#and I can't definitely fault OP for putting it in because I didn't even know what Isreal was 5 years ago except in carol lyrics

[airprime7]

Literally in no part of this post does anyone say that the star of david shouldn't be at pride. The Israeli flag (this one 🇮🇱) should not be at pride, because Isreal is committing genocide and claiming to do it, among other things, in our name.

The star of david is a religious symbol, and I'd welcome it, the same as almost any other. Yes, even a cross. But a country killing thousands of people, ignoring outcry from people (including jewish people) around the world and saying that the people they're murdering have their deaths justified because they did it for the gays?

Jewish lgbt pride flags at pride marches 💖🧡💛💚💙✡️

[parkminijiminie]

This fandom is fucked now. No one comes forward to correct anything about the translations. I do believe that op was lying about the translations now. People told her in comments too that she was changing the subtitles 2 days later and lying but it just irritates me so much that no one comes forward to give the exact correct translation who knows Korean too...lol she wasn't even coming forward by herself to tell those who are saying she is lying to confront them. If she's lying... someone should come forward to tell us that who wants to know and don't understand the language. That op was also a jkkr. There is no one on twitter on any social media who is ot7 and a true person who can give us the correct translation without any manipulation?? It sucks. No one you can believe really. They all are manipulators according to who they ship and it makes you feel like a puppet when you don't know the language.

( i just wanted to know bcz I'm curious otherwise I don't think it's gonna change anything when jk also said...."we wouldn't met either if it's not for this show..." So I don't think a line will change anything when he literally said this next)

I agree on this. I have many asks in my inbox about the translation, but I don't know what to tell you guys. I don't know who to trust, and I am not a Korean speaker.

The official translation was: "When you were busy and I was free, you never called me. When I was busy and you were free, I never called you. " Which means they didn't meet up because both of them didn't put the effort. To which JM replied: "I called you."

Since JM said he did call, that led people to believe it was actually JK who didn't stay in touch, which makes JK's previous statement like he was trying to make it seem like both of them were at fault when in reality it was more him.

Now, if we are to believe people that the translation is wrong, things do change somewhat.

People are saying JK actually said this: "When you were busy and I was free, you didn't call me. When I was busy and you were free, you didn't call me. " It sounds a little bit confusing and like he is repeating himself, but in fact he is trying to point out that whether JM was busy or free didn't matter, in either case Jimin didn't reach out to him.

This translation actually makes a lot more sense in the context of everything else we saw at the time - JM working and hardly mentioning JK. JK alone at night and always mentioning JM.

Both translations mean that they didn't look for each other a lot, but in one case, it was a mutual fault, maybe more on JK (because JM said he called) and in the other case, JM was the one to blame. I am sort of inclined to believe the new translation as it makes more sense with everything else. It would explain JK's body language and attitude in the car. He makes sense for him to be more abrasive if JM had put him on the back burner for months. He seemed a little bitter.

One more thing that sort of proves it to me is the fact that JK said with a serious face that they were supposed to meet up for a drink, to which JM replied with a laugh "staff like this happens". It leads me to believe there was, at some point, an arrangement to meet up, but for whatever reason, JM canceled it, and it never happened. If you look at JK's face at that point in the conversation, he definitely looks peeved. More than once, he sounded accusatory to JM. It seems like JM called from time to time (JM said that he did), but not enough for JK and it didn't lead to anything more.

When JK said, "we wouldn't have met if it wasn't for the show." Everyone took it as confirmation that they didn't want to hang out with each other, or JK didn't at least, but why would JM travel across the world for a little weekend if this was true? Why would JK agree to it this proposal so out of the blue amidst his crazy schedule unless he wanted it (or was forced by someone, but JK is a guy who can't really be forced into things)?

To me, when JK said they wouldn't have met, it sounded more like he meant given the schedule he knew was ahead of him and JM's own ignorance of keeping in contact. I think both of them realized this physical distance wasn't doing them any favours, and since it was JM who was maybe more at fault for it, if we believe the new translation, it was also him who decided to resolve it by taking a chance and going to NY.

When JM said the "this is why I came", I believe he meant exactly this. He knew it was time for him to do something or they would have drifted seriously apart. Especially that by this point in time, JK shedules were just beginning and MS was coming up, and even if they were already thinking about enlisting together at that point, which is debatable, they didn't know for sure. From JM POV at the time JK was getting busier, MS was approaching where they could be separated for 2 years and their relationship was in danger, so the first chance he actually had and was free, he acted.

And it seems this was exactly what JK was waiting for. That's why he responded with "I know. You're here. You're here. You're here. Finally".

[odysseys-blood]

I mean, and I didn't want to put this on the post cuz I know OP is making a simple post, a part of Trigun is that Vash changes? Like... Trigun follows what most stories should follow, Vash changes and therefore his outlook changes, he has a thesis and his antagonist has an antithesis and so on.

Like... if you put Trigun next to generic battle shonen like Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball and such of course that it will look a little bit off that Vash isn't in the right but on most stories, good and more complex stories, the protagonist isn't in the right or at least isn't fully right. Like, that's how stories work? Your protagonist can't just start screaming and bulldoze through things cuz they're right, they gotta eat shit and learn so they can grow.

alright i had to go looking bc i have no clue what half the posts on my blog are at any given moment bc i run on queue and live posts at the same time but r we talking abt this post?

i was reading it more as a relief tbh.

like im glad that vash is such a well written character and that you can understand almost off the bat that he's not in the right. i cant speak on most shounen bc being so real i really dont care for most shounen but it is silly how its so popular when a lot of conflicts can just be boiled down to "the good guys r always right and the bad guys are always wrong" so when a lot of the most popular stories are like that i think vash is such a breath of fresh air.

he knows saving everyone isn't liable to happen but you can't really fault him for trying bc the ideal would be to save everyone, esp in a place like no man's land. and even then he struggles with that himself because there are definitely times where he doesn't *want* to save everyone. there are times where he wants to shoot and for others to feel pain and loss but thats just part of going through the motions and feeling and being alive. honestly idk how many shounen even deal with that well instead of going "if you feel like xyz are you truly any different from *insert antagonist*"

[friendlyneighborhoodkinkshamer]

I saw a post that was really well written and thought out about how the sentiadrien theory is troublesome to op bc it cheapens the impact of a child who is being manipulated and controlled by making him less than human and it was poignant and I liked the sentiment but I didn't quite agree and I couldn't put into words WHY until just now so like

I like the idea that sentiadrien illustrates a parent having uninhibited control over a child as an unnatural and frightening thing. I definitely see how Adrien's lack of ability to disobey his father can rub people the wrong way but to me it highlights that internal struggle in SUCH a clear way. He knows what he wants and he intends to make choices for his own self interests but there is this strong invisible force that prevents the smallest step out of line. He cannot articulate why but he knows that something terrible will happen if he disagrees and even when he goes into a conversation prepared to assert himself his father pulls out the same tricks that always work and suddenly he's that same trapped child who has no hope and it's horrible! It's exhausting! He feels like it's his fault because he SHOULD be able to speak up but he just CAN'T!

And I know the logical conclusion of the show is going to be Adrien finally breaking free of that control and choosing himself and as someone who has recently acknowledged and started working through a relationship with a manipulative and controlling parent I know I'm gonna sob

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

Ooope Tommy and the pastor dude!!!

Ooohh telling their kids :o

"You have to break up with him" SLGHDHJKS EIFKSOMCE OH LOL

Oh hi Grace :D

Ope nevermind we're at the station lol?

:OO Uhh???

Uh oh 😳

That doesn't seem good 😬 xDD

Okay but we're laying her down anyway even though they said she'd die if she wasn't upside down XD

I mean you gotta test but still lol

OOOPE!

Ohhh nooo :oo

I mean just put her back up though right xD

Hmmm VERRRY interesting though o.o 👀👀

Poor Tommy though XD it better work out I like them together :)) and I want her to be happy <333

That's the last of my last thoughts, now it's time for the. . .

REVIEW

I loooved this episode! I thought it was great :D. Very dramatic :)), but everything still worked out! And somehow they did manage to make it so it wasn't the nephew, or like- not quite not his fault, but that he wasn't totally off the rails, he was being manipulated <3. Crazy stuff :D. And like, sure, we saw a lot of Owen being a savior and all that lol, but eh, it's a drama show :)). Owen's gonna Owen, and I'm just gonna enjoy the episode anyway <333. Also the 126 was great this episode :D. Loved actually seeing them xD. I know we did last week but still yk it's nice :)). I do miss Marjan though 😭.

Anyway! It's time for the individual parts :))

Quick, first off! Marjan :')). I MISS HER SO MUCHHH 😭😭😭. LIKE Y'ALLLLL 😭😭😭❤️❤️💔. But I know she's happy out on the road right now <33, and I also know that out of universe wise she will be coming back at some point :)). So, I'm holding out for that and having hope <33. I still miss her though :'D. I love her <333.

