#anyway I don't think anyone has posted this yet so I figured I'd share it

[foone]

The way it works is it's a surgery to make you immune to a bullet.

Note, that's not the same as being immune to bullets. You're only immune to a single shot: if someone shoots you twice, you're dead.

You can take the surgery again, though. The only real limitation is that you gotta wait 2-3 weeks between each time. But if you've got the money and the time, you can be as bulletproof as you want.

It doesn't "refill", by the way. Often when the surgery is explained people think it's like "a bullet a day" or "you can get shot once a year" or whatever. Nope! Once you've been shot it's just like you never had that surgery to begin with. If you want to "refill" that immunity? You have the surgery again.

No, there's no upper limit to how many times you can go, that we know of at least. There's one guy in Florida who has made it "his thing" to get the surgery as often as he can. He's currently up to about 50. Obviously there's some people online who've said they're gonna shoot this guy and lower his "record", just to be countrary.

Anyway I'm sure there'd be people who have even higher numbers (anyone who has "getting shot" as a major occupational risk, ie, politicians, soldiers, cops, and anyone doing any kind of residental survey in rural areas), but they only invented the surgery like three years ago, it's just simple math: you can't do much better than that guy.

The invention of the surgery hasn't done much to decrease gun sales, though. I mean, there's been a slight increase in people buying guns with larger capacity, for what I'd consider obvious reasons.

I did see an article suggesting that in the long run it might end up increasing the sale of guns. See their analysis is that two factors are going to drive up gun ownership:

1. People will be more willing to shoot at trespassers and thieves and such, because it'll be more like a warning shot: if they have some immunity, it won't be murder. So far that hasn't really happened as not that many people have the surgery yet. Although it's spreading fast, only major cities have surgeons trained in it, and often waits for surgery can be months long.

2. Conversely, people are going to be more likely to break in and rob and trespass if they know they can't be shot dead for it, because they got the surgery. There'll be a minor uptick in home invasions and such and this'll cause a big predictable panic among middle class homeowners who are now terrified some hooligan is gonna break into their house to steal their iPads. Thus they go throw money at security systems and cameras and guns.

So who knows at this point. If the cost (in both time and money) comes down, maybe it becomes super common for people to be so effectively invulnerable to guns that there's really no point in owning one?

I do agree with the common consensus that this is going to drive a big increase in crimes committed with knives and such. Why take a risk that your target might be immune?

Which reminds me of another thing to clarify because sometimes people online get this very wrong: it's only for bullets! You are not immune to getting hit by a car or poisoned or set on fire. Don't walk into traffic or anything, jesus.

Oh one last thing: there is a blood test that can tell if you have immunity, but it can't tell how many times you've had the surgery. You gotta figure that out yourself: so ask your doctor, search your emails, something. Every day I'm hearing from healthcare workers saying someone came in to get the blood test and it had to be explained to them that we can't tell how much protection you have: only if it's there or not. And I feel like a fool for having to say this, but REMEMBER to subtract any times you've got shot! (if you have been) Obviously!

EDIT: In light of recent events, people are sharing this post and arguing about it a lot, but let me be clear: grazes and small cuts do not count! The exact dividing line is too complicated to explain here (look up "circulatory shock" on Wikipedia), but basically if you don't end up with a big hole in you, the shot doesn't trigger the immunity.

That's how it works: you could have an ear blown clean off, and you'd still not trigger an immunity. So please stop spreading that idiotic conspiracy theory that a former president didn't have any immunity. You can barely run a high-school without being required to have immunity to hold the position, because what if someone shoots you? Come on! Of course he has immunity.

For all we know he's got some prototype experimental shit they use on president's that got him up to 200 in a couple days. There's endless rumors of the DoD funding billions in black budget items to that sort of thing, because of course. Who wouldn't want a way to make bulletproof soldiers? You don't think the soviets are pouring even more into it?

[caitchercatlady]

The Promise of Forever

-3rd Year Version

Inspiration song: Made You Feel My Love-Adele

*note: I decided not to include Lilia in this post because I felt it wouldn't feel right. I see Lilia has that father/grandfather figure who wouldn't be interested in a teen student character (even as MC approaches marrying age). Please forgive me.

Trey Clover

"Is everything alright, (Y/N)? You haven't reached for a cinnamon bun yet. What's--Oh, that! (Snicker) I knew it was around here somewhere. Oh, no. It's for you. Go ahead. You're really quiet, (Y/N). Do you not like it? What is it for? (Chuckle) To start the rest of our lives. (Laugh) So is that a yes?"

Cater Diamond

"Nope, you caught me at the best time, cutie. I was just finishing a little something for you. Wanna see? Pretty impressive, yeah? Well, I'll let you know a little secret. All these pictures spell out a secret message. Yuppers. Betcha don't know what it means. (Snickers) Of course, I want you to figure it out. I know how smart you are. (Gets down on one knee as you end up figuring out the collage.) You can never pop the question without the ring, you know."

Leona Kingscholar

"What do I want to do today? Ugh,, you know you can't thrust these questions onto me. I know it's our free time, and I'd rather not use it on thinking. How about you give me an easy question? What's the quickest thing I can make a decision on? Two things. One, you already know, and two, sleeping. You don't know the first thing? Hmph. Maybe this will help you remember. Based on the look on your face, I don't have to pop the question, do I, your future royal highness?"

Vil Schoenheit

"My beautiful one, it's been a long night. We've barely had time to ourselves. Yes, the praise I've received is more than warranted, but I believe my best achievement is yet to come. My dear, you must be tired. Have a seat and allow me to show you what I mean. (Pause) It is what you think it is. If you marry me, I shall show you what I must take to be the best husband in Twisted Wonderland and of your heart."

Rook Hunt

"Mon trésor. I have an urgent discussion that I hope you'll engage with. Will you lend ton oreille? Wonderful. I have un problème that has been itching me from top to bottom. You see, there is something so beautiful that I want something for my own, but it's selfish to keep a beautiful thing for yourself when the world should admire it. Trickster, what should I do? (Pause) I can be selfish once, eh? I suppose I should make my one selfish moment of weakness count, correct? Ma belle, indulge in my selfish desire and be one with me. That is my greatest wish."

Idia Shroud

"Hee! Sorry! I was gonna come out of hiding eventually. Oh, uh...I should've known you'd recognize the suit. Well, uh, I was...thinking, and I...wanted to see if it still fit. I hope that's not weird. It's not. Oh, ok. Then, I thought...maybe we can...walk outside? Uh...no...I'm gonna start using the tablet less. Anyway, do you wanna--Oh! Uh, yeah, let's...go. (Mutters) I was not expecting this. (Outside) Yeah, that's quite the light scattering in the sky there. (Mutters) Just as I hoped for. (Aloud) What? Nothing! Well, not nothing, but uh...It's a little scary be be because I...I never did this. I'm not perfect and...and...and I'm not ideal, but I...I love you, and I...I want you...forever. Will you...accept me?"

Malleus Draconia

"Shh, it's late. We must be quiet. Come. Follow me. We are going to see the moon. Yes, but you haven't witnessed the moon yet. There. The moon is in its utmost perfect position and form. Not everyone witnesses such a sight in the late of the night in their lifetime. Do you remember how we discussed our futures together? How we will share our lives together? I have never been able to share this kind moon with anyone before now. Not that the chance hadn't presented itself. More rather, I wasn't sure I was ready. Now, that I'm ready for us to watch this moon together a two, I propose that we watch this moon forever as one. May you take this ring and be the bride of my heart, Child of Man?"

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for talking about my fights with my partner with other people?

