#and y'all can suffer with me

[shellem15]

Can I just say, I really appreciate how Critical Role plays the Devil trope straight. There's been this phenomena in a lot of modern media (I'm not going to mention specifics but I'm sure a few examples pop up in people's minds) where Hell and the Devil aren't scary or malevolent forces. Hell is portrayed as being basically the same as our world just "edgier", and the Devil is a pretty decent guy actually. Heaven are secretly the real bad guys!

But Critical Role doesn't do that. In Exandria, Asmodeus *feels* like the Devil. He's malevolent and manipulative and terrifyingly powerful and he hates you, personally. We never see that type of portrayal anymore! And it's amazing! And he still manages to be sympathetic and tragic without losing his edge!

And the "Good Gods" are portrayed as flawed without being secretly evil or something! Like, actual nuance? In my Heaven/Hell dichotomy? What!?

It's just such a breath of fresh air after so many "The Devil was right, actually" stories. So props to Matt and Brennan and the cast.

[littlefankingdom]

This is how it feels rn. I hate you DC.

Y'all may disagree, but Bruce is a fictional character. So, with the classist bs DC has been saying about Jason, we can say that any classist shit Bruce has ever said about Jaybin is more DC speaking through him than his actual character. And also, it is weird af to have a man that believes in infinite second chances and bad guys becoming good, to also believes children born from criminals will become criminals. The math isn't mathing, DC.

Anyway, 80s Bruce loved his studious adorable baby that stole his tires, and he has admitted his reasoning behind taking Jason in was "I miss having a kid around" and not actually "Jason will become a criminal if I don't intervene".

[wispurring-moss]

no thoughts just These TwoTM touch-starved losers gradually evolving into the epitome of casual touching/cuddling for absolutely no reason and they probably don't even realize they're doing it lol <'3

[tea-cat-arts]

Shen Yuan getting transported into pidw isn't "the system punishing him for being a lazy internet hater," but instead representative of "step 1 of the creative process: getting so mad at something you decide to go write your own fucking book" in this essay I will

[kor0kke]

💖 Caption this

[bixels]

The more I think about it, the more I question Arcane S2's politics and themes, which were so foundational to S1. Like, a tiny example [SPOILERS AHEAD]:

Singed wins. He gets exactly what he wants in the end. All his "efforts" are rewarded. What does that say about people who share his ideology of eugenics? He is the source of nearly every horrible thing and conflict that happened (Shimmer, the factory deaths, Jinx, Vander as Warwick, the corruption of Viktor), and he gets a happier ending than any other character. Not even a 'he got what he wanted but he has become completely unrecognizable/monstrous to his daughter' tag at the end. You can say they're setting him up and need to open his daughter to future shows, but the way you end a character's story says something about what you think about that character. What does it say when the eugenicist war criminal gets the happy ending he doesn't deserve?

[bluespiritshonour]

here's 18-19 year old aang sketches. been hearing aang is ugly discourse—no he ain't. he was just 12.

[tirfpikachu]

sorry but the urge of tumblrinas to make a joke abt every single fucking tragedy that results in injuries/deaths makes me want to

please develop basic sympathy you sociopathic morons. can you imagine being one of the injured ppl or the family of the injured and seeing a bunch of stupid assholes making meme posts about it ??? chronically online tumblr users are so fucking hard to tolerate i stg

[howdoyouget]

taking jason todd rights away from dc and putting them up on the shelf. you know what, bruce wayne rights too. you can have them back when you learn how to treat them kindly.

[aparticularbandit]

Responding to this post as a separate post because I want to respond to something that I think is beyond the scope/intention of the original post (and honestly the scope/intention of the response in the linked post) but that, like.

I want to respond to it because it's been churning in my head.

Specifically the idea of the Protestant Work Ethic and trying to earn your way into heaven.

Because that's the very antithesis of what the Gospel is.

Over and over, it is made very clear that you cannot earn your way into heaven. (Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 are the ones that come immediately to mind, but there are more than that. (I also like - Romans 4 and the entire discussion about it being faith and not works and especially Romans 4:4-8.)) Literally one of the entire points is that you are stuck in your sin and you cannot get out and no matter what you do, you cannot earn your way in, but God loves you and chose you and wants you, so He paid your debt Himself (Jesus) and is giving you His righteousness - His perfection - because He was the only one who could earn His way in.

God is for you, not against you.

Are there things you should be doing? Yes. (Ephesians 2:10 talks about that, too.) But, like. It's not to earn your way in. It's out of love and gratefulness to the One who got you out of your horrible predicament? And then on top of that, made you a co-heir with Him?

Because it's...He paid for you to get in and then also you got adopted as a child of God? And someone described it once as good works after that being like when a child makes a drawing for their dad and their dad hangs it on the fridge? It's not to earn anything; it's because you love Him, too?

So, like - I want to know where the Protestant Work Ethic went wrong. Why so many people think it's about earning their way when it isn't that at all.

