#peri lives

[perictione]

Hi there! Do you take commissions? :3

Ahhhh I want to say yes because I really have trouble saying no, but I have to say no. I write very slowly, and making writing part of my already difficult freelancers schedule might cause me more pain than pleasure.

I have enjoyed writing things based on my friends requests—so when my life is more organized, and when I learn to write faster, I might try it. If I do I’ll make an announcement here or on twitter. Thank you for asking!

[perictione]

Ohh why is megatron one of your top favorite characters?

This is...such a difficult question. Um. Thirst? 

But no. To be serious, I think he’s just so deeply interesting. It’s difficult to articulate. 

I’ve talked about this elsewhere before, but I tend to think of characters (in the sense of ‘what is in character v out of character’) as a flexible thing? Not even in terms of canon v fanon—which is especially complicated with a media property like transformers where there are so many continuities to choose from. It’s more like, a character is a tag cloud, or a mind map, made up of their canon (and even fanon) qualities, and all these traits and attributes float in and out of the definition of who they are. Part of what’s interesting about writing fic is that I can pick a different arrangement of traits for a character whenever I want—and see how that plays out in whatever scenario. As long as its connected to the word cloud, it’s in character. 

So Megatron is aggressive and short-tempered and thoughtful (G1), but he’s also meek and dreamy and careful (IDW backstory). In TFP he’s a Jock, and in IDW he’s a Nerd. (Well, in TFP he’s a Jock who writes a lot of Poetry and Inspiring Literature and becomes best friends with a librarian, so there’s an argument for Jock who is a Secret Nerd there)

So there are many different ways to write him. Is war-era IDW Megatron the ‘broken’ version of his earlier self? Can we extrapolate back to a G1 Megatron who was similarly ‘soft’ and not disillusioned? (Maybe yes, maybe no, etc) 

There are definitely overarching traits (IMO): I’d describe him as an idealist hemmed in by his own ruthless practicality in most continuities, and he’s consistently strong, stubborn, an unstoppable force. He doesn’t trust easily, but he also views fear as something to be bulldozed over, so once he makes the decision to trust he doesn’t hesitate about acting on it, at all. 

And in all continuities he’s an inspiring and charismatic leader who successfully changes his world. 

I love having the opportunity to establish why he led the revolution—to play with ‘what if it hadn’t gone wrong’ or ‘what if it didn’t go wrong at all and the autobots are the bad guys’ or ‘how did his original mission get twisted into this and can he get back?’ 

And then, how isolating is it being at the top of a movement like that? how did that change him? How does violence fit in with who he is? What about all the grandstanding? 

The more I think about this the more interesting things I find in my internal ‘tag cloud' for Megatron. He’s usually leading some variation on a class/race/caste-motivated rebellion, which is always compelling to me. He’s determined and dedicated, and he loves words. 

Anyway, I love Megatron.

[perictione]

Isn’t tumblr fun

Okay, so I’ve seen some conflicting information flying around since the announcement literally an hour ago about tumblr’s new policy. 

Fandom content will be affected, first of all. Here’s a direct quote from the new TOS. Bold is mine.

What is considered adult content?

Adult content primarily includes photos, videos, or GIFs that show real-life human genitals or female-presenting nipples, and any content—including photos, videos, GIFs and illustrations—that depicts sex acts.

What is still permitted?

Examples of exceptions that are still permitted are exposed female-presenting nipples in connection with breastfeeding, birth or after-birth moments, and health-related situations, such as post-mastectomy or gender confirmation surgery. Written content such as erotica, nudity related to political or newsworthy speech, and nudity found in art, such as sculptures and illustrations, are also stuff that can be freely posted on Tumblr.

So what does this all mean? TL;DR: 

1). N/SFW fanfic will still be allowed, for now.

2). N/SFW fanart will NOT be allowed. 

3.) If you tag something as N/SFW (etc), no one will see it in search. 

1). N/SFW fanfic should still be allowed.

Written content is still cool! For the moment. So fic writers (like me) shouldn’t be affected, except for what’s happening to the fanart community. However, if this new policy doesn’t get tumblr back into the app store, I’d expect erotica to be next on the salt and burn list. 

