As the head of the S.S. Greddor (Guillermo x Freddie x Nandor) ship I just gotta say between the phone call and the fight I'm fucking winning.

new dragon breed = new breeding projects I guess? 

Anatomy Study

summary: You had first met Xiao at a frat party. Now, you’re inseparable.

pairing: xiao x fem!reader

content warnings: none

other disclaimers: modern setting, uni au

wc: 2.3k

author's notes: my first no angst fic omg. xiao would be an art major, change my mind.

(im a history major with an asian studies minor!)

you had first met xiao at a frat party, when at the time, you were too wasted to comprehend the conversation he started up with you, warning you about the spiked drinks. he preferred to stay by the food table instead of join the fun that was happening around him.

usually, you’d be in his position, but you had just gotten out of a toxic relationship, and you needed a distraction from the pain you were feeling. although he kept you company that night, you hadn’t remembered a thing about the conversation you two had.

the next time you saw xiao was in your two hour literature class the following monday. you hadn’t realized it before— only just realizing it now, but he was the mysterious emo boy that always sat next to you on your left.

surprised and a little happy to see the familiar face, you decided to strike up conversation with him. he was actually really pleasant to talk to, and it was a nice refresher from your other friends.

as you were on your way to the art building one afternoon to pick up one of your friends and go get lunch, you had stumbled upon a nearly empty workshop. curious as to what the art major had been painting on their canvas, you caught sight of teal hair.

you hadn’t expected xiao to be an art major, but it made you smile nonetheless. his surprised expression once his golden eyes landed on you was simply priceless. he wasn’t expecting to see you, a history major, inside the art building. when you had told him that you were here to pick up a friend, he nodded in understanding.

he silently hoped you’d one day ask him to get lunch with you too.

it was 10pm and you and xiao had gotten absolutely zero studying done. you had originally asked him if he’d like to study with you for your shared literature midterm, even going as far as to take the work to the campus library so that you’d be in a more quiet and productive setting.

however, all plans of studying had flown out the window once you two spotted someone you mutually hated. the corner of the library you were occupying was filled with hushed giggles and silent tears as you continued to quietly make fun of them.

you couldn’t remember when it had started, but only a few weeks after you and xiao had officially become friends, you two got lunch together after your last class on tuesdays and thursdays.

he’d walk to the history building (it only took him about three minutes because the art building was right next to it) and patiently wait outside the lecture hall you were in until your class ended. afterwards, when you walked out all miserable and rushing to turn on your headphones, you’d spot him and smile instantly.

he’d ask you to get lunch, and after four times of this routinely happening, he stopped asking. it had now become a routine, and as if that wasn’t enough, the workers at the ramen place nearby had already memorized your names and orders.

still being in your freshman year, the both of you didn’t have apartments yet. whenever you wanted to hang out, it was mostly in his dorm building’s lounge area.

sometimes, he’d ask you to hangout in that lounge while he worked on a project that was due in 24 hours. he’d put video essays on the tv and you’d bring snacks with you from the convenience store across the street to share with him.

as people outside the lounge came and went, you’d spot a few of xiao’s friends walking by. they’d stop inside the lounge for a bit and say hello to you or jokingly flirt with you. you’ve grown to think of them as your own friends too.

as an art major, xiao got stuck with long classes that he always complained about— most of them being six hours long. after those draining classes that he had on mondays and wednesdays specifically, he would always go get food.

after you learned of this, you had offered to meet up with him and keep him company while he got food. this soon became a tradition, and on your way back to the dorms, you’d carry his portfolio for him.

on days where xiao felt way too burnt out to get out of bed or do anything really, you’d show up at his dorm with either popcorn or ice cream, your laptop, and a fuzzy blanket as you offered up a movie night. he was never one to refuse that request, always letting you into his dorm.

sometimes his roommate, kazuha, would be there, working on homework at his desk or making tea for the two of them. he’d greet you with a charming smile and would proceed to leave the dorm to go hangout with his boyfriend, scaramouche, and give you and xiao some privacy.

you’d end up falling asleep cuddled into xiao’s side with your fuzzy blanket draped over the two of you.

whenever xiao was in need of supplies for one or more of his classes, he’d text you and ask if you’d like to accompany him on a late night trip to the arts and crafts store about ten minutes away from the campus.

not bothering to change your clothes, you’d both go in your pajamas. kazuha and scaramouche would join you, all of you piling into the minivan xiao’s stepdad had handed down to him. you’d connect your phone to the aux and start playing disney songs or hardcore rock, whichever fit the mood.

if scaramouche saw something he liked but didn’t have the money to buy it, he’d pocket it and walk out of the store without alerting the alarms. kazuha would scold him for it on the way back, with you chiming in that he should “go big or go home” next time.

kazuha didn’t appreciate you entertaining scaramouche’s stealing, but it inevitably encouraged scaramouche to get closer to you— something that xiao and kazuha didn’t see coming.

xiao fiddled with the edge of the canvas as he knocked a third time on your dorm door. he was getting a bit disappointed that you weren’t answering or that maybe you currently weren’t home. but once you opened the door, midway through a yawn and your hair all messy from the best nap of your life that you had just taken, xiao’s heart skipped a beat.

it took a moment for you to register that xiao was standing outside your door, and you all but nearly slammed the door in his face because you were embarrassed that he had seen you like this. however, he just laughed, finding the whole scene endearing. seeing you like this made his heart beat even faster.

after you both settled down, xiao cleared his throat and turned his canvas around so that you could see what was on it. once you realized what it was, you gasped loudly and tears began to brim at your eyes. it was a portrait of you.

xiao stuttered his way through a confession, too nervous and flustered to look at you. when he finally did, you gently grabbed his face and kissed him, getting the message across that you liked him back. you vowed that night that you would forever keep the memory of his flushed cheeks and nervous stuttering in your mind.

you scrolled through one of xiao’s spotify playlists as you quietly sang along to one of the songs playing over the aux. you, xiao, kazuha, and scaramouche— or “scara”, as you called him for short —were on your way to an east asian market late at night for some snacks.

you spent at least thirty minutes scouting out the ramen aisle with kazuha, your eyes flitting between three types of ramen before finally settling on the same kind kazuha decided on. the two of you circled around the store twice before you stumbled upon your boyfriends.

kazuha was trying to talk scara out of buying too much mochi, and questioning the man on why he was considering buying sweets in the first place— that’s when you learned that scara actually hated sweet foods.

as they bickered like an old married couple, xiao took ahold of your things and went to pay. you chastised him about spending money on you, but you knew that he was too stubborn to fully listen.

all four of you exited the store (after scara and kazuha paid for their things) and sprinted towards xiao’s car in the pouring rain.

you couldn’t stop shaking out of anxiousness as you stepped out of xiao’s car and walked with him up to the front door of his childhood home. the two of you had left this morning and only just now arrived in liyue at around 7pm. a long roadtrip, to say the least.

you were beyond nervous to meet his family, having only heard about them once when he asked you to come home with him this weekend to make christmas cookies. his family didn’t celebrate christmas, but they still made cookies simply because it was fun.

as soon as the door opened, warm air wafted out into the chilly night. the sounds of a dog barking caught your attention, as a large german shepherd came bounding towards the door. it greeted xiao briefly before jumping onto you. you stumbled back, laughing softly as you raised a hand to let it smell you before you placed a hand on its head.

xiao scolded the poor animal for jumping on you, though you didn’t mind at all. you loved animals. bending down to properly pet the dog— whose name you learned was tofu —you giggled as he licked your face.

your nerves spiked once again as xiao’s sister, hu tao, greeted you. she was dressed in black pajamas with red flowers dotted all over them, and wore a pair of ghost slippers. she was bubbly, a complete opposite of xiao, and all but dragged you into the house after you took off your shoes.

the scariest part of your night arrived soon after. xiao’s stepdad was in the kitchen, finishing up dinner and greeting xiao with a warm smile. he turned to you, and you suddenly stiffened. your fears were for nothing, as he gently took your hand in his and placed a small kiss on the back of it. that gesture and his soft words of kindness were enough to make you relax.

and it was only later when he struck up conversation with you when you were alone in the kitchen that the two of you began to bond. it turned out that the two of you had a shared love of all things history.

xiao could only smile fondly as he watched the two of you from the doorway.

it was finally winter break, and you were missing your friends and xiao more than anything. scara, who had oddly enough become your best friend— you really couldn’t remember how in the world that happened —called you everyday. you knew he was missing you, even if he wouldn’t admit it, and the calls you two had were making xiao a little jealous (though he’d never admit it).

sensing xiao’s jealousy through your texts, you immediately called him right before you went to bed. this became a habit every night over winter break, and he even called you on christmas to say merry christmas even though he and his family didn’t celebrate. it was a warm gesture that made you smile.

you often fell asleep to the sound of xiao’s voice on these calls, and just like scara, he would never admit that he missed you. that didn’t matter though, because his actions always spoke louder than his words, so you had already known that he was missing you dearly.

you missed him just as much.

xiao’s actions always spoke louder than his words. as soon as he saw you after winter break ended, he kissed you passionately and twirled you around excitedly.

he then did the unexpected— expressed how much he missed you and that he almost nearly booked a flight to your hometown just to see you. then, he told you he loved you.

you could only stare at him in shock, before you were kissing him again and returning his sentiments. the two of you then planned a date night and you slept in his dorm, all curled up into his chest and falling asleep to the sounds of your favorite youtuber on the tv.

today marked two years of your relationship with xiao. the two of you planned to go out tonight to celebrate, but first you both had to finish projects.

you finished a presentation for one of your required history classes, and xiao was currently deciding how to start his project. you sat on the sofa in your apartment, silently reading a book as xiao kept glancing over at you.

eventually, you shut your book and turned to him, asking if there was anything he needed. a bit flustered that you caught him staring, he nodded. it turned out that he wanted your help for his project.

he needed to do an anatomical study and wanted to study you. you let him, not nervous in the slightest because he had already seen you naked before. however, you didn’t realize that this study would involve paint.

he painted over your bare chest with a soft paintbrush. you gasped at the coldness of the paint, whining about how ice cold it was as xiao laughed. in the end, you both ended up on his workshop’s (the workshop room in his apartment) floor covered in various vibrant paints, and laughing your asses off.

author’s notes: some of the things listed r actually things ive done with my friend who's an art major:

ive sat in our dorm lounge with her watching video essays as she works on a project, gone with her to michael's late at night cause she needed art supplies for a class, ive gotten dinner with her after her six hr classes while her roommate carried her portfolio back to the dorms for her, and gone to hmart with her at like 8pm.

if u guys want me to turn this into a full on multi-chapter fic, then i will! just say the word :)

masterlist!

