#I want to be making progress on as many things as I can

[genderqueerdykes]

just kind of throwing this at your wall, sorry in advance. saw the post about "kill all men" and got really upset

im a trans guy. my boyfriend is cis, and im the first guy hes dated before. (sees me fully as whatever i want to be, does not care about my gender expression and loves me for me. great guy). he doesnt have many friends from being asocial as a teenager, so most of his friends are my trans friends!

of course. like every trans group seems to fall prey to, theres always the "all [CIS] men are bad" conversation that comes up somehow. and i never really thought much of it, because in my head itd be "ah yeah all men Except My Boyfriend"

but he and i were talking after some drinks, and he made a point that really struck me. about how he doesn't like being The Exception to the point, that he's still a man and has no interest in being anything But a man. so when people say stuff like that, he gets uncomfortable; not because He IS The Problem (like everyone who gives the "if youre saying not all men, youre the men" argument) but because it makes him feel ostracized from everyone. and idk, it really struck me.

we say stuff like that way too often in an attempt to exclude certain groups of people; and i feel like we end up excluding people close to us by proxy.

thanks for listening

i really appreciate you for taking the time to send this. i've been meaning to talk about this and have been forgetting. the following is of course not directed at you, anon, it is directed at people who behave like this

you're not feminist, progressive, cool, pro-queer rights or funny for saying "kill all men". you are exposing that you are a violent and dangerous person for believing that people should be profiled and literally killed for their gender or PERCEIVED gender.

this doesn't make people like you more. it outs you as a danger. how do we know you won't turn that hatred toward women whenever you feel like changing the goalposts? i can't trust someone like that to not turn that hatred toward other genders, either. YOU are the dangerous person you are profiling men as. you can't use men as a scapegoat for everything. sometimes YOU are the violent person who needs help.

your boyfriend shouldn't have to feel like that. like people have never really cared about gay men but people just straight up gave up all pretenses that they do and i hate it. cis men are not inherently evil. cis men can still be queer. cis men can still be good people. your boyfriend shouldn't have to feel isolated because he's cis. that's profiling. he belongs. why do people assume that everyone with a partner who is a man hates them? not everyone is choosing to be in a relationship with someone they hate. i understand that some people will date someone no matter who just to have a partner so they're not lonely, but not everyone does this. some people genuinely love their boyfriends

i'm sorry you both have dealt with this. i hope things can improve because men don't deserve to feel like this. this is why toxic masculinity exists in the first place. we have to stop reinforcing that men are evil monsters. they won't stop believing that if we keep telling them that forever. stay safe. your boyfriend is not a bad person & deserves to have a wonderful life.

[maidenvault]

Wow this is getting a lot of notes. And thinking about a lot of the comments/tags, I would add that I think this is one way it gets messy that fandom is a space for both media analysis and transformative works even though those two things don’t always co-exist comfortably or necessarily serve each other.

The overwhelming trend of fanfic as an art form is taking stories from any genre and basically flattening them into familiar conventions of romance with a pairing you like at the center, because you usually don’t get the explicit sex or total focus on romance in canon and it’s fun and interesting. Obviously that doesn’t describe all fanfic, or even all fics centered on ships, but it’s been a big part of fanfic culture for the many decades it’s been around. And obviously approaching the source material that way, or even just half-consciously always wearing your slash goggles, is not necessarily congruent with doing sound analysis of its themes and characterization.

At some point fandom got a higher opinion of itself as being important because fanfic serves an under-served audience, because you can find basically any kind of representation you want in fanfiction by just filtering by a tag. But then when people’s problematic biases show and fandom so often isn’t this super progressive space it pretends to be, fans have the excuse that this isn’t serious, it’s just porn, I write what is hot to me and I’m not gonna write a ship I don’t feel drawn to that way, what do you want?

And generally, in theory, that’s totally fair. If you’re truly just here to have fun with your kinky readerfic and don’t care whether your way of writing a character is supported by any evidence in canon, whatever. But it’s also often a conversation stopper, and fandom (at least on places like tumblr) is also a space for discussing the meaning of things in the source material. I don’t know if I have a main point here or an answer. But it’s a dissonance I wish fan communities were more aware of.

With David Lynch having just passed, this feels like a good time to share this classic piece on Mulholland Drive for anyone who hasn’t read this analysis. Lynch was famously reluctant to explain the meaning of his more surreal films, which obviously lend themselves to wildly different interpretations, which makes this movie a great example for Film Crit Hulk to explain in this what is actually needed to build a strong argument for your take on a subjective work of art.

Not “Only my reading of canon is correct” or “Interpretations are subjective and all valid” but a secret third thing, “More than one interpretation can be valid but there’s a reason your English teacher had you cite quotes and examples in your papers, you have to have a strong argument that your interpretation is actually supported by the text or it is just wrong and I’m fine with telling you it’s wrong, actually.”

[purpdrawsthings]

You'll Be Back Mr Puzzles MAP!

No this is actually real soahsodhsoshsi

Hihi everyone saw my last post hahahhhh I wasn't joking 💀

READ THE ENTIRETY OF THIS IF YOU WANT TO JOIN ‼️‼️‼️‼️

I don't want no nobody to not understand anything

Anyways, onto the details!

Wait, what's a MAP?

Ah.. I should explain that shouldn't I?

MAP stands for Multiple-Animator Project. It's basically a collaborative project made up of numerous animations by different creators!

You might have seen these before in the art fandom, if not, you're not a real artist /jk /nsrs /lh

Jokes aside, these projects tend to be fun for most creators and I'm hoping that this would bring some fun to the people joining :)

Is this begginer friendly?

Why yes it is! Regardless you're good at animation or not, you're welcome to join! Just... At least put some effort rather than being lazy?

Regardless, everyone is welcomed with open arms here! So don't be afraid ;)

What canvas size should I use?

1280x720 preferably! Just to make sure it doesn't take up too much of my data ;w;

But you can use any canvas size you'd want besides that! A box shape, or that weird YouTube short form... Nvm exclude that one but anyways, yeah any canvas size that you're comfortable with!

Is there a specific theme?

There's actually none! The map is supposed to just be a silly Mr puzzles map :3

This includes the setting and etc like- go crazy! Do a sad, fun, crazy, angry moment or something! Do what your imagination can make out of that song using Puzzles ^^

Is it okay if I can't remove my animating apps watermark?

It's completely fine if you can't remove it! Don't worry you're not the only broke one here ;)

Am I allowed to put my watermark?

Yes! You're incouraged to add in your watermark so people know it's your part!

Dw, if you don't have one them I'll just put your name while I'm editing the entire thing :)

Can I include my OCS or my Mr puzzles design?

Yes you can! You can also change your Puzzles aus whenever you'd like.

E.g my Showman Puzzles on part 1 and my Puzzles kinsona on part 2

It's just an example! If you're adding ocs, it's good! But the animation should primarily focused on Puzzles! He can interact with other characters but it's mostly just him. Oh and if you're wondering, it doesn't have to be SMG4 OCS :)

How many parts can I take?

Hey hey don't be greedy /hj

2 parts! I want everybody to take their chances and do some cool stuff :D

Where should I ask for parts or send submissions at?

