalk and @dirty-bosmer for tagging me!! <3
gonna tag @mareenavee @changelingsandothernonsense @thequeenofthewinter @skyrim-forever @trickstarbrave @oblivions-dawn @orfeoarte @gilgamish @totally-not-deacon @archangelsunited !! no pressure as always, and if i havent tagged you and you wanna do this, go ahead and say that i did, i'm tagging you in my mind <33
answering under the read more!
1. How many works do you have on AO3?
five atm! but i'm planning on splitting my one-shot-as-chapters fic into individual fics. i think i'll have around 11, then, if i don't take out some.
2. What's your total AO3 word count?
99,173
3. What fandoms do you write for?
TES and CoD Zombies! though i don't write a lot for CoD Zombies, just when i get in a certain mood for it here and there. old special interest wont grant me a moments peace lmao
4. What are your top five fics by kudos?
i only have five uploaded, but i'll put them here!
1. An Inner Sanctity - 41 2. If By Sun and Moon I Swore - 38 3. Cycle of the Serpent - 23 4. The Mark You Left - 15 5. Portraits Under Forgotten Suns - 2 (this is the one i'm gonna split up into their own fics :3)
5. Do you respond to comments?
yes!! i even carry on convos in the comments sometimes for the hell of it, i love interacting with ppl <33333333
6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?
i think the one-shot for the prompts "forgotten/devotion" for tesfest '23 about the shipwreck of the brinehammer, since the main character dies lmao
7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?
the one for the prompt "in bloom" from tesfest '23!! it was just a little fluff fic for my ocs athenath and ja'dato <3
8. Do you get hate on fics?
luckily no, the spaces i've found myself in these days are really positive :3 especially compared to when i wrote on FF.net in like 2009
9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?
none of it is published, but i do sometimes! it's a good way to flex my muscles (haha) in blending thought and action, balancing descriptors (how vivid is Too Much), and seeing how certain characters interact with each other in a vulnerable state. maybe i'll post some someday, idk. mostly i just do it for funsies, so idk what kind you'd classify any of mine.
10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?
i havent in many years, so no, but that could chance if the mood strikes me
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?
nope, but when i was writing for a different fandom in high school, my writing for a particular character wound up on ppls RP accounts as their versions backstory, as well.
12. Have you ever had a fic translated?
no, but if anyone wants to translate my fics, feel free!! just give me a heads-up!
13. Have you ever co-written a fic?
yep, on my old ao3, a good friend and i turned an RP into a fic! i enjoyed it immensely bc we wrote really well together!
14. What's your all-time favorite ship?
idk, i just groove where the dynamics take me <3
15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?
i hate to say it, but An Inner Sanctity needs a major overhaul that i don't have the energy for right now. when i started writing that fic, i didn't have a solid grasp on athenath's personality. now that i do, i'm gonna need to rewrite all the chapters i've had ready for it, and pivot the direction of the fic to get it where i wanted it to wind up eventually. i really do want to finish it, though.
16. What are your writing strengths?
i get a lot of compliments on my imagery/descriptions/atmosphere! i love describing shit, so i'm glad ppl enjoy reading those bits of my work <3 oh!! and character/narrative details. i wrote a ~180k word fic in my senior year of high school solely off my mental notes for it, and it still wasnt finished when i dropped it a year or so later due to Circumstances
17. What are your writing weaknesses?
biting off WAAAAAAAY more than i can chew!! i have so, so many things planned for CotS and who knows if those things will get picked up on by folks or even work later down the line. GAHH
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?
if you can realistically do it, go for it. if i could fluently speak all the languages i've tried to teach myself, i'd probably include them in fics where they would fit!
19. First fandom you wrote for?
naruto, i was writing naruto fics on a defunct dress-up site when i was a kid AHAH.
