#and poses! you can really tell who's chill with it and who isn't

[after-the-end-times]

Eddie's Never Been Chill a Day in his Life

For @steddieholidaydrabbles Prompt: Chill 🥶 Rating: G 🥶Words: 793 🥶 cw: none 🥶 Tags: Established Relationship, Corroded Coffin doesn't understand, Eddie has no chill, Eddie Munson loves Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington loves Eddie Munson

“Oh, will you chill? It's not a big deal”

“Chill? Chill?! Ha!”

Eddie strikes a dramatic pose, one hand on his hip, finger on his lips and, despite the smile spreading across his face, his eyes are wide and angry staring down his friends.

“No, I don't think I will chill! Because I tell you, my best friends, my band, my comrades in arms, that I, Eddie Munson, have finally got myself a boyfriend and you, what? Say I can do better? Tell me you don't like him?!”

Eddie throws his head back laughing.

Gareth looks at Jeff who looks at Freak. They sometimes forget how scary Eddie can be when he turns his dramatics up to 10.

Which means it’s even more creepy in the quiet after Eddie’s laughter cuts off. A car door slams on the other side of the garage door. Jeff’s mom probably getting home from work.

“Dude, we just mean he isn't really- You know.”

“What? He isn't the best thing to happen to me? He isn't the kindest, sweetest, most self sacrificing man that I’ve ever met? Because guess what guys! He is. He's all that and more. He's funny and sarcastic and goofy and so so smart!”

“Eddie, he's a jock! You've always said-”

“And I was wrong! Ok!?” He blows out a harsh breath, continuing calmer “I was wrong and I judged without knowing. So what if he likes sports? He has hobbies and interests. Isn't that a good thing? Or would you rather I be with someone boring? Someone who thinks and acts just like me? So we can just sit there and stare at each other, because we have all the same opinions about everything? 'Cause, actually, I think I like it better this way.”

“Ok, ok we get it. You like him." Gareth huffs out a laugh.

Jeff adds with a chuckle. "Guess even you couldn't resist a pretty face, huh?”

Eddie scoffs. They just don't get it.

“Of course he's breathtaking. But he's all the more beautiful because of who he is inside. Don’t you get it yet? He has a gaggle of children who he loves and would do anything for. He has a best friend who he would literally get tortured for to spare her any hurt. He's even friends with his ex and the guy she cheated on him with! He's just so kind and forgiving, and yes it’s sometimes more than I'd want him to be, but that's- He's just so- I just- I love him.” He looks at them with wide pleading eyes. “Ok, guys? I love him and he's gonna be mine for as long as I can keep him. So, you guys just need to get with it, I guess.”

Eddie runs out of steam after that and crosses his arms protectively across his chest. He's still building his strength back up and he's been gesturing wildly for his whole rant.

The door on the side of the garage opens and Steve steps inside, shivering. The tip of his nose and ears are nipped pink from the cold, his hands are red and slightly trembling; he’s clearly been out there longer than it takes to run from the car to the garage.

“Steve.” Eddie breaths out and walks over to take his hands in his. He cups them and brings them up to his mouth, warming the frozen finger tips with his breath.

Steve’s gaze, so wide and hope filled, has been locked on Eddie since he came in.

“Do you really?” He finally asks, in a low voice just for them.

Eddie flicks his eyes up to meet Steve’s. For a fraction of a second he considers asking what he’s talking about, maybe playing off the moment with a joke, but no. Steve deserves to know. And he wants Steve to know.

“Steve,” He kisses the finger tips at his lips, still so cold, but finally warming. “I love you.”

“Eddie.” Steve’s shaking, though whether it’s still from the cold or from the force of his emotions, Eddie’s not sure. Either way, he suddenly has an armful of a Steve Harrington who is laughing so joyously, like it’s the only way he can release the amount of happiness that has suddenly over taken him. He gasps in a breath. “I love you, too, Eddie. Oh my god, I love you so much.”

Eddie pulls back grinning, he needs to see him right now, needs to see the joy he’s put on Steve’s face just by loving him.

Oh, Steve is glowing.

And in that moment, Eddie knows, without a singular doubt, he’s going to spend the rest of his life making Steve glow with happiness.

And they’re going to have a beautiful life.

~Fin~

[pachiiblr]

LOOK !!!! LOOK AT THIS !!!! ITS REAL !!!!!

So. This is interesting. Didn't think it would be revived!

Wonderful character design rambles down belowww

This enby (or what I assume is one) is definitely based on a jiangshi, which is a Chinese vampire! You can tell from their greys and generally unsaturated colors that they're not very healthy (or mayhaps alive), and their clothing which is traditional Chinese clothing!! Specifically from the Qing Dynasty i think? Their hair also provides a nice pop of color and looks like blood red, which ties into the undead thing. The flat hair also reminds me of a certain other cookie who has to do with spirts....

You cannot tell me this girl isn't bacon. Like just look at her hair that is obviously bacon colored. Her hammer however looks to be an artichoke! So i propose bacon Roll cookie! Other than that, she looks very... official? I really don't know how to put it. Her hat is very cute!!! Girl why do you have to be turned. Making my life harder like this. Making the pose more entertaining though! You can tell she's very energetic from it! Squinting, I can see that one of her socks looks to be ripped, which says that she gets in a lot of fights. Very interested in her!

Genuinely can't tell what's going on here... the glasses are cool, matches with what seems to be an eyepatch? He looks.. very tired. Mood. He really looks similar to bacon roll actually! Maybe they work for the same company? But yeah, no food ideas here. Maybe chocolate...? They do that a lot. Also don't mind the color blobs idk what's up with that. Also also! He looks like he works at the same place as bacon roll with how similar their clothes look!

Originally, i thought this guy was a citrus from the pattern on his.. shirt? Coat? Like the thing people wear when going to the beach. But now i think he's pineapple!! He's very... yellow. And his hairs green like the pineapple leaves AND just generally looks similar to it! Other than that, he just looks very beach ready with the sunglasses and the cool teeth necklace. Extra points for the cool gauntlets! Also idea: tropical punch. Because. Tropical. And he punches people.

Popsicle. I don't need to explain this one. Popsicle hat, headphones, even sick popsicle sword! Other than that he looks very.. chill. His hair kinda looks like crushed ice which could go with the whole popsicle theming? Other than that, he just looks very casual.

Then we have her. Other than looking ADORABLE.... I can't tell really what she is. Also now that i look at it what the hell is going on with her sleeve?? Very cat. Kitty headphones, kitty paws, kitty mouth, we got the whole package here. She looks very techy. Maybe she's a hologram? Designs wonderful just what is up with that sleeve.

Best for last! Ok so I'm just gonna call her melon float because you cannot tell me otherwise that she is something else ANYWYAS THIS is like peak design oh my god. I don't even know how long she had to be cooking (heh) for devsis to come up with this. The colors are WONDERFUL, 70 20 10 rule going insane here, and like. All the round shapes like her buns tell that she's very bubbly (hehx2) and it looks like she's in a swimsuit which makes sense if youre spraying water everywhere you don't want your clothes soaked and the eye covering for the same reason but it's up showing that she dosent really care- RAYGSHHS Also the fact she's spraying it out of a GIANT FLOAT??? AWWWW

That's it! Hydrangea: out.

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

With reader becoming more and more recognizable when they’re with Joe, is there ever a time when it becomes too much? Or does a fan get ever a little too eager in front of Joe and he feels the need to step in?

Oh, I love this question. This is something I'm touching on partially in the next blurb coming later this evening, drafting it literally right now. But I did want to touch on the second part of your message too, because the blurb is not this exact scenario as it focuses on things during the season.

Off season I feel is super different and as the relationship continues, gets a bit more...intense.

I think reader and Joe are out together a lot more during the off season--because let's be real Joe loves him some reader and could hardly stomach the idea of having to do anything without them promo and brand work aside--so if Joe's out, reader's not far. He's a bit of a home body, so he doesn't go crazy, visits some friends and such. During those trips, reader is brought along.

Joe does offer a more private vacation that thankfully manages to stay private, so there is a balance. And reader can go out for a friends trip, or for drinks, and it's mostly okay by themself, etc. Because I do I think there's some understanding like alright this isn't a celebrity or an influencer in the slightest. For the most part.

But when Joe is out and about in the off season, he likes having reader around so they do travel together and it's when both of them together that things can get a lot. Guys recognize Joe near immediately when he steps into a room and they are beelinig straight for him. So Joe will step in front, chat for like all of a minute to the person, pose for the picture and then keep it pushing.

Most people recognize Joe first and then recognize reader second. In those instances, Joe sticks around his hand still in theirs. Reader doesn't take pictures with people--a hard rule- but will chat with fans. Should reader get recognized first and Joe's around, he takes a step back, lets them do what they're comfortable with and if/when they're asked at pictures, he usually perks up a bit more, waiting to see if he'll need to step in.

I think there is one, maybe two instances where a guy has gotten pushy about it. Most people are chill and don't push it once reader declines. But someone has to test the limits.

"Think you're too good for a picture?" the guy huffed. Clearly not a tease, but presented like one.