Okay, now for the people whow ere actually in the episode lol.

Tommy! She was great this episode :D. I'm glad she helped figure out where the bomb was 🥰🥰, and that it wasn't just Owen lol. But seriously, she's observant, and she's a paramedic captain - it totally makes sense that she would notice if something was amiss with one of them. So, proud of her for that :)). I'm definitely nervous for her next episode 😭😭. It would SUCK if she actually does have to break up with him for her kids :((. Because like I said, I like them together, but more importantly I want her to be happy. I'd say there's probably several reasons the girls could not want them dating (or maybe it's just one of them! I can't them apart, not when it was just one shot of one of them at least lol. Or probably at all xD), like because he's the pastor, or because they just don't like him, or because they're not ready for Tommy to be with someone new. But, whatever it is, I hope it all works out and everyone's happy <33. Anyway, Tommy was amazing this episode, as always 🥰🥰. And obviously, though we didn't see tol much of it, great at her job :)). I love her :DD ❤️.

Nancy! She was great 🥰🥰. By the way, I couldn't figure out a good way to split people up, so I'm just gonna do them all individually lol. Anyway, she was great this episode :D. Plus we got a little Nanteo moment 🥰🥰. Lovely, love them :DD. But honestly I'm still stuck on her maimed line at the beginning XD. It was so good lol <3. Anyway, she was great in the work sense too :), and even though we didn't see her do too much this episode, she was there and she was being awesome <33. We just didn't see a lot of anyone doing their jobs what with a bomb to be following and all lol. But, yeah xD. I love her 🥰🥰🥰❤️.

Mateo! Btw yes I know it's been several days, everything after "Mateo!" is, but I've been busy lol. It also means it'll probably be shorter bc I need to get this done lol. Anyway! Mateo lol. I love him 🥰🥰. Little Nanteo moment :DD. Lovely, my babeys <333. And him being the only one who knew (in that moment at least) the laughing gas fact xD. Nice callback tbh :)). Anyway, he was great at his job, as always :D.

Paul :). Just as the others, he was amazing at his job :D. And also their silliness in the beginning of the episode, while maybe a bit inappropriate, was still adorable xD 🥰. And that includes Paul sooo I'm saying it here lol :). Anyway, his bit near the beginning with Judd was great lol - like wonderinf what Owen was doing there and whatnot xD. But yeah, as always he was awesome :p. I love him ❤️❤️!

Judd! Nice to see our boy as interim captain again :D. It's always fun to see him take on that responsibility, and he can definitely manage it. He did great, and with everything else too :)))! Also his little text to Grace ❤️. I love them your honor 😭 <33. But yeah he was amazing this episode, especially with having Owen's back the whole time lol. Like at the end with the firetruck (all of them did <3 but yk). So yeah! I love him 🥰🥰🥰.

Grace :DD. Our girl SLAYED this episode 🥰🥰. Finding that river for Owen to drive into? Amazing :D. And with the other calls too :). And again, the text from Judd 😭😭❤️. Also her background being Judd :'DD - I can't <33. I love them so much, my babeys :'))). But yeah! She was awesome this episode ❤️❤️. I just have to mention the last call again - she comprehended what was going on (a feat of its own lol), she set up the timer (which was less than 2 minutes if I remember correctly), she found a problem with where Owen was going and then found two more solutions, and she figured out that the water would deactivate the ANFO. Like!!! AAHHH!! She slayed 🥰🥰🥰. I love her :DDD ❤️!!

TK! He was great 🥰🥰. As always, he was amazing at his job :p. And that moment when Owen was going into the capital and he was just like "*Sigh* I really hate it when he does this :/" XDDD. Icon fr. And of course, the TARLOS SCENE :DDD. I mean barely Tarlos but yk they were both there in their house talking about the wedding sooo whatever lol xD. Anyway, it was AMAZING :DD. I'll talk about it more in a second with Carlos lol. Anyway, TK was great as always this episode :)). I love him ❤️❤️❤️.

Speaking of, Carlos! He went OFF this episode :D. Him staying to help O'Brien, looking for where the bomb was made and such, and then SHOOTING MIKEY!!! I'm glad he didn't kill him though lol. But fr it was SUCH A SLAY MOMENT!!! He seriously looked SO cool :DDD. Anyway, he was great at his job 🥰. And the end scene :D. Stop he was so adorable 🥰🥰. They both were :D. And AAAHHHH wedding talk! I loved it it was so funny and cute xD :D. TK and Carlos were just like "welp. This is happening" and Owen was OFF lol. "Off" like, "aaand they're off" lol. Anyway, Carlos was great this episode :D. I love him 🥰🥰🥰!

Owen! He was great :). And like, okay, yeah, he was the hero and whatever. It's not my favorite thing ever, but like- you sign up for a certain thing when you watch Lone Star lol, yk? So, that said, with a little half-affectionate roll of my eyes 🙄, I probably won't mention it from here on it and I'll just treat him like another character. SO! Glad Owen had that talk with everyone, kind of apologizing - bc tbh he was putting their lives in danger (not on purpose), and also it was DRAMATIC AS HECK :D. I loved it, I thought it was epic. Besides that, he realized the bomb was a decoy! And he had the good sense to call Grace when he was driving the bomb away (which was CRAZY btw lol). And I did genuinely expect him to try and push the ambulance further in, like jump half in and then try and back out xD. But I'm SO GLAD the 126 showed up. And the laughing gas but was hilarious XD. Also, I'm glad Owen managed to talk Andy, well, not quite down, but out :). And Andy thanking all of them was really sweet <3. And he thanked Owen in particular so that was nice :). Also, Owen comforting Ty, and then (as I saw mentioned more jokingly in a post lol) after seeing an emotional father-son type thing moment went to see TK 😭😭😭❤️. Lovely :'DD <333. Also, he was kinda right at the beginning, but I'm glad he chilled out a bit by the end. Anyway, he was great this episode <3!!! I love him :)).

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. Both sides of the bomb plot were cool, Owen's side and O'Brien's side, and I honestly didn't suspect that they would redeem Andy! But, somehow, they managed it lol. I'm glad his family's okay :)). But yeah! I'm happy they managed to disarm (well, minimize the damage of lol) the bomb and that everybody was safe :D. Plus, a bit of Tarlos 🥰🥰. And a mention for Marjan <33. As she deserves :'DD. But yeah, everyone was great this episode!! They all did amazing and there were some really adorable and funny moments amongst all the drama, which was nice lol. But, all the drama worked out in the end :D. Next week looks like it's gonna be interesting! I hope everything works out with Tommy <33. I'm wondering if maybe her girls won't like the pastor's kid? Idk, but it'll be interesting! And hopefully we'll see Grace since she was in the promo, but who knows ┐⁠(⁠ ⁠∵⁠ ⁠)⁠┌. Plus that upside lady looks crazy!! Like, it looks like it'll be a crazy (but good) storyline. Plus it'll give us a chance to see Tommy's skill alongside her personal life :D. Who knows if it'll be the other full plot, but it looks cool nonetheless :)). Also, back to this week, I TOTALLY did not expect it to be that kid lol. Like, Mikey, I did not recognize him when he first came up behind O'Brien xD. Still, that was WILD!! I really enjoyed it though, it was a crazy but fun storyline all together :)).

So yeah! I loved this episode, and I'm glad the bomb threat is over. Next episode looks wild! This has been my review of. . .

9-1-1: Lone Star, Season 4, Episode 6: This Is Not a Drill

It was great! I'm excited for the next episode it looks like it'll definitely be interesting! I'll be back next week with my review of. . .

9-1-1: Lone Star, Season 4, Episode 7: Tommy Dearest

See you then!

