Ohhh I See, I Thought It Was Something Like I'm Going To Kill You And Such, Similar To Putting Flowers

ohhh I see, I thought it was something like I'm going to kill you and such, similar to putting flowers on the students' table in japan. I understand I liked the post and good to learn new things.

Human Traditions

Barbatos, unknowing of human mores, gave you a heartbreaking gift without knowing. Satan helps him patch it up♡

fluff; gn!reader

Barbatos' gaze lingers on you throughout the lesson, barely focusing on the teacher's words. Satan notices the butler's longing eyes, scooting closer to him.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Barbatos glances at the younger demon, needing a moment to remember what that phrase meant.

"Mc hasn't been talking to me."

"Hm? I thought things were going so well?" Satan continues, obviously glad to have found a new distraction from the boring lesson.

"I must have misunderstood," Barbatos responds flatly, seemingly accepting his fate and broken heart.

Satan furrows his brows, feeling his detective senses tingling. There must be a reason for your behavior, particularly because he remembers the hearts in your eyes whenever you and Asmodeus gushed over your crushes. From the beginning on, yours was always Barbatos.

He starts questioning the butler, asking for the details of their latest interactions.

"... and the gift was the last thing I gave them before they started ignoring me," Barbatos finishes his summary of your whole time dating while walking to lunch with Satan.

The fourth born closely listens as he tries to fit the puzzle pieces together in his mind.

"What kind of gift did you give mc?" he asks, feeling like there's only a small fragment left before it all makes sense.

"A very fine blade, colored in mc's favorite hue. I thought they'd appreciate the meaning it holds."

Satan stops dead in his tracks, finally having found the underlying problem. He shakes his head while laying his hand over Barb's shoulder, quickly explaining the meaning of gifting sharp objects to humans.

Barbatos pauses for a long second, his eyes filling with subtle horror.

"I see..."

Satan immidiately offers his help, which Barbatos gladly accepts, feeling insecure about his knowledge of human customs now. Satan starts working on a plan as soon as he arrives home, researching human traditions and mores and documenting everything he can.

Barbatos is happy to receive his notes the next day, studying them thoroughly and making a plan to win you back and clear up the misunderstanding.

The demon is confident in the letter he wrote and the white moonshine tulips, which he places on your doorstep, slight nervousness haunting him as he leaves the HOL unseen, hoping to have you back in his arms as soon as possible.

For @ylove-bandaesthetics

when Mc/Yuu needs help/asks a question

here with the Crowley slander

Men Don't Cry - Diavolo x M!MC

This was written after having a crappy day that has been days, perhaps weeks in the making. So tired of wearing a mask and acting like I'm strong when I'm constantly crying on the inside and needed a release.

Summary: After a crappy day at RAD, MC is ashamed of being caught crying.

Pairing: Diavolo x M!MC (he/him pronouns used, no body descriptions)

CW: Anxiety, Talks of Toxic Masculinity

Word Count: 1490

Today, MC swore Murphy’s Law must have been making up for lost time.  Was it not enough that he overslept and was late for his first class?  Did he not set multiple alarms the night before?  He did?  So, he slept right through them all after all!  Why didn’t Diavolo wake him?  Oh, right…he had an early meeting and said he would most likely leave before MC awoke for the day.

Tangled in the bedsheets, MC stumbled out of bed, almost falling flat on his face.  He didn’t have time to shower and was forced to somehow halfway tame his unruly bedhead.  Grabbing breakfast to go from Barbatos, MC raced as fast as his mortal legs could carry him to RAD but still managed to miss his first class.  And it seemed the rest of the day was a lost cause entirely! 

MC knocked over a whole rack of vials containing potions that were hazardous if mixed together incorrectly.  Already flustered by his clumsy accident, MC’s heart sunk when he was told later in his next class to prepare for an exam that he had completely forgotten about and did not study for.  He really didn’t care to know how he scored on it.  At lunch, he dropped food onto his lap.  Recited an incantation incorrectly.  Cracked his D.D.D.

