#looking for models to promote our line | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

missmielyhoran · 1 year

Text

Daddy (4)

in which Y/N's daughter accidentally calls Harry daddy and the whole world goes crazy...

Face claim- Dakota Johnson

Masterlist

liked by Harryfan1, Harryfan4, Harryfan2 and 5,987,021 others

harrystyles Chunky loved mum's farm a bit too much I fear. @/yourinstagram we would have to move.

View all comments.

Harryfan1 WHAT. THE. FUCK

Jeffazoff HARRY🤦

Harryfan3 Was this supposed to be on his private account?

Yourinstagram Harry wrong account! wrong account!

Harryfan2 Holy shit

~~~~~~~~~~~~ this post was deleted ~~~~~~~~~~~~

On twitter-

Harryfan1 Did you guys see that, or did I dreamt it?

505 likes 21 quote retweets 30 retweets 45 comments

Harryfan2 Oh no, I definitely saw that

Harryfan3 It was meant to be on his personal account, which means he has more posts like this😭

Y/Nfan1 Jeff probably got a heart attack lmao💀

*****

liked by harrystyles, Yourinstagram, Y/Nfan3 and 5,987,120 others

Zendaya Happiest birthday to my best friend, my sister and my twin flame! I love you and Mimi so much<33

View all comments.

Y/Nfan1 Happy birthday bestie💕

Yourinstagram Stop I love you too😭❤️

Harryfan1 Okay but her outfit😩🤌

Y/Nfan3 Harry we can see you liking her pictures. It was posted 2 minutes ago! get a grip💀

*****

harrystyles story-

*****

On twitter-

Harryfan2 He said hbd ily😭😭😭 god me when?!

906 likes 201 retweets 112 quote retweets 99 comments

Harryfan1 Sleeping on the highway tonight😭

Harryfan2 I'm bringing sleeping bags😭

Harryfan3 Take me too😭

*****

liked by Y/Nfan1, Y/Nfan2, Harryfan1 and 985,225 others

DailyMail 'As it was' singer, Harry Styles spotted with model Y/N Y/L/N and her daughter at Disneyland on model's birthday. Is this a new flourishing relationship or just a tactic by their management to promote the model's new line of clothing brand?

View all comments.

Y/Nfan1 Fuck off DailyMail

Harryfan1 Mimi looks so cute🥺

Harryfan2 her sister is wearing tpwk hoodie aww

Y/Nfan3 Harry better treat her right or there will be roit

Harryfan4 Fake!

liked by Yourinstagram, annetwist, Y/Nfan3 and 7,987,125 others

harrystyles Home❤️

View all comments.

Harryfan1 H😭O😭M😭E😭

Harryfan2 god me when?

Yourinstagram 🏡❤️

Y/Nfan1 Our ship sailed guys😌

Annetwist Enjoy kids!

liked by Annetwist, Yourinstagram, Jeffazoff and 34 others

dottycatlookalike Good night

View all comments.

Annetwist Oh she's so cute❤️

GemmaStyles This account gives me anxiety cause your post go from cute baby posts to possibly posting a nude

dottycatlookalike that was one time! on accident!

Yourinstagram Thank you for the wonderful day H! I can't believe I found you❤️

dottycatlookalike I can't believe I found you both❤️

liked by Zendaya, harrystyles, Y/Nfan3 and 8,765,998 others

Yourinstagram Thank you for the best birthday ever! ily. goodnight❤️

View all comments.

Y/Nfan1 oh to be harry styles

Harryfan1 Look at Harry and mimi🥺

harrystyles Prettiest❤️

Y/Nfan2 @/harrystyles can you fight?

Harryfan3 they're cute I take everything back😭

Zendaya Sexy😩

liked by Y/Nfan1, Y/Nfan3, Harryfan2 and 7,986,435 others

Vogue "Yes, we are dating but there is no rush. Emilia (her daughter) adores Harry like crazy. If we're not hanging out she be hanging on my shoulders asking when we're going to meet him and he loves her the same. Always spoiling her with different food and gifts, if she asks for anything he be up at 3 a.m. to make it for her." The model laughed talking about her and her daughter's relationship with singer and actor Harry Styles.

View all comments.

Harryfan1 He gets up at 3 a.m. to make food for Mimi🥺

Harryfan2 Dadrry strikes again!

Y/Nfan1 she looked so good in this photoshoot🥵

Harryfan3 everyone thank mimi for calling Harry daddy cause now we get this😌

*****

And the end

Taglist- @venomsvl @samanddeaninatrenchcoat @harryspirate @iamahallucinationnn

Please Like, Comment and Reblog!

Talk to me here♡ the requests are closed for now

#harry styles #harry styles x reader #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry styles writing #harry styles angst #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles one shot #harry styles fanfic #harry styles x y/n #harry styles fake instagram #harry styles fake social media #harry styles fake ig #model!reader #harry styles x single mom #mom!reader #dadrry

590 notes · View notes

a-d-nox · 11 months

Text

web of wyrd: the bottom-most number, your primary karmic lesson and the root chakra

the number we are focusing on today is based on the SUM OF YOUR PUBLIC ENERGY NUMBER, HIGHEST SELF NUMBER, AND YOUR DESTINY NUMBER - ex: as you see above, my number is 21 (9 + 10 + 2 -> 21). recall that numbers must be summed a second time if they total 23 (i.e. 2 + 3 -> 5) and above.

but what does this number mean?

this number represents our root chakra as well as our main karmic lesson. the root chakra is the first chakra we must unblock in order to work on the next chakra(s). when the root chakra is blocked people experience fear, anxiety, uncertainty, difficulty sleeping, constipation, fluctuations in weight, weakened immune system, fatigue, feeling unsafe in your environment, negativity, and/or doubt in your existence on earth. these are the first tasks you must face to move forward in this lifetime, thus they tend to be karmic issues leftover from past lives.

so let's talk about some examples:

8 - strength

rider-waite's strength card depicts a woman in white adorn in a flower belt and crown. she stares down at the noble lion while closing it's hungry mouth. the woman and her lion can be paralleled to the mythical characters persephone and cerberus. the card alludes to a perviously discussed card with flowers and an infinity symbol overhead - the magician. the two's reappearance illustrates worldly (the flowers) and spiritual (the infinite symbol over her head) abundance. she appreciates this abundance presently, as she does not face any given side of the card but rather faces the lion and corrects its gluttonous mouth. the lion appears ever happy to obey her maternal touch as it appears as docile as a domesticated animal - almost dog like. she models for the viewer that internal peace and self-confidence has the power to promote external peace in the world presently around her.

blocked 8s often have a lack of self confidence and may experience social anxiety. they may not trust themselves or their own body. oftentimes these people experience a moment in time where their body does not do what they wish it would. this can be something heredity, like a gene mutation that causes blood clotting or something along the lines of lupus - the point is that they tend to not trust their own bodies. they are thus less likely to trust themselves around others - fearing they might look weak and incapable. they often shut themselves in, embrace the feelings of being weak, and feel uncomfortable with being vulnerable around others.

enlightened 8s believe that they can be better and that they can overcome anything that keeps them down. they trust that they can handle anything that the world throws at them. they believe they can overcome any internal or external issues that arise - they face their fears without hiding from the speculation of others. they continue to proceed through each of life's various levels no matter how hard they may become. they aren't afraid to be vulnerable and seek help when needed.

the karmic lesson of 8s tends to originate in a lifetime in which they were overly prideful of their life. they may have been reckless and thought themselves invulnerable to the world around them. and more importantly, they could have thought they were invulnerable to the people around them - they could have been a cold individual who didn't mind hurting those who trusted them entirely and now they are set in this lifetime to be the person who must be vulnerable with others.

17 - the star

click here for the card description of the star found in a prior wyrd web post.

blocked 17s feel disconnected from the divine and often lack faith in the world around them. they suffer from a lack of hope which often causes them weakened immune systems or other health (mental or physical) issues. their mindset tends to control their life for the worst. they often don't trust others enough to be in their personal, intimate environment. they feel uncertain when creating because their inspiration tends to waver. it is their pessimism towards the world around them that keeps them down.

enlightened 17s, though they may feel like they do not belong, do have hope that they will find their people and they will persevere. they raise the spirits of those around them and inspire them with their confidence. they let creativity overtake them whenever it arises, not letting slumps bog them down or discourage them. they are often dealt a poor hand when it comes to health, but they don't let that stop them from believing they will get better

17s karmic lesson often comes from being someone in a pastlife who believed in nothing and trusted no one. they may have harmed others or discouraged them from believing in change and thus are "meant" to feel the pain they dealt others in this lifetime. they could have also (or alternatively) have been someone who was overly boastful about their talents and gifts and thus are meant to experience frequent blocks in this lifetime.

21 - the world

the depiction of the world, in rider-waite smith's deck, depicts a nude woman floating in the heavens surrounded by a laurel wreath - a greek symbol of victory. many cards are alluded to in this single one. her legs are in the akimbo position of the hanged man - showing that at the end of a journey we are, yet again, found at a crossroads as to what comes next. in the corners are the icons of the fixed signs of astrology that can be found in the wheel of fortune card. and the double-ended candles of the magician - showing the gained spiritual wisdom she has accrued. she glances over her shoulder showing her acknowledgement of this pervious journey but her hips angle her body to carry her forward to the future.

blocked 21s fear the ending of things and the future - they often have control issues. they aren't often willing to accept that the ending has come and gone. they experience a great deal of negativity when they lack-closure in a situation or have delayed gratification. they are prone to slipping into depressive states as they are the least willing to let go of how things once were.