[waters-and-the-wilde]

oh god this has been simmering on back burner in my mind next to the rotating kebab spit, like every time i think about that note i'm like. 'so when you say you meant every word'

hi op do you mind if i piggyback on this bc i was having Tag Thoughts and they got unwieldy

bc Nureyev strikes me as a very like. situational. short-term off the cuff seat of his pants sort of thinker - because he has to be, because that's how he survives, he's extremely equipped to deal with being decisive in the moment due to Mag's A+ Parenting - and probably barely knows how to make a life decision when not in crisis mode

and obv he's pretty sharp about people, he gets at least a little bit of what makes Juno tick, he could offer him a way out at least, throw in the alliance and a whirlwind romance to sweeten the pot, knowing they both know that they're in no position to make anything last. he could be sincere about the offer with a kind of subconscious gambit of knowing that juno would either never take him up on it as you said, or dip the moment he found out about brahma or mag or slip or something else he couldn't forgive (and he Would find out obviously he would find out, Nureyev can't hide from this man, and isn't that Exhilarating, for now at least). or maybe he even accounted for Juno pulling a whole self-sacrificing 'it's not you it's me' thing somewhere down the line but got blindsided by how soon and sudden and hurtful he was in doing it. maybe the most nureyev could hope for was getting to run together for a bit, because neither of them could have made it work but maybe it would be enough to have someone to watch his back for once.

and god the aftermath of miasma. he offers juno a cybereye. again with the 'powerful friends'. because Peter Nureyev and The Massive Guilt Complex can't just leave it all behind and he can absolutely go 'well fuck it what's a little more debt if it's for Juno's eye that's my fault too anyway'. plans within plans. sufficient grounds to stay connected to his creditors and an opening to explaining his circumstances to Juno, assuming he didn't get caught making suspicious phone calls on like. day three. and then never finds out how that conversation would have gone because Juno beat him to the punch.

the crux of it all, that they were never supposed to last. long-term was never in the picture. and then boom it's Buddy Aurinko with a Steel chair (that joke is never getting old to me) and yeah they can kiss and make up but like. of course he's not making new promises, of course Juno wouldn't make promises when he's just barely figured himself out and doesn't know if he can keep it up yet, of course they're not ready to open up about their pasts. he's already taking a massive leap of faith just letting Juno back in at all.

jfc and then the wedding. 'it's difficult for me too.' probably the moment Nureyev starts to really grapple with the wedding, and there's Juno right there, and he's realizing that they could make it work that they are making it work, well. Juno could. Juno's grown into somebody who could do that. And Nureyev can't give him that. or maybe he thought he'd have a shot at clearing the debts and whatever's happened on his end during S4 put the kibosh on it re: 'my aims have shifted'. probably extra delays because of having to get in and out of Dark Matters again. but as far as he's concerned it's off the table and it's all he can do to beg Juno not to put himself on harm's way on his behalf again because fuck knows he can't bring himself to cut those ties definitively himself

girl help my pot boileth over

Okay, I’m re-listening to the Murderous Mask and Peter’s “run away with me” monologue is recontextualized SO MUCH in light of recent events!

When Juno asks if Sasha/Dark Matters were in on the heist, Peter says no—“it pays to have powerful friends”. That struck me as odd up until recently, because we quickly learn that Peter…doesn’t have friends or allies or, well, anything, really. He works solo and burns through identities too quickly to make or maintain those kinds of connections. But now we know he’s in deep debt to a pharma corp, which are some of the most powerful forces in the solar system, even rivaling Dark Matters.

All well and good, except Peter also says “You can leave Hyperion City behind, I’ll leave my powerful friends behind. We’ll sell the mask and live a life of thrills and decadence across the galaxy, always running, never looking back.” And that…we know that’s wrong. We know Peter can’t leave Slip behind. So what gives?

I don’t think Peter ever actually thought Juno would leave Mars with him in the Murderous Mask. It’s why he left his name on a note in Juno’s couch (before he even makes the proposition) instead of just saying it. He knew Juno would say no. He was always planning on coming back, of course, but if Juno runs away with Peter, he could be used as more leverage against him. Another person for the corporation to balance Peter’s debts against. …but it’s a nice idea, right? Being able to finally leave behind the pressure of ever-growing debt and run off with the detective who he’s fallen for so quickly. Running away was a dream, and there’s no harm in keeping the fantasy alive because he knows Juno won’t leave Mars. I don’t think that ever really changed until the aftermath of Miasma—when he thought Juno had died and he lost everything again, only to miraculously recover it. Anything seems possible after that. But reality would’ve sunk in eventually, even if Juno hadn’t left that night. Let’s say they had run away together back then. It would be the same situation that made Peter leave in season 3: he’s still in ever-growing debt and Juno would be just new collateral for Peter’s creditors. It’s too dangerous, and Peter can’t bear to lose him again.

All this to say that I firmly believe that if Juno hadn’t left that night, Peter would’ve. Better to throw away something precious yourself than watch someone else shatter it because of you.

They were both always going to leave. Juno just reached his conclusion faster than Peter, is all.

[arthurmorganwateringhole]

Hey Lia, just want to stop by and say I really enjoy your blog and analyses. I have a question for you - while it's clear Arthur still loves Mary despite the passage of time, do you think he was ever attracted to Abigail? Either in a sexual sense or as a symbol of what he could do over (wrt to Eliza and Isaac). His journal shows he toyed with the idea of marrying her. While he didn't act on it I don't believe Arthur would consider marriage lightly, given his sense of loyalty.

Hey I'm sorry I took a while to answer this. I just have to put a huge disclaimer and explain why I procrastinated answering this ask and why this particular question (not your fault OP) exhausts me. So BIG disclaimer, I'm not blaming anon for a very valid question.

I first played Red Dead Redemption 1 in 2010. I've had this game seared into my brain and memory for 12 years. I actually love it more than RDR2 (despite RDR2 being the much better game) due to nostalgia and sentimental value. John was my favorite hero for a long time, and I avoided playing RDR2 because I heard about how they turned John into a deadbeat dad, and I had this impression of him from 20fucking10 that he was an amazing husband and father. I've sort of made peace with it. I love rdr2. I love Arthur more than I love John, and I appreciate John's arc in rdr2.

HOWEVER,

nothing. And I mean NOTHING can make me take any retcon or w/e seriously that detracts or devalues the bond and love between John and Abigail. They were the first real rockstar couple for me, and I'm pretty sure John and Abigail provide the blueprint you'll see for in later GTA games (I'm thinking GTA 5). I can't even take the notion of Abigail having a thing for Arthur too seriously, because to me, John and Abigail are UNSHAKEABLE. And for all the grief Arthur gives John for leaving the gang, he would never -- and I mean NEVER do that to his brother.

Okay lol now that I got that out of my system, let's go back to your question.

I consulted my friend in Arthur Morgan PhD studies @papaue00 for this. She knows by heart an interview with Roger Clark, where he confirms that there was supposed to be a storyline about a past romance between Abigail and Arthur, but it was ultimately scrapped.

So long story short, it's possible the mention of her in his journal and marriage is... probably a mistake? A part they meant to cut out but ultimately forgot or didn't, thinking it wasn't worth sacrificing everything else written in that entry just to erase a pretty valid sentiment.

I think you're right anon, that this is probably what it is: "a symbol of what he could do over" [wrt Eliza and Isaac]. He saw a mother and son in need of a man to step up as a father, and he probably considered (since he saw them as family) becoming that man out of concern for their welfare when it looked like John wasn't coming back. It's not an uncommon practice back in the day, as it was seen as a duty to fulfill, not unlike a foster-brother's version of a Levirate Marriage.

Here's a definition from Britanica:

levirate, custom or law decreeing that a widow should, or in rare cases must, marry her dead husband’s brother. The term comes from the Latin levir, meaning “husband’s brother.” The “brother” may be a biological sibling of the deceased or a person who is socially classified as such. Where the brother is required to be younger than the deceased, the custom is called the junior levirate. The levirate often co-occurs with the sororate, a practice in which a widower should or must marry his dead wife’s sister.

Often, the brother who marries his former sister-in-law is a proxy for the deceased, in which case all progeny of the new marriage are socially acknowledged as the children of the dead man. For instance, in ancient Hebrew society, the levirate served to perpetuate the line of a man who died without offspring. Likewise, among the Nuer people of South Sudan, the children of a remarried widow belong to the first husband’s line, and they consider the deceased to be their father even if the new husband is their biological genitor.

I don't believe this was practiced in any real or prominent way in the 19th century, but in ancient times, it was definitely a thing. In fiction, I know a famous example is in the HBO Western mini-series, Deadwood. The main character, Seth Bullock was in love with the widow Mrs. Garrett, but he could not marry her because he was already in a Levirate marriage where he married his dead brother's wife before coming to the Deadwood settlement.

The messiness of such a strong cultural history has marked other characters in fiction, and it often deals with themes of protecting women or providing for women who are left vulnerable due to patriarchal society.

So yes anon, in a way I agree with you or at least that's how I read Arthur's consideration of marrying Abigail. I truly believe he felt John was his brother, and it was his duty to step in for John.

