#[MEP] I DON'T CARE

[scolop98]

Song: Hate to Love You by Karmin

Show: Avatar: the Last Airbender

Theme: NOTPs/ships you don't personally care for

Programs: iMovie & Kapwing

yeah idk zutara never really clicked with me. I get why people like it, and now I have a new appreciation for how fun they are to edit, but it's never appealed to me for whatever reason ¯\(-_-)/¯

[outofcontextanimash]

dude not to drop random shit in your inbox but the "your mep part is due" post reminded me of when i was invited into this "mep group" in the sonic fandom that when they were 'recruiting' me made it sound like they were just friends who made meps together but once i got in they were like "great so you have to do 1 part a month or you get kicked" and when i was like "uuh, i have school so idrk if i can do that? i make these for fun??" they brushed that off then a few months later after id already told them "hey guys its finals season im offline for a bit" started leaving comments on my videos like "hello :) you havent made a mep part in a while :) if you don't we're going to kick you :)" even though i literally never signed up for anything. wasn't being a kid on the internet wild these other 12-15 year olds were treating that shit like a job man. i just replied back "I already told you all that im in the middle of finals kick me if you feel like you have to but i do not care" and then i never heard from them again

I'm sorry but i'm on their side. you should have dropped out

[catdracox]

(Story under the cut.)

It was supposed to be a simple playdate and while Sideswipe could be finishing up late paperwork that he intentionally been pushing aside, he couldn't resist the little sparklings.

Until Sentinel happened. How Optimus was friends with this mech, Sideswipe will never know, but his ego was the worst thing that was born from the new Magnus.

Edgar and Sol were playing, just having fun until Sentinel starting yelling at Edgar. Sideswipe didn't see if Edgar accidentally bumped into Sentinel or he did something to catch the Magnus's attention, but Sideswipe didn't care cause he was right up in Sentinel's face, telling him off.

It didn't take long for Elena, Strongarm and Cheetor to come in from all the commotion. Elena saw her son being comforted by Sol.

"Daddy!" Edgar cried out to Cheetor, who immediately came to his son's aid.

"Edgar!? You okay, little buddy?" He placed his hands gently on Edgar.

"H-He yelled at me and called me names!" Edgar managed to get out through his crying, pointing at Sentinel.

"Come here, sweetie." Elena came over and scooped up her son in her arms. "Momma's here. And Grandma Strongarm's here too."

Strongarm felt her spark reach out to Edgar. His crying was tearing at her. She looked up in time to see Cheetor joined Sideswipe to yell at Sentinel. It was getting more heated with each word thrown at the other. Cheetor was showing his teeth and Sideswipe's spoiler was hitched in a threatened manner.

She was immediately between the two mech and the Magnus. "Sides, don't! Not in front of Edgar!" The last thing she wants her grandsparkling to see is his grandsire being taken away for assault.

Sideswipe paid no mind. "I've had it with you and your disgust with organics, kid! I don't care that you're the new Magnus, you never EVER yell at Edgar like that!"

"Who are you to talk to me like that?! I am the Magnus!"

Cheetor growled. "I don't give a slag! Don't ever talk to my son like that!"

"I'm about to say frag it and sock you right under your big, fat jaw!" Sideswipe almost jabbed his finger into Sentinel's chest. "And it's gonna hurt, kid! I was in the war before you even hit bootcamp! I'm a fragging vet!"

"Sides!"

He stopped and looked up at the tall femme, who was holding him back, her face full of concern and urging him to let this go before it escalates.

Sideswipe puts his hand down and looked at Sentinel with a growl. "You're not worth it. You're just a fragging brat." Before he leaves, he places a hand on Cheetor's chest. "Ignore him, kid. Go and tend to your sparkling."

Cheetor really wanted to protest, but he knew Sides was right. They just left Sentinel along and Cheetor rushes to his mate and sparkling.

Sideswipe makes a mental note to contact Optimus about this as he looked at Sol, who still continued to comfort Edgar with Elena.

Note: Don't mess with grandsire Sideswipe. He is very protective of his grandsparklings (and sparklings in general) even if his face doesn't show it.

And a big thanks to @mepzilla for giving me this idea, especially saying that the art piece gave off "beat Sentinel cause he made Edgar cry" vibes. And I went with it. And Edgar and Sol are Mep's cute and adorable fan babies.

[gemsofgreece]

Greek news of these days

European elections. I am so amused by the people we are sending to the European parliament. Regarding the general results of the European elections, I'd dare say we can observe some improvement compared to the horrors of recent years. Of course the results were still horrible but at least they weren't as horrible as they were previously or as horrible as they were in other European countries i.e France, Austria, Germany... But the people that were most voted lol I can't wait for us to lose the last drop of integrity we might have had in Europe. For context, amongst the elected MEPs are a) one of the two most hated, bootlicking journalists in the country, b) another journalist who started her career as edjy and denunciatory and now she's apparently the exact opposite, c) at least a couple relatives / descendants of well known politicians that have done nothing on their own, d) a gymnast and model who now claims he is against pre-marital sex but admits he is a sinner and continues sinning (lol) and now he says it still hasn't sunk in that he is an MEP, e) woman who has changed face due to 682746 plastic surgeries and her whole political rhetoric is turning against other women for not subscribing to traditional feminine roles, taking care of themselves, always shaving their body hair, being skinny etc f) a 76 year old shepherd and butcher???? that she joined the elections out of impulse and now she doesn't know how the hell she was elected?!?!?! Don't get me wrong, this woman might be decent but come on, let's be real, does she sound qualified for this position? And most of the others are like that because I heard almost everybody is ridiculous amongst the elected. But honestly well done guys, let's just go utterly destroy our already suffering image and whatever tiny political impact we might have had. I can't wait. Then again all of Europe elected pathetic MEPs this year. But I hope we can still shine as some of the most embarrassing!

Wind energy. If you follow this blog VERY closely, you might remember that the issue of the uncontrollable expansion of wind parks has been discussed before. The way wind parks are made in Greece is extremely problematic because Greece has too little - let's say - "expendable" space for the housing of the wind turbines, so the government which pushes for them for MANY reasons starts making them inside environmentally protected areas, Natura 2000 locations, big mountains and generally regions with a lot of wildlife and traditional culturally significant destinations of high aesthetic and intrinsic value. So, after planting like a gazillion of wind turbins, civilians were notified that the electricity bills are about to become more costly. The government's explanation for this literally was "well it wasn't as windy as we hoped :( so now we have to raise the electricity bills... sorry". For real. I can't wait for tourists to finally start blacklisting Greece due to extensive deterioration of the natural landscape due to the wind farms. Come on guys. (The only reason I want this is because they will never stop for the sake of the environment, the landscapes and the protesting civilians of this country. Only loss of immediate profit could ever make them reconsider.)

BBC doctor Michael Mosley's death and the disappearance of another Dutch tourist. I have said this before, I will say it again. A lot of people seem to underestimate the challenges of the Greek environment and landscape. Greece has indeed this thing of often looking sweetly unassuming to the inexperienced eye but make no mistake. Greece has a VERY treacherous landscape and terrain. Don't go into nature unprepared, without water, mobile phone, sun protection, proper attire and shoes. Don't take athletic initiatives on your own if you are on the older side, have health issues and also in general, especially if you are not familiar with such terrains as the Greek one. I see the news. 60-70 year old people from the UK and the Netherlands embarking on their own for hiking during Greek heatwave? Recipe for disaster. I mean, I almost died once and I was with a group, next to a city, 40 years younger than them, healthier I guess and it was February! Because some of you don't have the full picture; it's not just about the scorching sun. It's not just about the air temperature being in the 30-40+ degrees. Greece's terrain is extremely rugged, uneven, complex and rocky and it causes rockfalls all the freaking time. The southern terrain is often barren especially in the summer and the rocks and land can get temperatures in the 60-70 degrees. You can not even say "oh I am probably getting a heatstroke but there's no hope for me to find shade or find my way out of here so I will at least lie down until sunset or someone finds me". You cannot even lie down because the rocks are burning more than the sun! Furthermore, Greece has a truly, unbelievably blinding sunlight. The white and lightcoloured rocks and terrain reflect all this light back, which in such conditions can hinder totally your eyesight. Mosley had sunglasses, a hat and an umbrella but as you see even these weren't enough in an afternoon during a heatwave and far from the signaled path. I am sorry for him but what on earth was Mosley thinking??? As for why his body was not found earlier, we should never rule out incompetence, however in this case I believe he just fell among all those rocks and was sort of camouflaged let alone that nobody expected him to have managed to reach so close to safety and yet not make it. They apparently were checking mostly the more remote and dangerous areas, which is so ironic! RIP. I hope the Dutch tourist is found alive and well. Greece can be entirely safe but as long as you practice common sense, like in all places.

