#and everyone is nice and kind and we don't have to worry about capitalism or hatred or bigotry

[saphig-iawn]

Springtime with Miss Saphi

Hello darlings!

I have had a quite a nice little break, and its given me time to think about how I want to progress as everyone's Welsh hypnotic witch. Below the cut is a big ol' post about how I do what I do. I will talk about my sessions, my writing, and my audio files. If you're interested then click on and keep reading. If not, and you're just happy to see I'm back, then thank you so much for the support and love.

💝

So, for the darlings who are still here, I've broken things down into 4 or so chunks that I feel tend to each part of what I do as a kinky creative. So, first up:

Sessions

Sessions are one of the main ways I keep my little business running. These are remaining largely the same, but I want to take this opportunity to explain a little about how they work, and what I'm doing to change them.

The prices aren't changing at this point in time, even though a lot of people have said that I am undercharging quite a lot. There is one big thing that is in the way of me doing so which is that, times are really tough right now. People don't have as much money to spend as they wish and things that felt safe and predictable are now not. With this being my only income too, I know how it can be when you feel like you have to choose between the things you enjoy and the worry and anxiety that comes with making a purchase that doesn't live up to what you wanted. I would feel so tremendously guilty charging more because of how things are right now, and so I'm finding ways for people to enjoy what I make in more accessible ways that also still support me (more on that later).

Firstly, I am remaking my intake form. I feel I need to do more to set expectations within it. I am a hypnotist, first and foremost, and a domme second if the scene or session permits. Between the sessions, I am not a Domme. I tried to be, and it began to make me quite sick. It would also be unsafe. I have a lot going on (as you'll see reading further along) and I would not be able to devote the attention needed to make sure that the domme side of things was done safely. Ultimately, the Miss Saphi you see in my posts and my writing and my audio and my sessions is going to remain in the content I make.

Secondly, what actually are my sessions about? In basic terms, you come to me, we negotiate the content of the session/scene, figure out boundaries, then we set out a date and time. The intro session is very much like this too, but a little more structured and strict in its content. I don't tolerate "I have no limits" or "Do anything to me" kinds of play partners. Much like hypnosis, everything we do is collaborative, even if I am the one leading the scene. It is a give and a take.

What they are not is me becoming more than a hypnotist in a few capacities. As I said above, I'm not a capital D domme, so what we do is in our sessions and that is it. I am also not a confidant or, to be reductionist, a therapist. While my work is warm and welcoming and I put forward a very caring environment, there are only so many things I can do. Providing you a safe space, in which you are always in control, to explore hypnosis and kink? I can do that. Flirting and teasing via text at any of day and maintaining play and scenes outside of my working hours? That is something I cannot do.

If you want a little teasing, my posts are the best and only place for it.

Talking of which.

Writing & Reblogs

I have been slacking on writing. I feel a good chunk of this was down to burnout.

My writing comes in three forms: session writeups, fiction, and posts.

When it comes to session writeups, I have a big backlog that I want to get through. I have had amazing sessions with beautiful people from all walks of identity and gender, and I feel sharing their experiences are good things. To be transparent, writing about these sessions has two functions: first, they share the wonderful experiences of hypnosis that is a bit different to what is usually out there. I've seen, time and time again, how people love that my kind of hypnosis is framed in a more caring and safe way. Second, they advertise. They show what I can do, what people enjoy, and that someone could have an experience with me themselves. Everyone I write about gives express consent and understands this. A business, of any kind, needs to reach out, and I want to do it a way that provides and isn't intrusive.

Fiction is something I want to get back to doing. It allows me to flex my writing while giving something different and fantastical to you. There are thing that my hypnosis cannot do, and fiction is where those fantasies can flourish. It also allows me to explore characters and places through the lenses of hypnosis and magic. Melody and Dina, my two witches who can't seem to catch a break, the wider myths and stories of Miss Saphi, and whatever ideas come to my mind or come to yours with commissions.

Then we have posts. These are like indulgent snacks compared to my writeups and fiction. I like to make these because I may have an idea in my head that maybe doesn't have the room to grow into something bigger, but should still be shared. They also allow me to interact with you lovely folk in the reblogs. Admittedly, interactions have become something that I want to look at a little differently. I do so love responding to you all and inviting you in to my little world of magic, but that also means I'm not doing other things while I'm responding to people. I don't want to stop responding to people, but I now know I can't respond to everyone. So please, if you reach out to me through my writing, know that I do see it, and that if I don't comment or react, it isn't because of you or anything you've done.

Audio

I have been having so much fun with making audio, but lots of things got in the way of me doing more.

I have them forming in two categories for me: hypnosis and narration.

With the former, I would like to begin provide hypnotic and hypnotic adjacent experiences. I want to create audio files that do what they can to emulate what I provide in my sessions, and avoid a lot of the pit falls that audio files seem to do. It also means that the people who want to try my sessions can do so in some capacity without needing to commission me. I've seen so many lovely folk tell me that they'd love to have a session with me but things get in the way, so this would provide something for them as well. With these audio files I hope they give the experience I want them to give, provide a creative outlet for myself, and to also provide a means for people who were able to have a session but were unsure or tentative, have more of an understanding and experience; a try-before-you-buy.

With my narrations, I want these to occupy a similar space that ASMR audio and roleplay does. Consider them stories that I tell you that can begin to feel a little real if you so wished. With regards to my work, they will sit between my fiction writing and hypno audio, something fantastical that might just suck you in if you want it to.

Support

As I've said, my sessions are my main form of support right now, with tips/donations right behind them.

I want to bolster my Patreon so it becomes a more accessible way for people to support me and my work.

Buying sessions is a scary thing, they're quite big, they're an unknown for a lot of people, and so I feel that my Patreon can be a place for people to engage with me in a way that supports me and is more respectful of them.

I am aiming to put new fiction and new audio on Patreon first.

I also want to create content that would be exclusive to Patreon. This is not to arbitrarily paywall. This is for the content that takes more to produce and create. This would include more involved audio roleplays and hypno content, and fiction.

---

Thank you if you got this far, that means a lot more to me than you might think. I am overjoyed that I get to do this, and I want to do so much more, and I hope you all will be here while I do it.

As a treat for reading all of that, here's what I'm going to do next. I'm going to release my first audio roleplay. It is about you visiting my cottage because you've wanted to have a session with me but you're not too sure. So, I sit you down in my cottage and talk to you about how my magic works. I do this in my intro session, and I feel its good to share for people. It isn't inherently made to entrance, but creates a safe space for those who may want to slip into my words.

[blimgus]

WHB SLEEPOVER SERIES -GEHENNA VER.

Hey guysss blimgus here

guys guys listen i've got an idea.

_______________________________________

Imagine spending your sweet time in Gehenna. Peaceful slow time in the capital passes with the occasional random explosions in the background. However, when the night comes it's time to head back to Satan's castle for a rest. But due to some devils fighting over your attention with each other, you decide that organizing a big sleepover would solve the problem!

By bribing Ppyong with some chocolate you get the necesarry stuff you needed from Minhyeok's room. You grab the definitly too big bag from the tiny Red Lump Devil and hand over his reward.You check the contents of it,while Ppyong stuffs a bunch of ferreros in his mouth.

------------------------

Satan

○ pretty chill about organising a sleepover, tells you that's a good way to boost morale

○ tbh i imagine he'll pick a classic white tank top and some heart boxer briefs xD

○ imagine having a casual romantic talk with him while cooking marshmallows over a burning toaster

○ he's totally up to play some games and have fun with you ( and his subordinates)

○ causes a massive pillow fight to unleash, anihilates most of the others(don't worry he'll go easy on you, but you will not escape your fate *yeets a pillow*)

○ however true chaos starts when you introduce him to Mario Kart

○ oh God I have the absolutely cursed idea. Like imagine playing Mario Kart with him as a foreplay later (gfhsjsbsb)

○when the time to sleep comes he'll flop down on the huge bed like some kind of a log

○ yeah you wake up to grab some water or go piss and have a Satan jumpscare bc either he sleeps with his eyes open (which totally glow in the dark believe me) or he just pretends to be asleep and we will never know the truth

Sitri

○ahhh Sitri my baby

○ like he's totally rocking the leopard print luxury pyjamas bc like that's so Sitri-coded

○he'll spend most of the with his tea on the sofa.The only person allowed to sit next to him is you, just so he can listen to your heartbeat a bit better ~♡

○ paint his nails, paint his nails

○ i totally see Sitri sitting with you in the kitchen, blind testing some awful convenience store tea and listening to him shit talking the diffrent brands while offering you to try some REAL tea (we all know how it may end)

○ when the places for everyone to sleep were decided, he got kinda fussy bc he was somehow expelled from the bed

○ baby got angy, but at least he gets to calmly listen to your heartbeat when you sleep...

Paimon

○ PAIMON PAIMON YAS QUEEN

○ No.1 sleepover fan

○ Literally teleported to you when he heard you say the word ,,sleepover "

○ Literally girls night , painting nails, eating snacks, doing each others hairrrr, playing dress-up

○ totally into watching Barbie movies, especially the Old ones, or some shitty romcoms

○ came up with the idea of organising a Just Dance tournament to decide who gets to sleep next to you,

○ offers you to help you clean off your make up before sleeping to get alone with you for a while

○ good night smooches from Paimon♡

Leraye

○ Golden retriever energyyyy

○ he would probably wear a kigurumi, or some cute long sleeved pyjamas with a teddy bear pattern

○ gets destroyed at Mario Kart oof

○ tbh I headcanon that the whole pillow fight started bc he accidentaly sniped Satan with a pillow from across the room.

○*insert boss battle music*

○ *insert the sounds of gunshots and screams*

○ all Hell breaking loose

○ also he gets really invested in the Barbie movie's story???

