#before anyone @s me

[lavenderghost]

As someone who studies gothic horror literature, specifically its connection to British imperialism and the rhetoric of eugenics, studying cannibalism is incredibly important and not at all a 'red flag'. The native peoples of Africa and the West Indies were often labeled as cannibals to justify their murder and/or enslavement, even if there was no evidence for such a claim. And, even if they did have evidence, it's important for modern scholars to situate the act within its religious or cultural context and consider the moral standard by which it was being judged. What did those casting judgement stand to gain from positioning cannibalism as something objectively monstrous and immoral? (Hint: they stood to gain a means by which they could justify the murder and enslavement of natives.) This is to say that the ethics of cannibalism, as well as the history of the term and its usage, are definitely worth studying.

newbie asked if we're supposed to look out for 'red flags' in interlibrary loan requests in reference to a request a patron had made for a book about cannibalism. she was looking expectantly at me like she was expecting me to be equally aghast at this........girl why would you work at a library if you want to play book police

[bbs-backlog-challenge]

Fin or Bin: Hitman 2

I rejected the privacy policy and, as a result, the game locked me out of all of its live service nonsense. As you can no doubt imagine, I'm heartbroken.

I try not to judge a game based on the business practices of its publisher, however microtransactiony and live-servicey they may be, but this elephant in the room is too large to ignore. Vast swathes of the menus in this entirely single-player game are locked away behind signs saying I cannot play them, because I'm in Offline Mode. That's to be expected of functions like leaderboards, but it won't even let me change my starting position within a level because I'm offline. There is no reason a single-player game should arbitrarily lock parts of itself away because I'm not online. If I install the game to a laptop and then take that laptop to Antarctica, I should be able to play it no differently than I do at home (at least until a leopard seal comes and kills me). Deeply unimpressed and it leaves a big black mark on what could have been a great product.

But lets move on from the crushing reality of modern games development and talk about the game itself!

No one plays these games for the narrative, of course, which is a good thing because it seems to want me to care about the history of a man who quite deliberately is No One. Protagonist Agent 47 is a professional assassin who gets pointed at Target Du Jour and then that target is later found dead. Simple stuff. The mission briefings are actually a lot of fun, very slick editing and cool presentation, with a voice over providing some excuse for the murderings that are about to occur (which I think are actually "we just thought it would be cool to have a race track level and a film set level"). Briefing over, 47 enters the scene, and this is where the game doesn't quite hit home for me.

The Sniper taught me to be efficient. Each level is set up in such a way that there are many different methods to kill the target, and the game actually encourages you to replay missions to find the other ways of achieving your goal. For example, at the race track you can poison the winner's trophy, or sneak into the mechanic's pit and 'accidentally' loosen their wheels so they crash, or add sugar to the fuel so their car blows up; any method that results in a grisly end counts, and all that remains is to exit the scene.

Unfortunately, the game gives me a gun. And while I could engineer a clever setup where the film director gets blown off a building by a wind machine that unfortunately had its safety systems disabled and was then set to a dangerously high speed, I can also just left-click his face and be done with it. There's no mission requirement to 'get away' with it, or make it look accidental, and I think that was a misstep.

I recognise this is absolutely a me problem, and I know a lot of people have fun arranging their dominos just-so. I just feel that narratively-speaking I'm supposed to be a ghost, and the gameplay should enforce that.

Fin or Bin:

Here's a fun thing, the package I bought that included this game didn't actually include the full game- each level is technically a separate DLC, and it gave me all but the last two levels. This game is no longer available for purchase, so I literally cannot finish it. There is fun to be had here, and under the conditions of the blog it's a Fin; it feels like I'm having fun despite the game, but I am having fun.

[b4kuch1n]

podcast people in my phone

[gwynthemoose]

How long until the pattern recognition for "calling the unfamiliar "savage" or "uncivilized" is bigoted as hell in all sorts of ways regardless of who it's applied to" kicks in?

okay I’ll say it nicer:

australia was colonised according to the myth of terra nullius (or empty land). ever since the very early days of colonialism, the land has been framed as something untameable and unliveable. this has justified acts of violence against the first peoples here, in that they are seen as non-people. it has justified the destruction of sacred land in the goal of making australia look more european. (an example: our capital city contains a man-made lake that is now nothing better than a fetid carp pond. it’s disgusting and unnatural). basically, the idea of “taming australia’ has justified endless harm

“everything in australia is weird and dangerous” is not just some silly meme phrase, it is something that arcs back to the very beginning of white settlers laying claim to ‘australia’. and personally I am very sick of seeing it thrown around like it means nothing

[obsmiechujek]

Bubbline with some bubbles

[uniiiquehecrt]

Voice actors are NOT the same as actors.

