#so is it worth being made fun of by a bunch of children for going to the movies by myself?

[la-di-doodles]

hey, hope you're doing well! since you have fandom requests open, can I request something with Marinette?

Yes here you go! Marinette doing some sewing :)

#miraculous ladybug fanart #miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #the movie is coming out in theatres here in France and I want to see it #but every time I go the theatre I see all my schoolkids #so is it worth being made fun of by a bunch of children for going to the movies by myself? #we'll see

[astorytotellyourfriends]

The one thing that everyone seems to know about Eddie Munson is that when he's not out touring the world with his band, Corroded Coffin, he makes a point to be as invisible as possible in order to spend time at home with his family. Eddie, along with his wife Chrissy of seven years and their two young children, graciously invited Vogue into their Hollywood Hills home that's about as secluded as you can get while still having that coveted Los Angeles zip code.

Vogue: I have to admit, given what I've seen of Corroded Coffin on stage, I think I expected your home to reflect a bit more of that personality.

Eddie Munson: [laughs] You can thank Chrissy for that. She's the brains behind this whole operation, I just do what she tells me.

So there's no hidden dungeon in the basement?

Hate to burst your bubble, but nope. I've been trying to get a sacrificial altar for the backyard, but I haven't found one I liked yet.

Really?

[laughs] I'm kidding. But I had you going, right?

You really did. But that's what you've always done, right? Leaned into the mania of Satanic Panic and made it work for you?

Yeah, I guess so. I mean, people are gonna believe whatever they wanna believe anyway so I might as well give 'em what they want, right? Plus, [laughs] it's a hell of a lot of fun.

What's it like having that devil-worshipper stage persona with two young kids at home? Do either of your kids know what their dad does for a living?

Oh, yeah. They [redacted] love it. Wait, can I say [redacted]?

We can't print it, but you can say it.

[Redacted] yeah. Our little one doesn't really get the whole stage thing yet, but she sure looks cute in those big-ass headphones.

And your other daughter?

Oh, if she could be on stage with me every night, she would be. On our last tour, we had this gimmick where Gareth rigged a bunch of blood packs to his drums to explode during the encore and she thought it was the coolest [redacted] thing in the world. He even offered to let her do it when we were in rehearsals!

And did she?

Maybe.

From the look on your face, I'm guessing she did.

[laughs] Don't tell Chrissy.

Scout's honor. Until this article comes out, anyway.

[Redacted]. Is it too late to say off the record?

Way too late.

[Redacted]. Oh well. Worth it. She had the biggest [redacted] grin on her face when she was covered in fake blood, it was priceless.

Seems like you might be raising a mini version of yourself. Would you support your kids following in your footsteps and joining the music industry?

[Editor's note: At this point in the interview, the eldest Munson child came running out of the back door and pounced on her father, who took it in stride and continued answering questions as though he didn't have a six-year-old hanging over his shoulder.]

I mean, if that's what they wanna do, then hell yeah.

[gasps] Daddy said a bad word!

Daddy did not, Daddy said hell.

Mommy said hell's a bad word.

Mommy also said you were supposed to stay inside, didn't she?

Pip was crying. She misses you.

Do you need a moment?

[laughs] Believe me, if I took a moment for every time I wanted to be with my kids, I'd never get anything done.

Because you love us so much?

Exactly.

How much?

To the moon and back.

That's a lot!

Sure is, kiddo. Now shush and let the nice lady ask her questions.

Ooh, ask me! Ask me! I got lots of stories.

If you don't mind?

It's your funeral. [laughs] She'll talk your ear off if you let her.

What do you think about your dad being a rockstar?

[shrugs] It's okay.

Wow, thanks for the endorsement, kid. You heard it here first: being a rockstar is just okay.

Would you rather he had another job?

[shrugs] What other job?

I dunno. Playing music's the only thing I've ever been good at.

Nuh-uh! Daddy's good at lots of things.

Like what?

Telling stories. Playing with me. One time, he built me a big castle out of pillows and chairs and blankets and we played in it all day 'til Mommy said it was time for dinner. And then we all went to bed in it. Like camping!

Camping? When did you go camping?

Mommy let us sleep outside and said it was like camping. It was when you were gone. I don't like when you're gone. It makes Mommy sad. And then I'm sad. And Pip's sad. You're not going away again, are you?

No, baby. I'm staying right here with you.

Good. [to Vogue] Do you wanna see what Daddy brought home for me last time he went away?

I'd love to.

Okay!

[Editor's note: just as quickly as she came, Munson's daughter ran off to go fetch the present from inside the house.]

Do you need a minute?

Nah. It just… [sighs] never gets easier, you know? Hearing how much they miss me when I'm gone. I miss them all the [redacted] time.

I'm not surprised. Just from the last five minutes, I can see how much she adores you and I can't imagine what it's like to leave that behind, even when it's to go on a worldwide tour.

It's tough. I love my job, don't get me wrong. It's what's given us this house, all the [redacted] that the girls need, anything they could ever want, but… [shrugs] I dunno. Sometimes giving it all up doesn't sound half as hard as leaving them is. Maybe that's just me being ungrateful.

I don't think so. I think it means you're human. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, you know? Torn between two worlds.

[laughs] Now there's an idea for an album. The dichotomy of being a rockstar and a father.

I'd listen to it.

Hell, so would I.

(might continue this with a lil follow-up fic of chrissy and eddie reading the interview before it goes to print... thoughts? 👀)

#hellcheer #eddissy #chrissy x eddie #hellcheer fanfic #stranger things #stranger things fic #hellcheersource #just a lil something me and shia cooked up earlier today #the hellcheer brainrot is still alive and well

[heyiwrotesomethings]

Hi Maddy!! I hope you're having a good day. I wanted to request something for parenthood, but not really parenthood. Shin and Akiko, being the children they are, ask a bunch of random questions to their Kaasan Shinobu before actually bringing up a question she can answer: How her and Y/n met. I was curious about that because it gets brought up often. Then, in a flashbacky sort of way, Shinobu recalls how her and her wife met. I hope this request is good! Thank you!

Parenthood Prt5: First Encounter

Shinobu Kochou x She/Her Reader

A/N: Prt4 I finally managed to finish something! Warning: Brief mention of drinking underage. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy! Word Count: 3,193

Shinobu inhaled deeply through her nose, stretching and switching from laying on her left side to her right, pleased to find that Yn was still in bed too when her arm draped across the other woman’s torso. She shuffled a little closer, a contented sigh leaving her lips when her lips found her wife’s nape. She wished every morning could be so peaceful. Usually it was them struggling to get the kids ready for school and then booking it to their respective jobs, but today, they were both off and could enjoy the simple pleasures of a lazy Sunday.

Oh how naïve a thought.

“Hmm? What was that sweetie?” Yn mumbled tiredly, slowly bringing herself into a more wakeful state.

“I didn’t say anything, dear. Go back to sleep.” Shinobu spoke in a similar tone, eyes still glued shut. She wanted to milk this moment of peace for all it was worth.

“I frew up.” A water-y voice that Shinobu recognized as Shin spoke up for apparently the second time.

Ah… well… easy come, easy go.

“Oh, honey,” Yn started to get up and Shinobu mourned the escaping warmth as if the sun itself was packing its bags and leaving their solar system, “Go to the bathroom, let’s get you cleaned up.”

Shinobu heard the shower get turned on and turned to lay flat on her back, glaring up at the ceiling as if it was the reason her son was sick. She did that for a minute or two, braving herself to leave the comfort of her bed to gather up Shin’s bedding and whatever else hadn’t survived his spew.

She shuffled into the bathroom briefly to take Shin’s pajamas and leave fresh ones on the counter, cooing at her poor boy in the tub and stroking his hair briefly before chastely kissing the crown of Yn’s head, then continuing her disinfecting journey.

As she finished wiping Shin’s floor clean, she heard a cough from Akiko’s room and Shinobu’s shoulders slumped. She softly knocked on the butterfly decorated door.

“Bee, are you awake? Can I come in?”

“Kaasan…” Akiko whined from inside, another barking cough nearly shaking the door off of its hinges with its intensity.

Shinobu entered the room without hesitation, brushing Akiko’s sweaty bangs back and frowning over the temperature of her skin.

“My throat and head hurt.” Akiko whimpered.

“I’m sorry, Bee. That’s no fun… your brother isn’t feeling well either. It must be that nasty flu that’s been making rounds through the school. Can you get up for me? I want you to rinse off after your brother.”

Akiko pouted, but nodded, slowly getting out of bed. Shinobu guided her to the bathroom just as Yn was carrying Shin out.

“Oh, poor baby, not you too.” Yn frowned, caressing Akiko’s head gently as they crossed paths. She looked to Shinobu, “I’m taking Shin to our bed. I’ll collect all of Akiko’s laundry while you help her.”

“Sounds good. Could you also start boiling some water for tea? I don’t know about Shin, but Akiko could use some honey lemon.”

“On it.”

Working like a well-oiled machine, it wasn’t long before both children were clean and snug in their parents’ bed, medicated and the bedside table cluttered with tissues, ice water and tea, music playing softly from Yn’s phone.

They made sure comfortable and prepared to leave the room to get themselves clean when their children began pleading for them to stay, meekly demanding a story in their sickly states.

“You two should really try to sleep.” Shinobu said, earning more weak sounds of displeasure.

“They’ll probably fall asleep before you even finish a story. “ Yn reasoned. “What story do you two want to hear?”

“A new story.” Shin mumbled.

“Yeah.” Akiko agreed.

“About what?” Shinobu groaned tiredly as she moved to sit with Yn in the recliner that had been moved closer to the edge of the bed.

The children hemmed and hawed, trying to think of a topic that they would both be interested in, somehow finally landing on the topic of how their parents met.

“Really, that’s the story you want?” Shinobu asked, “Not something with dragons or mermaids?”

The children shake their heads, minds made up.

“…but if you could work in a dragon somewhere in there, I’d like that.” Akiko rasped. Yn helped her sip some more tea.

“I got to say, I’d like to hear the story from your perspective too.” Yn smiled, returning to sit beside Shinobu.

“Very well…” Shinobu thought back, trying to decide where to start, of course she would tell the children a more edited version, but she could remember that night as if it had been yesterday. She smiled to herself as the events replayed in her mind.

***

Shinobu rolled her eyes, nursing her mug of cheap beer as her fellow pre-med classmates made absolute fools of themselves. Singing, dancing and stumbling around the bar. She wasn’t sure why she bothered tagging along. She would have much rather spent tonight in her apartment eating takeout on the couch while making disparaging remarks about whatever dumb drama Giyuu would be watching and then sleep for approximately five hundred years after the stress of finals week finally passed.

But no, she decided to be social. At least one of her project groupmates was spotting for the first round and a couple of appetizers. Shinobu figured she could slip away in another twenty minutes or so, then she could enjoy her winter break in earnest.

Her gaze slowly scanned the bar, she wouldn’t even really call it people watching, as she hadn’t a thought in her head that wasn’t about a hot bath or a cozy bed. However, somehow through the chaos and clamor of tipsy college students, she heard a sharp sound of someone distinctly not having a good time. Curious, she peered over a couple of her obnoxiously singing table mates towards the bathrooms.

There she saw two people a young woman glowering up at a man who was blocking her from leaving the narrow passage. Shinobu couldn’t make out what they were talking about, but she knew she didn’t like the looks of what was going on there.

She slid out of the booth and walked over.

“There you are, come on,” Shinobu nudged ahead of the man, holding her hand out to the other woman, “let’s get back to our table.”

The relief that washed over the woman’s face as she quickly latched onto Shinobu’s hand made her blood boil. Some people just can’t take ‘no’ as an answer, could they?

Shinobu began guiding the woman away, but didn’t make it far before the man fell into step beside the woman, almost overtaking them and making their gait more clumsy since he was partially walking just ahead of the young woman.

“We were talking, actually.” The man said, annoyance clear in his tone.

“Not anymore, you aren’t.” Shinobu drawled, maneuvering the woman so she could stand between her and the man. Her nose wrinkled, as the scent of booze seemed to roll off of him like he showered in tequila and beer, “You know, it’s extremely pathetic that a guy who is in his mid-thirties at the very least has nothing better to do than to get drunk and harass college girls.”

The man froze, not because Shinobu’s words gave him a sudden eye-opening epiphany, but because he simply could not fathom being talked back to. That, and he was so drunk everything seemed to go in slow motion and his brain needed a minute to catch up.

Shinobu figured that would be that, and she continued guiding the other woman back to her booth, safety in numbers and all that, but she hadn’t expected the man to be so brazen stupid. Well, she could have guessed, but still, the audacity was appalling.

“Ah!”

Shinobu felt the woman’s hand get tugged away from her own and she quickly swiveled back around to find the woman struggling to push the man away from her. He grasped her wrists and started pulling her towards the entrance of the bar.

Now, this commotion had begun to earn the attention of the staff, as well as the other patrons of the bar and even the most tipsy could see that something wasn’t right there. There was absolutely no way that man was going to make it one step out the door without a mob right behind him.

However, Shinobu would be remiss if she wasn’t the one who gave the man what he had coming to him. She grabbed him by the back of his jacket, bunching up the fabric in her tightly clenched fist. Her winter boots slid across the slushy snow gathered at the bar entrance as the oblivious man lumbered along.

Shinobu gritted her teeth together and glared daggers into the back of the man’s head, the little vein on her forehead clearly visible as she yanked on the man’s jacket with all of her might.

“Hey!” She she spoke sharply, pulling again.

Between just coming off of the stress of finals, to forcing herself to go socialize despite her exhaustion, to now having to deal with this entitled prick was making her blood boil.

Then the young woman yelped in pain as the man attempted to shove her through the front door, but missed and half shoved her against the doorframe. That sound broke Shinobu’s heart and fueled the flames of her anger to even greater heights. She hadn’t beaten up anyone since middle school, but surely Kanae would let this one slide.

She pivoted in the slush, slipping beneath the man’s outstretched arm, facing him with focused and calculating eyes. She pulled her arm back, then thrusting forward with her palm.

“Huwah!” The man hunched over, letting go of the woman to grasp at his stomach once Shinobu’s strike found home in his soft belly.

She wasn’t done there though, oh no. Hunching over like that, how could she resist? She grabbed him by the hair, shivering in displeasure at how greasy it was. Yet she still yanked his head back, giving herself a clear path for her fist to meet his nose.

