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maboroshi-no · 5 months

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Hamefura Movie Novel Chapter 1 Summary

I am currently reading the light of the novel of the upcoming Hamefura movie and will write summaries as I read.

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Chapter 1: The Foreign Merchant Caravan

Katarina Is in the Royal Castle

Katarina is currently walking in the royal castle's garden. She is in high spirits because she has finally graduated from the Academy of Magic.

Today, Geordo has invited Katarina for tea, and she has come alone since Keith had to set out for work with their father this morning. Katarina feels sad that she, Keith, and her friends will start going their own ways. She is also feeling nervous about working at the Ministry of Magic. It will be her first working experience (if she doesn't count her part-time jobs in her past life), and it happens to be at the most prestigious organization in the country.

Pochi Runs Off

Pochi has come out of her shadow and is looking at her. Katarina scolds him for coming out of his own. Pochi suddenly dashes somewhere. Katarina chases after him.

Katarina arrives in a gloomy place on the outskirts of the castle. She has lost sight of Pochi. She sees an opened door and guesses that Pochi must have gone through it. There is a "No Trespassing" sign at the door. She enters nevertheless while hoping that it will be okay as long as she doesn't stay for long.

Inside, there are a lot of dusty art pieces like vases, paintings, and statues. Katarina finally finds Pochi and scolds him for running away. Then she sees a little creature behind Pochi. She asks it where it comes from, and it replies "Piyo". She takes the little bird with her.

Taking the Tea at Geordo's Place

Geordo is puzzled about why a bird would be in the room storing the royal family's art pieces. Mary wonders if it might not be a bird kept in the royal castle's garden since it seems used to people. Alan doesn't think so since he hasn't heard anything like it. Sophia thinks it might be a bird that came from the outside, and Nicol agrees. Maria wonders what species it is. Keith doesn't recognize the species either and wonders if it might be a new species of birds. Katarina asks Geordo if he has any idea about the species of the bird.

Geordo: Well, I wonder… It is indeed intriguing, but what I find most curious is why everyone is here even though you're the only one I have invited for tea.

Katarina is surprised. Since everyone was here when she arrived, she was convinced that he had invited everyone.

Mary happily tells Geordo that she won't let him steal a march on her. The others add that they have also wanted to have tea with Katarina. Geordo is displeased.

Keith scolds Katarina for entering an off-limits place without permission.

Since Katarina doesn't know where to return the bird, she asks it if it wants to go with her. The bird replies "Piyo". As a consequence, Katarina takes the bird back with her to the Claes's house.

??? POV

A man thanks a dying man for having always supported him. He is crying since he is about to lose the first friend he has ever made.

The dying man tells the other man that even if he is about to lose his soul, he will return to this world with a new one. When he does, he will search for the man again, and if he finds him, he asks the man to become his friend again. The man is taken aback since his friend is serious. He tells him that he will wait for him. The dying man smiles with relief and then dies. The man believed in the last words of his friend and kept waiting for him for a long time.

The man wakes up after having this nostalgic dream. He senses a presence that he has never sensed until now. He rushes outside and hears some flapping sounds. He senses his partner in the bird and is happy that his friend has been reborn.

Though, the man is troubled about what to do now. He should probably report this to "that man" since others can easily feel the presence in the bird and he would be blamed if he doesn't report it right away, causing his precious ones to suffer. But if he reports it, "that man" will ask him to bring it to him.

The man reluctantly decides to make his report. The bird brushes his head against his cheek as if to comfort him.

Katarina's POV

Piyo and Everyone

It has been a little while since Katarina has taken Piyo back with her.

Piyo is incredibly cute. Keith was initially indifferent about Piyo, but now he dotes on him whenever he is free from work. Millidiana was angry at first since Katarina had brought in yet another weird creature, but now she secretly dotes on Piyo and brings him some feed. The girls, but also the boys, are also fond of Piyo and come see him with treats. Especially Alan: he always makes sure to bring some treats that Piyo might like, so Piyo has started to like him. The girls brush Piyo's feathers, put some tiny ornaments on him, and dotes on him, and Piyo enjoys it.

Since everyone fusses about Piyo, Katarina thinks Pochi might feel lonely. She summons him and pets him. She thinks Pochi is not any less cute than Piyo. She enjoys both Pochi and Piyo's softness.

Katarina and Anne Go Out Shopping in Town

Katarina is suddenly called by Anne. Anne notifies her that her carriage is ready. Katarina makes Pochi return inside her shadow and puts Piyo on her shoulder. Piyo always behaves whenever on her shoulder. Anne brushes the grass off Katarina's dress (because she was playing with her pets) and they depart.

Katarina is going out to town today since her friends have plans and won't come to visit. She will buy the new volume of a romance novel and eat cakes at popular pastry shops. Anne is accompanying her because Keith, Luigi, and Millidiana are worried about her going out alone. Keith even reminded her not to follow strangers even if they give her sweets. Katarina is 17 now. She legally is an adult in Sorcier, she has graduated from the Academy of Magic and she will soon start working. Despite this, everyone seems to treat her like a young child. There are so many overprotective people around her.

Katarina Sees a Foreign Merchant Caravan

Looking out the window of the carriage, Katarina suddenly sees some big tents. She asks Anne what they are. Anne replies that they are most likely a caravan of merchants. Katarina is unfamiliar with them, so Anne explains that they are a group of merchants traveling the country to buy and sell goods, like some kind of moving shops. Katarina is amazed since it is her first time seeing any. It is also a first for Anne.

It seems to be a caravan of foreign merchants. Katarina asks Anne what kind of goods they sell. Anne replies that they sell things like fabrics or gemstones.

Katarina grows curious and asks Anne if they can take a look. Anne refuses since it can be dangerous. Katarina insists and tells her they will just take a little look and go back right away if it feels dangerous. She adds that Piyo also wants to take a look. Piyo chirps in agreement. Anne finally gives in. They will have a little look and go back right away if it feels even a tiny bit dangerous. Katarina thanks Anne.

Katarina and Anne Visit the Foreign Merchant Caravan

Katarina and Anne have come towards the big tents. There are many people and a lively atmosphere in the air, like a festival. Katarina sees goods spread on carpets and people wearing turbans. It really seems to be a caravan of foreign merchants. Katarina is extremely excited and pulls Anne's hand to the nearest shop tent. Inside, Katarina is amazed by all these goods she has never seen before: vivid fabrics, accessories, and handicrafts.

Katarina gazes at the woodcraft of an animal. She wonders if she should buy it as a souvenir. Piyo flaps his wing when he sees the woodcraft. Katarina moves Piyo next to it. Piyo looks at it silently. The statue seems to represent some sort of bird, but Katarina doesn't recognize it. She asks the merchant what kind of bird it is. The merchant replies it is the guardian deity of his country. Katarina asks him which country he is from. The merchant replies he comes from Mutlaq. Katarina is confused since she doesn't know it. The merchant tells her it is understandable since his country is far away and they mostly have no trade with Sorcier. Katarina wonders why they would expressly go all the way to Sorcier. She is about to ask the merchant, but then she hears some music.

The music comes from foreign musical instruments played on a wooden stage near the tent. Piyo runs towards the music. Katarina chases Piyo but she has a hard time moving through the crowd of people.

Katarina Watches a Dancing Show

Katarina arrives at the stage where the music is played. A veiled girl dressed like a dancer from Arabian Nights appears and starts dancing to the music. Her dance is different from the ones in Sorcier and she moves like a butterfly. Then a tiger appears and joins her dance. After the dance, the dancer and the tiger bow their heads, and the crowd loudly cheers and applauds. Katarina was entranced by the dance.

Katarina Chases Piyo

Katarina suddenly remembers that she was chasing Piyo. She looks hard on the ground and worries about people crushing Piyo under their feet. Then she finally sees Piyo near a tent. She rushes towards it and calls Piyo. Piyo ignores her and enters the tent through a slight opening. Katarina is troubled and wonders if she should ask a merchant for permission to go inside. Then she remembers the tiger from the show and fears Piyo might get eaten. She finally enters the tent using the same opening.

Katarina Meets a Boy

Inside, there are a lot of goods, so Katarina has a hard time searching for Piyo. Then she hears "Piyo" and the voice of a boy amusingly asking Piyo where he came from. The boy wears a turban and carries Piyo in his hand. Katarina shouts in relief since she has finally found Piyo. Hearing her, the boy gets wary and sternly asks her who she is.

Katarina looks at the boy closely. He is an Arabian-style pretty boy.

Katarina explains to the boy that she saw her bird entering the tent and that she entered it too because she feared he might get eaten by the tiger. She apologizes.

The boy's expression softens a bit and he tells her that the tiger over there won't eat anything without his permission. Katarina is startled and finally realizes the presence of the tiger in the room. The tiger gives her a displeased look and goes back to sleep. Katarina feels like the tiger is acting like a cat. The boy mutters that tigers and cats are close species after all. The boy appears to be curt but kind. The tiger seems to be asleep. It feels weird to Katarina to have a big and scary animal sleeping next to her.

Katarina remembers how the tiger acted like a cat when it left the stage led by a person. She asks the boy if he is the one taking care of the tiger. The boy confirms with an expressionless face. Katarina is amazed to see someone who can make a tiger act like a cat. Then she looks at Piyo happily swinging his tail on the boy's hand, without any intention of going back to her. She is shocked to see Piyo so affectionate with someone he has just met while it took her days to get friendly with him.

Katarina tells the boy that he seems to be loved by animals. She is jealous of him since dogs hate her and other animals don't particularly love her. The boy curtly tells her that it is just that he knows how to handle animals since it is his job. Despite his curt tone, Katarina feels like he is a gentle boy.

Katarina is about to ask the boy what his job is, but then a falcon flies over and sits on the boy's shoulder. When Katarina exclaims how pretty the falcon is, the falcon puffs up its chest. The boy gives the falcon a fond look and pets it. The falcon seems to enjoy it. Both of them seem to understand each other.

Katarina asks the boy what his job is. The boy replies he performs acrobatics with the animals. Katarina remembers the tiger from the show and is amazed that the boy was able to teach it its number. The boy replies that the animals just have a good memory and that he is not that amazing. Katarina still thinks he is.

Katarina asks the boy if there is also a show with the falcon. The boy replies that today's show was just a teaser and that the real one will be tomorrow. The falcon will come on stage then. Katarina is shocked because the amazing show from earlier was just a teaser. She asks the boy if anyone can watch the show. The boy replies yes. She asks the boy if she can go see it. The boy says she can come if she likes. Katarina is excited and asks the boy for his name. The boy reluctantly tells her his name: Aaqil. Katarina smiles and introduces herself as "Katarina".

