let me pour you an anecdote

geddit. like antidote. anecdote. :3c

[anecdotist]

multifandom multimuse written by james dean (jd 30+ he/him). independent, selective, and mutuals only with canon and original characters from marvel, dc, dragon age, and starfield, with verses in bg3, elder scrolls, fallout, and more.

rules (mobile) | muses (mobile) | memes | plots | thread tracker

exclusives: @transistorized - @thanatologie - @krukowymag - @purplearchcr - @mastcrmarksman - @pympartic - @shespy

mains: @valorcorrupt - @nobroth - @howetragic - @ancientimpudence - @theshirallen - @hadariyao - @belovay

[notmorbid]

just my luck.

dialogue prompts from 6x16-20 of the wb's smallville.

you don't have to explain. you don't owe me anything.

i honestly don't know what my life is without ____.

no man sinks as low as you have without being driven by desperation.

you didn't sleep at all last night, did you?

i can't keep turning my back on the truth.

i still feel like i'm trying to catch up. i just need a little time.

you know i always have something up my sleeve.

for your information, my daddy is proud of me.

you're just full of surprises, aren't you?

that isn't just a 6-pack under your shirt, that's a steel kegger.

how can i help make the pain go away? what can i do?

something tells me those aren't happy tears.

why didn't you wake me?

somehow, saying it out loud makes it more real.

whatever you did, you clearly weren't yourself.

whatever ability you think i have is a figment of your imagination.

this isn't the life that i wanted.

i can help you. you don't need to be afraid.

i'm going to get through this, like i always do.

you're even more beautiful than i remember.

whatever you have to do, get out. now.

it's like i'm a human weapon.

please don't go. not yet. not again.

haven't you ever done anything crazy for love?

i understand you're in a lot of pain. good.

looks like i'm not the only one who's trapped.

you're the last person i ever expected to be pulling shrapnel out of.

i don't know why i needed so badly to believe you're more than human.

the answer must have gotten lost in that dark abyss we call my soul.

i stopped expecting you to act like a friend a long time ago.

were we ever really friends?

did you really think i was going to let you die alone down here?

i prefer non-fiction. much more exciting.

i'm gonna cuddle up with a movie. any genre preference?

what kind of person could lie like that?

nothing could have stopped me from loving you.

if someone lied to me like that, they would lose my love forever.

no one can completely change who they are.

your greatest strength might also be your greatest weakness: your hope.

i figured you could use an escape from your real-life soap opera.

sleeping on the job? what's the big idea?

seems a lot of people got a lot of ideas about me.

you're so confident and so brave, and i'm so afraid.

i wonder if you could spare a bit of your strength for me.

eyes back in your head, [name].

dames is poison.

has it all been in my head? have i been so lonely, i've started making up stories to amuse myself?

i've been to every gin joint in town looking for you.

you don't have a scratch on you. i don't understand.

you're holding something back on me, aren't you?

i made you a playlist to keep you company while i'm away.

[memeasaurus-promptus]

Sparring/Training Sentence Starters

Requested by Anonymous

“Come on, then! Hit me!”

“Your stance is all wrong.”

“Am I doing this right?”

“I feel like I’ve been chewed up, spat out, and run over repeatedly.”

“Get down and give me 20!”

“How many miles/kilometers are we running?!”

“Hey! Watch where you’re swinging that!” 

“Nice punch! Now do it again!” 

“You won’t hurt me, I promise.” 

“My grip feels off…” 

“Have you ever used a(n) __ before?” 

“I don’t want to hurt you…” 

“I think I’m going to feel that tomorrow.” 

“If you can lift me up, then you can lift these weights just fine.” 

“On a scale of one to ten, how much did that hurt?”

“Here, you put your feet like this…” 

“Relax. I’m trying to help.” 

“Can you teach me how to __?”

“God, we stink.” 

“Are you doing okay?” 

“Are you alright?” 

“If I do fifteen push-ups, can I be done for the day?” 

“Come on! Another round!” 

“You can win this time!”

“Work your angle a little more and you got it perfect!” 

“What are you doing up at this hour?” 

“Where did you get that bruise?” 

“Hey, no, stop. You’re going to break your fingers punching like that.”

[deathlieg]

The small, skeletal figure looks down at his own hands a moment, folding thumb and pinky inward.  No, that's not quite right, Wolverine doesn't have to fold fingers in, the claws are extra.  There are spaces between the bones in Manfred's fingers, though; and there are knives in the kitchen (which he's been told to not touch).  He looks to their guest once more, then back at his own hands, giving them a flex with a slight grinding of bone, hissing quietly to himself.

