#SC this is how you can redeem yourself!!!

[narrativesofzi]

AY22/23 Semester 1 (Y1S1)

hello! just a brief background regarding this semester, i dropped out of school the week right before finals, as i had been struggling with mental health and ended up hospitalised, hence the reviews of the modules would not be complete ><

my first semester was very stressful and honestly, i was so distracted and overwhelmed that looking back, i did not learn anything at all haha

i had to take an LOA and apply for Special Consideration (SC) for the modules that i did not take the finals for, but the process was rather smooth

but anyways! here's my experience as a Business Analytics student for Y1S1!

modules taken:

CS1010S Programming Methodology

BT1101 Introduction to Business Analytics

MA2001 Linear Algebra I

IS1108 Digital Ethics and Data Privacy

LAK1201 Korean 1

CS1010S Programming Methodology

Professor: Leong Wai Kay

Exams:

28 Sept (Mid-Term)

12 Nov (Practical Exam)

22 Nov (Finals)

Language: Python

Weightage:

Coursemology - 25%

Participation - 5 %

Mid-Term - 15%

Practical Exam - 15%

Finals - 40%

please note that i did not take the finals for this module ><

having no background in coding, this was definitely the killer module as it had the highest workload and toughest concepts to grasp. after every lecture, there would be a lecture quiz regarding what was taught in class, followed by tutorials and missions, and recitations (optional!). in order to secure 25% for Coursemology, we had to reach level 50 by earning XPs through completing tutorials and missions (too much work for me... ).

i would spend my whole day trying to figure out how the code works, find its bugs and generally struggle to keep up. i even ended up having nightmares about coding because of how much time i spend on trying to code.

unfortunately, i did not have the greatest help from my TA and it got really demoralising to the point where i was reluctant to start on any tasks because i knew i would get stuck and spend hours and hours but to no avail.

regarding the weightage for mid-terms and finals, they introduced progressive scoring, where you have a chance to redeem yourself (if you messed up your mid-terms) because your finals results could potentially fully overwrite your mid-terms results.

Prof Leong was pretty chill, i would say. i was not exactly able to always catch up with his content but there were online videos to refer to, so probably not that big of a problem.

Note:

Be prepared for the intensity of this module

Cheatsheets are allowed

Mid-terms was conducted in pen and paper

BT1101 Introduction to Business Analytics

Professor: Sharon Tan, Zhai Yingda

Exams:

18 Oct (Mid-Terms)

24 Nov (Finals)

Language: R

Weightage:

Online Quiz & Datacamp Assignments - 15%

Tutorials (best 6 out of 9) - 24%

Lab - 6%

Mid-Terms - 15%

Finals - 40%

please note that i did not take the finals for this module ><

the module is split equally by the two Professors, with Sharon teaching the first half of the semester and Zhai teaching the second half of the semester.

the general workload of each week includes watching lectures and completing online self-learning activities, completing tutorials and lab sessions. it was still manageable, though R can be quite confusing as it is not very intuitive for me.

for tutorials, they do not really provide you with the model answers so you cannot exactly refer to the codes to do your assignments... but other than that, i do not really have any comments regarding this module.

regarding the mid-terms, it was held online on Examplify where there will be no access to the internet. it was a combination of MCQs and long answer questions where you will have to provide your own code as the solution.

Note:

Cheatsheets are allowed

Would recommend you to build your own code bank for reference during exams

MA2001 Linear Algebra I

Professor: Dilip Raghavan, Ma Siu Lun

Exams:

23 Nov (Finals)

Weightage:

Online Quiz - 15%

Homework Assignments - 20%

Lab - 5%

Finals - 60%

please note that i did not take the finals for this module ><

this module was more of H2 Further Mathematics, so if you have experience in that, good for you. we were learning about matrices but on steroids.

the general workload for each week includes watching lectures, completing tutorials and occasionally assignments. lectures are all recorded (thank god), and you can pretty much self study for it.

everyone basically got full marks for online quiz, homework assignments and lab because there was a Telegram chat where everyone would discuss answers and learn from each other. the killer questions were proving, and that would pretty much be the separation between the As and Bs.

i freaking loved Professor Chan Heng Huat's teaching and he was very passionate about teaching the subject. i attended his tutorials and every session was just like WOWWWW (but i still struggled a lot haha).

Note:

Cheatsheets are allowed

IS1108 Digital Ethics and Data Privacy

Professor: Lee Boon Kee

Weightage:

Tutorial Attendance - 10%

Case Scenario - 20%

Quiz - 30%

Reflections - 10%

Project - 30%

at the end of the course, i do not think that i have learnt anything new or useful. this module is basically fluff and actually reminded me of PW in JC. did not watch any lectures and still managed to get a good grade.

tutorials were 2 hours long to analyse case scenarios based on a given framework and give a short presentation to the class. the TAs will then give feedback based on the presentation.

as for the final project, just treat it as another PW - look for problems, analyse stakeholders, provide solutions, evaluate pros and cons. as long as people in the group pulled their weight, it should be fine. if not, i guess you just gotta suck thumb.

Note:

Take it with your friends

LAK1201 Korean 1

Professor: Bae So Hee

Weightages:

Quiz - 10%

Written Test - 50%

Oral Test - 15%

Writing Assignment - 15%

Participation - 10%

Exams:

24 Aug (Online Quiz)

31 Aug (Online Quiz)

15 Sept (Mid-Terms)

27 Oct (Oral)

8 Nov (Finals)

i took this module just to spoil market because i already kinda knew how to read and write korean letters so i did not think that i needed to put in much effort to do well. i got complacent and realised (late) that everyone had the same thinking...

learning a new language is always hard but i guess having the face to face tutorials help as it provides a space where everyone is able to learn how to speak the language. but languages being languages, i got very confused with how the grammar works, sentence structures etc.

in general, it was a pretty fun and interesting module and we even learnt how to fold a hanbok for our last session! would recommend this module if you are interested in Korean!

Final Thoughts

it was definitely a shame that i only dropped out the week before finals, but looking back, it was necessary because i knew that i could not perform up to my standards and would be disappointed in my results. it was a leap of faith to take up the LOA and further take a gap semester to heal, and i am glad that i took that step. there were many considerations -- forfeiting the school fees for the semester, lagging behind my peers, explaining to my peers regarding my mental health.

if you are struggling with your mental health, please do not push yourself too hard. if you need a break, please take one.

i hope that this would provide some insights to the life of an average BZA student :)

peace <3

[jeanandthedreamofhorses]

Jean and Connie: The Path to Valhalla

Many people are upset at the fate of Jean and Connie, but, while I love these characters just as dearly (see: my username and icon), I really can’t think of a better conclusion to their character arcs than for them both to ‘die as a member of the Survey Corps’.

Maybe it’s because death is thought of nowadays as the ultimate evil that it cannot be seen as a positive thing. But for the majority of human history, a good death was every inch as important as a good life.

For the Vikings especially - and SNK is filled with Norse references - your entry into Valhalla is wholly dependent on the way you die, not the way you live: whether you die gloriously in battle, or wither away after cowardly retreat. No matter what mistakes you make in your life, all can be redeemed if you sacrifice yourself fighting.

Hange hates themself for failing to live up to Erwin’s legendary leadership, for killing their old comrades, and for losing control of Eren and allowing the Rumbling to happen. But in sacrificing themself, in dying fighting, Hange is welcomed into the hall of heroes in the afterlife.

Likewise, no matter how brave you were in a hundred battles prior, if you do not die in the flurry of combat, you cannot enter Valhalla.

Jean is tempted towards inaction, to allow the Rumbling to continue. His rationale is that by virtue of all his previous battles, he has accumulated enough honour for no-one to judge him in this regard. 

Yet he is judged, and he knows he is judged. He is judged by the Einherjar, the souls of the slain that dwell within Valhalla: his old comrades in the Survey Corps.

Only by fighting to the very end can one enter Valhalla. There is no room for quitters. Your true worthiness of character is determined in the moment of death, and only in that moment.

Jean is Attack On Titan’s Everyman: he’s the series’ example of how an average person who would prefer to run away and live a quiet life can nevertheless become a hero. No matter how scared or fragile they might be, they are always capable of doing their damnedest to fight back.

Jean is continually tempted away from this bloody path of the hero. He is tempted to join the Military Police and live in the Interior, to not kill another human being, to ignore the Rumbling and enjoy peace at last, to not kill Eren and his other former comrades. But every time, he has managed to triumph over those fears. And the greatest of those is the fear of death.

In his character’s flagship moment, Jean trembles as he declares his decision to join the Survey Corps. He’s terrified, because he knows that decision ultimately means death. But in protecting the lives of others, he has found something worth valuing beyond his own life.

The decision is not just made there, but continuously. The Rumbling was a potential ‘out’ for Jean. Had he stopped there, then, miraculously, his decision of certain death would have not cost him his life. 

But he did not stop, because then he could not enter Valhalla.

Lightning never strikes twice. Jean had a miracle offered to him on a plate and he turned it down. For his decision to carry any weight, the narrative could not have allowed him to survive this battle as well. It is essential that Jean made the choice not just to fight, but to die for the greater good. 

As Connie reminds him, that was the decision he made at the entrance ceremony, and that is the decision he has continued to uphold.

Yet, in contrast to the trembling Jean from back then, look how at peace he is in his last moments. He’s calm because he’s made this decision twice now. He is dying ‘as a member of the Survey Corps’, the fate he knew was inevitable after signing up for not just one, but two suicide missions. He has not betrayed Marco by backing out halfway through. By fighting to the bitter end like Marco did, he has earned the right to stand alongside him in Valhalla.

As for Connie, if you look closely you can see tears in his eyes. Part of this is because he has always been prone to tears, but he must also feel the bitter sting of irony in facing the same fate as Ragako village: the tragedy that has haunted him throughout the series.

Horrifying enough to think of. But despite facing the worst fate he can imagine, somehow, Connie shares in Jean’s sense of peace and playfully berates him for making him care about the world beyond himself. This is because Connie, too, is proud to die as a member of the Survey Corps.

Connie is another of the series’ ‘normal’ people - he joins the military for the common goal of making his family proud. Like Jean, he must fight his insular inclinations - a happy life with his family - to walk the hero’s path and join the Survey Corps, kill other humans, resist the Rumbling, and kill Eren and his old comrades.

But after the titanisation of his family, the betrayal of countless friends, and the death of the person closest to him, Connie is tempted to abandon this path which has cost him so much. He wants to stop being righteous and just be a normal idiot again - someone who values their own comfort over the lives of strangers.

So Connie is offered his own ‘out’ through Falco, and almost takes it. By resurrecting his mother, Connie could return to the family life he really wants, even if it would sabotage an alliance with Reiner and doom all life beyond the Walls.

But thanks to Armin’s intervention, Connie stops himself. He reaffirms his commitment to the righteous path, as Jean does in the very same chapter.

Both Connie and Jean sacrifice the peaceful lives they’ve always wanted in order to protect people other than themselves and their loved ones. Connie can share in Jean’s sense of peace when the time comes because he has already placed the hero’s path ahead of his personal desires. The moment he condemned his mother to titanisation for the sake of the greater good, he was willing to meet that same fate himself.

In choosing the self-sacrificial path of the Survey Corps over his own desires, Connie makes the decision Erwin made - and the decision Eren could not make.

Connie turned down his ‘out’. He could have avoided the death sentence of joining the Survey Corps just like Jean, but he decided to uphold his oath instead.

That moment made his death inevitable, as well as his entry into Valhalla. Although he jokingly complains, his pride at having the job of ‘saving humanity’ is clear. He has become a soldier his mother could be proud of.