"No, I don't feel comfortable taking them." It was a firm retort. Nothing more offered than what needed to be offered. The boundaries were abundantly clear.

"Just once. C'mon, we've been chatting for a while. Aren't I special? Promise I don't bite."

And that's all she wrote, Joe slipped in, jaw set. "I think their answer was clear. And if you don't like theirs, you definitely won't like mine."

"It's just a picture." This guy was persistent, but hard heads, soft behinds.

"And if I said it's just your face after you eat shit, what then?"

I think when you're staring down 200+ lbs of a professional athlete, people don't really push it too far. So that's the worst that's ever happened. It circulates on line to not push reader about pictures. Pictures have surfaced of them together, but I don't think in this day and age there's really any way to stop that.

Reader particularly enjoys being out with Joe. Because it's either hot Joe who's sticking up for them, or the lovable let me tell you about my partner sappy Joe.

The girls make flirty eyes, to which Joe really tries to duck and dodge, and reader's definitely like, "Boy, you're hot shit, of course they're going to look."

"But I only want you to look at me like that."

It's a tiny bit amusing to watch Joe very pointedly and awkwardly be at the bar getting them drinks and then having a girl slide up, batting her eyelashes, and then Joe going, "I'm actually here with my partner. For who, I'm getting this drink. Both drinks actually. They love 7-UP, which I know is like a little weird. I'm happy if they're happy really. But, uh, please enjoy your night."

To which, reader's dying of laughter. They slipped away to the bathroom, returned to hear Joe's shouted soliloquy about them and they slip a hand into his back pocket. "Tell me more about this partner," is always the teased response. Joe always absolutely liquifies when he realizes who's approached from behind. His eyes go soft, like melted toffee.

Reader may or may not milk this for their own entertainment, when Joe's trying to be polite but also trying to be very clear that he's not interest. They always save him in the end, after he fumbles for like a solid three minutes into the exchange.

-H

Roll For Initiative Blurb Weekend!

Series Masterlist

[prismscrispcorner]

Mitchell/Michelle Ruy/Hans

erm here's a full body ref or something heehe (if y'all know where the pose is from ur goated !!)

sketch or something idk

yall see why I digitalize my art now ri-

anyways Mitchell and Michelle are the fan child(ren?) of Dave and Mack Hans (it was originally supposed to be a poly relationship with my other OC but I scrapped it (for now))

Mitchell is usually the more tame and obedient one. Not to say Michelle isn't obedient but they're more prone to anger which makes them more defiant and sometimes reckless

Its usually really hard to tell who is fronting but Mitchell looks more like their father Mack while Michelle looks more like Dave.

Their voices do also sound different obviously

Mitchell typically always fronts (but I like drawing women more so womp womp) so Dave nor Mack know that Michelle exists, but Matt does because Michelle started crashing out which blew their cover

They can't speak at the same time or else their brain stops working. Whenever one speaks, the other goes "inactive"

Mack and Dave did NOT birth them biologically. Like most of my ship children (minus Neelilac and sort of Tallula) including but not limited to:

Ethanetty - yk

Ketski - Hety x Kaski

Saric - Sarah x Lilac

Sam - Stranger x Agent 30 (yes I like the remake too sue me)

Michelle the type to steal some shit and say Matt did it (they're not fooling anyone)

Mitchell is NOT a yapper but Michelle is

"Where did you come from" - Matt

"McDonalds" - Mitchell probably

They're the same age as most of my other ship children (late teens)

They can shape shift as far as I'm concerned but if they turn into an existing animal it will look slightly off

Biggest backed out of all my ship children (minus Nileelac)

"Damn why the hell are you eating up all of the food??" - Dave

"You said I needed to eat more..." - Mitchell

"That was 14 plates ago." - Dave

The relationship they have with @ermwhatthefilp1's Matt is actually so crazy because Matt was just chilling and all of the sudden bro as an ABOMINATION as a sibling save him

Jokes aside they do get along very well mainly because Matt and Mitchell/Michelle both have weird ass fathers that they got their traits from

Also Michelle steals Dave's earrings and Mack's necklace so much that they just let them keep it and bought new ones

Nahh they actually do fear Dave a good amount that guy is a beast in my AU

uhh that's it for now I have to make my 3am meal (bb behavior)

[libraford]

I don't mean to keep talking about work shit but I'm back in that place where I like what I do and want to continue to do it, but there are parts of it that are starting to wear on me personally.

Work bitching under the cut.

We have a whole new crew this season except for me. And my boss is getting more stressed out because of her bosses, which means that when the new crew has questions it falls to me. Which is fine- the person who trained me was real knowledgeable and I'm decent at coming up with solutions to problems on my own.

The new people think I'm 'very chill.' But the truth is that most of the problems they're fussing over are things that I've encountered before and I know how to solve them or who to call if I can't. Sometimes my solutions aren't perfect and the overhead bosses notice that we had to rig something.

My immediate boss wants perfection. I told her that I can't promise that. She still thinks that I can do that, but I've never been a perfectionist. She will show you every hair out of place, every wrinkle in every collar, every misplaced crop.

Well?

Our subjects are children and children are imperfect. I didn't wash my hair for a year in fifth grade because I had constant earaches and didn't want to get my head wet. Sometimes kids are just funny looking- they make weird faces when you tell them to smile, they bug their eyes out, they don't sit still. Like I'm sorry, parents, that your kid doesn't sit with perfectly placed hands and a natural smile- but that's your goofy kid. Love and cherish their goofy years.

With most kids, I have a few tricks for getting them to fix their shirts and hair, get into the correct pose, and somewhat approaching a natural picture smile. But when you're doing 60 subjects a minute, some of them are not going to be perfect.

Yesterday I had a student who was special needs, did not like to be touched, and had specific wants for her photo. Her mother died last month and she wanted a photo of her holding the locket with her picture in it. Its the cutest photo ever.

They'll see that I went off-book. They'll see that her skirt isn't perfectly pleated. They'll see that she has some stray hairs.

I made an accommodation for this child. I accepted that we weren't going to get it perfect, but we were going to get a photo that her grandparents were going to cherish forever. Its truly an adorable photo. If I waited for perfect, I wasn't gonna get it.

Another kid was having a bad day. She was crying. I had to take her picture while she was crying, which is insult to injury for a kid who is having an internal crisis. We weren't going to get perfect.

I instruct the special needs teachers to send their kids to me because I'm very patient and I know some tricks and I know my equipment and I know how to make some adjustments to make it easier that some of my new photographers might not. I may not get perfect. I hope for happy, I hope for 'looking at the camera.' Its a win if I get both.

When I'm doing yearbook candids, I do fast and good. I have a system that allows me to take a rather high volume of decent photos that I know will look good in a yearbook without interrupting a class to get them. You literally can't get perfect here except on accident. They're kids in their natural environment.

When I'm doing sports candids I aim for volume. I know where to stand to get the best shots. If I take enough pictures, occasionally I get a really good one. But I don't look for perfect. I can't be like 'hey basketball dude, could you twist your hips a little bit to get that flattering curve of your spine?' Not happening.

I learned to work fast because I am being asked to do multiple things within a short time frame, so I learned how to process tasks in an efficient way: learning the typical building layout to minimize my workload and prepare for certain hiccups that happen often.

I mention them to the new people. I tell them that I am good and fast because I have done these things for three years and I am familiar with thinking on my feet. Often, I have to get things done quickly so that I can go help the new photographers who are struggling. If they prefer to go slow and focus on details first, that's fine. I will focus on volume and speed, I will pick up the slack while they are still learning.

I am told that I am going too fast. I need to slow down, focus on details, get things right instead of get them done.

But which would you prefer? That your kid was just a little messy for their photo or that I didn't take their photo at all because we ran out of time? Last season, one of our photographers had an emergency and I had to photograph nearly 800 students by myself.

The boss was shocked that they were good. Glad to hear we were expecting garbage.

Yesterday, while at a job, the boss was there to help one of the new photographers with one of the more complicated tasks. The new photographer felt that she was being pressed to go faster than her standards would allow. I told her afterwards that speed comes with time, there are some things you can't account for, and it wasn't necessary to push her that hard.

Our other new photographer is a 'perfectionist' and she takes so very much time getting every hair and every position and every expression, but she struggles to put up her equipment every time and if there's a problem she shuts down and can't think of a solution.

I have to be able to set up quickly so that I can make sure she has an extra hand to help her with issues. I have to photograph quickly to make sure that if she needs help I'm available.

And her photos are not really that much better. I'm often coaching her on cropping, on posture.

Slow does not equate perfection. Every person I've met that calls themselves a perfectionist is a perfectionist until it comes to the actual job.

She wants me to do class groups. Every time she trains me on class groups, there is some reason that I have to hop onto a solo unit. The first time it was because one of our photographers, another perfectionist, was taking too long and it created a bottleneck. Last time, it was because our other photographer went into labor and the remaining photographer was slower than hell.

So I'm learning that my speed and ease is an asset in these situations, but in situations where speed is not an asset then I should slow down- which experience tells me that if you slow down you're not guaranteed to do better.