Katarina and Aaqil Are Joined by Another Boy

Aaqil is called from behind by another boy of about his age. The boy is surprised to see Katarina. The boy has a girlish face. The boy asks Aaqil if Katarina is a customer. Aaqil simply tells him she is lost. The boy curiously looks at Katarina.

Katarina explains her circumstances to the boy and apologizes. She extends her hand towards Piyo in Aaqil's hand, but he looks away with a displeased look. Katarina is shocked because she didn't expect Piyo to react like that. Looking at her, the boy lets out a laugh.

The boy explains that Aaqil is an animal charmer. Katarina is shocked and wonders if Piyo got charmed. Aaqil sighs and tells her the boy is joking. He puts Piyo back in her hand. Piyo seems displeased, so Katarina wonders if the boy wasn't right after all. Katarina is sad over Piyo being displeased with her.

Qumiit Invites Katarina to Watch Them Rehearse

Aaquil asks the boy, "Qumiit", what he came for. Qumiit has come to notify him that they will start rehearsing for tomorrow. Katarina excitedly asks if the rehearsal is for tomorrow's show. Qumiit is surprised by Katarina's reaction and asks her if she heard about it from Aaqil. Katarina confirms and tells him that Aaqil even told her she could come. Qumiit grins over Aaqil "inviting" her to see the show. Aaqil curtly replies that he only told her to do what she likes.

Qumiit introduces himself to Katarina and invites her to watch them rehearse. Aaqil disapproves but Qumiit says it is fine.

Katarina is about to accept his offer, but she suddenly remembers about Anne. She explains to Qumiit that she has lost sight of her attendant and asks if she can come back once she has joined with her. Aaqil is surprised that she really happens to be lost. Katarina corrects him: she isn't lost, she has just lost sight of her attendant. Aaqil replies that it is what "lost" means. Katarina pouts. Qumiit smiles while looking at them and tells Katarina to come back once she has joined her attendant. If she tells people that she is Aaqil and Qumiit's acquaintance then people will let them in. Katarina thanks him.

Katarina takes back the reluctant Piyo and heads towards the opening she entered from. Aaqil stops her and asks her where she is going. Katarina simply replies she is going back through the opening she entered from. Aaqil sighs and asks her to properly use the exit instead. Qumiit bursts out laughing. Aaqil escorts her to the exit and asks her not to get lost and to properly use the entrance next time.

Katarina runs off to the carriage place in high spirits. She can't wait before she joins with Anne and they watch them rehearse.

Aaqil's POV

When Aaqil is back, Qumiit grinningly asks him if he has properly sent Katarina off. Qumiit is part of the merchant caravan and also Aaqil's childhood friend. Aaqil curtly says yes, annoyed by Qumiit's grin. Qumiit doesn't mind his tone and tells him that he gotta show Katarina his cool sides when she is back. Aaqil shockingly asks him why. Qumiit simply replies that it is because Aaqil obviously likes her. Aaqil starts denying it, but Qumiit ignores him and leaves the room to prepare for the rehearsal.

Aaqil is convinced that Qumiit has the wrong idea. While it is true that he is bad at talking with people, especially women, he could only talk with Katarina because she threw him out of his pace and she is easy to talk to. Though, it is not the time to talk about frivolous things like this. He closes his eyes and searches for a presence. It is coming soon.

Katarina's POV

Katarina Joins With Anne

Katarina has returned to where her carriage is parked and sees Anne with a livid face, waiting for her. Anne couldn't find her despite frantically searching for her and she was about to ask for help at the Claes house. Katarina was close to getting a good scolding from her mother.

Katarina explains to Anne how Piyo ran off and the events after, and how the merchant people have offered to let her watch them rehearse for tomorrow's show. Anne doesn't seem surprised by this turn of events. Katarina is confused.

Katarina and Anne will change their plans and watch the rehearsal of the show. Katarina keeps Piyo inside the shopping basket to prevent him from running off again. Piyo is displeased but complies after Katarina has explained her reasons.

On the Way to the Rehearsal

Katarina is surprised that merchants would give shows. Anne replies that she has never heard about merchants from Sorcier giving shows, so it must be something specific to merchants from Mutlaq.

Anne didn't see the show earlier because she was too far in the back. She is looking forward to the rehearsal.

Based on the number of people and the variety of goods, this merchant caravan seems to be a large one. While searching for Katarina, Anne heard it was a national merchant caravan. Katarina is surprised about the concept and asks if Sorcier also has one. Anne hasn't heard anything about it and thinks it must be something specific to Mutlaq. It makes sense to Katarina that a national merchant caravan could give shows. Aaqil even said that the show earlier was a teaser, so the real thing must be even more amazing. Katarina can't wait to see it.

Katarina and Anne have arrived at the tent where the rehearsal will take place. Just as Qumiit told her, Katarina tells the old man at the entrance that they are Aaqil and Qumiit's acquaintances. The old man lets them in. He asks them with a smile to give them a good advertisement. Katarina is confused. The old man explains that they give shows to attract people and have them see their goods, so it would help if she could advertise the show to the people around her. Katarina tells him she will advertise it to her friends. The old man tells her she should rather invite them to see the show. Katarina says she will. She would actually like to watch the show with her friends since she will hardly be able to see them from now on.

The old man shouts that Aaqil and Qumiit's acquaintances have arrived. A pair of twin children appear. Aaqil and Qumiit have asked them to guide Katarina and Anne to the stage where the rehearsal will take place. The twins look similar but one acts friendly while the other acts unfriendly.

The friendly twin leads the way to the stage while the other stays behind them. Katarina is surprised to see children in the merchant caravan and asks if they are part of it. The friendly twin confirms and adds that the caravan leader picked them up. Katarina is confused about the "picked up" part. The friendly twin explains that they are orphans. Katarina doesn't know what to say since she didn't expect their heavy circumstances. The unfriendly twin tells her there are a lot of orphans in their country. The friendly one adds that the caravan leader is a softhearted person who can't leave people in trouble alone. Katarina wonders if the whole caravan, including Aaqil and Qumiit, consists of people picked up by the caravan leader.

They have reached the place of rehearsal. The friendly twin invites Katarina and Anne to sit on the chairs and wait, then both twins join the other people backstage. The curtain is still down and Katarina hears some noise coming from the stage. Piyo seems like he wants to come out of the basket. Katarina lets him out and puts him on her shoulder. Piyo looks at the stage with sparkling eyes.

The Rehearsal Show

Eventually, Katarina hears the same music as earlier, and the curtains rise. The stage is bigger and there are more people playing music. Katarina feels more entranced than earlier.

The same veiled dancer girl appears and starts dancing. Veiled child dancers also join her. Then the tiger joins in. Aaqil is quietly standing on the side and exchanges eye contact with the tiger. Katarina is amazed that Aaqil and the tiger seem to understand each other.

The music and the dance stop, and next, a bewitching woman dances with a sword in hand. Katarina feels entranced by her dance.

Then Aaqil comes out with the tiger, the falcon from earlier, and also a snake. He starts his acrobatics show. He makes the tiger jump through a ring, he makes the falcon fly around and drop flower petals. Katarina feels like she is watching a circus show. When Aaqil bows his head after his number, Katarina stands up and claps her hands loudly. Aaqil raises his brows in surprise. Katarina wonders if she might have been too loud.

Then, at last, the dancer girl comes out again and her beautiful singing voice resounds.

After the Rehearsal Show

The show was more wonderful than Katarina expected. Even after the curtain dropped, she couldn't help clapping her hand. Anne was also amazed by the show.

Aaqil walks to them. Katarina can't contain her excitement and tells him about all the emotions she felt during the show. She gushes about how amazing it was, including his number. Aaqil curtly tells her she is too noisy. Katarina insists that she was really moved.

The dancer girl arrives. She has removed her veil and Katarina can see how beautiful she is. Still, she looks familiar. Katarina stares at the girl. The girl can't believe that Katarina still hasn't recognized her and tells her she is Qumiit. Katarina is shocked: she thought she was a boy when they met earlier. Qumiit burst out laughing and tells her he is indeed a boy. He only appears like that on stage. Katarina feels relieved that she wasn't mistaken. Though, no matter how she looks at him, he really looks like a beautiful girl in this costume. She tells him his singing and dancing performances were amazing. Qumiit proudly replies is because he is a genius.

Qumiit tells her about the other people: the musicians and the sword-dancing girl. This merchant caravan seems full of amazing people.

Anne apologizes to Qumiit for the trouble Katarina caused earlier. Katarina hurriedly bows her head too. Qumiit replies that Anne is probably the one who has it the hardest and gives her a sympathetic gaze.

Then Anne clearly expresses her praises regarding the show. Katarina wishes she could have praised the show as clearly.

Aaqil, the falcon and Piyo

The falcon flies over and sits on Aaqil's shoulder. Aaqil gives it a gentle gaze and pets it. The falcon enjoys the touch. Aaqil always makes such a gentle face when he is with animals. Anne tells Aaqil that the falcon really seems attached to him. Aaqil replies that they have been together ever since it hatched from its egg. Katarina finds such a bond between a human and a bird so beautiful, but Piyo feels displeased and throws a tantrum on Katarina's shoulder, looking like it wants to go over to Aaqil. Katarina asks Piyo if he prefers Aaqil over her. Piyo confirms with a "Piyo". Piyo moves on Aaqil's hand and seems to ask him to pet him. Aaqil kindly does so. Piyo seems satisfied and gives a smug look to the falcon. The falcon acts standoffish as if telling Piyo "There's no way you can get between us". Katarina feels like she is witnessing a love triangle between a human and two birds. Aaqil gives her a puzzled look, so she explains how he and the two birds seem to be in a love triangle. Aaqil replies that there is no such thing. Qumiit bursts out laughing while Anne gives a sorry look. Katarina puffs out her cheek and insists that it really looks like that to her. Looking at her, Aaqil smiles. Katarina is surprised since he has only given her frowns or expressionless looks until now. Katarina thinks to herself that the smiles of Arabian-style pretty boys are so devastating that it doesn't affect only birds.

Katarina Feels Like She Has Seen Aaqil Before

Katarina has the strange feeling that she has seen Aaqil's face before, long ago. But at the same time, she feels like in that case, she wouldn't have forgotten the face of such a pretty boy.

