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Latest Posts by alex-dot-com - Page 4
various cute photos of djungelskog, the ikea bear! ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ
“I don’t understand Hannibal Lecter” k well if the love of my life tracked me down in europe and smiled at me in front of my favorite painting and said he wanted to understand me and that he defined past vs future as before me and after me and talked about how we couldn’t survive separation and then after I saved both of our lives from insane ass mason verger and I carried him bridal style through the cold winter night only for the next day to have him BREAK UP WITH ME and say he didn’t want to think about me anymore…yeah I'd turn myself in too.
My Kryptonite
Me scrolling past my own story I haven't updated in 2 years while on a 3am AO3 binge
this has been in my redraw pile for a while now 😴
Am writing my assignment on researchers and saying ‘the researcher’ and they/theming constantly makes me feel like im writing stardew fanfic lol
🔹 Someone else's fiction cannot cause you physical harm.
🔹If someone else's fiction is causing you emotional or psychological harm, or distress, you can put it down and not read/watch it.
🔹Your emotional well-being is not the responsibility of fiction writers.
🔹Someone else's fiction is not about your personal trauma.
🔹When reading or watching fiction, you always have the power. You can always stop. You are never reading fiction without your own consent.
🔹Fiction writers are not responsible for other people's mental health.
🔹The content of a piece of fiction does not reflect on the morality of its author.
🔹Just because someone writes about bad things happening, doesn't mean they want those things to happen.
🔹Don't like? Don't read.
I'm placing a bet that the It fandom will somehow resurrect this year BECAUSE I'M SURVIVING OFF CRUMBS HERE. CRUMBS!!!
Shane is a little protective of his aunt.
“my child is fine” ma’am, your child romances Shane in Stardew Valley
Them: NOOOOOO!!! YOU CAN’T JUST MARRY SHANE STARDEW VALLEY!!!! HE’S GROSS AND MESSY!!!!!! HE STILL DRINKS SOMETIMES!!!!!!! HE’S NOT A PERFECT HUSBANDERINO NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Me: ha ha man bounce chicken
Memory in Stardew Valley is kinda fucked
So, memory in Stardew Valley is almost like a tangible thing, and I wanna talk about it. I mean technically speaking, you can sell it, trade it, swap it, bop it, twist it and so on and so forth. Why do I wanna talk about it? Because I have no social life and the only thing I can feel is the rage of my ancestors as I harvest yet another batch of ancient fruit wine.
Most people know about the Dark Shrine of Memory, the fun statue that wipes your ex's memories for a quick buck. Now that's pretty neat and all, but I think this leads to further interpretation I'm sure Concerned Ape wouldn't think is relevant but I'm gonna push it.
Someone had to put that statue there. I don't think it's the witch, because she has to shell up 30 big ones every time another thirsty wizard comes along. Also, Rasmodius still has his memories of them, and if I were her I wouldn't want a guy like Razzle-Dazzle thinking about her. And it's probably vice-versa, as the witch still curses the town from time to time to spite the purple-haired goblin.
Mr Qi would be a reasonable guess, especially since you have to pay to use it, and he is known to have several marketing schemes around the place, but this one doesn't feel like him. I think there's another powerful creature out and about, they've stumbled across a way to erase memories and are using it for profit. The witch is just a tool behind the mastermind.
On top of the memory shrine, the Dark Shrine of Selfishness also contains a portion of memory magic. No one remembers the children that disappeared. No one except the farmer. Perhaps some immunity comes with being a fallen god, or perhaps it's simply because they're the ones that paid, so they are cursed to forever remember their sin. Either way, considering the fact that two of the statues directly erase memories, there's something interesting going on.
Another aspect of memories that people don't often think about is resetting days. Now this does reach a fair bit into undertale, but I think it applies pretty well here too. Days can loop over and over again, and no one will remember any of them, except for the Farmer. With the knowledge and foresight of what's happening, the Farmer can escape danger and the villagers know no better. There is perhaps only two other people in Stardew who might have an idea of what's going on. The Witch, and Mr Qi.
