#and offers a different perspective to things | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

firendgold · 3 days ago

Text

I'm really not assuming Harry's identity was fully formed as a toddler. That's simply not supported by science. Harry and Lily do have different life experiences and their personalities are shaped by the people around them and the different difficulties they experience.

I simply noted that in your interpretation, Harry and Lily are completely different because they didn't grow up the same way, and am offering an alternative interpretation to your assertions that 1) Lily had little to no troubles experienced in her childhood, and that 2) Harry's upbringing and misadventures erased any identity he had outside of his abuse or the identity assigned to him by others, by leaning on the way JKR's writing shows us the similarities between Harry and Lily that exist despite the fact that Harry was not raised by her, Harry does not remember her, and in the real world he would have been more likely to adopt the Dursleys' more poisonous traits and beliefs and not share any similarities to his parents at all.

I can agree that something like writing your letters the same way or having a more sarcastic personality is a mild or surface-level trait, but I can't agree with that take for the larger choices Harry and Lily make. Even taking dying out of the equation doesn't remove uncanny similarities. Lily chooses to befriend (and, for quite some time, stay friends with) someone like Severus Snape when class consciousness and peer pressure should have shaken that out of her at age 11--unless it was a core component of her personality. And however much they grow into better versions of themselves later, the same choice can be seen in Harry's choice to befriend Ron and Hermione. Neville and Luna are both more visibly unpopular to the average reader, but first-year Ron is yet another son from a well-known but poor wizarding family with very little social capital, and Hermione is a by-the-books girl with very limited social skills, in the same position as Harry but for the fact that she has no wizarding ancestry or gratitude-inspiring fame to lean on to bolster her more unlikable qualities. Still, Harry bonds with them both anyway. And even these friendships have significant friction that nearly ends them, or does in Lily's case.

Symbolism is so important in the series that I don't think it's incorrect to acknowledge how it turns up in characterization of Lily and Harry. The ways in which they react to things, and the choices they make re: larger concepts like friendship and forgiveness and sacrifice are startlingly similar when you consider their lack of direct contact in the natural world.

(Smaller point, but even though there's no evidence of this in the real world, in the HP world souls do exist and their natures (or at least Harry's and Voldemort's) are extensively discussed in the latter books. So even though it's arguable in the real world whether our personalities are inherent down to our souls, it's not so easy to argue against this in HP, where Dumbledore argues in Deathly Hallows that Harry and Voldemort's souls are incompatible and cannot share space, and doubles down on the assertion when Severus tries to ground the discussion back in minds and Occlumency/Legilimency.)

The fact is, these large and small traits do tell us who Lily and Harry are and they do matter. These snippets of personality are the only way we have of interpreting Lily since she predeceases the entire story, and the only way we have of interpreting Harry outside of his words and perspective.

harry potter is NOT james potter.

I love parallels. I love people reminding others of those they've lost along the way.

But Harry Potter is not James . And that is so vital to his entire character.

When people see Harry, they see James. They see a James who sees the world through Lily's eyes. When they see Harry, they don't see Harry.

And that is so vital to his entire being. It's vital to how people see Harry. The people that didn't know James, see the Boy-Who-Lived.

The people who did, who were close to Harry, to James, to Lily. They see James and Lily Potter. They see the people who died, people they were close to, people they miss every day but will never see again.

Remus, Sirius, Snape, McGonagall.

At first, they see James and Lily. And then when they meet him - apart from Snape- they quickly realise he is anything but.

Harry is not arrogant, rich, spoilt. He doesn't have an ego, he doesn't play pranks, he isn't a chaser, he doesn't pick fights.

Harry isn't exceptionally bright at everything he does, he isn't inconceivably forgiving for those who don't deserve it.

He is not Lily and James.

When peole write Harry as a golden retriever, as effortlessly good at everything, they aren't writing about Harry.

Harry who grew up not wanted. Harry who grew up believing something was wrong with him. Harry who was forced into the wizarding world with no knowledge. Harry who is as stubborn as a mule,. Harry who is loyal to a fault, who forgives those he loves, Harry who isn't his parents.

He has traits of them, their anger, their ability to love, and much much more.

BUT Harry Potter isn't them. He isn't the 'best of them both' he isn't James or Lily or Sirius or Regulus.

Harry Potter is Harry. Just Harry.

And that is why he doesn't get along ith Snape. That's why McGonagall believes Harry dragged Neville out for a joke in first year.

When people see Harry, they don't see Harry. And by writing Harry as somebody else, or as 'so-and-so's child' you're not doing the character justice.

'I want a complex character with complex relationships'

'i want an angry character'

'i want to read a book that makes me think'

you couldn't even handle Harry Potter.

#Harry Potter #Lily Evans #harry and lily #not fireandgold #these traits are just general but they are reflective of Harry and Lily's similar choices across the series #it's my opinion that That Woman (JKR) deliberately waited until the end to give Lily a sliver of characterization to really drive home #her similarity to her son and that Harry sees that too in DH. However waiting until the 11th hour to characterize the mother of the MC #is a poor narrative choice and will not always be received well even if the main idea (sacrificial love and resurrection and redemption)#is pulled off. And imho that's what happened here. It's just one of those things that is worse with rereads and time passing esp when #women are pushing for more progressive representation of female characters whether they are leads or supporting or side ladies.#this goes back to my assertion that Harry should not be written as a carbon copy of Lily or James but he does have some of their traits #just like people in the same family who may have never met may still have similar traits or make similar choices. genetics isn't ironclad #but it can play a part here. but That Woman didn't think that far and neither should we lol. it's all about Meaningful Narrative Choices #and for her it was a meaningful choice to have Harry and Lily both be cheeky kids who write their Gs the same and choose to die for others.#yikes on bikes this is a lot of tags

918 notes · View notes

grimaldiapologist · 2 days ago

Text

#(other thought: do you think Cara really realized whats happening?) via @sherryholmes

Lads, we're about to find out what the text post limit for Tumblr is, because this is the longest post I've ever made here. Unfortunately it's also a post I've been procrastinating on for days, and turns out, for a good reason. Every part of this was awful. Trigger warning for literally everything but mostly for child abuse and exploration of chronic trauma.

In regards to Caracalla's mental state in this scene and forwards, there's at least three different perspectives that come into play at once, and of the main two (trauma/dissociation and the complications from his syphilis) neither is inherently more important than the next. Both of his issues affect each other as well as the way he perceives his reality, and to get to how much he's really keeping up with things at the end here evidently required half a day's worth of analysis into the whole of the timeline for this scene, but also Caracalla's past from - and I wish I was kidding - birth onwards. But to start someplace that makes sense, we'll go back just a bit from this scene: specifically, to the night before any of this takes place.

While it's obvious that Caracalla's mental state is taking a turn for the worse throughout the film, it's after the discovery of Acacius's plot that he starts looking really rough. The same can be said for Geta, who, dealing with his own issues in the aftermath, has rather suddenly stopped being a singular, solid, reliable foundation for Caracalla to ground upon. In general, Geta's attention (trust, affection) has been steadily turning for Macrinus, who is offering him everything that Caracalla can't: guidance, someone to lean on, a sort of a fatherly affection that he's been missing his whole life.

In the aftermath of Acacius's execution, each of the twins is looking for something from the other that isn't available: Caracalla for Geta's usual ability to reason them out of any trouble and come up with solutions for their safety, Geta for Caracalla to show one inkling of responsibility to help him or at the very least stop attacking him when he already knows he fucked up and it scares him, and with some of Macrinus's gentle guidance, their stressed-out bickering turns to... a very modest, but still significant, physical assault when Geta - aiming to silence Dondus with a splash of water - spills it over his brother instead. As I wrote earlier, this breaks things between them. And this right here is significantly destabilising for Caracalla in specific.

As others have already pointed out, Caracalla's reaction to his brother's outburst (it was you, Geta, not him) is primarily dissociative. He freezes first: the freeze reaction is part of the fight/flight/freeze/fawn quad of primitive reactions to a perceived threat, where when faced with danger to one's immediate physical safety, a person "freezes" in place to minimise the attention they draw to themselves. This reaction is most commonly portrayed and observed in animals, as in people, depictions tend to focus on fight/flight the most. "Deer in the headlights" is a typical metaphor used to refer to a freeze state: that shocked stillness in a person who doesn't know what to do. But a freeze response doesn't inherently express fear: it can be very quiet, and very empty.

The freeze response is inherently a dissociative state. Because the mind perceives the situation inescapable, the person becomes still and silent in the hopes of becoming invisible. On the surface this doesn't make sense in a survival state, because doing this in a situation where you're very much not going to blend into your environment will likely only expose you to more harm than in any way protect you from it - but to understand it, it's important to note that this is the primary response to immediate physical danger found in children.