They die as members of the Survey Corps, doing what the SC have always done - entrusting their comrades to make their sacrifice mean something.

The efforts of Jean and Connie may have led to their deaths, but it was only because of their actions that their comrades were able to save the world. By overcoming their individual weaknesses and desires, these two ordinary people now rank among the most special and indispensable people in existence.

In contrast to Keith’s earlier pessimism, special people aren’t born that way. They become that way through continuous struggle, sacrifice, and force of will. 

That’s why ordinary people like Jean and Connie are now worthy of entry into Valhalla. They stand next to the countless other ordinary people in the Survey Corps whose personal sacrifices led up to the outcome for which they had always fought: the salvation of mankind.

They dedicated their hearts to humanity.

[equallyloyalandlethal]

Thiam Drabble #6

What’s Enough?

The air around Theo thickened as he stepped back from the hospital bed, hands curling into white-knuckled fists at his side. He hated being here. Everything was clinically sterile, but the sharp  smell and fear that couldn’t be washed out or masked just due to the sheer volume saturating every inch of the building. 

“I’m—I’m sorry. I'm not who you need,” he said, shaking his head again.

This whole situation was his fault. He knew it, and so did everyone else. Everyone except Liam. Stupid, infuriating, forgiving Liam who rivaled Scott’s tendency for seeing the better side of people. This should have finally woken Liam up enough for the wolf to tell him to fuck off and put the kibosh on whatever this thing was between them. Unfortunately, he overestimated the level of rationality he was capable of. That and and Liam’s engrained stubbornness far exceeded what Theo could talk around with the state his animals were in. 

The coyote was still screaming for blood, itching to track down the idiot who landed the blows and rend him limb from limb, while his wolf wanted nothing more than to plant himself next to Liam and not move again. They were ripping him in two in a way he hadn’t felt for a long time. Merging their desires wasn’t hard, most of the time. Survival was the coyote’s main instinct, which was easy enough to twist around when he needed to. The wolf was harder. Those instincts screamed about pack and connection louder than anything else. Before he was thrown in Hell he could manipulate it well enough. But since then… 

He huffed, dreaded the moment both of them got on the same page, what with his self-control reserves at an all time low.

"But you're who I want. Isn't that enough?” Liam’s question was so quiet, he wouldn’t have thought he had said it at all if he wasn’t in the room. 

 He shrank back a step, turning his head away as his eyes started to prickle. Where was the chimera that murdered his friends without a care, who schemed his way into a pack by breaking up a lifelong friendship? Hot tears gathered at the corner of his eyes, damn near burning his skin the longer he let them sit there. Wiping them away would mean acknowledging them, which he was not about to do. He had a reputation to maintain. 

“Theo scrunched his face, hating the sharp sourness  leeching into Liam’s scent, his chest clenched, like a vise-grip was tightening around, knowing he caused the hurt. “Besides, it��s not like I ever really belonged here anyway.”

“Wait.” Liam sat up so abruptly Theo cringed internally at the thought of how the stitches had to have pulled. “You’re leaving?”

The way his voice nearly broke, straining to get the words out before the pain and fear overtook the ability, made Theo flinch. This was supposed to keep Liam from being hurt, not make it worse. It’s all I’m good at, he grumped to himself, teeth grinding. It didn’t matter how much he changed in Hell, he would never be good or even good enough. Failure was the name of his game, and there was no changing it. 

 “Yes,” he said as he forced his head to turn and lifted his eyes.

Regret zinged through him as Liam met his gaze. Instead of the rough, volatile anger he was ready to battle against, he found soft brows and pained, glassy eyes. He took a breath to steady himself, only to be gut-punched by the sharp tang of Liam’s pain. 

Tears rolled down both their cheeks. 

“Theo, please—”

“You almost died because I’m a freak of nature, because I couldn’t step up, because I—” He grimaced as words caught in his throat, hating how it let him think about the words that nearly flew out of him. 

Silence stretched between them, grating at his nerves more than the tears he couldn’t stop. His wolf and coyote were howling in unison, damn near screaming their want for the human version of sunshine laying in the hospital bed. He couldn’t listen to them, not this time, not after the woods.

“The best thing I can do is leave,” he said, turning to the door.

“That’s absolute bullshit,” Liam snapped, the growl in his words making Theo stop and look back at him. “You’re afraid and you’re running the other direction, just like with the Ghost Riders.”

He bit at the inside of his lips, trying to stop himself from back sliding the small distance he had managed to put between them. The hurt puppy-dog eyes Liam was giving him were decidedly not helping his resolve in the slightest. 

“You put on a brave face, convincing everyone you’re happy on your own, but the truth is you’re terrified of any emotional connection.” Liam paused as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, wincing and letting out a near inaudible squeak.

“Get back in bed before Melissa tranqs you.” Theo meant to say it as a threat, but the awkward tightness in his throat made it sound more like he was pleading.

As usual, Liam threw caution to the wind, white-knuckling the bed as he stood, never dropping his eyes from Theo’s. “Do you even know what love feels like?”

He couldn’t stop the snarl that ripped from him as his eyes flashed gold. Of course he knew! That’s why this whole mess was killing him. If he didn’t, nothing would have changed. Everything he was now started with that stupid emotion.

“When would I have had the chance to learn about it, huh? Between them shoving needles in my arms and opening my chest over and over and over again? When they praised my initiative for tearing out a failing chimera’s throat for the first time with no prompting? After I lied to yet another kid they conned into their clutches and told them it’d all be okay, despite the stench of death leaking out along with their black blood?”

His heart tightened at the memory of the sweet little girl, too young and innocent for such a wretched end. It was the only time his sister’s heart roared to life in all his years with the Doctors. She was so gentle. Too much so. 

A roaring snarl ripped out of Theo as he shoved away her last moments, ignoring how his scar burned where her tiny fingers had grazed the skin. “I think I’m in love with you, but I’m not good enough. I never will be,” he said, turning away again. “And that sc—” He stumbled over the word, grinding his teeth, fighting against finishing the sentence. “It terrifies me, okay? It makes me shit bricks every time you go near a fight and paralyzes me when I think about losing you because I don’t want to go back to classic Theo but I don’t know how else I’d survive without you.” 

For a moment he stood there, frozen. Those words had barely been given shape as thoughts. They weren’t supposed to leap out so readily! He shrank back, arms cinched across his chest like he could hold himself together through sheer force of will as he fought against his shoulders rolling forward. 

He jerked back, claws and fangs dropping in a blink, as something touched his cheek. Luckily his head caught up in time to not rip through the already injured Liam standing right in front of him. Right in front, less than an arm’s length between them, with a soft smile he only ever saw once directed at someone that was definitely not him. 

“Li—”

“No talking. Just listen, okay?” Liam moved his thumb to sit on Theo’s lips, effectively silencing the chimera. “I don’t care what you think of yourself, you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. You came back from so much trauma, shit that most people won’t even experience a sliver of in their whole lives, and you’ve been trying to do better every single day since I brought you back. There’s not a person alive, or dead, that I could ever feel safer with or more in love with than you, Theo.”

One second stretched into two, silent except for their erratic heartbeats. For once, his head was as quiet as the room, no instincts screaming at him to act differently. Instead, his inner wolf was damn near purring, overjoyed at the warm hand on his cheek, and the coyote was begrudgingly admitting that it agreed with this turn of events. Of all the times for you two to agree, he huffed, slowly closing his eyes and leaning into Liam’s touch. 

Even he couldn’t argue how right it felt, but that didn’t mean his stomach knotted itself any less or the tremors in his hand subsided in the least. Letting positivity in had yet to end well for him or anyone else involved, and Liam was a positive in his life. The most positive thing, actually. The man was sunshine incarnate, just like that stupid princess movie he made them watch the other day. If whoever she was could help a shifty, no-good thief redeem themselves, maybe he could trust his sunshine to do the same.

Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28894329

[captaintroi]

Why Hate Other Ship Fans....and by Extension the Actors???!!!

I’ve read comments recently on haters attacking specific ships they disagree with, and even the actors.  I have seen the evidence myself.   I came into this debate late because I originally watched the show for the sister’s relationship which I always found so touching.   I noticed the incredible chemistry between Melissa and Katie, but didn’t really scrutinize the queerbaiting that started to creep into their scenes until much later, re-watching the show.  I was a Karamel fan and still like Mon El, although I agree their attempt at trying to portray a redeemed character worthy of Supergirl was just sloppy and they ruined any potential.  I also think the writers inability to avoid the queerbaiting basically put the nail in the coffin of Karamel.  Reason being if you are going out of your way to queerbait and highlight the relationship and growing closeness with Kara and Lena, and continue to build up the compelling, kindhearted world saving genius.....well how is any character going to compete with that???  I do think Chris Wood has great comedic timing and I found him funny, I loved the cute clueless alien scenes, and there is no doubt he and Mel had chemistry, but it was too late because they had already introduced in Lena a character unmatched.  Anyway I digress.....the point I am trying to make without rambling too much, is I cannot understand the need to hate on a particular group of people simply because you disagree with their choice of a ship.....and it certainly is not the actor’s fault.  

I have never seen such hate directed at a group like what SC shippers have to endure!   The level of hate is so ridiculous that antis even feel the need to spend time and money on bots to outvote SC on online polls, spend time and energy putting up fake profiles trying to frame the SC fans (this is fact I myself uncovered a few), and go to the lengths of sending hate to the actors in an attempt to further frame.  Those are the true crazies, but there are also just the haters who are easily identified by their profiles because the entire page is usually nothing but hate and memes attacking the particular individual playing the role they despise.  If that describes you maybe its time to reflect.  I cannot say myself I do not dislike the character of William, but I do recognize it’s just a badly thought out character, logic dictates the actor is innocent and people should refrain from sending him any negativity.  Same with people attacking Chris or Katie because they dislike the shippers.....ridiculous and childish.  

With SC the hate is out of control because it’s driven by homophobia, end of story.  The level of hate is evidence of small bigoted minds that cannot handle any logic attributed to seeing and recognizing the queerbaiting. The fact that non-shippers to industry writers alike have pointed out the blatant scenes with romantic parallels in music and dialogue, is something the homophobes, and individuals with anti agendas cannot admit to.  Thankfully the number of people without an agenda who not only sympathize but notice the obvious, is actually growing.....a fact CW should consider.  The issue of hate is something ANYONE wishing this show to continue should carefully consider, when interacting with other fans and particularly the actors or show-runners. Sadly I have to admit I do feel the show-runners have inadvertently contributed to much frustration due to what can only be interpreted as small mindedness. Having said that, I would never send them hate, it achieves nothing in the end and would make me part of the problem their writing decisions have created.  It is normal and understandable to feel frustrated with bad writing and it’s human to feel passionate about a subject important to us......but the line to hate should not be crossed.  Frustration is logical if it stems from seeing what is insulting.....like the queerbaiting.  

To the homophobes who spend every waking hour trying to come up with ways to insult, attack, undermine, frame, and generally diminish Supercorp and fans.....you really for the sake of your mental health, should ask yourself this question......WHY IS THIS SUCH A NEED????   Hate is in fact undermining the very show you are so passionate about!  So consider your actions when interacting with others. 

[aspoonofsugar]

Statements like "think for yourself, a little" or " an undoubting slave who only ever followed orders". These are such problematic statments for mikasa's character that I am worried whether isyama will be able to address them properly. Eren calling mikasa a slave, can't be justified in any way. She has to kill him because slaves are freed only by killing their masters. Why he did that doesn't matter because his words can't be taken back. Idk what yams is doing with mikasa...