It takes a specific kind of skill-set and training to be able to warp and meld the voice. It takes a certain kind of talent and dedication to hone that talent into the ability to meld the voice and invoke emotion with one's voice alone. Actors are used to using their voice secondarily to their body language and their facial expressions. It's all mirrored back on camera. They do have nuance. But it's a different kind of nuance and a different kind of training to produce that nuance.

Voice actors might get their likeness transposed on their character's design, and maybe their mannerisms might seep into the character's animation. But when it's all said and done: their presence is in their voice. They are bringing a character to life, showing that emotion in their voice, trying to keep a specific accent, drawl, pitch, tone in that voice and keep it consistent for their recording sessions.

The voice actor is like a classically trained musician who can play first chair in a competitive, world-renown orchestra. The actor (who fills the voice actor's role) is like a moot who played violin in beginner and intermediate high school orchestra and thinks they can get into Juilliard with that 2-4 years of experience.

This doesn't mean that the HS orchestra moot can't play. They can even be really good at it. Maybe they won competitions and sat first chair. But they are not in the same league as the person who's been training their whole lives and lives and breathes to hone their craft using the instrument and all of the training they've ever acquired to perfect it. They are not meant for the same roles. They are not in the same caliber. You do not hire the HS equivalent when you want to play complex music in a competitive orchestra.

Actors are not the same as voice actors.

And furthermore, actors - especially big name actors - taking the roles of animated characters for big budget films or TV pilots makes no sense anyways when - at least in the case of TV pilots - there's not a point to hiring a big budget actors anyways. That money could be used elsewhere (like paying your animators), and the talent that is brought onto the screen for X character could then be hired on to voice said character no recasting required.

I wouldn't say voice acting as a profession is in danger exactly, but it's certainly being disrespected and overlooked for celebrity clout, and this has ALWAYS been an issue. Shoot, even Robin Williams knew that much - which is why he tried so hard not to be used as a marketing chess piece for Aladdin and got royally pissed off when it happened anyways. People shouldn't go to any movie (but especially not animated films) because "oh famous actor is in it". People should go because it's a good movie and the voice acting is good.

People who honest to god think that voice actors are replaceable because "oh well anyone can voice act" or "I like xyz celebrity so naturally it'll be good" ... Honestly I just wish you'd reassess your priorities because you're missing the point and are part of the problem.

Voice Actors ≠ Actors.

[97-liners]

men and their big wet baby cow eyes

[sergle]

There's something about like. A certain genre of posts / Online Opinions about insecurity/depression/misery/complaints that are so unhelpful that they wrap right around to being straight up hilarious. and it's the ones that are more or less written to the tone of "Feeling bad? That's gross!" Like, just so you know, don't voice your insecurities/ have low self esteem, because that's offputting! You're gross and weird. Don't be insecure about that, though. That would be stupid if you felt insecure about people disliking you for being insecure. Not attractive. You should be thinking about being as attractive as possible. You shouldn't make comments about suicide, even if you're suicidal! Keep those thoughts entirely to yourself. Make sure nobody around you knows you're thinking about this. It would Make Them Uncomfortable. It's better to keep these thoughts in your head where they can fester. Don't post OR talk to friends with complaints about you feeling miserable or depressed. Tbh people who are sad/upset a lot? Kinda a red flag! You are probably miserable because you're a bad person and you've brought this on yourself. If you don't have friends, it's because you're awful to be around. Easy! Solved the problem for you. And no, there is no nuance to this, got it? So, make sure to feel bad about feeling bad, but don't feel bad about it, because, well, that's just gross. And annoying! You might've wanted your brain rotted thoughts to be Peer Reviewed, you might have just needed to vent- you might've been hoping for some comfort, to get things off your chest. Well, don't! Don't talk about thoughts or feelings that are negative with your friends, you'd be burdening them and that's only meant for THERAPY. #SponsoredbyBetterHelp #MentalHealth like, DAMN. that's so helpful. you're so good at helping. I um really liked the part where these are all hard and fast rules that encourage keeping feelings bottled up and keeping your friends at arm's length. That's really funny of you.