In comparison to an adult, who has other means of defending themselves, a child will in most cases be incapable of direct self-defense (fight) and they will be too slow to escape danger (flight), so their best bet is to stay very still and hope somebody else intervenes (freeze). A child who is not saved but is then attacked may enter a further dissociative state, where, if they cannot save their physical self, then they can at least save their mental self - they will lock up, and "go somewhere else" in their heads. This is relevant for context, for understanding what the hell this boy is thinking in general, but for now,

what Caracalla does in this situation is just to the left of that. He leaves the room at Macrinus's suggestion, who's read his state quite accurately: he suggests, in a very paternal way, that maybe Caracalla should take Dondus and go look after him someplace else. Go calm each other down. Re-establish safety. This would be great advice coming from literally anybody but Macrinus, because the appropriate response to a freeze/dissociative state is grounding, but, alas, it is Macrinus who says that.

Macrinus, who instead of being a nice person and telling Geta next to do the same and then go fix what he broke, uses this opportunity to go fan the flames. I hate this man, have I mentioned this anywhere before? I hate him so much for what he does to these two.

(I'm keeping myself grounded by looking for illustrations here, and I need you all to know that my screenshot folders have over 4 000 pictures in them. 98% of these pictures are just of Geta and Caracalla with some left Marcus Acacius on the side for spice. I'm normal. Anyway,)

Upon leaving the room, Macrinus easily locates Caracalla again: in a logical continuum in terms of tracking his mental state, he's found here hiding under a table. In essence, after a brief burst of the flight response, he's just moved elsewhere to freeze again.

At this point, and every single point from this moment forwards at the very least, Caracalla's clearly exhibiting another trauma response: regression. While not exclusive to trauma per se, regression involves a person's mental state returning to an approximation of a younger state, a state where that person has previously experienced a similar lack of control in their circumstances, but where they may also have experienced safety and care from their caretakers.

Going by what script!Geta says to him not too long after this scene, it seems reasonable to assume that what Caracalla is doing here is what he's done before to escape his father's explosive rages and violence:

He's... a very small guy. He's likely been a very small child, too. He says to Macrinus that Geta has always had it out for him - even in the womb, Geta tried to cut/grip his umbilicus so that he couldn't breathe, presumably to be the only surviving twin. Now, there's a lot that Caracalla's saying in this scene that needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but he's almost certainly relating here a "memory" that he has about what someone else has told him, or what he's otherwise heard. He probably did have a difficult birth, he probably did experience asphyxiation, and this may have been Geta's "fault" somehow - twin births are significantly more dangerous than solo births. We won't know what exactly happened, but umbilical cords and babies throughout history have not mixed well; hell, I was born significantly after the year 180 AD surrounded by much better medical care, and still the most likely singular cause for my learning disability is that I thought hanging myself by that thing in the womb was a great concept.

Asphyxiation injury in babies can cause poor growth, along with - as indicated above - lifelong disability and difficulty with development that results from brain damage, and I think this seemingly throwaway line is here specifically to tell us why Caracalla is so small and sickly, why he is so vulnerable, and, to a degree, also why Geta is so protective of him. He's never thrived, he's always been smaller and weaker, and

their father hated that. Their father, in general, seems to have despised his sons, but by Geta's description, he went for Caracalla first. Geta got in the way, took the beatings, protected his weaker brother from the violence. The only thing a small child in that situation can do is hide, and Caracalla here, under the table, is doing that again. He remembers that danger, and he remembers that hiding under the table meant a semblance of security and shelter against the danger. He remembers that, when he was hiding, there was someone there to protect him.

There was an excellent post on this by someone in the tags that I will link here pronto if anybody can find it for me, where the poster theorises that Geta's outburst, which is so reminiscent of their father's, has essentially put Caracalla in a PTSD flashback. With the regression, this seems more than plausible: he seems to have recognised his father in his brother's actions just as much as Geta himself must have recognised them, and they are both, in this moment, dealing with what that means - or not dealing, because they're both hiding, one in a curtain and the other under a table. It's interesting to me that this mixing of their past, their father's violence, never leaves Caracalla's mind after this time. He feels haunted by the man and his own actions to some degree in his mind become determined by his father's will, his father's hatred of his brother, which he's had to witness so many times in his childhood.

Now, diverting for a second from the trauma reactions and returning to Caracalla's stories to Macrinus, we can also see the effects of his neurosyphilis here. Which is a condition that's been fun to research because any information on it now is so clouded by mandatory patient direction telling me to go to the doctor and take antibiotics, which, honey, I'm sure Caracalla would have loved to do that, sincerely, but it wasn't an option, so what we get is this:

When Caracalla tells Macrinus about his memories from the womb, Macrinus asks him, "you remember that, do you?" and Caracalla says to him, "certainly; one cannot forget."

This confirms to Macrinus as much as the audience that Caracalla's experiencing delusional thinking, and, being the utter turdbag that he is, Macrinus knows exactly the kind of an opportunity this gives him. When a person is experiencing delusions, it's recommended to neither a) play into them nor b) try to directly contest them, as both ways of confrontation tend to root the delusion deeper into a person's thinking. Macrinus takes route a) like that diverting car meme, and starts telling Caracalla more absolute nonsense that he thinks will hit up nicely with whatever he's already experiencing, and based on all of this evidence, with how he's playing Geta like a father and treating Caracalla like a mother, he knows where his vulnerabilities are. He knows how to turn him against Geta - or at least he thinks that he does, because it doesn't quite work, not all of the way, anyway. But he gives it a good old fucking attempt and I despise him for that. Alas,

now we get to the ugly climax of his manipulation of these two traumatised young men whose lives, safety and futures are breaking down all around them, and who both desperately needed guidance and reassurance from someone who cared about them. He's told Caracalla that Geta intends to betray him, so go ahead and do what you must - you've always wanted to be something on your own, but he's always stood in the way, and by the way, he hates you, too. He says that he loves you, but he doesn't, he lies. You know what to do.

Fortunately however Geta knows his brother, and unlike Macrinus would like Caracalla to think, Geta does love him. No matter how annoying he is, no matter how much he gets in the way, no matter how difficult it is to be an emperor and a carer to a sick brother - Geta loves him. And that's enough, though, before we get to that point,

... mandatory reminder that Caracalla really gets off on blood? Like really gets off on it? This is also another excellent example of his regressed state: he cuts Geta, and this excites him. So much. He's probably never felt this powerful in his life: he did that. He did that. After basking in that feeling for a moment, still smiling like a little gremlin, Caracalla goes for Geta wholesale. He seems to be treating this is as some kind of a game, shifting between two states, one of whom is deeply hurt and driven by Macrinus's lies, and the other is just... being a boy, playwrestling with his brother because for the first time ever, he feels like he's got a winning edge.

In terms of Geta's ongoing Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day however, having his hand slashed gods know how deep shows us that something like this doesn't even make him flinch. After receiving the injury he just stands there, looking at his hand, looking at Caracalla, showing the exact degree of the beatings he's been taking his whole life. This, too, is dissociative, and stems from their childhood dynamics: Caracalla knows how to hide both in his head and as a first response to overwhelming danger, and Geta knows how to block out his emotions as well as physical pain, even significant, major pain, like a deep gash in his hand. He ignores the whole thing, the injury and his own personal hurt and fear, like these factors don't exist, because he has to protect Caracalla first.

Nothing Geta does in this scene is for himself. He's afraid, yes, but he's afraid for Caracalla more. And if that doesn't break your heart then I don't know. Good for you. I can't watch this scene again. And he literally dies holding Caracalla's face with his injured hand, looking him in the eye, because he loves him, and that's it for Geta.

In this godforsaken fucking piece of cinematic history, when Macrinus takes Caracalla's hand and butchers Geta with it, Caracalla is - understandably and visibly enough - back to freeze/dissociation again.

And I think some of that might be Geta's doing, in a sense: in order to break Caracalla out of their shared PTSD flashback which he started, unintentionally, by momentarily being the worst of himself to the one person who relied on him the most, Geta's now recounted the exact abuse, the exact circumstances, of Caracalla's memories back to him. He's done this to fix the narrative: I protected you. I love you. Our father hurt us. Doing so, he's put the pieces back together for Caracalla: Geta is not their father, Geta's his brother, and he protects him and loves him. He has always protected him.

So, now that Caracalla can recognise Geta for who and what he is: who takes his hand, then, and directs the blade? Is it not Macrinus, the man who has in all senses become a father to them? Does Caracalla's father then not hold his hand to punish Geta for getting in the way, again, like he always does?

The question was, do you think Cara really realized whats happening?

And after this essay of utter pain and suffering, I hate to say it, but yes, he does absolutely realise what's happening, but he is just as incapable of incorporating any of this into his reality, into any reasonable narrative that isn't controlled by the ghosts of his past. For Geta's death specifically, though, yes. He does realise it. Very much. He looks Geta directly in the eye while he dies, and every bit of his expression screams "I'm losing you and there's nothing I can do to stop it from happening."