Pet Names - PB

thank you guys for being so patient! i didn't forget about my girl don't worry!!!

i am once again using soft!gf as inspo i literally cannot stop

i'm also making babe/baby/honey standard from here on out, that being said, i WILL be going back and updating Julien and Lucy's accordingly

rpf smut under da cut - minors gtfo

Darling/Sweetheart - soft!phoebe lives for traditional pet names. there is something in the domesticity of it all that she loves and chases after. these names give soft!pheebs, morning!pheebs, bedtime!pheebs and i will gladly accept discussion but nothing can change my mind. there isnt anything sexual about them in my mind with phoebe, simply because she is using them first thing in the morning, like she left the window open accidentally last night so you, maxine and phoebe are huddled together, your cold foot rubs her leg and she's like "shit sweetheart, are you cold?" in like the raspiest, softest murmur ever. also half asleep, eyes shut, just places repetitive pecks on your temple before whispering, "goodnight darling" and holding you close.

Pretty/Pretty girl - phoebe greets you with the "hi pretty!" often. she's running off after her first eras show and straight into you arms being like, "hi pretty! how did i do?" beaming and kissing you firmly on the lips. maybe she's at the studio with lucy and julien or her band and she's writing, utterly exhausted and you walk in with a pick me up and she's instantly lighting up, "hey pretty girl, im so happy to see you!" before kissing your hair.

okay hear me out im workshopping this but... phoebe with a strap, you're on all fours but she's making YOU move back against her and she's being so stubborn because she could push you down and fuck you but noooo, "if you want it pretty you have to work for it," and eventually you'll be whining so much that dom!phoebe is like scoffing and pulling your hips, finally starting to thrust into you, "alright okay, fine, i'll fuck you pretty girl, no need to whine."

Dove - @whore4munagenius and i both had this on our list (twins). they had mentioned animal pet names like ladybug, dove, puppy, all of which i think phoebe would fw. i had it on my list because of the bird and dog metaphors and just bird symbolism in relationships like doves, lovebird, and swans. i think she loves the animal nicknames and uses them when it's just the two of you and she can be a little softer and more connected with you. it's not that she's embarassed by the names but it's not like she's gonna call you puppy or bunny at the dmv, ya know? I think she writes dove more than she says it, like she's putting 'to: dove, love: pheebs' on your birthday or holiday gifts.

My girl - the classic, very boyfriend!phoebe. always saying stuff like "there's my girl!" or "look at my girls," when talking about you and maxine. has a "this is her" photo of you on her phone, "this is my girl," and she would be SO proud of it too. if she's not referencing you as her partner, she's saying "my girl", and it flows into her friendships like the possessiveness of the name makes its way into her music like maybe the boys are performing and julien is introducing a song and is like "your girl loves this one," and phoebe is like "yeah she does," IDK I THINK ITS CUTE

she 1000% uses 'my girl' in a mocking way, mean!phoebe doesn't mess around and she's telling you to grind on her thigh but you're so desperate you can't get a rhythm going and she's just sighing being like, "c'mon...i know my girl can do better than that," before her hands grip your hips harshly and start to rock you

BONUS - Bro/Dude/Man - Pheebs canonically calls everyone any of these names but remember soft!gf is the boss and there's a difference between being at a dinner or something and phoebe is showing everyone a video, "bro look at this," where soft!gf is in the group. but if y'all are at home and phoebe is getting maxine ready for a walk and asks "can you hand me her leash, dude?" soft!gf just gives her a look like 'who do you think you're talking to rn?' and phoebe is up immediately, "sorry pretty girl," kissing her lips passionately

very much an off-the-cuff post so there may well be bugs, i'm still workshopping my thinking here, but—

i seem to see posts fairly regularly in which a member of some marginalized group A is objecting to attempts by less marginalized group B to make connections between discrimination against A and harm experienced by B (the main thing i have in mind here is when people attempt to align themselves with visibly-trans people by pointing out the ways that transphobic legislation also impacts gnc cis people, theatrical crossdressing, &c, but there are definitely also examples along other axes)—

and like. the main objection i've seen from A is 'why do they have to connect my experience to their experience in order to care about it? why can't they just agree that i shouldn't be discriminated against as a matter of, like, compassion for fellow humanity?'

and this reaction does honestly always just seem a little, idk, naive to me?? like, i don't know, it's gotten very popular ime to complain about normies' clumsy attempts to Understand Instead of Just Accepting [this feels potentially linked to like. the way many of us now prefer silently clicking 'like' to producing our own original, maybe clumsy, responses? but don't @ me on that point], probably because a lot of the time they aren't genuinely seeking to Understand but just to point out all the ways our queerness &c doesn't fit their received (unexaminedly conservative) understanding of the world, which feels to us (very reasonably!) like renewed pressure from the establishment to make ourselves fit that established framework, and so we resist… but at the same time, idk, maybe i'm just outing myself as lesser-than-thou here, but for every sort of person i was raised to distrust and have since arrived at genuine loving acceptance/appreciation of, it's involved first coming to understand their frame of reference at least a little? not to say that there isn't a place for shutting up and listening while you're still working to understand, because there definitely is! but i do kind of think this idea that's become popular in certain liberal circles of like, 'you don't have to understand my experience, you just have to respect it,' is fine and true for keeping peace with strangers, but really isn't a recipe for winning friends or influencing people—it's a recipe for keeping people at arm's length where they can't hit you. and then people turn around and want to apply that rule to coalition-building, and get all shocked-pikachu-face when others seek to identify more active points of connection.

...

another ~Radical Objection to Liberal Approaches~ i've seen, though often not specifically in this context (of discussing the way attempts to oppress A have knock-on effects for B), is like—'there's no point in deconstructing their logic because it's fundamentally illogical! insert that sartre quote abt anti-semites!' and like. no, there's absolutely no point in debating their logic with them. but fundamentally when people assert a logical resistance to bigoted positions they are not doing it to Own The Bigots, imo, or at any rate shouldn't be; they're (we're) doing it to reaffirm the basis of their/our own camp's position, namely, we see your knee-jerk fears and reject them; we substitute instead a patient allegiance to logic, that reasons its way into compassion.

that said, obviously there's a conversation to be had here about, like, platforming bad positions, and to what extent deconstructing them is implicitly platforming them! but. i do think that complaining that logic won't win over bigots is missing the very fundamental point that the logic isn't for the bigots: it's for us. we're talking to ourselves; we're affirming ourselves. and yeah, we need to understand that this sort of intra-party discussion doesn't, on its own, constitute sufficient activism! messages need to be communicated beyond the bounds of the party! but i do think i disagree that there's no place for it.

bas?

OH YEAH

B A S I C S

full name: bas "bas" bas (she does not remember her name. i did however originally give her naomi nunez as her name but im workshopping it now. bas also comes from sebastian bc she used to be a guy)

gender: no real label that matters to her or current society

sexuality: again no label but does not care about gender. so truly bisexual <3 yay love wins

pronouns: she/they/it whateva... no real attachment to any, she/her was used when she was a researcher, it when they were a subject... erm. who knows really.

O T H E R S

family: falls over and dies

birthplace: her what

job: i mean if you were never technically fired from your job and its been 500 years since then are you still technically working there? she was a researcher and then became a (illusion of choice because they were taking away funding into her technology) test subject

phobias: confined spaces, (for a very long while) sleeping, isolation & being alone

guilty pleasures: FLOWERS and plants she is smitten with them and also secretly taking and modifying technology without people noticing

M O R A L S

morality alignment?: chaotic neutral

sins - lust/greed/gluttony/sloth/pride/envy/wrath

virtues - chastity/charity/diligence/humility/kindness/patience/justice

T H I S - O R - T H A T

introvert/extrovert: introvert

organized/disorganized: extremely meticulously organized in a way she cannot explain

close minded/open-minded: trying so very hard to be open-minded to a world that has changed entirely after 500 years of sleep and also losing her memory card

calm/anxious: anxious mother fucker #1 ocd foreverr

disagreeable/agreeable: agreeable? more like (flew over her head) um ok

cautious/reckless: cautious

patient/impatient: impatient

outspoken/reserved: reserved

leader/follower: leader

empathetic/unemphatic: unemphatic

optimistic/pessimistic: both at differing times... a vast majority of the plot shes pessimistic but begins to understand and accept optimism

traditional/modern: traditional simply bc of the fact that she. has been asleep for. (dies

hard-working/lazy: hard-working they were a researcher at 22 okay. even if they forgot

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

otp: THEOBAS <3 FOREVAR <3 theo and bas have always always been together do not separate them ever bc theyre girlfriends. ok?

ot3: i ddddont really have one i think ive intended theo and bas to be together since the beginning which was like, 5 years ago. but maybe the arrow polyamory with kofi who is theos best friend and fellow machinery enthusiast

brotp: shed find a quiet camaraderie with lux i think. they both are extremely reserved and have gone through things... i havent talked about lux but theyre a background character who is part of theos friend group

notp: erm. idk i have never thought of one LOL

Cap-IM Rec Week 2020 (Wednesday - Canon Divergence)

What-If Wednesday, June 17th: Time to rec some AUs! Canon divergence, no-power alternate universes, soulmates… send them all in - for @cap-ironman Rec Week.

This list is for canon divergence fic recs, my AU rec list is here. Some of these are fix-its, some are open-ended, please read the summaries and tags.

Remember to show some love for your hard-working authors!

the mind-body problem by firebrands ( @firebrands ): 

Steve is a reporter for the New York Bulletin, and one day he's assigned a story that might be just above his pay grade. To find out the truth, he's got to speak to the man implicated: Tony Stark.

A canon-divergent fic where Steve is not captain america, but Tony is still Tony Stark. Set around the same time as Iron Man 1. (WIP)

that’s the gift that holds me by theappleppielifestyle ( @theappleppielifestyle ):

Tony asks if there’s anything he missed while he was away - away, he says, because it’s easier than saying hey did anything interesting go down while I was kidnapped and getting tortured in a cave - and Rhodey hesitates before saying no.

(Or, an Iron Man AU where Steve is defrosted while Tony is in Afghanistan.)

Double-Blind (Get Me Back In the World) by navaan ( @navaan ): 

Shortly after being defrosted, Steve meets a handsome stranger at a party and has the certain epiphany that sex is a good way to reconnect with the world that is now so strange to him. Because one thing that hasn’t changed is that sex is simple. That the man seems to hate the very thought of Captain America makes it even easier for some reason.

Or the one in which Steve sleeps with someone called Henry Hellrung. Although - not really.

given you a number, taken away your name by janonny:

As Tony behaves more erratically, S.H.I.E.L.D. sends in Steve as an undercover agent in S.I. to be Natasha’s back-up. Except Steve is really, really not cut out for this undercover business.

