#not my longest piece of fiction but definitely longer than intended
Note
I’m a huge fan of CSR and there interpretation for batter, could I get some fluff/angst of Csr!Batter x Y/n? Perhaps y/n and him bunker down for the night and share there dreams with each other, hurt/comfort is a trope I rlly like
Hurt comfort is good too! The more painful it is, the better! Unfortunately, I couldn't remember his dream at the inn near Midnight Tower all that well, so I hope this is alright! I just remember it vaguely! Also, this got really long! Like, fanfic length long, so I hope you don't mind! It's also not proofread since I'm in a hurry today ^^;
C/S/R!Batter and Reader Sharing their Dreams
Notes: Mentions of death and suicide
He didn’t even jolt up from what he saw. He better didn’t, the people next to him were asleep, thus rendering him incapable of making even a single sound. The words he swallowed down, would anyone hear them if he let them out? And if they did, would anyone listen? Batter has heard the pleas of other people, but he never listened. His tunnel vision, that ravenous mountain he climbed to get on top to succeed, swallowed him whole to show him what he truly was. Not a beast, not a monster. No, he was neither of those things. In fact, he was nothing at all. No purpose, no allies, no reason.
A sigh from the bed next to his caught his attention. Were you awake too? You better went back to bed, there was a hard day ahead of you. Whether he had the energy or not didn’t matter. Nothing did. Somehow, the mere thought was pretty painful. He had done what he could, he did everything right. He completed his quest, he got his reward, and yet, as he rolled over, he looked at you. You, who pulled all the strings. You, who made him do what he did. You, who left him an empty shell. Another sigh from you, more shaky and breathy than the other one.
And yet, in spite of it all, he couldn’t bring himself to hate you. You were still with him. Many reasons led him to believe you could have just left him, and yet you were still there. Why? How? There was nothing to him at all. Staying with literally anyone else would have been more interesting.
This time, you sat up, staring emptily at your lap, Batter assumed. The moonlight didn’t reach your face, but judging from your position, he was likely right. Were you okay? Did his pathetic existence bother you already? More so than usual? Or did you have a bad dream as well. “My Player,” he whispered quietly, unsure if you could make out the words and hear more than just words, “are you okay?”
The sudden attention startled you, given how you jerked away from the source of noise. Had you really not noticed him? So preoccupied with your own thoughts, they must have been painful if they made you cry. You were usually so cheerful and optimistic, quite unlike him. But rain can extinguish any fire, no matter how bright it may shine.
Having turned to the source of the noise, you were silent
for another moment, likely collecting your thoughts. Or maybe trying to make out what he said. Either was fine and likely. But finally, you whispered back: “Why are you awake?”
“I had a rather unpleasant dream.” All four of his eyes were opened for once, he hadn’t even realised such a thing until he saw you stare at his second pair. Momentarily, he closed them once more, hoping you would forget the sight. Third time’s the charm, third time’s a sob you choked down. You were so brave, if only your voice hadn’t disagreed and cracked.
“Me too. Heh, they really make you think, don’t they?” He just couldn’t sit by idly and do nothing about the fact you were suffering. What kind of worthless puppet was he if he couldn’t even do such a simple and small thing for you?
“Would you like to go outside for some fresh air? I am certain we could both benefit from such a thing.”
Maybe he saw you nod, maybe it was just a figment of his mind, but either way, oh so slowly and soundlessly did you get up, waiting, expecting for him to do the same. Even in the dim moonlight, you kept your head down, hoping it would conceal the sadness in your eyes. The tears that flowed every time your heart cracked open a bit more wouldn’t dry tonight.
Taking after your example, Batter also got up, not as gracefully as he had hoped, leaving Ghost Batter to stir in his sleep and turn to face the other way. What little illumination there was aided him in finding the door, giving him a chance to not have to stumble around aimlessly to find his way. Opening the wooden craft, he let you go outside first, who hurried into the hallway, almost forgetting what the initial goal of going outside even was.It was only when the silence was disrupted by the door’s creaking that you realised what it was you had wanted to accomplish. Your companion was nearby, and thus you left for outside, where you could talk quietly.
But around midnight, there was little to talk about. Where the stars take up most of a conversation, nothing meaningful was said, as they basked in the empty praise they had been given in a beautifully haunted place. When the flowers slept and the owls ceased their lonesome songs in hopes for a mate, the night was finally completely quiet, aside from the two shivering, their hearts so far apart, they couldn’t feel each other’s warmth anymore.
And when the pointlessness of it all hit the duo, was when one of them decided to head back inside, attempting to leave for a hellish scape of voids and vandalism of their head once more. “My Player, will you join me in resting for later?”
A lack of response thrilled and filled his heart with dread up until its very core. Everything must have been alright, for it was up until mere moments ago. Perhaps his worries were for naught, perhaps they had meaning. And yet, ease and relief filled his mind for the shortest of seconds when your voice echoed in this town of abyss. “I wish I had friends to die with. Right now, I only have ones to die for.”
“Pardon?”
Clutching your arms with your opposing hands, you stared at the moon. When had it become so big? “I remember thinking that during my dream. They abandoned me again and it hurt so bad. I don’t know what to think of that anymore.”
Batter realised you opened up about your dream. And a dream was a gateway to someone else’s mind, their being of past, present and future. You left yourself vulnerable with him by laying yourself bare in front of him. He wanted to say something, he really did. You hadn’t been abandoned, you had him, didn’t you! …was he not enough?
“Everyone left me behind the same way I wish I could leave them behind.” During your small pause, he opened his mouth, wishing to at least try to convince you of the truth. But alas, he never got that chance. “When I was with my friend, someone put a knife in my back as I protected them. Without looking back, they just ran, leaving me alone with the murderer. No one came back, even when everything had passed. I felt myself bleeding out. I felt myself growing cold. I felt myself dying all alone when I was surrounded by people at first.”
No one came to your side when you needed it. He understood that. Very well, even. People never bothered to help him either, aside from you, so shallowly, to keep him alive and well enough physically. Whatever. He might as well appreciate your openness. “I met a faceless woman in an empty world. We talked before I entered a house, where I ended up meeting my demise through my own hand. Corpses of myself littered the hallway as I watched them slowly become more and more disfigured. I recognised myself less and less as time moved on. Until there was nothing. Not even me.”
How sweet the moonlight slept upon this hill. So useless, for it barely gave Batter a glimpse of your eyes, all he could tell was they were on him. His four that make people deem him more a demon than he deserved to be. If anything, they should crucify him and call him the devil, it would be more fitting.
“I’m sorry, Batter. It sounds like you’re going through a lot. For what it’s worth, I’ve also had dreams where I committed, well, suicide. If you would like, we can talk about it. I’m sorry I don’t know what else to do.” Your voice was ladened with the guilt of incapability. What else was there to do but to apologise for something you couldn’t do. But that was what partners were for, to listen to one another and try their best at helping.
“My Player, that sounds-”
“Call me (Y/N). It’s easier.”
What an honour that was. “(Y/N), do you think I have a purpose? A reason as to why I’m here? Something, that makes me more than just a puppet?” Genuine questions, even if they made him seem like a freak. At least that way he could say he was anything at all to someone else.
