#taking the aesthetics and story without any of the meaning behind it

[astronomodome]

Feeling conflicted about the cyberpunk thingy impulse is going for because like yeah it’s a great theme and I like the aesthetics a lot but what I really like most about cyberpunk is the themes of corporate alienation and/or transhumanism etc etc which I know will not be addressed at all and in fact it’s kind of stupid of me to expect that at all from a minecraft series. Does anyone else get that or just me

#this is an issue I’ve been having with mcyt content in general you know. not ragging on impulse specifically #it’s just… I find it difficult to reconcile the quality of narrative focused mcyt content with its complete lack of commentary #should it have commentary? I believe it could if it wanted to. I don’t think it has to #but then you see these genres being… skinned and worn as cloaks #taking the aesthetics and story without any of the meaning behind it #and when it was just Minecraft builds that was expected. I guess it is still expected and I’m being a huge snob #but like. mcyt narrative is so fucked from a quality standpoint. you can’t even have villains who are other mcyters because people #will get mad at them #is that an unrelated issue? maybe. but I don’t think so #idk. mcyters aren’t expected to be storytellers and they don’t need to be #but I see these things happen over and over again and it’s just uncanny to see something that walks like a story talks like a story #but at the same time has absolutely nothing of value to say #it’s very early on so maybe there will be something done with this concept but I doubbbt it. I would be very pleasantly surprised #astro speaks #hermitcraft #not putting this in the impulse tag cause he would be more likely to see it #and I don’t want him to feel like he has to address this at all #it’s more just me noticing a trend

[iamthedukeofurl]

One interesting thing that can happen in long running media is that the general cultural background can shift under the work, recontextualizing it as it is being written. I'm specifically thinking of the Order of the Stick, a Dungeons and Dragons themed webcomic that started in 2003 with the titular party of adventurers going through a dungeon.

From left to right, we have Belkar Bitterleaf the halfling ranger, Vaarsuvius the Elf Wizard, Elan the Human Bard, Haley Starshine the Human Rogue, Durkon Thundershield the Dwarf Cleric, and Roy Greenhilt the Human Fighter. The comic takes place in a fantasy setting that knowingly runs off the rules of Dungeons and Dragons third edition. Characters talk about rolls and bonuses and intentionally take levels in various classes. At the start, the comic was a pretty basic gag comic about the D&D rules, basic fantasy/adventure tropes, ect.

In the 20 years the comic has been running, it has updated about 1300 times, not counting bonus strips exclusively made for the printed version, and several print (or PDF) only side and prequel stories. It has also dramatically grown from it's roots, the art has improved while keeping the same general aesthetic, and the gag-a-day comic has become a sweeping fantasy epic. The characters have grown beyond their initial bits (Belkar is a Murderhobo, Elan is stupid, Haley is greedy, ect), and it's genuinely up there as one of my favorite stories. But anyway, let's talk about Vaarsuvius. If you look at the above art, You'll notice that the characters tend to have three types of body shapes: Rectangles for Roy, Belkar, and Elan, feminine curves for Haley, and Robes for Vaarsuvius. This presentation is a pretty consistent signifier of gender and/or somebody wearing robes. Early on, part of Vaarsuvius's running gag became their ambiguous gender. At the time, it was a fairly common joke in fantasy to talk about how Elven men had androgynous or "Girly" appearances, so V was part of that. Instead of a singular pronoun, characters would generally just abbreviate Vaarsuvius's name as "V", and whenever the narrative would have naturally provided some indication of gender one way or another, V would resolve the situation without providing any such indication. For example, an early gag has the characters seeking out a set of modern style bathrooms in the dungeon. When they find them, V says that their "More Efficient elven biology" means they don't have to go yet, so they wait outside while the boys go into the Men's room and Haley waits in the inevitable long line at the women's. When Vaarsuvius reveals that they are married, they use the term "Spouse" to refer to their partner, when we see their children, the children are clearly adopted (V and their partner both have pale skin, their children have darker skin) and refer to Vaarsuvius as "Parent". Vaarsuvius themselves seems to have trouble identifying other people by gender. Characters outside the central cast might refer to Vaarsuvius as "He" or "She", but doing so was always shedding light on that character's perspective, rather than saying anything about Vaarsuvius. The assumption behind the gag is that Vaarsuvius must be either male or female, and the joke is that the narrative/Vaarsuvius themselves keeps finding ways to avoid "Revealing" their gender. Fan wikis and official books list Vaarsuvius's gender as "Ambigious" and on the forum there used to be a regular, multi-part thread dedicated to debatings Vaarsuvius's gender, even after the author declared that it would "never be revealed".

Anyway, going back to the start, it's 2023, and something shifted at some point, both in the comic and in the general cultural background. The jokes about V's gender kind of fell off, not just because the gag got played out, but because the basic assumption behind it simply doesn't work anymore. Everybody knows that Nonbinary people exist. There's no point in the comic where Vaarsuvius switches from being "Ambigiously Gendered" to Nonbinary, in fact, the entire comic reads just fine if you read Vaarsuvius as male or female and just not caring enough to clarify their gender to anybody and at some point other characters just stop thinking about it. But it's interesting to see how a character trait that was once included in even the most basic character descriptions (Varsuvius: Elven Wizard. Arrogant, Intelligent. Ambigiously gendered) just kind of got washed away by a rising tide of cultural nuance towards gender. Also go read OOTS, it's pretty great.

#order of the stick #oots #webcomics #long running media #posts that have been swimming in my head until I let them out

[kidstemplatte]

the greatest (teaser)

the universe presents copia with an opportunity he’s been waiting his whole life for: fatherhood.

pairings: story focuses on dad! copia, however, reader is terzo’s wife.

warnings: mention of suicide

this was originally supposed to be a 3 part series, this post being part one, but i’ve decided to make it all one big fic! this post can serve as a little sneak peek :)

“You’d be a good Papa.”

His niece’s kind words still echoed in his mind, even after five years.

The Cardinal had wanted to become a father for quite some time now, but wasn’t sure if he was fit for the job. He himself was a bit of a child, which could be considered a pro or a con; the upside being he was fun and pure-hearted, the downside that he could be a tad chaotic.

When Copia was summoned to Sister Imperator’s office, he assumed it was because he had forgotten to turn off the stove again or left the sink running, habits from his youth he was yet to abandon even as a middle-aged man. Bracing himself for another lecture, the Cardinal took a deep breath in and out before knocking three times on the sturdy oak door.

“Come in.” A hoarse voice rang from within the room.

Copia gently pushed the door open and entered the lavish office. Sister Imperator’s office couldn’t differ any more from the Cardinal’s, sporting a classy yet minimalistic aesthetic decked in shades of brown and black. Meanwhile, Copia’s office had “Copia” written all over it in big cartoonish block letters, thanks to the dozens of figurines and comic books lining the shelves, as well as other dorky memorabilia.

Sister Imperator sat behind her meticulously organized desk, clasped hands resting on the polished wood.

“Hello Sister.” Copia greeted the woman formally, bowing his head as he took a seat in the plush chair across from hers.

“Cardinal.” She returned the greeting with a brief nod, before instantly began diving into her reason for his summoning. “Do you recall, a few years back, when a Sister of the Austrian chapter took her own life?” she inquired.

That was a rather rough introduction to a conversation. Of course he remembered, how could he not? It was a tragic day, each chapter holding their own memorial ceremony for the young woman.

“Oh. Si, I do.” Copia answered, saddened at the remembrance of the event.

“Well, she had a son additionally, who had an absent father.”

Been there.

“They have done their best to take care of the boy since he was just a newborn- he’s resided in the church his whole life- but as he’s gotten older, they’ve decided it’s simply not fit for him to grow up without a permanent system of support.” She explained.

Copia suddenly became much more alert, his eyes widening and posture straightening. “You mean… a family?”

“C, if you’re interested…” Sister Imperator noticed a longing in her son’s eyes that she had not seen in a long time- not since he was but a child brimming with curiosity, a subtle glow that surfaced only when he wanted something deeply, most of the time, an answer- but this time- it was more than curiosity, it was yearning. “Now would be the time.”

“Yes.” The Cardinal blurted out. “Yes.”

“The adoption process is not easy- yet alone raising a child. This is a massive responsibility. Are you sure you are able to handle this on top of a Cardinal’s duties?” She cautioned him.

“Yes, Mother.” He reiterated. She froze.

“I want this more than anything.” He pleaded.

“I will notify them of your consideration.” She nodded.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. Grazie. Grazie.” The Cardinal repeated like a mantra, placing his hands together as he bowed his head in gratitude.

•✧•

Gently shutting the door to your son’s room, you walked down the hall and into the living space, pleasantly surprised to see your brother-in-law sitting in a lounge chair across from the couch. “Hi, Copia! What a nice surprise.” You greeted him with a smile. “Sorry, I just put Vinnie to bed. Am I allowed to join, or is this a brother talk?”

“Please, join us.” Copia gestured. “Is Violetta here?” he asked.

“She’s in her room. She’s not feeling very well tonight.” answered Terzo.

“Oh, I am sorry to hear that. Let her know I said hello.” Copia responded.

“Will do. So, what is going on?” Terzo asked, reaching to the coffee table in front of him and pouring his brother a glass of wine before setting it down.

Copia took a deep breath in and began. “Sister Imperator called me into her office today and gave me some news.”

“News that..?”

You elbowed Terzo in response to his impatience. “Let the man speak!”

