#Anyways I'm cranky

[charulein]

It's February why is my sad acting up

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

probably will be FORCED by Pomp And Circumstance to go to the CLOWN HOSPITAL, for a CLOWN INJURY (may or may not be An ALLEGEDLY Fractured Foot...a MOURNFUL MALADY incurred in the most PATHETIC and LAPSIDAISICAL Fashion of TRAGICALLY UNFASHIONABLY Events......

Anyway. Forgot what I was saying. Buy me 1/25th of an x-ray or whatnot I guess

[lesiasmadness]

Woops, hand slipped and I turned your mystery game into a teen drama

[chalkrub]

vega my best friend vega

[moonchild-in-blue]

.... I've been waking up every hour or so for the past... 5? Hours? To check if anything happened, and turns out it's just the Weather Boy edging us too? Really?? 🙄

I can't do this yall, I'm going back to sleep ✌️

[utilitycaster]

The thing that I think gets me about Neve the most, and this is past the point where I personally am in the game, is that you can still romance her after you've chosen to prioritize Treviso (which you can't do for Lucanis if you do the reverse). The thing is, it makes sense. Neve judges you negatively for trusting her. There's a dialogue in the Shadow Dragons hideout where Tarquin (Shadow Dragons faction agent) gripes about The Viper (Shadow Dragons faction agent and leader) running background checks on him, before admitting he'd probably do the same. And the thing is, if you tell Tarquin that this seems reasonable he accepts it, but he seems irritated. Neve doesn't.

You meet Neve striking a pose, having frozen her assailants, needing none of your help. Neve does not, on the whole, ever seem to want your help until she begs you to save Minrathous. She approves of you taking her to interrupt the ritual, and seems to be entirely unbothered by the fact that it leaves her badly bruised - indeed, you have to actively choose to leave her behind later when you go looking for Bellara.

Neve loves Minrathous and Dock Town, which means she also hates them. She takes you there, if you do the companion quest, which you should. She invites you after Bellara fangirls out over some news pieces about her (Neve drily remarks they were hit pieces), to go pick up some leads and some serials Bellara wants. For all she's sarcastic, gruff, and even a little snide with Bellara (and with my playing of Rook, who is fairly direct and positive with the Veilguard companions) and doesn't believe a Tevinter serial would ever truly end happily if it were remotely realistic, she still wants to get those serials for her teammates. She's not here to make friends, though she's slowly doing so, but she also believes in working with your allies even when they're sunny and scatterbrained or bracingly positive and you're an exhausted, cynical detective.

Exhausted is I think the most salient point. Neve is fucking tired. She tells you she's lived in Dock Town her whole life, and she became a detective, taking on cases for people who weren't helped by the Templars (who, you learn in one of the core missions prior to your choice to save only one of Minrathous and Treviso, are corrupt all the way up to the top). After solving a missing person case successfully, with an implication that she freed a slave in the process, the Shadow Dragons recruited her, but she's been doing the same work she always done. And the Shadow Dragons, meanwhile, in addition to attempting, with limited success, to infiltrate the Magistrate and fight for abolitionism, also do a lot of work like Neve's: helping people on the street. Their basement is full of unhoused and hungry people with nowhere else to go.

Neve is tired because, I think, she doesn't really believe Minrathous will get much better in her lifetime. She tells you in her companion quest, as you eat street food on the docks, looking out into the ocean, that she treasures the small wins because that's what she gets. Whereas the Crows remember a free Treviso and fight for that, Neve, in particular, feels like she's just trying to keep things from getting worse, and maybe help a few people. She's cynical because dreaming big probably won't pan out and she knows it so she's not going to waste her time.

Her work is her life. Her gift is literally just more evidence. Harding, Lucanis, and Bellara all reminisce about friends and family, but Neve still hasn't yet. You get the sense that Rana, one of the few clean Templars with whom she works, is probably the person she'd put down as an emergency contact. She doesn't even really get along with Tarquin, though, to be fair, doesn't seem like anyone does. Her world is a network of people who are useful.

