#or help look through whatever way in which they process information and learning best!!!

[littledigits]

thoughts on the cut episodes and ppls reactions 'n stuff

Since it was confirmed that a few more episodes of Hilda were written but cut, I do think the reaction of people finding this out is really interesting and not just because its fairly common in the industry and isint a sign of anything bad necessarily. I mean heck, in a weird way being behind the scenes and then seeing how people interpret things, what they take as important, what they think is a thread…all of that is interesting. When your job is basically trying to get people to pick up what you're putting down storywise its kind of a neat topic, because everyone communicates in their own way.

BTW before I keep going this is not a post to say dont crit/vent/complain/whatever about whatever the heck you want in hilda or any media, you do you. I think peoples honest takes are fascinating (said in victoria van gale voice) and even just people speaking their mind shows that they are interested and they care so that matters. Also not one singular post triggered this, its just been on my mind as I surface level read things so no stressies.

When It comes to the cut episodes, I'm seeing some people assume that whatever was cut would have fixed some of the crits they may have had about the season..and who knows, maybe yes? But I'd say ultimately probably not. Not because they dont include things that people want to see, or may have some topics people want expanded on ..but because thats just impossible in the grand scheme of things.

I mean this applies to shows in general, not just hilda. Every person who watches a show has their own idea of what the show represents to them. For some of its more of the surface events or characters where as others connect it with a deeper emotion. A lot of people respond to different tones of the episodes, which there are many. Some people prefer the one off adventures that stand alone as their own stories and others want to see more of a stronger through line. Some may see a new character and expect a new arc and thread, while others wonder why we couldn't've used a previously introduced character. Some may read between the lines more and others may take what is presented as very straight forward and literal …and no one is WRONG, because our big wrinkly brain meats all have their own tastes and ways of imputing information.

Television animation is rife with factors that actually futz with the quality and ability of the team to make a beautiful, amazing product like EVERY DAY. The script process and what goes into production is just one. The team is made up of many creatives all with their own varied experiences and voices just like the audience. In order for people to have their own voices and say, you are going to end up with some things that hit better then others, especially if the team is allowed to grow and experiment and play a little. Hilda has always been a show where we've been able to have a lot of creative say, and i think that sincerity comes through ! but with the sincerity and that humanity, it also means that there are going to be things that arnt going to make sense in the grand scheme of things lol. Even the writers and creators and producers have differing opinions on what to explore and dive into, probably more so then fandoms haha. Having more episodes may scratch some itches but not all, HECK, those episodes being cut could have re-allocated resources to other areas that helped elevate your fav ep of the season ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ who knows! Schrodinger's episodes! (also ngl I was having cold sweats over the scope of some of them as cool as they were. The season may have been shorter but it was intense..it takes a long time to do stuff that looks that clean and crisp)

Imperfect art is very human! Do the best you can at the time with the factors you have. I was given so much trust and freedom on my episodes, and I was just happy to do something fun that allowed me and my team to grow and learn. I was fucking STOKED to get a one off story because it was way less pressure for me to take my next step directing cuz just doing the thing is a feat. Any sincerity you feel cant come through if that means we're afraid that we cant make mistakes, or do a story choice ppl wont vibe with. All you can do is do the best you can, see if people are picking up what you're putting down, and grow from it for next time.

Anyway, just a thought ramble. Its not to say do or dont do this or think this way blah blah. I just love that storytelling is messy and complex and everyones gonna take it a lil differently, especially if you have a team where you allow lots of voices to have input. It is all just a big experiment to see if people leave with a particular experience by putting your resources into the things you have that matter, and try you best to distract from burnt edges or patched up holes that happened throughout the process of making the dang thing lol.

#me as marge simpson holding up a potato of communication #I just think they're NEAT #it is cool to see who vibes with what episodes and why #lil rambley bits #I personally strive for a good 7/10 #maybe a 7.5 if im feeling spicy #everything else is luck

[iztea]

Maybe you have some drawing tips for beginners?

Your style is incredibly beautiful and it just inspires this thing inside me to grab my iPad and start drawing but unfortunately I have no idea where to even begin

Or maybe you have some recs where to look to learn how to draw stuff?

But I understand completely that it’s your thing and artists should never feel pressured to share all their techniques and secrets, you worked hard on it!

I just really really love your art to the point where I just look at it for 30 minutes straight with this big feeling in my chest

<3

ah it was never about being secretive, i'm pretty open about my drawing process since gatekeeping knowledge is a big pet peeve of mine. It was more like,, laziness because writing a cohesive and helpful drawing tutorial is pretty difficult and i wouldn't even know where to start; i'm afraid i'll get maybe too technical and what have you.

As for tips for beginners, i've shared plenty on my couriouscat so you can scroll through the answers there, i also have some drawing timelapses on my twitter account as well (albeit you'll have to scroll a little)

I'm very flattered you feel that way about my art, it really means a lot to me and i'm glad to have inspired you to draw as well that's awesome and i wish you best of luck!

I actually don't know how different drawing on an iPad is compared to a graphic tablet+desktop, so I am actually pretty clueless in that regard. I think Procreate is the most used digital art app for iPad so you can start by getting it and familiarizing yourself with the UI. I think this step is often overlooked. The brushes and the chosen program can make or break the drawing experience. If you simply find yourself not enjoying Procreate, experiment with other apps or maybe try switching to a graphic tablet, maybe that feels better and is more suited to your tastes.

To be completely honest, one "bad" piece of advice that i should probably keep to myself is to draw something you actually enjoy: fanart, Pretty Girl Portrait(tm), your cat, landscapes etc even if it's above your skill level (becoming obsessed/ fixated on some character from a piece of media also works wonders i'm just gonna throw that out there). The main point is to actually care about your chosen subject in order to get inspired and to have that inner desire of "doing them justice" aka drawing them well. The traditional art learning route probably involves studying the fundamentals, shading spheres and cones and simple 3D forms blablbablah which. Yeah ! sure that's probably better advice but i'm telling you what will make you want to keep going and not get discouraged after a few failed attempts.

As for the drawing subject, I highly recommend having photo references to guide you.. you always need refs it's a recurring thing. My fastest artworks are the ones where I have the right references. the less references the more difficult it is to draw something

As a beginner it is also a good practice to draw OVER your photo reference to get the proportions right ( i'm not talking about literally tracing the contour of a face or limb ( just an example ), but moreso identifying the Main shape which makes up that body part and observe how long is it in respect to the other components, how does it connect to the other parts etc - big difference. Tracing won't help you in the long run).

Another thing you can do is to study your favourite artists and see how They tackle whatever it is that you like in their work. how do they simplify facial features? what about anatomy? color/ light etc and kinda reverse engineer your way through their process. ( but i highly recommend to just keep these practice sketches to yourself, and to not share them on social media- unless you get the artist's permission)

This is how i got into drawing and what i did back then, again, for more technical hands-on information i did answer similar CCs before so with a little bit of stalking you'll find them in no time

I wanna finish this with some resources that helped me:

>youtube guys - sinix, ahmed aldoori, marco bucci, and also just speedpaints in general i highly recommend watching those

>for simplified anatomy i found @/ taco1704 's ref sheets to be very helpful but ........... I'm pretty dry here i just look up refs on Pinterest tbvh

speaking of, here's my pinterest i have a bunch of art related boards board cool stuff overall maybe they can help guide you towards some direction or inspire you in some way idk

ok i kinda suck in the resource department listeN. im starving too just.................. watch youtube speedpaints ok

SORRY IT'S SO LONGGGBGGG i hope it was at least a bit helpful? this was all over the place... I'll try to come up with a tutorial as well but i really gotta be careful with how i go about it. I'll leave you with this for the time being. Again, thank you a lot for the kind words, I really am very grateful and touched esp by that last part about staring with the big feeling stuff eeeeeeeeeeeeee really wow T T that's so lovely and a big compliment thanks ty ly

#long post #this is so messy...... sorry anon #i don't have a very. linear thought process as the kids would call it #you should see my lit essays back in the day lmfao #anyways #if there are typos i'll fix them later #ASK IZTEA #they call me the tutor the way rial my way through the ..... #ok nevermind

[savvythepirate]

Just as much, maybe more

Pairing: Jack Sparrow x reader

Warnings: None

Requested by: @roguesknights

The Request:

Could I request Jack with a reader who's just as protective as he is and has saved him just as many times as he's saved them?

***

Jack Sparrow had been a lifetime friend of yours and to this day, you both remain together and inseparable.

It was easy for you to agree and come along with him when he had become captain of the Black Pearl. Throughout your journey together, you continuously save each other from what would have been certain death, you’ve done it so much that it started becoming difficult to keep track of the number of times and settle the score.

On your adventures, Jack had always been protective of you as you have been protective of him in just about the same amount. Everyone that knew you both best often liked to say that you and Jack needed each other in order to survive, which of course is entirely untrue. If it ever comes to a point down the road where you would both for any reason, had to drift apart, the truth was that you would both do just as fine solo. However, you drifted apart after an unexpected ambush from pirates no one in the world would want to meet or have a chance encounter with somehow. During that ambush, things had gone from zero to one hundred in a blink of an eye and you got badly hurt in the process. There was no stopping Jack Sparrow from blaming himself of your current condition, it didn’t matter how many times you tried to reassure him it wasn’t his fault.

How it wasn’t your fault either, as you were both innocent in all of this. But Jack saw it as only too close of a call in nearly losing you and took it upon himself that you would be safer if he took you home. Against your protests, pleas, and wishes, he went through with it, seemingly not listen to you at all in the slightest. A few years had gone by since than and you were still upset at Jack Sparrow for basically abandoning you, so you set out to find him, to continue your adventures together. Knowing you would want to mention an important turn of event in your speech, you wrote them down as you rowed your way across the ocean’s waters. The waters can turn deadly at any given moment, but you were so determined to find your friend that you stopped at nothing to continue. Later on, you would learn that Jack Sparrow had been keeping a huge secret from you when you thought you had known everything.

Right now, Jack was keeping out of sight of Davy Jones, the most feared man roaming the seas on that of the Flying Dutchman. Part of that secret was of having no knowledge of Jack Sparrow striking a deal with Davy Jones in order to become captain of the Black Pearl. Jack could be really foolish at times and this scenario takes the cake on that statement of him being a fool. Through Jack Sparrow, you knew Barbossa and Barbossa is the man you had witnessed to be dead after that bundle between Jack and himself. It was quite a surprise to learn that Calypso had resurrected him and brought him back from the dead shortly after encountering him and Elizabeth Swann. They both go onto inform you of their mission to rescue Jack Sparrow from the locker, and you agreed to go along. The whole rescue mission was a thrill, making you miss the adventures shared together more and more.

You were growing anxious and excited the closer you got to seeing Jack again after these few years had gone by. Your purpose in this was hoping to rekindle whatever may be left of your friendship. When you arrived, you watch along with everyone in line as Jack Sparrow makes his appearance trying to pull a ship behind him. Getting a closer look, you could tell he was for at the time, in a delusional like state, his true self not present. Although you knew you had him back, you couldn’t help but feel worried of your friend’s well-being. Elizabeth must have notice it in your demeanor as she whispers something to you.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be okay. The delusional state he’s in won’t last.”

Before you could respond, Jack Sparrow stumbles over with a look of utter betrayal on his face before speaking out.

“Keeping secrets are we?”

Jack looks at Elizabeth, than to you. When he does, you see a change in him almost instantly the second you lock eyes. Jack was still in there, that was just it.

He seemed to snap out of whatever it was causing him to live in a delusion world of his own.

“(Y/n)? Is that really you?” Jack asks, noticeably in disbelief.

You nod as if to say “Yes.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Same reason as the rest of us here, Jack Sparrow. I’m here to rescue you.”

That response seemed to have snapped him out it fully, no longer living in the delusional world.

“Rescue me?”

You nod again.

“How many times is that now?”

“Too many to count.”