I (18M) and my partner (17NB) have been together for a couple of years now. Like most couples, we've had our fair share of fights, some of them very serious. I have a problem with paranoia over if I'm doing the right thing or not, because I have trouble understanding right and wrong unless I've been through a situation myself or had the morality of it very heavily explained to me. Because of this, during several of our heavier fights, I would go to people that I trusted and show them the conversation from beginning to end through screenshots (me and my partner are long distance at the moment, so most of our fights have been over text), and ask them if I was alright or I was being a dick.

However, over time, this caused most of the people I was close to to hate my partner. Several of them believed my partner was abusive or at least toxic because of the fights they saw, and at least one was outright violently angry towards them, publicly making a post about wanting to hurt them (I apologized to my partner for this, and asked repeatedly that this person take the post down, made it very clear I wasn't okay with that, but they kept it up anyways.)

I tried to change their opinions by highlighting positive things about them, and repeatedly making clear the things I knew I had done wrong to them so it was clear any toxicity wasn't one-sided (please don't even try to question if I was really bad or anything like that. Had it happen before. Yes what I did was actually wrong. I have apologized and been working on it for a long time now, and debating if it was really wrong will not be helpful or wanted.) But even so, even now, everyone who knew even parts of me and my partners problems still hate them.

My partner has made clear to me that this hurt them. It made them feel isolated, and very alone. Because I had people backing me up and people to talk to, and those people hated them, while they didn't have access to therapy (which I also had at the time, and also do now) or people to talk to about it at the time.

I've apologized for that, and long since stopped telling anyone about our fights or problems. Partially because I found out it was hurting them, and partially because a few months after I had started doing that in the first place, things took a turn for the worse in our relationship and I always either didn't feel comfortable showing people what was happening anymore, or when I did, I ended up being asked to stop by the people I spoke to because what was going on was too heavy and often triggering for them to handle, which I respected. I also didn't have access to therapy for a while because I had just made a major move and my old therapist wasn't licensed to treat people in the area I'd moved to.

However, more recently, I opened up to both my therapist and my mother about everything that happened. Unlike with before, both of them got the full story, from the start of our relationship to now. I made sure to include everything I had done wrong (that I either figured out on my own or my partner told me about, I do worry that there's other things that I don't even know about yet) so that I didn't paint myself in a better light than reality. My therapist cried when I told her. Not full on crying or sobbing, but I could see the tears in her eyes the entire session. My mother was very angry. Both of them think it's for the best we break up. My therapist agreed it's toxic, which I know it still is, although I've been doing my best to make the relationship more healthy over time. She didn't outright say the words, but when I told her what my mother had to say about it, it was clear that she agreed with her that it was abusive. She wasn't angry the way my mother was, or as insistent about me breaking up with them, but she didn't think this relationship or this person in general was healthy towards me.

My mother, however, was almost violently angry. There was several parts of the story where she clenched her fists or had to pause to calm down. On top of that, when I brought up my partners disorder (it was heavily relevant to a large part of the story, as knowing they had it was necessary to really explain what happened for many parts of it), she started repeatedly telling me that she believed they're faking to manipulate me, and that "based on her years of research that wasn't how the disorder worked" (her "years of research" was an introductory college psych class over a decade ago, which barely mentions the disorder in question, so I don't trust that at all). This made me worry even more that I was being an asshole by sharing this, because I know firsthand how much it sucks to have someone not believe you about your own mental health. Not to mention, I have a similar disorder myself, so it felt wrong the way she talked about their disorder (I brought this up but she said it was different and she believes me, just not them. I'm pretty sure that's mostly because I'm diagnosed, and they aren't, due to not being able to get therapy). She also wouldn't believe they didn't have access to therapy because they live in a place with free healthcare, and didn't seem to understand that doesn't always apply to mental healthcare, especially when they're a minor and their parent won't get them therapy even when asked.

However, the reactions from both my mother and my therapist has made me start to question if telling people about our fights was really an asshole move in the first place. On the one hand, I know it hurt them, and that I hurt them in other ways on top of that. But on the other, if even middle aged adults, including one with a psychology degree, think it's so bad on their end, maybe telling them was a good thing. I don't want anyone to hate my partner, especially not when I know I was also toxic towards them and I don't feel like it's fair to treat them like they're so much worse than me, especially when my partner has said to me that I abused them (this was also shared to mother + therapist). But the way these recent events have gone have left me confused, and feeling like a giant asshole towards my partner all over again. So am I one for this?

What are these acronyms?

[moshieee]

Hello it is I, random anon who does not know you and has never interacted with you before, what is your opinion of your mutuals?

Oh hi @bixell-pixell I'll include you even if we're not mutuals I think you're pretty chill all things considered

That's kinda it idk you that well

Anyways

You didn't specify so I'm going to list all my mutuals in the order of oldest to newest on my following page that I remember sorry of I missed anyone and for the @ s

*inhales*

@e-the-village-cryptid (I don't have a tag for e yet but it would probably just be E)

Not only the first person who I became friends with here but also the first one I ever started sharing my stories with, even if we don't talk too much I'm glad Every time we do and I see them on my dash, (they bring some of my favorite posts and when I do send posts sometimes I mix up and send them their own reblogs) I'm so glad we're still friends, thanks for letting me ramble about stuff for 6 hours hehe

@jaqofallgenders (no tag for jaq yet either)

my in person friend and the longest friendship I've ever had with someone, love you 🫶. I'll be more specific on Monday if our ADHD doesn't kick in and make us both forget

@strawberry-seal77 (seal-berry!!!)

Hi hi hi yellows my friend 👋 the person I consider to be the second ever friend I made on here, a lovely person as well and wait waaa and an amazing artist too 👀??? Love you silly goofball and the amazing posts and jokes you have we should chat more often I thinkith.

@rabid-mercenary16 (Rabid jumpscare)

Hey hey hey .... BWAMP! Hope you feel better soon

I probably have the most to say about Rabid but all try to make it a bit shorter. besides being the first artist to do art jokes and include me, with we also became mutuals and interacting around a time when my life started to get a lot better. Even if she's not the only factor in that I definitely associate her with stuff improving, and she did play a big factor in it (I already explained a lot on my Valentine's Day gift to her and the others). Also she's just an awesome person to spend time with and be goofy, amazing sense of humor and I just love being friends with such an awesome person and artist.

@dia-smthidk (Dia fren)

I'm assuming you don't want a bowl of soup

I also said a lot about them in my Valentine's Day gift, but we've become closer friends sense then even if we don't get to chat as much as I'd like to. I relate a lot and am surprised how we have so much in common. Amazing artist and person as well and I wish we could hang out more, idc if they think they're bringing down the mood when/if they bring stuff up about irl, and maybe I won't figure out their timezone but oh well, please take care of yourself gender sibling.

@bunnybunnsowo (BUN BUN BROTHER!!)

little brother 🫶🫶💝💞🫶✨👋❤️!!!

(I could have sworn we became mutuals before Dia?)

another person I shared a lot about with the Valentine's Day gift, I love you my little brother! Seriously one of the kindest people I've met and I'm so glad they have bug in his life. Bun deserves the world and they keep sending me opposum images!!! Gona die from cuteness and his kindness one of these days istg

@spookykittyzzz (greaah why don't I have a tag for you???)

A very kind person and artist I don't know too much sense we're not that close yet but love the few chats we have had so far. Hope we get to hang out more even if I'm awful at reaching out to others and saying hi.

@glitchyk (goop buddies)!!

Nooo the parallels

One of the first people who was interested to deep dive into my creations and ask about my stories and worlds They're probably competing with Rabid with how much I have to say about her/silly. Seriously it's incredible how much we have in common and now I get to share and collaborate our sonas stories together it's amazing. And as someone once said "you can yap for hours". I love how creative and clever they are, I just wish they would be kinder to herself. One day I'll make glichy see how awesome she is.