Not in the new TOS, but newly added to the ‘why aren’t you appearing in search section’ certain kinds of links in posts now cause them not to appear in search. Tumblr hasn’t told us what those kinds of links are. When I post fic, there is usually a link involved, so that’s fun. This also has the side ‘benefit’ of making it harder to cross promote other platforms on tumblr. Want to post your content from twitter? Or your blog? Or another website? Tumblr might throttle your post. 

2). N/SFW fanart will NOT be allowed.

I know it’s a bit confusing. Tumblr is saying that nudity in art (including digital illustrations like fanart) is allowed. However, that only applies to art that does not depict a sex act. Sex acts like—well like any of them. Basically any fanart that depicts characters in a sexual situation is now NOT ALLOWED. They can be naked...but it can’t be sexual. The exact implementation of that distinction is going to be complicated. For example, masturbation is a sex act. So a nude depiction of a character needs to be one where they aren’t engaged in touching themselves or turning themselves on in any way. 

‘Sex acts’ is also a pretty broad in another way—characters do not have to be nude to engage in a sex act. I’m going to assume that kissing does not count. What about groping? Humping? An illustration where nothing explicit can be seen, but the characters are clearly doing something naughty? Guess what, that depicts a sex act. 

I’m willing to bet that tumblr is going to err on the side of caution here. Tumblr may take an even harder stance in practice, where nudity is only allowed if the art is not meant to arouse the viewer. Basically, if it doesn’t resemble a renaissance painting in spirit, it’s out. At least, that’s my expectation. 

For the Transformers fandom specifically:

Some people have said that because we aren’t depicting human beings (usually) in N/SFW fanart, we’ll be fine. That is really not an accurate interpretation of this new policy. Here’s why. 

In the language that mentions sex acts, tumblr does not specify that ‘sex acts’ have to involve a human being. 

Some explicit TF fanart depicts humanized genitalia on mostly human-shaped robots. I know if I were the moderator enforcing this, that would definitely make the cut as adult content. Actual animals engaged in sex acts, like a photo of two bunnies doing what bunnies do, is probably going to be allowed. 

And here’s some proof that is going to segue us into point #3: the ‘furry’ tag has been throttled. Or blocked or shadowed or whatever. Furry art, as we all probably know, does not depict human beings. 

3). If you tag something as N/SFW (etc), no one will see it in search. 

A ton of fandom tags have been directly or indirectly throttled in the past week/two weeks. What’s happening is that certain tags can no longer be searched for at all. I posted about this when I discovered it last week. 

If you search for ‘sex’ it comes up with “That’s about it for sex. Try another search?” And there’s a whole list of tags (which tumblr has not made public because they suck) that are like that. N/SFW is one, ‘safe sex’ is another, ‘chronic pain’ is also on the list bizarrely. ‘Furry’ is another one—which clearly demonstrates that tumblr doesn’t think that adult content must be about real human beings to get banned, which is why I think the Transformers fandom needs to worry.

But wait, there’s more! If you tag a post with one of the banned tags (N/SFW for example), then it won’t show up in any other tag at all. Tagged your photo of your french fries as N/SFW as a joke? Guess what, it isn’t going to show up in the ‘french fries’ or the ‘fast food’ tag either. 

Guess what that does! It disincentivizes tagging to warn! Make a post where you mention sex and tag ‘sex’ or ‘nsfw’ so people who just don’t want to read about sex won’t see it? Well, you’ve succeeded, now no one will! Your N/SFW headcanon won’t show up in the fandom tags if you warn for it properly either.

To conclude:

Basically, yes! We’re fucked! I’m really sad about this, because I love fandom, I love fandom on tumblr even, and the little community of transformers fans I’ve got around me now is great. I’m sad that we’re getting hamstrung here. 

I’m also really grateful that I got off my ass and started participating in fandom for really the first time this past year. No more lurking! I’ve made friends, who are wonderful and a delight, and who I know I’m not going to lose because tumblr isn’t our only point of contact. I’ve also got mutuals on here who I don’t have points of contact with outside tumblr. And all the cool people I follow, I know I won’t be able to keep all of them wherever fandom goes next.