Sombre melancholy infested your tone with its malicious, but fitting context. “You won’t like my answer very much, but I don’t know. I don’t know what your purpose or mine is in life. I don’t know anyone’s purpose. Who knows, maybe there is no such no. No reason for living. All of us were just put into this world without being told what to do or who to be.” You took a step closer to him so you could get a better look at his face, giving it your best to smile at Batter. “But, even if there is no such thing, even if the universe doesn’t care about our existence, you can make your own reason. Look for one, even. If what you want to do is make people happy, then go for it. If you want to start a flower shop and see that as your purpose, then have it be that. What I’m trying to say is there’s nothing you can’t make your reason for being. You just have to try and find something that makes you, personally, happy. Oh gosh, I’m rambling. I didn’t mean to, sorry!”
“Make your own reason,” he mumbled to himself, repeating your words and considering them, giving them even more meaning in his head. Somehow, hearing that something like a purpose for being doesn’t need to be inherent is comforting in and of itself. It was so simple, and yet, he had never come to that conclusion himself. One hand washes the other, so he simply needed some input as to what his purpose could be. “What is your reason?”
“Simple: I want to make people happy. The feeling that I get to have made a single person smile while I was here, knowing that I was the cause, it fills me with more joy than I can put into words. It’s silly, but I just want to see the world become a better place.”
“That is a very nice reason. I can admire something like this.” Somehow, despite the adventures you have both gone through together, Batter has never felt this close to you before. You have shared beds together when there was only one, he has felt a connection with you, a strong one too, from the very beginning, and yet, all these moments paled in comparison to now. “Will I find my reason too?”
Your soft chuckle sounded, ironically, like heaven to him. “Give it some time and you will. You may not find it now, or tomorrow, but one day, you will have your reason, and then you can live life around that and feel better.” You were so kind. Your reason for being made so much sense indeed.
“Thank you. You are living out your reason very well it seems.” He couldn’t recall when the last time was he willingly did so around someone else, but he opened his four eyes around you. And even when you saw them, your smile didn’t falter.
It was a surprise to you to see them again after all this time, but you didn’t mind. If anything, Batter’s ruby red eyes made him more unique, even if he wasn’t particularly hard to pick out in a crowd, no matter the size. “Kind of, it gets a bit lonely here and there. But I’m trying, and that’s all that matters.” The chill of the night was slowly starting to get to you, but you didn’t want to leave, not yet. This conversation was flowing so well.
“I can believe such. Still, some people must be appreciative of your kindness, leaving them to become part of your life. They come and leave, but most important are the memories you make with them. Whereas they are painful and sorrowful as of right now, one day, this significance shall fade and you can look back at them with a smile and without the hurt.”
“That’s the most I’ve ever heard you talk, you know?”
“My apologies.”
“Nothing to apologise for. But you’re right. One day, all of this will be over and I can move on, you put that nicely into words.” There was a pause where you considered your next words carefully? Should you really be asking this? Well, what did you have to lose anyway.
“Batter, can I have a hug?”
How awkward of a question. Batter wouldn’t have minded one bit if you had simply wrapped your arms around him, but all things considered, you acting the way you did made sense. Naturally, he wouldn’t say no to something like this. “Of course. You are My Player, after all, (Y/N).”
There was no hesitation, only gleeful joy upon hearing this response. Still, for as melancholically happy as you were, you still wrapped your arms around him rather slowly, leaving him enough time to pull away if he so desired. But he never did, reciprocating the hug instead. He was tall and somewhat muscular. It was nice.
“I’m so glad to have you. Thank you for everything.”
“Same here.”
#off (game)#off fangame#off x reader#continue/stop/rise#c/s/r#batter x player#batter x reader#this is over 2k words long#not my longest piece of fiction but definitely longer than intended#sorry!#i just thought a fic fit best for this sort of thing!#took me over two hours to write so i was really quick on that one#also surprise requests today since I have the day off#anyway thank you for requesting and letting me practise my writing ^^#hope you like it!
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1, 6, 7, and 9 about your current fave fic of yours (I'm not familiar with what midgexlenny is, but tell me about it if you want to!)
Lol oh I do sometimes feel bad for my poor Sherlolly mutuals putting up with me while I lose it over a different ship ❤️ they're different but the venn diagram of pairings does overlap in places.
First off, this is Midge and Lenny from Amy Sherman Palladino's The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. They're two foul mouthed stand up comedians in the late 1950s/early 1960s and they're soulmates.
If you enjoy Gilmore Girls level fast paced dialogue but with more f bombs and so so so many pretty dresses I definitely recommend at least bits of the show.
Being that Lenny is a fictionalized version of real life comedian Lenny Bruce (originally intended to only appear in the pilot but they brought him back as part of the show because the chemistry was just too good. The actors are friends in real life and the joy in working together comes through in some really beautiful performances) the final canon of the show was a bit handcuffed on just how far the creators decided they could let the ship sail but that's where the fanfic comes in 😂
Which brings me to my fic Guess Who's Coming to Yom Kippur!
*What is your favorite thing about this fic?*
This was my first dive into writing for this fandom and it has been so much fun. Truly delightful! So many things I've enjoyed with this one. But my favorite thing I think is that it really is an ensemble piece. The characters of the show are all very nuanced, often delightfully flawed, sometimes wacky individuals and I love giving them all a seat at the table and getting to know them. Sometimes quite literally within the fic (it centers around a big family dinner for several chapters). I've had to think of scenes cinematically and it's stretched my dialogue writing in a really enjoyable way. There's at least one scene I wrote visualizing it as a long tracking shot with characters moving in and out, very high energy and lovingly chaotic. It's a fic that has a lot to do with family both found and blood related and how love can show up and show through in a lot of humorous ways.
*Were there any alternative versions of this fic?*
Yes! I originally came up with the idea a season prior to my actually getting around to writing it (wrote it after watching season 4, thought of it watching season 3). The original vague concept for it was much shorter and ended with Midge and Lenny in more of an ambiguous but hopeful "maybe someday" where as the current fic has them very much endgame. And I'm quite happy with that. I feel like I discover more about the story and the characters the longer I work on it. I'm eventually going to write a sequel because I'm having so much fun (another first for me!)
*Favorite line of narration/ Favorite bit of dialogue*
So this fic is currently sitting at over 62k words and counting (it comes with trying to emulate Amy Sherman Palladino levels of dialogue) Easily the longest thing I've written 😅😅😅 I'm not sure I could pick any specific favorites without reading through the whole thing again. And maybe not even then. There's a lot of moments I'm very fond of. Though most probably require more context than would make it easy to share. I'll include a snippet of the tracking shot arrival scene I mentioned since that doesn't require a ton of context from the show other than knowing the names mostly.
In this bit they're arriving at a party hosted by Midge's ex in-laws and Lenny is meeting her older brother Noah and his wife Astrid for the first time. Esther is Midge's two year old daughter. Noah is canonically a secret agent. Lenny is known for getting arrested for things he says in his stand up (a proponent of free speech in a red scare era).
They arrived at the Maisel residence as dusk began to settle in over the sleepy suburb.
"Hi everyone! Sorry we're late. Esther needed to make a pit stop," Midge called out as they let themselves through the front door.