“Eh, do you remember when a woman of the Austrian chapter, um… She took her own life?”

“Johanna?” You asked.

“You knew her?”

“Not too personally, but yes. I met her years back when I studied briefly in Innsbruck. She was a lovely woman.” You recalled, sadness beginning to tug at your heart. “Sorry, continue.” You dismissed yourself, knowing if you continued, there would surely be a few tears.

“Oh, no, do not apologize. Please, continue, if you are comfortable.”

“Okay.” you sniffled, laughing nervously. “There’s not much else, it’s just- it was sad. My bad, go on.”

Your husband placed a loving hand over yours, a subtle way he reminded you that you were safe with him.

Copia nodded. “Well, she had a son, who has lived in the church his whole life. But, um, they are considering finding him a more traditional… family.” He explained.

“Here?” Terzo inquired.

“Si, ah… with me.”

“You are adopting him?” Terzo lit up.

“If everything goes according to plan, yes.” He replied slightly hesitantly.

“You’re gonna be a dad, Copia!” You nearly cried, your face lighting up with joy.

He laughed, a smile grazing his face at the idea. “Ah, well, we don’t know for sure yet. The process is a bit difficult. I fear it won’t work out.” He responded.

“Copia, you can’t mourn the loss of something that’s just beginning!” You encouraged him.

“Do you really think Sister Imperator would ever propose such a thing to someone she didn’t trust could do it?” pointed out Terzo.

“That is a good point.” Copia replied. “I just… even if it works out… what if I am not… good?” He rambled anxiously.

“Not good? Our kids can’t get enough of you.” Terzo reassured his brother.

The Cardinal smiled at the thought of his niece and nephew.

“So what do you know about him?” You asked eagerly.

“Well, ah, that’s actually all I know… And that he’s five years old.”

“Oh my gosh! He’s the same age as Vinnie! It was meant to be!” You gushed, excitedly waving your hands. “Copia. I think it’s gonna happen. I really, really do.”

“Thank you, Y/N.” He expressed his gratitude with a heartfelt smile.

“Mommy?” You heard a voice squeak in the distance. Turning around in your spot on the couch, a small figure stood down the hallway.

“Hi, Vinnie. What’s wrong?” You asked, a gentle tone adorning your voice. “Excuse me, I’ll be back.” You told your brother-in-law and husband as you rose to your son’s aid.

“Copia.” Terzo addressed his brother, his voice suddenly earnest.

“Yes?”

“When have I ever lied to you?” Terzo inquired.

Pondering the question and recalling no particular incident, he shrugged.

“Exactly. You can do this, Copia. And you will.”Terzo uplifted the Cardinal, his words touching the heart of his beloved half-brother.

“Thank you, Terzo.”

Terzo smiled, reaching across the table to pat the Cardinal on his shoulder.

“I mean it, fratello.”

•✧•

That night, Copia closed the door to his small abode and let out a hefty sigh. His expression softened a little as he caught sight of the large cage sitting on a table against the wall, inside containing two furry friends. Inside of the enclosure stood a dusty brown rat perched on his hind feet and clutching onto the metal bars, eagerly waiting for his Papa’s return.

“Ciao, Bean.” Copia cooed, opening the drawer below his cage and opening their bag of food. “I’m guessing your brother is…” Copia scanned his eyes around the cage, his suspicions confirmed once he noticed Pesto’s nose peeking out from a small wooden hideout. “Ah, did I wake you up, my Bestie Pestie? I apologize. Buon appetito, little ones.” He said, opening their cage and pouring their food as the little rodents scurried to their bowls.

That night, the Cardinal felt inclined to do something he hadn’t done in a long time. Overwhelmed with an immense sense of desperation, Copia prayed on his own in the solitude of his room. He knelt beside his bed, knees on the hardwood floor as he placed his hands together and shut his eyes tight, a soft sigh escaping his lips before he began his prayer.

“Tua empietà, so che è passato un po' di tempo. perdonami, ti prego, ma devo chiederti una cosa. per favore, satana, concedimi il dono della paternità, per favore. Farò qualsiasi cosa, viaggerò all'inferno e ritorno, per trasformare questo sogno in realtà. Prego che il ragazzo stia bene e al sicuro e trovi la sua nuova casa tra le mura del clero.”

He needed this. More than he had ever needed anything in his entire life.

Little did he know, the boy needed him just as much.

•✧•

hey y’all! i’m so sorry it’s been so long!! i’ve been doing college stuff and my motivation has been 📉 but i have so many ideas i want to put out there!!! i have two more parts planned for this fic:) i hope you enjoyed! i’m sorry this part is very brief but i wanted it to serve as a little introduction! tysm for reading! i love y’all!

<3, alice

#the band ghost #ghost band #ghost #papa emeritus iii #terzo #papa emeritus #papa terzo #terzo x reader #copia emeritus #copia #dad! copia #cardinal copia #papa copia #copia fanfic #copia x reader #ghost fanfiction

[pudding-parade]

Simblr Gratitude Day! Another one of my favorite blogs on Simblr. I enjoy your blog so much. Thanks to you I found a lot of worlds I didn't know were out there. Your screenshots are inspiring and stunning. Your builds are amazing and I absolutely love the aesthetic. Keep up the good work and take care! 🙏🏼😊

This was such a sweet message, thank you very much! <3 I also saw that you sent lots of sweet messages to other folks on my dash, so you are super-sweet! <3 <3

And with that said…. *sigh* I kind of missed out on Simblr Gratitude Day. I had planned to do something a bit more elaborate, but the decision to escape my cage and go to the zoo for the day yesterday for my mental health (and yes, it helped) kind of messed that up because I'm just completely worn out today. LOL So, I'm left with offering a generic thank you to everyone, including, but not limited to:

All of my mutuals, who are so fun to talk to if they're the type to yak. (And it's OK if you aren't, too; I totally get it.)

All of the folks out there who make CC and mods and worlds and everything, whether you do it a lot or a little, whether you make stuff that I've downloaded or not, you're all awesome. Without y'all, I don't think Sims 3 would have much of a community anymore, given that it's the least-popular game out of the franchise. (Well, OK, maybe that's the original The Sims, now, but you know what I mean. LOL ) People's creations keep the red-haired stepchild of the franchise alive.

All of the storytellers whose posts I so enjoy, whether you're one that I follow who gets lots of notes on every post or just a few. Even if I don't always say anything and/or when I'm forced to take a hiatus and I fall behind on everything such that I don't know that I'll ever catch up, I love you all, and I appreciate the effort you go to to create and share your stories. Truly, y'all give me reason to keep checking Ye Olde Hellsite, just because I want to see what happens. And, of late, that means that you all give me a reason to get my ass out of bed/off the couch, and give me something to focus on instead of gnawing claustrophobic anxiety. I can't thank you enough for that.

All of you lovely folks who've decided to follow me and/or who've left a like on or reblogged any of my posts. We all say we "do this for ourselves," and that should ideally be true, but we all also know that validation and appreciation is a wonderful feeling. So thank you to all of you who've made me feel valid. I appreciate it.

Really, we have a great little community. Here's hoping we keep being awesome and excellent to each other. <3

#replies #simblr gratitude day

[zodiactalks]

Most IMAGINATIVE Zodiac Signs Ranked

Having a vast imagination is a beautiful quality that we should value! It allows us to find creative solutions to our everyday challenges, express our inner world, and deal with boredom or monotonous life events.

Having a wide imagination means that your mind and your emotive self, come up with unconventional thoughts when confronted with everyday reality. This can occur during daytime, in dreams, surrounded by many people, or when you are left alone with your reflections.

It can be a tremendous asset if coupled with writing, painting, or some form of artistic activity.

However, it can also lead us to get distracted and idealize certain people and situations that are not what they seem. 

Read on to find out which Zodiac signs are the most imaginative and which ones have a hard time letting go of their grip on reality.

#1. Pisces

Pisces spends more time fantasizing than in the real world! They idealize all situations to make them more pleasurable and avoid harsh reality.

Pisceans are the best artists of the Zodiac because they have one foot in the symbolic unconscious world. They can express the ineffable world of emotions in beautiful works of art, worthy of a museum.

These signs are artistic, creative, and empathetic, but sometimes they take their imagination too far! Instead of dealing with their responsibilities, they hide in the vast world of their mind.

They also tend to romanticize their relationships and become frustrated when they don't live up to their expectations.

#2. Aquarius

Aquarius lives in a completely different world from the rest of the people. These signs feel like aliens, black sheep among social groups, so they hide to feel more comfortable in their imagination.

When they share their brilliant insights with others, they must endure startled stares and whispers behind their backs. However, Aquarians are far more advanced than the rest of their contemporaries, and those who understand this admire their gifted minds. They may not let their feelings come out as openly as water signs, but they can imagine all kinds of fanciful circumstances without any effort. That's why they make good writers and filmmakers, as they come up with the best stories without any close replication.

#3. Cancer

Cancer is a water sign, which means they are introverted and feel more comfortable being alone in their room than interacting with many people.

These signs have a vast inner world that they do not usually share with other people. They spend most of the day in it and draw inspiration from their imagination to make beautiful works of art.

#4. Leo

Leo is an excellent actor and artist for a good reason! Their imagination and creativity are worthy of admiration.

These fire signs are spontaneous and come up with all kinds of unique ideas to make their daily routine much more entertaining.

