#an individual capable of feeling depression

[makeuphall]

[astra-ravana]

Tips For Working With Demons

Here are some tips and general advice for working with demons and spirits. I'll probably add more to this list as things come to mind.

• These are individuals, people like you and me. Many of them have had human incarnations here on Earth. They understand your struggle and have their own issues and emotions as well. They have favorite things, best friends, family, and feelings. They are powerful, yes, but should also be treated with love and respect.

• They can and will speak to you. If you possess psychic abilities you may be able to channel some or all demons. People often ask how to tell the difference between the voice of a spirit, or an internal voice or hallucination. Spirit will never speak over you, interupt your ability to think freely, or control your mind. They simply speak, if you're willing to listen. They may also manifest physically, move objects, visit your dreams, send you signs, they have many ways to get their point across.

• Do not stress over time. If you haven't spoken to or left an offering to your patron demon in a few weeks because you've been depressed or busy, this is fine. Spirits do not experience time as we do and your absence is little more than a blink of an eye to them.

• Get creative with your offerings. King Paimon loves chocolate, Bune loves fancy perfume, Lucifer fancies himself some whiskey. You may wonder how offerings help demons, since they lack a mortal body. All physical beings possess a spirit and as such, all physical objects possess an essence. This essence can be absorbed by a spirit to allow them to taste/experience the offering. This gives them energy as well. Fun fact: once the essence of a consumable offering is taken it will be dull and tasteless. Try it sometime.

• Remember to say "thank you". Show appreciation and gratitude to any demons that lend their time and power to enhance your life. This is a team effort and no one likes to be used. Friendship and growth should be your top priorities when working with spiritual entities.

• Go ahead and draw that sigil badly. It's ok to only give a tiny drop of blood. Demons are far from perfect and do not expect perfection from you. Your effort and intention is what matters most.

• Stay away from Solomonic or Abrahamic methods that aim to control or trap demons. This is not likely to end well for you and it is a huge betrayal to the trust of a powerful cosmic being. If you are afraid of the interaction, there are many other forms of personal protection you can employ.

• Chances are there is a demon or spirit that resonates with you. Don't get discouraged if your first several attempts don't spark a connection. Read up on different entities and mediatate to find where you should try next.

• Let go of your preconceived expectations. Demons are not going to just make you rich, successful, or smart. These things are the result of forming strong bonds of power and raising one's consciousness. Often times you won't get what you want, but what you need instead. Spirits can see the bigger picture of who we are, our capabilities, and our soul's path. Trust their vision.

[psychotrenny]

One of the more depressing effects of systemic transmisogyny is the way some trans women get so desperate for any validation thar they start praising chasers. And not just specific chasers who gave them an apparently "good" experience, but with the entire concept of chasers as a whole. It's like they feel flattered by the idea of people seeing their transness as a positive characteristic, something that makes them attractive and special, while ignoring the way that even "best case" that attraction stems from a place of dehumanisation which sees you as merely part of a class of sex objects rather than an actual individual person. I say "best case" because for many chasers their attraction to transfeminity comes less from a desire for those associated characteristics in a vacuum, an inexplicably desire for girlcock or what have you, but from the vulnerability (both personal emotional and systemically socio-economic) that TMA people experience making them much easier to exploit and abuse

Like Pro-Chaser sentiment is a product of people completely misunderstanding what a Chaser is and what they do. No matter how lonely you are it doesn't do any good to see Chasers as some easy outlet for sex and validation; their treatment of transfems isn't just degrading but is often outright dangerous to an even greater extent than your average TME individual. Not the sort of people you want to be spending any time around

And sometimes you even see this sort of sentiment, this desire to be loved by someone who only loves you as a tranny because at least it's some sort of love you can get as a tranny, creep through when others are treating Chasers in a critical or mocking way. Like the Halimede MF twitter account's whole deal is roleplaying as a (somewhat exaggerated but still recognisable) specific sort of Lesbian Chaser; the "harmless transfeminist girl" if you will. Regardless of what you think of the bit, it's very clearly a bit. It's largely meant to be funny, but certainly not flattering to the kind of chaser Halimede embodies.

Most of the transfems I know recognise this, on one level or another, but you sometimes see girls express an almost genuine longing for her. A desperation for affection so great that it bleeds into how they treat a caricatured depiction of someone that is predatory on a fundamental level, just because it represents a "real woman" capable of feigning some shadow of respect for their identity and struggles despite the obviously dehumanising way with which this character regards trans women and their anatomy. Sure a lot of this "I want Halimede" stuff is just playing along with the joke, but some of it has enough genuine sentiment behind the irony that it makes you worry. To put it in Tumblr terms, HalimedeMF is another example of "You missed the point by idolising her". Which isn't to blame the individuals; the fact it happens at all is just another manifestation of a much larger and more horrible system. But it's saddening how attempts to criticise our oppression, even light-heartedly, can end up just reflecting it back into our faces. We need to do better than this

[arrenlebanen777]

ASTRO OBSERVATIONS/ RANDOM EDITION +18

♅ Im very impressed by the beauty of Cancer risings. ♅ And also very impressed by Cancer freakiness. ♅ Remember knowing astrology should be bonus since you can see hidden influences and energies that usually rules people uncounciously. ♅ Mars conjunct/parallel Daitarabochi(8551): Very violent person if its pushed, dark desires, attracted to taboo and dark things, and usually can be intimidating to a lot of people and if the person is not intimidating phisically it can be repulsive for some people. ♅ Mercury conjunct/parallel Daitarabochi(8551): The mind process is inmense, usually their minds can be scary sometimes, is the people you think are psycopaths but aren't, x-rays, sometimes suicide is always an option for these people, they can be perverse, and are a little bit crazy when they experience some kind of abuse, usually is kinda difficult to these people to see the light(metaphorically), always in dark places sometimes. ♅ Mars conjunct/parallel Heracles(5143): unshakable determination, tendency to seek out or attract situations that require strength and courage either in the external world or within, combative/ competitive attitude, the person might feel a strong need to prove their ability to overcome difficulties, Without realizing it, they constantly seek out difficult or challenging situations.

♅ Mars conjunct/parallel DANTE(2999): An extraordinary capacity for actions that others would deem extreme, brutal, or even "evil" in certain contexts. Their drive to act could be fueled by a deep connection to the darker side of existence. They are likely to pursue their goals with a disregard for conventional moral boundaries or concern for the suffering of others, potentially making them capable of cold, calculated actions. This individual may appear unstoppable or unyielding when going after what they want, with a natural affinity for crises, violence, or radical transformations. Tendency to confront the darkest aspects within partnerships and might be drawn to relationships that involve power struggles, control, or even transformative or traumatic experiences. They could be perceived as cold, distant, or ruthless, especially if they feel their authority or power is being challenged, (Very similar to Kenpachi Zaraki from Bleach). ♅ Ive seen some Scorpio Venus having hard times in matters related to love, since loyalty and fidelity are being so trampled on these days, they usually suffer the consequences of this and have a pretty bad time, I have seen that some opt for open relationships or even polyamory, but I know that deep down they only want one person with whom they can completely merge, which is also quite difficult in these times, I know.

♅ Usually in intimacy some planets or asteroids related to sexual things can be expressed on the oposite sign, for example: Eros in aries is more submissive in bed and Eros in libra is more dominant and agressive. ♅ Mars in capricorn: Can represent the devil himself sometimes, very materialistic, very rude and brute, sometimes they see people as obstacles, horny 24/7 but usually supressed 24/7 too due to the focus on their ambitions and goals, if they are not connected with their ambitions and purpose they can enter in very depressed states, very critical and demanding with themselves and with others too, strong endurance and stamina, sometimes they objectify their partners and they can generally resist more than others. ♅ I have seen many people who know almost nothing about astrology being Lilith dominant and I swear that when they are unconscious of this part of themselves they are usually quite narcissistic, violent, cold, calculating, manipulative and superficial since Lilith "remember" if is not conscious it always brings poison with her. ♅ Moon conjunct Chiron: Ive seen that this placement is very similar to Lilith conj moon but is sad, the mother usually is very negligent with the child, doesn't trust her, and the native of this position can be very naive about the mother's true intentions or the total opposite and not trust her at all. But i love them, they are so compassionate too, and this side is very beautiful.

♅Lust(4386) conjunct/parallel Moon: Constant desire for passion and pleasure, they feel drawn to situations or people that evoke deep emotional and sensual satisfaction, once they connect with you emotionally the seduce you almost completely, blurred line between emotional needs and physical impulses, rich inner world but it can be overwhelming at times, can be nymphomaniacs, they get depressed if they don't have someone they can have sex with constantly. ♅ Almost all anime villains that you see are the archetype of Lilith/Pluto dominant people.

[laifromthecosmos]

Weakened Moon and the Rise of the "Dark Femininity"

Feminine energy is a subtle and powerful force that exists within all of us, representing the yin principle — receptive, intuitive, emotional and creative. It manifests itself through empathy, self-care, sensuality and connection with emotions. The Moon is responsible for activating these feminine powers as it is the great symbol of the most feminine planet in the zodiac. Each week she is in a phase, just like women. The Moon does not have a constant energy like the Sun (symbol of masculine energy). The Sun is God and the Moon is the Goddess, the Sun is spirit and the Moon is the creative force, the Sun is Shiva and the Moon is Shakti. Together they represent a great and primordial duality of male and female. The Moon is the divine mind (that's why in Vedic astrology its sign is the lunar) which includes emotion and feelings, the consciousness that reflects on things). The mind is dependent, reflective and conditioned to consciousness. The Moon shows how we relate to others, our social consciousness. While the sun represents individuality, the Moon indicates our personality. When afflicted, she may show personality disturbances in relation to other people or similar symptoms and emotional disturbances. A Moon with nakshatras that harmonize with your energy can give a sensitivity to human feelings, a social awareness and a need to exchange emotions. It makes our feelings recognized and shared with others. The Moon is everyone's friend, it has our popularity, social status and ability to influence mass.

