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bvtbxtch · 11 months

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Angry Heart | Eddie Munson x fem!reader (Prologue)

Summary: Your best friend Chrissy Cunningham always got everything she ever wanted, even you new friend and crush Eddie Munson. When Chrissy does the unthinkable, Eddie is left to pick up the pieces alone... or is he?

Pairings: Eddie Munson x Chrissy Cunningham, Eddie Munson x Reader (eventually), reader and Chrissy are friends but have a fallout. Minimal usage of Y/N

Series warnings: MDNI 18 +, Smut, fluff and angst (everything all rolled into one beautiful shit show), mentions of drugs and alcohol being consumed, overall adult language and theme. By clicking the read more, you agree that you are over 18! Ageless and minor blogs who interact will be blocked.

Word count: ~4.7k

A/N: this story is the weird brainchild of me getting a little inebriated and remembering how my divorced parents met and I was inspired. This is my first fic ever and I know it is NOT GOOD, but feedback is always appreciated. This is just the prologue to set up some context for our characters. I have a rough plan as to where this story is going to go but I am so open to suggestions!! Thanks for reading y'all.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

September 1985

Chrissy Cunningham was always perfect. And it was even more annoying because she was pretty, popular and nice to everyone she made eye contact with. That is also why you had been best friends since junior high when you both joined the dance team. When high school hit, she projected herself into the popular group by revolving your high school experience around cheerleading and the popular girls, where you happily sacrificed some of your valuable reputation to pursue both cheer and drama club. Chrissy was always there even though you were seen as less desirable as the other girls on the team. Even if she was in the back row, she would always be at your productions and would happily cheer you on.

Although she was your best friend, she scared you a lot. She was on the path to a scholarship to her dream school, to getting scooped up by some picture perfect person and getting married and having her dream job. She would stay hot and pretty and perfect forever and as you were approaching graduation, you often worried about what was next for you - terrified of peaking in high school and amounting to nothing. Worried about not finding your own group of people, your own scholarship, and your own path laid out neatly like Chrissy’s was.

Eddie Munson, however, was the opposite of perfect. If Chrissy was a sparkling smooth personality, Eddie was a jagged edge that very few people appreciated. He was a repeat senior who dealt drugs to all of Hawkins’ youth and was unapologetically apathetic to the restraints that were supposedly placed on the senior class of ‘86. So when he happily worked sound for the drama club in exchange for free rentals for his DND club, many drama kids turned their noses up at him; except for you. You happily sat next to him at your first drama club meeting. There was something magnetic about him. From that first time you met him, you were determined to get to know him better. Your intuitions told you that he was going to be more than a background character in your own story.

Two friends from opposite circles, opposite ends of the spectrum. As you and Chrissy left the gym fussing over new uniforms and team drama, Eddie was on the other side of the school picking his lunch kit out of the garbage, nursing a new black eye; and a freshman on his left pacing a rut into the hallway.

“Last time I stick up for you, Henderson. I swear to god…you’re lucky I have extra shirts in the drama storage.” The metalhead mumbled. His dark curls pulled back into a low bun as he dug further into the garbage can.

“How was I supposed to know that it was Jason behind me? I didn’t mean to fall into him!” Dustin pouted. Eddie had picked him off the floor after Jason Carver had poured his gatorade down his Hellfire shirt. Eddie would never admit it, but as much as he loved his precious club, he cared for his freshmen recruits more. Jason, being the captain of the basketball team, and therefore the resident asshole, gave Eddie the shiner for his troubles, and threw his stuff in the garbage as an extra favor. You rounded the corner with Chrissy as you saw the two boys, both looking worse for wear.

“Hey Ed - Oh my god your face!” You gasped as he turned around after finally fishing his lunch kit out of the trash.

“You should see the other guy” Eddie chuckled, and winced

“What other guy?” When he does not respond to your question you turn to the freshman who looks like he has seen a ghost.

“J-Jason Carver. Eddie was just trying to save my ass.” Dustin squeaked, his eyes glued to his sneakers.

“Come with me”. You grab his hand and lead him to the girls locker room. Chrissy hot on your trails.

After investigating to ensure no one else was in the changeroom, you lock the door and sit Eddie down on a bench while you enter the small infirmary to retrieve the first aid kit. Chrissy keeps her distance, but sits down beside him and flashes him a polite smile. Eddie feels a pang in his heart as he feels his cheeks start to burn red. Chrissy lets out a small giggle.

“That’s really brave what you did for that kid” Chrissy praised.

“Ahh, there is no way Henderson would be able to take on that meathead. I gotta take care of my minions.”

Chrissy laughs again, almost too loud. As you pace back to the two of them, you feel like an intruder. You clear your throat and both of them look away, blushing furiously. You take a long sigh as you open the first aid kit to find the ice pack and a bandaid for the small cut that has formed on Eddie’s cheekbone. He winces while you stick the bandaid on and you gently place the ice pack over his eye. His brown eyes glued to Chrissy’s as you tended to him. Once you finished, you cleaned up and the three of you returned to the bustling hallways of Hawkins High.

“Thanks for the help sweetheart. I just wish this was a spiderman bandage or something.” Sweetheart.

“Don’t sweat it Eddie. I’ll see you in rehearsal later” you smiled. Chrissy eyed Eddie up and down as you said your goodbyes and Eddie turned around to go to his next class.

“I never realized how much of a charmer Eddie Munson is,” Chrissy pondered. You felt a pit in your stomach. As much as you loved Chrissy, Eddie was your friend first. So many of your teammates had put Chrissy as a priority over you, and you always felt like a drifter between drama and cheer - seeing as you felt you didn’t totally feel like you belonged in either.. Eddie was finally a person that you thought was yours, something that Chrissy couldn’t influence, someone that finally didn’t care about your background or where you fit on the food chain. But, lo and behold, it seems that everyone falls under the high school spell and everything always seems to be too good to be true for you.

“Yeah, he’s a cool guy I guess. He does the sound for the drama club apparently he’s got a knack for music. Walked into him playing some Black Sabbath on the guitar in the drama room.” You tried to retort calmly, but your hands were trembling.

“Black Sabb -?Hmph. I think that is going to give me yet another reason to go to the drama room… Since he seems to be good with his hands” Chrissy giggled and intertwined her arm with yours, leading you to your shared math class.

“Chris, please don’t just play with this one, I do really like him. I think he could be a really good friend.” Friend.

“That’s totally fine! Nothing’s gonna happen. I guess I just realized how cute he was…Maybe I should ask him to come watch us at the next game, or hang out…afterwards” Chrissy winks at you

“You’d be better off setting up a deal with him” you poke. She giggles as you both take your seats.

You could barely focus in math, mind racing about how much Chrissy and Eddie bothered you. Was it really just the idea of him and Chrissy being better friends than you? Or were you jealous? That’s ridiculous because you liked Eddie as a friend. Just a friend. Chrissy could go out with Eddie all she wants. You aren’t the boss of her - or him for that matter. Then why are you stuck on the way your heart fluttered when he called you sweetheart? Why were you constantly seeking him out in the hallways?

No. It can’t be. You’re just friends.

October 1985

Your body was radiating with anxiety during afternoon rehearsals.The pit in your stomach had grown to a full ache in your chest whenever you heard Chrissy talk about Eddie. The more you taked with him, the more you wanted to reach out and touch him, to hug him and tell him that he was the greatest, most interesting person you had ever met. But again, everything seems way too good to be true because every time you hung out with Eddie, Chrissy seemed to make her way into conversation.

Eddie was teaching a freshman how to use the new sound board and you could barely get out your lines. All you could think about is Eddie and Chrissy in the locker room. Your performances were so uninspired that Mr. Taylor ended your scene rehearsals early. Your scene partner Eric gave you an apologetic pat as you both reunited with the rest of the drama club. Eddie sauntered up behind you and wrapped his arms around your shoulders.

“How’s it going superstar?” He leaned his chin on the top of your head.

“Hey Eddie. I’m okay, trouble focusing today. I’m totally flubbing today.”

“Hey, so I had a question for you… about Chrissy”. You tensed up and broke away from him. You turned to face him but could not look him in the eyes.

“Umm, yeah what’s up?” There comes that ache you knew all too well. You could see it happening now, him finally choosing her over you.

“Is she single? What’s the deal? Is she dating any basket boys I should be worried about?” He poked at you nervously. You tried to let a laugh escape to ease the tension but all that came out was an exasperated wince.

“No, she’s single.. Do what you want Ed.” you mumbled. You could feel the tears threatening to well up. You brush past him and pick up your bag to head to the gym. Eddie’s eyes follow you out, but he couldn’t bring himself to go after you. What was your deal?

You trudged off the field after an exasperating practice after an exhausting rehearsal. You were so excited to leave this day in the past, grab some junk from the supermarket with Chrissy and hunker in for an evening of studying. In the locker room, Sarah and Tiffany giggle and look at you and Chrissy.

“Hey Chris, we were wondering if you wanted to come to the mall with us right now. We were going to pick up some outfits for Halloween!” Tiffany briefly meets your gaze and looks back to Chrissy.

“Yeah sure!” the blonde chirped “We would love to! Y/N and I were just going to-”

“Oh, well we only have room for one..” Sarah sneered. Chrissy looks at you with her beautiful brows furrowed into a perfect pout. You knew she wanted to go with them. You felt bad for making Chrissy sacrifice her social standing to hang out with you. You knew she wanted to go, but would never tell you. You decided to take the fall for her… the undesired yet again.

“Yeah, that’s fine, I got lots of homework to do anyways” you brushed off. “I’ll call you later Chris.”

“I’ll come over after!” Chrissy lazily offered as you packed your bag up and left the locker room.

You left with holes in your heart. All you wanted was your people to stay yours. You didn’t understand why that was so difficult.

The shrill ring of your landline woke you from your desk - having fallen asleep while finishing homework. You flopped onto your bed and picked up the phone.

“Hello?” You yawned.

“Babe, I have to tell you about my evening!!” Chrissy squealed, she barely let you greet her.

“Oh, you mean the evening you were supposed to spend with me studying?” you jabbed. You felt bad for taking your insecurities out on Chrissy, but you couldn’t help it.

“Oh come on now. This will make up for it.”

“Alright get on with it then.” You rolled your eyes and rolled on to your back.

“So you will never believe who me, Tiffany and Sarah ran into at the mall!”

“Ummm… John Cusak” You joked dryly.

“No you silly! Eddie!” Chrissy yelped. “And do I have news for you!!”

You jolted up and immediately gave the call your full attention. This could not end well - either for Eddie or you.

“Sarah and Tiffany let you talk to Eddie in public?” you snorted. The insecurity seeping through the receiver.