@unfunnyaceartist (Floridian disadvantage) I feel like I should change that

When I say I was shookith when ace asked to be friends I mean I was shookith first person so show up and ask that (the others kinda just happened). Amazing artist and don't believe her lies she is funny. I'm so heckn glad we're friends., love the goofy and silly idc if she's a bit of a simp they've helped me a lot start to understand slang and references I'm supposed to understand shhshsh (such is the curse of how I grew up) we need to make our mafia sonas interact at some point I can already imagine the chaos /silly

@neptunestoast (plushy slime)

Hugs hugs hugs*

Trying my best not to baby talk I swear. amazing person first person to show up and be like "hey I Wana do something for you and your friends". Love their humor and another gender sibling!!! Hugs for ever for as long as they're ok with it. I love their creativity as well and Noodle is so adorable. I just want to pick them up in a hug so much. Kibbity/silly

@ner5y (no tag woops ill figure something out)

What are you doing here??? How are we friends???

I was absolutely confused and startled when they followed me especially since it was during a spoons argument . Amazing artist like holy heck I wish I was allowed to curse on this blog. Their humor also took me by surprise when I got invited to the discord, and even if they doubt how well they're running it I think they're doing amazing. And I love our silly interactions like this one

@vexation-816 (chaotic ADHD buddy!!!)

Why did it take me so long to follow you istg

ADHD ADHD ADHD my buddy oh pal we both got that and it's driving us insane/silly. Love how creative he is and the ideas for his sona and character lore. Also one of the first people who shared a character they added to my nightlight au. This is getting twords the end and I'm tired of whiting so much and am on a timer oh no. But your amazing dude don't ever forget thag

@butlerbugbunny (anxiety bunny buddy)

This is why I didn't respond to the DM yet hshsh

New friend who I feel anxious talking to sometimes but a wonderful kind bunny who I'm also incredibly happy to be friends with. Love his art so much it's amazing (shoot shoot timer is going off) I'm glad he's their for bun and wish them the best I possibly can 🫶.

@lilithloves-you (lillith my be-loathed?) need to change that

Don't you dare bring up grilled cheese

Glitchys friendo who I'm also friends with now. We don't interact too much but I've sent her on missions to go hug glitchy (to help both of them feel better but shhh). I hope we become closer friends in the future.

[river-muse]

That WIP ask game is seriously an underrated concept tbh, authors should be able to air out their works and ideas if they want to, even if those are unfinished.

Since I've been bugging you a little about MH I think I have to ask about the Monster Hunter Derelict WIP. MH Is an interesting setting for sure, but it's also hard to think of something to write in it, except maybe a dnd-like hunter party? Anyway, I'm rambling, definitely interested what you had going on There.

Also, I'm a filthy cheater and a sucker for time-themed fiction, so I definitely have to ask about Whatever Time May Bring. Feel free to ignore my filthy cheater double request tho

I agree! Being able to show off stuff we're working on without perfection being expected is super fun because I can pick out highlights and hold it up without needing to go "is this polished enough to be read?"

Since one is sort of a mini-fic that's an AU me and one of my close friends are messing around with for the funnies I'll answer both of your requests! I'm giggling and rubbing my hands together.

Monster Hunter Dereliction is the working title of a DMC MonHun AU that centers around a small Guild outpost in the Old World that pretty much has its shit figured out due to there not being many settlements in the area that need to be protected. My friend and I went "fuck it minimal family loss trauma in this department" so a lot of the cast is Around(tm) except for Sparda(we haven't decided what happened to him yet if anything).

There's sort of a plot figured out, though most of it's up in the air because we haven't had too much of a chance to talk more thoroughly about it and are just in the brainstorming department. We really just wanted to come up with our own biomes and monster designs for fun. It would involve a clash between two Elders breaking open a crevice in the earth that reveals an underground cavern system- and unknowingly awakening an Elder that has almost cosmic horror-esque traits to it. There's a sketch but it's not mine so I'd have to ask my friend later if he'd be cool with me sharing it.

For a little insight into some character placements, since I'm a bit obsessive about how lore in MonHun goes xD I won't go into what everyone is doing but I will share a handful.

I don't have much in way of writing, since I just got a few key ideas down- but have at it!

I think we decided Dante was the master in that area? He's mostly chilling around the outpost unless something super dangerous comes up that he's needed for.

Vergil is a high-ranking hunter who tends to do tasks for the Scholars that takes him into dangerous areas for the challenge and potential to explore old ruins. He's in and out of the outpost a lot on a whim so unless he's requested specifically good luck finding him.

Nero is an established hunter who tends to get a little babied by the others, which leads to him being more adamant about pushing his limits to prove himself and get them to stop worrying.

Eva regularly travels, recording locales and monsters in general peace.

Kyrie acts as the guild sweetheart for the location, handling quest assignments and making sure the hunters are properly prepared.

Credo is one of the residing guild knights, which is a rank in the guild that handles upholding guild regulation and deciding on punishment for anyone caught illegally poaching monsters.

Nell is the residential smithy! She's been training Nico for a long time now to take over in the future.

For now Nico tends to tag along behind Nero on a lot of hunts to observe them, swipe some new materials for herself, and experiment with equipment that diverts away from standard expectations.

Patty is a guild sweetheart in training, if I remember right? I only wrote her name in all caps in this post-it note and nothing else fdsgfbsdxjkgbj

-

Dante’s late to leave his room today, not expecting too many requests to come in if any. It’s been quiet since they’d sorted out the sudden influx of larger wyverns that had migrated South from their own territories. Which isn’t a good sign. It could mean something bigger is on the way soon. However nothing’s turned up. So to him the problem’s been solved. The peace lasts about as long as expected though, because the door pushes open without so much as a knock from the incoming visitor. It’s Lady. Not even in her armor yet but scowling as if she’d just gotten tossed around by a Diablos. “Where’s your fucking brother?” “Not even a good morning?” Dante yawns. “Passed morning a few hours ago.” Lady crosses her arms and leans against the doorframe “Now about Vergil-“ “Do I look like my brother’s keeper?” When It’s obvious Lady isn’t accepting that as an answer he groans and rests his feet on his desk “Out. On an expedition. That’s why one of the aptonoth aren’t in the stable. He’s North, checking out whatever caused that Wyvern displacement. Should be back in a few days.”

-

Vergil lingers by the ledge of the massive crevice, peering into the darkness to see faint shimmers of light that waver as if moving. It’s odd. With most of the trees decimated there should be plenty of sunlight shining down to show whatever’s down there. The darkness opens its eyes. Swirling colors and glowing light as faint pupils shrink to paper-thin slits when they focus on him. From the positioning of them Vergil isn’t sure if he’s looking face-to-face with a creature or with multiple. He doesn’t recognize any visible traits and stumbles away from the ledge. There’s a snapping noise and Vergil looks back to see the aptonoth has broken her binds in her attempt to flee, taking all of Vergil’s gear with her as she disappears into the treeline. A rattling, warbling noise that resembles a broken horn echoes loud enough that it hurts Vergil’s ears. He covers them with his hands and regrets not bringing earplugs. Something cold enough to leech the temperature through his armor wraps around his ankle, and drags him into the crevice. He grasps at the rock. His gloves dig in and he struggles to grab his blade. It slips from his hands and he falls with it. Darkness engulfs his vision made to feel darker by the eyes that fill his peripheral. One more eye, larger than all the others, opens up in front of him to blot out his last view of the sun.