A chorus of ‘oh!’s and laughter overtook the bar as the sickening crack of the man’s nose breaking against Shinobu’s fist was heard. She hadn’t really planned to break the man’s nose with that lunch, but she certainly had no issue with it. The man wailed and dropped to his knees and his hands shot up to his face.

“You bitch! I’ll— I’ll get you for this!“

Shinobu scoffed at the audacity. A broken nose wasn’t enough, she supposed, but that was okay, she could keep this up all night. She brought one foot back, preparing to send the man off with a perfectly placed kick, but then she was grabbed by the elbow and pulled out onto the cold, slushy sidewalk.

“Ah! Go, go, go!”

“What?”

Shinobu was baffled, to surprised to do anything but let the woman excitedly push her out of the bar and jog down the block and around the corner. Their breath rose in the cold air and dissipated beneath the street lights while they took a moment to catch their breath.

“Oh my god, that was so scary!” The woman sighed, bracing her hands on her knees. “No one is following right?”

“Um,” Shinobu peeked around the corner, finding the street empty, “no.”

“Oh thank god.”

Shinobu shook her head, “Why did you do that? I had him, and the whole bar was on our side.” She took the woman’s hand and started to walk back towards the bar.

“W-wait!” The woman resisted, “Where are we going?”

“Back to the bar.” Shinobu said. “I imagine the police will get involved and we should be there to give statements to make sure that bastard gets the worst punishment that he can.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why the hell not?”

The young woman took a deep breath and looked at the ground, meekly skimming the toe of her boot in the slush, seemingly flustered.

“Well… because I wasn’t supposed to be in there in the first place. I’m not twenty yet.”

“You dumbass.” Shinobu shot back, making the other woman flinch a bit.

“H-hey! I’m turning twenty this year so it’s not like it’s that bad. I just wanted to have one drink to celebrate the end of the semester with my friends and then go home, is that a crime?”

“When you’re under the legal drinking age, yes.” Shinobu said snidely, then shivered, her coat was still inside the bar.

“Oh no, you’re cold!” She started taking off her own coat and handed it to Shinobu, “Here, that creep didn’t even give me enough time to take my coat off before he started harassing me.”

“I’m fine, keep it.”

“No, no, you can borrow it. After all of that, the cold air is very refreshing.”

Shinobu sighed and took the offered coat, wrapping it around her shoulders. It was warm and soft on the inside and smelled quite nice…

“Thanks.”

“No, thank you.” She stressed, “You were amazing back there. How did you learn to fight like that?”

“I took aikido classes when I was younger. The only club I was ever kicked out of.”

“You got kicked out?” The woman chuckled, looking at Shinobu curiously.

“Yes, the way I chose to implement it in other settings did not make the Sensei very happy.” Shinobu smirked.

“Ah, so you’ve always had a strong sense of justice, huh?” She spoke softly and smiled warmly, making Shinobu’s heart stutter a bit in her chest, it hadn’t done so in awhile now. She looked up at the streetlight and put her hands in the pockets of the coat, pleased to find the lining of the pockets to be just as soft and warm.

“I suppose you could say that.”

“I’m Yn, by the way. Yn Ln, or uh, Ln Yn or whatever.”

“Kochou Shinobu.” She answered by supplying her own name.

“Nice to meet you and um, sorry for bringing you stress.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. Besides, it was rather cathartic in all honesty.”

“Haha, yeah? Well that’s a relief I guess.”

The little laugh made Shinobu smile a little wider. They talked more, sitting down on a nearby bench. They talked about their studies, families, interests, and more. When Yn began to shiver, Shinobu put the coat back over her shoulders while still telling a story about her sisters. Time seemed to be at a standstill until Yn’s phone started to ring.

“Oh, sorry,” She gave Shinobu an apologetic look and answered her phone.

“No problem.” Shinobu assured. She exhaled in amusement as a bunch of loud voices came through on the other side.

She could make out bits and pieces of the concerned friends’ dialogue. They were making sure Yn was alright and sobbing about how scary that whole situation had been. The designated driver struggled to take the phone away at some point to finally get to the bud of the issue and Shinobu heard him ask where Yn was so they could pick her up and get everyone home. He was clearly stressed. It was no easy task to get the tipsy group members with Yn’s number to finally call her and not push the wrong buttons or get distracted.

Shinobu was having a good time, so hearing that it would soon be over left her feeling a little antsy. So before Yn could tell the guy she was literally just around the corner, Shinobu blurted,

“Hey, um, we’ve been out here for awhile. How does a nice hot bowl of ramen? There’s a really good place not to far from here.” Her voice was as even-keeled and confident sounding as ever, but inside she felt some jitters.

“That… that sounds really good right now actually. I’d love too.”

Shinobu thought briefly to make sure to extend the invitation to Yn’s friends, but she was already filling them in on the plan and hanging up on them.

“We should probably go back to the bar first anyway so you can get your coat back, huh?” She asked.

“It’s fine. I think we’ve had enough of that place. I have my phone and wallet, I’ll just text one of my classmates to take it with them and I’ll get it back from them later.”

“Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Of course.” Shinobu stood up from the bench and waited for Yn to do the same. “I mean, as long as you don’t mind sharing yours again if it gets too chilly.”

“That’s totally fine! I don’t mind at all.” Yn shot up to her feet, looking forward to spending more time with Shinobu. Hopefully she would have the courage to ask Shinobu for her phone number afterward.

Shinobu smiled and decided to be a little more bold and offered her hand.

“Then let’s go. Careful, it’s a little slippery out here.”

Yn took the offered hand and left her face warm, she’d be relinquishing her coat again in no time if Shinobu kept being so sweet.

“And people say chivalry is dead. You’re a regular knight.”

“I try.” Shinobu said almost smugly, gently pulling Yn along. “Come on, it’s this way.”

She had started out the night not wanting to go out, now she found herself looking for excuses to drag the night out as long as she could. She had a good feeling that Yn felt the same when her coat found its way over Shinobu’s shoulders again. It looked like she wasn’t the only one who could be chivalrous.

***

“And so then the dragon told us to climb onto his back and he took us to the ramen shop. Best ramen we have ever eaten until this very day. Isn’t that right, dear?” Shinobu finished her abridged retelling, turning her head to look down adoringly at her wife, only to find her sleeping against her shoulder.

“Rude.” Shinobu scoffed. “Did the early beginnings of our relationship bore you that much?” She turned her attention to the bed next, finding Akiko asleep as well and she sighed. “No one made it to the end?”

“I did Kaasan.” Shin whispered, trying hard to keep his eyes open. “I liked it. It was a good story.”

“Thank you, sweetheart. Do you need anything my sweet boy?”

He shook his head.

“Then sleep well, I’ll be right here if you need me.“

“Okay… g’night.”

Shinobu smiled and reached for the curtain behind her, pulling it over to block the sun from the window.

“Good night.”

Shinobu pulled up the footrest of the recliner she and Yn shared and got more comfortable. She closed her eyes and snuggled closer to her wife. It wasn’t quite the same as it has been earlier that morning, but she treasured every moment they could be together. Yn shifted in her sleep, covering Shinobu with more of her body, making her smile peacefully and hold her closer as she drifted off to sleep like the rest of her family.

#demon slayer x reader #kny x reader #shinobu kocho x reader #shinobu x reader #shinobu kochou x reader #requests #anonymous

[mcntsee]

Letters to her

prologue

summary: kaz’s letter to y/n throughout the years.

warnings: Kaz’s past is kinda mentioned, mentions of death, cursing

note: I tried to express kaz’s feelings and growth with every start and finish of all the letters, hopefully you guys understand it too. I added a little something at the end, hope you enjoy! <3333

first letter:

Deer y/n

My da said you can came come play wheneber you want to come play with my me again can you please come play with me soon pleas?

I miss you and Jordie miss and da and the little kitteny miss you we all misses you very much

Love Kaz!

(I drawed a pist picture of you and me and spots playing)

2nd letter

Dear Y/N,

I hope you're doing okay. I wanted to say a big thank you for being there when we said bye to my da. It made me feel better knowing you were there, even though it was kinda sad.

Guess what? Jordie said we're gonna move to Ketterdam. He says it's cause he wants me to go to a good school there. I'm not sure about leaving this house, but Jordie says it'll be good for us.

The cool part is that you live in Ketterdam! That means we can hang out more and play together. Remember when we used to build forts in the living room and pretend we were pirates? Maybe we can do that in Ketterdam too.

I'll miss this house a bit because it's where we played hide and seek and had ice cream parties, but I think Ketterdam will be fun too. And I'm really happy cause we'll get to see each other more often!

I will see you soon, okay?

Love, Kaz!

3rd letter

Dear y/n,

I'm really, really sorry I haven't come to see you yet. It's not 'cause I don't want to, I promise. You're still my bestest friend ever. It's just that things got a little crazy since we arrived.

Jordie met this guy named Jacob Hertzoon. And guess what? Jacob offered us a whole bunch of money for our house! Jordie said it's a really good thing 'cause we can use the money for important stuff. But it also means we're super busy.

I didn't want you to think I forgot about you or anything. I miss you a lot and I still want to see you and play together. Maybe once we're all settled in our new place and get the money, we can have a big adventure like we used to.

Thanks for being the best friend ever. I promise we'll hang out soon, okay?

Love, Kaz!

4th letter

Y/N,

Are you okay? Please write back! Jordie is gone. I need to know you're alive.

Kaz.

5th letter

Y/N,

I heard you went on quite the journey to Shu Han just to retrieve my cane. I assume the trip was bearable. Your efforts are appreciated.

It's curious how life unfolds, isn't it? One day we're children playing in the streets, the next we're scattered across the world for various reasons. Yet, here we are, still connected by some thread of familiarity.

I imagine you'll return from your expedition when the time is right. Until then, business with the dregs continues as usual. The city keeps turning, and so do its dealings. As for me, well, I have my own matters to attend to as soon as I’m able to walk again.

- K.B.

First note

Get well soon! Let me know if you need anything else.

- Love, Y/n!

6th letter

Y/N,

Your letter reached me, and I must admit, it contained more substance than I anticipated. Word travels fast in the Barrel, and it seems that Haskell has taken quite an interest in your recent endeavors. His words carry weight, though they seldom come without a price.

If his assessment holds true, and you manage to prove your worth in the upcoming job, it could indeed elevate you within the ranks. Haskell’s recognition of your potential is both promising and concerning. The higher one climbs, the more treacherous the fall can be.

In the midst of this, know that I await your return.

May you navigate these challenges with the same tenacity that has carried you thus far. I wish you the best of luck, Y/N. Tread carefully.

- K.B

7th letter

Y/N,

You certainly have a talent for uncovering promising recruits. Jesper Fahey. The word on the street is that he’s got a steady aim that’s worth noticing. The skills he possesses could indeed be valuable, particularly in the line of work we find ourselves engaged in.

However, I must tread cautiously when it comes to individuals entangled in debts and vices. Jesper Fahey, from what I’ve heard, is no stranger to gambling. His tendency to wager recklessly has garnered quite a reputation, one that isn’t entirely favorable. The loyalty of a man buried under the weight of debts is a precarious matter. Whether his skills can outweigh the burden of his choices remains to be seen.

Your perspective on recruits is valued, and I’ll certainly keep a watchful eye on Fahey. I trust your judgment, and I’m willing to entertain the possibility. In the midst of all this, remember that your return is anticipated and your presence missed.

Return safely,

K.B.

8th letter

Y/N,

Do you remember Jesper? It’s almost comical how, after discussing him in my last letter, fate seemed to conspire to validate our conversation. Not long after I sent those words to you, I found myself intervening to prevent Jesper from getting himself thoroughly thrashed due to his gambling debts.

I hope I’ve made the right call by extending a hand to Jesper. It’s a calculated risk, one that I’m hoping will pan out in our favor. There’s potential there, no doubt, but potential doesn’t always translate into reliability.

This letter is short, I know, but I will tell you more about it when you come back.

Stay safe,

K.B

9th letter

Y/n,

It’s been days since your last communication, and the weight of uncertainty presses heavily on me. The quiet absence of your presence has stirred an unease I’m not accustomed to.

I’ve seen you handle insane odds, and I know you’re more than capable. But here I am. My mind keeps wandering to places I’d rather it not go, imagining scenarios that could have unfolded, and none of them are sitting well with me.

I hope that this silence is a result of strategic detachment, that you’re immersed in the intricacies of the job and haven’t had a moment to spare for correspondence.

I’m not accustomed to this vulnerability, nor do I care for it. Yet, here I am, plagued by the absence of information. I ask you, if you’re able, to dispel this uncertainty. A simple message, a token of reassurance – anything to quell this rising tide of apprehension.

I await word from you with an intensity I hadn’t thought possible. May it come soon.

Expectantly,

K.B

10th letter

Y/N,

I received the coat you sent, and I must admit, it's a rare occasion when I'm at a loss for words. It's unlike anything I would've chosen for myself, yet somehow, it feels surprisingly fitting. I can't deny its utility either – I appreciate it.

Jesper and Nina have managed to cultivate a special talent for driving me to the brink of exasperation. Their camaraderie is both amusing and bewildering, a chaotic symphony that I'm still attempting to decipher.

Today was no different. Jesper's antics at the club bordered on audacious, and Nina's unbridled laughter was enough to turn heads in our direction. As I tried to navigate the sea of chaos they create, I found myself, unusually, yearning for a return to some semblance of normalcy.

I must confess, the prospect of your return holds an allure I hadn't anticipated. There's a steadiness in your presence, an understanding that's often a rare commodity in these tumultuous times. The chaos, the hustle – they feel more manageable when you're around.

Till then, I'll persevere in the sea of antics that Jesper and Nina stir up, counting down the days until your return.

Until then,

Kaz

11th letter

Y/N,

Your mention of the jurda parem caught my attention, no doubt about it. It’s a name that carries weight, and I’ve got a feeling we’re treading on some dangerous ground here. It’s the kind of thing that’s best left untouched until we’ve got a better handle on what it entails.

Listen, I won’t preach, but I’ve got to say it – be careful and keep an eye out for trouble. The city’s not known for being kind to those who don’t tread carefully, and I’d hate to see you caught in something you didn’t see coming.

I’ve got a job for you. One that’s right up your alley. It’s always better discussing these things face to face, so when you can, make your way back. The sooner, the better.

