Stories, ramblings and more!! || This blog is NOT SPOILER-FREE ^^ || Not entertaining donation asks (sorry) || Currently screaming about TKDB and Tamon's B-Side
I've been planning on earning some pocket money on the side since I dropped out of engineering program and is currently on leave (I'll be shifting programs next academic year).
Here are the prices and terms:
Samples (most can be found at @cookie-arts):
Additional information can be found here:
an official website for art commissions by @cookiesandbiscuits
Edit: I finally organized my Ko-Fi page, so if you're interested, you can check it out!
Hello, everyone! Cookie here! As I've said in my main account, I'll be opening Habromania-style art requests for Tokyo Debunker.
Now first of all, what is Habromania? It is a psychological horror RPG-style game inspired by Alice in Wonderland created by Symphony Sonata. It follows a 19 year-old Alice as she tries to escape Wonderland—hopefully with her sanity intact. The game demo is already out on Steam, and the full game will be released in three parts.
Now with that out of the way, here are the rules for this event:
The inbox will be open for a week. Feel free to send your requests during that time period!
I wouldn't be able to start on it right away though. I'll work on the requests starting on June 7th since I still have a spring exchange entry I'm currently working on.
You can request any of the ghouls, MC, and the staff. The episode NPCs are out though.
The art itself will look like candid Polaroid pictures like the art I made for Alice (my OC)
Yap about your favorite Character (or do a small doodle)
📁:
Which TKDB mission was your Favorite?
🌱:
Which Character Do you want to see more character Growth from, and Why?
📖:
What TKDB Lore/ Story question do you want answered?
🧸:
Which Character's backstory do you want to see, and/or see more of?
🚩:
Which TKDB character do you think is a Bigger Red Flag than they let on and Why?
😺 :
If you had to take care of one of the Ghouls in their cat form. Who would you Pick, and why?
🗡️:
Which ghoul's Special Artifact would you personally use?
🧩 :
Who do you think plays a bigger role in Darkwick's plans/the storyline?
🎮 :
Would you rather Bring a random TKDB character into our world, or Go into the TKDB world yourself? Why?
🍽️ :
Which Character (Or characters) would you do a Restaurant Crawl/Food Tour with?
🗺️:
You and 5 TKDB characters are Stuck/Lost in the car on a road trip. Who's doing what? Where is the trip destination? Do you think your group will make it?
🕸️ :
Which Character would you go ghost hunting and/or through a haunted house with?
🧠 :
Which 4 TKDB characters would you have on your Zombie Apocalypse Survival Team?
❄️ :
Who in TKDB would you spend a snowy day with? What would you do?
🚨:
Which Tkdb character would you have as an emergency Contact?
⚖️ (+ character):
You and a TKDB character that the asker chose are in Prison Together. Why are you both there?
Sleepover karaoke with Rui, I can imagine antics galore
Cue love and or emo music
HAVE FUN
SUMMARY: rui organizes a karaoke night for the two of you!!
COMMENTS: i asked rui's no. 1 fan @cookiesandbiscuits for the songs <3
When you’d received the text message from Rui to head over to Obscuary, you’d figured it was yet another one of his ploys to get you alone.
Having successfully navigated the forest for what felt like the hundredth time, you’d walked past all the anomalous plants and pushed open the front gate. Making your way past even more unknown plants, you carefully followed the path that Rui had shown you on your first day here, careful not to brush up against any of the unknown anomalies. Once you reached the front door, you breathed a soft sigh of relief—no matter how many times you made that walk, it was always a little stressful.
You knock on the door politely and wait outside, rocking back and forth on your heels. It doesn’t take long for Rui to answer the door, and the second you see his smiling face it’s as though the sun finally pushed the moon out of Obscuary’s sky.
“Hey there, cutie!” he beams, opening the door wider so you can slip inside, “You look better than ever today! My eyes are blessed!”
“Your eyes!? What about mine, Rui?” you laugh, shooting him an affectionate grin, “You’re even more charming than usual!”
