#How did we forget the injustices against them

[lale-txt]

✱ visiting the cat café with JJK men (pt. 1/?)

a/n: first time writing for JJK aaaa. i should have done this a whole lot sooner! happy to be taking those fine gentlemen out for a date at the cat café hehe. and with the current events in both manga & anime i think it's fair to say we deserve to have a bit of a slice of life delulul moment, right... （πーπ）

❦ 𝐆𝐎𝐉𝐎

“did you roll around in catnip before we got here or…” 

Gojo only grins at you before he starts a monologue, something about his natural musk that makes him irresistible to little meow meows, explaining how cats are attracted to cursed energy and how he has a limitless amount of it, yada yada yada…

you aren’t listening anymore, only feeling slightly jealous of how he’s swarmed by cats without any effort, like he didn’t have to go through the whole humbling process of getting to the floor and mumbling pspsps until your mouth is dry only for the cats to ignore you

every single cat in the café is practically begging for his attention and honestly, can you blame them 

the cats are in heaven. Gojo is in heaven. the staff is in heaven. 

a chonky white Persian cat is extra persistent and secures a spot on Gojo’s shoulder, chewing on his hair and that’s when you know you will be leaving this café either without your boyfriend or with a new cat

in the end Gojo simply ends up buying the cat café (oh to be stupid rich) and treats it as his own personal oasis from there on and you can’t even be mad because you get to see his beautiful bright smile whenever you head there together

❦ 𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈

at first, Nanami isn’t too eager when you suggest going to a cat café 

the thought of cat hair all over his sandwich doesn’t please him, but he can never resist your pleading eyes and from the reviews he read the food there is supposed to be excellent, so he reluctantly agrees

skeptical at first, he sits down with you, trying to study the menu when an extra curious cat jumps on the table, bumping their tiny head against his chin which makes Nanami frown

“aww, someone likes you”, you croon and try not to laugh at Nanami, hesitantly petting the cat in front of him which starts purring loudly

which attracts even more cats

suddenly you’re swarmed with them and Nanami is doing his very best to give each of them a fair share of his love, even loosening his tie a bit and sleeves rolled up

forget about the food, he’s on a mission now

Nanami will lie awake at night, wondering if owning a cat could fix at least a dozen of his problems (they’re all Gojo related)

❦ 𝐒𝐔𝐊𝐔𝐍𝐀

majestic Sukuna, King of Curses, allergic to cat hair 

oh, he’s trying. he’s fighting for his life, sitting on the floor and trying to pspsps the cats with four hands at once

but his sneezes are so earth shattering loud that it spooks the kitties and they gather everywhere but in his lap

except for that one deaf and blind cat that’s always drooling a little which happily lets Sukuna pick them up 

the King of Curses will look at you triumphantly, like see, I’ve made this peasant cat obey me, but his eyes are tearing too much to even make out the silhouette of you 

good for you because it gives you enough time to snap a good hundred photos of him cuddling with the cat, too stubborn to admit that they might be killing him softly

back home (and after stopping by a pharmacy for allergy pills) you’ll see a dozen tabs open in his browser (you taught him how to google), searching for “anti allergy cats”, “if i shave my cat will i stop sneezing”, “cat hair allergy why” and “why cats won’t obey me”

❦ 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐔𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐀

local tired lawyer man needs a fucking break 

you know how prone your man is to overworking himself, so you make it your own little mission to take him out on small dates during his lunch break 

he doesn’t even bat an eye when you suggest a cat café. maybe if he’s surrounded by cats he won’t have to think about the injustice of the whole world, so sure, he’s in

Higuruma feels a sense of calm wash over him the moment he sits down and a kitty rubs their head against his legs, ready to activate their cursed purring technique on him

of course he remembers your favorite drink and orders it for you, something sweet to go along with it as well, and then he’s completely absorbed by the various cats in the café

he’ll point out every kitty that catches his attention and takes lots of photos of them and from you (and he’ll make it his new lockscreen)

kisses you goodbye once you drop him off at the office again and will text you later that he had the most fun in a long time

will also send you the most candid photos he took of you and will smile to himself when you make one your new profile photo, already excited to go back to the cat café with you

[statementlou]

my post yesterday about why I don't really care if Louis Tomlinson supports starbucks shocked me by actually circulating and getting notes and obviously I like validation and appreciation.... but I feel kind of weird about my big contribution to the topic being something that might come off as discouraging attempts to help Palestine. Feeling powerless in the face of such injustice is horrible and scary and traumatizing and while there are certain things that I do not think make much difference (like boycotting irrelevant targets), that's NOT how I feel about the situation in general! We CAN make a difference and help the Palestinian people! It can feel impossible to fight against all that power and propaganda and military might- but it has been done successfully over and over, colonialism has been destroyed in one place after another a hundred times in the last century, apartheid regimes have fallen, occupations have ended, because over and over, always, even all the military might in the literal world is less powerful than a united front of the PEOPLE. As Ursula K LeGuin said, "We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings", and as Louis Tomlinson said "The power and magic comes from the people, you guys. Don't undermine your role in all of this" and "get off the 'gram and into the streets"!

Under the cut are things you can do that I believe actually directly impact the Palestinian people and the Israeli government, including some easy ones, and the key to a successful movement is to have every type of contribution, to have NUMBERS. However- it is also necessary to have people willing to do the actual work of fighting injustice, not just changing their consumer habits or yelling at people online. I strongly encourage people to explore becoming physically involved in activist work, and not to see it as yet another tiring obligation but rather as a way to help yourself feel less overwhelmed and exhausted. Feeling powerless and defenseless is a trauma that follows us into every corner of our lives, but standing up and working for change can not only save lives, but is good for your own mental health as well, I promise.

I can't make you an exhaustive list of resources, only tell you some tactics that I believe are actually useful. I'm not an expert or whatever, but I have been actively involved in social justice advocacy, activism, and direct action for over 20 years and am drawing on that history of both things that worked and were great and things that were not from my personal experiences. Thank you to @captainrayzizuniverse for helping me (but she didn't see the post any stupid things said by mistake are entirely on me), and especially for pointing out a big (typical white person) slip up, which was to almost forget the very first item on this list: Listen to, support, and amplify Palestinian voices!!! The whole starbucks issue wouldn't even exist if people just went by this single important guideline and did the things Palestinians were asking for rather than making up other things to do instead. In life altogether, and speaking as a disabled person god does this come up a lot: if you want to help someone, start by asking them what they need and then do that even if it isn't what you think they should want. Don't fucking wing it!! Join local groups organizing for Palestine: the people united are powerful, but only if they are united and working in large groups! Join a group! This is hard because... how? who? And I can't answer that for everyone but I can tell you that in the US JVP (Jewish Voice for Peace) is doing a huge amount of very accessible recruiting, you can just join (you don't need to be Jewish) and get involved straightaway in the great actions they're putting on. PYM (Palestinian Youth Movement) is not open to everyone to join but you should definitely follow them on SM to keep up on actions and maybe find ways to support. If you're a student I bet there is some kind of group at your school?

Go to protests: protest works, period. The general politician rule of thumb is that anyone who bothers to actually go out and march represents 10-100 voters. When they look at the numbers (like- '500-1000 people protested the most recent bill you signed') they do this math and they worry. But also honestly if it's something you can manage- it's good for you. It helps. Even if you just go alone and don't talk to anyone, being in a crowd of hundreds of people feeling the same things you are, caring as much as you do, it helps. If you can, yell along to the chants as loud as you can. Get fired up and use that energy to keep going and not despair!

Call and write officials: if you live in the US or UK this is HUGE. What I said above about how they count people at protests as standing for more people who didn't bother but agree? Same with phone calls for sure, it REALLY pressures them. Many orgs make this really easy- I get emails all the time with links to send a letter in a single click or click to call and all you have to do is read the script, get on some lists I guess? But many sites also have this feature, JVP does for example

Support BDS: the Palestinian led BDS have been doing the work of isolating and chipping away at Israel for 19 years and like I said, the actions of the masses only work if we are united behind a few strategic targets rather than all over the place; they have made this possible. It's good to avoid buying from the companies they target; even better to work on the big divestment campaigns. For example, student groups pressuring the big universities to divest from BDS targets echo the successful University divestment efforts that helped end apartheid in South Africa.

Send money: money helps, immediately and concretely, and again if we are many, each person doesn't have to do a lot. Do what you can spare, it all adds up. This has been painful with Gaza for sure, with millions donating but aid being blocked. I don't have The Answer but here's a group I found that actually seems to be getting aid in, and here's a spread sheet of gofundmes- note that people who have foreign passports do not have to pay the horrible border crossing fees, so you may wish to focus on funding those who don't have that privilege. this could maybe be better and there was some other stuff I wanted to say about doing activism to tie up the "activism as self care" thing from above and also bringing it back around to talk about Louis more but I'm tired and I'm hungry right now and this is a lot already. So. Bye lol sorry. send me asks if any of that is something you care about or want to hear

[crystalstylehexagon]

"The Light and Darkness Reversed"

Looking at their In-game moves from Naruto Ninja Storm and League of Legends, they're basically analogies of one another: Their Kit is similar, and their ultimate is literally the same. Both destroy things out of seeking "Justice", though Kayle is BLINDED by the "Just and glorious light", following in the shadow, much like Indra to Kaguya, of her mother, Mihira, who is the true aspect, if not, the holy light itself. This analogy works well with Indra as well, not only unknowingly walking under his grandmother's shadow, but also his father's. He, before fully coming to be evil, is the man who had been strict and a relentless teacher canon-wise, he was a "Just", or "By the book" type of character, or in other words, the perfect soldier/heir for his father, only to be betrayed by the very own ideals he stood for and this might just also be the case for Kayle.

