#Apologies for the delay on this one

[saints-who-never-existed]

Tozer for the character sending ask game

I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to answer this one sooner, especially as I've been so looking forward to doing so!

First Impression Enamoured by his sheer physical presence, fantastic accent, and clear claim to the title of Chief Moany Bastard in Residence.

It's always amusing to me to see Tozer call Hickey out for grousing when he himself does nothing throughout that first episode especially but complain and ostensibly not give a shit about anything.

Impression Now Well, he gives SO MANY SHITS ABOUT ALL THE THINGS, I'll tell you that much! And there are just so many aspects of him that I find endlessly intriguing.

I think he's far cleverer than he's often given credit for being, for one thing, especially in terms of emotional intelligence. And I'm fascinated by the way he doesn't actually rely on his physical presence (or his weapon, for that matter) even though he quite easily could. Tozer is far more likely to try to solve a problem with words than with brute force.

I want to rant more soon about the philosophical sort of thread running all through Tozer's storyline too. The question of whether a man has a soul and if so, what that truly means. There's Heather, who only dies long after his soul has been consumed, and Collins, for whom the death of body and soul happens simultaneously. And finally Morfin, very much still in possession of his soul but who begs for death anyway as his body and mind give out first instead. And there's Tozer, intimately connected to all three.

I think there's something more there about that being a source of real fear for Tozer as well - some of the only times we see him explicitly afraid are when he's confronted with such things. Even facing down Tuunbaq I don't know that he feels that much fear, even if only because he's too focused on action and survival. The loss of soul and of humanity in general though seems a more visceral trigger for him.

Favorite Moment I have to go for the entirety of the final Tuunbaq showdown, I think. There's just so much to rant about in his every action in that scene.

I love the sheer physicality of it all - pacing frenetically like a literal caged animal. It's one of the only times he properly throws his weight around and it makes me feel some kind of way that it only happens once he's already in chains. There's a fun little detail I only just this second noticed - that his yanking on the chain nearly pulls Hodgson and Golding's arms from their sockets at the other end of it - and another fascinating moment right afterwards where everyone else stares around in bewilderment but Tozer is the only one looking up in fury at Hickey himself.

Then there's the moment when Tuunbaq's almost upon them, that switch flips for Tozer (interestingly, right after Hickey makes mention of men with their souls 'et out') and he's in full Marine-mode. The absolute laser focus! That clear commanding voice and the fact that it's obeyed immediately! The fact that it's Armitage that he chooses to single out and demand the gun from! Every bit of it is exquisite! I'm always put in mind of that quote about ruthlessness - about how it's not about being mean but about being able to see a bright clear line between A and B and caring about nothing else but following that line. That's Tozer in that scene for me - ruthless in the best and most fascinating sort of way.

And finally, the gut-punching pièce de résistance - that split-second pause before he marches off to meet his doom, no chance, no choice, and a gun in his hand. A soldier to the last. :'(

Idea for a Story I've been working on a short piece for a while now - just a single scene really - that continues on Tozer and Little's E08 confrontation. Tozer's protective nature sort of just takes over and he feels he can't in all good conscience leave Little, noggin-bonked and vulnerable, in the midst of the chaos. Haven't decided yet whether it'll just be one weirdly intimate wee encounter of Tozer staying long enough to offer his protection or whether it'll go further than that...?

Unpopular Opinion I don't particularly care for Tozer/Armitage?

I like what the actors did with it - purposefully being near one another in scenes and putting in lots of lovely nuance etc. Nevertheless, it's like the opposite of the Benoit Blanc meme for me -

"Makes damn sense. Doesn't compel me, though"

Favorite Relationship Slightly out of left field perhaps but I'm actually going to go for Tozer's relationship with Private Heather.