He clutches his chest, pretending to be wounded by the praise, but you don’t miss the flush of pink on his cheeks. For a man who often finds himself wondering if you take him seriously, he seems to wiggle his way out of your own flirting attempts fairly often.
Ah, well, there’s nothing to be done for it. Your job is to relax and have fun tonight, now that your most recent mission is over.
Except, when you step into the bar area, there’s no one there.
“Rui...? Where are Lyca and Edward?” you ask, raising a brow.
“Edward had a stream, and Lyca is helping out with Jabberwock!” he says smoothly, leaning against the counter, “Can I get you something to drink, cutie?”
You don’t have the energy to ask him if he’s lying to you or not. Safe to say, your trust in him when it came to the alone time he managed to grasp with you had decreased—but as your affection grew, you began to care less and less.
“Remember that drink you made based on us?” you smile, sliding into the stool closest to him, “I’d like that one.”
“Coming right up!” Rui jumps away a little too quickly for your liking.
You get the danger, but he’s so careful. Would it really be so bad to touch him, just once?
Rui must have some idea of what you’re thinking—or he just feels the burning stare in the back of his head—because he focuses completely on making your drink. It’s like watching a professional dancer as he twirls around and puts on a show, shaking your drink before pouring it out with flair. You clap politely at the end of it, beaming at him as he winks.
“One Cursed Twins Cocktail, here you are!” he preens under your praise.
You lift the glass to your lips and take a thoughtful sip, savoring it before swallowing. You tap your index finger to your bottom lip playfully, as if Rui’s mastery needs any time at all for you to think about.
“I think this may just be the best drink I’ve ever had in my life,” you state solemnly, “I’ve been ruined for any other bartender.”
Rui laughs at that.
“Don’t give me hope, cutie. I might have to make you another one, on the house.” he jokes, as if this one wasn't also on the house, “But if you think that’s all I’ve got, I’m about to knock your socks off!”
You follow him with your eyes as he darts out from behind the bar and out of your view. After a few mysterious thumps that have your brow raising again, he calls you from the next room over.
“And bring your drink!” he calls, almost like an afterthought.
You do as he asks, scooping your drink up from the bar and making your way over to where Rui disappeared. There’s a door that you never noticed before, cracked open just slightly, with a soft purple glow emanating out from behind the polished wood.
You push the door open and gasp when you see an entire karaoke setup awaiting you, Rui standing in front of you with a microphone.
“Take a seat, cutie! I’ll be serenading you tonight,” he winks.
Oh, there’s no way you’re missing this.
You sit down immediately, setting your drink on the nearby table. Not once do you take your eyes off of Rui, who turns the lights down a little lower to set the mood. You expect a cheesy serenade, something you can giggle about, but when he begins the song you realize that's not what this is at all.
“Every time, in my mind, I’m telling myself, should I be, who will be, the man who'll hold your hand...”
You bring a hand to your lips, covering your half open mouth, You don’t dare look away from him. He doesn’t look away from you, either.
“Whenever I close my eyes, I can see your lovely smile. And I open it again, and then I see the midnight sky .”
There’s raw emotion in his voice, so much so that it makes your eyes start to water. You choke back the tears. It’s almost funny, how you came in here expecting to laugh—and so far, you have been doing anything but. His eyes are soft and his smile is almost wry, as if this whole thing is just some big cosmic joke.
But it’s not.
You’ve always known Rui was more genuine than he let on.
“Wishing that I'll be...The man that'll touch and see...I'll give my love that can't explain. We will be running in the rain. And I will hold your hand...Hold my hand.”
You always knew.
His song doesn’t end fast enough.
“Rui Mizuki, if you don’t sit down and let me serenade you back I’m going to throw a pillow at your head,” you choke out, tears streaming down your face.
“Sorry cutie!” he laughs, sounding on the verge of tears himself, “Didn’t mean to make you cry—”
“Give me that mic!” you demand, appearing in front of him before he can finish the thought, “It’s my turn.”
