#starry’s internal monologuing

[shining-gem34]

6. What is your favorite thing about writing your current muse? (Any of them!)

Munday Questions || Accepted @etherealguard

Dan Heng/ Imbibitor Lunae

I personally like writing their monologues (actually I like writing all of my muses monologues). I do imagine during their downtime, they tend to think a lot, and they tend to overthink it when it comes to their emotions.

Dan Heng, when not focused on his archive duties, tries to process his emotions as rationally as he can. This is very noticeable whenever he's overwhelmed and needs time to sort out what he's feeling. Though, whatever conclusion he came up with tends to be logical and in the correct path that is best for everyone including himself.

Others might say he is running away.

In the case of Imbibitor Lunae...

It's a bit more complicated, because he was reborn every few centuries to lead his people and strive to uphold the Xianzhou ideology by eliminating the Plague Author remnants. He has to put the needs of others before his own; raised to become the perfect High Elder just like his predecessors were.

Yes, IL has his rebellious moments of spurning the Preceptors away and does as he wishes out of spite.

So what does IL think about?

He thinks about the world outside of the four walls of his office, of his room, and of his garden fences. A world so vast that IL longs to see it once instead of reading stories about it.

But he is an High Elder, his duty is to the Luofu and not some wild adventurer.

Yet it all changes when he meets his friends and later they became known as the High Cloud Quintet.

A constant conflict between his own needs and the needs of his people. Whatever his own desire is, even by the inquiry of his friends (and lovers), he tends to answer what is best for everyone and not himself.

But the one time he was selfish, not as the High Elder, but as an individual, it nearly destroyed his homeworld.

IL has no regrets though.

Scaramouche/Wanderer

Ah yes, the brat.

My favorite part of writing Scaramouche/Wanderer in general is that they are a menace to everyone he knows. Next after that, I just like writing scenarios wherever he's traveling, he's completely chill with it. But whenever he meets someone, or is running an errand, he will be the bitchest person in the room. Like absolutely moody af, but he still does the job.

Next after that, I do love writing the complications of Wanderer character where he's struggling to come to terms with his past. The truth he discovered will never erase his crimes, he accepted that after attempting to erase himself from history. He's not sure if he wants to face Ei, Yae Miko, or any other of the Inazumans especially the descendants that are closely entwined with his past.

But, Wanderer is aware and accepted the fact that eventually he'll have to face them even if they don't know the true history. After all, he is not looking to redeem himself, but he wants to accept retribution when it comes to him.

After he kills Dottore of course.

For Scaramouche specifically, not currently writing but hopefully in the future, I want to explore his role as the Sixth Fatui Harbinger (seen as the least favorite commander amongst the Fatui Harbingers) but also!!! I am interested in exploring how Scaramouche explores the Abyss for the Tsaritsa and his daily visits to Dottore just to be experimented on.

And that leaves him in a bad mood later on that he does take it out on his subordinates if they test his patience. Huhuhu.

Rook/Mallory (My OCs')

They are not my first OC's, but they are my favorite up to now!

Rook (who has a multiverse)- I just love writing how he doesn't give a damn about anything, but he definitely cares ALOT and he's willing to go so far for his friends! Also his horrible fashion sense like ew who wears that bright ass green jacket or that a magenta sweater that is blinding someone eye just by looking at it.

Mallory- Angst where the God of Misfortune can never be with anyone and he brings nothing but disasters to everyone and everything around him. But also I like writing myths/superstitions that came to be cause of Mallory intervention or people started making shit up. :DDD He does have some funny moments but he's usually doom and gloom and wants to be alone despite longing for company. Yet he knows it cannot happen no matter what (if he does fall in love with you, you're kind of screwed. You got a 50/50 chance that he learns not to be possessive/jealous/suffocating, or he does all three.)

#jadecoocoo (mun rambles) #jade answers (a ask) #etheralguard #||I realize I like writing muses having monologues about their internal conflict and pain they keep inflicting upon themselves. #||Or past issues they have yet to completely move on. #||Then there's fucking Rook vibing #||You can tell what my bias is but I love every one of them. #||Honorable mentions to Starry and Willow for the God/Goddess AU stuff...and Rookie too. Don't we love a Rookie who gets into trouble? :D

[vivelarevolution13]

tbh I still think Brock Rumlow was an interesting character and upon further examination way more unsettling a villain than most to me because like. Let’s be real, the second you lay eyes on Robert Redford as Pierce monologuing in his pristine suit and glass office high up in the sky he just screams Evil Politician! at you. You can see it coming a mile away. Meanwhile Rumlow is….Just Some Guy. On the surface, he’s just some side dude. He’s not enhanced, he’s not in some major position of power, he’s just someone who’s really good at what he does and seems dedicated enough to the work and functions well with his team. He respects Steve, might admire him even, but not so much that he gets starry eyed like everybody else. He’s lighthearted but focused, he’s no nonsense, he’s the everyman Steve can relate to way more than spooks like Natasha or Fury.

And okay, maybe what Rumlow does for a living is beat intimidate and kill people, but it’s not like that’s the primary objective, right, because SHIELD are the good guys and this is what Steve does now, too, anyway; except that Steve doesn’t really use any weapons other than the shield, he holds back, he doesn’t carry a gun anymore which is usually fine since he’s dangerous enough without it. But when that leaves him vulnerable, he’s covered: Rumlow’s got his six, and he does it well, and he earns some of his trust. This is familiar to Steve.

And maybe Rumlow’s a little too good, fine, maybe he shoots a guy in the head within the first fifteen minutes of the movie when he doesn’t necessarily have to and then cracks jokes immediately after but that’s alright too, because that guy had Steve at gunpoint and that guy was Bad whereas Rumlow is One of the Good Guys just doing his job, right. Rumlow’s joking around because he’s used to the violence, they’re all used to it, and this is just how it works. They’re just soldiers doing the grunt work and following orders, and this is familiar, too.

Except that they’re not soldiers and this isn’t a war, except that the work is for an intelligence agency whose job it is to hoard and steal information and monitor civilians and orchestrate and sabotage and meddle in internal and external state affairs. Except that the Good Guys, in reality, are extremely grey at best. Except that many of the Good Guys turn out to be Nazis on top of everything else, and it’s not that far of a stretch.

But when it’s all starting to unravel, you’re still thinking well maybe some of these guys didn’t know. Maybe they didn’t do it out of individual belief, and if faced with the right choice, they can be redeemed.

That is until you realize that Rumlow maybe didn’t respect Steve and what he did so much as what Steve could do if only Steve weren’t “weak” in other ways, if Steve had chosen the right side. That it not being personal is less a cop out and more a taunt the same way just following orders has always been, for Rumlow and many many men that came before him and will continue to come after. Until the vault when, by the most charitable of interpretations, Rumlow looks at the Winter Soldier letting himself be smacked around and crying and getting shocked like he’s maybe a little unnerved (if not just downright fascinated) by the whole thing, but not enough that it really changes anything for him, because the end justifies the means and it’s not really his problem, anyway.

