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credit/amanda iceton

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I don't care about Dungeon Meshi otherwise but "Tallmen" is SUCH an elegant solution to placing humans in a fantasy setting that it's still blowing my mind. Just the term itself is enough to instantly recontextualize humans. They're no longer the default race. They're those big goobers with long legs, striding about all the time. I can so easily envision much more interesting relationships between humans and non-humans because of it. Like perhaps "tallmen" are stereotyped as shepherds by other races because they can watch over their flocks better, or as vagabonds because they are better suited to long travel on foot. And of course, they don't *literally* have to be taller than everybody else, they were just the tallest around whenever the label became the norm, or something like that. I just feel like it's so much better than what I've seen in settings like D&D that go "and humans are the... adaptable, generalist people :)!"

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A spider's web delicately entwined around an impala's horns and face, resembling a dream catcher.

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spot the difference

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Shape-shifters, face-blindness, and "paying attention to others"

The shapeshifter is one of my favourite "monster of the week" episodes because of how it showcases how differently Laios processes social information than the rest of the party. It reminded me a lot of the strategies I, faceblind name-forgetter and a eye-contact avoider, use to recognize people and learn things about them.

We see Laios clearly fail at recognizing the doubles through "standard" social cues that are perceived as "easy to tell", such as their clothes. This makes the team (unfairly, but understandably) weary of his ability to tell the fakes apart and even worried that he'd prefer the monster versions* over them. Nonetheless, he gives it a try!

...And is immediately overwhelmed. His lack of attention to social cues works a bit in his favor, though, as it makes it harder for him to fall for stereotypes that fool the rest of the group.

Instead, he chooses to rely on his strengths and use his investigation and animal handling skills to distract the shapeshifters, lure out the monster, and roll the most insane balls-to-the-wall intimidation check of all time.

If it had ended there it still would have been a great episode that showcases Laios' strategic mind and his strengths as a leader. He doesn't have the social skills necessary for the task, but he is clever and creative enough to use the skills he does have proficiency in to solve the problem*.

However, what makes this episode so dear and near to my faceblind heart is the revelation that Laios was able to recognize the real party members after all.

Laios is fantastic representation of how special interests actually work for a monotropic interest system. Having a special interest is not just about how much you like it and the need to know everything about it, it's a way of processing and filtering information. Laios' special interest is monsters: his skills as a dungeoneer and party leader are acquired for and informed by his desire to interact with monsters, as is his interest in eating them. He actually brings this up himself when comparing his interest in cooking to Senshi's.

And in this episode, we see that this also extends to his friends. Laios hacks one of the most difficult types of information for him to process by routing it through the lens of the special interest. And, because it's not something most people would notice, it works. He knows that Chilchuck wouldn't let his guard down around a potential mimic, that Senshi values a balanced ecosystem, that (my favourite) Marcille just isn't as thoughtful about monsters as he is.

It might not be what was expected, but it did the trick! And what's more, the narrative validates his way of thinking (even if Chilchuck doesn't).

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Chapter 41 excerpt of Lost and Found: A Broganes Story

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The anesthesiologist came over, carrying a mask. "I'm just going to put this on your face," she said. "Breathe normally and count backwards from twenty.”

Shiro switched his grip so he could have one hand in Keith's hand and one hand stroking his hair as the mask came down. Shiro continued to stroke Keith's hair, even as he went limp. 

"Keith?" he asked gently. There was no response. He was out. 

"Sir, you need to leave the room," the nurse told him. "I'll take you to the monitoring room." 

Reluctantly, Shiro tore his gaze away from Keith's face. "Thank you," he said, following her. He looked back as he left the room. Keith looked so small, lying on the bed, surrounded by huge machines. 

He was led to a room nearby. Adam was already sitting in front of a monitor, watching as they hung up sheets around Keith. Shiro hugged him immediately, burying his head in Adam's shoulder. He wasn't crying, but it felt close. He felt Adam reach into his hair and pulled off the paper cap. 

He shushed Shiro reassuringly. Shiro regained his composure. He  sat up and faced the monitor, wrapping an arm around Adam's waist and holding him close.

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Read more on AO3

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IT’S GONNA BE MAI

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that’s a whole man.

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imagine you knew a dude and you were pretty chill with him, maybe you were friends but youre not really sure, but one day he just starts attacking you and gets taken away by the cops and you never see him again. a few months later you go to a play with your new group of friends and you find out via the play he died. thats how zuko felt watching jet die in the ember island players episode

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hi I'm from your pseudo-medieval fantasy city. yeah. you forgot to put farms around us. we have very impressive walls and stuff but everyone here is starving. the hero showed up here as part of his quest and we killed and ate him

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delighted to listen to a nine year old discussing his thoughts on star wars. his dad’s been introducing him to the movies in release-date order, and they’re now halfway through The Force Awakens. here are his hot takes:

- best movie: phantom menace. qui gon and obi wan and yoda and anakin are all really cool.

- worst movie: return of the jedi. it took too long to save han solo; jabba is gross to look at and slave leia was weird to watch, ‘and they call it PG!’

- best characters: luke skywalker. anakin skywalker is second-best because he becomes darth vader. (this was very disappointing to discover)

- best villain: darth vader (even if he’s anakin). but dooku was also very good. palpatine is ugly.

- favorite jedi: yoda.

- biggest complaint: it would be better if anakin wasn’t darth vader. and, why did they kill padme? she would be a better vader. they should bring back anakin for the new movies. no, not as a ghost, just bring him back.

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Sorry about all the reblogs. I got lost and forgot I wasn't on my dashboard.

Baby, this is the "Reblog stuff you think is cool" website. It's TOTALLY NORMAL to reblog from people you aren't mutuals with, or that you don't follow, or that you've never even spoken to. Encouraged even! It's how you make more friends here.

Seeing one person reblog all of one of my tags in my dash brings me nothing but happiness and self-validation.

The odds of me seeing your reblogs at all are Bad-to-Nil because:

This is what my activity page looks like on a SLOW day.

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Defund and abolish is making more and more sense. End qualified immunity for police, too.

How many more are buried there?!!!

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EMMA D'ARCY and OLIVIA COOKE — React To House of the Dragon Scenes

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chilchuck and marcille keeping their ears warm 🥺