I'm going somewhere with this, and that's, unsurprisingly, to Critical Role Campaign 3, because after all that here's my thesis: Neve is what people want some of Bells Hells, but especially Ashton, to be.

I've seen defense of Ashton's abrasiveness because many leftists are abrasive people, and the thing is, that's not untrue, but they're abrasive because they're like Neve: they're doing endless difficult work with very little reward or thanks, and at most they get small wins.

What has Ashton done for their communities? The Nobodies and Krook House aren't feeding the hungry or fighting corruption; the former is a group of thieves with no particular cause and the latter a punk co-op house. What was Ashton doing for the people of Jrusar or Bassuras? I struggle to find anything tangible. There's a lot of talk and no action - punk aesthetics and a lot of talk about standing for the weak, but when do they actually do that? It's all very surface level, and so the defenses of Ashton must focus entirely on what and who they are (nb, disabled, punk, had a terrible childhood) and what they say but never, ever, what they do. It's posturing.

Neve? It's entirely what she does. She is, for what it's worth, disabled and queer (and played by a woman of color, though whether she's coded as such in-game probably requires an academic background in both the history of Thedas and the history of the real-world Black Sea region) but we don't know a damn thing about her childhood yet. We don't know if she's been hurt or heartbroken or abandoned until we, as Rook, have to decide whether to do that to her. And when we do? She takes her time (she's not back yet in my game) but in the end, she blames the actual root causes of the elven gods sending the dragon and blight, and the Venatori working with them and, as far as I know, gets back to work. As she always has.

[dimpletheheck]

Cranky villagers my beloved <3

This is totally not supposed to be relatable-

Don't look at me like that-

[a-couple-of-notes]

my respect and appreciation of the narrative and its characters who all serve important functions vs. my desire never to talk about this stupid man again

[fictitious-symbiosis]

My design for if the Sports King was an animal villager in Animal Crossing.

Find him in your New Leaf game to get the exclusive experience of hitting him with hammers yourself!

[loweryourriskofheartdisease]

Adariel Hades & Persephone AU

Where there is love

there is life ...

***

"In you is the illusion of each day. You arrive like the dew to the cupped flowers. You undermine the horizon with your absence. Eternally in flight like the wave."

----------------------------------------

the quotes are from : Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Neruda

(( Ps: i love how the only antique source I found about his appearance says "Black-haired Hades” -Homeric Hymn 2. ))

[chipped-chimera]

Reading this morning Trump funding cuts are now affecting health research teams HERE in AUSTRALIA.

God I am so fucking sick of America, sorry Americans.

[egginfroggin]

Had a bit of a bad spot today

Doodled a little Greg when I felt better

Here's a little Greg for you if you're feeling down

Please hang in there <3

(program: krita; time: like 15 minutes)

[veliseraptor]

there are many types of tumblr user that infuriate me but possibly the worst quality for me personally is "smug"

[quietlyblooms]

if you think " honesty " = degrading someone, just... buddy block me. get out of my swamp. i cannot handle the lack of emotional intelligence at best and the blatant disregard for other people at worst. there is a very big and obvious difference between honest, constructive criticism and being an ass. it's not hard to keep quiet if you don't have any kind words, and it's even easier block and move on, curating your space accordingly. i'm so confident that i don't need to worry about anyone i follow, but i'm so so serious. get outta here if you're a hater -- particularly an anonymous hater bc you're also a coward. hope you know that.

to everyone else!! i hope you know how amazing you are and the light you bring to the world <3 when the days are rough, it's a comfort to come here and see all of y'all writing your lil guys, rambling about them, and getting silly on the dash together. if anyone tries to rain on your parade?? bite them. punt them across the field. delete them. they are not worth your time nor your peace. just keep doing what you're doing bc i promise!! you're doing wonderfully <3<3<3

[seyaryminamoto]

Scenes of a Peaceful World: Sokkla Saturdays 2024

Day Six - Discipline

Rated: T

On FF.net//On AO3

The Preservers were a unique faction within the White Lotus. The group had been built, by Sokka's express demands, all training overseen by him, so that they could see to the protection of a unique location in their world.

