Somebody's Truth

It had a good run until...

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:03:50 GMT

( Cut for long musings. )

comments

Mmmm, spam for breakfast...

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:44:30 GMT

Commission spammers are back. (As if they'd ever left.)

I got one spam comment on each of my two most-recently posted fics this morning. *sigh* The spam came from a registered account, formed today (June 8), of course. These comments were the "let's regurgitate the entire plot" kind. The sad thing is, they would have been nice comments if it weren't for the solicitation at the end (and assuming the comments themselves weren't generated by AI). And yeah, the Universe knows that comments are rather few and far between as it is.

I reported the commission spam to Policy & Abuse.

Then I found out something kind of infuriating: of all the commission spammers with registered accounts that I've reported since early November 2025 (n = 6), none of those spam accounts were removed. The accounts remain listed and searchable. Most are empty.

I hugely disagree with this. These are slaps on the wrist for wilful TOS violations that threaten AO3's existence. I wonder why these users aren't banned, especially if those accounts posted multiple spam comments before being caught. I wonder whether these accounts are even used anymore--inactive accounts are at potential risk of hostile account takeovers (which has happened on AO3).

I wonder why AO3 does not include any warning in their comment window that abuse and/or soliciting commissions are not tolerated or permitted, with the consequences for violating these. This is not 2009 anymore; there are millions of users on the site, a few of whom actually do need to be reminded.

At least it's a sunny day after a week of rain...

comments

GYWO for May 2026

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:09:22 GMT

GYWO for May 2026

We’re five months into the year—here is my GYWO update for May!

Yearly Pledge = 75,000 (6,250 words/month, or 206 words/day)

Total # Words for May = 14,520
Total # Words for Year = 32,280

( The gritty details. )

( Thinky thoughts. )

comments

Dead Poets Society Fan Fiction: "We Went To The Woods"

Sun, 31 May 2026 17:31:47 GMT

Also find this at the AO3 here.

We Went To The Woods

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: Dead Poets Society
Rating: Mature
Pairing: John Keating/George McAllister
Characters: John Keating, George McAllister
Summary: Despite George’s annoyance at John for interrupting his studies, his roommate’s enthusiasm was catching.
Words: 2159
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Notes at Beginning: Written using Prompt #502 from Drabble Zone on Dreamwidth, Come With Me. (Not a drabble however; the fic outgrew its prompt.) Title from “Walden; or Life in the Woods” by Henry David Thoreau. Set during Keating’s time as a student at Welton.

Tags: Fluff, First Kiss, First Time, Clothed Sex, Prompt Fic, The fic outgrew its prompt oops, Canon Back Story, Period Typical Attitudes, 1940s

Notes at End: Ragweed was rarely found in the United Kingdom until the 2010s. It is now responsible for as many as one half of all allergies in the UK. All feedback is appreciated!

( To the fic! )

comments

Today I learned...

Fri, 29 May 2026 18:00:26 GMT

I was today years old when I learned that hops, the flowers used to flavour most beer, are related to hemp, i.e. cannabis.

Also, TIL that the original flavouring of beers used to be a mixture of bitter herbs and flowers called gruit. Hops slowly replaced gruit sometime after the 11th century CE because they apparently have an antibacterial effect that reduced beer spoilage compared to gruit.

I'd already learned from microbiology class many decades ago that the highest alcohol content that can be produced by yeast fermentation is about 13-15% (depending on species), above which the yeast die from alcohol toxicity. The more you know!

comments

Dead Poets Society Fan Fiction: "circa Regna tonat (it thunders through the realms)"

Wed, 20 May 2026 04:32:25 GMT

circa Regna tonat (it thunders through the realms)

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: Dead Poets Society
Rating: General Audiences
Pairing: Todd Anderson/Neil Perry
Summary: Todd curls into himself, waits miserably for the storm to pass, and prays that his new roommate won’t wake up and notice yet another weird phobia that the new boy has.
Words: 1156
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Notes at Beginning: Written for Three Sentence Ficathon 2026 on Dreamwidth using the prompt Any, Any, Fear of thunderstorms by mkrobinson. Title from ‘V. Innocentia Veritas Viat Fides Circumdederunt me inimici mei’ by Sir Thomas Wyatt. First posted at threesentenceficathon here.

Notes at End: Astraphobia is the fear of thunderstorms; ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes. Feedback is appreciated!

Tags: Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Pre-Slash, Friendship, Bed Sharing, Late Night Conversations, Astraphobia, Thunderstorms, Fear of Snakes, Three Sentence Ficathon, 3SF 2026, Prompt Fic

( To the fic. )

comments

Happy Victoria Day Weekend...

Sun, 17 May 2026 18:37:18 GMT

In keeping with Victoria Day tradition, it was snowing when I got up this morning. :-\

comments

If I had a nickel...

Sat, 16 May 2026 18:19:06 GMT

Today is Pierce Brosnan's 73rd birthday according to Wikipedia. Happy Birthday, sir!

Today is also the 70th Eurovision Song Contest final. Yes, this is tangentially related!

1. Pierce Brosnan starred in the 2008 movie Mamma Mia!, based on the Mamma Mia! musical, written by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA, the Swedish pop music group that won Eurovision in 1974. (Brosnan played Sam, one of Sophie's potential fathers and Donna's romantic interest.)

2. Pierce Brosnan starred in the 2020 movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, a musical comedy about the journey of Lars Erickssong to represent Iceland at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. (Brosnan played Lars' disapproving father.)

3. Pierce Brosnan was a voice actor in the 2021 animated movie Riverdance: The Animated Adventure, based on the 1995 theatre dance show Riverdance, the 1990s entertainment super-phenomenon. The dance itself premiered as an interval act during the 1994 Eurovision final held in Dublin, Ireland that year. (Brosnan voiced both the lead character's granddad and Patrick the Deer.)

So tl;dr, if I had a nickel for every time Pierce Brosnan was involved with a project related to Eurovision in some way, I'd have three nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's really odd how that's happened three times in his career. :-D

Edit: Congratulations to Dara from Bulgaria for winning the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest! Bulgaria won both the jury vote and the televote (516 points total) for "Bangaranga."

comments

The Pitt Fan Fiction: "A Volunteered Confession"

Fri, 15 May 2026 22:49:56 GMT

A Volunteered Confession

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: The Pitt
Rating: General Audiences
Pairing: Jack Abbot/Michael “Robby” Robinavitch
Summary: Robby’s having second thoughts about giving a presentation that hits too close to home. Jack helps him as only Jack can.
Words: 794
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Notes At Beginning: Written for fic_promptly on Dreamwidth, Extra Challenge 1/2026 (no daily theme), prompt from Thursday August 28, 2025 (Free For All): Any, any, Handsome Idiot. It also fulfills my letter V entry for my Alphabetical Fic Titles Challenge Round Two. First posted at fic_promptly here.

Notes At End: Jack’s chant is modified from the version in s2e15 9:00 PM. All feedback is greatly appreciated!

Tags: Prompt Fic, Community: fic_promptly, Medical Conference, Established Relationship, Future Fic, Motivational Speech, Giving Encouragement As Only Jack Abbot Can

( Weren’t you kind of voluntold to give it? )

comments

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Fan Fiction: "In Space, Everyone Can Hear You Grilling"

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:46:51 GMT

Also find this on the AO3 here.

In Space, Everyone Can Hear You Grilling

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Rating: General Audiences
Pairing: Number One | Una Chin-Riley & Christopher Pike
Characters: Christopher Pike, Number One | Una Chin-Riley, Spock, Robert April, Marie Batel, James T. Kirk
Summary: A plan to celebrate the end of a routine mission threatens to spiral out of control.
Words: 1745
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Notes: Written for fic_promptly on Dreamwidth, Extra Challenge 1/2026, Day 3 (Fill a prompt with a given fandom.) Prompt from Monday July 14, 2025 (Outer Space): Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Christopher Pike, in space, everyone can hear you grilling. First posted at fic_promptly here.

Tags: Humour, Food, Friendship, Cooking, Barbecue, Community: fic_promptly, Prompt Fic

( Chris knew a fishing expedition when he heard one. )

comments

The Pitt Fan Fiction: "Zen and the Art of Document Preservation"

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:41:01 GMT

Also find this on the AO3 here.

Zen and the Art of Document Preservation

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: The Pitt
Rating: Mature
Pairing: Jack Abbot/Michael “Robby” Robinavitch
Summary: He derailed that train of thought firmly. That was not going to happen. Not if he could fucking help it.
Words: 4038
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Notes At Beginning: Written for the Get Your Words Out Prompt on Tumblr for May 1, 2026: Write a 500-word story about something (or someone) left out in the rain. This turned out a little longer than the prompt required. It also fulfills my letter Z entry for my Alphabetical Fic Titles Challenge Round Two (write at least one story using a title that begins with each letter of the English alphabet).

Notes At End: I’m taking wild guesses at the kind of comics Robby and Jack might have read as kids. I see Robby as more a DC Comics Superman and Justice League type of fan. I assigned Marvel’s X-Men to Jack. All feedback is appreciated!

Tags: Established Relationship, They’re Husbands Your Honour, Memories, Missing Objects, Books, Comics, Gifts, Rain, Repairs, Brief Sex, Titles As Metaphors, Prompt Fic, Tumblr Prompt

( To the fic. )

comments

GYWO for April 2026

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:52:01 GMT

GYWO for April 2026

We’re one third into the year—here is my GYWO update for April!

Yearly Pledge = 75,000 (6,250 words/month, or 206 words/day)

Total # Words for April = 6255
Total # Words for Year = 17,760

( The gritty details. )

( Thinky thoughts. )

comments

I'm the queen of wishful thinking

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:05:53 GMT

( Cut for vague fandom musings. )

comments

Springtime calls her children til she lets them go at last.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:25:23 GMT

I watched a visibly pregnant whitetail doe as she groomed her yearling fawn in our backyard earlier today. (I even got to see a tiny kick in her side!)

Her yearling was also grooming her. Their summer coats are almost fully in, though they still look a bit scruffy. The sight was just adorable; I watched for several minutes as they groomed and grazed until they wandered out of the yard.

That doe will give birth in a few weeks. A few days before she drops, she will actively and aggressively chase her yearling away so she can focus all her energy and attention on her newborn fawn(s). The yearling must fend for itself after that.

I felt sorry for the yearling, knowing what's coming. It has to happen; yearlings can't stay with mom forever. Usually it will travel with another freshly rejected yearling for awhile, maybe a sibling. Sometimes it'll try to return, only for mom to chase it away again for good.

For now, on a cloudy, cool, and breezy April afternoon, there's still some time before goodbye.

comments

My Season 3 Predictions for The Pitt

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:25:29 GMT

(Note this post has been extensively edited since first posted. That's what I get for working on it so late at night sigh.) I'm putting all of this post under a cut for onsite readers who don't want to read predictions for next season of The Pitt. This is all speculation based on canon events in s1/s2.

If you've arrived from off-site, anonymous commenting is enabled.
( My predictions for s3. Spoilers ahoy! )

comments

Some heavier musings on The Pitt season 2 finale

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 22:52:54 GMT

I find myself disappointed that I didn't like the s2 finale of The Pitt as much as I wanted to. I've loved the whole season, but not so much this episode despite some truly heartwrenching scenes. I accept that these reasons are specific only to me, though. My issues:

1. The dead body in chairs.

I know this was probably meant to be a bit of (very dark) humour, but it sure hits different when there have been several incidents in the past, and one currently ongoing coroner's inquest, on this very topic in Canada. One death occurred just a few months ago: a 44-year-old man with severe chest pain waited 8 hours in an Alberta ER and died of a heart attack almost immediately after entering the ward. The current inquest concerns a young Indigenous woman in Ontario who collapsed from sepsis in an ER waiting room after 2 visits over 2 days, and died in 2021.

The 2 scenes left a bad taste and I can only hope the writers will examine this issue with more depth and, yes, empathy in s3.

2. "I'm your emergency contact and I don't want to be contacted."
( Cut for discussion of suicidal depression. )

comments

One year ago today...

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:09:31 GMT

Happy first The Pitt anniversary to me... it was one year ago today I posted my first fic in the fandom:

( Cut for musings )

comments

GYWO For March 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:28:08 GMT

GYWO for March 2026

Here is my GYWO update for March!

