#kinda? very tame horror but ye

[w1lmuttart]

Is it true. That I made whole ass character designs last year and then never posted them??? Anyway art dump incoming

Starting of w the main stars, Alexander and Dawn (names referring to the roses they’re based on). They’re,,, demons? Plants? Both? Idk. They’re fun tho

And here’s an Alex I drew yesterday cuz I felt bad for neglecting my emo plant and friends </3

#probably gonna add more to this post w reblogs later #I have other characters and stuff as well but uhhhh I’m not as happy w some of them design wise #but uh ye. w1l showing off ocs a bit too late. what’s new? #w1lmutt’s ocs #digitalart #art #tw body horror #kinda? very tame horror but ye #very fun body horror to draw tho lol

[destinygoldenstar]

What Separates Digital Circus’s Horror From Others

Disturbing.

Unnerving.

TERRIFYING.

BUT WHY?!

On the surface to the… five people that never watched The Amazing Digital Circus Pilot, this show looks like a Five Nights At Freddy’s knock off.

It’s a cute mascot show that is actually secretly a horror monster infested world.

Even people who haven’t seen FNAF at least seen a few clips of it and what it’s famous for. I know I have.

My sister is super into this, and she hogs the TV, so… RIP me.

That’s what most non-horror stans usually view horror as.

The jumpscares.

The unnerving imagery.

The designs made to freak out the viewers and make them uncomfortable.

It’s usually quite obvious when something is a horror, cause these aspects are often front and center. You can usually tell it’s a trailer of a horror movie by just looking at it.

At least, from my, a non-horror lover’s understanding. For some reason these sorts of things, especially indie animated ones, are the faces of a lot of content farms.

If the product itself isn’t r@%ing your audience, it’s those.

(TAKE MY WARNING AND TAKE IT SERIOUSLY: IF YOU VALUE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND YOUR SANITY, DO NOT LOOK UP THIS MOVIE)

BUT BACK ON SUBJECT.

Digital Circus… doesn’t really have this stuff.

There’s no jumpscares.

(I mean there is in a trailer, but it’s used as a joke.)

The character designs are very cute looking without any alternate versions that are scary.

And the imagery of the show remains cute and fun all throughout. The darkest it gets is in a realistic looking office.

But there are no jumpscares in that scene.

It’s just… a normal office.

If this was a horror, then perfect opportunity, right?

So… what’s going on here?

This, my friends, is why Digital Circus is not your typical indie animated horror flick.

And why people even call it ‘scary’ at all.

Here’s the trick this show uses.

It’s not the imagery.

It’s not the designs.

It’s not even intentionally trying to scare you.

Caine is not intentionally trying to scare the audience. He’s just acting like an A.I.

Yeah he has SOME unnerving moments.

But compared to THIS:

I’d say Caine is pretty tame.

Maybe it’s an indicator that he’s secretly a monster like the Other Mother in Coraline.

That horror flick is about the host lying to the protagonist and revealing their horror-like appearance later on.

But not only was it confirmed that Caine is NOT evil. But look at his design right away and his presentation.

There is no sign so far that he lies about anything. At least not what he doesn’t know.

Yes he lied about the exit. But the exit ITSELF was the thing that sent you to the VOID. So really he kinda tried to protect them.

If he didn’t, he’d let jester girl eject herself like Among Us.

So why is it unnerving?

Because it’s the POV we the audience are in for most of the episode: Pomni.

Pomni is an Audience Surrogate.

Audience Surrogates are characters designed specifically to be a placeholder for the audience.

People usually assume this trope as the character made to be the bland and generic one. But that’s actually not true.

An audience surrogate can be as simple as a First Person POV. As all it means is that the character is designed to have the same reactions the audience would in the situation they would find themselves in.

Course, not speaking for everybody, but majority that would consume the content.

Thus, with Pomni as the audience surrogate, we the audience are thrusted into her shoes the whole time. We feel the fear she does. We are experiencing the circus the same time she does.

Notice the editing in some scenes. Specifically the scenes Pomni is NOT in.

When Pomni is in a scene, there’s usually some change in lighting or camera movement that’s unnerving.

But when she isn’t in a scene, these editing moves aren’t there at all.

Which makes it pretty easy to suggest that these unnerving edits are just what’s going on in Pomni’s head.

So with that, when she’s scared. We’re scared. We’re in her POV.

But she’s scared all the time. That’s just her average personality, right?

Then why make these specific edits?

Let’s think about this:

This character is trapped in a world that isn’t her own. Everything is unusual, and she wants out. But instantly realizes there’s no escape.

And then gets told this is her new home and her new body.

A home she doesn’t recognize. And a body she doesn’t even know the name of.

She lost all sense of identity in an instant. Losing everything about herself in an instant. To the point where she can’t even remember what she was before.

And to make matters worse, because this is unusual, everything SEEMS terrifying. Even to those trying to help her adjust.

The only way out of such a confusing and terrifying world is to escape. Which is what she tries to find the entire time.

So THEREFORE:

The horror is this show is NOT the jumpscares or the creepy images.

The horror is THE VIEWER’S MIND.

This show constantly destroys your mind and breaks you through Pomni.

The idea of losing everything about yourself and being trapped in something unfamiliar forever. That IS terrifying.

If you were in this situation, you’d probably freak out even if you were the bravest being ever.

So it’s not about how scary the scene is on the outside.

It’s about what you’re THINKING that’s scary.

Ragatha’s distress monologue is not scary on the outside. But if you actually take into consideration what she says.

THATS terrifying.

That toys with your mind. And it also toys with Pomni’s.

The monster figure in the episode, the abstraction, is nowhere near as scary as something from FNAF

At least in my opinion.

Especially seeing what the monster does.

It can’t kill you. You’re just glitched.

Or maybe it CAN kill. But we never see that.

Even if Pomni ended up like Ragatha, Caine would’ve eventually came back, found them, and fixed them. And they would’ve been fine.

But then, rather out of nowhere, she STOPS.

And we get this shot.

I talked about this shot before. Said it quickly became one of my favorite shots in media.

This is why.

This shot makes me queasy every time.

The idea of looking in a mirror and not even being able to process or recognize yourself. Unable to even process your own reflection, that’s how unrecognizable you’ve become.

That’s horrifying.

And there’s no dialogue here either.

The episode effectively uses SHOW DONT TELL.

They SHOW you how scary the situation is. They SHOW you a single image that tells you everything.

It would’ve been so easy to just have Pomni say “I’m scared. I don’t recognize myself. Who is this person looking back at me?”

But no

They DON’T insult their audience.

They don’t TELL you.

They let you sink it in yourself.

Pomni doesn’t even have ANY lines after she goes through the exit door. And yet the shots after that with her have been plastered everywhere. Why? Cause she doesn’t need to tell you her mental state. You’re SHOWN it.

Can someone PLEASE tell the live action Avatar The Last Airbender that?!

Speaking of the office scene. This is the only moment in the show that looks… real. Not that cartoony.

Which I guess being in a setting that’s off putting from the rest makes it creepy, right?

Well not really.

Sure she’s running through rooms that seem to be repeating, which that of itself is sanity breaking. It reminds me a lot of another existential horror: The Stanley Parable.

But while that game is excellent and the monologue that plays in that ending is one of my favorites, it IS just telling you the sanity of the player.

Not that there’s anything wrong with this in that games style. There’s no other way that could’ve been done in that game.

Here, again, there’s no dialogue. It’s just Pomni running through these desperate for the exit.

The scary part about this is that we KNOW the absolute DESPERATION she has.

Even if we couldn’t see her face, that’s still across because we’ve seen it the entire episode.

And then there’s her break.

She snaps at the sight of a desk, and gets fangs, that of a FNAF character. But only for a second. She doesn’t even go out at the camera with them. She goes on her merry way.

But Pomni, being the POV character, really doesn’t have much to be scared at about her.

So why is this terrifying? Why not go all the way if this is supposed to be a jumpscare?

Well cause it’s not.

A way to scare your audience is to make them feel dread. Lingering longing dread. Sometimes irrational dread.

People with anxiety especially get scared at things even when they’re completely safe. They feel an unease in their stomachs. They feel unable to move. Unable to speak. Unable to put it into words at all.

It could be because we saw something unnerving that stays in our subconscious. It could be because we’re nervous about something coming up. It could be because we’re in an uncomfortable situation.

Either way, anything even remotely resembling that triggering thing can break someone to feel this anxiety. Sometimes even something as simple as the dark. Even if we know we’re completely safe.

(Speaking as a person with anxiety myself)

She only snaps and cackles when she sees a random desk with a computer. Which also has the headset she put on there. The thing that got her in this.

But you might not have even seen the headset on your first viewing. I didn’t.

But your subconscious sees it. The environment not being like the others aids in unnerving you and making it hard to process what you’re looking at.

Why is this terrifying? Why does it break you? Why does it mentally break Pomni? We don’t know. It just does.

We’ve been stuck going through doors in repeating rooms for hours.

Fear makes you not able to overthink it.

So all of that is build up to the near perfect shot of Pomni at the brink of snapping at the dinner table. With the others voices blurred in her mind. As all she can do is fake a smile.

Terrifying End.

It’s not scary because it’s scary. It’s scary because it toys with the character, and the viewer’s mind

Now, is Digital Circus the first media to do this technique?

No. Not at all.

One of the most acclaimed animated movies, Spirited Away, also uses these exact same tactics for example.

That’s obviously a master class at this tactic. And it scared me as a child as a result. For all these exact same reasons.

It’s not a horror. Not traditionally. It’s not trying to scare you. But it does anyway cause in your mind it’s a scary concept.

And also, well, Spirited Away is a completed story as of the time this post comes out.

And Digital Circus only has one episode. But we did get confirmation this would be a series. And I personally have high hopes that this brilliant tactic is kept. From the trailer, it does seem like they’re not forgetting the stuff I bring up here. So I hope this works out for the creators despite the drama and the internet BS surrounding this show.

But even if not, we at least get one case in this show where we all want to curl up in a ball and cry

Us too Pomni. Us too.

Thank you for reading my… analysis a ton of people made before me, and probably better. Happy day for you all.

