#also obsessed with the idea that their elements are connected to their emotions

[someloserinajaywig]

I really like that their eyes light up when they use a lot of power :)

[melien]

deliego<3

[nianeyemystic]

Sextrology Synastry Aspects 💘🥵🥰🤭

💛Sun–Moon Aspects💛

✨Sun Conjunct Moon: Deep emotional connection and understanding; the couple feels "at home" with one another. This can lead to a natural and satisfying sexual connection.

✨Sun Sextile Moon: Harmonious balance between one's sense of self and the other's emotional needs. There's mutual respect and attraction, with an ease in communication and intimacy.

✨Sun Square Moon: Emotional tension that can lead to powerful sexual chemistry, but may also require work to balance personal needs with the relationship's demands.

💜 Venus –Mars Aspects 💜

✨Venus Conjunct Mars: The classic aspect of attraction and passion. There’s strong sexual magnetism and mutual desire.

✨Venus Sextile Mars: Balanced erotic attraction and a sense of playfulness in love. This aspect promotes sensuality and sexual compatibility.

✨Venus Trine Mars: Similar to the sextile, but with even more ease. Natural chemistry and an intuitive understanding of each other’s desires.

✨Venus Square Mars: A tense but potentially highly sexual aspect. This can lead to passionate, hot-and-cold dynamics, with a push-pull effect in the sexual attraction.

❤️‍🔥Mars–Pluto Aspects❤️‍🔥

✨Mars Conjunct Pluto: Intense, transformative sexual energy. This aspect fosters a deeply passionate, sometimes obsessive, attraction.

✨Mars Sextile Pluto: A sexual connection that is both empowering and magnetic, often with a deep emotional bond.

✨Mars Trine Pluto: A harmonious, yet intense sexual attraction with a focus on shared power dynamics and emotional depth.

💕 Venus–Pluto Aspects 💕

✨Venus Conjunct Pluto: Extreme passion and attraction. This aspect suggests an intense, transformative relationship, often with a deep sexual connection that transcends the surface.

✨Venus Sextile Pluto: Erotic chemistry that may not be as overwhelming, but still very deep. There's a sense of profound intimacy and attraction.

✨Venus Trine Pluto: A stable yet passionate sexual attraction that may grow deeper over time, with an emphasis on emotional and sexual fulfillment.

💚 Sun–Venus Aspects💚

✨Sun Conjunct Venus: A powerful aspect for love and attraction, often associated with a deep romantic and sexual connection.

✨Sun Sextile Venus: A loving, easy connection that brings warmth and affection, with a sexual bond that flows naturally.

✨Sun Trine Venus : A harmonious and mutually satisfying connection that brings joy and pleasure in both physical and emotional realms.

💛Moon–Mars Aspects💛

✨Moon Conjunct Mars: A highly charged emotional and sexual attraction. There can be a raw, physical connection, but it may also lead to emotional volatility.

✨Moon Sextile Mars: Emotional intimacy and passion align, with a good balance of affection and physical desire.

✨Moon Trine Mars: Natural chemistry, with sexual attraction matching emotional needs. There’s a sense of flow in intimacy and mutual satisfaction.

❤️Mercury–Venus Aspects❤️

✨Mercury Conjunct Venus: This aspect fosters affectionate and intellectual connection, where communication flows smoothly, enhancing sexual chemistry.

✨Mercury Sextile Venus: A loving, easy exchange of ideas and affection that leads to a comfortable and sensual sexual connection.

✨Mercury Trine Venus: Similar to the sextile, but with even more ease. There’s natural harmony in how each person expresses affection and desires.

💘Venus–Uranus Aspects💘

✨Venus Conjunct Uranus: Exciting, unconventional sexual chemistry that can be electrifying but unpredictable. There’s a sense of sexual freedom, but it can lack stability.

✨Venus Sextile Uranus: A dynamic, exciting attraction that brings an element of surprise and novelty to the relationship’s sexual aspects.

✨Venus Trine Uranus: A harmonious yet stimulating attraction with a desire for adventure and variety in the bedroom.

🩵Neptune–Venus Aspects 🩵

✨Venus Conjunct Neptune: A dreamy, idealistic sexual connection, often marked by deep sensuality and spiritual attraction. However, this can sometimes lead to illusions or unrealistic expectations.

✨Venus Sextile Neptune: Romantic and artistic love, with a sensual, almost mystical connection. The sexual bond feels transcendent and magical.

✨Venus Trine Neptune: A deeply romantic and sexually fulfilling connection with an emphasis on emotional and spiritual compatibility.

🩷Saturn–Venus Aspects🩷

✨Venus Conjunct Saturn: A serious, committed bond that may be slow to develop but leads to deep, enduring affection and sexual chemistry over time.

✨Venus Sextile Saturn: A stable and grounded attraction, with mutual respect and a sense of security in the relationship’s sensual aspects.

✨Venus Trine Saturn: A supportive and mature bond where physical intimacy builds on emotional and psychological security.

❤️‍🔥Moon–Pluto Aspects❤️‍🔥

✨Moon Conjunct Pluto: Intense emotional and sexual attraction, often leading to a transformative and deep bond. This connection can bring both passion and emotional intensity.

✨Moon Sextile Pluto:An emotionally transformative connection, with strong sexual chemistry that can lead to profound intimacy.

✨Moon Trine Pluto: A deep emotional understanding that supports a powerful sexual bond. The couple often feels "psychically" connected.

- @nianeyemystic

[prahacat]

#fml#i can't think about him too much lest i go insane#him and his big stupid castle and no-one to share it with#imagine your social life reduced to nothing but horrid powerful people‚ your psychpathic boss‚ your old family who now hates you and your -#- various apprentices that you occasionally fling lightning at but end up caring for anyway#i think that just does things to your brain.#you build up layers upon layers of awfulness with all sorts of fossils inside them#and in the process you get farther and farther away from your core while also putting more and more pressure on it until it boils#which is why i really like the “he'd rather burn them down than allow them to continue to fester“ part#it's so on point#at his core he's a teacher and someone who cares so much but his circumstances compress those traits into something kinda twisted#and boy you're gonna need a BIG excavator to take some of that pressure off#anyway sorry for the ramble and the sediment metaphor but. ughh this guy#he really gets my little brain gears grinding#meta#count dooku#rael averross#qui-gon#UGHHH (prev tags by @rochenn)

May I ask about your Star Wars fanfics? I wanted you to know I really enjoy them to read on my off time!

May we know your opinions/ headcannons on Dooku and Qui gon's relationship?

How was there dynamic during there early years?

Do you think deep down in when dooku is alone in Sereno, asleep he dreams of seeing his old padawan one last time?

This lyric comes to mind I added on to it.

"Alone and forgotten, i never thought he'd look at me again, but he smiled at me, and I held him.. just like I used to do. Like I used to when he was scarred as a child. Or maybe he was holding me?

Holding me to the light as he used to hold me and look at me, those eyes so full of hope and admiration"

You may absolutely ask me about my Star Wars fics! Thank you for reading my stories! (I swear one day I'm going to finish off those WIPs, aaaaaaaaaa).

Caveat that I'm not as active in the fandom these days (on a bit of Star Wars sabbatical), but I do feel (and I'm someone who melds Master & Apprentice, Jedi Lost, and Dark Rendezvous into canon as I see fit) that in contrast to Dooku's relationship with Rael (which was surprisingly casual, especially as Rael aged. This, if I may be allowed a small tangent, is probably a combination of Rael's aggressive form of charm and Dooku's inexperience and youth)

...but anyway, in comparison to Dooku and Rael, there's this...distance, on the surface, that Dooku keeps from Qui-gon. Their relationship, at least the trappings of it, is more formal, their roles more defined. (This being said, anytime Rael pops by and the three of them are together, those neatly constructed walls start to crumble). This doesn't mean Dooku doesn't care about Qui-gon. He cares, deeply. But as we see in Tales of the Jedi, Qui-gon's apprenticeship years mark the true beginnings of Dooku's disillusionment with the Jedi Order and his slow fall to the Dark Side. And I think part of this detachment from Qui-gon (even as he shows a ferocious protectiveness over him) is, in part, Dooku trying to shield Qui-gon from his more insidious desires and actions. (This backfires, on more than one occasion, when Dooku chokes the crap/lightening attacks/otherwise manhandles out of various enemies who were either threatening his Padawan or were obviously part of the bloating corruption that was metastasizing across the entire Republic).

And to get back to their relationship, we have Dooku being a little more standoff-ish. A little older, a bit more bitter, in general. And young Qui-gon is less outwardly brash than Dooku (at least when he was younger) and Qui-gon is definitely intimidated his new Master. (Although he respects him as a teacher and while Dooku is an exacting, demanding instructor he is also always fair. Whatever his personal troubles are, Dooku is never anything less than a damn fine teacher).

So yes, Dooku cares. Qui-gon's death had no small part in his eventual choice to join the Sith and I have no doubts whatsoever that he dreams both of Qui-gon and Rael regularly as he lies alone in that gigantic, empty bed on Serenno. (I think Dooku, as much as he was trying to manipulate Obi-wan in AotC by bringing up Qui-gon's name, was also being completely honest with Obi-wan in that moment. Actually, he was wholly honest with Obi-wan that entire scene and got shot down due to - at least as Dooku would have seen it - Jedi indoctrination).

