#(And it does feel like that. Emotionally. In a sense)

[daddyd0nt]

You’re either being purposely obtuse or intellectually dishonest but what you are saying is literally patriarchal brainwashing and so bafflingly sexist that you clearly either hate AFAB people or don’t take harm against us seriously. It’s “transphobia” to demand and maintain sex segregated spaces? Transphobia isn’t the violent males who kill trans people, it’s the AFABs who won’t sacrifice our PHYSICAL SAFTY to protect AMAB ego? Classic AMAB entitlement. Yall tell on yourselves so loud. SRS does not erase male socialization idgaf how dysphoric a AMAB person is their emotional comfort should not be prioritized over AFAB safety. You really think it is acceptable for a AFABs to be victimized so AMABs can feel validated in some weird postmodern sense of constructed identity? We don’t need to check genitals I would have no problem with the manliest most masculine most passing trans man in an afab space because no matter what hormones or surgery are involved they cannot rape and impregnate me with their penis the same way an AMAB person could. We don’t need to check gender if we normalize beating the dog shit out of AMABs who threaten us and disrespect our safety by entering our spaces. D you think AFAB trans people should be put in male spaces, not only bathrooms but hospitals and prisons, where they will be at an even greater danger risk of rape than a AMABs trans person and also stand to suffer greater biological consequences since an AFAB person who gets raped by an AMAB one runs the risk of pregnancy. Also trans AMAB people commit sex crimes at an even higher rate than cis AMAB people, they are literally the largest recorded demographic of sex criminals, and I should sacrifice my safety and let them into my spaces (which again did not START segregated they became that way because AMAB people could t be trusted not to rape/assault AFAB ones)?

Also “capitalism is real because it impacts me in a negative way but all other forms of oppression where I might be considered the privileged one in the dynamic is just hysterical people distracting from capitalism” you aren’t even trying to be subtle in your misogyny go join MGTOW.

“If you include trans people who are also oppressed by patriarchy in your fight against patriarchy but don’t include your oppressors who benefit from patriarchy regardless of gender presentation you are hateful I hope you understand this uwu” literally such a long form way to say you don’t want AFAB people to have a movement where we address our own needs because AMAB people can’t emotionally cope with any reminders that they are privileged under patriarchy exclusively for being AMAB.

I have no problem with trans people, I know and love a good amount of people of both sexes who identify as trans. I trust them fully. That doesn’t mean that women who don’t personally know them are obligated to trust them. And it’s not just bathrooms, I spend a LOT of time in institutions specifically high security mental hospitals for violent/psychotic patients including people sent over from the jails for being too mentally ill to incarcerate. I have to take sleeping pills at night and fall unconscious in a room with these people where I’m only checked on every 15-30 mins which is PLENTY of time for something bad to happen. I don’t want to risk having to share that kind of space with an AMAB person. If trans AMAB people don’t want to be housed with cis ones, they can do the legwork and create those spaces for themselves like AFAB people did they do NOT have the right to commandeer our movement and literally erase our rights and protections because not allowing AMAB people into these vulnerable spaces might give them the big sad. My not wanting AMAB people in AFAB spaces is not from not knowing them, it’s because I DO know them and listen to what is said about AFAB people in TRA spaces and know just how AMAB they are in their entitlement to everything from space to sex.

“You are letting fear define your politics” YEAH MY GUY IM FORCED TO LIVE LIKE A FUCKING PREY ANIMAL!!! Some fear is completely rational. AMAB people can not be trusted in AFAB spaces and your suggestion that I should be okay with even a fraction of a percent of AFABs being physically harmed so AMABs feel emotionally validated is absolutely disgusting and proves how patriarchal you are.

Gender is literally fake and varies from culture to culture. Sex based oppression is real and fucks over the lives of AFAB people worldwide. I’m not basing my politics on protecting feelings, I’m basically them on protecting AFAB people from actual tangible oppression.

"OP is a terf" is a thought-terminating cliche meant to keep you from questioning the status quo and keep you afraid of being labeled a heretic should you come to your own conclusions about anything.

[bisexualbrainrots]

Tim writing backwards makes a bit more sense as to why decisions like the breakup happened, but it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Like, following that thought pattern, if Buck is supposed to go through it in season 8b then he mustn't have the support needed for it, if he's supposed to be emotionally and mentally hit with his sister's kidnapping and his best friend leaving, then he can't have a boyfriend there to support him because hey, boyfriend will comfort him and everything will be fine (🙄)

But man, you can still feel shitty while in a relationship, life can still take a toll on you even when you're dating someone. It doesn't just magically go away.

It would've been more interesting to see Buck go through it, have Tommy there to support him and still feel bad over everything happening in his life. You could even use this to create conflict because let's say, Tommy is trying to help but Buck feels like a burden because of it. You could have them fight about it! And still come out fine! ughh

I get adding the breakup for romcom reasons, but the idea that it was added so that Buck could go through it but worse in 8b is just so ??? Like why, why does it have to be that way.

Anyways that's my rant for today.

[solomonomenon]

Can you do each skz how they're in bed? <3

how are skz in bed?

