#and incredibly normal about the characters

[andy-15-07]

hii i read always about pedro pascal characters being grumpy towards reader and then feeling bad about it and comforting her so i just wanted to ask maybe reader being grumpy about something and being angry towards pedro himself or any of his characters and they are like confused and hurt, did they do something and then reader comforting them and shushing them that everything is okey and that they did nothing wrong, like babying them🩷🩷

Shushing the Storm

Pairing: Joel Miller x female reader

Word Count: 3247 | Requests are open! (send requests, I will gladly answer them all)

Pedro Pascal Masterlist

The wind howled outside the ramshackle shelter you’d taken refuge in, its mournful song echoing the turmoil that churned inside you. The remnants of a once-bustling world lay in ruins beyond the makeshift walls—a constant reminder of loss and struggle. Inside, however, the conflict was of another kind. It was raw, messy, and incredibly personal.

You sat at a battered wooden table, arms crossed tightly over your chest, staring daggers at Joel as he meticulously cleaned his old revolver. His normally stoic face was shadowed with an expression that seemed a blend of regret and confusion. The silence between you had stretched thin over the past few days, each passing moment weighted by words left unsaid and wounds unhealed.

“Joel,” you finally said, your voice low and edged with frustration. “Why do you always have to be so damn grumpy? I’m tired of it.”

He paused, the clink of metal against metal echoing in the quiet. Slowly, he set the gun aside and turned to you, his eyes searching yours for an answer he didn’t quite have. “I—I don’t know what you mean,” he stammered, his tone soft and uncertain, as if he were afraid any misstep might shatter something fragile between you.

“Don’t lie to me,” you snapped, the anger bubbling over. “Every time something’s off, you shut me out. You snap, you grumble, and you leave me hanging without an explanation. It’s like I’m not even here.” Your words were harsh, each syllable laced with the pent-up hurt of countless moments when you felt invisible, unwanted.

Joel’s brow furrowed, and he stepped back as if physically recoiling from the weight of your disappointment. “I—I'm sorry,” he murmured, but his apology sounded more like a reflex than genuine remorse. His voice was low, almost drowned out by the rain that began tapping against the metal roof of the shelter.

The tension in the room grew palpable. You could see the conflict in his eyes—his hardened exterior cracking just enough to reveal a vulnerable, confused man beneath. “Sorry isn’t enough, Joel,” you said sharply. “I need to know that you’re really here with me, that you care enough to try to fix this.”

He shifted his weight uneasily, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I do care,” he replied, his voice barely audible. “I just... sometimes, I can’t help it. I’ve been through hell, and sometimes, I carry that with me, even when I don’t want to.”

You softened slightly at his confession, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. “That may be true, but I’m not your enemy,” you whispered, the bitterness in your tone giving way to genuine concern. “I’m here, Joel. I’m right here. And when you push me away, it hurts.”

Joel’s eyes dropped to the floor, shame mingling with a hurt he couldn’t quite hide. “I didn’t realize... I—I thought I was protecting you. I thought I was sparing you from my baggage,” he confessed, his words a murmur of regret.

You leaned forward, your expression softening further as you reached out a tentative hand towards him. “You’re not a burden,” you said, your voice gentle yet insistent. “You never have been. I know things are hard, and I know you’re scared sometimes. But I want to help, Joel. I want us to face this together.”

For a long, heart-stopping moment, silence stretched between you, punctuated only by the rhythm of the rain. Joel looked up at you then, eyes glistening with unshed tears and confusion. “I’m scared too,” he admitted, his voice trembling. “I’m scared of letting you in, scared that if I do, you’ll see how broken I am.”

A small, bittersweet smile tugged at your lips. “Maybe,” you said softly, “but I’d rather see that brokenness and help put it back together than never know the real you at all.”

He hesitated, his eyes searching yours for any sign of mockery or disdain, but finding only sincerity and compassion. “I don’t deserve your kindness,” he whispered, his tone laden with self-doubt.

“Shh, Joel,” you murmured, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “You do. And I’m not going anywhere.” The simple words carried the weight of your promise—a promise to be there even when things were messy, even when the storm inside him threatened to spill over.

Later that evening, as the storm outside began to wane, you found Joel sitting alone on the splintered porch of the shelter, staring blankly at the rain-soaked horizon. The world might have been falling apart, but you couldn’t bear to leave him alone with his demons any longer.

You approached quietly, settling down beside him on the creaking wooden steps. “Hey,” you said softly, nudging his shoulder with your hand. “Talk to me.”

Joel didn’t immediately respond, his eyes fixed on the distant, darkened skyline. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier,” he said, his voice thick with remorse. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

You turned to face him, studying the lines of exhaustion and regret that marred his face. “Joel, it’s okay,” you reassured him, placing a comforting hand over his. “I know you’re hurting, and sometimes you don’t know how to handle it. But I need you to understand that when you shut me out, it leaves me feeling alone too.”

He looked at you, the hurt in his eyes deepening. “I thought I was doing the right thing,” he murmured. “I thought I was protecting you, keeping you safe from my pain.”

“You’re protecting yourself, Joel,” you replied firmly, though your tone was gentle. “And I get that. But you have to let me in too. You’re not alone in this fight. I’m here, and I want to be part of your healing.”

There was a pause, during which the only sound was the soft murmur of the evening breeze and the distant echo of dripping water. Joel swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to your intertwined hands. “I’m just so tired,” he confessed, almost inaudibly. “Tired of pretending, tired of feeling like I’m always on the edge. Sometimes, I just... I just don’t know how to stop the storm inside.”

You squeezed his hand gently, your eyes filled with compassion. “Then let me help calm that storm,” you whispered, your voice laced with tenderness. “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Joel. It’s okay to let your guard down. I’m here to remind you that you’re not broken beyond repair.”

He chuckled softly, a sound that was more sorrow than humor. “You make it sound so simple,” he remarked, his tone bittersweet.

“It isn’t simple,” you admitted, shifting closer so that your shoulders touched. “But sometimes, even when things seem impossible, a little kindness can go a long way. I’m not trying to fix you, Joel—I’m just here to remind you that you’re loved, flaws and all.”

His eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he looked at you, a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability etched in every line of his face. “I—thank you,” he managed, his voice barely more than a whisper. “For not giving up on me.”

You leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. “Never,” you promised, your voice gentle yet firm. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

The following morning, the shelter was filled with a tentative warmth. The storm had passed, leaving behind a calm that was reflected in the clear, pale light of dawn. Over a modest breakfast of canned beans and stale bread, the atmosphere was markedly lighter than it had been in the preceding days.

“Joel,” you began hesitantly, “can we talk about what happened? I don’t want us to just sweep it under the rug.”

He looked up from his cup of weak coffee, eyes filled with a cautious hope. “Of course,” he replied. “I know I’ve been... distant. I’m sorry for how I acted. I—” He paused, searching for the right words, “I’ve been carrying a lot of guilt about my past, and it sometimes makes me push you away. I don’t want to do that. I’m trying, I really am.”

