Franco has such a serious spot in my heart and i felt he earned a little more attention from me. I used @jamiefort s art of Franco as some style and anatomy refs as this is only my second time drawing him. Jamie, if you see this, your art is STUNNING. I love your interpretation of Franco and every time you post it amazes me, your animations are stellar, I love your stylization, and you truly understand characters beyond canon. I could go on and on..but you get the jist. Franco may not be everyone’s cup of tea but he sure as hell is mine. As soon as i get some money I’m comming Jamie for so much art man, just absolutely beautiful work.
🎶✨️when you get this, put 5 songs you actually listen to, then publish. Send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers/mutuals (non-negotiable, positivity is cool)🎶✨️ ((side note, please don't feel pressured to answer this!))
Haha, this is simple enough. I’ll do my favorites right now. :)
1. The Anti-Hero: The Anti-Hero has grown to gain quite a presence today. Like the heroes of classic antiquity, modern day anti-heroes have been have been ushered in by the likes of characters like Wolverine, Spawn, Venom, Catwoman and more. Each comes with their own tragic flaws that limit them to villainy rather than full fledge protagonism. Although anti-heroes may sometimes perform actions that are viewed as morally correct, it’s always for the “right” reasons, often acting primarily out of self-interest or in ways that defy conventional ethical codes.
2. Dark Reflections: There’s a reason they’re called “Antagonist”. This type of villain is a darker reflection of the protagonist in motivation and means. Often stubborn or unmoving, these tend to be everything that the protagonist is not.
3. Fallen From Grace: The Lucifers, fallen angels that have been pushed to villainy by exterior forces which can be related or unrelated to the protagonist. They’re similar to the anti-hero, but one thing about is that they’re not always redeemable. They tend to be understandingly lost in darkness and villainy. (Star Wars)
4. Familial Connections: As old as the myth of Osiris in Ancient Egypt, tales have been told of the evil reflections of noble siblings. Jealous and power hungry, they seek to overthrow a kingdom and rule as a tyrant. Only when a valiant niece/nephew rises up against them, that these evil aunts/uncles are able to be overthrown. (Lion King, Hamlet)
5. Good Ol’ Dastardly Trickery: Sometimes villains come as simple Dick Dastardly, who fires obstacles for the protagonist to overcome. This usually offers the protagonist and plot nothing more to offer than muscle and damsels. (Jesse & James in Pokémon)
6. The Heroes of Their Own Stories: The worst and best villains. Why? Because they believe themselves to be right. They’re not evil. They’re not wrong. They’re doing this for the best, for the better. They’re saviors and martyrs, and will be all the true villains that get in their way. At least, that’s how they see it. (Thanos)
xiao x venti / fluff & angst / modern au / multi-chapter
synopsis,,, in which xiao longs for what used to be his.
note,,, updates will not be consistent. i will write the next chapter when i have the time to. also, i'm a bit rusty at writing xiaoven & in general. even so, i hope you enjoy. by the way, i haven't proofread yet.
IT WAS A WARM AFTERNOON WITH CLEAR SKIES AND LOTS OF SUN. Afternoons like this happened often in the spring and summer, but Xiao was rarely ever able to enjoy them. Beautiful days meant he’d be scheduled to work, today being no different.
Sunlight beamed onto Xiao’s skin, and the cool wind blew gently, tickling his nose and making him scrunch his face a little. It only happened occasionally, so it was a surprise each time the breeze came back.
He’d been outside for hours, posing for cameras and chatting with photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and wardrobe stylists, and he was getting tired. He wanted to go home.
That’s one of the things he didn’t enjoy about being a model: all of the socializing. He’s introverted and can only handle so much talking to others. He often wonders how different life would be if he chose an office job over becoming a famous model and if his life would be a lot quieter, more peaceful.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s wrap it up!” The producer called out, who received excited cheers in return.
Relief washed over Xiao after hearing the producer’s announcement. The sun was giving him a headache, and the extra studio lights were starting to blind him.
A photographer walked up to him, “you did great today, Xiao. Flawless as usual.”
He stood up from the stone he was positioned on and glanced at her, “thanks.”
Xiao stretched his arms forward and looked towards the ground; he was always stiff after photoshoots.
“Why are you always wearing that?” the photographer asked suddenly, to which Xiao gave her a confused look. “The ring on your finger.”
He held his right hand up, and his eyes brightened at the sight of the jewelry. It was gold with a small crane engraved on it, and he admired it with a small smile. However, that only lasted a moment before his smile faded and hand dropped down to his side. He fidgeted with the ring, rotating it around his ring finger.