○at the end of the day, he goes to sleep with one of satan's decapitated plushie~

Belial

○Happily agrees to joining the party!...*insert jjyu cursing*

○ he comes wearing matching dark read top and bottom, ngl the colour matches his hair highlights nicely

○ also Jjyu is here with a tiny night cap

○Belial seems like that one person who comes to the party to share some banger music they found on Spootify

○ ya know some small talk with himm while the musics plays in the background

○ some time later puts Jjyu in time out bc he got a little out of control

○ in order to keep chatting with him without straining his voice, you decide to whisper to each others ears

○ so romantic

Zagan

○ Most of the time he just keep to himself. Don't worry he's enjoying himself, just not too good with talking.

○honestly i think he'll wear a black tank top and some totally normal pants. Idk he just seems like the neutral clothing type of guy to me.

○Tries to learn some Mario Kart. I mean he still ends on a higher place in the races than Leraye due to everyone """accidentaly""" targeting him.

○ Have you wondered who won the Just Dance tournament?

○Yeah, it was Zagan.

○ He absolutely destroyed Paimon and Sitri, much to their dismay.

○ Now he gets to sleep next to you!

○ Don't worry we keeping this situation "non-horni" so no naughty stuff or smth

○sooo he just lays there with you on his right side and on the left... there's a drooling and snoring Leraye.

Astaroth

○ honestly nobody expected him to actually show up

○but heyyy he and his snake are here!!

○ totally wears the darkest coloured robe and some classy black fluff slippers

○ kitchen talk with you, him and Sitri so real

○ low pitched chuckle coming from him when he sees you goofing around with others

○he loves hearing your laugh

○ agrees to tell you a bedtime story as long as you'll promise him to repay the favour later~

○ he spends the night on the armchair, his snake chilling on his shoulders, while he reads a book he brought to the party

___________________________

Paying my respects to people writing fanfics, bc it takes a lot of dedication to push out that many words and not go bonkers...

First time writing anything like that on this site, English grammar defeated me here.

Hope you like it!

-blimgus out

[daisyblog]

Capital FM Interview

Our Story Masterlist Summary: Harry talks about his new music and opened up about some of his other massive projects for 2022; movies My Policeman and Don’t Worry Darling…and of course YN.

"Please welcome to the show Harry Styles" Roman announced, after explaining he was wearing a dressing gown on the show today because Harry wore a purple one during his last interview on Capital FM.

Harry and YN have just flown into America for Harry to prepare for his Coachella shows later in the week, so Harry was doing the interview over a Zoom call.

"Duh duh duh duh...duh duh duh...duh duh duh duh..duh duh duh" Harry begins to chant, waving his arms in the air, through the screen, wearing a white t-shirt and his earphones dangling from his ears. The presenters joined in with his chant.

"Mate It's been ages how are you?" Roman asks.

Harry gives the biggest grin "I'm very well thanks..yeah..I'm very well..I-its uh..thank you very much for the dressing gown reference"

"No it's okay..well..well..I mean I was upset that you didn't turn up in a dressing gown on my screen but I'm sure everyone in the world would be upset if you didn't turn up in a dressing gown-"

Harry interrupted Roman "I can run and get one"

"Just do it" Roman encouraged, but Chris the other radio presenter explained they haven't got enough time, so Harry pulls his t-shirt over his head slightly to pretend he was wearing one, causing the presenters to laugh.

Roman continued the interview "You're back..you got your brand new song As It Was..so many people absolutely love it..we love it in here..the video is super cool as well-"

"Thank you so much" Harry politely said, as he played with a piece of his hair.

"There is obviously...the best thing about this is that people have waited so long to hear your voice once again...on a brand new song but it's not your voice that we hear first..isn't that right?" Roman questioned, still wearing his dressing gown and headphones placed over his hood.

"It is yeah...it's the voice of YN's little sister-" Harry began to explain before Roman and Sian is heard 'awwing' at his confession.

"Her and YN's little brother used to try and call us before bedtime every night so..uh..one time I don't know..YN's phone didn't ring or something..so they phoned mine but I missed it and she sent me that and I kind of dug it out at some point while we were in the studio..and put it in front of the song for some reason and I kind of just fell in love with it so..it stuck" Harry explained how Doris and Ernest would phone their oldest sister and Harry each night to say goodnight to them.

"It is really nice but I do think that..that does mean she's officially a recording artist now-" Roman spoke.

"True" Sian agreed, interrupting her colleague "She get's a percentage"

"Yeh..she's a recording artist..you've got to share a grammy with her" Roman continued to explain his opinion.

Scratching the back of his head, Harry joked "Oh yeah..she was asking..she was asking for a big fee" causing Roman and Sian to roar with laughter at his sarcastic comment.

"What did Louis think..you know was he annoyed that you'd thought of the idea first of using his sister's voice in a song?" Chris continued to ask questions.

Harry thought before answering "Uh..no I don't think so..I think he was proud to be 'onest"

"We are loving this..it's the lead single from your upcoming album Harry's House..the artwork is you in like an upside-down room..all the furniture's glued to the ceiling..now I don't imagine this is exactly how your house looks but do you have anything weird and wonderful in your house like that-"

"I'd say at the moment it's kind of just..uh..piles of things which we're kind of sorting through-"

"What have you just moved?" Sian asked the singer.

"No we haven't-" Harry smiled shyly.

"You've just got piles of things" Chris laughed along with Harry.

"I'm trying to kind of empty out a little bit and kind of clear..uh..the space that I'm living in a little bit..get a little bit clearer" Harry explained.

"Are you a messy person then..is this the problem?" Sian questioned.

"I don't think I am..but YN would probably disagree" Harry laughed "That's why there are so many piles of things..because she'll be like c'mon let's have a clear out and then literally pile my stuff up..and uh..I don't always get the chance to sort through it..so yes and no"

"Oh she's one of them..a big clean and clear out" Sian commented.

Chris began to ask Harry about his home, location and accent "Speaking of..uh..homes..you're not actually at home at the moment you're in..you're in America..um..but we've seen some pretty wild accents from the 1D boys recently and specifically from um..Mr Liam Payne on the Oscars red carpet..um now I've got to ask you have you sort of started to get like a transatlantic accent from America at all?"

"Well I don't think in the time that I just got here 'cause we only got in yesterday for uh Coachella rehearsals..so uh..in the space I've been here this trip I think I've survived..I think it's a little bit all over the place" Harry began to explain his accent "I'm from up North and I've lived in London for ten years and I've spent a lot of time in America and stuff so..I think uh..I think when I'm with Americans they don't think I sound American at all and then I think sometimes when I'm with English people they expect me to sound American..I don't think I do but maybe I you know pick up some..a couple of bits along the way but I-" Harry let out a chuckle before continuing 'I have to translate for people sometimes..because they don't have a clue what YN is saying and it's so funny" Harry continued to laugh.

"Yeah she definitely hasn't lost her accent has she?" Roman joined in on the joke.

"No and I think it's more noticeable when we're in America" Harry continued to explain his girlfriends accent.

"You've been working so hard recently yeah...and we said you know-" Roman began before Harry interrupted.

"Thank you Roman"

"No I appreciate it mate I do appreciate it...um but look it's been a while since we last spoke to you and...the movie thing we've got to talk about that because I don't know whether to call you an artist..I don't know whether to call you an actor..what would you call yourself?..Are you an artist first or are you an actor?" Roman questioned Harry.

"I mean I think I'm a musician first" Harry explained before adding how lucky he felt to be able to do the jobs he loves and how grateful he is to be able to explore acting. Harry then went on to say how he was able to step out of his comfort zone with acting.

Roman continued with his questioning "Yeah and talking about comfort zones as well because I need you to..uh..sort something for me right because obviously I'm gonna go see both you're films that you've been doing recently..so you've got Don't Worry Darling and..uh..My Policeman..my question Harry what is the film that I can safely watch with my parents...because I've heard that it is getting racy"

"I don't know if you can watch either with your parents" Harry confessed, making the three presenters gasp with a 'what'. Harry made a joke saying he's going to have to do another film that Roman would be able to watch his mother. "Do you want to know something funny...well It's not funny for me but you'll find it funny"

"Of course mate" Roman eagerly nodded.

"YN said to me the other day" Harry let out a little chuckle before continuing "Shall we host..like uh..um..movie night with our families to watch the two films" Harry along with the presenters roared with laughter at YN's idea "I was like no..no let's not do that"

Sian still laughing spoke "That's absolutely brilliant"

"Hey maybe me and Shirley could join..it won't be so awkward for me then" Roman joked before thanking Harry for joining them all today.

Tag List: (let me know if you would like to be added) @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @harrys-flower @platinumbarbie143 @frickin-bats @harrysbbyh0ney fanfictioncafe lilfreakjez jerseygirlinca iamahallucinationnn @chronicallybubbly @goldensunflowe-r  @walkingintheheartbreaksatellite @kaverichauhan @peterholland04 @panicattheuc @indierockgirrl hittiesontour

[princessofmarvel]

Everything has changed

summary | renfield falls for a girl who would be someone that Dracula would love to get his hands on for a meal. (i suck at summaries lol) 

pairing | robert montague renfield x innocent!fem!reader 

warnings! | some violence where the reader gets hurt! and not really proof read yet, lol.  

wc | 1.1k 

genre | fluff with some angst! 

requested? | yes! i combined two of them since they kind of went together and gave me more to write about! thank you so much for requesting, and for your patience!  author’s note! | hey everyone! i had so much fun writing this fic! it is apart of my "swift series" so go check out those if you would like to! And as always, I do I have really bad OCD that causes me to write in some random capitalization, and punctuation, But I think that we don't have to worry about that in this fic lol. And let me know if there are any mistakes, but please be kind

  Everyone in town thought it was crazy how a girl like you could be dating one of the lobos. Granted it was extended family, but nevertheless still family. It was how you found yourself in such a sticky situation. You overheard your boyfriend discussing how he and his family were going to kill someone. That didn’t sit right with you, and when you confronted him about it, you never expected to become the next target when you were walking home. That night your now ex boyfriend grabbed you and held a gun to your head. 

“You know, sweetheart, this could have all ended so nicely if you just would’ve joined us.” You heard the unmistakable voice of your ex say while holding you to his chest. 

  “Let the girl go.” Said a voice you hadn’t recognized. You looked over to see a man in a suit, with brown hair and blue eyes. A man you couldn’t help but find to be beautiful.  