And it's this caring that helps to bury Dooku in the end. Caring about his Padawans. Caring about the Republic. About Serenno. About the Jedi. For a man that is so stoic and proper, he is passionate and invested in the future of all the different organizations and governments and societies he's tasked with defending (to the point he'd rather burn them down than allow them to continue to fester). But more than any of that - the Jedi, the Republic, Serenno - Dooku is a teacher. A teacher who is instructing in an intense, one-on-one relationship that puts him in the position of half-mentor/half-parent. We see it when he and Rael embrace after meeting again years later; we see it when Dooku asks an adult Qui-gon for information about this Sith, to protect Qui-gon; we see it when Dooku is forced to turn on Ventress; we see it when he tries to recruit Obi-wan again and again (and, for the record, does not kill him in the bridge scene in RotS when he easily could have crushed Obi-wan with that platform).

This is all to say Dooku cares. And that, to some degree, was exactly the problem.

[mitfloya]

𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

pairings. Yandere Rafayel x gn!reader

wc. 2k

synopsis. You find yourself lost searching for answers that slip through your grasp. There is a mysterious force that lures you back to the vast depths of the sea, a pull that you can't quite comprehend, a strange connection. It haunts your thoughts, you wanted to find out why does your soul keeps guiding you to ocean.

Only to find the truth that you wish to never uncover.

warnings. The following content contains elements of obsessive behavior, yandere thoughts, stalking, possessive behavior, and may include poorly written narratives. Reader is referred to as 'you'. Proceed with caution, as this writing may be unsettling or uncomfortable for some individuals.

a/n. Hiii, I'm back from the dead, I hope it's good (be gentle with me this is my first fic I've created) or evoke some kind of emotions, whatever it may be. I may have gone a little overboard with everything. This will be a small series, maybe there will be 3 parts or up to 5 parts, depends on my mood. Also, this is my thank you gift for the celebration of hitting another milestone on my c.ai acc ♡

The waves, like gentle giants, rolled towards the shore, their white foamy crests crashing against the rocks with a resounding roar. The sound echoed in your ears. With each surge, the water created intricate patterns, as if painting an ever-changing masterpiece upon the canvas of the beach.

Some crashed against the rocks with a powerful force, while others gently caressed the sand, their touch as gentle as a lover's whisper. 

Standing there, your feet were gently lapped by the waves near the shore, your eyes fixated on the vast expanse of the sea, you felt an inexplicable pull, as if there was a profound bond between you and the ocean.

Yet, you couldn't quite comprehend why.

Lost in contemplation, you imagined how the cool waters of the sea would embrace you, enveloping you in their refreshing embrace. It was in these moments that you found solace and tranquility in the presence of nature.

The ebb and flow of the waves became a soothing rhythm that seemed to wash away any worries or troubles that burdened your mind.

Yet, amidst the serenity, there was a sense of familiarity, as if there were fragments of a forgotten memory lurking within your subconscious. Every time you found yourself by the sea or on a sandy beach, a whisper of a memory danced at the edge of your thoughts, just out of reach.

Lost in your thoughts, distant calls of your name went unheard as you drifted into a daze, completely captivated by the sea, you didn't noticed the water has gone up to your knees level. It was only when a familiar hand gripped your wrist, pulling you back from the water, that you snapped out of your daze.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" His voice rang out, a mix of concern and annoyance. "You were about to walk straight into the deep sea! Do you have any idea how dangerous that could have been?" he exclaimed, gently pulling you back to the safety of the shore.

Startled, your gaze locked with his eyes, a blend of deep purple with delicate speckles of pink. In that moment, you found yourself drowning in the vastness of his gaze, unable to tear your eyes away.

His eyes held a mix of emotions, like a tumultuous sea that you couldn't quite decipher. You couldn't help but wonder if your encounter was more than just a coincidence, if there was a greater significance to the intertwining of your paths. The depths of his gaze seemed to hold the answers, yet they also posed more questions, leaving you both intrigued and captivated.

There was something undeniable about the connection you shared, a magnetic pull that transcended mere concern. In that moment, you realized that his eyes held more than just worry for your safety—they held a glimpse of a deeper connection, an unspoken understanding that seemed to bind you together.

The depth of his concern in the eyes are as clear as day, it momentarily puts you lost at words.

The situation slowly sank in, you realized that you had been so absorbed in your thoughts that you had unconsciously ventured into dangerous waters. The level of danger had escalated beyond what you initially thought, as the water had gradually risen without your awareness.

You blinked, your voice betraying a tinge of guilt as you stammered out. "I… I didn't even realize," you admitted, your words laden with a sense of remorse,. "The ocean… it just pulls me in. I can't explain it." Your eyes darted around, avoiding contact with Rafayel.

He sees the way you looked at the sea, sensing that you were searching for something, perhaps a connection or understanding.

In that fleeting moment, a glimmer of hope momentarily danced across Rafayel's face, as if he believed you had finally recollected something significant to him.

…But as he searched your eyes, that tiny glimmer faded, replaced by a mix of disappointment and frustration.

A deep sigh escaped Rafayel's lips, his eyes rolling with visible exasperation. "Oh, please," he scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "As if the ocean has some deep, personal connection to you," he muttered dismissively.

The atmosphere grew heavy with an unspoken tension, as Rafayel's words hung in the air. It was clear that he felt let down, hoping for a shared understanding that seemed to elude him once again.

Rafayel's frustration grew evident as he let out an exasperated huff, pushing away his bangs with an irritated sweep of his hand. "Look, we've got enough problems trying to win this damn classroom competition. We don't need you drowning yourself in the process." His head shook slightly, a clear expression of annoyance etched upon his face.

You felt a pang of regret wash over you, seeing the frustration etched on Rafayel's face. "Thanks for being worried, I guess," you mumbled, your tone tinged with a touch of bitterness. He could've said it nicely at the very least, you thought.

Feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over you for nearly getting yourself drowned, you quickly shifted your gaze to the expanse of the ocean stretched out before you.

The colors of the sea danced before your eyes, shifting seamlessly from the vibrant hues of turquoise to the deeper shades of indigo, as if an artist's brush had painted a masterpiece on the water's surface.

You couldn't help but wonder if there was a hidden world beneath the surface. Little did you know, you had been conversing with one of those hidden beings all along.

You noticed Rafayel's hands waving in front of your face, interrupting your oceanic reverie.

"I've heard the locals said that there is a mythical creature who roamed around this water, can you guess what it is?" His voice took on an eerie cadence. His head tilted slightly, as if he was assessing your reaction.

"Legend has it that those who make a pact with this sea creature are granted a special favor," he weave the tale as his gaze were penetrating your skin. "However," he paused, his words dripping with anticipation. "If one were to forget or break their oath, the consequences would be nothing short of catastrophic."

Drawing near, he leaned in, his voice a mere whisper in your ear. "They would face a fate far more harrowing than their most dreadful nightmares could ever conjure." His breath made your skin crawl, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

The tale he spoke of leave you with an eerie sense that there was more to this tale than met the eye. It was as if the threads of the story resonated with a deeper part of your being, stirring emotions and images that had long been dormant.

Yet, you shook off the discomfort, determined not to let Rafayel's words unravel your sense of reality, even as they lingered in your mind, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease.

With a light-hearted push, you nudge him away with your elbow, mustering a witty retort to maintain the casual banter. "Nice try, but I'm not one to fall victim to the legends of mermaids."

Unfazed, Rafayel continues to weave his tale, his voice dripping with a seductive charm. "How so? Don't their enchanting melodies and mysterious allure at least pique your curiosity?"

The weight of his words settled upon you, causing a shiver to ripple through your body. Yet, you maintain your composure, "Well, Rafayel," you taunt, "if mermaids are truly as captivating as you claim, perhaps I should take my chances. Who knows? Maybe I'll be the one to befriend a mermaid."

Oh, you already did and it was more than that.

Your soul remembers him, resonating with a familiarity that defies logic, while your conscious mind grapples with the mystery of who he truly is and where your paths have crossed before.

It's like your souls hold a hidden story, a shared history that teases the edges of your awareness, just beyond your grasp. The unspoken bond that lingers between you cannot be denied, as if your paths are intricately woven together, waiting to be unraveled.

In his presence, you find yourself both anchored and adrift, caught between the intangible and the tangible. The ties that bind you are not of this physical realm, but of a deeper dimension where emotions and memories intertwine like the ebb and flow of the tide.

There is a profound bond between you that goes beyond mere attraction, as if you have shared lifetimes together before.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the water, you and Rafayel became entranced by the moment, surrendering to the breathtaking beauty of the sea.

The scenery sparked a creative fire within you, the gentle dance of the waves mirrored the rhythm of your thoughts, as if the ocean had bestowed upon you the ideal theme for the upcoming classroom decoration competition. It was as if the universe had handed you a vibrant palette, ready to bring your ideas to life.

