#This was difficult!!!!! i hope it makes sense?????

[curmemini]

And if it means any thing, the every day american isn't too happy about it either. JD Vance and his family visited Vermont to go skiing today (the day after the above show) and was greeted with waves of Ukraine flags and anti-Russia sentiment. I know multiple resorts refused to serve him - I am not sure if they did get to ski.

More, the 25-year-old snow reporter for Sugarbush included a long pro-democracy message before her report on the weather conditions. At the risk of expanding the post terribly, her message read:

Mar 1st, 2025, 6:49 AM: Today of all days, I would like to reflect on what Sugarbush means to me. This mountain has brought me endless days of joy, adventure, challenges, new experiences, beauty, community, and peace. I’ve found that nothing cures a racing mind quite like skiing through the trees and stopping to take a deep breath of that fresh forest air. The world around us might be a scary place, but these little moments of tranquility, moments I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy as a direct result of my employment here, give me, and I’d guess you, too, a sense of strength and stability.

This fresh forest air, is, more specifically fresh National Forest air. Sugarbush operates on 1745 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest. Right now, National Forest lands and National Parks are under direct attack by the current Administration, who is swiftly terminating the positions of dedicated employees who devote their lives to protecting the land we love, and to protecting us while we are enjoying that land.

This Administration also neglects to address the danger, or even the existence of, climate change, the biggest threat to the future of our industry, and the skiing we all so much enjoy here. Burlington, VT is one of the fastest-warming cities in the country, and Vermont is the 9th fastest-warming state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), a resource I use every day for snow reporting, is crucial in monitoring extreme weather events and informing public safety measures, and is also experiencing widespread layoffs and defunding at the hands of the Administration.

Sugarbush would not be Sugarbush without our wonderful community. Employees and patrons alike, we are made up of some of the most kind hearted, hardworking people I have ever met. Our community is rich with folks of all different orientations, ethnicities, and walks of life, who all contribute to make this place what it is. They all love Sugarbush because it is a place where they can come to move their bodies, to connect with the land, to challenge themselves, to build character, to nourish their souls with the gift of skiing.

Many of these people are part of the LGBTQI+ community. Many (well, that’s a stretch, we all know this is an incredibly white-washed industry) are people of color. Half are women. Many are veterans or adaptive skiers who, through Vermont Adaptive, are able to access snow sports in part thanks to federal grants through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is also facing devastating cuts. Many of our beloved employees moved across the world through an exchange program on the J1 visa to help this resort run, and they are not US citizens. ALL of these groups are being targeted, undervalued, and disrespected by the current Administration.

The beauty of National Forest land, is that anyone and everyone is welcome to enjoy it. Anyone and everyone can buy a lift ticket. I also imagine it is incredibly difficult, and likely impossible, to say “No” to the Secret Service. I hope that, instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for “allowing this to happen”, you can direct your anger to the source — the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land.

I want to reiterate how much I admire and respect my fellow employees and managers — they work so hard to make this place operate, to keep you coming back and enjoying it and making lifelong memories. Many of them may feel the same way that I do, but their hands are tied, and for good reason. They have families to support, they have benefits and health insurance to receive, they face far greater and more binding pressure from Corporate. I am in a privileged position here, in that I work only seasonally, I do not rely on this job for health insurance or benefits, and hey, waking up at 4:30 AM isn’t exactly sustainable. Therefore, I am using my relative “platform” as snow reporter, to be disruptive — I don’t have a whole lot to lose. We are living in a really scary and really serious time. What we do or don’t do, matters. This whole shpiel probably won’t change a whole lot, and I can only assume that I will be fired, but at least this will do even just a smidge more than just shutting up and being a sheep.

I am really scared for our future. Acting like nothing is happening here feels way scarier than losing my job. I want to have kids one day, and I want to teach them to ski. The policies and ideals of the current Administration, however, are not conducive to either of these things, because, at least how things look now, I’d never be able to afford a good life for a child anyway, and snow will be a thing of Vermont history. So please, for the sake of our future shredders: Be Better Here. It has truly been a pleasure writing your morning snow reports — I hope this one sticks with you. With love, peace, and hope, Lucy Welch

My point in adding this is that for every brazen display by the executive branch, more and more people are emboldened to speak out. More and more people realize what they truly value.

We will see the day that fascism ends. We will see a free Ukraine.

So this was a pre-planned (and likely paid for by the Kremlin) show: to invite Zelenskyy, scold him like a kindergartener in front of the press, present him with an unreasonable "deal" - an ultimatum - knowing full well he will refuse it (as anyone in this position would). And then tell the world: "Look, our mighty Orange King could've ended this horrible war in a day, but this poorly-dressed, warmongering, ungrateful twat just doesn't want peace! It's not our fault, we did what we could!"

The show is so cheap, so transparent, yet still effective for so many brainless people.

[astrosouldivinity]

Hey there! Are there certain aspects or placements in your birth chart (natal) that make you stutter or have speech impediments?

Hmm well to start, I would consider Mercury-Neptune aspects. This could manifest as difficulty in expressing oneself clearly. Additionally, a lack of air element in a natal chart may indicate reduced natural fluency in communication as well.

More Placements/Aspects to Consider:

3H Chiron: This placement indicates wounds related to communication and expression, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy when speaking.

Mercury in Pisces: Individuals with this placement could struggle with articulating their thoughts clearly, as their communication style can appear uncanny or mystical.

10H Mercury: I have this placement, which creates pressure for me to communicate effectively in public settings. But this can manifest as struggles with speaking, which makes me prefer writing as my primary form of expression.

In addition, individuals with Mercury in the 10H may also experience shyness, particularly if they have been judged for their outspoken nature. They could feel like their words carry significant weight, which can further contribute to communication challenges.

Saturn-Mercury Aspects: This aspect can promote a sense of seriousness or self-doubt around communication, making individuals with this placement feel burdened by their words and overall communication style.

Mercury in the 1H: This placement can indicate a strong focus on communication and self-expression, but if negatively aspected, it could manifest as anxiety in speaking situations.

Mercury in the 12H: Individuals with this placement could struggle with articulating their ideas clearly, as their innermost thoughts can be clouded and difficult to access. This might result in hesitation or confusion when speaking.

Moon-Mercury Aspects: Individuals with this aspect might struggle with emotional sensitivity linked to self-expression, which can lead to hesitation or fear of judgment when speaking.

Mercury Retrograde in a Natal Chart: Individuals with this placement may have a more introspective communication style, and they can also experience learning difficulties and struggles in expressing themselves, which can lead to challenges in articulating their thoughts clearly.

This is all I got for now. I hope I answered your question and it provided you clarity.

-Kiki ❤︎

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

🌸 Spring’s Coming: What’s Happening To You In March Based On Your Moon Sign🌸

February has passed, and now we’re welcomed into a new month: March. The month when the cold days that make us curl up under a warm blanket with a hot cup of tea begin to transform into sunnier days. The sun’s rays shine so deeply into your room that their warmth feels almost furnace-like. When you step outside, there’s still that slight chill in the breeze, but it reinvigorates your body and helps you breathe a little easier. Spring is just around the corner. March is here, and before we know it, the cherry blossoms will bloom, flowers will sprout, the grass will turn greener, and the air will remind us of all the beautiful, precious moments.

Today’s reading is a collective one, based on your moon sign, offering insights into what March holds for you in terms of love, career, and emotional well-being. It may not resonate with everyone, but there should be some truth in it that speaks to your month ahead. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and have a blessed one.

Aries Moon: Avoidance, Loss, and Impatience

Love

In terms of love, this month feels like a time of avoidance for Aries. You are stuck, heavily reflecting on the past, and there’s a noticeable hesitance in moving forward. The main issue here is avoidance—you’re avoiding addressing the unresolved matters within your relationship that are holding you back from progression. You may feel lost when it comes to how to move forward, and that’s because communication is lacking. You are not talking to the person you care about or are interested in, and there’s a chance they may be avoiding you too.

While there’s a desire to connect, have fun, and make exciting plans with this person, you’re holding back. In order to do so, though, you’d need to open up and have a conversation. This lack of communication makes the energy feel stale and stagnant in your love life throughout March. There is a lot of potential, but without addressing these issues, progress will be difficult.

Career

For Aries in March, there may be job loss or job transition. Some of you may experience being laid off, fired, or choosing to walk away from your current position. This will not be an easy process—it will feel like the job has discarded you, leaving you in a vulnerable financial situation. However, this career setback has a silver lining. Although it may initially feel like a blow, this loss is actually designed to push you toward something better, something that aligns more with your purpose.

As you go through the struggle, there will be opportunities for growth. You’ll be motivated to look for better opportunities, perhaps in areas you hadn’t considered before. Despite the difficulty, this can ultimately open new doors for you.

Emotional Themes

March is a month where emotions are running high for Aries. You’re driven by goals and ambition, and you have a sense of urgency about achieving what you want right now. However, there’s a lack of patience and a struggle with work ethic, making it hard to execute those goals. The desire for immediate results clashes with the reality that achieving your ambitions will take time and effort. This internal conflict could lead to pessimism and frustration.

You might feel disheartened at times, as things are not moving at the pace you’d like. However, there will be a moment of emotional clarity later in the month. During this time, you’ll take a step back, introspect, and come to realize that you’ve been pushing too hard and approaching things the wrong way. This self-reflection will help you regain balance. You’ll understand that things take time, and you’ll start to approach your goals with more patience and organization. Ultimately, you’ll move toward a state of emotional fulfillment and steadiness, overcoming the negativity that may have plagued you earlier in the month.

Taurus Moon: Lucky Lover, New Money, A Break From Someone

Love

For Taurus Moons in March, the beginning of the month brings a tendency to overthink your love life. You may find yourself staying up late, preoccupying your mind with thoughts about someone, or driving yourself crazy mentally. This overthinking is excessive and not reflective of reality. It may stem from past experiences that have caused stress when it comes to approaching relationships.

Despite the mental strain, you’re on a great page with the person you’re dealing with. There’s harmony between the two of you, as you both align with each other’s desires and preferences. Communication is flowing easily, and there’s a sense of reassurance in the connection. Luck seems to be on your side this month, with positive circumstances that bring unexpected good fortune. Some things may happen that you didn’t anticipate, leaving you thinking, “How did this happen? How is this so great?”

Career

In terms of your career, Taurus Moons are likely to experience a fresh start this month. You may have been feeling unfulfilled in your current job and unable to continue with the emotional exhaustion and frustration it has brought. Now, you’re ready to move past that disappointment. March is a powerful month for you to apply for a new job or explore new career paths. You are ambitious and eager to manifest change, no longer willing to wait or take your time. You’ll actively jump on any opportunity that comes your way to make it happen. This is a month of stability and financial prosperity, as you move toward a more stable path in your career. You’re not hesitating to take on this new chapter.

Emotional Themes

Emotionally, Taurus Moons in March will start to feel incredibly capable. There’s a revitalization of confidence and a renewed sense of empowerment. Things that once seemed difficult or out of reach now feel achievable. This shift in perception will bring a total transformation in your mindset and life journey. You’ll feel not only more capable but also more aware of yourself and your surroundings.

However, there may be a falling out with someone this month, likely due to disagreements or being on different mental pages. You may find yourself questioning, “Why did this fight happen? Why did this argument take place?” While you may want to walk away from the situation without engaging in drama, the conflict could leave you reflecting on the intensity of the exchange. You might feel a bit avoidant, retreating into your own world and steering clear of further drama.