"Absolutely not."  Emmrich's voice cuts right through his (private!) plans, and it's accompanied by a baleful glance, and when his attention turns back to their guest (there have been so many superheroes, Manfred wonders if Wolverine will sign his notebook, too), he starts inching out of the room, toward the kitchen, as quietly as he can.  "I do apologize, but he's become absolutely fascinated with-"  It's obvious Emmrich feels silly even saying the word.  “-Superheroes of late.” / @anecdotist / logan ❤ed

[anecdotist]

Steve and Tony had given Logan the basics: magic guy, necromancy or something, skeleton servant/kid. (There were a lot more words used, it's Steve and Tony--they could talk to walls for hours, could talk to each other til the heat death of the universe (and have) and Logan really only listened with about half an ear.)

But his interest had been piqued and he knew an opportunity when he sniffed one. How often did you run across a teacher with a supernatural kid? He'd be stupid not to visit.

"S'fine. Kids're like that." And Manfred is really just as kid-like as Steve had mentioned. Logan reached over and tapped the back of Manfred's skeletal wrist. "Don't mod yerself, kiddo. Hurts like hell t'have all them lil' bones move."

Logan trailed after Emmrich towards the sitting room. Fancy fucks and their dedicated talking rooms. "I know Cap an' them probably got you all up in that superhero business, but 'fore you get wrapped 'round the axle, know that I ain't here for any of that shit."

Not really one to beat around the bush, Logan got right to the point. "I got a school fer kids--powered, mutant, alien, whatever--an' I think you'd be a fit. Both Manfred," Logan tipped his head towards the skeleton before turning an appraising eye towards Emmrich. "An' you, Professor Volkarin."

[anecdotist]

@keepslore asked: ❝ i promise, you will not come to harm. ❞ // for feynrahel? :) send memes!

Despite the blood that trailed down his nose and the swelling that would clearly become a bruise on his jaw, Feyn said, "S'not me ye should be promisin', Inquisitor."

There was nothing in him that feared the two humans who had started the fight. He was stronger and faster than they would ever be--his tainted Grey Warden blood would always make sure he was better than the average foot soldier.

But he wasn't supposed to be a Grey Warden right now. He was supposed to just be a Dalish hunter working as an agent for Leliana. And Dalish hunters, no matter their skill, weren't supposed to break human legs, no matter the insults spewed moments before.

Running his tongue over his split lip and spitting blood off to the side, Feyn smiled coolly. "It's all fine though, aye? Just a lil' fight between friends. Nothin' hahren needs t'get involved in." His words were for the Inquisitor, but his eyes never left the two humans.

[anecdotist]

@keepslore asked: ❝ i am just a lost traveler, seeking rest for the night. ❞ // for rikvi or vald send memes!

The wind in the Frostbacks was particularly biting as winter began to fall in Ferelden. The sun, already starting to set, pushed the temperatures even lower, the craggy rocks and ever present snow already forgetting the warmth of the day. Despite the hardy pine trees dotting the landscape, there weren't many good places to shelter and get away from the evening's chill. Any cave one stumbled upon was likely to already be inhabited--if they were lucky, it was a bear and not something far, far worse.

The presence of lost wanderers in the Frostbacks this time of the year wasn't unusual. Scouts and hunters would regularly report back the presence of a party, lost and nearing the end of their supplies, asking the Jarl what sort of action they should take. And usually, if the party was small enough and showed signs of being traders or peasants, Vald would issue the command to bring them to Falcon-Nest Hold. Once there, they'd be able to rest, trade for supplies, then be sent on their way with general directions towards their civilization.

Lords and soldiers were left to find those caves filled with things worse than bears.

This Inquisition didn't quite fall into either. When scouts had reported the presence of strangely armored humans and a small party of travelers, both Rikvi and Vald had descended from the mountain hold to find the party and see for themselves what they were dealing with.

"A lost traveler with an entourage?" Rikvi's voice dripped with her skepticism. Even if an elven mage was at their head, human faces and human swords were covered with Chantry iconography. The spirits pressed against Rikvi's mind, her anxiety and fear melding with theirs.

Vald laid a hand on his twin's shoulder. Always the cooler head between the two of them, he gave the elf a small smile. "I'm sure there's a reason you've come here." He gave Rikvi a weighted look. "One that can be discussed over an open fire."

Rikvi tightened her hand on her spear as a nearby dead log erupted into flames. As the sudden light cast a stern shadow to her features, she narrowed her eyes at the elf. "Speak. Why are you really here?"