-

Nero’s the first to volunteer and the first to be ready to depart. He shuffles about, fretting over what equipment to take and how long of a trip it will be. “Don’t you dare authorize that mission.” Credo objects, smacking his hand on the table “There’s no telling how long he’ll be gone, and if there is a wyvern strong enough out there to take Vergil down then I don’t feel comfortable sending him out.” “He’s qualified. Just as capable as the rest of us.” Dante insists “You need to stop babying him or he’ll never get his feet under him.” “How dare you accuse me of coddling one of our hunters?” “You’re not really beating the allegations. Especially since he’s got a crush on your sister.” “Do not-“ Nero objects. Dante stares, raises an eyebrow, and Nero clicks his tongue. Nero looks away while his cheeks flush red.

---

NOW onto-

Whatever Time May Bring. You have sniffed out the ONE NASNAH part that I think you're going to love the most, because it takes place when Nero's 15 and a certain 8 year old girl finds her way into Dante's life. It skims through the anime timeline and a bit beyond, since for reasons not yet revealed in the plot Dante decides to keep Vergil and Nero out of most of the details of his demon hunting work. It's a scene compilation like how "In Leaps and Bounds" was for little Nero. It's also finally the time where Nero starts questioning his family's behavior and secrets more than before.

-

Vergil watches the ensuing exchange with all of his attention he can muster. There’s something comedic about a young child pushing Dante to wits’ end when Nero at that age earned nothing but Dante’s adoration. He then notices Nero’s uncharacteristic silence. It takes just one glance to see Nero’s eyes are wide, watching Patty with an expression that he hasn’t seen before. “Nero?” Nero startles out of his thoughts, straightening up. “Uh, hi.” Nero says. He picks up his coat from the floor and dusts it off. “A little slow on the uptake. Did you overheat trying to wear that over here?” Dante asks. “No just-“ Nero looks away and seems to get his bearings “-wasn’t expecting to see you taking care of a kid. He’s being nice to you, right?” Nero looks at Patty with his question. “He’s horrible! He doesn’t clean, never explains anything until after it happens, and won’t eat anything but pizza and strawberry sundaes. I’m surprised he even knows what tomato juice is let alone drinks it.” Patty pouts and motions at Dante with a pointed finger.

-

Patty is- energetic. She’s outspoken and from how she speaks her mind is sharper than she leads others to believe. Yet she’s very much a child in how she behaves. Much like how Dante had been at her age to an extent. It had been obnoxious to deal with when younger, but Vergil can rationalize it as normal behavior for children in hindsight. Nero’s odd phase of having become quiet and calm as a child must have been a special case. “Would you advise I rescue Nero now, or later?” Vergil questions. “I think they’ll get along just fine without us hovering.” Dante pushes up from his chair and nudges a box of stuffed animals to the side with his foot. He tilts his head to the hallway door “Let’s leave them to it.” “And what will we be doing, instead?” “If you don’t want to know the weird details of the job, then I guess we can stay here and listen to Patty go on all day about that stupid show.” “Hey! I heard that.” Patty speaks up, looking over from the couch. “I wasn’t talking to you.” “But you were talking about me, so that’s pretty much the same thing.” Patty sticks her tongue out.

-

“What happened to my mom? Who was she?” Vergil’s gaze flicks away. Guilt passes over his face and he keeps cleaning without giving an answer. “Hey, you can’t just ignore me. I asked you a question-” Nero objects. “I can, and I will.” Vergil holds out the sauce pan “That is a topic for another time, Nero.” “Another time? Seriously?” Nero scowls as he uses a bit more force than needed to dry the pan “You’re gonna dare say that to me after years of this? I don’t even know what her name was.” Vergil pauses washing the dishes, resting his hands on the edges of the sink.

-

Thank you for letting me go insane and giving me a chance to share with you some Patty Propaganda! I had to seriously dig around and be careful with what I show since there's quite a few parts between the fic I'm currently uploading and this one, but I would be damned if I didn't give you something to look forward to. <3

[hyperpotamianarch]

All right, I posted a couple of Jewish stuff, so maybe it's time for a nice Fantasy post. Also, Howl's Moving Castle and Anne of Green Gables. You'll get it by the end.

You see, I'm not a writer yet. Which seems like a bad beginning, but it's going to tie in soon. I do want to be a writer, and have attempted to write books multiple times. Usually I have an idea that I try to latch on and make into a good story, though that doesn't always work. And yes, I've seen that post about writing encyclopedias or annotated maps and am seriously considering it. But anyway, one of my latest ideas was: what if Anne of Green Gables, but Fantasy?

The cause for this idea is the fact I'm usually very locked on Fantasy. By which I mean, I usually refuse to read things outside of this genre, with maybe Sci-Fi added in. I have somewhat mellowed out since and will not immediately refuse any non-Fantasy book recommendation, but I'd still prefer Fantasy over all else. Anne of Green Gables has, to some degree, come to be an exception. By which I mean, it's almost unique among my favourite books in not being Fantasy.

It is thus that I thought, hey. What if I take that thing I really like and make a similar thing in the genre I really like? That'll be great, won't it?

Well, the jury is still out on that. I still didn't figure out the essence of what I liked about Anne of Green Gables, so I don't really know how I might take on this project. I currently have two story ideas that are supposedly under this umbrella - one is a crossover fic that I didn't manage to actually make to work, and another which is an attempt at Urban Fantasy that is vaguely in the works. I would focus on the fic for now, though, because it arose from a realization I had: the closest thing to Fantasy Anne of Green Gables I've ever read is probably Howl's Moving Castle.

It's important to note that this is not so in plot. In general plot, those books are vastly different. It's not in characters either - I believe the only things Sophie and Anne share are temper strong enough to hit their live interest on the head, hair that could roughly considered to be ginger and a general belief they're ugly. The latter isn't really accurate and manifests in vastly different ways in the two.

No, what I do believe those books share is some of their atmosphere. They are still far from identical, as Anne's character is central to her book and Sophie is very different, but there are similarities. Here is the antagonistic relationship with the love interest throughout the book, and there are the relatively lower, more personal stakes of this book. I mean, there are many large differences, but... basically, Anne of Green Gables in Fantasy would have to be (I think) Cozy Fantasy. And Howl's Moving Castle is, in a way, a Cozy Fantasy book: it mostly deals with the day to day life of the four inhabitants of the Moving Castle, from Sophie's PoV. Sure, there's a curse that drives the plot forward and a witch and her fire demon, both perfectly willing to kill anyone who stands in their way. But it's still about How Sophie Cleans the House; How Sophie Pushes Her Nose Into Howl's Relationship With Her Sister; and How Sophie Is Generally A Nosy Old Woman Living In The House Of The Flippant And Cowardly Wizard Howell Jenkins.

I may have lost it a bit there. But it really is about the daily life in the Castle, which I think puts it a step closer. So, I thought of a crossover fic named Katie of the House of Reflections. It didn't really work, though I think the idea has potential if only I developed it a little more.

That is it: a comparison of the stories of two ginger girls who had anime adaptations. Don't thank me yet. You still didn't see me add Princess Eilonwy and Shallan Davar into the mix.

[fox-guardian]

So 1) info dump me on the stoker swap au plz. Share the shenanigans. The drama. The Memes. And 2) Is the time travel au done for? I started following you for your art for that ages ago, and I honestly wouldn't blame you for not doing it if you didn't want to, but I've kinda been holding out hope to maybe see an update on that? Please? 3) Your Version of Danny my beloved

I'm gonna answer these in reverse

3) thankies he means so much to me <3 I'm rotating him in my brain regularly <3

2) I don't wanna say it's "done for" but it is definitely on the backburner. I had wanted to rewrite it since the show ended to rework a few things. Ultimately it'd be the same story, but in more of a "somewhere else is the past" type of thing. I may not finish writing the fic, especially since I write So Much but not very often so it makes it hard to want to rewrite a fic that already has 30k words and not much has happened yet plot-wise, but I may still make art/comics for it. Or even post what I currently have anyway if anyone would want that. But idk if it'd be worth it rn since there's so little plot. We shall see.