Gemini: Non-Committal, Powerful Networking, Unfulfillment

Love

For Gemini Moons in March, there is a lack of commitment in your love life. Some of you may be cheating or being dishonest, sneaking off and engaging with someone else, only to return to your partner as if nothing happened. This dishonesty is causing tension in your relationships.

Others of you may have recently gone through a breakup or will experience one this month. Even if you’re still together physically, there’s a disconnect emotionally and mentally. There’s a lack of affection and intimacy, and the bond feels weak. The relationship may feel like you’re together but not truly united. There’s no real closeness or affection, and the maturity needed to address these issues is lacking. Neither you nor your partner seem willing to resolve the situation or acknowledge the disconnect. You may be avoiding responsibility for the state of the relationship and are focused more on selfish desires, like seeking personal pleasure and indulgence, while neglecting the relational aspect.

Career

Career-wise, March looks to be an exciting and powerful month. You’re in a highly creative space, full of ideas that you can execute. You’ll be making important decisions that could have significant payoffs for your career. There are powerful moves ahead, and you’re in a position to make things happen.

Networking opportunities will also be abundant this month. You’ll meet people who could offer you the potential to level up in your career. It’s a social month in terms of your career, and you’ll be engaging with others who can help you grow. Your desire for exponential growth is strong, and you’re taking the steps necessary to turn that into reality.

Emotional Themes

Emotionally, Gemini Moons are experiencing heartache and pain in March. You’re feeling mentally exhausted and beaten down, and you may be struggling with feelings of unfulfillment. There was an opportunity that you thought would be rewarding, but it slipped away, leaving you feeling disappointed and regretful.

You’re struggling with emotional confusion and fear about the future, and you may feel emotionally stagnant. There’s a sense of shrinking away from others and even from yourself. You’re finding it hard to nurture and care for yourself in the midst of this emotional turmoil. There are a lot of mental blocks and growth obstacles that make it difficult to move forward. In March, you may feel emotionally low and overwhelmed by the challenges you’re facing.

Cancer Moon: Lingering Pain, Tension At Work, Stuck On The Past

Love

At the beginning of March, Cancer Moons will experience feelings of deep hurt. Someone may have wronged you, either by cheating or saying something that deeply affected you. You will likely feel like this is the end, and your hope for love might seem dim, especially at the start of the month. You may spend time wallowing in the pain, as it becomes a major emotional theme in March.

However, this emotional state will linger, though it won’t last indefinitely. As the month progresses, you’ll begin to go out more and engage with others. You may find yourself on dates and enjoying the company of a lover. There may be moments of fun, indulgence, and perhaps even drinking or using substances together, though it’s likely to happen in public settings surrounded by people rather than intimate, private moments.

In terms of commitment, March seems to bring a shift, and by the end of the month, there could be a solidified commitment with the person you are involved with. You may find yourselves thinking about the future and making decisions together. It’s a surprising turn, going from feeling hurt and disconnected to enjoying yourself and even receiving commitment from a partner.

Career

In February, you may have felt like you were burning out at work, overextending yourself. However, in March, you will gradually begin to recover from that burnout, finding a balance and incorporating more relaxation into your work routine. This shift will lead to positive results, and you’ll feel more confident in your career. There may also be recognition and accolades coming your way, which is likely to boost your confidence even further.

Additionally, someone at work may have developed a crush on you or is keeping an eye on you, which could add a bit of intrigue to your work environment. Despite these positive developments, you may still struggle with certain conflicts at work. You may not see eye to eye with some coworkers or have difficulty deciding how to approach specific tasks. While you’re shining in your career, the desire to do too much could lead to overextending yourself again, causing conflict and potentially burnout if you’re not careful. It’s important to balance your ambitions with self-care.

Emotional Themes

Emotionally, Cancer Moons will find themselves relying heavily on others for support, encouragement, and enthusiasm throughout the month. Your support system will be a vital source of strength, helping you navigate emotional challenges and enjoy yourself in various ways.

However, despite this support, you may still feel stuck on something from the past. There could be a mental roadblock preventing you from fully moving forward with certain emotions, making it difficult for you to process or let go of past feelings. These unresolved emotions might cause a sense of being overwhelmed, and you could feel like you’re emotionally unstable or disrupted throughout the month.

This emotional intensity may cause you to feel uprooted or unsafe emotionally, and it may take some time and effort to ground yourself. You’ll likely need to confront these destabilizing emotions and work through them in order to regain emotional equilibrium.

Leo Moon: Cutting Through The Bullshit, Taking A Break From Work, Emotionally Unstable

Love

In March, Leo Moons will experience tension in their romantic connections. There will be too much energy between you and your partner, leading to conflict. Both of you may want each other but have different desires and approaches, causing a clash. This tension will dominate the beginning of the month and could feel like a collision between your needs and expectations.

However, by the end of the month, there will be a breakthrough. The cycle of conflict you’ve been experiencing—possibly since February—will come to an end. A new phase will emerge in your romantic life, marked by change. You’ll be stepping away from old patterns and entering a period where you’re more focused on clear, mature communication. This shift will bring peace, balance, and stillness into your connection, allowing for smoother and more constructive conversations. If you’re in an existing relationship, this will significantly improve the dynamic. If you’re starting a new connection, it will feel clear, communicative, and balanced.

Career

In February, you may have been overworking and using a lot of mental energy in your career. However, in March, you will likely feel the need to take a step back. You may seek rest, take vacation, or prioritize things like early bedtimes to rejuvenate yourself. You’re no longer interested in pushing yourself too hard and want to take a break from the constant grind of work.

Despite this desire to rest, there will still be some blockages in your career growth. You may struggle with feeling grounded and finding your flow, and there may be difficulty flourishing in your work. You will find it challenging to invest your energy into your career in March, and this struggle could lead to tension. You might be torn between withdrawing and needing to do more, pushing yourself hard at times, and not realizing how this might negatively affect your well-being.

This tension between rest and work could create emotional instability in your professional life. You may feel like you’re not seeing things clearly or might overcommit again without realizing it, falling back into old habits of overwork. It’s important to find a balance between nurturing yourself and your career.

Emotional Themes

March will be an emotionally unstable month for Leo Moons. You may feel like you have little control over your emotions, and there might be a desire to withdraw from others. You won’t be as open about your feelings or experiences, preferring to keep things to yourself. This could be a time where you’re focused on deepening your emotional understanding and following your intuition, but it’s possible that your emotions will come up suddenly and strongly, prompting you to act on them without fully processing or considering the consequences.

There could also be difficulty connecting with others—whether with friends, family, or romantic partners. You may feel disappointed or isolated emotionally, leading to moments of acting impulsively based on your emotions. Instead of taking time to reflect, you may make decisions on the fly, which could lead to feelings of regret or frustration later.

Virgo Moon: Emotional Coldness, Unstable Work, Nostalgic

Love

In March, Virgo Moons will experience some emotional coldness in their romantic connections. There’s a lack of nurturance in the bond between you and your partner, which is causing a sense of disconnection. Your focus is still on the relationship, but you’re trying to avoid being overwhelmed by emotional tensions, particularly as you work to balance your personal life and responsibilities.

While you may desire a passionate and sexually charged connection with your partner, it seems that you are suppressing these desires in favor of focusing on the practical aspects of life. You’re trying to see if this emotional distance will pass, while also managing other aspects of your life, including work.

Career

March will bring instability in your career. There are blocks in your progress, and goals may not be completed as expected. Procrastination, lack of organization, and a general lack of creativity may hinder your work performance. You might not feel enthusiastic or engaged with your job, and this lack of motivation will have an emotional impact, leaving you disappointed and dissatisfied with your work life.

However, by the end of the month, you may make an effort to turn things around. There will be roadblocks and challenges, but you’ll likely try to implement changes and take actions to achieve your goals, despite the obstacles.

Emotional Landscape

In March, Virgo Moons will feel nostalgic and may want to reconnect with their childlike self. You’ll crave freedom and a break from responsibilities, wanting to spend time in nature, around children, or engaging in creative activities like drawing or coloring. You may find yourself longing for a sense of playfulness and lightheartedness during this time.

Despite the challenges, March will bring moments of pride and confidence. Something will go well for you emotionally, making you feel free and on top of the world. There are blessings and emotional growth on the horizon, which will lift your spirits.

However, you may also struggle with a sense of laziness, not wanting to do much, and a tendency to be swept away by strong emotions—even if those emotions are positive. This may lead to emotional immaturity, as you might have difficulty grounding yourself and might get caught up in your emotional states. This could result in moments where your feelings take over, preventing you from staying grounded.

Libra Moon:Breakthroughs,Difficult Communication,Disconnected

Love

In the month of March, Libra Moons will experience a breakdown in their love life before a breakthrough occurs. There’s a sense of pettiness and immaturity in the communication between you and your partner. Conversations seem to repeat, and there’s a lack of resolution, with no clear solutions being found. It feels as if one or both partners are more focused on their own interests, making it hard to have a meaningful conversation—one where both are talking to each other, rather than just at each other.

For a period of time, the arguments and mental conflicts will persist. However, a shift occurs, and the energy moves from mental disagreements to an emotional breakthrough. Eventually, there will be a conversation that focuses less on the logical and mental aspects of the relationship, and more on expressing emotions. This emotional revitalization will bring a new beginning, allowing you both to reconnect emotionally and build a deeper bond.

Career

In your career, confusion and lack of clarity will persist throughout March. You may feel uncertain about what steps to take next, possibly due to an aversion to confrontation. There’s a sense of things being left unsaid, leading to a buildup of unspoken tensions. Your fears and overthinking might cause difficulties in communication at work, leading to misunderstandings or heated arguments during conversations. This could destabilize the work environment, making it less exciting and leaving you feeling dissatisfied with your job.

Despite these challenges, by the end of the month, there will be a shift towards more balance and clarity. While there will be moments of emotional confusion and chaos, you will gradually begin to focus on restoring harmony in your work life. You’ll approach work with a more mature mindset, seeking to manage relationships and work dynamics with greater stability. By the end of the month, after navigating through some initial difficulties, you will find a clearer path forward and regain balance in your career.

Emotional Landscape

Emotionally, Libra Moons may experience some coldness and a sense of disconnection in March. You may not feel fully nurtured or aligned with others, leading you to take more time for yourself. There’s a need for introspection as you seek clarity about your next move. You may feel unsure about what direction to take and will likely focus on grounding yourself.

Rather than becoming overwhelmed by emotions, you’ll focus on balancing them by reflecting and spending time alone. This will allow you to restore emotional equilibrium and prepare for a more stable emotional state moving forward, particularly as you approach April. It’s a time of self-reflection as you seek to understand what’s truly important and how to regain emotional stability.

Scorpio Moon: Break From Your Lover, Balancing Work, Standing Your Ground

Love

In February, you were deeply focused on your person, trying to communicate and resolve issues. However, it seems that your efforts were not as successful as you’d hoped. As a result, you’re taking a step back from this person in March. This break is necessary because the situation became mentally exhausting, and you didn’t want to continue putting yourself through that.

However, this break is also causing some instability and powerlessness in your life, as you likely wanted to keep moving forward with this person instead of taking a break. Despite the discomfort, this time apart will be helpful in shifting your mindset. You were overburdened by the situation, and the space is allowing you to start unpacking the mental distress and relieving yourself from the negative thoughts that had been weighing on you. By the end of March, you will begin to feel freer mentally, as the break gives you the space to reflect and reset.

