#and also if you can/want to explain to me what that actually means if I am wrong in my assumption

[bajablastwrites]

Random ENA Headcannons I Thought About

ENA x reader

Summary: a few headcannons mainly focused on human biology and anatomy, but there’s other topics sprinkled in as well

Author’s Note: I like the idea that ENA would be fascinated with how humans work since, you know. She’s not human, and probably thinks you’re the weird one in her world.

————————————————————————

⁃ Honestly, she probably thinks you’re really really weird appearance wise. You quickly form an attachment to her since she’s pretty much your guide when it comes to navigating her world. She’d definitely be fascinated with your hair, since it’s not a single solid piece resting on top of your head. Whether you let her mess around with your hair is up to you.

⁃ Your body is a constant topic of interest to her, in comparison to her solid polygon body, yours is soft, smooth and squishy. So she’s constantly squishing and poking at your body. Though, you have to establish what is and isn’t appropriate for her to touch— without your permission at least.

⁃ You quickly learned that chocolat (chocolate) was actually a form of currency when ENA lost her mind watching you pretty much eat her money. After Meanie finished screaming at you for eating her hard earned money, while trying to force your mouth open in an attempt to get her money back— you immediately apologized and explained to her that chocolate is simply a tasty sweet to munch on where you come from. It’s the first recognizable food you saw in her world and assumed it was made with the intend to be eaten. She seemed to calm down a bit once she processed that you didn’t eat her coins out of malice, she actually found your form of currency to be the weird. Paper and metal? As currency to pay for goods and services? How odd. After clearing the misunderstanding up, she put you to work because she still wants her money back. Which is fair enough.

⁃ She doesn’t understand the concept of eating since we never see any entities actually eat, except when they’re transporting ENA to a new environment. She doesn’t seem to need to eat either, so the idea of putting something in your mouth and swallowing it being a very essential part of your survival was a concept she was very unfamiliar with. But if it means her new coworker gets to stay by her side and not eat her money, she’ll find something that can be deemed as edible based on your description on what you consider to be food.

⁃ ENA loves to watch you eat. That’s it, she just likes to watch you eat. It’s very fascinating to her, watching you chew and swallow something she brought you makes her happy. To her It feels like she’s contributing to your survival (which she is), so she’ll just stare at you the entire time you’re eating. Will it make you nervous? Yes. Will she stop if you ask her to? No. She can’t eat (as far as we know) so she can’t experience that for herself, so she watches you eat instead.

⁃ “Can you stop staring at me?” You awkwardly asked. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline your request, my dearest work partner. I’m currently witnessing two business assets merging together, it’s a momentous occasion that I have to witness for myself!” She leaned forward eagerly, invading your personal space and coaxing the odd looking sandwich you were holding towards your mouth. Her meanie side quickly growing impatient at your hesitance to eat under her gaze and shoving the meal into your mouth. “HURRY UP AND CHEW THE STUPID SANDWICH ALREADY!!”

⁃ Sleep is also a strange concept to her, but it’s at least something you can try and teach her to do. Though, you’ll probably have to pitch it to her like paid business expense, a promotional reward or as a business tax write off if you want her to take a nap with you. She’s seen other entities and creatures nap and sleep, so it’s not something new to her. It’s just that ENA doesn’t need sleep so she doesn’t do it, but you do so it’s not uncommon for you to wake up, only to see her inches away from your face. She tries not to disturb you while you’re asleep, but you waking up because you can feel her staring at you is both alarming to her as it is interesting.

⁃ If by chance ENA manages to read up on humans to learn more about you and how your body works, she’s going to be asking you a lot of questions or observe you more to see if what she read was true. Not only does she want to learn about you as a species, but it’s also her way of showing that she cares about you as well. It’s basically the “trying to bond with my male cat, but idk what men like so I took him to Home Depot.” Meme.

⁃ She didn’t know what you liked to do for fun so she took you to “hunt and gather” with her💀

⁃ ENA later learned what you actually like to do for fun and you guys do that instead during the rare occasions she has free time.

⁃ Your biology fascinates her, she wants to know everything about it. If you let her, she’ll run her hands over your body in order to feel your bones and joints— basically giving you a physical exam out of curiosity. When she learns about human reproductive organs she’s practically fixated on you. The concept that you can create a new life form with your body is truly fascinating to her.

⁃ “You mean to say that you have an organ with the ability to create new life inside your body is verifiably true?” ENA asked with curiosity, anticipating conformation of this new information she learned about. “Uh, yeah, why do you ask?” Mildly confused at her sudden question. “Amazing! Truly splendid, a self sufficient entrepreneur with an amazing asset full of endless potential and possibilities!” Her salesman side praised.

- It doesn’t matter to her if other humans are also capable of doing the same thing, what matters to her is that you have the capacity to do so. She’s fascinated with you and you only, you’re the only human here after all. Humans are interesting to her because you’re interesting to her.

[of-the-eclipse]

Yknow what, I'm actually coming back to this because it's been on my mind since I reblogged it yesterday. (Apologies to advance to you oomf for the upcoming rant/discussion)

I have always been hesitant to try and find "deeper meaning" in the ENA series, and in ENA as a character, because of how silly and weird it is most of the time (surreal for the sake of being surreal). Whenever I have thought of interpretations like this, like "both ENAs are probably autistic" or "the ENAs are just straight up experiencing racism/discrimination", I have felt kind of silly for it; I'm making something out of nothing.

But seeing this particular interpretation after others like it really does make me think, or at least hope, that there is an intention of grander symbolism.

Looking at it through this view (ena is trans, autistic, an immigrant) really makes me view the series in a different way, a way I have subconsciously always wanted to but felt silly for doing so. It makes me see a lot of characters and their interactions with ENA differently, especially Moony and Froggy as the deutertagonists to each Ena.

In my pondering on them, I have kind of come to interpret Froggy as one of those friends with good intentions, but comes across as ableist anyway. This is mostly in the beginning when he mentions several times how Ena "talks funny", and when explaining what her job is tries to phrase it "in way she can understand". Again, good intentions and trying to help, but it comes off as kind of demeaning. Moony is in a similar boat, though she is more directly rude. Its pretty clear to me that she still LIKES Ena, that's her friend! But she often makes Ena's emotional state worse or gets too impatient with her.

Also. The Enas being trans. Oh my god it makes so much sense and I feel a lot better about having it as a headcanon for both of them. I've always noticed how both Enas have their masculine voice as the more "tolerable"/positive side of her, but never thought of it as much beyond a coincidence. But it being tied to *expected gender roles* really just is an interpretation that blows my mind with how obvious it feels now. It really touches me in a way i can't explain, like "maybe I'm not crazy for drawing these parallels to myself (as both a trans and autistic experience)".

I can't think of much more to ramble on without getting nonsensical, maybe I'll reblog a continuation later, but I guess I just want to thank you?? For this interpretation?? I didn't even touch on the last sentence because I'm not sure if I'm reading it the way you intended. But it really did kind of touch me and has changed my view on ENA.

To sum it up: "wow, so i WASN'T weird for relating to Ena's experience in a trans autistic way (and for reading her treatment from others as racism)".

EDIT: I just realized I forgot to mention ANYTHING about the Purge Event... that entire section of the game has so much to it and makes me incredibly sad for ENA. The one npc here that especially discomforts me is that one guy on the ceiling i didn't know you could talk to, who says: "Come on; give me a smile. / You're bringing me down. / You're bringing us down." And Ena's entire thing she had going on during the party... i just don't know how to tie it back to the above themes. I'll ponder on this.

ENA (both iterations , but especially DBBQ) is very blatant surrealist representations of the absurd reality of being: some sort of autistic, transgender, immigrant , your existence is like some sort of implicated manifestation of your larger race, you are An Ena, you have different facets from yourself , the palatable ego and the less pleasant alter, both representations of the expected gender but also volatile and fragile stability of your mind under pressure to Perform, the servicial Ena, the demanding Ena, you struggle within your own individualism but the dualism is simply a Part of you you cant tear off without the risk of completely losing that body

[natsredbra]

Tough graded

summary: Lottie thinks you’re mean - repeated tutoring sessions and a party proved her wrong!

pairing: Lottie Matthews x fem!reader

a/n: i hate this lowk but that happens with all my other stuff anyway soo

warnings: angst at the end, none other (mostly fluff and lesbian yearning)

word count: 3.5k

taglist: @towabirdno1fan, @minariiis, @feralnataroni, @lesbabe6, @radioactivesweet, @flurpe ,@ashliami, @johnnytoothpick @ikeepgettinglostwithchairs, @wompingburg

Lottie Matthews was a sweetheart. Everyone knew it. She was a popular girl, at least in a sense that everyone knew her. To be honest, she didn’t have many close friends, most of them being people she simply hangs out with.

Then there was you. You were just another student in Wiskayok High, with an average life, average home and average friend group. You were also familiar with Lottie, having being the first person she talked to once she moved from New York.

It was freshman year, and you’d never seen her before, her tall, seemingly confident appearance intimidated you a little. Somehow, you rubbed her up the wrong way that day and since then, she kept her distance. You didn’t notice it or pay much mind to her, but you always felt like she avoided you.

———————

“Settle down, class. We’re about to start.” Your chemistry teacher called out, preparing for the lecture as she attempted to calm a classroom of noisy teenagers down.

You sat in your admittedly uncomfortable chair, doodling in your notebook. At this point, it was as if the clock was going backwards. Ms Greene was in her own world, explaining something that might as well have been in chinese. Did I mention you don’t know dick about chemistry? And who could blame you, it’s not like any of this is actually important in the real world.

Fiddling with the sleeve of your shirt, your mind wandered. You remembered you had leftover sandwich from your lunch, and were eager to eat it on your break. You also tried to come up with a plan on how to convince your parents to let you go to Jackie Taylor’s party on Saturday. But just as you were planning the dialogue, your teacher spoke something you deemed more significant.

“So I graded your tests, you mostly did okay. Shauna - kudos, the only 100.” The professor spoke, and you knew exactly what was to come.

“Y/N, come see me after class.” She said, looking at you through her glasses. There it was.

You dreaded the moment but once the bell rang, instead of exiting the classroom and getting your paper on your way out, you stayed back, waiting. It was like a walk of shame at this point.

“You wanted to see me?” You inquired dreadfully.

“Yes, I did. I take it you know why?” The woman said, sounding disappointed. Why would she be fucking disappointed, she’s not your mother!

“Guess so.”

“You got exactly 38%. Now, I’m wondering why that is? You told me you tried harder, you said you understood the curriculum.” She exclaimed, handing you your exam. Lots of the color red.

“I know! But it’s like whatever I study never shows up!” You defended, clutching your backpack.

“Well I’d hate to see you fail. So that’s why I thought of something else. Tutoring. I think it’d be very beneficial for you, a peer could provide an easier explanation.” Ms Greene said as if she discovered warm water, making you internally roll your eyes. “And I have just the perfect girl for it.” She continued.

Before you could protest, or say anything really, you could hear the door open again.

“You asked to see me?” Lottie Matthews, in all her glory said once she walked in. “I’m sorry I missed class today there was this-“ She started before the teacher cut her off.

“No, no. I know the situation, it’s perfectly fine. I wanted to talk to you about tutoring your friend from class here. She needs all the help she can get, and frankly I think you’d be perfect for it.” She explained and you were baffled with the implied insult.

Lottie on the other hand looked like her cat just got shot.

“Um- I just don’t know if I’d be right for that.” She said with an insecure tone, which was dismissed.

“No, as I said- after Shauna you’re the best in class, and god knows that girl has a lot on her plate. Thank you for your help, miss Matthews.” Greene said, leaving no room for argument on Lottie’s side.

You felt awkward. The tension was eating you alive and you weren’t even sure why there was any as you two stood, looking everywhere but each other.

“You’re both dismissed.”

“Right.”

———————

The library felt suffocating with how quiet it was. People your age all around you, focusing on their studies just as you did, though they made it seem so effortless.

Lottie sat across from you, reading a book for her english class that you didn’t catch the name of as you answered some homework questions.

“I don’t get this.” You said in an annoyed tone, making her raise her head in uncertainty.

“Well that’s why I’m here. What can I help with?” She asked with a sweet smile. Overdo, much?

“This. None of these structures make sense and they all look the same!” You complained, louder than one could in there which earned you a dirty look from the librarian.

“What do you mean though? It’s pretty logical, this one is connected with this carbon cause-“ Lottie started, getting a bit closer to you to see the paper properly. That was, until she noticed you seemed entirely uninterested in what she had to say.

“Are you listening? I’m trying to help you.” She asked in that tender tone that always laced her voice. Lottie was very hard to truly piss off.

You felt kind of bad when you noticed how genuine she seemed, it almost melted all your rough walls down. Once you looked up at her you were met with big, rich brown eyes that glowed in the golden colored afternoon sun. Her lips rested in a slight, disappointed pout as she fiddled with the pencil between her fingers.

“Sorry. Yeah, show me.” You apologized with a sigh, leaning forward to better see what she was speaking of.

Lottie gave you a small nod and smile, really showing off those rosy cheeks. Well she was beautiful, but who didn’t know that already?