I do still think about it often, though.

1) YEEHEEHEE

In my brain I'm already on s3 and trying to figure out how all that would work out since Sasha being alive (because danny saves her with the power of the buddy system) changes things if you can imagine. Like a butterfly effect, so many things are now changed. But I still want Jon to run from the cops so leitner needs to die, but that'll be hard to initiate if Jon isn't running from not!sasha.

God I can't wait to get to the archive era. I'm still writing research, but hopefully I'll be done establishing everything I need to in a couple chapters and I'll be able to timeskip to Jon's promotion. I'll probably have to cut a few things out of the main fic but know that I WILL make stuff for them anyway, like a spin-off fic with missing scenes and whatnot or comics. I just REALLY want Jon and Danny to infiltrate a drag show for followup reasons with Danny as a drag queen and Jon as his little buddy/assistant/whatever, but I don't think that'll fit into the main fic aksjsksjd If I wrote every little field work adventure I want them to go on I'd never finish it.

I also can't wait for Tim to meet everybody. He's gonna become besties with Sasha so fast. He is GOING to adopt Jon. He's going to be Normal about Martin most likely. And he is GOING to punch Elias in the face AT LEAST once.

And wtgfs.... ough. I can't wait for Danny to meet Melanie because I already had him make a GHUK reference and I just. I can't wait to write that. He's gonna be normal I think. And Georgie and the admiral.... oguohugoh

Also I love Danny. I do. But I can't wait to cause him pain <3 he's gonna get so very wormed and also kidnapped <3

[pocket-sized-nightmare]

so anyway. the unleashed. this is the first of MANY times i am going to talk about this show (including maybe posting some of my fics? i don't know if i'm quite brave enough for that yet, but if people want to see them, i think i'd like to share them :D)

but this is just to say that this little 8-episode ttrpg series that no one has ever heard of singlehandedly helped me figure out who i was and who i wanted to be. i was still DEEPLY anxious about potentially being queer in 2020, but seeing phee and mara's relationship unfold – and seeing myself in them – helped give me the confidence to recognize and embrace my queer self. i think part of the reason i felt so connected to it was that even if it wasn't intentional, several of the show's creators were ace like me, and i relate a lot to phee and mara's relationship partially because i see myself in it – just two queer teenagers like me trying to navigate the world and how they feel about each other. to this day, they are my favorite relationship i've ever seen in any media.

also? this probably wasn't intentional, but the unleashed made me feel so seen and comforted as a neurodivergent person. i'll probably end up posting some of my rants analysis about this later, but i saw myself in all the protagonists in a way i rarely ever do. the whole premise of the series and its main characters' powers reminded me a lot of how my neurodivergence causes me to see and navigate the world differently. everything from newly unleashed teenagers' physical leashes that reminded me of my adhd meds to the way mara sees the world with a mind full of green energy that no one but mages see made me feel like there was a world for me out there, one filled with people who felt the things i did.

so i guess this is just to say, if you want honest and hopeful queer representation, characters that will make you feel seen, and an incredible and engaging plot (seriously, aabria iyengar is one of the best game masters in existence. she's one of my favorite things about the series, and that's saying a lot, because i love everything about it), watch the unleashed. it's an extraordinary ttrpg, and it's brought me so much joy over the years.

and if anyone who's involved with this series sees this... thank you. thank you so much. i cannot explain to you how much joy and hope you've brought to my life. the unleashed has been one of my special interests for the last almost three years, and it's changed the way i see the world in all the best ways. i'm so glad i found it, and i'm so, so glad you created it. melathos <3

[dreamingdarklyblog]

Process Breakdown

hypnoticpresence

It's not boring to me. I may not be writing professionally, but I still enjoy hearing about the creative process. Please consider me a vote for more of a breakdown and thank you so much for sharing what you have.

Well let's see...

Today I was working on a post for the Nerdy Girl Next Door set. And I got permission from @sweetn0vato use her photos last month. I just haven't gotten around to using any yet. She has a great, cute, girl next door look and wears glasses. Which, is pretty stereotypical but sells "nerdy girl" pretty well.

So I figured I should find one of her photos that would work. Usually choosing a photo is a lot broader job, I've got a "Gallery" of potential shots set up with 30 of so images per page, somewhat loosely sorted. So I can tab through them and try to find something that jumps out at me with a good idea. In this case the gallery is a lot smaller. @sweetn0va is very hot, but most of the things she posts are gifs or videos, and quite lower resolution. There's not a whole lot of photos that will work.

Here's what I found parsing through her media. Made some notes for your guys sake with my thoughts. I wasn't sure what kind of post I wanted to make, aside from the general theme. Go with a blank look, her being programmed over a facetime call? I like the outdoor shot, she looks gorgeous, but I don't think it really sells the mind control angle well. I could try and shoehorn it in... But there are better options.

In the end I opted for the "schoolgirl" outfit. I felt it leaned into the "girl next door" fantasy best. For a different theme I probably would have picked the one above it, or the top left if I wanted a blank look.

Next step is setting up the page, applying a watermark, and making some word bubbles. I usually get them started, then apply some styles I have pre-configured for different character "tones". I'm sure it's obvious, but I tend towards a default of blue and green. Blue being for the "male" voice, and green being female. I also make heavy use of pink when there's more than 1 female, or when it's a clearly ditzy/bimbo voice. It's a blatant sexist stereotype, but I find it's a good way to quickly communicate more about the scene without having to "Say" it.

Once the styles are applied I re-arrange and resize the bubbles to fit, and start really "Writing". Usually I have only the general outline of where I want the scene to go. Where it starts, where it ends, maybe a beat or two in the middle if a good line pops into my head, but mostly I just write a line and then move on to the next one. I very often find that the dialogue just doesn't flow in the direction that I wanted it to, and have to make adjustments to the intended "Story".

Probably less than half actually end where I originally intended. The rest change on me as the characters voices develop on the page, and they take a different direction. This one changed a fair bit on me, as I'd intended one idea, but instead it drifted into sort of a trigger play direction.

Anyway. This page is now finished, but not published on the discord yet. I sent it to @sweetn0va for final approval, before showing it to anyone else ;). If you want to see it before it makes it to the tumblr (at current page that will be about... 3 months) you know where to sign up for the Patreon ;)

[agentravensong]

Heya, I don't mean to bother you but, I think either I missed something or you never released those stats about the Kris survey? If you did, and I'm just stupid, can you link me to it or something? If not, that's also fine! Thanks<3

Don't worry, you didn't miss anything! I was initially planning to go through all the short answer responses at some point to note the trends in them, in addition to doing some stats analysis on the short answer questions, but I never quite got around it. Not yet, anyway.

But I figure I can share the results from those multiple-choice questions now! I did the analysis when the form hit 100 responses; it's now at 102 but I wasn't gonna redo all that to make up for it.

That being said, I'm leaving the form open in case anyone else still has some stuff they'd like to (pretend to) say to Kris (and in case I ever go through with making the fic). Here's the link! And now, below the cut, the stats:

Soul colors

27% Kindness souls

21% Perseverance souls

15% Justice souls

12% Integrity souls

8% Patience souls

3% Bravery souls

14% unsure

Weird Route

Out of the 100 participants,

39 have done the Weird Route (11 multiple times, 28 just once),

and 61 have not done it. 42 of those have watched a playthrough of it, whereas 19 only know about it indirectly.

19% of the participants would tell Kris about the Weird Route;

19% would not;

and 62% would do so only if prompted. Of these, about 1/3 have done the route themselves at least once and about 2/3 have not.