His body might be in a freeze state again - limp, controlled first by Geta himself, then taken over by Macrinus - but he sees what's happening. He knows what's happening. The way he goes from this:

to this:

tells you that he knows. He knows.

And to wrap this horrific fucking thing up all nice and good before I print it out just to chuck it in a fire, I'm including the bit of the scene at the Senate that evidently we didn't need to see in the film:

This is Caracalla, trying desperately to make sense of his reality, the things that were done with his body against his will, his unspeakable and indescribable loss, and the lies that Macrinus has told him all over it.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go have a nice day in some other place where none of this happened and Macrinus never existed at all. As a fellow survivor of childhood abuse at the hands of a parent, fuck you, Macrinus. Fuck you for what you did to them. You're the single worst kind of a person on earth and if you were real I would eat your entrails for lunch.

This has been a post, good timezone.

#gladiator 2 #gladiator ii #gladiator spoilers #gladiator meta #abuse tw #trauma tw #blood tw so much it's all over the post #certified macrinus hate post #emperor caracalla #emperor geta #the word limit for a Tumblr text post is NOT 2 887 words.#science is still out.#gladiator

67 notes · View notes

larryisinlove · 3 days ago

Text

I completely agree with this post by @apparentlybychance and what I write below is from my perspective. My understanding comes from the perspective of someone who studied marketing since 2019, is a community manager and currently works in a marketing agency.

You are not compelled to take everything I say as the real and only way to look at it, this is my opinion and I respect others as well.

It's clear that Louis needs a new marketing team, as the current one doesn't seem to be doing its job properly or, worse, doesn't even seem to understand what they're doing. Their attempts to divert attention to topics such as his "fatherhood" or sexuality are way too obvious, while his music is poorly promoted. Many fans try to fill that gap by promoting his music organically, but it doesn't have much impact as we are not an enormous fandom and it's not our responsibility either. Moreover, the fan base shrinks with every failed "strategy", which generates disinterest, anger and abandonment of the fandom. This is also reflected in the organisation and promotion of their shows and music releases.

The worrying thing is that this mismanagement is not new; it has been going on since the beginning of his solo career. Some justify this by saying that Louis prefers to be an underground/indie artist and be left alone with the usual fans, but that makes no sense, that's just a justification for the bad actions of his team. No artist seeks to stagnate or limit his growth. To advocate without questioning every decision of an artist's background doesn't mean being a "bad fan", and it is important to understand that questioning the strategy is not attacking the artist.

It is frustrating to see that many fans believe that Louis doesn't really want to grow as an artist, which, again, makes no sense. The problem is the lack of planning and analysis on the part of his team, who act without foreseeing the long-term consequences. I don't understand this image they want to give him, because as a fan for years, this is not the Louis I grew up with. Maybe he's trying to distance himself from One Direction and avoid the mainstream stuff, which is admirable, but this kinda rude and distant image doesn't seem to align with his original (and real) essence.

Those of us who work in marketing and communication have a different, more analytical and technical vision, which allows us to detect patterns and strategies (or the lack of them). This is not a justification to invalidate other opinions in any way, but to offer an informed perspective. With Louis, it is clear that there is no clear strategy. His team seems to improvise, as if every decision is made without a long-term plan, simply reacting in the moment.

The resurgence of the babygate stuff a few days ago is another example of this lack of planning. From the outset it seems to have been an idea launched without considering the consequences and, now that it has grown out of control, they don't know how to handle it or shut it down for good. This only creates more chaos as the years go by. The exposure of the child has been contradictory from the beginning: How can you justify wanting to protect his privacy when he was initially exposed so much by his whole family, from pregnancy onwards, and then included in the documentary "All of These Voices"? Nothing has any coherence if you analyse it at all.

As for the blocking on Twitter, it is hard to believe that Louis has blocked so many accounts without it being known beforehand. It's an absurd and ineffective tactic to manage the narrative of his public image. I agree with the post that "Louis and his team are no different. They like to use subtle tactics like blocking, following, unfollowing or general interactions on their social accounts (mainly X) to manage the narrative of their public image" as this is part of a strategy that has been carried over from One Direction, like when he tweeted "I am in fact straight" or "Larry is the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard".

Or Another example we can name is this 2012 interaction with Rebecca Ferguson, where she expresses the overexploitation she was receiving and "Louis" replies "Success is impossible without proper hard work". That contradictory image does not fit with the Louis that many of us fans have known and followed for years. Why would an artist seek to lose fans and, therefore, limit his growth?

Over time, all this has made their actions feel fake and automated. As a fan, one ends up questioning and analysing every action from another perspective, as nothing seems genuine or truthful. His "Hope everyone is doing alright" tweets seem scripted and even programmed, lacking that closeness that used to exist. While we know that artists' social media accounts are controlled, the fan/artist connection remains crucial to maintaining public support and loyalty. When repetitive patterns and bad strategies accumulate, the authenticity of the artist is lost, turning him into a kind of "robot" with no control over his actions, which can end up damaging his image and damaging the relationship with his fans, often without him being fully aware of it.

From a music marketing perspective, there are several key aspects that Louis' team seems to ignore. An effective marketing team should focus on research and investigation of the audience, clearly identifying the artist's target audience, considering factors such as age, interests and content consumption platforms. The lack of consistent branding is evident, as Louis' public image doesn't appear to align with his musical and personal essence, leading to confusion.

A well-planned release strategy should include a pre-launch campaign with teasers, interviews and strategic collaborations, something that seems to be absent in most of his projects. In addition, multi-channel promotion is essential, using social media, interviews, streaming playlists and specialised press, without relying exclusively on fandom. A competent team should also focus on authentic storytelling, creating an emotional and genuine narrative to connect with the audience, rather than resorting to polemical tactics that distort his image.

Fan growth and retention is another key aspect. Good marketing seeks to expand the fan base while maintaining the interest of the current, as opposed to what appears to be happening. Finally, long-term planning is essential, with measurable goals and clear direction, rather than reactive and inconsistent decisions.

In conclusion, Louis' team is not managing his career professionally or effectively. Successful marketing requires planning, analysis and authenticity. His fans deserve a clear and respectful narrative, and he deserves a team that will really promote his music and his career. I hope that for LT3 we have a good promotion, that his team starts to get things right because I don't want his career to continue to suffer consequences from this, besides from his image to be ruined by the mismanagement of those working with him.

#louis #my post #louis's marketing and PR

52 notes · View notes

quackerofoatz · 22 hours ago

Text

Hannibal’s relationship with God ♱

[ Taglist 🏷️: @fromelysium @siffrin-enthusiast @buggaboorenegade @flowers-jn-her-hair @scar1ett-so1dier @gardenofearthlydelightss}

As the show’s antagonist, Hannibal is a man from the get-go who is an unnerving and unique individual to the audience. We see how he interacts with characters and sees himself while doing so. We see the duality of this charismatic cannibal during the night, exposing what Hannibal is. He differs from most murderers/killers in the show; there’s more depth and uniqueness.

In the first episode, Will introduces the idea of God to the audience, setting the show’s narrative. He challenges the concept of divinity to his students at Quantico and unconsciously to himself. He establishes the theme of divinity and judgment within the show, hinting at the differentiating opinions on this theme. By asking his students to consider why the victim in the case had been subjected to such an act of violence and if it was of God's will or not. He will hint at his moral compasses and opinion on divine judgment by asking his students this.

Will: Everyone has thought about killing someone, one way or another, be it your hand or the hand of God. Now think about killing Mrs. Marlow. Why did she deserve this? Tell me your design. Tell me who you are. (Season 1 Episode 1)

Will is a unique asset in the Federal Bureau for his empathic mind and profiling skills. He is seen as unstable for his socializing behavior but also in curiosity for his rare, incredible perspective. As Hannibal says in the same episode, his ability to identify and think like killers is a heavy burden and a gift for him. He points to Will as they talk in Crawford’s office, which upsets him terribly. Hannibal is a respected and knowledgeable man in the psychology and medical field. He can analyze but not understand him because he is not predictable with his gift. This intrigues Hannibal, as he is used to scanning people and charming his way into their circles.

Hannibal: What he has is pure empathy. He can assume your point of view, or mine, and maybe some other points of view that scare him. It's an uncomfortable gift, Jack.

Dr. Hannibal Lecter: I imagine what you see and learn touches everything else in your mind. Your values and decency are present yet shocked at your associations, appalled at your dreams. No forts in the bone arena of your skull for things you love. (Season 1 Episode 1)

With the theme of God in place and his empathy, Will is a tool for God to deal with judgment and punishment for those he catches. He sees killers and civilians alike as they are, with their thoughts and emotions. Despite not necessarily believing in God himself, Will's uncanny ability to understand and empathize with serial killers leads him to profile and put them into custody, as if he were fulfilling a divine purpose/civil duty. We see in the show his mental health takes a toll as he investigates; he doesn’t do these cases because he wants to but because it is morally right, which is at the heart of Will's ability. He can visualize the murders and get inside the minds of the killers, making him a valuable tool in solving crimes and preventing future deaths, as Jack Crawford mentions to him in persuasion.