The effect Heather's injury and eventual death has on Tozer and the way he interacts with the world around him simply cannot be overstated. This wonderful post sums up the importance of that relationship far better than I can and guts me every time with its final line referencing the infamous pudding vs. cathedral debate:

-

"It is his job to protect these people, putting his own men at risk on their behalf, and they crush the most vulnerable of his men, the one I’d bet meant the most to him, without even noticing... ...Tozer loved Heather. Private Heather was a force for good in Tozer’s life. Had he lived, or maybe if he’d even been granted a kinder, less pointless death, things might have turned out differently for everyone. If we can judge people at all based on how they affected those around them, I’m willing to bet that Private Heather was a cathedral."

Favorite Headcanon I like the idea of Tozer having grown up as a shrimpy lil guy - the runt of the schoolyard - and only taking a growth spurt later in life.

I think that's a really fun and neat explanation for why he solves most of his problems with words and not brute force for one thing. One could also argue it as an explanation for the chip he has on his shoulder generally speaking and why he's caring/protective toward others - he knows too well what it's like to feel small and powerless.

[2aceofspades]

*gives CJ a bunch of flowershape stickers*

:)

[nyxofdemons]

the last SEVERAL sarcastic chorus videos im just gripping my hair with increasing intensity yelling MAN I TRUSTED YOU

[aquacomet]

Surprise @pointyfruit! I'm your secret skeleton! 🎃🦴

On a long and spooky night, two particularly oddly familiar skeletons can be seen visiting a very large collection of pumpkins, what silly shenanigans will they cause there?

🦴Close-ups below!🎃

[desultory-novice]

I get the feeling that Adeline is the most likely to get therapy.

...She'll probably need it too... (Pausing the fun times for something dreadfully serious) -

"Pieces"

-

[Apologies AU Masterpost] [Noir's Field Trip]

[dataglitch]

do you have any drawing tips on transformers? you draw them so good sksjdksks

Hey there! I've posted mostly coloring tutorials, but actual TF drawing guides will be done a little later:'D Just need some time to get back into working on the full guide, but hopefully it'll be comprehensive enough!

[livwritesstuff]

I had an idea that maybe the girls plan a trip for Ed and Steve for one if their big anniversaries. They go all out to make it the most corny and romantic thing ever and I think its just a cute idea tbh.. let me know what you think

Love your work!!

i LOVE this idea. i def think that as the girls get older (in the early twenties at least) and start seeing more of the world, they gain an even deeper appreciation for how amazing their dads are, and start wanting to figure out ways to express that to them.

They probably pick a milestone anniversary -- 25 years maybe -- and get to planning (with Robin and Nancy's help, most likely).

also -- semi-unrelated, but I definitely think that the girls eventually corner steve and eddie like *enough is enough you're having a real wedding*

[onlymagpie]

OMG I LOVE the way you draw Xavier!!! Can i request more? Love ur art !!!!!!

Thank you! Please accept this mini Xav (sitting in the mess tent) (plotting)

[that-one-raccoon]

Vampire! Varian as requested by @varian4567

[byierficrecs]

❝ thought i knew you for a minute ❞ author: @moonlightmiwi

link: archiveofourown.org/works/43694800

personal blog || submit a story || support me on ko-fi 🍂

[pokimoko]

Hi, I've seen your art with the LGBTQIA+ animals, and I wanted to ask if you could do a pansexual otter ? I'm pansexual and I love otters.

Thank you, and kisses from France!

Thank you for the kisses, dear anon. Here is a little otter just for you 🩷💛💙

[whom-to-kill-whom-to-let-live]

I said I was going to write a proper post analyisng the different Legatos but the brain squiggles won't leave me alone for long enough to do it so I am going to make a silly post about it instead.

*Disclaimer: I made this while extremely sleep deprived so if some things feel wildly inaccurate that's because I did not use my brain at any point while making this.

**Apologies for how this looks, graphic design is unfortunately not my passion

First up is '98 anime Legato

I'm convinced the reason he only took big Ws in this anime is because Knives paid attention to him

He has a plant arm attached to him and knows enough about Rem to accurately insult her ideals in front of Vash

I'm just saying this is the most well adjusted Legato

This boy is so enriched I mean look how happy he is most of the time he's on screen committing his crimes

Living his best life and went out the exact way he wanted 10/10

Next is Trimax Legato

We could have had it aaaaalllllllll

That lack of acknowledgement from Knives really did a number on our boy

I'm just saying if Knives had like 10% higher emotional intelligence the manga would have gone very differently ok

Legato still caused problems and committed so many crimes

He managed to force Vash into killing him and I'll call that a win so 10/10

Lastly is Tristamp Legato

I'm sorry but that's a baby

He has basically no screen time in S1 so we just don't know a lot about his *waves hand* everything

He seems to be more into... proselytizing(?) here than straight up ending humanity? Maybe???