You reached out, placing your hand over his, offering silent reassurance. “I appreciate that,” you said softly. “But I also need you to understand how it affects me. When you get grumpy or distant, it makes me feel like maybe I’m not enough. Like maybe you’d rather be alone than deal with my needs.”

His face fell, and for a moment, you saw the raw sting of his insecurities. “That’s not true,” he insisted, his voice shaking slightly. “You’re more than enough—if anything, you’re the reason I keep fighting. I don’t want to hurt you.”

You offered him a small, forgiving smile. “I know you don’t. And I’m not angry with you, Joel. I’m angry because I know you’re hurting, and because I care about you so much. I just wish you’d let me in more often.”

A long silence passed as he absorbed your words. Finally, he said, “Maybe I’ve been too afraid of being vulnerable. I’ve spent so long thinking that if I showed any weakness, it would all come crashing down. But… maybe it’s time I learned that it’s okay to lean on someone else.”

Your eyes shone with relief and tenderness. “It is okay,” you assured him. “Sometimes, being vulnerable is the bravest thing you can do. And I’ll be here to help carry the weight when it gets too much.”

Joel’s fingers curled around yours in a tentative grasp, as if testing the strength of the connection between you. “Promise me,” he said, his voice earnest, “that you’ll be patient with me. That even on my worst days, you won’t give up on me.”

“I promise,” you replied without hesitation. “I’m here for the long haul. Even when things get rough, I’ll always be here to shush the storm inside you and remind you that you’re safe.”

He gave a small, grateful laugh. “You really do have a way of making things seem less terrible,” he admitted, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

“Maybe it’s because I know that sometimes, the roughest storms hide the most beautiful rainbows,” you said, your tone light but sincere. “And I believe in you, Joel—even when you can’t believe in yourself.”

As the days turned into weeks, the delicate dance between anger, hurt, and healing continued. There were still moments when Joel’s grumpiness would flare up—when memories of his past would surge forth like unwelcome ghosts—but each time, you found yourself ready to meet him with understanding instead of frustration.

One chilly evening, after a particularly difficult day scavenging for supplies in the ruins of an abandoned town, you returned to the shelter to find Joel slumped in a corner, his face obscured by shadow. The weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air. You approached slowly, not wanting to startle him, but determined to offer the comfort he so desperately needed.

“Joel?” you asked gently, crouching beside him. “Talk to me, please.”

He looked up, eyes rimmed with tears and haunted by exhaustion. “I’m sorry,” he began, his voice cracking under the strain of emotions. “I know I’ve been a mess lately. I... I feel like I’m drowning, and I don’t know how to come up for air.”

You scooted closer, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as you spoke softly, “It’s alright. You don’t have to apologize for feeling like this. It’s okay to be scared, and it’s okay to cry.”

He leaned into your embrace, the rawness of his pain palpable. “I feel so weak, so broken,” he admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “I keep pushing everyone away because I think it’s easier than facing how much I need them.”

You pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. “You’re not weak, Joel. You’re hurting, and that’s human. It’s okay to let yourself feel it. I promise, you don’t have to carry this all by yourself.” Your words, soft and earnest, were meant to be a soothing balm to his wounded spirit.

He sniffled, pulling back just enough to meet your eyes. “I’m scared that if I let you in completely, you’ll see just how damaged I am and… maybe you won’t want to stick around.”

“Joel,” you said firmly, “I’m not going anywhere. Every scar, every mistake—it all makes you who you are. And I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world because it led me to you.” You paused, your tone shifting to a tender, almost playful lilt as you added, “Besides, you’re kind of adorable when you’re trying to be all tough and mysterious. It’s like I get to be the one who gets to shush you and remind you that you’re safe.”

A hesitant smile tugged at his lips, the hint of humor breaking through the gloom. “Adorable, huh?” he teased softly, though the vulnerability in his eyes remained.

“Absolutely,” you replied, your tone light but filled with warmth. “Just promise me you’ll try to let me in a little more, okay? Even if it’s just a little bit at a time.”

“I promise,” he murmured, leaning into your embrace once more. “I’ll try. For you.”

In the weeks that followed, the shifts were subtle but profound. There were mornings when you’d catch him watching you with a softness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before, as if he was silently apologizing for all the times he’d been distant. And on days when old habits threatened to resurface, you’d gently remind him with a tender smile, “It’s okay, Joel. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

He’d chuckle, a soft, self-deprecating sound. “I guess I do need reminding sometimes,” he’d say, his tone laced with a mix of amusement and gratitude.

One particularly quiet afternoon, as you both sat by a small fire outside the shelter, you found him staring into the flames, lost in thought. The dancing light painted shifting patterns on his weathered face. You settled beside him, resting your head lightly on his shoulder.

“Do you ever wonder if we’ll ever get past all this?” he asked quietly, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire.

You sighed, thoughtful. “Every day,” you admitted. “But I also believe that every storm eventually passes. And until then, we have each other. We have these moments—small, quiet moments—that remind us that even in the worst of times, there’s still hope.”

He turned to look at you, eyes softening. “You make it sound so simple,” he said, half in awe, half in disbelief.

“It isn’t simple,” you replied gently. “But sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound. Like a soft word when you’re angry, a gentle touch when you’re hurting, or a quiet reminder that you’re never truly alone.”

Joel’s gaze drifted back to the flames, and for a moment, the silence between you was comfortable—a shared understanding without the need for constant words. Then, almost shyly, he asked, “Do you really think I’m worth all this? With my baggage and my broken pieces?”

You turned to him, your eyes steady and full of certainty. “I don’t just think it, Joel—I know it. You’re worth every bit of struggle, every tear, every moment of pain, because you’re you. And I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.”

He reached out and pulled you closer, as if trying to hold onto that assurance with all his might. “Thank you,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I make it hard.”

“Never,” you promised, smoothing your hand over his hair. “I’ll always be here to shush the storm inside you, to remind you that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and that you’re loved—no matter what.”

As the fire dwindled to glowing embers, you both sat in companionable silence, the trials of the past few days melting away in the warmth of your mutual understanding. In that quiet moment, beneath a sky slowly clearing of its dark clouds, you knew that despite the scars and the struggles, there was something undeniably beautiful about the way you and Joel were learning to navigate the chaos—together.

Time moved on, as it inevitably does, carrying with it both hardship and healing. There were days when Joel’s grumpiness would creep back in, a stubborn remnant of the pain he’d carried for so long. And on those days, you’d catch him off guard with a teasing remark or a playful nudge, lightening the mood with a reminder that even the toughest exterior could be softened by a gentle touch.

One afternoon, after a long day of foraging near the outskirts of a crumbling city, you found Joel standing by the old, rusted gate of what once might have been a grand estate. The wind tousled his hair as he gazed out at the horizon, lost in his own thoughts. You approached quietly, a small smile on your lips.

“Hey, Mr. Tough Guy,” you said, wrapping your arms around his waist from behind. “Remember our little promise?”

He turned slightly, a wry smile forming on his lips despite the lingering shadows in his eyes. “And what promise might that be?” he teased, though there was a softness to his tone that hadn’t been there before.

“The promise that no matter how rough things get, you’ll let me in just a little more each day,” you replied, your voice playful yet sincere.