“Xiao-”
“I must be going,” Xiao dismissed her, “thank you for your time.” He walked away from the woman and went towards the dressing room, leaving her stunned.
Once he was in the dressing room, he shut the door behind him and slid his back against it, slowly sinking down towards the floor. He brought his knees close to his chest and rested his head on his knees.
That ring. He honestly forgot he was still wearing it. After all, it had been so long since he’d properly looked at it, and today, what happened a moment ago, reminded him exactly why he stopped looking at it. Seeing the jewelry brought him so much joy that was always quickly washed away by a wave of sorrow. Yet, he continued to wear the ring anyway. He couldn’t bring himself to take it off.
Xiao stood up from the floor and brushed off his clothes. Now wasn’t the time to sulk. He told Hu Tao he’d stop by after his photoshoot for a coffee, and it was getting close to the time of when he said he’d be there.
He looked into the vanity in front of him, staring into his own honey eyes. He approached the vanity and sat down in the chair, feeling himself begin to tear up. Xiao let his head fall into the palms of his hands, and soon, he was crying.
An hour or so passed by, and the skies were now littered with white, fluffy clouds. Streets and shops were busy with many people walking, browsing, and socializing. Xiao was approaching the cafe Hu Tao wanted to meet at and could see her standing against the fence, playing on her phone with her legs stretched out.
“You’re blocking the way,” he said to her.
Hu Tao laughed, “yeah, I know.” She stood up properly and faced Xiao before placing her hands on her hips. “You’re late, by the way. What was with the hold up? I was getting so bored waiting on ya.”
He shifted to the side, “work stuff.”
Of course, this was a lie. While he was at the photoshoot longer than intended, it isn’t what made him late. The crying is what made him late.
She hummed, almost as if she was debating whether to believe him or not. “Okay, well, at least you’re here now. I had gotten worried you’d bailed on me!” she threw her arms up to emphasize her worry.
“I wouldn’t do that without warning. You know this,” Xiao replied.
Hu Tao nodded, “yeah, that’s true. Anyway, let’s head inside, order some drinks, and then come sit outside. It’s stunning out today.” She skipped towards the cafe’s doors and walked in, meaning there was no arguing with her about anything she’d just said. So, Xiao just followed her inside.
Eight minutes or so later, they came back outside and sat at an umbrella table. That way they could still be outside while having a little bit of shade. Hu Tao had ordered a frozen coffee with extra espresso shots, and Xiao ordered an ice water.
“I still can’t believe ya only ordered water,” Hu Tao said before sipping on her drink.
He shrugged, “but I do this each time we come here.”
She tapped the side of her cup, “I know, but for some reason, I always come with the expectation that you’ll try something else.”
“Well,” Xiao chuckled, “that’s a bit odd.”
“Ya can’t blame me for being hopeful that my stubborn and picky friend might try something new,” Hu Tao laughed with him, “but yeah, it’s definitely an unrealistic expectation to have.”
The wind went by, twirling itself around hair strands and tree leaves. There was a lot of chatter from other conversations happening around them, making the cafe more lively than it already was. It was a nice, comforting atmosphere.
“Anyway, how was work?” she asked. She was playing with her cup, tilting it back and forth while being sure no coffee spilled.
Xiao sighed, “It was fine. Nothing exciting happened.”
“Well, tell me about it!” she insisted, “I wanna know what kept ya there longer than planned.”
He looked down at his ice water. “It was ethereal themed, I suppose. They had me in simple white robes and lots of gold jewelry,” he explained, “I even had gold patterns painted on my arms, which took forever to wash off.” He glanced at his arms and spotted a few shiny specks of gold glitter still lingering.
Hu Tao also looked at his arms and his hands. “Ah… you’re still wearing that,” she spoke quietly. Xiao followed her gaze, and they were now both staring at the gold ring. He didn’t say a word in response; he couldn’t make himself speak.
“Xiao, ya have to take that off eventually. It’s not doing ya any good,” Hu Tao gave him a solemn look.
He nodded, agreeing with her. He already knew he should get rid of the ring, or at least stop wearing it. However, some part of him just wouldn’t allow him to. “I can’t.”
She smiled, “Well, that kind of stuff takes time. Just as long as you aren’t dwelling on it, right?” Hu Tao sipped her coffee before checking her phone. Her eyes widened and she huffed, “shit, I have to go back to work. My grandfather needs me back at the parlor. You’ll be okay, right? I’m sorry for having to go.” She spoke quickly and grabbed her coffee before running off.