[whathappenedtodecember]

god. you know what i love the most about flowey's story? it's that his time travel ability literally has no purpose. i mean, in other stories that involve a character having the ability to time travel (at least stories i've known anyway), there's always a goal to the the time loop. like, oh, i have to prevent this tragedy from happening to my loved ones. or, i have to save such and such from a terrible fate. or it's a sort of fallacious-continuity loop where they have to do something in the past in order to preserve the present time. or even just something as simple as they're trapped in a loop not out of their own volition and they have to find a way or do something different in order to break that loop.

but there's none of that with flowey.

his very first save point happened decades after he and chara and a number of other humans had died. he didn't get the ability to save and reset because he was supposed to save the world, he got it as a result of an experimental malpractice. him being able to save and reset was not intended; like life in general, it was just something that happens, the result of a string of tragedies that led to this point.

and it's such a well written plot point too that technically he can't do anything that matters with his save files. will he be able to bring chara back from the dead and prevent his parents from separating if he resets enough time? no, because the earliest he could go was the time he woke up in the garden. will he be able to stop frisk from falling down to the underground at one point in the future by changing something in his resets? also no.

and so the time loop flowey subjects himself to becomes a hell of his own making. he died young, and he died thinking that the failure of his and chara's plan was entirely his own fault, and so his resets reflected what he thought of that. he tried to make friends with everyone, solve everyone's problems, give everyone a happy ending. maybe thought that if he could fix every trouble that he could find then his guilt would be assuaged somewhat. but no, even past it all he was still too numb to feel affection for his parents, for anyone.

could he have moved past this if he just simply didn't reset and let time progress as normal? possibly, yeah! we saw in the alarm clock dialogue that he'd let papyrus give him a festive red bow even though it's september, gave his mother a glass of water after she fell asleep drunk, talked about wanting a bike. but would he have stopped resetting if the ability wasn't forcibly ripped away from him? definitely not.

because to him in his lowest, most desperate, the allure of this OP ability is too much. surely there must be something, something in this limited amount of time he could reset back to that he could change that could fix everything. surely there was something that could make everything okay again. but there wasn't, because he's already too far into the future for any of his desirable changes to even be possible.

and so flowey's resets no longer became "i must repeat until i break free", as it has never been that in the first place; it became "i physically cannot die in a way that matters". desperation for any of his action to have consequences, desperation to have something good that lasts. he traps himself in the loop, all while constantly calling out chara's name, hoping for some miracle that he would be able to revive them somehow. just out of desperation of something along the lines of, "i can do anything and everything in this world, anything but the thing i want the most,"

and so, as aptly put by lemon bread, this is the world that flowey has trapped himself in:

[caranfindel]

Episode recap/review: Walker 1.14

I didn't expect to recap 1.14 and yet here I am, still avoiding my unfinished Summergen fic. I'm actually writing this in real time, as I watch the episode. So for once I'm not pretending I don't know what happens. I literally don't know.

We begin with Cordell and Grandpa clearing up the crime scene. How much do I love Cordell saying "Daddy?" A lot. And not in that way, you perverts. It just really brings out the Texan.

Liam is in bed, recuperating. He gets a call (note that he calls himself William professionally, which is news to me, and I like it for whatever reason) from someone asking for a comment, which he starts to angrily refuse before Gramma Walker grabs his phone and hangs up. Gramma Walker going all Mama Bear for Liam is also interesting, and unexpected. But Liam says "I can take care of myself" and she says "No, you can't. None of you boys can." And then looks sadly out the window, where Cordell and Grandpa are taking down the crime scene tape. I just have to think "none" and not "both" means she's thinking of poor dead Hoyt, who she obviously loved like a son, if not more so. (More evidence for the Hoyt is her lovechild file? Maybe.)

Geri shows up, wearing an unnecessary cowboy hat and Hoyt's old jacket. She's bearing Hoyt's last will and testament, written on a bar coaster! Oh, my heart. And in case you can't read it:

If I get shivved in the shower or some old horse kicks me upside the head. For real Liam stamp it and everything - I leave everything to Geri/"Geraldine Broussard"/angle [sic] face sweet lips etc. So that plot I bought over in Tanglewood is for her and whatever I got in my pockets or elsewhere. See ya in the next life.

Angle face!

I'm not sure this would stand up in court, since he didn't even sign his last name, although it is witnessed by William Walker. Anyway, it's a moot point, because the land Hoyt intended to give Geraldine "Angle Face" Broussard is transferring to new owners, effective tomorrow. Which makes no sense. The deal fell apart because he died, and yet it's so soon after his death that the police tape is still up. New owners wouldn't be in the picture that quickly. Reverting to previous owners, because it was owner-financed? Sure. But not new owners. (Whatever, Caranfindel. Move it along.) She asks Cordell to go with her to gather his personal belongings. And to bring the kids. Hmmm, let's see how Stella can mess this up. (Tanglewood is 71 miles from Austin. Of course I looked it up.)

But first, Cordell has to sign paperwork to begin his leave of absence. So he didn't actually intend to quit. I mean, we all knew he'd be back, but I kind of thought he was, at the time, intending to quit for good. Does Connie the HR person have a big old crush on him? There is hand touching and deep, serious gazing.

Touch him, Connie. Touch him for those of us who cannot.

Micki is sitting right outside the conference room where he signs his papers but still acts surprised that he's in the building. Did she not smell the rosemary mint shampoo as he walked by? He thanks her for the flowers and apologizes for not calling her back. And then cancels their lunch plans so he can go off with Geri and the kids.

Someone said this on Tumblr, and I think it bears repeating here. It's interesting comparing Cordell's grief, over his wife and now his best friend, to Sam's grief. Cordell is clearly deeply affected, and is also clearly moving on. Sam is just unhinged.

Elsewhere. The gang stops for lunch and reminisces about Hoyt dressed as Santa, wearing assless chaps. Well. That's memorable. (Also, I know people who did the whole leaving horse manure and pretending it's reindeer poop thing. Some people are just a lot more into Santa than I was.) Trevor (Travis? Whatever) called Stella. She's apparently avoiding him. Probably a good call, sis. Maybe the only one you've made in 14 episodes. (To be fair, I didn't watch the first four.)

Micki shares tacos with her boyfriend, whose name I can never remember, having been stood up by Cordell. She tells him Cordell seemed "off," which is great now, Micki. Why didn't you pay more attention to that feeling last week? The BF thinks Micki herself might be off, because she misses her partner. And she calls him family. Captain What's His Face comes to talk to Trey (that's his name, dammit) and asks if he knows a guy who goes to the same physical therapist's office. Friends, when I've done PT, I don't even know people who go to my therapist, let alone just go to someone in the same office. But maybe folks in Austin are just friendlier than they are round these parts. Oh, wait. The guy is missing, and was last seen in a heated discussion with Trey? What's up with that, Trey?

Tanglewood. Cordell asks the nice lady (realtor? owner?) about Hoyt's "personal affects," and she says "they are probably out grazing." Because Hoyt's personal effects are four horses and a llama. Which Geri owns now. "Where am I going to board four horses and a llama?" she asks. Cordell is oddly befuddled (and adorably, cause y'all know how I feel about befuddled Jared), as if he didn't live on a ranch. With horses. The family business, remember? The kids are entranced. I would be too. It's a damn cute llama. One of the mares actually nursed the llama, so they're family. (Watch out for falling anvils.)

Micki's house. Trey says the "heated discussion" was the missing guy showing him a judo move. Captain asks Trey to ride along and help him investigate, and poor partnerless Micki asks if she can come with.

Tanglewood. Apparently Hoyt's personal affects also included gear for the four horses, because everyone is saddled up. Geri doesn't seem like an experienced rider - she keeps her hand on the pommel of the saddle, which I always heard was a rube move. (At least she's not clutching the saddle horn. No shade. It's hard not to. It's a perfect handle and it's just right there.) Cordell, of course, rides perfectly, as he does everything perfectly.

Everything except his job. And raising his kids. But do I care about those things? Not so much.

Geri thinks the llama looks unwell. What is she, a llama expert? A veterinarian? And what are they doing on this trail ride anyway - taking the herd back to the Walker ranch? It's 71 miles away! It's an hour and a half driving! How will they get the truck? Why didn't Cordell just say "let's go back to the ranch and get Daddy's cattle trailer?" WHY.

(No one cares. No one but you thinks about these things.)

Stella is on her phone, but it turns out she's (allegedly) re-reading Hoyt's last text, not chatting with friends. And then she says she was "responsible for everything." Oh, wait. We're going there? Stella is finally going to face the music? Cordell says it's not her fault, but they're interrupted by the llama, who apparently is in distress. Cordell wants to leave him at a random homestead. Permanently? Like, "excuse me, ma'am, but can you take this llama?" Or just while they get the horses home? I dunno.

August doesn't like this, because the llama and the horses are family. Geri distracts him by claiming Hoyt wanted him to have the jacket she's wearing, although I find this rather dubious, because why did she wait so long to mention it? Why is she wearing it herself? It's a lucky jacket he won from a tarot card reader and card hustler named The Mystifying Mehar, who was "infamous for getting out of trouble because of that jacket." Cordell then asks Geri to go off with the kids while he hangs back and tries to ditch the llama. Oh no, Cordell, don't do that. He's family!

Back at the ranch, Grandpa chases off some more journalists. He also ignores Gramma's concern about his cancer.

Trail ride. We skipped the whole bit where Cordell found someone willing to take in a goddamn llama, caught up with his kids, and told them what he did. They're mad that he wouldn't even try, and then Stella impulsively rides off, almost falling into a revine.

Team Sassyboots 2.0 questions the missing guy's wife. Turns out he left a note. Doesn't sound like he's as missing as they thought. He said he would "fix everything," i.e., their upcoming foreclosure. They check his workshop and find evidence that he was a military contractor, and apparently this means he should have no money problems whatsoever, because they don't understand how money works. His gun safe is empty, so they figure he's on some kind of "black ops" job. And if it's going to be complete by Monday, I assume it's something local, and not a military operation.

