#but have been immensely enjoying everyone’s awesome contributions

[nobito203]

A chapter is about to end

2021, I left a job to get back to the US for a Master Degree in Counseling psychology. I was excited because I feel like the US is still my home and our journey together hadn't ended yet, although feel bittersweet to leave the job I was really enjoying.

This time is Pittsburgh, has to be a city. I deferred my admission at the school I didn't know much about besides what my professor in undergrad was marketing to me. She thought it's a great fit for me, so I applied and give it the benefit of a doubt. And honestly, it's been a fun ride with ups and downs.

Grad school hits different. Very hard to make friends and find a community in an environment where everyone has a lot on their plate. But everyone I met are so empathetic. We share about our experiences and lessons vulnerably which I think it's a beautiful thing. It's where we vibe so well, without filters sometimes. I have had opportunities to chat with lot of them and see their point of view. Everyone has their unique stories, but do have some common similarities. I learn that although having a lot going on, people still can connect deeply when they spend time together to talk about how they see life. Empathy soars when I see different views with its pros and cons. Sometimes, all we need is being listened, no solution needed. I might not agree with how you see live because it's the opposite with what I believe, but I do respect your point of view because we're unique. We still can be friends even when we disagree with one another, but we agree to disagree and accept it's a part of us. It makes humans human. Agree??

I found a community at my internship site. I love all people I met there. They're super supportive. Their personality always amaze me. The empathy and sympathy they have are immense. We might unhappy with what others have done but always approach others with altruism. They challenge my perspectives and encourage me to see thing in different lenses. The kids at the site I met showed me how much emotional tolerance I have for others. They emotionally push me to the limit where sometimes I felt like I can burst off, but somehow I managed to calm myself down and treat them with kindness everytime. They're the future and good education is the only way to have a better future. I look at them in a holistic way to decipher how do they behave the way they do, which increases my sense of empathy. I'm extremely happy that I stay here long enough to see the impact I and my fellow interns have on them. Seeing the good impacts we make is pleasant. I'm gonna miss my fellow interns a lot. We made it so far, some left but some still stay till this moment I'm writing this. I appreciate them, I salute the work they're doing. I wish them the best!

I ended a 3-year relationship on a good term. I was passive on how it ended but I actively learned a lot about it. I learned how to not being harsh on myself. I appreciate my ex was being honest with her feeling and made a decision to break up for her own sake. It's definitely not beneficial for me but the honesty remains a highlight. I embrace it. It's totally fine to let thing go and l let myself to leave someone who didn't match the standard I pursue. It is and will always beneath my standard if I have a relationship with someone who doesn't want to be my teammate and has no capacity and emotional maturity to work and contribute to a relationship. It sucks that it's ended but I constantly remind myself everything happened for a reason. So, allowing myself go through the grieving is a huge learning lesson and I kinda enjoyed tbh. I embrace the process and feel like a new person out of it. No resentment and regret. No love is ever wasted, even when it leads to a heartbreak.

The last 2 years of grad school were an awesome journey ngl ☺️☺️. I have learnt so much more about the world and myself. I met new people whom I vibe with, yet still spent some time to revisit old friends who making effort to know what's going on in my life. Y'all are appreciated. Sometimes, I contemplate the life I have: bouncing between cities, starting a routine in a new city, finding a community at where I'm at, missing other things, goodbye people, etc...; and question myself is it all worth it? Every time, the answer is YES, including this time. Those cities, those people, and the experiences I had are making me who I am today. I have nothing but gratitude and empathy to give back. It's going to be a new fun chapter, thanks for tagging along if you get here hehe.

The End!

-No Name

[lilacthebooklover]

@sharky-the-idiot my brilliant, wonderful platonically betrothed. you're so sweet and funny, it's always such a pleasure talking with you and you've been an absolutely amazing friend over the months i've known you. master of roping me into aus, drinker of chocolate gravy, a phenomenal listener. thank you for always being there to just,, listen to me. keep being your perfect self <3

@goldmoth82 one of my first mutuals, you've been both a friend and an inspiration to me over the years. you're simultaneously so sweet and one of the most talented writers i've ever known. one of my fondest memories is being too stressed to sleep one night, then checking my emails to see one of your gorgeously detailed comments on smth i wrote. i then grinned like an idiot, reread it for an hour & suddenly felt so much better than i had before. thank you for keeping together our tiny fandom with me, and for all of your many kind words. it means more than i can put into words [[:

@acacia-may your takes are brilliant, you're genuinely the most polite person i've ever met online. you're a hero fan for the ages with an astounding knack for analysis, and i smile so hard every time i see you reblog something i post. thank you for sharing your beautiful writing and interpretations! :D

@snarky-wallflower your aus are so intriguing, and messaging you is always such a blast! one of my very favourite mutuals in the hatchetfield side of tumblr, all of your recommendations are spot on, and it's so fun to share fandoms with you! thank you for indulging my silly little keysmashes & word vomits :)))

@weltato you're such a lovely person, and it's so so nice to be reminded after longgg days of school that people can, in fact, be decent human beings! exchanging snippets of an au we fleshed out on the fly has provided such a beautiful array of emotions, and i just want you to know how absolutely awed i am at your writing ability. thank you for generally just being here; i always love seeing you on my dash <3<3

@weedkillercentral what started out as ominous messages about the voices in your head, the moon sparing me, and a collection of updates on the status of your legs has gradually evolved into the weirdest friendship i've ever had, and i'm loving it. thank you for always being there to read & comment on my works, and for making me laugh so much over the years :]]]

@inprisonforsparkling i know we don't talk often anymore, but you're still such a fun person to chat with both in comments and dms! your contribution to the hatchetfield fandom has been glorious and immense, and you're definitely in my top 3 favourite writers for its community. i also found out today that you're into ace attorney? that's sick! thank you for all our little conversations; i hope you're doing well :))

@canadianketchup thank you for being such an awesome fandom friend!! i've known you for so long & i should rlly let you know how much i appreciate you more often. you're a wonderful person and i'm proud to call you my friend. thank you so much for tagging me!! :D

there are so so many more but it's nearly 2am and i'm tired as heck. i'm not a person with many irl friends, i haven't been in years, but it's people like you who make tumblr and ao3 such lovely places to be in. these spaces are comforting, they're safe, they're full of some of the kindest people i've ever spoken to. i used to be so nervous talking to anyone or posting anything online, and while lots of that still hasn't gone away entirely, it's so freeing to be allowed to just,, stay away from my life for a while, and enjoy being part of a community with others all over the world. there's just something so nice about being lilac for a while, about having all of these people who care that i exist. i don't need to have met you in real life, i don't need to maintain the persona i've accidentally cultivated around everyone who knows me when i'm talking to you all. i'm not uptight or awkward or detached, or quiet or untouchable or perfect, or an ideal or a joke or a disappointment. i'm allowed to be as not normal as i like, to show stories i'm proud of and get the most wonderful feedback, to have people that i can just talk to without any fear of judgement or rejection. other people like the same things that i like, and will exchange engaging thoughts and inspiring ideas and incredible analyses and masterpieces of fanart on them with me. other people like me. these past few years haven't been the easiest, i'll admit that much, but getting to know all of my lovely mutuals has made up for it tenfold. so thank you. thank you all for being here, for taking the time to talk to me, for being as wonderful as you are. thank you for being my friends <3

friendship lives in little things and little things make up love. and what is love if not knowing everything about them before you know their name?

just something i made for school on the prompt internet. to my best friends and to my amazing online friends &lt;3

[mysteryhackin]

It’s time for Dungeons Dungeons and More Dungeons for @forduary ! Enjoy this fluffy contribution! (Also below the cut if you’d rather read it here)

No matter what Ford does, it seems like the Multiverse is doing everything it can to keep him from playing another game of DD & More D.

“I cast my final Spell of Discombobulation!” Ford said, and rolled his 38 sided die, crossing his fingers as he watched it move across the board. It stopped right in front of Dipper’s screen, and he looked at his great-nephew’s face.

“You rolled a 25, which means…” Dipper paused for a second. “You’ve defeated the Goblin King!”

“Excellent!” Ford clapped his hands together. “What next?”

“You find his tower is full of spell books and treasure, enough to keep you occupied and taken care of for the rest of your days,” Dipper continued. “The end!”

Ford let out a loud laugh. “Dipper, that was your best DD& More D campaign yet!”

“Thanks Grunkle Ford!” Dipper beamed.

Ford leaned in conspiratorially. “There’s still one more week before the summer’s over- shall we schedule in one more quest?”

“Oh, uh, I can’t,” Dipper said, suddenly unable to make eye contact. “I promised St- uh, Soos I’d help him with… some repairs to the Shack from… uh… that giant fruit bat…thing last week.” He rubbed the back of his head nervously. “I don’t know when I’ll be free-”

Ford quirked an eyebrow, mostly wondering why Dipper was lying but also wondering why his great nephew wasn’t better at it after a spending two summers with Stanley. “Very well,” he said, trying to hide his disappointment. “We’ll just have to begin a new campaign over videochat.”

Dipper’s face brightened in obvious relief and excitement. “Yeah, definitely!” he said, and started picking up the scattered papers in the TV room.

~*~*~*~*

“How’s it goin’, Stan Two?” Wendy said, glancing up from her magazine as Ford walked out of his lab into the gift shop.

“You know I’m technically Stan One,” Ford answered, the vending machine closing behind him.

Wendy shrugged. “Not to me.” She flipped a page in her magazine.

Ford snorted. “Speaking of,” he said, “Have you seen Stanley?”

“Nu-uh,” she answered, still not looking up. “I think he went into town?”

“Ah. Thank you, Wendy,” Ford said. “We were supposed to meet for lunch to plan-”

He was cut off by the chime of the door as Stan backed in carrying loads of boxes. “Wendy, give me a hand with this,” he called.

“You know I don’t work for you anymore, Stan,” she said with a grin, then went over to help him anyway.

“Yeah,” Stan snorted as he distributed the boxes. “But y’know you’ll get canned if I tell Soos how mean-Sixer!” he nearly dropped the boxes and only saved by some quick reflexes on Wendy’s part. “Whaddya doin’ here?” his eyes darted from Ford to the boxes.

“I live here, Stanley,” Ford answered dryly. “Would you like some help with-”

“Nope, nope, we got ‘em,” Stan said quickly. “Get these into the living room, will ya Wendy?” Stan asked, making his way towards that area himself.

“Are we still on for lunch?” Ford asked, slightly confused at how flustered his brother was acting.

“Yeah, just… just gimme a few minutes- I’ll be right there!” Stan called, and with some muffled swearing he and Wendy exited the giftshop to add the boxes to the ever growing pile of items to put on the Stan O’ War II for its next voyage.

“All right then,” Ford said uncertainly, and went outside to wait for Stan to be finished.

They spent a lively hour in Greasy’s Diner as they went over the last minute items they needed to purchase before once more setting sail, and after that they split up to get the shopping done quicker. Ford was also excited to use this time to gather supplies for the virtual campaigns he’d create with Dipper while they were out exploring- for one thing, he was running low on graph paper.

He walked into the stationary store, the little bell cheerfully ringing, and headed to the back area marked “School Supplies”, unable to keep from smiling as he saw a few kids and their parents here and there getting ready for the beginning of school next week-

But he stopped cold at the empty shelf in front of him. He looked down at the price tag at the bottom of the shelf, hoping the emptiness belonged to some other item… and deflated as he read ‘Graph Paper Book, $2.99’.

Ford stood looking at the empty shelf helplessly, when he caught sight a young woman wearing the store uniform out of the corner of his eye. “Excuse me, ma’am?” he flagged her down.

“Miss,” she corrected, narrowing her eyes at him. “You’re a Pines, aren’t you?”

Ford sighed. “Yes, but my twin brother sometimes-,”

“Yeah, I’ve called the cops on him a couple of times,” she interrupted, her skull earrings jiggling as she shook her head. “He paid with fake money during Summerween last year, and tried to steal a bunch of stuff when he was buying lightbulbs." She pointed a finger at him. "You’re not going to try to steal anything, are you?”

“No.” Ford put up his hands vehemently, wondering why after facing so many monsters in his life this young lady was scaring him so much. “I just wanted to know if there was any graph paper left.”

She glanced over his shoulder at the empty shelf. “Oh weird. We usually don’t sell out of that stuff. No, sorry, we won’t get another shipment for two weeks.” She stared him down for a few more moments, then abruptly turned, her dark ponytail swishing as she walked away.

Discouraged, Ford left to go pick up the other things on the list.

~*~*~*~*

The night before they left Gravity Falls, Ford was tearing the house apart and muttering to himself.

“Uh, Dr. Pines?” Soos asked as Ford looked under the couch in the living room. “Is everything OK?”

Ford sat back and looked up at Soos, adjusting his glasses. “You haven’t seen my Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons Volume 1 Rule Book, have you?”

Soos stared at him. “Um…”

“Didn’t you already pack that thing?” Stan came swooping in, scratching himself and yawning as he casually stood in front of Soos. “And do you know how late it is? We gotta get going real early.”

“I think I would have remembered if I packed it,” Ford said, a little frustrated.

“Oh c’mon, half of our boxes are full of books,” Stan answered. “I don’t think there’s a book left in this house.”

“Stanley, this book has all of my notes from this past year of campaigns with Dipper in it. Quests, stories, inside jokes…”

“All right, all right, keep your sweater on,” Stan said grumpily. “Me and Soos’ll help you find it. You start with the boxes in here, we’ll go check out the ones in the truck.”

Ford systematically went through the last few boxes that were stacked in the living room, but half an hour later Stan walked in, waving the book with a smug look on his face. “Got it, Sixer.” He said, and proudly gave it to Ford.

“Oh finally,” Ford said, grateful for the familiar worn cover in his hands. “You know, lately I feel like everything has been conspiring against me getting to play this game again. Dipper couldn’t play one last game before we went home, there were no books of graph paper left at the store, and then this went missing…” He paused, then chuckled as he shook his head. “Now I know it was just a coincidence, but sometimes you can get so focused on what’s going wrong, it seems like the multiverse is out to get you.”

“Heh, yeah, the multiverse...” Stan laughed, “Yeah, it’s definitely time for you to go to sleep,”

~*~*~*~*

It had been about a week since Ford and Stan had set sail, and they were once again getting into the rhythm of things. The autumn weather was perfect for their first few days, and already they had picked up the trail of some seagull/parrot hybrids. Ford was lost in thought up on the deck, trying to figure out what to call the species when they were finally able to catch up, when he noticed he hadn’t seen Stanley around for a while. He checked his watch and realized it was probably time to start dinner anyway, and headed belowdecks.

“Stanley, what do you think about ‘Paragulls’? Does it sound too much like ‘a pair of gulls’? Or maybe we should just drop-” he stopped as he saw Stan sitting at the table, most of him hidden behind a Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons Screen.

Stan cleared his throat awkwardly. “Welcome, uh, Wizard of the Southern Mountains,” he handed Ford a graph paper notebook. “Your quest, should you choose to accept it, is to find and defeat the merciless Barbarian Horde of the North, led by the feared, mysterious, and extremely handsome Rogue King,” Stan gave him a smile. “That’s me.” He said. “So... whaddya think?”

Ford flipped through the notebook to see detailed descriptions of his character’s powers, a map of several kingdoms, and items his character had. “What is this?”

“Well, uh, you always seemed to have so much fun whenever you were playing this, so I thought I’d better learn,” Stan said. “Even though it is just about the nerdiest thing I’ve ever heard of. But… yeah. Since it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”

“Stanley,” Ford started, a warm feeling growing in his chest.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been practicing with Dipper all summer, and we played the first game I made up the last week before he went home.” Stan said in almost a rush. “An’ I bought out all the graph paper notebooks they had in Gravity Falls, so we won’t run out, an’ I’ve been studyin’ your rule book- heh, I almost got caught there, but I made a copy of it so you could get it back.” Stan leaned back and folded his arms. “I was pretty proud of that quick bit of thinking. An' you wouldn't believe how hard it was to keep it a surprise-”

“You were just tired of me beating you at cards,” Ford chuckled, knowing his brother wasn't going to accept sentiment at this point.

Stan straightened up and pointed an accusing finger at his brother as Ford sat down. “You only won because you cheated with that weird Lottocron Nine system of playing that y’ won’t teach me,” he said, then smiled wickedly. “But you won’t be able to cheat your way outta this one.”

“I’d be more concerned about you cheating,” Ford grinned, picking up the 38 sided die.

“Probably a smart way to start,” Stan conceded. “OK. So, you…uh… wake up to a pounding at your door…”

[httpsgfg]

happy 9 months to this bad bitch!!

it's sappy o'clock look away

yeah yeah another one of these

look, i won’t drone on about how shit this year has been we’re all well aware and past that. what i want to focus on is the joy and refuge that i have found here thanks to this album. i don’t think i have ever been this surprised and taken aback by an album before? in the best way possible. i was a casual listener at best, a local if you will. i knew the Hits i just never felt the urge to dive in...but that all changed as soon as i heard red desert. genuine and utter shock? no words to describe it really. i went down the youtube rabbit hole and well i’m a wholeass clown now. i don’t really contribute anything as i can’t edit, i don’t write, i never planned on immersing myself in the fandom per se. i thought i’d just come here to reblog pretty moving pictures and talk to myself in the tags, i had no idea i’d meet such kind and wonderful people and actually make friends? i’ve been in and out of So Many fandoms and never really found that sense of belonging to a community like i have here.

everyone i have come across has been so caring and kind and friendly. i appreciate the effort and love you put into each gifset and edit, every chapter written, memes and all. moreover, i have watched you all support each other through this difficult year and all the shitty hands we’ve been dealt and i couldn’t be more proud of each and every single one of you. simply for being here. know that my inbox is anon friendly and always open. keep on keeping on, i love you!! @karajaynetoday @kindahoping4forever @ashtcnirwin @blackbutterfliescal @cakelftv @mukeaf @mikeycliffords @bandsanitizer @calmfolklore @notinthesameguey @twilightmomentswithyou @ghost-of-you @ashesonthefloor @devilatmydoor @tekweela @ashtonsunshine @afterlows @sexgodashton  and a few more words to those of you who made the effort to talk to me bc god forbid i do something first @clumsyclifford bella!! you were the first one to reach out and welcome me here and i will never forget that. thank you for bringing nothing but positive vibes on the dash, and thank you for creating the club and extending me an invitation that i’m still too much of a wuss to accept. discord and group chats can be overwhelming and i’d just end up lurking but i appreciate it sm♥ @rebelwith0utacause ana, my yugosos partner in crime!! where do i even begin? knowing there’s someone else from around here has made me feel right at home; thank you for the laughs, your cool older sis vibes, and everything else in between!! i am proud of you for kicking rona’s ass, working so hard, and being such a good pup mom and carer for mocha ♥живе биле велике порасле, ве сакам♥ @compulsiveidiota gigi my love. thank you. i enjoy our music talks immensely, not to mention yelling at each other during random michael/luke/muke photos spam sessions. please keep them coming. keep on bowling, barking, biting mean people, and being awesome♥

@wheniminouterspace shal. my fav crying-to-mitski pal. i hope you’re catching some zzzs rn and i can’t wait to see you wake up to new luke content!!!!!! also wayf supremacy!! had to put that out there. thank you for our always chaotic chats i enjoy them endlessly. i love youuu♥

@redrattlers em!!! i am still so amazed at how much our music/tv show/movie tastes match i could cry. the shared brain cell is strong in this one. i just know we would be the best of friends if only we knew each other irl too thank you for helping me spread the nbt agenda here. for sharing such good music with me. for listening to my playlists? just for being rad as hell. i love your edits, i love your energy, i love having you as a firend, i love you♥

@lifewasradical amanda!! i am so incredibly proud of you and everything that you have accomplished this year!! congrats once again on getting your masters in the middle of this mess. balancing school and work and just life in general and still finding time to come here and be your lovely self, i appreciate it a lot. all my love to you and endi♥

@himbocalum hi nat!! i remember we started talking thanks to a music ask thingy and me just calling you nat right away as if we’ve known each other forever bc it felt too formal to use your full name shfjlsd. it is always a pleasure to see you on my dash sending plenty of calum content my way. still blows my mind you sat down and listened to a wholeass album bc i wouldn’t stop talking about it. and then checked out the other albums too. and indulged me and let me talk your ear off about them. thank you, i love you and i still chuckle every time i see your url. iconic♥

@kaleidoscopeminds meg. meg meg meg. i remember saying i’d name my firstborn after you/your url and i stand by that. you having a blog with this gorgeous lover of mine line is quite fitting. thank you for the constant supply of quality content be that relatable text posts, stunning gifsets, dead on moodboards.......[i am still not over the one you made for me tyvm] just thank you. for being you. please don’t hog all the talent. i love you♥

@calumsthood san. i am so sorry you had to scroll past all of that^ but i wanted to end this with you. CEO of squish content. i can’t tell you how much i enjoy seeing you lose your marbles over chaotic aussies. even the one i only know about thanks to you. please stop calling your crispee hq gifs/edits garbage. i am no longer asking. thank you for blessing us with on the record footage that you got from music dot apple dot com. for letting me drag you back into nbt. bless you. keep sharing photos of your adorable dog!!!!! i love you that is all♥

[hasegawasosise]

In Numbers We Trust

Summary:

Prompt master: @outoftheframework

I like the concept of each of the kids having a number or having a thing where they count off. Not in a demeaning or dehumanizing way at all, just more so to use in dangerous situations. For example, a bomb goes off on patrol, and to quickly see if everyone is okay, the kids (including Steph and Babs) automatically start counting one at a time. Bruce can breathe again once the count reaches eight. This tradition begins to carry over to civilian life when the kids yell numbers across a crowded gala after the power goes out.

