#because it's kind of shippy

[justanotherignot]

If you've ever wanted to hear Karlach say the words, "My Minthara," here you go:

Especially interesting since Orin claims to have killed Karlach when she replaced Minthara at camp.

[rainbowberriesandcookies]

"Orihime being afraid of Ichigo's hollow power shows she doesn't fully accept him."

I see this take and similar ones pop up from anti fans of Ichigo and Orihime and try to say that Orihime is bad, in the wrong, etc. for being afraid of his hollowfication powers when her first encounter with a hollow was her brother Sora.

I know the anime did a lot of damage to Orihime's character - especially by taking these scenes out and altering them compared to the manga - but when Ichigo begins to undergo the same process as Sora, it only makes sense that she's afraid.

Not because she's afraid of Ichigo but because what he can become.

And just like Sora said, "It would be [her] fault"

Also - this is to counter the whole "Ichigo and Orihime were never close/barely friends/just acquaintances" that I see floating around often too.

But all in all - Orihime was never afraid of Ichigo. She was afraid of what he could have become.

As Acidwire, Sora targeted Orihime because of her growing bonds with Tatsuki and Ichigo. He even says that he attacked them because they tried to tear him and Orihime apart and that she already knew why.

For clarity - what I'm about to say isn't me saying that Sora was abusive in life and I'm going to specifically try to use his name as a hollow "Acidwire" as much as possible to express the slight separation between Sora as he was while he was alive and Sora as he was when he became Acidwire.

Especially since early on, it established that hollows - while they were once former humans - often end up being twisted versions of the people they once were.

Now onto the point -

The "You already know why" isn't dissimilar from how abusers, manipulators, etc. often talk to their victims when they're angry or upset. It's similar to the silent treatment in a way where it implies that the victim intentionally made the abuser upset.

He references her prayers for him every day helped ease his own suffering before she became friends with Tatsuki and entered high school before she stopped praying for him altogether. He then says how it hurt him that when she got home, all she would talk about was Ichigo.

For one - the fact that Acidwire knows this proves that Ichigo and Orihime were at least already friends by the time the manga started. In contrast to the anime where Ichigo outright says to Rukia that they've "never had a real conversation"

Anyways - this here in and of itself proves Ichigo and Orihime at least knew each other beyond just acquaintances - because they were close enough for Acidwire to notice and be hurt by it.

She tries to defend herself but he cuts her off before attacking Ichigo again

Acidwire tells her to come with him back to when it was just the two of them. In the context of the story, this would basically be him killing her.

However, this is also a tactic abusers use known as isolation.

When she questions why she should go with him and why he'd hurt Ichigo and Tatsuki before saying that the brother she loved would have never done anything like this.

I feel like in the anime, it kinda breezed by these moments which are honestly heartbreaking in hindsight and key for the leadup to why Orihime was afraid when Ichigo would use his hollow mask.

but Acidwire's response to her refusal and saying that the brother she loved would never do this is to not just harm her, but blame her and say that he is going to kill her.

In the time that she's become friends with Ichigo and Tatsuki and slowly grew happier, Acidwire blamed her for his own despair and sadness.

The kind, loving older brother that she had always known became a monster that would kill her and everyone close to her, and it would be her fault that he did because she stopped praying for him.

Here, it shows how Acidwire views Orihime not as a person who should live her own fulfilling life, but as an object who should live for him because he gave up his entire life to raise and protect her.

Once again, not to say that Sora was an abuser or abusive person, but this line of logic is the same one that abusive and toxic parents often use when it comes to emotionally abusing their children. Saying how the sacrificed so much for their children to control how their children live their own lives when the child never asked to be born. Similarly, Orihime didn't ask to be born or ask for Sora to raise her.

Sora did because that's the kind of person that he is, but Acidwire turns these loving traits of Sora's into a manifestation of abuse.

And even though she has nothing to be sorry for... She apologizes to Acidwire because that's the kind of person she is.

It also shows how she puts on a smile so that way others don't have to worry about her. She didn't want Sora to think that she was sad and hurting, she didn't want him to worry about her so she buried and hid her own sadness.

She apologizes to Acidwire for making him sad and (in what she thinks are probably her last moments) says that she loves him and that she didn't mean to hurt him.

As he's slowly regaining himself, Sora admits that he already knew that Orihime was just trying to shield her sadness from him but still wanted her to pray for him because it was only in those moments that her heart was his.

Ichigo then tells him that it's the same, those who die and those who survive are just as sad as the other.

It's in this moment Sora had fully regained himself, enough to know that he couldn't stay in a form like this or else he'd come to hurt Orihime again. If he killed the little sister that he raised like a daughter over his own heartache, would he have been any better than their own abusive parents?