As very sensitive and changeable, the Moon can be easily influenced and delight in other planetary energies. When strong, the Moon can have the same prominence as the Sun and can shine like it. When the Moon is in a Leo or solar nakshatra, there is a combination of a great leader who is open to people's needs. When combined with Venus, it can have intellectuality from various fields of knowledge accompanied by artistic gifts and spiritual devotion. Saturn can darken you, depress you or give you detachment. Rahu can "fog" or cause loss of mind power. This is because the Moon has the ability to become whatever influences it. Therefore, some nakshatras are responsible for "destroying" and not cooperating with this pure feminine energy that the Moon possesses and turns it into something more destructible and obscure, better known today as the Dark Femininity side.

The concept of "Dark Femininity" refers to a powerful and often repressed aspect of feminine energy, characterized by attributes such as mystery, intensity, inner strength, control, deep sensuality, dark intuition, and the capacity for transformation and rebirth. Unlike traditional feminine energy, which is often associated with softness, receptivity and nurturing, dark feminine involves more hidden, deep and even destructive aspects of the psyche. This energy is related to the acceptance of inner shadows, the ability to navigate emotions such as pain, anger, loss and the destruction of old structures to be reborn stronger. Lilith in mythology and the archetype of the Goddess Kali in Hindu tradition are examples of this dark feminine force. Dark Femininity is a concept that combines sensuality and self-empowerment, it is part of trends on social media and films that have been popular and placed in reality in a distorted way. Dark Femininity is considered "the shadow side of the feminine", which includes characteristics that are suppressed in the face of social expectations. Aesthetically, Dark Femininity is an "energy" that is capable of being more assertive, being fearless, being mysterious, being seductive, embracing your inner wisdom and instincts, acting with intention and with magnetic confidence, being firm in your decisions and among others behaviors. Dark Femininity went viral on social media as an aesthetic that understands the opposite side of the feminine. Combining this phenomenon with astrology, the Dark Femininity is best known as a suppression of the divine feminine, but today this archetype is more associated with the process of healing, transformation and integration of personal shadows, rather than just the dark side of emotions and behaviors. For this energy to ascend, the primary energy of the feminine (the Moon) must be contained, weak, debilitated. So, the Dark Femininity, which previously had no name, is much more than an aesthetic of wearing black and being a Femme Fatale, Meneater, Bombsheell and among other stereotypes of non-submissive women.

When the Moon is in the 3rd and 10th degrees of Scorpio, a sign ruled by Mars and Rahu, associated with transformation, emotional intensity, mysteries, fears and extreme situations, there is an incompatibility between the soft nurturing emotional nature of the Moon and the turbulent Scorpio. The Moon needs peace and stability to thrive and in Scorpio it feels overwhelmed by intensity and trauma, which can generate emotional instability and a feeling of vulnerability. The processes of transformation and rebirth are also harmful to the Moon, so she feels uncomfortable as if she is always in an emotional crisis or transition. The need for control when the Moon is in Scorpio (especially in Anurhadha, which is ruled by Saturn) can generate conflicts and other complications in social interactions. Although people with the Moon in Scorpio may have a keen intuition due to their high connection with the unconscious, this ability can be overshadowed due to its intensity. This makes it difficult to make clear judgment and make impulsive decisions, especially in emotional situations. Vishakha in its final portion begins to feel this debilitation, as we are leaving Libra (ruled by Venus, a planet in harmony with the Moon). This nakshatra governs the balance between light and shadow and is aimed at ambition that faces internal conflicts. The Dark Feminine is accessed through a deep search for personal power and independence that is often accompanied by challenges in relationships and feelings. Vishakha connects the dark femininity through the desire for transformation and evolution, sometimes needing to face inner shadows: such as jealousy, possessiveness and obsession. This forces the native to confront their darker side to achieve emotional and spiritual prosperity. Anuradha in its initial up to the 10th degree is where the main weakening of the Moon occurs, however it can begin to recover as soon as it moves to higher degrees. This nakshatra governs loyalty and devotion and its access to the dark feminine is more intuitive and emotional. Anuradha, ruled by Saturn, has a strong connection with the feminine archetype that sacrifices and transforms itself through devotion. The femininity dark side emerges when these qualities are tested by situations involving loss and disappointment. Here, the dark feminine is accessed by accepting pain, overcoming limits and the ability to be reborn stronger after emotional and relational crises. There is immense power in embracing suffering as part of the spiritual journey, which deepens the dark femininity. Contrary to what many think and would like, the Moon in Jyeshtha is no longer considered debilitated, that is, they do not embrace the Dark Feminine side, as this nakshatra governs superiority and control over the environment, which makes it more associated with mastery. emotional and spiritual than to the dark feminine archetype in its narrowest sense. It is associated more with the responsibility and protection of the divine feminine.

So it is also believed that all nakshatras ruled by Mercury exude the Dark Femininity vibe, but this does not occur. They are often associated with the archetype for their mystical, occult and complex characteristics, but they can no longer be seen exclusively as representatives of this archetype for some reasons linked to the most correct interpretation and evolution of Vedic astrology. I made maps of several people who had Revati and especially Ashlesha and Jyeshtha and they don't behave the same as Dark Femininity. A person already came to my Twitter and told me that he did not identify with his rashi Ashlesha because of the stereotypes recorded in this nakshatra. Let's agree that these cannot harm the lunar energy, on the contrary, they are constantly using the emotional (moon) and intellect (mercury). In Ashlesha there is deep psychological understanding and it is obvious that natives of this nakshatra are exalted in the Moon, as it is a nakshatra that belongs to the sign of Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon itself. Ashlesha represents the feminine archetype of hidden strength. Despite connotations of mystery and control, it also symbolizes deep healing and transformation through "emotional poison". The concept of dark feminine goes beyond manipulation and control, to include a feminine energy that heals through facing one's own shadows, a more evolutionary and integrative quality of Ashlesha. Women with the Moon in Jyeshtha often access their feminine by taking control of situations and becoming figures of influence. When the Moon is in a nakshatra ruled by Mercury, there is no impediment to accessing the primary feminine energy, what happens is that they usually tend to be more controlling and end up suppressing feelings and emotions, since we are also talking about Mercury and so this mind has the power to control the Moon's emotions, but is not able to suppress its feminine energy. Therefore, the reason why these nakshatras may no longer be considered exclusively representatives of the dark feminine lies in a broader and more complex interpretation of the archetype. It is no longer about the dark side of femininity energies, but how these energies can be transformed, healed and used for spiritual and emotional evolution.

And when does the Moon meet Rahu? Rahu is a shadow planet that is associated with material ambitions and karmic influences. Whether the Moon has Rahu nakshatras or is in conjunction with this planet, there can be emotional upheaval and internal conflicts that can cause insecurities and desires. When Rahu associates with the Moon, it brings mental confusion, intense desires and disconnections with reality, bringing a layer of emotional restlessness, distorting emotional clarity and creating a constant search for satisfaction that is often difficult to achieve. The Moon represents our emotional security, and when Rahu influences, the native may have a distorted self-image. There may be deep insecurity and difficulty understanding your own emotions. Ardra has a destructive and tempestuous energy. When the Moon is in Ardra, the person can feel intense emotions, drastic changes in mood and a certain emotional instability. This energy can generate a feeling of anger or internal frustration, which makes it difficult for a person to connect smoothly and fluidly with their feminine energy. Ardra brings an energy of renewal through destruction, which can make it difficult to connect with the feminine side that seeks harmony and nourishment. Women with the Moon in Ardra access their dark femininity by navigating intense emotions such as anger, sadness and frustration, using these forces as agents of transformation and growth. Ardra represents the feminine side that embraces pain and chaos as tools to find clarity and renewal. Just like a storm, they bring destruction, but also the opportunity for reconstruction. Shatabhisha, ruled by Rahu, is a mysterious nakshatra, associated with isolation and emotional detachment. When the Moon is here, there can be a strong tendency toward emotional isolation or an excessive quest for independence, which can suppress the need for intimacy, connection, and nurturing. This influence makes it difficult to express the softness and receptivity typical of feminine energy, as the person may feel that they need to maintain their autonomy and control their emotions. The woman with the Moon in Shatabhisha can manifest her dark femininity through her connection with the invisible, healing herself and others with hidden wisdom. Shatabhisha deals with secrets and mysteries, representing the mystical healer who hides in the shadows but holds a profound power of transformation. This nakshatra embodies dark wisdom and healing through unconventional or occult methods.