Beta Agenthandler

Bruce never planned on starting a family. He made a vow to live for justice. He would be the force Gotham needed. He would be the forever bachelor. Justice was his Lady Love.

But 90% of life’s plan was just that—a plan. Bruce would never have guessed he'd end up taking in a boy who called himself Dick Grayson. Technically his ward, but Bruce suffered a mid-life crisis every day from thereon, wondering whether it was the right choice for him to adopt a kid—or why anyone sane would let Bruce Wayne adopt any kid in the first place. It was a testament to Dick’s own awesomeness that he grew up to be a mostly functional adult—Bruce definitely wasn’t.

After Dick, he recruited an amazing girl named Barbara Gordon as another sidekick. She was not officially his adopted daughter, but by day two of working together Bruce registered her in his little hind brain as “my kid.”

Then another. Jason Todd not only stole the Batmobile’s tires but also Batman’s heart. The little boy taught Bruce more about street-smarts and how to be a better person right until his death. His realized depth of parental love made him wonder why he ever adopted anyone in the first place—and ended up losing them that way.

After what he thought was the last, another one came into his life without invitation. Timothy Drake was a genius detective. Out of his first four—yes, Bruce could still count—Tim was the most similar to Bruce. They had the same kind of upbringing amidst the Gotham Elite, they were both highly focused and detail oriented individuals. Tim was even smarter than Bruce, and he was the sole reason Bruce could continue functioning after Jason’s death. Tim was also the only one to believe he was still alive and brought Bruce back from when he was lost in time.

After Time was Stephanie Brown. A cheerful ray of sunshine that had her own worries, but could function the best out of all his children. She had the kind of light sarcastic humor to brighten up Bruce’s darker days. He gained a third daughter, Cassandra Cain, the most accomplished amongst his children in terms of stealth and combat, also his one darling princess.

Then Bruce was introduced to his—one and only—blood son, a little baby assassin who had the unfortunate tendency to stab first ask later. By this time, Bruce had a better handle on raising children highly susceptible to raising hell and violence (read: still an incompetent parent, but he knew how to tune out their nagging) and had no choice but to assign Dick  with Damian’s education on humanities and socialization.

He also had Helena, Terry, Matt, Duke, and Harper.

Bruce lost count.

It was the ultimate testament to Bruce’s parenting skill. He sometimes couldn’t remember how many kids he had. He could lose them in a Walmart and forget he was missing one. But thankfully, he had a secret weapon.

Since Jason, he assigned them all numbers. Dick was one, Barbara was two, Jason three, Timothy four, Stephanie five, Cass six,  Damian seven—although he always said he was the first—Duke was eight, Harper nine, Terry ten, Matt eleven, and little Helena was twelve.

Imagine that. Bruce had twelve kids. What was his vow again? Lady Love Justice? Don’t know her.

It became sort of a tradition. When the kids entered the Wayne manor, each of them wrote their number on the info board down in the changing room. They were also listed on a desktop note of the BatComputer. It became a ritual in which the last child would add their newest sibling into the list, so they knew who the next number was supposed to be, and that next child would be who they were responsible for. Well, except Dick who accepted all of them as his baby chicks. The number also became a little part of their identity—each of them would put their numbers on everything they owned from their doors to their batarangs to the containers in the fridge.

Bruce, most importantly, used the numbering system to check in on them. It started when Penguin detonated a bank and his robins were scattered fighting all the hundred thugs Penguin hired to keep Batman busy. The blast stopped the fight and Bruce’s heart dropped when he realized his coms were damaged and he immediately couldn’t keep sight of them. He immediately tried to think what he could do, and when he did,  he shouted at the top of his lungs.

“KID COUNT!”

“One!” Nightwing shouted from the top of the next building. Apparently he flew off the bank’s  roof when he realised it was going to burst.

Oracle was two but he knew she was safe in the clock tower.

“Three,” Red Hood drawled. Bruce wondered why he joined in, but was thankful nonetheless.

“Four,” Red Robin shouted from the opposite direction, because he was the sensible one who directed the civilians and police to safety.

“Five!” Spoiler laughed and flew to his side. “That was a doozy!”

“Six,” Black Bat said as she appeared beside Spoiler where they shared a hi-five.

“Seven,” Robin pulled out his swords from a thug’s leg. “Father, I need to clean my sword immediately.”

“No stabbing, please.” “Too late.” Bruce groaned.

“...Eight?” Signal. He was still new to the numbering system.

Batman let go a deep relieved sigh.

The police and civilians who were fortunate to witness the scene, collectively said ‘Oh’. It became a trending twitter before Tim deleted the topic as much as he could.

********

The counting continued though. Citizens who have lots of children (such as parents, teachers, sometimes even the Police teams), realised it was a quick method to ensure update of their progeny/students/teams condition. So they  The counting became sort of a Gotham Trend and eventually enlisted into Gotham’s Emergency SOP. Imagine that, having too many kids to count gave birth to a crucial disaster first-aid first responder procedure.

In all actually, maybe that was one of the top major contributions Batman has given to his city.

********

The kids themselves slowly embraced the importance and fun of the numbers. It created a sort of camaraderie-- even when the numbers didn’t correlate with their height. It used to be a nice isoquant curve when they stood side by side. But after Jason’s growth spurt and Tim naught growth spurt, Steph finding high heels and Cass love for Anti-flood Boots, the nice isoquant curve just became a jagged line not unlike a heartbeat rate.  

That aside, the numbering also slowly bled into their civilian lives:

1.

All of them counted before they entered the GothMart -- Alfred was there too, and suddenly Bruce became number 0. He was there to help Alfred because herding the kids was a massive job.

Dick was back for the weekend to spend time with his “babies” and refused to stay at home, because he wanted to sneak in his grocery list (gummy bears and cereals) into Bruce’s list so he could bring it back to Bludhaven and not spend a dime on it.  

Jason was there because Alfred asked him for help--he was the only one out of the brood with cooking talent and generally all responsible in the kitchen, i.e. Alfred could trust Jason to use his kitchen without blowing it up (shoutout to Tim and Duke who blew the kitchen for the fifth time this year).

Barbara stayed at home, watching over their base, but she was ready with her surveillance just in case they lost one of the broods.

Tim was half dragged, because he had spent the last 30 hours awake doing Bruce-knew-what, and only agreed to be dragged with the promise of sweet, abominable GothMart coffee with pink glitter (a cheap imitation of Starbucks, really) because Tim was fabulous especially after thirty hours of no sleep. And the surprisingly awesome coffee was a dollar--what kind of frugal millionaire didn’t appreciate a dollar of drinkable coffee?

Steph was the one who dragged Tim, with the help of Cass who just returned from Hong Kong for the weekend. Steph wanted to buy some new bras for Cass, something cool and sexy she could enjoy immensely. Bruce was not privy in this knowledge.

Damian was there to ensure his embarrassment of siblings didn’t kill themselves or humiliate the family. Wayne was his legacy afterall, and all of them reflected on his legacy, whether he liked it or not. Duke, the only one whom he could tolerate outside Cassandra (Grayson was mother) just poked his cheek and grinned. Duke might be tolerable, but it didn’t mean Damian didn’t want to stab him sometimes (Drake, on the other hand, looked like a nice pincushion to stab his sword into).

They counted 0 to 8 before they entered, orchestrated by Alfred.  

When they were ready for the checkout, 4, 5, and 6 were missing. Bruce finally found them at the children section, where Tim was busy defending his virginity from a Superboy Plushie, while Steph convulsed with laughter on the floor and Cass video-ed the entire thing.

Bruce refused to buy the cereals (Dick) / sexy lingerie (nope, nope, nope) / kitchen knife collection in black (Damian, as they didn’t need another stabby collection). But Bruce ended up buying the superboy plushie because it had been tainted (the store manager glared at him the whole check out time). At least Tim looked ashamed enough when he was handed the superboy plushie.

2.

The gala was in full swing, full of important people and not-so important moochies. Bruce was entertaining a group of usual donors (important and fun people!) while he saw Tim seriously discussing the stock exchange trends with several old, serious men. Dick was charming the usual group of ladies and young men, while Cass seemed to be hiding behind the potted plan.

Then, just like usual in Gotham, the lights went off. The room suddenly became dark and people started to scream.

“KID COUNT!” Bruce shouted. “Zero,” he added because of habit.

“One!” “Three!” “Four!” “Five and Six!” “Seven.” “Eight” “Nine.”

Wait, did he bring Harper with him? Harper was allergic to this kind of gala--and that was why he never fully adopted her into his Wayne name.

Oh well. The more number he got, the better.

Justice Lady love who?

[snkpolls]

SnK Chapter 120 Poll Results

The chapter 120 poll closed with 1,375 responses. Thank you to everyone who participated!

RATE THE CHAPTER 1,314 Responses

This chapter is less popular than most, possibly due to its abrupt ending and feeling of incompletion. Still, 86.5% of the fandom rated it a four or five making it another solid contribution to the series as a whole.

PATHS are awesome, but I hope there's a satisfying narrative payoff to its inclusion

A lot of mixed opinions on this chapter from everybody, but I personally loved it. It went by fast but it's something you gotta read a few times just to get a good feel on it.

Best chapter since Attack on Liberio

I LOVED this chapter. Paths explained! Baby Eren! Little Mikasa! The OG Levi Squad! School caste Armin and Mikasa!!! I literally began to cackle when Eren straight up told Zeke his plan was stupid. I loved it, I've been waiting for that moment ever since ch114.

Character expressions were beautiful. Isayama's art keeps improving. 

Easily one of my top 5 favorite chapters. The artwork was fantastic, the double crossings had me shook, & the Paths converging at the Coordinate is Yggdrasil. Love it!

Felt way too short and paths just got more confusing

I actually had to count the number of pages because I couldn't believe it was over yet. Seemed so short! But at the same time, many questions were answered.

Timeloop theory is out, multiverse theory is in! :)

This chapter was a gift from Isayama to all the Jaeger fans. Thanks Isayama.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT? 1,342 Responses

18% of the fandom was thrilled to see Eren reiterate his “born into this world” sentiment as he rejected Zeke’s ideology. 16% found themselves moved by Zeke hearing Grisha apologize to him in his dreamstate. 14.6% were excited to see Eren rejecting Zeke’s plan, and at a near-tie 9.9% most enjoyed Zeke pulling a double betrayal on Eren, while 9.8% loved the moment when Eren woke up to see the Coordinate in front of him.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF ZEKE CATCHING EREN’S HEAD? 1,323 Responses

It was a meme, and now it’s canon. What did you all think of the resolution to last month’s cliffhanger? 42.2% felt it was a bit goofy but still worked, 29.5% thought it was amazing, 16.5% liked the moment but wish it had flowed better and not cut up over chapters, and only 7% thought it was absolutely ridiculous.

All those times playing catch with Mr Xaver really paid off!

It wasn't bad but just hilarious how memes have predicted it

I guessed it would happen after finishing reading chapter 119. In AoT nothing goes the way the characters want it, except for the Yeager bros.

I thought it was really heartbreaking and absolutely traumatizing.

I was very sad for Zeke at that moment, he seems in deep despair, there was no way to know that it would work to make Eren's survive. It was obviously more instinctive like Colt wanting to hug with his brother while he knows it will cause his death than reflexive

I totally called it and was thrilled it really happened

It was expected, but I believe we can't fully know how to feel because it's still a moment in development. I mean, it makes sense, it was the only move. We all saw it coming but it doesn't take anything from the awesomeness

Great payoff to Zeke's obsession with baseball

Eren could have given him a heads up... Zeke almost didn't catch him

WHICH ‘FROZEN IN AN INSTANT” MOMENT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE PLAY OUT? 1,330 Responses

When the action returns to the battle, the majority of the fandom are eager to see “Armin and Mikasa vs. The Cart” (27.4%) and “The aftermath of Gabi’s shot” (26.7%) play out. On a more lighthearted note, was “that one bird” (3.7%) received more votes than “Niccolo and the Braus family” (1.6%).

WHICH TITAN MEMORY MOMENT WERE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE? 1,328 Responses

“Mikasa from chapter 1” was not only the largest memory shard, but also the moment we were most excited to see (24.3%). “Present day Historia” was our second choice (19.9%) and “The mysterious dark haired boy” was third (12.4%).  At the other end of the spectrum, once again “those birds” rule, beating out “the horse” (0.4%), “the ocean” (0.8%), “that bowl of food” (0.2%), “the colossal titan peering over the wall” (1.1%) and “that one person in the bottom left (1.1%) Faye (0.6%), the blimp (0.1%), the basement key (0.4%), Jean’s horse face (0.9%) and even Hange (0.5%).

WHO IS THE BOY NEXT TO MIKASA IN THE MEMORY SHATTER? 1,303 Responses

“A child from the Mid East Alliance” has taken the majority (31.8%) with Rod Reiss and Tom Xaver following, each with about a quarter of the vote. Eren Kruger was fourth with 11.5%. We also had plenty of write ins. 

A child from the Mid-East Alliance, as he's wearing a Fez. It's probably a memory from Lady Tybur's youth, as we know the Tybur Family had connections with nations all across the world.

All the memories here have been from either te Attack Titan or the Founding Titan.  Thus I don’t think this is a boy from Warhammer Titan’s memories. Possibly it is Eren Kruger’s memories, in which case this cannot he Tom Xaver as it’s much too young for them to meet. Eren met Tom when Tom was a doctor and able to falsify his blood documents is he could join the Marley police. This is a new character.

At this point i really don't know it could be fucking king fritz himself isayama would probably do it

Eren's future son

Frieda’s brother

I think he's ms. Tybur's friend, eren's memories in here kinda mixed up so it makes sense he sees tybur's memories

It’s rod. You can tell by the vest he’s got on. But I do like the few people calling him the Arumika lovechild.

Probably Eren Kruger's friend / brother / child idk, or a future character that we don't know yet.

Someone from Ymir Fritz's time

The child from the last рanel

DID YOU LIKE THE INCLUSION OF CASTE ON TITAN CHARACTERS IN THE SPREAD PAGE? 1,249 Responses

Let’s be real… The manga has had a depressing tone for quite a while now, and some humor (assuming that’s what this was!) is probably good for us. 72% of poll respondents agree with this notion, and loved the inclusion of Armin and Mikasa from the high school AU. 18.3% weren’t quite so keen to see this easter egg, however. 

I knew Isayama said something along the lines of incorporating this AU in the canon so it was nice to see that. Whether he plans to make a reincarnation AU out of this or just an easter egg is up to him.

I think it's cute. It's small and out of the way so it's not like it's disturbing the story.

Idk I'm confused. Isayama really likes to play with us

If you mean Nerd!Armin and Goth!Mikasa, yes I did like it. Could you PLEASE call it Highschool AU or similar, I spent like five minutes trying to understand what 'Caste on Titan' meant!

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BEST IN-STORY EXPLANATION IS FOR CASTE ON TITAN BEING INCLUDED? 1,266 Responses

Well over half of the fandom agree that the inclusion of Caste on Titan (AKA the high school AU fake previews) in the memory shatter was merely an easter egg for the fans to enjoy, rather than Isayama canonizing anything. 20.9% feel differently, feeling that Isayama has canonized Caste on Titan as an alternate universe. 10.7% feel that it is a possible future or reincarnation. 

Above Ymir Fritz, in a dimension higher than PATHS, lies the one true God and Creator Isayama-sama, who casually screws His people's minds on a monthly basis with images like these.

It is the actual reality

Canon?? FUTURE?? WHO?? WHAT??

Reincarnation AU is canon, baby

I have never heard of Caste on Titan.

Really it's probably just an easter egg, but it also kind of canonizes AUs which is fine by me.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE LOOK AT THE PATHS DIMENSION IN THIS CHAPTER? 1,331 Responses

What did the fandom think of a whole chapter focused on paths? 80.2% loved the deep dive into them, 15.3% liked the information but don’t love paths as a story mechanic, and 2.1% dislike paths immensely and just want to go back to the battle.

Being someone who loves time-travelling stuff, I'm intrigued. I see a lot of theories around and the loop seems a little weird to me. I believe Isayama has a great, unique concept and I'm excited to fully comprehend it.

Enjoyed it a fair bit, but we need to know more! Especially about how this dimension came to be in the first place.

I can't wait to see this in the anime!

I sort of wish it was more alluded to and not shown too much

I wish isayama was good enough a writer so that he wouldnt have to rely on this bullshit for long-term, grand-scheme storytelling

It's awesome, we need a break from battle, right? I can't wait it'll be animated beautifully just like Ymir one back in the season 2

The most fascinating aspect of the story by far. I just want every single one of their mysteries to be revealed.

I really want to know more about the PATHS. But not from Zeke. I think he is definitely lying about some things here. And I loved that double betrayal. 

I didn’t know what the heck was going on

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE COORDINATE AS SHOWN IN THIS CHAPTER? 1,321 Responses

A part of the in-depth look at paths this chapter was a visualization of the coordinate itself. Just over half of the fandom are excited that the theories of Norse Mythology influences might have paid off with the coordinate appearing similar to the mythological tree Yggdrasil. 18.2% of you are unsure what Yggdrasil is and how it relates to the story, 16.5% think the coordinate is supposed to look like a tree but Yggdrasil isn’t a direct influence, and 13.1% think it’s just a beam of light that branches off.

I just thought back to most of the depictions in books of Ymir and the Devil.  A good number of them had an object behind Ymir, that being a tree.  Coincidence?  I think not!

It really does have Yggdrasil vibes, and sorta looks like a tree branching off, but for now I can’t quite put it anywhere. Looks dope though.

It symbolizes a tree, and I hope it in turn connects to the tree Eren sat against in Chapter 1

Yes! more norse mythology references! Yggdrasil baby!

I loved how the trails in the path sky were the expanding branches of the Yggdrasil tree from SnK. Different space, different rules of time and matter...

It's shiny, glowy and pretty, and gives rise to loads of amazing fan colorings. Seriously, that full-page panel with Eren standing in front on it is a work of art.

It's the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil but also the Sephirot, among others. Norse Mythology confirmed with the name Ymir, the Norse proto-giant whose body was used to create the nine realms.

Maybe it's Yggdrasil, maybe not. I like the symbolism, but I can't confirm it actually is Yggdrasil.

Tree of life, much original, v cultured

PATHS converging as ROOTS.

BETRAYAL! WHAT DID YOU THINK OF EREN TURNING ON ZEKE? 1,331 Responses

Who doesn’t love a predictable but good betrayal? 70.5% of respondents were more than happy to see that Eren didn’t agree with Zeke’s ideals, even going so far as to support the demeanor in which Eren delivered the blow. 20.9% are happy he doesn’t agree with Zeke, but feel he could have gone a little easier on him. A small percentage feel he should have sided with Zeke…

Expected but still immensely satisfying. Kinda felt a little bummed for Zeke getting rejected like that.