Joel’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he pulled you into a gentle hug. “I think I can manage that,” he said, the warmth of his acceptance resonating in his tone. “Especially if you keep reminding me that it’s okay to be a little... weak sometimes.”

You laughed softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, I get to be the one who shushes all that unnecessary grumpiness with a smile.”

He shook his head, a small chuckle escaping him as he held you close. “You’re something else, you know that?”

“Maybe,” you admitted with a grin. “But I wouldn’t trade our little chaos for the world.”

In that moment, as the sun dipped low and bathed the ruined city in a golden glow, you both understood that life was a series of storms and quiet moments—a tapestry woven with threads of pain, hope, and the enduring power of compassion. And as long as you had each other to lean on, there was no storm too fierce, no wound too deep, and no darkness that couldn’t be softened by the light of understanding.

So here’s to the grumpy days, the moments of anger and hurt, and to the gentle shushing that followed—each a testament to the messy, beautiful journey of healing together. And as you and Joel continued to navigate the uncertain path ahead, you knew that every soft word, every tender touch, and every moment of vulnerability was a step towards mending not just the scars of the past, but the promise of a better tomorrow.

“I love you,” Joel murmured one evening as you both settled down to rest after a particularly hard day, his voice raw but sincere.

You smiled, your heart full. “I know. And I love you too—grumpiness, storms, and all.”

In that moment, as the last embers of the day faded into night, everything felt exactly as it should: imperfect, challenging, but undeniably real—and infinitely worth it.

[quinnysnursery]

regarding jake, carrington, johnnie and tara. [sorry, this is gonna be a long one]

for those unaware of the current situation regarding carrington, jake & idkraeven, i'm going to summarize it to the best of my understanding however i suggest that all of you go to @/idkraeven's account on tiktok to hear their full story !

basically, raeven was invited to johnnie's halloween party and they believe that at that party they were r00fied- and then taken from the party, and then sexually taken advantage of.

raeven is not claiming that carrington, jake, johnnie did these actions- but what they are stating is that since that night none of these people made any attempts to contact their, or help their gain access to the security footage. and when they sent their manager to go retrieve their phone from jake's house, jake acted incredibly rude and insinuated that their manager's son wanted a photo with him.

i've also heard that they placed a restraining order against raeven- which they won. and that people from their group have told raeven to not talk about that night anymore.

grace has claimed that this is their and johnnie's first time hearing about this- which i'm unsure if i fully believe, but raeven seems to have accepted this, so i will as well.

+ it should be noted tara's name has not been brought into this conversation as far as i am aware.

there is no excuse for this behavior. i understand that everyone is human and reacts differently, but to consistently be so unhelpful to a friend who had one of the most traumatic things ever happen at YOUR house at YOUR party is absolutely disgusting.

raeven has said they only want an explanation and an apology from carrington and jake and does not want them to be cancelled as they are against cancel culture, which i feel atones to raeven's forgiving character.

regardless of this, i refuse to write for people who can brush past these actions.

raeven also mentioned in their video that they've heard from multiple different people in LA to not go to jake's house parties because "those kinds of things happen"- which was honestly nauseating to hear.

that behavior should not be normalized. while jake himself hasn't personally assaulted someone, if people around you know these actions happen at your parties, you have to as well. meaning you should seriously check the kind of people you invite.

you are the company that you keep. which is why i also plan to stop writing for tara, grace, chase and johnnie.

as for the nursery,

what does this mean for my current works up? i've made the decision to keep the works posted- but to take down my masterlists at the end of the week. my jjtc taglist will also be shut down.

i know a lot of you have grown attached to my ao3 fic titled 'little moth', it's gained quite the cult following- but again, i refuse to write for people who can be so neglectful to their friends in times of serious need. especially when these actions happened at their own home.

little moth (jjtc version) will be discontinued. however, i am open to reusing the storyline again with different people- but as for now, chapter 14 will be the last chapter ever published. i'm sorry.

[thiccremoch]

Since I just got done with Megacon 2025, figured I’d share a funny story from the 2024 convention. Both Peter Cullen and Frank Welker (voices of Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively) were there, and I really wanted to get them to sign a transformers poster of mine. When we got there, Peter’s line was already incredibly long, but I got in line anyway. I ended up waiting five hours in that line, but that’s a different story!

We get the news Peter Cullen was about to come out, and then I see him and am gobsmacked. When you imagine the voice of Optimus Prime, you imagine someone with stature and an imposing frame. What we saw, though, was a very kind and nervous 5’8” Peter Cullen. When I eventually got to him, he was very kind and soft spoken, but it through me for such a loop how different my preconceived notions on the voice of Optimus looked. The guy’s disposition also really made me understand why he hated doing the Michael Bay Optimus so much, being such a sweet and kind person reading the script of a war criminal for nearly a decade has to be grating (especially for a character normally defined by his kindness and respect for life).

[bunni-v1]

Pls the thing with Jamil from your Yuu being wary of scarabia post and why he kept Yuu around like that. Elaborate I’m begging you it’s too interesting of a dynamic before and after. I can pay you in my adoration keep it up here!

🍓Okay so I really haven't touched twst in a long time, but this idea continues to haunt me. I think about it so frequently, and I've been into twst again because of Malleus statue, so I decided to revisit this concept. It's more of a big long ramble, but I do hope you like it <3

TW: Manipulation; Creepy behavior; Power imbalance; This IS written with implied romance (but it's pretty fucked up and toxic); Possessive behaviors; unedited

Info: Jamil x Reader; Angst

Disclaimer: Jamil is an incredibly complex character with very contradictory actions throughout the whole of book four. This is my take on his character, and it may not align with how you view him. It's important to note that the only canon interpretation of his character is what is in-game and official depictions.

Post referenced

Jamil is very aware of you far before you're aware of him. He makes it his job to know who to avoid, and you're very high up on that list. You have a reputation that he's pretty certain you're not fully aware of, and trouble seems to follow you wherever you go. It's not really something he wants to have to deal with.

For whatever reason, though, he does end up bringing you back to Scarabia. In part, this is almost a power play on his part. You make him have a sense of power he doesn't really have with anyone else around NRC, even as vice housewarden. You rely on him, and your naivety is something addicting to someone who craves power. Not to mention he also considers that you could help him sell his story much better.

Kalim abusing the magicless, helpless human from another world would only make his case for upheaval all the better amongst his dorm members. So to start it's all part of his plan, a means of stroking his ego.

However, the issue comes in when he makes a genuine connection with you. You are kind, generous, and understanding with no real ulterior motives -- a genuineness he hasn't really experienced before. Of course, he doesn't actually open up to you much. He keeps you pretty distant, despite how he does his best to play up that warm and welcoming persona. But he does give you crumbs of his real struggle, shrouded in manipulation.

He finds himself... attached. Jealous of any time you spend with Kalim, wanting to keep your attention on him, and desperate to sell the idea of Kalim as a monster to you more than others. It's an odd feeling for Jamil, who doesn't usually care for more than surface-level appearances and feelings. It's just another addition to his ultimate overblot, and he's quite terrifying when he does finally blot.