Is it even remotely possible for eren to find the scarf? I find the theories of lousie being a yeagerist means eren will get the scarf through her or something totally ridiculous. Putting aside my own biases, logically it doesn’t seem plausible because eren is far outside the walls. How on earth could lousie end in his way? And why would mikasa take it back when she left it herself. Her taking it back after talking to eren might make some sense but not now right?            

Hello anons!

These asks can be answered together.

As  both @hamliet and @linkspooky said here and here Armin’s anger this chapter had nothing to do with Mikasa and all to do with himself. Eren as well is clearly lying when he says he hates Mikasa and the whole argument about Ackermans being slaves makes no sense when compared with past information about how the clan’s powers work. These two lines are nonetheless important for Mikasa’s character because the story is clearly asking her to become more independent. She must stop following others and become a person who leads.

Mikasa is one of the strongest people in the manga and she has been shown to be able to inspire others. What is more, she is also the descendant of the leader of an important clan in another country. This grants her the chance to build connections with said country. However, so far she has not properly capitalized on these abilities because all in all what Mikasa wants is simply to be with her loved ones. This is not wrong, but the current situation is asking her to focus on the bigger issue. This is also why she is refused support by her two most important people. It is not really that she acted in a way which wronged them (If anything it is the other way around), but the point is that she can’t keep tricking herself into thinking they will come up with the right answer.

It is also interesting that in both their explosions of anger Eren and Armin claim to be defending two things which have always been two of their most celebrated strong points. As a matter of fact Eren’s love for freedom is what made him so inspiring to others (but interestingly not to Mikasa), while Armin’s ability to see the bigger picture is what he has always been praised for. However, in chapter 112 and in this chapter Eren and Armin sound hypocritical. Eren talks of freedom and treats his two best friends as prisoners, while Armin talks about the bigger picture, but ignores the elephant in the room Eren is.

In short, both Eren and Armin lash out on Mikasa as a consequence of the struggle they are currently going through and this as a result has consequences on Mikasa’s arc as well. This is natural because Mikasa is a character who is mostly focused on her loved ones and who has built a support group despite the tragedy she faced twice as a child. However, now that this support is in a crisis she will need to step up and to become more active herself.

In short, Mikasa is no slave and she has never been. She has chosen to protect Eren up until now of her own free will and she will choose to enter in a conflict with him on her own free will as well. She has literally nothing to prove to him because she was no slave of him to begin with and this is something Eren himself deep down knows. If Mikasa will kill Eren it won’t be to free herself, but because a result of her freedom. As a matter of fact one of the main point explored by snk is that freedom is painful and scary. Freedom is choosing for yourself even when you literally have no way of knowing if your choice will have good or bad consequences. Freedom is choosing something even when there are apparently no good choices. It is not by chance that at the beginning of the story we have a peaceful, but stagnant world inside of the walls and a savage, dangerous world which is also rich of possibilities outside. The point of freedom is that it is not something one reaches, but something they exercise through their choices. In Mikasa’s case her free will will lead her to reach a specific conclusion about Eren and this conclusion won’t be decided by what Eren said in a speech made so that he could hurt her. It will be decided by Mikasa thinking about who Eren has been and is to her and also about the consequences Eren’s actions will have on the world.

This is also why I don’t think the scarf will reach Eren in a roundabout way tbh (other than for the fact Eren is currently in the paths and closed inside the biggest titan ever). It is because in the end the scarf has to do with Mikasa and not with him. Mikasa is the one who chose to put the scarf away temporally and this is symbolic of her starting to look at her relationship with Eren in a more critical way.  This is also why she has to decide what to do with the scarf herself just like she has to choose what to do with Eren by herself. Currently external agents (Luise) has taken the scarf away exactly like external events are preventing her to arrive to a conclusion about her feelings about Eren. It is probable that a confrontation with Luise who is basically a younger version of herself will help her to reach a conclusion about Eren as well.

I also wonder if the scarf in relation to Luise is going to be symbolic of something else. I have been talking again and again of how basically the yeagersists keep talking about offering their hearts, but ironically lack a heart to offer. By that I mean that they took the SC’s ideals without understanding them and they turned them into a superficial ideology.

In Luise’s case, however, the SC’s ideology has a specific meaning:

It is partially what the scarf is to Mikasa. As a matter of fact Mikasa saved Luise like Eren saved Mikasa. Eren gave MIkasa warmth in the shape of the scarf, while Mikasa gave Luise pride and an ideal in the form of the soldiers’ gesture. However, what Luise deeply wants is not really an ideology, but it is a relationship with Mikasa. However, all her attempts so far have failed. In other words, Luise stealing the scarf can very well be seen as a misguided way of expressing her wish for a deeper relationship with Mikasa. At the same time the warmth represented by the scarf is specifically the humanity the yeagersists are currently lacking in their rhetoric and which the old SC had.

In short, it is possible that a confrontation between Mikasa and Luise might make so that Luise acquires this humanity and possibly redeems herself, while Mikasa might realize that she herself has managed to save a person and to inspire her just like Eren did with her.

In short, I don’t think the scarf needs to reach Eren because ultimately he doesn’t need to face a scarf, but Mikasa herself. Having the scarf reach Eren in a roundabout way and having it have some kind of effect on him will simply make Mikasa’s agency useless and since her arc is about agency among other things I don’t think it is going to happen.

Finally I would like to add that as  @momtaku states Mikasa is not really going to retrieve her scarf, but simply passes by and sees that it is not there anymore.

Thank you for the asks!

[gohyuck]

into it - m.l.

some of the lowest parts of your senior year with mark, and one of the highest

warnings, a/n, etc. under the cut <3

wc: 6.3k

warnings: school, misuse of prescription medicine, windrawal, angst (dw it ends fairly happy i would say), uhhh some smutty themes. maybe. there’s no actual smut in this it just gets close ig

a/n: this is literally just me projecting onto mark mixed with some other stories from other competitive schools from around me - if anyone wants to talk about how shitty school is with me they’re free too! i’m a slave to gpa. yeet. i think i might’ve projected onto the reader too please don’t @ me...

description should’ve been “in which mark is the author and the reader is the author and the author is barely a person”

idk this fic seems kinda pointless but . anyways

anyways enjoy <3

song: into it - chase atlantic

Yeah I've been catching planes for the fun of it Then I'll be watching fame turn to punishment The weather's only sunny when I'm under it And I haven't really changed, yeah I'm just confident

33 school days until Graduation

Living fire begets cold, impotent ash.

Mark can’t help but reread the line once. Twice. Thrice. 

He’s studying to distract himself. That, and he’s studying because he needs to, but mostly, it’s a distraction. 

From what? 

He’s trying not to think about it. 

A small part of Mark wonders why he’s rereading Things Fall Apart. While it’s definitely one of the better school-assigned books he’s been forced to dissect - Chinua Achebe knows how to make a point - its attractiveness diminishes every time he opens it again to page one. 

The first time he’d read it, Mark had been captivated without his special little boost. The main character, while terrible, was too relatable - Mark isn’t a fan of failure, either. 

The second time was to study for the 60 question test on the novel. It was less interesting this time around, but Mark still diligently annotated it, spending three days with his eyes glued to the page and fingers cramping around his lucky pencil. Every time he closed his eyes, Achebe’s land of Umuofia appeared. It was there when he opened his eyes, too. 

The third time was to find evidence to use in his analysis essay on what type of hero Okonkwo is. At this point, all that Mark was sure of was that Okonkwo sure as hell wasn’t his hero. Still, Mark typed until his fingers felt raw. 

The 97 scrawled across the top of his printed copy, returned a week later with a slightly smeared red smiley face alongside it, had made it worth it. The knowledge his teacher disclosed to him after class while gushing over his word choice - that nobody in the grade had scored higher than him - doubled his (short-lived) satisfaction. 

Now, Mark’s eyes are laser-focused on the novel in front of him. Their teacher had mentioned in passing that there would be a couple of questions pulled from the book on the last test of the marking period, and he can’t afford to miss anything on the test. He’s got a 98 in the class, and the idea of it dropping makes him squirm. 

It’s nearing 3 am, and he’s desperately wishing that he’d opted to stay at home and study rather than go skateboarding with Jeno and Jisung right after school.  He chides himself on not considering the opportunity cost (God, he’s even thinking in economics now. Economics. Fuck.) before going out. Reaping rewards before sowing them has never worked before - there’s no reason it would’ve today, either. 

There are about four bags of Cheez-Its, a half gallon of water, and 20 milligrams of Adderall lying at the bottom of his stomach. He’s kind of hungry, but he can’t be made to give two shits. Mark tells himself that he can eat later. He hasn’t had dinner yet. It’ll be a reward for finishing the book. 

Mark’s phone buzzes. Once. Twice. Thrice. He pays it no mind. He’s getting nearer and nearer to the end of the novel, and once he finishes he can let himself go for the night. Calculus is done, as well as French, Physics, and Economics (fucking Economics). There’s nothing in his other classes. He’s got swim practice after school, but there’s no way for him to prepare for that. At least - he hasn’t found one yet. 

I'm just fucking lucky I was born with it A hundred million people couldn't deal with this I've been tryna grow cause people kill for it This mental pressure got me popping pills and shit

“Have you considered sleeping early and waking up early to study?”

You don’t answer with a hello when he calls you back - you never have and never will. It’s 4:14 in the morning and you know that Mark’s calling you back now because he’s finished everything. There’s probably Adderall still in his system and a crease in his forehead from worrying that it still isn’t enough studying or time devoted. 

“Good morning to you, too.” Mark’s voice is low, lower than usual. It’s the lack off sleep, you know this. You shouldn’t find the huskiness in it attractive, but you do. It’s one of the less fucked up side-effects of the stress both him and you put yourselves through. 

“Would be if I wasn’t up at ass o’clock in the morning.”

“Hey - be proud of me. At least I have it in me to work hard like this. The way we’re both going, if we don’t die before college, we can get full rides to the fucking Ivies and end up some crazy millionaire couple on the front of Time magazine. Making 40 million before 40.”

“I love it when you maladaptive daydream to me, babe. Really gets me going.”

Mark chuckles at this, and you hear a rustling sound in the background on his end. He’s putting all of his things into his backpack for tomorrow, you guess. You’re right. 

“And I am proud of you.” You continue, knowing that he’s listening, probably with his phone tucked between his shoulder and ear as he tidies up his desk. He can’t put you on speaker - both of you shudder to think what will happen if either of your parents find out that you’re up at dawn, talking to the significant other neither of you are allowed to have. They think you’re both just best friends - two kids too wrapped up in school to have the time to date, anyways. “But, I think you’re nuts. I think I’m nuts. You’re worse, but... anyways. I’m proud of you, but you never call me back this late. It’s usually a “ttyl�� text, or some shit. What’s wrong?”

The line goes silent. He’s stopped moving altogether on his end. 

He sighs. It’s heavy, and kind of empty, and you immediately know that he’s already cried this out. You wait.

This is what he’d been trying to distract himself from with Things Fall Apart. 

“My rank dropped.”

On impulse, you wince in response. The first semester ranks your school had given out not a week earlier are your and Mark’s second to last ranks as seniors - there’s only one semester left to redeem yourself if you fuck up. Even though college applications have been submitted for months and acceptances are about to start coming out, you know that falling still aches.

Top 10% of your class get recognized. Top 10 get special honors and get to walk first. Valedictorian and Salutatorian get to give speeches, five minute pieces that will be forgotten by everyone but them the next day. You’ll all be free for three months before starting the best and worst years of your lives. 

Graduation day is the focus now, as it has been since the first day of ninth grade. You’ve managed to stay well within the top 5%, to your own merit, but Mark’s always been in the top 10 - with walking honors. 

At least, up until last week. 

He’d been 10th at the end of Sophomore year, and now, apparently, he isn’t. 

You can’t begin to imagine how he feels. 