⚠️ for entertainment purposes only *based on tarot

𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣

he’s like the ultimate romantic. he’s all about creating that perfect moment where everything just feels right—emotionally and physically. picture him setting the mood with soft lighting, maybe a cozy atmosphere, and wanting to give you that feeling of connection, satisfaction, and happiness. he’s not rushing it, he wants you to feel cared for, loved, and like you’re in this together. think slow, passionate kisses, wrapped up in each other’s arms, where it’s more than just sex—it’s bonding.

𝙡𝙚𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬

he is serious about his skills. he’s not just jumping into it, this guy knows what he’s doing. he’s the type who’ll take the time to figure out what turns you on, what makes you tick. he’ll remember that one spot on your neck or how you like to be touched and get better every time. it’s all about the little things like making sure you’re comfortable and giving you that satisfied feeling without ever rushing. he might even be the type to get a little creative and try out new things to keep it fresh. no half-assing here, just pure dedication.

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙗𝙞𝙣

he’s all about pushing boundaries and seeing where the adventure takes him. he’s probably got a bit of a wild side, always looking to try new things—whether it’s different positions, new locations, or just a more daring approach. his energy screams explorer, so in bed, he’s the type to take charge and bring you on an exciting ride. imagine him setting the pace and making sure you’re always craving more, constantly wanting to keep it exciting and fresh. one minute you’re in the moment, and the next, you’re both exploring something completely new. he’s not afraid of a little spontaneity.

𝙝𝙮𝙪𝙣𝙟𝙞𝙣

he’s the passionate lover who’s all about making you feel like the only person in the world. he’s probably into the kind of sex that’s intense and romantic at the same time—imagine him showering you with compliments, deeply kissing you like he means it, and setting an emotional tone that makes the entire experience feel electric. he might want to take his time with you, going slow and making sure everything feels right. you’re not just physically there, he wants you to feel that deep, emotional connection. think candle-lit vibes, soft whispers, and him making sure he’s bringing you the ultimate pleasure, body and soul.

𝙝𝙖𝙣

he’s the type who might not say a lot, but you’ll feel everything. he probably doesn’t like to rush into things, he’ll be more focused on the quiet intensity between the two of you. his energy is subtle, but it’s magnetic, like he can sense exactly what you need without even asking. he’s not all about talking, he lets his touch, his eyes, and the chemistry between you speak louder. it’s deep, intuitive, and can feel almost otherworldly like you’re both on the same wavelength, lost in the moment. think of him guiding you into a sensual, almost hypnotic experience where everything feels intimate and natural.

𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙭

he’s the type who can switch between playful, passionate, and tender without missing a beat. imagine him being spontaneous, one minute he’s teasing you with sweet kisses, the next he’s flipping you over, giving you that rougher energy. he knows how to keep things balanced and exciting, making sure you’re both getting what you need without it ever feeling too much. he’s flexible, adaptable, and knows how to keep things in sync between you two. expect him to keep you on your toes, always switching things up to keep it fresh and never boring.

𝙨𝙚𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙢𝙞𝙣

he’s fiery in bed, and he knows it. he’s got that “I know what I want” energy and won’t shy away from showing you just how confident and passionate he can be. he’s probably not the quiet type and he’s more likely to take control, leading the way and making sure you’re both getting exactly what you want. everything he does is purposeful, intense, and you’ll feel that energy building the whole time. picture him teasing you, getting you to beg for more, and giving you that dominant-but-sexy vibe that makes you feel both excited and a little breathless.

𝙟𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣

this guy is a bit more reserved, especially at first. he’s probably not rushing into things, he wants to make sure he’s comfortable and emotionally secure before he fully lets go. he might hold back just a little, but once he feels safe, it’s a different story. he’s probably someone who wants to take care of his partner, making sure you feel stable and taken care of in the moment. expect a slower, more intimate experience, where he’s giving you just as much attention and care as he’s receiving. but don’t mistake the calmness for lack of passion, once he’s fully comfortable, he’s all in.

─── ⋆⋅ ☾⋅⋆ ────── ⋆⋅ ☾⋅⋆ ───

[captainhunnicutt]

There's absolutely no denying that the star of this scene is Edward Herrmann as Steve Newsom, and the purpose of this is not to detract from one of the most haunting and devastating scene within the entire series. I just noticed a few things and need to put them down somewhere.

Hawkeye and BJ came in to the tent ready to yell and let Newsom have it. Their immediate and gut reactions were that he had abandoned his responsibility. Potter and Charles have already spent an undisclosed amount of time with Newsom on the floor, and while maybe not understanding or knowing all the details - are both already visibly upset. It's telling that Hawkeye and BJ, the ones in the camp that everyone seems to look at to set some sort of example, are the ones that get down on Newsom's level to try to figure out what's going on - and how they can help.

It feels like Hawkeye starts to piece it together a bit quicker than BJ does. That whatever happened is bigger than just choosing to abandon any and all responsibilities. When Newsom looks back and forth between them immediately, Hawkeye's face doesn't change - like he's waiting for Newsom to spill. BJ, gives him a reassuring smile. This feels very indicative of how the two of them generally seem to approach issues and/or problems. Hawkeye doesn't want to dance around the issue - just put it out there and let's figure it out. BJ wants to make everyone comfortable and calm - and then we'll figure it out.