The ancient shrine discovered in Crete. I made a small post about it here already. Some newer estimations place the date of the monument a little later in time (3000 - 2000 BC) so somewhere between proto-Minoan and palaeo-Minoan eras. However, the shrine is unique in Greece. It is a structure of off-centre circles and originally it might have had a tower/ pyramid with a conic shape. Such monuments have so far only been found in the Near East, including a very ancient one dating back to 7000 BC. This is pure hypothesis but archaeologists examine whether the shrine is associated to a very early worship of Zeus or the worship of the early proto-Indoeuropean deity that eventually led to several equivalents, amongst them Zeus. Some others wondered whether this could be the shrine for the "omphálio pedíon", the location where Zeus' umbilical cord fell as he was carried by the Kouretes. Archaeologists and historians from around the world had been searching such a location in Crete for a long time. But of course, take this with a grain of salt. It's too early and so far archaeologists only make assumptions. What's certain is that there is not another such formation in Greece and it will eventually provide a lot of information regarding either very early Mycenaean Greeks or the Minoans or maybe even pre-Greek populations.

[mikerztmf]

two ppl asked and i shall deliver!! so have a whole essay about jake-centric drake 👍👍

the natural place to start talking about jake's feelings about drew is near the start of their friendship: the freshman scene in ep9. i think this scene (and ep11) is one of the few points where you can really tell what jake thinks of drew. and to sum it up, he thinks pretty highly of him.

it's never super obvious, but when you think about it, drew really meant so much to jake. because drew was really jake's first friend after middle school, the first person to ever accept him so easily. BUT, he couldn't necessarily tell drew that, bc he'd be forced to open up about his past and his passion for music (which is like. the one thing he doesn't want to do)

and imo, jake caring about drew (and henriam ofc but this ain't abt them) and genuinely wanting to be friends is sort of... integral to who he is as a character, in a way. jake changed himself to keep drew, bc he cared about what drew thought of him. whether or not he was right, jake assumed that drew would bully him/drop him if he ever found out that he liked music. jake didn't wanna lose drew, so he kept quiet and lied. it obviously wasn't RIGHT, but still, it's what he does.

once he got closer to the music club, things got way more complicated though, because jake's lies became more than just lies of omission. and eventually, he grew distant towards drew around eps8-10. HOWEVER, i dont think he was really aware that he was doing it, or that he was inherently being an asshole/bad friend on purpose???

i think that's proven in the drake fight. like, jake lied to protect his friendship with drew, but it obviously backfired on him in the long run ("how am i supposed to know anything about your passion when you don't tell me anything anymore!?"). so jake only actually realised his mistakes, especially how badly he treated drew in the past month of canon, when they were thrown in his face by DREW HIMSELF.

and you see jake himself be surprised before quickly cracking, because he realised that drew was right. he has been lying for years. and it's sorta important to think abt the words here. "if you care so much about your friends, jake, why don't you spit out the truth already?!" ...quickly followed by jake spitting out the truth. not only did (and probably still does) jake care about drew, but he also considered them friends! WHICH ALSO EXPLAINS "nice to know we were never really friends." "that's not...! drew..."

jake trying to defend himself shows that even after everything, he still viewed drew as a friend, and wanted drew to hear him out and stay in his life. like, idk, after he came clean, jake still cared about what drew thought, and hoped that he'd want to still be his friend too.

i talked abt this in my last essay, but jake was so broken up after the fight. sure, it looked like he'd moved on, but the way he thought he saw the jomies at the competition + the right now mep part just kinda proved that he hadn't. and idk, i can only imagine that it hurts - losing your first friend, and only having yourself to blame because you lied to his face in an attempt to keep him.

LMAO SO IDK i think jake sort of did value drew as a friend, and that maybe, just maybe, drake is not as unrequited as people think?? imo their issue wasn't really that it was one-sided, but bc they never told eachother how much they valued eachother (for whatever reason)

[msnihilist]

Doyle for the character ask game!

For the ask game!

My first impression

I don't remember the first time I watched The Secret Saturdays, unfortunately! What I wouldn't give to go into this show blind again...

My impression now

I just love Doyle so much. His dynamic with Zak makes me ill in the brain... I want Doyle to be happy and loved so fucking bad.

Favorite thing about that character

I love seeing Doyle get... softer over the course of the series. He goes from a ruthless mercenary with no loved ones, to having a family and opening himself up to love and he stops running away from his feelings, and I just love him so much!!

Least favorite thing

Just that he was kind of sidelined in season two. I know why he was, narratively, but Doyle is strongest as a character when he's bouncing off of his family.

Favorite line/scene

"Trust me — whatever I'm doing, it's for your own protection."

This says so much about Doyle's growth, I adore it. He's always protected Zak before, but he's never said it in as many words. Ugh, he cares about his nephew so goddamn much!

Favorite interaction that character has with another

The implication in "Where Lies the Engulfur" that Doyle was going to sacrifice himself for Zak. And that Zak was smart enough to not let him. And that Zak and Doyle understand their relationship isn't "like that" in the sense that neither of them addresses it, they're just grateful to have each other alive when it's all said and done.

A character that I wish that character would interact with more

I am SO hungry for more Zak and Doyle interactions. But Doyle and Drew having one-on-one time more often would have also been much appreciated!

Another character from another fandom that reminds me of that character

Bro Strider from Homestuck

A headcanon about that character

Doyle curses like a sailor, and he personally doesn't care if Zak is around or not... But Drew would kill him if Zak started swearing, so he's gotten pretty good at biting his tongue.

Also, Blackwell is not his real last name, nor is it Drew's maiden name. It's made-up because Doyle was too young to remember his last name when he ended up in an orphanage.

A song that reminds of that character

"Golden" by Fall Out Boy. I even did a MEP part with the song to prove it.

An unpopular opinion about that character

I guess I don't really like the fandom interpretations where Doyle's relationship with Zak is... easy. Particularly with the high-emotions of season two, I think Zak and Doyle if they were alone together would end up with a lot more arguments than in season one.

Zak would lash out or get too real, and Doyle wouldn't know what to do or say. They really haven't known each other very long, in the grand scheme of things. Doyle really isn't good at communicating or empathizing. I think he'd try his best, but feel disconnected from Zak as he went into his teenage years.

Doyle is the "cool uncle," sure, but he's also a person. Just because he's laid back doesn't mean his emotions and relationships can't be complicated.

Favorite picture

[mageofseven]

When Heat Cools: A MephistoMC Love Story

Chapter 9

Taglist: @astroseuss @fcxyviixen @jar-of-moondust @marvelous-maniac @ghost-mint @darkflowerav @missloserqueen

TW: implied r*pe and a scene that, despite not showing it, heavily implies that it comes (or came, since it happened in the past) after that for the character.

If this is an especially triggering topic for you, please either skip the chapter or skip the section written in

Xxxxxxx

the format type shown above.

Oh and snakes. If you are afraid of snakes, the same section won't be to your liking.

