#I hate the fact that it took that long

[tootditoot]

"I am gonna draw something neat today" *Proceeds to sharpen my pencils with a nail file for 4 hours*

[weirdglassthing]

Don’t give a mouse a cookie but it’s don’t give an artist a canon detail about a character anyways torbeks favorite movie!!

Sorry for inactivity but I’ve got some FIRE things coming up 🫡

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Lan Wangji Goes To Lotus Pier AU: Part 4.5: Morning Period.

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5)

[violetscanfly]

Out of reach

[deripmaver]

it's obviously not intentional on miura's part, but it is interesting how possible doylist reasons for casca's recovery/arc taking so long to get to (miura being unsure what route to take maybe, or just wanting to dick around writing guts killing monsters a bit longer) create a scenario that functions as a metacommentary on irl rape culture.

in less fancy words LOL, a part of rape culture is the idea that survivors should at some point stop being affected by their trauma, usually a point very soon after the traumatic event. it's a burden put on the survivor to "move on," to stop bringing up the rape because its burdensome to the perpetrator and shameful w/in society, and after a period of time remaining & acting traumatized is even seen as a greater transgression than being a perpetrator of sexual violence. in that sense, i do always look at the desire to see casca go back to slashing at things with her sword & stop acting the way she does in canon post-eclipse with a bit more of a critical eye, particularly when it comes to the way she acts in ch 372.

of course, again, casca is a fictional female character written by a man. it's a man whose writing decisions have not afforded her any agency within the text, including related to her own assault. that being said, i think that SOME (not all) of the pushback to her regression to elaine, and her current situation in falconia, comes with a sense of discomfort to see someone being completely disabled due to their trauma, and never having that moment where she "gets over it." i dunno, i have a lot of criticisms with how elaine and casca's trauma was handled. i think her picking up a sword again in elfheim and then again in ch 372 and yet still having her trauma affect her deeply were also good choices.

[cookkoo]

#shumakoxmas23 Day 3: Last Night Together

"You make every moment special"

[causeimanartist]

Carrie Kelley Robin for art request!! :)

This is either Carrie Kelley or Velma in cosplay, who could say

[accultant]

━━★. *･｡ﾟ "So, were you and Nine-Fingers, like..... a thing....?"

The long-winded ( and yet still somehow just scratching the surface??? ) explanation of Iago's time in the guild and their relationship with guild leader Nine-Fingers Keene.

Iago and Nine-Fingers Keene met when they were teenagers. I won't go into the details of the meet-cute, but they were trying to break into the same house and both left with a pocket full of valuables and a black eye for Iago.

Eventually, Iago found out who this person was and involved themselves in the growing Guild. They were a great contact to have, after all - They excelled at gathering secrets and information and had little to no problem sharing for a good enough price. A sort of partnership budded between Iago and the leader. A partnership that became something like an entertaining companionship. They were still both young and horribly bogged with responsibility - they could laugh around each other. That meant more to them than either of them realized.

They only officially joined the Guild once Puck was allowed to- he made a great hit man. The urges the twins didn't yet have an understanding of had only grown worse, more violent as each day passed. Iago knew they couldn't control their brother, and they knew these thoughts and actions were not his own, but they were out of ideas to help him. They hoped redirecting him could help. It would keep them safer, they thought despite the guilt and chill already creeping into their heart, if they weren't his only target, He made a great ( albeit often overly-enthusiastic ) assassin. Iago was labeled his handler. They worked as an information broker, mostly, with the occasional espionage or thievery as it was called for.

Nine-Fingers ( or Astele, as Iago had begun calling her as of late ) and the Darlingtons saw each other more and more often once this official allegiance began. The Guild offered the twins stability, something they hasn't had in a very long time. Astele gave Iago companionship, something they hadn't even thought possible outside of Puck.

Iago's first instinct upon realizing their developing feelings was to ensure things remained that way for their own security. They indulged in the companionship, used it to secure a place in the Guild for them and their brother where they could have a roof over their head and food on their plates without fighting tooth and nail and blood and bone.

Whether Astele knew she was being used or not didn't matter for long - Iago eventually fell for her just the same. She still made them laugh. She still treated them with the casual kindness they had been lacking for years. Whatever plans Iago had were often dashed by the very real feelings for the Guild leader they found themselves plagued by.

Astele was the first person outside of their family that Iago might've loved.

The nature of the relationship was never quite spelled out, but they both understood well enough what late night conversations and kisses and a head tucked against Astele's chest meant.

Puck did not like Nine-Fingers. He did not like the Guild. The measured killings did not appease him ( or the thing that seemed to grow inside of him, hungrier every second ). The rules and structure only alienated him more than the streets ever did. Iago needed the stability to pretend they were normal and safe again. To Puck, it was but a spotlight on all that was wrong with him.