Mister Fixit and the Mechanic by Mizzy ( @mizzy2k ):

An Iron Man 3 AU, wherein Steve was defrosted too early, and after a couple of lonely decades working for SHIELD, decides to retire and run a hardware store called Mister Fixit’s in suburban Miami.

Tony Stark, presumed dead, presumed not-Iron Man, needs to make some weapons to take on the Mandarin’s mansion. A non-chain store that takes cash and doesn’t ask questions is just what Tony needs.

Steve becomes intrigued by the mysterious mechanic that keeps buying things from his store, but when he becomes more aware of what Tony the Mechanic is up to, is Steve ready to be this close to the world of superheroes again?

Drifting Further Everyday by GotTheSilver ( @gotthesilver ):

Steve’s quiet a lot of the time, it’s almost like living with a ghost, and Tony kind of hates it; he lives with more than enough actual ghosts every day. The longer time goes on, the more Tony recognises what’s going on, sees the jumpiness, the haunted look on his face, and he gets it. Realises they’re both trying to bury things they don’t want to talk about. More often than not, Tony turns around in the workshop to see Steve sitting there, patiently working on something in his sketchbook or reading an actual book, usually something he missed during the years he was frozen.

Somehow Steve is filling all the gaps in his life Tony didn’t realise he needed filling.

one night in new york by CapnWinghead ( @capnwinghead ):

Steve needs somewhere to lay low after Pierce's men come after him. Unfortunately, there's only one person he trusts at the moment.

Cabin Fever by Winterstar:

After Ultron, the team needed something to pull them back together. A long weekend away at a cabin in the woods sounded like an excellent idea. They could binge watch favorite shows, cook, eat, play games. It would be great. Except it wasn't, because the storm of the century hit and Tony ends up stuck with Steve - alone in the cabin.

Butterfly Dreams by Teyke:

In one world, Tony and Steve are newlyweds, trying to make the most of their honeymoon. Too bad about the incredibly inconvenient timing of earthquakes, volcanoes, and supervillains...

In another, Steve's just gotten Bucky back, and the Accords have been struck down. But the fractures the Accords caused haven't healed, and Tony has vanished from the face of the earth.

The problem? It's the same Steve. When he falls asleep in one life, he wakes in the other. Unless he can figure out which life is real, both are at risk.

Any Road by sheron ( @sheronwrites ):

Three months after defeating Thanos, Steve Rogers wakes up in the middle of a cornfield, with no memory of how he got there. No memories of anything, not even his own name. The only valuable on him is a flip-phone with a single contact number.

Tony Stark will do anything to help him remember, but he won't even admit they are friends.

Message in a Bottle by dirigibleplumbing ( @dirigibleplumbing ):

After Thanos destroys half the universe, Steve starts recording messages and putting them online. He also asks Friday to transmit them into space. Just… because.

Machines and Marvels by rainbowninja167:

In an alternate timeline where the Avengers never formed, Steve and Tony need a crash course in team bonding. Stephen Strange just had to take that literally.

Steve's Terrible Gauntlet by hollyandvice ( @hollyandvice ):

Steve has never been one to accept what the world has given him. When returning the Stones presents an opportunity to undo the worst loss of the final battle, Steve reaches out and holds on with both hands. Even if it means needing to save Tony over and over and over again. Steve isn't going to let him go. Never again. (WIP)

Miles to Go (An Infinity to Get There) by Padraigen:

Steve isn't dead. Tony knows it in his heart, and he is willing to risk everything to bring him back.

But that proves to be an infinitely more difficult task when Tony realizes it's not so much a question of saving Steve from the stones as it is saving Steve from himself. (WIP)

Bright Things and Fair by sheron ( @sheronwrites ):

The course of true love never did run smooth — and neither did time-travel to retrieve the Tesseract. When circumstances outside their control force Steve and Tony to spend more time together in the 1970, they do what two people with their history do under the circumstances: work together and try to get through it without unnecessary feelings getting in the way. Falling for each other is definitely a bad idea, isn't it?

Redame by magicasen:

When he finally spits into the trash, he doesn’t understand what he’s looking at. Had he managed to swallow a piece of paper without realizing? It’s wet and disgusting, but curiosity gets the better of him as he picks it up gingerly between his fingers. It’s a flower petal, he realizes abruptly, rubbing it carefully as it rolls up and finally crumples between his fingers.

Like losing half the world wasn't enough, Steve's body also begins to rebel against his love for Tony.

i'll take coffee and talk about nothing. by frostfall ( @kapteniron ):

Every Friday evening, Steve meets with Tony for coffee.

Warmer Corners by vorkosigan ( @the-vorkosigan ):

It all started when Morgan decided she wanted to meet Captain America. Or perhas it started when Steve fell into a frozen lake and Tony had to fish him out. Or maybe when he decided it was a good idea to crawl under the blankets and try to warm Steve up using his body heat. But, most probably, it actually started a long time ago.

Where Our Restless Monsters Sleep by Mizzy ( @mizzy2k​ ):

Years after Tony Stark saved the universe, the Avengers realize there’s a major problem: his body has gone missing. And he isn’t the only one. Fallen heroes all over the galaxy have had their graves pillaged.

An old foe is stealing the bodies of fallen warriors, but for what nefarious reason? There’s only one solution. To find out why it’s happening, Steve’s gotta die.

He probably shouldn’t be so eager to do that.

Lover Come Hold Me by RurouniHime ( @thegertie​ ):

One by one, the stones must go back.

shades of happiness by lazywriter7 ( @lazywriter7​ ):

Part of the journey is the end.

Steve Rogers considers his many possible endings, and chooses one.

There's a Party Going on Right Here by Annie D ( @no-gorms​ ):

After the Battle of Earth, Tony hosts a party.

the eventual corruption of my body by nasa:

Steve wants Tony back, so he makes a deal with Death. If that deal has him dying in exactly a year's time - well, that's a price Steve's willing to pay.

couldn't whisper (when you needed it shouted) by @onlymorelove​:

Steve still can't let go of that damned flip phone. (Really, he can't let go of Tony.)

In My Hands and Gone Again by nostalgicatsea ( @nostalgicatsea ):

Memories were like fish, Tony had explained, or the tease of one. A flash of silver, and his hands would plunge down. Sometimes he would catch one; other times, it would dart out of reach. He wouldn’t be sure whether it had been real or just a trick of the light, after.

Hope you guys enjoy the recs, and stay tuned for more! Check out my tag for previous years’ rec lists :) For more fix-its, check out this list from last year.

Im re-reading the JasonxZalgo headcanons and thinking about how the confession went. Do you think you could write that specifically?👀

This was supposed to be an angry love confession but instead it devolved into fluff and crying OOPS. But uhh wow I really like writing jalgo. Or maybe I just like fast paced affection idk man

Hating your boss is a universal experience. This I'm sure of. If you don't despise your boss with every fiber of your being, you're in the wrong career. And if you're self employed...erm- go fuck yourself I guess??

But I think very few people can relate to despising your boss because he refuses to stop hugging you from behind while you're trying to get work done. Oh that's called sexual harassment? Hm. Well we don't exactly have a HR department considering we don't have an office and we live together. Alone. Oh well. 

My boss is a man named Zalgo. He's tall, with copper brown skin and soft brown hair that's tipper with orange and red. He's charming, suave, intelligent, oh so handsome, and also an all powerful god of destruction. Yeah, weren't expecting that one now were ya?

Right now I'm sitting at my desk, trying to work while Zalgo stands behind me, leaning his full weight on my poor back and humming as he nuzzles his face affectionately into my neck. He's always affectionate and it drives me crazy in both the good and bad way. I adore the warmth that spreads throughout my body when he touches me. I adore the feeling of his palms running down my chest and the sounds of him humming and giggling just inches from my ear. But I also hate it. I hate the way my stomach lurches when he affectionately purrs my name. I hate the way he looks at me and I hate the way he makes me feel. 

If it were anyone, anyone else I'd be overjoyed at feeling this way but...it can't be Zalgo. He's- well...Zalgo. An all powerful god, a being so far above me and...a man. Zalgo has never addressed it but...being a god shouldn't he know? How bad it is? What would happen if someone, ANYONE from the human race were to see us as we are now? Reveling in the warmth of love's young touch, melting against and into it like the warmth of a fire. 

He hums again, his breath feels warm against my neck and it makes me break out in goosebumps. His hands hold my hips as he stands up, his warmth and weight moving away and leaving me colder but with better posture. 

"Take a break, Jason." He says, his voice smooth and cheerful. I don't want to argue with him, so I do as I'm told. I sit back a bit and Zalgo quickly moves to my front. He sits on my lap, my fucking lap and runs his hand all over me. Down my front, my back, my chest. He grips my hip with one hand and intertwines our fingers with the other. He squeezes my hand and nuzzles my neck. My breath catches in my throat and my body shudders. 

The sensation of being touched is overwhelming. He's so warm, so soft. I can't stand it. I can't! He's too kind, he's too beautiful, he's too perfect! Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it have been anyone else? And why me? Why does he shower me, of all people, with all of this unwarranted affection and words as sweet as honey? What did I do to earn him…?

"Jason…" he breathes against my neck. Delicate, strong hands unbutton my shirt and his lips press against the flesh of my throat, gliding down and pressing kisses against me, blocking air from me for only a few moments before moving away again. I say that like it's possible to breathe with Zalgo kissing up my throat, nipping and sucking on my skin like he owns it. He chuckles against me, a low soft noise that sends butterflies through my stomach. 

"Zalgo…" I breathe above him. All I can see of him is his strong body moving below me, and the top of his hair. It's so...soft looking. My hand, the one not gripping Zalgo's like a vice, moves up and I run it through his hair. It's as soft as I thought it would be, and running my hand through it feels so, so good. God I- I could stay here forever, just playing with his hair…

"Jason." Zalgo repeats again. I hum softly. He pulls his head of soft hair away from my hand and I look down at him. He stares up at me with deep, golden eyes and I feel myself falling into them. Falling into the colour, into the way they shine, falling into the confident, charming grin on his face, falling head over heels in love all over again. And every time it feels so painful knowing it'll never go past this. Never go past these nights in my workshop, where I'm left just dreaming for something more than this. 

His hands delicately cup my face and he leans in, pressing his forehead against mine. Our noses are touching. He's so close, I can feel every part of him against every part of me but it still isn't enough. I want to feel his arms around me, I want him to hold me tight against him, I want to feel his lips against mine, I want to hear him purr my name and tell me all the feelings I know he doesn't have for me.