It was the next day that MC had gotten a call from Mephisto.

"Hey..." She murmured into the phone. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on you the other day."

"...MC, you literally had another man reach into and manipulate your soul in order to read it's properties." The nobleman spoke in disbelief.

Does the woman really not understand how dangerous and extreme what she went through was? Was it better that she didn't?

"Yeah, I know but..." The human's voice trailed of as she laid a hand of her belly.

In truth...she was just feeling self-conscious about having to be taken care of and knew as her pregnancy progressed, this apparently very special pregnancy, that she will likely have more times when she will have to lean on him when she is more used to having him lean on her.

Mephisto huffed and shook his head on the other line.

"Look, just don't worry about it." He told her before pursing his lips. "I...listen, I need you to come to my home after dinner today."

MC raised her eyebrows. Despite their long, weird friendship, the human has never been to their boyfriend's home before.

"Uh...why exactly...?"

"My parents...have received Lord Diavolo's message and wish to speak with both of us." He explained. "Though I do believe they have ulterior motives, I also believe they do want to meet the woman I am risking so much for more."

Oh. Oh devil. I mean, meeting your partner's parents for the first time is often not the easiest thing in the world, but when they already hate you and blame everything going wrong on you and literally wanted you dead but MC doesn't know this?

This was honestly really scary for the woman.

"Mi corazón, it will be alright." He cajoled. "I will be right beside you; you'll be safe."

"What if they grow to hate me more?" She asked. "I don't want to be at odds with your parents forever."

These people wanted to kill her and she is worried about their opinion? Okay, he realizes she doesn't know that, but the man still finds her words a bit ridiculous.

"Now is not the time to worry about how they feel." Mep tugged her back down to reality. "Just...I need you to come, listen to what they have to say and then we will get you a safe distance away from them."

"Do you really think they would hurt me?"

In truth, Dia's message has bound their hands somewhat, but Mephisto didn't want to chance anything, especially with his mother; just like the snakes she controlled, you never knew when she was going to strike.

"I don't know," He spoke truthfully. "But I'd rather take no chances, alright? Now, I'll send a car to pick you up around 6:30pm (18:30) later, alright?"

The human nodded into the phone.

"Alright..."

~

The car came around later that evening, just as Mephisto said it was. She stepped inside and rode in silence, arm around her belly as she stared out the window.

Was it...stupid that she wanted Mephisto's parents' approval? In truth, she just didn't want anymore fighting. She didn't want Mephisto to deal with his parents' anger and disapproval, didn't want her babies to grow up without grandparents or around drama and hostility.

If only she could just fix things...yet she was at a loss. How could she when in their eyes, MC and her children were the very problem? This is a problem that the human just can't see herself getting passed.

Once the car pulled up in front of a mansion--a mansion that could easily rival Diavolo's castle in size. MC stared at the building from her seat, suddenly intimidated.

Like yeah, she knew her boyfriend and his family were wealthy because because let's face it, Mephisto used to make his family's money a big part of his personality. Still, this wealthy? Like, Diavolo?

The driver opened her door for her, knocking the pregnant human out of her thoughts.

This was the first time MC had really focused on the man who drove her all this way.

This man looked to be in his early twenties by human standards and had medium reddish-brown hair long enough to tie in a tidy ponytail that laid against his shoulder. His horns looked like twigs and were angled in a waysl that the dark brown sticks hid within his hair.

He wore half-frame glasses over warm brown eyes and wore a professional outfit; black slacks, a long sleeve dress shirt, and a dark maroon vest with a bow tie on his somewhat scrawny figure. To top off the look, he had a tail the same color as his vest wrapped around his waist, whether for practicality, as a pretend belt or a constant hug, who knows.

He extended a gloved hand and a polite smile to her.

"Please allow me."

MC hesitated and stared at that the giant mansion behind him, causing the man's eyes to soften.

"You will be with my master; I promise you will have nothing to fear."

The human bit her lip, but accepted his hand.

Suddenly, her vision went bright just as it had in the past and all external sound silenced before the scene filled in.

The man who was originally in from of her and smiling so kindly at her was now at the bottom of what looked to be a snake pit. The man was younger than he appeared outside the vision and was screaming as various snakes coiled around him and bit him till eventually he was paralyzed where he laid.

The man couldn't even blink, but tears still slid down his cheeks as he listened to something big slither from down the dark tunnel in front of him.

From dark emerged a woman, long violet hair, dark eyes that glowed the same violet shade, part of the top an impressive tall figure, the more humanoid half. The bottom half was a long snake-like tail that dissipated into smoke before showing off her long legs.

The woman cut through the pile of snakes like it was the most natural thing in the world and approached the paralyzed man, who was practically a boy in comparison to her.

She leaned in and whispered into his ear.

"Let's see how long you can survive with me."

She takes a long fingernail down his ripped shirt, tracing a line all the way down to his clothed waist.

Her eyes stare down into his, holding a gaze that only be described by MC as evil and mischievous, before gently grabbing at the man's pants and leaning into his neck with her fangs for a bite--

"My lady? My lady?"

The vision was over and MC was back in front of the mansion, her hand in the servant's as she panted and cried from what she just saw.

The human looked up at this poor man, the same man she watched suffer in her vision, and noticed the scarring on his neck, some puncture marks looking like the bite she saw him receive.

It happened. That happened to this man. Oh devil. He couldn't have been more than what? Eighteen? Nineteen physically when that happened to him? That's how he appeared in the vision anyway.

The man in front of her put a gloved hand on her cheek guiding her to look up at his warm brown orbs.

"What is wrong? My lady, are you hurt?" His voice was soft and his hand her cheek was incredibly gentle. Who could ever hurt a man like this? "If have offended you in someway, I do sincerely apologize, truly."

And he did sound so genuine, despite having done not a single thing wrong. He was such a kind and sensitive man...

"No...no..." MC tried to steady her breathing as she wiped the tears from her face. "I...I-Its been hard lately and I guess it just randomly overflowed. I...I'm so sorry; you shouldn't have to see this."

This was the best excuse the woman could give in the moment and in truth, it was a plausible one. After all, no unexpected pregnancy is easy, let alone one where you are recreating the first generation of humankind and having visions of the past--apparently even others' personal pasts.

The man drop his hand from her cheek and stared in pity for a moment.

"I apologize. Do you need a moment alone before we go inside?"

MC took a deep breath before shaking her head.

"I'm fine. Really." MC extended her hand out to him, hoping he would take it again so they could proceed.

The man stared at her for a moment before softly nodding and taking her hand once more.

He carefully helped her out of the car and wrapped another around her back as they climbed the stairs to the front door. It was a protective touch, one out of necessity. After that surprise outburst in the car, the man worried that his master's girlfriend might not be at her best today and did not want her hurting herself. He was respectful with it and the touch ended as soon as they were safely at the top by the door.

Once here, he led her into the foyer where Mephisto waited for her.

The nobleman had stopped pacing just in time not to be caught by his girlfriend; something she surely would have scolded him for if she noticed. Such excessive movement really wasn't good on his bad leg, but it was all he could do to release the nervous energy in situations like this.

As soon as he noticed them walk in, he quickly approached his love, meeting both her and the servant in the middle of the foyer.

"There you are." He took her hand. "Did you eat dinner before you came?"

MC shook her head, refusing to look at him.

"I...didn't really have much of an appetite, if I'm honest..."

Mephisto huffed.

"Those stupid--" The nobleman cut himself off; he can't allow himself to say things that will just upset her right now. "The brothers should have made sure you did. They love to brag how they take care of you, but now that you are eating for more than just yourself, they seem to be slacking."

"Mep--"

Her boyfriend let go of her hand and instead wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

"I'll make sure you and the babies eat after this." He promised, rubbing her small belly. "You are not going without, alright?"