[anecdotist]

@howetragic asked: An antagonizing kiss on the top of the head (Dorian) moar kisses / meme tag

If he were to die and meet the Maker, he knew exactly what question he was going to ask: how did Ferelden manage to be cold, wet, and humid all at the same time? What curse had He laid on this land to make such a combination possible, and what could have angered Him so?

He blamed Inara. Not for invoking the Maker's wrath, but... well, actually, if rumor was to be believed, it was the old Warden Commander's fault for numerous things that befell Amaranthine. But specifically, he was blaming her for being here in the first place. The second culprit was just ahead of him.

Nathaniel made a lovely little picture, sitting on a log by a campfire, listening intently to someone else, firelight gilding his cheeks and brow while casting his eyes in deep shadow. It'd be distracting, if it weren't for the big, heavy blanket thrown across his shoulders--and the current object of Dorian's attention.

Slipping behind the other man, Dorian leaned down as if to murmur something in Nathaniel's ear. The other person at the fire--one of the brighter sparks here in the South--bowed and took their leave. It really wasn't necessary, but it did mean that Dorian now felt free to be completely shameless.

If asked later, he'd simply say that being cold leads one to madness.

With a quick pivot, he instead left a comically loud kiss on top of Nathaniel's head, complete with a mwah! It was also then, while his target was distracted, that Dorian pulled the pre-warmed blanket off Nathaniel's shoulders, wrapped it around himself, turned heel and left.

[anecdotist]

@nobroth asked: caging your lover against a wall with your arms to kiss them. kisses galore / meme tag

He's drunk, Zevran reminds himself. He's drunk, and even though the blush on his cheeks is so becoming, even though that hazy look in his eye makes your heart beat a little too fast, he's still drunk and you can't. You can't.

But can't and want are two very different things.

As a note to future lovers--as fun as it is for him to take charge and dominate in the bedroom (and truly, it is so much fun), there's a unique pleasure found in having the bedsheets flipped on him, so to speak. Finding himself crowded against a wall is normally a quick way to get his hackles raised, but the warm, strong arms doing the penning would let him go with the slightest push. It's a choice to be trapped here, under this hazy, hungry, blue-eyed stare, a look heavy enough with want and desire that it almost feels like fingers on the side of his neck, along his jaw, pressing into his lips.

Zevran licked his lips and watched as Alistair unknowingly mimicked the motion.

His hands were feather light as they wrapped around Alistair's waist. Head tilting back, parting his lips ever so slightly, Zevran let his body melt into the stone behind him--open, vulnerable, pulling, coaxing. A sweet treat of temptation. His ears twitched as he heard Alistair's fingers scrape against the stone wall behind him as they curled into fists.

Warm lips met his. Zevran could taste the red wine in his mouth, strong and smooth. Alistair shuffled a little closer, truly pinning Zevran now with no room to move, hands tentatively moving from the wall to Zevran's shoulders.

And then--

And then, just as it was getting good, Alistair broke away, paling as if a bucket of ice water had been splashed over him, retreating faster than Zevran could get his wits about him.

"Fuck."

[daughter-of-sapph0]

come hither, my loyal knight

a little closer

perfect

*baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you baps you*

[hail-the-villainess]

*clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang*

[citywidespecialll]

you’re gonna look me in my big brown eyes and tell me no?

[anecdotist]

man i forgot how slick my neocity bios are, past me did great work on that

[deathlieg]

“Of course, I don't wish to speak ill of those who've done and sacrificed so much.”  And there is, he thinks, a vast breadth of variation in the line between justified criticisms and disparaging;  Dorian, at least, will understand, he thinks, what with his own (apparent( unwilling entanglements.  

Emmrich sighs, throwing up both hands in a defeated gesture.  “But what, precisely, is one supposed to do when one opens their door to Captain America, of all people, glad handing an art so easily vilified.  One can't help but question the real motive.  Or why no suddenly becomes an impossibility.”   / @anecdotist ♥ed

[anecdotist]

"Shut the door. Quickly. With force." Dorian spoke like a true superhero's assistant--burnt out and full of regret. "Screaming optional but running mandatory."

Dorian sighed, swirling his spoon in his tea and at least momentarily wishing it was spiked with something other than milk and honey. "At least Steve Rogers pretends it's a conversation you two are having and not that he's dangling an irresistible puzzle in front of your face and then yanking it away and putting it behind superhero business."

He wants to whine. He wants to slump down in his chair and pitch a fit. But tea with Emmrich is actually really nice, something he hasn't had in ages, and--well, he's doing better than he has in a long time and wants to actually look like an adult in front of someone whose opinion matters. "I hope they haven't dragged you into anything too dangerous."

