#My brother likes him so we're listening to his comedy special

[phlegmboymessiah]

Please please please someone kill Bo Burnam right now

[misc-obeyme]

Lesson 37 spoilers below - it's screenshot heavy again because OH BOY we had a lot going on this time too. I took almost 100 screenshots lol. But don't worry, I narrowed it down... uh but there are still a lot so I apologize for that.

I do believe I said in my last post that if they were going to go full Dante, they would bury Lucifer in ice.

I only said that because I WAS NOT EXPECTING THEM TO GO FULL DANTE.

Now listen, it's been a long time since I've read the Divine Comedy, so there may be a lot more references that I am missing. I can tell you that the four circles or sections or whatever that Simeon named for us are from Dante. That right there is straight from Dante's Inferno, along with their names and who they're supposed to punish. I don't really feel like any of this has much relevance except that they used it as a backdrop and to create reasons for us to lose most of the people who came to help us as we went.

And truly the lore was fascinating in general, but there are a couple of specific pieces about this that made me go EXCUSE YOU.

It's the Celestial Realm again, guys. Cocytus is part of their domain. And the last area is for those who betrayed "him" as they so eloquently put it lol. Both Mammon and Lucifer are considered traitors in this regard, but I kind of suspect that if the rest of the bros made it to that level, they would've had a similar experience.

Anyway, I was pissed. I was like Diavolo in the hard lesson.

Right, so let's talk Mephistopheles. I'm not familiar enough with the legend of Faust or its variations to know if the way they described his special power is based on that. However, I highly suspect it is at least somewhat inspired by it. Considering making a deal with the devil is what that story is all about.

But aside from all that - I LOVE HIM OH NO.

WHAT. This guy... all this time I thought he was really stuck up. And like I kinda get it, considering how he was supposed to be Diavolo's right hand man and everything. But he's straight up saying that he underestimated them. He seems to have no problem saying yeah, turns out I was wrong and you guys impressed me. So don't go around giving up now. AND he says they learned it from Lucifer? Like... he gets them. He understands them. And I was not expecting that at all. He keeps surprising me and I'm loving it.

Welcome to my life, Mephi.

It's pointless to resist.

I'm telling you, this is just how it always goes.

BUT OH! I'm not gonna lie, this made me feel something. All the brothers usually say such nice things to me, but this guy is basically like ARE YOU STUPID? And I love it?!?!? Augh I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance before, sir.

Okay, now let's talk Solomon being the hot old grandpa that he is. I SWEAR every time he shows up lately it's been making me more insane about him.

WE SUMMONED HIM. We needed him in Cocytus and he wasn't there, so we straight up SUMMONED HIM. We couldn't do it without Mammon giving us his power 'cause our magic is weak, but STILL!?!?

I think Simeon referred to it as teleporting, but really it was the same as summoning him. I think the words were even the summoning spell words.

If this was actually me we were talking about, I would start doing it ALL THE TIME. Consider yourself on call, old man.

And then we got this excellent exchange:

Not only am I always here for big bro Mammon getting protective, but Solomon bringing it right back was also great.

Okay, now let's talk about Raphael and Simeon.

Do you think we're dealing with Michael disguised as Raphael again? For some reason I don't think so, but... at this point, it's like how do you tell? I'm going to talk about it with the assumption that it's actually Raphael and not Michael.

Simeon during this part gave me chills. Because when Raphael showed up and spoke the punishment or whatever and Luke was about to protest, Simeon silenced him. Simeon wouldn't let Luke protest because he knew that wouldn't be good for our baby boy. Simeon was prepared to take the fall instead. And he wasn't about to just let things stand.

I can't accept it. I swear, Simeon's character is far more complex than anyone gives him credit for. He doesn't get anywhere near the amount of appreciation he deserves. I HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT IT.

Right, but back to Raphael.