20. Favorite fic you've written?
Cycle of the Serpent. theres seldom a time i'm not thinking about those elves. yes, i will admit with my whole chest that i'm a tad desperate for people to read it and interact with it, but i think if i could explain everything (without spoiling it obviously) i have planned for this fic and just how much is going on in the background of the details i throw in, the reasons certain characters behave the way they do, and the amount of time i've spent working on it (the doc for it is at roughly ~96k and we're not even at the Real beginning of the solitude arc) and the sheer amount of hours i've spent making sure details line up, you'd understand why i'm losing all my sanity daniel-amnesia-the-dark-descent style over this story. i started writing it as a for fun "no one's ever gonna see this" exercise that also helped me greatly in recovering from long covid brainfog, and i think even if one day i look back and think of it as "not the best thing i've ever written", it'll still be one of the most passion-driven things i've ever written, and i'm happy about that. <3
woof, what a ramble. if you made it to the end of this, thank you, and i hope you're having a good day!!
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kimbap-r0ll · 2 years
Note
Hi! I love your headcanons! Would you write one about the troupe's reaction when y/n who is also a spider reveals that she's pregnant ? (With chrollo's maybe 😳😳😳) Thank you so much!
Thank you for the ask! Just in the future, know that things like pregnancy are topics I am a little bit awkward in, so if this turns out really bad plz understand :’)
Phantom Troupe finds out y/n is pregnant
I feel this can be answered more or less as a group rather than each one individually, so I’ll be sticking to that (they are a team afterall!)
They'll all be working together to help you before and after the pregnancy. They're basically family.
So there’s two ways this can go, one more realistic (imo) than the other
Option 1 (something I view as less realistic but wholesome)
To start, the first route is that they will have reactions that are a mix of happy and surprised. But all of them are thinking of the same thing; CHROLLO’S A DAD WHAT THE F-
Nobunaga and Uvo are definitely going to be calling themselves the cool uncles while Franklin’s trying to calm them down
They'll tease the hell out of Chrollo for being a dad, calling him old and stuff
Machi and Pakunoda are similar in their reactions; they’re here for you. If you need anything, they’re the ppl to go to since they honestly have the calmest way of approaching things
Machi might be tempted to sew baby clothing and other toys, but she'll never admit it
Chrollo is just there while the news breaks out smiling. He's thinking like "😊"
Hisoka’s basically nonexistent in the troupe so he finds out about this much much  later. He might drop by and say he wants to see how strong the child ends up
Feitan won’t say anything, but he might mumble a small “cool” to you before going to do his errands. He's one of the biggest worrywarts for you but won't admit it either.
Bonolenov is also a calm figure you can rely on. He’s good at music so he’s more or less of a therapist
If you ever feel stressed or sick because of your pregnancy expect at least half of them to say they want to help. You have cravings? There's a whole cart of it at wherever the troupe is hiding out. You feel sick? They'll even kidnap the best doctor if they have to.
Phinks slapped you on the back as a congrats before getting hit by Nobunaga and Machi to be careful around you
Shalnark and Shizuku are already asking about names you’re thinking of for the child. They're one of the younger members of the troupe and are just curious how it's going for you.
They all vow they want to protect whoever the child is and hopefully raise them right! Besides, they’ve seen how kids in Meteor City are abandoned, so they want to be there for the kid
Option 2 (kinda angsty?)
The other reaction they would have, one I have an easier time believing, is confusion and fear or what will happen next. Hell they might even be upset
They likely don’t want a kid around, even if they have Kortopi he’s enough for the troupe to take care of
Not to mention their line of work and their origins in a place so dangerous make them less approving of having children
So when the news broke out that you were pregnant, and not just pregnant but with Chrollo’s child, they feel a mix of emotions
On one hand, they’re happy for you (if you wanted to have a child that is) but on the other hand, now they have to ask themselves if this is the route they want to take
Chrollo's their boss so they have respect for him and you, so nothing mean or ill-willed will be thrown at you. But just know that if you are in the troupe, it's likely that being pregnant would be a major weakness to the group in terms of their feats in stealing and other crimes
I feel like Chrollo would also have the same feeling, like he would most prefer not having a child due to his work, but at the same time he always wondered what it would be like to have a child or at least a family of some kind other than the group he created
You might end up being dropped off in Meteor City or somewhere else by the troupe to take care of your child, with the rest of the spiders visiting you periodically. Overall, it’s hard for you and the troupe if there’s a child coming. They want the best for the kid, but with how much blood is stained on their hands, it's hard to think what kind of a child they might end up raising as a group.