You really did try your best to pay attention to whatever she was saying, she did put her all into it. But it was difficult, after her hand brushed with yours when handing you an eraser, or when she flashed you a big, toothy smile every time you got something right.

Okay, okay. You’ve had a crush on Lottie Matthews for ages, so what? What wasn’t there to like? She was smart, athletic, nice and so damn cute. But it’s not like she’d ever notice you. You simply weren’t in her league.

What did Lottie think though? She thought you hated her. Thought you were rude and arrogant. You never spoke to her unless it was a grunt that passed as a reply even though you cross paths so often. You avoided her like a plague when it came to seating arrangements in class. Once, you wouldn’t even let her have a cigarette.

But this all felt different to you both. To Lottie, she thought you finally broke the ice - she savored the sweet voice you used in a sentence like a bottle of good, fancy wine. And you learned she might not have been so out of reach after all.

The session you had stretched on, and once you finally understood some of the schoolwork you needed to do, your conversation bent into something more casual. Getting to know her was nice.

She told you about how her parent’s divorce affected her. You learned she, quite begrudgingly, went to her dad’s at New York every two weeks. She also said that her favorite kool aid flavor was Black Cherry, and her favorite candy bar was a snickers.

“So, when should we meet up next?” Lottie asked as the talk slightly died down.

“Well tomorrow is fine by me. We have that test on Friday.” You replied, packing your books again.

“Oh, sure! You know, you can come to mine. Might be less distracting.” She offered with a tinge of hope that you did not catch onto. You just thought of the fact that you were about to go to Lottie Matthews’ house. A nice one, you’ve heard.

“Okay, yeah. Let’s go to your place.”

—————

See this is how you found yourself in this situation. God knows you were too afraid to talk to her, yet your questionable chemistry grades brought you together and that is why you were right there, standing in front of her house and too antsy to ring the doorbell.

However you couldn’t stand here and hope she got a radio signal about your presence, so you did. Not a moment later, a chipper Lottie as usual, answered the door.

“Hi! I’m glad you found the house. Kinda on the down low.” She said, moving from the doorframe to let you in.

You gave her a small “yeah” as you entered. Not only was it on the down low, it was gorgeous too. Very expensive and high end furniture, paintings that seemed like they could belong in the Louvre. Though the prettiest thing there was Lottie.

She might’ve had her hair in a messy braid, wearing a striped white and pink shirt with a pair of gray sweatpants, but she still made it look cool and classy.

“Balls.” You muttered as your eyes landed on an immense, glistening chandelier in the middle of her living room.

“Oh, my mom bought that when we got the house to piss off my dad and drain his bank account.” Lottie said way too casually, “Let’s go to my room.”

As you followed her upstairs you tried your best not to let your eyes rake over her lean from, but it proved to be hard. She really did look good - and it checks out, she’s a soccer player!

You wondered how strong her legs must’ve been, she could definitely trap you under-

“I’m sorry for the mess, the maid is coming later today.” Lottie said apologetically, tossing some clothes from her bed for you to sit on.

Her room was much different from the rest of the house and resembled Lottie herself. Girl band posters all around, a floral bedding, and photos of her soccer squad scattered all across her room.

“This is cool. I like the little bee.” You said, picking up one of the frames your gaze landed on. A picture of her and Jackie Taylor warmly smiling to the camera with a bunch of team spirit makeup.

“Oh, thanks! I just took that one about a week ago, I like keeping stuff like that.” She said, coming up behind you to take a look herself.

Right now, you could smell her perfume. Something sweet, vanilla and roses maybe - casually on her, as if it were part of her skin.

She slowly walked back to the bed, patting the spot next to her as she got her textbooks out.

You waltzed over there too, hugging your knees to your chest as she sorted everything.

“Can I ask you something first?” Lottie blurted, looking up at you with an unsure expression- made your chest flutter a bit.

“Of course.” You simply replied as you fiddled with the sheets under you.

“Did you like- hate me or something?” She asked with a nervous giggle, obviously a bit flustered.

“What, no I- wait, why would you think that?” You questioned back very invested, turning to her fully and bringing your knees to your chest. She repeated your action.

“It’s just…since we met, there’s been this weird thing between us both. I don’t think I did anything, but if I’m wrong, you can tell me.” Lottie spoke softly, voice sweet as honey as she hugged her knees.

“You didn’t. I was just being an ass.” You admitted, suddenly feeling a bit stupid for how you treated the girl. She obviously didn’t deserve that.

In fact, let’s take a quick look onto the day you met her.

~ You sat in a stuffy classroom full of people you went to middle school with just a couple of months ago, feeling the light breeze that the window cast.

It was a bit much, all the pre class yelling at eight in the morning along with the wind slapping your face repeatedly, but you pushed through it. When you raised your head, you saw something that was quite interesting. Which was rare for freshman year of high school.

A taller brunette speaking to your teacher that checked her schedule before nodding her head, likely a “you’re in the right place” signal. The girl she talked to wasn’t hard on the eyes either.

Oh shit, your seating mate wasn’t in here! She was definitely gonna seat her with you. How are you supposed to talk to such a hot girl again? Okay, now you’re just overthinking it, she could be nice.

“Hiya!” She cheered once she sat down, extending a hand, “I’m Charlotte. Everyone calls me Lottie though.”

You took the hand she put out, saying your own name sheepishly.

“Um…are you in any clubs or sports teams?” She asked, clearly trying to make conversation. Though it wasn’t clear to you.

“No.”

“Oh okay! Well- shit, I hope I’ll catch up with all the studying. New York is different with this stuff.” Lottie spoke, though you didn’t dare meet her eye. You might’ve passed out.

Somehow, what she said sounded weird to you. Maybe a little entitled? But she didn’t seem the type. That was, until you caught eye of the watch she wore. Was it real fucking gold? Likely. This girl was so out of your stratosphere.

“I think you’ll be fine.” You replied with a tight lipped, unwelcoming smile. Really, you didn’t mean for it to come off that harsh.

All she could do was sit in silence. She pissed you off already, somehow. Great work Lott! Was it even possible to make an enemy before a friend in a brand new school? Apparently. And anyway, her dad was her biggest one so it wasn’t such a foreign concept to her.

~ ”I understand.”

“Huh?” You inquired further, a tad confused and spaced out.

“I understand, trying to protect yourself for any reason. I get it.” She said again in that quiet tone which made you always want to pull her in for a deep, soul lacing kiss.

“Thank you.” You whispered as your eyes beheld hers. There was a sempiternal longing in them, something you’d never seen in anyone else.

“I don’t know why, but I really get you. I feel like…I know what’s going on with you, even though I don’t. We should definitely keep hanging out.” Lottie proclaimed happily, her voice still low.

You could see it in her eyes, that she was telling the truth. That she was genuine. You could see everything in her eyes. She could not hide or shy away from you.

“Me too. I feel the same way.” You said in a smoky tone.

She moved a bit closer, slightly forward until your knees touched. Just as she was about to speak again, there was a knock on her door.

“Lottie sweetheart?” A woman called out, likely her mother. She didn’t wait for an answer before pushing the door, and Lottie jumped as if electrocuted.

“Hey! We were just-“ She started, sitting flat on the bed and keeping her hands in her lap.

Mrs Matthews took a look around the room, then a long one at you.

“Go on. What were you doing?” She asked, her tone bordering on accusatory.

“This is my tutee mom. We were studying.” Lottie rushed, pointing to the books next to the two of you as if to make a point.

“Right. So, what did you need help with?” Lottie’s mother honeyed, turning towards you. Her lips curved in a smile, though it made you feel a certain unease.

“Chemistry. Ms Greene put us together.” You wheezed out, trying to ignore the slight charge in the air.

“Wonderful. Dinner’s at six. Let me know if your friend is staying.” And with that she left the room, leaving you with both of the previous and brand new tension.

“So should we start-“

“Are you coming to Jackie’s thing on Saturday?” Lottie asked, hugging her knees yet again.

“If my parents let me, yeah.”

“Good. Try to be there, okay?”

—————

Yeah, of course that’s how you ended up there. Since you did amazing on your test the previous day, with the luxury of Lottie’s help of course, you were able to persuade your parents into letting you go.

That’s why you’re now grabbing a glass of absolutely horrid spiked punch in Jackie’s glamorous kitchen, with an attempt to calm your nerves.

You’d only gotten to the party - maybe half an hour ago? And you definitely still weren’t buzzed enough to talk to Lottie.

There she was, in all her glory, wearing a slip dress to a fucking high school party. A purple one with her hair down and in its natural wave.

The shoes she wore were her signature doc martens with which she’d likely be buried in. In one hand rested a solo cup, filled with either the god awful liquid you drank or beer. Between her middle and pointer finger was a lit cigarette.

She looked entirely dazzling in the dimly lit room, filled with escapades of sin and Lottie’s silfira. Or that’s how you saw it in your reverie at least.

She surveyed the room for you as if no one else was there, mouthing you a “hi” as the guy next to her, some kid from her history class, continued to talk her ear off.

Politely she excused herself, leaving him bewildered as she walked over to you.

“How are you?” Lottie asked over the loud speakers, leaning onto the island next to you as she offered you a drag of her cigarette.

“I’m okay. Little bored though.” You said, sipping your drink again.

“Well we have to fix that don’t we?” She exclaimed in her usual chipper tone, moving over to face you. You could smell smoke, alcohol and cherries on her lips, since she stood so close to you.

“Do we?” You pondered jokingly, or not. Her idea of fun was likely something you’d regret in the morning, in terms of embarrassment at least. She was quite intoxicated too.

“Yes, we do! You know, I’ve never seen you dance.” Lottie teased, running the rim of her cup over her bottom lip.

“That’s because I don’t! Especially not here.” You interjected, gazing around the place.

“Oh come on! Dancing is fun, okay? I’ll even do it with you.” Lottie practically begged, gawking at you with those pouty eyes no one has ever said no to.

Fuck it. A month ago you’d give anything to dance with Lottie Matthews. Better yet, to be noticed by Lottie Matthews. This was a one time opportunity and you couldn’t let yourself pass it up because of slight insecurity and anxiety.

“Let’s go.” You muttered, downing the rest of your drink. Once you did, Lottie cheered a little, grabbing your hand and dragging you to the dance floor.

Her balter made you feel slightly better about your own moves, or better yet the lack of thereof. She let her hands wander, pressing her chest against your back as she trailed your abdomen to the beat. You could only follow her movements and remind yourself how to breathe here and there, of course.

She was warm and inviting against you, making your hips move with ease. Everything was easy around her. She was amazing to talk to, talk about. You decided to try your luck, moving around and pressing your chest against hers.

She seemed as surprised and as happy with the action as you were. The charge between you was inevitable and couldn’t go unnoticed.

Just as you wrapped your arms around her neck, there seemed to be a shift. Something in her eyes - those that were like a book for you to read, something overcame them.

She jolted away slightly, making you stumble back.

“Lottie, what’s wrong?” You yelled out over the obscene noise.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do this.” Lottie stammered, you couldn’t hear her but you read her lips well enough.

She gave you one more mordant look before scurrying off, pushing past the drunk teenagers as she left you behind. Turned around five times to check on where you were as well.

But you? You stood there in absolute shock. All the booze you consumed made your mind hazy, and you could barely believe what was happening. For a whole week, there had been a “will they won’t they” vibe between the two of you and what? Now she just runs off?

No, this was your fault. Your fault for making yourself believe and hope for a person you always knew was out of reach, untouchable for you, even. Lottie must’ve been embarrassed of you, that had to be it.

Anyhow, for a moment you stood there all alone, mean, unwelcome tears burning in your eyes as your whole body felt numb - other than the pounding headache that started to wash over you. How did it come down to this?

[thewertsearch]

Ask Comp 28/04

@worldweary-walker asked: Dad Egbert's genre friction with Homestuck is fun. He is about Serious Business… but he can take a joke! He has the very efficient Wallet Modus, but used a safe to store the note. A man of contrasts. A man of mystery…

Genuinely, the fact that he legitimately was a prankster despite his normie aesthetic is one of my favourite things about the man. Let's hope Dad Crocker is the same.

Anonymous asked: now that you've met her, the final Namco High character is Jane. you still can't play Namco High yet (I think the collection will automatically inform you when it's no longer spoilers) but soon. soon.

The fact that Namco High might actually include plot spoilers for Homestuck is hilarious.

In lieu of evidence to the contrary, I'm going to assume it's the only piece of Homestuck-adjacent media which actually explains the Aspects.

@honestlyvan asked: I hope whatever is going on with you is easygoing, and you don't feel too pressed about this side-project, tbh. I would also rather you take your time with it and enjoy yourself. @marineofthestars asked: 13/04? @gl1tchypyr0 asked: Are you planning anything for 4/13 because Homestuck day? Anonymous asked: so happy you're back! @ramdomartkid asked: Happy 4/13!!!!!!

Thank you - happy to be back!

Don't worry too much about the recent hiatuses - none of them have been prompted by anything serious. Sometimes, I'm just excessively busy, and need to catch my breath a little!

Anonymous asked: rereading your archive, dropping in a couple of my personal miscellaneous voice hc's while im here! John: Abed Nadir (Community) Feferi: Mabel Pines (Gravity Falls) Doc Scratch: The Narrator (The Stanley Parable)

Doc Scratch as the Narrator is inspired, and Mabel fits Feferi surprisingly well.