“How much?”

“Two. My GPA went up a wholeass .1, though.” He’s looking for the bright side by himself, now. It’s progress from last year. A part of you is glad. The other half of your heart aches. 

Before you can convey this, or even begin to formulate a response, Mark continues speaking. “I’ve been trying to remind myself that other people would kill to be 12th.” He inhales sharply. “Fuck.”

“And you’d kill to not. You’re killing yourself to not.” 

“I -”

“Mark.”

“I’m fine, baby.” His petname sounds forced, as if he can’t believe his own words. “I’m lucky, I have a good memory. You know this. I don’t work myself nearly as hard as you think I do, or as I should be.” 

“So you don’t pop pills all the damn time so you can study a week’s worth of material in a night?”

Your voice is tight - you’re no stranger to work and overwork, but Mark is on another plane. It feels like he’s so far gone, sometimes, that you can’t touch him. He’s on the other end of the line, but he’s a million miles away.

He lets a puff of air pass through his lips. Seconds tick by. 

Mark breaks the silence.

“It’s getting late. We have class in a few hours. I’ll pick you up at 8?”

You blink. Your anger at him, at the system, and, for almost no reason you yourself can discern, at yourself, wanes just slightly. It really is late - early - and, as if your body realizes this only after Mark says it, you yawn. Mark hears it clearly, letting a small smile grace his features for a split second because of it.

“Night.” It’s short and sweet, but he’s always been able to tell how much you love him. At this point, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you say.

“Night.” His response is just as succinct. “Love you.”

“Love you, too.” 

He called, so he hangs up - it’s been your system since the eighth grade. It’s worked surprisingly well for four years.

You wish everything was as easy as who gets to hang up. 

After plugging your phone into its charger and turning into your blanket, you stifle another yawn. Before sleep finds you, you can’t help but whisper it into existence, your words muttered into your pillow for whatever higher power finds them-

Let him Be. He deserves it. Let him Be. He works so, so fucking hard. Let him Be.

Your thoughts are muddled, but that’s because it’s nearing 4:45 in the morning. You aren’t even entirely sure of what you’re saying. For what feels like the millionth time, you wonder how you’ll be able to get up in time for school within 3 hours. You wonder how Mark will do it. A part of you hopes that he forgets to set his alarm and gets the sleep he so desperately needs and deserves. 

He’s leaning against his car, scrolling through something on his phone when you open your door. You don’t bother checking the time. It’s about 7:54. You’d checked your grades about five minutes ago at 7:48. You’re wearing his favorite sweatshirt - the blue swim team one that’s too small on him and too big on you (it’s his damn shoulders, and that’s the only reason why). He appreciates your outfit, checking to make sure that your parents aren’t outside and leaning across the center console to slip his cold hands under the sweatshirt while finding your lips with his own to show you the extent of this appreciation. 

It isn’t until you pull away from him to see that it’s 8:02 that he shifts to Drive, though not before sending you a smirk while buckling his seat-belt and checking his mirrors. 

You check your calendar. 

32 school days ‘til Graduation. 

But I'm into it, I'm into it Say she wanna fuck me later Girl I'm into it, I'm into it, I'm into it This mental pressure got me popping pills and shit But I'm into it, I'm into it

25 school days until Graduation

You see it as a well-deserved break. You aren’t quite sure what Mark thinks. A distraction? You hope not. You’re more than just a distraction. You should be, at least. 

There’s not much time to mull this unpleasant thought over, though, as he teasingly nips at the sensitive skin of your inner thigh. One of your hands flies to his hair, while the other keeps you sitting up in his bed while you’re still leaning back. One of his hands is on your thigh, while the other is splayed across your stomach, hiking your camisole up. His shirt is off - it has been for a while. There’s hickeys dotting his collarbone. 

If your mind was working, you’d be admiring your handiwork. 

“Your underwear’s still on,” He moves back slightly so his eyes meet yours, your fingers still entangled in strands of dark brown hair. His lips are red from kissing you earlier. You know for sure that your pupils are blown as wide as his are. “Can I change that?” Mark’s fingers are running over the elastic waistband that separates him from your skin. 

You blink. You swallow.

A voice in the back of your mind begs you to say yes, begs you to guide his head back to where you want his mouth. You haven’t fucked him in weeks, it whispers. If you don’t now, it’ll be even longer.

“Mark,” His name comes out as more of a whine that you expect. He dips his head down, pressing a chaste kiss on your knee.

“Hm?”

You’re this close - this close - to begging him. You can practically feel him on top of you - inside you - already.

Until, of course, your logic prevails.

“Mark,” You say his name again, without the rawness this time. His gaze bores into yours, awaiting your response. 

“Calc.”

Mark stays on his knees for a moment, and in that moment he seems hesitant to move. That’s dangerous - if he stays down any longer, you’ll beg him to continue. 

Thankfully, he presses one last, reverent kiss over your underwear before pushing himself up off of the floor. You’re still holding your breath. 

“I can’t believe I just got cock-blocked by math.” He grins at you, not perturbed. Mark’s nothing if not respectful. He tosses you your shorts before beckoning you back over to the floor beside his desk. 

Mark sits down, cross-legged, in front of you, but not before handing you your math notebook and grabbing his own. Your calculus textbook goes between the two of you.

“We can rain check.” You say. He quirks an eyebrow. 

It’s hot. He’s hot. 

You imperceptibly shake your head - you’re still flustered, and would give anything to be underneath your boyfriend. The only reason you aren’t is because your math grade depends on you acing tomorrow’s calculus test. 

“Come again?” Mark knows what you said - his teasing ass just wants to hear it again. You know what he wants to hear. 

“I want you to fuck me later.” You look him in the eyes, pleased to see a hint of a blush. Sometimes you miss the early stages of your relationship - where Mark had been constantly tripping over his own feet and as red as a fire hydrant. You’d been the smoother one, then. 

One corner of Mark’s mouth turns up, and he leans over the textbook to give you a short kiss. 

“I’m into that.” 

I'm getting way too deep I'm fucking into it I'm into it, yeah I'm into it I wouldn't change it for the world I'm fucking into it

He pulls a pill bottle from a box he keeps in the bottom right drawer of his desk. It’s where he stores everything important to him - polaroids of him and you together, his calendar, the swim team schedule and his list of swim times, his phone charger, his planner... and his Adderall. 

Mark takes his typical dosage into the palm of his hand, swallowing the pills dry. He moves to put the pill bottle back. It’ll be some time before it kicks in, but the rest of the day is ahead of both of you. 

He always takes some before studying, but never asks you to. It’s not something he wants for you. You’ve never asked, too - it’s not something you want for yourself. 

Your tongue feels like sandpaper, though, and every breath you take makes it feel as if there’s more lead in your lungs than air. Your math grade flashes through your mind. You need to ace the test for your grade and, by extension, your sanity. 

“Babe.” Without being fully aware of yourself, you place your hand on top of his. Neither of you will move from the floor in...hours. You’re sure of this. You may as well make the absolute most of it. 

“Give me some.”

I’ve been on the road since I was sixteen They don’t really notice I how I see things These girls they come and go between my bedsheets And I’ve been doing blue and causing big scenes, yeah

17 school days until Graduation

"Remember when we were sixteen?”

“Like... last year? Yeah.”

You turn over onto your side to face your boyfriend, only to find your nose in his bare chest. Mark chuckles. He moves back, allowing you to shift so that you’re face to face with him. 

“Fifteen and sixteen, at least. For sophomore year. Do you remember any of sophomore year?”

“Less depression.” His hard words come out soft, paired with an even softer smile. Mark wraps an arm around your waist, pulling your body into his. Skin on skin. “Less getting laid, too.”

“Shut up,” You’re smiling now, too. The melancholy presses against your thoughts.

“I was talking about the less depression part, actually.”

“What about it?” Mark seems and sounds slightly antsier, all of a sudden. 

As he always does when you bring up things he might not want to hear. 

“Nothing big, just like... don’t you miss it? Going out sometimes and actually feeling like highschoolers?”

“We went to libraries, babe, and to the mall like every couple of months. It wasn’t anything special.”

“It was easier, though.” You bury your face in the crook of his neck, breathing in. His skin is warm - you aren’t surprised. “No drugs and shit.”

Mark pulls away from you, very, very slightly. 

“Adderall isn’t a drug.” His voice is adamant. The speed of his switch from soft to rough is almost alarming. “You’ve had it once. You aren’t addicted.” 

You sigh, choosing not to respond. You’re too fucked out to fight him. Instead, you run the pads of your fingers over his collarbone. 

“No, but I’m addicted to you.”

Pull up and I’m higher than the big trees, yeah She don’t really like it but she needs me, yeah She saying she don’t really miss me But fuck it, now I’m faded after all things, yeah

12 school days until Graduation

“I can’t fucking believe you.” 

He pauses his notes to look up at you, taking in how your eyes are flashing. Your voice is controlled, but the fire in your eyes is unrivaled. The pill bottle is on its side - empty. The last time you’d seen it, which had been the last time you’d thought you’d ever see it, there had been one dosage left. A dosage that you’d been led to believe had ended up being flushed. 

You aren’t mad that he lied - at least, you think you aren’t. You’re mad that he, for the first time in years, broke a promise. 

Mark is unbothered by your tone. You’ll calm down eventually - whether its sooner or later makes no difference to him. Your boyfriend isn’t actually hearing you, anyways. It’s another reason as to why he isn’t really responding. His silence isn’t an invitation for you to continue, but it’s something nonetheless.

You take it.

“Ranks came out three days ago. You’re back in the top 10, Mark. You’re graduating in the top 10. We’re about to graduate, and you’re spending your time still fucking studying even when there’s only two weeks left of our senior year. You’re still on those goddamn pills when you promised me-”

“Just because I reached one goal doesn’t mean that everything else doesn’t matter anymore.” Short. You expected nothing else. 

“What’s everything else? What else is more important than your health? School? We’re pretty much done for three months. We don’t even have any fucking grades left to go in the grade book. We’re done, Mark. Senior year is over.”

He doesn’t respond for a beat of silence - two, three, four beats - fully focused on whatever is in front of him. It isn’t until you cease your pacing to stand directly behind him, hands on the back of his chair, that he even considers gracing you with a comment. 

“I’m looking over my times, trying to make a better workout regime so I can shed milliseconds.” Mark is straight with his words - he wants you to stop talking so he can politely ignore you. His shoulders are hunched into himself, his glasses digging into the bridge of his nose. The way he’s staring at the slightly crumpled time sheet in front of him makes you wonder if it’s possible to re-kill dead trees. 

“Your times are your lock screen.”

“So?”

“So- so? You always have them with you and you’re always looking at them, you don’t need Adderall to work on a workout schedule. You don’t need it at all, if I’m being fucking honest, and-”

He cuts you off for the second time in less than five minutes, his voice as sharp as a knife.

“You have no damn clue what I need.”

Your hands release his chair on reflex as you step back, everything about your body screaming that you’re offended. Mark pays this no heed, turning back to his desk.

It’s just one sentence, eight words, and part of you wants to argue. Part of you wants to bring up all of the times he’s leaned on you, the times you yourself have been exactly what he needs, but you know that that wouldn’t be playing fair. 

He’s gotten like this before, where he’s frozen everyone - frozen you - out without not so much as a thought. You’ve fought before, too, out of inevitability.

He’s never, however, been so blatant or blunt. Nothing he’s ever said before has hurt this much, for some reason. It’s jarring, and, before you know it, your throat is heavy. There are no tears pooling, but you know that they’ll come to you later. 

Without a word, you pick up your belongings. You’d worn one of his sweatshirts to his house, but opt to go home without it. 