"Zalgo." I whisper to him. His eyes open, bright and gold, staring straight into me. I melt against him. He's staring at me, calm and patient. I just- I just want to tell him everything I feel for him...the way he makes my stomach do flips, the way his touch sends goosebumps across my skin, the way I hear his voice in my dreams. The words are there but my mouth won't speak them. All I can do is let out a hoarse croak that's supposed to be sweet nothings, like the ones Zalgo gives me so casually. 

"Jason?" He moves away from me, suddenly looking worried. "Jason are you crying?" He asks me oh-so-gently. I gulp and blink. I didn't even realize- my eyes had started tearing up, stinging as tears roll down my face. I gulp. "What's wrong?" His hand runs through my hair. 

I love you is all I want to say. I love you but it's not possible, I love you but you're a god, I love you but I can't because we both had to be men. Guilt ties a knot in my stomach and makes me only sob harder. 

"Jason, Jason dear it's okay." He breathes. I sniffle, whining like a child. "What's wrong?" 

"I-" my voice sounds high pitched, feeble and scared. I swallow thickly. "Z-Zalgo I…" I can't say it. I can't I can't I can't. Zalgo's hands hold my face again and he looks at me. Those eyes, those damn golden eyes are so full of love and compassion and I hate it. 

"...I know." He whispers. I inhale sharply.

"Wh-what?" 

"I know." He repeats. He wipes a tear from my eye and I sniff weakly. I don't understand I don't- what does he- "I love you too, nounour." 

And that breaks me. That was the final fucking push I needed to break into pathetic tears. He always knows how to make me cry, doesn't he…? 

His arms wrap around me, holding me close. It's nothing but more shame. I'm weak, cowardly, I burst into tears so easily, and now I'm being held and comforted and shushed. He's rubbing circles into my back, murmuring his sweet nothings again. I love him, I love him so much and he knows that. 

So is that why he's kissing me? Is that why he moved over and pressed his soft, warm lips against mine? Is that why he's kneading against me, his hands cupping my face? Is this it…? Is this the dream I've always been chasing? Or is he just placating me? 

"Jason." He murmurs as our lips part. "You're the closest friend I have ever had. You're the person I trust more than anyone," he caresses my jawline, his voice soft and so loving. "I love you...dearly." 

I stare up at him. "...is this a lie?" I breathe. It's bold, calling his bluff like this, but what do I have to lose now? 

He shakes his head. "Never." He replies as he leans down and kisses me again. "...not about this." 

Somehow I believe him. Somehow I believe he genuinely cares about me...somehow, I can believe, Zalgo is capable of loving someone like me. And that’s why I melt into his kisses and let him hold me tight for what feels like hours. Our lips melt so naturally together, our hands feel so perfect on one another like they were always meant to be that way. I love him, well and truly, and he loves me too. It’s something he has told me time and time again but as I lay in bed next to him, staring into his eyes, it’s not something he even has to say...and neither do I.

This is how I cope don’t @ me

1: Top 3 pets you wish to have Bunny, Mouse, pet bee 2: Top 3 Disney Movies Tangled, Zootopia, and a close tie between The Princess and the Frog and Wreck it Ralph 3: Top 3 OTPs Nick and Judy (I’m not a furry), honestly probably the other pairings from my 3 (4) favorite movies like Felix and Calhoun or Tiana and Naveen or whatever 4: Top 3 pick up lines Pick me up- no literally please just carry me around like sweep me off my feet no like ACTUALLY like ju- 5: Top 3 summer activities Lying in the grass, listening to music on the swings, drinking from the neighbors sprinklers because you didn’t bring water on your walk 6: Top 3 school memories    -Once in 5th grade we were doing an egg drop, and I put mine off till the day before, so my parents just gave me a jar of peanut butter, and I just put the egg in the jar, and when they dropped it from the school roof it exploded all over the pavement and left a stain for years.    -Another time in 9th grade, a couple friends and I wrote a giant “send nuds” in the snow beneath my friends next class’s window, and some other kids took a picture of it and spread it around, and like the whole school was talking about it for a day or two (though we denied it was us so we didn’t get in trouble).    -And in 12th grade the last day of the 3rd semester, my AP Psych teacher said “you know you guys might not come back after spring break since the covid-19 virus might come to America.” And half the class was like: “I hope so we don’t have to come back haha.” And then we went into lockdown for a year 7: Top 3 things you find attractive Being looked at, Being talked to, Being touched at all oh my go d 8. Top 3 shops I dunno man can I say Build-a-Bear Workshop I’ve never been there 9: Top 3 romantic dates Theme park, Aquarium, Build-a-Bear Workshop 10: Top 3 drinks Milk, Milkshakes, the color purple 

11: Top 3 spices/herbs oh my god im too white for this question I think doritios are spicy, SALT 12: Top 3 apps to use not tumblr 13: Top 3 months of the year not winter 14: Top 3 clothing items Skirt, Bows, Thigh-highs 15: Top 3 kinds of flower Daffodils, Buttercups, Dandelions (yes I’m aware they’re a weed) 16: Top 3 Christmas movies Home Alone 1, Those stop motion rudolph ones, the original grinch 17: Top 3 things you don’t/Won’t miss Angsty middle schoolers, Angsty high schoolers, Angsty people 18: Top 3 games Minecraft, Stardew Valley, All the Zelda games between 2002-2009 19: Top 3 binge perfect tv shows I really don’t watch actually T.V. shows I just watch anime sometimes maybe and youtube series man 20: Top 3 kinds of candy Butterscotch, Chocolate coins, Those little pebble chocolates that looks like fish tank rocks 21: Top 3 ways to exercise/be active Well I have an answer, but I don’t think I can say it~ 22: Top 3 spirit animals (I’ve heard something about this being possibly racist so I’ll approach this wish caution) Bunnies, Lambs, a pet rock 23: Top 3 petnames Honey, Muffin, Sweetheart 24: Top 3 places you’ve been to A yearly carnival my old town had once a year, Disney World even though I almost drowned there, The Arcade in my old town called Bananas 25: Top 3 most used websites Youtube, Tumblr (regrettably), Pintrest 26: Top 3 people you last texted My boyfriend, my friend, my co-worker friend 27: Top 3 hashtags you use imagine using the tags how they’re supposed to be used 28 Top 3 items you can’t leave the house w/o clothes (i’m really funny) 29: Top 3 guilty pleasures I write self-insert sometimes I guess 30: Top 3 subjects of study/classes to take Psychology, Sociology, certain art classes 31: Top 3 things to draw/doodle My OC’s, My friends, inappropriate stuff 32: Top 3 aesthetics Cottagecore, Bloomcore, Wonderland 33: Top 3 things you’d buy if you gained three million dollars Pretty things, Cute Clothes and stuffed animals, therapy 34: Top 3 ways to treat yourself Buying pretty things, Wearing cute clothes and holding stuffed animals, therapy 35: Top 3 cartoon crushes Kyoya from OHHC, Mako from Kill La Kill, Marceline/Marshall Lee 36: Top 3 things to do in the snow Draw in it, make snow sculptures, eat it 37: Top 3 accents to hear Russian, Spanish, idk spanish 2 38: Top 3 scents Vanilla, Cream, Strawberries 39: Top 3 things to do in the rain Sit in the car quietly, make out probably, cry 40: Top 3 cupcake flavors Chocolate, Chocolate 2, Chocolate 3 41: Top 3 fruits Cherries, Strawberries, Grapes 42: Top 3 holidays to celebrate Halloween, Christmas, Valentines 43: Top 3 embarrassing moments My friend jokingly revealing my weird self insert fanfic I wrote in middle school (that was gross don’t ask about it) to my friend group, getting a constant D- in AP Stats the whole semester and the whole class secretly knowing about it, wearing an oversized minecraft shirt in my 6th grade school picture 44: Top 3 crayola colors Seafoam, Canary, Cotton Candy 45: Top 3 things you hope to accomplish in college Get back into theater and actually be included and noticed, not cry in the bathroom, feel cared about by my classmates 46: Top 3 fanfictions you’ve read don’t ask me that you can’t ask me that the last fanfics i’ve read were in middle school  47: Top 3 people you miss right now My boyfriend, Two of my friends GJ, my dopamine  48: Top 3 fears Being hated, Being alone, Being abandoned 49: Top 3 favorite literary devices (oh god it’s been a minute hang on) Alliteration, Juxtaposition, Colloquialism 50: Top 3 pet peeves Saying one thing and doing another, trying to act like you’re being the bigger person by not choosing a side, constant self deprecation 51: Top 3 music artists AJR, 3OH!3, Fake Type 52: Top 3 bad habits BFRD OCD, speaking before I think, lately I’ve been lashing out  53: Top 3 ice cream flavors Cookie Dough, Bubblegum, Cheesecake 54: Top 3 meals you love Bread and cheese, cheese with bread, I like dairy and bread 55: Top 3 things you want to say to someone in your lifetime Where are we going, What are we gonna do, what are you doing onii-chan (im so sorry) 56: Top 3 dog breeds Small, fluffy, actually a cat 57: Top 3 TV shows from your childhood The Amazing World of Gumball, Courage the Cowardly Dog, y’all remember Might Bee??? 58: Top 3 languages you speak/wish to speak Better French, More ASL, I guess Spanish would be useful 59: Top 3 series (book, movie, television) I like the first couple Saw movies but then it went kind of downhill, I eventually stopped keeping up with SU ad AT but they have lesbians now and we love that, and I guess I read Warrior Cats in middle school. 60: Top 3 pizza toppings Cheese, ???, that’s all I need 61: Top 3 youtubers you’re subscribed to Markiplier, Erolds Story, Wilbur Soot 62: Top 3 tattoo / piercing ideas Little Flower earrings, Little flower tattoos, Little flower stuff 63: Top 3 awards you want to win love trust and affection  64: Top 3 emojis 🍄🐝🍋 65: Top 3 things you’d do differently have different parents 66: Top 3 places to be in the world In love, Back up, Purgatory  67: Top 3 things you miss about being a kid Lack of responsibility and pressure, Mental illness, Lack of shame 68: Top 3 baby names Penelope, Theodore, Sofie 69: Top 3 smoothie combos/flavors Grape, Strawberry, Cherry 71: Top 3 turn ons People being patient with me, People treating me equally, Being touched kindly at ALL 72: Top 3 turn offs looking like Tyler1 73: Top 3 recipes you want to try Sugar spice and everything nice 74: Top 3 dream jobs Primary School Teacher, Child Consoler/Therapist, I dunno being a storytime animator sounds nice... 75: Top 3 lucky items Fidget Toys, Stuffed Animals, Random Office Supplies (you know the ones)

The scarlatinas are a big family with aunts and cousins visiting a lot right? Have you got an idea of how their house looks? (also could you release the Scarlatina family descriptions you gave me to the public?)