Like Pisces, they sometimes get too imaginative and avoid dealing with the more mundane parts of life such as work, paying the bills, etc.

#5. Gemini

Gemini is gifted with a vast intellect that can cover several subjects simultaneously.

Their imagination is due to their quick wit and extensive knowledge. They are the best storytellers and enchant their audience with the incredible adventures they come up with.

#6. Sagittarius

Sagittarius is a fire sign that follows the passion of their heart rather than the stodgy logical conjectures of their rational mind.

These adventurers are highly imaginative in projecting their plans, as they always aim for the impossible and love to challenge reality.

Like other fire signs, they struggle to deal with their responsibilities and connect with the physical world when necessary.

#7. Libra

This aesthetic sign is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and harmony. Libra is not particularly creative but appreciates fine artwork and has excellent taste when dressing or decorating their home.

They can come up with the best ideas when planning a party, doing a makeover, or helping one of their friends dress up for a party.

This sign relates to fantastic artists and imaginative people who awaken their inner creativity and help them understand their situations differently.

#8. Scorpio

Scorpio has an immeasurable imagination when surrounded by people. They imagine what others are thinking about them or the conversations that certain people have behind their backs.

This sign makes such complicated assumptions about what is going on around them that it is frankly amazing! Scorpios are a bit paranoid and let their imaginations run wild due to their distrust of people.

If they were a little more down-to-earth, they would realize that no one is out to get them and that people are busy minding their own business.

#9. Taurus

Taurus is not very imaginative. These earth signs rely on what their senses dictate. What they see is what it is, and the rest is irrelevant.

This sign is hard to imagine scenarios because they are strongly anchored in reality and don't waste time guessing. They are fixed and stable, which hinders the development of their imagination, especially when they have to picture in their mind a situation that is not happening.

Although this is a good feature when working and planning their projects, Taurus lacks the creativity to be more flexible with unforeseen events.

#10. Capricorn

Much like Taurus, Capricorn does not waste time wandering around in their imagination. These signs are efficient and shy away from overly imaginative people who cannot put their feet on the ground.

Being imaginative requires flexibility, spontaneity, contact with your feelings, and enough creativity to observe reality from other perspectives.

Unfortunately, Capricorn has difficulty letting its sensitivity come to the surface and prefers to stick to the facts.

Capricorn is responsible and committed but struggles to enjoy works of art, movies, or any activity that requires them to let go of their rational mind.

#11. Aries

Aries is creative as they like to initiate exciting new projects or explore unfamiliar paths. However, they do not leave much room for imagination as they are constantly focused on what's happening here and now.

Their attention is fixed on their current challenge, and imagining scenarios can waste time in which others will take their place. Aries has a goal-oriented and clear mind and gets bored if they use their imagination to solve a problem. Arians are more practical and effective in dealing with their circumstances.

#12. Virgo

Virgo is analytical, scientific, and practical. They have a fixed routine and strongly disapprove of spontaneous plans or situations that are not neatly planned.

Their whole personality is at odds with the requirements of an imaginative person. Virgos rely solely on logic and rationality. They thrive on honing the same conventional method and feel uncomfortable when they must go off the beaten path.

Virgo feels awkward around highly fanciful people and prefers to wander through the labyrinths of the rational mind rather than the uncontrollable worlds of the imagination.

#Zodiac #Zodiac Signs #ZodiacFacts #astrology #astrology signs #Aquarius #Aries #Cancer #Capricorn #leo #libra #Sagittarius #Pisces #taurus #scorpio #Gemini #virgo

[cosmiclion]

Familiar AU angst hours: I know I said that hunger makes demons weak and vulnerable, but what if it makes them revert back to a mindless state? The longer they go without consuming a soul the closer they are to becoming the feral monsters that they so look down on.

And ever since he became Ciel’s guardian Sebastian hasn’t made a contract with anyone, what with all the time consuming work that comes with caring for a young child. Of course, since demons are immortal they can go years without really starving, but the thing is Sebas had already been a bit hungry when he first found the child. Sure the prospect of raising a little human and gaining his trust so that he’d later decide to make a contract with him sounded fun, but years go by and the Phantomhive boy still doesn’t mention it.

Conflicted, strange feelings start swirling around inside Sebas. While he does care for the kid and even feels protective of him (in his own demon way), he has never stopped viewing him as a potential meal. But if the kid never offers him his soul, does that mean he should just leave? If Ciel grows up and doesn’t need help and guidance anymore, why stay? Saving him and keeping him alive was just an experiment, right? Right?

To make matters worse, he starts to worry when he finds himself often fantasizing about the flavor that the past trauma has added to the young soul. He’s always been a patient calm demon, so what’s going on? Demons can also smell souls, and Ciel’s is mouth watering, oh how he’d love to open up his jaws like a giant wolf and swallow him whole.

Oh no.

He’s losing his mind. He hasn’t even gone looking for souls of dying people all this time, as that goes against his aesthetic. And of course the idiot bastard hasn’t talked to anyone about this. Which is why he doesn’t know Ciel has been studying demonology behind his back, knows everything about demons and contracts and actually plans to make a contract, but what he wants is for Sebas to be his familiar, which means he’ll be bound to him until he dies of old age (the little shit does view him as a parental figure but also wouldn’t mind having a demon by his side to help him gain power and smite his enemies, boys amirite?).

I haven’t fully decided how the story goes from here, but maybe it gets to a point where hunger overcomes Sebas for a while and Ciel has no choice but to confront him and forcefully bind him with the knowledge he has acquired, maybe also with Agni’s help (they have met Soma and Agni by now, more or less at the same point in time as in canon). After Sebas has calmed down, Ciel makes a promise: if he stays with him all his life and becomes his sword and shield, he can have his soul in the end, effectively making him a familiar demon; and in the meantime he can take the souls of any enemies they may kill whenever he gets hungry.

Tl; dr: Scrawny Victorian orphan catches demon like a pokémon.

#not eli's art #text post #eli rambles #kuroshitsuji #kuroshitsuji au #kuro familiar au #black butler #black butler au #sebastian michaelis #dadbastian #mombastian #ciel phamtonhive #our ciel #ociel #o!ciel #i am going to create an au that is so self indulgent #not yoi

[trendingtattoo]

Tips for Choosing and Caring for Ornamental Tattoos

Ornamental tattoos, characterized by intricate patterns, delicate details, and timeless elegance, have become increasingly popular among tattoo enthusiasts seeking a blend of artistry and symbolism. If you are considering an ornamental tattoo, here are some essential tips to ensure a seamless and meaningful experience.

Research and Inspiration: Begin your journey by researching various ornamental tattoo styles and drawing inspiration from artists whose work resonates with you. Explore elements like filigree, mandalas, lacework, or geometric patterns to determine the aesthetic that aligns with your vision.

Choose a Reputable Artist: Selecting the right tattoo artist is paramount. Look for professionals specializing in ornamental designs and whose portfolio showcases a mastery of intricate detailing. Take the time to read reviews, view their previous work, and ensure they have experience in executing ornamental pieces.

Personalization and Collaboration: Collaborate with your chosen artist to personalize the design. Share your ideas, preferences, and any symbolic elements you want to incorporate. A skilled artist can blend your vision with their expertise to create a unique and meaningful piece.

Placement Considerations: Think about the placement of your ornamental tattoo. Due to their intricate nature, ornamental designs often look stunning on areas with ample space, such as the back, chest, or thighs. Discuss placement options with your artist to ensure the design complements the contours of your body.

Size Matters: Consider the size of your tattoo carefully. While ornamental tattoos thrive on intricacy, too small a size might compromise the details. Work with your artist to find the right balance that suits both your vision and the practicalities of the chosen body part.

Optimal Color Choices: Ornamental tattoos often shine in black ink due to its timeless and bold appearance. However, if color appeals to you, discuss a harmonious color palette with your artist. Subtle hues can accentuate certain elements without overwhelming the intricate design.

Patience is Key: Given the detailed nature of ornamental tattoos, be prepared for a longer tattooing process. Patience is crucial, as achieving perfection takes time. Ensure you are mentally prepared for the duration of the session.

Aftercare Rituals: After the tattoo session, follow the aftercare instructions provided by your artist diligently. Ornamental tattoos require proper healing to maintain the integrity of the design. Keep the area clean, moisturized, and protected from excessive sun exposure during the healing process.

Touch-ups and Maintenance: Understand that ornamental tattoos may require touch-ups over time. Factors like sun exposure and aging can impact the longevity of the tattoo. Regular touch-ups and maintenance appointments with your artist will keep your ornamental ink looking vibrant and sharp.

Embrace the Meaning: Lastly, embrace the meaning behind your ornamental tattoo. Whether it's a symbol of personal growth, spiritual connection, or a tribute to heritage, let the design resonate with your journey and become a cherished part of your story.

In conclusion, choosing an ornamental tattoo is an exciting and transformative process. By investing time in research, collaborating with a skilled artist, and maintaining proper aftercare, you can ensure that your ornamental tattoo becomes a timeless masterpiece that reflects your style and holds personal significance.

#OrnamentalTattoos #OrnamentalTattooTips

[scarletttries]

Hey!

I found your profile thanks to my friend, and you’re doing great job! By the way, wish you everything great for your wedding!

Wanted to make a request for myself 👉👈

- “Moon Knight”

- I like all guys from here, so maybe you can choose by yourself?😅👉👈

I think that will be very interesting

- Me: https://pin.it/CIaLnTa

I’m she/her

- I’d like to have something fluffy (but I’ll accept at your ideas!)