You shrug, needless to say, the rescue mission was a complete success.

You have never felt so proud.

***

@savvythepirate

Tags: @princessofthornsandroses @justafairytailofinnocence @royisrandom @marsswann @friendlynova @imalittleoutthere @mypookiebeardavyjones @personlovinganime @always-on-hiatus

Requests: open

#jack sparrow imagines #jack sparrow imagine #jack sparrow x reader #jack sparrow #hector barbossa imagines #hector barbossa imagine #hector barbossa x reader #hector barbossa #will turner x reader #will turner #davy jones imagines #davy jones imagine #davy jones x reader #davy jones #pirates of the caribbean imagines #pirates of the caribbean imagine #pirates of the caribbean x reader #pirates of the carribean #i take requests #taking requests #requests are welcome #requests are open #requests wanted #requested #request #requests #send in an ask #ask box is open #ask box

[snowdropluck204]

You're My Prize - Todoroki Shoto x Fem! Reader (Mafia AU!) - Pt 3

Sorry this took so long, once again... I'm a bad author... Anyway! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! ______________________________

3rd Person pov

Shoto sat in total shock, not only had he learned that his father had happily handed him over to a Yakuza syndicate, but the leader of said syndicate wanted him to be her 'little dove', chose him over any money his father could have easily given her...

(y/n) was still stood behind him, her chest against his back and her hands gently caressing his arms. The sweet, gentle smile was back on her face, a far cry from the confident smirk she was wearing earlier. Shoto was so confused! Which side of her was the real her? (y/n) seemed to notice that the poor man wasn't processing all of this very well. She tried to lean away from him, to give him time to get used to all of this information, but Shoto wrapped his fingers tightly around her gloved hands, tugging her back to him.

Kenji moved quickly, starting to make his way over to the two of them, clearly believing that Shoto was going to attack (y/n), but she held up a hand, halting him in his place. She brought Shoto's head to her chest, soothingly stroking his hair. Even though the chair in between them made this position uncomfortable, Shoto was grateful for the comfort.

(y/n) felt awful for the man, he had just had the life he knew ripped away from him, now he was in a cold, seemingly empty house, surrounded by strangers and a woman who wants to use him for her own devices. Looking up from Shoto, (y/n) looked up at Kenji, "Get my room ready, he'll be staying with me for a while." She told him, her voice all business but the words she used made Shoto look up at her with a start.

"What?" He asked, curious. His eyes glistened with brimming tears, looking into them, (y/n)'s heart melted slightly. She tried to be the cold-blooded killer she was, but she couldn't help it, her heart ached for this poor man.

"You can't be on your own with all this new information, you don't have to stay in my room if you don't to, I just thought it might be something you'd like, you might feel more comfortable in your own room of course..." (y/n) had begun rambling, she never did this. She was always calm and collected, saying what was on my mind in a concise manner. (y/n) could see even Kenji being shocked at her behaviour.

She didn't want to make Shoto any more uncomfortable and scared than he already was. He looked into her eyes, his mismatched eyes meeting (e/c), he nodded gently. (y/n) smiled softly at him, "So, dinner?" She asked, he nodded again, still confused and speechless. "If you want to know anything, my inside businesses, the people who work for me, anything, just ask. I can't guarantee I'll be completely honest with you at the moment, I don't know if you can be fully trusted yet." She said truthfully.

Shoto nodded, picking at his food that had been placed in front of him, (y/n) sat in the chair to his side, not across from him, she wasn't hugely hungry, and he needed her close at that moment. As he sat there, thinking and eating, she gently raked her fingers through his hair, doing her best to calm him.

"Who was that man? The one you... That I saw earlier?" He asked timidly. She could admit, it was quite amusing to see the once great pro hero Shoto Todoroki so bashful in her presence, (y/n) couldn't help a small smile.

"That man was just a calculation error. He owed me a significant amount of money, he had the ability to pay me back, not once, but twice, he chose to spend that money on his gambling addictions. Whatever he owed me, has been written off and his family will be compensated for his passing." She told him, her voice back to being business like.

Shoto looked intrigued but obviously quite horrified, it's not every day a person you're having dinner with turns out to have killed someone, let alone as many people as (y/n) have. "But, how could you say that...?" He asked softly, so soft it was a whisper.

"Say what my dove?" She asked him, using a napkin to wipe the corner of his mouth, causing him to blush. (y/n) couldn't help but smirk slightly, the satisfaction of getting him to blush was too insistent.

"You called him a calculation error... Acting as though his death meant nothing, you've left a family without a father and a husband and you're showing no remorse for it..." He told her, his voice becoming more confident as he grew more passionate in his point, too bad it was misguided passion.

"Dove, if you knew what I knew, about human beings, about Fujima Hiroto, you would understand why I did what I did. Mr Fujima was nothing but a petty thief, a terrible gambler and a wife beater." (y/n) began talking light and sweet, but her voice became hard and venomous. "If there is one thing I cannot abide, it's domestic violence, in any form."

Shoto sat shocked, he hadn't known any of that about the man, obviously because he had just seen the murder, nothing else, but was all of that really true, he looked to Kenji for some sort of answer, he solemnly nodded his head, revealing more than an answer. (y/n) raised a hand behind her head slightly, Kenji walking up and placing a file in her hands.

Setting the file down in front of Shoto, she began flipping through it, there were dozens of pictures of Mr Fujima doing less than legal things... Bribing an officer, leaving an illegal casino, countless images of him abusing his wife, and pages upon pages of papers that seem to indicate him being involved in organising and illegal fighting ring and fraud...

"Yes Mr Fujima owed me money, but if he were an honest man, I would have looked the other way and agreed to another extension, but he could have paid me back in full within the agreed upon time, he chose to spend and lose that money in a number of days. We have returned the money we took from him as payment to his wife, she will always be able to call on us if she needs help and we will gladly give it." (y/n) continued, less cold now.

"Now if you're finished with dinner, we could go to bed, it's getting late." There wasn't much room for argument as she stood up and took his hand in her's, gently nudging him from the chair. "Kenji, could you set up my room with some pyjamas for Shoto, I'll be taking him on a little tour in the meantime." She asked.

Kenji nodded and left with a small bow. Shoto was confused and said so, "I'm perplexed, if you've known Kenji for so long and have been friends since you were children, why on earth do you treat him as a butler?" He asked, leading (y/n) to smile sweetly.

"Kenji is my oldest and dearest friend, but this was the role he chose for himself, he would prefer to be behind the scenes and act as the face of family, when in reality, he was always the carer, he would look after people when they were sick or sad, so this role allows him to do just that, he has my back and I have his." (y/n) explained simply.

Shoto nodded, although he was still confused, "Let's go dove, you can comprehend things after a good night's sleep." She told him, as we began walking through the many halls of the manor.

"To your left is the west wing, not forbidden by any means but you may prefer not to visit there, it's mainly business rooms and other... Activities." (y/n) told him, my voice dipping slightly, Shoto nodded quickly as she giggled at the aghast look on his face.

"The East wing is where most of the rooms are, although the only bedrooms currently in use are a few guest rooms for some of the staff, my room, your room and Kenji's. Other than that, there are multiple libraries with hundreds of books, an indoor and outdoor pool, the billiards room, ballroom, obviously you've seen our dining room, the parlour, the gallery and the gardens." (y/n) listed all of the amenities as though they were a daily occurrence, which for her they were.

Shoto's mind was running at a million miles a minute, his thoughts kept bouncing back to his father, his family was rich, but nothing like this! This manor made his home look like a dungeon, which of course to him it was... Previously, he was fretting about how to get away from this place, how to escape, now his brain was going through all the decisions it could. Which room to visit first? Naturally he was interested by the libraries, or the ballroom, or the gallery?

(y/n) laughed from her place beside him, "Don't worry my dove, we have all the time in the world, I have the day off this weekend, we shall explore then and I can show you around properly."

Shoto nodded excitedly, "I would enjoy that." He told her, a small smile gracing his face for the first time since that morning.

Just like that the tour was over, and Shoto had a new thing to worry about, he would be sleeping in the same room, and presumably, the same bed, as (y/n)... __________________________________

This chapter is slightly shorter than the others because it's getting late and I wanted to get this published! I am so sorry about the wait, but hopefully I should be more productive for a bit! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Xxx

#cute #love #romance #fanfiction #x reader #bnha #bnha x reader #shoto todoroki x reader #comfort #mafia au #angst #mafia reader

[yukidragon]

Sunny Day Jack Transcript - INTERVIEW - 41683

I've decided it's long past overdue to write up the transcript of the interview Jack has while in character back in 1983 when the SunnyTime Crew Show was at its peak in popularity. You can listen to this audio for yourself after playing through the demo of Something's Wrong with Sunny Day Jack, along with [Redacted]'s interview with the psyche consultant.

Disclaimer - I have auditory processing disorder, which makes it difficult for me to translate sounds into words, so please forgive any errors I might make. If I got something wrong, please do let me know so that I can correct it. Thank you.

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur

...

(A click of starting a tape playing. Audio starts a bit distorted then clears up.)

Dan: Alright. Now… I’m assuming that out of all of you listening today, some of you have to be parents, right? I’m sure quite a few of you have been tuned in to this new kids show - big hit, it’s everywhere. It’s inescapable, really. I’m of course talking about the SunnyTime Crew Show.

Dan: Now I have to admit, I don’t really know what all the fuss is, but… then again I am 36 and if I did, I’d… (awkward chuckle) I’d have bigger things to worry about. (chuckle)

Dan: But today we are making an exception. We have with us one Mr. Sunny Day Jack, who I am to believe is the… the leader? The front guy? For the mass acclaimed SunnyTime Crew. How you doing, Jack?

Jack: (cheerful) I’m great, Dan! Thanks for having me on the show. Glad to be here.

Dan: (enthusiastically) I can tell. For the folks at home, you can’t see this, but wow, this guy can smile! Look at that. Your dentist must be so proud!

Jack: (modest chuckle) Oh it’s nothing a simple and consistent brushing routine can’t do, but thank you! I do my best.

Dan: (more moderate tone) Of course you do, of course you do… Now. Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself, hmm? Tell me about Jack.

Jack: Well…, I’m sure that, as you said. I’m part of the SunnyTime Crew. I wouldn’t say I’m a leader or anything. We all just kind of do our own things, and… You know. We help the kids at home learn and talk about their feelings. There are a lot of ways to do that, and we run through them all with the kids, and… (soft laugh) Well, I mean, there’s not too much to say about it. I think it’s a very important job and I… I like it. I get to come into so many homes and be there for so many young viewers, and… Sometimes they really need it… and sometimes they don’t, but… the company is nice to have around… Yeah.

Dan: Right, right… If I’ve read up on this show correctly… you’ve all been burning hot and fast haven’t you? You know, what with all the toys and the lunchboxes and the… um… What was it? An ice show?

Jack: Oh! Uh, we’ll be doing a small live tour, nothing too big. We’ll be doing some singing, some book readings… really interacting with our fans. It’ll be a lot of fun! But if you want to know more, you can find out more information by calling in at-

(Audio glitches out and becomes incomprehensible for a second.)

Dan: Right, right, so… If you don’t mind me putting this out there… You’re kind of a celebrity, aren’t you?

Jack: (slightly awkward) I… guess you could say that. But really, we’re all-

Dan: Then we’ll put you through the same wringer as the rest of them. You’re a fine young man - plenty strong, plenty (grunting sound), you know? And you’re in there, right? Mom’s home, you’re taking care of the kids while she… you know - irons or cooks or whatever. Tell me. Do you ever get fans who are moms?

Jack: (slightly awkward) Well… sometimes. You could say that. (cheerful) And they’re really nice, just like the kids!

Dan: (sly) I’d put money on you being the crush of at least half of the housewives across America who tune in. You could do that, you know.

Jack: (awkward) I-I… guess. I wouldn’t really know.

(Awkward silence for a few seconds.)