“Well, kind of. We joked that the party next week would be best with something other than just the alcohol if you know what I mean” you could practically hear Chrissy’s eyebrows wagging. “So they dared me to go set up a deal with him… and I could see him practically drooling over me! I think he might like me, babe. And I think that I really like the fact that he does” she giggles maliciously. Attention. As kind and beautiful as Chrissy was, she was used to the attention, she thrived off of it. It worried you, the fact that there were hordes of guys that had been left in her wake so she could have an ego boost or something to do on a Friday night.

“Chris, are you sure that’s, like, a good idea? What if you really hurt him?”

“Oh come on, Y/N, its just a bit of fun. Nothing serious! So anyways, I went over to his trailer about an hour ago and he asked for my number! Ugh!” Your excitement wasn’t reciprocated like Chrissy had hoped. Her squeals being the only ones that echoed between the two of you.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you excited?” Chrissy questioned.

“I just - you’re both my friends, I just don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“Ugh you worry way too much. It’s just some harmless fun! Loosen up, maybe then you could get some dates yourself!” she chided. You knew she was joking but it was the last blow to your breaking heart “ Anyways, I gotta get off the line just in case he tries to call! Love you!” with that you hear a click and the dead line. You sigh as you put your phone back on the receiver and flop back down onto your pillows.

You always hated halloween. It was an excuse for anyone your age to dress up in some sort of sexy reiteration of some sort of animal or cartoon character and to get sloppy drunk in someone’s trashed house, unbeknownst to their absent parents. That is exactly where you found yourself; Chrissy on one side of the couch, Tiffany on the other, you smooshed in the middle (as per Chrissy’s request) and half of the basketball and cheer team sat in a messy circle on the floor. How you got yourself roped into spin the bottle, you would never know, but your makeshift devil horns were giving you a headache and as much as you loathed blacking out in random people’s houses, you were nursing your fourth drink of the night (and were definitely feeling the buzz). Between the noise of people talking over each other, the blaring music, and Chrissy constantly blabbing about how much time she and Eddie have been spending together, you felt like your brain was going to explode. The only option that you really saw for the evening was to forget all about it like half of the Hawkins High population at the party.

Jason grabbed the empty bottle in the middle of the circle and spun it with vigor. Everyone waited in anticipation to see who would be the lucky girl to get to kiss the king of Hawkins high. The room fell hushed as you looked at the bottle, which was pointing directly at you. You immediately felt like you were going to throw up. Since that day in the hallway with Eddie, you always held some animosity for Jason. The last thing you wanted to do was kiss the guy who went after one of your other best friends. Jason chuckled and elbowed his minions on either side of him, all of them snickering deviously. He stood from his spot and stalked across the circle towards you. You chuckled nervously and went to get out of your spot on the couch.

“Hah, don’t mean to kill the vibe, but suddenly I don’t really feel like playing anymore.” You push yourself off the couch and go to step over some people sitting on the floor but Jason grabbed your wrist. Hard. You felt the world spinning around you, unsure if it was your sudden anxiety, or the alcohol. You could hear the faint whispers of Chrissy and Tiffany behind you, and you were suddenly aware of the 20 pairs of eyes locked on you. You tried to pull away from him with no avail.

“Come on, don’t be a prude. Let me give you the best kiss of your life, seeing as the only person you’ve boned is the freak” He pulled you into his chest and held your face in his hands. He pressed his mouth to yours, trying to weasel his tongue inside your pressed lips. You finally got the strength to push him away with a cry in disgust. You wanted to slap him but your bones now felt like jello and your feet cemented to the floor.

“She hasn’t boned the freak! She hasn’t boned anyone!” Chrissy laughed, not realizing that her retort did more harm than good. You wished the ground would swallow you whole. Finally, you muster your strength to move. You didn’t want any of these assholes to see you cry, to give them the satisfaction.

“Thanks, Chris” you whisper before running out of the room and up the stairs to the crowded living room. You were desperate for some air. Everything around you felt like it was constricting you, choking you. All you could hear was laughter and your vision felt like it was pinholing. You slide out of the front door to sit on the steps. You breathe deeply, looking around to make sure that there was no one around before you let your tears fall.

Chrissy made an attempt to go after you. After rolling her eyes and giving Tiffany a tight smile, she lifter herself off of the couch and pranced up the stairs to the rest of the party. She looked around the scatterings of people, but didn’t see you. She slid her way through the hallway into the kitchen, where her eyes found someone else she had been casually looking for all evening. She stumbled towards a mop of chocolate curls and wrapped her arms around him, hands covering his eyes.

“Guess who?” she slurred.

“Hey pretty girl.” Eddie turned to her to give her a proper embrace but quickly took a step back. “Don’t know if you want to be seen doing that to me right now” he chuckled nervously. Eddie understood what being seen with him meant and as little as he cared for his own reputation, he cared greatly for hers

. Chrissy looked him up and down and fully realized the metal head’s beauty. Pale skin kissed with dark ink, beautiful brown eyes that shone - especially when he talked to her, lean figure and crooked smile. She felt like her brain was going to short circuit.

“You’re right” Chrissy cooed. “Maybe we should go somewhere a little more private so we could talk” She took his hand and led him up the stairs to a quiet hallway full of closed doors. They rounded a corner and they sank down the wall to sit on the floor, Chrissy totally forgetting about her mission to find you and Eddie being blissfully ignorant to your conundrum.

You had collected yourself and knew there was no way you could stay at the party. As much as you loathed going back into the chaos and as angry as you were at Chrissy, you couldn’t allow yourself without letting her know that you were leaving and how angry you were. When reentered the house, the first faces you were met with were Jason and his posse of meatheads. You averted your gaze but heard their snickers anyway. You refused to give him the satisfaction or the tears, so you kept moving, keeping your eyes glued to the linoleum. The tightness of your chest multiplied with the number of rooms you checked where you did not see a perky blonde ponytail. You needed to find Chrissy; you needed to give her a piece of your mind; you needed to leave. But everything was deafening. Things were getting fuzzy. Determined to get a grip and find your friend, you trot up to the top floor of the house, in search of a quiet place to collect yourself. You were met with a long hallway full of closed doors. You continue down the hallway, checking doors to see if you could find a bathroom. When you round the corner of the dim upstairs, your breath gets caught in your throat. You see Eddie sitting on the floor, Chrissy in his lap, their mouths messily mashed together. Everything came tumbling down. The combination of alcohol and shock makes you wrack out a gasp of air. Both Eddie and Chrissy looked up but with very different expressions. Chrissy looked almost proud of her conquest, ignorant to the hurt you were already feeling towards her. Eddie, on the other hand, looked mortified - turning a bright red. The look of betrayal was clear across your own face as tears threatened to fall again.

“Im - I’m going to go.” you don’t wait for either of them to get up. Eddie pushes Chrissy to her feet and gets up to go after you. Chrissy grabs his arm

“Eddie, wait!”

“Chrissy, I am so incredibly sorry, but I need to go make sure she’s okay” He goes to move away from her but she stops him again and pulls him in for a chaste kiss.

“Please don’t let this be the last time we do this” she whispers into his ear and drops his hand. Eddie turns a bright pink and leaves her with a smile.

You trudge through the house, tunnel vision honing in on the front door. The urge to vomit increased tenfold. Eddie catches up to you. You hear him calling out for you but you can’t turn back. Too embarrassed and heart broken (and drunk) to be able to handle what you saw in an unfamiliar place, in front of strangers nonetheless. You swung open the front door and ran down the front steps. Eddie trudges after you, clearly upset about what you had seen. There was no way he was going to let this get between the two of you.

“Y/N Wait” He sounds desperate. You turn to him and roll your eyes.

“What? Is it not what it looks like?” you laugh dryly. “You don’t need to explain anything to me, I’m going home.” You turn to leave. You couldn’t take another person pitying you. You understood where you were on the food chain. Yet another person to think of you as second best to Chrissy.

“Sweetheart, you shouldn’t walk by yourself this late at night.” Eddie chides. The alcohol had finally given you the bravery you had been needing for the past hour.

“Don’t do that. Don’t sweetheart me when you are literally going to go back inside and suck face with my best friend. Just - go. Enjoy the rest of your night Eddie. I’ll be just fine.” The tears freely falling down your cheeks didn’t convince him. He takes a step towards you but you turn to walk away,

“Why are you so angry with me about Chrissy? I thought I didn’t need to explain anything to you, but you seem really fucking mad at me”. Eddie’s words stop you dead in your tracks. He’s angry? With you? Instead of actual vomit, the words that come out of your mouth leave uncontrollably.

“She doesn’t like you Eddie. She likes the attention. She doesn’t like you like I do. She doesn’t care about you like you deserve to be cared about. And she likes the fact that I care about you way too much. Chrissy has to have everything. I can’t have anything to myself, but yet again no one gives a shit about me, about how I feel. How much I care because as long as Chrissy is there, she will always be number one. You are just another conquest for her and ,and she is just using you” You stand your ground, chest heaving. There is a sense of relief that you stood your ground but you immediately knew you said to much.

“E-Eddie, wair-”

“You think that I don’t know that she’s using me?”

“What?”

“Look, Y/N I am really really sorry that you care about me and I am really sorry that you feel that way about Chrissy. But I really like her. So I’m cool if she thinks that she wants to have some fun for now. I’ll let her as long as she’ll have me. Just - please stop caring about me, sweetheart. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I want to be your friend but, fuck -I might be in love with Chrissy. I think I have been for a long time, but just finally let myself feel it..”

You stood in shock. Your heart shattered to a million pieces. Eddie’s did too. He loved having you as a friend and he loved having you in his life, but he couldn’t imagine kissing you like he did Chrissy, taking you on dates like he wanted to with Chrissy, going to prom like he wished he would with Chrissy. Not you.

“Forget we ever had this conversation”. You turned on your heels and walked away. Hoping that Eddie would stop you and tell you that this was all a joke, that you were worth it, that you were his favorite and that he felt the same way about you. And even though being Chrissy’s friend was draining a lot of the time, you did always have her. But everything changed in one night. This is the first night that you have ever felt completely alone. You crossed your arms over your torso and started your walk home.

The next days and weeks went on as normal. Eddie seemingly didn’t tell Chrissy about your conversation because the phone calls never ceased. She still met you by your locker and she still intertwined her arm with yours when you walked. Eddie's gaze was aimed more at Chrissy and nights where you and Eddie normally hung out were now filled with secret rendezvous with the blonde. Although he still acted like your old Eddie, you felt a coldness from him. His smile never seemed genuinely happy and his eyes stopped glowing when he saw you. You kept quiet in efforts not to lose your only true friends at the school, but your shattered heart was refractured after every phone call you got from Chrissy, every detail you heard about their meetups or how soft his hands were or how great his kisses were.. You felt like you were crashing and burning but you kept up your facade to ensure you could salvage your fractured friendship, and every time you hung up your phone, you curled into your pillow and cried because although things were seemingly as they were supposed to be, you had never felt so out of place and isolated in your life.