well, really the scarlatina family isn’t big in the, uh, family tree sense; it’s not like Velvet has 100+ cousins and that sort of stuff, but they’re big in the sense that they all live together, hjdshkjfsd. so it’s a big household! sixteen people! it’s nothing to sniff at! so the aunts and cousins dont visit, really, because they literally live next door, lmao.

the scarlatina homestead is split into two houses that keep getting added to every once in a while. the bigger one (aka the first) has georgette, rajah, taffeta, ash, chiffon, velvet, satin and hickory live there, whilst the second (rapidly growing) house has cotton, tenné, hawthorn (+ hawthorn’s wife, saffron, and their kid, fir), ramie (+ her wife, auburn) and birch. that said, the houses pretty much act as one, and people tend to drift in and out of either of em at will.

the houses are similar in terms of their footprint, since they sorta both evolved abt the same time for the same needs (oh shit a kid oh shit a marriage oh shit ANOTHER kid), and save for two smaller second storeys for storage/spare room needs, almost the entire thing is on the ground floor (heat rises, baby). they share a big old shed/workshop which ash lingers in CONSTANTLY, as well as two little gardens where they grow their own produce. they also have some solar panels and a huge windmill out front, both of which usually power their houses since they don’t typically draw a TON of energy, though they do have a generator that runs on fuel as a backup.

okay if we’re describing the whole family im gonna shunt this under a cut this goes on for a while dsfjhgjhskfgd

GEORGETTE SCARLATINA: the matriarch of the family! well, sorta; she’s let her own daughters sort of have run of the place in her stead, because she’s “retired” now and that means she mostly sits back and enjoys not Working all the time. back in her heyday the woman was an absolutely powerhouse, 24/7 on the grind, but even now she’s very… well, she’s still a force to be reckoned with, really, and whilst she isn’t uuuuuuuh Strict, per se, she’s very disciplined, and no matter what her kids and grandkids choose to do, she expects them to really throw themselves into it. weiss is both terrified of her and desperately wants her approval, which isn’t hard to get, but weiss is, how they say, dumbass. georgette is also the reason why taffeta and cotton are… Like That. like what? stubborn loud fuzzy taking zero shit, etc,

RAJAH SCARLATINA: scarlatina women seem to always land themselves timid men and nobody is sure how, or why, but georgette wasnt the first to start this trend and shes def not the one to end it. rajah is pretty mild-mannered, but like georgette, never rested when people needed help. he and ash (and tenné) get on real well because they’re happy enough to mind their own Fuckin Business whilst their wives barrel around with all the grace of rampaging bulls. still, rajah’s also very much a product of his time as an early settler to menagerie; he’s never really… happy with everything, because they lost so much leaving for this shithole, so he’s always kinda… mildly sad about stuff, but the same can be said of any faunus his age tbh.

COTTON SCARLATINA: the older of the two Scarlatina Daughters, cotton is… manic. full of energy, always looking to burn it off. she’s an optimist at heart since she and taffeta came to menagerie when they were ten and therefore are more accustomed to the island, and her primary objective is making a good home and a good start for the family. she’s not too interested in politics or revolution, mainly because she’s the type of woman who plans by meals and mouths to feed, if u get me. she’s also pretty smug because her side of the family are rly growing up (TWO wives. a GRANDKID. its ALL COMING UP COTTON) and it means she gets to spend more time doing stuff she’s passionate abt!!!!!!! nice!!!!!!!!

TENNÉ SCARLATINA: i put an accent on his name and i regret it every day of my life. anyway. tenné isn’t entirely sure how he ended up with just The Most scarlatina, but he did and, well, there’s no backing out now. tenné‘s a deer faunus and was around cotton’s age when he and his family moved with the scarlatinas to menagerie, so he and cotton have always been close. he’s very patient and doesn’t always have a lot to say, but he and cotton are a great team when it comes to managing the entire homestead together. again, he’s not a political type, and just wants to keep his corner of things safe in uncertain times. he always pretty rarely leaves the homestead for anything, so he’s also kinda reclusive, but so is cotton! it all works out!

HAWTHORN SCARLATINA: i won’t go into the partners lest i Die but hawthorne is the eldest child of cotton and tenné. got antlers like his da, and he’s a pretty big fellow by scarlatina standards (that is to say, not thin enough to fly away in a stiff breeze). hawthorn is… well, long and short, he’s a himbo, but he’s also a pretty devoted homesteader (this is a trend! watch this space). his wife, saffron, was from desert sands and they’d been dating for a While before they got married, and they’re the first to have kids of all the first-gen* scarlatinas. he’s got cotton’s love of the family and tenné’s sort of quiet offset nature, though he was pretty rowdy as a kid (he grew out of that once velvet broke his nose tho).

RAMIE AND BIRCH SCARLATINA: twins! twins! oh my god! twins!!! fraternal twins!!!

ramie is the older of the two (my friends who were w/ me when we played the RWBY ttrpg will Remember Her) and she’s. well she’s surprisingly enough like taffeta that cotton jokes that clearly she’s gone and had the wrong kid. she’s very Firm abt things and has a way of naturally corralling people to follow after her, if only because this bitch has enough common sense for herself and, like, five people. she was also voted Best Lesbian Cousin five years in a row, and she and auburn get on like a house on fire. they’re also very into PDA, don’t mind them.

birch is the younger of the two and ramie always calls them the emo one. they’re not really so much into people as they are into their crafts and their plants (their bedroom looks like a greenhouse dont mind them) and they have tenné’s nature and georgette’s focus on working all the goddamn time. they’re good company is you strike up convo in the areas they have interest in, but sometimes it’s like talking to a brick wall. ramie is very fluent in their noncommittal grunts of disinterest, though.

FIR SCARLATINA: he’s one year old. he’s a baby. idk shit.

TAFFETA SCARLATINA: here’s the bitch we’ve all been waiting for

taffeta is like georgette if georgette was somehow more like herself. whereas the other half of the family are more core to the values of the clan, taffeta’s a tribe woman, and when she wakes up in the morning her focus is always on the wider community. taffeta’s very much just a machine of intent; she farms, she builds, she repairs, she trades, she gives, she travels, she does SO much and she’s very much the face of the family at present (which is why ppl hear the name ‘scarlatina and go ‘oh god’ w/o realising the other half wont bother u even slightly djsfggjsdfh). she’s STURDY she’s FLUFFY and she has zero qualms abt putting u in a headlock if u deserve one. dont test her. that said, taffeta’s a very reasonable woman; i’ll eventually go more into that at some nebulous point in the future hdjsgfjghksfd

ASH SCARLATINA: it’s everyone’s favourite da! i’ll TRY and keep this short. ash (MUCH LIKE THE MEN SO FAR) is just. so chilled out. can everyone PLEASE be quiet. well, he didn’t used to be – ash lived in kuo kuana before meeting taffeta and had such severe anxiety abt crowds that the boy could barely put a sentence together, let alone much else, not in the scarlatina household, he’s very calm and hard to ruffle. ash really just likes to do his thing, which is everything taffeta doesn’t do; he cooks, he watches the kids, he fixes stuff in the workshop, and he’s big into photography of the family, which is where velvet gets it from! ash is basically taffeta’s counterbalance, but being with her means he’s also become pretty well known about the town (if not for. entirely the reasons you think,)

CHIFFON SCARLATINA: the eldest of ash and taffeta’s kids! chiffon is a weird one; she takes a lot after ash in that she’s pretty reserved and doesn’t let a lot bother her, and when stuff does bother her, she expresses it pretty quietly. also, unlike her cousins who are all homebodies, chiffon was the first kid to actually leave the homestead for kuo kuana to work on the docks during a biiiig overhaul and extension of the boardwalk. she wanted to get out and see the world, but human tourists really out her off the idea, so after about a year and a bit she ended up returning home where she’s stayed ever since. after taffeta retires, she’ll probably be the next face people know and relate to the name scarlatina, tbh.

VELVET SCARLATINA: do i. do i have to say anything about her. you KNOW this bitch. anyway. velvet’s got taffeta’s stubborn sense and ash’s compassion, wants to travel like chiffon, has enough determination to just keep going when it gets her down. extremely stupid. herbo energy. trans jock. has fists will punch. fluffy. fuzzy. hot. dumbass. seriously, do i have to say anything else?

SATIN SCARLATINA: it’s a baby! just kidding, she’s 11. satin is pretty young but she’s at that age where she’s tryna figure out the world for herself. she’s already shaping up to be a lot like taffeta – bold and brash and determined – and much like her older siblings, politics is already playing into her interests. satin really wants to see vale and her tribelands, but after what happened to velvet at uni, taffeta’s trying to… well, not talk her out of it, but encourage her, gently, to reconsider. it’s not working. she and chiffon get on spectacularly well, and she and velvet get on ever better.

HICKORY SCARLATINA: okay, NOW baby. well………. okay, yeah, he’s 7. hickory is a little dreamer, never really in the present. he’s super into making stuff and helping out the adults around the homestead, and he’s not really noticed enough to be infuriated like satin, so he’s got that youthful, uh, innocence, let’s say, that means right now? life is GREAT! eventually he’ll find out that no, it’s not all that great, tbh, but right now he’s a champ at feeding the rabbits, pulling up veggies, and finishing his plate. good job hickory!