A smile tugged at the corners of your lips as an idea began to take shape in your mind. "Hey, what if we choose the ocean as our theme? We could create an underwater wonderland, wouldn't that be cool?" you suggested, your voice filled with enthusiasm.

Rafayel eyes widened with surprise, he took a moment to consider the suggestion. "That's actually not bad," he shrugged, his tone casual yet intrigued. "We could use blue and turquoise hues to mimic the ocean's colors, and hang paper jellyfish and other sea creatures from the ceiling. It'll be like stepping into an enchanting underwater realm."

The two of you continued to brainstorm all the way home, ideas flowing like a current, as you imagined transforming your classroom into a captivating oceanic paradise.

As the sounds of crashing waves slowly faded into the distance, replaced by the comforting rhythm of your footsteps, a familiar banter and laughter filled the air. The easy camaraderie between you and Rafayel created a warm and comfortable atmosphere, where the worries of the day seemed to melt away.

Minutes passed by, as if time had lost its grip on the endless conversations and moments of solace shared with Rafayel. He was like a soothing balm for your weary soul, a safe haven where your restless mind could find peace. His presence was like a sanctuary, where the weight of your worries seemed to dissipate into thin air.

Regrettably, the front gate of your house loomed before you, signaling the end of this cherished connection. With a warm smile, you waved goodbye to Rafayel, a bittersweet farewell that left an ache in your heart. "We'll talk more later, see you at school tomorrow!" you called out, hoping to preserve the thread of conversation that had woven its way into your shared journey.

He reciprocated with a smile and a wave, his eyes following you until you disappeared behind the closed door. As the facade he wore crumbled, a torrent of emotions flooded Rafayel's mind the moment you were safely inside. Frustration tightened its grip, as he struggled to understand how something so vital between the two of you could slip from your memory.

However, a twisted sense of satisfaction settled within him, as he relished in the knowledge of your home, a piece of your personal life that he now possessed, fueling a dangerous determination to claim you as his own.

This was never your home, and it would never be, for he had vowed to create a sanctuary where only he could offer you peace and happiness you deserved.

He knew that he had to do more, to make you realize the depth of his feelings. With unwavering resolve, Rafayel promised himself that he would build a world for you, free from any disturbances or distractions.

No one else would have access to this sacred space; it would be an intimate domain that existed solely for him and you.

"Wait for me, my love. I'll show you how much I adore you."

© mitfloya 2024. Kindly refrain from altering, translating, or reposting my works on any platform without obtaining my consent.

[h50europe]

I feel like an oracle. I finished another write-up about Tommy's part in general without reading Tim's interview with EW. It deals with the upcoming episode feat. Tommy as the LAFD pilot he is, but also with him being the lone wolf in the 9-1-1 universe.

Let’s explore Tommy’s isolation and how it shapes his world, especially given his role as a pilot at the 217 Harbor Station with LAFD Air Operations. Then, I'll bring in that tantalizing future episode idea: danger, helicopters, the FBI, maybe even the National Guard or a terrorist attack, and how it could tie into his current state of mind and relationships.

Tommy’s isolation isn’t just a byproduct of his breakup with Buck. It’s been brewing ever since he left the 118, long before Buck even joined the team. Back in the day, Tommy was part of the crew under Captain Gerrard, but he moved on to the 217, chasing a different path as a firefighter pilot.

That shift alone put physical and emotional distance between him and his old squad. Air Ops is a specialized gig: high-stakes, high-skill, but solitary in a way ground crews aren’t. He’s up in the sky, detached from the camaraderie of the firehouse, coordinating with teams below but not sharing their day-to-day grind. It’s a different beast, and while it suits his steady, observant nature, it also sets him apart.

When Buck came into the picture, Tommy wasn’t part of the 118 anymore, so their connection was personal, not professional. But the 118’s loyalty runs deep, and once Tommy dumped Buck (the first time), that crew closed ranks. They’re a family; Buck’s their golden boy, flaws and all, and Tommy became the outsider who hurt one of their own.

Even if Chimney or Hen might’ve once had a soft spot for him from the old days, their allegiance shifted—no invites to Bobby’s cookouts, no casual beers after shifts. Tommy’s not just out of Buck’s orbit; he’s out of the 118s entirely. And at the 217? Pilots and air crews might respect him, but it’s not the same bond. They’re colleagues, not brothers-in-arms. He’s good at his job—damn good—but that doesn’t fill the void of real connection.

Now, post-reunion and that kitchen blowout with Buck, Tommy’s isolation hits a new low. He’s got no one to call. No 118 to fall back on, no partner to vent to, and whatever ties he had at Harbor Station felt transactional, work talk, not heart-to-hearts. He’s the guy who shows up, flies the chopper, saves the day, and goes home to an empty house. Maybe he’s got a dog or a punching bag to keep him company, but even that’s a guess. We don’t know much about his past beyond hints of old wounds, but it’s clear he’s carrying something heavy. The way he picked up on Buck’s Eddie obsession suggests he’s been burned before, and now he’s retreating further into himself.

He might even avoid the bars where 118 folks hang out just to dodge the awkwardness or the cold shoulders.

Enter this future episode, Tim teased—a helicopter-centric crisis with the FBI, maybe the National Guard, or even a terrorist attack. Picture it: LA’s under siege, skies buzzing with chaos. Tommy’s in his element at the controls, pulling off maneuvers that’d make lesser pilots sweat, but the stakes are astronomical. Maybe it’s a hijacked chopper he’s chasing down or a rescue mission in a no-fly zone with feds barking orders over the radio. The 118 are on the ground, neck-deep in the mess, and Tommy’s up above, their lifeline or their last hope if things go sideways. Danger’s his wheelhouse, but this time, it’s personal. He’s not just proving his chops; he’s proving he’s still got something to give, even if no one’s there to cheer him on.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Say the crisis forces Tommy and the 118 back into each other’s orbits. Buck’s down there, reckless as ever, and Tommy’s the one who has to swoop in, maybe pulling him out of a burning building or spotting him from the air when comms go dark. It’s not a reconciliation, not yet, but it’s a moment where Tommy’s isolation cracks. The 118 sees him in action, not as “Buck’s ex” but as the badass pilot who’s got their backs. Bobby might give him a nod over the radio; Hen might mutter a grudging “nice save.” It’s not forgiveness, but it’s a thaw. For Tommy, it’s a lifeline, a chance to feel useful, maybe even seen, after months of being a ghost.

But the danger ramps up. Let’s say the chopper takes a hit, mechanical failure, gunfire, whatever, and Tommy’s forced to make a call: land safely and abandon the mission, or push the bird to its limits and risk crashing. He chooses the latter because that’s who he is: steady and selfless, even when no one’s watching. He gets the job done, but it’s a rough landing, smoke, rotor blades whining. Maybe he’s banged up but alive.

The 118 rushes in, and there’s Buck, staring at the wreckage, realizing Tommy just put it all on the line. It’s not about rekindling romance; it’s about respect, maybe a flicker of guilt for how things ended.

Where does Tommy go from there? If he survives (and let’s hope he does), this could be his turning point.

Maybe he leans into Air Ops harder, finding purpose in the solitude, or maybe he starts rebuilding bridges, small steps, like a coffee with Chimney to test the waters. His isolation’s real, but this crisis could jolt him out of it, even if just a little. Or, if the writers want to twist the knife, he walks away from the wreckage alone, still the outsider, but with a quiet pride no one can take from him.

And then there's the other version of it with Buck in the game:

The crisis peaks when Buck’s in danger, classic Buck, diving into the fray, maybe trapped in a collapsing structure or cut off from comms. Tommy spots him from the air, calls it in, and makes a split-second choice: he pushes his chopper beyond its limits to get Buck out. The bird takes a hit by gunfire or debris, and Tommy’s forced to wrestle it down for a hard landing. Smoke’s billowing, rotors screeching, and he’s banged up but alive.

Buck can’t shake it. Seeing Tommy climb out of that wrecked chopper flips a switch. He tracks Tommy down later, maybe at the 217 hangar, where Tommy’s nursing a bruised shoulder and a coffee. Buck’s awkward at first, all “You didn’t have to do that,” but Tommy just shrugs, “Yeah, I did.” It’s not grand or romantic, just real.

They don’t jump back into anything right away. It starts small: Buck texts to check on him, and Tommy fires back a dry “still breathing” quip.

Then a beer after a shift, no pressure, just two guys who’ve been through hell. The incident lingers between them, a shared weight that softens the edges of their past. Buck’s not blind, he knows Tommy’s alone and sees how the 118’s cold shoulder has worn him down.

And Tommy? He’s wary but thawing, picking up on Buck’s effort to meet him where he’s at, not where Eddie used to be.

The rekindling sparks when Buck invites Tommy over to the house, fully unpacked now, with new furniture and no ghosts. It’s a quiet night, takeout and a movie, but it feels like a reset. Tommy tests the waters, asking how Buck’s holding up solo, and Buck admits it’s been weird but good, less about proving something and more about living. They kiss, tentative but deliberate, and it’s not a fix-all… it’s a start. The next morning, Tommy’s still there, in bed beside him, and Buck doesn’t drop any bombs about “first nights.” They’re just… there, figuring it out.

