#(just that one sentence but just in case)

[star-felled]

various textposts i certainly have made today

[frozen-seagrass]

The WALL-E au no one asked for

[thefandomenchantress]

So everyone's talking about the new episode right now. Understandably so, since it had so much new evidence! In fact, I'm going to talk about it as well. However, instead of focusing on the bombshells David dropped or Levi's secret, I'm going to do what I do best: Focus on Ace and ignore literally everything else. /hj

(Spoilers for Chapter 2, Episode 12!)

All joking aside, I'm sure you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about. Ace literally said, like, five lines of dialogue this episode. And yeah, you're right. Actually, that sort of ties into what I'm talking about.

Okay, time to explain. The thing I want to talk about is this: Ace is weirdly...Not as confrontational as usual this episode? Let me show what I mean through examples.

What's so special about this moment? Well, strangely enough, it's what comes after it.

Now, when I first watched the episode I laughed and thought, "Oh, someone insulted Ace, now Ace is going to be angry" and then they never cut back to him being angry. They just said that (admittedly very funny) line and moved on.

And after it happened, I didn't think too much of it. I was far too consumed by the episode's greatness to care too much, and Ace's reaction wasn't necessary for the scene anyway.

These two lines aren't as strong for what I'm trying to say, so I'll lump them together.

But I thought it was worth mentioning that in the first photo, Ace joins in with Nico and Levi on saying Arturo should've been better at his job. But after Arturo scolds the three of them, as well as everyone else by extension, it only cuts back to Nico and Levi. Which is fine, it can be assumed that since Ace's comment was a late addition, shorter, and didn't have too much substance, him not getting a reaction makes sense (I mean he's not the one who got called a whore like Jesus Christ Arturo--).

In the second photo, Hu tells Ace to stop blaming Nico because they have an airtight alibi, and Ace...Just shuts up. Nico complains about being interrupted and they move on to other people's alibis (or more like the lack thereof). Which sorta makes sense, Ace can't really refute her point because he can't prove she didn't have breakfast with Nico. Then again, he could've made a point to say no one can prove they did have breakfast together, since they were in private, but still. Maybe Ace is too scared to seriously argue with Hu after that slap, haha.

It's this last example that actually made me notice that there may be anything resembling a pattern here:

During this part of the episode, I was immediately reminded of J's line about Ace being incapable of being quiet and expected Ace to refute her point. After all, it's basically the same as refuting her earlier point. He just has to say that he's not always spontaneously combusting every 5 seconds like she thinks again. He's not a grenade launcher in a glass house. More like a small batch of fireworks, thank you very much.

But Ace doesn't say anything. This is only made more obvious by Charles immediately cutting off the conversation there.

And this moment made me think something. Keep in mind I could be totally overthinking this an unnecessary amount, but that's what most of theories end up being anyway.

Since the conversation is immediately ended by Charles, DRDTdev could've ended J and Ace's interaction off with Ace trying to insult her back, maybe him going "Listen here, you--" before Charles cuts them off because they have a trial they need to finish. But DRDTdev decided to not make Ace have any reaction whatsoever to this insult, at least not one the audience can see. And based on how loud and opinionated Ace is, I'm guessing that if the comment did make him have an extreme reaction, we definitely would have heard him say as much. But we don't.

I think what makes all this so weird to me is that whenever someone is condescending to Ace, usually he's very upset and it shows. In trial 1, we see him be one of the few to cave pretty quick to the idea that they were wrong and that Teruko isn't the culprit. Yet when Whit says Charles isn't the culprit, Ace suddenly feels very strongly about it, because Whit actively talked down to him about it, (I think Whit said something like "use your big boy words" but I'm too lazy to rewatch the whole trial to find it) and now Ace doesn't want to agree with him (Or at least that was how I interpreted it, he's so petty I love him). So you'd think he'd be more resistant against those who kept making comments about his intelligence or demeanor, but so far, he hasn't.

That could mean two things. One, he's the culprit and is trying to at least vaguely avoid unnecessary confrontation and bringing attention to himself. But honestly, I doubt even that would stop Ace from impulsively insulting people back.