[zombieplaguedoc]

Your f/o(s) would 100% be there for you when you're overwhelmed/underwhelmed or overstimulated/understimulated.

they know you can't deal with sudden loud noises, crowds, small places or that you need extra stimulation in certain times

when they notice you starting to get upset, anxious, they'll lead you outside, without gathering attention, to where it's quiet and help you decompress

they'll stay near you, letting you stim the anxiety out without any judgement and help you keep yourself at bay

if you go nonverbal / non speaking when your overwhelmed/stimulation; they'll use sign language in your native language that you taught them, text you, let you write your words down. Or if you don't want to talk, they'll leave it alone and let you take your time until you feel comfortable enough to come back to them.

Your f/o(s) would keep extra gadgets on them, stim toys, maybe on their land yard or keys incase they need to give you one when you need stimulation or need to stim

they would never treat you like a child for it. they know your boundaries, they know how you like to be comforted. They know this is how you cope, how you deal with your struggles, they know you can't control it. They just want to help :)

Antis fuck off, this post isn't for you

[spotaus]

New Age AU (Obtaining Killer)

Hey guys! Through with a bot of stuff for the day and I have a sneaking suspicion that this stress headache will not leave me until I finish some projects for work, so I *may* be m.i.a. for a hot second until they stop.

In the meantime, I want to drop this! (Unedited, unrefined, raw off the slab style)

Andddd @ancha-aus and @papiliovolens ! Hello! (Mutzelputz if u see this, the tags weren't working for some reason, I apologize.)

Hope y'all enjoy!

Ccino had convinced him to leave the castle. After nearly a year had passed since his last true public appearance. Since he'd stolen the apple from his brother. Nine months had passed since he'd sent Dream away. He tried not to think about it.

Nightmare had been finding out a lot about his magic. How it made him jittery, and how he felt like he understood so much more. How it made him deeply paranoid, quick to react.

How it made people listen to him.

He figured it was because he was scary now. The negative magic condensed over every inch of his bone wasn't exactly appealing, and the extra limbs which had sprouted from his spine now acted like his own personal weapons. If someone didn't listen, didn't give him an answer he liked, the limbs moved without him even thinking.

It had taken time to learn to better control them. Even now, they writhed in his wake. His nerves expressed through their lashing and twitching as they hovered just above the ground.

The streets weren't exactly crowded.

Upon word of the King's arrival to this small providence, Nightmare had found that many people fled from his path. His travel party of several soldiers, and himself on horseback. He'd always wanted to ride horses. The traitor twin was someone that every citizen wished to avoid.

Ccino had coaxed him outside with promises of fresh air. Apparently there were promising young members of the city guard that Ccino swore would be wonderful future knights. Young warriors for him to bring up loyally under his name, no fear of betrayal.

It had made sense, at the time, but Nightmare hadn't chosen to recruit any of them.

It wasn't to say he didn't want to. Several of the humans and monsters were very talented, and he did his best to give them praise, but he could tell. None of them wanted to work under him. They didn't like him. Rejection and hatred that had pierced him immediately, he could practically taste it.

Ultimately, they would do better here in their hometown. A place they were passionate about protecting, and with people they cared for. Night would not try to mold promising soldiers into his perfect guard. No matter how smart of an idea it may have been.

And so he'd moved on.

Night had visited several smaller shops, onces which couldn't afford to refuse him, and he bought some fabrics, a trinket, some small thing from each place he stopped by. He payed exactly the price he needed for each thing. He wouldn't bribe his people, either. The best he could do would be to remain neutral.

He did discover, against all odds, that he was enjoying this day out. Ccino was, in fact, usually correct about this sort of thing.

The travel had been enriching. Almost exciting. He'd never gotten out of the castle much at all, this was all new and excitingly mundane.

Good things do not last forever.

It was almost sunset when he noticed it. Torches being set up, a platform prepared. A crowd gathering.

An execution, came the mutter from one of his soldiers. Though he recognized the set-up, Night had never been in attendance to an execution. He was morbidly curious. The crowd held such a contempt. A broiling hunger for blood.