From then on, it’s slow but steady. Tommy’s still flying solo at the 217, but Buck’s a bridge back to the world, maybe even to the 118 eventually. The crisis didn’t erase Tommy’s isolation overnight, but it gave him a foothold, and Buck’s the one holding out a hand. They keep Eddie out of it. Buck’s unpacked that baggage, literally and figuratively, and focus on what’s in front of them.

Maybe Tommy opens up about his past one night, that old wound from being second fiddle, and Buck listens, really listens, promising with actions more than words that this time’s different.

Where do they land? Not a perfect fairy tale; Tommy’s still got walls, Buck’s still a mess of heart, but the incident forged something tougher than before.

They’re not just rebounding; they’re building. Tommy might never fully shed that lone-wolf vibe, but with Buck, he’s not flying blind anymore.

[sweetvixen1996]

Looking at the Kiss the Villain Playlist: Part 2/14

Addicted To The Wicked & Twisted -Palaye Royale: The meaning of this song is pretty simple. This is a song about being with someone who you know is bad for you, but you find yourself unable to leave them. It's also about how this intense dichotomy results in anger and self-loathing. It's not uncommon for the highs and lows of toxic relationships to be compared to the feeling of drug addiction, and it is a motif we'll see several times within this playlist.

The Summoning -Sleep Token: This is one of the few songs on the playlist that is not about a relationship, at least not direction. In this song, the singer desires someone who is not yet his partner. Even more than attraction, he seems to be on the verge of obsession, to the point that the singer is starting to believe that this girl may be his one true love. This is despite the fact that he doesn't seem to know her very well. The singer even ponders if she'd be a good match for him, though he also believes he can work through her flaws.

Teacher's Pet -Melanie Martinez: An intense song about the disastrous and inherently twisted nature of student/teacher relationships, it follows a girl who has entered an unhealthy and predator relationship with her teacher. It plays the eroticism of the fantasy of such a relationship with the girl's attraction to and infatuation with her teacher against the stark, unpleasant reality that the girl is just being used and abused by this male authority figure. However, this song has a somewhat positive element in that, with each verse, the narrator realizes the truth of the situation. With each line, she becomes more becomes more independent and defiant until she is finally able to reject the teacher's 'ownership' and attempts to control her. Overall, the song warns against the dangers of power dynamics in inappropriate relationships, as one party could be taken advantage of by the other for their own selfish reasons. It also demonstrated the harmful emotional impacts of such a relationship, particularly since the mistreated partner is often too young to fully comprehend the situation.

Swim -Chase Atlantic: I've heard this one is about oral sex. I will make no comment on this idea. But other than that, this seems to be a song about an individual who is mentally troubled (or, at least, working through a difficult time) but has also met a lady he is really into. And, despite his issues, the singer has decided to simply enjoy the thrill of this new... situationship and see where things go.

Want Me -Stephen Dawes: There isn't much info or analysis about this song online, which is a shame because it's a bop! Overall, the clearest meaning of this is that of a narrator in a new relationship with someone they perceive as being out of their league but is so happy to be with this person that they're just going to embrace it. Also, while the narrator is clearly identified as male, their partner's gender is ambiguous; I don't know if this was meant to be an LGBTQ+ song, but it can be interpreted that way.

So, what can these songs tell us?

Well, for one, this set of songs is actually more positive than the first five. It probably doesn't seem like it at first, and, honestly, it is more like the relationships in this set are just... less bad, but there is some good stuff, too.

While I think the infatuation shown by the singer in The Summoning is reminiscent of the worrying way people will build up near-strangers in their heads, only to be disappointed (or enraged) when they don't live up to the fantasies. However, if you choose to be optimistic, it's a song about that rush of meeting someone you think is fantastic, and even though you know it's silly, you find yourself imagining a whole future together. Same with Swim. There is something to be said about finding reprieve in the rush of a steamy new connection, even when the rest of your life and the inside of your head is a mess.

A lot of these songs seem to be saying that even when a relationship isn't the healthiest, that doesn't mean it can't be fun or even a genuinely good experience. The pedestal that Want Me's narrator holds their partner isn't a good foundation for a relationship, especially when several lines hint at an age gap between the two and the singer being under their partner's control. However, both parties seem to be enjoying this relationship -even if it is potentially doomed- and the thrill that comes with it so much that it's impossible not to smile along with them.

However, Addicted To The Wicked & Twisted is undeniably dark -almost angry. The conflict of wanting to stay in a bad relationship is one of the most painfully human ones, and it shows the difference between a messy yet fulfilling hookup and trying to find happiness in an unhealthy relationship. And then there is Teacher's Pet, which depicts the dark reality of a seemingly 'hot' taboo relationship, mainly based on betrayed trust in an authority figure, groom, and misuse. But it also gives us hope the narrator will recover. One of the interesting musical touches is that, with each verse, there is an ominous, villainous-sounding laugh (presumably the teacher's) that starts off loud and strong but gets weaker with each reoccurrence as the student breaks away.

So how does this all relate to Gareth and Kayden?

It's important to remember that I'm taking all the songs and mood board pictures at face value for the purpose of analysis because it is more fun that way, not because I think they should be treated as gospel. Some of these songs may just be here for the vibes, so to speak. Teacher's Pet could be on here since it is one of the few mainstream songs about a student/teacher relationship (it's actually one of my favorite songs, period). The Summoning could just be one here since it's a popular Tiktok thirst trap song. We shouldn't expect Gareth to end up killed and cannibalized just because Ethel Cain's Strangers is on the playlist, is what I'm saying.

However, I think it's important to pay attention to the recurring themes and motifs of the different songs. And the biggest one that we can see, even in the first 10 songs, is an element of unhealthy relationships brought on by unstable psyches.

Even by this point, I think we'll be seeing a situation in the book where Gareth comes to want a more genuine, open relationship with Kayden, only to be rejected. If this rejection comes from Kaden initially only approaching Gareth with the intent to manipulate him for some further goal or trauma on his own side remains to be seen.

I've speculated with a few other people that, at a certain point, we will see the two break up only to get back together after a time jump. And part of the reason is that it will allow for Gareth to graduate. While uneven power dynamics are parred for the course in dark romance books, and in most of them, there is a ridiculous, fantastic element to this that adds to the thrill of the pairing. I call this 'the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood dynamic'. However, the power difference between student and professor is... real in the way that it isn't in Kent's other pairings. While that dynamic is one of the appeals of this book, I imagine it will also want to be something she resolves before the end.

I do find it interesting that Teacher's Pet seems to be the only song on the playlist that directly addresses the taboo of their relationship. Most seemed to be focused on overall unhealthy dynamics and manipulation within them. If this isn't true, I will address it later on the line.

I also wonder if it's going to be brought up that Nikolai Is confirmed to have hooked up with at least one of his professors in the past, and I believe it is implied that Killian has as well. These encounters are narratively treated rather neutrally, with their purpose more to show off the level of sex appeal these men have. Whereas it seems that Gareth's relationship with Kayden will be given a lot more weight when it is eventually discovered. Now, is this just because it's an actual relationship as opposed to just sex? Or is it because of the inherent double standard that exists between male and female professors sleeping with their charges? In that, a male teacher or professor will always be viewed as more predatory for the action than a female would.

[sillybruja]

hiii, I hope you're well. I want ask you about two synastry aspects if that's okay!

so I wanted to know your thoughts on Node conjunct Mars synastry in the 12th house and also Lilith conjunct Moon

Thank you so much! <3

Hiya! I can def explain my interpretation on this. Keep in mind this is just my interpretation!

Nodes conjunct Mars

Starting with the Nodes conjunct mars. Since the North/South nodes are all involving some form of karma, as well as the 12H house... paired with mars, the planet of sex, transformation, work, etc... I would say this aspect in synastry can bring a whole lot of change into your life, BUT it could also bring you a lot of of nothing too. When you have strong Node contact, particularly with personal planets, it is safe to say these two ppl came together to sort out, reap, or collect karma together. This synastry aspect is not easy, and I have seen this manifest in numerous ways. One of the most common ways I've seen this aspect play out is usually in a "what could have been" situation and/or situationship. If basing romantic compatibility on astrology, particularly this placement, I would say it can be very hard to maintain this relationship (not for everyone though) due to the fiery, impulsive nature of mars (or mars person) Negatively manifested, this couple can bicker for days, and sometimes have physically impulsive reactions, or heated debates. More positively manifested and I see two people who come together, feeling like they were on a "mission" in this life time. Given that all of this is happening in the 12H, I think it is fair to say that these two keep lots of secrets together, and from each other -- they probably often dream about each other a lot -- I have also seen this manifest as two people dreaming about their arguments too, and any issues they have. The 12H is also about hidden motives or enemies, what this synastry aspect can suggest is a few things: 1. You two came together to truly not know the motives of the other, but with the goal to learn discernment and trust. 2. This person *could* be a hidden enemy. 3. Both people with this synastry aspect some how sabotage the connection in some way, but they do more so with South Node mars synastry. However, when this happens -- it is often because mars person (or either person) has the wrong idea about the Node person. Sometimes one or both people could be under a delusion about the other person - particularly about their motives, intentions, morals, character etc. More positively aspected, and I see this having potential to be serious, consistent, loyal, and sacred. This could also be a very safe relationship as you feel this other person you have this synastry with knows your heart and soul to the core.

