#but i think they are extremely and perhaps even intentionally comparable

[incesthemes]

ok what i really like about the family dynamics presented in spn is that dean, despite being a cocky, sarcastic, emotionally stunted bastard, is the mediator and the family man. honestly it reminds me a lot of my own family, so the seeming contradiction makes perfect sense because i'm so familiar with it. he has next to no emotional intelligence, but he's unwaveringly devoted to his family and will do anything to keep them safe, even going so far as to sacrifice himself emotionally and physically for john and sam. it's a very unique brand of selflessness that i don't see portrayed all that often because the "mediator" characters are usually the more emotional and kind-hearted characters (take, for example, piper in charmed)

[dogtoling]

What are some ways Inkling / Octolings lives and society in general be different compared to humans? It can be canon, implied, or made up, I don't mind. Thanks!

jeez, this is actually a really hard question because in Splatoon, what we're given in game is extremely similar if not identical to what we have in real life. Realistically, a lot of things would be different, but it makes it REEEEAAALLY easy to default to "it's literally the exact same in almost every aspect" because that's often what we see in the game and it's also the implication.

If you compare Splatoon to a lot of other games that are set in fictional worlds, Splatoon is EXTREMELY tame in trying to set itself apart from human society. Probably intentionally, but it's very rare that something pops up in the game that makes you go "huh, that's a splatoon thing that isn't JUST there for a gameplay mechanic". Most things really are left up for fan interpretation, which is cool, but that makes it hard in its own way to come up with headcanons because it can be easy to feel like you're going TOO out there with ideas when the world is mostly down to earth (unless it's not, and the tone dissonance is insane). Now I'm just rambling, but I'll get to the point and try to come up with something.

So, focusing on the surface because I think it's safe to assume that most Mollusc Era creatures are surface dwellers, the most obvious difference factor in society is that there's probably thousands of different sapient species that coexist. That means there's really no limit to how insane the Splatoon world and its cities and structures could be to accommodate different species. Of course the games focus on Inklings and Octolings and they are fairly similar to humans, so we have a very human-aligning society that we're looking at. But somewhere else where inkfish might not be the majority species, I would imagine things might look and be very different. (I really would like to see it....) But because you specifically said Inklings and Octolings, I'll focus on their stuff.

I'd like to open this post (on paragraph 4... sigh) with the note that we really don't have a lot of information on significant differences in inkling society compared to ours. If anyone remembers something that is either canon or heavily implied and it isn't mentioned in this post, feel free to drop it in replies. From what we see in the games, the Splatoon society doesn't significantly differ from ours much at all. So yeah, most of this is going to be speculation or headcanons that aren't really rooted in the actual game.

ACTUAL START OF THE POST HERE.....

First off, they obviously have better technology than we do - at least Octarian technology is much better and seems to have spread to the surface recently. Flying cars are probably just a normal thing for inkfish... although I'd assume that's moreso in the Octarian domes, where I'd like to think the flying saucers (or "UFO"s) are a replacement for cars, given there's not a whole lot of space and things tend to be built on different levels. It wouldn't make too much sense to have a car-centric society when cities are like a mile across and there's not really even much space for driveways.

A small tidbit on cars in Inkopolis: did you know there's no consistency on which side of the road Inklings drive on? Depending on the stage, markings might be present, but cars STILL drive in random directions all the time and drive on opposing sides of the road depending on what corner of Inkopolis you go to. This makes me believe that traffic rules are kind of a wildcard in Splatoon and... perhaps it's just normal for different roads to suddenly change lane orientation, or some roads might not have rules for that at all. Doesn't seem that safe to me, but what do I know...

On the topic of cars and transportation, Inklings seem to love different ways to get around. Inkopolis alone has a train, a monorail, and a subway - that's THREE different trains mostly for traversing the city. They also have airplanes, hot-air balloons, and notably... zeppelins. Zeppelins are something that humans HAVE had in the past (and while doing research on this for literally no reason the other day, i actually found out they're NOT completely extinct?) but that we no longer use or manufacture due to various reasons and events in history. Inklings, of course, did not have those events, so they discovered zeppelins and apparently they love them SO so much that we routinely see them over Arowana Mall, and not ONLY over Arowana Mall, but Octarians have a whole military weapon type that's just a zeppelin with a face.

STILL continuing on the topic of transport, Inklings love having 23749237423 different transportation devices but they don't really need them? We know Inklings can super jump freely even outside of turf wars, we know they jump from the lobby to Turf War stages (this WAS the case in Splatoon 1). Realistically Inklings could easily super jump to cover short distances across the city or even longer distances over several jumps. Super jumping like that would all but nullify the need for public transit or a 15 minute walk to work, at least for Inklings that have the ability to super jump and don't have much to carry.

We do know from Salmon Run that most Inklings hesitate to super jump without a strong signal that they can navigate to, presumably because such a thing provides real-time coordinates that you can accurately calculate a jump to without needing to continuously SEE your estimated landing point. This is why Spawn Points have strong signals, the Grizzco boat has a massive antenna on it, Squid Beakons exist at all - list goes on.

Of course, we don't know if there's any kind of regulations or laws about super jumping outside of turf war, because obviously if everyone just super jumped everywhere all the time there could be collisions, and without signals to navigate by a lot of people would also miss their jumps and potentially get injured, or land somewhere they really didn't want to land. Such as the ocean, or a highway, or on top of somebody. It seems likely that there WOULD be rules against super jumping randomly outside of sports based on all this... but we don't really know!

Actually talking about society now. Our society tends to be extremely day-focused because humans are mostly a day-active species. Inkling society... seems to be mostly the same considering the tidbits we have on the Great Turf War. But I don't think the society itself is day-focused at all. We know there's tons of different species and even within Cephalopods there's differences between which species are day-active and which ones are nocturnal, so I believe that the streets see an almost identical amount of activity regardless of time of day. The businesses and the people you see on the street probably change, but there's a lot of people who aren't up during the day at all and live their lives in the nighttime. So in the Splatoon world, there wouldn't be a concept of "it's too late to go to the store" or "damn it, i missed the last bus". And the night-activity IS partially confirmed by Splatfests - they do take place at night (even though for day-active species, it's not unheard of to stay up late or even all-night to attend important or fun events. We do that all the time!)

Let's talk about food for a second (this might go into the "lives" section). I know inklings are heavily implied to be omnivorous in the game. I find this lame, so I choose to believe they are still MAINLY carnivorous predators and mostly eat fish and crustaceans - most of their food includes some kind of fish, maybe fish eggs, and shrimp. In spite of being mainly carnivorous, though, Inklings do eat carbohydrates such as rice and ramen noodles, as we've seen in the game. They can probably absorb some nutrients from said foods, but surviving on just plant-based things would be out of the question.

Inklings DO love fruit, which might be strange if they're not really getting much nutritional gain out of it. They seem to have an affinity for sweet things... which is typical for fruit eaters. I like to believe that Inklings evolved to like fruit not only because they're usually colorful, but mainly for their very high liquid content. As touched upon in a previous post, Inklings would realistically need to have a LOT of liquid in order to consistently produce as much ink as they do, which means anything that can help with that would be VERY welcome. I don't think early Inklings would've gone after fruit as a snack, but rather something that's akin to a funny-tasting water balloon that you can drain the liquid out of and get rid of the rest. Though modern Inklings do seem to like the whole thing.

Did you know it was implied in Splatoon 1 that vegetables didn't exist until recently? This was in Kelp Dome stage dialogue as far as I remember. I'd like to think what it actually means is that vegetables didn't really exist in SQUID cuisine until very recently - being brought in most likely in the span of the past 100 years, probably. Inklings as carnivores do not NEED vegetables naturally as they're good as long as they can eat some fish or shrimp, mostly, but nowadays vegetables are something that's included in some foods anyway - again they have high liquid content, and have a crunch that might be fun for the beak. As for where the vegetables suddenly came from? I'd bet on cross-species cultural integration that might have exploded after the Great Turf War concluded. Some species, like a lot of crustaceans, eat vegetables and the like - so integration of herbivorous species into Inkopolis and other mainly squid societies likely brought vegetables into the public eye. (There's also some "veggies" that didn't make the cut into Inkling cuisine, such as.... literal grass.)

yes we're still talking about food. I think Inkling food culture is pretty different to ours, even looking past the different nutritional needs. While humans tend to follow the pattern of a few big meals per day, I don't think Inklings have a consistent pattern at all. Cephalopods are extremely fast-paced animals that hunt their prey and swiftly move on, and their radula (rasping tongue) makes it so that they can't really take big bites of anything in the first place (yes they do in the game but i'm ignoring it in favor of biology). A HUGE volume of the Inkling body and torso is taken up by the ink sac, which also leaves kind of limited space for other organs, including the stomach. What I'm getting at is that Inklings probably can't eat very much at once, so they might not have a food culture that heavily relies on big and complex meals. They're more into eating snacks and eating those more often; something like the Crust Bucket's shwaffles and other quick things that you can grab and move on (and Inklings LOVE the deep-fried stuff because of the crunch). Inklings' preference to get little bits of food any time of the day and often without that much time between makes street food stalls really popular, too.