In the discord server I made! The link will be at the end of the post. I know I just replied to some in this blog and they got their parts, I will NOT be accepting any ask parts OUTSIDE of the server.

The same goes with submissions/finished parts, please do send it in discord.

Why is this? This is because I want everything to be easier for me so I could manage stuff. I get frustrated very easily so yeah 😭

Is there a deadline?

Well uh- I'm not sure! But it's probably going to be planned on the June or July, somewhere in the middle of the year. Though I will be making sure nobody feels rushed for their sake

Have you ever host a MAP before?

Wait where tf did that one come from-

No I haven't unfortunately, this is my first one! I've always wanted to make a MAP because of how cool the idea itself is.

Now that that's done, here are the parts! As time progresses a and people enter, I'll fill them up :3

Intro : me

1. @e-v-e-l-l-e

2.

3.

4. @lari-the-dragon

5. @rat-n-atty

6. @madhalo

7. @mrtophat518

8. @fenicearts420

9. @cosmicoreo9

10. @s0ck-1t

11. @niranutcake

12. @madhalo

13. Me

14. @alex-dolmatescu2-0

15. @libbytwq

16. @alex-dolmatescu2-0

17. @rr3d2y

18.

19. @niranutcake

20.

21. @messydoodlesyt

22. @messydoodlesyt

23. @icedbeverageenjoyer

24.

Outro : me

Last but not least.. Please do enter your submissions in the discord server below this sentence :D

You can post your part outside the server if you want but I'm only taking the ones submitted in the server itself :)

Andddd that's about all! You can ask questions here and in the server. Yeetus chat!

[bloomzone]

2025 : #16 journal journal journal : all u need guide

By : a journaling addict girlie

Journaling is a tool for self-discovery mindfulness and creativity too But while many of us start with enthusiasm turning journaling into a consistent habit can feel like a battle or smthng cuz life gets busy u lose motivation and before you know it your journal is gathering dust

so !

This guide will help you build a sustainable journaling practice. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to rekindle the habit these practical tips will make journaling an effortless part of your daily routine.

how I found out abt journaling(storytime box)

[I used to feel like my world was tiny, trapped in a cycle of bullying and loneliness and a loot of stuff My social zone was practically nonexistent I had 2 friends but I didn't trusted them enough and the people around me just made things harder so I had a trust issue and I was constantly overthinking eveeeeerything. My mind was a mess, and I had no way to let it out (I can't tell my parents back then abt my problems) . One day, I came across a video about journaling. I saw someone pouring out their thoughts into a notebook (it was bestmess ig on YouTube ) and something clicked for me. Maybe this could be my way to escape all the noise in my head ??? So, I grabbed an old notebook and started writing.At first, it felt awkward—just random, messy thoughts. But as I kept going, I realized it helped. Writing became my safe space. I could say whatever I wanted, no judgment. It wasn’t just about venting; it helped me understand myself, organize my thoughts, and let go of some of the pain from the isolation.Over time, journaling turned into something much deeper. It became a way to reflect, dream, and grow. It taught me how to be kind to myself when no one else was, and helped me find clarity in the chaos. Journaling saved me it turned my mess into peace one page at a time then when the years roll I created a routine for it !]

Why Journaling Matters

☆ Journaling offers countless benefits:

-Reducing stress

-Boosting creativity

-Deepening self-awareness

☆ Yet, staying consistent can be a challenge. The key lies in making journaling enjoyable and rewarding. Here's how you can do just that.

The Science of Habit Formation

To build any habit, including journaling, you need three elements:

1. Cue: A trigger that reminds you to journal.

2. Routine: The act of journaling itself.

3. Reward: The positive feeling or benefit you experience afterward.

The secret is to keep the process simple and satisfying too

Steps to Turn Journaling into a Daily Habit

1. Start Small

Begin with just a sentence or two for example:

“Today, I felt grateful for…”

“The best part of my day was…”

—Starting small makes it less overwhelming and easier to stick with.

2. Anchor It to an Existing Habit

—Pair journaling with something you already do, like drinking coffee or winding down before bed. This "habit stacking" technique helps u remember to journal.

3. Set a Timer

Worried about time? Commit to just 5 minutes. Knowing there’s a limit makes starting feel less daunting.

4. Use Prompts

Struggling with what to write? Use prompts like:

“What made me smile today?”

“What’s a challenge I faced, and how did I handle it?”

—Prompts give your thoughts direction and beat blank-page syndrome. There's million of prompts idea on Pinterest u need just to take action

5. Celebrate Your Progress

Track your streaks or mark your journaling days on a calendar. Seeing your consistency builds motivation.

6. Create a Cozy Space ( not important )

Set up a comfortable spot for journaling—a comfy chair, your favorite pen, or soothing music. A cozy environment turns journaling into a ritual you look forward to.

7. Experiment with Formats

If traditional journaling feels stale, try something new:

☆ Bullet points

☆ Sketches

☆ Gratitude lists

☆ Digital journaling apps

Creative Ways to Journal

☆ Gratitude Journaling: Write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day.

☆ Habit Tracking: Combine journaling with habit tracking to monitor small goals.

☆ Morning Pages: Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, write 3 pages of free-flowing thoughts first thing in the morning.

☆ Reflection Logs: Reflect weekly or monthly on what went well, what you learned, and what you’d like to improve.

Overcoming Common Obstacles

1. “I Don’t Have Time.”

Journaling doesn’t need to take hours. Even a single sentence is progress.

2. “I Don’t Know What to Write.”

Start with prompts or simply answer: “What’s on my mind right now?”

3. “I Keep Forgetting.”

Set phone reminders or pair journaling with a daily habit.

4. “It Doesn’t Feel Useful.”

Journaling isn’t about perfection it’s a tool for you Over time you’ll notice its positive effects.

Journaling as a Tool for Self-Growth

— Journaling isn’t just about recording events or thoughts—it’s also a way to grow mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Here’s how you can take your journaling practice to the next level:

1. Use Journaling for Goal Setting

Journaling can help you identify and track your goals. Write down your short- and long-term objectives, and use your journal to reflect on progress, challenges, and adjustments.

Example:

☆ Weekly Goals: Write down 3 specific goals every Monday and reflect on them at the end of the week.

☆ Vision Journaling: Imagine your ideal future and describe it in vivid detail.

2. Practice Emotional Awareness

☆ Journaling is a powerful way to process emotions. Try these techniques:

☆ Emotion Check-Ins: At the end of the day, write about how you felt and why.

☆ Reframing Challenges: If something negative happened, write about it from a different perspective.

3. Develop Gratitude and Mindfulness

☆ Use your journal to cultivate mindfulness by focusing on the present moment:

☆ Mindful Observations: Write about your surroundings, the weather, or how your body feels.

☆ Gratitude Expansion: Instead of listing things you’re grateful for, write a short paragraph about why each one matters.

4. Uncover Patterns and Insights

Over time, your journal becomes a mirror of your habits, thoughts, and emotions. Regularly revisit old entries to:

- Identify recurring themes.

- Discover how you’ve grown or changed.

- Spot areas where you might need more balance or self-care.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to build a journaling habit?