"Us too! We just got in," Noah said from somewhere deeper in the house.
Midge set the kids loose and made her way towards the kitchen. "Mama, Shirley, what can I help with? Oh, Esther sweetie, I don't think Grandma wants you touching that."
"Hi Midge," Astrid greeted, coming in holding little Chaim.
"Hey Astrid! One second," Midge called over her shoulder, rushing to corral Esther away from the more breakable tchotkes. "Esther. Esther put that down!"
Lenny smiled, collecting the kids discarded shoes into a pile by the door.
"Oh hi! You must be Midge's friend." Astrid gave him a welcoming smile.
"Lenny," he supplied.
"Lenny. So nice to meet you. I'm Astrid. This is Chaim." She held her son out for him to hold, passing him off. "Would you mind?"
"Oh I–" Lenny took Chaim in hand on reflex as Astrid didn't wait for a yes or no.
"Thanks."
She gave him another quick smile before dashing out the front door and wretching over the porch rail.
Lenny held Chaim at arms length, both too stunned by the transfer to know how to proceed.
"Hello…" he attempted, looking the child in the eye.
"Astrid, honey?" Midge's brother's lanky limbs carried him into the foyer in search of his wife.
Midge returned with a rescued porcelain figurine in hand. "Hey Noah, how was traffic–oh my god."
She stepped out immediately to check on Astrid the moment she saw her, leaving Lenny with Noah and his offspring.
"Yours, I believe," Lenny said finally, handing Chaim to Noah.
"Yeah…" Noah replied, taking his son while glancing after his wife and sister in concern.
The two men stared each other down for a moment, neither one quite sure how to react to the other.
"I'm Lenny."
"I know."
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My Persona
Hello, all. It's Asenath. I have decided to make quick art of my persona, as Azazel showed me (and I have seen) that zy posted art of theirs.
As it stands, my persona's colour palette is quite a choice right now. While I have no qualms with it, Az said that it makes zier eye's hurt. So, I may change it soon.
Overall, this took me longer than initially intended as I was busy with family all day and only had tidbits of time here and there to get it done. The thing that took the longest was definitely the colouring, especially since I find it the least enjoyable part of the artistic process. Therefore, expect many of my posts in the future to be in black or white, or another monochrome colour palette.
This piece was very lazy and is not what my best art looks like at all, so I understand fully if you're not able to find enjoyment in the artwork. I do not fully understand why I decided to post this just because Az did, perhaps it's because we are so close.
Me and Azazel met around three years ago on the app commonly known as Discord. We both found ourselves in a small, close-knit community of self-shippers and hit it off almost instantly. Our friendship bloomed into a strong comradery, a bond almost blood linked in nature. This Discord server has since dissolved, and most of the members have gone their own way.
In fact, I have not had any communication with any other member except for Azazel in a year. Additionally, their last messages were nothing less than disgusting and rude. They have all decided mutually that me and Azazel were the root cause of the issue of which caused the server to cease existence. This is entirely fictional, and I have not a single idea in my brain what chronically incorrect notion adapted by them caused this group to hate us so furiously.
As for me and Az meeting Gabriel, well that will be a story for another time. Perhaps one day I will also explain the circumstances of said Discord server, but for now I feel as if I need to discuss the matter more thoroughly with my close friend.
As always, if you have any questions for me or any other moderator of this blog, feel free to send us an ask and/or message and we will respond as soon as possible. However, any inherently ignorant or mean message will be removed, and if we can find the account linked to it you will be promptly reported for bullying.
I have been attacked personally so many times by multiple people claiming me to be some delusional egotistical sociopath. It quite honestly dampens my mood, but I try not to let it get to me to save face. Not my own face, obviously, but that of others as my anger is intense and venomous. I only lash out against those that I feel truly deserve it.
Being an angel, I know these people the moment I set my eyes on them. I can feel it in my bones, flesh, and the air I breathe when I interact with someone who's intent is impure. People may think that I am delusional- that what I say is nothing less than absolute lie. These people are nothing less, and nothing more, than human.
It's human to not be able to understand or perceive things that you may deem impossible. For that, I am not angry at those people. Their feelings are more than understandable, if not a bit childish and mortal. But they didn't choose to be mortal, like I didn't choose to be an angel nor an alien.
But I'll explain more some other time perhaps. I have been rambling on for quite a while and I really don't mean to bore you with my long-winded explanation on how Heaven, Hell and Purgatory really work. Plus, mortals and those not inherently Holy in nature will never understand fully. It is their greatest fault.
Goodbye, for now. I will post again soon. Gabriel is sleeping right now, having a headache, so he may not post until tomorrow or another day this upcoming week. Please forgive him for this.
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Tagging a post "unannounced project" is sort of a joke, since all of my projects are unannounced, as is this blog. (I figure I'll link it in the pinned post on my main once I actually publish something. Maybe if I post a Sugarplums update. If you found it before then, hi! Great job! I'm actually really curious if anyone will; feel free to send an ask saying hi or follow.)
For the curious, my notable fiction projects (none of which are done at the time of posting) are:
Caramel/Sugarplums, a fanfic about some of my Guild Wars 2 characters that I started writing in 2015 and wrote some more of in 2018. I joke to myself that it's a tradition to work on it in October, as I originally had a goal of publishing it on halloween (in both years). I have more of it that's unedited from the 2018 writing session, and I do plan on finishing it.... so maybe look out around halloween 2024?
This one is easily my best work. Reading it is almost like an out-of-body experience for me because I mostly don't remember writing it but it's written just the way I like.
As with all of my fiction pieces, I came up with one single-sentence description of an event that I wanted to describe, then went 50 layers deep into the backstory and haven't gotten to the event in question yet.
Working title: Camp Avana, an original fiction work that I started in June 2022 and did the NaNoWriMo-equivalent 50k words on in the next 30 days, then slowed down on quite a bit but am trying to keep working on.
I sort of intentionally treated this as practice: I want to get used to things like doing an extended project, making plans for the plot and sticking to or adjusting them, revising and being willing to throw things out, etc, so I specifically decided not to focus on trying to make this one perfect... or even good. I do really like significant parts of it, but the flaws I already knew are there are definitely there (like... not having a plot), and I don't know that it'll ever be something I recommend anyone else read, per se. But, who knows! I do really like it.
My longest project by far, of course. With my current plans it will be like 150k words and nothing of substance will happen in any of them. Maybe someone will find it relaxing?
Oh, and I made this blog so that I could start tagging posts with references to this piece despite the fact that no one has ever read it yet and so no one would have any idea what I was talking about. Tagging things for your OCs is its own reward.
untitled adult fiction project that I won't go into detail on because... well, yeah. This one is actually from before Camp Avana and I've written more than 3x as many words on it as Caramel and Sugarplums combined, so until recently it was technically true to say that, by word count, very possibly the majority of my fiction writing experience was explicit. Thank god that's no longer true.
This one is mostly notable because I wrote it on my phone, and I actually tried changing that and realized that I can't write in the same style on a phone screen and a laptop keyboard, so for consistency I had to keep writing it on the phone. (If I finish it I'll edit it on a laptop, of course.)
To be completely honest, for what it is I honestly think this one could pretty good with some serious editing, but if I ever post it publicly it's not gonna be on this blog.