Walker Ranch. Someone who is Liam's "political opponent" comes to take care of him? And he's bringing barbeque? Is it poisoned? Gramma says Liam can't have barbecue because he's on bedrest, as if one had anything to do with the other. And... Grandpa wants to go mushroom hunting with her? Is that what the kids call it these days?

Trail ride. Cordell found someone to keep the horses. Temporarily? I'm still confused. Stella and Geri talk about Hoyt, and Stella asks about her forgiving him. Thinking about some forgiveness toward your own bad boy, Stella? She says "the two of you were always kind of like the dream to me," which is odd considering they were off-and-on, while her parents were very much on, and definitely seem more like couple goals. But okay. Stella confesses again that she is responsible, and Geri says "you let love in, maybe; that's your worse crime." I wonder if Stella blames herself for the fake truck crash that started the whole domino effect, or if she even realizes that's what happened. Obviously Geri wouldn't. Hmmm, I wonder what August thinks about all this?

Walker Ranch. Whoever this political opponent is, he must be a family friend, because he gave a toast at Cordell and Emily's rehearsal dinner. "Hey, when did your brother have such long hair," he asks, looking at a picture of the happy couple. Liam is growing facial hair again. I like it. Opponent suggests the spicy barbecue will put hair on Liam's chest and Liam tosses it aside and says "no, dammit, after I spent all that time waxing?" And Liam might drop out of whatever race he's in. I don't really care about that part. Let's talk more about Liam's chest.

I love that they can use actual Padalecki family photos as Cordell and Emily photos. No bad Photoshop needed!

Team Sassyboots 2.0. I don't really care about this missing guy either. Skipping it. You know, I understand this is meant to be an ensemble show, and Jared Padalecki and his stupid pretty face and long legs are not going to be in every scene. But Micki working a case with her boss and her boyfriend just bothers me and I don't want to be a part of it.

Trail ride. They're bedding down in the barn for the night? What the fuck? Where are they? Why didn't they just drive home? I'm so confused! Cordell and Geri talk about Hoyt some more. Cordell makes an awkward comment about "us together" and then amends it to mean all of us together, as in you and me and the kids camping right now, not, like, you and me together together, and then does a little eyebrow thing like whoo, good job, talked your way out of that one. NO, CORDELL, YOU ARE NOT AS SMOOTH AS YOU THINK YOU ARE. Anyway. There's a lot of guilt about poor dead Hoyt. Cordell tells Geri her name is still on the Sidestep lease (lease? I thought they owned it?), as if being part owner of a bar is always going to be a good thing, with no liability at all. And they don't kiss, for which I am grateful. The horses are really acting up. I hope nothing's happening.

Cordell checks on the horses and apologizes to the mare for leaving the llama behind. He realizes he made the wrong choice. "You know what," he says. "Let's go fix this."

I adore him.

Walker Ranch. Grandpa and Gramma have been mushroom hunting and are now getting silly. Um, what kind of mushrooms did you two find? And then Grandpa says "tonight's about Hoyt," which I do not understand. "I saw the joy he gave you," Grandpa says. Yes, Grandpa, and do you not find that even a little bit fishy? And then he decides to build something.

Trail ride. Cordell went and retrieved his llama! He is precious. I love him so much. He has some pratfalls in the same ravine that almost caught Stella, and then his family shows up and rescues him. (Can I point out that his "a-ha-ha" laugh is the same one we heard when he opened his gift from Dean in "A Very Supernatural Christmas" and I'm not sure it appeared in any other episode?) August offers the Lucky Jacket to use as a llama harness to haul the little guy out of the ravine. Oh, and it turns out the llama is about to give birth.

And, while I'm skipping Team Sassyboots 2.0, it's hard to ignore that Micki is now in a UFC fight. That might have been an interesting story after all. Y'all can fill me in.

Walker Ranch. They're building a little stable. Because this big horse ranch doesn't have enough stables. Liam, who was bedridden to the point of not being able to eat barbeque yesterday, is now helping build. He gets a text from his former fiance, who wants to talk. And Grandpa has decided to treat his cancer. Happy endings all around!

Micki's house. She says she was passive-aggressive with Walker because she's afraid of losing him. I get it, sweetie. He's someone you don't want to lose.

Trail ride. August is carrying the newborn llama, wrapped in the Lucky Jacket. Geri wants to cut out before they get to the ranch. She's going to ride the bus home? Seriously? Isn't her car at the Walker Ranch? She and Cordell talk abou their unfinished business. Yeah, like the fact she was probably involved in your wife's murder? That unfinished business, Geraldine? Grandpa meets them before they get to the ranch and informs them he has a strict no-llama policy on the ranch. But luckily, he just built an alpaca stable. They’re alpacas, not llamas. So, Geri called him, but how did he know they were alpacas? Did she send pictures? I am so confused. Anyway. The new family goes into their new home. They name the baby alpaca Hoyt, of course.

Little Hoyt, guys, he's the sweetest thing.

Breakfast. Political Opponent gives Liam a contribution. Oh, I get it. They're running for the same office, and he thinks Liam will draw votes away from his other opponent. Shrewd. Stella calls Trevor and says she might need to leave the past behind. And you are the past, Trevor. Cordell sees a truck pull up and runs out to meet Micki. She apologizes for holding a grudge over him leaving. She tries to shake hands and he hugs her instead. She thinks they can just be friends now instead of partners, and he says they're not friends, they're family. And then she oohs and aahs over the alpacas, which she recognizes immediately as alpacas and not llamas, and also points out that little Hoyt is actually a girl. Oops. Awkward. Cordell is surprised she can just tell. "Most people can." Yeah, you are the worst rancher's son ever. Then Cordell sees the fence is carved with a memorial to Hoyt. Aw.

He is also the sweetest thing.

So. Less drama than last week. More warmth. A ridiculous B story that was as annoying as giving Cas his own plot. Will I still watch next week? Yeah, probably. I have questions. How did Grandpa know they were alpacas? Where is the baby daddy? Can Cordell and his rancher father really not tell the difference between a male and female alpaca? Why is Geri riding the bus home, when her car is at the Walker's? Why is she avoiding the Walker Ranch? Will August ever get his own plot again?

It's just a shame that this episode didn't have any shout-outs to Supernatural, like the last one did...

[pangolinheart]

Hmmm I can kind of see where you're going here!

I put some of my general musings under the cut so as not to clog up people's dashes.

When it comes to focusing on ShB, I'm finished with Shadowbringers and all of the post-patches and can more or less visualize her reaction to most of the events in it, which is why I circled back to the backstory bit.

I could see her eventually reaching a breaking point with the Scions, but Rhiki is, at her core, not a confrontational person. And even though she resents the Scions for not caring about her, she wants to be the hero everyone sees in her. She just knows that she's not. She tends way more towards passive aggression, distancing herself, and minorly self-destructive behavior. That's why she tends to frequent the Forgotten Knight when she's near her limit. It's kind of a pressure valve for her emotions. She sees Rielle and Sid more as friends/family because they're not really accessories to the Warrior of Light business. She's helped and supported them, sure, but only because she decided she wanted to. She didn't have any obligation to them (she'd never let some poor kid die because she just didn't feel like getting involved, but that's more down to her own person conscience than outside influence.) She likes to go and spend the days doing things with Rielle and making sure she has fun - taking her shopping, teaching her card games, letting her demonstrate her conjury, etc. - which feels very normal and takes her mind off of things. Then, after Rielle goes to bed she hangs out with Sid and indulges in making bad choices - choices the Warrior of Light everyone sees her as wouldn't make. It helps her validate her own identity a little bit. She like Sid in particular for this because his life is a total dumpster fire so she feels like he's not going to judge her for being such a mess.

Obviously, on the First she doesn't have access to this particular escape, so she almost certainly spirals a little. Still, it would take a lot to make her decide to have it out with the other Scions, especially in front of others. Honestly I don't think lying about the light corruption would do it, especially because Y'shtola does tell the WoL about it when she realizes that Urianger isn't being honest with them, which is kind of a rare moment of trust and support that it would be a shame to sacrifice. (I don't even know if she's really angry at Urianger. She's more disappointed in him. She thought they were bonding! He asked her about his outfit! "Disappointed but not surprised" vibes. "Really, it's my own fault for expecting any better of you.")

If she was going to absolutely lose her mind on someone, it would probably be the Exarch (because she'd been skeeved out by him ever since she met him and this is a bridge too far. It's not just that he's (from her perspective at this point) willing to sacrifice her for the good of both worlds, it's that he felt like they had to lie to her about it because... what? He thought she'd say "Nah, no thank you" if she knew what she was getting into? She found it a little insulting that he, in her mind, assumed she was selfish enough to risk destroying two worlds full of people just so she didn't have to die (which she would anyway if both worlds were destroyed.) I could also see her snapping on G'raha after the end of ShB (because he still treats her like some sort of idol. Thancred is also a possibility, though she's more likely to lose her temper at him over his treatment of Ryne than his treatment of her. He jut tends to irritate her the most (because they have the most in common).