He fights back and forth with himself while dealing with other people's demands. He is a martyr in his duty to others, but no one feels this way for him. Until we get Hannibal, with all his knowledge and egotism, he sees this as an opportunity for manipulation and a start of companionship. He sees himself as a dark savior to Will and the one to offer him salvation and devotion.

He is like a Pompasettin peacock, so to speak, and a proud one. As the show goes on, episode by episode, we see a glimpse of Hannibal and his mind’s machinations at every therapy session with Will. He’s not just a complicated character but one who sees himself above others, especially concerning divinity, specifically Almighty God.

Hannibal: Killing must feel good to God too. He does it all the time. And are we not created in his image?

Will: That depends who you ask. Hannibal: God’s terrific. He dropped a church roof on 34 of his worshippers last Wednesday night in Texas while they sang a hymn. Will: And did God feel good about that? Hannibal: He felt powerful. (Season 1 episode 2)

I have gone through the series for dialogue between Will and Hannibal regarding their ideas or feelings on the divinity of God. Of course, I have picked out the ones throughout the season that make the most sense, and we have a broader view of how each of their opinions evolves with their proximity. I may not have gone through all of them as I am one person.

Hannibal: A tumor can definitely affect brain function and even cause vivid hallucinations. However, what appears to be driving your angel maker to create heaven on earth is a simple issue of mortality. Will: Can't beat God, become him? Hannibal: You said he was afraid. Will:He feels abandoned. Hannibal:Ever feel abandoned, Will?

Will and he argue the different sides of believing in divinity and being nonbelievers. He can say why people think or what they feel in the divinity, but Will himself is not one to feel the same. Even as Hannibal has a complicated relationship with God, Will almost seems detached from religion but attached to creation with empathy. Hannibal sees how divinity can be mirrored in humanity through our actions, specifically in the actions of Jack Crawford towards Will. He tries to press Will to find a new belief system to pledge his martyr cause. To exchange Jack for Will. He feels he is all-knowing and mighty about what WIll truly is and the beauty of his empathy disorder.

Will: Abandonment requires expectation. Hannibal: What were your expectations of Jack Crawford and the FBI? Will: Jack hasn't abandoned me. Hannibal: Not in any discernible way. Perhaps in this way, gods abandon their creations. So God has given this person insight into the souls of men. Will: God didn't give him insight; God gave him a tumor. He's just a man whose brain is playing tricks on him. Hannibal: You are not unlike this k*ller. Will: My brain is playing tricks on me? Hannibal: You want to feel such sweet and easy peace. (Season 1, Episode 5)

Hannibal's view of the world is highly philosophical. He sees himself as both god and nonhuman, both omnipotent and fallen. He creates beautiful things but must destroy them. He is both a parent to his victims and a creator of art, yet he is also the destroyer of life. Hannibal's view of God is that God has abandoned us and given up on the gift of humanity, much like Hannibal has abandoned the goodness in himself and the gift of life. He tries to weave himself into Will’s subconscious, wanting to be the balm for his cursed gift.

There is no God. Certainly not with that attitude. God gave you a purpose - Not only to create art but to become it. Why are you helping me? Your eye will now see God reflected. I will see you. If God is looking down at you, don't you want to be looking back at Him? (season 2 Episode 2)

Hannibal’s statement about this murder seals the deal that he believes in God, which stands out among most psychopaths and murderers in this show. Hannibal prompts every dialogue about divinity in the show.

02x11 - Ko No Mono traditionally, during this meal, we are to place shrouds over our heads, hiding our faces from God. I don't hide from God. Bones and all? Bones and all. After my first ortolan, I was euphoric. A stimulating reminder of our power over life and death. Every creative act has its destructive consequence, Will.

He feels God is all-knowing, and we can reach him through our acts outside of religion. He feels there is no shame in acting within God’s gaze, but that is an act of worship. He feels God knows him and understands the actual makeup of Hannibal, The same way Hannibal does with his murderous tableau. He understands this better than anyone as he mirrors his victims of art to elevate them from their mortal flesh. As we see later on in Italy as Il Mostro, the victim we see is reflected as Primavera.

The Hindu god Shiva is a simultaneous destroyer and creator. Has God sacrificed? What god do you pray to? I don't pray. I have not been bothered by any considerations of deity, other than to recognize how my own modest actions pale beside those of God (02x11 - Ko No Mono)

We see that Hannibal doesn't just have a Western understanding of divinity but a diverse one, with him mentioning this Hindu God. This shows he has accumulated a broad knowledge of gods of other cultures or religions to make his judgment. He says that he feels his acts of violence are minor compared to the smiteing that God or Gods do to mortals.

Nothing would thrill Hannibal more than to see this roof collapse mid-Mass, packed pews, choir singing... He would just love it. And he thinks God would love it, too. w: But he believes in God... intimately (SEASON 3 EPISODE 2 )

Hannibal enjoys the violent acts of Gods, which will be pointed out in the second episode of season three. When Will is standing in a church while tracking Hannibal in Italy. As we see through Will, Hannibal is only understood by him because Will was allowed to see sides of him. Well, with his empathy as well, he can also know Hannibal on a mental level. We see this on his adventure in Italy while talking to Abigail of his imagination and Detective Pazzi.

What I believe is closer to science fiction than anything in the Bible?We all know it, but nobody ever says that G-dash-D won't do a G-dash-D-damned thing to answer anybody's prayers.God can't save any of us because it's inelegant.Elegance is more important than suffering. W: I think my prayers would feel constricted by the saints, apostles, and Jesus Pantocrator. (SEASON 3 EPISODE 2 )

As was established, Will never said he believed in God but had an idea of him. He doesn't understand praying through channels to get to god but going to the source directly. His understanding of God is not rooted in any religion but based on his knowledge with his empathy. It makes him even more special to Hannibal; he is not a believer but mirrors the violent principles of a T. He is the martyr to his cause and peers, but what exact role does he play?

{ He is the Lamb }

That is the official title Hannibal gave him in the second-to-last episode of the last season.

Lest we forget the Lamb.

Will it be the Lamb of God?

Hide us from the wrath of the Lamb.

Who's "us"?

You, me and the Great Red Dragon.

The Lamb's wrath touches everyone who errs

(Season 3 Episode 12)

Will has always been a selfless man without intending or prompting to be, even as people around him don't give the same for him. He gives without judgment, or malicious Hannibal sees Will as the sacrificial lamb due to Will's suffering for the sake of his fellow man. The lamb is used as a substitute to save a group from their sins and used as atonement. The lamb repeatedly passes off sins, as Hannibal sees Will doing his work as an FBI agent. Yet the lamb is a symbol to be scared of and not to be trifled with, as many scholars of the bible point out, and Hannibal seemingly so in this line—the lamb. Jack sees Will as someone who could do no wrong and is entirely innocent of the actions around him—even pardoning him from many murders and slips in the show, blaming it on coercion of his empathy and suffering from encephalitis. Hannibal sees him as a triumphant lamb who is partial to righteous wrath upon people of his choosing.

27 notes · View notes

honey-bitch · 12 hours ago

Text

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧Solar and natal chart review for @zeldanotes*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

♡ I ordered an astrology reading from @zeldasnotes a week ago and although it might be a bit overly critical, I am a Virgo Venus and it's just in my nature.

Birth Chart Review

♡ Overall I found the reading to be an amazing price for what was offered, she went in depth and she was mostly accurate, knowing that she doesn't know me nor has never talked to me prior to me asking for a reading. Which is funny because at first I was like 'I'm not overly critical of myself... then I then texted her asking her to help increase my productivity'.... ♡ The thing I would say about her writing is that it's written in a very positive manner, she gently but does inform you about the shadow sides of aspects which looking back is quite lovely and makes the reading experience quite enjoyable. ♡ I would say that buying this birth chart reading is an investment into yourself, to understand you more and see your birth chart from a different perspective. Also it's incredibly details with my birth chart reading being 9 pages long. ♡ However I would say that Zelda's reading focus more on your attributes than your past, she focus on the skills you have and how you may seem to appear to others.

Solar Return Review

♡ my opinion the solar return chart was better than the natal chart, which is majority because it was something that I had a completely different perspective on and her commentary was quite informative. ♡ Not to mention she pointed out things such as important asteroids that I completely missed. ♡ Overall I'm very happy with my readings and I would recommend it, especially if you're new to astrology. However for my Capricorn and virgo people, astrologers will be repeating info that you already know in your birth chart lololol, which to be fair is their job. Also yeah I would highly recommend her.