And when Newsom starts talking about how the blood won't come off, no matter what, this is the moment that I think blatantly divides where Hawkeye and BJ truly are in regards to their journey of acceptance or denial about being where they are - and ultimately what will become of them. BJ looks stunned to hear what Newsom is saying. Like he almost can't wrap his head around it, and he looks over at (assuming) is Potter's direction. Someone in a position of leadership and authority to validate what he is hearing, and he looks back at Newsom and still looks stunned. We learn later that BJ is even a bit confused and can't make sense of it because "he was as strong as any of us." And on the flip side, Hawkeye just hangs his head. He gets it. Where BJ needed validation or confirmation that what Newsom was saying could make sense - Hawkeye got validation and confirmation that not one of them are immune to this exact same thing. Not one of them is safe from the destruction happening around them. Physically, emotionally or mentally.

And then Hawkeye looks at BJ, and it feels like he's trying to telepathically ask him "do you get it?" Or "are you listening and not just hearing?" There's multiple instances where BJ has to learn some sort of lesson (BJ Papa San), and Hawkeye patiently waits for BJ to get it. This feels exactly like those moments. BJ very briefly glances up at Hawkeye, but Hawkeye isn't looking over at him anymore but back to Newsom. For as independent as the two of them are, for as different as they are, the fact that they (even for a nanosecond) look to one another to try to gauge what the other person is thinking, and how they are processing all of this - really says a lot about the foundation of whatever their relationship is or isn't.

The scene then ends with a smack to both of their faces at the severity of what they're dealing with. When Potter tells them that they should call Sidney because it's "a little out of our ballpark," they both look like they can't believe that's the solution. That surely there must be something else that they themselves can do. They both look like they are trying to rationalize and figure out what that ultimately means not just for Newsom, but themselves or others as well.

And then we have confirmation that Hawkeye was essentially associating everything happening to Newsom to what if it happened to him, or BJ, or Charles, or Potter - or anyone close to him. Hawkeye got it. By the sheer fact that he has been at this longer than BJ, Hawkeye saw the bigger picture while BJ is still collecting the pieces. BJ is still clinging to the idea that he will leave Korea no worse than he arrived, even though he's already admitted to being angry and generally is very different than when he arrived. Denial is a scary thing.

Anyway, the point I'm failing to make is that you can watch, in real time, Hawkeye and BJ be provided the exact same example of what could happen to them - and both of them process it and interpret it vastly different - because of where they are in their individual journeys of accepting where they are and what they're doing there.

One of the great things this show repeatedly does, is remind the viewers that no two experiences are ever alike. It doesn't matter if two individuals see the exact same situation unfold in front of them, together. Personal experiences help create framework for interpretation, and who better to demonstrate this than two characters who get along extremely well - but at the end of the day are very very different.

[suchawrathfullamb]

you guys are all secretly (or not) trying to guess how Will would fuck but I can actually tell you through Hugh's chart, cause we've stablished that actors are casted in roles that represent their energetic configurations yada yada so.

We can look at two positions: the Moon, which is our psyche and our foundation, and the most influential part of our personalities and how we function in reality, the Moon being a water element astro it rules the senses (no, not venus) and the sacral chakra.

And we can look at Mars, the primal force and impulse of life, the sex drive itself.

With him we have two energies that have very strong built animal archetypes, the buffalo 🦬 and the elephant 🐘, which I don't think we didn't already suspect that but. Boy has it big. Whatever...he is flaunting it around in his tight jeans and in almost every full body shot in Hannibal.

I'd say it's not dainty either. If you catch the buffalo elephant drill.

Mars manifests here in the yin polarity, while his Moon is yang. This indicates a more internally directed sex drive, which makes sense for Will's whole psychosexual vibes. It indicates that his drive is more mental than physical, specially with a Swati Moon which is a very "airy" Moon, and Revati Mars is also very mental, being ruled by Mercury. So this isn't somebody who is acting on their impulses that much. It tends to stay in his head for most of the time. Which if overload does tend to cause issues which Will sure is familiar with lol.

His foundation and senses being Swati's energy, it could indicate who loves to role play or create tiny universes for themselves to indulge and interact with for their own delight. I'd say there's a pretty creative mind here. Lots of fantasies.

Swati natives also tend to struggle with anything that they feel restrict them, unlike other archetypes who enjoy having structure and boundaries as safety, they do not. So, I'm sorry girlies but he might look like a sub twink but it's only because of the Rahu facial features. That man prefers to dominate. Not saying he wouldn't submit, he very much would, but, and I think that makes even more sense with the show, Swatis only submit to extremely dominant forces, meaning it takes a certain type to actually get them to submit and they are extremely resistant. Which. Literally Will fleeing like a fucking deer from Hannibal throughout the show (psychologically and emotionally) then finally allowing full connection at the end.

So anyway, cause I know that's what you kinky bitches want to know: how does he fuck?

