#Variety means to cook it different ways right??

[gay4abby]

sick jordan with prompt 16 and 19?

here u go! better late than never amirite! not proofread! feedback appreciated but not obligated

16. “if you don’t take care of yourself, then i will.” & 19. “id choose you over ____ any day.” from here!

If there’s one thing Jordan hates, it’s being sick. The fact that you had no control over how your immune system reacted to certain bacteria was something that irritated the Supe to no end. It was even worse knowing that you knew and immediately dropped everything you were doing to tend to Jordan’s sickly needs.

“I don’t need your help, I’m fine! See?” And it was Jordan standing in front of you with the baggiest sweatsuit, nose running and red, cheeks inflamed and body temperature on 127 (normal human body temp usually goes up to 105.8, but Jordan’s a Supe! Their body chemistry is different).

You looked at him with an incredulous expression, arms filled to the brim with bags of medicine, different varieties of soup, heating pads, ice packs, you fucking name it. Jordan was not leaving this dorm until they feel better.

“Yeah, that pile of tissues say otherwise. Move over! I’m coming in!” The sickly Supe stood no chance against you, especially since you range higher in strength against them. It was the one advantage you had over Jordan and you made it known whenever you could. Not to rub it in their face, but in a teasing way. And Jordan never took any offence to it since he ranks higher than you.

You quickly got to work, using the hot plate you stashed in their dorm to whip up some soup. While that was simmering, you shoved the Supe on to their bed with ease as he snuggled into the covers. Jordan was never opposed to you taking care of him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make a fuss about it. “I’m very much capable of handling things on my own while sick,” he retorted, arms over the duvet like he was in a grave.

As adorable as he looked, you couldn’t help but roll your eyes at his statement and stubbornness. “You were barely hanging on before I got here. If you don’t take care of yourself, then I will!” You threw back, bringing the neck of his shirt down to lather Vicks on his chest. He protested, but immediately went quiet as you shot him a deathly glare.

The soup was nearly done so you decided to pour it into a bowl, courtesy of Jordan’s late night snacking. “You know I hate soup.”

“Yes, but it’s literally the only thing that will help right now. Sit up!”

Jordan didn’t like to be bossed around, but he did however like being babied so it was only fair that he obediently sat up with his hands at the ready for the soup.

He happily dove into the liquid meal, humming at the taste and how warm it was. It lit up his insides with fire, spreading throughout his entire body as though it was ridding him of his illness. You stood there watching with a “boy, I done told you it was good” expression which he completely ignored.

“You’re so lucky you’re cute and that I’m in love with you because none of this would be happening and you’d probably have to rely on fucking…Andre if anything.”

“I’d choose you over Andre any day. Besides he doesn’t know how cook, I’d die of starvation.” You couldn’t help but giggle at his comment, his stuffy nose making him sound nasally. You began reaching for the medicine that you were going to force him to take even if he didn’t want to.

“Open wide!”

“Fuck, no! Get that shit away from me!”

#jordan li x gn!reader #jordan li x y/n #jordan li x you #jordan li x reader #gen v jordan #jordan li #‹𝟥 requests

[wisteria-cherry]

forty days and forty nights (day thirty-seven!) (part two!)

(you thought i forgot didn’t you)

“stay.”

"fine. now answer the goddamn question or starve." katsuki grunted, sifting through the bags. he glanced at the pot of water you had for the ramen and turned the heat up before taking out miso, chicken, and a variety of vegetables.

"I'm doing okay." you answer, studying his movements carefully. "what're you making?"

"chanko nabe." a classic comfort dish. he knew exactly what he was doing, the bastard.

"don't you have patrol today?" you ask, albeit somewhat reluctantly. part of you immediately regretted asking, because what if he had patrol right this minute and had to leave?

"no." katsuki said shortly.

"ah."

it was silent for a good few minutes. katsuki continued to work on prepping different ingredients— mushrooms, carrot, tofu— and you opted to sit and watch, since clearly he disapproved of your cooking.

"took off 'cuz i wanted to check on ya." katsuki mumbled finally.

“you took off for me?” you repeat, dumbfounded. katsuki clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“isn’t that what i just said?” katsuki snapped. “idiot.”

“thanks.” you smile. “can i help you cook?”

“no way in hell, instant ramen freak.” katsuki snorted. “sit your ass down, i’m cooking.” your face instantly snaps into an indignant state, highly offended at katsuki’s accusation.

“that’s not all i eat! it was just tonight!” you protest.

“you had so many goddamn ramen packets in your cabinet that you coulda fed my entire agency!” katsuki barked back. “i’m cookin’, that’s that.”

“fine.” you huff, sinking into one of the counter stools. “jerk.”

“dumbass.”

the chanko nabe was ready fairly quick, and, as an added bonus, made your newly-cleaned apartment smell heavenly. it was nice to be pampered.

“eat.” katsuki grunted, sliding a bowl to you across the countertop. he turned back around and began on the dishes.

“oh, katsuki, i’ll do the—“

“siddown.” katsuki interrupted, instantly glaring at you from over his shoulder. “no the fuck you’re not.

“ok.” you didn’t bother arguing because, again, he did make you food, and he did make your apartment smell good. you ate in silence as katsuki did dishes. it was amazing— salty and flavorful and delicious. it wasn’t until katsuki broke the silence that you bothered taking a breath from your food to breathe.

“you got a plan for after this?” he grumbled, almost reluctantly. you shrug.

“just… keep going with life, i guess.” you could tell your answer didn’t please katsuki, because he tensed, giving you quite a wonderful outline of his back muscles through his tight black t shirt (did he wear that everywhere?).

“the fuck you mean?” katsuki narrowed his eyes as he turned around, drying a knife off with a hand towel as he did so.

“well, what am i supposed to do?” you point out.

“go to therapy and that shit.”

“i don’t need therapy.”

“you haven’t addressed the damn thing once. bet my money you haven’t talked with pinky or shitty hair either.” katsuki set the knife down, focusing his attention on you, which, given the current subject, made you just a tiny bit uncomfortable.

“i didn’t need to,” you answer hesitantly. right? i’m fine.

“you gotta talk to someone.” katsuki rolled his eyes. “no one goes through that kinda shit and gets out unscathed.”

“oh.” you frown. “well, i’ll think about it, i guess.”

“tch. you better do more than just think about it.” katsuki scowled, before getting himself some chanko nabe and plopping down next to you. “you doin’ anything tomorrow?”

“working.” you reply. “just like usual. it feels weird not working today.”

“i meant after that, dumbass.” katsuki’s voice suddenly got a little quieter, a little less grumbly, but just a little more defensive. he stared at his chanko nabe.

“oh. i don’t think so.” you ponder. “why?” katsuki didn’t answer for a good few minutes.

“because—“ katsuki hesitated for just a nanosecond, trying to gather his words. “—because we’re going somewhere.”

“we are?” you blink, confused.

“if you fuckin’ want to, or whatever.” katsuki snapped.

“like…” you stop. do you dare presume? “like a date?”

“yeah.” katsuki glanced over at you, glaring. the tips of his ears were red, and his cheeks were dusted with pink. cute. “‘s a hike.”

“okay.” you said, smiling, probably responding quicker than necessary, but you didn’t care.

you had a date with katsuki.

“you gotta talk to someone. no one goes through that shit and gets out unscathed.”

(feel free to comment + leave ur thoughts :)

tags: @k0z3me @cherryblossomclarity @stevenknightmarc @failingstudents-blog @jazzafayesworld @faerikitty @deathsmajestysworld

#katsuki bakugo #bakugou katsuki #bakugo katsuki #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bakugou #bnha #mha #bakugo x reader #katsuki bakugo oneshot #coffee shop au #pro hero bakugo x reader #pro hero bakugo

[dokiyeom]

2:33 AM  .  K. SOONYOUNG

PAIRING: idol! soonyoung/hoshi x gn! reader

GENRE: fluff! 

WORD COUNT: 1.1k!

WARNINGS: alcohol consumption

NOTE: i haven’t finished a wip or posted a written fic in forever i am so sorry <//3

SOONYOUNG SPORADICALLY CALLING YOU  DURING ODD HOURS IN THE NIGHT wasn’t particularly unusual, given his odd work schedule, but tonight was different. from what you were aware, he shouldn’t have much time to call while he’s away filming something for his group’s variety show. nonetheless, it's 2 am and your phone is ringing because your precious boyfriend wants to talk.

“hello? babe, is everything okay?” you ask once you pick up.

“hi yn!” soonyoung whisper yells, “we’re playing hide and seek so i have to keep quiet,”

“do you want to text instead then? so your voice doesn’t give you away?” you offer, smiling inwardly as you envision your boyfriend tucked away somewhere undetected. he’s always had an exceptional knack for hiding, having been distinguished as the reigning king of every variation of hide-and-seek that his group seems to conjure up.

“no, no, i want to hear your voice,” soonyoung insists, “and we took off our mics so it’s okay!”

“alright then,” you smile, “so, how’s everything going? what’d you guys do?”

“mm, things are nice! we had a few snacks earlier and we’re going to cook dinner soon,” soonyoung eagerly reports, his smile falters a bit suddenly as his tone drops, “i wish you were here with us though. i want to be hiding with you right now,”

“so we could play speed and you could rest on my shoulder?” you muse, resting your chin on one hand.

“so this wouldn’t have to happen! yn! your chin should be on MY shoulder, not your hand!” soonyoung objects quietly, “and hiding with you is so fun, don’t you think? we could have fun conversations and discuss a game plan for whatever we end up playing next,”

“and most importantly, we could play anything as a team!” soonyoung proudly proclaims

“even if your members decide to split into a 2 v 12 game?” you giggle, recalling some of the retreats you tagged along to that concluded with you and soonyoung being less than functional due to jeonghan and joshua  pushing for the two of you to team up against the rest of the group because in their words, not yours, ‘being a truly good couple means that no obstacles can stand in your way’.

apparently to soonyoung, that signified you two would win every game because he thoroughly believed you and him were the ultimate couple and team.

“especially if we end up in a 2 v 12 game yn! babe we are the dream team. you’re the brain and i’m the tiger. together we’re going unstoppable! as long as you can convince jeonghan and joshua to not cheat, we’re good!” soonyoung gives you a thumbs up to accentuate his resolve, making you burst into a fit of laughter.