Thank you so much for your well wishes, and your pinterest was so cool to check out I love your aesthetic! I ship you with.... Steven Grant 💞

- You would catch Steven's eye walking through one of London's parks, immediately capturing his full attention. He'd be sat on a little bench enjoying his lunch break, watching you go about your day, spending the full hour trying to build up the courage to speak to you. You look so much cooler than him it's a little bit intimidating and before he gets the nerve to speak to you he has to hurry back to work, cursing his cowardice the whole way back.

- So when he sees you walk through the Museum foyer just an hour later he's convinced it must be fate, the stars aligning to give him a second chance at a first impression. He doesn't let himself waste a second overthinking this time, scrambling out from behind his little desk and rushing over to introduce himself, offering you a private tour despite the unimpressed looks being shot his way by his manager.

- He talks your ear off as you go exhibit to exhibit trying his best to seem cool, and knowledgeable, and not at all like he's desperately trying to impress the prettiest girl he's ever spoken to.

- It would be obvious to you very quickly that he was doing his best to impress you, his blushing pink cheeks and stammering words giving away just how nervous he was to have your undivided attention. Luckily for Steven, you found his awkward nerdy demeanour endearing, thanking him for the tour and offering to meet him at the pub after his shift was finished. Poor Steven would be tripping over himself with excitement as he accepted your offer, spending the rest of his shift staring hopelessly at his watch, begging the time to pass just a little bit quicker so he could be back in your company again.

- After a perfect evening of swapping stories curled up in armchairs next to the roaring fire of a local pub, Steven works up the nerve to ask you on another date, and then another, and then another, until you become the earth that his little moon revolves around, the centre of his whole universe, the force he couldn't exist without. It wouldn't take him long to recognise your kindness and company are something he wants to keep in his life forever, planning how to pop the big question and tell you exactly what you mean to him.

- Both the proposal and the wedding would be pretty low key, any kind of public audience enough to have Steven trembling with anxiety, but he would take your every thought on planning incredibly seriously, wanting this day to be perfect for both of you. Steven never thought he would find someone to be this close with, so he gets very excited that he's finally getting married, reading up on all the traditions and insisting you spend the night before apart so that nothing can jinx his dream come true.

- For that one night he has to spend away from you, he writes you a letter you find stashed secretly in your overnight bag. It outlines the hundreds of ways that you've made his life better, telling you that he's not the same man you met all those months ago, he's happier and more confident and there's nothing that will make him happier than becoming your husband the next day, and being the best husband he can be every day after.

#writing #fanfiction #one shot #requests #moon knight imagine #steven grant fluff #steven grant headcanons #scarlettsweddingevent

[danny-chase]

I've read the Jason figurately coded posts and they aren't really any different from other coded discussion. They also usually do talk about actual female characters like Steph. I mean you can like canon black or indian characters and still talk about Raven's literal black/indian coding.

To me - my understanding of coding is when something is intentional. My understanding of Jason having female mentors, or getting killed off for man pain, was that it wasn't intentional commentary. I think those things are coincidences. I think if the writers wanted to make Jason a female character, they would have made him a female character, but these were back in the good old boys club comics days (which exists until now) and I'm kinda sus about any conversation that claims male characters written by men in the comics industry are female coded because. Well. A lot of writers were super sexist/racist/homophobic, and unless there's interviews of the writers explicitly expressing their intent to code a character... it's more just people looking at coincidences or parallels between characters and making assumptions that it was intentional coding. Don't get me wrong, the coincidences/parallels are interesting, but to me they're more indicative of how the male power batman fantasy makes the story lame and annoying not proof of coding taking place

Raven is a completly different situation than Jason, her creative team explicitly based her design off of an Indian women (has been verified in interviews), gave her a bindi, had scenes where she wore traditional Indian dress, and if I'm not completely mistaken or talking out of my ass I believe Marv took inspiration from different Eastern religions while writing her story. Now whether this is coding or cultural appropriation is kind of a fine line. Judging it by standards now - I'd say it leans more towards cultural appropriation, even now Raven still has what looks to be a bindi for aesthetic purposes (depending on the story it's associated with her evil father which is... questionable at best) while still remaining a white character who's both percieved by the audience and by the creative staffs at white. Judging by standards at the time? It's a bit more complicated I guess, I wasn't alive in the 80s. Does this mean i think future iterations of Raven should stay white and stop appropriating Indian culture? Not exactly - i think they should take a restorative justice approach: acknowledge that hey, we fucked up, and then give Raven to an Indian writer/creative team who can showcase a more authentic experience and come up with ways to incorporate her ties to the culture respectfully - say by making Arella Indian, and showcasing parts of Hindi culture on Azarath

I've quite literally never been a part of online fandom before DC so i haven't seen too much coding discourse. Obviously, there is coding in comics. But so many times I've seen people claiming coding exists without looking at the very clear authorial intent behind why the characters say what they do. One example not related to either character: people claiming Chuck Dixon queer coded Tim. I'm sorry. He's literally a raging homophobe, and Tim not wanting to have sex in his run is Chuck using him as a mouthpiece for his abstinence campaign... not queer coding. The context matters, and I'd rather people be honest and just say "hey i thought this was interesting about the character, here's my interpretation of it even though it's not what the real author intended" than lie about the content that's there. Coding in comics does exist, it does happen intentionally by certain authors. But making it up when it doesn't exist doesn't exactly feel productive to me... it just feels misleading and like you're trying to justify why your fave is the best

#asks #anon

[wandringaesthetic]

Thoughts on FFXVI so far (Jill is awake and she and Clive are on the way to Rosaria) (spoilers to that point)

The game is beautiful. I've been taking a lot of screenshots like "man this pretty"/"man this almost looks real." I saw a few "this looks like a PS3 game" comments from earlier demo/gameplay footage, and I think I understand that, because the zones from the demo (the barren mountains where Titan and Shiva fight and the blighted village) are somewhat empty and have fewer/more muted colors. The story takes place in a dying world, and has the look and lighting of somewhere far north. You can quibble with the aesthetics if you like but not the graphics.

The thing that impresses me most in this generation in graphics is lighting, so. I keep being like "woa" and taking screenshots of water.

There is no minimap, and in "dungeon" zones, no map at all. I like this a lot, because I feel like I stare at the map if it's there instead of the very beautiful pictures in front of me, and I think it's appropriate to feel a little lost and disoriented and nervous about it in, say, the enemy castle you are infiltrating. But I imagine some people will not like this. Areas so far have been fairly linear, though I did get a little turned around in the first forest area (the greatwood?)

Bosses and midbosses are fun and very beautifully animated. Average field enemies feel like a bit of a waste of time and should either be a little easier or a lot tougher. I feel like, with skill, one could absolutely blaze through boss fights, and with either more caution or less skill they're a bit of a slow grinding down. Feel like I'm generally falling somewhere in between on these.

I'm playing on "action" mode and am not using any of the "timely" accessories. I have played some action-y games but am by no means a real pro gamer. I've had to retry some boss fights (when you do this, the game lets you restart the fight with a full inventory of potions (4 potions and 3 hi potions)) but I haven't felt like I've been "stuck" on anything yet. I feel like the "reward" of increasing your skill isn't necessarily just getting through the game (which you can probably do regardless of skill if you just grind at it) but feeling like a bamf as you do.

(there is a kinship with FFVIII in this regard)

I've done....4? Sidequests so far. They are very reminiscent of FFXIV sidequests. Go rescue this girl and grab the supplies she was supposed to gather. Be Valisthea's surliest waiter. Not too exciting but they fulfill what I think is their primary function of fleshing out the world building.

The intuition I had regarding the "bearer" tattoos from the trailers and the demo was that they were magical and either sedated or memory wiped the bearer or somehow made it impossible to escape (need to the spell renewed so often or they kill you or something like that). And it turns out, no, the system of slavery is so ingrained and the odds of being cast out and then hunted down are so high that they don't need to be magical. The mark is enough.

I ALSO thought the bearers were generally POW slaves acquired through conquest and weren't necessarily people who can use magic. THEN I thought they were ALL people who could use magic, but no and no. They are ALL people who can use magic WITHOUT a crystal (excepting dominants, which are special) and Clive was actually a weird cultural exception as the first shield of Rosaria BEFORE he was branded and then fell into the general norm after. Which makes a terrible sense! We do not like what we can't control! Also makes Annabella's weird disgust towards him make more sense!

I think probably part of the reasoning behind that awkward Yoshi-P statement saying "everyone in this game is white because we didn't want it to be about race" is probably BECAUSE slavery is a major plot and world-building thing in a system that in some ways mimics but mostly doesn't real world chattel slavery. Whether making it all be white on white crime is effective or worth it is something I'm going to reserve judgement on for now.

Oh Cid. Cid. What are you doing, Cid? I didn't understand what he wanted at all at first, and now I get the idea that he is good intentioned but has no coherent plan. Free as many bearers as possible and then eventually we'll have a revolution? But you don't want to say that because you're already pretty sure you'll fail. a lot of the people you're freeing are old or infirm you're not exactly forming an army. This is only working because the powers that be are too busy fighting each other to notice you. What are you going to do when they do, Cid? I'm going to do what I think is right until they come kill me and then God can judge me??

I enjoy Cid. He is just some guy who is trying and not at all an inspirational figure.

