Artisan of Worlds

Sight

twinkling fairy lights strung across wooden stalls

snow-dusted rooftops and frosted windowpanes glowing under lanterns

a towering Christmas tree decorated with baubles and stars

timber-framed stalls adorned with red-and-gold bunting, fir garlands, and hand-carved signage

vendors in cozy scarves in their stalls

steam rising from mugs

handcrafted ornaments glinting beside gingerbread houses and nutcrackers

a carousel spinning slowly, full of happy children

couples strolling hand-in-hand beneath mistletoe

Hearing

laughter, joyful conversations and "cheers!" all around

the clink of mugs and glasses in toasts

vendors calling out their specials

the crunch of boots on fresh snow or gravel

traditional carols echoing through the market

church bells chiming in the distance, marking the hour

children giggling near puppet shows or carousel ride

Touch

the bite of cold air on cheeks and fingertips, softened by woolen gloves

the warmth of ceramic Glühwein mugs against cold fingers (often with collectible designs)

soft wool scarves and felted mittens sold by local artisans

the crunch of straw or sawdust scattered on cobblestones to soak up snow

the delicate texture of lace ornaments or hand-blown glass decorations

a gentle flurry of snowflakes landing on coats and eyelashes

brushing against other people, trying to get through the crowd

the heat from a fire pit or heater near a stall

Smell

the warm, spicy scent of mulled wine and cinnamon and orange peel drifting through the air

roasted chestnuts, smoky and sweet, mingling with pine from fresh wreaths

sugary wafts of candied almonds and vanilla from baking stalls

a faint trace of woodsmoke from nearby fire pits or chimneys

pine from wreaths and garlands

fresh pastries and candied apples

warm chocolate and vanilla from dessert stands

the crisp, cold winter air tinged with spice

Taste

mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch, or eggnog liqueur

rich, velvety hot chocolate with a hint of nutmeg

soft gingerbread with nuts and candied fruit, icing melting on the tongue

roasted chestnuts

buttery stollen or fruitcake

savory sausages with mustard

sugar-dusted waffles or crepes

crispy potato pancakes

chocolate-dipped fruit skewers

sugared apples, sticky and crisp with each bite

Schmalzkuchen (tiny fried doughnuts dusted with sugar)

More: How to create an atmosphere

Rules: You MUST use all 3 ingredients in the dish, but may use any additional ingredients not listed to complete it. The dish may be established (apple pie) or something of your own creation.

"This is disgusting to me" is totally valid.

"I don't want to read this because it is disgusting to me" is totally valid.

"Censorship of some topics in fiction and art is good and I would be happy if it were to be enacted in a way I approved of"

and

"some things should be banned from ever being written or read about in fiction"

are both authoritarian viewpoints to hold and express, even if you don't have the power to enact them.

Something being nasty is not a good reason to ban fiction about it.

If we accept that "something being nasty is a good reason to bad fiction about it" then we give a foot in the door for all the people who truly, genuinely believe that queer people are nasty to ban all queer literature.

Either you’re for it or you aren’t.

The moment you agree that something should never, ever exist in fiction is the moment that anything can be banned.

Remember a while back how Tumblr banned a bunch of tags, including many popular innocuous ones that even people who are for censorship used and were upset about?

When censorship happens, stuff YOU like can and will be banned. That’s how it works.

Remember how a bunch of people had their accounts terminated here only last year for writing about their own sexual abuse?

When you ban “pedo” topics, say, any talk of child sexual abuse in any form, that means people can no longer write about their own experiences. It means people cannot educate others so they can learn how to protect themselves or get help from these situations.

Censorship is authoritarian. Full stop.

Even if “everyone” agrees something is “gross” and “shouldn’t exist,” that does not fucking matter.

Do you know who generally believes queer people are gross and shouldn’t exist??

The same people who are banning books left and right solely because they have queer characters or relationships.

The same people who attack and kill queer folk for simply exisiting.

This is not just some fandom matter or a case of being chronically online.

In 2007, Livejournal capitulated to the "pedophilia and sex crimes!" cries of (hate group) Warriors 4 Innocence, and you know what communities got shut down? Slashfic communities. Sexual assault survivor support communities. Authors who'd written non-smut m/m fic even got caught up in it. It was DEVASTATING to fandom spaces. I think pretty much everyone knew at least one person whose account was literally DELETED, or were a member of a community that was wiped off the map because they were considerate enough to include topics like "sexual assault" or "BDSM" in the profiles under the badly-named category of "interests" to indicate that posts on said blogs or communities may include discussion of things like that. Even if it was for a SUPPORT group. And it was because a group of religious bigots came to LJ and said essentially "EVERYONE thinks it's gross and that it's promoting CSA, we should ban it."

Like, strikethrough and boldthrough were a large part of what propelled AO3 out of a more unfocused conversation on one person's blog about hosting a site INTENDED for fandom content, into being an actual archive and nonprofit. And it's a large part of why you won't find AO3 banning topics that you find "gross".

Shiva is not

Aiden is, he comes from a small farm town where religious celebration is so deeply baked into the community culture you can't remove it without removing everything.

Hecate, Isabella, Victoria, Calliope, and Elysium are not religious themselves but are technically considered religious figures.

Hecate: can't but will die trying.

Aiden: lol no.

Asena: is Aiden's jar opener.

Morgan: has never opened a pickle jar in his life but theoretically could do so.

Minerva: yes.

Persephone: makes her own pickles, doesn't buy them and thus doesn't have this problem

Victoria: surprisingly enough yes, pole dancing gives you really good grip strength.

Annabelle: neat bun

Victoria: elaborate hairstyles

Ashley: page boy cut

Kaitlyn; long braid

…you share a hobby with.

…has helped you with one of your own insecurities.

…sleeps with a stuffed animal.

…has a phobia.

…tends to get too absorbed in their activities.

…cries easily.

…has a physical disability.

…has a mental disability.

…collects something.

…has a unique fashion sense.

…doesn't outwardly show much emotion.

…has a certain accessory they always wear.

…has a different native language than you.

…is afraid of their own shadow.

…is pretty much fearless.

…has a comfort food.

…is seen as childish by their peers.

…nobody ever believes.

…misses somebody badly.

…is good at fixing things.

…has changed a lot from their original design.

…you made up a long time ago.

…tends to hog up a lot of space in your brain.

…has a lot of energy.

…isn't human.

…grew up in a different country from you.

…has changed so much in appearance that somebody who knew them years ago might not recognize them now.

…has a lot of trauma, even compared to the rest of your OCs.

…is grieving.

…wouldn't kill a mosquito (or similarly bothersome bug).

Isabella is shorter than I am

Aiden does and refuses to be ashamed

Victoria is Terrified of most insects

Kaitlyn again.

Breezy has this problem

Sarah aka Disaster, is blind in one eye. So is Emma

Abigail is both this and a genius.

Hi Victoria, why do you have a bunch of vials of blood.

Ryan aka Magician is not allowed to leave the house without his wife's approval. For a variety of reasons.

Gareth has his reasons.

Julia's bracelets double as power inhibitors.

Clotho is French

Kaede has her reasons.

Melody is nuts

Isolde is extremely fond of ice-cream.

Rebecca is.

Sorry Lachesis

Atropos just wants her sisters back

Elide, it's part of her design

Maverick is basically someone else now

Holy heck, I've had Annabelle for over 15 years

Isabella and co

IV , my little eldritch abomination

Aiden is a dragon

Mat is technically from tibet

Hi Sovereign Isabella, it's nice to see you again.

Victoria are you ok?

Michael it's fine. She's alive I promise