I've still never seen Community - and, in fact, I'm not sure I even know what it's about. I know about the pizza meme, of course, and I think they play Dungeons and Dragons at one point?

Anonymous asked: Is Sally being introduced to in-fandom memes at the point in the comic where they would have been popular, or are we just going off when they stop being spoilers?

(More the latter. If people want to spread the memes around, then as long as it isn't a spoiler, it gets a pass. And frankly, the two are usually pretty close together. - Vamp)

Yeah, what usually happens with Homestuck's major memes - Pantskat, for example - is that I'll get several asks referencing it immediately after it stops being a spoiler. My spoiler policy being what it is, I'm generally made aware of them during my next ask session after the fact!

@semaphoricwave asked: Hypothetically, if somebody wanted to write a fic about your trollsona's dancestor, would that spark joy or would you rather the hypothetical somebody didn't? The story you've laid out is fascinating and I (I mean, the hypothetical somebody) would really enjoy digging into it, but I also understand if that's not something you'd be interested in people doing with your trollsonas. Also follow-up in case it does spark joy: any other facts about Sahlee Senior that would be of interest to that hypothetical somebody? Either way hope you have a good week!

Absolutely! I'd be thrilled to read any fics involving my OCs. I've DMed you a short character profile on the Hostess that you can use for reference - and if you have any specific questions, feel free to ping me!

Anonymous asked: Just r3ad thr0ugh y0ur liv3bl0g, and I want3d t0 say h0w much I l0v3d r3ading it. Sup3r happy y0u d3cid3d t0 try 0ut th3 3pil0gu3s as well!¡! @heattth asked: I just wanted to say, I've been rereading the whole liveblog and it is a very fun experience. Thank you for having written it.

Thanks a bunch - it's always nice to get messages like this.

Seeing a post's note counter go up is a very abstract way to get feedback. Like, I'm aware that a ton of people are reading (and hopefully, enjoying) the posts, but it's still hard to conceptualize - so asks like this are a great way to make it feel real. I can see irrefutable evidence that people really are having a good time on TheWertsearch dot com, which is all I really ask for.

@mhafanlol2000 asked: Do you think about how Dave and Rose’s prophesied hero’s journeys both ended in suicide. What do you think that says about them? If I have to constantly think about this then so do you.

I think what it says the most is that Sburb loves suicide. It's the default way to achieve the God Tier, after all, and according to Terezi, the game actively wants the children who play it to wrestle with their own mortality.

This, to me, is one of the most explicitly malicious aspects of the game. It's really not necessary to achieve Skaia's stated goals, and I'm unconvinced that traumatizing these children makes them more effective custodians of a universe.

@caliquill asked: dropping in to say - jane is maybe my favourite homestuck character so it brings me great joy to see you cracking at her flaws in a genuine manner. thank you :]

Jane's great so far. She's not a carbon copy of John - and, honestly, she feels like the most unique of the B2 kids so far.

Hussie already had a framework to build on with Dirk, Roxy and Jake, but Nannasprite's main traits were 'grandma', 'ghost', and 'clown', none of which should logically transfer to Jane. She had to be mostly original.

@spiddermen asked: bowman just released a new track for the 16th anniversary! it's awesome and doesnt have any spoilies, it's called on the thirteenth day

Ooh, I'd love to give it a listen!

If anyone can link me a non-spoilery upload of the song, I'd appreciate it. YouTube and Bandcamp are both danger zones, and I'm not sure where else you might find it.

@faggoatquixote asked: “GT: Right o! If a man believes hard enough in imaginary things then i dare say that makes them slightly less fake!” Sounds a lot like talk from another Page boy I know… Rufio anyone?

Which is kind of weird, right?

I assumed Jake's 'belief' schtick was due to him being a Hope Player - but Tavros has said some similar things, and he shares Jake's class, rather than his aspect.

I suppose not every character trait has to be informed by a Player's Title. After all, Jade used to be defined by her clairvoyance, and she's no Seer.

@bellcarved asked: In defense of Jake, he lives alone on an island and has literally run out of people to talk to about this (unless he were to do something like ask Jane to hand her phone to her father and got advice from him)

Oh, for sure. Everything these kids are doing wrong is totally understandable, due to their frankly bizarre home lives - and Jake, in particular, appears to have been living completely alone on that island for some time, which is bound to stunt the guy's social development.

In retrospect, I'm kind of surprised that Jade turned out as well as she did.

@bladekindeyewear asked: And as expected, Kid Bro's hair is ALSO a bird, just a different one than Dave's.

Dirk's just trying to blend in with the local fauna, like his brother before him.

@elkian asked: A fun fandom trend is to give the ectogroups portmanteau names. "Strilondes" was pretty easy, but the Prospit quartet presents some difficulties and is usually an unholy amalgamation along the lines of "Crockerberts" "Harlenglishes" and the ambitious combination of all four like "Harlegbercrockerenglishes" and so on. (I feel like there was a particular one with a lot of staying power but can't recall it exactly.) There's still Reddit threads of the debates around here and there.

This is why I just call 'em the Prospit squad.

I tried to make something that's at least pronounceable, and came up with the Harkersherts. Not a lot of English in there, though.

Anonymous asked: "and I’d bet Boondollars to donuts that Jake and Roxy have 'em too." Come on, 'boondollars to bronuts' was right there.

Damn it! I really do need to step up my bro-punning now that our second Strider has entered the story.

@ben-guy asked: (in regards to your theory about B2 Dave having memory leaks possibly making him interested in Con Air) "something about an old friend" Emphasis on the "old" in this timeline lmao

Oh, good point. It is possible that Dave could have met Poppop Crocker at some point, especially if he was in contact with his Seer sister.

Maybe it wasn't his pre-Scratch memories. Maybe he learned about Con Air directly from the source, after all. <3

Anonymous asked: ”Kneel before Cal” Lil’ dude even if you don’t Know. That’s hella ominous yo

Dirk feels like the kind of guy who doesn't realize how foreboding some of his sentences actually are. He'd do numbers on Tumblr, and you know it.

...I guess, technically, he has done numbers on Tumblr. lmao

@elkian asked: Jane-Dirk is genuinely one of my favorite character dynamics in the entire comic so I'm delighted that they're resonating with you, too! Their conversations are so fun.

Yup! As I said, I'm really happy that Jane, in particular, is not just a remix of John. The way she relates to her friends is quite different from anything we've seen from Egbert - or anyone else, for that matter.

I really hope that this friend group doesn't collapse into some sort of nightmare love quadrangle, because I really am enjoying these dynamics, and I want to see more.

Anonymous asked: Do you think that when you are done for the day you could note that? Maybe as a tag or something? Then people would know to stop checking to see if you add another post?

I would, but the problem is that I never really know if I'm actually done for the day - not until the day is already over. See, I usually just liveblog until I get distracted, and often return later in the evening for a second round - that is, if I haven't fallen asleep before I've had the chance. Perils of ADHD, I guess.

I suppose I could add such a tag the day after a liveblogging session, but that sounds like it'd be too late to be useful for your use case. :/

Anonymous asked: Okay, so Lil' Bro gave both Jake the Brobot, and Jane Sebastian. What do you think Roxy's inevitable robo-buddy will be like?

There is absolutely no universe in which it isn't a cat.

Anonymous asked: Sorry about the spoiler! A while ago, I did some testing on YouTube and incognito mode because I was curious, and I found that, unfortunately, Google isn't fooled by it. YouTube's algorithm definitely prioritizes things you watch in normal mode, presumably to be subtle about this, but it also definitely knows what you watch in incognito. The effect becomes more obvious with an account that watches zero or very few videos in normal mode. (I tested this 3-4 years ago, so I can't say for certain that the specifics haven't changed, but I don't see why they'd have stopped doing this since then.)

Targeting algorithms are just too damn good these days. All I can really do is avoid watching Homestuck videos on my main account, employ a VPN, and hope for the best.

Anonymous asked: More like DORK strider

Fuckin' get him!

@mrjocrafter asked: I mean, you did get this three months ago

Those names were listed in order of likelihood - so yes, I expected it to be Dick. I really did.

Dick Strider seemed like exactly the kind of move Hussie would pull...

@library-seraph asked: Fun fact: when Dirk's name hit the comic, people were upset it wasn't Dick. Hussie still used tumblr back then, so they made a post saying that, as a small dagger, dirk is still a dick joke, and they're annoyed people would want them to go for the lowest hanging dick joke Anonymous asked: You're not alone. A significant majority of the fandom at the time also expected "Dick", enough that Hussie actually addressed it by saying that would have been too on-the-nose. IIRC, Hussie also described "Dirk Strider" as sounding more like a male porn star's stage name, while clearly implying that this is a major upside.

...but I suppose that's exactly why they didn't.

Low-hanging fruit is all well and good, but you can't always choose the path of least resistance, or your story will just keep getting flatter.

@shelbybunny asked: remember this post you made when you liveblogged jack: ascend, and how you wished they had a poster of that sburb shot? well good news PS: i’m pretty sure you can take a look at the full store now, but i’d have someone double-check just in case

(The store is, in fact, spoiler-free now. - V)

Oh, hell yeah!

I'm not going to pretend I'm not tempted - and not just by the poster, either. Those captchalogue boards look great, too.

In order to preserve just a little bit of hope for myself, I'm not going to look up the shipping costs to Europe until tomorrow.

@clueless-rarito asked: While Dave rambles fells a lot like a stream of consciousness that just spills out randomly in the middle of conversations, Dirk's fell extremely intentional and precisely deployed, make you fell he meticulously choose each word to be as full of complete bullshit as humanly possible.

Turns out, Rose and Dave's vibes blend together almost seamlessly. I could probably have told you they would beforehand, but it's still great to see it in action!

@sanctferum asked: Heiress Sans Parent could just refer to Jane's ectobiological origins as a true paradox rather than the beta kids who have ectobiological parents. (The alpha kids are clones of themselves, after all.) Well, either a reference to that or a hint that Dad Crocker is secretly a funny skeleton man.

It better be something like that. If Dad dies again, I'm ragequitting.

@aceotaku asked: when it comes to Jane's scepticism, while being a product of the Condesce's subliminal messaging IS a possibility, Dirk raises another one: that Jane simply only believes things if she's seen them with her own eyes directly, if she has direct proof of them. She's seen prospit in her dreams, she has no reason to think anything anyone says about it is wrong. The things she dismisses are things she hasn't seen directly and thus just thinks it's not true for reasons. or maybe I'm wrong XP

Nah, that's a good take. Jane's a bit of a cautionary tale, then, about how stubborn empiricism can severely limit your understanding of a concept or situation.

Sometimes, you really do have to take a leap of faith.

@liliflower137 asked: Hello!! I only just started reading your liveblog and I just want to say I love your commentary SO much, I read it pretty late (just between it ending and it being sold to viz media so the old website was still around) so my FAVORITE part of homestuck was always the mechanics of sburb, the alchemy stuff is just so cool!! So seeing you theorize about things and talk about how data structures work makes me so so happy, I hope you're having lots of fun!!!

Thank you! I really hope we get some post-Scratch alchemy binges - but sadly, I don't think it's guaranteed, as we're unlikely to be rehashing everything we've seen before.

Even so, there's got to be more we can learn about Homestuck's alchemy system... right?

Anonymous asked: congrats on finally reaching the end of one of Homestuck's Biggest Jokes. The Gift Of Gab.

I'm still hyped over those Dialoglogs - not least because it removes the main metabarrier which was preventing these kids from hanging out in person.

Let's fucking go! It's time!

@sashonya asked: Oh yeah, just a small aside as I'm sure you're going to realize in a bit. It's better to say the full "Act 6 Act 1" instead of "Act 6.1" since the intermissions also count as "Act 6.1"

Hmm. Well, it's pretty easy for me to edit my organizational tags retroactively, so I'll see what format works the best for me, going forward.

Generally, I prefer for these tags to be shorter, though - so if Act 6.1 Intermission needs its own tag, I might write it as Act 6.1.I, or something.

@jack-off-valentine asked: When, exactly, did AH pull an Aradiabot?

I initially asked myself the same question - but by now, I've learned to treat Hussie interludes as the breaks from canon they are.

We're probably never going to be told what's up with robo-Hussie, the same way that we'll never learn why Falkor the Luck Dragon has Lord English's cueball eyes. It's just Hussie being Hussie.

@pineapple-temporarily-moving asked: "By now, Jade should know why she arranged for herself to grab the Wall - but she's acting like she only did it because Karkat told her to. Maybe I'm just misinterpreting what she's saying." future jade told karkat to tell past jade to captchalogue the window because she remembered being told that by karkat (and karkat telling her that she told him to tell her that). it is simply one of homestuck's ubiquitous causal loops and it ultimately technically was only because karkat told her to LOL

Oh, god damn it, you're probably right.

Damn stable loops and their originless information. As much as I love time travel stories, this still has to be one of the least satisfying ways you could possibly resolve a plot thread.