Someone from the staff suddenly calls Aaqil and Qumitt to help clean up. Katarina and Anne decide to take their leave. Katarina puts Piyo in the basket despite his reluctance to leave. She tells Aaqil and Qumiit that she will definitely come tomorrow. Upon leaving, Katarina forgets the strange feeling she had about Aaqil.

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call-memissbrightside · 2 years

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CollegeAU where tomura is a computer science engineer that lives off of cheap ramen and slushees from 7/11. Not that the orphan bastard is poor, oh no his adopted father is LOADED (and kinda bad) but no one ever attempted to teach the guy that maybe you shouldn’t count a box of Cheezits and one can of soda as breakfast.

Imagine he bumps into you one night at the convenience store , a liberal arts major fluttering around looking for an ounce of something sugary to get you through writing a 12 page dissertation about the flaws of Charlotte Bronte’s famous character Jane Eyre—

“What flavor do you prefer?”

Tomura is startled that someone acknowledged him. His tired eyes shift to take you in, noticing how his tall frame overwhelming towers over you. Your hair is up in one of those banana clips he sees other girls wearing, but pieces are dangling against your cheeks. Your lips shine, his mind wondering if it was gloss or natural—

“Uh, dude?” Tomura blinks, looking away at you and at his hand, now cold from the slushy overflowing from his cup.

“Shit,” he mumbles, moving back to get napkins but is surprised when you hold out some to him.

He takes them from you carefully, his mind struggling to stay awake after coding for what was it now? 14 hours?

“So?” Tomura awkwardly stumbles to clean his mess, irritated that now his hands were sticky.

“What?” He’s confused, wondering why you were looking at him with a teasing look. His empty stomach flips at your smile, hoping it’s because he was hungry at not because he found you so pretty.

“What flavor should I get?” You ask again, nodding at the slushee machine in case he didn’t understand.

Tomura looked at the machine, bright colors showcasing a variety of flavors that he’s tried. He can’t help but wonder if this is some sort of test, and the young man shifts his weight on his feet.

“What do you like?” He asks, suddenly feeling self conscious at his stained shirt and sweatpants he’s been wearing since Sunday (it’s Thursday) and prays he doesn’t smell.

You hum in thought, “I’m feeling a bit stressed, so something that gives a calming feeling.”

Tomura nearly stumbles back. What the fuck does that even mean?!

He tries to decipher what poetic bullshit you just said, and looks at the flavors again.

After some deliberation, he mumbles, “Go with cherry then.”

Tomura peers down at you and is nearly startled to see you smiling again. “I was thinking the same thing.”

You follow him to the counter, and Tomura briefly thinks of maybe he should pay for your slushee since isn’t that chivalrous?

You slap down a ten dollar bill before he could even take his wallet out.

“Two slushees please,” you tell the cashier.

Tomura is perplexed, “you didn’t have to do that.”

You shrug your shoulders, “it’s no biggie.”

He walks out with you before parting ways, awkwardly waving back when you bid him farewell.

Tomura slinks into himself as he walks back to his apartment, mindlessly sipping at his slushee and wondering if the cherry flavor would stain your lips red.

He didn’t think he’d ever see you again, but the next week there you were asking him what you should get. Tomura was glad he had the idea of showering and changing today.

“How are you feeling?” Tomura remembers your first answer, noting to ask how you felt rather than what you wanted since that influenced your choice.

“Tired, so something energizing,” you say, not missing a beat.

Tomura can’t stop himself from smirking. “Try Blue Crush.”

And so you do, and like before you pay even though he says you don’t have to.

He sees you once every week, always the same question and always the need to pay for him.

Finally, after weeks of slushee consumption, he asks something that’s been heavy on his mind before you two part ways.

“What’s your name?” You stop, turning around and giving him a purple teeth-stained smile. He suggested grape today after you were feeling a bit nostalgic.

“It’s (Y/N), what’s yours?”

“Tomura,” he says.

You give him a three finger solute. “See ya around Tomura.”

He can’t recall who’s idea it was but soon after Tomura would walk you back to your dorm on campus and listen as you went on rants about whatever book you were reading for class. The young man didn’t go outside much, but walking with you at night was nice and his eyes didn’t hurt so much as they would when he was staring blankly at his computer screen. Walking with you gave him time to ‘unplug’ and he found himself wanting to spend more time with you, with and without the need of slushees.

He stumbled over his words, but eventually he asked for your number.

“You know you can’t get rid of me now, right?” You tease as you punch in your number on his phone.

Tomura scoffs,” don’t get cocky.”

Before he met you, Tomura didn’t socialize much. Sure he had friends, and his video games but he never left his apartment besides to go to class or the store. With you now texting him at all times of the day and night, he felt the need to take better care of himself. He showered daily, he put more effort into his outfits, he even learned to cook an egg! Because you’d ask him if he was doing okay, if he ate dinner or needed someone to talk to. You cared, and your kindness made him realize that he didn’t really care about himself. That slowly began to change.

“Would you wanna come over this weekend and watch a movie?” Tomura was nervous about asking since the two of you never hung out outside the slushee window.

You bumped his shoulder, continuing to walk towards your dorm hall.

“Of course! I actually have to watch The Great Gatsby for class, would that work?”

I’d rather fuck a cactus, he thinks. “Sure that’s fine.”

You look up at him, his red eyes showing just how much he disliked the idea. You couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?” He asks, worried you’d change your mind.

“We don’t have to watch that, we can pick something else,” you say.

He’s blushing, he knows he is because Tomura feels his cheeks burn. He clears his throat.

“Whatever, I don’t care.” He does.

You plan it all out, agreeing to meet up at his apartment complex called The League at seven and order food for dinner. Tomura walked back home giddy for some reason, nearly skipping at the thought of you and him laughing at some lame movie and sharing pizza in his living room.

Tomura stops in his tracks, his smile dropping when he realizes—

“Fuck! I have to clean my apartment!”

#tomurashigaraki #tomura fluff #tomura imagine #boku no hero academia tomura #tomura shigaraki #bnha shigaraki #shigaraki x you #my hero academia shigaraki #shigaraki x reader #shigaraki fluff

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thetaleoflevi · 2 years

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Things Change

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Pairing: Levi x fem!reader

Content: Modern AU, SFW

Content Warnings: None? Kid Levi slaps Readers hand, and there’s descriptions of Levi and readers glow up but that’s it.

Description: As a child, Levi did everything solo. He was alone most of the time, and the one time you tried to talk to him, he rejected your friendship. As years went by, he realizes that he needed to grow up, and that meant learning to tolerate people. People like you.

Word Count: 4.3k

A/N: So many ideas are circulating my brain but I’m so scared to write to my best ability because that means lots and lots of words, and not everyone has the time to read long fics. For now, enjoy whatever this is. It’s not childhood friends to lovers because kid Levi despised Reader until the end of high school.

(P.S. If you read the “snippet” of this fic that I posted, I recommend reading through it again. I made some minor changes.)

⭐️Taglist: @ackermendick

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In some way, you forgave the little asshole he used to be. He became more aware of the effect his words had on you, and as he matured, he softened the blow by a lot.

Now, he treated you like a prized possession. You didn’t push him away when he started calling you a friend. Rather, you welcomed him with an addictive chuckle and a punch to the chest that knocked the wind out of his lungs.

“We were never friends in school, were we?” you ask, sitting next to Levi on a bench. The bright orange and blue fading to purple is a majestic sight, and the sound of waves crashing against the sand is soothing.

“I considered you a friend after your brave action during the grape incident.” He’s staring off towards the view, remembering how things were in the past, when you were still old enough to throw tantrums and cry over the smallest inconveniences.

You turn to face him on the bench, bending your leg so that you’re sitting in a half criss-cross.

“You remember that? I still have nightmares about how hard you slapped my hand.” Your eyes glow with nostalgic joy.

“Of course I do. It’s a core memory.” He brings your hand up to his lips, pressing a restoring kiss onto the wound your inner child never healed from. “I know I never apologized, but just know, your hands will always be taken care of by me.”

—

Kindergarten

Age: 5

“Hey Levi, you know you don’t have to peel those, right?” You look at the boy peeling green grapes in the corner of the classroom, and immediately flinch when he turns to look at you with this expression of fury, like you had disturbed him just by being loud enough for him to hear you.

“Why does it matter to you? You won’t be the one eating them.” The silver-eyed boy refocuses on the bag with scraps of grape skin, only to jump a little when you sit next to him.

“Can I try one?” You reach towards his bag of peeled grapes, barely grazing the ziplock, when his hand speedily lands on yours harshly. His eyebrows are furrowed, as if wondering what is wrong with you. He didn’t give you an answer.

You gasp in fear, taking a second to process what just happened before your face twists into one of emotional and physical hurt. Levi doesn’t want to hear you, and he also doesn’t want to get in trouble for making you cry, so he grabs his clear bags and moves to another square on the rainbow carpet in the classroom.

You sniff, eyes watering, but you don’t wail and you don’t make a sound. Tears slide down your face, the saltiness reaching your tongue through the cracks in the corners of your lips. You stand up and slowly walk to the tables scattered with different activities. You decide to go to the art table to draw what just happened. A crooked stick figure with four strokes of hair and a sad expression on the face is scribbled onto a page of yellow construction paper, and then you draw another stick figure with three strokes of shorter hair with its hand on yours. You put little lines around the hand to detail the hardness of the slap.

When you showed it to your teacher, she thought a boy was trying to hold your hand and you didn’t like it, so you had to explain what really happened. She promised that you and Levi would be friends again by the end of the day, and you smiled a little at that.

Your teacher made you and Levi stay behind for a couple minutes while other kids pointed to their guardians to show that they were being picked up.

“Levi, I heard from your friend here that you weren’t being very nice today. Can you tell me a little bit about what happened?”

“She tried to steal my grapes, so I swatted her hand away,” he confidently tells her.

The teacher watched your behavior while Levi talked. You still seemed to be hurt by his earlier action, and it was evident in the way you pouted.

“Miss, is this true?” The red haired woman puts a hand on your shoulder, signaling that she was talking to you.

“No, I asked if I could try one-”

“Well, I didn’t say you could, but you reached for one anyway,” Levi interrupts, talking over you loudly.

“Is there any way this could be resolved? Levi, what could you have done better in this situation?” The woman’s hand lands on the boy’s shoulder.

He looks away, annoyed that he has to say what the lady wants to hear just to go home.

“I… uh… I guess I shouldn’t have hit her,” he mutters under his breath, red-faced in embarrassment.

“That’s better. Now, what do you think you could have done better?” Your teacher looks at you now.

