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#but thank you for the ask!! ♥️
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The continuation for that Alcina fic was fucking deliciousssssss skdjfskldfj
It got me thinking, I'm not sure if you've written a fic like this before or if you would even write one like this, but I was wondering what that situation (or one similar to it) would look like from Alcina's POV?
Hello, dears ♥️ In preparation for reaching ✨1,750 followers✨, I've been working on a little fic that was inspired by both this ask 🔺🔺🔺 (thank you 👀 I'm so glad you liked it jdhddjkd) , as well as this incredible piece of fanart!
But first and foremost:
Thank you all for following! 💋
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And as for the request, here you go! Written from Alcina's POV and just under 3k words 👀 I hope some of you will enjoy it! 😁♥️
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The Lady found herself in a foul mood as she made her way back into the castle. Met with nothing but absolute silence as she opened the large doors and walked into the even larger foyer. Of course, she expected no one else to be awake at this hour, save for her daughters who were still out on the hunt. Though, as she made her way slowly up the staircase, a faint sound could be heard traveling its way softly through the corridors. A quiet, subtle melody hummed just barely loud enough to be heard. But, of course, she heard it. She heard everything that happened within those castle walls - even when she cared not to.
“The audacity.. sneaking out at this hour.” She grumbled to herself, following the haunting sound. Her foul mood turning even more sour when she realized that her hopes of getting directly into a hot, soothing bath had been swiftly thwarted. Instead making it so she'd likely have to discipline someone instead. She sighed as the voice grew louder, leading her directly into the library.
A Countess' work is never done, Alcina, she thought to herself tiredly. Of course it wasn't. Why should she be able to enjoy the solitude of a hot bath and a glass of her favorite wine after running through the woods chasing after man-things all night? She huffed at the air, frustrated - irritation riddling her weary bones as she opened the doors to the large room - the soft humming immediately halting as she did.
“There's no use in hiding, dear. I may be tired, but I can still smell you from here.”
A murmured curse in response from a voice she knew all too well. She sighed again.
“Draga.. of all the nights to be breaking curfew..”
The Countess was in no mood and she could feel her patience wearing thinner by the minute. Of all people.
“Come out, pet, now.” She ordered through gritted teeth.
Slowly, the figure of her current paramour came hesitantly out from behind the bookstacks and into view. Skin pale and a look of sheer panic on their face.
“Alcina-”
“I don't believe now is the time for such informalities.” She responded sternly, cutting them short.
They swallowed nervously. “Right, of course. S-sorry, my lady. I.. I thought you were out for the night?”
Alcina scoffed. “As if that gives you the right to be disobeying my direct orders? Hm? Traipsing around the castle at all hours of the night.”
“N-no… it's just.. I-”
“Save it, pet. I am in no mood for excuses and you're the last person I wanted to have to discipline tonight.”
She rubbed the bridge of her nose and moved further into the room. A profound wave of exhaustion washing over her that forced a slight stumble to her stride.
When was the last time she had even fed? She wondered.
“My lady? Are.. are you alright?”
“It's nothing.” She snarled.
“Countess.. I am.. very sorry for disappointing you. And I know you're angry with me.” The human’s voice softened a little as they moved closer to her, fidgeting anxiously with their fingers. “But, if there is anything I can do? You know, to help.”
“There is.” She growled, “You can start by not being so incompetent!”
This time the words that came out were raw, primal - dipped in venom - the dragon within her inching closer and closer to the surface as her need to feed grew stronger. Albeit, the moment she saw her handservant flinch - coiling back at her words - she couldn't help but soften. Sighing, she turned to face them.
“I am sorry, draga. I seemed to have lost myself. While, yes, I am disappointed that you disobeyed the rules of this castle - you did not.. deserve that.” Alcina sat down in the chair closest to the fireplace and took a deep breath, her body overcome with exhaustion. “I fear it has been too long since I last fed. Which makes being around me at the moment rather.. dangerous. It would be for the best that you return to your quarters for now, pet. I'll deal with your punishment in the morning.”
“Oh. Of course, my lady.”
They bowed and then turned to leave before pausing.
“Uh.. Alcina?” They asked tentatively.
The Countess looked up, eyes heavy. “Hm?”
“Ah, if I may - you could.. use me.. if you wanted?”
Alcina raised an eyebrow. “Use you? How?”
“Ah.. heh.. that is, to feed? From me?”