He wished he'd wheeled his horse away when a few people were ushered out of a nearby building.

The prison, maybe?

There weren't many of them. Nightmare dismounted his steed, and much to the dismay of the soldiers at his side, he found himself sinking. Into the growing shadows cast by the dying sun.

He re-emerged beside the stage, where the few people were lined up. Ready for death by hanging.

That trick wasn't one that Nightmare quite understood yet, but he was always drawn to feelings of intense negativity. He knew that, now. Something about these prisoners were bothering him, even at a distance, and he found himself more curious as he stood before them.

His guards, at the back of the crowd, hadn't seemed to figure out where he had gone. He had the time, now, to loom over the small group of prisoners.

The city guards, the trained ones, had likely seen him earlier at their headquarters. They did not speak even a word against him as he stared.

Nightmare stared at these faces.

A dog monster, scrappy and scarred, black fur clashing against a few patches of white. One of her ears was missing.

A pair of humans, both men, one with long, curly red hair and another with short-cropped red hair and the beginnings of a beard. Maybe they were brothers?

A skeleton. His sockets dripped with black magic, and his soul was a piercing crimson, just infront of his chest.

A flame monster, small and stout. Their flames a flickering green and purple. One of their eyes had a patch over it.

Nightmare was not great at determining emotions yet. He was hardly versed in his own feelings, but there had been improvement recently. Understanding new emotions had been coming more naturally to him.

Sometimes it hurt, but he was learning.

Now, past the blossoms of a headache, he felt a bit baffled as he subconsciously picked through the negativity these monsters exuded. Their fear. Their pain. Their loss, and their anger.

Oh.

"Only one of you is guilty."

He'd said it without thinking, practically announcing it with a voice that still felt unnaturally deep. A voice which rattled his ribcage and seemed to force past the barrier of darkness around him.

The group before him seemed startled. Confused.

Well, all but the skeleton, who seemed to only raise his skull slightly. As though just noticing Nightmare was there.

"How could you have possibly been jailed in the first place?" He muttered a bit quieter to himself.

He knew, deep down, that there were many, many rules in place for situations like this. Laws which he could challenge. People he could speak to. He could appoint members of his court to each of these people and try to earn their innocence through the rites of the law.

Then again, he remembered the rage of the crowd. The frustration of the people waiting to see these killings take place.

He didn't know what to do.

Now the prisoners, especially the two humans, were staring at him hopefully. He'd managed to shatter the negativity a bit. He believed them. He knew this was wrong.

"I don't know..."

The mutter came again unprompted.

These people would not have the means to repay him for his help. He couldn't just waive fees, or risk his court turning against him. He couldn't afford enemies being made so close to his inner circle.

He couldn't just leave them, though. Not after he'd seen the injustice of it all.

Stuck in his own thoughts, he was drawn out of it by a snickering laugh.

"Just set them free." A voice followed, "You are our King, aren't you?"

Nightmare then found his eyes drawn to the skeleton.

The others had eased themselves away from him. He stood, now, almost alone. He seemed unbothered by speaking up, his sockets held in an almost lazy posture. Tension going completely un-held.

He grinned up as the King, and seemed to watch contentedly as the thought settled in Nightmare's skull.

He could do that. Simply waive their charges. Pardon them. He could do that, surely. Many royals had done it before him for less certain terms. His mother had plenty of times.

"And you are guilty. You'll still be hanged. You know this, don't you?" Nightmare asked.

That was when the Skeleton's lazy sockets seemed to tighten with a sort of glee. Some hidden joke Nightmare wasn't privy to.

"Hmm." This was a poor choice. This was a bad decision. "Tell me, quickly, how you came to be here. Before I proceed?"

Nightmare didn't know why he was asking. He was... curious. Just like he had always been.

Very few people would ever speak straight to his face. Ccino, that was the only one who'd done it since his change. Since the prophecy. This skeleton had done it. He'd spoken when no one else could muster even a plea.

The silence he seemed to bring to every room. Broken, just briefly.

The skeleton stared at him a moment.

"Name's Killer, your majesty." The tone was mocking. "A while back a buddy of mine got into hot water, and I decided to help them out. Now, plenty of bodies later, I'm the one stuck on death row."

Simple. An admission of guilt.