Nine-Fingers was right in the middle of all that disdain. His protectiveness over Iago was something akin to an animal protecting its prey - another thing that had gotten worse over the years that the twins were unable to explain or resist.

Nine-Fingers, in return, had no affection for the other Darlington. She saw Puck as generally barbaric and, on Iago's behalf, an unhealthy influence at best, a parasite at worst. Iago's attempts to convey his gentler sides, the heart of their baby brother that they knew was still there, fell on deaf ears. She saw firsthand the desperation with which Iago clung to him despite being so obviously scared of him. It wasn't healthy. It wasn't right.

Their relationship, whatever it was, started to crumble around this conflict. Iago started to clam up and distance themselves from the very moment Astele brought it up. They refused to entertain any conversation on the matter, and it became clear how much they simply chose to ignore or kick under the rug.

Puck got worse. There was collateral and enthusiasm in each job he performed that made his motivations questionable to say the least. He didn't seem to mind much what the assignments were after a while - the job would be done as he so wished for it to be. A voice spoke to him at night and told him this was right, he was better than this, he was destined for something more and this, all of this, was holding him back.

Iago got worse too. They could hear a voice of their own, like a countdown, urging them to stop trying so hard, to give up, lay down, die, this was never going to last. It made them all the more paranoid and afraid. And all the more desperate to cover the tracks of their brother's misuse of position and hold on to the one thing they could manage. They were good at their job. It really was the only thing they were good at. So often that voice reminded them of what little else they could do right.

They were both still so young. Of course they listened.

Astele watched this like a wreck in slow motion. She couldn't do much of any real note. Iago wouldn't listen to her. They already knew the truth of what was happening, but they wouldn't hear it from someone else.

Puck killed five members of the Guild. Iago tried, gods, they tried, to cover his tracks and reframe the deaths of people they almost could've considered friends. They tried to protect him, but he didn't want that. Not when he never cared much for belonging the Guild in the first place ( that was Iago's pitiful pipe dream ). He was no longer welcome to the guildhall. It's a miracle ( and due in part to Iago's pleading ) that he was allowed to leave at all without retaliation or, more accurately, a trail of bloodshed from those who would dare try to stop him.

Astele told Iago he would be the death of them. They knew this, of course they knew this, but what could they do? Leave him?

"Well, yes."

Things got worse. Iago still worked for the Guild, though a bit more quietly, away from those who would consider their presence now unwelcome after their attempts at covering up the murder of their fellow members. The days of Iago feeling safe and belonging were gone- if they had ever really been more than just a hopeful delusion in the first place. Astele looked at them in frustration or pity more than anything else in those days.

On their 18th birthday, Iago and Puck were taken to the Bhaal Temple without the chance to say so much as goodbye. But that is a wretched story for another day.

Iago did not see or write a single word to Astele again for months. When they finally spared her a visit, the light in their eyes had gone out completely. They were worse than she had ever seen them. Defeat and despair dragged them down with every step, and yet they kept their feet moving like a corpse unwilling to stay at rest. They only find her again to apologize for the departure and to say an official goodbye. Their life had become something else. They couldn't imagine they'd be able to ever return to how things were.

Astele offered protection from the Guild. Iago didn't even bother arguing that she'd have her work cut out for her protecting them from the God that was quite literally in their blood. They didn't tell her where they had gone. They insisted it didn't matter, since there was no other choice anyway.

Iago didn't realize at the time that their goodbye wouldn't last forever. They would see her again. Months or sometimes over a year would pass, but they'd visit her again after each goodbye that they swear to themselves will be the last one. Again and again, they'd show up, never with any improvements, never answering questions. A few times, they tried to pretend nothing had changed. They'd force laughter at old jokes and embrace and try to forget where they would be returning to once they left her again. Sometimes, they'd show up half-alive, pumped full of healing potions while they managed a shaky "long time, no see" just to see her roll her eyes the way she did. Other times, they'd visit just to sit with her in dead silence and stare vacantly at a wall for a few hours before leaving again without any notion of when they might return. Occasionally, they'd leave letters.

What they had was no romantic relationship. Though it lacked a name in the first place, whatever it was had been long since dead, dragged out and worn thin by Iago's poor attempts to hold onto something long after it lost all chance ( they have a habit of this, have you noticed? ).

Nine-Fingers had to watch all of the life drain out of someone she once might have loved and was powerless to help - Iago would always pick their brother. Over her, over themselves. Every time. There was nothing she could do to save them from this loyalty. Pity and exasperation and resentment all settled in place of where their love used to be. She cared about Iago, sure, probably for a while, but one can only handle so much of a stubborn corpse that lets itself rot away.