One of the very first things he does is isolate you from your "friends" (if you can count the tweels and Azul as friends at this point), making sure your attention is on him. He wants you to worship him, he wants that reliance that he craved so much in the time you spent together, he wants to feel powerful. Next to you, he feels so very powerful.

I don't even believe he would do anything violent or too cruel, mostly just worshiping and demanding attention and praise. It's not much different from what you normally go through, though a little less blatantly violent and aggressive. That's what makes it so awful to you, though.

Before everyone else was just blatantly being... evil. Jamil manipulated, lied, extorted, and so much more. You liked Jamil, you genuinely thought he wanted to be friends with you and meant well. He reveals otherwise in your time (sort of) alone with him, and it really shakes you up. It would shake anyone up.

What's worse is you don't have time to process all that terror and anger and betrayal. Everything happens in such quick succession, one moment you're being kidnapped and the next there's a grand celebration. It's all too much for your brain to process, and it only gets the chance to do so when Ace and Deuce -- your safe space -- come to get you.

Your reaction, on the surface, seems incredibly dramatic. Collapsing and sobbing until your throat is so raw you can't make noise, but after the trauma you've endured, it's wholly reasonable. Jamil falls into the former way of thinking, believing you're just being overdramatic and theatrical. You'd been through many overblots at this point, with much more powerful sorcerers... this reaction is a bit much...

After all's said and done, though, Jamil doesn't spare you much thought. Of course, there is a lingering sense of... something. Not quite guilt, not quite regret, just an ache that he doesn't have the time or energy to address himself. He's far too busy dealing with his own reputation and wellbeing to bother you.

Your sobs, though, they keep him up at night. He has dreams where he hears them tear through the silence, and they continue to ring in his ears long after he's woken up. He isn't sure why it's bothering him so much, it really shouldn't, but it does. It's a constant nag at his conscience, just a bug that he swats away when he doesn't want to think about it.

He doesn't have to confront it until he comes face to face with you during VDC auditions. The genuine terror on your face when he looks at you, like he might overblot then and there again, it's sobering. He'd seen that look a million times on his parents faces, horror as they face punishment from the Asim's. It's not a face he'd imagined he would be the cause of -- not a face he wanted to be the cause of.

It hits him hard in that moment just how... evil he was. He knew he was bad. He's fully aware he's selfish and the stunt he pulled was something unspeakable in a lot of ways. Yet, he never thought he would have to deal with someone looking at him like that, someone thinking of him the same way he thinks of his captors.

It's just his luck that he can't avoid you, ending up on the official VDC team and literally living in your space. It's not just you, either, both Ace and Deuce seem to hate his guts with a passion. Grim voices that anger all the time, and Kalim doesn't help the tension with his guilty puppy demeanor. You do end up forgiving Kalim, thanks to Kalim finally making an active effort by himself for once. Jamil won't lie and say it doesn't make him a little jealous, but he also fully understands he doesn't deserve your forgiveness.

He doesn't push or pull, he just allows you to do what you will. It's not his place to push or pull, you are the only person who can decide what you need. He won't apologize unless you seem to want him to by seeking him out, he won't ask for forgiveness unless you seem willing to give it to him. He just allows you to be, which is quite honestly the best reaction you've gotten from any former overblotees.

He, of course, ends up confessing this all to his sister. Heavily edited and censored, for her own wellbeing. Najma tells him he's a moron, but encourages him to make amends with you, or at least try to let you know he's sorry. Without him knowing, she even talks to you about it a bit when you visit the Scalding Sands. There is a notable shift in your comfortability around him after it, though he doesn't know why this is.

He does eventually get the chance to talk to you, though you have to approach him. It's a quiet night when it happens, and he just couldn't sleep and the warm air in the dorm was making his skin far too hot, so he takes a walk and ends up outside of your dorm. His guilt led him there like an idiot, a rare show of vulnerability.

You, who also couldn't sleep, saw him out there and invited him despite better judgment. He accepts, despite his own better judgment, and finally, you talk. He expects anger and hatred, but of course, you cannot manage that even against him. You are understanding and gentle, even with the way you tremble as you speak. He gets to apologize, genuinely, for scaring you and doing the things he did. Explains that he, at some point, was genuine about his friendliness with you. That he did like having you around, but all of that means nothing with what's already happened.

Whether or not you two fix things and are able to be friends is up to you, but you do both get closure.

[finlaena]

"This deed will redeem me and then, all Nosgoth."

Mortanius the Necromancer; Guardian of the Pillar of Death

An incredibly underrated character, relatively speaking, but one of the most important and arguably as tragic as Kain and Raziel. There's a lot that's unknown about him (hopefully the forthcoming encyclopedia fills in the blanks) but what little we do know about him is incredibly fascinating: A tragic figure who did so much wrong yet in the end, knew he was wrong and tried to set things right. But, as Kain so eloquently put it, the game was rigged from the start.

His brief appearance in Defiance is one of the more memorable sequences in the game and, dare I say it, far more meaningful than his appearance in Blood Omen (though tbf, anything is better than Blood Omen's writing for numerous reasons for another time/place) and I say that as someone who's played every single game in the series.

Wanted to do something similar to my Soul Reaver 25th Anniv. drawing from last year, so the similarities are intentional, incl. text, which I normally don't use. :V

[the-fyre-flie]

So... people hating on Justice League × RWBY, the two cross-over movies for DC and RWBY, has to be blown out of proportions or a joke... right? Cuz these movies are great. At least, in my opinion. They're fun and a bit stupid and incredibly entertaining for me, who's a fan of both DC (my current biggest fixation) and RWBY (my friend likes it so I must like it too) (Link to the movies at the bottom btw!)

Sure, I'll relent they're a little boring at times, and they completely butcher both DC and RWBY characters sometimes, but like... I finished watching a review by The Judgemental Critter (who I love btw and I think their opinions are pretty agreeable most of the time! No hate to them at all!) but a lot of the points just... don't make sense to me?

More Yappage Below

The animation and models being bad was said a lot, and while I can agree in some places like Weiss' weird skirt, saying the hands and faces look weird just... does feel right? They look fine to me? I'm a 3D artist, I make thumbnails and promotional art for youtubers as a job and animate as a hobby, and the models look more than okay. The proportions are a bit wonky, but RWBYs animation has always been wonky. Calling the lowered framerate lazy and ugly also bugged me, cuz like... lowering the framerate to showcase sudden motions or lame actions is REALLY common. It isn't lazy, it's saving resources for moments you care about... like the fights. RWBY and DC both love their big flashy fights. Why would they waste time animating Blake picking a lock? RWBY itself is 90% fightscenes, so on top of that, why are you against big drawn-out fights?

I do agree that some of the designs suck specifically the heroes... I really really hate Bruce's Remnant costume being all black and gray. It's a personal pet peeve of mine when Batman isn't allowed color because I feel like it's antithetical to his entire character if he's all dark. Bruce needs to have some color, some light, or else he risks slipping right into the darkness that is Gotham. The same reason Robin is so brightly colored. It represents his hope for the city. So seeing all black/grey Batman with no color AND no cowl shape language bugged me. Anyways, here's my redesign, lol. Includes real bat ears, a half mask, and blue and yellow splashes! Nothing major!