A: Experts say it takes 21–66 days. Consistency is key, even if it’s just a few minutes daily.

Q: Should I write by hand or use a digital tool?

A: Both work! Handwriting feels personal, while digital tools offer organization. ( In my opinion handwriting one are better !)

Q: What if my journaling feels repetitive?

A: Life has routines, and so will your journal. Use prompts or try new styles to keep it fresh.

Q: Can I journal if I’m not a good writer?

A: Absolutely! Journaling is about self-expression, not perfect prose. Bullet points or doodles work too.

Journaling is a gift you give yourself—a way to check in, reflect, and grow. Whether you’re jotting down a single sentence or filling pages, the act of journaling is what matters most.

@bloomzone 📇

[moldspace]

Hi! I do ceramics myself and i've hit a roadblock in progress, i like making figures but i am struggling with glazing, may i ask the process in how you make your colors so vibrant? All the underglaze i see and find is very very dull, and my transparent glaze leaves a white frost on my figures

I use a variety of different underglazes from Mayco, Amaco and Coyote (my personal favorite) and Amaco's Mixing Clear from their Celadon line as my topcoat. Underglazes on their own will be duller and very matte without a clear glaze on top, but I too have had trouble with my transparent glazes (still happens now even!) and there are a lot of different things that could be causing your transparent gaze to look milky:

The glaze itself could be too thick, causing it to apply too thickly.

You may be applying it too heavily (a long dip if dipping, too many coats if brushing). Personally I apply transparent glaze VERY lightly over my underglazed pieces and it will get milky if I'm not careful.

Make sure you're using a zinc-free clear. I really like Amaco's Mixing Clear, but you may want to shop around and try a few before finding one that works for you.

Make sure your kiln is hitting the correct temperature for the clear glaze. All the glazes I use are for cone 5-6, but for a while my kiln was under firing significantly and I'm pretty sure it worsened some of the milkiness problems I was having with my transparent glazes.

And sometimes different clay bodies will make glazes behave differently, but with clear glaze the culprit is almost always thickness!

Speaking of firing temperatures: the products I use and recommend are all for mid fire. I can't speak to any high fire products since I don't do high fire. But if you're doing low fire I believe you can use a lot of the underglazes I listed here, you'll just need to find a low fire transparent coat. For low fire there are also products like Stroke and Coat which function like a mixture between a glaze and an underglaze that may get you the effect you're looking for.

Best of luck! Ceramics is complicated, haha.

[moriitis]

write some horror about toby.. or Ej.

one shots?? x reader?

Toby Rogers x Reader.

took me a very long while to reply to this ask, apologies! if there's mistakes i didn't proof read

Wordcount; 3.1k.

Content/Warnings; PTSD, mentions of murder, mentions of death, attempted murder, scars, mentions of vomiting, panic attacks.

There were many things you were afraid of; spiders, the dark, monsters under your bed. The thing that loomed in the dark, the possibility of being taken in your sleep. Death welcomed all regardless what race, skin color. The thing is with Death, you can't choose how it takes you. Whether it takes you in the lull of night or whether you find yourself crumpled between a car or truck. It worked in mysterious ways, ways that made your skin prickle. The topic of death was so taboo because we, as humans, do not like talking about the end. That's it really, it's the end, that life will continue to flourish without you. So, you begin to question how do you want to make an impact in life? How can you do something to ensure that you will be remembered? We all want to feel satisfied, to say that we did something in our life that was worth living - so what is it?

Well, for you, in some cases, it could be just waking up. A small victory. Perhaps even taking the day as it comes or brushing your teeth. Therapy helped too and you were proud of yourself for attending in the first place. It was nice to find a motive, a mission so to say each morning, a routine that became the norm as you took the day in small victories.

You see, you treasured every day, every small feat because nearly three years ago now, you were nearly murdered. If someone had told you that somebody would attempt to take your life, you would laugh in disbelief or perhaps you would've been more cautious to who you spoke to but no, that was the thing; life is unexpected and some days are meant to take you by surprise. Therapy was a fresh start, to help you take back control of your life and trauma and to live life to the fullest. Only, how could you knowing the man that tried to take your life had not been caught?

"I'm really impressed with your progress, I feel like compared to a couple of years ago, you have taken such big steps in the right direction and I'm really proud of you," Layla spoke. Those words felt so alien because admittedly, you were in shambles. The anniversary of your attack had crept up quicker than you had expected, leaving you in a state of dismay almost as you tried to overcome the day ahead. A sense of dread lingered within you, like something bad was going to happen and you couldn't explain it. You mostly took those days being with your parents anyway, the thought of being alone suffocating you to the max as anxiety surged through your bloodstream. You shuffled uncomfortable in the cushioned chair, forcing an uneasy smile as you tried to blink away the tears. Your eyes, despite wanting to cry, felt so dry.

"Thank you," you croaked, meeting Layla's gaze briefly before moving your focus back to the small coffee table before you. It was a rectangular coffee table, with some coasters atop it that had motivational quotes like, 'you can do it!' or 'don't give up!' It was cute and on each coaster, there was a bright colourful rainbow, some sunflowers or butterflies. Despite the fact that they felt childish, it brought you with a sense of comfort. Silence loomed over briefly as Layla sensed the tension in the air, pursing her lips and reaching over to squeeze your knee. You stirred, peeling your gaze away from the lipstick-stained coffee cup on the table before meeting Layla's concerning look.

"I know it's going to be hard - the next coming days, but it does get easier," Layla reassured, like she had read your mind. Despite the reassurance, you didn't feel comforted. That man, whoever he was, he could burst in here and kill both you and Layla in a heartbeat. You still had the scars to prove it, the deep slash on your collarbone that left you slightly crippled and deformed. A scar so deep that each night, the burning sensation rippled in shockwaves throughout your body and leaving you in a feverish sweat.

"I know," you replied sheepishly as you sighed softly, your body deflating a little as you tried to process her words and comfort. "I think I'll be okay-" you started, the memories tormenting you the longer you dwelled on the subject. "I'm just so.. terrified that he'll find me, that he will finish the job-" Layla could sense the anxiety emitting from your form and she shuffled herself, the idea of being bludgeoned to death not really entertaining her. With a gentle shake of her head, followed by a soft tut, Layla interrupted your thought process.

"You got away once and he's probably too ashamed to come back knowing that you survived," her words, which meant to bring consultation, only brought you more worry.

"But what if it's the opposite? What if he's fuelled by the fact that I'm alive, that I live everyday in fear, he's toying with my mind, I just know he is-" You were rambling, feeling your body coat itself in sweat. Layla quickly shut you down, giving your knee another squeeze in an attempt to snap you out of your hysterics.

"You are safe," she spoke each word out thoroughly, ensuring your safety as the kept an intense look on your being. "I promise." Swallowing back a lump, you nodded slowly. You wanted to believe her and her words, you wanted to tell yourself this but you simply couldn't. This man, whoever he was, he had no remorse and he was hellbent on ensuring you would die to his hands. You shivered and your shoulders shuddered as you moved to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, steadying your breathing for a moment.

Forcing a smile, you simply gave a nod before uttering a soft; "yeah." Layla sat back in her chair, securing the clipboard on her knee as she glanced down at the writing on paper. She sighed, filling the silence before smiling.