Until Sam shows up and Rumlow looks at him like a bird of prey and says This is gonna hurt with a fucking smile on his face, and then you think: shit, man, obviously. How was it not clear from the start.

To me, what makes someone like Rumlow a good villain, even a side one, is not that he’s straight up Insane & Evil™️ or suffering from Tragic Backstory Syndrome or all hopped up on magic superstrength juice or whatever, but precisely the fact that he’s Just Some Guy with a cockroach survival mentality who operates well within the established system and just so happens to be really good at his job - a job that he might’ve even joined thinking it was for a good cause, or because he had something to prove, or simply because it gave him one hell of an excuse to be a bully. Because he either wholeheartedly believes in HYDRA or he just doesn’t give much of a shit either way so long as he gets his due in the end, and both are just as bad.

Because when you strip away all the grand scale superhero theatrics, you’ve seen this before. You’ve seen Rumlows in your school and in your neighborhood and in the military and the cop car patrolling your street. They’re the ones who sometimes say or do somewhat offputting shit but you figure it’s fine because they’re otherwise real nice or charismatic or normal looking, or maybe they work a job that’s framed as helpful or protective or inherently good despite the power dynamics at play, or they share your background and interests and you chat about the weather being crap this time of year.

And every time one of them turns out to be a violent, hateful piece of shit, you’re still somehow surprised then, too, when you really shouldn’t be.

#apologies for the extra long post but I’ve been thinking about why he freaks me out as much as he does #the world is full of brock rumlows is all i’m saying. #and that to me is way more terrifying than evil crazy russians in underground labs or deranged aliens could ever be #brock rumlow #ca: tws #brock rumlow meta #I guess???? hello how the fuck did I get here at 5 pm on a tuesday jesus christ #mcu meta #max.txt

[lenaisagirl]

Pomni X Ragatha

Disclaimer! I wrote this on company time. Also this is the first time I've ever shared art online so be nice k thx bye! <3 As Pomni walked around in the second day of her own digital hell, she finally got a chance to note the smaller peculiarities. Music seemed to play no matter where she was. Her footsteps sounded like a royalty-free sound byte, and everything had an unnatural, plastic-y sheen to it.

This only compounded with her other anxious thoughts. What causes abstraction, anyway? How far could she indulge her insanity before she lost it completely, becoming a monster in Caine's cellar?

“Hey, Pomni? You listening?” Ragatha interrupted Pomni's internal monologue, frowning slightly with concern.

“Y-yeah I’m listening. Something about… the concession stands?” Pomni said, shocked out of her stupor. She glanced nervously side to side, looking at the landscape around her. They stood in the middle of the theme park, which was unusually empty for what it was supposed to be. The only presence was a few concession stands manned by empty-faced mannequin NPCs.

Ragatha frowned, unsatisfied with the answer. Moving to Pomni’s front, she crouched down to meet her eye level.

“Hey, new stuff?”

“I know this takes time to get used to… So if you don’t wanna do this, it's okay!” An earnest, sewn-on smile followed her words.

“No, no! This is great. And, um… I really need the company.” said the little jester, as she let out a nervous laugh. In return, Pomni received a soft pat on the head.

“Alright Pomni. I’ll be here as long as you need.” With that, she stood back up, and took a few steps back, holding out her hand to Pomni.

“R-right. That’s – I mean. Thank you.” With a tilted smile, she tentatively reached to accept her hand. While she expected Ragatha’s hand to be a dull, unnaturally smooth surface like everything else - it wasn’t? Beneath her gloves, Pomni could feel real texture, as if she was truly grabbing a ragdoll’s hand. It was a nice change of pace, and brought to her face the first genuine smile she’d had while here.

And so they exited the theme park, quiet at first. Looking towards the night half of the skybox, one could almost be convinced it was a starry night. That is - until you spun around and saw the bright-as-day portion of the skybox.

“Um… Ragatha? Where exactly are we going?” Pomni asked tentatively. It's not that she was distrustful, just shaken up from the past “adventure” and as the lakeside forest of smooth plastic looking trees grew around her, thoughts of losing her tracks crept into her mind.

“Just a little spot out in the forest. Just somewhere away from Jax – er, I mean, the stress of it all. You know.” She held her hand up to her face and chuckled.

“Just - keep it a secret, okay?” She turned around to face Pomni, smiling ever so awkwardly. A kindred spirit, Pomni smiled just as awkwardly in return.

“Well. Here it is.” Letting go of Pomni’s hand, she gestured broadly at the space around them. Really it was just a rock, one of the few bits of decoration that even existed within the forest. Oddly enough, it was actually about chair-shaped. Being so close to the island's edge, Pomni wondered if this was an unfinished overlook.

“It's nice… I think!” As far as cartoonishly digital worlds went, it wasn’t that bad of a place to be. Ragatha walked over to the rock, plopping dramatically on top of it and patting the space beside her.

Pomni, much shorter, had to jump slightly, crawling on top of the rock before taking a seat. For a moment, they simply looked onward into the skybox.

“What… what do you think you were like? Y’know. Before all this?” said Pomni cautiously. It was probably a sore spot, but nevertheless she was curious about her new friends.

“Who knows? I don’t think about it too much, uncontrollable insanity and all that.”

The jester nodded. Like she thought - a sore spot, likely for all of them. Ragatha turned her gaze away from the cliff’s edge and toward her friend.

“Maybe… A waitress? Oh, or a dancer. I'm really good on my feet!” Ragatha kicked her legs as she spoke to add emphasis.

“How about you, new stuff? Gee, I hope you don’t mind me calling you new stuff all the time.” She folded her arms, and glanced to the side.

“Nah, I kinda like it. I mean – it's nice to have a friend, is all.” Pomni looked down at her legs, kicking them slightly as she thought of who she might have been.

Did it matter? Would she ever find out? Did she want to know what kind of life she was missing out on? Her pupils started to dilate as panic rose in her system.

“Pomni? We don’t have to talk about it.”

Ragatha interrupted her panic attack – this time with a hand on the shoulder. Looking up from the ground, the poor jester's eyes welled up slightly, reflecting Ragatha’s face back at herself.

“You okay…? Need a hug, new stuff?” Looking in Ragatha's eyes, she saw a worried expression. At least if she was stuck here, there was someone who cared. Merely nodding, Pomni leaned forward, clinging to her raggedy dress fabric. Slightly surprised, Ragatha smiled, wrapping her linen hands around the poor girl.

“T-thank you.” Pomni squeaked out.

“Hey don’t even worry about it. We gotta stick together, right?” Patting Pomni on the head, she softly ruffled the jester hat.

“Right… It’ll be okay.” And for once, she believed it.

