#I think I just went on a very long rant about how thoughts aren't real and they do not influence illnesses in that way and all that does is

[running-in-the-dark]

I'm talking to my friend on the phone and we somehow landed on the topic of ~~alternative medicine~~ and oh my god I want to rip my own head off 🙃

[celtrist]

Hazbin & Helluva Vs. Aromanticism

(Aka: I have a problem with the Spindlehorse team about this, not shippers.)

(Also this is mainly about Alastor but can go for Octavia and Mammon too.)

Alright, so I've cleaned up this uh... rant, to make things a little more clear hopefully. But to summarize here, this is about the team's lack of commitment when every other character is allowed full confirmation of their orientations but these (potentially) aromantic characters aren't.

While I have no beef with shippers (I think you can ship whoever with whoever you want, I ship Alastor too on occasion), there is some conversation about how the fandom might be a bit of a reason WHY they "can't" be confirmed as aro. But again, my main problem is more with the showrunners than the fandom at this point about this.

I'll also be getting into why it's "important" and the double standards against characters being aromantic.

This is not an attack, ship however way you wish (again, I do it myself). My intent isn't really to stop the shipping, that would be ridiculous. But more so to give my thoughts on why it's BS characters like Alastor can't be confirmed as aromantic when other characters are allowed confirmed orientations.

I will start off by saying I don't mind the shipping of Alastor. While it's NOBODY'S business but mine, I suppose it's important to clarify that I'm someone who does currently identify as aroace. I might be wrong but who cares, it's how I think of myself now at least to some degree (I do after all still have fictional crushes. Real-life romance is not an interest for me though, don't like 'em).

I'm gonna get what I don't think people talk about enough on both sides of being for and against shipping Alastor, and then I'll talk about the shippers as they're (I realized) not my main issue at this point.

A little history: So Alastor has been long time confirmed as an ace character. He hasn't been confirmed as being sex-repulsed or anything, but I can personally say I don't mind either flavor of him being repulsed or favorable (though I imagine the series will lean towards the former to counter everyone else's sex-favorable attitude and for jokes). This statement was initially taken VERY poorly by fans who, at the time, were shipping radiodust and radiobelle/charlastor, one more than the other. Care to take a guess which? The answer will not surprise you.

But then people realized "Oh, asexual doesn't mean he COULDN'T get with someone" and people even went further to "Being asexual doesn't mean he CAN'T have sex", both very true statements. So shipping was back on the menus boys! And his asexual was certainly blurred a bit (to the point where it wasn't even him being sex-favorable asexual as much as just not asexual, something that still happens but certainly not as bad). But overall, people were taking his canonicity as asexual with as much grace as a duck.

So here's where MY problem comes in. While I have some gripes with shippers, I had an epiphany that "Oh. It's not really the shippers I have a problem with. It's the people WRITING THE DAMN CHARACTER". Which, might I just say, is so much worst.

The shippers, while they got annoying at some points and certainly can be still, are just having fun. Because shipping just happens to be the way most people like to interact with characters in the media they're into. Hell, I am no different. I just have the misfortune of only really getting into rarepairs most of the time (curse you my bizarre tastes). I've even shipped with Alastor, I like AngelicSmile/radiojoy quite a bit.

Back on track. Now, what do I mean by my main problem being with the writers more than the fans with this? Well, queue this darling of a clip about the topic (this is the only clip I've found of the live stream, feel free to watch the whole video but just wanted the clip here).

This. Single. Clip. Infuriates me.

Vivzi, while I'm sure not meant to, pretty much implied "Alastor being aromantic and 'non-shippable' would ruin people's fun". I'm sure she meant it as a way to keep others from policing shippers (which didn't work, it still happens), it really just reads as "a character being aromantic is not a fun character". Like there's something wrong with being aro.

Not to mention some other things that would contradict this statement:

Viv in the past said "fans are allowed to ship outside character orientations", so... what makes that so different here with confirming Alastor as aromantic?

It being confirmed is not relevant to the plot. Great, so is every other orientation not relevant. Why can't Alastor be confirmed as aromantic but Vaggie can be confirmed as a lesbian or Vox bi? What does Vox being bisexual have to do with the plot? Neither is relevant to the plot, but one can be confirmed but not the other?

People were gonna ship him ANYWAY. Like, there's really no point in pretending. They were going to anyway because of the first point I already mentioned, but also people ship against canon orientations ALL THE TIME. It's just gonna happen and there's nothing wrong with that in of itself.

You've kind of just implied it's canon by not wanting to say specifically him being aromantic is canon or not. If Viv had just said "I don't wanna confirm his romantic orientation because...", then this statement would be fine and fair I suppose. But she had to call out him being aromantic specifically. And I mean, he COULD be something else (he was slated to be a couple with Mimzy originally after all), but the context doesn't seem like that would be the case. Plus, would she really feel the need to hold back from saying "Alastor is homoromantic" or biromantic or heteroroman- actually yes for that last one probably.

So riddle me this, with these points, why the FUCK would it be so wrong to confirm Alastor as a canonically aromantic icon and help get MORE REP for this very very very VERY underrepresented orientation? And I've thought of a few reasons to this, one of which being to avoid the same backlash that they got for Alastor being ace. Which, DID HAPPEN WHEN THE VOICE ACTOR AND SOMEONE ELSE ON THE SHOW CONFIRMED ALASTOR AS AROMANTIC BUT BACKTRACKED ON THE STATEMENT.

To which, fine. THAT'S on the fans (especially as no one would've complained if he was confirmed as homoromantic, which is a double standard VERY PRESENT in this fandom, but also many others quite honestly). But I can see another reason is to avoid others policing shippers about it.

Which, if that's the case, shit luck it's happening anyway.

To cower away from this orientation because of fans being upset says a lot, both about the fans and the creators. There is a whisper of "Alastor isn't allowed to be aromantic". That "being aro isn't allowed or appreciated".

We live in a world that at this point has a lot more lgbtq+ characters than ever before. At this point, there's just a lot of gay/lesbian and bi characters, and that's wonderful. But, there's barely a handful of aroace characters. And when they are, nobody wants to pay attention to that part of the character. So why can't the deer man be aromantic? I would imagine it would honestly make things a little better ship wise because ship wars wouldn't occur seeing as, well, there's no ship to be fought for. None of them could be canon.

So you might see where I'm leading into this, but I can only really think of one real reason Alastor being aromantic just "can't be confirmed" where as everyone else's orientations can be.

His popularity. Like, that's weird but walk with me here. Alastor is the most popular character in the fandom. There's honestly no denying it, he just is. And what do people do with the most popular character?

THEY SHIP THEM OFF IN A LOVEBOAT.

But wait, if he's aromantic, he can't be on a love boat. THIS IS BS-

And then... the outcry. And we HAVE seen this happen. I mentioned before, he was stated to be aromantic on two occasions by two people who work on the show, one of which is his voice actor (which I'll be fair, I personally don't think VAs always know the characters they play the best, that's the writers). But they had to backpedal because people DID complain. People WERE upset. So it's kind of shown just aromantism isn't really welcomed, at the very least not for a character like Alastor.

And that's the key: "Not for a character like Alastor". But if it were say, Niffty or Mimzy who are either overlooked or just not very popular, THEN it's probably more than okay for a character to be aromantic. Because no one wants to ship with them much, so they can be aromantic all they want.

AKA. The aro community is allowed the scraps but not the dinner.

At this point, you've probably noticed I switched gears from the creators to the fans because I DO think they could be a reason why Alastor "can't" be confirmed as Aromantic. I'll give credit, I'm pretty sure it's mainly on twitter and wouldn't be surprised if it was a "loud minority" thing going on, but the people have spoken. They vehemently cannot STAND the idea of Alastor being aromantic.

But I don't have a problem with these people quite honestly- I mean I kinda do, but my main issue is the lack of commitment when the other characters are allowed confirmed orientations. Why can't aromantic people get confirmed rep? Because "it'll ruin people's fun?" That's such a crappy reason because it's just saying being aro is bad on some level or isn't okay. Why can't the aromantic community get the dinner this ONE TIME? It's one character in a pool of many others that are canonically gay or bi, so why can't the aro community have this ONE popular character?

I'm not even asking for people to stop shipping him, I think that's perfectly FINE. It wouldn't change the canon. I'd appreciate more LOVE given to the aromantic identity (and I'm talking about the far end of it, so absolutely NO interest in romance as many have used aro Alastor but it still comes off as just normal shipping, but that's just me). There's such a double standard to the treatment of aromantic characters to the other characters in these shows (because Octavia and Mammon are in the same boat here), and the reasons given are so crappy that they sound more like off-hand excuses.

Again, I don't MIND people shipping Alastor, or Octavia, or Mammon who is randomly shipped with Adam the most. Let me repeat:

YOU. ARE. ALLOWED. TO. SHIP. THESE. CHARACTER.

But what I have a problem with is that these characters aren't allowed to be OFFICIALLY aromantic. How would it feel if this was a gay character? That they didn't want to confirm it but there's been indications with past statements and even in-universe stuff indicating so? I WANT Viv and her team to STICK with what route they were gonna go with.

And some might argue "what's so bad with nothing being confirmed?" Other than the fact every other character's orientations are allowed confirmation and Viv's crappy way of putting it in not confirming anything. There's, by all technicalities, nothing wrong.

However, if I may pose a counter, why is it fair for people to demand or ask for gay representation or confirmation but not aromantic? Because it's "not ruining anything"? If that's the case, I'm inclined to say that may be a bit aphobic. Because how is it that a character being aromantic can "ruin" the character or something, but a character being gay DOESN'T "ruin" the character. It's a double standard that I don't think most people realize or want to say because you don't want to be dissing on gay stuff.

But WAKE UP SHEEPLE. The gay stuff has PLENTY of things by this point. Whether through fan works or official media, it is growing and it is growing rapidly. And we should be HAPPY about that. But alternatively, Aromantic (and asexual) rep BARELY gets any attention in either fan works or official media. People would be UPSET if a ship like Angel Dust X Vaggie or Stolas X Verosika got into one of the top most popular ships. But Alastor? Nah, it's fine.

Again, while I don't mind the shipping itself, hopefully, you can understand how it might feel to see one of the most popular ships involve a character that goes against their orientation and it's YOUR orientation. It doesn't. Feel. Great.

And not everyone who ships Alastor even would LIKE him to end up with who they ship. Some people just like it staying in fanon. I have met SO MANY nice people who ship Alastor with characters that I personally don't really like him shipped with. But it's clear that I don't think THEY'D mind if he was confirmed aromantic because it doesn't change their life. They'll still keep shipping him because that's fun for them and that's FINE. People explore themselves through characters with confirmed orientations and they don't always line up with canon, and that's FINE. I don't think people should be policed on shipping with the deer man, they're just having fun. Would I appreciate a little more love for the aro identity? Sure (I mean just look at Alastor's ship weeks activeness vs. his aro week activeness), but if that's not how people have fun they shouldn't be forced to do stuff with it.

But Alastor being seemingly "not allowed" to be confirmed as aro has set a precedent that there's something wrong with being aromantic. And personally, it makes me feel a tad unwelcomed sometimes.

It's the precedents. Again, why is every other character's orientation allowed to be confirmed but Alastor's isn't? What is so wrong with him being aromantic? Hell, he might not even BE aromantic. But at least I'd KNOW instead of floundering around hoping upon a star for some aromantic representation.

It's okay to be gay but- WHOA HOLD YOUR HORSES THERE. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PUT A PAUSE IN THAT ARO BUSINESS YOU GOT THERE.

A character's worth is in how shippable they are. And if they're aromantic, they're not shippable. And unfortunately, there are just enough people to throw a hissy fit about it that Viv doesn't want to confirm it.

Because apparently being aromantic would "ruin" things.

[straightontllmorning]

can i say (as a bi woman) that it genuinely bothers me that like... so many ppl are like 'its not biphobic for a bisexual to have casual sex' when i don't think anyone has ever said THAT is the issue? i don't care what bisexuals do in real life. if they wanna have safe and consensual casual sex, go right ahead, idc! it's not for me but as long as i'm also being respected in my decision, idc what other people do. it just baffles me because buck in season one was talking about how he was a sex addict and how he didn't want to ruin things with abby by rushing into sex too fast because he genuinely liked her and that was like... kind of a huge part of his character? is that he DIDN'T really like the casual sex so much but actually wanted a real relationship? so why is oliver begging to have buck sleep around again when his character like... wanted more than just sex??? i don't mind character regression but it just feels like bad writing to retread that plot again.

also idc what other people say about thinking OS wasn't biphobic in his remarks. the guy dropped the ball hardcore. he could have easily said "i think buck can continue to casually explore his sexuality with other men and women now, he's still bisexual even if he's single" and it wouldn't have felt so... idk. fetishize-y to me. i'm just tired of bisexuality in fiction always being linked to promiscuity. real bisexuals can do whatever they want. but bisexuals in fiction are held to a different standard for a reason. what else should i expect from a ryan murphy show tho considering brittany on glee never called herself bisexual (bi-lingual, bi-corn) and she was portrayed the 'stupid slutty cheerleader' stereotype. i was just hoping for something different ig :(

it just makes me mad because... they didn't have to break up buck and tommy Like That. tommy could have easily had to move away and he and buck could have broken things off mutually as a result. idk sorry for ranting a bit in ur asks im just so miffed over this and over people speaking over bisexuals expressing their thoughts and concerns toward the biphobia that's going on rn :(

Sorry it took me so long to answer you, but please rant away! Honestly I agree with everything you've said. And unfortunately this really does prove that yeah, this is a Ryan Murphy show and it's par for the fucking course. I was gleek and that always bothered me too that Britney would never say it (and most of her characterization in general was just awful)

I wish Oliver had said something different, I wish he hadn't worded it that way. And again, people can have their opinions but it just feels so gross given how the show decided to do this.