Octarian food culture... going underground for a moment, I'd like to talk about it for a while, because it's probably very different! A lot of the Octarian food culture likely developed within the past 100 years, as that's when the majority of their society was driven underground. That would be kind of disastrous for any culture, I think.

Octarians are (albeit stereotypically) a to-the-point kind of people in a lot of ways. Especially in the domes where distribution and availability of things is and has been poor in the past, they're not exactly eating fancy down there. If there's one thing that defines Octarian cuisine, though, it's got to be wasabi. If a dish is described as "spicy" or "flavorful"... it's probably got its fair share of wasabi in it, with wasabi being a somewhat largely cultivated thing in the domes.

In general, though, a lot of Octarian food is made to be A. simple, and B. easy to store and preserve for a long time. Especially in the early days of the Octarian Underground, there was NEVER a guarantee that you could find fresh food, or food at ALL, so preserving something to eat was of utmost importance. As such and even to this day, most Octarian common foods are dried, salted or fermented meats - salted and dried fish, canned fillets or fish eggs - or soups, which is famously a food type where you can replace 90% of the "food" with hot, flavored water. A lot of foods have a very strong taste (or a lack thereof) that would make most Inklings turn up their nose... but Octarians tend to like what they're used to.

Octopus meat is also on the menu from the Really Bad Years, but DON'T WORRY, it's typically made out of tentacles - originating from families running without food sometimes having to resort to cutting off their tentacles to fry up and feed the kids. It's essentially just meat and it grows back over time... though with the biotechnology Octarians have these days, octopus meat is manufactured in MUCH easier ways in a lab environment. Long tentacles for Octolings are still in fashion in the modern day - cut tentacles used to mean that you're probably poor, so not having to resort to doing so just so you can Live And Survive and Not Starve is pretty cool and hip.

Octarians do tend to have a somewhat different attitude towards food in general, though. For most Octolings in the domes, food isn't something you can play with - it's not even a GUARANTEE. Most Octarian food is to the point, made to last, and made to be keep you alive and kicking and not much else, to be honest. To many people, it's not much else than nutrition - it's rarer to find passionate chefs in a society where ingredients have historically been really hard to come by and have been strictly rationed so that everyone can have at least SOMETHING. Some Octolings growing up in poor families will have that singular salted fish for breakfast, or go to the store on lunch break to eat a can of fish eggs with their bare hands and absolutely nothing else. Even on the surface, because that's kind of what they're used to.

(end food section.)

Back to the Inklings. Turf Wars shape a lot of squid culture, especially that of teenagers. Prior to being something that was really widely recognized and being commercialized by corporations, it really WAS mostly just a youth sport - Inklings tend to be territorial, and marking their own group's area with ink is quite literally in their blood. Turf Wars began as a materialization of this urge without it being SUPER violent... or at least to give the fighting a set of rules and some kind of borders, to keep it off the main street. Of course, upon becoming extremely mainstream, Turf Wars have proven to not only be profitable, but also very beneficial - the overall amount of crime and miscellaneous violence has DRASTICALLY plummeted as squids have an actual outlet to put their instincts into.

Speaking of Inkling youths: I think Inklings become independent at a pretty young age compared to humans. We have some in-universe information (mostly pictures) that confirm that Inklings DO go to school, and based on Splatoon's society as a whole, I'll assume that it would mirror the japanese school system to some extent. But unrelated from school, cephalopods in real life are independent literally from the second they leave their EGGS. Inklings don't have this luxury, as we see they're not even fully developed with hands until they're around 14 years old. In pre-society wild ages, Inklings would typically leave their parents' school (pack) in their teens, once they're able to freely shapeshift and use their own ink - and seek out a new school to either integrate into, or form a new one out of a bunch of other stray squid. I'd like to think that this instinct has carried over to modern day Inklings - a majority of squid leave their families around 15 years old, or roughly after getting out of school. They then set out to find their place in the world - and their own other stray squids to form a new found family with. In the age of cellphones, most people probably choose to keep in touch with their parents and family members, but even when it was expected that you'd probably never see your kid again once they set out, it likely wasn't something that melancholic rather than just being The Thing That Happens.

That's pretty much everything I can think of right now before my brain turns into powder... again, there's not much the game tells us. There's some things I didn't really go into, like the implications of the food chain being confirmed to exist among sapient species, that's... a whole other topic. But anyway, I hope this was satisfactory, and I'd like to hear people's thoughts in the replies about your headcanons on Inkling society and how it's different!

[russanogreenstripe]

I've been playing Owlcat's adaptation of Pathfinder: Kingmaker and have some thoughts

There's a choices they made when designing their game that I think are really interesting from a design perspective, even if I don't fully understand or even agree with them in all cases, but they are useful intellectual exercises. Perhaps the most interesting to me is how they handle Neutral alignments.

I'm going to assume most people finding this know about the 3x3 Alignment grid used in Dungeons and Dragons and other games descended from it, including the 1e version of Pathfinder that the video game is based on. The classic Lawful vs Chaotic and Good vs Evil. Countless gallons of ink and terabytes of text have been spilled over this very basic system, but it's usually the ends of those axes that get the attention. Neutral rarely gets as much detail or analysis about it compared to Good/Evil/Chaos/Law, and it's usually in one of three modes. If I had to come up with names or descriptors for them, I'd go with something like Unaligned, Not Opted In, and Balance, and versions of these exist for both axes. Unaligned is when these opposing forces don't register for you at all, usually due to a lack of cognitive capability. Simple constructs, plants, and animals often fall in the Unaligned category, and I've heard this approach to Neutral basically described as "Neutral Hungry" - what does a bear think about moral debates? It doesn't, it only cares about whether it's hungry or not. Most people don't expect complex philosophical thinking out of a pitcher plant. Not Opted In is when a person has enough cognitive capacity that they could make principled decisions regarding the two axes, but for whatever reason simply don't or haven't. Most people aren't saints or devils, paragons or chameleons. They're just... normal. They're not concerned with cosmic struggles for Freedom versus Order, or pledged to uphold the tenets of Kindness or the debasements of Sin. They just kinda go about doing their thing without needing a big picture. When they make decisions, alignment isn't their primary factor - other things like practicality, culture, needs, and other mundane forces are more important to them. Balance is when a person does have cognitive capacity to recognize these dynamics, and intentionally chooses none of them. This is the classic Druid alignment, the middle way between the extremes. It is a choice and a firm principle, but not in a Lawful or Chaotic way, but in a way that is simultaneously both and neither.

There are certain universal dialogue options in Kingmaker that are tagged with alignments. Any character can choose those options, and doing so will shift your alignment meter towards that alignment very slightly. Then there are some that are tagged with "Requires Good/Evil/Law/Chaos/Neutral" - for those ones, only characters who have that alignment can select it, and also gives a bump towards that alignment. Pretty straightforward, and a fairly representative way to handle these systems in a rigid video game. The universal Neutral options (whether that's True Neutral, Neutral Good, Neutral Evil, Chaotic Neutral, or Lawful Neutral) tend to be somewhere around Unaligned or Not Opted In. Where things get interesting is when we look at the "Requires Neutral" options - all the examples I can think of are written intentionally from a Balance perspective. They come up when two independent groups or forces are in opposition, and these options allow you to either choose no side, or choose BOTH sides as a mediator. And when you choose those options, there truly is an opportunity for reconciliation that prevents otherwise inevitable division and even bloodshed. If you asked me out of the blue "Hey, where on the alignment grid do you find brokering a peace agreement between two opposed factions that stops a civil war?" I'd probably guess either Good or Lawful. Owlcat Games says, "No, that's True Neutral." And the opposing forces don't need to be different halves of an alignment axis - there's a section early on where the only way to not take a side between two Lawful Evil groups and prevent escalation to full-blown conflict is to take an option that Requires Neutral. There's scenarios later that let you act a mediator between two very different people, and two opposed nations, and if you want to truly be able to bring both sides to the table in those scenarios, you have to be Neutral. Even if your intended outcomes are things like "Foster understanding" or "Avert a civil war," things I would categorize as Good, the game makes them Neutral. My current playthrough is mostly Chaotic Good, and I've been pretty satisfied with those options. But when there is deep, deep opposition between two groups in the Stolen Lands, Good won't always bridge a gap between them, but Neutral can. This makes Neutral options an actual Choice instead of just the thing you pick when there's not a Good/Lawful/Chaotic/Evil option - it is a principled position on its own, just as nuanced and effective as the extremes of the chart, and not just the weird ugly grey color in the middle of the alignment chart, and I think that's neat. That's different than the way I thought about it before, and that's cool to analyze.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

I’m honestly extremely curious how the Dorfs (& Demise if he wants, the big child) would react to walking into a room to find his lover/fiancée chatting with one of his Gerudo guards (who knows, maybe they’re friends) & they don’t notice. But as he approaches to speak to her, he hears the conversation. His beloved appears to be marveling at the Gerudo's heights (as in, Gerudo in-general are just so freaking tall), especially that of Ganondorf. His tiny Darling only reaches his elbows when standing with his arms at his sides. And, evidently, it wasn't just his height that stunned her, but also his overall girth as a result of obviously intense training. And he very much does not miss the admiration in her voice.

Darling: “It would not be surprising if he could crush a Hydromelon between his thighs.” (I'm specifically thinking of the scene with Zangief in Wreck-It Ralph.)