Sentiments

This is probably the one most people are interested in: from the 15-choice question, which options were picked the most? Well, here it is:

I’m sorry. - 48%

I didn’t want this; I was supposed to have my own vessel. I don’t know who did this - but if we can find them, maybe we can set things right. - 36%

I won’t try to convince you of anything. You can feel whatever you want about me. - 36%

You have done so well under these strange, often upsetting circumstances. You are already enough. - 25%

I just want to support you (and your friends) through this. I would let you take the lead if I could. - 24%

This shouldn’t have happened. No one deserves this. *You* don't deserve this. - 20%

I want to be friends with everyone, including you. - 19%

I’m doing my best to be true to you, what you would say, do, and want. I want to do right by you. - 16%

I don’t know what the future holds. But I’ll do whatever it takes to get the best possible ending for everyone. - 14%

I want to help you be happier. I hope you're getting some joy out of this - going on adventures, making more friends, and getting to be a hero. - 13%

I want to learn more about this world, to understand it. And I want to help you and the others learn more about it, too. - 12%

I’m invested. I need to know what happens. - 9%

I can’t just leave - your world can’t be saved, can’t have “a new future”, without me. So let’s try to work together. - 8%

I want to fix things, to help in a way only someone with my knowledge/perspective can. - 7%

I want to help you grow as a person. - 1%

We just need to trust that this will all work out; that fate will do right by you. I’m confident it will, eventually. - 0%

Now, if you remember, people were allowed to pick three options, and it turned out that there were some combinations of three that got picked multiple times.

Specifically, 5 people picked this combo:

Vessel explanation

"you can feel however you want about me"

I’m sorry

and 4 people picked this combo:

Vessel explanation

"I'd let you take the lead if I could"

I’m sorry

I used the results of the Soul Trait question to do some cross-analysis with this question, seeing which options were popular among which soul types, but I think that'd all be too much to paste into this tumblr post. If anyone really wants to know, I can privately send you the link to the Google Doc this all comes from. I'm not sure there are really any fruitful conclusions to be drawn from it, as a) kindness and perseverance, the two most common soul traits among respondents, were almost always in the top 3 of which soul traits picked any option, for intuitive reasons, which thereby meant that the most popular choices for those two soul traits were basically just the most popular choices overall, and b) there were so few examples for certain soul traits that you can't really say the data relating to them is significant. But, ya know, it's there, if you want it.

I could also, if people really want, give my thoughts on what I personally think of the options - as in, how I think Kris would respond to them and whether I think they'd be actually helpful/reassuring/etc. to say - but I dunno if anyone actually wants that. Let me know, I guess.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who took the survey! It was really fun and often heartwarming to read people's short answer responses, and I do think there are some interesting implications in which of the 15 choices the majority of people gravitated to. And reminder, if you haven't done it yet and would like to, it's still open!

[canonkiller]

a reflection on the ouroboros

first off obviously I'm stunned by the reach it's gotten and now many people it has resonated with. I don't make art with the goal of Big Number Interactions in mind so it's a surprise when it does happen, and I'm especially glad it's a personal work that people are resonating with. It's humbling. I'm glad to have had that impact on anyone, however brief it may be.

For the piece itself, despite the fandom and character tags it's gotten (not a bad thing! I like seeing who or what it reminds people of, and it's equally fun to see an unusual interest that I share pop up as it is to see a popular interest that I know nothing about) it is original; it was inspired by a late night conversation with my partner about my OCD, and how those cycles feel so impossible to escape. The sentiment is fully intended to echo what OCD-focused therapy says, in the sense that you do have to accept that some things are out of your control and you have to do them anyway.

Some people have interpreted it as fatalistic, with the idea of biting down being self destructive and the idea of letting go being resignation to death, but neither of those are the original intent. Not making the choice is the self destructive path - it's continuing to forsake your own agency for a "safety" that is still hurting you but feels safe because it's familiar. Biting down and letting go are both active choices to end the cycle - both positive outcomes! - where the former is the active choice to take the risk and initiate a change and the latter is the active choice to reject the idea of there being a risk at all and still making that change. It's a reflection of my own experiences, varying from irritating habit to restrictive routine to Course Of Action That Has Active Detriment To My Mind And Body - some of which are justifiable, some of which aren't.

I don't expect everyone to feel a connection to it specifically as a piece about OCD - it's a hell of a disorder, and one I wouldn't want to imply someone has lightly - but the need to regain agency stretches across a lot of situations, I think. It's easy to feel locked into a course of action because it's what you've always done and it's what's expected of you, even if it's detrimental to your well being. It's hard to look at an unfamiliar path and choose to gamble that same well being on the end of it! But you've got to move in a direction rather than in circles, whatever that direction ends up being. As another post so aptly puts it, you have to do it scared.

I don't have any miracle insights about figuring it out. I'm still figuring it out myself, as my friends hear often, but I'm trying. I can't protect myself from a future that doesn't exist yet just by never moving from the present, as hard as that is to learn, and I'd like to reach that future a hundred times over. I think I can. I think we all can.

That's all. I love you. Thank you for being here, in its simple, fleeting way. I hope your tomorrows are kind.

but you can't keep holding on like this.

[calamitoustide]

hi!! for your ask game: 13, 51, & 85 :)

hii

13. talk about a writing experience that has pleasantly surprised you.

hm... I might have to talk about So High School honestly. This goes back to TTHTD because when I finished that I vowed to never write another kid fic again because I wasn't having fun with it anymore and I found my whole sad James thing and I didn't want to go back. I also just haven't really written fluff like that since 2022. The idea was in my head for a long time though, I've always had this idea, but I didn't think I'd actually be able to write it I didn't think I'd ever get a full chapter actually. But I'm actually really enjoying myself going back to my roots again.

51. share the synopsis of a story you work on that you haven't published yet.

I haven't started working on this I don't have any WIPS that I work on but don't post, I'm in the mood to just post everything when I'm done with it... but I'll talk about it anyway. Currently, it's called "You're Gonna Go Far" but might change the name I'm just gonna call it The Backpacking Trip.

James takes to the trails after the death of his parents. He doesn't want to grapple with the fact that they're dead, he can't, and when he's away it's so easy to just pretend they're waiting home for him. He doesn't tell anyone besides Remus who swears not to give up his location, and he plans to be gone for weeks, maybe months, he just plans to leave. Walk the trail and maybe figure something out, or maybe when he goes back home his dreams will come true and his parents will be waiting for him. Regulus on the other hand is just leaving college and has been met with the rest of his life. He goes on the trail to either a) have one last moment of peace and freedom or b) somehow gain the courage to run once and for all

They meet up on the trail and stick it out together. James stays because he really wants the company. Regulus stays because he honestly might die if he doesn't have someone who actually knows what he's doing with him. Together they work through everything, and maybe when they get to the end... they'll actually get somewhere

85. what would be on a moodboard for your current wip?

I went to my Pinterest to give you one and I only have one for a wip I haven't even started writing yet... i might be spending my entire night on Pinterest but here you go

This is my Sad Regulus fic, and he comes back to James' hometown (on Sirius' orders) and takes some time off school. James allows him to heal from never having the true "teenage" experience, and Harry (who yes, is there too) allows Regulus to heal from his childhood too. Then halfway through... it might turn into Sad James too but you didn't hear it from me

[theghostpinesmusic]

Alright, so this is my last Euro tour write-up, from the last show of Euro tour! I've had a lot of fun doing these jam write-ups over the last few weeks, which kind of surprised me at first, to be honest. Once I share my thoughts on a few of the jams from December's Goosemas run, I'll probably keep doing these, but do less of them (at least until the band starts touring again). Maybe I'll pick some favorites from earlier in 2023? Maybe I'll pick some favorites from shows I've personally attended? If anyone has a request, send it! I can't guarantee I'll get to it, but it would be fun to have audience participation.