“of course, of course, but soon, babe, don’t you think you have a bit too much faith in me? i’m not sure that i, or anyone, could convince jeonghan and joshua to ease up on us,” you hum. your smile widens to incomprehensible lengths as you watch soonyoung’s eyes illuminate.

“babe, you’re one of the smartest people i know, of course, you can!” soonyoung bobs vigorously.

“oh! i almost forgot!” soonyoung stiffens suddenly before easing, “we were supposed to all take a shot earlier together before we started playing hide and seek, but i hid mine so we could take it together,”

“aw soonyoung,” you melt and position your hand over your heart, “you’re too cute,”

soonyoung giggles softly over your remarks, his eyes morphing into charming upturned crescents, “you can just drink whatever drink you have nearby! it can even be water! anything’s fine, i just want to take my first shot of the night with you,”

you nod and hold up your mug of tea to the screen as soonyoung swiftly produces his hidden shot glass. the two of you tap your glasses to the screen as soonyoung dubs a faint little “clink!” before he gulps down his shot of soju and you sip your tea.

“so, how was your day?” soonyoung sings, hugging his legs closer to himself as he lays his head atop his knees.

“very quiet, not as eventful as yours,” you reply, “i got a bit of a rest day, so i mostly just read and got some work done,”

your phone buzzes with a text notification and its abruptness momentarily takes your attention away from your boyfriend, which instantly sets off lighthearted protests from him.

“oh! seungkwan texted,” you inform him.

“noo yn, can you ignore him so we can keep talking?” soonyoung helpfully suggests as you laugh and click on the notification.

boo 🍊: hi yn, sorry to bother, but can u tell hoshi to come out? we found him already but we didn’t want to interrupt and we’re gonna cook shin ramyeon now

yn 🍙: okok sorry to keep him away from u guys!! ill let him know and enjoy urselves !! pls take lots of pics and send them over :)

boo 🍊: ok!! sorry we couldn’t invite u to come :(((( and ik hoshi wants u here and so do we

yn 🍙: no need to apologize at all!!! u guys are there for going sev! we can hang out together next time when u guys have time :))

boo 🍊: for sure!!!! also dokyeomie says hi yn i miss u :)))))

yn 🍙: hi kyeom !!!! miss u && everyone else tooooo

“yn? ynnn!” soonyoung hums, waiting for your attention.

“yes, soon?” you match his singsong tone.

“do you think they’re ever going to find me?” soonyoung marvels, “i’ve been hiding here for a while,”

“they have, babe,” you reply, laughing a little as soonyoung’s eyes widen in shock, “seungkwan just texted to let you know that they found you earlier and now they’re going to start cooking ramen,”

“aw i don’t want to leave you though,” soonyoung pouts, clearly conflicted about what he should do, despite knowing that only one option will prevail.

“i’ll be here when you come back, okay babe? just go enjoy your snacks and drinking games. but don’t get too drunk please! take care of yourself,” you reassure him, wishing you could reach through the screen to ruffle his hair and kiss his cheek.

“okay fine,” soonyoung sighs, wavering before speaking again, “but when i come back, we’re going to have a game night with everyone! you and me versus them, okay?”

“anything you want,” you promise, “now go before they get mad!”

“okay bye yn! send me photos of whatever you eat for breakfast tomorrow please!”

“will do,” you beam, “i love you soonie!”

hoshi waves at the screen and holds it close to his face until the background is completely obscured by his radiant eyes, “i love you too yn! goodbye!”

#aya's fics ଘ(੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ #hoshi x reader #hoshi fluff #seventeen fluff #seventeen x reader #hoshi #soonyoung fluff #soonyoung x reader #hoshi x you #hoshi x yn #seventeen oneshots #seventeen fics #seventeen oneshot #seventeen x you #seventeen comfort #hoshi comfort #hoshi scenarios #seventeen scenarios #hoshi imagines #hoshi oneshot #soonyoung x you #svt soonyoung #soonyoung scenarios #soonyoung imagines

[daeva-agas]

Speaking of the Senshi/Shitennou pairs. I was kind of curious why those stones in particular, right. Kunzite and zoisite are so unusual that I think only gemstone aficionados know them, and even though jadeite and nephrite are somewhat more commonly known names IIRC it still made people mess up the mineral names back in the day.

Well, uh, so, it was alleged that Takeuchi-sensei chose them to match the character and personalities of the senshi they're partnered with, so... Excuse me while I go overthink this and have a meltdown in suffering.

In the first place, supposedly the "inner senshi" are officially meant to be called "guardians"/"guardian deities" (守護 or 守護神). Haven't seen the raws, so I can't confirm, but that's what the JP media says. The term "Shitennou", as many are already aware of, are originally a term used to refer to a set of 4 Buddhist guardian deities.

If true then it just feels like they're all intended to be perfectly matching sets from the start, and it just never made it into the story.

I read that Sailor Moon was originally meant to just end with the Dark Kingdom plot, so maybe sensei intended to have a Romeo and Juliet sad ending where everyone just dies in the end?

These are all based on Japanese gemology guides (same as what I used to research for the Shitennou knight titles), since I imagine it's more likely to be the one Takeuchi-sensei had access to. These may differ from international ones.

(Warning: Long post)

In the manga sensei specified that the zoisite is the blue one, that's also known as "tanzanite". The blue variety of zoisite, among other things, means "calm and intelligence".

The connection to Ami/Mercury's character is very straightforward and obvious.

In terms of romance, a zoisite also means "subdued expressions of love". It really makes me think of how gentle this pair looks in the splash art sensei drew.

Kunzite means "premonition of a lover". It's specifically oh dang when I saw this because Minako was "special" among the senshi in the way that her character vibes are based on "love" (because Venus, goddess of love), rather than the original elemental name attached to the planet. It fits enough to make you pause and wonder if this it truly a coincidence.

The planet venus originally has the element of "gold/metal". The gold is reflected in her design somewhat, but her senshi identity is more related to "love". The other girls' names matches their planets' element names. E.g Jupiter = mokusei = wood, Ki(no) = wood/tree. Mercury = suisei = water, Mizu(no) = water.

Also Venus's relationship with Kunzite ended up being the one who got the most hints actually shown in the manga, so... I do wonder.

The two jades are less overly specific like this, especially Nephrite, but well.

Jadeite is the native jade from Japan, and has been long used to make magatama since ancient times. As such it's always seen as a deeply spiritual stone, that can protect against and/or ward off evil. A perfect match for Rei, who is a miko. One wonders if sensei chose the stone because of Rei being a miko, or if she made Rei a miko after choosing this name for the one matched with her.

Edit: Japanese Wiki claims Rei being a miko was based on Takeuchi-sensei's personal experience as a part time miko. So then Jadeite had to have been named/chosen to fit her, if this theory is true.

Not to mention that Akuryou Taisan, the evil-banishing spell, is something that she uses quite often.

Nephrite is the most confusing one here, because I'm not really able to find the connection. That's why I initially had strong doubts about the rumour/claim about the gemstone names' connection to the senshi.

In the gemology guide that I referenced, its meaning is "charm of maturity". I suppose Mako has always felt like she's older than the other girls, because her hobbies (cooking and home decor) feels really motherly.

Other than that and the stone being a deep green colour similar to Jupiter's senshi outfit I'm not entirely sure. (in the manga, sensei says nephrites are "always deep green" even though IRL that's not the case)

----

Just my additional comments after reading everything that I did:

In terms of colour, I like to think Jadeite is a red jade. Not just to match Rei, but in the manga Jadeite's stone is always coloured the darkest (it's almost all-black). Of all the various jades, red is one of the darker-toned ones.

The shading can be arbitrary, especially if sensei was just tracing from reference photos. Dark green jadeite also exist, so for all I know this is intended to be green too.

But if I use the logic that the stones are matched with the girls' character, I think red just fits the best. In gemstone language the red jade means "tenacity" and "willpower". Green jades tends to be associated with things like harmony, prosperity, luck, and so on. It doesn't feel very Rei-like.

Also, the nephrite jade being a "soft jade", it's associated with very cuddly meanings such as "warm" or "gentle", which makes me laugh even more than the "wisdom" one.

Unless, again, these words are more attached to the matching girls' character, rather than the guy in question, because yes I think Mako is definitely very warm and gentle and fluffy and very huggable.

Although other-coloured zoisite varieties were said to have different meaning, it looks like blue is the predominant zoisite colour in Japan. A lot of Japanese gem sites tend to automatically just say "it's blue" while describing zoisite, even though there's obviously other colours out there.

Sensei did specify it's "blue zoisite, a.k.a tanzanite" in the manga, so I think she's aware of the other colours having different meanings attached. Some articles also had mentioned Takeuchi-sensei's family runs a jewellery store?

I wonder if this is why Crystal went with the gemstone's healing properties for Zoi's title though, because the gemstone words overlaps too much with Mercury in a very in-the-face way. The other meanings are Hope, Mystery, Pride, and Noble, and maybe those don't make very good title names? Like, the only viable one is probably Hope, though I feel like it would be even more confusing if Crystal said Zoi is the "Knight of Hope" or whatever.

Another thing about Kunzite is that its meaning also include "pure and everlasting love", but the website caveated this that this is a saintly kind of love (for the gem's association with Holy Mother Mary). So it's not necessarily something to get overly excited about in terms of SenShi headcanoning, but, well, it's there.

"Shitennou" in Japanese pop culture is generally used to just mean "4 very important people", so it didn't have to actually mean anything. Like, a few samurai in history had their "shitennou", who are just the best 4 generals serving under them. Most famous being the Tokugawa shitennou, but other samurai lords actually have their own so-called shitennou. It's just that if the senshi are officially named "Guardians", then this changes the context.