enlightened 21s affirm themselves and provide themselves with their own closure without fear of what could be or could have been. they are ready for adventure and eager to seek it out. they humbly accept the reward(s) their pervious experiences provided them with. they celebrate their own wins - validating their own experiences and existence without needing to receive such from others.

the karmic lesson of 21s tends to be from a pastlife in which they were miserly and got in their own way. they were obsessed with keeping what they had and being celebrated/praised by others. they are now forced in this lifetime to often succeed in one facet of life and get pushed into the next phase without assurance from the world around them. they have to award themselves. they have to justify what they are doing and provide closure solely to themselves without external validation from others.

that's all for today. the next number we will be looking at is number in the center of the matrix.

like what you read? leave a tip and state what post it is for! please use my "suggest a post topic." button if you want to see a specific pac/pile next! if you'd like my input on how i read a specific card or what i like to ask my deck, feel free to use the ask button for that as well.

click here for the masterlist

click here for more web of wyrd related posts

want a personal reading? click here to check out my reading options and prices!

157 notes · View notes

elonomhblog · 22 hours

Text

oral hygiene

perhaps since i am a bit younger than most of the people on this app, or since my nana had owned a kindergarten, i am so aware of the importance of hygiene and health practices. i feel that everyone has put simple things like this on the back burner, since covid, since the internet's takeover.

i remember, when i was younger (2015/16ish) (note: i clearly wasn't in kindergarden at the time, but this is when the memories are from), the halls of my nanas kindergarten were lined with posters that encouraged parents to look after their child's health. current kindergartens, and parents--perhaps due to technology and widespread knowledge-- prioritize other things. it's about time we took responsibility of our own health again.

oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and disease-free. it involves brushing and flossing your teeth as well as visiting your dentist regularly for dental x-rays, exams and cleanings.

brushing your teeth: ✩ use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay (cavities). fluoride strengthens the tooth's hard outer surface (enamel). ✩ angle the bristles toward the gumline to clean between the gums and teeth. ✩ brush gently using small, circular motions. avoid scrubbing back and forth too hard. ✩ brush all sides of each tooth, including your tongue. ✩ replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn.

HOT TIP: if you get bored with, or struggle to remember brushing your teeth, consider swapping to a minter (or other pleasantly flavoured) toothpaste. this will encourage you to continue the habit, since it is more enjoyable.

flossing your teeth: ✩ plaque can build up between teeth, leading to gum irritation and gingivitis. ✩ floss daily to remove plaque from these areas. ✩ if plaque hardens into tartar, only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove it.

replacing your toothbrush: ✩ as you use your toothbrush, the bristles gradually wear down. bent or frayed bristles lose their stiffness and effectiveness in cleaning your teeth. ✩ over time, your toothbrush accumulates bacteria from your mouth. bacterial growth on an old toothbrush can contribute to oral infections and bad breath. ✩ you should replace your toothbrush when you notice that the bristles have become worn, or every 3-4 months to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.

storing your toothbrush: ✩ before and after brushing, thoroughly rinse the bristles of your toothbrush under hot tap water. this helps remove toothpaste residue, debris, and any airborne bacteria or dust particles. ✩ after rinsing, tap the handle of your toothbrush against the edge of the sink to shake off excess water. this promotes faster air drying and prevents bacterial growth. ✩ store your toothbrush in a cup or holder. keep the bristles up and the handle down. this allows excess water to drain away from the bristles, preventing bacteria buildup. ✩ place the cup or holder in a well-ventilated area, such as a counter or shelf. avoid storing it in a dark, enclosed space like a drawer or cabinet. allowing your toothbrush to air dry completely helps prevent bacterial growth. ✩ avoid cross-contamination by keeping your toothbrush separate from your housemates, or family members.

electric toothbrushes: ✩ some may choose to use electric toothbrushes, where you only replace the head of the toothbrush. electric toothbrushes use oscillating, rotating, or sonic movements to clean teeth and gums more thoroughly. many models have built-in timers to ensure you brush for the recommended 2 minutes. most electric toothbrushes are rechargeable, reducing waste from disposable batteries. ✩ personally, i prefer to use a regular toothbrush, since i feel it does a better job cleaning my mouth. often electric toothbrushes require you to take longer to brush your teeth.

eating choices: eating choices play a significant role in maintaining good oral health. first and foremost, consuming sugary foods and drinks can lead to increased acid production in the mouth. this acid can erode tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay. it's essential to limit your intake of sugary snacks and beverages to protect your oral health.

frequent snacking, especially on sugary and acidic drinks throughout the day can harm your teeth. aim for regular meals rather than constant snacking to give your teeth time to recover between eating episodes.

staying hydration is crucial for overall health, including oral health. dry mouth (which is called xerostomia) can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. salvia helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles, so drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.

remember to maintain a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals. it is essential for healthy teeth and gums. nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, and phosphorus contribute to strong teeth and support gum health. include dairy products, leafy greens, fruits, and lean proteins in your diet.

to conclude: remember that good oral health allows you to enjoy life by speaking clearly, tasting, chewing, and showing your feelings through facial expressions like smiling!

further reading: ✩ What’s the Most Sanitary Way to Store Your Toothbrush? • Brilliant Oral Care✩The Best Way to Store Your Toothbrush & the Mistakes You May be Making | Gentle Dental (interdent.com)✩Whatever You Do, Don't Store Your Toothbrush Here - CNET✩Why Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? And When? – Mouth Watchers✩How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush? Healthy Etiquette (healthline.com)✩When To Change Your Toothbrush | Colgate®✩Oral Hygiene | National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (nih.gov)✩Oral Hygiene: Best Practices & Instructions for Good Routine (clevelandclinic.org)

i hope this post was helpful!

❤️ nene

34 notes · View notes

captain--comet · 9 months

Text

DCA IDs

A small issue I noticed in the community, that while in some areas they promote writing IDs for those that need them, when it comes to art of our beloved Daycare Attendants, they tend to just describe them as "Sun" and "Moon" or "Eclipse" without elaborating further. This would be fine if not for the fact I have yet to see someone write IDs actually describing how they look. While it wouldn't be needed every time the DCA are drawn... what if the person needing the IDs has no idea what the DCA looks like in the first place?

So, I'm fixing that! Below are the models of the DCA, which have IDs underneath for those that need it!!! :D

[ID: Image of Moon the Daycare Attendant's in-game model. He is a tall, thin animatronic, with a dark blue and off-white color palette. His head is disc-like in shape, and his face is composed of a white crescent segment that lays over the rest of his dark blue face. He has circular cheeks, and the crescent segment includes a flat, long nose. He has an eerie smile. Indents mimicking the moon's craters are on the crescent segment, along with two swirls that rest over the eye. His eyes are white with red pupils. A dark blue nightcap sits on top of his head, which is littering in yellow glowing stars with a bell at its tip. Around his neck are two dark blue frills, lined in gold. His chest and torso are in two segments, both split down the middle in the white and blue coloration, with his chest having two dark blue buttons. His arms start at white by his ball-joint shoulders, and fade quickly into a blue. His hands are the same blue, with his fingers being white, and then blue at the tip segments. Red ribbons with bells are tied around his wrists. Around his waist are red frills lined in gold, and he wears seemingly puffy pants. His pants are dark blue with glowing yellow stars, and the ends are tied with red ribbon, leaving gold-lined blue frills at the bottom. His visible legs are blue, and his slippers are brown and pointy in the classic Jester-shoe style, the tips curving upwards before twisting backwards towards the top of his feet. Both shoes have a yellow crescent on the inner-side, and have golden bells on the tips of the shoes. He is posed where he stands on his right foot, bent slightly on the knee. His left foot is raised and pointing forward to the left, and the bottom of the slipper is visible. He is hunched over, arms raised slightly with his hands in front of him in a clawed picture. His head faces towards the viewer and tilts slightly to the left, and his nightcap swings in the air, pointed to the left. END ID] [ID: Image of Sun the Daycare Attendant's in-game model. He is a tall, thin animatronic, with a pale yellow and orange-ish-yellow color palette. His head is disc-like in shape, and his face is composed of a pale yellow crescent segment that lays over the rest of his orangish-yellow face. He has circular cheeks, and the crescent segment includes a flat, long nose. He has an eerie smile. Indents mimicking the moon's craters are on the crescent segment, along with two swirls that rest over the eye. His eyes are white with no pupils. Nine yellow rays adorn his head. Around his neck are two red frills, lined in gold. His chest and torso are in two segments, both split down the middle in the yellow and orange-ish-yellow coloration, with his chest having two red buttons. His arms start at pale yellow by his ball-joint shoulders, and fade quickly into a faded gray-ish yellow. His hands are pale yellow, with his fingers the same color, and then the faded grey-ish yellow at the tip segments. Red ribbons with bells are tied around his wrists. Around his waist are red frills lined in gold, and he wears seemingly puffy pants. His pants are red and yellow, the two colors alternating in color via stripes. His visible legs are pale yellow, and his slippers are brown and pointy in the classic Jester-shoe style, the tips curving upwards before twisting backwards towards the top of his feet. Both shoes have a yellow crescent on the inner-side, and have golden bells on the tips of the shoes. He is posed standing on both feet, but tilted to the left. His left arm raised forward to the left at the elbow, hand tilted upwards but with the palm facing down at an angle to which it is visible to the viewer. His right arm is raised completely up, pointing to the upper right with his hand flat and palm facing up. His head tilted slightly to the right, and two rays sit in front of the right arm. END ID] May not be the best, but I think it's better than nothing!! :D Done in plain text for copying and pasting convenience!!

