#Void.answered

[zo1nkss]

genuine question, what about ed being feminine is an issue? and what do you mean about toxic masculinity becoming femininity lite? (this is /gen i do not understand how one is becoming the other)

Hey anon, thanks for asking. I don't have an issue with Ed being feminine personally, I just really vibe with a more masculine reading of him ig.

However, in reference to the tags on this post, I'm not the most eloquent and I also don't spend as much of my time reading up on this stuff as others might so I don't have all the vocabulary on hand rn, but there's this thing in fandoms sometimes where men who are trapped in a cycle of toxic masculinity and learning to break out of that cycle are portrayed as hyperfemine a significant amount by the fandom and it kind of erases the reality that unlearning toxic masculinity doesn't inherently mean someone is or becomes more feminine. People can remain very masculine by many standards but still unlearn a lot of the actively harmful ideals of toxic masculinity, like that you can't enjoy the things you love with abandon or that you can't love someone tenderly rather than harshly. Those are not the only ones, but they're the examples I chose for now.

People in general tend to narrow the whole concept of unlearning toxic masculinity down to becoming more perceptibly feminine, especially by white western colonial standards. They do it a lot more to men of color, and it can sometimes feed into the demasculinization of MOC, which is another bag of worms I honestly don't have the ability to explain well so I would suggest seeking another source on that.

All of that being said, I don't think that's necessarily what's happening in every case with this fandom. Ed does clearly have some decidedly feminine traits about him, things he has suppressed that in many spaces would be viewed and perceived as feminine. I do think it's great that people are exploring that in art and fanfic and such, but on some level it feels a little bit like we're sometimes forgetting the importance of uplifting masculine men unlearning toxic masculinity as much as feminine men.

And I think a very important aspect of Ed's character is his gender ambiguity when it comes to how he presents himself. He's shown a great love of both masculinity and femininity throughout the show, and it's something I want to seek out more exploration of. Partly to inspire myself but also bc I relate a lot to that aspect of his character.

[sn4kebites]

fwiw, what constitutes a 'good person' changes like. constantly. based on societal factors and culture and generational moral norms and like a ton of other shit. you don't have to be A Good Person TM to be like. good. idk if that makes sense idk how to word it. There's a lot of grandstanding that happens about how big your appreciable affect on large scale suffering has to be to "count" but the machinery of the world is big and it's trying to crush us all, and being decent while trying to live through that instead of like. sprinting to the forefront of conflict for the sake of it. doesn't make you bad.

av this was such a deeply reassuring ask to recieve i do not entirely know what to say to it. it means the world genuinely. this is really like... idk rounded perspective on it and it is very comforting. there is a lot of grandstanding around it for sure. i dont think i need to be Good TM like you say but its . really nice to hear that its not explicitly bad either

[angelof-thevoid]

OH SHIT YOUR BACK, good to have ya back!

back by unpopular demand >:3c hehehe hello again 💕

[zo1nkss]

Laszlo hcs 👀 ?

*cracks knuckles* :>

Owns a pair of booty shorts that say "Ethical Slut" on the ass cheeks. Jackie Daytona has absolutely worn them out for a night on the town with the girls

Idk if this is canon or not but my man can fuck it up with a fruity drink. He's not afraid to hold it with the pinky out, either.

I've been getting "non-binary with bi wife energy" since the first time I laid eyes on him and I will die on that hill

Secretly admires old timey vampire movies but also thinks they're the most ludicrous rendition of vampirism he's ever seen, so he outwardly makes fun of them

Absolutely loathes Taylor Swift, not to be ironic or counter-culture-y but just a genuine lack of interest.

You get a few shots of his fave in him and there is absolutely no telling WHAT he'll do

Not-so-secretly watches Ferris Beuler's Day Off on loop when he's sad, for the bi+polyam vibes

[zo1nkss]

I was super excited when I saw your post about watching A League of Their Own. I have to ask, are you enjoying it ? Do you have a favorite character?

I FINISHED IT!!! Boy Howdy did I fucking love it, oh my gosh!

It's so hard to pick a favorite!!

I mean you've got Carson, our adorable and awkward housewife without children who just wants to FEEL SOMETHING. She wants to experience the world and know joy and adventure and freedom. She wants to see the world differently and change her stars. She wants to PLAY FUCKIN BASEBALL babe!