Baby. He's crying. He was just delivering the ultimatum, the decision about the brothers' punishment, and he was crying. I was so surprised, it was so soft and sad and I wanted to hug him. And look at Simeon's frown. AND THEN

EVEN LUCIFER. This man is chained up in some ice and he still sees how Raphael is struggling and feels sorry for him. (Like maybe he's been there before himself...)

This is why I think it really is Raphael. Because this feels like such a significant revelation of his character, I think it'd be a disservice to him if we found out later it wasn't him at all. So I'm hoping it's still him.

Now. Let's talk about Diavolo. I'm pretty sure this was in the hard lesson, so be aware of that!

He is so pissed. I don't think I've ever seen Diavolo quite like this. Worried, sometimes serious, but angry? Like to the point where he thinks he might lose control? I don't think that's happened, has it?

AND BARB. His reaction is so interesting! At first he has this look of surprise, but then LOOK AT THAT SMILE. Here's Dia being like, I need you to stop me, but you can't tell me that smile on Barb's face belongs to anyone who's going to stop anyone. He looks like he's looking forward to it. I love him so much it's stupid. (Also I think Barbatos is just as much of a menace as Solomon is, he's just better at hiding it. Where do you think Sol gets it from??)

And of course the lesson ended with Lucifer BREAKING THROUGH HIS CHAINS. Ugh another cliffhanger.

In general, I really loved the brotherly affection that was running amok in this chapter. They were annoying each other and protecting each other and sacrificing for each other and it was all amazing. They banded together because they care so much about Lucifer, there's no way they would leave him to his fate.

And once again, the Celestial Realm is to blame. I think it makes sense that they're doing this. Before, they said that the seven brothers assuming positions of power in the Devildom meant that the power balance between the Devildom and the Celestial Realm was out of whack. That's why they wanted the brothers back. But the brothers wouldn't come back.

And while the Celestial Realm threatened war, they didn't do that, either.

Do you think perhaps the Celestial Realm collaborated with the House of Lords to get Lucifer trapped in Cocytus? The House of Lords controlled the train where everything went down. The Celestial Realm controls Cocytus. They probably knew that Lucifer's brothers would try to rescue him and counted on them getting trapped in the ice, too.

But perhaps they weren't expecting any interference from Mephisto or Simeon. They had to be expecting MC, I would think. Maybe they underestimated MC because they're human? And maybe they thought Diavolo would just accept it? (If so they are duuuuumb lol.)

Okay just a couple more screenshots because they made me laugh.

PLEASE. I love their dynamic SO MUCH.

Hmm. Is that a threat, Barb? 'Cause uh... you can casually threaten me with that slight smile any time I MEAN yeah, you tell 'em.

I cackled about what do you mean "ahaha" like I can't believe Levi actually said that out loud lol.

Cheer up, Belphie. Let Asmo live the otome dream, won't you?

Okay, okay, I'm done. Overall, I quite enjoyed this chapter, but I'm still sensing more drama, probably until the end of the season, honestly.

You think Nightbringer will make an appearance before it's over? It's almost like I forgot this whole new app was made to tell a story about him. He's just been mostly MIA. UNLESS someone else has been him in disguise all along...

Nope. No. I refuse to get into theorizing, this post is already too long.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hi Steph! Sorry if that's weird but I see you as my friend and I've been having a hard time. My boyfriend's going to live on the other side of the country (I'm from Brazil so that's A LOT) and we're kinda still together but he says he doesn't have enough trust on me to have a long distance relationship. I don't even know if we're still dating or not but nothing seems to have changed, except that I don't see him anymore and he stopped saying coupley things to me (sometimes he calls me baby but that's it). I cried all day for 4 days before finally calming down but I still feel so much anxiety and pain. He's the love of my life and my first bf, yesterday we made 2 years together but I couldn't give him what I bought anyway... I'm so afraid right now. I don't want to lose him when he's the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I decided to wait for him but I have no idea how things will unfold and if he'll still love me after 3 years apart... I've done bad things in the past as a high schooler so I understand his distrust but I've changed so much and done so many things to him to get him to understand that I'm his. I forgive him for everything and there's quite a lot that he did wrong but he doesn't seem to be able to do the same for me. How do I fix this? I love him so much I'd do literally anything for him... Why can't my love life be like a romantic comedy for once? Why can't we just be like Johnlock? If two people love each other then why don't they simply stay together? I don't get all that fear of getting hurt. My fear is having to live without him, we can discuss and get better if he hurts me. I thought everyone thought that way...