You were waiting for Chrissy to come over, books sprawled across your kitchen table in anticipation for your study session for your semester finals. She was over an hour late.You sighed as you pulled out your flashcards and started to review in an attempt to salvage the time you had already wasted. You were interrupted by your phone ringing.

“Hello?”

“Babe oh my god I am so sorry I am running behind but you are never going to guess what happened!!”

“What’s that Chris?”

“Eddie Asked me to be his girlfriend!!”

Part 1 when?

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endeline · 2 days

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We'll Be Alright

Paring: Paige Bueckers x Reader Warnings: Angst with no comfort, closeted Paige, breakups, edited and written at 3 a.m. Words: 1,403 A/n: This is my first fic so feel free to critique the hell out of it! (The woman is making me write, send help.) Summary: "I just can’t be seen with you for a while… I can’t be with you for a while," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. I watched as her face crumpled under the weight of her confession. She turned away, avoiding my gaze, and in that moment, I felt my world tilt on its axis.

‘I’ve heard her wrong,’ that’s my first reaction, the only rational explanation. ‘I had to have heard her wrong.’ And I almost want to laugh at the ridiculousness of it, because there’s no way this is happening; it’s not possible. Out of everything I’ve learned in this life, only one thing remains steadfast: Paige won’t leave me, not like this. We've been each other's anchors for too long, willingly entwined each other into every facet of our lives—school, family, friends, work; everything leads back to Paige. My life isn’t mine anymore, it’s ours. You can’t just walk away from that; ‘she won’t walk away from that.’

She holds all of me within her grasp. I've given her everything, laid my heart bare at her feet and begged her to take it. I’m not sure I can even remember how to function without her anymore, and I really don’t want to have to re-learn.

At this, I have to take a breath - ‘she isn’t leaving you’—unclenching my fists, the pain of my nails digging into my palms fades into the background and I try to slow my pounding heart.

‘She isn’t doing this,’ ‘you heard her wrong, just ask her to repeat herself, she isn’t doing this’—I repeat like a mantra. I feel myself begin to open my mouth, but in my panic, I seem to have forgotten what to do next, how to speak, what to say.

I don’t have to though; as I watch her bury her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs, I know I've heard her correctly.

Time slows to a stop as I stare at her, the very fabric of our shared existence unraveling before my eyes. She’s trembling, her form completely hunched over, elbows resting heavily on her knees. I strain to hear the faintest sound of her sobs, unsure if it's her or my own heartbeat drowning out the world around me. Everything goes numb, or at least I think I’m going numb; I might be dying. 'I think I’m dying.’

One week earlier:

KK has perched her phone precariously above her stove, and she’s behind me. Her latest brainchild? A cooking show live, which is apparently just me awkwardly fumbling through a recipe in front of thousands of people, while KK assumes the role of my enthusiastic (if somewhat reckless) sous chef. She’s so busy scaring me half to death with her questionable knife skills and insistence upon dancing around the kitchen, requiring me to guard her away from the open flame and from knocking over everything on her chopping board (again), that we both miss Paige getting home.

I’m reaching to taste, and KK is preemptively handing me the salt as a familiar hand snakes it’s way around my waist. Paige leans over me to take my spoon in her mouth. "Tastes good, babe," she murmurs. I’m frozen under her touch, staring at our reflection on the livestream when KK bursts out in fake laughter. "Damn, all you gotta do to get Paige is know how to cook.” I laugh too, now catching on to KK’s cover story, turning to Paige. "For real, Bueckers, if you wanted some all you had to do was ask. Don’t waste your rizz on me," I joke, removing her hands from my waist. Her brow is furrowed, and a confused look passes over her face briefly until she looks up and sees the livestream, which is now blowing up. She steps away from me quickly and forces out a laugh before she slips out of frame and disappears from view. KK wraps the live up soon after this, and I rush after Paige, but the damage is done.

“I’m so sorry,” she sobs, wrenching me back into this harsh reality. “P?” I manage to choke out as I reach my arms out for her. I’m pretty sure I can feel my heart fall out of my chest as she pulls away, her head shaking in silent anguish.

But she doesn’t leave yet. Instead, she’s kneeling by my bedside, where I’ve seen her praying so many nights before. But she’s not talking to her god now; she’s looking up at me, speaking to me, clutching my hands in hers. “I love you, I’m so sorry,” she repeats, and yet even with her declaration of love, all I can do is shake my head in mute denial. “I can’t do it,” she gasps, desperation tingeing her words. “I can’t tell everyone yet. I’m not ready, and I can’t put you through this. It’s not fair to you.” I flinch away from her now, curling up into the corner of my bed.

“I’m so sorry.”

Even as I cower away, her outstretched hand reaches for me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Summoning what little strength remained within me, I unfurl myself from the corner of my bed and reach for her again, ‘maybe for the last time.’ I brushed away the tears that stained her cheeks, my heart aching. “What does me not being seen with you mean?" My voice tinged with a desperation I could scarcely contain. Paige finally looks up at me; her gaze met mine, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I can’t handle the rumors anymore," she cries, her words a plea for understanding. "I'm so sorry" It’s my turn to look away now, unable to bear the weight of her gaze any longer, staring into my lap. And for the first time in my life, I shake my head and lie to Paige Bueckers, gently shushing her I reach for her hand, “everything's going to be okay, we'll be alright.”

#paige bueckers #paige bueckers x reader #uconn wbb #uconn huskies #kk arnold #womens basketball #angst #paige bueckers fic #paige buckets #wcbb #final four

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comradesbooks · 11 months

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CRASH COURSE IN WRITING MAGIC SYSTEMS THAT NOBODY ASKED FOR

Disclaimer: I reference some popular media in this post to use as examples of what and what not to do when writing magic systems in fiction. In spite of my horrible sense of humor, understand that I’m not berating any series, I’m just making a point. Like what you like.

AHEM.

In a medieval or ancient fantasy world, magic is a staple, and while it can be a challenge at times to work with a magic system, I’ve found that effective magic systems have three clearly established factors playing into them. These factors are as follows:

1. Rules and Limits

2. Plausible Purpose and Canonical Background

3. CONSISTENCY

1. Rules and Limits. When it comes to writing a magic system, I feel that the most daunting part of it is the sheer amount of freedom you have with it. It’s to your custom. There are no rules until you set them, and if you don’t set firm rules in your magic system, you end up with a weird free for all that makes your story fall flat. The hero needs to reach the peak of some secluded mountain to battle an ancient wizard threatening to destroy the world? Let’s just teleport to the guy and hit him a few times with lightning until he dies! That’ll do it! With logic like that, you have a story that lasts less than 10,000 words. And no lonely soul in the wee hours of a Sunday morning is going to want to read that to pass the time.

This is why rules and limitations are vital to any magic system. Say your aforementioned hero (who is currently trying to reach that wizard but has no clue where he is) works with magic or has a sidekick who works with magic. Now say that this world does have teleportation magic, which is pretty OP. How do we limit it? Well, maybe teleportation, although possible, is dangerous because it makes the user tired, which is pretty impractical when you’re getting ready to have a final showdown with an all-powerful wizard. This could lead to a side arc that the hero must go through in order to reach the pesky wizard, therefore adding conflict to the story and opportunities to meet new characters, develop your world, and lengthen your adventure.

Earlier seasons of The Fairly Odd Parents come to mind. For those who grew up watching Butch Hartman’s brainchild, you might remember Da Rules, a huge book full of all the rules a godchild and his fairies must follow during their partnership. While rules are made up on the spot in some episodes, there are quite a few that stick around throughout the series and act as a hindrance in Timmy’s hare-brained schemes. In one early episode, Timmy wishes that he was the best skate-boarder in the world. This is fun, until he is challenged by his evil babysitter to a skating contest. Because of the stated rule that he can’t make wishes to win contests, Timmy is stripped of his magical skills, and is forced to git gud on his own in order to beat Vicky. If it weren’t for this simple rule being established early on in the series, the episode would have never happened at all. It’s a simple and childish example, but it gets the point across well enough.

Put bluntly, limitation and necessity are the parents of invention. If you don’t have rules, you don’t have conflict, and if your story doesn’t have conflict, then you don’t have a story.

2. Plausible Purpose and Canonical Background. Why does your world even have magic in the first place? Why does it exist? How does it exist? How does it affect your story and the characters in it? If it’s just a background element or plot device, either edit it out of your story, or rework your story to make it important, if you want magic so badly. If characters rely on magic for their way of life, make it clear how magic affects people and how they use it in their day to day lives. If magic isn’t a common occurrence, do people fear and shun it? This could be a driving force in your story.

To add to this, magic systems are about as interesting as their origins are. Magic doesn’t just exist. That’s not unique. It should have some kind of explanation to it. Even if it’s vague, it’s fine, if there’s a good enough reason. Maybe no one knows its true origins and so it’s only crazy theories that exist, which could be up to the reader to determine magic’s origins in that world. Open-ended world-building and characterization can be interesting, if done well.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a good example. Skyrim introduces a new magic system to the Elder Scrolls series; the Thu’um. To put it bluntly, the Thu’um is an ancient school of magic that was used only by Dragons. Humans couldn’t use it until a goddess allowed them to use it to fight the Dragons in ancient times, because without it, humans had no chance of overthrowing their cruel masters. Canonically, the Thu’um is a very powerful kind of magic, which at one point was used to break a piece of Skyrim off during a battle between two Dragon Priests, Miraak and Vahlok. The story behind the human use of the Thu’um is pretty metal, and therefore, interesting! While it doesn’t have to be quite that brutal, there should be an interesting story to the magic, which could also play into the rules limiting the use of that magic. Using Skyrim as an example again, while humans can use the Thu’um, it requires decades of training to actually do anything with it because the practice is not natural to humans like it is to Dragons. While a handful of mortals have been born with the ability to use the Thu’um without much training at all, only very few have existed in history, and even fewer actually used their gift. The magic is insanely powerful, but has strict limits and rules, depending on who is using, limiting the amount of people who can use it.