Lilith conjunct Moon

In terms of lilith conjunct moon... I will give my vague opinion because it genuinely depends on who is what placement, and where this aspect is but, I have noticed there is a unique sense of vulnerability the other person brings out of you. People you have this synastry with (romantic or not) will at some point, see you at your worst, and still love you for who you are (this is also for lilith conj. moon natal). I will say, this can be a challenging placement... especially since it seems a big theme of this aspect deals with emotional wounding & reoffending. The lilith person can often trigger the moon person's emotional wounds, especially if those wounds pertain to the mother wound. There's also an element of risk to this connection -- be it actual risk like one or both of you are unavailable (this gives emotional affair vibes), or one person feels a bit afraid to be emotionally vulnerable with the other due to the other's often displaced temperament There is definitely a bit of obsession involved with this aspect, as at some point one or both people feel very deeply invested in one another, and very curious to explore the deeper, darker sides of each other's psyche. Basically, this aspect can suggest a very deep and emotional, sexy connection that could be a bit obsessive and toxic if there's lots of bad aspects. I can also say with most certainty that one of the biggest themes of this aspect involves triggering each other's mother wounds, or in general, bringing up heavy issues with a mother figure. Could also signify that one (or both) of you have a mother who lacks boundaries and crosses the line (or could) with you partner. Lots of rough stuff can go on with this placement too.

[mhevarujta]

You can't deny that Ellen and Orlok loved each other. Eggers has said so himself.

I kind of can though.

In my opinion Eggers created a love triangle that is very much about the possibility of separatism between romantic emotion and sexual appetite. It also seems to be a conscious choice, considering that this was not the case in his 2016 script. You can see in his writing process that Eggers moves from a story where Ellen is tender towards Orlok and even feels confidence in his presence to all those elements disappearing from the script by 2023. Her desire is the only thing that DOES remain. I think it's very telling that people, and even women, have still trouble when it comes to dealing with female sexuality outside of romance, but I don't think that desire has to be somehow validated by love. Still, there will always be those viewers who will try to put Ellen's sexuality into a little box because deep down they are made uncomfortable by it even as they claim that they are accepting and understanding of this fictional character. I don't think this will change.

Moreover, when has Eggers ever said that Ellen and Orlok LOVE each other? I am aware that he has made a Wuthering Heights comparison, but he's stripped Orlok of any of Heathcliff's humanity. This is not Emily Bronte we're talking about. Eggers keeps emphasizing the aspects of sex and death concerning vampires, not love. And while he's certainly said that there is yearning and a connection that goes both ways, even that it's about loneliness, he's also admitted concerning his idea of a demon-lover story that: "It's not so much love, it's obsession. And I think that that's the nature of this relationship."

[sleeplesssmol]

Reverse 1999: Vertin Character Analysis and Theory

Vertin and the “Hidden Desire”

I'll be exploring the Gluttony Amplification Material and how it potentially relates to Vertin. Unlike the Psychubes, Gluttony is not a conclusion built upon Vertin’s thoughts and reflection. Instead, Gluttony is “a desire hidden in the depths”. I examined this under a mostly biblical lens because Reverse1999 loves to use Biblical references. Word Count 1600+

Relevant Background Information

Psychubes are an element of an arcanist's thoughts. They provide buffs/abilities. The more you ponder, the more you gain (in game description). Vertin can reflect and meditate in a process called pneuma analysis (resource stage) twice a day, where she acquires lesser Psychubes, Thought Elements, and Thoughts in Entirety. 

Thought Elements: an element of an arcanist’s thoughts. There are so many ways to organize the mess: the furnace that burns and the blade that cuts…but I wish to keep it the way it is.

Thoughts in Entirety: an arcanist’s complete thoughts. As the disorganized has been organized, the darkened vision lightens, ideas are finally taking shape in my mind.

These are the building blocks for greater ideas, which would be higher level Psychubes. On the Psychube page in the Atlas, you will also see the phrase word anamnesis. 

In Platonic philosophy, anamnesis is a process of rediscovering knowledge that the soul already possesses but has forgotten. Plato stated the soul has pre-existing knowledge that is brought back to consciousness through the process of questioning and recollection. However, in Christian and Catholic contexts, anamnesis is recollecting the “Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus”. In other words, remembering Jesus’s sacrifice and honoring his memory (this is an oversimplification for the sake of brevity). In general, we can think of anamnesis as a profound reflection or recalling of events.

To summarize, the Psychubes interlap with Vertin's emotional state and have been cultivated by her experiences. She reflects, recollects, and creates stronger “impressions” (from the Psychubes). The definition for impression: an idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone, especially one formed without conscious thought or on the basis of little evidence. These are all emotion/intuition based. Very fitting for an arcanist.

From a lore perspective, the Psychube Shop is a representation of Vertin’s mind as she turns her thoughts into Psychubes. The different prices represent the time and introspection needed to gather Vertin’s thoughts. She needs more complete thoughts (Thoughts in Entirety) in order to afford the stronger Psychubes, which means spending more time doing pneuma analysis (farming the stage). The lesser ideas are also the foundation of strong ones. In the game this is represented by engraving a Psychube to make it stronger. (Note: This is how I connected the game mechanics to the lore, but I'm open to other interpretations!)

Gluttony is not a Psychube and isn't listed in the Atlas. However, it consumes the most Thoughts in Entirety. The strongest Psychubes are worth 210, but Gluttony is a whopping 300. The Snake symbolizes “desire hidden in the depths.” It gorges on Vertin’s thoughts if she indulges it instead of a Psychube. However, if she allows Gluttony to devour her thoughts, she can amplify an existing Psychube. This could be interpreted as gaining a deeper understanding, but to get there she needs to get obsessed/fixated/focused. This is reflected in the large amount of thoughts she needs to invest in Gluttony before she can amplify her chosen Psychube.

But what exactly is Gluttony and why is it slithering around in Vertin’s soul? 

The Serpent and the Sin

Gluttony is represented by a snake, which we can also refer to as a serpent.

In the Bible, snakes are often associated with deception and temptation. The serpent in the Garden of Eden is commonly interpreted as a symbol of Satan tempting Eve to disobey God. Snakes also represent danger and evil.

In the biblical story of the Garden of Eden, the serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit (Apple) from the Tree of Knowledge. The serpent challenges God's command, suggesting that eating the fruit will not lead to death but rather make Eve and Adam godlike, “knowing good and evil”. The serpent manipulates Eve, creating doubt about God's intentions and enticing her with the idea of gaining knowledge and wisdom. Eve eventually succumbs to the temptation, eats the forbidden fruit, and shares it with Adam. Their disobedience led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The story is a lesson on disobedience and its consequences. The snake was also cursed by God to crawl on its belly and eat dust.

While snakes aren't evil in every context, keep this story in mind.

With the Snake symbolism established, we can look at the Sin.

The Seven Deadly Sins are Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride.

Going a step further, Lust, Gluttony, and Greed share a theme: excessive desire. People carrying these sins are deemed insatiable. 

Gluttony refers to excessive indulgence in food or drink. It involves overconsumption beyond what is necessary, often driven by an unrestrained appetite or desire for pleasure. It’s a sinful behavior due to its focus on self-indulgence and lack of moderation.

However, we haven’t seen any behavior to connect Vertin with Gluttony. In fact, she displays the exact opposite and reflects Gluttony’s counterpart: Temperance. Temperance is one of the Seven Virtues (opposite of Seven Sins). According to Wikipedia Temperance is the practice of moderation and voluntary self-restraint. It involves refraining from vengeful actions through mercy and forgiveness, avoiding arrogance through humility, and curbing excesses like luxury, overindulgence in food and drink, as well as managing rage through calmness. This is Vertin’s whole persona as the stoic Timekeeper. She asks for nothing, but is always ready to give. During Green Lake, we see her explicitly say things like she doesn’t have wishes because she already has everything she needs but she goes out of her way to fulfill other people’s desires.

So Why a Snake? Why use the term Gluttony? 

In Vertin’s case, I’d say a “hunger for knowledge” suits her. She wanted to know the outside world to the extent of letting herself get hurt in (electric fence and punishments from teachers) in the process. She craved more while everyone else obeyed the Foundation and stayed in their lane. Smoltin could never be satisfied within the Foundation’s walls.

While it’s true she had an insatiable curiosity, she is not Eve in this story.

She was the Serpent.

During the break away event, Vertin enticed the other children to disobey. She tempted them, just like the snake who tempted Eve. She challenged everything they knew the way the Snake planted doubts about God. The other children were swayed by her which ended up getting them Reversed. Now she is the Timekeeper, doomed to helplessly watch history repeat as she loses friends and allies. The snake was cursed to crawl on its belly, and she was cursed to brave the Storm as Eras end.