The Moon with a connection to Saturn (planet and sign) can also give a strong connection with the dark femininity, especially in terms of emotional depth, psychological challenges and internal transformation processes. This combination brings insight and experiences of suffering or restriction that shape the darker side of the psyche. Saturn represents limits, restrictions and difficult lessons. When in contact with the Moon, which governs emotions, the subconscious mind and intuition, Saturn can bring a heavier, more serious and introspective emotional nature, forcing the individual to confront their shadows. This creates a scenario in which the feminine, represented by the Moon, has to deal with the limitations of Saturn. This combination can generate a feminine energy that faces difficulties, emotional isolation and even loneliness, but finds strength in the midst of these challenges. The dark femininity appears as an internal resilience, an ability to face emotional pain and transform it into wisdom. When Saturn influences the Moon, emotions are forced to mature and the individual may feel a tendency to suppress their feelings. This emotional comfort is a characteristic of the dark feminine, which involves recognition and acceptance of pain and shadow. The dark femininity can be activated here as a deep healing process through emotional darkness and the strength of not showing off emotionally, but which has a strong base rooted in difficult experiences. As Saturn rules time, the Moon with Saturn brings wisdom of life stages and emotional cycles. The dark Femininity, in this case, is not something to be avoided, but rather something that is part of the natural cycle of life. Saturn teaches emotional transformation and encounters with the shadow are inevitable and necessary for growth. The dark feminine can be activated during these cycles of loss, introspection and renewal.

[mondothebombo]

✨Small Canon Things in Ninjago That Aren’t Necessarily Important to the Plot, but Important to Me Pt 2✨

(in honor of the first post reaching 2.5k notes)

1. the reason the ninja can’t summon their elemental dragons anymore is bc they’re too traumatized

2. Kai takes laxatives

3. Lloyd felt responsible for Nya’s sacrifice

4. Morro took a shot while he was in Lloyd’s body

5. Cole’s favorite color is orange

6. Chamille, the master of form, is a “bad girl” post s4

7. the ninja were literal children when they waltzed into Chen’s tournament and proceeded to beat all the adult EMs in the competition

8. prior to seabound, Nya resented her parents for not being there in her childhood, her mother more so than her father (✨mommy issues✨)

9. Nya is hyper-independent as a result of her childhood; while Kai is more openly accepting to his parents because he has a better memory of them

10. Wu was close enough with Lilly that he could remember whether or not she wore a necklace

11. Cliff Gordon was a “womanizer”

12. Lloyd didn’t naturally hit puberty until s8

13. Cole and Jay are best friends

14. whether or not you see Pixane as a bf/gf situation in canon, they are canonically soulmates

15. Jay has not yet received his inheritance letter

16. at least up until the Merge, Zane’s statue is still in downtown Ninjago City

17. ninjago citizens are fully aware their only protection are six super-powered teens/young adults

18. the ninja are still famous, public figures

19. Jay is the only ninja who hasn’t died (yet)

20. despite being a terrible actor, Lloyd is always sent on the undercover missions

21. the ninja are on first name basis with each others parents

22. Cole’s favorite genre of music is soft rock

23. Zane has selective memory

24. after Nya’s sacrifice, each ninja depicted a different stage of grief (Zane-Denial, Kai-Anger, Lloyd-Depression, Jay-Bargaining, and Cole-Acceptance)

25. Cole never actually had feelings for Nya, he was just flattered by the attention and petty about Jay being mad at him

26. elements react based on the master’s emotions

27. Jay is so emotionally dependent on being around other people that he loses his mind when he’s alone for too long

28. Lloyd had a chat with god and wasn’t impressed

29. Cole’s snoring can be heard throughout the monastery

30. Nya is not a morning person

31. Kai and Skylor have been in a situationship since s4

32. Lloyd being the grandson of god is not common knowledge

33. the group of civilians that were on the bounty when Cole fell are probably the only ones who truly realize the danger the ninja put themselves in on the regular to protect the city, and how close they are with each other

34. Wu didn’t want to tell the ninja about the green ninja prophecy because he was afraid of having a repeat of Morro

35. since s8 at the very least, the ninja all shared a room on the bounty until the monastery was rebuilt

36. Jay’s confidence in his own abilities fully depends on what others believe he’s capable of

37. several villains have called the ninja out on being “just a bunch of kids,” and then proceeded to get their shit rocked by said kids

38. the overlord can gloat to Lloyd all he wants to in crystallized, but fact of the matter is Lloyd defeated him when he was like twelve

39. Kai and Nya raised and took care of each other, it wasn’t just Kai doing all of the work

40. Kai is two years older than Nya

41. Zane’s biggest fear is losing his humanity

42. Lloyd’s biggest fear is becoming his father

43. Nya’s biggest fear is losing her individuality

44. Cole’s biggest fear is letting his family down

45. we the audience are the only ones who see the characters as legos; they’re real people in-universe

46. Kai likes spicy food

47. while elemental masters are immune to their elements to some extent, their elements can also be shown to hurt them in some circumstances

and as always, feel free to add on!!

[aurae-rori]

DR RATIO ANALYSIS: PART 2, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

SPOILERS FOR 2.1 CONTENT.

Now, you might be saying - "Aurae, you already did one, why do you need a second?" And my answer is, "LORD, I FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT HOW HIS DEFINITION OF 'IDIOT' IS DIFFERENT. AND ALSO HE DOES NOT HATE AVENTURINE NOR DOES HE THINK AVENTURINE IS STUPID." Once again, here is my disclaimer - although I have been researching psychology for a solid six years, I am NOT a professional. (I will be, one day. Just you wait, just youuuu wait-) So understand that everything I say has been analyzed with personal judgement, with my own conclusions, come to with logic and my personal interpretation. This is just what I have concluded, and you are always free to disagree.

This is my legacy. To be an analyzer. So let's go.

Okay, now that my disclaimer is over, let's take off Ratio's plaster head and chuck it into the sea, and see - what does he mean by 'idiot'?

This will be much shorter than my last, so don't worry - I will not be flashbanging you with another 4k words. This is more like a follow up, than anything else, because there's a few things I wish to touch on.

Dr. Ratio doesn't hate idiots in the sense that he hates people that have 'low IQ' or are 'stupid' in terms of being 'slow to understand'. I definitely touched on this in my last analysis, but he hates people who take their education for granted and don't go places with the gifts that they've been given. He hates "idiots" - "narrow minded" people who have the capabilities to do more and perceive more than they choose to do. People who deliberately look away or take what they know and what they could do for granted. He wants to open people's eyes and allow them to see life from multiple different angles and he believes that everyone should have a chance to learn - with the whole "knowledge for everyone" thing he's got rolling.

He wears a plaster head around people he doesn't seem to know too well in order to think more, or so that he doesn't have to see the faces of the people he dislikes. Pretty good roast. However, he does NOT wear that plaster head around Aventurine. Let's listen to the doctor's judgement - Aventurine is far from stupid. Although he likes to chalk up a lot of the things he does to his own luck, he is an INCREDIBLY capable individual who's managed to get this far because of his own form of genius. He's a man who relies on chance and good fortune, yes, but his charm, his way of scheming, and the way that he's good with people? That's skill. A talent he doesn't take for granted. Dr. Ratio respects him for this - because despite the fact that he has no proper education, he has his eyes wide open to the world and doesn't take shit for granted. He learns what he can in order to survive and he does it fucking well - Aventurine is a very smart man. He's observant, quick on his feet, and great at going with the flow and thinking in the moment.

Aventio aside, I actually believe that Dr. Ratio would be a really good teacher to those who struggle. He's patient where it's needed to be, even if he's got a quick temper, and I believe in his pursuit for knowledge he would do his best to go out of his way to find strategies that would work for their individuals. We're all unique, and he's aware of this - and because he wants to allow people to think for themselves, whatever helps the individual works. Depression? He's got a psych degree, I'm sure bro could give you some strategies. Autism? He has a touch of the 'tism himself. ADHD, and not feeling organized? Bro will help you. It's canon that he's a great fucking teacher - those who finish his classes go on to become successful people who are intelligent and critical thinkers. Round of applause for Ratio, the man that kins my father. He's shit at emotions, but great at knowledge.

Also, on that note, I believe that he would most likely hate parents that push thier "gifted" students to the limit without any compassion for the person that they really are. He's most definitely got some of that academic trauma so I believe that bro holds a secret disdain for parents who just use their children to gain more recgonition. Well, not so secret. He'd cuss them out. (Ratio please cuss out the horrible parents.)

Dr. Ratio, the Teacher ever. (Hey, maybe he'd get along with Kunikida...)

Also, I am definitely planning on making a fic where he teaches Aventurine Latin. As long as you're eager to learn and willing to look past the chalk being thrown, he's got a place for you.

Thanks for coming to my tedtalk. I did not read this through, so this is not edited. Take my unedited rambles.

[a-d-nox]

the root chakra and whether i believe you could survive an apocalypse

the root chakra is telling of our survival instincts and what we need to survive.

2 (the high priestess): you saw the end coming but likely want nothing to do with long term living in a world without life and only death. you probably are a prepper though.

3 (the empress): it's pretty unlikely you will live - you are too reliant on others providing for you and likely would miss the conveniences of the modern world.

4 (the emperor): 100% is going to live - this person saw it coming and was preparing for a long time (mentally, physically, etc). they don't have interest in a commune either or rather they would never be dependent on others to survive - they would probably become a leader in an apocalypse.

media representation: any lead character in a post-apocalyptic movie / tv show

5 (the hierophant): dooms-dayer - 100% percent would pray on those who are scared and convince them that you have minimal ways to survive most of which will involve aiding them. they are the type to dictate to others what they need to be done but won't get their own hands dirty. they have zero issues turning religion into a way of life and claiming that current passages were warning them all along - they definitely would result to implementing scare tactics.

media representation: david in the last of us

6 (the lovers): reliant on others for survival. they aren't likely to last long in that regard but also they are likely prone to depression and would become existentialistic.

7 (the charioteer): their survival depends on whether or not they have survival gear - if they don't have a good baseline, they are likely going to be the first to go. they do make good nomads though so long as they do not depend on motorways too early into the apocalypse.