He is generally dominant until someone is able to get him to submit out of LOVE, not force (Swati rules the Heart). He likes creative games in bed, you need to connect with him on an intellectual level to turn him on (Revati, his Mars is ruled by Mercury and concentrates energy in the head). Likely into BDSM (Revati and Bharani are energies that dwell in a transcendental spiritual stage, and tend to enjoy dynamics that are seen as taboo) and other kinky shit. Revatis are super kinky, actually so lol.

For ultimate satisfaction he needs to connect with his partner in a way that literally dissolves his ego. This is not the personality type to enjoy casual hookups, regardless if they engage in it or not. They are searching for pleasure that is transcendental.

[howlsofbloodhounds]

what things trigger Killer's stages???

Outside of being forced via Nightmare’s tentacles or someone physically touching his SOUL to force him into Stage 2, a few things can be discerned.

For Stage 1, it’s likely any reminders about his past.

Things related to his life as Sans, reminders of Papyrus (either remembering times he’s killed or hurt Papyrus, or remembering or being reminded of good and bad with Papyrus). Stars don’t seem enough to fully trigger him out of Stage 2 on their own, but they are enough to cause emotional flashbacks in Stage 2. Because Stars remind him of the Resets.

Ketchup, spaghetti, things like that; which is all why Killer attempts to avoid these things in Stage 2. Certain things related to Chara and his time with them as well.

Cats can be argued to be a positive trigger, although we’ve seen him in Stage 2 with kittens before.

There don’t seem to be clear triggers for Stage 2, can kinda come and go, but he seems to default into Stage 2 after being triggered into Stages 3 or 4, and when in Stage 1, it can be reasoned that

1. Attacking him verbally, emotionally, or mentally about certain things he does/did with the human or Nightmare can trigger him into Stage 2. He’d probably be triggered into Stage 2 when overwhelmed to dissociate and detach from the memories and emotions, slipping into that mindset to cope.

2. Feeling dehumanized or objectified would likely trigger Stage 2.

3. Any perceived lost of control or a sense that he’s being manipulated, tested, or used. Direct commands from figures such as Nightmare, the human, eventually Color, could possibly also do the same. He’d then try to gain a sense of control, even if it means submitting or falling into deeper apathy.

4. Likely monotony and boredom. Lack of stimuli exacerbates his emotional numbness, and in Stage 2, can likely run the risk of pushing him further into his head, making him more impulsive in an attempt to kill that boredom (potentially doing something dangerous to himself or others), and then into Stage 1–which isn’t what Nightmare wants.

5. Overwork and exhaustion, especially when he either has to or thinks he has to push by his limits. Will trigger Stage 2 to detach from and dissociate from his body and its needs in order to do what needs be done.

This possibly also applies to cases of hunger, sleep, and thirst and being unable to immediately meet his needs due to lack of resources, means, etc.: switching into Stage 2 to push past it and ignore, or to find a way to get his needs met if he’s in an environment where food has to be earned or he thinks he has to earn it.

6. Likely any situations and people that remind him as his identity as Killer, anything that reminds him of the environments he was in with Chara and Nightmare.

Which is why, in more “canon” adjacent Bad Sans AUs, none of the others are likely to see Killer in Stage 1.

Not only because of Nightmare preventing it, but also because he does not feel safe around them or trust them.

And he doesn’t believe they can or should trust him in Stage 2 (he doesn’t even trust himself), so he’d avoid them in Stage 1 and warn them to avoid him too and not trust him when he’s “like that”—as he warns his best friend, Color, about too. Believing he has to protect others from himself, while simultaneously not trusting that they won’t harm him.

For Stage 3, it’s very likely that extreme stress or threat—feeling cornered and under immense pressure—are triggers. Being or feeling overwhelmed by a threat or multiple attackers.

Prolonged neglect or abuse, such as being pushed too far without reprieve, can likely trigger Stage 3–as can unresolved internal conflict between Stages, if Killer’s soul is torn between Stages 1 and 2, could resort to Stage 3.

Some people like to think that when in Stage 3, he’s aware of the body—so if Killer keeps refusing to eat or take care of his body, or can’t for whatever reason, that he’d focus on immediate needs like food, water, shelter, survival in Stage 3. Severe injuries and sensory overload.

A big trigger for Stage 4 seems to be resisting killing in Stage 1, direct resistance and disobedience (especially a direct demand from a figure such as chara/the player), which is made worse underneath Nightmare because Nightmare does not want Killer to..well, kill anyone. People are no good to Nightmare dead, he needs their negativity. Killer struggles every day against his programming underneath Nightmare.

Any situation where Killer needs to be completely obedient is possibly enough to trigger Stage 4. Any overwhelming fear of failure.

There’s also the little HC that ties into stuff about the heart locket, but because that’s complete headcanons, I won’t mention it.

[coochiequeens]

When men are having a tough time their wives and girlfriends become their cheerleaders, when women go through a tough time (like adjusting after having a baby) men use it as an excuse to cheat or just bail.