#digital circus #the amazing digital circus #amazing digital circus #tadc pomni #tadc caine #horror #existential crisis #existential dread #existential horror #anxiety tw #anxiety attack

[rottingbiogirl]

✨intro post✨

Basic info!!

💚 name: Julie 💚 age: 20 💚 pronouns: she/her 💚 trans: fem 💚 gayness: lesbian 💚 country I am in: Czechia 💚 DMs: open (but also I may not respond lol) ⛔ DO NOT INTERACT IF YOU ARE UNDER 18

--

Overview of the titular obscure interests

👁️ loud noisy music 👁️ indie games that barely have gameplay 👁️ horror (esp psychological and surreal) 👁️ weird sex stuff (esp of the transbian variety)

--

MUSIC I LISTEN TO [IMPORTANT]

(I make it my personality a lot kinda) (yes, I am a transfem stereotype when it comes to stuff I listen to)

🎧 Death Grips 🎧 100 gecs 🎧 Laura Les 🎧 underscores 🎧 clipping. 🎧 JPEGMAFIA 🎧 Black Dresses 🎧 Backxwash 🎧 May Leitz 🎧 Bob Vylan 🎧 food house 🎧 Fraxiom 🎧 SOPHIE (rip) 🎧 death insurence 🎧 Josfina Dusk [CRIMINALLY UNDERRATED, GO STREAM HER] 🎧 Aphex Twin 🎧 Boards of Canada 🎧 Poppy 🎧 Kero Kero Bonito 🎧 Tame Impala 🎧 and others (I am one of internet's busy music nerds)

--

Games that are barely "games" and I LOVE THEM and you should PLAY THEM

🎮 Yume Nikki (+fangames) 🎮 Hylics 1 & 2 🎮 Critters for sale 🎮 Dwarf Fortress (i can actually play the original ASCII version 😎)

--

S P O O K Y S H I T

🩸 I really like horror books and please recommend some, thank you <3 🩸 "Tender is the flesh" is my favourite book rn, go read it (or ask me to gush about it in DMs) 🩸 David Firth animations shaped me 🩸 I love May Leitz's music, books and YT channel, they are good 👍 🩸 Been trying to watch horror movies lately but I'm very pussy 🩸 “Saw” 1-3 are fun

--

⛓️ Last thing I didn't mention is the kink stuff...

...buuut, there's a lot and idk, more fun to ask in DMs, don't you think~? (Also, I don't wanna make this a primarely sexual blog... but we'll see how long that lasts, lol)

(you can surely figure a bunch of shit out about me based on what I post/reblog/am interested in anyway :p)

#looking for friends #looking for moots #looking for mutuals #intro post #blog intro #introduction #personal post #trans #t4t lesbian #t4t #transfem #lgbtq #queer #sapphic

[neutralgray]

Oh no, here I go rambling about horror movies again.

Anyway, let's talk about jump scares. This was inspired by a weird comment I noticed in a review for the film "Skinamarink."

To preface, I don't say this with the intention of implying anyone is dumb or lesser for maybe not considering this position, but I feel like some movie goers and critics have the language for movie critiquing but don't actually critically engage with the purpose of the content they're criticizing. In this particular case, I saw a relatively positive review for Skinamarink but noted that it criticized the movie for usage of "jump scares," of which it only really has two (one more significant than the other). This comment kinda stopped me dead in my tracks because like... so fucking what if there was a jump scare?

Jump scares CAN be cheap. They CAN be used to pad out bad horror to present the illusion of being scarier than it is. But jump scares are not inherently bad. Adrenaline and "fight or flight" response is a valid trigger for fear. Horror movies explore many negative emotions so as far as I am concerned, exploiting our natural responses to a sudden threat is a valid form of purposeful and artistic emotional manipulation, which is what all media aims to do.

I feel like there are a lot of movie reviewers who seem to follow this train of thought: "People say jump scares are bad. This movie had a jump scare in it, and jump scares are bad. Ergo, this part of the movie was bad because jump scares are lazy and bad." It feels as if the jump scare caused them to turn their brain completely off and not engage with that specific component of the content at all. There's no critical analysis on why that jump scare was used. There's just a default assumption that it's lazy by virtue of it being a jump scare. Jump scares can serve a narrative, emotional, or contextual purpose.

Did the sudden scare also terrify the protagonist, and cause them to have an adrenal response? If yes, the jump scare puts you in that state with them. You're feeling as the character is feeling because you were both suddenly blindsided by the severity of an imminent threat.

They can also be used to exploit the audience's expectations and vulnerability, which is what I think Skinamarink did really well. A movie that relies very little on outright sudden fear suddenly having a jump scare can invert the audience's expectations. Tension was one thing, but now you feel unsafe as an audience member. You suddenly know the movie can't be trusted not to betray you even if thus far it's gained your trust by being "tame" or using only slow burn tension. A layer of protection is peeled from you in that moment.

My point being, jump scares can be lazy but I also believe they are valid, and can be used really well. Before jumping to the lazy default assumption of "jump scare is present, and jump scares are automatically bad" at least take a moment to consider if the jump scare is serving a purpose in the story it's in.

#Horror #Movies #Media Analysis #Grey's thoughts #Jump scare #Skinamarink

[steveharrington]

hi sarah! if it’s not too much trouble can you give starter horror recommendations for a guy who feels some trepidation about the genre because i think it’s like, very cool and interesting and have been thinking about writing some horror stories but i’m also the easily frightened type so i was wondering if there’s a way i can ease myself in before working up to the super duper scary stuff?

yes!!! i will try to give you some variety of subgenres/subject matter but if you have like a specific type you’re looking for i can also add more recs based on that! but just in general:

•cloverfield (2008) is one of my all time favs and i think it walks the line of being scary but not like….disturbing. it’s not shield your eyes and grit your teeth type horror, it’s more like adrenaline and putting yourselves in the protagonists shoes and wondering what you would do in their situation. it’s found footage (it may or may not give you motion sickness so if you’re sensitive to rapidly moving camera work maybe watch it on a small screen or skip it) and i get full body chills when i watch it every single time because of how real it feels. despite all that, there’s very little up close shots of the monster and pretty minimal blood/gore.

•scream (1996) due to it being satirical and self-aware, a lot of the scary tense parts are cut by comedic moments and i think that helps a lot. i honestly think the scariest part is the opening sequence, so if you get past that feeling okay you’re probably gonna be fine throughout. there’s definitely injuries and blood but nothing i’d constitute as body horror, and again the movie likes to make little wink wink jokes which makes the tone pretty tame

•the cabin in the woods (2011) basically see above it’s also very self referential and subversive and also just like if you’re interested in horror such an amazing take on the genre, but it’s a little more intense than scream with the gore in certain parts

•poltergeist (1982) is considered a family friendly horror movie and i agree with that assessment <3 the silly little 80s practical effects make it hard to get scared despite the child actors absolutely slaying, and i think as far as horror creatures (villains?) go, ghosts and poltergeists and spirits are pretty chill

•the blair witch project (1999) is very iconic and like laid the groundwork for other found footage films, and luckily it is not very scary until the last like 2 minutes <3 and when it is scary, nothing gory/graphic is shown! for me the real horror of blair witch isnt even the witch, its the thought of being lost in the woods with no way out and the movie is just so realistic that i always start to panic a little on behalf of the characters. some people think its boring though! i dont i love it <3

coherence (2013) is not very well known but its (to me) the coolest fucking movie in the world. i think it has such a brilliant and original premise, and i’d categorize it as horror even though i consulted my mom and she thinks it’s more of a thriller. either way i highly recommend and there’s no blood or gore or anything like.....in your face scary? its more like a sense of dread that builds up over the course of the movie

they live (1988) is john carpenter <3333 and it’s pretty tame compared to other john carpenter movies. it’s horror but it’s also scathing social commentary and kinda action and again it has those 80s special effects so the scary little faces are less scary and more like...party city masks. its also referenced in a surprising number of other things (free guy feat. joe keery for one) and i think its a prime example of how horror can communicate such a wide variety of themes

and you probably already know about this but in case you dont: doesthedogdie.com has a comprehensive crowd-sourced list of potential triggers for every movie. the site does a great job including phobias/triggers that aren’t necessarily common and warning you if a movie has those, so it’s a great resource if you want to avoid certain subjects all together. happy horror watching <3

#i hope this is a good list if it counts for anything i think these movies are all absolute bangers #anon #answered

[vioisgoinginsane]

My cooking failures and successes

It all started when I was veeeeeeery little and put chocolate truffles in the microwave and I put one of them for so long it came out boiling and then I touched it with my pinky finger and I a really big blister grew there and my mom wasn't home when I did that so she had no idea how I burned myself and tied garlic on my finger idk if that actually helped...

No, actually, it all started when my mom would make us "homemade pizza" except none of us have ever had a pizza we only ever saw it on TV and we didn't have internet cuz we were basically mountain village peasants in eastern europe. So we had a dough, shepperd's cheese, sausages, peppers, MAYBE olives (those were expensive) NO tomatoes sauce—to this day I put ketchup on my pizza. All my italian friends hate me. You will see how it shows that I learned how to cook from her.

One time I boiled a lemon. No reason other than that I wondered what would happen. Nothing interesting happened. Other than that coincidentally it was a very old dry lemon and I kinda remoisturized it. I concluded it was just the most ineffective way to make a lemon syrup.

Cheesecake except that at this point in time I've never had cheesecake in my life. I looked up a recipe. I used the wrong type of cream cheese. I added sugar to the base biscuit crumbs, the cream AND THEN I also used these caramel coated nuts that I crushed and sprinkled NOT on top but BETWEEN the layers of white and chocolate cream cuz I had to try to be fancy like that. So basically it was so sweet I can't believe me and dad could even eat it. He took a spoon, I asked him how it was, he said "good" and I sat there thinking "you're LYING! i know becuz you didn't IMMEDIATELY take a second bite like you usually do when mom bakes!!!!" That hurt.