♡Not to mention when I asked her for advice she spoke from her heart and used her own experience to help me. Which I find to be invaluable

#astrology #astrology community #girlblogging #astrology reading review #astrology reading #birth chart #solar return

24 notes · View notes

impval · 3 days ago

Text

slowest heart

omega!Cate Dunlap x fem!alpha reader Warnings: a/b/o, mentions of rape.

Yeah, Godolkin is chaos incarnate. A bunch of young supers with so much freedom at Godolkin - it's like a recipe straight out of a reality TV show. It's like they wanted the place to turn into a teen drama. The idea of a deadly virus that could wipe out all the supers? In a world where superpowered beings are treated like celebrities and tools and threats, it was only a matter of time before shit like this happened.

Indira wanted to kill all the supes?

Oh goddamnit, no way, the villain is British? Fuck, what a damn stereotype.

When Jordan and their girlfriend came to you seeking your help, it was hard to focus on anything but Cate. Why would she get involved in something like this? Was she coerced? Blackmailed?

You like Cate.

You had always been drawn to people like her - sharp, powerful. Despite being an omega, Cate's powers and status meant that she was rarely, if ever, belittled or diminished due to her biology. People respected (feared) her.

Back when Luke was alive, you respected Cate's decision to be with him, even if you thought their relationship was a bit strange. They seemed more like a pretty picture than a real, happy couple. But after he died, you didn’t want to impose on her grief. Who hits on an omega right after her boyfriend died? It just felt wrong. So you kept your distance.

Experiments, Vought, the Woods.

You knew why Jordan and Marie approached you. You were possibly the only person on the planet who couldn't be mind-controled. The perks of your power. Jordan and Marie deal with Sam, and you..

In a timeline where all of this never happened, where this shitshow never started, you would never have met Cate. And everything would be so different. Carnage. Blood. Death. A missing arm. In another universe, you never would've been born.

But you were in this universe. The one where you did exist.

When you saw Cate, you knew instantly what Jordan was rambling about. The blood, the madness, raw and untempered, in her eyes. Now you could believe that she had killed Dean Shetty. You better understood now just why Jordan was so reluctant to deal with her and her power. The omega was terrifying, with a determination in her eyes that could only be halted by violence.

Or a alpha.

Heats. Just one word. And all it brought with it. The sweat, the pain, the lust. The loss of control that came with it. Cate had experienced all her heats on her own - because she was locked away in a room. Then it was her choice. Every single damn time. Even when Luke gave a gentle offer. Even when the alphas stared at her with hungry lust.

This time, Cate had ignored the symptoms - the aches, the need - because let's be real. With Luke dead, with Indira and her orders, she had bigger things to worry about than a simple heat. Cate wasn't going to let her own biology or desires distract her - because she sure as hell didn't deserve anything good. Not after all the crap she had done. The death, the pain. Cate didn't want this, but who gave a fuck?

Cate had come so goddamn close. If she held on just a little bit longer, a little bit longer, a goddamn bit longer...the Woods would be empty, just as she wanted. A pathetic, cheap version of redemption. That was all Cate could really do.

Her scent was not that of a sweet, submissive omega. Nothing fragile, nothing warm, nothing easy. Her scent was sharp, demanding, heavy, dominant. Screaming and loud.

She picked up on your scent long before you were even in front of her, eyes widening in quiet surprise as your scent washes over her. Alpha. Alpha, dammit. Honestly, you're way too soft for an alpha. Or lazy, but that depends on perspective. You've never seen the point in fighting for power, dominance, status. And you have never been on-board with the Stone Age alpha-omega bullshit.

As an alpha, you could pay no attention to the whole mess.

But Cate is an omega, and she could not. She had lived her whole life fighting for her own freedom, her safety, and her own body. Maybe it was that, that made her start spitting out threats the moment she saw you, baring her fangs. Like a wild animal.

Or was it your scent. It was soft - nothing like the dominating, heady scents of other alphas. Despite the fact you are, a goddamn alpha. And if Cate had paid better attention to her own body, the all signs - she would never have gotten into a situation that was basically every omega’s nightmare.

Looks like the epic battle is going to have to wait for a different time.

It's ironic that Cate was such a walking, talking disaster that a mere minute with you - a minute of conversation - was the only thing she needed to have her heat suddenly flare up, nearly bringing her to her knees.

No.

"No," Cate gasps, even as her hands curl around your shoulders. Her skin's clammy beneath your touch. "No," she repeats more firmly, even as her body arches against your chest.

Cate is afraid. She is well aware of, knows exactly what most alphas do to omegas. How the hell they use them as playthings. She had not wanted an alpha. Not even Luke, and despite how terrified it made her, a part of her was actually relieved when he died.

Her back strains as if trying to arch away from you and even her skin looks inflamed, the flushed skin of her face spreading all the way down her exposed neck.

She's so fragile in your arms, so impossibly light. Too thin, too bony, too weak. And fuck - you had never been a fan of Luke, but you had thought, believed that he mattered to her. That he cared. Apparently you were incorrect, he had clearly not given a fuck, because...

Her scent is bitter - the sharp tang of fear, of horror, and all the madness, the raging fire that had been flaming in her only a blink of an eye ago, has vanished suddenly. Your own alpha instincts are going wild.

Protect, claim, guard, mine, mine, mine.

This entire situation is so wrong.

Cate hates feeling weak and helpless like this. She can barely move, let alone control the pathetic whimper that drags itself out her throat as she's laid down. She doesn't want to be here. Cate knows you, understands that for some damn reason, her powers do not work on you. You are the singular person who is safe and who is immune to her powers and, what's worse - you're an alpha.

The room smelled entirely of you, it was your damn room, after all.

When you return with a pills and water, a flash of fear appears in Cate's eyes, and she starts to sit up - only to sink back against the sheets with a bitten-off cry.

There was so much of Cate in the room, her heat, the scent of omega that it took all of your will-power to not react. You moved away the moment you placed the pills and the bottle of water on the bed, ensuring there was distance between you and her - letting her at least keep the illusion of security.

Cate stares up at you, lips parted, breathing heavy and ragged as she tries not to let the pain show across her expression. She hates being so exposed, so vulnerable. You could do anything to her, and all she can do - all she's capable of - is lie here and take it.

And yet you don't do anything. You retreat, you give her space.

Fuck it all to hell. You could always just, leave - lock her in your room and go somewhere far away. Somewhere where you can’t smell the heat in her scent, or hear the whimpers, but for whatever damn reason - you don’t. Must be a sadist, because you are both suffering.

No demands, no commands. Despite your physical power, you're not using it over her. Maybe you're just biding your time, but you don't act like it, smell like it. Your scent is soothing, a warm blanket, a promise of comfort and safety.

Cate's breath trembles as she tears her gaze away. She takes a deep breath before pushing herself up on her hands. Despite her obvious pain, she tries to sit up straight. Cate has a fucking genocide to start, an entire revolution (a carnage) - but she is stuck in the cage of her own biology. What a shame.

The pack of pills in her hands do look like painkillers. The name is familiar, the look is familiar. She takes a couple and washes them down with water, praying it's not a trap.

It's not a trap.

Ten minutes later, Cate's trembling somewhat eases. The pain's still there, but it's numbed enough to be more of a dull ache. It's also enough for her to realise that you're still sitting there, and her tongue feels thick and heavy in her mouth.

All this time you work through every single damn breathing exercise you know, counting sheep, and trying not to think about Cate on your bed. You want to touch her. You long to take away her pain, caress away her suffering and mark that lovely neck of hers. You would be so goddamn good to her. Better than Luke, better than anyone.

But you continue to stay seated on the cold, uncomfortable floor.

"You're...not gonna touch me?" Cate asks quietly, and she'd be embarrassed by how weak and broken she sounds if she wasn't already overwhelmed by everything else.

You have helped other omegas in heat before - lend a helping hand. However, it was always at the consent, the request of the omega. You have never understood - cannot comprehend the alphas who have taken, without caring about others, disregarding the pain, the tears of their omegas.

Despite how loudly your instincts are roaring, demanding that you take her, you don't even move or try to touch Cate when she's made it so clear that she's terrified of it. You briefly wonder over why Cate is so terrified of you, of alphas (?). You truly don't want to think on the sickening possibility that it's from personal experience.

Your hands have clenched in your lap as you take a shaky breath, trying to stay in control. “You said no."

No.

One word. A simple, but powerful.

It's been a long time since Cate's had any sort of positive experience with an alpha. Luke, of course, was an alpha, but he was...well, Luke. He was with her only for status. In a way, he was using her. This is the order of things.

Cate has always known this.

Her own mother, a cruel, indifferent alpha who did nothing to soothe her daughter’s suffering. The media that has forever painted omegas as helpless and empty. The arrogant alphas on campus who would leer, smirk. Only Cate’s power, her status, and Luke’s status had provided her any form of protection.

Twelve (?) minutes ago Cate had been screaming threats and insults at you. It is obvious that Cate is crazy. It would be logical for you to do what every other damn alpha would do, subdue and take the bitchy omega, force her into compliance. Claim her and make damn sure that she doesn’t cause further problems.