The second option is this:

My first thought and explanation in my head for this connects to Ace's overall arc. Let's recall Ace's secret quote:

"I don't know what to do with myself anymore"

This line gives off a sense of hopelessness. Like Ace has completely given up on everything.

And for some reason, a couple of the moments above made me feel, at least slightly, the same thing. If Charles says Ace is so stupid he's never seen anyone more stupid ever before in his life and didn't think it scientifically possible for anyone to be that stupid? Ace has no response. If J says another line about Ace's explosive demeanor? Ace has no response.

I don't know, something about Ace just not bothering to refute them makes me feel that something is off. He complains that everyone sees him as an idiot and how he hates it earlier in the chapter. He seems so distressed as he does it, it's a full-on break down.

And yet, when people do exactly what he was talking about here, he can no longer muster up a response. It's like he's given up on changing their minds. He knows they think he's stupid, and impulsive, and intolerable, and he thinks there's nothing he can do about it anymore. Blowing up at them will only make them think they're right. So he's given up on doing anything at all.

I suppose my line of reasoning is that maybe small details like this will pile up over time, as Ace, unnoticeably at first, loses some of his fire bit by bit, until inside he's just...Empty. He doesn't know what to do. He's so tired, and he doesn't know anything that can help or distract him from his situation. And seeing as the secret quotes seem to embody a character's mindset at death...That seems to be the place Ace might die at. Perhaps even at his own hands, who knows.

Is that an overreaction on my part? Possibly. Am I overanalyzing microscopic details? Yes. But that's my job.

So anyways I really enjoyed this episode and Ace was great too! Yippee for the return of DRDT, and my Eden culprit idea not being completely debunked yet!

[delusionalbitchinthehouse]

Swiss hurt/comfort because I love him. So, so much. Featuring Dew being the absolute best.

It's a peculiar feeling, being the only multi ghoul in the Ministry. Sure, there are some who come close, like three-elemental hybrid Aurora, but Swiss remains, to this day, the only ghoul to detain control of all five elements. Well. "Control" might be a strong word.

He is good with fire, has always been drawn to this element specifically. Quickly started hanging out with the fire ghoul bunch after his summoning, feeling like he might fit in best with them. He is good, yes, but no more than that. Good. Average good. Nothing like the effortless and precise mastery of the element displayed by the fire ghouls.

Air comes relatively easily to Swiss. He has Cumulus and Cirrus to thank for that. Summoned at the same time as them, he remains very close to the girls, and spent countless afternoon practicing with them, learning how to weave breezes and gusts of wind, earning countless praises and kisses whenever he made progress. Still, Swiss has none of the girls' grace or range when it comes to manipulating their common element.

Surprisingly, he is quite good with quintessence as well. Quintessence, this mysterious, elusive element that's known to be so hard to control, somehow doesn't give Swiss as much troubles as he'd expected. In Aether's opinion, it might be that Swiss is so very curious of people, his mind craving connection, which would encourage the spark of quintessence within his grasp. But of course, because there always is a "but", Swiss is far from fully in control of it. He would never try what Aether successfully does to calm pain, soothe nerves or various other things.

When it comes to water...well. Swiss can, with a lot of focus, fuck around with weak currents, direct some droplets to splash someone in the face, or even, thanks to Rain's patient efforts, developpe small gills which allow him to breath semi-decently underneath the surface of the lake, but that's about it. Swiss, as much as he sometimes wishes he could, will never slink through the currents with the water ghouls' elegancy, silent and blending in so very well with their element.

Which leaves earth. Ah, earth. Swiss can feel it, the thrumming under his skin whenever he's surrounded by the element, in the forest guarding the Ministry's grounds or even Primo's beautiful rose garden. Yet Swiss can barely access to that power keeping itself just out of grasp, almost as if it was taunting him. No amount of time spent in the greenhouses helping Mountain, listening to his advice or copying his careful gestures can change that. But Swiss knows it's there, can feel it, and, on rare occasions, has his suspicions confirmed when flowers sprouts around his horns after being subjected to especially intense emotions.

So that is what Swiss is. Jack of all trades, master of none. And it gets to him, sometimes. He knows, realistically speaking, that people like him. That the Clergy sees him as a blessing, the Siblings are irresistibly drawn to him, that the ghouls are all over him. And yet, sometimes, he cannot help but feel like an outsider, a freak, something that shouldn't be, or at least shouldn't be that way.