  It gave you just enough time to bite the man on the arm and break free. You turned around and ran, as far as you could, leaving the gunshots behind you. When you turned around to make sure the other man was okay, you saw your ex on the ground while blood surrounded him. 

That was last week. The effects of how your ex had treated you were starting to get to you, and when you mentioned it to your friend, she recommended this support group she heard someone from work talk about, and you figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. 

  You walked into the gym where the support group was meeting and took the hand out the nice man, who you assumed was the leader of the group, was passing out. When you sat down, you didn’t notice that man that you sat next to just so happened to be your savior from the night before until you turned towards him. 

  “You!” You exclaimed, causing the man to jolt a little and turn towards you, his eyes widening. “You’re the man that saved me! I-I can’t thank you enough, are you alright?” 

Renfield felt his heart warm at you saying he saved you. Especially since saving people isn’t something he had been able to do in a very very long time. 

  “I-I’m alright miss, what about you?” He asked while leaning in a bit, his eyes scanning her for any signs of harm. 

  “I’m okay, just dealing with the aftermath now.” You said with a light laugh. “I’m (Y/n) by the way.” You said while putting your hand out for him to take. 

“Robert Montague Renfield.” He said as he took your hand. 

  The two of you talked silently to each other throughout the meeting, but as you were leaving, you tripped and fell hands first, causing your hands to scrap. 

  “Are you alright?!” Renfield asked while helping you back up and in the process, accidentally getting blood on his hand. 

  “I’m fine, just better get home and clean it. I’ll see you at the diner tomorrow okay?” You said as you watched him nod, and you made your way home, excited to introduce him to your favorite diner across from where you live. 

  When Renfield got back he was greeted with a pissed off looking Dracula. “You’re late!” He yelled at Renfield as Renfield dropped the body of one of the support group's monsters down at Dracula's feet. 

  “Sorry master.” He mumbled while handing his boss a hand only for him to spit it back out. “This is awful!” Dracula yelled while starting to smell a whiff of something. “This is not what I smell Renfield, what is on your hands?” He asked while grabbing Renfields hand. 

  Renfield didn’t even notice the little bit of blood on his hands. He felt the panic rise up in his throat, not knowing how to explain this to his master. “Oh this is nothing, it must be someone that man knew.” 

“Hmmmm, well start bringing me people like that, someone innocent, and kind Renfield. If you brought me that person, well, I could grow back to full power in no time.” 

Over the next few weeks Renfield started seeing you more, but made sure to limit all contact as much as possible. Which he found extremely hard to do considering how much he loved your touch, especially your lips. The two of you had been getting along great. He had even told you about Dracula, since he thought you deserved to know. He swears he fell even more for you when you didn’t run away screaming, and told him you would help him get out of the situation. It was why he found it so odd when you stopped returning his calls. 

Renfield knew something was off. He noticed Dracula barley eating the people that he brought him, but yet he started to look like his old self again. So much so that he decided he was going to go out and pick his own meal for the night, giving Renfield some much needed time to investigate. 

  Renfield was opening every door in the hospital, looking for a sign of anything that could be causing this, when he heard a small whimper of his name that made his heart shatter coming from the next room. He ran and busted the door open only to see something that he swore could have killed him. 

  “R-Ren….” He watched you say in a breathy voice as you attempted to meet his eyes, but couldn’t from how weak you had been. He ran to you undoing the chains that Dracula had you in and held you in his arms as you began to weep. 

  “Shhhh, it’s okay, I'm here now.” He said as he looked at you, his own tears falling onto your face. 

He got you out of there and back to his own apartment where he tended to your wounds, helped you clean up, fed you, gave you as much water as he could, as he wrapped you up in his bed, making sure that you were warm. 

  “Ren….please know that I don’t blame you.” He watched you say as you held on to your glass of water that you drank out of. Renfield felt himself start to choke up at your sign of getting better, it was the first full sentence he had been able to get out of you. 

  “Thank you.” He said as he looked down at you. “Get some rest, love. You’re safe here now, I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”   As he wrapped his arms around you in bed, and watched you set your glass down on the bedside table before you started to fall asleep on his chest, he knew what he had to do. He was never going to risk Dracula being able to get his hand on you again.

Tags! | @kpopgirlbtssvt

[redsavant]

Apothecary Diaries 13

Okay, I'd felt like things were on kind of a quality decline over the Western Capital arc, with a lot of moving parts that didn't have much to do with the characters' situations in the Central Capital. It felt like a way to put something of a pause on the Central politics and move the characters into a different social milieu, and I guess it worked for that, but it was also a bit tiresome dealing with the Gyoku family's whole deal.

So why am I so upset with volume 13, which brings us back to the Central Capital and the main thrust of the story and should be a nice reset? Unmarked spoilers for at least the three latest volumes.

Put frankly, it's because it feels like the series has become a comedy when I wasn't looking. There were always humorous elements, sure, and it never took itself TOO seriously, but for most of the series' runtime, it handled things like the factional politics, the class divide between Maomao and Jinshi, and the way the other characters are all variously bound by their clan allegiances, in serious ways that fit the tone.

But in Volume 13? I'll get to the main issue in a moment, but practically everyone feels like a comic relief character. Chue has developed fantastically since her introduction, but she's the one with an excuse; her character concept of being intentionally goofy to hide her actual job as an assassin and spy is one that fits. But the Ma clan has gotten completely goofy. Suiren is completely goofy. Yao and En'en used to fit into the series' themes of how hard women have to work to be acknowledged and how precarious their positions are, but they've decided to just stay put in Lahan's manor house for a full year and it's not even a problem for anyone, socially speaking. It's reduced to a punchline about women fighting over Lahan.

But the thing that feels the most wrong, and the thing that makes this whole volume stink:

Everyone and their grandmother, literally, is begging Jinshi to jump Maomao and spark a succession crisis. We KNOW there's a faction that wants Jinshi, the Imperial Younger Brother, to compete with the Emperor and with the Emperor's crown prince. That's why Jinshi branded himself in the first place. So why is the entire Ma clan, the Snake clan headed by Ah-Duo, Suiren, and everyone else going "oh yeah, Jinshi, you go get your dick wet, haha, we love those two crazy kids"? Even if we assume that everyone involved has ironclad faith in Maomao being willing and able to induce an abortion, and thus they are somehow treating this as 100% nothing to worry about kids-wise, they don't even seem to care about any possibility of Maomao being targeted.

I feel like part of this is due to the problem that Lakan represents, and he IS a problem, but he's a symptom/enabling of a bigger issue. Lakan's problem is that he's a blank check. Early on in the series, Maomao had to worry about her social differences. She was slapped, bludgeoned, and even almost killed in the course of solving mysteries. But now that she's been accepted as the daughter of the Grand Commandant, she's a noble. The class difference (for the most part) has been removed, and what's more, Lakan is hailed as a nebulous talent of such power that no one dares to cross him, as it says in volume 13. Which means Maomao can act essentially with impunity in the court. Lampshading that she would hate borrowing her biodad's reputation for that purpose doesn't change the fact that it is what's happening.

In the beginning, Lakan was a tragic, menacing, believably human character with his own goals and desires, a potential threat to Jinshi and a factional player in the Central Palace. Now he's a walking [CARTOON SCRAMBLE SFX] overlaid with "Maomaaaaaaaooooooo" who literally runs after snack cakes like a dog and eats them off the floor. He doesn't serve any narrative purpose anymore except to enable Maomao's indiscretions, which is such a shame for a character with unparalleled potential to be a literal chessmaster, pulling strings for or against Jinshi's faction while feigning the ultimate ignorance. I suppose it's possible this still is what's going on here, but if it is, the cover is too deep. It's not a reveal anymore, it's an asspull.

Overall, this volume was a huge step down in quality in my opinion, to the point that I was actively frustrated in the last third or so of the book. Ah-Duo managed to have a good showing, asking Maomao if she was truly prepared to be chained down, but even then before that she was teasing Maomao about all the rumors around her "love life" and whether she and Jinshi banged in the Western Capital. There's a breath of fresh air at the end of the volume when Maomao approaches potential sex with Jinshi with a literal satchel full of abortifacients and dull resolve to take care of any 'accidents' that happen while he gets his jollies, which seems to snap Jinshi back into his usual writing of someone with understandable desires and longing who nonetheless understands his position and what it would mean... but it's him and Maomao in a sea of characters who feel increasingly flanderized by the volume.

I'd heard this volume was going to be a topic of discussion, but I'd heard that mostly from the perspective of "big things happening for Maomao and Jinshi's relationship" and the fact that she agrees to have sex with him. At the moment it's really starting to feel like Natsu might be desperately laying track in front of the locomotive and losing track of certain things about the setting and the story, in my opinion.

[legitimatesatanspawn]

What happened to Shelob's giant mother who bit the Devil so hard that the entire universe heard him scream? (Not that I blame him on that one, as I would also utter the most unholy shriek if a big spider bit me.)

Oh crap I thought I answered this. Geeze, it's been a while, sorry. Also same about being bit by a big spider. The guy is pretty damn big so the spider itself would be terrifyingly huge and that's before the "webs of unlight" and other fun powers. Y'all thought Mirkwood's were big? Nah, they're tiny compared to Ungoliant.

We have no idea where Ungoliant is from although it's assumed it's space but it's implied she's some kind of maia (angel/minorish god) that went off in her own particular rocker. She's basically a Primordial Hell Spider. We don't know where she went or and what became of her. Last we know, she was seen fighting and then just skittered off to parts unknown "southward" and was never seen again.

Knowing Dagor Dagorath, Ungoliant will probably show up at the end to help further that Ragnarok / End of Times setup. I mean after all, the Silmarils will be shattered there and the Sun and Moon will crash to the planet and you know she'd be hungry for that final feast of the Trees and their tofu/seitan imitations.

Although the fact that she dipped South makes me very worried about the people living south-ish past Gondor and Mordor. Like, what kind of unholy spider abominations do they get plagued with that teaming up with the evil "god" Sauron is a good idea, even with any Morgothian indoctrination at play? The Blue Wizards are late to that party but at least they can help shake things up over there.