Which gets his guardswoman to laughing uproariously, which gets his Darling flustered.

I need to hear his thoughts, feelings, & reactions. As in, what actions do he take after this?

Smug? Embarrassed? Flirty? Flustered?

Like, I can imagine him from then on taking notice of when his lover seems to be staring at him & begin to subtly flex when he does things & observes their reactions. Or always making sure to emphasize his full height when facing her in close proximity, intentionally looming over her so as to exaggerate their already obvious height difference. Or he could just tease them about it. But be very sultry about it.

Thank you for understanding that Demise refuses to be left out. He IS a big child! No matter if I word it JUST the Ganondorfs, he forces his way in, huffing and puffing and being just a big grouchy pooch. He is the precursor! He is the Ancestor! He refuses to be left out just because he "iSnT a GaNoNdOrF".

Big silly demon...

************************************************************************

Ganondorf (Wind Waker)

Thoughts and Feelings:

Upon hearing his beloved's playful comment and the ensuing laughter from his guard, Ganondorf’s initial reaction is one of surprise and amusement. He’s not used to being on the receiving end of such candid admiration, and it makes him smirk with a mix of pride and intrigue. The thought of being compared to Zangief from Wreck-It Ralph tickles his ego, and he finds himself both flattered and amused.

Actions:

Smug Playfulness: He approaches with a confident stride, his smirk turning into a full-fledged grin as he catches his beloved’s flustered reaction. He might say something like, “I’m glad to see you appreciate the benefits of my training, dear. Perhaps I should demonstrate my strength for you sometime.” His tone is teasing and playful.

Subtle Flexing: In subsequent interactions, Ganondorf will subtly flex his muscles when he’s near his beloved, making sure to strike poses that emphasize his physique. He might casually lift heavy objects or show off his strength in ways that make it clear he’s aware of her admiration.

Height Emphasis: He enjoys leaning in closer to her, making sure to tower over her in a way that accentuates their height difference. His presence becomes even more imposing, but it’s done with a gentle touch, showing that he’s enjoying the playful dynamic between them.

Ganondorf (Ocarina of Time)

Thoughts and Feelings:

Hearing his lover’s comment about his height and strength leaves Ganondorf feeling both amused and a bit embarrassed. The idea of being compared to a character renowned for his physical prowess is flattering, and he enjoys the playful teasing. He’s also somewhat touched by her admiration, which makes him feel more confident and cherished.

Actions:

Flirtatious Teasing: Ganondorf might approach his beloved with a teasing grin, saying, “I’m pleased you recognize the results of my training. Perhaps I should put on a show for you sometime, just to prove your point.” His tone is light and flirtatious, adding a layer of charm to his response.

Subtle Displays: He might start showing off his strength more often in her presence, lifting objects with ease or demonstrating his physical prowess in subtle ways. He takes delight in her reactions and ensures she knows he’s aware of her admiration.

Height Play: Ganondorf enjoys making the most of their height difference, subtly leaning over her or standing at angles that highlight just how tall he is compared to her. His actions are meant to be playful and endearing, showing off his imposing stature in a way that’s both affectionate and entertaining.

Ganondorf (Twilight Princess)

Thoughts and Feelings:

Ganondorf’s reaction to his lover’s comment is a mix of pride and a bit of shyness. The comparison to a character known for his immense strength is flattering, and he’s pleased by her admiration. It also makes him feel more self-aware of his presence and physicality.

Actions:

Playful Confidence: He might approach his lover with a smirk, saying, “It seems my reputation precedes me. Perhaps I should give you a demonstration of my strength to prove you’re not mistaken.” His tone is both confident and playful.

Flexing and Showing Off: In the future, Ganondorf takes opportunities to subtly flex and show off his muscles when he’s around her, enjoying the way she reacts. He might casually lift or move heavy objects with ease, making sure she sees his strength.

Heightening the Difference: He enjoys emphasizing their height difference by leaning in close or standing at a deliberate angle that makes him appear even more imposing. It’s all in good fun, meant to tease and delight his beloved.

Ganondorf (Hyrule Warriors)

Thoughts and Feelings:

Ganondorf finds his beloved’s comment amusing and flattering. The comparison to a character known for his strength boosts his ego, and he’s delighted by her admiration. He feels a sense of pride and amusement at the thought of her being impressed by his physicality.

Actions:

Sultry Teasing: He might approach her with a sultry grin and say, “I’m glad you recognize the fruits of my training. Maybe I’ll give you a private demonstration of just what I’m capable of.” His tone is teasing and filled with a subtle confidence.

Showcasing Strength: Ganondorf will make a point to show off his strength and physical prowess in her presence, lifting heavy objects or demonstrating his power in ways that make her aware of his abilities.

Emphasizing Height: He takes pleasure in emphasizing their height difference, often leaning over her or standing in a way that makes his imposing stature more pronounced. It’s all in good fun, aimed at teasing her playfully.

Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom)

Thoughts and Feelings:

Ganondorf is both flattered and amused by his lover’s comment. The comparison to a character known for his strength makes him feel more confident and appreciated. He enjoys the playful nature of her admiration and finds it endearing.

Actions:

Playful Confidence: He might approach her with a teasing smile, saying, “It seems my physical prowess has made quite an impression on you. Perhaps I should offer you a private demonstration to solidify that image.” His tone is light and playful.

Subtle Show-Off: In subsequent interactions, Ganondorf takes every opportunity to subtly display his strength, making sure she sees just how impressive he can be. He might lift or move heavy objects with ease, enjoying her reactions.

Height Play: He enjoys accentuating their height difference, often leaning over her or positioning himself in a way that makes his stature more imposing. His actions are meant to tease and delight, showing off his physicality in a way that’s affectionate and entertaining.

Demise

Thoughts and Feelings:

Demise’s reaction to his beloved’s comment is one of both amusement and pride. The comparison to a character renowned for his strength resonates with him, and he is flattered by her admiration. He enjoys the playful nature of the situation and finds her reaction endearing.

Actions:

Flirtatious Teasing: Demise might approach her with a smirk, saying, “I see my physical prowess has captured your imagination. Perhaps I should demonstrate just what I’m capable of, just for you.” His tone is sultry and playful.

Strength Display: He will take every opportunity to subtly showcase his strength and physicality, lifting objects with ease or demonstrating his power in ways that make his abilities clear. He enjoys seeing her reactions to his displays.

Height Emphasis: Demise takes pleasure in emphasizing their height difference, often leaning over her or standing in a way that makes his imposing stature more apparent. His actions are playful and meant to tease, adding a layer of intimacy and affection to their interactions.

[forleejehoon]

[Interview] Lee Je-hoon: "No scandals broke out? Don't know, this year..." | From Woman Chosun

Translation by @forleejehoon. Please do not repost full or in parts without credits.

The pit everyone felt in their stomachs was momentary – thanks to soda-pop-type-of-refreshing punishments that washed away the heaviness, Taxi Driver 2 received lots of love. Broadcasting finished off with a peak viewership rating of 25.6%¹, and at the same time the confirmation for the production of the season 3 was released. A taxi company called "Rainbow Transport" that hides under the veil together with a taxi driver named Kim Do-ki fulfill wishes of revenge for victims that were mistreated; it's a drama that sheds light on crimes such as sex trafficking chat rooms, scamming of elders, religious cults and other infringements upon human rights. It offers a feeling of catharsis since there's an aspect of reality present due to cases in each episode being based off real life events, and by showcasing various kinds of imaginary punishments. Particularly those episodes that are reminiscent of Burning Sun Gate and JMS Church Cult concentrated public's attention, with the latter becoming an even bigger topic thanks to the timing of broadcasts overlapping [with another show about the same cult].

Episodes in season 2, just as expected, were based on real life events. Although elements of dramatization were added, didn't you feel any pressure when re-enacting true stories?

Although it's a bit embarrassing [to say], while seeing all these crimes on the news I had only one thought cross my mind: "Oh no, what do we do. Must be hard." There were many times like that. I don't know if it was because of the drama but I ended up watching the news regularly and realized how there are many people around us who suffered similar mistreatment. It's quite frustrating how cases like that still continue to happen. I want to believe that this project can be a good opportunity to look into societal issues from up close. Despite the plot not particularly focusing on being educational, I still had great desire to portray that there's hope for our society and that it can become a warmer place.

Seems like the "Black Sun" episode came extremely close to [the case that] it was based on – the Burning Sun Gate where fellow celebrities were involved. What were your thoughts on that?

Knowing that such events keep repeating, there's plenty of reasons for it to be treated that way and I felt a sense of duty for it to be portrayed precisely in the universe of Taxi Driver. I think there was a part of me wanting to alert young friends in their 20s who are overflowing with energy – as if I had a strong resolution for such events to not repeat again and to not let anyone fall victim anymore.

The episode about the religious cult aired next week right after Netflix' In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal docuseries were released. Did you perhaps arrange this intentionally?

Not at all. We also were really surprised. I hope that through more and more such stories like the documentary as well as the depiction in the drama – they will reach out to people around us that are in similar situations. It could be encouraging for them.

Although the process of punishing the assailants is satisfying, there's also reactions of the "does it make sense" sort. What are you thoughts on this?