(Ruin Sun+Moon and Eclipse to be added)

#fnaf #fnaf dca #dca #fnaf sun #fnaf moon #dca sun #dca moon

92 notes · View notes

st4rstudent · 4 months

Note

tips on how to draw cogs?

truth be told, I haven't drawn many cogs (mainly just one or two), but I will try to answer this as generally as I can!

This is a long post so I'll post this under the cut.

my biggest tip, as well as for anything, is to break down the shapes. If you try to look at everything at once it becomes really easy to overwhelm yourself. Examples will be drawn sketchy, but hopefully the point gets across.

Our first test subject is mouthpiece which I've never actually drawn before [marketable plushies post doesnt count]. as you can see, I tried to break down a lot of the shapes into much more simpler ones. A lot of cogs seem to share some very obvious shapes, probably because a lot of them are object-related (normal cogs included- first that comes to mind are pencil pushers).

You can do this with really ANY character. Here's our second test subject DOPA for another example.

now these are mainly references from the pictures themselves, which are great as a starting point. my other big tip is just to practice. you don't have to do big full pieces every day, but even just little doodles will help you. i think its very rare for anyone do to super good their first time and this goes with anything, even if you're a highly skilled artist.

you've probably also noticed but I've left out details in my examples, such as the little dots on mouthpiece's eye borders. If you feel that adding all the small details would overcrowd your drawing or just not help it, then I think it's fine to leave them out (of course there are always exceptions to this but as a general rule, its ok).

along with removing details, i think adding details also cannot hurt [to an extent]. if there's something you think would look nice then add it. who cares its your drawing have fun. As an example I'll use prethinker. I always add the little line in the middle, which his model doesn't have. But this is also based off of the 1.3 promotional art as well. Another example could be that when I draw misty, I add a line that connects their eyebrows to their eye. idk just feels more robotic to me and i like it

and again as you notice, my drawings are not model accurate. your style is most likely not going to be exactly like the game and that's completely fine. adjust to your liking, interpret as you will. enjoy the process of creation.

And finally, I'll add my little tip for metal coloring. One thing about metal is that usually the lightest highlight is next to the darkest shadow

The gif goes as base -> shadow 1 -> shadow 2 -> highlight 1 -> highlight 2 -> cleanup + extra

I like to add a few light marks to indicate scratches. although if you wanted more depth, you'd take the darkest shadow and lightest highlight and put them together like this

often the metallic parts are not the focus of my works so I leave it without. As for the random black marks on the lineart, that just also gives it more depth.

And finally, look at other peoples art. Look at the way they draw and pick out bits and pieces of what you like and try to interpret that in your own style.

ok I think that's all. Hopefully this helped!

#clemask #long post #sorry #these are kind of vague overall art tips rather than specific ones but i think its because a lot of my processes follow the same general ar #tips that i follow #but yeah my general rule is just to practice and observe. there will be things that you change and thats fine #sorry if you wanted a specific cog. if you did you can resend an ask and specify but either way i hope this helps you! or anyone else

28 notes · View notes

tavyliasin · 3 months

Text

Fandom Essay - Body Positivity and Validation

Good timezone darlings~ Lia is back at it again with some examination of BG3 Fandom and some more of the wonderful things we can find within it. This time we are talking about representation of different physical features. If you feel this might be a little much for you, either in regards to your relationship to your body or any potential dysphoria, please feel free to skip it. Second disclaimer that I will be mentioning trans and nonbinary people here from the perspective of a Cis person - this is absolutely not my right to speak for or over anyone so I thoroughly welcome the voices of those with lived experiences to join in the comments with their input, but I also did not want to leave the topic out of the discussion and you may just see why as we get into it~ So on with today's long title:

How FanWorks Can Be Important To Self Acceptance And Body Positivity - The Next "Callout Essay" from TavyliaSin (Who is calling herself out with these too) ((there are reasons it feels targeted I know where to aim)) (((but honestly it's fine it's all positive I promise)))

Today we will be discussing: body types, disability representation (only a little though, this one may need a full post of its own), body size, gender (and gender euphoria), scars and "imperfections", visible ageing. This will be through the lens of both the canon inclusion and everything we see in mods, edits, and fan creations of all kinds. As usual I will use sub headers and encourage anyone to skip what makes them uncomfortable, as well as to join the discussion~ so let's begin, shall we?

------- -------

What Does Body Positivity Mean?

Let's start off with the simple one. Body positivity doesn't mean promoting any one body type as the ideal or as better than any others, it is about being positive about the mortal flesh vessels we inhabit and all of their features. A lot of people can find this difficult, to love oneself or even just accept oneself, especially in a highly critical society. But that is where representation and even fan creations can step in - by being vocal and loud about appreciating features that people may feel negative about in themselves, we can help build up confidence and self worth, as well as reminding all of us that we do not have to look a certain way to be desirable and desired~

How Does This Relate To Baldur's Gate 3?

On the surface, we do have a lot of characters with more conventionally accepted body types in the main cast and romance characters, though it is worth noting that the base models were updated to be less "Hollywood muscles" on a couple of characters, which made more sense to the character stats and backstories (unless Gale was working out every day in his tower, he's not that much like a bodybuilder physique).

But aside from this, when you look closer, there's also an awful lot to appreciate in the standard character designs. A lot of these are things which fans pick up on and adore, despite how they may be features that people are actively bullied for or that are seen as undesirable by beauty standards. Those "beauty standards" can get in the trash too, but I'll use it here to point out the things we are shining a positive light on in the face of those societal values~ Karlach - Our tall queen, strong and muscular and not particularly feminine with her tattoos, piercings, and hairstyle. But she is adored for all of those things, even her broken horn is an important feature, alongside the glowing heart and fire that have some in the game view her as monstrous until they look closer and know her. Astarion - His laugh lines. Gods don't we love those? The wrinkles in his face are experience, and of course he has those signs of exhaustion in his eyes that make him so much more relatable to many of us. Lae'zel - This might feel like cheating as she's not human, and is less human-like than most of the other characters, but in a way that is also an important one. She's still desirable and treated as such in the romances, as well as very much adored by the fans. Gale - The little signs of ageing and stress mark Gale's face, and even the hints of greying in his hair are picked up on and chewed on by those who love him most. Wyll - More on him later but honestly is he not the poster boy for physical acceptance? Not only do we have his initial appearance with the stone eye but with one choice his entire body is completely changed and part of his story is arguably learning to live with this and how his new look is likely going to be seen as everything he ever feared. Halsin - Are we cheating with BIG TALL MUSCLE MOUNTAIN because many people find this attractive to start with? Maybe, but again he has clear signs of ageing, as well as very obvious facial scarring. His look might easily be described as fearsome, and yet his personality couldn't be further from it. Raphael - Hello there lovers of older men, who look at each one of those wrinkles and his brow lines and start sweating a bit more. I'm with you, he's gorgeous because of those signs of aging, not despite them. Abdirak - Our real poster boy for scars and visible wounds. Features which have long been given only to villainous characters in fiction (particularly that aimed at younger audiences) and yes he is one of the most violent characters, but he is also immediately deeply sympathetic to the player. So we are no longer equating scars/visual difference with pure evil. In general we have a lot of features that are not overly smoothed out or homogenised to fit certain standards. We have different nose shapes, visible pores, scars, acne marks, wrinkles, greying hair, moles, freckles, body hair, and a lot of variety across face shapes and features. It makes the characters feel more real, more relatable, and seeing features closer to our own can be comforting and validating in a lot of ways. Of course there are more examples, and far more we could say about each one of these and all the things that make them unique that we love about them, but we would be here all day and there are other topics to cover!

What About The Player Characters?

So we do have a range of fantasy races, many of which arguably don't represent real humans at all, and we do also lack variation in body types in the standard game. But we also have player characters with shorter statures with the dwarves, halflings and gnomes. Beyond just being part of the lore and story, there is some representation here for similar body types in real life. I can't say a lot on this as I neither have personal experience nor do I personally know anyone who could speak on how they feel about these races in comparison to lived experiences, but it would be equally unfair to leave the point out of the conversation - please do add something in the comments if you have the knowledge and emotional bandwidth to spare, I would love to hear about your experiences and opinions! Aside from this we have a wide range of skin tones (though my own is too close to plain paper to be able to tell you if this is anywhere near adequate so please feel free to weigh in with lived experience here) as well as scars and other features in the character creation. There's also vitiligo pigmentation, which is not only representing the condition but also normalising it to those who aren't familiar and making some rather beautiful options for our characters in my opinion. Even in the hair styles there are a couple of options featuring thinner hair or baldness patterns. There are less options for textured hairstyles and the facial features are equally limited, but there are some truly gorgeous mods out there which I'll mention later.

Player Characters And Gender

Another caveat to please weigh in with your lived experiences, but this one is one that I've seen friends enjoy and it was really wonderful to see that delight. Being able to select pronouns, genitals, body type, and voice all independently of each other is something which is so vastly meaningful to a lot of players. To some it might just be "oh cool I get to choose what my character looks like naked", but to a nonbinary friend of mine... Well, they were sending me happy, joyful, and what can only be described as "delightfully shouty" messages when they were in character creation. To paraphrase, and to tone it down just a little, it went something like this:

"Wait you mean I can have a character look and exist the way I want to be? I can actually have myself represented on screen, and nobody will misgender me, and nobody will decline a romance based on any of this?!"

