Spell Slots, Shorthand
I didn't expect to post another entry so soon but my Monday deliverables have been pushed forward to Tuesday and I'm not one to pass up the chance to engage in some light time thieving.
While having dinner K.M. told me how s. - no doubt taking cues from nerd internet - prefers using spell slots instead of spoons when referring to their mental/emotional availability. According to s.:
For me, cooking is a cantrip but spending quality time with someone requires a lot of spell slots. That's why I need to plan dates ahead.
For K.M., it's the other way around. She once traveled to Makati from Los Baños because I playfully asked her to keep me company on the trip back home, but she would almost never agree to cook. My partners couldn't be more different from each other.
Using spell slots as shorthand can be amusing and can even justify our idiosyncrasies. K.M. is not being rude when she's unresponsive at work or studying for Law, she's just casting a spell that requires a lot of Concentration. The spell fails when she's interrupted. Likewise I'm not being lazy when I refuse to ride a bus to the city. I just haven't prepared the necessary materials for that spell.
Of course, slapping a label onto something doesn't erase the actual dangers of inattentional blindness.
Creative writing used to be one of my cantrips, but I've long since traded that accessibility for other blessings like companionship, speechcraft, the proper use of Rage. It's harder to make meaning out of sentences now than it was 10 years ago and unlike before there's no guidebook or wizened mentor to teach you right from wrong.
I feel like a Cleric who has lost the divine favor of their Patron.
If I petition them long enough through this blog, will my prayers once again be answered?
Side-quests Accomplished
🗡️ Uploaded my zine Interim (2025) to my ko-fi shop. Spotted errors in the copy or lines I would have changed entirely because they don't make sense. First review of the digital release:
I love your brain and I am a sobbing wreck right now.
Thanks, M.
🗡️ Sent a copy of Polyamory to G., she asked me a while ago to make more zines about polyamory for “healthy representation”.
🗡️ On k.'s advice I've looked through a couple of blogs to gain Inspiration. Nothing stuck out yet but I do feel less lonely.
Today's Stat Block
STR: 0
DEX: 0
CON: -1 Alternating stuffed and runny nose still ongoingÂ
INT: +1 Learned how to un-knot controller cords
WIS: 0
CHA: -1 Too disheveled, in the honest opinion of the mirror