#blame the people who ACTUALLY have power!

[spookolette]

not remotely a devil's advocate for trump voters but man... it's so much more complex than this.

people who were sensible politically for the majority of their lives or at least didn't believe in cruelty this overt were manipulated into a cult of personality by misinformation and wealthy creeps in the GOP who took the negative experiences of people and their families and utilized that pain to manipulate their vote. we should not blame every voter - it's okay to be angry with them still, yeah. particularly if you appealed to them as an individual who they care about and they ignored you. the trouble there is painful and the anger you feel towards people who ignored your plight in favor of voting for this guy is beyond valid. still, it's important to remember that a great deal of these voters were manipulated by disinformation sourced from and paid by people who are wealthy and powerful enough to have a vested interest in convincing a great deal of decent to mid to shitty-but-not-evil people into voting directly against everyone's interests, oftentimes fueled by the idea that they are actually Saving You Too through this choice.

are there a lot of people who chose him in their own self-interest, disregarding all others? YES. ABSOLUTELY. but i'll bet you anything the type who consistently votes that way is the type who clings a party close depending exactly on what they believe will benefit them. those folks will always do that. the dangerous aspect to trump voters are the vast amount of individuals who believe wholeheartedly that they ARE helping others, they ARE helping the country. that this choice was, ironically enough, some bitter and frightening medicine that we all should take to become safer. our danger is in the lack of education and the manipulation of individuals with unique beliefs who are at the very least ultimately semi-decent in ideals, but are easily changed by the intensity of ideology.

the people who voted for kamala are not one person.

the people who voted for donnie are not one person.

it is extremely dangerous to base your understanding of people you didn't share your vote with on the idea that all of them shared the same mindset. the concept of using ideological manipulation in well-meaning people to steer democratic choice is not new. it's influenced every past government that involved people in its choices. it's simple enough to become a 20 minute sitcom premise. it happens easily, and at the same time it's difficult to believe for many that don't specifically go down the path ruled by the majority of the wealthy beneficiaries of monsters like the incoming administration.

don't change your beliefs or unblock unpleasant friends and family about this, but do understand that no voter is an amalgamation of all that is evil within donnie's administration. a lot of power-hungry wealthy folks and politicians fall damn close to that concept, but it doesn't benefit you to villainize the average person who got their vote.

it isn't your responsibility to create a conversation with those who voted against human interests in this election, but it's irresponsible to promote a narrative that all who voted for donnie are inherently evil and narcissistic. it doesn't help you and it won't change them.

[r0-boat]

That time of the month guys, You know what I must do...

Whb Kings on your Period

All Kings x AFAB! reader NSFW No sex just extremely suggestive... Blame three individuals

....Wait a minute... If Lilith makes the kids does that mean demon women don't have periods? Probably looking too much into it...

Edit: This is supposed to be a fun post, But at the end of this, I went down several rabbit holes... Please don't be like me don't think 😭

Cw: mentions of pussy eating (You probably know who it is already lol), no . Suggestive,(alluding to sex on. But never happens because demons are fucking weird)

Satan

You're different somehow every month, and he can't put his finger on it. But your short-tempered rage makes him giggle like a teenager and kick his feet. You have such a low tolerance, super BS, and he loves that. And he wants to know why he never smelled this off Solomon before, so it must be you that's different. When Satan asks you, you sigh and put your hands to your mouth before giving him a 20-minute explanation.

...Holy shit? You're what now??? He thought humans creating little people it was crazy now what you're telling him is that humans have the power to shed their skin from the inside and shit it out??? Can he see it?!

... The mental image, He had and the real thing was not what he expected are you okay Oh my God there's so much again. He never wants to see that much blood come out of you ever again. The way you made this man fear more than any angel by that explanation alone. The way you have this man scampering to a human store to get whatever you ask to help ease the pain even if it's just for a little.

When he tells you that demon women don't have periods He swore your rage was emanating off you and Leviathan could probably feel you're jealousy from all the way in Hades.

Hi I think Satan using a period cramp simulator would be very funny and very entertaining...

Bonus non-cannon:

Fem!Satan: Would have the worst periods known to woman. The streets of Gehanna are deserted because the moment something slightly inconveniences her a whole building is collapsing. I wouldn't blame her, her period cramps will hurt worse than Gabriel stabbing a sword through her uterus before punching her in the gut.

Mammon

He'll buy you literally everything. It doesn't matter if you use tampons pads or cups because he's already bought everything. He's either got it from Lucifer or you made an offhand comment about it and he did his own research. He's very proud that he's prepared for his master.

Like he'll already get you everything But when you're on your period you actually have a reason to accept all his things especially if it's junk food. This is awesome! You're letting him pamper you!!! He wishes you can have periods all the time!

(one explanation later) What the fuck? Never mind. Aren't you scared of running out of blood?

He wish he could grant you something that take the way the pain and discomfort easily but Tartaros never really had that problem so they don't really have any solutions. Instead he'll just stick to spoiling you with food.

Watching Mamon's eyes go wide when he sees how much a tampon soaks up water is pretty funny.

Bonus non-cannon:

Fem!Mammon: She hates it. She hates it so much that she spends the money and resources to immediately either go to the human world or recreate a Depo shot or an implant to get rid of it. And she regularly changes it when she has to.

Leviathan

He smelled blood and he thought you were going to get killed. He was literally ready to die protecting you. He was so angry that he got worked up over nothing at first until he saw how much pain you were in.