I loved the twist which was made even better with a double-twist!

Assuming Eren wants to go through with the Rumbling, then both plans are crazy

Eren revealed his cards too early. Although, I can see Eren making that mistake.

It was what I'd hoped would happen eventually, however, it's still another example of Eren doing whatever the fuck he wants without consulting his plans with anyone and hurting people as a consequence

Harsh, but Zeke had it coming and it felt kind of great on an emotional level in terms of a true loss to Zeke, who has done some pretty shitty stuff.

Eren’s plan is stupid, you could’ve told Armin and Mikasa about this but nooooo you gotta be an ass.

I knew Eren wouldn't go through with Zeke's plan. But Zeke also deserves to see the errors in his plans, that he has no right to euthanise his fellow Eldians!

I'm not surprised about Eren's betrayel, it was obvious from the start that he would never agree with Zeke's ideology. But currently I feel very bad for Zeke. For first his parents only want to used him for their plans, because of his royal blood and Eren only used him for the same thing. Poor Zeke ;___;

Zeke had a lot of time the overthink everything that has happened in the timeless paths realm. Even if Zeke did not realize before, he definitely thought about the betrayal during said time.

DO YOU THINK ZEKE IS CORRECT THAT THE GIRL IN THE PATHS DIMENSION IS OG YMIR? 1,331 Responses

Zeke assumes, along with 76.5% of readers that the girl we see roaming paths is Ymir Fritz.  However, 19.5% of readers disagree with Zeke on this one.

I was but, after reading a theory posted days after the release, it makes sense that she's actually the OG Christa.

I think it’s Ymir, I don’t think ymir is who they think she is

I think she is indeed Ymir... But could also be the Earth devil.

Hearing all these theories about Eren asking Zeke how he could know, and Zeke just responding with (while logical) a not for sure answer makes me mixed

It seems wierd to me that the Founder has no will or personality of her own, it seems to me that shouldn't be the case, but well... I was hoping she would have some more additions to the story of the titans but she seems like a walking corpse

It's the most likely answer, but the fact he's just assuming makes me not want to claim for sure. Yams likes to seize on assumptions.

Kind of, it's the person they call Ymir but it's really the character of Christa

No. At least not fully, many characters have claimed what happened in the past, but none of them have been entirely right. I don't see why I should see Zeke as entirely correct either.

An empty shell of ymir caused by King Fritz messing with the cordinate

I think Zeke, Eren, Historia and this girl (I think it's Eren's daughter) are all Ymir.

WHY DID YMIR PASS BY EREN? 1,328 Responses

Over half of the fandom (57.7%) agree with Zeke’s theory on this one - Ymir gave Eren the brush off because the Founding Titan is basically a pawn of the royal family. 28.1% are suspicious and believe that she’s got other plans we’ve yet to be clued in on.

Nepotism over cronyism, I guess

She's being controlled by Zeke due to his royal blood so she probably got no choice. Maybe if she gets released she'll cooperate with Eren

The grown woman-child doesn't like boring edgy teens, maybe?

In his time in the paths, Zeke gained enough control over them to make since illusions for eren.  This chick is just as illusory as his chains.  Zeke is using her to manipulate Eren because he needs Eren to control the founder.

Zeke is technically alive. Eren isn’t. She’s going for the living shifter.

Eren is too hot for her, she can't handle the Yeager

That’s not not Ymir.

She really dosnt have a free will and is being controlled by an even higher power

Zeke has created those chains and that girl to trick Eren

Ymir herself is a slave to the royal family. The royal blood in Zeke calls out to her.

WHAT MEMORY OF GRISHA’S DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST? 1,335 Responses

With lots of heartwarming moments to choose from this chapter, 32.7% most enjoyed seeing Grisha turn away from the Reiss chapel and choosing instead to focus on being a good husband and father to his family. 28.8% enjoyed seeing how Grisha spent his time in the basement and the possibility of him seeing Zeke from the future. 19.7% got the dokis over seeing Grisha be there for Eren’s baby milestones.

Loved baby Eren and it was really nice seeing Grisha so caring for his family (I missed Carla too, so good to see her again)

Baby Eren is the cutest baby in the whole universe and if you disagree you need glasses

IN LIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GRISHA NOW? 1,330 Responses

Nearly half of the fandom (47.2%) admire Grisha’s ability to change and work to become a better father and husband after learning from his mistakes. 21.1% are glad that he was much better with Eren, but still can’t look past the way he treated Zeke as a child. 19.3% have always had faith in Grisha and enjoyed his character. 

One of the reasons why SnK is as good as it is. The way goodness and horribleness exists within him at the same time, the way it makes him so imperfect, so deplorable, so sympathetic and so human, it's a testament to how well he is written. I love him. I love him so much.

I didn't like him before, but now I have a little more sympathy. I felt like crying when he was dreaming about Zeke and wanted to see him badly. I hope they will have a chance to talk in paths.

I'm amazed by the forgiveness other readers are giving him. It's as if they're ignoring what he actually believed and did. I don't believe many people are beyond redemption, and the fact that Grisha managed to get caught before he could actually murder anyone works in his favour, but I hold him to the exact same standard I would any real person who tried to bring back a regime he himself believed was exceptionally violent and bloodthirsty (before the Owl delivered the 'nice' history of Eldia). Overall he *could* be forgiven, but so far...holding your cute chubby son and choosing not to commit your original sin *again* is not it.

No matter how much he learned from Zeke he still cursed them both with 13 years at the end, so it doesn't really make a difference for me.

For the longest time I didn't know how to feel about him but this chapter cleared up a lot of things and I absolutely love him now

While he ultimately failed at parenting twice, it is good to see he learned from some of his mistakes and that his actions here reflected that. In the end, he still went for the royal family before the breach of the Wall and treated Eren to the serum instead of spending his time looking for a better, less 'child' host for his titan.

DID BABY EREN SEE OLDER EREN AND ZEKE? 1,335 Responses

While it may not impact the story, the vast majority of the fandom (70.9%) feel confident that baby Eren was able to see his future self. Only 2.8% selected “No” for this question.

DID GRISHA SEE ZEKE AT THE END? 1,333 Responses

We don’t really know how it happened, but it sure does seem like Grisha saw Zeke at the end of the chapter when he noted his aged appearance. 79.1% agree that this appears to be the case. 2.7% disagree, chalking this up to nothing more than a coincidence. Eren and/or Zeke being able to interact with the past in any way has some striking implications, so hopefully we get some answers soon!

WILL ZEKE CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT GRISHA? 1,333 Responses

46.3% of respondents feel that the narrative is pushing Zeke to forgive his father and let go of what happened in the past. 38.6% see the potential for him to forgive Grisha, but don’t want to say with confidence that he definitely will. 11.5% believe that there is nothing that will ever cause Zeke to forgive his father. 

At his core, Zeke wants his father to love him and treat him as a son instead of a tool. Knowing that Grisha still thinks of him and feels guilty about the way he raised him must have stirred something in him.

Partially. Yes, Grisha grew from that. But it just meant that Eren got the childhood he wishes he had and that in his eyes Eren got preferential treatment.

If anything I think he's mostly going to be jealous of Eren and regrets not being born at the right time. That being said they haven't reached the memory where Grisha passed his titan to Eren.

Might lean more towards him not changing because of his very single-minded way of looking at things. Maybe a smaller chance, don't know how I'd feel about it, though in terms of storytelling.

I hope. I am so ready for a Zeke redemption to take place even if the chances of it happening are low. I want to see the Yeagerbros working together.

I don't think so. If Eren shows him the next memory in which Grisha gave his titan powers to Eren and forced him to end his mission by going to the cellar and learning to control that power, Zeke would think that he was right about his father that he brainwashed him. Maybe Grisha was a good father in Eren's younger years but at the end he shouldered his burden to his second son and gave Eren a new reason to continue the cycle of hatred, to avenge his mother. I don't think that Zeke will change his mind so easily...I have the feeling that Eren has to convince his Brother otherwise, but I could be wrong.

While his opinion about Grisha May change slightly, that won’t change his opinion about euthanasia.

I love how that in the midst of all the plot development and the PATHS, it still boils down to the characters and their relationships in the end. The Zeke/Grisha parts make this chapter, imo. The boy who wants so much to be loved by his father, who vilifies his father as some sort of coping mechanism, realizing that his father loves him, misses him and regrets the way he treated him, realizing his father is only human... it never fails to tug at my heartstrings. I can't wait to see where Zeke will go from here.

WILL ZEKE’S MIND BE CHANGED ABOUT WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WITH THE FOUNDING POWER? 1,329 Responses

As we step away from the action-centric battle, we move into a battle of philosophies, outlooks, and plans. Zeke has attempted to sway Eren, but will Eren be able to convince Zeke to change his mind about what to do with the power they now possess? 38.8% think he will in fact be able to do just that; and only at about 1% behind, 37.9% don’t know what the outcome will be, and 20.3% don’t think Zeke’s plan will change.

Zeke's mind is already made up. What may change is his motivation. He just may lose all will to execute his plan and let Eren do his thing.

His euthanasia plan is instilled into him primarily by Xaver, his father-figure, someone whom he holds very much in high esteem. So if Zeke should change his mind about that plan, it has to be through changing his current opinion on Xaver.

It will seem he agrees with Eren. And then, out of rage and despair of his ideals being broken and Eren getting the life he wishes he always had, he'll cause the Rumbling to lash out at the world for how cruel it was to him.

No, he's far too stubborn for that. But he still needs to return the powers of the Founder to Eren somehow. So I can see him being cornered in a way that makes him realize there's no happy ending.

Probably, but it shouldn't be because of some Grisha shit, it should be because Eren has a better plan

Yes but he‘s still an ass who had fun in killing. Maybe he‘ll redeem himself by showing remorse but whatever, he just rubs me the wrong way.

I sure hope so, because eugenics really doesn't make sense even if you support the reasoning. If it can be done by a royal titan then it can be undone, and they're literally planning to keep a pack of royals as spares.

I hope so, because I really want to see the brothers work together. Zeke has done a lot of terrible thing (including what he did to poor Levi) but I want to see his redemption arc

I think that Zeke will come to the realization that he is doing to same thing to Ymir as Grisha has done to him.

WHAT DOES EREN WANT TO SHOW ZEKE? 1,324 Responses

This chapter ended abruptly with Eren about to lead Zeke into “The next memory.” But what could that be? 36.3% think he’s going to show Zeke scenes from his own life, 32.1% believe there will be an even deeper dive into Grisha’s past, 19.7% think it will involve Tom Xaver, and 8.6% think Eren Kruger will get more time to shine.

A mix of all of them: More of Grisha's memories up to his death, his own life and experiences (Attack on Titan greatest hits coming for the 10th anniversary chapter), and then finish off with some Xaver reveals if he indeed worked with Kruger.

Bit of Kruger's, Eren's memories, and little bit of Grisha's. Maybe Ymir's or Karl Fritz

Definitely something involving Xaver, probably him in cahoots with Kruger to fool Zeke.

Don't feel like he wants to show Zeke something, just telling Zeke to move it along

His true motives and what lead him down the path he’s been taking since chapter 91

That one exchange between Grisha and Frieda in the cave we still didn't get to see when Eren kissed Historia's hand.

The memory where Grisha turns Eren into a mindless with added dialogue to hit us all in the feels.

Warhammer memories

I hope it could be something around Kruger and Xaver, and finally enlightening Zeke view of his "dad" and their plan. From here they could move around some really interesting scenarios, there are so many possibilities and I AM HERE FOR IT! ("If you want to save Mikasa and Armin..." quote for example idk).

Fall of wall Maria, Dina eating Carla

Some hype ass shit.

WILL EREN BE DEAD AFTER THE INSTANT IS OVER? 1,327 Responses

The majority (77.8%) are confident that Eren will find a way to make it out of the paths dimension alive, while 11.5% are much less optimistic about Eren’s fate. A smaller percentage believe that he’s already dead without any chance of coming back.

I have this weird theory: since a shifter's consciousness can be transferred into the spine or in the Paths dimension in some capacity, what if the consciousnesses of two shifters can be "exchanged" in the Paths dimension? Zeke may end up dying (willingly or not) while Eren lives.

I don't know. I think he'll either come back alive, or find a way to communicate with at least Mikasa and/or Armin before he dies.

Zeke promised that he will never abandon his little brother. Even if their ways differ in the end and Zeke’s mind isn’t changed, I don’t think he would leave his brother to die. He has already stated that he will command Ymir to reconstruct Eren’s body. No way he would treat Eren like that

No. Eren recovered in paths just like Zeke did so there's no reason for him to be dead

It would be a fresh plot twist and I would like him to stay dead because of it but I doubt Isayama has courage to do it.

i think it would be weird for eren to die right now, especially before seeing Armin & Mikasa again

DO YOU THINK ZEKE WILL COME OUT OF THE PATHS DIMENSION ALIVE? 1,328 Responses

Zeke was in pretty good shape when he went into the PATHS dimension, so it only makes sense he would make it out alive - or at least that’s what most of us (81.9%) think! A minority (18.5%) think (or hope?) he will not be so lucky.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO SEE NEXT CHAPTER? 1,339 Responses

More than half the fandom wants chapter 121 to be the continuation of A Zekemas Carol. 18.9% would rather take a break from the PATHS dimension to see what’s happening with Levi and Hange.

Been wanting to see Annie, Levi, Historia for many chapters.  Now just want these amazing memories to continue!  This part of the story is incredibly powerful.

I know this paths fuckery will continue for another chapter or two but after that yams pls gib annie i beg

A moment of silence for the amount of hope I had to see Hanji and Levi, if you will. It will be missed.

All I'm asking for is one panel with Levi and Hange... Is that too much?

Annie in paths Annie in paths Annie in paths Annie in-

Eren in the next chapter is going to open a door from Eren Krugers past showing interactions with Tom Xaver

Heh, as much as I want to see Hanji & Levi, I'm 99% certain we're staying in PATHS zone :)

I feel bad that I didn’t choose Annie for any of these answers, but this moment in the story is literally the only thing I’ve wanted to see for years

I just want to know Levi is alive 

I want to know who Ymir really is and what her motivation is! I want to see the story through her eyes!

I don't care about Zeke. Please show me the Present Day Historia memory. I beg you OG Ymir. Amen.

whatever it is im gonna pee myself regardless

WHERE DO YOU PRIMARILY DISCUSS THE SERIES? 1,263 Responses

While Reddit and Tumblr continue to make up the majority of our respondents, the Attack on Titan fandom is everywhere. Wherever you choose to discuss the series, we appreciate your support of the chapter poll!

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE CHAPTER? 

"Where's the rest of it?" - Zuko

I liked Eren's "surprised Pikachu" face when Zeke broke the chains.

Great fucking chapter, Eren and Zeke are a riot as a brothers duo.

Why is Grisha so attractive 

Boy am I glad Xaver trained Zeke in baseball instead of football.

Grisha Redemption Arc, let's go!

a chapter without reiner is automatically a bad chapter 

At the beginning I thought it’d end up being boring but the ending showed me otherwise. Attack on titan never disappoints

Awesome, beyond my expectation. We get more info about PATHS and yeager moments that i nearly don't care about others lol. The cliffhanger is more painful than previous chapter tho 

Chapter in a nutshell: "I have more resolve!" "No, just kidding. By doing this I have MORE resolve!" "Well guess what? I have a piano. End of discussion, I have the most resolve." 

I kind of dislike the whole concept of the Paths. I really dislike the "enslaved little girl builds Titans out of sand" angle when there was so much potential for a science fantasy explanation instead. At least Eren's acting like Eren again, that's all I'm asking of this manga at this point.

How did Ymir have three daughters when she looks 13 years old and presumably died 13 years old?

I put a 2/5 due to how empty and anticlimatic this chapter was. I'm more than okay to explore the pathverse but I didn't expect 10 pages of filler and recollection, 10 pages where the brotherly betrayal gets quickly resolved with both Eren and Zeke's emotions being turned down (Zeke just told Eren he had no freedom in his decisions ffs) and the rest being Daddy Issues TM.

Dope. Loved it. Answered so many questions. So, the PATHS meme is a little less true now. It'll probably become even less so with the next chapter and so on. 

Eren and Zeke this chapter were basically that one spiderman meme you know the one.

Glad the memory manipulation theory was wrong, didn't expect this walk through memory lane however. I'm excited to see if and how Zeke's outlook on his father and whole ideology will change.

Eren out here playing 5D chess against Zeke when he was playing 4D chess and thinking Eren was playing 3D chess. Eren a legend

Eren’s sarcastic attempt at convincing Zeke was a welcome reprieve from the “excuse-me-what” nature of this chapter

Every time Eren appears in a panel I stare in awe at how beautiful he is. Shaven face + Hobo hair = Peak Eren. 

I love how abrupt the ending is, specially if Isayama's going for what I'm thinking. I suspect chapters 120, 121, and 122 will all feel connected as one single big chapter, with action outside paths only unfreezing at the end of 122. The main issue is how some parts of this chapter feel like stalling for the inevitable anniversary chapter next month, but I believe it's gonna pay off.

I was laughing like a maniac by the end of the chapter. Eren is truly an incredible little sh*t, and I'm super excited to learn more about his actual motivations. Interestingly enough, Zeke won't shut up about Grisha the father, and seems to have conveniently forgotten (which I did as well) that one of Eren's biggest motivations in his life has come from his mother, who told Shadis all those years ago that Eren was special BECAUSE "he was born into this world". As much as I reeeeeeally wanna see an update on Levi and Hanji (IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS, ISAYAMA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US), this walk down memory lane is turning out to be the most entertaining part of the arc so far 

I'm SO HAPPY to see Eren talking again and to see that fiery determination and his snarky attitude! Go Eren!

Just . . . I'm really tired. Now Grisha's father of the year all of sudden. I'm still waiting for Eren to like, suffer real consequences for his war crimes and his shitty treatment of his "friends." And Annie is probably never going to be relevant, Historia is going to stay stuck in her chair. Like, the whole point of this series was that it's hard to tell what the truth is, right? And now there's MAGIC and Eren can literally take Zeke into his memories to show Zeke EXACTLY what happened with Grisha as if that's the real truth? Isayama's gone soft or given up, I dunno. I'm just tired.

Anyone else expect Isayama to just carry on with these flashbacks for four chapters just like the basement.

This chapter hurt me. In fact, this whole arc has. I think the point where I started being really confused was when Zeke got resurrected. I get the point of it. You wanna show what PATHS is? Ok. You wanna show how titans are built! Sure! You wanna explain that this is a pocket dimension and time moves by super slow? Perfect. You wanna show the person making the titans? Cool. But the mechanics with the royal family are so inconsistent. IF ZEKE CAN BREAK THE WILL, WHY CAN’T FRIEDA OR URI OR LITERALLY ANYBODY. Is it because he isn’t the direct founding Titan? Is he bluffing?? I don’t know. I want Armin and Mikasa please.

One redemption for the monky boi, please.

So Eren did all he did, sacrificed so many lives, hurt his friends etc. just because he only hoped he’ll be able to use the Coordinate? Seriously that was his plan? Give me a break please. I’m very disappointed Erwin was not there in the ‘important moments’ page - he was one of Eren’s childhood heroes after all and the person without whom Eren would’ve never gotten this far. 

[celacestial]

A reminder/A bit of wholesomeness...

I just wanted to post a little reminder now the ego art weeks are ‘over’ (perhaps, for now 🤔). There doesn’t have to be a specific event in order for you to create stuff. These events bring people together and certainly make it easier to get the creative juices flowing, sure, and I and others are beyond grateful to Seán for hosting the event, but that doesn’t have to end. Everything you make and post can, and will, still have value for someone.

Art: Art is important. I haven’t even been active on Tumblr for a year yet (a year at the end of the month) and I’ve only been active on Twitter for just under 18 months, but I’m already getting to recognise lots of your amazing art styles, and watching your amazing growth just in the short time I’ve been here has been amazing! I love seeing what new ideas you all come up with, new styles you’re all trying, new things you’re experimenting with. I also love seeing “new” artists pop up, and getting show love to and support their work.