The Countess stared blankly, shocked for a moment before shaking her head. “That's not necessary, draga. I have everything I need in my room.”
“I'm aware.. but.. you know. You're obviously quite exhausted and I'm.. well, I'm right here.”
They gave her a crooked little smile that she couldn't help but chuckle at.
“If you're trying to get out of your punishment, pet-”
“N-no! I'll fully accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate. I just.. want to help, is all.”
“Mmh..” The lady hummed in thought, mulling their very tempting offer. She was exhausted, this was true. And it'd been longer than she could recall since she’d had the taste of fresh blood in her mouth. Warm and pulsing and straight from the tap.
Still..
With the dragon in her so close to the surface, the worries of her losing control were imminent. And the thought of losing yet another partner - one as sweet and caring as they were, again - was almost too much of a thought to handle. Alcina physically shuddered at the thought, the warmth from the fire doing very little to calm her worries. Worries that her handservant must have quickly picked up on. Small fingers sliding into her own and a kind face looking up at her as they kneeled on the castle floor in front of her.
“Hey, I trust you.”
Alcina snorted. “Famous last words, pet.”
They chuckled softly. “How about this then.. is there maybe another part of my body that would be safer to drink from? Than say, my neck?”
The Lady smirked. “Mh, perhaps... your inner thigh would probably work.”
Alcina watched as a soft pink hue began to crawl across the human's cheeks. It was strikingly gorgeous basked in the firelight.
“O-oh.. well, ah.. that seems.. doable.”
A flash of crimson as her smirk widened. Her lover’s heartbeat quickening by the minute, thumping loudly over the soft crackle of the fire.
“Mhm.. are you certain? It may… hurt, quite a bit.”
Oh, how that blush grew even deeper at the Countess’ words. How exquisite it was. Alcina could feel the smugness seeping into the corners of her lips as she watched them fluster.
“I.. oh.. that's okay. I don't mind, my lady. R-really.” They replied, rubbing the back of their neck.
Not that they would've been the first of Alcina's suitors to be into pain. Far from it, in fact - it seemed to be a commonality in many of the lovers she had taken over the years. Whether it was just something that came with the territory - or more the fact that whenever they looked at her they found themselves thinking “big lady, break me” - either way, it was a noticeably recurring occurrence in the Countess’ love life.
“Very well.” Alcina replied, rising from the chair to her full height. “Pull up your skirt, pet, and take a seat.”
As dutiful as ever, her servant quickly obeyed and took their Lady's place on the large chair. A coy smile on their face as they pulled the simple fabric of their uniform past their upper thighs, exposing their supple flesh along with their dampened undergarments.
“Like this?” They asked with a smirk.
“Bold time for you to be acting bratty, pet. Don't you think?”
“Ah.. m-maybe?” They answered sheepishly.
“Mhm.”
And even though the Countess’ tone remained firm, she could only shake her head and chuckle as she lowered herself down to the fresh, warm meal that waited for her. A deep flush decorating the human’s cheeks as the Lady knelt in front of them, hands spreading their legs a little further apart for her.
“O-oh.. uh.”
The Countess looked at them curiously before leaning back. “If you're having second thoughts, pet-”
“N-no! I just.. ah.. this view is just.. really nice.”
An even smugger smirk grew across the Lady's lips. “Mhm.. is it now?”
“I mean.. yes?”
“Enjoy it while it lasts then, draga.. very rarely does one ever get me on my knees.”
The flushed servant almost choked in response as they quickly nodded, face as red as their employer’s lips.
“I.. mhm.. enjoying it. Yes.”
“Mh.. probably wet at just the sight, aren't you?” Alcina asked teasingly, forcing them to whine.
“A-alcinaa.. that's unfair.”
“And that's not an answer.”
The Countess' words grew a little darker, punctuating them with a firm scratch across the human's inner thigh, immediately pulling droplets of warm crimson to the surface.
They cursed. “Fine.. yes.. I am.”
“Mh.. good.”
A single sweep of her tongue over the fresh gash forced another whine from her lover, a fierce shiver rolling over their body. Alcina knew she was going to enjoy all of this maybe a little too much - but the needy sounds she could will from their lips was something she would never grow tired of. And as she leaned in a little further, with their metallic essence still warm in her mouth, she could smell just how aroused they already were.
Very good.
"Deep breaths now, pet. This is going to sting.”
