Astrabear's Archive

This account has gone _0_ days without obsessing over the Old Guard. She/her, too old for this shit, unofficial SME on Old Guard fanfics. I write on Ao3 as astraea215.

[astrabear]

A few months ago one of my Discord friends called me a "fic cryptid" and I've been leaning into it. If someone posts on tumblr about Old Guard fic - I wonder if anyone's ever done a crossover with X? I read a story a while back and I can't find it now, please help - and they find a link in their notes from someone they've never interacted with before and will likely never encounter again, they've been visited by the fic cryptid. It's sort of a cross between Santa Claus and Bloody Mary.

Notable sightings include:

- that time on a Discord server I'm no longer active in, when someone asked for fics with a very specific concept and I came back with a link so quickly that it had the same time stamp as the initial request

- that time someone had agonized over a nearly-forgotten fic for months, and all they could recall was a vague description of a single scene, and I could instantly reply with title and author

But those were people who went looking. Most people visited by the fic cryptid don't even know that it exists. Who knows where it will turn up next?

[astrabear]

Finally got to watch The Vampire Lestat ep 6, and I feel like I'm going to start throwing up blood my own self. Because even though they reconciled, even though Louis apologized, for a minute it was all true, and I could feel it. "They wouldn't love me if they knew the real me," and then the person you love most learns your darkest secret, and it's true. They are furious and disgusted, you are repulsive, you are fundamentally broken and wrong and unlovable, just like you always believed you were but hoped you weren't. I'd have a panic attack too. I might have one any way. And then the added layer of being essentially held responsible for your own victimization? I can't even process everything else that happened, I'm so stuck on that aspect. One of the most horrifying things I've ever seen.

[astrabear]

I've talked to several meatspace friends about this, and not one of them has this as one of their most visceral, primal fears.

Oh well. The anxiously-attached show ponies understand.

[astrabear]

Finally got to watch The Vampire Lestat ep 6, and I feel like I'm going to start throwing up blood my own self. Because even though they reconciled, even though Louis apologized, for a minute it was all true, and I could feel it. "They wouldn't love me if they knew the real me," and then the person you love most learns your darkest secret, and it's true. They are furious and disgusted, you are repulsive, you are fundamentally broken and wrong and unlovable, just like you always believed you were but hoped you weren't. I'd have a panic attack too. I might have one any way. And then the added layer of being essentially held responsible for your own victimization? I can't even process everything else that happened, I'm so stuck on that aspect. One of the most horrifying things I've ever seen.

[rustythechainsaw]

I mashed up a couple of my favorite things! Muppets VS Army of Darkness! Tried to include some fun cameos - enjoy!

[sufficientlylargen]

"Benedict Cumberbatch!" Cry out the tumblfolk, "Silliest dactylic Name you could hear!"

Critical oversight - Lost to obscurity, Engelbert Humperdinck Sheds one small tear.

[astrabear]

[astrabear]

[spin-the-wheel-polls]

You have became this medieval role, how do you feel about it

you are in the medieval era and you have this role!

How do you feel?

great!! I love this

good!

It's okay

So bad. I hate this

This is similar to my real job!

Results/other

Voting ended onJul 18

[miggylol]

Spin the wheel. That's who's trying to kill you.

Spin the wheel again. That’s who’s trying to protect you.

(If you have zero idea about a name you got, spin until you see someone you recognize.)

Are you safe?

Absolutely not. I'm dead. 100% dead.

I might stay alive, but it'll be a really close thing.

I'll take some hits, for certain, but I should be okay in the end.

A few attacks might get through, but nothing concerning.

The attacker might be able to get in one lucky hit. If that.

I am the opposite of worried. I'm 100% safe.

…Look. I've tried picturing this. But I honestly don't know how to answer.

Voting ended onJul 14

(I've run this poll twice before, expanding it significantly for the second run. With about a year passed since that second run, I thought it was time to add another couple hundred names to the list and have another go.)

[sgt-tombstone]

Fanfic/Author Ask Game

Write a scene from [insert fic] in another character’s POV

Which of your fics is your pride and joy?

What are your top three most commonly used tags on AO3?

What are some words or phrases you feel like you overuse?

What’s something you learned while researching a fic?

Would you ever accept requests or commissions?

Coffee or tea while you write?

What is your favorite line/section from [insert fic]?

How did you get into writing fanfiction?

Is there a character or ship you'd love to write for, but haven't yet?

What makes a fic 'successful' in your opinion?

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Do you have an 'official' creative writing background such as a degree or previous experience publishing?

What makes you happiest? New fic comments, kudos, bookmarks, user subscribers, story subscribers, or Tumblr asks?

Does anyone you know in real life know you write fanfiction?

What do you struggle with most when writing?

What is something you recently felt proud of in your writing?

How many WIPs do you have and how many do you expect to finish?

How do you get over writer's block?

Share your favorite kiss scene from [insert fic]. If there's no kiss scene, share your favorite moment of intimacy (romantic or platonic)

What stops you from writing more in your free time?

Did you do anything special to celebrate finishing a fic?

What’s a story you’d love to write but haven’t even started yet?

Which scene/theme was the inspiration for [insert fic]?

Are there any moments in [insert fic] that feel "blurry" to you? Is this a stylistic choice, or would you go back and clarify the descriptions if you were given the chance?

Do you ever "prep" your fics with outlines or warmups before you start writing, or do you just dive right in?

Are any of your stories inspired by personal experience?

What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with?

How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

Have you noticed your style change over time?

What fic meant the most to you to write?

A character you enjoy making suffer.

A character you want to protect.

What is your favorite fic to get comments/messages on?

Wild Card: Ask me something else!

[raccoonboywrites]

Reblog this and say one nice thing about prev

Trying to inject some positivity

[recoil-operated-deactivated2021]

Only People Who Can See RED Really Well Can Read These Words

Will you be seeing red after taking this quiz?

I can only read “dogs” and only see anything in one other. I see nothing in any other.

[bunjywunjy]

8/10 but fuck, OW.

[stevolteon]

8/10 also!

[vulpes-aestatis]

Baby sphinx trying to be like mama and waylaying travelers, but all its riddles are completely non-sensical like the ones a 1st grader would tell

[thecactifindahome]

[astrabear]

There's no high quite like the feeling you get when you actually resolve a misunderstanding by explaining yourself.

[bedupolker]

its easy to be cynical about the future but on the bright side at least more people keep giant skeleton statues in their yards now moreso than ever before

[starlightomatic]

Have you ever blocked someone on here over their political views? Has someone ever blocked you over yours?

Yes both

The former but not the latter

The latter but not the former

No, neither

Idk/nuance/I’m a cat and don’t have thumbs

Voting ended onJun 28

[astrabear]

I had a dream last night that included a conversation about how well Sanji from One Piece would get along with Miss Piggy. And I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. If my conscious brain could unlock the power of my sleeping mind I'd be unstoppable.