Jealous MC x Ghouls Series:
Jin Tohma Kaito Luca Alan Leo Sho Jiro Romeo Ritsu Towa Ed Haku Elias
You were on a mission with Obscuary, partnered with Rui to find clues for an investigation.
Honestly, there’s no better partner for this.
Rui is charming. Quick-witted. And dangerously good at talking to people. Especially women.
Now you’re both interviewing the owner of a bar. It’s so loud you can barely hear yourself think. The music echoing through the walls, glasses clinking together, laughter from every corner of the room.
Meanwhile, Rui looks perfectly at home, completely immersed in everything the witness has to say.
“There’s no way,” Rui leans dramatically against the counter, “a beautiful woman like you, dumped by a guy like him?”
She laughs.
“You get it.”
You stand beside him awkwardly with a notebook in hand. You're basically invisible and all you can do is watch.
Every second that passes, her body moves a little closer. She looks at him like he’s the only person in the room.
It feels like a rom-com movie scene. And you’re just the audience.
The woman giggles again, “you’re so funny,” she reaches for his shoulder.
Your body reacts before anything. Your hand blocks hers midair.
Silence.
The woman looks startled. Your own eyes widen slightly at what you’ve done. And judging by Rui’s expression, he looks just as surprised.
You immediately let go.
“...Sorry,” you say. “He doesn’t really like being touched.”
“Oh,” the woman blinks.
“He’s a bit of a germaphobe,” you add quickly.
“S-Sorry about that.”
“No worries,” Rui chuckles.
But you feel it. Rui’s gaze on you.
___
You come back from the bathroom after splashing some water on your face.
Stay cool. Stay professional.
And yet, your feet stall.
Rui is still talking. Laughing. Smiling.
They're having the time of their lives.
Maybe you shouldn’t bother them.
The woman suddenly pulls out her phone. Rui takes it, typing something into the screen. You can only assume it’s his phone number.
It’s probably work-related. Right?
That doesn’t stop your chest from tightening.
He acts like this with everyone…so why does it bother you so much?
A few minutes later, Rui jogs back over with a grin.
“Success! We got another lead. Let’s head to the next stop, cutie.”
You nod quietly.
___
You exit the bar. The two of you walk in silence for a while.
Until–
“Pfft.” Rui bursts into laughter. “A germaphobe? That’s a new one.”
Heat rushes to your ears.
“Please forget about that. I’m already embarrassed enough.”
“Don’t say that. You really saved me there.”
You can’t meet his eyes.
It wasn’t for him. It was for you.
And if he knew that, he’d probably be disappointed.
“There it is again.”
“Huh?”
“That face.” He points. “The one you’ve been making all night.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You absolutely do. Something’s bothering you. So what’s going on in that cute head of yours?”
You hesitate. If he keeps prodding, you might just–
“Are we allowed to exchange phone numbers with people outside of Darkwick?”
The question slips out before you can stop it.
“Huh?” Rui blinks. “Oh. As long as it’s for missions.”
Stop talking. Just stop talking.
“And if it wasn't mission-related?”
Rui stiffens.
“...What?”
“If it wasn’t for the mission…Would you have taken her number anyway?”
His eyes widen.
“Whoa.” He rubs the back of his neck. “You’re gonna get my hopes up saying stuff like that.”
He looks at you. Waiting for a response. An immediate rebuttal. There’s none.
He chuckles nervously.
“It almost sounds like you’re jealous or–”
“I am.”
“Right? There’s no way you’d actually–”
He stops. His breath halts. His jaw drops. His brain takes a few more seconds to register those two words.
You finally look him in the eyes. Cheeks burning.
“I think I am jealous.”
Rui blinks. And blinks. And blinks.
“WAIT!” He squishes his face like this is a dream. “That’s why you grabbed her hand! You were jealous?!”
“Rui, too loud!”