The witch is obvious, she has the shrines in her house, but from Mr Qi's dialogue, we can gleam an idea of what he may know.
I got to where I am through the force of pure willpower, kid. You see... The mind is a very powerful tool. In fact, it's the most powerful tool in all of reality... and beyond
“Some things transcend time and space, kid. It's a unique feeling in the heart... a whisper of things beyond.”
Now it could be pretty easy to interpret this a hundred different ways, but I want to link it to memory right now. The specific wording states that Mr Qi might be aware of resetting save files and that memories can be erased. I don't think he can alter other people's memories (though we don't know enough about him to be sure), but he may have found a way to keep his own memories safe.
Perhaps it's even how he found the Farmer. One day, he wakes up again, and he knows it's the same day. This happens sometimes, and he's forced to live the same day twice, three times or even more sometimes. He seeks out the source of the issue and stumbles across the farmer. On the surface, they seem like a regular person, until one day, the day resets again and the Farmer acts like they've done it a thousand times, taking every right move in the mines and getting everything they failed to do in the last attempt.
I think Mr Qi would want to keep an eye on someone like that.
From all of this, I have come to a conclusion. The statues present the idea of memory, but they also show that memory magic can be used to accomplish very specific tasks. We've only seen a few examples, but it wouldn't be much of a stretch to say that memory could be distorted a thousand different ways in Stardew. Perhaps none of the memories you have of your neighbour are real, and they never existed before yesterday. Or your parents actually died when you were three and you were raised by the spirits of hell. You actually have the memories of your best friend who died last week. Who knows?
Nothing is real, reality is an illusion.
From the bottom of my heart I hope 2024 is a better mental health year for everyone
"inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield" used to mean something in this country
I tried out a different way of rendering/colouring and I‘m very happy with how it turned out!
Also if you haven’t noticed I‘m a bit of a sucker for winter themed drawings👀
bisexual moves to town of bisexuals and has bisexual crisis
Saw a post like this with negative outlook so I asked for it to be fixed
I wanted to go a bit more in-depth with this piece that I did for zukka week 2023 because i got inspired to do more insane clothing details. ID in ALT.
Ramble about the influences/inspirations below:
Design inspirations for Sokka's clothing are mainly Inuvialuit and Yup'ik, with Nenets, Tlingit, and Chukchi inspiration for the tassels, patterns, belt and beadwork. I mixed these with the ornaments canon shows us used by the Northern Water Tribe, and also in Legend of Korra. I got particularly excited about drawing from Inuvialuit sources since the tassels we see in canon look like they could be inspired by this. Going beyond canon's animation-friendly colour scheme, I drew from Nenets patterns/embroidery/sashes and Yup'ik beadwork for accent colours. I think in the future I'd like to find ways to incorporate more Tlingit-style patterns since I rarely see them in fanart (which is a shame - they're stunning), but since they tend to be very big I ultimately decided to only include them as a nod in order to keep the regalia recognisable as 'Water Tribe'. I wonder if I could start using Polynesian influences as well?
Zuko's headdress and particularly the shoulder garment and beaded embroidery draw heavily from women's clothing styles of Lê Dynasty Vietnam. The other main influence is men's royal clothing in Tang Dynasty China, and patterns worn by Mongolian Khatun. Since we have a bit more to go on in canon as to what fire nation regalia looks like, I blended that in as well. I got particularly excited about the embellishments on Lê Dynasty clothes because I could give a little nod to Zuko's dragon-fire by adding more colours to the embroidery. In the future I think I'd want to make the Mongolian influence a bit more obvious... perhaps even push the envelope by incorporating some Bashkir designs, though I'm not sure how well that will go.
While is still winter💦, here are some of the pieces I did for the drarry zine @hdwickedwixen . I'm happy I could take part in such a fun project!💕
Probably i'll post later my other pieces :3
“why would you write fics for small, unpopular fandoms? you’re not gonna reach that many hits in fandoms not many people know about” ?? because I’m not writing fics for hits or kudos, I’m writing them for me because these characters are my blorbos and I have so many ideas, so much thoughts about them that my brain might explode if I don’t write them out.