@sanctferum asked: So, Jade, who just became a god tier Witch with striped leggings and ruby red shoes, levels up to Sayonara Kansas as she and John embark upon the Yellow Ruler Yard. Her god-tier self was formed from her living self and Jadesprite, a version of herself too cowardly to do anything despite her incredible power. Jadesprite used to be Dream Jade, whose physical counterpart on Earth was, thanks to Grandpa's inventions, a robotic version of Jade rather than Jade herself. A tin woman, one might say. Dream Jade herself was, prior to her death, notably absent-minded in a way no other dream self has shown themselves to be. It seems likely Hussie originally intended all dream selves to be this way while "asleep", but in the end only Jade acted like her brain was sleeping along with her body. And said dream self ended up being stuffed, of course. Do I need to elaborate on who Toto is in this analogy? No, I don't think I do. Original waking Jade is Dorothy. Jade's all of the Oz cast at once!

Even better:

The climax of Dorothy's story is her learning to teleport!

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

Doctor Who, but Chronologically: 53

So, we go from 1996 to 2005, which is wild, because 1941 got three different fucking episodes but apparently the Millennium went unmarked by Doctor Who. This is also the span of time the show was off air, actually. Late 80s to 2005, with one return for the film in 1996. Hmm.

Anyway! GET READY FOR ROSE

This, back in 2005, was our first episode of new Doctor Who since its cancellation - the first episode of what I now call the Welsh series, after RTD forcibly moved production to Cardiff and thus created an industry that substantially increased Welsh GDP. Let me tell you, lads, we watched this one and we were EXCITED. It was new!!! It had modern special effects!!! It looked so impressive and shiny and high status!!!

Hilarious watching it now, two decades later, and going "Why was this filmed through a thin layer of vasoline?"

(Also hilarious seeing Cardiff pretending to be London on streets and buildings that very much do not look like that anymore. Queens Arcade! The street by the cinema with the eyebrows! Howells! What a difference 20 years makes. Such a nostalgic episode. BUT I DIGRESS)

So plot-wise we get a fairly simple episode. Autons like Rory the Roman have arrived on Earth and want to take over, but they're simply inert shop mannequins unless the Nestene Consciousness - a big vat of living plastic with a sort of lumpy face - transmits a telepathic signal to them. The Doctor is looking for this vat of plastic so he can preferably tell them to leave for a less killy planet, and if that fails, to tip a lurid blue test tube of what appears to be Panda Pop but we're assured is "anti-plastic" into the vat to... melt it more. But! He cannot find the vat, because he is failing to trace the signal.

But STORY-WISE we get, apparently, the introduction of Rose!

Long-time readers of these posts will know that I have strong opinions on how companions should be used. If they cannot pass the Sexy Lamp Test - if replacing them with a sexy lamp would literally not change the story - then the writer has utterly fucked it and needs to reconsider their career. For my money, Tumblrs, companions serve three varying purposes, to whit:

Providing fun chemistry with the Doctor so we can enjoy the pairing

Being the point-of-view human character for the audience, i.e. asking the questions or posing the theories that will make the story make sense according to our understanding

Providing the emotional connection to the other characters that mean we get fully fleshed out stories rather than boring plot points. The Doctor is plot, the companion is story

Bringing the Basic Common Sense to the proceedings to counter the Doctor's Wild Scientific Knowledge and Schemes

Each does these in different ways of course, but what's brilliant here is that Rose has all four in absolute spades. They're meeting for the first time here and he's super grumpy, but they make each other laugh almost immediately. As the Doctor strides about self-importantly, a cannon ball of purpose and curt non-explanations, it's Rose who pushes him to explain what's going on in terms she (and we) will understand, paring the plot down for us to follow. In this story, Eccleston's Doctor is the most aloof and stand-offish and Above The Petty Affairs Of Humans as we've ever seen him (except Capaldi); he cares deeply about trying to save everyone, but once an individual human is dead, he simply puts them out of his mind and moves on. It's Rose, grieving the possible loss of Mickey, who reminds us that these are people that are being lost. And, ultimately, Rose actually provides most of the final solutions - firstly by listening to the Doctor wittering on about how scientifically the Nestene MUST be using a big round circle for transmissions and going "That's the London Eye, here's the access hatch," and secondly by literally saving the Doctor's life.

And lol, yeah, she does save his life. She gets a great lil speech: "Got no A Levels, no job, no future," she says, grabbing a hanging rope while the Doctor is menaced by Autons. "But I tell you what I have got. Jericho Street Junior School under 7s gymnastics team. I got the bronze."

And she fucking. Just Tarzan swings. Right into the Autons who are holding the anti-plastic Panda Pop, knocking them right into the big vat. Incredible. What a babe.

Three last things before I wrap up!

Firstly, Christ, we get so much information about who Rose is. We're shown her messy bedroom, her useless boyfriend (side note he is SUPER USELESS in this. He was not this bad on a spaceship with Madame de Pompadour. My god, he's got some development coming), her job, her mam, her thoughts about the future. She left school for a boy, and now regrets it. She wants to make something of herself, but doesn't know how. After her job is blown up by the Doctor at the start, her mam Jackie (we've met her! We saw her recently, in Father's Day) suggests she try getting a job in a local business.

"Oh great," Rose says sarcastically. "The butchers."

"Well, maybe it'll do you good," Jackie says back. "That shop was giving you airs and graces."

... and in those two lines - in that one exchange - we know everything we need to about these people. God, it's the sort of character writing that you dream of managing. The simple mundanity of it, and what it tells you about them both; their position in society, what they think of it, what they want and aspire to and believe. Impeccable. Rose is a working class girl who dreams of more, who wants a life that's more than this. Jackie is a loving mother who's firmly in the crab bucket, and feels shame about her own life when she sees Rose reach up. God it's good.

Also, Rose has a GREAT reaction to seeing the TARDIS for the first time.

Secondly! This is seemingly an introduction of sorts for this Doctor as well! At one point, he looks in a mirror and remarks that this face is "not bad, but look at the ears", which is interesting, because we later find out he's had it a while. An internet nutter has the world's worst photoshopped prop showing Eccleston at the Kennedy Assassination (presumably he was there sorting out the Silver Nemesis) among other historical points, so the lad's been about. But alone, and avoiding mirrors.

We are also shown some super powers! He can read a book in the time it takes to flick from front to back, and he can feel planetary rotation, and he can speak Liquid Plastic. Exciting.

But also, he's constantly referencing a war here, which I suspect is going to be hell on our question list. The Nestenes lost their protein planets in the war, so they want Earth. He almost cries at the vat, telling it he tried to save their world, but he couldn't. Lots of references, but alas, once again, no answer as to which damn war this is. In theory, the episode after an introduction would explain that of course :) Presumably we'll get those answers next episode :) Surely this watch order would make us wait until, like, the year Five Billion to find out :) Ho ho ho

Finally, some absolute iconic moments in this one, but my particular favourites are: the look of Plastic Mickey and his glitching speech, with Rose literally not noticing a difference (says a lot about the quality of Mickey); Rose trying to google the word "Doctor" and expecting it to work; and my absolute favourite, which is Rose and the Doctor trying to fight a plastic arm in the living room while Jackie turns a hairdryer on for her COMPLETELY BONE DRY HAIR to give a reason as to why she misses the action. Campy fun, 10/10.

SO! Let's update the board!

“She” (an unknown person) is returning (Suspects: River, Missy, Me, Clara)

There is something on Donna’s back

An entire planet, Pyrovilia, just… disappeared, somehow. (Maybe because the TARDIS is exploding??? Saturnine was also lost, and that WAS because of the TARDIS exploding. The lion man’s planet was also lost but he was a bit of a knob about it if I’m honest. The Thijarian planet was destroyed by some sort of impact). Is this the Flux?

The TARDIS is sort of melting because it’s corrupted, but it’s fine again. NOPE, back to not working.

The Doctor has employed(?) Nardole

(And Nardole was “reassembled???” Nardole had glass nipples and invisible hair?? He used to be blue, and could apparently go back to it??? He’s some sort of helplessly criminal con-artist??? WHAT THE FUCK IS HE)

There’s an immortal Viking girl now. Her name is Me and she’s now looking after the people the Doctor abandons

Why was Rory entirely unconcerned by the entire world suddenly going silent when that is Not Normal and should have been, at the very least, extremely disconcerting?

What did the Doctor do to Queen Lizzie One?

Why is Amy seeing a one-eyed woman in a vanishing window? (She’s with the Silents, but we don’t know why Amy saw her)

Why is Amy’s pregnancy inconclusive? (Maybe because the baby had Time Lord DNA?) She’s deffo pregnant and the baby becomes River, but why inconclusive?

Who is Sarah-Jane Smith?

How is the Doctor Bill’s teacher and why/where does he have an office?

What is going on with the Cyber War and the Cyberium???

What happened with the Other Cyber War? Were either of these Cyber wars affected by the Doctor blowing them up with Nemesis?

What happened with the Third War that deleted the void?

Why does Rose seem particularly important?

What order do these Doctors go in? (Eccleston, Tennant, uncertain, Smith, Capaldi, Whittaker)

Which companion just… forgot the Doctor, and how?

Yaz and Vinder are about to die as Mori/Mwri/Muuri (Not anymore, somehow)

There is a Lupari shield around Earth.

What’s a Time War? Did this destroy the Doctor’s planet and/or family? NEW INFO: did this destroy the Auton world?

What’s the Rift?

What’s Bad Wolf? Gwyneth saw “the Big Bad Wolf” in Rose’s mind, and it was on a 1987 poster as graffiti

In which war did the Doctor become a war criminal, and how?

Is Rory plastic or not? Yeah, must be, he couldn’t possibly remember being plastic otherwise

Why is the Doctor sulking on a cloud?

How exactly does the Doctor have a cloud?

What exactly happened with Strax to, uh, tame him?

Which friend killed Strax?

Which friend brought Strax back?

Where did this lesbian lizard and human couple come from?

What happened with Clara as Souffle Girl and the Daleks?

How does Clara actually join?

Why so many Claras? A psychic midwife says she’s just normal human

Why is Missy apparently in robo-heaven? Is this because she’s now dead?

Why is probably!Missy pushing Clara and the Doctor together?

What is Trensilor and what happened there?

Who is Handles?

The Doctor is about to be dissolved by a beautiful geode man

The universe is being crushed by the Flux

Will the Doctor open the fobwatch? Is it actually just a pager?

Sontarans are invading Earth again

Who is Kate?

Who is Osgood? Another name of Clara’s again?

The fuck is the deal with the Grand Serpent

Does Martha get to go to an ice cream planet with 12-fingered massage aliens?

How did the Doctor forget Clara?

Who is Bill’s puddle girlfriend Heather? This is presumably the star-eyed water faerie

How did Nardole die?

When does the Doctor shrink and enter a Dalek called Rusty?

Whittaker is falling to her death rn

Was that ring relevant?

Does anyone know the Doctor’s name? Missy says it’s “Who”

When did Yaz talk to Dan about fancying the Doctor?

When did Dan talk to the Doctor about fancying Yaz?

What’s happening with the bees?

What happened with Donna’s ex and a giant spider?

What war wiped out the Daleks, and is it one of the ones already mentioned?

What did the Doctor mean when he said “The (Daleks) always live, while I lose everything?”

If Dalek Caan is the last Dalek left why are there more now?

How did the rest of the Time Lords die?

How and why did Amy melt?

What’s the question that will make silence fall?

Why do the Silents… want silence to fall?

How and why are Silents at war with the Doctor when he… hasn’t even heard of them?

How does Hitler get out of the cupboard?

What’s the significance of fish fingers and custard?

Why does the Doctor feel guilt about Rose, Martha and Donna?

What happened with the space whale?

How does the Doctor survive River? He doesn’t, apparently

How does he erase himself from history

Did Captain Jack lose his memories to the same people as the Doctor? What did he lose?

When did the Doctor send the Daleks into a void to save the universe?

Why do Amy and Rory think the Doctor is dead? Is it because of River as an astronaut?

Is Matt Smith’s Doctor a tree racist?

Why is the beautiful geode woman stealing people into a Passenger form?

River says she’ll die one day when the Doctor doesn’t remember her, let’s hope she doesn’t mean it

Why doesn’t the TARDIS like Clara?

When was the Master Prime Minister?

How do Amy and Rory rejoin the Doctor given that they haven’t died yet in 1950s Manhattan?

[tagedeszorns]

SPOILERS for "Fulgrim - The Perfect Son"

You were warned - Spoilers ahaed!

Okay, so it finally has happened. Pigs are flying, dogs are walking backwards and I am admitting that I'd rather read a Fulgrim-novel written by Graham McNeill than this one.

But to get to this point ... let me take the long route!

First - imagine a novel about a Primarch. Let's say Guilliman, because the Ultramarines are the example for everything. Let's say he returns. (Bear with me, I am not talking about how it actually happened for him!) And it is not explained at all, why he's back. What's his motivation. How? Don't ask stupid questions! Anyways. He's back. Now, what about his Legion? What about Calgar? Sicarius? His Librarius? Well, never mind, they don't matter, because (galaxy brain moment here!) - they don't exist! Instead they are replaced with a cast of new characters you never heard of before, but you are supposed to take as "have always been his favourites". And those characters are as generic as they come. Absolutely bland. Plus, Guilliman isn't even there most of the time. Also, apparently the Emperor is no longer a factor for anything.