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nothorses · 1 year
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Big kudos to you for being able to engage with ppl who are clearly trying to come at you in bad faith. Like you obviously didn't have to, but your reflection on that post from a year ago, it was great.
I had honestly felt weird and had to give up and check the person's blog instead to get a proper read on the intent. You're really almost inspiring tho? I'm just glad to know you're out here with me standing up for ourselves if that makes sense lol
that is extremely sweet, and I appreciate it a lot 💙
I will say that it's kind of more complicated than that. My first instinct is usually just based in emotion and past experiences, and there are times I have jumped to the conclusion that someone is coming at me in bad faith when they weren't, and times I've assumed people were coming at me in good faith when they weren't. And it always feels shitty to find out you're wrong.
That said, I think public conversations are different from private ones, and I tend to consider them that way; what can I use this opportunity to say? What will the larger impression of me be? It's not about this individual, it's about the people looking in from the outside.
I often make the wrong call and take things personally anyway, but like, this particular instance was definitely driven in part by the opportunity it presented. I knew this person wasn't going to listen to me; I also knew that people were going to see her response to my post anyway, and that not responding to it (or responding poorly) would ultimately look kind of shitty to people who actually were on the fence.
The opportunity to go back and genuinely re-evaluate some aspects of the post was honestly a good one, and I really do appreciate that kind of criticism. I also knew that doing so, and admitting fault where there was fault, would demonstrate that I am open to feedback and am responding thoughtfully and honestly. I didn't go on to argue her faulty conclusions because I wanted to disprove her points from the outset; I did it after taking some time to consider what she was saying, rereading and look further into things with that in mind, accepting my own mistakes, and deciding that regardless, her conclusion ultimately wasn't all that compelling.
I think it's easier said than done, and I would like to be better at catching myself and doing it this way more often. I want to be better at entering conversations to figure out what's true, rather than to posture at strength and try to "win". And I really appreciate that you think I did that well this time- thank you for taking the time to send me thoughtful and kind words.
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destinyc1020 · 6 months
Note
I have an unpopular opinion about Timothee: I dont really feel the same outrage as most fans to his recent comments or that poor snl hamas joke anymore due to his last gq interview. I am a fan of him as an actor but dont really care about him as person.
Back in 2017 - 2019 I was the biggest Timmy fan. I deeply connected to him as an introvert and anxiety and really believed that the person he was in interviews and public events was a really him and not a curated persona to generate a fandom. Post 2020 I rarely put any celeb on any pedestal or really except maybe Tomdaya because I really believe they are authentic individuals. (Maybe I'm delulu for thinking that but they haven't disappointed me yet so).
In his last gq interview from my perspective really opens up the struggle of having instant fame and also growing up as an adult with all these hats of personas he puts out to the public whilst still holding on the notion that he's not gonna change for hollywood. But the reality is the more famous you are the more you change. Timothee changed and that's not my business anymore.
I just don't believe ppl trying to cancel him or outrage because in a few weeks when wonka comes out and ppl will forget. It's kinda like Doja cat. Her antics are annoying but her music is great. There's always gonna be a grey area when it comes to ppls fav. I don't agree personally but I see ppl flip flop over things their favs do like a krabby patty.
Hopefully this doesn't come out like I'm a disciple of clubchalamet but I feel like sometimes in stan culture nuance is lost.
