#Compassionate inquiry

[markllockwood]

The Healing POWER of LOVE

In order for us to actually find love, a part of us must die. A part of us needs to die because it's not love; usually instead, it's something based in fear, says Mark L Lockwood who designed his 10 step healing course with the very first step being centr

An Introduction to Love vs Personality The modern world of psychiatry widely acknowledges the importance of self-love for healing the disordered persona, especially in the aftermath of a global mental health crisis. This concept is supported by abundant research in psychology, coaching, religion, spirituality, and medicine. It seems that understanding the true essence of love might have eluded…

[chronically-autistic-dinosaur]

Shawn was asked a question about therapy.

I don’t know what “compassionate inquiry” is (actually I do, as I looked it up), but it doesn’t surprise me that it’s the type of therapy Shawn does 🫢

Except the doctor who developed compassionate inquiry has actually been diagnosed with ADHD (late dx) and believes it’s a coping mechanism in response to childhood trauma 🫠 He doesn’t believe it’s an actual genetic condition or a specific neurotype of the brain. The guy even wrote an entire book on it and how ADHD can be healed. This is concerning (and harmful) on so many levels-simply because I think Shawn is ADHD.

I’m curious to know his thoughts on autism as I’m autistic and it’s definitely not something I developed as a coping mechanism to childhood trauma (as I had none).

[miraom]

My Example of Compassionate Inquiry

When I joined the CI (Compassionate Inquiry) program in Feb 2022, little did I know that I would slip through the crevices of my mental landscape, and reach my very core. It has been a rather eventful inner journey, one I would count on my one hand’s fingers, as one of the top experiences of my life. Is it not absurd that a person, the owner of the self, cannot know itself? People flock to personality tests, astrology, writing analysis, to answer the basic questions: Who am I? Why am I like this? Read more: https://miraom.com/2023/01/02/my-example-of-compassionate-inquiry/

[save-mohamed-family]

My campaign is verified and added to the Gaza Donations page with number 192.

Thank you for documenting my campaign from the following accounts:

@sar-soor @heba-20 @el-shab-hussein @90-ghost @soon-palestine@ibtisams @marnota @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @i-am-aprl @northgazaupdates @fallahifag @fairuzfan

I love you all 🙏🙏♥️🌹

I am Mohammed Almanasra, 32 years old, married, and a father of three children: Abdulrahman, 6 years old, Sarah, 4 years old, and Lina, 3 years old.

My story began with the loss of my parents and four of my sisters, who were bombed and lost their lives along with their children after the events of October 7 and the severe war on Gaza. Now, I am facing a severe injury to my leg, which is at risk of amputation if I do not receive the necessary treatment. My wife, children, and I are displaced, without parents or siblings, and my wife is also suffering from uterine cancer.

Recently, I moved to the south of the Gaza Strip, fearing for the lives of my children. We left behind our memories and our new home, for which we had not finished paying the installments, in addition to losing my job. Currently, I live in a tent that does not protect me from the heat of summer or the cold of winter, and without the minimum necessary livinng basics including water, food medical care, clothe and even bedding .

I suffer from a chronic asthma and severe attacks from tightness and an extreme allergy in the ear and I need medicine that are not available, or very expensive .

Under these difficult circumstances, after five attempts at displacement and narrowly escaping death from the bombing, I am trying with all my might to protect my family, the most precious thing I have.

My dreams were shattered, and my house was destroyed, and I found myself living in a tent no larger than 4 square metres. My work turned from a tailor to a street vendor in order to barely buy a few crumbs of bread to feed my children.

Look at what happened to my children because of the intense heat and the insects that thrive in the summer season. Every day, I take them to the hospital to treat them due to poisonous insect bites. I implore every kind-hearted soul to help me protect my children.

My son, Abdul Rahman, has a deep passion for playing football and is a devoted fan of Real Madrid. He always dreamed of playing football at his school, but the war prevented this dream from coming true.

Where are you, Real Madrid fans ?

Help Abdul Rahman achieve his dream.

Every donation will make an enormous difference in helping me save my family.

I feel very sad and embarrassed to ask for help, but I have no other options left. I know that this request is difficult, but I also know that there is still humanity and living consciences and I believe in miracles.

Your support during this extremely difficult time will give us hope in the midst of devastation and despair.

If you have any inquiries or questions, feel free to ask me, please!

To everyone with a compassionate heart,

To all who understand the essence of humanity,

This is a message from my innocent children, who trust that their words will reach everyone who truly understands the meaning of childhood.

We cry out to you, asking you to feel our sorrow and pain, and to extend a helping hand to us in this time when we are in desperate need of your mercy and compassion.

My name is being repeatedly added to many public and private donation campaigns. Please, be a support for me in this difficult situation.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1yYkNp5U3ANwILl2MknJi9G7ArY4uVTEEQ1CVfzR8Ioo/htmlview

Sincere greetings & thanks

Mohammed & the family

[thesirencult]

Pick A Card : Soul Connection

An intuitive reading about a soul meant to find yours. In epic tales there is a literally mechanism called "recognition". The hero and his counterpart recognize eachother even after years of estrangement. Like Penelope and Odysseus. A love so deep not even multiple lifetimes can erase. A soul kindred to yours you would recognize in a sea of people.

"I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world."

disclaimer : a tarot reading should never be used in place of professional counselling. Your reading cannot offer legal, medical, business, or financial advice nor does any portion of your reading herein purport to. You should not rely on a tarot reading to make any decision that would affect your legal, financial, or medical condition. If your inquiry involves the law, finance, or medicine, then you should seek the advice of a licensed or qualified legal, financial, or medical professional. Also, tarot reading cannot replace qualified mental health care. A tarot reading can only facilitate how you cope spiritually with a given situation.

PILE 1

The soul meant to find yours is a gentle one. Themes that come up here remind me of couples like Queen Victoria and Albert. I t will be love at first sight. Whatever your genders are, the "supposed" feminine will be the dominant one.

Your person will take the backseat as you run things. You may come from a wealthier background or simply seem "high value". Lady and the trump vibes.

This person will fight for those who didn't get the same opportunities to grow. They cheer for the underdog. This person will love your firey nature and how "bossy" you are. One thing you have to be careful with in this relationship is to keep things balanced as sometimes they might feel like you do not respect them or you don't spend enough time with them.

They could be an INFJ. Sympathetic, compassionate and protective. Practical and detail oriented, this is the safe place you need to come back to after your long trips towards the stars.

PILE 2

The love of your life will be able to see you. The real you. They won't overlook the greyness in your face. "You're Losing Me" by Taylor Swift is a song that can talk about your past.

No one stopped hurting you even though they knew they wouldn't be able to bring you back. They didn't care.

This person is everything that you deserve. They will help you heal. No sad songs with this one. Your happily ever after. This person is a soldier. They would die for love.

Your people pleasing tendencies won't go unnoticed with this one. They care about YOU, not what you can do about THEM.

Give them a chance when they come around. Sweet energy. Safe. Boy-Girl-They next door energy. A sweetheart with a great smile and a kind glint in their eyes. My heart feels warm writing about them. Hallmark movies ain't got nothing on them. Their love is simple and "perfect". No questions and worries. Your safe place.