They could've had bucktommy break up in any other way for any other reason. They brought up the Abby plot, they could've used that as the hurdle. They could have had them talk about wanting different things in a relationship. Literally anything that wasn't Tommy basically telling Buck it's over because he's not enough of a stereotype. Because bisexuals don't know what they want. Clearly.

It's very infuriating and I'm so sorry that yet another piece of media treated bisexual people like fucking shit.

And it's really fucking infuriating that people who aren't bisexual are defending Oliver over his comment. Again, have your different opinions but don't speak over people that are bi and already have to deal with biphobia in our shitty society

This show went about it all in an awful way, and I'm really sad that we were all tricked into believing they'd handle it better

[justghostly-things]

Why Mike Wheeler should get Vecna'd

I might need to rant about Mike Wheeler (to like the surprise of no one.) because if it's gonna be anyone its gotta be him, right? I don't think he is gonna die, or it's gonna be the exact same as it was for Max. (Simply because we have seen it before.) but I don't think it would be beneficial to Vecna any of the other characters.

and assuming that the Duffer brothers aren't just bad writers we know Mike has been acting weird for two whole seasons now. (I personally think it was worse in season 3 but it was still strange in season 4.) The show established him a certain way in season 1 then nailed it into the coffin that this is who he is in season 2 but then season 3 rolls around and he is just... Different. (An ass) Of course, we have our theories and analysis (thank you, to anyone who have compiled all the hints into one place what would we do without you 😭This or This or This)

but still.

Since we are talking about Stranger Things S4 and S5 there are a lot of uncomfortable topics that are going to be mentioned, I do not go into details. I barely mention it. I do not describe anything, but I do talk about the themes. Please stay safe while reading

We should look at this in three ways.

What it brings to the story

What advantage would it give Vecna (aka why would he want to Vecna them)

And how does it help the character

Let's talk about Max first. Because we can work out the logic with her and then try and translate it to other characters.

I think its import for this section to know that what Max has delt with is a very scary real thing. Many children have a very similar life as Max, and all I am going to do is talk about them from within the show. I will say is you are not a bad person because you wish death on someone who is hurting you. But from here on I am talking about Max from both her Pov and Vecna's. None of these things are my thought or feeling on the greater topic of abuse and dysfunctional families.

From a story perspective why was Max the one who got Vecna'd and not like, Dustin or Lucas? If you answered because she watched Billy die. Yes. Anyone who understands a progression of a story can figure out why it makes sense for Max to be Vecna'd. We create this guy who shows you your trauma reflected back at you and then kills you as seen in both Fred (Nancy's friend) and Chrissy.

Which of the main cast of characters just went through a trauma event just the season before? Max.

I think if this is all you take from season 4 you have fundamentally forgotten one important thing about Max getting Vecna'd. It isn't just about the trauma of her watching her brother die. No, Vecna specifically targets the fact that Max deep-down wished-for Billy to die, she used to fantasize about it. It isn't just survival guilt. And we are shown this visually through Fred who also has survival guilt. Their trauma is different because Max's guilt isn't just about surviving. That is why it had to be Max. Because all of the characters could feel some sort of Survival guilt. They have watched so many people die and get hurt. it reveals two things. One is how Max truly feels about Billy's death, and two it tells us more about what Vacna is actually doing in the vision. Because he isn't just trying to torture a traumatized Max to the point that she willing to just give up. it is showing Max some "ugly truth" about her to herself. Because that is what Vecna is. Or thinks he is. He sees the world as horrible and should be corrected and the only way to do that is by "starting over". This is him showing max what is "wrong" with her and killing her (so he can start her over/create a new her)

I feel like I need to rewatch season 3 again because I can't remember exactly but I think Max most likely played a big part in season 3 where she kept meddling with Possessed Billy. (Mike did too but we will get to that(this thing is gonna be long btw)) She showed that she is willing and able to mess up Vecna's plans.

(It is kinda a debated if it was just the Mind Flayer or if it was Vecna himself that possessed Billy (and Will in season 2) but for the purpose of this we will say that he at least knows the role that Max (and Mike) played in the mall fight.)

All of this to say from Vecna's Perspective, he sees a group of kids who keep getting in the way, And they are all close to El? And one of these kids has extreme guilt about Billy? Yeah of course he targets her. It is so useful. It'll get to El and the rest of the party. Making them weaker and affect them emotionally so they are more likely to react irrationally. It's so perfect for him. Literally Max says so in the show.

and Max, (I can tell some people aren't gonna be happy with me for this so just know I love max so much please, but) she up until season 4 was a bit of a weird character. She is a confusing character. Especially in season 2, she has a lot of character inconsistencies. This video explains all of what I am talking about in this section this really well. but she isn't really a main character until season 4. She plays more of a supporting role. Especially in season 3 where she is helping El find part of independence. And yes, we know Max has a hard home life and how Billy is an ass to her. We know this but we don't really understand it until season 4. She just feels like an inconsistent character up until this point. (you know who else is an inconsistent character-) Her getting Vecna'd shows us a direct shot into her head and we can start to piece together the truth of her character. We really get to understand why she is inconsistent. And how it isn't a flaw of the writing, it's Max being 13 and dealing with a terrible home life.

the best part about it is that there are clues all over that are screaming at us and I can tell you right now that there were probably so many children who saw themself in Max. And people who were screaming about how this is why! It's because of her home life! while the rest of us were just calling it inconsistent writing. And yes, I am gonna bring it up because this is exactly what we see with Mike Wheelers character. Because the truth is that we haven't seen the whole story, we have barely seen anything of Mike for the last two seasons. (mentally i know he is on screen I mean mentally) we just have a theory on what is going on in his head. and I think it would be a waste not to use Vecna to do the same thing they did for Max for Mike and this is ignoring all of the parallels the two characters have. this is just from a story point of view and omg can you tell how passionate I am about this??

Now do i think it is impossible for any of the other character to get Vecna'd? No? it would probably be more similar to how Nancy got Vecna'd. Mostly because if my other theory is correct (is this shameless self-promotion?) I don't think there is time for like all the character to get Vecna'd.

But yeah, lets talk about a few of the character and why I do or don't think they could get Vecna'd. I will try to make this quick.

Steve: Steve is very interesting and I kind of wanna make like a character analysis about him at some point (probably after I rewatch the show) but I think it could go either way. Steves whole arc for the whole show is to show us how someone can change. Steve started as an ass and has slowly been evolving to become a better person. And I think there is a place for Vecna to come into that but idk if he needs it. I think Steve's can jump over the last hoop by himself (unlike some people who haven't even started jumping... (Mike)) Overall I don't think it will tell us anything we don't already know about Steve, but I can see Vecna wanting to incapacity Steve because of his physical strength. Dustin: Again, I am not sure what more Dustin getting Vecna'd will tell us about Dustin. If anyone has any thoughts, please don't be scared to let me know. I can see Vecna also wanting to take out Dustin because of his smarts. So strategically I can see this being something Vecna would want to "Take out" (but i am not sure how strategic Vecna is? I certainly don't think it would be the main reason that he targets someone.) Lucas: Idk, I think it would be great to have Lucus be more import to the plot but if he is gonna get Vecna'd it's gonna be about Max and him "teaming" up with the Basketball? guys. (I say hesitantly because I don't remember what sport it was...) Which we don't need to be told he feels bad about because he told us. So, idk. I guess we can talk about Will as well: but it's really all the same thing, I don't know what new information we can learn if we see him getting Vecna'd. Sure, its angsty and that might be reason enough for some people, but I know if I was writing Season 5, I wouldn't even consider it. We know almost everything that is plaguing Will. We see almost everything first hand. And sure, we knew about Billy for Max but like I said it was more than just "she watched Billy die" and sure maybe there is something I just don't see or don't know. I just don't see reason for this poor boy to go through more. The other thing is I don't see why Vecna would want to not just kill but make Will suffer. Make him have a pain full death? If Vecna wanted Will dead, Will would be dead. its plain and simple. the amount of times Vecna had Will in his grasps? I don't believe it was just luck. I would actually love to see if there aren't times where Will could be in danger, or it would make more sense for the danger to target will but for some reason it didn't, and he came out unscathed? (if I notice anything in my rewatch I will add it here) but yeah. also, there is all the parallels between Will and Vecna, so I think Vecna sees himself in will, maybe like how he saw himself in El and maybe will try and recite him. Idk but it seems (to me at least) that Vecna has more planed than, make him suffer and then die, in store for will. This is a really good analysis and this I agreed with on why Will was probably not gonna get Vecna'd. But it is a really good (and funny) video so go check it out if you haven't.

all of this is making me want to do an analysis on Vecna/henry. I don't think he is a partially new kind of villain, but I think it would be fun to try and dive into his head.

Hopeful this is my last point where I finally get to talk about my boy Mike wheeler. This is a Mike wheeler safe place. (I say as I am about to make my point on why he should go through pain and torture next season.)

I kind of have talked about some of this but let's dive into more detail (like we did with Max) and talk about my three main points

What it brings to the story

What advantage would it give Vecna (aka why would he want to Vecna them)

And how does it help the character

I feel like the story has been building up to this for a long time actually. Not only with the stalker shots that Mike is shot in but everything we see about his character. From how much we have seen his character change between season 2 and 3, to how little we actually know about Mikes inner workings. Mike is a puzzle right now. He is surrounded by character who are at least decently written and at most complex and compelling. And he is a main character? Like if Mike was a Minor or supporting character (like Erica and arguably robin) it would be weird sure but at least expectable. But Mike was THE main character in the opening season. We learn the most about him. And we see a lot of the story threw his eyes. And what? Were just going to throw all of that away? Like it was nothing?

But! I bring up the point I made about Max again. About what she was like in season two, what our impression of Max as a character and how that changed in season 4. The reason her character acted like that was because of things we didn't have connections for until season 4. All the parts were laid out in front of us they just needed to be connected. Mike getting Vecna'd will literally connect the dots for us. it'll show us an obvious and clear answer for what is wrong with Mike. Because how, honestly, are they going to show us all of these complex things that has been haunting Mike without a Vecna vision? It's the last season. We do not have endless time to unpack everything that is happening inside his head. Especially if the season is going to be as busy as I expect. We have like 20 other character who needs screen time, and we are getting introduced to more characters? And we have to fight the big bad? and there is gonna be a time skip (I swear to whatever higher being there is if they try to pull a "all Mikes' problems got fixed over the time skip" bs I am gonna be on the news for homicide. no-one will ever hear the end of it, omg. i don't even care if Byler becomes cannon, there will be war.) point is this matter is delicate and Mike lips on the matter are sealed so tight. If he hasn't said a word about this in 3 years he isn't gonna talk about it now. He needs a push, and Vecna is going to push him down a flight of stairs.

I do feel like I am repeating myself but it's crazy how similar Mike and Max character are. Almost like they are shining bright neon lights saying like look at this! notice this! and I know I am not the only one to point this out. But like what was stated in this video, Mike is almost the perfect person to Vecna'd , he not only has a connection with both El and Will. He, as Will would put it, is "the heart" of the party. He is connected to all the other character in some way. And if taking Max out would of killed motivation/ made the party unstable imagine what killing Mike would do to them? Which is why I do believe in the Mike was the original four victim theory (I think I saw someone go into more detail, but I can't find it. If I do, I will update with both links)

Also, remember when I mentioned that both Mike and Max have meddled with Vecna's plot in season 3, I just think I should point out how in the gym scene where they trap Billy in the sauna it is Mike taunting Him. And in season 2 he was the one who figured out that Will was possessed. All I can think of for season 1 is that he took El in and formed a kindling with her, which isn't strong evidence but idk maybe Vecna gets jealous easily idk.

And I think to understand this last point I would recommend watching or reading threw the links I linked all the way at the top of this discussion. but I would urge you to watch this at the very least: This video

if you haven't caught on yet, I do believe the Vecna visions are going to reveal to the audience that Mike is gay and has been the whole time. aemiron-main has a very good theory on how I think this is gonna go, because that falls into the same thought bubble as Max's. Where I think the theme isn't just that he is dealing with internalised Homophobia but his guilt surrounding his queerness. which we can easily explore through a vision. and it explains why he has been acting this way, especially in season 3. Like, can you even think about what this poor kid is going though mentally because, your best friend, literally your person got possessed, you watched as they lead to your friends new dad's death? like you can do nothing? and you blame yourself because if you had stop being gay for two seconds just to notice that there is something off about him you could have saved everyone? YEah I would be an asshole as well. Honestly, I think all the clues are there we just Vecna to piece them together.

And even in the very unlikely situation where I and like every other Byler are wrong about Mike being gay. Mike getting Vecna'd can only mean positive things for his character.

I feel like I had another point to make but I genuinely can't remember what it was T_T so, if I remember I will update this. But that is my point. Mike wheeler is gay and will be tormented by demonic infused visions of him being gay in the next season. so, you know. like an average Tuesday for any queer.

[needtoloveoutloud]

Just... let people do with fictional characters what they want?

Idk if this is a hot take of mine or something but:

I just saw a TikTok that was like: OMG guys do you remember the dark times of the MHA fandom when the following things were a thing:

Chloe Takami

Bakugo Poster

DabiHawks Video

Dekubowl

"How do you feel about your ship with Eri?"