It's been around two years since they last spoke when Iago and Nine-Fingers reunite during the events of Baldur's Gate 3. Considering Iago as a companion, how that mess pans out is up to your choices of addressing the obvious tension.

[arch-angel-o]

This is mostly a reference for me but I don't have anything else finished so I thought I might share it here too

I mainly wanted to make some fixed outfits for different type of my cult members so it'll be easier for me to make any comics in the future

[nonconstories]

Someone pissed me off a couple of days ago

So! Below are several links to programs and foundations that promote adult literacy! Hundreds of millions of adults world wide were failed by their education system and now must fend for themselves while trying to read contracts and hospital bills and infographics from the CDC. But they don't have to be alone, and it is never too late to learn!

ProLiteracy: A network of educators, researchers, and advocates which provides research reports, learning materials, and other support to adult education programs. They assist with connecting volunteers to local programs and provide guidance and support to community leaders trying to use their programs' findings to advocate for social and political change.

Adult Literacy League: An adult education program in Central Florida, which aims to provide students with one on one attention to foster growth and confidence. It also offers English Second Language courses and job skills training, and each new student receives a comprehensive assessment to determine the best plan for them.

Saint Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center's Foundational Skills Program: A 100% free adult education program aimed at adults reading below a fifth grade level. It operates year round and is either in person or remote, and they now have a GED testing center that is open to students and the public alike.

Washtenaw Literacy: A free network of trained tutors for adults in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Adult Learning Program (Las Vegas/Clark County): Free education classes to those lacking a high school diploma, those seeking to learn ESL, and adults who read below an eighth grade level. Also assists in students' search for gainful employment. Nevada got so fucked by COVID and the education/literacy numbers in the South West are grim. Please help these guys.

Hawaii Literacy: In addition to helping adult residents of Hawaii Island learn to read and write AND bridging the education gap in Hawaii's underserved children, they offer computer literacy classes, ESL classes, and a bookmobile. 1 in 6 Hawaiian adults struggle to read and write.

[swordmaid]

this convo hitting so different if ur a lolth drow like minthara

[wonder-worker]

"The division between the two families [the Woodvilles and the Nevilles] and their allies can be seen in the royal charters that they witnessed. Warwick, Rivers and Archbishop Neville of York, while serving as chancellor and afterwards, were fairly constant witnesses to royal charters and consequently often appeared together. This was not, however, the case for other family members and friends. From 1466 to 1469, if Scales or Woodville associates like Sir John Fogge, John Lord Audley or Humphrey Lord Stafford of Southwick witnessed royal charters, then members of the Neville group, such as John Neville, earl of Northumberland, or John Lord Wenlock would not, and vice versa. Discounting the ubiquitous Warwick, Rivers and Archbishop Neville, of the twenty-four charters issued between February 1466 and June 1469, twelve were witnessed by men associated with the Woodvilles, eight by men associated with the Nevilles and two were witnessed by no member of either group beyond the two earls at their heads and the archbishop; only two charters, both from 1466, featured associates of both families.

Such striking segregation of witnesses suggests that something more than simple convenience or availability was at play. [...] The evidence of these witness lists does show the extent of the split between the two groups from early in Edward's [first] reign and of the need for political society to work with that cleavage in the heart of the Yorkist regime."

— Theron Westervelt, "Royal charter witness lists and the politics of the reign of Edward IV"

*This is specifically applicable for Edward IV's first reign; in contrast, the charters in his second reign displayed a great deal of aristocratic and domestic unity and cohesion.

[thranduel]

i'm so proud of him you don't understand

[ladycatofwinterfell]

Caved and started watching Arcane. After one ep my thoughts are 1 this show is gorgeously animated, i’m in love with the style and 2 i’m having lesbianism induced shivers over grayson’s voice

[travalerray]

I am going to slap you myself

[alicepao13]

The disrespect this show gets on a daily basis, from the production to the network(s) to even the pirates who prefer to rip shows like *checks notes* Big Brother Canada (same group)...

I wouldn't be calling them out if I hadn't done this myself, by the way. People who have never ripped a damn thing can stay in their lane. I have earned my stripes, I'm not someone who wants to talk shit about those who do this, and I understand the process involved. The webrips are a different story, as they are uploaded by Amazon whenever. The HDTV rips should be uploaded on time, shortly after the network airs the show, and it's the same process as it always has been to rip them. Uploading HDTV rips after the webrips has no value whatsoever, unless someone cares that much about the promo, which of course CityTV doesn't care enough to upload themselves, proving once again what a shitty network they are.

Hudson and Rex has an international fanbase, it shouldn't be so difficult to be able to watch it as an international fan in 2024.