And finally, the two get to say goodbye properly.

Also - a side note - a lot of people criticize Orihime's passive nature and how she never seems to fight or argue with anyone but it's because the one time that she did have a fight with someone, they died and became a monster.

This entire sequence emphasizes why Orihime always tries to reach out to others in need and never argues or fights. She doesn't want her friends or even strangers, to become like how Sora became Acidwire.

Now, Rukia had changed/erased Orihime's memories following this event but it likely didn't work as intended since during the Rukia rescue arc, Orihime mentions that she's been able to see hollows and spirits ever since the encounter with Acidwire.

Now let's go ahead and jump ahead to VL Ichigo -

Going to Hueco Mundo - Ichigo already knew without having to be told or convinced by anyone that Orihime was in danger. Aizen did his best to make it look like Orihime was a traitor to the Soul Society and Ichigo never bought it

It's being put in plainer and plainer terms that Ichigo transformed as a response to Orihime's call for help.

Even if you want to argue that there was a mistranslation or that Ichigo doesn't directly reference Orihime, even if you remove all of the text the sequence of events goes

Orihime's cries

Ichigo began to move and get up - functionally coming back from being dead

Once again, even if you want to remove the text avoid arguing about whether or not it was properly translated - nevermind the fact that in Japanese pronouns are often omitted and there is a big assumption to just know who/what you are talking about -

Even without text, the images show Orihime crying, and Ichigo beginning to come back to life.

Both she and Ulquiorra question whether that is Ichigo

Now that said, I think that Ichigo vs Ulquiorra is one of the most brutal and best fights in the series. Both Uryu and Orihime know that this isn't Ichigo.

Yet remember how it is established that hollows often become twisted versions of the people they once were? This is a power that Ichigo can't control and yet uses it to protect the person who called out to him.

While I don't disagree with the notion that this is also White protecting Ichigo, it doesn't change the fact that Kubo intentionally drew Orihime and Ichigo rising side by side multiple times. Even without text, Kubo places emphasis on her and her cries for help against VL Ichigo - not White or Zangetsu.

And when Uryu tries to bring him back to his senses what does Ichigo do? Put a sword through him.

Once again, even if you want to remove any and all text, Kubo puts VL Ichigo paneled side by side with Orihime, and when Ichigo comes back to his senses

The first person that he sees is Orihime.

As much as I want, I'll save my yapping about Ulquiorra for a separate time.

But for a moment, even if only briefly, his desires to protect were twisted in a way that hurt those around him, and once again - Orihime was the catalyst.

Ichigo says that he didn't want to win like this - showing that he views fights as something more honorable than what White/VL Ichigo had done. His last memory being that he had a hole put in his chest, also shows that he more or less "blacked out" and had no control over his actions.

What is one of the things established when people become hollows?

That they lose control of themselves and their desires are twisted.

The difference between Ichigo and Acidwire is that Ichigo wants to protect Orihime while Acidwire wanted to own her - which is why Ichigo never directly harms Orihime even as he loses control of himself.

But - all of this yapping is to show how from Orihime's perspective, hollowfication and hollow powers aren't good. They turn people into monsters that hurt their friends and loved ones.

It's also established that Orihime is the type of person who will internalize her own thoughts and feelings (it isn't ""hubris"" as some people call it).

Whether or not you want to argue that it was an assumption that Ichigo became a VL because she cried for help, it doesn't change the fact that she still cried for help and that Ichigo became a hollow/VL.

From her own perspective, she blames herself regardless of whether or not you think that it is an assumption on her part that Ichigo became a VL to protect her.

And after all - why wouldn't she blame herself when her first encounter with a hollow - Acidwire - blamed her for the monster that he became?

I know I skipped over him using his mask in the fight with Grimmjow, but I already yap too much and wanted to try to keep an already long post short(er).

Anyway - all of this illustrates the trauma that Orihime has regarding hollows and hollowfication. It's not truly her fault - yet in both instances she blames herself.

And not just Kubo, but Ichigo himself is fully aware of this.

Which is why when he tells her not to worry and that he's still himself is so important - because it shows that Ichigo has learned to control that side of himself while at the same time, being aware that Orihime is someone who has been traumatized by hollows and hollowfication.

Ultimately - she doesn't want Ichigo to become a monster like Sora. For Ichigo, it's growth in his own ability while for Orihime it's comfort in knowing that Ichigo won't lose himself fighting to protect those he cares about.

In short, she isn't afraid of Ichigo - she was scared of him becoming a monster like Sora had.