TodoBakuDeku

Todoroni and Cheese

"Somebody once told me it's your power, Todoroki"

Deku x All Might

Yagami Yato

Erin Clover

"Hey UA, Bakugo Katsuki is NOT a monster!"

"Todoroki is a real person!"

Angry pomeranian

Ship Wars

Todoroki gives birth series

"Kacchan, we were five"

Smol bean deku/Broccoli boy

"It's bigger than All Might's!"

Layla Todoroki

And, like ????

Okay, first of all, I have no idea what they mean with like half of that stuff, tbh - must have completely went past me

I don't know what DabiHawks video they're referring to, what/who Chloe Takami, Erin Clover, or Layla Todoroki is (I assume they are OCs?). I have no idea what "Todoroki and Cheese" is about or what "Somebody once told me it's your power, Todoroki" is about. Same with the "Kacchan, we were five." Or "It's bigger than All Might's".

The thing I definitely agree with that's crossing a line is when that one person, during a comic con panel, asked the VA of Midoriya what he thinks about "his" ship with Eri. That's involving a REAL person and made the Voice Actor very uncomfortable. That is not okay.

The Bakugo Poster incident is also... yeah, well, very unfortunate.

The thing about Todoroki being a real person was satire in my eyes? But I could be wrong about that lol

So first of all (I'm going on a little rant here, please excuse me):

If people make fun of other people's OCs, that's absolutely appalling. I get that OCs aren't for everybody, that's completely fine. But just let people do and write whatever they want? As long as it doesn't hurt you, literally: what's your problem? Don't like, don't read?! Simple as that. People put in a lot of time and effort for creating content with OCs and coming up with them and literally, they do it for FUN. To COPE. Or simply because they felt like it. What the hell does that have to do with you? Just, like, grow up and chill out?

About the ships: DabiHawks, Dekubowl, TodoBakuDeku, All Might, etc. - again: don't like, don't read?! I get that not every ship is for everyone, but nobody is forcing people to read stories? So, if you don't want to... just... don't? Just look at the tags, think "Oh, mhm yeah that's not my cup of tea" and move tf on? Find a story with a ship that you DO like and be happy people are sharing their thoughts, stories, fanart, content, etc. with you FOR FREE? I truly don't get it. The amount of fanfic authors that leave fandoms because they literally get bullied in the comments (and receive death threats, like ???) is scary. I swear, every other day someone in the AO3 subreddit feels so incredibly disheartened by the vile shit people comment on their stories simply because the commentor doesn't like the ships or think they're wrong? I get it when it makes people uncomfortable when it's a ship that involves, let's say teacher x student relationships or something. But then again: don't like, don't read. Move on with your life. Nobody has to like everything. Also, some stories literally exist to make people uncomfortable. To make them think. To help cope with something that might have happened to them (looking at the dub con/noncon tag here). I mean, has media literacy taken such a downfall in the past few years that people lack critical thinking skills? Some books solely exist for the purpose of giving you an icky feeling — take Lolita for example. It impacts your life in no way whatsoever, that stuff exists that you don't like if it does.not.hurt.you. IT IS FICTION ffs

Same with Yagami Yato. Don't like, don't listen, don't engage. Don't make fun of her/them or the people who like the stuff. Simple as that? Why do people have to shit on things that bring other people joy or a form of escapism? I truly don't get it.

"Hey UA, Bakugo Katsuki is NOT a monster." Okay, we get it. I get if you think that video kinda came out of nowhere (saw it for the first time a few months ago, so I was late to the party) but that creator just had some fun with a story and even created a fan video of it including their OC in the video. People bullying someone simply because they have fun doing something they deem as "cringe" is not okay, and I have no idea when people started thinking it was?

Just... in general. I don't get why people bully people about stuff that literally has NO IMPACT on their own lives. Especially if it's about a fictional story, with fictional characters, in a fictional setting? Just... have some fun, be creative, and have a good time? I can promise you, the people who make fun of others for things they deem "cringe" do plenty of shit others think is "cringe", too.

Sorry for the rant. It just really rubs me the wrong way if people make others feel like crap for things they like. Just let people be, maybe?

And all the comments on that tiktok agreed, too.

If you ask me, making people feel like shit, publicly shaming them, and bullying them out of fandoms (which are supposed to be safe and fun!) is actually what's real "cringe" here.

[jelepermets]

Today, as a treat, I am going to walk on well-tread ground and rant about how Grantaire symbolizes the People of France. And how it is this that makes this chapter so sublime.

Three chapters before this one, Hugo speaks about how Revolution does not always find a welcome audience. How, without the People. an emeute is just that. It may have loft ideals attached to it, but it must fail. If the people aren't ready, if they lock their doors and rail at the revolutionaries outside in fear and apathy and anger, then nothing can be done.

Hugo admits that this is natural. We must let humans care about their own lives and not just the future. All of this can be handled, as long as in the end Progress continues.

"A people, like a star, has the right of eclipse. And all is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not degenerate into night. Dawn and resurrection are synonyms. The reappearance of the light is identical with the persistence of the self." [5.1.20]

This is reflective of Grantaire's apathy, his defining trait as a nihilist. It also reflects Hugo's implication that this is not Grantaire's natural state of being. Remember:

"Besides Enjolras, Grantaire became someone again." [3.4.1]

Not only does this tie Grantaire's existence inextricably with the Revolution, but it implies that this existence is superior, is more natural than his current one.

Grantaire also has more interactions with the People than the rest of les Amis do. See when he was meant to stir up revolutionary ideals and instead went to play dominoes. Yes he failed, but he also reflects the prevailing thought. France was not ready for a revolution. Enjolras ignored this. Lofty ideas could not reconcile themselves to the reality.

‌

All this paints a very bleak picture of course. And yet, in Grantaire's death we get that undeniable hope, which makes it all so beautiful.

We, as real people reading this book, understand that Grantaire is probably still drunk. Yet Hugo impressing upon, insisting upon Grantaire's clarity is so crucial. This, at the moment of his death, is the most lucid Grantaire has been.

Another thing that strikes me, is that thought Grantaire asks permission to die with Enjolras, he seals his own death warrant before doing so, by crying out 'Vive la Republique.' He doesn't actually ask permission to join the movement.

When the People rise, they will do so spontaneously. That crucial ingredient that is missing amongst the population has been lit in Grantaire, and it is a sign of what is to come, it is hope. He's leading the pack with his singular death, and like he measured the mood beforehead, his death can be (and to me is) read as an omen of what is to come. The eclipse - in Hugo's words - will end.

Of course, asking permission to die with Enjolras is also crucial. Not only because of the poetry of them being narrative foils, but because it works as a surrogate for the people of Paris acknowledging the bravery of those who push forward towards Progress while they refuse to budge. Again, as Hugo writes:

"However that may be, even when fallen, particularly when fallen, august are the ones who, all around the world, with eyes fixed on France, struggle for the great work with the inflexible logic of the ideal; they give their life as a pure fit for progress; they accomplish the will of Providence; they perform a religious act." [5.1.20]

Through Grantaire's death, the People come out of their fear and recognize this. Not literally, but in spirit. And if not to all of us, then to Enjolras.

Because Enjolras is, of course, crucial to this reading. Speaking of Grantaire as the People when he is merely one of many characters who are the People, it's important to ask for whom is he? Because he's certainly not for Valjean. Or Marius. Or Cosette. Or Javert. Or even the National Guards or the King or perhaps not even to the audience (if you think I'm overdoing it I respect it). But he is to Enjolras.

Enjolras is stoic throughout the whole ordeal. He speaks of glory in death. He is still devoted to his mistress, Patria. And yet his ideals have been shattered. The People were not ready. The Revolution will not come. He will die bravely, but he will have failed.

But then Grantaire stands up and says he's with them and requests permission to die by Enjolras' side.

And in that moment Enjolras' convictions are justified. If someone who has been the object of scorn, who has been apathetic, who has done little at all except annoy Enjolras and fail to stir up revolutionary thought; if Grantaire can rise up and die with him, then others will too. Perhaps not now, but in the future.

Grantaire becomes someone again when he dies next to Enjolras. And someday the people will rise.

[ilikepjo24]

what are your veldette hcs? ,:3

Was born and raised on Aldershot, England.

Her actual name is Maya but she changed it after she died, partly to fit the Vee agenda.

The other half of the reason is that if she's ever forced to sign a soul contract, the plan is that she'll do so with the name "Velvette" and will use the fact that this is not her real name as a loophole to get out of it after. I imagine a lot of people in hell do that. Vox obviously did.

Which is also why only Vox and Val know her real name isn't Velvette.

Her parents divorced when she was really young but they shared custody, so both of them were part of her life.

Both of them were part of her life, but if you were to ask her she'd tell you she could do without her mom being around. They have a bad relationship.

Absolute Daddy's Girl to literally no end. Loves her dad more than Alastor loves his mom.

Was born an only child but after her dad remarried she got a new little brother and sister that are twins.

She never felt insecure about her father loving her new siblings more that her bc she just has such a good, healthy relationship with him that she never ever doubted he loves her.

But she did have a hard time getting used to the new siblings bc only child life is wildly different from the older sibling life. Now she has to share stuff, babysit and had two little gremlins bursting into her room without permission (younger siblings are the worst) (I'm a younger sibling and I can confirm)

She never got too close to her stepmother, not due to lack of trying from the stepmother's side, but due to lack of reciprocating from her own. She just generally doesn't feel very relaxed around older women, courtesy of her mother.

Struggled with an ED, courtesy of her mother, that followed her in the afterlife.

Her father worked in finance, her mother was a dance teacher, her stepmother was a nurse.

She's a phenomenal dancer, courtesy of her mother, who started teaching her how to dance when she was 2 and a half.

And it was comments about her body "having to be that of a dancer" that caused her to have issues with her appearance and with food. Thanks mum. Aren't you just the best.

She used to sketch outfits ever since she was a kid, and started sewing at middle school, but never considered doing it professionally until she was with the Vees.

At age 14 she had her first ever crush and it was on a girl so she thought she was lesbian, but after having a couple more crushes on different genders and some soul-searching, she started identifying as omnisexual with a preference for women.

By age 19 she was identifying as a nonbinary gray-A omnisexual that uses she/her.

She was a fairly good student. Not the top of her class or a straight A's, but she was pretty smart, nobody paid too much mind though, because she wanted to be really low-key about her good grades, since "studying's for nerds and losers"

She studied marketing at Oxford university, but died before she got her degree.

Died at age 21, and in 2009. She's been in hell for 15 years and was an '88 baby.

The reason she's in hell is bc when she was still in highschool, she was a bully, and she harassed a girl so much that she (the victim) committed suicide.

That and some minor crimes like shoplifting, underage drinking, driving without a license and DUI.

Drunk driving is how she died. Went out with some friends, had one too many drinks, it hit her like a train cause she hadn't eaten anything before going out (or at any point in the past 2 days) and she passed out behind the wheel, resulting to a fatal car accident.

Met Val as soon as she manifested in hell. Like, she fell from the sky on top of Val's parked car. Killed by a car, landed on a car, she can't seem to be getting away from those fucking vehicles of death.

When asked what the fuck does she think she's doing on top of his car, by Valentino, she proceeded to answering by going on a long, very aggressive rant about her stupid ED, and her stupid mother that is to blame for her stupid ED, and her stupid friend group for not deciding on a designated driver before going out, because she's new here and nobody taught her not to just trust people enough to spill her guts to them.

Valentino barely understood anything bc his English wasn't all that good at the time. Vox was teaching him but they had known each other for 3 or 4 years by then, so it's not like he had enough lessons to keep up with her monologue. The speed in which she was talking and the blackish english accent did not do him any favours.

Despite not understanding shit he decided he liked her energy and took her home with him. He adopted her like a stray cat.

"Home" does not mean the Vee tower, because the Vee's weren't a thing yet, but a simple penthouse apartment he shared with Vox.

Vox had a cardiac arrest when he went home that night and found a random girl just sitting on his couch, eating cereal, watching a Spanish soap opera with his boyfriend, who introduced her as his new "thing".

"Voxxy, look what I found! Isn't it adorable? I found it on the street, poor niñita. I'll keep it, she's mine now, okay?"

"What? What do you mean you found her? How does one even-? And what, you just decided she's staying with us now? You can't just do that! Where did she come from? What's her name?"

"...~"

"What's her name, Val?"

"What is your name, chiquita?"

"Maya.."

"Great, now don't ever say that to anyone ever again."

She pitched herself as a marketing expert and an entrepreneur (she had a big following on Twitter (X) , Facebook and Tumblr when she was alive) to get Vox to agree to not kicking her in the curb to be homeless and unprotected in hell.

Vox and Val helped her bully her first victims into signing their soul away. It was their equivalent of watching your baby walk for the first time.

Voxbook, X-Vox and Voxblr already existed in hell, because Vox had found out about them through souls that died after those platforms where created, so he was their sole owner, but Reddit was something he learned from Velvette, and she helped develop, launch and market it, so she's the co-owner of it.

Soon enough, finding about new social media platforms on the land of the living and creating equivalents of it in hell became more of her thing than Vox's, but considering they all exist thanks to Voxtech existing, and due to the fact that Velvette cannot code to save her life, they are still co-owners of all the platforms.

The only reason Voxtagram, VoxTok, SnapVox, ect. have only Vox's name in them is bc Velvette thinks that's an overkill and frankly, kinda pathetic.