Taking on their partner’s emotional needs is putting women at risk of burnout, says Maria Lally.

by Maria Lally  Updated on 8th November 2024

When my friend's husband was made redundant last year, she spent the six months it took him to find a new role bolstering his confidence and reassuring him he’d find something soon, while holding down her own busy job. ‘His ego, confidence and sense of identity were pulled from under him over- night,’ she tells me. Now he has a demanding new job, she reassures him he’s doing great at it and calms his fears whenever he hears whispers of redundancies.

Another friend’s husband injured his back while training for a marathon, which meant he had to stop running. ‘Not exercising isn’t great for his mental health, so I spend a lot of time managing his mood and encouraging him to go for a walk or see friends,’ she says. Welcome to the world of ‘mankeeping’. In a new study published in the journal Psychology Of Men And Masculinities, experts from Stanford University argue that women are taking on the emotional needs of the men in their life, adding to their (already significant) mental load. Study author Angelica Ferrara, who coined the term mankeeping, says her research shows women are spending several hours a week on it. Mainly because men’s social networks have been dwindling (a 2019 YouGov poll found that one in five men report having no close friends).

'Women tend to be better at cultivating meaningful friendships, where they can share their worries and go to for support,’ says psychotherapist and couples counsellor Hilda Burke. ‘Men tend to rely on “legacy friendships” with those they’ve known for years but perhaps don’t feel comfortable confiding in.’

Burke says that within most relationships there is a person who does the ‘emotional dumping’ and one who supports. ‘What I see among couples is that one person tends to do the sharing, the feeling, the offloading, while the other tends to do the helping and the tiptoeing around of the feelings. It’s not always gendered, but it’s often the women supporting their partner emotionally and practically. Women tend to look after the household calendar, organise social events and remember family birthdays. We all know the woman who buys their husband’s mum a birthday card because she knows that he’ll forget. It’s a heavy, invisible load and it’s exhausting.’

Little wonder a 2023 report from Gallup found that burnout rates among women have more than doubled compared to men in recent years, largely due to taking on more unpaid and invisible household labour, childcare and eldercare.

Burke says that where mankeepers can come unstuck is when they have emotional needs of their own that aren’t being met. ‘If a woman builds her identity around being the coper, the strong one, the helper, when she hits an emotional wall or has her own crisis, will her partner be there for her in the way she’s been there for him? Emotional caretaking needs to work both ways.’

[colorisbyshe]

List of my Veilguard Complaints... just all together... getting it out of my system and then making it reddit's problem:

This game felt so emotionally flat. I think... the reviewers calling out the game for "therapy speak" weren't entirely wrong. It's more exposition speak and the fact that EVERY SINGLE feeling EVERY SINGLE trauma EVERY SINGLE event needs to be processed, out loud. It's not "too woke," it's just emotionally... spacious. Because you're forced to explore EVERYONE'S interiority... it feels like they have none left, does that make sense? No one has hidden depths because they announce and process every thing they go through, often immediately after it happens. It's hard to imagine any additional depth

It's also hard because... no one... has that much depth. Everyone has weaknesses and bad things that happened to them but it feels like there was a lack of... real character arcs? People had character sub plots. "Accept this thing about myself" was the main one. Which... doesn't help the therapy speak accusation.

No one is a bad person. The crows? The human trafficking, child soldiering, murderous gang? They're the good guys and we should be happy they rule Treviso! Lucanis is just a good guy doing good work. Neve works with Magisters and Templars and some of them are bad... but not her friends. She only works with the good ones! The dalish form a group with Qunari and human members and they're just a diverse coalition who... love mages now (despite having kicked them out last game?? okay). Literally NO ONE is allowed to be EVEN A LITTLE morally dubious unless they'er a Bad Guy or they're fucking solas

I MISS BIOWARE GREY MORALITY! THATS HOW BAD IT IS! I FUCKING MISS IT I MISS IT I DO BRING BACK ANDERS BRING BACK ZEVRAN BRING BACK MORRIGAN AND FUCKING CULLEN AND FUCKING BLACKWALL BRING BACK ISABELA BRING BACK MERRILL AND HER DEMON SHIT! BRING IT BACK

"Oh, we're treasure hunters but we're not COLONIZERS! We don't steal cultural artifacts! We return them to the real owners, we're pirates but we're NICE AND RESPECT PRONOUNS!" CHRIST ALIVE!!!

EVERYONE WE MEET IN TEVINTER IS NICE??? EVEN THE GANG??? THE THREADS GANG IS NICE!! THEYRE SCAMMRES BUT THEYRE SO GOOD ITS A HAPPY ENEDING IF ONE OF OUR COMPANIONS RUNS THEIR GANG??? WHAT???

It was... a little bit awesome to have dorian become a violent revolution man but like????? Then Minrathous gets nuked so the game is too cowardly to even do that shit

AND THATS THE OTHER THING! This game made sure NOTHING matters choice wise! Oh, you chose to save Minranthous? It gets nuked at teh end. Oh, your choices fro previous games? Only matters if you romanced Solas but Dorian might call your Inquisitor "Amatus" in a non-cut scene dialogue. FUck you if you romanced anyone else. Southern Thedas is just.... all dead now... it's over... so any choices you mad ether eare NEVER going to be relevant. The companion personal quest choices really don'tmatter and won't matter next game.