"Well, I'll see you next week?" she asked, leaning over to then grab her cup of coffee. The side of the cup had stains of her lipstick, a soft pink that complimented her features and skin tone. A part of you was thankful that this was over and yet that sense of impending doom still lingered in the pit of your stomach, like a part of you expected to leave her office and suddenly find yourself get jumped from around the corner. Shuffling down to reach for your bag, you lifted it up and swung it over your shoulder before standing.

"Yeah, next week, see you then." Then you slowly shuffled over to the door, hand lingering on the handle. You could feel Layla's eyes on your back, observing you quietly as you bit on the bottom of your lip. You hated this, you hated that your fear and trauma consumed you. That it controlled every aspect of your life, you were always on high alert no matter what. So many people praised you for your bravery, courage but you didn't feel those things. Deep down, your attacker fed on your fears and chewed you from inside to out. There were so many unanswered questions, why you? As far as you could tell, you didn't know him.

"He's not there," Layla then spoke and quickly you shot a glance over your shoulder toward her, a soft smile across her wrinkled features as she motioned to the door. "Nothing will hurt you out there." And she was right, her office was just in the most secure part of town, in a building surrounded by other people that were not going to hurt you. So, with a nod, you shot her a thankful smile and disappeared into the hall. The hall was empty, aside from the occasional chatter that happened behind each door that littered down the pristine hall. There were some chairs pressed against the wall, some posters about therapy and information booklets about different kinds of disorders and how to know when you should get help. Admittedly, a part of you couldn't help but feel as if you were just wasting Layla's time, that she could be talking to someone who really needs the help. Stepping out into the hall was a relief, knowing that nothing dangerous awaited you around the corner.

The walk home was the same, stopping by your local smoothie shop to grab yourself a smoothie before heading down toward the subway. It was busy, people nattering, men and woman in business suits and some tourists here and there. The city was so different compared to your small town back home and a part of you hated being around so many people but you had no choice, this was the only place you could get a good therapist and the smoothie place made it all worth the while. As you stepped off the escalator and headed your way to the track you needed, you glanced up and down the platform cautiously before setting yourself down in a seat just opposite the tracks. It was midday so it wasn't that busy, most the people here quiet and occupied with either a book or their phone. It brought an odd sense of comfort to you, that despite the fact you disliked large crows, it was nice to know that there were this many people around just in case something were to happen.

Taking a sip of your smoothie, you savoured the fruity taste as you watched and observed the people around you. Admittedly, you loved people-watching, you loved to listen in on conversations or glance over their shoulder to see what they were doing on their phone. You were a nosy person, you would admit that and there was something so joyful about watching life around you. Knowing that everyone had a worry, a lover, that something was going on in their life, that maybe they had just lost a loved one. It made you so curious and honestly, a little thankful to still be here today. You sighed in content, waiting for your train as you glanced up at the board before you. Another twelve minutes, you didn't mind. The train ride in the subway was ten minutes, then another twenty minute train to get out of the city. It was a lot of time and effort but it got you out your house and thus, helping overcome your fear a little.

As you felt yourself slip into a daydream, a figure stepped past your vision which caused you to blink back into focus of your surroundings. You were cautious of thieves and robbers, so your bag was placed atop your lap securely as you held the smoothie atop it. A man, with his hands stuffed into his pockets, stepped past you and took the empty seat beside you and despite the fact you avoided his gaze, you still smiled softly just to show your friendly manner. You could smell the soft hint of aftershave on him, along with deodorant which was feint but there nevertheless. Unlike everyone else, his focus was on the people around him, watching life pass by; much like you had been doing previously. It was nice to know you weren't the only one and from the corner of your eye, you glanced at him. He was close, so close that your elbows were practically grazing against one another and you shuffled awkwardly to try and make it seem as if you were just readjusting your bag atop your lap. He wore a brown coat which sat atop a flannel shirt, giving off an almost rustic, emo look. There was a patch of stubble on the bottom of his chin, his hair messy and brown which was slightly longer in the back.

With focus back on the bustle in front of you, you took another sip of your smoothie. For once, you felt relaxed and at peace.

"I found you." You froze, brows narrowing in confusion as you glanced around. That voice, it sounded so similar that it immediately raised the hairs on the back of your neck. Slowly, you craned your head over toward the brunette that was sat beside you. His gaze was down, focus solely on what seemed his shoes as you raised a questioning eyebrow. Was he talking to you? Had you succumbed to madness and now you were hearing voices? Your heart, which was once a steady beat, was now pounding against your ribcage in hysterics as you tried to comprehend what was unfolding before you. Perhaps he was on the phone or maybe he was talking to someone else. There were a lot of crazies here in the city and shit, you felt as if you were turning into one yourself.

"Hm?" You hummed softly, too scared to make even a peep. The brunette was stifling a grin, a shit eating grin that smacked you across the face almost, his gaze remaining on the tiled flooring below the both of you.

"I s-said.. I found youu~" There was a sing song tone to his voice, a mocking tone as his head finally, eyes peeling off the tiles to meet your gaze. You hadn't noticed, but you were squeezing the smoothie cup so tight that it were about to spill over, your body freezing as your brain began to battle between fight or flight. That voice, the same voice from the very same night, the one that mocked your cries and screams as you fought for your life. Despite the fear, you kept telling yourself over and over again that you were safe, that you were in public and there was nothing he could do to hurt you but that look - the way he soaked in your expression and the way his body shook in excitement, it filled you with a wave of sickness that was about to spew. This had to be some cruel trick, a prank gone too far; one of those annoying influences that secretly record you for content. This felt too real though, too specific and to any other person, his comments wouldn't make most sense. His piercing brown eyes made contact with the scar that exposed itself from the collar of your shirt, a scar he was familiar with, a scar that painted your collarbone beautifully and he chuckled a sick chuckle.

On the brink of hysteria, you shuffled further away from him, the only noise you could conjure up was nothing but a pathetic whimper. You shuffled further and further until your ass connected with the tiles below, using the grip on your shoes to scramble further and further away from this mad man. You neglected the smoothie, the contents now a colourful mess on the floor as you kept the bag pressed closed to your abdomen. Despite the commotion, passer-by's did not bat an eye as you helplessly tried to catch their eye contact, pleading for somebody to help you. For now, you were nothing but a spec of dirt on the tiled floor, even if you were bleeding out; nobody would ache a care toward you. So, with that thought in mind, you scrambled to your feet and ran to the nearest exist. Your legs shook and at times it felt as it you were about to buckle as you came crashing into the oncoming traffic of people, who grunted or yelled out at you in the growing distance. Whatever you had to do, you needed to be safe. The cops, the security guard, anyone and as you ran down the halls of the subway, a soft scream escaped from within you.

With burning lungs, you could see the escalators closing in and there, the local information desk. The worker who sat uninterested inside the booth, eating away at a croissant as they focused more on the paper below them than anything else.