"unannounced project": Not a real WIP, but I just counted them up and I have 2500(!) words of design notes for the setting of this hypothetical fantasy story. I probably don't intend to post them because I really like setting-based surprises in fiction and if I ever do figure out a plot and characters and write the story, I'd want to reserve the ability to surprise people with some of the details as they read it.
edit: yay more stuff to add!
see the thorn twist in your side, a notes document for writing down a dream fragment I had that immediately went extremely off the rails and became a personal challenge to see if I can write melodrama and angst. I may change the title, I dunno, but it felt like it deserved one of those loosely related song lyric titles that everyone does for their cool edgy fanfic.
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Dimitrescu Daughter HCs
I thought this would only take a few minutes. I was so, so very wrong. Anyway, some of these are somewhat exclusive to my fic (Serenade), but they’ll make sense even if you haven’t read that.
Daniela:
Others have already talked about how Daniela reads a ton of romance novels, so I’m not really going to go into that very much, just saying that I agree 100%, I mean c’mon, it’s practically canon.
While she mainly sources books from her family’s library, there are a few she’s “acquired” over the years that she keeps locked away in her room. These tend to be a bit, ahem, steamier than her mother would approve of/let her read under normal circumstances.
How did she get these? Well, there has to be someone who delivers goods to Castle Dimitrescu (Duke, perhaps?), seeing as the Maidens need, like, actual food to survive. Sometimes Daniela manages to convince them to order books for her, usually just asking for books by authors she likes, or ones she’s heard maidens whispering about.
No, the delivery person does not read the book’s summaries or reviews, they have a feeling (based on titles and covers alone) that they don’t want to know.
As for her experiences with actual romance… she’s so very, very excited about it, all the time. Wants to kiss every cute Maiden she sees, and sometimes daydreams about a beautiful woman fleeing from lycans who comes to the castle for shelter, clinging to Dani for warmth and protection, and it’s love at first sight, and they kiss and kiss and right as it gets to the good part-! Someone interrupts her daydream (usually Cassandra).
However, her actual experiences are fairly limited. Sure, she has kissed Maidens, but she tends to get over excited. Like in Serenade, she starts to rush the process, and usually ends up draining her “lover” aka victim before anything more intimate happens.
She’s definitely done sexual things, just, well, not with other people. Private things. Usually during or after reading one of her special books. You get the picture.
Because of this, and her aforementioned love of romance novels, Daniela has become somewhat obsessed with the idea of her first time. She wants everything to be perfect. The setting, the timing, who she’s with… Hence her reaction in chapter 3 of Serenade. It’s not that she didn’t want to continue, just that the circumstances didn’t feel right. She’s very particular!
Favorite Music Genre: Girl goes wild for an emotional, gut-wrenching love/power ballad. The type to lie in bed and cry while listening to Hozier or Lorde (not that she can hear either of them, considering her limited music options). Doesn’t admit it, though, and mostly listens to indie pop when other people can hear. That and whatever the Maiden plays on piano ;)
Okay it feels weird to joke about her loving music I wrote, anywayyyy
Hobbies: Other than reading there’s not too much I can see her doing, really. She’d be sure to get into anything that her s/o enjoys, though, even if it’s something difficult or time-consuming. Writing is something she’d love, but it’s difficult for her to keep her focus on just one project at a time. Ideally she’d write short stories, romantic ones obvs, and have someone else proofread/edit them. For the most part she’d write within fantasy and historical setting (seeing as she’s got experience in both of those departments).
ADHD, BABY. Bigtime, seriously. Maybe this is just my adhd ass projecting, but I can’t not see her as having it. For her it mainly manifests with hyper-focusing/difficulty staying on task. It’s like a switch with those on either end, flipping back and forth every once in a while. She can spend six hours reading two different books in one sitting, but if someone just breathes too loudly it disrupts her completely. Because of this she’s somewhat prone to abandoning projects. It’s a sore subject for her, and her sisters are aware, normally only bringing it up if they’re really angry with her.
Opinions on the four lords: Thinks Heisenberg is a tool (pun intended), also thinks that he secretly reads super erotic novels. She doesn’t have any proof, though, and would never say anything about it out loud. Just makes fun of him in her head. Doesn’t actually judge him for what she thinks he reads, just judges his personality and the “need he feels to hide his secret”. Loves Donna, and low-key thinks she’s attractive. Daniela mostly bases that off the portrait she’s seen, but, like many fans, also thinks the hands are nice. The puppets don’t bother her, though she also doesn’t really care about them, other than thinking that Donna interacting with them is cute.
Opinions continued: Moreau is… uh… fish boy. Daniela thinks he’s weird, kinda gross, and hardly considers him a “real” lord. Poor boy :( At least she doesn’t actively make fun of him?... Even if that’s only because she kinda forgets about him most of the time. As for Lady Dimitrescu, well, obviously Daniela loves her mom. The whole family is very close, and as the “youngest”, Daniela gets a lot of attention. Sometimes she thinks her mother is too strict, but at the end of the day there’s no love lost.
Bela:
Cleans up after her sisters a lot, but still nowhere near as much as any of the Maidens do. Often agrees to help with messes in exchange for blackmail material. “Oh, Daniela, what a shame you broke mother’s favorite dish… I could help, but you owe me one.” At the end of the day, though, there’s plenty she would slide.
Being the “oldest”, she’s expected to behave the best, and often feels more restricted than her sisters. Being an example is hard! Occasionally she’ll have the impulse to rebel, but this usually only manifests in scenarios like the one mentioned above, aka she’ll simply be more lenient of her siblings for a bit.
Overall far less sadistic than her sisters. Cares more about the quality of pain then the amount of it. Only ever goes overboard if someone full out threatens or hurts her family. Insults towards them still earn her ire, and will get her to punish someone, but it’s not enough to make her resort to torture. Usually.
Gets the most restless out of the three. As cool (and large) as the castle is, it’s all she’s ever really known. If not for her weakness to cold, she’d go out on hikes a lot. Nature interests her, fascinates her, but she’d be a little less fond of most of it in person. Like, oh, waterfalls sound so cool, followed by a hundred complaints about the noise. Thinks deer are the cutest shit ever (second only to humans, maybe).
Unlike Daniela (though that HC is relevant almost exclusively to Serenade), Bela has actually slept with a Maiden before. She doesn’t really care for them enough to consider it a relationship, instead admiring them for their entertainment value. Definitely could fall for a Maiden, simply hasn’t yet. Of the three I feel like she takes the longest to fall in love, and even longer to actually act on her feelings. Sometimes resents her siblings because they unknowingly “claimed” a Maiden that she was starting to be interested in. However, she fully acknowledges that she should have said something if she didn’t want to lose the girl, considering the situation they live in.
Favorite music genre: Classical, full orchestra style, with a soft spot for swing/jazz. Enjoys having music play softly while she reads, and is very particular about the volume. Absolutely would argue with her sisters if they tried to change the music or turn it up.
Hobbies: Reading, duh. Less interested in romance than Daniela by a considerable amount. For the most part she reads non-fiction books, enjoying learning about history and the sciences. Astronomy is at the top of her favorites list, followed by biology, then obscure (and often bloody) pieces of history. Niche=perfect. Also enjoys music, even if she had to rely mostly on self-teaching books. Knows the basics of piano, but doesn’t actively play, much preferring both the violin and harp. Most of the time she’ll only play if she knows her sisters won’t bother her, or if her mother asks her to.