Earlier in the week, I was showing one of the new girls how to do a dance backdrop setup. I had her look over my shoulder while I did the white balance and then exposure. I had shown her how to do it on a previous day and this was just reinforcement. Its also something that we do literally on every job, just in a different context- she should understand the concept and I gave her the option to raise any questions.

The boss told me that if I'm training someone how to do something I should show them how to do it, then mess up the settings on purpose for them, and then have them fix it. We were running behind schedule and I had actually been on schedule to leave like two hours prior but chose to stay so that we could work on this project together. I was not intending on training anyone.

She asks me why I don't want to become a trainer.

Its not usually like this. Usually, I can coast a little. But I'm filling the shoes of a couple people that had to sit this season out and now she's busting my chops to be perfect when 'perfect' was never my goal.

I dunno.

Its exhausting.

[polling-sonic-fans]

I gotta be completely honest with you, I'm a little frustrated with the people who interact with this blog. I don't want to be rude, especially not to you the mod, but seeing how popular the added "unsure" and "haven't heard of this" options can be for some polls, I feel like it takes from the poll entirely. For example, the recent one about Sonic Omens. I think that anyone who doesn't have a leg in the race just shouldn't vote, and the poll isn't for them. I feel like including options for people who can't even answer the question sort of messes with the data. I only mean this as constructive criticism, not to cause harm or hate, and I hope to hear your side of it, as well as submitters who make the polls. What do you think?

This, too, is data I must learn. My thoughts are under the cut, thank you for your feedback.

Joking aside, I understand the point, but I moderately disagree.

For the past month or so this blog has been running completely on user submissions. I only edit options to add something I think is missing and will result in unnecessary distress (see: the lack of chill on the first Sonic Voice Actor Poll. Lest we forget.). I do not currently remove options; I presume people meant what they said unless they tell me otherwise.

I do understand that some polls may have a lot of people choosing the opt out option, and that could pose specific problems. I don't think I agree with your example for this: I for one had never heard of that project, so would have voted the opt out option. And while I could and possibly would just ignore that poll, there's a chance someone might just pick or guess any answer if their response is not encapsulated in the options. People are nosy. They want to know the results even if they don't know anything about the topic.

Also, you can always calculate the proportion of the votes that went to each without the cop-out option with some simple percentage calculations. So the data isn't invalidated, the sample is just smaller. That is also data: it tells you many people aren't aware of or engaged with that topic. I think that is interesting too.

Where I could see your point is on more general but difficult things. If I listed a poll like 'Who's better: Shadow or Sonic?' I expect many people would want to click the cop-out option because they really like both, and there I would lose data. Because if they were really pushed, they could probably manage an opinion, but it would be easier (and give the gratification of button pressing) if they can not think about it and choose a 'I refuse!' button.

However, even in such cases I still think it's important that I do not edit people's polls to remove catch-all options if they have listed them. For all I know, the submitter was actually interested in capturing data on how many people would refuse to answer, and would be dissappointed to have that option removed.

My final note is I have found myself feeling quite protective of my submitters, especially those I suspect are regulars. This is not a massive blog being overwhelmed with asks. I would have given up already without them, I used nearly all of my ideas to get to past the first 100 polls. So if the polls are mislisted, contain errors, or you have grievances with them: raise those with me, that's my job. Give the submitters the kudos for providing the entertainment. I am not the last person you should be rude to but the first.

I don't want to ask voters to do anything except vote honestly, even if the answer is they don't know, and share questions they like. If they could continue to refrain from starting barfights on my posts that would also be swell. But I guess enthusiasm is appreciated.

Those who've read my essay here, please do leave your thoughts on the subject in the replies - I will be reading with interest and will let it impact my own polls, if not alter the submissions. Genuinely, thank you for the ask and your interest in the data we're making here, I am pleased that you are invested and like me want good data!

[bogkeep]

grousing about ai art stuff

every time i open twitter (my mistake) there's a new thread on how to spot ai art or ai photos by finding all the mistakes in it, and like obviously this is useful and it's good to watch out because they kEEP SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE AHHH HELL WORLD HELL WORLD, but it's also a little depressing that we're training ourselves to nitpick all kinds of details within a piece of art.

like even before the artifically generated image boom randos on twitter would reply to fully finished illustrations with the most asinine unsolicited advice possible. art's gonna be flawed sometimes! i'll draw someone in a weird pose because of vibes! i'll wing a hand! i don't fucking know what a house actually looks like!!! like yes of course the way a human artist creates flawed art is different from the way an algorithm doesn't actually know what anything looks like because it has no mind. it doesn't know shit. so it's not that it's UNRELIABLE but it's like. it's like... i've been telling myself and others every time i'm struggling to make something look Just Right that actually nobody i going to be staring as hard at my art as i am while making it. if i don't point it out people aren't likely to notice unless they are going through it with a fine toothed comb BUT NOW WE ARE DOING THAT APPARENTLY. WHICH IS ANYONE'S PEROGATIVE AND FAIR ENOUGH! PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT MY ART HOWEVER THEY WANT IT'S FINE

but it's ALSO so depressing to consider having to analyse every single piece of art you come across like that my goddddddd i just wanna enjoy it!! i wanna enjoy art!!!! i mean the main reason i finally stopped going on twitter regularly was during the NFT boom and i got so tired of having to vet every single artist i came across to make sure i wasnt retweeting nft stuff. like that really ruined my previously enjoyable experience of LOOKING AT NICE ART ON MY FEED WITHOUT PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE.

god another thing that happened during the dark nft times was how certain art styles tended to be nfts. and i don't mean the ugly apes and stuff, like of course there's those, but there were a lot of artists who sold their souls to crypto and there was just a certain Vibe to a lot of those styles. like i got a sixth sense for it, i would see a piece of art by an unknown artists and when i checked - yep, that was a crypto guy now. and you know what!!!! i hated that!!!! i hate that it ruined entire art styles for me!! AND NOW ARTIFICIALLY GENERATED IMAGES ARE DOING THE SAME!!!!! like what tends to tip me off is less because i spotted some wonky hand or a weird flap but because the style is a popular one for the ai bros to imitate. you know what i mean right!!!!!! it's kind of how the ai photos look a bit too clean and crisp and smooth in an unsettling way. it just pings the brain a bit.

ULTIMATELY the absolute main method i have for filtering away ai images isn't so much looking for mistakes, but by checking sources. it's the same way i check that i'm not reblogging from reposting accounts Because That's A Thing I Care About Too - if there's no description or the description seems off and i don't recognise the OP, i check the original post/blog to see what's up. if the image gives me a weird vibe, i check where it comes from and who posted it. oftentimes the comments on posts with ai images will point it out - they're not always accurate and there's definitely been times where people are a little too trigger happy to accuse art of being AI... but it can be a good lead or confirm suspicions. on one hand, i don't want to do detective work while im having chill scrolling time, but on the other hand - i already had this habit for other reasons, so it's less disruptive to me than the alternative. it also helps that it's very rare for ai shit to turn up in my tumblr feed. i don't want to keep looking over my shoulder!!

(also for anyone who wants a little bit of optimism in the middle of all this, here's an episode of Better Offline podcast that outlines how it's very unlikely for generative ai to actually get much better. here's the part two also.)

[classicanalyzer]

The Acolyte - The Acolyte (Episode 8) Thoughts

"I think the Jedi are a massive system of unchecked power, posing as a religion, a delusional cult that claims to control the uncontrollable...Not the Force. Your emotions. You project an image of goodness and restraint, but it's only a matter of time before one of you snaps. And when, not 'if', that happens, who will be strong enough to stop him?... The majority of my colleagues can't imagine a galaxy without the Jedi. And I can understand why. When you're looking up to heroes, you don't have to face what's right in front of you." Senator Rayencourt.

"You poor girl. You've been through so much. The Jedi have failed you. I am going to make this right. But I need your help...I need you to help me find someone...A pupil of mine before he turned to evil." Vernestra Rwoh.

We end the show where it began chronologically, Brendok.

I love how Rayencourt makes good points about the Jedi trying to claim that they can control their emotions and present themselves as pure good with no flaws. What he said also legit sounds exactly what will happen to Anakin in the future. He's even proven right about the former with Sol given Episode 7 and the latter with Vernestra lying in the end. Props to his actor, David Harewood, for doing an amazing job.

I love how Bazil is the bad vibes checker of this show. I'm so happy that he lived.

MOTHERFUCKING DARTH PLAGUEIS! I legit said what the actual fuck when he appeared. His appearance makes a lot of sense and given how the twins were created using the Force, ofc he would be interested in them. I also love how the music used in this scene was very similar if not a reprise to the choir used in "The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise." I also legit do not care about if people complain if his age isn't similar to Legends. Well, first of all, there is no set age in Canon. And second of all, I legit do not care.

I also love the ship chase sequence. The CGI looks really well done in there. You feel the ship's weight and the impact of the asteroids.

The show also continues the theme of visions not appearing as they are. The Acolyte killed the Jedi without a (physical) weapon, however, Osha was mistaken. The Acolyte happened to be her.