It's often Dew who notices first when Swiss starts spiralling that way. Everyone always underestimates how perceptive and attentive to others the fire ghoul is, but Swiss has been on the receiving end of his quiet comfort enough times to know Dew cares, a lot. And somehow, when Swiss is overwhelmed by the objectively speaking irrationnal feeling of not belonging, Dew always manages to reassure him.

Maybe it's because the fire ghoul remembers his water days, when he struggled to connect with his element and felt like a disappointment, even with Mist always fiercely supporting him and expressing her pride in what Dew grew to become. In any case, he always find the words to appease Swiss, or, when words aren't what he needs, what to do to make him feel better.

A hand slipping in Swiss', an arm slung around his shoulders. A press of forehead against his, a cheeky kiss at the corner of his mouth. Sometimes, understanding that all Swiss needs is to be smothered with affection, Dew simply throws himself at the multi ghoul and wrestles him onto his back with surprising strenght before calling for a cuddle pile.

It's harder to feel like an outsider when your packmates are all purring and making happy noises on top of you.

[lost-in-fandoms]

Obsessed with tarzan!Max and his preference for wearing Daniel's shirts. Now I'm wondering how Daniel feels about this? 👀 and when he gets them back, are they a little stretched out from Max's broader shoulders? Smell more like his earthy musk and sweat than soap?

Hi friend <3

I think daniel is very smug about clearly being max's favorite and he's quickly grown very fond of him so he likes that max seems to prefer his shirts. I think he gives up a couple for the cause so that max gets to keep them.

maybe max has some nesting habits? has a few places where he likes to sleep and to make them cozier he likes to make little nest-beds with grass and leaves and maybe birds feathers? and he adds the tshirts to them too. but daniel can't exactly give all his shirts away, so he asks for most of them back and at first max is very confused because daniel gave it to him? that's his now? and they have to explain to him the concept of borrowing and sharing lol

the tshirts are a bit stretched out, not much because max is bigger, because daniel likes his tshirts oversized anyway, but because max fiddles with them a lot, tugging them and tying them when they get in the way, and maybe getting stuck in them a few times when trying to get them off.

and daniel won't admit it, probably not even to himself at first, but he likes to see max in his clothes. at first he tells himself it's because he just prefers max to be clothed (liar, he liked to ogle at his strong body) but then he has to admit he prefers when he's in his clothes. because it makes max feel a little closer, not like someone who could just disappear in the jungle at a moment notice and never come back, and because it feels like max is a little more his, not as free and wild. someone he could keep. even if i don't think daniel is at a "i like max" stage quite yet.

and yes, the clothes are to be washed when max gives them back, because even if none of them is that careful with not getting dirty since they're in the middle of the jungle, max seems to make them three times dirtier by climbing trees and laying on the ground and jumping into rivers and hanging out with all sorts of animals. but daniel doesn't mind. and if the clothes still smell a bit like max even after being washed (they just have a limited amount of soap and river water it's not like they can do miracles) he's not going to complain about it.

maybe one time he has no clean tshirts left, between max stealing and/or wearing them and the fact that they don't do the washing too often, and instead of being a normal person and asking one of the other guys for one he decides to wear one max had already worn and isn't (surprisingly) too dirty. he finds himself bringing the collar up to his nose to smell it way too often lol (i know what you are...)

this also made me think about max cuddling up to daniel to sleep. he has a weird sleep schedule, is up a lot during the night and take a few naps during the day, and he likes to check on his usual spots, but he almost always come back when the night is almost heading into dawn and curls up around daniel, pressing his face against daniel's neck.

the first time he did it, daniel startled so hard he hit max and max had ran away like a kicked puppy. daniel had to work pretty hard to convince him to come back and that they weren't fighting and yes max was allowed in the tent, no daniel wasn't marking his territory. but now daniel expects it and lets max be his big spoon <3

wait wait hold on, i was pressing post and had another thought!

obviously max doesn't have a name right? because why would he. so daniel gets to give him one and goes for something ridiculously excessive like maximus emilian the first of his name, or something like that. max for short <3