That's the setting Jude Reid throws at the reader, just with Emperor's Children.

Okay. Okay. I can live with new characters. But maybe at least tie them with the rich history of the third? With all its glory and trauma? Harmony? Canticle City? The Phoenix Conclave? Anything? No?

Well. Then give them a gratious amount of Sex, Drugs and Rock'nRoll, because that's what they do in 40k? No? A bit? So Noise Marines aren't Slaanesh's sledgehammers any longer? Maybe remember how cool Eidolon and his Kakophonii screamed that White Scars ship to rubble or how Ramos tore down the Medean Gate on Luna? No? And the drugs are just some kind of better stims now? Like the stuff Lance Armstrong takes on a daily basis?

Well. Okay. No History, none of the cool guys ... maybe some Dark Prince-fuckery? No? Oh. The word "Slaanesh" is two times in the whole book and it's with sorcery, not normal EC or Fulgrim? And Dark Prince or She Who Thrirsts ... ah, nevermind. So, no Youngest God at all.

Well, Fulgrim is the mightiest servant of Slaanesh and he's the title character of the novel, so it's okay. Enough slaaneshi shenanigans for everyone! No? Fulgrim is there for about 5% of the novel and we never get his POV? Oh. Okay. Well.

Yes, I am disappointed. After Marc Collins gave us the great new Eidolon novel, I had high hopes Games Workshop wanting to bring out the coolness in the third Legion again.

But instead we got the most generic Chaos (not really) stuff ever. You could replace everybody with Red Corsairs and Fulgrim with the Tyrant and nobody would notice any difference.

And now I am back to the beginning. Why McNeill's EC may be horrible but way better than Reid's.

Because they are over the top. Because they are the superlative of extra. Because they are divas. Because they are trying to be cool AF. Because they are mean fuckers.

Reid's EC are what I always thought I wanted (my Midas-moment, if you will): Swordsmen. Duelists. But it turns out, that it is possible to fall to Slaanesh and hate excess (yes, Tamaris, the main char, is very offended by excess). Damn, girl! Take a page out of Ian StMartin's book and look up what excessive swordsmanship does for Lucius!

So, taking everything slaaneshi from the EC didn't do them any good. Apparently they are now Chaos Undivided, swear by "Gods" instead of their chosen patron God and such. Much generic. Wow. Sacrificing like they are the Word Bearers we have at home.

The ideal solution would be a mix of both: McNeill's extra queerness (because Reid's chars are giving off the most cis-het vibes I ever got from anything Warhammer! Even the Chaos Sorcerer reminiscing fucking Fulgrim is as sterilised as possible. I bet Reddit-Warhammer loves this book, because none of them pesky gays and their sexytimes!) and excessiveness and Reid letting them keep their beauty and dignity. It's very telling that the most erotic moment of the book is the main character kissing the guy he just killed.

Because that's the GREAT plus of this book. Finally! Beautiful Emperor's Children! Beautiful Fulgrim! Plaese, give me more of this! And they are (mostly) honourable! Awww, yiss! Yes, Reid is falling back into the way too familiar "uglyness and betrayal"-trope soon enough, but an effort was made.

But that's not enough to work as saving grace.

The novel is very clearly what @paniwarhamauser called "saturday morning cartoons to sell toys", because every buyable unit is mentioned and described very clearly.

But what this book is lacking, is a soul. An understanding for the EC's (and Fulgrim's - but the Phoenician barely features in the novel, so I will leave him out on this) unique tragedy, drama, history and power.

I am glad we got the great "Auric Hammer"-book (please let Marc Collins write more for EC! He gets them! Raging Eidolon gives me life!). And we still have Josh Reynold's superb Fulgrim-novel. But this new one is not for me.

I mean, we EC-fans have a lot of great novels and stories, compared to other Legions (poor Raven Guard for example). So I really shouldn't complain.

Well, rant over, I am calm and collected again and will continue reading the pleasant Alpha Legion-stuff I have left for the Fulgrim novel (may contain traces of Fulgrim). 😁

[confusedmothboy]

im scared to ask how you feel about lottie as a character

i have a very complicated relationship with lottie and ive been DYINGGG to talking about her because shes more interesting than shauna can ever dream of being. SHE'S the complex female character we need more of.

okay so to preface: i have multiple scales for character appreciation in my mind. there's writing (how well they're characterized and their role as a narrative decive), personality (how much i would fw them as people), action defendability (self explanatory, how willing i am to ride for their defense), and treatment in the fandom (how contrarian i wanna be)

yall know how it is yapping under the cut

lottie. ohhh boy.

writing: oh no notes. 10/10 she is one of the most fascinating characters in the show. her setup and descent is so well done, and her motivations are beyond complex, like you have her trying to do the best for everyone, but also her whole "the wilderness will choose" mindset. she contrasts herself in the yummiest ways possible. her role in the story is absolutely the most relevant and important for the narrative to progress the way it does. as a character, shes's so well done it makes me wish that i could be objective about the whole thing

personality: unfortunately im not able to enjoy characters simply from a robot analysis objective scale. lottie's personality is -while interesting- absolutely INFURIATING to watch. i personally cant stand characters that i call "progress blockers". she repeatedly forces her belief system (deep psychosis) onto the rest of the team, at the expense of escape or actual rational thought. this is where i have to admit: i root for morally sound, logical characters especially in shows like this. "but you can't watch the cannibalism show and complain about the cannibalism" first off. who said im complaining about the cannibalism. im just complaining that shes tormenting my favs (ben, travis, akilah, nat). i do like that she plays a complicated role as the group's mediator, except her mind is so warped, she does an awful job at it (drugging travis, letting shauna beat her up, deluding her followers). i think that shows how much she cares for these people deep down, and i can respect that. more on that later in ther actions section.

actions: so lottie, like i mentioned earlier, has a really interesting internal conflict of wanting to do whats best for as many of the team as she can, while also not being against sacrificing them for the wilderness's mercy. she very much believes that the ends justify the means. however. i can't ever look past her scenes on doomcoming. and im hoping that the people who made it this far aren't illiterate fucking troglodytes who want to debate on what actually happened to travis that night. because it was s/a, actually, it was attempted gang rape and then attempted ritualistic murder. "you cant watch the murder show and hold it against the murderers" we all know damn well that thats not what was most upsetting about that scene, and im allowed to hold certain crimes over eachother in terms of severity. and quite frankly i just cant bring myself to like a character who engaged -ACTIVELY LED AND RATIONALIZED- in that. lottie's whole schtick is that she just doesnt fucking understand or respect boundaries, literally and metaphorically. moving on from doomcoming, she's weird and culty about shauna's baby, which shauna has full right to be freaked out and pissed about. she becomes the leader of the group in s2 and then can't make proper decisions. she lets shauna almost beat her to death instead of trying to mediate the situation rationally, setting up shauna's vengeful nature we see in s3. thats something i could talk about for hours, how shes partially responsible for the shauna we all know and hate. her drugging travis and akilah is a page straight out of misty's handbook, and i dont think i have to explain why it's wrong. her killing edwin?? denying them all escape, causing a chain reaction with shauna and tai also staying behind??? that elevated my blood pressure to a level dangerous to my health. i cannot stand progress blockers. yes, i know she thinks everything she does is right. that doesn't make me (a rational bystander) like her actions any more. again, there are rational people in the show, so im just gravitated towards them sorry guys.

fandom: lottie has two types of people rooting for her in the fandom. theres the "omg my lord and savior she can do no wrong" group and the "omg crazy ass schizo mental illness queen" group and neither of them get her. she's flawed. but her flaws shouldn't all be attributed to dehumanizing conversations about her mental illness. let's not forget that she was a 17 year old going cold turkey on antipsychotics after living the last decade on them, in a situation that's beyond stressful, mind you. no fucking wonder she turned out that way. whatever. i feel like there arent a lot of her fans who recognize the absolute gray nuance in her character. or maybe im just on tiktok too much and everyone on there is fucking rotted beyond belief.

conclusion: i love her. i hate her. im neutral. she scares me. i blame her for all the problems out there and she's doing her best. that's the point

guh

[iwacura]

when we say RGU is about "the cycle of abuse", we refer to gender-based violence, particularly perpetuated through "romance" (or a manipulation of it), and even more particularly through incest and grooming—and i have no intention of erasing that because it clearly is the central theme of the show. but part of me wants to focous on the idea of RGU representing political cycles, too. on taking the word "revolutionary" by its communist meaning. because weirdly enough, the way the anime conceptualizes time, history/myth (if they can even be separated), eternity and cycles is so....marxist?

i can't stop thinking about utena as a girl born within a system that lives off of exploitation—akio's exploitation of anthy as the archetype, and all others who emulate it. and she is so desperate to liberate her from that exploitation, to revolutionize ohtori. she is full of drive and good intentions, but so were all the other duelists that came before her. all the others that upon reaching the last duel—the duel named Revolution—allegedly were told by akio give up your sword, abandon your aspirations to revolutionize the world, and instead join me as my bride at the top of the tower. and they did, only to last two or three years as akio's chosen princesses—like kanae (re: The Palace Perspective)—and then be discarded. like so many socialists that get convinced by parliamentary social-democracy and abandon communism for reformism, only to last what? a brief decade-long political cycle and then get replaced. the Podemos and Sumares. the Die Linke to be. all leftist parties in mult-party systems that claim to be moved by good intentions but end up achieving nothing because they don't pose an actual alternative to the bourgeois system—they've just joined it. and the cycle continues.

except with utena, the cycle breaks. because she refuses to participate in the exploitation, rejects the system, and leaves to find an alternative. she is utena, the revolutionary girl, in the communist sense. her actions destroy ohtori entirely—as the school's power is founded on convincing its prisoners it is the only real world. ohtori is a parallel to capitalism in this case (bear with me on this).

in the post-soviet era, after the existing alternative of a socialist state was crushed, there spread a general idea that. this was it. "there was no other alternative", as Margaret Thatcher's campaign motto kindly put it. socialism didn't work in the USSR, which means it will never work, and we are stuck with capitalism forever. this thesis is famously developed in Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism, that picks up from Zizek and Debord's concept of the "perpetual present" (*). it is also the control device akio uses to get no student to leave, trapped in the stasis of adolesence forever, where they are easily exploitable. that is, until utena reminds them that an alternative is possible, that abandoning the exploitative system is feasible. you could say she restored class consciousness.

this ties into RGU's thesis of "eternity as something fake", too. in a way that this post explains better than i could:

"There is no such thing as something eternal" is reframed as a positive. eternity is Not Good. eternity is everything staying the same forever, never changing for the better. it's the opposite of revolution. it's what akio wants, perpetuating the system that benefits him at the cost of everyone else forever and ever. and no matter what utena might have thought, it is not what she wants. —transmascutena

"Perpetuating the system that benefits him at the cost of everyone else forever and ever" is just capitalism. and the relationships of abuse he subjects his students to should be understood as an iteration of capitalist relationships of production (not literally, as students aren't workers akio is stealing surplus value from. im just trying to say the dynamics of exploitation are very much the same im both cases). ohtori isn't eternal. ohtori is the opposite of revolution. capitalism is just the same. and utena's role within the story is to shatter it.

and there's also the whole double meaning of revolution RGU uses, that is also so post-soviet (or postmodern if you want to open the chronological window). revolution as change, and revolution as cycle. but aren't those contradictory? once upon a time they were, when marxist's viewed history as a linear succession of modes of production. slavery > feudalism > industrial capitalism > communism. a stable accumulation of progress, if you will. but pretty much no marxist stands by that conception today, except they very dogmatic ones. instead we see revolutions—revolutionary experiences—and a part of a cycle. things change, but the change is not final, not stable. we must continue to polish our methods, change again and again in the future. instead of linear history, a spiral. hopefully a staircase going up.

and we could interpret "nothing is eternal" in a different way too. marxian thought was based upon a specific idea of "man", a supposition of what "human essence" entailed—allegedly stable from the appearance of homo sapiens till the explosion of the sun—that guided Marx when envisioning the future under communism. and what is eternity if not that? an essence that remains unchanged no matter how far into the past or the future you go? post-soviet times have destroyed any belief in an unchanging "human essence". nothing stays forever. RGU shares this vision too, trying to chase eternity—or human essence—is futile. though i admit this point is more controversial philosophically speaking as some people still do consider "human essence" to be worth defining.

(*) and to warp it up, i bring up Debord because his Society of the Spectacle has definitions of history, spectacle, myth, eternity, cyclical time....so similar to RGU's. im not going to get into it because the audience for this post is already basically just. me. but maybe another time. here's a sneak peak from Theses 127 & 131 so yall get what i mean. read this while thinking about the Himemiyas as mythical (whether genuinely, or as akio's pretension doesn't really matter, because he weaponizes it either way) and using their magical role in the story to shape it world:

Eternity is within this time, it is the return of the same here on earth. Myth is the unitary mental construct which guarantees that the cosmic order conforms with the order that this society has in fact already established within its frontiers.