Until then,

Kaz

12th letter

Y/N,

I’ve never been one for words, as you well know. My tongue seems to have a mind of its own, often saying the wrong things at the wrong time. And when it comes to matters like these, I’ve found that my eloquence takes a swift exit.

So, here I am, writing this letter in hopes that the words come out right, that they somehow capture what I’m feeling. I’ve spent years navigating the intricacies of this city, and yet the complexities of my own emotions have managed to elude me.

I’ve always valued our connection, from those early days of childhood mischief to the present. You’ve been a constant in my life, someone whose presence brings a sense of order to the chaos that surrounds us. And somewhere along the way, that bond transformed into something deeper, something I’ve been grappling with.

I find myself wanting to say more, to articulate the thoughts that remain half-formed in my mind. But it’s difficult, Y/N, and this letter might be the best I can manage.

What I’m trying to say is that you’ve become more than a friend, more than a partner in crime. There’s a depth to my feelings that I’m only beginning to understand. And if I’m being truly honest, I’d like to explore where this path might lead.

I understand if you need time, if my sudden candor is a lot to process. But I wanted to put these thoughts down, to let you know where my heart is at. And if you’re open to it, if you’ve felt even a fraction of what I’ve been feeling, then maybe we can navigate this new terrain together.

Kaz.

Second note

I’d like to explore where this path might lead too.

Love, y/n!

13th letter

Y/N,

I can't thank you enough for stepping in when I couldn't. I hope the contractor in Lij wasn’t hard to handle.

Now, I have a proposal of a different kind. How about we put our skills to use in a more relaxed setting? I'd like to take you out to dinner. No heists, no secret dealings, just you and me, navigating the menu instead of the back alleys.

I've made reservations for us at a place that's a bit more reputable than the Barrel's taverns. Consider it a step toward normalcy, a chance to enjoy an evening without looking over our shoulders.

Looking forward to your return,

Kaz

14th letter

Dear Y/N,

Your letter reached me, and I've got to say, the way you put it into words – how much you miss me – it hits home. The distance is a constant reminder of the warmth I've grown accustomed to, and I find myself missing you more than I thought possible.

This job is driving me insane, and my thoughts often wander back to Ketterdam, back to you. It's like a pull, a magnetic force that tugs me back to the life we've been building together.

I bought something with me – a box of those chocolates you can't seem to get enough of. The catch? I'm hoping they survive the journey and don't turn into a gooey mess.

I want you to know that with every sunrise and sunset that passes, I'm getting more restless to return to the city that's been our canvas, our backdrop. Until then, my thoughts are with you, and I'm eagerly counting down the days until I can wrap my arms around you again.

With all my longing,

Kaz

3rd note

I apologize, it seems the chocolates didn’t fare too well. I hope they’re still somewhat salvageable and that they manage to satisfy your sweet tooth.

- Kaz

15th letter

Dear Y/N,

I hope this letter finds you on the mend, wrapped in warmth and taking good care of yourself. It pains me to know you're unwell while I'm away, unable to offer even the smallest comfort.

My love, get well soon. I miss your laughter, your presence – they're a part of my life I can't bear to be without for long. The distance feels heavier when I know you're not well.

Today, during the heist, I saw a small brown cat with delicate white spots. The sight of it was like a reminder of simpler times, of moments when things were less complex. It stirred memories of my old cat "Spots," whose antics used to provide a reprieve from the realities of the Barrel.

As I look around, I find myself yearning for the day when I'll return to Ketterdam. Until then, my thoughts are with you, my love. Rest well, recover soon, and know that I will be there soon.

With all my affection,

Kaz

16th letter

Dearest Y/N,

There are times in life when words are inadequate, when even the most eloquent phrases fall short of capturing the depth of one's emotions. Today is one such day, and I find myself grappling with a sentiment that defies my usual precision.

I love you, Y/N. There, I've said it, though the words seem almost insufficient to convey the weight of my feelings. You've woven your presence into the very fabric of my being, and I find that I'm navigating uncharted territory, stumbling upon emotions that have long remained dormant.

In a world marked by uncertainties, you've become my constant, the one I turn to when the winds of the Barrel grow fierce. I cherish our bond, our shared history, and the future we're forging together.

As the days pass, my conviction only grows stronger. You've touched a part of me I thought was unreachable, and I find myself grateful for the warmth you've brought into my life.

Love,

Kaz

4th note

I love you too, more than words can express.

- Love, y/n!

17th letter

My Love,

I've stumbled upon something while on my trip to Lij, a revelation that caught me by surprise. My old house is up for sale. I confess, it's a notion that's been hovering in the back of my mind, a possibility I've been toying with.

And then, as if fate had a hand to play, it occurred to me – what if we made it our own? Y/N, would you consider it? The thought of creating new memories in a space that's intertwined with my past is something that holds a certain allure. A place where we could carve out our own sanctuary, away from the schemes and chaos that surround us.

If this notion speaks to you, let me know. It's a step I'd only take with you, a shared decision that would mark a new chapter in our journey together.

Love,

Kaz

18th letter

This is to certify that Y/N L/N and Kaz Brekker is (are) now registered as the absolute proprietor(s) of the land comprised in the above-mentioned title, subject to the entries in the register relating to the land and to such of the overriding interests set out in section 30 of the Registered Land Act as may for the time being subsist and affect the land.

Kaz Brekker __________

19th letter

My love Y/N,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits, even though I’m far away in Shu Han. I wanted to share something with you – I stumbled upon the perfect dining table. It’s a piece that seems to embody the essence of what we’ve built together, a symbol of the life we’re crafting, even from a distance.

As I stand here, thousands of miles away, my thoughts are never far from Ketterdam, from you. Every corner of the city is a reminder of our shared journey, of the future we’re molding. And with every passing day, I find myself longing to return, to be by your side again.

The plans we’ve made, the dreams we’ve spun – they’re a driving force, propelling me forward through the challenges that Shu Han presents. I promise you, Y/N, I’ll be back soon enough.

Until then, know that you’re in my thoughts, my heart, every moment of the day.

With all my affection,

Kaz

20th letter

Love,

I’ve come across some interesting information that might be of use to you. It seems that there’s a rumor circulating about a certain merchant in the Fifth Harbor. This merchant, it’s said, has been trying to make deals with both the Merchants Council and the Whitecrows, something that has my interest piqued.

I’ve also managed to uncover some details about a potential source of counterfeit currency that might be making its way into the hands of certain unsavory individuals. The source, surprisingly, seems to be tied to a printing press hidden away in the Barrel. It’s a curious development, one that could have far-reaching consequences.

And finally, I’ve received word that a shipment of goods has gone missing from a storage warehouse near the docks. This might not seem significant at first glance, but it’s the timing that intrigues me. A missing shipment, coupled with the merchant’s deals and the counterfeit currency – it’s all connected, I’m certain of it.

Stay vigilant, stay cautious. And know that even in the midst of our separate tasks, you’re in my thoughts.

I miss you, and I love you.

Love,

Kaz

21st letter

Y/N,

Listen to me, and listen carefully. You need to come back to Ketterdam, now. What you walked into, it was a trap – calculated, deliberate. I can’t explain it all in this letter, but trust me when I say your safety is in jeopardy.

I don’t care what you’re in the middle of, what plan you’re executing – drop it, and make your way back. I can’t lose you, not now, not like this. The threat is real, and the longer you stay where you are, the more danger you’re in.

I’m begging you, Y/N, hurry back. We can sort through the details, I’ll explain everything, but right now, all that matters is your safety. Don’t delay, don’t second-guess. Just come back.

Kaz

22nd letter

Love,

I’m pleading with you, begging you to reach out, to let me know you’re safe. This silence, it’s a torment I can’t bear. Every thought is tinged with worry, and I find myself grappling with scenarios that are far too grim.

I don’t care about the details, the reasons – they pale in comparison to my overwhelming need to know you’re okay. We’ve faced down darkness together, navigated treacherous waters, and I can’t accept the idea of you being lost in the midst of it all.

Please, Y/N, come back to Ketterdam. If you’re reading this, if you’re anywhere, find a way to let me know you’re alive. I’ll make sense of the rest later. Just, my love, come back to me.

Kaz

23rd letter

Y/N,

I can’t wait any longer. The silence is a weight on my chest, a suffocating reminder of the unknown. I’ve agonized, I’ve begged, and still, there’s no word from you. It’s time I take matters into my own hands.

Please, hold on. I’m coming. I hope you’re okay, I hope you’re just out of reach, waiting for me to catch up. It’s a risk I have to take.

I love you.

Stay strong, my love. I’m on my way.

24th letter

My Dearest Y/N,

It's been a week since you left us, a week of darkness and aching emptiness that nothing can fill. I know you won't get this letter, that these words will remain suspended in the void, but I find myself needing to put them down, needing to release the feelings that have taken hold of me.

The pain is suffocating, a weight that's settled into my bones. I still can't grasp the reality, can't accept that you're gone, that your light has been extinguished. It's a void that stretches beyond comprehension, a void I'm stumbling through.

The memories are a double-edged sword. They're a balm, a reminder of the moments we shared, of your laughter, your warmth. But they're also a blade, a reminder of what's been taken from us, of the future that was stolen away.

I want you to know, even though you'll never read these words – I love you. I always have, and I always will. You were more than a partner, more than a confidant. You were my anchor, my solace, my reason to keep pushing forward.

It's impossible to fathom life without you, Y/N. Your absence leaves a void that can never be filled. I can only hope that wherever you are, you're at peace, free from the pain that's gripped my heart.

Until we meet again, my love,

Kaz

25th letter

My dearest Y/N,

Six months have passed, and the ache of your absence has only deepened. The city, our city, is a different place without you. The crows, the ones you brought together, are slowly finding their separate paths, their separate destinies. It's as if the world itself is reshaping in your absence.

I found the little box where you kept all those letters. Your letters, my words – I'm surprised, in a way, that you kept them all. It's a piece of you that I'll treasure forever.

It's in these moments of solitude that I find myself yearning for your presence the most. Your laughter, your insights – they're still very much alive in my memories, and they continue to guide me through the labyrinthine twists of this world.

I miss you, Y/N. More than words can say. The void you left behind is as vast as the Barrel itself, and there's a hollowness that's impossible to fill. I can only hope that, wherever you are, you've found the peace that eluded you in life.

Until the next time we meet, my love,

Kaz

26th letter

My Dearest Y/N,

Time has continued its relentless march, and two years have slipped through my grasp since you left us. The city, once our canvas, has taken on a different hue, a different weight. The crows have scattered, their paths diverging, and the life we built together feels like a distant memory.

I wanted to share something with you – I've made a decision about the house, the one that once held the echoes of our shared history. It's a decision born out of the reality that without you, it's ceased to be a home. The walls, the rooms – they're empty without your presence, and it's a stark reminder of what's been lost.

Putting it up for sale again, it's not just about letting go of a physical space. It's about acknowledging that our time together, our shared moments, live on in memories, not in bricks and mortar. I carry you with me, always, but it's time to release the hold the house had on me.

Life continues to move forward, though it's a path I tread with a shadow that can never be dispelled. I hope, wherever you are, you've found the peace that eluded you in life. And I hope, wherever I am, you're watching over me, your presence a guiding light through the darkness.

With a heart full of love,

Kaz

27th letter

My dearest,

It's been almost three years, and some days it feels like it was just yesterday when I last saw you. I miss you, fuck, I miss you so much. It's like this gaping hole, this emptiness that can't be filled. No matter how many schemes I plan, no matter how many crows I put to work, it's like there's this void that's always there.

I was gonna do it, you know? I was gonna ask you. I got this ring, this small little thing that I bought just a month before you fucking died. It's funny, you know, I never thought I'd be the one to feel this way, to want something that much, to want to stake a claim in this shithole of a world.

But I guess that's what you did to me. You turned this cold, calculating schemer into someone who wanted more, who wanted you. I'm sorry I didn't ask you sooner, that I waited, that I let time slip through my fingers like sand. I'm sorry I couldn't be the one you deserved.

You were my light, Y/N. You shined a light into my darkest corners, and now that you're gone, it's like the shadows have returned with a vengeance. I need you, I need you so fucking much it's like a knife in my gut every damn day.

I don't know where you are, what's out there after this life, but I hope you're somewhere better. I hope you're at peace, and I hope you know that I'm here, waiting in this shithole, missing you every fucking day.

I love you, Y/N. I love you so fucking much it hurts. And I wish... I wish I could've showed it more when you were still here.

With all my shattered pieces,

Kaz

28th letter

Deer Y/N,

This will be the last letter I write to you, and as I put pen to paper, I’m filled with a mixture of emotions that words could never truly capture. The passage of time has been unkind, separating us by years that have felt both fleeting and eternal.

It’s strange, the way grief works. It’s a steady ache that never truly fades, an ache I’ve grown accustomed to carrying. There’s an emptiness in my heart that’s become a part of me, a void that can never be filled by anyone or anything else.

I’ve learned to navigate this world without you, though it’s been a journey fraught with challenges and moments of unbearable pain. There’s a longing, a yearning, that can never be quenched. You were my constant, the force that kept me grounded, and now that you’re gone, there’s a piece of me that will forever remain incomplete.

As time marches on, I find myself grappling with a heartbreaking reality – the sound of your voice is fading from my memory. The way you felt, the touch of your hand in mine, it’s becoming harder to recall. It’s as though the vibrant details of your presence are slipping through my fingers, leaving behind a hazy impression.

And oh, Y/N, the thought that your laughter will never again reach my ears, it’s a pain that reverberates through my very being. Your face, once etched in my mind with unparalleled clarity, is beginning to blur around the edges. The little details that I once treasured, the nuances that made you uniquely you, they’re slipping away, like grains of sand carried by the wind.

I love you, Y/N. Those words have become a mantra, a whispered refrain that echoes in the corners of my mind. I carry your memory with me, every step of the way, and I hold onto the hope that, wherever you are, you’ve found the peace that eluded you in life.

As I place this letter alongside the others, a part of me hopes that somehow, somewhere, you’ll receive these words, that you’ll know that you were loved, that you’re still loved, even in your absence.

I miss you, “we all misses you very much.”

Love, Kaz!

#fanfiction #kaz brekker x reader #six of crows #six of crows x reader #angst #fluff #kaz brekker #i cry now #flangst

[l3xdrigo]

I had silly thoughts run into my mind, Regulus igniting Vertin's passion to do art again by showing her an abandoned wall and bringing spray paint.