The way they didn't really include Cyborg, Vixen, or Flash in the story for 70% of it bugged me too, but trying to say the Teen Titans would be better irked me slightly Sure, they might relate better as teens, but a major part of the story's conflict is Ruby being young and struggling to control her team because it's easy for people to overlook her or ignore what she has to say while Clark feels all that confidance from normally being an adult dude running an adult team. The JL being adults turned into teens puts them into a unique position where, unlike with the Teen Titans or Young Justice back home, they they have no real power or leverage over RWBY or JNPR. This is a conflict for both sets of people, and simply wanting "better character moments" feels like a cheap way to just nitpick. Especially when you also claim you dislike how much standing around and exposition there is. If Raven of all people showed up to brood, she would have to explain why she's so broody, which is just more loredumps you stated you didn't like. The movies over explaining of Semblance and Dust would have been way worse they were also forced to explain every DC heros past. This movie is very clearly targeting DC fans who have some knowledge on RWBY but are not super into the series. Note how the movies never once explain Batman, Superman, Vixen, Flash, or Cyborgs powers, and the time they spent vaugly talking about Wonder Womans it's turned into a trauma dump between Blake and Diana? They expect you to already know their stories. They way Clark and Bruce talk about their parents but not his planet is simplified down for RWBY fans because DC fans are expected to know this stuff.

On that note... Bruce was never debating leaving Gotham behind. It's pretty obvious in the movies. When Weiss offers for him to stay, he never responded. When Diana brought it up to him, his top priority is helping more, but he doesn't specify if he means Remnant or Gotham. As dumb as someone might think "they've been turned into teens" is as a point, it's very much an important plot point for Bruce. When he was a teen, he was the only man of the Wayne household, training to be Batman, still dealing with his grief over his parents. He truly never got to be a real teen. This is also the first time he's had real actual powers (at least in this very messy canon), and it's important to him, and it's clouding some of his judgment as a teen. But him liking having powers is not him willing to ditch Gotham. As soon as he was back on Earth, he was in Gotham, helping. There was never a debate. It was him dealing with the fact that he felt inferior. Literally, it's hormones and anxiety about not doing enough as Batman without powers. Is it a little goofy that Batman is insecure? Yes. Is it him abandoning his code? No.

Tho I do hate how he pretends his father literally didn't become batman in an alternate reality. Like Come on Bruce, Thomas was willing to throw down the same way you are, you did not "let go of their expectations".

More Bruce rant, his Semblance is very clearly not heat vision. It's Detective Vision (as named by the wiki). In the first showcase of his Semblance, he's not seeing the heat off Weiss or the electrical wire. It's noting the most important features of the room and how to escape. This is showcased more in the fight with Kilg%re!Barry, where his Semblance specifically notes the Morse Code and translated it. It's just super investigation powers. Which is lame... but it's not heat vision. I felt like I had to correct that.

I'd like to end this rant here even tho I said a lot more in dms to my friend... I feel bad just... 'responding' to someone who will never see it or care about my opinions. I really do like Judgmentals judgments (lol) 90% of the time, but I also feel really passionately about these particular movies, seeing as it combine me and my friends' two favorite things. It feels very close to home in a way, I guess. I hope people go and watch the movies and enjoy them!

I've linked both parts here to Internet Archive! The rips are a little weird in quality (very dark for some reason?) But they are the full movies!

Part 1

Part 2

[cursedcanon]

Jjk men in a relationship with somoene shorter than them.

Characters: Gojo, Choso, Sakuna, Geto, Toji, Nanami, Yuji and megumi

GOJO

Gojo would love the height difference and never let you forget it. He’s constantly resting his arm on your head, lifting you off the ground just to tease you, or holding things out of your reach so you have to jump for them. But beyond the teasing, he’s incredibly protective. As a non-sorcerer, you’re fragile in his world, and that terrifies him more than he lets on. He always keeps a close eye on you, and if he ever senses danger, he teleports you somewhere safe immediately. Despite being the strongest, he loves how normal you are—it’s grounding for him. Expect spontaneous dates, endless sweets, and him being incredibly clingy when he’s not working.

Affection Style: Super touchy—always pulling you into hugs, ruffling your hair, or carrying you around just because he can.

Pet Names: Shortie, Angel, Cutie, My Love

CHOSO

Choso is naturally very gentle with you, aware of his own strength and size. He rarely teases about the height difference and instead finds it endearing—sometimes he even bends down when talking to you just to make sure you're comfortable. As a non-sorcerer, he worries about your safety a lot. He doesn’t want you near jujutsu battles or curses, and he’ll always walk you home, even if it means following you in the shadows. He’s incredibly warm and affectionate, but his love language is more about acts of service—bringing you food, fixing things for you, and making sure you're always taken care of.

Affection Style: Protective and soft—he’ll hold your hand in public, press kisses to your forehead, and tuck you into his side when you’re walking together.

Pet Names: Little One, Beloved, My Treasure

SAKUNA

Sukuna sees the height difference as another way to assert his dominance. He lives to tease you—patting your head like a child, smirking down at you, and making jokes about how “fragile” you are. But beneath all of that, he’s insanely possessive. The fact that you’re a non-sorcerer makes him even more territorial—you're his, and he won’t let anything or anyone hurt you. He’s not the type to be openly affectionate, but when he does show it, it’s intense. He’ll lift you onto his lap when he's in the mood, tilt your chin up to make you look at him, and dare you to defy him. He might act cocky, but deep down, having someone as soft and human as you actually soothes him.

Affection Style: Rough but passionate—he’ll grip your chin when he kisses you, pull you onto his lap, and smirk every time you have to crane your neck to look at him.

Pet Names: Brat, Pet, Mine (he’s not one for cutesy names, but you are his.)

GETO

Geto is surprisingly sweet about the height difference. He loves that you’re shorter than him and enjoys wrapping his arms around you from behind, resting his chin on your head. He’s very gentle with you, especially since you’re a non-sorcerer—he sees you as something pure in his otherwise dark world. He doesn’t want you involved in jujutsu society, and he’ll do everything to keep you safe from it. That said, he’s also possessive—he won’t make a scene if someone flirts with you, but his aura alone is enough to make them back off. He has a soft spot for spoiling you, whether it’s bringing you gifts or just pulling you into his lap after a long day.

Affection Style: Soft but protective—he’s always touching you in some way, whether it’s holding your hand or brushing your hair back.

Pet Names: Sweetheart, Doll, Little One

TOJI

Toji lives for the height difference. He teases you constantly—resting his arm on your head, calling you fun-sized, and effortlessly lifting you up just because he can. He’s cocky and playful, but underneath that, he’s insanely protective. The fact that you’re a non-sorcerer makes him hyper-aware of your fragility, and though he plays it cool, he’d go feral if anyone or anything threatened you. Toji isn’t always the best with words, but he shows his love through physical touch—throwing an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his lap, or just carrying you over his shoulder if you’re walking too slow.

Affection Style: Playful but protective—he teases you nonstop, but his touch is always firm and grounding, like he’s reminding himself that you’re safe.

Pet Names: Shortcake, Doll, Bunny (he likes that you’re smaller and softer than him).