#Pomni X Ragatha #Ragatha x pomni #pomni #ragatha #fan fiction #fanfic #the amazing digital circus #tadc #yuri #fluff #gay #:3

[cherryfreeze]

Really can't get over how much the Bocchi The Rock anime transcends it's source material. Episode 5 expanded chapter 9 into a full episode with a ton of original content.

In the manga Nijika storms off and it cuts to the band talking in the practice room. Meaning this scene where they go after Nijika:

was entirely original. They moved the band's talk about the audition outside which gave some much needed variety in the scenery as this chapter in the manga takes place entirely inside Starry. Yes, that means:

this scene between Bocchi and Kita at school was also entirely original. This deepens Kita's characterization somewhat and shows off more of her relationship with Bocchi. In the manga it flows straight from talk of the audition to the wig skit. Then right after that we have this conversation between Nijika and Bocchi:

In the anime they played Bocchi's internal monologue over a montage of the characters going about their day. And the conversation between the two was expanded into my favorite scene of the episode:

Nijika talks to Bocchi about if she forced her into the band. A topic that just wasn't touched on in the manga. Next they get into the reasons they wanted to join a band. Which plays out much like in the manga but with the slower pacing in the dialogue as usual and a much more significant feeling setting. This scene in the manga I had pretty much forgotten about but I doubt I will be forgetting the anime version.

There's a lot more changes in this episode, for example: Seika's approval of the audition was a lot more straightforward in the manga. But these were all I wanted to talk about. Incredible work from Yoshida Erika (the script writer for this episode) and the rest of the staff. They were able to turn what was only six pages into this stellar and memorable episode.

Each week I just love this anime more and more.

#bocchi the rock! #gotou hitori #ijichi nijika #yamada ryou #ikuyo kita #woah look i managed to post without mentioning my ship

[genesic-archives]

Main Story Chapter 1-1: It All Started With This Encounter

This is a translation of the first section of the first chapter in the game. This chapter establishes Al as the main character with The Caretaker of Spacetime (referred to as 'The Observer of Spacetime' in this story) telling him his role and newfound Geass.

Next Section - All Story Sections

(AN: This translation I got from Tales of Tales on Youtube. Special thanks to them for posting their translation.)

In between each sentence of dialogue, sounds of pages turning can be heard in the background within the pitch black darkness.

This is a story of revenge.

Someone once said... Revenge is best accomplished by not repeating the same thing.

In that case, should the robbed ones remained robbed? Should no one be able to avenge the murder of a loved one? What about those unresolved feelings?

A young man who changed the world once said: "The only ones who should kill are those prepared to be killed."

However, he also said: "I will break the cycle of hatred."

It is an antimony, some contradictory words. People bear contradictions in their heart. Revenge is also created by contradictions. People take revenge because of their contradictions.

That is a reason why... this story is about revenge. One filled with contradictions.

The sound of a book closing the background is heard while the game logo appears onscreen, fading into a starry sky with the echo of a raindrop.

Al: Stars...?

Al (internal monologue): Suddenly I come to my senses, though I wasn't asleep. Just now, I became conscious. I can't explain why but I'm sure of it. Let's say I couldn't think otherwise. I only have the feeling of now, after all. That's right, I currently don't remember anything.

It's strange, I can think. I can put words on my thoughts just like this. I just don't have any memories. Who am I and what am I doing here? I'm not the person I used to be before, I don't have any feeling of continuous time spent like I should have. It wouldn't be like that if I was just sleeping. I'd have memories of my past.

But I gained consciousness without any of that. We could also just say that my existence just started.

As what we would call a newborn, I had no choice but to look around to learn more. My mind simply put a word on the first thing I saw back then - stars.

But there's no one around to talk to.

The place I found myself within was a strange realm with lots of falling stars. The sky was wide and spotless. Only endless falling stars to watch. I reached out for one of the beautiful stars, but of course it was impossible. I really wanted to grab one, but I couldn't explain the reason behind it.

Al: What should I do?

Al (internal monologue): In any case, lying around wasn't helpful with my memories, so I decided to get up and start walking.

This place was fascinating. What I was lying until now wasn't the ground but a surface of a gigantic sea. Thanks to my knowledge-unrelated to my memories- I knew it's not possible to walk on water but it doesn't apply to this place. I took a few steps and I didn't sink. The ripples from my feet spread on the pretty mirror-like surface of the water. It was like a thin layer of water on a transparent board.

A bit curious, I looked at the surface of the water. I saw some old structures under the clear water.

the camera slowly pans out to show the ruins in the background.

Al: Ruins...

Al (internal monologue): Ruins. The word came out naturally. It is undoubtedly the best one to describe the remains below. They were structures built by people with a purpose. But now they look unusable and there's no sign of human activity, so I thought it was correct to call them ruins.

That said, it was a mysterious sight. The ruins were not submerged in water, they were floating in the air. Even I think that's a silly way to say it. But that's really how it is. Those ruins are certainly floating. The space that floats in each site also varies from twilight to sunrise. It looked as if there was another empty space beneath the surface of the water, where countless other ruins existed.

I thought that one of these ruins could help me but I felt that it was impossible, so I gave up before wasting my time.

The camera slowly moves around as Al darts his eyes to find anything within the deep ruins of this nonsensical sea.

Al: I wonder if there's anyone here. Is that.. a girl?

Al (internal monologue): Confused and lost, I inspected the surroundings. At a place I had thought empty, there was now a chair that didn't really fit here. It looks like someone is sitting there.

The camera pans up and un blurs itself to reveal the face of the girl sitting on the chair: The Caretaker of Spacetime.

Al (internal monologue): As I approached carefully, I saw a young woman reading a book in the chair.

Observer of Spacetime: I never thought this would happen.

Al: What are you talking about? Who are you...?

Observer of Spacetime: Me? I'm no one. I don't exist in the human perspective. But to those who can see me, I do exist. That means people like you.

Al (internal monologue): Those who can see her? Well, that doesn't make much sense. I guess my confusion was showing on my face. After looking in my direction for a second, she smiled and continued reading.

Observer of Spacetime: I can see you don't understand what I'm saying. Of course, it can't be the other way around. It's a first for me too. It's even a first in history. This world is a work of the Creator. One man has bent his logic, another one protected it, and another one broke its law...You still don't understand, right? But those are facts. The reason why you're here. What made you exist in this world.

The girl looked away from Al and turned her eyes to the sky where stars continue to fall.

Observer of Spacetime: The basis that life desires to keep existing... is not a real issue. This craving for existence is also what drives the evolution of the universe. However, Geass are some kind of overpowered catalysts. Using one wrong can even twist logic.

Al: Geass?

Observer of Spacetime: Yes, Geass. they can greatly affect space and time, no matter what era, world and story.

The sound of static plays for a second as Al grunts in pain.

Al (internal monologue): For some reason, the back of my eye aches.

