You know... watching a tv show via a streaming service really kinda... makes you realize how much the art of it is constrained by the medium; specifically ad breaks

Like, they actively disrupt the flow of things because they need a chance to insert commercials, and even if you're not watching it with commercials, there's something forever built in to the timing of the show that's specifically for those commercials

The entire pacing of the show is forced to be warped around it and it's not like that can every be changed cause... show's been shot

Just kinda sucks you know? That cause of toyota or pepsi or all the other pricks who gotta run the ads, a whole lot of shows (good and bad) have ended up having to build in this concession

No grand narrative here, it's just a little bit ass

the first two are clementine pre n post wither storm n the third is an oc ive just been calling [DATA EXPUNGED]

theyre both pokemon ocs, w clem specifically being a mash up of being a minecraft storymode oc and a pokemon oc

[DATA EXPUNGED] is the Champion of Arceus n is v ? theatrical ? fancy ? either way he speaks like its the early 1800s, i also dont have much of a backstory for him since i created him like, 4 days ago n im VERY slow at giving ocs backstories

clementine on the other hand ive been making a backstory for several months so i have a lot to say but i wont so to sum up her backstory (in a way thats prolly shit ngl) its:

clem n her (still unnamed n undeveloped) friends go to a con, they win, they go to a post con festival, clem meets some guy, the same guy clem meets makes the wither storm, she defeats it but is v traumatized from it, she becomes a mayor of a town at some point but she ends up running away from kalos to kanto

[Is not familiar with the Pokémon storylines you're talking about and thus has nothing to comment on it, so apologies if that is relevant to the review]

I'm assuming [DATA EXPUNGED] isn't, at least in the current state of things, related to Clementines story at all?

I'll tackle [DATA EXPUNGED] first!

Very solid color scheme, I think the dark skin tone fits perfectly with black white and gold, especially since the shirt (top?) is white. The accessories and face patterns really give off a fancy, perhaps priest like aesthetic and it makes the whole collective come across as very distinguished. Supernatural too, considering the one white eye and again, face patterns, although it leaves some ambiguity since this could also just be a very fancy cultural getup. I have to say though, I'd probably have made the roses some other color: though the black is strong and very cool, you can't really see them from the black hair and thus it sorta muddies the effect and makes it look more like the character is wearing some headgarment rather than a rose crown. Unfortunately, since this is a picrew, i can't say much for more core aspects of the design like the shape of the face, eyes and nose, which I consider very essential aspects of designing human characters. This is no fault of yours, as I said, picrews can be limiting in this aspect.

Judging by the art style though I'm going to guess this character is meant to have a strong angular face and jawline with a straight, square nose. Strong but elegant brows, I assume? The beauty mark on his jaw though is a very nice touch! Gives some uniqueness and personality to the otherwise very conformed, untouched image the character has.

The character strikes me as a very learned, wise personality who knows things beyond this world, and I can definitely see that he'd speak more theatrically, like a preacher or professor (the book and quill help this).

If the character ever ends up drawn by free hand, here's things I'd suggest adjusting or adding to [DATA EXPUNGED]: Facial traits. I think a strong nose with a bit of a greek shape would do wonders for a theatrical, regal looking character like him, and if the angular jawline is intended, keep that!! Depending on age (or how dramatic you want him to look), I'd also suggest more visible cheekbones perhaps? Strong brows and serious eyes would contribute to this vibe but depending on of course where you take this character, you can change things to suit that! For what I'm suggesting here, the character feels like a sort of apocalypse preacher person who is more interested in studies and has a tendency to push people away. However you could also easily go a softer route with him as well but I think, if you do, I'd still keep the angular dramatic facial features. The rest of my suggestions would just be to add maybe the smallest bit more decoration or jewelry, maybe something with a more personal touch? Earrings, rings, ect. I feel like he'd be the type to carry around some very sentimental piece of jewelry or other item, something he holds in great value. He doesn't seem like he'd pretty up just for appearance sake. Also I feel like sideburns or some stray hair whispies would add a fun little touch that could divert from the more serious groomed image the character gives, just something to create uniqueness in general. Doesn't have to be those exact things I suggested.

Then Clementine!