Dan: (chuckle) Anyways… I believe… you’re on the show today with a mission?

Jack: Actually yes, Dan. I just wanted to come on and let the parents know that this weekend, me and my friends will be at the-

(Audio distortion glitches out the recording.)

Jack: -East of the-

(More audio distortion.)

Jack: -And you know, I’d love to meet and make as many new friends as possible. So, if you’d like to come down and say, “Hi,” we have balloons and games and activities!

Jack: Well, uh… actually we’ll be doing pictures and book signings too. We’re a local show, and it means a lot to have these opportunities. I just think it’s really great to be able to thank you all in person. As parents, your kids, we love teaching them and helping them grow… but when that TV turns off, it’s really is you who comes in and does the important work.

Dan: Aww… Isn’t that sweet? Unfortunately… (feigned surprised/disappointed gasp) Oh! Would you look at that? It seems like we’re out of time. But before you go though, I have to thank our sponsors and… One last question before we go, Jack. I’m asking on behalf of all the mothers out there. Ladies, thank me later.

Dan: Are you sure you aren’t… holding out on us at all? Like, come on! A guy your size has to have come from modeling or something. I’m putting it out there - there’s gotta be a picture of this guy in somebody’s charity calendar. I’m serious! Check your Mr. Junes, folks! Nobody gets this fit for themselves-

Jack: (curt) Alright. Thank you for having me, Dan. It was really… nice to be here. Um… Parents, we’ll see you this weekend. Remember, that’s at the-

(Audio distortion.)

Jack: -Mall, East of the-

(Audio distortion.)

Jack: -I’m really looking forward to it, and you should be too.

Jack: (cheerful, in character) This is Sunny Day Jack signing off, and wishing you a Sunnytime-tastic day-

(Voice distorts on the final words and fades out to static. The tape stops with a click. The beep of a TV with no signal plays before the audio ends.)

...

Additional Notes: A charity calendar are calendars made to raise funds for a particular local charity. The most well known and best selling charity calendars featured naked models posing provocatively for each month's image. These were one of the ways people could get their hands on pornographic imagery before the advent of the internet.

#Sunny Day Jack #Something's Wrong With Sunny Day Jack #SunnyDayJack #sdj #swwsdj #Transcript

[hail-brod]

A Chance and Beyond (3)

Previous chapter: (Chapter 2)

Next chapter: (Chapter 4)

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Loki x FReader

A/N: Note that I'm not really versed on the concept of time flow in the MCU so things that I will be explaining in this chapter may not be accurate but hej, this is fanfiction. Did try my best to understand Ancient One's explanation with the stones affecting the proper flow of time to integrate here so go easy on me &lt;(＿　＿)>

Might just be making up some things along the way for things to fit!

This is a long one. Hopefully this would make up for the amount of time that took me this long to update.

Warning/s: Tony Stark, cursing, bit of angst.

WC: 5.7k

Doctor Strange confronts you about TVA and you get a nickname from Tony Stark himself. Really, you've had a long day. What else can you possibly expect?

"Time Variance Authority."

"Yes."

"Which is entirely non-existent nowhere within....?"

"The Sacred Timeline." you say. "It is outside the Sacred Timeline."

"Yeah, that." your new found sorcerer friend confirms as Strange's brows crease in thought. "And somehow it's somewhere? A secret organization filled with people who they took from the... Sacred Timeline and then do the dirty work of... pruning other branches of realities. Is that it?"

"Yes." you reply, steady in your seat. Taking in the way he tries to process this new knowledge.

"Now, what exactly is pruning?" he asks, every question he wants to ask mirrored in that look of him. Though, even if uncertainty was still present on his expression, you didn't miss the tinge of fascination dancing around his eyes.

You've been going on with this interrogation for almost twenty minutes now and it's quite straightforward—save for the little questions he add that he strikes as interesting to satisfy his curiosity. Nonetheless, it's nothing but... pleasant.

At most.

Not as stingy as before he is, and you'd wager because of this session giving him the massive information about what's out there, beyond the timeline, beyond the vast universes and you can't help but pride yourself in seeing him so eager yet so stoic in hearing what you have been saying. It's amazing that he manages to look so focused and intent on prying more and yet bits of astonishment seeps through his authoritative nature. That at least confirms that he seems to be believing your words.

But when he starts to explain to you about what he generally knows about timelines and it's flow, you realized that's why.

"The branches that you've mentioned," he inquires. "...you're saying that currently it's overloading because the Sacred Timeline is unkept and unmonitored?"

"Yes..." you confirm. "Yes. It's complicated and.... its hard to manage with so much branches. So everything... everywhere... there are a lot of possibilities growing outside of the proper flow of time."

You hope you understood Ouroboros well. Everything he had explained about the loom and the collapse of all as a result because of the murder of a certain time lord or whatever it is they call him and the possibility of a Multiversal war—as they would call it—was very much ingrained in your mind.

Which is rather a big matter than the world ending.

Because this is about everything ending.

"I'd ask what made that happen," he says. "but one branch of reality splitting outside of the proper flow of time means being overrun. A lot of suffering if I may add." his frown deepens.

You look at him, quite confused. "Well, you mean..."

Wait.

You've realized recently that concepts about time when it comes to sorcery can be quite different compared to the TVA but there's similarities. With what you know, there are the Fates—the Norns consisting of past, present, and future—the ones who weave the people's destiny. But with Strange's field of sorcery, it circles around the Infinity stones; as you've learned from him in your timeline. Plucking one stone out of the flow could result in millions to suffer which then creates the branch.

But in your case, the TVA, it's about the newborn realities that were... apparently unwanted. The dictation of how things should flow is always followed.

Although now, that's the system you and you're friends are trying to break. To renew. Just because of the absurdity of it all. One stray step from the paved path and it's all erased, letting everyone disappear from existence. And you have to thank your TVA friends for stopping that rule.

"Not necessarily..." you trail, downcasted.

"What do you mean not necessarily?" Strange looks at you pointedly, arms crossed. A disapproving sentience directed at you. "You say that's it's overloaded of branches. How is that not aligned to it being terribly diabolical?"

"TVA is different." you answer, holding his stare with certainty. "It's not a causality tied to just the stones, Doctor Strange. It's the causality of every living being."

"Just the stones?" he retorts. "This is about the Infinity stones. Capable of wiping a whole universe."

"I know. Hear me out, will you?" you stop yourself from letting out a frustrated sigh. Though, you almost miss the way he tensed up at how you addressed the most powerful might in the whole universe. You notice there's dread welling in him but he keeps it to himself with a determined look. "TVA wasn't exactly the best when it comes to 'protecting' the timelines. A fuse within the place caused some things to be questioned. The way of things were questioned. Then chaos ensued and the people that I know... who are there—right in this moment—are trying to save the timelines.

You glued your eyes unto him. "The branches aren't suffering, Doctor. They're new realities with living people, writing their own stories." you trail off the last lines.

Your words hung in the air. Silence has never been this loud before but you let him take the time to decide his next words. If you didn't pay much close attention, you could've missed the shift of his stern demeanor to a faint gentleness.

"Are you a variant?" he asks. "Before all of... the messed up timelines?"

For a moment, you froze. You could distinctively feel your chest tighten but you soon shrugged it off in a blink of an eye. "I am. Everyone in TVA is."

"But did you work for the TVA?"

"No." you plainly answered. "It's a very long story."

Something in his stare felt comforting yet enigmatic. At one glance, you'd see someone who's merely doing the job for their own benefit but you've long since started this conversation far enough to grasp what's likely and unlikely. You feel like there's no use hiding your troubles when he seems like he had already seen through you.

"It always is." he says.

You almost sink down on your sit, arms crossed as you avoided his calculating eyes.

"And it must be hard." he continued.

As much as it kept pinching your heart hearing it, you ignore his comments. Whatever it takes.

You sat there, withdrawn compared to before. The refusal that you were showing using silence made you look like a child, having a conversation with their parent for being caught in an unacceptable act. And nor should you want to reveal anything beyond what's he's headed unto. That is your lone past, your burden to carry, to remember. Now, what you aim is to create a new future entangled with the people you've met. That's all that matters.

You keep telling yourself that. Like you're trying to forget every bit that came before you knew about TVA.

The less you remember, the less it can hurt you.

Strange waits in silence but you see him turn away, inhaling. Oddly, he bats an eye on a specific corner in the room but before you could imitate his actions, he continues once again. "If you say that the branches aren't suffering, what exactly is the problem?"

Quite thankful for the shift of questions, you answer. "The proper flow of time." you start. "The massive amount of timelines branching out of the Sacred Timeline leads to chaos. I could say there's a war coming but crucially? There won't even be a war when all of existence is currently set to fade away."

You feel his pointed glance on you and as you look up to him, you see the frown etching up his face. Maybe, you've also spotted a hint of horridness in his eyes.

You know you said it was not a good idea raining these information down to them but this is only Strange. One out of too many. And you trust him to be able to handle such truth.

But you also know he's still a person.

"It's..." you try to say. "I... but I still believe there's a way to save both ways. I just need to get back to the TVA."

His frown did not dissipate, but you see his shoulders slightly drop. "And by trying to use the Time stone, you hope that you might be able to work it out. Correct?"

"Yeah..." you trailed off. "I hope."

I'll take any chances. You think. Even if it's unlikely possible.

"If this doesn't succeed," you continue. "we might have to turn our plans towards technology. I believe Stark and Banner would be very helpful on that, don't you think?"

"You put too much faith on them when you're just a stranger in their eyes." he says, eyes drifting away before back at you. He still wants answers. "I believe you mentioned you fought with heroes. Can I assume the Avengers has something to do with that?"

"You can." you reply, lifting a briefly tight smile. "Your alternate selves aren't that different from the ones that I know of."

He cocks his head up at the information with a plain expression but you see a slight wonder eliciting in his eyes. You sense that he wanted to ask something more as he opened his mouth but he soon diverged on a different one. "How can our technology even reach the heights of what you require to achieve?"

You hesitatingly shrug. "I don't know much but I do know TVA is also managed through... some kind of technology. Maybe it's impossible and unheard of.... but it wouldn't hurt to try."

"A tech outside of time?" he raised a brow quizzically. You only shrugged again which only made him look quite confused. "That's going to be really complex."

"What can a sorcerer say?" you say as you earned a pointed look from him. Oh, he did not like that.

"I was once a man of science and I still am." he sternly says as he tries to hide his irritation. "You have no right to question my profession."

You were quite take aback as you blinked at the small outburst. You contained a laugh. "I meant myself, Doctor."

"Oh."

You gave him a faint lopsided grin but made no further step in rousing his mistake. He eyed you down as his irritation slowly dissipates into a softer glare. As if saying that you should shut your mouth.

No matter what universe he is in, he's still devilishly good at intimidation....not that he has intimidated me before tremendously...

You tell yourself.

You almost feel like somewhere out there, someone is laughing at your interrogation session.

"Right..." he slowly says then breathes. "I'm going to take your word for everything that you've told me. But if you want to use the sto-"

You we're already most intent on listening to what he has to say but oh, it seems like you've almost forgotten about one of your bodily and existentially issues once you felt the odd feeling of tight gripping within your guts. The nerves you felt while hearing his response catches up to you but in this manner, it twists your whole form.

You warped and deformed. Maybe some part of rousing your nervousness can be the trigger to time-slipping.

Though, you can certainly say you didn't miss this.

Once your body steadied, you opened your eyes.

And you met the luminescent light of green, blinding you for a few seconds before you registered the culprit of it all.

Strange stands back a few inches away from you compared to the last time he stood moments ago and what's also entirely new is the opened eye dangling upfront his chest.

The Eye of Agamotto.

Soon, you did notice the green rays of light was extending to your own form, hugging you with it's cool yet warm sensation. You think at first that the magic engulfing you felt so foreign because this is the first time you've interacted with a Time stone—but at the same time... it's not.

It wasn't foreign. No. It's just somehow.... bigger and... overpowering than how it usually feels.