Thanks Anon for your input and comments. 😃 You've brought up a very interesting discussion, so I'm going to try to address the things you said one by one.
I have an unpopular opinion about Timothee: I dont really feel the same outrage as most fans to his recent comments or that poor snl hamas joke anymore due to his last gq interview. I am a fan of him as an actor but dont really care about him as person.
I didn't read the entirety of Timmy's GQ interview (I'll have to get to that later), so I might be lost on the context of your sentiments, but all I'll say is this: You can feel however you want to feel. You can be outraged, or you can not be outraged. Nobody can really tell you how to feel. It's your own personal opinion. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Many people (including myself) on the other hand, felt as though that particular joke on SNL last night was in poor taste, and quite insensitive. 🥴
Back in 2017 - 2019 I was the biggest Timmy fan. I deeply connected to him as an introvert and anxiety and really believed that the person he was in interviews and public events was a really him and not a curated persona to generate a fandom.
This is tricky, because on one hand, I kind of feel like whenever you're in the public eye, you kind of DO have to wear various different personas in a way, because you're working in the public eye, you have to maintain certain boundaries, and you also want your private life to be sacred as well.
It doesn't mean you're being "Fake", it just means that the more famous you become, the more and more you may have to juggle various different demands, and put on different "faces" to the public. Sometimes, let's face it, you just don't want to be on that red carpet. But you suck it up, smile, pose, and get on with your job because that's your JOB. You're getting paid. Same with us regulars who have a 9-5 job. I'm still myself at work, but in a professional setting, I carry myself a certain way. You think I always want to wake up early and go to work? PLEASE. 😅 It doesn't mean I'm "fake", or that I'm not being myself, it just means that I'm putting my "professional" self out there in the forefront, and dimming down my "home self" while at work in the office.
I think most people are multifaceted actually. I don't think people are as black and white as some fans make celebrities out to be.
Post 2020 I rarely put any celeb on any pedestal or really except maybe Tomdaya because I really believe they are authentic individuals. (Maybe I'm delulu for thinking that but they haven't disappointed me yet so).
This might sound crazy but......Tbh, I don't put ANY celebrity (or ANYBODY for that matter) on a pedestal. No, NOT even Tom and Zendaya lol. 😅 (*gasp! Shocker... I know lol) It's not because I think they'll disappoint me one day, it's more so because I just wasn't raised to put anyone on a pedestal or to idolize people. 🤷🏾‍♀️
I actually don't think idolizing people or worshiping them is healthy? 🥴 And I don't think humans were meant to be worshipped or heavily idolized, and I feel like that's one of the reasons why some celebrities (especially music artists) end up having mental breakdowns, go off the rails, or struggle with fame. I think it's unnatural. 😔
Don't get me wrong! There are celebrities who I love very much, and I love their work, I love watching them, I enjoy them, I think they're pretty/handsome/funny/talented/charismatic, etc. and I LOVE them! 😊😃 I'm a HUGE HUGE fan!
BUT! I never idolize them, or think they can do no wrong, because to me, they're just human and can make mistakes just like me, and just like 100% of the other humans out here. That way, if one of my faves DOES seriously disappoint me one day in the future, I may be sad about it, but I'm not devastated, because I never put them high up on a pedestal to begin with. I just viewed them as a regular human being. 🤷🏾‍♀️
I kind of feel like some fans actually put their faves up on too HIGH of a pedestal tbh, and then they become super angry or annoyed when their faves don't do/act/behave/say exactly what they want them to...and my thought is, "Well, you're the one who thought they were ABOVE reproach and were 'perfect', so that's probably part of the problem right there..." 🥴 (I'm talking about fans complaining about minor things regarding their faves, not major offenses or crimes)
I kind of like to view my faves (and other celebrities) as actually very human, and probably under a LOT more stress than I realize. That industry can be very unforgiving, stressful, and kind of crazy....