THEY KILLED THE DNA OF A DRAGON AGE GAME! No grey morality, no meaningful choices, fuck... barely any romance once you flirt (NO POST-ENDING ROMANCE SCENE!!! EVEN MORE SHY ABOUT NUDITY!), AND NO FUCKING THEMES!

What was the theme of this game? Following Solas' story, it might be redemption or letting go of the past, I guess, but?? Do the main stories tie into that? Not really. We have ONE part of a hcapter be about Rook letting go of regrets... for deaths that jUST happened not even anything lingering.

Plots around OPPRESSION ANTI-ELF AND ANTI-MAGE DISCRIMINATION?? Gone... IN A STORY ABOUT TAKING DOWN SLAVERS... LIKE THE OG SLAVERS??? Yeah, it doesn't matter. We have idle talk about slave revolutions and that's... it?? I'm an elf in Tevniter and no one cared. What? Qunari and Elves and humans are all besties except the Antaam (some of which still become besties)... what? How do yo drop the single strongest through-line in the series?

"Oh, well it takes place in the north, it's different rfrom the south!" OKAY BUT THE FALL OUT IN THE NORTH LITERALLY NUKED THE SOUTH OUT OF EXISTENCE, I CAN'T GET SOME LINES ABOUT CULTURAL DIFFERENCES! Or like... a line referencing what happned to the southern wardens after... y'unno... the whole betrayal thing last game? That's all chill?

Varric's plot twist was fucking stupid. See: this post.

The romance with Neve was sooo promising btu felt passionless towards the end. Maybe there are better choices but... the lack ofreal closure burns. No final kiss, just a wobbling "I love you" that sounded like it came after pulling teeth like... no passion for real?

Taash's nonbinary plotline sucked. I'm sorry. It did. As a nonbinary person I can say that.

Harding was so OOC it fucking hurt.

I chose her for the mandatory death because that wasn't my harding. It's absurd that that limited the mandatory death thing to two potential characters?

Larger casts are always hard but it feel slike they rly struggled to make all characters relevant to the main plot. Taash's mom/gender struggle could've been skipped. Emmrich was amazing but felt like he was a part of an entirely separate game. Bellara's archive plot felt close-ish to teh main plot of letting go of the past but the fact that you can choose to keep it going kinda... makes it less relevant. Idk.

Besides... Lucanis... and sometimes Bellara and sometimes Harding no one feels like they're reacting to the plot. The fact that a character can die but it's skimmed over after a scene and some chats is insane. The pacing is terribleeeee like oh I can watch Harding and Taash's terrible romance (I'll say it!! Harding acts liek a doting mom and NOT in a sexy way) in dialogue across several missions in the Lighthouse but we zoom past companions dying? THe world ending??

The world was beautiful BUT THE WORLD BUILDING SUCKED! Sorry but SOOO many locations make NO sense construction wise. Why is a chest in the middle of street? Why does this bridge only appear when I have a quest? It's hard to tell when an area is inaccessible because you haven't figured out how to get there vs you literally aren't allowed to go there yet. It makes the world feel more like Oh I'm playing a game rather than you're exploring a real place. They did not navigate inaccessible areas well as a concept.

CHARACTER MOTIVATION EQUALLY AS FUCKING MESSY! I still don't know what Elgar'nan/Ghilan'nain's plan rly was even though Ghilan'nain literally wails about them. They wanted to rule, they were blight addled so I guess they're insane, but... why did they have to do it this way? What were they gonna do as rules?

Solas wanted to tear the veil down ti imprison them even harder except tearing the veil down lets out the blight except letting them out of prison also lets out the blight and don't worry when he tears the veil down he'll imprison/kill them again and make sure the blight isn't too bad even tho the veil was the only thing keeping the blight in?? And oh haha killing them lets down the veil. Also, AFTER killing htem, the veil takes a while to be torn and actually stays in place long enough for Solas to feel bad and patch it up with his own essence... okay?

The Butcher Antaam dude looooves Treviso so he accepts the blight into his body to rule it but you have to fight him.. to prove you're worthy of keeping him... from destroying Treviso? He loves it and also wants it destroyed. Again, he's blighted so he's CRAAAZY but... what?

Even with Emmrich! He's scared of becoming immortal because he's a afraid of death. So you resolve that by either pressuring him to never die by being immortal... or by not letting his friend die? Huh? We conquer fear of death by just... not letting things die?What?