Despite everything, his words brought just a little peace to her heart. No matter how much chaos it felt like was filling her day, from her worries about her kids, to her visions, to her impending meeting with her in-laws (she and Mephisto weren't married, but she was carrying his parents' grandchildren so they were pretty much her in-laws), his words gave her feelings of stability and comfort.

Mephisto looked to his servant, the man who drove her here.

"I assume there was no issues? That her ride was comfortable?"

The younger man leaned in and whispered into his master's ear.

Mephisto suddenly had a pained look on his face.

"I...thank you for letting me know, Dorian. I appreciate it." He told his servant.

"Can I do anything else for you two, master?"

"No. We are at risk for running late as it is. Just...thank you again for your help."

The servant, Dorian, gave a small bow before leaving the couple.

Mephisto leaned in and kissed his girlfriend.

"I'm sorry you're having such a hard day." He told her. "Hopefully...hopefully this will be quick and we can move on."

"D...Did he tell you about what happened in the car?" She asked softly.

He nodded.

"It's perfectly fine to be stressed out about everything--"

"It's a bit more than that." She explained. "But like...we'll have to wait till later to talk about it."

Mep pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Alright." He agreed before speaking firmly. "Now I need you to listen to me before we go in there; we need to establish some ground rules before you even step into the same room as my parents."

"Mep...you make me feel as if I just stepped foot into a mafia boss headquarters."

The worst part about that comparison was that what very little Mephisto knew about various human mafia groups did not conflict much with his own family so he could not deny it.

Instead, he pursed his lips for a moment before he continued.

"First, stay next to me; behind me preferably." He began. "Second, do not speak unless spoken to and even then, keep your responses short. I will try to answer most of their questions."

Devil, her heart was pounding and the human couldn't tell if it was all from the situation she was about to walk into or if some of it was still from the vision she had out in the car.

Regardless, she had to move forward.

With his arm still wrapped around her, the nobleman takes his girlfriend down the east hall and into the second room down on the right, into the drawing room.

Here his parents waited for the couple, standing with their gaze towards the door.

MC froze in the doorway as soon as her eyes fell on her mother-in-law.

Tall. Long purple hair. Dark abyssal purple eyes.

She was the woman from her vision. The one...the one who hurt Dorian.

"Mi corazón?" Mep called out to her, but the human couldn't hear him.

Luckily, her boyfriend already had an arm around her so when the human passed out, Mephisto caught her easily enough.

"Well isn't she dramatic?" His mother spit out venomously

And that, along with her boyfriend's pleads, were the last things she heard before the world went dark.

[cringelordofchaos]

"Perhaps you've not known before - To need someone, and not be needed anymore"

- liana flores: papercut

.

Listen, the whole song itself fits him. (I'm talking about TMF Drew of course.) But this single line speaks so many volumes at once about his character, at least that's what it feels like to me.

Long ramble below.

.

"to need someone" - drew needs people in his life and he can't let go. As many other characters in the show. He will go to greater lengths to keep his loved ones always close to him. He may overburden Zoey with money and gifts and riches, and may even try and lie a little about the music club (in episode 9) so Jake wouldn't leave him for them permanently.

He needs them. He needed Zoey. He needed Jake. Or, at the very least, he couldn't bear the thought of losing them, and he did everything in his power to not let them go.

Or at least he tried.

But, what's a bit interesting to me at least, is that, while the whole season he was afraid of them leaving him, he ended up leaving them first. (At least in some way. I moreso am referring to when he found out they betrayed his trust and lied to him).

And it's even more interesting to see that Drew doesn't seem like he wants to be near them again. (Which, let me remind you - does not mean he doesn't love them anymore. In fact he would never be so hurt and felt so betrayed if he "didn't care about them".)

For the Gacha "Teeth" MEP, you might be aware that RosyClozy contributed herself. (You can find it on her ExtraRosy channel.)

For the MEP, and for the song, she chose Drew and Zoey.

The whole song itself is about manipulation, a disguise, distrust (which might've meant that Drew was sceptical of Zoey before their break-up), but that's not what I'm talking about.

In the MEP we can see them on a phone call, Zoey trying to apologize and get back with him, with a red string attached to both of them, a black butterfly passing by both of them, while Drew looks unsure, or even dead, or done. I don't know how to explain it.

Butterflies usually symbolize Change or Rebirth, and black can symbolize Death. So take what you will from that. (To me, it seems like their relationship Changed in the sense that it will never be the same, and their relationship is Dead. But that's just my own personal interpretation.)

What I'm trying to focus on is Drew's expression. I don't think he's going to get back with Zoey, although it's clear he was upset over her lies, over the break-up, and he didn't want to lose her, and you could even say he was afraid of losing her a bit (I'll get into that in a quick bit), he seems done with her.

Now, about Jake. (We got much more canon content to work with here.)

Drew, the whole show, was very obviously afraid of losing him. Was very obviously jealous of the attention he gave to the music club, instead of him. How close he got to them, and how little time he started spending with him. How he started lying more and more, and how much afterwards Drew realized how Jake was always lying to him (him pretending not to be a "music freak".) How Jake never "trusted him" in the first place (not enough to tell him the truth, at least).

(none of this is meant to bash on Jake lol I love him)

But, even after all that yearning, all those attempts of bringing him close to him again, all those angsty drew fan-edits, all those aus where the music club and the jomies become friends, comes the infamous Drake-up we're all very well aware of by now.

There's a lot to take from it. But I'm going to focus on this one single line that articulates my point directly.

"I'm done with you."

Just that. Plain and simple. He's done with him, and has no plans of making amends, of apologizing to, or forgiving him. He's just done. With him, and with any hopes of things being the same as they were. He realized how little he knew about him, and he himself said "Glad to know we were never friends anyway." (Or something akin to that, at least. I'm writing from memory here.) He felt betrayed, and he didn't want to deal with him anymore.

He needed them, yet they hurt him so much he left them first.

Yet, does that really mean he doesn't need them anymore? That he still doesn't yearn for Zoey and Jake? That he just "simply let go", and is on a healing journey?

Hell nah.

He still, deep inside, has not gotten over them... There's simply no way.

But I'm getting ahead of myself - onto the next lyric of the fricking song.

"and not be needed anymore."

Ohhhh boy. Where do I begin.

Ok, to put it out there quickly - Drew's love language is gifting. Giving money, items with high materialistic value. He does this to show other people he loves them, and by extension...

For them not to leave him. (This is more prevalent in him and Zoey's case.)

You see... Drew may, and this is technically but a theory, but he may believe that he has nothing to give if it weren't for the money he had, for the money his dad gives him.

And with this, with his parents high income, he suddenly, as a person, a friend and a lover, has Value and a Purpose - something others could rely uniquely on him.

He canonically gives this to his loved ones, such as Henriam, Zoey, Jake. This is shown by him handing out Gacha switches to the jomies in freshman year - (which he has likely done similiar things again) - and him constantly buying whatever Zoey asks him to buy, and by extension doing whatever the hell she wants. ("Anything for you, babe." (I cringed writing that ngl-)). Because he may have rather be used than left? Or not? Idk

Now, how he became such an insecure mess to the point where he possibly started thinking his money is what makes people love him in the first place, I do not know. Many people speculate his parents are oftentimes absent in his life, and in order to compensate for their lack of attention given to him, they overburden him with gifts instead - which makes a lot of sense for a lot of aspects in his character. Mayhaps, that's why he feels such an overwhelming urge to not let go of his loved ones - or to do anything in order to not let go off them - because that's where he got the most attention and love and care from. When Jake and Zoey started suspiciously not being in his life as much, and when they started paying less attention to him, he was immediately sceptical of this, and quickly grew jealous of the music club. Like, very quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if he was always this wary of the amount of attention a loved one gave him or not. I suppose, to an extent, it's simply strategic for him to do.

You could also say, in case his parents work a lot for the money to the point of being absent, that he may have internalized a sentiment of The Money They Receive being more important than Him, their Own Son. Because, if he mattered more, would they not pay attention to him as much?