So, I actually think it's a GOOD thing that you don't put your faves on a pedestal tbh. 🤷🏾‍♀️
In his last gq interview from my perspective really opens up the struggle of having instant fame and also growing up as an adult with all these hats of personas he puts out to the public whilst still holding on the notion that he's not gonna change for hollywood. But the reality is the more famous you are the more you change. Timothee changed and that's not my business anymore.
(I still need to read the entirety of that GQ article)
Like I said before, I do think that humans in general DO wear different hats. We're complex individuals. It doesn't mean someone is fake, it just means they have to be different in different scenarios. A man may go to work and have to put on his "CEO" hat. But when he comes home, he's putting on his "husband" and "father" hat. He's the same man, but he just has different duties, ways of being, and things he needs to attend to in different scenarios.
I think that large amounts of fame (especially if it's overnight) DOES change everyone actually... But maybe not in the way you might think. Whether it might make an actor more of a recluse because their privacy is constantly being invaded, or maybe makes an artist more aware of different worlds/people/walks of life due to traveling and touring several different places around the world, or whether it's just viewing things differently from a different perspective because you've been BURNED in this industry... I def think it's inevitable that fame will change you on SOME level. It doesn't mean you change into being a mean/entitled person or anything... But more so that your life has undoubtedly changed, so how could it not affect you on SOME level.... Ykwim? Some celebrities never used to suffer from anxiety until they got super famous, and now they suffer from anxiety, depression, paranoia, etc. Like, YES...fame can change you. And sometimes the changes are sad. 😔 I've seen some of my faves change over the years due to the wear and tear that fame put on them. 😔 They used to be so happy-go-lucky, trusting, open, and innocent at first, but then after years of massive fame, they became depressed, anxiety-ridden, distrustful, shut down, super private, and burned out due to all of the pressure of fame. 😭 So yes, in a way it changed them because of the demands. Maybe even because people around them changed.
It also changes how people interact with you. Some celebrities have said that they would just like to be treated like a normal human being. I believe some when they say that. But it's hard because people DON'T treat them that way most of the time. Do you see the never-ending cycle?
I just don't believe ppl trying to cancel him or outrage because in a few weeks when wonka comes out and ppl will forget. It's kinda like Doja cat. Her antics are annoying but her music is great. There's always gonna be a grey area when it comes to ppls fav. I don't agree personally but I see ppl flip flop over things their favs do like a krabby patty.
Fans/the general public definitely have selective amnesia lol 😅🤣 I don't think there's anything wrong with expressing disappointment if one of your faves does/says something you didn't like. But this whole "cancel culture" thing when someone in the public eye does something you didn't like is a bit much for me. I think it depends on what it is. Not every mistake or action is on the same level imo. Whether a fan chooses to get over the SNL jokes or not is up to that fan. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Some may choose to never like or support Timothee ever again, while another fan may post angry tweets about it, but will move on and be SAT for the Wonky Movie next month. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Each fan can decide what they feel is the "last straw" for not supporting their fave or some celebrity in the media. I think that should be a personal decision for each person? Maybe it's not so much that people "forget", but more so that they have allowed this disgrace some mercy, but will still support his work unless he does something worse in the future.
Hopefully this doesn't come out like I'm a disciple of clubchalamet but I feel like sometimes in stan culture nuance is lost.
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LOL! No, not in the least 😅 I totally understood what you were trying to say. I just think that fandom/stan culture is pretty complex and isn't always black and white.
Plus, I feel like you can like someone as a person, but not like their CHOICES...yet still feel like deep down they're overall still a decent person.