Okay so to clarify for people who no idea: Shelob is the giant spider living in Sauron's mountain range nearish to the front gates. Ungoliant is her ancestor to an unknown degree (mother? grandmother? ungodly number of greats? who knows how long giant spiders live for in this setting) and is famously known for draining dry the giant magic trees that glowed brighter/dimmer in an about yearly cycle.

The trees, for the record, are the source of the Sun and Moon and also part of the inspiration for Feanor creating the Silmarils (specifically their light reflecting off of his niece Galadriel's hair). Telperion was planted first and then followed by Laurelin. The silver-leafed tree Telperion had flowers that dripped star-like dew, while Laurelin had clusters of golden fruit surrounded by golden glowing leaves. I mentioned before in another post about these trees and how the last flower and fruit were shotpucked into orbit on skyships. The moon's driver is apparently kinda shitty at sailing which is sometimes why the moon is larger. You'd think he'd get better but…

Anyway, the Trees' light stretched all the way from Valinor (basically heaven on earth) all the way to the known lands across Arda (including Middle Earth, which is charitably around the size of Europe compared to the rest of the landmass). Now it wasn't a perfect go and I forget at this moment when exactly the Two Pillars over on the continent Middle Earth is on were built to give that continent its own light source but Morgoth hates it when people have nice things so either he deliberately smashed them or a fight with the Valar got out of hand there and they got smashed in the fight. Because of this, the land got "ruined" by developing rocky mountain ranges, canyons, and so on so instead of being completely perfect it's wonderfully imperfect and varied. Similar way that Morgoth fighting with Ulmo - the Valar god-archangel-master of the Oceans - helped carve the shorelines and ocean-facing cliffs.

Ungoliant joined up with Morgoth with the promise that he'd offer her freely from his hands anything to satisfy her endless hunger. Using her webs as a ladder to breach Valinor's capital during a massive party since everyone would be busy, Morgoth struck down the trees with his giant spear weapon, and then she lapped up all the sap and her hunger and gluttony only got worse and Ungoliant grew larger and possibly more monstrous-seeming if she was able to scare Morgoth shitless.

They fled across the Grinding Ice, a jagged arctic wasteland (which is why the Noldor when led by Feanor went across that rather than any sensible path).

Ungoliant wasn't an idiot even if she was greedy. She knew that Morgoth broke promises when it suited him, so she demanded her goods. I am not sure how he had the time to do this but Morgoth looted Feanor's treasury along with swiping the three Silmarils. So the promise was demanded and she was fed all the gems held in his left hand… but he refused to open his right which contained the Silmarils (somehow, given that nothing evil can hold them).

Understandably pissed off, Ungoliant wrapped him up in her webs of unlight and tried to kill him. This created the echoes of Lammoth - the endless scream that would rattle forever until the area's destruction. This scream is what drew his minions' attention to the area and so Ungoliant exited the scene, pursued by Balrogs.

Yes, Balrogs. Plural. The Balrog of Moria was just the one and possibly a weak one at that.

Each Balrog is a fallen angel that was formerly working for others or could've been one of Melkor's had he stayed true (which was never gonna last given how he changed the Song and went Lucifer on God).

She wandered around, was known to have attempted to breach Doriath but was somehow successfully fended off by Luthien's mother Melian (told you she was a bamf), then had lots of spider babies in the ruins of Angband (Morgoth's Hell on Earth capital).

After that we have no idea where she went or what Ungoliant is up to beyond going "southward". Come the Fellowship's founding, it's been about 6458 years (not counting the exact date she was last seen in the Second Age) but if she was sniffing around for a Silmaril then that'd make the last possible sighting around 466 First Age so…6583 years.

That's a long time to lose track of a giant spider. Hope it doesn't literally bite them in the ass. Hopefully Pallando and Alatar (the "missing" two Wizards of the Istari Order) are handling things over there.

[alicepao13]

Hudson and Rex S04E11 - Capital Punishment - Part C

I will finish this. One way or another. I promise.

It took this smooth operator five seconds of standing like an idiot to tell Trina that she looks great.

Rex is watching carefully.

He does.

"But I want him with Sarah."

What did she do to that poor bowtie?

"Where would I be hiding weapons, moron?"

Only internally.

The bowtie has magically fixed itself. Not that I'm paying close attention or anything.

I'm sorry but what use are internet cafes in 2022 when most actual cafes have a decent internet connection?

I'm sure everyone opens doors that way. If he wanted to not get fingerprints on it, he could have used his elbow.

"[...] showed Canadians that extremism isn't just something our southern neighbors have to contend with." Yes, only the US has terrorism. What? Even my country has had a quite deadly terrorist organization.

Well, they usually give awards to the least deserving people. We are the exception, of course.

Tell him, Joe!

"If no one's going to do anything about this, I'll do it myself."

Well, there's no plan for "my dog took off with a bomb in his mouth."

Okay, first of all, this is the funniest way to say "I'll blow up Rex". Second, I think we should be more concerned about the fact that Rex might be anywhere, including (as we saw later) running next to dozens of people. Generally, it's not a great situation, even though Rex ultimately did save the day.

Uh-oh, Charlie has an idea.

"Rex does this all the time, how difficult can it be?"

I think I actually made a Geralt joke (from the Witcher, I mean he'd have been killed from that height) somewhere on this blog the first time.

Okay, Hamilton, how much did you guys pay for that slow-mo? This is embarrassing. And Rex looks like he's lost.

Damn, he has a strong head.

Wow, dude hates us.

That's a nice shot. I'm not particularly fond of the slow-mo on Charlie's expression in the next shot because he has to also hold his fist up and it kind looks weird in my opinion but this one's a nice shot.

This. I mean, I did what to see his expression, I just don't find the pose particularly great.

This I love, though. The music stopping, the sound coming like he's underwater, the sound of his breaths... And then as he punches Houle, there's nothing but the sound of his rage and his punches until he hears Rex barking.

For the record, I believe you should be allowed to punch the guy who you think killed your dog, cop or no cop. John Wick that motherfucker.

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm here, man, I'm okay."

He was so worried.

"You did fuck him up a bit, though, right?"

I was very normal about this all the 1564 times I watched it between January 21, 2022 and Mar 23, 2022. The first 1200 times were all on the first week because we were snowed in. I'm not crazy.

"Let me give you a proper lick-up, it lowers the stress level. You silly goose, you really thought I can die?"

Stop it! I'm serious, I don't want to have to open a new post for the remaining 3 minutes!

Jesse: "Charlie is getting an extended vacation?" Sarah: "Jesse, I wouldn't really call it a vacation." Jesse, let the man fuck.

That Iris Cross report must be important. I'm kidding, I know that Jesse is probably trying to find a way to not mention the countless moments of negligence in that report.

Don't read that, there's probably tons of inaccuracies in there.

You can mention the word teamwork a million times, it still seems like nothing.

Yes, yes, we're all Charah shippers. Anyway, I'm into multi-shipping lol. But I mostly wanted to screenshot this to showcase that Rex seems kinda left out, which is not how the moments with Charlie, Sarah and Rex are shot. The latter ones always seem to include Rex, showcasing that they're family. So, yeah, for more reasons than one, I am glad to have this.

Rex: "Oh, fine, I'll allow it. Just because we're leaving tomorrow."

I definitely liked Trina, I'd love for her to come back to the show, obviously not as a romantic interest for Charlie anymore.

I'm a basic bitch, so Charlie became 50% hotter when he punched Houle. I'm unapologetic about it, and I 100% believe that dogs are worth killing for. Also, as an off-duty cop, Charlie did not act as a cop but as a person who loved Rex. If he was on duty, he'd have taken out his gun and shot him, and I would have cheered. Okay, maybe not cheered because there are real consequences from shooting a rat bastard terrorist person but I wouldn't have cared about Houle. This reaction humanizes Charlie, and I'd like for him to lose it a bit every season lol. He doesn't have to beat up people every time, we'll find other outlets.

Furthermore, I think that reaction, should it have ever been reported back to the SJPD, would have carried zero blowback. Subduing a terrorist after his bomb has blown up, and using excessive force off-duty, while saving dozens of lives? They'd have given him another medal. But the most likely scenario is that it would have prompted Joe to keep a closer eye on Charlie, because while warranted, Charlie as a more put-together cop in another time would have tried to restrain himself. My main issue with this is it wouldn't have been reported back to Joe so he wouldn't have had that information, otherwise I'd have liked it to be referenced in the season finale.

Finally, I consider part of S4 as Charlie's slut era, and I think the last time I intimated that, someone blocked me lol. At the time, it might have sounded like I was judging Charlie. But it's not really a bad thing. He's an adult, Trina is an adult, they both know that they'll only have that night and they're okay with it. Sarah is with another guy (I'm assuming they're having sex), was either of them meant to be celibate until they figured their shit out? Plus, I think it re-enforced how much in love with Sarah he was because in the next episode he got back and tried to kiss her.

[tenok]

Today I saw this ask:

and I want say it without being mean, in absolutely happy tone, because yes thank you I'm overjoed we have this discussion moving: yes!!! Yes you are, you misundestood not only Aziraphale’s, but also Crowley’s character, and that makes them both bland!

The whole point of Good Omens is about shades of grey, remember? We had it stated sever times in canon. It doesen’t mean «pure good Crowley makes pure evil Aziraphale better person». It means that they both are absolutely not perfect, and it’s what makes then human, and it what makes them actually better, because perfection leads to uniformity and they are so so unique!

Crowley’s not jumping to saving every soul he see. Even from the start! Before the beginning? He loves his stars, not concerned for some monkeys that would look at them! (which is absolutely normal! Why he should care?). Adam and Eve? He’s nervous because he wasn’t expecting such harsh punishment for some dumb apple, he thinks it’s unfair, he's willing to discuss it with Aziraphale — which doesen’t want to discuss anything, but he also can’t stand to see humans suffering when he can do something. He’s the one that selflessly and not thinking about how it will hit him back jumps to help! Great Flood? They both stands there, just watching, and yes, Crowley argues that it’s unfair again, but Aziraphale’s not there with «oh it’s actually fine :)» smile as some people insist — he’s worried too and, and things he quote sounds awfully as something heavens would say to the one angel that immediatly asked «but surely we can’t kill everyone??». He’s quoting it because he have nothing else to say, not for Crowley, not for himself. And they both can only watch. Christ? Again, they’re not jumping to save, they watch.