"Help-!" You screamed, approaching the desk in a speed you couldn't comprehend as you slammed your hands down on the desk. The man behind it jumped briefly before sitting up, brushing the crumbs of the pastry off his cotton jumper. You were sweaty and your anxiety attacked every part of you as you felt the surge of passing out. Gasping for breath for a moment, you snapped a head around your shoulder to check that he wasn't following. "Please, help me, please-" you began to ramble, tears now unknowingly falling down your cheeks. The man behind the counter was now taken aback a little, trying to make sense of your endless rambling.

"Hold on, hold on," he spoke, throwing his hands up to try and slow you down and allow you to catch your breath a little. He was right, you needed to calm down but you simply couldn't knowing that you could die any minute!

"No!" you yelled, slamming another fist down on the counter. By now, many people were watching, eager and curious as to what the big fuss could be about. You didn't need this, you hated the attention and you heard the chuckles of a group of teens as they whipped their phones out to record.

"I'm going to die! He's trying to murder me! Please, listen to me!" you begged helplessly, the words feeling so raw that the flood of emotions consumed you, knees buckling and you falling flat back on your ass. Your throat hurt from the screaming, lips dry as you sucked in breaths to try and ignore the incoming panic attack that was looming over you. The man stood quickly to lean over the desk, glancing down at you from the tip of his nose. Everyone was muttering, glancing around cautiously; more concerned for themselves than they were for you.

"I'm gonna need some people here, got some crazy lady," the man spoke into a radio that once sat on his hip. The blood within you boiled and bubbled with rage, the idea of being referred to as crazy when he had no idea what you had endured; the trauma!

"Babe, hey, relax!" A voice called out from within the crowd and suddenly, your sobbing ceased to exist as you slowly turned to face the voice. "Shit, I'm so ss-sorry, she gets like this, I'll take her home." The brunette spoke to the man behind the counter, exchanging an apologetic smile before kneeling down to meet your level. His look, once soft, now turned into something more sinister. "I'll look after you."

[canine-witch]

What are your enemies saying about you?

Right now we are in a period of moving on, transformation, and becoming our best selves. But, as we become our best selves, some others will want to bring us down. My intention with this reading is to bring you clarity on what people may be saying behind your back.

Drink some water, pick a pile, and feel free to discard what does not resonate.

｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚

｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚

Group One ~ Lazy River

Your enemies are surprised that you rose above. For some of you, your enemies could be ex friends, or people who you know, who deliberately left you to fend for yourself. Their actions were intentional, but you did it all alone, and continue to move forwards into peace and tranquility. They tried to have you wither away from opportunity by keeping you out of the social eye, but all you did was hide from them. You are going to have a major comeback which will shock them, or you are already standing in your power. Nothing can stop you, seeker. You used your isolation as an opportunity to grow, and you are now coming back stronger. I would wish you blessings, but they are already either here, or coming your way.

Group Two ~ Misty Rainforest

Your enemies are insulting you behind your back, because they want to refuse to admit that your dreams are coming true. There is an energy of silencing you, of saying things intentionally to your face to instill doubt in you. They want to block your healing and your accomplishments. However, they will not be successful. There is a fear of your victory, that you winning means their demise. This may be true, or this may be their own delusions, use discretion as needed. Progress is definitely halted, but if you make an effort to reject their doubts and believe in yourself, you set the foundations for prosperity. Accept your power and blessings, seekers.

Group Three ~ Sunny Forest

Your enemies are gossiping behind your back because they are envious of your beauty. While society tries to say what is conventionally attractive, no matter what you look like or if you are self concious, your beautiful soul shows on your features. You may have been lied to, especially if you are a person of color, that you are not beautiful. These are lies. There are many things to admire about you, and people recognizing it fully is your justice. Your confidence is blooming and you are shedding your self doubt, seekers. Don't let them bring you down, they shallowly admire you and don't want to admit that you are beautiful and blessed, inside and out.

Group Four ~ Dew Speckled Umbrella

Your enemies are keeping secrets from you. These may be underhanded friends or snake-like people who seem friendly on the surface, but have negative intentions for you. The energy around this seems calm and serene now, and it may seem they are getting what they want. But, something from their past will come up again, and shake their whole world. They may receive terrible news and lose sight of you, only to come back and find that you are years ahead of them, and entirely connected to your higher self and purpose. We do not wish them harm, but the shock may be direct justice for their injustice to you. Remain steadfast blessed seeker, help is on the way.

｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚ ू ₒ ु ₓ｡｡ₓ ू ₒ ु ˚

Thank you for your time and reading this post! I am currently accepting requests for free tarot readings from now until Febuary 3! Have a happy day, and move forwards with clarity, praying for your abundance!

PAC Masterpost

[clarisse0o]

The Mayor - Chapter 18

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternate Universe: Mayor and Architect

Words: 900

Masterlist

———————————————————————

I looked at myself in the mirror.  

My royal blue skirt fit my curves perfectly, with a front slit and a V-shaped cut in the back. My long, wavy blonde hair was loose, my makeup highlighted my green eyes and my lips, and I’d gained five centimeters with my black heels. Not bad at all, I thought, amused.  

I smiled.  

I was ready for this infamous dinner.

I arrived at 8:00 p.m., joining Alessia, who was waiting for me.  

Her eyes widened.  

“Wow, you’re a knockout,” she said, kissing my neck.  

I regretted, in that moment, that I’d put on this dress thinking about Lucy. What was I playing at? Where was this going to lead?

Standing outside the door, my hands, a little clammy, held a bottle of red wine.  

It was Lucy who opened the door, looking stunning in a seafoam green dress that suited her perfectly.  

She welcomed us warmly, and I noticed that, once Alessia had stepped inside, her gaze landed on me, scanning my dress, my neckline, and then locking on my eyes.  

She murmured softly, meeting my gaze, 

“Well, Ona, for someone who didn’t want to come, you’ve really outdone yourself!” 

I felt thrown off. Pull it together, Ona, or this evening will be a disaster.

There were five of us at the aperitif: Lucy, Paul, his father Jean, Alessia, and myself. The twins weren’t there; they were away on a school trip.  

The aperitif set a jovial tone for the evening. Jean was very charming and funny, Paul was as warm and affable as ever, and my Alessia, as sweet, curious, and spontaneous as always.  

Lucy was more reserved than usual, which wasn’t like her. I could feel her gaze on me many times, which delighted me.

We moved to the table. Jean sat at the head, with Alessia beside me, and Lucy across from me.  

A complex, strange situation to navigate.  

Next to me sat the woman I’d spent five years of my life with, whom I loved and was still seeing, with no idea that I was sleeping with my client, Lucy, sitting across from us.  

Lucy—over forty, married, mother of two, and my lover for nearly two months.

The strangest part was discussing future plans for couples that didn’t really exist.  

“So, what are you two planning to do after Lucy leaves her city council role?” Alessia asked.  

And later, “You’re going to be so happy in this house!” 

When, in reality, they’d never live there together. I was the only one who knew that.  

The same went for me and Alessia:

“How will you two manage things when Alessia moves to Canada?” Paul asked us.

I had to improvise, make things up.

Despite everything, and maybe helped along by the alcohol, I became bolder as the evening wore on.

When Paul said to me, “Lucy is thrilled with the project’s progress! And after my visit, I have to say I’m a big fan too!” 