Maybe it seems silly but I got tearful to see them just absolutely losing it over having these options. They've been stuck with binary options in most fantasy RPGs for so long... Of course there's still things that could be improved, there always will be, but that joy? Priceless. It meant something in that moment and I hope it will continue to mean something to a lot more people in many moments to come. Of course there are still flaws - the faces and bodies are still gender matched, and it isn't possible for people to refine the size and shape of player character chests. In some ways really what we have is the bare minimum, a start that needs to go further, but seeing as there have been precious few games in the genre to even reach this low bar it is good to recognise it, to say "this brought people joy and is worth the effort to make it happen", and to say "please go further because there is genuine interest."

What About Mods?

This is where we can see a lot more of that positivity flourishing. There are countless options, from having more hairstyles and hair types, to face shapes and features, all the way to body types and adding in top surgery scars. Giving the game the ability to be modded, and potentially even encouraging and supporting it, means we can see so much more of that body positivity and representation. Having a hero who shares your features, seeing romances play out where the characters are valued in every way just as they are. Being able to mod softer and wider body types to the Origin characters too, taking the form away from the bodybuilder/model physique and far closer to more average - and undeniably still devastatingly attractive - body types. Seeing the trans-Origin character headcanons portrayed too, that's just so utterly divine~ (There is a lot to be said about parallels to LGBTQIA+ experiences in the Origin storylines, too, so feel free to comment on those at the end if you would like to) To all of you out there making mods, and sharing the characters you've created using other peoples' mods - thank you! I adore seeing all of these, as well as people's happiness in sharing and using them too~

I don't even use mods, honestly darlings I'm not the best with tech at times and as I'm spending vastly more hours writing than playing it's likely not as worth it for me - especially when people share the modded content for us all to enjoy in videos and screenshots. But I love how many there are, that they exist, and all the ways they give people joy and euphoria to see their own body types and/or body types they find to be desirable~

But Wasn't This Post About Fandom and Fan Creations?

It was - and is! Because after all of the content you can get in the base game and in the modded version, what comes after is where the fans go with it from there.

That's truly where we get the most body positivity and joy. Headcanons leave the head and pour onto the page. We see characters reimagined a hundred times, each with their own twist, their own enthusiasm both from the creator and from fans just eating up every piece that comes out. There's so much variety there seems to be almost anything you could wish for with almost any character, and I can guarantee you that if there's something you'd like to see and aren't seeing out there, there will be an artist willing to work on the idea (most likely on commission basis, we do prefer to ensure our artists can eat after all, but there may be some willing to just adopt ideas to draw as their own too). This even extends to cosplay, with gender-swapped characters, as well as the one thing I will always be vocal about in cosplay - everyone should be allowed to wear the character costumes they love regardless of body types or how well their body/face matches the original character. Though this does come with the caveat that skin should never be darkened to match a character's look (if that character has a natural type skin tone, obviously green etc is not an issue) - just be your own version of the character if you adore them enough to put the costume together.

And your work?...

Thank you for asking Lia, let me answer that one for you. Of course, take it away, Lia! Ahem silliness aside, there is something you might or might not have noticed in my writing. I don't do a lot of body-type description. You can imagine whatever you like as you read - Gale with a soft tummy to snuggle? Yes please! Or you can imagine him with sculped abs, or a more slender frame - whatever brings you the most joy to read. This is especially true for anything I do with gender neutral character fics (usually "character x Reader"/2nd person pieces) - I try to stay away from any specific gendered features and focus on actions and sensations which can be common to any body.

How Does This All Add Up To Body Positivity?

Simple, love - by sharing and making all of these works we are saying "these features are beautiful, we love them, we want to see more of them as we fall head over heels time and time again". It might not seem like a lot, but the mind is both powerful and very easily open to suggestion. If a person keeps seeing negative things about a feature they have (eg, as a mild example body hair on women/feminine people) they will internalise that and wish to change themselves (eg, waxing/shaving/etc). In the case of a bit of body hair that might not seem drastic, but it still changes how someone feels about themselves. At the end of the day, the more we love ourselves the easier it is to look after ourselves and be happy in the mortal flesh vessels we pilot around this terribly strange universe~ For my part, I have seen my body shape which I had struggled with shown time and time again as "wow look at this character who looks this way, they are amazing! I love this feature, and that feature, and the way the artist made sure to include this particular thing-" Every time I see that, every time I see parts of myself I struggle with being applauded and appreciated, I feel a little brighter. A little more comfortable. A little more like I am allowed to dress it up nicely and spend time and care to feel good about it. I also feel less shame for old scars, for every part of myself that has made me look at the mirror with unkind eyes. Confidence is not a single brick, it's many that need to be built carefully with the right cement. If it is chipped away at too many times, even by little self-deprecating "jokes", it will erode. It will crack. It will wear away piece by piece instead of building up. And before anyone decides to try equating weight and health, darling this is not the place. If you truly care about someone's wellbeing, leave their health to the private discussions they have with their doctors, and remember that looking after oneself is far easier from a place of loving oneself. If you care about a thing, you want to look after it. If you see a thing as already broken, you're less likely to be cautious in how you handle it.

Where does this essay end?

Well, I believe that would be here. With the endless gratitude for every creator out there bringing us mods, images, fiction, art, cosplay, content of all of these wonderful characters in every incredible variation that we can think of. I encourage those of you who are feeling lower in confidence about yourselves to really look at the fan responses to these creations - the excitement and desire for every body type, every feature, everything that we might see of ourselves and dislike there are so many people out there seeing those exact same features we have and feeling nothing but attraction, desire, love, adoration, and praise~ We are often our own worst critics, but not one of those characters would ever reject us, neither are we rejecting any of our favourites when we see them on the screen. I certainly hope to see more games bringing us this variety, and going further too. There is power in fiction and fan-works, and it is helpful to recognise it too.

Apologies if this one felt too long, rambling, or like I lost my point - it was done over 3 days and I'm rather tired~ I have other essays coming in the next few weeks too, and I really would love to hear your opinions on any of them~

As a final note - please do add your own views and experiences on the topic! I can only offer my own as a disabled white cisgender asexual/bisexual/panromantic woman with too much time on her hands~ I neither wish to ignore experiences outside of my own nor speak over them. All I can offer is what I see, what I hear, and of course my endless love to all of you~ That, my very dear darlings, is never in doubt. I love you just the way you are, because of who you are, and will see the beauty in everything that makes up the sum of your wonderful selves~

#baldurs gate 3 #fandom essay #body positvity #body positive #bg3 #opinions welcome #please add in the comments

20 notes · View notes

martiansodas-blog · 1 year

Note

Hi I saw that your request are open

Can I request a Pedro pascal x plus!size reader that is an actress and she got the role in the last of us as Theresa/Tess or a made up character and people where really surprised to see her on screen again because when she was working on legacies she got a lot of hatred because of the character she was playing hope mikealson a lot of fans were telling her how she was so fat for the role and how she wasn’t pretty enough to play the main character of the show but she ignored what people said about her and how she looks like so maybe when there in an interview the person asked how she is doing because it seems that the hate comments are back the reader says she’s fine because she delt with the hate comments before and she just ignores them because there opinions don’t matter. all that matters to the reader is her family and friends because in the past she used to struggle with body positivity but she learned how to love herself and other people who are struggling with the same thing can learn how to love themselves like they have permission to love themselves because it doesn’t matter what body shape they are they are still beautiful (maybe the reader can say that or something related to body positivity)( I forgot to add that the reader is Pedro’s wife)

All our bodies

• Pedro Pascal x actress! plus size! reader

• Summary: After taking a few years off acting due to bullying, Pedro’s wife makes a comeback as Tess in TLOU.

• Word count: 543

• Authors note: Im also plus size ◡̈ This was requested months ago… sorry luv. I tried to write on it here and there but I have a full time job and going through relationship problems. You probably won’t see much original content from me for the foreseeable future. There’s just no time.

“You did a great job, you know that right?”

“I know, but listen. People like Tess, not me. I'm so nervous the media is gonna take one look at me in that interview and go back to treating me like shit.”

Tears began to form in your eyes. Pedro took your face in his hands and stroked your warm cheeks, calming you down.

He loved touching your face like this. It may seem strange but he loved the different textures of it. Your pimples and freckles are a part of you, why would he want to change that? In his eyes there is nothing wrong with you. You’re so unique.

Various social media accounts don’t feel the same. It really angers them that plus size people exist. You’ve never had a controversy, you’ve never wronged anyone in the industry, in fact people adored working with you. But you weren’t the carefully crafted, soft spoken, slim model that others expect. And it offends them.

It offends them that you’re this certain weight and not actively trying to change it. That you’re not ashamed of it. When you were at the height of your fame people accused you of promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. Without you even voicing an opinion on your own body, or showing the meals you eat.

It upset people that you didn’t care about their opinion.

“Anyone who wants to say something negative is gonna have to go through me first, hermosa.”

A smile broke free from your nerves. You stood on your tiptoes and kissed him. You whispered into his mouth,

“I love you”

“I love you too” he whispered back before deepening the kiss.

He put his large hands across the small of your back to pull you closer but you resisted.

“We should stop or you'll be late!”

He cupped your face and kissed you slowly, r eally making you feel the shape of his lips and the sweetness of them.

“It’d be worth it.”

• • •

“Did you feel pressure to change for this role?”

What the interviewer was trying to ask was “did you feel pressure to lose weight for this role?”

It wasn’t a totally preposterous question considering your line of work, but it was still a little invasive.

You thought about Pedro’s words. How he never doubted for a second you would make the perfect Tess.

You got a burst of confidence. You’re going to say how you really feel. The only opinion that was important to you was your lovers.

“What my body looks like always seems to be the topic of conversation, doesn’t it? Not my work or awards, but what I look like.”

The interviewer avoided your eyes, embarrassed.”