Your energy reminds me of those wedding photos you see on Instagram of couples in small American towns posing with their golden retriever and smiling at each other. Don't let your past wounds f*ck this up. Sincerely, from one people pleaser to another. If you picked this pile we would have been besties in real life. Lots of love and hugs your way.

P.S. They will always choose you. You are not the first, but the ONLY choice.

PILE 3

Your whole life you have felt alone and isolated. Like life is a party you have not been invited. I wouldn't say you are a "pick me", you are far from that. You just feel like there is no one there for you to keep your hands warm. You have always longed for someone that will look behind the mirror and realize there is someone is behind it. You struggle with finding your inner voice.

The catch here is that you have the ability to choose anyone behind the mirror. You have the ability to show who you truly are. Be wild and crazy. Unstoppable. You didn't come here to do pretty and quiet. You are here to awake others and break the glass.

The person meant for you, your other half is very different from you. They are way more hedonistic and may find solace is the material realm. They will do everything to make you feel wanted and beautiful. This person will see you for who you truly are and they won't feel intimidated. Your "black cat energy" won't drive them away. They have some skeletons in the closet themselves. Disturbing and compelling, this one would make a great "50 Shades Of Grey" type of movie. lol. They could listen a lot to the Weeknd or they used to live a very "rough" lifestyle in the past. Love at first sight. Intense. You slap them and they will kiss you. They will buffle you. "Why doe sthis mfer stick around somehow?".

In all honesty, in this lifetime, your other half will be overbearing. They won't back down until they take you down with them. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem come to mind in Jamon Jamon. This person may also come from money or have a lot of money and they want you to be their dark princess/prince. It will feel like taking a panther or feral cat and trying to domesticate it. Good try. You are still dangerous though, but they don't mind a few scratches.

[clairdelunelove]

actually shaking at the thought of how considerate boyfriend!yuuji is once you’re dating

hasn’t been in the ‘dating field’ before so this is all new territory to him and he tries so hard to be vigilant about everything you do. every anxious mannerism you have. the tone of your voice when you’re frustrated. it’s all carefully commemorated in his mind. filed away for a day when he needs it. mental notes that’ll help him guide you through any tough times you might have. he wishes to be the best for you– the best partner a person could possibly have because you deserve it. so he’ll fight and compromise for you. even rearranges his schedule just to get a glimpse of your face in the dim moonlight. an honor that you bestow upon him. that is, until he notices the furrow of your brows and how the ends of your lips are curved downwards. now this is unfamiliar to him. he ventures to step closer to you and his gaze flickers when you unconsciously twist away. but if yuuji is known for anything– then it’s for how adamantly he cares for you. 

“hey,” his voice is low and tender, “you doin’ alright?” 

and he’s so selfless. compassionate to a point where it’s noble. his calloused hand caresses your shoulder and the touch automatically soothes you. it always does. that’s the effect that yuuji had on you and a shaky exhale passes through you. his voice was, without fail, softer whenever he spoke to you. the tone of it undertook a maturity that he typically saved for more serious matters. 

“yeah,” you instinctively respond with a shaky smile, “I’m fine.” 

the reply is a reflex that you haven’t fought to break and it shows. it gives rise to genuine worry that bleeds into his stare when your boyfriend looks at you. and goodness does he watch you closely. his honeyed eyes bounce along every inch of your face and body, checking for any physical signs that might cause you harm. upon concluding that you weren’t hurt, he gingerly takes your hands into his own and gently squeezes.

“you sure? you don’t sound fine to me.”

his sharp features catch the faintest glint of exhaustion behind your eyes and he recognizes that it’ll take a bit more prying to coax you to talk. no worries– yuuji’s a man of patience. he’d wait decades for you. in fact, he’d drop to his knees and plead if it’d aid him in finding a solution to your problems. and you’re aware that he would because his concern for your wellbeing is so apparent. he’d shout it from the rooftops until his voice eventually gave out and that conception only warms your heart. in truth, you just missed him– his presence, affection, and yearning.

“you’re so good to me, yuu,” you softly admit, staring up at him. 

there are hearts in your eyes. glimmering and floating in a manner that knocks the wind out of his chest. little does he know that his obvious worry quells the ache of overthinking within you. he tilts his head, blushy hair bobbing at the action, and uses his thumb to draw circles on the back of your hands. sweet gestures that match him in this trying time. you can’t stifle the smile that overtakes your face and his heart is so full of you that he can hardly call it his own.

his stare is adoring as he murmurs, “oh yeah?” 

the inquiry borders a tease and he raises a brow at you. your eyes flicker to the width of his shoulders, broad and consuming. such a tempting sight that has your mind wandering. and yuuji’s seen that starry gleam in your gaze before. almost forces a chuckle out of him due to how troubled he was about the situation. but you just missed him. perhaps his busy schedule has kept him away from you for too long. such a needy thing. and if he did have a fault it would be how insatiable he is about you. 

he moves to grab you by the chin, his touch sensitive yet firm. honeyed eyes narrowing at how yours widens in longing. then, yuuji tilts your face up to his. his next words are a deep rumble that spreads enough warmth to start a wildfire within you and you’re gravitating towards him. pulled in by his temptations. 

leaning to press a sticky kiss on your jaw, he encourages, “then won't you talk to me, pretty girl? please?” 

[hisui-dreamer]

ode to the scheming eel

Pairing: Jade Leech x gn!reader

Synopsis: the world would never know how wonderful he is, but he was a treasure beyond compare

Tags: drabble, fluff, slightly poetic hehe, reader is a simp for jade

Word count: 604

Notes: double posting for floyd's too!!! eel birthday fics wooo!

yes it's been a few days but im still celebrating (⁠ﾉ⁠≧⁠∇⁠≦⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠ ⁠ﾐ⁠ ⁠┻⁠━⁠┻

Masterlist

Your lover often keeps himself wrapped in layers of soft-spoken charm and formal eloquence. The world sees him as a meticulous vice housewarden, yet, there's more to him than meets the eye. He revels in the art of deception, a master puppeteer manipulating the strings of those around him. Words, for him, are the weapons of choice, and he wields them with a finesse that leaves others bewildered. They dance with a subtle wit, each sentence a carefully crafted tapestry of indirect barbs veiled in layers of politeness, but cut sharper than any blade.

Your lover possesses a subtle artistry in the way he observes you. His keen eyes, like an ever-watchful guardian, seem to unravel the intricacies of your being with each passing moment. His enjoyment in watching you is not invasive; instead, it's a delicate dance of understanding, an appreciation for the nuances that make you who you are. In his gaze, you feel a sense of acceptance and fascination, a warmth that borders on admiration. And though he may be admit to being uncomfortable when it becomes your turn to observe him, there’s no denying the blissful smile on his flushed face.

Your lover possesses a remarkable capacity for care and an unparalleled attention to detail that extends beyond the bounds of ordinary affection. It's as if he holds an intimate map of your well-being, meticulously navigating the subtle shifts in your mood. His eyes, sharp and perceptive, catch the nuances of your expressions, and his gentle inquiries are a testament to the depth of his concern. Whether it's a fleeting illness or the weight of a difficult day, his caring nature unveils itself in the subtle gestures—a comforting touch, a jacket on your shoulders, a few words of motivation, or simply a quiet presence that speaks volumes. His attention to the nuances of your emotional landscape is a testament to the genuine and compassionate love he harbours for you.