Career

In your career, things will start to ease up in March. You’re no longer feeling as overwhelmed, and you’ll find it easier to delegate responsibilities and tasks. This shift will bring relief, especially considering the stress you’ve been under at work. You’ll find yourself operating at a more manageable pace, and you will have time to breathe, reflect, and even daydream—an unexpected but welcome change.

That said, the beginning of March will still be busy and full of challenges in your work environment. There will be a lot to juggle, and you may experience some frustration due to the demanding nature of your job. However, you will persevere through these challenges, and by the end of the month, you’ll achieve the balance you’ve been seeking in your work life.

Emotional Landscape

Emotionally, Scorpio Moons will be in a place where you’re not willing to tolerate much this month. If someone tries to push your emotions, you will stand your ground and assert your boundaries. This is a sign of emotional growth, as you’re no longer willing to be passive in emotional situations. You’re now firmly standing up for what you believe is right and for the emotional strength you’ve developed.

However, before this emotional empowerment takes place, you’ll go through a period of emotional pain, feeling bogged down by negative emotions. In the early part of March, you may experience pessimism, emotional exhaustion, and hurt. This is compounded by a sense of betrayal and a struggle with trusting others in the future. After this period of emotional difficulty, you will rise stronger, implement your boundaries, and stand up for yourself in a way that reflects the emotional growth you’ve undergone.

Sagittarius Moon: Ice Cold Heart, Locked In, Facades

Love

In March, it seems like you’re feeling unfulfilled in your love life. You desire someone who truly cares for you, nurtures you, and gives to you, but you’re not receiving that from your partner. There’s a feeling of coldness and neglect from the person you’re involved with, which is painful and deeply hurtful. Your heart is feeling heavy, and you’re experiencing significant emotional pain. You’re emotionally upset, and it’s difficult to focus on the situation because you’re overwhelmed by the demands in other areas of your life.

However, despite the emotional turmoil, the end of March brings a new beginning. There’s a shift in your love life, and you may meet someone new, or you may experience a fresh opportunity in your current relationship that can help you break free from the emotional slump you’ve been in. This shift will bring spontaneity and adventurous energy into your romantic life, whether you’re single or in a relationship. The energy of spring brings exciting and positive changes, creating a more exciting and fulfilling dynamic in your love life.

Career

In your career, March is a time for serious focus. You are determined to improve and make great strides in your professional life. Everything you do at work is aligned with your long-term goals. You are highly invested in self-improvement and are dedicated to advancing in your career, whether that’s through a promotion, a new position, or enhancing your skills. You may even be taking courses or going back to school to aid your career growth.

While you’re focused and committed to success, the month will be busy and demanding. You’ll face non-stop action and back-to-back tasks, making it difficult to catch a break. However, the hard work will pay off, as you are likely to see financial rewards. March will be a month where you’re serious about your career and putting in the effort to build stability for your future. Though the workload may be overwhelming, you’re taking the necessary steps to reach your goals, even if you’re struggling at times to handle everything on your own.

Emotional Landscape

Emotionally, you’re going through a lot in March. On the outside, you may be projecting an image of strength and success, showing the world that you have everything together. However, internally, you’re struggling. One of the biggest emotional challenges is your tendency to ruminate on past situations, which has become unhealthy. You know it’s not good for you, but it’s hard to stop.

You’ve spent a lot of time processing your emotions and trying to make sense of everything, but you’re hesitant to admit that you need time to yourself. Instead, you try to act like everything is fine, even though you’re not truly okay. There’s a sense of emotional exhaustion, and at times, you may feel like giving up. You may even entertain the thought of just walking away from it all, but deep down, you know you need to keep going. Despite the emotional obstacles, you are trying to gather yourself and put on a strong front, showing others that you’re fine, even though you’re still dealing with a lot behind the scenes.

Capricorn Moon: Unfinished Business, Blessings, Analytical

Love

For Capricorn Moons, March brings some significant shifts in love. There may be something that has been left unspoken or unresolved in your relationship, and it’s starting to affect the connection. It feels like there’s an unspoken awareness that the connection is fizzling out, but no one is taking responsibility or acknowledging it. For some of you, this might result in a breakup, or simply the relationship slowly losing its spark.

Both you and your partner might have been passive for some time, but things are about to change. Someone is going to step up and finally address everything that has been left unsaid, asserting their feelings and desires. It could be a moment of clarity, where the relationship either ends or moves toward resolution. If there has been a period of disconnect or a break, this month marks a turning point.

An ex or someone with unfinished business in your life might return. This person will re-enter your life with a positive and mature energy, bringing blessings rather than negativity. The connection could feel fated, as if they came back at just the right time. They’ve become clearer and more assertive, and they’ll likely be bold, excited, and passionate when they approach you. This person might even exude a strong sexual energy and be very attractive. Whether you’re open to them or not, expect some unresolved matters to come back into focus.

Career

March is a blessed month for Capricorn Moons in terms of career and finances. Whether you’re starting a new job, getting a promotion, or launching a business, there’s a financial blessing in store for you. You’ve been putting in the hard work, and it’s starting to pay off.

Capricorns are always known for their diligence, but this month, you’re particularly focused. You’re being very intentional with your efforts and working hard to improve your career. There’s a lot of self-control at play, and you’re making sure that everything you do is aligned with your long-term goals. You’re fully committed to your work and not wasting any energy, ensuring that the effort you’re putting in this month will bring significant rewards.

Emotional Landscape

In March, you may feel like you’re experiencing a creative block or lack of inspiration. This is reflected in your career as well, where you’re more focused on practical tasks and routine rather than creative pursuits. Your energy is being directed toward getting things done, which leaves little room for inspiration or excitement in other areas of your life.

Emotionally, you may not be deeply immersed in your feelings. Instead, you’re relying more on logic and practicality. When it comes to expressing yourself emotionally, you’re doing so in a calm, analytical way, rather than from a place of emotional vulnerability. You may even set boundaries this month, with a need to stand your ground and let others know they can’t mess with you. You might find yourself having to assertively tell someone off, making it clear that they cannot sway you emotionally. You’re showing that you won’t tolerate emotional manipulation and will take control of your emotional space.

Aquarius Moon: Toxic Love, Job Dissatisfaction, Indecision

Love

In March, Aquarius Moons may experience disappointment in their love life. It seems that someone is leaving a sour taste in your mouth, causing you to feel like pulling away or walking away from them. This person’s behavior may have left you feeling drained and uncertain about continuing the relationship. As a result, you’re beginning to realize that focusing on yourself is necessary.

It seems you’re dealing with a toxic partner. This person might say things that aren’t true or fail to follow through on their promises. Despite the toxicity, there’s an undeniable attraction—possibly good sex or engaging conversations that keep drawing you back. However, you feel the need to take breaks to regain emotional stability and prevent being consumed by their energy.

Even when you take these breaks and manage to stabilize yourself, this person remains on your mind. You might find yourself feeling stuck on them, unable to move on. It’s possible this person is generally a good and consistent person, but the relationship dynamic has become toxic. The connection may sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to some hot-and-cold behavior—moments when you want them, followed by moments of pulling away to regain balance.

Career

March brings some challenges in the career realm. For Aquarius Moons, it looks like you’ve been dealing with a toxic workplace that hasn’t been a place of peace. There may have been a job loss or the realization that your current job isn’t fulfilling or promising for the future. As you begin to prioritize yourself and your well-being, you’re actively seeking out new opportunities.

You might be feeling disappointed and sad about the current or past job situation, and the job search process may feel discouraging. However, don’t lose hope—March holds a blessing for you. A great job opportunity is on the horizon, whether through a promotion that moves you out of the toxic environment or a financial blessing to help alleviate some of the strain. If you’re jobless, this financial support could be crucial, so stay optimistic and keep pushing forward.

Emotional Landscape

Emotionally, March might bring a creative block for Aquarius Moons. You may not feel as inspired or energetic, which could affect your ability to engage in the things you love. It’s a time when you may feel a little indecisive and unclear about what you want to do next. This can leave you feeling somewhat disconnected from your emotions and uncertain about the direction of your life.

Despite the lack of inspiration, you may find yourself crushing on someone or feeling an emotional pull toward love. This could bring some warmth to your heart, even though you’re still feeling a bit distant from your usual energetic self.

There’s a sense that you’re feeling like a failure or unsure about your progress in life. You may be grappling with the feeling that you’re repeating patterns you’d rather not repeat, leaving you disappointed and unsure of your next steps. This emotional fog is causing some doubt in your ability to make decisions, leaving you with a general sense of lack of direction or uncertainty.

Pisces Moon: Sudden Shifts, Risk Taking, Clarity

Love

At the start of March, some of you are in no contact or are avoiding the person you care about. The lack of communication can feel frustrating, and there may be more arguments than resolutions. This leads to feelings of disappointment and loss of hope, making you question the future of the relationship.

Mid-month, there’s a sudden shift. What started as no communication or distance turns into frequent contact. You may find yourselves spending more time together, having deep conversations, or even going on outings. There’s a noticeable change in the dynamic, going from tense to relaxed and positive. You might even share moments on social media, enjoying each other’s company, taking photos, and having fun in public settings.

This change can feel sudden and almost jarring, but it brings positivity and excitement after a period of emotional lows. It’s as if the situation shifts overnight, going from feeling stuck to enjoying each other’s presence with renewed energy.

Career

The first part of the month may bring dissatisfaction and emotional discouragement about your job. You might feel disconnected from coworkers or unsure about your position, leading to inner turmoil. You may even fear losing your job or feel a lack of stability.

Despite the early challenges, there’s a significant shift in your career by the end of the month. Some of you will take a risk—whether that’s pursuing a new opportunity, shifting positions, or making a bold career move. This risk will pay off, bringing a sense of fulfillment and success. If you decide to leave your current job, you could find better opportunities elsewhere, which will feel like a major accomplishment. Others who take a calculated risk within the job will also see positive results, feeling validated and empowered by the outcome.

Emotional Landscape

Emotionally, March begins with inner conflict and dissatisfaction. You might feel disconnected, disappointed, and unsure of the direction your life is heading in. There’s a sense of emotional imbalance, leaving you feeling unfulfilled and uncertain.

As the month progresses, this emotional turmoil starts to subside. By the end of March, you’ll feel a newfound sense of balance, maturity, and emotional control. The chaos of earlier in the month will give way to clarity, as you find peace within yourself. You will emerge from the month feeling more assured and emotionally stable, having navigated the emotional highs and lows successfully.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 150 (Inventing - or Reinventing? - Time Travel)

To research the possibilities of time travel, Felix Psyded, Esquire, and his girlfriend, Lilith Pleasant, had spent months at Laurel Library in Britechester. Emit's knowledge had proven helpful, but his device was too advanced for modern times and required materials yet to be discovered. They had a lot to learn, and often studied late into the evening.

These two - an attorney and a podcaster - knew next to nothing about programming or biometric sciences. But Lilith, especially, was determined to make a device to chase Emit's time thief, and Felix would stay by her side in any decade.

"I checked out a copy of A History of Time Travel like Ash suggested," she said eagerly. Felix quickly flipped her laptop to The Sims Archives, Volume 2, disguising the webpage he'd really been reading. "Are you enjoying the game? I didn't realize how much I missed playing it!"