8 (strength): they start out strong then end up giving up. they can be prone to getting hurt too so it is likely they will succumb to infection - perhaps consider shaping up your first aid and herbal knowledge base.

9 (the hermit): the hermit himself was a man of the wilderness - he disappeared on his own and survived on his own. these people are likely to do the same. very little will impend them they just have to be of the mindset they can do it.

media representation: the tv show alone

10 (wheel of fortune): this is the person who just survives based off of dumb luck sometimes these people have really really bad luck though.

11 (justice): this is a practical individual - who knows how to use their resources. unfortunately, they are rather high maintenance so they might be unhappy in a post-apocalyptic world.

media representation: american horror stories: apocalypse (s8)

12 (the hanged man): nope 100% wouldn't make it - probably would be the one to want to loot and take from stores then get hurt in the process because they aren't aggressive enough.

13 (death): they bounce back all the time, so i wouldn't be surprised if they just keep coming back from almost dying.

media representation: joel in the last of us

14 (temperance): they would be great at moderation/rationing their supplies, but they can experience exposure to the elements that nearly kills them if not kills them.

15 (the devil): nope, they are too dependent on the modern world and likely couldn't adjust to new horrors of an apocalyptic world.

16 (the tower): i mean they are preppers and i can see them being capable and durable, but they are accident prone and can have a horrible death if not careful.

17 (the star): absolutely not - these people are quick to give up and feel hopeless in a post-apocalyptic world. they are also prone to being overly exposed to the elements.

18 (the moon): i feel like they could survive but the question is whether or not they could bear being alone with themselves... being alone makes you face all the shadows of the self. i don't feel that they would do well in a group dynamic as they would clash with the different personalities.

19 (the sun): oop these people dip so hard. they don't care what it takes to survive they simply will.

20 (judgment): simply yes. they are very capable of remaking a life in a world they no longer recognize.

21 (the world): definitely. this is a bad ass placement - they come out on top every single time. they are often the last man standing in a survival situation.

22 (the fool): they lack awareness and it tends to be their downfall. also they take too many risks and in a survival situation, you can't simply "wing it".

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[slaymitchabernathy]

A Sweet Promise

She looks so young. His future wife.

Coriolanus is all but smug as she walks down the aisle towards him, escorted by none other than Strabo Plinth, the man who’s as good as his father now that Sejanus is out of the way.

He can hear the whispers, the murmurs throughout the room as she gets closer to him. Some are about her youthful beauty and yes, she is entirely beautiful. Others are about her age, but he doesn’t see it as a pressing problem. Only a few are about where she originated from.

The Districts.

Never in a million years did Coriolanus Snow think he’d get married to someone from the Districts but his life has proven to be full of surprises.

Once he became President it seemed that everyone around him was waiting for him to get married. He hasn’t been opposed to it really, he just wasn’t entirely eager to tie himself down.

Unless it was done on his terms.

He didn’t want to marry some rich and spoiled Capitol girl who expected him to worship the ground she walked on. No, he needed someone easy to teach, to train. To mold.

After pouring over all the Districts for a somewhat suitable match he landed in District Two, the Capitol’s most loyal District by far. Several screenings were done with all of Two’s young girls ranging from eighteen to twenty-two. Most of them were quite the depressing sight with their sunken in cheekbones and bony fingers.

Then he saw her, saw Soarynn.

She was slightly better looking, but that could be credited to her being the daughter of a Peacekeeper commander. She was quiet, but he didn’t mind. Her eyes were so startling as he looked at her through the two-way mirror they had set up. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as the interviewer asked her all sorts of questions about herself and her life.

After enough data had been collected they ran a set of tests so ensure that Soarynn was more than capable of providing Coriolanus with children.

She was.

And so, their marriage was arranged. He withheld any contact with the girl until this fateful day as to not ruin her perception of him. He needed her to fear him, to respect him and all his commands. If he got too close, too kind and gentle, then this would all be for nothing.

Soarynn and Strabo finally reach the altar and Strabo helps Soarynn up the few steps that lead to Coriolanus who takes her dainty hand in his large one.

He notices her freshly manicured nails immediately and is more than pleased with how she’s cleaned up since he last saw her. Once Coriolanus knew he’d be marrying Soarynn, he made sure that she was properly prepared to become not only his wife, but the First Lady of Panem.

She was given all the Capitol treatments that the Tributes usually receive before participating in the Hunger Games. Her hair was styled and trimmed to his liking, her skin was waxed and smoothed, her face was scoured for any imperfections. She was perfect now.

He carefully lifts the veil up from over her face and he’s truly dazzled for a moment by her striking facial features. Her upturned nose, the freckles that cover her entire face, her long lashes and her blue-gray eyes.

She’s beautiful.

Coriolanus also ensured that she was put on a proper diet before arriving to the Capitol a week ago. He couldn’t have his wife looking like a starved child from the Districts. He’s pleased to see that she’s filled out more, she’s now lean and her cheeks are no longer hollowed out.

Soarynn’s eyes reflect a similar feeling of bewilderment and curiosity. She’s heard of him of course, but from what he’s been told, she’s had lots of questions about him since the marriage was arranged.

Coriolanus thought it was somewhat…childish for her to want to know so much about him, even if she was about to marry him. He’ll be quick to shut down any prying questions from her. He really only needs certain things from Soarynn. He needs her for public appearances, to make him seem like a well rounded individual and politician.

He also needs her to provide him with a future, with children.

What he doesn’t need is love. If he wanted a loving companion then he would’ve gotten a dog.

Soarynn is a close second in his opinion.

And she’s better off marrying him than any man from Two. By marrying him, she has a safe and secure future with the promise of a full belly and a warm bed to sleep in. She’s won the lottery of husbands it seems.

Coriolanus tunes out most of the ceremony, his mind too focused on other things like the meetings he has coming up surrounding this years Hunger Games. This entire ceremony is being done out of obligation. They have to sell it, sell this idea of a young couple being madly in love.

If he had his way then they would’ve been married in the Justice Building and gone about their day. But there are images to uphold and people in the Capitol love a good wedding. They’ve taken to the streets in fact to celebrate this union, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the young bride.

So he nods when it’s time to vow himself to her, to be loyal and kind, to protect her and give her children. Soarynn does the same, promising to give him children and remain obedient and trusting.

That’s all she really is to him. A sweet promise.

꧁ ꧂

꧁ Two Months Later ꧂

Coriolanus only hears his footsteps echoing throughout the Presidential Mansion, alerting any staff that might be in his way. Any Avoxes that is.

He’s never been to fond of having staff that can repeat information that he’d rather keep private, so Avoxes were the perfect solution to his dilemma. Easy to train, easy to replace.

Unlike his little wife.

Over the past two months, Soarynn has been doing her very best to avoid him at all costs. Not that he can blame her, he’s an intimidating man and a busy one at that. He barely sees her as it is but their limited interactions lack any genuine connection and that frustrates him.

She doesn’t need to be in love with him, but she could at least make the effort.

She’s been getting lessons in etiquette from his event coordinator, Eudora Trinket to ensure that Soarynn doesn’t publicly embarrass him and they’ve been paying off so far. He’s only brought Soarynn to a handful of events and most of them have been dinners or galas where she’s been pressed to his side the entire night.

But even in her spare time, she never leaves the Mansion.

He’s offered up the idea to her before, well, to Eudora at least, encouraging the older woman to take Soarynn out to see the sights of the Capitol and get more accustomed to life with the elite but Soarynn simply refuses to leave.

And he’s about to find out why.

He approaches the library and tries to remember the last time he actually read a book for enjoyment. According to Eudora, Soarynn spends all her time in the library, pouring over books from all different genres. Coriolanus was simply surprised that the girl could read in the first place let alone actively seek out knowledge.

He pushes the large doors open and the smell of candles and vanilla hits him like a wave. It appears that Soarynn has taken a liking to the vanilla-scented products he got for her. He can’t have his wife smelling like a wild animal.

He scans the large room for any sign of Soarynn but finds none. Perhaps she's somewhere else and he was ill-informed. But then he hears the sound of a book landing on the ground and a small gasp, found you, he thinks to himself, walking to the left side of the library.

The library is huge, filled with mahogany bookshelves and wall paneling. There's a large sitting area in the middle of the room with sofas and armchairs and a large table with notes scattered about from previous Presidents. Coriolanus left this room untouched since it didn't really serve him any purpose, but it has now it seems.

He rounds a corner and finds Soarynn sitting on the floor surrounded by several books and a small white, fluffy creature. Her cat.

When Coriolanus selected Soarynn to be his wife, he was alerted that she had one singular demand once they were married. That she be given a cat. Apparently, her father has an allergy to the particular animal and Soarynn figured that it was now or never to put in such a request. Coriolanus thought it was rather adolescent to ask for a pet, but he didn't marry her for her weathered age. So he got her a cat, even let her pick out the one she wanted.

He's only seen the feline once or twice since she was brought into the household but from what Eudora's told him, the kitten is very sweet and is a ball of energy. Just what he needs.

He watches his wife for a moment, she looks so small sitting on the hardwood floor and she seems absolutely infatuated with the book in her lap. So infatuated that the kitten notices Coriolanus first and meows at him, causing Soarynn to look up, wide-eyed once she takes notice of the President of Panem staring down at her.

The kitten is fearless it seems and runs over to him, batting at his pants. Coriolanus steps to the side and eyes the feline warily, "What's its name?" He didn't care to learn the name of his wife's cat, not when it didn't directly affect him.

Soarynn swallows and watches her kitten continue its assault on his pants, "Her name is Petunia."

Petunia, how precious.