(side note, but I think people just don’t get how important it is. We live in awful times, there’s so much war and death around, and you can do only an itty bitty things to help but it’s not enough, and it can crush you if you’re alone. I would’ve end in hospital or in prison two years ago if there wasn’t a friend that shared all this with me. And they had each other. That's the bond that stronger than any romantic love)

Next three flashback are not about helping anyone (although let’s remember that Arragemet wasn’t some noble plan, it was about two lazy cowokers finding a way to do less work and hang out more! it’s important too! they’re lazy and selfish and want to live in forever vacation, which is mood). Then our favorite Bastillie scene — now they both watch the executioner being dragged to be killed. No one of them did something to stop it, although they could’ve, you know, just leave him there naked or something. Because nah, sometimes they both just don't care (and I want to point it too: kindness, when you do it correctly, shouldn't be only to nice people you like. Sometime you help a nasty person. Or your abusive ex-boss. But also sometime you're there for the date and you don't want to be kind to some dumb human that's so happy to kill others)

Edinburg? Yep. Crowley loves Elspbeth immediatly, because she’s doing something naughty, she’s cheeky and she makes Aziraphale fret. So he helps her… to dig the body. Which is fine, again, he finds it all amusing and he’s not concerned for this girl safety or livehood. He’s in good mood and he wants to party and maybe theoretically discuss God’s cruelty with his angel. But Aziraphale sees the nice poor girl that made choices that can cost her ethernity in afterlife, and he tries to help! And look, he's not saying she just should drop everything and pray, he's actually trying to brainshtorm what she can do insted of evil naughty thins! As living human that needs to eat! Like, he’s there asking absolutely normal questions for someone who didn’t get accustomed to industrialisation and early stage capitalism yet (he’s slow, ok, although I’m mad because remember that this dialog was in book? and it was a thousand years earlier? and it was a Crowley who took a whole year to understant that it’s unfair while Aziraphale knew this and was like, well, it’s party line, what are you expected? why they shifted context so much). In the world where no one was killed Crowley would help her with body and go back to drinking or something, lefting her to dig another body next evening and live like this forever. But Aziraphale’s the one that wants to change that!! Go through episode, read the lines, look at their faces without being attached to fanon Jesus-like Crowley and you’ll see the one being that knows that the system is fucked and doing nothing to change it and the other not understanding system wholly but being willing to bend the rules and eventually risk his life to help — and I want to point it hard — NOT innocent human! She’s a street rat, she’s a grave robber (and Crowley understands why it’s bad more than Aziraphale, until the «it’s different when it’s someone you know» moment, but still he was in favor of digging bodies), she’s not deserving of help by heaven’s standarts, and still Aziraphale’s willing to risk falling, again, for her and her human lover! (THAT'S foreshadowing much, huh? HUH?) And that’s when Crowley understands: oh, shit, it’s not funny for him! It’s not just a lesson on morality! He’s really really can get punished if he do something stupid now!

Remember that second point of season was «stop messing with humans please»? That’s where it’s started, arguably.

So, like, yes, Crowley obliviously wasn’t planning to save Elpsbeth in any way until Aziraphale was willig to do it first. And why you need it to be different? We already know that Crowley’s nice deep inside. He doesn’t do anything bad there, even. It’s not a slander to his character. There’s billions of humans he — or Aziraphale — doesn’t help every day. Crowley accustomed to this, that’s the point. But then Aziraphale’s doing something risky (again, that’s his whole deal: sword, this scene, ditching his platoon and diving on earth, the nimb bomb — all done [or almost done] in defiance of heavens and for the humanity, all by his own, without Crowley’s influence! You don’t need to take this from him and stuff good qualities into Crowley until he’s absolutely flattens, Aziraphale doing something good is not stealing goodness from Crowley!).

Also remember 1941? The ones where Aziraphale wants to take down the nazi spies while Crowley smuggles alcohol? It’s the same pattern! Crowley don’t want to be mistaken for nazi (so he changes his shirt), but he’s not involved in any anti-nazi work (we talks about canon there, you can have headcanons, I sure do). It’s Aziraphale who jumps on chance to do good, again, and Crowley, again, deals with nazi only when they are the treat to Aziraphale. WHICH IS FINE. It doesen’t makes him bad. It shows that he loves his comfortable life and a little of mischieve, while Aziraphale loves his comfortable life and a little of doing good. It’s important that in this scene there’s no visible, like, innocent kid being harmed right now — I’m sure Crowley would’ve go out of his way to help then. But Aziraphale get’s tangled with some spies and suppliers, they doing nazi work indirectly — you need to think strategically to understand why you should help there, which Aziraphale clearly does. It also shows that he willing to work on changing things and not passively wait (or sleep) untill bad times go away, when he gets a chance to do it without miracles (as we saw in Edinburg minisode, he’s afraid that too many miracles or too big miracle used to help wrong people will put him in trouble). Which arguably foreshadows final fifteen again, but it's not the point of this post.

I can go next scene by scene but whatever, I’ll just remind you that’s while stopping the apocalypce was Crowley's idea, he:

— wasn’t concerned for the humans, at least at the start — he was mostly concerned for his earthly life, as much as Aziraphale, which includes humans, but not in oh-I-want-to-save-them way. Which is good! All first season is about how being a little bit egoistical and thinks about yourself can motivate you to change the world because it's YOUR world too!

— was actually working toward apocalypse and looking forward to it, until Antichrist came and he suddenly get that it will happen, like, for real (that’s literally said by word of God, remember?)

— and also, Aziraphale wasn’t opposed to idea of stopping apocalypse, he was sure that there’s no way to stop it and all that they can do is to hope that heavens will win (at least there’s no torture in heavens!… probably)

Like, it wasn’t Crowley explaining to Aziraphale that «apocalypse bad, heavens bad», it was him TEMPTING Aziraphale to give in to urge to stop apocalypse because he loves his earthly life as much as Crowley!!

Anyway, my point is — fandom loves black and white thinking. One should always be right, let’s make another one always wrong. One should always be heroic, let’s make other one villian or damsel in distress. That’s not how it work in real life, that’s not how it work in Good Omens, and Good Omens actually would’ve be really bland if it was the case. Aziraphale changes Crowley as much as he changes Aziraphale, but as everything Aziraphale do, it’s much more subtle. And they both get changed by humanity! (remember, again, the doctor from Edinburg? He sure was an eye-opener for them both)

Another thing, I think, is that people doesen’t want to step into Aziraphale’s shoes. Why would you do it, when there’s Crowley, who’s always right? It’s much more pleasant to be right, and Aziraphale’s always so unsure and his growth is not linear and sometimes he’s even says bad things! Nah, easier to not think from his perspective at all, and easier to not symphatise with him, just patronize at best, to make Crowley a better person for being willing to teach him too (which honestly makes azicrowley looks a little creepy, but you do you, just not in front of my salad please). So people that projects into Crowley, already the ones that unwilling to be not right or not good or not the most hurt party in every fight (again, it's understandble! but really narrows your perspective), gets really uncomfortable if you points that their characterisation of Crowley is not always in line with canon, because a) that makes him wrong or not-perfect sometimes and b) it makes THEM wrong or not-perfect sometimes.

Again, it’s not me picking a fight, and it’s fine if you have another interpretations of anything we saw on screen or any different headcanons. But try to look at what I said not from the point of hostility and character slander but from the point of love, because I LOVE them so much and I love them BECAUSE they both are painted in shades of gray! You don't need to mold Crowley into absolutely different character to love him! Imperfection is fine and good!

[docholligay]

Shattered by Lee Winter

Full and fair warning to the pitchers of this book: I did not like it. I did not care for it at all. I am gonna harsh on it. I will never read anything by this author again. If you go further than this, it’s at your peril. 

The pitch: What happens when superheroes don't want to be superheroes? A departure from the conventions of the genre, this book explores the many facets of humanity. Of life. Of loss. Of discrimination and friendship and equality – and how we, as humans, need different people in our lives at different times and in different ways. When your world is shattered, how can you pick up the pieces? (Includes a butch protagonist.)

Nonspoilery: The seductive idea of “A butch superhero” is utterly undone by the fact that everyone in this novel is insanely self-aware and has not only been to therapy, but may currently be sitting in a session now. Pair this with a hilariously heavy-handed look at social justice and axes of oppression, and I think a gay twelve year old would really get a lot out of this. 

I earlier posted little snippets of this book and I think that really sums it up. 

Spoilers

So I thought the major and compelling problem I was going to have with this book is I have very specific and strong emotional surrounds with the name Lena, as I do with only a handful of names in the world. So a character was always going to struggle a little bit for NOT being her. I was worried about this. 

Boy, do I wish that had been the problem! Mostly it offered up funny asides, but it didn’t really affect my feelings about the book. 

Lena is of course an edgy, closed off bad girl with a tragic anime backstory which in and of itself would not cause me a problem, many such characters, a number of whom I like. It’s a trope, and, you know what? It’s a decent trope! Would that an edgy bad girl who is the best at what she does, which is morally suspect, is a little ‘done’ was my biggest criticism. In a good story, it’s not big deal for me. 

BUT OH. Anyway, she goes to bumfuck nowhere to go track down Shattergirl, who doesn’t play the by the rules and goes into hiding, and Lena is all up in trying to figure out how to lure her back, because she’s the best ever at getting superheroes to come back, even though we learn very early on that maybe governments aren’t nice to superheroes. 