She doesn't know what to say, much less how. Her brain's still half-melted, but there's one thought that just keeps repeating in her head.

safe safe safe

Safe? There’s no such thing as safe, never will be again. Not after what she did. Broken, broken, broken. Twisted and ugly. Pathetic.

But being here, in your bed, in your presence, is safe enough to allow her body to relax, just slightly to ease some of the cramping and tension. The pain still lurks, just waiting to rise at the first sign of any stress, and Cate isn't about to test her luck.

You can notice it even now, in the midlle of her heat. Cate is not okay, not okay at all. A heavy feeling settles deeply in your stomach. You should had asked Jordan more questions.

But you can begin now, and you’ve always wanted to get to know her.

Cate was with Luke, but he had never marked her. And then he'd died and it had turned out she was sleeping with Andre, but not once was your eyes drawn to the sweet, unmarked skin of her neck.

You swallow and can't hold in your damn curiosity any longer. “Why didn’t Luke mark you? You guys looked perfect together."

Luke and Cate seemed like the perfect couple. The most popular couple at God-U. The golden couple. Everyone looked up to them, and Cate would lie and pretend that her relationship with Luke meant anything at all. It was only Indira who had demanded, ordered her to be with him. Maybe Luke had instinctively known that she was manipulating him. Perhaps that’s why he had never marked her.

Now that she thinks about it, it's funny how much of her life was filled with lying.

"Appearances are deceptive," Cate mutters quietly, forcing herself to keep her breathing even.

Her mother locked her away, afraid of her power, of her touch. Indira had been kinder. She had touched her with such kindness, with a gentle smile. But she had also pushed Cate over the edge time after time - erasing memories, hurting and breaking people again and again. Cate had always been a needy, desperate, touch-hungry omega, yet it was Indira who had molded her into a pathetic, truly broken creature.

Cate can't help but scoff. If Luke had known how much of a manipulative psycho she really was, he'd never have touched her. No one wants that kind of crazy.

Cate's hands clench in the blankets, nails digging into her palms as she tries to calm her breathing. It's hard to remain calm when she still has a raging heat, and even just the thought of a mate triggers her instincts.

“Why…Why did you get in my way?” the question hangs in the air.

Why hadn’t you just stayed away, why had you even searched for her, why hadn’t you let her fall into madness?

Why are you looking at her so softly?

“Well, I would’ve missed this entire party, but Jordan literally stormed into the classroom, dragged me right out of there." you answer honestly. "They were so nervous, like the apocalypse was about to start."

Cate wants to scream and laugh. Indira truly did love her, it was true. She loved her, used her, and abused her trust. Yet Cate had chosen not to trust Indira, but instead her own friends, and where are they all now?

For those she called friends, Cate was nothing but a freak, a monster, a feral animal. They couldn’t even fucking face her. Of course they threw you at her. You, who couldn't be controlled by Cate.

Truly, Jordan was her favorite, the only one who was even close to a friend. Andre only desired her, Luke saw her as a damn trophy, and Jordan… the beta was the only one of them who tried to understand Cate.

You see something dark pass over Cate’s face, as if something in her heart, her chest is breaking right in front of your eyes. It only lasts a second before she buries it behind a anger, and pure stubbornness.

“Did Jordan tell you? About the Woods? About the things humans do to us. And all that bullshit is right underneath us, right now,” Cate spits, her voice bitter.

Cut, electrocuted, injected with gods know what. Students were nothing more than lab rats, nothing but specimens to be studied.

You never realized that you could have been one of them. You could not be more grateful that your power was not more interesting, that you were just yourself. You were fine with stupid jokes and a somewhat stable psyche. Brink had never shown the slightest interest in you, and Indira hadn’t even looked your way.

But Cate was not so lucky.

You refuse to take your eyes off of her. “Yeah, they told me. They also said that they had a plan to deal with it,” you said, hoping that they really did know how to handle it. Anything was preferable to letting the traumatized students out of the fucking torture chamber.

Cate gives a strangled sound before pulling the blanket tightly around herself, hiding her face from your gaze. She was sweating, shaking in your bed, surrounded by pillows and a blanket that served as a makeshift nest.

Right.

"So..a killer virus?" you can't help but ask.

"I helped Indira. I did what she wanted. That’s why Luke is dead. He couldn’t handle all of the bullshit." Cate touches her head and you know what she means.

Jordan has given you the details. Mind control, erased memories. You can’t help but pity all of them, losing memories, literal pieces of their own selves is awful. It was even worse when it had been done to them by a friend, someone they’d thought they could trust.

"I didn't want this."

You say nothing. There’s nothing that you can say. After all, you can’t bring back the broken memories without the pain. Luke won’t return from the grave. It would be a still huge fucking mess.

So you just stay quiet.

An hour, maybe two had gone by and still no one had sent even a single text. At this point, it was getting dark and you had absolutely zero idea of what was going on outside of your safe bubble.

Cate was as quiet as possible, but she was unable to stop herself from a pained sound, or an occasional tear. Even with painkillers, this heat is horrible.

Maybe it's the heat, or the pain, or just the intense vulnerability of the moment.

"Why would you even here? If not to use me? I'm crazy." she's almost scowling, but she can't keep the tears from welling in her eyes. "I have issues. I'm damaged."

Your head snaps up quickly, surprised by the sudden question.

Oh god, Cate… is beautiful.

Even with her hair slick with sweat, eyes bloodshot and face pale, she’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever laid eyes on. She doesn’t need force to make you do anything, you do it all willingly, on your own accord, of your own free will.

Your entire body, aching from the hard, cold floor, and desire. So desperate, so close to her. You lick your dry lips.

You hadn’t given her a second thought, back then. It was the incident, that’s what had made you notice Cate.

"We used to have a class together, you know? We sat next to each other, but we never spoke. I'm not even sure if you remember that I was there."

Two alphas flirted with you. Lots of muscles but not a single thought in damn head. One of them started grabbing you, right in class, like this was the norm. And you didn’t even blink, you dealt with them so quickly, that I didn’t have a chance to open my mouth. All it had taken was a single touch to you to get them to beat themselves between the legs down at the sports ground. And you just continued to read your book. I can remember thinking at the time: wow, what a damn shame she is with Luke, I totally would have asked her out.

Cate is looking at you, really looking at you.

You…

You remember that?

For Cate, it was just one of many occasions where she used her powers as a tool. It was a way to gain more popularity. To make herself look tough and powerful.

But you remember it as the first day you saw her, as the first time you became interested in her as an omega.

"You like me?"

Goddamn it, you didn’t want to say it, but you wanted to be honest with her. Your cheeks are burning red and you nod. “Yeah…I tried not to press you. You’re so… independent. Even when you were with Luke, you looked like you hated the idea of anyone having any power or control over you.”

It wasn’t just that she hated anyone having power over her. It’s more like she was so used to people trying to get control of her that even Luke’s very existence felt oppressive.

"I don’t like people telling me what to do." Cate mutters.

Even with her powers, she felt like she couldn’t be her own person. Even when she had all the power, she still felt helpless.

"I’m a difficult omega."

You can't help but laugh a little. "I’m a a weird alpha."

Part of her finds it amusing. Part of her finds it very attractive.

"You are a weird alpha." she agrees, giving you a slight smirk.

It is this realization that finally helps her to relax.

You want her, yearning for her. Cate knows what to do with you, how to use your want, your need, your desperation. Even immune to her power, you are still alpha.

Luke is dead, Indira is gone too, Andre doesn’t want to even look at her. Let Jordan and Marie deal with the Woods and all the consequences.

Cate, on the other hand...Cate can just let go.

"Come here."

Oh god. You weren’t expecting this-

But how could you possibly resist, when Cate looks at you with those eyes and asks (orders)?

You rise, your legs a little sore from the hard floor, moving in towards the bed, step by step. Until you are stood at the bedside, and waiting for her response before you move any closer.

She’s expecting you to push her back onto the bed. She’s expecting you to force her to submit, to tell her what to do.

But of course, you don’t do that. Instead, you hesitate, almost awkwardly, waiting for her to tell you what to do.

Even when you’re standing above her, standing beside the bed, you’re so sweet and submissive.

She loves it more than she thought she would.

She pats the spot next to her.

"Sit."

Maybe, maybe Cate has found the one she's been looking for her whole life. A person, an alpha with whom she'll be safe.

Your heart is pounding in your chest, your pretty sure Cate can hear it. Your scent is mixing with hers and it just feels so… right.

You sit yourself down on the bed, still watching her, like a puppy waiting for a command.

Normally, Cate hates the way alphas smell. It’s a sharp, musky stench, like rotting meat. Like death.

But yours is different. It’s like cinnamon and firewood and honey all together. You smell like a home. A home that she just wants to get closer and closer to.

She scoots closer.

"Lie down."