“Over me?! Is that why you’ve been sulking all night?”
“I was not sulking.”
“You so were.” Then he grins. “And it’s adorable.”
You purse your lips.
“Well, how am I supposed to feel?...When you’ve been flirting with every witness we’ve talked to today.”
That does it. His face turns crimson. His already wide smile, only growing.
If he could, he would’ve kissed you already. But instead he yanks out his phone.
“If it’ll make you feel better, I can delete every contact in here right now.”
Featuring: Sinostra, Hotarubi, Obscuary, Mortkranken
Part 1: Frostheim, Vagastrom, Jabberwock
Request: How would the ghouls react to a usually independent MC who becomes clingy/child-like when sick?
*** means reference to MC taking care of sick ghouls (pt. 1 / pt. 2)
Taiga
Taiga doesn’t know how to “take care” of people.
But when he spots you at the casino, he can immediately tell something’s wrong.
He gets a good look at your face and bursts out laughing.
“Gyahahaha! Look how red you are. Lookin like a tomato.”
He sweeps you up and over his shoulders, takes you to his room, and plops you down on the bed.
Taiga doesn’t bring medicine. He doesn’t make you food or even checks your temperature.
Instead, he just lays in bed next to you, wrapping the blanket around you both so tightly your bodies nearly squished together.
Usually, you’d push him away. Tell him you have work to do.
But for a few minutes, you’re completely still.
“Not running away today, Kitty-cat?”
In response, you wrap your arms around him. Pulling yourself flush against him.
“Take my cold. That’s how you get rid of it, right?” ***
He chuckles. “Trying to get your revenge, huh? Better not regret it later.”
Romeo
When Romeo catches you stumbling around in the casino, he yells at you.
“BB! You walking around like a drunkard is bad for business!”
Before you even know it, you’re forced to rest.
It's like Romeo is more prepared for your cold than you are.
He forces you to drink terrible tasting concoctions that he calls medicine, has a steam ventilator that's apparently good for congestion and skin, and super minty cough drops that are almost inedible.
When you thank him, he just tells you he’s only doing this because “he needs you to start working ASAP.”
Romeo is a busy man. He doesn’t stop for anyone.
“Fico. We’re having an issue with one of the tables.”
He sighs. “You TGAs can’t even do your jobs?”
The lackeys lower their heads.
“Whatever. I’ll be there soon.”
Romeo shakes his head in disapproval.
“Why is everyone around me so incompetent?”
Just as he’s about to leave, you catch his hand and pull him closer.
“Don’t leave.”
Romeo pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m a busy man. I don’t have time to sit around all day.”
Instead of letting go, you bring his hand closer and closer. Then lightly press your lips against his knuckles.
He freezes.
“Don’t go.”
“BB, is that all you can say?”
You snuggle his arm this time.
“Once I’m better, I’ll work 10 times–no, 100 times harder. Please Romeo?”
A long silence follows. Until he decides to sit back down on the edge of the bed.
“You better not be lying,”
...
“Hey! You TGA’s!”
The Lackeys scurry in, “Yes, Fico–” and see his hands locked with yours. And how Romeo isn’t even trying to leave.
“I’m busy right now. Go fix the problem on your own.”
Ritsu
“Hello MC. I’m here to return the favor.” ***
Just like that, Ritsu lays out the many supplies he’s brought in: medicine, water, thermometer, tissues, etc. Organizing them beautifully on your nightstand.
Anytime he does anything, he records it in his device.
“10:30 am. Administered 30 milliliters of medicine." Tap.
“10:42 am. Temperature measured. 103.8 degrees Fahrenheit.” Tap.
“11:03 am. Subject refused to finish soup.” Tap.
And throughout the day, he wears a mask. “I can’t afford to be sick. I have several responsibilities to attend to.”
Every object you touch is immediately sanitized afterward.
Eventually, he checks his watch.
“I must leave. My class begins soon.”