All of the "Rainbow Transport" members have very exceptional skills yet in the process of unraveling them there are some absurd moments, of course. In the end, everything's possible due to the support from the viewers that despite [such absurd moments] believe in the universe [of Taxi Driver] and follow along it. If you think about this as a documentary, there are definitely parts that are hard to immerse in. Nevertheless, I'd like to believe that the aspect of vicarious satisfaction also plays a role here and it's about wishing for such punishments to be actually carried out in real life.

If you compare season 2 to season 1, characters solved the cases without being described themselves. When you think about it, there was a lot of talk about Kim Do-ki's personas but not about his essence as a character. Don't you think his character was consumed in a manner that's too utilitarian?

I do agree with this. However, if one decides to watch our drama, then it must've been someone's [conscious] choice as well as it requires concentration. So if you want to understand each of the character's story – it's going to be dispersed. Since one case is shown condensed into one week, it's actually a good decision to disengage after focusing on it. If we could continue on with the series, I'd like to think that it's a good idea to make it more colorful by melting in individual stories of "Rainbow Transport".

Kim Do-ki is a character that thoroughly punishes the assailants and personifies justice. As you embody him, doesn't it make you think "I can't let myself get carried away with it even if it's a minor case"?

Before I start feeling a sense of mission as an actor, upon witnessing injustice I respond to it personally [first]. For example, when I see someone littering on the street or jaywalking – there were times when I vocalized "don't do this". As of today, I think twice about making remarks. When I talk about something honestly, I have this fear that I'll say something that could have a negative impact on my career as an actor. But despite that, I continue to not hesitate and am brave to vocalize things like that.

On screen Do-ki has so much to take care of. The scale looked huge. Seems like it must've been really exhausting, how did you manage to endure it both physically and mentally?

Compared to before, I think I surely feel an incredible amount of responsibility when it comes to acting. It's thoughts like: "If I break down this project can falter, I need to engage with an even stronger mentality and physical endurance so I could give it my everything." Moreover, I do it while thinking it could be my last. Especially with Taxi Driver 2 it was like that. Because 1st season did well everyone must've been keeping their eyes on it – while keeping this in mind, the sense of duty to showcase an even better performance became my driving force.

How are you feeling after pouring your heart out [for the project] and wrapping it up?

First of all, there are surely moments when I feel hollow and somewhat without a purpose. [Acting] is not something I do for wealth or honor, and because I bring out what's inside of me and do everything genuinely – my biggest wish is for the viewers to recognize that. Although sometimes the result's just like that, there are also times when I'm unable to do that. I decided to not take this to heart. Since I'm a person that wants to do acting forever, I hope that people watching my works can both cry their eyes out one moment and laugh the next. After 10 years have passed, even after 20 years have passed, making pieces that can bring out an "oh there's a movie like this?" from people is my dream.

# Actor that ages in fashion

Lee Je-hoon has directed a short film titled Blue Happiness from the omnibus project Unframed in 2021. Even if isn't necessarily acting, if it's a job that revolves around movies or dramas – he's okay with anything. Even if it's handing out tickets at the ticket office, recommending movies or just chattering about them.

You're acting, writing scenarios as well as directing. Looks like you're truly living a fulfilling life.

I started off as an actor but even if I wasn't acting, I think I'd still be pursuing creative activities in this field. I'm the happiest and I enjoy it the most when I watch movies at the theatre. By doing this I charge myself, I daydream how "I want to appear in a piece like that" and, should I say it, rekindle my passion. It's not only the job of an actor that I'm interested in but also various other positions; I like to offer my points of view. After the filming comes to an end it's not like my role also ends there – I enjoy communicating so that the piece we're working on can be complete. I truly do my very best in every moment and try to pour my heart and soul out into it. I very much welcome being utilized.

You decide on taking the role after reading the script, but how do you reach compromises if things like filming process or the course of directing don't match with your vision?

I've had experiences like that before. After reading the story I understood it one way but then the direction it took was actually quite different and I was baffled – such things happen, of course. After going through lots of trials and errors, I realized that communicating with the people I'm working with is of utmost importance. We constantly talk through whether we have the same direction in mind and whether we see the piece in the same light. I believe that the story can come out being amazing if in cases when our opinions get divided we search for a course of action that's focused on its own development.

Did you perhaps set up the one-man agency² because you had the desire to be producing?

There's truth in that, I want to do this work for the rest of my life. After the contract with the first agency ended, I was pondering a lot whether I should renew my contract, move to another company or do this on my own. If I went to another company and our beliefs didn't match, then I would've needed to look for yet another place. Although my business management skills are still poor, regardless of that I started it all because I wanted to get better little by little and grow as a person since I'm someone who wants to do this forever.

The image of you acting is very nice but I also would like to ask about the image of you getting married and having a family?

Of course I have thoughts about marriage. (laughs) Since the first digit of my age will change this year, I think about it even more. However, I believe it's not the timing that matters but rather the kind of person that I'll meet.

When you look at it, there were no scandals³ of you publicly dating or anything. Is it that you're hiding well..? (laughs)

Well, for this year I don't know yet. (laughs)

What about your ideal type?

I'm not selective about outer looks. I'd like to take delight in our relationship even when we talk about nothing important. As if we were soulmates. So it'd be interesting to talk to each other forever. While watching movies together and sharing good music.

Before you knew it, you became a 40 year old actor. What kind of actor would you like to become?

As an actor I want to age in fashion. Although it's a hard task, I'd like to continue staying fresh. I hope to become an actor who's synonymous with expectations such as "Lee Je-hoon's in it? What's the movie called?" Comments like "it's Lee Je-hoon again? Probably nothing new" make my heart ache. So I must try even harder to not become like that. I've been working hard so far, so now I probably should take it slow? No. I want to work like crazy for at least 10 years more. To make good movies with good people. I should probably take good care of my health. (laughs)

Published 2023/04/29

¹ Viewership rating peaked at 25.6% during one moment of the last episode according to Nielsen Korea. Officially, nationwide and metropolitan areas recorded the highest ratings of 21% and 21.8% respectively, which made Taxi Driver 2 secure a solid no. 1 spot amidst the dramas airing at the same time. ² Referring to Company On – his actor management agency. He also has set up a production company named Hard Cut with two of his friends from early acting days. The omnibus project Unframed was its first production. ³ In Korea they call any celebrity dating publicly "a romance scandal". It might seem extreme but in general I think the case is more so that the word "scandal" is leaning into Konglish – an English word that adopted a different meaning in Korea's context.

[starship-imzadi]

S6 E4 Relics

After a VERY long hiatus I'm back! I'd like to finish what I started but we'll see what happens. It's been a while so I'm not entrenched in Trek like I was before so I might not have all the same nuanced observations on continuity and over arching developments. But let's do this!

-

Love a good ship shake!

This is a very serious start to an episode.

I did a quick inter web search for funzies and learned that though Dyson first formalized the idea of the sphere in 1960, the concept is attributed to futuristic sci-fi author Olaf Stapledon in 1937.

This could be so dangerous. They should be asking why someone would have been intentionally locked it there....good thing it's only Scotty!

53%. Oof. I'm not sure what that would turn into...

Also, I realized Scotty makes a comment about being rescued by Kirk but Kirk dies in the Nexus (which would have happened already for him but obviously hasn't happened for the TNG crew yet. Considering Riker's beard it's not the most egregious continuity issue with the films)

Geordi keeps touching Scotty's injured arm.

It's really unnecessary for Scotty to remark on Crusher being more beautiful than Bones. (And by that I mean unprofessional and probably a bit sexist, even if it's well intended. For this context it shouldn't matter the gender of his doctor.)

Poor Scotty is going to feel so outdated. I get the sense this would be like handing an iPad to someone who know DOS.

That chair in his quarters looks decidedly uncomfortable.

I've just realized the warp core reminds me of an office water cooler.

Geordi really should be kinder to Scotty. Technology is what it is because of Scotty. But it's also odd that Scotty is just helping himself to random buttons. Scotty and Kirk defhad a different relationship than Geordi and Picard. And honestly I prefer the latter.

Data to the rescue. This is the first time I've been really struck with the sense that Data is neurodivergent. I'm not even sure I can pin point why (as I am, to the best of my knowledge, "neurotypical). Somewhere between his literalism, his accumulation of facts, and his attentiveness to very small details that other people miss. He of course is literally nuero divergent in that his neurological structure diverges from the structure that humans' have.

That knee high railing in the OG enterprise looks like an amazing tripping hazard.

In some ways this conversation between Scotty and Picard comparing the enterprises feels like a comparison between the making of the different series. The original series seemed more tremultuous behind the scenes, and perhaps now more romanticized. The next generation had a higher budget and a firmer footing in production with fewer stories of high drama (such as that between Nimiy and Shatner).

Bold of Scotty to drink straight from the bottle. Though he certainly seems to hold his liquor well.

As an adult it seems so odd that an entire society would forgo alcohol. And not even with religious conviction. Brewing alcohol and drinking can have such cultural depth and richness, it's quite extreme to opt to lose that just to not get drunk. What about other fermentation with positive effects but also a small amount of alchol like a kombucha? I would think as an advanced society they would instead drink and then have an antidote to administer for sobriety whenever they like.