She utilized her knowledge of marketing to the fullest and is a huge part of why the Vees are as famous and rich as they are today. Did promo of Vox's products and Val's movies like her life depended on it.

In 2009, she manifested in hell. In 2010, the Vees™ became official and started promoting themselves as a group instead of individuals. In 2012, Velvette decided to add "Fashion Designer" in her CV. In 2013, she was the Channel, Dior, Loui Vuitton, Gucci and any other extremely-famous-and-expensive-brand equivalent of hell.

If the Goetia, Sins and the Royal Family have a hell equivalent of the Met Gala, she designs everything in there.

But she also IS fast fashion. H&M and Shein have nightmares about her stealing their jobs.

Fast and cheap for the poor, high quality and expensive for the rich, she sells everything to everyone and she IS fashion in hell. There's no other clothing brand except hers. She does shipments in all the rings of hell too, because she creates clothes for all shapes and sizes and that includes imps and hellhounds.

Her range in sizes is very body positive bc she knows how much it sucks to have issues with your appearance, so her products are designed to make everyone look drop dead gorgeous no matter their size. (No, this doesn't count as a good deed, she just wants as much money as possible)

Vox and Val have decided not to let the on-again off-again nature of their relationship affect their ability to be a united font when co-parenting Velvette. Valentino's the mom.

They are in their 40's, she's 21, it's the only way.

She hates that they do that, except from the times it feels homey and loving and sheltering and soothing. Then she hates it less.

She's on good terms with both of them, but she's closer with Vox than with Val. Once a daddy's girl always a daddy's girl. And Val's the mom.

And Vox is a major girl dad too. Val's the "do you really need it? Saving money is important." parent despite being rich because he grew up working class and old habits die screaming. Vox is the "oh, you like the Lust Ring? I'll buy it for you!" parent bc he grew up rich, fucking privileged asshole (I love him).

She never met Alastor personally, because he and Vox's friendship was already dead and gone and sour by the time she died, so she only knows him as "Vox's rival" and "The guy that hurt my dad colleague", which reflects on how she treats him when they happen upon each other, in the street or in meetings (not cordially, to put it nicely).

She's not on good terms with Carmilla, or Zeezi, or Rosie, or whoever tf Bethesda von Eldritch is (she showed up when I googled the names of overlords). She's generally not in good terms with older women period. Courtesy of her mother. Because hell doesn't have good therapists and therefore she cannot heal from past trauma.

I have reached 55 now, so I think I've more than overdone it. However, if you still want more of those, let me know, because Velvette is my current hyperfixation and I could go on and on about her!!

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Steve Harrington's Mother's Day Surprise

Warning: mentions of unprotected sex. Wrap it before you tap it. Male carriers. Mature talk. It's very long.

Summary: Sex, lies, unplanned pregnancy, and found family.

18+ MINORS DNI

Steve Harrington found out he was pregnant on Mother's Day. Yep, pregnant. Steve Harrington was pregnant. He wanted so badly to blame his parents. Okay, that sounds wrong, but it's not what you think. They should have warned him this could happen. They knew what he was, and they hadn't told him. Steve Harrington was a male carrier. It was supposed to be a myth, a story to tell your queer kids not to sleep with men. Apparently, it was real, and the story hadn't stopped Steve from getting railed by a man.

"What's the bathroom emergency?" Robin asked, stumbling into his bathroom, breathlessly, and plopped down on the floor in front of him.

"I'm pregnant," Steve said.

"Seriously! That's what you called me over for? A joke? You know, I was about to invite Vickie over and then you - " Robin started, and Steve slapped a hand over her mouth.

"I'm a male carrier, a fact my parents neglected to tell me," Steve said. "I'm pregnant, Robin."

He removed his hand from her mouth, and it dropped open.

"You're a male carrier. . .you're pregnant. . .but that means you had sex. . .with a man!" Robin exclaimed. "When? Where? Who? What?!"

"It was spring break, I went to deliver Eddie some food. He was ranting and freaking out about going to jail, and then he went on about how he didn't want his first time to be in jail. He did NOT want to be somebody's bitch. Guy or girl, it didn't matter to him. If he was going to go out, he was going out with a bang. He did NOT expect me to offer myself up on a platter, but you know that I know about me. I just haven't had sex with a guy, and Eddie was pretty. The next thing I know he was fucking me against the wall of the boathouse and I loved it. Now, he's in a coma, and I don't know what to do, Robin," Steve rambled on.

"Wow, I think I rubbed off on you. That was a Robin sized ramble. Hey, dingus, breathe with me. Okay, I want you to focus on my breathing and then yours. Steve, do you want to keep this baby?" Robin asked.

"More than anything," Steve sniffled softly.

"Well, you know, just because Eddie's in a coma right now doesn't mean that you're alone, alright, because you have a huge support system who's willing to help you. So, don't think you have to do this alone, okay?" Robin said.

"Okay."

"Hey, Steve?"

"Yeah?"

"You're going to be a mom."

"I'm a man, and I'm going to be a mom!"

"And a damn good one. Happy Mother's Day, Steve. . . Wait. Did you have you unprotected sex with a guy?!"

"There weren't any condoms! Eddie was a virgin and I just got tested! OW! You're aren't supposed to hit expectant mothers, Robin!"

"Dangerous!"

It was still a little early to be telling everyone about the pregnancy, but they did tell Joyce, Hop, and Wayne. Robin managed to keep him from rambling out all the details, but he managed to tell them the basics. He had invited the Byers and Wayne to stay with him until they found a place of their own. The house was Steve's now, so he could do what he wanted and he loved having everyone there.

"Oh, I just can't believe your parents never told you," Joyce said furiously.

"Well, they never thought I would end up sleeping with a guy so it was easier for them to pretend like I wasn't weird," Steve said.

"You're not weird, honey," Joyce said.

"Not weird for that anyways," Robin snorted and Steve laughed, nudging her.

"Like you're one to talk," Steve said.

"I am the weirdest!" Robin said proudly and Joyce laughed.

"You said you're about 7 weeks or so, right?" Wayne asked.

"Yeah."

"That's right around spring break, isn't it?" Wayne asked and Steve nodded. "Eddie's the father?"

"Yes," Steve said, looking down at his feet and Wayne went quiet for a moment.

"You know, Eddie always wanted to be a father," Wayne said.

"He does?" Steve asked, looking up.

"Yeah, but he said that it was probably never going to happen for him," Wayne said. "I'm glad he was proven wrong. I'm here for you, son."

"Yes, Steve, so are we," Joyce said.

"Whatever you need, kid, just ask us," Hop said.

"I told you they'd support you," Robin said in a sing song voice.

"Yeah. I believed you."

"Mmm, I don't think you did."

Steve was now in his second trimester and he was glad that the morning sickness seemed to have stopped. He was starting to show now so he had to start wearing baggy sweaters to hide it from the kids. He still hadn't told them yet. He was far along now that he could tell them but he wasn't ready yet. Steve wanted Eddie to wake up. He was sitting by Eddie's bedside, knitting a pair of socks for the baby.

"I don't think those will fit me," a voice croaked.

Steve looked up to find Eddie looking at him and he dropped the socks, jumping to Eddie's side.

"You're awake!" Steve exclaimed and burst into tears.

"I did not expect that reaction," Eddie said. "Are you happy or disappointed?"

Steve leaned down and pressed a hard kiss to his lips.

"Okay, happy it is," Eddie said.

"I'm going to call Wayne," Steve cried and kissed him again before running out the door.

They were all so happy that he was alive they were all talking at once, and the explanation sort of got jumbled. Eddie was wake, Vecna was defeated, and Max was okay. She just needed glasses. Also, he would be living with Steve and the Hopper-Byers. He would be living with the same guy who used to arrest him and buy weed from him. He wasn't sure how to feel about that, but apparently, he was also the guy who got his name cleared, so he was grateful.

"No one said but how long was I in coma for?" Eddie asked sitting on Steve’s bed.

They had gotten Eddie all settled in Steve’s room but they didn't stay long, pushing everyone out of the room which was odd. Wayne and Hop had to grab Dustin by each arm to drag him out.

"Sirs, you are manhandling a child!" Dustin had yelled.

"13 weeks," Steve replied.

"That's specific," Eddie said and Steve blushed. "So. . .I guess you kissing me meant that you don't want what happened in the boathouse to be just a one time thing?"

"No, I don't," Steve said. "Do you?"

"Nope! Come here," Eddie said and made grabby hands at him.

Steve stood in between his legs as Eddie placed his hands on his hips. Eddie gazed at him with a smile on his face.

"What?"

"You're so beautiful, you know that?" Eddie asked and pulled him into his lap.

He kissed him and Steve smiled against his lips, pressing his lips eagerly against Eddie's. They were exploring each other's mouths when Eddie's fingers started to slip under his sweater. Steve broke the kiss and stopped his hand from going further.

"There's something that I need to tell you before we go any further," Steve said.

"Okay?"

"I'm a male carrier and I didn't know that when we had sex. My parents didn't tell me," Steve said quickly.

"Uh, are you saying - are you - you're - am I going to be a daddy?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, you are!" Steve exclaimed. "And I'm going to be a mommy!"

Eddie laughed and kissed him hard. As they were kissing, they didn't hear the thundering of footsteps and so when the door burst open, they both screamed.

"You guys are going to have a baby!" Dustin exclaimed with a grin.

"Wait, how did you - El," Steve said with realization.

She had the decency to at least look guilty. Wayne appeared huffing behind them.

"Steve, how the hell do you manage to wrangle all these cattle?" Wayne asked.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Dustin asked.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because I wanted the father of my child to know before you guys did," Steve said.

"That makes sense," he said.

"Does it? Does it make sense?" Steve asked.

"Wow, bitchy Steve comes out to play," Dustin said, still smiling.

"Well, I am being bitchy for two now," Steve replied.

"Everyone out!" Wayne yelled.

"I got this, Wayne," Hop said, pulling out a water bottle and started spraying them with it. "Give them some goddamn privacy!"

They started screaming and leaving the room.

"They're not cats, Hop!" Joyce exclaimed with a laugh.

"It's working, isn't it?" Hop asked.

"We're happy for you!" Dustin exclaimed as they left and Hop sprayed him. "Goddamnit, we're leaving!"

"I love our family," Eddie said as he laughed.

ABOUT NINE MONTHS LATER. . .

"I'm really sorry I bit you," Steve sniffled.

"You were in a lot of pain, sweetheart, I don't blame you," Eddie cooed softly. "Besides, I'll tattoo the bite mark as a reminder of what occurred here."

"Our daughter's not a good enough reminder?" Steve asked.

"Please, don't bite me again," Eddie pleaded, and Steve kissed him. "You did so good, baby. Look at her."

Eddie's eyes filled up with tears, and his lip started trembling as he gazed down at his daughter. They were back at home now, Winnifred Robin Munson was tucked safely in her bassinet and fast asleep.

"If you start crying, I'm gonna cry, and I'm so tired of crying," Steve said.

"I just want to look at her forever," Eddie said.

"Guys, you should be sleeping," Joyce said softly. "We'll wake you when she needs you."

"I miss her," Steve said as he walked down the hallway.

"Me too."

"No, I miss her being inside of me," Steve said. "Let's make another one."

"Okay!"

"No! If I hear you guys fooling around in there, I'll come in there and hose you down," Hop whisper yelled. "Sleep."

"Kinky, Chief," Eddie grinned. "Nana and Bunny are bossy."

"She is not calling me Bunny," Hop hissed at him.

A FEW MONTHS LATER. . .

Steve woke up and noticed that he had slept in for once. Just then, the door to his bedroom opened, and in came Eddie with a tray of food.

"Happy Mother's Day, Stevie!" Eddie grinned brightly.

Steve yawned, sat up, and rubbed his eyes.

"The house is oddly quiet. Where is everyone?" Steve asked.

"Winnie is with her Bunny and Grandpa Wayne. Jonathan, Will, and El took Nana Joyce out to breakfast," Eddie said.

"So, we have the house to ourselves? We could do whatever we wanted to as loudly as we wanted to?" Steve asked.

"It's your day. It's whatever you want to do," Eddie said.

"What if I want to do you?" Steve asked.

"I wouldn't say no to that," Eddie smiled.

Steve kissed him, smiling against his lips.

"But first, we eat," Steve said. "I am eating for two after all."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant, Eddie," Steve told him.

"Oh my, you little slut," Eddie cackled.

"Says the guy who knocked me up," he replied.

"I didn't say I wasn't a slut myself, especially for you," Eddie replied.

"Are you happy?"

"Eh, I can't complain," Eddie said and Steve slapped his chest. "I'm very happy, baby. Are you?"

"Extremely."

"Oh, by the way, Gareth says him and the guys have a surprise for Winnie. He wants to come by next weekend," Eddie said as he fed Steve a bite of food.

"You already know what the surprise is, don't you?" Steve asked.

"Of course! They created a baby one-shot adventure for our princess with giant foam dice and everything! They even had a onesie made for her! I mean, we're probably going to have to do the work for her, and it's probably going to mostly just them telling her a story, but still. . . cutest thing ever!" Eddie exclaimed.

Steve watched his lover ramble on, moving his arms about as he did so. Yeah, Steve Harrington was very happy.