He does manage to torment Vash through bullying Wolfwood so I tentatively put in that check mark

Same with the freakishness, I feel like there was a least a hint of it

Someone please give him a hot dog he's so skinny he's not going to survive the winter

Overall we're going to have to wait and see what they're cooking with this boy so ??/10

[dickensdaily]

Choosing Our Next Novel

People of tumblr! I may also send out an email about this, but I just want to gauge initial thoughts for our next novel. The below is every work that would start in April or earlier. It’s probably too short notice to start Martin Chuzzlewit, but there are several other options.

Jan 2025 - July 2026 (1 year and a half) - Martin Chuzzlewit Mar 2025 - Sep 2026 (1 year and a half) - Nicholas Nickleby Mar 2025 - Sep 2026 (1 year and a half) - Bleak House Apr 2025 - Nov 2026 (1 year and a half) - The Pickwick Papers Apr 2025 - Feb 2026 (11 months) - The Old Curiosity Shop Apr 2025 - Aug 2025 (5 months) - Hard Times Apr 2025 - Nov 2025 (8 months) - A Tale of Two Cities Apr 2025 - Sep 2025 (6 months, but unfinished) - Edwin Drood

When I’ve run polls in the past, all the most successful options have been books that run for under a year. The only Dickens novels left that were serialised over the course of less than a year are the bolded ones above. Not including the unfinished The Mystery of Edwin Drood, there is a way to plan well in advance to minimise gaps and favour shorter-running works (so we read The Old Curiosity Shop Apr 2025 - Feb 2026, then A Tale of Two Cities Apr 2026 - Nov 2026, then Hard Times Apr 2027 - Aug 2027).

Does this appeal to people as an option? Or does such far-advanced planning seem overkill? And would it be better to keep some of the shorter ones for further down the line? Should we have another vote to allow for the possibility of a longer work winning this time? Help me make up my mind about this!

Thank you in advance for voting or letting me know your thoughts, and thank you to everyone who has joined in so far with Great Expectations and Barnaby Rudge!

[lewishamiltonstuff]

Young Bono Appreciation post

[aquacomet]

Happy surprise (belated) Birthday @bamsara!

Thank you for all the work you put into making DCA art and fics and for sharing them! Solar Lunacy has been a blast to follow over the last year and a bit, I'm looking forward to what comes up next!

(Hope you don't mind the lil' cameos I snuck in there hehe.)

[letsplaydcttrpg]

Strangers in Paradise pt 3 - To Paradise Island

Start this module here!

Previous part here!

Links to all posts for this module in the pinned post!

A rare unanimous decision! (And spoilers, it's the right one. If you choose not to bring them, you get a vision from Athena telling you that you should, and if you still don't it ends the module.)