He nodded absentmindedly, and Lilith noticed. She was about to raise the question when her twin sister, Angela, emerged from behind the bookshelves with a programming guide. "Geez, this stuff is difficult," she complained. "How are you planning to learn all this to make a time travel device?"

"Ash was taken with a faulty remote," explained Lilith. "He said we need to program it correctly or we might end up lost in time, but he's been a huge help on some things we just can't wrap our heads around."

"It's pretty crazy to let a nine-year-old help you build a device to jump through time. And how did he invent it already, because Emit's here, but not invent it yet at the same time?"

Lilith scowled at her twin. They'd been polar opposites since high school, and Lilith always felt a sense of moral superiority oozing from her earthy pastel pores. "Why are you even here, Angela? We didn't ask you for help."

"Excuse me for being interested!"

A librarian shushed them from somewhere beyond the tall rows of mahogany bookshelves, and Lilith leaned in to whisper. "You're not interested in the device, you're interested in Emit."

Angela caught herself before she let out a yowl, aghast at the suggestion. "A blue-haired time traveler? Please! Do I look desperate?"

Felix poked his head in gently, having built up a good relationship with Lilith's family. "No, but you look infatuated every time he's on TV. I don't blame you, really. He's polite, and he could well be handsome behind those sunglasses. He's mysterious; it's alluring!"

"Lil, if you're not careful, you're going to lose your boyfriend to Emit Relevart."

Lilith rolled her eyes and changed the subject as Angela huffed. "Ash thinks we need to look for something called a shard of time, which he first read about in Theoretical Electronics. He reads so fast, it's amazing! He says the shards are hard to spot, but if you look at something long enough, relax your mind, you'll see slight discoloration in an object. Once you see it, you can pick it up with your fingers. Ash said he found one on the toilet in his bathroom at home."

(This is Ash pondering time travel on the toilet for the quest points. I know it doesn't look like it but some of the event reward animations are sus or my game is broken. The actual books - Theoretical Electronics and A History of Time Travel - never appeared in Lilith's hands. That's why she's reading a violin skill book, which she picked herself when she was done reading the invisible books.)

"So you're going to go stare at toilets for a while?"

"Refrigerators, too," said Felix.

"This is so weird, you guys. Are you really serious about this?"

"After Felix is done work tomorrow, we're going back to Willow Creek to talk to Emit some more." Angela tried to stuff her hopeful expression and Lilith let out an exaggerated sigh. "Did you want to come with us?"

"Well...if you think I'd be helpful I'd be happy to-"

"Ange..." Lilith pursed her lips. She loved her sister, but she was always like this. "I said you could come and meet Emit. Don't act like it's a favour to me."

They made it to Willow Creek Park the next evening, where they found Emit still wandering the paths. He smiled and waved when he spotted the girls waiting for Felix near the public restroom. "Lilith Pleasant! I hoped you'd be back. Most of the gawkers have been unserious, and they don't come around as much now that the news cycle's moved on a little."

"We wouldn't know where to begin, but we've been getting help from someone...Does the name Ash Landgraab mean anything to you?"

After everything they'd learned about Ash's visit from the ghost of Marco, Lilith posed her question carefully. When Emit frowned, shaking his head, her shoulders dropped in relief. "Everyone's heard of the Landgraabs, but Ash Landgraab doesn't really ring a bell. Why?"

The sisters looked at each other. "When you're from, who invented time travel?"

Emit laughed as Felix joined them. "That's one of life's great mysteries! It's thought whoever invented it wanted - or needed - to be protected, so their identity was kept secret. When I was at the academy, there were rumours the inventor was a kid and that's why their name was never recorded, but some say people did know, and the inventor was well known once upon a time, but the truth was lost to history."

Felix chuckled. "Perhaps the truth was hidden by another time thief."

Lilith and Angela laughed with him, but Emit's face held a stern expression. "Time thieves aren't that funny. They could erase history as we know it if they try hard enough. Some days, my wristboard pings so often, each time they move to a new time, I can't possibly chase them alone. We're lucky the one we're dealing with is just dropping household furnishings all over the place. So far." He dropped his voice in an ominous tone. "But even that could break the strings holding time in place."

"Wow, you know so much!" Angela gushed at the blue-haired man, and he looked back to Lilith with a curious expression.

"Is this your clone?"

Lilith laughed, but Angela laughed louder. "This is my twin sister, Angela."

"It's nice to meet you, Angela."

They shared a sweet smile, and Lilith glanced knowingly at Felix. "We also wanted to ask you about shards of time," she said. "Where are the best places to look for them?"

Emit looked back to Lilith as though he'd forgotten she was there. "Shards? Oh shards! Sorry, our tech hasn't had to use shards for a long time. Shiny surfaces are best, but I suppose they could be anywhere, really, if you look long enough."

"That's what Ash said."

"This Ash sounds fascinating. I'd like to meet him, or his guardians, since you mentioned last time he's a child, didn't you? You're...you're not saying he's the one who invented time travel..."

"He hasn't yet," said Angela. "He's almost ten, but these two would probably be hopeless without him. He's the one who discovered the shards."

"A child Landgraab invents time travel? That is a headline!"

"His parents - at least his mother and his stepfather - don't want people hounding him the rest of his life."

"I don't blame them. It's important to protect children - even brilliant ones."

"Should you meet him some day, I think you'd be quite impressed by him," said Felix. "He's nothing like the rest of the Landgraabs."

Emit laughed. "What do you mean? The Landgraabs are incredible. They spent six billion simoleons to end global hunger and built the ship that stopped the asteroid. A Landgraab is president of Simlandia right now. Well, right where I came from."

Felix shared looks of surprise with Lilith and Angela. "Maybe Marco's stunt changed more than we thought," he mused.

Felix and Lilith paid attention to each other while Angela made small talk with Emit. But Emit seemed uninterested in her flirty advances, which he returned with friendly nods and turned glances.

Before they left him in the early hours of the morning, Felix gave him a burner phone so they could reach out if they had more questions. Emit took the untraceable phone willingly, glancing quickly at Angela before sending them home with polite goodbyes.

When they got back to the old three-story home they shared with Angela and her parents in Gibbs Hill, Lilith quickly went to bed. But Felix was mulling something over in his mind.

He tried reading, but his mind moved too fast to take in the paragraphs. When dawn finally broke and he left for work the next morning, he called his favourite grumpy police captain on the way.

"Hey. I know it's early, but I was wondering if you had a few minutes. I've got a problem I need to talk about..." ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

Last shot is of Felix is his work attire and not on the phone with Conrad because I liked it. He is not without swagger!

NOTE: If you've played through the event, you know the story is diverging a bit from the strict tasks since Emit isn't the sole source of information for Lilix here. Also, Angela had that instant attraction to Emit and I want to see if I can see that through. Even though Emit is being very professional-adjacent about it, he accepted some of her flirts, but not all, so I gave it a rest before he got mad. But once again, I'm making something much bigger than it is for the sake of plot.

[butterflydm]

WoT rewatch thoughts (1x5-1x08)

Still has spoilers through the s3 information that we have so far and book spoilers through a memory of light.

1x05

Both beginning and ending this episode on funeral rituals worked so well. Great structure.

Time skip for traveling! Mark a month off on the calender.

We can really see how Mat has deteriorated in the last month by the way he snaps at the kid who runs into him.

Love the shot of Dragonmount looming behind Tar Valon. They exist always with that reminder of what the Dragon did.

Mat has no appetite. Poor sad wet cat.

The betrayal of there being Two Beds in this inn room, lol. Why are we not respecting the classic fic tropes?

Rand reassuring Mat that he didn't kill that little girl or her family. Rand believing so hard in Mat's goodness maybe partly because he can see that Mat is having a difficult time seeing it in himself.

Even with Nynaeve's coat off, she's still half Green and half Yellow.

Moiraine trying so hard to mentor Nynaeve and she Does Not Want It.

Man, Perrin and Egwene had a much more cheerful journey than either of the other sets. But they get plenty of trauma right now, so they don't need to be jealous.

Once again, the show does such a good job showing us the strength in the Tuatha'an. And this thread will continue into Perrin's storyline in s3, with both Whitecloaks & Tuatha'an. They've done a solid job of tying Perrin to them both.

Loial shows up and immediately calls Rand an Aielman, lol. Poor Rand!

Oh, I see you, Fain!

Oof, people throwing food at Logain and mocking him. Baffled at the people who say the downsides of being a man who can channel weren't shown.

The promise scene between Mat & Rand is so good. Ultimate sad wet cat Mat. I really do love everything about this scene.

I really like our exploration of Stepin's utter and compete grief and emptiness after Kerene's death. How much the other Warders try to help him, how Nynaeve tries to help him but it isn't enough.

Love love what they did with the old rings being melted down (to create new).

Between what happens with the Whitecloaks here and then the Seanchan in s2, Egwene reacting by being as fiercely independent as possible makes all the sense in the world.

The Whitecloaks and Tower novices both wearing all white seems like it might create some emotional dissonance for Egwene, but I understand why the show didn't go there. That's just down to Jordan making too many groups of people wear white.

Oof, the Whitecloak stuff with Egwene & Perrin is hard to watch.

But our first hint of Perrin's golden eyes.

I note how Valda feels about all channelers similarly to how Liandrin feels about male channelers. And then we can get into the Seanchan's dehumanization of channelers as well.

Liandrin trying to bond more with Nynaeve. Has she been having ta'veren dreams? Ishy has had a month to try to figure out at least some of the places where his potential ta'veren have gone.

Our first reunion! It's always such a relief when any of them get to reunite. Man, Mat really does look on the verge of death.

Nynaeve can now join Rand & Mat in the Not Trusting Aes Sedai or Moiraine squad. Oops.

She tells Rand a story about Egwene to reassure him of Egwene's strength, never realizing that it's also the moment when Nynaeve likely channeled for the first time (to heal Egwene).

Perrin shares his deepest shame and secret with Egwene here - that he killed Laila by accident during the battle. So Perrin & Egwene's journey ends up being also very traumatic but the trauma was concentrated into the last day or so of the journey.

And just like was hinted at with the fire, Egwene & Perrin are finding their power at the same time. I wonder if this will happen again with their TAR training in s3? I really hope they run across each other in TAR. Let the characters stay connected!

Liandrin definitely got shot down by Moiraine at some time in the past.

Love the whole "shrine to ward off the Forsaken" thing. Great touch.

Siuan has been off in Caemlyn - was she talking to Elaida about Elayne, or was it about politics?

Moiraine: the White Tower's Woman of Mystery. Everyone wants to know what she's up to!

Alanna got such a glow-up in the show compared to the books. She's great here.

We get another nod to accepted poly relationships (amid the Green Ajah, at least).

Great conversation between Stepin & Lan. And a heartbreaking conclusion to Stepin's little mini-arc of grief and the Warder bond.

1x06

Little baby Siuan! ❤️ ❤️

Our first look at Tear as well.

Such a great way to introduce Siuan, considering they wouldn't have her for more than one episode this season.

And we learn in some places that it's dangerous for a woman to learn to channel - it's not only the Whitecloaks who assume that everyone who can channel is a Darkfriend.

Given that we know now (as of s2) that Moiraine & Siuan are older here than in the books, I wonder if that means her dad has already passed on.

Much like Egwene, Siuan is strongly associated with the water.

(This scene made me tear up too. I've cried three or four times today, I think)

Leane wearing light colors here vs the darker colors she wore in the s3 sneak peek to bash a Darkfriend's head in.