Beelzebub

Why does your body insist on doing something that harms itself Is it stupid or is your body hating you. If you insist on being useless then you can just lay in bed!

After the initial Levi snark is gone he comes back to check on you. He actually looks really worried and thinks you might die. Freaking out frantic calls tulucifer after initial back and forth Lucifer insists that what they're feeling is normal.

All of the novels will be looking after you He doesn't want you leaving the bed just in case you might trip and die or accidentally get yourself hurt. He genuinely thinks you might die.

He will silently open your door stare at you and see if you're doing all right and then close the door, Rinse and repeat until you either yell at him ask him what he's doing. He will either respond with arguing back.

Bonus non-canon:

Fem!Leviathan: when she's on her period you literally will never see her. She's so glad She connected her bathroom too her bedroom. It's because she sheds her scales she's not joking. She actually does shed her scales on her period Will she show you fuck no. The moment she starts bleeding you're never seeing her again until she stops.

Honestly he was zoning out through half of your explanation until you mention the actual 'bleeding' process. Then you just see him lean inward putting his chin on his hands. So you're telling him... There is a way to consume you without hurting you?

This fucker has to stay away from you 10 ft away. He is SOOOO on board with eating you out. Keep Guy 10 ft away from you He would be absolutely no help except for maybe eating junk food and bringing you snacks.

He will laugh at your horrid, disgusted face because he just loves your cute little reactions. He raises his hand during the lecture on human anatomy to the Kings, and you told him to put his hand back down because you're not answering any of his batshit questions because you know it's going to be the second worst thing you've ever heard.

Bonus non-cannon:

It's okay though he'll never remember you period though he will always know because he could smell it (insert that one meme) he'll deadass forget that humans can bleed like that and occasionally get scared to smell blood on you before remembering.

He's still this day wonders about us question "if He sucks it all out Would the period be over?"

Fem! Beel: she's lost so much of her cute underwear from being forgetful. I could definitely see her getting an implant or Depo so she doesn't have to remember, but she kind of already forgets her appointments, too.

Lucifer

Human menstrual cycle...He's not stupid He was part of the creation when God made humans to breed with one another. He not only sees it as a normal thing but something special that human women have that sets them apart from demons and angels.

He doesn't understand your disgust and hatred by something explicitly given to you and all human women by God.

He offers to change your mind as he gets on his knees and you start adamantly declining and screaming. Now he really is confused....

About half of the other devils are defending your case when Lucifer brings it up at the next meeting. Though it's so split down the middle they end up discussing that topic another time.

As an 'apology' he gives you a basket with a bouquet of white lilies, painkillers and some cut fruits with card telling you to not eat unhealthy foods since it tends to make the cramps worse. And he hopes you get better.

Bonus non-cannon:

Fem!Lucifer: human female menstrual cycle yeah don't they also molt their feathers? No that's just an angel thing?? So demons also don't molt their feathers molting feathers is just an angel thing??? Other she would be super chill on her cramps, she doesn't even care.

Belphegor

The most normal, You want somewhere to rest? Lucky for you his bed is the softest in all of hell he'll make sure to take good care of you and by taking care of you he means sleeping and cuddling with you while his subordinates do all the work.

Periods actually sound like a pain in the ass He hopes he never has one You're absolutely welcome too crash at his place He understands completely about how things might be more irritating when you're constantly in pain.

Belphegor Actually really likes You're listlessness as much as he likes hard work He doesn't mind when you succumb to his sin a little bit. Especially when you're looking so cute laying on top of him. His phone screen is a picture of you smooshed against his chest with a hand on your head.

Another excuse to binge anime that he doesn't want to watch alone is a win in his book. He'll let you watch some of your favorites as well. He's not picky.

Beleth is in heaven taking care of and pampering you and his majesty. He just wish he could have you to himself for 'private' time.... menstruation? Lol a little blood isn't going to scare him.

Bonus non-cannon:

Fem!Belphegor: Nope... The last time they had their first period was when they first woke up, never again... A thousand years of menstrual pain almost put her back to sleep. Ever since she'd been dying trying to get rid of this thing causing her pain as soon as she heard Lucifer can do implants and depots She was the first one who got it. If she ever gets off at again she'll experience the same exact piercing pain she felt.... but That sounds like a problem for her future self.

Asmodeus

He completely compliance but doesn't really understand He still doesn't. After having a wife who had to deal with periods. It's a complete natural thing for the human reproductive system. And oh boy you bet he knows all about that

"You know if you really don't like it I used to have a cure that can take it away for 9 months, Would you like one? Hahah just kidding dear!"

Asmodeus 🤝Lucifer🤝Beelzebub(I think you can fill in the blank)

In all seriousness he really doesn't understand why humans don't like something that's completely natural He understands devils because devils are just naive beings in general and only certain high level angels Who worked with God don't care...

Another Tally on the board that what Asmodeus has that human men lack. Apparently basic women anatomy knowledge.

As much as he would love to take care of you again since he hasn't done that since his last wife. He doesn't think the Kings fully trust him yet so presents it is. He can tell what phase in your cycle by just scent alone, and that's scary.

Bonus non-canon:

Fem!Asmodeus: She doesn't give a fuck You better be on top of her or else she's going to have a problem. She always feels so horny her period.She's horny all the time

"It's going to be a bloodbath >:)!"