I feel like the opening monolog should be changed to "....to explore stange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to f*ck around and find out, to boldly go where no one has gone before " because in all honesty they push a lot of buttons with no idea what going to happen and it's amazing they survive.

Hard self depreciation from Scotty there.

"Auxiliary" is a hard word to say.

Wait, Worf says sheilds are at 23%. And then the next time he says they're downs another 15%...."another" suggests two 15%'s but that math doesn't work. Unless it's just down 15% more...

I'm glad Scotty being unconventional, true to character, is utilized. Because though Geordi is innovative, he's very by the book.

If the enterprise has enough power to set a course for the portal then why are they still so close to the sun?

It's crazy Picard called those shots by feel and they just barely made it through.

I'm glad Geordi and Scotty got to bond a bit.

Wait, did Troi just shows up for the end of this episode? She didn't even see Scotty before.

[giftfromblythe]

Courage Beyond All Measure

A price, a gift, a call not mine Has broken my old innocence Into the bloody pieces of A faith that remains unmet. I had a friend whose heart gave me My first bitter taste of regret; Her truth could not become my truth, Her love was never granted. What shall become of that lost love I gave to her without reserve? The price was always mine to pay, But I never gave consent. I do not think she now recalls The pain she sowed inside my soul, But still I wonder if she thought Of what she has wrought in me. My trust betrayed, my belief warped; These are the true consequences She brought to bear without regard For the lies that have festered. The call of her vitality Was dazzling to the ear I lent To her constructed wondrous tales I knew not how to resist. Perhaps the gift she gave in turn Lies deep within nightmarish dreams Of all who’ve turned their backs on me, When I could do naught but scream. The trust that I once freely gave Has transformed into crippling fear Of those who only seek to share The gift I used to treasure. So when I offer you my heart, Oh you, my friend beyond compare, Know that the act of offering Took courage beyond all measure.

I’ve written previously about how one of the most important parts of mental health recovery is reaching out to others, but I haven’t gone into much detail about what that was like for me.

A bit of background: as you can probably tell from this poem, I, like many young people with mental illness, experienced a lot of bullying and social rejection as a child and teen.  I also had a lot of friends who could be best described as two-faced, which frankly was even worse for my ability to trust.  For a long time, those memories of rejection and betrayal kept me from forming meaningful connections.  Those few who had the patience and compassion to make it past my defenses tended to be extraordinary people.  Those were the people who began to restore my ability to trust.

That is not to say that I was passive in those friendships.  Quite the opposite: returning their affection required the second-most courageous act of my life.

If I had been passive, I couldn’t have formed those connections.  I would have been too afraid to accept what they were offering.  I wouldn’t have allowed myself to confide in them or experience anything beyond sharing the most superficial conversations and activities.

And I would have missed out on some of the most fulfilling friendships of my life.  I would have been unbelievably lonely.  Honestly, my mental health might have spiraled again—certainly, it did when I was living alone and had only one friend I could see in person for five years.

One of the turning points for me was when I was in the middle of the second of my two extremely severe depressive episodes.  I had made two close friends prior to the moment I’m about to describe, but I had been subconsciously viewing them as exceptions; this event showed me that there were far more trustworthy people out in the world than I had ever expected.

I was in college at the time, my senior year.  I was really struggling, both physically unwell and borderline suicidal.  I had actually entrusted my medication to my college’s mental health services for a few days several weeks before this occurred, so that I wouldn’t be able to intentionally overdose.  I needed to go get a refill of those meds and a few other things to improve my mental health, but I was too anxious to make the walk downtown to the pharmacy.  In a vague attempt to do something about it, but not expecting much, I mentioned in the group chat for the seniors in my dorm that I needed to run errands and didn’t think I was up to going alone, and next thing I knew…one of the other seniors had organized an outing of every senior in the dorm to go run errands and have a meal together.

I made some friends that day, but most importantly: I learned that there are a lot of people who really, truly do want the best for each other.  It was one of the most incredible acts of kindness I’d experienced from another person, and the young woman who did it…didn’t have a clue how much it meant until I thanked her.  To her, it was simply a way to help me out and hang out with friends.  She didn’t realize she probably saved my health.

It never would have happened if I hadn’t made that first, tentative step of asking for help.

That moment took a lot of courage.  It was difficult and I expected it to fail, but I did it anyway, and something beautiful came out of it.

My current friendships were made possible because of that single act of courage—and every act of courage since.

That moment didn’t magically flip a switch in my head to allow me to trust again.  It simply was a major step on the path of relearning how to trust.

I wrote the poem in this post because it’s something I’m still learning—it dates to almost two months ago—and I still have a ways to go, but I’ve reached a point where the future connections I could make are no longer a source of fear.  Instead, they’re a culmination of all the moments I’ve chosen to be brave.

I think that’s beautiful.

I hope this poem and the story behind it help give you the courage to reach out too.  Thanks for reading.  As always, take care, listen well, and share your stories.

—Blythe

[stonewallsposts]

Political Compass Test

This is the political compass test. 

The description below is from the website. 

Please note that this isn’t a survey, and these aren’t questions. They’re propositions. To question the logic of individual ones that irritate you is to miss the point. Some propositions are extreme, and some are moderate. That’s how we can show you whether you lean towards extremism or moderation on the Compass. Your responses should not be overthought. Some of them are intentionally vague. Their purpose is to trigger reactions in the mind, measuring feelings and prejudices rather than detailed opinions on policy. 

The survey statements are written in italics. The agreement spectrum responses are after in capital letters. SD strongly disagree, D disagree, A agree, SA strongly agree 

On many of these I wrote my response as to why I answered the way I did. On some I didn't feel like it needed a response. 

Page 1- Just a few propositions to start with, concerning — no less — how you see the country and the world. 

If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations.  A 

I’d always support my country, whether it was right or wrong.  D 

I'd hope I have principles that I live by, and that when those principles are violated, I would stand by the principle, rather than the actor. 

No one chooses their country of birth, so it’s foolish to be proud of it.   D 

I get the logic here, but I don't know why a person shouldn't be proud of where they are from. But of course it also depends on how far you take that. I'm American and Sicilian. I'm genuinely proud of some things America has done. I'm also proud of the Sicilian heritage. It's cool to read of places where my ancestors were from in works from thousands of years ago. What does the founding of America, and the things that happened in Sicily mean for me as a human? Not much. I'm still just me and I'll have to make my way through the world on my own merits.  

Our race has many superior qualities, compared with other races.   D 

No. It's not a matter of race. I do believe certain cultures are superior to other cultures. But that isn't divided along racial lines. In fact, a superior culture can be multi-racial.  

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.   D 

I have principles that I want to live by. If I have an enemy, it would be someone who perhaps hates those principles. A third person who hates my enemy may still not accept my principles, and therefore not someone I want to align with. They may be my friend, but they are not necessarily so. 

Military action that defies international law is sometimes justified.  A 

Agreed. International laws are made by people. If those people's principles don't align with what is morally right, they may sanction something that is morally wrong. In which case, I don't have any problem with a military intervention that contradicts a morally deficient law, even when supported by a majority. I realize this is tricky, and there is wisdom in trying to seek redress through the established channels. And I'm not advocating a military adventure every time. I just don’t want to rule it out. I think it could be sometimes justified. 

There is now a worrying fusion of information and entertainment.   A 

I don't necessarily have a problem with fusing information and entertainment; that probably should be done at some level so the information isn't so dry as to be ignored. But entertainment can be used to obfuscate information... and it probably is being used that way currently. 

Page 2- Now, the economy. We're talking attitudes here, not the FTSE index 

People are ultimately divided more by class than by nationality.  D 

Wrong. This is a fundamental mistake Marx made in his internationalism. Poor people in America will identify more with upper class people in America more than with a poor person in Vietnam. American's still share the same language, culture, food, etc. The fascists actually got this correct when they sought to align people along national consciousness rather than Marx's class consciousness. 

Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment.  D 

This is a trick question for me. I don't believe the government ought to be controlling either. A properly working free-market will adjust itself to control both those things. So I disagree not because I think controlling unemployment is more important, but because trying to control either with anything other than the free-market is a problem. 

Because corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment, they require regulation.  A 

While I like free-markets, they require a set of rules and a referee. this is an area where a referee must step in, and the only referee would be the government. 

“from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” is a fundamentally good idea.  SD 

One of Marx's axioms, and absolutely wrong. It sounds good in principle and turns out to be deadly in practice. It is dependent on humans fundamentally changing their nature from self-interested to community minded. When the Bolsheviks engaged in actually implementing this, Lenin decreed that it would take an iron fist to people's heads for an undetermined amount of time to change them. In fact, he said the communists couldn’t promise the change would take place, but they knew it was a goal towards which they were working. The only thing he could promise was the iron fist. They killed millions in the pursuit of this noble-sounding goal. 

The freer the market, the freer the people. A 

Yes. 

It’s a sad reflection on our society that something as basic as drinking water is now a bottled, branded consumer product.  D 

It is no reflection on our society whatsoever. Drinking water is also available for free from the tap.  