Your lover takes immense pleasure in the teasing you, delighting in the subtle dance of words that elicit reactions from you. He possesses a mischievous flair, savouring each moment as he skilfully weaves playful banter into your interactions. The sparkle in his eyes betrays the satisfaction he finds in observing your responses, a testament to his mastery in the delicate game of verbal sparring. However, the tables turn when you successfully tease him back. In those moments, a subtle flush colours his cheeks, his usually eloquent words falter, replaced by a silent vulnerability that reveals a side of him he keeps well-guarded. It's in these instances that the power dynamic shifts, and you catch precious glimpses of your tender, unguarded lover beneath the veil of his composed exterior.

Your lover's unusual obsession with mushrooms may be slightly concerning, but you can’t find it in yourself to deny him when his eyes shine with delight. There's an undeniable allure in witnessing his fervor, and you find yourself incapable of withholding support. Your scavenging hikes become cherished adventures, traversing landscapes in search of the elusive fungi. Throughout the journey, he remains attentive, ensuring your well-being at every turn. In embracing his passion, you discover a shared joy that transforms any reservations into moments of bonding and shared experiences.

Your lover, with all his complexities, is the masterpiece you've chosen to love, a canvas painted with shades of eloquence, mischief, and a profound appreciation for the beauty that others may overlook. You find yourself captivated by the enigma that he is, drawn to the uncharted territories of his thoughts and the subtleties of his actions.

Your lover, is none other than Jade Leech.

Masterlist

if you liked this post, don't forget to reblog!

[4dkellysworld]

Three Methods on the Path

There are three methods we use to help us on the path so we can realize our Self: 1. Self-surrender - where we surrender completely to God, or to your Self. But that’s hard to do for most people. It sounds easy, but it’s not. It means that you have no life of your own. You surrender completely and totally, everything to God. Totally. Every part of your life goes to God. “Not my will, but Thine.” That’s devotion, bhakti. Again, it sounds easy to some people, but it’s not when you get into it, because it means every decision that you have to make is left up to God. You give your mind to God, totally, completely, absolutely. And that leads you to Self-realization. 2. Mindfulness - Becoming the witness. Watching yourself continuously. Watching your thoughts, watching your actions. Sitting in meditation and watching what goes on in your mind. Not trying to change anything or correct anything. Just observing. Becoming the witness to your thoughts in meditation, and to your actions in the waking state. 3. Self-inquiry - this is the one that I advocate. Asking yourself, “To whom do these troubles come? To whom does this karma come? To whom does this suffering come? It comes to me. Well, what is ‘me’? I am me. Who am I? From where did the I come from?” And following the “I” to its source. You can use any (or all) of those three methods, whatever suits you best. But by all means, do something. Don’t waste your life with frivolities. Work on yourself, if you want to become free. It doesn’t mean you have to give up going to the movies, or going to work, or anything. You give nothing up. You just become aware of what you’re doing. You become a conscious being. You become conscious of your actions. You become loving, compassionate, gentle to all people. You stop watching out for number one. Most of us say, “Number one, I’m number one.” Forget it. That’s how you suffer. That’s ego. It’s hard to understand, when you give up your ego, how you can have a better life, but you do. Try it and you’ll see. When you stop thinking of yourself, and you start thinking on your Self, but yourself becomes Omnipresence, that means you're thinking of everybody else as yourself. So if any human being suffers, you suffer too.

from Silence of the Heart by Robert Adams

[zippidi-dooda]

"Alucard?" You said softly, looking up from your charcoal detail paper.

The man hummed, glancing at you from the corner of his eye.

You glance back down at the drawing you'd finished of him.

It looked great, he was a marvelous subject for a portrait. He was perfectly still and silent in any pose you positioned him, unmoving until you said you had finished. You loved to gaze at him with each drawing, tracing the outline of his well defined features, like the curve of his jaw or sharp shape of his nose, the soft curls of his golden hair that fell in waves around his shoulders, the length of his lashes that cast shadows over his amber eyes, the prominent arch of his brows, and swell of his plump lips onto the thick sheet of paper you carried around with a pen of charcoal, shading his features to match the lighting in a way you knew best.

Each pose, angle, and lighting was different. But there was one thing every drawing of him had in common.

"Why don't I ever see you smile?"

The man stiffened and proceeded to ignore your inquiry. "Are you almost done? I believe it's nearly time for our evening meal."

You looked back up at him and nodded slowly.

"I couldn't be more grateful that you allow me to draw you, Alucard. But, I am noticing a pattern in your ... habits. The way you present yourself."

Alucard stood and proceeded to walk in the direction of the kitchen, hoping to escape your conversation.

You followed after him.

"You are less grumpy looking than when we first met. But I have never seen you laugh or smile or give any other expression than this numb, blank look."

"My apologies, I am just not an expressive person like you're used to. There's no need to follow me, I'll finish up quickly and call for you when the food is done."

For a moment you didn't reply, simply staring at him from behind as he took long strides in front of you.

Like the castle walls surrounding you, he was so cold and sheltered, with walls thick enough to withstand many heavy attacks from the outside. So distant. Hiding in his own mind as he was hiding in this crumbling structure so deep into the woods.

You hoped one day you could even hear a snippet of what he was thinking of, get accepted into his inner fortress like you had been able to be accepted to stay within this fortified home of his.

You just, didn't know how.

Hesitantly, you reached out to him, pausing your actions for a moment before finally grabbing onto the sleeve of his coat, prompting him to stop and look over at you.

You gave him a warm smile and said, "if you ever have anything you need to get off your chest, I'll always be here to listen."

Alucard blinked slowly at you and after a minute you continued to walk in front of him, babbling about what he should make for this evening.

It went in one ear and out the other.

Alucard, now following behind you, furrowed his brow and pursed his lips further as he ran your words back in his mind over and over again.

Such compassionate words. From a seemingly harmless person. He truly wanted to believe you and tell you all that has been persistently wearing him down. But he just couldn't.

He had met one too many who gave him the same impression of harmlessness. And they had no remorse in trying to take advantage of his trust and vulnerability. That cut deeper than any sword or claw ever had and he couldn't handle the thought of experiencing that again with you.

He may have been a fool to let you in to live with him in the first place. But he would not make the mistake of blindly trusting you because he was lonely. He would not allow it.

'You'll always be here?'

Unlikely.

Alucard shook his head to clear his thoughts, and jumped into the conversation of dinner plans instead.

Maybe one day, he'd be able to meet someone he could actually trust. Maybe that person was you. He really hoped so. But as of now, it was too soon to tell.

He'd skirt any further questions you had in correspondence to this until much further in the future, when all doubts about your intentions were washed away from his mind.

An issue that would be much harder to fix than simply wishing it to go away.

[ravens-inquisition]

⚔️ WELCOME TO THE INQUISITION 🐦‍⬛

This blog is dedicated to the recounting, archiving, and showcasing of "Raven's Inquisition". "Raven's Inquisition" is a Curse of Strahd prequel campaign where we get to explore setting elements and character relations that otherwise could not have been explored in the canon module. The DM @emp-roar is constructing the campaign as an adaptation of the "I, Strahd" novel, where Barovia has yet to be established, Strahd is still human, and the players are all inquisitors overtaking the Tsolenka Valley under the von Zarovich crest and the banner of the Morninglord.