Hey Nonny *HUGS*

First of all, Nonny, I’m going to be blunt, upfront and “tough love” with you, because I think that’s what a good person would do. I’ve had past friends hate me for months for my honesty, but I don’t think you need to keep hurting yourself. Secondly, I’m not a professional, so everything I say is just personal anecdotes; only YOU can make the decisions for your own life.

That said:

Dump his ass. 

I’m sorry, but as an outsider looking in, and just reading this, this Dude has been planning to ditch you for a long time, and he’s gaslighting you. If he truly loved you and was invested in the relationship, he wouldn’t say “I don’t trust you in a long distance relationship”. What I’M reading in that is “I want to fool around and not feel guilty about it, so I’m going to make my S/O (sorry you never stated your preferred pronoun so I’ll use gender neutral terms for you) feel like it’s THEIR fault that this relationship has fallen apart.”

Sorry Nonny, I know that’s hard to read and hear, but I gotta say, it’s done. And I don’t want you to continue feeling like a piece of shit. My mother used to pull the same shit on me all the time, try to make it MY fault that I never went to see her or do anything with her or it was MY fault her life was falling apart. And the problem with being in a toxic emotionally abusive relationship, is that you DON’T see it until you’re out of it. Nonny, you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship, and you need to take care of yourself. Emotional abuse is STILL abuse, and you absolutely need to get yourself out of the situation. It’s NOT your job to “fix” him or your relationship, and Nonny, the signs are all there from what I can see: get rid of him, and work on yourself.

Check out this post here: 11 Red Flags of Emotional Abuse to Spot in Relationships. It helped me realize what was happening my own life with my mother.

I’m presuming you’re still very young; Nonny, it’s VERY VERY rare anyone ever EVER stays with their first partners. In nearly 40 years, I’ve only known 2 couples who have been each other’s “first loves”: my aunt and uncle, and my best friend’s brother and his s/o. That’s it. And honestly, Nonny, romantic movies try to sell people on the idea that all romances are perfect and it will all work out and it’s all magical and special, and we’re just sitting here waiting for our magic fictional dream to become a reality. Unfortunately, it’s just that: fiction. Real life rarely ever is like you see on TV and in movies, and I am sad that you feel like you just need that magic moment. Listen, I’m not saying that it won’t happen in a magical way, not at all, Nonny, but please don’t be disillusioned by fiction. “Romance” as portrayed in fiction often makes people think that’s HOW it should be, and that it’s okay for him to treat you like shit. It’s fucking not, Nonny. Please understand that.

I know this hurts, I really TRULY do. I’ve had someone drag me along and never actually break up with me, but looking back on it, he was a fucking asshole. Ditch him, Lovely, and instead of a rebound which I know is a natural thing to want to do, focus on working on YOU. Discover yourself again, learn to love yourself again, and realize you DON’T need him to be a better person. The only person you need to be a better person is YOU. 

I truly am sorry, Nonny, I really am. But I can’t bear having my Lovelies in pain. Bookmark this ask, and in a year or so, go back and re-read what you sent me. You’ll be very glad you didn’t waste your time on this jackass. You’ll find someone eventually who DOES trust you and DOES care about how you feel. You don’t deserve to feel like this, and he DEFINITELY doesn’t deserve you. You are amazing and fantastic. 

Please take care of yourself, and please don’t hesitate to stay in touch. Also, browse through my emotional abuse tag for other nonnies who had similar experiences with varying types of relationships.

Love you Nonny. <3