[the-way-astray]

I don't know if we're all sharing our journeys with you about how we came to our conclusions about Keefe and Fitz, but here's mine:

About a year ago I read Flashback for the first time and that was when I first started to realize that Keefe was manipulative (I know I know, it's a basic argument at this point and it makes people mad when it's brought up, but that's what I noticed, and I wasn't in the fandom so this revelation was.... revelatory?), but I still thought to myself, oh yeah that makes sense given his background (which I still do believe but now it's just too annoying for me idk), and then reading his POV in the Flashback short story, I thought to myself, 'huh, he's saying the perfect things, isn't he? Almost like it's propaganda or something....'

A bit later I went to the internet, and learned that it is very very popular to not like Fitz at all (though I had already seen that in the real world talking to other people in real life), and to compare him to Keefe a lot. So I think that's why I started disliking Keefe, the way so many people perceive him (and compare him to Fitz) just soured my opinion of him. And I know people like to say "you can like both!" And while I do agree with that I don't think that anyone who doesn't isn't less valid or less mature than those who do, which I think is the attitude of some people who make that argument.

Anyway. That is my story (I don't dislike anyone who likes Keefe and Fitz or who likes Keefe and dislikes/hates Fitz)

had to do a different graph for you since your opinion over time wasn't all over the place like summer's was.

the one summer sent was because i asked about her story specifically, but now that you mention it, i do want to know everyone’s stories about how they decided what their opinions on fitz and keefe are. i should create a tag . . . anyway send me your stories everybody! i’ll make you a messy little visual.

interesting that flashback was the book that made you see him as manipulative. i personally think it starts a lot earlier, and gets particularly bad in nightfall. and yeah, i talked about this in my rant, but shannon randomly decides to have keefe say all the perfect green flags in flashback/the short story to cover for the fact that his actions literally do not match his words.

i'm not a fan of the idea of a "basic argument" or "complex argument", i'm more of a fan of "valid argument" or "invalid argument". like if an argument is good, it's going to be repeated . . . because it's reliable? that should be a point in its favor not a strike against it. and i'd say saying keefe is manipulative is a perfectly valid argument. but i'm also heavily biased. obviously.

i’m gonna be so honest, i have no idea why people hate fitz so much. like yeah, he gets angry, but he does apologize and try to get better, which i don’t see with keefe. i don’t hate fitz haters and unlike a lot of people in keepblr, i actually respect them, but i don’t understand them.

there is definitely an attitude of people thinking you’re less mature or not as valid if you hate on fitz or keefe. i think, as long as you’re mature about it (and don’t send weird asks), you can dislike whoever you want, and you aren’t a bad person if you do. the idea of "you can like both!" is very true, but i think we do need to respect haters. and i'm not just saying that as a keefe hater. fitz haters (as long as they aren't being weird about it *cough* "Just because your gay doesnt mean Sophie is!!!" anon *cough cough*) deserve respect, as well. acting like hating a character is immature is ridiculous. they are fictional. they are not real. chill out.

oof, i just turned your ask into a rant. sorry . . . moving along . . . i, too, do not dislike you if you like keefe or hate fitz. i'm actually pretty neutral on fitz myself, wouldn't say i'm particularly insane or obsessed with him.

[rachelsshowerthoughts]

Some musings on how the Aware AU might be best structured as a story and like:

Prologue would presumably be the party. So Adrien & Chloe have already started shifts in behavior that will be contextualized for the audience alongside other characters and flashbacks.

This is because it lets one introduce all three abused kids & Marinette and justify the Marinette/Kagami relationship.

This would likely be followed with Origins, but with the aforementioned Adrien in class, desk squabble, Nino biting the bullet but being intrigued ETC.

But there could be an interlude with Kagami contacting Chloe & Adrien secretly to be like, "Please tell my mother I made a good impression on you so she'll let me go to school here, I just made my first friend." & are instantly like, "Oh she's just like Adrien/me for real" and help her out, thus absorbing her into their duo making a trio.

The above however could be covered in a flashback.

Marinette is bamboozled how they know her Kagami & they are shocked Marinette is the friend she wanted so badly. Well Adrien is, Chloe is probably mentally sulking about how easy it is for Marinette to make friends. But Kagami likely explains what she can & things move on.

Anyway, if there are shifts in Miraculous or numbers then they'd happen, her but the prologue & Origins would be used to establish the status quo for the story going forward.

After which I imagine it can basically be broken up into a sort of "Era of understanding" IE, how little or how much does Marinette understand of their situation & how much do they understand themselves?

Nino would be useful as the sort of intermediary person whose ahead of the curve but between two parties.

But yeah, first half of season is no understanding, then Nino understanding, with the season 1 finale, serving to not bring about total understanding but definitely break some barriers.

IE, Marinette is likely at least at a stage where she thinks Chloe & Adrien's parents aren't very good at being parents, but not that they are actively abusive. So the dynamic cools a bit but remains easily ignited.

Season 2 would likely then build up to the full revelation and confrontations as barriers break. With Lila also being worked into the trio to make a quartet, much against her will, and Kagami's breaking moment probably being the big "Oh fuck" moment for everyone pre Heroes Day.

(Though gods if it continued and Kagami could be the Chat Noir)

But yeah I feel like that gives a loose but generalized shift that meshes well enough with the characters and time allowing for growth.

First season is all awkward growing pains, fumbles and such, while season 2 is once everyone's shifted into a stable if not perfect dynamic that can finally allow the main stage of self awareness to be reached.

This was way more organized my head, sorry.

(K first of all: Mood. My train of thought is really eloquent, until it has to change rails so other people can see it)

This all sounds good! It sort of reminds me of a rant I went on a bit ago, about how to do Senti-Adrien even if they only thought of it late. You don’t backtrack to have it make sense, you have characters commenting on the changes.

Like, the Senti-Thing, I said just have it that Adrien's already shedding his programming, already becoming a Real Boy(tm), so don’t have him suddenly be obedient. Have Gabriel come to the REALIZATION that his son is no longer obedient, and have flashbacks backing up how Adrien USED to be. (If you wanna find the rant, search @princess-of-the-corner blog's submission tag, it'll be far down, but it’s honestly faster than trying to find it on my blog. Please note there are two, one serious, one comedy)

But yeah, similar thing here! Have the party establish their "new" behaviour by everyone commenting on how weird it is, and showing flashbacks. I might have a specific scene where we see the inciting incident for Adrien and Chloé. Like, don't make it long, don’t give context, just a quick taste of the fact SOMETHING happened. Maybe a scene from Chloé comforting Adrien after Emilie disappears?

Another thing that might help/hinder Marinette would be Alya. Or, like, maybe to help show contrast with Nino? Cause, I think you said it before, Alya's kind of living out her tropes right now. She's the best friend of the Nice Girl[tm], Chloé's obvious the Popular Mean Girl [tm]. Alya would agree with Marinette that Chloé is a brat who needs to be taken down a peg. Meanwhile Nino, who has been in the same class as these two since diapers, is a bit more mellowed out. He isn’t seeing tropes, he's seeing people. Like, he has no clue what's going on, but he knows it’s more complicated than "Rich Bitch Spoiled Princess". Actually, I might have that be what kills Nino's crush on Marinette. Like, he still likes her fine. They're still friends. But Marinette's initial inability to see Chloé as anything but a bully and Spoiled brat, and how it’s colouring her perception of Adrien, might cause Nino to lose his infatuation with Marinette. Like, if I had a crush on someone, and they refused to believe that one of my friends might be abused, I would stop liking them real quick.

(The train has switched rails from my head to the page. It was not smooth.)

[siriuslysatorusimping]

Hi Kiko! I hope youre doing okay today. I just wanted to message you to say I'm really looking forward to your patreon and can't wait to sign up 😁 ever since I came across your page, I have love love LOVEDD following/reading your stories and just whatever you post in general.

I also wanted to say that I really relate to what you're going through, and I'm sorry. I've been through something very similar to you, in that Ive had a break up from someone I really truly thought id be with forever (we were married, I left bc he was an alcoholic, and he died 6 months later from alcohol poisoning before the divorce actually went thru) and I was with him since high school so it really messed me up trying to live without him, even though living WITH him was hell.

I know this might seem like TMI, but I know that feeling alone on top of going through something like this can be painful. I guess I just want you to know that Ive been where you are in some fashion, and I don't know what's on the other side, but you're not alone. sometimes (all the time) I feel like no one gets what I've been through. So, it's refreshing to see you be open and honest about your hardships, bc real life is fucking hard. And I honestly didn't think it would be this way, but here I am. And I guess that's ok, so long as I can find happiness in little things, if not bigger things in life, like reading your stories and following your page/other artists. So thanks for that, and keep being you bc it means something to me 💓 ❣️❣️

Hi sweet anon!

OKAY. FIRST OFF, I AM SO SORRY THAT IT'S TAKEN ME OVER A MONTH TO RESPOND TO THIS! I kept telling myself I needed to respond to it, and then got distracted or couldn't think of the words to say. I've been second-guessing myself a lot lately when it comes to talking to people or answering messages, so again, I'm so sorry 😭

Sweet, sweet anon, I am so sorry you had to go through all of that. I definitely understand the feeling of struggling to live without someone even though living with them was even worse. I saw a thing not long ago that said something like 'you're allowed to miss the people you no longer want in your life' and I think that toxic/abusive relationships absolutely encompass that. My ex-husband was emotionally abusive, and so many people have asked me why on earth I married him or stayed with him for so long, and the only answer I can give is because I did love him. But eventually, that love wasn't enough to make up for how horribly he treated me when he was in a bad mood. I could say more, but I'll spare you and everyone else an overly long rant about things I've semi-discussed before.

I appreciate this message so much. And it's one reason I took so long to respond because I wasn't sure how to even express how much it means to me that you sent this. It's simultaneously been one of the best and worst years of my life. It's been great because I started finding myself and who I am outside of my toxic marriage, but the worst because there's been so much change and so many big things that are terrifying, and the uncertainty now of being unemployed just makes it all worse. I've also been coming to terms with a lot of things I genuinely never knew were due to my autism, and the anger that comes from realizing just how unfair everything has been. Because life just isn't fair and that fucking sucks. Because no matter how hard you try, sometimes it really isn't enough but that doesn't mean that you aren't enough and that's something that's easier said than felt.

Your message made me tear up a bit while I was reading it for so many reasons, but one of them was being told that the things I create actually make people happier and their days even a tiny bit brighter. It's so easy to fall into a rut and feel like nothing I do is worth anything because I was told that for so long by people that I respected and loved. So thank you. Thank you so much for being part of this lil corner and for this message and for being here. Thank YOU for being you. Please, please keep doing that because you're beautiful and wonderful and incredibly strong.

Also, a small side note: the coffee shop job I mentioned a bit ago worked out and I should be starting tomorrow! And I'm moving next week, so life is about to be even more chaotic than it already is. BUT, I've also got a lil extra for Physical Paradox planned soon so keep an eye out for that 👀

Thank you again for your sweet message, and I hope you're well!!

💕💕

[smallgronk]

Warning: really long wordy and idk how coherent rant ahead. Proceed with caution lmao

I don't even know how to start my rant but here goes. I haven't been using Tumblr for very long, but it has been incredible. I've met a lot of cool people, and learned a lot of cool things about myself. But I hate how the cycle of dysphoria seems to work. It is so exhausting. When I started my account I still went by he/him everywhere, I even said that in my bio or whatever. The longer I stuck around though, and the more I enjoyed the sapphic side of Tumblr the more I wished it applied to me? And at first I dipped my toes in by removing the masc signifiers and letting people draw their own conclusions. And when someone called me a girl for the first time? That was a strange experience. The longer it went on though the more I realized that it seemed right. I got more comfortable with my spot and didn't feel like I was "lying" to people or invading a place that wasn't for me. Cuz even when I would tell people they were cool with it? (Because obviously, almost everyone in my circle here is trans of course they get it.)

And everything about that is fantastic! But I've realized as soon as I made that step, the first time someone treated me like a girl... I changed. All the little things that I thought I was ok with are suddenly excruciating. I had sexted with someone with ease, but showing my face when I had some stubble? Unthinkable. And my voice, dear God my voice. It felt like I would shatter the "illusion" or something. Even if I disclosed to people ahead of time. There was no secret.

The real problem though is what has happened irl. I've always been a bit of a shut in (not by choice, situation), but I haven't spoken to any of my friends in days. Normally I'm in chat everyday at least for a minute. The thought of going and being Him for a bit when I could instead be my little trans self on Tumblr? Eww. So I just don't join. These are people who know I'm trans! I just haven't changed how I identify to them or whatever.

Everytime I start to think about it I'm just so overwhelmed. I told two people to refer to me differently and even that has crushed me. And I haven't even interacted with them since! I don't know if I'm more scared that I won't like it...or that I will. It will just be one more thing on my fucking to do list. I need to find some more queer people to hang with irl cuz it has been so rewarding, but just too distant I feel like I'm going insane. I simultaneously have the closest connection I've ever felt with a community and yet am crippled by the weight of the loneliness.

I've opened Pandora's box, and I was not prepared for it. I was a lurker on Reddit! I was just trying to be horny damn it. I wanted to bust a nut and chat with cute people for once so maybe I could stop being so inexperienced and now I've lost the comfort of my situation. I knew in the back of my head I was going to do all of these steps at some point probably but I NEED MORE TIME. I have to wait for eight different kinds of appointments before I can even think about it increasing my hrt because of my health conditions and some of them feel so far away.