AND THAT’S THE FAM (save for the inlaws). theyre great and i think abt em all the time. could u tell? could u tell, sharkie,

*so i looked up the whole ‘generations’ thing to check if i was right and it turns out both first-gen and second-gen have incompatible definitions (thanks america) but for the sake of not going nuts, all of cotton’s and taffeta’s kids r first gen and fir is second-gen. u could also argue cotton and taff are first-gen on account of being pretty young when they came to menag but honestly it’s too complicated. lets just leave it at that sdfjhgksdf

Any suggestions on how to remove a mask? How do you know you're supposed to?

i assume u mean a social mask? [ill try 2 b concise but apologies in advance 4 the essay]

i personally dont think its something u should feel obliged to do. you’ll either feel comfortable doing it or you wont, & once u do feel that sense of comfort/security in doing so, you wont have to overthink how to remove the mask, because the behaviourism's that are concurrent with your ‘true’ self will emerge instinctively. 

however, if this is something you want to do because your tired of pretending then id suggest that you start by looking inward. look inward with the intention of understanding (not changing) who you are, or if its easier by questioning who/what you arent. be frank with yourself, but accepting, and begin to get a clear picture of the things you do and dont like, the ways you do/dont like to be treated, how you like to be listened too, interacted with, ectect. in my experience, beginning to form compassion and respect for all aspects of yourself (particularly those you consider ‘ugly’ or ‘bad’) will make you less likely to abandon yourself in exchange for a performance thats designed to be more palatable/acceptable to other people. in taking steps to befriend yourself and respect your own right to exist, you will eventually begin to set boundaries (not barriers) that influence how people treat you because you will emanate a sense of self that sets the tone for not only how you want to be treated, but the treatment you refuse to accept (opposed to someone who lacks a sense of self and will therefore accept any treatment they are subjected too). 

by setting boundaries, i dont mean being detached or avoidant toward others, but rather opening channels of connection by asserting your preferences as an individual. its possible that your preferences may make you unpopular, or different and thus unlikable. but be open to being alone. i assure you that eventually you will attract your tribe, and that there will be people who embrace your differences (cause in reality its the ways that we are different that exalt us and set us apart by making us unique & in that special). [teal swan does really good workshops on this on youtube .. search her name and boundaries lol]. 

side note: i find that people who wear such masks (including myself) begin doing so subconsciously. usually as means to protect themselves from external factors (e.g someone continually disregarding their boundaries/ sense of self, or the feeling that they have been neglected) to such an extent that it becomes highly distressing or evokes a sense of inner, and sometimes outer, lack of security. its also something the individual usually feels powerless 2 change. sometimes, were so accustomed to those triggers that we arent even aware of what they are till they begin to probe deeper, and so we run off emotion our body is processing, but our mind has numbed itself too. i say that not to sound patronising (im sure u kno more about urself than i can assume from an ask) but because its very important to be patient and kind to yourself during this process. a lot of feelings will arise and its easy 2 get frustrated with yourself or even others whilst they do. but what your doing is effectively re-wiring your brain and body chemistry. so furstlyyy. remember that at each and every stage u deserve to be treated and treat yourself with kindness and compassion. most importantly even your most irrational feelings are valid and should be considered with sensitivity. secondly. allow yourself the time to get comfortable with these changes. if you feel the need to retreat and take a break, its better to do that than overwhelm yourself and regress. wearing this mask doesnt make u weak or morally/ethically less of a person. there is no state of perfection to reach, you are fine as you are. this journey is for you, & not to make you a product fit for the consumption of others.

sending you love xx

Hello! This is a question for the muse! Do you have any tips on creating an identity v oc?

This is a huge honor as I am considered to be the craziest person for creating ocs (according to Ems), so please allow me to introduce to the workshop-

Creating a IDV OC is quite difficult as you don't want them to come off as a Mary/Gary Sue without weaknesses, but you also want to make sure they sparkle in their most unique way! Brainstorming is one way to not overstress over the creation of an OC because you can always go back to it and make changes when needed. Here's an example~

These two ladies are from my other blog, @idv-ask-fragmentsofhappiness , and as you can see, there are little notes next to their first designs. These notes were made after I decided on their item, and little notations helped me with their buffs and debuffs! For example, Hala is going to carry presents of importance 24/7 and she needs to be careful with them so she vaults slower. Shiroi, on the other hand, vaults slower because she isn't used to being active on the whim.

Don't forget to brainstorm occupations that can affect the oc's personalities! Round 2 of examples~

@askidv-thelovers @stitchedstatic @idv-missionary @suns-wack-idv-ocs @ask-themaid-idv @idvthepatient

Belle is a wonderful example of personality as before she was playing her lovely viola/violin, she was our fabulous Barmaiden. She was an alcoholic with withdrawal probelms, but when it was announced that Demi was going to be the Barmaid, Belle transformed into an amazing violinist and though she is still somewhat an alcoholic, she is now recovering. Beautiful transition and storytelling - please, I need more lore Dal XD ♡

Another great example is Static's infamous chaotic duo, the Broadcaster and the Surgeon. Both tread the same story, but on opposite islands you can say. Alec is a well known broadcaster by his name "Alex" instead of his real name and fell in love with a hardworking woman striving to become a surgeon. Marriage seemed to be the icing on the cake, but then it was cut and shown to be poisonous. Nikola started to "fix" her patients in a series of numbering operations, and nearly succeeded when her husband told the world about her "kindness." Feeling betrayed, she carved the number 9 on Alec and hopes to fix him with Patient 08 someday. Okay, this is probably a terrible summary but the story is really intriguing and displays a lot of thought put into it. While sometimes information is shared behind the curtains, it is still seen that each side has their reasons and personal baggage for what they did. I would like to smite the bad people in their lives, pls *holds butterknife*

Okay, this one is a personal favorite and I won't spoil his story just yet because I want to respect his creator, the loveable Fluff. His story circles around the topic of religion and as seen by a few asks, it appears that Oliver does not get along with Fiona (and Eli - I might have to read it again dhdhd). With the addition of Ash (I will personally make him suffer), I just feel like the story is getting even more lullling in my opinion. The overall design and personality fit together like a PB and J sandwich! ♡

There are many ocs here, but each one has my personal love for them. Not only do they have wonderful stories (again, not spoiling them) and amazing personalities, but the fact that interactions with them could be fun or interesting (not saying that other ask blogs can't do this, interacting with Sun just has me giggling and wheezing 24/7)

I have so many words, but I don't know how to say them so I'll just say this. Extraordinary. The design wise of the Maid is just *blows a kiss into the air* a rose, and her personality is just something I resonate with a little bit. Her story is a wondrous journey (im uh,,, still trying to catch up dhdhdhs) and I really suggest checking this person out. The mun has an amazing story right now and it would be better if you checked her out because I can't put this love into words.

This is another piece of advice that I carried with me along the way, and I hope it helps you as you design an OC. Get Feedback. I know that there are times where you share your oc in their early drafts and ask for feedback, only to receive comments such as "they're so bad, why are you even trying" or "this is garbage, delete this". I can't tell you it won't happen as it did commence for me, but this is a little trick I have for getting past that. Knowing which opinions actually helps and being surrounded by people who want to help you. This is an important part of designing a IDV OC because you want them to fit in the universe and feel great about them! Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up to that goal is one sometimes many souls forget. And the feedback of others should be helpful critiques, not plain out hate comments! Here's an example

Good Critique vs Hateful "Critiques"

Good Critque Example : luckyninibirb - "I like how she's fleshed out to be a supporter, but I feel like one of her traits is overpowered due to the fact that she can pretty dodge the hunter at any time."

Hateful "Critique" Example: luckyninibirb - "She's such a mary sue! Are you even trying to make a good oc? Or is this just a joke?"

Oh! It's okay if your character has personal flaws and their backstory is simple or complex. It'll just make them sparkle out more actually! This is pretty much all I have to give right now. You're welcome to come in my DMs if you need anything, and don't feel scared to ask the other ask blogs for help! Thanks for asking! ♡

Kings Trip Ch. 10

A/N So I’m only 36 hours late. But I hope y’all enjoy anyway. I had fun trying to right for Erik. Let me know how I did. This series has been amazing and I hope to continue being apart of collaborations in the future. Love all of you all!

Chapter 1 ( @sisterwifeudaku )| Chapter 2 ( @blackandfair )| Chapter 3 ( @royallyprincesslilly )| Chapter 4 ( @eerythingisshaka)| Chapter 5 ( @katasstrophey )| Chapter 6 ( @blublubleu )| Chapter 7 ( @dramaqueenamby )| Chapter 8 ( @kumkaniudaku ) | Chapter 9 ( @muse-of-mbaku)|

Next writer up is..... @mbakusthrone

Now where both of y’all niggas going?” Erik frowned as the two put the last finish in touches on their outfits. “I thought we could try to hit up the strip club again. Now that Nakia is gone.” He suggested.

“I’m going to see Max.” T’Challa replied,double checking the way his shirt fell open just below his jacket. “I have got a date with Muse.” M'Baku shrugged. “Wait. This nigga just got out of a one sided relationship,” the prince pointed at the king. “And yo barking ass just saw the same woman this morning. And y’all both pussywhipped niggas in less than 24 hours.” The prince slumped onto the couch observing the two men gather in their things to leave.

“Maybe you could go to this strip club, by yourself?” M’Baku shrugged. “Nigga. Y’all forgot why we here? It’s a Kings trip!”

“Well I only see two kings in the room right now,” M’Baku remarked. “If yo gorilla looking ass make one more smart assed remark,” Erik fumed. “Hey,Hey!” T’Challa held his cousin back. “This is why we are on this trip in the first place. We are here to bond. And Erik is right. We should be doing more together. So let’s compromise. Mbaku and I go out tonight. Then, everyone has to choose a group activity. Starting with the strip club.” T’Challa offered.

Erik huffed his assent and shrugged out of his cousins hold. M’Baku also nodded begrudgingly as he rose from the couch. “Good. N’Jadaka, we will be back later. Try to get out of the hotel.” The Wakandan king suggested.

The African prince trudged into the kitchen. Sighing he glanced at the fridge before noticing a small flyer taped to the door with a note, scrawled in T’Challa’s hand. Some of the students from the outreach center are participating in a poetry slam tonight. From what I have heard of this competition, I thought you might like to go. -T.

Erik unfolded the flyer from behind the handwritten note and glanced over the paper in his hand.

Monthly open mic featuring the Oakland Team

Admission is $5 to support the team’s journey to Brave New Voices. 6:30 @ Frenchie’s Bar and Grill.

“So little niggas think they got game? A’ight. I respect that.” Erik chuckled as he slipped the flyer into his pocket. He grabbed his keys and his wallet and jogged out the door.

The small restaurant was packed full of friends in family. Applause drifted out in to the night air as a poet walked off the stage.The young prince took a seat at the back of the small restaurant as you woman walked up to the stage. Thank you, Thank you all for joining us tonight!” the black woman beamed as her ankara print skirt swished around her ankles. “Thank you to the lovely Danielle for opening as our sacrificial poet tonight. Now I know this is not our usual venue, but the school auditorium is finally undergoing some much needed repairs. Thanks to the Wakandan Outreach center. So Tina and her team here at Frenchie’s has graciously opened their doors up to us for the time being and for that we are all grateful.” The M.C. took a moment to pause and begin a round of applause . The slight swell of her lips as she spoke into the microphone drew Erik’s attention as she continued. “Now we have just a few ground rules for tonight’s performances. This is an open space, where youth feel free to share their experiences. So we ask that you respect everyone and their experience. There is no right or wrong way to express oneself, unless it harms others.”

The prince’s eyes were drawn to her hands as the gestured wildly, making every movement she completed capture the full attention of her audience. Her smile almost blinded the prince as his ears fell back into focus. “And our last rule is to have fun and enjoy yourselves and the immense talent that these children have. With that, our first poet of the night is Deshawn. Please give him a warm round of applause as he makes his way to the stage.” The woman’s skirt swished around her as she moved towards the back of the room.