This game is pretty brutal, huh? I keep thinking about the guy who ended up as a blood spatter under a rock in the first few minutes of the game and the blood pooling under some of Shiva's ice later.

(the ice and the rocks creaking and the subtle controller vibration as you walk through the aftermath of Shiva and Titan's fight really sold the scale and also that this is all about to come crashing down)

I feel it's more tasteful, if you're going to do violence, to have semi-realistic violence rather than bloodless violence. Also I just personally like it. I like bones crunching. I like the post battle blood on your heroes clothes and armor. Enough to be slightly gross but not Dragon Age style ridiculously drenched in blood. Just right.

There are a weird number of surprise lethal axe throws though.

Alas, Benedikta. We hardly knew you. She has a kinship to Yotsuya. I actually wonder if there is a Japanese trope both of them fall under with the long pipe.

None of the soldiers in this game seem to be women. The only women we see fight are Jill and Benedikta, who are both dominants and therefore exceptional. Which... I will reserve judgement on whether that adequately makes sense later. Valisthea is in other ways not a nice place.

I get the idea that the eikons/dominants aren't always passed down via blood. It seems maybe each eikon has its own rules? I wonder if they always have a gender preference for their host.

I like the little overlay arrows showing where you can climb up or under something. It feels like that breaks immersion less so than all Horizon Forbidden West's foot and handholds being yellow, for example. Or all the walls you can run on having a certain texture, or w/e.

The music is good, ofc. Maybe my new favorite main character theme? I have to meditate on it.

Oh, the one huge awkward guy is named Goetz, which is speculated to be what Guts Berserk's name is "supposed" to be. Or Gotz, some Germanic shortening of Gottfried or similar via translation party shenanigans. I don't think this has any significance but it might be a nod. (Which make me wonder whether FFV's Bartz/Butz was supposed to be something like that now. Hmm.) Also I lay like 50% odds he's going to end up as Titan's dominant by the end of the game.

I am also on High Berserk Fan Alert due to the eclipse in the one live action trailer/advertisement.

I have NO IDEA what we're heading for here in terms of overarching plot or what the final showdown is going to be, and since I don't have enough freedom to just dick around in the game I'm getting a little antsy about that. And where's that second time skip gonna land?

(oh man I just happened to encounter the shortened version of that commercial in the wild in the break room on tv FATE WILL FALL that music aaaaaa)

There's a shot in the very beginning of the game that's a Gandalf versus Balrog visual reference and Clive opens double doors by dramatically throwing his arms wide. There are a lot of small details that feel a near copy to Game of Thrones. Clive grows up in the castle with his father's ward who is like a sibling to him. He's second fiddle to his brother. His mother figure hates his face. He has a loyal doggo. He's Aragorn. He's Jon Snow.

I've often thought that the storytelling of FFXIV feels more like doorstopper fantasy novel storytelling than video game storytelling (or movie or tv show storytelling for that matter). FFXVI seems to be continuing that. Opening up the active time lore menu (I love this feature, BTW?) feels like flipping to the glossary.

Alexander O. Smith cites A Song of Ice and Fire as inspiration for the style of Vagrant Story and FFXII. And I'm glad he did, because when I played those games in a world pre Game of Thrones television show, I was like "is anybody else seeing this???" It turns out the Venn diagram overlap of "people who play epic fantasy video games" and "people who read epic fantasy novels" is SURPRISINGLY SMALL. Smith overdoes it but just occasionally, imo. By which I mean, if you use the phrase "mummer's farce" there had best be some fucking mummers in your story. It took a long time for anyone to hit approximately this correct tone in video games again but.

I'm digressing.

ANYWAY. I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT WE INITIALLY ADDED THIS FLAVOR IN EX POST FACTO IN THE LOCALIZATION AND NOW WE'RE GOING FOR IT INTENTIONALLY THE WHOLE TIME. Because this was written simultaneously in English and Japanese. I find it interesting that we started by being inspired by the tabletop gaming heirs of fantasy literature and now we're taking after fantasy literature itself.

We're also seeming to go for the Game of Thrones thematic thing where the nobles are squabbling amongst each other when everyone ought to be banding together against the oncoming climate apocalypse.

But we will (most likely. Hopefully.) Be reaching a conclusion in 40-80 hours of action RPG instead of leaving me hanging for the rest of my natural life. And I would be shocked if we have some sort of red wedding situation in the works.

I'm having a good time, overall. Hesitant to quantify how much of a good time at this juncture.

Sometimes I feel like we need to put the F-word privileges back on the shelf for a minute, but mostly the swears are effective.

Oh gosh, I glanced upon this subject in tags, but I do love Clive's post accepting he killed Joshua freakout. And how Cid's all "well, why don't you just track this guy down anyway, and if he wasn't involved THEN you can kill yourself ;D" because it comes right after a moment Clive was standing on a bridge, and there's not any attention drawn to it but you KNOW he's thinking about jumping. And then Torgal bounds up to him and the moment passes.

And Cid's "welp, you're alive so you may as well make yourself useful" attitude is not the BEST but it's also not the WORST, you know?

Anyway, like I said, having a good time. Having a good time having a bad time.

#final fantasy xvi #final fantasy xvi spoilers

[zeenimf]

My dearest @midnights-call has tagged me to match a single song to every wip. Since I have playlists of more than 30 songs for each project... picking will be hard. Especially because those are all old and I've found so much new music haha, but these are the ones I want to go for.

Phei of the Wind - 風の道 | Way of the Wind by Ōnuki Taeko and Sakamoto Ryūichi

Apart from the obvious title match, I think that this paragraph matches the wandering lost nature Phei is haunted by matches up very well.

One day My heart will warm As I wander Without Purpose

So Long, Traveller - しあわせの箱 | The Box of Happiness - Salyu

This one is here for two reasons. First off the steampunk aesthetic of the Professor Layton series maps super well onto my queer short story set at an old train station, so one of the ending credits for those games is a perfect match. Secondly, if you take themes of trans people accepting their own body, and perhaps saying goodbye to the person they were, these lyrics match quite well, wouldn't you say?

When I think of the memories We shared long ago There's a part deep within me That wants you to know

Though I left without warning Without a goodbye I have faith that soon someday You'll be by my side

So Long My Eyjafjörður | Där hjärtat satt förut | Where my heart used to be - Veronica Maggio

A story all about Sigga finding her heart again, even if she has to give it up before the story's up. Especially when look at from the perspective of Sigga leaving Sera behind.

In three years you can live an entire life There's enough time to fall apart There's enough time to put it back together again You make up a new character You find someone to fall in love with You move in together, you move apart I don't mean any harm of course I promise to be there But I'm an idiot Something small easily turns into something big While some people learn from the experiences of their life, I forget what I've done

Starpath | Hee Joh Jip | Hey there Jip - Racoon

Possibly the story I've talked about the least, but consider a grumpy antiques salesman in space that accepts no one nearby, lest he forms an emotional connection to anyone else. See for yourself.

They say that you gave away your heart once And that she folded it in two and shoved it in a box together with your trust

(the translation doesn't work very well but please listen to it, it's brilliant even if you don't know the words.)

I am tagging @sleepyowlwrites @magic-is-something-we-create @chauceryfairytales @florraisons @authoralexharvey @mychemicalnations because I'd love to know what music you're into! No pressure though~

[threewaysdivided]

Hi! I love your writing, I appreciate how much time and effort you put into it. It’s always worth it and makes rereading a pleasure!

For the ask game:

💥 What is one canon thing that you wish you could change?

💛 What is the most impactful lesson you’ve learned about writing?

Awww, thank you! 💜

I know I've said it before but one of the biggest complements people can pay is telling me you're re-visiting Deathly Weapons (or any of my other work). I love stories that have re-read value and details which reward people who want to come back for a second visit or just for being attentive on the first pass. I really wanted to put some of that ethos into DW and it's been super flattering to hear people say its been worth their time, or to point out little things and bits of foreshadowing that I peppered through for them to find. To me, the point of storytelling isn't to "win" - it's to play a beautiful game, and I'm really happy to see people playing along. It's fun!

Now, to your questions:

(Fanfic Writer Ask Game)

💥 What is one canon thing that you wish you could change?

Since I write for two fandoms, let's do both:

So, with Danny Phantom the thing I've come to realise is that, as a story, it is objectively quite busted... but the way in which it is busted means that all those kind-of-broken pieces lean into each other. The show exists in a fandom-Goldilocks-zone balanced on a razor wire, and it's hard to remove or change any one of those interlinked elements without risking a chain reaction that would topple it right off. (For example: just changing the art-style could substantially change the visual impact of the ghosts, which could cause a major aesthetic tone-shift, which in turn could shift the story emphasis and how the jokes land, which would impact how the audience connects to the characters and so on. Simply trying to "ground" the show in a more internally consistent reality would mean acknowledging implications that the current tone has to ignore in order to not be horrifying.) This is one of the reason why I increasingly feel like a sequel, elseworld or spiritual-successor-type story would have a higher likelihood of succeeding than a direct reboot. If I had to make one simple change, I would want to surgically remove the episodes Livin' Large and Phantom Planet from the canon since to me they add very little by way of story/ character/ lore development and come at a huge opportunity cost in how they either shut down more interesting potential stories or require the characters to act against their established characterisation in frustrating ways. Alternatively I think I would have liked to have the later seasons animated in the looser, more squash-and-stretch-y style of the early episodes since that approach got more dynamic posing and expressive face-acting from the character designs.