“I did my best to honor Tess in this series. To be frank, I don’t think Tess would give a fuck what she looked like. She was focused on being strong and supportive. All our bodies look different but that’s for a reason. What matters most is that you take care of it.”

When you looked over at Pedro he was beaming at you. He was so proud of his Cariño.

“I’m afraid that’s all the time we have for offensive questions.” he said and grabbed your hand to leave the interview.

#pedro pascal #the last of us #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal fanfic #pedro pascal x you #tlou #pedro pascal fluff #pedro pascal x reader #tess tlou

78 notes · View notes

maxverstepponme · 13 days

Note

Even though no one asked for it here's my 2 cents on Kelly and max.

Number one: Pushing Penelope more into the spotlight is all on Kelly, she's been called out multiple times for leaving her kid alone while she's runs after Max. So to now prove she's a good mother she's showing she takes P with them.

Number Two: Using P to make people, especially Max fans like her. To begin with and up until Nelson Piquet scandal, fans liked her or at least liked that she gave them Max content. That disliked then again increased when her Vogue cover was revealed and the interview, people didn't like her cosplaying as a driver and making no mention of how hard it is for women to be F1 drivers; her 'magical night' with a fresh faced 18 year old max and her 27; and how it became clear that she was with max for the career opportunities he could bring her, like how cover was for Vogue NEDERLANDS. So once people starting cropping her out of photos with Max, she tried the whole get as close to him as possible so they couldn't (she does this weird sniffing him pose)

seen here https://www.instagram.com/p/C1KPMeOseVw/?img_index=9

and here https://www.instagram.com/p/C0M6M_rMlbX/?img_index=1

Once that failed she started posting just pictures or videos of him and P. Fans fawned over this shouting girl dad from the rooftops, so her ig engagement went up and people started to like her again cause if the P content.

Number Three: She needs P for her ig engagement, most if not all her comments say 'here before max' 'can't believed I liked before max' or something along the lines cause Max (or whoever) likes all her posts. So by pushing P onto her feed the comments turn to 'awwww look at P' or 'so cute'

Number Four: She changing her career direction, instead of being this 'baddie' model she tries to portray herself as she's turning to the 'mommy' influencer route. Exposing and posting P is part of that, an almost 'look at me I'm a mom who's so good and I also model'.

and finally Number Five: Her and Max are falling apart behind the screens of social media and cameras, and this is her last ditch effort to push P to Max so they don't split. Everywhere they've been this year P has been with them, they honestly don't seemed to have been alone since Qatar last year. Which is normal for a couple with a child, you normally go places as a family but this isn't the norm for them. Kelly has no problem leaving P and she still doesn't she went to LA, PFW and probably the Nederlands to shoot that video (as it looks like the hairdresser NL studio) so why does it seem she now can't leave her to be with Max alone?

And with Kelly chronically capturing every moment on her camera and then posting it, it seems Max didn't spend that much time with them in the 2 weeks they were there and went into the city like 4 times.

She also is doing the same thing she did last year where she'll go to a GP but somehow its magically aligned with some 'work' she has there

e.g. before the Barhain GP she had to go to the gym and promote Alo and do a papz walk

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13137465/Kelly-Piquet-Dubai-Formula-1-Gulf-Air-Bahrain-Grand-Prix-2024.html

Then Australia GP she went to LA before hand so it was like 'oh I had a job in LA and then I've flown to Australia to see my kid'

Japan GP she did a Replay ad in Tokyo and apparently go 'invited' to the Tiffany and Co exhibition, but really it was a 3 week holiday 1 week skiing, then the GP and then the 2 weeks after in Tokyo.

And now for the Miami GP she's got a Patbo dinner that she's 'co-hosting' and so other event she went to.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cbTCURF35/?img_index=1

I can't help but laugh at her caption 'our annual lunch' like girl be for real what do you do for either of those brands, like they do so much for you.

“You won’t crop me out” 😭😭

15 notes · View notes

keikaru · 26 days

Text

love's imbroglio - mystic messenger (Jumin Han/MC)

“I might not have the experience or knowledge like you, but I am a fast learner. Teach me, and I’ll be able to perform within your range of expectations. If I can’t keep up—dismiss me. But before you let your biases muddle your judgement, at least let me prove myself that I am not incompetent to whatever level you hold me at.”

Her eyes narrowed to the same firmness of her voice. She knew her mild temperament was close to succumbing to fury and disgust, but she smoothed her skirt and reigned in her anger. Once the elevator descended to the lobby, she could walk away and forget everything.

In fact, she could have walked away at any moment, damn the consequences. Yesterday, three days ago, last week when the deal was finalized. Yet she stayed. She couldn’t find it in herself to leave—not when her parents’ businesses were on the line. Not when her mother’s high end fashion line and her father’s grand hotels were at stake.

Although she should have been aghast by the severity of the situation, something far greater than those concerns reeled her attention away. Where did her older sister go?

The eldest was all gung-ho about inheriting her mother’s business that she interned and worked along their mother after high school and the following years. Her sister cut back on college classes and managed to be a part-time model and promote clothing lines and promotional items.

Now she—the second daughter—was thrust amid family problems. Correction—family business problems. Her disinterest in her parents’ business was clear, yet she found herself in the very core of it.

Most importantly, why did her sister disappear? And where did she go?

Her knuckles whitened as she curled her fingers into a tight ball. Her jaw was taut with tension. It was too soon to be reminded of her sister. She disappeared just five months ago.

She saw Jumin visibly stiffen, but his face was impassive as he brushed her comments aside with a pointed, sidelong glance. His eyes reflected a cold indifference, almost imploring her to utter one more bold statement that would lead to her resigning by tomorrow.

The air between them was filled with a thick silence. Mingled in with a tension and discomfort on a spectrum she hadn’t known existed until now.

She was going to be fired. She was certain of it. As her gaze caught his reflection in the elevator mirror, she noticed that he crossed his arms—it crinkled the sleeves of his dark tailored suit—and lowered his gaze. He suddenly found interest in the plush carpeting. Likewise, she averted her eyes to the wall beside her. But she had to voice her concern—her irritation about his inability to look beyond the small world he submerged himself in. That, and his obsession with his beloved feline partner, Elizabeth the third. “I apologize for my behavior,” Jumin said quietly, keeping her at a distance. Jumin shifted and leaned his shoulder against the wall. His eyes were trained on the glowing elevator buttons in front of him, but his body partially faced her. “I’ve been under much duress as of late. I didn’t mean to ignore or snap at you this entire week. I’ve been…inhospitable ever since our first meeting. And truthfully, it is not your fault by mine.”

#AU #arranged marriage #mystic messenger #mysme #mysme jumin #jumin han #jumin x MC #jumin x OC #my fic #WIP #fanfiction #fanfic #drabble #this was a super old idea with jumin/MC ft arranged marriage trope because of furthering business ties #it features a developing relationship/romance/drama #mc's parents and jumin's dad arranged this marriage #jumin is at first critical of MC but he eventually softens up when they spend time together and he ultimately gives her a choice #if she wants to be married to him #mc is torn because she's still young (early 20s) and figuring out her life and decides to wait #side plot that MC's older sister goes missing (pursue her own things) and eldest sister was supposed to marry Jumin INSTEAD #but then shenanigans happened and MC's parents wanted HER to marry Jumin instead #since jumin has never seen the eldest sister before that's why MC “posed” as the eldest #it's a bit of stolen identities/replacement and jumin pieces it together but doesn't tell MC's family that he knows

9 notes · View notes

heavenlyyshecomes · 4 months

Text

And if the fear of terrorism does not sell Israeli militarism, then sexual allure will. The Alpha Gun Girls (AGA) were founded in 2018 by former IDF veteran Orin Julie. A group of scantily-dressed women caressing Israeli military hardware and wearing camouflage, they mirrored a similar gun culture in the US but with a strongly Zionist agenda. Julie’s social media posts were peppered with pro-gun rhetoric and lines like this: “No matter how hard it’ll be WE WILL DEFEND OUR LAND!” At the 2019 Defense, Homeland Security and Cyber Exhibition (ISDEF) in Tel Aviv, the AGA fondled rifles, posed for photos with the adoring crowd, and passed out brochures with their Instagram handles listing bust measurements, shoe and clothing size, and number of followers. A long line of people waited to get autographs. The women are regularly seen posing in deserts, their clothes covered in fake blood. Female models promoting weapons on social media were a new phenomenon in Israel, and Orin Julie believed that she was the first, telling the Times of Israel in 2018 that she “really loved Israel” and formed the AGA to promote companies like Elbit and Israel Weapons Industries as an integral part of her Zionism. “Social media and a transnational private defense industry have democratized the lusty aesthetics of warfare,” wrote Sophia Goodfriend, a doctoral student in cultural anthropology at Duke University who researched the marketing and production of Israeli surveillance tools, in Jewish Currents magazine. “AGA exports Israel’s ability to deny violence and normalize occupation by aestheticizing warfare,” she continued. “Dressed up in high heels and detachable angel wings, the eroticism of Israeli obfuscation is now a transnational commodity.” Julie received a huge online response, some praising her looks and weapons skills, with others writing that she was a “baby killer,” but there is no doubt that sexualizing Israeli weaponry was a brazen way to counter growing online criticism of Israeli occupation policies and a tactic that connects the Jewish state with the huge number of mostly right-wing and pro-Israel American supporters of the National Rifle Association. This was Zionism as objectified sex object, not a huge stretch from Israel using female soldiers in propaganda in the years after its birth to promote a strong and determined female citizenry. The political agenda wasn’t hidden, nor was it always explicit, leaving viewers to believe that nationalism and big guns were essential to maintain the Jewish state. That’s undeniably true because without a highly militarized society it would be impossible to sustain more than fifty years of occupation. AGA were trying to depoliticize the occupation by completely ignoring those suffering because of it.