"please stop saying that..."-MC

[probablyasocialecologist]

Why, after every electoral loss, is the left always the scapegoat? It’s easier to blame activists for pushing a progressive agenda than confront the real issue: the Democratic Party has long been shaped by far more powerful forces—corporate interests, lobbyists, and consultants—whose influence has neglected the real crises facing everyday Americans. We see this cycle again and again. Contrary to establishment narratives, the Democratic leadership has often resisted advocacy organizations pushing for bold reforms on immigration, Big Tech, climate, debt, healthcare, rent, mass incarceration, Palestinian rights, and for policies like the Build Back Better agenda. This tension isn’t just about differing priorities—it reveals the actual balance of forces in the party. Corporate donors on Wall Street and Silicon Valley pour billions into campaigns, shaping agendas to suit their interests. A consultant class reaps millions from flawed strategies and failed candidates yet continues to fail upward, perpetuating a pattern of mediocrity. They, not progressives, are the roadblock preventing Democrats from becoming a populist force that could disrupt the status quo and win back voters of all stripes. It was these elements within the party that kneecapped the Democrats’ most ambitious efforts to help ordinary Americans. The Biden administration entered with huge plans, notably Build Back Better, which would have delivered immediate relief: expanded child tax credits, free community college, universal child care and pre-K, paid leave, and more. Progressives pushed mightily for Build Back Better to pass. It was centrist obstruction—namely Senators Manchin and Sinema—that blocked those policies. The result was a patchwork of long-term measures like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, whose benefits won’t be felt until 2025 at the earliest, if at all. By failing to pass Build Back Better, Democrats lost the chance to deliver easy-to-understand, tangible economic benefits and solidify their image as the party of working people. And it was corporate Democrats—particularly lobbyists like Harris’s brother-in-law, former Uber executive Tony West, and David Plouffe—who held the most sway over Harris’s campaign. They advised her to cozy up to ultra-wealthy celebrities, Liz and Dick Cheney, and Mark Cuban, and avoid populist rhetoric that could have distanced her from the corporate elites who dominate the party. In 2024, the biggest spenders in Democratic Party politics weren’t progressives—it was AIPAC, cryptocurrency PACs, and corporate giants like Uber, all of whom poured millions into Democratic campaigns without regard for public opinion or the will of the people.

18 November 2024

[ellouchi]

Yet again I see people mischaracterizing Jimmy as some jerk who lashes out on people for no reason and berates them for anything minor like where did you get this from did you actually read any dialogues in the game????????

Jimmy really only threw one shade at Daisuke, he didn't think he was spoilt rich kid he just said he was covered by his parents because he had support system unlike all of them grown up adults. Most of times Jimmy just awkwardly slid off silly things Daisuke said, like the ladies comment or when they were mixing the drink. Daisuke actually trusted and listened to Jimmy throughout the game (to his own detriment unfortunately). Jimmy sent him to the vent because he was the captain and he wasn't going to do the dirty job obviously and if the Swansea somehow woke up Jimmy could shift the blame like he had already got away with. Even when eventually things went to shits we don't see him blaming Daisuke because Jimmy recognised that it was his decision to send him there. Jimmy didn't want to fatally injure him, he tried to "fix it later" which didn't help at all and Jimmy felt guilty about it.

Jimmy treated Anya dog shit half the time it's true but not to the extent some people make it to be. He loves control, he has said so to Curly's face, to ours and that's why he made sure to put her down and belittle her. That's why he (potentially repeatedly) sexually assaulted Anya — because rape is form of power play, he didn't even want her sexually. Initially, Jimmy didn't hate Anya, he just didn't like her and the feeling was mutual. He continued to do bare minimum for her, like when checking up on the crew. If I had to guess how Jim viewed her by the end, then he most likely found her inferior, incompetent, always putting work on his shoulders (or responsibilities he didn't want (pregnancy)), together with being paranoid of her having the potential to ruin his life. That's why he got so pissed off when he saw her crying to Swansea, very likely having already told another person of what he has done. (I'm 100% sure he holds the grudge for telling Curly, who then rushed to "fix things", making Curly seem like a responsible captain which Jim hated.)

Jimmy never made any attempts at understanding or sympathising with Swansea. He knew him longer than Daisuke yet the latter understood him better. Jimmy probably thought that Swansea was an old grumpy man who hated everyone and everything. As the game went on Jimmy just considered Swansea to be nothing but a selfish drunkard (due to immediately assuming he was hoarding cryopod to himself). After the vent incident who Jim blames for the absence of medicine? If Swansea wasn't so stubborn (for like, few times) Jimmy wouldn't have need to spend prescious recourses on him. He could have saved Daisuke instead and fix his fuck up but Swansea ruined it twice. Swan doing arguably the right thing by putting out Daisuke out of his misery only solidified his role as a villain and a threat in Jimmy's eyes, that's why probably as a revenge (for not giving him enough time to think) he went for the gun instead of cryopod like Swansea allowed him to.

And finally Curly. Honestly this deserves a separate book on it's own at this point. It's almost 3 a.m. here so I'll only mention some stuff. Jim aggressively lashes out twice on-screen, first time because he literally lost his dream job, listened to Curly "bitching about having said dream job" and couldn't come face to the fact that Curly was "abandoning him while also looking unscratched from the fall of the ladder" while Jimmy will return to his struggle of life (he didn't even know about the pregnancy yet...). Second time was when Anya endangered Jim's new status as a captain and like I mentioned reminded him that she could fuck up his life even more. Feeling like he was losing control, Jimmy beat up poor Curly who was stripped out of said control by non other than Jimmy. Finally, he was violent off screen by destroying Polle, out of frustration, irritation from the thing, and/or hatred and resentment for the company (que "Pony express is dead" line). In one instance he says "He's mocking us" which confirms that it's about Jimmy's ego.