The masters who used the protection of myth to make history their private property did so first of all in the realm of illusion. In China and Egypt, for example, they long held a monopoly on the immortality of the soul; and their earliest officially recognised dynasties were nothing but imaginary reconstructions of the past. But this illusory ownership by the masters was the only ownership then possible, both of the common history and of their own history. As their real historical power expanded, this illusory-mythical ownership became increasingly vulgarised. All these consequences flowed from the simple fact that as the masters played the role of mythically guaranteeing the permanence of cyclical time (as in the seasonal rites performed by the Chinese emperors), they themselves achieved a tive liberation from cyclical time.

[greennoobartist]

I seem to have acquired another question on your LGBTQ stance, if your ok answering, I know you said that you said you were gonna make a separate post answering my comment but I have more now 😭. So, do you think that there is anything morally wrong with being gay? or was it really just past experiences that made you push them away? Do you even think this should be a conversation and people should just mind their own dang business and respect if you say that you don't support something.

Alright, here I am. Sorry for the wait, but I wanted to give it my fullest for this question. I'll now address everything in detail!

Note: my LGBTQ stance is a lot connected to my religion, so all religious stuff will be colored in violet. If you're not fine with religious talk, especially religion that isn't Christianity, i suggest you skip violet colored paragraphs, but I can't promise that my stance will make sense if you do so.

With that being said, let's do this...

In my honest opinion, saying that i support LGBT is a strong term. I mean the term "support" is a bit like off, to word it that way. I cannot say that I support it, but the closest description would be respect it? Im not sure if even that can be near my stance. Just as mentioned above, my stance on LGBT is a lot, and actually completely, based on my religion. When it comes to my gender and sexuality, i completely lean on my religion for its guidance and orders.

In my religion, being LGBT is actually prohibited. That includes being transgender and/or genderfluid. Any adjustments to one's gender or sexuality is prohibited. In the religion i believe in, the only permitted option for one is to be cisgender and straight, which explains why i am so. Any changes to one's naturally given gender and sexuality is prohibited. Of course now, im only saying this for my religion, im not trying to be pushy, im only trying to explain my stance.

So, that explains why im cis and straight. Now supporting others in such act is also prohibited. Although, my religion is also about being respectful and kind to every soul Allah, s.w.t., brought to the World, so now being pushy and causing harm to someone different than me would also be a big mistake. What I'm trying to say is, no, i don't support it and i won't be encouraging it, my religion isn't allowing me to and I'm a religious person, so I'm not supporting it and I'm not the part of it, but I'll be respectful and kind towards such people.

Vidow?... This doesn't do with my religion at all, I really can't see them as anything more than best friends, really. I understand that the majority of the fandom ships them, but I don't. Do i care? Well, i can't change it. So, the only thing I care about when it comes to Vidow is that people accept and don't hate me because of my opinion. Another thing I care about is that my content I'll make for them isn't tagged and labeled as romantic Vidow. That's actually it. I can't change the majority of the fandom, so I don't care that much, i just want my opinion to be respected. I think im not asking for much.

About people praying on children when it comes to LGBT, yeah I also noticed that, and I really don't know what to say about that. I really find it annoying when people disrespect straight people and when they push LGBT into others, especially children. That's just not okay. I will respect it since I can't change your opinions and views, but don't push it into me. And into children? That's just low. I don't know anymore if I can label as a child anymore, depends on what we count as a child, but either way it's disrespectful to force people into anything, not just LGBT. Im afraid that continuing here would just cause a conflict since this could really be discussed into really really deeply, so ill leave it here to avoid any conflict.

Do I find anything morally wrong about being gay? Or is it just my past experiences that made me push them away? To be sincerely honest, it's both my experiences and my religion. When it comes to finding it morally wrong or not, that is completely dependent on my religion! Which says that yes, there is something wrong about being so. But again, my stance on LGBT is purely relying on my religion, so if you're not fine with my stance, then you're not fine with my religion either. And my stance is 90% everything that my religion says, not my personal opinions. I'm not trying to offend anyone, I'm sharing the point of view of my religion, which I oblige to follow since my religion is my personal life decision. Me, personally, find being gay more unusual, probably since I didn't get used to being with such people and didn't have much opportunities in the past to interact with such individuals. I'm doing my best to be respectful, but my opinion stands.

For the last, i find it completely pointless to argue or to make a conversation about it. Everyone has their own opinions, so in my view, arguing over it is just purely pointless. Pushing your opinions into someone else or trying to prove why your opinion is correct just rises conflict and misunderstandings. It's not worth it. I find it fine to ask someone to explain their stance on why do they think so or to ask to confirm someone's opinion, but I honestly think that everyone should mind their own business and respect everyone's opinions, no matter how different they are. Why making conflicts? It's just not worth it. We just get nowhere. In fact, we might break friendships because of such. Sincerely, i really want people to not fuss over it that much and for everyone to focus on themselves and respect others. Asking questions and being curious is great, but being disrespectful and harmful is not.

To make my stance even clearer if it isn't clear what's my religion: I'm a Muslim. My religion is Islam. Islam doesn't allow any adjustments to one's naturally given gender and sexuality that was bestowed upon by The One and Only, The Almighty Allah. My stance on LGBT is purely on how prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h., adviced and on how Allah The Almighty ordered. With respectful sincerity, I'm not changing my opinions.

For closing and as a note: If there is anyone who isn't fine with my opinion or religion, feel free to leave and block me and do whatever you want. I'm not going to force anyone to support me. I don't mind anyone blocking me or ignoring me after such addresses. I really don't mind. Don't hesitate, don't think it'll hurt me. If you're not fine with my opinions and religion, feel free to leave. I don't need anyone to disrespect me and hate me.

Huge thanks to everyone who gave their time to read through this. I really appreciate it and I hope that this cleared everything.

[batty4vamps]

16, Marko

16. "You like me?" "Just figured that out, huh?" with Marko

This is the cutest thing I’ve written in a while UGH thank you for this request <3

Also you can def tell in reading the Marko pov that I’m currently crushing on an either completely obvious or completely uninterested man, we are fighting for our lives out here 💀

Includes: gn reader, total fluff, Marko has a crushhhhh

The night after asking Marko to pretend to be your boyfriend and scare off an overeager surf nazi, you realize he isn’t acting like himself.

“Okay- what’s going on Marko? You said you were okay with helping last night, why are you suddenly being all… weird?”

He looked at you for a moment, thinking as he bit the inside of his cheek.

Marko truly couldn’t believe you were this dense. From the moment you’d crossed paths on the boardwalk he’d been smitten. He thought he was being obvious! He’d flirted 24/7, he took you for joyrides on his bike, he’d brought you gifts and trinkets- hell, he’d let you wear his damn jacket! How had you not put it together? Were you just that disinterested? He knew he was treading dangerous ground, you being a human and all, but he just couldn’t let you go. The thought of you truly not wanting anything to do with him to this extent was killing him.

Then, last night, you’d basically asked him out, just to keep a surf nazi who was in love with you off your ass. He agreed, of course he did, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t bitter about it. During the (fake) date he was able to just play it off and have a good night with you on his arm, but after 24 hours of steeping in the reality that he’d probably never get the real thing, he was pissed.

“I helped you, didn’t I? What’s the problem?”

You frowned at Marko. He did help you, and you appreciated it, but then he started acting all cold. Sure, he’d been nothing but sweet to your face, but you knew him well enough to see through it. He’d barely said a word to anyone all night. He’d turned down your offer to cheat the rigged carnival games out of all their cheap prizes, or terrorize the comic book store kids that were convinced he was a vampire. It wasn’t like him.

“I don’t know- you’re just not yourself. If it was gonna make you act all weird you could’ve just turned me down. I’m sure Paul or Dwayne would’ve done it.”

You’d had the time of your life being on his arm last night. It felt right, just a comfortable step further from your usual dynamic. Maybe it was mean, but there was a reason you’d asked him to fake date you specifically. You wanted to know what it would feel like.

Marko’s brows furrowed. It’s like you were trying to make him jealous on purpose. Dwayne or Paul absolutely would’ve walked you around the boardwalk all night, happily and knowingly driving him insane.

“No. I said yes, I wanted to do it, I did it, and I’d do it again, okay? I’d do anything for you, you know that”

Despite the reassuring words, he still looked just as mad, prompting a sigh from you. He was being ridiculous.

“Then why are you being like this?”

After a drawn out silence, Marko stood up, resigning himself to facing your rejection. He couldn’t believe that you just didn’t know how into you he was. If you really hadn’t gotten it by this point, he had a feeling it probably wasn’t mutual.

He gently took your hands in his, looking you in the eyes with a sigh.

“Last night was great, and I fucking hate that it was great, because I want it to be like that all the time. I want us to be like that all the time.”

He was explaining it to you like you were stupid, and with how long it took you to process, it might have been warranted.

Holy shit. Marko wanted you for real.

“…You like me? Like, actually?”

He scoffed out a laugh, eyes going a little wide.

“Just figured that out, huh?”

It all made sense. Of course he’d been pissed, he’d been hoping for a night like this for months, only for you to give it to him all because of another guy.

“I thought you were just being you! Hell, all of you flirt with me, and everyone else on the boardwalk. I thought it was just what you did!”

He couldn’t help but be endeared by how wrong you were. If he wasn’t concerned about you thinking he was crazy or dangerous or both, he’d inform you that none of the other people they flirted with were ever seen again. You weren’t like any of them.

“I mean yeah, it is, but have you ever seen anyone else wear this jacket? I wasn’t just flirting with you”

Your face went red remembering how heavy and comforting the jacket had felt wrapped around your shoulders. Come to think of it, you’d wondered at the time why all the guys were looking at you crazy when you had it on. You couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yknow… if I’d have known that, I would’ve just asked you on a real date last night”

His eyes lit up. Did you just say what he thought you said?

“Really? I mean, you still totally can-”

It’s not that he’d thought he had no chance with you, but after months of pining he was bound to lose a little hope. This was what he’d been fantasizing about since the moment he’d met you- well, that and other things.

You grinned, removing your hands from his to wrap around his shoulders.

“Marko, will you go on a date with me?”

He smiled just as wide, not taking a moment too long to wrap his arms around your waist, pulling you flush with him.

“I thought you’d never ask, dollface”

[contentloadingandstuff]

Birthday NAU

So my 19th birthday was some time ago, the 20th of April to be exact.

I'm going to get myself a nice gift - I'm going to make a voiceover for some of my Necro AU characters and use ElevenLabs to make voices for them to read it out. I got myself a pro subscription for some of the money I got from family. All the text will be - obviously - original and the voice will be generated based on some retro games like Dark Omen, Myth and Warlords Battlecry.

Of course, I will write and publish them, alongside the audio, for anybody that still thinks NAU is interesting. But I'll just have some fun and honor the characters I made this blog for in the first place.

Yeah, it's sad that Mortuarius is so short and that I'm unhappy with the quality, meaning I'll likely either remake it and start from scratch or just put it to rest. I'm far too much of a perfectionist to actually feel what I've done up to now is enough to warrant any sort of even light interest, leading to a hopeless spiral of self critique and an overwhelming feeling of pointlessness. The crushing majority of ideas will be forever left to gather dust in my mind.

I can't draw, so I will likely never get to show you guys how I wanted them to appear. I can't animate, I can't render either - no videos will ever be made of them in action. All I have to introduce them into the world is my writing which is incredibly flawed, further proven by the narrative and worldbuilding mistakes made in Mortuarius, botched to a point where I cannot get myself to write anymore because as soon as I realised how limited the story of Denki is, when chosen to be approached from his initial training rather than much later on when he can actually do stuff and interact with Teyvat rather than just Umbra, I lost all momentum I had going.

Don't think I have it all planned either. Each new content drop for Genshin takes a hammer to my ideas and creates massive plotholes that I have to somehow explain. Or, at least, I feel I need the answers to. I am notoriously too demanding of myself, but I just can't help it. Unless NAU and its characters are Genshin-level in terms of content, there's no hope for them both. You may think that - hey, Genshin's lore is actually very mid and is also flawed while their characters of ten fall extremely short of their potential, come out as two-dimensional or like slightly different version of identical tropes. Like just look at Yoimiya and Mualani as an example. Or Kokomi and Jean. Or Zhongli and Neuvilette. Or Beidou and Dehya. They have different looks and lore, but their personalities are very close to each other - for me adding a band-aid in the form of limited time events is not a valid solution.

But Genshin remedies it with character design. Some fanservice, some bait, a lot of rule-of-cool type stuff and gameplay options. I cannot do any of this. NAU characters are not hot anime girls/guys that you can build and watch in-game. They won't ever measure up.

And so it goes, this train of thought, from one excuse and self-hating line to the other, wasting time, wasting effort, wasting opportunity. Even though I didn't post anything for NAU in months, I am fairly burnt out with it due to all this self-influcted pressure and the constant desire to "fix it" or "make it appealing". It was supposed to be fun, but it didn't end up this way.

So I'm doing these voicelines because I know I will have fun with them, and I will feel really happy and just a little bit proud of hearing them come to life in this homeopathical and fake way. "The people" won't care, but its okay. I'm doing this one for myself.

Thank you for everybody that reached this point of my stream of conciousness. Have a nice day.