If you boil apples in stew, they taste like potatoes. I found this out after I put them in green thai curry. I prefer the apples raw on the side but I guess you could do it that way... Why was I putting apples in curry? Well, I was cooking the curry as usual when I opened the pantry to get something and saw we had green apples and thought "they are both green! It will look aesthetic on the plate!" And it did. The sweetness of the apple alap helped tame the spice as it was too spicy. But that wasn't enough for me, I had to go and find out the absolute best way to incorporate apples in this dish so I tried boiling the apples in—and found out they loose their smell and the boiled texture is just like potatoes— and adding them on top, which bore similar results and now I have the aforementioned cursed information and can say definitely that yes, apples on the side with the curry is the best way (altho I never tried frying apples........... Yet.)

One time I tried making The Apple Risotto from food wars (to my mom's horror, who at this point in time had worked in italy and did know how a proper risotto is made) but I put too much onion so it tasted bad.

Another time I tried making the aldini curry calzone from food wars, except that I've once again never had a calzone in my life (I have now. Ben Wyatt was right. It's the superior way to make a pizza). I ended up not having the patience to wait for the water to boil down so when I put it in with the dough it didn't cook and was left raw in the middle and I kept putting it back in the oven hoping it will cook at least to an edible degree and that's how I ended up with the most Ben Wyatt Forsaken Calzone that has ever been. And I forced myself to eat it too.

Recently I baked some chocolate muffins, except that it's been a while and I didn't realise I didn't have any sun flower oil or butter for the recipe and it was late at night so I wasn't gonna go out to buy it, so instead I added what I did have. A spoon of peanutbutter oil and a drop of sparkling water. Nothing weird happened to the muffins, you probably couldn't have told the difference. —But Violet, couldn't you have skipped over the oil, why do you even put oil in muffins? Ew. — No, you FOOL. There has to be something greasy in there, sunflower oil, butter or milk usually, to give it moisture and texture. That's why pork chocolate cake exists and it somehow isn't disgusting. And for your information, sparkling water can replace milk in pancakes. No not the american kind.

"What if I put shiitake mushrooms on pizza?" Except that I went ahead and made it as japanese as I could afford. Teriyaki sauce, shiitake, a fried egg, bell peppers, and green onion. It wasn't bad at all but nothing too special. It felt a little dry without tomatoe sauce I guess...

I made onigirazu (sushi but in a huge sandwich), curry/chilli (the canteen lady also wasn't sure of the difference), teriyaki salmon just with the recipe, having never tried them and it turned out just fine

One time in college when I was having a bad day and went to lunch I brought a fanta, poured it in a cup, added m&m's and stirred it with a kitkat row all to my classmate's horror. I called it "my depression drink"

If you were on yt dyi girly channels in the 2010's you've probably seen that "recipe" where you have a cup of white chocolate chips and a cup of dark chocolate chips and melt them and mix them together and it looks...like...water nailpolish art (also a staple of the era). And you can add as much stuff as you want. It's actually good. I've never had enough nuts in my chocolate till I did that

Cinnamon in hot chocolate is good. You know what makes it even better? A CUP OF ICECREAM. ESPECIALLY ID IT'S REALLY HOT IT COOLS IT DOWN TO DRINKABLE TEMPERATURE RIGHT AWAY. No I don't know where I found that recipe. I also add whipped cream.

#cooking #food #recipes #my cooking takes #vio's cooking shenanigans #my food takes

[petrichoraline]

hii petri! for ship bingo, your favorite ship from kinnporsche and/or your favorite ship from the untamed?

mint, i know you wanted to give me choice and creative freedom and i appreciate it so much but my gOSH am i not the person to do that for 😂 not only do i rarely have favourites of anything but i have to figure out my emotions for these unnamed blorbos? this is how you end up with five answers for the price of one ✨

so, for kinnporsche i came to the conclusion i have two - one for the earlier part of the show and one for the last episodes (i think the green is..fairly obvious)

first one is the men themselves who made me feel so many things throughout the show and turnt it into the amazing experience it was for me, watching them learn how to understand each other and open up, the tender scenes, the chemistry, following the discussions on here about kinn and his trust issues (omg especially around the tawan episodes, that was crazy) - their journey was so much fun!

the second one..what can i say, vegaspete were what everyone seemed to anticipate and i was kinda neutral until their episodes actually hit, then i went insane lmao, i just love pathetic men and "only i understand him, only i can tame him" type of stuff - i got plenty of that and some top notch chemistry and they were what made the last episodes for me

onto the untamed.. i don't like thinking about it too much because one cql viewing later i'm a broken woman, i do not understand how people watch it more than once and choose to actively think about it, write analyses, delve into the lore - i'm not built like you guys and you have my respect 💕 all of that is to say i dont think bout the ships too much either, i picked these as faves because they had a certain smth

I don't think anyone could possibly guess what the three couples are they're - not the most popular 😂 except for wangxian, those are my babies:

the next one is jiang cheng with... *drums*

...wen qing 🥰 i didn't ship them as divorced until i saw the option and decided that yes, they would be so amazing as divorced parents or smth and i would read about it for sure; not the comb, not the post-war conversations - that inn scene always comes to mind, it feels like a checkpoint at which you could take a different route and change the outcome, a spot where you can stop and think "what if"... jiang cheng before the weight of zidian, the only thing of importance at the moment - his brother's safety... wen qing with only her brother to look out for, testing how far she'd go for an outsider while risking everything... or, y'know, i just find the scene fun, smart and rewatchable 🤷‍♀️ they're a very interesting ship for me cause i don't mind them not being together, either way is fine and makes sense and i never really feel this way about ships i care about, they usually HAVE to be together y'know but with these two i just have many thoughts and feelings that don't actually make me go crazy which is so refreshing

and the one ship that i'm not sure i even ship but b o y they make me feel things...

...xiao xingchen and xue yang YES I KNOW, still to this day am not sure about some story details lol that whole arc left me shaken to my core and i've worked on forgetting it so it took a while to even remember they exist .. anyways, they found home in each other and could've been happy but they are who they are and they acted how they acted and that's that :) also my feels on song lan (and him with xiao xingchen) are mixed but this might be the one triangle i can see myself enjoying as a throuple.. i avoided stuff about that whole psychological horror arc so stuff that could sway me in any particular direction haven't been encountered in a while ✨

#petri replies #i have a lot of thoughts bout all of them this is the short version lmao feel free to ask if anythings unclear #please send me shipss i take my time but absolutely love writing these #hope anon in my ask box is patient with me <3 #and thank you minttt this was so cool to think about whats your opinion on these?

[leahsfiction]

sword au mxy's new names

@garden-ghoul wrote me an insanely long mdzs AU fanfic that i helped brainstorm over the course of like 4 months in 2021. we truly came up with some banging ideas, including a main plot arc about mo xuanyu being named the heir of lanling jin and the family horrors that ensue.

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 MAN does mxy ever picture jgs formally legitimizing him & giving him a new name tho!

tl;dr

courtesy name: 金子翕 jin zixi [generation name to match zixuan] + "to furl OR amiable, compliant"; also contains the 羽 "feather" in xuanyu

pun on 仔细 zixi "be careful"!!!

personal name: 金鹃 jin juan "cuckoo" (this only appeared like once on-page lol)

below you can read the lightly edited Discord chatlogs... they're still Very long

---

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 but I DO want to think about possible new personal names for him as well….

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 ohhh jin guangyao absolutely seething on the inside

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 jgy: ::))))))) jgy: come to my room and learn about demonic cultivation, since we're brothers

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 jgs basically made him the Retainer for life with that guangyao!! fuckkk

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 mxy, internally: with that name aren't you more like my uncle mxy, not stupid enough to say this out loud

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 like. he's permanently the evil scheming uncle by name YEAH AKFJSJ

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 assigned evil vizier at war hero…

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 fuck. put it in!

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 YEAH

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 I WILL. I'LL PUT IT IN

---

the thing is I'd like to come up with a cute set of black bird-related names… but then we'd lose the chance to make jgs as shitty as possible

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 ahhh what would be the SHITTIEST way to name your new* son

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 right yes exactly -ponders-

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 like you could give him a really WEIRD fuckin virtue name

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 some kinda pointed reference to certain virtues/values? HA SAME HAT

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 same thought… lemme just name my new son "obedient"

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 贴 tie… that doesn't sound great to me but the collection of meanings 😬

noun: subsidy; allowance verb: paste, stick, glue; keep close to, nestle; subsidize (variant of 帖 tie) adjective: submissive, obedient; proper, appropriate

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 also have the page for tie open on yellowbridge lol the meanings are SOMETING jin tie… or is this going in the courtesy name? jin zitie? I guess I don't like either of them much

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021

服 fu (from futie, obedient) verb: wear; take (medicine); serve; be convinced/obey/admit; convince; be accustomed to

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 no that's really good…. his goth outfits…. and also. yk. putting on this weird new identity.

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 hmm these are a little pedestrian since dictionaries sort words by frequency… i should scroll to the bottom

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 I'm enjoying

屈服 qufu to surrender or yield; qu (bent, to feel wronged) fu (clothes, to obey, mourning clothes)

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 lol this isn't relevant i just

温驯 wenxun: docile; meek; harmless; moderate and obedient; tame

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 hehehe I'm tempted by both the sound and sense of Jin Qu, Jin Zifu

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 mmm!

逊顺 xunshun - modest and obedient; unassuming xun, verb: abdicate. adjective: modest; (literary) inferior shun, verb: arrange; obey; fall in with…

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 ::)

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 shun also means favorable so u have that plausible deniability

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 hahaha this isn't the same xun as jin zixun is it

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 uhhh NO idea

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 it's not OH motherfucker. annoying little man. his xun is medal or merit to be knighted or awarded an honor….

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 I'm also thinking about how weird it would be to name him zishun because it sounds EXTREMELY similar to both zixuan and zixun and I mean weird in maybe a narratively good way to go "jgs what the Fuck"

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 imagine if they named him zixun (written differently) lmao

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 nooooooo we CANNOT see a reason I like zifu actually is because it has a hugely different vibe than the previous heirs jgy killed it feels gentle

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 i like this one for the visual relationship to "yu"

翕 xi literary verb: furl; fold; shut adjective: amiable and compliant 羽 yu

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 I also REALLY like "furl" as a. thing to be related to mxy.

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 lol if it's "zixi" that's an exact pun for "careful"

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 ::DDD

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 but like. mxtx would….