#sailor moon #sailor moon meta #sailor moon crystal #I'VE ALWAYS LOVED FLOWER LANGUAGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT #THAT'S WHY THIS RUMOUR/THEORY SENT ME GOING FERAL #senshi x shitennou #shitennou x senshi #sorry I hope I'm not invading the tag with absurdity #shitennou #sailor moon shitennou #ugugu #I guess I shouldn't tag this with the ships since it's just a rambly meltdown #jedarei #nefumako #zoiami #kunvi #the pixiv tags are cute #jadeite x rei #jadeite x mars #nephrite x jupiter #nephrite x mako #zoisite x mercury #zoisite x ami #kunzite x venus #kunzite x minako #jadeite #kunzite #nephrite #zoisite

[essenceofsunflower]

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚ RETH x READER

wc: 2983 tags: fem!reader, she/her reader pronouns, reth from palia, canon events (i guess could be spoilery?), finding your shepp, self indulgent writing, not proofread or beta read :D

masterlist

“Find a shepp,” you muttered to yourself with a sigh. It was hard enough trying to navigate this newfound world, let alone trying to find a shepp per Eshe’s request. Since spawning into this place they called Kilima Village, you had been thrown into task after task. How would you ever find the time to build relationships with the villagers if you were always busy? You decided that today you would take a break from being the errand girl for everyone and instead would meet everyone you could find in hopes that you would find someone who would be willing to be your shepp. Up until now, you had only briefly spoken to most of the town, but no one knew you well enough to be your shepp just yet.

As you came into town, you assumed that Ashura would probably have wise words of advice on the fact of the matter. Hurrying along, you walked into the inn to find Ashura at his desk. 

“Hey, Ashura!” you said cheerily as you approached him. The large, gentle giant softly smiled. “Welcome in, y/n! Good to see you today. How are things going for ya?” he asked.

“Honestly? Well, I need some advice. You know this place, and the people, better than anyone, so I was going to see if you have any tips for me on picking a shepp?” 

“A shepp? So that’s what Eshe has you doing, I see. Well, many of the townsfolk would be more than happy to be a shepp- but,” he gave you a look, “asking them to be your own comes with a lot of responsibility on their part. You don’t want just anyone to be your shepp, and it should be someone you feel close to or have a connection with.”

“Responsibility? Eshe didn’t really explain much of all this to me. I thought they just told Eshe ‘Yep, she’s one of us!’ and that was it.”

Ashura chuckled. “In a way, yes, that is what they do. But their job as your shepp doesn’t stop there. They’re responsible for you, so anything you do- whether that’s good or bad- reflects upon them, too. Likewise, anything they do can also affect your own standing in Eshe’s eyes, if you get what I mean.”

“Oh… so we are kinda tied to each other’s social standing?” The wheels in your head began to turn. Who would you choose as your shepp then? It seemed the task wasn’t going to be as easy as you once thought it’d be.

“Yes, at least in the beginning it will be. But once you’re on your feet, most of us will forget who you picked as your shepp and there won’t be a little red string tying you guys together anymore. But don’t just rush into it, you’ve got all the time you need to pick someone who best fits you and your lifestyle. I know you aren’t Majiri like us, but maybe figuring out what path you like can help you narrow down your candidates.”

“Path. That’s right! A lot of you guys have your own path, so maybe I should find one I could call my own as well. Thanks, Ashura! I knew you’d be a big help for sure.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s what I’m here for, of course. Kilima Village has a pretty good variety of those in different paths, there is a path for everyone- from farming, furniture making, to cooking-  you’ll figure it out.” Ashura placed a hand on your shoulder and gave a soft smile before walking past you to go about his day.

There is a path for everyone. Surely someone in this town had a path you could find yourself in, you just had to figure out who it was. As you stood there, racking your brain through the makeshift list of names in your head, you heard the rumbling coming from your stomach. You had been so immersed in your search for finding a shepp today that you forgot to make yourself something to eat. You looked around the inn, seeing the bar open for business.

“What’cha got on the menu today, Reth?” you asked as you put your hands on the counter. The elf playfully contemplated his response, acting as if he was thinking long and hard about it. “Well, I would say my famous lettuce soup, but I’d be willing to whip up something different if you wanted,” he said with a smirk.

“As much as I love your lettuce soup, I don’t think I can have that for breakfast. How about some bacon-stuffed mushrooms? What do I have to do to get some of those on your menu?” you laughed. Reth was someone who was fun to talk to, in your opinion. You knew that the rest of the town had their own opinions about him, but none of it mattered to you. You enjoyed how go with the flow he was and how he always seemed to take each day one at a time.

“You know what, for you, I can make those. Just don’t tell people I make stuff off the menu.” He winked and turned around to start prepping the food. As you watched him chop the ingredients and assemble your meal, you wondered what his thoughts were on paths and choosing a shepp. “Reth, what do you think I should do about finding a shepp? Ashura said I should find someone who’s on a path that I can find myself in, but I don’t even know where to start.”

Reth scoffed to himself. “You sure you want to ask me about paths and shepps? I don’t think I’m really the best one to give you any advice on that, y/n. But if you wanna know how I feel, I think that these paths people take just because their parents do is a little outdated of an idea. I think what Ashura means is finding a path that you like, that you enjoy doing. You lucked out being human, even if you changed your mind, no one is really gon’ say much about it.” His tone changed towards the end of his sentence.

“Yeah, so I’ve heard. The Majiri don’t seem too understanding if you change paths… but I’m sure you know it all too well, but I’m glad you’re doing something you like.”

“Me too, this stuff is way more fun than getting splinters all day and hammering away on furniture,” he said as he put the plate of bacon-stuffed mushrooms in front of you. The food looked immaculate, you could tell it was made by someone who truly loved what they were doing.

Hey, Reth,” you said quietly as you started to cut the food into pieces. Reth turned around and wiped his hands on his apron. “Yeah? What’s up? It’s not good? Don’t tell me that, just lie to me,” he snickered.

“No, no. It’s not the food, this is good, great even,” you said as you finished a bite. “Do you think, maybe, you would be my shepp?”

Reth looked astounded by the question. “What?! ME ?! Y/N, I wouldn’t even know what to do with myself as a shepp. Maybe if I knew you better, but even then, you sure you want me to be that person? I don’t really have the best reputation in the village.”

You pushed the food around on the plate, almost feeling stupid for even thinking he’d agree to something so serious. It wasn’t like Reth to be tied to anything, let alone a new person in the village who was asking a lot of him. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. You’re probably right,” you said quietly.

Reth leaned on the counter and met your eye level. “Look, if it comes down to it and you still don’t have someone, then I’ll do it. But there’s gotta be someone way better out there for your decision than this guy. But I will do it if no one else will-”

“Really?!” you exclaimed, cutting him off. Reth put up his index finger. “Yeah, but on one condition,” he chuckled. “You just have to promise to keep coming into the inn and having breakfast, lunch, and dinner here for a while before I really agree to it. I gotta know the person I’m shepping for before saying yes for real, don’t I?”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “You know what, Reth. I think I can do that, but only if you promise me you won’t make me lettuce soup every time I come in.” Reth laughed heartily at your response and nodded his head in approval. “Fine, you got a deal.” He made his way to the other side of the counter to take someone else’s order and began prepping their food for them. 

It was hard not to watch in awe as he prepared the orders he had coming in. He was meticulous with his cuts and attentive to all timers in the kitchen, basically ready to take stuff out before the timers could even go off. It was like watching an artist paint a masterpiece as he plated the food and garnished it before passing it across the counter. As you continued to watch, you admired how much fun it looked like he had cooking. Finally, you finished your food.

“Reth,” you called to him as you placed your coins on the counter. “For the food.” You got off the seat and waved goodbye. “See ya later, Y/N! I’ll be here all day,” he laughed as he waved back. You left the inn in a better state than you came in, at least you knew that if all else failed with the rest of the town, Reth had promised to be your shepp.

ɞ────⋆˚₊⋆ ๑

The coming weeks didn’t bring any result in picking a shepp. Everyone was either too busy to commit to it or didn’t feel right with your relationship being so new with them. You walked into the inn and sat at the bar, laying your head in your arms and letting out a long sigh.

“Hey, hey, hey. This is a ‘no-sad-human-zone’, you can’t do that here,” Reth said as he leaned on the counter in front of you, resting his head in his palm. “Ughhh,” you groaned dramatically. “Wow, that bad, huh? I bet I know what will fix it.” He snapped his finger and walked into the back of the bar where the pantry and other cooking supplies were at. A few moments later, you could feel him put down a plate of food on the counter beside you. “This one’s on the house,” he said as you raised your head up to look at what he brought out. It was a fresh bowl of ramen, complete with boiled eggs and green onions on top. Reth leaned over and whispered to you. “Just don’t tell anyone I let you have it for free, okay?” He winked and grabbed a cleaning rag to start wiping off the counter.

You appreciated the sentiment, especially coming from Reth since you two were starting to grow a little closer after all the visits you had promised to make to the inn. “Reth, what do you do outside of this place?” Reth paused for a moment, a little confused by the question. “You mean like once I leave work? Uh… I do…. stuff, I guess.” His tone implied he wasn’t really trying to answer the question, but you couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Well, are you going somewhere when you’re done today?” you asked, not really sure where you were going with the series of questions.

“I have a few things I have to do later tonight, but nothing right after we close up here. Why? You tryin' to ask me to hangout?” He chuckled and kept wiping the counter. 

“Actually, yeah. Do you want to?” You were still unsure yourself what was even going on, but the conversation just seemed to flow naturally. You did want to know more about Reth after all this time, and he did say he needed to know you more before officially agreeing to be your shepp. Short conversations over a meal while he worked weren’t really the best way for you two to get to know each other.

“Oh, uh,” Reth said, scratching the back of his head and smiling. “I didn’t expect you to actually say that was the plan. But ya know what, I think we can do that. Why don’t you come back later at say, 6pm? I’ll be finishing up here and we can go somewhere then. How’s that sound?”

“Sure, that sounds good. Thanks, Reth.” You started to eat your food as you noticed Reth checking the clock on the wall. “I’ll be right back, I have to.. Get a few things from the storeroom.” Reth scurried off out of the bar and rushed down the stairs to the basement area. After a few minutes, you felt a large hand on your shoulder. You turned to see Ashura standing beside you, he looked like he needed something.

“Have you seen Reth? I got a few things I need to talk to that boy about, but he’s always in and out doing things,” he said.

“He just had to go to the storeroom for something, but when he gets back I can let him know that you need him?” You gave a shrug as you suggested.

“Yeah, that’ll work. Thanks, Y/N. I have to head out to the garden, but he should know where to find me.” He gave a sincere smile and left the inn. You looked up at the clock. Reth had been gone for at least 10 minutes. What on earth does he have to even get down there? And what about his job? Luckily, the bar wasn’t full of people waiting on him, but what if it was? He would be in high water with Ashura come the end of the day, and you definitely didn’t want to see if that sweet man was capable of bringing down the hammer.