How it usually feels...That can't be right.

But your eyes catch sight of Strange's face as your view gradually cleared. His hands stuck out with the same circular engravings you've always associated him with, but instead of a fiery orange hue, it was now gleaming in green.

"You okay?" he tries to assure, brows creasing.

You let the feeling sink in, exhaling. "I... I think so. What did you do?"

"I used the Time stone. As what you have wanted and what I was about to say." he answers, slowly lowering his hands. You see remnants of franticness on him. "But I actually have no idea what I did. Just casted it's powers on you."

You frown at him. "That's not very reassuring."

"Well, you asked for it." he jested, but his expression lightly softens. "You don't feel any different, do you?"

"I believe not..." you say, stretching your fingers, cranking your neck and checking for any anomalies that may have occurred to your physique. "I am... fine."

"Let's hope that does the magic. I don't particularly know how the TVA works or anything out there when confronted with magic but..." he explains, giving you a knowing look. "..it wouldn't hurt to try. At least it didn't hurt, did it?"

You eye him gently as you shake your head and you catch the distinct break of his gaze to a calmer one.

You feel anew.

You don't look different but you certainly feel lighter as the magic of the stone courses through you. It doesn't affect you in a way how the Time stone manipulates time, but in a way that just...holds you together. But for how long? This could only be temporary and you have no qualms with that, but the fact that this very stone can be effective and useful for the TVA, brings a sense of hope to you. Magic may be nullified in that place but exterior to that, the Time stone could be boundless when used to get there.

You really hate magic nullification.

But that's just speculation. Only actions can prove it.

"What we're you going to say again?" you asked him, quite disoriented.

Strange blinks. He then recalls to his previous sentence, shaking his mind off to focus back on his point. "As I was saying, I will be the only one using the Time stone. And well, that's been done. But the next attempt at using it, you tell me and I'll help." he was back yet again at his stern mannerisms but this time, he seems more...friendly? "Understood?"

You almost mindlessly nod but you tethered yourself up to a clear nod. Before you could say something else, he speaks up, slowly looming before you.

"And I haven't fully given my trust to you. I don't wanna keep threatening you for that but....betray us and you have the whole Avengers' team for an enemy." he stands back with a content expression, almost giddy-like. "Hope that's about clear."

Believe me, you say to yourself. I wouldn't dare.

One thing for sure, you're just glad that he agreed to help you.

After you gave Strange your thanks, a genuine one at that, he replies it with an equally genuine nod...

Then sends you back in your blinding cell.

Thankfully, this time he didn't opened a portal below you to fall in but heeded your previous word of preference. Though, you admit that it's still uncomfortable on your part to experience the shifting of environment once again.

At this point, you'd think that you may have earned the right to be free, out and about from your irritatingly bright cell, but it seems like the Avengers are tough to convince when they suspect you as some kind of an enemy. To give it thought, that is understandable. Yet, it cannot be help to feel some sort of annoyance towards it.

The vast space of the cell seems to mock you of out of the comfort that you once knew. You honestly preferred the brightly lit orange office that the TVA emanates. Even the bustling time analysts rushing in different directions across the place breathes you a little bit of life.

There's the kindness and assurances of Mobius.

O.B.'s chirpy smile after saying something absurd.

B-15's gentle heart whenever she explains the worth of those branches.

Some sort of joke Casey doesn't seem to be able to comprehend.

The look Sylvie gave you when you told your tale of escape from the past TVA. And as your disbelief hindered you speechless after knowing who she really is.

And Loki.

How one look of him for the first time after you we're captured, broke your heart into a bittersweet mourning.

Not that he died in your timeline. Well, at least you almost thought he did.

But to be ripped out of that reality and then wipe it off of existence is like losing everything you have ever loved. As if a world just died with no remnants nor echo to prove the wonders of that life. Which is, unfortunately, the case.

Except, only for you alone to witness it.

It's no different when compared to death. B-15 knew that.

The Loki that you met in the TVA may not be the one that you knew, but it was still quite hopeful for you to see that maybe not everything was lost. Maybe you can still belong somewhere. Or see your old friends and family again. Even if at some point, it's bound to hurt you, to know that you're an anomaly, a displacement in every single universe that you'll end up in.

To feel like an imposter.

But the cast of friends you made with Mobius and the others gratified you somehow. And you're not ready to let that go. You want to help fix the TVA then after that....perhaps you can decide your next steps.

Breathing in, your thoughts speak. Look ahead, fool. You'll fare well without those memories. Starting all over again can't be that awful...

You berate yourself albeit hesitantly.

Though, is it really worth forgetting everything you've come to cherish? There's a feeling that tells you, yes, your inner turmoil would not exist no more if you'll just forget those moments in your timeline. But you know that's not what you want. And you also know the aching pain of loss is truly unwanted for anyone, yet you feel inhumane to choose not to feel that.

What does it matter?

You can't help but drift your eyes in a moment of daze as you unconsciously fly your fingers to your other hand, caressing the ring that sits there. You then bring your eyes down to it.

It looked simple yet...enriched. Just like how Asgardians do very much love their golden treasures and land, your ring was no different. Though what makes it special is it's carved runes rounding the accessory to which it bestows it's means of definition to bind.

They call it the Asgardian Betrothal ring.

The name says it all. But besides that, another memory catches up to you when you're brought to look upon your halved severed finger to where your ring lays. Unusual it is, but you've grown used to it's sight and the remembrance it leaves on your heart is clear as the day. You thought at first you could not bear the bizarre feeling of a missing finger, but time proves you lesser so.

Because it does look quite cool, as what Midgardians would say.

Nonetheless, the might to have experience the cause of it stems deeply in your mind.

The Dark Elves did truly ensure that.

As you trace your fingers against the ring, you can't help but think how good of a combination a severed finger and a ring could be together. It sounds absurd, you admit. Especially when it kind of metaphorically shows how your supposed marriage have been cut short—like your finger.

An omen you don't want to think too much even as though your situation have gotten worse, more or so than it predicted.

My Norns, you think. do you even exist? Or is this just punishment?

Your face fell into a deep pained frown.

Loki was your fiancé.

Your Loki that withered away because of the TVA.

Your marriage with him had pended for a long while for various reasons. You can't say royal courts have no squabbles at all because that would be unreal. And as a daughter in court, you've learned your fair share of duty that comes with it. But when you say royal court, that mainly involves the royal family.

And Loki's folks doesn't have the simplest of all families, but contrary to that.

It didn't bother you both much for your betrothal was never stemmed from your hearts. It was only a matter of arrangement on the All-father's part. He only asked of you to perform a duty for the realm and for Loki to be the second prince that he is.

Or so you thought.

Though, people know it themselves of each and everyone's reputation in the royal palace, they see Loki as an outcast among them but that didn't deter you to form a some sort of....acquaintanceship with him.

And there's no possible in Hel you would admit to yourself that he didn't became dear to you.

It has come far more than that.

Which then spelt your doom.

Luckily, no more time-slipping for you.

At least in the last few hour or so. It seems like the Time stone proved you well of it's abilities—for the most part.

You just don't want to assume.

As you busied yourself conjuring a dozen projection of tiny floating petals by your palm, dancing along the illusion of a wind, a few heavy steps interrupt you. You crane your neck to see the three men that entered the area, standing just right behind your cell barrier. You see Doctor Strange, Bruce and Tony.

You lightly frown.

They look like they have so much to say. Am I in trouble?

Bruce opens his mouth to speak but Tony butts in. "Hey, congrats, you're free." he then smiles at you and slides it down quickly to an unamused look. "Mister wizard here says you're worth the shot to help, though I disagree since, well- everything you we're saying sounded like a lot of bullshit-"

"Tony, hey." Bruce cuts in, giving him a disappointed sigh. "We talked about this."

You raised a brow. 'you we're saying'?

"I know, I know." he surprisingly says as he waved his hand off to Bruce to let him talk. "Let me finish this. Like I said—bullshit. But," he paused for awhile, eyeing you in seriousness. You don't miss the hesitation lingering in his expression. "the dangers you claim sounds a lot of a big deal than whatever we've known so far and I don't take lightly in trusting some....Time Pasta from out of nowhere. But it seems like you've got admirers in the team and they outnumber me. Which is dumb by the way."

You see Strange roll his eyes beside him. Though, you somewhat feel relieved to hear that the majority of the Avengers favor you well enough to help. You don't really mind the small distrust for now but at least—like Strange apparently said—you're worth the shot to help.

"So you're..." Tony continues as he taps a few times on his...bracelet? And then looks up to you with a swipe of his finger towards your barrier. In less than a second, it completely dissipates in little pixels, the whole wall gone right before you. "a free woman. And yes, don't try anything fishy or....'you have the whole Avengers' team for an enemy.'"

"Okay, that's it." Strange gives Tony a stern look.

But Tony stays his eyes on you. "You're lucky Bleecker Street Magician vouched for you."

"Hold on." you halt them, frown deepening. "You we're watching our interrogation?"

Strange turns to you. "Trust me, they insisted."

"You could've at least told me." you retorted. You we're quite upset but you guess it's better they see the whole clear picture of your story rather than just planting suspicions on your motives and existence.

The sorcerer gives you an apologetic look.

"Oh, how can we not pry? You we're the suspicious one who came out of literal nowhere." Tony gives you a satire grin.

Fair point. At this point, would it be bad if they knew? Probably. You don't learn these things in your daily life even if you're a superhuman who can do magic or a genius in an iron clad suit. But then, they seem to be taking it quite well.

You think.

You exasperatedly sigh "Fine. I get it."

"Good." he replies then eyes you intently while he pulls something out of his blazer. You wait to see what it is and you see a tiny speck of something red between his fingers as he stretches it out to you. "Gummy bear?" you stilled and only eyed it suspiciously but you quirk up an amused brow. "No? Yeah, well, have it your way." and he eats it himself.

Of course he offers snacks whenever you least expect it. your mind speaks. A feature of every Tony Stark, I suppose.

Maybe it's also a good sign he's offering you so.

You glance amongst them for a few seconds before you can step out and down from your acquainted cell that you will never miss. Any left cautiousness you saw from them when you first appeared have leveled down just a bit. That heightens you down to an ease. You want them to know that you can be truly trusted so you walk patiently as you observed them.

Now that you've crossed out, Strange speaks up. "How's your time-slipping? I doubt people wouldn't get scared of you if every passing second your body's ripping apart."

"Yeah that," Bruce joins in with a concerning glance. "it really- it looks horrible. You're like...a walking horror movie."

You don't know if you should be offended or be guilty to have made people feel that way but you blink away. Whatever a 'horror movie' is. You just let out an 'Oh' as you turn to answer Strange's question. "But yes, I think it's working."

The said man sags his shoulders down in relief. "That settles that for now then. In the meantime, I need to go back." Strange turns around and opens a portal to somewhere you can't quite recognize.

"Where are you going?" you crease your brows at his leaving figure. "What about our deal and plan?"

He stops and looks back to you, exhaling. "We can start tomorrow. Surely, you've had a very long day."

You softened your gaze. He's right. Was it even day or night? You've been everywhere and moving from place to place before you came. Then, questions thrown for you to answer. Maybe a rest should do you good.

Strange sees your ease and receives the message, giving you a single comforting nod. He then finally enters the portal as it closes to a speck of dot.

You're glad that he's warming up to you even if just a bit.

You're now left with the two genius scientists with Tony picking up the lead to say something. "And that's also my queue to leave." he looks at you. "Also, Bruce is right. You're not just a walking 'horror movie'—you're a walking 'Horror Time Pasta Movie' so you won't be going anywhere without supervision. Who knows what else is happening to you."

You have no idea what you're hearing. But you make it a point to tell him that you have a name.

"Yeah, you-who-whatsoever. You're still Time Pasta for me." he says with a fake smile then turns around to head for the door. "Remember, you're being watched around here!"