The flipside is also true... You can like someone's WORK, but not necessarily care for them as a person. It happens all the time. 🤷🏾‍♀️
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soleilnomoon · 2 years
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hi kaia!! hope you’re doing well! i saw your sticky & sweet event and wanted to give it a whirl, so may i request a parfait, cheesecake bar, cinnamon roll and lemon drop with whipped cream? all for sabo please (:
i’ve requested sabo from you before and i loved reading it a lot… tbh i love all your writing and i’ve reread a few a couple times! <33 your writing truly never disappoints ;;; (also congrats on the 555+ followers!) anyway i hope you have an amazing day/night :D
hiii angel 💕 ty for being patient and thank you for requesting sabo (again!) i love him so so so much. wrote smth cute & sweet for you 🥰️ and thank you, i'm still kind of in awe that so many ppl follow this blog but i'm grateful all the same 😊 also ur too cute, i'm so happy you've reread my work 💗
1.7k words, gn reader (no pronouns), sfw, 18+, mdni; fluffy fluff (surprise, surprise), tiny bit of angst & slightly suggestive, but nothing serious, established relationship (sort of); sabo is terrible with time management & reader needs to let go & live a little.
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a warm breeze wraps itself around your ankles as you walk barefoot through the sand, your sandals tucked safely in your bag, moonlight gradually caressing your exposed shoulders. you look up at the sky and sigh, annoyance sullying your mood as you check your watch again.
two hours late, your lips tug downward as you stand near the water, the tide periodically tickling your feet. you remind yourself to be a little more patient, to have a bit of faith, to just keep waiting.
it’s not unusual for him to run behind, but there’s always a nasty little thought in the back of your mind telling you that this is all for naught, that you’ll be stood up, and that you waited for nothing. when you arrived home from work earlier, there was a note waiting for you on your kitchen table — if you weren’t already so used to finding scrap pieces of parchment tacked onto various surfaces in your home, you’d be concerned.
the scrawl is messy, slightly illegible, but you’d recognize it anywhere.
a small wave of anxiety washes over you, makes your stomach and heart hurt — and you wish you would’ve taken your grandmother’s advice and stayed home. there’s no logical reason for you to continuously place your heart in the hands of a man who comes and goes as he pleases; it’s masochism, it has to be, but you do it anyway — without question, without any hesitation. the hold he has on you is a double-edged sword, except you’re the only one who suffers.
doubt settles in the pit of your chest, wrapping its talons around each individual rib bone, tugging, and tugging until your vision blurs. your teeth sink into your bottom lip when you hear footsteps behind you. there’s no need for you to turn around, not when the ocean has quieted down, leaving you to scrape together your thoughts — the ones that drown underneath the thunderous beating of your heart.
a sigh flits out of your mouth, takes flight, coasts carelessly along the wind and slaps him in the face. because you’re stubborn and annoyed, you don’t look back at him. “you’re late.” you do your best to keep your voice steady, tone even — you don’t need him digging and trying to weasel his way out of accepting responsibility.
not that he’d ever do that, but still.
he rubs a gloved hand against the back of his neck, runs through the various excuses that stack neatly inside of his mind; he truly hadn’t meant to keep you waiting. he explicitly told his team that he had somewhere to be, but the briefing went on longer than expected and, naturally, he lost track of time. in his hand is a small box, and while he knows you’re not exactly happy, he can, at the very least, lift your spirits just a tiny bit with his peace offering.
“time is a man-made construct,” he offers in lieu of a greeting, lips quirking upward as he moves closer to you and extends the box warily. you take it without thinking, casting him a sharp glance before softening your features.
“i’m mad at you,” you say quietly and start walking away from the water; his strides are quick and purposeful, so he keeps up with your gait easily.
“they’re chocolate cream puffs,” he adds, which, unfortunately, brings a small smile to your face. they’re your favorite, and he knows that the best way to get back on your good side, is with a tasty treat.
pressing your lips together you look up at him and sigh again — it seems all you do lately is sigh. “you can’t just bribe me with pastries.” it’s not true, he’s done it plenty of times before. you accept the gift each time, but you know if you don’t put your foot down now, you’ll be stuck in the same situation for the rest of your life.
