i love you balkans

Except it's less about what perfumes they wear and more about what they generally smell like based on their environments, and I wasn't really serious about it.

Arthur Kirkland ca. 1760 (portrait photo manip)

original by Thomas Gainsborough under the cut

Sometimes, it's the little things that really sell a character. Tiny moments of humanity can shine through the pages or the screen to remind you that reality can be found in the most fantastical of places.

With that in mind, here's an ask game to drill down into those small, subtle characterizations! Send some emojis and a character name/names!

☺️ - what's their smile like?

😳 - how do they act when they're nervous?

🤫 - if confronted by a dangerous situation where quiet was important, would they be able to keep silent?

🤯 - what's a fact or bit of knowledge they don't know but which would absolutely blow their minds if they found out?

💞 - what (if any) is their preferred way to receive affection?

😬 - do they have a tell when lying/bluffing?

🚶 - what's their posture like, and why? What does it say about them?

😱 - what does fear look like on them, and is there anyone who can tell before everyone else when it's setting in?

🤩 - what's something they're absolutely amazed by?

🤪 - do they have any squicks?

😷 - what are they like when they're sick? (needy, self-isolating, try to power through, etc)

🤲 - how do they feel about touch?

👀 - how do they make eye contact? Do they use it as a gesture of power or subservience? Does giving it or witholding it mean something to them, or to the people around them?

🙈 - how would they handle having one or more senses taken away?

😴 - what's the longest they've gone without sleep? Is skipping sleep a normal occurrence for them?

😤 - what's something that will always, without fail, make them angry?

📣 - how do they go about getting someone's attention?

👣 - what do their footsteps sound like? Could anyone recognize them from that sound alone?

…good morning.

…goodnight.

…goodbye.

…where it hurts.

…where it doesn’t hurt.

…on a falling tear.

…to shut them up.

…in secrecy.

…in public.

…desperately.

…in joy.

…in grief.

…discreetly.

…casually.

…passionately.

…lazily.

…to distract.

…as encouragement.

…for luck.

…on a scar.

…on a place of insecurity.

…in a rush of adrenaline.

…in relief.

…in danger.

…as a ‘yes’.

…as an apology.

…as a suggestion.

…as a lie.

…as a promise.

…as comfort.

…after a small rejection.

…to wake up.

…forcefully.

…to pretend.

…to gain something.

…to give up control.

…without a motive.

…because they’re running out of time.

…because time’s run out.

…because the world is ending.

…because the world is saved.

…out of pride.

…out of greed.

…out of lust.

…out of anger.

…out of envy or jealousy.

…out of spite.

…out of habit.

…out of necessity.