You don't doubt you are. A 'free woman' he says. Now my whole prison is just the entirety of this building.

You could always magic your way out but where would you go? And it isn't worth the risk when their trust relies on that terrible decision. You just need to find a way back to the time organization that you realize you've been quite obsessing over now.

You shrug it off. You need to lay down and rest.

That's also when Bruce speaks up. "Don't mind Tony. He's always like that and he still has a good heart." your eyes snap to him as he walks towards the door. He gestures for you to follow as you complied. There's a hesitation in his tone as he continued. "I did hear that you we're allies with us in your timeline, so you probably know how he is. Unless, maybe, he's more of a jerk there..." he turns to you with an apologetic look.

You chuckled. "Well, nothing's particularly changed I supposed. We're usually more on good terms." you eyed him kindly.

He huffed. "Wait, really?" you nodded.

He started to ask questions about multiverses. He gets so expressive with his reactions when he hears something so different and unexpected. But he also mentions a bit about Thor and Loki.

"Thor warmed up to you so easily." he says. "I mean, he could be biased because you're one of his people but I guess that works well for you. He really tried talking it out to them on your behalf."

Your heart softens at that. And you don't know what to think. There's that lightheartedness washing through you and you miss the feeling.

He then continues. "Even Loki acted different."

You dart up to him. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, like," he starts. "he's actually willing to side with you—which he doesn't usually does with anyone. Especially when you just came here this morning."

Oh, you echo in your head. it's only been that long?

But you go back to his words. "Loki is?"

"Yeah," he looks to you. "you're close with him? With his- what do you call it again? Va- Variant?"

You inhale. "Variant, yes. But no, you call them Variants if-" you pause, not wanting to ramble more about the TVA and anything about it. You've said enough relating to that topic and you don't think you can handle more mentions of its complexity.

Seriously, it's tiring.

"Nevermind." you defeatedly sigh as you gave him an apologetic look. "Yes, I know...Loki."

He seems to notice your tiredness and hesitation. You try your best to bring up a smile but it just became strained.

If Bruce ever saw your sadness, he didn't mention it.

You skim back to what he said about Loki. You can't deny that it's odd that he would side with you in this circumstances considering that your interactions so far where not quite good. But at the same time, it gives you a sense of warmth to know that he would.

Though, you don't want to delude yourself further if this escalates differently.

As you tagged behind him, which soon changed with you walking side by side, you take a moment to survey the halls you we're passing by. It was increasingly different than you expected. But as you walked further, the scene shifts to a few turns, then stairs as you go up and finally catch sight of the glass paned walls that lets you see the vast fields outside of the compound. Though, only a few specks of lights we're radiating the field so you don't see much because it is night time.

You hear the faint voices and steps of Tony right ahead but you don't see him. It gets closer and closer as the echo surrounds the place as you lastly hear cusses like 'shit' or 'dammit' that slowly fades away into silence.

It seems like he already left.

You realized you actually don't know where Bruce is leading you, so you ask. "Where are we going exactly?"

"Oh yeah, my bad." he replies apologetically. "Tony wanted me to show you to your room. And don't worry, this time it isn't a prison."

You somewhat light up at that.

You then stare at Bruce whose slightly ahead of you now. You think that maybe you should thank him for...well, almost and kind of, for siding with you during the previous arguments. He's always been such a kindhearted soul to everyone including you, and you guess he always will be.

"Thank you," you suddenly say. He shifts his attention to you in wonder. "for putting up with me."

His brows lift up and he softly smiles. "Don't mention it."

After you had bid your farewells with Bruce and with you being able to settle in your new room, you take everything in.

He was right. Not a prison.

Everything looks normal and comfortable but also too sophisticated than you preferred. But nonetheless, you'll do away with it because you can't afford to be fussy over little things.

The bed was made up with white blankets and pillows. A few Midgardian necessities on a vanity just across the bed. Then a door that probably leads to the bathing quarters along with a massive wardrobe that you will unlikely need and a seating area just right where you entered. It's fairly big but it honestly cannot contend compared to Asgard's chambers.

"Then again," you mutter to yourself. "this isn't a royal palace."

As you surveyed more for awhile, your sight catches the wide windows that behold the scene outside. This time, you see everything clearly as the moon rays illuminates the night and you stand there for a moment basking in the serene view.

It's calm, you thought. yet there's a storm coming.

You just revel for awhile in the moment as your previous tiredness sinks in. You've ran enough. It's time for you to settle, even just this once.

But before you could turn around to head in bed, you hear someone mutter your name with frantic breaths just a few feet from behind. And as you panicked to hear someone else in your room, you look back to see...nothing.

No one.

Have I gone mad? you frantically think.

But you heard it clear as day.

You heard Loki call for you.

Previous chapter: (Chapter 2)

Next chapter: (Chapter 4)

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#loki #loki season 2 #female reader #loki x reader #tva #tva loki x reader #mcu #marvel #marvel loki #marvel cinematic universe #time variance authority #the avengers #avengers #loki fanfic #loki laufeyson #loki odinson #time slipping #loki series #loki s2 #loki season two #tom hiddleston

[riisume]

Valentine's Day (Genshin Impact) Ler!Kazuha, Lee!Scaramouche/Wanderer

Summary: The former Sixth Fatui Harbinger has something he wants to tell Kazuha, but he's struggling. Kazuha gets an idea that might help encourage him to talk A/N: I wanted to have this done on Valentine's Day, but I got super busy- This is my first fic in a very long time and I kinda rushed the ending, so it's probably not the best, but I'm still pretty happy with how it came out given the situation! Happy (late) Valentine's day!

Also in this fic, Scara's never been tickled before up until this point, so it's new for him. Word Count: 1,184

There was an awkward silence. Kazuha couldn’t help but blink curiously as the former Sixth Fatui Harbinger stood before him, red-faced and struggling to say… Whatever he was trying to say. The blond vagrant knew the Wanderer to be the type to have a sharp tongue and speak his mind unabashedly. Kazuha always appreciated that about him, which left him all the more intrigued by this foreign behavior. A soft smile would touch the samurai’s lips when the Wanderer’s gaze fell upon him for the briefest of moments, only for it to gradually grow warmer every time those indigo irises would meet Kazuha’s ruby ones. A scowl only deepened on the Wanderer’s features. “Perhaps it would be easier for you to take some time and think over what it is you’d like to tell me?” Kazuha suggested, gently. The response he received was sharp; “NO!” the Wanderer caught himself a bit too late, tipping his hat over his eyes to avoid Kazuha’s startled look. “...No. I have to do this now.” It was Valentine's day. The Wanderer had learned about the tradition of asking someone you admire or care about to be your valentine back in his days as the Kabukimono. At the time, the opportunity never struck him to try it himself, nor did it interest him any time after that. Until now. He didn’t understand why he felt the way he did around Kazuha; Comfortable and safe. He didn’t understand why he would feel a swarm of butterflies violently fluttering around in his stomach whenever the samurai would smile in his direction or pepper him with kind words. It was hard to be cold towards someone who was being indiscriminately kind towards him, a mere puppet who has caused so much pain for people, especially those of Inazuma. It was excruciating. Stupid. Pathetic. A puppet shouldn’t be feeling things like this… Yet, here he was. Kazuha was patient. He didn’t want to rush the process, but it was clear that his fellow drifter might need a bit of a gentle push. Putting a couple of his fingers to his chin, Kazuha pondered; What would be an acceptable way to coax out the information? After a few moments of sorting through a mental checklist, an idea came to him; He could try tickling it out of him… Kazuha wasn’t even sure if the other was ticklish or how he would react to it, but it was one of the more gentle ways to get the Wanderer to talk while potentially getting him out of his head. That could work. The former Harbinger noticed Kazuha begin to step towards him. He lifted his gaze, an inquisitive look washing over his features. The samurai vagrant wore a warm smile as he started to circle behind his puzzled associate, arms innocently posed behind his back. The Wanderer’s brow furrowed. He peered over his shoulder. “What are you…” He trailed off. Before the blue-clad man could inquire further and turn around, he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind, almost like an embrace. The Wanderer felt a lurching sensation in his chest. He felt the heat rise in his cheeks and the horde of fluttering in his stomach. What did he do? Place his hands on Kazuha’s? Stay frozen like a deer in headlights? The puppet’s question would soon be answered when he felt the Inazuman’s fingers gently nudging and probing into his midriff. A foreign, tingly feeling caused the Wanderer to start shying away from the curious fingers. He opened his mouth to retort. “GH- Wahait-” Why was he overcome with the uncontrollable desire to giggle? “What are you- Hehah- doing!?” “Ah, so you are ticklish! That’s good information to know…” Ticklish? “You appeared to be distressed. I figured a little… Fun encouragement could’ve been the push you needed to tell me what you wanted to. So, if you want me to stop, just tell me what you’ve been struggling to say.” Kazuha’s fingers danced around to the other’s sides, tweaking and squeezing the tender area, causing him to practically leap out of his skin. “GAHAH-! K-Kazuhahahaaa-” “Oh? Does someone have ticklish sides?” The samurai couldn’t help but giggle, too. He was clearly amused. “Ngh-! Sh-shuhut- GAHAH-!”

The Wanderer was still confused as to why these gentle touches were evoking such a reaction from him. He completely didn’t hate it, but it sure was embarrassing. No matter how hard he tried to choke back his giggles and guffaws, they’d just keep spilling past his lips. The desire to crumple and curl up was overwhelming. The best the former Harbinger could do was try to shield himself from the samurai’s probing, tickling fingers, but it was to no avail. Kazuha was too dexterous and swift. Wherever the Wanderer’s hands went to defend, the vagrant’s slender fingers would find a new, unprotected area to scribble and squeeze away at.

Digits trailed down to the puppet’s hips, gently pressing and rubbing into his hip’s hollow. The Wanderer practically bucked in response in a desperate attempt to writhe away. It almost worked, but Kazuha’s fingers were quickly back to their ticklish assault. Even though he was being so gentle, it tickled so, so much.

“AHAH-! O-Okay- OKAHAHAY! I’ll tehehell you!” The Wanderer sputtered, his face practically glowing a bright red. A pleased chuckle resonated from the drifter behind him as the tickling slowly came to a stop… Though, Kazuha’s hands stayed positioned on his ticklish associate’s hips, just in case. The Wanderer’s laughter died down in turn, leaving him lightly panting to catch his breath.

The former Harbinger was grateful that Kazuha was still behind him. Perhaps not being able to see the other’s face would make this easier on him.

“I-I… I guess I wanted to ask if you’d… Be my Valentine.” The Wanderer was practically muttering under his breath. A surprised look crossed Kazuha’s features. Of all the things he was expecting, it wasn’t that. In truth, he’d forgotten that day was today. “You don’t have to accept-” The puppet spoke up after a moment of silence. “It’s a foolish holiday, I shouldn’t even have-” The familiar embrace from behind returned, this time, with the vagrant resting his chin on the Wanderer’s shoulder.

“No, no. I was just surprised, is all.” Kazuha was always soft-spoken, but his tone sounded more tender than usual. He couldn’t help but giggle. “I’d gladly be your Valentine, dear. Truthfully, I haven’t had one in a very, very long time. It would be a nice change of pace.” A wave of relief washed over the Wanderer and an unfamiliar feeling swelled in his chest. Something akin to happiness. Kazuha gave his newly acquired valentine a quick squeeze before taking his hand. The warm smile that graced his features as he looked over to his fellow Anemo user sent the butterflies in the Wanderer’s stomach rampant. “Come, let’s take a walk and take in the scenery. Perhaps talk, as well, if you’re up for it.”

With a faint, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips, the Wanderer nodded. “...Sure.”