Vertin is more traditionally on painting but she has known about spray paint and has been wanting to try them for a long time and Regulus gives her the opportunity to test them out.

When first picking up one of the spray cans, she's not sure what she wants to create, what type of mural or artwork. Vertin is pretty unfamiliar on how to work with such a big canvas, and with a tool she hasn't quite got the grasp of yet. Regulus comes back with a bunch of paint buckets and big and small paintbrushes "What are these for? " "To help us with the painting of course, I may not be the best at any painting stuff but this pirate is passionate in anything art based and the freedom of expression! " Regulus happily chimed.

Vertin was grateful but she's not sure what to make yet, so she asked Regulus who gave her one of the buckets of paint, puzzled, she looks at Regulus "what am I supposed to do with this? "

"Throw it of course! Throw it against the wall and watch it splatter, let it be messy, let your artwork be free. It has been awhile since you last painted yes? So why not let all your creative ideas out now? "

Vertin looks at Regulus and then to the paint bucket in her hands, the swirling color inside it, she knows what she needs to do. Taking a slight step back, she throws the paint out of the bucket towards the wall, making a huge splatter to it and some to themselves as well. Regulus let's out a cheer "There ya go! Now, Let's get painting!"

Splashes of colors added to the wall, the more added, the more Vertin felt free. The paint flowing down like raindrops, the lines of contrasting colors overlapping each other, using the spray paints to add more texture and little designs and details. It was messy yes, but it was free, Regulus smiling wildly as she continues to paint the already very colorful wall, this felt nice, it felt great. Vertin was smiling, laughing even at times where they get hit with splashes of paint, Regulus's joy has been contagious and seeing Vertin happy made Regulus even more joyful.

After finally finishing their artwork, both sat down on the ground, facing what they've created. It was a messy mural, with designs of their interest, a music disk, some doves, a golden thread, butterflies and much more. Both were covered in paint and colors, it'll take a while to get them off but that's the least of their worries for now. "I think this pirate can say that, that is one beautiful mural" "It is, thank you Regulus, for bringing me out here and doing this" "No problem, you've been cooped up in that office for days now, I think you deserved a break.. And you did tell me you liked painting so, this was the best idea I could come up with" "One of the ideas you had that didn't end in disaster *pfft*" "Oi-"

Both bickered for a bit, laughing and giggling like children. It's moments like these that make all the work and sacrifices worth it, even with the weight of responsibility of being the timekeeper, others are lending a hand to carry the weight, just like Regulus. Both sat there, as the sun sets and hope rebuilds.

(Or platonic soulmate Reguvert my beloveds<333)

Bonus:

As both sat quietly, a song from the radio that Regulus brought suddenly plays "Oh hell yeah! I love this song.. Say Vertin, do you dance? "

The timekeeper pondered for a bit and gave her an answer "I do, why? "

"Well, would you like to dance with this pirate? I think that'll be fun"Regulus stood up and stretched out her hand, Vertin, slightly surprised by the sudden request, but accepted it, taking Regulus's hand into hers.

" Though be aware that this pirate may not be the best at dancing, but will certainly try her best" It's been awhile since both had danced, and more so with someone but none of that mattered right now, they're just here to have fun. Dancing to the beat of the music, as both moved to the rhythm, a few slip up's here and there but is still going strong. Going with the flow of the music, both have actually made a good dancing pair, being able to move to the rhythm easily and adjusting their movements to near perfection. Despite not even having steps in mind, both have their own, synchronized and adapting as the music goes on. It felt like walking on air as they continued to dance, they kept this on till the music ended and both were exhausted.

"I must say, you're a great dancer Regulus"

"Thanks, you're not half bad yourself, we should do this more often" "I'll check if my schedule can free up a bit"

They realized that it was near dark soon, both headed back into the suitcase, walking and talking about their interest, plans and anything really. They've grown into each other's company, and they wouldn't have it any other way, a captain and her second best mate, a bellwether and her first follower.

#reverse 1999 #vertin #Regulus #Reguvert #I dont really mind if you see this as romantic or platonic #I just have brainrot about them and wanted to share this :3 #the captain's second best mate #the bellwether's first follower after years of walking alone

[bellabraus]

It’s Not That Bad, Sweetheart.

Part Two

summary: Y/N finds herself working at the Hawkins pool, where she crosses paths with the one man she thought she could avoid: billy hargrove.

warnings: 2 year age gap between reader (18) and billy (20), inappropriate/suggestive language and content

female reader. this is a long chapter, kind of. thank you for all the love on pt 1.

————————————————————-

Your summer has been going incredibly slow and boring. In some cases, you could make “slow and boring” fun, and that was by having extra money to spend on random things. But you didn’t, you lacked in that department. Of course, your parents could provide extra things besides food and shelter for you, but they wanted you to make your own income.

That’s why you started working a summer shift at the Hawkins Pool. A place with all of your least favorite things: children, swimming, being sweaty, and Billy Hargrove. It was a sacrifice you knew you had to make, and at least it would be earning you more money than you already had.

As you fix the straps on your red lifeguard swimsuit, you contemplate your decision of choosing this job. Was it worth it? Probably not. The swimsuit fit weird and you were uncomfortable. The straps were too tight, the life guard logo was weirdly made, and you looked weird in it. The mirror you were staring into was practically judging you.

You sigh, rubbing your eyes to try and make up for the hours of sleep you missed last night. You step into your black flip flops as you reach for your red bag that has “LifeGuard” in white writing plastered right on it. You were in the woman’s locker room. Well, at least the part for only female employees. It was eery because there was no one there with you, and you weren’t the biggest fan of empty spaces, so you tried to get changed as fast as possible.

As you rush to leave the locker room, a teenage girl bumps into you. You’re stunned by the sudden action, but when you widen your eyes to react, you notice she’s around 15 years old. Your eyes soften, knowing that she’s just young and maybe lost. She’s just as shocked as you are.

“I am so so sorry. I didn’t mean to run in here like that!” She exclaims, worried. You clutch onto your red lifeguard bag. You smile softly to let her know she’s not in the wrong. “No worries. But I do have to direct you to where you need to go because this room is employees only.” You didn’t want to order her around, but that was part of your new job. Being stern. She nods, and rushes away from you and to a clump of teenage girls, all giggling. You rolled your eyes. Just a prank.

All throughout high school you had been teased by girls just like that. And here at 18 years old, you were still being treated the same. It didn’t matter what you thought because you needed to start your shift. Your eyes scan the vicinity of your workspace, A.K.A the pool. The pool is light blue, reflecting the sunlight. The pool is absolutely crammed with tons of Hawkins residents. It was hard to pick apart different people when they all looked like one big mass.

You take a deep breath, making sure to calm yourself down. As soon as you take a few steps over to your lifeguard chair, you see none other than Billy Hargrove sitting on his 6 foot tall chair topped with a complimentary red and white umbrella to shield himself from his sun. His lifeguard chair is parallel to yours, and you find yourself in perfect view of him. Not only did you despise Billy Hargrove, you hated looking at his horrible, ugly, gorgeous face.

You ignore this and make your way over to your designated white chair. You sit on the top and overlook your view: a bunch of playing children and teenagers. Kids in Hawkins weren’t that stupid, so maybe they wouldn’t need saving because none of them would drown. At least you hoped. Your thoughts abruptly end because as soon as you’re beginning your next thought, you connect your sunglasses-covered eyes with Billy Hargrove. You hope he doesn’t notice you’re looking, because you see his head facing your direction. He quickly looks away as a teenage girl below begins a conversation with him. He looks disengaged, yet interested.

You hadn’t seen Billy since the night he was drunk and stumbled into your room. You thought about that night a lot. The way he had pushed your hair behind your ear, or the way he carefully sat in your bed, or the way he was so nice, or the way that he wanted to talk to you, or that way that he-

You needed to stop thinking about him. You palmed your forehead as you distract yourself from your overbearing thoughts. You link your eyes to the mass of people in the pool, hoping to keep a close eye on everyone. After all, it was your job.

It only takes about 5 minutes before you spot a tiny child flailing around in the water. “Fuck,” You curse to yourself. You quickly take off your sunglasses and dive into the water along with your life guard raft. You locate the child and as soon as you do, he hooks his tiny hand onto your arm, and you carry him out of the crowded pool. The kid’s no more than 6 years old, which makes you even more upset. He was placed into the water without even knowing how to swim.

As soon as you reach the edge of the pool, you lay him down on the ground. You can feel the attention from the people in the pool, but all that mattered was keeping this little boy safe. The boy starts vigorously coughing, and you wait for him to finish. When he’s done, you check his pulse and thankfully, he’s breathing. You release the biggest breathe you’ve ever taken as the kid clings onto you, basically thanking you for saving him.

Suddenly, the sun is shielded from you and you’re faced with a blanket of shade. What could really shield the sun in a time like this? You look up, and to your expectations, it’s Billy. Billy crouches down and looks at the small child clinging onto you. You hold the child’s head to soothe him from the scary situation he just endured. He takes one quick glance at you and then at the child. He raises his tall body up and you can tell he’s preparing to say something.

You were right, because as soon as he’s on his feet, he yells, “Who’s child is this and why the hell is he unattended at a crowded pool?” The staggered children in the pool look frightened from the tone of Billy’s voice, and none of them voice anything. But then, sudden loud footsteps make their way toward me. “George!” It’s the clumsy teenage girl from earlier, and this time, she was not giggling with her friends. Her face was full of concern, and not the fake kind.

“So you mean to tell me, you left your little brother unattended just so you could be with your friends?!” He says, raising his voice at the scared teenager. She gulps, “No! He’s not even my little brother!” He rolls his eyes, ignoring her fear.

“Get outta here.” He says sternly, almost freaking you out when he’s not even talking to you. She quickly picks the little boy up out of your arms and swings him into her arms, and the little boy clings himself into her arms. He waves at you from over her shoulder, smiling through his missing front teeth. You wave back, smiling.

Billy reaches his hand at you, ushering you to grab it. You grab it and he pulls you up in one swift motion, basically sweeping you off of your feet. “Let’s get back to work, little girl.”

•••

Work was over now, and you found yourself sitting in the break room, alone. It was 8 pm, and you were paranoid, to say the least. Munching on your Cheetos, you were worried some monster would crawl into the room. You kept telling yourself, no monsters would ever enter Indiana, that’s stupid.

You buried yourself into your favorite black zip up, hoping to drown in your own thoughts. Your favorite thing to do was think. You barely get any time to do so because you hear noise from the men’s locker room. You clutch onto your lifeguard bag, practically shitting your pants. You praying to God that it’s just nothing and you’re going crazy, but that doesn’t work, because a tall male figure makes it’s way into the doorway.

You scream, getting ready to run, and it sounds like something straight out of a horror movie. Never in a million years would you expect that sound to come out of your body. “Jesus!” Billy yells, “Calm the fuck down, Y/N.” He raises both eyebrows, looking seriously concerned. You slap your hand onto your chest, placing it above your heart, taking a moment to adjust to calming down.

You don’t even get the chance to calm down or even let your heart beat get slower because you’re faced with the godly sight of Billy’s wet hair and his shirtless, half-naked body. It was crazy, how one man could have so many abs on his stomach. And how those abs could be so tan and so perfect. A white towel sits on his waist, covering his lower half, and you find yourself getting lost in his appearance. He’s quick to notice though, because he’s so used to excessive attention. “Like what you see?” He smirks, trying not to laugh. You don’t hesitate to laugh though, “In your dreams, Hargrove.”

“Worth a shot.” He shrugs, leaning his bare body against the wall. You couldn’t help but wonder, did he remember that night? The night where he came into your room. You try to stop yourself but the thoughts rush in too fast, and before you know it, you’re asking him, “Why did you come into my room?”

Still leaning against the wall, he links his blue eyes with your eyes. No matter the occasion, you were always lost in them. They drove you crazy. No matter what age you guys were, they always would. They do say that eyes never age. “Because I wanted to.” He licks his lips.

Now you had confirmation. Billy Hargrove remembered your encounter, you didn’t know why or how, but that made you feel content. Like you were cared about. You try to hold back your smile, still mesmerized in his presence. You force your smile back in by pulling your lips in, trying not to respond with something stupid. As much as you wanted to tell him, “That’s not enough, tell me the real reason”, You didn’t.

He begins walking over to you, gripping onto his towel to prevent it from falling off of his body. He finishes his confident strides as he’s finally face to face with you. He has a light smirk on his face, and you make a mental note not to fall for his undeniable charm. He meticulously places his big hand onto your jawline, which recedes onto your cheek as well. You don’t know how to feel, but all you knew, was that this was making you feel good. You were a mess around Billy, and this was only the second time you’ve met like this. Maybe it was because of his abs, or maybe it was because of his…

He places his forehead onto yours creating immense contact. Your lips are barely apart, and your noses are almost kissing. You didn’t know what his end goal was here, but you wanted to know. You needed to know.

He moves his thumb carefully on your cheek, rubbing it. You can see his smirk-smile even though you guys are so close together. You knew Billy’s version of smiling was smirking, well at least you thought it was.

Then, out of nowhere, he retracts his touch from you. You feel your heart drop, you feel like you just went down a rollercoaster and suffered the terrible drop. You felt robbed, like if someone stole your candy from you on halloween. He’s still holding his smirk, but this time, it’s a slight smile. His face is still stern, but he makes it clear when he says, “See you tomorrow.”

And there he goes, walking away from you and disappearing into the men’s locker room. You were confused and feeling lost.

“What have you done to me, Hargrove?”

#stranger things #billy hargove x reader #billy hargrove #billy hargove imagine #steve harrington #romance #television #fanfic

[elbarkla]

Check it out everyone, 3 years of art progress! And I wrote a guide for beginners! 😊

Hi! I’m Laura, age 31. I’ve always drawn occasionally, but never really stuck with it. Frankly it stressed me out. I’d draw for a month, then cry a bunch, then quit for a couple more years. But this time I turned it into a habit somehow. I’ve been drawing near-daily since Feb ‘21 and my life is better for it. Art’s a huge part of me now; it affects how I spend my time, how I express myself, and how I see the world. I feel like a happier, more complete human being.