This will turn into a giant post, but bear with me.

That reminds me,

We can't forget

Ashura and Morgana The Fallen:

While Morgana's Ideals of rebellion take a similar path to Indra's, binding her wings out of spite for her kin, the ascended (People who gain powers through a holy  variety of magic, chiefly celestial magic, granting them the ability to become something more than human, channeling that power through their connection to the celestial entities), sore the ground, to feel what humanity really was about, to find out why her sister spited them and called them "Deceivers and the unjust".

she's not driven by vengeance against her own kin, nor is fully spiteful towards them, especially her just-blinded sister, but driven with the hopes of making her sister and the ascended see the beauty of mortality, of making mistakes, of love and pain, of fear, so Kayle could see what she saw in these humans.

This was also a way to stop her sister from bringing forth the "Judgement day" (basically something out of a bible story. What else do you expect from good and evil story?), meaning she would "vanquish the evil and filth from this world." even if it meant burning the planet alive from the inside out granted by the flames of her mother.

Guess who else holds the ideology for love of humanity?

Ashura.

Aside from the still-confused Hagoromo, Ashura outside of all of the Otsutsuki was an empath. From a young age, he seemed talentless, despite being the son of Hagoromo, the sage of six paths, so he spent a lot of that time playing with children his age, helping out and loved his brother very much, but slowly, their relationship grew colder

Indra, much like Kayle was afraid of making mistakes, being the perfect son, following the path of ninshu, which we could arguably call the path of "ascension from something beyond human", teaching humans how to unlock their superhuman talents, but much like every mentor, he was biased towards strength, especially as black zetsu slowly poisoned his mind.

While Kayle was afraid of feeling pain, Indra honed it to his advantage, and with that he unshackled himself and became something, not human, but back when Ashura was away and he taught ninshu, he shared same sentiment as Kayle did.

"I must feel nothing to fight injustice" - "To find grace, I cannot rest, I will not" - "I have given up everything for the light" - "The law does not tolerate imperfection. I am no exception." "If I slip, I will fall, so I must fly." - Kayle.

And Indra before finding out he was, in fact- was not the inheritor of ninshu, basically shared the same ideals. He was afraid of being imperfect, he was afraid to make mistakes at that point, he was doing everything by the book, knowing he was superior to his brother, he gave up his childhood because he was given a promise of a rightful inheritance, he knew this, he was born for this.

But he got screwed over and completely fell into the abyss of darkness and rebelled and from what I can tell, Kayle's story is going there as well: To sacrifice your whole life for a cause, only to find out you were fighting on the wrong side/get absorbed by your mother (Probably, this is just my theory.)

And then, when she would know pain, she would probably take a similar path as Indra did: Vengeance and hatred.

(Mihira: mother of Kayle and Morgana)

Then we, once again have Morgana and Ashura: The empaths who took the side of humanity, who in a way rebelled against their own system and decided to explore what being human was like; hence, Ashura's Journey.

As we know, Ashura came back home much later than Indra, and that was because he accomplished great feats. While Indra was looked onto as a god for his power, Ashura humbled himself, working with what he had honed from his ninshu training, and he worked HARD for it.

Eventually he, in a way, became a part of this community and even gained followers from his journey back, told his story to Hagoromo and hence got chosen, because not only Hagoromo saw a strange darkness in Indra,(I can't live that down, like, how could he not suspect. He has THREE EYES for fuck's sake, counting his marking as the third eye.) but because he saw HIMSELF in Ashura. He remembered his journey, his bonds and his connections with people. He saw all that was good in him (Basically the Cain and Able analogy).

And guess who does the same thing? Morgana

While she conflicted between her celestial and mortal natures, Morgana bound her wings to embrace humanity and inflicted her pain and bitterness upon the dishonest and the corrupt. She rejects laws and traditions she believes are unjust and fights for truth from...

While this may sound like Indra, i'd say it is more of an Ashura analogy.

Ashura, in his own way, rejected the traditional ways of ninshu and teachings of ninshu from a young age, because he was simply bad at it and got mocked for it, even in this journey, their father sent him to do... Whatever and come back and tell him the story so he could choose a successor.

Unlike Indra, Ashura, much like Morgana bound her wings, learned more about humanity, and bound himself and his overpowering ass. He instead felt the pain and suffering of humans, he felt their sorrow and cries for help, and he empathized with them. While being an extrovert, we cannot forget that Ashura was still - partially alien, and much like Kaguya, we don't know how Otsutsuki's emotions work. We only know that Kaguya hypothetically managed to humanize her emotions, actually felt them, maybe she mimicked, maybe Otsutsuki, when coming close to emotions, simply get overwhelmed by them (Stone-faced: Ishiki, Momoshiki, Urashiki, who, if you take a closer look, simply did not function like human beings, have similar emotions. It was either a stone face or a sadistic look, which points to Otsutsuki simply being born as dickheads, but you may prove me wrong since I hadn't read or watched the full Boruto series, only snippets).

And while being on earth for decades, I believe those genes got mixed and mutated, hence Ashura and Indra developing more but the inner conflict, something aching deep within would likely stay.

Because they're both basically demigods and they're alien demigods, I'm pretty sure both had some struggles and questions about their humanity and otherwise, and Ashura is a perfect example of overcoming that "darkness within". While Morgana uses darkness to inflict suffering on those who do evil, power does not matter, what matters is that these two have similar views about humanity, love, and family.

Ashura loved his brother dearly, and even at the end of the fight, he tried to check on him.

Morgana loves her sister despite all, and just like Ashura, she wants to make her sister see the truth, blinded by light, only Indra's vision was blinded by darkness.

When i watch Naruto, i come across some very interesting characters and analogies like these and I think out of all of them, this one is the most beautiful and poetic one out of all.

Siblings, ripped from one another by fate, forever to battle one another.

Darkness vs Light

only in League, the Light is the true evil.

But both of these come to the yin and yang theory: One cannot exist without the other, darkness needs light, and from mythologies, the Sun needs the Moon.

In Naruto, true evil is taken as a concept, not an actual literal thing, and I think Kishimoto tried hard to point that out with the end game and executed it beautifully: Evil does not exist, black and white make grey, it is all about the balance, hence Naruto and Sasuke:

The Moon and the Sun come together to defeat a great threat to protect their world, the cycle of hatred between Indra and Ashura ends with them, and both accept their roles in the world. Naruto being the light, and Sasuke being the Light's shadow.

And pretty much, if Riot doesn't come up with some weird shit, or drops the whole concept altogether, I believe that the path the story of Kayle's and Morgana's story will take is the same as Ashura's and Indra's/Sasuke's and Naruto's, which, out of many other Anime/Stories, is one of the most perfectly executed story, if we look at Naruto series like the "Good and Evil, Cain and Able, Lucifer and God" analogy path it had taken towards the end of Shippuden.

"Through light, we find darkness, and through that darkness, we find the light once more"

That's all i have to say about this.

[kaylaz-world-00]

Laserhawk!Rayman x Reader

A/n: Okay, I couldn't help myself and write this down. I've been thinking about this idea for a while now. I've been not going to any airports for such a long time, forvgive me if I made a mistake. This is not the special for 300 followers so you know~👀

I am sorry if there is any typo mistakes. I wrote the end in a rush 😭

Summery; You and Rayman trying to go to your arranged hotel peacfully.

Warnings: cursing, guns.

Masterlist

Words: 3.4k

Taglist: @blorbostation @eateableworm @livelaughluvvfaithyy @darkchanx @astoraa @shiroisotto64

Btw does anyone want to be in the tag list?

Dear anons; I would really appreciate it if you could choose an emoji while sending your asks and requests (and stick with it) so I can tell you apart. Thank you~

Hotel

"We are sorry but you can't go through unless you show us a proof that you are infact his manager. Rayman doesn't seem to be very aware of your presence either. If you are lying--"

You growled, "What do you mean I can't go through?! Didn't I just tell you that I was Rayman's manager?" You were angry alright. You could see Rayman from your point against the few guards in front of you. He was surrounded by young kids. My god. Why would there be so many children at the airport at this hour anyway? Now how were you going to convince these fuckers? You didn't want to have to deal with these jerks in the middle of the airport with a bunch of luggage. It was too late at night for that.

"I'm not lying! I can't find my cards and information, they must be in Rayman's bag. At least let me call out to him-" you were stopped by them once again. Normally this wouldn't be such a problem, but you were experiencing this because they found a few... unapproved items on you. To be more specific, weapons. They slowly advanced towards you, making clear their guns precence to you. They weren't pointing it at you... yet. You frowned. It was a warning.

You glared and slowly spoke for them in your own warning tone, calmly stepping back and slightly raising your hands in the air, "I'm his bodyguard. Okay? That's why I keep them with me. At all times. You never know... what might happen any moment." You didn't want to cause a scene here right now. You reminded yourself that you are in the middle of an airport with a lot of bystanders and especially children around you.

"A second ago, you said you were a manager. When did that change? I'm sorry, but I think you're just trying to get out of trouble, but that won't work. We have no reason to believe you. Now come with us without making a scene." You were trying so hard for this right now.

"I'm doing both! I'm telling the truth. Just lemme--" You couldn't keep your calm any longer as they were coming towards you like a truck, and you wouldn't stood still staring like a deer, you couldn't do that. There was a great injustice here and you were definitely can't stand it. You called out to Rayman one last time before you could do anything wrong. If he didn't have your phone, you would have called him already. "RAYMAN, COME HERE Damn it!" you shouted but in vain, it was impossible for him to hear your voice over all the noise, you just hoped he would notice your absence. Right away.