It's a gift. It was always a gift.

[marigoldbaker]

in homecoming (3x05), willow references the song playing in the bronze as a song oz wrote for her. this is that song. ♥

special shoutout to @via-whitmore who legally i must tag in all oz content always.

[devildom-moss]

Roses for You (8)

This had all started when you noticed a link between a book on the language of flowers you had borrowed from Satan’s room and the current lessons from your Seductive Speechcraft and Magical Potions classes.

In Seductive Speechcraft, you had just reached a section on the effectiveness of spells using non-verbal communication: enchanting glances, dance, and offerings. Meanwhile, in Magical Potions, the professor had been discussing the significance of using specific quantities when concocting potions; they had spent fifteen minutes just providing examples – including adding petals from two different flowers when using them for a love spell.

You couldn’t resist discussing the use of flower language – utilizing the type, color, and quantity of the flowers – to specify the magical intent of an offering as a form of seductive speechcraft. Asmo and Solomon listened intently. The same idea popped into both of their minds, and before you knew it, everyone was looking into color and number meanings, searching for the perfect combination to convey their feelings for you and try to put you under their spell. The only rule for their little competition to charm you? Only roses are allowed.

Will you be charmed by their attempts?

Eight Roses - Diavolo

Word Count: +900

Gratitude / Support

“MC,” Diavolo greeted you at the castle door with a huge puppy-energy grin, “come on in.”

“Oh, Diavolo, where’s Barbatos? Doesn’t he usually answer the door?”

“He’s at the market with Simeon. Besides, aren’t you happy to see me?” A pout sat on Diavolo’s lips.

“Of course, I am. I came here because you asked me to; of course, I was looking forward to seeing you. I was just a bit surprised, that’s all.”

Diavolo took your hands in both of his and flashed that sweet, princely smile of his. “Allow me to surprise you again. Will you come to my room with me?”

He awaited the slight nod of your head as if he thought rejection was a possibility. At times, it was unfair that Diavolo’s personality and his status made him so difficult to say “no” to. Fortunately for you, what Diavolo craved – second only to his desire for peace between the three realms – was your happiness. It was easy to indulge him without a second thought. Even though you had no clue what awaited you behind his bedroom door – although given the rose antics of late, you had some clue – you trusted Diavolo entirely.

When you got to his door, Diavolo turned and asked you to close your eyes. You obliged, and with one hand firmly on your back, Diavolo guided you safely into the room. His touch left you slowly with a small squeeze to your side: a signal for you to stand still. The absence was followed by the soft thud of the door closing behind you and some indeterminate noises.

“Should I be concerned?” you asked the entire room, certain that Diavolo was somewhere in there with you.

“Open your eyes, MC.”

Diavolo was on one knee before you, holding out a bouquet of eight roses – four peach and four lavender – in a black anatomical heart vase. As he looked up at you, the sweetness in his gaze was overwhelming – like light brown sugar and honey. Your breath caught in your throat as you stared back, trapped in that sweetness.

A blush grew on Diavolo’s cheeks, suddenly flustered by your speechlessness. His confidence faltered momentarily, and he wondered if the message was unclear. Perhaps you would appreciate the words from his lips more than soft petals and pale colors. Without a second more of hesitation, he spoke: “I’m certain I’ve made it clear how much I adore you by now, but I need you to understand something else: I’m indefinitely grateful to you. All your hard work and support is more than I could have hoped for. You’ve brought so much joy into my life, and I need you to stay by my side. I know I have ambitious goals, and you’re often put in difficult situations because of me, but I couldn’t do this without you. Your presence only encourages me. You’ve charmed me – body and soul – and I’m eternally thankful for all of it. So, thank you, and please let me support you, too.”

Eight roses symbolized his gratitude and support. Peach was also a sign of thanks and appreciation, strengthening the message. Lavender signified his enchantment. Perhaps four of each color implied the lasting, steady nature of those feelings. All of it was stemming up from the heart. You meant so much to the future King of the Devildom. As loved as you were, in that moment, to be appreciated so deeply was worth more than any love you had known before. Tears welled up in your eyes, threatening to spill.

Diavolo noticed and got to his feet, quickly engulfing you in his arms. He held you securely, and that was all you needed to allow a few tears to drip onto his shoulders. In a feeble voice, you whispered against his body, “Thank you.”

“That’s my line,” Diavolo teased and pulled away. He gave you a smile before placing a kiss on your right cheek. Then, the left. He kissed the corner just below your left eye, savoring the precious sight of you closing that eye and scrunching your nose up at him. He did the same on the other side. He kissed your forehead, the bridge of your nose, both corners of your lips, and finally, once all the anticipation had boiled up, and you were grinning, Diavolo placed a gentle kiss on your lips.

When you kissed him back, you returned the sweetness and intensity tenfold – so much so that Diavolo nearly dropped the vase in his hand from surprise. He chuckled against your kiss. I’m supposed to be the one surprising you, he thought.