[mono-socke]

hello JCU fans, how are you doing

I like making angst of my favourite/comfort characters, so naturally, I had to draw this. poor bunny

slightly different version under the cut

[journey-to-the-attic]

I just played the event and I just want to say... if it's a wedding they need, it would be funny if this was how ZhaoLu ended up married

absolute big brain idea... it's perfect because i feel like both of them would be apprehensive about putting out the idea of Actual Marriage, for emotional reasons on zhao's end and logistic ones on lucifer's (like, zhao has romantic relationship baggage, but lucifer would be 100% down if it weren't for the complications of inter-realm marriage)

i like to think they try incorporating some chinese wedding customs into it for zhao... like the tea ceremony where the newlyweds kneel and present tea to the parents, then to each other (though they have to make mammon and ik sub in because zhao's parents have probably disowned him and god isn't exactly available)

wait also chuangmen!!! basically the groom (and sometimes his groomsmen) has to pass several 'tests' to prove he is worthy of the bride, and these days they're basically games set up by the bridal party. the other brothers form lucifer's party and then ik + the others are zhao's and they take it in turns acting as each party... ideal shenanigans scenario

(the brothers come up with fairly tame stuff for zhao to do, whereas ik gets given planning privileges (because it's her dad lucifer's proving himself worthy of) and immediately starts setting up saw traps)

[quarks-pussy]

Marinler wedding but when the priest says "you may now kiss the bride" Mariner dips him

[hauntingblue]

Gear 5 luffy's laugh is so contagious I just hear the drums and go insane how does this work. What did he do to me

[retroautomaton]

✏️💎🚀

[superhell]

ok so it’s fully established that house has an incredibly hard time verbalizing his emotions (specifically the positive ones) due to a fear of rejection and a deep deep aversion to displaying vulnerability

which makes the incredibly few times he’s admitted to someone that he cares about them, well, incredible. to list every single time that i can remember off the top of my head here: 

instance one: he tells stacy he loves her directly before he goes into a coma.  the statement itself is undeniably romantic in nature. 

instance two: he tells cuddy he loves her after they hook up and she gives him a whole long speech on how she doesn’t want him to change. this is the culmination of years of dancing around each other. the statement is undeniably romantic in nature. 

instance three: he tells wilson their friendship means more to house than any patient

instance four: he tells wilson he likes him

instance five: i mean i can keep going. there’s wilsons transplant surgery there’s everything with amber theres just so much. anyway

all of which leads me to the conclusion that of the three people house has ever sincerely expressed affection for two of those are people he’s canonically in love with which means that the third one must also be someone he’s [gunshots]

[zukkaoru]

been thinking abt dazai using mirror pronouns recently. they don't really see themself as nonbinary or trans, but they also don't exactly feel cis, and making the identity of the people around them dictate how they're referred to is a way for them to remedy that. it's fun for them. and dazai isn't the one who has to worry about which pronouns to use to refer to herself anyway; that's everyone else's problem. and there's something about the reflective aspect of it, too. dazai doesn't feel particularly human, but maybe if everyone around her is reflecting themselves onto her, she can at least pretend. she can at least be seen as something human-like. dazai sees themself as a reflection of humanity itself; not the real thing, but a rather convincing imitation. they look the part, even if they don't feel it. even if they don't believe they'll ever feel human. if everyone around her reflects their own humanity onto her, she feels a little less like a fake. she feels like she's taking some of their humanity for herself, cloaking herself in snippets of everyone else, but only stealing the bits and pieces she knows they won't miss. dazai becomes human by reflecting those around them, by taking in their love and their kindness and their passion and their humanity and imitating it until it becomes part of who she is. until she can be human too. am i making any sense. do you understand. does this mean anything

[nomairuins]

i like overthink everything now it makes me feel so dumb. i used 2 be able to just talk 2 ppl but nowadays every single thing im like Is that actually going to make them hate me. Yes probably. and then i just dont respond which makes ppl hate me. this is how it is

[ying-doodles]

half the time I'm typing on my phone, I'll hit the ?123 button accidentally and then it's just ?3 5608!& !7?;34# @!$ #6?;9/# /m@9.

[dankovskaya]

"U will need to find at least 4 sources outside of the assigned readings for your final paper!"

my studious ass: