#breaking the final rule

[shouldprobablybereading]

AITA for taking an overseas position without consulting my wife?

Throwaway in case my wife sees it.

I (51m) was recently offered the job of my dreams, it came out of nowhere but fits with everything that I have worked towards for the last 30 years. Really the opportunity of a lifetime and will allow me to actually make a difference. However I would be required to move out of the country very far away, with limited ability to travel back and forth. At first I was ecstatic and said yes pretty much immediately, but when I was speaking with my colleague on zoom he kept telling me that I was getting in over my head. And then my recruiter seemed to think it was weird how quickly I agreed.

My wife (47f) and I have been fighting a lot more lately. She keeps complaining that I am not involving her enough in my life and gets annoyed when I spend time with my friends. I’m starting to get the feeling she resents me for never becoming as successful of an engineer as she wanted to. Which is ridiculous since the truth is that she simply never had what it took, and I don’t think it’s fair for her to be angry at me. She also gets angry with me when I tell her this, for some reason. If I tell her about the job offer I am sure she will go crazy.

Thing is, if I don’t take this position I know they are going to ask my brother (47m) instead which I am certain would be a disaster. He is really successful in our field, but he is reckless and throws himself into things head first. With a skull thick enough that I would not be surprised if he could survive a rockslide. It feels like I have been babysitting him since we were children and I am scared of what he would do without my direct supervision. If they put him in charge I am sure it would burn to the ground. His wife died a while ago and he did not take it well, so he and his boys (13m & 17m) have been staying with us for a while to sort things out. Which is actually a reason why I am not as comfortable leaving, you see I am not comfortable with how much time my wife and he are spending together. They were friends before me and my wife met, it was how we were introduced, and while they never dated I am also not an idiot. You do not keep friends of the opposite gender and bring them to parties without there being some interest. I am afraid that if I leave they might start something.

My children (28f) and (21m) are both adults, so they are no real reason for holding me here. I have paid for both of their college educations as well as my son’s wedding last year. So clearly I have done everything that is expected of me. I would have done the same for my daughter, but she seems hellbent on getting her PhD and seems to get upset whenever I suggest that she should try to settle down. Which is actually really annoying because if I am actually leaving then I need her to have a husband who I can leave the family company to, as my son is the only person I know who is potentially more of a loser than my brother.

I don’t think I have done anything wrong, but my coworkers do not seem to agree. So am I the asshole? I just want to make a difference and be away from all of this mediocrity.

[currentlyonstandbi]

[doux-amer]

[starry-bi-sky]

okay a few more danyal al ghul au memes because i think they're funny to make. with bonus yaelokre danyal memes!

yaelokre! danyal 🤝 threes! danyal: being five years older than damian

yaelokre danyal comes from my oneshot right here. however, i would frankly recommend reading the version i put on ao3 because it's been edited and includes more content! shout out to my boy, he's got amnesia </3

Do i think that the LOA has technology in it? Absolutely I do. LED lights but in 3000k warm white instead of the jarring bright sterile white, if they've got glass windows they're those solar panel glass panes my college natural science building uses that detects sunlight position, which in term controls the lights, which in turn saves energy. Amber lights for outside, solar panels. Just. anything environmentally sound and friendly, they've got it, they use it.

Do i think they've got computers and tvs lying around for casual recreational use? ....that i'm not so sure about. For this au? I'm gonna say nooooottt really. That stuff is typically reserved for like, mission planning, debriefing, research, etc. Frankly danny probably does know how to use a computer, however i thought it was funny if he didn't. so the meme is staying in lmao.

If they're not training, they've probably like, got a greenhouse or two somewhere on base they can help with. The LoA's whole thing is balance, harmony, restoring the natural world with extreme environmentalism. All that jazz. Probably plenty of ponds, recreational areas outside, gardens, just, stuff to do that's not technology based. My most basic understanding is that these people are the world's deadliest hippies. They can't be training all the time, that's neither good for morale nor for their bodies, so when they're not training... they're off doing shit. If Ras has kept this thing running for thousands of years then it’s gotta be pretty lit enough that nobody’s revolted lmao.

[ghost-bxrd]

Prompt:

Damian hates Timothy Drake. Hates him from the bottom of his heart. This pretender, this false son, the—

The boy about to be trafficked to the highest bidder.

Does… does Damian really hate him enough to allow this?

[nshi-ao3]

I, uh, accidentally deleted the ask, but-- I got asked if I could draw a little Akechi... and I do need to test out my new tablet, so... Here you go??!

(It's... a reference to this. Make of it what you will??)