You fidget a bit before asking. “Do you…have to leave?”
“Well, yes. It is one of the many obligations I have as a student.”
“But you also have a responsibility to take care of me too. Remember?”
“But it’s not written in any contract–”
“Ritsu…please?”
How strange. He has no legal obligation to stay.
Your medicine has been administered. Your temperature is stable.
And yet…
He doesn’t move. Doesn’t clean up. Doesn’t leave.
“I will stay for thirty more minutes.”
30 mins becomes an hour. Then two.
He’s been sanitizing everything you’ve touched…But for some reason, when your hand slips away, he doesn’t go to the bathroom to wash it.
Subaru
Subaru enters your room timidly, already bowing his head. “If I'm not a bother, can I keep you company for a while?”
Even while taking care of you, he manages to look effortlessly elegant.
-He pours tea with careful hands.
-Cuts fruits into perfect neat slices.
-Feeds you when you’re too tired to do it yourself.
And throughout it all, he keeps you company with stories.
Some funny. Some fascinating.
And some…terrifying.
“And that’s how the whole Sawamoto clan was wiped out.”
You gulp.
“By a one little girl. With dark red sandals.”
He was so immersed in the story-telling, he failed to realize how frightened you looked.
“Oh no! I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I-It’s ok.”
“No it’s not. It was thoughtless of me to tell ghost stories when you’re feeling unwell. We should stop–”
“Subaru. Please keep going. I like your stories.”
He smiles bashfully.
“You do?”
You nod.
“...I have one request though.”
“Of course. Anything.”
“Can you hold my hand?”
Subaru turns bright red.
“E-Excuse me?”
“If we’re holding hands, I think I’ll feel less scared.”
You slowly pull your hand out. He stares at it for a few seconds.
“O-only if you’re comfortable with that.”
“I am.”
It takes a few seconds. But eventually, he takes your hand and holds it tight.
Haku
He enters your room with his usual smile. “My princess. Will you allow me to take care of you today?”
What can you say? He’s good at everything. Like he’s able to know what you need with just one look.
Water. Medicine. Food. Anything and everything. He has it ready at your beck and call.
And of course, he flirts whenever he gets the chance.
“You’re sweating? Would you like some help undressing? No? Well, how about the buttons?”
And as always, he says his signature line: “If you need anything, just ask.”
“Haku.”
“Yes?”
“What are you doing?”
“Finishing some paperwork.”
You stare at him sleepily.
“Sleep next to me.”
His fingers pause.
"Come on…I’m lonely.”
He’s actually speechless and It takes a few seconds to recover. He tries to go back to his saunter tone.
“You want me to cure your loneliness too?”
You nod. He laughs.
“You sure have a lot of requests today.”
“Please?”
He closes the folder in his lap.
“You know, it’s unfair when you ask me like that.”
“You said, you’d do anything I say.”
A wide grins spreads his face.
“Ah. Using your princess card now?”
You nod again. He sighs dramatically.
“I suppose I have no choice.”
He shifts into the bed.
You relax into him immediately.
“I can’t lie.”
“Hm?”
“I like this side of you too.”
Zenji
“Oh, Girl!!! I’ve heard you’re sick. I can’t heal you physically, but I can mend your broken heart!”
Did you mention a broken heart? Oh well.
He can’t do much but he cheers you on.
When you’re taking medicine. “Well done! That must have tasted dreadful.”
When you finish your food. “How was it? Did it warm your soul?”
When you cough. He immediately hovers over. “Oh no. Should I call someone for help? A doctor? An exorcist? Will you be ok, dear?!”
Just in general he keeps you company.
-Sharing recent poems that he wrote.
-Playing songs on the Biwa.
-Telling funny stories about his childhood and Jiro.
Seeing you dozing off, Zenji decides it’s time to go.
“Well Girl, I won’t be of much help here on. I shall take my leave.”
“Zenji.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I like your presence. It makes me feel better…can you stay a little longer?”
