» They witness a crime but helping the victim means exposing a secret that could ruin someone they love.
» They could save someone’s life… but only by hurting someone else.
» They’re offered everything they’ve ever wanted, by the worst person they know.
» They have to lie to protect someone, but the lie costs someone else dearly.
» They can bring justice, but only by breaking a promise.
» They’re given power, but to keep it, they have to become what they hate.
» They have the chance to take revenge, and it would be so easy. So satisfying.
» They’re the only one who knows the truth, but telling it would destroy someone’s faith.
» They could protect the many, by sacrificing the one. And the one matters to them.
» They promised not to get involved, but walking away would haunt them forever.
» They were wrong and admitting it now will shatter their credibility.
» They’re asked to forgive, and they know the person doesn’t deserve it.
» They have to pick a side, but both sides are flawed. Both will cost them something.
» They want to help, but they’re not sure it’s their place.
» They said they’d never become their parent and now they’re staring in the mirror, wondering if they already have.
» They catch their friend doing something terrible, but they owe them everything.
» They can’t tell if they’re protecting someone, or controlling them.
» They get what they want, but someone else suffers for it.
» They promised to keep a secret, but now someone innocent is getting hurt.
» They fall in love and realize it compromises everything they believe in.
let’s lay flat on our ovoidal mama
Knowhere. 4 days after the abduction of Kevin Bacon.
“You knew.”
“What?”
“You knew the whole time, Nebula.” Mantis paused, deep in thought. Then finally, all those questions bubbled to the surface and formed one word. “How?”
Nebula was getting annoyed. “Again, knew what? I don't read minds, bug.”
“That Ego is my father.”
“Was,” Nebula corrected. Mantis flinched. Her antennae flickered a bit.
“I told you yesterday,” Mantis continued. “But I could sense…guilt. Remorse. Nervousness. You already knew.”
Nebula stiffened. “It wasn't hard to guess. Ego didn't have a single other being living on his planet. He murdered all of his previous children and their mothers, makes sense he'd spare the most useful one.”
Mantis's eyes widened for a moment. “Yes, that was why he wanted to find Peter.”
“I'm not talking about Peter, grasshopper.”
“It's Mantis.”
“Let's just say that we've got one thing in common.”
“What is that?”
Something resembling a smile twitched on Nebula's lips. “We both had total dicks for fathers.”
in another life, she was auntie maysilee
Things Your Character Pretends to Be (But Isn’t, At Least Not Yet)
(Identity masks, coping roles, survival personas.)
The caretaker (but no one’s ever taken care of them).
The brave one (but they’re terrified all the time).
The flirt (because real intimacy is terrifying).
The funny one (because laughter hides the panic).
The overachiever (but they feel like a fraud).
The chill one (but they’re screaming inside).
The leader (but they never wanted the spotlight).
The rebel (but they just want to belong).
The calm one (but their thoughts race nonstop).
The loyal one (even when people don’t deserve it).
The loner (but they’re starving for connection).
The tough one (but they’ve never been allowed to cry).
The problem-solver (but can’t fix their own mess).
The grounded one (but they feel completely lost).
The logical one (because feeling has always gotten them hurt).
The “together” one (but they’re falling apart in secret).
The “nice” one (but they’re boiling with resentment).
The free spirit (but they crave structure).
The peacemaker (but they never say what they need).
The heartbreaker (but they’re terrified of being left first).
An awesome way to motivate yourself to write: leave an open bag of chocolate next to your computer or notebook, and go head and reward yourself for each paragraph (or sentence; either one works!) you write with a piece of chocolate
being a writer is googling "reddish pink color name" and not getting the objectively correct answer
idk i just really want everyone to know about the word vermiculation