GIFs: Recording memorable moments as GIFs? Hell yeah! Recording positive speeches and nuggets of advice? Hell Yeah! Getting quality reaction material? Hell Yeah! Animations, or edited GIFs from the original to make something even MORE creative? Hell damn yeah! I love a good GIF of all kinds and all “skill levels”. And the creative way you guys arrange some of them to make song lyrics, for example, colour patterns, all sorts of things, blows my mind.

Edits: I’ve used many amazing as wallpapers in my time (the ones that allow permission of course) and had a laugh or shed a tear at many awesome video edits, and you’re all SO talented! And again, just like art, I’m recognising some of your editing styles as well. The way you have all learned to use transitions and new filters is amazing! It is appreciated by everyone more than you probably know.

Stories: To my shame, I don’t interact much with a lot of fan fiction, but I often read when I see in the tag or it comes up in the tag. I sometimes feel bad for that though, because I know creators like Seán can’t interact very much with fanfiction in case them doing so means it is taken as canon lol. But DAMN are some of you fantastic with words! You know your ways around a pen/a keyboard better than I could ever hope to in a million years. And I’m sure that a lot of fanfiction has probably inspired a lot of other art and creative posts too. Keep doing what you’re doing writers everywhere!

Theories: Oh boy do I love reading these 😂 And often get scared by how much Seán may have seen and the ideas he may have got looool. It always keeps my mind racing at various times of the day, gets my own ideas pumping (if only I was creative enough to actually put some of them into fruition). One of my favourite things about theories as well is how they can get a dialogue going between community members which is always fun to see the back and forth of that, and coming to an eventual conclusion (or not!) Keep it up guys! 💚

Text Posts: Share your random thoughts gamers! Any little observations about videos, about creators, about life in general. Anything you’re doing with your day. A little story you think that the community might want to hear. I love seeing little random observations in the tag, or photos and posts from people’s real lives, all of which will help us to get to know you as a person better, and bring the community together, rather than seeing us all as a bunch of numbers or lines of code. Your opinions are creative, your life updates are of value.

Memes: Tempted to say memes make the world go round 😂 Want a laugh? Have a meme! Want a joke? Have a meme! Want to make a point but can’t think of the right words? Meme it! Yeah, they can get samey, but at the same time, many people love them and will appreciate them regardless. The beauty of memes is that they are evolving all the time and it’s always fun to watch you guys using your creativity to come up with new memes, or make new takes on old meme formats and long running community jokes.

What I have liked about these Egoartweeks is that it’s kind of shifted people’s thinking. People seemed to have realised that there was a disconnect between the types of content that people regularly interact with, and these weeks have kind of given people a renewed inspiration to create anything, and a renewed wish to see all kinds of posts, not just a certain kind, which is fantastic!

The message to come out of these few weeks, is that creating because you love creating, for the love of sharing your creations with others, is the most important thing. Whatever you can post contributes to this community, and could inspire others in their ideas and creative journeys too! But what’s also important to remember is that it’s not the type of post that’s important. It’s YOU that’s important. YOU are the thing that matters. Not your follower count. Not keeping up a consistent amount of notes on every single post, it’s okay if one doesn’t get as many. What matters is your enjoyment of what you do! Don’t think that your work is any less important than any other creator for any reason. If you are having fun creating it, if you put as much time and effort into creating it as you were able and you were happy enough with the results to post it, to me that is the MOST important thing, the fact that you are making something that you enjoy and want to share that with people, it is highly appreciated, by me, by others, and by Seán and any creator you may or may not be aiming the post at, if they happen to see it.

Keep posting and interacting with what you love for as long as you love making/seeing it. Know that there will always be someone out there who appreciates who you are and what you create, even if you haven’t found your audience yet. Keep creating for as long as you want to, and don’t let anyone or anything change your ideas. Because I seriously love you guys, I’m glad you’re all here, and I hope you know the immense value that you all bring to this community and to the world 💚 Established event or not

Okay back to the Seán induced flames now 🔥

[kdramaspace]

We are thrilled to present our second member spotlight to @liveasbutterflies! Juhee is a central part of the kdrama community, and if you’ve looked through any kdrama-related tags, you’re bound to find some of her lovely works there. We’re forever grateful for all her contributions, so please show her and her blog plenty of love and appreciation. 

💌 NOTES FROM THE ADMINS

Layla: Juhee, ever since i've started reblogging here and checking the tags i've noticed you and your wonderful and beautiful gifs, they're clear and crisps, you have been a great gifs source for the drama i've been watching, and you're so quick at making them, and from here i want to thank you for all of your contribution in our community and for being a member, and i will always be looking for all your future posts, with all my love ♥. ↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Sam: Hello love~ Thank you for always providing wonderful content (and sobbing over tumblr’s tagging system with me). You’re always putting out lovely content regardless. I feel like we’re usually watching at least one of the same shows (throwback to us crying over alml together—yes I picked that gif for a reason!) and you always have something insightful to say. I always look forward to seeing your content in the tags and I’m sure everyone else is as well. Thank you again for being a part of our kdramaspace family 💕 ↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Alexa: Juhee, ever since I’ve joined this net, you’ve been a constant contributor and I’ve noticed it ever more so since coming on as an admin! I’m so glad that net helped me discover your blog! You create so many wonderful sets and you’re always one of the first people to get gifs out for shows with is a feat to be proud of!!! I’m glad to have gotten to know you a bit more through mutual networks and I really enjoy your opinions and discussions on shows! Thanks so much for being such an awesome contributor to our kdrama community, I always look forward to seeing what you’ll post :’) ↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

Eiman: Hi Juhee!  I just want to say, that you so so so much for all the contributions you make to this net and the kdrama fandom as a whole.  Your insets are always so crisp and beautiful and concise and show the best in the drama that there is to see.  Whenever I’ve started watching a new show or rewatching an old one, your blog is one of the first places I go to obsessively scroll because you have exactly what I needed and heck, some things I didn’t even know I wanted.  Your contributions to this network are immense and unfathomable and I’m so glad you share your beautiful pieces with the rest of us.  I can’t wait to see what you do in the future!  Never stop being you! ↳ favorite works: [ 1, 2, 3 ]

[tennisholidayscroatia]

5 reasons why Croatia is the best tennis vacation destination

If you’re looking for a tennis holiday destination, here’s why you should choose Croatia.

An introduction to Croatia - undiscovered tennis vacation paradise

What if I asked you – what makes a perfect tennis vacation destination for you?

Forget your standard of play for a moment. Or whether you are traveling on your own, with your significant other or with kids. Try to imagine - how does this perfect holiday haven look like?

Is it a fancy, large resort isolated from the every-day local life? Dozens of immaculate tennis courts, with a private, sandy beach? Am I missing palm trees and some cocktails from an all-inclusive bar nearby?

If you're nodding your head, I'd suggest you stop reading this article.

Just skip it.

This one is for tennis lovers who seek to truly enjoy their favorite game. In a sunny place, connecting with their immediate surrounding and people around them. Forget about the car and pack an extra pair of tennis shoes.

Experience Croatia, the best tennis vacations in Europe.

You may have traveled to some of the world. Visited renowned tennis holiday destinations. Stayed in luxury resorts in Spain or Florida or enjoyed cheap tennis holidays. Or the immensely popular France, Turkey, Italy in the Mediterranean.

Let’s talk about Croatia in the context of tennis. Most of you will instantly think of Goran Ivanišević, 2001 Wimbledon champion. He is famous for his colorful and entertaining character.  If we're lucky, there might be some other names or tournaments held in Croatia mentioned.

Well, tennis in Croatia has a long and rich history and it is high time to put Croatia on the world’s tennis vacations map. Create some serious competition to Goran. And possibly outshine other tennis holiday destination beauties in the Mediterranean.

Tennis holidays in Italy? Portugal? Mallorca? Algarve? Nah, choose Croatia!

Here are 5 reasons why Croatia is a superb a tennis holiday destination. Destination worthy of every bit of your attention.

1. Many tennis facilities across the stretched Croatian coast

There are many great tennis facilities across the stretched Croatian coast. Some of the hotels possess all the necessary infrastructure to blow off some steam on the court.

Croatians pride themselves on having many famous tennis players. Those players have contributed to the increased popularity of tennis as a sport. This is why you can find a tennis center in almost every coastal town. They welcome players of all ages and abilities and are open for residents and tourists. Often you might find yourself challenged by a local to take on a match and show what you know.

2. Red clay tennis courts in stunning natural settings

No matter where you land on the Croatian coast, two main colors will follow you. The rich palette of green vegetation and changing colors of the deep blue Adriatic sea. Some of the country’s best tennis courts lie in the most stunning natural surroundings. It's this idyllic landscape that allows you to enjoy the play with full senses.

Beautiful tennis courts in Biograd, one of Tennis Holidays Croatia destinations

3. Behind every great tennis court lies an even greater beach

Walking to the courts to swing your racket, you’ll be tempted to skip the tennis sessions and hit the beach. You can also go to the beach to stretch for tennis, before or after the match. In Croatia the beaches are very friendly, inviting you to spend as much time as possible.

What makes them so appealing?

Well before you even set your feet on the warm, cozy pebble stones, you are simply immersed into the crystal clear blue color of the sea. It gets even better after taking a nice swim, drying in the warm sun and finding a perfect spot under the pine tree shadow.

Here’s one interesting thing about beaches in Croatia – they are public. Locals love the beach just as much as they love a cold beer at the beach bar.

There are also some private beaches as well, so if you are more ‘I love my privacy’ person, Croatia will deliver.

👉 Pasjaca beach in Cavtat has been voted as European Best Beach 2019!

4. Walking distance is the signature

Are you one of those people who simply want to forget about the existence of any transporting vehicle while on holiday?

This is one of the very few days in the year you’d like to completely switch off and have everything you need within easy walking distance.

In the case of Croatia, easy walking distance is the signature. This is the part where you will need those extra pair of tennis shoes from the beginning of the article. Or any type of shoes, as long as they are comfortable.

Tennis resorts, if we can even call them like that in our case, are not isolated. They live in residential surroundings. You stay at the hotel. Walk to the tennis courts. Walk to the beach. Walk into town for dinner. And if you like – do some more walking along the coast.

Everything is so easy to reach, right there – on the palm of your hand.

5. Perfect tennis holiday destination goes beyond tennis

Passionate tennis players would say, the best moments of a tennis holiday are the ones spent on the court enjoying the game. Especially if they are winning.

Tennis play in here is seriously challenged by so many exciting opportunities you could follow.

Let’s get more specific.

If you choose to stay in Zadar Region, you will be tempted to visit 5 National and Nature parks, all within easy striking distance.

Let’s get even more specific.

Do you like sailing and swimming in the sea? Go for National Park Kornati.

Prefer hiking or rock climbing? National Park Paklenica is your thing.

Enjoy cycling? I would advise Nature Park Vransko Lake.

It gets slightly complicated with National Parks Plitvice Lakes and Krka Waterfalls. In both cases waterfalls are in question, so you need to decide which one you like better. Or just go with both.

Let’s conclude by saying there is plenty to miss out on if you decide to spend your entire tennis holiday on the courts.

The best way to end it is to say: It’s your holiday. Make everything you do your choice. In Croatia, there is plenty of choice. All you have to do is make a decision.

And we believe this time you should skip all those places where everyone goes - Mallorca, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Tuscany, Gran Canaria and choose Croatia as your tennis holidays destination!

Have any questions, or need help deciding the best tennis vacation programme for you? Contact Tennis Holidays Croatia here and we’ll prepare something awesome for you!

Or head out to Tennis Holidays Croatia website and browse our tennis vacations.

Question: What do you value most in a tennis vacation?

[natsspammityspamspamham]

I HAVE FINISHED ALL THE ROUTES OF FE THREE HOUSES (for now) - SPOILERS

There’s DLC saying there will be new content and new characters and all of that starting April 30th 2020. I just thought that “new content”?! DID YOU MEAN NEW ROUTE?! I’m sorry for being dumb.

However, THIS LINK indicates that there will be a “Completely” new story.

This new update (the free one) will offer LUNATIC MODE for all ya crazy people.

https://fireemblem.nintendo.com/three-houses/downloadable-content/

 Each takes about 20-25 hours depending on the time you want to spend grinding and/or exploring. If you read through every line and wait for the voice actors to finish every line, maybe it’ll take you 70 or something.

The storyline of this game was such a step up from Fates partially because the Fates storyline was shit, we all knew it, and I still enjoyed it despite having a seemingly bland cast and a terrible story. On the other hand, your weapons don’t run out of ammo. This game was vastly different with no weapon triangle, pair-ups, and all that other stuff from Awakening and Fates. Keep in mind, I’m a filthy casual that’s only played Shadow Dragon, Awakening, and Fates.

This game was so much fun. If you want to enjoy it for yourself, don’t read on because there are plenty of spoilers for the whole family!

This is the game in a nutshell: Which of you likeable people shall I kill? Yes, I find Edelgard likeable. 

Church of Seiros (Normal/Casual - Black Eagles then decide not to side with Edelgard)

This route was my first. I made a mistake of not recruiting anyone else. It was a little sad without an overpowered house leader (I’m looking at you, Claude). I didn’t like Rhea. I accidentally chose this route. I wouldn’t mind doing it again, but again, I don’t like Rhea.

I played it on casual to get used to the mechanics. That and I’m a filthy casual.

I feel like this is probably my least favourite route because of the absence of a house leader and because I was so ignorant as to not recruit anyone from the other houses. I played as a male character. I chose Petra at the end. She’s so sweet and nice. She is everything that I stand for.

I would give it a solid 7/10.

Black Eagles (Normal/Classic - Choose to go against the church)

Ah, revolution. Go against the church, side with the people who murdered your father, but then realize it’s too late to go back and that Rhea. Weirdly, it made sense to me at the time considering how I felt a strong sense of betrayal towards Rhea anyway. I recruited everyone I wanted (Ingrid, Felix, Sylvain) except for Annette and Lysithea I think? I’m pretty sure I also got Marianne. I didn’t manage to get Ashe, but after a playthrough of Blue Lions, I now realize I missed out on nothing. I couldn’t use the guy. I just got Bernadetta, and despite being under levelled, she fulfilled his role and better.

Edelgard is the second strongest out of the house leaders I think. This route was fun because it was the one full of revolution. It was what would be considered as “turning evil for the sake of good”. I just remember really enjoying the gameplay and defeating Dimitri. I, however, didn’t appreciate Edelgard just stealing the last moment and killing Dimitri. You have a choice to kill Claude. In the end, Claude can live on pretty much all routes.

Again, I really enjoyed this route. I would definitely play and again, and I will.  Married Edelgard with a female avatar.

Golden Deer (Normal/Classic - Fear the Deer - This is about as neutral as you can get for now)

This is arguably as neutral as you can get... for now. Claude is a great unit, a great guy, and Joe is so devoted to this role. I played in both Japanese and English (switched whenever I turned on the system). I did kind of prefer Toshi’s interpretation at times, but Joe had a ton of good moments where I preferred his voice as well. For one, I feel like Toshi has far more experience with confession scenes, so when I chose Claude in the end, Toshi delivered better there, but the localization did wonders for Joe as well. The script changes made sure that Claude became the character that everyone knows and loves.

Gameplay-wise, at this point, I just recruited all my guys and gals from the other houses and ignored A TON of the Golden Deer, and I feel no remorse. They’re alive and kicking... just not on the field. I got a ton of my Black Eagles (Dorothea, Caspar, Linhardt, Petra) and a ton of my Blue Lions (Felix, Ingrid, Sylvain, and probably a few others I’m not remembering).

Overall, I think this was my favourite route because Claude was awesome, so overpowered with his relic, and he’s just an awesome guy that should’ve been bi but the confession end card was drawn with only the female avatar which makes Edelgard the only confirmed bi out of the three.

Blue Lions (Normal/Classic - STRONG OOF)

After being scolded on Tumblr for not understanding Dimitri, I went and did the Blue Lions route!

I called this guy insane and got backlash. Let me put it this way, the Black Eagles route cuts him out to be a real big villain. He’s so fixated on revenge that he’s blinded. He causes the deaths of a lot of his former classmates with little to no remorse.

But on this route? Ah, well, he’s still like that for the first half post-time skip. 

This route is rich in backstory. It paints Edelgard is such a bad light which I enjoy so much. Do I like her? Yes. But do I think this is necessary? Absolutely. That last scene was “poetic cinema”. The way the dagger worked and all those broken dreams. All the NPC deaths and things like that. Nice.

I’m still not a huge fan of Dimitri. Gameplay-wise, he was the worst and hardest to use out of the three. I’m also saying that because that person almost ruined this whole route for me.

_____________________

A quick ramble about voice actors for this game:

YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE HOW HAPPY I WAS TO FIND OUT WE GOT TO HEAR THE JAPANESE VOICES!

As a seiyuu fan, I was ecstatic. However, I did kind of miss that Hosoya didn’t appear in this one. He was Morgan in Awakening and Shigure in Fates. I listened to both casts, and besides a few voices (Japanese Bernadetta killed my ears), I loved both sides no matter how different they were. While some delivery was a little weak (nothing major), I found that it was generally very well-done.

Both Ai Kakuma and Tara Platt stood out to me as Edelgard. For one, Tara Platt is immensely talented. I didn’t hear Ai Kakuma around as much (I only heard her make an appearance in Kimetsu no Yaiba).

Both Kaito Ishikawa and Chris Hackney were great as Dimitri, but I think Chris gave him a bit more of a “snobbish king” kind of feel which was probably better for my perception of his character.

Joe Zieja was iconic as Claude but so was Toshiyuki Toyonaga. Toshi was far suaver and flirtatious and pulling off more of that “otome game” kind of vibe while Joe has contributed so much to the fandom outside of the actual game. It’s much harder to choose between the two for this one.

Both sides really bring it their all, and while I do have my preferences, I would be fine either way.

Of course, these lines weren’t really translated perfectly in the dub. From what I hear, there are a ton of nuances and the way that they spoke that didn’t go both ways. In the end, the gist was the same.

I might ramble further in a separate post because I wanna.

[putschki1969]

Kalafina Club 2018/01/30

Note: Here’s this week’s episode. It’s technically* the first episode after their 10th Anniversary so I thought I’d provide a summary for it. Also, Keiko’s surprise message at the end is the sweetest thing EVER!! Please keep in mind that my Japanese is not the best (my listening comprehension is severely lacking) but I tried my best as always XD [*An episode aired on the actual day of the live but that was recorded before the live so it doesn’t really count. I will probably provide a summary for that once I am done with this one here]

Let’s get right to it 〈(•ˇ‿ˇ•)-→

Episode #391

Day Duty: Hikaru

Song: All My True Love by SPEED (1998) as requested by “まいやいやえいえいる”

Lyrics 今こそ ALL MY TRUE LOVE 愛を受け止めて どんな時だって　私はいつもそばにいるよ こわれそうだった日も ゆずれなかった　あの夜さえも 誇れる時がいつか訪れる あの虹を越えて　響き合う魂よ 誰にも負けない！

Wakana says this song makes you feel super refreshed. Keiko asks her if she will be fine this late at night or if she is overhyped now. Wakana replies that, yes, she will be fine, she just got a little overexcited. Time for Kala-Janken. According to Wakana, Hikaru is in battle-mode tonight, she first beats Keiko and then Wakana. Hikaru then goes on to provides the usual intro for Kalafina Club and introduces their opening number => “All My True Love” by SPEED as requested by this fan. Wakana is surprised it’s already been 20 years since this song was released, so nostalgic. Hikaru talks about how she was all giddy when the album (including this song) was finally available in stores. Wakana still loves the song a lot, everytime she listens to it, she gets all “wakuwaku” (excited). They all agree that this piece makes them feel like they are going back in time. It’s the first time they have sung this song together and even though it was hard they wanna sing more SPEED songs on their radio show. Hikaru is suggesting a live where they sing all of their songs XD

♪ Eden ♪

Time for some impressions of their 10th Anniversary Live on Jan 23. First we have a mail by a fan called “おにぎりのぐ”. They say that the 10th Anni Live was super amazing. It was the VERY first Kalafina-live they ever attended, in fact, it was their VERY first concert in general, so the excitement was real. The fan is more than happy that the first live he/she got to experience was an awesome Kalafina concert. To have the concert start with such bright songs like ryb and Mirai was truly heartwarming. The transition between dark songs, warm ballads and upbeat tunes was also great, it was so much fun to get immersed in Kalafina’s world. The fan says that the live almost felt like enjoying some high class French cooking with all those favourite songs being performed. The final song Alleluia left a lasting impression and provided an image of a sparkling future filled with hope. The fan was moved to tears and wants to thank the girls from the bottom of his/her heart.