Use of the magic system shouldn’t be all the same either. There are different people who are going to practice it, and those different people are going to have different perspectives on the craft. A great example to look at is bending in Avatar: The Last Airbender. While the bending of elements in the show is technically a martial art, it’s treated like a magic system. Each nation has its own style when dealing with their respective element. Waterbenders are more fluid in their motions when waterbending, while earthbenders are very rigid and forceful when they’re chucking rocks at your face. Firebenders are offensive and aggressive, while airbenders are defensive and agile, preferring avoidant tactics in combat. Variations exist, such as the three main Waterbending styles, according to Wan Shi Tong; Northern Style, Southern Style, and Foggy Swamp Style. Some intellectualoids like Toph are knowledgeable enough to make brand new techniques completely unheard of in their craft in the form of metalbending, lavabending, bloodbending, and lightningbending. Others, like Iroh, are even able to borrow from other elements to come up with completely new techniques, like lightning redirection and using different parts of the body to firebend when the limbs are bound. Having multiple ideals in a world not only creates organic diversity, but also opens the doors to conflict. What if two kinds of magic users with differing ideologies clash? What kind of chaos could ensue?

3. CONSISTENCY. It’s pretty simple on paper, but writers seem to struggle with keeping their magic systems consistent. A small example in High Guardian Spice would is the portal magic introduced in the first episode by Aloe. If you have a portal that can take you from Point A to Point B with no established limits, why didn’t Sage and Rosemary just teleport from their hometown to the Academy? When the girls get trapped in a cave, why didn’t they just magic their way out using portals? Avoiding plot holes is easy if you stay consistent. If you write yourself into a corner, consider reworking the previous two factors in your story. To prevent writing yourself into a corner, plan your novel out before you write it, and don’t be afraid to rework some things if you get stuck. They’re called drafts for a reason!

This little brainbarf boils down to:

You make the rules in magic systems. Those rules can be whatever the heck you want, but to make a good product, you need to stick to the rules you set, and still find a way to make it interesting.

Take everything I say here with a grain of salt, as I’m mainly a fanfiction writer, however I have worked with fantasy games, and have rewritten some magic systems to make them more “novel-friendly”. (*cough cough* Skyrim, I’m lookin at you *cough cough*)

Just understand that everything I said is entirely correct and valid and if you think otherwise, you are automatically wrong in every way.

I can provide examples of my own work with magic systems, if anyone is curious. I can also write up a part two, if anyone is open to discussion!

#writeblr #writing tips #combat systems #magic systems #fantasy #fiction #novel writing #author

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twistedtummies2 · 1 month

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Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes - Number 17

Welcome to A Gathering of the Greatest Gumshoes! During this month-long event, I’ll be counting my Top 31 Favorite Fictional Detectives, from movies, television, literature, video games, and more!

SLEUTH-OF-THE-DAY’S QUOTE: “I don’t believe a detective exists who likes to see his trenchcoat ruined…”

Number 17 is…Blacksad.

In my previous pick, I talked about Sam Spade – arguably the most quintessential of all noir-style detectives. Today, we’re discussing another noir-style detective, but a very…different one. Unlike Spade, this character is far more recent, and originates neither from novels nor the cinema…but instead from the world of comic books. I am referring to John Blacksad, the titular protagonist of the graphic novel crime series, “Blacksad.”

This series is the brainchild of two Spanish creators: writer Juan Diaz Canales, and artist Juanjo Guarnido. Canales has been a comic book author for many years, but never really made a big splash till “Blacksad.” Guarnido, however, is actually someone many more people will recognize: even if you haven’t heard his name, the chances are you’ve seen his work. From 1993 to 2004, he was an animator and layout artist for Disney! Among other things, he was one of the lead animators for two recognizable Disney Villains: Hades in Disney’s “Hercules,” and Sabor in “Tarzan.” His final project with the studio was a short cartoon called “Lorenzo.”

It was not long after Guarnido left Disney that he reconnected with Canales, whom he’d met many years before. The two decided to collaborate and create a graphic novel that paid homage to classic film noir crime stories and pulp magazines of the 1930s and 40s. This novel was entitled “Blacksad: Somewhere Within the Shadows.” The book was highly successful, earning several awards and being translated into various languages; the English translation, interestingly, was handled largely by comic book veteran Neal Adams. (May he rest in peace.) Since then, there have been three sequel tales, and a four-part tale called “They All Fall Down,” which has yet to be finished; only the first two parts are currently complete, if I’m not mistaken. There has also been a video game based on the series made, called “Under the Skin,” which tells a new story all its own; I have not played the game, but I have seen some video of it, and it does a good job capturing everything great about the comics. In the English version of the game, Blacksad is voiced by Barry Johnson.

As you can guess from the cover shown here, the conceit of “Blacksad” is that all of the characters are anthropomorphic animals. (And yeah, it’s easy to see Guarnido’s Disney background through his art in several places throughout the books…and I mean that in a VERY good way, because the art is AWESOME on so many levels.) However, this is not a kid-friendly or heavily satirical series. While there are moments here and there of meta humor, paying homage to and occasionally poking fun at various tropes of the noir genre, Blacksad takes itself seriously: it’s telling more or less dramatic noir-style crime stories, it’s just that the characters are covered in scales, fur, and feathers. Many have compared it to the somewhat controversial graphic novel “Maus,” where creator Art Spiegelman uses different animals to represent different kinds of people. This is SOMEWHAT similar, but I think it’s more appropriate to say Blacksad is what would happen if “Zootopia” had been Rated R. The fact these characters are animals is often part of the story and many details in it, rather than just a mask, so to speak. As a fan of film noir, it’s interesting to see how these stories play out, with legitimately surprising mysteries, dark secrets to be discovered, and many murders most foul.

As to the main character himself…Blacksad is a pretty typical noir detective, but for some reason he still manages to stand out from the crowd in a fun way. While he’s a cynical and sometimes grouchy guy, he’s also a charming ladies’ man, and has a sense of humor about himself as well as the rest of the world. One of my favorite elements of his character is how he seems to DELIBERATELY play up his own noir-esque elements: it’s as if he’s putting on this show for the rest of the world, in-universe, creating this very specific façade for others to notice. Out of universe, of course, it leads to some wonderful jokes, such as him getting peeved about his trenchcoat being ruined (a-la the quote I selected). The supporting cast around him is a lot of fun, too: most notable are his two best friends. First, there’s Smirnov, a German Shepherd police commissioner who has a long history with the tuxedo tabby. Second, there’s Weekly, a literal weasel of a journalist (with notoriously terrible B.O.) who essentially acts as Blacksad’s sidekick in some stories. Both are fun characters who adhere to classic tropes, while also being unique and interesting in their own right; again, much like Blacksad himself, and the series as a whole.

If you’re a fan of comics, a fan of detective stories and film noir, or a fan of seeing former Disney animators do very un-Disney things with topics like racism, the Red Scare, serial killing, and other unspeakable forms of nastiness…then definitely check out either the comics or the video game I mentioned earlier. They’re definitely worth your time.

Tomorrow, the countdown continues with Number 16!

CLUE: “We're smart people. So why do we always do things that make us look like we have the intelligence of beef jerky?”

#list #countdown #best #favorites #top 31 fictional detectives #gathering of the greatest gumshoes #number 17 #blacksad #john blacksad #comics #mystery #noir #video games

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mywifeleftme · 3 months

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292: Various Artists // Abstract Magazine Issue 5

Abstract Magazine Issue 5 Various Artists 1985, Sweatbox Just got up to flip the record after sitting cross-legged on the couch typing on my laptop for quite a bit, not realizing my leg had fallen asleep until I tried to plant on it and had to pinwheel my arms to keep from falling flat out and cracking my head into my turntable. Absolutely how the coroner will shoot my body someday too, ass-naked and alone on the floor of my apartment, surrounded by instruments I can’t play and books I haven’t gotten to, bleeding into my record collection with a scythe propped sardonically against the wall in the background.

Speaking of ignominious deaths, while doing some research on the compiler of today’s record, a post-punk compilation / fanzine combo from 1985, the first thing that came up was a 2007 post from Burl Veneer’s old Typepad blog, specifically this inimitable sentence: “Abstract was the brainchild of Rob Deacon, who died last month in a canoeing accident at age 42 (same as me).” Strange nautical coincidence that, and a neat trick for Burl to keep blogging after death too (in fact, he’s still at it here on Tumblr), but I kept link hopping, and have learned that Deacon was quite a special guy, and a pivotal figure in two or three generations of UK music.

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There’s genuine fondness and grief in The Guardian obit, the kind they reserve for lesser-known people who busted their asses and made a difference behind the scenes in media, and they spell out a resume I’m a little ashamed not to have been more up on. He was in his late teens when he started Abstract magazine, profiling the cream of the post-punk crop and cajoling exclusive tracks out of a bunch of them. Abstract would eventually morph into his own label, the influential Sweatbox, but the magazine + compilation bug stuck with him, and he’d go on to start the CD-era Volume series, which moved real numbers for an indie comp and featured… Jesus, everybody, apparently. He followed that up with the groundbreaking Trance Europe Express and Trance Atlantic electronic compilations, became a dance night impresario, did music photography, started a label (Deviant)… and then he fell out of his fuckin’ boat. Damn.

Abstract #5 is a real time capsule of 1985, featuring songs and interviews with the likes of Swans, Gene Loves Jezebel, Cindytalk, Colourbox, and the Jazz Butcher, interspersed with record reviews, scene reports, comics and more. The written pieces are all over the place stylistically, some transcribed in a borderline-incoherent fashion, others fighting for their lives against the adventurous two-tone printed layouts, but it has a wonderful fanzine energy and a level of ballsy spite you don’t see much these days.

Nearly every artist has a bone to pick with their label or journalists or bands they used to like that sold out or fans who have any sort of expectations of them. (The editorial pages get into it too, describing Morrissey “prancing daffodilously” and previewing a new New Order tune called “I’ve Got a Cock Like the M1,” which would see daylight as “The Perfect Kiss.”)

It’s zany and vulnerable and, even just shy of 40 years later, totally inspiring stuff. Highlights include Swans’ Michael Gira’s typically serial killer-coded interview, in which he talks about watching TV for 14 hours a day and shares the trans body horrific lyrics to a song called “BASTARD” that would eventually come out during the band’s maniac 1986; an account from industrial music pioneers Test Dept of the ’84 miner’s strike in South Wales, with a photo of one member who appears to have two sets of upper teeth like a shark; and the 400 Blows talking about having recorded their contribution to the issue in an echoing drainage pipe in which they nearly became trapped and drowned.

Musically this is by design a mixed bag (side one is kind of the uncommercial, experimental bits; side two the peppier guitar pop stuff). None of these exclusives would make anyone’s definitive collection of any of these bands, but as a complete listening and reading experience, Abstract #5 is a beautiful celebration. Cheers to Rob.