For Young Justice, the one simple thing I would want to do - and you could probably see this coming - is just take the name Young Justice off the front of Invasion, Outsiders and Phantoms. I feel like that would make things less frustrating and more creatively honest. It's pretty well-accepted at this point that the "five year timeskip" (and substantial behind-the-scenes production-staff-change it served to mask) basically resulted in an entirely different show - and the thing which makes that new show so unsatisfying/ disappointing/ infuriating to so many people is how it frequently contradicts (and is often outright antithetical to) the themes, character motivations and character agency established by the original season. Plus, Season 1 makes a really poor foundation for that new show since - outside of a handful of reveals in the last 20-40 minutes - none of the setup it provides gets carried through, and the changes are so big that you can't reconcile them without fundamentally breaking things. To me, both entities would be better for the separation. People can like Invasion, Outsiders and Phantoms but we should let that story stand on its own strengths and merits rather than being judged by the standards, expectations and narrative promises of a show that it is clearly not interested in being. And we should let the people who were interested in what Young Justice Season 1 was potentially setting up have the possibility space to imagine where that original production team might have taken things had they been able to stay on. Plus, pour one out for the poor fans of the unrelated Young Justice Comics: it's challenging enough for two separate franchises to share a title/ fandom tag when both are reasonably stable but when one is secretly four increasingly noisy shows which have been forced to cohabit the same trenchcoat and at times seem to actively hate each other... that has to be a lot to deal with.

💛 What is the most impactful lesson you’ve learned about writing?

Honestly, getting into storytelling and learning about writing has taught me a lot about myself in general but I think the biggest thing is an appreciation for the time and decision-making that goes into quality story-crafting. Sure, a creator or production team might not anticipate how the final product comes together or how the audience responds to it, but the little individual details don't get there by accident. Homestuck references in Bluey's background art, LoTR references in The Dragon Prince, Goldfinger and JoJo's reference in Young Justice Season 1, the Rothko painting being deliberately hung upside-down in Glass Onion... someone made those choices; put them there either to support the narrative or just to reward people who were paying attention with a funny in-joke. Set/background design, art design, character design, digital modelling, prop-creation, lighting, blocking and framing, panel composition, storyboarding, animation, acting and voice-acting, choreography, scoring, sound design, pre-production, writing, outlining, structural editing, polish editing, cinematic editing... all of it takes time and effort.

It makes it all the more impressive when you can tell that a creator or team recognizes that there is an end-user at the conclusion of this process. That they are making this thing for someone; that they're going to ask an audience to spend time on the thing that they're making, and that if it's going to take time to make anyway then they might as well go the extra mile - both because they care about the story and to reward to audience for that investment.

Ultimately what we're trading is time - little bits of our lives, back and forward - and recognizing that that is a gift in both directions is something really special. I think, "I'm glad I spent my time on this" is the core thing you want people to walk away feeling about your art (even if they don't say it in those words).

It's why I'm so flattered when people say they're re-reading Deathly Weapons. Your time is valuable, and I'm glad that the time I put into building this story makes it one that's worth yours.

#on writing #Young Justice #Danny Phantom #young justice: deathly weapons #myth-blossom's ask game #fanfic writer ask game #arbitrary-cherry #3WD Answers

[not-so-anonymous-scotch]

The Killing Type - Chapter 4 "Dive Bomb"

1.7k words, ethubs, mature (for entire story), violence

still a shorter chapter, i just had this idea sitting around forever and wanted to write it once i watched all of s7!! reminder this story has little linearity so we are jumping to the past.

note: i usually like to stay very vanilla and keep elytra like how they are but this chapter is flight focused (and sorry not very gory) so i thought it be more fun aesthetically to make them have unique 'skins' for their elytra. etho is a bat, bdubs is a golden eagle. i have thoughts on Why but i wont bore you w that here lol

Read under cut! Or on AO3

Etho's heart wasn't racing- he wasn't afraid by any means. This was just... inconvenient. Between all his antics with Bdubs, they surprisingly hadn't had much direct contact this season. Which was probably good considering how much he kept pissing Bdubs off with his irritating pranks. Slipping in and out of Bdubs' base without a problem was part of it- but now hiding behind a building after hearing his friend logging on for the day- Etho wasn't sure he'd get out this one quick enough.

Maybe his footsteps would blend with the muffled buzzing of bees, or he'd be too distracted by something else to care... But as Etho looked out from his spot, he could see he had little chance to get through the portal from here. Rockets would be a dead give away, even if it got him off the ground. Better than nothing, though?

He could hear Bdubs walking around not far off, opening shulkers and seemingly distracted by whatever plans he'd already made today. Slowly, Etho started to move from his hiding spot, glancing from Bdubs and over to the bridge not far off. As long as he could get there and use it as a launching point, he'd be able to speed on out of there without trouble. Bdubs wouldn't have enough time to react.

Off on one foot, Etho stepped into the open with his wings unfurled. But only a few paces out, Bdubs must've heard the scuff of his shoes against the cobblestone road. For a moment he was like a deer in the headlights, freezing mid-pace as Bdubs stared at him from his building supplies not far off.

“Etho?” Bdubs stared at him, then a look of suspicion crossed his face. “What're you..”

He didn't give Bdubs a chance to finish, as he darted off for his escape.

“Hey!”

Bdubs' shout was already faint as Etho stepped onto the rail of the bridge, wings stretched wide and ready. With one flap of his webbed wings, the rocket in his hand allowed him to take off with ease.

Bdubs followed after him, watching Etho take off into the air. “Ohh, you're not getting away.”

With that, Bdubs' launched himself after Etho- heavy brown feathers flapping quickly to get off the ground. A quick rocket boost got him closer and closer. With his arms outstretched, Bdubs grabbed Etho from behind, latching his grip around Etho's waist.

“Bdubs-” Etho looked back at him in surprise. There was a slight drop in his altitude with the added weight, as Etho tried to regain his speed.

“What do you think you're doing, snooping around my base?” Bdubs said with a huff, trying to keep them both steady in the air.

“Uh, just paying a visit,” Etho said quickly, “Now let go of me-”

“No, no- I know what you've been doing around here.” Bdubs said with a laugh, “You aren't just getting' away easy!”

Etho continued to struggle against Bdubs, using his strength to try and pry him off. Their altitude was faltering, no matter how furiously Etho flapped his wings.

“Bdubs you're gonna get us killed-”

“Who said I wasn't trying to kill you?”

There was grunt, and a gasp, as Etho finally pried the other off him. Bdubs fell gracefully, prepared to make a solid landing upon one of the rooftops of his builds. His large wings helped him stay balanced, recovering easily.

Etho found himself gliding downwards, stamina low after the whole situation. He'd lost enough speed anyways, that he was already close hitting the ground anyways. Many houses down the village, Etho landed upon a roof as well, looking back at where Bdubs was.

“I'm gonna leave now, Bdubs.” Etho only raising his voice slightly in the quiet village.

“Leave? No you're not, I'm gonna get you.” Bdubs sounded confident.

Etho looked amused and chuckled, “No you're not. You're not gonna kill me, either... you're being over dramatic.”

“I'm not over dramatic!” Bdubs shouted back.

“Fine, come and get me then!” Etho replied, readying himself. “You're not gonna catch me, though!”

Etho could have a little fun, especially if it meant showing Bdubs his confidence wasn't enough to beat him at something. With a hiss, his rockets went off and gave him a boost into the air. It found it amusing that Bdubs sounded so annoyed at him, even to the point of threats... By no means was he convinced Bdubs would get to that point. He'd hardly touched him all season anyways.

He flew up with great speed, but that apparently wasn't fast enough to stop a very determined Bdubs. Etho glanced down to see him on his tail, and started to lean out of his direction. But soon enough the two found themselves in a mid-air tangle, Etho trying to avoid him and Bdubs doing nothing but following right behind. Each dive Bdubs took to get closer, Etho dodged out of the way. They twirled and twisted around each other in the sky and the more Bdubs' attempts to catch him failed, the more frustrated he became. He wanted height, he wanted to get above Etho. If he could get the right speed, maybe he could knock him out of the air himself.

Etho watched in slight confusion as Bdubs turned away, and boosted himself higher. The sunlight rimmed his massive wingspan, and if wasn't Etho watching him, there was a chance you'd be intimidated by it. Soon enough though, Etho got the idea, as he saw Bdubs hang in the air, taking a moment to study him. Diving lower, Etho wanted to take some tight turns in hopes of throwing Bdubs off, potentially crashing or clipping his wings on a tree.

The wind whipped violently beside them as they built up speed, and Bdubs' plan was working well so far- diving from much higher above, he was gaining on Etho with ease. He wasn't the best flier when it came to the conditions that Etho was putting him in, but he had his sights focused and he was determined to catch him.

With a glance over his shoulder, Etho saw Bdubs right on him with his arms outstretched. His eyes widened slightly when he felt Bdubs' arms around him yet again- but this time their positions had his wings pinned down.

“Ha!” Bdubs exclaimed, continuing to carry on with his building velocity. “I told you-”

He found himself cut off as he watched Etho pull out the sword from his waist. “What're you gonna do now? Are you gonna drop me? Cause if you don't..”

“No- I- I'll..” Bdubs hesitated, and his flight faltered. They were dipping closer to the ground, fast.