But I’m hopeful. Fandom has always managed to find its sea legs in the past. We’ll do it again. We’ll build this city again. 

[perictione]

TFILF - Day 3 AUs

Alternate Universe! I had a really, really tough time narrowing these down, so here have five! I have a solid four other AU recs that are going up later in the week...

Welcome! Everything is Fine.  by Chokopoppo, DesdemonaKaylose & HollowpointHeart @chokopoppo @sauntervaguelydown IDW, The Good Place AU, Starscream/Ultra Magnus, Rodimus/Thunderclash, Rodimus/Rung Rated T INCOMPLETE - Starscream dies and goes to heaven, but there's been a mix up. They think he was a philanthropist. This story is only two chapters in and just started last month and I'm already obsessed. You'll love it more if you've seen the Good Place (an incredible TV show about the afterlife, basically), but the fic delivers all the details of the premise so it's not required. Starscream is Eleanor and Ultra Magnus is Chidi and uh, it's incredible. The writing is stunning, the way TFs worldbuilding gets intertwined with the concepts of the show is wow. I'm completely sold on the rarepair... Anyway go, run, read this, right now!

Sun Rising by tragakes (lefj) TFP, Zombies Apocalypse AU, MegOP Rated E Right after the meeting with the council, but before Orion finds the matrix, suddenly, there are zombies. If that premise isn't enough to make you run to read this, well, it contains the absolute best defense, from Megatron, that I have ever read in fanon, of why he feels betrayed and breaks with Orion after what happens at the Council. The romance between them is stunning, but the plot that runs concurrently is full of surprises and twists (like, really twisty twists!), and Jazz and Soundwave are impressive secondary characters throughout. In some ways, also a TFP fix-it fic. I l

Total Eclipse by neveralarch @neveralarch G1, Culture Clash/Barbarian AU, Megastar Rated E The Decepticons herd sheepacron, and Starscream and co are fleeing from the Vosian Army for "completely understandable and non-criminal reasons." The language barrier is steep: until almost the last minute Starscream is convinced that "Megatron" is a title that he can usurp. I had the great privilege of betaing this fic, and I laughed nearly the whole time.

Where Loyalties Lie by tragakes, lefj  TFP-ish, Role Reversal AU, Megatron/Soundwave Rated M Okay, so I thought, you shouldn't rec two works by the same person in one day—but I'm sorry I just can't not. This fic is stunning, and brilliant, and as usual for tragakes longer fics, intricately plotted. The twists! I don't want to spoil anything, so here's their summary: Megatron is a fresh, promising recruit into the Decepticon cause — and somehow he finds himself falling for his anonymous handler.

And I Alone Have Escaped to Tell You by astolat @astolat G1, Time Travel and Parallel Universes AU, Cyclonus/Megatron Rated T I can't not rec this—it's the fic that got me into Transformers, after all. World-building, a glorious plot, a cast of compelling secondary characters, and a hyper-competent Cyclonus whose passion and poignant emotions are stunning.

For more info on the Transformers Iacon Literary Festival, check out the original post here.

[perictione]

TFILF - Day 4 Humor and Crack

It's the humor and crackfic day and gosh do I have some good ones. Transformers (especially G1) is uniquely suited to this particular genre and I love it. 

who's a heretic now? by oriflamme @sunderedstar IDW, Megatron/Pharma Rated G Pharma joins the crew of the Lost Light! He and Megatron meet for brunch once a week! To bond over sanity and mutual despair! This fic came into my house and dragged me kicking and screaming into shipping this rarepair. It's also ridiculously funny, everyone should read it. Seriously, almost every single section contains a new, hysterical, absolutely perfect Lost Light adventure of the week (for example, the 'creepy clown aliens.') I didn't know it was possible to fit this many incredible one-liners into 4k but, uh, wow. Just to begin with: "Rodimus gives Pharma a Rodimus star for every week aboard he doesn't kill anyone."

