#A New World

[peaceinthestorm]

Harold Knight (1874-1961, British) ~ Dawn, 1909

[geekgirles]

I'm actually quite proud of Armand right now. Openly admitting to Amalia the reason their relationship was always strained was because he'd always been jealous of her and her relationship with their father is such a great character moment for him.

One thing season 4 is definitely delivering is some much needed depth and exploration of the Sadida Royal family. And I find myself fascinated (not only because Amalia is my favourite character and I have a soft spot for her people).

Personally, Armand is a character I have a lot of trouble having a clear stance on. I don't hate him, and it's true his motives become clear and even understandable once you give them some thought, it's just that Ankama does a wonderful job at making him both outwardly dislikable given his abrasive personality and some of his most questionable actions.

For example, season 3 Armand and season 4 Armand are almost like night and day. Maybe it is indeed that his new role as king has forced him to be more responsible and emotionally mature, but the vibes between L'assamblée and Falling Down are completely different.

In season 3 he just oozed contempt for his sister, and his actions towards her reeked of ulterior motives. The fact that Aurora has been described as manipulative (even her hairstyle is meant to hint at her true nature) and was purposely placed in between the two siblings as a visual nod to how she's keeping them apart doesn't help matters.

Which is another factor to take into account: Aurora's character and the role she plays in the siblings' deteriorating bond.

Even if so far she seems to genuinely love Armand, I really can't bring myself to trust Aurora. Not only because of all the behind-the-scenes facts I already mentioned, but because her actions are just sketchy and clearly veered to the betterment of the Osamodas rather than the Sadida.

First of all, her contempt for Amalia is genuine and she legitimately seems to be planning to send her away to keep her from interfering with her plans. After all, this is literally what she had to say about her sister-in-law:

"Ne vous en faîtes pas mon prince, nous finirons bien par redresser cette mauvaise herbe."

Translation: "Don't worry, my prince, we'll get this weed straightened out in the end."

(I haven't watched the English dub, so my apologies if the translation doesn't match the official version).

There's also the fact that, despite being the new Sadida Queen, her intentions in season 3 clearly laid in the benefit of her own kingdom, the Osamodas. Such is reflected in her choice of suitors for Amalia:

She intended for Amalia to marry Ashdur, her own cousin, thus, strengthening the Osamodas' hold over Sadida politics. In fact, it becomes quite clear Aurora's choice in suitors, only supported by Amalia implying back then her sister-in-law had already tried the same thing with her brothers, was much less about the future of the Sadida Kingdom and more about the Osamodas' sake.

After all, while arranged marriages between royal families isn't anything new, usually the sensible and even most strategic thing to do is for rulers to"spread" their children and marry them into different families around the world. That is exactly what Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabela of Castile did with their own children, they married them off to the royal families of England, Portugal, and Austria.

With that in mind, having both Sheran Sharm children marry Osamodas royalty just seems dumb, doesn't it? It all comes to show Aurora is more concerned over solidifying her power over the Sadida Kingdom than its actual well-being.

Which is why I'm still going to keep my guard up regarding her character until the season ends. After all, we still have 9 more episodes where everything can go up in flames.

But going back to Armand, even though he is in love with his wife, his treatment of Amalia in L'assamblée is leagues better than it was in season 3. Unlike most of his appearances and his interactions with his sister, where he kept treating her like a child who didn't know any better (what she just so happened to accuse him of when presented with Ashtur, as a matter of fact), here not only does he finally open up to his sister about his insecurities and his reasoning for his behaviour towards her, but he offers her support in the wake of their father's passing and even invites her to attend the assembly with him.

He is entrusting her with responsibilities befitting a queen, not a child.

Their relationship is finally healing.

As I said earlier, despite the undeniable depth behind his character, it's difficult to really side with Armand in plenty of occasions. Not only because of his difficult personality and flaws, but because it is so much easier to sympathise with Amalia.

And I'm not talking exclusively about the fact that, as one of the main characters, we've been by her side throughout everything, witnessing her true selfless, responsible, and brave self, but the fact that her position within her own family certainly tugs at our heartstrings.

Amalia is the youngest sibling, the princess. For all the sheltering and privileges that can get her, it also became her gilded cage. And for the most part, not even her family was a safe haven.