You glanced around the bar; it didn’t look like anyone was coming to get food anytime soon so you decided to go downstairs to see if Reth needed help with whatever it was he was getting. You got up from the bar and made your way down the steps of the inn. It was your first time down there, but the store room was just across the room past the little boat docks under the inn. As you grabbed the door handle, you felt it turn and pull open as Reth left the storeroom. “Oh! Uh.. Y/N, what are you doing down here?” he asked nervously.

“Well, you were gone for so long, I thought maybe you needed some help or something. And plus, Ashura said he was looking for you.” Reth let out a groan. “Yeah, I forgot I have some errands I have to run tonight for him. He’s probably just reminding me.” He let out a soft sigh under his breath. “We may have to reschedule our little hangout tonight, if that’s alright.”

“Yeah, that’s fine…,” you said. The two of you sat awkwardly in silence for a moment before you broke it. “Maybe I can help you with some of the errands so you get done early?” Reth’s face lit up at the offer. “Hey! That just might work.” He snapped his fingers. “How about you do a few of the deliveries and pick up some things, and I’ll take care of the rest? I promise the deliveries aren’t that bad, just a handful of things to take and pick up.”

His bright smile made you smile as well. “Sure, you just tell me where to go.” Reth pulled out his order pad and wrote down the people to deliver to and who to pick up ingredients from. “There, that should be it. Eshe’s stuff’s all done, just upstairs in the back fridge. You’d be a real lifesaver doing this for me.”

You took the list and walked back upstairs with Reth. He led you into the back kitchen area and got the delivery package out of the fridge and handed it to you. “Careful with it, it’s a luxury to deliver this special dinner of mine to Eshe. Gotta deliver it safely or it’s both our hides that’ll be skinned,” he chuckled. “And just let the others know you’re picking up for me, they should have the stuff ready for you. Thanks again.” He bashfully smiled, something you hadn’t really seen before, but it was endearing. “No problem, I’ll be back before long,” you said before you left the inn.

Eshe’s delivery was your first priority, so you made your way across the bridge down from the stables and found her waiting, impatiently to no surprise. “Hey, Eshe! Have something for you,” you said as you pulled the package out and offered it to her. You watched Eshe look at the package and then back up at you before taking it. “So Reth has you doing his job for him? Hmph, seems fitting. This better be what I’ve been waiting for, not like that awful lettuce soup he pushes every time you order at the inn.”

“He doesn’t have me doing them, I offered to just help him out. I’m sure the food he made is well up to par; he really puts in a lot of work into his food, ya know,” you said assuredly. Eshe scoffed at your reply and tucked the package under her arm. “For his sake, I hope it is. If not, he will surely hear about it.” She walked off towards her house and left you standing there alone.

“These people really feel some type of way about him, don’t they?” you mumbled to yourself. 

2024 ©️ essenceofsunflower. please do not copy, translate, and/or distribute my work. divider.

#.sunnywrites #palia mmo reth #palia fanfic #palia x reader #palia fluff #reth fluff #reth fanfic #reth x reader #reth imagines #don't tell me if you hate this cause i might cry

[hunieday]

Yuki - Daily Life Rabbit chat part 5 - Holiday Market

PART 1 - PART 2 - PART 3 - PART 4 - PART 5

Please note that I am not a professional translator and I'm only doing this to share the side materials to those who cannot access them, if you notice any mistakes please let me know nicely. Enjoy!

Takanashi Tsumugi: Yuki-san, thank you for your hard work.

Takanashi Tsumugi: We'll be appearing together on a music program next week! Everyone is already looking forward to working with Re:vale-san!

Yuki: Good work, I got a call from Okarin a while ago. Looking forward to it as well

Takanashi Tsumugi: 

Yuki: I was actually thinking of rabbichatting with Maneko-chan

Takanashi Tsumugi: With me?

Yuki: Yeah, we’re at the roadside station you recommended the other day.

Yuki: Thanks to you we’re having a great time

Takanashi Tsumugi: Wah! So it’s your day off today! I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves.

Takanashi Tsumugi: I'm sorry for bothering you on your day off...!

Yuki: Don't worry about it

Yuki: I actually have some free time right now, so keep me company for a bit

Takanashi Tsumugi: Aren't you with Momo-san?

Yuki: He's trying his hand at the vegetable-packing activity, so he’s waiting in line to give it a try

Yuki: I think he's more into veggies than I am

Takanashi Tsumugi: 

CHOICE:

1) Don't you want to try the challenge?

Yuki: I'm just watching. Tried it once, couldn't pack much at all, and ended up losing money. So I've been appointed as Momo's cheerleading squad ever since

2) Is Momo-san good at the packing challenge?

Yuki: Like a pro. Even when we were struggling, he used to join housewives at the supermarket and work his hardest. Momo brought back the loot with a perfectly packed bag, looking absolutely cool

3) What are you planning to do after this?

Yuki: I'll watch Momo eat a parfait. We were talking about coming back later for dessert after lunch, but my stomach's still full.

Yuki: Momo’s working his hardest to stuff the bags alongside the housewives

Yuki: Though I'm a bit worried about the carrots

Takanashi Tsumugi: I know what you mean… I tend to pack the same vegetables instead of going with a variety since it’s easier…!

Yuki: Maneko-chan, do you have experience with this?

Takanashi Tsumugi: Yes I do! There are packing challenges at the local supermarket sometimes, so I give it my best whenever they happen!

Takanashi Tsumugi: 

Yuki: Impressive

Takanashi Tsumugi: Sometimes I end up with nothing but carrots or sweet potatoes though, so I stick to the same vegetable menu for a while after that...

Yuki: What kind of menu do you go for?

Yuki: I might pickle some carrots tomorrow so I'm looking for some inspiration

Takanashi Tsumugi: I finely chop and add a lot of them to soup, or grate them and arrange them in different ways like a salad! 

Yuki: A salad sounds nice. You can sandwich it in bread so you won’t get tired of it

Yuki: Back when Momo brought back a ton of carrots from a packing challenge, we used to make curry or stew for days

Takanashi Tsumugi: Momo-san was in charge of packing them and you were in charge of the cooking!

Yuki: That’s right

Yuki: We were broke, so we only had curry roux, and I remember having curry with nothing but carrots for three days straight.

Takanashi Tsumugi:

Yuki: I thought my body might turn into curry on the third day

Yuki: Momo said everything tasted delicious, though

Takanashi Tsumugi: I'm sure it’s thanks to the love you put into it...!

Yuki: That's true

Yuki: That’s always been my secret ingredient

Takanashi Tsumugi: 

Yuki: I think I'll stop Momo soon.

Yuki: He's working hard to pack those carrots, but his bag looks like it's about to rip and burst.

Takanashi Tsumugi: Yes! I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Yuki: Mhm. Thanks for keeping my company

Yuki: I'll do my best to make those flower crowns and send you pictures of my cute Momo

Takanashi Tsumugi: Looking forward to it...!

Takanashi Tsumugi: 

#idolish7 #i7 #idolish7 translation #orikasa yukito #yuki re:vale #re:vale #rabbitchat #id7 #ainana #daily life rabbit chat

[demonslayedher]

Tengen's Favorite: Fugu

A.k.a., the pufferfish, a flamboyant way to flirt with death by tetrodotoxin.

"Sempai, you didn't!" you might be shaking your screens as a way to shake sense into me. "Sempai, I thought you wouldn't risk your life for Kimetsu Kitchen!" So you say, but I'd like to remind you that I am a bad cook and I could probably find less flamboyant methods of culinary death. But also I am here to educate, and guess what? This isn't my first time eating fugu. It's time to knock the flamboyance down a notch by telling you that fugu is more commonly consumed than you might think, as well as give you the details about Uzui Tengen's favorite food in a safe way.

Because yes, you should mind safety.

Cutting out the liver and other toxic organs is a very precise, very crucial process, so let's allow Hinatsuru to concentrate and ask our local fish-fan and poison expert to tell us more.

"Thank you for asking! Did you know pufferfish don't make this neurotoxin themselves? They get it from eating things like mollusks and bacteria, so I'll bet in the future raising these fish in farms with controlled diets will be popular. The tetrodotoxin, or TTX, blocks the passage of sodium ions into a nerve cell, thereby not letting signals to contract reach the muscles. Although there is no antidote, it's a poison humans can metabolize rather quickly, provided they have artificial respiratory assistance. The paralysis and all the other symptoms sure won't be fun, though!"

Thanks, Shinobu! Taisho Secret: Shinobu's goldfish is named Fugu.

She's right about the farmed fugu, and I've heard it said that people who can taste a difference between farmed fugu and wild fugu tend to prefer it farmed anyway. What's also important to note is that there are many varieties of fugu, and "torafugu" (tiger puffer) is the safest variety, and what is typically consumed. Although some people say the livers are the best part, they are typically rich people who wind up eating their words later on. Don't listen to them, they are dead.

We'll pause here to acknowledge the history, because not everyone who has ingested wild fugu has doomed themselves to consciously watching themselves suffocate over the course of a few hours. There are records of use their use in Chinese medicine, and even though Toyotomi Hideyoshi (one of the three great unifiers of Japan) formally banned their consumption and the Tokugawa shogunate upheld this ban, people continued to consume them anyway, especially in areas where the Tokugawa shogun was not popular. (I'd like to imagine some Uzui ancestors ate fugu out of spite.)

One region not especially privy to the shogunate was the Choshu domain, in modern day Yamaguchi prefecture. This domain played a major role in overthrowing the shogunate and establishing the Meiji government, and the first prime minister, Itou Hirobumi, was from Yamaguchi. The story goes that in 1887, it was on visit down at the very western tip of Japan's main island that he stayed at an inn and wanted fish, and the lady of the establishment had no fish to serve him except the illegal pufferfish. She decided it was better to risk what might look like an attempted assassination of the top guy in the country than to serve him a subpar meal.

Well, bam, it was so good that pufferfish was legal the following year! By my calculations and presumed dates that KnY takes place, that means it was already legal before Tengen was born. Sorry, buddy, you don't get to be that edgy.

As for how to eat it, the most iconic way is to eat it raw, sliced so thin that you can still see elaborate patterns on the dishes through the translucent flesh. This is called "tessa." It's often arranged in elegant patterns evocative of chrysanthemums, or on festive occasions, like a phoenix. It's most often a winter dish, but you can get it all year round. It has a very, very light, rather unflamboyant flavor, and is therefore typically eaten with a special variety of onions grown to accompany it, and other condiments like ponzu, citrus, and momiji-oroshi (grated daikon with chili pepper).