I added with a hint of mischief,  

“Thank you! I know Lucy’s favorite room is the Italian-style bathroom, with the jets and the lighting, even though that lighting can be hard to find, isn’t it?” I said with a smile.

When Paul laughed and asked what had happened with that lighting, Lucy’s smile faded. Naturally, I spun a different, much softer story.  

But I was thrilled with the effect, even if I felt a little wicked for doing it, especially in front of Alessia. But I couldn’t help myself.

During dessert, while I was helping clear the plates, Lucy grabbed my arm, pulling me into the back kitchen with a firm grip.

“What are you playing at, Ona?” she demanded.

Our faces were only inches apart.

“What? It’s just a dinner, we’re having fun!” 

She stared at me, unyielding.  

“So, are you planning to tell them we’re sleeping together by the end of dessert? Is that the plan after your little hints?”  

“Relax, Lucy. I haven’t said a thing. Besides, it’s just a friendly dinner, loosen up!” I replied, brushing her thigh as I left the room.

I had left her there, literally frozen. She was now as thrown off balance as I had been, unsure of how to react.  

Back at dessert, I went as far as grazing her calf with my foot, staring at her. She now looked back, a mix of anger, agitation, and embarrassment on her face.

I hardly recognized myself. How could I be doing this, here, now, next to Alessia? This wasn’t like me at all.  

I was a little tipsy, but that didn’t explain everything.

We left the apartment around one in the morning. Alessia had had a lovely evening and hadn’t noticed the game of tension between Lucy and me.  

Once on the street, she said, 

“See, it was great! She’s not so unpleasant after all, that Lucy! Are you coming home with me tonight?”

“I can’t, Alessia... I really need to finish a project; I’ll be working late,” I replied.

She pouted, then smiled.

“Alright, Bella, baccio!” 

She kissed me.

I had just received a message from Lucy, asking me to meet her at her office at the town hall.

[angelinthefire]

What are your thoughts on the opinion that Ekko’s character revolves around jinx?

I'd say if that were true, it's not inherently a bad thing. For a show with a lot of leading characters, I think Jinx is the leading-est, so playing a role in her story means that he fulfills an important role in the show.

But I don't think that's entirely true. A lot of Ekko's pivotal moments come through his interactions with Jinx/Powder, but he goes through his own character development, and he has a unique place in the narrative.

As I so often do, I'm going to share links to a couple of videos by schnee that are really good about Ekko and how important he is (this one about s1, and this one about s2e7).

One of the many dualities or tensions that Arcane explores is that between progress and the past. There's characters that are very focused on progress or the future (Jayce, Silco, Singed, etc.), and some characters that are very hung up on the past (Vi, Jinx, Vander, Heimerdinger, etc.). Ekko is the only one who's really living in the present (which you can see from his interactions with Vi in s1). I don't want to make this into a big long post about the themes of Arcane, but I'm sure you can imagine that having a character like Ekko really deepens those themes.

There's also a lot of characters who are trying to improve life for people, and Ekko represents a definite point of view in that respect as well that the show would be weaker for not including.

And that ties in to Ekko's character development as well. He starts out as someone who's trying to scrape together a good life in the present (and doing a pretty good job of it). But in season 2 that's not enough anymore. He tried creating an idylic little anarchist commune, but he couldn't wall it off from the increasing pressures of the society around him. So he had to regain his ability to believe that positive change is possible more broadly, and his willingness to fight for that. That's a lesson that he learns for himself, for his character development, even though he learns it through AU Powder, and even though him communicating that lesson to Jinx is really important for her story.

I'd also say that there's a reason why Ekko was THE one who was able to stop Viktor. I haven't fully thought this through. But Viktor's entire thing is about resolving the contradiction in humanity (and the world) (order and chaos, love and hate, etc). He wants to achieve perfection. Viktor talks about the "sublime intersection of order and chaos" but really he wants to resolve that intersection, to end it.

Ekko very clearly represents the present, the point where the past and the future meet. I would extend that to the intersection between order and chaos (considering entropy, systems move from order to chaos over time), and the potential that exists there. In season one he's all about building in the *now*, seeing the potential that exists in the present moment. In season two, he learned to see that potential in things that he thought were lost.

He stops Viktor with the Z-drive, and Viktor says "that device can't be" and *that's* the thing that breaks through Viktor's mask. A time travel device should not be possible, but Ekko made it anyway.

While Viktor admired the intersection between order and chaos, Ekko represents the true, *living* intersection of order and chaos, of past and future, and the infinite possibility that exists there, the possibility for even something thought impossible.

That's why Ekko saves the day, and that's why Ekko is the hero.

So no, I don't think he just revolves around Jinx.

[fucktheepilogues]

Agreed i love tfem roxy fuck the epilogues

Kind of old roxy doodle i dont fw but i love her so much

Im cool with people not sharing my headcanons of course but i personally love tfem roxy and obviously have to take advantage of this opportunity to dog on the epilogues.

I admittedly haven't done an in-depth analysis on her character, so im not in the place to argue in defense of this, but it just feels right.

[Yapsesh incoming]

Building on this, I think a lot of people are hesitant to hc transfem characters, even when they are quite the opposite with tmasc headcanons. Im not dissing on them or shaming for being like that, I used to be the same. I think many people have subconscious bias against things without even realizing it. I can admit I certainly did. Once you notice it, and can address it, some things make a lot more sense.

Its not too hard to notice the trend of transfem headcanons receiving a lot more hate than transmasc headcanons. In general, transfem people are subjected to more hate than transmasc. Its not a topic ive researched much but id assign it to the misrepresentation of trans women in media and the way they are often seen as "dangerous." Even if you support trans people, its possible to be biased without knowing. (You are not immune to propaganda)

A lot of this is rooted in the inherent sexism of society, seeing men as dangerous and women as vulnerable. As well as seeing feminity as a weakness. Ex. Tomboys are normalized, seen as quirky at most- feminine boys are often mocked or made fun of for being "girly," called gay. Interesting how calling someone a dick is usually used to describe someone being rude or abrasive, and calling someone a pussy is used to describe them as cowardly or weak. Hmm.

Also, a lot of people-despite claiming to support them- still somewhat see trans women as men. It can be difficult to change your perspective when you have been conditioned to think a certain way since you were young. Transphobia is often unconscious, and its not something that goes away just because you say its wrong. Just because you say you you support trans people and treat them fairly and respect their pronouns doesnt mean you dont still have that internalized distaste.

It's something deeply rooted, firmer for some than others. And if you want to get rid of it, you have to dig it out. It won't just get up and walk out because you look at it sternly. Find out why you feel that way, address it, and try adopting a new perspective.

I was raised in a pretty progressive household, not religious, supportive of self expression and being queer. I still had a subconscious bias against transwomen for a bit, despite supporting them and even questioning my gender myself. Thats a bit embarrassing to confess, but I've worked through it and no longer have that problem.

Sorry to get off track, I kind of started rambling there. Im sure this is poorly written and maybe quite flawed. Im not trying to say you are transphobic if you dont share my headcanon, i just got sidetracked and wanted to share my thoughts on the subject.