Petunia looks over at Soarynn when she hears her name and runs back over to her owner, purring up a storm. Coriolanus watches how Soarynn smiles at the kitten, how she picks her up and strokes her fur. He also notices how Petunia's eyes are almost identical to Soarynn's, blue and gray.

"You seem to spend a lot of time in here," Coriolanus says, running his finger along a dusty shelf, "a majority of your day in fact." He's not mad, in fact, he knows that it could be much worse, a young District-born girl running rampant around the Capitol sounds like his worst nightmare. Having a shy, introverted wife might just be his biggest blessing in disguise.

Soarynn stares down at the book in her lap, having the decency to look somewhat ashamed, "It's quiet in here," she whispers, "and warm." It certainly is warm since she's got the fire going, plus the added warmth from the large windows makes the library nearly as hot as the greenhouse during the summer.

"Do you get cold often?" He doesn't really care but as her husband, he should at least act somewhat interested in her beyond the basics. Soarynn shrugs, "It was always cold in Two." Indeed it was, what a wasteland.

Coriolanus grunts, "I see. Well, I came to see if there was a specific reason as to why you weren't venturing out to see the Capitol. You have a car and a driver at your beck and call, along with Peacekeepers to keep you safe at all times,"

Soarynn furrows her brows, looking up at him, "Why do I need Peacekeepers when the Capitol is the safest place in Panem?" Looks like someone was paying attention in class. Coriolanus takes another step towards her, closing the distance between them and he doesn't miss how Soarynn tenses up, they haven't been this close together in a room alone before.

"You have Peacekeepers because I want you to have Peacekeepers," he tells her, his voice low and authoritative, "do you understand darling?" Her lip quivers as she tries to give him a somewhat defiant look but she fails miserably, "Yes," she whispers.

Coriolanus hums, pleased at how well this is going for him, but he should backtrack a little, soothe over her wounds. "What are you reading?" He nods towards the book in her lap, the book that Petunia is napping on top of. Soarynn's fingers absentmindedly trace over the letters of the page, "It's a romance book."

Romance, what a horrible genre.

"How interesting," he states, taking one more step until his shoes are next to her dress that's pooled around her on the floor, "you've been doing a lot of reading since you got here, most children from the District don't even know how to read." That seems to knock her down a few pegs which is good in his opinion, always good to remind her of her place, "Two has the best education compared to the other Districts," she repeats, straight from what he's ordered every educator in Two to tell it's students.

She's not wrong though, Two receives the best education, which isn't a lot, but it's better than other Districts like Twelve. Mostly because Two is where the Capitol gets most of its Peacekeeper force and having a bunch of idiots with guns is less than ideal for Coriolanus who would very much like to keep his country under control.

"Indeed they do," he agrees, "I've just never seen someone read as much as you do." From what he's been told, she's gone through a lot of books since she arrived in the President's Mansion. A small blush creeps across Soarynn's cheeks and she brushes her hair behind her ears, a habit he's noticed she does whenever she's nervous.

"We're having dinner tonight, just the two of us," he tells her, leaving no room for argument, "outside in the gardens, six o'clock."

He can see a wave of confusion wash over Soarynn's face since not once have they had dinner together just the two of them but Coriolanus needs to start utilizing his little wife in every way he possibly can.

So he's going to start with dinner.

He doesn't leave her room to argue, simply turning on his heel and making his way out of the library, "And the cat can't come," he calls before slamming the doors shut.

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn is a vision.

She's cleaned up exceptionally well for dinner tonight which means she most likely mentioned it to Eudora who insisted that she look her absolute best for her husband.

Soarynn's hair has been pulled back into a ponytail with a pink ribbon tying it up. Her face has a hint of blush, adding some more color to her tan skin. Her dress is also pink, taken in at the waist to show off her frame and it's sleeveless, showing off her arms. It's warm enough to still have dinner outside without needing a heavy coat and Coriolanus enjoys hosting parties and gatherings throughout the summer.

Soarynn's only been to a few of his famous garden parties but she has yet to be granted the privilege of seeing his greenhouse filled with his precious roses.

"You look beautiful," he tells her, resting a hand on her bare shoulder. She slightly tenses but pushes a smile to her face, "Thank you." It seems her lessons in etiquette have been paying off nicely. He guides them through the gardens, pointing out specific plants or sculptures every now and then. Soarynn doesn't say much, just nodding along with his words while she looks up at him. He only looks down at her once and it hits him once again how young she is.

So young and naive, pure and ripe for the taking.

"What's that?" They're just nearing the pavilion when they come to a halt by the tall shrubs, "That's my maze," he says, "in the center, there's a courtyard with a statue." This seems to fascinate Soarynn because she goes to step toward the maze but Coriolanus is hungry so he's quick to latch onto her wrist, pulling her back into him, "Perhaps we'll explore the maze after we have dinner," he suggests.

That seems to be enough for Soarynn who nods and follows him to the pavilion where a lovely spread has been laid out for them. Platters covered in cheeses, crackers, meats, and breads, paired with olives, grapes, and jams.

Coriolanus helps Soarynn into her seat before taking his own and he raises his glass of wine, "To the future." Soarynn is hesitant to raise her own glass, probably because she doesn't partake in drinking, "To the future," she says softly although she does not sound like she believes it.

They dig into the platters and Coriolanus watches Soarynn try every jam that's been laid out for her. She scrunches her face when she tastes something she doesn't like but he also notes how her elbows never rest on the table, another sign that she's been doing well in her lessons on how to behave like a proper Capitol lady.

"So your cat, how old is she?"

Coriolanus hadn't spared the cat a glance if he was being honest. He signed the papers that needed to be signed and made sure that his wife was given the most perfect cat in the entire world before he forgot all about it. Simple yet effective.

Soarynn perks up at the mention of her pet, "Petunia is six weeks old, which is young but she's very smart. She even knows how to do tricks!"

Coriolanus raises his eyebrows at this bold statement, he highly doubts that Petunia is as smart as Soarynn claims but knowing tricks is something worth noting, "I see. You know, I could get you horses, you could go riding every afternoon if you wished." They'd have to build stables but there's more than enough land surrounding the President's Mansion to do so.

Her face slightly falls, "Oh. Um, no thank you."

Now he's confused. "Do you not like horses?"

Soarynn picks at her plate, not hungry anymore it seems, "I've never seen a horse before, at least, not in real life. I've seen the ones on the Avenue." The Avenue of Tributes is a well-known spot in the Capitol where Tributes for the Hunger Games are paraded down the Avenue, allowing the Capitolites a first look at the fresh blood. The Tributes are brought down on chariots pulled by beautiful horses and it seems that they've managed to catch Soarynn's attention.

"We'll have to go to the horse races," he decides, taking a sip of his wine, "you can go down to the track before the race and meet the horses and their jockeys." Being President means shaking a lot of hands that belong to people you don't quite care about which include the men who ride racehorses. Still, Coriolanus enjoys the races mostly for the social aspect though.

Soarynn hums and her eyes wander around the pavilion, a large marble structure that's been here since the Mansion was built. Coriolanus rarely dines here but tonight is a special occasion. It's normally occupied by the older generation when he holds gatherings, all the old women sit and grumble about the younger women and what they're wearing and how "scandalous" it is.

"I like this dress, is it new?"

Of course, it's new but Soarynn doesn't seem to be trying to engage in any form of conversation. She looks down at her dress and nods, "Yes. Eudora bought it special for me to wear tonight. She says I should try to talk to you more."

Coriolanus makes a mental note to give Eudora a raise because the woman is doing charity work at this point guiding Soarynn through this marriage. He grunts in approval, "You most certainly should. We've been married for two months and yet I know little to nothing about you."

Coriolanus doesn't quite care to learn much about Soarynn, just what makes her tick, what makes her cry. What he can use against her.

She looks somewhat caught and her hands grab at the table cloth, twisting it in every direction, "I miss my family," she says softly, "I...I know I shouldn't, and that I should be very grateful for all you've done for me," it sounds as if she's reading off a script, "but I don't know anyone here and I'm quite lonely."

Well, he certainly wasn't expecting that.

Coriolanus can see tears welling in Soarynn's eyes and he can't have her crying, he's never been good at emotions, especially coming from a woman. He quickly reaches across the table and takes one of her hands into his, giving it a gentle squeeze, "Then I'll introduce you to people your age, make you the most well-connected woman in Panem. You're the First Lady darling, act like it, embrace it, you have the world at your fingertips. All you have to do is ask me for something and it shall be yours."

That seems to strike something within Soarynn because her eyes twinkle a little bit at his words as if something is brewing beneath her surface. She looks down at their intertwined hands before looking up at him, "Anything?"

He nods, "Anything."

Soarynn sits back in her chair, her hand slipping out of his when she does so, "I want a room to paint in," she says, "a big room with lots of windows so I can have a lot of natural light. And I want more mystery books in the library, I've already read all the ones we have."

A grin curls across his lips at the demanding woman his wife has suddenly become. She's sinking into her role as his wife and First Lady it seems and he's more than happy to feed into her little fantasy so long as she behaves. He chuckles, sliding his hand back over to his side of the table, "Very well, I'll have a room cleared out for you on the West Wing of the Mansion, near my study. And I'll have more books brought in for you."

Soarynn seems pleased with the confirmation, shocked even that it was this easy to get what she wanted. "Good. Now why don't you tell me about your day?"

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus can't remember the last time he actually walked through the maze. But Soarynn was insistent on seeing the statue in the center so he humored her and besides, dinner was more than plesant. She immediatley opened up to him once he granted her wishes, asking about his day, listening attentively, complimenting the food he chose for them tonight.