In conclusion STOP MAKING MY SHITTY CHARACTER SHITTY IN THE WRONG WAYS. This isn't even a full blown analysis of Jimmy's character but accumulation of posts I read and conclusions I came with.

Focus on his already preexisting shitty qualities stop making up new ones ffs signing out.

[siryouarebeingmocked]

Male violence towards women is not motivated by "hatred" towards women. That is an oversimplification.

On whose part?

Are you claiming that the feminists and anyone else who makes that claim is wrong, or are you saying I'm oversimplying what you think feminists really claim?

Because if it's the latter, it's not exactly rare for feminists to explicitly blame abuse on misogyny.

is motivated by toxic masculinity and men not being taught by society to express emotions in healthy and positive ways.

Domestic violence centers are regularly criticized by people who talk about men's issues for supposedly being biased in women's favor and against men.

And leaving that aside, the first link goes

The perception of men is then seen as dominating, aggressive, and unemotional.

A perception feminism itself strongly contributes to. It regularly and explicitly genders abuse.

When society puts so much pressure on men to behave in an unconnected way, sometimes men can begin to normalize power and control as perpetrators. They can also then ignore or not recognize when they are victimized by domestic violence because from an early age males are taught to believe they should be able to handle physical and emotional abuse. Not having recognition of their own victimization can lead to non representation of male domestic violence victims.

Okay. How about the part where society goes "it's not REAL abuse when a woman does it?"

I feel the need to emphasize this, and be clear. Men are generally permitted to defend themselves from assault by other men. But much less so for women.

Men are more likely to be arrested and go to jail, even if they did not lay a finger on a female abuser, and were the one to call the cops. In many places, it's almost explicit police policy to assume the woman was "defending herself".

I have been in and seen extended discussions where people refused to admit a woman could actually pose a serious physical threat to a man, ever, and said anyone who discussed it was clearly just a sexist man who wanted an excuse to harm women.

Note that there were several women disagreeing in these discussions.

Apparently the idea that a woman could grab a weapon was a "hyper-specific edge case", even though I provided an example of a woman who stabbed her larger partner to death with a nail file.

That article is really missing - or ignoring - the single most important part about male victim erasure.

Strangely enough, when I see people discuss this issue in terms of "toxic masculinity", they seldom discuss the female privilege that leads to male abuse victims being erased,

I'm not sure why you thought this was supporting your case about "male violence against women".

Even if it wasn't just an opinion column.

Your second link's strapline says "Young men who subscribe to traditional ideals of manhood are more likely to sexually harass women and bully others."

And then it says,

The researchers surveyed 1,000 young men on their attitudes toward seven pillars of traditional manhood: self-sufficiency, toughness, physical attractiveness, rigid gender roles, heterosexuality and homophobia, hypersexuality, and aggression and control over women.

Except traditional masculinity is strongly against men sexually harassing women, and bullying.

Or hurting women even in self defense.

Also, the fact that you're equating "toxic masculinity" to "traditional, mainstream masculinity" does not actually make feminists look less misandric.

I spent almost my entire post talking about female abusers, and you conveniently managed to find two "sources" that, um, don't actually mention female abusers.

Not once.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[yanderes-galore]

Oooh I wonder what would yandere Shinra as a platonic yandere be like 👀 can I please request that with hcs please with a cherry on top 

I mean... Dude goes to extreme lengths to get his brother back from what I remember. I wouldn't be surprised if he went feral when it came to his obsession either. Sorry this seemed so disorganized. I was overthinking a bit too much.

Minor spoiler warning for the end of the manga, I make small references to it based on what I've seen on it.

Yandere! Platonic! Shinra Kusakabe Concept

Pairing: Platonic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Clingy behavior, Violence, Overprotective behavior, Fear of loss, Isolation, Murder, Blood, Dubious/Forced companionship.

Shinra has always wanted to be a hero in the eyes of the people.

He's had that promise to his mother since he was five.

He's always been one who wants to protect those close to him.

His entire life he's been seen as a devil due to his powers.

He was always blamed for killing his mother and brother.

In reality it was never him.

For most of his life, before he knew Shō was alive, Shinra had been alone.

Then he joined Fire Company 8.

Leading him to meet many new friends in his brigade... Including you.

I feel when it comes to his obsession, he'd want to be a hero but accidentally seem like a devil in the process.

He doesn't want you scared of him... but he can be ruthless with that power of his.

He only wants to use his power for good.

He's also, surprisingly, one to prioritize the mission over his own personal emotions.

Despite that I feel he'd slip up when it comes to you, the one he loves like he would love family.

An important thing to know about Shinra is the fact he's a destructive force.

He always has been with his Ignition Ability... along with whatever happens later in the manga.

He's always been someone who has treasured family.

He used to have a strong connection to his mother and brother when he was young.

So of course I'd see him be overly obsessive and protective towards someone he feels a similar way towards.

When Shinra met you in his Brigade he couldn't help but feel a connection.

You always wanted to help and never saw him as some destructive devil.

You admired his goal to be a hero... You supported him.

Even as Shinra got stronger... He always kept you in mind.

I never finished the manga, but from what I've seen I can tell Shinra's are stronger than everyone else... and just keeps getting stronger.