Another scene that gains so much depth on rewatch- knowing about Moiraine & Siuan's relationship & knowing about Liandrin being Black Ajah.

We just saw Stepin choose death in the previous emptiness of losing his bond, now Logain seeks and is refused death while suffering the emptiness of losing his connection to the One Power.

Everyone does still look good here, but the costumes definitely got a glow-up in s2 & again in s3.

The only main player in this scene not playing an elaborate game is Alanna. Siuan and Moiraine are pretending not to be in cahoots, Liandrin is pretending not to be Black Ajah - Liandrin trying to fracture the divides between the Ajahs, and also throwing Moiraine under the bus. A lot of Daes Dae'mar going on.

I also feel obligated to note that around this time frame is the jumping off point of my (now over 500k!) fic series: voice in the back of my head (archiveofourown.org/series/2688649). It is Cauthor-focused (Mat & Rand romance), though it does bring in the canon romances for Rand later on and we have some fun poly relationships going on, and it is currently spoiling through the twelfth book, but each fic in the series says how far that particular fic goes with regards to spoilers. The fic premise is: Liandrin found Rand & co instead of Moiraine finding them, and Rand is motivated enough to instinctively Travel himself, Mat, and Nynaeve to Tear because he wants to escape her.

This fic has been a lot of work and I am pretty proud of it so if you feel at all inclined to read an AU of the series that starts with the idea of "what if we gently slid Mat into Rand's romance situation?" and is a mix of show and book canon... give it a try. If you like it, please let me know your thoughts. <3

Anyway, Moiraine be spying on Rand & co., waiting for Nynaeve & Loial to leave to go talk to Rand & Mat.

Rand's protectiveness over Mat on this scene is really what threw my shipping switches on for them. He pulls a sword on Lan, despite knowing he had no chance against him!

"The world doesn't need a Dragon like me."

But Moiraine has figured out this is something else, not going mad from saidin, and Mat gets healed of the dagger's sickness.

So... was Rand using the One Power to help keep Mat from succumbing to the dagger's pull? Moiraine thinks that Mat shouldn't have been able to resist as long as he did.

We get some Tower politics, and we get the first hints of the Seanchan.

Moiraine is just encountering so much weirdness with these kids. Now there are wolves, she must be thinking to herself. Wolves!

The romance reveal scene! I like this change for several reasons- it's better romance than either gets in the books, it follows naturally from the NS relationship setup, and it adds drama for Moiraine, who did get a bump from mentor figure to being a protagonist.

It also gives the show a chance to show softer and warmer sides to both Moiraine & Siuan. Plus the nice play between duty & love bodes well for other romances.

I love how they reunite and only afterwards does Moiraine let Siuan know about the Dragon. Priorities!

And it makes so much sense that Moiraine has been doubting their prophecies after all this time on the road, while Siuan hasn't been out there with disappointment after disappointment.

This conversation also (unintentionally, given that it was a last-minute change) sets up Moiraine deciding she'd rather have the Reds potentially gentle the Dragon than risk Mat choosing to join the Shadow, because she thinks he's not strong enough to resist.

Ishy deliberately sent Siuan that dream. 😭

Liandrin knows too much. She definitely has been getting Ishy dreams.

Another reunion!

And the convo with Siuan is great. Nynaeve not bowing still cracks me up. Egwene going "wtf, nynaeve can channel? and she's stronger than I am?" with just her face is also hilarious.

Egwene & Nynaeve get a much kinder pep talk from Siuan than poor Rand gets in s2.

Moiraine's exiling is another great, emotional scene. And it also teaches us more about how the Oath Rod works, and sets some reasons in place for the Hall to be wary of Siuan. And sets up some precedents for the future.

And Moiraine trusting and giving more to Siuan than she was asked to give in the Oath - not just exile but obedience. That's gonna hurt a lot when we get to s2.

Even though she literally asked for it, it's obvious how hard it is on Moiraine to see her Sisters turn their backs on her.

But now we do (briefly) get our full Two Rivers reunion, and that is lovely. Hugs all around! Fond teasing! They love each other!

So we know that it wasn't actually the Dark One who was trapped at the Eye, so... it sounds like the knowledge of the location of the Dark One's prison is lost to time. It does make sense that Darkfriends would target that info specifically.

Moiraine not able to tell them that she trusts them, due to her Oaths, is a. so funny and b. makes it mean so much in s2 when she is willing and able to say that she trusts Rand (this is the real reason why it's difficult for me to get on board with The Ruse (TM) theory - because it feels like it would retroactively ruin that 2x07 moment between Moiraine & Rand).

Now that he's pretty sure Mat can't channel and isn't the Dragon, Rand knows deep down who it really is.

But then we lose Barney-Mat at the Waygate and I'm sad!

You can tell this very last scene was shot after the post-covid shutdown, because Maddy (Egwene) lost some roundness in her cheeks during those in-between months and it makes her eyes look a lot bigger.

I adore Donál's Mat but also miss Barney's. The feelings are both very present.

1x07

The Blood Snow! So epic. I love everything about this scene.

I will say, given that we have a stabbed pregnant Tigraine in the side here and it looks like we're getting a flashback to pregnant Morgase in s3, it does feel fairly likely that we will get pregnant Elayne as well, later on in the series. Tigraine gets stabbed the same way that Elayne is described as being stabbed in one of the super-late books (can't remember which, so I'll tag through AMoL) iirc.

Tigraine really did give every ounce of herself to her destiny, and I'm so glad the show version of her got a moment of kindness and compassion at the end.

Moiraine's cynicism about Mat vs Rand's rose-colored glasses about Mat: fight!

Nynaeve doing her job as Wisdom to keep all the kiddos together and make a promise to find Mat later.

"The one thing that we cannot afford is for the Dragon to turn to the Shadow."

Lan trying to cheer Nynaeve up is very sweet.

Egwene wants to sleep near Rand and he lets her this time (contrast to 1x02, when he pushed her away).

I like negging Machin Shin better than the version in the books, I admit it. It's more personal! Just relentlessly dunking on everyone's deepest fears.

Everyone looks so haunted. Poor kiddos.

I don't understand the people who don't understand the big fight. Everyone is so on edge from what they just went through! They are all overly emotional and vulnerable right now. The fight could have been MUCH uglier and still been valid tbh.

Uno! Congrats on your s2 upgrade to Hero of the Horn!

Another confession: I find this Lord Agelmar & Lady Amalisa much more interesting and memorable than the ones in the books. And I was kinda relieved that the show took the whole Five Great Captains thing off the table right away.

I also love their outfits.

Oh, hi, Fain! I suspect we'll get to see more of him in s3.

Min is so much better in the show than the books, omg. Just... on every level. She actually is jaded and world-weary.

"There is a man they must find. A boy, really."

Given that we saw Mat visibly recoil at hearing the Red Ajah mentioned in that s3 clip, I wonder if we're going to see him & Moiraine actually talk about it. I mean, it's in character for both of them to avoid that particular convo, so we will see!

Egwene's little quip at Rand's cooking is cute but I bet contributes to that feeling of Rand's that she doesn't see him as a man but as a boy.

I like how Min's visions were used here. And that she does what Moiraine blackmailed her into but holds back enough to protect what she knows would be the biggest secret (that Rand is the Dragon) because she doesn't feel like it's hers to reveal.

I really love how the shot with the three kids is framed to show the empty chair at the back to emphasis Mat's absence.

Anyway, I like the fight. Characters should be allowed to be messy and argue. Each of them has a perspective and is stubborn about that PoV.

Egwene is right that Moiraine can't lie, but the others are right that she can mislead or withhold.

And I love that the tipping point for the actual fight is Mat & his absence.

And then Nynaeve lobbing a bomb into the conversation as soon as it gets heated enough that she's getting uncomfortable. I mean, they aren't arguing about Mat anymore, at least?

Perrin's super-close "the only woman I've ever loved is my wife" and the hot five seconds that I shipped Perrin & Rand (but then Mat was mentioned in Rand's 1x08 fantasy world and I was right back to Cauthor lol).

I like that Lan had Malkieri friends alive in Fal Dara & I'm pretty stoked about the s3 Melindhra spoilers as well. Very cool to dive more into those relationships than we did in the books. Nynaeve getting an introduction to Lan's people & culture! After he got to know hers in 1x01! Very nice.

Jump-scare Lan does crack me up.

Anyway, good for Nynaeve and Lan for hooking up when they think there's a chance they might die in the morning.

Rand struggles with coming to terms with being the Dragon but Egwene thinks this is all about the big fight earlier. So they are having two different conversations right now.

Hey, in light of this convo- Rand is going to go to, well, Tar Valon anyway. Maybe not the White Tower itself. We'll see if he gets a doorway visit or not.

But this is Rand's big final burst of denial before he goes and talks to Min, confirming to himself that he's the Dragon, as he's tried not to believe that he is. So we've now had two instances of Randgwene sex used to delay or avoid an important conversation.

I am... very curious if the pattern continues in s3. Pretty sure they'll sleep together again, from what we've gotten in the trailers & such, but I am curious about the framing & context.

This montage of Rand accepting the truth about himself gives me chills.

Min's exhaustion here makes her so relatable.

I am so glad Tigraine had someone to hold her hand at the end. That she saw that her son would be taken care of.

"Rainbows and carnivals and three beautiful women." 😍

Elayne only three episodes away (2x02, right?), and Aviendha a little bit after that, but they are on their way! And this is our first hint about them.

1x08

3000 years ago, whoo!

Love their outfits.

Love the choice to have the AoL scenes in the Old Tongue.

LTT is perfect. Genuinely so good.

And the gut punch of seeing how technologically advanced the world used to be. It was a magitek utopia (or at least seemed that way to them).

I do wish that Rafe & co could have brought their original vision of this episode to life, because it is so devastating to go over all the things they lost (a principal actor! Their original Blight location! Their stunt team! Even more that I can't recall at the moment too I bet) but they did so much with what they had. I am so fucking impressed.

"I love him, Perrin." And then she thinks he died to save all of them. Yeah they do need to finish things off properly in the show.

Lan 100% thinks that going after Moiraine right now means his death, hence the sweet but flowery speech to Nynaeve here.

Ishy and Rand come face to face. I wonder who Ishy thought the Dragon was (he says he didn't expect it to be Rand). I love the reveal of Ishy's true face. And trying to touch Rand's face right away lol.

"Stubborn as ever, Lews."

The convo between Moiraine & Rand is interesting (all of them are) but partly because Moiraine doesn't actually say that she believed it was Egwene. I think she hoped it was Egwene but that's not quite the same. And Rand doesn't ever really think it was Egwene either, except maybe at the start, because we know he was worried it was Mat during that month of them journeying together.

Hey, the horrible bully from Moiraine's story! We're gonna meet her in s3. Because that story is about Elaida. She beat a novice with the One Power to force her to channel.

Min is very amusing in the show. I like her a lot. I really like that we get to go on an emotional journey along with Min about the downsides of having her viewings in s2, instead of it all happening before we show up in her life.

Again, really like the relationship between the siblings here - Lord Agelmar & Lady Amalisa. It's sweet.

"Let us hope we will buy the women and men of this world enough time to stand a fighting chance."

Rand recognizes the place where he locked Ishy up years ago. Love that we get to see that moment in s2.

Moiraine talking about the Tower's histories getting destroyed by Darkfriends. Very important note, I feel.

And Ishy springs his win-win trap. There was no actual way for Rand to win here, because he didn't know who he was fighting.

I've mentioned this before but I love that the show split up the battle into philosophical (Rand) vs physical (everyone else) because that's the Last Battle too. Rand's fight is a philosophical one and it always was. The Power is there to get him to where he needs to be to make that choice.

Our mention of Mat in Rand's temptation world, where Egwene is clearly being fondly exasperated but not truly annoyed. So, you know, like how Rand feels about Mat.

Ishy plays with his food, taunting and shielding Moiraine.

Perrin and Loial's friendship being a throughline for all three seasons, getting to know each other here, spending more time together in s2, and Loial going home with him in s3.

Rand struggling against a hollow perfect reality. Major, major foreshadowing for the endgame so I'm glad I already listed amol spoilers.

And Rand also needs to forcibly let go of Egwene and his dream of their life together in order to wake up from his encounter with Ishamael, something that Egwene doesn't get the opportunity to do, because the boyfriend she recently reunited with heroically died in order to save the world (to her understanding). So Rand and Egwene go into s2 (and presumably s3) with very different contexts about where their relationship left off.

You know, in retrospect, it's so appropriate that the Horn was being guarded by one of the Heroes.

Ishy is so smug here because he really does win no matter what. Tbh I feel like waking up Lanfear was his big mistake in s2. Because her agenda is different enough from his that they ended up conflicting, even though they share an LTT obsession.

That being said, even though this is a win-win for Ishy, what Rand learns here can/will help him win the Last Battle. So it works out in the long run.

Rand & Moiraine believe that the Last Battle is won, so she's willing to let him wander off to die in the wilderness if he wants... and then she kicks herself forever when she realizes how wrong she was. Like, it's Moiraine & Siuan's plan that fully releases Ishy. They thought they could do an endrun around the prophecies (which Moiraine has to be fully aware that Rand has not accomplished!).

As Moiraine might say "the arrogance".

Love the setup here at the end by Fain.

"Rand may be the Dragon but all five of you have a part to play."

And Moiraine. "This wasn't the Last Battle. I fear it was the first."

And our great intro to the Seanchan and how wildly different they are to anything we've already seen.

Tomorrow, I'll start rewatching s2 and see how far I get!

[limolib]

Re-blooming

(Alt ending to Wilted lemon trees)

The recruiter x reader

──────────────────────

──────────────────────

Warnings; No reader body/race/age descriptions (if any pls lmk), but in my mind there’s an age gap. A little ooc. NO USE OF Y/N, I still don’t refer to the recruiter with a specific name. English is not my first language. Some description of injury.

WC: Just 2k 🤏🏻

Summary; Alt/fluffy ending to wilted lemon trees (for the fluff girliesss). I don’t think this could be read alone tbh :p

A/N: hope you enjoy this cause I wrote it instead of paying attention to my lectures and now I’m hashtag regretting it

He watched through the scope as the car approached his made up end spot. Welcome to the final show. The car you picked out was unassuming, grey and very much a family car but he caught your alias pretty easily. You were speeding down an empty backcountry road, almost at your sweet sweet escape, not on his watch though. He shot the bullet, hitting your tires immediately, causing the car to flip over into a nearby ditch. He abandoned his position, taking his gun with him to ensure the job is done. The wreck caught up in flames, the light from the fire casting a yellow glow onto the surroundings. He approached your position under the turned-over car. Your back was to the ground as your hands were reaching for your gun, but it was too far away, plus he kicked it from your line of sight with his polished shoe. You panted, looking down at your lower body with defeat, the wreckage making it difficult to move. He watched you, so helpless and at his mercy and he couldn’t help but feel a little bad. Just a little.

“Bad time to say that suit looks great on you?” You coughed. “Brings your face out.”

“Get up.” he kicked your side softly, causing you to cough more.

“Way to kick a woman when she’s down.”

The flames from the car had reached your legs, that's for sure, but the fact that you were not crying out in pain right now was concerning.

“Cmon now, don’t give up so easily.” He dropped his weapon, hurrying over to attempt to lift the car a little to give you crawl space. The metal of the door burnt his hands, but he endured, for you. You shimmied out on your elbows and collapsed once more, panting heavily with a bloodied nose from impact. He picked his gun back up and stood over you, feet at your sides with the weapon aimed at your head. Your hands came up slowly in surrender.

“You win.” There was a hint of teasing in your tone, though he was unsure as to why.

His jaw clenched, grip tight on the firearm as he looked into your tired eyes. He needs to do this. Now.

“Just like back in Cairo, huh?” You coughed, causing him to smile a little.

“You and I remember Cairo very differently.”

The memories of that time crawled into his mind involuntarily, especially how the air felt that night. You studied his face from your position on the rough floor, conflicted and hesitant.

“Was this not what you wanted?” You croaked.

He didn’t answer, only kept his gaze trained on your face.

Cairo must’ve left a lasting mark on him.

Your eyes were already getting blurry from a combination of blood loss, the adrenaline wearing off and the newly felt pain.

“Just kill me, babe.” You coughed.

That seemed to do the trick, as he knelt down to smack you on the head with his gun. As you finally succumbed to unconsciousness, you heard a shot ring out, then felt the sharp pain in your abdomen; the final domino in your blacking out spell.

. . .

There was an unfamiliar warmth on your face easing you out of the state you were in. Kind, welcoming, gentle. Your senses began making their way back to you, the sweet birdsong melody engulfing you warmly. There was a waft of fresh air all around, the kind you smell deep in the countryside when the next city isn’t for hours. Then, pain.

So so so much pain, everywhere. At the sensation, your eyes shot open, but they were instantly shot back shut due to the intense light on your pupils. You blinked a few times, willing yourself to beat the force of the sun beaming down on you. When your eyes finally adjusted to lights, you attempted to sit up, wary of the unfamiliarity of the surroundings. It was futile, the pain knocking you immediately back down, a handcuff at your wrist also limiting your movement. You were shackled to the bed. More pain was elicited when you’d attempted to pull on the chain.

“Don’t do that.” You hadn’t even noticed his presence, posted in a dark corner with the light from the window only hitting his lower half. You took a second to take the room in whilst propped up on one arm.

It was a small bedroom with very little indication as to who lived in it before, only a few boxes of belongings strewn about. The floor was a mess, bills and other varieties of papers covering the small carpet. The walls had what you could assume were certificates of achievements adorning them, a wide variety of colours and sizes. By the bed lay a singular teddy bear, brown and innocent, and the only indication of this being a child’s bedroom.

Your eyes made their way back to him, observing as he leaned forward slowly, allowing the sun to hit his blemish-free face. Well, almost blemish free, save for a small scar on the bridge of his nose.

“Kinky” you jiggled the chain.

“You were strongly against any and every form of help I tried to offer you.” He tilted his palm to show a nasty bite mark on it. “You wouldn’t let me stich, sedate or transport you. Or anyone else for that matter. Caused me a lot of trouble.”

He got up slowly from his spot, opening the door by his side and disappearing outside.

You got up as well, the chain being long enough to allow you some movement in the small room. You padded over to the certificates, bare footed and a little cold. They were almost all academic achievements, all dedicated to one-

“Is that your name?” You didn’t have to turn around to feel his presence there behind you.

“Yeah.” His hand came up to your side, grasping your wrist gently to undo the cuff. You couldn’t tear your eyes from his name though, it felt like a gigantic leap forward, like he’d just given you the moon and stars. It was so fitting for him.

“You live here?”

“Used to.”

“And then?”

“You know.”

Growing up, the games, it was a stupid question really, you were just so giddy and so barely able to think straight.

He exited the room wordlessly once more, leaving you to your curious exploration. You lipped over to one of the boxes by the bed, small and unassuming, the outside adorned with little hand drawn hearts and other shapes. Inside, a modest collection of old photos, mostly of him and his father. Camping, fishing, playing, bathing. There were few where his mother made appearances in, mostly just him and his dad. He looked so eerily normal, smiles wide and carefree like he wouldn’t grow up to be a murderer. You must’ve spent a good amount of time flipping through each photograph, soaking in the normalcy they held. The smell of food began filling your senses, alerting you of your previously quiet hunger. You limped over slowly to the door, then out through the hallways to where you could hear some plates and pans clinking. There he was, back to you over the small stovetop cooking what you could assume was a steak. He wore a plain white shirt, a little loose on his form, paired with a pair of plaid pants.

He’s in his pyjamas. You held back a giggle by biting your lip.

You still don’t know why he brought you here, or why he hadn’t killed you yet.

“Is that the only meal you know how to make?”

“You know the answer to that. It’s just convenient. And you need to restore your iron.”

He turned around, revealing a very pretty blue apron with lemons on it. He plated the tempting meal and took the apron off, sitting down on the small kitchen table, opening the seat by his side for you to take. You descended onto the chair slowly, wincing at the pain from your side. He dug into his plate with his usual class, but your curiosity prevented you from eating anything, the questions on your mind already too filling.

“What’s the plan here? Wine, dine and end my bloodline?”

He dropped the utensils, a hand coming up to rub his eyes at your stupid play on words. There was a small smile on his lips when he looked back up at you.

“No. You’re already dead.”

You exaggerate a look around the place, eyes wide and breath loud. “Spooky.”

He gave you a tired look and sighed.

“I regret not killing you.”

“You don’t mean that”

“I do, actually.”

He turned back to his meal, mentally preparing himself for what looks to be a lifetime of lame jokes.

“I faked it all. The body, the death. Had to shoot you for authenticity and all. Also because the bullet had your name so I didn’t want to waste it.”

You poked his side, earning no reaction from him.

“They didn’t check after me, loyalty pays off I guess.”

“Where are we?”

“About an hour drive out of Seoul, it’s cozy here. Has its charm. I can keep you safe and keep my job at the same time.”

“Oh? So when you’re out playing villain, what do I do? I’m not your little housewife.” There was a small smile in your words.

“Is that so bad? Weren’t you the one who wanted white picket fences and wrap-around porches?”

“You wanted it too, hotshot. Or else you wouldn't’ve kept me alive.”

He slumped back, hands dropping the utensils once again, turning his face to look at you.

“Must you be difficult?” He sighed.

Your hand came up to fix his slightly disheveled hair out of his face. “You’re just so entertaining.”

His eyes were on the hand he had on the table now, watching as he cracked knuckle after knuckle, the other hand at his side. He pushed his tongue out into his cheek, taking a few deep breaths to try to cool his anger. His throat bobbed heavily before he pushed up suddenly from his spot, taking a few short strides to the outside. You irritated him endlessly, making his feelings for you all the more infuriating. You followed him a minute later, finding him leaning on the house front, one leg over the other as he watched the empty field opposite. He had his hands in his pockets, jaw clenched tightly as he tapped his head on the wall gently. You brought your hand up to touch his bare bicep, causing him to sigh and shut his eyes, his shoulders relaxing. In a swift movement, he brought your form flush into his, engulfing you in his embrace, a hand coming up to press your head into him, scratching at your scalp a little.

“I risked a lot to get you here I-” he let out a shaky breath. “You need to work with me to keep our peace. Seoul isn’t safe right now, it won’t be for a while, for you anyway. I know it’s a huge contrast, but…we can figure it out when you’re feeling better, okay?”

So he got it all, the job, the girl, the looks. You…weren’t mad, nodding into him.

He used his hand to angle your face to look into his.