“if you tell me to meet you at eight, that means you should also be here at eight.” your voice, while stern and full of irritation, is still pleasant to listen to — especially after the day he’s had.
“i’m sorry,” sabo says sheepishly, cheeks flushing lightly; and he does, in fact, have the decency to look apologetic. “you know…how it is.” his reasoning is intentionally vague, and you don’t press him for more; because you do understand. it’s dangerous for him to be out like this in public, but because he doesn’t get to see you that often, he doesn’t mind the risk. you remind yourself of this when you lead him to the large blanket you laid out and sit down unceremoniously.
sabo left his hat and coat behind, not wanting to draw attention as he walked about; at some point he removed his gloves and covertly placed them into your bag for safekeeping. he watches as you lounge comfortably, drop your bag onto the blanket next to you, and place the pastry box on your lap. despite what you said earlier about being mad at him, that all dissipates as soon as you take a bite into one of the cream puffs.
“all is forgiven,” you say happily, licking the cream off of your lips and motioning for him to sit down. you’re not exactly privy to the ongoings of sabo’s profession — you just know that he lives a very dangerous life and can’t stay in one place for too long; so you really are grateful when he finds time to see you, coming for a few days at a time once every few months.
it’s not a lot, but you cherish those moments — tuck them deep in your heart and bring them out when your days are extra-long and difficult to bear.
“yeah? you sure?” he teases as he sits down next to you, long legs brushing against yours; he keeps close, liking the proximity and the way you’ve suddenly turned meek and bashful.
“of course,” you swallow hard and offer him a cream puff, “we’re f-friends after all, right?” you place the box down and look at him, throat suddenly very dry. one thing you’ve learned over the years, is that sabo has an intensity about him that is unrivaled; he sees through a lot of nonsense, tends to get to the nitty-gritty of the matter without trying, and manages to extract the truth out of everyone quickly. you feel your lips move again, words stumbling as they climb out of your mouth, unfiltered.
“and friends forgive friends.” you don’t sound all that convincing, and his subsequent laughter makes your face flush terribly as you stuff another cream puff into your mouth. “don’t laugh.” your words come out garbled and it makes sabo laugh even more. you lick your lips and snatch the pastry out of his hand, since he’s too busy laughing, he clearly doesn’t want to eat with you.
he finds your huffy demeanor cute, likes the way you puff your cheeks out when you get annoyed with him, and before you’re able to take a bite of the stolen pastry, he grabs your hand and leans close. ��we’re more than friends, you know that,” he says seriously and you flinch unintentionally — at the contact of his skin on yours, at the frankness of his words — and end up dropping the cream puff onto the blanket, but your mind is spinning terribly fast so you don’t notice.
you open and close your mouth to say something — anything, really — but find that the only thing that dares to come out is a small squeak. it’s probably due to sabo running his tongue along your fingertip, to lick off the bit of cream that was left behind. “we…,” you pause and swallow, eyes wide as you watch him, “you…” your thoughts scatter as soon as you try to speak again and pour into your heart mercilessly. your brain is stuck on his words and the warmth refuses to leave your face, making it nearly impossible to look at him.
while you make several attempts to speak again, he takes the initiative to pull you closer and drops a kiss on the inside of your wrist. a shiver passes through you, makes you feel things that don’t make sense. but, you’ve known that bit of truth for some time, you just ignored it. he repeatedly tried to tell you, but you kept finding ways to avoid the conversation. now that he has you to himself, of course he’s going to make sure you properly listen and process what he says.
“you can’t just say that,” you blurt out and bury your face against his chest, heart lodged somewhere in your throat, his fingers still wrapped around your wrist. “how am i supposed to… what do i even do?” you’re painfully aware of how childish you sound, but you can’t fathom dealing with romantic feelings when you don’t know if he’ll find his way back to you again.