[anecdotist]

@mercysought asked: ❝ i know more than just your name. ❞ from anora to zevran! an old ask meme i don't remember / meme tag

This is not good.

It's one thing for nobles to know more than just his name. That's normal. He's a Crow of renown, after all. Ferelden in particular would likely know of his name alongside that charming tale of fighting the ferocious Archdemon at the ever so lovely Hero of Ferelden's side. Easily the kind of household name that would allow him to be weaponized as a either a goal or a threat to children's bedtimes.

Anora is someone who should know his name well. It's that little, teensy word--just--that has a chill running down his spine.

To be clear, he has not technically done anything wrong. Unless being friends with someone is wrong, in which case he's guilty, your majesty, toss him into the deepest, darkest prison immediately.

It's mostly been friendship. Not on Hero of Ferelden's side, no--Inara and he have spent many a lovely evening sprawled out on a bed. Or a floor. Or a chair. Or on whatever other furniture and/or location one can think of. That is not a relationship that worries him.

It's the late night drinking and talking and--only on his end, he's very very sure of it--flirting with the other majesty that's not in the room. There's no way Anora doesn't know. Not because she doesn't have her own spies (she does, he's seen them, even let himself be seen by them), but because--

Alistar is a talker. That is, without a doubt, where this just is coming from.

Still. Despite the panic, despite his quickly beating heart, despite the urge to run far, far away, a lazy grin spread easily over his lips, golden eyes glinting with his usual mask of frivolous warmth. "I am deeply honored that anything about myself is remembered by one such as yourself, Your Majesty. Though one might wonder why one such as yourself would bother to remember a little bird and his simple tweetings."

[anecdotist]

@transistorized said: did you come out here to lecture me, or to help me? some old ask meme i've long lost / meme tag

"I came out here to see how you're doing."

It's quiet.

Not actually--it's New York city, so there's traffic and people and wildlife still up and about in the city that never sleeps. But that's such an old background soundtrack that it might as well not be there. There's no one yelling for Cap, no calls for Iron Man, and most importantly no babies crying.

At least, not right now.

Rewind a few hours ago, and it was just about nothing but yelling. And it was a lot of yelling at a certain red-and-gold tin can man. Not that Tony took it lying down, but there's no doubt he also walked away with a few bruises too many.

In the before times (before the big realization, the wedding, the kid), retreating to the rooftops to talk was a silent cry for help, a craving for unspoken intimacy both of them needed and sometimes got. And it's still that--or at least, Steve wants it to still be that--but just maybe with a little less... mystery? tension? whatever-the-hell-it-was between them.

"If it makes you feel any better, Alex threw up on Logan just after you left. I don't remember feeding him anything green, but there's no getting that stain out."

Leaning up against the railing, Steve studied Tony's profile for a moment, itching to reach out and touch but decidedly keeping his hands to himself for the moment.

[anecdotist]

alright threw some memes out there, pls remember to specify muse when sending! anyone i have as a character is fair game so long as you specify. ngl I’ll probably work on these tomorrow during work lolol

[memepocalypse]

Something's Wrong With You (senses)

Eyes

"Can you focus on me?"

"Hey... I'm over here?"

"What are you looking at?"

"Whoa, hey - sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

"I'm - I'm right in front of you."

"Can you... can you not see?"

"When did you lose your vision?"

"Hey, it's okay - it's okay. Let me take your hand and lead you."

"Don't be scared - it'll be okay. We'll fix it."

"Don't flinch - I'm going to touch you."

Ears

"Hello? Hellloooo?"

"Are you ignoring me?"

"God, you never pay attention -"

"I'm talking to you!"

"Why aren't you listening?"

"Pay attention!"

"Listen!"

"Can you not hear me or something?"

"Why are you looking at me like that..?"

"What - wait... you can't hear? Why am I saying this you can't hear it."

Mouth

"Why are you making that face? I spent ages cooking that."

"Why are you adding salt to that?"

"Whoa, you're drooling like crazy."

"Are you choking?"

"Bland? How can it be bland?"

"I can't taste anything."

"My mouth just tastes like blood."

"Everything tastes of nothing."

"My tongue's gone numb."

"Bleh."

Nose

"Eugh, can't you smell that?"

"Oh, that smells hideous."

"It reeks in here!"

"You stink."

"I think I broke my nose."

"I can't smell anything?"

"I think I've gone nose-blind."

"Should I... be able to smell anything?"

"I think I burnt my nostril hairs out."

"Everything just smells like smoke."

Feeling

"I think I just burnt my fingerprints off."

"My hands have gone numb."

"I can't - I can't feel anything. At all."

"Are you touching me? I can't tell -"

"Your hands are shaking."