A Decision: "Yes," you say, a smile crossing your lips. "I will invite them. With Athena as my guide, I will show these nations that millennia-old hatred can stop. The Kabulian and Fujaran ambassadors will have the honor of seeing Themyscira." "An interesting choice, Diana," Julia says. "I think you'll find it an eventful one as well." "I can't believe it," Steve intones. "Neither will they," you reply, smiling. Assemblage: When your five chosen ambassadors are finally assembled, you prepare to address them. They are a varied group, representing many different cultures and interests, their names as unique as any you have encountered here on Man's World. Jules Guisan of Switzerland, Maurice Diawara of the Ivory Coast, Kwa Khin of Burma, Jamal Zayyali of Fujara, and Ahmad ibn Umran Tiryan of the Emirate of Kabul. These chosen ambassadors make an odd study in contrast. The former three appear to get along quite well but Jamal and Ahmad continue to scowl at one another, quarrelling intermittently. You take the ambassadors aboard a passenger liner which will ferry them across the Atlantic toward Paradise Island. It is here, at the location of the storm field which surrounds the Island, that technology stops functioning. Your task will be to escort the ambassadors' smaller sailing ship through the treacherous waters of the enchanted barrier, aided by the sandals of Hermes. The liner has instructions to wait for you to return with the ambassadors. Julia and Vanessa accompany you on the Atlantic crossing, a trip which brings back fond memories for Julia. She reminisces about her childhood and recounts her sailing off the coast of Greece with her father. During the journey, you become well-acquainted with the ambassadors you have chosen. They are all intelligent, dedicated people, in each of whom you can find appealing qualities. They get along together well enough, although relations between the Kabulian and Fujaran ambassadors remain strained. For the sake of the voyage, they keep their hostile outbursts to a minimum but their contempt for each other is appallingly obvious. At one point, the discussion turns to the Olympic gods. Maurice Diawara, a very educated man says, "The most difficult thing to accepta bout all this is the presence of the gods - actual living gods. It's incredible, almost beyond belief." You choose your words carefully. "The gods have passed from the sights and needs of most people," you explain. "While they no longer exercise direct influence over the affairs of mortals, their existence is still quite real." "If these gods have left Man," Kwa Khin asks perceptively, "then what was behind this Ares Affair?" "The gods developed alongside Man," you continue, "although along a strikingly different course. The gods have not and never will simply disappear; perhaps it is more accurate to say they have withdrawn, to leave Man to his own destiny. "Because of the frequency of warfare on Earth, Ares continued to be worshipped indirectly and did not withdraw as completely as the other gods. "Ares soon grew angry and brought your United States and Soviet Union to the brink of destruction. But the mighty God of War has seen the error of his ways and has no withdrawn as well, content that Man forge his own wars. A contention which is, unfortunately, far too recurrent." "A statement which sounds like a convenient excuse for rampant power-mongering," Ahmad growls. "I must admit," Jules says, "it stretches the imagination to believe that traditionally-considered mythical gods are real and can effect such events." "Is it so much easier," you interject, "to accept a Superman from beyond the stars than it is to accept fundamental concepts from your own history?" The ambassadors quietly consider your argument during the remainder of the journey to Paradise Island.

When the liner approaches the area near Themyscira, you fly ahead, scouting out the storm field. You swoop ow, enjoying the cold, salt sea spray on your face. Spotting the perpetual storms which surround Paradise Island, you turn back to the liner, where you and the ambassadors cast off on the smaller sailing ship. As the ship draws near the storm-clouds, the small craft is unexpectedly shaken by the suddenly-violent seas. Concern furrows the ambassadors' brows; giving them a reassuring glance, you trim the sails and head into the worst part of the storm, praying to Hermes for a swift and uneventful journey. You concentrate on the sandals Hermes gave you, preparing to activate them as you pass through the barrier between Man's World and Themyscira.

Mystical Action Check! The math works out to need an 11 or better in order for us to succeed. Unfortunately we only got a 5.

In Distress: Waves buffet the little ship, tossing it violently from side to side, sending huge gushes of water over the rails. The ambassadors wisely go below deck to wait out the raging storm. Lightning splits the skies as whitecaps crash against you in unrestrained elemental fury. You again come to appreciate the sheer power of the benevolent goddess Gaea, the storm frightening in its savagery. A peculiar sensation of fear wells in you as the image of a watery grave flashes through your mind. You struggle to concentrate on the task at hand. You focus your will on controlling Hermes' sandals to allow passage to the Island, all the time fighting the winds for control of the ship. Then you lose control of the sails. The ship is tossed high into the air and then splashes back to the seas, submerging its right side. You land forcefully in the cold water and fight to pull the ship upright. Waves pound heavily on the ship. Taking out your golden lasso, you lash it to the mast. You then fly into the air, pulling with all your strength to aright the ship.

This roll is tougher. We're going to need a 13 or better to succeed here. Which is exactly what we got!