Luckily, Rayman finally managed to notice your absence before security could do anything. You might have laughed if you weren't so tired at the look on his face when his eyes caught your figure. You gestured for him to come here immediately. Now. He looked so scared by your expression that you could have laughed at that. He ran over to you as he apologized to the kids, "Hey, hey! They're with me!" He quickly took out his card and showed it to them with a polite smile.

You rolled your eyes when they were finally convinced to let you in. Rayman helped you carry the luggages. He apologized to you several times as you stared ahead listlessly.

"I thougt you were right behind me! I forget that I was the one carrying your cards! I am really sorry."

You huffed in defeat, "No, it's fine, kids come first." You chuckled tiredly, "It was my fault I should have been the one carrying them in the first place. Whatever let's just catch the plane before they leave without us." You glance at your wrist. "We are only minutes away, god those fuckers took all our time. I suggest we start running." And you did just that, alerting Rayman along with it.

He start running along with you, "Hey, no need to rush Mr/Miss OCPD! We can always buy tickets for another one for today."

"Today? You mean tomorrow?" You scoffed. It was nearly midnight. "I don't want to stay up all night. It's already too late, let's just go. Also I don't have a Obsessive whatever personality disorder, I am just punctual. All my jobs are planned and need to be in time. Especially yours! Do you know how much pain in the ass would be for me if you miss something?! God, Eden would kill me." It's not even like they pay you good for your every success. It wasn't yours it was his success.

He was out of breath from the long, fast, non-stop run, as if you were going to get a reward at the end of it, but he still let out a laugh. But you were going to do whatever it took to get the job done, "Sure. You are a people-pleaser--" he start counting as you rolled your eyes.

"Look who is talking."

"You have Anxiety, obsession, probably dyspraxia too."

"Okay now you are going too far, you jerk. I am completaly a normal person trying to live a normal life. How normal it could be as long as I am stuck with you Mr. Rayman. The man who sheds light in the darkness."

"I'm taking this as a compliment."

The two of you were finally able to board the plane before it took off. You wanted to say that you could finally breathe a sigh of relief, but your clumsiness didn't quite allow it and continued to be a pain in the ass for you.

"You should be happy that we got the best seats. Because I am! Do you think we could see some nice view when we are up above? I heard the weather will be clear tonight." He daydreamed as he looked outside of the window with the biggest grin you ever saw on him.

"Yeah, sure whatever." You grumbled as you tried to push your suitcase into the compartment above your seat. You were obviously struggling but eventually managed to get it inside and quickly closed the compartment with anger and impatience. And finally sat down next to Rayman with a sigh, you can relax a bit now. Your body ached from all the things you were carrying and running around so much causing your frown to deepend.

You give a real remark to his previous statement, "How nice of Eden to be such a gentleman and give us the money for two tickets first-class plane. Unlike the last time..." You scoffed.

Finally deciding to look at you, he took his eyes off the window and turned to you, already aware of your discomfort and exhaustion and hoping to finally address it gently, muttering, "Hey, how about you relax a bit? We've got a four-hour flight. Sleep could do you good. You look like you've been up all night for three days straight. You're much crankier than usual. And you definitely need makeup. For your under eyes." He nervously eyed you.

You rolled your eyes at that, suppressing a sudden yawn appeared in your chest at the mention of sleep, "What a coincidence. How did you know? I've been working and writing non-stop for three days. Trying to get your work done."

He turned to you with a warm smile and a bit of embarrassment, "Hey, you're a lifesaver, okay? But I'm serious. Sleep. I'll wake you up when we land. Don't worry about me or yourself. If anyone tries anything, I have something up my sleeve too." He whispered with a grin and whinked.

"How reassuring. But you're right. I really need some sleep." You needed to gather your strength and mind for tomorrow. You couldn't be this anxious and stressed. Nor this lose and tired. You sighed in defeat and turned onto your side. He didn't say anything and you didn't need to hear any more.

You've been working all your life to get what you want to be like the majority. You always wanted to be able to make a change for the world. Working with Eden wasn't your biggest dream, in fact, quite the opposite. You hated them. But you had no choice. And you were forced to do this. But if it would make a difference, you would even be willing to die. You followed Rayman wherever he went, in a way you became his bodyguard. It didn't take long for you to receive that title from Eden. It had become official, and frankly, it made your job a lot easier. The fact that you knew how to fight was a bonus to them and a reason to use you. But after meeting Rayman and becoming his manager, something changed... He always manages to get into trouble, even if you don't know how, but you were always there to save him. Physically, of course. He already knew how to verbally get himself out of shit. At least that's what you hoped for. Even though some of his words might cause fights in some places... you finally know he doesn't meant to. You knew how much of a trouble Eden could be. So much so that sometimes Rayman needed you not just as a bodyguard or a manager, but as a friend... Rayman needed you to be there... he needed you to support him. He was needy, isolated, manipulated. And you are not saying any of this to insult him. Before that, you didn't realize he was actually innocent... and you continued to remain cold and distant, but he was always innocent, to say the least. You decided to be there for him after learning that. You don’t know why you decided on that. Maybe it was conscience. Or the unfair threatment he is having. Your sense of justice did not allow this. You wanted to help so badly. Even if it means throwing away your job. Yes, you've come to that point. You couldn't believe it yourself either. You saw the real him. Not the person on TV who lies and smiles through his teeth, the face Eden shows. He was defenseless behind the walls he built himself, he was being victimized and used by the company he worked for, even though he had little knowledge and was unaware of it. He was made to believe that what he was doing was a good thing, he was made to believe that he was saved, he put up with what Eden did to him for the sake of the children and for peace. He had no one to call his real friend, damn it! You would have wanted to fill that out, but... the only part you were allowed to do was keep him safe and pass on information. And nothing else.

You slept deeply and surprisingly restfully for the four hours until the plane landed. You woke up soundly asleep without anyone even having to wake you up, which surprised you. Normally this would never happen, especially in a place where you sleep outside of your bed. You were a light sleeper too. So it was normal while you wake up while landing but Rayman didn't woke you up? After yawning a little, you were about to get up to get your suitcase when you notice the weight on your shoulder and glance at your side. Your lips turned into a soft smile upon noticing Rayman was sleeping sound asleep, leaning against you, in a deep slumber.

You couldn't help but giggle, "And here I was hoping you'd stay awake the whole flight. Who am I kidding? Rayman and not sleeping?" How were you going to wake him up now? He's a really heavy sleeper. Your experiences speak for you right now. It's almost impossible to wake him up. Actually you have to but do you want to? He looked really relaxed and happy. Ah, come on he always looks like that! Just wake him up! But... something about that soft smile plastered on his lips telling you this was a real smile unlike the ones he seems to wear on his face all the time. Especially in front of the camera.

You pouted, this is your job and the two of you can't stay on this plane all day… besides, Rayman can sleep at the hotel Eden arranged for you two. Also, you didn't want to be late for your meeting...

You nudge his side. You knew a little nudge won't help him but you started of slow and gentle. You were in a good mood today. "Hey, Ray Ray." You whispered, calling out his nickname. You pushed his head on the other side and turn to him, "Ray! Wake up!" You hold onto hid hand and shook them, "Ray, Rayman! Wake up!!" You get up starting to shook his body, "This isn't sleeping you idiot! This is dying! COME ON! WAKE UP!" You grabbed his clothes and jolt him a few times, you were up infront of him by now, with all your might you continued, "Come on! We landed! Wake up, we need to go! You can sleep later!" You were about to slap him, "If you don't wake up right now I'll throw you off of the fucking plane!" He grumbled a few words hard to understand causing you to halt and lower your hand on his chest once again gripping his clothes. He was still asleep.

You fucking ask for that. You groaned as you wrapped your arms around his body and lifted him up. "God, you're a lot heavier than you look." You huffed and start to carry him towards the exit of the plane.

"I'm fucking throwing you out." You weren't actually gonna do that. You were hoping he would wake up as cold fresh air of the night swarm him. Almost all passengers on the plane had disembarked. The rest were still looking at you strangely because of what had just happened. You didn't pay any attention to them and continued on your way. Even the way you carried Rayman was weird. But how else were you going to carry him when half of the man didn't... exist? His arms and legs were nope, and the only place you could hold on to was his chest. His feet and hands were almost rubbing on the ground. He was still asleep with his head on your shoulder. Oh my god.

When you finally reached the door, you barely lifted him into the air and held him out against the night wind. Even you were cold when you realized he was shivering, he whined a few times and winced. He muttered something about him awoke and rubbed his eyes. Of course you didn't believe that, "If you don't really wake up right now, I'll let you go, don't test my patience. You'll fall down the stairs. My arms are already torn off. Lose some weight."

He grumbled, voice horse from just waking up, it was clear four hours wasn't excatly enough to satisfy his tired body, "You lose some. I am perfectly fine, thank you. You are heavier than I am." He pouted sleepily. "Also... Please put me down my butt is freezing here."

You muttered, "Your ass is freezing because of you."

You scoffed and do as he wished, sighing in relief when you got your aching arms back, massaging them gently, you couldn't hold yourself back from talking further, "We are nearly at the same weight. But you are half of my height. You are fucking heavhy. How dare you can insult me? You are a pain in the ass to wake up! Why I have to be the one to suffer everytime!? Pray that I am in a good mood today or you've been on the cold concrate with a terrible headache."

"You love me too much for that. You wouldn't do that to your favorite... would you?" He hesitate.

While the hostess watch you both argue back and forth like married couples, she couldn't help but smiled at your relationship. You were finally able to wake him up and gather your belongies, finding a taxi and finally on your way to your arranged hotel. Thank god.