The following tags are available for your eased perusal:

#journal entry (session recaps)

#public notes (in-world discovered lore)

#media (art/media)

#writings (personal inquisitor literature)

#inquisitorial mailbox (QnAs)

#AUs For tags pertaining to the individual inquisitors, please look at their personal accounts below.

By the decree of Count Strahd von Zarovich, the following names shall be knighted to receive upon them the title of

Inquisitor of the Tribunal of the Holy Office of Barovia, Ordo Solis:

Frank was a sergeant who served under the banner of House Dilisnya. Hindered by nothing but his own conscience, he chose to kneel to the Lord of Murder, Bhaal, so that he may strike the political enemies of his master without a pang to his sanity. He was later sentenced to death by his own general, not because of his crimes, but to control the unrest of the masses. This condemned his faith in Bhaal. After his release, his mind is ever-pregnant with the thoughts of meaningless murder, but he chooses not to, for while duty is in his hand, murder is never meaningless.

Ever since the attempted assassination against Strahd, Frank has been called to the battlefield, now riding and fighting beside the count, his commander, and the might of the Voronian army. [Frank's player has since left the table due to personal reasons. He will forever rage under the blazing heat of the morning sun. Sol Invictus, Frank.]

Everyone is entitled to fear. Not all are worthy of harnessing it.

Rising from the depths of enslavement, no one could have foreseen that a mere cripple would lead a savage onslaught against his masters. A gritty veteran, Cain's dreary origins gave birth to his singular conviction of dominance. This worldview born from despair molded his philosophy regarding the nature of power and the laws that govern all. Despite being fueled by darker ambitions, Cain is not without a heart of grace and kindness. The duality of the man who is both ruthless and compassionate is weighted in balance, reflecting symbolically his devotion to The Scales. Intent on liberating those in shackles and claiming power to ensure it, the "Dreadwalker" finds himself in the service of Strahd von Zarovich, planning to consolidate and secure both.

Anatomically speaking, how do you do?

Once a mere human consumed by an insatiable obsession with necromancy, Violet delved deeper into the dark arts, fervently worshipping the god Bhaal in her pursuit of forbidden knowledge. Gradually descending into madness, she adopted the guise of a pathologist, masking her heinous crimes as acts of scientific inquiry. Her obsession with understanding the mechanics of life and death twisted her mind, transforming her into a ruthless psychopath.

Calandrius Vaerethin is many things: a long-lived elf, a one-time hellrider, or the occasional robber baron. By all accounts he has the physicality of a golden knight, his fair skin complemented with his bright golden hair, as if stolen from the sun, with the composure of someone who has practiced a thousand strikes in his lifetime; though Caland would tell you he is anything but. In truth, he is the last of a long-dead order of knights, who were purged in the days of Old Voron. Now unfettered, whether it be the tenets of the old order of the noose meant for his neck, perhaps it is time to let the ghosts of his past rest. He was always told that his lot was to be the beating wings of the freedom of the sky. Though whether the Last Swan would herald weal or woe, only time and circumstance can tell.

Pikehead is imposing to say the least. Armored from head to toe in steel and spikes, little is known about him or what he looks like underneath the iron. Soft-spoken and tamed, his demeanor hardly lives up to the foreboding presence he commands. Mayhaps it was because of his duties to his late master in Old Voron. A soldier molded into a near perfect machine.

In war, the only thing stronger than fear is hunger. A tyrant is only different from a peasant in appetite.

Raised amidst the oppressive reign of the late King Barov, Omen had to learn how to navigate the streets of Voron as much as the various plights littering it. The circumstances of his birth, coupled with the struggles he faced growing up, taught him to attribute value to the few possessions he truly owned. Value he is willing to exchange for the only thing he ever hungers for: a home.

I promised them it would all get better, but all I brought them was ruin. I cannot fail again, but if ruin is what he needs, ruin I shall bring.

A soldier, a knight, a sword. Whatever he is, one thing that can describe him is loyalty. And why would he be the one that betrayed the kingdom? Who knows. But now, it seems like he got his second chance, and he will not waste it.

"My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice." -- Tome of Strahd

☼ SOL INVICTUS ☼

[kismetconstellations]

Shiro from Voltron for the character ask game

To spare my poor followers' dashboards a massive wall of text, my answers will be found behind the cut. Let's regroup there, shall we?

1. Why do you like or dislike this character?

I love Shiro because he demonstrates so perfectly that a person's trauma does not have to define them. No matter what kind of Hell they've been subjected to, they always have the option to remain gentle, compassionate, and kind. Even when they're afraid. Even when they believe themselves to be "broken", or monstrous because of what they had to do to survive.

One can rise above attempts to break them, and be so much more than the people who mistreated them tried to force them to be.

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

His personality. Even when he isn't being everything that epitomizes a true hero- brave, selfless, strong-willed, empathetic, always looking after others and willing to risk his life for them at the drop of a hat- he's so much fun to watch. From his moments of tired, resigned irritation and bemusement with others' antics,

to his quiet fascination with Altean technology and concepts, like water pouches and their time measurement system,

to the moments where he's just a great big dorky sweetheart.

People who think he's "boring" because he's a workaholic soldier who isn't as inclined to shenanigans and over the top reactions as his younger comrades aren't paying attention. He's an extremely dynamic, multi-faceted character just begging to be explored by someone who loves him and all of his depth and multitudes.

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

How he's handled by the team of inept showrunners who helmed this messy disaster of a cartoon.

He has no real support system, something I can only imagine is due to him being the commanding officer to a group of teenagers he can't truly confide in, and the intention to have him fill a Doomed Mentor role, despite him being inadvertently written as The Chosen One. His biological family is virtually non-existent. The only other proper adult he could look to for advice is the designated comic relief. There were opportunities for him to be taken in by the Holts, given their mutual fondness for each other, or even Allura and Coran. Allura and Shiro seemed to have developed an even stronger bond (offscreen, of course) after she saved his life.

(I have a theory that Allura's quintessence alchemy altered Shiro's DNA, which is why his new arm could only be safely powered by the Balmeran crystal from Allura's tiara, and the Atlas, similarly powered by Altean magic, responds to Shiro and Shiro alone, establishing a mental link with him the same way Allura had with the Castle of Lions. But, that's for another unhinged essay.)

And, when Coran confronts Iverson about strapping Shiro to a table in the pilot, he refers to Shiro as "our Shiro".

But, neither of these avenues were ever explored, as Shiro was "retired" and relegated to side-character status, leaving him isolated from everyone, including his best friend who loves him.

The ableism surrounding his disability is disgusting. He's a forced amputee twice over. He spends most of an entire season standing mute on the sidelines without a right arm, and there's absolutely no acknowledgement of his missing limb, that his best friend is the reason why it's gone, or inquiries into how being rendered effectively "useless" after coming back from the dead is affecting Shiro's already poor mental health.