292/365

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borreloadsavagedragon · 1 year

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20 and 21 for Kaito!

kaito posting……… we know how this will go down

20. A Weird Headcanon

What a perfect question to submit so I can talk about the Tenjo Cousin concept that Sorrel has me hooked on 👁👁

So one of my all time favorite headcanons to write fic and conversation for is how Yusaku and Kaito are actually related, they’re cousins now, I said so

A lot of it traces back to similarities in their characters, in their interpersonal relationships and friend groups, but also the fact that Yusaku uses Photon Thrasher in a duel against the Hanoi before he uncovers the Cyberse pile deck left by Ai

Like out of every card you could have used, Photon Thrasher, from an archetype we have canon confirmation for being created by dimensional science…………. interesting pick! I’m NOT gonna focus on it!!! (lying)

I love just finding a way to make them work as a family dynamic, but I also just want to give Yusaku a strong blood relative to go with the strong found family he’s already made, I like to make these loners feel a bit less lonely

Galaxy also being one of the Zexal anime decks that has a Link monster is v cute

Also looove theorizing Kaito’s background and what could have been, like why does he have the same diamond pattern on his turtle neck that Rio does on her out of school wear, and in a related note why does he look so much like his dragon in both his hair design and the previously mentioned outfit, just all those little details and where they could have been going-

One fic I’ve been working super hard on in hopes to publish is a post-canon AU that’s a focus on reincarnation and the power of human spirit and it’s mostly a project to answer my own lingering questions on certain aspects of Zexal canon, it’s very GoT/HoTD inspired and takes some of the pre-established history with warring kings but add slightly more politics, extra battles, and also dragons, but told through memories during some post canon conflict that ties it all together, one day I’ll actually make a post about it but for right now it remains a brainchild with 3 outlines and a 10k+ lore outline

21. When do you think they were at their happiest?

Oh this is a good question

Ok so, preview for part of the analysis essay but-

It’s actually kind of sad because most of Kaito’s pictured happiness in BOTH spin-offs he appears in is all very past tense. Like, beside his general demeanor and the obvious instances, Kaito’s color palettes are a lot brighter in both the time he spends in the family cabin and in Haruto’s baby days in Zexal and in the Arc V High School tournament flashbacks, he’s also essentially never shown frowning anytime the shows recall him before current canon. The way they utilize color with Kaito’s regression into himself is brilliant, he’s the brightest thing in the hallway of Heartland Tower when Haruto is taken from him, he’s one of brightest things in the rain when Chris leaves, but water is going to darken the colors he’s wearing, another thing to really show that this moment is the last thing that pushed him into being Kaito who we recognize

I want to do more color analysis for him in canon too but that’s not the question fjdhdhsbdb

Despite that, I’d actually argue Kaito’s happiest in the end of Zexal(and Arc V but that’s a slightly different subject, end of the tunnel is similar!!), because he endured and arguably survived everything that came to break him, moon duel pending since the Code basically said lmao to that.

He allowed himself to open back up after being cast aside and was rewarded for it because not only did he make new everlasting bonds, but all of these people who left him and left a such a heavy mark on him came back to him. They not only came back, they’re brought back to him apologetically after acknowledging the things they did to him.

Kaito doesn’t get to do much in Zexal II mostly because the show got a little messy with bringing in more cast and having a few plot threads that actually needed to be wrapped up that had to take priority, but IMO he does arguably get one of the best ends in Zexal, Arc V is a weird second element that’ll get its own discussion piece one day

#THANK YOU MERRY #I will always kaito post #he is #my onion #yugioh zexal #kaito #asks #answered #kaito tenjo

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chattingwiththelightkeeper · 7 months

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Do You Have A Kinky Soundtrack?

In D/S, creating the perfect atmosphere is an art form in itself. While various elements contribute to setting the mood, one often underestimated but profoundly effective tool is music. The right melody can elevate sensations, deepen connections, and intensify the emotional journey within a scene. Today, we will discuss how the magic music can play a pivotal role in D/S scenarios and introduce you to three of my favorite kinky-mood setting artists.

The right melody in a D/S scene can be the invisible thread that weaves emotions, sensations, and connections into a tapestry of intensity. Music has a profound ability to evoke emotions, and when carefully selected, it can enhance the depth of a scene. A slow,

haunting melody can heighten anticipation, drawing out the moments of suspense as dominance and submission build. The rhythm of the music can synchronize with the rhythm of the participants' breathing and heartbeats, intensifying the physical and emotional connection between them. Furthermore, music can serve as a form of non-verbal communication, conveying desires, consent, and emotions that words may not capture adequately. It can create a safe and immersive space where trust is nurtured, vulnerability is embraced, and the emotional journey becomes a symphony of sensations, resonating long after the scene has ended. In the world of D/S, the right melody is more than background noise; it's a conductor of emotions and desires, enriching the experience in ways words alone cannot express.

Now that we have explored how music can serve as a powerful catalyst in D/S scenes, let's delve into my top three favorite artists who have, for me, mastered the art of setting the perfect, kinktastic mood.

Enigma: A Mystical Journey

Enigma, the brainchild of Romanian-German musician Michael Cretu, has been captivating listeners since its inception in 1990. With its unique blend of Gregorian chants, electronic beats, and ethereal sounds, Enigma's music carries an air of mystery and sensuality. The subtle yet haunting melodies create an entrancing backdrop that can enhance the atmosphere of a D/S scene. Tracks like "Sadeness (Part I)" and "Return to Innocence" are particularly evocative, adding an enigmatic allure to moments of dominance and submission.

Deep Forest: The Rhythmic Connection

Hailing from France, the musical project Deep Forest, initially a duo consisting of Michel Sanchez and Éric Mouquet, has made its mark with a genre known as "ethnic electronica." Their music seamlessly fuses traditional ethnic sounds from around the world with electronic beats, resulting in a mesmerizing sonic experience. Whether you're seeking a rhythmic, dance-infused scene or a more serene, chillout ambiance, Deep Forest's catalog offers a wide range of possibilities. Tracks like "Sweet Lullaby" and "Boheme" beautifully merge the earthly and the electronic, making them perfect choices to accompany moments of D/S exploration.

Sonny Rollins: The Soulful Serenade

For those who prefer the soulful sounds of jazz to set the mood, Sonny Rollins is a legendary choice. An American jazz tenor saxophonist, Rollins is celebrated for his mastery of the instrument and his ability to convey deep emotions through music. His extensive discography, spanning seven decades, offers a rich selection of tracks that can add depth and sensuality to D/S scenes. Rollins' improvisational style allows his music to adapt to the evolving dynamics of a scene, making it a versatile choice. Classics like "St. Thomas" and "Blue 7" are excellent examples of his soul-stirring saxophone melodies. While these artists have found their way into my D/S playlist, music preferences are highly personal.

I would love to hear from you! What are your favorite artists or songs for setting the mood in D/S scenes? Feel free to share your musical choices and the role they play in your own unique experiences.

If you enjoyed this, I invite you to give my podcast a listen 'Chatting With The Lightkeeper,' a top 25% most-followed podcasts on Spotify but available on all the major podcasting apps and follow my socials for more exclusive content: Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for a deeper dive into the wonderful world of D/S.

As with all of my thoughts, please see this disclaimer.

©TLK2023

#The Daily D/S #bd/sm community #bd/sm lifestyle #d/s community #my writing

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fridge-reviews · 1 year

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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Developer: ArtPlay Publisher: 505 Games Rrp: £34.99 (Gog.com, Humblebundle, Steam and Origin) Released: 18th June 2019 Available on: Gog.com, Humblebundle, Steam and Origin Played Using: An Xbox One Control Pad Approximate game length: 15 Hours

When it comes to metroidvania's we tend to get games that focus more on the Metroid side of things and less on the Vania (as in Castlevania, in case I have to spell that out). However, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night pulls far more on the Castlevania side of things.

In case it wasn't obvious, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series. In fact, I think it's safe to say this is the closest we're going to get to getting a new Castlevania since Konami has decided to give up on making video games in favour of gambling machines. This game was the brainchild of Koji Igarashi who had been a producer for the Castlevania series who left Konami when they started to change into a gambling machine company. The game was crowdfunded on Kickstarter, of which I sadly missed out on being a backer, in fact for a short period it was the highest value video game kickstarter the platform had ever had.

Bloodstained (I shall be refraining from saying the full name now) is a sidescrolling platformer with three dimensional backgrounds. Meaning the various rooms are given an added level of depth but never interfere with the gameplay. Bloostained is very much keeping itself as close as it can to its inspiration by including many of the features and... quirks that made Castlevania what it was, such as having a save specific save room or having enemies repopulate a screen once you return to it.

When you start the game a lot of bonus content and becomes available including two extra characters to play as, the game recommends playing as Mirriam first as she is the default character and experience. Having completed the game and then replayed using these characters I wholeheartedly agree with that as the two other characters play extremely differently, With completely different tutorials.

Assuming your playing as Mirriam (the default main character) you will collect 'shards', which are crystallised demonic power. Usually these are obtained by killing a demon but there are some you will find in a breakable object. These shards come in six variaties. Conjure, manipulative, directional, passive, familiar and skill. Conjure shards are generally (but not always) offensive spells. Manipulative shards allow you to alter the game or yourself in some way. Directional shards are usually spells that assist in movement and require you to direct them using the right analogue stick. Passive shards are just that a passive ability such as increased damage with a specific weapon type. Familiar shards allow you to have a familiar who will assist in combat. Lastly are skill shards, these are generally the ones you'll need to progress in the game such as double jumping etc.

There's a crafting system that allows you to create, enhance and dismantle items as well as also allowing you to prepare food. As can be expected creating and enhancing items require resources (of which there are a great many in this game). Dismantling an item will give you the items that item is made from, however, you have to have a specific resource to do that. Preparing food works in exactly the same way as creating items however food will heal you when its consumed, the amount of healing given varying from foodstuff to foodstuff, but it also grants a permanent small bonus to your stats the first time its consumed.

When it comes to combat I'm really unsure of what to say. It felt fine, I personally thought that Hollow Knights was better but perhaps that was down to my build. You see, in this game each weapon has its own movement speed and move set. Daggers are quick but do little damage while great swords are slow but do huge sums of damage. You can bolster this with what equipment shards you choose to use.

I really liked this game, to the point that I actually forgot to take screenshots and had to go back through simply to get some! I was never really into Castlevania as I grew up but I knew of them through social osmosis. One thing I do want to mention is that there are a few endings to this game and the easiest to achieve isn't the 'best' one.

If this appeals to you perhaps try;

Hollow Knight Infernax

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historyhermann · 1 year

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Victor and Valentino Review

In U.S. popular culture, Greek and Roman myths have become prominent, whether spun into animations about Cleopatra or popular webcomics about the gods on Mount Olympus. However, there’s one show that tries to shift the focus toward Mesoamerican mythologies and stories, bringing it into the American mainstream: Victor and Valentino.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs, my History Hermann WordPress blog on Jan 3., and Wayback Machine. This was the first article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on November 26, 2020.