Design is simple but functional. Personally I think she could also use a bit more to make her less generic ykno? To be fair this could also be a fault of whatever you used to make these images (not sure if that's a picrew or some other dollmaker thing). I like the amount of change you have between the before and after states, especially liking the touch of her expression changing, even though its not related to design here lol. The first one with the simple, a bit girlish and old timey dress works well with the half up hairstyle and simplistic outfit to establish a younger character who's out to see the world. The two things diverting from this image are the sword and maybe(?) her being barefoot. The sword evokes imagery of either someone who seems more innocent or naive but turns out to also have sharp, honed skills. OR a strapping enthusiast who is looking for adventure and her place in the world, with only the clothes on her back and this sword she found (lighthearted tone). The barefoot aspect also gives a bit of a rural vibe, of being more in touch with nature. Which is something the After™ version contrasts, with a more modern feeling outfit, and the loss of the sword.

I really like her having a longer hairstyle in the latter one, with the braids/dreads. Hairstyle changes are a great way to communicate something in a character so it fits! It feels more subdued mature while still keeping a bit of that openness and freedom, with the dreads hanging freely, and hey, still being in a half up style! Good one!

I'd suggest maybe adding more signs of experience or wear on the latter version, just to communicate her having gone through something major, even traumatic. Scars or something like more visible eyebags, or something to show a more scuffed up appearance ykno? You could also make her more stocky and built, or maybe a bit chubbier in the latter, bc to me it feels like a slightly older version of the character and so, getting more built feels appropriate for that.

Overall just add more simple, small touches to communicate personality more. I think the latter one is good at that but the first one feels more generic. If it's meant to be simple though, I understand! But still. Doesn't have to be anything major, could just be things like small accessories or things she's personalized for herself. Maybe In the first version she could have a little patched up clothing to show her outdoorsy lifestyle? If not, you could add something else, just a suggestion.

From a purely visual standpoint, [DATA EXPUNGED]'s design is lots more interesting and distinct looking, and I'd only really adjust the person under the clothing and accessories. For Clementine, I feel that she could use to stand out just a tad more. However I hugely appreciate them both being poc and also having natural hairstyles (both having dreads at some point) to it! Definitely helps make them more diverse, which is always a design plus!

hiiiii💕💕💕 From the ask game Pride Edition!

8. Describe your gender without using any words traditionally related to gender

10. Something that gives you gender euphoria

12. What is your favorite piece of LGBT media?

8. Describe your gender without using any words traditionally related to gender

ooooh, okay, this honestly stumped me because there is a lot to my gender i feel that i would always miss out mentioning, but like

traditional, static, crystalline and crystallised, but also fluid, like blood, its redness and shine; full of music and candy and horror and sweetness and pastel like qualities but also dark as hell. unimaginable. everything and nothing at once. traditional and non-conforming in one. like a galaxy that can still be read in a nutshell whilst contain multitudes. metal. rock n roll. operatic voices, fantastical and symphonic elements, haunted and abandoned nostalgia, synths, grandiosity, bubblegum, pop, glitter, fairy dust, bat wings, vampire fangs, ethereal natures, ballads, power ones or not, rock candy, candy floss, precious stones, mirrors, reflections, water, fire, tinsel, snow and ice and gold and silver and ashes and dust. ferocity and softness. infinite contradictions within one. can be reduced but also not. anything my heart desires. anything i'm in the mood for and that you can predict and cannot predict. i decide what makes sense and what doesn't. ancient and young at once. unfathomably complex and massive and yet also simple and with the essential things at any given time. also very gay and bisexual and often involved in attraction.