Erik followed her with his eyes before moving to stand next to her. She glanced up once before her eyes returned to the child on the stage. “Erik,” the prince whispered extending a hand. “Ah, the local rags to riches story. Oni, the kids call me Ms.O.” The black woman’s smile gleamed from behind her brown lips.

“You know who I am?” He smirked. “Who in Oakland hasn’t heard of you. Local kid, graduated with honors. Went to MIT, top of your class. When off and became a top military agent. Then more recently, a crown prince of Wakanda. In line for the throne hypothetically. You’re every little Oakland boy’s dream.” The woman shrugged, glancing down at her list as the young poet began to close.

“You don’t seem impressed,” Erik smirked. “As far as I’m concerned. You still just another nigga from the block.” Oni smirked.

Erik’s grin stretched miles wide as she went back on to stage. The young poets came and went as the night went on.

How’s the show? T’Challa’s message buzzed on his wrist. It’s dope. Thanks for letting me know.

No problem. Enjoy.😊T’Challa’s response was instantaneous. Nigga, don’t ever use that emoji again. Erik replied.

Why not? I am just displaying my appreciation.

“This nigga,” Erik muttered as his attention fluttered back to the end of the show. “Thank you all for coming. We host weekly workshops and performance opportunities. So join us every Tuesday at the community center. Get home safely and remember. You. Are. Loved. Goodnight!” Oni’s voice rang out over the studio as people began to filter out.

A few kids hung behind to talk to Oni before heading out themselves. Erik waited patiently as the last of the kids left. He startled the brown skinned woman as he placed a chair on the table beside her. “So you’re a ‘you can take the man out of Oakland, but you can’t take Oakland out of the man’ type of woman?”

“I guess you could say that,” the poet grinned while moving to another table. “What if I said I could show you more than you can imagine?” Erik offered. “I’d say, I don’t walk around alone with strangers.”

“What if I don’t want to be a stranger?” The Wakandan prince stopped moving. Oni took a deep breath, ignoring his suggestions. “I’ve really got to get home your highness.” she joked moving to grab her things. Oni walked around double checking lights as she called out a goodbye to The kitchen crew. “Ok, it’s late. How you gettin’ home?” Erik insisted. “I’m just gonna call an lyft or something. I’ll figure it out” the blackwoman shrugged as she strolled towards the front door.

“Let me figure it out for you. I’ll take you home,” he offered jingling his car keys as the vibranium car glowed. “Just because you got a fancy car, that probably cost more money than i’ll ever see in my lifetime, dont mean im gonna let you drive me home. You still just another nigga from the block.” the woman sassed opening the lyft app. “Look, tell you what. I’ll have my guard ride with us.” he offered.

“Why, so there can be two men in the car?” the woman deadpanned. “Hard pass.”

“Look ma. How much do you actually know about Wakanda?” the prince grabbed the phone from her grasp. “Negro give me my phone!” Oni hissed. “Just answer the question and I’ll give you the phone.” Erik bartered. “Ok, All I know is y’all rich and black.Now give me the phone!” Oni fumed as Erik held the phone above him where she couldn’t reach it.

“Erik!”

“I like the way my name sounds on yo lips ma.” the prince grinned. “Say it again.” Oni bit back a grin as she pouted. “Just give me the phone please.” Erik laughed, “You gotta say my name for it princess.” Oni sighed, “Just give me the phone Erik, please.”

Erik play moaned as he pulled the phone back into reach. Oni punched his shoulder as she closed the app for now. “Let me show you something different ok? Look, I’ll have Ayo come down here and if you still feel uncomfortable with her then I’ll have a car come take you home. Ok?” Oni sighed reluctantly as Erik called for Ayo.

“Your guard is a woman?” The woman questioned as Ayo appeared from around the corner. “Yeah the royal family’s personal guards are all female in Wakanda. Dora Milaje, the most elite group of warriors in Wakanda.” Erik explained. “More elite than the men?” Oni inquired. “Yeah, they can whoop your ass in a heartbeat.” Erik only half joked as Ayo approached. “Sikhulu wam,” Ayo saluted. “ Ayo, Oni here is worried about riding home with me alone in the car. I was wondering if you would ride with us to calm her nerves,’ Erik explained in his overly clear voice. “njengoko kufanele abe,” Ayo nodded. “As you should be,” the woman flawlessly translated.

“She’s kidding,” Erik reassured as he lead the way to the car.

Once everyone was settled into the car, Erik pulled off down the street, in the wrong direction. “Negro, my apartment is the other direction.”

“I know, we’ll make it there,eventually.” Erik grinned. “Eventually?” Oni shot up. “Chill ma. I just wanna get to know you. Since you know so much about me.” Erik clarified. “What’s there to know about me? The kids are my life. Parents died when I was younger. My aunt who raised me was killed in a drive by last year.” Oni shrugged.

“Damn, I’m sorry O.” Erik frowned as he pulled onto another street. “How much money the kids need to raise for that voices thing?” Erik asked once the traffic light hit green. “Huh?” Oni fell out of her day dream. “The flyer? It said yall we charging admission so the kids could compete later this year. “Oh yeah. It’s a national and international poetry slam. We’ve got a really good group of kids this year. But you know, parents trying to make ends meet, doesn’t usually mean they can spare money for a hotel rooms and meals. We like to give the kids some spending money too. It’s not often they get to get out of this community. We like to reward them, for staying out of trouble. It’s hard when trouble stares at you from every corner, ya know?”

Erik pulled to a stop in front of Oni’s apartment building. “Let me walk you up,” Erik hopped out of the car and opened the door for the woman. They walked in silence up the stairs together. “Can I see you again soon?” Oni finally broke the silence when they stopped in front of her door.

Erik grinned “Ah, you want to see me again?” Oni let a matching grin slide over her face. “Don’t get cocky nigga.” Oni laughed, “You are different Erik.” she conceded with a smile on her face. “You’ve got no idea ma.” Erik grinned as he pulled the woman into a hug.

“I guess i better go,” Oni gestured to her door. “Yeah. Good night,” Erik pouted. “I’ll see you soon, the woman smiled sadly, pushing open her door. “See you soon,” Erik saluted as he walked backwards down the hall. He waited till he heard her deadbolt click before he walked back out to the car.

He settled into the car, where Ayo was smiling from the back seat. “I like her,” the warrior grinned through the rear view mirror. “I feel like a having a burger, You want one A?” Erik ignored her comment as he pulled off. But his smile said it all.

Tags:

@blackandfair @blublubleu @katasstrophey @mbakusthrone @njadont @k-michaelis @wakandanmoonchild @idilly @texasbama @afraiddreamingandloving @ixan-ity @daytimeheroicsonly @onyour-right @brianabreeze @sisterwifeudaku @ironsquad @killmongerdispussy @90sinspiredgirl @willowtree77785901 @maynardqueen101 @heyauntieeee @halfrican-heat @purple-apricots @lalapalooza718 @blue-ishx @profilia @ljstraightnochaser @girl-wtf-lmao @dramaqueenamby @royallyprincesslilly @melaninmarvel @thiccdaddy-mbaku @lavitabella87 @purplehairgawdess @unholyxcumbucket @uhlxis @oshasimone @maliadestiny @drsunshine97 @cozyshack2 @zxddy-panther @queentearra @skysynclair19 @retro-melanin @mermaidchansons @misspooh @melanisticroyalty @babygirlofwakanda @wakanda-4evr

Happy Doctor’s Day to all the physicians, medical students, and aspiring physicians out there. 😄😄😄 I am so grateful to finally be here, doing what I love, and learning amazing things each and every day; for the most part lol 🤣🤣🤣. And I am so honored to be joining such a great profession. 😊😊😊 This picture means so much. A few weeks ago, my school’s Medical Students For Choice Interest Group in collaboration with the @rwjms_fm Family Medicine Faculty put on a ‘Papaya Workshop.’ In these workshops, first and second year medical students are taught how to insert an IUD (intrauterine device which is a form of long term contraception), how to perform a vaginal speculum exam (shoutout to my model named the ‘Zoey’ lol 🤣🤣🤣), and how to perform a drainage and curettage, using papayas as a model. For those of you that may not know, I actually worked as a clinical research coordinator in OB-GYN research at @einsteinmed & Jacobi medical center in the Bronx, NYC for 4 years on an NIH grant looking at the underlying mechanisms of premature labor in minority women research study. That was the first of the 3 jobs I held during my bazillion gap years. To date, that position is still my most favorite and most meaningful of my gap years jobs. 😁😁😁 I really loved my research team. I received numerous publications, grew as a leader, and created infrastructures still seen today. That is where my passion for women’s health, academic medicine, and my resolve to bridge the gap in health inequities further grew in addition to solidifying my commitment to medicine (lol I sound like a secondary application again 🤣🤣🤣). There were so many days where the OB-GYN clinic was understaffed by physicians and midwives and one of my PI’s (primary investigator in research), named Annie, a badass midwife, professor, and leader, would joke around that she wished that I was a physician already, so that she could go send me into the OB-GYN clinic to go see some patients and help alleviate shortage. 🥺🥺🥺 So as you can tell, learning how to do a speculum exam on the ‘Zoey’ meant all the more to me. ❤️❤️❤️ And don’t worry Annie; Im coming back for you one day. 🥰🥰🥰 (at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbwLcUbOp_q/?utm_medium=tumblr

i was tagged by the lovely @younghyuuns and @jahehyung !! thank u guys 💌

rules: once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 92 truths about you. at the end choose 25 people to be tagged (25 is so many nfdnjs

last:

drink: water stay hydrated and healthy folks

phone call: my frond

text message: ‘i just saw this lmao’

song you listened to: bach cello suite no.1 in g hdhshhajs

time you cried: late december..

have you ever:

dated someone twice: no

been cheated on: no

kissed someone and regretted it: nah

lost someone special: yes

been depressed: never been diagnosed

been drunk and thrown up: nah

in the past year have you:

made a new friend: yeah!

fallen out of love: sggahd yeah

laughed until you cried: hmm probably?

met someone who changed you: i suppose

found out who your true friends are: hm i guess?

found out someone was talking about you: ? nah

general:

how many people on tumblr do you know in real life?: only my sis knows about my blogs.. but i do know that some of my friends use tumblr theyre just not kpoppies

do you have any pets?: no………………………….

do you want to change your name?: yeah when i was younger but only to dumb shortened versions of my name nsjsjkak

what time did you wake up this morning: 12….