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The Holidays and The Lonely Farmer
Part Two
Previous: Part one
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AO3 : https://archiveofourown.org/works/52672798/chapters/133234471
———————
“Hey buddy,” He stepped into the room carefully, the Farmer sniffed and wiped their face with the blanket.
“I’m so sorry,” they whispered voice so soft Shane almost couldn’t hear, tears were still rolling down their cheeks and the teddy clutched tight to their chest.
“Don’t havta be sorry Farmer, we’re just worried is all, haven’t seen you in a minute.”
That seemed to have burst the floodgates, the Farmer started sobbing and apologising, bringing the teddy up to their face, “I’m sorry, I don’t know whats wrong with me. I’ve been so mean and missed everyones birthdays and the Feast and I’m just being so silly!” The words were tumbling out of their mouth faster than they could speak, all falling over each other between gasping breaths of tears.
It reminded Shane of Jas when they first moved to the town, full of emotions and words but not being able to organise them, everything spilling out once the feelings got too overwhelming.
He moved to the side of the bed, rubbing the Farmers back gently. The poor Farmer’s whole body shook with tears as they cried into the soft teddy, “Farmer, nobody thinks you’re silly, it’s okay.” The Farmer only shook their head in response, “I’ve only came by to make sure you’re okay buddy, and it sure doesn’t seem it, do you wanna talk about it?”
The Farmer shuffled backwards in the bed, leaning against the headboard and pillows, Shane sat on the edge of the bed quietly. The Farmer looked at him with wide eyes, still swallowing sobs and shaking slightly. Shane just smiled softly and waited for an answer, Jas got like this as well, desperate to say something but the words got blocked in her throat.
“I don’t know…” Shane barely heard it, “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Only worried because we, I, want to help you, Yoba knows you’ve helped us all beyond words.” He placed a gentle hand on their knee drawn up to their body, “It’s not silly to feel upset and you haven’t been mean in the slightest.”
The Farmer took in a deep breath, “Winter is sad,” the words were strained like they were forcing them out, Shane just nodded waiting for the Farmer to fight out the next words, “I just… It’s so lonely here. Everyone has family and people and I’m not even useful in Winter,” tears slipped down their cheeks, brows drawn in concentration, “I’m the Farmer, I grow plants and help everyone and nothing grows in Winter, there’s no point in me.”
Shane patted their knee lightly, trying to think of something, anything to say, he disagreed with the farmer but these feelings were familiar to him, just saying they were wrong wouldn’t help, and then the Farmer spoke again.
“I feel so small and useless, like everything in the world is just too big. I miss my family and friends and feeling loved! I wish I could hideaway all Winter and come back and feel better in Spring but even when I have crops and fruit the feeling doesn’t go away, I’m just too busy to feel. I hate how small I feel, I hate me and I hate the Farm!” The words had anger in them but the sobs dampened them, the Farmer curled up into themself and their whole body wracked with sobs.
“You’re very brave for telling me, those are very big and difficult feelings to have,” Shane felt like his therapist but the words felt right, “sometimes big feelings are difficult to deal with especially if you feel alone.” The Farmer only made a strangled noise in their throat as a response, still curing in on themself.
Shane’s mind was running a mile a minute, scrambling to understand what's being said, and then something clicked, like a puzzle piece, “Hey bud, when you say you feel small, how do you mean?”
The Farmer shook their head and buried their face into the teddy, very much reminding Shane of Jas when she was younger.
“I promise it’s okay, I’m here for you no matter what,” the farmer blinked at him with large owlish eyes, childlike. “Do you feel smaller in your head? Bein a grown-up get too much?”
“I’m sorry,” the Farmer whispered again, so softly that it was barely louder than a breath, “I don’t mean to be bothering you.”
“Not bothering me buddy,” Shane smiled softly, “Would you like a hug?”