Also props to Amandla Stenberg for portraying the twins so well. I felt the intense heartbreak and betrayal as Osha realized that Mae was right and the intense hatred then regret after she murdered Sol. The Bleeding of Sol's Lightsaber was so chilling to see.

GOD SOL'S DEATH HITS ME REALLY HARD. I legit got Infinity War PTSD when he told Osha "It's okay" as she was killing him (He couldn't even tell her that he loves her which broke my heart). While we all know it was an understandable accident given what happened (even their mother didn't blame Sol for thinking her attempted protection of Mae was an attack), it didn't change the fact that he killed their mother. Vernestra summed up his character pretty well (despite framing him). Sol's biggest flaw was that he loved Osha so much that he now sees the misunderstanding of killing their mother as something he had to do and covering up Brendok because of the Vergence. I do like how she knew Sol was truly good and well-intentioned despite his flaws and mistakes as she gave him a Jedi funeral.

"He was a kind, brilliant, compassionate man. And he did a terrible thing... A mistake he lived with for so long it twisted his mind. He justified every step with the love he had for your sister." Vernestra Rwoh

THE CHOREOGRAPHY IS SO GOOD! I love the Lightsaber and martial arts fighting in this show. Qimir's change to single blade stance after failing to get past Sol's indomitable defense is so good. Osha's and Mae's fist fight was also amazing and tension filled.

The reveal that Qimi was Vernestra's apprentice was smth I also guessed after Episode 6 which explains why she's in this show. I wonder what she will do when she sees him again.

Despite me knowing how horrifying Sol's death was, I can't help but feel happy seeing the siblings reunite and at peace. It was even more sadder as Mae has to forget Osha to protect her sister. Even I got sad seeing Mae forget the pledge as more of her memories got erased.

Ironically, Mae and Osha switch roles by the end of the show, with Osha being Qimir's Acolyte and Mae being utterly confused about why she's arrested by the Jedi. In a sense my guess about Mae having a redemption arc did come true...but just like the vision, just not in the way I had expected.

I really love how this show critiqued and explored the Jedi without bashing them. We see that they're truly a force of good and have the best of intentions...however those intentions can blind them to what's right in front of them. The Jedi are still sentient beings just like anyone else. We see how their complacency and desire to keep their image good blinds them to the rise of dark forces which includes the emerging Sith Order as the Grand Plan of the Sith takes shape. I had so many chills as Osha and Qimir looked at the sunset with the Acolyte theme playing.

The music in the finale is so good, especially during the fight and emotional scenes. This score really nailed it amtophseric-wise. I love the more creepy reprise of the witch coven's chants from Episode 3 during the credits.

A great season finale and season of SW TV. I really hope Leslye gets her multi-season show because the Acolyte has the potential to be an amazing multi-season show. She truly gave it her all in this season. I also trust her to make that Old Republic show as well.

"Sorry to disturb you, Master. We need to talk." Vernestra Rwoh.

[unhingedfenestration]

Creature Commandos Analysis PART 2 - S1E6 (Again, spoilers for Creature Commandos)

You can't tell me these things were out of ammo. not with that gay little pose she does

This is part 2 of my analysis of all the little character actions that led to Nina's death in the finale of Creature Commandos and could have saved her if the characters had been different people, intended to point out how James Gunn put together what I feel is a great story of how societal prejudice and the characters' personality traits combined to put Nina in inevitable danger. I'm going backwards through each episode to show that Nina's death could have been prevented but was also on track to happen very early on.

Link to S1E7 parts 1 and 2

0. Directions

This woman points Phosphorus, who she is afraid of, to Ilana's castle when he asks, putting him in position to help the Commandos enter in time for Nina's death to occur as it does. Numbering this one 0 again because I feel like he could've found it otherwise and that it would still be possible for things to go down the way they did without Phosphorus there, as I don't know what Nina's hypothetical peer pressure threshold is or if there are other non-nuclear entrances to the castle that would take the same amount of time for them. Regardless, this is interesting, because if we believe the framing that the people of Pokolistan love their princess, this woman is so scared of the currently-friendly Phosphorus harming her child that she redirects him to her beloved ruler. This is another example of how humans' fear of the Commandos set Nina's death in motion (although in this case, it isn't a completely unfounded fear, since we learn what Phosphorus has been willing to do to other children in the past.)

Phosphorus' Crime and Capture

#batmankillednina (/j)

Batman captures Phosphorus because he's Batman, you can't really fault him for it. Phosphorus' lack of stealth in his criminal acts (shown by his literal musical number) due to the invincibility he feels he has because of his powers makes him even more of a target for the Capred Crusader. Regardless, if Phosphorus had been stealthier or had even not become a criminal at all, he might have never been on the Commandos, meaning anything that set Nina up to die that I attribute to him in this series of posts wouldn't have happened.

(I also like how this means Nina might still be alive if Joe Chill had never shot Bruce's parents.)

2. Weasel's Departure

Weasel leaves the wolves to meet the Commandos at the castle instead of staying with them. If he hadn't done this, he couldn't have alerted Ilana to Nina's presence, but because of his past and the unique kindness Ilana showed him it was inevitable that he would try to save her.

3. Nina's Intervention

When Nina attacks the larger Craic brother to protect the French woman, the Bride finally enters the room after her. If she had not done so, the Bride, who was previously dismissive of the brothel, may have simply left without saving the women from the Craics, meaning she and Nina would not build the kind of trust in each other that the Bride could use to convince her to kill the princess. Nina would always have intervened here, however, because of her compassion for others, and the Bride always would have followed her and shot the Craics because she does care in her own violent way, especially with Eric's history of harassing her.

4. The Craics' Abuse

If the larger of the two metahuman brothers hadn't violated the French woman, Nina would not have felt she had to intervene. Here, James Gunn shows us how metahuman powers can make some people feel invincible and superior to other humans, a dark reflection of how Nina's normal human peers feel they are entitled to violence against Nina. This man received a power he could wield against those weaker than him to inflict unique violence on them, allowing him to enforce his entitlement to women's bodies. Metahuman abilities gave this man the power to indulge his darker impulses just as Dr. Phosphorus' power does for him and Ilana Rostovic's political power does for her.

5. Phosphorus' Transformation

If the mob had not decided to further punish Phosphorus by trapping him in his own untested reactor, he again would never have ended up joining the Creature Commandos. This action is another example of a person hurting others once they gain access to a higher power, the inevitability of which is another theme of the show.

6. Phosphorus' Lies

If Phosphorus had not lied to the mob, he again would not have become a Commando, but his sympathy for his wife, his disrespect for authority (as shown when he tries to attack Flag twice), and his belief he could get away with it meant he would have done so. Phosphorus believed he could get away with anything even without his powers, which further shows us how his later capture by Batman for his lack of tact was inevitable. Additionally, his general guilt for his family's death due to his failed lies is what inspires him later on to go to the castle after encountering the little girl, heading off on his way to topple an oppressive regime.

7. Gyurov's Judgement

Madam Gyurov's unpacking of the Bride's philosophy is what gives the Bride her commitment to saving the Can-Can's women, and, later, the world. The Bride's appeal to Nina's similar instinct due to this commitment contributes to Nina's decision to go through with the killing. Madam Gyurov is shown to be a woman who cares about helping others, giving the women of the Can-Can valuable employment, so of course she would call the Bride out in this way. Unfortunately, the Bride's character development is part of what later makes Nina trust her enough to put her own life at risk.

8. Phosphorus' Reminiscence

Because Phosphorus happens to find himself in the home of a loving family and meets their little girl, he is reminded of a time when he didn't just look like he was smiling, and his dark actions that led him to this point. This sets in motion the character arc that leads him back to the castle. While it wasn't inevitable Phosphorus would find himself in this house specifically, his care for and guilt over his family's death meant he was reminded of them in the house.

9. The Pilot's Compliance

If the pilot had not followed Eric's orders and done something to alert Waller's operatives, they could have captured Eric and learned about Clayface much earlier, maybe finding a way to stop the Commandos in time to save Nina (but again, maybe not from the prophecy.) However, Eric's physical power threatens the pilot into doing what he wants, another example of how the inhuman powers in Creature Commandos can be used to control and harm others.

10. The Knights' Gullibility

If the knights had not been diverted from Nina and the Bride's location by the women of the Can-Can, Nina may have simply been captured before she made it to the castle. (Ilana ordered her knights to stop the Commandos, saying "Kill them if you must" but not insisting on lethal force.) However, the Bride uses her weapon to convince them to protect her, just as Eric does to the pilot with his imposing strength. The Bride's treatment by Eric and exposure to his worldview makes her believe the threat of violence is the only thing she can use to get what she wants. Furthermore, the knights' physical power over the women of the Can-Can yet again makes them feel they have a degree of invincibility, not suspecting any deception from the women.