They nodded softly in response, cheeks a brilliant hue and eyes widening the moment the Countess’ incisors began to lengthen, readying themselves to feed. Another swirl of her tongue over the spot she'd already marked. A rush of blood right below the surface, drawing the vampire directly to the proper vein. And as she gave her meal a final smirk, she took their thigh between two large hands and brought it to her mouth.
“Mmmph-!”
Whimpered breaths from her prey’s lips as sharp fangs seeped eagerly into their flesh.
“Mmmh.”
A subtle moan from within her own as she slowly drew their essence into her mouth, savoring the exquisite flavor of them. They tasted even better than she’d imagined - sweeter, more refined - with metallic undertones fueled by a life force that only made her all the more hungry.
“You taste divine, draga.” Alcina murmured, her words reverberating deep into their skin before her fangs were sunk back in again.
“Ah-!”
The subtle flinch to the muscle that laid just beneath her teeth, the soft moan that fell from their whispered lips - the Countess knew if she didn't keep her control that she could very easily become ravenous for their taste. The pulse of it flowing warmly over her tongue as she swallowed it down, indulging herself in the life that danced throughout it.
They would surely make an excellent wine.
And even though the thought was morbid to most - to Alcina, it was merely a compliment. One of the highest in fact. Though, she found all the best tasting humans tended to be the ones she had no desire of actually killing. Ones that inherently touched her heart and moved her soul. But hell if she didn't appreciate any chance she got at a taste.
Her lover's growing moans were the only thing to bring her back from her thoughts - from giving into the primal force that always sat just under the skin - ready to take over. But gods, could she smell how wet they were for her. How their body squirmed every time she drew a long pull of blood from them. Their flesh heated against her lips, their strong musk enveloping the tiny space between them. And out of the corner of her eye, Alcina could even see that the chair beneath the human was readily growing damper.
”Good”. She thought smugly, a smirk beneath her blood coated lips when she finally pulled away to look up at them.
"Am I to believe you're actually enjoying this, draga? Are you really so needy?”
They whined at her ridicule, squirming even more - her teasing tone and slightly taunting words having the exact effect on them that she wanted.
“You will answer me if you expect something done about it.” She demanded.
Another whine.
“F-fuck.. yes, okay? It's.. it feels good.”
“Mh. Better.”
The Lady placed a gentle kiss to their inner thigh and then brought two fingers to the hem of their underwear, swiftly ripping the fabric from their body. Her patented smirk growing even wider the moment the measure of their arousal was reflected in the firelight - they were absolutely dripping for her.
“Well, well.. all this for me?”
“All for you. A-always.”
“Charming, are we?”
Alcina went to move a little closer but felt them tense, immediately making her stop. A single eyebrow raised at them inquisitively.
“Draga?”
“It's just.. you're exhausted, Alcina.. you don't have to-”
“Hush. When have you ever known me to do something I haven't wanted?”
They chuckled, blushing sheepishly. “You have a point.”
“Plus,” she smirked, “I'm not quite finished with my meal yet.”
An even deeper blush. “O-oh. Alright, then.”
The Countess hummed in content when her lover finally relaxed, their head falling softly back. Their sweet scent immediately pulling her back in, lips quickly finding their pulse point while her fingers teased their entrance. With soft folds so wet that she found barely any resistance as she slid two fingers into them, generously stretching their core.
“Mmph-!”
A single curl as the Countess closed her eyes, allowing her fangs to sink deep into the human’s flesh once again.
“F-fuck-”
She couldn't help but to draw her gaze upward, to enjoy the view for just a moment. Her stunning love - flushed, legs spread - eyes closed softly in a mix of want and preparation. It truly were a shame, she thought, how mortal humans could be. To lose such a gorgeous sight was an offense to Alcina’s very being. That the world could ever lose such beauty? It was a thought that made her all the more eager - almost ravenous - to possessively stake her claim upon them.
To which she did..
With the Lady's fangs seeped deep within their flesh and her fingers buried in their core. Thrusting, curling. Matching the controlled pulls from their thigh as she feasted upon them. With each movement willing the most arousing sounds from her lover. Some breathy, some loud - moaning each and every time Alcina drove her fingers in a little harder. But it wasn't enough, not for her. The Countess wanted more. She wanted her name screamed out into the night in ecstasy. She wanted her claim imprinted into the stars themselves.