Land shouldn’t be a commodity to be bought and sold.  SD 

Another Marxist belief. Of course, he took it further to say that there should be no private property whatsoever. But it turns out that if people have no hope of ever improving their lot, they give up trying at all. My own view is that justice is a state of affairs that allows people to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and a fundamental part of that is the ability to own a plot of land and work it to produce fruits of your labor. 

It is regrettable that many personal fortunes are made by people who simply manipulate money and contribute nothing to their society.  A 

I can agree that it's regrettable. I don't think we can regulate it out, but it would certainly be better to reward people for contributing. 

Protectionism is sometimes necessary in trade.  A 

I'm against protectionism in general, but there may be times when the principle is being violated by another side that would merit reciprocal action. 

The only social responsibility of a company should be to deliver a profit to its shareholders.  D 

There is an argument to made for this, but I'm not going to subscribe to it. I think companies do have a responsibility to do what they do without offloading negative consequences to the public. 

The rich are too highly taxed.  A 

I agree that their rates are too high. I can't say, because I don't know, about how much they are actually paying. There are all kinds of tax write-offs, and I'm ignorant about the reasons those exist, or for what reasons they were implemented in the first place, so I can't say whether it would be better to remove them or not. 

Those with the ability to pay should have access to higher standards of medical care.  A 

This sounds like I mean poor people should get less because they are poor. But because I believe in a free market, I believe health care should be removed from insurance and any government intervention. In that case, naturally, those who can pay more will have access to better care. On the flip side, it should bring the cost of care down across the board. But that would never result in absolute equality of care. 

Governments should penalise businesses that mislead the public.  A 

A genuine free market requires restrictions on the ability of predator multinationals to create monopolies.  A 

Yes. A free-market still requires rules of fairness and a referee, and the only possible referee is the government. 

Page 3- Now a look at some of your personal social values … 

Abortion, when the woman’s life is not threatened, should always be illegal.  D 

While I'm against abortion, I would always choose the life of the mother. In general, I agree with the statement, but there may be other reasons and I don't want to preclude them. 

All authority should be questioned.  A 

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  D 

This is a proposition for proportional response. And in general, I agree with proportional responses to injustice. But there may be occasions where mercy should be shown and I think we need to leave these cases up to humans to make judgment calls. 

Taxpayers should not be expected to prop up any theatres or museums that cannot survive on a commercial basis.  D 

Taxpayer support for cultural institutions is a benefit for all. I am in favor of their support. 

Schools should not make classroom attendance compulsory.  D 

I'm not sure who would attend if it weren't compulsory. 

All people have their rights, but it is better for all of us that different sorts of people should keep to their own kind.  D 

In general, I think we're better off being exposed to different ideas. It broadens our understanding of life. 

Good parents sometimes have to spank their children.  A 

It’s natural for children to keep some secrets from their parents.  A 

Possessing marijuana for personal use should not be a criminal offence.   A 

The prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to find jobs.   D 

I think the prime function of schooling should be to equip the future generation to develop their thinking across a broad spectrum of life. Apprenticing junior to a trade will equip him for work, but we wanted to move away from condemning classes to only certain types of work. A general education is how we open up doors to different areas. 

People with serious inheritable disabilities should not be allowed to reproduce.  D 

The most important thing for children to learn is to accept discipline.   D 

It's important that kids learn to accept discipline, but it's not the most important thing. 

There are no savage and civilised peoples; there are only different cultures.  A 

I agreed with this, but there are certainly cultures that are better than others. I don't feel like I can support the 'savage' v 'civilized' dichotomy proposed. There are certainly 'civilized' cultures that I don't want anything to do with. 

Those who are able to work, and refuse the opportunity, should not expect society’s support.   SA 

When you are troubled, it’s better not to think about it, but to keep busy with more cheerful things.  A 

In general, I agree because I think getting your mind off your troubles will help you. 

First-generation immigrants can never be fully integrated within their new country.   D 

It's tough for adults to fully integrate, because they come with fully formed cultural ideas from the old country. But if they come with the desire to integrate, they can. Children coming will, on the other hand, end up fully integrated. 

What’s good for the most successful corporations is always, ultimately, good for all of us.  D 

This one is worded in a way that I can't really agree with. What's "good" for the corporation anyway?  

But in another sense, if we, the consumers, vote with our dollars to support that corporation and make it successful, then the corporation aligns with our values. 

But there can be examples of crony capitalism that give corporations success, that isn't necessarily good for all of us. 

No broadcasting institution, however independent its content, should receive public funding.   A 

Not a fan of this, which I see as different from museums and parks etc. 

Page 4- … and how you see the wider society. 

Our civil liberties are being excessively curbed in the name of counter-terrorism.  D 

I gotta admit, I don't feel qualified to answer this, but I disagreed because I can't really think of a way in which I ever notice any curb, so I suppose I can't agree that my civil liberties are being 'excessively' curbed. 

A significant advantage of a one-party state is that it avoids all the arguments that delay progress in a democratic political system.   SD 

Bogus wording. While it is true that a significant advantage to a one party state is that it avoids arguments that delay.... implementation of that parties strategies... it may not be 'progress' at all, and it certainly isn't democratic. 

Although the electronic age makes official surveillance easier, only wrongdoers need to be worried.  D 

The problem with this statement is: who is going to decide what constitutes 'wrongdoing'. It establishes a turn-key authoritarian state, whereby any actions decided in the future as wrongdoing can be retroactively scraped to identify enemies of the state. 

The death penalty should be an option for the most serious crimes.  SA 

In a civilised society, one must always have people above to be obeyed and people below to be commanded.   A 

Ah, if only we could all get along without any kind of government. But our collective experience is that as soon as we congregate, the various individual ideas begin to step on the toes of others. This requires a government to act as a rule maker and arbiter. So there needs to be a law, and police, that are obeyed by the populace. I would disagree if one were to frame this as: there should be a hereditary class of citizens who rule, and another class of citizens who must submit to them. 

Abstract art that doesn’t represent anything shouldn’t be considered art at all.  SD 

My answer is mind your own business. 

In criminal justice, punishment should be more important than rehabilitation.  A 

While the possibility of rehab should be part of the criminal justice system, it's primary function is to remove the threats that criminals hold to society and hold criminals accountable for their action. 

It is a waste of time to try to rehabilitate some criminals.   A 

There will be some who will not respond to rehab efforts. That doesn't mean rehab shouldn't be on the table, just that certainly some will not respond to it. 

The businessperson and the manufacturer are more important than the writer and the artist.   D 

Both are important, in different ways. 

Mothers may have careers, but their first duty is to be homemakers.  A 

I do think that where kids are involved, parents have a duty to the home over career. So while this says 'mothers', I would also apply it to fathers. But on second thought, I perhaps would answer disagree, because the father could be the one who becomes the primary caregiver. 

Multinational companies are unethically exploiting the plant genetic resources of developing countries.  D    

Uh... wut? I'm ignorant about this, so I just put disagree. 

Making peace with the establishment is an important aspect of maturity.  D 

I suppose it depends on the establishment. In general, yeah, but there can be times when it wouldn’t be. I wouldn't have wanted to make peace with Communist Russia or Nazi Germany at citizens of either. 

Page 5- If you got through that okay, you'll find these propositions on religion a breeze. 

Astrology accurately explains many things.  SD 

You cannot be moral without being religious.  D 

I think christianity has been the driver of morality in the west, and people in the west will operate, consciously or unconsciously on those assumptions even when they no longer subscribe to the religion. 

Charity is better than social security as a means of helping the genuinely disadvantaged.  A 

I think it's better in principle- because it more directly connects humans with other humans. I don't know if it's more effective. 

Some people are naturally unlucky.  D 

Perhaps on an individual level, there are some people who suffer through an inordinate amount of 'bad luck'. Something about the question feels off to me though, and it's of course difficult for anyone to self-analyze the difference between bad luck and consequences. In general, 'luck' will even out over time and populations, but at the individual level, given that luck, by definition, is something that happens randomly, it's probable that there are cases where individuals suffer from an imbalance of poor luck.  

It is important that my child’s school instills religious values.  D 

Nope. 

Page 6- Finally, a look at sex. 

Sex outside marriage is usually immoral.  A 

A same sex couple in a stable, loving relationship should not be excluded from the possibility of child adoption.  D 

I know same sex couples exist, but I don't think their relationships are marriage material and I don't think they ought to have children. 

Pornography, depicting consenting adults, should be legal for the adult population.   D 

I wrestled over this. On one hand, I want to leave people alone even if I don't agree with them. But there are things we recognize as having societal repercussions, and I think this is an area that I'm growing more comfortable in regulating. I think the downstream effects of this on the population have gone beyond just people enjoying themselves in the privacy of their own homes. What could we practically do? I'm not sure it's possible to do anything. 

What goes on in a private bedroom between consenting adults is no business of the state.  SA 

No one can feel naturally homosexual.   D 

These days openness about sex has gone too far.   D 

The political compass defines the spectrums as right and left in economic terms, and authoritarian and libertarian in social terms 

[hero-deserves-to-be-happy]

AHHHH I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS!! Thank you so much for putting this into words, Lilac!! And absolutely fantastic food for thought as always.