Observer of Spacetime: With the collapse of the law, accumulated sediment mixed with outbreaks of ego created shards of Geass that scattered across space and time.

Al: Shards of... Geass.

Observer of Spacetime: Geass are neither good nor evil. they are a wish or a curse depending on the intent of the user. Now, what will the will of man choose? Perhaps it is your role to see it through.

Al (internal monologue): My role? It is to see how people get involved with Geass? This girl is telling me my existence is tied to this role.

Observer of Spacetime: Don't think too hard about it. Now that it's happened, I do... We do understand that the will of man is about to change the world. And that's why I'll leave it to you. I entrust you with the worlds you'll see. And with the stories you'll see.

Al (internal monologue): The Caretaker of Spacetime closes the book she was reading. At the same time, I feel my consciousness fade away.

Observer of Spacetime: You've now become the Observer, after all.

Al (internal monologue): As I was losing consciousness, I saw the back of the book the girl was holding. It said 'The Genesic Re;CODE'.

#code geass #genesic re;code #translations #main story #al #caretaker of spacetime #stories

[ohmyoverland]

I posted 35,254 times in 2022

713 posts created (2%)

34,541 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@starry-river-serval

@apolloendymion

@galahadwilder

@peachdoxie

@section-69

I tagged 9,583 of my posts in 2022

#star trek - 1,264 posts

#queue - 681 posts

#art - 539 posts

#dracula daily - 497 posts

#ds9 - 404 posts

#miraculous ladybug - 344 posts

#ofmd - 219 posts

#goncharov - 219 posts

#words - 197 posts

#unreality - 190 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#constant internal monologue of ‘you don’t need this you don’t need this the need to own this is internalized over consumerism you don’t n-‘

I sent 2 gifts in 2022

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

dni if you were honest, never cheated, asked men to reveal the crimes of other men, have never been an accessory to murder, if you can’t live with it, if you would never do it again, if Garak was wrong about everything, or if a guilty conscience is too big a price to pay for the safety of the Alpha Quadrant

510 notes - Posted July 30, 2022

#4

See the full post

686 notes - Posted January 29, 2022

#3

An Introduction to Irish

Modern Irish, also known as Gaeilge (in Irish) or Irish Gaelic (in countries like the USA where Irish is uncommon), is spoken by over a million people in and out of Ireland today as a first or second language. It is recognized as the official language of the Republic of Ireland, taught in schools, used in Irish broadcasting and news reporting, and spoken in everyday social situations. It can also be a lot of fun to learn! (x)

Here are some basic phrases in Irish* 

*There are three major dialects in Irish– Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. This post will be using the Munster dialect, as that is the one my teacher uses and I am more familiar with. Other dialects may vary in spelling, pronunciation, or use different phrases.

Dia dhuit       Hello

Dia dhaoibh      Hello (Plural form)

Dia is Muire dhuit      Hello (Reply)

Dia is Muire dhaoibh   Hello (Reply, plural)

These two phrases literally mean “God to you” and “God and Mary to you” respectively, but they are used as greetings in all contexts, religious and nonreligious.  You can also use “heileo” (hello), which tends to be more informal.

Conas atá tú?         How are you?

Conas atá sibh?     How are you? (Plural)

Tá mé go maith, agus tú féin?     I am well / I am good, and yourself? 

Tá mé go dona.     I am not good

Slán            Goodbye

Oíche Mhaith        Good night

Más é do thoil é / Le do thoil        Please

Go raibh maith agat / agaibh        Thank you / Thank you (Plural)        

Tá fáilte romhat     You are welcome.

Tá brón orm          I am sorry.

Gabh mo leithscéal        Excuse me

In Irish, there is no single word for “no”. Instead, to say no to a question, you rephrase the statement to be negative. For example:

Aon scéal?        Any Story? / What’s up?

Níl aon scéal agam.     I have no story.

There are also a few Irish phrases that are commonly recognized outside Irish-speaking circles, such as: 

Sláinte         Cheers (Literally, “health”)

Fáilte            Welcome

Céad Míle Fáilte    Hundred Thousand Welcomes

Éire go Brách        Ireland to the end of time / Ireland forever

Póg mo thóin         Kiss my ass

For help pronouncing Irish, there are many resources online where you can find text-to-speech audio, IPA notation, and recordings of real speakers. Here are a few:

See the full post

876 notes - Posted April 20, 2022

#2

pretty iconic of the umbrella academy to retroactively change all of the credits in the earlier seasons to use Elliott’s correct name

1,131 notes - Posted June 27, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

forever obsessed with how Star Trek only ever trends on unhinged holidays like Lizard Sex Day, Lantern Ghost Sex Day, and Slutty Diplomatic Ambassador Day

1,541 notes - Posted April 6, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#I don’t get why tumblr can’t wait until the end of December to do this? or early January? but w/e #tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review

[starry-hughes]

https://www.tumblr.com/starry-hughes/744805708913049600/and-this-face-serum-for-hydrating-is-so-nice-its

this is so real

it’s my internal monologue

[leopardsealz-remaking]

bogos binted

#starry static #my internal monologue for the last few days has just been 'bogos binted' #its 1 of my fave funny posts on this site #n i got reminded of it a few days ago on twt. so now i have brainrot

[vynepyre]

tag drop #3.

#> i cant hear over my internal monologue | tai answers. } #> wallflower im by myself | answers. } #> spotty freckle stars and no sense of gravity | verse (main). } #> the concept of passing time | verse (historical). } #> signature red hair and starry eyes | xover (mcu). } #> i rise with red hair | xover (dceu). }

[scandalsavagefanfic]

Hello! I am a huge fan of ur writing. I've loved everything I've read of yours. I've read alot of what you've posted, except for a couple of the tags that are squicky for me (so I'm very thankful you tag very thoroughly). No judgement for the squick, it's just not for me. & when I'm having a bad day, I usually just go thru ur ao3 and find something to reread. I think about Therapy's Bruce & Jason every damn day. While I obvs appreciate ur darker more "problematic" content (I really vibe with some of the themes you write about bc of my own trauma, & so it's very cathartic to read about in a fictional setting), I am truly a sucker for ur more happy content. The Happily Ever After verse also lives in my head rent free. Idk more wholesome stuff just seems more special when you write it. Anyways. I would die for you. But the point of this ask is cause I'm curious as to why you don't like Urban Legends? I'm sorry if you already talked about it here or on twitter and I missed it. I was just wondering because I really enjoy your take on things and would love to hear why you dislike it. I've been enjoying it so far personally, but I am always open to DC comics criticism.

Aw thank you so much! I'm so flattered by everything you just said. You're so sweet ❤❤❤❤❤

I haven't talked about Urban Legends here or twitter (I haven't been very active in either place lately. Just a lot going on and no energy 😔) but I'm happy to do it here.