While on your way you did everything in your power to not let him fall asleep again. Him grumbling everytime he was woken up before he could sleep on your shoulder.

"I am not gonna carry all that suitcase myself."

"I am not sleeping." He grumbled.

And he fall asleep afterwas. You will gonna rub that in his face later. When you finally arrived at the hotel, luckily the taxi driver was a kind person and helped you carry your belongings. Rayman was still sleeping on the bed you carried to his room while you pay the driver. After closing the door you took a deep breath and sat on the bed. Finally, you can breath a little. Sun already risen, it’s 8 in the morning. Four hours passed, huh? You had still time until your arranged meeting… You pondered to yourself. You watched him sleep a bit, the way he calmly breathed, his chest slowly rising and falling, his blonde locks of hair covering his eyes. He looked so serene.

You get up and reached towards the door. Giving a final glance at the soundly asleep boss of yours, you get out of his room. You already left all his suitcases in his room. He can do whatever he wants with then when he wakes up. You both gonna stay two weeks in there. Reporting things and such. Whatever Rayman does. You heard there is a beach nearby too. Though it was too cold to swim. You are sure Eden especially choose this time around on purpose. Just to tease you two. Those fuckers.

You went past your own room and went straight ahead for the elevator and pressed the top floor. You want to see the view.

After a bit of wait the doors opened with a ding. You walked in the penthouse, glancing around, observing the nice view with a deep happy sigh.

You closed your eyes with a smile. But it faded quickly, you gripped the earphone between your two fingers. You sighed with a thoughtful expression, putting it in your ear and pressed it on, calling for the only contact inside. Before you could even open your mouth, a very familiar voice quickly answered from the other side. "Light. It's been so long since I've heard from you! Honestly, it's good to see you're calling. Do you have something to report?" Light... that was your code name.

"Bullfrog." You greeted back, "Actually no... This time... I need to talk to you... like a friend."

You waited for him to say something. Hearing a few gunshot and a grunt from him your expression soured, "Fuck, was this a bad time?"

"Non, non, not at all. Just gimme a sec."

You waited a few minutes for him. You heard him fight with a few armed people. He heaved a sigh, "I would like to talk also, mon ami. What's up?"

You sighed, "It's about our mission... I can't... I can't do this to him. I want to tell him--"

"If you do you would risk our mission." He sounded serious but you are too.

You chuckled, "Aren't we always under heavhy danger?"

"I always trust your instincts you know that. But you actually believe he could change just so you said so? He believes he is doing good."

"I know. Don't worry, I am not gonna do anything that can risk the mission or us. I just need a right moment. I know we can able to get him to our side." You knew Bullfrog didn't actually believe what you said.

You heard him sigh, you knew he wanted to argue about that, he only softly speak up a few words, "I find it hard, mon ami. Just be more carifull." You heard more gun shots on his side. "I need to go. We'll talk more about this later. You just continue observing." You were an agent after all.

"You want to meet?"

"That's too risky. Just wait for my call."

"Alright. Try to stay alive until then."

"You too, prends soin de toi." He closed the call.

You took a deep breath and took your earphone off. You just need to wait the right time.

The right moment... you wonder...

[lilydrafts]

Free Palestine

Free Palestine does not imply that I favor Palestine; in fact, I do not support anyone, but I am against the injustice that the people of Palestine are experiencing, and that innocent people are losing their lives. In today's world, there are humans who are living, but the humanity in them is dead. Only a few people have humanity remaining, and it will soon become extinct because of how our society is changing around us. Breaking hearts, watching others suffering, desiring vengeance, betrayal, fake people, violence, and so on are becoming more widespread in our lives, which is dangerous. I don't understand after covid, it appears like all humans humanity has been stripped away since after covid, everyone seems so fake and heartless, which is not healthy for anyone. The war between Israel and Palestine has been going on for days. Children, men, women, and the elderly are all suffering in Palestine. I don't understand why they are even suffering. What did they do to deserve this kind of cruel life they are living now? All they want is a peaceful life. We want money and beauty, but they want safety, which no one can provide. No human being can be denied their rights for safety, but what about them? They are all innocent individuals who are suffering. Every time I browse social media, I come across videos of them pleading with us for donations. However, I am not in a position to make financial contributions, so all I can do is raise awareness. I hope that someone will read this and decide to reblog it, raise awareness, or even give them some money. Whatever you decide to do, God will definitely bless you if you at least try to help them. Note that this is not about countries, religions, territory, etc., it is about us, the humans, who are killing one other in the name of random stuff. Do not forget that you are killing your own sisters and brothers!

[mrs-monaghan]

https://twitter.com/btschartsdailys/status/1679968766938038273

apparently he's going to breaking bts and taylor record and challenging for #1 on hot100 based on just one day.

I don't know how to feel about that

Just be happy for him. No need for Jikookers to be conflicted. I saw this just now and my jaw dropped

What?! Jesus.

So his views are definitely not getting frozen or deleted. Like I've been telling my friends, we will be hitting 95M soon like Jisoo 😂😂😂 And he's already broken 2 of Jimin's records like I predicted. Boyfriends always going neck n neck.

Anyway, I see the vents. I do. Some more angry than others but I'm seeing them. Personally I'm happy for JK, truly. Would I have loved for Jimin to have gotten this special treatment? Yes. Would i have loved for us not to struggle as much as we did to break Jimin's records, yes. Would I have loved for Hybe to step up and do their damn jobs? Absolutely. Was I reminded today that Jimin didn't get a simple, stupid fucking cake?

The thing is though... this is the way things are. When u really think about it some of the things we complain about didn't just happen to Jimin but other members too.

JK was always going to get this. Facts. Maybe its why I'm not bitter and bothered because I prepared myself mentally and was expecting all of this.

But, it wasn't JK's choice to be treated this way, prioritised more than other members, he is not the one doing this. It's being done for him. And for that I won't hold against him. Not to mention he deserves it. All of it. He does. Yes, so does Jimin but JK deserves it, too. He's not some talentless nobody getting the push he doesn't deserve. He's actually quite good at what he does and he works hard. Like really hard.

So don't let all the special treatment make you forget JK does actually deserve this. And if he could change things for Jimin he would.

But damn. Even now that the song is out they're still promoting it. Especially 🛴 I'm starting to think the Grammy anon was right 🤔

Oh! Anon, no other member is going to win BB 100. No other Asian infact. Not with the current unfair rules. Jimin will remain first and only. Unless of course 🛴 knows a way around this? Who tf knows.

Anyway the injustice of it all makes me want to stream FACE more. Will stream SEVEN too, of course. But I ain't dropping FACE. No way. Not after all the fuckery that's gone on.

P.s -> pretty sure Jimin knows it all, sees it all, but was still there today to support JK. If you're too conflicted then think about Jimin. You're getting mad on his behalf, right? Well, then listen to him, pay attention to him. If he's supporting JK, then so should you....

[cosmicwishingwell]

What makes king magnifico a villain is how mean, rude and how he lacks empathy, there was no good reason to force asha on the stage and be force to watch her loved one be disappointed and broken hearted that is his wish did not come true, while asha sits there knowing that sabino will never get to live out his wish all because magnifico is living in the past OR he is just power hungry, and none that gives magnifico a "OK!" to manipulate and lie to people about their wishes, and sure the people of roses know that you forget your wish when you give it to magnifico, they also know that magnifico grants one wish once a month but that is not a clear indication that your wish will never come true, the song 'welcome to roses!' They actually say your wish will come true someday while it is safe and magnifico backs that claim up, "someday your wish will come true" is a guaranteed that it will, but we all know that was not true.

Absolutely! You've hit the nail on the head with your points about Magnifico's villainy. Here's how we can expand on them and further explore how Magnifico's actions paint him as a villain in contrast to Asha's character:

Magnifico's Moral Bankruptcy: Cruelty Disguised as Protection

Magnifico's villainy extends far beyond just his hoarding of wishes. It's the way he manipulates the system and exploits its vulnerabilities to solidify his own power:

Cruelty Cloaked in Control: Forcing Asha on stage wasn't just about entertainment; it was a power play. He shattered Sabino's dream in front of everyone, demonstrating his absolute control over their fates. It was a way to keep everyone intimidated and dependent on him, a tactic far removed from genuine leadership. Asha, on the other hand, embodies empathy and compassion. She understands the emotional weight of wishes and wouldn't dream of publicly humiliating someone for the sake of spectacle.

Lies and Deception: The Erosion of Trust

There's a difference between forgetting your wish and being misled about its fate. Magnifico's system thrives on ambiguity and half-truths. The song "Welcome to Rosas!" promises wishes granted "someday," leaving the timeline conveniently vague. This creates false hope and allows Magnifico to manipulate the system. Asha, however, is a champion of transparency. She advocates for a system where people are fully aware of the process and understand the implications of their choices.

Power-Hungry Puppet Master: Magnifico's ultimate concern isn't the "safety" of the kingdom; it's his own grip on power. The wishing system allows him to control people's dreams, aspirations, and their very destinies. He thrives on their dependence and constantly reinforces the idea that he's the sole arbiter of their happiness. Asha, on the other hand, stands for individual empowerment. She believes people have the right to pursue their own dreams and actively shape their lives, fostering a vision of a king who leads with the well-being of his people at heart.

The Glimmer of Hope: Asha's Fight for a Fair Wishing System

Asha's actions highlight the true cost of Magnifico's "benevolence." She fights for a system built on transparency, empathy, and individual agency. Here's why Asha's courage shines through:

A Voice for the Voiceless: Asha speaks out against the injustice of Magnifico's system. Her act of rebellion inspires others to question the status quo and fight for the freedom to pursue their dreams. She's the catalyst for positive change, a reminder that individuals have the power to challenge oppressive systems.