“just accept it,” he says lightly, and falls back onto the blanket, pulling you on top of him. you try to calm your heart because there’s no way he can’t hear it. “life’s too short to comb through what ifs.” it’s something he keeps reminding himself — especially after his brother’s death — besides, what he feels for you isn’t fleeting or temporary, it’s why he said what he said. “oh, look, it’s that weird constellation again,” he nudges you gently so you can look up and see what he sees. you try to keep your eyes closed for as long as you can, but eventually give in and tilt your head up.
“the one that looks like a donut,” you both say at the same time. your laughter is infectious and for the first time in a while, sabo feels completely at ease — all the worries and burdens he carried with him during the week are nonexistent now. there’s something else he wants to tell you, something important, but decides to leave it for another day — he doesn’t want to scare you off when you can barely come to terms with your feelings for him. 
a sigh drifts out of your lips as you look for other odd-looking clusters of stars, pointing them out, nerves getting the best of you, making you ramble for minutes on end. he likes that side of you, though; likes that you’re comfortable enough to be that vulnerable with him, and knows that when morning comes, it will be extremely difficult to leave you behind.
it’s a thought he pushes to the back of his mind as listens to you ramble on about the stars and the moon and about how he should bring two boxes of chocolate cream puffs with him the next time he visits.
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foliejpg · 20 hours
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alright heres a shit ton
6, 7, 11, 20, 21, 24, 27, and 28
oh boy here we go i had to switch from mobile to desktop for this. thank you for sending so many i love answering these <3
6. Are there any fics from others you reread all the time?
oh for sure! i reread a lot of my friends fics so anything by @cryptophasiac @lakemichiganlolita @petefromarma @buildarocketboys assume i have read it multiple times. and also go read their fics asap<3 as far as individual fics, i'm sure there are specific ones that i cannot think of right now lmao chances are if its in my bookmarks, i've read it a few times
7. How many ideas for fics do you have right now?
flushed out ideas, not many lol my brain writes dialogue first, i'll hear someone say something and then write in my notes app so i can use it at a later time, but not actual ideas really
11. Do you have specific playlists for writing fics?
i don't actually haha i'm usually watching tv or a youtube video while i write honestly. when i listen to music i get distracted by it lmfao
20. What’s a favorite title for a fic you’ve written?
i really liked that all of the titles of my girlpete fics were from the same album "if i can't have love, i want power" by halsey (which is absolutely one of my All Time Absolute Favorite albums and can't recommend enough) but only 4/6 have titles w lyrics from that album. the other two are lyrics from "fall with me" by the wild reeds and "snake charmer" by blink 182 lmao
21. Have you ever deleted an entire scene after spending hours laboring over it? If so, why?
i've had full complete fics that have gotten chopped up and repurposed. what usually happens is there's something about the finished fic or scene that doesn't Scratch that Itch i want it too, so it'll get put on the back burner until i can take my favorite bits and pieces and use them somewhere else. as far as outright like, backspace delete a scene, no i don't think i ever have. i save every single draft of a fic just in case. sometimes i look through old drafts and end up finding something i like lol
24. Share a moodboard for (one of) your current WIP(s).
i don't make moodboards i do have a girl out boy pinterest though which is mostly just like.. clothes lol
27. Is there a fic you were nervous to post/share? Why?
every single one lol before i post any fic, there's always a moment of anxiety like its going to go over super poorly or whatever. i've been super lucky that people tell me how much they enjoy my fics and it really does mean to world to hear bc i'm my own biggest critic lol but specifically? "i'd do anything to make you feel" because it was kind of the darkest fic i've posted? and "if everything could ever feel this way forever" bc it does have the non-con tag and i had never posted anything so dub/non-con lol
28. Have you ever tagged a fic “Dead Dove: Do Not Eat”?
not that specific tag no but i did tag "i'd do anything to make you feel" as dead dove adjacent lol there was nothing inherently dead dove but the themes i understand could make ppl uncomfy so i added it for a heads up
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