Maturity and trauma go hand in hand since children who experience trauma are forced to grow up faster than others. Vertin wanted “too much”, and look at where it got her. She has her own goals and desires of course, but Vertin doesn’t ask for much compared to her crew. Vertin is also a victim of other people’s greed like Constantine, and as of recently, Arcana. What if she’s afraid she’ll become like the people who hurt her and her friends? Who continue to hurt her physically and emotionally?

Gluttony could be what Vertin perceives as her sin. She could have a skewed perception of herself. She wants things like everyone else, but wanting things is “wrong.”  Wanting too much will make her hurt people. This is why Gluttony is part of her psyche along with the psychubes she manifests. It’s not a conclusion or idea she needs to come to because it's already coiled up in her mind. It lives there. To clarify Vertin has desires but chooses not to act on them. Its similar to not being able to control your emotions, but you can manage how they manifest to some degree.

The repression is intense.

“The snake is hissing to find its way. It is now clear where to go and what to bite. It opens its mouth, it protrudes its fangs, it sinks them into the prey.”

Fun fact, snakes are predators that can unhinge their jaws to eat their prey whole after they subdued them. It fits right into the concept of Gluttony. Idk how you want to interpret this but to me it shows someone who knows what they want, knows how to get what they want, and has the means to claim it without hesitance. Yet, Vertin doesn't indulge this part of her (Unlike Constantine and Arcana). What do you think? There are so many ways to interpret this!

TL;DR: Psychubes are linked to Vertin's emotions and experiences, cultivated through reflection and meditation in a process called pneuma analysis. Anamnesis, mentioned in the game's Atlas, connects to Platonic philosophy and Christian contexts, representing a profound recollection of events. Gluttony, symbolized by a snake, consumes Thoughts in Entirety, reflecting excessive desire and temptation akin to the biblical story of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Despite Vertin's displayed Temperance, Gluttony resides in her heart. Her trauma represses many of her “hidden desires”.  The symbolism of Gluttony, both in the lore and game mechanics, adds depth to Vertin's character.

Disclaimer: there is also a serpent on the Insight Material “Fruit of Good and Evil” but that will be a discussion for another time because we’re focusing on Gluttony.

More Psychube Stuff:

[2and2makes5]

Media Analysis: Hetalia Axis Powers (Eps. 1 - 19)

I knew this one was coming. I've always known about Hetalia Axis Powers for the longest time, as I used to see it everywhere while growing up on the internet. I was never into it because of the amount of Yaoi content I've seen on the internet about it and I assumed that was what it was all about. However, I was mostly wrong about that. These first 19 episodes of Hetalia may seem like a light hearted comedy on the surface, but deep below, this show reflects deeper social and cultural dynamics embedded in the anime fandom. Using another reading from this week, World Conflict/World Conference: Axis Powers Hetalia by Sandra Annett, it can be shown how this show of personifying nations as attractive young men is a fantastic way to portray world history and how it manages to open up to a certain audience: young women.

Characters like Italy, with his infamous pasta obsession, or England, with his tsundere disdain for France, are not just historical caricatures; they’re built with "moe elements", designed to inspire an emotional connection. As Annett points out, these traits are very appealing to fujoshi fans, women who enjoy media with romantic relationships between male characters, who often consume this type of media for character dynamics rather than the story. For example, America's flashy "hero" persona contrasts well with Japan's restraint, which is a fan-fiction-creating factory in and of itself. This type of stuff allows for communities to grow and for creativity to flourish.

I'd also like to point out how short these episodes are. The five minutes that each episode lasts perfectly mirrors the idea of database consumption that Annett describes. One episode goes from talking about diet plans and then goes into personifying the Cold War's awkwardness. The idea here is that fans don't need a story; they need points for their favorite parings of characters, jokes, and interpretations.

Outside of the Yaoi and all that, Hetalia Axis Powers does do an excellent job at reimagining political topics in ways that people can better understand, turning history into something deeply personal and global.

[aesethewitch]

Watermelon Salad Spell Recipe - Summer Solstice Feast

Every year, I do a feast for each of the solstices and equinoxes. This is the first recipe for the 2024 Summer Solstice! My main goal for the overall meal is generating energy, preparing for the darkening half of the year, enhancing success for upcoming projects, and celebrating the sun. These themes repeat throughout the meal in a variety of ways.

I always serve seasonal fruits as snacks before a feast, and that’s how this watermelon salad recipe started. Now, I prefer it as a delicious side dish to provide a burst of freshness. It brings a distinctly Summer feeling to the meal that other salads don’t quite manage. I suggest getting fresh, local produce at a farmer’s market or local stall if you can! Local-grown watermelons just hit different.

Ingredients:

1/2 of a Large Watermelon 2 c Fresh Spinach 1/2 c Feta, crumbled 1/8 c Balsamic Vinegar (or to taste)

Instructions:

Wash your spinach and then pat dry.

Cut the watermelon into one-inch cubes.

In a large bowl, toss the watermelon, spinach, and feta together until well combined.

Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar.

Serve immediately. If not serving immediately, wait to drizzle the balsamic vinegar until just before serving and refrigerate the watermelon, spinach, and feta mixture.

Recipe Notes:

I first had this salad at a local sandwich shop one summer. I’ve been obsessed ever since. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s absolutely delicious.

If you don’t like balsamic vinegar, you can omit it. Instead, I would suggest a sprinkling of salt and pepper to give it a little more depth of flavor. You could also use another type of salad dressing, but I would advise against using something with strong flavors that would overwhelm the watermelon flavor.

The amount of feta in the recipe is a suggestion. I often end up adding more than half a cup, because I like it. Half a cup is the minimum amount I would suggest.

This is a must-have in my picnic baskets and at summertime parties. If you’re making this for a crowd, I would suggest doubling the recipe and using a whole watermelon. I tend to go for one without seeds, but you can choose whatever type you prefer.

To make this a more fortifying main dish, I’ve added cubed or shredded chicken to the mix. You could also toss in a bit of tofu if you prefer to keep things vegetarian.

Magic Notes:

Watermelons are about 90% water. This means they have a strong connection to the element of water and its properties. In my practice, this means it has elements of healing, calm, wisdom, and emotion. In particular, also thanks to the color and personally-studied effects, watermelon is useful for workings surrounding romantic love, self love, and joy.

Spinach is my favorite leafy green, and it’s also good for you! I associate it heavily with health and wellness, but it’s lent itself well to workings surrounding wealth and success, too.

Balsamic vinegar is made from grapes! Like wine, it’s an aged product that requires a lot of time and patience before it’s ready to use. And like wine made from grapes, it can be associated with a range of things like love, abundance, and harvest. I find that ingredients which have been aged or which require a long time to produce make excellent contenders for magical workings surrounding hard work and gratitude.

Put them all together (with the rich, salty feta cheese), and you’ve got a recipe that can lend itself toward any number of purposes. For the Summer Solstice, I’m emphasizing the qualities of joy, wellness, and hard work. The idea is to acknowledge the work that’s already been done and prepare for the second half of the year, imparting energy and motivation on whoever eats the salad.

If your watermelon has seeds, you can either leave them in if they won’t bother you, or you can remove the ones you’re able to get to while cutting the melon into cubes. Set them aside to dry slightly, and you’ve got a new component for another spell! Seeds of most sorts are good for blessing new projects or endeavors. Because their fruit is so large, I tend to associate watermelon seeds with bringing about big changes or big successes — new careers, blessing a garden for a large harvest, seeking a new home, and so forth. In my mind, the bigger the goal is, the bigger the seed’s fruit (or plant, if it’s a tree seed) ought to be.

If you enjoyed this recipe or if you plan on using it as part of your own Summer Solstice meal, please consider reblogging or tossing a couple dollars in my tip jar! Doing so has a bonus benefit:

The full collection of Summer Solstice recipe posts are going up on Ko-Fi this week for supporters only! You can tip me a couple dollars, commission me for a tarot reading or a custom recipe, buy a recipe card bundle from my shop, or become a monthly member! Support helps me keep the lights on and this blog running. (:

All of the recipes will also be sold as a bundle of pages designed to go in a grimoire next week, just in time for the Solstice!

You can view this recipe on Ko-Fi also:

[awkward-anxiety]

Hey there! My name’s Teddy! I'm 23 and looking for a long-term, detailed roleplay partner who loves angst, slow-burn romance, and deep character development. If you're all about in-depth storytelling, emotional intensity, and exploring characters in unique ways, we’ll get along GREAT!

✨ A Little About Me:

Been RPing since I was 17, starting on Amino and later Discord. Took a small break last year, but I’m back and ready to create epic stories!

I value quality over quantity- I don’t need 1,000-word responses, but I love exploring characters and their development.

I’m all about found family dynamics, emotional arcs, and intense, plot-driven stories. If that sounds like your vibe, we’ll mesh well!

Pronouns? I’m a multi-pronoun mystery, He/They/She/It/We, whatever feels right. 🌈💫 I’m also genderqueer and genderfluid, just in case you need to know for character interactions.