Without warning, Diavolo lifted you up with one arm. Startled by the sudden movement, you wrapped yourself around him. He walked you towards his bed where he promptly set the vase down on his bedside table. His newly free hand supported your back firmly. You expected him to set you down, too, but he continued to hold you up.

Carefully, you pulled away from him slightly. There was a mischievous look on his face. “Diavolo?”

“We still have a while before Barbatos returns.” Diavolo smirked, running his tongue along one of his canine teeth.

“And?” you teased, knowing full well what that glint in his eyes implied.

Diavolo set you down softly at the edge of the bed and sank to his knees at your feet. He stared up at you through his lashes. One of his hands ran up your leg and squeezed the top of your thigh gently. “Let me give you a reason to feel grateful, too.”

Lucifer (1) | Mammon (2) | Leviathan (3) | Satan (4) | Asmodeus (5) | Beelzebub (6) | Belphegor (7) | Barbatos (9) | Luke (10) | Simeon (11) | Solomon (12) | Thirteen (13) | Raphael (14) | Mephistopheles (15)

A/N: Woo. We're half-way through, now. I wasn't even sure I was going to get over 500 words with this, and it's somehow the longest one so far. I got really into it. I low-key got too into character and cried on behalf of MC. But I can cry really easily if I just get into character. Oops. Hope you enjoy it~

[navree]

i request monetary compensation from all the bitches in season 4 who were whining at jon about how immoral it was for him to ask people questions when apparently he could have been making people run to death or otherwise kill them after forcing statements (without even having to ask a question). y'all got the nicest version of what the archivist could be and you were assholes about it for no reason, shame shame i know your name

[yandere-daydreams]

diff anon here but the overlap between sorority girls/fanfic readers is SO much bigger than u'd think. like maybe less common in ur stereotypical SEC school southern sororities, but among the rest of the US... i'm sure that number's gotta be close to like 60%. its just probably not smth we'd ever admit to irl LMFAO

that's actually so insane of you guys actually. ig i just mostly engage with theater kids and unhinged queer people who have no shame about admitting they binge x reader dilf smut on the reg and figure y'all are, like, busy getting blonde-brunette ombres or making out with each other or something. might have to take a few days to process this information. woah.

[anghraine]

Today's unhinged "good God I hate how much extreme generosity I'm expected to extend to the Peter Jackson films by people who make wildly bad faith arguments about things I like" rant:

I am very deeply tired of people insisting with zero evidence that of course the LOTR films are imperfect, but the difficulties of adapting LOTR are such that it wasn't possible for them to be better than they were—in, apparently, any respect. They just couldn't be done better, at all, because it was so hard to make something watchable at all.

This is always just like ... really? Really?? Just what prevented them from making better decisions about anything? What exactly made casting every actor of color as barely differentiated villainous hordes in the twenty-first century so necessary and unavoidable? The glamorization and vast expansions of battle scenes and insertion of "heroic" war crimes was the highest film as a medium could aspire to in the early 2000s because of what insuperable force?

What made it impossible to give Arwen a coherent character arc? The films could not have been made without the underlying assumption that most of the cast are NPCs who will only do the right thing, when they will, if prodded or manipulated or influenced by main characters? In what way is this an inevitability of adaptation or film that simply couldn't have been conceptualized differently, much less better?

There is zero explanation or justification for why any of this stuff (or the myriad other flaws) had to be that way and couldn't have been done better in any way at any point. It's just stated that the films that exist must be the best films that could have existed because they're the ones that do exist and are popular. QED.

That doesn't make any sense, though, and it doesn't convince anyone who doesn't already agree. The idea that they could not have been better in any way (including their worst quality, which again, is the extremely racist casting), that some force was preventing not only the actual filmmakers but any filmmakers that could possibly exist from doing anything better just seems patently absurd.

You can like them and respect what they did achieve without demanding that everyone buy into a baseless and irrational argument that their pop culture success means nothing about them could possibly have been done any better. Look, I was in my mid to late teens at the time. I remember the early 2000s quite well. It wasn't now, but we are not talking about an age so divorced from our own that any of these things were somehow fundamental to the media landscape.

There are ways in which the LOTR films were very good that were essential to their popularity then and now. This does not require anyone to accept that it was literally impossible for them to be better than they are or that some defense is required against every criticism of them ever.

I am not, incidentally, talking about removing Bombadil, an entirely understandable and defensible decision that the film defenders in my notes somehow always feel the need to bring up. I know that changes had to be made, that adaptation is not a word for word transcription, that it would always be a difficult text to adapt, that structurally minor elements had to go, that they are cinematically beautiful films that a lot of work and love went into. I know this. EVERYONE knows this, because for the last 20 years it's been impossible to criticize anything about them without being reminded. Their accomplishments, and their existence, do not mean that any choice made by the filmmakers must definitionally have been the right call and could not possibly have been better in any way.

[marvelousazula]

some of y'all if turns out Teen has been a villain all along