Apparently Shinra soon becomes stronger than a God near the end of the manga...

Having him as any type of yandere would be terrifying.

Even before he reaches that point, he's incredibly fast and strong.

He's already a powerhouse before his story concludes.

While he always tells you he just wants to protect you, to be your hero...

He could easily eviscerate anyone he wanted if he tried hard enough.

It's... actually scary to think about?

You're clueless and just see Shinra as your best friend, taking down Infernals and helping the populace be less scared of the flames.

All while Shinra is capable of world ending power that he just hasn't unlocked yet.

It's a... subtle danger.

I can see Shinra acting overly protective of you due to him seeing you as his found family.

He acts like a brother to you, always insistent he trains with you and always looking out for you....

With you he smiles genuinely.

He hasn't felt this happy in a long time.

I can see Shinra as a sacrificing yandere.

He'd do anything to see you happy and safe.

He lives for your smile.

Shinra has taken down many strong Infernals in his career.

I can see him taking blows for you to the point he comes out of the battle injured.

He acts like your shield, a destructive force willing to protect the one person her cherishes the most.

You could scold him all you want as he gets patched up...

Even your upset face is proof you're alive and still with him.

Shinra is obviously scared of loss.

He's scared one day the flames will steal you away from him like they did his family.

Honestly if that ever happened, he wouldn't cope.

He may actually snap if his Brigade doesn't get him under control.

He usually doesn't let his emotions drive his decisions.

Yet with you it's difficult.

He often has nightmares of you being made Infernal or another Infernal taking you out.

That fear always settles in the back of his mind like an annoying tick.

That fear is what makes him cling and hover around you, never wanting to look away for even a moment.

Shinra, platonic or romantic, is a force that only seems to be controlled by you at times.

When others ask how he feels about you, thinking his feelings must be something more than a friend, he answers the same thing every time...

"To they're family."

It's innocent enough...

But as his obsession continues, many begin to see how he fights as... devilish.

He has a noble goal, to protect you and all he loves.

Yet there's times he's more cruel than he should be.

There's times he gets too into it... gets too destructive...

It scares you when you realize how much power he has.

You don't doubt Shinra would do anything for you.

He's brave, confident, selfless...

Yet also impulsive, sometimes pushy and demanding....

Shinra is at his calmest when you two are at the Company 8 Cathedral.

He likes to sit by you during work or silently watch the stars with you.

He's admitted to you that he's glad you're beside him... that he sees you as a new family... that he'll do anything to see you safe.

Perhaps even kill, as he soon proves to you during battles against human forces.

Shinra seems fine to be around until he decides some humans need to be dealt with to keep you safe.

Shinra, as I said before, may slip and allow his paranoia to get to him.

He becomes obsessed with being your hero... your friend... maybe even someone you see like a brother...

So much so that he snaps.

At first he's just more clingy or argues with other members too often.

It's nothing big... you try to correct him since you care for him...

But you notice he's off the deep end when he kills someone in front of you.

Your life was threatened by a White-Clad.

You were going to handle it on your own... You had to...

Then Shinra shows up out of nowhere, Adolla Burst spitting flickering flames...

Only for you to see the White-Clad dead on the ground, a hole in their chest, and blood coating Shinra's leg.

When Shinra turns with a nervous grin...

He really does look like a devil, the thought striking fear in your heart as the fact he killed someone settles in.

You try to avoid Shinra after that, but of course he doesn't let you.

He loves you too much to just allow you to leave him.

He knows it's scary to see him do that...

But he does it because he's protecting you.

It isn't long after that Shinra begins to isolate you.

He wants you to rely on him... to see him as family like he does with you...

He isn't going to hesitate harming others if it means you're safe...

You can tell something in him snapped.

He probably snapped after fighting Shō the first time....

Shinra, after killing to protect you and fighting Shō in the Netherworld, isn't the same after that.

Fear drives him and suddenly his actions aren't heroic...

You can no longer see his smile in a positive light... because it's the same smile he makes before killing someone else...

To you he's become a devil, a powerful being unable to be controlled, and you can no longer believe his words when he says he'll protect you...

You hate that his only justification is your safety... He's only a monster to you... Perhaps he never was family.

[sufferu]

Your fantastic writing skills gave me angst I demand compensation. Lol. You gave me a lot to think about and I have to say, in my nearly 9 years of being an avid fanfic reader. A writer never made me THIS invested.

After being abandoned by everyone, do you think subaru will go to Priscilla? She was the only one who saw his side.

I have to say tho I get Subaru's side more. He can't control RBD. If anyone had the power to bring back loved ones they would. I'm sure Ferris wouldn't hesitate to save crush. I think everybody is so upset that they tunnel visioned and didn't do right by him. Everything is outside of his control. He doesn't choose to come back. But he is, so he tries to save more people everytime.

Subaru obviously has issues. And I don't like the way the re zero narrative punishes him for using RBD. Meanwhile, Al is over here spaming reset with no consequences.

The world hates Subaru and the rest of the cast blame him. He is trying harder then ANYONE to LIVE, but they call him a suicidal monster.

I’m so glad that you’re enjoying my fic! That is some high praise right there, lol: I do hope to meet those expectations going forward ;)

Though I will say…I am approaching this from a slightly different angle. For starters — this will be a lot clearer in the actual chapter than it was in this ficlet, but Arc 5 does not go the same way it does in canon, hence how Subaru managed to save EVERYONE and capture/kill literally every attacking Archbishop in Priestella. This is the main reason why everyone is so angry and devastated. If it were canon Arc 5, things might have gone differently. …Then again, Arc 8 DOES exist. So maybe we would have ended up in this situation someday regardless.