The main draw is the texture of the fish. As someone who enjoys sashimi, I did find the texture of tessa very, very nice when I recently got a chance to try it. The same meal also served the skin, and the flesh cooked into a rice porridge dish.

I wonder if Hinatsuru is almost done?

Not yet. Then let's talk about incidents and safety!

Basically, if you're not in Japan: DON'T DO IT. Heck, if you're in the European Union, it's illegal in the first place. There are very, ve-r-r-r-y slim opportunities of eating it in the United States after it is sourced from Japan, and although frozen tessa can travel, really, why bother eating in New York City? If you have that budget to spend, just fly to Japan. Anywhere else... just don't do it. The restaurant fatalities in recent years have primarily been in countries that don't have as stringent of a training and certification process as Japan. Japan also has a small handful of cases each year, but they don't usually end in fatalities because the accidental poisonings may not always be a large dose, and the victims received medical attention that got them through the crucial hours of paralysis. Also, those cases have typically been due to overconfident fishermen, not mistakes made by industry professionals.

But if you're in Japan----oh! It looks like Hinatsuru is done.

All of those examples? Things I have eaten in real life, often under the mistaken impression that "fugu" referred to two different kinds of fish (as happens sometimes), as there was no way I'd have eaten fugu without signing a waiver first, right???

No. Not at all. It is totally realistic to find yourself in a situation where you are served fugu without realizing what it is (though I imagine most tourists don't find themselves in these situations unless they have a guide who planned things without asking about dietary preferences). To demystify this fish a bit, there is so much fugu consumed without incident that you can get to a point where the possibility of poison doesn't even cross your mind. They sell it at a regular grocery story just down the street from where I live in a place that is not famous for fugu or anything like that. (Also, no one brings it up as much, but raw eel is toxic too! You never see it available for sale unless it's been precooked or specially marinated. Again, industry standards.)

Granted, I was still nervous about eating tessa, and the danger is still part of the thrill of fugu, though the industry stresses its merits as a tasty and (otherwise) healthy fish. I get the feeling that if Tengen lived in the Reiwa era, he'd find pufferfish disappointingly lower risk now than suits his thrill. Nonetheless, although I'll eat it if it's served to me, it is not something I go out of my way to eat.

But I will state it again: ONLY eat pufferfish that has been prepared by a professional in Japan. Otherwise, DO NOT.

#kimetsu kitchen #uzui tengen #uzui makio #fugu #uzui hinatsuru #uzui suma #my art #my dumb art

[acey-wacey]

Loving Their Cooking

Feat. Trey Clover, Ruggie Bucchi, Jade Leech, Floyd Leech, Jamil Viper

Requested by @thelazyhermits on Ko-fi. Thanks for supporting me! You literally mean the world to me!

...

♣️ Trey Clover ♣️

He's very shocked when you off-handedly mention his baking being your favorite food.

He brushes it off as joking around and asks you what your favorite confection of his is.

He is even more shocked when you reply with...

"I don't really have a specific favorite, but eating your food makes me feel all warm and happy."

He always invites you to help him bake whenever you're available.

If you do have a favorite confection, he makes excuses to make it more often.

He just loves to see your face light up when you take a bite.

And of course, you do the little food dancey dance.

He thinks it's so cute that you do a little wiggle whenever he gives you good.

He has a recording of it on his phone so he can look at it any time you're apart.

He can empathize with you having to be independent and making your own food all the time so whenever he can, he tries to take some weight off your shoulders.

Grim isn't complaining since it means free food from the Heartslabyul vice dorm leader.

...

🍩 Ruggie Bucchi 🍩

He asked you as a joke if his food was your favorite.

He never expected you would actually say yes.

Of course his first reaction is to tease you about it.

"Aw, you just love it because I made it because you're so in love with me, right, Y/N?"

You keep flustering him by agreeing with his taunts.

He will never leave you alone about it.

He flaunts the fact that you love his cooking and makes sun of you but he really revels in the attention you give him.

He tries to hide it, though you already know how much of a simp he is.

With Ruggie, everything comes with a price, so much so, you would think he should've been put in Octavinelle.

If he cooks something for you, you have to cook something for him in return.

You alternate between who makes dinner every other day only breaking the pattern on birthday and other such special occasions.

No one should be slaving away in the kitchen on their birthday.

...

🍄 Jade Leech 🍄

He honestly didn't even think he was that good of a cook until you pointed it out.

Cooking was usually just work, another chore for the Mostro Lounge but you made it special.

When you tell him eating his food feels like home, it starts to be more personal.

He loves to cook together with you, introducing you to all the different mushroom dishes he can make with his recent forages.

Once you show interest in his mushrooms, you won't get him to stop talking about the different varieties, their properties, where they grow, how to find them.

He often will invite you on his foraging excursions, so much so that you are considered an honorary member of the Mountain Lovers Club.

When you say his cooking makes you happy, he will try to make it into something sly or sneaky but he's really very proud of his own work and how much it means to you.

Just imagine dancing around in the kitchen with Jade while making chanterelle risotto T-T.

...

🦐 Floyd Leech 🦐

He also didn't think he was that good at cooking.

It's always so boring, just another phase he had once.

Plus Jade's endless mushroom recipes ruin the whole concept for him.

But one under-staffed day when he was forced to work the kitchens, you tried his pesto pasta and immediately lit up.

You went on and on about how his cooking was so perfect and made you so happy.

Talk about some good motivation.

He gets really into cooking, just to impress you, though he knows he's already doing that.

Normally, he would've gotten bored of doing the same thing by now but you keep introducing him to new recipes and fun ways to do boring things.

You manage to make everything interesting, even if he never considered it before.

Every day with you is an adventure, even if you're doing something simple like making Mac and Cheese.

You always make up a new twist at the end to surprise him. A different spice combination or a dash of sriracha.

Adds to the spice of life.

He loves when you cook for him too, doting on him like a child, but he also likes seeing the giddy look in your eyes as you take another bite of his food.

...

🐍 Jamil Viper 🐍

Get the he// out of his kitchen.

Well, he isn't as stingy with you but he's still very particular about the way things need to be done.

The process got a little more exclusive after Grim butchered one of his stir-fries.

He often cooks with you in the kitchen, but he doesn't usually want you to actually do anything.

It's part because he doesn't want you to feel obligated to help and part because he doesn't want you messing anything up.

Of course he trusts your cooking skills but he's so used to being skeptical since Kalim got poisoned.

You tell him his cooking is your favorite with bright eyes and a big grin.

He doesn't know how to respond at all.

He'll mutter an awkward "thank you" before attempting to process the oddly intimate feeling of the simple statement.

People don't usually appreciate his cooking. He's just a servant after all and it's expected for him to be good at cooking.

But you come along and start praising him like it doesn't mean anything, not knowing how touched he is.

Now he won't let you help with anything in the kitchen, not because he doesn't trust you, but because he wants to impress you with his skills.

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #twst #disneytw #trey clover #trey clover x reader #ruggie bucchi #ruggie bucchi x reader #jade leech #jade leech x reader #floyd leech #floyd leech x reader #jamil viper #jamil viper x reader #nyx's kofi requests

[peach-and-bugs]

💗Misty Quigley SFW Alphabet💗

💗Read the NSFW Alphabet here! (+18)💗

Fanfiction masterlist

disclaimer: don't repost my work. I only post on Tumblr and on Ao3. anything else is stolen and should be removed immediately

Warnings: None! all fluff in this one

Word Count: 1,913

A/N: Hello Loves! I needed to work on Misty's characterization, so I wrote two alphabets for her! These made me so much more excited to write more for Misty, so expect more from her soon as well as more alphabets for Yellowjacket characters because I love my girls. As always, feel free to leave questions or comments in my comments or ask box, and happy reading!💗

Misty Quigley Tag List:

General Tag List: @summergeezburr

-💗-

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Misty is extremely affectionate, almost to a fault. She's extremely touchy-feely and likes holding hands, linking arms, and touching fingers. She craves any kind of physical contact. She's also a true romantic. She’s extremely attentive and intends to care for you till the day either of you dies. 

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Well, we've seen her as a best friend and she’s extremely loyal, doing anything to protect or assist her friends, even if it's covering up a murder. She is that ride-or-die friend that will say “Show me the body. I've got a shovel in my trunk” 

As for how a friendship would start, that could be for a variety of different reasons. As an adult, you honestly could have run into her anywhere. I think friendship would mostly start if you ran into her regularly, so you become part of her routine in a way and show some kind of interest in her she’ll be gung ho on becoming friends.  

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Misty is very touchy, so, of course, she loves to cuddle. I think her favorite way to cuddle would be snuggled under a blanket with you either reading a book or watching a movie on the couch. She loved it when you cuddle up against her shoulder or with her arm around you with you at her side. She also loves pressing against your back with her arms around you in bed as the big spoon so she can hear your heartbeat. 

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Oh for sure! Misty seems like the type to have a designated cleaning day for the house and maybe even a chore chart if you lived together. I mean, just look at how tentative she is with cleaning Caligula’s cage. She has to treat her whole house like that. She enjoys domestic life a lot with you, especially cooking together. If you don’t know how she’d love to teach you to cook because it’s one of her greatest loves in life. As long as she has a clean living space, 

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

It would probably be very confusing. You might not even realize she broke up with you because she’d be so upset about it. She’d talk too fast and not flat-out say that she was breaking up with you, but she would be extremely dramatic about it, which does not understand your comprehension of the situation

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quickly would they want to get married?)

She’d be pretty grand go in my opinion, but it’s purely out of her excitement that you like her and she likes you so much! Misty is the type where you gotta gently set firm boundaries with her about going over the top or jumping in too fast because she’s the commitment type and she clings on fast. She craves to be loved and when she gets that affection she wants to hold onto it forever, so marrying you is the logical way to do that, right? 

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

She does her best to be as gentle as she can. She’d never want anything to hurt you, so of course she wouldn’t do anything to perpetuate that. She learned from her experience crushing on Coach and will hold you close to her chest like a feather if that’s what she needs to do. This can make her overprotective and clingy at times, but she means well

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

She loves hugs! She is the type to wrap you up in her arms and squeeze very tight, swaying you from side to side. She’d hug you all the time if she could, but at the very least once in the morning and once in the evening. She loves hugging you from behind and vice versa. She feels like her heart could explode whenever you initiate a hug with her

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Very quickly. Probably too quickly, but she doesn’t mean any harm. She’s just extremely confident in her feelings and wants them to be known, especially to you because she loves you!