Obligatory fuck the epilogues

i'm sorry but if you can't see transfem roxy you straight-up read hs wrong

you are just erasing a heavily transfem-coded character for your own shitty headcanon

"oh but she's canonically transmasc in the epilogues" idfc, the writers of post-canon are notorious transmisogynists

[genderqueerdykes]

My MtF friend and I got on the topic of TME/TMA bullshit the other day and she pointed out something I wanted to share (with her permission) "The whole concept of TME/TMA can even result in trans women never wanting to come out to avoid being associated with such shitty believes. If my first interactions in the trans community was someone who believed in it I would probably never admit to myself that I was trans cuz I don't want to associate with a group whose entire personality seems to be victimizing the trauma olympics I-Am-The-Main-Character all in one. Hell they would've probably told me I wasn't actually a trans woman just because my egg cracked late and exclude me anyway."

thank you so much for taking the time to send this, i really appreciate it, because your friend said it better than i ever could've.

I don't want to associate with a group whose entire personality seems to be victimizing the trauma olympics I-Am-The-Main-Character all in one.

this is something i've been wanting to flat out say for a while, so thank you very much for this. it literally is very VERY petty behavior at this point and i'm not humoring it anymore. we have to call things for what they are and admit that a lot of transfems are using this as an opportunity to wallow in their misery so they can control others to make themselves feel better because they feel powerless in cisheteronormative patriarchy. it's not fun or quirky or progressive.

i am very much over making queerness about who is the most oppressed or who is the biggest victim. i feel like a lot of people forgot what a victim complex is for the sake of mining pats on the back from strangers. so many transfeminine people right now are replacing their personalities with being a victim and it needs to come to an end. womanhood is not about being a victim, no matter how hard that woman has it. a lot of transfems genuinely do have this "I Am The Main Character" behavior. a lot of transfems genuinely do believe they are the protagonists of the queer community due to how bad they have it. we have to call it for what it is at this point. it's not an attack to say it.

i've been trying to point this out for quite a while: the TME/TMA binary and man/masc hating in general hurts trans women who are questioning, just now learning about transness, stealth, need to stay in the closet, are never transition, who struggle to pass, who don't want to pass, who are butch, who are gender non conforming, and those who are also men. but this especially hurts questioning and newly introduced trans women because nobody wants to be told that they're shitty for being a man one day, and then babied and patted on the back for being a woman the next. the whiplash from that would be damaging alone

your friend brings up a good point too because what about the trans women whose eggs crack later in life? what about those who don't realize they're a woman until they're in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s...? what about trans women who only interact with or present their womanhood sometimes? what about trans women who are content being seen as a man in society, but still identify as a woman inside? what about the trans women who don't ever want to tell another soul but are still women despite that?

this behavior hurts genderfluid and butch transfems a lot. this behavior harms masculine trans women so badly. there are transfeminine butches that want to present butch and i don't care if you read them as a "Cishet man" that's a trans butch and they're not obligated to be less masculine for anyone to accept them. trans butches face so much bullshit for how they dress, appear and act. i'm sorry not everyone's womanhood is feminine, but transfeminine butches deserve to present however the hell they want to and not have anyone call their identity into question.

it really affects trans women who don't pass, don't try to or don't want to.

it really affects trans women of color.

this behavior hurts so many people and i really want everyone to understand a lot of those people... are trans women. please be more considerate of those around you. thanks for taking the time to send this anon, i really appreciate it. you can let your friend know that was deeply insightful & exactly a point i've been trying to make for months. thank you both. have a great week, stay safe

[hypermascbishounen]

There's a deep irony in Berserk being so admired by people who really really hate what Berserk is about on an emotional level, but especially when writers want to take influence from it. Because Berserk is very strong thematically, and someone who can't acknowledge subtext is going to whiff on emulating anything good.

[destiny-smasher]

@the-falcon-of-the-fall

I am under no disillusion that the manga is different from the games! It's not a misconception, I just don't like the manga's story as much as the games -- even if Scarlet is easily the most interesting version of a 'player character' the franchise overall has ever had imo And I definitely do prefer how the game handles Nemona's character in particular (the manga makes her more childish, less competent, etc.). I do not go into the manga expecting it to mimic the game, that would defeat the point of it existing imo

I agree with what you've said about them so far! That's another thing to keep in mind: we've only seen part of the story with this version of things. I'm just raising concerns, as someone who has lived through this same social dynamic many times, from Nemona's POV, both platonically and romantically, and it is a very delicate and complicated dynamic to navigate, and thus far the manga has only set things up, it hasn't progressed or developed anything in this regard. It's basically just shown both of them continuing to act in exaggerated fashions, but in ways that feel one-sided to me. Nemona is giving so much to Scarlet and getting crumbs in return, sometimes just plain spit on, metaphorically speaking. And that's tough to experience, as someone who has been through, and still experiences, that kind of thing. But make no mistake, it will require both characters recognizing their circumstances and flaws to make things work. I just also think it's a bit off to act like the way Scarlet is acting in particular (not just toward Nemona but especially her) is 'okay', because it's really not. She's being dismissive and a jerk -- you can theorize she's probably autistic or at least neurodiverse in some way (and I do headcanon that, personally, as well as Nemona, actually), but that doesn't excuse harmful behavior. We do need to see protags make mistakes and all that in order to have room for growth (and growth is a huge hallmark of effective storytelling imo), so it's not that I don't want to see the characters making bad choices or acting out etc. I like Scarlet because it's clear she's been through some shit, and is still trying to make the best of what she can, in the ways she is capable of doing so. She's a compelling character, but in large part because it's easy to see her potential to grow out of the bad behavior -- not magically become all sugar and rainbows, but just begin to reciprocate friendship with Nemona in ways that are good for both of them. (and likewise see Nemona dial it back a bit)

I'm just wary as to where it's going to go, here, mainly because I am unfamiliar with the writer of this manga series, and I have very little faith in Pokemon media in this regard lol And again, personal real life experience makes me nervous how such a complicated dynamic will be depicted in media targeting a young demographic.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts btw!

(Nemona getting totally blown off and stonewalled once again and trying to shrug it off once again, she's so determined! </3)

Since people on the Internet get fussy with this shit, let me state upfront these are my opinions, from the perspective of someone who shares a lot of personality traits in common with Nemona and used to be a lot like her in my younger years. Nemona's lying when she says Scarlet's behavior and needless secrecy doesn't bother her at all. She keeps enduring the neglect (and sometimes straight up abuse), because she thinks that's what Scarlet needs atm. It's hard to say how things will pan out atm imo.

The manga mischaracterizes Nemona in some ways for me -- or I guess it's more proper to say, I do not think the way the manga characterizes Nemona is as positive as the games. The manga so far really makes her out to be less mature, less healthy mentally/emotionally, and kind of a pushover who actively lets others step all over her. I don't prefer it lol

She experiences an 'invisible wall' between herself and everyone else. And Scarlet's behavior so far in PokeSpe would only exacerbate that -- BUT, the two could clearly have a very meaningful bonding if they both stick things through, in a way the game version of Nemona doesn't because the story forces the protag to more just go along with everything.

I want to believe the manga will eventually have Nemona learn to adapt to Scarlet, Scarlet slowly open herself up to Nemona over time, start doing GOOD for her in return, and heaven forbid, maybe even apologize for mistreating Nemona -- though I don't expect the latter for sure.