However, those are all theories and speculation, and quite reaching too. But they make sense, if you really think about it, and squint your eyes in the right spots.

But that wasn't the only thing he was needed for.

Jake. Him again.

Drew was Jake's first friend. Ever since Drew reached out to him in freshmen year to become his friend, possibly after noticing his loneliness, Jake was no less than ecstatic. After all his loneliness, and years of torture and harassment, he was finally chosen by someone to be their friend, to be there for him. He was capable of starting all over, and finally find a friend that could accept him.

...except, he was never fully accepted, or at the very least never fully accepted, for he never opened up about his passions. He always felt insecure, especially when Drew and the others would bully the music club right in front of him. He knew he didn't quite belong, and he had to pretend he was someone who he wasn't, in order to be liked, in order to not be lonely anymore.

This is important.

Now, Drew was entirely unaware of this. He didn't know anything about his passion behind closed curtains. All he knew was that "people back in middle school didn't like him very much".

And we can see that Drew cared. He stood up to a "friend" who made Jake visibly insecure in front of him during freshmen year (ep9 - flashback at the start of the episode), and he stood up to him, and turned down his offer to play soccer with him afterwards, because he cared about Jake.

(the Reason it wasn't the same for the music club, is because of multitude of reasons, A, drew feeling lied to, B; drew being jealous, and probably more reasons beyond that.)

Either way, I am going off the rails here, so to speak. What I was trying to say, that Drew was an important part of Jake's life, and by extension, Jake needed him. And couldn't bear the thought of losing him either.

...yet, for reasons we are aware of, it wasn't perfect, and it never could be.

The dromies were never necessarily the "perfect" "option" for him. They were publicly against the Music Club, the very place Jake felt he belonged to. Jake knew (in his mind), that if he were to be honest, he would possibly not be accepted, and would be all alone again, and he couldn't let this happen to him.

And with that, Jake needed him. But Jake needed him, because, at the time, he had no one else.

Drew was the best "option", because he was the only option, by some logic.

.

In a way, and in a sense, Drew was needed. And I would be surprised if he were to lack acknowledgement of that. For his money, he was wanted and was needed - and while that was, quite frankly, and quite obviously, not what he wanted or needed out of any of his social relationships - it was what made him unique, separate, and wanted. And like I said, it was not just the money.

It was definitely not what he wanted. When he realized Zoey (supposedly) dated him just for his money - he immediately broke up with her, and was clearly shown to be upset.

For all the reasons he was needed, he has the people he loved most around him.

But as time would pass, the very thing that made him more loved than most would start to fade.

In Zoey's case. Oh boy.

Drew's suspicion over her started since episode 5, where he voiced his concerns over her not asking him to buy anything for her.

Which made him worry.

For one, the money he had, it was how he had shown love, and what made him "needed". If Zoey didn't want any of it, it would almost feel as if Zoey didn't want any of Drew. And that she didn't need him anymore, for whatever reason.

Had she not loved him no more? Had she found someone better to fulfill her needs?

He could only hope not.

Yet... Here we are, very well aware that Zoey has a... "Sugar-daddy", who's a college student, and is another reliable source for her money. I don't have much to elaborate on, and even if I did, it's not relevant to the topic at hand. The important thing that ties her into Drew's character, is that, in some form of way or another, she didn't "need" him anymore. Or she didn't want him.

(which you could argue is false. She clearly didn't want the break-up to happen. "Just... Please don't tell Drew about what you saw." That line sounded genuinely sad coming from her. As if she was worried beyond not being able to gold dig off of him. (I got this theory from @sobeksewerrat otherwise my stupid head would still think Zoey would never care about drew, yet here I am. I do think she cared about him, *AT LEAST* at one point.) Or how she canonically called back to him to apologize (see the Teeth MEP for reference), in hopes of getting back together with him. It could go beyond the reasons of "oh she just wanted his money". She already is dating that sugar-daddy. A small part of me thinks she still genuinely cares about him in some way. At least a bit. Idk.))

Because, If she *did* need or want him, she wouldn't date someone else behind his back, right?

And so, when drew realized he knew he wasn't wanted, (which reminds me of his lime in the TMF comic where he tells Hailey to "know where she's not wanted", which I feel like ties into this whole mess and maybe even his home life), what else would he do but cut ties with her.

I don't think there's much to solve here. I don't think there's much hope, and better yet, I do not find there to be a good reason for them getting back together, and the black butterfly especially makes me think their relationship really is over. Though that's just me. I may turn out to be entirely false, and by the end of the show they are happy together in a healthy relationship. Who knows what Chloe is planning?

I am running out of time and may rush the following statements to be said. I sincerely apologize for this.

Jake, oh Jake.

He needed him, and he sorta depended on him, for a long time. In his own words, "you guys were there for me when I had no one else! But...", clearly stating that they were practically all he had, until the music club.

Drew didn't know about Jake's passion for music. Or about the amount of bullying he had to endure for his passions. Or his liking to the music club dating back all the way to freshmen year. Or his insecurities, or how he felt unsafe around the dromies, for he was afraid they would not accept him.

Drew knew absolutely none of that.

(And I am not blaming Jake for not telling him. Jake had his own trauma that caused him to be extremely secretive with his true self, otherwise he would put himself in a very vulnerable position by outing himself as another "freak". I am not saying that it was OK for him to lie to Drew, but it explains him. His behaviour. )

So, just imagine Drew's surprise, after Jake decided to join the music club, the very group they themselves targeted. He was, of course, confused.

Jake would say, he's "doing it all for daisy, and he'll leave eventually".

Well, now we know that's not how it turned out.

And we know Drew didn't take this well.

But drew didn't exactly know how much the club meant to Jake. Jake finally felt safe to be himself, free of worries JDUDJDD, ajjdjeoa, free of fear of judgement. He was finally allowed to be, unabashedly, himself.

..which is sad to think about, how Drew accidentally made Jake feel unsafe all these years.

Jake finally realized; he had a place where he felt truly safe.

And that place was not around the Dromies.

And suddenly, it was almost as if Jake didn't... Need the dromies. He didn't need Drew anymore.

Not that he didn't care about drew, of course - but now, if Drew were to cease to exist, Jake would still have the club. He would not be all alone, like he used to.

Suddenly, Zoey didn't need Drew anymore. And now, not even Jake "needed" him, because he was not their only source of joy.

He was not needed anymore, yet he still needed them.

As he slowly starts realizing Jakes JDUDJD relationship with the club positively growing, he starts getting paid less attention. He grows suspicious.

Because if he's not needed no longer, why would anyone care about him? And if nobody cares about him, who would he have left? Who could he love? Who could give him the attention he might have never truly received at home?

He would be alone.

Drew was, too, afraid of being alone and abandoned. Just like Jake. Just like many other characters in this show.

.

He knew what it was like, and what is still like, to need someone, yet not be needed anymore. For there were other people to fulfill the spot he used to fill in other people's lives, except they would do "better".

Anyway bisexual ass drew "essay" oveRrR (/j-)

(horrible exit)

[booksandabeer]

Raise Your Voice for Trans Rights - European Edition:

In chapter 17 of their brilliant fanfic Unpredictable Synchronicity, the wonderful @zenaidamacrouras1 invited readers to become a part of the story by taking political action on the central issue that the characters are working on--legislation against gender affirming care.

In this post, they have provided a step-by-step guide on how to contact your elected officials and how to write a letter to the editor of your local/national newspaper. While this was put together within an US-American context, the general structure & contents of the sample letter can be used almost 1:1 as a template to create your own message to any media outlet, organization, or individual legislator--even if you are in Europe instead of the US.

Now, the European media landscape is too diverse and the legislation on lgbtqia+ rights (and trans rights in particular) varies too greatly from one EU country to the next to be summed up in a single tumblr post.