[lesbitching]

it’s nowhere near the worst interpretation and i do understand how it could be assumed or even be compelling if you’re very interested in the lords in black but one of my biggest pet peeves is the interpretation that the lords in black are manipulating grace and deliberately driving her to where she ends up the entire play. such a big part of what makes grace work is her role as the driving force in the play, an active agent who’s actions directly lead to all the calamity and tragedy that occurs later through sheer religious guilt, desperation and neuroticism. taking even some of that autonomy away from her makes her significantly less compelling.

[dykedvonte]

omg hi if it wouldn't be a bother i'd love if you could expand on your perspective on curly's character representing how patriarchy, rape culture, etc, negatively effect men?

I think Curly is there to represent the idealic person for the scenerior but in a lot of wrong place wrong time and a sort of deconstruction.

Curly’s enabling is never just the “He wouldn’t do that, he’s my friend, I know him.” type. Yes, he is not nearly as concerned as he should be with Jimmy’s behavior but he’s not completely blind to how he can be and is aware that Jimmy is just a guy who had it rough. He clearly is very keen on keeping Jimmy calm for the trip, very accommodating to all of them in a way that he honestly should be but can be used to explain away favoritism. If everyone can get away with a little something than it can then be extended to Jimmy. A big problem of Curly’s is he extends to much curtesy to everyone which a lot of people ignore to just focus on Jimmy and his relationship.

In specifics of rape culture, he’s the sad truth of people don’t immediately cut off the abuser. There is a lot of this in irl cases that can range from the inability to open the selfish not wanting to but here it’s because his relationship with the abuser is also not healthy/abusive, falling into the former with how confined they are despite how it can be seen as bros protecting bros due to how underplayed emotionally unhealthy relationships between men can be. His relationship with Jimmy is not just one of wanting to protect him from himself but keeping him docile, safe to bring around others. There is a tension in almost all of their private scenes where Curly is trying hard to make sure his words are understood and don’t set him off. It’s subtle but real and an aspect of RC that gets overlooked when it’s comes to men coming forward themselves or on behalf of others. The way they can’t directly oppose each other because their safety may be the least of their concerns. They know men and in this case he knows this man won’t target him but the others, especially Anya, case point: not wanting her to tell Jimmy alone.

There is an inherent intimidation that can also happen in male spaces we see Jimmy use due to the specific social condemnation effect he has with Curly. Even if he is a bad friend to Curly, he is a dear friend and a lot of apprehension with men on the side of Curly in RC comes from that social anxiety, that fear and the very real idea you or the person you were trying to help will be further retaliated against/isolated just like we see happen to an extreme in canon. We don’t know how much Curly and Jimmy interacted between the party and the crash. We can assume they didn’t at all or perhaps went on as normal, but we know something changed after the conversation with Anya both at night and in the cockpit.

I think the card being in the locker shows he was gonna make the complaint, taking her ID to get her numbers for the report as it isn’t there before hand. With the recent reblog of how complaints have to be filed, he was likely storing it, possibly it was close to a time he could send something if it was even possible. Though everything was inevitably too late.

Curly is the ideal man on paper in terms of a patriarchal system. In shape, handsome, the top of the pecking order, competent or otherwise on top of his perineal duties. The issue is he is deeply unhappy just as someone like Jimmy who reflects all the negatives. This should be what he wants but he’s realized it’s unfulfilling, boring and he’s given up too much of himself to get up a ladder he doesn’t even remember why he climbed in the first place. He is not keen on keeping that status, I am a contrarian in thinking he honestly didn’t care if the report when on his record, more so he was in shock it happened at all. Didn’t want to believe his friend actually did it and he of all people would have to be the one to turn him in for it. It’s selfish and it’s a personal thought but it’s real. It’s denial because even if you know it’s for justices sake, you grieve the friendship you had and the perceptions that were shattered. It’s not supposed to sound good or noble or kind because it isn’t, it’s human.

All together I think Curly represents a big way these systems negatively affect the men that everyone assume benefits. He’s unhappy with the power he has because it ties him to responsibilities that bring him no fulfillment, he also gets retaliated against by Jimmy because he was never immune and in a way was aware of it. He’s unequipped and nervous to handle such a delicate situation because it isn’t protocol, there’s no protocol. He followed the rules of all the concepts mentioned, trying to do the right and normal thing and it either left him with nothing to show for it or damned him and others in the end.

This is a shorter post than I would write but I just feel like I’ve tackled these aspects so much individually or in lumped together posts that unless it’s something specific I will just create run on tangents.

[emelinstriker]

FAQ - Eternal Servants AU

This post is mainly just to clarify some bigger questions for newcomers regarding my Lego Monkie Kid AU.

Check DISCLAIMER/CONTENT WARNINGS first if certain topics, such as the Nezha discourse, don't come up here.

This post is subject to be edited and changed. I may add more questions in the future.

Why are the characters' eyes void-black?