This animated series is the brainchild of Diego Molano, a former artist on The Powerpuff Girls, background designer on Ian Jones-Quartey’s OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, and former background layout artist on other animated series. As an avid fan of Steven Universe and OK K.O.!, this show was an easy draw, with the 30-second opening proving an exciting way to begin each episode.

Victor and Valentino follows the wild adventures of two young half-brothers, Victor (voiced by Molano) and Valentino (voiced by Sean-Ryan Petersen), in the town of Monte Macabre, encountering bizarre phenomena along the way. They are occasionally helped by their grandmother, Chata (voiced by Laura Patalano), who has supernatural powers, and others within the town. This focus stays the same through the show’s two seasons, which aired on Cartoon Network this year and last year. Valentino, Victor, and Chata are part of the almost exclusively Latinx cast in this series.

Like OK K.O.! and Steven Universe, Victor and Valentino is made for children under age 13, with Molano calling it “digestible content for kids,” although it can be enjoyed by those of all ages. It is also socially relevant, celebrates individuality, and is a comedy-adventure, mixing motifs from Mexico and Japan, including indigenous culture in Latin America. Even in its tensest moments, whether in arguments between Victor and Valentino, or when one of them is endangered by a supernatural being, the humor and storyline are family-friendly.

Although Victor and Valentino is unique, it shares characteristics with other animations. Similar to how Jones-Quartey voices a protagonist, Radicles, in OK K.O.!, Molano voices Victor in this show. While some may see Victor as a self-insert of Molano, he serves as a distinctive character in his own right. As for Valentino, he is a bit like Steven Universe, who is also overweight, serving as a contrast to stereotypes of obesity which are widespread in popular media. Also, Valentino is calm, thoughtful, considerate, and a bit nerdy, the opposite of Victor, a rambunctious kid who hates rules.

Each of the show’s 117 episodes, most in Season 2, are geared toward children and families, especially those in the Latinx community. Ultimately, Victor and Valentino changes Mesoamerican myths from something for adults into a show which kids, and their parents, can appreciate equally, each in their own way.

One character has a surprising intensity beyond Victor, Valentino, and Chata. She is Xochi, a rebellious young woman, who is voiced by Cristina Vee. She is a physically fit teenager and the daughter of a local shop owner, often having run-ins with Victor and Valentino, while going to concerts and taking salsa dance classes. In two episodes, “Band for Life” and “Escaramuza,” she shows a clear interest in another girl, Amabel. Even though it has not been officially confirmed that she is a lesbian, it is heavily implied by her never showing romantic feelings for male characters and often blushing when she is around Amabel.

With Xochi as a character and the Latinx-majority cast, Victor and Valentino is part of a broader push by animations, especially those for all ages, to have LGBTQ characters, diverse storylines, and casts. The show shares both with Steven Universe, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts. Victor and Valentino is not alone in focusing on Mesoamerica. For instance, the mature adult animation and Crunchyroll original, titled Onyx Equinox, created by Sofia Alexander, a Latina showrunner, is set in Aztec Mexico.

If the show is renewed for a third season, that hopefully means that Xochi’s story will be explored more. Although she has appeared in nine episodes, her character is seriously underutilized. This problem is not unique to Victor and Valentino but has been a problem in other Cartoon Network (CN) animations, like Steven Universe. The latter show is told from Steven’s perspective, resulting in supporting characters, such as Peridot, Lapis Lazuli, and Bismuth, being sidelined in pursuit of a broader story.

Victor and Valentino may end up encouraging CN to continue offering shows with significant diversity, whether broadcast on daytime programming or adding them to HBO Max. It is a fun and exciting show which can be liked by everyone, with each episode only 11 minutes long. Not every episode is as gripping as the last, but the show is a nice break from the monotony of daily life, and definitely worth watching every episode either over a series of weeks or binge it in a shorter period.

Victor and Valentino is available on Cartoon Network, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV, and the CN app.

#victor and valentino #mesoamerica #latino #latin america #cartoon network #diego molano #ok ko #lgbtq #lesbians #xochi #cristina vee #onyx equinox #sofia alexander #steven universe #crystal gems #hbo max

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shadeops21 · 2 years

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3D Character Renders, Part 2

So, with the completion of Jade, I’ve been able to fast track a couple more characters using the same assets I’d developed, and now I present to you all a couple more OCs.

Firstly, allow me to introduce the brainchild of my close friend @cordemente, Master Sergeant Rebecca “Dash” Meyers:

I joke that we “share custody” of Dash as she co-stars along my own OC Shade in our collaborative fanfic All or Nothing, but Dash is 100% Corde’s character.

To quote her reaction upon seeing her render:

I don’t think I need to go into detail about Dash’s background and exploits in the unit. Unlike my next character. I’ll throw her in after the cut.

Allow me to introduce a side character that’s brought in very late into the story (but still quite important in my head-canon for the story).

Second Lieutenant Kimberley Milne

In case you haven’t read the fic or aren’t fully up to date, I’ll give you a brief rundown on my own headcanon for Task Force 141′s internal structure.

As they are a multinational special operations task force, they require extensive support from partner nations such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. As such, to allow for greater interoperability, it’s not only tactical personnel that are seconded to the unit. Support staff such as admins, supply officers and quartermasters, transport and logistics staff, and medical personnel are also assigned to the unit.

Kim is a doctor detached from the 4th Health Battalion, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and is attached to TF141′s internal medical care division. Whilst she’s not the boss of the base’s infirmary or head of the division, she is responsible for ensuring that the field team’s medics are up to speed on current combat medicine and trauma care procedures whilst also pulling duty as one of the on-base primary care physicians.

As such, she interacts with the members of Hotel Team and the other field teams on a much more regular basis than other medical staff.

That’s it for now regarding character renders! I’m mapping out the assets needed for some of the guys, as I really want to realise Shade and a few others now!

Watch this space!

#call of duty #Modern Warfare 2 #fanfic #fanart #fanworks #original characters #ocs #3d

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swinging-stars-from-satellites · 2 years

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Top five fics you’ve written? :D

I lied, I'm still awake

there must be something in the water 'cause every day it's getting colder, one of my favorite pieces I've ever written for any fandom — 759 words of relationship and character study through the lens of an ice/ocean metaphor. I'm exceedingly proud of the style I managed to use for it, which is probably the most poetic and melodramatic I've ever been lol. (for some fun added context if you don't go to the AO3 page, the title is from Bruises by Lewis Capaldi, I wrote it while listening to We Fall Apart by We As Human on loop for about three hours, and I took major inspiration for some lines from Gravity by Sara Bareilles.)

Though The Truth May Vary, the introduction and opening piece of an ongoing, WIP AU that @fortes-fortuna-iogurtum and I are writing. it's our baby, our brainchild, my beloved.

til' the hospital or american embassy, which is pretty recent. MSR cancer arc ANGST, it's an AU of this one episode where Scully spends the entire time trying to pretend like she's fine when she's Not, just bc she struggles with being vulnerable, so I added some extra whump to it based on a gifset that got me thinking, and it turned into... honestly one of my longer oneshots, bc I don't usually pass 2k lol.

still know your heart and still know both your eyes, my first X-Files fanfic!! I'm proud of it both bc I think I did well with characterizations and relationship stuff, but also bc it's a little bit of a peek into my own world; it's set entirely in the Anchorage Alaska airport, which I've spent a good amount of time in lol and in VERY fond of it there. it's a very liminal fic.

The Kids Aren't Alright, which was... I believe the last Newsies fic I wrote before I ended up with some major writer's block for quite a while. it makes more sense if you've read at least the first fic in the series tbh, but the story is basically just the canon events of the stage musical (the filmed Broadway one with Jeremy Jordan, not the movie with Christian Bale) but like, through the POV of Race, and if the background character of Smalls was more fleshed out. still think about that dynamic i came up with all the time hdjssnsnsk

Honorable mentions:

you can't un-break a heart (I'm sorry, I'm sorry), my prose narration of a pivotal, poignant scene in a series of Doctor Who audiodramas.

In Books Written By Rabbits, my second fic exploring an extremely underrated platonic relationship in one of the Doctor Who spinoff audio series. I worked quotes from The Last Unicorn into more than just the title, which I'm VERY pleased about as it had been something I wanted to do in that fandom for a while.

ask me my top 5 anything

#Lu rambles #asks #Lu writes #ask games

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house-of-laminations · 2 years

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10. Has a piece of writing ever “haunted” you? Has your own writing haunted you? What does that mean to you?, 24. How much prep work do you put into your stories? What does that look like for you? Do you enjoy this part or do you just want to get on with it?, 32. What is a line from a poem/novel/fanfic etc that you return to from time and time again? How did you find it? What does it mean to you?

Hello Carim! Hope your day is going well 💛 thanks for the ask!

10. Has a piece of writing ever “haunted” you? Has your own writing haunted you? What does that mean to you?

For me, being "haunted" by a piece of writing is to always have it in the back of your mind, and it inspires and intimidates you in equal measure. I can't say any of my writing has ever haunted me per se, unless you count that constant niggling in the back of your mind telling you to finish your WIPs.

But as for other people's writing? There's a few that have stuck with me over the years. One in particular I reread recently and highly recommend is a Star Wars fic called Shape-Changer, by Fialleri on Ao3 (and all subsequent works by them in that continuity). Its a beautiful piece of world building, dealing with oppression and reclaiming of culture from the perspective of a slave (Darth Vader, in this fic, but also others in later stories). The language and stories (and how those stories are told) they create for the slaves of Tattooine really just. get me every time. Story telling as escapism and empowerment my beloved.

24. How much prep work do you put into your stories? What does this look like for you? Do you enjoy this part or do you just want to get on with it?

I put the same prep work into my fiction writing that I put into my academic writing - that is, I’ll have a few dot points or maybe a stray thought written down, do a ton of research that takes me entirely a different direction, and then just improvise the rest. Typically I’ll have section/chapter/character/topic headings written up, then I’ll do a big research deep dive. For example, in Evolutionary Biology with Prof MC, that included doing a ton of diving into the timeline of evolutionary emergence for different species, and a little anthropology (though the latter I already have a background in). Then I kinda just. Go for it. It’s hard to explain how I actually write because it’s not really linear, and that’s why prep work is more about doing research than creating a solid structure.

There is only a single exception to this and that is a massive epic of a fic that’s the brainchild of myself and one of my close friends (shout out to jorts if this comes across your dash). It’s a massive MDSZ fic with a bunch of timeline stuff and worldbuilding plotted out linearly, but again, it’s because it’s a beast. That looks like a massive google doc with a gazillion dot points in chronological order for a story.

32. What is a line from a poem/novel/fanfic etc do you return to from time and time again? How did you find it? What does it mean to you?