Being petty can be subtle, after all. Mark deserves it, you think, anyways. 

You call a goodbye to his mother as you walk out the front door to your car. You make it to the end of his street before having to pull over and park, resting your forehead against the top of the steering wheel. A stray tear finds itself tracing a wellworn track down your face, leaving you to sigh. 

God, crying over a boy? Pathetic.

Your intrusive thoughts are screaming - laughing, hysterically, at your state. You dismiss them, willing yourself to think straight. 

Not just a boy, I’m crying over Mark. 

Sniffling, you beg yourself to get it together. Staying still can only lead to reminiscing over elementary school Mark, who promised you that he’d never leave your side (after, of course, you accidentally eating a worm and bursting into tears out of a fear of dying from it), to 8th grade Mark confessing his feelings for you in PE, moments before getting hit in the face by a particularly well-thrown dodgeball from Yukhei. Mark is as much a boyfriend as he is and almost always has been the most comforting and reliable presence in your life. With him so firmly, without a second thought, dismissing you...

You breathe in. Sharply.

It’s either drive home to avoid the reality of how much of a stronghold Mark has over your feelings or stay parked and traipse down memory lane, like, as you remind yourself, a goddamn pansy. A voice of reason tells yourself not to be harsh on yourself - you’ve known Mark for what? 12? 13? years and it’s normal to be hurt by him brushing you aside. A louder voice tells you to quit pitying yourself.

If Mark hurts himself mentally, you hurt yourself emotionally. 

Blinking away forming tears, you sit back and turn the ignition.  

5:53 pm

mark...us zusak 

>>did you get home safely

                                                                                      maybe<<

>>im glad

                                                                                          cool<<

6:12 pm

>>picking you up tmrw?

                                                                                          sure<<

>>ok

>>i’m really sorry

read 7:09 pm

But I’m into it, I’m into it Say she wanna fuck me later Girl I’m into it, I’m into it, I’m into it This mental pressure got me popping pills and shit

5 days until Graduation

You have to give him credit - after a somewhat teary but controlled argument in his car on the way to school, focused on why Mark really doesn’t need Adderall in his life, and on why he really doesn’t need to carry it with him to college, he really has tried giving it up. All seemed to be going well, even, for a couple of days.

You hadn’t realized how fast withdrawal would hit him. 

It isn’t as if either of you are wholly unprepared - you’ve both seen it happen to others. Adderall withdrawal can be dangerous, heightening both depression and anxiety. Even a slight dip in Mark’s mood has the inside of your mouth drying up. 

You can’t imagine what it feels like for him.

After all, neither of you are strangers to mental illness, but withdrawal is somewhere you can’t say you’ve been. 

Currently, Mark’s tongue is down your throat. The back of your mind screams at you that this is his way of dealing with withdrawal - by getting himself addicted to you. You know that this is the truth - that whatever he’s doing can end up being unhealthy for him - but you don’t have it in you to deny him as his fingers dip beneath the waistband of your jeans and his other hand makes its way under your shirt and bra. 

You can’t help the moans that escape you. 

The pads of his fingers are rough against the skin of your back as he unclasps your bra, pulling it off of you along with your shirt. In the same arc, you hastily pull his shirt over his head, unzipping his jeans not long after. 

It isn’t until you’re splayed out on your bed, eyes already fucked out before he’s even touched you, that Mark breathily asks if you’re sure. As he always does.  

A part of you wants to deny him - for his own good, you tell yourself. Maybe for your own. (Is it possible to get addicted to a person when you aren’t running away from something else?)

The other, larger part of you wants you to pull his head to yours - his lips to yours - by his neck with one hand, taking the condom out of his grip with the other and telling him that you can put it on him yourself. The other, larger part of you wants Mark everywhere, engraved into your skin and lingering on your body.

The other, larger part of you wants - needs - to say yes.

Majority rules. 

But I’m into it, I’m into it I’m getting way too deep I’m fucking into it I’m into it, yeah I’m into it I wouldn’t change it for the world I’m fucking into it

12 hours until Graduation

You find your head against Mark’s shoulder as the two of you recline on the patio’s couch, watching the two of your families interact your joint graduation party. There’ll be a bigger celebration after tomorrow’s ceremony with a bigger crowd, so you cherish the small gathering in your backyard for tonight. Graduation is tomorrow - it almost feels too damn good to be true. The stars are all out, fairy lights have been strung overhead to add to the festivities, there’s laughter rising up from every direction, Mark’s arm is welcome around your shoulders, and you find yourself thinking that you could get used to this. 

“You know, I’m glad that we’re going to college together.”

Mark’s voice brings you out of your thoughts, causing you to look up at him - albeit slightly sideways. You nod, unsure of what to say in response. You’re in agreement with him, of course - even though you’ve both had your ups and downs, a life without as much Mark in it as now is one that you don’t want to imagine. 

He’s been such a constant presence for so long that you’re almost incapable of remembering a time without him. The thought scares you as much as it fills you with love. 

Wow.

You really are starting another chapter in your life. In your lives.

A fresh start - Mark’s still going through withdrawal, and you’re well aware, and just because your high school education is over doesn’t mean that life is automatically easier, now. Still - the next three months and four years after that are something to look forward to, not fear.

You aren’t sure how to voice all of this just yet, opting instead to repeat your awe at high school having ended. 

“High school’s really all over, now. We never have to step back in that building again.”

Mark chuckles at your revelation, running his fingers through your hair absentmindedly.

“What about reunions?”

You roll your eyes at this, resting a hand on his chest momentarily before remembering that your parents aren’t aware of your relationship. Wriggling out of Mark’s grasp before inclining your head towards all four parents, you remain within a comfortable distance to him. He radiates warmth.  

“I’ll only go to them if you and our other friends do. Maybe.”

Mark grins. “Maybe I’ll drag you to them.”

“You wouldn’t.”

He smiles. “I wouldn’t. You’re all I need, anyways.”

“Hyuck? Renjun? Yeri? Jeno?”

“...You’re the one I need the most.”

“Glad to know that you’re an honest man, Mark Lee.” Your teasing tone makes your boyfriend laugh, and you’re hyperaware of how you could get used to this - smiley, lighthearted Mark. 

“Your roommate’s going to have fun with you.” He responds, nudging your shoulder with his. 

“Hey! I’m not the only one who’s a handful. Lucas? That’s your soon-to-be roommate’s name, right? Lucas has his work cut out for him. For his sake I hope you spend time outside of your dorm room.”

Mark grins as he presses his lips to your temple, simultaneously making sure that everyone else’s attention is elsewhere. He moves away as quickly as he’d kissed you, much to your mental chagrin. 

“What? You worried that I’ll leave you for him?” 

It’s your turn to nudge your boyfriend. Before you can respond, Mark’s mother’s voice cuts through the air. 

“Mark? (Name)? It’s time for the cake!” 

Mark gets up first, reaching his hand out to pull you up. 

“We’re coming!” You call, before turning to Mark with a half-grin on your face. “This isn’t over yet.”

Mark squeezes your hand before letting go of it.

“Can’t be over if you never started it.”

“Mark Lee!”

Girl I’m into it, I’m into it Say she wanna fuck me later Girl I’m into it I am into it, I am into it

conGRADs, Mark and (Name)!

The sign is both massive and incredibly cheesy, but the amount of happiness it gives you is immeasurable. It hangs over Mark’s front porch, visible from the other end of the street, and as you and Mark pass by them, any neighbors that are out make sure to congratulate you. 

You aren’t sure whether to laugh or cry. 

The two of you’d escaped the clutches of your overexcited parents a little bit over an hour prior, around 11, under the guise of taking a walk around the neighborhood to talk about your upcoming collegiate futures. That was how you’d ended the night, of course, but before that you’d both beelined to your house, wanting to sit and talk in your bedroom for the time being.  

Discussion of your coming lives had sputtered out after a while - after all, it’s all you’d both been talking about for years, now - and you’d wound up situated in Mark’s lap, laughing against his lips.

“We should have graduation night sex.”

His tone is matter-of-fact, so much so that you roll your eyes at his bluntness. “We’re going to have to get back eventually.”

“We have time!”

His laugh against your collarbone is enough to tell you that nothing’ll happen tonight, that time together will just be time together. Still, you can’t help but respond.

“Yeah, time enough at college. We’ll be out of the house in 3 months, baby.”

Mark wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you impossibly closer, pressing a chaste kiss to the junction of your jaw and neck. It tickles. 

“We won’t have to sneak around and shit, either.” You continue, lightly running your hand through his hair. 

“We didn’t sneak around much this year, anyways. Our parents are just oblivious as fuck.”

“True-” You feel your phone vibrate, causing you to squirm around to reach it for a moment before Mark pulls it from your back pocket and hands it to you, mirth in his eyes. You scrunch up your nose at him before answering - its your mom.

“Where are you?” She sounds slightly worried, so you’re quick to mention that you’re with Mark and near your house, both safe and sound.  

“Come back quickly - Mark’s cousins are planning on sleeping soon because they start their four hour drive back at 6 in the morning, and we don’t want them to miss their chance to say good night to him.” 

You reply with a quick “I’ll tell him - love you.” before she hangs up. Sliding off of Mark’s lap, you help him up.

“Did you hear what she said, or?”

“Yeah. Your call volume’s always been too loud.” 

“I, for one, like to think that it’s just loud enough, thanks.”

Mark grins, choosing to loop an arm around your waist instead of replying.

The moment the two of you step inside, careful not to stand too close to each other, you’re bombarded by exclaims from family and friends and family friends alike. It’s getting late, and people are starting to gather up their belongings. You yourself are staying the night, however - otherwise, Mrs. Lee would riot.

You don’t mind. 

You close the front door behind you, being pulled into the group of people the moment that you do. 

As Mark is dragged into the ending remarks of a conversation with his aunts about something that you can’t quite hear, your mother’s friend’s young daughter tugs you down to her level to congratulate you, shyly placing a pipe-cleaner flower - clearly made by her - behind your ear. 

You kiss her cheek before she runs away out of shyness, far quicker than you expect her to be able to. Laughing, you stand up, only to be pulled into a discussion about your plans for college with your parents and one of your uncles. 

You briefly make eye contact with Mark - who’s also been given a pipe-cleaner flower - once, winking at him discreetly before turning back to nod along to your uncle’s rant over how you shouldn’t push your passions under the rug for your profession. You don’t see your boyfriend make his way through the throng of people gathered in his foyer - most have started filtering out, leaving by foot or by car - until you feel his hand against the small of your back for a quick moment. 

He shakes your father’s hand and hugs your mother before introducing himself to your uncle, who knows of him but doesn’t know him. Time passes quicker with Mark by your side, and, before you know it, it’s 2 am and the only people left in Mark’s how are both of your direct families and your uncle, who’s staying at your house for the night. 

“You have everything? Toothbrush? Pajamas?”

You sigh, looking pointedly at your father. 

“I’m a college student!”

“Doesn’t mean that you’re responsible.” 

You and your dad grin together before you shake your head. Both of your parents and your uncle bid you and the Lees goodnight before Mark’s parents follow them outside, probably to continue talking for a little bit more. 

Mark closes the door behind them, turning to you immediately after only to find that you’re already halfway upstairs. He shakes his head affectionately before following you up to his room. 

“(Name), you did remember a toothbrush, right?”

“Yeah, but I forgot clothes.”

“I guess you’ll just have to sleep naked - ow!” Mark rubs the skin on his arm where you’d lightly smacked him. It doesn’t erase the playful grin from his face. “Fuck you, fine. You can borrow some pajamas, or something.” 

You laugh as you flop down onto his bed before humming inquisitively to yourself for a moment over a question you’ve been mulling over in your head for a short while. You know that summer’s just started, but you can’t help but wonder how it’ll go.

“What’s your plan for this summer? Other than getting ready for our courses and stuff.”

Mark furrows his brows at this while he strips, changing into shorts and a shirt before throwing you one of his longest shirts. You change as well, folding your clothes neatly and placing them on his desk chair to take home tomorrow. 

“I haven’t thought about it, honestly. Why?” Mark turns off the hallway lights and opens his door halfway - a rule his parents have for his bedroom door whenever you sleep over. It’s fair, you suppose, even if they don’t know that you’re together. Maybe it’s especially because they don’t know that you’re together. 

Mark turns off the light after laying his sleeping bag down on the floor, giving you the bed as always. 

Tomorrow, you’ll wake up on the floor next to him, also as always.   

“I was thinking...” 

“Yeah?”

You turn on your side to face your boyfriend in the dark.

“I was thinking that we could take a road trip.” 

A long silence follows your statement, and you begin thinking that you’ve made a mistake asking until, in the dark, you can see the faint outline of Mark’s smile.

“I’m free all summer, babe. Just tell me where and when.”

“For real?” 

The excitement in your voice is almost tangible, and you’re half embarrassed at how childish you must sound. Mark, to his merit, just nods while smiling.

He looks up at you, and, even in the dark, you can see the softness in his eyes.

“Yeah,” He pauses, grinning at you. 

“I’m into it.”

fin... for now?

im shit at endings but also this has been like...a month coming...i’m gonna come back and rewrite this someday but yeet enjoy.... i should’ve reread before posting but w/e 

[lethesomething]

Why Sousuke deserves everything

Ok, listen. I need one thing to happen in Dive to the Future, and that is for Sousuke to catch a friggin break. That is all I need. Swimming is nice, the cameos are nice, I'm happy to see all my faves back and being adorable but. BUT. Give Sousuke his arc. Let him find happiness and a future because so far you (KyoAni) have failed him.

What follows in my TED talk is a full breakdown  of the Free! Timeline (I don't even know man, it needs out) and why it has just been mean to Sousuke from the start.

Because that timeline goes far. It starts in friggin elementary school where (this is mostly from the ligh novel High Speed) Rin pretty much abandons Sousuke (and Gou, and his mom, - and Kisumi but no one cares about him) to go live with his gran in Iwatobi so he can go to school with Mako and Haru, and to their swim club, because he 'finally found a guy he wants to swim relays with'. I have a picture of baby Sousuke's face when Rin tells him that he found a team he wants to be part of.

‘Bitch, I thought I was your best friend.’ (Sousuke, probably)

So baby Rin bursts onto the scene in Iwatobi Elementary, and drags the other two (and Nagisa) into a relay by talking about teams and the importance of friendship. And Rin being Rin, he makes an impact, upsetting the fragile balance of Mako and Haru's weirdly codependent relationship for the first time (if you pay attention, he'll do this a lot).

Things aren't made any easier by Haru nearly frigging DROWNING in a river in front of Makoto and Rin, triggering an old trauma, where Makoto witnessed the funeral of an entire ship's worth of fishermen. The whole thing makes Makoto realize that he's terrified of water, always has been, and the only reason he swims is because he likes hanging out with Haru (Makoto gets messed up pretty badly in the light novel, guys). Anyway.

Makoto deals, somehow, because power of friendship.

Haru learns what it means to have a true rival and gets finds his inner fighting spirit.(he’s honestly quite a passive character and a lot of the series’ runtime deals with him finding motivation)

Rin gets his relay.

And then he immediately takes off to Australia, leaving nothing behind but a buried trophy and a rock that says 'for the team'. I have a picture of people's reaction when he tells them he’s leaving.

'Aren't we friends?' (literal dialogue in the light novel)  

Enter High Speed, Starting Days.

Haru and Makoto go to middle school, where they end up meeting Kisumi, and everyone is sad. They join the school swim club, thereby basically abandoning Nagisa, who is now in Iwatobi SC by his friggin self, and they're coaxed into swimming a new relay to learn that you can make new friends and team mates.

In this process:

Kisumi tries to get everyone into the basketball club and fails miserably

Asahi has to get over his performance anxiety

Ikuya deals with his issues with his brother Natsuya and decides to break down at least some of the walls isolating his little tsun ass

Makoto tries to grow an individual personality but is basically told by Haru to cut it out (I'm paraphrasing but that 'Makoto is Makoto' thing is a very weird scene, it's a 'be yourself and don't force it' kinda thing but let Makoto try for frig's sake)

Haru has to contend with being Too Popular and learns to, sort of, get over his weird crush on Rin to swim with new peoples and win.

Everyone gets kindly advice from Nao, and they band together and win (yay!)

It's about at this point that Sousuke shows up again, with a letter from Rin, written to Haru but sent to Sousuke (because that guy doesn't already feel like plan B, surely). Rin and Haru sort of both resolve to keep swimming with the ideal image of the other in their mind.

And then in between seasons shit goes down.

Ikuya and Asahi leave Iwatobi.

Haru meets Rin randomly when he's visiting his family, and they have a race. Haru wins.

This spurs on Rin's complete breakdown and he stops writing letters to, like, anyone (including Sousuke, because of course).

Haru and Mako quit the swim club and Makoto takes up basketball (so at least Kisumi get something out of this).

Iwatobi Swim Club (the one where it all started) just straight up goes bankrupt and shuts down entirely.

 We are on Free! Iwatobi Swim Club

and everyone is sad (again, but since this is the first anime season to come out, you know, whatever).

Haru and Makoto are in their second year of high school, Haru lives by himself and the only reason he's a somewhat functioning human being is because Makoto mothers the heck out of him. He doesn't even appreciate it. Nagisa shows up and has conveniently forgotten that he's one of the first people everyone always abandons. He drags the others to the ruins of Iwatobi SC to dig up their old relay trophy thing before the building is torn down. Also Rin is back in the country and being an utter drama queen (I love Rin, I do, but boy is theatrical). He shows up at the same written-off swim club and immediately challenges Haru, the both of them abandoning Nagisa and Makoto, because fated rivalry.

Not even kidding about the immediate ditching thing.

Anyway. Mako, Haru and Nagisa start a new swim club at school and pull Rei into it, and the lot of them relearn the power of friendship.

While they're doing this:

Makoto is a self-sacrificing idiot who faces some of his worst fears (the ocean, remember) in order to not be a burden on the team. It's bad enough that a pre-character development Rin lowkey worries.

Haru struggles with his talent, in the sense that he feels guilty about Rin's emotional state, thinking it’s his fault Rin lost his enthusiasm.

Rin is redeemed because he suddenly realizes he likes these people after all, and winning isn't everything.

Rei learns how to friggin swim from scratch, works super hard and then when they make it to nationals as a relay team, he GIVES UP his place to Rin, because Makoto is far from the only self-sacrificial idiot in this series.

The team is rightfully disqualified, but they learned something? They at least resolved some of their issues. Even Iwatobi SC is reinstated. Everyone is happy!

Which lasts like a few weeks.

Because in Eternal Summer, Haru and Makoto are now third years and as Rin mentions, should figure out what to do about their future. This leads to a lot of the issues they had at the start of middle school. Also: Sousuke shows up again. This guy is still desperately trying to get Rin to friggin notice him, senpai, so he joins the guy's school and swim team despite being injured. And Sousuke at this point has spent most of his teenage years being vaguely angry/jealous of Haru, and overworking himself to be 'good enough' for Rin to see him as a team mate and he! finally! gets! to! be? Only he RUINS his shoulder in the process because self-care has just gone completely out of the window at this point.

I guess it was worth it if he's giving that look.

What else happens in Eternal Summer:

Rei continues to be the sweetheart that this world does not deserve, but gets to swim in a relay with his own friggin team for once. Also Rin teaches him all the other strokes.

Nagisa briefly runs away from home because the kid has it rougher than people realize, it’s just we were all busy worrying about Haru.

Makoto finds his calling in being a swim teacher

Haru doesn’t know what to do with his life, despite being, you know, a swimming prodigy. Everyone and their mother try to talk some sense into him. 

Haru and Makoto try, again, to address their codependent relationship, it doesn't go well.

Despite the visuals.

But somehow, through an extended intervention, this is all neatly resolved in time for the relay final at nationals.

And what's nice here is that Mako and Sousuke seem to really mirror each other. They're both tol self-sacrificing idiots who have some serious jealousy issues about their best friend and his fated rival. Only Makoto actually gets to hang out with his reluctant, badly communicating friend. Sousuke, despite giving up his own abilities, and despite mentioning some kind of emotional closure, doesn't really get shit.

And THEN

In Dive to the Future, everyone seems to be mildly grown up. They're almost all in college (I'm so happy for Nagisa that he found Rei because at least Rei appreciates that ball of sunshine and he's not alone now). Makoto has ?given up? swimming?, but now Ikuya is back and dealing with almost the exact same issue he had in middle school (like I realize this is realistic, and people don't just evolve in a straight line but Ikuya pls). So he's probably gonna get the friendship treatment, again.

Honestly, the only one even remotely stable in this entire series is Kisumi and no one seems to like him.

But most importantly: Sousuke appears to not be in college. He appears to not be taking over his father's restaurant, which is something that was hinted at in Eternal Summer. He's just mostly bumming, hanging out at his old high school like a loser and failing (again! still!) to write letters to his best friend (who f*cked off to Australia again).

I mean. Honey. Sweetie. You deserve better than this. I need you, in this season, to be more tan a simple side character there to hand out plot points. I need a bunch of people to get together and pull you up. I need you to find that self-confidence and get your shit together because really, it's been twelve years and everyone else has gotten over it multiple times by now. I'm begging  you.

[sarcastic-doodle]

When the antis for KC come calling...

So, @morleybell got an ask on the above topic, and I wanted to reply to it,but it got too long so I thought I’d make it into its own post. So the question was what to reply to antis who claim Klaroline is abusive.

Here goes :

Not even in the fandom since s5(never in tumblr!tvd fandom like ever) but I do skim the tag every once in a while. Came across your post, loved the general gist of it, but would like to add some and clear up some stuff you passionately stated in bulk😆, if you don’t mind. I’ve been wanting to get this out for a long time.

I think the crux of this whole matter is an element which is called a ‘morally grey character’ ; you know the ones - not entirely a villian but too twisted to be a traditional hero. Obviously there are naysayers who say Klaus doesn’t fit into the mold of someone w/ grey morality, hey haters gonna hate but the jury’s still out on that one apparently even though it’s obvious. Moving On. More on this later.

• agree with the SC part. If one looks at the whole picture from the start, Caroline got shitted upon and shoved to side by the writers and her supposed ‘friends’ right from the start in favour of Elena even by stefan. The afterthought. The girl every new male addition to the cast(not all but close) hooked up with. The secondary character whose romantic plot usually has their fan going “uhmmm not exactly the one I’d choose for her. This is just settling” because hey!one needs to fill up the episode, right? Who cares if she was a second choice?