Of course, I can retcon all of the above, but I guess I'm not entirely sure how Rhiki finally lashing out at the Scions would solve the problem. They would know it exists, at least I guess. But Rhiki know she can't force them to like her or care about her. The most she can accomplish by yelling at them is to make them feel bad because they don't.

I have definitely considered that Rhiki's opinion of how the Scions view her may not reflect reality, and something similar happens with Alphinaud between the ARR postpatches and the end of HW. I just haven't been able to visualize any way that Thancred, Y'shtola, or Urianger would feel any differently about her. Their personalities aren't particularly compatible, and I can't think of anything that would make any of them particularly fond of Rhiki (compared to how they would feel about anyone else performing the same role.)

The thing about Lyse is interesting! I've never really imagined much of a dynamic between Rhiki and Lyse because, as an FC member once put it "Lyse has the personality of a shounen protagonist," which is to say not much of one at all. My opinion of Lyse has always been that Lyse is a great character trapped inside of a mediocre character (another addition to the list of "posts I won't make because I'm a merciful mutual" is the many, many ways Lyse could have had a real character arc in SB). I don't know how Rhiki would feel about Lyse having a crush on her, other than awkward. She's not really Rhiki's type (Rhiki's more interested in M'naago lol). It's definitely a workable example of people's feelings for Rhiki not being how they appear to her. IT's just hard to apply it to the non-Leveilleur Scions that are more of a presence in ShB.

I was kind of hoping there'd be more development of the Scions or time spent with them during ShB or Endwalker that would give me better ideas for resolving the tension in their relationship, though I didn't really get it, at least in Shadowbringers. Alternatively I was hoping there would be more non-Scion characters that Rhiki could lean on for support in case her relationship with them stayed poor, but I never really got that either - most of the fleshed-out NPCs (Lyna, Runar) already have a fixation of one of the problem parties, so they're out.

Her relationship with the twins is still good, though. She likes and gets along with both of them, and feels a lot of kinship with Alisaie. She's also very close with Tataru. I don't think she knows what to make of Krile. And Estinien is just some stray Man she has to look out for so he doesn't starve or put himself in dangerous situations,

I'm not sure I was going anywhere in particular with this, these were just some general thoughts I was having! I hope you don't mind me working out my thoughts under your post ^^;

@pangolinheart

Why not forget backstory entirely for a moment. The angle of Rhiki's strained relationship with scions and how that ties into the DRK story is really, really good.

Lean into it, remember?

Focus on ShB because it's more or less non optional and later decide if she went home for StB.

Maybe when Rhiki overhears Yshtola and Urianger talking about Rhiki and the Light corruption, she confronts them about it.

She goes at Urianger for acting like things are fine when she's super definitely not fine.

Then she goes at Y'shtola for not caring about her as a person, only as the carrier of the Blessing of Light.

Even with low self-confidence, she can hit her breaking point. She can hear fray in her heart and want... She doesn't know, really, but she can't keep pretending and going along with being the "hero"

I've read many many books on writing and characters and one of my favorite pieces of advice that has stuck with me is someone from Pixar

Paraphrasing: you can use any kind of bullshit, flimsy excuse to CAUSE problems because the story is in RESOLVING them.

Rhiki doesn't need a good reason to start a fight with the Scions, she just needs good reasons for however their relationships end up.

[specialability]

User @apfelhalm posted lamenting how people have mostly turned to posting fanworks only on semi-private discord servers and it blew up, so this slight resentment seems common. I have been on Many social media platforms over the years and have some Opinions, but didn't want to hijack their post since this turned long.

tl;dr discord definitely kinda sucks but it's not like there are a bunch of better options for semi-public fandom discussions :/

Discord is basically IRC with a flashier interface and voice chat. I have never been good at instant messaging or group chats, so my dislike of Discord extends from that. As soon as there are more than 3-4 people in a real-time conversation I need to focus on that convo and can do anything else at the same time. And in really busy servers/chats by the time I decide what I want to say and type it out the convo has moved on.

It's true that they're also not easily discovered and unless someone intentionally invites you, even if it's an open channel it's hard to feel welcome just walking into a room of strangers. If you already have a group of friends and just casually transition to discord so you can talk in real time more easily, it's fine. That's what it was built to do. It is more irritating when, as OP says, everybody just stops posting publicly anywhere else and just shares stuff to their one group discord. It is a really clumsy platform for finding or saving things and if it's even slightly active it's not possible to just check once or twice a day, you have to be on it all the time or you don't know what's going on. It's even worse if you aren't in the same time zone as everyone else. Like I said, it was the same 15 years ago in AIM chats or IRC channels, this isn't a unique or new problem. It's just that back then everyone who wanted to post any images or longer writing had to use other blogging sites as well due to character limits & the need for image hosting.

Despite disliking a lot of things about it, I have used discord regularly in the past when I've been part of gaming groups. There are competitors starting up, but it is still the first place to go for free gaming voice chat.

There are obvious reasons why people get tired of public fandom... I intentionally only use tumblr and not twitter for fandom stuff for the same reasons. So I can't really fault anyone for retreating behind closed doors.

It used to be that it was difficult to find and "join" fandom for technological/financial reasons and that friction meant the community was smaller and therefore there was a greater sense of safety through obscurity. There was also more consistency in social norms online and people who were bad actors would be shape up or be excluded simply because after a while they would be blocked from every available forum. This might seem overly harsh, but it's the way all small communities naturally police themselves. The unfortunate side effect is that charismatic bad actors in small communities can take over and ruin things for everyone who doesn't agree with them, especially if they can financially afford to run their own forums and suck all users out of other ones... but that still happens. And those fandom social norms could be inherently discriminatory towards marginalized groups, forcing people to put up with shit to participate at all... but that also still happens.

Fandom is now much more public. You don't "join" fandom in the same sense now, it's everywhere in popular media. Talk show hosts showing actors sexy fanart of themselves isn't even shocking any more, it's old hat. Some actors and creators knowing about fandom isn't new, but there was a certain understanding that you weren't supposed to shove it in their faces. Now it's unavoidable and corporations and savvy self-promoters capitalize on it (like that weird Interview With A Vampire fanfic app).

If all communities have 1% of users being intentional bad actors, with a group of 100 people that's only 1 person. You might be able to convince someone to not be an asshole at that ratio, and if they don't cut it out you can kick them out. With 1000 people that's 10 people, which is also somewhat manageable with an active moderation team. With 100,000 people that's 1000 people. That's a lot of harassment to deal with. With the number of users in the millions, it almost feels like there are more bad actors, trollers, grifters, and spam than there are genuine people. Not to mention you've now got a very non-homogenous group who are going to differ in opinions on things like NSFW content. And there's no way to kick or ban people from the community or provide meaningful moderation because there is no one community, there are several interlocking ones. I am sure that many people who joined fandom in the past 5-10 years simply do not know what an online community moderated space looks like outside of Discord.

All my opinions on internet communities is based on personal observation and some old internet truisms. There is a lot of nuance I am excluding for brevity's sake. I just think it's important for understanding why, when a community becomes super big and public, a lot of people flee for the hills to make new smaller groups. And right now that small and medium-sized semi-public community space is usually Discord.

Even if it's understandably the place people are congregating right now, I don't think anybody should get too comfortable on discord. They have made moves indicating they want to cash out. They have become harsher and harsher about NSFW content in the past couple years (due to the same reasons why tumblr has). Not to mention most people don't realize that discord as a company can view anything posted on any server, even private ones, so you need to assume nothing you post there is truly secure (especially if a corp you don't trust might buy it). Even if someone were to invent a new social media platform friendly to fandom (yet again. see also: dreamwidth, pillowfort, mastodon) they will run into a lot of the same problems w/r/t collecting funding that tumblr and discord have. So I don't see any other better options on the horizon and it's impossible to try to herd fandom in any particular direction, so who knows what the future will bring us.