(Does Shiro sleep? Does he have pajamas he can even change into, or is he supposed to wear the Black Paladin armor the entire trip back to Earth? Is he able to shower with that stump, or does it pose an electrocution hazard if it comes into contact with water? Is there anything available for him to do so he isn't standing silently around, losing his mind?)

His best friend's mother tells him to stay out of a fight, and he meekly accepts the order, never making another attempt to be anything other than a helpless bystander until he's been outfitted with a new arm that he, once again, has no say in the design of. An arm that is bulky and over-sized, impractical, likely extremely uncomfortable, and sickeningly mirrors his abuser's.

The same abuser who filled his head with taunts about his previous prosthetic being the "strongest part" of him, and the same abuser who tortured him and is implied to have raped him.

An ally tells him that he would be stronger with "two robotic arms", almost mocking the fact that Shiro's right arm was deliberately taken from him to be replaced by a weapon. And, this is never called out or questioned.

A punch that he lands on his abuser with his organic fist only incites a mocking sneer before Shiro is flung across the body of the ship that they're fighting on like a ragdoll.

After being made to feel washed-up and old at twenty-six, Shiro participates in an arm-wrestling tournament that he wins-- using the ill-proportioned prosthetic modeled after his abuser's.

I don't know if there was no one on the staff who was aware of the vile implications in this handling of a disabled character, but when one considers the similar grotesque handling of intense trauma and passive suicidal ideation... It doesn't exactly paint a pretty picture of the ideas and beliefs that went into the writing on this show.

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

This is so silly and indulgent, but... What immediately comes to mind is, instead of him dying in the second season's finale and spending four entire seasons helplessly roaming and languishing on the Astral Plane, I would have him magically transported to the beach episode of a slice of life anime.

He would get to play volleyball with and be fawned over by a bunch of pretty, shirtless men with glistening, sun-kissed skin. As he deserves. ( ᵘ ᵕ ᵘ ⁎)

5. What’s the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

"Lazarus Drug", by Meg Washington. Longtime followers of my silly little blog might be aware of my love for Bluey, which is how I was introduced to this gorgeous piece of music. It was used to masterful effect in the twenty-eight minute special episode, The Sign.

When I was struggling to come up with a title for my Shiro-centric character study/fix-it fic, "Lazarus Drug" proved to be a lifesaver.

"And when I hear you calling, Like you were always there, I rise until I'm hanging in the Middle of the air

And when I hear you calling, I split like I'm a snake With golden light like fingers And, then I start to break

Into a billion pieces Oh, I shatter into constellations Like I've never been more here Like I completely disappear

I'm nothingness, but shining And everywhere at once I'm everything and everyone Who is or ever was."

6. What’s something you have in common with this character?

Less than stellar mental health as a result of trauma.

7. What’s something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

There are so many jaw-droppingly stunning and breathtaking pieces of Shiro fan art out there. I also greatly appreciate fanfics, meta, and analyses that take all of his trauma and his disability, and how they would realistically impact his daily life, into account.

Christening him "The Unkillable Gay", and "Gay God", is also pretty darned fantastic.

8. What’s something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

Dark Shiro, Shiro-bashing (usually in tandem with Allura-bashing), sidelining him due to ageism, ignoring his canon sexuality to give Keith reason to angst over Shiro not accepting him in K/L fics, minimizing Shiro's role in Keith's life to focus on their preferred ship, having Shiro adopt or be biologically related to Keith, especially if Adam is co-parenting and Keith has more of a bond with him than Shiro (it's pretty obvious why certain shippers do this), depicting him as high-libido and sexually aggressive/an Alpha/dominant/top, even more so when he gets off on being called "daddy", expressing a belief that he should have stayed dead in service of Keith's character, treating him and his clone as the same person... Just to name a few.

9. Could you be roommates with this character?

I don't see why not.

10. Could you be best friends with this character?

I'd love to think that I could be. But, realistically, I'd be too nervous to ever approach him and strike up a conversation. >////<'

11. Would you date this character?

Though he is undeniably gorgeous, we are romantically incompatible, I'm afraid.

12. What’s a headcanon you have for this character?

Shiro moved to the United States with his grandfather in late childhood, between the ages of eight and ten. That's why he speaks perfect English with no trace of an accent.

13. What’s an emoji, an emoticon and/or any symbol that reminds you of this character or you think the character would use a lot?

☆

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

Classic Hollywood pilot aesthetic; aviation jacket with (faux) fur lining, patches on the sleeve, and a tight t-shirt or tank top underneath, sometimes with aviator sunglasses folded over the collar or worn over his eyes, military dog tags around his neck, the sort of clingy, curve-flattering pants that he canonically favors, and knee-high combat boots. Scarf is optional.

I also love a soft formal look on him. Crisp dress shirt and tie with a vest over top, perfectly tailored slacks, and shiny black loafers.

15. What’s your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn’t matter if it’s canon or not.)

I'm going to go with Shiro/Keith, though I very much have a fondness for Shiro/Hunk, as well.

Keith's devotion to Shiro is exactly the level of devotion that Shiro deserves, though Keith could stand to tone the intensity of it down just a tad. His willingness to throw his life away for Shiro would be a massive source of anxiety for Shiro, and something they'd have to discuss, among many other topics, before entering a serious romantic relationship.

And, Hunk is such a sweetheart, he'd spoil and pamper Shiro in all of the best ways. When he's of legal consenting age, of course.

(I also may or may not crack-ship him with Sven.)

16. What’s your least favorite ship for this character?

Romantic Shiro/Pidge, and Shiro/Sendak. An adult gay man and a female child, and a trauma survivor and his personal tormentor is a great big "no thanks" for me.

17. What’s a ship for this character you don’t hate but it’s not your favorite that you’re fine with?

Shiro/Lance, and Shiro/Matt. I prefer Shiro and Matt as friends, and overexposure to Lance thanks to a hyper-zealous fanbase has done a fairly good job of putting me off of him. Which sucks, because I genuinely like him just fine in the show, itself. I don't mind either ship, and have read fic for them. They're just not prospects for Shiro that I ever seriously entertain.

18. How about a relationship they have in canon with another character that you admire?

I love Shiro and Pidge's relationship in the early episodes. The way he is so gentle, encouraging, and protective with her, basically becoming a second older brother, and how she comes to trust and rely on him as a confidante, enough that she personally seeks him out to tell him that she plans to leave the team to search for her father and brother, knowing he will understand, stole my heart almost immediately, and stole it hard.

It's incredibly disheartening that, after his resurrection, we only get tidbits and table scraps of that relationship.

Why did Shiro start riding with her in the Green Lion on the journey back to Earth? Who knows? The writers certainly weren't going to tell us, because Shiro was so thoroughly a side-character, by that point, he and Pidge- if I'm recalling correctly- only talked to each other onscreen one time.

Never forget what they took from us.

(Also ignore that they forgot to draw Shiro's scar.)

19. How about a relationship they have in canon that you don’t like?

No offense to Mr. Set-Dressing, but there is nothing that points to these characters having any sort of even platonic relationship, let alone the kind of chemistry that would lead to a marriage a few years down the line. They never address each other by name, or at all, when they're not exchanging commands in the heat of battle. "Curtis" has more personal interaction with Acxa. And, I swear Shiro only looks away from the console on the Atlas's bridge to physically acknowledge this man once.