The Farmer, shuffled closer to Shane, legs still tight to their body, leaning onto his side, Shane still on the edge of the bed brought his arm around the Farmer to hold them close, gently rubbing their arm. They sat like that for a while, Shane’s arm got tired and the Farmer's tears had stopped.
“Hey buddy, why don’t we move a bit, just to get you more comfortable?” The Farmer only nodded, letting Shane move them back to the top of the bed, “do you wanna get under the covers? It’s a little chilly in here,” the Farmer again only nodded letting Shane bring the covers up over them and sat again on the edge of the bed facing the Farmer, “have you been feeling this way for a while?”
Again the Farmer nodded gently stroking their teddy's ears, Shane felt he could barely breathe, the Farmer looking so sad and exhausted, all he could think was that he should’ve come to check on them sooner. Left it to nearly the end of the season while the Farmer has been thinking it is their fault.
“I want you to know you aren’t alone, even if it feels that way,” the Farmer met his eyes and Shane just couldn’t stop thinking how young they look, with the weight of the world on their shoulders and all of the feelings that no one deserves. “I’m here for you buddy, no matter what. There’s nothing that could make me upset with you, you’re one of the most important people in my life.”
The Farmer's eyes welled up with tears, Shane continued, “Let me do what I can for you buddy, nobody deserves to feel the way you are.”
The Farmer moved over in the bed and patted the sheets next to them, Shane kicked his boots off and got onto the bed next to the Farmer, above the covers, the Farmer burrowed under his arm and rested their head on his chest. Quietly spilling tears onto his sweater, Shane rubbed their back.
“Everything is going to be okay sweetheart,” the farmer nodded and blinked up at him, eyelids heavy, “It is getting late isn’t it? Crying always makes me tired.”
The Farmer only brought their teddy to rest between them and snuggled closer, “Why don’t I tell you a story?”
The Holidays and The Lonely Farmer
Part One
Next: Part Two
When the Farmer has been radio silent all Winter, Shane grows concerned and goes to the Farm to check on them.
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AO3 : https://archiveofourown.org/works/52672798/chapters/133234471
Tags :
Gender Neutral Player (Stardew Valley) - Player Referred to as 'The Farmer' - Age Regression/De-Aging - Non-Sexual Age Play - Shane is Bad at Feelings (Stardew Valley) - Recovered/Recovering Shane (Stardew Valley) - sfw age regression - Age Regressor Farmer/Player - Shane Gets Therapy (Stardew Valley) - Soft Shane (Stardew Valley)
Also my first work :) Any Advice is appreciated
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The Farmer had arrived in Stardew Valley on the First of Spring three years ago and had become an integral part of the community. Throwing themselves wholeheartedly into every event, becoming close with all of the townsfolk (even those not so pleasant) and even fixed up the community centre. Something Mayor Lewis seemingly didn’t even attempt before the Farmer's heart of gold and go-lucky attitude.
Shane despite his stony exterior and general attitude had developed a soft spot for the farmer. Shane had been a mess for years but when things truly began to spiral out of control the Farmer was there to help him pick up the pieces, something he would forever be grateful for. When the Community Centre re-opened and Shane lost his job with Joja the Farmer helped him pick up an evening job in the Saloon, they helped him get sober and there’s not much else to do in the valley anyway and if he’s not gonna drink he might as well make some cash from it. The Farmer has become somewhat of a constant in Shane's life, not only his but Jas and Marnie’s also, frequenting the Ranch to give gifts to Jas and discuss the Farm with Marnie.
On the Farmer's third Winter in the Valley, they had gone silent. Nobody had seen or heard from them for the first week of Winter. When Shane brought it up in the Saloon Gus and the others brushed it off. “There’s not much work for a Farmer in Winter, they deserve the break anyway.” Still, unease sat in the pit of Shane's stomach.
Missing the Festival of Ice was something the Farmer hadn’t done before, but again was brushed off. “Well, the shine of all these events has to wear off eventually, don’t worry they’ll show up.” Shane tried to focus on polishing but the back of his mind couldn’t let it go.