Shortly after she disappeared, she came back. “Hey!” Hu Tao called out, “text me later, alright?” With that, she left. For real this time.
Xiao sat there alone, listening to the other tables laughing and having a joyful time. He meant to go home once Hu Tao left, but he stared at his ring instead.
By the time he left, evening was approaching, and the ice in his water had completely melted.
raiden ei x yae miko / fluff & angst / fairy au / oneshot
synopsis,,, in which miko comforts ei through her troubles with desserts, kind words, and a warm hug.
note,,, please complete "chapter ii: act iii" before reading this, because i do not use the name "baal" in this writing. you won't understand why if you haven't done the archon quest. also, this is my first time writing their characters. please go easy on me.
EI SAT BY THE LAKE’S SHORES, staring at her reflection glistening on the water’s surface. The sun was shining brightly, which made everything around her give off a glowing aura. She rested underneath a sizable red-topped mushroom. It gave her shade from the heat, and it gave her a sense of comfort. Recently, she has been lost in her mind. Her body’s sense of harmony was thrown off balance.
She’s trapped in a stormy cloud rather than meditating in her regular paradise. The worst part about it? She didn’t know why she felt this way. What she does know is that she doesn’t like it. At all.
Ei lifted her hand and dragged it across the water, ripples forming beneath her fingertips. The feel of the water was cooling against her pale skin. It was a nice contrast from the blazing sun.
Purple and blue trees surrounded her like a warm hug. Ei always liked the forest, and she often compared it to her utopia. It was a perfect place for just her, especially since not many people entered. Most of the time, she was alone.
“Ei.”
Now was not one of those times.
Ei’s wings fluttered as she turned her head. After she saw who called out to her, she simply turned her attention back towards the lake. She knew who it was but decided not to give the person acknowledgement.
“Oh, come on. You don’t have to ignore me. A simple wave will do,” Miko mused. Blades of grass shifted behind Ei as Miko neared. Soon, she was next to her, looking down at the same lake as she was. Ei glanced to the side and saw a basket next to Miko.
With her curiosity growing, she asked, “What is that?”
Miko followed her gaze and hummed. “Well, it’s a basket.” Ei gave her a blank stare, which she combated with a simple smile. “It has sweets and a blanket in it. I thought you might appreciate it since the grass isn’t necessarily the comfiest to sit on.”
She took a moment to process the other’s words. “Oh,” Ei nodded, “Thank you.”
Miko flicked her wrists upwards, signaling for her to stand up. So, she did. Ei stepped away temporarily and watched as she opened the basket, fluffed out the blanket, and gently placed it on the ground. It was close to the lake but still far away enough for the sheet not to get wet. Miko sat down and patted the spot next to her, so Ei joined her once again.
Ei took in the scenery of the forest, not focusing on much else. But, she could see a tri-colored Dango being offered to her in her peripheral. She accepted it graciously and looked at it with a small smile. Before taking a bite, Ei questioned Miko, “Did you make these yourself?”
“I did,” she replied. Ei tried the dessert, her smile growing more at the sweetness.
No other words were shared between the two. It was complete silence other than animal calling, leaf rustling, and the flowing of currents branching off of the lake. Some might describe it as awkward, but Ei and Miko didn’t mind it.
The quiet didn’t last long before one of them had spoken up.
“So, why are you here?” Ei asked. It wasn’t meant to come off as rude. However, Miko did not come to the forest to visit all that often. There was always a reason for her sudden appearance.
“People are worried about you, like Sara,” she answered, looking at Ei. Her gaze shifted to look at her wings. They were unkempt and less saturated than before, which was unnatural for Ei. Miko’s expression visibly changed to concern. “I’m worried about you,” she admitted.
Ei shifted, “Is it that noticeable?”
“Were you trying to hide it? If so, you did an awful job doing so,” Miko spoke, receiving a sigh from the other. She relaxed her wings and put her hands together, allowing them to rest on her lap. “What’s going on?”
For a moment, she froze. What is going on? She still doesn’t know.
But is that what she tells Miko?
It’s silent again while Ei tries to figure out her answer.
Miko looks at her intently, waiting for the answer patiently.
Well, she was patiently waiting until,
“It’s okay if your feelings don’t have a source, Ei.”
Ei went from focusing on the water to looking directly at Miko. This was surprising to hear. There didn’t need to be a reason for her current feelings or for why her eternity was disrupted. This was such a disturbing statement. Yet, it was a little comforting coming from Miko.