Queen Sheran Sharm died when Amalia was probably still a kid, whereas Armand was most likely already a teenager. As King Oakheart revealed back when he explained to Amalia it had been Armand who insisted they let her go, the queen's death shook their entire family, making the king and prince unintentionally turn their backs on Amalia during a time she needed as much affection as possible. And so, her royal duties became stifling, her royal upbringing unbearable. Thus is the reason for her wanderlust.

And then we have Armand's reason for not always being fair to her: jealousy. He resented her for being Oakheart's favourite, despite constantly going off to adventures while he remained in the kingdom by his side. Now, as I said, this was a great character moment for Armand, one that also belies his character development. However, it doesn't change the fact that, while easier to relate and sympathise with him, we still sympathise with Amalia more or have been doing so for far longer because we knew the effect this had had on her.

We all have been someone's scapegoat to their frustrations with a third person, we have all been treated unfairly by someone who, for whatever reason, couldn't solve their own issues with the person they had problems with in the first place and took it out on us. This is the crux of Armand and Amalia's strained relationship: for years, Armand took his frustrations and insecurities out on Amalia instead of having an honest conversation with their father.

That's why it's easier to sympathise with Amalia, because we know that, deep down, for all her flaws, she was never at fault for how their relationship turned out. Because we can understand her frustration and pain when, even with their dying father, Armand still chose to listen to his wife over her and try to marry her off instead of being there for each other when they both needed most. As Amalia called him out for before leaving with Yugo, he still chose politics over family. Everything involving Armand and Aurora is about politics.

But now that they are at least beginning to rebuild their relationship, I sincerely hope things get better for them. Unless their original intentions back in 2017 have changed, I seriously fear Ankama will still use Aurora to complicate things further between these two.

Please, Ankama, I'm literally begging you. They're all the family they each have left, don't let their relationship be ruined forever.

[ny-flafla]

[titansandothersrp]

A New World

As Beast Boy trudged through the unknown forest, he couldn’t help the nagging thoughts in the back of his head suggesting that Mad Mod and Mumbo were still bad guys. It was their portal that sent him here, after all. He shook his head. No. Those two had been doing their utmost to make up for their crimes… save for jail time… But they had been proving themselves! His new uniform and outfits were courtesy of Mad Mod and Mumbo had been looking for safe ways to use his magic. That’s how the portal happened in the first place! Why it closed behind him, he didn’t know, but he doubted it was on purpose. Pulling out his communicator again, he tried to contact anyone on his team, but was unable to. Seemed Mad Mod was right that the portal opened into a different world entirely… As the changeling took in his surroundings, he noted it seemed a lot like Earth… at least the plant life did. Perhaps he would spot some differences if he could find some animal life. Taking on the form of a flying squirrel, Beast Boy climbed a tree and glided from branch to branch, keeping an eye out for any form of life, be it insect or otherwise. @andy-squirrel-and-friends

[noodlessims3]

The Founders

Cherry Dream

Over-Emotional, Clumsy, Natural Cook, Hopeless Romantic, Charismatic

Sunny Creamsicle

Couch Potato, Neat, Heavy Sleeper, Mooch, Ambitious

Jasper Citrine

Neurotic, Night Owl, Loser, Frugal, Coward

Olive Cypress

Good Sense of Humor, Absent Minded, Gatherer, Daredevil, Schmoozer

Sky Rapids

Brooding, Hydrophobic, Light Sleeper, Grumpy, Computer Whiz

Celeste Trinity

Brave, Neurotic, Perfectionist, Artistic, Easily Impressed

Equinox Nightshade

No Sense of Humor, Flirty, Can’t Stand Art, Hot Headed, Athletic

Taffy Bubbles

Snob, Bookworm, Heavy Sleeper, Easily Impressed, Friendly

[fictionalreads]

The Flash Season 9 Episode 10 A New World Part 1

Barry

Yep definitely a time jump.

What the hell happened?

LMAO “what did I do this time?”

Detective Singh!! Wow two episodes in a row. BUT REALLY DAVID THAT HAIR?!

Joe looks stressed in the past

BARRY NO YOU CAN’T JUST WALK UP TO THEM

Oh shit!

LOL Bart

Weird thought but Barry needs running shoes, not those knockoff vans.

If he didn’t bring him there, how did they get there?

That’s not Joe, Barry!

Barry you’re the flash. How did you not dodge that?

Boy you are too big to hide behind some of those pillars

NO SINGH What happened to you!! Oh nothing happened.

Why did you pause Barry?

Where is he going now?

Chuck

Chuck you need to take lessons from Cisco in the costume design department.

Joe

I miss Joe.