Opinions on the four lords: Admires Heisenberg’s work/his edgenuity, but thinks the actual man is a temperamental child… who smells like wet dog. He’s only been at Castle Dimitrescu a couple times (per Mother Miranda’s request), and both times Bela moved to the other side of the house so she wouldn’t have to acknowledge his existence. While she would never admit it, she’s low-key creeped out by Donna’s dolls, and really only tolerates Angie. However, she would never act on her nerves, out of consideration for Donna’s feelings. She knows that her mother gets along well with the dollmaker, and keeps this at the forefront of her mind.
Opinions continued: “Moreau who? Oh, the fish guy? He’s still alive?... Good for him.” Wants to make Lady Dimitrescu proud, but not as desperately as Cassandra. Unknowingly mimics a lot of her mother’s little habits and ticks, and would be quietly embarrassed if someone pointed it out to her. As mentioned previously, she feels like she has to be an example for the others, and somewhat resents the pressure this puts on her. On the other hand, she does enjoy being “responsible for” (read: in charge of) her sisters. Additionally, she is the most likely to get away with lying to Alcina, though she does not often do so. This isn’t because she’s the most manipulative (that’s Cass), or the best liar (that’s Dani, if she’s trying), but simply because Alcina doesn’t think her oldest daughter would lie. Even if she doubts something Bela says, she’ll usually give her the benefit of the doubt… as long as it doesn’t happen very often.
Cassandra:
Sleeps the most of the three, if only because she’s the most active of them. Not as fast as the others while in swarm mode, but the fastest on foot, partially because she’s more likely to simply walk places. She knows the sound of feet on the floor scares the Maidens, and she drinks their fear with utter pleasure. Additionally she claims that it just feels nice to “stretch her legs”. But she will not hesitate to enter swarm mode when chasing someone. As fun as it is to smell their fear, she can get impatient, wanting to get close and personal to her target.
Tends to hide most of her feelings, sometimes even opting to “convert” them into anger. In other words, think of her emotional state as an ever-filling bottle of water. As things happen, she feels emotions, and the rate at which water pours into the bottle increases. Ideally if the water level started getting too high, she would address whatever is increasing the flow of water. Instead of that, she often uses anger, which is equivalent to shaking the bottle a bit and letting water messily spill out of it. Doesn’t address the actual problem, but let’s her release some pressure/free up some room.
Goes through Maidens faster than her siblings (yes, even Daniela “draining you of blood is romantic” Dimitrescu). Not all of them even die in the basement, sometimes what was supposed to be a “warning” turns into “oh shit the blood won’t stop coming out, this is how I die, in this accursed castle, no friends or family to mourn me, just the painful knowledge that I will not be the last, I will die for no cause, no glory, just the bitter whims of a blood-soaked mistress” or something along those lines.
While more likely to get attached to someone than Bela, Cassandra isn’t one to do much about it. She might flirt, might even try to kiss (or, uh, kiss while also not wearing clothes wink wink), but she won’t (usually) claim someone as her own, or protest if one of her sisters wants to have some fun with them (even if it’s the bloody kind of fun). Technically gets over breakups and “breakups” (i.e. death) easier than either of her sisters. To be fully accurate, Daniela still goes through lovers faster, but she also remembers them and cares for them for longer post-breakup.
Somewhat of a blood kink. Like, more than vampires automatically have. In intimate settings she cares more about the quantity of blood and what she can do with it (loves bloodstains) than what causes the bloodshed.
Favorite music genre: Rock ‘n roll. Leans towards older stuff, as well as heavier songs. Soft spot for symphonic metal, but doesn’t admit it out of the fear that some might consider it a “weaker form” of the genre. Almost exclusively listens to bands that have female vocalists, and gets crushes on them more than she’d ever admit.
Hobbies: Art! Painting, mostly, but dabbles in sculpture from time to time. It’s been too long since I took an art class for me to suggest a style for her paintings, but I imagine her sculptures would be somewhat abstract. Her art would revolve around emotion, the stronger and rawer the better, with viewers often being left uncomfortable. While Alcina buys plenty of art supplies for her, Cassandra is fond of improvising, especially by creating her own “tools” (of questionable efficiency) out of items she has laying around. She is absolutely the one who took her mother’s lipstick. If you don’t know what that means, don’t worry, it’s just mentioned in one of the RE8 notes that Lady Dimitrescu’s valuable lipstick is missing.
Opinions on the four lords: Tolerates Heisenberg more than the rest of her family by a considerable amount. She’s seen glimpses of his work, his steampunk-adjacent style, and actually kind of digs it. While Bela cares more about the science behind his work, Cassandra just digs the aesthetic. Sometimes for her art she also needs things she can’t get from the castle, and are too obscure to get from a merchant, so she trades tools/ideas with Heisenberg in exchange for him making something for her. “Can you make a battery but whenever it’s in use it makes a horrible screaming sound?” “Yes. PS I hate your mother and Miranda.” “I didn’t fucking ask.”
Opinions continued: Doesn’t really care much about Donna, but acknowledges her as a fellow artist, and would be willing to consult her if she talked more (and talked without Angie). Cassandra hasn’t met Moreau, thankfully (he would cry). Knows about him from her sister/mother, and as a result doesn’t care about him. Internally whenever someone mentions him, she pictures, like, a Goldfish Cracker (the snack that smiles back) with legs except also it’s green and moldy.
Opinions cont.: Loves her mother so much. Determined to please her, to make her proud, but often left feeling less loved than her sisters. This strains her relationship with her family, not that she’d ever voice her feelings and talk through the issue. Let’s be real, Alcina would probably feel guilty for not realizing how Cass felt. Nonetheless, Cassandra probably spends the most time with her mother, often offering to assist her with tasks, or trying to get her to appreciate her art.
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Protecting Assets
Hey y’all so uhhh I don’t normally do this kind of thing but a couple of my friends and I have been on a major Danganronpa kick these past few months since one friend in particular just recently got in the series, and part of that major kick has been discussing various AUs (mostly of the G/t variety).
One AU in particular that we’ve all latched onto involves sizeshifter!Makoto, wherein one Makoto Naegi has the ability to alter his size somewhat at will, and the various shenanigans that ensue as a result of him trying to keep that ability a secret from his peers.
So anyway here’s a little fic I wrote based on some various brainstorming we’ve come up with.
A bit of helpful background info before I jump in:
Makoto can shrink or grow mostly at will. His abilities are sometimes influenced by his emotional state or physical well-being. (i.e.: he shrinks if he doesn’t get enough sleep or eat enough.) It’s basically a way for his body to conserve energy.
Makoto’s clothes shrink or grow with him accordingly. Because this is fiction and I do what I want. (Let’s just say his clothes are made from a special kind of material or something idk)
I don’t really have a specific time in mind for when this particular fic takes place, but definitely after the first murder.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Makoto’s return to consciousness was a slow one. His senses came back to him gradually, starting with the feeling of soft fabric cocooning him on all sides. It honestly took him a moment to even realize that his eyes were open, given how dark his surroundings were—almost pitch black, save for a thin line of light peeking in overhead.
His first guess was that he’d probably gotten tangled up in his bedsheets, but… the longer he sat there, the more that didn’t seem quite right. Instead of a mattress beneath him, the only firm surface he could really feel was a wall on his left side. At least, he was pretty sure it was a wall.
Maybe he was laying on some kind of hammock? Of course, that only begged the question of where he was, and how he’d gotten there in the first place. Surely he wasn’t in his dorm room…
Well, wherever he was, it was quiet. Peaceful, even. The faint hum of the air conditioning was the most prominent noise, but he was pretty sure he could hear someone breathing as well. Aside from that, the only other sound Makoto could make out was the occasional turning of a page, as if someone was looking through a book.
He wasn’t alone.
The desire for answers only grew more urgent as that realization came to him. He obviously wasn’t going to get those answers if he just kept laying around, though.
Trying to find any decent sort of foothold was a challenge, but Makoto was eventually able to pull himself up to a standing position as he clung to a small portion of the fabric. Then came the process of actually trying to climb his way up toward the opening above him. It took a considerable amount of effort, but after a few moments, he managed to pull it off.
Poking his head out, the first thing that caught his eye was the array of bookshelves lining the wall just ahead of him, all crammed to maximum capacity.
The library.
What was he doing in the library?
“Oh, you’re finally awake.”
Makoto let out a rather undignified yelp in response, nearly losing his grip on the fabric in the process, but it wasn’t necessarily the suddenness of the voice that had startled him. Part of it had to do with the familiarity—he knew that voice, and hearing that person speak was plenty surprising all on its own. But it also had to do with the proximity and volume. Each word practically reverberated through his entire body, shaking him down to the core. Not loud, per se, but… big.
Turning his gaze upward, Makoto immediately locked eyes with the voice’s owner. Those icy blue irises practically pierced through him like a pair of daggers.
“B-Byakuya? Wh—”
Before he could form a proper question, the sight of a massive hand descending upon him caused Makoto to choke on his words. He didn’t have any time to react as equally massive fingers coiled around him, hoisting him up with all the care of someone retrieving a handkerchief from their pocket.
That was where he’d been. Byakuya’s pocket.
That realization alone was more than enough to send his mind reeling—nevermind the lack of concern Byakuya showed when handling him.
The Togami heir all but dumped him onto the desk, nearly causing him to fall over. Thankfully, Makoto somehow managed to keep his footing. Now he just had to contend with the fact that he was trapped in the library with Byakuya looming over him.
God, it was bad enough that Byakuya already knew his secret. Actually being caught in his most vulnerable state was a nightmare come to life.
For the longest moment, there was only silence between the two boys. Makoto was almost too nervous to even breathe, let alone speak.
Eventually, though, Byakuya seemed to grow bored with their little staring contest.
“How much longer are you going to be stuck like this?” he questioned, setting his book aside and crossing his arms.
“I… What?”
“You heard me.”
Sure, Makoto heard him, but that didn’t make it any less confusing.
“I don’t… I’m not sure? What happened? Why was I—”
“You don’t remember? Hmph, figures,” Byakuya huffed. “You fainted right outside your door, and then your little… quirk kicked in. You’re lucky I was the one who found you.”
Makoto didn’t know if he necessarily agreed, but he wasn’t about to say so.
His memory started coming back after that, though.
In the aftermath of the last class trial, it would’ve been a huge understatement to say that Makoto was feeling stressed out. He could hardly remember the last time he’d eaten a proper meal. Or gotten a full night of sleep. Normally he was a lot better about taking care of himself, given the consequences that came about with his shifting if he didn’t, but…
Could anyone really blame him for slacking a bit?
“So, you… brought me with you to the library?”
“I can’t keep you in check if your secret gets out prematurely, now can I?”
Ugh. Right. Now things were starting to make more sense. Byakuya just wanted to make sure he still had blackmail material.
“So? How much longer?” The affluent progeny didn't even bother trying to hide his annoyance at having to ask the question a second time.
“Well, um. I mean… it depends,” Makoto tried his best to explain. “How long was I… er, how long has it been since you found me?”
Byakuya looked over at the clock above the door.
“Just over two hours.”
Two hours?!
To think he’d been alone with Byakuya for that much time, unconscious and barely more than three inches tall… Makoto didn’t want to let himself dwell on that for too long.
At least he was still in one piece.
…For now.
“Um, I guess I could try shifting back up now?” he offered.
Byakuya didn’t give any sort of verbal response. He just sat there, watching and waiting.
Taking that as his cue, Makoto tentatively made his way over to the edge of the desk and sat down. He briefly thought about asking Byakuya to set him on the floor, but quickly pushed that idea aside. Better to avoid any more rough handling if he could.
Makoto then closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. Even without looking, he could practically feel Byakuya staring at him the entire time.
But more importantly, after a few moments, he could also feel himself beginning to grow. Namely he could feel the surface of the desk gradually getting smaller and smaller beneath him.
When he opened his eyes, he was now looking down at Byakuya, if only just slightly. Back to his normal height, thank god.
“Hm. Fascinating.”
All it took was that one word to send a shiver crawling up Makoto’s spine. Just the way Byakuya said it left him more than a little uncomfortable. Like he was some kind of science experiment or something.
“R-Right, well. I should go,” he stammered out rather quickly before hopping off the desk and heading for the door.
Just as he was about to reach for the handle, he paused to look back over his shoulder. Byakuya had already gone back to reading whatever book he'd been looking through earlier.
“I, um… Thanks? For making sure no one else saw me like that.”
Even if Byakuya’s motivations for doing so had been purely selfish, thanking him still felt like the right thing to do.
A noncommittal grunt was the only reply Makoto got, though. Byakuya didn’t even look up from his book.
Well, there was no point sticking around any longer than he already had. After leaving the library, his next intended destination was the dining hall. Nothing really sounded good if he was being honest, but… for the sake of making sure he didn’t pass out again, he figured it would be best to find something he could stomach.
#my writing#writing#danganronpa#gtronpa#makoto naegi#byakuya togami#dr makoto#dr byakuya#sizeshifter AU#sizeshifter!Makoto#g/t#g/t writing#giants/tinies
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Okay, I want to pull together more detailed thoughts at some point, I think, because the sheer amount of material means I have about ten billion thoughts to sort out. But I’ve read all three of the mxtx novels now, and loved all of them, in different ways. Though I already tried to figure out if I can pick a Favorite, and tbh, I can’t. I love them all in ways that are too distinct to let me rank them easily. And... man, it’s lucky for my friends that social distancing is in place, or I’d be hassling them shamelessly to give these novels a try.
RIGHT. So.
The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System: Shen Yuan goes to bed full of rage directed at a trashy webnovel with a grimdark blackened hero who conquered the world and collected hundreds of women into his harem.... and wakes up in novel, while that hero is still an innocent youth. As the hero’s abusive teacher. Who is doomed for a horrifying death unless he can somehow turn things around.
I think I had the most fun with this one. I really enjoy self-referential stories, and stories poking fun at certain genres, and I’ve run into the concept of transmigration before (the idea being a person enters a fictional world, a la lost in austen), though I’m blanking on any media like that I’ve actually consumed. This was chronologically the first book mxtx wrote, and it has less of a sprawling cast with complicated relationships than the other two books, but it definitely has the thing where she lays early groundwork for later revelations that shatter my poor heart.
And there may be fewer relationships to play with, but my GOD, do I love the relationships we got. I’ve been rolling around in svsss fanfic since I finished the book, even more so than mdzs or tgcf. There’s a lot of good crunchy relationship content with the 79 ship (they destroy me, all day every day), Liu Qingge owns my whole-ass heart, and Luo Binghe makes for a fascinating love interest. I love that even at his best, he remains a needy, needy, manipulative boy, who’s so smart and strong and nEEDY. I don’t love how the book handled moshang, but mmmm the fan content is Good. And Shen Qingqiu does the unreliable narrator thing that is usually not my jam, but works so WELL in these books, in that his unreliable narration is hugely skewed towards not giving himself nearly as much credit as he deserves. Xie Lian takes this to UNBELIEVABLE heights in tgcf, but in Shen Qingqiu’s case, it’s done on such a casual, immediate, personal level that I’m fascinated by everything he does.
And, since Shen Yuan/Shen Qingqiu is a millennial fan of trashy romance webnovels who gets yanked into the universe of a novel he hates, into an old-timey xianxia setting, the prose is SO COOL. You swing between modern slang and old school high society courtesies at the drop of a hat, and I’m honestly awed that the translators were able to catch so much of that. Like, in-setting, I love all the nuance you can get in ‘qi-ge should give his a-jiu the scroll’ vs ‘yue-shixiong should give this teacher the scroll’ vs ‘you should give me the scroll’. But then it adds a whole new layer when the person ALSO has modern-day casual speech bouncing around in their head. It makes for a fascinating, fascinating reading experience.
The Grandmaster Of Demonic Cultivation: Thirteen years ago, Wei Wuxian died. And then he wakes up! In someone else’s body. I’m not going to try to summarize the premise of this one, go look up The Untamed if you want someone to do a better job of this than me XD
Ahhh, this was the book I read first. I still haven’t watched the show (only clips) and I’m not sure I ever will, because adhd is a hell of a drug. But it’s hard to purely evaluate the prose when there’s also this gorgeous, beautifully-acted visual adaptation all over my tumblr to bias me in its favor. I think this book benefits a lot from the MYSTERY of it all. From the very start, there’s the question of ‘what the fuck is up with this goddamn arm’ that the characters pursue, even as that takes them through flashbacks and other arcs within the story. It gives a thrust to the novel that I think isn’t exactly there in tgcf, though I’m torn on which one is “better.” This gave the story momentum, yes, but it also meant I was much more impatient in yi city and the 3zun flashbacks, because this isn’t what I was focused onnnnnn this is cool but how much longer will we BE HERE--
That being said, I think I’ll be more patient with those flashbacks on my next time through the book, now that I have a better picture of where everything is headed. I think the balance and structure of the book worked really well, I was setting myself up for self-sabotage because of the pace I was plowing through the thing. My reading habits didn’t lend themselves well to the nonlinear storytelling, and it speaks to the story’s strength that it held up that well despite me. And the CAST. My GOD. I went in not caring about anyone but Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji and maybe the jackass nephew, but... that Did Not Last. I didn’t intend to care about 3zun? Nope, too bad, you care so much now. Who cares about Xue Yang? Me. I care. Way too much. HECK!!!
And something that happens in this book and tgcf that was much less of a thing in svsss is that there are some meaningful holes in the story that I’d like to be filled, and I really care about filling-- and the story doesn’t go there. But it doesn’t leave me unhappy, it leaves me cheerfully scrabbling around in the throwaway details trying to piece together a picture of what happened when I wasn’t looking. What happened to Wei Wuxian in the burial mounds? How did Hua Cheng take control of the ghost city? Idk, but let us Rummage and theorize and roll around in ideas and have a fantastic, speculative time. Svsss might hook me more than the other stories from an au+shipping perspective, but mdzs and tgcf do a great job of making me want to roll around and create within the bounds of canon.
Heaven Official’s Blessing: 800 years ago, Xie Lian ascended to heaven. And fell. And rose again! And fell again. Now he’s ascended for the third time, and things are Awkward.
God, I just finished this, and I’m still reeling. This is the LONGEST mxtx book, that’s for sure. I also think it’s the most tightly edited translation. All the translators did an unbelievable job, I could never even approach what they accomplished, but I am genuinely stunned that a book this long was edited so well. I blew through this in about 3.5 days (if not for work, i could have made it in three dghsafdsgf) and my brain was cooking in my skull by the time I was halfway through, but I couldn’t STOP. I was ENCHANTED the entire time! I was reading so much my head was destroying me and I still sulked so HARD every time I had to put my phone down and sleep.
This book sprawls the hardest, I think, because it involves a cast made of mostly immortal/immortal-adjacent people, so time and space get... flexible. And I feel really bad saying this, because Lan Wangji is DEVOTED, but this is seriously the book with the most attentive and adoring and respectful love interest. Hua Cheng is..... god. I truly don’t think I’ve EVER read a character quite like him before, and I am so, so sad, because I don’t know how I’ll find one who lives up to these heights ever again XD I recommend reading this book just for the Hua Cheng experience, if nothing else. I was making audible noises at literally flailing at multiple points in the story, but most often, it was because of him.
Shipping is what usually drags me into a fandom hardest, and all of these books do pretty well for themselves, all of them have a nice selection of fluffy and crunchy ships to choose from. And this one... goddammit. I just realized, that the best, most crunchy ships are too spoilery for me to be willing to talk about them here. Hell. Goddammit. But I think tgcf has the crunchiest ship of all, even better than xuexiao. I was so invested, and then there were Reveals, and then I was like OH NO THIS IS TERRIBLE BUT MY INVESTMENT HAS EXPONENTIALLY INCREASED.
And something that I really, really appreciate, is that across the mxtx books, even though a lot of characters fit into strong archetypes, there’s nobody that is blurring together for me, either within or across the books. Liu Qingge isn’t Jiang Cheng isn’t Feng Xin. They’re all blunt, fighty boys, but all super distinct in my head, and what I want for each of them is distinct and character-driven. I want Liu Qingge to be properly cherished and I want Jiang Cheng to relax with his brother and nephew and I want Feng Xin to [goddammit i don’t want to spoil this book AGH]. It’s something I appreciated in the other books too, but I can really FEEL it in this book, with how long and luxurious it is.