--- do i want to come up with a new personal name to go with zixi then… do we just keep "xuanyu"

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 know what's a super pretty name. probably too pretty for jgs. huiyu

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 OOO? hui as in grey?

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 I mean 晦 I'm not sure if it's grey, I looked at it in the hxgl post and they said it's "dark"

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 ah no different hui i didn't know this one lol. it's a nice one!

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 hmm I like the tones better on grey-hui I mean. can we JUST give him a name that's pretty and not one jgs has to pick out…. ugh I want him to have a pretty name maybe when he leaves and joins the new mountain sect he can be huiyu ::) okay it still means we have to pick out a personal name from jgs' library of shittiness tho…

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 (he meets yllz and she's JUST a nice older sister!!!! ughhh) library of shittiness alfjsjdj

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 is there some kind of backhanded compliment or. no. the opposite

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 OTHER than obedient??

gardenghoul — 03/16/2021 a thing that sounds like a compliment but actually is like "no I don't think you have any value" like, a symbol with some kind of literary double meaning idk rn I'm thinking about 沼 and how a pool or marsh can have connotations of natural beauty OR of uhh "a nasty little puddle" depending on how much of a dick you are wait I'm really into this

Yellowbridge list of binomes for 荡 dang, e.g. 荡妇 dangfu "slut" 荡然 dangran "vanished from the face of the earth" 动荡 dongdang "unrest (social or political); turmoil"

especially 👀 at dangran (AND I like the sound of jin dang)

leahsfiction — 03/16/2021 mmm!

子规 zigui variant of 杜鹃· dujuan noun (ornithology): cuckoo (鹃 juan)

(4 days later lol)

leahsfiction — 03/20/2021 aaaa can i change my mind Again 😔 and propose jin juan for mxy's new personal name… i think it's both easier to look up + connect to "cuckoo" and also preserves that assonance with xuanyu

翠金鹃 cuijinjuan: Asian emerald cuckoo

#sword au

[iero]

okay i dont want this to come across as pretentious or anything but what abt the ending of saltburn is disturbing ?? i mainly watch horror and thriller movies so my view on media being ''disturbing'' or not is pretty skewed and whilst yes i understand that certain scenes like the bathtub and grave scenes might make ppl uncomfortable or disturb them, the ending was really tame imo. like so tame i wouldn't have even considered it to be disturbing if it wasn't for so many ppl online saying it is. i'm really trying to rack my brain. is it the murders ?? the naked dancing ?? the reveal that oliver planned (most of) it from the very start ?? the reveal that the main protagonist isn't a good person ?? to me these all seem like very normal plot points even outside of horror/thriller movies - i've def seen these plots being used in non-horror/thriller drama tv shows before - so i'm confused as to why anyone would find the ending disturbing (thanks in advance if u answer this <3)

Hey! Great question! I don't think you come off as pretentious! As someone who also watches a lot of, like, horror and psychological thrillers sometimes, I get it! I think one of the reasons I did actually watch it was because I saw everyone talk about it and I was like, "Okay, I need to see what all the commotion is about. I need to see if this is as disturbing as people say it is." and for me? It wasn't nearly as. I do say it's not for the faint of heart though.

I think what makes the ending so disturbing is really dependent on who you ask! I think it could be a lot of things. Like, literally all the things you said about the ending could cumulate to what makes the movie so out there for some. For me, it's like... It's really crazy that I personally think Oliver wanted that love and (mostly) attention to the point he went to those lengths to get it. It's like a main character syndrome. Like, it's really crazy to me to see people who have watched this movie sympathize with his character, but I think putting him as the main character was brilliant in that regard, you know? You usually root for the overall main character and to root for someone who is a pathological liar and reveals himself to be pretty evil in the end was kinda out there. That's how I personally could answer your overall question.

Sidenote as well, but I don't consider this movie to be a 10/10 though. Like, I thought it was good, but some points of it I found lacking or just plain dumb. Firstly, the montage at the end where it was spelled out that yes, he was the one who blew out Felix's tire, yes he poisoned his drink and essentially killed him, yes he stuck the razor blades right besides Venetia's bathtub, etc. Did that needed to be spelled out for everybody? It was predictable at a certain point to me way before the end that "Oh yeah, he's the one who did all this." and I don't care for predictability in a movie/TV show/etc. I like the element of surprise.

Another big thing that kinda sucked to me before I let you go is that after the first one or two scenes that were meant to make the viewers uncomfortable, I felt it was a film that was relying on shock value a little too much. After the "vampire scene," in the back of my mind, I was like, "Okay, we get it." Especially if you're me or you and you're not someone who is grossed out very easily for whatever reason, it just almost seemed dull at points. I almost went this whole movie with a straight face, even though the part at the very end where he takes out Elspeth's breathing tube/life support and just yanks it out from her throat made my jaw drop and got an eyebrow raise from me. I knew it was gonna happen in the back of my mind, but him just straight up pulling it out of her throat himself had me like, "Well, shit..." It was a bit unexpected to me.

But, that's it. Sorry for the novel length answer. You didn't ask for a movie review from me, but I thought I would share my thoughts on it! Thank you for the thought provoking question anon!

#answered #Anonymous #Under the cut because long and spoilers!

[misterewrites]

Frye, Rictavio Frye (Yes that Frye) (In Hope's Shadow)

Me reblogging important messages I think it's important to spread to my writing tumblr: This is important.

Me forgetting to upload my stories to previously mentioned tumblr thus not using the writing blog for it's original purpose: Oh shit that's right, I have this for a reason.

Hey everyone! E here finally remembering to update this blog. I honestly just forgot which is funny as hell. I'm good just stilling dealing with fixing my laptop and using someone else's i kinda don't wanna intrude you know? This is the second chapter of my In Hope's Landing story, a gothic horror style story featuring a brilliant detective and a in trainee monster hunter *Hint, this chapter is about him*

Take care of yourself, your loved ones. Covid is still a thing so be careful (though the new updated booster is in the US so if you can get your shot), hand sanitize and all that jazz. Just sit back, exist, read a funny story from a guy who has too many ideas and just have fun. Deep breathes. one step at a time you got this but for now let's just enjoy this moment.

That's it for me! I will be back very soon with a mirror's edge update. mae's super late birthday gift of Genshin Impact. Some other fandoms etc etc.

If you want to read this story over on a site that is a lot easier on the eyes and generally designed for actually reading endeavors you can find the link right over here

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46380760/chapters/125090896

If you want to read the previous chapter of this series you can find it on the same site with this link

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46380760/chapters/116776354

And if you want to read other stories I have written which include but are not limited to: Legend of Zelda, Arcane/League of Legends, Soul Eater, An owl house drabble and now even an original Star wars story set int the superior legends canon (Yes I cracked and I have no regrets.) you can find it all on my main page.

For you who are leaving me at this point thank you putting up with this I need to do that to promote my work, just what's gotta happen. have a great week. be safe! E is out. Everyone else, enjoy! :)

Summary: Rictavio Frye is the son of famous monster hunter Julius Frye. While Rozalin was busy solving an unfortune murder, at the same time the Fryes were also attending Count Decan's party for less than ideal reasons: A vampire had managed to worm its way among the elitist class of Hope's Landing and it was up to the seasoned hunters to find and stop it before it preys on more victims. Of course just as Rozalin had learned, things rarely go according to plan.

-----

The party was in full swing and guests were indulging their every whim: plates piled to the point it wasn’t unusual to see a pieces of food trailing after their unsuspecting consumers. Impossibly beautiful and elegant articles of clothing donned by less than pious patrons performing unsavory acts. Scandalous, appalling gossip shared freely among grim grins with barely concealed loathing behind cheery glossy gazes.

Rictavio should’ve really been a poet.                     

“Son.” His father Julius gave him a pointed nudge “Stare any longer and you’ll draw attention to yourself.”

Julius Simon Frye cut an imposing contrast to his son: Julius’s eyes were a warm brown unlike Rictavio’s stormy grays. His father’s dark brown hair was long enough to tie in a refined ponytail while his own was a black short wavy mess he could never manage to tame. The master monster hunter had a build befitting a man of his legacy: Average height yet muscular, his clothing perfectly form fitting, perhaps too much so. Ric was a fair bit taller with his own runner’s build less obvious to the naked eye. His father sported a rugged full beard while Ric’s face remained clean.

The pair were dressed to the nines: matching black dress coats to hide the various weaponry stashed in their pockets. White collared shirts though his father went with his signature dark blood red vest and tie. Rictavio opted for a more modest light blue vest, no tie and unbuttoned the top button to let his neck breathe. Black dress pants though they committed a social faux pas by wearing cleaned but otherwise inappropriate hiking boots. The only accessory visibly possessed by either of them was a cane the younger Frye required to move easier.

Both were expecting their outfits were allow them to blend in easily.

They were wrong.

Rictavio glanced first at his father’s clothing then his own “Our outfits would draw more attention to us than anything else we did. I’m 95% sure I just saw a jacket lined with actual gold. Besides, we were only granted entry because they wanted the novelty of boasting they saw a world famous monster hunter at Count Decan’s org…”

“Just because it’s true does not mean you should say it.”

“Imagine what they’d say if they knew you were working.”

“We.” Julius corrected sternly “No wandering gaze Rictavio. I’m too young to be a grandfather.”

Rictavio scoffed playfully “No worries there. Excessive displays of cruelty, indifference and decadence are not very attractive traits in a potential partner.”

“A vampire’s playground.” Julius murmured grimly.

“Not going to lie. If it wasn’t for my personal integrity, I’d be half tempted to let the creature just roam freely and clean up the mess after.”

Julius chuckled as a dark thought crossed his mind “Do you really want one of these fine folks to be an undead creature of hunger?”

Rictavio planted his cane firmly onto the ground while he straightened his stance.

“We should probably get to work.”

His father smirked impishly “That’s the spirit son! Keep an eye out for anyone exceedingly cozy with their companion.”

Rictavio casted a side glance to a room he dubbed ‘the make out closet’ because every occupants within were intensely trying to eat each others face.

“Like that?” he dramatically pointed at the previously mentioned room, leaning on his good leg to keep his balance.