11. Ilana's Refusal

Ilana refuses to retreat to the safety of the bunker, believing her power will guarantee her safety. If she had been in the bunker, Nina would not have been sent to kill Ilana alone like she was in the water. Her confidence here is the same confidence that inspires her to go for a swim even when her knights have yet to report the Commandos' capture. It could also be due to her sense of duty to the people of Pokolistan, showing the same sort of confidence in her subjects that the two knights in the brothel display, even as we see her people deceive her knights and help Phosphorus.

Thanks for reading! Again, if there's anything I missed here, let me know. I think it's becoming more apparent that the scope of my analysis is broadening a little as I notice Nina's death is not only due to the Commandos' warring personalities, but also heavily caused by how the themes of power and prejudice that Gunn explores influence the characters' actions. Gunn weaves a web of parallels between Eric, the Bride, Phosphorus, Ilana, her knights, and the Craics in this episode that I hadn't noticed before.

[fireemblems24]

Azure Gleam 15 (Final)

As long as this has gone on for, I'm actually bummed to finish this one.

NARRATION

Those special chapters were so weird. It's kind of funny how the plot is like, just ignoring all of that and going back to regular programming. It's like in an old kid's show when they got a dog and then the next episode - no dog anymore. Like there's kinda no point to it.

Ok, so Thales talking to yeeted Edelgard. I will never not get over how funny it is that's the path the writers decided.

Yep, we're really just jumping back into the regular plot. That is so funny. The writing in this game is a clusterfuck at times.

Ok, so we're going to the monastery to save Rhea. MUCH better than saving Bernie's dad.

TWSITD causing chaos again. I feel this route targeted them more than the other two. Like they barely existed in GW.

Everyone's worried about Rhea.

Dimitri wants to wreck TWSITD and the Empire. Let's fucking go!

MAP

No side quests again! Guys, I'm sooooo close to beating this game I can taste it. Both SB and AG have very short final chapters.

Only Claude is annoying, which tracks how this game's gone so . . .

So I've gotten all the supports for: Dimitri, Dedue, Felix, Sylvain, Ingrid, and Rodrigue. Mercedes I'm only missing Jeritza. I didn't use Annette or Ashe, so they're missing a few, but I feel I did pretty good. Hopefully I can get Mercie and Jeritza this chapter.

Ugh, so I missed the opportunity to deepen my bond with Byleth :( Maybe next time.

So in another route, Ashe had no idea what he believed in anymore. In this one, he's confident about his sense of justice.

In another route, Yuri didn't tell me his history with Varley, in this one he trusted me with it.

Ingrid is a queen. She said it's the people who suffer in war, our leaders should reach diplomatic resolutions. Too bad only Dimitri believes in those :(

Aww, Byleth refused to kill Shez during their fight because he could tell she wasn't herself. I soooo wish I'd gotten their supports.

Ok, so I ran into Raphael again and agreed that I didn't like how we were fighting (which, imo, isn't true, but I wanted to see the difference). Shez thinks Edelgard is too cruel, Claude is too haphazard, and Dimitri is too cautious. She pretty much nailed it.

No Arval in the tent :(

Linhardt just said Caspar revels in bloodshed. That's fucked up.

My heart just broke and warmed at the same time. A Kingdom general asked a Duscur general how the people from Duscur pray. He wanted to learn because he lost a lot of good soldiers from Duscur in the last battle and wanted to pray for them in the way their religion would. It's details like this that make Hopes worth it.

Haha, Dedue was fairly chill considering I attacked allies and posed a possible threat to Dimitri. He brought it up, but didn't harp on it.

BYLETH & JERALT A

Man, I'm glad I got this unlocked in time.

Byleth gave Jeralt flowers. First time in Byleth's life lol.

He's trying to communicate his feelings, thankfulness to Jeralt for being his captain and father.

Aw, it's a throwback to Byleth giving out flowers at the Academy.

Lamo, Jeralt just said Byleth may have been a student or led seminars, but isn't qualified to be a teacher.

Jeralt's like, I knew you cared, kid. But I still appreciate it.

Byleth picked the flowers out himself. It's the same kind his mother liked :(((

Jeralt used to give these flowers to Sitri.

Byleth is being so sentimental and sweet. I can just imagine a voiced Byleth saying lines like that in Houses' supports and buying more into the character.

I swear, this game made me really get Byleth more and "buy into" the character. Also, I'm going to cry so hard when Jeralt dies. I still don't really care for Jeralt, but I'm going to just feel so sad for Byleth.

DIMITRI & DEDUE A

For anyone wondering, I purposefully saved this one and Felix A. I've had them unlocked for a while.

Dedue is worried because Dimitri keeps sleeping at his desk. He's grateful or else he'd get sore.

Of course, he had bad dreams about the past.

Ohhhh! Not the tragedy, but arriving home after. Cool to learn some tidbits about that part too.

A child cursed Dimitri after the funeral because his dad died in Duscur and was furious with Dimitri for not killing Dedue, but hanging out with him instead.

Dimitri just ignored him.

Then Dimitri talks about his duty to those who died, and asks Dedue what he would do if Dimitri begged for vengeance while he was dying. OFC, Dedue says he'd do it even if he died.

Then Dimitri asks the opposite, what would Dedue do if Dimitri begged him to live for his own happiness? Dedue said he couldn't.

"I cannot know happiness without you by my side." :(((((((

He'd seek revenge, for his own sake, not Dimitri's.

Dimitri's like, nothing I'd say would change your mind?

Dedue just flips the subject, asking if Dimitri can't just live for himself, and ofc Dimitri says no, he can't.

But imagines another life traveling around as a merc with Dedue or living as a farmer. Dedue's like, why not go?

Dimitri says obviously I can't do that.

So Dedue's like get some sleep.

It worries Dedue every time he sees Dimitri asleep like that at his desk bc he's worried Dimitri died. But Dimitri's like, not why you're here. It won't happen.

Dimitri's like, if I died, that wouldn't go well, so I'll listen.

GUYS. DIMITRI'S GOING TO SLEEP. SOMEONE TALKED HIM INTO SLEEPING. THE POWER OF DEDUE.

They're married, your honor.

DIMITRI & FELIX A

Starts with Dimitri apologizing and promising revenge, killing all of TWSITD no matter the cost.

Felix walks in, Dimitri almost calls him Glenn, but corrects, and apologizes again except to Felix for seeing that.

Felix is like "I've seen all there is of you to see." So, uh, what does that mean?

Dimitri explains that he suffers from a "waking dream," saying he sees the dead like they're real.

Then talks about the violent revenge the dead scream at him.

Felix asks when this all started. Dimitri says 6 years, but the voices started 4 years ago during his first battle? Not sure those numbers line up with lore and age, but I don't know how old they are this time. Anyways, started with Duscur, got worse when Rufus tried to have Dimitri killed by sending him to battle.

The man he killed that freaked Felix out was someone from Duscur, and the voices cheered when he killed the guy.

Felix is like, do you really think Glenn and Lambert would torture you like that? Telling Dimitri he's the one doing it, not them.

Dimitri's like, even if that's true, I can't forgive myself.

Felix talks about how if Dimitri loses his path, he's taking everyone down with him (so Houses, sans AM) and says "keep the whole removing their heads thing in check yeah?"

Felix says it'll be their secret.

"are you offering to let me unburden my heart to you when the time calls for it?" - Dimitri to Felix. Guys, I'm dying a little.

Dimitri credits Felix with the reason he hasn't descended into madness, and asks Felix to continue being his right-hand man.

Hahahah, OMG, Felix picked Dimitri up and is physically carrying him to bed. Dimitri is nearly laughing because he's so much taller than Felix his feet are dragging the floor.

Felix calls him a "sack of muscle" lol

Dimitri carried Felix like this when Felix twisted his ankle. And now is calling this a workout. Dimitri's still massively entertained.

They are also married.

Man, so Dedue got Dimitri to fucking sleep, and Felix got him to laugh.

Ok, this game is really Dimilix, the game. I swear a shipper on deck wrote this. It may also be why Felix was one of the few Blue Lions to survive SB. Writers' bias.

My shipping heart is so happy with both supports.

ASHE & FLAYN B

This is their final support.

They're fishing together. She's trying to reel in a big fish, but it's not working. Ashe gives her tips. And she got it!

Though, it seems like it was a bit of a struggle.

Flayn swore she'd not let go no matter what. Ashe says sometimes it's best to not let go, and suddenly understands Seteth. But still compliments her on her determination.

Flayn thinks her mother would be proud of her for catching this, which is part of the reason Flayn loves fishing.

She flirts with Ashe a bit too lol.

And now she's drooling over the fish.

Ashe says Flayn enjoys him of his sister and really had fun.

But then panics thinking of Flayn in the kitchen lol.

ANNETTE & CONSTANCE B

Constance compliments Annette's performance in battle.

Constance is a legendary alumni at the school in Faerghus.

Stories include turning bossy noble kids into horses. And she started using it everywhere.

She argued magical theory with teachers and won.

These make me love Constance, not going to lie.

Annette is nervous being around someone so famous. Constance calls Annette one of the most talented women in the Kingdom.

Constance loves a book Annette work, but it's mostly a cook book, so Annette doesn't make much of it.

Annette wrote a magical cookbook, and Constance is all about it.