The hardest part of such an endeavor, of course, was taking his leave from his family occasionally in order to see this enterprise succeed. If asked, of course, Sokka would always claim that the average period of time he could endure without them was five minutes, but where the world's progress and stability were concerned, both he and Azula were ready to make whatever sacrifices were necessary.

Now, the world reaped the benefits of such sacrifices… of the success of a venture many would have considered too dangerous, too worrisome to be carried out at all. Humanity could not be trusted with this kind of responsibility…

Truthfully, Sokka agreed with that notion: thus, Sokka ensured to set all kinds of boundaries and limitations around any visitors who sought to enter Wan Shi Tong's Library.

"It's amazing that this is even possible…" Aang laughed, standing in the grand, golden halls of the library, eyes glancing over the Preservers, standing guard by the Library's entrance and its main halls. Katara smiled, looping an arm around his. "But humans and spirits are actually working together."

"I might just be crazy, but… it almost sounds like there's greater balance between our nations, and worlds, than there ever was," Katara said. Aang smiled and nodded.

"It's not effortless… but the hard work is worth it. We can teach people better… show them the right path," he said, with a proud smile.

Wan Shi Tong had been persuaded to trust humanity one more time: the grand building rose out of the desert anew. The grand doors had spread open once again. Even now, however, there were limitations to the spirit's leniency: he still probed and tested newcomers, and whoever failed to earn his approval, whoever answered his questions poorly, would have to settle for waiting for another visitor to make a copy of whatever books they wanted to check or borrow.

It could be a complicated system, but one that worked fairly well: Sokka had come up with many of its solutions, including the rather obvious one of crafting safekeeping copies for every tome, for Wan Shi Tong's reassurance. The owl spirit seemed pleased with his support and cooperation… enough to allow what Sokka had never imagined he would, once he asked it of him:

A large family, either astride or walking beside dragons, crossed the Library's golden gates on the morning when the Preservers began serving in the Library.

"Wow… wow!" Shun gasped.

"This is… it's a miracle!" Rei gasped, tears in her eyes as she covered her mouth with her hands.

"Where's the owl?" Yuuna pouted.

"So many books…!" Hotaru gasped. "N-no one would be able to read them all!"

"Fortunately, Wan Shi Tong's helpers will be around to ensure you find the ones you're interested in," Azula smiled, clapping her daughter's shoulder. "Now, then… keep your dragons in check. I'm afraid that when he turns up, they'll…"

On cue, all the dragons tensed up: a dark presence, lower down the hallway, caused Yuuna's nervous dragon to squeal, jolting back with the child riding on his back.

"Hey, hey…!" Sokka clasped the dragon's reins, ensuring he wouldn't topple backwards. "No need to worry. He's not going to dissect any of us: he promised."

"It's illegal," Yuuna said, firmly. "No one can dissect a dragon."

"Yeah, I'm sure Wan Shi Tong would feel bound by that law… right?" Sokka said, turning around with an awkward smile: the owl approached gloomily, eyeing their family with an unreadable expression. Xin Long, while also tense, appeared to reassure Hotaru and Shun's dragons, though they still shivered while hiding behind him.

"I see you have arrived. The Avatar and the Preservers said you would be here today, Sokka… and you brought your family, indeed."

"Hey there," Sokka smiled, waving at Wan Shi Tong. "Guess introductions are in…!"

"No need. I know who they are," Wan Shi Tong stated. "Rei, the eldest, a scholar. You are welcome to browse my collection."

"I… I am?" Rei gasped: Azula smiled as her daughter shivered with excitement. "Y-you'd let me…?"

"Provided you do not stay until after the doors close. Our service hours are much stricter nowadays," Wan Shi Tong declared.

Rei couldn't contain her excitement, hugging Azula eagerly at the thought of examining countless books she'd had no access to before. Wan Shi Tong turned to the next child, though:

"Hotaru. You may find our collection on firebending and swordsmanship to your liking… though I suspect you would prefer to read fantasy books, today."

"I…! W-well… maybe a few. I can… I can study and have fun, right?" she said, looking at her mother expectantly. Azula smiled and nodded.