“It doesn’t?”
“No, it doesn’t,” Miko assured, “Sometimes, your mind will put you in a complicated place. There isn’t always an explanation for it. The most you can do about it is to keep yourself relaxed. Find things that bring you enjoyment or a sense of safety.”
Ei felt her mouth go dry. It was so much to process. She contracted herself, pulling in her legs close to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Ei rested her head on her knees and stared out into the wilderness. A ringing filled her ears, which has never happened before, overpowering all other sounds around her. She couldn’t hear the birds, the trees, the rivers, nothing.
Something managed to slip through the blaring, ear-piercing rings.
It was Miko’s voice.
“Ei,” she said, her voice calm, “take a deep breath.”
So, she did. She took a deep breath in and out.
It didn’t seem to do much, but it did slightly help. Ei just didn’t understand why her mind and body were reacting this way. She expected herself to be angry, but she isn’t. She can’t pinpoint an emotion to explain her feelings, and that was irritating.
A hum caught Ei’s attention, and of course, it was Miko.
She had her arms held open, assuming she was offering a hug. Ei took the offer and fell into Miko’s arms, feeling them wrap around her. There was an immediate warmth that she couldn’t describe as anything else but relieving. Miko’s touch was tender and caring.
Ei took a liking to this feeling.
“Thank you, Miko,” Ei said.
Miko laughed, and Ei could feel the vibrations from it on her back. “That is the first time you have said ‘thank you’ this entire time. However, you seem to be feeling a bit better now,” she replied.
“That is a lie. I said thank you for the Dango. I thought your memory was photographic.”
“It is. I’m teasing you,” she sighed, “Well, then my job here is done.” Miko unwrapped her arms and moved as if she were about to get up, but Ei held onto her sleeve. She smiled, “I was only kidding. I’m not going to leave you here.” She sat back down, and Ei was back in Miko’s warm grasp.
“Ei,” Miko called out. She hummed in response. Suddenly, she felt a soft pressure on the side of her head, causing her eyes to widen.
Did she just- kiss my head?
Even though she was fairly confused, she wished the other would do it again.
“You’re not alone in this. I’ve always been here for you, and I will continue to be here for you. We can go soul searching together,” she added. Ei quietly laughed, which essentially was her agreeing to Miko’s suggestion, and allowed herself to fall deeper into the hug.
They stayed there for hours until the sun went down. Only then did the two of them part ways for the night. However, even without them confirming it, they knew they’d be back at the lake again tomorrow afternoon.
ok but dismantle the idea that you should finish your writing as quick as possible. some of my favourite books (stand-alones. with series i cannot choose) were written over the span of many years. the secret history was written in 10 years and the same with the song of achilles. all the light we cannot see took 9 years to write. almost every fan fiction takes the span of a few months to create and even then they aren’t perfect. lotr took 16 years for tolkien to compose. jkr took six years to write the philosophers stone. victor hugo wrote les mis in the space of 12 years. yes, many good books and stories are written over the course of a few months, but everyone’s different and it might take some more time for you. all im saying is that all these amazing books have changed and shaped literature and they weren’t written in a day. so take your time, it dosent matter if your work dosent turn out to be a masterpiece, you can perfect it day by day until you’re satisfied. don’t feel compelled to rush
— under 13 years old. i understand this may be rude, but interacting with anyone younger than this is just a little weird to me, especially since i swear and am about to be in college.
— racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, etc etc. this is self-explanatory, really. none of this will be tolerated on my page, and if i see anything of those sorts, you will be blocked and reported immediately.
— triggered by my content. again, self-explanatory. i have a friend who is triggered by ow2, so i avoid talking to him about anything related to it, even though it’s my hyperfixation. if a fandom i’m a part of or something like that negatively affects you, it’s best to avoid my page. no hurt feelings. ^^
BEFORE YOU FOLLOW ::
— i’m an inconsistent poster. my motivation for writing is on and off. plus, i’m busy as it is with work, and college is only going to make me busier.
— requests are requests, not guaranteed. i doubt i need to say this, but regardless, i love taking suggestions for story ideas, but don’t expect me to take them.
— i don’t write smut. writing anything like this makes me extremely uncomfortable, and therefore, i will not do it. not for requests, not for commissions, not for anything.
— i cuss. it makes some people uncomfortable. so, if you’re one of those people, my page probably isn’t for you. again, no hurt feelings.
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