I’m a proud film graduate and a digital artist. so, brace yourselves for some wild visuals! 🎨✨

🎭 EPIC: The Musical RP 🎭 We’re diving into the world of EPIC: The Musical, a roleplay universe where gods, heroes, and mortals alike belt out powerful songs, filled with emotional highs and lows. Whether it’s battling divine forces, navigating slow-burn romances, or dealing with the angst of tragic pasts, this musical setting takes us through a whirlwind of drama, raw emotions, and heart-stopping tunes.

💖 Looking for Characters & Ships: I’m obsessed with the following ships and dynamics from mythology, especially with those emotionally charged arcs. Feel free to hit me up if any of these spark your interest!

Odysseus x Polites

Odysseus x Penelope x Polites

Odysseus x Hermes

Odysseus x Eurylochus x Polites

Hermesias

Telemachus & Odysseus (PLATONIC Father and Son roleplay)

(OdyPen is my OTP for this Fandom but I very much prefer MxM dynamics.)

These characters are so much more than just heroes or gods—they’ve got deep emotions and complicated relationships that will make the musical moments even more powerful. From high notes of triumph to heartbreaking ballads, the dynamic range is endless!

🎭 I’m Happy to Main:

Apollo

Hermes

Odysseus

Polites

Telemachus

If you’re interested in any of these characters, I’d be more than happy to take them on for the roleplay! I’ve got a ton of headcanons and ideas to explore with each of them, and I’m really looking forward to diving deep into their emotional arcs in this musical world.

🎭 Plot Ideas I’m Into: I love character-driven plots, so I’m down for brainstorming something epic and emotionally intense. Here are a few ideas:

Post-Storyline AUs – Continuing after a major event or years later. The songs reflect the journeys they’ve endured.

One Stayed, One Left – One character moved away, and they reconnect years later, with new musical numbers that reveal their emotional growth.

Foster Care AU – One character, jaded and angry, opens up with the help of the other, with vulnerable songs of heartache and healing.

Summer Camp Counselors – Unexpected connections at a summer camp, leading to feel-good numbers with some dramatic moments!

Artist x Theater Kid – Opposites attract in an artsy, chaotic way with a musical theater twist.

College AU – New beginnings, friendships, and navigating life with a coming-of-age soundtrack.

Group Therapy AU – Characters meet while working through personal struggles, with emotional, gut-wrenching solos and duets.

Modern AU- Pretty Self Explainatory

🔄 Open to New Ideas! I am VERY open to new ideas and storylines from a roleplay partner! If you’ve got a plot or character dynamic in mind that isn’t listed here, let’s talk! I’m all about brainstorming and bringing new, creative elements into our stories. Let’s make something unique together that we both enjoy!

⚠️ Boundaries & Triggers: I love writing angst, but there are a few things I’m not comfortable with:

No excessive gore/violence or gun-related topics—I’m uncomfortable with these.

No car crashes or hospital settings—it’s a personal trigger.

I prefer realistic character development for darker themes (e.g., depression, suicidal ideation).

18+ RP and Adult Content:

I prefer roleplay partners to be 18+

I’m open to more adult content in the roleplay, but it must be discussed first. Consent and communication are key for me, and I want to make sure we’re both comfortable with the direction we go in.

📌 RP Preferences:

Canon characters only – I love using established characters (side OCs can be discussed).

Third-person only – Let’s keep it professional and immersive!

No script-style RP – I prefer full sentences, no asterisks or “hfjskdj” in dialogue.

For romance, characters should be 17+, and 18+ for NSFW content.

I match responses but prefer semi-lit to literate replies.

📩 Interested? Let’s Chat! 📩 If you’re vibing with this EPIC: The Musical universe, where gods, heroes, and mortals sing their hearts out while battling emotions, feel free to DM me on Discord (@awkward_anxiety)! I love brainstorming and chatting OOC, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s make some musical magic together! 🎶✨

[rapunziedameron]

The Sequel Trilogy: A Story of Choice

Do not interact with this post if you insist on just being negative, passive aggressive, or critical against the films in the tags/replies. I don't want to hear it.

This post speaks frankly about topics such as abuse, brainwashing, torture, dehumanization, and non-con elements. Proceed with caution.

One thing that I feel goes often ignored or misunderstood about the sequel trilogy, is its core message and value, which is choice - especially, choice over circumstances, or choice over blood. I would argue this is the overall theme of the entire Skywalker Saga, but the sequels really center themselves around this idea, with it becoming the beating heart of the emotional plot of The Rise of Skywalker.

According to writer Chris Terrio in one of the festurettes for the film, this theme is best summed up by the character D-0, and Rey's short initial interaction with him:

Which is meant to be a mirror to what we know of Finn, Rey and (as we learn) Poe. They all come from pasts that were not kind to them, and were treated badly, but found a home in each other. It is a case of choice over circumstances: Finn chose to leave the First Order, Poe chose to leave the Spice Runners (and become a New Republic officer, then choose to leave that when he understood how compliant they'd become), and Rey chose to leave Jakku.

Choice is also mirrored in the trilogy's antagonists (DJ being a good example of the choice to serve only yourself and not join the greater war, Zorii puts aside her resentment and helps the Resistance) but none so much than Kylo Ren himself, who is as obsessed with the Skywalker bloodline as Snoke is (understandably).

There's an opinion and idea that between Ren and the revelation that Rey is Palpatine's granddaughter, that the trilogy values bloodlines and inheritance over choice, but I fundamentally disagree with this, because I think that's a misunderstanding of the story they're trying to tell.

When Han says that "there's too much Vader in [Ren]" in The Force Awakens, I don't take that as a dismissal of Leia being an Organa by choice, not when we discover that Ren is continuously making the choice to choose the Skywalker bloodline, and ergo Vader, over the family that actually raised him: a woman who chose her adoptive family over her biological family, and a man who had no surname but instead claimed one that was thrust upon him as an insult.

There's too much Vader in Ren, because that is the choice Ren made, and continues to make. He chose Vader over Leia, over Han, over the Solo-Organa family. It's a similar mistake that Luke makes:

Blood. Inheritance. The hubris of Ren believing the lightsaber belongs to him, simply because it belonged to Vader, to Anakin, even when the Force calls a quote unquote "nobody" to it instead.

Rey is revealed, obviously, in The Last Jedi, to be born to "nobodies", and Ren (sticks his whole fucking foot in his mouth) hurts her deeply by emphasizing Rey's worst fear which is that she has no place in this story, because she is nobody. It's a moment that haunts Rey enough that she doesn't even believe herself worthy of wielding the Skywalker saber in TROS:

Obviously - and famously - this revelation is because Rian Johnson preferred the concept of underdogs becoming heroes and thought it was the worst revelation Rey could possibly have - that she doesn't have any connection to this story that means so much to her.

Unlike majority of the internet, I love the addition TROS offers, which is that the truth is so much worse. Rey isn't just "nobody", she does have a place in this story, and it's in the worst way imaginable for her: she's the main villain's granddaughter.

And I don't think it negates what we initially learn about Rey, or her status as a "nobody". Her being related to Palpatine does not inherently result in her being somehow more privileged than other characters - she was still abandoned as a child, and was forced to work in order to survive, suffered bouts of starvation, and had to fend for herself for years. She's a traumatized young woman with fractured memories, and poor self esteem from said abandonment and the abuse Unkar Plutt put her under (he also emphasizes in the TFA novelization that she is a "nobody", and likely would have pressed upon her the lie that Miramir and Dathan fed him that she was being sold for drinking money, hence Rey's conflicting memories of parents coming to return for her and what Ren finds in TLJ).

Her position as Palpatine's granddaughter, however, puts her almost immediately into the same position that Ren once found himself in, and he tries to pressure her into coming to the same conclusion that he did: that because of the blood in her veins, she has no choice in going to the Dark Side, that she will wind up abandoned (again) for it, and there's only one place in the galaxy for her - by his side.

And when Rey is frightened enough by her hatred and resentment, that leads her into the Dark Side on Kef Bir and results in her killing Kylo Ren - she flees to Ahch-To to exile herself because she believes there's no escape from her circumstances. She was a nobody who had to earn this legendary saber, who doesn't deserve to be the protagonist of this story, and now she's the granddaughter of its villain.

But she's quickly reminded that blood is not everything:

Even while on Exegol, Palpatine attempts to taunt her with the concept that she has no one but him, that she's helpless but to continue the cycle: Luke had his father, but the only family Rey has is him, and if she doesn't give in and continue the cycle of violence, then her new family will die.

And once more, the concept of blood over choice, is immediately dismantled. Rey isn't alone, because Ben - having finally made the decision to shed his attachment to Vader's bloodline and chose being an Organa-Solo - comes and saves her. Rey isn't alone, and neither is her new family, because the entire galaxy comes in to help the Resistance.

And the ultimate climax of the battle, is that Palpatine does in fact kill Rey, and it is Ben's choice to revive her. He loves her, and so did his mother and father. Rey is family, and he dies to bring her back, and so she takes the Skywalker name - and is the happiest she is in the entire saga, because she's learned that blood and circumstance isn't everything, it is choice. And Rey has chosen and accepted her own family.