"You're free to do as you wish, provided you follow the rules," Azula assured her.

"Shun. You may browse the firebending section with your sister," Wan Shi Tong continued: the boy blushed upon being addressed, shrinking in place. "It has expanded thanks to your parents' contributions. Ensure to thank them for it."

"I-I will. I… thank you," Shun said, bowing his head towards the owl.

"Yuuna… zoology section: third floor, fifth wing."

"Good."

The child didn't bother waiting to check with her parents: she spurred her dragon to take flight, and the whole family gasped as they took off through the floors of the Library, right towards her favorite subjects.

"Sorry about…! Oh, hell," Sokka groaned.

"I'll keep an eye on her," Rei laughed, clapping Sokka's shoulder before setting out to the third floor, too.

The children scattered, with Hotaru and Shun lingering not too far from the entrance, meeting up with Aang and Katara, while Rei chased down the restless Yuuna. Wan Shi Tong watched the two kids, though it seemed his attention lingered on their dragons.

"You fulfilled your many vows to me, in your last visit," he said, turning his head towards Azula. "I feared I shouldn't have risked trusting any of your nation anew… but I took a gamble with you, and you did not disappoint. Where I have seen much of the worst of humanity… I appear to have discovered the best of it, through the two of you."

"That might be too flattering," Azula smirked. "We're hardly upstanding in every sense…"

"Indeed. Ensure not to sully my Library with improper acts this time."

"H-hey!" Sokka squeaked. "We weren't doing anything that bad! I mean, well…!"

"He walked in on us getting slightly too comfortable in his planetarium room, Sokka: he's not going to forget that," Azula said, with a dry grin.

"Indeed," Wan Shi Tong confirmed. Sokka's cheeks flushed. "That being said, you have been rather successful across the years, building a family, bringing back the dragons, as you promised… you reclaimed peace in a world that seemed beyond all hope. While I remain vigilant, and the Preservers will continue to keep tabs on all who may enter the Library's premises, I find myself at new ease with your kind. History shall always remember what humanity owes to the both of you. I will make certain to make records of it."

"Thank you," Azula bowed her head. "And… for letting my family browse your collection. We told them what a great honor you had bestowed upon us by allowing this. I know they're hardly the most disciplined children…"

"We'll keep an eye on them anyway," Sokka smiled reassuringly. "Thanks, Wan Shi Tong!"

"It is I who thanks you. Truly."

Wan Shi Tong bowed towards them, stunning Azula with the gesture: he spread his wings after, taking flight across his Library anew.

The place truly was different compared to Azula's last visit: the whole place appeared brightened with knowledge, with renewal, with the promises fulfilled between the regal couple and the ancient spirit.

"So… what do you think?" Sokka smiled, throwing an arm around Azula's shoulders. Xin Long shook his head before pressing it against Sokka's chest, startling him. "H-hey! He's gone, no need to be scared anymore…"

"He's thanking you," Azula smiled, reaching over to stroke her dragon's fur. "For everything you've done for this place… and, of course, for successfully fending off the big owl, too."

"He'll never stop being unnerved by him, I'm sure," Sokka chuckled, hugging both Azula and Xin Long with each arm. "So… what section do you guys want to start with?"

"How about we find out if anyone has written stories about us yet?" Azula smirked. Sokka snorted. "I'm curious! There's bound to be so many outlandish tales about how on earth you and I wound up together…"

"I'm sure there's a lot of sordid, raunchy ones too…"

"Eh, well. Either we've already done those things, or it'll serve as useful research for the future, right?"

Sokka snorted and cackled: Azula's mischief never failed to delight him.

They took off together, meaning to explore the place on their terms, to enjoy themselves, keeping tabs on their kids while under the watchful supervision of the Preservers, who greeted Sokka respectfully: humanity had succeeded at reconnecting with its most ancient valuable knowledge, and they had finally learned the wisdom, as well as the discipline, to honor the vows that had finally built true peace between the imposing owl and humanity at large.

[pochapal]

chronic illness is so funny because everyone around you is shitting screaming throwing up wanting to kill themselves from the despair of it all but you're literally just chilling