[punkscowardschampions]

Rio & Buster

Rio: She's all set up at mine Rio: How long are you here? Buster: Cheers Buster: Just the weekend Buster: Well, that was the plan. Might head back tomorrow seeing as she's still avoiding me Rio: Yeah, I don't think she's budging Buster: I got that Rio: I did try but yeah Buster: Don't worry about it Rio: I do feel bad Rio: Not just for your wasted trip, like Buster: Not your problem Buster: Nance is sorted, your job here is done, like Rio: Yeah Rio: Well, least you got free house Buster: Thank Christ Rio: Are your parents actively avoiding you or you them? Rio: Have a knack of never being in the same country for very long Buster: Me or Nance, who knows or cares Buster: It's fine with me if they stay out of my way Rio: 'Course Rio: Party at yours yeah Buster: Goes without saying Buster: Unless I get a better offer Rio: 🤞 for you Buster: Yeah Rio: Sure all your Dubo lot have missed you Buster: Standard Buster: Hence I'll give 'em the night before I decide if I'm staying or going Rio: Very generous Buster: You know Rio: Well, hmu if you need anything Rio: Have fun, McKenna Buster: Very polite Buster: 'Course. Work hard, play hard, remember Rio: Duh Rio: Know you ain't forgot either Buster: Obviously Buster: Don't get black out drunk anymore, like Rio: Yeah? Rio: I'm glad Buster: I said I'd do better, babe Buster: Meant it same as everything else I chat Rio: I mean it too, I'm genuinely happy for you Rio: it's good Buster: Steady on, I'm still not 😇 Buster: Just my parents golden boy for now Rio: 🙄 Rio: Just leave your teachs alone and you've got it in the bag for this year Buster: Do my best Buster: Some of the professors are pretty daddy though Rio: 😂 Rio: So sure Rio: Not gonna knock it, one way to get ahead Buster: I'll send you some pics, at least one is bound to be your type Rio: Thanks so much Rio: least I know the 💲💲💲 is poppin' Rio: put up with worse for less Buster: Exactly Rio: Nancy missed a trick Rio: if you gonna go there, babe Buster: She'd get less shit for it Rio: Why? 'Cos it's a viable financial prospect? Buster: Well yeah Buster: But also 'cause it'd either be all his fault or she'd be a hot Lolita Rio: 🤢 Rio: but true Buster: You're telling me, I just the L word on my sister Buster: Gonna be sick now like Rio: Can't blame me on that, you went there all by yourself Buster: Take the bullet for me, babe Buster: Come on Rio: Sorry that's all you Rio: though no one was putting money on YOUR sister, if that makes you feel better Rio: all prepared for Edie to be pulling that shit Buster: Gotta have at least one surprise up her sleeve, nobody was surprised that she was a massive gay Rio: I mean Rio: Nah Rio: Bless her Buster: Feel free to take her to church, she'd be in it for the architecture photo ops if nothing else Rio: I really ain't wid praying the gay away, I swear Buster: 😂 Rio: Though she might be herself now Rio: trouble it's worth, like Buster: If she ever wants to chat, I'll let you know Rio: 😕 Buster: 🤷 Rio: Well done for trying though Rio: Like, actually Buster: You dared me Buster: Had to Rio: Oh, well done me then Rio: You still didn't have to, like Buster: Not an amateur, babe Buster: How many times Rio: 😏 Rio: Keep saying it 'til you believe it, babe Buster: Keep proving it until you can't deny it, you mean Rio: Sure, if you like Buster: You know I do Rio: Yeah Buster: Are you back with Indie? Rio: Yep Rio: Missed your chance for the bed going at ours though Rio: 'less you really wanna freak Nance out with your highkeyness Buster: Tempting as it'd be to see her face Buster: Not gonna trade a free house for your mad one Buster: Nance might be that idiot but I ain't Rio: 💔 Rio: My Ma, like Buster: I bet Rio: You know, more kids about the better always Buster: I'll bring whoever I can find while I'm out and out if she's that in need Rio: 😂 Don't encourage her Buster: Why not? It'd not like she'd even notice my quiet sister being there Rio: 'Course she will Rio: she's a good ma not just a ma of many Rio: let her focus Buster: Whatever Rio: don't be badmouthing my mum Rio: 🥊 Buster: I ain't Buster: Unlucky if you wanna fight Buster: You'll have to think of something else Rio: What, like it's hard? 😉 Buster: Not for you Rio: Bitch, I'm so chill Buster: Whatever you say, babe Rio: You know you the easy one Rio: to wind up Buster: I've never had any trouble winding you up Buster: I know that Rio: Well, you seem to enjoy it so much Rio: gotta let you have it Buster: You too Rio: Maybe Buster: Definitely Rio: Shh Buster: 😏 Rio: Idiot Buster: Maybe Rio: You're really going to make it that easy for me? Buster: I don't wanna make it hard for you Rio: I don't mind Rio: all the time, like Buster: I know Buster: It hasn't been that long, like, I remember Rio: Hmm Rio: feels it Buster: Yeah Rio: Oh well c'est la vie right Buster: It doesn't have to be Rio: No? Buster: No Rio: Tell me how to change it then Buster: What do you wanna change, babe? Rio: Come on Rio: you know Buster: I wanna hear it from you Rio: I want you back Buster: Well, I'm already back here, where else do you want me? Buster: Say the word and I'll come find you Rio: With me Rio: Let me come over? Buster: I'm not there but I'll head back now Rio: If you're busy, like Buster: Shut up Rio: I'm serious though Rio: What's a few more hours Buster: So am I Buster: Fuck, I miss you Rio: Promise Rio: I've been going crazy Buster: Me too, I swear Buster: As soon as you said what's a few more hours all I could think about is what I could do with you for that time Rio: Tell me Buster: It's stupid Buster: I just want to spend time with you Buster: Even if you got here and fell asleep I'd still be like Rio: I don't plan on it Rio: Waste of time, like Buster: That's what I'm saying though, it wouldn't be for me 'cause you'd still be with me Buster: Call me a nerd if you want Rio: I don't wanna Rio: but I don't wanna miss being with you either by sleeping Buster: Then don't Buster: Just an example, like Buster: We can do whatever you want Rio: I don't just wanna fuck you Rio: you know Rio: but I do Buster: Yeah Buster: I know Rio: Good 'cos you gotta Buster: Where are you now? Buster: I can come get you Rio: Back at the flat Rio: You've not sent out the party invites already have you? Buster: Nah Buster: I wasn't in the mood earlier Rio: I know Rio: but not sad about it now Buster: It's why I've been at the gym Buster: I know you won't be sad about that either Rio: Ugh Rio: Don't Rio: I bet you look so good right now Buster: [sends pics] Buster: 'cause yeah I do Rio: 😩 Rio: BUSTER Buster: Rio Rio: Come get me now Rio: I miss you so much Buster: I'm on my way, baby Buster: Promise Rio: I've been thinking about you all the time Buster: Yeah? All bad, like Rio: Nah Rio: That'd be way easier Buster: I can turn this car around if that's easier Rio: Don't you dare Buster: Thank Christ Buster: 'Cause yeah technically I can Buster: But I can't Rio: Don't Rio: It'd only be easier because missing you is so hard Rio: come, make me miss you less for a while Buster: I'll make you forget what missing me feels like Rio: Please Buster: You're only gonna want me Buster: Nothing else Rio: Already there Buster: Fuck, I need to be there at your door now Rio: Hope you're planning to get further than the front door like Buster: Do my best Rio: 😏 Buster: Might push you through it at least Rio: Better Rio: Ain't in the begging mood Buster: I am Rio: Is that so? Buster: I'm not too proud to admit it, like Buster: I need you to touch me Rio: Well I'm going to Rio: because I need to touch you too Rio: all over Buster: Please Rio: Of course, but you've got to be nice to me first Buster: I'm gonna be so nice to you Buster: for as long as you'll let me Rio: Shit Rio: I hope your parents don't come back Buster: They won't. I've learned my lesson and checked the schedule Rio: You really have learnt some things huh Buster: You'll see, babe Rio: It ain't been THAT long 😂 what you been practicing Buster: I've had a lot of time to think about you Buster: and what I wanna do to you Buster: not to mention when and when not to be a selfish cunt Rio: You've never been selfish like that Rio: Thank fuck Rio: have to really reconsider my life choices then Buster: I'll take that Buster: But I've still got a lot of lost time to lavish on you so Rio: Yeah Rio: I know you'll enjoy every moment of worshipping me, baby Buster: You too Buster: You might not be in a begging mood now but I'll get you there Rio: 🤤 Rio: Let's be real, it is not going to take a lot Rio: I'm so fucking needy Buster: I'm not mad about it Buster: You're so fucking hot when you want me Rio: All the time then? Rio: Thanks, babe 😜 Buster: It's not a lie Buster: You know you always look good Rio: You can enjoy the view from between my thighs, like Buster: Fine by me Rio: Hitting me with the fine Buster: 😂 Buster: I don't use it how you use it, babe Rio: 😑 mhmm Rio: nothing but the truth, yeah? Buster: 'Course Buster: We don't have to be playing for you to ask me for it Buster: You know that, yeah? Rio: Yeah Rio: but I wanna play Rio: 😻 Buster: I've really missed you Rio: I've missed you too Rio: I can't pretend any longer Buster: Don't Buster: Just be real with me Rio: I wasn't even with you Rio: not really, how could I Rio: you know Rio: but with myself and the rest Buster: If you mean that, I'll help you Buster: Whatever you need Rio: I mean, maybe Rio: dunno where I'd start Buster: It's not like you have to do it right now Buster: Be fucking rude frankly if you did 'cause I'm nearly there Buster: We can figure it out though, with your brains and my looks Rio: 😂 Rio: You know me Rio: such a busybody do-gooder, like Buster: You said it, babe Rio: Only 'cos you did first, babe Buster: Shut up Buster: You know how I feel about you Buster: And what I really think Rio: I like it when you tell me Buster: Well, I like it when you let me Rio: Say what you want Buster: I love you Rio: I love you Buster Buster: This isn't a mistake is it? Rio: Don't Buster: You said I could say what I want Rio: But Rio: I don't care if it is Rio: I need you Buster: I need you too so badly Buster: But I still care if it is Rio: Why? Rio: You've never cared before Buster: 'Cause it wasn't before Buster: Tell me it isn't now or tell me to go Rio: It isn't Rio: Don't go already Rio: I'm not going to hold it against you Buster: Don't regret me and I won't Rio: I won't Rio: I regret all this wasted time Rio: I know I had to but still Buster: I'm sorry Rio: Don't be Rio: It's done Buster: Is it? Buster: Are you really saying you're over it Rio: I'm over feeling this shit Rio: I'd rather have you Rio: it's not like you wanted her Buster: Yeah Buster: My head's been so fucked since Buster: I thought I couldn't feel worse, but every day I haven't been able to talk to you I do Rio: I don't want you to feel bad Rio: like I can't stop thinking about it Rio: but just because I think it's fucked she did it and your friends all just let it Rio: idk, maybe it's just 'cos I love you Rio: but idc Buster: I need new friends, don't I Buster: I'm just gonna hang out with you in the 24 from now on, sorry about it, like Rio: Thank fuck for Uni, can ditch 'em all and get new ones, babe Buster: Too right Buster: That's where I was this morning Buster: Checking out Trinity to see if it was full of cunts Rio: That's exciting Rio: How'd you rate it? Buster: It was alright Rio: You gonna put it on your list? Rio: know you got the money to apply to loads but still Buster: Yeah Rio: It'd be nice to have you near Rio: if we still fucking 😜 Buster: I wasn't planning on having multiple gap years, babe Buster: If you get sick of me that quick I am actually gonna have to learn some lessons Rio: Wasn't planning on stopping but you know Rio: 🐇 boiler Rio: only just got you back don't need to be fucking me chances already, like Buster: So you do wanna come with when I check out the american unis on my list then Rio: You serious? Buster: 'Course Buster: At least it wouldn't be boring if we went together Rio: Might be tricky working out excuses Rio: but I want to Buster: We ain't amateurs, babe Buster: We can figure it out Rio: Me pretending I could get in like 🤔 hmm yes Rio: 😂 Buster: You're there to meet their hot professors, obviously Buster: I'm doing you a favor and hooking you up, like Buster: Cousin's prerogative Rio: That works Rio: dead believable that Buster: Cheers Buster: Well proud of it Rio: Don't ask fam, sugar daddy hunting Rio: ain't even gonna talk to that dickhead, like, psh Buster: I'm fine with not talking 😏 Rio: Exactly Rio: not even lying to 'em Buster: Am I coming in or are you coming back to mine? Buster: 'Cause if Indie interrupts us I swear to god Rio: Better play it safe Rio: just this once, like Buster: I won't make you put your seatbelt on if you feel like you need to even the score Rio: Ooh Rio: so sexy Rio: this from the man who basically put an IV drip in me 'cos hydration Buster: You don't remember that Buster: Shh Rio: I do though Rio: win that rep back babe, lemme run with scissors or something really naughty Buster: As much as I want you on my lap while I drive I'm also too young and attractive to die, like Buster: I'll think on Rio: You save that for the after Rio: but imma do what I want 'til then 😏 Buster: Yeah? Rio: Duh Rio: If I haven't frustrated you proper then you aren't gonna punish me right either Buster: I thought you wanted me to be nice to you Rio: That is nice Rio: Don't act like you don't know how much I love it Buster: I just wanted to hear you say it Rio: I'll tell you all about it whilst you try to focus Rio: 😇 Buster: Go on then Buster: Distract me Rio: Okay Rio: You wanna see what I'm wearing for you? Buster: I'm not gonna say no to an offer like that Buster: Good opening bid, babe Rio: Not an amateur, babe Rio: [Lingerie pics] Buster: You really aren't Buster: It'll almost be a shame to rip that off of you Rio: If you like it you can keep it Rio: dunno about the fit but Buster: Is that one from the fantasy list you never told me about, like? Rio: 😏 Rio: Depends if you gonna do it 😂 Buster: Depends on the fit, obviously, babe Rio: You break it you owe me Rio: either way I'm winning 😋 Buster: I'm gonna break it anyway Buster: Wasted time, remember Rio: Any excuse to go shopping with you Buster: Don't blame me if they kick us out before I get a chance to flash any cash Buster: You know what you get me like Rio: Somehow, don't think I'll be that mad about it Buster: I mean, you can be a little mad, I like that Rio: I know exactly what you like Buster: Glad you didn't forget Rio: How could I? Rio: When you're the only thing that's been on my mind Buster: Had any more dreams about me? Rio: Yeah Rio: Too many Rio: then I wake up and you're not there so I have to settle for closing my eyes and pretending it's you when I fuck myself Buster: I know. Me too, baby Buster: But I'm here now and we have plenty of time Buster: I'll make at least some of them come true for you Rio: I know you will Rio: just that good Buster: Think about how many times I've made you cum in one night and then double it Buster: Then you'll know how much I want you right now Rio: If I think about that I'm liable to cum right now Rio: Lemme get in the car first damn baby Buster: If you need to, like you said, I'm not that selfish Buster: But I'm basically at the flat so unless you do want me to crash you might wanna wait Rio: It's cool, I ain't driving Rio: hands and mouth free Rio: so much I can do Buster: Fuck Buster: That's so unfair. I still have to Rio: Poor baby Rio: I'll drive you sometime and return the favour if you want Buster: I want you Rio: Good because you have me Buster: Say that again Rio: You've got me, Buster Rio: whenever you want me Buster: Good Buster: Get in the car Rio: 🤤 Rio: How long I gotta take to make you say that again? Buster: Are you really gonna hold out to find out? Buster: Get in the car, Rio Rio: I've fucking missed you Buster: I've missed you too Buster: So fucking much Buster: You'll see Rio: I see you now Rio: you look so good, and ridiculously out of place outside these shitty flats Rio: let's go Buster: I could say the same thing to you Buster: But instead I'm gonna tell you to hurry up or I'll carry you Buster: We're getting out of here one way or another Rio: you always wanna pick me up Rio: know i'm tiny and adorable but please Buster: Please is right Buster: You'd love it Rio: Yeah Rio: You make me feel safe Buster: Good 'cause you are with me Buster: You're mine, I'm never gonna let anything happen to you Rio: Okay, getting in now because you're just Buster: If you think that's gonna shut me up, sorry to say, unlikely