A world of a difference compared to the girl he married two months ago.

"How do you get the hedges to grow so tall?"

Coriolanus looks down at Soarynn who's still holding onto his arm as he guides them through the maze and he chuckles, "I don't know darling, you'll have to ask the gardeners." Her eyes are wide with fascination as they stroll through the maze, and she gasps when they finally reach the center, "Oh, it's so big."

Coriolanus nearly forgot what the statue looked like but it's clear as day that it's a marble statue of a very well sculpted man, a man who has a similar resemblace to him is he says so himself.

Soarynn pulls away from him to get a closer look, her finger tips gripping the edge of the statue's marble platform, "Where did you find this?" She asks him, looking up at him from over her shoulder. Coriolanus shoves his hands in his pockets and sighs, "It's supposedly from before Panem was Panem, before the fires and the floods came. That's what I was told at least."

Part of Coriolanus thinks that he was fed a load of bullshit about this statue, but, it's a good center piece for his maze, so he'll keep it. He takes another step towards Soarynn until he's right behind her and he slips his hands around her waist, drawing a gasp from her lips.

They never had sex on their wedding night, but he's willing to overlook that for the sanctity of their marriage.

He noses the soft skin on her neck and inhales that sweet scent of vanilla that seems to cling to her. "You know, we never got properly accustomed to each other on our wedding night," he murmurs agasint her neck.

The entire reason they decided to forego their wedding night festitivtes was for the sole reason of Soarynn being absolutely terrified of sleeping in the same room as him. She was fine at the wedding, but the second they got inside the Mansion, the girl was a mess, shaking and whimpering like some wounded animal. Coriolanus had just handed her off to Eudora and went to bed, not wanting to deal with the tears that would come should he try and fuck her.

But now he's ready.

"I um...I thought you didn't want anything to do with me," she whispers, recalling the harsh words he had mumbled while walking away from her that night. Coriolanus presses a kiss right under her ear and he feels her shiver, "A man can change his mind darling. And besides, what would everyone say if they found out that Coriolanus Snow's wife refused to sleep with him? They might peg you for a...whore," he tacks on some heft to the last word, "some slut who's been unfaithful to me and didn't stay pure."

Soarynn whimpers and he takes it as a sign to suck on her skin hard, leaving behind a dark shaded bruise, "I...I'm not a whore," she gasps, her hands finding his and tugging on them but Coriolanus isn't budging. "Oh really?" He taunts, shoving his leg between hers, "we all know how you District folk like to keep busy and your Father was in charge of Peacekeepers. Who's to say that you never gave them a little taste of what's in between your legs hmm?"

His bites her ear lobe, tugging the skin between his teeth and Soarynn cries out, bucking agasint him, trying to break free, "I didn't!" She cries, her voice desperate and breathy, "I never slept with anyone, I saved myself for marriage."

That's all he wanted to hear.

He presses a hand agasint her stomach, feeling the warmth of her skin through the fabric of her dress, "Good," he says quietly, his lips ghosting the shell of her ear, "because one day, I'm going to put a baby inside of you, and I can't have myself worrying about you giving birth to some bastard." Soarynn goes quiet, those words seem to be sinking in for her, the gravity of what they mean.

"You want to have a family with me?" She whispers, looking up at him from over her shoulder. They're inches apart, the tension is thick. He licks his lips, "Yes. I need an heir, and I'd do well to give you a daughter to take care of as well, keep you busy."

Soarynn scrunches her nose, "But you're getting me a horse, why do I need to have a daughter as well?"

He smiles at her naive way of thinking, she's still so young, so unaware of her place in society. He places a soft kiss to her temple, his hand rubbing circles on her stomach, imnaging how it'll feel when her skin is stretched over their child, "Because every woman needs a child, something to love and nurture, hmm? And we need to keep the bloodline strong, you're a Snow darling, and as the First Lady of Panem, there's certain expectations for you to provide me with children."

He doesn't mention how he knows exactly how fertile Soarynn is right now, how young and moldable she is. Getting her pregant now would be the best thing he could possibly do for her, keeping her busy and latched onto him.

But what he said seems to sit right with Soarynn because she's all sappy and asking for more things which he easily agrees too so long as she keeps her promise to provide him with an heir.

It's a sweet promise really, a sweet, sweet promise.

| Part 1. |

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

[dllamarama]

the falling out of Seok-ryu and her ex-fiancee was something that i really appreciate. instead of going for an easy solution of cheating, the writer decided on something that is much more complex. both of them were treading on the line of toxic relationship.

Seok-ryu was in a depressive state and that takes a toll on her ex-fiancee. not everyone can handle or understand someone during their depressive state. he couldn’t understand how someone as strong willed as her was not able to "wake up" from her depressive state. and we can't really blame the guy. he just didn't build for it. we can however agree that his words to Seok-ryu cuts deep.

so Seok-ryu decision to break the engagement was healthy for both of them. he couldn’t handle her and she knows she relies on him too much to the point she lost herself. she thought that they're a set instead of separate individual.

the problem now is that she feels that love is not something she is capable of doing. because she had seen the worst of her and her loved one and she can't do it again. so i guess in the next 7 eps left, she will go into self discovery of how love should be when it is with the right person. but before that, i hope that she will find herself first before she starts her relationship with choisseung.

[schrodinger-swriter]

Could you possibly write A, B, E, and H for Lucifer?

A, B, E, and H for Lucifer

I wish to apologize in advance if this one is a little... off... I'm currently on episode 3 of my rewatch of Hazbin Hotel, and between my first watch and reading his wiki.. I still find it hard to grasp Lucifer's personality. If this is out of character, I will gladly take the L

Regardless, I hope you enjoy!

ATTRACTION:

I think he would love someone creative. He himself spends his days creating (the rubber ducks) and experimenting with looks and the like. Perhaps he would like a like minded individual that feels comfortable pushing back against authority, willing to question the way things are and look at the world through a new lens. Personal choice, for lack of a better term, matters to him. It's why he is where he is now. Even if he disapproves of most sinners, I think at least a few are capable of worming themselves into his core.

BONDING:

I enjoy the though of talking to you while he works on something, still offering you his attention while his hands work away at his latest project. However, I do think that he would try to have one on one time with you. No distractions... I think this is more likely after he talks to Charlie and gets on board with her plan to redeem sinners... though that may be wishful thinking, with enjoying the idea of Lucifer trying to be present in his loved ones lives. Of course, this will take time, but it's a start..

EMOTION:

This is another tough one... I can see him emotionally pulling away, but I can also see him banding with you when things get tough. It's hard to say, it heavily relies on what's happening and how invested you are in the relationship. He wants to love with you with his whole being, but much like with Lilith, he will very well fall into his depression if things get tough.. lord forbid it leads to you two separating. He doesn't want to repeat the mistakes, but since I'm currently unsure of why he and Lilith separated I can say for sure where he's going to overcompensate.. Interesting one, might revisit this when I have the time to deep dive on his character.

HARSH:

Another interesting one, I think misunderstandings are more likely than full blown arguments. Touching on the above segment, he might try to work through the problem and find a solution, out of fear that it might tear apart this relationship. Though this is usually after giving you both ample time to cool down and become ready to face one another again. Typically, he's usually the one who's ready to smooth things over first, through communicating and trying to plan something for the two of you as a means to take a step forward.

[multiplicity-positivity]

Here’s some positivity for systems without friends!

Forming and maintaining friendships can be a daunting and challenging task for many folks, plural or singlets alike! Some systems may find it harder than others to make and keep friends. Not having friends may make your system lonesome, but you are still valued, special, and worthy of love and respect just the way you are. This post goes out to all the friendless systems out there!

💠 Shoutout to systems who form new friends easily, but often lose them for any reason!

🐬 Shoutout to systems who are aplatonic or who have individual headmates who are themselves aplatonic!

💎 Shoutout to systems who feel too weird, awkward, or different from others in order to make friends!

🦋 Shoutout to those who only make friends within their own system!

📘 Shoutout to systems who want to make friends, but whose disabilities often make maintaining friendships extremely difficult or impossible!

🦕 Shoutout to systems who have to rely on themselves for support due to not having any friends they can lean on!

🗣 Shoutout to systems who have been called “difficult,” “off putting,” or “high maintenance” by potential friends!

🪁 Shoutout to systems whose struggles with depression, anxiety, or emotional regulation make it challenging for them to keep friends!

💙 Shoutout to systems who genuinely don’t know why they are unable to hold on to friendships in their lives!

🔹 Shoutout to systems whose members are not friends with each other!

🌀 Shoutout to those who developed their system as a way to cope with the loneliness of not having friends!

🌌 Shoutout to systems who are happy and comfortable with not having friends in their lives!

Not everyone is capable of having and maintaining friendships in their lives, and that’s okay! If your system often feels lonely or isolated due to not having friends, please know that our heart goes out to you. We hope that very soon you will be able to establish a connection with someone that will last! And if not, know that you are still deserving of peace, joy, and comfort in your lives. We are wishing for you a hopeful future filled with happiness and self-acceptance!

Please do your best to treat yourself and your system with gentleness and compassion today. Not having friends is in no way a poor reflection of your character. You are beautiful, cherished, and unique just the way you are, and you belong in both your system and the plural community as a whole! We care about you and we hope that things get easier for you soon. Thank you so much for reading, and have a lovely day!

[bblovetarot]

{ೀ} How can you become more balanced?