From the same fic I linked before (Shape-Changer) there's an exchange between a young Anakin Skywalker and his mother: "Vader remembered asking his mother once why there were so many stories about Ekkreth as a slave. She’d looked at him very seriously and said, “Oh no, Ani. They aren’t stories about Ekkreth the slave at all. They’re stories of how Ekkreth becomes free." "

And even though it's a fanfic that's about fictional slavery, it always reminds me of how storytelling is all about perspective. Story telling is intimate and personal and creates connections between humans. And that's why I love it, and I love being a writer. Stories are why I love humans.

#carim #sorry if star wars isnt peoples thing - its just that that particular fic has stuck with me for *years*#ask games #i talk to a real human

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masteryminutes · 4 months

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Time Management for Parents: Juggling Family and Personal Time

Explore practical strategies to balance family, work, and personal time. Plunge into the pages of this blog post filled with laughter, brimming with valuable time-saving tips and clever parental productivity hacks.

How Does One Juggle Life? A Parent's Dilemma

Parenting is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle – an entertaining yet challenging spectacle. As a parent, you're not just managing kids and chaos; you're balancing work, personal time, and the mysterious realm of family responsibilities. So, buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through the life of our fictional character, Jane Jugglesalot, as she unveils the secrets of time management in the peculiar world of parenthood.

The Circus of Parenthood: Juggling Family Responsibilities

Jane, a seasoned juggler in her own right, found herself in the ultimate circus tent – the household. With kids running amok, deadlines looming at work, and personal desires quietly whimpering in the background, she wondered, "How do I keep all these balls in the air without accidentally setting the house on fire?" Parental Time Management 101: The Three-Ring Strategy Enter the Three-Ring Strategy, Jane's brainchild for managing family responsibilities. Ring 1: Family, Ring 2: Work, and Ring 3: Personal Time. Each has its own spotlight moment, but blending them seamlessly is where the magic happens. Jane started her day by donning her Family Ring hat – ensuring the kids were breakfasted, dressed, and ready for the day. Once the little circus performers were off to school, she slipped into her Work Ring attire, tackling emails and conference calls with the precision of a tightrope walker. By lunchtime, she gracefully segued into the Personal Time Ring, a magical intermission where she nurtured her interests and passions. The key here was not to let the circus tents overlap, avoiding the chaos of a lion suddenly appearing in the middle of a juggling act. Transitioning effortlessly between these rings became Jane's secret to maintaining sanity and avoiding the chaos of a clown car collision.

Balancing Act: Work, Parenting, and Personal Time

As Jane masterfully balanced her life rings, she pondered, "How do I keep my priorities straight without accidentally swapping the grocery list with the quarterly report?" Parenting Productivity Hacks: A Balancing Act with Precision Precision was the name of the game. Jane realized that setting priorities was crucial, and color-coded calendars became her trusty sidekicks. Work meetings were in blue, family events in green, and personal time was a burst of rainbow hues. Transitioning smoothly between these vibrant categories brought a sense of order to Jane's chaotic circus of life. Time Management Tips for Parents: The Power of 'No' Another revelation struck Jane – the power of saying 'no.' Not to the kids, of course, but to the unnecessary extras that threatened to creep into her schedule like uninvited clowns. She chuckled at the thought of turning away those time-stealing jesters. "Sorry, Mr. Clown, I can't attend your impromptu party. I've got a juggling act of my own to perform!"

The Parenthood Time Warp: Efficient Techniques for Time Travel

Parenthood sometimes feels like a time warp where days blend into nights, and suddenly, you're wondering if you missed a month or two. Jane faced this temporal conundrum head-on, asking herself, "How can I stretch time without breaking the space-time continuum?" Time-saving Tips for Parents: The Time-Turner of Parenthood Jane discovered her very own Time-Turner – a magical device known as delegation. She recruited the kids as junior jugglers in the household circus, teaching them age-appropriate tasks and transforming chores into a collaborative routine. With each child contributing their bit, the time-turning magic happened – suddenly, Jane found herself with an extra hour or two every day. It was as if the laws of time bowed to the efficiency of a well-coordinated family unit. Delegating tasks not only lightened Jane's load but also taught the kids essential life skills. Talk about killing two birds with one juggling pin!

The Great Escape: Personal Time for Parents

In the whirlwind of family responsibilities and work deadlines, Jane recognized the importance of a great escape – a moment where the spotlight was solely on her. She mused, "How can I reclaim my personal time without resorting to a full-fledged disappearing act?" Parenthood Time Management: The Art of 'Me' Time To avoid drowning in the sea of parental obligations, Jane crafted a weekly schedule that reserved specific blocks exclusively for 'Me' Time. Whether it was indulging in a good book, pursuing a hobby, or simply savoring a quiet cup of coffee, these moments became her lifelines. Carving out intentional personal time not only rejuvenated Jane but also made her a better juggler in the circus of life.

The Grand Finale: Parental Work-Life Harmony

As Jane perfected her juggling act, she marveled at the grand finale – a harmonious blend of work and family, with personal time serving as the glittering confetti on top. She questioned, "Can I truly achieve work-life balance, or is it just a mythical unicorn that parents chase in vain?" Strategies for Busy Parents: The Unicorn of Work-Life Balance Jane discovered that work-life balance wasn't a mythical unicorn; it was a dynamic creature that required constant attention and adaptation. Flexibility became her ally, allowing her to adjust the rhythm of her juggling act based on the demands of the moment. Adapting to the ever-changing circus of life, Jane realized that work-life balance wasn't about perfect equilibrium but rather a dance where each partner took turns leading.

Wrapping Up the Circus: A Standing Ovation for Parenthood

In the grand finale of Jane's circus of life, the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation. The laughter, the tears, the perfectly executed juggling act – it was a spectacle that left everyone in awe. Jane took a bow, her heart filled with gratitude for the chaos, the challenges, and the moments of sheer magic. As you embark on your own juggling act, remember the wisdom gleaned from Jane Jugglesalot's journey – prioritize, delegate, and savor those precious moments of personal time. Life may be a circus, but with the right juggling techniques, you can turn it into a showstopper. And so, the curtain falls on this whimsical tale of parental time management, leaving you with a smile and a newfound appreciation for the juggling act that is parenthood. Normal Working Days: TimeActivity6:00 AMWake up and morning routine7:00 AMPrepare and have breakfast8:00 AMCommute to work or start remote work12:00 PMLunch break1:00 PMResume work5:00 PMFinish work and commute home6:00 PMFamily time and dinner8:00 PMChildren's bedtime routine9:00 PMPersonal time, relaxation, or chores10:30 PMPrepare for bed and sleep Holidays: TimeActivity7:30 AMWake up and relaxed morning8:30 AMFamily breakfast10:00 AMOutdoor activities or family outings1:00 PMLunch and leisure time3:00 PMHobbies, personal projects, or relaxation6:00 PMFamily dinner8:00 PMMovie night, games, or quality family time9:30 PMChildren's bedtime routine10:30 PMExtended personal time or early bedtime Read the full article

#BalancingFamilyandPersonalTime #EffectiveParentingStrategies #EfficientParentingTechniques #FamilyLifeOrganization #FamilyTimeOrganization #JugglingFamilyResponsibilities #ManagingParentalResponsibilities #ParentalTimeManagement #ParentalTimeOptimization #ParentalWork-LifeHarmony #ParenthoodTimeManagement #ParentingProductivity #ParentingTimeEfficiency #PersonalTimeforParents #PrioritizingFamilyandPersonalLife #StrategiesforBusyParents #TimeManagementTipsforParents #Time-savingTipsforParents #Work-LifeBalanceforParents

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earnpapa · 5 months

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Prezentar Review: Is It the Presentation Tool You've Been Waiting For?

Prezentar Review: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Captivating Presentations

Welcome to my Prezentar Review.If you are looking unbiased review and analysis of Prezentar,then you landed at the right place.

In today's fast-paced world, presentations have become an indispensable tool for communication, whether you're pitching a business idea to investors, educating students, or delivering a captivating webinar. However, creating effective presentations can be a daunting task, often requiring specialized design skills and consuming precious time. That's where Prezentar, a revolutionary presentation creation tool, emerges as a game-changer.

Prezentar is designed to empower anyone, regardless of their design expertise, to create stunning and engaging presentations in minutes. It eliminates the need for complex software or expensive designers, allowing you to focus on crafting your message and delivering it in a way that resonates with your audience.

The Struggle with Traditional Presentation Tools

Traditional presentation tools, such as PowerPoint and Keynote, often present a steep learning curve and require a certain level of design proficiency to create visually appealing slides. This can be a significant barrier for many individuals who simply want to convey their ideas effectively without spending hours mastering intricate software.

Moreover, traditional presentation tools often lack the flexibility and customization options needed to tailor presentations to specific audiences and objectives. Generic templates and limited design elements can result in presentations that fail to capture attention and leave a lasting impression.

Prezentar as a Solution

Prezentar addresses these challenges head-on by offering a user-friendly interface, a vast library of customizable templates, and a suite of powerful editing tools that empower anyone to create presentations that are both visually stunning and effectively convey their message.

A User-Friendly Interface for Effortless Creation

Prezentar's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it incredibly easy to create presentations, even for those with no prior design experience. You can effortlessly add, arrange, and customize elements without the need to navigate complex menus or decipher technical jargon.

A Library of Customizable Templates for Every Occasion

Prezentar boasts a comprehensive library of over 50 professionally designed templates, each tailored to specific presentation types, such as webinars, video courses, and sales pitches. These templates provide a solid foundation for your presentation, ensuring a visually appealing and engaging starting point.

Powerful Editing Tools for Enhanced Creativity

Prezentar goes beyond basic templates by providing a range of advanced editing tools that allow you to personalize your presentations and add a touch of creativity. You can seamlessly incorporate images, videos, and animations to bring your slides to life and capture your audience's attention.

In addition, Prezentar's built-in audio recorder and music studio empower you to add your own voice over and background music, creating a truly immersive and personalized presentation experience.

Adeel Choudhry-The Person Behind Prezentar

Prezentar is the brainchild of Adeel Chowdhry, a multi-million dollar marketing techpreneur with over a decade of experience in developing successful digital products. Adeel possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marketers and entrepreneurs when communicating their ideas effectively. His vision for Prezentar stemmed from recognizing the need for a simple, yet powerful tool that could empower anyone to create captivating presentations without breaking the bank.

Prezentar App Overview: A Comprehensive Overview of Features and Functionality

Prezentar is more than just a presentation creation tool; it's a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline the entire presentation process, from ideation to delivery. Let's delve into the key features that make Prezentar stand out from the crowd:

50 Ready-Made, Fully Customizable Templates:

Prezentar comes equipped with a library of over 50 professionally designed templates, each crafted to cater to specific presentation types and industries. These templates are not just static layouts; they are fully customizable, allowing you to personalize them with your own colors, fonts, and content to create a unique and impactful presentation.