Not the same thing but why would dorian stay up in the north to become an archon if he romanced an inquisitor who is fighting for their life in teh soutH? again this continuity SUCKS

[gotwcird]

"no! not . . . not necessarily." sure, sex felt good and she loved it when it was with him. but more than that, being with nico felt right. felt like a decision that was her's, that she understood fully. maybe that was what she was trying to combat. rectifying her past mistakes — the mistakes of a scared, unsure girl — and replacing them with the firm, real decisions she made now. she just . . . maybe went about it the wrong way. should have thought about it more deeply instead of jumping into it without any other consideration. instead of doing something she regrets. she tries her best to simplify the complicated feelings into a sentence. "i wanted you because i want you. because i know i want you. because you make me feel like me. sex or not." doesn't know if it makes any sense, but doesn't backtrack. because it's true. the type of truth that's buried deep in her chest, that she hasn't even untangled for herself yet.

star waits patiently, doesn't prod. never does. she'll wait for him for as long as possible if she needs to. it's worth it. she's a little shocked when he pulls over, not expecting it, but doesn't complain. if anything, maybe, the quiet of the car makes her feel still. it's just the two of them. no one else. she feels her chest heave with emotion when he says the words, that he wants her. will always want her. has to breathe in slowly to stop herself from letting it get away from her too fast. "thank you," she whispers, feeling the weight on her melt slowly. listens to him continue, even if it stings a bit. because he's right. knows it, but needs it to be said, for her to confront it. nico has never been her ex, and this history she has needs to stop dictating who she is. even down to her asking for what she can give when maybe, she doesn't need to sometimes.

"i . . . i understand. i never want you to think i'm taking advantage of you. and i know you said to stop apologizing, but i feel like i have to say sorry for that." she nods this time, small yet firm. the apology is much more solid than the ones before. "i think i'll be okay. i'm working on it." has been saying this for years, but for once, she truly believes it. ( thinks about that therapist moon goes to, will ask him for help. ) she hesitates, wants to ask him if she can, but stops herself. she isn't going to let this stop her more than it already has. so carefully, searching for any sign as she reaches, byeol takes the hand he had on his face. takes it in both of her's, pulls it in closer toward her. feels right, finally holding him in a way. lifts then presses his knuckles to her cheek. wants to kiss his fingers, but settles for this for now, to have him close. physically and emotionally. to feel the gap between them closing again slowly. "i like you, nico. a lot. more than i can explain. i get scared about how intense it feels sometimes. but i know it's real. and i hope you always know that."

he's glad she stops herself this time , but he hears the whisper of the apology on her lips , ready and fully formed . he waits patiently for her as she tries to form her thoughts . this is something he recognises . he knows this well himself. THEY BOTH KNOW THAT . it takes his minutes to say full sentences , after a lot of stopping and starting and mental umming and aahing . she's always patient with him . it's the least he can do to give it right back to her . " you wanted me . . . so i could have sex with you ? " he asks , slightly confused by how the two correlate . TOUCHING EACH OTHER he understands . everyday is hard . tonight was even harder . he rakes his brain , wondering if maybe by letting down some of his walls ( holding her hand , walking outside , touching her hips ) , he complicated things . maybe he shouldn't have blurred the damn lines . they said to keep work as work . he should have kept his word .

nico opens his mouth . closes it again . her requests are simple enough . he indicates again , but this time instead of turning the corner - he pulls the car over . nico inhales deeply , letting the noise wrinkle the air between them before he turns to face her . his eyebrows dig down , careful and unsure as he drinks her in . she looks even smaller than usual . more unsure . YOUNG . it makes his stomach flip slightly . just when he thinks they get on even footing , on even ground , something disrupts them again . but this is what being in a relationship is . you do the work . you put in the time . YOU TALK TO EACH OTHER . " i will always want you . " he tells her , voice low but genuine . " i'll want you if i see you in an hour . i'll want you if i have to wait a year to see you . " which hopefully will never be the case . nico understands that she wants his assurance , and he wants to give it to her . he needs to find the right words . the exact puzzle pieces to slot in .

a quiet , almost laugh breathes its way out of his mouth . " i don't want anything . " he says , and he means it . " this . . tonight . . it isn't about me , star . " she's always asking him about him , and he's always putting it back on her because he needs her to be her own person . he needs her to figure out what SHE wants and likes and doesn't like , too . every other woman he's been with has been so steadfast and overly confident . it's sending him through a whirl to try and get used to this , and how it's completely the opposite . he's never done this before . but star makes him always want to try . " i'm always going to be here . not just 'cause it's my job . okay ? because i want to be . " he tells her honestly . " but . . i can't be the guy you talk about you ex with , when there's stuff unresolved , which makes you upset . i can't be the guy you sleep with to make a bad memory a good one . " he exhales , puts one hand to his face , rubbing at his tired eyes . " i can't be the guy who tells you what to do . " because he ISN'T that guy . will NEVER be that guy . except , obviously , in bed . and even then , he's trying his best to get HER to be more vocal . " things are okay . " nico tells her softly . " but you gotta make sure you're okay . "

[ruporas]

drank too much

[ID: Digital Art of Vash and Wolfwood from Trigun Maximum. Vash’s body is turned slightly away from the viewer as he holds a staggering Wolfwood by his shoulder. He has one foot ahead of the other, the foot in the back used to stabilize himself from tipping over. Wolfwood is tethering into Vash, his weight pressed into him with his arms wrapped around Vash’s waist and his face is hidden away as he leans against Vash’s shoulder. Vash’s expression can be seen, his eyes wide and mouth tight-lipped, and his face is flushed red. A speech bubble comes out from Wolfwood, saying a drawled “Spikeyyy...”. The background are desaturated pastels of blue and green, showing night time, as they stand in the middle of an empty street that is also lit by the moon not depicted. Yellow light is seen coming from the inside of a saloon. End ID]