Then you have Max, who I truly feel is such a parallel to Carson, despite being opposites in just about every way. Where Max self-advocates and is spirited, Carson is docile and agreeable. But in many ways, they are both being wrapped up neatly in these little boxes by everyone they know and expected to fail because of their upbringing/where they came from.

Even Shirley was just paranoid from lies ppl told her I can't rlly be mad about that???? I kind of get an OCD vibe from her with the whole "believing something bad will happen if she does or doesn't do X" and the very obvious reality that her homophobia was taught is just so forgivable.

Then there's Greta. Oh My God Greta. She's like if Good and Bad Janet had a kid and she was really gay, I'm IN LOVE with her. I want her to call me Doll and Babe and slap my ass and bully me a little bit, it would be so h o t.

And WE CANNOT NEGLECT how fucking hot and butch Jo is, since we're on the topic of Greta. A woman with a fire in her soul and a passion she finally decides to hold on to. Plus the CONFIDENCE baybee, absolutely one of my favorite characters.

This has gotten unreasonably long and I know there are countless other amazing characters to showcase how and why I love them. But if I ever EVER want to post this and don't just want to spend the next ten years adding random details I loved about this show, I have to stop now and just give it to you as it is.

[zo1nkss]

For the ask game: Tina Belcher

I see we've got one character in demand here lmfao

At some point in high school, she's going to discover fandoms and absolutely lose her cool over them

A lot of them will be pretty gay

Polyam Tina Belcher Truthers Where? I need my ppl, come on folks flock to me

She and Jimmy don't work out long-term but their on-again-off-again thing teaches her a lot about what she wants out of relationships and once she gets passed the swarm of hormones and boy butts, she will indeed discover some level of mspec sexuality

Her absolute lack of chill will get her through college and she'll go on to write novels, I can feel it in my bones

She has "niche fanfiction to best selling novel pipeline" vibes, you cannot tell me I'm wrong

One day she may invent a machine that allows her to touch every single butt on planet Earth simultaneously. She will get drunk on power and it will all come crashing down

[zo1nkss]

Even worse is when those entitled authors insinuate or outright state that not having enough 'interaction' will cause them to commit su*c*de. There are ships I do not and will not read for anymore because the authors are so notorious for doing this.

Literally! Omfg.

There's so much talk about how readers aren't entitled to anything, but writers are always always entitled to demand whatever they want from us. It's bullshit.

Dear writers, if you choose to create something and post it online, congratulations you chose to use that time and energy and nobody held a gun to your head.

If it were a situation where ppl charged to consume their stuff and were still getting no feedback, or they were specifically talking about their friends claiming to support them and not showing up when it counts I could respect and support the argument that engaging with and encouraging others to engage with it is part of the price you pay when you choose to support an author financially.

But this is a matter of free content created at the will of the writers who chose, out of their own desire to create something, to share it publicly. That does not inherently entitle people to a response.

[zo1nkss]

I headcanon that Nadja is the one who got Guillermo all those fancier clothes in season 4.

Like girlboss was like “I can’t have my accountant looking like pigshit 😒 oh you have human money, inexplicably, a lot of it? Good, because I’m not paying for you, little fuckworm boy 😠 Yes we are going shopping Guillermo, get in the coach and drive us! Fucking useless donkey!”

She does it as an excuse to have some gossip time— remember in the episode where Memo was manipulating all the council, and he leaned over to whisper something and Nadja got all excited?? They 100% have gossip secessions.

Nadja appreciates Guillermos new look and says to the camera (upon threat of cutting their throats out if they ever tell anyone) that her floppy baby bird in growing up and leaving his ugly fucking sweater-nest 🥹 Guillermo only half understands her feelings

!! LOVE that headcanon, 10%10 Anon. Waking up to this is gonna make my whole damn day.

[zo1nkss]

i can't see your bio if i go to your blog 😬

wth??????? I thought that was just ppl not having bios, ur telling me tumblr took away our frickin bios now??? U gotta be kidding me :c

[zo1nkss]

Ed x Stede adopting a pet together?

Anon u just made my whole day. I'm about to use my favorite fucking trope on Ed rn. I'm winning at life.

A Whisker Away

It's not that Ed was against the idea of getting a pet. He didn't dislike animals. But there were a lot of factors that went into having a pet on a moving vescel in the middle of the ocean.

Questions like how was it going to get enough exercise for an animal? Even the smallest of beasts deserved the freedom to roam as far as it wanted. And what if it couldn't swim or didn't like water? What if it hates boats, or get s sea sick a lot? Who's going to be responsible and clean up after it when it shits on the poop deck? ["No, Stede, that's not why it's called a poop deck."]