Annette tries to give Mercedes credit because she's the cook.

They both want to get to know each other better.

This was really them geeking out over each other, magic, and Mercedes' cooking.

MERCEDES & JERITZA A

It came down to the lack fucking minute, but I got it. Thank you, Shez, for cooking the perfect dinner.

Jeritza finds and old letter from Mercedes' mother. Or, rather, she wrote Jeritza a letter after Mercie told her that they found him.

They both want to live with him after the war, but he says no.

He can't face her because of his past actions. Doesn't seem Mercie holds it against him. And says neither will her mother.

Then Jeritza talks about the Death Knight persona.

Mercie's like, naw, because you're fine right now.

Jeritza still doesn't give in though. He insists he must pay for his crimes, which he thinks he never can. He wants to get judged by the law, which, honestly, respect.

Mercie decides to support his decisions, even though it makes her sad, and that they'll be waiting for him. No matter how long. Even if they're both old ladies.

I really loved that support. Seeing Mercie support Jeritza's decision, seeing Jeritza take responsibility for his actions. All around good support.

ANNETTE & CONSTANCE A

Glad I got this one. I think Seteth/Shez A is the only other support still within reach.

Constance wants Annette's help conducting an experiment outside. Annette knows how Constance's mood changes when she goes outside. Annette's happy to help.

Obviously now Constance is being down on herself.

Annette volunteered before learning the experiment. Thankfully it's just to try and get all the cats from the area.

It fails :( I want a spell like that.

Constance is obviously moping, Annette gives her a pep talk, but it probably useless bc they're outside.

It attracted bugs, and Constance says the cockroach is a better sorceresses than her lamo. Then they attract angry birds lol.

Once back inside, Constance realizes her spell does sort of work, but they just didn't know how to get cats.

Aww, I really liked that support chain.

FINAL BATTLE

How can anyone not tell something is wrong with Edelgard?

It's so weird how they just ignore the special chapters.

Thales is making her fight.

Sylvain said he'll skip the class reunion if this is what they're like.

Ingrid is roaring to go after Thales.

No sign of Claude. Dimitri's trusting him, but I don't know about that. I wonder if he betrays you here too. Though Dimitri makes a good point that if Faerghus falls, Claude's ass is next.

On, cool image! Dimitri giving a speech. It's like a moment in Lord of the Rings before Aragorn and co march on Mordor.

I like this! Dimitri's talking about severing the past and moving on into tomorrow. Good to hear him talking like that.

I only got 40 points too. Guess Claude was the odd one out, getting more points for his battle than the other two.

Kyrona made an appearance.

Felt good to kill Varley for once.

Getting ready to face Thales now. Dimitri about to get his revenge against TWSITD. Feels good.

Shez is reassuring Dimitri that he's not alone. That his friends are here to help. :)

I think I just killed Kyrona for good this time.

Time to kick Thales' ass. Much better than killing Rhea. Again.

We also got to defeat Edelgard. Having a hard time feeling bad about that.

This battle is pure chaos. But in a fun way.

Oh, did I beat Thales? I'm at a cut scene. Shez stopped Edelgard; and Dimitri's marching to kick Thales' ass.

Haha, he just ignored Thales magic like it was nothing. What a fucking badass.

He's not even saying anything, just breathing, and the voice acting is still on point.

Edelgard remembered Dimitri? So he didn't kill her. And outside Rhea, Claude and the Blue Lions are waiting. And sun is about to come up.

This felt WAY more complete than the other two. I was expecting MUCH worse. Maybe if I played the other two first I'd be more surprised, but they set the bar stupid low.

We defeated the Empire, defeated TWSITD - I don't know what would even be left?

I love how hard the narration tries to make it sound like the Empire has a fart's chance in the wind anymore. It's just clean up now.

MVP time. It'll eventually turn into the Dimitri show like SB did Hubert and GW did Lorenz. I suspect it'll take longer though bc I wanted to use the other Blue Lions a lot.

Actually, I lie, it happened like the second I got Dimitri and not just Shez. I think I may just be a stan lol. He's also just so damn strong he killed so much easier and faster than anyone else.

You can tell the chapter Dimitri was missing for since Felix and Ingrid kept trading MVP. Then back to Dimitri.

Hey! Rodrigue got one!

I'm excited for Dimitri's letter. Still wish we got paired endings here though.

Dimitri feels reassured with Shez by his side. He's also the only one who asked Shez to stay in the Kingdom. It's nothing spectacular, but it was sweet.

I'm also a bit sad to see this one end. No more Fodlan unless I replay, but I guess there's still supports I didn't unlock.

Guys, I can't believe I finished. Now I'm finally "free" to play whatever games I want.

Def want to replay Engage and Houses, and some non-FE stuff too. Should I get the Engage DLC?

xxx

[sunny6677]

So a ramble about my Self Insert for Spooky Month in EP 1 and EP 2!! Or at least what I thought of for her so far./lh

@mayisgoingnuts @fymo-blogs @crossover-enthusiast

Episode 1:

So Sunny (my S/I) probably isn't really present for most of the episode since it's kinda short anyway. But she's just kinda chilling in her room during it only for the Spookeez to bust in. When she tries telling them to leave, they tell her that it's Spooky Month. And she nervously does the dance just so they'll go away. Toward the end of the episode though, she's seen sitting on the floor near Lila with a blanket draped over her lap. And she's also sipping some hot coco. She just looks at Skid and Pump with a shrug since she doesn't know why Lila's preparing so early for Christmas either. Or she's just looking down at her mug the whole time. She'd also probably be seen in some background pictures and like posing with Lila & Skid and stuff./lh

Episode 2:

I can see her groggily walking out a few seconds before Lila does (and yes she is wearing the cute lil bunny onesie you guys selected/lh), and she stops in shock because there's two random dudes in Lila's house. She yells out in fear, which causes Lila to walk in tiredly and just glare at the robbers. Sunny probably notices Skid vanish at some point though off screen, and becomes worried about him, but Lila advises her not to go after him since he probably just went out again and it's better that hes not here to see the robbers getting arrested. Sunny still can't help but worry though, and nearly does consider just walking off in the middle of the night to go find them as she anxiously stands beside Lila—who tries to reassure her. But then they finally see the kids in the distance, which causes Sunny to run over to them and practically drag Skid back over to Lila. Lila calms her down when Sunny rather anxiously asks Skid where he went, and calms down a little more when he answers that he apparently just 'met a new friend who showed them the stars'. Sunny brushes it off though. Skid mentions the spooky dance, which causes Lila to get happy and for all three of them besides Sunny to start spooky dancing. Sunny nearly joins, but doesn't and lightly (and off screen) scolds Skid and tells him not to go out without telling her again, before dropping the subject and heading back inside out of exhaustion.

[thewomancallednova]

Conspiracy

Oki so that went as hard as i expected

first of all i didnt remember admiral quinn survived, so I'm super happy about that

the scene where data talked to himself was super cute <3

this episode has some very interesting implications about how much freedom a starship captain has. Like Picard can just say let's fly to Earth and the admiralty will just go "ok i guess". Like, they're basically autonomous. And like, maybe that's just the aliens playing along, but I think the real admirals would have reacted similarly, as Picard doesn't find their reaction particularly suspicious.

It's kind of crass how much death happens in this one episode compared to the rest of the season. Like discounting "set-up deaths" (like finding a ship full of people who have died of a mysterious illness, or Data's homeworld having been attacked many years ago), only five starfleet officers, one Ligonian, three renegade Klingons and one outpost scientist die in this show. And then this episode, we loose a whole six Starfleet officers, and a whole lot of aliens died too.

I like how they don't know what exactly is wrong and how suspicious of the tea Picard is.

Also really nice that Rixx got a special greeting gesture, so it's not just Vulcans and Humans dominating the greetings landscape.

I kinda wish the posessed Starfleet officers had longer hair. Like, surely with the stinger being at that position on the back, people are bound to notice and getting some longer hair would really help with that. Imagine if the Enterprise returned to Earth and Starlfeet command all looked like hippies. I think that'd have been fun

Also I loved Riker's expression when Picard told him to stay with the posessed Quinn. Like he clearly did not want too ^^

Crusher standing in the hallway with a phaser is all kinds of awesome *dreamy sigh*

Also I get Crusher telling Picard to set his phaser to kill and all, but like, she was able to defeat Quinn with a phaser set to stun, right? It took her more shots, and in such an outnumbered situation obviously that would be a massive disadvantage, but I feel like she should have at least told Picard that it was an option.

The Riker twist was soooo well done, with the jump-scare in sickbay and then him beaming down and pretending like he's gonna eat the worms

Also the scene where Remmick eats the parasite is just fucking great. His neck going all bloaty is just perfect

If you can't tell I'm super into all of this stuff

That said, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Picard and Riker killing the parasite mother. Like, I get killing the infected admiralty, it's an "us or them" situation, Picard and Riker were in direct peril. But the parasite mother wasn't actively a threat to their lives, and I don't like them killing people when it isn't absolutely unavoidable.