[moonsnqil]

Kevin watching Jean ask Jeremy if he's okay, watching Jean offer to hold Laila's bag so she can fix her shoe, watching Jean hand Cat a granola bar before a game because she looked a little unsteady. He's not jealous, he had his time by Jean's side. Maybe it's grief. Grief for something that was never so innocent, never so untouched by cruel hands, something that could've been better if they were anyone else. Grief for something that's long passed and can never be fixed to be made better than before. He had his time at the receiving end of Jean's concerned glances. Maybe he's just a little sad that when he's at an away game, he no longer buys post cards for a friend. Maybe he just misses this person who used to always be by his side but they both knows it's better this way. Jean is happy, it's not with Kevin, and that's okay.

[tomurakii]

I like bloodweave. Okay. But I DON'T like the version of them in fanfic where Astarion is a dick and Gale is like. Whining and pleading for him to be emotionally vulnerable (or just. Nice to him) prior to the relationship being established. Because that is just not accurate. Gale needs the player to express interest in him during his weave-teaching scene before he even considers hitting on them properly. Gale is entirely resigned to his fate and needs someone else to pull him away from it. Gale only starts being sweet and romantic and devoted after you accept his love confession and give him hope for the future. Gale says fuck all and then slinks away to cry privately if you break up with him.

Like he isn't chasing after people lmao. He isn't dropping to his knees and crying about anything much less this dickhead he met a week ago. He is overwhelmingly passive about literally everything personal to him up to and including his own death (provided there are no casualties/there is a good reason) until after the player expresses that they care about him. Astarion is not doing that in any of these fics.

Like Gale is friendly and a dork and doesn't wanna get murdered but he fully has a suicide plan. He thought the artefacts would help him survive but he didn't believe he'd ever truly live again. If Gale confessed and Astarion said/did like one (1) mean thing afterward Gale's romance is closed off forever. He's wandering into the forest to cry. He's killing himself immediately. His fragile ego and self worth can't take it. You have to understand that when we joke about him being pathetic it's not bc he's like. Sopping wet and chasing people down and begging for a scrap of attention. It's because he craves affection but would literally rather die than ask or even hope for it until someone else forces that hope back into his serotonin-deficient tadpole brain.

[parablesystem]

does anyone else have like... a weird sort of "partial amnesia" where you know about something, you're fully aware that there's some memory there, but you can't actually think about it or feel anything related to it? like a perpetual "wait why did i walk into this room" feeling, but with stuff other people in the system can remember?

[mousemannation]

serious post time. concerning some thoughts ive had about zverev at LC. nothing too heavy but under the cut in case u just wanna scroll past.

i was talking to my mum about this and i think most of tennisblr share the same sentiment towards him so im not gonna be saying anything too radical. Its also not going to be super concise because im mostly spitballing here.

I was just thinking about how we talk about him and how we as a community navigate his presence on tour. I know that there's a vindictive joy that comes with seeing him lose that's especially potent since he basically got away with domestic violence scot free.

Seeing him lose is a good feeling because he clearly cares a lot and it feels like winning that he's upset, but it also doesn't actually mean anything in the scope of things. Obviously on some level if he lost enough he would no longer be relevant but it's inescapable that he is, unfortunately, very good at tennis. He's number 2 in the world. Call him a choker all you want, he's still vastly more successful that 99.9% of all tennis players.

But it's also just sport- a game. It's not the outcome of the match that amounts to anything outside of a very small community of people; its the celebrity, the money and clout and hero worship. The fact of the matter is it doesn't make a difference to the women he abused if he wins a match because he still abused them and he is still famous. He will always have been famous, even if he retires tomorrow. They will still interview him, laud him in press, put him in ads.

I just sometimes think- what right do I have to feel vindicated by his losses? To weigh his literal actual crimes against the outcome of some silly ball game? In a perfect world he would not be playing, he would be banned by the ITF and shunned publicly by his fellow players. He would not be invited to Laver Cup.

I won't say I don't look at tournament draws and hope for his early loss, but at least at tour events that means an early exit. I can't find it in myself to care if he wins or loses at Laver Cup, not really. Because he will still be there, he is still part of the team, he is still on the bench. It doesn't matter if he wins because he's still an abuser people paid thousands of dollars to watch play a game.

[goldensunset]

The scene is pretty much the same but the wording to me is just so much more volatile. He's not even calling him a freak here, he's calling him a monster, which is something he has never called N before now, not in the games and not in the manga in any translation I've come across. It reads as so much more dehumanizing here and the way he says N is "biting the hand that feeds him" is so interesting to me. N is being disobedient by expressing his love for Ghetsis, that is what gets him marked as being unruly, going against the rules. This Ghetsis isn't just expressing his disdain for being N's father, he's expressing his disdain for N as a whole; N is "disgusting" to him. I prefer this translation rather than the official one just because it feels so much more emotionally charged, it feels so much more hate filled.

aurghghgh……….

[mystical-one]

WARNING IM GOING TO BE HONEST AND EARNEST HERE. i really unironically unconditionally liked now and then