So then we go on a magical world tour, in some latter-day, low budget, Christmas Carol interlude where we have to prove to Lena, I guess, that people are bad and capitalism sucks? I honestly felt this was more a problem of Nyah’s imagination and experience than humanity sucking. Of course there are the horrors, but there is joy and beauty, too, and Lena basically takes all of this shit lying down like, “Hm! I, a fully grown adult who engages with a difficult business, never TRULY understood how someone could consider humanity not worth saving.” Really? NEVER? I fucking love the world, I think humanity is capable of immense kindness and beauty, and even I could see how someone who utterly lacked imagination would consider humanity “not worth saving.” 

And of COURSE Nyah’s planet was perfect and valued science and no one chased wealth and blah blah I’m sure she’s actually just high as fuck on the nostalgia of a place she hasn’t actually been in 100 years, but the narrative doesn’t SEEM to challenge this. It seems to be like, “Oh! If only humanity were not so awful! Le sigh!” and then Nyah offers the one concession to the fact that he planet might NOT have been utter perfection is that they weren’t very creative. Good fucking God. 

And we land on Nyah being the new leader of the superheroes, because of course she used to be the old president of the superheroes, but was replaced with a dude that sucks because, And I quote the fucking book directly: “You mean he’s a straight, white male.” The whole book is this embarrassingly heavy handed. God forbid we have a single thought for ourselves, don’t worry, this book will supply it to you like you are a little baby bird who needs it regurgitated into your mouth. 

Anyway, it was all very fucking YA. I wanted it to be the pitch, and I suppose it was the pitch for a 12 year old lesbian, but it was so on rails, so black and white, that I was nearly insulted by it. This was not pitched to me as YA, but the only difference between this and YA is they suck each other’s clits. This is for adults who only read YA.

I was going to go more into this, but as it turns out, I don’t actually want to think about this book anymore. It MIGHT be my least favorite book of the year, and if it isn’t it’s a close second.

[gravity-what]

New Item Unlocked: 🗺️ The Map of Yu! 🗺️ Very niche powers and applications, but it's a good tool for the monks who have to keep an eye on whose trying to expand their evil territories! I'm expecting this to come up in a big way later! Though I'm not sure how. So Pandabubba has an established Dominion but Wuya's still up in the air after everything with Jack and Chase... Well, that's a crime boss for you. 🐼🐼🐼

Today's episode brought to you by: M๋࣭other Nature ⋆₊⁺⭑🌱⋆｡°🌿₊˚ ⁺₊⋆♡

Except not very natural. And not so motherly either. LOL

I thought that Hannibal must have broken Gigi out of containment at first! This still manages to have Hannibal and Gigi's fingerprints (?) all over it by the end, just with an unexpected added element too. New season means new villain! A new villain that Kimiko recognized from a parody in her video game! (⚖️Hope she doesn't sue! But it's probably fair use though and the Tohomikos have way stronger lawyers so I'm not even worried about that!) A new villain who's trying to push us out of a TV-Y7 rating with that pottymouth internal dialogue! "Damned monks"?! Keep is classy Cattleya! 🤬 I'm happy that Bean's still going to get his time in the sun in this season too even with that pattern continuing, because Hannibal never actually got to capitalize on any big hinted plans back in season 3. He'll be stealing some time from this new scientist lady because he's not satisfied with what he's had so far! On one hand, it's hard to feel bad for Cattleya after what she did to the monks and is trying to do with that plant. The monks were just getting their get-back. But on another hand, she's going to be working with Hannibal now: and unless your name is Ying-Ying, that doesn't usually tend to go over well for anyone ever. 😰😰😰😰 I wonder if she'll come to her senses or if she's in for a downward spiral and a race to the bottom... I wanna see where she goes!

In addition to the new evil scientist villain and the familiar Hannibal Roy Bean, I see there's as well as the return of a classic enemy from all throughout the series since the very beginning: monk in-fighting!! 🤼

This whole transition to the new order hasn't been going very smoothly for anyone!

But at least they saved Brazil in the end! 🇧🇷 Raimundo was really on edge about his home being targeted again. That quiz show showdown was so creative! You managed to add action and stakes and pacing into a geography test! What an action-packed nail-biter, and it was a Q&A!! And Rai did pretty good, but even if he had the homefield advantage, this was a bad match to accept against a PHD scientist who also calls Brazil home. How unlucky. (Omi's concern about "Raimundo's mother's barn" was super funny, I LOLed! When him and Clay's manners of speeches collide we're always in for a hilarious and confusing time!)

We even got to learn that Clay's Uncle Freddy and Uncle Johnny are the exact same type of sports fan, which feels like important information! Just how huge is this family? Bailey Family reunions have to be absolutely wild! I just hope they don't serve Clay's Grandma's pork and beans there... 🍲🥣

🤠🤠🤠 Clay was a standout key player a lot today! 🤠🤠🤠 His Sphere of Yun idea was great! I'm happy to see the Sphere actually used to just straight up steal someone else's positions like it's intended purpose is! And that settled the budding argument about honor vs practicality between the leader and the lancer again!

But all four monks had huge contributions to today's events! So like Master Fung says, they're definitely earned themselves a nice rest after all that excitement! 💤🥱😴 Until next episode, rest well little monks!

Another 5/5 star rating on this episode on this season on this streaming service! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

💚💚💚🌱

I needed a very specific kind of character for this season to feed into Hannibal’s own needs and so Cattleya was born~ sadly she immediately jumped into the wrong crowd which is going to, without a doubt, cause issues for everyone! [including that lawsuit you mentioned 🤣. I have absolutely joked about having that happen with my beta readers!]

And, yes!! I was so excited to bring the sphere of Yun back in the same(ish) context we saw it in in New World Order! It’s such a specific power but it let the kids get control of that plant so it was perfect here!

And I’m glad you liked the showdown~ I honestly have a lot of fun figuring them out and setting up the scenarios to make them into an actual world-shifting fight!

And I do love mixing Clay’s southernisms with Omi’s own malapropisms~ it really is quite the combo 🤣

I’m glad you enjoyed this episode! It really is setting up for some big events…

[deathblossomed]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 & 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐒

@thuganomxcs : 🔮💋🫂✍️💀💞 Interview Questions

🔮 CRYSTAL  BALL  — what is a core memory from your childhood that you think defines you today?

"I grew up in a small village, further north than the capital city. It's really quiet out there. But one year, when I was still young, my father took me to the Capital for the weekend. I remember wondering how so many spirits managed to all live in one place. It was so much bigger than my home and the people there, if they worked at the Gate of Judgement, got to travel to the other realms and see all sorts of things. It all seemed so fun to me, the idea of meeting different kinds of people and traveling all around. When we got back home I realized how quiet our town was and how much more there was to the worlds. I think that's when I decided I wanted to be a ferry girl some day, so I could travel all over and see the other side of the River."

💋 KISS  MARK  —  if you had to share a romantic kiss with a loved one, where would you share that kiss and why? are you thinking about giving this romantic kiss somewhere other than the other person's lips?

"Well-- I mean, something like that, I think it's nice to do it somewhere special or personal. Or somewhere alone, where you can share the moment without anyone else around. I wouldn't want to be worrying about other people or whatever else is going on around us, you know? But-- Ah, as far as kissing other places... I don't think I've ever really thought about it but-- I think it's sweet when someone kisses your head or something. Like, if you're sitting together and they kiss you somewhere in reach, like reminding you that they're close and they love you. I know it's not intimate or anything, but I like small gestures like that..."

🫂 PEOPLE  HUGGING  —  generally speaking, do you feel very supported by the people in your life? how strong and cohesive is your support system, if you have one? do you often feel like you're at the front of the line or pushed to the side by the people in your life?

"I have a lot of good people in my life. I've never been very popular and before I met Yusuke and everyone, I only really had a few friends at a time. And I got along with them and we were friends but, ah, I think it was different. But now, I really care about the people I've met. Who would have thought I'd make friends with demons and humans one day! I trust them, they're a strange group but I like that. I think it's made me a stronger person. They're a lot of trouble sometimes, but I'm glad to have them in my life."

✍️ WRITING  HAND  —  what is one thing you wish you were better at? this can be a tactical skill, social skill, hobby, etc.

"I wish that I were a little stronger. I mean, I've been working harder at it. After everything that's happened, I don't want to have to be saved all the time. I'm hoping that we've seen the last world ending disaster, at least for a few decades, but the next time I want to be able to help everyone. Even if it's just getting better at healing, anything to help protect the people I care about."

💀 SKULL  —  how has  Genkai  's death (the final one) influenced your outlook on life, if anything?

"I've never really lost anyone before... Well, everyone I knew before meeting Yusuke was a spirit and we all live for a very long time. But humans are different, they have very short lives. But they try to do as much as they can with what little time they have. I think that's noble. When Genkai died the first time, I was really upset. I've been sad about death because I know what waits on the other side and I know that it happens to everyone. But knowing that she died alone and in pain... it still upsets me to think about. But the second time, I think she was ready. It was peaceful and she knew that she was leaving her legacy in good hands. It was still sad, but she went somewhere nice where she doesn't have to worry or fight anymore. I didn't realize how much it mattered, I mean, I've seen the people who are left behind when someone dies but it's so normal to me. Now, I think I understand things better, why people cry so much at funerals. When dead souls are upset, it's not always because they want to live, it's usually because they don't want to hurt the people they leave behind. No one wants to be alone. That's why... I'm going to be the escort for my friends. So they don't have to be alone."

💞 REVOLVING HEARTS — who and/or what are you most grateful for in your life?

"My friends! There was certainly a lot of trouble and turmoil, but I'm glad to have met everyone. It's all because some stupid punk jumped in front of a car. But... meeting Yusuke led me to meet everyone else. And Yusuke's become someone I'm really close to now. I'm really happy now, being able to share all sorts of memories with them. I can't imagine my life without him-- and the others!"

[user-needs-new-hyperfixation]

Um hi so sorry to bother you but I really love your writing!!

I think your work is very well written and funny and entertaining!

That being said Ive been wanting to write for a while but get too anxious over getting the characters wrong…

You wouldnt happen to have any tips to get over this, would u?

First off, thank you so much for your kind words!