The girls express their gratitude for this lovely mail and Wakana says she is happy that their final song Alleluia was capable of conveying such a strong feeling of hope. She says that a lot of her friends also voted for Alleluia and she thinks it’s great that they got to do a live where pretty much the entire setlist was comprised of songs that were chosen by the audience.  

Keiko then says that they are actually recording this episode just two days after the live so the memories are still super fresh, their nerves are still on edge, their bodies are still 100% in concert mode so to speak XD [at least according to Keiko, not sure about the other two] It’s cute how Keiko says it’s “radio magic” that the episode airs much later than it was recorded XD

Hikaru talks about how she felt super close to the audience during their first two songs, it felt really nice to start their live by singing “ryb” and “Mirai” while looking at everyone’s faces in the audience. Even during the rehearsals they felt like these two songs would be perfect to literally “break the ice” and get everyone in the right mood for the concert. It’s the same with “Ongaku” which also always serves as a sort of mood-maker.

♪ ring your bell ♪

More impression of their 10th Anni. This time a mail by a fan called  ぴーち /Peach. The fan talks about how they traveled all the way from Osaka to see the live. It’s the first time they have travelled this far for a live. The girls are very happy to hear that. On the way back home the fan looked through the entire pamphlet, read all the interviews as well as Yuki Kajiura’s message. The final page of the pamphlet left a lasting impression because it was so beautiful. The live itself was amazing, the three hours passed by so quickly, there were lots of tears as would be expected from a Kalafina live. Peach hopes that the girls will take a break now so they can recover from all the work in 2017. Their minds and bodies deserve to take some rest [I wholeheartedly agree!] A final big thank you for the gorgeous harmony that was created on that day. Keiko seems a bit embarrassed by all the praises in this mail. She is like, “Peach! Stop it!!” She is very happy tho that the final page of their pamphlet is so well-received. She explains that when it comes to Kalafina pamphlets they usually don’t smile and even if they do, it’s without showing teeth. To have this sort of picture for their 10th Anniversary pamphlet feels very special and she thinks it’s fitting because they are very happy to finally celebrate their 10th Anniversary so why not show that happiness in the pamphlet, right? Hikaru agrees, it’s a very “real” and casual picture. Wakana says this was taken while they were casually talking with each other during a break. [Truly the best picture of the enture pamphlet which is why I chose it as cover image for this episode ~ in case you wondered]

Wakana continues by saying that, yes, the three hours went by in the blink of an eye. They can’t believe they actually performed three hours, it felt so short. The other two agree, it didn’t feel like three hours at all. Even with the lack of MC and encore it felt like time was flying because they were focused on singing.

They continue by talking about various arrangements. Like for example, the changed arrangement for “serenato” where they included the accordion player. They think it added a lot of atmosphere to the song. Speaking of arrangments, they say that they always try to think of something new for the bridge in Ongaku. When they do the introductions of their musicians, it’s supposed to sound different every time. They are particularly proud of the instrumental solos this time around. [I agree, it sounded a lot better than usual for some reason, more intentional than just random playing :P]

♪ progressive ♪

Hikaru provides info on upcoming events. And then Keiko quietly asks if it’s okay to read out a message she has written, she has prepared a short note for both Wakana and Hikaru. The two of them seem very surprised. YAY, surprise message by Keiko. This is by far the highlight of the episode. Listen closely to Keiko.

To Hiichan: In these ten long years Hiichan has been listening to the conversations of who knows how many people, always remaining silent. During this time she has become a beacon of immense support for me. I truly respect Hikaru’s attitude of listening quietly. From now onwards I would like Hikaru to have conversations with many people, in her own way of communicating through singing. Thank you for these past ten years!

To Waka-chan: Wakachan's voice is truly the defining feature of Kalafina, as defining as a face is to the human body. I feel like despite many pressures and hurdles throughout the past ten years Hikaru and I have contributed to putting various expressions on that face, wishing to preserve this defining feature, wanting to protect her voice. I am incredibly grateful. From Keiko*

Towards the end of her message for Wakana, you can clearly hear how Keiko gets all choked up, she has trouble to continue talking. It’s the sweetest thing ever to hear her get so emotional. And then when you hear how Wakana thanks her for the message, it’s obvious that she has been reduced to tears. Awwwww! *sobs*

Shout-out to @kuroiyuki88 who helped me translate these messages.

Keiko then cutely asks Hikaru to finish the episode and that’s a wrap XD

[armsinthewronghands]

Ron Edwards Making No Sense

https://plus.google.com/u/0/110790893064742233179/posts/JJj6ow3fEX5

Wayne Snyder Shared privately  -  Aug 18, 2015

Simon Bisley, 1997

(NOTE FOR THE TRANSCRIPT: The post consisted of a Simon Bisley painting)

43 Ron Edwards's profile photoMike Evans's profile photoMichael Moscrip's profile photoRichard Grenville's profile photo 84 comments

Richard GrenvilleAug 18, 2015+4 5 4

If I were in my bikini and bird mask ensemble I would not like to be in that position under all those razor-sharp spider parts, is all I'm saying. 

Richard GrenvilleAug 18, 2015

+Jeremy Duncan #startingequipment for Oriax?

Asia PickleAug 18, 2015

I do like his stuff. You ever seen that TV show Spaced?

Ron EdwardsAug 18, 2015

plus for audacity, but yeesh, Simon, you get the big bucks, try some figure drawing

Zak SmithAug 18, 2015+5 6 5

That is a baffling comment +Ron Edwards. I don't know if you mean to have a conversation about art here but techmastery snark against Simon Bisley is about as misplaced as taking Aretha Franklin to task for not knowing how to sing. Any distortions of naturalistic anatomy in Bisley are chosen stylistic effects.

Rafael ChandlerAug 18, 2015+3 4 3

Sweet. Love the bird-girl. Thinking she might not be human -- look at them fingers.

Ron EdwardsAug 18, 2015+3 4 3

+Zak Smith Ohhhh, I have been schooled now. I'm saying this as someone who likes you: fuck off, Zak. Can't a person post anything without you comin' in as Master Scold? Do you own art? All of it, or just Bisley? Can you not face being baffled, as you call it? Or that a person can post something wrong, like really wrong horribly OMG wrong, and the world won't collapse if you don't correct it?

And no, this isn't a debate. I don't like Bisley so much, so what, it's not going to change the world.

People knuckle under to you for one reason: because they're scared of being vilified Limbaugh-wise. You've got the moral high ground, the professional success, the accolades, and a life you can be proud of. Any reason you have to be a bully?

Answer me that before you crack down on me again.

Zak SmithAug 18, 2015+1 2 1

1. There's a difference between "I don't like Bisley" (statement of opinion, unarguable) And "Bisley lacks technical ability" (assertion of fact, arguable) and the second is so far as I can tell, simply misinformation. I have a moral obligation to correct it if I see it because you don't want people acting on bad information. 2.How are the rest of us supposed to know which of your many public opinions you want to discuss and which one we'll be attacked for discussing? You snarked at Simon Bisley (he didn't attack you), I neutrally commented that I don't think that was warranted, now you're biting my head off? 3. If you didn't want to talk about your opinion, why'd you say it where other people could read it? 4. How can a person with no coercive power over you be "bullying"? +Ron Edwards +Mike Davison 

David BaityAug 18, 2015

+Zak Smith lmfao

Victor Garrison (headspice)Aug 18, 2015+1 2 1

+Rafael Chandler​, Dude, what are you? A "fingers man"?

Ron EdwardsAug 18, 2015+1 2 1

+Zak Smith You hold and openly wield immense coercive power. You are a master of single-messaging people about whom they plus or not-plus, of posting public messages to shame, and of leveraging your deserved reputation as a great artist and contributor to the hobby for weight in conversations. You are widely feared and operate as a chilling agent throughout many discussions in which your tangible interests are not involved. You may intend this or you may not; I am not speaking to that. But either way, do not play "Li'l ol' me."

I won't be looking at this thread again until tomorrow, in case that interests anyone.

Zak SmithAug 18, 2015+1 2 1

Which one of these "powers" is forbidden from Mere Normal Men? "A master of single-messaging"? That isn't a magic spell, Ron, you can do that, too. +Ron Edwards You just type. As for "leveraging my reputation"--you can't simultaneously claim someone has a deserved reputation for contributions in a field and then claim that their influence is unfair . Either the reputation is deserved and so they should be influential. Or it isn't and they shouldn't.

Tony DemetriouAug 18, 2015+2 3 2

I love Bisley, and his style. This is pretty representative of my ideal goal, if I could magically make art in any style I choose.

The distorted anatomy is perfect, in the same way that I enjoy Disney animation - the choices of how to stylize or not to stylize it gives so much character to the piece. And I'm lucky that the choices Bisley makes are the ones I find appealing.

And those colours!

+Ron Edwards Um, not intending to dogpile or anything. I totally get why you might not like this :) - But I can't agree with the "figure drawing" comment, to my eye he clearly has mastered figure drawing, and now is deciding which rules to break. That's what I love most about this piece!

So when I see you criticize his anatomy, I assume that we've got a mismatch when it comes to what we enjoy about the stylizations.

I say this because in other posts you've made, you've linked to comics and referenced art with much weaker figure drawing than this without commenting on the lack of technical skills. While that might not mean anything, is it just that you find these particular ones to be ugly?

Joshua BlackketterAug 18, 2015

.

David Lewis JohnsonAug 18, 2015

.

Ron EdwardsAug 19, 2015

A new day, and two fallacies await.

1. The "magic spell" is classic deflection. I said nothing of who can and cannot do those things. Single-messaging is obviously available to everyone; . The question is why you do them, which you are failing to answer.

2. Deserved reputation in doing a thing, in this case art, is not a moral obligation (your term) to do some other thing. Especially if that other thing is itself morally unsound.

These were also posted as provocation: I said I wouldn't be looking at the thread again until today, which I didn't. You posted immediately with fallacy statements, which you're not dumb enough to believe are valid. I think you know well a person can barely if ever resist replying to such things. Then you can play "ah ha you were too looking." You caught me with that once, and that dog hunts no more.

I don't think you are posting in good social or intellectual faith. What frustrates me is that you usually do post in good faith, and with points I generally value - until someone flips your Scold Switch, and you launch into these modes of attack which have long passed their high-school sell-date. They're beneath you. Yes, anyone can do them, and again: why would you?

One more check-in tomorrow to see if you answer this time. Then I'm done.

Zak SmithAug 19, 2015+1 2 1

+Ron Edwards *People don't have ideas different than yours just to piss you off, Ron* You assume bad faith: this is not good. - 1. It isn't "Deflection"--Bullying by definition requires the bully have abilities the target does not. I cannot bully you as I possess no such powers. - 1b.  As for why I'd single-message someone: Because sometimes going "Dude do you know what's going on in that thread?" would derail a public thread so you send them a private message. Right now I genuinely don't know why you're attacking me or why anyone of good conscience would join in with you. I need facts. So I asked. - 2. Everybody has a moral obligation to fact-check stuff that's discussed. Period. You (or anyone else) say an inaccurate thing, it needs to get fact-checked. "I don't like Simon Bisley" requires no comment. "Simon Bisley lacks technical ability" requires a fact-check, just like "girls don't play D&D" or "game have to look like textbooks" or any other incorrect fact I come on here and check. - 2b. I say and believe things you disagree with  because I believe they're true, not out of a sadistic desire to upset you. (This probably goes for a lot of people.) I, of course, never post fallacies and don't do so in order to "provoke" people. Provoking you achieves nothing. It is a bizarre and paranoid conspiracy theory to assume I someone get some special cookie for making you (or anyone else) mad. Like what's my supposed motive in your worldview? I didn't wake up hating Simon Bisley just as much as you yesterday and suddenly pretend to think he had technical skill just because I thought it would upset Ron Edwards! And what a joy upsetting Ron Edwards is? Right? Oh I am so glad I got to do this! What glee  I have reaped from manufacturing this false opinion about my own profession simply in order to upset one random man! That would be like you pretending bats are made of goat cheese in order to piss off a biologist you don't like. Evidence I liked Bisley before today is not thin on the ground, nor is evidence that I fact-check people when they get things wrong. I would hope, as a biologist, you'd think fact-checking bullshit about your area of study is an end in itself . I feel the same way about art. When you make false  accusations and I counter them you are not the only audience for fact-checks I may do to those false accusations. Every single person who might ever read since the beginning of time needs to know you aren't telling the truth, not just you. Now:  The person making a claim has the burden of proof--if you are claiming I am lying prove that now.

Wayne SnyderAug 19, 2015+3 4 3

That's some pretty funny shit right there. This could have been one of those art posts where folks comment, "Cool." Or "Awesome!" But ya'll have brought the comments bar up a notch to down right entertaining. To bad you can't hear me slow clapping.

Wayne SnyderAug 19, 2015+2 3 2

But I must admit, I'm a bit sad it turned out to be an argument about arguing instead of an art criticism debate.

Tony DemetriouAug 19, 2015

Alas - the internet!

Zak SmithAug 19, 2015+2 3 2

+Wayne Snyder Would be happy to have the art criticism debate if there was someone who wanted to throw down on the other side. But that never really does happen.

Tony DemetriouAug 19, 2015

I don't know if anyone here has the technical chops to have that debate, +Zak Smith ?

Zak SmithAug 19, 2015+1 2 1

The whole talkin'-RPGs business relies on articulate amateurism +Tony Demetriou, if everybody here can say why they don't like Palladium or Pathfinder or Prometheus, they can, in theory, say why they think a painting fails. They may not be able to refer to personal experience painting, but I am not going to pull rank here and claim you need an MFA to critique a picture.

Tony DemetriouYesterday 12:22 AM

I kinda feel that, having played 2-10 hours of RPGs per week for a couple of decades now, I can speak as an expert on the topic (while recognizing there are many other experts)

With pictures, I can talk about what I like. But I don't really know how to engage in a criticism debate. Willing to try, of course! Especially since I learn so much by a good debate :)

Soooo....

What's with Bisley's neon colours? I love them, but my first impression when looking at this picture is a mess of brightness. That seems to be the opposite of when I look at, say, Franzetta who tends to use one dominant colour for the whole picture.

Is that a failing on Bisley's part, or just a stylistic preference? I love the colours, but could it have been possible to have made a picture like this, without the first impression being such a mess? Maybe better separation of them, rather than similar tones on overlapping objects?

I also find he often muddies the picture with unnecessary detail - like this picture has a great silhouette, and he pulls the two humans out of the background by making them brighter than the background. But the spider seems like it's a mess. What's with those skulls beneath its legs, that are the same colour as the legs, and the same brightness and contrast? It forces my eye to do work to figure out what I'm looking at. It doesn't "lead the eye" around the picture very well.

I'm a fan of both headdresses, but the material on the guy's one seems off - it looks like it's meant to be feathers, but to me it looks like some sort of white cardboard. The girl's headdress feathers look soft, which is what I'd expect from the guy's headdress too.

And the spider's abdomen kinda looks half finished? It looks like there's the brown from the background drawn over it. Or is that some sort of green in the background and not an abdomen? I dunno. I don't like it!

... but these are my nitpicks - as a whole image, I adore it!

Zak SmithYesterday 2:21 AM

I don't understand +Tony Demetriou , you have looked at far more pictures in your life than played games, why aren't you an expert on that, too?

Tony DemetriouYesterday 3:16 AM

Because of my nature.

I've mentally broken down and analysed what makes RPGs "work" and created my own, which tests my theories.

I've looked at many pictures, but until relatively recently (maybe 5 years ago?) I haven't been engaging with it in the same way. I'm trying to learn to draw, and it's given me a new perspective on art - I'm noticing things that I was never aware of before. My understanding of form and structure and linework is so much advanced just from this hobbyist learning - and I'm sure that once I go further I'll have similar gains with my understanding of tone, colour etc. once I start learning how to apply that too. So I "know how much I don't know" if that makes sense?

Maybe it's just how I learn - I very much "learn by doing", which explains why I'm more comfortable considering myself an expert on things that I make or do, rather than things I mostly observed.

That said - in the post above, I've given my criticisms of this picture. Do you agree or disagree with them, or have any comments of your own?

Zak SmithYesterday 3:26 AM+1 2 1

It can't be just you, as nearly every single intelligent person not trained inthe field is terrified of rendering an attempt at an intelligent opinion of a piece of art. As if it were somehow 1000 times more complex than a movie (which every person has opinions on). As for your criticisms: perhaps what they lack is a sufficient counterexample--like who does right the things you guess possibly he did wrong ? 

Tony DemetriouYesterday 3:39 AM

Good point. I have no problem at all discussing movies, and the artistry involved. Maybe it's some sort of assumed-complexity due to art criticism being viewed as some elite field?

Hmm, a counterexample - I can absolutely give examples of people who do it differently but I don't know if that means they're doing it right.

- For the bright colours, a lot of cartoons and 3D animation uses bright colours without the first impression being so confused. The artwork isn't nearly as good (in my opinion), but this picture is also brightly coloured, while still "reading" easily at first glance: http://www.wisdomswebzine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tangled.jpg

I suspect it's because, although there are bright colours, it's still a pretty limited palette - mostly blue and purple. It also keeps the characters silhouetted by dressing Flynn in darker colours and with dark hair against the white horse, and putting the darker blue behind the horse.

Rembrant's The Night Watchman is a great example of a very busy picture with a lot of detail, where the detail doesn't muddy the picture (although it makes me feel like I've forgotten my glasses...) https://catholicismpure.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/the-night-watchman/

If Bisley had done something similar around the spider & figures it might have helped give it a clearer shape, and stopped the spider being such a mess?

For the headdress - I think Bisley's own picture is the best example of doing it "right" - the woman's headdress feathers look great, the man's looks like cardboard. I think he should have softened the edges of the man's feathers.

For the spider's abdomen... uh, it just looks half finished to me. I don't think that needs a comparison? Although there certainly are other pictures that use that same effect.

Zak SmithYesterday 3:46 AM

+Tony Demetriou "I can absolutely give examples of people who do it differently but I don't know if that means they're doing it right." Well if you like it they're doing it right and if you don't they' aren't

Wayne SnyderYesterday 3:55 AM+2 3 2

Bisley is known for his bizarre pallette choices. I know he often used automotive paint in his illustrations. He's riffing off Frazettas choices, but taking it up a notch. Bisley is a heavy metal painter. He is painting visual representations of heavy metal music for the covers of a magazine called heavy metal. So the subject matter is over the top brutality and horror and sexuality. If you removed the spider and the warhammer from this piece it would just be pornography. The beef cake warrior's bulging junk is aimed directly at the sorceress's bulging junk and the course of image is obvious. But it is both, it is sex and violence in a pure cartoon proportioned form. It is the teenage mind and that is who is supposed to buy the magazine this is a cover for. I don't know why he put that skull mess in the center. I suspect without it the composition would be lopsided. Maybe it just wasn't "metal" enough for the Biz, so he added the skulls. It may have even been the choice of a art director and the Biz just wanted to get it out the door and get paid. But I doubt that. 

Zak SmithYesterday 4:05 AM+3 4 3

I think "when in doubt skulls" is a pretty good creative default

Richard GrenvilleYesterday 5:37 AM+3 4 3

Regarding people's reticence about art crit, I guess I'll state the obvious to get it out there: there is a whole industry of art critics, which was at some stage dedicated to placing painting and sculpture (although not really printmaking) in a special separate category elevated above the vulgar horde - to promoting the value of art as a vital endeavour in which humans aspired to the level of gods. And even if critics haven't done much of this in the past couple of generations, some of those old attitudes still linger on, especially in primary schools which tend to be the last refuge of ancient pedagogical ideas.* And those old values still inform the economics of the art market (the aura of the art object, the figure of the artist as a conduit into some extraordinary other world). So I suspect people might be reticent to talk about paintings partly because they're haunted by the snooty ghost of e.g. Vasari or Jacob Burckhardt, refracted through a thousand indirect sources, telling them there is something spiritual and ineffable in there which is not for the likes of them. The fact that this picture in particular is not in the (socioeconomic) category elevated by Vasari or Burkhardt but makes use of its gestures probably makes things worse, not better.