Peace is Hell by navigatorsghost @of-fire-and-light G1, Megastar, Skywarp/Thundercracker Rated M Something strange is happening around the Decepticon base. Skywarp and Thundercracker are the only ones who notice the, uh, out of character behavior! And they have to fix it before all the fluff literally saps everyone's life force. This fic. Is so good. It's so funny. And just, so many little delightful emotional arcs and so much humor and it's so original and I love it and it makes me happy. The summary is great too: "Peace, love, fluff, Decepticons... *record scratch* Decepticons?!”

Attention Paid by @bibliotecaria-d G1, MegOP Rated PG Grimlock ropes Soundwave into ending the war...by getting Megatron and Optimus to hook up. I love fics with a smart Grimlock who knows how to get what he wants, and this sure is that. It's short and hilarious and highly recommended!

Decepticats by @doomspoon888 G1, mostly gen, background Megastar Rated G Starscream accidentally adopts a cat. Unspeakably adorable shenanigans ensue. Unspeakably adorable, I tell you. And there are kittens. Go, enjoy, the funny and fluffy okay it's beautiful. Also, I can't believe this is the first fic from Spoon I've rec'd this week because everything Spoon has ever written deserves to be on a rec list. Go! Read them all!

For more info on the Transformers Iacon Literary Festival, check out the original post here.

[perictione]

TFILF Day 7 - Worldbuilding

Whoop! It's Day 7 so it's dealer's choice, and I'm choosing stories with Worldbuilding with a capital W. Cultural Exchange by Therrae G1, mostly Rated G This fic is the first in the Xenoethnography series and I cannot even express how much I love each one of the stories just, wow. Stunning. The main character is a human anthropologist (an OC I have come to love) and just, unf. Worldbuilding! There's a huge focus on language that is fascinating and detailed and nuanced and just, wow. Wow! here have the summary of the fic, it gives a good idea.

"It also didn’t help that the average glyph message was only three characters long, used no articles or prepositions, and usually had no verbs. What was the proper response to:: Curiosity; Sensation of great speed? Was it a question? A comparison?  Why, after a brief visit by National Security Director Mearing, did four different ‘Bots send:: Emphasis; overlapping? Why was a particularly bad joke by Bulkhead derided as ::Undercharged when there were actual glyphs for Not funny and Humor fail? How did any of that work?"

the ways of the stars undone by oriflamme @sunderedstar IDW, Starscream/Wheeljack, Starscream/Windblade Rated T The intricate, emotionally satisfying plot we all wish IDW had given us! It's an AU continuation of TAAO and it's focused on Starscream and Windblade, primarily, though there are a few other POV characters. This is a plot featuring Unicron that canon should have had. The ending is so unspeakably satisfying, the way its plotted just really gives you a kick at the end, but it also makes sense, like the conclusion ought to have been obvious all along. Also featuring the tag "Give Starscream Emotional Support Round 3: This Time It's Personal" which, yes. Just yes. The sequels are gorgeously plotted works in their own right, and similarly offer intense, if only this were canon satisfaction. This fic and the later ones also play a lot with the Titans and the Primes in delightful ways.

Prima's Blessing by white_aster G1, MegOP, Everyone/Everyone Rating: Explicit I was almost going to rec this tomorrow (unofficial NSFW day) but it's really stuck in my mind for the worldbuilding aspects so it's going up here. The premise is basically, the Prime and his Lord High Protector used to have the duty of holding certain orgies sacred festivals during the Cybertronian calendar. The Matrix tells Optimus that he needs to do this again. And he has to invite the Decepticons. The smut is really, really something, and I absolutely recommend that, but I really like how this leans in on the concept of 'the Transformers have a canonical deity' because that has a ton of unexplored potential. How Primus interacts with OP through the Matrix, how Primus interacts with Megatron and his role and motivations, the way that coding plays into both things, all the sub-pairings that get explored as the fic goes on... It's wonderful.

[perictione]

TFILF Day 8

Okay guys it's the last day! This was the hardest list to get narrowed down to something reasonable. Since the theme today is NSFW, please watch the tags and curate your own experience. Wall by ros3bud009 TFA, Optimus Prime/Sentinel Prime Explicit

"Aren't you a pretty pair of legs." Optimus's spark froze in his chest. No. No, no, no way, no. Primus, no. Where would he even get the money to afford to come here as a customer? It couldn't be— The customer had gone quiet as Optimus tried to keep from panicking. "Awfully familiar legs at that."