#my fics #ler!kazuha #lee!scaramouche #genshin impact #genshin tickle #kazuscara #tickle fic #i really like kazuscara so I wanted to use them for my first fic!! #tickling

[justanotherranboofannow]

I struggle with alexithymia and that interferes with my ability to handle conflict successfully. I know that communicating my perspective is important and I try very hard to do so, but I often don’t end up doing so In The Moment during a conversation. This leads to me not realizing when I am experiencing an emotion or some other inner experience that I later learn should have been communicated to the person I am having conflict with. I have learned through past experiences that part of why this happens to me is because I have too much internal and external stimuli to process.

Internal: bodily sensations, the literal experience of having Thoughts, having to sort out those thoughts, figuring out how to best word them out loud before I say them as I simultaneously try to hold on to what the other person is 1) might currently be thinking/reacting to the current situation and 2) what they might be thinking/reacting next as a result to whatever I am about to say.

External: The other person’s body language (trying to decode it distracts me from the internal stuff going on), the awareness that I am being Looked At and that the person is having some type of Thoughts about me, the physical distance between me and Person, whether my own body language and voice/tone is Being Appropriate/Understood Enough, completely irrelevant stimuli like other noises going on around me, knowing that Time is passing and worrying about how it’s being used/if I am wasting Other Person’s time

I’m having issues at my job because of this and it’s causing a lot of stress for me, which is causing symptoms of my chronic health conditions to flare up much more often. Which is also affecting my job performance 😞☹️

I’m really struggling to come up with a solution by myself because there’s just so much information to think about and mentally hold onto/consider. I can’t help but think in an extremely detailed way and that makes me frustrated and overwhelmed easily because I’m intellectually aware that not every single detail is important enough to address, but that doesn’t seem to be enough for whatever part of my brain that deals with problem-solving in order to successfully resolve my blind spots during social situations.

#neurodivergent #autism #adhd #alexithymia #actually chronically ill #actually disabled

[actress4him]

Querencia 15 - Park Day

The enthusiastic response I got on the last piece I posted helped motivate me to keep going! This is the actual chronologically next chapter, coming in a month or two after Mind Control. Enjoy!

Taglist: @darthsutrich , @inky-whump , @painful-pooch , @pigeonwhumps , @bookworm2107

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Contains: referenced mind control, referenced parental abandonment, fear of abandonment, broken bone, a couple more warnings in the tags to avoid spoilers here

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Things have been fairly normal since the whole “supervillain getting in Jamil’s head and making him attack everyone” incident. Dagger is still a near-weekly problem, along with Meltdown and whoever else he happens to be hanging out with at the moment. Other villains come and go, too, some low-level Supers like Reaper and Gibbous, along with non-Super nuisances that the team does their best to curb, too - bank robbers and muggers and kidnappers and such.

No one has heard anything from or about Luna. Then again, no one had heard of her before the incident, either. Which means she’s probably still out there, and could very well be biding her time until she can strike again. None of them ever really talk about her, but Liliana can feel anxiety hanging in the air that wasn’t there before, especially on poor Jamil’s part.

Luna knows exactly where they live, what they look like without their masks on. Probably knows their names and where they work, thanks to rummaging through Jamil’s brain. So not only could she easily return, but she could also tell others the information she learned. They don’t know who she might be associated with. They managed to pin down Reaper one day and quiz him about her and any other new villains in town, but he was less than helpful on the subject.

Even if they could track her down and catch her, Liliana has learned from snippets of conversation that they really have nothing to do with her. It’s something she’s never thought of before, but one reason that there are still so many supervillains around is that there’s no way to arrest them. The government likely could detain them, but no one trusts that it would be humane or that the heroes wouldn’t also be captured in the process of trying to hand them over. Just the thought of the government locking them up makes Liliana sick to her stomach, villains or not.

Normal jails can’t handle them. Normal courtrooms can’t, either, in order to convict them to send them to jail. And no hero wants to be in charge of locking them away themselves, even if they did have the space and technology.

So all they can do for now is damage control, really. Try to stop their crimes as often as they can, try to disrupt whatever plans they have. She doesn’t envy the team their jobs. Between supervillains, regular criminals, and their day jobs, they’re constantly busy.

Every other Saturday, though, after everyone who’s working gets home, they make it a point to go do something together. Since Liliana’s been with them they’ve seen a couple of movies, gone to an arcade, had a picnic, gone to the mall, and eaten out at restaurants a few times. Every experience is a huge deal for her, though she tries to make light of the awe she feels. It’s just been so long since she’s done such normal, fun things. Sometimes she feels like she’s watching someone else’s life.

Today, they’re at the city park. No one can remember whose idea it was to start with, but “the children” - as Quinn likes to fondly dub Nari, Alex, and Jamil - went crazy over the thought of playing on the playground, so here they are. It’s late enough that all of the actual children have gone home. Jamil is trying out every slide, while Quinn judges Nari and Alex in a series of competitions on the monkey bars. Liliana watches everyone from the side, a small smile on her face, but every once in a while she glances over at the empty swings.

Swinging used to be her favorite. Especially on park or school swings like these, with the long chains that could take you so high you felt like you were flying. She and Mila used to see who could go the highest, and try to swing themselves right over the top bar.

It feels silly and childish now. She can’t swing herself right now, anyway. She healed another broken rib - on Nari this time - earlier this week, just a couple of weeks after the pain from Alex’s had finally faded. So there’s no way that she can pump the chains on a swing.

Still…she could just sit in one. That won’t hurt anything. Glancing over at the chin-up contest again, she makes her way over and settles into the plastic seat, gloved hands gripping the chains loosely. Her toes just barely reach the ground, giving her enough leverage that she can give herself a little push. The swing rocks gently. Liliana watches her sneakers as they brush across the dirt, back and forth. She pushes again and swings a little more. Such a simple motion, but it brings so many childhood memories flooding into her mind.

“May I give you a push?”

The sudden question makes her jump and look back over her shoulder, though she recognizes the voice. Jamil is standing behind her with a smile on his face, cheeks flushed from his adventures down the slides.

“Oh, um…y-you don’t have to, I’m…I’m fine.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I’d like to, if you’d like to swing. If not, I’ll leave you be!”

Now her mind is at war. She automatically wants to say no, not wanting to inconvenience him or make him do things for her.

She also really, really wants to swing.

Somehow, without her actually deciding what to say, “Sure?” slips out.

“Alright, hang on!”

Suddenly, she’s flying through the air, and it’s exactly how she remembers it. Colors rush by as the wind blows her curls back off her shoulders, then tangles them around her cheeks again. She grabs onto the chains tighter. Her legs automatically fall into a pumping motion, toes pointing out at the horizon, her eyes bright with exhilaration.

Yes, it pulls at her rib a bit. But she finds she doesn’t really care.

She’s been swinging for a few minutes, oblivious to anything else around her, when another voice breaks in. “Hold on tight, I’m coming through!” A set of hands grab the swing by her hips and shove forward, higher and faster until she’s sure she actually is going to go over the top bar, or more likely, fall out the back of the swing. She squeals in shock, though this sensation is familiar, too. Then she’s dropped abruptly, her stomach following the motion, the swing’s momentum twisting it back and forth as it reaches the bottom again.

Alex is turned around watching her, laughing. He’d come up from behind and grabbed the swing, running all the way underneath it.

Her brother used to do the very same thing, back when she was small enough he could lift her.

“Did I scare you?”

“A, a little.” She’s smiling, though. She can’t help it, even with the pain in her side and the melancholy of missing what used to be.

These people…they treat her like a family should. Better than her family ever did, though she feels like a traitor for thinking it.

She shouldn’t fall for it. If her real family taught her anything, it’s that what seems like love and care won’t last and can’t be trusted. If her own flesh and blood eventually turned on her, then she can’t expect people who were strangers a few months ago to be any different.

But right now, she’s shoving those thoughts deep, deep down. She can worry about all of that later. Right now, for once, she’s going to let herself enjoy the moment.

Nari is shoving and punching Alex and playfully fussing at him for scaring Liliana, and Jamil has jumped up on the swing next to her, standing on one foot and pumping with his arms. She doesn’t move from her spot, just keeps smiling and watching their antics. They’re so full of life and joy, even with the stress they constantly face.

Before long Quinn takes up Jamil’s position without a word, and she’s swinging again. Alex and Jamil balance on the seesaw, attempting circus tricks, screaming like girls when Nari uses her power to make the metal move beneath them, which sends her into fits of laughter.

It’s late when they finally pile into Quinn’s car to head back to HQ. Everyone is tired in a contented way. Alex leans the passenger seat back practically into Nari’s lap, claiming he’s going to take a nap, while she kicks his headrest repeatedly and threatens him. Quinn clears his throat loudly, though, and quiet falls to let him focus and not overwhelm him with sound in the small space.

Liliana leans her head back and watches the moon out the sunroof. Her hands are tucked between her knees to keep her arms from brushing up against Jamil and Nari, who each lean into their respective doors to give her more space. It’s…peaceful. She’s pretty sure she hears someone snoring. She could fall asleep, too, honestly, which is surprising for her since she doesn’t usually feel comfortable sleeping unless she’s alone.

The motion of the car does lull her into a near-dozing state. Her eyes are closed and she’s absentmindedly trying to picture which turn they’re taking when someone gasps and the car suddenly jerks to one side. Liliana’s eyes fly open and she sits up abruptly. There’s a bump and a loud popping and hissing sound, then the car is swerving uncontrollably, headlights sweeping back and forth across the empty road.

The seconds seem to pass in slow motion. Her hands are gripping the seats in front of her, eyes fixated out the front windshield. A cacophony of screams and shouted words fill the car as the steeply sloped side of the road looms in front of them, cutting off abruptly as they tip over the side and begin to fall.

Gravity inverts, and for a moment she’s weightless before being slammed back down. Her temple smashes into something hard and unyielding. Images are swimming through the darkness around her - a cracked window, slumped figures. A beam of light making her wince and turn away.

Someone groans. The car shakes as a door is forced open.

“This one’s still awake.”

“Here, use the syringe.”

There’s movement around her, the click of seatbelts unbuckling too loud in her ears.

“Wait, why are there five?”

“What?”

“This one, who is she? She’s not one of the usuals, is she?”

“Doesn’t matter, just grab her.”

Something is very, very wrong, but she can’t make her body work to do anything about it. The darkness outside is creeping closer inward. She feels her seatbelt loosen and a pair of hands latch onto her, but the darkness closes in completely before she can protest.

#querencia #liliana the healer #quinn the leader #nari the hero #alex the hero #jamil the hero #lady whump #lady whumpee #broken ribs #referenced parental abandonment #fear of abandonment #referenced mind control #car crash #kidnapping #urban fantasy #superheroes #heroes and villains #whump writing #whump series

[anon-bunny]

I love your work! Do you happen to have any tips for artists looking to get into digital art using procreate?

Sure! I absolutely love using procreate. For whatever reason it’s considered a lowbrow art tool by major studios and companies??? But I can do pretty much anything I’d want to do in Photoshop in Procreate at a fraction of the cost. Plus working on an iPad means portability— If I want to draw in the car, on a plane, in a cafe, etc. I totally can. Glad to see more people are getting into using it! 💖 Alright, onto some tips.

The best way I can think to give tips is leading by example and offering points of reference through my own work and process. If you have follow up questions or are looking for something specific definitely send them my way. ✨😊✨

1. Know Yourself; Know Your Art Style

Whether you’re a long time digital artist or a traditional artist porting over to the digital medium it’s very important to know your work, your strengths, and your personal style. For example, I was very much a traditional artist who delved into digital artwork to keep up with career demands. For a LONG time there was stylistic dissonance between how I drew on paper and how I drew on SAI (the desktop paint tool where I got my start) because what I was subconsciously doing was keeping my style to myself traditionally and just mimicking the artwork I saw online when trying to make digital art.

Here are two pieces I made back in 2018, one traditional and one digital. They're both nice pieces, but if someone was asked which one was definitively one of my pieces they're much more likely to say the traditional piece because it's consistent with my style: limited colors, lineart heavy, etc. I kept trying to divorce from my traditional style when what I should have been doing was taking the extra time to learn how to do what I could already do traditionally in a digital program.