“M-Maybe I should have waited… um… waited for Levi to say I could have one instead of just trying to take it from him.”

“Great! You two are very good at problem solving. I’m proud of how you handled this. Now, before you go, I want you to shake hands. We can be friends again, right?”

You eagerly nod and extend your hand towards Levi’s, meeting him halfway, holding his hand and shaking it twice before retracting your hand. You don’t think anything of the way he wipes his hand on his overalls afterwards.

“Okay, now show me your grown ups and you can head on home.”

“There’s my uncle Kenny.” Levi points at a tall man with slicked back hair.

“She’s here to take me home.” You point at a woman with dark hair and a bright orange shirt, who is smiling and waving at you.

“Alrighty then. Have a great day! See you guys tomorrow,” your teacher smiles brightly and waves goodbye as you both split and separate from her.

You run towards the woman who was there to take you home, slowing down when Levi stops to give you an equally scary expression as the one from earlier.

“You’re a snitch, and no one will ever be your friend. Ever.” He huffs, before running towards his uncle, holding his hand as they head home.

You were unsure about what the word snitch meant, but the second part hurt almost as bad as when he slapped your hand. It made something hurt in your chest, but for some reason you didn’t want to cry about it.

You walked over to the lady, not as enthusiastic as before.

“Hey kiddo, why the long face?” She asks, holding your shoulders as you plant your face into her stomach, scrunching up her shirt.

“I’m really hungry and tired.”

That was the first time you ever emotionally lied to hide your true feelings.

—

High School, Senior Year

Age: 17/18

It was as if Levi had cursed you for the rest of your life. Things didn’t go exactly as he said they would, though. You made tons of friends, and he did, too. Unfortunately, you weren’t friends with each other. He had matured and occasionally talked to you when you were involuntarily partnered up for school projects, but other than that, you two were as distant as ever.

“Listen up, everyone. For this project, I will allow you to choose your partner. Choose someone who will do their part and who will stay focused on the work rather than just screwing around…” Your teacher’s voice trails off and all that can be seen is the turning of students’ heads to face the partner they wished to work with. You turn to face Hange, who in turn looks at you as well.

“Hey, want to be partners for this project?”

Hange hadn’t said a word to you. The voice came from behind you, a presence shadowing your back.

Levi had matured, and now you definitely recognized it.

Levi had matured physically. He refused to join any of the sports that represented the school, but he did start going to the gym every day after school. Coaches watched him during P.E. and realized his athletic potential, which turned into constantly asking him if he would be interested in joining their teams. As someone who picked things up quickly, he was promised a spot on the varsity teams, which he always rejected. Levi thought it was pathetic how they kept asking and asking—practically begging, and deemed it harassment when they wouldn’t take his no. Eventually, he was left alone. It only took a million no’s and one threat to bring it up to the principal.

Even you couldn’t deny how handsome Levi had become. You noticed the veins that snaked around his arms like lightning strikes, as well as the bulkiness of his toned biceps beneath the sleeves of his shirts. You also noticed the bags that decorated the bottoms of his eyes—something that shouldn’t have been as attractive as it was.

Levi looked good, but that wasn’t something you would ever say out loud.

Levi also matured mentally. It took reaching his last year of middle school to grow out of the ‘nobody likes you, you stink, you look like fresh manure’ childishness. He became aware of how stupid it was to say things like this as a fourteen-turning-fifteen year old. He realized that at some point he would have to grow out of the ridiculous ‘girls are gross’ phase, as well, because he started seeing things in girls that didn’t elicit disgusting feelings in him.

Levi was ready to grow up by the time he entered high school. He was so ready to prove that he wasn’t twelve years old anymore. It wasn’t hard to act like a normal person, not outwardly judging things that seemed weird.

He saw you a couple times during the summer, but never actually walked up to you. He thought it might be awkward, knowing how much trouble he caused you in all the years before.

On weekends, you always spent your afternoons at the beach, watching the sun set over the endless crashing waves. The strange thing was that you were unaccompanied every time, the entire bench only occupied by you.

When Levi saw you, he never took it as an opportunity to apologize for the way he was before. Even then, he felt like you didn’t hate him, because sometimes when you heard footsteps behind you, you would turn. The rare occasions when it was Levi, you smiled at him following it with a friendly wave. This was enough of a reason for him to speed walk home.

When he first saw you again at the start of freshman year, he instantly noticed the transformation you went through. You were glowing in pure daylight. You were more confident, and you weren’t wearing only hoodies and sweatpants anymore. Your chest was fuller, your hair was luscious, and you dressed like it was picture day every day. You were so stunning that the few pimples scattered on your cheeks almost went unnoticed.

He was truly ready to act grown up, but the moment he saw you strut into his biology class, he had to paw at the fabric of his pants to dry the sweat off his palms.

You looked good, but that wasn’t something Levi would ever say out loud.

Hange pointed at the person standing in front of your desk, a wicked grin on their face as you give them a perplexed expression.

You recognized that voice—the deep timbre, the wiseness behind it as well as the know-it-all tendencies that that voice gave life to.

You finally turned to face the mystery man, knowing all along who it was.

“You want to work with me?” you ask, putting the pencil you were spinning down on the desk.

“I know we can get this done faster than any other pair in this room. We won’t be working together for long, if that’s what you’re worried about.” His palms subconsciously settle on your desk.

“Don’t you have others that want to work with you? I was kind of set on working with Hange.”

“And I was set on working with Moblit, but look at them chopping it up.” He points over to the pair. Hange is doing her usual act of trying to win the boy’s heart with her ninety-nine point nine percent success rate of pick up lines, while Moblit internally and visibly panics, not knowing how to show he’s just as interested in them.

“Levi, let’s work together,” a girl asks, her eyes basically pulsing at him. “I got a ninety-five percent on the last project. With your smarts we could get that hundred.”

Levi quickly rejects her.

“No. I already chose my partner.”

“Hey, we should work together again. I don’t totally understand the prompt, but I’m willing to study for it. What do ya say?” Eren asks, putting his pencil behind his ear. Your heart shakes with anxiety, but you quickly turn him down in the nicest way you can.

“Looook who’s here to work with you!” You grab him by the shoulders and throw him at the quiet girl, Mikasa.

You go back to Levi’s side and whisper, “Let’s just confirm our partnership before we’re asked to work with others again.”

“Good idea.”

You follow him up to the front of the class where your teacher sits, waiting for students to come up to him.

“Oh, are you two planning on working together again? You did very well on the last project. This partnership is very reliable.”

“Yes, we’re here to confirm our partnership,” Levi says.

“Great! You’re my fourth pair—first written down on paper. Let’s see, I’ll…”

You both walk away from the teacher’s desk, separating to sit at your designated desks. You feel a sting in your scalp, a lock of your hair twisted around Hange’s finger and pulled swiftly.

“Ow, what?” You turn to face the culprit and their shit-eating grin.

“Ow, what?” They repeat, mocking your tone. “I didn’t want to work with you anyway.”

“Seriously? You ran first. I turned away for a split second and you were macking with Moblit.” You fake gag. “But, whatever. I didn’t want to work with you either.”

You both stare at each other in silence for two seconds before bursting out into laughter.

You lean in close to get your message to Hange as discreetly as possible.

“You got this, Hange. Make me proud.”

“Yes, ma’am.” They mock salute you, a stern expression on their face.

—

You didn’t realize how hard it was to work with Levi until you voluntarily chose to do so. He was nitpicking all the parts he entrusted you with. Lot’s of ‘this works better than what you have down right now,’ and ‘is that part set in stone or is it a rough draft?’

It got to the point where you felt like your head was pulsing. He was micromanaging the whole project and you were getting fed up with it.

“Levi, do you want to finish my parts of the project, too? Just say so and I’ll go home.”

“What are you talking about? It’s a two-person project.”

“Yeah, I know, but right now you’re playing both parts.” You straighten your posture from the hunched position you were in while you wrote on the worksheet.

“I’m just giving you pointers. You don’t have to take the advice if you don’t think it’ll make your work better.”

You sigh, the stress of misunderstanding piling onto your shoulders.

Would you be my partner if I asked nicely?

Levi watched you typing away on your phone as he continued working. Every once in a while he would see you grin, a short chuckle following.

Tired of Levi already? I thought you guys worked well together ;)

Stop. He’s taking over the entire project. Help.

I wanna stay with Moblit.

Hange, pleaseeeeee! I’ll owe you the biggest favor ever in the world. Ever.

How big?

The favor lasts from now until forever if I go through with it.

Fineeee

Ily <3

“How’s your part coming along?” Levi looks up again once you set your phone down.

“Hange says we can switch partners if you still want to work with Moblit.” You grab your pencil again, filling in some answers that made more sense once your head was cleared.

“We’re too far into the project to switch partners now.”

“We’re three days into the project, out of two weeks. I could fill Moblit in on my part and vice versa.”

He drops his pencil, sitting up straight to face you.

“Why are you abandoning this project? We’re doing fine. You’re doing really well.”

Your heart involuntarily speeds up, and butterflies invade your guts. It’s an unsettling feeling, considering how little time you spend with Levi to be feeling this way.

“I just don’t think i’m on par with your thought process. Working with Moblit… it’s what you initially wanted. Now is your chance.”

“I was just saying that- I didn’t want to work with Moblit. You- I thought…”

“You’re buffering.” You chuckle. “Reboot, refresh, andddd boop.” You tap the top of his head.

His face drops, unsure of what just happened. For some reason, he feels lighter.

“I wanted to work with you first. Moblit was supposed to be a backup, incase you… you know, didn’t want to work with me.” He avoids eye contact with you as he speaks his mind. It’s not something he’s totally comfortable doing.

“I hate working with you, you know?”

He looks at you again, his face not expressing the awkwardness he feels.

“I want to be your friend, though. I want to get along with you, and if that means I have to work with you for two weeks, then I guess i’ll survive.”

Sorry, he’s my friend now <\3

The project was finished three days early. You were partners by choice for every project since then. You worked together on the final senior project and passed with flying colors. With every project you worked on together, there was more time to get to know each other. There was time to ask questions about what the future would hold. You got so comfortable with each other, to the point where instead of turning to look for Hange when the teacher said pair up, you looked for Levi.

—

Graduation day arrived and you cackled when you saw Levi in his white cap and gown. He was one of the top ten students, so he definitely stood out from the rest of the graduates who wore forest green caps and gowns.

“We did it, L. Congrats on being top ten.” You patted his shoulder, a bright smile on your face.

“Yours is cooler.” He tugs on your sleeve lightly. “I’ll bet you one that as soon as I sit down, the filthy chair is gonna get my gown dirty.”

“Alright, you’re on. I bet it’ll stay clean.” You know you’ll be losing a dollar, but what does it matter. You’ll indulge in this bittersweet game of his.

The graduation march begins, and all the lines begin moving. Students follow students to end seated in neat files. Speeches are given by the Salutatorian followed by the Valedictorian. The principal gives her speech, and then the names are being read out.

When Levi’s name was called out, you were glad to hear many others cheering with you. It filled you with so much joy to know that there were many who supported him.

When your name was called, you heard people cheering and applauding, but the only person who mattered was Levi. You looked straight ahead, and scanned the row of students wearing white caps and gowns until your eyes met Levi’s. He was clapping for you, a rare, but captivating smile gracing his face.

High school was over. Some things would never be the same, but not everything would change.

After the ceremony, you met up with the familiars who came to see you. You accepted their congratulations, embraces, and well wishes before letting them know that you had other people you wanted to see before leaving school.

You turned to look for your day one, Hange. They were still talking to some people you didn’t recognize, so you went around looking for other friends.

“Hey.” There’s a tap on your back. You turn to see Levi, his cap in hand. “Let’s go talk at the front of the school. It’s quieter there.”

“Okay.” You nod.

It was a peaceful walk through the campus and through the gates at the entrance of the school. The yellow streetlights illuminated the cement beneath your feet, covering half of the grass surrounded by concrete blocks, where students usually sat while they waited for their rides.

You both sat down, a different aura surrounding you. Something serious, something intimate. Both if mutually understood.

“You lost the bet.” The first words that come out of his mouth, a smug smirk littering his face.

“Really, Ackerman?” You chuckle. “Stand up. Let me see your butt.”

He stands, a very light dirt spot visible on his gown.

“You can just dust that off. It’s not stained.”

“That’s not what we talked about. We bet that the chair was going to get my gown dirty, not stain it.” He sits back down. “You lost.”

You sigh, a lighthearted smile on your face as you dig into your pockets for your wallet.

Levi’s hand stops you from pulling your wallet out.

“That’s not what I want.”

“You said ‘i’ll bet you one’.”

“I didn’t specify what I wanted, though. What if I wanted one apple?”

You raise an eyebrow.

“Is that actually what you want?”

“No.”

“Then what do you want?”

Your hand is cold in his as he folds his fingers between yours.

“What?” You giggle, leaning back a little when he gets closer.

“Come on. Stay still.”

“You’re being weird, Levi.” You chuckle, nervously.

“One kiss.”

You stop moving, and suddenly you are all too aware of his soft grip on your hands.

“It’s what I want.”

“You’re kidding, right?” You’re ready to hear him say no, but still hope he says he’s kidding.

“You’re the one who lost. Be a good sport.”

“What do you have to gain from something so…” you giggle in your flustered state, “…so stupid?”

“A once in a lifetime experience. Now tell me, what do you have to lose?”

“Nothing.”

“Exactly. It’ll be quick.”

Your palms are sweating. What an odd thing for him to want from you. A kiss? It wouldn’t be motivated by feelings so it won’t be weird. You can’t make it weird.

“Okay. Alright, just do it.”

One of his hands loosens and releases one of your hands, raising up to cup your cheek.

“Levi, hurry up,” you prompt, the warmth of his palm on your cheek letting butterflies escape.

He’s ignoring you now. He’s waited so long for this, and you’re allowing him to fulfill his want.

You can’t look into his eyes as he gets closer. The color has an effect on you, so you close your eyes and wait for your lips to touch.

“You’re taking forev-”

Your lips are enveloped by Levi’s, the lingering taste of the spearmint flavored gum he was chewing earlier, on your tongue. You died internally when he cupped your jaw, stealing two, three, then four too many kisses.

Who were you to stop him when you loved it so much? He kept you warm as the night breeze nipped at your bare forearms and shins, and you would gladly remain in his space for as long as he stayed in yours.

You separate from each other, a silent wide-eyed reaction from both of you. Levi made a sudden realization, and you continued to be surprised that he actually kissed you.

“I can’t go. I don’t want to anymore.”

“What are you talking about?” You ask.

“The university I got into is all the way in Chicago. I don’t want to go so far.”

“That’s amazing, Levi! You have to go.”

“I’m not leaving you here. We just repaired those childish altercations that made us rivals for years, and I’m not ready to stop talking to you.” He looks down at your still linked hands, a rosy color dusting his cheeks.

“We have phones and phone numbers. There are also apps to text through.” You squeeze his hand. “We live in a modern world, L. We’ll keep in touch.”

“Come with me.”

“No.”

“Come with me, please,” he rephrases.

“No,” you repeat. “You can do this. I’m not going anywhere, and you can visit during your breaks.”

He sighs, unable to figure out how to change your mind.

“I’m not gonna win this time, am I?”

“Nope. You win some, you lose some.” You grin, knowingly. “Be a good sport.”

“Fine.” He turns to look at you, focusing on that lingering blush on your cheeks. “Do you have time?”

“Yeah, I don’t have to be home yet. I told my family that i’d get a ride from some friends.”

He nods in acknowledgment.

“Can we sit here a while longer? I don’t want to see anyone else right now.”

Reality is sinking in, and he misses you already. High school is over, and before he knows it, he’ll be on a plane to Chicago, miles and miles away from here, where you’ll stay.

“Of course. Did you want to talk about anything?”

He shakes his head.

“Let’s just sit here.”

—

“So we were friends during school, even if it was all the way towards the end. I’m surprised you remember all of that.” Your voice was everything but stable.

“Why are you crying? It’s a happy ending.” Levi wiped the tear that slid down your face, with his thumb.

“We didn’t actually grow up until that last project, huh?”

“It is what brought us closer, and then you drove a wall between us.”

You punched his arm, playfully.

“At least you’re back now, with a degree.”

“And you.”

He leans in and presses a chaste kiss to your lips. That fluttery feeling in your heart is now welcome, as well as his arm around you, while you watch the same sunset you watched all those years ago without him.

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babygirlyouretheheart · 1 year

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My top favorite Byler art per artist in no particular order

@kidovna's dissolving upside down kiss - the animated version is so chef kiss too I can see it so clearly I could marry this fr

@fairyrona's UD basement kiss- it also has an animation version and shout out to homophobic dog in the bg, you guys are funny as hell

@blobvis456's flickergate kiss - so creative wtf bro??

@boycattj's paint kiss - talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique-

@bujomoss' jancy kiss animation - I can't imagine how long this took, it's so good bro so good

@shandy-and-champagne's protecting from vecna cuddle - very skam coded, slightly nostalgic, love it to death, thank you so much

@nateswinehart's will byers vs subtitles - we're so blessed by these talented people in the fandom shut the fuck up

@spader7's photobooth art - so fucking goofy, somewhat hearstopper coded, love the joy so much

@its-emimi's anime byler - the lighting!! the coloring!! the expressions!! I wish I was this cool!!

@artistaquinterob's movie date - the cutest established byler comic ever <3<3

@tastywormfood's should I stay or should I go cuddle - soooo good, I'm so emo pls

@scarbeau's my boyfriend and his boyfriend meme - this is so funny and for what??

@modsisawesome's eggnog hearteyes - this is also so fucking funny, mike's so in love stfu

@cherbearsz's radio au byler - if we don't get a scene of the boys laying down looking at each other what's the point?? thank you for the vision tumblr user cherbearsz, you totally get it

@dodele's literal upside down kiss - this is also skam coded and I'm here for it

@taeiris' the crawl comic - the angst, the coloring, the fucking talent, I can't with you guys

@azuries' phone angst art - tumblr user azuries, this hellsite won't let me tag you properly but this is very pretty and I want you to know it made me cry

Honorary mentions

@almirondesign's byler holding hands poster - shout out to axel for freaking the GA out one poster at a time

@jinnejx's babygirl mike - does this count as byler? idk but this art changed the chemistry of my brain

Thank you for coming to my ted talk and feel free to add yours if you reblog this

#byler #fr you guys are amazing #thank you so much for your art #and I'm sure I'm forgetting people sorry!!#also i was gonna make this colorful but tumblr hates me and won't let me rip #art

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albonoooo · 4 months

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thank you for the tag @borntogayz <3

star sign: pisces

favourite holiday: christmas (for the cozy vibes and food)

last meal: rice and stir-fried veggies

current favourite musician: this changes daily, but lately i've been listening to a lot of palaye royale (damn you, liquid) and nostalgic 2000s music like britney spears, beyoncé, christina aguilera and the pussycat dolls.

last music listened to: i'm listening to palaye royale as i'm typing this.

last movie watched: drei haselnüsse für aschenbrödel (which is the same answer i gave in a tag game a few weeks ago lol)

last tv show watched: it's been months since i've watched any show, but i think it's the witcher.

last book/fic finished: the last book i finished is to kill a kingdom by alexandra christo (only took me one and a half years). i'm not sure about the last fic, probably something from the kinkmeme idk.

last book/fic abandoned: the last book i abandoned (for now) is bleak house by charles dickens. i technically had to read it for a seminar, but it's just too fucking long. as for fics, i don't really "abandon" any, i just keep them in my library (marked for later section) until i get to them, whenever that may be.

currently reading: as per the previously mentioned older tag game, i'm still reading the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde. since my last answer, i have made zero progress.

last thing researched for writing/art/hyperfixation: does frantically looking for the right pictures of alex albon in red bull gear as well as articles about him leaving/them sacking him at 3am count?

favourite online fandom memory: honestly just discovering that there was fanfiction beyond x reader stuff was eye-opening. the first few m/m k-pop fics i read had such a huge impact on me, i can still recite the plot down to the smallest details.

favourite old fandom you wish would drag you back in/have a resurgence: it's not old per se, but the pedro pascal girlies (gn) seem to be having a great time atm. i had my pedro moment in 2019/2020 when i watched triple frontier for the first six times, but maybe i should revisit that.

favourite thing you enjoy that never had an active or big fandom, but you wish it did: i've been thinking about this for ten minutes, i can't think of anything. if something comes to my mind later, i'll just add it then. EDIT: my best friend and i have an unhealthy obsession with the film napola (more specifically, max riemelt in it. the film itself is quite dark), but barely anyone even knows it. devastating.

tempting project you're trying to rein in/don't have time for: i'm currently trying to learn how to make web weaves because i have a bunch of ideas, but uni comes first unfortunately.

zero pressure tags in case you want to do this: @wanderingblindly @piastrisms @hrhgeorgerussell @bright-and-burning @liamlawsonlesbian

#tag games

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reflections-in-a-critical-eye · 4 months

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I can understand the argument that someone's background influences their views on politics/social issues, everything and how that transpires in the art they're making, but only using that frame of analysis is reductive. More often working class directors get the recognition for their working class stories, whilst anything above it that gets into privileged teritory will most likely be criticized. Especially in this era in cinema and economic/political climate in which "eat the rich" is now a theme/meme in pop culture.

But I do stand on my opinion that it can be reductive sometimes. I could never look at Visconti's work only thinking that a rich count made all those films. When the entire argument is based on that it might ignore not only elements that are actually working in the film, but also other legitimate frames of criticizing the piece if it lacks in other areas.

I think this applies to Saltburn as well. I've seen the classism critique everywhere. And on one hand it does apply. Yes, the director is this posh woman and it might be argued that the film is a posh perspective on what's the middle class fantasy. Which apparently is one in which pretending to be working class and having parents with addiction might garantee you a spot in a circle of rich friends (and then you can exert all your destructive fantasies on them). At the same time, it's not like the upper class gets unscathed from all this. Yes, they're fun and amusing to watch, but I wasn't laughing with them, but at them. They were portrayed as being ridiculous and utterly sad in their inability of showing emotion, seen here as the typical upper class behavior.

Perhaps a more legitimate criticism coming from me (and others) would be that all explained above would have come across more clearly if the execution would have been done right. I do believe there's some issues with the script. The over explaining of motive through a monologue and going back in time was not necessary and it's more like a gimmick, an easy way to close all the narrative ends. It's not technically a bad idea, but perhaps it is too cliche at this point.

I believe Oliver needed a bit more work in terms of motivation and how that comes across. I felt as if there's more to know. Not in a way that justifies his action, but what is underneath there? This is where I'm reminded of some comparisons to The Talented Mr. Ripley, Teorema or Brideshead Revisited. The stranger who comes in and disrupts the status quo. Who changes the lives of those he "befriends", either for personal gain, for them to get out of their "comfort zone" or both. The methods of infiltration are subtle, but most importantly, the way in which they are portrayed in film or written are what makes them so powerful. Emerald Fennell is no Evelyn Waugh, that's obvious. So I think that mostly here lies that criticism on my part. That at times, the story is told too simplistically, it doesn't go too deep into the relationship between characters (especially Oliver and Felix) and there's a superficiality that comes with a focus on aestheticism.

At the same time, this exact latter criticism can actually be its forte. It's what makes it fun. It's the wanted shock value of a few scenes that definitely makes the audience gasp (particularly those in the young adult range nowadays used to comic book adaptions and other Hollywood garbage). It looks beautiful and it makes us nostalgic of summers in the late 2000s which don't look that bad through rose-tinted glasses. It's how we look at ridiculous behavior and also love watching those people bask in the sun and wear dinner jackets while playing tennis. It's the music! I loved the music and the sparkly kitschy clothes us millenials used to think it were the height of fashion.

The film wants to be outrageous, to make people talk, to bring valid criticism while also looking really good. If its problem is that it has too much style over lack of substance, at least they nailed the style.

My watching experience was a really fun one. It doesn't take away from noticing its shortcomings and that also doesn't make me want to only see its fault and not also the elements that work. Saltburn is somewhere in the middle and I do think we need these types of films as well and it's not hard for it to find its appropriate audience.

#m thoughts #saltburn #emerald fennell #film talk

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crestfallercanyon · 4 months

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It's Weekly Tag Wednesday! (and I'm actually getting to it on Wedneasday!

name: crest

zodiac sign: pisces

fuzzy socks or fuzzy blankets? fuzzy blankets I think. though I like both.

do you enjoy winter? I do when there's actually snow. I like the crisp air. I like the snow. I like wearing sweatshirts and sweaters and bundling up and getting to look cozy in my office.

what’s your comfort book or movie? comfort book? The Night Circus or A Psalm for the Wild Built or This is How You Lose the Time War or actually The Southern Reach trilogy. Comfort movie? Steel Magnolias (1989) or Tombstone (1993) or Secondhand Lions or The Holiday

what’s your favorite way to wind down after a long day? if the weather's comfortable enough, I like to go on a long walk and listen to music. or I just like to take a long hot shower and then lay on my couch and drink tea.

tell me something you like about yourself: I try to be a good friend.

favorite artist? I'm in love with Chiara Bautista and the stories and characters she creates with her art.

how do you practice self-care? not to be annoying, but the term "self-care" has become so amorphous that this could be a lot of things, from going to a therapist to clipping my toenails. I like candles, does that count?

what’s a song that makes you feel joyful?

a book you want to read this year: Wool by Hugh Howey

what advice would you give your younger self? No one thinks you look as bad as you do.

and finally, you’re given a plane ticket to anywhere in the world, no strings attached. where are you going? I should list somewhere exciting, but honestly? I think I'd go back to somewhere nostalgic.

tagging! I think many people have already been tagged, so... here are @callivich, @mmmichyyy and anyone else who wants to join!

#tag game #weekly tag wednesday #Spotify

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woesunf · 3 months

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You make me want to go and read that Unordinary, is it worth it

IMO it is worth it

This is a long post but I need to get every thought and side about this comic out there.

Before I try and persuade you to read it, I’m gonna say that a lot of people like to hate on unordinary.

But there’s also a lot of really hard-core fans (like me lol)

I think the reason a lot of people like to hate on it is because the writing can be slow at times because of the format, which is webtoon.

When it comes to original webtoon creators, unless they’re on hiatus, they profit off of weekly episodes you can choose to buy or can choose to wait for (obviously a lot of people pirate them, but whatever I’m definitely not guilty of it ;))

OK so let’s get into it.

Here’s my colored index if you wanna skip through it a bit, idk how else to do it lol.

Synopsis

Why I like it

A little abt Uru-Chan (the creator)

Some cons (for evenness)

Conclusion

A short synopsis of unordinary:

In the world of unordinary mostly everyone is given a power known as an aura, most of the time it is hereditary (to be honest I’m really not sure if you can be unique) they grow into their ability and are able to utilize a different ages, some people never get an ability they are known as “cripples” (ik that word has negative irl connotations it’s literally what they are called I’m sorry 😭) the story follows the character John Doe, a cripple, as he attends Wellston Private High School. As well as a banned book called Unordinary, that is said to have caused a spike in vigilantism.

Now on to why I like it 😚

The story of UnO to me, first of all is very nostalgic, I started really getting into it in 2020 during March (quarantine) though I was reading it in 2019 during August I believe, but at that time I didn’t finish it bc of laziness.

During quarantine though I was ON those updates.

Second, to me, the character of John Doe is very well written.

Without super spoilers, it’s very realistic to have someone have their whole ideology’s set up in their brain and then have it completely broken down in the matter of a few weeks because of events that brings them a lot of stress.

Especially when you’ve been constantly subjected to the negative end of these beliefs that you had a hard time believing in to begin with.

And I think, in recovering the character, it was also quite realistic, because it does take time to change, and to still not be quite “changed” or instantly forgiven by the people around you.

The characters have good stories and pasts, they’re all unique and interesting.

Also THERE’S NO PLOT ARMOR.

IF THEY GET BEAT THEY GET BEAT.

Unless you count Arlo who literally wears armor lol

But besides the writing… 🤭

I love the tropes.

As a consumer of writing, and like anime, manga, whatever, it’s really hard to find a good story about a character that is a heel-face turn to the negative side 😭

And I’ll be the first fan to admit that the heel-face turn in unordinary, also isn’t as well written as I would like it to be, but I’m also not a writer and I KNOW how hard it can be to even write one to begin with-

Uru-Chan (the creator)

-It’s a struggle, and props to Uru for making a pretty good one 👍

And honestly, kind of rarely, the beginning of unordinary is very good in its own way.

Uru-Chan was obviously going for a very comedic action in the beginning of the comic, and the characters, designs and actions reflect that very well, and honestly, I ate it up.

She even admitted to not really knowing the way she was going with the story in the beginning, and usually that’s a red flag in writing, but I think she did really recover the story.

The comic did end up like straightening out I guess, and now it does have a normal storyline, that is obviously planned out probably at least a YEAR in advanced.

So yeah Uru-Chan ate I fear, she’s a good writer I take no criticism, way better than some OTHER webtoon OG creators, not naming names…

Also she was acknowledged by DC or Marvel idrk in an art piece acknowledging the future of super hero comics, with Seraphina being shown in the art piece (I SWEAR THIS HAPPENED I CANNOT FIND THE ART PIECE 😭😭😭)

Ok so the cons…

Obviously kind of slow writing. Me personally, I don’t really care for the chapters about Remi, Blyke, and Isen, I usually skip over them, but if there’s get a new chapter ONLY ABOUT THEM, I have to wait a week for another chapter and hope and pray it isn’t about them again.

It’s not even that their arcs are boring I just don’t really care 😭😭😭

I’m sure it’s someone else’s fave parts tho lol.

Next, the art style.

With 0 hate to Uru-Chan

The art style is simple, it has a sharper style, but it is kinda goofy.

Uru has a team that work with her in illustrations and coloring, and she simplifies her art style in order to tell the story faster.

The way they walk is kinda silly lol.

Also they’ll just have like one eye every once in awhile, maybe no eyes lol, only if the scene calls for it to be that way.

Demonstrated here by Arlo:

This is all from one chapter I was too lazy to go to other ones.

It’s silly, but honestly I barely notice it sometimes.

I think it’s like an attention tactic, to take attention off certain characters to make other character be focused on.

Like how BG characters always have brown hair and brown eyes in anime but the MC’s will have blue hair or smth.

Maybe I’m biased but I can’t really think of any other cons 🤷‍♀️

Conclusion

Unordinary is a good story to binge, but is up to everyone’s to decide if it’s their taste, like most things.

Despite me not really being into super hero stuff, I do really like the story (it’s not extremely super hero-ish tho, it’s actually illegal to be one in the story 😭)

Also John is a very pretty man 🫣

It’s a school story that is now deviating from the base story of being ONLY at Wellston, we have been moving into another arc for while now, and the season finale is very soon, meaning it will be going on hiatus soon, so honestly now probably is the best time to start reading if you like having a conclusion.

It’s not a series finale tho, so she’ll be back 😙👍

I’m not very good at writing analysis’ or anything adjacent to it because my thoughts are all over the place, but I hope this makes at least a little sense and helps you out 😭

But yeah IMO, it’s a good read.

#john unordinary #john doe unordinary #unordinary webtoon #unordinary #webtoon #webtoon app is the universal enemy #webtoon recommendation #super long post #sorry #arlo unordinary #if anyone knows where that dc/marvel art is pls tell me #I KNOW IT EXISTS #ask

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namenoted · 2 months

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get to know me meme !

TAG NINE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW BETTER !

1. favorite colors: grey, black, white —— i have some colors i prefer, but i have a shade differentiation color blindness, so it's all base colors to me unless heavily satured. you can see my color preferences in my psd choices across my blogs.

2. favorite flavors: salty, spicy, umami, sweet —— i have a broad palate, there isn't a lot i dislike. lemon and cherry are heavy preferences for fruity flavors.

3. favorite genres: horror, fantasy, slice of life, anything that's like nostalgic, sociopolitical, etc. i like romance sometimes, but more shoujo than live action.

4. favorite music: very broad, from run the jewels to tracy chapman to stray kids and block b to mia to just about anything. i even have a few country tracks i like. i'm a huge rap, r&b, jazz, and blues fan. i love anything in the lofi genre, vaporwave, and ambient nosises.

5. favorite movies: the lion king is my all-time favorite movie (thus hamlet my favorite play). i enjoy like all horror slasher series like jason, michael, freddy, etc. so it's hard to pick and choose, but i'm a huge freddy vs jason fan.

6. favorite series: bioshock, death note, danganronpa, mob psycho 100, kny, kingdom hearts, ouran (my wife does a lot of ouran fanart and products for our booth and store!), animal crossing, cowboy bebop, inuyasha, yu yu hakusho,

7. last song: bad girls by mia

8. last series: for games, bioshock infinite. for anime, i think like mob psycho or something. for manga, yu yu hakusho. for live action shows, i think we finished riverdale (listen, i love hate-watch that show, it's a guilty pleasure and i had to know as a true archie fan what the hell was going on, i already started so i wasn't going to stop)

9. last movie: i think it was maybe like the puss in boots movie or the mario movie or something, we did a binge watch to catch up on some animated films recently, but it could have been a random film from streaming lbr

10. currently reading: i'm about to start no longer human when i finally have the time

11. currently watching: yu yu hakusho rewatch, currently

12. currently working on: the manga (writing by me, art by ottermelon) that's associated with the lore and canon of the blog hehosts, making perfumes and colognes for my new series lines, restocking our store, and getting ready to leave for many cons these next three months. does that count?

tagged by: no one, i stole it from multiple sources tagging: uh you of course

#( ooc ) † † — dash games #i wanted to participate while i realized i messed up some of my tags #so time to fix those rip

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fluffnstuffq · 2 years

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INTRODUCING FALL-TERHUMANITY MONTH!!!

We've always loved the idea of more specific October prompt lists, and after seeing a few otherkin or therian related ones going around, we decided to try to make our own!

This list is week-based instead of daily, allowing for as many works of art (drawings, writing, editing, crafts, music, anything!!) to be created per week as you want!

We tried to make the list able to be applied to any alterhuman/nonhuman experiences!

Each week has a broad main prompt, as well as several more specific, optional ideas that fall under a broad theme.

If we complete any of the prompts, we'll be tagging them as #Fallterhumanity Month

More details/plain text list of the prompts under the cut:

WEEK ONE - PERCEPTION (OCT 17 - 23) Additional Ideas:

Point of View Ideal Sense of Sight Hindsight

The concept of perception can apply to both literal and metaphorical ideas. How do you see yourself? How did/do others see you? Did your kintype/theriotype/etc. experience the world in a fundamentally different way?

WEEK TWO - MEMORIES (OCT 24 - 30) Additional Ideas:

Distant Dreams Familiar Recurring

Memories come in many different forms, and can have profound impacts on your life now. Are they comforting or haunting, or something in between? Distinct and narrative, or brief flashes? Or, is there something special about your memories now that helped you realize your alterhumanity?

WEEK THREE - INSTINCTS (OCT 31 - NOV 6) Additional Ideas:

Chase Inconvenient Fear Automatic

How important are instincts to your identity, and how do they show themselves? Are there any situations in which they are useful, or inconvenient? Remember, instincts don't necessarily have to be "animal" in nature, either!

WEEK FOUR - HOME (NOV 7 - 13) Additional Ideas:

Nostalgic Affection Lonely Homesick

Think about what "home" means to you, and how that's changed overtime. How does your alterhumanity relate to that concept? Think of decorations, environments, sounds, whatever brings to mind "home"! Do you feel like where you are now counts as home, or are you longing for something missed, or yet to be? Is home a place, a feeling, certain people, or something else?

Feel free to interpret any of these prompts however you wish! Some prompts may relate easily to each other, so feel free to combine them! The important part is to express yourself, and have fun!

#fallterhumanity month #prompt list #alterhuman #otherkin #fictionkin #plurality #otherhearted

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fantomcomics · 10 months

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What’s Out This Week? 6/28

HOW IS JUNE ALMOST OVER WHYYYYY

Beauty SC - Hubert & Kerascoet

When the repulsively ugly Coddie unintentionally saves a fairy from a spell, she does not understand the poisonous nature of the wish granted her by the fairy. The village folk no longer see her as repulsive and stinking of fish-they now perceive her as magnetically beautiful-which does not help her in her village. A young local lord saves her, but it soon becomes apparent that Coddie's destiny may be far greater than anyone ever imagined. Caustic and flamboyant, this fairy tale offers grownups an engrossing take on the nature and corrupting power of beauty, in our age of obsession with it.

Brinkley Yearbook: Picture Day GN Vol 1 - Sarah Sax

Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school: picture day! Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward to picture day. It's just another day where she wears a boring braid and no one notices her. (Her two best friends, Milo and Al, don't count, of course.) But enough is enough. This year, she's taking matters into her own hands. Literally. Viv grabs a pair of scissors, her phone for live-streaming, and, well, bye-bye braid. Suddenly Viv is an over-night influencer at Brinkley Middle School. Everyone wants her help planning their next big moment-from haircuts, to dance proposals, activist rallies and mathlete championships. She hardly even has time for her friends anymore. It's exactly how she dreamed of reinventing herself... right?

Creed: The Next Round #1 (of 4) - LaToya Morgan, Jai Jamison, Wilton Santos & Mateus Manhanini

Ten years after the events of the blockbuster Creed III, Amara Creed is on her own path, stepping outside her father Adonis Creed's shadow and training like there's no tomorrow. But when her division opponents no longer present a challenge, Amara's drive will have her following in her father's footsteps, going underground. She'll also need the perfect trainer, but perfection comes with tangled strings attached.

Darkly She Goes HC - Hubert & Vincent Mallie

Once upon a time there was a fallen knight, who believed that saving a princess would allow him to atone for his crimes. Once upon a time there was a dark princess, who believed that it was up to her to atone for the crimes of her parents... Banished for a fault that forever taints his reputation, Arzhur wanders from tavern to field of battle in search of the next contract which will fill his purse. One night, three mysterious old women offer him to regain honor and fortune if he frees the daughter of a neighboring king, held captive in the ruins of an abandoned castle. But Islen is not the damsel in distress that he expected to save. Magnified by the virtuoso art of Vincent Mallié, Hubert questions the weight of family heritage and delivers, under the finery of a tale, an intimate reflection on our inner monsters.

Delivery For You! GN - Teku Rin

Izumi Fukaya is a shut-in bachelor and part-timer whose only joy in life is seeing the handsome delivery worker who drops off his packages every day. Every time Ryouta Tsuchiya arrives with another delivery, the contents of the boxes are only half the excitement. Determined to make himself "cooler" to match Tsuchiya, Fukaya has yet to realize that Tsuchiya already thinks he's the whole package - and they're both about to find out they already have everything they want right in front of them!Meanwhile, Yuito Igarashi and Yuuta Natsume are in the prime of their college years but neither of them can seem to hit that final, all important youthful milestone: a girlfriend. Natsume struggles to even talk to the girls, and Igarashi's greatest talent is coming off as a creep. Maybe if they team up and put their heads together, they can come up with a solution to get over their single-life hurdles.

Disney One Saturday Morning Adventures HC - Daan Jippes & Laura McCreary

Pour a bowl of cereal and dig into a nostalgic comics tribute to Disney's One Saturday Morning! From Disney Adventures and its sister magazines come classic comics based on your favorite 1990s Saturday morning cartoon block! See sideways schoolkids Doug and Pepper Ann navigate the halls of tween angst-while sneaky Spinelli of Recess is always up to tricks! Join Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Mira Nova for big space battles. Then return to the Hundred Acre Wood for The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh... and hit Mouseton for Mickey, Goofy, and (hot-cha-cha!) Mortimer in Mickey MouseWorks! Even the Emmy-Award-winning Teacher's Pet is back in comics... back in print for the first time in decades!

Nudism Comes To Connecticut HC - Susan Schade, Jon Buller & Laura Buller

Nudism Comes To Connecticut is a fascinating graphic memoir of optimism, debt, nakedness and real estate scheming in the early 1930s. Frank Mallett, inspired by cooperative colonies he had visited in Europe, returned home envisioning utopian communities of bohemian emigrés and artistic intellectuals proliferating in sylvan harmony. With the crash of 1929 his already floundering enterprises seemed doomed - until he discovered a growing interest in healthy, wholesome nudism. Closely based on actual people and events, Nudism Comes to Connecticut exposes the conflict between the ecstasy of the "exquisite naked plunge" and voyeurism, competitiveness, and greed by way of many period writings and letters. Although Frank's love of nature never falters, he learns that there is more to nudism than meets the eye.

Goodbye Eri GN - Tatsuki Fujimoto

From the mad genius behind Chainsaw Man and Look Back comes a new story about coping with loss. Yuta's moviemaking career started with the request from his mother to record her final moments. But after her death, Yuta meets a mysterious girl named Eri who takes his life in new directions. The two begin creating a movie together, but Eri harbors an explosive secret.

I Should Not Love You GN - Chise Ogawa

Since he was little, Taisei Fujima has been known as the pretty boy in his town, and throughout his pampered and self-indulgent life thus far, there has only been one thing standing in his way: Keita Okachimachi, his former middle school classmate. Therefore, when Taisei is once again reunited with Okachimachi, after three long years apart, Taisei can't help but get riled up. And thus begins Taisei's grand plan for revenge...! Except, something's wrong. Even though he loathes Okachimachi with every fiber of his being, why is Taisei's heart beating so fast that he can hardly think straight. "Don't tell me I've fallen in love with him-?!"