Optimus pays the bills at the academy with sex work of a very particular kind. This fic is absolutely steaming hot, and, get this, I hate this pairing. I absolutely love it in this fic, though, and the give and take and the challenge of it all is just delicious.

Not Fair by Redseeker TFA, Megastar Explicit

Megatron gets Starscream off, and then needs Starscream's help to finish himself.

This fic is a huge, huge, all-time favorite of mine, and the second chapter from Megatron's perspective is just stunning. This is the fic that got me to understand humiliation kink. Somehow by the end it's sweet, but still so very Megastar, with all that entails.

Virtuoso: Duet by Enfilade IDW, Deathsaurus/Tarn Explicit

"Allies with benefits" is already more than either Tarn or Deathsaurus had ever hoped for. But Tarn has never been good at saying no to temptation. And Deathsaurus has never known when to quit. Love is a gamble, but trust is a minefield, and the risks are as high as the rewards...unless Tarn can convince Deathsaurus that it's nothing more than a game. Part one of a duology.

I could rec at least five other fics from Enfilade, who is a genius, but I'm picking this one in particular because it's my favorite. This is the fifth or sixth in a series, and I recommend reading the ones that come before, but it works well as a standalone. The smut in this fic is unbelievably good, but at the same time the backstory of both characters gets developed, and their relationship transforms. There are a lot of miscommunications, but none of them are accidents—and as the fic goes on both of them have to work really, really hard to overcome cultural differences and their own vulnerability. Enfilade does an amazing job playing with the dramatic irony of switching perspective between the two characters. Oh, and the fic is probably 85% a single sex scene. I love it so much.

Tit for Tat by tragakes Continuity what Continuity, MegOP Explicit

Just Megatron with big boobs, small valve, and a surprised-but-mostly-delighted Optimus Prime.

Megatron has tits. That's the entire premise. It's beautiful, straightforward PWP. Robots with breasts took me a long time to come around on, and then I read this, and now there can never be enough. There are three chapters, with the option for more. The second chapter is probably my favorite, though honestly it was tough choosing between tragakes fics for this in the first place. Everything is amazing!

Masks and Mirrors Part 8 by entangledwood Continuity Soup, Optimus Prime/Drift Explicit

The marvelous entangledwood did the Kinktober challenge last year and created the Masks and Mirrors AU—a no-war AU featuring an exclusive Cybertronian BDSM club. The main storyline focuses on Optimus, but a lot of pairings make their way through, including Megatron/Rodimus, Starscream and his trine, and more obscure rarepairs, etc. You can find all of the stories on Pillowfort, here. The one I'm reccing in particular is Optimus/Drift (though it could be Optimus/anyone if you squint) and it features a submissive!OP using the Matrix for some less than innocent purposes. It's really, really fun. A couple of stories involve Ratchet domming OP, and that is wonderful as well.

There are so many amazing writers in this fandom, and honestly I'm really excited to do this again because I know there are so many others whose writing I want to shout loudly about.

[perictione]

TFILF Day 2 - Angst

For anyone not familiar with the Transformers Iacon Literary Festival, check out the original post here. 

It’s angst day! Woo! Or, uh, something. I read angst, but I generally don’t reread angst, so it doesn’t end up in my bookmarks nearly as much, so only two (2) recs today, which are the exceptions that prove the rule.  

The Quality of Mercy series by MlleMusketeer @mllemusketeer TFP MegOP Rated E The one where humans discover slave coding. Go, run, read this, but it will rip your heart out and stomp on it several times and then put it back together again. Also, heed the warnings.

Fragmented Memories by Aggression @aggressionfic Bayverse Megop Rated G The one where Optimus has a bad dream. This fic is short but it packs a punch. Just, absolutely devastating, but sweet in a way as well. The author does an amazing job with the dream, the way its fragmented, and how smoothly the emotional arc continues for OP once he wakes up.