Zenji is elated to hear such high praise.
“My! Of course!” His hand flies to his chest. “I can stay right beside you forever if you need!”
Ed
Ed is a toddler trapped in a 400-year old vampire body.
Taking care of someone else is a foreign concept.
Most of his life, he’s been alone or has been the one taken care of.
So he doesn’t prepare anything.
He flies to your dorm saying his classic line: “All your pain will disappear if you drink my blood. Would you like some?” Surely he’s joking…right?
Without your permission he climbs into your bed.
And underneath your blanket.
“What are you doing?” You huff through jagged breaths.
“Humans get lonely when they're sick, I heard. I'm just keeping you company.”
“It’s not helping.”
He laughs softly.
“Oh really? You say that, and yet you’re coming closer on your own.”
It’s true. Your arms, like they have a mind of their own, wraps around him. Your head finds a nice spot on his chest.
“Your body is cold… It’s nice.”
“How exhilarating.”
He gently plays with your hair. Twirling the ends around his fingers till you fall asleep.
Rui
Like Haku, Rui is insanely perceptive. It’s like he knows what you need before you even ask.
A blanket appears when you’re cold.
A drink appears when you’re thirsty. A straw to make it easier to drink without sitting up.
And lucky for Rui, he gets to see a new side of you. A side of you that flirts back. Or even flirts first.
“Cutie. You’re gonna bore a hole through me if you keep staring.”
You don’t look away.
“You’re just so…pretty.” He feels an arrow fly straight through his heart.
“Rui, can you sit closer?”
“Cutie,” he pouts. “You know I can’t.”
“Just a little.”
“This is the closest I can be. I’m like three feet away.”
“Closer.”
Rui stares at you.
The pleading eyes. The sleepy voice. Your red pouty lips. This is bad. You’re completely unaware of the damage you’re doing.
He looks away.
“Wait! Wait! Wait! You’re making it really dangerous for me to stay here!”
But you don’t give up.
“Please?”
He sighs. And scoots his chair a few inches closer.
…
Eventually, your eyes drift shut. Your breathing evens.
Once he knows you’re asleep for certain, oh so carefully, he holds the very ends of your hair. And places a light kiss on it.
“I’m sorry MC. This is all I can do.”
Lyca
Lyca brings some…interesting stuff in.
-An actual garlic bulb.
-Raw honey with a spoon.
-A handful of dirt.
“I heard these are good for you when you’re sick.”
For the most part though, he’s there to keep you company.
Talking about his day. All the things he learned in class.
Stories about Neros. Or just kinda draws things next to you.
He has a serious face while sketching something next to you.
You’ve been staring at him for a while.
“Lyca.”
“What?”
“I want to touch your ears.”
“Huh?” Like a command they pop out. “N-No way.”
“Why not?”
“Cuz the last time you did.” His face turns red. “It felt weird.”
“Weird how?”
“I don’t know!”
“Hmm,” you hum. “...Fine.”
You sink back into your pillow. Only for Lyca to notice you’re still looking at him.
“Hey! Stop staring at me!”
He covers them with his sketchbook.
“But I swear it’ll make me feel better.”
“Sickness doesn’t work like that.”
“It might.”
…
You’re half asleep.
When you feel something soft brush against your hand.
You glance at the cause.
Lyca crouched down with his chin on the bed.
“...only for like 10 seconds though.”
You smile.
“Thanks.”
“Yeah yeah. You better not tell anybody.”
Yuri
Step aside everyone, this is literally his job.
“I, the great Yuri Isami shall cure your sickness!”
Be ready to be experimented taken care of with all those potions in his hand.
As you take each one, he has a notebook out, eyes twisted with that excitement.
But if you ask for anything more (like for him to feed you), He immediately switches, becoming a blushing mess.
“How dare you ask me to do such menial tasks!”
Once Yuri has collected all the data he needs, he gathers his supplies.
“Hmm. My work here is complete.”