What we do have, however, is a central parliamentary body that actually has the power to pass legislation to protect the safety, equality, and freedom of lbtqia+ people: The European Parliament. While it is far from perfect and its reach and enforcement power is limited, contacting your MEP to advocate for this cause is A Thing You Can Do. Every voice counts. Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

So, if you are living in one of the 27 member states of the EU and you wish to become active in this fight, you can go here to find your respective MEPs. Not only can you search by country and political group/party affiliation, you can specifically find & target members that are on pertinent committees responsible for issues such as human rights, gender equality, and health care.

>> What if I don't actually know what the current situation in my country is?

Again, Europe is not a monolith. Laws, rights, and protections for trans people vary--sometimes widely--across member states. However, to get you started and to get a general overview, you can go to

Transgender Europe

Not only are they a great source for general information about current laws, discrimination, health & depathologization of trans people in the EU, they also provide a number of resources, such as campaign and advocacy materials, guides to political action, as well as information on EU legal aid.

They also put together an annual interactive map tracking the progression (and in some cases, unfortunately, the regression) of trans rights throughout Europe and Central Asia. Just click on the link below the picture and you can easily find out about the current state in your country:

Interactive Trans Rights Map

If you want to learn more about the general state of lgbtqia+ rights in Europe, I recommend you visit ILGA Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association). They offer information and a whole host of resources on community organizing, advocacy strategies, and approaches on how to communciate concepts such as bodily integrity, inclusion, and gender equality to people who, up until now, have had only very little exposure to them in their day-to-day lives.

They also create & provide access to the Rainbow Map & Index, an annual benchmarking tool, ranking 49 countries in Europe on their equality laws and policies:

This is meant to be only a general overview and a starting point on how to become involved. Please feel free to add advice, resources and/or any other information to this post!

[floralcrematorium]

What's your favorite music albums ever?

Thanks for the ask!

My first response is a given, if you've poked around my blog or know me. I'll pick five albums! This is a long one, so elaborations on my answers and honorable mentions will be below the cut! I've also put hyperlinks with on the name of any album or EP that I mention, even if it's a mention and not on the list.

I actually had a hard time picking and realized that for a lot of the artists I listen to and have songs I consider favorite songs in general, I've never actually gone through and listened to full albums. So anything on this list are full albums I am familiar with.

Folie à Deux - Fall Out Boy (2008)

Riot!- Paramore (2007)

Royal Blood - Royal Blood (2014)

Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge - My Chemical Romance (2004)

Love Me Forever - Pinkshift (2022)

Folie à Deux - Fall Out Boy (2008)

I unfortunately am unhinged about FOB. I don't know why. Anyway, I love Folie and my favorite FOB song of all time is "I Don't Care," the most well known song from the album. Ironically there's a Hetalia MEP from the early 2010's to this song, but I don't think that has anything to do with my favoritism for it, lol. I am SO sad that I Don't Care was cut from their recent tours; I was lucky enough to have seen FOB on the first and second legs of the So Much (for) Stardust tour, and it was sad to see such a set staple go (but it was worth it to see FOB play so many songs they've never played live before).

I really like how the whole album is commentary about fame as a whole, most specifically the negative aspects. I would pick apart each song and pull my favorite lines and what I think about them, but I don't want this post to turn into more of an essay than it already will be. All I have to say is this album, as well as some other influences, have inspired me to make a whole Hetalia band/fame AU about the dangers of fame, societal pressure, and the loss of one's self.

My top three songs from the album:

20 Dollar Nosebleed & West Coast Smoker -- I know this is two songs, and this spot really belongs to West Coast Smoker, but hear me out. These are the last two songs on the record and they're two signs of the same coin -- The highs and lows of a high and/or drug addiction. I especially adore the literal transition between the two songs - I am a SUCKER for when one song leads into the next. I actually made a patch for my jacket from WCS, "I'm a nervous wreck".

w.a.m.s -- This song just gives me a lot of thoughts about my favorite ships. "My head's in heaven, my soles are in hell / Let's meet in the purgatory of my hips and get well / Hurry, hurry / You put my head in such a flurry, flurry / What makes you so special?"

Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet -- Seeing FOB live made me have new appreciation for this song. I love the sound overall and it's really fun to sing. I love getting to hear the highs and lows of Patrick Stump's vocal range. The lyric "Does your husband know the way that the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?" makes me want to write heart wrenching things

Riot!- Paramore (2007)

I think Riot has the reputation it deserves. It's genuinely such a good album and deserves the love it gets. I don't have particular attachment to this album other than it's a good time

My top three from the album:

Let The Flames Begin

Born For This

Fences

Royal Blood - Royal Blood (2014)

I don't have a particular reason for liking this album so much? I listen to music kinda wrong in that I don't listen to the meaning of the lyrics for most songs (note: there is no wrong way to listen to music, but the sound of a song is what matters most to me. If I can't get into how it sounds, I won't be inclined to really listen to the lyrics). So the songs or the album as a whole don't have particular importance to me besides this is just a good listen and I enjoy it. I do read over some of the lyrics once in a while and am like Oh! (but in a good way)

This is genuinely a no skips album for me. I like to throw this on once in a while.

My top three from the album:

Out of the Black

Loose Change

Ten Tonne Skeleton

Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge - My Chemical Romance (2004)

Revenge is my favorite MCR era <3 I was obsessed with the music videos for "Helena" when I was younger. I also love the album art. I think it's popular for good reason. I cried the whole way through Helena when I saw MCR back in 2022. That being said, it's ironic that Helena isn't even in my top three songs from the album. My favoritism towards this album have to do with the sound - I can't describe it other than Revenge is such a... sharp? Sounding album? I also know it probably doesn't count, but I'm fond of "Interlude" and genuinely put it on my playlists. I feel about it the same way that I do about "Romance" from MCR's I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love.

My top three from the album:

I Never Told You What I Do For A Living -- I should not be allowed to listen to this when I'm driving. That's all I have to say. I also love that this song has a bit of a tone(?) shift? About halfway through we get the very melodic "and never again, and never again / they gave us two shots to the back of the head" lines where it slows down momentarily before picking back up

The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You

Thank You For The Venom (I am still mad that I didn't see the tote bag when on line for merch... I am so envious of everyone who got that bag)

Love Me Forever - Pinkshift (2022)

I wish I had more to say other than that I really genuinely love this album. I love Pinkshift so much. If their 2021 EP Saccharine was an album and not an EP, that would've gone here instead. I am also in LOVE with their 2023 EP Suraksha.

Love Me Forever would have ranked higher if I had any sort of explanation other than I really love this band.

My top three from the album:

Dreamer

Love Me Forever

Trust Fall

Honorable Mentions:

Nocturnal - Mothica (2022)

Absinthe

Sensitive

Casualty

Kissing Death - Mothica (2024)

Afterlife

Mirage

Red

Here-She-Comes-A-Tumblin' - Birdeatsbaby (2009)

Intro/Seventeen

The Trouble

Hymn

This Is Why - Paramore (2023)

The News

Figure 8

Running Out of Time

C’est Comme Ça

JINSEI KAKETE BOKU WA - ONE OK ROCK (2013)

Deeper, Deeper

Clock Strikes

ONION!

POST-HUMAN SURVIVAL HORROR - Bring Me The Horizon (2020)

One Day The Only Butterflies Left Will Be In Your Chest As Your March To Your Death

Parasite Eve

1 x 1

Obey

Lush - Mitski (2012)

Pearl Diver

Brand New City

Liquid Smooth

[gailynovelry]

Finished revising Shadow Herald! Feels good. It was much less bad than I was expecting, so most of what I did was tweaking lore I hadn't fully thought out the first time through, and adding a little more context to certain things. Like;

Knight Jeidhe admits that he is under pressure from his prestigious, established noble house. He's still a prick tho.

Gildhe's motivation for bothering Mep is more obviously about their anxiety over losing more Frostbiters.