So here’s what worked for me. This is a guide for hobbyists (I don’t have commercial ambitions) and it may or may not work for you. But I hope you can learn something from it regardless. Without further ado, my thesis:

 ~ Laura’s Steps for Drawing A Lot and Hopefully Getting Better ~

 1 – Manage Your Health 

Know what’s bad for your art? Depression! Glad I got around to treating mine. But for real, if you lack self-confidence you might want to check your mental health. It isn’t the sole factor but it can rapidly overtake the others. Every day I see a post like “how do I improve, every time I try to draw I’m overwhelmed with thoughts I’m bad at everything and a burden to the people around me”. That’s relatable but not a healthy way to see yourself. Low self-esteem can be treated. Please consider talking to someone - you’re a wonderful, lovable person and deserve a happy life.

Also, try to get plenty of sleep and eat regular meals; it helps with everything. Exercise is worth a shot too. Going for walks is good for your mind and body. Yes it’s boring, but boredom gives you space to imagine things.

 #2 – Make It Fun

You’re taking this too seriously. Yes, you. It’s just a hobby. Take the pressure off. Have fun.

What does that mean? It means you need to make art approachable. It has to be a comfort hobby you’re naturally drawn to. That means killing all thoughts of what you SHOULD do. If it makes you want to draw, go for it. Anime characters? Pretty ladies? Fanart? Furries? Doodles from imagination? Zentangles? Pencils? Digital? Do it. If drawing the “right way” burns you out, draw things the wrong way instead. You know who draws a lot? Children. You know who doesn’t draw super well? Children. Have that mindset. Draw like a child. Don’t compare yourself to others; just enjoy the process of creating something. You had that ability once and I know you can reacquire it.

 Intimidated by an empty sketchbook? Don’t wanna ruin a white page? That’s OK; find something you don’t mind ruining. Grab a half-used notebook and a ballpoint pen. You EXPECT those to look horrendous. If you can have fun filling that notebook, you can have fun drawing regularly, and if you draw regularly you can slowly improve your art. It happened to me. I went from rarely drawing to wanting to do it every day. I still sketch in ballpoint now; it’s fun and comfortable.

Also, if drawing’s NOT fun? That’s OK too! There’s loads of ways to express creativity; go do do one of those. For me it was The Sims 3, then knitting, then drawing. Find something accessible and build your confidence up. The world needs bonsai trees and Minecraft castles just as much as drawings. <3

#3 – Seek Instruction

You’ve made drawing a habit, congratulations! You’ve probably learned heaps already; it’s natural to work out techniques as you go. But deducing art wisdom from scratch isn’t super efficient. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when you can learn so much from others.

You can do a paid course (great way to meet people), but you don’t have to. All the information’s free on the internet! Teachers will cover the same things in different ways or from different perspectives. There’s no exclusive knowledge; the more you study, the more overlap you’ll notice. It all comes together for a more complete understanding of fundamental concepts.

Here’s some of my favourite resources (currently all available free online)(except the Winslow one which was taken down, boo):

  r/artfundamentals, ie. drawabox.com . A great starter course on how to hold a pen, draw lines, build forms and so on. You can follow structured lessons or just practice whatever you need to.

How to Draw: Drawing and Sketching Objects and Environments from Your Imagination, by Scott Robertson. This book’s the gold standard on perspective and great for technical thinkers. It gets VERY advanced but there’s basic stuff to learn from as well. If the textbook intimidates you, try this excellent video playlist by Dan Beardshaw. He walks you through the same concepts in a simple approachable manner. Vital information if you want your work to look 3D.

anything by Andrew Loomis. He’s an icon for a reason; the Loomis head is a standard art tool to this day. I also enjoy the anachronistic career advice (“all advertisers will pay for a well-drawn head” or whatever it was). Here’s the ones I’ve read and enjoyed:

Fun with a Pencil

Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth

Drawing The Head and Hands

Creative Illustration (my current fave, great for composition)

Classic Human Anatomy in Motion, by Valerie L. Winslow. Hot take – people who say “learn anatomy” to beginners are idiots. SO MANY fundamentals come before anatomy if you wanna draw good-looking characters. You’ll get better results studying proportion, form, gesture, shapes and composition first. But if/when you want to learn bones and muscles, this is the book for you! It’s probably overkill, but I loved the breakdown of facial muscles and how they create expression. Top-tier reaction image material.

Proko!! Fabulous Youtube channel. Not only is Stan a great teacher, he invites on other artists too. Just go to his search bar and plug in a keyword; you’ll always find something helpful. I recommend his channel if you want to draw humans (loads of gesture, forms, proportion, anatomy etc.), but there’s a video or two on everything. Some of my other favourite videos:

Mind-Blowing Realistic Shading Tricks. Simple effective intro to light and shadow, I still go back and learn from it.

How to Draw Dynamic Shapes – FORCE Series Part 3. So compelling I bought the book afterwards. Blew my mind, instantly improved all my shapes and in turn my composition and gesture.

Painting Skin Tones and How Light Affects Color. Marco Bucci’s a genius with colours, he explains value and saturation in such fascinating ways.

Digital Shape Carving with Scott Flanders – good companion to the shading video above, teaches dramatic silhouettes and cel-shading within a really interesting workflow.

Google. Any question. Throw it in. Someone’s made a video or reddit post about it. You’d be surprised! I swear, the number of times I’ve typed “composition tips” or “digital watercolour clip studio paint” or “how draw horse head”.

Remember, take it easy. Don’t burn yourself out. Back off if you feel the tears creeping in. Study should supplement your drawings, not replace them. If in doubt, revert to step 2 – “bad” art is better than no art.

4– Study Life

If you did step 3 you’re way ahead of me on this one. USE REFERENCES. Draw things from photos (or real life if possible). Fill your brain with visual information. Here’s a thread I made for sharing references of humans.

What if you prefer to draw from imagination? That’s fine – try a hybrid approach. Doodle whatever comes to you, then look up references and try again. For example I’ll doodle a bear, then draw from photos of bears, then doodle new bears using the things I learned. It’s fun and also a good way to test your knowledge. You may also enjoy combining different references; eg drawing animal fusions, combining poses with an outfits etc. It gets easier to do the more you practice.

Between art pieces I keep a balance between drawing from imagination, drawing from reference, following art lessons, and studying other artists. Speaking of which –

5 – Study Art

Ever heard “Don’t draw anime until you’ve learned anatomy?” or “Learn the rules before you break them?” I strongly disagree with both of those statements. Fundamentals are great but there’s never a point you stop learning them, and studying life won’t teach you how to stylise. That’s why you also need to learn from your favourite artworks. This gets easier/more efficient as you build your broader art skills, but you can learn styles at any point of your art journey (see – step 2). In fact, it makes study more enjoyable, since stylised art can look better and feel more “you”. You already know what you want to create– why not start now?

Let’s take anime as an example. That’s a huge genre with loads of variation. So, what’s your personal taste? Round and cute, or sharp and serious? Choose your favourite shows and study how they do it. Observe their lines, shapes and proportions. Then try it yourself. Make fanart. Not only is replication good art practice in general, it’ll teach you a bunch of new tricks. For original work, pull from loads of sources, the more diverse the better. Work in your love for Silver Age comics or medieval tapestries or German expressionism. The more places you learn from, the more unique and personal your style will be. Your art becomes a visual scrapbook of all the artists you love. I think that’s beautiful. <3

 6 – Find Community

Art friends! Best thing ever. You can bond over your shared obsession, commiserate over tough parts, and learn about art together. A lot of my drawings are in-jokes exchanged with my BFF. I’ve known them from childhood (lucky) but apparently adults can make friends too. Fandom spaces are great for this; many Discord channels have a dedicated artists’ zone. You can also try r/sketchdaily or challenges like Mermay/Inktober if you want a sense of community.

If you don’t have art friends (yet), that’s OK; parasocial works too! I like watching “Draw With Me” content on Youtube. It’s great to put on while you’re creating, especially when you don’t have the energy for something educational. Not only is it inspiring, you can learn tips and tricks along the way. And of course, you can never go wrong with Bob Ross.

 7 – Be Interesting

The very first step was to manage your health. In a way, we’ve looped back to the beginning.  Because no matter what you do, art begins and ends with who you are. You can practice fundamentals 12 hours a day but if you never live your life, you’ll never make interesting art. No one cares for artists whose only character trait is how hard they grind. So go be the most vibrant version of yourself. Take up weird hobbies. Make weird friends. Seek new experiences. Question the beliefs you grew up with. Read books for a while instead of drawing. Develop your principles. Embrace what makes you different. Survive the worst year of your life somehow. Learn what makes you thrive. Your art won’t be for everyone. But it WILL mean the world to some. And to me, that’s the whole point of doing this. Good luck, fellow artist. The world is your adventure yet to come. I believe in you. <3

#art progress #art tips #art tutorial #art resources #art guide #artists on tumblr #elbarklaart

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

Taskmaster New Year’s Treat was more fun than I’d expected, same as it was last year. This was largely down to Kojey Radical, it’s always fun when you get proper Taskmaster fans on the show. He made me laugh several times. The inclusion of an underage minor was pretty odd, and I wasn’t sure it was a good idea (especially since they’ve just created a special Taskmaster all for the children), but then the child actor turned out to actually be quite fun. He was good on the podcast, too.

I think it helped that the tasks themselves were really funny. I enjoyed season 16 a lot, but some of the tasks were a bit lackluster (they really need to slow down on the “do some other distracting thing at the same time as doing the regular task”, they get diminishing returns after a while), and I thought all the tasks in the latest NYT were great. I sort of see why they’d save the funnier tasks for an NYT episode, when the contestants aren’t comedians so there has to be more humour in the format. But also, I’d love to see them give the tasks with the most comedic potential to the people who extract comedic potential on a professional basis.

I’d enjoy a Champion of Champions: NYT edition once they’ve been doing this for five years. Though I guess the point of NYT is to get people who are too important to commit to more than one episode, and even the regular Taskmaster hasn’t been able to get all its champions make their schedules line up for a COC, so presumably getting the extra special celebrity stars from NYT free on the same day would be a challenge.

I’ve come around on that COC thing, by the way. I was really annoyed when I first read about Mae not participating, to the point where I didn’t even make a post about it because I knew how annoyed I was was too disproportionate to the situation to be worth posting. Not just because I really really like Mae Martin and was looking forward to seeing them, though of course there’s that. I was annoyed because it compromises the integrity of the competition of Taskmaster, if you can just throw anyone in there. Look, Alex, a large amount of my enjoyment of your show and/or general mental health is riding on me being able to maintain the suspension of disbelief, and view Taskmaster as a genuine competition. If you start admitting that they’re just a bunch of performance artists trying to make room in their schedules for this TV gig (no, come on, surely the Taskmaster contestants don’t get paid, they do it for the love of the game), the curtain starts to slip and it all falls apart.

In frustration, I said to a friend that this ruins the sporting aspect of Taskmaster, because it’s not like a sport will have a championship with a qualifier, and then just let someone else in because the date doesn’t work for one of the people who won their qualifier. But as soon as I said this, I realized: Yes they do. That’s exactly what they do. That’s why important qualifiers have challenge rounds at the end between the second and third place finishers, to determine the true alternate. Because if the winner gets an injury or a career in the States or some shit and can’t go to the championship, the alternate goes in their place. Kiell Smith-Bynoe was the second-place finisher in Taskmaster season 15, and is therefore the legitimate alternate, so it’s all fine! Integrity restored! I go back to maintaining my belief that Taskmaster functions as a genuine sport (I can come out of the delusion long enough to admit to knowing the reality on a Tumblr post – the disbelief that I can really never stop suspending is in the idea that genuine sports are also just made up and their results only matter because we’ve all collectively agreed to pretend that they do, no one’s allowed to talk about that (except Andy Zaltzman, who’s got some good material on the subject and is actually quite funny when he talks about that)).

And by the way, I’d like to state again that I hate the idea that it’s a (North) American thing to watch panel shows like they’re actual competitions. If I didn’t know much about British culture, I might believe that it’s just us North Americans who have this toxic competitiveness so entrenched in society that it comes up in even our entertainment TV shows, and the British are more enlightened about it. But I have heard the British cultural references. I have heard how wildly, blindingly competitive they get about something that we in North America consider a children’s game called soccer. And even aside from how deeply they get into (sort of) real sports, you can’t tell me that British people don’t get overly competitive about things that are not sports, treating them like they are a sport. I’ve heard how British people talk about pub quizzes, and darts, and snooker. We all like a good competition to distract us from the things with genuine meaning in the world! And I have chosen Taskmaster.

Anyway, when I decided to just view the Kiell situation as sending in the legitimate alternate, I got over my existential disappointment at pulling the curtain back on the realities of Taskmaster, and became only annoyed about not getting to see Mae Martin, whom I like. But that’s not so bad, because Kiell is fun too. And I think it’ll be a good episode. I can’t wait to see Dara O’Brien and Sarah Kendall up against each other, I think that’ll be an interesting matchup. Sophie Duker is a strong contender too. I think my money might be on Sarah Kendall to win, but I might be blinded by my large crush on her.

[lokiinmediasideblog]

What Norse myth books have you read already? I need new recs x

I don't think any of these are particularly new. Trying to make a list of all I've read. And granted, my attention span has gotten worse over the years.

The first book featuring the norse pantheon in any form I read was Neil Gaiman's "American Gods".

There's Diana Wynne Jones' "Eight Days of Luke" which served as inspiration for "American Gods", according to Neil Gaiman. Children's book.

There's also "Odd and the Frost Giants" by Neil Gaiman and his "Norse Mythology" retelling. Children's book.

I LOVED Louie Stowell's Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good, if you have children or trouble getting through books, get this! It's hilarious and smart. I enjoyed it as an adult. Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Norse mythology.

I enjoyed the first two books by Joanne Harris as a teen, "Runemarks" and "Runelight." The first two (esp. the first) are fun and I love the Bart Simpson-esque portrayal of Loki. Unfortunately, the quality of later books focusing on Loki is terrible.

I unfortunately read Joanne Harris' "The Testament of Loki", first chapter is interesting, but he's unwillingly sharing a body with an annoying teen girl, and the way Harris deals with eating disorders is really bad. It's awful. Don't recommend.