[beanghostprincess]

Luffy not knowing about Zoro promising Sanji to kill him if he ever ends up losing himself makes me go feral because that's something they can only know about. Because Zoro's respect for life and death goes beyond anything, and Sanji knows he understands. Sanji knows that if somebody has to kill him, it's him.

And I don't even think it's because Sanji assumes Zoro's opinion of him is hatred and it would hurt less for him to do this, but because Sanji knows only Zoro would be able to treat the promise as it is. Because he would put Sanji's wishes before any feelings he has for him. It's not that Zoro doesn't care, but I think he respects people's ideals and decisions to the extent of being able to kill Sanji if he so desires.

That being said, he'd do it if there's no other way to fix it. If it's either dying or living as an emotionless machine, which is the same as dying for Sanji, Zoro would fulfill his promise. And there is just... Something about Luffy not knowing. Their captain. The man they're devoted to the most as if he were their God. Luffy doesn't know. It's something only the captain's wings are aware of and the thought of these two keeping this from Luffy until the end is just insane. Not even trying to make it romantic here, but the bond and respect these two have for each other is crazy.

Maybe it's the poetry of it all, too. Somebody like Zoro, who has looked at Death in her face multiple times and said "no", ending Sanji's life, who wants to give in to death to not experience a fate worse than death for him.

[acearadiamegido]

@homestuckss pinch hit for @topfsecret !!

Reluctant face of the Alternian revolution Karkat is NOT quite used to having an entire security detail yet, and isn't sure why they're all dressed like sci fi adventure movie characters??

to which I would say, if you're gonna be planning an underground revolution against a spacefaring despot why WOULDN'T you dress for the occasion. c'mon.

[bedlamsbard]

talking about SteveNat is always a bizarre experience because I probably cannot be clearer about the fact that I ship them and want them to kiss on the mouth and yet whenever a post moves out of my orbit it immediately morphs into "yeah they're such good friends, I love a brotp."

[lenievi]

maybe with more info it'll change but Javert>Valjean gets funnier with the way it goes in the book

like Javert saw Valjean when Javert was in his early 20s, then he became a policeman, and some 15 years later (when he’s around 40) he meets a guy, his instinct goes !!!! and he spends FIVE YEARS watching him and thinking about him and studying him and collecting info and trying to make him crack, but also three of those years were spent being extremely respectful towards Madeleine because he was his superior (not to mention Javert avoided him as much as he could in those three years), and all that time Madeleine is just kind to him and Javert's mind just goes: but convict? can't be? no? yes? no? but my instinct! but instinct is not infallible! convict? no?

and then Madeleine is not kind to him once and Javert gets petty and goes yeah, he's Jean Valjean after all

[snowblack-charcoalwhite]

This scene gave me a set of extremely vivid flashbacks to some of the most hilarious brainstorming sessions my classmates and I had during our time at uni🙈

[lienwyn]

I didn't like the banner for my Black Knight fanfic so I drew a new one. As you do xD

And yes, there is A LOT of symbolism in the composition that connects back to the themes and plot of the fic. Because I'm Deep Like That.

Enjoy! :D

[scramble-crossing]

Do you ever think about the fact that the Leo Cantus Armo fight takes place in the Udagawa Backstreets, exactly where Neku was shot, once by Joshua once by Coco, twice had his life unfairly ripped away from him, and when he arrives Sho is furiously bearing down on Beat with the intent to kill so that even if he is out of his mind under the duress of Soul Pulvis' power Neku would be entierly justified in erasing him...but instead he chooses mercy? He shows him a kindness that the world never afforded him, because for all that Sho has done Neku still believes that he deserves it? And despite the horror he has been through all he wants is to extend the second chance that his friends once gave to him? I don't I'm normal.

[feraltwinkseb]

top 3 martian moments??? moments that make u go like. ???? or damn. they’re crazy and unhinged and so obsessed w each other.

i mean it by the way. love ur blog & thank u for single-handedly trying to keep em alive ���

In no particular order...

THIS VIDEO

This video is honestly a goldmine of content, It's nothing but flirting, touching and longing gazes. Mark is straight-up lovesick here, just look at his hand on the railing...reaching out as far as he can...

THEN THE END!!! When Mark just GRABS? HUGS? HEIMLICH MANOEUVRES?? SEB

We're also blessed with photographic evidence of the interview:

2. First Date (Caught On Camera)

You can't tell me this isn't a first date being filmed, it's SO awkward. Only two people with a mutual crush can radiate this kind of chaotic embarrassing energy. Mark can't even touch Seb without immediately jerking back...have you got something to hide??👀.

They 100% kissed at the end of the night.