For me, Klaroline came in at that part of the plot, where I was just about tearing my hair apart because the MF gang were really pissing me off. Caroline was never a priority, everyone was willing to let her be collateral damage in this ever revolving war against elena, she was just supposed to accept that her best friend is dating her assaulter. I mean I get that she is the cornucopia of giving, but thats what friends are for! To make these givers realise that enough is enough, now think about yourself, make yourself a priority. The Caroline I fell in love with initially, the one with the big dreams, the one who wanted to live live to the fullest, explore the entire world because yes embracing vampirism gave her that opportunity….That Girl was entirely diminished by the end. There’s growing up and having responsibilities and then there’s having to grow up because of not-their-doing responsibilities. Klaus had come in a AT THAT CRUCIAL POINT. I remember thinking ‘yesss, she’s a priority for once’ also ‘idc if this relationship works out or not, but this one can be her ticket and reason to move out of that soul-sucking selfish town and friends’

• IT’S A SUPERNATURAL SHOW. This. Funny and irritating why people forget this. The show depicts them as these all encompassing, good in combat and strategy, well versed in lore of the centuries, sensual, blood-drinking vampires…I’m afraid that goes hand in hand with blood and sex and murder and deceit. If you want a century old virgin goody two shoes, I believe you’re in the wrong franchise. For this show, its not about who is good and who is bad, it’s about who is evil and who is more evil, and that too is relative on how you define evil/what you consider evil. Also what’s blatant in this fandom, is the hypocrisy. This is what I wanted to especially expound upon :

So what irritates me about the fans the most is their hypocrisy. Also the puritan fanaticism some have embraced and loudly preached. I wont even include DE and Damon in my arguments, i think they’ve been discussed at length by all (like it deserves to be) this is better explained with Stefan. When people say Klaus is a mass murderer and has killed soooo many people over the years, ergo klaus is evil but stefan is my innocent bae(not verbatim but the intent is obvious)…. conveniently forgetting the fact that stefan killed so many people too, went ripper twice, in his 300(?) yrs…had he lived as long as klaus lived…who know whether the number would have risen or not (hint : it will)Imagine living on and on for so many years, the world around you changing, civilisations changing,people you loved dying, but you’re set in stone. Immortality has been romanticised like all get go, but realistically I can’t imagine someone not going absolute nutters every once in a while whether or not you have a reason to keep living on. The show has shown only the positive sides of Stefan and his dealing with vampirism which in turn makes him appealing, but I can’t imagine someone with Stefan’s characterisation - the broodiness and the guilt - would live a long innocent life. Psychologically, something will always make him crack. I know I’m coming across as someone who hates Stefan which is simply not true. S1-3 Stefan and S1-4 Caroline were my absolute faves. Believe me, I only watched the show until then for these two. But I realised we do excuse his murders w/ - he didn’t want to, he feels guilty, he repented, it’s out of his control. But ultimately clinically speaking(with my inner stefan fan supressed)…There were dead bodies. Families mourned. Lives were taken. Stefan regretted it yes, but it doesn’t give them their life back. None of these vampire’s victims (Salvatore’s, Mikaelsons’,Forbes’) are coming back. Why do we not still hate stefan or any 'good side’ vampires for that, but love to do it to the Mikaelsons?

Second thing I mentioned was puritanism. Simply put, this goes in the good box ; this goes in the baaaad box. Some people differentiate characters like - this is a good person(can do no wrong) and this is a bad person(be suspicious of this one’s dealings ) from the initial interactions and context of the show. Characters on the 'Good’ side in the start, are reveled for doing 'a thing’ ; but if a potentially grey character from the 'Bad’ side does the same 'thing’ they are jeered upon for doing it. Am I saying don’t point out and jeer evil wrongdoings of evil characters? NO. I’m not trying to be apologist for villains, most deserve what we throw at them. BUT But but, in this case, on this show, is the line differentiating them really that clear? Are these 'good’ and 'bad’ characters exclusively on those sides? Like you mentioned, Kol is killed, Klaus retaliates. Had a sibling from the 'good ’ side been killed by the Mikaelsons, pretty sure they’d have retaliated the same way. We cheer one but jeer the other? Why? The deed is the same, cruel and inhuman on both accounts, yet we celebrate one and mourn other?

What people instantly think when I say this, 'you’re probably a person who excuses abuse in real life too’'you believe this…you must be horrid in real life’….*shrugging* A. There is a clear divide between fiction and reality. one I have to actually live in and the other is entertainment. Damn sure I can differentiate between them. B. There is an actual sense is not automatically trusting the NiceGuy, everyone has flaws if you look hard enough, they’re gonna come out eventually I’d rather not be lulled in a false sense of security. I’m not saying The Mikaelsons are good people and they just need some lurrvvve and understanding. What I’m saying is the Mikaelsons are shitty. But so are the Salvatores. So is Elena. And sometimes so is Caroline. If its just fiction, isn’t it hypocritical thay we only hold few accountable, but excuse the behaviour of the rest?

When people say KC is 'abusive’ I always take in with the idea that it’s because Klaus is heartless mass murderer. Which he is. There’s no going around that. He IS NOT a good guy. That stabbing didn’t really make sense to me…why did he do it? But tyler’s mum yeah…if you can excuse the council for their behaviour, don’t be a hypocrite please when the favor is returned. On a completely different but still related note, this is similar to the bullying topic in HP. When it comes to being bullies for whatever reason, people easily excuse the marauders because ultimately they were on the 'light’ side. But draco is held accountable even though he was technically younger than james. But back on the topic at hand.

But KC? Like you provided the lines and to anyone who watched the show….Caroline was not impressed by him. Attracted to him?Sure. But she never acted on it at all until 5×11. She kept questioning his motives, was suspicious of his moves, never defended his actions, brought up his misdeeds to him when he tried to pretend to be a good guy, tried to sneakily gain favours from him utilising his interest in her, it goes on and on. You never hear a single praise for him from her lips (as far as I can remember) All she did was that she gave him a benefit of doubt. Try to understand his motives rather than just IDENTIFY. EVIL. KILL. Try to understand that someone who has lived this long, what goes on thay ancient head, did he ever want to be human? , how does he justify his misdeeds? But Was it enough? Well canonically, apparatently not.

And I get it. I’m not saying excuse the murders by the Mikaelson’s too. NO. I’m saying hold all of them responsible. Caroline. Stefan. Damon. Klaus. And then critic the characters after that. Don’t claim some sort of moral high ground when there isn’t any.

This show, these writers…when given enough screen time, they could redeem an irredeemable villain of their choosing. Seriously, for real. (Damon gets it but Katherine or Kai(this one would need toooo much work) doesnt) and people lap it up. Basically, it’s on the writers on who they choose to get to be the GoodGuy, which villian gets forgiveness for the misdeeds even though the other villains did the same thing. I don’t watch TO but I’m sure they gave 'reasons’ and 'backstory’ on why Klaus behaves the way he does. I mean if you think in a critical analysis sort of way, that is how a redemption arc works. You get to know the inner workings and history of the protag and what experiences made them the person they are, then it’s upto the audience whether or not they forgive them.

But I digress. What is the main point of this entirely too long rant, is that saying KC is abusive is just absurd. Not on this show, not in this context. If its klaus that is your problem, you better have a problem w/ the rest of the lot too. Also he is the one guy who was the only one who asked Caroline whether she would like the cure instead, didn’t use her solely to get to elena, prioritised her, didn’t think Caroline’s love to plan and shop and everything that does not scream stereotypical intelligent girl as shallow and superficial, gave her plenty opportunities to make something more out of her life if she wanted with or WITHOUT HIM. If she wanted to fly free alone for a decade or even a century or two, go for it as long she came back to him when she’s had her fill. Yeah, that just screams abusive and controlling to me😒

Bottom line anti kcs, I’m sorry you wanted this to be a black and white clear issue so you justify your hate. But it’s simply not. I’m not saying KC IS an angelic done-no-evil ship, but when ships all around are pirates, what’s another one,eh.

Also, might as well reiterate, I haven’t seen the show after 4×22, just kept up w/ the show from a lot of different shipper’s (SE, KC and SC shippers too unfortunately) blogs and my sister who watches the show, so I might be off w/ some of the facts. If any of them are blatantly obvious and it’s because I missed something crucial in the remaining seasons I’m tagging the people I’ve seen answering KC qs or were active in their KC defense so this post is refined @my-ownfairytale @klarolinedrabbles @jonsnowbitch

[twosecondstreet]

While visiting Ebisu a week ago, my wife decided that we would go to the Yebisu Beer Museum, just a short walk from Ebisu Station. I’m not a big fan of Japanese macro beers, but I figured it would be a nice experience. Little did I know, it would turn out to be much, much nicer than I had imagined.

Museum of Yebisu Beer

The entrances in on the B1 level of the plaza

The museum is a fascinating (and reasonably short) look at the history of Yebisu Beer in the context of modernization of Japan. The company first started way back 1887 to develop a German-style beer in Japan. Through a series of trials and tribulations, the company grew, shrunk, and merged during the economic boom and Westernization of Japan during the 1910s and 1920s. The museum hosts a variety of old bottles, labels, signboards, and advertisements from the varying eras, giving a great glimpse into how the historical events of the time shaped industry and the Yebisu brand.

Japanese flappers extolling the virtues of Yebisu

The first katakana character, the “ye,” is not used anymore in Japan. This explains why foreigners call Japanese money “yen” while Japanese people call it “en.”

Their first black beer came out in 1894

One of the first Yebisu signboards produced

The most fascinating tidbit I learned was that in 1943, after increasing regulations from the Japanese government, all brands of domestic beer were abolished by the government. All production was shifted towards wartime efforts. So, for a while there in Japanese history, there was no domestic beer market.

Tasting Room

Order up!

There are two tasting areas: One big stage where you can get a Yebisu brand ambassador to explain the various tasting notes about the beers after a guided tour (all of which costs a nominal fee, around 500 yen). The issue here is that everything is in Japanese, so if your language isn’t the best, the information will go right over your head. The other tasting area is to the side of the stage. Here, you buy tasting coins from a vending machine and exchange those for tokens. All beers are 1 token for about a 350ml glass (400 yen per token), while a taster set of three of their standard beers is 2 tokens. Once you get your token, you get into line and order your drink. They will give you a coaster to mark which beer you are drinking. Show the bar tenders your coaster and they will give you a nice frothy cup for your enjoyment. They also served snacks here as well, but we didn’t bother to try any.

Taster coin! Redeem for beer at the counter

These identify the types of beer you will be drinking (Meister Beer – Left, Creamy Top Stout – Right)

Foam is very important in Japan. Very important!

We ended up trying some of their special beers: The Mrs. got the Creamy Top Stout, while I got the Yebisu Meister. The Meister was pretty good, as the name would have you believe. The Creamy Top Stout was nice, low on the bitter side with a lighter constitution than other heavier stouts.

Yebisu Museum Review

All in all, I was surprised by all that I learned and all the cool artifacts from the 1800s and 1900s I got to see. All of the information on the signs in the museum are also in English, so you don’t have to worry about self-guiding yourself. Admission is also free, which is a hard price to beat! The tasters of beer are also pretty cheap by Japanese standards and you get a generous serving. If you’re down in Ebisu and want to pass an hour or two learning some history and a bit about beer, it’s hard to go wrong with the Yebisu Museum. A hidden gem, if you ask me!

Museum of Yebisu Beer: History and Beer While visiting Ebisu a week ago, my wife decided that we would go to the Yebisu Beer Museum, just a short walk from Ebisu Station.