And if I want to go to someone for comfort (which is already something I struggle so hard with!) There are always roadblocks. The people on Tumblr who I feel I could reach out to can only give me so much, it's over the internet. It is a great supplement to relationships but can only go so far without lots of work around. The people irl? Most of them don't even know about any of this and aren't in the know about queer stuff so I'd have to talk and explain so much. And the people I fully came out to? I'm not ready to face the emotions of them referring to me differently. And all of these have solutions mainly, but the issue. They all take work. And I'm exhausted. And I'm so upset. I don't want to do it. Right now at least. I just need some more time I'm getting there and figuring things out but I need more time.

Even posting this makes me feel sick to my stomach. Like I'm being overly dramatic. Which is silly, cuz if someone else felt this way I wouldn't even dream of anything but to give em a hug and let them cry it all out. I feel like I've stopped existing in the real world. Ive always struggled with dissociation but this is a whole other level. (Also people who are faking something don't typically question themselves lmao. That's just imposter syndrome.)

This was always one of my biggest fears when it came to transition. That I would be right. That it would flip a switch and make me miserable the moment I saw the other side. And I know it would get better. But until that tunnel breaks it would be unbearable.

And maybe I will feel better tomorrow. But even that sounds like forever away right now. I need a hug.

[kobblefort]

Rushsly: Into the Depths 3

Here is my arena again, and the stats up top are looking good - check it out, no completely miserable kobbles!!!! This episode is going to begin with an absurdly long, totally irrelevant, mildly insane and kind of depressing rant so feel free to just skip to the next image because that's when I will start talking about the game again.

I don't know if you know this, but something happened in 2020. Well, obviously something happened in 2020, but I think what I'm thinking about might not be the thing that immediately comes to mind when you think about 2020, though it is probably a knock-on effect of it. You see, in 2020 a lot of people went Online who were just not supposed to be Online. Don't get me wrong, everyone was already on their way Online, whether willingly or by a kind of zeitgeist coercion - Boomers had finished terraforming Facebook from a clunky but quirky place to find out about parties and join groups for making esoteric image macros with other drug addicts who you would eventually just sort of meet at parties into a place for 30-comment family-shattering arguments to rage over an article your uncle found on TotallyTrueNews.RealWebsite about how public schools are forcing their students to say "I'm gay" over and over instead of the Pledge of Allegiance by 2018 at the absolute latest - but this was a more immediate event. Stuck at home with no other viable avenues for social fulfillment, a lot of people who shouldn't be on Twitter downloaded Twitter, a lot of people who had previously brushed it off started viewing and eventually making TikToks, started spending more than 48 seconds a day looking at Instagram (a rookie mistake, especially before reels) and though I'm not actually too familiar with this site we're on right now, I'm sure at least one 53 year old just showed up here and acted like they belonged while completely failing to accept or assimilate into the culture - not like, a fujoshi 53 year old, that's always kosher, I mean like owns a frozen yogurt store and listens to NPR 53 year old - again these aren't inherently bad, okay, so let's say a specifically not sexy 53 year old. (There is so much more to being sexy than being attractive, I NEED to clarify this, but this paragraph is already far too scatterbrained for me to get into it.) And because of this, something really bad started to happen. The veil was cut through between "the real world" and "the internet," all the way. Sure, you could argue this happened all the way back with the first Amazon sale, or the first time someone got a PayPal Business account, but we're talking about when the merge became complete.

A very long time ago I was a sheltered child, gravitationally anchored to a two-story house in a suburb that was closer to the country than the city, shuffled around schools every two years as part of some poorly-thought-out program for "gifted" kids where we got the same exact curriculum as any other kid in the district with twice as much homework, half as much socialization, and one particular teacher so miserable and cruel that I still find myself hoping she dies in some kind of "stepping on Legos forever" incident some twenty years later. (She seemingly went out of her way to make sure every student in our cohort broke down crying in front of the entire class at least once. I think I might actually be the age she was when she taught us now, and I can not imagine being okay with making a child cry, let alone intentionally trying to make it happen.) I certainly had it better than many in a material sense, the middle class really used to exist before 2008 and I was there in it, but my home life was actually pretty awful in the non-material senses, and in so many neglected hours I was able to take solace in one place. First over dial-up, then through DSL, and finally via glorious cable connection, I was able to leave the real world. On forums, on chatrooms, in game lobbies and Flash cartoons, I was specifically somewhere else.

Digital cameras were expensive and rare. Webcams... existed, I guess, but a 144p image on a CRT screen over AOL Instant Messenger's awkward protocol hardly made for a seamless connection, and I never had one anyway, because what the fuck did I or anyone else care what I looked like in real life? My Furcadia avatar was the real main event, or even better, my Graal Online character - an obscenely obscure game now, but it seemed bigger than the whole world when I was 9 - I was not bound by the name my parents chose for me but instead liberated by the handle I dreamt up for myself. There was no image or shape of me to weigh me down, only my thoughts and the way I managed to translate them. And there was another quality of this place that would inform my later disdain for capitalism, though I didn't know it yet: that everything was free. Though they could never find their way onto the Animal Crossing Forums or Starmen.net, and especially not Hell Is A Forum (thank god) even my parents could figure out Napster and the CD burner on our beige old Gateway desktop, and would boot me off to go play with my Dreamcast or my Genesis ever so often to burn a mix for the car or their workout - though they were trolled by that one Bill Clinton MP3 more times than any of us would like to admit, and I'm sure at least two or three of the many viruses that eventually did that old machine in came from there. Still, this was not a point of controversy, did not upset anyone besides, well, Metallica and the RIAA - it was just how the internet worked. If you could digitize something, turn it into data, break it down into a series of machine-interpretable binary bits and hexadecimal bytes, then it could be shared completely freely; there was no way to stop it from being shared completely freely. Once a thing was on the internet, it belonged to the internet, and this was not some dystopian AI-corpus financial instrument, but a worldwide triumph of human connection, a bastion of culture available to anyone with a machine and a modem. Learning things, finding things, talking to people was all so free and so easy, and connections were so beautifully earnest. Forums built around mutual interests made fast friends out of people who simply wouldn't meet in the real world, would otherwise just feel alone in their hobbies and pastimes and artistic ambitions, let everyone experience the joys of sharing in mutual passions without the aches and costs of travel, the gross fleshy trappings of physical life. You were free to just download Christian ska songs and roleplay as being an evil wolf with angel wings and talk about anime for crying out loud - which was really not normal at all yet for an American in, let's say, 2003.

My heart is warmed by younger people rejoicing in digital nostalgia, but I really wish they could have been there for the whole thing. "Y2K" was so much more than an aesthetic, it was a way of seeing the world, of experiencing the present and envisioning the future. It is truly ironic to have "digital millenium," two of the most hopeful words in the world to me when I was a kid, be the first two words of "DMCA," one of the most soul-crushing. On some level, we must have known it couldn't last forever, but the decay creeped in so slowly that you almost couldn't notice it, not unless you really looked. Paywalls went up, copyright takedowns went out, messageboards went down. Little by little, even the concession of "shareware" became corrupted by the wrong kind of perverts - coin-counting suit-wearing fun-hating puritans that, trite as it is, really did want to pave paradise and put up a parking lot. Rent-seekers claim-jumped domain names by the thousands and asked exorbitant fees to let actual creators use them, the definition of "spam" grew looser and looser until it became normal for a total stranger to E-mail you a fucking advertisement, and all the SheezyArt's and VCL's were either crushed underfoot or congealed into the same all-encompassing grey goo of Social Media, a more Accessible internet not to the people who needed it, or even particularly wanted it, but who saw it as a resource to exploit.

But for a long while, the internet was still ultimately the domain of people who wanted to be there. The Facebook boomers barely ever breached containment, and anyone with any sense knew how to keep their paths from crossing. Twitter was still overwhelmingly weird, Facebook still at least had safe pockets that made it worth logging on every couple of days. But 2020 ended this completely. The trends of the last few years reveal it so plainly: a lot of people who genuinely don't belong on the internet are on it and just stuck here now. NFT guys were never even supposed to exist - people like that are supposed to just try to one-up each other at consumer-goods conventions with luxury watches or elaborate decorative rugs. The people crying out "Mister King Elon, Sir, my Blue-Check has improved my Reach, but people still aren't liking my Tweets! What's going on!?" should be harassing each other in country clubs. Televangelists should not even physically be able to access e621 but they do, and after they finish jacking off to femboy foxes with giant cocks in striped socks like everyone else does, they feel compelled to go online and tell a crowd about how "Liberals are putting litterboxes in classrooms because the teachers make kids identify as pansexual nonbinary catboys, we need to start kidnapping endocrinologists," a crowd that should not be following for-profit parishioners on Twitter, they should be in a La-Z-Boy yelling at the TV and buying the world's shittiest kitchen knives off the Home Shopping Network.

And I mean, what do we do, right? Is this just the new cycle? Something cool comes around and we get to have fun with it for a few years until the boomers come shit all over it? How long can we go on like that? I'd say quite a while longer, actually. The truth is that a new cool thing will arise, we will have a place again for the actual weirdos and outcasts who make everything of any sentimental and cultural value to coalesce together, one that the Finance Fuckers and the Status Seekers and the hate-spewing freaks can't figure out how to get on, don't even want to get on. I don't know what it will be or where or how, but this all comes in waves. In nature, the prey population rises, then the predator population does too, then the prey population falls, then the predator population falls. There is summer and there is winter. In the human world we have made things markedly more complex, but we still operate on the fundamental principles of nature, there is still a morning after every night no matter how long. Somewhere, somehow, a new world is coming. It has to be. And somewhere in this world, something is waiting for you.

I think things like the greatest simulation game of all time, Dwarf Fortress speak to what the internet and computers really are, really can be, really should be. I think the greatest simulation game of all time Dwarf Fortress is not just a relic of a more optimistic time but something that keeps the spirit of the old internet alive. Tarn once said that people who actually play the game are simply beta testers, and it is only by sharing our experiences with it to others that you get to actually "play" it. I really like that, I feel as though that concept contains the very "collaborative spirit of giving freely" from the old internet. So how about I get back to beta testing the greatest simulation game of all time Dwarf Fortress for you.

New problems are often just old problems. On the left we see that more food has been left to rot on the floor, because of course it has, at this point I think they just like doing it. On the right we see that, well, I didn't really designate anyone to throw out the forgotten beast corpse or its associated parts, so... that's kind of just stinking up the place. Right at the main stairway, too! Well, down a hole on the surface it goes.

We needed more flux stone for steel production, so I went to dig into the dolomite wall of our church/main tavern floor, but it turned out to be hiding a massive iron vein. Well, there's still enough dolemite to be worth it, and it's not like more iron is bad, it's just not particularly good.

Chief Acl himself, apparently quite a religious man lately, takes the task of throwing the ratfolk necromancer down a very deep hole, cage and all. It's a quick and merciful death, which the other ratfolk will surely come to envy in time as it's now their turn to be chucked down. Well, that plan kind of has a hitch.

Only the first ratfolk is actually successfully thrown down the pit - the next two see the pathetic fate that awaits them and immediately make a break for it. And then...

Ace Steel, the Beast Slayer, catches one, beheads them, and then...

chops the other one in fucking half. Jesus Christ

And in the background, just as a little aside, our bird towers spot three ratfolk thieves trying to break in. It's too bad they haven't been able to send any survivors back to warn them about all the traps. Well, they won't get the chance now, either. These particular ratfolk are just going straight down the garbage pit because, well, I dunno, the "arena" feels like a shit idea after all.

Hey, Nillians are here! I've never seen these folks before. Hope they aren't squeamish like elves, because they got here just in time to see ratfolk thrown down a fucking garbage chute. We'll give them a nice warm welcome, and also I feel like getting some special quarters set up for the Beast Slayer. I don't want her to feel as though her hard work isn't being appreciated. Of course, she's not the only member of the military...

Dralas Containedbanded, a fine crossbowbold in his own right, has fallen asleep right in the middle of the main tavern as a party rages around him - another member of his squad, Almda Smileurn, snoozes away in the lower one. I take it they're enjoying their leave to the fullest, as they should. It'll be right back to training soon enough.

The trading post is absolutely run at this point - we seem to be popular, despite the fact we really haven't been exporting much. And oh god they're doing that thing with the wagon don't do it don't do it don't crunch it don't smush it. Okay. I'm better now. I traded with the Nillians for their instruments; we're almost completely self-sufficient now, so nothing else they have is particularly interesting.

In political news, we're a Realm now! Which means Acl's lodgings are no longer good enough, and has also inspired Alsrta Moltenend to enact a ban on the export of iron anvils. Which... yeah, sure, whatever. They're not exactly our money-makers. In fact, I don't think we've ever sold one. So yeah, sure, who cares.

Ace Steel now has a grand bedroom to share with her husband Zolr Fatvenoms (cute name) that includes satinspar furniture (her favorite rock) and pig iron walls (her favorite metal - she's worth slowing down the steel production for...) right next to the tavern. It's also around this time that I discover the population cap was set to 50; I figured we just weren't getting a lot of migrants because we weren't creating or exporting a lot of wealth, but...

That's pretty obviously not true. So I crank it back up to 200 and set about digging out some more apartments. We've been eating through vertical space pretty quickly, but as far as horizontally, there's still tons of room, and while it's obviously more efficient to just stack them instead of spreading them out, I don't particularly want bedrooms any closer to the caverns than they are, so instead I make the aesthetically questionable decision to just smush them all onto elevation -5 with the other 3-tile bedrooms.

In between all their stairwells, we create a grand mausoleum for Acl, who is apparently no longer content with just a platinum sarcophagus in a crystal glass chamber up where the proles get buried. I'd say royalty really changed him, but it kind of didn't.

There he is, putting together some random pauper's bedroom.