Of course they also didn't exactly know a lot about the situation. Maybe the parasite mother had some defense mechanism, and maybe she'd have send the parasites after them (although they seem to hardly pose a threat without a host)

The scene at the end where Data tells the bridge crew that the aliens activated a homing beacon is wonderfully chilling. And the scene that follows, where we just focus on this red nebula in the background with the signal repeating, I love it so much

I really hate that this plot was never followed up on. I'm aware of the STO and DS9 relaunch stuff, but (at least from playing/reading those over a decade ago), the parasites never seemed as interesting there, as they were here. The whole having a flair for the theatrical, showing their hand by giving Picard worms to eat, it's such non-efficient villainy, I enjoy that. And I'd have loved for TNG to explore that further, but alas we got the Borg instead.

I'll say that the Remmick head explosion and mother parasite stuff looks strange in a Star Trek context. Like it just straight up doesn't feel like it belongs in a Trek episode

And maybe that's why I like it, because it's just a little bit of a weird outlier

And I'd probably like it less if this just became the norm for TNG

But this was a wonderful ride for sure

[eventinelysplayground]

Falling Tears

I don't even know what to say about this. This will almost certainly make you cry and hurt your feelings but it was what I needed at the time I wrote it. CW/TW: Do not read this unless you are prepared to cry, whole mess of emotions including but not limited to failure, unworthiness, self depreciation and maybe regret. Idk honestly it was an emotional mess to write and like I said you will probably end up emotionally wrecked by the end. WC approx 670.

Stars blanketed the quiet town as most of those who lived there slept but in a small run down house two hazel eyes were open wide. They gazed across the tiny bedroom to a similarly tiny bed that held an even tinier sleeping boy.

Oh my baby, my precious little boy.

Those eyes turned away looking up at the ceiling, warm tears falling softly from their corners. They stared at that cracked ceiling for what seemed like an eternity but really it was only minutes.

Why did they have to be right? I really really thought that I could do this. That I could finally have something-

A faint sound escaped trembling lips, a strangled mix of sob and cry. Those eyes looked over in a panic checking to make sure the tiny boy kept sleeping.

I couldn't take care of you, look at this place. I wanted to see you happy and smiling all the time. You used to smile but lately you really haven't and it's all my fault. I'm so so sorry you have such a failure as a mother. You're such a good boy and you deserve the best in the whole kingdom but instead you got stuck with me.

The tears were coming rapidly now soaking into folded pieces of rags that functioned as a pillow and chilling them. Another faint and choked out noise as those eyes blinked furiously.

I wanted so much for you and I tried but I couldn't do it. Mommy is just to weak, I don't deserve to be your mother.

The eyes closed and fragments of the past played out behind them. Fragments from childhood that had stolen away their confidence and self worth and harmed their heart, fragments of moving on to make their own life, of their young adulthood carving out a quiet place for themselves and finding where they thought they belonged.I was stupid.

Fragments of a real life fairytale, complete with a castle and a prince. Fragments of a love that, despite everything fairytales tell you, couldn't or wouldn't overcome the hate, prejudice and fear.

I'm still being stupid, I should hate him but…

Fragments of a loud baby with deep wine eyes, of an adventurous toddler that loved to smile and of a child that was in jeopardy of losing that smile for good.

Why couldn't I be strong for you? Why do I have to keep failing you, it isn't fair!?

Those eyes may have no longer been able to see anything through the tears but they didn't need to, they'd known the answer for a while; because a beaten and broken heart can't last no matter how pure it is.

You really do deserve so much better than me, I'm sorry life was so unfair to you. It's not going to get any easier for you either.

Blurry eyes looked back over at the sleeping boy. They tried to focus on the tiny form but it only brought on more tears.

I really wanted you to have so much better than this, I just hope that when I'm gone that I can take everything holding you back with me. I haven't been able to do anything else for you. I love you so so much Jin, please just let me be able to do this one thing…

The stars were replaced by clouds, the sun refusing to come out that morning. As everyone who had been sleeping woke two little eyes the color of deep wine opened wide. They blinked the sleep dust away before searching for what in their opinion was the best site in the world but soon those little eyes were losing great big tears.

“Mommy.”

Like the hazel eyes the night before those wine eyes looked up at the cracked ceiling as more big tears spilled out and little fists clenched at threadbare pants.

“I love you, I don't want you to go.”

As a small heart closed an even smaller voice posed: how can I love now?

[dr-gaytorius]

Okay I have one more thing to say about my job. And it's actually about body positivity and the way we perceived bodies.

I see a LOT of naked bodies. And man, they're all fucking nasty. I know it doesn't sound very nice to say but a lot of them are very old, they've been bed-ridden for a long time, no one was taking care of them properly, and they've purged through at least one orifice - or will, soon, and you can smell it. They're offensive to the senses. Anyway, my point is, that's just how it is. It's kind of icky but you can't help it and there's nothing wrong with it, and moreover, it's what you're designed to do. It's not their fault and they're doing what their supposed to do. They can't help it, there's no other choice.

I'm not saying this to gross anyone out. I'm saying this because that's just how bodies are. After you've seen it enough, you learn to give grace. You learn that there is no meaningful weight to disgust. You might lift the decedent's leg to work out some rigor mortis in order to pose them, and they release some foul odor. Everyone doubles over and we're just like "they're farting." Because it's actually normal, there's really no inherent value to it. Like, yeah, it's icky, but that's just part of the deal. Like, this is as bad as it gets, and yeah, they're kind of disgusting sometimes - but the thing about it is that there's no moral weight or value to disgust, it means literally nothing, and it is in fact respectable that a person is kind of gross sometimes, especially postmortem. The point is, these lessons apply in life as well. A body is simply a mode of existence. Sometimes we like them, sometimes we don't, but you MUST understand that liking it not liking what you see (or smell) has NO inherent value.

I think people really, really need to understand this when discussing body positivity. A body isn't acceptable for how pleasant it is to look at. A body isn't even inherently awesome. It's not inherently bad, either. It's a value-neutral mode of existence. Some people are skinny, some people are fat, some people are deformed, or disabled, or buff. And it means NOTHING. It doesn't matter how much you personally like or dislike something about someone's body - that's your personal opinion, and it holds no truth or power over whoever you're looking at. Body positivity isn't necessarily about why it's good to have any kind of body. It's about why no one has the right to tell anyone their body is has any kind of inherent implications of moral value. This includes seeing someone who's attractive and imagining they must be a good person because you like what you see. Or that they might be something you want because you like what you see. You're doing the same thing as seeing someone you think is ugly and automatically imagining they must be bad in some way. It's unfounded and frankly, it's incredibly rude.

Anyway, the real point here is that a crucial aspect of body positivity is actually not necessarily about lifting up bodies as much as it is just chilling out and not giving a fuck about them. Every body deserves basic respect and decency, and not to be harsh but denying them that speaks nothing of them but it does speak plenty of you.

[teriwrites]

Below: 'A Stab in the Dark'

My Live Reactions to Reading Through My 2011 Novel, pt. 4

Here we go! Breakout time

'I supposed that I was going, oh, extremely fast,' oh, were you?

omg I forgot Kristen's cousin is stuck down here too, I thought she just kinda showed up in book 2

Kristen once again calls someone 'annoying' for exhibiting genuine distress (this time her cousin stuck in essentially long-term solitary confinement)

Teenage protagonist goes to her cousin's holding cell essentially to say 'i'm outta here, l8r loser, don't die!'

Said cousin keeps using the word 'floccinaucinihilipilification' to demonstrate she (the author) has lost her grip

'How come she had ended up with brains and I ended up with all the problems of the family?' friendly reminder that your cousin is not only in the same torturous underground prison compound as you, but that she actually receives worse treatment by being essentially locked in a shed

YOU LOST THE PAPERS DESIGNATING YOUR ESCAPE PLAN??

AND BLAMED BEN FOR IT???

Aww, Ben taking over some responsibility towards Lea

While running away from some scientists, Kristen manages to go roughly 50ft in 1 second, meaning she's currently running 34mph, 7 mph faster than Usain Bolt's world record sprint

'Now, all four of us were going to be on lists, and all of us had to get out of here before Bob found out about the little troublemakers i.e. us.' lmaooo 'i.e. us.'

Okay apparently they Aren't currently breaking out?? It was a dry run, and despite nearly being caught by guards, they're chill with staying for another couple of days

Truly amazing how messy their room can get in one day despite nobody seemingly owning anything other than clothes, and nobody spending any time there outside of going to bed

Flashback/Dream to the day she accidentally drove that one kid crazy and got revealed as having superpowers

One of Kristen's best friends from school dyed her hair a different color EVERY DAY

'Julie was the weirdest person in our group. She always had quotes and the tackiest clothes you've ever seen. We all found her the nicest person on the planet though.' 1) she sounds cool, 2) Kristen being a Mean Girl was not what I was anticipating

'As with most of the boys who liked me, I used Jonah to help me out of times I couldn't get out of.' Kristen is Not beating the allegations here

I *BLEEPED* OUT A CURSE WORD IN DIALOGUE

Whoa this turned dark quick

Guy is a dick, Kristen decides the only solution is to break his mind

'I then realized how stupid I had been back then.' at least you can acknowledge that talking about your friends like that^ and sending this guy mental hatemail practically saying 'kys' isn't great

'I almost groaned out loud; how were we supposed to plan out our plan of brilliant plans if we were working for ten hours?' me when I wanna do novel prep while on my shift

Were you missing Raevin? No worries, she's back!