"Okay - if you're going to keep dropping things you need to put them down."

"Can you feel this?"

"I'm going to run my fingers through your hair."

"I'm taking your hand."

"It's okay - it's okay. Just take a breath. The feeling will come back."

[edenmemes]

the green knight starters

❝ look, see a world that holds more wonders than any since the earth was born. ❞   ❝ let me tell you instead a new tale. ❞   ❝ so stay a while. rest. and make yourself content. ❞ ❝ and if death awaits me? ❞ ❝ surely your knights have spilled enough blood in your name to bind them closer to you than i. ❞ ❝ good to have one’s family by one’s side. ❞   ❝ i recognize but i do not know you. ❞ ❝ what is this? a trick? ❞ ❝ and this is what you want most in life? ❞ ❝ green is the color of earth, of living things, of life. ❞ ❝ the world is fit for all manner of mysteries. ❞ ❝ you are not very good with questions. ❞ ❝ surely a knight knows something of love. ❞ ❝ i never knew so many books even existed. ❞ ❝ what if i wanted to sit by your side and take your hand and have your ear? ❞ ❝ do you still fancy me? do i make you happy? ❞ ❝ green is what is left when ardor fades, when passion dies, when we die, too. ❞ ❝ when you return, you will come with your head held high. ❞ ❝ this is how silly men perish. ❞ ❝ you rest your bones, my brave little knight. ❞ ❝ where you off to? a knightly quest? ❞ ❝ all dead. no one to bury them. ❞ ❝ by nightfall, you will be at the doorway of your destiny. ❞ ❝ i promise, you will not come to harm. ❞ ❝ why greatness? why is goodness not enough? ❞ ❝ are you really going to go? ❞ ❝ you’ll do this one thing, you return home a changed man, an honorable man? just like that? ❞ ❝ keep your five fingers strong, your five senses sharp. ❞ ❝ you have mud on your face. ❞ ❝ is it wrong to want greatness for you? ❞ ❝ i’ve been waiting for you. did you not hear me calling? ❞ ❝ what do you expect me to do? ❞ ❝ i am the luckiest here today because i am amongst you. ❞ ❝ do not take your place amongst legends idly. ❞ ❝ though my will longs to leap across this table and meet you, my body will not follow. ❞ ❝ you tell me a tale of yourself, so that i might know you. ❞ ❝ i’ve got no guts for merriment this year. ❞   ❝ i need…i need a sword. ❞ ❝ i dare say every table in this land has heard of you and sung your song. ❞ ❝ i know more than just your name. ❞ ❝ well, come on in if you want. ❞ ❝ perhaps you think that i am something i’m not. ❞ ❝ why would you ask me that? why would you ever ask me that? ❞ ❝ are you real, or are you a spirit? ❞ ❝ you are at the end of your quest. a little sooner than you expected, perhaps. but such is the case for us all. ❞ ❝ i am just a lost traveler, seeking rest for the night. ❞ ❝ did my father send for you? ❞ ❝ are you certain there is nothing you wish to give me? ❞ ❝ what will you say if i asked you to make me your lady? ❞ ❝ i do not know of any man who has not marched up to greet death before his time. ❞ ❝ were you afraid? ❞ ❝ you have had a year to find courage. ❞ ❝ come, come home. come home with me. ❞ ❝ i never asked for your company anyway! ❞ ❝ what witchcraft is this? ❞ ❝ go that way and your doom is at hand. ❞ ❝ unhand me and let us go our ways. ❞ ❝ fear not. you’ve only slept through the night. ❞ ❝ which direction are you headed? ❞ ❝ i will eat and give thanks and then take my leave. ❞ ❝ how do you know my name? ❞ ❝ you will find no mercy. no happy end. ❞ ❝ i don’t want your games, or your gifts, or your kindness. ❞ ❝ there’s an enchantment sewn into its threads. wear it and you will never be struck down. ❞ ❝ do you believe in magic, in witchcraft? ❞ ❝ do not touch me. ❞ ❝ i’ve lost something. will you help me find it? ❞ ❝ i’m very sorry. i…i did not see you. ❞ ❝ i fear i am not meant for greatness. ❞ ❝ stand up and face me! ❞ ❝ make a move or i shall make mine. ❞ ❝ let’s just stay here. come. let’s just stay here. ❞   ❝ i’ve got time. i’ve got lots of time. ❞   ❝ out my window this morning i looked, and i saw a land shaped by your hands. ❞ ❝ i look out upon my friends here today and i see songs no muse could ever sing or dream of. ❞ ❝ no. i’m not ready yet. ❞   ❝ i’ll finish this quest for you. ❞