In contrast, AIUI in the early days of film there were conscious efforts made by auteur directors on one hand and populist producers on the other either to place the medium firmly in the elevated sphere of Art or to rescue it from that ivory tower and make it democratic, for the people. Perhaps the economic possibilities of mass-market film just blew away the arguments on the high art side. Perhaps the costs of commercial film production spiraled out of the hands of individual directors making their individual artistic statements and left only oligarchical demagogues, reliant on sometimes-subversive film-making experts.

* and some innovative ones too, I'm not dissing early education here.

Ron EdwardsYesterday 8:38 AM

+Zak Smith You're not hitting anything with that reply. I never said you were doing this vindictively to upset me personally as me. I'm saying you use rhetorical and social tricks to marginalize people when they post things that .. whatever it is those things do that prompts it. It fits into your own definition of bullying - because using techniques not only that others don't have, but that they won't use, counts in that definition. You said my post "baffled" you, yeah, well it baffles me that a person of your qualities and insights would do these things.

You're saying Bisley's distortions serve his (an) artistic purpose. You can just say so. You don't have to pursue anyone who plusses me saying something else. You don't have to claim "moral obligation" to put me or anyone else down, with chilling and silencing techniques. It's this pious scolding and shaming I'm talking about. Not difference of views about the artist - in fact, if you'd asked in a real way, you'd have found that I like the way Bisley does it most of the time, not so much in this picture this time. I did not say "Bisley can't draw bodies and can never draw bodies and never did." That is your trip, you brought it in, and all your high-minded fact-checking claim to being the intellectual in the room is based on that alone. You revved up your moral fires for nothing.

All of the potential for easy contrast of posts, no status issues, open to the reader to evaluate or ignore, is gone when you descend with your blazing moral obligation in play. You talk about assuming things? You assumed vast tracts of attitude, position, and intention in my post, so hard you "saw" them. You've created an entertainment environment where people can enjoy you putting someone down. That's bullying.

Daily check-in tomorrow. It is remotely possible that this could be a worthwhile conversation.

Zak SmithYesterday 9:04 AM

+Richard Grenville Sure, but just because someone is telling you to stay in your class and let them handle the heavy lifting, why would you let them?

Zak SmithYesterday 9:18 AM

+Ron Edwards 1. Why would I want to marginalize you? Your claim has no motive. 2. Asking people why their friends or allies are being dicks isn't a "trick". It's a straightforward way of dealing with bad behavior. 3. No definition (including mine) of bullying includes "don't use techniques that are totally legit and make sense and that are designed to make the person making a false accusation stop" which is what these "techniques" were doing. 4. You're using a begging-the-question argument "What you did is obviously motivated by badness because it uses techniques that are bad and those techniques are bad because they are motivated by bad" 5. "You're saying Bisley's distortions serve his (an) artistic purpose. You can just say so. You don't have to pursue anyone who plusses me saying something else." I didn't do that. I only talked toone other person--Mike Davison--once you called me "bullying" because that is an insane charge. If you call me bullying--you are lying. If someone I consider a friend plusses that lie--I must address that with my friend. Period. Anything else would be irresponsible on my part. Also, in my original comments to you I didn't say the distortions "served an artistic purpose" I said he wanted them to serve an artistic purpose , which is different, in case you didn't know that, which your joke (implying the distortions were mistakes) seemed to indicate. 5. "You don't have to claim "moral obligation" to put me or anyone else down," I didn't "put you down" I fact-checked you. You asserted Bisley's distortions were down to not knowing how to draw accurately (rather than choice).This is not subjective--his distortions may be (subjectively) undesirable but they are (objectively) not "because he doesn't know any better". Therefore you said something objectively inaccurate in a semi-public space . Anyone who knew you had said this and knew the truth would have an obligation to point out the fact-checking error. 6. "in fact, if you'd asked in a real way,..." Once you express yourself in the form of a snarky attack, you don't then get to demand benefit-of-the-doubt from someone defending your target. Bisley did not begin a conversation by making fun of you . You attacked Bisley. I defended him. You then attacked me. 7. ". I did not say "Bisley can't draw bodies and can never draw bodies and never did."" No, you just made a joke to that effect at his expense and then accused me of bullying instead of going "Oh, sorry, that's not what I meant, let's sort this out" 8. "You assumed vast tracts of..." I assumed nothing. I interpreted that you made a snarky joke at Bisley's expense.  *I can only be accused of assuming if you are claiming your comment was not a snarky joke at Bisley's expense.* You got a reasonable response to that directed not just at you, but to any naive 3rd party who doesn't knowmuch about art who might be reading (naive viewers might take your joke at face value and they need to be disabused of that and know the artist you're attacking can actually identify body parts and where they go). 9. " You've created an entertainment environment where people can enjoy you putting someone down. " I wasn't putting you down, I was fact-checking you. If someone enjoys that outside of some pre-existing reasont o dislike you, they are a total asshole. If someone sees that as important and necessary, they are correct.

Richard GrenvilleYesterday 9:48 AM+2 3 2

just because someone is telling you to stay in your class and let them handle the heavy lifting, why would you let them?

this seems like it might also have some bearing on your conversation with Ron - my guess is that a lot of people feel discouraged in talking about art the same way they would feel discouraged in discussing engineering, only even more so. On one hand, they feel ignorant about what they imagine is a specialized field of knowledge (like engineering). But also they have a sense that they might trip off some kind of lurking art trap and get laughed at by the cognoscenti for their ignorance or something, as if they'd used the wrong fork at a gala dinner.

Class anxiety may be silly and useless but it's real for lots of people and harder to negotiate than ever now that it no longer runs in simple hegemonic directions. 

...I'm not saying that Ron is suffering from class anxiety. Just realised I didn't leave that clear. 

Zak SmithYesterday 9:53 AM+1 2 1

Use whatever fork. Know why you made that decision. Speak with the courage of your convictions if someone gives you static about it.

Victor Garrison (headspice)Yesterday 9:54 AM+2 3 2

My only criticism of this piece is: why did he paint such awesomely proportioned derriere and legs and stick those spooky, fucking spindly assed fingers on her hand?!?!?

I mean as far as drawing in your gaze, it's obvious Biz intentionally wanted her ass to be seen first. I say this not because I'm a perv (tho I won't deny that charge) but because it's pretty much center and hi-lighted more brightly than anything else. Your gaze moves from there over to his crotch, up his breast plate, to his face and then -- OH SHIT!-- to the monster. I like how he lures you in with submissive sexuality, brings you further along with brute sexuality, then BAM knocks you in the head with a hideous creature. Nice work, nice work.

Rafael ChandlerYesterday 9:55 AM

+Victor Garrison He gave her fingers like that so you could tell your friends, "Hey, man, she gave me her digits." <rimshot>

Richard GrenvilleYesterday 10:12 AM+1 2 1

for me it's a tangle of long golden-brown forms that could be a tree root or something, and then I see a butt, and then the rest kinda unmasks slowly. 

Zak SmithYesterday 10:16 AM+1 2 1

The greens of the spider come on before anything else for me

Victor Garrison (headspice)Yesterday 10:28 AM+1 2 1

+S Robertson , If you're telling a linear story, yeah, that's the route to take. But it seems to me that Bisley is going for a visceral "EWWW" reaction. It's a dark piece, so much so, that IMO, it almost looks like a black velvet painting technique was used. The bird woman's butt is the brightest spot in the painting, which is a signal to start viewing there. Especially since that spot seems to be the counterbalance to the large, dark negative space at the top of the painting. The next closest bright spot is the cod piece, then the breast plate, then the helmet, and that's when I made out the spider creature. IDK, that's just the way I encountered it, not as a story, but as an....oh shit, MONSTER! kinda thing.

Victor Garrison (headspice)Yesterday 10:32 AM

+Zak Smith  Damn, I didn't realize that green was the spider. Seriously, I thought it was shrubbery and had no clue wtf he stuck that in a dungeon.

Justice PlattYesterday 10:45 AM+1 2 1

Good to see that Zak knows what Ron said better than Ron does.  There is absolutely no contradiction between the belief that Bisley chose not to do good figure drawing for whatever reason and RE's comment.

Victor Garrison (headspice)Yesterday 10:57 AM+1 2 1

+Rafael Chandler​​, I wanna say I "dig it", but I'm reaching, yet I can't grasp it.... :)

Zak SmithYesterday 2:06 PM

+Justice Platt How do you interpret: "yeesh, Simon, you get the big bucks, try some figure drawing" ?

Justice PlattYesterday 2:14 PM+1 2 1

+Zak Smith , three points:

1)There is no logical contradiction between saying that and believing the artist capable of figure drawing.

2)The guy who said it says that' he did not in fact assert that Bisley cannot draw bodies.

3)It is entirely plausible that he meant to point to the lack of use of figure drawing skills.  Example: The Packers go 3 & out on consecutive off-tackle runs.  I say "Yeesh, Rodgers, you get the big bucks, try some passing" in whatever tone of voice you like.  I clearly mean, as a reasonably informed football fan, that the Packers are making a strategic blunder by not using Rodgers' passing skills.  I think the situation is exactly analogous for RE as a comic fan.

So, yeah, you seem to have jumped to conclusions about his asserting Bisley's lack of skill.

Zak SmithYesterday 2:23 PM

+Justice Platt Are you saying you think the comment was intended to be a responsible and constructive comment rather than (at best) vague snark?

Justice PlattYesterday 2:28 PM+1 2 1

I make no claims to being able to read RE's mind. He speaks for himself well.   I'm saying that your blanket statement that RE asserted that Bisley has no skill is false on logical grounds, on the grounds of the testimony of the author, and on the grounds that there exists a strongly plausible alternate interpretation.  Is any of this not true?

Zak SmithYesterday 2:30 PM

+Justice Platt I suggest only that RE;s comment was snarky and negative enough that my initial comment was necessary to clarify the facts. His subsequent comments could have been "Oh, that's not what I mean" and I'd go "Oh, ok" But instead he went "YOU CLARIFIED AFTER MY SNARKY COMMENT! YOU ARE BULLYING ME!" at which point he passed from "requiring clarification" to simply "wrong and insane"

Justice PlattYesterday 2:36 PM+1 2 1

+Zak Smith , bullshit.  You have repeated a false thing-that RE asserted that Bisley has no skill in figure drawing-multiple times, even after clarification from the author.  In no way did RE's reaction force you to do that, and blaming him for it is ridiculous.

Zak SmithYesterday 2:41 PM

+Justice Platt If he disagrees with that assertion, then he may say that and I will have no choice but to take him at his word. It does't retroactively mean: -My initial clarifying comment was in any way insulting or unnecessary (as his  initial comment was, at best, ambiguous and, at best, still insulting snark) and -any of his later statements were in any way ok, since they contain crazy false accusations

Justice PlattYesterday 2:53 PM

+Zak Smith ,  the issue is not RE and the terrible things he allegedly  forced you to do.  You are not telling the truth about what he said. My 1st & 3rd points from my comment above at 4:14 applied before you replied, and you jumped to the conclusion that he must be asserting that Bisley had no skill.  Further, it is a rather insulting assumption that a lifelong, voracious comics reader like RE has no awareness of Bisley's work & skill.

Zak SmithYesterday 2:56 PM

+Justice Platt If Ron feels that I have misrepresented his position, he can say so. My first comment is wholly justified because it was there to clarify the situation after his snark. My subsequent comments were necessary to to establish that he was not telling the truth about bullying.

Justice PlattYesterday 3:09 PM

+Zak Smith , textual evidence is what it is.  Did you in fact jump to conclusions and make false statements about what RE asserted or not?  Were those conclusions based on the insulting assumption that RE was unaware of Bisley's skill or not?  If the answer to any of these is no, which of my three points is untrue?

Zak SmithYesterday 3:48 PM

+Justice Platt I already spoke to this: " If Ron feels that I have misrepresented his position, he can say so. (Neither of us know what he meant.) My first comment is wholly justified because it was there to clarify the situation after his snark. My subsequent comments were necessary to to establish that he was not telling the truth about bullying. "

Justice PlattYesterday 4:12 PM

More bullshit.  Your entire justification for ongoing intervention has been that you need (in fact have a moral obligation) to correct RE's error of fact-an error of fact that you made up.  RE points out to you that you did so, and you repeat it yet again!  In bold even!    

As far as your subsequent statements go, this is more "Ron made me do it" nonsense.  Simply put, you can take issue with someone's tone, or with someone's attribution to you of bullying behavior, without insisting that your tendentious interpretation of his statement is utterly correct. You are perfectly aware of this.

So, do you believe that RE's statement must and can only mean that Bisley lacks technical skill or not?  If not, will you retract those parts of your statements in which you definitively, unambiguously assert that this is the case? .   And, yes, this is important.  There is at least one person on the internet with a strong propensity to twist any statements by RE that can be twisted and attack RE with them.   The person I have in mind also clearly values your opinion, and would be happy to have fodder for his horseshit that he can present as approved by you.  Whether or not there is an analogy to your own situation is up to you.

Zak SmithYesterday 4:21 PM+1 2 1

+Justice Platt " do you believe that RE's statement must and can only mean that Bisley lacks technical skill or not? " I do not know what it means, I only know what: -I think it implied and -that Ron, instead of clarifying, chose to attack me " If not, will you retract those parts of your statements in which you definitively, unambiguously assert that this is the case?" If Ron says this isn't what he meant, then he can say that, at which point I will go "ok, then that's clear now" but all of my actions remained justified: His first statement morally required that I (or someone) clarify--as it strongly implied Bisley didn't know how to draw. My later statements were likewise, *morally required* because Ron falsely claimed he was being bullied.

Justice PlattYesterday 4:35 PM

+Zak Smith , a man who does not know what a statement means does not repeatedly, confidently, unambiguously, in bold offer an interpretation of that statement, nor does he present it as a definite error of fact someone made, nor does he assert that he has a "moral obligation" to correct it.   Why are you so reluctant to admit that you jumped to conclusions?

And again, this "If Ron chooses to correct me" horseshit doesn't wash.  Either you parsed his statement right, in which case I owe you an apology, or you did not, in which case you owe him an apology.

Zak SmithYesterday 4:38 PM

+Justice Platt How, pray tell, do we know if I correctly interpreted Ron's statement, psychopath?

Justice PlattYesterday 4:56 PM

+Zak Smith, either the author agrees with your interpretation or there is no plausible alternate interpretation.  Pretty simple.  Neither is the case here.  You can answer my questions whenever you like.

Does you calling me a psychopath mean I'm officially on some list of trolls or RPG drama club members or whatever?  Can I have a membership card?

Zak SmithYesterday 5:03 PM

+Justice Platt "either the author agrees with your interpretation or there is no plausible alternate interpretation" YES. That's why we have to wait for Ron to get past addressing: -1. The minor moral crime of responding to a work of art by an artist who'd done nothing wrong with a snarky attack and -2. The major moral crime of accusing me of being a bully and then move on to -3. The minor and arguable possible crime of ignorance or incompetence of attempting to express a possibly-believed inaccurate view of Mr Bisley's working process ....before we can answer the question of just what interior mental space Ron's absolutely totally objectively shitty comment was meant to reflect. When and if he finally gets around to clarifying that, I'll address it. As for you: you are simply obviously a psychopath for being so worried about 3 after all the 1 and 2 going on and doing so with so much pointless swearing. It would be remiss if I didn't point it out, for the benefit of anyone who hadn't noticed and might considering collaborating with you on any projects or discussing anything with you.

Justice PlattYesterday 5:53 PM

+Zak Smith , how on earth can a comment that you admit you don't know the meaning of be "absolutely totally objectively shitty?"  And before you go to the "it was snarky" well, remember that my alternate interpretation turns the comment from "Hurr hurr Bisley can't draw" to "Bisley would have done well to exercise more figure drawing skills."  You appear to have admitted that my interpretation is at least plausible, so you;ll be wanting to make an actual argument about why that's "objectively shitty." Otherwise,  all you're really doing is tone policing RE, since, agree or disagree, that's a reasonably productive thing to say.

Also, we have both essentially been ignoring RE's 10:38 AM comment, in which he both specifically points out that he did not explicitly say that Bisley cannot draw, points out that you made assumptions (one of which I pointed out above as an insulting assumption) to get to that interpretation, and states that he generally likes Mr. Bisley's work.  All of this makes my interpretation substantially more plausible.

As to my concern with 3-I was under the impression that you agreed with me that smaller falsehoods in the service of "larger truths" was a bad thing.

Unnecessary swearing?  Never thought I'd see the day when you'd blanch at bad words explicitly directed at your ideas, but times do change.

Last, on the psychopath thing,  I look forward to seeing your compendium of "dumb things Justice has said."  Maybe you'll find some stuff I don't remember or whatever.  Little trip down Memory Lane.  I am disappointed by no membership card.

I don't, however, expect to see it soon.  Unlike RE, I have no real reputation in RPGs to lose, and my name, to the best of my knowledge, has never been mentioned in a thread I am not in.  That's not the case for RE. Agree or disagree with him, like his stuff or don't, he's been working very hard to write good games and think clearly about RPGs for quite a while.  This is a good & worthy thing.  Allowing distortions of his remarks to stand just gives him more nonsense to contend with, especially at the hands of the individual I referred to earlier, who clearly values your opinion, covets your influence, and craves your approval.

Zak SmithYesterday 5:56 PM

+Justice Platt "my alternate interpretation turns the comment from "Hurr hurr Bisley can't draw" to "Bisley would have done well to exercise more figure drawing skills."" Your translation inaccurately removes the snark, which is there regardless of whether you want to acknowledge it or not. And is still opinion expressed as if it were fact or advice expressed to someone who clearly chose otherwise, which is also inexcusable and does not lead to a good discussion. The helpful or informative form of the remark would be something like "I wish he showed off more of his figure drawing skill here". Most of your comments are unnecessary, you just need to wait for Ron to respond rather thant repeatedly trying to find new interpretations of his objectively dumb remark " Agree or disagree with him, like his stuff or don't, he's been working very hard..." Calling me a bully torpedoes any and all good intentions on his part and means his alleged accomplishments don't matter. He ceases to be a reliable voice immediately at that point and becomes a chew toy for the rest of his life unless he manages to apologize and there can be no real defense of him. Even if my interpretation of his remark in my first response was inaccurate, nothing licenses him to say that--it is evil.

Justice PlattYesterday 6:13 PM+1 2 1

+Zak Smith , you can do better than that.  One man's hateful snark is another's witty tone.  I found your initial response nastily condescending, but that's not an argument against you. It's just straightforward tone policing either way.

And, as far as opinion expressed as fact goes, come on.  Just silly.  



Zak SmithYesterday 6:21 PM

+Justice Platt "Witty snark" or "hateful snark" are still just snark at the artist, which makes you not A Respectable Helpful Voice In The RPG Scene it makes you The Comments. And the way you build a decent RPG community is not be ok with people acting like The Comments. The Tone was snark (not ok to make a negative comment without facts to back it up). The Content was implying inaccurate facts (likewise not ok). "Tone policing" is when you make an accurate criticism and get attacked for your tone. Ron made either: -an inaccurate criticism (which is wrong, regardless of tone) or -an opinion-as-fact criticism (which is wrong, regardless of tone) The internet SO doesn't need more opinion-as-fact or baseless snark.

Justice PlattYesterday 7:44 PM

+Zak Smith , my alternate interpretation, whether or not it is particularly incisive, is substantive.  Which, frankly, is the better standard-"accurate" kinda sucks, since how could we possibly ' whether or not a counterfactual criticism, like my reinterpretation, is accurate?  Do we have access to all the pictures Bisley could have drawn?

The opinion as fact thing is still silly.  Work harder.