Photosets: 1 & 2

3. "Look, I fully expected sex" AKA Freudian Slip: The Video

Seb and Mark meeting up just to honestly talk about their past warms my heart, and then Mark starts dropping his most iconic lines

"Look, I fully expected sex"

"He definitely didn't expect sex... in Monaco" (as opposed to him expecting it in other places???)

"No, no, we didn't have sex"

4. Honorable Mentions

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mark Webber (@aussiegrit)

@/aussiegrit: Insane trophy cabinet @/sebastianvettel Congratulations on a phenomenal career, enjoy the family time and I’m looking forward to a glass of 🍷.

(Forever hoping they had that glass of wine on an island together)

Winky face??

(Source)

+ This photo / This photo / They bought matching cars

and the unhinged fic that my tumblr is named after... (Warning: Explicit!)

[kingdomoftyto]

Reading GF fic is such a trip because one minute it'll be like "the brothers have a heart-to-heart about how they've wronged each other" and the next it's like "everyone is saved from a chupacabra attack by the princess of the manatees" and then sometimes it's like "here's some weird nightmare alien porn" before eventually the looming mystery gets solved like:

(And sometimes all of these things are from a single fic series)

[queensbrother]

FFXIVWrite | 3. Tempest

[f!wolexarch if you squint | shadowbringers era | word count: 471 | Rating: G]

[also based on this gpose vn I did last year]

To say the Warrior of Light is reserved was something of an understatement. 

She is quiet, not much for words. Almost stoic in appearance, were it not for the way her eyes would light up, or the small smile tugging at the corner of her lips when taking up any task set before her. One that only few would notice, if they dared to look close enough. 

It was rare that she would hesitate when the impossible was asked of her. Rarer still, for her to speak her mind or show if she had any doubts. She would act, because it was the right thing to do. She would use her strength to help those without. 

And she took everything in stride, with a calm patience few could match. 

At least, that’s how the Exarch remembers her. And how she is depicted in the legends of old. 

But now, a storm swells beneath the surface. Her once patient demeanour cast aside. Brow furrowed and head bowed, squinting up at him out of the corner of her eye. She has been eyeing him like this since their meeting outside the gates.

“If you are asking me to be a weapon for you, I would prefer that you just come out and say it,” she snaps quietly, arms crossed over her chest and a finger tapping impatiently. 

It is a defiance he has never seen or heard before. 

“Not for myself, no. I had only hoped to ask—” 

Her head snaps towards him suddenly, glaring directly at him now. A tempered rage swirling in her eyes like a tempest. “Just to ask?” she scoffs. 

“You attempted to summon me to fight against this Light. To save this world, and now mine own as well.” She raises her voice, fists clenched as she steps towards him. It takes everything in him not to shrink back. 

Realistically, he should have expected this. 

“Just to ask if I would do it? All while my life and the lives of those closest to me are in danger? You dragged my friends to this world trying to get to me and it’s all because—” 

She stops. Jaw set before she closes her eyes. Willing the storm to calm— though he isn’t sure that calm is the right word when she opens them again. But she had… suppressed it. Pushed it down and away, as she swallows her pride with a deep breath. “...because no one else can do this,” she concedes quietly. 

Part of him wants to reach out and comfort her. Knowing the world could not have not been kind; that the trials she faced more harrowing than any story could properly capture, for her to change so drastically from the kindhearted soul he once knew. 

Instead, he grips his staff tighter, keeping the distance between them.

[theophagie]

I haven't been able to figure out what her schedule is but this girl I occasionally see at work has a tote bag with those two jjk guys

[longagoitwastuesday]

Kind of endearing that despite their obvious strained dynamic Utahime and Gojo trust each other

[ct-hardcase]

There's a more minute aspect of Pyre and Tierny's relationship on tumblr much since I overlooked it during my watch of swres while the series was airing. I wouldn't consider either of them "the dumb one", but Tierny tends to rely on her brains more than her brawn due to her FOSB duties, while Pyre, being in the role of a military commander, is more associated with combat as a rule.

This sort of dynamic usually tends toward the more strategic of the pair being the cynic or realist of the duo, but that role actually goes to Pyre during season 2, with Tierny more frequently playing the optimist against him.

It makes sense when you look into it canonically—Tierny's confident in Tam and her plan to use her to draw out the Colossus, and as season 2 unfolds, it's implied that Pyre is either shielding Tierny from how much Kylo and Hux are pushing them to destroy the Colossus, or else; or he doesn't have the clearance to tell her.

[misscrazyfangirl321]

Hey how romantic can I make this platonic fic without making it romantic. Asking for a friend.