It's a sign of their infection having reached a certain point. It shows their personalities have been altered, and part of their memories erased, in a way. Their void-black eyes give them night vision, but are also a lot more sensitive to very bright lights.

Why do they all have a white streak in their hair?

It's the Judge's personal mark on the characters he is in charge of. They're deemed as "his creations", even if he hasn't actually physically created them. He has created and altered them specifically for the board. Characters with already white hair tend to have different signifying marks instead. Such as Ao Lie, who has dark green, fading into void black, claws. Those are the marks of the Guardian. Additionally, these have been present on the Champions before they even got infected.

How would the champions react if (insert clearly happy/sad scenario)?

Pretty sure I don't need to answer this as the answer would be clear. In general, the Champions react to mostly their Master's emotions and strife to make them as happy and comfortable as they can. Sometimes it does depend on the Champion and situation's context. But I've received a lot of asks where the response would pretty much be roughly the same reactions, and I'd rather not have to copy and paste the same response.

Why do the Champions have brandmarks?

Brandmarks, in the world of the species involved with the AU, are seen as honormarks that signify one's rank/status. The species in question is rather brutal and lives on a more raw and primal version of the "survival of the fittest" mentality. With their lack of resistance to heat and fire, they're branded as a way to show their rank or faction. Certain marks give more permissions and rights than others, and some may have obtained multiple marks. Brandmarks for them and the Champions are seen as honormarks, but the lowest ranks may disagree. In ESAU, it's the same concept since the palace has adopted many aspects of that species. Though, the process of obtaining these marks is ironically less painful than what the other species goes through.

When is the AU taking place?

The strange happenings started when the Monkey King vanished after having sealed the Demon Bull King away.

Where are the Lady Bone Demon and the Mayor? Are they behind this?

They're not behind the strange happenings nor do they have any influence on the Champions. There was an idea of adding them in a certain way to tell bonus lore. Though, they probably won't be officially added unless I decide to make a full-fledged story for the AU. Such as a full X Reader (not one-shots) or a comic series. Which was also an idea.

What are the rules set by the Judge? And why have they been put in place?

1: The Master must be fully human. For one, the Reader is the human being behind the screen. On top of that, the soul being used for the Master is the exact same human soul from my old Undertake X Reader books, such as "Castle's Pet". 2: The Master must not have powers/inhumane abilities. Again, the Reader is the human being behind the screen. This rule also serves as a way to balance out the dynamic between the Master and Servants. If they have powers, they're not in any need of powerful servants. That does not mean the Reader can't learn self-defense or use weapons you would see people use in real life. Some Champions even encourage this and would offer to teach their Master self-defense. 3: The Champions must not leave their own world. This rule applies to the canon, not any fanon crossovers that have no impact on the canon stories. It's been put in place to avoid the Master System from breaking. After all, if the Champions suddenly vanished from the board, the Master would be unable to play. On the other hand, the Master may leave the board, as long as the soul borrowed is being kept intact and being returned. 4: Upon the death of a Master, any related individuals to that Master must no longer stay in the palace. This rule is for the sake of the Master System. If a past Master's family or friends were to stay, and the next Master shows up, there would be a clash in storytelling. If a Reader's story as a new Master begins it shall not be 5: It is advised to adhere to the orders of an Overseer. If the Oracle appears with a task for a Champion, there is a reason for it. Be it to benefit the Champions, Master, or the game. Failing to comply may result in the Judge having to personally intervene. Though generally speaking, the Overseers won't intervene unless it's to preserve the Master System and make sure the next Master doesn't have to live with any extreme consequences left by a previous Master.

If a Master has children, what happens to those family members getting kicked out of the palace after the current Master dies?

If the children are from a non-Servant/someone from outside the palace, such as a person the Reader met before meeting their Champions, they can live on as normal. Other than being asked to leave the palace to make way for the next Master and not disturb the System, of course. If they're from a Servant, generally no Overseer would intervene either unless they children are immortal. If they're only mortal, the Champions are free to visit their children, but they must never forget where their priorities lie. If multiple Masters have children with the Champions, they usually don't stick around and visit for more than maybe one or two generations before putting their focus solely on their Master... Not that the chance of survival for the children would even be high enough to live till they're old anyway. The infection would get to the children too, and they're not as resilient as the Champions. If they're immortal and remain alive during the existence of multiple Master, this can clash with the life of future Masters and mess with the System. In such rarer cases, the Judge may appear and deal with the issue at hand himself. We don't go into the details.

How is a new Master selected?