Nightmare stared at him some more.

Finally, it seemed his frantic guards had noticed him. Found him. They rushed to his side, though not as fast as he would've liked. He could feel the frustration seeping from each armored body around him.

"You don't have an aversion to it," Nightmare voiced, "Killing, I mean."

Killer nodded. Unashamed.

It felt strangely calm, still. Perhaps it was because the crowd was still chattering. They likely hadn't noticed Nightmare at all.

The king turned to the city guard, still stood on the steps. "Free these four people. My judgement decrees them as not-guilty."

And, before any time could pass in the slightest. "Killer, I would like you to accompany me, before you abscond."

He'd noticed it. Killer had undone his cuffs before their conversation. Completely freeing himself from his weak imprisonment.

Killer seemed amused at the concept of sticking around to chat.

"If you would, I would like to recruit your services at my castle. I need a man who is willing to kill. And kill swiftly." Ccino said to establish an image. It was obvious now that his reputation would remain in the gutter, no matter what choices he made. He was not Dream.

Killer's sockets narrowed.

"And what would I get for being your little hunting dog?" Again, it was bold. It was new.

Nightmare was sure his expression hadn't changed since he'd come before the group. That same angry glare that sat permanently along his skull. The magic had an image to project.

His tendrils flicked, slightly.

"Payment, room, Fresh meals, and any other amenities you may like, so long as it does not break our treasury." He replied, "All I ask is that you simply obey me. And Me alone."

Not true. He'd probably ask for him to listen to Ccino as well. Once he knew for certain he'd stay.

Killer seemed to be thinking. He eyed they king, up and down. He looked to each of the guard around the king. The ones who were back in position now, though Nightmare could feel their annoyance. Their confusion.

Then Killer turned.

Then he turned back.

"Mm. Can't be worse than the ol' noose." Killer replied. "Funny way to run a country, my king. Hiring the first murderer you spot?"

Nightmare didn't humor that with a response. He was honestly shocked the skeleton had even agreed.

Though, all of that negativity had been swapped out for a glee. Something deep in Killer had changed during their brief interaction. A hope. Night could barely grasp the edges of its existence with his subconscious. But it was there.

.

He ignored the crowds as they grew confused. He ignored the worry pouring from the criminals as he had them released and informed them of their pardon.

He did not ignore when his guards told someone to keep their distance. He glanced up. Killer was standing beyond the guards, looking bored.

Nightmare, trusting fool he was, didn't even ask a guard to watch him to ensure he stayed put.

"Stand down." He ordered the guard, who begrudgingly allowed the skeleton to smugly slip past.

His tendrils kept the monster at a distance Night preferred all on their own. He seemed to take the hint.

"They're all gonna be dead by morning, you know." Killer voiced easily.

Nightmare turned to him, confused. What did he mean by that? He'd pardoned them?

"Are you deaf? The crowd wanted us dead, especially me." He chuckled, "Leaving them here is definitely going to get them killed. If the crowd doesn't rip them apart the second you leave, then it'll happen at night. There will be no witnesses."

Oh... Night hadn't fathomed that these people could turn on the innocent once declared. It hadn't even crossed his mind. Did they have a home to return to? A family they put at risk?

The noose was a fast death, but being murdered? That would've been so much worse.

He could tell, by the way they evaded looking at Killer, that he was right. Nightmare would be sentencing them to a new sort of death if he did it like this.

But he didn't have time for a trial. Or several. The sun was going down, abd Ccino expected him back. The castle needed him present, or they might revolt.

Someone might hurt Ccino.

Oh, he was such a poor ruler. He did not know his people well enough. How he lamented the lessons Dream had taken about crowds and current issues abd how to be likeable.

Night didn't know how to handle this. He was still learning!

A trembled in his hand. He tucked the limb quickly away from where it had been lightly clutching his tunics thick fabric, now hiding it beneath his cloak.

"Killer is right. It won't be safe here, for any of you." He spoke. Thank the gods it didn't sound as shaken as he felt. "I extend an offer to you all. You may stay here, or you may come take up positions among my staff back at the castle. Unlike Killer, I do not expect any crime from you, but you will be paid and housed."

The offer was met with a roar of frustration from the crowd, Nightmare chose to allow his guards to handle it. He watched, carefully, as the four looked between eachother.

The brothers agreed first. (They introduced themselves as brothers as they knelt in thanks.) Then the Dog. She said she had no family left to watch over, starting a new life would be for the best.

The flame refused, saying they would leave town by morning, and try to stay safe.

And so, Nightmare left the town with four new party members. Each had been provided a horse, each tied to one of the guards. Aside from Killer, whose steed was held personally by Nightmare.

He figured Ccino would chew him out for this, for bringing criminals into the castle when he was sent to collect soldiers, but Nightmare had a good feeling about these ones.

They did not hate him. Or fear him. He was helping them. And it felt good.

[fangirlanxiety74]

IHNMAIMS Insert Reference

Name: Sara Estelle Nickname: Sunshine The Girl Next Door

Picrews by AlliMocha and Fuzenia Note - Fuzenia picrew is edited.

Do you know the feeling of forcing a smile?

Pretending that everything is okay; that everything will work out, despite knowing you're only lying to yourself and everyone else? Imagine if you had to do that, all the time, no matter what sort of pain you went through. Could you last?

Sara had always been a people-pleaser. Raised to be since birth, and never really grew out of it, despite her many attempts to. Hey, no one's perfect. No one can keep a happy face 24/7. But she wanted to. The many nights of panic attacks, meltdowns, and tears were proof of that. She wanted to be a "good" person. To be a "perfect" person that everyone liked being around. And in her eyes, no one liked someone who came off as awkward, aggressive, quiet, stubborn, etc. No, they liked happy, cheery, agreeable girls.

"They" just so happened to include sentient computers.

She should be grateful, really. He fixed her.

She'll never not smile again :)

---

Yes, hello, tis me. Literally! This is my ihnm self-insert who's torture is essentially the inability to be unhappy! Not to say she can't *feel* unhappy ever, but more like... Is not allowed to express she's unhappy without some sort of punishment :3 Which means everyone's gotta deal with a girlie who's Pinkie Pie levels of happy, at all times! That definitely won't go wrong!

I mean, really, her fault. She has so many emotions, and the ability to feel them all. To cry, to laugh, to be angry. She's the one who took advantage of it by never appreciating the full spectrum of all she could feel. The one who decided to force herself into that tiny little box. AM just decided to tape the lid shut! He's helping! Shouldn't she be thankful for that? She should be happy he helped. Won't she just smile for him? Just once, sunshine?

Really, truly, this is all based on my own struggles if you can't tell lol. But I won't get into it.

I don't have ideas for a specific cage or psychodrama. I know her psychodrama is very cutesy and silly in the most horrific way, and themes around a Birthday Party (Happiest Day themed, for all my FNAF fans).

It's fun! This is fun! If anyone has any questions about her, please let me know. She's definitely very precious to me, and I really don't mind getting into her and how she works.

Oh, and, for anyone curious...

Since yk. Like I said, she's got the full spectrum of emotion at her hands! And well, that includes love in forms. So, makes sense she'd have a silly crush on someone for extra torture, right? Well...

... She does, indeed, have her eyes on someone. :3

Hope you like it!! This reference goes out to you @ams-puppy :3

[backjustforberena]

"It is ill luck to look upon the face of death." RHAENYS TARGARYEN, 1x8 & 2x3

[mizzical]

F it, im compiling all my dra sketches below because i kind of miss drawing dra stuff

[thatswhatsushesaid]

shitpost dispatches from across the jianghu - mcsweeney's internet tendency edition

note: sources inside the cloud recesses confirm that hanguang-jun is not actually sorry

[crayycrayon]

"nooo mariana and john are gonna get together" get a grip. like seriously fucking get a grip. you guys are so in for "MEN CAN DATE IN CANON MATERIAL!!" but a fucking male and female friendship is too much for you to handle??? can you guys fucking grow up. their interaction in the most recent was so fucking clearly platonic. he literally has a scene extremely similar scene with sherlock.

you guys just hate women. its incredibly blatant. im fully serious. if you got angry at the mariana scene but you were fine with the sherlock scene its not because you "want representation", or because you're "scared of queerbaiting" (which btw s&co isnt even doing!). its because you hate women in key roles. seriously try to explain to me how watching the ONLY MAIN FEMALE CHARACTER actually grow and develop with her male cast and being upset at that isnt blatant sexism.