And she paid no mind to how many orgasms ripped across her lover's body. She cared not for how soaked both her fingers and the fabric below her became. Having now fed to her content, her mouth began moving onto marking the rest of their thighs. Nibbling and sucking over every inch of eager flesh that she could reach. Their essence dripping from the corners of her mouth and painting their skin in a dark crimson. Their body trembling, vibrating with desire until another orgasm ripped through them violently, finally forcing the Countess’ name from their tongue like a pious prayer. Their voice quickly falling to nothing more than a whisper - raw from unhindered pleasure.
“F-fuck, Alcina..”
“Mh, language.”
“Pretty sure.. it's warranted.”
Alcina chuckled before licking the excess blood from her lover's wounds, their thighs sufficiently covered in her claim.
“These should heal in a few days. I'll bring you some balm for them tomorrow.”
“Hm.. I like them, though.” The human pouted.
The Countess snorted. “Of course you do. My sweet little masochist.”
Feeling fully refreshed from her meal, Alcina had no intention of sleeping anytime soon, but she knew her handservant would certainly need rest after all of that. The loss of blood mixed with the intense dopamine boost would be enough to wipe anyone out. Without muttering a word, Alcina rose to her full height and picked up her lover's discarded underwear before lifting them up into her arms and into a full bridal carry.
“My lady-!”
“Hush, draga. You've lost a fair amount of blood, as well as other bodily fluids. You need to rest.” Even with the short walk from the library to the servants quarters, the body in her arms quickly grew heavy with sleep - the human’s breath nearly in a slumbered rhythm by the time they’d arrived.
“I’ll be back with some tea and something sweet for you, pet.” She said as she laid them gently onto their bed. “Please, try to drink and eat at least a little something before falling asleep.”
Her lover nodded tiredly, eyes heavy and cheeks flush with sleep.
“Mhm.. yes.. mistress…”
Alcina smiled and placed a tiny kiss to their cheek before walking towards the door. She was more than certain they'd be fast asleep by the time she returned, but she’d still do her best to make sure they woke up knowing just how much she treasured them.
Warm tea, their favorite pastry, some balm for their wounds and a note reading "Thank you for the exquisite meal, draga. Next time is on me. - xx, Alcina." would be there to greet them as soon as they woke up.
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A/N: If I ever make it to 2k, I might just finally do some bottom!Alcina for you all 👀♥️
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reegis · 10 months
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ur art is literally like the best thing ever i am actually obsessed. thank you for keeling the mechs fans alive in these trying times
just doing my part 🫡
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alitteraladhdmess · 2 months
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hello sibs competitor, miuky stares
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I think he’s scaring Leo a little-
@tmntaucompetition
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sugar-grigri · 11 days
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Not only is your art amazing, your analysis on CSM lore is such a good read. The content you make is one of the many things that keep me in this fandom.
This is probably a question already asked, but what is your favorite character as of now?
thank you so much!!! It means so much to me, I tend to see my subscribers split into two camps (one focused on analysis, the other on fanart) so it makes me so happy when people follow me and love my work for both!!!! 🤧🫶🫶
For my favorite character I don't know if you're talking only about Chainsaw Man or manga in general ‼️
For Chainsaw Man -> Denji. I could explain how it's a character that touches me personally if you're interested.
And for manga more generally -> Allen Walker…………for reasons... I mean look at him
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What they have in common are violent existential crises and identity disorders. 😍😍
Added: and a complicated relationship with money, a failing father who left them with debts (and the more I think about it, the more they have in common). And a mascot who’s their family!
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charlottan · 3 months
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Check out my terrible cat
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what a wretched miserable beast. surely the lowest of all creatures. well i would still pet ^-^
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cake-by-thepound · 3 months
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Hey are you going to watch the ones who live? ☺️❤️ or are you kinda over it all?!!
👋🏾 I am ABSOLUTELY watching The Ones Who Live. A Richonne-centric story is all I ever wanted from this show and they’re actually giving it to me? I will be seated every Sunday night like it’s 2015. 😄
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capn-twitchery · 5 months
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🛏️🥞 for Grace, and 🤝🌌 for our dear Captain?
(from neathbound-fiends!)
grace ones answered in another ask! >:3c
as for twitch:
🤝 Does your OC have someone they want at their side when they are scared? Who?
currently, no,,,because despite their extensive list of connections, they avoid getting too close to anyone. that will change in the future, but for now, they're a Casual Friends kinda person, who will stupidly face emotions head on and by themselves. especially since it takes a Lot to scare them, and they don't wanna be seen like that, the stubborn bastard
🌌 If your OC has a nightmare, what’s it most likely about?