But also…well.

Return By Death isn’t JUST a powerful ability that Subaru has access to: it is the epitome of weaponized self-destruction, in which he can literally sacrifice himself over and over again for the sake of those around him whether they like it or not. He is fully capable of taking all their pain on himself, of placing himself in unimaginably horrible situations on other people’s behalf, and doing it for…maybe even all of eternity, depending on how things go. If you’ve ever read The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K Le Guin — Subaru has the potential to basically become That for the entirety of Lugunica. And even worse: if he’s employed as a knight, it is arguably his sworn duty to do exactly that, because a knight is a profession in which one lays down their life for the people they want to protect. What does that turn into when the knight can do that again and again, indefinitely?

The cast of Re:Zero shows every sign that they would absolutely fucking hate the idea of being reliant on something that disgusting. Julius sacrifices his reputation to try and keep Subaru alive, Tivey and Hetaro declare that throwing away one’s life for a cause is a fucking joke, Ferris has this whole thing about valuing life to the point where just a hint of Subaru being suicidal sends him into an actual nervous breakdown, Vincent is raked through the coals for his attempt to sacrifice himself for his country just that one time by both the narrative and the people around him, Arc 4 exists — there’s A Lot that points to most of these characters finding the idea of this cycle of repeated sacrifice bring just AWFUL, and even to the idea that they’d actively take offense to someone attempting to do such a thing on their behalf.

There is one exception to this rule, however, and that is Priscilla Barielle — who actively praises subjects that sacrifice themselves for her, who forces Aldebaran to reset whenever he does something she doesn’t like, who praised Subaru as a brilliant knight when he was (narratively speaking) at his very worst, who symbolizes the mechanisms of fate itself, who’s final moment involved her sacrificing herself for her homeland, and who is in every way the pinnacle of the Sword Wolf that Vollachia praises as the ideal subject (VOLLACHIA, mind you, which is a nation that has the whole Muspel contract going on). Priscilla is an actual monster, an awful personality, and the antithesis of the themes of Re:Zero. So her siding with Subaru in this instance is — completely in character, but it’s one of the most damning things I feel I could have done.

(I am glad that someone was able to actually connect with her though — was afraid that I made her too cartoonishly evil lmao)

As for what’s happening to Subaru now…well, you’re right about the end of that duel being the rock bottom of his character’s state in this fic. But — just because he was fired from his post doesn’t mean he’s being ABANDONED. They can’t afford to abandon a time traveler to be left to his own devices, first of all. But also, even in they’re all Very Angry with him right now…all these people still love him an awful lot. There’s a reason Wilhelm decided to duel him for the position and take the blame for his removal all upon himself, instead of doing something that would leave Subaru more at the mercy of public opinion. And there’s a reason Crusch’s idea of “suicide watch” was basically, “Hey, Wilhelm, do you want a new grandchild?” instead of something like “Let’s imprison him in the catacombs of the Kingdom.” They DO care about him. That’s the problem.

[woman-respecter]

My goal was to be off tumblr for a year but girl I just saw the most absolutely rancid take and needed to tell someone. I saw someone in a youtube comment section (I know, I know) genuinely argue that 4B is insufficiently intersectional because if men aren't having consensual sex, they'll go out and rape more, and since woc, queer women, disabled women, etc experience disproportionate rates of sexual violence, it'll be them getting raped probably, so going 4B is actually sentencing less privileged women to be raped. I genuinely think my brain is broken from that. "If you don't have sex with a man it's your fault if he rapes another woman" is one of the most insane things I've ever seen someone try to spin as leftist and that is fucking saying something. Like I could sit here and list all the reasons that's wrong but. Oh my god.

They started off their insane essay with this: "I heard a good point, and someone described this as taking a toy from a petulant child. (The toy being seggs, not women). If the child isn’t made to understand why the toy was taken away, they will continue to keep saying how unfair you’re being. And they might just steal a new toy from someone else if they don’t get their way." I LOVE how predatory men are children that have to be handled gently and delicately and have it explained to them with a little Blue's Clues song why they aren't getting laid, and if you don't do that you're responsible for their actions. Men are adults! Men CHOOSE to rape women! Why are we blaming women for men's actions! Why are we doing that and CALLING IT FEMINIST??? Like I thought we agreed that men don't rape due to a lack of consensual sex, they rape because they like having and exerting power over people? I thought that was like, one of the basic things we talked about in rape culture 101?

Jesus fucking Christ. I know that person sat back after writing their dissertation so satisfied with themselves for being One Of The Good Feminists, intersectional and socially aware and apologetic of their privilege, not one of those evil radfems who think men should be held responsible for their actions.

Anyways sorry for subjecting you to this but it actually broke my brain in half and I needed someone else to suffer with me.

omg first of all hey girl its been a while! good to hear from you even if it’s in this shitty scenario!

and yeah, what a rancid, yet not unexpected take. blaming women for men’s actions is like. classic misogyny. like i am a certified misandrist but even i don’t believe that the majority of men will go out and rape random women just because they’re constantly rejected. and even if they would it is NOT the duty of any woman to give a man sex that she doesn’t want to give, just to protect hypothetical other women. that’s such a shitty guilt trip. in that situation it would be a category 5 KAM moment, if giving in to sex was the only thing we could do to prevent rape.