Custom Branding:

Prezentar empowers you to seamlessly integrate your brand identity into your presentations by incorporating your logo, tagline, and color palette. This ensures that your presentations maintain a consistent and professional brand image across all your communications.

Super Simple Drag and Drop Editor:

Prezentar's drag-and-drop editor makes it incredibly easy to create presentations, even for those with no prior design experience. You can effortlessly add, arrange, and customize elements without any technical knowledge or complex menus.

500+ Google Fonts:

Prezentar provides access to a vast collection of over 500 Google fonts, giving you the flexibility to choose the perfect font style to match your presentation's tone and message.

Hot Animation FX:

Prezentar's collection of eye-catching animation effects allows you to add visual interest and dynamism to your slides, making your presentations more engaging and memorable for your audience.

8000+ Stock Images:

Prezentar eliminates the need to search for high-quality images separately, as it provides access to a vast library of over 8,000 royalty-free stock images. You can easily find the perfect images to complement your content and enhance your presentation's visual appeal.

250+ HD Slide Backgrounds:

Prezentar offers a wide range of high-definition slide backgrounds to set the stage for your presentation. These backgrounds come in various styles and themes, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your presentation's content and message.

2000+ Web Icons:

Prezentar's collection of over 2,000 web icons provides a wealth of visual elements to enhance your slides and convey your message more effectively. These icons can be used to represent concepts, highlight key points, and add visual interest to your presentations.

Social Media Sharing:

Prezentar's social media sharing feature allows you to seamlessly share your presentations directly to various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. This feature makes it easy to expand your presentation's reach and engage with a wider audience.

Built-In Audio Recorder and Music Studio:

Prezentar eliminates the need for external audio editing software by providing a built-in audio recorder and music studio. You can record your own voiceover or add background music directly within Prezentar, creating a more engaging and personalized presentation experience.

Export to PDF, HTML, and Video:

Prezentar offers the flexibility to export your presentations in various formats, including PDF, HTML, and video. This allows you to share your presentations in the format that best suits your audience and distribution channel.

No Monthly Subscriptions:

Unlike traditional presentation tools that require monthly or annual subscriptions, Prezentar is a one-time purchase, eliminating ongoing subscription fees. This makes it a cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses of all sizes.

For Whom Does Prezentar Ignite Creativity?

Prezentar is specifically designed for busy individuals who value their time and crave a hassle-free approach to creating presentations. Whether you're a seasoned marketer, a budding entrepreneur, or a passionate educator, Prezentar caters to your needs by offering a user-friendly, time-saving solution.

How Does Prezentar App Work? (Step-by-Step)

Prezentar's user-friendly interface and intuitive design make it incredibly easy to create stunning presentations, even for those with no prior design experience. Here's a step-by-step guide that walks you through the process of creating a captivating presentation using Prezentar:

Step 1: Select a Niche Template

Begin by browsing Prezentar's extensive library of over 50 professionally designed templates. Each template is tailored to a specific presentation type, such as webinars, video courses, or sales pitches. This ensures that you have a solid foundation for your presentation, with a visually appealing and engaging starting point.

Step 2: Customize and Personalize

Once you've selected a template, you can effortlessly customize it to match your brand and message. Prezentar's drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to add, arrange, and modify elements, such as text, images, and videos. You can also incorporate your brand identity by adding your logo, tagline, and color palette.

Step 3: Enhance with Animations and Effects

Prezentar provides a collection of eye-catching animation effects that you can apply to your slides to add visual interest and dynamism. These animations can help to capture your audience's attention and make your presentation more memorable.

Step 4: Add Your Voiceover and Music

Prezentar's built-in audio recorder and music studio allow you to add your own voiceover and background music to your presentations. This personalization can significantly enhance the presentation's impact and create a more immersive experience for your audience.

Step 5: Export and Share

Once you're satisfied with your presentation, Prezentar offers the flexibility to export it in various formats, including PDF, HTML, and video. This allows you to share your presentation in the format that best suits your audience and distribution channel.

No Steep Learning Curve

Prezentar's intuitive interface eliminates the need for extensive training or technical knowledge. The drag-and-drop functionality and clear instructions make it easy for anyone, regardless of their design expertise, to create professional-looking presentations.

Zero Learning Curve

Prezentar's intuitive interface and step-by-step guidance make it easy to get started right away, without the need for time-consuming tutorials or training sessions. You can focus on crafting your message and delivering it effectively, without getting bogged down in technical complexities.

Super Affordable

Unlike traditional presentation tools that require ongoing monthly or annual subscriptions, Prezentar is a one-time purchase, offering a cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses of all sizes. This investment in Prezentar can save you money in the long run and provide you with the tools to create engaging presentations for years to come.

Here's a summary of Prezentar's intuitive process:

Select a niche template Customize and personalize Enhance with animations and effects Add your voiceover and music Export and share

Prezentar's simplicity, flexibility, and affordability make it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to create professional-looking presentations without sacrificing valuable time or incurring excessive costs.

What I Loved About Prezentar: A Personal Perspective on its Exceptional Features

As a seasoned content creator and presentation enthusiast, I've had the opportunity to explore various presentation tools. However, Prezentar stands out as a truly remarkable tool that has captured my attention and admiration. Here are some of the key aspects that I love about Prezentar:

Simplicity and Ease of Use

Prezentar's intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it incredibly easy to create stunning presentations, even for those with no prior design experience. The learning curve is virtually nonexistent, allowing you to focus on crafting your message and delivering it effectively without getting bogged down in technical complexities.

Niche Templates and Drag-and-Drop Interface

Prezentar's extensive library of professionally designed templates, each tailored to specific presentation types, provides a solid foundation for your presentations. With the drag-and-drop interface, you can effortlessly customize these templates to match your brand, message, and audience.

No Crazy Control Panels or Steep Learning Curves

Unlike traditional presentation tools that often overwhelm users with complex menus and intricate settings, Prezentar maintains a clean and straightforward interface. This simplicity eliminates the need for extensive tutorials or training, allowing you to create presentations with ease and efficiency.

Cloud-Based Accessibility

Prezentar's cloud-based nature makes it accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This eliminates the need to download software or install updates, ensuring you always have access to the latest features and functionality.

In addition to these key aspects, I also appreciate Prezentar's:

Vast library of royalty-free stock images

Collection of high-definition slide backgrounds

Wide range of web icons to enhance presentations

Seamless social media sharing feature

Built-in audio recorder and music studio

Flexibility to export presentations in various formats

One-time purchase model that eliminates ongoing subscription fees

Prezentar has truly transformed the way I approach presentation creation. Its simplicity, flexibility, and affordability make it an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to create engaging and impactful presentations.

Prezentar Pros and Cons: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Benefits and Limitations

Prezentar has emerged as a game-changer in the presentation creation landscape, offering a user-friendly interface, a vast library of templates, and powerful editing tools. However, it's essential to consider both the pros and cons before making a decision about using this tool.

Pros:

Fast and Easy: Prezentar's intuitive drag-and-drop interface and step-by-step guidance make it incredibly easy to create presentations, even for those with no prior design experience. You can focus on crafting your message and delivering it effectively without getting bogged down in technical complexities.

No Creative Skills Needed: Prezentar eliminates the need for advanced design skills or knowledge of complex software. The drag-and-drop functionality and pre-designed templates allow anyone to create professional-looking presentations with minimal effort.

Zero Learning Curve: Prezentar's straightforward interface and clear instructions make it easy to get started right away, without the need for time-consuming tutorials or training sessions. You can focus on your presentation content and delivery without getting lost in technical details.

Super Affordable: Unlike traditional presentation tools that require ongoing monthly or annual subscriptions, Prezentar is a one-time purchase, offering a cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses of all sizes. This investment in Prezentar can save you money in the long run and provide you with the tools to create engaging presentations for years to come.

The Amazing Templates: Prezentar comes equipped with a library of over 50 professionally designed templates, each crafted to cater to specific presentation types and industries. These templates provide a solid foundation for your presentation, ensuring a visually appealing and engaging starting point.

No Monthly or Annual Fees: Prezentar stands out from traditional presentation tools that charge ongoing subscription fees. With Prezentar, you make a one-time purchase and gain access to all its features and functionality without any recurring costs.

Cons:

No Free Trial: Prezentar does not offer a free trial, which means you'll need to make a purchase before you can fully experience its features and capabilities. However, the one-time purchase price is relatively affordable, making it a low-risk investment.

Price Increase in the Near Future: It's worth noting that the price of Prezentar is expected to increase in the near future, so if you're considering purchasing it, it's advisable to do so sooner rather than later to take advantage of the current pricing.

Optional but Important Upsells: Prezentar offers a few optional upsells that provide additional features and benefits. While these upsells are not essential for creating effective presentations, they can enhance your overall experience if you're looking for more advanced features.

Is Prezentar App Worth It? A Verdict on Its Value and Suitability

In the realm of presentation creation tools, Prezentar emerges as a compelling option, offering a user-friendly interface, a rich library of templates, and powerful editing tools. But does it live up to its promises and deliver the value it claims to offer? Let's delve into a thorough assessment to determine whether Prezentar is worth the investment.

Value for Busy Individuals on a Budget

For busy individuals and businesses operating on tight budgets, Prezentar presents an attractive solution. Its one-time purchase model eliminates the need for ongoing subscription fees, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run. This financial advantage, coupled with its ease of use and ability to produce professional-looking presentations quickly, makes Prezentar a valuable tool for those who prioritize efficiency and affordability.

Cost-Effectiveness and Time-Saving Benefits

Prezentar's one-time purchase structure offers significant cost savings compared to traditional presentation tools that require recurring subscriptions. This financial benefit translates into long-term savings, allowing users to create numerous presentations without incurring additional costs. Furthermore, Prezentar's intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality streamline the presentation creation process, saving users valuable time that can be redirected towards other essential tasks.

Overall Assessment of Prezentar as a Valuable Tool

Considering its ease of use, affordability, and ability to produce professional-looking presentations quickly, Prezentar emerges as a valuable tool for individuals and businesses of all sizes. Whether you're an entrepreneur pitching a business idea, an educator delivering engaging lessons, or a marketer creating captivating presentations, Prezentar empowers you to convey your message effectively and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

While the absence of a free trial might raise some concerns, the one-time purchase price makes Prezentar a low-risk investment. Additionally, the optional upsells, though not essential, can enhance the overall experience for users seeking more advanced features.

Overall, Prezentar presents a compelling combination of affordability, ease of use, and powerful features, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking to create impactful presentations without sacrificing time or financial resources.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a novice presenter, Prezentar has the tools and resources you need to take your presentation skills to the next level.

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