Before I start though, I just want to add a standard disclaimer and make it clear that if you like it, there's nothing wrong with that and you don't have to let me ruin it for you lol. Like what you like.

That said, since you asked...

I said this when I was talking about it on discord, that there is a difference between hope and expectation. I always hope that a new story centered on Jason (or anyone really, but things have been especially egregious for Jay for 15 years) will be good or at least treat the character with a minimal level of respect (to be honest, the bar is super fucking low). But my expectations always temper my hope, to keep it from getting unrealistic. Because my expectations are based on experience.

The long history of Jason Todd, since even before his resurrection, has been one of retroactively trying to make him "a bad seed" in order to absolve Bruce of any responsibility in his death.

I don't even expect DC or their writers to start honoring the fact that Jason was not an angry, reckless Robin (and less of the later than Dick or Tim and definitely Damian). There plenty of ways that retcon can be folded into his history and be compelling and sympathetic. And if they're going to stick with that retcon, I'm only asking that they do it in one of those compelling and sympathetic ways because Jason was 15 when he died, heroically, in one of the most selfless acts in comics, to save a woman who literally handed him over to be brutally murdered. He was 12 when Bruce plucked him off the streets, he'd been homeless and fending for himself for at least two years. I personally think that Jason's story hits harder for him and Bruce if their original, canon relationship, of Jason as starry-eyed and eager to learn and absolutely devoted to Bruce and Bruce to Jason, is preserved. But Jason's origins does leave room for a meaningful interpretation of him as angry and frustrated at the lack of meaningful results of Bruce's methods.

And that's really where my irritation at stories like Batman: Urban Legends, Cheer and Batman The Adventure Continues has it's roots.

Every time one of these stories comes out, I think (or hope, rather) that this will be the one that remembers and respects the origins of the Jason and the Red Hood, that takes into account the changed sensibilities of comics readers in the 30 years since Jason's death and the subtle, 20 year, retroactive campaign to make him the "bad Robin". The "born bad" trope is played out and literally no one likes the message it implies. That some kids are just bad eggs and there's nothing parents or the adults around them can do. Especially when it's played as the kid's fault. If Jason's time as Robin is going to be characterized by anger, then it should be rooted in anger at the social injustices he witnessed as he grew up in an impoverished, crime-ridden, area and the horrors he faced raising himself when every day was a battle for survival. There are topical, meaningful, stories to tell with that backdrop.

But those are never the stories we get.

⚠⚠ Spoilers for Batman: Urban Legends, Cheer ⚠⚠

I'm particularly disappointed in Urban Legends because for the first issue, it looked like that was the kind of story we were going to get. I was put off by the first flashback of Jason being mesmerized by Bruce's guns, and I got that feeling in my gut that it was a bad sign. Jason depicted as impatient and overconfident and the scene with the guns is heavy-handed foreshadowing that got my spidey-sense tingling. I had a inkling then (in the first three pages) of how this story was going to play out, but it was early and I could still see many narrative paths that could lead to a satisfying story. My concerns were soothed somewhat and the little flame of my hope fanned, with the flashback of Alfred scolding Bruce, with Barbara's concern for Jason. A bit of worry returned with the way Jason ruthlessly pursued an addict who didn't appear to be a dealer and with the ending of the issue. The stuff with the addict sat wrong with me but the ending was tempered some by how despicable Tyler's dad was written. The scene was clearly set so that the reader could sympathize with Jason's decision and the scene with the addict could be brushed aside as a side-effect of comics over-the-top need for constant action, so I still held hope.

Issue 2 made me uncomfortable and it's where my hope starts to take a backseat to my expectations. I can dismiss Jason's self-deprecating internal monologue as unreliable narration, except that the flashback reinforces his thought process to explicitly show that it's not unreliable narration, and should be taken at face value. Jason faces physical abuse at the hands of his mother's drug dealer and when the flashback continues later, Jason kills the drug dealer. To be clear, this is a pre-Bruce Jason. His mom is still alive. He's like... 10. He kills this guy for shoving his head into a wall and implying Jason's mother paid for her drugs with sex. This is a scene that serves a single purpose. To show that Jason has always been prone to violence.

In the spirit of full disclosure, there is the small chance the drug dealer might not be dead. But the story obviously wants the reader to think he is, and it hasn't done anything to change that yet.

Starlin already did this story with The Diplomat’s Son in 1988 and he did it infinitely better. AND that’s still technically canon. So now I’m supposed to believe that Jason lost his cool bad enough to kill two douche bags before his sweet 16? Like it’s totally normal for abused kids raised in poverty, who’ve led hard and heartbreaking lives to just... haul off and kill people? That’s bullshit, and when taken with the Jason in the third issue, who is little more than an idiot thug, this story is really doubling down on some fucked up stereotypes.

Which brings us to the most recent issue. I went into this installment with very low expectations. I thought this story was going to be about Jason, through this experience with Tyler, a young boy with a similar background to Jason's, coming to the realization that Bruce's way is the best way and that Bruce did his best by Jason.

That would be annoying (in no small part because it takes increasingly absurd levels of plot armor to keep Bruce's no kill rule relevant, let alone irrefutably right). But I can probably live with that, if only because maybe if Jason officially falls back into line with the Bats crusade, maybe I'll get stories that treat him with respect, stories that don't relegate him to comic relief, dumb brute, or a background body with no lines in a story about the Joker burning Gotham (like Jason would just fucking stand there quietly for that).

And that may still be where the story is going, Jason realizing Bruce is right.

But holy shit do I not have the right words to describe how fucking insulting and gross issue three is.

From start to finish--including the flashback--Jason is written as cruel and fucking stupid. Like straight up dumb.

The entire issue is Bruce explaining the fucking basics to Jason like it's his first day. And Jason flies off the fucking handle and terrorizes a doctor he knows isn't a part of making the Cheerdrops, beats the shit out of some random addicts, and finally, when he can't accomplish anything on his own because he's a dumb brute he calls Barbara for help and rushes in with no information where he's promptly incapacitated and must now wait to be rescued by Batman.

This panel is the least of the issues sins but I can’t screenshot the entire story but it’s representative of the tone for the whole issue (and retroactively tainted the prior two issues).

This is beyond insulting. The only conclusions Jason comes to in this issue are the ones Bruce leads him to by talking to him like he can’t make the simplest connections. And like... in this story Jason can’t make the simplest connections.

This (and the Jason throughout the entirety of this issue) is a far cry from the Jason we fell in love with in Under the Red Hood, who was competent and strategic and intelligent enough to seize control of Gotham’s underworld from Black Mask (who’s no fucking slouch, he’s the first and only person to unify organized crime in Gotham) AND elude and manipulate Bruce until the time and place of his choosing.

This is a far cry from even the Red Hood and the Outlaws Jason who is competent enough to fight the League of Shadows and Ra’s al Ghul (among very dangerous and skilled others) and smart enough to create antidotes for mind control nanotech viruses.