10. Something that gives you gender euphoria

goddd i feel like i'd always forget what to say and when i post this, i know i'll always forget something

but like, when i dress in a particularly soft masc way and a selfie with it looks really nice, especially with my pins and jewelry, or when i talk out loud to myself and realise the kind of deepness my voice has, or when people say Evan, or use he/him pronouns and use 'traditionally masc' terms like handsome, or when my girlfriend/partner refers to me as her boyfriend (especially if trans is there, honestly, so validating, because i love being trans) or when we talk about me being her 'pretty boy' which gives me butterflies

12. What is your favorite piece of LGBT media?

not so much canon but i'm obsessed with the tintin series and i very much constantly go back and forth on the characters' sexualities and genders, and frankly i'm fine experimenting with different scenarios, but there is very much a queer reading into the whole series. it has also helped me with my queerness and how i understand myself along with my life in general. it's very cathartic in many ways, such as this.

i also adore my girlfriend's fave show and her interest in it, the owl house. this one is very canon and i love seeing them express themselves through it with the queerness in sexuality and gender like with the main wlw couple, luz's bisexuality, the gender nonconformity and the canon nonbinary character with raine whispers. it also helps me to understand fae better to see how she talks about it as well and our dynamic together reflective of the characters.

So after reading your reblog of the autistic Spencer post, talking about masking and his change from early season Spencer to the later more aggressive one, I started thinking about how someone like Luke would be able to help him, maybe not go back to where he was, but be more comfortable with being visibly autistic at home, or talking more freely about it, because Luke is the kind of person to just be very accepting and be very supportive.

Or maybe that's just my ralvez thoughts LOL

Late in the evening, when everyone else has gone home and they are the only two left on the floor, Luke reaches out to Spencer.

"Can I talk to you about something?" he asks.

"Yeah, of course," Spencer replies.

"It's just that you seem... different. Since you got out of prison."

Spencer raises an eyebrow. "Did you expect me to stay exactly the same after some thing like that? Like it wouldn't-- wouldn't affect me, or--"

"No, no, sorry, I said that badly," Luke apologizes as he watches Spencer get defensive. "Of course you would be different after an experience like that. But it seems like in some ways you're... well, it's almost like you're trying to be different. Like you keep catching yourself and adjusting your actions, and getting angry at yourself about it. And I'm not sure why."

Spencer stares at him for a long time. He starts to slowly rock back and forth in his chair, and as soon as he notices what he's doing, he stops abruptly and tenses up, his face briefly lighting up with rage.

"That-- Like that," Luke says, trying to keep calm so as not to startle Spencer. "You start to move a certain way or do a certain thing and then you stop. Why do you stop?"

Spencer wraps his arms around his waist and lets himself sway a little, this time allowing himself the movement. When he finally speaks, his voice is very quiet.

"This is my fourteenth year at the BAU," he says. "I had been here for seven years when I first felt comfortable 'acting autistic' at work. It was after a case, actually, with an autistic kid, and... anyway, this is my home, and that's how long it took me to feel comfortable being myself around here, around my family. It was difficult and scary, but it was also nice. I finally felt safe being myself."

He looks up a Luke briefly, then back down at his lap.

"It wasn't safe to be myself in prison, not for a single second. And sometimes I couldn't help it, I couldn't hide that there's something wrong with me, and the other inmates made sure I knew that that wasn't going to fly. And they hurt me, just like people did when I was a little kid, the first time I learned it wasn't safe to be myself. And I thought, well, at least I got seven years. I got from Sammy Sparks until Cat Adams, and then it was over. It was a nice run."

"You're still safe here," Luke says softly. "And there's nothing wrong with you."

"I know that here," Spencer says, tapping his temple. "But not here." He puts his hand over his heart, squeezing the fabric of his cardigan into his fist. "I don't feel safe anywhere anymore."

"Not even at home?"

Spencer shrugs. "Depends on the day, I guess," he says. "I know no one can see me in my house. I'm not crazy." He pauses and looks intently at Luke, as if in need of conformation. Luke nods. "I just don't want to get into bad habits."

"I think... I think you should let yourself be yourself at home," Luke says in a rush, knowing this isn't his place, but unable to keep his mouth shut. "They're not bad habits. They're you, and you deserve to feel comfortable somewhere, even if it's not here anymore. Yet. And-- and I also want you to know that you can always talk to me about this. I mean, if you want. I know I haven't been here as long as some of the others, but--"

"But sometimes that's easier," Spencer interrupts, staring up at the ceiling.

"Yeah," Luke agrees. "Sometimes that's easier."

"I can't promise anything," Spencer says, running his hands through his hair. "But... I'll try."

Luke smiles. "That's good enough for me."

A week later Spencer invites Luke over for dinner at his apartment. And he talks.