Compassion over Control: Asha's empathy sets her apart. She understands the emotional weight of wishes and the devastation of having them shattered. She embodies a leadership that prioritizes the well-being of her people, not just their obedience.

Empowering Dreams, Not Stifling Them: Asha champions a system where wishes become the sparks that ignite individual growth and societal progress. She envisions a future where everyone has the freedom to pursue their dreams, contributing their unique talents to the betterment of the kingdom.

In conclusion, Magnifico's villainy isn't about brute force; it's about manipulation, deception, and the erosion of trust. He's a power-hungry ruler who thrives on the fear of his people. Asha, the true hero, stands in stark contrast. She represents hope, courage, and the belief that everyone has the potential to achieve their dreams. She embodies the spirit of a leader who empowers others and fosters a society built on empathy, transparency, and individual agency.

What do you think? Does this response further highlight why Magnifico's actions are those of a villain and why Asha is the true hero of "Wish"?

[boyfridged]

Have you seen this yet? Thoughts? Feelings? Predictions? Etc etc…

i'm worried. mostly i hope there is some twist and it is not jason who killed the joker.

or rather: i don't think it's the worst thing in the world if that happened and i do believe there could be a story of that which, handled in a certain way, would be interesting. but so far it seems that we have jason, age 15, wake up in some revenge-seeking frenzy.

and i'm just fundamentally against a jason lives story that is nothing more than a revenge story. i think it's completely besides the point of everything we know about robin jay even as of aditf and just reinforces the idea that he was doomed from the start... which i obviously do not agree with, for how it's laced with classism and cynicism that in my opinion does not serve the narrative of batman as a whole.

there is of course much to say about injustice that jay is against and which made him desperate no matter his own death; and all of that should be accounted for in any jay-lives scenario. but what we see so far is awfully reductive; and while these panels are quite nice and i like them because they focus on jason's pain, i think it is easy to guess, especially based on what the covers look like, that the story that so narrowly focuses on it, does not truly focus on jay. it's about bruce. it's about bruce reckoning with jason as a "consequence" and about his horror at what his son "has become." and i said it a hundred times and will it say another hundred: of course i do know that this is bruce's world and everyone else just lives in -- or survives in it, like in the premise of this story -- but where are all the other themes and motifs from aditf?

something else here that is a concern -- the idea of killing the joker itself, which we know has been established as something impossible... would that win perhaps be surprising and fresh? that cycle ending? yes, but in this specific case that's an easy way out... the point of batman as a story in its whole grandiose, is, always, that evil preserves -- what do we do in face of it? as epictetus said, and le guin after: there are no ends, just means. what do we do with them?

though i suppose there is hope for this story, given that it seems the scene takes place after the joker's end, and yet we see jay crying...

but again, overall: a jason lives story that focuses so strictly on the joker is not something i'm overly interested in... and actually something that i aim to challenge in my own writing; i think it's easy to forget that while if jason survived, it would be the most traumatic occurrence in his life to date, it would be one of many. there were plenty death scares suffered before; there are many plotlines that culminate into his desperation; and there are the fundamental matters intertwined into it all, like family and the fact that as of aditf, jay seems to be growing (if it could be called growing; since it's a much sharper, from a lack of better wording, course of action, and not "progressive") into a decision of leaving vigilantism behind (if that could grant him love of a kind he is seeking). if robin lives does not deal with all of these, or hint at their further importance, if it does not justify the decisions it takes on these grounds; it will fail.

but to leave it off on a more positive note: i am very interested in how they handle jay simply remaining robin after these events... if there was a certain time when everything went as it did; that false space of "as it was" before the events in ethiopia, if him getting into revenge was not a thing linear, i could perhaps enjoy it.

this is a lot of words for a book that we don't really know much about. but i am fundamentally wary of it because i think jason deserves a story that is beyond the scope of the red hood and its retroactive effect on his legacy... which is a trap that dematteis seems to have obviously fallen into. the question is to what extent it will prevent him from actually seeking to continue the story as it was in the 80s, and take on the motifs from that time. because even though aditf was bad, it also did ask so many interesting questions forever lost to retcons later on.

[suga-kookiemonster]

It's interesting you talk about Magneto, etc, because we had a large (far right) part of geek channels going absolutely insane because the main character in The Boys (captain something that is the personification of white supremacy) was being "controlled" by a black woman now?!? And started going with the good old "the woke culture is ruining things for us". god forbid a black woman is one of the main characters😒 there was more to it, but mainly this and how sometimes we don't see things from different perspectives until a second time viewing

I think the older I get the more I see things differently. Magneto was portrayed as a traitor who lost himself in the sauce but everything he always did was show everyone that hiding and conforming doesn't work at all. Charles subsided his expectations and got to the point of making a private oasis for his students whilst thousands of other mutants kept going out there on their own either because they couldn't find him or because their powers weren't "pretty" enough

What Charles did with Jean was also very fucked up, he entrapped and brainwashed her to the point she wasn't exerting her full powers because it wasn't beneficial for his idea of "subsided civilized" people just to be betrayed and be treated as monsters that needed a cure

I think he's aware of it though, because throughout everything he still calls Magneto his friend and vice versa, he might know he's wrong, but still kept going, even fighting against his own people to appease the good human kind that have never been kind to them

It's pretty simple, complying only works until one of your own dies/get's hurt/get's neglected, we got here where we are through violence much like in X-Men, it wasn't easy, it wasn't without a fuss and it wasn't without resistance. So everything we do to break this cycle and create our own will be nothing short of violent because we're changing something, it's simple as that

But people still blame him because we're taught that complying works, they just forget to tell us for who this complying works for

phewwww, truly a word this good monday morning! 👏🏾👏🏾 your last paragraph sums it allll the way up. charles is part of the problem, and so are people who say they support a cause until that fight starts to affect them specifically. if you wanna think about the bigger picture, then THINK about the bigger picture and understand that if you benefit in any way from injustice against a people, then fixing that injustice is going to therefore make you uncomfortable.

charles is a mutant, but the way his mutation presents is not visible, so he can easily pass as human. he also is a wealthy man, so that should tell you exactly what kind of worldview and privilege he has. he and raven are NOT the same. the world doesn’t allow her the same grave it allows him by default. so 1000% agree with you on your point of him making a fantasy safe haven while all other mutants are stuck being discriminated against he never was and never will be. just willfully blind to keep himself and his warped sense of what’s “right” comfortable smh. just ignoring the fact deferring to the forces trying to keep you in line will NOT make things better for you if it doesn’t benefit them to do so, because without force, things typically don’t move.

with everything going on in the world today, i guess it’s no wonder that charles ass triggered me lol. life lesson for everybody today: don’t be a white feminist. don’t be a white savior. don’t be an uncle tom. don’t be a charles. gone and kumbaya somewhere else unless you have actual plans on how to really help the people who deserve justice! until then, revolutionaries will always fight for their right to survive, and you can’t dictate how they choose to do that!

also, i really need to watch the boys! i think i’ve seen three episodes or so—I started watching it because I watched all of gen v and was intrigued by that world, but i got distracted by life. you just convinced me to pick it back up!

[bandofchimeras]

ACAB its not just a slogan or a meme.

police make everywhere feel so unsafe.

when you aren't one of the demographic they serve (landowning upper class white cishet people). i don't even think about calling the cops if my life is danger. I did that one time. they arrested me.

if there was a murder need investigating, sure, but i wouldn't trust that they would actually put any effort into the search based on who my friends tend to be.

in this city, they paid serial killers on the force 500,000 pension to "retire" and then get hired again by another county force the next year. everytime a cop car drives by, I imagine that verified murderers and accomplices, heavily armed and angry, are in the drivers seat. how is that NOT a fucking "gang"?

I'm white. I'm never going to understand the particuarly terrifying relationship Black Americans or Native people have with the police.

but when other middle class people make jabs at "unsafe" neighborhoods and places...they forget elite, rich neighborhoods can be just as deadly if you don't look like its residents. My blood pressure rises whenever i have to drive my junker truck with the taped over window into a wealthy area, or park near businesses where most of the other cars are shiny. recently all the side streets in this city have been full of "NO PARKING" signs to target houseless folks. In Kentucky they're working on passing the H5 bill the "Safer Kentucky Act" - which would decriminalize shooting homeless people. and criminalize sleeping in your car. and implement a three strike rule, which can lead to a life sentence or execution.

state sponsored execution for being "undesirable" think about that. they get to just decide who gets to live and die? for being "dirty" or using substances? for being disabled by a disabling virus?

its easy to let ACAB become a slogan and not think about why cops are bastards if you aren't exposed to dangerous situations regularly, and then default to them in a panic when the chips are down. because you haven't seen it. you're the white church mom I used to know posting about how nice the cops were to her when she got pulled over. the lady who makes her blonde friend drive when they go on road trips because she can get out of tickets. but once you witness the level of betrayal and mishandling in the criminal injustice system, the level of abuse and violence, the way your neighbors and friends are trigger-happy to use this armed gang against you the second you're perceived as "out of control, "the second that violence touches you it becomes so obvious these bastards are not your friends and never can be.

unless you adopt the ideology necessary to justify their aggressions against yourself and your neighbors. and even then. you ever seen some wacko with a Blue Lives Matter wrap get pulled over? its funny but also it shows, nothing will protect you. cops are doing heavy PR right now. town halls, coffee and donuts. they're recruiting for the upcoming militarization that's coming in response to Palestine protests and this horror show election in November.