Yearly Pledge = 75,000 (6,250 words/month, or 206 words/day)

Total # Words for March = 5219
Total # Words for Year = 11,505

( The gritty details. )

( Thinky thoughts. )

comments

The Pitt Fan Fiction: "The Hardest Part Of Love"

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 04:10:57 GMT

The Hardest Part Of Love

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: The Pitt
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Pairing: Duke Ekins & Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, Montgomery Adamson & Michael “Robby” Robinavitch
Characters: Duke Ekins, Michael “Robby” Robinavitch
Summary: He can’t lose Duke. Episode tag for S2E11 “5:00 PM.”
Words: 205
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Notes: Prompt from drabble_zone Challenge 495 on Dreamwidth, Letting Go. Title from “Letting Go,” copyright 1981 by Straight Lines. Dialogue from S2E11 “5:00 PM.”

Tags: Episode Tag, Double Drabble, Community: drabble_zone, Angst, Mentors

( To the fic. )

comments

Progress!

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:13:30 GMT

Six weeks into physio and I can finally curl my fingers into a fist! \0/

comments

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:17:49 GMT

With AO3 down til further notice, it looks like Squidgeworld's running slower with an influx of traffic now too...

In other news, after a fibreglass cast for 2 weeks, custom splint-cast for 4 weeks, and an off-the-shelf brace for another 2 weeks, I'm undergoing 6 weeks of physiotherapy on my right wrist, hand, fingers, and elbow. Let's just say I'm glad I broke my non-dominant arm...

comments

The Pitt Fan Fiction: "I Can See Clearly Now"

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:41:57 GMT

Initially posted to the Anonymous collection on AO3 on February 22, 2026; added here as AO3 is currently down (March 2, 2026). (Edit: fully de-anoned on March 5, 2026; link on AO3.)

I Can See Clearly Now

by Topaz Eyes

Fandom: The Pitt
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Pairing: Jack Abbot / & Michael “Robby” Robinavitch
Characters: Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, Jack Abbot, Baran Al-Hashimi
Summary: Robby reaches his breaking point.
Words: 1851
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Notes At Beginning: Inspired by the trailer for Season 2 Episode 8 “2 PM”. Recognizable dialogue from The Pitt Season 2 Official Trailer; and final image from Casting Secrets Revealed: Inside The Pitt | The Pitt Season 2 | HBO Max. AU after the opening paragraphs of this fic.

Notes At End: Tell me what you think! All feedback is greatly appreciated.

Tags: Spoilers, Speculation, Episode Tag, Alternate Universe – Divergence, Probably OOC, Angst, Workplace Drama, Character Introspection, Goodbyes, I fully expect this will be jossed in the first minute of episode 8

( I can see all obstacles in my way. )

comments

GYWO for February 2026

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 06:28:58 GMT

GYWO for February 2026

I am pleased to report a proper (if short) GYWO report for February!

Yearly Pledge = 75,000 (6,250 words/month, or 206 words/day)

Total # Words for February = 4212
Total # Words for Year = 6286

( The gritty details. )

( Thinky thoughts. )

comments

GYWO for January 2026

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:05:56 GMT

GYWO for January 2026

It’s the first GYWO update of the year! Such as it is lol…

Yearly Pledge = 75,000 (6,250 words/month, or 206 words/day)

Total # Words for January = 2074
Total # Words for Year = 2074

( The gritty details. )

( Thinky thoughts. )

comments

What, are we talking in code? About Robby and Langdon's conversation in the S2 premiere

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:36:23 GMT

What, are we talking in code? About Robby and Langdon's conversation in the s2 premiere

One thing I adore about The Pitt is how the show uses foreshadowing and imagery to reflect the characters' state of mind. The big worry about Robby this season is that he's clearly not in a good mental place before he leaves for a 3 month sabbatical. Eg in the opening scene, a helmetless Robby on a motorcycle speeds past a rushing ambulance on a double line (no passing) over the crest of the bridge in a blindspot. It’s reckless at best, lethal at worst. Clearly this man is not well.

What caught my attention in the premiere was ( this scene of Robby running into Langdon in s2e1. )

comments