The animators certainly did poor "Curtis" no favors, either, by making him look like a sad, pathetic older man who couldn't lift or dip his strapping younger groom on their wedding day.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn’t matter?

I adore the idea of Shiro and Allura as best friends, and would have loved to have seen some genuine interaction between the Real Shiro and Matt, after Shiro attacked Matt to save his life. Alas...

21. If you’re a fic writer and have written for this character, what’s your favorite thing to do when you’re writing for this character? What’s something you don’t like?

I've only very recently started writing for Shiro, and don't see myself doing much more than the aforementioned character study/fix-it fic. That said, I love getting into his head to really flesh him out, his psychology, his illness, his failed relationship, his experience in captivity, and using the members of his found family as conduits for him to realize just how special and good to his core he truly is. Like what should have happened in canon.

I don't like writing about him suffering, but part of recovering from trauma is processing it. And, processing often involves reliving the traumatic event as you walk a trusted friend, loved one, or mental health professional through it in the hopes that they will then offer you the greatly needed comfort and support and skills to cope that you didn't have, at the time it occurred.

22. If you’re a fic reader, what’s something you like in fics when it comes to this character? Something you don’t like?

I love in-character portrayals of Shiro in Hurt/Comfort settings that address the sheer magnitude of his trauma, and emphasize how unfailingly brave, strong, compassionate, and altruistic in spite of it all that he has always been and always will be.

I'm not a fan of him being treated like he's "oblivious", or "emotionally constipated" for not immediately acting on an Anguished Declaration of Love that Keith gave to "Kuron", and prefaced with, "You're my brother".

And, I've covered before, in detail, how much it irks and baffles me when Lance fans give Lance traits distinct and exclusive to Shiro in an effort to try to turn him into Shiro, instead of accepting him as he is.

23. Favorite picture of this character?

Tough call, since there are so many, but, I do think this one is the winner:

I love that, despite his strong jaw, his features are so gentle and soft, and the silver hair truly lends him an ethereal quality. That arm is ghastly, but it doesn't detract from just how pretty Shiro is, and how much that Admiral coat flatters him.

24. What other character from another fandom of yours that reminds you of them?

I don't participate in the fandom at all, but I've carried a torch for Leonardo from the 2003 incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since the show was still actively airing and in production. There are so many similarities between Shiro and 2003 Leo that one could almost say there's a specific type of character that I'm drawn to like gravity hurtling a ship into a planet with a crash-landing imminent and the projected number of casualties astronomical.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

My first impression of Shiro, when I watched the pilot and second episode back in 2016, was that he was my favorite character of the lot. I was drawn to him for all of the reasons stated above. But, once I became aware of the online fandom drama, I backed off, only watching three more episodes (A Little Adventure and Lions' Pride I and II) in 2018 for Shiro/Keith shipping reasons before becoming a lurker on the peripheral, exploring fanmade content without engaging with the show, itself. It wasn't until earlier this year that I finally grit my teeth, braced myself, and committed to watching at least the seasons where the Real Shiro is featured in full.

I both immensely regret that decision for the sheer levels of frustration, fury, and deeply-rooted sadness at all of the wasted potential that I opened myself up to, and don't regret it at all. Because, I sincerely love Shiro and wish with all of my heart that he, and especially Allura and Coran and even Hunk, were handled by infinitely better writers in an infinitely better show.

----

Thank you so very, very much for asking! ❤

[tyrantisterror]

Now that the discourse surrounding the show seems to have finally died down, do you think let us, your loyal followers, know your feelings on Steven Universe, future and the movie included, and the backlash against it?

Steven Universe is - and has been since it debuted - a show that is very near and dear to my heart. It's the kind of story I desperately needed and did not have as a child growing up, and I'm very passionate about it.

And the sheer amount of vitriol it received - and still receives, even if the hate for it has died down since it ended - makes me never want to share that passion with anyone else. I see too much of myself in that show to open up my feelings about it without feeling like I'm exposing a raw nerve for the internet to poke and prod as callously as possible.

Like, it's still a running joke on the internet that Steven is a lame pussy who sucks because he's not manly enough and deserves to be hated and made fun of for it. The comic that originates the "I think we're gonna have to kill this guy (insert character here)" is one recent(ish) prominent example. If you're born male, there is no worse crime you can commit than being compassionate and emotional, and the world will make sure you are hated for it.

I'm sure that just by me answering this ask - not even making a post of my own volition on the subject, but answering an inquiry about it - some people will view this as an invitation to come on this post unprompted and explain to me their perfectly valid reasons for thinking the show sucks and that Rebecca Sugar is a white supremacist fascist sympathizer or whatever the fuck. I don't care.

I will never discuss Steven Universe. My feelings for it will be taken to my grave. I am the only person I will ever be able to trust with them.

[bananapancakewithcondensedmilk]

Introduction Post

Hey everyone, I’m Daphne Denninghoff. 🌌 Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I dive deep into the truth beneath the surface and challenge the narratives that keep us divided and distracted.

About Me I'm 31, from the Netherlands, and I’m on a journey of awakening and self-discovery, peeling back layers of conditioning to uncover the raw, unfiltered truth. I explore the big questions: Why are we so divided? How does society keep us locked in an "us versus them" mindset? What does it mean to live in unity, beyond labels and judgments? If you’re someone who’s also asking these questions, you’re in the right place.

What You’ll Find Here On this blog, I’ll be sharing my reflections on consciousness, self-inquiry, unity, and the power of love—yes, the kind that goes beyond conditions and control. You’ll find thoughts on society’s illusions, the engine of division, and the structures that keep us from living authentically and compassionately. I’ll also talk about the path of self-transformation, seeing through the veil, and finding freedom beyond conventional thinking.

Let’s Grow Together This is a space for truth-seekers, questioners, and those ready to see the world with fresh eyes. Whether you’re here to read, reflect, or engage in discussion, I welcome you with open arms and an open mind. Let’s embrace the uncomfortable, expand our consciousness, and uncover what it means to live authentically and freely.

So, if you’re ready to see beyond the surface and explore what lies beneath, join me on this journey. Let’s wake up together. 🌱✨

[harlronica]

psychic/intuitive astro placements for the vertex

In Astrology, the Vertex is considered a point in your chart that signals events that happen to you throughout your incarnation with no effort or will of your own. It's a special point and quite telling when it comes to matters of fate. A Starseed origin in alignment here is the origin that guides you the most throughout life's ups and downs. During these ups and downs you activate the hidden power of this origin the most. Maybe more so than any other Starseed origin. However, it is only done so during chaos. Learning to work with this origin will aid you in your ascension process. 