NANAMI

Nanami doesn’t tease you about your height—he actually finds it endearing. He loves subtle things, like how you have to tilt your head to look at him or how your hand is smaller than his when he holds it. He treats you with quiet, deep affection, always making sure you’re safe, warm, and comfortable. As a non-sorcerer, he knows you don’t belong in his world of danger, so he keeps you as far from it as possible. Nanami is a gentleman—he’ll always place his hand on the small of your back when guiding you, offer you his coat when it’s cold, and give you the kind of unwavering devotion that makes you feel truly loved.

Affection Style: Subtle but deeply caring—he’ll brush hair from your face, hold your hand without a word, and make sure you never have to lift a finger if he can do something for you.

Pet Names: Darling, Love, Sweetheart

ITADORI

Yuji adores the height difference—it makes him want to protect you even more. He’s a golden retriever boyfriend, always hugging you, holding your hand, and getting excited whenever he sees you. He loves that you’re a non-sorcerer because it gives him a sense of normalcy, something to hold onto in his chaotic life. He’s always looking out for you—walking on the side of the sidewalk closest to traffic, texting you to make sure you’re safe, and giving you his hoodie when you’re cold (even though it’s way too big on you). He’s the type to lift you up and spin you around when he hugs you, completely oblivious to how strong he is.

Affection Style: Super touchy—he’s all about hugs, hand-holding, and forehead kisses. He loves physical closeness.

Pet Names: Babe, Cutie, Snugglebug (yes, he would call you something ridiculous and own it).

MEGUMI

Megumi acts like the height difference doesn’t matter, but secretly, he finds it adorable. He won’t tease you outright, but he will silently enjoy the way you have to look up at him. Unlike the others, he’s not big on PDA, but he shows he cares in little ways—offering you his scarf when it’s cold, making sure you’re on the inside of the sidewalk, and subtly stepping in front of you if he senses danger. He’s very protective, especially since you’re a non-sorcerer, and though he won’t always voice his concerns, his actions make it clear. He’s not great at verbal affection, but if you catch him off guard, you might hear him mumble something like, "I like that you’re small… easier to keep safe."

Affection Style: Reserved but thoughtful—he’ll carry your bags without asking, stand close enough to shield you, and quietly watch over you like a loyal wolf.

Pet Names: Dummy (affectionately), Angel, (Your Name) (he’s not one for excessive nicknames, but he says your name in a way that makes it sound special).

[jimmyscocopuff]

😵‍💫 jimmy……

i hope that when i say that i don’t see jimmy as turbo pedo rapist woman-beater hitler it doesn’t sound like i think he’s redeemable or good or anything. i just think jimmy’s heinousness is something that’s not obvious to most people he’s meeting for the first time, and i think when he does bad stuff it needs to be something he can justify to himself. like i think that if you met jimmy at a bar and decided to hook up with him you might think he’s normal and maybe even charming and down to earth but if you get to know him more you start to think “oh he’s got a couple red flags but im sure it’s nothing” to “okay holy shit he’s kinda fucked up” and tbh hot take.. i don’t really know if jimmy would hit a woman he was seeing. i think he’s a lot more likely to be manipulative, i think the most physical he might get is getting in your face to intimidate you, but i think no matter the reason hitting a woman would be hard to justify himself unless you like… attacked him first and genuinely posed a real threat. i think that’s the heinous part of jimmys abusive-ness, he’s the kind of guy that would make you literally doubt if you were actually abused and maybe it was actually your fault. (i remember that he’s obviously physically aggressive with post crash curly but ill be real…. all the characters are super extreme post crash because they’re in survival mode. like anya is not normally someone who is meek and stutters a lot.)

i hope i don’t get killed for talking about how jimmy assaulted anya cause like it was rape no doubt but i really don’t think he roofied her because 1) wood alcohol would have killed her probably 2) she clearly remembered it was him (jimmy mentioned the roofie makes people possibly not remember what happened and i think swansea didn’t even really remember). i really could see jimmy coercing and maybe intimidating anya a bit cause that way he could justify to himself that “oh well she did consent technically! after i convinced her to 😁” (but tbh i think… he also was probably aggressive during the act because well.. that does suit him) i think anya was probably the only other person besides jimmy who was incredibly stressed at the news they were getting fired and was in an incredibly vulnerable and malleable state and jimmy prob recognized that and took advantage IDK THO IM NOT WRONG ORGAN.

i could see jimmy being the kind of guy to get in fights but i think he only fights people he really knows he will win against. i think he’s probably a decently muscular and tall dude tho so he probably could win a decent amount of fights but tbh jimmy actually strikes me as someone that prefers to use sneaky and manipulative methods. thats why he roofied swansea instead of just telling him the situation, when you think about it he didn’t even really try to think of any other solutions to get to anya and curly LFNSJCJDJCB

and to be quite frank i just think jimmy being this major psychopath who just beats up women and rapes people all the time without a care in the world is just so…. uncompelling 😭 but that’s just me ✋🙂‍↕️🤚

also this is just me thinking but like i think most of jimmys reasoning for crashing the ship were due to the pregnancy, not the possibility he could go to jail since most of his hallucination motifs revolve around the baby horse and babies crying etc etc. jimmy errr uhh finishing in anya was probably an example of his poor impulse when he’s in a stressful situation tbh

[grifff17]

Audiodrama Sunday 2/9/2025

Happy Audiodrama Sunday! So much good stuff this week. Ylelmore season finale, Courier's Call season premiere, a great reveal in Unend, and Lost Terminal is back!

NEW SHOW ALERT At the Bottom of the Garden - Interesting show, I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to an audiodrama quite like this. I’m still unclear how much of this show is fiction, which I think is by design.

@storiesfromylelmore - the hard cut from Elas’s drama to Keryth and Rion in complete chaos with the river monster was incredible. Loved the sneaky little post credit scene. A character in the universe of a podcast listening to the podcast is such a funny premise. I'm sad the season is done already, it feels like it just started.

@midstpodcast - Oh shit some remnants of the Trust are still around. Great worldbuilding in this episode. The naturalist is Tziela???? That's such a crazy thing to reveal so casually.

Skyjacks: Courier’s Call - The kids are back together! Kieran’s haircut being a reminder of Alba is actually heartbreaking. I'm curious to see what happens when June meets back up with her parents, they did not part on good terms.

@campaignskyjacks - Random thoughts as I continue to listen through this show: I love Captain Orimar but he’s truly terrifying. Gable is a fallen angel? The scars on their back are from their wings! I really want to learn more about the Church of the Slain God. It’s insane that Dref is the most normal of the PCs.

Starwhal: Odyssey - “Have you ever fucked a Hydra” is such a great hard ending to an episode. I'm so excited to see the Usegoni try to capture and transport a living Hydra.

Find Us Alive - back from the hiatus! I would absolutely attend Hole!. Building a scale model of the place you’re trapped in in Minecraft is hilarious. And holy shit they’ve made contact with the outside! I had theorized that the memetic effect somehow prevented the outside signal from coming through while Harley was in the room, but I guess not.