Part of you just cannot believe that this is happening. That Cate, the girl you’ve wanted for such a long time, is looking at you like this now. The other, alpha, is singing - so ecstatic that she has finally noticed you.

Now you’re lying down, on your back. And Cate, despite being the omega of the two of you, is straddling you, sitting on top of you and looking down at you.

She’s not touching you yet. Her thighs are touching the sides of your hips. Cate is in complete control. And she isn’t even using her powers to do it.

She can see the way you are laying under her, unmoving. She leans down, her blonde hair falling forward and tickling across your face.

"Kiss me."

A simple order, and you follow it happily. Her lips brush against yours, tasting you.

You kiss her slowly, gently and lightly, your hands cupping her face. It feels so amazing to have her weight upon your body, to have her above you.

You don’t try to overpower her, to force into her mouth. You let her take control, like a good girl, and she can feel the way your body goes soft and relaxed under her. The sound of your lips against hers is the sweetest sound she’s ever heard.

Finally, she pulls back, panting, feeling the first waves of exhaustion. it’s not the right time, Cate thinks, annoyed at the timing.

Your lips are swollen, your pupils dilated wide. You are willing to give in, to be soft, pliable, obedient and give her everything she wants, everything she needs.

"Cate?"

“I’m…I’m fine. Just tired.” She admits, suddenly feeling a little bit weak and vulnerable in spite of her position on top of you.

Oh. Her heat must have taken a lot out of her, her body exhausted. She is sweaty, pale, and slightly shaking. You smile gently, stroking her cheek softly and reassuringly. “We can just lay together. Just sleep.”

For some reason, that’s exactly what she needs to hear. Cate is suddenly overcome with exhaustion when you say those words. Like just the reassurance of those few words was enough to release her from the stress.

Cate is in no rush. Now, with Indira gone, there will no longer be experiments. No more orders and violence. It will be just Cate and her life. If others want to deal with the mess, she let them.

And Cate...Cate will take what she wants.

She lets out a breath and suddenly lets herself soften, sinking down onto you so that her head is on your chest.

“Just sleep.” She agrees, nuzzling into you.

Her eyelids are so heavy. Suddenly, the exhaustion is all she can focus on. She’s not even aware of her own soft purring.

You wrap your arms around her, pulling her close, covering you both with the blanket. She’s unnaturally hot, and you know that her heat will very likely not go away until the early hours of the morning.

She’s been fighting her heat for this whole week. It’s been a struggle everyday to keep her body from acting up, to keep her mind in control. But now, she’s lying here, in your arms.

And finally, finally, she can sleep.

#gen v #wlw #the boys #gen v x reader #cate dunlap #cate dunlap x reader #gen v imagine

28 notes · View notes

kelzthalassunwhisper · 1 day ago

Text

Solace was found between the pair, but as usual it was fleeting. The efforts to secure peace did not last long enough and often made those who fought for it jaded into seeing the world without the possibility. It was a notion that was difficult to maintain and uphold, for one's soul can become weary from such constant duress.

"It's regaining perspective, is all." She admitted and turned her head to look him over. "Sometimes we just need a little guidance to see things in a different way - because when we are alone with our thoughts and beliefs, everything seems to remain the same."

She exhaled with a sigh and turned now to offer him the opportunity to speak while observing the going-On's within Silvermoon. It was often strange how so much could be derived from the interference and involvement of the noble houses. Her own lineage had likely impacted some things good and bad in some way, but she had no memories or involvement to truly support what was done in House B'andtherion then. Now she was just trying to rebuild and include their house back into the fold while also maintaining the enforcement side of things beneath the Magistry's watch.

After Alphus finished speaking, she could understand the want for a lack of allegiance to the people. He was wronged in so many ways, and she wondered faintly if that was something that had happened to all the criminals of Silvermoon. Their city was forged on the pride of working together and rebuilding, that all walks of life should have been acknowledged in the efforts. But it was clear to her that the power resided too far on one side.

"Alphus, if you were to change the opinion of those who see you that way, what is it you would offer to them? I know they have taken more than they likely have earned. But wisdom and insight can carry a great deal more in changing things just like I did with you in addressing the alternate perspective? Surely it's not something that will linger always, and it's better to try than to surrender, don't you think?.."

@duraxxor - pokey you're it :3

Continuation from RP

Within the eye of the assassin, magic seemed to ripple in currents around his pupils. A darkness that possessed flickers of crimson spittle. It was a glimpse, but almost like the Commander's words seemed to bring out something within him. As young as she was, she knew of the sacrifices that were placed the shoulders of many like him.

" You are a lot like me... I always tried to continue to try and everyday it always grew more difficult. It's only through having people in my life that I ever knew any sort of joy or happiness. To be shameless of my deeds. And yet, even now... " Alphus trailed off, growing half-lidded as he seemed to look off into a blank space in the distance. The memories he was being flooded with in that moment were not of his. But of another that he had duplicated through a secret. Those foul memories that would make a mortal stomach churn, heave with disgust as the itemization of an individual had been robbed. Alphus didn't even know it yet, but he was balling his fist tightly and the darkness within him was lightly flickered in an aura. This fact gave hint that his assassin nature went deeper into the shadows than was anticipated.

" ... I am finding that the difference between noble and criminal are nothing more than financial status. Just as I have learned that there isn't a difference between monster and man... it's all a matter of who has wronged who. Lynx devours lynx. Who is predator and who is prey? " His singular eye now looked back to her. " You have had people you care for taken from you too, haven't you? " And with that question, he offered her to sit down next to him on the bench.

[ @kelzthalassunwhisper <3 ]

#noble vs commoners #roleplay #world of warcraft #this is a big problem still I bet #Alphus Duraxxor #Commander Sunwhisper #Silvermoon Guard #Lets fix things people \o/

16 notes · View notes

canarydraws · 8 months ago

Text

Putting wips of your characters from different campaigns on the same page is a mistake I was just trying to compare them for height reference and I accidentally created a fairy gf/goth gf dynamic! Now I’m SAD and MAD because these two are my own characters and the only way I’ll ever get to see them together is if I go off the rails and actually draw AU content for them!

…which I might. I have no idea what I’d draw but literally them just standing on the same page is cute and I want to see what my 5’5 space paladin and my 6’3 pf magus would do if they ever existed in the same room

#art #pathfinder #dnd #dnd art #dungeons and dragons #paladin #magus #character art #character design #character #oc #original character #wip #wip art #luz #andromeda #andromeda might actually be a paladin/warlock idk I’m still working on her story #but I think they’d actually be a good couple for each other which is not something I normally say about my characters lol #luz needs to follow someone to find direction in life and Andromeda just so happens to know what she wants and what she plans to devote her #life to #luz is so ride or die which is exactly the kind of spirit andromeda would need #I haven’t had the chance to play andromeda yet but I think she’d appreciate someone who’s resilient and capable in their own right #and offers a different perspective to things #alrighty I’m done smacking my ocs against each other now you may all carry on #I just figure these are the kind of thoughts tumblr would appreciate lmao

39 notes · View notes

sysig · 1 year ago

Photo

So much experimenting to be done, where to even start (Patreon)

#Doodles #Handplates #UT #Fellplates #Gaster #Papyrus #Sans #Mostly silliness :) Mostly :)#It's still fun to draw these two Gasters next to each other hehe ♪ Even interacting!#They're more similar than I think either of them would admit haha - ''No clearly we have very different ideals'' sure but you're both Gaster #I like the idea of classic being So Annoyed at any iteration of himself thinking positively towards humans haha #I mean it would probably hurt - that's a big piece of his trauma! - but on the surface it's just Ugh I can't believe this -.ó #I feel like they'd have a lot more common ground when it comes to their experiments tho - not a perfect Venn Diagram but enough!#Maybe even just different enough to offer a new perspective - enough to give them new ideas! Uh oh that's never a good thing lol #I do love Fell!Gaster just so pleased to be having a conversation haha so smiley - classic still not smiling but interested!#Cute face <3 #It was after making the Toriel comic that the thought Really occurred to me - like obviously I saw so I knew they were still in the gowns #But it took a bit for that to strike me as odd since I mean that's just what they wear! That's normal! For Handplates anyway #He talks a lot about isolating whatever it is in Monsters that Make Them Like That - what does that entail #Gaster no seriously what are you doing to them don't just smile actually reply #And as much as I like the boys being a bit more Fell-ish I've always been of the opinion that no matter what they're brothers!#They love each other <3 And in Fellplates they'd have to rely on each other even more than regular Underfell #If anything would cause some codependency it's the Handplates setup - no matter what version you throw at it!#They're still both delicate little things - they need each other to survive ♥ If Gaster is sometimes kind to them well...#Similar to Mercyplates but Not Quite hmmmm #At least sometimes doing cute and harmless things tho! Studies how they react to flowers and teaches them to make chains hehe ♪#There's also that Underfell thing of Sans calling UF!Papyrus ''Boss'' rather than ''Bro'' yeah? Doodling ideas around that haha #An opportunity to teach! Sans only came away with the basics tho it probably annoys Gaster lol #The idea of them doing cute harmless little things and /that/ being what gets under his skin hehehehe #And ending with a Babybones! :D Surely he'd have no problem being attached since they're meant to be good...? Surely

290 notes · View notes

thegreatyin · 7 months ago

Text

and with that, evolution is complete.

i do think the scoundrel made the right choice, in the end. maybe- potentially- they think so too.