I agree about elevating the tone of internet discussion to at least some degree.But notice, you've gone from a duty to correct any & all errors of fact to a duty to elevate the the tone, as judged & enforced by you.  

Which, given your earlier name-calling and ridiculous blue-stockingness about swearing, allows me only to say "Be the change," y'know?

Zak SmithYesterday 7:59 PM+1 2 1

+Justice Platt "The opinion as fact thing is still silly.  Work harder." This alone makes you wrong. The rest is icing after that. If you think the internet needs more "Kirk is just better than Picard" then you're not a person anybody else need to listen to. As for "being the change" you don't stop someone from robbing banks by quietly not robbing banks. You have to call out bad behavior or it will continue, as the entire RPG internet proves every day.

Justice PlattYesterday 8:03 PM

+Zak Smith , would repeatedly, unambiguously asserting that your somewhat implausible interpretation of someone's statement was absolutely true count as OAF?

Zak SmithYesterday 8:09 PM

+Justice Platt Only if they contest it. If I think a house is on fire that isn't because of taste it's because of what i thought was a true fact about the world (which is all any of us can do: draw conclusions from sensory data). A grown-up like Ron needs to know the difference between taste and fact right off, but everyone can take the facts in front of them and make an incorrect inference--there's no shame in that so long as it is investigated if it was insulting to the target. Since Ron's comment was a bad thing to say because represents all bad options: -"Bisley lacks technical facility (incorrect) -"Bisley doesn't lack tech facility but it's good to express personal distaste by pretending it does" (counterproductive and trolling) -"Bisley made a choice I don't like and I'm going to both obscure that it's a choice and obscure that it;s just a taste thing" (counterproductive and trolling) -"I'm gonna snark for mystery reasons" (counterproductive and trolling) ...my inference was not particularly insulting since all the options make Ron's statement bad

Tony DemetriouYesterday 8:19 PM

I also interpreted Ron's comment as implying Bisley can't draw figures well.

I can absolutely see how the comment could have been intended to imply that Bisley can draw figures well, and chose not to in this picture - but even so it was clearly snarky. By saying "try some figure drawing", in either interpretation, it's saying that he didn't do figure drawing in this image.

To me, the implication that he didn't do figure drawing in this image is objectively wrong - there are two figures in the picture with (although stylized) relatively realistic proportions, musculature, etc. - there is clearly figure drawing there, whether it's good or bad.

So, using your football metaphor, it'd be more akin to Rodgers regularly passing the ball, but failing to do it to your satisfaction. And then you make the comment about "Yeesh, Rodgers, you get the big bucks, try some passing"

So clearly snarky.

(But it doesn't bother me if Ron is snarky or not. Bisley isn't here on this thread, and isn't having his feelings hurt, so we don't need to defend him unless we believe that some tangible harm will come to him or others from this snark.)

I'm not convinced that Ron's comment was shitty or bad - but it was inaccurate, and I don't have a problem with someone disagreeing with a comment they believe to be inaccurate.

I was quite surprised by Ron's response - although Zak's comment can be read as condascending, the reply was more vitriolic than I expected. Especially as I've seen Ron handle other, more direct attacks, with grace. I'm assuming that is due to their history, rather than this thread itself. As such, hanging this disagreement on Ron's originating comment feels like everyone is talking around the actual issue*.

* Whatever that actual issue might be.

+Zak Smith - Although I recognize that you were using the word in a non-medical sense, if we're being technically correct, +Justice Platt is only a psychopath if he scores above 30 on the PCL-R checklist. http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv/Hare-Psychopathy-Checklist.html

I dunno if he's likely to show up as a psychopath, as one of the primary traits is a lack of empathy, and Justice seems to be showing a lot of empathy towards Ron. (Although a psychopath might attempt to simulate that empathy as an excuse to exert their dominance in a conversation.)

Tony DemetriouYesterday 8:22 PM+1 2 1

+Zak Smith As a matter of taste, I don't know if this house is on fire, but it certainly is flaming

http://www.cynical-c.com/2015/06/19/relentlessly-gay-yard/

Zak SmithYesterday 8:25 PM

+Tony Demetriou the fact that Bisley isn't present is not the issue. Nor are his feelings. The point is a snarky negative comment does 3 things: -makes the conversation worse (because it is vague but contestable) and -(in this case) implies incorrect information. and -Violates the golden rule You don't avoid snark to spare peoples' feelings (surely thousands of people have snarked at Bisley before--he is an artist, this is a consequence of making art, it would be bad to let it affect your feelings), you avoid it because it makes the resulting conversation worse or (at best) does nothing but take up space. And, further, everyone must be subjected to the same standard whether they are present or not because they could easily see the comment in the future, and--MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY--uninformed 3rd parties, new to the situation might see it in the future.

Tony DemetriouYesterday 8:29 PM

+Zak Smith Out of context, I have zero problem with snark. I've got a friend that communicates almost entirely via sarcasm. I'm also Australian, where we'll use insults as everyday conversation tools. To me, this doesn't muddy the conversation.

In context, if snark is used as an attack, then I've got a problem with it. If it's used to express an opinion, but not specifically as an attack, then I don't. In this particular case, I couldn't say which is true.

I do think whether Ron believes Bisley is going to see his comment makes a difference on my interpretation of whether it was an attack or not.

If you feel that snark makes the conversation worse, regardless of whether it's an attack or not, then it doesn't matter whether Bisley is present or not.

I absolutely agree with you that Ron's comment implies incorrect information, and that incorrect information is bad (which is why I also disagreed with it.)

Justice Platt12:25 AM

+Zak Smith , RE did contest your interpretation.  I've pointed this out a few times. So yeah, OAF, by the standard you explicitly set out.  Really makes the rest of your post moot.  Snark always and everywhere bad might be defensible, but it is not the argument you were making in your posts to RE.

What I do want to address is your take on my opinion of OAF.  You immediately ascribed to me a complete straw man-that I want the internet to have more "Kirk is objectively better than Picard."  You had no warrant for saying so, and before you say that I should have clarified, does that justify the insulting  ascription of the most ridiculous position I could possibly hold?

It's of a piece with your professing to find four uses of a rather mild expletive "pointless swearing" and offering that as a reason people should avoid me.  In both cases, I cannot imagine that you did not recognize what you were doing and go on to do it anyway.  You are vigilant for strawmanning where you are concerned, and your body of work (to put it mildly) shows little concern about cussing.

These are the kinds of things that concern me in argument.  Your sanctimony about snark and OAF is sadly misplaced and rather grotesque when it occurs almost literally in the same breath with these other tactics.  You admit that snark can be harmless, OAF is pretty well understood as a statement of opinion by the vast majority of English speakers.  Faux outrage and strawmanning are always harmful.  So, yeah, be the change.

Zak Smith12:58 AM

+Justice Platt You ignored this: " If I think a house is on fire that isn't because of taste it's because of what i thought was a true fact about the world (which is all any of us can do: draw conclusions from sensory data). " You also ignored the fact that while Ron has repeatedly said pieces of what he thinks Ron has NEVER claimed his original snarky comment could not imply to a good-faith, educated reader that Ron thought Bisley lacked technical skill Until he: - does so, - does so convincingly and -then I deny him and can give no counterevidence ...then I am plausibly in the realm of fact. Right now I have an interpretation of his words "He implied Bisley lacked technical ability, despite possibly not meaning it" and my responsibilities "Therefore someone needed to establish this was not a true thing to imply". Nothing that has happened has changed any of that, and none of that is me taking something I know to be an opinion and claiming it's fact. So far as I can tell (and this is a guess),, from what he's saying, Ron agrees with this: "Ron implied Bisley lacked technical ability, despite possibly not meaning it" and his take is "Who the fuck cares? I get to just say random shit on the internet because who cares if anyone believes it? The important thing is nobody should ever clean up after the mess I make." As for the rest: OAF always leads to "Kirk is better than Picard" arguments, so you are totally defending that practice. On swearing: you're doing it against a target that's done nothing wrong in defense of a target that objectively has (he said I "bullied" which is objectively incorrect), that's the disturbing bit. ' OAF is pretty well understood as a statement of opinion by the vast majority of English speakers.' Incorrect: the whole reason for edition wars and other shitty internet phenomena is that nobody clearly draws lines between what's fact and what's opinion. Like it's a fact that people I know grasp percentile systems easily. But if I go "percentile systems are easy to grasp" then we don't know whether I mean that fact I just reported or whether I am just saying they are having done no research. Same with 90% of RPG arguments, treating claims you've researched the same as info you haven't ("This is "unworkable" "--well is it literally unworkable as in the math can't ever work because of a literal error or is it just you don't like it? "You can't satisfy both this and that at once!" Well are you sayng you tested it or are you saying you guess that?  "This drives most women away?" Well are you saying you checked or you're just guessing because you don't like it?) leads to nearly all the pointless fighting on the internet about games. So, just because you aren't smart enough to see why doing bad things causes problems doesn't mean they don't cause problems. Also, because you're not smart enough to see the reasons I call out bad behavior while at the same time engaging in behavior you think is the same, doesn't mean it's the same.

Justice Platt2:03 AM

+Zak Smith , you wanna get some sleep?  Rethink that post?  It's pretty feeble,

Zak Smith2:12 AM+1 2 1

+Justice Platt Again, the fact that you even posted that, resorting to just straight trolling and attempting to sort of wish away clear objections to your mistaken argument, suggests further that you have no value as a person to talk to. If you have an argument: make it. If you don't: apologize for wasting everyone's time.

Justice Platt3:06 AM+1 2 1

+Zak Smith OK. In order then:

I have no idea what you're talking about with the house on fire thing.  Hence ignoring it.

You're shifting goalposts again.  The idea that RE clarifying his position requires proof to the good faith etc etc is ludicrous.  It's also an entirely new standard.  My position has been consistently that your repeated, unambiguous statements that RE asserted (Not "implied"-another goalpost shift,.  "Asserted" is your multiple repeated original word choice) Bisley had no skill were not warranted, given that you don't know what RE means, and plausible alternate explanations exist.  "Plausibly in the realm of fact" is a ridiculous standard for big bold text this is true statements.  It is "plausibly in the realm of fact" that you're going to the bank tomorrow morning, but I'm still not going to claim that you definitely are, especially if you say you aren't..

You again change the claim you make-your original straw-manning is that I want more KP arguments, not that I'm ok with them.  

You,  a grown-up with some experience of the world, find it "disturbing" that someone called your argument "bullshit" in a cause you think bad?  What exactly does "disturbing" mean here, anyway?  Ooh-a vague insinuation!

Last, I can summarize your claims about OAF as: 1)Leads to unclear/confusing claims that sometimes require requesting warrants.  2)Abolition of this form of statement abolishes, or at least greatly diminishes, 1.    1 is not unique to OAF statements, and it is frankly risible to imagine that unclear claims and/or the need for warrant clarification stop or greatly diminish with their elimination.  So, minimal harms and inadequate solvency.  I'm not saying the practice is laudable, but c'mon.

Zak Smith3:26 AM

+Justice Platt 1. "I have no idea what you're talking about with the house on fire thing.  " Then the decent thing to do is ask not continue to be a tremendous shithead. I will explain: A grown-up person reporting on their taste knows they're reporting a mere opinion. If they dress it up as fact, they're pulling a rhetorical maneuver. Intent to deceive or bluster past rational objections. A person who thinks a house is on fire (they see the smoke, etc) and reports that it is and turns out to be wrong, has simply made a mistake no intent to deceive there. They inaccurately reported a fact which we all do innocently from time to time because we rely on our senses. My remarks in response to Ron have been of the second kind at worst--I believe Ron's remarks to be asserting (perhaps against Ron's real beliefs, because they are jokes) a certain thing that people may believe. Just as a joke may assert that a chicken crosses the road even if the person telling the joke doesn't believe that any chickens ever cross rods. 2. "You're shifting goalposts again. " Incorrect, I never shift goalposts, that would be disgusting, and it's disgusting you'd say that. My initial comment was based on and continues to be based on (and justified by) this idea: " (a) Ron's initial comment was such that a naive viewer might believe that Ron was expressing the following idea: "Bisley lacks technical skill" WHETHER RON BELIEVES BISLEY LACKS SUCH SKILL OR NOT. (b) It is therefore the responsibility of someone to explain to such a naive viewer that Bisley does indeed have technical skill " ...this has been my contention since the beginning. We know that Bisley does not lack technical skill. If he asserted Bisley lacked technical skill despite not believing it, he is evil and negligent. If he asserted it and believed it, he is ignorant and subsequently got mad about that being exposed. Neither of these conclusions is good for Ron therefore assuming one rather than the other does nothing to harm Ron's reputation more than the other choice. But there is no evidence anywhere that he did not assert this . You don't tell someone to try figure drawing if they're trying figure drawing. (a) Is not an opinion . It is an assertion of fact, so far as I know. If Ron wishes to contest the idea that his snarky remark may be read in such a way by a third party. I am (because I am sane) willing to consider the idea that my analysis is an inaccurate statement of the facts, but thus far there is zero evidence of this. Ron's defense and yours has simply been to talk about what Ron believes not what was implied to readers by the remark  (the only relevant thing). - As for the rest: you equivocate "not all harm is caused by x" (true statement) into "therefore there is no reason to eliminate x" (not a rational conclusion. OAFs cause: -some harm and provide -zero benefit ...so there is no good argument for them. Like bedbugs.

Victor Garrison (headspice)4:03 AM+2 3 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrCPIrs90eg

Ron Edwards3:32 PM

Looks like people were busy.

+Justice Platt thanks for the input.

+Zak Smith as I've stated before, there is no connection between my initial statement and a statement that Bisley cannot draw figures. Demanding that I repeat it was unnecessary, and as this is the second time, please don't demand it again.

You also demand that this statement be assessed or discussed in terms of its impact on readers. This is not the first time you have elected yourself the Voice of the Readers - I believe we agreed that you weren't going to do that to me again.

This is the day, unfortunately, when I have decided you're not going to explain why you single-message people to criticize their plussing choices, and why you often reply to others' stated views or takes on works of art in a chilling fashion yet post very similar statements about work you don't like. These are bullying acts. Why, in the complete absence of discernible need, do you do them?

My last statement before signing off. Willing or not, knowing or not, you have cultivated an environment of fear in this subculture. You can call this crazy and talk about more and more colorful metaphors all you want. Or you can try to assess this claim in any way you want that's not your gut, and see what you see then.

Signed off now, finished with the thread.

Zak Smith3:45 PM

+Ron Edwards 1. " as I've stated before, there is no connection between my initial statement and a statement that Bisley cannot draw figures. " Then what was it meant to communicate and why should we care? What's important is what it could logically be interpreted to mean literally by third parties 2. " You also demand that this statement be assessed or discussed in terms of its impact on readers. This is not the first time you have elected yourself the Voice of the Readers - I believe we agreed that you weren't going to do that to me again. " Citation needed. Why would I ever agree that the _most important thing about a public distortion of fact not be discussed? That would be like me agreeing to let you kick readers in the balls. 3. " This is the day, unfortunately, when I have decided you're not going to explain why you single-message people to criticize their plussing choices, " I do not message people to criticize them I message them to see if they are insane or not. If they are insane, it is important to block them from my circles. You haven't even explained how that's bad . It's Good Citizenship 101 to privately contact people you have conflict with so that you don't rake each other over the coals publicly unnecessarily. You are just grabbing random acts out of the air and affixing the word "bullying" to them out of what appears to be sheer insanity. How is sending someone a message in any way a harmful act? 4. " and why you often reply to others' stated views or takes on works of art in a chilling fashion yet post very similar statements about work you don't like. " Citation Needed. Since you aren't that smart and apparently can't read very well I suspect your definition of "very similar" is the problem here. 5. " These are bullying acts. " Incorrect: a bullying act would be: -negative and -something I can do that the target cannot or refuses on moral grounds to do. ...you haven't cited any such acts. You've only cited awesome good things I did.

6. " Willing or not, knowing or not, you have cultivated an environment of fear in this subculture. " If you're trying to say "Oh no, back in my day, indie game designers used to feel totally cool about posting false allegations and now they're afraid they'll be asked for evidence" or "I can't falsely accuse someone of bullying, then run away with no calls for accountability any more" well cry me a fucking river. I don't know any good person doing good work who claims to be afraid of jack shit--in fact people seem markedly less afraid than they were a year ago when you could be publicly accused of everything from hate crimes to cattle rustling and the Oh-I-Know-That-Guy network would back the accuser up because they both had the same grudge against the same dumb game. You can allege I've had an impact--but if you do so, then you have to weigh that against the fact that the DIY RPG scene is fucking kicking ass these days, in ways it hasn't for 30 years. I am totally proud of calling out shit people for their shit behavior--it's worked and we've made things better.

Zak Smith4:28 PM

I didn't come into this assuming Ron was insane, but now, I guess, we all know he actually is.

[chameleon-cryptid]

Reblog this with your best FFXIV RP Experience(s)

I think we can use this what with the crappy things we’ve been seeing recently being posted.

To be perfectly honest, it’s really hard to pick out just a few experiences. My time RPing in FFXIV has been overwhelmingly wonderful and positive.

Firstly, though, I want to ‘call out’ my FC @drunkenmoogle. We made the Drunken Moogle on December 23, 2013 to be a chilled, casual relaxed RPing FC and over the years, the members have been friends both OOCly and ICly and made this game one of the funnest MMOs I’ve played. Though some are no longer in our FC or even playing the game, they’ve all contributed to my personal enjoyment of the game and I really can’t thank each one enough for that.

It would be impossible not to mention @crescent-ffxiv whom we’ve collaborated with on events, and especially West who has been a friend since my WoW days. West and her guild in WoW then her FC in FFXIV has run events that to this day, I still say are some of the funnest times I’ve had RPing ever. West, babe, you are a blessing on RPing communities! Myself, and most of my friends look forward to Crescent’s events every month so thank you for creating something that so many people look forward to and enjoy! 

The Drunken Moogle has always been an FC where we encourage our members to go out and meet other people from other FCs. For me, one of the funnest parts of RP is getting the chance to collaborate or otherwise have two FCs interact. For that, I have to mention @jh-rp. Though I wasn’t familiar with all their members, there are a great deal of them that I absolutely adore and see as part of the Moogle’s extended family. I had the pleasure of getting to attend a couple of their events and enjoyed myself immensely. Not only that but several of them have become wonderful OOC friends as well. Though the FC is no longer JH, the friends I made in that FC are still my friends and they still make my RPing experience that much better just by hanging out.

To end this, I am going to mention one particular RP experience that was one of my best and I think it is a perfect example of why the community is best when we stick together and support each other. 

About a year ago, I attended an event hosted by @crescent-ffxiv. As the night wore on, a group of us went into a private room to hang out where all our characters got smashed. Those there were members of my own FC, @jh-rp @keepers-kiss, @crescent-ffxiv and Curio. We had so much fun just RPing out the silly scene of all of our characters having had a night out together, gotten drunk and danced like crazy people then came back and hung out together. And this is what makes the community great and so much fun. We came together, from all different FCs and RPing styles and still creatively made a fun scene to RP out that everyone enjoyed and that says FUCK YOU to the haters and drama stirrers with just how much fun we had.

Stay cool, Balmung. You’ve made my experience RPing in FFXIV awesome.

[mpminteriors-blog]

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[08-plaza]

Xenoblade Chronicles X: 2 Year Aniversary Short Story

After missing out on last year’s anniversary i decided i wanted to get in on it this year to show my love for such an awesome and interesting game, so as a summary i wrote a short story of the major things i think would have happened since humanity’s arrival on Mira and how so people might have changed during that time. Unfortunately i realized about halfway through that i didn’t know some of the cast’s characters well enough or just simply couldn’t think of a way to include them in the first place, so i apologize if this comes of as a little narcissistic since it ends up being heavily shippy in the end. If i missed your favorite character (i’m really sad i couldn’t fit Alexa in there she’s fantastic) i’m sorry and i wish i knew other people’s crosses better so i could have included them in this too. But i hope you enjoy reading it and it instills a sense of hope for humanity’s future on Mira and more love for this already awesome game.

“We are gathered here today celebrate the completion of New Los angeles’s agricultural district and the hard work put in by every division of BLADE that made this possible.” Secretary Nagi began his address to the men and women standing arrayed on the bridge in front of him, “First off are our team of engineers and the people under them, without whom we wouldn’t have gotten it built at all.”