Amerikkkan cops are heavily infiltrated and practically equivalent in many cities to other white supremacist, militant gangs. They are militarizing more and more rapidly. Using AI and integrating with the court system, more survelliance, more rules for how you're allowed to exist in public. think about that. why should it matter? if you loiter, if you skateboard, if you wear glasses or masks? you are being trained to see yourself and your neighbors as potential-crime-committers rather than human beings. we are self-survelling. reporting. getting off on correcting and ignoring eachother. What Israel is doing is a mirror held to our collective potential future. and you should be very, very alarmed. Fuck the cops. Fuck the prisons. Fuck the detention centers. We already have the Gestapo and the camps. Look the fuck around.

[things-things-bd]

I’m rewatching and rereading bleach and I have a lot of thoughts about the tybw arc.

My thoughts about this arc can be summarised as: “Bleach is a tragedy that forgot it is a tragedy”

To explain, the story of bleach is built upon tragedy. The death of Masaki Kurosaki is the start of Ichigo’s journey. Everything since then, every relationship (with maybe a few exceptions ) ends in tragedy.

@littleeyesofpallas made post that listed some tragic relationships in bleach (link)

Even outside of relationships, every (major) action in the series results in tragedy too. These are the ones I can remember on the top of my head:

Rukia giving her powers to Ichigo leads to her execution

Aizen betrayal leaving the Soul Society in shambles

Orihime going to Hueco Mundo willingly leads to her being branded as a traitor

Ichigo trying to rescue Orihime leads to him dying and losing his humanity

Gin trying to take back what Aizen stole from Rangiku leads to his death. And he wasn’t even able to give her back that piece of her soul or keep his promise to never make her cry

In fact Gin’s actions made Aizen essentially immortal and almost undefeatable. Ichigo has to give up all his power and leave behind all his newfound friends and allies in order to seal Aizen away

This theming of tragedy even continues in the Lost Agent arc. I have my issues with this arc, but I think the way it handles Ichigo losing his powers is great. He’s depressed, desperately tries to regain them and ends up playing right into Ginjo’s hands

In the tybw things take a turn. Not everything ends in tragedy anymore. And the things that do, feel downplayed to an extent that it make me wonder if there was supposed to be any impact from those moments.

I’ll list a few things that should’ve changed or given more of an impact in my opinion:

Byakuya should’ve died.

It would’ve continued this cycle of tragic relationships in bleach. He finally built up a bond with Renji and Rukia and now he’s leaving them behind.

It also could’ve served as a good way to end Renji’s character arc if he was the one to defeat As Nodt

The death of the soul king should have more impact.

We are talking about Ywach killing his father here. Why does it feel so glossed over? Whether you think these characters are blood related or if it’s more metaphorical, it still should have more impact.

In line with that. What’s up with Ukitake’s death?

I have nothing against him dying, but it happened way too quickly and it feels like almost everyone forgets about it a few pages after it happens.

Especially Kyoraku should have more feelings about this. He just lost his father/mentor figure. He had to take on the burden of leading the entire gotei 13. Now he loses his best friend. And what? Nothing?

Ichigo should’ve become the new soul king

He already is basically. He has the powers for it. People already look up to him almost like a god. They already had it completely planned out until it suddenly isn’t necessary anymore? Where did that come from?

This list isn’t complete, but these are the main things that this arc got wrong. Bleach is a tragedy and ending it on a peaceful and hopeful note almost feels like a betrayal of the story itself. Give me that angst Kubo. Give me that agonising feeling of injustice in a way only a true tragedy could.

I guess having the ending completely contradict the story also gives me that agonising feeling a betrayal, but not in the good way.

I don’t really know how to end this. I’ve just been rambling about this. I probably could’ve made a better, more comprehensive post if I wanted to, but I’m tired. Also sorry if this is awkwardly formatted, I typed this on mobile

[felixcloud6288]

Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 96

I absolutely love how that one guy threw a rock at one of the Mannequin soldiers and another soldier is stomping on one.

Another of the High Command meets his end, and now we know where that door in the President's office leads.

At this point I did a mental checklist over all the people in high command to check what their statuses are, and I realized something:

There are actually EIGHT members, not including the Fuhrer, in Central Command and one of them just vanishes from the story.

Here's a panel of Roy being brought into their meeting room in chapter 50 and a panel of Major General Armstrong in chapter 74.

Notice how there are clearly seven people here. The only person absent in both is Major General Raven. Raven brought Roy into the room in the first panel, and Olivier is there to replace him in the second.

This panel from chapter 87 is the only one I could find with our mystery scumbag's face.

But once the fighting starts, he just vanishes from the story. We get no reports or scenes indicating the man was killed or captured.

I want to know how strong these guys were that they were able to force Sloth to a near stop with that chain.

They should all have dislocated their arms on impact.

But now let's talk about the Philosophical themes around Sloth. Sloth as an aspect is not just simple laziness, but also a disinterest in improving, performing to the best of your ability, or simply not caring to act.

Sloth dug out a giant transmutation circle over several centuries, and he did this because he was too lazy to argue against doing so. So Sloth's nature made him just accept the poor conditions he was stuck in. And he follows orders simply because he's too lazy to argue.

Now who were his opponents? The Armstrongs, the Curtises, and over a dozen Central soldiers. Olivier Mira Armstrong's characterization could be seen as an entire antithesis to sloth. She takes command of the situation and acts directly on the front line while taking responsibility for her and her subordinates' actions. She does not sit in the background while her soldiers risk their lives and then make excuses for their deaths. In fact, she has killed several of Central's top brass for doing exactly that.

Meanwhile Alex Louis Armstrong had his own sense of sloth he's dealt with through the whole series. He knew the Ishbal campaign was wrong, but he chose to do nothing. Instead, he abandoned his duty (In this case, his true duty of fighting against the injustice of it) and has lived in shame since. His sister did not let him forget, but she made sure to pave the way so he could have a second chance to do what is right.

And Izumi and Sig chose to be here. They don't have any obligations to join the fight. No one would blame them if they chose to ignore all this and just continue their traveling.

And the soldiers could just say they were following orders and use that as an excuse to justify their actions, but Olivier demanded they act in the way they thought they should and they not only decided to ally with her, but they also managed to figure out how to adapt to the situation.

Sloth was defeated by a force that chose against apathy, and that force was led by someone who refuses to let anyone be less than exemplary.

So that's one more major plot thread concluded.

I'm going to start talking a lot more, so here's a panel of Alex and Sig being best friends to break the pacing a little. Sig should have taken his shirt off during the fight.

And now we have Hohenheim vs Father, which we haven't seen anything of since chapter 91. This is the only plot thread that was poorly paced in all of them. That is to say, we never saw anything about it during everything else. Foo's search for Greed has similarly not had any updates in a long while, but there also haven't been any major developments so there's no need to keep us updated on it.

Just for a comparison, the anime moved Hohenheim meeting Father to the equivalent of the end of last chapter. The general assumption that I make, and which I think is fair to make, is that different scenes tend to happen in chronological order to each other. And if we have one scene and then cut to another scene, the second scene happens either at the same time or after the first one.

So Hohenheim meeting Father in chapter 91 implies he met Father at the same time Al began fighting Pride and Kimblee, Envy regained its body and started fighting May, and Sloth attacked Olivier.

The anime moving Hohenheim's initial meeting with Father to where it did changes the timing implication to make us assume Hohenheim was approaching Father's lair during all that, and he only just reached it just before Sloth's death.

There's a ladder in the little room Hohenheim made. So he carved out the space, made a ladder, climbed down the ladder, and then created the door.

Hohenheim, the Philosopher from the West who taught the Eastern nation of Xing Alchemy, attacked with stone pillars that look like Eastern dragons.

Father, the Philosopher from the East who taught the Western nation of Amestris Alchemy, attacked with stone pillars that look like Western dragons.

Hohenheim's design is also more intricately detailed than Father's.

Hohenheim definitely hit the mark when he told Father he wanted a family. Maybe a long time ago, Father tried to emulate having an actual family bond with his children, but like everything else, he wasn't willing to put the actual effort into actually understanding how.

And since he's unwilling to learn what it means to be a parent, nor what it means to share a bond with someone, what hope would the others have. No wonder they're all so messed up when it comes to their feelings about human attachment.

back

[veganpropaganda]

Mid May, activists in Denmark liberated two lobsters from a MANY supermarket. They did their homework, found what sea they came from, and released them back into the wild. After that anonymous report was shared, local activists in Denmark and beyond got to work.

By having raised the live lobster trade by MANY, those anonymous activists inspired a local storm. Activists emailed and called MANY demanding to stop the sale of live lobsters. They warned them that if they didn’t a pressure campaign would be set up against them, with direct action and protests.

MANY really felt the heat and emailed back to those reaching out, letting them know that they took their concerns very seriously and that they would put an end to the sale of live lobsters from August 1st onwards.

The action of some anonymous activists inspired enough people who not only felt liberating those lobsters was right, but who also decided to put even more pressure on the company, backing those taking direct action, defending the lobsters and warning the company to put an end on the abuse.

This is a clear show of how direct action, regardless of how small it might seem to be, can have incredible impact. Not only two lobsters were freed, but it united folks from different ways of life, raised the issue and created a united front to fight back against injustice.

It is worth mentioning too that whilst many people advocate for direct action to occur within existing campaigns, raising the profile of that campaign or creating a front where the target feels they either talk to those who are campaigning and find a solution, or they have to deal with those who do not fear breaking the law, in this case a seemingly small act of liberation inspired the phone/email storm that ultimately bagged a win.

Always defend direct action and never forget the power of people!

UNTIL WE WIN

PS: To the anonymous activists who took those lobsters to freedom; we hope you know how much that act has impacted animals. Congratulations on your win.