He kissed you then, it was new. Unsure and a little innocent, unfitting for who either of you were. You smiled against his lips, pulling away to look at him once more. His arm found your waist, the other coming up to interlace with yours. You swayed gently to no music, moving in tandem to the sound of nothing. It was mostly him, though, being a surprisingly great dancer. He hummed a soft song you were unfamiliar with, eyes boring into yours somberly .

I won’t say I’m in love.

[midnightshindig]

I need to see Donald being a wingman for Cecil 🙏 Like maybe the reader is also a high-ranking member of the GDA and Donald knows they both have trouble opening up? Ty!

omg finally getting to my requests omg!! happy days, everyone

I love this request, I LOVE Donald as a character I'm so happy to write for him ^^

hcs under the cut

You were one of the GDA's lawyer, inspecting the place to make sure-- legally-- everything was as airtight as possible. Suing a superhero is much more difficult than suing the government, after all. And the people want an outlet.

Your job was to make the GDA as un-suable as fucking possible.

And Cecil admired you for it

You provided a valuable service, you were always courteous to him and his subordinates, and you looked pretty good in a suit

What wasn't to love?

So you saw him quite a bit, it was an easy enough job with your team doing most of the difficult paperwork for you

It wasn't unusual to see you chatting up Cecil or Donald or really any higher up about the ins and outs of the process-- PURELY for research, obviously, and not because you're just cool and friendly

You would talk to Cecil quite a bit, inquiring into the functions of his job and just generally picking his brain about anything and everything

It was nice to have someone be so interested in him, Cecil couldn't help but grow fond for you

Instead of his initial annoyance, he quickly become excited when you entered his wing of the Pentagon.

"Heyyy big man! What're your thoughts on that attack this morning? Crazy stuff, right?"

He subconsciously moved to straighten his tie and fix the cuffs of his suit jacket, looking back at you with a wobbly, unpracticed smile

"Yes, Y/n. It was interesting all right- I have Donald and the boys at the lab working on samples from the monsters dna right now."

A beat

"Care to see?"

And so Cecil slowly grew to trust you more, not enough to show you the White Rooms by any means, but that wasn't personal, that was national security.

This had gone on too long, it was messing Cecil up

he liked you, he was grown up and mature enough to accept that fact

but there was no way you-- some hot shot lawyer with an intelligent mind and knack for conversation-- would find him worth your time

Position as head of the GDA be damned, he didn't think he could pull you.

He's too much of a rock to say anything, but Donalds entire job is to observe Cecil and his needs, to keep the GDA running smooth

"You know... I hope this isnt' out of line, Sir. But Y/n has taken quite a liking to you."

Cecils eye twitches with stress "What...?"

Donalds eyes widen a little, trying to save the situation "I just mean that it is unusual for Y/n to spend so much time here. With you. Data shows elevated heart rate and dilated pupils when they see you. It would make sense, is all."

Cecil let out a frustrated sigh, leaning against a desk "And what do you propose I do about it, Donald? Fire them?"

"No!" Donald was frantic, fixing his glasses and recomposing himself "The opposite, actually. I think it would be beneficial for both parties as well as the greater good of the GDA if you asked Y/n out to coffee."

Cecil was skeptical, like he always is, like his job requires.

But Donald knew it would make the both of you happier

Maybe you just needed a little push?

The next few days are torture for everyone working at the GDA

everyone can see you enjoying Cecil's company, and even casually hitting on him, and Cecil losing his edge over it

He's frazzled by you, shaken a little by Donald's suggestion he ask you out

But he steels himself and presses on, content to ignore his silly crush

Donald ain't having none of that shit.

So he finally confronts Cecil

"Cecil, sir, with all due respect, you need to make a move."

"What."

"This whole pining thing is disrupting everybody else's work, nobody can focus with the will-they won't-they sitcom happening."

"Donald please, Y/n is a professiona-"

"They really aren't. Ask them out. I'm serious." and Donald leaves, leaving Cecil disincensed and frazzled

So, two days later and you're back for a visit

but things are different?

the GDA analysts and office workers are all quiet around you, not in a gossipy way, just.... quiet?

You go to find Cecil, wanting to pick his brain about something you saw on the news

When you get there, Cecil looks nervous, not anxious per se, just.... hesistent?

"Hey Cecil! What's going on today? Everyone's super quiet... did I miss something?"

"No, y/n... uhm-" he pulls at his tie a little "Everything is fine, have a seat? I have something I want to talk to you about."

You raise an eyebrow at his formality, taking a seat in the leather chair across from his desk

"Y/n...." He sucked in a deep breath, clearly nervous

"What? Is there some huge lawyer scandal I'm not aware of?" You try to lighten the mood, cracking a smile

Cecil sighs, combing his hand through his hair "Y/n, would you...." he looks past your head to see Donald giving him a thumbs up through the door window

jesus christ

Ugh- fuck it-

"Y/n, can I take you out?"

silence.

"Like...." you start cautiously, a concerned look on your face "Like on a date? Or like...." You drag your finger across your throat, poking your tongue out to mimick death

Cecil's eyes widen as he stands up, placing his hands on the desk "Like a date! Not- ugh.... I should've phrased that better..." he seems so defeated, deflating back into his chair.

Much to his surprise, you perk up and grin "Sure!"

"What? Really?"

"Yeah! I've been waiting for like weeks for you to ask me out. What do you say to coffee?"

He blinks in surprise, straightening his tie and sitting up straighter "I would like that."

BONUS:

As you leave, you notice Donald standing casually outside the door to Cecil's office, presumably needing to tell him something important

after you leave, Cecil comes out himself, giving Donald a side eye

"Donald."

"Sir."

"....Thank you."

Donald gives a small smile and adjusts his glasses "You're welcome, sir."

[sal-absinthii]

How does Harry treat Lupin badly?? All I can think of is him getting upset at Lupin for wanting to abandon his pregnant wife, which is understandable because A. it's a dick move on the face of it, and B. because Harry is sensitive about having lost his own parents not through choice and he can't believe anyone would do that on purpose. Is that what this is about, or am I forgetting something?

Another great example though of a time where it is useful to try out the skill of understanding for understanding's sake, rather than with the aim to pass moral judgment.

Bad questions to ask:

- Was Harry right or wrong to get angry at Lupin?

- Is it good or bad of Lupin to want to leave Tonks and join Harry?

- are X character's actions justified/sensible according to information (including emotional) X character does not have, based on the fact that I, the reader, see more than the character does?

Good questions to ask:

- Why does Harry react so strongly to Lupin's offer? What situation does he compare it to, and does it make sense that someone with Harry's history would feel this way? (note that this is a DIFFERENT question than "would I feel that way" or "is Harry's response justified" or "did Lupin deserve to be yelled at")

- Why does Lupin want to leave Tonks? What is he basing his reasoning off of? Do the reasons he gives line up with his previous and current actions/choices? Does it make sense that someone in his unusual situation would feel this way? (again, a DIFFERENT question than "is Lupin correct" or "do I approve of what Lupin is doing")

- What reason does Lupin give for wanting to join Harry? For what reason does Harry think Lupin wants to join him? Do they see the situation the same way as each other?

- If they have different views of the situation, how might this lead to problems communicating/understanding the other? Does the scene privilege one character's interpretation of the situation over the other? (careful again not to mix up "the reader is being set up to give more weight to the perspective of the character through whom we see the events" and "therefore the author believes exactly what this character is thinking/saying and it is always an accurate and complete picture of the events/other characters" -- being narratively directed to take one side can also be used to establish conflict or as misdirection and does not mean that the perspective is meant to be true or that it reflects the author's own moral beliefs if this were a real nonfiction event)

- What is Harry basing his accusations off of? Is he reacting more in this moment to Lupin or to his own history?

- What does Lupin fear? What is he hoping to gain? ("he's fundamentally a shitty person and a coward" is NOT an answer)

- Thinking about previous incidents in which Harry and/or Lupin were faced with difficult interpersonal choices, how does this interaction reflect the broader patterns of behaviour each of these characters has shown before? Has this behaviour been consistent, or has it evolved over time? If so, how has it evolved, and what factors caused that?

- If I have a strong immediate reaction to this scene, what is it about my own history/perspective/fears that makes me react this way? Does this remind me of something? Have I been in a situation like this myself? Do I find it significantly easier to relate to the character I side with than the character I don't? In what ways? Might that be biasing my interpretation? (this does not mean that your interpretation is automatically wrong or that you aren't allowed to feel strongly about it, but it is something you absolutely must be aware of if you're going to write any analysis of anything and hope to be taken seriously)

In general, questions designed to elicit a judgment are not very useful. You can of course make those judgments, like or dislike characters as people, and have opinions about what you would have done the same or differently, but you have to keep that separate from analysis, because that is not analysis. A character can be well-written but unlikeable, likeable but not the protagonist -- so when you simply say that a character is "good" or "bad," you need to first understand which of these you are addressing.

Secondly, if you are unable to articulate why a character does what he does and to see the internal logic of his feelings and actions -- regardless of whether you personally would have done the same, or consider those actions correct or wise -- you have no business even attempting to judge them in the first place, because you do not understand them. This is the Chesterton's fence of character analysis: if you don’t see why a character is a certain way, you have no business judging them. When you can come back and tell me that you do see why they are that way, you can state your case. In other words, if you are unable to understand why Lupin comes to Harry and why Harry reacts as he does, you definitely shouldn't be vilifying one or the other. Once again begging Tumblr to internalise the difference between "I understand this" and "I endorse this."

Regarding my last post, here were the comments.

Ah yes, an orphan not seeing the man who never reached out to him, never made any effort to build a relationship as a father with him makes him bad.

Poor Remus deadbeat Lupin. Didn’t Harry know it was his job to take care of him/j.

Seriously though I hate the marauders fandom, it should illegal for them to talk on Harry.

[dsnzfb]

Ask for any set of your characters you like, just because I'm curious: how would they describe eachother's sneezes? How would the other person/people's description vary from how they'd describe it themselves?

Ohohoho this makes me think

So I'll probably do my main two pairs for this cause they all know each other etc etc

Also this is long! Readmore incoming!

Rose (fet):

Cactus - he loves his sneezes he thinks they're strong and manly and intense and- if he was asked to describe them out loud, he'd be a blushing, stuttering mess. He couldn't. Written down for a snz enjoying audience, he'd describe them like a horny obs post.

Non-fet Rose would describe them as 'noisy' and 'very Cactus' since he finds it almost impossible to hold back.

Himself - They're strong! They are! He has a bit of a mental block, but his allergies push past that. He struggles to let himself go when he's around anyone else. Alone, they're long and drawn out, and as much as he hates to admit it, his bigger sneezes do last less time overall than his attempted stifles.

Axo - Hitchy, hitchy, hitchy. Super cute, they take over his whoooole body. Quieter than Cac's, but still relatively loud.

Lotus - No, Thank You, That's His Cousin.

Cactus:

Rose - He holds it all back when he could get 'em out! He could get all the tickle out at once, but he doesn't. Is he scared? "They're small and cute, like he tries to be polite, n' shit."

Himself - They're normal, aren't they? Just normal-ass sneezes?? He wouldn't say they're loud. They're just normal, as they've been his whole life! Don't everyone's sneezes echo when you're alone in a big room?

Axo - See, that's more like it! Axo takes deep breaths in, and he gets it over with! It's pretty cute how his face shows just how itchy he is.

Lotus - it must be a family thing, Lotus's sneezes are small, too! He stifles into near silence, and Cac can't help but wonder what the 'real' sneezes sound like.