As a disclaimer, I don't know that I'm much qualified to give writing advice. I have dear friends who are Writers with a capital W; at this point I see myself very much as the hobbiest version: Writer Lite if you will. I don't mean to devalue or discredit my own writing; I just mean to say that...I don't feel like I worry about the things a Writer is supposed to worry about, at least at this point. I write what I want, when and how I want to, and I will regularly and cheerfully sacrifice grammar and canon characterization and pacing on the altar of my own whims.

And tbh, if you're looking at starting out in fanfic specifically, that's probably a good place to start. The stakes are really low so it's a great space to get comfortable. No one is paying you. You don't owe anyone anything. Some people will like your characterizations and style, and other people won't. And (assuming you're a Yuumori fan because you mentioned my writing), the Yuumori fandom is a GREAT place to test the waters, because while the fandom is small and there's never a huge amount of engagement, it's a really polite fandom. Basically everyone here understands the principle of "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Anywho, practically speaking: I really like to try to vary characters' voices a bit. Sherlock gets his incredibly-irritating-to-write attempt at a Cockney accent. William and Albert are posh but get to swear sometimes because I think it's funny. Moran is just kind of casual; somewhere between the Moriartys and Sherlock. And so on.

If you're trying to stick really closely to canon characterizations, doing some rereading/watching of the source material before you start can definitely help. But it's also worth noting that sometimes fandom has its own interpretation that's widespread but not really sourced from canon. Can any of us prove canonically that Albert Moriarty is bisexual, promiscuous, and a little bit masochistic? Not in the slightest! And yet for some reason a significant portion of us have just gone "yeah that sounds right," and you'll never get shot down for writing him that way. So there's definitely a lot of space to just have fun with it (though acknowledging in your tags/author's notes that something is OOC can help lol.)

Then of course it's just...just do it! Have fun! Make playlists to write to if you're anything like me! Fall down Google rabbit holes researching what Victorians ate for breakfast! Pretend to be confident but not arrogant (I admit, I will sometimes scroll by things where the author is self-deprecating in the summary: it kind of feels like clicking there is agreeing to do some emotional labour, which is usually part of what I'm trying to escape via fic. 😅) Engage with your chosen fandom, and you'll start to see those group-workshopped headcanons that we enjoy reading about just as much as actual canon characterizations; you'll also make friends that way who will be excited to read your fics!

I hope you have so much fun writing! 😊

[srovtl]

Obbligato of Soot-Coated Bravery Chapter 5

Lennox: Oh, here they are.

As I look in the direction Lennox was pointing, I find the two of them with other miners.

Rutile: Sorry to have kept you all waiting! Here's a drink for a—ll your hard work!

Rutile has a big smile on his face and is holding several mugs in his hands.

Shylock: Our apologies for having kept you waiting. The alcohol and juice are ready now.

Shylock: Once you've received it, it's time for a toast.

Bradley: Oh, beer, great idea. A must-have drink after heavy lifting.

Shino: Heavy lifting? We were just asking around.

Bradley: Don't worry about small stuff. It's all about the mood.

Heathcliff: So you two were helping out with the preparations for the banquet.

Akira: Even though you're both tired… Thank you. Rutile, Shylock.

Shylock: No worries, I'm an owner of a bar after all.

Chloe: Rutile, are you feeling better now?

Rutile: Yeah, I'm fine. Since I was resting until night.

Rutile: And seeing all those generous amounts of alcohol has cheered me up!

Shylock: Hehe. Well then, let us start getting drunk on delicious drinks and wonderful conversations.

Shylock: Everyone, please have a glass.

Shylock: Hoping for a resolution to the strange incident, and a thanks for this miraculous encounter...

Everyone: Cheers!

Everyone raises their glasses and mugs and carries them to their mouths with smiles on their faces.

Next, everyone's hands turn to the array of delicious food lined up in front of them.

Arthur holds a meat skewer, his blue eyes sparkling.

Arthur: What herbs and spices are used in this?

Arthur: It smells so good. It's fragrant and looks delicious!

Miner: Hey, bro. I thought you were a refined young master from the capital, but you know your stuff!

Miner: These herbs can be found anywhere around here. Feel free to pick as many as you like as a souvenir for the capital!

Luchino: (Eek! That miner is really hitting Prince Arthur on the back...!)

Luchino: (Stupid stupid! That "young master" is the prince of the central country...! And offering him wild herbs would be a crime of lèse majesté and you'd lose your head!)

Arthur: Haha! Nice slam. It reminds me of a dear friend of mine.

Arthur: I'll definitely take some of those herbs home as a souvenir for him. Can I ask you to show me around later?

Miner: Yeah, leave it to me!

Luchino: Eh….?

Chloe: Hehehe that's such an Arthur-like reaction. 

Luchino: Eh? Eeeh??

Arthur: Chloe, Luchino, Come over here. Let's eat together!

Chloe: Sure! Let's go, Luchino.

Luchino: M-me too...? Really? Are you sure? To eat next to Prince Arthur…

Chloe: I know how you feel, Luchino.

Chloe: I was also really nervous when I first heard about Arthur, like, that's a prince! you know.

Chloe: But Arthur is Arthur. A sage's wizard just like us!

Chloe: His face when he laughs is so cute and he loves eating meals with everyone.

Luchino: Just like us…

Arthur: What's wrong, you two? Come quickly, or all the hot meals will cool down!

Shylock: Well then. I think it's about time we opened this wine.

Black-haired miner:  Oh, my friend. That wine's no good.

Black-haired miner: It's cheap and not that tasty. It's the kind of stuff we drink when we're drunk, not something we'd serve to guests.

Shylock: Oh, that's good to hear. So now it's the time to show my skills as a bartender.

Shylock: Inviebelle

Black-haired miner: The fruits are getting neatly cut by magic...!

Brown-haired miner: He put them in a big bottle with wine… What on earth is this...?

Shylock: It's sangria.

Shylock: A magic that makes even flavorless wine taste very good… I guess you could say.

Bradley: Oh, a sangria made by pipe smoker. Looks good.

Bradley: Alrighty then, I'll have that for my next glass.

Shylock: Thank you for your order. But please wait a little longer.

Shylock: The more you wait until the fruit blends with the wine, the more flavorful it will taste.

Brown-haired miner: Somehow, when this guy is around, I feel like I'm drinking in a fancy city bar…

Black-haired miner: If you say that we can drink good liquor, guess we'll just have to be good boys and wait!

Shylock: Thank you. I'll serve you delicious sangria with some great snacks.

Bradley: ...What a hard worker you are, pipe smoker.

Bradley: With magic, you could make cheap liquor taste fine without all that hassle.

Shylock: Hehe, but you know, don't you? That kind of magic goes against my sense of beauty. And…

Shylock: A magic that only I can use to obtain a night of pleasure, and a sangria magic that anyone can use if they know how...

Shylock: If you ask me to choose, I'd go with the latter, because it would give them daily enjoyment even after we leave the village.

Under the starry sky, the sound of everyone laughing echoed.

The heat of the party and the night breeze were pleasant, and I was having a lively conversation with Lennox and the rest...

Mason: Guys, here, another serving.

Mister Mason came over to our table to place more food and drinks.

Lennox: Oh, thank you. This looks delicious.

Lennox: Rutile, this is Mason. He was our guide in the mine.

Rutile: ...Mason...

Lennox: Rutile?

Rutile: Oh, right. I'm Rutile. Nice to meet you.

Mason: …..Hello 

Lennox: By the way. If you'd like, you can join...

Mason: Well, excuse me then.

Akira: ...He's gone.

Shino: You were too late in inviting him.

Lennox: That's true… I speak a little too slowly.

Lennox : If it had been Rutile who called out, maybe we would have made it in time.

Heathcliff:  That's not true. I think the timing just wasn't right.

???: No, no, it was his fault for leaving so coldly.

Rutile: Mister Craig.

An older miner bowed his head and joined our conversation.

Apparently he's one of the miners that Rutile and the others treated today.

Craig: Thank you for taking care of me this afternoon, Rutile. Thanks to you and Arthur, I'm finally feasting after a long time.

Craig: More importantly, about Mason. I'm sorry he's so unfriendly. Please forgive him.

Craig: ...Lost all his family at a young age, you see.

Lennox: Family…?

Craig: That's right. ... His mother died after giving birth to him, due to poor postpartum recovery.

Craig: Then Simon... ah, that's his dead father's name. He was my best friend.

Craig: He was raising him all on his own, but he got caught up in a rockslide accident...

Craig: It was about this time of year. He was not even ten years old, and he was crying like a baby...

Heathcliff: At such a young age…

Shino: He's had it rough too huh.

Craig: Yeah. After that, everyone in the village became like parents to him. Of course they loved him.

Craig: I wonder how many times we looked up at the stars together, staying with him when he couldn't sleep properly.

Rutile: (....It's like me and Mitile.)

Rutile: (When mother and father died, …the people of the town were there for me too.)

Rutile: (When I couldn't sleep, they'd stay with me until I yawned. When I started to cry, they'd hold me tight.)

Craig: ...But the more gentle we were with him, the more in pain he looked.

Craig: I guess he's scared of getting deeply involved with someone.

Rutile: ��……

Lennox: ……..

Akira: (A rockslide…)

Mister Mason's deep blue eyes stared intently into the depths of the mine.

His eyes were as if covered by the night, obscuring the moon and stars.

He seemed to be standing there, alone, frozen, without knowing where to turn.

Akira: (...So the accident that happened in the mine was about his father.)

Lennox: ...I'd like to have a proper talk with Mason.

Rutile: I think so too. After all, we've met and made a connection. 

Akira: …Um, why don't we go after him? If we call out to him, he might want to drink with us.

Shino: That's a good idea. He'll be scared if we go with a large group, so why don't the three of you go first?

Heathcliff: Yeah. And if it seems okay, let us join in too.

Lennox: Thanks. Alright, let's go.

Craig: ...You guys are from the central city, right?

Heathcliff: Huh, Ah, Yes, that's right.

Heathcliff: I'm originally from the eastern country, but I live in the magic manor in the central country now, and I visit the capital too.

Craig: In that case...I have a favor to ask of you.

Craig: Could you take him with you when you go home?