Literally all of her time is just spent hanging out in this one tree

21-year-old man has such strong beef with this 14-year-old (tbf, she Did just reveal that she's known what happened to his fiance for three years and never bothered telling him)

I'm really dreading the moment when I reveal that Mr. J is like 28 or something and I have to come to terms with what 13-year-old me saw as 'middle-aged'

Real question: do states other than NY refer to 'upstate' as a region? Because if not, my New Yorker family was really shining through this whole story

"How would you like it if Mary got over you because you were forced to work for some place you didn't even want to work for?" Raevin demanded, putting her little squirrel paws on her hips. Raevin looked very human, she realized, and clutched the branch she was on. Nobody could see her as an animal, or she'd be pushed out.' idk Raevin I feel like it'd be the Squirrel Talking With Your Voice that might clue them in before how you pose

Further update on this community: they're chill with Mr. J being a mutant, but hate literally all other mutants

I know Bill's (Mr. J's underling) powers before I know half of the main cast's (ice and stealth)

Ooo lore: 'At twelve, everyone got their second powers.'

Immediate questions: why does Lea already have two if she's nine? What are literally all of the other characters' second powers? What's Ben's first???

'Raevin had always hid hers from everyone, even Mary.' considering Mary left when you were eleven, and didn't have it yet, that makes sense!

14-year-old has even stronger beef with a middle-aged man

She really keeps choosing nocturnal animals to turn into in the middle of day and expects nobody to notice

All the necessary camping supplies for living rough, according to Kristen: sleeping bags, water, couple days' worth of food, a teddy bear

'Of course, we weren't expecting what would really happen. I don't think anyone could anticipate it.' okay heavy foreshadowing

Kristen literally just has to be chill for one day before they can escape, and instead decides to pick a fight with the super strength girl

'The cafeteria was just an area which was empty. The only things in it were the hundreds upon hundreds of tables, and the counter where we lined up to get food.' ma'am that doesn't sound very empty

The reason 8-year-old Lea had been thrown in jail was for incessantly going into her brother's dreams to freak him out. Such sibling behavior

Confirmation that Ben's superpower involves ~ defying gravity ~

Also apparently he got caught as a mutant was because he decided to protest homework by Walking Up The Wall about it. The Institute of Discovery agents just had to promise him that he'd never get homework again. And, yk, they technically didn't lie. Not much homework in their prison labor camp!

I'd say I couldn't make this up if I tried, but clearly I could

"Welcome to the party," Ben snickered, pointing at Nick's shirt. He had a ketchup stain on his white shirt, which he wiped up earnestly. "Hope you brought the cake, because we couldn't find any." "Oh hardee har har," Nick laughed. (the psychic damage of that last line alone)

Okay NOW we're breaking out

jk jump to Raevin

Teri Research Your IRL Setting Challenge, level Geography: Alabama is NOT a desert, hun

Okay everyone's in position. On one end, Kristen/Lea/Ben/Nick ready to break out. On the other, Raevin/Mr. J/Bill/some-random-lady-named-Martha ready to break in

Aha! Ben's second power is some kind of 'energy blasting' situation

'It was an easy run up the stairs after that, right? Not exactly, we had to run up thousands of stairs to get up to the Institute of Discovery, facing another couple hundred guards.' I'm sorry, where is this underground compound, The Earth's Core??

'I had expected this to be a little more scientific and a little less, you know, fun-house-like.' AHA I KNEW there was some kind of funhouse vibe in this story

"Ahh, it is refreshing to see like minds wandering these halls," a voice called out, and we turned to our right.' okay actually??? far from the worst character introduction I've ever written

omfg Mr. J's description

'There beside us was a tall, muscular man with long, black hair and a top hat. There was cowhide around the center of the top hat.' WHAT

I THOUGHT HE WAS BALD

I THOUGHT HE WAS BADASS

HE'S A CIRCUS RINGLEADER

HE'S A M'LADY GUY

'I figured either they were similar to us, or we were screwed. And these people didn't look similar to us at all.' they didn't get the memo about the denim capris

Raevin's stomach growling as Mr. J offers these newcomers food and drink is genuinely a nice touch

Kristen is equally unhinged from another person's perspective

One of Mr. J's cronies can apparently detect others' powers. Which confirmed Kristen's 'two powers' are just sort of linked: reading minds, and controlling them

Similarly, Nick can teleport himself, and then teleport other things separately

Apparently Lea's ability to cast herself into people's dreams is more important to Mr. J's plot to take over the world than Kristen's literal mind control powers

Somehow, there's a maze in this Institute that Mr. J and his folks know about and how to operate??? Despite this being their first time walking into the place???

"Now, either you will join us or you will die." classic

Ohhhhhhh apparently this maze contains the first ever discovered mutant (super strong, super angry, essentially the Hulk), Minotaur-style

"I'm sending in Mr. Unhappy! No, sir, that's just a term for people who are mad." what IS this i'm Dying

Kristen and Raevin have officially met! In the middle of this Death Maze. Kristen, naturally, doesn't trust her

'We had it made it outside the Institute. We were free.'

Ending Thoughts

I feel like these keep getting longer. But in my defense, this chapter was literally TEN THOUSAND WORDS LONG I do really like how things came together here, actually. Like how the two storylines merged. Maybe it's just my fondness for them, but I like how both Kristen and Raevin balance well - like, both of them are interesting and have their own voice Don't love how we apparently have entirely forgotten Raevin's best friend/'second mother' down in the Institute. Rip to Mary ig I'm not even sure if we'll see her again or if she becomes relevant in later books, or if she's just entirely gone now. I guess we'll see! But for now, time to explore Alabama as 13-year-old Teri living-in-Europe saw it!

[youremysatellite]

A Look at Ulipse AF2's Personality

by someone who has been into praf since like march 2019. which i hope makes me sound cool to newbies and makes me sound amusing to oldbies

tl;dr at bottom.

the player's first impression of ulipse is them calling the protagonist stupid idiot moron foolish. they're the first point to blatantly disrespect the player to their face.

the player's second impression of ulipse is them apologizing.

I apologize for being so rude to you earlier. You see, the only pieces I have left are my fear and rage at others. It's left me broken and misunderstood. Please don't judge me for the way I lashed out at you earlier.

they say themself that because of their pointification, the only part of their identity they really retain is their fear and rage. which obviously leads players to believe that they act the way they did in-battle towards everyone. this dialogue just feeds to an interpretation of a short-fused and furious ulipse. however, looking at their other dialogue, this isn't the case.

I must apologize for the way I acted earlier... I was so caught up in my own anger, though I'm not even sure why... Regardless of what happened, I hope we can make amends. (returning after winning)

No, I know what you mean. I had a similar feeling back when I was fighting against the Star Savior. I just lashed out, and for no particular reason at all. It’s almost as if I knew there was something suspicious about the way Cyalm was trying to get the Star Savior to go around collecting Stars and Symbols. (in shattered shardscape)

ulipse reveals in these that lashing out at people is unusual for them. the way they talk, they were confused at their own rage. they only really fought you because their lingering suspicion of cyalm made them jump to conclusions.

and yes, throughout the game, half of their dialogue is suspicious and fearful. but that's because half of their dialogue is found in world 10, when they are coming face-to-face with the truth about the most important event of their life, which made them who they are fundamentally, and is also bringing a backstab 300 years in the making to light. under any other circumstances, any other conflict, they aren't like this.

despite this fear, in all of the finale, you can tell they're angry... but they're level-headed and firm, even being as suspicious as they are. they do yell, but a lot less than you'd expect, and cmon even the sweet and friendly shallare was yelling. the rest of ulipse's dialogue shows their emotion, but a lot of it takes on a level and analytical tone.

after beating celesteal, ulipse is doing so, so much better.

That's fine, I guess… Bye... (returning after winning, rejecting challenge course offer)

That's fine. See you around. (returning after defeating celesteal, rejecting challenge course offer)

the comparison of their lonely disappointed goodbye to their chill seeya goes to show how much the savior has done for them. now that they understand the feelings they've held for 300 years, and now that cyalm no longer poses a threat, they're so much happier.

Sorry for the mess... I couldn't get around to dusting off everything. Can I do anything for you? Perhaps you want to try my challenge level again?

show up to sandbrick sandbox again! they'll be happy to see you, they'll act friendly and a bit playful. this is a sharp contrast from the aggression they showed when they first met the player. they're finally moving forward.

Celesteal has lost their clutch on reality... Now it's up to us to turn it into the kind of world we want to see. (sky emporium, celesteal defeated)

tl;dr, ulipse is not an angry person. they are cool and level-headed throughout the game, and post-game they are much happier.