It can be very exhausting and draining to endure what Nemona is enduring, but if you have that determination and willpower to put up with someone's worse traits because you see the good in them, sometimes it's good to use that to be there for the other person.

Everyone's struggles are unique and people exhibit their flaws in different ways. Nemona is "too much" and Scarlet pushes back in hostile ways. Their personalities are potentially toxic for one another, tbqh, but there's so much value imo in them bridging that gap.

The core of most fictional relationships I genuinely care about and many of my real life ones is the idea of bridging the understanding gap, through communication and gestures and time spent together, where there is mutual growth and reassurance.

Because of how I've been mistreated in the past, it's REALLY difficult for me to look at Nemona/Scarlet even just as friends and not be very worried about them. They're not self-aware yet, much less mature enough to navigate their differences. But they COULD be.

Many of the most edifying and growth-defining relationships of my life were due to stark differences in personality being reconciled with mutual care, assurance, trust, and just plain holding on. I think these two can totally reach that. I just don't know if they WILL here.

Because the fact is, Scarlet's behavior is hurtful. She clearly has reasons she is this way, and sometimes you just gotta get that shit out. And having people strong enough to endure that shit can be valuable, even if you don't realize it at the time. But it's a fine line.

Scarlet seems to be dealing with mental health issues, or at the least neurodivergency -- and Nemona at least has the latter going on, too. That creates a lot of tension. But that also means they can be there for each other in a meaningful way if they can work that shit out.

At the current rate they're going, however, Scarlet's behavior isn't improving so far. It's like she just gets to be a jerk and 'get away with it' and everyone is supposed to be fine with that? Doesn't settle well with me, and Nemona sure doesn't deserve this treatment.

But at the same time, Nemona IS one of those rare people with the willpower and stubborn determination to keep being there for Scarlet in spite of things not going well for a while -- even a long while. She sees the good in Scarlet even if Scarlet doesn't.

The manga has NOT done much at all so far to sell us on Scarlet/Nemona working out even just as friends, but it feels deliberate how their dynamic has been set up. So I want to have hope there, but it does remind me a bit too much of stuff from my past, so I get trepidatious.

In a way, part of Operation Comet Punch (my long fic) entails exploring that very trepidation and (I hope) coming up with at least one 'version' of reconciling things in a healthy, mutually supportive way for everyone involved (and that goes beyond just Nemona and Scarlet).

I hope the manga can figure out ways to do this, too. Because I like the idea of Nemona and Scarlet at least becoming good friends over time. It's just difficult to see right now if you're being pragmatic.

"Desma this is a manga primarily targeting middle school boys wtf are you talking about"

Look, between my own fanfic about these characters and my real life experiences, I can't help but analyze and try to be optimistic on all fronts. I get triggered a bit by 'toxic yuri' and this is reminding me of that, but I want to believe in it EVOLVING beyond that (pun intended). And I know it can.

[edwardallenpoe]

Hey. Just wanted to put my two cents in, like everyone else on Tumblr dot com is. (It got pretty long so putting it under a cut)

I don't really care about what you think should happen to the fandom. Like. If you are going to continue to engage in the fandom without giving Neil any sort of gain is fine. I'm personally still on the fence on what the fuck to do now. But let's not make that the whole focus, yeah? What Neil allegedly did was fucking terrible. Like. Objectively worse than what JKR did when things first came out about her. Let's forget good omens and sandman and coraline for a minute (don't care if you still engage with those things or burn your copies and remove your tattoos, let's just put it down for a minute.) and try really hard to think. Because we all hated JKR. We burned her reputation to the ground. For good reason. But we can't even decide if we hate Neil Gaiman yet? Guys. Please. We have to believe all women. Plus he's a rich fucking white dude who has admitted to using his power for gain.

And if it turns out (which this is a 8% chance) that this is all not what it seems to be, or even all of it is fabricated, and Neil is innocent, we still gotta stop worshipping this dude. This has got to be a wakeup call that he's not some Messiah. He's a human dude in power who does the same shitty things human dudes in power do.

And I get it. You want to continue to like your stories that he helped create (key-word 'helped' bc he was a part of a team with a lot of these stories, including Sir Terry Pratchett) but me personally? I would be a massive hypocrite if I metaphorically burned my Harry Potter stories to the ground and put HP fans in my DNI because of JKR but said "separate the art from the artist" with Neil Gaiman.

And this is coming from any other Good Omens fan that became way too attached to the story. Like a lot of people have said that story helped in very. Very fucking trying times. It was my rock, some days the only thing keeping me going. The fandom has been an amazing place of creativity and community and love.

But so was Harry Potter. If you think about it. If any Good Omens fans were previous Harry Potter fans you'll know just how wide spread and open and creative and deep the hp fandom was. And this may just be me misremembering because it was a couple years ago at this point (plus everything with Neil Gaiman is still such news) but because JKR was spouting rhetoric that directly harmed us (us being majority queer and poc people) we drop-kicked hp pretty fast and focused on the artist and her shittiness.

Can we have the same attitude towards Neil? Can we separate the art from the artist long enough to fucking focus on Neil? When I say separate the art from the artist I don't mean "remove artist, continue to enjoy art" I mean "remove the art and focus on the artist, and study that motherfucker". How many video essays are their out about JKR? How many books referencing her terribleness? Without giving so much as a hint to Harry Potter?

Separate the art from the artist and focus on the artist and bringing him to justice. And believe the victims.

And yeah I can see your arguments against the source of the information and who the victims went to tell their stories, I can understand those arguments, but let's look at the data, okay? Let's look at what Scarlett and K actually said with their actual words and their actual messages and separate the source from the material. What Scarlett and K talked about is scary. Terrifying. I couldn't even read more than a little bit before I got triggered. I wasn't caring about how the source podcast was talking about it. What Scarlett and K said with their own words should be enough. Make your own judgements. If you can't look at a story without being influenced by the storyteller's hidden agenda and not have critical thinking skills????? I'm sorry but that's going to be your downfall.

Or better yet, if you can't believe victims because they have political views that differ from your own (which, they probably don't. From what I can tell nobody really fucking knows what Scarlett and K's political views are but it doesn't really matter) you need to really study and look into what you mean when you call yourself a "leftist". Because it's not very progressive or helpful to not believe or help victims because of their political views. Sorry. Is that wild for me to say? Idk

Uh anyways. I don't really care what you do in your free time when it comes to enjoying the fandoms. I don't necessarily think it makes you a terribly shitty person for still engaging in it instead of burning all your Neil Gaiman stories, and also like a lot of people have said (and since I'm on the same boat) treating fans like the scum of the earth when a lot of fans have had good omens as a way to escape and has become super dependent on good omens and are justifiably horrified by everything and trying to ignore it is shitty. But I'm personally going to continue to follow this story because I care about the victims. Not because I want to be guilt-free reading a fanfic about an angel and a demon. Because I care about real life people.

[icewindandboringhorror]

Recent-ish things ~

[itsmistyeyedbi]

There's so much I want to write and so much I want to read, but I can't fully engage with much of anything right now and it's killing me😭