[sushigal007]

"Even on published works, there's a content warning for rape."

I've read several Stephen King books with rape scenes in, and not a single one had any kind of content warning for it. There was a particularly brutal one in The Library Policeman that took me entirely by surprise, and I probably won't read it again. Of course, you could say "well, it's Stephen King, what did you expect when you opened it?" and I would roll my eyes and say "'Stephen King' is not a synonym for 'Dead Dove'. He wrote a short horror story about a set of wind-up walking teeth and put it in the same book as a baseball essay, I don't know what to expect. All I have is his name and a short synopsis. If it's an anthology, I might not even get that. Every story is a different surprise punch in the face." That is what the "creator chose not to include Archive Warnings" tag means.

A Dead Dove tag, on the other hand, is the opposite. It tells me nothing on its own, because it's not supposed to (unless your story literally contains dead doves, I guess). It's not a generic warning for icky stuff, it is a specific spoiler warning, an instruction to pay attention to the other tags. It means that if an author puts a story on AO3 and tags it 'Dead Dove' and 'rape', there will 100% be a scene where that unambiguously happens, so if you can't handle it, do not open it, and if you do open it, don't say they didn't warn you.

Anyway, OP is NTA, they used the tags correctly, and it's not their fault you lot have started inventing your own definitions for them.

AITA For Not Tagging a Work?

I, 32F, write primarily for my own enjoyment, my main platform being AO3. I currently have a multi-chaoter series that includes several major plot twists, including one that includes non-con. To avoid spoiling it, because I believe my stories deserve to be read with as little background info as possible, I only tag it as "Creator CHOSE not to Include Archive Warnings". Which is, as I hope is obvious, is not synonymous with "There Are No Warnings". The point is, I don't use the Rape/Non-con tag. Recently, I got a very upset reader in my comments complaining about how triggering that chapter of my work is, and that's where I have a problem. I believe the corporate obsession content warnings pervading even fanworks to be a major problem. I don't want to sanitize my work, but I do get that they contain pretty heavy themes. But I feel like I seriously do give my stories a disservice by adding labels on them, and maybe I am the asshole for this, but I value my pride and joy (my work) over strangers online. AITA?

What are these acronyms?