[apple-onigiri]

I love post canon Loop has explosive telekinesis but the headcanon never sat right with me because if they could do that why did it never occur to them to use it in canon? I mean I like their boss fight but what if I wanted a tohou style fight? I know there's not much that can be done about it but saying Loop just forgot or didn't realise still feels lazy so I decided to come up with a headcanon that explains this.

My headcanon is that since they are supposed to help Loop can only access all these secret/forgotten forms of craft if it helps others, that way it prevents Loop from abusing this power.

Bonnie: If only there was a way to heat food fast any time any place.

Loop: *Makes microwave noises*

Odile: If only there was a way to clean everything more quickly and efficiently.

Loop: *Makes vacuum cleaner noises*

Mirabelle: If only there was some way to experience horror stories more directly without actually being in the story.

Loop: *Makes gaming console noises*

Isabeau: If only there was a way to put on some romantic music on my date with Siffrin without hiring a band because that would make him anxious.

Loop: *Begrudgingly makes loudspeaker noises*

Siffrin: If only I knew a long range attack that ignores types of craft and defeats your enemies instantly.

Loop: Stardust, let me teach you this craft sign I like to call gun.

interesting take!! ahhh fun collection of situations, i always love loop interacting with the rest of the party!!! but lmao not the noises 😫

hmmm when it comes to the fight tho, it's not like they can't had to have forgotten; that fight was the first one after they got taken away from their own loops and doing what they've known how to do is not out of the question, why would they suddenly know how to do it when there was no reason for them to try out anything new? and it's not like siffrin entered the house knowing he could learn rock/paper craft moves. i think it's just really fun to let loop learn and grow past the loops, shows there's life after that for them, life of their own, one that's separate

to be honest, i myself abstain from loop being constrained by wish craft after the time loops are broken as well because it feels entirely too cruel and they already did their job - their wish was for someone to help them, i.e. siffrin, after all (i did also read them being forced to do stuff because it at the time worked towards helping siffrin escape from the loops, not because they have to do everything someone says). but this is an interesting idea nonetheless :) thank you for the ask

[elbiotipo]

I really hate when a story just doesn't explain where people get food from. Like, if it's high fantasy with a mythic vibe, it doesn't matter, because it's not supposed to match material reality, but in something more low fantasy or sci-fi or post-apocalyptic or whatever you need to explain how your world functions. I'm reading a fantasy novel where the main character gets sent to the Demon Realm for a bit, and even though the entire place is a barren wasteland with apparently no agriculture or animal husbundry, there're large mobile cities with markets with bread and meat and food and potions and etc.

Like, they specifically call out that there aren't many plants in the demon realm, and wood is exceptionally rare, and then just don't elaborate on where wheat comes from.

I think some people are disconnected or uninterested in wondering where things come from in their own life and so they don't apply this to their own writing. But there's also a sense that such things are "boring" or "distract from the story" when they are actually very important to setting up the atmosphere and plot. I mean, why do you have a "demon realm" if you just have markets and such? What's the difference between such a (supernatural?) realm and the material world?

Because this is something I've been also wondering especially with regards to "evil demons" in fantasy. As I understand them as a concept (informed by my own Western/Christian background of course), demons (and angels and everything in between above or below) are supernatural beings and so they don't physical subsistence, at least not in the way we do. They are also somewhat "above" human comprehension, so they don't exactly behave as human. So when you have demons living in the "material" world you have to wonder how that exactly works, if they do have the same needs and way of thinking as humans. And if they do, what does it mean in this context to treat them as entirely "evil" or "good".

(of course, the word "demon" here could mean a lot of things, for example, in East Asian fantasy sometimes it is used as a translation for concepts such as Yaoguai which I would rather say are "monsters", while there are many, many other categories and concepts of the general idea of "supernatural being", there's a lot of nuance here)

ANYWAYS, returning from that tangent. Your world can be as fantastical as you wish. But if there are human beings on it, or otherwise biological material beings, they have needs to be fullfilled beyond whatever quest or context they're on. They need to eat, to drink, to have shelter, to sleep and so on. And this does not mean that you should spend chapters on telling me how your characters eat or sleep, but it does mean that if you want to convince the reader that this is a world with people you should care about, you should write it as if it indeed was a world with people.

[enodia-polymorphous]

Hii! I was wondering if you could shed some light on whether the Deipnon was a real ancient tradition? I watched this video [ https://youtu.be/jMEcXJpPHt4?si=5TxmS8CyT68-sGSD ] where the OP claimed that there are no ancient sources about the Deipnon and it’s just a modern misconception, so I’m curious

Is Hekate's Deipnon a real ancient tradition?

Hello there!

I watched this video recently as well (within the last few weeks) and wanted to get back to it at some point - and here we are.

To anyone reading this and interested in what I have to say, the context is important! So have a listen to this video which is just under 20 mins long, and you can increase the playback speed too.

I like this video! And I'm surprised that I haven't heard of it sooner. Because it does dive into how fragmented our sources for Hekate's Deipnon are and how lacking they are, too.

I don't intend to re-analyse each fragment and the commentary provided by Fel, but instead here's my perspective on the situation, which doesn't necessarily make me an expert or "right"!

Assumptions When Reconstructing an Ancient Religion

Fel includes a quote from Sarah Iles Johnston's "Restless Dead" which I will pull some sub-quotes from to help explain my thinking here.

It has sometimes been assumed that these suppers were taken to the crossroads every month [...]

But like the Selinuntine rite for the Tritopatores, it is also possible that [...]

The monthly suppers are not mentioned in an festal calendars, which would tend to support the latter idea, although the omission may also mean only that they were taken to the crossroads by individuals on their own behalf [...] In either case, their regular offering does not seem to have been understood as so critical to the health of the polis as a whole.

Johnston demonstrates how we approach reconstructing concepts of Ancient Greek religion. Much of what we know about the practice, in a scholarly sense for academics and practical sense for hellenic polytheists, is based on educated assumptions.

You might ask someone in the field of classics, archaeology, or ancient history how they know if something was done or seen a certain way back then. They are likely to tell you that they don't know and that they tend to be careful with their wording because they never know when new evidence might be uncovered that changes what we have recorded of ancient civilizations and of this religion. Or even if we "never" uncover further evidence, they surrender to the idea that they are more than likely to never know.

When we apply this idea to the fragmented evidence of Hekate's Deipnon, we can make the following assumptions ourselves:

We don't actually know if it wasn't celebrated at all.

As noted from Johnston, the omission of the tradition in a common source (in this case, the festal calendars) doesn't necessarily mean the omission of the tradition entirely. Hekate's Deipnon could've been a household/private practice (in line with household purification rites) for those who wanted to honour the dead or cleanse their home or honour Hekate.

Fel mentions that Plutarch, who in a translation of Moralia writes of suppers to Hekate, in his time much later than Classical Athens, could have been writing based on literature we no longer have [or haven't found] on this potential tradition.

And I have a few notes under the section "What else do we know about Hekate's Deipnon?" with some topics and sources that can be further delved into when exploring this topic which weren't in the video - whether or not they tell us if this was a real ancient tradition.

2. We don't know if it was celebrated at all.

Fel notes in the video, based on their independent study, that the nature and existence of Hekate's Deipnon is not conclusive (i.e. we can't conclude that it was celebrated). I agree, to the best of my knowledge!

I mean, we don't have much of a record of any other festal calendar traditions for Hekate either. And Hekate is said to have "joined" the hellenic pantheon later than other deities were established (especially in discussions about Hekate's roles as a deity in the hellenic pantheon, and the potential overlaps. See example: Johnston's chapter Hecate and the Dying Maiden from Restless Dead which theorises on Hekate's entrance to the hellenic pantheon and how overlaps with other deities such as Artemis influenced what we know of Hekate's functions). (Does this mean she may have had holidays that weren't recorded in a way that we have evidence on these days? Does this mean they didn't exist in the first place? We don't know.)

I think it's fair and reasonable, based on what Fel has concluded in their video and if we were to look into what Fel said ourselves (i.e. actually look at/for the sources and consider our interpretations), to go forward saying: "Hekate's Deipnon is a [modern] celebration that we assume took place on the last day of the lunar month in antiquity and is assumed to involve [...]" -> and in stating this, we try our best to research into the potential traditions we're discussing (for example, purification rites involving Hekate, even if they aren't particularly associated with Hekate's Deipnon) and provide sources or be ready to provide sources.

If you wanted to, you could even say that "we lack the sources to confidently refer to Hekate's Deipnon as tradition from Ancient Greece" - which I also consider reasonable to state. Perhaps this is what I will say from now, until more evidence comes along.

Though we may now consider, what does this mean for current day celebrations of Hekate's Deipnon?

Modern Day Deipnon

My personal belief is that we shouldn't go around telling worshippers of Hekate that Hekate's Deipnon is fake and to never celebrate it because of our lack of sources. (I'm not assuming you would, Anon - I'm just making myself clear here).

I respect if other hellenic polytheists decide that they don't want to include Hekate's Deipnon on their festival calendars [anymore] after watching Fel's video and looking into the sources themselves. I imagine that celebrating better-sourced festivals (or some may interpret celebrating festivals that existed in antiquity) may be important to their practice and that's fine.

For myself, I intend to continue celebrating Hekate's Deipnon as a monthly observance either at the end of the lunar month or the start of a new one (the cusp, even, if that's your jam) because it fits into my practice and I like how it brings me closer to Hekate. I think it's okay and even good to celebrate new festivals for our deities, in a solitary practice or with a community.

From my understanding, this isn't a misconception in the same way as the maiden, mother, crone depictions of Hekate. MMC is a Wiccan concept which has its own issues around misogyny and the bastardisation of Hekate and other goddesses.

I would still consider Hekate's Deipnon as an ancient tradition as a misconception, yes, though one that is unproblematic.

Hekate's Deipnon doesn't make new assumptions about the goddess herself. Observing the deipnon doesn't change who Hekate is. Hekate's association with the restless dead is separate from the deipnon. Her association with crossroads offerings is separate. The deipnon being celebrated on the new moon doesn't necessarily make Hekate the goddess of the new moon (the new moon is simply the end of the lunar month). Deipnon being the concept of supper is separate from Hekate's Deipnon.

If some practitioners may form new associations with Hekate based on Hekate's Deipnon, that is less about the observance itself and more to do with missing research or knowledge (in my opinion!).

Again, the main turning point I see here is how we refer to it as a tradition. Rather than confidently stating that this was something the ancients did back then, we can acknowledge how little we know about Hekate's Deipnon plus consider how Hekate's Deipnon has become a religious development for many hellenic polytheists.

Religion changes and evolves. New traditions are and can be created.

(Plus the Attic calendar of festivals isn't the only one and there are many festival calendars we may never know about from different cities, rural areas, sanctuaries and more! Who knows what festivals were celebrated for the Theoi in Ancient Greece and around the world that we might recreate unknowingly nowadays?)

That is to say, I actually quite like how Hekate's Deipnon has evolved despite the rocky sourcing. It has become more than an assumed recreation of what was practiced in Ancient Greece. A fleshed out modern celebration for a goddess who is largely misunderstood. It brings worshippers together, teaches worshippers about the important concept of purification, honours the goddess, and puts Hekate on the calendar for those who want her on their festival calendars.

What else do we know about Hekate's Deipnon?

Apart from what was mentioned in Fel's video, I have a few more things to throw in the ring. These may or may not support or be associated with Hekate's Deipnon as an ancient tradition. All of these require more research on their origins and associations.

At some point I want to write something up about what I find on all these, but for now you can have this list to explore yourself if you'd like:

ἕνη καὶ νέα (hene kai nea) - "old and new", stated to be the last day of the lunar month, and sometimes associated with Hekate. A name/phrase that Hekate's Deipnon (or sometimes the triad of Deipnon, Noumenia and Agathos Daimon) has been referred to as. Mentioned: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/833/the-athenian-calendar/, https://chs.harvard.edu/primary-source/hesiod-works-and-days-sb/#fn27.

Triakas - Another term similar to hene kai nea.

Genethlia - Mentions found in non-english literature on Lagina/Caria and "Reconstructing the Sacred Experience at the Sanctuary of Hekate at Lagina" by Amanda Herring. Potentially a monthly feast of Hekate at the end of each lunar month or a yearly "birthday" feast of Hekate at the Temple of Lagina. Non-English literature includes "Stratonikeia Kuzey Şehir Kapısı Girişleri ve Kült Bağlantıları Üzerine Değerlendirmeler" by Özdemir and Söğüt, and "Les cultes indigènes en Carie" by Alfred Laumonier (pg. 393 - 397)

From what I found, the celebrations of Hekate at the Temple of Lagina may be of interest and a potential origin point for Hekate's Deipnon. (Ironically you should note that even her potential origin in Caria is still a scholarly debate and her geographical/cultural origin is non-conclusive too.)

This is all I have to say at this time on Hekate's Deipnon! I hope that it was insightful and provided some direction for you.