Some relevant history: way, way back in the day, I had a Phish show review blog where my stated mission was to listen to and review every show of "Phish 3.0" (basically every show they've played since 2009). I wrote reviews in the blog from 2013 until 2018, and covered most shows up through the band's 2017 summer tour. It was a lot of listening and writing about one band. Maybe obviously in retrospect, what ended up happening was that the constant hyperfocus on Phish and essentially listening specifically to rate each show relative to the others ruined the music for me. I'd been seeing as many Phish shows as I could afford from 2009 through 2016, but by 2017 the music all sounded same-y to me (hint: it wasn't), and so I only saw one run apiece in 2017 and 2018 and then didn't really listen to anything from the band again until 2021. Nowadays, I'm enjoying the band that was my lodestar musical obsession for fifteen years of my life in moderation, but for a long time there I'd sabotaged my own enjoyment through hyperfixation and an insistence on comparing every song and show to every other song and show.

Long story short, for a guy who was born way too late too the Grateful Dead in their prime and slightly too late to see Phish in their prime, over the last four years Goose has become the band I was actually born at the right time for (if that makes sense). As such, I've always been really careful to not "burn out" on them by listening too much, by writing too much about them, and/or by endlessly comparing songs, shows, jams, etc. I was a little worried when I started writing these posts that I was taking the first step down a counterproductive path, but so far, like I said above, it's been fun. I've been trying to approach particular jams instead of entire shows or tours, and to write focused not on the question of "Is this good or not?" but instead on the question "What do I like about this?".

I think that might be a good change to make in areas of my life outside of my Goose fandom, too, but I digress...

Anyway, today's jam/video is a two-parter because that's how the person who posted this video on YouTube chose to do it (in case you didn't figure this out yet, I don't post the videos to YouTube myself, I just find them and write about them). It's a bit like the "The Whales"/"Butter Rum" Thekla post I already did, except this time around the jam comes out of the first song ("Hungersite" while it's the second (and third?) songs that are almost entirely composed rather than improvised.

So, "Hungersite" first. This tune is probably the closest thing Goose has had so far to a radio "hit." They even made a live-action, Office Space-themed video for it, like it's the 90s! It is a catchy-ass song, but it's also chock full of the weird, abstract lyrics and (post)modernist imagery that Rick likes to write so much (and that I like to hear so much).

"Hungersite" has been a jam vehicle for the band basically since it was introduced (2/26/22 first time played), but I feel like it started getting really out there frequently in 2023. The version from the Capitol Theater run in March was an early introduction to the (in my opinion) new tier of improvisation the band discovered this past year, and pretty much every version for the rest of the year that wasn't played at a festival show (fourteen in all!) was incredible in its own way.

I'd say this London version is actually one of my least favorite "Hungersite"s from this year, actually, and that's saying something considering how good it is. Maybe I'll cover some of the others some other time...

Now that I've done such a good job of selling the London "Hungersite," let's get into it!

While I won't wax poetically at length about the song proper here, I particularly love Jeff and Trevor's contributions to the composed parts. All the parts are well thought-out and it really feels like a great indie rock song that stands just fine on its own without a jam.

At the 3:45 mark, the song has a neat, built-in, very Phish-y guitar peak that I (and most people in the crowd on any given night) always look forward to, though now it's hard for me to hear it without thinking of Trey playing it at Radio City.

We return to the chorus one last time after this (love Peter on the organ here!), and then we get a reprise of the song's main riff at 5:25 that leads into the jam proper 5:55.

I might be hearing things here, but in this version it sounds like Rick changes the key of the jam right away, rather than staying in the song's key for any length of time. Regardless, the rhythm section drives things here initially, while it feels like Rick and Peter are both kind of circling each other, feeling things out.

Rick asserts himself a bit more starting at 7:30, and if you listen enough to actually hear Trevor (obligatory mix complaint!) you can hear him and Rick playing off each other here.

Right as things are starting (to me) to sound a little rote, Ben shifts up the beat to something more driving, and that pushes everyone to reconfigure a bit. Some tasteful shredding from Rick ensues. I love the blues riffing at 10:15 in particular.

Rick backs off at 11:05, and we quiet things down a bit. Peter jumping over to the clav over this driving beat is a perfect move, sending the whole jam into a much murkier space. I love how the lighting changes here to suit the sound, too.

The wall of sound that Peter is kicking up between his clav playing and his synths really starts to take center stage around 13:30. I feel like a lot of the jams I write about here feature Rick front and center (and, to a degree, that's because most of Goose's jams do feature him front and center), but I think this is a great example of how he can play rhythm and/or add effects to someone else taking the lead (Peter here, but Trevor too at other times). In fact, a lot of my favorite Goose jamming tends to have Rick in this "support" role, mostly because he's really good at it, but also because it usually means that they're heading somewhere weird and new.

Somewhere around 15:00, this jam turns into a full-band collaboration on a level that all of the best jams do, and then the shit that Rick starts playing at 16:00 just melts my brain and I die.

Okay, I'm being a little hyperbolic here, but this is what I often refer to in my setlist notes as "that baroque shit" and I am fully a sucker for it.

He returns to this riff a few more times (a la the Manchester "Thatch"), and the rest of the band rides the absolute groove they have going into the ground in the meantime. You know it's a good jam when the back-of-the-house camera is visibly shaking up and down.

Rick hits the riff one more time at 20:16 and then it's full steam ahead to an absolutely enormous peak. Unlike a lot of the other jams I've covered recently, "Hungersite" jams tend not to return to/reprise the song proper at the end, so we just crash to a triumphant halt at 21:10 and softly transition out of the noise and reverb into "Seekers On The Ridge Part One."

I don't want this post to get obnoxiously long, but I want to write a short thing about "Seekers." If you don't already know, Goose has a whole pile of songs that contribute to a larger mythology/legendarium (think Phish's Gamehenge, but less goofy). Of the ones I can think of off the top of my head, most of the songs that fit into this sub-oeuvre tend to be more prog-rock-style in their composition, and the lyrics vague, mysterious, and more than a little Joseph-Campbell-esque. I don't write about most of these tunes because, with the notable exception of "Elmeg The Wise" (which I'm sure I'll get to someday), they aren't typically songs that get jammed out. That said, "Seekers" is included in this video, and it's one of my favorite non-jammed things the band plays regularly, so I thought I'd share.

There are two "parts" to the song, and they have almost always been played back-to-back, though they've been separated on a few particularly memorable occasions. There's no long-form improvisation in either part, so everything you're hearing (except for the occasional, brief solo) is entirely composed. I don't have much else to say other than that if you've come this far in reading, you should give the rest of the video a listen!

I absolutely love the chorus to the first part. Peter's piano chords and Trevor's bassline just make it absolutely epic-sounding, especially in person. In fact, I'm tempted to say that Trevor is the MVP of the "Seekers" songs in general. I also never get sick of hearing the transition between the two parts (happens here at 27:30). Peter's Vibe tone at the beginning of the second part (similar to what he plays on "Red Bird") really makes it work.

Rick takes one solo during "Seekers," at in this version it's at 29:55. Sometimes this solo is kind of muted and sometimes he just rips it, presumably depending on his mood. This time, he chooses violence.

And that's all I'm writing about (for now, at least) from Euro tour. It feels like a nice, contemplative note to go out on. Next time, it's Goosemas: In Space!

[bookwyrminspiration]

[ID: A photo from Shannon's Instagram of the Stellarlune deleted line of a close up of the Stellarlune cover. /End ID]

(The line itself is included in the caption following, so I didn't write it in the ID. There was also an additional photo on Shannon's instagram, but it contains information identical to what's in the caption so I excluded it.)