We got another live one! This one's a bit more worrying than the last - I can't imagine it having fire powers will bode particularly well for us.

A floor below, the hatches are locked, and both squads are set to patrol the point where it could feasibly break through. We only got a glimpse of it before it disappeared into the fog of war, but it seemed to be climbing along the walls if not outright flying, so once again the whole "don't open up the caverns on the ground level" thing turned out to be meaningless.

God she's so badass. I shouldn't even be scared. But I am, precisely because she's so badass. Losing such a great kobble would be a death blow to the fortress' morale, much less my own. The beast appears every now and then on the map, swimming around just at the edge of our revealed look into the caverns. Just now I got up from the computer, walked over to the fridge, uncovered a pan of spaghetti I've been saving since last night, and ate two handfuls with my bare hands. I just sort of tilted my head back and lowered them into my mouth. I don't know why I'm like this, my fork is clean (I only own one) but I didn't want to eat a forkful of spaghetti, I wanted to eat a handful of spaghetti. And I did, and I liked it. I don't know. Maybe that early image-generation AI was on to something. Eat spaghetti with your hands some time, just give it a try. Why not? What are you afraid of? Anyway, as we wait with bated breath...

i just wanted to sneak the horse soap into this picture because i think it's funny, it has nothing to do with anything. The year changes. 254, the start of our fifth year in Rushsly. It's certainly cause for celebration, even if this isn't the time. For now, with the beast still far enough away to remain hidden but close enough to remain a potential threat, the best we can do is let the soldiers off patrol for a little bit to calm their nerves - weapons and armor still at the ready, of course - and try to have a few more normal days. Sure, they could be our last, but really any day could, and at least we know what's coming. And in real life I'm tired but want to try a bit of Shadows of Doubt before bed so I'm going to have to cut it here. It seems like as the complexity of the fort increases, so does the length of these posts, but yet the in-game time spent only decreases. Maybe by the time we're at 100 kobbles I'll only even get through a season or two per session. Oh and sorry about that rant back at the beginning. If you actually read it then wow lol, thanks. If you didn't, don't worry, you didn't miss anything. I just don't have anywhere else to do long-form thought organizing like that right now. This may be a Dwarf Fortress Let's Play tumblr but it is also my blog. Probably not going to go on a tangent that long again any time soon but I'll warn you and tell you where to skip again if I do. I deeply appreciate your patronage take it easy thanks

[talkingpointsusa]

Tim Pool waxes poetic about biology, "sneaky fuckers", and masculinity....it's about as dumb as you might expect.

This promises to be painful (Photo credit; Timcast on Youtube)

If there is one lesson we all learnt on this blog in 2023, it's that Tim Pool might be one of the dumbest political commentators in recorded history. I figured what better way to wring in the New Year than watch one of his recent videos and fact-check them and laugh at the stupidity along the way!

Tim has thoughts on masculinity in this episode, unfortunately they are all very stupid ones. So, let's get into it shall we?

00:00, Tim Pool: "Oh boy we got a viral video of a young woman saying that when she went on a date with a bro, a mans man, and he paid the bill, whoo, she got all hot and bothered and felt the feminism leave her body."

Alright, so this video was making the rounds in the griftersphere recently. It was a video of some woman saying that after she went on a date and a guy paid the bill, she "felt the feminism leaving her body". The opinions of griftersphere commentators have been mixed, for example professional sociopath Matt Walsh didn't like it and said some predictably dumb crap about how woman are only motivated by money or something. Tim likes it because it lets him rant about "masculinity" for 20 minutes.

First of all, there is absolutely no way to verify the legitimacy of some anecdote that an influencer said in a TikTok video, that's why you don't see legitimate news organizations covering this story (that and the fact that nobody outside of these losers care).

Secondly, who the hell cares? This may come as a shock to Tim and Co but some random woman on TikTok isn't the net voice of every single woman on the planet.

Gee, it's almost as if women are all individuals with their own thoughts and feelings and stuff. But that can't be true! Woman all like the same things because some woman on TikTok told a probably made up story for likes.

How long is this crap I've decided to watch anyway? Can't be more than five minutes right?

Christ....

00:19, Tim Pool: "It started making me wonder about maybe the reason a lot of young women have these politics is because they aren't around actual men."

This take is stupid on multiple different levels.

So, according to Tim feminists are feminists because they haven't met the "right guy". To reach this conclusion you have to be extremely ignorant of feminism and really women in general. The feminism movement is about equal rights for women, some examples of some of the things a feminist might strive towards would be ending gender pay gaps or reducing sexual violence against women. Saying that women are feminists because of a lack of masculinity is essentially reducing all the challenges that women face due to a misogynistic society while also saying that women don't have autonomy outside of the men that they are around.

Tim is also categorizing men into "real men" and "fake men". This mindset has been pervasive throughout our society and has done nothing but damage the self-esteem and mental health of young males who don't fit that extremely linear idea of what a "real man" is. The fact of the matter is that not all men fit that idea but that's ok, there are many different paths to being a good person and if you are a good person that's all that matters at the end of the day.

0:52, Tim Pool: "I think a lot of younger women are surrounded by these low-t loser guys who are super effeminate and think that the media tells them what women actually want, in that they go on dates and say 'do you wanna split the bill?' and women are like 'sure'."

Some people are just naturally born with lower testosterone levels than other ones and that's ok, you can't just categorize somebody as a loser just because they have lower testosterone or are more effeminate.

Besides, the ideas of masculine and feminine men are just made up social constructs anyway. The day we start to judge people by their character and not these constructs of masculinity and femininity is the day society improves as a whole.

The media is also not telling men that they should split the bill, I'm pretty sure it's still considered good form for a man to pick up the tab on the first date.

01:21, Tim Pool: "Now in biology this term is called 'sneaky fucker', I am not making that up, it is quite literally the actual academic term."

The term is actually "kleptogyny" and the term sneaky fucker is more just an expression used to describe it (although I've also heard it applied to kleptogamy, shows how relatively obscure and unused the term sneaky fucker is in academia) . Tim is also using it completely incorrectly.

kleptogyny is a zoology term where males with less attractive characteristics copulate with a female in a harem while the male who is running the harem isn't looking. Couple problems with Tim's usage of it here.

The most obvious issue is that women aren't herd animals who don't have individual personalities outside of the pack, women have individual personalities and sexual preferences. Some women might like quote on quote "effeminate" men and some women might like the type of men that Tim seems to think that every single woman is into.

This term only applies if Tim thinks all women are dumb herd animals and if that's the case he's a detestable person. I personally think what's going on here is a little of Tim being a misogynist and a bit of Tim being a dumbass talking shit, not that that makes it any better.

1:30, Tim Pool: "So in biology they have this idea of the attractive male, the female seeking the male. Ah cardinals cardinal, you've seen cardinals, beautiful birds, very red. Ah but alas only the males are red. Why? The bright colors are to show off and attract the female. The females tend to be brown, more plain looking. But there's another reason why the males are bright red, to attract predators. You know I wondered about that, it's winter, there's snow everywhere, and there's these red birds everywhere that easily stand out. Because when the predators seek to strike they are drawn to the male and not the female and the female has the babies, the babies survive."

I am slightly used to Tim Pool's inane ramblings after I listened to one hour of him for this blog and it nearly broke my brain, however I ask again; WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?! Why the hell are we talking about cardinals?!

This kind of stupid tangent is how Tim distracts from the fact that his points are completely ridiculous and have no basis in facts or even basic reality. While he isn't one in the kleptogyny sense, Tim Pool is a sneaky fucker (as are all of the grifters and hacks we talk about on this blog).

Anyway, he's right that scientific evidence backs up male cardinals being red to attract mates but he's completely off base about it being a way to attract predators. I found absolutely nothing saying that which makes me think that Tim just pulled that "fact" out of his ass.

How is this supposed to apply to human males by the way? So we're supposed to wear bright colors to attract females and uhhh....hope those bright colors attract muggers and criminals so that they kill you and the females babies are protected? Stepping in and protecting your partner is something I can get behind but dressing up like a pickup artist and not fighting back against an attacker are both stupid.

02:12, Tim Pool: Now in biology you also have the concept of the sneaky fucker. That is, there is a high value male that dances for the female, you know (how) birds do those dance, I love watching those nature videos where the birds are like they dance, it proves their value or whatever. But then you have the very strong males and they win over all the females and reproduce. The sneaky fucker is the lesser male who in the middle of the night sneaks in a lay to pass on it's genes."

I mean, kind of. Kleptogyny isn't necessarily sneaking in during the middle of the night, as a matter of fact it's mostly scene when the alpha male of a pack is distracted by another rival.

This again doesn't really apply to human males unless you assume that women are all attracted to the same type of male and that human males are sorted into objective categories of good men and bad men.

What would a human example of kleptogyny even look like? All the made up examples I could think of were dumb because they immediately remove any and all human agency from the equation from both the males and the females. It also ignores the existence of LGBTQ+ people who aren't only interested in male + female like straight people are.

02:44, Tim Pool: "I'm imagining this, I'm wondering I should say, if this young woman, she looks like she's in her 20's, has only been around sneaky fucker types. Male feminists, low-t weak men lacking passion and ambition. Men who don't get up, don't exercise, don't improve themselves and she thought 'this is what men are'."

So, those types of men don't apply to the definition of kleptogyny. The closest application I can think of would be a man who slips a woman a date rape drug while her boyfriend is distracted and rapes her and that's WAY too evil of an act to simply be labeled as kleptogyny.

Come to think of it, paying for a meal isn't even an alpha male move in Tim's imaginary cartoon version of reality. Any male can do that, even the ones that Tim described.

What's wrong with male feminists by the way? Would Tim rather we go back to the 1950's style "get back in the kitchen" way of treating woman? Not every male feminist is a whiny loser like Tim seems to think.

Tim's thought process whenever he sees a male feminist seems to be "Respecting women? Psh, loser."

3:04, Tim Pool: "Perhaps one of the big reasons many women are claiming to be LGBTQ is because they're not feeling strong attraction to males because they're not actually encountering real masculinity for which they're attracted to."

That's not how sexuality works. A woman doesn't become attracted to other women because she hasn't met the kind of male she'd be attracted to. The internet exists for one, odds are those women would find footage of the type of guy they are attracted to and realize that they are cis women. It's also extremely unlikely that those women would be alive for 20+ years and never meet the kind of male they would be attracted to. For this to work you'd have to say that you can just switch your sexuality whenever you feel like it.

Man, Tim is truly one of the dumbest guys in the griftersphere.

Tim then plays the TikTok so the next couple comments are him reacting to it.

04:43, Tim Pool: "Ok, I'm gonna pause right there. I've never had that negotiation about who pays, never. That's just me. Every date I've ever been on, every time I go out, I just throw my card down."

Congrats Tim, do you want a medal? Seriously, most guys do this, it's the polite thing to do. Paying for a meal on a date isn't some alpha and macho thing to do.

I doubt this TikTok's legitimacy the more I watch it. You're telling me that a lifelong feminist suddenly decides that she doesn't believe in feminism anymore because a guy paid for her meal at a restaurant? That's extremely stupid if true, which again I doubt it is. Her usage of the term "liberal snowflakes" at the end of the video also indicates to me that she's trying to appeal to right wing grifters like Tim for attention.

08:22, Tim Pool: "I'm not gonna speak for every single woman, women like different things."

"That's why I titled my video 'Women LOVE masculinity NOT male feminists', because I'm not speaking for every single woman."

By the way, the reason that you are seeing large time skips is because Tim spends a lot of this episode talking about nothing. Here's an example of what most of this episode is like.

12:04, Tim Pool: "If you ask a lot of guys, they'll say they don't like makeup. I don't know if it's the majority, but most of the people I know don't like makeup. Me personally, I think it's gross. I really find it gross and then I hear this from women all the time, they're like 'You don't really find it gross, your just saying that' ladies it's gross. I do not like makeup, it's gross."

Guys, I am just gonna go out on a limb here and say that Tim thinks makeup is gross. He's so subtle about it thought that it's honestly hard to tell.

12:38, Tim Pool: "Women dress up not for other men but for other women."

Tim doesn't really elaborate on this beyond "Oh yeah, I hate makeup so every other guy probably does as well so that must mean that women wear it for other women." He also contradicts this later in usual Tim Pool fasion.

13:10, Tim Pool: "Here's what happens. You get a woman like this and she says 'Look at the guy I'm gonna date with'. The other women say 'He's not socially acceptable because he's a Trump supporting chad bro' and they're like 'Oh, better not date that guy because he doesn't have social status.'"

In the history of things that has never happened with women, this is one of the most never happened things.

What does the guys politics have to do with this by the way? We don't even know what this alleged guy looks like, forget who he's voting for in the next election. For all we know he could be a democrat Biden loving male feminist who just happened to pay for her meal, maybe he doesn't have strong political opinions at all.

This is absolutely just Tim catering to his fanbase of conservative MAGA guys. "Hey guys, guess what? YOU'RE the hot chad-bro's because you like Trump or whatever."

13:54, Tim Pool: "Because I think what women are attracted to but what is socially acceptable is split, and so you have women on social media being like 'No no, Dylan Mulvaney, that's the person you wanna be with!'"

Tim Pool is legitimately obsessed with Dylan Mulvaney to an almost unhealthy degree. He manages to mention her once every other video.

By the way, who died and made Tim the expert on women and how they interact with one another? I don't see how women in a certain social group would know a guys politics unless he's extremely obnoxious about them and that's a total turn off.