—Antony Loewenstein, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World

#antony loewenstein #the palestine laboratory #palestine #Israel #zionism #words #2024 reads #mine

14 notes · View notes

kisskissbanggang · 2 years

Text

Reckless

[Chan x product model!Reader - 3.4k Words, ~15min. Read, Idol!au, Suggestive, Questionable Power Dynamics, Casual Dating, FWB(?), Surprising Use of Seo Changbin]

You didn’t expect Chan to annoy you like this.

Like, there was no denying that he was nice. He was professional. He was charming.

And he was hot.

But you weren’t expecting him to also annoy you like this.

This was night one.

Back when you’d first given Chan your number, he’d been a bit of an ass by accident. That probably should’ve been your first hint. You had been standing next to the drink table at that press event last Thursday night when Chan respectfully got your attention amidst the crowd and the noise.

“Can I get two gin and tonics over at our table?”

You had balked at him, and then looked down at your outfit. The joke was on you, apparently, for going with a classy monochrome look and wearing a simple button-up collared shirt with a pencil skirt, both freebies from a promoter friend. You would think the purse on your arm would’ve tipped him off, if not your tasteful bangle and tall heels also accessorizing your outfit.

“Sure,” you nodded sarcastically, “but you’d probably have better luck asking a server.”

Chan’s eyes had comically widened when he realized his blunder, and his hand was on your elbow in an instant. You must have glared daggers into him with how he flinched. Still, he was oddly determined.

“I am so sorry,” he’d persisted. “Do you want to join me at my table? Let me apologize with a drink, at least.”

“And you think I’m here alone! Are you negging me or something?” you cackled in disbelief, easily yanking your arm away from this dork before you walked away. You were there alone, but that wasn’t the point.

“Wait wait wait wait wait!” Chan had called as he jogged after you. “I’m really sorry. Seriously. I have no idea if you know who I am, but I’m sure it’s not a good look–”

“I don’t,” you folded your arms coolly.

Chan froze, suddenly caught off guard. “You don’t?”

You did, actually. His face was plastered all over the press event. No one would shut up about him. But it was much funnier that it seemed to bother him so much.

“I don’t,” you had repeated. “So if you’re going to insist on talking to me, I charge one drink per half hour.”

“Anything else I can get for that price?” Chan quipped in some bizarre attempt at being smooth. It almost worked, too, just by sheer force of bravery, but you had stood quietly nonetheless. He instantly shrank down.

“I’ll go get that drink.”

You couldn’t blame him for being surprised, but it was cute watching him try to be modest. Collide or Collier or whatever this brand was called again was incredibly green but fairly promising, and Chan’s spread for their new collection was probably going to get them a lot of traction overseas. He just didn’t realize that you made up the other half of the collection’s photos on the website until you had pointed them out later that night at the press event, your photos only lining the wall behind the bar. There were your feet in a pair of chic boots, just like those were your hips in a trendy skirt, and your hands sporting all sorts of baubles and accessories. None of the shots displayed your face, but there you were. Chan had nodded humbly, having thoroughly swallowed his foot, and as a reward for being so amicable and nice, you gave him your number.

So tonight was night one.

You met up on the riverfront, after your shoot for the evening had let out late and he got out of the studio early, so it was right around 2am. This was good, you figured, since his fans would be in bed by now for work or school the next day. You were apparently right, too, since he said he was able to come out with little to no pushback from his staff.

Chan was cordial, and nice to boot; he didn't try to get a hug when you met up, and he didn't crowd you as you walked together. When you walked into a convenience store for some snacks, he only fought back twice when you tried to pay for everything before you amicably and diplomatically settled to split it.

Not to mention he really did know how to present himself. Chan looked comfortable and handsome in an all-black ensemble. It was a simple pullover and jeans with a smart crossbody slung over his shoulder, but it still made a decent impression. You’d gone with a cozy sweater with a skirt over some leggings yourself, all nice freebies in warm neutrals that you’d accumulated over time, and your own bag rested on your hip. Truthfully, you probably made quite the pair.

What was annoying, however, was that Chan could not shut up. Comfortable silences came later, you supposed. Your favorite color, your favorite food, what music you listen to, what movies you like, what shows you watch, where you got your crossbody – he got all of it. And it wasn't just questions, either! Every single thing Chan asked you, he'd answer himself a second after you finished. He didn't even bother waiting on the bag question. Chan looked at your bag, asked where you got it, and then went on a whole rambling detour about what he loved about his bag but would like in a new one before he expectantly waited for your answer. It wasn't a conversation, it was an interactive monologue.

But still.

If it wasn’t so confoundingly endearing, you would’ve run at that very second. And regardless, you were so curious. Your friends who pulled higher profile jobs than you did swore up and down that 75% of male idols weren’t worth any attention more than a casual fling. They either got started in show business too early, stunting their interpersonal skills that were specifically useful for romantic or even just sexual relationships, or they were far too jaded and carried too much baggage. Your friend Sun Hee – who got incredibly natural aegyo sal done after Fashion Week and recently adopted the name Janessa – once dated an idol that called her every other night for two months after she turned him down.

But holy shit Chan was sort of adorable! He definitely wasn’t out to get anyone; he just seemed too into his own grind to realize everything going on around him. That and he was unmistakably hot. You could go down this rabbit hole, at least far enough to figure out if your friends were right.

At least you could if he would shut up.

You had stopped at a short railing by the river, picking at your bag of snacks when you finally hit your breaking point.

“–So I'm really glad we could actually meet up,” Chan prattled on, absently chewing on the end of the straw in his drink. “It's impossible to meet people on my schedule. At this rate, I assume I won't get married until I'm 35–”

“And that's what you want?” you interrupted. “That's why you want to meet people?”

Chan shrugged casually while he looked out at the river. “I'm not going to meet my soulmate while I'm locked in the studio.”

You gagged on the morsel in your mouth for a moment before forcing yourself to swallow it down. “Wait wait wait,” you backtracked, “hold on, Chan–”

“So that's why I was super excited you wanted to meet up,” he obliviously charged on, “even after I was such a tool to you. Thought that had to be a good sign–”

“Chan–” you gently attempted again.

“I mean, who knows, right? Even if we just take it super casually for a bit–”

“Chris!”

Chan actually stopped now, more by you using his name rather than you stepping right into his field of vision. He'd mentioned the name earlier, and you thought that perhaps you weren't close enough for that, but it seemed to do the trick here just fine nonetheless. He didn’t look upset, either, rather he just looked equally surprised that it worked.

“Chris,” you patiently repeated, “I think you're really good looking.”

He cracked a cheeky smirk. “You are, too–”

“Shh, I'm not done,” you cut him off, going ahead and brazenly pushing your fingertips to his lips. Chan appeared to be oddly enamored by this. His little puppy dog eyes glittered under the streetlights. “I think you're gorgeous,” you continued, “and you're really nice, but I am not looking for my soulmate.”

“You’re not looking for a soulmate,” he repeated, partly muffled by your hand. His lips were dreadfully soft against your fingertips. He’d fallen back against the railing a bit as he gazed wondrously at you. Was he reacting to what you said? Or, you wondered in bewilderment, was it just that no one ever so thoroughly stopped him from talking?

“Right,” you excitedly continued now that he got it, “but I am looking for a friend, because I won't lie – I'm pretty lonely.”

Chan nodded against your hand. “I’m lonely, too–”

“Still not done,” you kindly reminded him. “So we’re both lonely, and we’re clearly attracted to each other. Now, if I pull my hand off and you're good, I can tell you what I'd like to do.”

You did just that, stepping back a little and pulling your fingertips from Chan’s pout. The riverfront was empty in all directions. Chan waited expectantly, and you let that silence sit for a good five seconds.

“Thank you,” you nodded in approval. “This can go one of two ways. I, frankly, don’t believe in soulmates, nor am I looking for anything serious–”

“That’s fine, I'm not either–”

Chan zipped it once you raised a reminding eyebrow at him.

“You say that,” you shook your head, “but I mean it. No dates, no paying for each other, no long phone calls late at night. I’m looking for a friend, not a boyfriend, and definitely not a soulmate. And I understand if that's not something you're interested in. So we can either call it here, or…”

“Or?” Chan cautiously echoed when you let that thought hang in the air. You took one step closer.

“Or my place is only a ten minute cab ride away.”

There it was, cards on the table, and the open book that was previously Chan had turned into indecipherable scribbles and promptly snapped shut.

Well, you silently lamented, at least this had been fun.

“... So is my place.”

Wait, what?

You stared at Chan, jaw set hard in your disbelief. Chan apparently couldn’t believe himself, either.

But then he cracked this grin.

From what little you really knew about Chan, from the times you’d come across him occasionally on tv, this was that exact same grin.

I think I'm good, I know I’m good, please tell me I'm good.

It’s like he was begging for it already.

“Don’t you have–” you sputtered, trying to wrap your thoughts around a central mission, “don't you live with, like, six other guys?”

“Seven,” Chan corrected, “and most of them have an early schedule this morning, including my roommates. By the time we get there, we should be able to sneak right in.”

That was, without a doubt, the single most insane proposal a hook-up had ever given you. Chan was an idol, he was a good boy and a role model and a celebrity all at once.

And he was asking you to sneak into his dorm with him in the middle of the night for a fling.

Absolutely ludicrous… But you couldn't deny it was instantly exciting.

“Chan,” you began carefully, “don't get me wrong. That’s a great idea… But why? I already offered my actually empty place.”

Chan shrugged, almost flippant. “You said you don't want anything serious. The guys bring over one-night-stands all the time, so why can't I?”

They did? That made sense, you supposed. It probably wasn't always easy to go over to some random person’s home instead, especially as a celebrity with stakes. Despite all your gigs, your face was almost never used in your product shots. Unlike you, people actually recognized Chan. The most you ever got was “Haven't I seen you somewhere before?” which was more than fine by your standards.

“Got something to prove?” you lightly ribbed him.

Chan's cocky smile was going to destroy you if you didn’t destroy him first.

“Maybe you can say that I have an itch that needs scratching.”

“Is that so, lover boy?” you scoffed. “Thought you were looking for a soulmate. You want to get married before you’re 35.”

“But you don’t,” Chan laughed, “and I want you. Now tell me what it’ll take to have the privilege of taking you home.”

To say you were pleasantly shocked would be an understatement. The way in which Chan’s entire approach changed after you laid out what your intentions were was both terrifying and almost scarily appealing.

Thankfully, this meant you were no longer dodging attempts at making a housewife out of you.

Not so thankfully, you were a terrible sucker for games.

“You want to take me home?” you sneered.

“Yeah,” Chan nodded confidently. “Tell me what I gotta do.”

You playfully folded your arms, even tapping the tip of your forefinger against your chin for effect as Chan patiently waited. “Here’s the deal,” you finally presented. You tried not to pay attention to how his eyes lit up. “We call a cab. Whoever gets to say the address, that’s where we’re going–”

“And when I win?” Chan eagerly interrupted.

“If you win,” you emphasized, “I'm not coming up to your dorm without a kiss. You’re better than waiting to kiss me until you have my clothes off, I'm sure. You kiss me before we get to your front door if you win, and you'll get to take me home.”

Chan grabbed your hand and tugged on your arm almost before you could do anything about it. “Can I try now?” he taunted you. However, he tripped over his own feet when you reached for the metal ladder lock on the strap of his bag, loosening it with a flick enough to drop it off his shoulder.

“You’re smarter than that,” you jokingly scolded. “Now do we have a deal?”

“Deal,” said Chan with a firm nod. He already had his phone out to dial for a cab. “I think I like this game.”

From that moment until the second your ride actually arrived, Chan was surprisingly aloof. This must’ve been that competitive streak you sensed in him, rearing its intriguing head. There it was again, that same silent broadcast you could swear you heard him begging you to validate.

I’m really something, aren’t I.

“You don’t do this a lot, do you?” you finally asked him.

He almost looked bashful. “Me? Not really,” he replied humbly. “No one really picks up on me, and I don’t really have time to pick up on anyone else.”

Liar! you mentally refuted. Right?

There was no way Chan never actually got out much.

Really, you just wanted to know where he was coming from so you could correctly squash him.

At least, that’s what you were convinced of.

Chan cordially opened the door of your taxi when it arrived, letting you in and scooching into the backseat beside you. You were all too ready to cut off Chan. If you played your cards right, he’d have the sorest pair of blue balls on the planet and he’d be the most fun putty in your hands that you’d ever gotten to play with.

“Where to?” the drivery groggily inquired from the front seat.

You were distracted for precisely one second, working the seatbelt on, but that was an entirely stupid decision.

The moment your lips parted to recite your address, Chan leaned over. He turned just a bit to face you and you hardly registered his fingertips brushing your cheek before his lips pressed against yours.

That asshole. He didn’t even have the decency to look at you when he pulled away.

Because he was telling the cab driver where to go.

Your eyes widened at the audacity of the past ten seconds. Chan, that horny little demon, had just made good on the requirements of both your agreements.

The driver wrinkled his nose at you both in his rearview before he set his foot on the gas pedal. “Any chance you’re getting some privacy?” he snidely prompted.

“Sorry; crazy night, we just finished round four,” Chan cheekily lied. He boldly set his hand on your knee for effect. Your face heated up instantly.

You were frankly flabbergasted, to a point that you couldn’t even bring yourself to say anything for the whole drive. Ten minutes had never taken so long to elapse in your entire life, but now you were frantically deliberating what exactly you were getting yourself into.

Chan wasn’t just a celebrity, he was an idol, with thousands of rabid fans and a whole management team that would eat you alive if you even appeared to mess anything up for him.

But he was here.

And he was sweet.

And he was so hot.

And he was so desperate to have you that he risked having you pummel him into a fine paste by kissing you so brazenly.

You didn’t realize it, but you managed to kill all the remaining time and you suddenly found yourself roused out of your crazed internal monologue as Chan paid the driver. He extended his hand to you once he exited the vehicle, offering you help out onto the sidewalk. His hand was infuriatingly warm and cozy.

Chan’s building loomed overhead, staring you down as you walked inside with him and hopped an elevator. And you still didn’t speak a word to one another as you ascended, and still as you walked down the hallway. Finally, though, as you stood in front of his door, you’d had enough.

“Chan,” you began.

“Seriously,” he interrupted, “call me Chris.”

“Chan is fine,” you insisted. “We can still go to my place.”

“What’s wrong with mine?” he innocently asked. “There’s nothing to be scared of.”

“I’m not scared,” you rebuked, “it’s the implication of the whole thing. I’m not some groupie.”

Chan’s gaze widened in realization. “I wouldn’t bring a groupie to the dorm,” he assured you seriously. “We’re friends, right?”

Your heart shamefully leapt into your throat. That was atrociously attractive and good-natured of him. You grabbed at his pullover and reeled him in close, stealing your own spontaneous kiss. Chan’s lips were so soft, you miserably lamented. You’d have to see what moisturizer he used.

His cheeks were handsomely flushed when you relinquished him, and you found that he’d wrapped his arms around your waist in your embrace.

“Yeah,” you finally agreed. “We’re friends.”

“Good,” Chan replied, just a little short of breath as he reluctantly drew a hand away to punch in the key code.

Except the door opened before he could.

There in the doorway stood one of the other members, you assumed. He was handsome like an idol. He had pierced ears like an idol. He had dyed hair like an idol. The only difference was you never came across too many male idols that were this toned and fit, but it was certainly not an unwelcome difference. This incredibly handsome stranger blinked some sleep out of his eyes. A gym bag sat at his feet.

“Hyung,” he finally greeted, his eyes blearily darting between you two, “I thought I heard you out here. Weren’t you coming back in the morning?”

“Hey, Changbin-ah,” Chan brightly nodded as he grabbed your hand again. “Change of plans. Where are you going? The guys aren’t back yet, right?”

“I’m heading to the gym,” Changbin plainly stated. “Couldn’t sleep. Seungmin and Jeongin are still here, so you’ll want to keep it down.” With this, he scooped up his gym bag and grabbed his shoes before he edged past you. His eye contact surprised you, but he quickly softened up with a small smile. “Hi. Nice to meet you,” he politely grinned before heading out into the hall.

Chan’s hand tugging on yours pulled your lump of a heart back into your chest as he hurriedly led you into the dorm. You looked back over your shoulder until the door finally clicked shut.

Oh fuck.

[To be continued. 🐝]

#bang chan fanfic #stray kids fanfic #skz fanfic #skz smut #stray kids smut #bang chan breakdown

182 notes · View notes

subliminalbo · 6 months

Text

10 Years of Subliminalbo

Candice Swanepoel: Mindless Pet Annotated [ 1 ]

Originally published November 28th, 2013

"You've done well, Candice. Since launching Obedience by Victoria, women just can't seem to get enough of our products. Sales have tripled in the last month alone." [ 2 ]

"Thank you, Master," Candice replied. She was teleconferencing with her boss, who had put her in charge of the Obedience campaign. Candice had traveled across the nation to nine different Victoria's Secret flagship stores [ 3 ], spreading their new product and enslaving the minds of customers who were now feeling so much more loyal to the business [ 4 ]. But they weren't the only ones under the control of this new high-tech lingerie. Candice was, in a way, patient zero.

"As a reward for your excellent work, we've decided to take you off of the campaign. I'm sure we have other models who are just dying to wear Obedience by Victoria. [ 5 ]"

"Master," Candice frowned. "Does that mean...?"

"You no longer have to wear the lingerie, yes." he replied. "We have other lines for you to promote, we can't be wasting you on one thing [ 6 ]."

"Yes, Master, I understand." Candice nodded. A part of her felt worried to be released from her boss' control [ 7 ]. She'd been wearing this lingerie for weeks now and was quite fond of someone thinking for her [ 8 ]. It was just easier.

Time fixed Candice's aversion to thought [ 9 ]. After a few days' worth of withdrawals, she no longer felt the urge for obedience [ 10 ]. With her mind finally cleared, Candice had a lot of questions for Victoria's Secret [ 11 ]. Like why they'd forced her to wear a hypnotic bra for twelve weeks [ 12 ]. So much had changed since Candice went under. Girls would stop Candice on the streets, and she would look into their eyes. Those empty eyes. And Candice knew that they were wearing Obedience, and she knew that it was her work that had taken this girl's mind [ 13 ]. "I love you, Candice. You are my idol," the girls would say, and Candice would remember all of those girls on tour. The ones who had just shown up for an autograph and had left with a new pair of underwear and an empty mind . And those girls had gone and forced their friends and family into mindless obedience as well. The campaign was so successful that CEOs of other companies were falling over each other to copy the Obedience bra's technology. Walmart had enslaved all of its employees to guarantee better service, and McDonald's was replicating the technology for food so that its customers would never eat anywhere else [ 14 ].