Rushing to the bathroom, MC splashed water on his face.  Attempted to regain his composure.  The world spun around him dizzily, and as his stomach churned, the combination of sensations threatened to force his lunch back up.  His pounding heart felt as if it might explode in his chest.  Dozens of bright spots blinded his vision.  His hands shook and pain shot through his shoulders and down his back while other areas felt oddly numb.  Gripping hard against the sink, MC swore he was going to faint.  It wasn’t until he managed to lift his head and stare into the mirror that he finally realized that he was crying.

No! No! No!

He cursed while furiously rubbing his sleeve against his eyes, leaving red scrapes on his cheeks. 

As classes were dismissed and students flooded the halls, MC debated whether to brave the crowd or wait for the school to empty so he could leave the grounds in solitude.  However, he posed the risk of running into Diavolo, and he couldn’t bare to have the prince see him in his current condition.  Perhaps if he kept his head down, he could just disappear into the crowd and leave without being noticed.  MC blinked back the remaining tears the best he could before pushing through the doors.  Of course, luck wasn’t on his side; it hadn’t been all day long.  So why did he think he could get a break now? 

Turning, MC locked eyes with Diavolo, who happened to be standing by the ramparts of the floor above him.  A broad smile spread across the demon’s face as he spotted MC while offering an enthusiastic wave.  MC’s heart clenched as a fresh round of tears threatened to spill.  Whipping around, MC desperately pushed through the wall of bodies, suffocating under the pressure of people bumping into him.  He couldn’t get out of RAD fast enough.  To vanish from Diavolo’s sight. 

Did Diavolo see the state he was in?  Notice his weakness?  See through him for the disappointment that he truly was?  Would he still love such a pathetic human?

MC gasped for air.  Even after he was outside in the open, MC felt as though he couldn’t catch his breath.  Yet his legs forced him to run, never stopping to look back.  Not even when his phone vibrated violently in his pocket.

Diavolo: MC?

Diavolo: Are you alright?

Diavolo: Have I done something to offend you?

Diavolo: MC, please talk to me.

Run!  Just keep running!  He told himself.  Even as he bursted through the doors of the castle, his legs kept moving.  Up the stairs.  Into the room he shared with Diavolo.  He didn’t stop until he flopped onto the bed.  Curling himself up into a ball with his back to the door, MC sobbed uncontrollably.  He wasn’t even sure anymore why he was crying, but the tears wouldn’t stop falling.

MC was unsure how long he stayed in that position.  Or how much time had passed.  Or whether he was even awake for all of that time.  He felt as if he was floating out of his body, leaving behind an empty shell, and he was only grounded back to reality once a large hand pressed against his shoulder.

“MC?”  Diavolo asked in a hushed whisper.  “Are you awake?”

MC didn’t answer, but the way he flinched gave him away. 

“Have I done something wrong?”

MC felt the bed shift as Diavolo moved as if trying to peer at his face.  Reflexively, MC placed his hand over his face, blocking Diavolo’s line of vision.

“Please, don’t look at me,” MC begged in between sniffles.

“Why?”  The concern in his voice was genuine as was the confusion.  For the longest time, neither moved until Diavolo leaned forward, pressing his head against MC’s shoulder.  “Please, speak to me.”

MC didn’t budge, still concealing his shame for having sobbed like a child.  But his resolve broke once he felt something splash against his neck.  Rolling onto his back, MC stared into Diavolo’s reddened, puffy eyes.  Tears clung heavily to his eyelashes, falling in large droplets and trailing down his cheeks.  Diavolo raised his hand to wipe away MC’s own tears with his thumb.  Instead of finding solace, MC felt a sudden pang in his heart as a new round of tears bubbled over.  Repositioning himself, Diavolo scooped MC into his arms, allowing him to cry against his chest.  The demon remained silent and rubbed circles into MC’s back as he waited for him to calm down.  He uttered no words until MC’s body no longer shook violently and his sobs quieted.

“Do you wish to talk about it?”