Shino, Heathcliff: Huh?

Craig: We've known each other for a long time so I know. ...Mason can't come to love this job that took his father's life.

Craig: But if he stays here, he can't be separated from his work in the mines. He doesn't have any chance of leaving.

Craig: But now you're here. With your help, he can get to the capital safely.

Craig: Please...I beg you.

Previous Chapter - Directory - Next Chapter

[danamuseum]

Planet Word Museum and the immigrant Israeli families in Rockville.

Reflection on the museum program development process.

Reflection on the Logic Model and SWOT analysis.

Dana Golan Miller, November 23

Time passes, I can't even remember when I last wrote the blog post. The Israel community in Rockville is more united than ever. When I chose my community for "co-creating with the museum I never thought that we would have to deal with a complicated political situation. I'm not a political person. I don't like to participate in protests, I don't like to hear people shouting their ideology in front of everyone. I just want to live my little life with my family and friends, enjoy the weekends together, and here, in Rockville, enjoy the presence of nice people from my country. But, nowadays we all face the hardest times in our lives.  And we speak about that. At our balconies during afternoon hours, at SHABAT dinner evening, at weekends, when we traveled. We are more worried than ever, about the future of our country, about the anti-Semitism which is everywhere, about our friends and families from Israel. All the Jewish organizations here are doing the best they can, around the clock, to organize events on behalf of Israel, initiatives of all kinds, even in front of the Capital in D.C. (Since many families in the community are from the Israeli embassy). D.C's Israeli population are very involved.

At the same time, we are living the everyday life. Our kids speak with their friends from Israel, who go to shelters every day, but here, life continues. And we need a break, now, more than ever, we're searching for enjoyable activities. Though, we are more careful than ever. We're trying not to speak Hebrew outside in public spaces. Today, when visiting the Great Fall, my boy, Adam, spoke loudly in Hebrew. Then a group of woman, in their 60th, came and asked "Are you from Europe, Is that Norway you speak? "? (Funny, my spouse and I are three-generation of holocaust survivors, which means, we're a combination of Poland, Russia, Germany, and Austria. Out two boys have blond hair and blue eyes. When we're traveling in Europe, many think that we're local). My Spouse hesitated, I was embarrassed. Then he said, silently, that this is Hebrew. Nothing happened, and we continued our day. But, I was thinking to myself about the Hebrew language, and now, if we're scared to speak our language from now on in public, will it affect us somehow, at the future, as a community?

So, when co-creating with museums, now, more than ever, I'm glad I chose the Planet Word museum. At first, I thought that the main purpose was to encounter the Hebrew language and our identity in a "fun interactive" museum, but now, it fits more than ever. I even changed the “Essential Question.” To: How can the community members feel better about the Hebrew language and their own identity in the USA during crisis times?

And this co-creating with the families of the Israeli immigrant community in Rockville became even clearer to me.

Figure 1:  Hebrew Language Showing Vocabulary Israel And Lingo (https://www.123rf.com/photo_41880371_hebrew-language-showing-vocabulary-israel-and-lingo.html)

SWOT and Logic Model are wonderful tools to examine and analyze the co-creating in more detail.

A SWOT analysis is another useful tool for identifying “positive forces that work together and potential problems that need to be recognized and possibly addressed (“SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats”).

SWOT analysis according to my program:

The logic model is a useful tool for organizing a project and understanding how practical inputs can lead to intended outcomes. McCawly explains that "The Logic Model describes logical linkages among program resources, activities, outputs, and audiences, and short, intermediate… they are narrative or graphical depictions of processes in real life that communicate the underlying assumptions upon which an activity is expected to lead to a specific result … In these instances, a logic model is helpful to ground outcomes in more practical inputs, thereby linking the real-world situation with the intended solution" (2001,1).

Here is my point of view about the Co-creating between the immigrant Israeli families in Rockville and the Planet Word Museum in this current period, using the logic model:

Resources:

McCawley, Paul. “The Logic Model for Program Planning and Evaluation.” (2001).

“SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.” Community Toolbox. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/swot-analysis/main

[kingbluetheamze1]

TC!Fellswap chapter 1 part 2

Toriel:.....Humans..........* Licks her sword *

Undyne: I have found a report about....the what number?

Toriel: Another Human.....this would be the 10th

Undyne: It seems it's in the Ruins-

Toriel: Asgore........................the betrayer.....he is going to protect this human.....................but it won't work

Undyne: Well I must say there are no sentries in the Ruins, and the closest people are almost always go to the place is Papyrus, The River person, and Gaster

Toriel: Gaster has been quite lately his assistant you..........have you and Gaster talked?

Undyne: Yes....he's just tired lately-

Toriel: Am tired of living in this place

Undyne: Heh........ 😐 aren't we all?

Toriel: I mean the capital seems so rotten lately?

Undyne: Well that's because of the..............umm 😳 c-

Toriel: Welp I need to request would you like to enjoy my pie?

Undyne: I need to go and talk to Gaster....bye

* At the true lab *

Gaster: It's all for nothing...WHY

Undyne: Why haven't you done anything? We need you...please

Gaster: Our King is gone, I have no idea where to get the soul, and I don't know where the fate of monster kind is

Undyne: You ok?

Gaster: I'M NoT SEE?

Undyne: Calm down

Gaster: The soul the last one...is in the Ruins.........................we can't touch it.........but * scratches head * we must........................stop the human. I don't KNOW HOW

Undyne: Calm DOWN, we perfectly have a plan....when the human comes here I will deal with him, Sans is near the Ruins he will deal with the human when it is out, and Papyrus could kill the human as soon as it gets out.

Gaster: The amalgamates are low.....one the Snowgrave one.....it doesn't remember a thing.........I don't understand how they can't get it...........they are dangerous........but I think that........I must talk to the skeletons

* At the ruins *

Godfrey: Huh............where am I?

Godfrey: There's a door I must go threw that

Godfrey: A strange Flower....

* Encounter starts *

Flowey: I will teach you how to.....see your stats

Flowey: Your hp is the thing that is yellow, and it seems you got 25 hp....hmm 🧐 more than the other

Godfrey: Do you know if there's a way to get out.....and why are you a talking Flower......

Flowey: Don't question it........but in this place aggressive things happen in order to get out....there are rules to the magic of this world.

Flowey: I will tell you the basics

Magic is the ability monsters use and is a way of communication

There are colored attacks that effect the soul differently

White magic is the magic everyone has and is the best at things

Flowey: These are the basics there are much more

Flowey: Would you like to experience white magic? Just collect these white pellets and it will be ok I call them " Friendlyness pellets *

Godfrey: Ok-

Flowey: YOU FOOL, I TRICK YA. I WILL GAIN YOUR SOUL, AND TEACH EVERY HUMAN THE MEANIng OF THIS WORLD

* Attacks Godfrey with a pellet circle *

* Heals Godfrey by 19 hp *

Flowey:.....?

* A fireball hits Flowey *

Asgore: What a terrible creature hurting a innocent child, do not worry would you like some tea?

Godfrey: Sure..........

Asgore: :) * Gives Godfrey A cup of tea * It's nicely warm

Godfrey: Thank you but.......why did you help me?

Asgore: I have to help all humans who have fallen

Godfrey: Do you know a way to get out...of the Underground....p-please?

Asgore: Just follow me, all will be fine :)

* At Foredin * Papyrus: O.....welp I have to tell Sans that I burnt the water 😅

[beepboop358]

Hi! (Every time I see your name on my dash Bibbitybobbityboo comes into my head? I feel like your analysis fairy godmother anyway so it fits)

But, I feel like I took something away from Season 4 that I haven't seen many people talk about? Or any to be quite honest. And I just wondered if you had an opinion on it?

So we know the Duffers are Nerds(tm) and think that being Nerdy is like, the ultimate burden to bear apparently. But, particularly over the last two seasons I've been noticing the Superhero/marvel references, like your previous Anon said, about spiderman? Just little stuff, like Joyce and Hopper in S3 doing a Captain America and arranging a date only to have Hopper "die" before they can. All of Eleven's refs, Mikes etc, you get the point.

But I am now, 100% certain that Eleven is going to die "saving the world" and she'll get Iron Man'd.

I am absolutely positive. We caught a glimpse of it with Eddie for sure, but the sheer amount of Hero Insecurity she's had just kind of sticks out. She was supposed to die anyway in S1 so whilst everyone in their corner of the internet is banging on about MildEven being Endgame, all I can think about is actual End Game. And how I can absolutely see an El death scene on the horizon, because let's face it, she's the character that has "no place" and who "struggles for purpose" and to a GA she holds a lot of emotional capital, whislt maintaining this constant aura of other that wouldn't make her death seem totally tragic and pointless.

From a writing POV, the way the Duffers lean in terms of story telling, I am absolutely positive El will either die or be "banished" to the upside down mirroring 001.

Also, if we don't see a Red Dragon next season I'll be very surprised. All the colour coding and Will's drawing? The Red Dragon is Chaotic Evil in DnD as well so that smacks of something they would go with.

Idk, this turned into a ramble. I hope you have a lovely night and I am very sorry for thoughtdumping on you <3 xxxx

hello!

ahaha I kinda like that, has a nice ring to it LOL. And i am unworthy of that title but thank you for the compliment aha <333.

It really is hilarious in the worst way that they seem to think being a nerd is the ultimate burden to bear LOL. There is quite a bit of Marvel-esc influence this season. And El is doing the Iron Man Pose a lot this season too..., so you bringing up that she'll get Iron Man'd at the end seems like an eerie connection and possibly foreshadowing... El was supposed to die in season 1 to fulfill the E.T. parallel, and assuming they don't just keep her alive to do spin-offs, I think it's pretty likely she'll die at the end of the show. I think it's possibly her death somehow mirrors 001's "death", but I do see her having a big hero moment and sacrificing herself for her friends. I think El's death would be very emotional, but there is a narrative point to it. I love El tho and I just want to see her happy but...

I think we could see a red dragon next season too. I hope that painting was foreshadowing for something!

hope you're well! xx (no need to worry about thought dumping it's always welcome ,3)