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Oh, she’s a jealous girly. She isn’t the sharing type (most of the time). What’s hers is hers and she likes it to stay that way. She becomes snippy when she’s jealous and often gives the cold shoulder, but she’s not upset with you. Jealousy is more something that damages her pride over her trust in you. However, if you purposely played into whatever is making her jealous she might shatter

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Misty has a wide very variety of kisses in her arsenal. One of her favorites has to be the sneaky peck on the cheek when you aren’t paying attention or her classic barrage of kisses all over your face. She just lives to kiss you all over, just like how she loves hugging you all the time!

However, when things get particularly steamy, she’s nice, gentle, and slow till she isn’t. She's the type to playfully bite your lip and giggle about it due to how proud of herself she is. She also loves taking deep inhales when she kisses your neck just to breathe in as much of you as she can at once. 

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Misty is a little shaky around kids, but she tries her best. She doesn’t exactly know how she should interact and what she should say, but if you’re good with kids she’ll learn quickly by copying you, and then eventually she’ll get the hang of it. At last, she hopes she does

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Misty is quite clingy in the morning especially. She doesn’t like it when you leave bed before her or when she has to leave you. If you asked her when she was waking up, she would 100% be your human backpack throughout your day. She just loves the feeling of you tangled in her and the sheets with the sun shining in through the windows over you and her together

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

She loves coming home to make dinner with you in the kitchen, sharing gentle silent touches as you pass one another while cooking only to eat what you prepared together. She’ll offer to do the dishes but you’ll ultimately do them together before settling in to cuddle on the couch to watch tv before bed.  

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Misty’s an open book about most things. Nearly every card in her hand is on the table, splayed out clearly for you to see and read, but some things she keeps to her chest, which isn’t something you should mind. Maybe she’ll tell you one day or maybe she won't. Only time can tell

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

She’s quite patient with you, but she can have a temper with other things. She’s quicker to sadness or frustration than she is to anger

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing or do they kind of forget everything?)

Misty is an encyclopedia when it comes to you. It’s like she has a special filing cabinet with your name on it in her brain that’s labeled from A through Z with everything you’ve ever told her, but she tries not to let you know that

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

Probably when you told her you loved her. Even though she said it quite quickly, you likely took some time, which was ok, but the moment you told her she felt like her whole world was finally perfect and complete. She might bring up that marriage thing (possibly again if she’d mentioned it before) but that's a longer conversation to revisit later

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

She might not look it, but Misty is quite the protector. She’s not above petty revenge or just revenge in general. She's loyal sometimes to a fault and makes sure those she cares for are treated right. 

But while she’s quite the protector, she’d feel so spoiled if you protected her back. It’s not something she get’s very often and the action might just turn her too much

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, and everyday tasks?)

Misty is the queen of extravagance. Go big or go home is her motto, but that can get quite overwhelming for some. While she loves grande gestures, you might be more of the type to stay in for a quiet night and she can do that too! Any time with you is enough for her, no matter how big or how small. Though she might still throw in her grand gestures sometimes

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

She can be a lot sometimes, which is hard for her to hear because she’s a pretty heavy perfectionist. Hearing she’s not doing something right makes her feel like she’s completely failed. She can all or nothing sometimes, but she knows she’s gotta work on it

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

She’s very concerned with her hair every day, but on special occasions, she will spend far too much time obsessing in her mirror about every minor detail of her face. 

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Yes, she would. She enjoys phone when you’re apart just to check in and make sure you’re alright and hear how your day has been, but she does her very best to still give you the space you need

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Her love languages are physical touch and acts of service, 100%. 

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

She doesn’t like negative nellies. Or at the very least, she’ll try her best to get people to look on the bright side of things. She’s a fixer, which is hard sometimes, but she's confident she’s got it all under control

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

She likes listening to your heartbeat when you’re sleeping beside each other and taking in the smell of your skin. She also pokes her toes out of the covers almost every night, no matter the temperature. She says its because she likes the feeling of the air

#misty quigley #misty quigley x reader #misty quigley x y/n #misty quigley headcanons #yellowjackets x reader #yellowjackets #yellowjackets fanfic #yellowjackets headcanons #character headcanons #character alphabet

[princesssarisa]

The next series of tales in Heidi Ann Heiner's Cinderella Tales from Around the World are tales of the Love Like Salt variety.

This is a subtype of Donkeyskin, but in place of a father wanting to marry his daughter, it opens with a different scenario. A king (or just a rich man, but usually a king) asks his three daughters how much they love him. The elder two daughters describe their love in terms that please him, but the youngest says that she loves him as much as she loves salt. (Or that she loves him as meat, bread, or food loves salt.) Because salt is common and cheap, or because it tastes bitter alone, the king takes this as an insult and banishes his daughter. (Or worse, he orders a servant to kill her in the forest, but the servant lets her go, a la Snow White.) From this point on, the story usually becomes like Donkeyskin or All-Kinds-of-Fur: the princess finds lowly work at another palace, somehow acquires beautiful gowns, attends festivities, and wins the prince's love. (Or sometimes, he simply finds her in the forest and marries her right away.) When they marry in the end, she invites her father to the wedding, usually without revealing her identity, and she has the food cooked without any salt. When the king tastes the bland food, he realizes the preciousness of salt, and that his daughter was telling him how dearly she loved him. Then the princess reveals herself and joyfully reunites with her father.

Needless to say, Shakespeare lovers will recognize this scenario. While King Lear was allegedly based on true events in ancient British history, the fact that it contains a common fairy tale archetype seems to imply that the story as we know it is more legend than fact.

I don't personally like this type of Cinderella story as much as other subtypes (or King Lear as much as other Shakespeare plays), for a very personal reason: my autism and self-diagnosed ADHD, which cause Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria. Seeing the princess rejected because of a misunderstanding by the father she loves more than anything is heartbreaking to me, because all my life, I've been irrationally afraid that my loved ones might reject me if I mistakenly say or do something they think is wrong. I tend to feel as if the king is too easily forgiven, because while my head says it just shows the princess's immense love and grace, my heart feels as if it means "He deserves her forgiveness, any parent could have made that same mistake (including yours)." But I suppose the solution is to look at the story from the king's point of view. The king arguably shows Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria: he only rejects his daughter because he feels rejected by her and his heart is broken. Arguably, when he banishes her, he's behaving like an AuDHD child howling and raging at his mother because she said "When you act like this, I don't want to be near you" and he heard it as "I don't love you anymore." When his daughter helps him to see her love and forgives him, I should see it as a reminder that my rejection fears have no real foundation, just like the king's sense of rejection by his daughter was wrong, and that my loved ones will forgive me for my mistakes too.

Besides, a case can be made that the princess is also in the wrong, for describing her love in such plain and "untender" terms that her father couldn't understand. @queenlucythevaliant has posted eloquently on this subject and has even written an interesting retelling of the story with this interpretation. It applies even more to Shakespeare's Cordelia, with her seemingly cold and clinical talk of love as a duty, than it does to the fairy tale princess, who at least means to convey that she loves her father more than anything, and just words it badly. Arguably, all Lear really wants at the beginning play is to hear warm, tender words of love from his daughters, and Cordelia chooses to be morally right rather than kind.

By the way, I don't know if this is true, but I've read the suggestion that the Love Like Salt tale might have originated as an attempt to bowdlerize Donkeyskin, replacing the king's efforts to marry his daughter with a different way of demanding too much love. So when people talk about possible incest subtext between King Lear and his daughters, especially Cordelia, they might have a point whether Shakespeare intended it or not. The folklore the story grew from may have been born from still older folklore where the king did have incestuous love for his daughter.

@ariel-seagull-wings, @adarkrainbow, @themousefromfantasyland

#cinderella #love like salt #fairy tale #variations #cinderella tales from around the world #heidi ann heiner #king lear #william shakespeare #autism #adhd #tw: incest

[danvolodar]

Pathologic and the Town's Russianness: 5

In this last numbered part of the miniseries we'll explore the issue that, honestly speaking, prompted me to write on the subject to begin with: the Town's eating habits, and whether they match those of the historic Russian Empire.

As in the previous parts, a warning is prudent - the Town's unique situation must affect its cuisine as much as the rest of its life. So an unusually large share of meat in the local diets, or the shortage of grains and legumes due to the lack of fields we've discussed prior, cannot be used as indicators of difference.

Still, some amount of grains must be making it into the Town-on-Gorkhon, since they do have bread available. It wouldn't be fair to say it's un-Russian for not having black rye bread, though, since it only makes sense the Town makes do with whatever's shipped in, and it's likely wheat grows better in the climes near the steppe (in the Marble Nest demo the Bachelor even notes that "the local [bread] is greyish in color and crumbly to the touch, making you doubt if it was actually made from grain"). What is decidedly un-Russian, though, is the lack of any buns when there's flour available: pirozhki stuffed with beef or fish, rasstegai, or vatrushkas. Those were the street food of choice in the Imperial Russia, so extremely common, which means not seeing them is a strong sign the Town is not a part of anything like it.

And since we've mentioned vatrushkas - it's surprising that there's no stuffing for it in sight, no tvorog. Then again, there are no cheeses other than the steppe qurt at all, so I guess that can be attributed to that. There's a decisive shortage of diary foods in general: other than milk and tan (ayran), ice cream is spoken about but never shown (but at least it must be available), and kefir (widely spread throughout Russia by early XX century) isn't even mentioned.

But those are all foods one can carry; even if not exactly a cornucopia, they got at least some representation. Cooked dishes, the foundation of Russian cuisine, did not, at all. "Schi and porridge are our food" is a Russian saying describing the commoner diet throughout history; but I don't think I've seen even mentions of any soup or porridge in the game. Vegetables might be lacking for a soup (although I imagine it's pretty easy to catch scurvy with a diet like this), but where there's bread, there must be grains, and where there are grains, there can be porridge - especially minding that there's a source of milk always available to make it tastier.

The fruit and berry variety is even stranger. There are raisins, lemons and coffee beans available, yet the Haruspex has never eatern nor even seen in person a strawberry or a raspberry, both widely cultivated in temperate climate - despite him having studied outside of the Town for years, and likely joining the Army for a while. From that alone, one can imagine that the Capital-based civilization must have a climate radically different from the Russian Empire; further supported by the fact that the railroad to the Town is called "the north-western" one. This could suggest a state somewhere south-east of the steppe zone, in the mediterranean clime maybe.

Finally, while there are as already mentioned coffee beans for the healers to chew raw (like a wild animal would), there is a remarkable absence of the quintessential Russian drink: tea. Neither in compressed bricks, which one would expect in the steppe, and which would be the right thing to bite into, nor as the beautiful brew. Minding that a fancy samovar was a common way of showing prosperity at the beginning of the XX century for the lower classes, the absence of these is also telling. Lack of tea in historical Russia was a sure sign of utter societal collapse, only seen in the worst days of the Revolution - and even then people drank hot water from cups, even if there was nothing to brew with it.

Furthermore, drinking tea necessiates having sweets and confections, and there are noticeably few of these, too. As mentioned, ice cream can be found (in the dialogs), Murky says Sticky made her some candy, and Fellow Traveller calls the coupons he sells "candy wrappers", but that's about it - it would be nearly impossible for a Russian to properly drink tea in the Town to begin with!

I think this factor settles the original question decisively: a Town in which no one drinks tea ten times a day cannot possibly be a part of anything resembling the Russian Empire.

#pathologic #мор утопия

[outerloop]

Thirsty Suitors Dev Diary: A Recipe for Reconciliation

We recently announced that Thirsty Suitors will be releasing on November 2nd, 2023 for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC.

In the lead up to release, we’re going to dive into some key components of Thirsty Suitors, starting with a major element of the game: cooking!

In Thirsty Suitors, Jala must try and impress her Mom or Dad and repair their relationships through action-packed cooking segments that explore a rich menu of South Asian inspired dishes.

Cooking Together

The first recipe you learn in the game is how to make Parathas, a South Asian unleavened flatbread made with whole wheat. 

Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong! Jala not only must make the dish, but navigate how she handles the tense relationship she has with her mom, Rukmini, after being absent for three years.

Each time you cook in Thirsty Suitors, you’ll need to open the cookbook on the kitchen table and choose the recipe you’d like to make.

The food Jala makes with her parents not only will help her repair their relationship, but it also affects the gameplay in our turn-based battles where Jala battles her exes and a variety of other eccentric characters in the game.

Making Food More than a Meal

Throughout the development of Thirsty Suitors, Cooking has evolved and changed to heighten the story we’re telling about Jala reconciling with her exes and repairing her relationship to her family.

While the main idea for the Cooking gameplay has stayed consistent–having Jala and her Mom cook recipes together through the player completing a series of quick-time events–the focus of how these sequences are presented and played out has expanded to help our narrative.

Here’s a look at the prototype phase for the Cooking gameplay in Thirsty Suitors. As you can see, we zeroed in on the general idea for how Cooking would work pretty early on with the player following a series of cooking steps in a recipe while Jala and her mom cooked.

A key difference from the prototype versus the final version of Cooking was the presentation and what we focus on. 

Initially, the flow of these sequences had Jala’s Mom teaching her each step through demonstrating the action, and then the player would repeat what they watched, much like how you would in real life if someone was teaching you a recipe.

While it was cool watching the characters perform exaggerated cooking actions to complete each step, we found that the Cooking gameplay could interact more directly with the narrative. 

We decided to make these sequences less about making the dishes 100% accurately and more about what it means for Jala and her mom to cook together, and how it provides them an organic space to work through their issues and get to know each other again.

Part of the joy of making games–especially narratively focused ones–is figuring out how to create a perfect marriage between the mechanics you’re designing and the story you’re telling. In a perfect world, these two things are always in a balanced state. 

Think of some of your favorite games out there, they didn’t start perfectly, instead, through years of iteration, teams figure out how to use the tools they’ve built to tell the stories they want in the best way they see fit.

What we found is that by shifting the focus away from trying to create a perfect recreation of the South Asian inspired dishes we have in the game, we could focus more on the characters and what these dishes mean to them.

Outerloop Games Recommends

We’ve talked a lot about food, cooking, and how these things say so much about our identities, our families, and how we connect with others. 

Luckily, we’re in a moment where there are some other games interested in exploring these themes as well. We’d like to highlight one in particular that resonates with us and also features South Asian characters called Venba.

Venba is a narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian immigrant mom, who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Players will cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations and explore in this story about family, love, loss and more.

While you’re waiting for Thirsty Suitors later this year, check out Venba on Xbox, PS5, Switch, and PC, out now.

There's More to Come

In the lead up to the release of Thirsty Suitors, we’ll continue to shed light on some of the many awesome aspects of the game, our team, and insights we’ve learned along the way. 

If you’re excited about Thirsty, we’d appreciate it if you Wishlisted the game on Steam, it helps put the game in front of more eyes. 

Wishlist on steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/1617220/Thirsty_Suitors/?snr=1_5_1100__1100

You can also join our Discord, and follow us on Twitter @outerloopgames. 

Thanks for reading, until next time!

#Youtube #video games #thirsty suitors #xbox #playstation #steam games #south asian #srilanka #india #cooking

[swordsonnet]

idk how to phrase this in a way that doesn't come across as overly confrontational, but these posts that are like "even if you're autistic, you still need to eat lots of vegetables :)" kind of rub me the wrong way. don't get me wrong, i get that eating vegetables is important, but a lot of the time these posts are ignorant to how sensory issues relating to food actually manifest in a lot of autistic people, and end up sounding... honestly quite condescending. sure, most of them are written by autistic people, but usually with relatively mild issues around food that they could just "train themselves out of", and so they seem to assume that every autistic person can do the same, which is just not true. there's a lot of "i guarantee you you'd love this vegetable if you just cooked it the right way!" or "you need to buy better quality veggies, just go to the farmer's market!", but for many autistic people, how something is cooked or where it's sourced from doesn't make a difference. (not to mention that following more complex recipes or going to the farmer's market isn't always possible for disabled people in the first place. many of us rely on food that is easy to prepare and can be found at the local supermarket/ordered online.)

when i say i don't like a certain food item, i don't mean that i find it a bit dull. i mean that it literally makes me feel sick, that it tastes like biting into something rotten. and that applies regardless of how it's prepared or where it's from. i'm mostly sensitive to bitterness, so there's a lot of vegetables i can't eat, and likely never will. i still try to regularly incorporate the vegetables i can eat into my diet, but i'm just not able to eat a wide variety of them.

and that's an experience these posts rarely acknowledge, let alone understand. the thing is, a lot of us have tried everything suggested in them, or have been forced to try it by our parents/guardians/teachers/etc. it's not like those things have never occurred to us until we saw random tumblr user #277379 talk about them! we have tried different ways of cooking the foods we hate, buying different kinds of them, mixing them with foods we like. and they still taste like dirt to us! because we're not just "picky eaters", we're dealing with debilitating sensory issues.

i know the people making those posts mean well. i'm not trying to shame anyone here. but i think it's important to understand that for at least some autistic people, their sensory issues around food can't be "fixed" with a few simple tricks.

#tbh living with sensory issues re: food and having everyone around you think that youre just being difficult #and need to try [method that doesn't work for you] tends to really fuck up your relationship to food in general #like i don't think the eating disorder i later developed was *directly* caused by it... #but it certainly didn't help #idk maybe i'm just too sensitive #but i just wish people took sensory issues relating to food a bit more seriously #autism #actually autistic #sensory issues #food mention

[ejzah]

For the headcanon asks:

■ -  Bedroom/house/living quarters headcanon

▼ - childhood headcanon (but maybe more like teenage years? Kid is fine though too if you'd rather)

Bedroom/house/living quarters head canons:

The messy bathroom discussion wasn’t the last time Kensi and Deeks had differing opinions on cleanliness. Far from it. Deeks liked to clean dishes as soon as they were done eating, while Kensi thought it could wait. For several days sometimes.

For the first couple of years they lived together, Kensi would try to stay tidy for Deeks’ sake, but eventually, the trail of clothes or crumbs and pile of dirty dishes left next to the couch would creep back in. And Deeks would silently (usually) pick up after her again.

It wasn’t until they returned from Mexico, with a very injured Deeks that it all changed. Suddenly she was responsible for Deeks’ care as well as their home(as much as he might insist he could help).She quickly found that keeping things in order and cleaning as she went helped reduce unnecessary stress and made it easier in the long run.

It doesn’t mean she’s always perfect, but it’s much better than it was. Deeks very kindly did not point out he’d been right all along.

Childhood head canons:

Deeks: Most of Deeks’ teachers and other adults in his life thought he was a rebellious, careless teen who purposely sought out trouble. They didn’t know that he spent most nights on his own while his mom worked, cleaned and cooked several days a week, and got his first job at 14. They didn’t realize that outside the few poor decisions he made, like joyriding with Ray, he’d dealt with more responsibility than any child should.

Kensi: Donald Blye had high expectations for Kensi. He kept her busy with a variety of activities, spent time with her outside of work teaching her to change tires or how to build a fire in the woods with minimal supplies. He could be equally strict and lenient, depending on the situation. Kensi would never consider her childhood difficult or unhappy. At least until her dad died.

Contrary to Deeks, most people in Kensi’s life had little idea of her situation. They certainly wouldn’t have guessed the 16 year old, straight A student who didn’t have a tardy on her record, and a member of several school groups, was homeless.

It’s affected them both in different way. Kensi feels she has to reach for perfection at all times to meet people’s expectations. Deeks has spent much of his adult life beating back the false perception that he’s a degenerate or doomed to fail.

I’m not sure if this is so much a head canon as me taking canon events and filling in details.

Either way, thanks for asking!

#ncis la #densi #marty deeks #kensi blye #ask ejzah

[shadowfromthestarlight]

Alone, Not Lonely - I Mean It.

When psychologists describe how one can avoid feelings of loneliness even when alone, my first reaction is to think, "Well, duh." Just as it is puzzling to the socialites that some of us don't want to be surrounded by crowds of hundreds day after day, it is puzzling to me that being alone could be uncomfortable and scary to some people. But it stops being a mere curiosity and becomes frustrating when people equate aloneness and loneliness, as if doing any activity alone is abnormal and pitiable. If "Alone, Not Lonely" could be some sort of club, I'd be a board member!

As much as awareness of diversity among personality types has spread, I still encounter society's overall misunderstanding of aloneness and singleness with sometimes amusing, sometimes annoying frequency. I had a friend in college who was surprised whenever I mentioned sitting in a cafe or going off on a long walk by myself, and was appalled when I said I wanted to be alone without a life partner and joked that perhaps I'd get married at 50. Another friend repeatedly asks me if I'm dating and tries to persuade me to pursue a relationship with the ultimate goal of marriage and children. Family members, though they're not overly intrusive, regard it as sad that I'm indifferent to relationships right now. Social and political commentators pontificate on the importance of pairing up with another person for your own self-improvement and self-actualization, and warn that people like me will regret it if we're still alone in our middle years.

They mean well, but I have become tired of trying to explain myself over and over, as if I'm making excuses for something that needs no excuse. It's also hurtful; why are people taking it upon themselves to assume there is something wrong with my life the way it is? I have managed to accomplish a lot in my relative solitude. I read a lot of books and have a great variety of interests. I am very physically active. I have taken charge of my health of my own volition by getting into the "real food" movement and eagerly learning how to eliminate the modern products making our lifestyles toxic. I've learned how to cook and bake, developing some of my own recipes. I hike and explore new places as often as I can, at least every few weeks. I go to church every weekend and visit the farmers' market. I have a wonderful cat and a great relationship with my family members. People generally like me and regard me as a pleasant person to be around. I graduated from law school in 2019 and I have already landed three different jobs since then. I live in a safe town where I can access everything I need. I consider myself a curious and open person, always looking for the next challenge. I do not need another person to make my life complete. I am doing very well already; I wish people could acknowledge that and leave it at that instead of telling me there's something I'm still missing.

I don't mean that romantic love can never have a place in my life. I have dated before. I have been in love before. I have had crushes more times than I can count. I know what it feels like; I know how thrilling it can be. But it is not something I have ever prioritized; I have let it come to me. I certainly have no headspace to prioritize it now, in the year 2024; I am just starting out in a new job, I am looking to buy a car for the first time, I am planning several upcoming trips, I have many books I'm determined to read and personal writing projects I want to make headway on, and I still have lifestyle tweaks I'm trying to make for optimal health and well-being. Adding something else to the list would be a bit much for me right now. I am introverted and prone to anxiety and sensory overload, which I point out not to seek sympathy, but to explain why I can't juggle a lot of priorities at once.

I do display the core characteristic of an introvert; I have a sense that my energy stores are "depleted" by socializing and "replenished" by spending time alone. I get drained from hours of social interaction, even with my closest family members. I live alone, and if I must spend days at a time with others, such as over a holiday, I very much crave going back to my own space. There are even times when I begin to feel an abundance of energy from spending more time alone than usual and feel like engaging with others to expend the excess energy! It often strikes me that introverts are capable of understanding what extroversion is, but a lot of extroverts really do not fathom how one could genuinely wish to be alone without being depressed or sad or angry. On the contrary, I will become sad or angry, or at least irritable, if not permitted solitude. It's not that I think I'm such exciting company; I'm really not, and that's actually the point. The threshold level of excitement I can handle without becoming overwhelmed and exhausted is quite low. There are days where I deliberately do not speak to anyone in order to get a sense of "recharging" before I must resume work and errands and various activities that require social interaction. I can even become tired of talking to people online and want nothing more than to be alone in the woods or alone with books.

Of course, whether one is introverted or extroverted is not dispositive of whether one will seek a partner, but I do think it's relevant; one of the reasons I'm not anxiously pursuing a relationship is that I don't feel the need to have someone accompany me to dinner or on walks or to work events or family parties or anywhere. I hike by myself, I sit in coffee shops by myself, I go out shopping by myself, I entertain myself at home, and if I want to go to a restaurant or a museum or the movies I'll go whether someone else can join me or not. I've traveled by myself and done just fine, thank you very much. There is nothing I want to do that lack of a significant other prevents me from doing.

But we have other needs than mere companionship, some might say. The need for touch, for physical affection. I would respond, not meaning to be flippant but in total seriousness, that my cat satisfies those needs well. We communicate and read each other to a degree that still amazes me from time to time. I pet her so that her purring can soothe both of us. I hug and kiss her daily. My cat sleeps in my bed and on cold nights sleeps right next to me. I sometimes joke with people that I can't be married because I have a cat, and she already has her spot on the bed and I have mine, and there isn't room for anyone else, but it's technically true!

Some would say that having a partner keeps you accountable, ensures that your behavior is civilized (an actual thing that has been said, lest you think I've made up a strawman for the sake of adding a paragraph to this little essay). There are enough external sources of accountability that I think this is a weak argument. The fact that I have never been evicted or fired or arrested shows that my behavior falls within the parameters of acceptability. If I neglect certain tasks, such as errands and cooking and laundry, I am the one to suffer the immediate consequences, which provides motivation enough.

But ultimately, these answers miss something important, which is that it is not merely tolerable for me to live alone, but enjoyable. I have breakfast when I feel like it. I buy what I want from the grocery store. I turn out the lights when I am ready to go to bed. I decide what music or podcast is playing in the background. If I want to go outside, I go without anyone asking me where I'm going. I have a cat because I wanted a cat and that's all there was to it. I don't have anyone arguing with or barking at me when I come home. That makes for a pretty nice life. "Alone, not lonely," indeed!

I am not stating that everyone else could be just as happy living the same lifestyle, or that the way I live my life is the best way, or that there is no way partnership could ever fit into my life the way it is. I am simply stating that I am satisfied. I do not need to be rescued from the life I am living. I am not living an unhealthy lifestyle that needs intervention. To hear me say that I am happy living alone and go on to try to convince me that I either should or will stop living alone someday soon comes across like:

you think I am lying to you;

you think I am lying to myself; or

you think there is something wrong with the way I live regardless of whether I'm happy, that I am incapable of figuring out how to live a decent life, and that you must guide me.

It's insulting!

Now, when I say that I live by myself and wish to continue doing so, some people hear too much that isn't really there. Lately there's been discourse around accepting that singleness isn't a moral failure, especially for women; that a single woman is not necessarily sleeping around or too selfish or too career-focused to care about marriage and family. Sometimes a person is just not in the right place at the right time to meet the right person and that's all there is to it. To imply that it is somehow their fault is demoralizing to people who genuinely desire a relationship and family life and worry that it will not happen. But I would add that one does not have to be eagerly seeking out a relationship, either, in order to be living a meaningful and morally upstanding life. Some people believe wholeheartedly that "singleness is an affliction" because we are "meant" to share our lives, but at least acknowledge that not everyone reaches that stage of life at the same pace. But they would do well to acknowledge that some people live fulfilling lives while single.

When I say I am not looking for a partner, I do not mean:

I'm denying that human beings are inherently social animals

Nobody has ever had a healthy, satisfying marriage or partnership

Having a family is bad

Families aren't important

Sex is bad

I don't experience any romantic or sexual feelings whatsoever

I'm not interested in having any friendship or companionship or social connections at all

I'm an island and I don't need others

I shut myself indoors all day and don't engage with the world

I'm wasting the prime of my life waiting for a "unicorn" to come along

Love isn't real

I'm 100% committed to living my life in one way and not open to anything new

I only care about my career, money, or superficial things in life

I just want to party or drift aimlessly from place to place without settling down

Actually, I'm secretly really lonely and sad and insecure about being alone and I'm fishing for you to tell me that I'm great and I'll find someone right away!

I mean simply what I say: that I am not actively seeking out partnership. It could happen or it could not happen and I mean to have a good life either way. I am not trying to imply anything that anyone should interpret as concerning or upsetting or offensive in any way. I'm not even trying to get others to affirm how I live and admit that I've somehow got it right. Ultimately, all I'm asking for is a basic modicum of respect.

#relationships #happiness #introvert #intp

[themuse-if]

Delphine/Desmond Hartley

The Bassist

Delphine/Desmond Hartley | 18 yrs old | she/her or he him:

De is the only child of two dad’s, a jazz bassist and an NY Times food critic. De is adopted but has never had any complex about it. Their dads are both very successful, and they want to see their kid succeed in the same way. They’ve given De all the tools to succeed and have always found time to support her no matter how busy they were.

When De first expressed an interest in music their parents were ecstatic. When De’s interests strayed from classical and jazz to punk music they couldn’t really understand. Ultimately they have decided that as their parents they have to at least support them on this first round of pursuing their passions, but if they aren’t able to become successful after graduating then they have to choose a new path.

Even with all of the pressure and high expectations thrown their way De is just stronger for it. When De met Jo and Ro everything fell in to place. They worked together so well musically, and no matter how different they were they quickly became the siblings De never had. De is ready to do whatever it takes to protect her dreams and her friends. They know that they have no choice but to succeed if they don’t want to end up following a path that has no meaning except for a paycheck.

Scroll all the way down for a mini Q&A with De!

Top row left to right: Everyday, formal, activewear, sleepwear

Bottom row left to right: Party, swimwear, hot weather, cold weather

Top row left to right: Everyday, formal, activewear, sleepwear

Bottom row left to right: Party, swimwear, hot weather, cold weather

De Hartley Q&A

Q: What’s your sign?

A: I’m a Capricorn...I don't really know what that means though. I've got way to much going on to focus on horoscopes.

Q: How tall are you?

A: Delphine- I’m 6'0. It's so silly when me and Ro take pictures together.

A: Desmond- I’m 6'3. And yes Ro has occasionally tried to climb me like a tree.

Q: Name your top 5 bands?

A: The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Radiohead, and Blondie. Honestly I just picked at random I love too many artist to just go choosing favorites.

Q: What’s your favorite food?

A: I actually really love to cook! *scoots closer^* The first fancy thing my dads taught me to make was mushroom risotto with seared scallops. I haven't stopped making it sense.

Q: What’s your ideal date?

A: Late-night jazz in a cozy coffee shop with dim lights. And yes I listen to a wide variety of music. * mild side eye* The music and whispered exchanges intertwining with our conversation. Afterwards, a stroll through the city, stumbling upon dessert café. Actually that last bits a lie obviously I planned our rout to the perfect sweets spot.

#interactive fiction #dashingdon #interactive novel #interactive if #twine interactive fiction #choice script #choice of games #choose your own story #character profile #choose your own adventure #cast #twine if #themuse if #ts4