Diavolo wasn’t going to force MC to open up.  However, MC no longer had the strength to bottle his feelings anymore.

“I just had a bad day,” MC whispered, his voice hoarse from crying so much.

“Is that all?”

Feeling his chin quiver, MC drew in a deep breath to calm his nerves while his fist gripped tighter into Diavolo’s shirt. 

“I was afraid of disappointing you.”

Lightly holding his shoulders, Diavolo peeled MC off of him so he could stare into his eyes.

“How would you have disappointed me?”

“All I ever want is for you to be proud of me.  Of my accomplishments.  But everything went so wrong today.  I made such a mess in my potions lab.  I’m confident that I failed my test today.  Don’t even ask about the hex I attempted.  And to top it off, I completely broke down, crying like a baby.  You must think I’m such a pathetically weak being.  I mean, men aren’t supposed to cry.”

MC tried to look away, but Diavolo caught his chin with the knuckle of his index finger and pulled his face back.  Tilting his head up, Diavolo forced MC to look him in the eyes. 

“Whoever said such a ludicrous thing?”

“The society I grew up in,” MC said, feeling his mouth go dry as he recalled the mockery he grew up with.  “Where I’m from, it’s a sign of weakness.  Men are supposed to maintain their composure, no matter how hard life gets.”

“If you ask me, it sounds unreasonably cruel to bottle your emotions instead of acknowledging them.  Look at me. Do you think me any less of a man for crying?”

Staring at his tear-stained cheeks, MC shook his head.

“Good.  So, from now on, if you are upset or your day is not going as planned, I do hope you will at least confide in me.  Allow me to help brighten your day.  Will you do this for me?”

Nestling back into Diavolo’s chest, MC wrapped his arms around Diavolo and nodded.  “Yeah, I can do that.”

MC spent the next few moments listening to the soothing sound of Diavolo’s steady heartbeat.  His tears long dried up, leaving his skin tight and his head heavy.  Sitting wrapped in Diavolo’s strong embrace, MC felt safe as if nothing bad could touch him anymore.  The demon, whose strength the general populace of the Devildom feared, actually shed his tears in front of him.

“Hey, Diavolo?” MC finally piped up while running his finger lightly over Diavolo’s chest.

“Hm?”

“You know, I’ve never seen you cry until today.  I thought you were the type who remained strong no matter what.”

Diavolo’s arms tightened, pulling MC into an even deeper hug.  “Oh, MC, no one is strong one-hundred percent of the time.  However, I can say with confidence that ever since the first day we met, you have been nothing but a ray of light in my life.”

Words for Skin Tone | How to Describe Skin Color

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

Standard Description

Basic Colors

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

Complex Colors

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

Modifiers

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

Dark - Deep - Rich - Cool

Warm - Medium - Tan

Fair - Light - Pale

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

Undertones

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

pictured above: warm / earth undertones: yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral | cool / jewel undertones: pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver. 

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

Creative Description

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

Natural Settings - Sky

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

Flowers

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

Assorted Plants & Nature

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone.“ 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

“Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

Wood

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

Metals

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

Gemstones - Minerals

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

Physical Description

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

General Tips

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics I 

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

Masterlist Obey me 2: Fanart Chibi

Chibis: Idol Group Roles: (inspiration from here-Under development)

Lucifer - Visuals Mammon - Lead Dancer, Visuals, Rapper Levi - Leader, Dancer Satan - Singer, Songwriter, Multilingual Asmo - Lead Singer, Lead Visuals, Dancer Beel - Dancer, Visuals Belphie - Singer, Solo Artist

Bonus:

Barbs - manager Diavolo - host Solomon - unofficial merch seller Simeon - mom only there to watch her kid Luke - aforementioned kid Thirteen - fan of rival group, only there to heckle Mephisto - fan of rival group, ended up liking them Lil D No. 2 - rat that snuck onto the venue Raphael - pest control.

Bunny:

Bunny solomon

coffee:

American coffee Luci. Caramel macchiato mammon. Bobba Tea Levi Espresso coffee Sat Rose tea Asmo