I think Lyra Wolf's The Nine Worlds rising series are an easy read. I think she has a great comedic voice and the books are worth reading just for that, and I like the toxic Odin/Loki relationship. I do have complaints about them, such as the anachronistic language (e.g. Loki knowing what a Chihuahua is), and that Sigyn doesn't have flaws other than caring too much for her no-good brother. She also has the women are either saints or evil witches dichotomy going on in terms of portrayals of goddesses. I think the stakes are good in these books so that you keep reading them.

I enjoyed Cat Rector's "The Goddess of Nothing at All" A LOT. While it doesn't have my ideal morally gray portrayal of Sigyn yet, it did make Sigyn more complex than others have. I also like this book mainly because I am a sadist and I love whump and there's a lot of suffering on it. It's so sad you won't be laughing at the myth!Loki memes. I would avoid this book if you don't like whump. I do have criticisms about it, such as her Loki was a bit too nice for my taste and could have been worse (making him justified for cutting Sif's hair feels forced; he can still be a loveable and tragic asshole, you know?). But my tragedy-loving self loves this!

I was looking forward to Genevieve Gornichec's "The Witch's Heart", it has a cute start of Loki giving Angrboda her burnt heart, but she criminally made Angrboda and Loki boring as fuck. Angrboda conveniently doesn't remember anything and just fumbles her way inside a cave for a large portion of the book. And she is the POV we're following. WE ARE STUCK IN A CAVE SHE WON'T LEAVE. Loki's portrayal in this is one of the most cisheteronormative I've seen yet, and it's surprising the author managed this in a story where Loki is impregnated by a horse and wears a dress (he impatiently yanks off because he felt emasculated). The author thinks having a lean build and no beard=queer. Loki only shows interest in women and feels emasculated while wearing a dress. I also happen to hate Skadi and her weird castration fetish in this book. Bitch wouldn't shut up about it. The good thing about this book is that there's no anachronisms, and I liked Hel's portrayal.

So confession, I had Kindle Unlimited trial briefly, and I read a bunch of Loki books, such as Lyra Wolf's.

I think(?) I read A.B. Frost's "Father of Monsters". It was quite short, but has nice illustrations, and Loki's endearing, even if a little shit. That both takes one for the team and also endangers the team.

I read (partially) some book about Loki escaping his punishment early and rejoining the Aesir, but it was criminally boring (it never described how Loki got out of situations and the prose was incredibly VAGUE) and seemed geared towards Norse pagans(Which I AM NOT). Had a spiritual conflict-avoiding vibe. It was called "Loki" but forgot the author's name and I accessed for free by Kindle Unlimited. I also didn't like that it referred to cops as "Tyr's warriors". FUCK COPS.

I have not finished reading Mike Vasich's "Loki". I think the man thinks MCU Loki is accurate to Norse mythology, because that's the only Loki I could picture (and he was adopted by Odin). And man spent way too long describing sensing "power levels" that I ended up getting bored and stopped reading. I've also seen some amusing excerpt from another of his books I have not read. But, if you're an author, don't spend a lot of time describing power levels, FFS! You'll bore the fuck out of your readers.

#norse mythology #loki #myth!loki #myth!sigyn #myth!angrboda #neil gaiman #mike vasich #louie stowell #cat rector #lyra wolf #a.b. frost #joanne harris #genevieve gornichec #LokiBookClub

[stolencrownsofplenty]

@lambfated | Accepting

❣

Pros & Cons of Dating the Emperor:

pros:

While sometimes forgetful when it comes to their own needs, they do make up for that with wanting to be extra attentive when it comes to remembering their partners own wants and needs. No matter how many wives they managed to wind themselves with, they keep a journal on them that is filled to the brim with lists of wants/needs, names, dates, and even written logs/memories that they keep an archive of to make sure they have it on file. Did you mention you have a certain allergic reaction when it comes to eating sea food? When your head's turned they are quickly writing that down to make sure they have it memorized just to keep note for later, just so they don't forget. Did you guys have a really fun date or walk out in the forest when they specifically made some time for you to spend some special time together? Dw, they written a few whole pages detailing the entire event later that day because they wanted to mark that as another anniversary date.

Their love language is quality time and lots of touchy affection. As much as their own time is infinite because of their cult ordeal as a immortal deity, they do know (when they don't have an immortality necklace locked onto a new spouse just yet) their mortal spouses lives have quite limited days to their soul count. Sometimes they don't always have time to resurrect their partners right away since they can only ever resurrect one person every six months (mortal time), so it matters a lot to them when they go out of their way to spend time with those they really care about. If you both are busy and work has to come first since the Emperor has countless mouths to feed? Having just a few kisses or holding hands in between work is just enough for them for their heart to flutter.

If you're a single parent and have some kids on hand that were either indoctrinated with you or were born into the cult but their other parent died? By default they are gonna step in and help you take care of those kids like if they were their own!! They already have a bunch of lil kiddies of their own always running around that they're a family man who will always drop everything whenever they hear their children are in trouble or if they need their parent to play hide n' seek with them. Having time for your kids is always something precious. And if they can help make that kid's childhood something great before they have to go and carry their own weight later? They will just spoil you and your kids with a lot of gifts to let you know you are something special worth keeping to them.

cons:

Downside to them also being polyamory who's a lamb with many partners... Since they have a ton of partners they've cherished super deeply over the centuries? You'll have to expect them to not always sleep with you in bed most nights. Everyone gets an equal portion of their quality time spent together with them and sometimes some partners are not often willing to share the bed with three other spouses when their Leader either has to sleep with them or a three-four person love session isn't always on the table. Every spouse gets one night to spend the night in their bed, and the wait list can get a bit long even for their 114 spouse count; so it leaves their time a bit restrained when they're trying to keep everyone happy with their reserved time. While the hivemind link may sometimes suffice since they can talk to everyone over the line no problem, but if you're someone who gets touch starved a lot during the time.. Let's hope they bought you a plush to rest with when they're not there.

They're still a leader of a large colony. And with being a leader over said colony people need food to survive and roles to keep them occupied so they don't get cabin fever so easily. When they're not around to give their partners quality time, they are on the grind alongside their people working to make sure their cult runs as smooth as possible. When on crusades they can be gone for days at a time trying to collect resources and killing heretics. Maybe they'll be absent for weeks if they've gone on a long trip hunting down bosses who've been causing their lands trouble. If you're someone who's still good to exist on your own yet still willing to keep up with their speed? Expect them to be absent sometimes as they are a hard working bread winner for their cult. They know its sometimes not ideal, but there are reasons they started that telepathy link to keep their people happy.

When you're getting together with them? You're also getting together with their crowns as well since they're package deal. During off days when the crowns happen to possess them during a bad day, it's best to not take it personally if one of the crowns has an odd distaste for you sometimes. A lot of the time its just due to stress when those things just practically dragged their body back home from a depressing fight, and they're sometimes always a bit jumpy when they get on edge after a fight. Most of them are chatty, but don't expect too much if they're not into kissing their vessel's spouses.

#ask #nonanon #headcanons #canon #ooc #lambfated #long post cw //

[twistedtummies2]

Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes - Honorable Mentions

Welcome to A Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes! During this month-long event, I’ll be counting my Top 31 Favorite Fictional Detectives, from movies, television, literature, video games, and more!

With that said, the countdown shall start tomorrow. Before we get to it, I want to go over some Honorable Mentions. These were Twelve Terrific Detectives who ALMOST made the cut, but not quite…

Benoit Blanc.

Combine Tennessee Williams with Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, and you’ll basically have Benoit Blanc. Played by James Bond himself, of all people, Daniel Craig, Blanc is probably the most significant old-school detective character to come out within the past few years. The central sleuth of the film “Knives Out,” and its sequel, “Glass Onion,” Blanc is a Southern gentleman detective; a slightly eccentric private eye whose somewhat cartoonish attributes bely a steely mind and equally iron-clad will. The films are actually inspired by Christie’s works, and give a sort of Americanized view of the same sort of fiction. They play out with a similar sense of humor and style, but with a few unique twists of their own. I’m mostly including Blanc here because I’m 90% certain that if I DIDN’T, someone would call me out on it; nevertheless, he’s definitely worthy of praise.

2. C. Auguste Dupin.

Of all the detectives to come throughout this event, arguably none are as IMPORTANT as C. Auguste Dupin. This French gentleman sleuth was the invention of my favorite author, Edgar Allan Poe, who wrote three short tales featuring this character. The Dupin Trilogy – consisting of the stories “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Mystery of Marie Roget,” and “The Purloined Letter” – is widely considered to be the birth of the modern detective story, and Dupin is just as widely credited as the first proper detective character in literature. Characters like Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown, and the aforementioned Hercule Poirot likely never would have existed if it weren’t for Poe’s “studies in ratiocination.” While this definitely makes Dupin worth noting – especially since I am a huge fan of Poe, and two of his Dupin stories (“Marie Roget” is sort of underbaked, in my opinion) – there’s not that much to say about the character, and he hasn’t captured the public imagination as strongly as other detectives who would follow him. Therefore, I don’t think I can, in all fairness, give him a place in the Top 31. For being the first of many, however, he has at least earned an Honorable Mention.

3. Eddie Valiant, from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

I’m specifically talking about the movie version here; I’ve never read the (much darker) book the famous film is based on. On that note: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” is a bizarre little picture, which combines literal cartoon hijinks with the trappings of a film noir styled crime story. The story focuses on hard-boiled detective Eddie Valiant – played by Bob Hoskins, in perhaps my favorite of all his roles (well...more like second favorite) – going through the wacky world of Toontown to try and solve the titular mystery. He’s joined on his quest by Roger Rabbit himself, Roger’s human bride, Jessica, and a talking taxi cab. (Because why not?) Throw in encounters with tons and tons of famous cartoon characters, from Mickey Mouse to Bugs Bunny and so many more in-between, and it’s not a surprise this film has become so beloved. Eddie, himself, is a really fun character; much of the joy of the picture comes from the fact Hoskins generally plays the character pretty straight, which makes his reactions to the zany insanity of the cartoon world around him all the more hilarious.

4. Encyclopedia Brown.

I felt I had to include at least one “kid detective” in the bunch, and out of all the characters I could have chosen there, perhaps none are more emblematic of the genre than Encyclopedia Brown. The titular protagonist of a series of children’s detective books, Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown is a highly observant and intelligent young man, who sells his deductive abilities the way most kids stereotypically work lemonade stands. Encyclopedia is the son of a police chief, who works and lives in the fictional seaside town of Idaville, U.S.A. Despite his youth, Encyclopedia often seems smarter than his old man, as he is extremely skilled at noticing little details that other people miss, and thus uses these inconsistencies to piece together the problem. He even has his own Mini-Moriarty to match wits with, in the form of a cunning but nasty town bully known as Bugs Meany. (Yes, that is apparently his real name.) While not especially complex, the Encyclopedia Brown books are still staples of children’s literature, being reprinted and pastiched numerous times since the 1960s. When I think of kid detectives, he’s probably the first character that comes to mind.

5. Jake Gittes, from Chinatown.

Jack Nicholson as a noir-style detective in some slick shades. (pauses) Do I really need to say anything else about why this one is awesome? I think that pretty much sums it all up in a nutshell. XD Honestly, more people are probably curious why Jake here isn’t in the actual countdown. Well, the fact of the matter is that I just don’t have a lot to SAY about Jake, and I blame this partially on the fact he only shows up in one movie. Most (though not all) of the detectives on the main countdown come from serialized pieces, having multiple episodes, installments, or general stories to their name. With only one film to his credit, Jake isn’t a bad detective, but it’s just hard to think of a whole lot to talk about with him, specifically, and he doesn’t stand out AS much compared to all the others who have so many appearances and so much more development behind them.

6. Johnny Dollar, from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

Most of the detectives to come are the residents of film, television, and literature, primarily. However, there’s one medium that I feel doesn’t get enough credit nowadays: radio. Back in the golden age of radio, especially in America, detective radio programs were VERY popular; crime and mystery were hot topics, and there were TONS of shows and detective characters to choose from. One of my favorites was Johnny Dollar. Dollar is an insurance investigator, whose desire to help his clients often leads to him taking on cases larger than one would expect, and he has to adventure and snoop around a great deal to figure out the problem and bring those responsible to justice. The character was so popular, they would even have him break the fourth wall of reality at times, with guest stars who literally just played themselves (such as Vincent Price, who, in one episode, joins Dollar as a guest, acting as both client and sidekick at the same time). The character was played by several actors over the series run, the most popular arguably being Bob Bailey, who tackled the role for five whole years out its near-fifteen-year run. Johnny Dollar was so popular he would later be adapted into a TV film and a graphic novel, but most people will remember this intrepid investigator best for his radio adventures.

7. Mark McPherson, from Laura.

Played by Dana Andrews, Mark McPherson – the NYPD police detective protagonist of the classic film “Laura” – is a character who is sort of in the same boat as Jake Gittes. I absolutely love this movie; much like “Chinatown,” I think this is one of the absolute best examples of film noir storytelling there’s ever been. Not only that, but the film actually works as a legitimate mystery, with a couple of surprising twists and turns; something a lot of people don’t realize is that noir-style detective fiction doesn’t always focus on the mystery aspect of things, so it’s cool to see something that does while having all the other elements of that field. I also find it interesting how Mark’s character develops across the film, particularly in terms of his relationship to the titular character. However, beyond all that…again, I just don’t have a lot to say about McPherson, so I don’t think I can, in good conscience, give him placement in the Top 31.

8. Mike Hammer.

One of the most renowned noir-style detectives, private eye Mike Hammer really does live up to his name. He was originally created by author and actor Mickey Spillane, who wrote for Hammer in a series of books. Unlike some other sleuths of the era, such as Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe (the latter of whom won’t be on this countdown, apologies), Hammer isn’t just a hard-boiled cynic with a biting sense of wit that’s as sharp as his mind. He is a person with an outright vendetta, who goes after criminals with a stone-cold sense of focus and intensity. He is fiery and ferocious, not simply stopping but ATTACKING crime, as he harbors a deep-seated hatred for those who hurt other people for their own evil ends. His sense of morality and justice is a bit more ambiguous than most, as he is willing to bend and even break laws in order to see what he perceives as justice done, but at the same time has great respect for the police and is a highly patriotic figure. There’s a lot of gray areas to Hammer that make him stand out amongst the crowd of snap-brim-hat-toting detectives of this style and period. The character has been played excellently by a few actors, including Humphrey Bogart, Stacy Keach (my personal favorite, pictured here), and – get this – Mickey Spillane, the creator, himself! Talk about great casting!

9. Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.

I already talked about kid detectives with Encyclopedia Brown, but we mustn’t forget the ever-so-slightly more advanced stage of things: teenaged detectives. When it comes to that sub-genre, few have been as long-lasting as Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. These characters were the invention of Edward Stratemeyer: he was the head of the self-named publishing company Stratemeyer Syndicate, and acted as its editor and chief writer. Stratemeyer first created the Hardy Boys under the pseudonym “Franklin W. Dixon,” then later – wanting to create a female counterpart to fit into their universe, to appeal more to ladies – also thought up Nancy Drew, under the pseudonym “Carolyn Keene.” These pen names were important, as they allowed later ghost writers and other creators to publish the characters under the same oft-used pseudonym, that way Stratemeyer himself wouldn’t grow overtired due to all the other work he had to deal with. (This was a common practice back in the day.) The Hardy Boys were made in the late 1920s, and Nancy Drew first appeared in 1930; despite this age, not only are books still published and reprinted featuring these characters, but they’ve even been adapted to other media many times! In fact, as recently as 2019 there was a new Nancy Drew TV series, and in 2020 Hulu began airing a Hardy Boys series! That shows you, doesn’t it?

10. Richard Diamond.

This character was the invention of Blake Edwards, who is probably best-remembered today – especially when it comes to detective stories – for his comedy film series “The Pink Panther,” starring the determined but utterly dull-witted Inspector Clouseau. Before the antics of Clouseau, however, Edwards put his spin on the film noir genre with the radio production “Richard Diamond, Private Detective,” starring Dick Powell (pictured here, in costume for a promo photo). The series was a sort of semi-satire of the noir-style detective story, with a sarcastic and often tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, but also with a dark and dangerous edge that was typical of the genre. Even though what happened in it could be very funny (one of my favorite running gags was Elmer Fudd himself, Arthur Q. Bryant, as the voice of Diamond’s conscience), and the plots were sometimes absurd, it didn’t treat everything like a joke. When things got serious, you never doubted people could be hurt or worse. The radio show was so well-received that the character was later adapted into a TV series by the same title, featuring David Janssen as Diamond. The TV version was even more deliberately campy in tone, with Janssen’s Diamond as a somewhat “softer” character than Powell’s. Both are great (though I personally prefer the radio version), and well-worth looking up.

11. The Question.

As I said in the rules during my opening post, superhero characters are not going to be included here…depending on which superheroes you are talking about. Many superheroes can qualify as detectives, when you get down to it; most, if not all, are essentially fulfilling that role in their universe, by tackling crimes and facing foes that typical police can’t handle. However, there’s a big difference between a character like, say, Wonder Woman…and a character like The Question. True name Vic Sage, the Question is one of those characters you can basically consider a “super detective”: yes, they are included in the vein of the superhero genre, but the way they work is more like a classic detective than someone like Superman or the Grene Lantern. I use the DC analogies, by the way, because that is the company the Question hails from: originally created by rival company Charlton Comics, the Question was one of many Charlton characters “adopted” into the DC Universe when DC eventually bought out said rival. With his faceless demeanor, courtesy of a special mask, the Question is just as much a mystery as the crimes he seeks to solve. One of the more interesting elements of the character is that he has changed quite a lot over the years, with different writers putting a different spin on Vic Sage’s core philosophies and the kinds of adventures he goes on. Indeed, nowadays, Sage is not the ONLY Question; for a brief time, Gotham City police officer Renee Montoya – who had developed a romantic relationship with Vic – became the second Question. In typical comic book fashion, however, this was later retconned and Sage put on the mysterious mask once more. I was sorely tempted to include this character in the main list, but I actually haven’t read very many actual COMICS with the Question, so I don’t feel like it would be fair to do so.

12. Vincent Price’s Version of “The Saint.”

Our last Honorable Mention is kind of a case of cheating, I’ll admit, and that’s the main reason he IS just an Honorable Mention. Once again referring to my rules, I declared that characters like Arsene Lupin or William James Moriarty wouldn’t count here: while they have detective ELEMENTS, those characters I feel are really very different. They are what I would call “noble rogues,” characters more similar to Robin Hood than the aforementioned C. Auguste Dupin. The Saint is one of those characters…in his original format. In the books by Leslie Charteris, from which he originates, as well as in many other interpretations, Simon Templar – a.k.a. The Saint – is the so-called “Robin Hood of Modern Crime.” He is a gentleman thief who commits crimes against other criminals, for noble goals of his own. This, however, was NOT the case in the RADIO version of The Saint, which starred Vincent Price in the role of Templar. In the radio version, the character was softened up to be a more typical private detective, whose title of The Saint came from his impeccable manners and many good deeds. I absolutely loved this radio show; it’s one of my favorite detective radio programs of the period, and among my top ten Price pieces. HOWEVER, since this version of the Saint was an outlier to basically every other take on the same character, I didn’t feel like this one really ought to count in the Top 31. Sorry, Simon. I still love ya.

Tomorrow, the countdown begins in earnest, with Number 31! For clues in this event, I’ll be using quotes uttered by each detective featured in the main list. CLUE: “Be careful, Brain! Those are probably priceless fake artifacts!”

#list #countdown #top 31 fictional detectives #gathering of the greatest gumshoes #honorable mentions #literature #movies #film #tv #animation #video games #anime #manga #radio #best #favorites #the saint #vincent price #the question #dc #comics #richard diamond #nancy drew #hardy boys #mike hammer #mark mcpherson #laura #johnny dollar #jake gittes #chinatown

[fat-fem-and-asian]

Sarah Snook Filmography Review w/ Links

I love the range in Snook's stuff. She's done horror, comedy, romcoms, historical documentaries, and she's amazing in all of them. She's done a LOT of short films - seen, alice, nightingale floor, the poet and the plant. I enjoyed Alice a lot, it's adapted from a song (??) And just 8 minutes of snook frolicking in the woods. For her bigger work - Most of them are fairly accessible so deep diving her filmography was fun and easy. Anything ommited is either 1) I couldn't find a way to easily watch it 2) her role is so small it's not worth mentioning. ♡ - my personal favorites

All Saints - Snook's first tv appearance! She plays a young woman with appendicitis. stock standard medical procedural guest spot and it's on hulu.

Sisters of War - A historical biographical drama! she plays Lorna White, an Aussie nurse who survived being a POW in WWII. It's a well made tv movie and Snook gets to really show some range. You can watch on a few different websites, but I used Tubi.

Packed to the Rafters - TW for planned sexual assault. She's got a two episode guest spot on this Aussie sitcom as a college student who becomes involved in a sexual assault case. The assault is nongraphic, but I can't say she's given enough of a plotline to make it worth it.

Spirited - An Aussie comedy drama of this lady and a bunch of dead ghosts in a hotel? Snook joined in the 2nd season as a minor supporting character and she's only got a few scenes, but if you want to see her in a funky schoolgirl fit, it's on amazon for free.

Not Suitable for Children ♡ - A cute and raunchy Aussie romcom. She plays Stevie, the girl best friend turned serious love interest. Snook is adorable and does a great job with a kind of underwritten role. viewer discretion for nudity and sex - free on youtube :)

These Final Hours - Apocalypse drama. She's only in one scene and plays a lady high off her ass who's searching for her kid. if you wanna see her shake and shout then go for it! also on youtube.

Predestination ♡ - TW for nonconsensual medical procedure. I highly recommend! It's a loopy time travel movie set in the 1960s. Kinda. Spoilers - Snook plays Jane and John, a trans man who has an gender reassignment surgery after giving birth. Snook absolutely blew me away in this, the way she plays John and his transition is just stunning. Is it good trans rep? Not really, but I'm not expecting it either from a 2014 sci fi flick. I watched on this website, please don't get a virus.

Jessabelle - Snook received her SAG card for this movie! She's got the lead role as Jessie, a woman who moves back in with her father in Louisiana after a car accident. Horror movie and I think intended to be a more thoughtful exploration of white violence, but it really comes off as offensive in its use of black spirituality, especially with a primarily white cast. Snook has some great scenes though and the location is gorgeous -- also she had a very funny interview where she thought she tanked the film by doing a North Carolina accent instead of Louisianian. Free on Tubi

Holding the Man - Very cute gay film about AIDS. She plays a best friend and is only in the first few scenes and the last few, if I remember right. No memory of how I watched it.

The Secret River ♡ - TW for graphic violence. Miniseries (only about 2 hours total) about Australian colonialism. It's well made and Snook is great as Sal, one of the colonizers who's moved to Australia from the UK with her family. She's got great chemistry with Oliver Jackson-Cohen and overall just a nice miniseries that's also free on iview :)

Steve Jobs - Snook's only in a handful of scenes and it's mainly her running around and talking into a headset! Good movie though! Also no memory of how I watched it

The Dressmaker - Weird Aussie film with Kate Winslet and gorgeous dresses. Snook has a supporting role as Gertrude, the ugly duckling of the town who gets a makeover into a swan :) She's a mean girlfail in this and I did seriously laugh at a scene where she just falls SO hard on her ass. There was brief weird orientalism in this, but otherwise a solid movie. On Amazon Prime.

Oddball - Aussie feelgood children's movie! She's a conservationist park ranger mom to a precocious little girl who just wants to save the penguins. It's a kids movie, so super simple, but Snook is solid and if I was an aussie kid I would have formed a deep deep crush on her. Free on Tubi! The Beautiful Lie - Okay. I'll be honest and say I skimmed this at 3am weeks ago, so I don't remember it well. It's a miniseries loosely adaptated from Anna Karenina and a pretty slow drama. Snook is Anna, a rich tennis player who struggles with infidelity - so like. Shiv 0.5. I wouldn't personally recommend it, but if you wanna see Snook in some cute silk shirts, go for it. Posted on Dailymotion.

Black Mirror - Snook has a minor role in the episode Men Against Fire. It's fine? I seriously don't know what to say -- she plays a squadron leader and dies halfway in. On Netflix. Discretion advised for violence!

The Glass Castle - Drama movie w/ Brie Larson! Snook plays the adult version of the oldest daughter of an abusive family. Honestly, she doesn't have much to do in it, but she does wear cute glasses and frankly looks gay. to me. On Netflix.

Winchester - Another horror, this time w/ Helen Mirren who REQUESTED! that Snook be in the film or she wouldn't do it. Icon! She's only in a handful of scenes and most of them are her running after her creepy little son, but I would personally watch it just for a green dress she wears. Other than that a fairly boring movie that's pretty to look at. Free on Tubi.

Brother's Nest - She's in the last five minutes as this poor lady who just wants to buy a horse. Could not tell you anything more because I skimmed it. Tubi link! Warning for graphic violence, but not in Snook's scene.

American Pickle - She's just in the first scene as Seth Rogen's wife! Would watch again to see her knaw into a picked herring <3 No memory of how I accessed it sadly

Pieces of a Woman - TW for graphic depiction of birth that ends in a stillborn. Snook has a supporting role as a lawyer who hooks up with Shia Lebouf. I don't know if I have much to say about this movie outside of it's really intense and jarring birth scene in the beginning. Snook is cute as always? On Netflix.

Koala Man - I refuse to watch this I'm sorry. Msg me if I should but I cannot do it w/ another adult animation in that art style.

Run Rabbit Run - TW for physical/mental child abuse. She's the lead in a psychological horror as a mother grieving the loss of her father. There's a creepy little kid, a creepy bunny, and some stunning shots of the Aussie outback. Is it a good horror film? Not really, it's repetitive and slow with little to no emotional stakes. Is Snook good in it? Yes. She swings wildly from emotion to emotion in this and truly sells that she is losing her mind. She's also got some sweet moments with her on-screen daughter. Honestly though, I just wished I was just watching Babadook instead. On Netflix :)

Succession ♡ - Pop over to my huge shiv roy tag to know my thoughts on that show. Maybe the best performance of the decade for one of the best characters on TV. On HBO lol

Beanie Bubble - Snook was great as Sheila, a mother of 2 kids and Zach Galifianakis' wife in weird drama comedy. Again, can't say she's given the best material to work with here, but Snook still manages to elevate her character as sweet, protective, and loving. Plus she gets to wear some really pretty dresses in this and also punch a man. The justice we deserve. On Apple Tv but sadly the website I watched it on is gone.