ʚ ═══･୨ꕤ୧･═══ ɞ Pick a Pile ʚ ═══･୨ꕤ୧･═══ ɞ 

. ༄ . paid readings . ༄

。°⚠︎°。follow your intuition when choosing a pile. if you're drawn to more than one pile, that's okay! you may have messages in more than one.

。°⚠︎°。tarot readings are not 100% accurate, and do not dictate your future. please keep in mind that you have free will. these readings are also general and aren't specific to one person, so please take what resonates and leave what doesn't! 

Pile 1

Pile 1, it seems that to achieve more balance in your life, there's a crucial need for healing and regaining control. It appears that you invested deeply in a relationship, giving your all, but it ended in disappointment. It's understandable to feel hurt when things don't work out as desired, but dwelling on the past won't serve you well, Pile 1. Your heart and soul need healing, especially from a perceived betrayal that may have occurred. It seems you've taken on a victim mentality, finding it challenging to trust others, possibly even losing faith in the Universe or your beliefs. While setting boundaries is essential, completely closing yourself off isn't healthy. The impression is that you've victimized yourself, feeling trapped in negative thoughts and fearing sabotage from others. It's crucial to recognize that, despite the hurtful words and actions of others, you hold the power over your feelings and actions. Untangling yourself from the web of lies, expressing your emotions in a healthy way, and being kinder to yourself are essential steps. Understand that you are precious, deserving of kindness, and capable of achieving what you truly want. To regain balance, tap more into your feminine side and reclaim control from the dominating ego. Lift yourself from the ground, stand in your power, and move forward like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Mother yourself, cutting ties with individuals, whether friends or family, who bring negativity into your life. Remember, what people say about you often reflects their own insecurities and feelings about themselves. It's time to break free from these projections and nurture the strength within you.

Pile 2

To achieve more balance, Pile 2, it's important to introduce more discipline into your life. If you've been living life without a clear direction, it might be contributing to feelings of being stuck and restless, possibly accompanied by depression and anxiety. Grounding yourself is crucial for this pile, as you seem to be caught up in your own thoughts, allowing fear to cloud your judgment. You may not be thinking and seeing things clearly, and grounding exercises can help you feel lighter. Consider tapping into faith or seeking guidance from a mentor with spiritual or religious knowledge to clear your mind. Taking things one step at a time is essential; there's no need to have everything figured out instantly. Progress may take time, but it's important to enjoy the journey and recognize that life isn't always sunshine and roses, but it doesn't mean you won't experience it. If you tend to overthink, understand that not all your thoughts are real. Establishing a routine, incorporating meditation and yoga, can ground you and keep you out of your head. While friends may be offering support, you might have closed off due to not being fully healed. Your heart desires fun, love, and connection, so grounding yourself, healing, and expressing emotions, possibly through art, can be beneficial. For this group, creativity, especially through art, seems to be a great outlet for self-expression and clearing the mind. Recognize that your heart is closed off at the moment, and to achieve balance, finding the willpower to open it is crucial. Remember the saying, "Life is happening for you, not to you," as you embark on the journey of healing and self-discovery.

Pile 3

I'm picking up on a strong message for those in pile 3. It seems like there's a significant decision on your plate that can bring about a better balance within yourself. Right now, you're rocking the masculine energy, but it's crucial to reconnect with your feminine side and strike a balance between the two. Grounding yourself is key, especially if you've been through a spiritual awakening or if one is on the horizon. This awakening is tied to a decision you'll need to make, setting the stage for a fresh start. Taking a leap of faith is part of the deal, and it's vital to make this choice from a place of balance because it feels like a major, potentially life-altering move. There's a sense of permanence, no turning back once you decide. While this decision could relate to various aspects of life, the vibe I'm getting leans towards matters of the heart for most of you. Strengthening boundaries in relationships and standing your ground is crucial. You need to hone your discernment skills when it comes to others. The decision ahead will require you to speak up, which might be a bit daunting, especially if it's not your usual style. However, your awakened self understands the truth and how things should unfold. Ensure your head and heart are in sync before diving into any situations. This reading is pretty straightforward and general, as it will manifest differently for each of you. The central theme, though, revolves around embracing compassion and expressing your needs openly, not just for yourself but also in your interactions with those around you.

[genericpuff]

Hey quick question.

How do you know if you should make a webcomic? I have this story idea that’s been floating around in the back of my head that I think could work well for a comic series. But the problem is I’m mainly used to writing screenplays and more traditional writing.

What I’m saying is, how can I tell if making a webcomic is worth it or if I should stick in my comfort zone?

I mean, there's no definitive right answer when it comes to "knowing" if you should make a webcomic. It really just comes down to you. Do you really like the medium? Do you feel your story has to be told within that medium to achieve its goals?

Same thing goes for whether or not it's "worth it", it really comes down to how you define that. For some people, simply posting their comics online to a few readers each week is worth it. For others, if it doesn't get into print or publishing or whatever have you, it might not be quite so justifiable to keep up with. Neither is better or worse than the other, both reasons are valid because it ultimately comes down to what we as individuals are trying to accomplish and what we define as "worth it" on a personal level.

I actually live on both sides of the spectrum right now because with Rekindled, posting it on Tumblr and getting all the great feedback and company through the audience it's gained makes it worth it. But that worth was defined by my expectations going in - I wasn't making Rekindled for money (legally I can't), I wasn't making it to get an Originals deal or anything of the sort, I was just making it because I found myself deadset on going through with it after months of it living in my head rent free, and so what I've gotten out of it as a result is very much worth it, all I was really looking for was maybe some other readers who would enjoy reading a transformative 'foe fiction' from a former LO fan and I've found those readers in spades simply due to the demand.

Time Gate, on the other hand, was something that I wanted for years to be a 'successful' project, defined more by actual tangible growth and gain. Because I came up with it as a kid, for a long time it was my "magnum opus" project, the thing that I wanted to see get turned into books and an anime and a video game and all those sorts of things as 'proof' of how good it was. Of course, I know now years later that those expectations were WAY too high and it resulted in me feeling incredibly depressed over it for ages. It made it hard to work on and even though I did have some readers, I didn't see it as "worth it" because my expectations were a lot higher than that of Rekindled's going in. But that was simply a matter of experience at that point, because I had been making original comics for so long, when I went into Rekindled I knew a lot more what I was capable of, what I wasn't capable of, and what boundaries I was willing to put down for myself. Even still, I do still want to return to Time Gate some day and when I do, I want to still treat it like a series I want to get off the ground as an actual published piece of work - it's just that this time around, I actually know how to make those steps and be proactive in my approach (and I know where to keep my expectations) which is certainly a perspective and skillset I didn't have when I was 15 LMAO

I will say, realistically speaking, it is a lot harder to pursue webcomics as a writer, because the reality of this medium is that most people who go into it are artists who learn how to write to make a webcomic, not the other way around. Unless you're willing to learn how to draw - which is a whole other skillset that requires years of work and patience - you're likely going to have to seek someone to collaborate with and - I cannot stress this enough - it's not going to be someone you simply find on reddit who's willing to work for free. Again, many of us as artists went into webcomics with a project already in mind, so most artists are already working on their own passion projects, trying to convince someone else to work on yours is just not realistic or fair. I'm fortunate enough to have @banshriek along for the production of Rekindled and even then I still pay for their contributions out of pocket, they're as invested in an LO rewrite project as I am (and thus they're given a lot of room to make suggestions in both the set designs and the writing), and I still had to carry the first 20ish episodes on my own before they joined along, i.e. I would still be making Rekindled if they weren't onboard, but having them is a massive help that's taken the comic to a whole other level in its artistic production.

But that doesn't mean it's hopeless! There's a lot of interest right now in webnovels and writing comic scripts is still a completely viable way to get into the comics industry if you're really interested in doing so (fun fact: before I was making comics, I wrote fanfiction! This is probably not shocking to hear all things considered LMAO) There's a reason Webtoons owns Wattpad now, webnovels are a no-brainer when it comes to adaptations to visual mediums, and webcomics have become part of that environment by extension. So at the very least, if you want to get your story out there, there are loads of ways to do it that don't require you to make a comic - but if you really want to make one, there are ways to get into that industry through writing in other ways such as pitching scripts to comic publishers and/or going indie with webnovels. Ultimately, if many of us webcomic creators stopped drawing our works, we'd still be coming up with stories to write, because that's what's really at the heart of these sorts of projects. So even if you can't get into comics right away due to lack of visual artistry, that doesn't mean it's off the table forever ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡

Sorry, that was a lot of rambling but I hope it helps ! Remember to keep your goals and expectations manageable, and most of all, write lots! You'll be doing it anyways regardless of whether or not you get into comics, so whatever value you see in getting into comics is up to you to determine! You don't have to know right away, it might be something you'll find along the way or have to adjust as you get more experience, but don't stop yourself from getting creative and messing around until you find out what works! You won't know if it was worth leaving your comfort zone until you try it <3

Good luck! (•̀ᴗ•́)و

[asurrogateblog]

The Syd Poll

the topic of this poll is one that is frequently avoided in the pink floyd fandom, but inevitably one we all consider – our individual views on what we think caused syd's psychological struggles (and by extension, led to his departure from the band). I think that – at least in this neighborhood of tumblr – this is a conversation we are capable of having in a way that is civil, nuanced, and at least minimally disrespectful to syd.