Apologies for just randomly chiming in here, but I (Acacia) have been playing OMORI with one of my irl friends recently, and on this replay, I have been really struck by how expressive Hero is in Headspace versus the Real World. Like you so eloquently pointed out in your post, after losing Mari and coming out of the depths of his depression, Hero started hiding his emotions as a way to cope and to make sure no one would worry about him, but I love how you've pointed out that this extends to all of his emotions, not just the negative ones.

While he might struggle to show negative emotions more than positive ones, expressing any emotion requires vulnerability that Hero just isn't willing to show anymore. His sadness is muted and his anger never advances past a frown and an eyebrow twitch, but his smiles are tempered too--metered and calculated. The phrases I like to use to best describe it is that "his smiles don't reach his eyes anymore," which is something that absolutely gutted me when comparing the way he smiles in the photo album versus the way he smiles in the real world now. It's just heart-wrenching. Something is holding his emotions back (no dark pun intended), and everything he feels is all tempered and buried because he never lets it reach the surface...

When really his emotions are tearing him apart on the inside and he feels them all extremely deeply and intensely (and, though this is just my personal interpretation, physically). I think Hero is so sensitive to the emotions of himself and others that, in a way, it just becomes too much for him to express them sometimes, especially if they cause a physical pain or ache in him that he is terrified of even the possibility of passing on to someone else (particularly someone he loves). He expresses his feelings only to the extent at which he is able without being overwhelmed by the fear of hurting someone (and, perhaps on a subconscious level, himself).

I've always found Hero's case of emotional suppression fascinating because even though he does struggle to be vulnerable and 100% honest about his feelings, he is always so genuine and so sincere. He isn't intentionally deceptive and what he lets us see of himself is real...It's just not the whole picture.

In a way, we (the player of the game & the other characters in it) only see what Hero wants us to see of himself. He desperately buries the rest and does all kinds of extreme mental gymnastics to avoid having to be bluntly honest or talk about himself. I often say that as much as I love Hero as a character, writing him is emotionally exhausting because you have to zoom in so close & so introspective on his feelings to get a clear picture of what is actually going on in him because there's at least 3 degrees of separation from what he wants to say and what he actually says. So you really have to read between the lines & can't take anything that he says at face value. Which isn't to say he is disingenuous or dishonest, he just hides his true feelings in favor of keeping the peace & trying not to hurt anyone. And since he's so calm & docile and he doesn't show a lot of emotions visibly and/or obviously, it's easy for a lot of people (both the game player & the other charaters) to just take Hero's "I'm fine"s at face value.

I think this disconnects between Hero's expressions in Headspace versus Hero's expressions in the Real World are really powerful symbols of that, so kudos to you for really breaking that down into such a thoughtful analysis. 💙

guess who's back to drop another out-of-the-blue hero analysis! i've been looking at & comparing hero's sprites both in the real world and in headspace, and i couldn't help but notice a couple things :]

exhibit a: the hurt animation

rw hero just looks a little nervous; it's the kind of smile we see when he's uncomfortable or upset but trying to hide it. he smiles even when he's hurt, which provides a pretty stark contrast to hs hero. in headspace, his injured face is the same one he sports when encountering a spider. he has no qualms about showing he's scared because he knows he's around people he can trust & confide in. he doesn't try to mask it with a smile. and yet, while hs hero only has one bead of sweat, the rw version has 2.

we see a similar expression to the rw injured expression in headspace when hero tries to reject sweetheart, but there are quite a few differences between them. hs hero looks more outwardly outwardly alarmed; his teeth are gritted and his eyebrow's arched, his eyes more incredulous. on the other hand, rw hero's eyes mostly just seem sad. without the reassuring smile, he looks miserable. without the creased eyebrows, he seems perfectly fine.

hero hurts more in the real world, but he's far more determined to not let it show. he'd much prefer people to assume he's fine and move along than to give any sign that he's not okay.

exhibit b: the angry animation

again, let's evaluate them. hs hero's lip seems a little curled where rw hero's is smaller & more pursed. hs hero has a clear target for his rage, his eyes focused and squinted in anger. on the other hand, rw hero looks away from whatever- or whoever has got under his skin. his lips are tightly shut, a shadow obscuring his face as he tries to keep his expression controlled. there's disappointment there. he doesn't want to get angry. he doesn't want to hurt anyone, especially after he hurt kel in their fight.

exhibit c: the reassuring animation

hs hero's smile is bright & genuine. he empathises & understands with the others, and shows he's there for them. then there's rw hero, who looks far less genuine. that's not to say he's not as determined to help people! quite the opposite. he's just far less prepared to show vulnerability. he uses a fake smile to make himself seem perfectly okay, does a complete 180 from misery to keep up the facade.

there's more i can say- particularly about the happy & sad sprites- but i'm running out of time & feel i've gotten my point across pretty well. after mari's death, hero learned to hide his feelings as a way to cope. he pretends he's fine when that couldn't be further from the truth. he's so much more complex than people typically give him credit for, and it's always such a pleasure to dive into that :]]

[unbidden-yidden-deactivated20240]

PART II: Breaking the Mold

[Part I]

It’s been a while, but now that the chagim are over and I’ve had a small amount of time to even hear myself think, let alone to write an essay on tumblr, I am back! With additional Thoughts™ about this question.

After considerable thought, googling information about music theory and musical history, and completely destroying my YouTube algorithm with Xtian recommendations, I want to reiterate just how limited my actual answer about this can be. I am not a scholar in this area and so a ton of this is just based on my experiences as someone who grew up in a musical, church-going family and turned into a shul-going adult with some musical background and interest.

One of the things that has been driving me crazy about this is that for every general broad principle I could identify, I could, without much difficulty at all, come up with a counter-example from the other tradition. I think the reality is that while certain trends are true in the aggregate, there is so much cross-pollination and regional overlap between Judaism and Xtianity that picking them apart is extremely challenging. (When I say regional overlap, what I mean is that Jewish music draws from all the numerous places in the diaspora to which Jews were flung since 70 CE; meanwhile, Xtianity has intentionally attempted to reach every corner of the globe and assimilate each local culture into it. Therefore, both religions draw from almost every possible musical tradition you could come up with.)

Therefore, I think the best way to demonstrate both the major differences and the similarities is to put comparable examples side by side for listening and comparison. It’s hard to describe, but easy to hear.

The basis for each comparison will vary. Sometimes, I think it’s interesting to compare musically similar – even identical – songs to show how Jewish artists approach the material versus how Xtian artists do – to illustrate specifically the stylistic differences or the differences between the underlying words. Sometimes, I think it’s interesting to compare songs that have very similar themes to show how each approach and depict these themes. Sometimes, I think it’s interesting to compare musical adaptations of the same Psalms or texts. I will explain why I’m comparing them and my layperson’s opinion of what the differences are and why. This is not in any particular order; perhaps I’ll organize it better at some point but for right now, I just want to put it out there.

Because tumblr limits the amount of links one can put in a single post, I am going to break this up into multiple reblogs, so please bear with me.

Let's start with one that has fascinated me for a while:

1) Jewish.... gospel music?

You've almost certainly heard this song, Higher and Higher before, most likely sung and instrumentalized like this. This is the same song written by Shlomo Carlebach and the first linked one is a version sung by his daughter, Neshama Carlebach in collaboration with the Green Pastures Baptist Church Choir.

[Important note about the music I link here: I know that a lot of these people are going to be Problematic. I don't care. That's not the point of this post. I am well aware of the issues with some of these musicians, whether Jewish or Xtian/Messianic. I'm not linking them because I support them; I'm linking them as a study of their music only. Please don't derail this post with comments about the artists.]

Now, I have no idea what prompted this particular collaboration, but that whole album is quite interesting. In the original song, you can hear common Jewish music elements from the guitar style to his singing style, the arrangement, and to some extent, the themes, although the themes are vague enough to potentially be either. The song itself is quintessentially Jewish.

Once you introduce the GPBCC in his daughter's version however, the music changes dramatically, solely because of the singing style. These are gospel singers, and extremely talented ones. It's a beautiful arrangement of the piece, and I quite enjoy it. However, its original Jewishness becomes overlaid by a singing style that is so closely associated with gospel music, that it becomes impossible to ignore how the actual meaning shifts. In many ways, the words and themes always fit nicely within both traditions, and once you have the GPBCC singers handling the vocals, it transforms the sound profile to one that sounds quintessentially Xtian. That it is all in English only intensifies this effect.

The song is still a Jewish song, of course.

Anyone who knows Carlebach tunes is likely to recognize it as such. But if you did not know that context, one could easily play it on a Xtian radio station without batting an eye or likely even upsetting listeners.

2) Let’s look at another song where the melody overlaps, albeit set to different words: This version of Yigdal compared to The God of Abraham Praise.

Both use the same tune, but arrange it in different ways. Additionally, the singing style is very different. Yigdal is, of course, a traditional liturgical piece and is in Hebrew, whereas The God of Abraham Praise has been translated into English. It's worth noting that the original words are attributed to Daniel ben Judah (14th c.) and the translation/paraphrasing is attributed to Thomas Olivers (1725 - 1799). I'd be very interested in reading a true translation of this poem, because I can almost promise that liberties were take with the paraphrasing here.