Maybe they’re visiting family or friends in the city for the Winter, there’s no point causing a bother, especially for the Farmer, they do deserve the break. Shane lay in bed each night and told himself, it’s not like they’re best friends or anything. It would be weird to go knock down the door if they’re just trying to rest.
-
It’s only on the day of the Feast of the Winter Star that murmurs of concern begin amongst the others. The Farmer doesn’t come to collect their present and Shane doesn’t receive one. Mayor Lewis assures Marnie that he sent the invitation to the Farmer the same day as everyone else’s.
When the Feast ends, Shane gives both Marnie and Jas a hug and decides he’ll swing by the Farm to drop off the Farmer’s presents. Promising Marnie he would check on the farm animals also he sets off. Trudging through the thick snow to the farm and his heartbeat in his ears, Shane starts to catastrophise. At least that’s what his therapist says it is, really he’s just considering the possibilities.
The Farmer did always know what to say, that night at the pond, their first real conversation the farmer seemed to understand. It wasn’t just sadness in their eyes but an understanding Shane hadn’t seen before. Then on the cliff, the Farmer was there and wasn’t angry or upset with him but talked to him, listened and comforted. What if the Farmer didn’t just understand but related? What if the Farmer had spent all this time helping him while he neglected their problems? His boots started moving quicker in the snow.
Coming into the Farm his breath caught in his lungs. The pathing is cracked and the stone walls are practically collapsing, they don’t look like they have been maintained if not for weeks but for the entire season. The layer of snow on the front porch was thick enough to have been there for at least a week, with no sign of footsteps or shovelling. He places the Farmer's gift on the snowy steps and heads towards the Barn and Coop. Part of him knows he’s avoiding knocking in case something terrible has happened, the blood is still loud in his ears and the air is having difficulty getting to his lungs.
The Chickens don’t seem happy to see him, they squawk angrily at his touch, their food storage and water are full as well and the radiators are on. It’s clear that the Farmer hasn’t been in for a while, Shane picks up the eggs and feathers left on the floor and places them neatly into the chest at the door. He doesn’t count them for fear of knowing for sure how long it has been since the Farmer has been out. The Cows have much the same reaction to him, mooing unhappily and moving away from his touch. They have enough food and water also.
He hovers at the door of the barn, the longer he spends in here the longer it will be until he has to knock on the farmer's door. His chest is tight, and he berates himself for being selfish but still hesitates to leave the barn and move back towards the house.
From the porch, he can’t see anything inside of the house. The curtains are drawn tight enough that he can’t even see the light inside of the home. He knocks on the door. Nothing. He takes a step back and considers just heading home, maybe the Farmer isn’t in. After a couple of minutes too long he takes a deep breath and tries the handle.
-
The door creaks open loudly from disuse, Shanes's eyes have to adjust to the darkness of the house. The only light was a faint glow coming from under the door on his right. The dog Marnie gifted the farmer on their very first Spring is on the armchair in the corner and only blinks at him before drifting back to sleep. Shane places the present on the kitchen table and steps towards the door.
“Farmer… are you in there?” He says softly through the door, silence for a second and he feels his heart rate pick up. A small sniffling sound is heard, he almost couldn’t hear it over the sound of his heartbeat, “Hey, I’m coming in, okay?” Pushing the door open gently and taking a deep breath, Shane steps into the room not expecting the sight before him.
The Farmer, only lit by a soft lamp in the corner sitting in the middle of the bed clutching a soft stuffed bear that’s seen better days, a blanket draped over their shoulders and tears streaming down their face.
I DONT LIKE SHANE BC I CAN FIX HIM. I LIKE SHANE BECAUSE DECIDING TO CARE FOR HIM, ROMANTICALLY OR NOT. GIVES HIM THE MOTIVATION NECESSARY TO TRY AND KICK HIS ADDICTION. IT SHOWS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU, IT MAKES YOU WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON FOR THEM!!! FUCK.
made a new Buddy Daddies logo, what do you guys think?
All the daycare moms trying to piece together how Kazuki and Rei got together when they're a comedian and an oil baron:
very intelligent household