This new house is nice.

Khione

Oh that was cool. How does she do that?

Miscellaneous

What the hell is this intro?

IT THAT EDDIE

I’m so confused.

Has there been a time jump?

Oh yeah!! It’s the episode about when he’s there the night his mom dies as an adult. The full circle episode.

What did past Joe pick up?

Oh. Yeah. What happened to Eddie? Why is he a doctor?

This isn’t Eddie. Who is this?

[doctorwhoisadhd]

oh good theres my buddy jack :)

[psychterminal]

RPWL - A New World / video

[inechoingsilence]

A New World

Dr. Sophia Vernet was going over her next client's presenting history. In a lot of ways, it was typical - a member of a religious organization was leaving for reasons of their own, and needed assistance transitioning from a life of religiosity and restriction to a more assimilated life.

Goodness, but he was young. Osferth - she was uncertain as to if this was his given or surname - was looking for advice as he decided if he truly wished to leave the Church. Under the question inquiring as to reasons for his wishing to part ways with his religious institution, he had simply written 'personal reasons'. Which was completely fair, even if it made her job harder.

Sophia was unique in that she understood why people would wish to leave their religious orders and life, and was able to provide an unique insight into reconciling the myriad emotions that were at play as an individual made their way. After all, many years ago she had done just that herself. As a younger woman, she had nearly taken orders, but at the last minute decided she couldn't go through with it. There had been years of guilt and trying to find a way to reconcile her need for religion in her life as well as the freedom of a woman in the modern world. She had had little help and even less resources, but with the kindnesses she had received and the hard work she still did, she had a life she was proud of and loved.

There was a knock at the door, and Sophia rose to answer it. Opening it, she saw a tall, pale, thin man with dark blond hair and bright blue eyes on the other side. She opened the door wider with a smile, gesturing for him to come in and be welcome.

"Hi, you must be Osferth. I'm Dr Vernet, but please call me Sophia - everyone does." she offered warmly. "Would you care of a coffee or tea before we start? I also have water."

@pensive-austerity

[kyndaris]

An Intimate Night

During the pandemic, there wasn't much opportunity to attend music concerts. After all, there was a virus going around. As countries reopen with COVID-19 relegated to the rear view mirror, there has been a return of nighttime entertainment in the last few years. Of note for this humble blogger has been the return of musicals. Be that 9-5, featuring the songs of our favourite country singer: Dolly Parton, to Six and the Rocky Horror Show.

In the city itself, there have been a few smaller candlelit concerts with music ranging from movies to anime. A Distant Worlds hasn't graced the shores of Australia since 2017. And while we had a Kingdom Hearts music concert in 2019, it has certainly been quite a few years since I've gotten to enjoy a proper orchestra playing my favourite songs from a couple of my favourite franchises live.

No longer!

Given advanced notice by Facebook, I co-opted my good friend, @bleachpanda into the proceedings. It helped that the New World concert fell very close to her birthday. But unlike previous New Worlds that had been held at Chatswood Concourse, this time round, the two of us would enjoy the music from Final Fantasy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

A place that I'd been to in my youth. Back when I was still being graded for piano and hadn't visited in a very long time.

After picking up two Krispy Kreme donuts and getting overcharged (for some reason, they charged me the price of a 4-donut box and I didn't realise it until I checked my bank balance the next day), I picked up @bleachpanda at Wynyard train station in the heart of the CBD. From there, we headed eastwards towards the State Library.

Despite the fact that we had bought tickets for the 6PM showing, eschewing dinner (which we ended up grabbing later anyways), there were still plenty of people in attendance. @bleachpanda and I were not the only music starved Final Fantasy fans out there.

And what a riveting opening number that the smaller chamber orchestra started off with! As soon as I heard the first few notes, a grin split my face from ear to ear. After all, this was Valse di Fantastica!

What followed next were a mix of songs both old and new.

I won't be able to put them in exact order as I thought it rude to pull out my phone and start recording the names but barring two songs from Final Fantasy XIV, I managed to remember most of them. I do believe one of them MAY have been Insatiable from the Shadowbrings DLC. The other was a more jazzy piece that I cannot, for the life of me, recall the name of. Probably because I should have played more of Final Fantasy XIV, but I digress.

The other songs that caught my attention were Town Theme from the first Final Fantasy. Then we had Besaid from Final Fantasy X, which I immediately recognised, followed by Heaven's Tower from Final Fantasy XI.