And last thing I have to say, I think, is that tgcf is so long. It’s so, so long. But I would FITE if anyone tried to pare it down at all. I can’t think of anything I’d be willing to sacrifice. I enjoyed every last piece of it so much, and it was all ultimately SO well-constructed and interlocking, that any piece I can think of snipping out would take away significant emotional impact from what was left. It’s a nonlinear story, like mdzs is nonlinear, and I loved mdzs a lot! But the construction here is so, so, so elegant. I’m just in AWE of how well it was assembled. I was in Agony as reveals happened, because oh no no no no, now that they’ve told me this, that casts this whole other scene in a brand new light! The one I read hundreds of thousands of words ago! Literally, I need to go start the book over so I can savor the shitty teens in new ways, given [redacted] as revealed in like, the last twenty percent of the book. The book was a fun experience, but there’s so Much here that I know I haven’t even absorbed yet. I loved the other mxtx books a lot, and in many ways, they were easier to get a grasp on than tgcf was, but even before I finished tgcf I was already despairingly trying to figure out how easily I could fit a full reread into my life, and I think that says a lot
#tgcf#mdzs#svsss#long post/#[sad journaling noises as i realize that whatever ridiculous wordcount tgcf has still only counts as one completed book on my list]#i need to get an actual wordcount at some point#then stack up enough physical books to visually represent each of these monsters#i know i read a lot#enough that i very much want to know *how much* i read#because CHRIST
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My Favorite Podcasts
I had intended on writing a stellar introduction to this piece, talking about how important podcasts have been to my life and how much I have learned and blah, blah, blah. But if I am being honest, now is not the time for philosophical musings on why podcasts are freaking great. Instead, I just want to talk about my favorite podcasts, the podcasts that I can listen to no matter what. And don't underestimate me when I say no matter what. I am talking about podcasts that I never grow sick of. Sure there are times when I love a podcast, but then there are equal the amount of times when I return to the podcast and grow bored or just don't enjoy it like I did at one time. The podcasts I am talking about are the ones that I have stuck with through thick and thin and never can't enjoy. They are just too good to pass up. I know, it is a high bar I am setting. But I stand by these top 5 picks and I hold them in high regard. So without further ado, my top 5 podcasts that I never, ever get sick of...ever.
Up Yours, Downstairs
Now this list is in no particular order, but if it was then this podcast would be at the top of the tier. I never knew a love as deep as the one I have for this podcast. It specializes in recapping the PBS/ITV period soap opera, Downton Abbey. I tell people to watch Downton Abbey just to listen to this show...because if I am being honest, Downton isn't all that good. It is this podcast that makes watching all six seasons and a tacked on movie worth while. Hosts Kelly and Amy are hilarious and super smart, creating an atmosphere that is relaxing and educational. There are a handful of podcasts that have made me laugh out loud at work, but none have been able to do so with such consistency. And this is one of the few shows that I relisten to since new episodes are not currently being put out any longer (sad face). Choosing to listen to this podcast will be the best decision of your life, even more important than deciding what college to attend or what to name your first born child. Okay...that may be slightly sarcastic but you get the idea.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Pippa
In the Books (Game of Thrones Book Club)
Like the previous podcast, this show is no longer producing episodes which is a real shame because my gosh I crave new episodes. But listening to the episodes we were given is always super enjoyable. Hosts James, “Graessle”, Chelsea, and Joel recap and analyze chapters from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. Although never officiated via the podcasts gods on iTunes or other audio platforms, this show was primarily hosted via YouTube. The Practical Folks, the channel that produced this program, are a comedy YouTube channel known primarily for their Drunk Disney show. The channel also used to post a lot of Game of Thrones / A Song of Ice and Fire content. Throughout its run the show was known as the Game of Thrones book club, with a name change coming shortly before the decision to bring the show to an audio platform vs. live streams and video. Sadly, shortly after the name change came the news that the team just did not have time to dedicate to have these book clubs. While I understand the reasoning, it is a real shame as this is by far the best A Song of Ice and Fire book club on the interwebs and I could have used their insight on the later books. Regardless, it is a great show and has a lot of re-listening value.
Listen/Watch: YouTube
Witch, Please
Harry Potter is the reason I became a podcast fanatic. In college all I wanted to do was study the Harry Potter books. Being that there were no classes on the series at my school, I turned to the internet where I found a plethora of podcasts to fill my Potter cravings. At this point I've listened to almost all of the podcasts about these books that are out there and it is safe to say that I have grown a bit bored. Listening to the recaps saying very similar things over and over again becomes dull and if I am being honest, Potter has lost its luster for me over the years due to Rowling's inability to leave the series behind and my own growth as a person. The series still holds a candle but it isn't as strong and I am okay with that. For a while I was beginning to think that all Potter podcasts were the same old rodeo...but Witch, Please is a breath of fresh air. Finally, a podcast that offers something new to the Potter community. What has become increasingly obvious over the years since Potter's publication is that the books, nor Rowling, are not as woke as we once believed. This podcast dives into these ideas, challenging the books while also celebrating them for the wonders that they are. I seriously love these ladies and love this podcast. Definitely take a listen.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
fiction/non/fiction
Self described on iTunes as, "[a podcast that] interprets current events through the lens of literature…" If ever there was a podcast for me, it would be this one. For the longest time, since high school, I have firmly believed that literature offers a window into our lives that helps us not only understand ourselves but the world around us. Good literature has long felt like a requirement for my life. After all, how can I live without these amazing books that seem to be written directly to my own soul and speak to my very experiences while at the same time speaking to others with completely different ones? During this time of political unrest, literature feels more important than ever to understanding ourselves, our neighbors, and political climates. If literature has taught me anything, it is the need to practice empathy and to have a better understanding of those whose experiences are different than mine. I grew up with a very sheltered, conservative worldview. Reading literature has expanded my mind and forced me to wrestle with ideas and I feel better for it. I never want to become content with the way things are but always question and try to understand. This podcast is the perfect outlet for these feelings. The hosts and guests talk about current events and relate them to works of literature. This podcast seems to feed my very soul and I can't get enough of it. I am still catching up on episodes and I imagine I will be a bit sad when I am all caught up, but I am excited for the future of the show and new episodes!
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
Team West Covina
The CW musical drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a show I have a mixed relationship with...on the one hand I absolutely love it. It radically defies television and musical tropes while also being crazy funny and a strangely accurate depiction of relationships and mental health. On the other hand, the show can sometimes drag and the plot can feel forced. But at the end of the day, it is a show I find highly enjoyable and always recommend. As with most things in life, once I began watching this show I immediately started looking for podcasts to listen to. I found one that I stuck with for awhile but never loved. Then this one was suggested to me via a YouTuber and I figured, it is worth giving a shot...and I am so glad I did. The podcast analyses each episode in depth, paying particular attention to the characters and the themes being presented and talking about this on a larger scale by referencing past and future episodes. Clearly "Paisley" knows her stuff, and I could not imagine it being in more capable hands. Her analysis is on point and really makes you appreciate the show so much more than the casual watch.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
I listen to a lot of podcasts...A LOT! My podcast library is current made up of...well I would tell you but iTunes is failing to load. What else is new. (Yes, I am bitter that iTunes can't load properly in 2019. And yes, I still use iTunes and an iPod in 2019). Again I must emphasize a lot. Sometimes I download podcasts and collect their episodes for listening far off in the future. Other times I download one episode and wonder months later why a certain podcast is in my library.
These podcasts are without a doubt the ones I always find myself listening to and returning to. They bring so much joy to my life, and I always look forward to them.
Let me know in the comments what some of your favorite podcasts are!
#Podcasts#Downton Abbey#Crazy Ex-Girlfriend#Team West Covina#Up Yours Downstairs#Fiction Nonfiction#Practical Folks#Game of Thrones#A song of ice and fire#In the Books#Harry Potter#Witch Please
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