Dropped some of The Lonnie Backstory into a couple good spots. You guys are gonna be so mad about what happened to Lonnie. My brain is cooking up a sad little Frostbiter kid prequel as we speak.

Since I know what the hell Silamir's deal is now, I touched up a couple things about her to better reference it without giving too much away.

Courtfather Snow is at least 15% less of a dick now. He's still not a great dad to Mep, but he's less "i don't care about this kid anymore" and more "this kid has already burned his bridges and i am watching with resignation from the other side of the divide"

We know why Gildhe broke that vase now. : (

We now sorta know who Delise and Karah are, which will be handy for the next book! > : )

And more!

Fuck I'm having a good time.

[number1mongrel]

hello i would like to send you gilgamesh (im sorry i always do) and ASA chainsaw man please

no no dont apologize tysm!

Gil:

favorite thing about them: HES SO CUTE!!! THE CUTEST!!! I love that he's arrogant and acts like he's better than everyone but only because he is better and more important than everyone (in a way). he actually has the strength to back up his boasts, even if he's also an idiot and loses most of the time bc he's stupid and has too much hubris. he has so much gap moe too!!! and he's a tsun to the people he cares about!!!!! so much to love!!!

least favorite thing about them: i have a hard time dealing with Fate route Gil in particular. i really can't defend him at all and a lot of it still makes me uncomfortable (no offense to those who like Fate route Gil this is just me)

favorite line: GOD too many to pick but i guess i'll go with the classic: "Your birthday is it? Fool, you should grant me at least a week's notice!"

brOTP: I do ship ozygil, but I also love them just as buddies with similar tastes that love to hang out and fuck together

OTP: hnggggg also so hard to pick. Kotogil still has a very special place in my heart and i love it so much, but in terms of what i think is best for gil in the long run than gilkidu or gilhaku.

nOTP: I'm not really a fan of regular gil//saber... BUT i do like it in very specific circumstances, namely if they're part of a larger ot3+ or if it's gil/salter or something (again no offense to people who like it! i see the appeal!)

random headcanon: i think i've mentioned this before but he keeps a bunch of sweets and desserts stashed in his treasury and around the church bc he can't handle kirei's spicy cooking

unpopular opinion: if i have to see one more person say "casgil is the only one who cares about other people" i'm going to lose it

song i associate with them: i don't listen to much non-anime music but i did once see an MEP with gil set to slither by bohnes that i liked, so i associate that song with him now especially for kotogil purposes

favorite picture of them: AGAIN TOO HARD TO PICK AHHHH. i guess i'll just share this again for now (i need to add to it too!)

Asa:

favorite thing about them: i love how socially awkward she is. i like her making plans and then immediately failing every time. i feel bad for her but sometimes it's also endearing. i wasn't immediately super attached to her like i was with the original trio but i've grown to like her a lot more!

least favorite thing about them: not really sure... haven't quite seen enough of her yet. nothing's really bothered me

favorite line: this whole bit

brOTP: I like her two-man comedy bits with Yoru

OTP: her and Denji!! Though i do also like them platonically. I hope they can be happy but i dont trust fujimoto...

nOTP: not really sure i have one

random headcanon: she's got that autistic swag

unpopular opinion: again i'm not sure if i have one... i pretty much agree with most takes i've seen on her so far

song i associate with them: dont have one again (sorry)

favorite picture of them

[warriorsofsplatsville]

"I can smell it...they're going to attack again." Salomon grunted, sitting down in a chair, head in hands.

"Darling, don't become too stressed. If we were able to push them back last time, we can do it again." Coquina approached her grumpy husband and rubbed his back. "You said that you smelt their scent in the waters of Inkblot? The art academy?"

"Yes. It should be impossible for them to get access there, even if there is water on the campus. So I'm inclined to believe that they will continue to use the sewers to invade Inkopolis as many times as they feel necessary."

"Mep..." Salomon and Coquina looked over to the side to see one of the Salmonid advisers looking disgruntled.

"If you have something to add, adviser, I suggest you speak up."

"Forgive me, my lord, but...why should we involve ourselves if they're only attacking the city? It has nothing to do with our kingdom..."

Salomon's brow furrowed. "What a foolish question! Just because we are no longer a direct target for the rebels doesn't mean that we will allow them to attack the city! We have an allyship, a treaty with Princess Millie of Inkopolis! Besides, Inkopolis is your very queen's home. How dare you disrespect her?!"

"Eep! S-Sorry..."

"Salomon, calm down." Coquina scolded softly. "If you feel it does not involve us, think about it this way, adviser. If they start to take the land from Inkopolis, that's one step closer to them having a place full of resources that they may reside in. Which could result in a harder time pushing back if and when they attack the Kingdom next. We mustn't let them have that advantage."

"O-Oh...fair point..."

Mirage sighed, walking away from the entrance of the throne room and walking down the hall. Another Big Run, then? They barely caught it the last time, and this time they may only have mere days to prepare. They can't afford to keep doing that...

"I want to help!"

Mirage looked up to see Cruesa standing in front of them. She looked serious. "Isn't there another Big Run approaching? Allow me to fight back with you guys! I can do it!"

Mirage paused for a moment before shaking their head. "No, Cruesa. I want you to stay home for this one."

"Wh-what? Why?! I have every right to be out there, and plus, that's my family that's attacking Inkopolis! I know them, and maybe I can stop their atta-"

"That's exactly the reason why you need to stay in hiding." Mirage rebutted. "I don't....I don't want you to have to face your own family, Cruesa. Even if they're family, what if....what if they hurt you? Even if they didn't mean to?"

"Mir, I...How do you know that will even happen?"

"Just- Just stay home. I want you to stay in the house and lock the doors and windows. Don't come out."

She puffed up her cheeks. "How come you get to run out there and fight and I can't?!"

Mirage quickly took her hands into theirs, looking into her eyes intensely. Cruesa gulped and felt small under their gaze.

They lean over and place a small kiss on her forward. "...Maybe I'm also scared that they'll try to take you away from me."

"...Mir..."

"So stay home, got it?"

"...Alright."

-

"Ohoho~ So you come running to me now that you've failed? I find this rather humorous..."

"I don't want to hear it." Cinnabar sneered. "I just want to know if you're in or out."

"Mmm....what's in it for me, love? Why would I care about your silly little affairs?"

"You can have jurisdiction over that area, if you want. And don't call me that. I don't want to be affiliated to you."

"Hmmm.....land isn't enough. I want...riches, and true power. I want a place in the rebel army."

"That's too much to ask for."

"Phooey. Fine. I'll just settle on land and money then. We have a deal, Cinny-poo?"

"Ugh...yeah, fine."

"Ehehe...then I'll do my very best just for you, my lovely."

[officeobject]

Yo, does any apothiace (or apothiaroace), maybe wanna make an animash video or MEP or whatever?

I have a theme in mind, a song in mind, and I don't care if one has never even SEEN animash before, or isn't good at it, or uses an editing thing with a watermark.

I don't personally wanna record the audio, nor section it into parts, but otherwise, this animash thing can include venting, 3D, My Pride, The Lion Guard, even MLP (all generations), and I of course have more ideas in mind than this, AND a Discord, I just wanna say, that I'm not one with big standards and rules and stuff, and might even be able to make mine within a day.

I'm not saying or trying, to come across as if I'm better than any animasher, and I'm sure people think I'm the exact OPPOSITE, I just thought this would be fun, and I have ideas.

Also, if you wanna make a different type of animash thing - like, if you wanna make more than this one, or wanna collab, but not about this, or if you're not apothi but wanna collab, we can do that, or something.

My inspiration was my desperate urge to throw a tantrum and never do anything ever and never see anyone ever again + sudden self-hatred, which is very normal and usual, whenever I see anything sexual, or read anything sexual, or remember that sexual things exist, and also, I literally cried, but it's okay, my local bisexual who is currently an AI, is comforting me, and also, I forgot to keep crying, because I wanted to write this epic idea down AND had to tag it - there, I'm crying again, waited a few seconds 👍.