[thevelria]

Electric Love (Gojo x Reader) Chapter 5

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pairing: Gojo x fem!reader

Summary:This is the 5th chapter of an AU story, some parts might be canon, but mostly not. It's going to be a love story between you and Satoru with some spice. Warning will be at the beginning of the chapters. Please read them carefully and skip if any of the listed warnings might trigger you. Otherwise have fun!

Warnings: 18+ ONLY//violence, mention of rape, blood, murder and swearing

Wordcount:2756

If you want to be tagged, please let me know <3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ryomen Sukuna was getting down on one of his knees, smiling at the woman who stole his heart years ago.

“Isebu” his Adam’s apple bobbed “will you marry me?”

The light spring air brushed her hair, slightly kissing her bare shoulders as she was standing on the bench, being shocked and surprised at the same time. His man was never the master of expressing his feelings and seeing him like this melted her heart.

“Isebu?” Sukuna frowned, getting a tiny bit impatient.

“Yes! Of course! Yes!” she repeated several times, while jumping into his neck, hugging him tighter than ever. Sukuna smiled, a true, honest smile crawled upon his face. 

“I love you, baby.” he pulled her into a passionate kiss. 

A few days later, maybe two or three Sukuna and Isebu were standing in front of each other, saying vows to be together for eternity. Arvis, being the best man of Sukuna, tried his hardest to arrange the wedding in such a short time. But since they were fighting against the curses all the time, well it wasn’t a piece of cake, that’s for sure. Like a never ending nightmare, which he wanted to drag his two best friends out even for a day, if possible. 

Sukuna, Isebu and Arvis were fighting side by side no matter what. A deadly trio, which almost everyone feared and they better did it. Isebu was a truly powerful sorceress, even the boys admitted her limitless power. She was strong and she wasn’t willing to tolerate injustice. If only she would have known better…

“I do.” They both sang the answer to the big question. 

During the wedding, after a few (actually a lot) shots Sukuna and Isebu were dancing in the middle of the dance floor, forgetting about everyone around them. Her hands wrapped around her now husband’s neck, staring into his beautiful eyes, which sparkled with nothing else, but love. 

“I’m the luckiest man to have you as my wife.” Sukuna cooed.

“I love you more than my life.” she leaned in for a kiss, pressing her lips against his soft ones. The bond they shared was unique, being a lover and a comrade at the same time made it special. They would have died for each other in a blink of an eye.

The idyllic moment was ruined by a bunch of armored sorcerers, who marched into the wedding without any hesitation.

“Isebu Kamesi” one of the sorcerers yelled “You need to come with us, right now!”

“What the fuck?” Sukuna stepped in front of his wife, protecting her with his hand behind his back.

“We have nothing to do with you, Sukuna. Step aside! But her! She’s under arrest on the charge of being a curse user.”

“Nonsense!” she stepped forward “How would I be a curse user? I’m one of your best soldiers for fuck’s sake.”

“A few days prior you attacked three sorcerers, almost killing them.”

“Oh, those sneaky little rats.” she spat on the ground “Didn’t they tell you what they were attempting to do? Huh? Didn’t they tell you about that innocent girl those pigs tried to rape? Of course I stopped them and I would do it again!”

Sukuna’s eyes popped wide, he had no idea what happened. He remembered Isebu coming home messy, covered by blood with some bruises and cuts. He was sure she got into a fight, but it wasn’t anything special, it happened quite often to be fair. And when she made him sure it was nothing, Sukuna let it go in an instant. 

“We found the girl and she testified that nothing like that happened. They were just having some fun.” 

“Fun?” Isebu fisted her hands “FUN? Did you threat her you fucking maggots, didn’t you? Is she even alive yet? They pinned her against a cart and she was screaming for help. Is this what a fun conversation looks like?” she was about to lose her cool.

“Baby…” Sukuna grabbed her wrist softly “Calm down. We need to find out something.”

“Sukuna, let her go! She has to come with us, right now.” the sorcerer stood in his fighting stance, followed by his comrades. 

“Make me!” Isebu clenched her jaw, grabbing her knives from the pocket under her wedding dress. 

Everyone expected a huge ass fight, well it wasn’t anything like that. The sorcerers pulled a dirty, new technique especially developed for capturing Isebu and knocking out everyone else. It was a risky one since they haven’t even tried it before, but it worked. Unfortunately it worked. Sukuna and Arvis alongside with every other guest were laying on the ground, unconscious.  

Isebu was dragged in front of a council, who didn’t even make the effort to hear her out. They handled her as a threat, hence they executed her right away.

“What the fuck happened?” Sukuna rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand “Isebu?” he blinked fast, while looking around, searching for his wife.

“I think they took her.” Arvis sat up, trying to adjust to the action and taking deep breaths.

“Where? Wait…no!” Sukuna gasped in realization “If they took her to the council. Fuck, we need to hurry. Get up!” he grabbed the shoulder of his friend. 

The flames bursted high into the night sky, heavy smoke and the smell of burning meat mixed in the air. 

“Isebu!” Sukuna screamed from the top of his lungs the second he spotted his wife's dead body burning in the flames on a platform. “You’re going to pay for that!” he kept yelling, rage flashing in his eyes. 

That night something broke in him and even in Arvis. They both swore to wipe the sorcerers out from this world and man they did a really good job. 

The next few years have been a real torture to every sorcerer, because these two slaughtered them without any hesitation. As the legend said, when Sukuna and Arvis were finally defeated their body became a cursed spirit. Sukuna with his four hands and two faces, while Arvis with lava boiling under his skin scared the sorcerers to death. The curses in them were way too strong for their body to be fully destroyed, that’s why Sukuna’s 20 indestructible fingers and Arvis’ heart were removed and preserved in grave wax. 

Isebu happened to look exactly like you. Like she was your twin sister or reverse. Everything matched, your hair, your eyes, your face, even the way you walk. The second Sukuna spotted you in the coffeeshop his heart skipped a beat. As if he saw a ghost, a sweet, adorable ghost who he thought he would have never been able to see once again. And still you were there, walking back and forth between the tables. Talking with such a mesmerizing tone. Your voice, Isebu’s voice…it ripped up wounds, which were buried way too deep in him. That was the second he decided to get you no matter what. Afterall his love for his beautiful wife has been never ended. 

***

Flashback to the day Gojo visited Daniel in the box club:

“Talk to me!” Megumi sighed, leaning back in his chair in the living room. Almost the whole school was empty, only him and Gojo stayed in the facility. “I can clearly see something happened. You are weird. And not in the way you usually are.” he crossed his hands in front of his chest. 

“If I tell you this you have to swear not to talk about it to anyone. Get it?” Gojo looked way too serious, which made Megumi uneasy. What could have possibly happened that made his sensei become so strict. 

“You have my word.” he nodded slightly.

“It’s about Y/N and his now ex boyfriend.” he clenched his jaw.

“What?”

“Daniel that fucking asshole beat her up the other day, really bad. Damn, when I saw her bruised face and ripped lip, I lost my control.” Gojo took an irritated, deep breath.

“What did you do?”

“I beat the shit out of that faggot and threatened him that I’m gonna end his pathetic life, if he wouldn’t leave her alone once and for all.”

“Dear Lord…” Megumi clicked his tongue “Not that he didn’t deserve it after all.”

***

Flashback to the day Megumi and Yuta visited you in the coffeeshop:

“What the fuck did you two do today?” Satoru yelled into the phone. Megumi had to hold it far from his ear. Yuta’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he heard his teacher's furious voice.

“It was just a misunderstanding.” Megumi tried to save themselves.

“Which one of you asked if she had someone?” Gojo’s cold, strict voice made the boys’ blood freeze. “I asked you a freaking question! Who was it?”

“Me, sensei…” Yuta sighed.

“Yuta, what the fuck?” Gojo asked, not expecting any kind of answer, though. 

“I’m sorry, I just…”

“Don’t even start, boy! Just leave her alone, it’s gonna be the best. But if she won’t speak with me anymore, because of you guys…you better hide somewhere.” he kept raging. 

“Is she mad at you?” Megumi asked carefully.

“What do you think? She thinks I ordered you to ask her those stupid questions.”

“Fuck…” Megumi clicked his tongue “Sensei, just let me handle this. I’ll talk to her and make it right. Okay?”

“Don’t you dare…” Satoru was about to give them one more lecture.

“Sorry, what? Sensei? I cannot hear you! Hallo? Hey?” Megumi acted it out easily, while hanging up the phone. “You idiot” Megumi slapped Yuta on the back of his neck “Do you see what you’ve done?”

“Ouch…” he rubbed his neck “I didn’t think that…”

“Yeah, because you are just like Gojo. You don’t think before you act…”

“Still you shouldn’t act like…”

“Shut it Yuta!” Megumi snapped at his friend “You have no idea what that girl went through with his ex, Daniel and what Gojo had to do to…” he slammed his palm on his mouth. He was way too angry to think straight and the words accidently slipped out.

“What?” Yuta frowned “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing! Forget it.” Megumi waved.

“No way! Spit it out!”

“But if I tell you this you have to keep it a secret. Okay? Otherwise Gojo will kill me and you, both of us without hesitation.”

Yuta kept silent with a serious look on his face, nodding.

“Daniel beat her up and Gojo did the same to that man, forcing him to leave Y/N and never come back. He even threatened that bastard to kill him. Our sensei is truly into that girl, we cannot fuck it up. Do you understand it?”