Candice was disgusted at this new world, and she knew something had to be done [ 15 ]. She first tried to take it up with her boss, but he was always too busy to listen. Then she tried filing a report to the ethics department of Victoria's Secret, but that too was met with no response [ 16 ]. Frustrated with her employer, Candice decided that she had to do something drastic [ 17 ].

Santiago Cruz was a young journalist trying to find her first major story to break through [ 18 ]. So far she was relegated to covering puff pieces like fashion at the Golden Globe Awards and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show [ 19 ]. Candice had remembered Santiago from last year's show, but it was Santiago who approached Candice. She'd been focusing on Victoria's Secret in the last few weeks, after a friend of hers had gone completely off the grid reporting on the new line of lingerie. Santiago had an eye for conspiracy, and this really stunk [ 20 ]. So over coffee one morning, Candice spilled her whole story.

"They told me to try on the bra, and then... Well, everything felt so good. I just wanted to do everything they told me to."

"And you didn't know what it did? You didn't know that they were brainwashing you?" Santiago replied. She rarely looked away from her pad which she scribbled every possible detail onto. Notes on Candice's story, important dates, important names. This story was going to be huge.

"I didn't... And the worst thing is what they made me do. I had sex with so many men and women [ 21 ], and they made me go around passing out the lingerie, turning other women into something like me."

"That's awful," Santiago interjected [ 22 ].

"Yes. It's addictive too. After I was freed, I wanted nothing more than to go back. I wanted to be controlled. I wanted it so bad I even tried self-hypnosis [ 23 ]."

"But it didn't work."

"No."

As the interview wrapped up, Santiago asked if anyone in Victoria's Secret knew that Candice was talking to her. Candice told her about the ethics report she'd filed, but assured Santiago that no one knew she was going to the public with the story. The two women shook hands and Santiago promised Candice that justice would be served, then they went their separate ways. A few days passed before Santiago heard from Candice again. This time it was a text that read: New info. We need to talk. Meet me at our coffee place asap. Santiago said she was on her way, and as she left the office, she told her boss that she was going to check up on a new lead [ 24 ].

Santiago arrived at the coffee shop to find it mostly empty, except for the two baristas who stood stoic and guard-like behind the counter, and at a table in the back sat a well-dressed man with Candice, who sat on the floor next to the man, resting on her knees [ 25 ]. Unlike the man, you could not say she was well-dressed. She wore some gaudy kind of cat inspired lingerie [ 26 ].

"What is this?" Santiago asked Candice. "What's going on?"

"You're asking the wrong person," the man spoke up. "She doesn't say much anymore."

"Oh my God, Candice... What did you do to her?"

"My name's Ed [ 27 ], it's nice to meet you. We've reeducated Candice. And to answer your question, Miss Cruz, this is a trap [ 28 ]. For years reporters have been trying to out my company for one dirty reason or another. We're a blight to America's youth, we teach girls to be sexual at a young age... We just can't afford to have a brainwashing conspiracy on our hands so... I guess you'd call this the coverup."

"Candice," Santiago cried. "You've got to snap out of it!"

Ed smiled and ran his hand through Candice's hair. "Go ahead, my pet, you may speak."

"I was wrong to come to you, Santiago," Candice frowned. "Thankfully Master Ed was kind enough to take me back, and I'm sure he'd be happy to have you too, if you asked. We could be good kitties together!"

"No!" Santiago screamed. "I'll never put on your disgusting lingerie!"

"I'll make you a deal," Ed spoke up. "Surrender to me, and I'll let Candice go. Your mind for hers. Or... I keep Candice as my pet, and pull some strings for you. You'll have your own column, your own news show. You'll be able to do anything you want. All I ask is that you don't print that story."

Santiago looked into the empty eyes of a mindless Candice who was busy playing with the bell on her collar. Candice had trusted her to do the right thing. Santiago promised her that she would expose Victoria's Secret, and that this kind of thing would never happen to her again. But Santiago had only taken this story because she wanted her big break, and now she was being offered just that by Ed [ 29 ]. And Candice, she looked so happy.

"Okay," Santiago choked. "You can have her. No one will ever hear a word of this [ 30 ]."

"That's a good girl," Ed smiled [ 31 ].

[ 1 ]. This short was a kind of soft pilot to writing original characters, shifting the focus from Candice Swanepoel to reporter Santiago Cruz. It wasn't the most graceful transition. For example, it created this alternate universe in my series where Victoria's Secret is, inexplicably, a dominant political force responsible for the mass brainwashing of consumers. Obedience By Victoria would come up from time to time in my stories, but I mostly got around the absurdity of the plot by mentioning Victoria's Secret as little as possible after wrapping up Santiago's Story.

[ 2 ]. Consumers being targeted by mass brainwashing campaigns is an idea that I still find really compelling, partly because profit is the most logical motive for mind control, but also because there's just sort of this mundane evil to the whole scheme. Manipulating millions of consumers into submissive puppets to raise profit margins is very funny to me.

[ 3 ]. Yeah, again I don't really know anything about Victoria's Secret campaigns and have no idea where I came up with the number nine but I'm very surprised that Milwaukee was on the list.

[ 4 ]. Probably the worst example yet of telling the audience that there is mind control happening. These days I'd probably just be happy with Candice "spreading the product" (weird word choice too tbh)

[ 5 ]. I don't really understand the motivation to take the campaign away from Candice here, other than to create an inciting incident for the story.

[ 6 ]. From the mind controller's perspective, this just seems like a bad decision. How is Candice not supposed to blow the whistle here.

[ 7 ]. Ah man, I just hate interiority like this. I try really hard to not tell the reader what the character is thinking or feeling.

[ 8 ]. Subliminalbo cliche #3: mind control is nice, actually.

[ 9 ]. This is a stupid sentence.

[ 10 ]. Casually breezing over this harrowing experience right here in a single sentence.

[ 11 ]. Girl, same.

[ 12 ]. I am convinced that these are the four worst sentences that I've ever written in succession. I think it's meant to be understatement as a joke but it's just awful.

[ 13 ]. Classic subject-verb agreement error here. Fun fact, I was finishing up my first semester of freshman English when I wrote this.

[ 14 ]. So much to unpack in this one paragraph. First of all, it's like three paragraphs at minimum. But it's so weird that I didn't put any thought into what Obedience By Victoria is and how it works. Like, how is Walmart implementing mind controlling bras? How did McDonalds put inside fucking burgers? In future versions I think I made sure to note that all of these other companies were exploring their own research, but here I mostly just wanted to stress the sheer number of people who had been mind controlled since the last chapter and I didn't really care how.

[ 15 ]. Girl, same.

[ 16 ]. "Victoria's Secret's HR department" would have been less clunky language.

[ 17 ]. Why would she even try to handle it within the company? Like, what did she expect would happen here?

[ 18 ]. Hell of a way to introduce a new character. Literally just me explaining her archetype to the reader. I could have just pasted a TV Tropes page here.

[ 19 ]. In later versions of this story I focus a bit more on what Santiago actually does. In this first draft I saw her as a Buzzfeed journalist but later have her writing for Trespass, which is an ersatz Vice. Both have struggled in recent years, but Buzzfeed was such an easy target that I felt like Vice was more interesting to criticize. Anyway, I never actually say where Santiago works in this version because everything is surface level.

[ 20 ]. Subliminalbo cliche #4: the paranoid reporter who seeks out trouble because they suspect that mind control is everywhere.

[ 21 ]. I think this concept works better as a straight conspiracy thriller about corporate brainwashing but it's always about sex. What's funny is that I'm too young here to write confidently about sex so I just have the characters mention sex and that's the smut.

[ 22 ]. Don't like the word choice here. You don't "interject" when listening to a person talk about their trauma lol

[ 23 ]. It's nice to get a little bit of Candice's struggle after taking off the lingerie, but it's still really surface level stuff here. 2013 Bo is very committed to telling instead of showing.

[ 24 ]. Eh, this paragraph is fine I guess. I just want to call out how quickly I accelerate out of the scene. We get a brief stretch of dialogue between the two and then a quick summary of everything else they said. It really feels like I'm just trying to get to the end of this story. I'm also not really sure why I went out of the way to mention Santiago's editor, just weirdly superfluous information here.

[ 25 ]. There are like eight sentences inside this sentence.

[ 26 ]. The story follows the manip again.

[ 27 ]. Though I don't name him explicitly here, Ed is based on former Victoria's Secret Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek who was something of a minor celebrity in the model blogging space as the creator of the Victoria's Secret Angels. In 2019 Razek stepped down from his position at the company following misogynist and transphobic comments, as well as allegations of creating a culture of harassment within the company. So uh...I hate this story.

[ 28 ]. I kind of hate the way my characters talk to each other in these early stories.

[ 29 ]. She jumps straight to the rationalization, holy shit.

[ 30 ]. I originally envisioned this story as Candice trapped between two powerful wills, but it's pretty shocking how quickly Santiago folds to Ed. Later revisions have focused a ton on expanding this scene and showing that Santiago ultimately has no choice, but I don't really feel like she's in a corner here.

[ 31 ]. The verdict: my worst story yet. Under baked and ludicrously rushed, you can just sort of tell that I'm writing this as a quick caption to a manip. There are tons of unfortunate real world implications too with all of the Ed Razek stuff that went down at Victoria's Secret, it makes for an icky story that I'm really not proud of writing, but it is important because it marks my transition to original characters. Of all my stories, this is the one I've come back to the most to rewrite, and I've finally gotten to a place where I'm fine with it. If you've read all of this I recommend checking that version out because it really has changed a lot (though a quick glance through it and I'm already finding things I hate about it).

#inside hypnoball #subliminalbo

16 notes · View notes