As he should be, by the way. Jason Todd is one of the best, most comprehensively trained fighters in DC’s stable of non powered vigilantes. He’s not irrational or hot headed. He’s pragmatic, tactically minded, and patient. He’s a detective. Right now. Has been since he was 12. Bruce doesn’t have to make him one because he already is. 

Jason is not a stupid thug who uses his fists because his brain doesn’t work. And I can’t tell you how so very exhausted I am by this narrative. 

This is actually the most egregious example of Jason’s skills and intelligence being not just undermined but dismissed entirely. Even Morrison’s Jason had some degree of competency. 

The one, single redeeming factor of this story is the art. It’s beautiful. And Marcus To is a godsend he seems to be one of only a couple of artists who remember that Jason was a child when he was Robin and I’m literally only buying this book because of him. 

Anyway, I’m sorry. I didn’t want that to come out so... um... passionately lol. I’m just very very tired. My intention with this isn’t to ruin it for you, if you like it, that’s fine. 

But this issue shot this story to the top of my "Vehemently Despise” list. 1) Batman: Urban Legends (Cheer), 2) Battle for the Cowl/Morrison’s Batman and Robin, 3) Batman The Adventure Continues.

I hope the next issues somehow salvage this dumpster fire. But I’m not expecting it.

(Damnit. That sounded harsh again. To reiterate, I’m not trying to judge anyone who enjoys it, I just personally hate it and you asked me why lol 😅)

#Batman #red hood #batman: urban legends #nice art #shit story #or at least shit characterization #jason todd deserves better #this response got long and I didn't edit it #please forgive any errors #and/or unclear spots #spoilers

[wistfulrat]

this week’s fics! feat. bakeries, bookshops, bisexual awakenings of the angsty and fluffy sort, wolfstar goddads being tender as hell, desi harry reconnecting with his culture, domestic drarry, a lap dance set to akon’s smack that, and more!

But That’s History by @ebbet - 54k - T Harry Potter starts his first year as Muggle Studies Professor only to find that Draco Malfoy has been hired to teach History of Magic.

listen to me. this is one of the funniest drarry fics i've ever read. i was cackling in my bed at 2am because harry’s internal monologues throughout this fic are unhinged. insanely quotable. “what was he, a lothario” and “you were crushing me with your muscular thighs!” are lines that live rent free in my empty head. harry has never played anything cool a day in his life. there’s a faculty meeting where the teachers are planning the yule ball and debating the merits of a DJ when harry decides he must defend his muggle-music-loving honor by dancing seductively to akon’s smack that while a blushing draco loses his mind. i fucking screamed. and the best part is that in between the comedic scenes threading the overall story, you have extremely tender moments of like, padma patil helping harry become a more rooted desi by sharing their cultural traditions, harry proudly donning his sherwani. draco wrestling with his past, going to harry’s lgbtq+ club for students, being sheepish with ron and hermione. ugh, comedic writers with emotional depth are clever and talented as hell!!

Realities, Unfurling by @ebbet - 45k - M Draco Malfoy is released from Azkaban into a changed world.

incredible collage-fic told from multiple povs. 8yrs post-war and everything’s changed. the current state of the magical world unfolds via slice-of-life snapshots from a truly stunning cast. non-binary harry whom is running a non-prof org dedicated to building tolerance and establishing equality for marginalized identities. post-prison-release draco whose life will be changed by the internet. neville’s tender relationship with blaise. andromeda’s fiercely protective mothering. remus and sirius being alive and very hot and just, the tender goddads harry deserved. cho chang being brilliant. baker pansy’s softened edges. found families abound. harry being flustered by their crush on draco and making personalized playlists on an iPod nano.

that all might sound narratively cluttered but the author more than pulls this off. glorious, start to finish.

Knead by @jovialobservationanchor (an @hd-erised​ fic) - 83k - E This is not a story about Harry renovating Grimmauld Place. This is a story about coffee shops and brewpubs, about Ginny and Luna on a farm with creatures, about magical Oregon, coastal road trips, flying, friendship, and Draco Malfoy's lean arms.

cinematic. a love letter to oregon’s expansive landscapes and lively cities. it’s harry finding home in unexpected places and people. in the vast silence of rolling fields, endless coasts, and starry night skies big enough to feel like you’re adrift in space. and it’s also the lingering, intimate quiet of early mornings in a bakery, sitting on a park bench overlooking the city as you eat ice cream next to your crush. it’s harry watching ginny and luna dance and work around each other like bees. it’s the slow unfolding of harry and draco’s relationship as they fill each other’s quiet. finishing this fic is like waking from a good dream. transporting, immersive, lovely. 

Harry Potter and the Bisexual Awakening by @writcraft - 20k - E Harry is perfectly content being single, heterosexual and living in Godric's Hollow with his very clingy rescue dog, Snitch. When Draco Malfoy turns up on Harry's doorstep demanding that Harry teach him how to drive, things quickly become a lot more complicated.

first of all, i feel very seen by draco being a gay-who-can’t-drive. it’s called representation. but mostly i love the ease of harry and draco’s banter, a flustered harry discovering his sexuality, and the way this fic addresses biphobia. also very emo over this exchange: “I think I might be scared of you, but probably not for the reasons you think.” “Yes.” Draco stares at Harry. “I think I might be scared of you too.”

Forged through flowing water by @tedahfromtayla (an @hd-erised​ fic) - 40k - E When Hermione sets up a diplomatic mission to begin repairing the damage British colonisation did to Indian magical communities Harry isn’t going to pass on the opportunity to visit and help his family’s home country. Maybe he should have asked a few more questions about the personnel she had recruited for it before signing on because Malfoy surely has an ulterior motive to be there.

so much to love about this fic. the beautiful settings, from kolkata to mumbai, to the holi festival and colorful lively streets, to remote cave settlements and old intricate temples. it’s harry in the homeland, reconnecting to his family’s heritage and confronting the weight of imperialism in his history. it’s nipping the white savior complex in the bud. this part: That is what England left behind. That is what it still stands for, despite whatever mask of respectability and honour it presents. . .You don't get to step aside and let someone else deal with the mess. You have to listen and learn and then act, Malfoy, you need to learn how to fix your own mess. This is why we're here. my indigenous ass cheered. HP certainly sells the british fantasy but HP fanfic?? fuck jkr, fuck the crown. i love that this fic doesn’t romanticize england’s history. i love that we get to see the vast resilience and beauty of post-colonial india.

Purity Control by yrfrndfrnkly - 28k - T In which Harry tries to ignore his trauma with fantasy Quidditch but Malfoy's Thereness™ is distracting and all his classmates want to talk about are unicorns, virginity, and Muggle music.

tender 8th year fics where they go from bristly as fuck to understanding and soft 100% guaranteed to make me emo as hell. all the teens have traumas and no one wants to talk about it but eventually Things are Talked About. it’s good of the adults to finally notice. everyone just wants someone to hold their hand. and this part: “You’re the only person around here who’s a bigger mess than I am.” “I thought maybe we could be a mess together,” pls don’t look at me as i weep over their gentle empathy.