It's especially important to know your style and practice maintaining it regardless of media because the next tip is

2. Invest Time In Watching Others

In nearly every hobby, profession, skill, or interest one of the best ways to hone your craft is to see how other people do it. Hozier said in a recent interview when he's not writing or performing his music he's listening to someone else's music. It's very important to our ability to learn to see how a task can be done to help influence how we ultimately do it. I of course do not mean try to copy someone else's work, which was something I had to learn the hard way when I was starting out in digital art. One of the things I frequently did early on was tried to copy someone's painting technique as closely as I could which resulted in some less-than-inspiring artwork that didn't look much like my usual body of work.

Which is again, something that is easily prevented by just knowing your style.

Some places I go when looking to see how other people draw are YouTube, Tiktok, Artbooks, and Pinterest. Youtube and Tiktok are fabulous sharing platforms usually dealing in quick media where a single search for "procreate" or "speedpaint" yields THOUSANDS of results. Artbooks require a little more financial dedication, but they're great visual references that frequently come with some kind of tutorial in them. Some in my personal collection are Gothic Lolita Punk, Japanese Comickers, and The Complete Masters of The Poster. And Pinterest is frequently painted as a digital piracy war zone, but searching "art tutorial" or "digital art techniques" yields lots and lots of valuable information.

I've been professionally illustrating since 2017 and I STILL go back to these points of reference to see how other people are drawing, painting, etc. Who knows? I may learn something new that takes my art one step further.

3. Explore Brushes!

There are literally Tens of Thousands of brushes that are available all across the internet and I highly recommend taking the time to search google for packs of them. For the first year or so of working with procreate I ONLY used the default brushes that came with the program and while the art was decent I definitely could have used more experimentation to make more cohesive pieces.

As of right now I use a Frankenstein pack of lining and painting brushes that are a mess of brushes I made myself, brushes I got in art packs I found on itch.io or etsy, and some default brushes I've heavily modified to match my style.

I highly recommend playing with brush settings, searching for new brushes, and trying literally every brush you come across to see if you can find a use for it.

I've mentioned it several times throughout but it deserves its own bullet point, so my final tip is

4. Don't Ever Be Afraid To Google It

No artist knows everything. No one who claims to be an expert on Procreate knows absolutely every function, every application, and every trick all on their own--- but between all of us you can find practically anything just by googling it.

I have found super specific pattern brushes, youtube tutorials for pattern creation, configurations for pressure sensitivity, ideas for color palette building, templates for sticker making-- whenever I personally can't figure out someone else likely knows what to do. That's what community is all about!

You are not beholden only to your personal knowledge, so remember google is your friend!

I hope this helped! I tried to pair down the tips as much as I could but I just love getting asked about how I draw. 💖 If you or anyone else reading this has any specific questions you're more than welcome to DM me or send another ask. 😊 Have fun! Good luck drawing!!!

#my asks #my art #how to #artists on tumblr #tutorials #art tips #art advice

[rielzero]

[Part 1] writing exercise. It's been six months since the elder brain was destroyed, Baldur's gate upper city district remained mostly damaged, and so efforts were focused on repairing essential structures. Walls, bridges, the removal of rubble, recovery of property and the continuous recording of newly discovered victims who had perished during the mind flayer invasion.

Not even the freshly obtained estate and manor had stayed spotless, a tower sliced in two, and bits and pieces from a nautiloid ship had crashed in the area. Removing the alien materials should be considered priority, if it wasn't for other pressing problems. Acquiring a title of lordship and changing the wallpaper was the first two tasks Astarion had focused on. Gathering information, lists, contacts, making plans wasn't easy even with the resources left behind by his former master. At the very least Ravengard's support proved useful in this time, so Astarion could reinstate documents for himself as a living citizen. Given he decided to go straight back into politics once everything was properly established.

Even after tearing off the old, filthy wallpaper from the walls which his very own blood had stained for many years, the stench and echo of Cazador Szarr ringed through his head. Whatever room he had for stress management, he put fully into destroying the marks Cazador left on this little plot of land. From using old family portraits for games of darts with daggers, burning old diaries as fireplace fuel, to demolishing old rooms and spaces and completely refurbishing them. Godey's room no longer existed, the dormitories were turned into a storage space while other rooms were combined and reshaped for different functions. Even the ball room had changed, now almost every room he used to be familiar with contained a window with sunray blocking mosaic glass. The project of changing the manor was definitely his favorite. And helped distract him... Even with all the room for ambition, he needed to make space for 200 years of suffering he had yet to process. Distractions were great, but things needed to be done too.

He had learned of the long ago untimely passing of his parents through Loki's teacher, ''The Undertaker'' Jerma, which allowed him to remember more things from his upbringing. The best places to buy furniture, for example. Which noble houses he had to watch out for.. And the typical word plays and word games he used to participate in. There were little things, little fragments, making their way back into his head after years of not being able to think of them. Yet again, sometimes, that only would make him remember the horrors more.

Astarion wasn't alone in this, he had his consort, Loki- Looking out for him. The once so rugged-looking half elf had a soft face nowadays. His features looked more lively after becoming a vampire. A picture he'd like to have painted himself, if only he recalled how to. The arts, the debauchery- The taverns.. Luxury, hearty meals, the echoes of parties and long halls. The joy. It was all waiting out there, no matter how much Astarion wished to rush back into the normalcy for it- He wasn't ready. That much he had accepted for the time being. 6 months is nothing to a vampire, let alone an elf. But it was a still a lot to Loki.

When Loki was turned, it was out of self-preservation, the reveal of his terminal state was a shock to everyone during the adventure. He sacrificed so much of his health to get everyone were they needed to be, caring little for the outcome of his own fate. Then, the ascension- The rush of power. Overwhelming, distracting. Had Astarion noticed too late, Loki would've died not soon after vanquishing the Gur. Not even withers could've brought him back if it were so. The memory had a lot of guilt attached to it, to the point the underground prison was left entirely untouched. Astarion had yet to return to the sights of gore, fallen foes and sacrifices alike. With the freshly hired servants, and additional spawn, this place was slowly becoming filled with life. He had no need for torture devices stored in the attic. Not yet. Everyone in his inner circle was loyal, and had their reasons to stay loyal. There was Vara, A tall, large dhamphir barbarian- Very lively and very loud. Her half brother Tamir- An half elf vampire spawn rogue who was turned by her father. Tamir was older than her, but turned when he was 19 against his will. Because of their differently sized silhouettes and height, Vara calls him little brother out of habit. The duo served as bodyguards mostly. While Tamir specialized in gathering information quietly, Vara was really good at beating things out of people. And of course- at obliterating threats effortlessly. Neither of these two were connected to the Szarr family, but visited on their own accord in search for permanent employment of sorts. Vara disliked being amongst mortals, mostly because of her background. But she also disliked most other vampires, which was easy to understand. A large majority of the vampire aristocracy was filled with self-indulgent and self-absorbed vampire lords who threw hissy fits at each other. ''It's like standing in a room with a bunch of angry cats.'' Is how she worded it. Other new notable servants included a tailor, head maid, book keeper, and cook. All of which were turned by Astarion. Loki had suggested to turn people similar in his position; People who wanted a second chance at life and weren't remotely interested in betrayal. People who preferred the comforts of a castle over the buzzling streets of Baldur's gate. Or people who had no chance of surviving their mortal lifespans. The tailor was a tiefling with a debilitating disease, slowly eating at his finer motor skills. He was dropped from his position as an apprentice when he stopped being able to hold a needle. One bite and two nights later, he was sewing together new garments with the energy and passion radiating off his hands. The head maid used to work in a tavern, a previous human who was very private of her old life. She used to be an alcoholic, but turned her live around up until her liver started giving up. Without easy access to a transplant and funds for surgery, she did not take long to accept Astarion's offer. The book keeper was a simple man, a dwarf who enjoyed archiving things, obsessed with reading and keeping track of numbers. He did his job well, very introverted, and took little effort to convince the offer of eternity. The cook was a half wood elf, a young man who'd come to baldur's gate to pursue a career. He lost all his money trying to invest in his start up business, with no luck and was scammed out of his belongings. He contemplated ending it all there, until Astarion turned him around. Now he happily invests all his time in what he loves most, the funds have only opened up more possibilities for the cook. Not formally employed, was an elven woman with long red hair who visited Astarion a month after he claimed his position. Her name was Mera, she was a vampire spawn created by Cazador unwittingly. The night of her death, Cazador apparently drunkingly drained her days after becoming lord. (to be continued)

#ascended astarion #fluff #astarion x tav #astarion x male tav #named tav #my tav #bg3 oc #half elf #original characters

[karofsky]

I'm a big internalizer, because it's what works for me. Usually, things like this are reserved for one of the thousands of journals I frequent, but since I've been a bit wordier publicly this year, it's probably fitting I share this here. I also know that one of my resolutions next year is to be a bit more controlled with what I share-- not that I think sharing is a bad thing, but I've been a bit... explosive with my emotions this year, and while it can be therapeutic in the short term, it's something that ultimately I want to work on. I want to be open and honest, but only from a place where I'm not so impulsive.

So, here's a good bit of things I've experienced and learned from this year.

Water is key. I feel like this is the only way to start this list because it's a universal thing. Drink more water. It helps. If you are like me and chronically are awful with it, stick a straw in a glass. Use a mason jar. It's fun. Your body will thank you.

Crying is good. A bit much sometimes? Sure. Definitely, in fact. I've cried more this year than I have the last 10 combined, which sounds like a lot, but after summer of 2013 I pretty much stopped crying. I do think there is a lot to this personally. Unfortunately, I think some of it is hormonal, which is a reminder of just how far behind I am from where I wanted to be (i.e. my uterus is out for blood--literally-- when it should instead have been halted by sweet, sweet testosterone). But this has also been a year of great freedom for me, and one that I've found a lot of joy in. In fact, MOST of the crying I've done this year has been because I felt like I was allowed to feel things. It's been a slow burn these last few years, but it really did hit its peak this year. And if you were on the end of my What We Do In The Shadows snapchats of me reacting to episodes, my apologies. But it's been a needed release, and I think I'm now in a place where I am less explosive with it.

Health scares are very scary. I'm still avoiding addressing things. I'm terrified, but I know it's necessary, so it will come. But I need a little longer. This is not a proud admission. Do not do this.

Make lists. Make a hundred lists. Make four lists that you use simultaneously that all convey the same information but because they're in different mediums, your brain feels like it can keep track of it. Who cares. Your physical and digital desktops might look insane, but if it feels productive, who cares.

Those negative thoughts remain. This is something I've known for years, but it's a good idea to remind yourself about. I'm in a better place, I'm still here, and I will still be here to the best of my ability. But they happen, and they are real, and it's best to be aware of them. I wish they weren't, but that's a good reminder in itself that I'll be okay. I want to be better, and that's enough.

There will never be "time" to process. Time doesn't stop. Take breaks when you need them, take vacations, go to therapy, hole up in your room, whatever. But life keeps on happening, and it sucks, so you really just have to take it one day at a time. No matter how hard you try, and no matter how much you heal, things still happened, and you have to just move on. From my burnout to my PTSD... it's all still something I experienced. I have to leave it there sometimes, and just keep on going through my life. You can only shrink yourself so much.

Save money. This isn't really for me, because I do, and I will. I pride myself on this. But if you're saving, save more. Spend guilt-free sometimes, maybe even when you "shouldn't", but for the love of god, save some money. Save $100. Save $20. Keep a five-dollar bill in your wallet. Just anything. Even if you're like me and good with money. But also, if you're bad with money. It's a habit and you have to work on it. The world isn't going anywhere and with it remains the need to be financially smart. Just suck it up.

Stop watching shows or movies you don't like. Put down a book three chapters in if it sucks. Who cares. You can come back to it down the line, and maybe it'll be better. But you don't have to waste your time on something you chose to do for fun that isn't actually all that fun. Open a game you want to play only to close it on the menu screen. Shove your dinner in a tupperware if it's not something you want to eat. Whatever.