@lostterminalpod - Its back for a new season! What is this weird cyborg monster? This has become a comfort shot for me and it's so nice to be hearing from Seth again.

@breakerwhiskey - I finally caught up on last 2 listener messages and responses. It makes me want to submit one. I never got around to submitting a question to either of the fictional advice shows I listen to, though, so I doubt I ever will.

I'm realizing that I listened to 3 different One Shot Podcast Network shows this week. They just make exactly the style of APs that I enjoy: narrative heavy, rules light, collaborative, audio only, and not DnD.

[evenpeaks]

ABSO FUCKING LUTELY !!!!

I’m going to cover my main appeal: the writing. I have watched and read a lot of shit. This is, without a question, one of the best things I have ever watched. The characters are incredibly human and believable, and it’s very hard not to like them. There’s so much depth to them, and they feel like people you’d meet IRL!!!

The story beats, as well, are amazing. I can’t go into too much detail without spoilers but it is just fucking fantastic !!! They switch effortlessly between comedy and horror (episode 2 is a prime example of this) and seamlessly mix in lore dumps in between.

There is one MC with a normal name (Marckus my wife). you also get Slut Grandpa: Big D, Door and his son Boy, Horse the actual irl Horse and most dedicated catboy ever Kitten. They are all competent dumbasses and I love them!!!!! None of these people are normal :)

Also I think you would like it bc I think everyone would like it. Very good. Fav show for a reason thank you ogre poppenang I’ve never theorized more about a show it’s so good

Okay, I think most of you guys living in America are awake now. So, question.

Should I watch Hunter: the Parenting?

If I should: convince me.

[hpowellsmith]

Heart's Choice WIP announcement: Heart of the Mountain by Fay Ikin

Heart of the Mountain is a new Heart's Choice text game by Fay Ikin, the author of Heart of Battle and Asteroid Run: No Questions Asked. It's in the same setting as Heart of Battle, with a new MC and totally standalone.

Play Chapter 1 here! Fay would love to hear whatever feedback you have if you have a moment - either on the forum, or send it to me and I'll pass it on to her as she's not on here.

-

The war between the Coritan Republic and Messimera has been over for years, but as a magician you’ll never be free of your duties to your country.

With control over warmth and heat energy, you’ve been sent to a remote Messimeran outpost, where a small group of soldiers from both sides have been tasked to cooperate and guard the northernmost demilitarized zone…where your predecessor went mysteriously missing.

If anyone crosses the mountain pass or the frozen waterway, the peace treaties could fail. It’s frigid, isolated work, and monotonous until a mysterious fellow magician falls at your doorstep hiding dangerous secrets. Will you welcome your kind, or support your colleagues’ suspicions of them?

Everyone has their own agenda - and their own secrets to guard. When their goals oppose each other, who will you support and who will you stand against? Who will you keep close when your magic starts to fail, when paranoia and fear strike the outpost? A mysterious force within the mountain threatens to topple everything your country has worked for. What are you willing to lose to survive - your livelihood, your love, or your magic itself?

Heart of the Mountain is set in the same setting as Heart of Battle, 4-5 years later. All of the characters are new for this game, though backstory elements can have some familiar notes from the previous game. You won’t need to have played Heart of Battle to play this game.

I’m aiming for 3 or 4 chillies - some sex scenes are very explicit, and some will (at the reader’s choice) feature some intense kinky experiences.

As with Heart of Battle, it’s v/v. The MC can be a man (cis, trans or non-specified), woman (cis, trans or non-specified) or non-binary person (AMAB, AFAB, or not specified); the love interests are selectable between cis man/cis woman/non-binary.

There are four characters alongside the MC - everyone the MC interacts with is romanceable and plot relevant, and the conflict between different love interests’ goals and ambitions drives the plot.

All the characters have the possibility of a happy ending, but on some high-conflict routes some characters can become hostile antagonists

There are currently some polyamorous options planned: Eleri/Felician/MC, and Stelare/Theano/MC.

Romance Options:

Captain Felician Resende

GRIEVING OFFICER from the Coritan Republic

Felician’s magician best friend, the MC’s predecessor, went missing a month ago: a devastating loss Felician is still struggling to accept. With bad experiences with magic in the war, and a lingering deep distrust of magic, Felician’s trying hard to keep it out of the way of professional - or personal - relationships.

Best Felician: honorable, go-getting, enthusiastic

Worst Felician: inflexible, manic, controlling

What to say: “I agree, a five mile hike is a perfect team-building opportunity!”

What not to say: “I hope you don’t mind, I’ve made some amendments to your chore chart!”

-

Sergeant Eleri Katsaros

CONFLICTED ENGINEER from Messimera

You can’t get secrets out of Eleri with a prybar, but it’s still obvious that Sergeant Katsaros bitterly regrets whatever happened during the war. So now, here’s someone committed to being kind while frozen with shame. Eleri can’t imagine being called a good person, let alone believing it.

Best Eleri: Idealistic, practical, reliable

Worst Eleri: Fatalistic, brittle, volatile

What to say: “Let’s stay up until four in the morning to do inventory. In silence.”

What not to say: “I’ll only give you your toolbox back if you can name five things you like about yourself.”

-

Doctor Theano Leventis

MISANTHROPIC PHYSICIAN from Messimera

“Doctor Leventis has the potential to be a shining star of the Messimeran Army…if only Leventis could match talent with compassion”.

This, like other performance reviews, Theano has disregarded as ‘pointless sap’. There’s little point in babying other people’s emotions when there’s any number of things to do instead: music, reading, gambling, scientific analysis…you name it, Theano can do it. Unless it requires a bedside manner.

Best Theano: Creative, progressive, perceptive

Worst Theano: Bitter, destructive, dismissive

What to say: “Why would we be emotionally vulnerable with each other when we could get drunk and pass out instead?”

What not to say: “I’m sorry, but the future of the outpost relies on your ability to give me a convincing hug.”

-

Stelare Belmonte

FLIGHTY MAGICIAN from the Coritan Republic

Magic academy washout, army washout, an Illustrious’ magickeeper’s washout, an arena designer washout…is there anything Stelare can’t get fired from for ‘wilful disobedience and lack of adherence to basic safety’?

Stelare has telekinetic magic: the application of force to move and manipulate the world. But instead of being indispensable, Stelare has happily embraced the label of ‘massive liability’ and the freedom that comes with it. But what exactly is the plan on this remote, classified mountaintop?

At their best: Passionate, ambitious, protective

At their worst: Unpredictable, careless, vindictive

What to say: “I made you some hot chocolate, the others are so jealous!”

What not to say: “You don’t scare me…you’re just mediocre.”

[unnamed-atlas]

Something something Mumbo's hair turned grey and he didn't even mention it and in the exact same episode he introduces the science lab that he had originally said was meant for him to investigate the strange happening of the server but was actually introduced to be a corporate lab looking into the idea of immortality and is letting waste runoff poison the farmlands of the town he has referred to as being like the hometown for his minecraft character. He was meant to be looking into strange happenings that he worries might be 'too late' to solve if left to fester. The lab itself is causing strange happenings. They are poisoning the town. Mumbo's hair is turning grey. The merch drops seemed to imply that the Grumbot AI originated in this town, was made by Big Ron and passed down to Mumbo, who went on to improve it throughout his time on hermitcraft. The company mentions their work in AI in relation to their work in the field of immortality. Mumbo remains working there despite seeming to know what they're doing to this town that he seems to care about deeply. They are researching immortality. His hair is turning grey. Do you. Do you see what I'm seeing.