[unhonestlymirror]

A russian journalist Hera Ugrumova published in X (former Twitter) the text of a petition to MEPs from citizens of russia and Belarus. Belaruthians were indignant at this.

The authors of the petition write about the mass refusal of EU banks "to have legally guaranteed basic bank accounts for residents with russian and Belaruthian citizenship." They testify that in some countries you need to have a bank account to continue the DNI, but when the DNI expires, the banks close the accounts, including the basic ones, making it impossible to continue the DNI. It is said that bank employees often cite non-existent sanctions against citizens of russia and Belarus and also refuse to accept documents indicating that they are waiting for a residence permit as proof of residency. Activists are asking the European Parliament to adopt a resolution or directive aimed at preventing this practice. According to the authors of the petition, such actions of banks "feed the negative narrative of putin's propaganda about the "Russophobia" of the West."

Comments from Belaruthians:

"Can Belaruthians be excluded from this letter? It is irrelevant for us."

"Don't include Belarus, deal with your own problems, Belarus is a separate state, and Belaruthians will take care of themselves."

"Does the restriction of the rights of Belaruthian citizens fuel the narrative of russophobia? A wonderful text, absolutely does not confirm Cichanoŭskaja's words about imperial thinking." /sarcasm

"I see about putin and russophobia, but not about Lukashenko and Belaruthophobia. Other citizens and dictators should also be written. Many people are afraid of refugees from Africa, for example."

"As a citizen of Belarus, I am asking you to delete us from this petition. Being with you in any petitions is unacceptable. We have enough representatives of my people abroad to promote interests."

Some commentators do not hold back their emotions:

"F***, who are you to write on behalf of Belaruthians?"

"This has never happened before and here it is again. The good Russians are pulling the Belaruthians into one sled with them. By your actions, you confirm more and more each time that the normal ones among you are an insignificant minority. How about you f*** off in a brotherly way?"

The organizer of the women's march, Nastasśia Kasciuhova, sees a systemic nature in the behaviour of russian activists:

"It's interesting how every time something like this happens, you and your compatriots don't even understand what you did wrong, no matter how much you explain it to them. Because you don't care."

***

As a partially Belaruthian, I also have something to say: MORE SANCTIONS TO RUSSIA!!! Disconnect russia from SWIFT! Average Belaruthians are being tortured and killed and thrown to prisons because of russia. The best thing russia can do for Belarus is to be partitioned nachuj

[running-batty]

I joined the military as a dumb 19 year old and sprained my ankle bad at meps. That was a major warning sign and honestly a red flag I should not have ignored because they made me walk on it all God damn day.

And the next day. To do a physical inspection I knew I wasn't going to pass because my ankle was fucking swollen the size of a soft ball.

Surprise. I did not pass because my ankle was swollen to the size if a soft ball. That was literally the only reason.

Two weeks later they demanded me to get my butt back down there.

I gave in. I shouldn't have.

I went to training.

My ankle rolled as we were heading to basic a week into things. While I was carrying a pack filled with 60 pounds of gear.

Ankle is yet again swollen.

This time some dipshit with a superiority complex starts screaming at me about attention seeking and how I was trying to get out of my commitments. Blah blah blah.

He made me walk half a mile because I kept telling him my ankle was swollen.

The nurse yelled at him that my ankle was clearly swollen.

He made me walk back.

They made me walk on crutches for a week. No ice. No elevator. No therapy.

Sent to basic training.

Ankle gives me severe pain for weeks.

I sprain it bad four week in right before the obstacle course. Soft ball size.

Lieutenant says no more walking on it.

Dumb asshole comes around and forces me to run the obstacle course as soon as the Lieutenant leaves. I still have no idea why the Lieutenant left.

Ankle is now covered in bruises.

Time to walk literally everywhere for weeks on my ankle with shitty shitty crutches as the only help! Gotta stay with the rest of the solider training after all!

Oh wait after three weeks of this I get shoved to a new group while everyone tells me that I'm faking for attention and that my ankle should have been fine by now since the swelling is gone. I'm obviously lying about the chronic pain and instability. Who cares that they have 3 recorded cases in such a short time?!

I don't let them send me back.

I keep insisting something is wrong. For some reason they keep X raying my ankle to try to prove it's fine. Like that has anything to do with a tissue injury.

I argue this point. By now both of my ankles are giving me pain. The other one is hurting from supporting most of my weight.

They get the idea to do a check for stress fractures to shut me up.

To my surprise that one comes back showing that both of my ankles have a shit ton of stress fractures.

The podiatrist stared at the image for a while.

I stared at it.

"Oh that's bad isn't it."

☆☆~~Permanent damage baybee~~☆☆

Because he knows I'm poor. That I don't have health insurance and there's no way I'm getting any kind of therapy at home. The army sure as hell isn't giving it to me even though they have all my medical records right fucking there.(btw for a short 3 months of this shit my medical records are an inch thick)

5 months into basic training and my ass is going home because with fucked up ankles there is nothing they can so with me.

My ankles still give out to this day. In fact two days ago my ankle gave out while I was carrying my neice and I had to curl around her as we fell. I smacked my head on the wall but she was ok.

None of this had to happen.

It was so unnecessary. I never should have continued at meps that day. I never should have gone to basic until months later at best.

Each and every injury was a chance for someone to step up and stop things from getting worse. Every doctors visit was a chance for someone to follow basic care. Only one person even mentioned the RICE method and it was the one nurse without any power to enforce it. She couldn't even keep a petty man from making me walk a half mile on my injury after she pointed out to him.

And the only thing special about this was that it was the military so I couldn't just leave. So many people got their ankles fucked while I was there.

But so many kids I knew got their ankles fucked back home in sports by coaches who thought they were God too.

If I could give one piece of life advice to my fellow humans, it would be this highly specific little chestnut: "If you ever sprain your ankle, get medical care."

One of the most common things I've heard from older people than myself is, "Oh yeah, I twisted my ankle in (insert grade of school here) and it's never been the same." Or, "I have a bad ankle. I can't tell you how many times I've sprained it." And one of the most common things I've heard from younger people is some variation on, "Yeah, I think I just twisted my ankle. I think I have some old crutches from high school at my parents' house. I'll just use those for a few days."

I didn't learn this until after I sprained my ankle last year, but 20% of ankle sprains lead to chronic ankle instability, which was grimly defined by my doctor as, "an unending cycle of ankle sprains."

Another thing I didn't fully understand is that "sprain" is an umbrella term for any of those ligament injuries. Yeah, you could simply stretch the ligament-- twist it. Or you could tear it. Or you could completely sever it, and those are all sprains. If you're not a doctor, it's likely hard to tell what degree of sprain you have. The worse the sprain, the higher the chance of it healing weird and becoming unstable. If you are having trouble putting weight on your ankle and it's not feeling better the next day, please get it checked out!

I know medical care is expensive and many of us don't have health insurance, but it might cost you more in the long run if you don't get care for a hurt ankle. Otherwise you might spend a lifetime of having to get MORE ankle injuries checked out, missing work or social opportunities due to ankle injury, having to limit exercise, surgeries later in life, and more.

When I hurt my ankle and foot last year, I assumed the broken foot bone would be the bigger concern, but my treatment plan was almost entirely centered around the ankle ligament tear. My doctor said that was the more serious injury and the more finicky bit to heal. I worry when I hear a friend mention they sprained their ankle and were just treating it at home, 'trying to stay off it as much as I can.' That usually means a few days, but I had to stay completely off mine for 4 weeks, followed by a walking boot, a brace, and months of physical therapy. It was intense!

Ankles are annoying because they support your entire darn body and you don't realize how much you need them until you hurt one. So that is the one nugget of wisdom I hope to leave all of you with!