Nagi paused for a moment as the crowd applauded, cheers and the spirit of comradery filling the air.

“Second are the BLADEs who secured the resources to build this, i know every division played some part from the curators to the interceptors and i thank all of you.” He continued, pausing for the applause once more.

“And finally are the men and women who have already agreed to operate the facility. While your jobs may not be glamourous they are still very important.” He concluded to enthusiastic cheers.

“And now a word from the Director General Chausson.” Nagi said, stepping back and letting Chausson take center stage.

“Eh, hem.” Chausson cleared his throat, “Thank you for your inspiring words Secretary Nagi. This is not the only thing we have cause to celebrate today either, as many of you may know today is the second anniversary of when the white whale first landed on mira.”

There was a poignant pause as everyone remembered the horrors and challenges they had faced during the first year humanity had been on Mira.

“I’d like to use this time to commemorate all the good people we lost during that time but also all the good allies we made as well,” Chausson said, gesturing to the dignitaries sent to the event, “The nopon, whose invaluable knowledge of the planet has saved us on many occasions.”

“Nopon info best info!” Tatsu interjected and was quickly shushed by lin.

“Mhm yes. Then the Manon, who showed us whole new avenues of technology we hadn’t dreamed were possible.” Chausson continued, doing his best to ignore the interruption.

“I mean we had thought of them just didn’t know how to make them work properly” lin said under her breath and this time it was Elma’s turn to shush her.

“The Orpheans helped us look at our own technology and improve it, pushing it past the limits we thought we would never break.” Chausson said, determined to fit all of New LA’s allies into his speech. “The Zaruboggan helped us remove the pollution that the war was causing in our city and steer us towards a cleaner future. The Prone taught us the value of strength and pride in one’s abilities just as the Wrothians showed us how to hone our skills in combat to their very peak and temper them with honor in battle.”

The crowd erupted in cheers for these vastly different peoples, all of whom had made a distinct mark on humanity during it’s trials on the planet Mira.

“Of course i cannot forget our more singular friends such as Rock who has contributed immensely to the construction of our city, Celica who became one of the first BLADEs of a different race and has managed to balance it with her own ideals.”

This was met with heavy applause as celica turned a bright shade of red while Rock joined in the applause, quickly causing it to die down from the sound.

“Then we have our oddity of L, who while he had no stake in our conflict has helped our cause, even being a part of the battle to retake the lifehold core. To all of you, you have my utter gratitude.” Chausson concluded, letting the applause last for a while before speaking again.

“This is also a perfect time to commemorate all the good souls we’ve lost since coming here, whether it was to indigenous creatures or the vile Ganglion and that's not even mentioning the destruction of earth.” Chausson said, his voice wavering slightly in an uncharacteristic show of emotion during a speech.

Many people in the audience bowed their heads, briefly remembering the sacrifices that had gotten them this far.

“And so i’d like to dedicate the construction of New LA’s Agricultural District to those we’ve lost, as a testament to humanity’s tenacity and ability to thrive on alien worlds with the odds pitted against us, so please, enjoy yourselves with the prepared festivities.” Chausson Finished, taking a short bow before walking through the crowd and heading back towards BLADE tower.

“He always gives a good speech, but he never sticks around for long. Is he really that busy that he can’t stay for a while?” Varien asked, as energetic music started to play over the crowd.

“I don’t think so,” Elma replied, “It’s more likely he’s going to check up on preparations for the bigwig’s afterparty. I can get you in there if you want.”

“Oh no no, i’m hopefully gonna be busy more or less.” Varien said abashedly.

“Hey, don’t sweat it! you’re basically there already.” Lin reassured her, “It’ll be a cinch!”

“As easy as eating a log!” L interjected while patting Varien on the back and everyone shared a hearty laugh, the grim memories fading away as the air of the party took hold and everyone began to relax and socialize.

“Linly, Linly!” Tatsu said trying to grab her attention, “Why did you not cook something for this big bash? It would have been a great hit!”

“Ha, you think i don’t have better things to do than cook all day for one event?” She replied, “I’ve got a whole new commercial type skell to build, let alone test the refurbished white whale engines to see if we could even leave this rock.”

“Thank god she’ll be finally building something i don’t have to wear full protective gear while testing,” Doug joked, “Think i can be a model? Wear some cool duds, sunglasses and be in all the magazines.” He did a few silly poses for emphasis.

“Oh i don’t think so,” Lin said wagging a finger, “you know there’s a huge host of things that could go wrong even on a test drive, someone could have put the intake exhaust bypass in backwards and you wouldn’t want to ruin your fancy suit.”

“I seriously hope you wouldn’t make THAT mistake again.” doug replied incredulously.

“Of course not Doug, i think i’ve given you enough hell with my minor slip ups in the past.” she answered, Doug visibly relaxing a bit. “Buuut i might do it on purpose to knock someone off their high horse instead.”

“Come here you,” Doug said, giving Lin a noogie, “You had better not, after all the crap i’ve put up with.” They devolved into giggles as the party continued, an excellent example of BLADE’s solidarity.

(Elsewhere in the party. i don’t have time to make these transitions not stupidly awkward sorry.)

“You know it doesn’t really count as socializing if you don’t talk to anybody Murderess,” Elma said walking up to the woman everyone else was giving a wide berth.

“You know I did away with that title, i just go by Sharon Effinger now that i restored my name. Not that that changes how people treat me but who cares, I’ve got a few people who like me.” She replied, not looking at Elma. “And that’s alright with me.”

“I can’t blame them, it feels colder just standing near you.” Elma joked, the humor lost on Sharon, who made a noise in between a hmmph and a grunt to voice her dislike of Elma’s jest. “If you want to move your image in a more positive direction an event like this is absolutely the place to do so.”

“Ha! You’re starting to sound like Varien, she’s always trying to get me to go out and talk to people or even that Hope person she’s so infatuated with.” Sharon replied, sardonically dismissing Elma’s advice. “Thinking that will be the magical fix it all to the issue, i swear for someone who can rip indigins in half with her bare hands she’s pretty damn naive some of the time… But she hasn’t steered me wrong in the past so who am i to judge.”

“Hey!” Hope interjected, walking into the conversation “You shouldn’t say something so mean about people who are close to you murde- i mean Sharon.”

“Wait, how much of our conversation did you hear?” Sharon replied, trying to backup in case she had revealed anything compromising, “I mean, uh. Oh great goody two shoes is gonna lecture me now.”

“We’ve been together for a while now so i find it slightly insulting that you described her feelings as infatuation but i’ll put my own personal anger aside to say that you should stop keeping your friends at arm's length.” Hope answered, “You say they’re your close friends but you limit your interaction with them because you’re afraid that after wearing a mask for so long they won’t like the real you-”

“And you need to own up to your real feelings more.” Sharon interrupted her, “see, i can do the whole therapist thing-” Hope slapped her across the face, Elma watching the two with a smirk,  “too… Alright fine, if you can change so can i.”

“And?” Hope said quizzically, the two of them staring each other down for a moment before Sharon yielded.

“Fine i’ll go apologize to varien.” She replied before storming off, though perhaps the crowd didn’t give her such a wide berth.

(Elsewhere in the party.)

“So wait, you and irina aren’t together anymore?” Phog asked gwin, “I hope there’s no hard feelings between you two, i know you’ve looked up to her for a long time so… hmmm how to put this nicely. That you might not want to let go of that very easily.”

“Oh no, it was because of that respect that i was able to realize it wasn’t gonna work out between us.” Gwin replied, “I remember being in the barracks after a mission with Elma’s team-”

“That story is confidential information gwin!” Irina interjected quickly, “please don’t it’s embarrassing.” Which elicited a chuckle from him.

“Well i haven’t heard this story,” Elma said sitting down in the circle of chairs that formed the cool kids club in BLADE, “So as your commanding officer i order you to tell it gwin.” Irina looked flustered.

“But colonel!” She cried and Elma gave her an expectant look, “I mean Elma, sorry… alright alright, you can tell the story too.”

“As i was saying, we had just got back from a mission with Elma’s team,” Gwin continued “Varien had enlisted us to help take down a Ganglion straggler stronghold out in the waters of cauldros guarded by a powerful Xeno skell and chock full of dangerous Milsaadi assassins plus-”

“I know this part already Gwin,” Elma cut him off, trying to get back to the point.

“Oh yeah, sorry ma’am.” He replied “Now where was I? Oh yeah, so Irina was just star struck with Elma’s performance in the battle and was gushing about all the little details she had noticed in her technique and abilities.”

“I was not gushing, just expounding on her many qualities and skills.” Irina sulked.

“You’re cute you know that.” Elma said, giving Irina a kiss on the cheek, who turned bright red and stayed quiet.

“I made some offhand comment like, maybe that’s why you fell for the ganglion trap, you were busy falling for someone else.” Gwin continued, “And she got up in my face saying, i was still aware of my surroundings and furthermore, this isn’t anything new! Then she realized the implications of what she had just said, so i put a hand on her shoulder and told her,” He paused for dramatic effect, “Go get em tiger.”

Everyone shared a good laugh as the party continued into the night, another BLADE telling a story around the metaphorical campfire.

(Later on in the evening.)

“And now! For the main event!” Commander Vandham shouted over the crowd, “A delight many of you know from your childhoods that we’ve only now been able to grow with these new facilities, our very first watermelon!” The people gathered around him cheered as he hoisted the fruit aloft, displaying it for all the world to see.

“I will let our very own Varien do us the honor of cutting it so put on a show for us will ya?” he declared, preparing to toss the melon into the air as varien took what could be called the sword version of a carving knife and stood ready as Vandham heaved the melon into the air.

Varien waiting for the perfect moment before striking and cutting the melon into even pieces, the cut up parts falling onto a well placed table and a little black box falling onto the outstretched blade.

There were a few gasps from the people gathered as Varien took the box over to Hope, dropping the sword and awkwardly holding the box out to her.

“Hope… Alanzi would you, would you-” Varien began but was interrupted by Lin.

“The knee, the knee!” She urged, doing the motion emphatically.

“Oh!” Varien exclaimed and bent down on one knee, “Hope Alanzi, would you marry me?” Hope covered her mouth for a moment a few tears rolling down her face.

“Yes, oh yes.” She replied, bringing up Varien and pulling her into a hug. “Thank you for sticking with me and supporting me.”

“You’re a bright beacon of light,” Varien said putting the ring on her finger, “and now that New LA’s not in so much danger i don’t mind hogging a little bit more of that light for myself.”

“Oh god that was cheesy,” Sharon whispered to Lin while everyone was clapping and being happy for the new couple, “looks like movie night is cancelled now too, such a shame.” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Hey she forgot about kneeling so she clearly needed it.” Lin said sadly, a little upset she wouldn’t get to stay up all night watching romantic comedies with Varien anymore. “Hold on a sec, you were never invited to those anyways how do you know about that?”

“Varien has no volume control.” She replied flatly and Lin suddenly became very self conscious.

“Sorry for keeping you up Ms. Effinger.” Lin said in the politest voice she could muster.

Satisfied, Sharon disappeared into the crowd as the party wrapped up, another chapter in humanity’s life on Mira over and a new one just beginning.

[suchawonderfullife]

Day 5-7: Fascia therapy and emotional healing/bat-shit crazy

Today was my hardest day so far. On fri we started working on my Fascia. That’s what is pictured above. Fascia is a thin fibrous tissue that sits between muscles and organs to keep them separated and protect them. My Dr got out a piece of glad/cling wrap and showed me how fascia works. He explained that if you have 2 muscles that work ontop of each other, the fascia keeps them separated as they rub together. If the fascia wasn’t there, your muscles would mesh together and just knot up. He showed me that throughout the day your fascia moves, get rubbed through friction and starts to bunch up and even get little knots in it. Your fascia is also what stores, as my Dr says, “yesterdays bullshit.” This means our fascia stores all of our emotions from memories from yesterday and our past. 

So he has this machine, it kind of looks like a mini sander and it vibrates hard and fast (reminds me of a jackhammer). He uses it on various points all over the body to release the emotional tension within your fascia. On Friday he did my legs, hips and back. I didn’t realise how many sensitive areas I had on just my legs. The vibration was intense, not painful but sort of uncomfortable and ticklish. I was often laughing or cringing through the uncomfortable sensation. He said this treatment may effect me emotionally, but it effects everyone differently. 

I thought “how much emotion can have in my legs? Like come on!” Plus, a girl in the clinic I chat to had this treatment the day before and told me how awesome it made her feel, so I wasn’t really worried (again it effects everyone differently). I had that appointment before lunch. When I was having lunch I was colouring in (because it’s good for you, like meditating) and listening to music. I was pretty happy and upbeat. But then my brain started doing weird things. I couldn’t really pinpoint it. Like flashes of memories I couldn’t see. I felt this well of emotion inside me teetering on either crying or freaking out. It was very strange. I thought maybe if I made myself cry it would release some of it (Dr’s here tell you to cry if you need as it’s releasing things). So I went into the bathroom and tried really hard to think of sad things until I cried, but I didn’t cry much. It did help though, the weird brain flashes and wavering emotions passed. 

The next day was Saturday and I felt very tired but wanted to head out to look at some places. We went to wholefoods to do a weekly grocery shop and enjoy a healthy lunch. I could tell “I” wasn’t really mentally present at this point. Things were shifting in my brain. I told my partner how I didn’t feel like me and that I needed him to be patient as I think my brain will be experiencing this shift for sometime from here on out. Then later in the day, driving to a shopping mall, out of no where my eyes filled with tears and I was about to cry. No idea where that came from, but obviously my body just needed to release something. It passed and then I was fine again. 

Yesterday (Monday) my Dr wanted to work on the fascia in my brain. This will be fun I thought. A jackhammer to my brain for the next 45 minutes haha. You get used to the sensation and it isn’t painful. I didn’t end up with a headache or anything either. He was explaining that you have a sheet of fascia between your 2 hemispheres and doing this treatment will help straighten it back out. He also went over certain areas in my legs and hips again that were quite physically sensitive.

I explained to him how the treatment he did on the Friday to my legs affected my brain. That I felt like I had these “flashes of memories” running through my head. I couldn’t visibally see them, but it’s as if I felt their presence. I said to him “did I make that up? Or create it in my own mind? Or is that a thing?” He said “some patients have described their experience to me like an old black and white movie. You know the really old, early 1900′s movies that constantly flicker?” And I was like “OMG it is EXACTLY like that!” So I wasn’t imagining it. My body was releasing past memories. He said to just let them go, they obviously needed to get out. 

Last night, after my brain hammering, my mood started to shift. I became a little crazy and had a disagreement with my partner. I did not communicate well at all and simply became attacking and passive aggressive. He even said to me “I have no idea who you are right now, it’s like you’re a different person.” Usually a comment like that would upset me or shock me, but I was totally dispondent. I felt nothing. It’s as if my personality disappeared and I had no control over my brain. We sorted out our disagreement and I cried explaining how scary it is to lose control of my mind and not know what’s coming next. He comforted me and then said “I love you so much” and I just burst into tears. He asked me what was wrong and I said “I just don’t understand why you love me?” I remember just feeling immense confusion, as if him loving me made absolutely no logical sense. These are not emotions I have felt before. 

When I went to bed I had angry and uncomfortable feelings from vividly remembering my dreams from the night before. I ususally dream constantly when I am asleep due to my illnesses. However on treatment, now my dreams are more vivid, to the point where my brain cannot differentiate between dream land and reality. So even if I logically “get” that it was a dream, the emotions and memory of them effect my sub-conscious and creates uncomfortable feelings. I’ve been having nightmares of people trying to kill me, mass killings, people after me, arguments with people that leave me really angry. I wake up freaking out and have to get up, go to the bathroom or do something so that I can try and get those horrible emotions out of my mind enough to go back to sleep. So going to bed and vividly remembering the dreams I had the night before and the emotions it created as if it was a real event, is not a nice feeling. Then I went to sleep and proceeded to have more realistic and anxiety provoking dreams. 

I woke up this morning angry because of what I dreamt. I wasn’t just angry though, I woke up fuming. I knew today was going to be hard and what my Dr did yesterday had really shifted some stuff. All I felt was pure anger. No other emotion. No personality. I was no longer present and it felt horrible. I didn’t want to eat, talk to anybody, do anything. When I got to the clinic I had to put on my poker face. Smile at everybody and have little chats. My partner was hugging me and seeing me stare blankly off into the distance with a look of fury. I was completely disconnected and dispondant. When I was left alone in a treatment room my anger would come back out. I was trying as hard as I could to diffuse it. Telling myself it is only hurting me to be this angry, that it is my body healing and it’s OK, that in a years time this day won’t matter. It felt horrible and uncomfortable and I couldn’t shake it. 

In the sauna I was lucky to spend half the time alone and I was able to cry. I thought about how scared I was to not be “me” right now and I have no idea when I’ll return. So tears ran down my face and I felt a little relieved. I got through all my treatments before lunch with my poker face. I sat outside with my partner to try and get some fresh air and enjoy the view of the lake. At this point my anger had shifted to depression. I was still disconnected and dispondant, but I was also really sad. My partner hugged me and I cried again. I didn’t ugly cry (I am a full on ugly crier haha), just a few tears streaming down my face. Then I watched Cedric the Swan (a beautiful white swan that swims on the lake) and his natural antics helped me feel calm and present. 

When I saw my Dr. in the afternoon, he walked into his office and said “how are we doing?” and I said “you really messed some shit up.” He made a joke that when he walked in the room I gave him the biggest death stare (which wasn’t intentional). I laughed and said “oh you missed out this morning, I was just pure rage.” So we talked about everything I had experienced and how I was feeling. I said to him “so you released a lot of emotions through the fascia treatment, if my organ that is the worst effected is my liver, is that why my emotion that comes out so strongly is anger? But what about the depression?” He said “that is correct.” He then looked up what emotions are trapped in/controlled by(I’m not sure how you explain it, but different emotions relate to different organs) my liver and it said “anger, depression, resentment, bitterness, hatred.” All the good stuff basically! 

What that means is, when emotional traumas will be released in my body, I am most likely to respond with those emotions. He said some people respond with sadness, grief, despair and others. Everyone is different. 

The rest of the session was him working on my emotional blockages as that was obviously my biggest problem coming up for the day (through the bioreasonance scanning he did on me). He checked to see if I had a “broken aura” which is very common with chronically ill patients. If you don’t believe in chakras or auras that’s fine, but it certainly resonates with me. He scanned my body and detected that my crown chakra, solar plexus and root chakra were fractured. He told me a story of other patients he had with fractured auras and how this created severe orthostatic intolerance and other physical symptoms due to physical traumas to parts of their body that line up with certain chakras (such as back injuries or medical procedures). When their auras were worked on or “put back together” I guess you could say, they had a dramatic improvement in symptoms (certainly not cured but it was definitely a contributing factor and another piece of their chronic illness puzzle). 

I can’t remember exactly what he did and honestly if I explain it it might sound weird. But I 100% trust in what he is doing. It is evident that he and all Dr’s in this clinic are brilliant and very well trained. He made me a new concoction of apricot oil mixed with homeopathics that I have to rub a drop of onto each of my 3 chakra points, 2x a day. My Dr back home has a machine that can read the strength of my chakras so I’ll be interested to see how they read when I get home. 

He gave me a homeopathic remedy under my tongue on the spot and I asked him what it was for. It’s what his scanning said I needed and he read what this targeted and I just went “wow yup I needed that.” It was something to do with anger, disconnection, emotionless etc. 

So emotionally I’m not feeling as bad as I was this morning. I’m very tired, my liver, spleen and stomach have been aching, my limbs are lethergic and I feel like a sloth when I simply move to pick something up or walk to the bathroom haha. Let’s see what the rest of the week brings. 

Lastly, putting my experiences in writing I feel will sound worse than it actually is. It’s hard yes, but nothing I can’t handle. I’ve been through far worse with antibiotics, so at least this is healing me for good and is a sign of my body getting bad stuff out. Don’t be scared if you’re reading this because you’re considering attending this treatment centre. Everyone responds differently. I’m really doing ok :)