Julius let out a hearty chuckle “Fair point. They’ll be trying to lure their prey to a quieter place, somewhere they could feed without being disturbed. Preferably…”

“Being able to ditch the body before it’s discovered there was an unholy creature lurking about.” The younger Frye chimed in with a bored tone “I know the tactics Da but there’s no private place available: People are dancing below us and the second floor is packed with guests and guards. Any room that’s opened is supposed to be and every room that isn’t is being watched heavily. At this rate the poor hellspawn is going to go to bed hungry.”

“Then what would you do if you were in its fangs?”

Rictavio paused thoughtfully, taking a moment to flit through the possibilities. Realization dawned on his face.

“Distraction?” Rictavio pursed his lips “That leaves a little too much up to chance, no?”

Julius shook his head “You clearly know nothing of Count Decan. How I envy you.”  

“I care little for any noble and their….activities.” Rictavio shrugged his shoulders apathetically.

“You should not be so quick to dismiss people son. You need to know them as well as the beasts we hunt if you wish to stay ahead. Count Decan loves being the center of attention.”

Rictavio groaned unhappily “There’s a fucking speech? Gods no.”

Julius patted his son with a knowing grin “Pick a corner and keep your eyes off the pretty lasses.”

“No promises.”

-----

“The murderer is the Count himself.”

Rictavio’s whistle was lost in the sudden uproar of varying reactions to the detective’s bold claim.

What he had been expecting was a stuffy, pompous noble breathing hot air for a few minutes. What he had gotten was a murder mystery by a cute detective and watching the Count turn different shades of colors yet it was a distraction all the same.

Before he could get too comfortable he heard his father’s whistle. He glanced upwards at the second floor to see the older hunter motioning him to come. With a disappointed sigh Rictavio hurriedly made his way up the stairs.

“We must work quickly.” Julius said in a hushed whisper “We have no idea how long the crowd will be enraptured by the sudden turn of events and a cornered beast…”

“Is a dangerous beast.” Rictavio finished in a serious tone, thinking more of the Count than the vampire they hunted.

The second floor was devoid of any human life as all guests and guards currently a floor below enjoying the free entertainment unexpectedly provided for them.

The younger Frye began to search when he felt his father nudge his side gently. Julius pointed to a previously locked room now pried open, its handle snapped off with inhuman brutality and strength.

The two shared a quick nod before preparing for the fight: Julius produced a dagger from his boot and coiled whip from his coat pocket. Rictavio gripped his cane tightly as he fiddled with some sort of contraption under his weaker side’s pant leg.

“Will your device hold?” Julius asked, unable to keep the concern out of his voice.

Rictavio’s face winced in concertation as he began to move his leg experimentally, the sounds of creaking and scraping metal barely audible.

“I believe the brace will hold.” Rictavio grimaced uncomfortably “It seems to be working at least. I should have enough movement to deal with the beast but let’s not prolong the fight if we can help it.”

“Aye son.”

The two wore matching determined, grim looks: Julius, dagger and whip at the ready while Rictavio held his cane in both hands.

They approached as quietly as they could with only the odd creak of Rictavio’s brace and the detective’s distant words breaking the silence.

The Fryes pressed themselves against the wall, straining to hear anything that may be occurring within.

Rictavio’s blood boiled as he could hear the ever so muted noises of fluid draining among the sounds of weaken, labored breathing and slow shuffling of feet.

Julius acted first, however, flinging open the door while uncoiling his whip to full length in one fluid motion.

The room was massive yet nearly empty: A few chairs knocked over as a large circular table lay in the center. There were no lights within, either turned off or destroyed, so the shadows began to form into odd, monstrous shapes with brief illumination from the outside. Two blood red orbs gleamed in the dark, shifting from its prey to the intruders.  

Julius wasted no time. He lashed the whip towards the vampire.

The vampire dropped his victim, roughly shoving the poor redheaded girl Rictavio noticed earlier to the floor. He fell onto all fours, the whip narrowly missing his head with a resounding crack. The vampire hissed and growled angrily, its legs tensing to pounce forward.

Julius gave his enemy no quarter: He threw his dagger directly at the creature’s forehead. The vampire, startled, leapt to his feet. The dagger sunk harmlessly into the beast’s knee as he pulled away from the hunter and light, flailing.

Julius pulled his whip back before lashing out once more. The vampire tried to move backwards but it had been undead for so long it had forgotten that it was once a human. Its knee was forcibly straightened, the blade stuck in the joint that caused the creature to sway uneasily on a stiffen leg. The whip hit its mark this time, striking the vampire in the shoulder. It snarled and scratched at the air wildly while its shoulder began to smoke and hissed with the sound of burning flesh.

The creature learned quickly, pulling the dagger free from its knee and throwing it back at Julius with inhuman strength. The older Frye barely managed to dive out of the way, avoiding injury but he could hear the ripping of fabric.

The creature surged forward, knee fully healed and fingernails now as long as small blades. Julius was still rising to his feet when the vampire reached for his throat.

Rictavio sprung into action, leaping from his hiding spot and swinging his cane for the back of the creature’s leg. Buckling under pressure the vampire crashed to the floor, scratching the marble tile.

“Whoops.” Rictavio said insincerely.

The vampire whirled about, fangs snarling in rage. It lunged to claw at the younger hunter but Rictavio was ready. With a click of a button Ric pulled free the sword hidden within his cane and deflected the attack just in time. His brace groaned under the added weight but it seemed to be holding for the moment.  

The vampire pressed forward, trying to throttle his neck but Ric dug the cane deep into its shoulder, pushing it far enough back it could not reach any of his vulnerable sports. So his body in general.

Julius rose to his feet, pulling forth a small bottle as he did so. With a mighty throw he tossed the bottle directly at the vampire but it seemed to know what he was trying to do. Instead of swiping at the incoming projectile, it opted to dive sideways. Ric grazed its leg with a swipe of his sword but it paid little mind to the blow. The bottle of holy water broke harmlessly on the floor.

The vampire grinned, its smile twisted and elongated beyond human limitation.

“Eww, gross.” Rictavio shuddered at the sight before him.

The vampire’s featured turned uglier, its face breaking into a furious snarl as it leapt at him once more. Rictavio rose the cane to catch the vampire but that had been a mistake. Rather come at him hands outstretched, it simply crashed into his body. The momentum from the creature’s supernatural speed was too much for him and Ric buckled, falling backwards onto the ground. He managed get the cane between him and the mouth full of fangs waiting yet Ric was working at an awkward angle and couldn’t push the creature off.

The whip cracked, striking the vampire on the cheek. The steam wafted off the creature while it reeled backwards in pain. Rictavio tried to get to his feet but the brace jammed, locking into place from malfunction.

The creature glanced between the trapped Ric and the approaching Julius. Evidently it was no longer liking its odds and turn tail and ran. It flung itself over the railing like a wild animal and splatted below with an unseen thud.

They had been fighting for a few minutes so hopefully everyone had cleared out and it was a simple matter to chase to the beast down.

“V-v-v-va-v-v.” a voice stammered from below.

“Yes a vampire.” The familiar detective’s voice replied, calm and controlled.

Shit.

The old man hadn’t heard the people because instead of giving chase at once, Julius turned to face his son, unable to contain his worry but Rictavio refused to be a liability.

“Da! Over the railing!” his voice dropped to a whisper “There’s people downstairs still. We’re hunters. We can’t let it hurt them.”

That knocked some professionalism back into his father.

With a determined nod, Julius turned away from Rictavio knowing he should be along shortly. He took a deep clearing breath, pulled forth another bottle of holy armament and confirmed with a booming voice “Aye son, up and over!”

Julius broke into a sprint and leapt over the railing with effortless grace and poise.

Once his father was out of sight, Rictavio thumped the brace with as much force as he could muster. The mechanism creaked and snapped back into place, straightening out his increasingly stiff and aching leg. He wished he could switch it back so he could run instead of hobble but he couldn’t risk it jamming and taking him out of the fight. So with gritted teeth he slipped his blade back into the cane and limped forward with haste.

He reached the railing in time to see his father and the vampire circling each other, each trying to maneuver into an advantageous position.

The Bluecoat hid behind the smaller frame of the detective. Her face was grim but calm, dagger in hand. Most people would shriek and beg at the sight of a vampire but she didn’t. If this meant the end she was prepped to face it kicking and screaming.

Rictavio could respect that but he rather prevent if it was all the same.

 Rictavio took a deep calming breath as he waited for the next round of the brawl to begin.

#original story #my work #my own story #In Hope's Shadow

[neverendingcomplaints]

That wasn't it.

This has been a spring/summer of surprises for movies for me. I wasn't expecting to like The Little Mermaid live action, but it turned out to be the best one imo - not that that is saying very much since these live actions are just blatant cash grabs but I would watch it again (except Scuttlebutt because). And I was super super hype for Barbie, but what a disappointment.

SPOILERS

Why was it so rushed? I felt no pay-off for anything because everything was just happening so fast. I didn't care nor do I understand the importance of America and her daughter to the story. They should have had more adventures in the real world, I think, instead of skipping back and forth like it was nothing. Also just in general, how dare they waste America Ferrera!

I don't care if it's a "choice" or not, the whole Take Sh*t Verbatim From Twitter or TikTok and Put It Directly Into People's Mouths thing is just cringey. The only people who talk like that, truly, are academics and maybe some university students who just started smelling themselves after taking a social sciences course. I'm sure there's a Professor Barbie but I'm pretty sure that wasn't Margot Robbie's Barbie. And coming out of a TWEEN'S mouth...That's not satire or absurdity, it's just bad and lazy writing to me. I think it let's Hollywood off the hook because why think of clever, entertaining ways to show all of this when they can just lift some cool tweets and academic work and throw that on the screen as lines? Easy Button!

Also, I know they were going for nostalgia and they are trying to sell us everything everywhere, but it was such a blatant commercial for Mattel. People are gonna run out and try to find Midge and Allan and and the Palazzo pants or whatever. I have never felt so uncomfortably aware of product placement and ADS in my life. But played for funzies tho *wink wink*!!!