The caption on the post is as follows:

WOO—it's officially Day 1 of our #KeeperSummer, and since we're doing something extra special this year, I wanted to introduce the first post myself because I'm about to share the first deleted line from STELLARLUNE!  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 For those wondering what this whole "deleted line" thing is all about: every time I write a book, I end up cutting thousands and thousands of lines that just don't quite capture the story the way I need them to. But they can still be fun to share—especially as a tiny teaser of what's in store. And so ... I give you a (spoiler-free) deleted line from Stellarlune—swipe to check it out. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 For those who can't read the graphic, here's the line: “Trees dig their roots deep into the earth, preparing for the wind to try to knock them down.” Flori sang the words like they were lyrics in a song. “I’m not a tree,” Sophie told her. “I have to do more than protect myself.” 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I'll admit, I'm still a little sad I had to chop these lines. But I realized that I needed Flori to give Sophie different advice. You can read the lines I replaced this with in STELLARLUNE on November 8, 2022!—which you can pre-order it NOW, using the link in my bio or by going here: bit.ly/Keeper9 And remember, we'll be sharing a new deleted line every Tuesday for the rest of the summer, so check back next week for that. And come back Thursday for the first awesome KEEPER video! ~XOXO Shannon

[kalosiandogmom]

I figured actually this was a good time to make a more concrete post about my Dogs so AHEM AHEM my pals are:

Vieux (my Stoutland, level 82)- recently retired from battling, is living happily with the gang and keeping me from going batshit crazy

Skully (my Houndoom named by my younger brother, level 45)- recent Mama of the team, Special Attacker Battler. We just figured out Mega Evolution!! but unsure if we'll use it a lot in battle

Bones (my Houndour also named by my younger brother, level 6)- too baby to be in battles yet, my adorable little headache.

Trique (my Electrike, level 25)- avid Battler and used in my Gym Battle team. Trying to get him evolved- we're so close!!

Trisch (my Boltund, level 85)- starter and Ace, had this guy for absolutely forever. We ease up for Gym battles but oh man has this guy gotten me out of so many jams.

Baysilt (my Rockruff, level 18)- relatively new member, still shy but really comes into her own on the battlefield. Can't wait to see what she becomes ^^

Duvet (my Arcanine, level 62)- on leave due to recently becoming a dad with Argente! Honestly these fire types... is a Battler and my speed demon when he's on the field.

Argente (my Mightyena, level 64)- also on leave since she's expecting! Dear arceus let it just be one. An almost-too-avid Battler in her element with evasiveness/accuracy like CRAZY.

Hubert (my?? Skiddo, level 7)- a recent edition, still looking for his owner but welcome anyway. Is kind of a whiz with the Vine Whip- he doesn't even break that many things anymore

Prinzessin (the Furfrou, level 15)- holding onto her for a friend. She's still trying to get used to us- we're much too messy for her.

OH AND ME UM I'm 23 and I go by she/her! Hit me up for questions about raising Electric types and please please please answer my questions about raising fire types!! please I'm trying

I might blog more! I'm kinda getting into this- it might take me a bit to figure everything out though. I feel so old...

If you knew me as a child or a teenager no you didn't, and please don't interact publicly with me if you're going to be a jerk. I know enough internet to know how to block you.

//OOC under the cut//

Hey what's up!! I love Pokémon and pokeblogging sounds super fun! I'm gonna try to get involved in the community, and do plot, and all kinds of fun stuff!

I might make the eeveelution neighbour her own account, or have her share this one. We'll see how the relationship develops~

Pelipper mail and any other ask stuff positive or negative that exists is on until I decide to turn it off- if I do decide to turn it off you'll see it here and I'll make an ooc post about it.

Anon hate is accepted I think it would be fun

My character will react in her own way to them- I don't think I can describe it as negitive but she is very competitive towards anyone who challenges her to a battle and healthily confident in her own battling skills, so there's that. Please let me know if I'm an asshole at all about anything- I don't know unreality blog etiquette very well yet, but I'm trying to learn

High stakes is allowed and encouraged! My character has a Dark Past tm that is catching up to her, which I'm hoping to explore more. If anyone needs extra people in their high stakes I'd love to join!

I hope you like my dog mom! Fellow Kalosians please interact!

-Cwitchy (catch me on artfight) @unduh-da-c

So turns out you need to fill out a LOT of paperwork to fill out an official card BUT I made one anyway because my neighbor showed me how to use Photoshop.

[stormblessed95]

"Get Out of Your Imagination"

I got a message about this again today, asking about the multiple translations (one from tkkrs and one from everyone else) of this Weverse Comment from Tae. So I don't have this one on my misinformation masterlist yet, so I figured I'd just go make it a whole post and clear it up for anyone who somehow doesn't already know. This is not an excuse for any kind of encouragement on further talk about tkkrs though. I don't have the energy lol

And another

Both NON SHIPPERS and general ARMYA translators too. This gets twisted by tkkrs into Tae saying this to the girl like she was using JKs pictures to fall asleep and he was telling her to stop doing that. Most implying the comment was made from jealousy. Rather than telling her to stop suggesting he looks at photos of the person he loves romantically (who she said was Jungkook) to help him relax and fall asleep.

Here is someone who got so tired of people twisting and mistranslating Taes words for a ship, they asked professional translators, who weren't ARMY to translate the sentences and didn't even tell them it was about BTS weverse comments.

Along with even Korean taekookers who were trying to correct their international counterparts about the mistranslations because they understood what Tae was saying. This was a comment left from a k-tkkr under a video from Taekook_lives who had mistranslated this Weverse post too

Another way they try to "debunk" this is by saying why would Tae tell us to stop shipping and then a month later tell us he is sleeping with JK in another Weverse response. Which, let's just skip past all those leaps in logic and share the actual post. Army posted asking what JK was up to, Tae replied he is sleeping next to me. Like that's not something BTS do all the time. Lol that's not implying anything romantic at all. Thats simply saying he is passed out nearby and can't come play with ARMY right now sorry. It's cute and it's sweet, but it doesn't cancel out ANYTHING from his comment saying for tkkrs to "get out of their imagination"

And the last thing they use to once again say the comment was made from jealousy or possessiveness of JK. When it wasn't, is when Tae told a fan "your imagination is nice" in regards to her username in a game which was "Jeonjungkook's Lover." He also kicked her out of the game. Which is savage as fuck and I appreciate it. But boy do they leave a lot out when they use this example, claiming he did all that as jealously of her setting JKs lover as her game name.

Tae invited a certain set number of ARMYs who followed his rules and requirements to join him for a game of League of Legends. This person "Jeonjungkook's Lover" was NOT one of the ARMYs he invited to play. She forced her way into the chat room after finding out which one it was. Turns out she was also a JK anti, following some horrible accounts on SM and made tweets threatening Jungkook. She said some super disrespectful things to Tae as well while she was there trying to get his attention since he just ignored her at first for awhile. Well, she got his attention. She got roasted for it and later got booted out of his chat and blocked i think as well when she continued to be disrespectful, essentially trash talking him the whole time in the chat and continued to not follow the rules he had set. And this was only all after Tae nicely requested that anyone who wasn't personally invited by him to please leave.

So jealousy or just calling out delusions as well as kicking an anti out of his chat room he had set up specifically for ARMYs? I think it's honestly super clear. This was in March 2020. And after that game, Tae said he would start the last round but then he was done because it was really tiring to keep playing.

Anyways, that's all there is to that one. There are no mistranslations. There are no contradictions. There is no jealousy happening. Tae meant what he said and he was very clear. Which has nothing to do with taekooks amazing friendship, it simply has everything to do with taekook not being boyfriends or romantically involved with each other. They love each other, they are not IN love.