Pull Ship Upright: The savage seas pound upon the hull of the little ship, threatening to rend it asunder. You launch yourself into the skies, torrential rain pounding on you, trying to crush you down into the beckoning waves. Blindingly bright, jagged flashes of lightning crash all around you. Offering a quick prayer to mighty Poseidon, you slowly grasp the rope, careful not to pull too hard and snap off the mast. The ship sluggishly rises, water pouring from its decks. Then it lurches from the water, riding atop the waves, once again buoyant. Slowly, the crashing waves subside, darkened clouds part, light floods the boat, and light floods the seas, as the little craft sails serenely into the tranquil waters surrounding Paradise Island. Paradise Island: Expertly, you guide the battered little craft along the soft blue waters off Themyscira. The ambassadors come out of hiding below deck to gaze at the lush, fertile island. Even the Fujaran and Kabulian ambassadors are awed by the splendor of the grand, white marble buildings set against the verdant greens of the hills. You direct the boat toward the main isle and dock, where a group of Amazons, led by Philippus, comes to greet you. As you escort the ambassadors onto Themysciran soil, Phiippus says, "Princess Diana, in the name of Queen Hippolyte, I officially welcome you and your friends to Themyscira!" Following introductions to the Amazons, the ambassadors all begin talking at once, bubbling with excitement and enthusiasm. You watch the group walk up the hill from the shore against the breathtaking backdrop of Themyscira. A sense of anticipation wells within you. In your heart of hearts, you know you have done well. The ambassadors are first shown to their respective chambers, where they are given a chance to freshen up after the taxing journey. Eventually, they are led on a grand tour of Paradise Island.

Philippus leads the ambassadors to the Senate Chambers, the statue of Artemis, the Coliseum, and a tour of Themyscira's vast and numerous temples. Both the temple of Hades and Doom's Doorway, however, are excluded from the tour, declared off-limits by Queen Hyppolyte [sic] for their innate dangers, especially to humans. The tour concludes with an audience with Queen Hippolyte, who receives the ambassadors in the Royal Palace, greeting them as visiting royalty. The ambassadors are obviously fascinated by Hippolyte's presence and, while the Kabulian and Fujaran representatives feign indifference to a female ruler, you can tell the nobility of her bearing impresses them. By nightfall, the ambassadors are worn out, while the Amazons are ready for more activities. You remind yourself that your sisters were created by the gods to be prime specimens of human-kind; the rest of the world may have trouble keeping up with Amazons. Temple of Justice: The next day, the tour's informalities ended, the formal portion begins. The ambassadors visit the Amazon Senate and watch debate of the day's important issues. The chief topic is continued contact with Man's World. You notice that the term "Man's World" makes some of the ambassadors uncomfortable. It will be good for them to see the world through Amazon eyes, just as it is good for your sisters to see through the eyes of Man. As leader of the Amazon faction opposed to contact with the outside, Hellene's arguments are remarkably insightful and clear. The second stop of the tour is the Temple of Justice. The Amazons have a strong and compassionate system of arbitration for settling their disputes, one which the ambassadors should see in action. Before the arbitration session begins, Philippus prepares the ambassadors for the event, informing them the Amazons are not immune to disputes among themselves and when Amazons argue, the dispute is resolved to mutual satisfaction through arbitration. The case at hand is over an incident which occurred today at dawn. Ismene and Perimele are arguing over three prize horses which Perimele purportedly sent plummeting over a cliffside. At first the arbitration goes well, although something about the incident makes you uncomfortable. Perimele's only real defense is that she didn't know what came over her, that she was filled with an irrational compulsion to kill Ismene's horses. As the discussion continues, Perimele becomes increasingly upset. You wonder if the presence of the ambassadors is affecting her. Just when the two women are discussing a solution of having Perimele help breed new horses for Ismene, Perimele becomes visibly angry. It is frightening to watch, as Perimele's face contorts with rage and she topples the arbitration table. Two other Amazons rush to restrain her but she effortlessly topples them as well and immediately charges toward Ismene, the unmistakable gleam of hatred in her eyes.