I feel like I get what they were trying to do with the Ken stuff and Ryan Gosling was a FORCE so I'm not as unforgiving there, but it still felt kinda off to me. They sorta had the right idea but I definitely had a few Kens for my Barbies and they were together. They both hopped in Barbie's Jeep with Barbie and her friends and they kissed and hugged and even though I didn't have any of Barbie's homes, they lived together. I feel like some of the stuff with Ken didn't feel true to my experience of playing with them as a little girl - of course it was mostly about Barbie, but I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that she was just hanging with the girlies all the time. I get it - it was supposed to be an exaggerated reverse of the Patriarchy but I don't think anything would have been lost if the Barbies had treated Kens more like say, absurd 50s housewives than annoying puppies who whine and nip at your heels no matter how much you try to tame/reassure them.

People are saying it was just some summer fun but the dialogue suggests otherwise.

Ugh. I was hoping for another Mean Girls or Heathers - unapologetically fun and feminist with a strong message, iconic because it just undeniably IS. Instead, it's this pink plastic empowerment ad with some really funny moments (most of which were already out and about before the movie hit theaters) that felt kinda like forced iconic. Like the equivalent of companies "standing with" BLM or turning rainbow for Pride but it's actually just empty virtue signaling so we will all please keep buying their products please.

Really liked the beginning in Barbie Land, Ryan Gosling was the absolute perfect Ken and I've known it since day one because that man can act and kills comedy, kinda love seeing Michael Cera randomly in stuff lately, Margot IS THE BARBIE, and yes I'm sorry Midge was absolutely a creepy idea but there was no way Midge was not gonna be creepy because the whole process of pregnancy and giving birth is a little bit of a horror story if we're being honest. But that's all I got.

#Barbie movie #movies #disappointed #complainin #spoilers

[thee-radio-host-is-a-kookaburra]

my boyfriend wants to bring me over to watch a movie and i want it to be horror but hes kinda movie bro and i dont want a real life version of that "something something movie filmed from the perspective of a pigeon" post

and since you like saw so much i thought id ask if ud recommend it or if u could thing of anything else (also so i can be in on all the saw stuff u post)

YES YOU SHOULD WATCH SAW. the first one is great especially. it’s very tame compared to the other films but it’s so good

#leigh whannell is in it too

[yourplayersaidwhat]

What Happens when I try to DM

Friends: *let me DM for 1 session*

—

Gravekeeper: I understand the plight of the wood Elves all too well.

Wood Elf: Says the High Elf.

Gravekeeper: Hey, we’re taking your cargo up 5 miles of stairs, the leash you can do is be- and she left.

—

Yellow Fang: I want raw deer meat:

Waiter: Are you sure about that?

Yellow Fang: Yes

Me: Roll to see if you get sick.

Yellow Fang: *rolls a 1*

Me: you immediately start throwing up on everyone in the surrounding area.

Gravekeeper: I let him throw up on everyone until he gets to me, then I use cure disease.

Yellow Fang: thank you for helping me only when it suits you.

Gravekeeper: that’s what I’m here for.

—

Me: why does Yellow Fang have any trust in civilization when the last time we got food, they got really drunk and Aiyin committed homocide?

Yellow Fang (OOC): That was only two incidents. Yellow Fang still has hope.

Me: Keep in mind, those were the ONLY two incidents.

—

Me: Wier must roll for animal handling.

Wier: *rolls a natural 20 with a +10 animal handling modifier*

Me: every bird except the roc instantly falls in love with him.

Gravekeeper: we’ll need him for roc taming

—

Me: you find sexy corn in Aiyin’s room (Aiyin is my character).

Yellow Fang : I add the sexy corn to my inventory.

—

Yellow Fang: *gets charmed by Aiyin’s father*

Aiyin’s Father: Take me to your leader and my daughter.

Yellow Fang: Gravekeeper is such a nice guy! Oh, and I imagin you’re husband must be thrilled to have his daughter back.

Aiyin’s Father: I have a wife, and we had Aiyin through traditional means.

Yellow Fang: So she’s both gay and transgender, what amazing LGBT representation.

Aiyin’s Father: Ion is neither gay nor transgender, I’m not sure where you’re getting these ideas from.

Yellow Fang: Maybe you you just haven’t come ‘round yet.

—

Yellow Fang: Gravekeeper is in there. *points at the bathroom*

Aiyin’s Father: *kicks down door*

Me: Take 1d8 flying door damage.

—

Me: you find a prophetic music box. When played, you hear Gravekeeper and Yellow Fang arguing over what to have for breakfast.

Yellow Fang (OOC): You know this has serious implications for Aiyin’s relationship with us.

Gravekeeper (OOC): I have serious plans for this music box in the future.

—

Me: you see chains fly and take out one of Aiyin’s parents.

Yellow Fang: two things. First off, Shit, there’s a chain devil in the area and I only have half health. And second, I hope that was the mother. I still have a bone to pick with the Father for taking away half my HP.

—

Gravekeeper: I surf on my shield down the air and jump off it turning into a tiger and throwing my shield Captain America style.

Me: As you land, do you want to attempt to rip off his head?

Gravekeeper: Yes. *rolls a 19*

Me: you successfully rip off his head and give a roar of glory. The Cambion is awestruck, when he recovers from his stupor, he asks to be your student.

Gravekeeper: I’m open to it.

—

Me: in the distance, you see Aiyin fighting 5 Helmed Horrors an a Bone Devil, who’s laughing in the background. She has 10 HP.

Gravekeeper: I run towards Aiyin to get in range for a healing spell.

Me: A trio of Hell Hounds blocks the way.

—

Gravekeeper: Aiyin, use your broom!

Aiyin: It’s broken!

Gravekeeper: Fuck! Aiyin, get over here!

Me: One of the Helmed Horrors grab Aiyin. *rolls a natural 20 for if the Helmed Horror holds onto Aiyin and a 9 to determine whether or not she escapes* Uh… every single Helmed Horror attacks her since she’s the only target.

Gravekeeper (OOC): on average that will do 160 damage.

Me: I guess my character’s dead now. Yellow Fang’s turn.

Yellow Fang: *rolls to see what a devil he confused does* The Bone Devil flies in a random direction.

Me: the Bone Devil face-plants into Aiyin’s house. Nothing lack slapstick after an important character death, an I right?

—

Gravekeeper: I cast a spell on Aiyin’s corpse.

Me: What does it do?

Gravekeeper: it’s a secret.

Me: oh…

—

Yellow Fang: I have 1 HP

Me: the Helmed Horrors pursue you, the Bone Devil has snapped out of its confusion and is very pissed off with you, and the Chain Devil has his eyes on you as well.

—

Gravekeeper: I give up and let the chain devil grapple me.

Me: the chain devil is confused and doesn’t grapple you, but he still does the damage.

—

Gravekeeper: as we run away, something strange happens with Aiyin’s corpse?

Me: does it come back to life?

Gravekeeper: No.

Me: does she EXPLODE?

Gravekeeper: yes. The entire mountain goes with her.

Me: whelp, congratulations, you’ve killed off the survivors. Which means you’ve killed several recurring villains, including a lich.

—

Me: so about that spell, what was it?

Gravekeeper: A secret

Me: was it summon maggots?

—

Me: I guess I’ll play the Cambion now. Even though you were against me adding new party members.

Gravekeeper (OOC): well, you kinda killed off your own character in the process. I’m planning to revive her later.

Me: Aiyin’s fate is in your hands.

#shit my players say #dnd #submission #multipart post #long post #team spirit #unconventional tactics

[aurabird]

Unexpected Sympathy

Was in the mood to write some Empires hurt/comfort, but between two individuals you would not expect.

Sequel to this~

Tw: mentions of violence, torture and a panic attack but otherwise this is relatively tame

Also on Ao3

------------

The nightmare of being a prisoner within Xornoth’s dungeon had seemed and felt so real and flashes of it still blinked into Fwhips mind as he tried to calm himself.

The sky was dark, but save the sounds of the night there was no rain, no thunder, no harbinger of the demon’s presence. And yet, he shook like a leaf, curling up in fear as sobs escaped him.

It was pathetic. Him, the Lord of Darkness, crying in bed like a child.

A crash resounded from outside and Fwhip felt his blood run cold, the sound echoed like thunder and was followed by footsteps, a dark silhouette appearing in the doorway.

His heart raced as he scrambled out of the bed and pressed himself against the back wall. Xornoth had come for him, he knew it. He would be taken back...tortured and hurt some more... 

“Um...Fwhip, s-sorry to trespass like this but my elytra broke and I'm not really equipped right now to travel through the...

...Fwhip?”

When Jimmy had entered the room to apologize for trespassing, he had not expected to see Fwhip cowering like a cornered animal. The man’s eyes were puffy, the look in them one of fear and horror. Jimmy could tell that he’d been crying.

“G-Go away! You aren’t taking me back! I won’t go back! P-Please...have mercy...”

Jimmy’s expression morphed into one of concern at those words and slowly, he stepped into the light, his hands in front of him submissively as he approached his fellow royal. “Fwhip, mate...what’s gotten in to you? Its just me, Jimmy. You know, the Codfather? The guy who would very much like what you stole from him back?”

Yes the last bit was full of sarcasm and could be taken as passive-aggressive, but despite that fact it seemed to have worked. Jimmy saw Fwhip begin to relax, realization slowly fading into his eyes at who stood before him.

“J-Jimmy...?” Fwhip questioned, his voice barely a whisper.

“Yeah, Fwhip, it’s me. I’m here.”

The panicked breathing of Fwhip began to calm at those words and the tinkerer slumped against the wall in an undignified manner he clearly didn’t care about anyone seeing.

Sympathetically, Jimmy sat down across from him, eyes full of concern despite their empire’s current relations with each other.

“Why are you in my Empire this late at night?” Fwhip asked, the harshness in his voice masked by exhaustion, “You shouldn’t be here.”

Normally, at this point Jimmy would have made some form of comeback that would descend into either banter or an argument, but the Codfather knew what he’d seen. “My elytra broke and kinda crashed into some barrels near one of your village houses. I’d go through the Nether, but I’m not exactly equipped to traverse that place on foot.” he paused for a moment before continuing, “Maybe its good that I ended up here though; you were freaking out mate, like a cornered chicken about to be slain by Joel or something.”