*Psychic/Intuitive Astrological Vertex Placements* "My Karmic Fate"

Cancer: nurturing and empathetic. Especially if in alignment with a Sirius or Hydra Starseed origin which runs along the Cancer degrees

Virgo: intuitive and possess healing qualities. Especially if in alignment with the Corvus Starseed origin which runs along the Virgo degrees

Libra: creates a strong longing for a merging/union of souls; these chart holders seek to change the world and establish peace and justice; visionaries. Especially if in alignment with the Arcturus Starseed origin which rungs along the Libra degrees

Sagittarius: amazing visionaries. Especially if in alignment with a Shaula or Lyra Starseed origin which runs along the Sagittarius degrees

Aquarius: visionaries and will most likely undergo a soul-transformation/rebirth during this lifetime. Especially if in alignment with the Andromeda Starseed origin which runs along the Aquarius/Pisces degrees

Pisces: if this placement is well integrated then these chart holders are extremely compassionate, empathetic, and possess various psychic abilities. Especially if in alignment with the Andromeda Starseed origin which runs along the Aquarius/Pisces degrees

4th house: chart holders with Vertex in 4th house indicates nurturing and psychic abilities; unusual and rare house for the vertex to be found in. Especially if running along a Sirius or Hydra degree. The 4th house belongs to Sirius and Hydra

5th house: these chart holders have had a previous life of work that has equipped them for a soul-evolvement to take them further during this lifetime; prone to a fateful romantic encounter such as a twin flame journey. Especially if running along a Regulus degree (The Family of Archangel Raphael.) The 5th house belongs to The Family of Raphael

6th house: intuitive and possess healing abilities. Especially if running along a Corvus degree. The 6th house belongs to Corvus

8th house: mystical with a deep inner-longing for a merging of souls. Especially if running along an Antares degree (The Family of Archangel Uriel.) The 8th house belongs to The Family of Uriel

9th house: rare house to find the Vertex in; extremely visionary. Especially if running along a Shaula or Lyra degree. The 9th house belongs to Shaula and Lyra

11th house: signifies a fateful romantic encounter destined to take place during this lifetime such as the twin flame journey. Especially if running along an Andromeda degree. The 11th house belongs to Andromeda

12th house: very psychic and attuned to their intuition. Especially if running along an Andromeda degree. The 11th/12th house belongs to Andromeda

Note: not all astrological placements for the Vertex are listed. If your Vertex house/sign is not listed that does not mean that you do not have other intuitive/psychic indicators in your chart. Everybody has intuitive and psychic placements to one degree or another in their astrological chart. This is why it is important to refer to the entire astrological chart as a whole! <3

What sign/house is your Vertex in? Note below! Mine's in 5th house Sagittarius

For business inquiries and Starseed origin readings please email harlronicareads@gmail.com ! I accept paypal/venmo and do not require payment until after the reading.

*Starseed Origin Chart Readings*

Planetary Starseed Origin Reading: for $30 you will receive a list of each Starseed origin that is found within your astrological planets (along with any alignments found within your North/South Node, Lilith, Chiron, ASC, Midheaven, Fortune, Vertex, ect.) . You will also receive a full detailed description of where each Starseed origin is located at in your natal chart and what this means for you; along with a detailed description of the meaning behind each Starseed origin, including pictures. For this reading it is required that you provide your exact time and date of birth (M/D/Y) along with birth location. I will use this information and provide you with your alignments based on both your Sidereal/Vedic and Tropical/Western Astrology charts. The timing for this reading can range anywhere between 1-3 days due to the thoroughness of the reading.

Half Planetary Starseed Origin Reading: for $20 you will receive a list of each Starseed origin that is found within your astrological planets (along with any alignments found within your North/South Node, Lilith, Chiron, ASC, Midheaven, Fortune, Vertex, ect.) along with a detailed description of the meaning behind each Starseed origin, including pictures. You will not receive a detailed description of where each origin is located and what it means for you as you would with the Full Inner Planetary Starseed Origin Reading. For this reading it is also required that you provide your exact time and date of birth (M/D/Y) along with your birth location. I will use this information and provide you with your alignments based on both your Sidereal/Vedic and Tropical/Western Astrology charts. The timing for this reading is usually within the same day requested.

Planetary Degree and House Starseed Origin Reading: for $30 you will receive a list of each Starseed origin that is found in your astrological chart along with a detailed description of the meaning behind each Starseed origin, including pictures. This reading will tell you what Starseed origin your planets are connected to through house/degree placements. (Ex: having Mars in Cancer to the 29 degree means that your Mars is in alignment with Hydra. Having Mars in Cancer to the 29 degree while also having Mars in 12th house means that Mars is now overlapping the Andromeda Starseed origin as the Andromeda Galaxy is connected to the 12th house and runs along 29 degree Aquarius before moving into Pisces. Meaning that since Mars is positioned in the 12th house while also being in 29 degree Cancer, Mars is in alignment with both Hydra and Andromeda.) For this reading it is also required that you provide your exact time and date of birth (M/D/Y) along with your birth location. I will use this information and provide you with your alignments based on both your Sidereal/Vedic and Tropical/Western Astrology charts. The timing for this reading is usually within the same day requested.

Planetary Aspect Starseed Origin Reading: for $50 you will receive a list of each Starseed origin that is found throughout your astrological houses (house 1-12) and planetary aspects (ex: Jupiter trine Neptune, with Jupiter being in alignment with Aldebaran/The Blue Rays (The Family of Archangel Michael) and Neptune being in alignment with Lyra) along with a detailed description behind what each house/planetary aspect origin represents and the meaning behind each Starseed origin, including pictures. For this reading it is also required that you provide your exact time and date of birth (M/D/Y) along with your birth location. I will use this information and provide you with your alignments based on both your Sidereal/Vedic and Tropical/Western Astrology charts. The timing for this reading can range anywhere between 1-3 days due to the thoroughness of the reading.

Full Starseed Origin Chart Reading: for $80 this is a combination of the Full Inner Planetary Origin Reading, Planetary Degree/House, and the Astrological House and Planetary Aspect Origin reading. All information listed above for both readings will be included in this one. For this reading it is also required that you provide your exact time and date of birth (M/D/Y) along with your birth location. I will use this information and provide you with your alignments based on both your Sidereal/Vedic and Tropical/Western Astrology charts. The timing for this reading can range anywhere between 1-3 days due to the thoroughness of the reading.

[kyrieren]

Umbrella vs. Rain: The Driving Forces of Saezuru (2)

Note: my analysis relies heavily on visual elements

II. Empathy - the first step away from the rain

Empathy is the solace that shelters the soul amidst the cascade of suffering.

Yashiro is astute. He reads people and the situation very quickly. For having suffered a shit ton yet still reserving a kind heart, Yashiro is an empathetic person. Witnessing Doumeki and his sister's emotional tug of war, Yashiro not only understands them but also saves their relationship, bracing Doumeki's way back to his family and the normal life even though Yashiro is attracted to him.

In "Saezuru," the act of giving someone an umbrella carries a symbolic message of "I wish for your suffering to end."

In this scene, Yashiro's look from a higher position can be interpreted as "I had suffered the same thing before you did", and the transparency of the umbrella he gives her allows him to still see her clearly, which can be read as "I empathize your anguish"

Yashiro's inquiries into Doumeki's past and the reasons behind his impotence evolve. Initially driven by curiosity, Yashiro's interest deepens after witnessing Doumeki's confrontation with Aoi, marking a shift from mere curiosity to genuine concern for Doumeki's well-being, prompting Yashiro to revisit the topic out of sincere care and empathy.

In this simple yet cinematic panel, raindrops trailing after raindrops on the glass window seem to be falling on Doumeki at the moment he is telling his story, representing a hurtful flashback. Meanwhile, Yashiro also takes a peripheral position in the frame, implying that he’s sharing the feelings and pain with Doumeki.