what were you doing last night: making gfx and trying to draw

name something you cannot wait for: uni to start bc im bored but i also dont want it to start bc uni

have you ever talked to a person named tom?: i dont recall

what’s getting on your nerves right now: things i make not turning out how i want them to look

blood type: o

nickname: ging is a nickname :^)

relationship status: never dated

zodiac sign: cancer sun capricorn moon also if anyone knows how to read charts and doesnt mind i would love to know what the hell mine says about me bc u know that ‘i dont know ____ and at this point im too afraid to ask’ meme? thats me with astrology

pronouns: she/her

favorite show: dirk gently is the latest one that ive loved

college: ?? whats the question here? im majoring in education and minoring in tesol if thats whats being asked

hair color: black

do you have a crush on someone: thank god not anymore

what do you like about yourself: lordt… idk. im patient?

firsts:

first surgery: never been

first piercing: my ears were pierced when i was a baby

first sport you joined: ballet?

first vacation: cant remember

first pair of sneakers: ??? probably converse?

right now:

eating: chocolate

drinking: h2o

i’m about to: work on a new project

listening to: beethoven’s moonlight sonata nsdfjsj im listening to the hyouka ost ok

want kids: nnnnnnNNNnnn maybe?

get married: tbh i wouldnt mind not being married if i ever get a partner

career: sheepherder in iceland who paints and has their dog as a muse and i get instagram famous enough to be able to afford trips to america or venice where i do workshops, ideally

which is better:

lips or eyes: eyes

hugs or kisses: both :-(

shorter or taller: taller lol i regret being short

older or younger: older

romantic or spontaneous: spontaneously romantic

sensitive or loud: bboth

hookup or relationship: relationship sighs

troublemaker or hesitant: hesitant tbh

have you ever:

kissed a stranger: nop

drank hard liquor: yeah once (1)

lost contacts/glasses: omg i lost my glasses when i went paintballing with my family and it was so sndfnawgnnk

sex on first date: no

broken someone’s heart: lol i doubt

been arrested: no

turned someone down: nah

fallen for a friend: nah

do you believe:

in yourself: abdbfjasfhangas

miracles: ? sure i guess

love at first sight: …not really

tagging @wormbebe @theday @astrofireworks @sanhatation @cha-eunwoow @myngbin  💘💓💗🌺

Reflection | Workshop 2

 4th June 2020 | online workshop | 6 people - Group discussion 

Part 1 : Word Based

Activity 1 : State one quality about ourselves 

Some of the words I got where - Patient , joyful, calm & patient, indecisive 

Activity 2 : Pick ONE word out of FIVE

Player 1

1. umbrella - protected and safe 2. Water - calm and composed. I’m okay to go with the flow most times 3. can opener - I picked can opener because I can find solutions. 

Player 2

1.Music box - because I’m entertaining  2. Rainbow - it brightens the sky on a rainy day and I’m feeling hopeful right now 3. Door - feels like it allows people to come in. I am welcoming. 

Player 3

1.Ball - because I do things around sports and in a way, the ball can go in any direction.  2. Sand - it can take whatever shape you put it into  3. Stairway - I think theres no final point in my life. I think theres always something work in progress. 

Player 4 

1.Tree bark - because I’m grounded 2. Waterfall - I relate to waterfall because I’m very emotional.  3. Cloud - I am very moody - somedays grey and somedays white and my name itself means cloud

Player 5 

1. 2. Pillow - soft and cuddly. And in general its the best thing ever. I am the best shit ever. 3.  ocean  - I found ocean appropriate. Its very vast and its very deep and its also pretty dark. And its something I can relate my imagination to. And you know how some people are really scared of exploring the depths of the ocean. And its also a lot of pressure to take.  

Player 6

1.Rock - hard exterior  2. Waves - calm, it can be soothing sea and it can be a tsunami. extremes.  3. Shadow - its dark as I am in a lot of things that I think of. I can match peoples energy - I can imitate them. 

Activity 3 : You get ONE word, find a connection 

Slightly more challenging because you get one word and you must find a way to associate with it 

Player 1 

Boat - The way I could relate to the word I got is - well a boat can sail. I think if you know how to do it properly then you can withstand harsher waters. If you are comfortable and then you can handle it. If Im prepared about a situation if its tricky or difficult, I can handle it a lot better. 

Player 2

Thorn - I can be hurtful. I can get angry. I can also protect the flower. 

Player 3

Sharpener - I dont like to see anything negative in a person or even me. In my relationships, there are lots of things which are very different about them - id say for them. Some id change for me and some for them. I’m always looking to sharpen my skills and change relationships for the better

Player 4

Chair - my word was chair. I associate with it because I give people comfort so if someone comes to me, I do provide comfort. But it also stands on four feet. So I feel like my support system keeps me stable and that intern helps me to provide comfort to people. 

Player 5

Night - I feel like on one side, experiencing a really pretty night. I fee like I can empathise with people and provide comfort and on the other hand the night can also get terrors. The dark fucked up thoughts and depression that comes with it. A flip side thing. 

Player 6

Rain - it can be harsh and moody in a way. But also calming when you’re inside the house so it can have two different sides of a coin. 

Activity 4 : Draw metaphors for yourself 

At this point player 5 said how it was easier to draw the metaphor and it was a bit challenging to sit and word the drawing correctly. 

Player 1 - “ill never have enough of my blue crayon”

It means if there something or a person that gives me comfort, I wouldn’t lose that person and try really hard to keep them in my life. A thing or a hobby. Ill do everything I can make sure to have it in my life

“happy as a pig” trying to be positive and be happy with whatever situation. theres no point in being unhappy with given situations. 

Player 2- an open door with rainbow - an open door to happiness 

Player 3  - I took my words sharpener and sand  “harder, better, sharper, stronger” I’ve also drawn a sand watch. It takes the form of anything. I feel like theres always something missing, something is constantly happening. 

Player 4 -  so I made clouds because I’m really moody. And I drew the few people who always deal with my moods. 

Player 5 - drew an ocean - part of the ocean is beautiful and the bottom has dark elements ( a treasure chest, a piranha, a whale, a dead person. Also drew a book - but then once you know me I go on non stop. And the whisk is because I create. Its one of my tools and my little universe. And the rings remind me of the planetary movement. 

Maybe I can ask Player 5 to elaborate the new components she added and if there was any symbolic value to any of them.  

Player 6 - I mixed all elements. I drew a shadow version of the drawing. One where I create my own problems and then me trying to protect others from theirs. I just put a rock in there just because and I added a storm. Its a duality. 

At this point I also shared a few of my own - Tea pot , Music box , Egg 

I noticed during this activity that some people used words and images . So their words complimented their drawings. 

A challenge I faced during these workshops is how sometimes people brought in borrowed meanings into their objects. Like if an object reminded them of something someone said or did and it has some impact on them. Then they added that meaning into their story. Weaving it. 

This exercise didn’t necessarily add more value. Most people seemed to repeat their metaphors - only in some more detail. 

My follow up question to the players would be - did this exercise help build up and clean out the metaphors - make them more clear or was it just a repetition of expression - giving your thought a visual form?

Part 2 : Theme Based

Activity 1: State one quality for a tree

I asked people to give one quality to a tree. I now see that people applied some of these qualities when they were later asked to find similarities with the tree.

Activity 2 : If you were a tree, what would you look like

When I asked people to draw a tree that represents them - some people went into creating a version that would be ideal but which may not necessarily fit where they are in life - there was also imagination that came into play. 

Player 5 focused on her tree being able to give to the animal community 

Player 2 drew a tree that he found inspiring 

Player 1 emphasised how important it was to be stable and strong 

I think people focused on the “if you were” a lot more than if you were a tree, then what kind.

Activity 3: if this group of people are a single tree, what part would you be?

Player 1 said she would be the branch, she feels like she can support people but not as much as the bark would. 

Player 2 I would be the leaves because they are visually pleasing, they are calming and they are just hanging there. Taking in the sunlight

Player 3 I think I’m really like the roots , ike it absorbs the water, the foundation for the tree. The stronger and better the roots the better the tree grows

Player 5  for me id be the little hole in the bark because I fee like the older I grow the more I need this sense of home and feeling of belonging somewhere. Having a little shell to call my own. 

Player 4 I think id be the fruit because I think I’m sweet. 

Player 6 I picked a single leaf - I see us all as a group and all of us as single leaves. In a broader sense, a part of a whole - nothing standing out, nothing standing out but it makes a part of a group. 

Activity 4 : Pick a tree you most associate with. At this point I showed images of different trees. 

Player 1 picked a autumn tree because of the warmth

Player 2  went on the visually appealing one

Player 4  picked the one with fruits - because it looks similar to my tree that I drew

Player 6 picked two. First one because it was similar to the ideas and the drawing I drew.

Player 5 picked the one with fruits. Giving and inviting. The tree with green mush - a safe environment with other trees. 

Interestingly, player 5 was able to build onto the image of the tree and imagine what surrounds it. 

Player 3  picked the fruit one and the one above the autumn tree. Nishant says he has a lot to give - it doesn’t come right away, it takes a while. And in the other image - the surrounding of the tree impacted the tree. Seems adventurous - on a hill. 

Activity 5 : Make metaphorical portraits ( with new or old metaphors + physical attributes, if you like)

People did have fun making their metaphorical portraits but I think its because this group is very creative and involved in creativity hence they were more patient. 

(Some of the portraits can be found on the blog)

Overall Feedback 

Player 3 says, “ my eyes gravitated for things I was already thinking of” when it came to picking a tree.

Player 5 said she already had an idea for the tree and then I had to pick and choose. 

Player 5 said that when I gave her a word, she was able to talk about it and visualise. But when I gave an image, she had to compromise and make it fit. 

Player 3 said that some of the things people tend to draw are very specific to how we’ve been taught to draw them - like trees. For someone who isn’t much into arts. They might choose to draw a simplified tree that they are trained to draw.

Player 2 felt like although the activities were fun and the session was engaging. He didn’t really get a metaphor out of it at the end of the day

Player 6 suggested to - Give people one word and see how all people interpret it. 

Player 3 suggested that I test concepts 

Player 4 said that we are designers. We can think of things to associate with. Its harder for people who aren’t designers. 

I got suggestions to test this with an older audience and younger audience 

Player 3 said that people who are much older face different types of challenges and face mid life crises. Their responses could be irrational or bizarre. From a younger crowd, I did expect a lot of creativity but with an older audience that would change things. 

Player 4 said that she didn’t realise that a certain object could encompass the things I felt. I knew the overlying feelings but I didn’t visually associated it with anything. 

Overall Reflections

At times there was a focus on what I want to be as opposed to what I am 

Drawing the tree impacted picture selection. 

The creative background of this group may have impacted the workshop

The outcome may not have been entirely clear even with the creative bits 

People found it engaging and fun. 

People love to hear other peoples perspective on things 

Providing visuals can be very limiting when you start with people trying to give a glimpse of their imagination. 

The age might affect the creative output. And if the people are conditioned to think in a creative way.