Woof that was long! Feel free to msg me if you watch any of these! I love snook talking and I hope this guide was helpful to you. I also really recommend @/bestofsnook on twitter, they've got some great guides :)

#sarah snook #my posts

[irresistiibles]

was that natasha liu bordizzo? oh no no, that was just irina yang, an original character from percy jackson. they are twenty four years old, use she/they, and are aware that they are not actually from washington dc. too bad they can’t stray from this city for long.

how long has your character been here

four months.

what is your character’s job

they're officially unemployed. irina is pretty bad at keeping a job, for reasons mentioned in the extra info, but they have managed to make a side gig that keeps her afloat when necessary. since hypnos children canonically can be memory manipulators and are knowledgeable in memory magic they're available to help when people go unaware, though she charges a decent amount for the service.

where has your character been pulled from in their fandom

slightly after the last olympian but not into the next series (though perhaps i’ll update that further on). they’re far enough along that they got a hypnos cabin but have spent most of their time living in the hermes cabin.

has any magic affected your character

nope!

any other info

born to hypnos and her mother irina was always a startlingly easy infant, to the point where people often worried that something was wrong. she slept perfectly peacefully through every night, even at their earliest of ages.

the same could not be said for their mother. though irinia has never gotten the exact story of how her and hypnos got together what they do know is that her mom could only sleep well when her dad was around

which made it partially difficult when he left quickly, leaving behind a baby and nothing else

it felt like fun at first, going on a bunch of midnight trips as a kid with a mother who anyone else could clock as frantic and sleep deprived, but it quickly got more and more difficult for irina. she did not have the same problems as her mom, able to sleep just about anywhere, and though they couldn't prove it irina always though her mom resented them a bit for it.

no matter what she tried the relationship didn't improve. they could chug all the energy drinks in the world to stay up and go on these crazy road trips and errands in the middle of the night it just didn't make a difference

as they got older irina's relationship with their mom only got more and more tense. though, as the child of a minor god she never wound up having major issues with monsters they basically got dumped at camp half blood at the age of twelve, after nearly causing a major car accident.

they had been arguing with their mom while on the road, and in a fit and unintentional use of powers had her briefly falling asleep at the wheel. the veered off the road pretty much immediately. luckily the worst of it was scrapes and bruises, but irina was dumped at camp half blood pretty much immediately after, and stayed at camp year round

claimed by hypnos pretty much immediately, and had she gotten a rundown of the gods irina could have guessed.

though they never would have sided with luke, haven grown up in the hermes cabin irina definitely understood, and has had a little resentment for the children of bigger gods who got their own cabins and got treated like they were worth more

okay personality wise! tries to be nice, but doesn't always succeed is what i would say

irina can definitely be the bitter type, and it lingers

is either falling asleep on the spot or so hyped up on caffeine to force themselves through the hypnos sleepiness that there is an overwhelming amount of energy.

this has been the job problem. it's hard to explain to an employer that you do want to be a good employee, you swear you just keep falling asleep at the register cause of your dad. they've been fired at least four times since showing up in washington.

sort of a night owl. irina tends to sleep in several longer naps rather than through the night, and due to their childhood is very used to being up at odd hours. she tends to wander the city and scout for twenty four hour shops to hang out rather than being at home in silence

can be kind of cold, especially if you catch them right after sleeping. i think irina has always had really realistic dreams, and right after sleep has a bit of a time distinguishing what's dream and what's not and can't quite work out how much they need to care about what's going on

also very spacey. will ask you to repeat yourself seven times. always forgets plans. terrible at keeping track of things. your resident friend who's a certified mess

likes upbeat things will go out and party but she lasts two hours before they need to go home and sleep

lasts a lot longer on quiet events and hobbies. likes to wander, and find nice quiet

deals with people being annoying by just making them fall asleep which sounds like not a big deal but if you're standing when it happens that could be a whole concussion.

is used to sleeping through classes and lessons and people talking to her and making up what to do on the spot and has an “i’m gonna wing it” sort of attitude about just about everything now

i don't do ocs a lot it will take me a minute to feel her off.

wanted plots:

anyone from pjo to work out dynamics with of course.

an oc half-sibling: listen, i think it would be interesting if after irina and hypnos her mom runs off to a new god, trying to find someone else to soothe her. obviously it would still only be temporary leaving their mom with another child to feel miserable about. we could work out the exacts of the dynamic. i can't imagine irina would hate them or anything, but i think it would be a slightly tense relationship. irina would be the older child but it doesn't have to be by much. i will write up a proper thing for the main for the connection probably tomorrow

night owl friends

maybe the opposite, like a more cozy vibe. irina can make people fall asleep so if anyone needs some help with that they are available

anyone who irina has recovered the memories of. if you've said your character was unaware and now is aware without specifying how and think they'd have the money to cough up for irina to fix the problem let me know

some poor coffee shop employee who has to make irina cups with way too many shots of espresso on the regular

maybe a roommate

some sort of ship. irina is bi though probably not the easiest to date

perhaps some patient business owner to employ them.

#hw: intro #( intro && irina ) #car crash tw

[itsclydebitches]

OFMD Party Drabble #1

Prompt: Mascots (Blackbeard/Ed for Team Black!)

A/N: I’m (hopefully) going to be posting a bunch of drabbles throughout the week. I intend to pull them all together into an AO3 collection after the 7th.

Ed had never commissioned anything before.

A criminal of the Crown, known for his thefts and their staggeringly high body counts ... yeah, Ed could see why Izzy was looking at him like he’d grown a second head, but it wasn’t like he could just waltz onto any ship and take one, now could he? Well, maybe he could. Yeah. Probably. But then it wouldn’t be unique, for Stede, and that was the point of all this, you know?

Izzy spat a wad over the side and his baffled look settled into something... unimpressed.

“You just want to play at being a noble, Boss,” he said.

Ed grinned. “Guilty.”

“Fucking Christ. Just leave me out of it.”

He couldn’t deny that it was a thrill. With Lucius distracting Stede, Ed was able to sneak into the auxiliary closet and select an outfit at his leisure, mixing and matching with an amateur, but passionate eye until he was happy with the man in the mirror. He’d bathed earlier that day, hair and beard threaded with oil, cologne dotted under each ear, even his fucking fingernails were clean. Ed did a little turn in the blue ensemble he’d picked out—the same shade as Stede’s ring, Oluwande’s earring, the sky right after a storm—and left the ship with a spring in his step.

Every settlement had a woodcarver, but Ed had steered them back towards Bridgetown, knowing that wherever Stede hailed from must have the best stuff. They’d thrown anchor down the coast so as not to draw much attention and a couple comments here and there about meeting old contacts had reassured Stede about his secretive afternoon—more or less. As Ed wound his way through the streets, he made a note to actually find some slob to play the part of an old friend. Or hell, maybe he’d actually find someone he knew. Blackbeard couldn’t be the only pirate out there looking for the finer things in life.

The reality was that every person he passed, from nobleman to pauper, cast a disparaging look at this strange amalgamation invading their space: finely cut clothes that were now several months out of style; rich fabrics sporting wrinkles, the slight failure of a man who’d dressed without a servant at his side, a clean body that nevertheless held too many scars to be a gentleman’s...

Ed noticed none of it, whistling an old shanty from his youth.

The buying of the thing was nearly as fun as the excursion itself. The present might have been for Stede already, but Ed felt like he was giving something else, quietly and intimately, by threatening the man who looked so much like a schoolyard bully. The knife Ed had hidden in his boot was more than enough to secure the woodcarver’s attention. His pistol got him every fun addition he could think of—and a couple more besides. Finally, Ed’s threats—well-honed and even sharper than his blade—ensured that the piece would be waiting for him in three month’s time.

Is a desk really worth the lives of your children, mate?

Was a desk really worth all this trouble?

Yeah. Of fucking course. It was for Stede.

“You really like it then?” he asked, a season later, suddenly unsure despite how Stede ran his hands over the polished wood, caressing it with a care such craftsmanship deserved. The fact that he touched Ed that way still caused a damn flutter to kick up in his chest, like bees and butterflies and a hundred different bugs all swarming together. He thought he’d have come down from that feeling by now; purged himself of whatever sickness this gentleman had brought from another world. Instead, the damn thing lingered, just like his bum knee.

Ed gravitated towards Stede the same way he put weight on a limb that, at some point, would no longer hold him up. Fuck it. He’d embrace the fall.

“Like it?” Stede echoed faintly. “Dearest I love it—” and Ed preened at that, just a little.

Because yeah, it was the best that Blackbeard’s reputation could get them. Not just any old fuddy duddy desk, but one with a lunatic’s style. Ed had commissioned—and that was still such a fun, foreign idea—as many hidden compartments as one piece of furniture could possibly hold. Panels slid away to reveal extra storage space. Drawers had false bottoms and tiny cabinets peeled off into intricate puzzle pieces, the kind of complicated shit that Stede could fiddle with for hours. Some of the secrets were useful, or duplicitous, or led only to some pretty image that existed to be admired and nothing else. It was fucking wonderful. Ed had already hidden a number of surprises inside, both practical and indulgent, but he couldn’t resist showing off the best of them all.

“Had Lucius write it down for me,” he said, pressing a hidden button on the desk’s side. “Wanted to make sure the seller didn’t write something shitty, you know?”

The middle panel fell away and there, intricately carved, was a lighthouse, its beacon shining out towards whoever knew how to access it safely. On the rocks was a simple message:

Never left, never will.

Love,

Ed

Stede gasped.

...and then puckered his lips in playful reproach.

The Love, Ed had a + Izzy next to it.

“He did not agree to that,” Stede said, elbowing Ed as he began to laugh.

“‘Course he fucking didn’t.”

“I know for a fact that Izzy has never once said ‘I love you’ to either of us and at this point I despair that he ever shall.”

“Yeah, but the bastard means it though.”

“Hmm. You going to show him?”

Ed drummed his fingers on the desk, enjoying the smooth feel of the wood and the color infusing Stede’s cheeks.

“Nah. Thought I’d order him to do the ledgers here. See how long it takes him to find it.”

Turns out the time was four months, twelve days, and approximately two hours. Three hours, really, because no one else was privy to the time Izzy spent admiring that carving on his own, quiet and grateful, before he was capable of stepping outside and putting on a furious show.

Ed and Stede knew though. They always did.

A/N #2: You all seen this desk? 👀 That’s a Stede Bonnet desk 100%

#OFMD #Our Flag Means Death #OFMD party #OFMDfic #SteddyHands

[theanimeview]

[Game Review] Blanc: Two-Player Fun

GEARBOX Promotional Image

By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

Blanc, on the Nintendo Switch, is a wonderful cozy game for a night-in playing with friends or a loved one. By playing with another, you can play through the whole game in about 2 to 3 hours as either the deer-fawn or wolf-cub (or even switching between the two). I recommend that you play with another person because the controls are more of a challenge when trying to navigate both characters at the same time, though you can play this game alone if you want.

Most of the game is a mix of navigation and puzzle-solving, both aspects evoke feelings similar to playing Journey. The music is gentle, and there is no rush to complete the game, so you and a partner can have fun exploring the map a little as you travel through the snow-covered grounds in search of your respective families who have seemingly traveled the same path. One part I liked a lot is the art style, which makes it feel like something sketched into a children's storybook.

Admittedly, the game has some messy controls, particularly if you are playing by yourself but also if you play as a team. For example, the biggest issue for me as I played the wolf character was that the pull button would often get stuck on two-player tasks, making it take twice as long to complete the task as my partner waited for my character to work. It felt like this aspect could use more polish, and I think that the way the camera follows the two characters could also use an update in the future, particularly as you near the end of the chapters and enter into cut scenes because the camera will linger behind and create blind spots. However, any frustration you might have isn't going to last because those moments of being "stuck" or having to backtrack will fade as quickly as your characters advance through the story and setting.

I was hesitant over the price tag because of how short of a game it is, but I'm actually very happy with the purchase. It was the perfect amount of time for my friend and I to really settle in and enjoy the experience without feeling like the puzzles were taking too long and without worrying that we would have to pause the game and find time to finish it later. At roughly $16, it was worth the price to be able to play this short, multi-player game. It was not violent like so many two-player games often are, and it was not made up of a bunch of overly complicated puzzles. Probably the most difficult challenges were the wind-related tasks, but even those go pretty quick. I can definitely see myself playing this multiple times with friends or family members during break.

As many of you may know, I am not much of a gamer. I prefer games to be really intuitive, meaning I want something that is easy to navigate and not complicated. This game was perfect for me because that's exactly what it is–simple, cute, and fun! Overall rating: 9 /10

#review #game #Blanc #nintendo switch #nintendo #gearbox

[schrijverr]

Jealousy

A look into the mind of Steve and his thoughts on Eddie before season 4.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: insecure Steve and his issues

~~~~~~~~~

Steve wants to hate Eddie, wants to reach back to his King Steve days and pull on all the parts that make Eddie weird, a looser, different. But he can't hate Eddie for any of those things, because Eddie is like his kids and he loves his kids. He couldn't hate a thing they did. So, he has to sit with the fact that he is jealous of Eddie. Jealous because his shrimp love the guy.

And it’s so frustrating, because Steve doesn’t want to be. It’s obvious the kids have so much fun playing with Eddie and he wants them to have that. To have a place where the Upside Down can be forgotten. Where they can be kids again.

So, he’s just on his own, stewing in his feelings.

If he tells Robin, he’s sure she’ll tell him something about being scared of getting abandoned or something due to his parents. But he ignores mind!Robin and purposefully doesn’t tell her.

He is not going to care about how great Eddie’s campaign is. How well he can narrate. How cool his NPCs are. How much he they look up to him. He’s not. He refuses.

But saying and doing are different things. Very different. Steve still stews and cares so fucking deeply. Every time they come into the store, or he drives them home after a session, he listens to them gush and tries not to shrivel up.

A part of him tells him how truly pathetic it is that he’s jealous of Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson of all people. And he hates that part a little. Because yeah, it is sad that he’s jealous, but not because it’s Eddie. It would be pathetic with everyone, since he is a grown ass man, who shouldn’t be so worried about the opinion of a group of children.

However, he does care. Their opinion of him is everything to him, because they never knew King Steve. They never knew the asshole he used to be (except maybe Mike, but that’s just never going to work). They just know Steve, the babysitter and the guy they can turn to when it all goes to shit again.

He’s their protector and he likes that role. He likes feeling like they need him. Like he’s useful. Like he is worth something.

And that doesn’t make his whole crisis about Eddie less embarrassing and sad, but he doesn’t care anymore. He has become a little bit pathetic. The great Steve Harrington, womanizer and party thrower, reduced to post-high school failure and glorified nanny for a bunch of kids who don’t really need him.

The gates are closed, half their party moved to another state. He should be letting the whole Upside Down business go. He should try to move on.

But he just can’t.

His brain won’t stop fearing every shadow. At night he roams the halls of his empty home, seeing shapes in the darkness that aren’t there as he looks for cracks in a reality that should be stable. The fear that it isn’t over clings to him and until everyone can get away from Hawkins, Steve knows he has to stay even if it’s just to calm himself.

He cannot leave. He cannot move on. He cannot risk being too far away when things go wrong again. He cannot think about those kids here alone without anyone to turn to.

So, he stays and grits his teeth as he hears the name Eddie for the thousand time. It’s not that much an issue to deal with his own bullshit if it means knowing he’ll be within reach. He knows that the jealousy is better for his mental health than the uncertainty.

And when Dustin and Max come into his place of work to ‘set up base of operation’ a part of him relaxes, even though he can feel the stress grip his shoulders tightly. Because he knows he made the right decision in staying. In bearing it.

It’s all about to go to shit again and he might not walk away this time and if he does, he’ll have more to keep him up at night. But none of that matters, because the kids need him and he is there for them.

When he figures out they want to find Eddie that small petty part of him wants to tell them to go and do it themselves. However, he knows he’ll never send them into danger alone and with the looks they give him, so do they.

But he can’t really be mad about that, because if they know he’s going to help, then they still know they can count on him. He still matters to them. He’s still useful.

And that’s enough for Steve.

~~

A/N:

I know I could make this much bigger and delve into how his feelings in regard to Eddie changes throughout the season and how he feels about his death, but I like this little look into him before the show. So, I stuck with that.

#rr writing #tw: insecurity #steve harrington #stranger things fic #stranger things #st #st season 4 #eddie munson #st the party