[nerdylilpeebee]

How? Unless that man is specifically doing something that benefits them, how does the average man benefit from a powerful man saying "we are better"?

No, half the internet is NOT saying that. XD and have you ever stopped to think for even five seconds why young boys are following people like Andrew Tate? Cuz it's not "they hate women" it's "the left hates men so much and makes this known as much as they possibly can, making young men vulnerable to radicalization." How, btw, should men oppose it? They do not have the power to do anything about the men in power, who are the ones with the power. So unless you're expecting them to burn society down, what, beyond what so many of them are already doing (funding feminism, marching with feminists, being pro-choice, etc) do you expect them to do?

"they don't care about us and never have" the very fact feminism exists at all is proof that's a load of bullshit. XD if men are so much more powerful than women and it was even just a majority of them that didn't care about women at all, women would not have rights, let alone a multi-national social group capable of influencing governments. And no, actually, most of them are not sitting on their asses and men who aren't ultra-contraservative only push back against feminism because of the rampant man-hate present within the movement. You can't treat people like they're the world's greatest evil and not have a bunch of them push back against you.

Men still kill themselves more. Women only attempt the same because they survive to repeat. If you don't think that matters, there is something wrong with you.

Women aren't blamed, your role in them is simply acknowledged. You are over half of society, if you think that means you cannot contribute to the other half's issues, again, there is something wrong with you.

Yes, you literally did. By saying women everywhere were oppressed.

Men's issues are just as large as women's. Men don't even get help for theirs, not even from women, who according to you should be the better more compassionate sex.

But sure, Hun, keep living in your delusion that men don't care about women's issues and women magically can't have any effect on society that isn't positive. It sounds fun to live in.

Men haven't been, and will never be oppressed.

I'm so full of rage whenever one tries to speak to me about social issues, complains about the suicide rate, the draft, whining how in this day and age men are not being catered to; so used to being adored by doing the bare fucking minimum.

They think they are oppressed? It's laughable. Maybe I'll listen the day a man gets barred from travelling or leaving the house without a female guardian. When he has to cover every inch of skin, including his face and not speak in public. Where they are forced into underage marriages or killed in honour killings. When a man gets denied an education, a bank account, his reproductive rights. When male children are abandoned or killed at birth for no reason but their gender. Perhaps when they are the most raped, murdered, abused and trafficked gender.

Only when they finally get a taste of what women have been enduring for centuries, under their hands and laws, maybe they will finally understand just a little bit.

Until then, I simply refuse to care.

[funkle420]

Don't fucking blame Palestinians and the people who support them for this. Don't blame people who couldn't bring themselves to vote for a genocide-loving centrist for this. Even if all of them voted for Harris it wouldn't have changed the outcome.

The blame you put on the people belongs on HARRIS for refusing to explicitly promise an end to weapons and money to Israel, and end to America's enthusiastic support of the genocide. She refused to listen to the bipartisan majority of Americans who want an end to the genocide! This is not democracy, there is no choice and the people don't have enough leverage over our president if every single election is a choice between the rapid end of the world and a slightly slower end of the world.

[worstloki]

there is a difference between being born to a throne, maliciously vying for a throne, stealing a throne, and having a throne thrust upon you when you are already in the midst of an identity crisis. And I fear Loki's place in the line of succession has people unable to differentiate between any of these

[hotcupoteckla]

Hi

I feel sad about this, but if your response to somehow being "unaccounted for" is to actively vote against your best interests and the group that you want to have accounted for your existence and feelings...

Who did that help? How did it help?

I get the frustration.

I am close to double your time being on this planet and I personally am tired of giving sympathy and room for feelings to people who should know and do better and refuse to because their feelings were hurt.

Yes, I really do want us to all get along and heal, while including everyone.

But part of that requires putting your hurt "Not Me! I AM A GOOD PERSON!" feelings aside and do the work to get the change done, which includes voting for people who said at one point you're not invited to the cookout right now.

Like you have to demonstrate how it is not you, and it wasn't ever you, in order for it to actually not be you.

Otherwise, it was you all along.

People who have to fight for a place in our society should not have to be polite to those with more access and power or be forced to suffer. That's bullshit.

People who support an intolerant platform?

We MUST exclude them until they change their support - we cannot tolerate intolerance: those who do so violate the social contract and tolerate systemic violence.

As much as I don't want to exclude anyone, they have excluded themselves by acting party to that intolerant behavior.

I am also sick of the blame game that certain members of a certain party are trying to tout, because it's clear how right of center they really are, let alone being on the "left" side of the scale.

I too want to make progress for everyone in our society, and the Only way we can do that is by keeping our steps forward facing, and working together in our communities, both small and large.

I'm sorry that we are both tired; I hope you take care of yourself and take the time you need for that self-care guilt free.

I wish I could tell you it does get better, but I can't say for sure.

I do know if we look at history, It Can Get Better, and that's worth fighting for, even if it's just fighting against apathy and NIMBY attitudes in your neighborhood.

I hope this helps you feel less tired, gives you some things to look up, and some gumption to face the bad actors you know.

Remind them they should be the change they want to see in the world for me.

"Leftist" Rant

I'm lowkey so tired of calling myself a leftist. Every time I talk to another person, a man, woman or nonbinary person, trans, cisgender, queer BIPOC or Indigenous, there's ALWAYS someone taking the hit for something, somewhere.