It is quite the development to learn this when we're comfortable in our assumptions about Hekate's Deipnon and hellenic polytheist festivals in general - it definitely took me some time to formulate these thoughts, though I'm glad to have this written up now!

divider credits -> @enchanthings-a and @strangergraphics

[runawaymun]

This is way too long to try to fit into a reply so I'm doing this the old timey way @hikarielizabethbloom ok good point about the fandom. Getting into the weeds here and I just want to say I'm really sorry if I over explain or sound like a lore purist. I love the show! This is just something that I am critical of in it, because it actively messes with Tolkien's worldbuilding and lore. While I'm not Mormon, I have had friends who are Mormon, were Mormon, or were culturally Mormon and I live in an area that is heavily Mormon in general, so it's something I'm attuned to and it's something I've discussed with Exmos who have also watched the show and highlighted things that stood out to them that even I was missing.

(Also tyyy @valar-did-me-wrong for the correction about only JD being Mormon. My bad!)

Under a cut for length bc I'm rambling, but let me explain myself here:

I must admit that I do not interact with the fandom at large with regards to Sauron, Galadriel, and Adar so I'm unaware if there is a collective trope or headcannon being perpetuated in fics. But with regards to why I say it's the Mormon influence -- shedding of blood/blood magic is something that comes up over and over in the show, and the idea of blood oaths in Tolkien, insofar as they are represented and handled in The Rings of Power, is not actually present in Tolkien's work and is unique to Rings of Power, and that's what I mean when I say how this is written and handled is a very uniquely Mormon trope that has been injected by the showrunners (probably subconsciously).

There are no "I spill some blood/offer some wine (probably mixed with my blood unbeknownst to you) and now we've made an irreversible pact" moments in Tolkien's lore, like there is between Adar and Sauron and that whole blood magic thing with Sauron and Celebrimbor and the rings. The focus in Tolkien's works when Oaths and Vows that are taken are 'binding things with everlasting consequences Which Should Not Be Invoked' (and that, the writers get very well!) is on the phrasing, intention behind them, and swearing on a deity which defines them, not violence. As in, violence is involved but it is not the violence or mixing of blood which makes them binding as we see in Rings of Power (I believe Adar says "Only blood can bind"). The violence is a byproduct.

There are also no "I made a binding pact without being willing or even KNOWING I made a binding pact" moments in Tolkien's lore either, as we see in the show with Adar and to a point Celebrimbor. You cannot be tricked into making a cosmically binding/fatal Oath. Feanor and his sons did it with their whole chest, and so did Frodo and Gollum.

I'm not sure if you're aware so bear with me while I explain: right up until 1990, during your Endowment Ceremony (which is necessary in Mormon doctrine for salvation because it's where you learn all of the sacred signs that will get you into heaven), blood oaths were taken. Of course, in modern-day LDS settings there's no actual blood involved (just a lot of specific gestures), but within the Mormon psyche it's a binding pact to secrecy which forever ties you to the Church. This is fundamental doctrine that goes all the way back to Joseph Smith. And it's not just this one, like there have been multiple different "we seal our vows with violence" things across Mormon history (Oath of Vengeance which iirc Brigham Young instituted but I can't remember if it was him or Smith so don't quote me) etc. And yes, in name the blood oath has been removed from the Endowment but according to recent Exmos who had their endowment in the past 5-10 years, the gestures are still there, they just don't say it out loud or explain it anymore. That's what I'm referring to. And just in general in Mormon doctrine and within the Book of Mormon there is a huge emphasis on sealing things with blood in a way that is very unique, and someone can enter into a binding Oath against their will, or without their knowledge, and have it be cosmically binding.

The show also seems to say that there is a magical blood oath to evil that can be passed down through bloodlines:

The blood of those who stood with Morgoth still darkens their veins.

This is also a very distinctly Mormon thing. For uh. Racist things. But it is extremely, extremely Mormon. It's honestly almost a direct quote from the Book of Mormon, which I am absolutely positive is NOT intentional. I'm not saying they're racist. It's just kind of a staple in the psyche and many, many, many Exmos have talked about it and how it affects the average LDS member so I won't really get into it too much. But the concept of evil being passed through bloodlines is Mormon in nature and completely foreign to Tolkien's work save for the Orcs, but it is not any oath that bound them to Morgoth, or twisted them in the lore (unlike what seems to have happened with Adar and Sauron's wine backstory), so this also is a new addition by the showrunners to Tolkien. Oaths cannot change or bind an entire bloodline. Just the specific person who swears it. This is why, for instance, the Everlasting Darkness and thirst for the Silmarils does not apply to Celebrimbor even though he is Feanor's grandson. He (presumably) didn't swear the Oath (as far as we are shown in the text but someone please correct me if I'm wrong. It's been a while).

Now, granted, this line was coming out of the mouth of a racist asshole. But it's also weirdly propped up by the treatment of Waldreg and The Magic Volcano-Making Blade in the show, so I find it significant.

Also, the other reason why I say it's the Mormon background showing and not a Christian one, is that this does not show up in Jewish doctrine and it does not show up in Christian doctrine. It's neither from the Torah and Old Testament, nor from the New Testament. For Rabbinic doctrine -- it's literally just Not There and furthermore, the idea that it is stems from historical antisemetic ideas. In Rabbinic teachings they are generally to be avoided, with several stipulations about how to do so. With Christian doctrine at large, sacrament (communion/shedding of the blood of Christ etc) is a sign of protection and forgiveness, not an oath. The shedding/sprinkling/mixing of blood to seal a covenant does appear in the old testament, but it's with animals, not people, does not bind entire bloodlines, and cannot be done without someone's knowledge or consent. If it is, it's not binding.

And yeah, within Tolkien's worldbuilding, sealing an oath or binding through blood in this way simply does not appear.

I wouldn't fixate on this quite so much if there weren't other things in the show which stand out as uniquely Mormon but there are several, and Sauron's depiction is one of them. I've talked about this in passing on my blog a few times but tbh it's basically everywhere. Season 2 especially.

Anyway sorry this is so long I just have a lot to say on the topic. I doubt this is very interesting to anyone who isn't religious/hasn't grown up culturally in the push-pull between Mormon doctrine and Christian doctrine like I have, but to me it is fascinating to see it played out in how JD Payne interprets Tolkien's work -- which is inextricably influenced by Catholic doctrine.

Explain this blood oath and bond obsession to me like I'm five years old.

[sananaryon]

I am always here for trans Hunter (and she took her name from Cosmic Frontier cause she is a loser) and adoptive name changes. And as for the Boscha and Luz banter, thank you she is my favourite character and i like to think she and Luz should become friends who insult each other.

I'll make a post explaining the calamity girls' ages, suffice to say they're older and I'm ignoring canon timeline (though even in canon timeline, they turn 14 in 2020 and the owl house is set in summer of 2022, so they're a couple years older than Luz)

Anne's lack of subtlety is admittedly me just having one page to write this on and wanting to get the vibe across. Until i can write or illustrate the moment better, consider one or all of these explanations:

* Luz is using hyperbole, the actual interaction was longer.

* Anne was feeling lazy and figured if it goes south Sasha could just subjugate them in a day anyway.

* Anne was sabotaging herself for sh*ts and giggles and to piss of the Core.

Luz is loyal to her batata, and also her perception of beauty is a bit more personal. Anne is beautiful the way an actress or model is beautiful, admirable but only from afar. Awe and admiration are the main parts of her strategy after all, and she rarely spends enough time with people that inner beauty becomes a concern.

I'll get into why Sasha wears armor whenever I get around to designing it, but suffice to say it is a mix of aesthetic reasons (can't conquer the multiverse if you ain't cute) and practical reasons (just cause you CAN go into battle naked doesn't mean you should).

It is funny you should mention the magic counter stuff because while Eda's decay wouldn't work fast enough to seriously hurt Sasha, and she'd just power through any attempt at mind or body control, Illusions would work on her. Not ones that affect the mind, but her eyesight is still normal so an illusory image would appear to her same as it does to anyone else, and she'd have to employ clever deduction to figure it out.

Of course an illusionist couldn't hurt her, but they could harry and mislead her, hide from her, or annoy her. Be careful though, an Annoyed Sasha is not someone you wsnt to be in the general vicinity of.

Which also ties into one aspect of this au I enjoy which is that, since it's from Luz's perspective, the Resistance don't know what they're up against. They've fought tyrants and even gods before ,surely they can handle this... right?

The Journal of Luz Clawthorne Noceda, documenting the Frogvasion of the Boiling Isles.

I.e. I finally got around to making some art of my own for my edgy owlphibia au, specifically as told from Luz's very flawed and unreliable point of view. Feel free to ask me about details of the AU because I love talking!

Text and image description under the cut.

Image description: Four pictures of illustrated journal pages, each with one or two illustrations done in watercolour and ink.

The first page has watercolour and ink drawing of the Titan's skull from The Owl House, with the sky, clouds, and the moon in the background. The archive house, resembling a crown, is hanging aroudn the right side of the skull with a piece broken off. Above the skull, the castle from Amphibia is floating surrounded by smaller shapes too small to make out. Parts of the skull and land around it is smoking. On the right side of the page is a symbol resembling a frog's foot done in bronze ink, with the label "Empire's sigil?"

Text:

3 N.E.

36. abruary.

1 month after Frogvasion

Journal of Luz Clawthorne Noceda. It's been one month since the start of frogvasion (Bailey says that's a stupid name but she got her name from an old science-fiction book so she doesn't get a vote,) and I am writing this in our new resistance HQ (Hooty play Empire Strikes Back) at King's island.

I have decided to write this record of events [text is struck out]because auntie Lilith forced me [struck out text ends, next sentence is written in cursive] for the sake of future historians and to give the view of someone living through historical events. [cursive ends]

So, to recap: One month ago on the 3-year anniversary of Belos getting his ass kicked for good, a giant floating castle with an army of frog-shaped robots and warships popped out of thin air (or from a giant rainbow portal). Then a lady in a dress showed up in the middle of the party and gave an alien invasion speech about us joining the Empire of Calamity [frog foot symbol is drawn here]. So Raine (Lord High Prince) (that's witch prime minister) went to talk to her but then she did some mind control shit and we got them the heck out of there.

And now an army of frog robots (Frobots) are conquering the isles led by some crazy powerful fire god!!! I should probably explain her, huh?

Signed: Luz C. Noceda & Lilith Clawthorne.

[text ends]

The second page has a watercolour painting done entirely in blue and white, depicting a woman in silhouette with glowing white eyes. She has an afro and is wearing a dress and making a pose with one hand to her chest and one out to the side, and there is a halo above her head. Next to her is text saying "Looks human. Probably isn't."

Further down on the page is watercolour and ink drawing depicting an indistinct red figure kneeling to the blue figure from before, this time with her skin and hair coloured brown. Next to the red figure is the text "WTF?" with an arrow pointing to the figure, and next to the blue lady is text saying "Blue all over" "Glowy eyes" and "She's not that pretty."

Text:

The Blue Princess

(We don't know her name)

The first of the Empire of Calamity Leaders (???) who appeared.

She just appeared in the middle of the victory/anniversary feast and demanded we surrendered to her Emperor (we've had enough of that here, thank you). Lord Prince raine stepped up to talk to her, but it took like 5 seconds before they were kneeling. Sorry lady, we know what mind control looks like and we're not falling for it. [the "for it" is slightly smudged] woops.

Weirdly, Raine says they never felt a compulsion to kneel, and that it was more like the first time they met Belos - that this person is important and should be bowed to. I don't get how that's different but they say they also remember thinking she was the most beautiful person they've seen, so maybe it's a charm? Raine has snapped out of it, so it doesn't last long.

The princess hasn't appeared since then so she might not be a fighter, but Lilith is making potions of anti charm with B's moms, just in case.

signed: Luz C. Noceda.

Powers: Mind control

Weaknesses: Not a figher (???)

suspected

[text ends]

The third page has a watercolour painting of a dark silhouette with one arm raised surrounded by red flames. Above their head is an orb of white made up of lines curling in on themselves.

Next to the main painting is a watercolour and ink drawing of three figures. One is an indistinct man in purple with a topknot and cape, one is an indistinct green lady with palm-like hair, and one is the same figure from before. The former two are shooting abomination goop and vines towards the latter.

Text:

The Red General

(no name either)

The leader of the Empire's army. Since the start of Frogvasion, they've been leading that army of frogbots from city to city, ordering surrender and burning and pillaging when not met with compliance. They always wear that armor, so no idea what they look like. We just call them the Red General.

(Boscha wants me to write that she calls them "that red psycho." I said that's not very nice to people with psychosis and she said "eat my ass" so I said maybe later.)

They showed up first when we were evacuating the Council House (former Archive House) cuz a floating castle had started floating above it. And when I say "showed up" I mean cracked an entire wing while burning like a meteor.

Darius and Terra (she got out on probation) tried to hold them of while we evacuated, but...

I know plants can burn, I never thought I'd see abomination goop boil.

Darius is at the other base, recovering, but [text struck out and indistinct] He'll be fine. Bailey is just worried.

Red hasn't done anything like that again, but we'll be careful

Signed: Luz C. Noceda & Boscha

Boscha stop stop messing up the ink

-L

Make me

-B

I'm telling Lilith

-L

[text ends]

The fourth page is taken up by a watercolour painting depicting a pair of orange and yellow eyes with white pupils surrounded by darkness.

Text

The Emperor

Emperor of Numberless Worlds

The princess mentioned them. We know nothing

Boscha made dark chokelate and spilled all over this page.

-L

[text ends]