Advent, a comic by dustmouth - WIP - T It's Harry and Draco's first Christmas together and Draco is determined to live his full yuletide fantasy, come hell or high water.

dustmouth, patron saint of whimsical drarry. whose illustrations singlehandedly reinvented wizarding fashion. whose cheeky and tender comics are like a soothing balm to the utter depravity of this carnal world. harry and draco being domestic, draco’s xmas spirit brand being “traditional unhinged”!! extremely my shit. we’ll absolutely be reading this all december.

Little Spaces by @dracoladon and @lazywonderlvnd​ - WIP - E Draco's back from France and working on the spell damage ward at St Mungo's with Hermione, who invites him over for dinner. Without telling Harry. This is a roleplay, which means Harry is written by one author (lazywonderland) and Draco by another (dracoladon).

the switch in distinct character voices works so well for this fic!! tonally i feel like i'm watching an episode of the office. i personally love harry and draco being Pissed Off at how much they want to bone each other. the battle of the tapenade was the most riveting dinner scene i've read in a minute. clever, hilarious, emotionally tense. can’t wait until that inevitable moment post hate-sex when they’re gonna be like “oh noooo it’s a Heart Boner as well!! >:((” hell ya we’re subscribing for chapter updates.

Dragons Don’t Know Paradise by @teacup-tai​ - WIP - E In 2004, when Remus spends two scary weeks in the ITU due to complications of pneumonia and his HIV condition, Sirius walks around the house like a ghost and Harry finds comfort and strength in Draco through a chat in an online LGBT forum. Harry falls for him, but Draco has a lot of secrets and, before long, will need to come clean—even if he believes that no one is able to understand a dragon.

non-magical bookshop AU. remus and sirius’ relationship is a marvel. the ease of their affection with harry makes me so emo. draco’s friends being insistently present even as he tries to isolate himself. this is a story about acceptance, found families, and falling in love at a distance. the intimacy, the longing, the tenderness. what a fic!! i keep coming back to this part:...he looks at ease, inside his body, a body he needed to fight for. He’d made peace with his struggles and his scars. And Draco realises he wants that. He wants to be at ease inside his body, the body that now carries a virus. He wants to be at peace with his own existence. you hurt for draco so deeply but you get moments like these where he affords himself a kindness that feels foreign and it’s just!! the boys navigating grief and learning to be vulnerable. so good.

#drarry fic rec #drarry #we live and die for desi harry aka hari poddar bc fuq jkr #a lot of soft drarrys this week but in my defense ive been reading hella angst and my depression was not finding that cute #weekly drarrys

[janes-a-charted-stan]

I just discovered Starry (which is wonderful btw, go listen) and the songs keep getting stuck in my head but since I don’t actually know the lyrics and I’m still easing out of a Starkid hyperfixation, my internal monologue sounds something like this:

“we paint our destiny with ecstasy for though it may seem small the power to lo-” wait no, wrong thing sorry

“help me please undress me a pain I know all too well the pride had never seen a mo-” goddamn it not again

#starry musical #starkid

[akawrites000]

Needy (Part 2)

When the Hero regained consciousness, they were very surprised for a couple of reasons. One- they weren't supposed to open their eyes again, they were supposed to be dead, and the cause of death would be 'choked by the Villain's sturdy hands'; two- their treacherous heart just wouldn't shut up, way too excited at the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this villain wasn't really as bad as they portrayed themselves to be (and would somehow magically turn into one of the villain personalities whom the Hero swooned over almost everyday on their smartphone) and three- they were currently tied up in some abandoned warehouse and the rough ropes were hurting their wrist.

It seemed like they had made enough noise waking up, because a shadow was walking towards them from the corner of the building. The Hero gulped- this is bad, I really can't protect myself right now because my hands are literally tied. The Hero's anxiety was at alarmingly high levels as they tried to internally calm themselves down (which didn't work). The shadow went over and flicked on the light switch, momentarily blinding the Hero.

Like a puppet cut off from its strings, the Hero slumped down in utter relief, voice a breathy sigh as they spoke, "It's only you huh, thank goodness, I was afraid it might be someone else who wanted to hurt me." They saw the Villain looking at them like they were a creature from another planet, standing comfortably by the wall.

The Villain sure as hell had good reason for their facial expressions and actions, their mind currently running a marathon- why did the Hero look so relieved after seeing that it was me, when they were clearly terrified just a moment ago? I mean, I'm the Villain... how can they be so sure that I wouldn't harm them? Their mind immediately pulled up the mental image of how all the tension in the Hero's shoulder just left once they knew that it was them standing in the corner, and how relieved their voice sounded. It was seriously very disturbing and the Villain couldn't understand why.

The Villain walked closer to the Hero who was currently struggling to get out of those ropes, "How did you know that I wouldn't hurt you? ", the Villain questioned, voice dark, " don't give me this bullshit of 'I trusted you' -

"But I did, and I do." The Hero had stopped wiggling in their chair and focused all of their attention on the Villain who looked like he was kicked in the gut. "Huh?", was all the distressed villain could manage, eyes fixed on the enigmatic Hero. The Hero simply chuckled- a soft sound that did weird things to the Villain's chest, " I mean no offense Villain, but you could have seriously killed me, with your fingers around my neck and all-"

The Hero didn't even see the Villain move, and before they knew it, their mouth was clamped shut by the Villain's hand, amber eyes looking into theirs desperately, "Just don't talk." , the villain said curtly- because it's driving me mad, you're driving me mad.

"O-okay?" The Hero said unsure of themselves, focusing their attention back into getting themselves out of those ropes. The Villain was just going to go and mull in the corner, and have an inner monologue with themselves before a loud groan- which soon turned into a pained whine, came from the direction of the Hero. They Villain whisked their head back so quickly, and surprised themselves because of how much they cared. They sprang over to where they tied the Hero, eyes meticulously going over the binds- I know I didn't tie it that tightly...

"What's wrong?" , the Villain asked, letting just a little emotion seep into their voice. The Hero looked up at them and it was only then that the Villain noticed how tired they were- those eyes that had always shined like a starry sky were now a dull blue, dark circles lining those eyes like they were a permanent inhabitant of their handsome/beautiful face. Though according to the Villain, they had no place there.

"Is there something on my face?" ,the Hero asked, twisting and turning a little. Bad move, they thought, as a loud gasp tore out of their throat and they doubled over in pain. The Villain was there in a jiffy, holding them up gently. They even let them lean on their body for support and the Hero couldn't help but smile despite the pain.

"What's wrong?!" The Villain asked once again, eyes searching every visible nook and corner of the Hero's body for any sign of injuries.