A chuckle escaped Fwhip at Jimmy’s demeaning metaphor, "Thank you for that wonderful image of me.”

“What happened? I’ve never seen you like that before. You begged me for mercy as if I was going to kill you. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I would totally do it if it meant getting my cod head back, but... ”

Fwhip didn’t want to admit it to his worst enemy, but the words left his mouth before he could stop them, “I dreamt that demon had me as a prisoner...that it was torturing me...corrupting me. It hurt so much...I felt like I was going to die.”

Mentions of the enigmatic entity that had recently shown up sent a chill down Jimmy’s spine, remembering quite well the horrifying encounter he’d had with it.

“Realistic nightmares aren’t fun, trust me, I should know.”

Fwhip let out a small laugh, “I find it hard to believe that you, the most upbeat person I know, have nightmares.”

Jimmy simply shook his head, “Well, there more like flashes of events that I feel I should remember but yet also don’t. Its always the same, starting with myself living in a flower forest with someone that looks suspiciously like Scott, only less...elf-like and that I think I’m married to.” Fwhip snorted at that; as if the elven king could want to be in a romantic relationship with anyone, let alone Jimmy of all people.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want. Like I said, they looked like Scott. Anyway, all of us in this...dream? Memory? Whatever it is; have three lives before we’re dead, only a limited amount respawn magic in the world to bring us all back twice. I loose my first two to lava and an attempt to disarm a TNT trap...then loose my final one to an arrow through my head. Last thing I see is my husband’s face as I die in his arms before I wake up in bed here.”

The tale was so detailed, as if Jimmy had seen it countless times with each playthrough of it growing more and more complex and clear. If Fwhip didn’t know any better, he’d believe it was true, maybe it even was in some ways.

"I’ll admit, there's some parts of it that make no sense, such as the lack of respawn magic and the blurred figure that looks like Scott, but it feels so real you know? Maybe I should ask him if he has dreamt anything similar.”

Fwhip only nodded, a yawn escaping him. He was tired and his panic attack hadn’t really helped with that. He looked at the clock, there was still plenty of night left for him to sleep.

Jimmy seemed to get the message and moved to help him get back to his bed. Fwhip was out before his head even hit the pillow.

-

His eyes fluttered open, vision flooded with color as the world came into focus around him.

Slowly Fwhip sat up, looking around the room until he caught sight of a familiar cod hat and green robes sitting at the foot of the bed, eyes focused on a book and hand scribbling down words.

Jimmy must have heard him stir as the Codfather was quick to lay the items down and turn to him with a goofy smile on their face. “Hey Fwhip, how you feeling mate?”

“Better...you stayed here all night?”

“Couldn't really do much else with a broken elytra and all so yeah, I did.”

Fwhip sung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, going over to a chest and fumbling through its contents.

Eventually, he pulled out a stack of bottles, enchantment orbs floating around within them. “Here, to repair your elytra.”

Jimmy took the bottles graciously before shattering them against the damaged wings, the tears within the membranes sealing shut through magic.

With his elytra repaired, the Codfather thanked Fwhip and bid him farewell before leaving the storage room. However, just before he was about to take off he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“We never speak of last night again alright? I’m still going to make you work to get that cod head back.”

Jimmy simply grinned, “Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

With that, Fwhip watched him activate a firework and disappear into the distance.

His attention then turned to the amount of corruption in the area and he sighed. Gem would be coming over later to discuss Wither Rose Alliance matters and she would definitely kill him if he did not get the place cleaned up.

Time to get to work, he supposed.

#empires smp #empiresblr #My writing #fwhip #solidarity gaming #jimmy solidarity #3rd life smp references are fun #and i will take every chance to make them canon #not my best work imo but it was meant to be short and sweet

[nalgenewhore]

kinda

elide x lorcan, fake dating au, word count: 2819

The drink in her hand was running low, so Elide politely excused herself from the circle of Lorcan’s friends that she’d been talking to and made her way to the kitchen. 

Her hips moved unconsciously to the music as she poured cranberry juice and vodka into her plastic cup. It wasn’t her favourite drink, but it was simple and the easiest to tell if someone had messed with it somehow. 

A warm, large hand slid across her lower back. At the first touch, Elide tensed, but as her body recognised it, she relaxed back into the hulking frame of her boyfriend. Fake boyfriend. “Hey,” she said, silently cursing herself. 

It had started to become more and more easy to mess up and forget her and Lorcan’s arrangement lately. Her subconscious didn’t want to think any of it was fictional. 

“Hey,” Lorcan replied, reaching over her to steal her drink and sip it for himself. Elide turned to scowl up at him. He made a face at the amount of spirits in her drink, “Christ, Lochan, how fucked up do you want to get tonight?” 

“Stop stealing my drinks,” she avoided the question, snatching the cup back and draining half of it. 

Lorcan smirked and cornered her against the counter, his body blocking her in. “And what are you gonna do about it,” he lowered his head, his full lips ghosting over her collarbone, “princess?” 

Her breath hitched and Elide crossed her arms over her chest, as if it would hide the blush that bloomed across her cleavage and throat. “You’re a pig.” 

“Mmm, you love me like that,” Lorcan murmured, pressed heated kisses up her throat and jaw. Just before he got to her lips - sticky and shimmery with iridescent gloss that had him wanting to act up - Lorcan paused. He lovingly cupped the sides of her neck and stroked his thumbs over her jaw, “You wanna get out of here? I’m kinda over it.” 

Elide nodded, flashing him a soft smile, “Yeah, of course.” She shoved him away to turn, dumping her drink down the sink and rinsing out her cup before tossing it in the recycling bin. Without turning around, she asked him, “Are you gonna drop me off at my place or…” 

“I was thinking you could stay with me tonight, but if you want, I can drop you off at home.” Lorcan tried for nonchalance and the only reason it worked was because Elide was trying to tame the wild beating of her heart. 

She turned back to him, smiling brightly at him, “That sounds good. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” 

Yet another smirk tugged at his lips and Lorcan brushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, “Horror movie marathon?” 

“Yep!” He laughed as Elide laced her fingers through his and tugged him behind her through the house. They called out good-byes to their friends on their way and when they got outside, Lorcan pulled Elide back against him. “What are you– oof!” 

The sound was ripped from Elide’s throat as Lorcan slung her over his shoulder like she was nothing and continued walking. “Lorcan,” she wiggled over his broad shoulder, pummeling his back with ineffectual blows, “put me down!” 

The man just banded his arm across the backs of her thighs, “Stop moving, you’re gonna fall.” Laughter laced through his words and Elide narrowed her eyes at his back. 

With a new resolve, Elide squirmed more erratically than she had before and Lorcan swore, “Stop it, I don’t want to drop you.” 

Elide smirked and jabbed him in the side, “That’s what you get for telling me what to do.” 

Lorcan unceremoniously dropped her from his shoulder. He still had the grace to make sure she wouldn’t tumble and his hands hovered over her waist as she landed on her feet. “You’re so fucking stubborn, Lochan.” 

While he was busy shaking his head at her, with fake ire in his eyes, Elide dug her hand into his pocket and pulled out his keys. She darted around him to the driver’s seat and hopped in, “You love me like that.” 

Lorcan couldn’t argue with her and reluctantly climbed into the passenger seat. 

When they got to his apartment, Elide disappeared into the bathroom. Lorcan had kept his hand on her thigh the entire ride, making innocent circles with his thumb over the material of her skintight jeans. Damn him. 

He had no idea what he was doing to her and it was so fucking unfair. She wanted to be mad at him, but it wasn’t Lorcan’s fault that she had fallen in love with him. He had explicitly stated that they were dating to make his ex, Maeve, jealous. He’d even laughed, telling her how much of a joke it was when Rowan warned him not to in case he caught feelings. 

She blew out a long breath, trying not to cry as she washed her face. Elide had spent enough nights at Lorcan’s apartment to have a small collection of her skin care and other things. Lorcan had been the one to bring it up, to sell the ruse a little more if Maeve ever decided to drop by unannounced, which wasn’t unlike her.  

Every time she’d done it, Elide had had the utter pleasure of greeting her. Usually, when Maeve buzzed up, they would quickly mess Elide’s hair up and Lorcan would toss her whichever shirt he was wearing. 

Maeve’s eyes always flashed dangerously when Elide opened the door, but she had never attempted anything other than a cold asking of Lorcan’s whereabouts. Elide got such joy out of telling Maeve he was still in bed or waiting for her in the shower. 

Elide rubbed her eyes as she slipped into Lorcan’s bedroom, making a beeline to his closet. She made to strip when someone cleared their throat from behind her and she turned, spotting Lorcan lounging on his bed with his laptop on his lap. “Oh. I didn’t know you were in here.” 

“Oh,” he purred, dragging his eyes down her body and up again, “don’t let me stop you, princess.” 

She snatched her favourite t-shirt of his and hissed, “You’re such a pig, Lorcan.” Elide marched back into his bathroom as he laughed, looking far too pleased with himself. 

When she walked back out, her legs bare beneath his shirt, whatever he was going to say died on his tongue. Elide smirked and cocked her hip to the side, “My eyes are up here, Lorcan.” 

He swallowed and flicked his eyes to the side, shifting in bed, “Whatever. Do you want to pick what we’re watching?” 

Elide put her clothes on his dresser and climbed into bed beside him. The moment she sunk into the mattress and pillow, her eyelids drooped. She pointed randomly, “That one.” 

Lorcan chuckled and pulled her into his side, “You tired, babe?” 

She hummed, turning her face into his chest, “Yes. Sleepy.” Elide lifted her head to rest it against his shoulder. “We should watch The Nightmare Before Christmas.” 

“That’s not a horror movie. That’s a Christmas movie.”

“Yes it is and no it’s not,” she murmured softly, completely melted into his side. “It’s not nice to argue with your girlfriend.” 

“I would never argue with you, princess,” Lorcan replied, gently combing his fingers through Elide’s long hair and scratching her scalp with his nails. 

She hummed again, moaning softly as he did it again. “Do that again,” Elide whispered, her eyes falling shut. It seemed like too much effort to open them up again.