[sexygayvampire]

hey does anyone else ever think about archon!dorian and lose their minds

[mizukagami-takamagahara]

LOVE YOUR WORK.

Further related thoughts in no particular order;

Rachel being a relatively powerless woman forced to watch and suffer through the loops, I'd argue, HEAVILY parallels the plight of the Origin, and the "trapped princess" theming it carries. From there, Ragna retains the same role he has in said dynamic with the Origin- simultaneously the monster that dooms them all and the knight fighting for her freedom.

The point above leads to obvious romantic coding, but can also be spun for further tragedy. Rachel is very aware of the situation everyone is in and is also clearly very familiar with story/genre tropes given the way she speaks- she MUST know that despite her yearning, She Is Not The Princess. She knows that the Origin is the one Ragna will save. She knows there's no room for a second princess. She knows if Ragna succeeds, he will save her, but she will have no right to stand by his side in the epilogue. She's an audience member, not part of the cast alongside him.

Grander themes aside, their entire dynamic is set up to fuel this miserable, one-sided attachment and the pain it leads to. Maybe in early loops she genuinely disliked him, maybe she truly found him annoying then, but after spending 700+ entire lifetimes with someone it just isn't that easy to stay distant. Especially as he is the one most able to match her wit, most able to make her laugh. most able to challenge her; he has a very special place in her life that no other character comes close to.

As Cloudy says up there, Rachel's personality already makes her difficult to handle. Her status as this 'noble creature outside of and above humanity' already makes equality difficult for her to wrap her head around.

Add all of that to the timeloop situation; she can't NOT be invested in Ragna because she needs to work with him for any hope of freedom, but he's insufferably "stupid"- but maybe in an endearing way, 10 or 20 loops in. Maybe in a reliable and stress relieving way. But as she gets closer and closer, more familiar with him and more comfortable, as she watches him go through every high and every low and retains memories between loops of what little jokes he told or what little secrets he confessed this time-

HE. FORGETS. Every time she has to restart that relationship. To return to my earlier point of how both her personality and life situation make Normal Functional Relationships difficult, this addition makes them damn near impossible. She can't get too close because even if she could overcome her internal issues and take that risk, there would be no benefit.

If it worked out, it would be rendered pointless once 2199 hit. It would also damn her to another layer of her personal hell; okay, what, you accept your feelings for this guy, you maybe even have the talk with him... and then you have to face the fact that even WITH your love, you can't help or protect him, because if you do you will lose all your powers to defend him in the future (Onlooker Rules) and there's a 99.99999% chance it won't matter anyway and you, him, and the whole world will be doomed forever thanks to your self-indulgent risk.

IDK these are just messy ranting thoughts but like. Personally I find the Rachel-Ragna dynamic to be a great example of how BlazBlue's character writing is WONDERFUL and has incredible depth to it. Everything in Rachel's life, everything in her and Ragna's personalities, everything in the entire fucking setting is working together to make Rachel the character she is; one full of regrets and agony that she masks with childish cruelty, a sense of powerlessness she buries under snobbery, and a complete inability to face her own desires because of the EVERYTHING.

And Ragna is the face of every hope she can still cling to and every peaceful, stupid, inconsequential moment of reprieve she gets where she doesn't have to think about the weight of the entire world on her shoulders. It would be insane (and a horribly missed opportunity, from a writing standpoint) if she DIDN'T have some kind of attachment to him.

Kinda want to address something that what is is what I feel a lot of people don’t quite get. That being “Why does Rachel have feelings for Ragna?” This isn’t about how whether it’s a good ship or not but more a delve into Rachel’s character. So to get to the meat of things why does Rachel pine for Ragna? That’s pretty simple really. It’s his will to continuously stand up again and fight even against insurmountable odds.

Rachel was the Onlooker her role to observe the events of the world as a bystander. She’s seen the same song and dance the world’s been stuck in so many times she’s almost apathetic to it all. Despite that there’s still something she’s vested. One man who she knows what his doom is (the Black Beast) and the kinda hero he could become (Bloodedge). She’s seen that despite being in the worst state possible he still wants to get back up and fight and this is what enchants her to him.

Rachel loves that belligerence and audaciousness of his (to an extent where it isn’t destructive). She lives for that back and forth where they snark at each other. If Ragna were to ever become submissive to her she’d hate it. He’d stop being the man she loves if he became submissive. Hell the moment that he got her to break the haughty princess act and act like a bashful girl was when he picked her up and gave her a hug. That’s what Rachel wants out of him.

Now with the ‘Why’ explained I’m gonna go into a new section about “Rachel, her role in the world, her personality, and how her relationship with Ragna is like Sideshow Bob in a field of rakes.” This is more about her relationship with Ragna and how she shoots herself in the foot when it comes to having a healthy standing with him. Because as much as she loves him she has a poor way of showing it for a few reasons. Namely due to her role as Onlooker and Head of the Alucard Family and her domineering personality being a poor combination.

Her status as Onlooker means she can’t be direct and her haughtiness means when she is talking to someone who doesn’t meet her ridiculously high standards she will heavily talk down to them. It leaves much of her interactions with Ragna as one sided and aggravating affairs for him. She’ll appear at her whim, belittle him because she can, and at her whim she may tell him something important or not at all and there was little Ragna could do about it for much of his life. Rachel was less a compatriot for Ragna to rely upon and more someone he had to go to when he needed something because he had no one else. The result of this imbalance made for a strained relationship between the two.

That it became less strained overtime was less due to them becoming closer and more circumstances and other people enabled the situations where they are working together better. Ragna became a better person due to the influences of Celica and Noel becoming someone who was more willing to work with others and Rachel became less haughty because she was losing power and things were getting more out of hand that necessitated her taking more direct action if possible. It's not that she's against getting involved but for her there has to be a time and place for it.

How she decides that is when it's most suitable to comes back to her status as Onlooker and Head of the Alucard family. She's essentially a backer to the Six Heroes and those who are trying to stop Terumi and his cohort's plans. And due to how a bulk of her power that came from being the Onlooker works she has to be miserly with her involvement. She can never be the impetus for change but she can point in a direction and add to the push when necessary. Rachel has an acute understanding of the world and the potential fate of others but she's limited in where she can use that knowledge in both how and where she can use it. It makes her and her feelings to Ragna a bit of a tragic affair.

Knowing his fate but never being able to change anything. Knowing him better than most but being unable to connect. Being there to watch his journey but never being able to really be by his side. A pitiful fate that's both by necessity and self imposed. A self sabotaging one sided love that leaves her only able to watch should his path means he must embrace oblivion. For despite that love she has her roles and her responsibilities that must come before her own desires.

[heartorbit]

something something sewing event

[hawkinslibrary]

Stranger Things 4 Chapter Nine: The Piggyback | 4.09