So, to help facilitate this, here are some ground rules:

let's all assume we have a mutual understanding of the complexities of this. syd could never actually be reduced down to a poll, and all of our viewpoints are limited in various ways

the poll options just serve as just a conversation starter, and responses are not necessarily a statement of absolute beliefs

feel free to discuss as much or as little of your own perspective as you feel comfortable sharing.

in the case that debates break out, please try to assume good intent – and also demonstrate it (unless, for instance, someone is being blatantly insulting beyond a misunderstanding that needs correcting)

please do NOT vote if you are not actually a pink floyd fan with at least basic knowledge about what we're talking about here.

The options I've included below are not meant to be exhaustive, they are simply the "theories" that I have seen most commonly circulated. I have also decided not to include combinations. I'm fairly sure we'd all agree multiple factors were involved. Rather than make the poll too complicated, I ask you to instead select the one that you think is the "most" important to your viewpoint, and clarify further in your tags/comments as you wish.

so. here we go.

READ BEFORE VOTING ^^^^

(note of correction: "late-onset schizophrenia" should just be "schizophrenia". the typical timeline for onset of symptoms is late adolescence/early adulthood, so syd would've been well within that period at the time)

[adragonsfriend]

Supreme Chancellor Grandpa and his Spectacular Vibes

"'Busy as always, I’m afraid. But very glad of this evening’s reprieve.' He says, smiling warmly, because Chancellor Palpatine is the picture of a harried but caring and active leader."

This is going to be part commentary on canon, part my response to the fairly common supposition that Palpatine acts openly rude or prejudiced as Chancellor, part thought experiment.

(quotes from Biting his own Tale (mostly The Supreme Chancellor's Diary) in purple because if I don't do breakdowns of my own writing, who will?)

I pose the question, what is it actually like to be in Palpatine’s presence?

At the heart of it, it's incredibly reassuring:

He is always solving problems for people—often by taking on extra responsibility! It is genuinely difficult to come out of a meeting with Chancellor Palpatine feeling as though some weight has not been taken off your shoulders. Be it emotional (he has lent a sympathetic ear: gained personal information about you), logistical (he’s offered to mention your problem to someone: gained a tacit, informal favour in return), personal (he’s given you advice: shaped your decisions), or logical (he’s always up for a challenging puzzle: he’s always looking for opportunities to take advantage of).

He's a good public speaker, and his speeches gesture at large goals, out of the individual person's reach (I went to a school that had students give these speeches to the whole school twice a week about what ever (school-approved) topic they wanted and trust me, the fastest way to alienate a general audience is to ask them to do something achievable. depressing i know). People—even senators who are aware of his rhetorical tricks—consistently leave his public appearances with a vague but incredibly strong sense that big problems will all be resolved naturally, or by someone else. "She starts reading over one of Palpatine’s oldest speeches, from nearly twenty years ago. …Our Sector is made strong by its partnerships with our neighbors…Naboo will always maintain those relationships bring Prosperity to young and old…The new trade bill will ensure Peace and Security for decades to come…  It has a familiar, empty quality that makes the speaker sound full of ideas, but really only rouses emotion."

He’s no comedian—his jokes are typically chuckle-worthy at best, indeed they are often a little awkward—but he takes such clear delight in causing joy in the people around him that it is hard to resist smiling even when a joke is stilted or slightly out of touch. "'Knight Skywalker didn’t stir at all, I’m afraid,' Sidious inserts a little self-deprecation into Palpatine’s tone, “But it’s reassuring to know he’s in the most capable hands here, Master healer.' / 'We certainly do our best, Chancellor.' Master Che’s expression is polite, but she doesn’t smile. / Not taken in by flattery for a moment. Palpatine approves, 'And I’d best let you get back to it.' He sighs just audibly, and squares his shoulders, 'And get back to it myself.' He crafts a smaller smile, and this time he catches the faintest hint of amusement in the twitch of her lips."

You are a corrupt politician who has gotten in some trouble, but don't worry—your friend Palpatine is there to take care of it. He'll ask a few favors on your behalf, only because he knows you deserve a second chance, and besides he says, what you did wasn't really all that bad in the first pace. He's not doing anything bad by helping out a friend. "'But I'm not! Ventress is getting stronger and I'm still too weak. I should’ve killed her when I had the chance—' [Anakin] cuts himself off, glancing nervously at Palpatine—Sidious arranges Palpatine’s face like a deck of cards so it shows only dedicated interest. Anakin continues, reassured that Palpatine sees no problem with killing his enemies."

You are a leader of your people, worried about how you are going to help them. Palpatine is also a leader, and of even more people than you—but he sympathises, he's made time for you, he worries about his own home planet even as he puts that worry aside to care for the whole galaxy. He suggests someone you might speak with.

You are a clone in the coruscant guard, whom many citizens and senators dislike either for enforcing the law or simply for being clones, but Chancellor Palpatine is always polite to his guards. He confuses you for your brothers sometimes, but he always apologizes and clarifies your name. Sometimes you catch him muttering names and ranks under his breath, trying to remember all of them—he is always faintly embarrassed when this happens, but he keeps doing it.

You are a Jedi, reporting that one of your people has died in tragic, violent circumstances. Out of the many-faced mass of the Senate comes Palpatine to lead the condolences. He maintains a steady sympathy, but beneath it, you can see that he truly feels the loss. Even the seemingly apathetic Senators around him have been moved to nod their heads in true sympathy—in a galaxy that grows cold to your people you more and more, he makes your loss felt to others when you cannot. "[Padme]'s hardly ever irritated by Palpatine when she’s in his presence, only after she leaves, when she’s picked through all the pleasantries and misdirection. Just this week, she’d watched him frown upon hearing about the death of Knight Wu Mengxiang, and caught herself nodding along with his condolences to the Jedi who’d come to inform them."

You are the queen of a planet in danger, and here is someone who is willing to do something drastic to help you. He will take power, and help you fix all the injustice if you will only ask him for help. Yes it may take a few days, but he is doing all he can—it is not his fault the incumbent Chancellor is too attached to his position to realize another could do better in his place. "He’d used them, encouraged them to attack Naboo, and then used the crisis to force a vote of no confidence against Valorum. Only force isn’t the right word is it? He’d made a suggestion, and Padme had jumped at the chance to spare her people."

Body language and charisma are incredibly powerful (random statistics like 'oh 80% of all human communication is through body language' are not sufficient to communicate the extent of this power), and one of Palpatine’s most extraordinary traits is is ability to keep up and act—probably to an unrealistic extent.

Lots of real life advice on how to discover manipulative people is simply to wait and observe their actions over a longer period—eventually, they will slip up and reveal who they truly are. This certainly happens with Palpatine in ROTS, but it takes a very long time, not months or even years, but decades.

And his suspicions behavior in ROTS is a deliberate ploy! He uses it three fold:

To incite cognitive dissonance and uncertainty in the senate—most of whom have regarded him as trustworthy and in accord with their specific interests up to this point—so that he can push through his most obviously suspicious empire-making pieces of legislation.

To cause the Jedi to be suspicious of him in general, so that they investigate and eventually attempt to arrest him, allowing him to label them traitors and usurpers.

To cause the Jedi to be suspicious of him specifically to put Anakin, who either does not register or does not acknowledge any change in behavior, at odds with the other Jedi.

"'The upside,' Padmé counters, 'Is that it means even Palpatine is limited in what he can push through without sacrificing his [public] image—' / Ekkreth cuts her off, 'If you ever do find him obviously suspicious, it is too late. That is his endgame for the Republic.'"

The only point where he compromises his act to his own detriment is in Return of the Jedi with Luke, who has the twin advantages of knowing exactly who Sidious is and only having been in the same room as him for all of ten minutes.

People like the Jedi on the Council and the leaders of the Delegation of 2000 (potentially including) Padmé Amidala who manage to partly pierce the veil and form actual distrust of Chancellor Palpatine as an individual are the exception, not the rule. They are extraordinary in being able to both know the man and even semi-accurately analyze his actions.

I say potentially about Padmé because it is very much the last days when she remarks upon anything, and the delegation of 2000 deleted scene reads to me as though she is being read in on a plan others have already made—ergo she is not one of the initiators.

People who are aware of him only as a public figure are not at any great advantage either. His speeches give much the same air of worn but steady reassurance, and it is difficult to trace any particular wrong doing back to him—he took over of a paralyzed, unpopular leader, he was in favor of unity and so opposed the war, he has a great origin story going from troubled youth to orphan to responsible leader, his greatest scandal is a slightly expensive taste easily excused by his role.

Sidious has a distinct advantage in that any obviously violent or cruel end he wishes to pursue can be achieved through Dooku and the Separatist military (want to kill a Jedi who knows too much? Dooku can have Ventress do that. Want Anakin to suffer extra this week? Dooku can arrange that. Want this or that artifact/weapon stolen or destroyed? Dooku can assign a general to do that. Want a clone army? Dooku can get Syfo Dyas to do that. et cetera), and there is no paper trail of any of it. The only way in which Chancellor Palpatine has to get his hands dirty is making the pragmatic decisions necessary to the Republic. "No matter how much more obscure the methods for obtaining those records has become since the Government Information Acts—which she recalls Palpatine calling a deeply unfortunate necessity of these troubled times—were passed, they are still legal."

Long story short, Anakin is special only in the individual attention he receives—he is the microcosm of what Palpatine does to almost everyone he comes into contact with. Invoke trust, take on responsibility, absolve guilt, corrupt. Palpatine's greatest strength is not in his long-term schemes—many of those are set up for him, or mainly managed by Dooku—it is in his opportunism, and that includes in his ability to become the right person for every given moment.

Long story even shorter, Darth Plagueis did not name his apprentice Darth Sneeky McSneekface so people could try and convince me Chancellor Palpatine is randomly rude to people.

Edit: changed some phrasing--nothing substantive