He also wasn't a huge fan of things that constantly demanded his attention. Sure he and Izzy had managed to get along for awhile, but that was before he made his choice of alliances and respect and loyalty very clear. But Izzy was a person who could talk and tell him what he wanted. Ed was terrible at guessing games. It's why his little attempt at mimicking the high life had gone so terribly. And animals needed so many things he wasn't privvy to.

But somehow, Stede had managed to convine him. The bastard sure had a way with words(and hands, and mouths, and tongues-) and knew just what to say to get Ed to cave.

"Oh, don't be so grumpy." Stede said from across the rom, where he lounged across their shared bed entertaining the small fuzzy creature. "He's so cute. How can you be mad at a face like this?" Ed glanced over with an indignant huff and rolled his eyes. Stede was looking at him in gleeful expectation, the tiny kitten hanging from his grasp and crying out softly as it looked across the room at Ed. Could it even see him, he wondered. BUt it wasn't the cat that had his chest clenching and heart softening. Oh, he was cute alright - but Stede was so completely enamored by the small thing that Ed couldn't help but thaw a little under his gaze. "Whatever," he dismissed, turning away if only to escape the pull of those eyes.

"Oh, just give him a chance darling." Stede's voice came from beside him then, and something cold and fuzzy pressed into Ed's cheek followed by the muffled cry of the kitten. "He's so sweet, you'll really love him. I'm sure of it." A loud crash sounded from up top and Stede cursed before placing the cat in Ed's lap and running off th make sure everything was okay, a half-frantic "Watch the cat!" tossed over his shoulder as the door closed behind him.

Ed, arms lifted and nose pinched in distaste as he looked down at the small inoffensive creature, sighed as it cried pathetically up at him. "Oh, give it a rest, will ya?" he said back, knowing it wouldn't understand a word he said. "I don't hate you, okay? I just don't know what I'm doing." It cried again and he reluctantly stroked it's head with his hand. The kitten semed to like that, so he rolled his eyes and let it have the attention it wanted.

And it was fine. You know. Nothing special. normal. Boring, even. Nothing good or bad, just-

"Hey, what's that you're doing?" Was it growling, or purring? The sound got louder and louder, until he could feel it through the hand stroking the cats head. "Oh-" it rubbed against his hand and Ed felt himself softening even more than before. The damned thing really was sweet, Stede wasn't lying. "Alright, I s'pose this isn't so bad."

The cat got comfrtable in his lap and Ed knew he was doomed. Stede would never let him hear the end of it. He'd put up such a fit about getting the cat and sulked all the way back to the ship. But it's adorable face and mellow demeanor had him absolutely endeared now, and Stede was going to be so fucking smug about it.

~

"You sure everything's alright, Roach?" Stede asked, lingering near the doorway.

"Yeah, man! Everything's great, it was just the pans, and you helped clean those up." With a shrug, Roach waved him off and Stede made his way back to the captain's quarters.

"Alright, I'm sorry for leaving you alone with the cat but Roach dropped some pots while cooking everyone dinner, and-" Stede stopped in his tracks when he took in the sight before him. Ed was sprawled out on their bed, arms and legs starfished and taking up the whole thing, with the kittin curled up and sleeing in the crook of his neck. The man himself was snoring loudly, but the cat didn't seem to mind. With a triumphant smirk, Stede reached over and pet the kitten but was rudely interrupted when Ed groaned and swatted his hand away, then rolled over and covered himself and the cat in blankets.

"Don't fuckin' make my cat up, mate." He said, curling up on his side and nuzzling what Ed presumed was the sleeping cat.

"Your cat?" Stede asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Excuse me, Captain, but I spent three weeks convincing you to let me bring that cat home and I will not be undermined on my own ship-"

"-our ship-"

"-like-" Stede cut off after he heard Ed's interjection, mouth agape but eyes alight with amusement. "Oh, suddenly it's our ship."

Ed hummed in response, a prideful sound in the back of his throat. "Our ship, my cat." he declared. "Don't worry, love, you'll get the hang of it."

"Oh, I'm going to get something, I'll tell you that much!" Stede said before tackling him quite clumsily. Ed simply let out a short laugh and rolled to keep the cat away from him, but in the comotion the only managed to wake the sleeping kitten and they both halted when it let out a grumbly little meow of disapproval.

"I think we just got scolded by a kitten." Ed commented, looking over at the annoyed cat in surprise.