Shit is just going to happen. Did I go into this year knowing I'd go through anything that I went through? Literally no. Life is insane, and perhaps mine has been a bit crazier than others' lately, but stuff's gotta happen, and is gonna happen. Prepare yourself and your mind to know that, because it's a lot easier to deal with, say, a deadly hurricane headed straight for you or a phone about to explode somewhere it definitely should NOT explode when you play that "when life gives you lemons" Vine on repeat in your head. Sometimes you just get stuck with a bunch of lemons.

Anyway. I love New Year. It's been my second favourite holiday for most of my life. I don't believe in a Great Time Reset or resolutions, but I like the concept of a wiped slate. I will be the same person I was December 31st as I will be January 1st. Just with maybe a little more communal energy of "we can start again". Which is refreshing.

#personal

[goji-pilled]

MK-S: Had another alternate nightmare reality Pyotr idea: There exists a reality in which the Pyotrs are extremely competent at their jobs, and manage to easily bring Cheese back to Charlotte’s labyrinth…and proceed to eat it in front of her, while also clawing, biting, and otherwise assaulting her if she gets too close.

In this reality, familiars aren’t the servants of witches, as much as they are their tormentors. Pyotrs taunt Charlotte with Cheese, Klarissas are the main event in Oktavia’s performance, Candeloro’s familiars actively ignore her, and Homulily’s are much the same in that they parade her around for her execution…the execution is on a time loop, shortly after the guillotine comes down.

Klarissa’s not a fan of this dimension either. And it’s here where she learns an uncomfortable fact about the multiverse: there’s an infinite number of realities where this is the norm. She can’t even find a way to save these versions of her family, let alone all magical girls on this planet (whose jobs are more or less to mercy kill witches). It’s this reality that helps her realize that she’s just a traveler passing through. Some realities are dark by their very nature. She’s just happy her home isn’t one of them.

MK-S: Hmm, two dark alternative realities for Klarissa in a row…should I go three for three? …Nah, let’s show her the multiverse isn’t all dark or all good; it simply is, and it’s best not to think about it.

One of the more uplifting realities Klarissa has visited is one in which the magical girl system is slightly different. Instead of become witches, magical girls transform into creatures of an almost inverted nature called “Angels”. Incubators gain energy from the transformation of despair into hope. Unfortunately, a local Incubator meets and informs Klarissa that this process is not possible in her home reality; the laws of physics (and whatever it is incubators use) are slightly different from this place; some equations are reversed, the placement of Hope and despair for example.

Phil deliberately picked this reality after the last two to show Klarissa that you can’t really categorize the whole of the multiverse as good or bad; it simply is what it is. It helps Klarissa to cement her view that these are strangers that just look like her family members, and not to get attached beyond the point of causal friends.

The next reality Phil brought her to was just random. Klarissa’s not quite sure what happened there, but she does know she spent a fair amount of time standing on a wall…she’s since stopped questioning the strange physics of such places.

MK-S: In regards to the snippet(s) where people ask if Oktavia eating fish is cannibalism:

Anyone: Isn’t eating fish kinda cannibalism? I mean, you’re at least part fish after all,

Oktavia: …what to you think Carnivorous fish eat? Do you consider them cannibals?

Anyone: …no…

Oktavia: Case closed then.

Honestly all of this is super fascinating....

Except the fish part that is. Oktavia probably gets asked about it so often that she has a shirt that say "Yes I'm the mermaid witch. Yes I eat fish. No it's not cannibalism."

It's not a pretty shirt, but at least people stop asking about it

#felix answers #domestic witches

[torque-witch]

combatsncupcakes

@torque-witch have you ever heard of a witch having a pull to one path, but no affinity for it? I'm a fluffy bunny and identify strongly with crystals and herb magic- I think I've only had one spell work in that vein and many more that have backfired (thankfully not high stakes ones!). How do you find the right path when it isn't what your soul calls for?

(a reply from the other day)

So I suppose there are various ways to address this particular question, but yes I wouldn’t necessarily call it an unusual problem or situation. I think this really depends on the amount of time you have spent practicing witchcraft so far, and also your worldview. 

If it hasn’t been that long, it’s possible that you just need more time to hone your skills, do some more reading, practice whatever techniques you are using, look up different methods within that particular path, etc. A lot of us, even years in, are not masters by any means, and we do mess up or have outcomes that weren’t expected. Something I’ve learned over the years here, is that the most important part of spellwork is precision. If you need a very specific outcome, you need that to be a part of the work and intention. Specifically with more “fluffier” magic (which is totally valid and real) I see a lot of spells being shared that are just general intentions. These are meaningful on their own, but your situation might require more work being put into the spell ingredients, intention, ritual etc. to get the outcome you desire. I firmly believe that you can get better at anything you practice consistently, but we all certainly get impatient or don’t want to or have the time to tweak things to their best presentation. Perhaps you just need to rethink how you are approaching working with crystals and herbs, or simply take some time to step back and absorb more information and theories. I don’t think it means that you need to stop pursuing what you enjoy.

And really the worldview aspect of this simply means that you might need to shift or reflect on *why* you feel this way in order to keep moving forward. I know for me, I grew up with the idea that my path was already chosen for me, or that everything happens for a reason, or my choices will still always lead to the same place, etc. But at the end of the day, my life is completely different now and doesn’t align with the person or choices that I made before. We can argue all day about how that might be how I came to my *real* path, but what about when my life changes again? And again? Know one knows the true nature of living and our paths, so I think you would be okay to give yourself some room to make your own decisions and commit to something even if it feels difficult, frustrating or not right. You are ultimately allowed to make that decision and follow it through to wherever you end up. If you eventually choose a different path, then so be it. But that doesn’t mean you were a failure in the meantime. Give yourself some grace to be bad at something, and time to process and understand what you are capable of. 

I’m not sure if that helps at all, but I do know that you are not alone. We all suck at spells for a bit. Sometimes connections are hard to make when we are all dealing with other stress, capitalism, families, etc. Make the most of your experience and continue where you feel you should be. 

Best of luck!

#torquetalks #asks #spells

[sensationzmedia]

Why You Should Maintain Art & Craft in Your lifestyle

Importance

Arts and crafts as a subject in the school curriculum are usually taken for granted for children and toddlers as part of their formal education. But in recent years, unfortunately, many schools have cut the arts from their curriculam. Music, painting, theater - they are rapidly disappearing.

Art and crafts are sure to be fun for kids. Whether it's coloring with crayons, making miniature clay figures, folding paper into delicate origami, or making handmade birthday cards, it will inspire children's interests and realize their artistic potential. There are many arts and crafts activities you can do.

Invests in building the cognitive, physical and social development of children by introducing them to arts and crafts and engaging them in such activities at school. Below are the benefits of arts and crafts in the school curriculum included in the syllabus.

Physical Benefits

Fine Motor Skill Development

Fine Motor Skills Simple movements like holding a brush and coloring with a pencil strengthen muscles and improve control.

Improve Dexterity

Handicraft activities can improve a child's dexterity and agility. With increased fine motor skills and lots of practice, your child's manual dexterity, artistic ability, and speed will also improve.

Improves Hand-Eye Coordination

Participating in arts and crafts activities from an early age greatly improves hand-eye coordination. This helps lower elementary school children distinguish words and form letters.

Benefits

Learn to Appreciate

Through Arts and Crafts, children learn to appreciate artifacts and images from different cultures and times. Experience in design, arts and crafts allows you to look critically at your own work and the work of others. They learn to act and think like designers and artists, learn to work intelligently and creatively.

You will also learn about heritage protection through art. Much of the information we have today about people who lived millions of years ago comes entirely from art.

Enhancing Self-Expression

Engaging in creative activities such as music and arts and crafts gives children the opportunity to express themselves in positive, tangible and meaningful ways. You will also learn to create your own works of art.

Helps Socialize

Attending art classes with other students gives children the opportunity to interact with other students while sharing common interests. The artistic and manual process also strengthens the parent-child bond.

Boosts Confidence

Craft activities inspire children's sense of accomplishment, pride and confidence.

Cognitive Benefits

Enhances Creativity

Being able to create whatever a child wants enhances creativity.

Sharpens Decision Making

Children learn to make correct and effective decisions by facing and solving artistic challenges. This helps develop a problem-solving attitude, which will help them in the future.

Improves Memory and Visual Learning

Children learn new colors and shapes and become familiar with different shapes and patterns through crafting. Learning to play the guitar or make jewelry requires visualizing and remembering complex designs.Crafting can help improve academic performance in addition to the above traits. Best of all, it's a fun activity for kids.

Sensationz performing arts is specialised in developing & enhancing the creativity of your child, they have students from all over the world, so you can take subscription for classes of art & craft here.

#Boost confidence #memory improvement #Helps socialize #sharp memory #Artandcraft #drawing #Self expression #kids video #kids activity #creativityphysical benefits

[project-management-234]

Understanding ChatGPT 4: Your Crucial Success Pointers

Keeping up with the times is crucial in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. OpenAI has lifted the bar once again with ChatGPT 4, providing a feature-rich framework for conversation production and natural language analysis. Whatever your level of experience, learning ChatGPT 4 can lead to a plethora of opportunities. Here are some essential guidelines to help you succeed on your journey:

1. Recognize the Fundamentals

It's important to understand ChatGPT 4 principles before attempting more complex approaches. Learn about terms like transformer structures, neural networks, and natural language processing. You'll be in a better position to utilize ChatGPT tutorial features if you know how it generates and processes text.

2. Examine the Records

For ChatGPT 4, OpenAI offers extensive documentation and resources, including developer guides, API references, and tutorials. Spend some time looking at these resources in-depth as they provide insightful information about how to use and operate the model. To get a feel for ChatGPT 4, try out various configurations and experiment with sample code.

3. Begin Little

When using ChatGPT 4, it can be tempting to go right into difficult jobs. On the other hand, you can increase your confidence and comprehend the behaviour of the model more fully by beginning small. Start creating basic text prompts and work your way up to more complicated ones as you get familiar with the program.

4. Adjust for Particular Tasks

Customization of ChatGPT Tutorial 4 for particular tasks and domains is one of its most potent capabilities. You may customise the model's replies to meet your unique requirements through fine-tuning, whether you're developing a chatbot, writing code, or summarizing papers. Try out several datasets and training methods to find the best performance for the task you want to accomplish.

5. Try Some Transfer Learning

Another useful method for modifying ChatGPT tutorials for different tasks and domains is transfer learning. You may create AI solutions quickly with little training time and expense by using pre-trained models and optimizing them on your data. To choose which pre-trained model is the greatest fit for your project, investigate transfer learning techniques and try out various models.

6. Examine the Ethical Consequences

It's important to consider the ethical consequences of employing ChatGPT 4 as with any AI technology. When using AI systems in practical applications, keep biases in training data, potential abuses of created material, and privacy issues in mind. Make fairness, openness, and responsibility ChatGPT 4 use your top priorities to guarantee success for all parties involved.

7. Work Together and Exchange Knowledge

Lastly, don't be afraid to work with others and impart your expertise and ChatGPT  4 experiences. Participate in forums, join online communities, and interact with other practitioners to share ideas, pose queries, and gain insight from one another's accomplishments and difficulties. We can all work together to fully utilize ChatGPT 4 and advance AI innovation by promoting a culture of cooperation and knowledge exchange.

To sum up, learning ChatGPT 4 necessitates a blend of technological know-how, trial and error, and moral consciousness. To fully utilize ChatGPT 4, you must grasp the fundamentals, go through the documentation, start small, and make use of more sophisticated strategies like transfer learning and fine-tuning to address challenging issues and spur creativity.

#ChatGPT #AI #NaturalLanguageProcessing #Innovation #ChatGPT4 #ArtificialIntelligence #Technology #Evolution