Axolotl:

Lotus - Like everything Lotus does, they're super super CUTEEEE 🥹 adorable. He's so cute. Axo is very perceptive when it comes to Lo, he sees when he's about to sneeze in his expression way before it actually happens. He prefers when Lotus lets them go, but he must just be shy. Which is weird, he's not usually shy or cares what people think of him. When he doesn't hold them back, they're cute, a little girly, with a sort of 'tchiew' sound. Even let go, they still sound kinda strangled.

Rose - Oh, he's kinda like Lo, but he fails holding them back more than he does. Cac seems to like teasing him.

Cactus - 'Whoa, you okay? Those were loud! Must have felt good to let them out like that. Maybe I should do something like that...'

Himself - It's kind of embarrassing, how much they take over his body. He can't help but hitch, and hitch, though he's noticed you staring, Lo. He wishes he could just get them out, like Cactus does.

Lotus (fet):

Axo - So embarrassing... It's not Ax's fault, but it feels like he was tailor made to tease him!! He can't focus, the moment Axo starts hitching, it's all over for him. He loses any train of thought he had. It's like... Each one is a performance. Just for him.

Non-fet: Is he exaggerating? It's difficult to tell. Surely not, right? Otherwise, he's breaking more shirt buttons on purpose. Not that it takes much, but...

Rose - Yeah, no. Blocking those out, thanks.

Cactus - He doesn't pay that much attention to Cac, but it's difficult to ignore him in the throes of an allergy attack. They're rough, intense, and like they're taking every ounce of energy Cactus has. He's... Been known to stare a little when Cactus comes into the Florists'. You can't blame him!

Himself - mental block mental block mental block. He doesn't want anyone to look at him when he's sneezing, so the quieter, the better. He's embarrassed when he lets them go, but sometimes you have no choice. He's very grateful that he hasn't found any allergies yet. He's so full of shame and embarrassment when he sneezes that he's actually not sure /how/ he sneezes when it's not stifled.

[silliestgirlintheworld]

Detox just to Retox - The Dan and Phil Hiatus

Dan and Phil x Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes - Fall Out Boy

Image credits under cut:

Why I Quit Youtube - Daniel Howell (1, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21)

Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes - Fall Out Boy (2, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20)

DIL'S FAMILY WINTERFEST - Dan and Phil Play: Sims 4 #63 - DanAndPhilGAMES (3, 11)

Phil is not on fire 10 - AmazingPhil (4)

DAN AND PHIL MASSIVE PIZZA MUKBANG 2 - DanAndPhilGAMES (6)

Daniel Howell, Twitter 04/01/2019 (12)

Daniel Howell, Instagram 06/18/2021 (19)

WE'RE ALL DOOMED! - Daniel Howell (22)

[chiisanajimi]

what if we were alone in the military officers' tent and i was so in love with you it hurt ha ha what if

(i know chrom's pauldron is completely wrong but i don't feel like fixing it so let's just say it's being repaired right now)

[embracedfire]

Seeing other amazing posts about tr!Sneeg and his isolation leading to everyone eventually leaving him on his own (Phil, Fit, Clown, Ros to the Null, etc.), what if this + the need for number up and greater power through his own means could lead to the skulk infection on him becoming worse?

Especially now that he and Aimsey went to an Ancient City to get those warden souls for the cracked skulk catalysts they ate, and especially since the keeper said it would mess with their humanity (plus Sneeg tried to get another catalyst for another life!! He wanted more of the thing infecting him because it would have a chance of benefiting him despite the warning given), the calling from the deep dark could become a hell of a lot worse.

Imagine if you will:

Sneeg is working on some machine or grinding for levels at The Blender. He is alone and has been for a while. He hasn’t seen anyone close to him in god knows, even Ros! (I know she will msg Sneeg in game but shhhhh pretend she forgor about him for a bit for the sake of plot) Really the only person he’d been able to talk to in person was Aimsey lately, but they were usually busy with other people on the server.

Having been in isolation for so long would surely make someone believe they’re hearing voices no one else can. That tends to happen when someone goes mad.

Sneeg at some point begins to hear quiet whispers. At first he doesn’t take much notice, being that there’s been a lot of strange sounds he, and only he, can hear for a while. Surely he must be imagining it, right? It must be all in his head. But soon, those quiet whispers turn to distant screams, and those to a cacophony of sorrow and yearning. The skulk starting to spread around his machine is beginning to call to him. This calling gets louder and louder and louder, and it’s getting increasingly difficult for Sneeg to ignore, even with the temptations and numbering up he needs to be doing.

With no one to check in on how he’s doing, he ends up listening to this strange echo (partially out of curiosity, partially out of an unusual desire to follow the call). The skulk spreading on his body is getting much, much worse, going across his torso and mutating it terribly, causing fatigue and the beginnings of eyesight loss. It’s changing him, his body, his mind, how he thinks. He’s becoming obsessive over it, acting like he has to listen to this like it’s something a living being needs to live and long forgetting what he went into isolation for (number uppppp).

The call leads him to some of the deepest and darkest parts of the underground.

An Ancient City.

But this time, in a place where natural light is rare and feels like a death trap even just looking at it, it seems like a safe place to be. Sneeg’s vision isn’t the best (the blindness infinity that happened during the lore with Aimsey in this instance probably), but he could somehow sense that this place was good, safe, home. Way safer than any place like Bad’s cathedral could ever hope to be. The City called to him, summoned him to its protection, and he listened.

Now, Sneeg prefers to stay in this underground City out of its prime. Down here, he doesn’t need to worry about being alone anymore. The other souls in this place are plenty company, and they wouldn’t abandon him. If anyone else even thinks to dare get too close to his home, they won’t last long.

Wouldn't it be neat if tr!Sneeg was slowly losing his vision

Wouldn't it be cool if tr!Sneeg started getting really sensitive hearing haha

Wouldn't be funny if tr!Sneeg started feeling a pull from the deep dark and he could hear heartbeats and screaming coming from the skulk deep underground that drown out all of his other senses and felt the urge to leave. The urge to leave everyone and protect the things down where light is a rare thing. Where the souls trapped forever call out to him.

Heahahaa C:

[constellarcreator]

Been thinking about my headcanon of post-loops Siffrin being disabled with chronic pain a lot

I subscribe to the idea of the whole timeloop situation taking a very abnormally huge amount of craft to keep going. I mean, Sif was literally breaking the fabric of reality itself possibly hundreds of times. That much intense craft use could very likely cause some permanent internal damage to somebody. So after everything is said and done I headcanon that Siffrin develops significant chronic pain and fatigue from what is essentially long-term craft exhaustion. They end up needing a cane, have longer cooldown times for craft use, and generally need to lay down and sleep a lot more than they used to. And since this is Siffrin we're talking about, they'll definitely take this really hard, at least at first. Sif is used to being the party leader for his speed and agility, so having that taken from him is a huge hit to his self-worth. Sif values his usefulness to people very highly and one of their biggest hangups is the idea of being burdensome, and they subsequently hate making people worry about them. Initially his first instinct is to try to power through it in typical Siffrin fashion, but after a little while it gets to be too much to bear alone and so he confides in the fam about his health concerns. And they are of course as supportive as they always were. They're all willing to slow down and help out whenever needed. Get loved!!!!!! You are loved!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lez-bichi-lover]

🏳️‍🌈HAPPY PRIDE MONTH 🏳️‍⚧️ HK NATION‼️🗣

June is almost over, but I managed to pull something after not drawing my dear bugs for the longest time <3

[+ READ MORE FOR THE PROCESS]

[kacievvbbbb]

The Donovan Desmond Theory

In light of the latest chapter.

Donovan Desmond is giving serious Reginal Hargreeves vibes.

But like if I had suspicions that he was a bad dude or at least is involved in some bad things then that’s been cleared up a little bit in the most recent chapters.

I don’t know if I fully believe Desmond is an alien like Melinda thinks I think maybe he has a non human quality to him (like say something like Anya’s powers) combined with his general lack of human understanding it seems I think him being an alien is Melinda’s explanation for what is happening (or you now chances are he could be one but so far the story has remained fairly grounded and so im inclined to believe it will stay that way)

But what I think is most liek let is that he is the one behind the scientific experiments that Anya, bond and probably a whole lot of other dogs and children were subjected to that gave them powers.

Also

Look at the scars on his head. This is just a little lower than where Anya’s comes (which i think are kind of connected to her powers or atleast covering up something connected to her powers) sit. And honestly they just look like brain experimentation scars.

So initially I thought maybe he was the founder of the experimenting giving powers organization looking for a way to perfect or gain powers but now I think that maybe he was one of the first kids to be experimented on. Maybe he was the only one/ one of the only ones/ the most successful experiment, to survive the process and so they make him the poster child of the project and he grows up within it and they are essentially the shadow organization pulling the strings and orchestrating his life. That would explain why he seems to lack so much proper human socialization skills and why he appears odd enough that Melinda thinks he’s an alien.

Or maybe the original organization fell apart in the lead up to the first war and now he’s rebuilding it to try and continue the work or fix what’s wrong with him but I’m inclined to believe he just believes in the work.

All this to say that I think Desmond can read minds like Anya. I think the boys and his family might be part of some side experiment he’s running to see if these powers can be passed down through dna and so he got himself (or the organization set him up with) a family. I think thats the reason he spent a lot of time up close and personal seemingly monitoring Demetrius and his progress. Trying to see if he would develop any special abilities. But he doesn’t and that why Donovan seems to lose interest in his family.

But I think during this time Desmond teaches Demetrius (without explicitly explaining why or what they are doing) how to be impervious to having his mind read I’m guessing incase Demetrius did show promise and would be brought into the fold, and that’s why Anya can’t read him but he seems to have internalized this as simply just not having a stream of consciousness. The only time we hear his thoughts is when he’s thinking about things in the abstract and that’s probably the key to it. He focuses soley on what he is doing right then in every moment and so thereby doesn’t mule anything over enough to have an internal conversation with himself he was probably taught not to “waste time pondering”anything and just to act when it is appropriate to do so, disguised as a very strange business lesson. As he was probably being very intensely instructed on this. But Demetrius shows no signs of any developing powers so Desmond kind of just pushes him to the way side which must have been jarring to suddenly be so unimportant to your father after so many years of such intense observation

Which is why I think Demetrius harbors anger towards his father and doesn’t understand him because what were the lessons for and why did they abruptly stop and why doesn’t anything he do seem to bring them back? But he never really investigates this deeply because the act of not pondering was instilled within him deeply.

So yeah. I think Donovan Desmond can read minds I would also kind of say him saying “this was a worth while evening” after sitting in silence with his family makes me feel like he just read their minds (those of which he could read) and got what he needed to. Which also makes me believe he is still running some kind of passive experiment on them and that’s why he doesn’t want Melinda to interact with Damian so much maybe he’s going the opposite route and seeing if neglect will allow the boys to awaken their possibly latent abilities. I don’t know man I’m just tapping 🤷🏿‍♀️ Donovan Desmond just has the look of someone that’s been experimented on whole Demetrius has the look of someone who withstood all kinds of psychological torture from a young age. Take all this with a grain of salt

[laurrelise]

just discovered that while i was contemplating watching house md my parents have been fans of it for years and my dad rewatches it all the time

im in actual shock because the reason i would’ve wanted to watch it is for the characters and the possibly non straight (?) relationship between wilson and house and my parents are scared of gay relationships

so i guess the queer coding of the show kinda flew over their heads a bit