“You're-” Etho glanced downward, and prodded the sword at Bdubs as a means to threaten him. “You're not gonna kill me so, just let me go so I can glide down.”

“Oh you-” Bdubs huffed, “I will. I will right now!”

“No,” Etho said as he held his sword out for a swing, you won't.”

He swung down, right for Bdubs' wings. It was clumsy in their awkward flight but it sliced right near the coverts, close enough to make a small cut on the flesh.

“Hey-” Bdubs' griped loosened for a moment as he felt the burn of the cut.

Again, Etho swung and hit the tips of a few primaries this time.

Poor decisions are always made when Bdubs is overcome with frustration and stubbornness. There was no way he'd gain height after adding Etho's weight to him or with the sting of his damaged wing, so he decided to use that. Gripping Etho tight, Bdubs let himself fall closer and closer to the ground until he could push him right into it. The cobble and dirt road was not a welcoming cushion as Etho quickly met with it. Back against the ground, Bdubs' crashed him straight into the hard surface. Dust and gravel flew into the air at their impact, Bdubs carrying him through the whole ride so they couldn't loose speed on each and every bump.

Both of their wings naturally folded once they came to a halt together. The crash was surprisingly exhilarating, Bdubs out of breath as he kept his weight on Etho. However, Etho wasn't dead as much as Bdubs threatened moments before.

“...Okay, that hurt.” There was a breathless chuckle as Etho looked up at Bdubs, trying not to groan as he shifted underneath him.

Etho weakly put his hands against Bdubs and pushed him to the side. When he pushed himself off the ground he couldn't help but groan. His head ached and his back felt like it was on fire with the gravel that worked its way through the material of his clothes. Bdubs sat there, a bit dazed but grinning at nothing.

Etho looked up at him. “I was right though. You weren't gonna kill me.”

That seemed to take Bdubs out of his thoughts. “Uh, I tried.”

“No you didn't,” Etho teased, “You weren't even close. Come on, you could right now- I'm vulnerable!”

“I-” Bdubs hesitated, glancing away. “Okay fine, just get goin' then.”

“Gladly.”

As soon as Etho finished dusting himself off, He walked off towards the Nether portal beneath the bridge. He was not in the mood to stretch his muscles with flying again- even if Bdubs didn't kill him, boy was he sure in pain. It almost wouldn't been better to respawn uninjured than to walk around while those scrapes healed up.

Bdubs sighed as he stared at where Etho left him. Shifting uncomfortably at the thoughts left on his mind. He thought he tried. That he tried to kill Etho- but he didn't try. Maybe it was the awkwardness of catching Etho in the middle of his shenanigans after months of waiting and waiting and never seeing him. They'd been quietly, silently, messing with each other all the way through and he'd gotten used to it. Low stakes, and all. Awkwardly stumbling his way into a physical altercation was not in his plans... he was rusty. But the rush of adrenaline left a spark in him that he'd really forgotten.

#ethubs #ethoslab #bdoubleo100 #hermitshipping #hermitcraft #hermitfic #again not hardcore ship by any means its just. the pair

[unwounding]

This was originally a youtube comment but i'm copy-pasting it here. might edit later

I find the discourse point "just because it shows exploitation doesn't mean it endorses it" facile because it ignores the context in which the art is produced. To put it simply, a piece of art can simultaneously denounce exploitation while perpetuating it. I don't think that there's anything inherently wrong with portraying exploitation in art: exploitation is a part of humanity and is worthy of being explored as much as anything else. The primary consideration should be how that exploitation is depicted.

Take Irreversible by Gaspard Noe, which has an infamously graphic rape scene, so much so that there were audience walkouts. IMO this movie manages to show exploitation and denounce it without perpetuation because the brutality of the rape scene is a blunt depiction of violence against women that's absent in mainstream media and discourse. This is not to say that the depiction of rape and violence against women are non-existent, but rather they don't convey the full dehumanization of the experience because the depiction typically isn't so jarring and is thus consumed as ordinary. Whether they left during or after the film I'm certain most people were able to grasp that (a) Noe doesn't endorse violence and (b) that this form of violence against women is horrific and the viewer feels this horror viscerally.

Contrast this with Sucker Punch. Again, I'd say it's obvious Snyder thinks Exploitation Is Bad but I also question the reasoning behind having female characters in skimpy clothing. What purpose does that serve? And, this is critical, actresses donning skimpy clothing to arouse the male audience and serve as marketing ploys is not only not radical, it is banal. There is no way around that. We live in a world where that is so normal as to be expected, and when simply reproduced becomes another instance of female exploitation without any effect of denouncement. I'd argue that Snyder is disingenuous in saying that the marketing is a bait-and-switch technique because at the end of the day...you have images of women being made sex objects for the sake of consumption. Also note the difference between Snyder's portrayal of harley quinn vs. Yan's. Snyder's Harley Quinn is an exemplar of a character tailored to the male gaze where Yan's is decidedly less objectifying and striking bc it's just not that common. You don't have to take my word for this and should watch the films in sequence because the contrast is sharp. Tbh after learning that Snyder tweeted about this video leaves a funny taste in my mouth and while the viewpoint is expected I'm side-eyeing Mike a little bit.

To really hammer the point home take Nabokov's Lolita as another example. Given that the story is narrated by a protagonist (an abuser, obvs) who is trying to elicit sympathy from the reader it's easy to believe that Nabokov is endorsing his behavior. That being untrue aside, I want to bring attention to what he said about the book's cover: "No girls." illustrators failed the assignment. Check out Zimmer's Covering Lolita, which is an archive of Lolita book covers across several decades and countries where images of coy little girls abound. Kubrick's film poster was a turning point. Heart-shaped sunglasses, red lips, and a lollipop became an iconic depiction and is still so prevalent that the character is frequently seen in the "coquettish" aesthetic. Keep in mind that all this is happening in a cultural context where the sexualization of girls is rampant, and what's ultimately behind this Lolita-as-Seductress image is a 12-year-old girl being repeatedly raped by her stepfather. That truth is elided, however, because the image blends into a larger landscape where it is normal.

[mandysxmuses]

random questions of the day! is there a name meaning behind Herder? and is there a reason Catnip chose to be a mouse or is it just Aesthetic? also, if you WERE to create a game out of the Keeperverse (which I hope you do someday!!!), who would be romancable and who would be NPCs you just interact with as side characters?

//OH BOI

The reason behind the name of Hender being Hender is simply because I'm bad at naming things and, at the time I was putting the Void together, I lived in a place called Henderson. I decided it would serve as some nice inspo for the Void's safe area where the pretty lady heroine could talk to the boys she met without having to be worried about them being a threat, and things kind of went from there. But yeah, unfortunately there is no special reason behind it being called Hender that isn't specific to me.

As for Catnip being a mouse, I knew from the very beginning with Schatz that I wanted him to have an animal sidekick, even if the traits that truly make up Catnip came later (supernatural abilities, secretly talking to Schatz). I also didn't want it to be a parrot since I figured Schatz is already kind of an oddball pirate that doesn't really suit all the cliches, and the Void had takes on other tropes that differed from the norm with its vampire and werewolf, and I couldn't think of any pirate who had a mouse, so I picked that.

Pretty much every boy I have listed as a character on this blog has a route. A couple are not romantic (Niemand and Vergessene in particular), and I do think the barista should have a secret route. I know everybody would want to help her out if they knew her story. I want to say that taking on specific routes would have the others take on more "side character" positions, but at the same time all the characters are collected to a degree that I'd find it hard to reduce them to that extent. I do know things would have to be condensed but it would just be really hard since I love all my babies and want all of their stories told at once all the time 😭

#ooc #//Thank you!

[urfrndlynbhdemigirl]

On Speaking My Truth (Whatever The Fuck That Means?)

The Kind of Manifesto of a Demigirl

Sometime after midnight at a house-party I found myself tipsy in a tree-house with my friends. Naturally, we did what any slightly intoxicated, red-blooded 20-somethings would do when left alone late at night in a secluded location; discuss gender. “My gender is kind of like whatever was happening in Under the Skin but like, less fucked up, if that makes sense,” I said. Apparently it did. Either that or my companions in the tree house were too intoxicated or too polite to point out the obvious incoherence of my utterance. 

This was no isolated incident. Often I find myself attempting to articulate my experience of gender through equally elusive expressions.

“I am a girl but in a camp way.”

“I am a girl but like, ironically?”

“I am a girl in the same way Pepsi is Coke.”

“I’m not a girl, I’m just a girl shaped thing.”

“I am what happens when you order ‘woman’ from Spirit Halloween.”

“Being a demigirl is kind of like how sharkboy is at once both shark and boy but can’t be described as boy or shark alone.”

“You know how Loki is a god and transcends the human limits of gender but like sometimes just takes on the form of a milkmaid or something and for all intent and purpose for that period of time they just are a milkmaid but on a much deeper more fundamental level they remain removed from these quaint notions of gender? Yeah, well that’s what my gender feels like.”

Why do I fall back on flowery metaphors, obtuse analogies and comedic comparisons? Why do I gesture desperately at some existential state, unable to point with precision at something exact and apparent? Why can I not speak plainly? Why can I not make my meaning clear? 