Minami’s Lover HC - Shungiku Uchida

In this raunchy, moving, funny manga for adults, high school student Minami's girlfriend, Chiyomi, shrinks down to six inches tall - and moves in with him! Originally appearing in the underground/alternative manga magazine Garo in the 1980s and adapted for television several times, the Japanese pop culture sensation Minami's Lover is the story of two high schoolers' romantic relationship when one of them shrinks down to six inches tall.

Nervosa GN - Hayley Gold

Unflinchingly honest and darkly humorous, Nervosa is a graphic memoir about disordered eating, chronic illness, and a profound relationship with hope.

Obnoxious Hero-Kun Complete Collection GN - Amanda Rahimi

At school, everyone loves Hiro (especially Hiro). Handsome, charismatic, and overflowing with poetic praises of himself, he can get any girl he wants with just a smile and an abundance of background sparkles. He definitely doesn't waste any of his precious time thinking about Takashi, a stoic and somewhat icy boy who sits in front of him in class. Hiro's always glaring at Takashi for being so uncool, not staring longingly at Takashi's stupid beauty mark! When Hiro pushes his theatrical charm too far and finds Takashi daring him to kiss, Hiro realizes that being the hero of his own story means facing a dizzying array of heart-pounding challenges...like figuring out his true feelings for the very blunt, very hot Takashi. And dealing with exactly how much fetish gear is in Takashi's closet.

Power Rangers Unlimited: The Coinless #1 - Adam Cesare, Moises Hidalgo & Dan Mora

As if the medium-spanning, fan-favorite villain Drakkon wasn't enough of a threat, Mistress Vile has special plans, ones that will bring the Rangers' greatest foe into our world! But this scheming isn't without consequences for Drakkon, and he'll have to take a page from the book of Zordon if he wants the world of The Coinless to survive. But who would be unhinged enough to join his team? As if they have a choice...

Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse: The Art Of The Movie HC - Ramin Zahed

Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse saga, an epic adventure that will transport Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man across the Multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People to face off with a villain more powerful than anything they have ever encountered. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: The Art of the Movie takes readers behind the scenes to showcase the art and artistry of Sony Pictures Animation's highly-anticipated sequel to 2018's Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The ultimate deep dive into the on-screen return of the Spider-Man multiverse, the book features exclusive concept art, sketches, character designs, and storyboards from the visually innovative film.

Starfinder: Angels Of The Drift #1 - James L. Sutter, Edu Menna & Biagio D'Alessandro

A bold crew of adventurers must race to an isolated world to stop a catastrophic war for faster-than-light technology!

In the science-fantasy universe of the bestselling Starfinder Roleplaying Game, five down-on-their-luck mercenaries sign on to help a robotic avatar of the hyperspace dimension bring starship technology to a previously uncontacted planet. But with sinister forces bent on exploiting the new world, it'll take all the heroes' guns, wits, and magic to make it off their space station alive...

The Story Of Barbie & The Woman Who Created Her HC - Cindy Eagan & Amy Bates

A beautifully illustrated picture book about Barbie-the most famous doll in the world-and her visionary creator, Ruth Handler. After noticing how her daughter played with "grown-up" paper dolls, Ruth Handler wanted to create a doll that would inspire little girls to use their huge imaginations and big dreams about their futures. While others told her it wasn't possible, Ruth Handler proved them all wrong by creating the most famous doll ever. This beautiful hardcover picture book will inspire children ages 3 to 7 to believe that anything is possible-especially with Barbie!

Trojan GN - Daniel Kraus, Laci & Jeff Dekal

Once upon a time, we lived alongside Legends. Creatures of myth. Centaurs, fauns, gorgons, kelpies, gnomes, and more. They were spectacular. Majestic. Powerful. Peaceful. Pure. In comparison, we were ugly. Weak. Warmongering. Rotten. Is it any wonder we could not live alongside them any longer? After driving these Legends to the fringes of society, an uglier form of mythos takes shape in the form of rumors of live snuff shows for dark web high rollers. When a mysterious young woman, Nessa, enlists the help of a hacker to take a tour of the grisliest corners of the Dark Web, she sets in motion a war between those who peddle to mankind's darkest fantasies and a world that transcends imagination. Trojan is fantasy thriller full of wonder and horror in equal measure.

Wolverine SNIKT! GN - Tsutomu Nihei

In 2003, fresh off the success of his hit series Blame!, star manga creator Tsutomu Nihei connected with Marvel Comics, writing and drawing the limited series Wolverine: Snikt! Bringing his signature style to bear on the iconic X-Man, Nihei took Wolverine to a darker, more terrifying dimension, presented here in a deluxe edition.

Whatcha snagging to close out Pride, Fantom Fam??

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clairelsonao3 · 11 months

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Top 10 Character Essence

It's tag game time again!

@tabswrites and @hollyannewrites challenged (and I do mean challenged) me to name my top ten characters "decided by their essence or meaning to you."

A challenge to give your Top 10 favourite characters, based on their ESSENCE. They have to be favourite characters that also have a deeper literary value, where you enjoy their specific role in the story, and this means that the list also should exclude characters that would normally count as favourites if for purely nostalgic reasons. They can be from film, tv, or written media, anything.

Thank you! I hope I fulfilled the challenge the way it was meant to be fulfilled!

Although TBH, I can't believe I'm even attempting to tackle this. I have to choose only 10? I think it goes without saying this list is not exhaustive, nor does it represent all of my favorite books/movies/media. I really did try to capture the question by focusing on "essence and meaning" (including how they've influenced my own writing and not just "random characters I like." I also have to attempt not to write an essay for each because we don't want to be here all night.

Charlotte Doyle (The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi) Rich girl in the early 1800s gets on a ship with a mutinous crew and an evil captain, joins the crew, defeats the captain using only her wits, miraculously makes it home, AND THEN DECIDES TO GO BACK TO SEA AND BECOME A SAILOR. I read this all in one sitting one night when I was about 15 (after avoiding it because I thought it looked boring) and then literally decided to reshape my entire life based on it (I'm not kidding). Yes, I actually took up sailing. Also, there's a hot sailor that she obviously has chemistry with but it's left unresolved, and no one has ever written a future fic about it to my knowledge, and that's a CRIME. So yeah, step right up.

John Bender (The Breakfast Club) He's not just the original '80s bad boy with a Dark and Troubled Past, but what most people forget about him is that he's also hilarious. It's a rare combination. Honorary mention to his love interest, Claire, and not just because of her name.

Fantine (Les Miserables by Victor Hugo) - Mostly the book version of her, though she obviously has a showstopping number in the musical as well. She was the sad, angsty character I needed during the most sad, angsty period of my life. She was a poor, lonely urchin who found fleeting love and happiness in the spring, got abandoned and pregnant in the winter -- and it only got worse from there. Also, apropos of nothing, at one point, I wrote a short story featuring a dog by the same name -- who, um, died.

The Artful Dodger/Dodger (Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens/Oliver & Company) - I'm including both the human version and the dog version of this character because I love them both (though I actually prefer the Disney movie, lol). They're both thieves with devil-may-care attitudes, with soft spots for those more vulnerable than themselves. Plus, the dog version is Billy Joel, wears sunglasses, and plays piano with his tail, which -- I don't care what anyone says -- will never not be cool.

Satine (Moulin Rouge) - She was the beautiful, sparkling, singing, dancing tragic sex goddess I so badly wanted to be. So much so that as recently as five years ago when I reluctantly dressed up for a Halloween party, I chose her silver-dress-and-top-hat ensemble.

Rick Blaine (Casablanca) The most endlessly quotable character from one of the most endlessly quotable and romantic movies of all time. He sticks his neck out for no one. Except, oops, wait, he does. The OG Hollywood antihero with a Dark and Troubled -- whatever, you know the drill. Plus, he's also my dad's favorite character in his favorite movie (and I discovered it because of him), and so this pick has sentimental meaning for me.

Leah Price (The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver) - When we read this book in high school, she was the least popular character, probably due to her unwavering love and support for her dad, even though he was a singular-focused religious zealot who destroyed his entire family by dragging them into the African jungle in an ill-thought-out missionary trip. And then she married a guy with some of the same qualities (but he was better, thankfully). But for whatever weird reason, I related to her most. Anyway, for class, I wrote and tried to perform a monologue where I played her but forgot 90 percent of my lines. Oh well.

Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden by France Hodgson Burnett, I found the movie version fairly meh) There were a lot of spunky, iconic childhood book heroines to choose from, but she was Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, and so I choose her. (I got told to "smile" a lot as a kid). Also, as I mentioned in a previous post, I was a Mary/Dickon shipper before I even knew what shipping meant.

Neal Caffrey (White Collar) - Does anyone remember this show? I have no attention span for TV, and this is probably the last scripted show I remember watching every episode of during its original run, which is saying something. Everything I know about being a con artist (in fiction, lol) I learned from this charming, charismatic art-forger-turned-FBI-consultant. I think he also has the honor of being the subject of the first actual fanfic I ever wrote.

Iris Chase Griffin (The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood) I also had to pick one character of my favorite author, so Iris gets the crown. She starts off the story as an old lady looking back to when she was forced to marry some rich asshole instead of the science fiction writer (with a past that was -- wait for it -- Dark and Troubled) who BOTH she and her sister loved, and meanwhile, her sister became a writer and when she died it was discovered that -- oh, just read the goddamn book, I won't spoil it for you here.

Honorable mentions, in no particular order:

Violet Westing (The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin)

Jack Kelly (Newsies the movie, NOT the stage musical)

Turonga Leela (Futurama)

Vicky Austin (The Austins by Madeleine L'Engle)

Jack Dawson and Rose Dewitt-Bukater (Titanic) I can't decide between them, so they're getting an HM.

Palaestrio and Milphidippa (Miles Gloriosus by Plautus) Same as above.

Michael Furey (The Dead by James Joyce) Who is, in fact, dead throughout the story -- but being alive wasn't one of the requirements.

I wish I could include a Star Wars character, but could never decide, so let's say, oh, all of them, except that one you hate.

In case the following people want to do what I did and spend several WEEKS on this fascinating but life-ruining (in a good way) tag game: @mysticstarlightduck @enne-uni @kixngiggles @obviousknife + OPEN TAG because you don't even have to be a writer for this one, so I'd be interested in hearing from anybody who wants to chime in!

#tag game #top 10 character essence #characters #writeblr #writeblr tag games

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