"I-It hurts.", they gasped, leaning in closer to the Villain.

The Villain got rid of the restraints themselves, carried the Hero bridal style and placed them on the floor to get a better look at them, all the while the Villain's mind was at crossroads- why am I doing this? vs I don't want to see them hurt playing on a loop inside their head. With every jostle the Hero flinched and the Villain's chest clenched with guilt?- something that they hadn't allowed themselves to feel in ages.

"Where does it hurt?" The Villain's voice came out gentle, and they surprised themselves once again.

They looked down to see the Hero grinning at them, eyss once again becoming a starry sky. Despite going through every possibility in their head as to how the Hero would react when they woke up again, grinning and soft eyes was definitely not on the Villain's list of possibilities- It made them weak.

"Here and here." The Hero pointed with their index finger to the general area around their ribs and below. No external injury could be seen, which meant that it was damaged internally- that's bad. The Villain went through the first aid procedures in their head.

The Hero smiled at them, "You don't have to look so worried Villain, I'll be fine. You've done enough, so I'll just go and get myself admitted at a hospital. " The Hero attempted to stand up, only to curl in on themselves again.

The Villain was angry, because it seemed like this stupid Hero was only desperate to hurt themselves more. And it made them even more furious to admit that they let something like "the Hero's wellbeing" get to them.

"Just sit here and don't move, I'm going to get the first aid supplies." The Villain made sure to glare extra hard at the greenie Hero so that they wouldn't get any other foolish ideas. They watched the Hero nod happily, as they made their way over to the other side of the room, looking for said supplies.

"So this is really where you live huh- and they went into a furious coughing fit. The Villain rushed back, cursing the Hero in their mind for not even giving them a few moments of peace, hand rubbing soothing circles onto their back. In the back of their mind though, the Villain was relieved at the fact that the Hero at least had a brain in there. They watched as the Hero gasped and spluttered, struggling to breathe. They definitely broke a few ribs during the fight, the Villain's mind fed worryingly from the Hero's reaction. Their hands instantly started working on the first aid measures, patching the Hero up the best they could.

"Don't talk, don't move, stay still." The Villain's voice may have sounded deep and cold but the Hero could feel the warmth in each of those words. They were slowly starting to feel tired, eyelids closing involuntarily once again.

The Villain stared at their nemesis, a look of fear stretching across their face, "Oi, don't close your eyes! Hero! Listen to me!"

-

The Hero woke up once again, this time to beeping sounds and bleary white walls. A hospital. They only turned their head, suddenly aware of the pain below their chest and their eyes landed on a slumped figure, on a chair by their bedside. Villain... had they admitted them to the hospital? How did I even get here? Don't tell me that they carried me all the way here?!

The Hero's face heated up at the thought, and they wiggled their hands in front of their face, swatting the thought away as if it were a fly. They sighed, feeling much better than they remembered feeling before they blacked out. Their eyes shifted to their phone which gave a soft glow in the dark.

One new message.

Villain: Your phone really doesn't have any useful information at all, you greenie Hero.

The Hero chuckled at the apparent annoyance that the Villain might have felt upon the discovery. It was the truth, they really weren't allowed to know as much as their higher ups did.

Villain: Open your notes.

The Hero became alarmed, their fingers flying to the notes app. The notes was like their personal diary and they never let anyone read through them. They were pissed, eyes glaring at the sleeping villain as they opened the most recently edited note-

The story I read today was so good, I hope I get to meet a villain like that in my life!

Well you met one today, what did you think? Tell me after you wake up- Villain.

And the story was nothing special, I read it. I'm sure we could do so much better than that- Villain.

If the Hero's cheeks weren't flaming then, they sure were now. They weren't even mad anymore, just giddy, smiling like an idiot at the sleeping Villain.

"You were amazing, Villain."

The Hero opened up the Villain's chat-

H: How am I supposed to tell you if you're still asleep dummy. Wake up!!!

H: And next time, don't just snoop around my phone while I'm asleep. Just ask me and I'll give it to you.

okay this ended up being way more cheesy than it was in my head lol/ villain gets influenced by hopeless romantic hero/ it's the beginning of their own fanfic inspired heroxvillain relationship/hero is extremely satisfied-hope you all liked it.

#hero x villain #heros #villains #villain x hero #short story #prose #my wriitng #writeblr #writers on tumblr #my fic #cute #enemies to lovers

[elegant-fan-twirl]

My reread has reached the plant!SQQ part and I'm once again thinking about one of the great mysteries of Scum Villain, SQQ's sexual orientation.

You know that bit, in the Gossipy Jianghu chapter? I had to stop reading and rub my temples for a while, and then go complain to friends about how stupid the canon in my current obsession is sometimes. But moving on.

I have yet to puzzle it out and there's probably some convincing meta out there that could help settle it for me, and I also realize that orientation is generally messier than any neat category will cover. If identity is self-defined, even for a fictional character, SQQ was straight and then he was "what do you think?" and that's all we get. Sigh. Cucumber-bro, why do I love you. I probably shouldn't.

The thing is, you could make a case for all kinds of orientations, and none of them are confirmed.

He could be straight! With an exception, or like... you can choose to be with someone you're not in love or lust with and the sex can be good and the relationship satisfying. Which was my first reading, actually. It would apply whether he's heterosexual or ace.

My first thought, after my first read, was not that he was straight, but that he's ace, since he shows only apparently academic interest in anybody's good looks.

Then now on reread I'm thinking that's not necessarily right, because SQQ has a habit of deflecting in his internal monologues, and he is definitely thin-faced and easily embarrassed, so would not want to talk about sex-as-pertains-to-himself. He doesn't always tell you what he's thinking. At some point we just get told he figured something out paragraphs ago, or he made a decision, or he noticed something, or he was in pain, or thought out he was dying, all the while talking about something completely different. With that in mind I'm thinking maybe he did find Sha Hualing sexy in the book, and enjoyed all the bouncing titties in principle despite complaining about the writing, he does have sexual thoughts, he did have a character crush on Binghe, he would not be immune to a cave full of succubi if he allowed himself to look at them. He just never says "oh that's sexy" because getting turned on is embarrassing. Which could make him bi or pan (or etc.).

But you could also decide that all his interest in women WAS academic, that going "well now I can never have a girlfriend... sad... oh well" was just half-heartedly enforcing compulsory heterosexuality on himself, but that all his starry-eyed descriptions of Binghe did count and ergo, SQQ is and always has been gay.

Or maybe it's all academic in general, but real, just repressed/misunderstood, when it's Binghe? Demisexual?

I do find this convincing (until someone convinces me otherwise, perhaps): He identified as straight; now he identifies as gay (monogamous). What is nuance?

I mean, it happens, but also... I do put it down to... being an idiot.

#i mean that fondly #svsss #shen qingqiu