Then we had a variety of different songs. Unfortunately for @bleachpanda, none of them proved capable of keeping her engaged. These included Lenna's Theme from Final Fantasy V, Atonement from Final Fantasy XIII, Dark World from Final Fantasy VI and Melancholia from Final Fantasy XV.

Finally, in order to keep my poor friend awake, the orchestra played Force Your Way from Final Fantasy VIII along with a piece from @bleachpanda's favourite Final Fantasy game: IX. Except of course, A Place to Call Home was rudely cut short with a Final Fantasy XIV song.

We even got to hear the conductor, Eric Roth, sing when Serah's theme was played. And in fact, Eric Roth was a very memorable conductor as he gallivanted around the stage. Well, gallivant isn't quite the word either. He...danced? Or rather, conducted with the entirety of his body. From stamping his feet to waving his arms around as a means to tell the orchestra to add more oomph to a piece or to keep it more quiet.

Before too long, the concert came to an end. As it did, we were treated with several classic: Zanarkand, One-winged Angel, Victory Fanfare and Chocobo Medley. And to justify the acoustic guitar that they brought in we also heard a guitar solo of the main theme from the first Final Fantasy.

While it was no Distant Worlds, it was certainly a night that brought back a flood of memories of attending these concerts in the past. And, if anything else, was a sign that things in the world were finally returning to a state of normalcy. Whether we were ready for it or not.

[sp00ky-p00ky]

✨️💜🌌

[legionfulminante]

A New World was amazing as always. I love Eric singing The Promise, but last time’s setlist (Jan 2020) was more of my speed. This one was still good though, wasn’t expecting Besaid.

I can’t pose but here’s what I wore

I wish I had local friends to go to these things with.

[geekgirles]

I'm rewatching the episodes in French and Dathura hasn't made a reappearance has she? She just up and vanished.

Sorry to keep you waiting. First I had to take some screenshots and then my laptop's battery was always on the verge of giving out, so I couldn't just sit down and answer sooner.

But honestly, yeah! I actually wanted to point that out too!

Compared to the rest of the Brotherhood of the Forgotten, Dathura's disappearance is just plain weird. I watched an interview where Tot revealed that, unlike what the Kickstarter trailer might suggest, the demigods wouldn't really play a major role in season 4. And honestly, that's fair. Given the show is about the Brotherhood or the Tofu and, more importantly, they had just learned their purpose in life ended up being their being manipulated by a megalomaniac with daddy issues, realistically, I wouldn't want to have anything to do with action for a while either.

There's of course the fact that each of them asked to be sent to completely different locations and had very different goals. For example, Coqueline, Kali, and Sipho just wanted to pick up the pieces of what Oropo and especially Echo started and live as a family. And despite both of them ending up in Bonta, Ush wanted nothing to do with Black Bump.

Which makes Dathura's disappearance from the main plot all that weirder. Because she is about the only demigoddes who has any business participating in the main plot by virtue of her actually being there.

Seriously, once again, the Sadida Kingdom is at the very centre of everything. They're the Nécromes main, or at least first, target. And yet, there is no sign of Dathura helping out as the powerful demigoddess she is despite her accepting Amalia's invitation to live in the kingdom and even going as far as remaining by her side the entirety of the third episode.

She was never even introduced to Armand and Aurora despite both of them being there when Amalia returned with her. Made all the more jarring by the fact that she remained by the princess' side even as she mourned her father's death and the next day (?) she just...vanishes with no explanation?

Seriously, out of all of the members of the Forgotten, the two with the most reason to have a bigger role in season 4 are Dathura and Ush. The former because she is supposed to be living there at the time of the Nécromes' attack, and the latter because he was the one who informed Joris of what was going on.

In Ush's case I can understand he decides to stay on the sidelines since he isn't exactly a hero, he mostly just does his own thing. But Dathura's disappearance can be very jarring.

What, did she awkwardly leave Amalia to mourn her father while she went to check in on Ogrest?

Oh, well. The season's been great so far and I don't really have any trouble with this. It's just weird, it's all.

[soapdispensersalesman]

Making my brain boogie

[destielmemenews]

"The Committee said on Tuesday that its newly-published report is the first output from a series of meetings exploring what a united Ireland would mean and examines the current economic relationship between the jurisdictions on the island and the potential of the all-island economy.

The report, the Committee said, goes on to examine the cost of a united Ireland and makes the case for planning and preparation for a united Ireland to begin."

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