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>It's always fuzzy. You don't remember. You can't remember. But there's always cages. And bees.
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27paperlilies · 21 days
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Hello, i love reading your stuff and was wondering...
Could you write a poem about feeling safe finally, after running from danger?
Chased into safety
A rabbit runs and skirts along the treeline, it's quick, it's nimble and doesn't waste time.
A rabbit sits with ears twitching and heart racing, and suddenly there begins the dreaded chasing.
Danger followed ,nipping at their heels but life was forward through dense and muddy fields.
the chase was long and the odds where slim, rabbit was sure they'd almost lost a limb.
But the Field was now above and so where the dangers, there would be no more encounters with bloodthirsty strangers.
The safety was their home, a warm and cozy hole, dug up in a frenzy ,but now holds every memory, of quiet disbelief, they live another day and so they sink down in absolute relief.
the rabbit was tired, but not the awful kind, they where the kind of tired you're always bound to find, when danger is behind.
There are no fears from long ago, instead they dream of flower fields empty of any foe. -27paperlilies
🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸🌼🌸
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sapphic-woes · 2 years
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Sevika teaching reader some defense moves and has her big sexy arm around readers neck in a choke hold but reader gets horny instead of focusing on a move that could save her life
I'm having this be with bratty!reader cuz its hilarious
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"I don't see why I can't just use my heels." Sevika scoffed, shrugging her shoulders.
"...You get by fine with them. But that's only one move, and that's only offence. What if you need to defend yourself? Get out of a sticky situation?" You hated to admit it, but Sevika did have a point. You crossed your arms, sighing in annoyance.
"Fine." Sevika smirked in triumph, having spent a considerable amount of time urging you to train with her. Seeing her smug smile made your eye twitch, and you couldn't help but mumble under your breath.
"Even though I know you just wanna show off and feed that giant ass ego more..."
"What?"
"What?" You smiled innocently, and Sevika paused. You both knew damn well she'd heard it, yet you fluttered your eyelashes up at her in mock confusion...that is until she grinned. Then you stilled, stiff as the atmosphere in the room shifted. Fuck.
Sevika exhaled, as though calmly releasing a wave of fiery anger, slowly moving to crack her knuckles. You had to admit–the movement alone had you terrified, heart skipping a beat. Watching those arms flex reminded you who exactly was trying to teach you...and how many times she'd beaten men up with those same hands before. Panic flashed in your eyes, and when she noticed it Sevika only smirked.
"I think I know exactly what we should start with..." Her eyes raked over your body, and her wicked stare made you take a small step back.
"I, Sev I was joking–"
"Sweetheart, don't make me have to chase you down." The deadpan made you flinch, frozen as her tone shifted. "Come here." Shit.
You'd fucked up. God, you'd fucked up. Nervously you inched forward, and once you were close enough, you squeaked as large digits wrapped around your wrist. You spun, and suddenly your back was flush against Sevika's chest...and your neck rested in the crook of her elbow. Fucking shit!
"S-Sev baby c'mon–" Your words were cut off as she squeezed, mockingly humming.
"Now, when you have yourself in a situation like this–"
The hard muscle around your neck wouldn't budge not matter how much you struggled. You let out sounds of protests, gasping as that only made the pressure increase.
"It's best to think you know? About what you have on you to defend yourself, 'cause believe it or not if you had a knife you could kill me right now–"
This crazy bitch is stalling! You were fucking dying, and Sevika was talking as if she had all the time in the world. Lik she hadn't completely straightened her back, snickering as your legs fruitlessly kicked in the air. Like you weren't getting lightheaded, whispering out pleas for her to stop, and like this wasn't...
Like this wasn't literally the hottest thing she'd ever done to you.
Jesus, priorities much? Even with the self awareness, you still could help but squirm in a different way from before, feeling heat grow between your thighs. She could overpower you so easily, make every effort you held against her useless, and somehow, that only excited you more. It seemed you weren't the only one who noticed your slight change in movement, shuddering as Sevika drawled in your ear.
"What's this?" Suddenly, Sevika's metal arm sneaked down–pressing on your heat through your pants. You let out a faulty gasp, softly moaning as she added more pressure around your neck. That earned you a chuckle, and slowly the pressure on your heat grew, turning into rhythmic circles.
"Ha–ah, Sev..." She hummed, keeping the steady weight on your throat as she paid attention to your throbbing bud.
"You like that baby? You like having my arm around your neck?" Her teasing voice in your ear was a crime. It made you both embarrassed and hungry for more, moaning as she continued.
"You want it harder?" At your feeble nod, Sevika obliged, making you lightheaded as the little air you already had became smaller. Just as she did she increased her speed, focusing on bringing you to your climax.
"Se-Sev–!" It was all you muster before you reached your peak, moaning as you jerked against her hand. Once the pleasure decreased, she gently loosened her hold to set you down, eyes on your neck to make sure she hadn't hurt you more than she intended.
"It doesn't seem bad...but damn, you nasty lil' shit, right when I'm trying to help you survive–" She laughed as you dramatically gasped, slapping her shoulder.
"I didn't–" You cleared your throat to fix the scratchiness, ignoring her smug grin, "you're the one who decided to choke me in the first place! I thought I was going to die–"
"Of pleasure?"
"Of your petty ass!"
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loveshotzz · 1 month
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I once had an Eddie in my life. He was growing his hair out so not super long yet, barely shoulders, but he had a lip ring and a bat tattoo (literally i saw Eddie onscreen and was like "haha hey do you remember-" to my friend i knew watched). He wore Black Sabbath and Metallica shirts and ripped jeans. I think I scandalized the entire town because I brought him with me to church (I was a pastor's daughter). Let me tell you what, the old ladies scoffed and told me I was selling my soul.
Meanwhile my dad invited him to our house after church and they sat in the office listening to some of my dad's tapes (Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Aerosmith) and some of the guy's (Metallica was all he had on him). They sat discussing the music for like two hours. I was so mad at the time like dad dont steal my boy. My mom loved him because he was a gentleman, opened doors for me, scooted my chair out at the dinner table and pushed it back in after I sat, and held my hand. Always said Sir and Ma'am and my mom was like "He's got manners good"
The next week my dad preached a message about not judging 💀💀💀 the entire congregation was SILENT.
He was my first love and we were together for three years then I turned 18 and he had turned 20 and he asked me to go with him. I declined because my mother ended up getting sick. He still left. He sent me postcards for awhile and then we lost touch. I still think of him and hope he's well. Living a real metal life.
♥️ I’m sorry about your mom angel, and sorry about your love lost. I bet he still thinks about you too, no matter where he’s at in life. I hope one day your stars realign.
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alitteraladhdmess · 2 months
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Good luck on the competition!!
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Hey google is it possible to die from happiness?
@tmntaucompetition
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aqqleshiqqing-archive · 10 months
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growth spurt hits hard huh 🤔
please don't tag as na.melesshipping, reg.uri, originalsh.ipping etc.
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I see your tags on the Wocky and Alita art, I would love to hear your thoughts on Alita actually!
I only need one person to show interest in what I have to say for me to talk forever and ever, thank you. HAHA Okay, in seriousness, this won't be as thorough/long as the Klavier post because... there really isn't much to her, but I find it extremely interesting how Alita falls into the same category of witnesses as April May and Dahlia without being — and I mean no offence to her when I say this — stunning? Like, with April and Dahlia, there's a very clear mass appeal to them which most people point out. Contrariwise, Alita's appearance is really only commented on by Trucy, and just glancing at her portrait, you can see that, without her slightly outlandish fashion, she's frankly nothing to write home about.
So why am I discussing this? Surely it's a little reductive to analyse female characters beginning with their appearances? Usually, yes, but that's the thing about this category of witnesses: their pretty faces aren't just pretty faces.
For April and Dahlia, their beauty is part of their arsenal. It functions as both their defence and their weapon of choice; they know how to wield it to bring people under their heel. Alita being ordinarily pretty instead of drop-dead gorgeous deprives her of that weapon and leads you to wonder how she became a mafia heiress to begin with. It also parallels her to Mimi Miney in a way that goes beyond the 'murderous nurse who worked for and killed her awful boss' comparison you get on the surface. Presumably, Alita, like Mimi, only got to where she was because she managed to fool the people around her into believing she was less dangerous than she actually is. Mimi did this by feigning stupidity and inviting people to underestimate her. Alita seems to do this by showing them what they want to see.
When she first meets Apollo and Trucy, Alita stays quiet and spends more time listening to them than she does talking. Once she has a hold on who they are, then she slips into her persona, and I find it interesting how she doesn't even attempt to come across as particularly delicate or lovelorn? Instead she goes for the relatively typical role of a distressed, indulgent loved one earnestly entreating Apollo for help. I'm inclined to say she does this because her read on Apollo makes her realise that he'd likely be exasperated or annoyed by such a person; but it's also almost as if she knows she doesn't have the disposition to pull off that frail, damsel-in-distress archetype and has resigned herself to being ordinary. Like how she looks. The next time she has to reapply her persona, Alita's appearing in court, and again she makes subtle adjustments that best suit her situation. The judge is old, so she takes a chance on expressing her dedication as a wife while balancing her dedication as a righteous citizen, which works. But oddly enough, despite her successes, I don't think Alita is actually good? At donning disguises? Everyone I've seen discuss this case has been able to guess almost immediately that she's the culprit, and maybe we're just prepped by past characters like her that have appeared, but I don't think she's even that convincing in the game.
Both the identities she assumes are risky manoeuvres that happen to fall in her favour, and she's not particularly dedicated to maintaining the front. When she asks Apollo to be Wocky's defence, she admits that marrying him is largely a chance at a more exciting life than some great love story; Plum Kitaki straight up says that there's a darkness in Alita she doesn't like, despite how docile Alita behaves in front of her; and Wocky has moments where he slips up and calls her things like, "imposter" and "fallen angel", implying that at least subconsciously, he knows she's not what she makes herself out to be. Even her general mannerisms don't greatly differ between her actual self and the mask who's blunt her claws — nothing is ever overtly coy or cutesy — and when Apollo brings up the fact she was Wocky's nurse, she drops the facade almost immediately. There's no waffling, no, "Whatever do you mean?"s or, "You're scaring me"s, just the statement, "I don't know what you mean by 'meaning', Mr. Justice!" delivered in a sudden cool, frosted steeliness.
And I think that steel is what really makes her different.
See, the other women are all driven to crime by some defining trait in themselves caused by their circumstances. For Dahlia, it's her desperate need to be free of the Fey clan; for Mimi, it's grief over her sister's unjust death; and for April, it's her fear of Redd White. You don't really get that with Alita. Instead of there being something dark in her life that leads her down this path, she just seems... tired. Tired of being "pretty enough" but not "gorgeous", tired of being the obedient nurse to the corrupt doctor, tired of being ordinary. There's no predatory external force pushing her into a corner, there's no abusive family beliefs pinning her down. There's just an ordinary life, lived dull and ordinarily, and she had had enough. So what does this girl, who's tired and ordinary in every way except the steel that lines her spine, do to get out of this?
She gambles.
Marrying into the mafia was a gamble, seeking Apollo as council was a gamble, shooting Dr. Meraktis was a gamble. Every decision she's made since she met Wocky has been a series of high-stakes gambles that leave her life on the line all so she won't be second-best anymore. This time, she was going to be the one on top. No matter what.
... And I'm sorry for loving evil women, but girlboss?? Girlboss???
I've heard people say they're disappointed that her "breakdown" is just an extension of her usual damage sprite, but it's honestly one of my favourite "breakdowns" in the series ever? Just because it isn't really one? Everything Alita has done up till now has been reckless, calculated risk, of course being convicted for murder is no different than losing in any other aspect of her life. Of course you're not going to get more than her damaged sprite, because this doesn't warrant a more dramatic reaction. She's lived this whole time knowing it could all come crashing down around her, and it finally did.
She made a bad bet. You caught her. Oh well.
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The frosted girl of steel, standing tall to the very end. It's kind of sad that, even after all that, she's still seen as only second-best, incomparable to mimi, dahlia or any of the other women who've stood in her place.
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sugar-grigri · 8 days
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can i ask what procreate brushes you use??
I always limit myself to a maximum of 4 brushes used on a drawing, usually using brushes I've imported from that artist!
I use "sketch 02" for the most part, whether it's for line or shading, I like it when the brushes have a little grain effect.
But for the sketches, they're also brushes I've imported, but I can't find the artist... and I've modified them over and over, so that I get the exact rendering I want.
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To make it up to you, I'll give you my best technique when I want to make a sketch stand out (I'm sure you've heard of it): duplicate, then blur via "Gaussian blur" up to 5%, then play with the opacity of the duplicated layer.
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But you'll get everything you need and some excellent quality brushes with the link I've just given you. Don't hesitate to support this artist, their brushes are truly wonderful.
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