Yuuji was standing at the door, being as silent as possible. Usually he wouldn’t eavesdrop, but Megumi sounded way too serious and Yuuji was too curious. He felt like the other two avoided him in the last few days and it made him sad and confused at the same time. Nothing happened, he didn’t do or said anything and yet he was left behind. His brows frowned, drinking in the heavy words which left Megumi’s mouth. Out of the blue his vision got spotted, blurry. The room started to spin as his heart beating became uneven, then suddenly everything was pitch black. 

Sukuna clenched his jaw the second he took over Yuuji’s body. “How did that piece of trash dare to touch my woman?” he hissed under his nose, while spinning on his heels, leaving in an instant. “I will not only threaten him. I am going to kill him and I already know how!”

It didn’t take long to Sukuna to find the curse object Arvis became. When the curse found out, who he was actually facing the fear in his eyes told it all. One specific move, that was all Sukuna needed to finish the curse and hold the heart of Arvis in his hand. On the way to the city he realized he didn’t know where to find Daniel. When he stepped in the coffeehouse he was glad not to find you there. But your coworker, a babbling, annoying energy bomb was there, who was more than willing to share the information he needed. Two compliments and a charming smile and he was already on the way to the box club. 

Late in the evening, almost getting dark, every kid left home, leaving Daniel alone. He was packing some stuff and cleaning a bit just in case. 

“Are you Daniel?” A raspy voice interrupted the coach in his action.

“Who’s asking?” he turned around to see Sukuna, already standing almost in his face.

“I asked you a fucking question, mortal.” he hissed. “Are-you-Daniel?” The grin on his face made Daniel’s body shiver.

“Uhm..y-yeah, I am.” he gulped big. The next he remembered was Sukuna grabbing his neck, forcing something disgusting into his mouth.

“Eat it! You piece of shit.” 

The second Arvis’s heart slid down Daniel’s throat Sukuna stepped back, waited. Waited for the reaction. Daniel’s body started to tremble, his eyes rolled back and forth in his skull for a few seconds, before the lava straps appeared on his body. And Sukuna finally saw that familiar look, which he missed pretty bad.

“Brother? Is it you, Sukuna?” now Arvis looked confused.

“Arvis!” he hugged his friend.

“How? What did you? What happened?” 

“I have my ways.” Sukuna shrugged “Welcome to a new world, brother. You’re gonna love it here! But before anything I need you to do me a favor!” 

“Anything…” Arvis bowed slightly. 

***

Present days:

Gojo rushed home, leaving you all confused with several unanswered questions. His see through excuse, he gave you before he left, made your blood boil.

“Director Yaga!” Gojo slammed the office door open “We need to talk, right now!”

“Gojo…it’s Sunday and I don’t care…” he rolled his eyes, trying to finish a shit ton of paperwork, which he hadn’t had enough time for during the week. 

“Arvis is back.” Satoru hissed.

“Okay, now I might care.” Yaga waved Gojo to sit down. 

After telling the director what he witnessed he became silent. Both of them became silent. The air felt heavy and uneasy. 

“I need to talk with the higher ups.” Yaga stood up after a few minutes “No, actually you will come with me too.” he straightened himself up. 

***

“Are you sure it’s Arvis?”

“Yeah.” Gojo rolled his eyes. “Otherwise I would have not said that.”

“Hmm…” one of the eldest rubbed his chin. “It’s bad, it’s really really bad. With him and Sukuna back together. We need to stop them before they start a massacre.”

“There’s only one way.” another higher up chimed in. “We need to take the girl here and use her as bait.”

“No fucking way!” Gojo hissed “There's no way on Earth I’m gonna let you use Y/N to capture Arvis…”

“Watch your mouth, Satoru!” the eldest warned him. “It’s not your privilege to decide in a serious situation like this.”

“Just hear me out, old man.” Gojo took a deep breath “I’ll stick around her. I’m sure Sukuna and Arvis will try to contact her again. And you all know…” he smirked “That I’m the strongest.”

Quiet whispering echoed through the room for long minutes, when finally one of them cleared his throat.

“You have one chance, Gojo. Only one! If you fail we will handle this in our way.”

“Yeah, okay, whatever!” he waved, leaving the room without looking back.

As Gojo was rushing through the school he was looking for Yuuji, who happened to be in his room. Chilling, reading mangas and enjoying his Sunday afternoon. The second Gojo kicked the door in, Yuuji jumped up from his bed.

“What the heck, sensei?” he looked shocked.

Satoru didn’t say a thing, appeared in front of the confused boy, grabbing his neck and lifting him up in the air.

“Tell me what you know.” he hissed.

“About what?” Yuuji tried to form the words.

“Sukuna and Arvis…spit it out!”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Yuuji tapped Gojo’s fist several times. He was running out of air. 

“Switch with him. Right now!” Gojo commanded, while lowering the boy down to the floor. Yuuji was coughing, massaging his neck, while transforming into Sukuna.

“Oh, it seems you got my message, sorcerer.” Sukuna flashed an arrogant smirk.

“What are your intentions, freak?”

“Well, it’s not really your business.” he clicked his tongue “But I can assure you, when I’m done she’s going to be mine again.”

“Again?” Gojo frowned, confused. 

[joy2paris]

Books/"Articles" to read - either for diss or in general (to be edited and continued. some descriptions taken from those who have recommended them):

Temporary - Hilary Leichter. A woman takes on a series of wild, impossible temporary jobs

Either/or - Elif Batuman. A college sophomore embarks on a quest for an interesting life

So Distant From My life - Monque Ilaboudo. A young West African man attempts to leave his home and migrate to Europe, only to find out the journey and his future isn't what he planned it to be. Set in Burkina Faso and explores imperialism, migration and the queer experience in Africa.

The Rooftop - Fernanda Trias. A paranoid narrator refuses to let her family (her sick father and her newborn child) outside of their house and tries to navigate life with minimal contact with the outside world. Set in Uruguay. Explores paranoia, motherhood and class struggle.

All your Children, Scattered - Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse. French. Story of 3 generations, torn apart by the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Invisible Women - Caroline Criado Perez. We often forget that bias is built into our environment as we often imagine social issues in their theoretical instead of physical manifestations.

Inflamed - Rupa Marya. Deep medecine and the anatomy of injustice.

Cane, Corn & Gully - Safiya Kamaria Kinsbasa. A collection of poems about Barbados, slavery, colonialism, patriarchy and oppression as a whole.

Autobiography of my Mother - Jamaica Kincaid

The Will to Change - Bell Hooks

Sula - Toni Morrison. Follows the life of a young black girl and the small town/settlement she lived in, exploring racism and female friendships.

Happening - Annie Ernaux. Autobiographical account of French feminist Annie Ernaux's experience with accessing abortion when it was illegal in France. Powerful and important. Will make you cry whilst also getting you to admire the myriad ways in which wmen resisted and continue to resist state violence.

Postcolonial Love Poem - Natalie Diaz. Collection of poetry exploring the experiences of Native Americans and how it feels to have your land taken from you and changed into something you no longer recognise.

Hey, Good Luck Out There - Georgia Toews

The Life of the Mind - Christine Smallwood

Blueberries - Ellena Savage

Post-Traumatic - Chantal V. Johnson

The Spirit of Intimacy - Sobonfu Somé

The Four Agreements - Miguel Ruiz

The Mysticism of Sound and Music - Inayat Khan

"A Face in the crowd" - Phillippe Le Goff, 22 Sept 2023. Marshall Berman, the celebrated political philosopher and urbanist died 10 years ago this month. His deep commitment to a Marxist humanism, a 'Marxism with soul' has still much to teach us.

"The Day Hip-Hop Changed Forever" - Ahmir Questlove Thompson

"[missing first few words]..Quiet?" The sound of gentrification is silence - Xochitl Gonzalez

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous - Ocean Vuong. A touching memoir, beautifully lyrical

Post-Humous Memoirs of Brá Cubas - Machano de Assis. Perfect blend of beautiful writing and 'plot'.

Meltdown - ben elton

African Writers Series - Saqi and Banipal books

"What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?" - Claire Dederer Nov 20th 2017. questioning the separation of the artist and art think piece

TED Youtube video - "Your elusive creative genius" - Elizabeth Gilbert. from the author of Eat, Pray, Love. talks about the creative process and the idea of "genius"

"How friendships change in adulthood" - Julie Beck, The Atlantic

"Ugliness is Underrated: In Defence of Ugly Paintings" - Katy Kelleher, July 31 2018 (The Paris Review)

"The Husband Did It" - Alice Bolin The Awl, Feb 2015

"Is Therapy-speak making us selfish?" - Rebecca Fishbein, Bustle

"You May Want to Marry my Husband" - Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Mar 3 2017

"The joy of sulk"- Rebecca Roache

"A thin line between mother and daughter" - Jennifer Egan, Nov 14 1997

The Unabridged Journals - Sylvia Plath

Flaubertian (comparative more Flaubertian, superlative most Flaubertian) Of or relating to Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880), influential French novelist in the style of literary realism.

Though he is an iconic figure of the realist movement, Flaubert is equally well known for his imaginative Orientalist works of fiction.

"The Plight of the Eldest Daughter" - The Atlantic, by Sarah Sloat

"A Poet's Faith" - Life and Letters 11 Dec 2023 Issue, by Casey Cep, The New Yorker

(up to 12 May from scrolling through screenshots on camera roll)

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

17th September >> Mass Readings (USA)

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A 

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Sirach 27:30—28:7 Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight. The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD? Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself, can he seek pardon for his own sins? If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins? Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin! Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 103:1–2, 3–4, 9–10, 11–12

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills, redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

R/ The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Second Reading Romans 14:7–9 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia. I give you a new commandment, says the Lord; love one another as I have loved you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 18:21–35 I say to you, forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.