It’s Yashiro who prevents Aoi from being drenched in the rain. It's Yashiro who wipes the raindrops off Doumeki, signifying a symbolic act of cleansing - helping Doumeki shed his guilt and reconnect with his sister and family. These actions showcase Yashiro's compassionate nature and his will to alleviate the burdens carried by those around him, despite how much Yashiro himself has suffered from the "rain".

Touched by what Yashiro has done for him, it dawns on Doumeki that his boss is even more than his good look and charisma. Yashiro is kind-hearted, empathetic and incredibly resilient, a true beauty inside out. Likewise, Doumeki's feelings for Yashiro get deepened as the story progresses, to the extent that he persists in shielding Yashiro from the rain with his umbrella, no matter how hard Yashiro tries to push him away. It's the umbrella of love that Doumeki wishes to dedicate to Yashiro.

You can read other parts here:

Part 1:

Part 3:

[vickyvicarious]

“I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, Through constant watching wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles, And to wipe the weeping eyes; And a heart at leisure from itself To soothe and sympathise.”

This quote at the beginning stands in pretty uncomfortable contrast to the behavior of Margaret's parents throughout the chapter, I think. They both are acting pretty self-absorbed about this huge life change, unlike Margaret who is being forced to bear the burden for their lack of responsibility.

“I don’t think it can be true,” said Mrs. Hale, at length. “He would surely have told me before it came to this.” It came strongly upon Margaret’s mind that her mother ought to have been told: that whatever her faults of discontent and repining might have been, it was an error in her father to have left her to learn his change of opinion, and his approaching change of life, from her better-informed child. Margaret sat down by her mother, and took her unresisting head on her breast, bending her own soft cheeks down caressingly to touch her face. “Dear, darling mamma! we were so afraid of giving you pain. Papa felt so acutely—you know you are not strong, and there must have been such terrible suspense to go through.” “When did he tell you, Margaret?” “Yesterday, only yesterday,” replied Margaret, detecting the jealousy which prompted the inquiry. “Poor papa!”—trying to divert her mother’s thoughts into compassionate sympathy for all her father had gone through.

This whole bit of the conversation is really revealing. I was especially struck by the way she told her mother, "we were so afraid of giving you pain." It's made clear throughout the conversation that this is a choice her father has made on his own (to her mother; we already know that), but Margaret aligns herself with him here and acts as though she was part of the choice to delay telling her mother. She literally only asked for a day since receiving the news herself (and being pressured to do the hard job of sharing it), and in fact was surprised and upset at her mother not knowing already. In this moment particularly, even! That's not nearly as complicit as she makes herself sound here. But she does this because her instinct is to try and manage their conflicts and minimize them where she can. She doesn't want her mother to get angry at her father, so she places herself as sharing his feelings... but also doesn't want her mother to feel excluded by the two of them, so makes sure to be clear that she too only learned of this the day before. She's trying really hard to manage her mother's emotions here.

And to an extent, Mrs. Hale does seem prone to anxiety and maybe even overreactions. But her distress is perfectly valid here, and it shouldn't be Margaret's job to soothe her through it. Similarly, her frustration with Mr. Hale is also warranted - he's springing a huge life change on her with almost no warning, and not even in person! Margaret, however, is defensive of her father despite also disagreeing with him, because she has sympathy for his motives.

She's coddling both her parents throughout. Having the difficult conversation for her father, spending literally all day soothing and mediating with her mother on his behalf. It exhausts her to the point that as soon as she sees they aren't about to fight, Margaret flees to her room to cry in privacy.

(It seems quite relevant that neither of her parents notice her sobbing in there, and it's instead a servant. But though she is "touched" by the house-maid's concern for her, she doesn't feel comfortable showing her distress to Mrs. Dixon, her mother's servant. And when she goes on to badmouth Mr. Hale, even if meant to be in a commiserating way, Margaret gets very defensive again. There's a distinct class aspect to her behavior here of course - how dare a servant say such things - and her haughty reaction reflects that. But it's also another instance of her being so focused on defending her parents that she doesn't express any of her own frustrations to others.)

Moving forward, it's more of the same. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hale get so wrapped up in their own emotions about this move that they don't do much of anything to actually prepare for it. And so Margaret is forced to take that over, too. She does try to get their input at least a little (more with her father than her mother) but gives up when they're no use. Worse than no use, they just complain about their own distress when she tries, and she is again forced to manage them.

“Papa!” said Margaret, “it is this suspense that is bad for you both. Of course, mamma must feel your change of opinions: we can’t help that,” she continued softly; “but now the course is clear, at least to a certain point. And I think, papa, that I could get mamma to help me in planning, if you could tell me what to plan for. She has never expressed any wish in any way, and only thinks of what can’t be helped. Are we to go straight to Milton? Have you taken a house there?”

Mr. Hale hasn't planned for anything. Mrs. Hale can't help, she's so upset that she's ill. It falls upon Margaret to take charge of the entire move, including sending her mother off on vacation for a little bit. The prospect of this at least gets her to stop dwelling on her own misery... but it doesn't sound like she starts helping Margaret so much as she stops actively hindering her so much. Mr. Hale just acts helpless and overstressed the whole time, and as much as Mrs. Dixon is helpful, she's also a point of tension for Margaret because of that dislike between her and Mr. Hale.

Margaret spends all her time being thoughtful, constantly watching, wiping their weeping eyes, soothing and sympathizing.... and both her parents accept it and depend on it without offering anything in return. They clearly all love each other, but they are self-centered and seem very unaware of how much pressure they're putting on their daughter.

It's a really interesting dynamic, specifically in the context of Margaret having been away from the household so long. Are they falling back into old routines; have they always done this? Is she stepping up more after her time at her aunt's (where, once again, she seemed to be the more practical one running about getting things done) and they're just letting it happen? Perhaps this avoidance of conflict and reliance on others (from Mr. Hale) used to fall more on the shoulders of his son before he left (and then participated in that mutiny, thus becoming another source of stress. actually, if that says anything about his relationship with authority, he may have been irresponsible/unmanaged at home before leaving; the Hales wouldn't be able to control him probably and Margaret would feel more responsible). It sounds like Mrs. Hale typically vents her frustrations with Mrs. Dixon, which at least serves the function of keeping them from blowing up into fights with her husband, though there's a bit of tension/a schism there as a result. Despite the love they have for one another, it appears that both of the Hale parents have distinct issues and they do not communicate productively with one another about them (Mrs. Hale's longing for the more sophisticated life she left behind; Mr. Hale's doubts), nor do they handle themselves well at all in trying circumstances.

Margaret is forced to take up the slack for both the communication and the practical action here. And she reinforces it too, by taking it all on without complaint, too focused on soothing them to be willing to properly express her own feelings. Frankly, her eagerness to jump in and mediate would make me wonder if she grew up with a lot of nasty parental fighting, if not for the other dynamics at play suggesting maybe it was more just smaller conflicts causing occasional tension (such as the promotion thing) and a general sense of protectiveness over them both. Not to mention, she feels very fond of her memories at home so she certainly was not remembering a lot of fighting or anything. The parent-child dynamic is largely reversed, though, with Margaret looking after them both emotionally and practically.