You sit up immediately.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Uh…”
You hold your head dramatically.
“I think I’m feeling worse.”
Yuri’s brow furrows. “There is no way that’s possible.”
“I think one of your potions is doing something weird. Check my temperature.”
He scoffs, clearly offended at your allegation. But he snatches the thermometer.
10 minutes later…
“Everything is normal. Goodbye.”
“This part on my arm feels sore.”
“Oh? Additional symptoms?”
Another 10 minutes.
A few more times and Yuri catches on.
“My throat–”
“Enough of your shenanigans! I am going.”
You grab his hand to stop him. And he freaks out immediately.
“Just w-w-w-what are you doing, you worm?”
“Can't you just stay?”
His eyes widen. His cheeks resembling the color of cherries.
“Please? I feel better when you’re around.”
Yuri nearly chokes at your shamelessness.
For a genius, he’s struggling to find the right words.
“Y-Y-Your head is as sick as your body!”
But despite his words. He huffs. And drops into his chair.
“Hmph. I suppose checking for delayed adverse symptoms is part of a doctor's responsibility.”
You grin.
“Whatever you say, Dr. Yuri.”
“S-SHUT UP!”
Jiro
Jiro as always comes into your room without knocking.
“I’ve heard that you’re sick. Are you alright?”
He has a checklist of things to complete and ask.
“How much pain are you in on a scale of 1-10?”
He brings a big jug of water in. “It’s best to drink 10 to 12 cups of water when you’re sick.” And, by the end of the day he makes sure that you’ve drunk it all.
Jiro is efficient. Medicine taken on time. Temperature checked regularly. Meals with all the proper nutrients.
He doesn’t do unnecessary things…unless.
“Jiro.”
“Yes?”
“My head hurts.”
“Yes.”
“And I feel nauseous."
“Yes. Those are common symptoms of sickness.”
“I want you to hold me.”
Jiro blinks. And blinks.
“...Why?”
“Because it’ll make me feel better.”
“How?”
“There’s studies.”
“What studies?”
“...Hugging studies.”
“I would need to read them.”
“I’ll send them to you later.” you tug his sleeve. “So just come here.”
He blinks at you. At your hand. And back at you.
Then slides under the covers.
You wrap your arms around him.
“Your body is…warm.”
You chuckle.
“I do have a fever.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re always almost dead, so.”
“...That is true.”
So I wanna address something that I've noticed recently in fandom spheres in general (this is specifically going to the tkdb fandom bc I'm still hyperfixated on it right now)
I understand a lot of you guys may be younger and haven't interacted in fandom the way some of us older folks have. And that's fine, but I wanna explain how you can do that!
Because right now a lot of the artists and writers are feeling a little underappreciated and that means we don't really wanna work on requests or events bc they aren't getting a lot of interaction.
First, this isn't an influencer/audience relationship. We're all real people with jobs and lives outside of this, we do it for the love of the game. If you think it's weird or parasocial to try to talk to the person making the art you enjoy that's an issue. Nobody is famous, we're all being goofy ass people playing toys together. Make a comment, reach out to that author if they made your day better!
This is going to sound ridiculous but use youtuber logic: like, comment, subscribe follow! Because chances are with how small our fandom is that your comment is going to be seen and possibly inspire someone to keep going!
Likes are nice, but reblogs are better. If you aren't sure if you want it on your main blog that's fine. You think this is my main? Most of us are on side blogs. Make a little side blog for stuff you enjoy. Tag it so you can find it again. Use the character names or pairings or whatever you want. That's a way to bookmark the work you reblogged so you can find it easily.
Not sure what to really say to someone? If you've never interacted before just be polite but casual. It's a lot like making new friends irl but we have a level of anonymity that is comfortable here. Just don't demand things or try to befriend someone just because you want them to write or draw for you. You won't always hit it off with everyone but just be genuine and kind. You might make friends or just become acquainted, like someone you say hey to when they pass by but aren't close to.
As far as the etiquette of tagging and commenting goes-
Commenting is the reply feature. It goes in a separate thing attached to the work you're commenting on, and it has a larger character limit than the tags. Anyone can reply to you there so it's always good to @ who you're addressing.
Tags you add to the post when you reblog it. They aren't an actual edition to the post. But this is where you can add your keywords for searching for it later. When reblogging there's a feature to include some of the previous person's tags. If you do < or <- at the start of your tag that's indicating that you're referring to what that tag is talking about.
Both of these places are great places to talk about what you like about the work! They are public though so keep that in mind. If you want to talk just to the artist then use messages. Seriously don't be afraid to just start a message to someone it's just like going up and starting a conversation with a person.
But Pom, what do I say? I'm so glad you asked. For me, and a lot of the artists I've seen discuss this, it's not the quality of the message that's important. You can literally just say that character is so cute! Or, this is my favorite line! ❤ And that makes me happy! You can literally just use emojis and keysmashes -> (ajshhdjskakfhakskhf) and I'll get that you enjoyed it lol.
If you're unsure you can look at what other people have added! Some of us go off in our reblogs about how much we love it or how that lighting is incredible or the prose is insanely beautiful! You don't have to match that. Just acknowledging that you enjoyed it is good. Say something about how you hope the next piece is gonna be just as good! Or thank the author for the food lmao.
There's a lot of ways to interact with the artists in fandom. I personally reached out and interacted with one of my favorite ones here on Tumblr and now we message daily and have best friend ocs!
Tldr: If you want content to consume <- nah let's call it what it is. If you want art to enjoy and fic to read, interact with the artists and authors. Show some love with reblogs and comments. It makes us feel like we did a good job and gives us the energy to continue! Lurking is a choice and I for one am so glad I stopped watching people play and started playing with every one. So come on! We're waiting on you guys to join us! Come scream with us about blorbos and crazy theories! ❤💚❤💚
well seeing how much traction this post has gotten i am very glad i made a post about feeling like this on my side blog!
thank you pom for writing all of this up im sure it took a long time.
i've been trying my best to add in depth tags for as long as ive been in this fandom on as many posts as i can, but i can't reach them all. im only one person, but i know my impact has made a hell of a difference in this fandom. im confident in that much.
i think also, people may only think that long tags are valuable, and that if it's not long tags then it's better to just reblog and not say anything. i'm here to tell you that a simple "this was so good!" is infinitely more likely to make an authors day than a wordless reblog, and a wordless reblog is infinitely better than a like. find which one feels best for you.
i've had this discussion so many times from fandom to fandom that it's honestly exhausting. unfortunately writing is one of the loves of my life so im not going to stop doing it, but i doubt i will ever take requests from people who aren't my friends again.
pom worded this in a very friendly way and i wish i could word mine as bubbly as that :C unfortunately i am tired! i am exhausted! and i don't want to pour my heart out and be met with absolute silence anymore!
sharing the love we all have for these characters should not feel like that and im sad we are in a fandom where it does.
GUYS DROP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND TAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!
This was the gift I received from the lovely Meru for the TKDB Spring Exchange! (idk if they're on Tumblr so I can't tag them unfortunately)
I am honestly floored at how beautiful this is. They even managed to incorporate butterflies in Alice's design, which took me by surprise because I don't remember saying the fact that Alice is associated with butterflies yet.
And don't get me started on Rui. The way he looks at her so softly??? OH MY GOD JUST KILL ME ALREADY. FUCK THE REAPER CURSE I AM GONNA KISS HIM BY THE MOUTH.
The fact that this is what Solomon's wand looks like just cracks me up. SWD, Nightbringer, and the manga all depict it like this. He probably could've had his wand look like anything, and yet here he is, holding something that looks like he's about to be on the Disney channel. Just a whole-ass "toy at the bottom of a cereal box" look. And honestly? I respect the commitment to the bit. It's goofy and adorable and I love it lmao