"I would say we most certinly did." Stede agreed, brows raised as they both stared over at the glaring creature. "What do you say, truce?"

Ed looked over at the hand offered to him and considered shaking it. But at the last second, he snatched the kitten and ran off out of the room. "Edward!" Stede called as he took off running after him.

[zo1nkss]

Alex buddy it’s me Rae from twitter I just need to know if you’re ok & how you’re doing after the tree + roof incident

Hye bro ik I already updated u on twt but holy fucking shit dude.

HOLY SHIT.

So I have just returned from the land without internet after A TREE WAS RIPPED OUT OF MY YARD AND FELL ON MY ROOF. Anyway everyone is physically unscathed but it legit almost crushed me and my roommate :') There is a six foot hole in the ground. Cars were getting pushed into buildings by 50 mph wind bc they were out driving on the street. If we weren't in a valley, I'm almost certain it would have been a tornado, it LOOKS like we got hit by a tornado out there.

Sorry to worry everyone in the GC I did Not expect to lose wifi for so long.

[zo1nkss]

💌

Kissing boys 😌 ALSO

Eddie Munson.

[zo1nkss]

Mary Bonnet 🎨🖌 💕

Your wish is my command!

Modern Mary rocks mom jeans like no other. She's a socker mom and is an absolute force to be reckoned with, though she's not at Karen levels. She's just a mama bear on the field.

If the early 1700s had a "wine mom vibe", it would be Mary Bonnet. Sick of her husband, stretched thin by her kids, probably due for hr third 3 hour nap of the day. Definitely toking on a little something on the side just to get by.

No one has eyes in the back of ther head. Except for this woman, she does and she will catch you stealing cookies to give to the kids even though they haven't had dinner yet, doUG!!!!

[zo1nkss]

You said you wanted characters for headcanons? How about Fang and Ivan? Since Ivan never really got a backstory & will sadly be gone, I decided he's great with plants and makes lethal but painless poisons, which is what he gave to Fang for his dog as a show of friendship.

ANON THAT'S BEAUTIFUL

Ivan:

Is actually a huge cat person. Would gladly die for any cat, and was just as upset to see Fang's dog go as Fang was but he's better at hiding it

Since we know he's inclined to comfort Fang when he's upset, I like to think of him as the hard shelled guy who's soft just under the surface

Modern Ivan is the quiet, reserved friend who opens up about topics he likes and no one can get him to shut up

Fang:

Modern Fang had a secret collection of Lisa Frank stuff until he found out it was mostly stolen designs and tossed everything he owned

He's very good with his hands; especially delicate work with small pieces. He can fix just about anything on the ship and knows his way around a number of crafts, as well

Historically, most pirates couldn't read but I think Fang is self taught and very well read - he just really likes fantasy novels and silly romance, and loathes non-fiction. Like what's the point???

[zo1nkss]

Olu for the HCs!

My beloved!

He's a switch and ik ppl are really into the whole "soft top Olu" thing but I actually love the idea of him being a little more demanding. I love a couple that swaps roles in bed okay, it's just *chefs kiss*

This one might be a touch controversial but I'm going to say it because I think the world needs it. Autistic Olu. Listen to me okay? He has amazing social skills, but the moment he's met with a situation he hasn't encountered before he's lost. He's smart and cunning and observant and he uses those traits to spearhead a deep-set desire for goodness and respect, honesty, justice to some degree

He maybe has Too Much Chill. Petition to let Olu develop a sailors mouth s2. Likes charge, reblogs cast. This isn't a HC I just want it to happen.

He's an intense lover, not in a naughty sense just like. His love receiving language is touch and he ALWAYS wants to be loved. That kinda shit.

[zo1nkss]

i'm with you on the femme ed thing... i've been uncomfortable seeing how a lot of folks are equating him letting go of the blackbeard persona with just going full femme and i couldn't really put my finger on why but you articulated it nicely. it feels reductive.

I agree that it feels reductive. Don't get me wrong, I'm a feminine man. Ik what it's like to unlearn toxic masculinity and embrace who I am and lean into femininity, and I think ppl have a right to project that onto Ed.

I just feel like we're losing sight of an important tenant of the show, which is masculinity doesn't have to be toxic to be masculine. And even in his moments where people read him as more feminine(sometimes for reasons I feel are a little questionable, but I'm not trying to open that discussion right now lol), he still upholds a very distinct masculinity that I feel is getting overlooked a little bit.