I'm a firm believer in human rights. I believe humans shouldn't be controlled by a governing body but citizens should control it. I believe in fighting today a better tomorrow. But goddamn am I so tired of hearing how every time there's something good, it comes at the cost of the blood of another.

No, not all men are bad. Not all white people are bad. No one group of people is evil, and we shouldn't be demonizing any groups of people for any reason. White people need to recognize privilege, but everyone is taught to be wary of other people because of the circumstances of our forefathers or our own personal experiences.

It comes back to the, why can't we just be fucking people? What is so hard about opening your heart to other people's struggles, learning from them and loving them even if they hate you in return? Why do we care about the color of people's skin, or their sexual/gender orientation? Why can't we celebrate life, and celebrate love no matter the form it takes? It's so aggravating. No one should have to feel uncomfortable for who they are or choose to be. I'm so tired of leftists pushing white men out for being white men. I'm so tired of leftists pushing out black people for being black, and indigenous people for being indigenous. The movement isn't supposed to be about specific people, it's supposed to be about the betterment of ALL people.

The betterment of HUMANITY. We're all fucking human. It's aggravating when people try to gauge how human you are about how many minority points you can score. I've seen the ugliest of people, I'm watching a genocide unfold before my eyes. A climate crisis that threatens to kill us all.

But what I'm hearing is the sounds of drums, because everyone either wants to use it for their own gain, or have different ways of wanting to fix it.

Maybe it's because I'm young, I'm only 21. But god, am I fucking sick and tired of hearing people fight and argue. Most of us are on the same fucking side, and can't we get along? It's the only way we are going to survive. Bridging these gaps and healing the generational trauma. But you can't heal trauma if you're constantly taking it out on everyone around you and giving them trauma. I don't know. But I do know most of the men that voted for Trump in my life, did it because they felt pushed out of the movement. They felt demonized by the Harris and leftist voters. If we focused on being intersectional, on inclusion for EVERYONE, no one would feel left out or unwanted. Shouldn't that be our fucking goal in the first place? Healing ourselves and the climate, living alongside each other in blissful harmony? Isn't that what we all want and crave? To never look over our shoulders, just be able to grow and thrive with no laws about tradition or who we are or love?

I don't know about you, but I like the sound of it.

[alicentflorent]

I didn’t sit here for years tryna stay calm and silent while listening to your bad takes on gale (who grew up oppressed, in poverty and then witnessed his entire district getting wiped out then rightly went to fight in the rebellion because it was his inlg chance of tearing down the system the wanted him and his family dead) being a “terrorist war criminal who is single handedly responsible for killing innocent people including prim and who is the REAL villain of the hunger games” just for y’all to turn and start stanning and defending actual facist dictator and child trafficker Coriolanus Snow because you saw a young hot version of him.

[astralleywright]

the assumption that Imogen (and previously Ashton) never recieved any assistance from the gods because they didn't pray "correctly" is interesting to me. is there some specific procedure for acceptable prayer in Exandria? if you don't do it right is it like texting the wrong number and the Gods just don't get the message? or are they just putting cries for help that don't follow their formatting and content guidelines at the bottom of the pile lmao

[thetrashthatsmilesback]

i watched a compilation of other youtubers complaining about DnP, and when the complaints weren't just "the phandom is annoying," they boiled down to:

DnP are both nice but are aloof/weird/insert other trait that makes talking to them at gatherings difficult.

Phil is nice but Dan's a Bitch who Doesn't Let Phil Talk To Other People (which... Phil is a grown ass man but okay. Maybe he just doesn't want to talk to you but whatever, sure.)

DnP are nice but they queerbait (ig now they're the ultimate queerbaiters since they own a house together lmfao)

DnP are nice but Phil is nicer and Dan is hotter (which,,, I honestly don't know why these clips were included but I'm going to take it as "They're both nice but Dan is more aloof" which is funny because that's a character trait he's said he has for years and as a fellow aloof bitch its very funny to me when people complain about it lmfaooooo)

I'm ngl, the amount of people who were in the compilation just because of the Phandom, or who's complaints boiled down to "DnP are both very nice but very awkward/aloof/stick to themselves" makes me think that they're generally nice and other people just don't understand that not everyone likes talking all the time lmfao

[the-autism-album]

This is, genuinely, the worst take on Revolutionary Girl Utena I've ever seen . Scroll right past if you don't want to be spoiled .

But jesus fucking christ, Utena was able to free herself from Ohtori Academy by admitting she couldn't be a prince . The Prince is an unreachable ideal, and in the end, the only one capable of freeing Anthy was herself .

This is, obviously, not to say that Utena never helped . Of course she did . Anthy wouldn't have been able to escape without the true admission of the prince being unobtainable, unrealistic, and not just that, but the acknowledgement of Anthys pain . Anthy needed the "prince" (as in, whoever had been trying to fill that role) to take accountability instead of pushing the blame on her for rejecting patriarchal notions of gender .

The idea that Anthy is actually the one who saves Utena in the movie is an idea that truly only exists to compliment to the first . They escape mutually, as equals . Neither takes the role of prince, as that role requires the other to embrace total helplessness . They play equally important, powerful roles in their relationship as the vehicle and driver .

These are takes I can only imagine coming from people who truly just turned their brains off and watched the pretty colors while absorbing absolutely none of the morals from this show . It's absurd .

I still think about this. It's absolutely true for our world as well.