But circumstance and choice isn't limited to just Rey in this trilogy - there's also our other primary hero characters, starting with Finn.

Finn is a stormtrooper, taken from a family he'll never know, that we're not introduced to. He worked in sanitation, despite being a very promising cadet in Before the Awakening. Much like Poe, Finn is introduced as being one of the biggest "red shirt" offenders of the saga (seriously do we ever expect a stormtrooper or a fighter pilot to survive? no), and almost immediately Finn gives us the thesis of the trilogy:

Finn was raised and taught for one purpose: to fight and then to die for the First Order. He flees from the First Order, and TFA is spend with him tying his loyalty to his friends - choosing them over running away. TLJ finds him making the choice to actively fight against the First Order, and join the Resistance.

Finn's choice to turn away from the First Order, brought him to his family. And TROS sees Finn at his most grounded and reassured; he's found his own peace and purpose, and it's through the choices he made over his circumstance.

Poe is probably the only character of our trio who is the most assured from the starting point, and the only one who has a tangible connection to the Rebellion through his parents. However, this is only within expanded material, with only a mere allusion to it in TROS, so the only concrete thing we have for connection in the films is his and Leia's surrogate mother/son relationship, and how he's chosen to carry on her legacy.

When we start off The Force Awakens, he's quickly established as a member of the Resistance and a high-ranking one as well (he dismisses a briefing full of generals and admirals).

However, it's clear that Poe views himself as expendable - he rushes in, unthinkingly, back to the village on Jakku and gets captured as a result. He puts himself on the line between the First Order and the Resistance above D'Qar (it is no coincidence that he recognizes Luke and Amilyn's sacrifice plays first later in the film).

Leia, and then the circumstances of the film literally grounding him by blowing up Black One, forces Poe to slow down and examine the choice he's being presented:

Pretty quickly, Poe begins considering what Leia's asked of him, and pauses while mulling over Rose and Finn's plan, before making the choice to be the one to stay behind, rather than jumping into the fray to save the day.

By the end of the film, Poe has quite consciously stepped into the latter half of the choice presented to him. He wants to survive, not just sacrifice himself in the name of the fight, and becomes the leader that Leia knew he had the potential to become:

The heart of his conflict in TROS is his fear that, like Rey, he can't succeed where the past did. He isn't Leia, and he's not so certain that he can do this by himself - but in the end, he doesn't have to, because he has Finn for support, and Rey shows them the way, in a neat inverse to Poe in TLJ:

And then the entire galaxy steps up to overthrow the First Order, and Palpatine. Like his wookieepedia so iconically supplies, Poe becomes the spark that lit the fire that burned the First Order down, and he doesn't do so alone.

The theme of choice and circumstances is often also reflected in the antagonists and villains. As aforementioned, DJ represents the choice Finn has of not joining, and serving himself, but there's another element to this theme, of characters looking down on our heroes for the circumstances they come from:

Snoke also expresses shock over the idea that a mere scavenger could resist his apprentice. It's a similar sentiment that Poe, Rose and Finn all experience within the Resistance itself under Vice Admiral Holdo:

She quickly reduces the three of them - Poe to no more than a trigger-happy flyboy, Finn to being a stormtrooper, and can't even be bothered to remember Rose, our resident behind the scenes worker underdog turned hero, despite supplementary material confirming that Rose is quite literally from Holdo's ship.

Like Rey, the three of them are underestimated and put down for or reduced to their 'inferior' roles. It's no wonder these kids are afraid they're not enough to be the heroes of this story - they've been told repeatedly that they're not, by villains and heroes alike.

Even more horrifically is the way agency and choice gets stripped away from the heroes by the villains:

Poe manages to resist an undetermined amount of time being physically tortured without giving up any intelligence, until Ren forcibly violates him by entering his mind (an experience described as "silent agony" in the novelization), and taunts Rey that he can do the same to her before she quickly turns the tables on him.

Both Ren and Snoke are able to paralyze their victims with the Force, rendering them immobile; Rey has similar trauma as Poe, albeit not from Ren, but through Snoke, as he immobilizes her and then tears through her mind in a similar manner that Ren does to Poe in the Force Awakens. Elsewhere, Finn experienced a lifetime of programming and brainwashing, reduced to a mere number without even a name to give him any sense of individuality. And Palpatine's ultimate play, before learning that Ren and Rey are a dyad in the Force and that power could restore him, was to literally possess Rey's body for himself.

It is a constant struggle for agency, with the villains quite often stripping our heroes of their autonomy - that is what the sequel trilogy is about. Three people who are consistently put down, devalued, who repeatedly have their agency stripped away, who are told they are stuck in an endless cycle, and it is about them going no, and leaving that behind and finding a home and a purpose in each other. Making the choice to find a new home, a new family, a new purpose, a new surname.

It is a victory when they emerge from Exegol, bloodied and exhausted and injured but with the sun shining, because they broke the cycle and they chose each other. It isn't about restoring the Republic, or holding onto the past. It's about three hurt people finding the value in themselves, and making a home with each other.

[duckarchives]

Elements of fear headcanons.

Well, I was recently watching a gameplay of enigma do medo, a game based on ordem paranormal rpg, so I thought I would make headcanons of which elements of fear the characters in COD would be. And for those who are confused, here is a brief description of each element:

・Blood is the entity of feeling. It seeks intensity: pain, obsession, passion, love, hunger, hate - everything that involves feeling an extreme emotion pleases the Blood entity.

・Death is the entity of time. It seeks the moments experienced, distorting the egoic perception of each individual's existence for its own pleasure.

・Knowledge is the entity of consciousness. Discovering, learning, knowing, deciphering. Having one's own perception of the Other Side and its entities pleases the Knowledge element.

・Energy is the entity of chaos. Everything that cannot be explained, the intangible, anarchy. Constant change, heat and cold, light and darkness. Everything that involves unpredictability and transformation pleases the Energy entity.

— Modern Warfare.

Price: blood or death, Price OG is more connected to death while Price from the reboot reminds me of blood.

Gaz: I can't get it out of my head that he would be knowledge.

Soap: energy or blood, Soap OG is more connected to death and Soap reboot reminds me of energy.

Ghost: him being death is kind of obvious, but to avoid being too cliché, maybe knowledge.

Laswell: definitely knowledge.

Farah: I think blood, she reminds me of another character who is also blood.

Alex: death or knowledge, maybe more death than knowledge.

Graves: knowledge, but my friend gave me the idea that he is energy.

Valeria: between energy or blood.

Alejandro: definitely blood.

Rodolfo: it reminds me of knowledge, but maybe it's blood too.

Makarov: energy, it's kind of obvious, even Price called him chaos incarnate.

— Black ops.

Mason: a mix of death and blood.

Woods: definitely energy, maybe blood, but for me it's energy.

Hudson: knowledge is a bit obvious, but I would also say death.

Adler: definitely knowledge.

Bell: it will depend on the player's actions, but my Bell is a mix of knowledge and blood.

Parker: knowledge too.

Sims: his scenes in bo6 made him look like blood.

Lazar: blood or death.

Sav: energy.

Felix: knowledge.

Case: blood.

Harrow: a mix of blood and knowledge.

— Ghosts.

I could say here that they are all death, but why not think differently from the obvious?

Walker family: blood and maybe hesh would be energy.

Merrick: knowledge and maybe blood, people who have a lot of affinity with blood go bald.

Keegan: Definitely blood.

Kick: Knowledge, in fact his eyes remind me of the eyes of someone with an affinity for knowledge and has had a lot of paranormal exposure.

Rorke: Who else could be so spiteful to the point of hunting their ex-partners to death? Definitely blood.

[mylittleponyauprompts]

You know I think if Pinkie Pie and Cadence swapped places it would be pretty seamless. Both have similar color pallets. Both have long names and prefer a shorter Nickname. Both like parties of different types, Cadence weddings, Pinkie Pie most celebrations with a lean towards entertainment. Both can represent different forms of love, Cadence romantic, Pinkie Pie platonic. Both have a strange relationship with rocks and crystals. Both are happy go lucky to different degrees.

If Pinkie Pie was the alicorn of love- she would be of platonic love, and help others with friendships and family relationships. (I think both would be of family love. Both deeply live their family) she would be the Crystal Empires new Empress, and I think her connection to the Crystal Empire would be more obvious due to her color graying and hair straightening due to certain emotions and magic overuse.

If Cadence was the element of laughter- I think she would also be a party planner with a huge lean on weddings and similar romantic events. She isn't opposed to doing a birthday party or large event that's not in her usual niche however. She is a Pie, so a very literal character swap in this case. She grew up on a rock farm like Pinkie did, and found it extremely depressing. I'm thinking that she got her cutie mark throwing her parents a little wedding party for the anniversary of their original wedding. She got the idea the same way, tge Rainboom.

I think AU Cadence would have similar chaotic tendencies as canon Pinkie Pie. Has a "sense", one of which tells her if someone has a crush and needs help working through the feelings, another one of which if someone just broke up or was widowed and needs comforting. She's not the best at baking, but she's really good at working with chocolate. She is of course obsessed with the colors pink and red and has so many heart shaped things. She has a huge snake as a pet.