15:32, Tim Pool: "100 men 100 women, 99 men die, that one man can make a whole bunch of babies in 9 months. A lot of work for that one guy but it's possible. 100 men 100 women, 99 women die, your done. You get one baby in nine months, ya ain't gonna be having a lot of babies, that woman's gonna be working more than any woman's ever worked to save their village. For this you have the expendable male, if a man dies society can still survive."

This is ignoring a lot of things, for example what if that one male is impotent? Or what if out of those 100 women, some have fertility issues, some miscarry, and some are LGBTQ+, the number of babies is slashed pretty quickly. Maybe this mythical village that we shall call "Strawmanville" could call in more women or men from neighboring villages and as a result they have more people to help with population growth. Or maybe the residents of Strawmanville can go to another village, get engaged, and then come back and repopulate Strawmanville with their new spouses.

That's not important though because this viewpoint is also harmful for both men and women. It makes men completely expendable and worthless in society and women only worthwhile for child rearing. Since our planet has 7.8 billion people on it, the situation that Tim is describing will never take place and thus has no bearing in reality.

Tim talks about how wolves were domesticated, it's super long and rant-ey so we'll skip straight to his point.

18:22, Tim Pool: "So how does a dog come to be? Social pressures created social behaviors, environmental pressures created social behaviors. The same is true for human beings and eachother. Human's that would send their women to go hunt likely would not last that long, so women end up not hunting."

Interesting that Tim would bring up women hunting since there is actually evidence that contradicts his statement. For example, a recent study found that 50% of prehistoric big game hunters were in fact females. Another paper published by the peer reviewed journal PLOS ONE showed that 79% of past and present foraging societies have had female hunters.

In essence, women have hunted for centuries.

19:09, Tim Pool: "What colors women wear, dresses, yeah that has nothing to do with social pressures."

Wait a minute, wait a minute, back up the bus. Didn't Tim say a couple minutes ago that women "dress up for other women"? So which is it Tim? Does the way a woman dresses have nothing to do with social pressures or is it influenced by the social pressures of other women?

Whenever I watch Tim Pool I find myself wondering how he is able to get away with being this bloody daft on his own show to an audience of over a million people. Do people just have that little critical thinking?! I just don't understand why he's successful.

On the Daily Wire side of the griftersphere I kind of see why they all have some success. Matt Walsh just allows people to indulge their personal prejudice with the thin veil of an "intellectual" (read: narcissistic ex shock jock) saying bigoted linguistic vomit and Ben Shapiro at least pretends to be a legitimate political commentator, Michael Knowles is simultaneously dumb and boring but again at least he kind of tries to make sense and not many people watch him anyway. I don't know enough about Candace Owens to comment, but we will talk about her at some point. As for the others we have talked about so far; Ezra Levant is just the Lite Canadian version of Alex Jones and Charlie Kirk and Dave Rubin are also really dumb but for different reasons and at least they can stay on track most of the time.

Tim? He's annoying to listen to, goes on long and stupid-ass tangents about nothing, and regularly contradicts himself over the course of single episodes. I just don't get it!

19:16, Tim Pool: "But of course, the reason why women weren't working, the reason why women weren't voting was absolutely because men were involved in external affairs and war, conflict, hunting, et cetera, and women stayed in the camp raising children because they're the only ones who can."

Of course, how could I have been so foolish? Here I was spending my life thinking that the reason why women weren't working or voting was because they literally weren't allowed to, boy was I sure wrong there! The reason was because they were in "the camp" where they belong raising children.

This is so idiotic. If I were to directly talk to Tim about this episode I'd ask him if he thinks women being allowed to vote is a good thing or not, because it sounds like he doesn't from where I'm sitting.

Conclusion:

Alright, so what have we learnt? Well, as is always the case when I watch Tim Pool stuff for this blog, I feel like I actively have lost brain cells watching this video. I certainly have learnt that Tim possesses the amazing talent of being able to stretch out coverage of a TikTok video into 21 minutes and I learnt that he likes saying the word "fucker".

[theforgottendrummajor]

Before the Season (1.5)

I'm back, much sooner than anticipated. Mostly because I need to rant, like, ASAP. And since there's no one else that will listen to my feelings (I don't have therapy for two weeks), you're the lucky winners! Aren't you so thrilled?

Remember how I said that I wasn't sure of my sexuality, all I knew was that I really like girls? Yeah, it's time to get into that. I came out back in 2021, but didn't realize I had a crush on a girl until about a month after I figured out my sexuality. Kind of a weird order for things to happen, I know, but I don't read into it too much. All I know is the fact that I'm very, very queer.

I guess I do need to go into more detail than originally planned for this rant to have its full effect. Currently, I say I'm bisexual, and I've never been uncomfortable with that label. It's always felt like it's fit me and I've always felt secure in my sexuality.

Until now.

Three weeks ago, I was reunited with my long distance best friend- we'll call her Cecily- and that's when things began to get a little crazy. Yes, I know she's straight, and yes, I know she has a boyfriend, and yes, I know I have a boyfriend. But for the glorious long weekend that we were reunited, it honestly felt like we had our own little relationship. Summer fling. Situationship. Whatever you want to call it, I don't care. But we had everything from slow dancing to her favorite song, to taking pictures of us almost-kissing, to a fake engagement with the ring that she wears every day (unfortunately, I gave said ring back after our fake engagement), to a conversation about our types and what we look for in people.

I just have to say, the way that we both perfectly fit what the other was looking for was CRAZY. Except for the fact that she claims to be straight, and I'm very much not a man.

So that happened, and I went home, and ever since then, we've kept in contact, as we do, only it's been amped up this time. We've moved on to sending each other Instagram Reels and such- the cheesy, romantic kinds that are meant for people to send to their significant other. You know, the "send this to the most beautiful girl you know" type of reels.

Here's the thing. I've hardly seen my boyfriend since I saw Cecily. I saw him the day that I left the place where Cecily and I had spent the weekend together, and I think that's the closest to discomfort that I've ever felt in our relationship. It just felt like I was jumping back to hanging out with him too fast, and it didn't feel right.

With Cecily, everything feels right.

And I've been joking- to myself- for the past few weeks or so, that I get the best of both worlds. Hannah Montana type shit. I get the boyfriend that cares about me, and I get the gorgeous best friend who I have a homoerotic friendship with (and I'm almost 100% sure that I'm her gay awakening, she just hasn't realized it yet).

But if I'm being completely honest, I'm not sure that the whole Hannah Montana thing is what I want.

Just now, I was texting with my boyfriend- we'll call him Joey- and everything just felt so wrong. He was so bland, and I didn't want to annoy him, so I was walking on eggshells with every response I sent, and at one point, he got so bored of me that he just went to bed.

At least, I'm pretty sure that's what happened. He didn't even give me time to respond.

And as he was doing this, one thought crossed my mind:

"We need to break up."

I stopped myself before I could say the full thing out loud- I don't want it to feel real. But at the same time, I'm now stuck in a cycle of "Do I love him or do I just crave the security of being in a committed relationship?"

Because right now, it's too late for me to say anything but the truth. So here it goes. I don't think I've ever been in love with this man. Sure, I've said that I love him, but I think he feels stronger for me than I've ever felt for him. And now, I don't know what to do.

Dating Cecily isn't an option. I'm well aware of that. If it was an option, Joey and I wouldn't even be together. It would never have occurred, it would never have been a question.

But losing Joey... damn, the way that would disappoint so many people. All of my friends were betting on us getting together for years, now. And I had so many worries about dating him back then, worries that I now realize I was so right to have, because those are the exact things that are causing problems. I feel like I can't stop seeing the red flags in him, and I genuinely have no clue if it's because I'm not interested in him because he's a guy, not interested in him because I have this resurfacing crush on someone else, or if I'm out of the honeymoon phase of the relationship and seeing him as a fully rounded person.

I saw this thing on Instagram saying that you're supposed to give something twenty-one days to think about it before you make a huge decision, especially one that could impact your life in such a drastic measure. So I'm trying to do that with this. But we're going on Day 19 of 21, and I have a huge date planned with Joey next week, and I can't decide whether or not I should do something before then. Maybe it'll be the deciding factor, the thing that makes or breaks the relationship.

The good thing is that I barely have to see him this summer if I don't want to. And we should only have one class together once school starts.

The other good thing is that I'll still have my long-distance friends, who I know for a fact will have my back, even if my school friends don't. Because everyone at school loves Joey. Everyone thinks he's the greatest guy to walk the face of the Earth. And as his girlfriend, shouldn't I think the same way?

Alright, if anyone has any advice, please help a girl out. Maybe I'll read the lesbian masterdoc tomorrow.

See you on the field (or not).

-theforgottendrummajor

[dausy]

My review of Disneys Wish which isn't at all organized or even well thought out. I'm just spamming text at the screen and hope it makes sense. Spoilers

I went into Wish with super high hopes because the internet was already tearing it to pieces based on the character models alone. I had high hopes that just meant people were missing an artistic style choice that the trailer didn't show. I also had hoped it would be a classic Disney Princess fairy tale. I really just wanted that, the classic disney princess. I have not been a fan of the animated films that are more artsy or explorative on different types of villains that aren't just a traditional badguy. We've had a lot of puberty/growing up as the villain or generational trauma as the villain. Theres nothing wrong with those, I sometimes just want a film thats prince/princess + badguy. Heroes journey.

The last Disney movie (and I'm lumping both Disney and Pixar together) that gave me real feels was Tangled. Do I think Tangled was absolutely perfect? well no, but I was willing to ignore the magical true-loves-tear because I just loved the goofy nature of Rapunzel and Eugene together. It was perfect because its a timeless movie. It will age well.

So Wish unfortunately was a huge disappointment. It didn't so much as follow a classic fairytale recipe as obviously it was a nod to classic Disney films. I appreciated that. I didn't realize how many easter eggs were hidden within it until the movie was done actually and I saw somebody elses review. To a point this actually made me more upset.

I went in focusing on the animation primarily because everybody said it looked like something off of Disney Junior. I actually liked how they pulled the 2d/stylization off of classic films like Sleeping Beauty. People said it made it look dull and the color choices were ugly. I don't think so. I love the Sleeping Beauty style. I thought it looked very nice. The problem is that the characters didn't blend in. It was like Disney was trying to make the characters also 2d but also 3d at the same time and they didn't match. I actually thought the characters looked like they were floating around on a greenscreen rather than physically present within the environment. I understand what they were trying to do, I just think it didn't quite work and it added to the illusion that it was a low-res Disney Junior tv show instead.

I also really liked Asha and Magnificos characters designs. I even liked how the Queen matched the King. At the beginning too I thought the Queen and King had a decent healthy sounding relationship which was nice.

What I didn't like was all the rest of the characters were useless including the goat. I understand peoples complaints about Ashas personality being a quirky girl or being a combination of all the disney princesses combined and I dont think she stayed that way for long. She was a bit goofy at the beginning of the film but then wasnt. The "seven friends"..I was going to go on a long rant but now I don't feel like it anymore. Now that the movies done I understand they were supposed to represent the 7 dwarves but they were supid. None of them had a personality. None of them had enough screen time to even obtain a personality. I never would have known they were the seven dwarves until I saw somebody elses review, with the exception of the one guy "thats why they call me grumpy". That one made me do a double take, like I guess he's got a similar color scheme. They should have just been nixed. All of them were useless. The scene where they used teamwork to pull on the ropes to release the dreams. You could have given more screen time to the goat and just had him do it by himself. The movie was too crowded. The song of friendship at the end...don't even get me started. It was so stupid.

That poor goat. They were trying to use him as another animal companion silly pal but even he didn't have that much screen time to even justify his silly voice. His one liners also didn't mesh with the tone of the film. He was pushed to the side but all these other useless characters.

My biggest beef was, I didn't think the king was that bad enough of a villain to be a villain and I think he actually had a point to an extent. The monkeys paw affect. The king literally has a utopia going where everybody lives a nice life, he just offers every once in a while to grant your wish. If its too vague or dangerous he wont do it. The catch is you forget what your wish was and you carry on with your life. Asha is mad nobody gets their wishes back. In particular she's mad her 100 year old grandfather whos wish was "to inspire the young people", his wish was too vague so it couldnt be granted. So she decides to break in and release everybodies wishes and give them back. My qualm is I guess is that theres a song about "be your own star" you don't need anybody else. And technically grandpas wish came true anyway. He did technically inspire the youth, infact they formed a rebellion and overthrew the country. So if you can still accomplish your dreams, why are you overthrowing the country? It infact was actually a dangerous vague wish because the country was overthrown and yall are all happy about this. I mean I do get it but it just didn't feel like it was enough to form a movie about it. It wasn't enough to tip the villain over the edge to be the villain.

My one question is, how old is King Magnifico? if him and his wife created the country and they do a wish ceremony when kids turn 18..are they immortal? has grandpa been waiting for his wish since he was 18? or is the country like 10 years old? What I would have done (even though I'm not a story writer at all), what if Magnifico had been eating the wishes to keep himself young forever (I guess kinda like mother gothel) cause then I'd be a little mad if he wasn't giving wishes back. I think that'd be a little more understandable.

and then quickly, I cant remember any of the songs. The songs I do vaguely remember did have a very similar Encanto/hamilton vibe to them. Particularly the intro Welcome to Rosas song...I understand it was a different writer for this film but Im just not a fan of that style of music. Just the fact that I can't remember any of the tunes anyway...its just kinda..meh...

anyway, I could rant more but this is already too long and it may be full of mispellings but Im not going back to read what I just wrote. Ha.