Have you heard the myth of the veiled statue of Isis? It’s been reimagined by poetic types more than once or twice and whilst it has been retold many times over, in many different ways, the broad strokes are always similar enough. In Sais, a statue of the Goddess Isis is concealed by a veil. “I am all that has been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised,” reads its inscription. Sometimes, however, a hubristic young man animated by intrigue does indeed succeed in lifting the veil. Yet, happiness rarely comes from seeing the truth of the statue so plainly - so directly. Without the veil’s mediation, the young man is driven to madness having gazed upon that which no mortal is made to comprehend, or is overcome with depression, because where is the beauty and allure of life without mystery? 

There is much philosophising that can be done with this story and the richness of its allegorical potential cannot be overstated. Still, there is one question that recently I have kept returning to with each retelling. What if the veil is not hiding anything? What if truth, reality, meaning - or whatever other slightly pretentious and very philosophically loaded noun you wish to employ - exists within the veil, not beyond it?

Let me explain. Some people like to look at poetry, allegory and metaphor as follows: these literary flourishes and flights of fancy obscure meaning - they are pretty but imprecise ways of warping what you are really trying to say. They are veils over the statue of Isis. Maybe they are beautiful veils, soft and silky and made of luminous fabric but they are veils nonetheless and it is what is behind them that really counts. Behind the veil is what you actually mean to say, “Truth” with a capital “T”. So when faced with poetry, allegory and metaphor we try to peek behind the poetry, the allegory, the metaphor. Desperately, we seek for what lay beyond all this mere aesthetic fetishism. We read poetry and try to strip it of the poetic, to figuratively unveil the statue. But, what if there is no statue? What if all we get is the veil? What if the veil conceals nothing, but is revealing to us everything - only we are too arrogant, overzealous, unobservant or distracted to see it? What if my vague, my imprecise, my periphrastic, my emotive, my evocative, my ambiguous, my flowery, my fluid expressions are not opaque and improper articulations that have some more definitive, more tangible truth beneath them? What if I was never speaking unclearly? 

Here’s the thing, gender is weird as fuck. It’s messy and multifaceted and experiences of gender are nuanced and idiosyncratic and diverse. I have devoted countless hours to reading paper upon paper on gender as identity, gender as social class, gender as concept, gender as social kind, gender as a conferred property, gender as something socially constructed, gender as internal experience of oneself, gender as real, gender as fake, gender as real in some ways but fake in others, gender as fake in real ways but real in fake ways and whilst maybe I now may be better equipped to construct some well-defined and precise, overarching theory of GenderTM that will be useful in an ameliorative analysis, on a more personal level my experience of my own gender has failed to grow less vague. This is not to say I am confused about my gender. In fact, right now I feel as comfortable in my gender as I have ever been. Rather, I am trying to say that there is nothing I can do to make my experience of gender not nebulous. It will never be neat or simple or clean and so, the only language I have to talk about my gender authentically is language that allows for multiplicity and ambiguity and, above all else, feelings and the phenomenal. When my task is to communicate the unclear, would my message not be less clear if I conveyed it with words that are clinical and precise? Would that not be dishonest in its simplicity? Misleading in its neatness? Near negligent in its reductiveness? I want to find words that are rich with emotions and implications and connotations and hope that I can arrange them in such a way that I can evoke the feeling of certain states of embodiment, of existence, of experience as opposed to culling my utterances of any actual meaning, leaving them sterile and dead because I decided to lie to myself and pretend these are things that can be spoken of plainly. I want to speak about my gender more poetically, not less. 

I feel it is those of us who identify with labels that linger in the liminal - the labels that pull on the loose threads of the assumed coupling of assigned sex and gender identity - that are derrided for the inability to offer satisfactory articulations of our own identities, as if this is an easy task, as if the language we have at our disposal was made with us in mind. I wonder if those who scoff at our poetry, our allegories, our metaphors have wondered if we find it so hard to find the right words because we are the ones most attuned to the ways gender is embodied. We have been paying painful attention to every detail of its experience, and so, do not know how to speak about it without leaving something out, or getting something lost in translation because we have become intimately acquainted with all its aspects. Or rather, we have become intimately acquainted enough to know that we will never truly know all its aspects. When it comes to my own gender, perhaps I am at my most Socratic. 

This is all also to say nothing of the struggle of trying to articulate queer experiences in a straight tongue. Indeed, the language I have at my disposal is in no small way shaped by cisnormativity. What do I do when I am dislocated from my own mother tongue? Do I reimagine the meanings of words? But then I run the risk of people lamenting I am appropriating that which ought to be left alone, stealing something that is not mine to take - I am destabilising something sacred and that is scary. So then, do I invent new words? Sure, but I will be scorned for my invention. Maybe I will be told I am fabricating something out of thin air, not giving shape to something that has always existed. Maybe I will be told that we have gotten on perfectly fine thus far without my new fangled vocabulary and therefore I am being unduly difficult. I will wonder who this mystical “we” who has gotten along perfectly fine is, and if they are aware they are not the only “we” in existence. In the face of this insufficiency, I choose artistry. I choose to use language playfully, comically, creatively and beautifully because my experience of gender is playful, comical, creative and beautiful. If my rhetoric is condemned to always be imperfect, then at the very least let it be alive. 

So then, let’s have it. Let me try my hand at speaking my truth, whatever the fuck that means. 

I was a girl - I think? I think I was a girl for a long time, though I’m not sure. I am sure I’m not anymore though. 

I don’t know what happened. I grew up, maybe. I learnt more about myself and the world. I cultivated a capacity to see the ways in which external social systems had become internalised and started to feel the outside world creeping into my body, crawling under my skin. I stomached the fact my body had always been acting as a host to alien parasites and felt that I had settled where I was, that I had found a way to make “woman” a workably homey space to occupy. I sighed, “it would do, I suppose”. I accepted the title of “woman” as if I was an item of clothing I had found in an opt shop and, with a shrug, resigned myself to purchasing in spite of its imperfect fit because it was cheap and there and one must temper their expectations when shopping second hand. 

Little by little, the life inside and outside of my head became fuller, more colourful. I saw beauty I didn’t have the words to speak about because no one had told me that such beauty existed, let alone was permissible. The epicurean in me itched. I scratched at my skin. I didn’t know how to let myself be happy. Self-determination and sin seemed synonymous. The curse of being in the closest is sometimes you don’t even let yourself see you are trapped within one, instead you shrink down all life’s possibilities to what can fit in that finite, dark space and pretend that, that absence of existence contains the entirety of the universe’s potential. But I learnt to ask better questions of myself from the armchair and I learnt how to leave it. I looked at my reflection taking backwards steps. Almost absent mindedly, mostly accidentally, I started to pick at the knots entangling the interwoven strands of my selfhood until I felt them come loose and realised I could reweave them as I pleased. 

The more I reflected on my womanhood, the more I felt dislocated from it. It was as if the clearer I could see it, the more it became an object of study, something outside of myself to be looked at and examined, prodded at and played with, as opposed to a necessary part of my subject. It was as if the ability to see it severed it from me in some important sense, that speculation and observation necessarily involved division or dislocation. An umbilical cord was cut. I had grown out of something, I don’t know exactly what. I only know that Eden cannot be reentered. I only know that one cannot step into the same river twice. I only know that if I believed in souls I would say mine was not that of a woman, but rather that it was quite beyond gender. I would want to say that my soul exists in a space where the language of gender cannot stick.

But I was not disengaged from my femininity, only distanced from it - apart from it whilst still partaking in it, but partaking in it consciously, creatively, constructively. My femininity at once felt more and less authentic. Less authentic because there was nothing organic about it, it was not flowing out of me unthinkingly. I watched myself. More authentic though because I had an agency I did not have before. My gender expression was not simply something instinctual or absorbed from the world around me. My gender expression was not mindless. It had become artful. Each morning I opened up my makeup bag and painted my face like a portrait. I was an artwork and artist, and more than anything I wanted that to be known and I fashioned myself in such a way to make the artifice apparent. Now, I am never womanly without a wink or masculine without a smirk. And no, I do not want to discuss dysphoria - only the euphoria that comes with defying classification. 

My dress is drag. I strive for cartoonish caricature. On the days I decide to adorn myself in that which is deemed girly, I do it with the intention of bending the category of “Girl” until it breaks. I want to be so outlandishly femme that I cease to be feminine. I want to exist in the uncanny valley of the dolls, to be something girl adjacent - a woman only if you are squinting. I want it all to be theatrical, overblown and played for the people in the back row. I am not so much a girl as I am a thespian. I want to be camp, to commit to artifice with the most earnest sincerity. I have learnt to adorn myself in the finery of a dollybird and adore all the aspects of girlhood that are deemed the most tacky, the most trite, the most trivial, the most cheap, the most silly and insignificant. And sometimes, I am not girlish at all. 

Anxiously, I set the imposter syndrome aside and let myself ask to be called “they,” and I take on “they” as if it is a family name because “they” is decidedly queer - and I know I come from queerness and belonged to queerness. I am only at home with the outsiders. See me as the sexually deviant gender trash I am and leave me or love me in all my perversion because assimilation is a suffocation I will not suffer. The queer are my kin, my kin is the queer. I want to be identified with my gens. Ascribe me to the correct clan and do not call me a girl, it makes my skin itch and sometimes, a strange dissonance arises, and I giggle to myself as if I have gotten away with a trick I never intended to pull. My gender is queer, I cannot tell it to you straight but I have made myself clear.

#demigirl #queer #queer community #queer pride #lgbtq #pride #non binary #nonbinary #lgbtqia #gay #queer joy #gender stuff #queerness #queer things