“You falling asleep on me, El?” 

“Mmmm… yeah.” 

Lorcan laughed quietly, leaning down to kiss the top of her head, “Go to sleep. It’s ok.” 

“Ok,” Elide whispered, her hand curling into a fist over his heart. “You’ll stay with me, right?” 

“For as long as you want,” he promised. 

Without a care in the world, Elide told him, “I want you forever and ever. ‘m never lettin’ you go.” 

+*+*+*+*+*+*

The next morning, Elide woke up sprawled across Lorcan’s bed. She sat up groggily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Lor? Where are you?” 

She heard Lorcan’s deep laugh from the other room, “Making breakfast, princess. Stay there, I’ll be back quick.” 

“With tea?” 

He scoffed, “Of course. I’m not brave enough to face Elide Lochan without her morning tea.” Footsteps approached his bedroom and a couple seconds later the door opened. 

Lorcan leaned against the doorframe, crossing his tattooed arms over his equally tattooed chest, “Morning, darling. How’d you sleep?” His dark eyes glittered with delight at her messy hair. 

Elide rolled her eyes and brushed it back, “I slept very well.” She smoothed her hands over the duvet and fell back onto the pillows. “Come back in bed with me. Be lazy.” 

He laughed, shaking his head, “You know I have work, El. And so do you.” 

“That’s boring.” 

“You’re boring.” 

“You’re boring.” 

“No, you’re boring.” 

“Uh-uh, you are boring.” 

“No way, I could never be—“ 

Someone knocked on his front door and their stupid bickering was put on pause. Lorcan frowned as he looked over his shoulder, “I’ll get that. You,” he pointed at her, “stay right there.” 

Elide smiled and stretched her arms above her head, sighing softly. She rolled over onto her stomach and buried herself deeper into the duvets and pillows. 

She heard Lorcan open the door and hushed voices began to speak. She figured it was a delivery person or maybe his landlord. 

Elide attempted to fall back asleep, but without Lorcan next to her, any effort was futile. Five minutes later, he hadn’t returned to her and Elide was curious. 

She slipped out of bed, smoothing her hair back. Elide padded through the silent apartment to Lorcan’s front door. 

The moment she turned into the hallway, her whole world shattered at her feet. 

There was Lorcan. And Maeve. His hands were on her slim waist and she had her fingers tangled in his hair. They kissed like it was second nature, and Elide supposed it was. 

She must’ve made some noise, some pathetic little gasp, because Maeve pulled away and flashed Elide a smug grin over Lorcan’s shoulder. The elegant, lean woman hardly had to lift onto her tiptoes. “Oh, Elide. I didn’t know you would be here.” 

Lorcan spun, his eyes wide, “Princess.” 

“Oh, don’t mind me, please,” Elide said, trying to stop the tears in her eyes. “I just… crashed here after the party last night.” She let out a strangled laugh, waving her hands, “It’s really, really nothing.” 

Maeve smirked and Elide couldn’t stand it anymore, so before Lorcan could say one more thing, maybe even thank her, Elide walked into his room again to pull on the leggings she had forgotten last week. 

As she gathered her things, Lorcan ran in, his eyes wild, “El, please, don’t leave. I can ex- I want to explain, please.” 

“Oh my gods, Lorcan, don’t worry,” Elide said, laughing a hollow laugh. Pain echoed in her chest and it hurt to swallow, “It’s fine. I, um, I guess I just caught feelings, yeah? It’s not your fault at all. I just- have fun with… her.” 

She pushed Lorcan out of the way and left quickly, ignoring the triumphant gleam in Maeve’s eyes. In the elevator, she dug her phone out and called Aelin. The tears spilled down her cheeks when Rowan picked up, his voice scratchy with sleep, “Ellie, it’s Ro. Ae’s still asleep.” 

“Um, that’s- that’s fine. I just need someone to pick me up,” she tried not to let him hear her crying. “I’m at Lorcan’s.” 

He paused, speaking away from the speaker as Aelin’s sleepy voice was heard, muffled. “I’ll be there in five.” 

Elide hung up and put her phone in her bag. She let her head fall back against the elevator wall and cried softly, cursing herself for her stupidity. 

She should’ve never told him she would do it. She should’ve told him to find another person, to find another way to make Maeve jealous. 

When she got outside, the air was bitingly cold and nipped at her face. Elide tucked her chin into her chest, trying to conserve whatever heat she could. 

As she waited, nobody came after her. Lorcan certainly didn’t and Elide’s mind was attacked with flashing images of him in bed with Maeve. She cringed, closing her eyes against them. 

Soon enough, Rowan pulled up in front of her and reached across the seat to open the passenger door for her, “Hey, Ellie. Hop in, it’s freezing.” Elide mutely climbed into his truck and pulled the door shut. “What happened?” 

“Um, M-Maeve came by and… guess we don’t need to fake it anymore,” she said, shrugging her shoulder up. “Can you drop me off at home, please? I don’t really want to see anyone.” 

Rowan nodded as he pulled away from the curb, his face set in a stoney frown, “Of course.” He didn’t make a single comment about the unceasing stream of tears down her cheeks. Elide looked down at her lap, sniffling slightly. 

“Why did I say yes, Ro. Why did I tell him I’d do it?” 

He sighed deeply, shaking his head, “I don’t think I need to tell you why, El.” 

“Yeah,” Elide whispered. “I know.” 

+*+*+*+*+*+*

Elide moved through the motions of getting ready for bed. She was numb as she filled her kettle and placed it on the stove. 

She got her favourite mug down and scooped chamomile tea into her metal tea strainer-ball thing. Elide dropped it into the mug and waited for the water to boil. 

She sighed, rubbing her eyes. For the entire day, she had ignored her phone. Lorcan had tried calling her. Aelin, Rowan, Vaughan, and Fenrys, too.

Nehemia had dropped by during her lunch break to bring her food and even braided her hair back. She’d left after a kiss on the forehead and a promise for breakfast the next day. 

The kettle boiled just as someone knocked on the door. “One second,” she called out, her voice hoarse. Elide poured the water in and put the kettle off to the side. 

Elide walked over to the door and didn’t bother checking through the peephole before she opened it. The moment she saw who was standing there, Elide regretted not looking. “Lorcan, you don’t need to say sorry or explain,” she said, her voice hoarse. “I just- I can’t see you for a while. I need space to stop–” 

“Princess,” he breathed, shaking his head. “Please. I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me, I- please. I don’t want to be with Mae- with her.” 

Tears sprung in her eyes and Elide threw her hands up, “I can’t keep track, Lorcan! You don’t want to be with Maeve, you’re in a fake relationship with me, you–” she was cut off by Lorcan’s lips on hers. 

“None of it was fake, Elide,” he whispered, his words murmured against her lips. He cupped her face like she was precious, like she would disappear right before him. He kissed her harder, deeper, “Not a single fucking second was fake for me.” Lorcan pulled away, his eyes desperately searching hers in fear. “Was it fake for you?” 

Elide swallowed, her hands lifting to grip the front of his shirt. She shook her head, the tips of their noses brushing together, “Gods, no. None of it.” 

He smiled then, pulling her closer to kiss her again, “Good, ‘cause I’m kinda in love with you.” Her breath hitched in her throat and Elide had to  pull back, her eyes wide. Lorcan laughed softly at her stupefied expression and tugged at the end of her braid, “Can I come in now?” 

She nodded dumbly and blinked slowly, “Yeah- you- you’re in love with me?” Elide stepped back to let him in. Lorcan was still wearing a smile as he closed the door behind them. 

“Yeah.” He stepped closer to her, uneasily sliding an arm around her waist. Elide rested her hands on his chest, fiddling with the worn collar of his t-shirt. Lorcan gripped her chin and tilted it up, “Is that ok?” 

“That you’re in love with me?” she asked, smirking up at him with her eyebrow arched in challenge.

“Well,” Lorcan drawled, kissing her cheek softly, “kinda.” 

Elide laughed, hitting his chest with her fist, “You’re such a prick!” She gripped his collar and pulled him down to kiss him again, “You’re so lucky I’m in love with you.” 

Without any effort on her part, Lorcan gripped the backs of her thighs and picked her up. Her legs locked around his waist like second nature. “You’re in love with me?” 

“Yeah, well,” Elide whispered, running her hands up his shoulders. She slid her fingers into his hair, kissing him deeply when he smiled, just to taste his joy, “Kinda.”

@mythicaitt @tinywolfofeyllwe @schmlip-scribble @the-regal-warrior @empire-of-wildfire @ladyverena @ttakeitbacknoww @shyvioletcat @alifletcher2012 @tswaney17 @ourbooksuniverse  @flora-and-fae @thesirenwashere @queenofxhearts @maastrash @mynewdreamwasyou @cursebreaker29 @empress-ofbloodshed​ @b00kworm @hizqueen4life @silversprings98 @amren-courtofdreams @minaidss @superspiritfestival @sanakapoor @ireallyshouldsleeprn @spyofthenightcourt

#wow it's been.....like half a year since i've posted an elorcan one shot....kinda cray cray of me i know #i WAS gonna post chapter nine but i just wrote this uh chapter and it's uh hmmmm so i needed a break :) #anyhoozle. enjoy. #elorcan #elide x lorcan #elide lochan #lorcan salvaterre #isa writes #nalgenewhore

[pixl-belladonna]

Happy Halloween peeps! Spooky season = spooky games = spooky art, so I give you a small AU for my boy Finnegan: the Mad Father AU

I love the game, and felt Finn fit very well into the game's setting and concept. Also perfect excuse to draw a much younger babey Finn :3

Seriously, if you haven't, play the game, its fairly tame compared to most RPG horror games, its available pretty much everywhere, I absolutely love it

Also yes that's Juniper looming behind- don't worry, she's perfectly harmless, just kinda creepy- I mean, when you're a large reanimated corpse, how else are you gonna say hi the cute living human boy?

#art #digital art #digital illustration #g/t #oc: finnegan #oc: juniper #mad father #rpg horror #mad father au #spooky season #spooky art #i suck at shading with soft brushes lol #g/t art #wholesome giantess #okay maybe not as wholesome as per usual in this one #g/t fearplay #g/t ocs