[joses12352000172-blog]

How To Quit Mortgage Foreclosure In 2009

Do you wish to quit home mortgage foreclosure? The number of repossessions leapt 81 percent in 2008. Washington is attempting to assist with home owner support programs to keep people in their residences. Yet, if you wish to quit home loan foreclosure, you are mosting likely to should assist yourself first.Numerous property owners are not mindful that they can stop mortgage repossession by themselves. But you can conserve your home. In many states, you could redeem your residence approximately an hour prior to it goes to auction. So, having the ability to align new financing is vital.You have a variety of alternatives offered to you if you are facing foreclosure. In this post, we will discuss bank refinancing, short sales, as well as deeds in lieu of repossession.It utilized to be that financial institutions would certainly not do anything to quit home mortgage repossession. They just enabled you to enter into default then acquired the home themselves or sold it at public auction. Regrettably for them, the housing situation has actually indicated that they now have thousands of thousands of houses on their books. A number of these are resting uninhabited in ghost communities and are virtually unrentable and unsaleable.Knowing that something has to offer, your financial institution may collaborate with you on getting re-financed and maintaining your house. For example, they might reduce the interest rates, tack delinquent payments into completion of the lending, or supply other finance alteration. You could deal with the loan provider yourself or work with a finance modification firm to do this for you.Till the end of in 2015, the banks hesitated to collaborate with a house owner until they was 30 days overdue. Currently, though, many banks intend to maintain people out of misbehavior if whatsoever feasible. So, if you believe you might miss a settlement, let your bank recognize as soon as possible.An additional choice to quit home loan repossession is to market your home with a short sale. This is a 3 method bargain where every one of the events win. You locate a capitalist that agrees to buy your house at a cost that is much less than just what you owe. The financial institution accepts forgo the difference. The factor this strategy tends to benefit everyone is that the bank gets a non executing financing off of its books, the investor obtains a good deal, and also you reach bow out your house. If you are going after a brief sale, make sure that the bank has actually forgiven the shortage to make sure that you do not wind up with a deficiency judgment versus you. simpsonville sc real estate The third option to stop home mortgage repossession is to do an act instead of repossession. An act instead resembles a brief sale other than it is just between you and also the bank. The financial institution redeems your home as well as you walk away. The factor financial institutions are often going to do this is since you guarantee that the home will certainly remain in excellent problem. Many seized residences have actually been totally trashed, right down to having the copper pipelines gotten as well as cost scrap. So, a deed instead offers the bank a bargain too. Once again, you should make sure that the financial institution has actually eliminated the deficiency in such a bargain so that you do not wind up with a judgment against you.There are remedies if you are seeking to stop home mortgage repossession.

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Improvements To Boost The Power Performance Of Your Home

Allow's state you can see that there are some residence improvement tasks in advance of you. The shower room taps may require changing. The kitchen area cupboards may require refacing. As any type of property owner recognizes, the opportunities are unlimited. When you recognize a demand, the inquiry becomes: "How do I tackle it?" This article offers suggestions to address that concern.If you wish to make your residence luster then seek to the curb allure. Impression are important with people, and they are equally as crucial to your residence. Consider repainting if your shade is fading or is dated, and select colors as well as other details that suit the age of your home.Unclean ceiling vents can make your residence appearance negative. You can acquire as well as set up new ceiling vents, offering your home a cleaner and neater appearance. simpsonville sc real estate When employing a professional for house improvement work, inspect their Better Business Bureau document. This is an excellent means to find out if there are any issues on file for the firm which would certainly be a significant warning. Select a business which has a stellar ranking with the BBB.If you locate that your utility bills are through the roof, take into consideration having actually someone come and also inspect your house for efficiency issues. Usually you will certainly discover that your doors and windows have to be replaced, as well as the brand-new ones will spend for themselves quickly with the financial savings on your heating costs.Are you attempting to make a decision if vinyl siding would certainly be a fantastic house renovation job? If you are searching for enhancements where you could recoup the majority of your investment when you offer your residence, then vinyl exterior siding substitute could be an excellent option. Typically, homeowners typically redeem concerning 80 percent of the expenses invested in this job.When you are wanting to change or mount home window treatments in your home, check into alternatives that tint the home windows to decrease the sunlight glow that comes via throughout the day as well as tones that can maintain your home insulated. This means that the warmth will certainly be maintained in during the winter months and the cool in during the summertimes.A wonderful method to include worth to your home is to include a sun room to the rear of your residence. At any time you include square video footage to your residence, you are raising its value. Additionally, a sun area looks terrific, providing your residence a lot more attract a purchaser.When doing any significant home enhancement task do not neglect the front door. The front door is the centerpiece of the house as well as the place where a guest will wait after sounding the bell. The front door as well as entrance are what welcomes them, so spruce them up throughout your residence improvement project.Home improvement jobs endless for the house owner. But they end up being not so much a trouble as a source of satisfaction when you complete projects successfully. After that, seeing the workmanship you have achieved, you could state to yourself with pride: "Yes, I did that, and also did it well."

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Improvements To Increase The Power Efficiency Of Your Residence

Let's state you could see that there are some residence enhancement jobs ahead of you. The bathroom faucets might require changing. The kitchen cupboards could need refacing. As any type of property owner knows, the possibilities are countless. As soon as you recognize a requirement, the concern comes to be: "Exactly how do I set about it?" This post uses ideas to answer that question.If you want to make your residence luster after that aim to the visual appeal. First impressions are essential with people, as well as they are equally as vital to your residence. Consider repainting if your shade is fading or is dated, and choose shades as well as various other details that fit into the era of your residence.Dirty ceiling vents could make your house look negative. You could acquire as well as set up new ceiling vents, offering your residence a cleaner as well as neater look. simpsonville sc real estate When working with a contractor for home renovation job, check their Bbb document. This is an excellent way to learn if there are any problems on apply for the business which would most definitely be a significant red flag. Select a company which has an outstanding ranking with the BBB.If you locate that your utility bills are through the roof covering, take into consideration having actually somebody come as well as evaluate your house for effectiveness problems. Frequently you will certainly discover that your windows and doors have to be changed, and also the brand-new ones will spend for themselves in a snap with the savings on your home heating expense.Are you aiming to determine if plastic home siding would certainly be a fantastic house improvement project? If you are trying to find improvements where you can redeem a lot of your financial investment when you offer your home, then vinyl home siding replacement could be a good choice. On average, property owners usually recoup regarding 80 percent of the prices invested in this job.When you are aiming to change or install home window therapies in your house, explore alternatives that tint the windows to minimize the sun glare that comes with during the day along with tones that can keep your home shielded. This indicates that the warm will certainly be maintained in throughout the winter and the cool in throughout the summer seasons.A wonderful way to include value to your home is to add a sun room to the rear of your house. Whenever you add square video to your residence, you are boosting its worth. Furthermore, a sun space looks terrific, providing your home much more appeal to a buyer.When doing any major home enhancement task do not neglect the front door. The front door is the focal point of your house as well as the area where a guest will certainly wait after ringing the bell. The front door and entry are what invites them, so spruce them up during your home enhancement project.Residence improvement tasks never end for the house owner. Yet they end up being not a lot a trouble as a resource of pride once you full jobs efficiently. After that, seeing the creation you have actually achieved, you can claim to yourself with satisfaction: "Yes, I did that, and also did it well."

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The smart Trick of clash of clans cheats That No One is Discussing

Now I will demonstrate how Every of these previously mentioned-mentioned things might be accomplished – gems, methods and victories. This video game is definitely the best and most online approach recreation you can find. Choose your time and energy and rate this match five stars on all the things. You can't convey to me You will find a superior game than this. The ready time for our CoC Hack servers are near to none. They are really lightning quick servers using rocket blast caching and gzip compressions. All documents that are now being transferred involving our CoC Hack server are sent and acquired via our multi website link layered 1,000 Gbps fiber link. Now The excellent news is, there are methods how one can obtain these things higher than with authorized solutions – with out risking a banned account, jeopardizing virus or malware infection or worse. allow me to give an case in point, there was a man he joined my clan took donations and remaining right after someday we realised that he was a member with the opponent clan. Thanks Entire Assessment Sourav Roy March 14, 2017 Very well, perhaps The point that I used to be in a position to crank out 100k gems in like thirty seconds! It was remarkable and it saved me some huge cash. I've accomplished that above per month back and my account remains standing sturdy, so it does look such as this hack is Secure for our accounts. I have even produced A huge number of gems for my good friends since you can produce them for anybody, not merely by yourself. They acquired the resources and experienced no problems with bans and many others. :) My village wont load after l logged out to use my secondary account, but when l tried to re-login, l am seeing my Main account, but each time I select my account the join button keeps purple with out displaying the confirmation screen. 2 there's the people (like me) who put in a bit cash to acquire gems and play lots and take the game kinda major. As significant as u are when u want to finish a sport on xbox. It's extremely exciting, ADDICTIVE, and u can elect to play passively or aggressively that's Great!! Whole Critique Lalit Sprint March 19, 2017 This match is a lot better than other game titles in numerous ways Particularly graphics. Sc information. How it is ready up with CSV documents is good. I just wish we understood what supercell is focusing on presently. We don't have to be aware of almost everything but just one or 2 things. It is way more quickly to gain enough factors in order to redeem one iTunes present card which can be sufficient to get a 'Bag of Gems' (1200 free gems) as well as a 'Pile of Gems' (500 free gems). clash of clans cheats may just Opt for a reduced iTunes reward card denomination. New apps are added routinely by Appbounty. Jaredpetty from IGN – No uncertainties over it, That is definitely the top and trustworthy cheats for clash of clans We've got tested. No surprise it’s been featured within our private community forums until finally now. Great get the job done hackzoid group, you have performed a terrific job on this venture. Normally I utilised it to examine my bases and modify it for war, however, if that can't be done then what is the utilization of it. You should rectify it, I appreciated the best way it had been in advance of. For all else am completely contented. Hope that you just fellas will clarify this situation Complete Overview Hisham Andrabi April 1, 2017 These a great recreation......whatsoever u men make is like a Digital paradise. The one recommendation is always that loads of people (which includes me) can never get any gems. Notwithstanding, There are some methods how one can accomplish these and several uncomplicated approaches how one can get it done:

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Improvements To Raise The Energy Performance Of Your Home

Allow's state you could see that there are some residence enhancement jobs in advance of you. The washroom taps may require changing. The cooking area closets may require refacing. As any kind of home owner understands, the possibilities are endless. Once you identify a demand, the inquiry becomes: "How do I set about it?" This post offers pointers to respond to that inquiry.If you intend to make your home shine then look to the curb appeal. First impressions are necessary with individuals, and they are equally as vital to your residence. Consider painting if your color is fading or is dated, as well as choose shades and other details that suit the era of your house.Dirty ceiling vents can make your residence appearance bad. You could purchase as well as install new ceiling vents, providing your home a cleaner and neater look. simpsonville sc real estate When working with a professional for residence enhancement job, check their Better Business Bureau record. This is a terrific method to figure out if there are any type of grievances on file for the company which would most definitely be a major red flag. Choose a company which has an excellent score with the BBB.If you locate that your energy costs are through the roof, think about having someone come and also inspect your house for performance concerns. Typically you will certainly find that your doors and windows need to be changed, and also the brand-new ones will spend for themselves in a snap with the financial savings on your heating bill.Are you trying to choose if plastic home siding would be a wonderful house enhancement task? If you are looking for renovations where you can redeem a lot of your financial investment when you market your house, then plastic home siding replacement could be a good choice. Generally, property owners usually redeem about 80 percent of the expenses invested in this project.When you are planning to change or mount window therapies in your home, explore choices that tint the windows to reduce the sunlight glare that comes via throughout the day as well as shades that can maintain your residence protected. This implies that the heat will certainly be kept in during the winter months and also the cool in throughout the summers.An excellent means to add worth to your residence is to add a sun room to the rear of your residence. At any time you include square video to your home, you are raising its worth. Additionally, a sun area looks excellent, giving your house more attract a buyer.When doing any significant home improvement job do not fail to remember the front door. The front door is the prime focus of your home as well as the location where a guest will certainly wait after calling the bell. The front door and also entry are exactly what welcomes them, so spruce them up during your house enhancement task.Home renovation tasks endless for the house owner. However they end up being not a lot a trouble as a resource of pride as soon as you full jobs effectively. Then, seeing the handiwork you have actually achieved, you could say to yourself with satisfaction: "Yes, I did that, and also did it well."