#yin-thoughts #fallen london #i'll elaborate on which ending i ultimately picked later #this post is spoiler-free. just wanted to say i finished it #overall i really really enjoyed evolution!! one of the best things FL has had to offer so far tbh #i see how some people wouldn't like it though. if you dont sign up for the 'side-character in another ambition' experience #plus the Ocean And Body Horrors™#it can be super disorienting and off-putting. im not surprised it left a bad taste in some mouths #from the perspective of me and my horrible little bat oc headcanons though i had a thoroughly delightful time.#the scoundrel finally gets to go home and sleep now. no more ocean horrors. at least until i get a hankering for echo stonks again #im looking forward to going through with the scientist and taking the opportunity to go an entirely different route #yknow. in the 2 million years it'll take to actually get this far with caeru #scoundrelventures

25 notes · View notes

curiosity-killed · 3 months ago

Text

i love my sister and for the most part, we are very close and genuinely like each other a lot but the one place where i'd just really, really, really like to see inside her brain is the part where she is still incredibly comfortable and cheerful—and even thinks it's really funny—talking about how much she didn't like me as a child while I'm like. yes. I am and was aware. and it sucked so so so much

#we had a really wild moment over dinner last week where she actually acknowledged #EXPLICITLY with her OWN WORDS #that things like our brother dying right when i was going into my senior yr of high school #and covid lockdown starting right when i'd graduated college + moved to a new city where i knew no one except her + was applying/auditionin #for jobs #were harder on me than one her in some unique ways #and i was literally like . is. is this a test? am i supposed to deny it?#bc like when our brother died she told me i was a selfish brat (for not grieving the way she did)#and during covid she told me (right after i got laid off) that she had ''way more reasons to be depressed'' than i did #personal #anyway she was laughing so much as she said this (abt not liking me) and i was just staring at her nodding slightly like #yeah. i know. i know you didn't like me #do YOU know how much it sucks to know that your older sister--whom you idolize--who you *desperately* want to like you--#not only doesn't like you at all #but even up into high school/college #would talk about how she couldn't wait till our LITTLE (five year old) cousins were old enough to hang because they'd be so much fun #and know that she had absolutely never thought or said that about you #do you perhaps! think that might still have ramifications on our relationship to this day #if your little sister spent 20+ years knowing that your love was conditional on them being the person you wanted her to be #like. do u???#(the answer is no of course but #i remain boggled by the fact that this eludes her considering she is! in fact! a really smart person!)#it's also like when i was first offered my current job #and our now bosses asked both of us like ''are you worried at all about working with your sister?''#and she laughed like lol no of course not?#while i was like ''honestly yes.'' adskjfglkjasds #very different perspectives sometimes

9 notes · View notes

uighean · 2 days ago

Text

see like i've never been a super conscious user of australian slang & my accent is fairly mild so back home i'm like. often never the most aussie-sounding person in the room? but being overseas has just been a long string of wondering why other people don't understand what i'm saying 😭😭😭😭

#personal #that post is putting soooo many things in perspective LMAO there's so much i never realised other people don't say...............#like istg i have offered to shout drinks and stuff for colleagues here #& then they have. to my mind responded oddly?#like i'll say oh i'll shout you and they won't rlly respond/will go on and pay without even saying 'oh no it's ok'#which would be like. the expected interaction you know #and i've always been like huh but i offered........#flash forward to now when i'm like. oh you guys just didn't know what i was saying huh 💀#anyways being overseas has rlly sorted out my cultural cringe and made me feel much more australian than before #bc i'm like. oh no i'm not british at all actually. this is so much more different than i thought #so i will NOT be stopping i will be making myself WORSE

2 notes · View notes

bylertruther · 1 year ago

Text

sometimes. people on here will say things where i know if i point-blank asked them "hey, do you like butches, femmes, and people that do not 'look' or 'act' queer?" they'll of course say yes duh. and i know if i asked them, "cool. do you think that an androgynous person or 'very gender nonconforming' (for lack of better phrasing) is more queer than someone that isn't?" they'll say no of course not.

but then you read the things they've said about how queer people present themselves, how they "should" present themselves once they've reached a fully realized state, and how it relates to gender and relationships and its like Hmmmmmmmmmm. i don't think you do like any of those three groups i mentioned actually if that's how you really feel on those issues lmao.

it's the same school of thought behind the perplexingly popular idea that because noah wears athleisure, he couldn't possibly be gay (before he came out, this was the common sentiment; and even now, people act like finn is more queer than noah, just because he "looks and acts" like it according to them). this idea that you have to look and act a certain way to be Actually Queer or Queer Enough, and if you don't, then that's because you've fallen victim to conforming or you just aren't as comfortable with your identity. (what? as if there's a single queer identity to begin with?)

that if you're a queer guy and you behave or look masculine, then you just haven't come out of your shell and accepted yourself or experimented enough. that if you're a queer woman and you're feminine, then the same applies, or you're not as queer as a butch woman, who does exhibit gender nonconformity, for example. and if you're butch or femme (+ other equivalents), or in a relationship with your counterpart, then you're perpetuating heteronormativity, as if that's even possible, and we all know that's so very, awfully, terribly Bad, you're a stain on the community, and you have issues you need to work out.

people don't have to look or act in a particular way to be acceptably queer enough. we don't all gravitate towards certain expressions of gender nonconformity or androgyny just because we're queer, and a failure to do that doesn't suggest that we're uncomfortable with ourselves and our identity. you can continue to be yourself as you were even after realizing you're queer. that's not impossible or a bad thing.

femmes and gay men that are masculine in any capacity are not traitors, confused, or less gay. some people are the way that they are, regardless of their sexuality. we don't all morph into the same person when we realize we're queer. that shouldn't be a difficult concept to understand? that's literally just... being a human and treating queer people as such.

those evil gay people who are in "masc/fem" relationships aren't perpetuating heteronormativity either. just because they exist outside of your realm of understanding, or have the kind of relationship that you wouldn't personally want for yourself, that doesn't mean that they aren't members of your community—which is the queer community, in case you forgot—and don't deserve respect, too.

like. it's just so demoralizing lmao. what's so hard to understand about accepting that people are all different and that just because we may belong to the same community, that doesn't mean that we are all the same and must fall in line? it's so tone-deaf, insulting, and just plain unrealistic. you may not mean it that way, but it is. that rhetoric just is.

feminine gay women exist. masculine gay men exist. sometimes they may experiment with their gender expression once realizing this, but they don't always and they don't have to to be considered queer. butch/fem relationships and other similar relationships are not imitations of heterosexuality, because they're fucking gay, and they do not adhere to traditional heterosexual roles, because, again, they're fucking gay.

your experiences and beliefs are not universal. gay people are not clones of each other. stop invalidating or speaking down on other queer people just because you can't relate to them personally. i know some people don't mean to insinuate these things, but you do. you are. constantly. and the people that fall in those categories you've deemed unacceptable and other, see it.

it's so... exhausting to face that in this space, which is supposed to be a respite from the physical world where that happens, too. and those actions, those beliefs that people share, they also bleed into the physical world and how you interact with other people in your community. it's not just little words that you write and have no meaning. it doesn't start and end with a fictional character. the things that you say matter and sometimes they're very troubling.

people who have been in those "fem/masc" relationships, or that identify with any kind of similar label, have not lived a life that's an imitation of heterosexuality, nor are they any less queer than you just because you haven't been in/participate in relationships like that.

#personally idk about you guys....#but i LOVE getting invalidated irl and also online by fellow queer ppl just bc i don't 'look' or 'act' gay enough according to them 👍#anyway. yes my feelings are hurt lmao. of course they are. sometimes people say things innocently and don't realize how it #comes across or what they're implying. it happens. i just wanted to offer a different perspective from someone that has been the #fem in gay relationships. bc quite frankly i don't like the idea that i have to be more androgynous or masculine to be a fully realized gay #nor do i like the idea that my relationships have been less than or would be bad representation if shown to an audience lmao.#same for my gay male friends that are also feminine. and same for my bi male friends that are more masculine. or the butch women i've #dated. i don't think any of them are any less queer or bad representation and i would never think that if they had just #experimented with androgyny then maybe they'd be an elevated version of themselves.#it sounds crazy but when you take those same words that ppl say and apply them to real people... that's what you're saying.#anywayyyyyyyyyy.......... i'll fuck off again

19 notes · View notes