Lore-wise, it's pretty much a randomized process as the Master's soul freely pick where and when to reincarnate. Realistically though, the Master is usually the person behind the screen. The AU allows for anyone behind the screen, no matter their gender, race, religion, sexuality, etc., to be a Master, if they so choose to be. Do keep in mind the unspoken rule of the Champions though. They may be willing to serve their Master no matter how they look like and all that, but that doesn't give the Reader a pass on being a piece of shit towards previous or future Masters. Such as disrespecting the shrine that has trinkets of previous Masters. It holds the exact same meaning as going up to another person and disrespecting them for being different from oneself. The Servants can still just kill their Master, after all. There's no rule saying they can't. There's no need for any big reason either. Being a jerk towards other Masters is all it takes. They can simply wait for the next Master and hope they're better.

[grumpysunfish]

Hm. There's this strange idea that reputation does not matter and anybody who cares about it are losers bowing down to the ruling class (and well, that is a part of it) instead of the very real thing that has dire consequences (see: wei wuxian and jin guangyao)

"What will happen to Yunmeng Jiang had they stood with Wei Wuxian and the Wens" is not an open and shut case and maybe all they were going to lose is opportunities for advancements (which by the way is a very serious deal for a war torn region and a sect struggling to find their foothold) but also, it is a very real possibility that they fall with Wei Wuxian.

And hm, there is selfishness in wanting to protect your own over everybody else which jiang cheng is very much guilty of. (Although i'd argue that there is lot of nuance here) But he is also somebody who's motivations are rarely about himself, would put his people above his wants and needs and well being, and would rather eat his own foot than ask anybody to put up/stay with him. Including Wei Wuxian, the guy who supposedly he feels he is owed by. And you know, there's selflessness in that

[bumblingbabooshka]

There's a lot of Voy Crew & DS9 Crew crossovers for good reason but what about Voy Crew meets the TNG Crew so they can confuse and alarm them at every turn? Most Normal Crew Ever vs Most Fucked Up Weirdos Ever - let's go!

[hypmicdaydreams]

is anyone still in the mood for a hypmic imagines blog these days lol

[news4dzhozhar]

[dust-of-embers]

Starkid are quite possibly the only people I know who can write healthy and fun to watch straight people… and they almost always do it with no kiss, the staple of typical romance!

I know a few straight relationships in media that are on par, but they are slim as fuck.

[melonlord527]

"Cool as I Think I Am (Reprise) " from NPMD, stop being Oakworthy plssss challenge

[the-blossica-fan]

Kantilda is a favourite of mine and I am sad it is overshadowed 😭

Sure, Sonetto/Matilda is funny on paper but. I guess I just think Kanjira and Matilda has more chemistry? Personal thoughts, anyhow o7

Granted, I am one of three (four?) people who ship Time & Space/Voyatin (Voyager/Vertin) so that may also be a contributing factor 😭😭

Anyways, back to the madness:

Just imagine how much more chaotic Jessica's time in the SDPM(I can never remember which way around it is 😭) if there were more Arcanists involved from later patches too 😭😭😭

Kantilda is quite cute ngl. It's the way they both underestimated each other only to be proven how great they actually are in their own ways.

What sold it for me was actually that scene when they were sneaking in and Matilda was boasting about being able to climb a wall easily while Kanjira just said "weirdo" but in a nice way. That was so cute!

Granted, I am a multishipper, the only ones I don't really find myself pairing with others are the implied ones since I'm also canon's wife and the big troublesome age gaps for obvious reasons. Still, I wish Kantilda had at least half the amount of content as Sonetilda, as I also like them 😔

It'd be good for Matilda to have someone who's actually looking at her and not chasing after someone who thinks of her as a sister. And Kanjira is also a big silly like her, they're both good together!

Yet, I unfortunately also get why it's not as popular. THE ANGST

This girl (grabs Matilda like showing off a cool pup) can hold SO MUCH angst inside of her.

Anyway back to topic. I do wish for more content of them considering they have this interesting dynamic together.

(also, time & space? As a ship name??? Gosh that's actually such a cool name. Who came up with it I NEED to ask for hand in marriage)

Jessica's time in SPDM was already so messy, god knows what would've happened if she had been released a couple patches later with those wild arcanists.

I don't think anyone from 1.1 would've been there but Kanjira, Ulu, Spathodea, Jiu Niangzi and Getian were 100% there. They needed to learn a couple things to be well adapted to life and oh boy

If Jessica had been there with those guys, chaos ensues.

There's fire everywhere (Ulu's doing, on accident), screaming, Getian is flying around worried, Jiu Niangzi gave drinks to Kanjira and Jessica (oh Lord) and Spathodea is trying to calm down Ulu.

They graduated but BARELY. Like, if you need at least 10 points to pass they went full on 10 exact points, Ulu and Getian got 13 for behaviour.

They are never putting Vertin's most dangerous and/or troublesome arcanists team members in one single place together ever again. They learned the lesson. Some even get flashbacks when they see them around.