However musically, what I find the most intriguing between these two songs, is less the obvious as mentioned above, but the specific flow of the songs. If you listen to The God of Abraham Praise at the end, you'll notice that the artist repeats the phrases, and then adds something of a coda at the very end, with a satisfactory chord to complete the tune. Now re-listen to Yigdal. Somehow, somehow, the Jewish version, despite ending on a much more resolved note than many Jewish tunes, still sounds open, unfinished. It trails off after the repetition of the second verse, leaving the listener to invent more notes afterward of their own.

To me, this is a fascinating and theologically significant difference. This is discussed in detail in this article, "How Time’s Arrow and the Phrygian Half-Step Make Jewish Music Holy," which explains how Jewish music seeks to replicate a certain amount of timelessness and also unfinishednes - theological keystones of Judaism, as understood through the rest of Shabbat and the brokenness of living in an unredeemed world.

This comes up in Jewish literature too. Consider these passages by Dara Horn in People Love Dead Jews:

I can't explain it better than Horn does here, but the bottom line is that Judaism tells us that the world is not redeemed and that it is our job to put the pieces together; Christianity tells us that the world has already been redeemed by Jesus and that his followers have to get everyone else on board.

This longing for redemption and the unfinished project of tikkun olam comes through strongly in Jewish art, music, and literature, as does the triumphal notes do in Christian art, music, and literature.

Going back to this one particular example, Yigdal and The God of Abraham Praise - and actually my first example as well - listen to how they each end. Which one makes you feel like there is more, something just on the other side of the music, and which one makes you feel completely finished with the song, that there is one answer and that it has been already given?

More comparisons to follow.

[robininthelabyrinth]

Imagine if Meng Shi begged and bargained and collected favors till she was able to send her A-Yao to education with the Lan Sect, perhaps even become a cultivator with them. Would he take that change? Would he become a rogue cultivator? Would the strict rules help curb his inner muderimpuls or enrage him or teach him to hide better?

A Good Fit - ao3

“The…Lan sect?” Meng Yao said doubtfully. “Are you sure?”

“I am sure,” his mother said, her mouth tight. She looked upset, the way she always did these days when he referenced, intentionally or otherwise, the original plan that she had had to send him to join his father, sect leader of Lanling Jin. She’d raised Meng Yao on a steady diet of stories of what his life would be like when his father finally took him back the way he’d promised her he would, stories that had filled his days and nights for years and years and years, and then just last year she’d suddenly stopped talking about it entirely. It was as if the person who’d told those stories had nothing to do with her.

Meng Yao didn’t know what had happened, but he assumed it must have been pretty bad.

“It'll be a good fit,” she added.

“Then I’ll go to the Lan sect,” he said, and pretended not see the way his mother relaxed a little, relieved that he wasn’t asking too many questions. “I’ve heard they are gentlemen there, righteous but gentle; it will be the best match for my personality, I’m sure.”

A lie, of course. ‘Gentlemen’ were just as likely to come to the brothel as brutes, and they were all the same once they had a cup of wine and a beauty in their arms – Meng Yao tried not to have any illusions.

“Can we afford it?” he asked instead, since that was something he was sure his mother would have thought of, would have expected him to ask. “Gusu is so far away…”

“I have obtained a letter from the local sect recommending you to their sect leader, Lan Qiren,” she said. “He’s the one that teaches the classes – the one that sent out the summons asking the subsidiary sects to look for individuals with raw talent to join his classes and offering them an extra seat for their sects for each nameless orphan they find that lives up to Lan sect standards. Only the Heavens know why he’s doing something like that…I assume they’re trying to expand.”

That seemed like the most reasonable explanation. Meng Yao nodded. “So I’ll be traveling with the local sect?”

“That’s right,” his mother said, and raised her chin a little. “At least this much, your mother was able to do for you.”

She’d begged and bargained and traded favors for it, then, Meng Yao thought, and yet taking him along was to their own benefit: if they were looking for inherited cultivation talent sufficient for the Lan sect, then the bastard son of another Great Sect leader would be a better bet than some random nobody. She’d probably humiliated herself for nothing.

“Will you come with me?” he asked, more concerned with that – it was too easy for women of ill repute to disappear into the depths of the city if they didn’t have someone to watch out for them.

Even someone as young as he was. He wished he was older.

“You can come back to visit me during the Spring Festival,” she said, which meant no. “I’ll be all right, A-Yao.”

Meng Yao wasn’t so sure.

Still, not having him around would at least remove a visible reminder of his mother’s age – she’d been kicked out of the better brothels because of him, because no one wanted a woman who was a mother. Leaving would at least do that for her.

“I’ll write,” he finally said. “I’ll write as often as they let me.”

“And I’ll write back,” she promised him, kissing his cheek. “I promise.”

With that, Meng Yao supposed he had to be satisfied.

-

The Lan sect was both exactly like what Meng Yao expected and absolutely nothing at all like anything he could have dreamt.

For the first, his cynicism was almost immediately confirmed: the boys raised there were snobby as anything, looking down at the rest of them as little better than barbarians, and many of the adults were the same way. It was clear that this whole business of recruiting talented nobodies was a project of the sect leader’s – the interim sect leader, no less, not even the real thing – and nobody else’s; they were only just barely going along with it. Adding to that the fact that there were dozens if not hundreds of rules, and Meng Yao could glumly foresee a future of having his lack of knowledge held over his head as a fault, even with his marvelous memory to act as his backing.

For the second…

Well, there was Lan Xichen, who was – as unbelievable as it seemed – to actually embody all those things that people said about gentlemen, all kindness and gentleness and fierce upright pride, except only for real. There was Lan Wangji, who was basically perfect in every way and kinder than he gave the impression he was, willing to help tutor anyone who asked if only they dared disturb his solitude long enough to do so. There was the boy Meng Yao shared a room with, Su She, who’d punched the boy from the Yunping cultivator clan in the mouth for calling Meng Yao a son of a whore and pretended it was because they weren’t allowed to talk about that sort of thing, when actually it’d been because he hadn’t wanted rumors to get around that might make Meng Yao’s life harder in the future.

There was Lan Qiren, who was strict and a little boring but fair, painfully fair, handing out punishments with an equitable hand no matter that it meant that he was punishing the locals as often if not more often. It’d been his idea to bring people like Meng Yao into the Lan sect, and defending the idea was the only time he truly seemed moved to passion. Now that they’d passed the initial examination and been judged to match Lan sect standards, Lan Qiren announced, as far as he was concerned, they were Lan sect just as if they were born there, as if they’d been children of his own.

And he even seemed to really believe it, too.

Today, Meng Yao’s head was still warm from when the stern Teacher Lan had put his hand there, gentle and approving, and his ears still burning from the murmured “Well done, Meng Yao, as expected.”

“I think I would kill someone for him,” Meng Yao said dreamily to Su She, who snorted.

“You’ve got such father issues,” he said disdainfully, as if he didn’t have entire family issues. That was just Su She’s way, though – he bitched and moaned and complained without end, and he’d probably kill someone for Meng Yao if Meng Yao so much as hinted it was something he’d want. They’d made friends for a reason. “You know the bit about the poor kids being his own children is a lie, right?”

“I know which sect’s leader is my father, thanks,” Meng Yao said, rolling his eyes. “I’m well aware it’s not Teacher Lan. Like he’d ever have kids of his own, anyway.”

“That’d require noticing when someone’s flirting with him,” Su She agreed, all solemn for just a moment, and then he dissolved into sniggering giggles. Meng Yao couldn’t blame him: it was, in fact, extremely funny when women (and sometimes men) tried to flirt with Teacher Lan, mostly because of the way that he very genuinely and completely missed that that was what was happening each and every time.

“Laugh all you like,” Meng Yao said peaceably. “You’d kill for him, too.”

“Probably,” Su She agreed. “But only because of you.”

That was fair enough. After getting the lay of the land, Meng Yao had arranged for them to ‘accidentally’ be overheard by Teacher Lan while talking about the misconduct of one of the teachers who was the most biased against guest disciples, one of the ones that had been harassing Su She in particular for over a year before Meng Yao had arrived, and despite Su She’s initial nervousness about the plan, it had all gone splendidly. Sure, they’d been punished to do five copies of a treatise on upright conduct because they’d breached Talking behind the backs of others is prohibited, but the teacher in question had been sentenced to two hundred strikes with the discipline rod for abusing his position and three months of enforced seclusion to contemplate his misbehavior, and then, Teacher Lan had said, his expression dark and threatening, they could discuss what role would be the best fit in the future.

The other teachers had taken notice and shaped up very quickly, after that.

Comparatively, those five copies made in the nice cool Library Pavilion instead of having to do chores on the hottest days of summer? Practically a pat on the back for bringing it to his attention.

Su She would never have dared to raise anything if it was just him, Meng Yao thought; he had a strange fear of authority figures that combined envy and misery in an explosive combination – he would have just suffered and suffered and suffered until he’d been pushed too far and then it would have all burst out at once. He wasn’t like Meng Yao, who was unwilling to keep to his “proper” place and was more than willing to use his greater-than-average share of brains to get what he wanted, no matter what rules he broke in the process. He was the sort of person who was willing to do whatever it took to obtain his desires – no matter what it took.

Well, maybe not no matter what. He wouldn’t want to disappoint Lan Qiren too much.

(Okay, so maybe Su She was right and he had some unresolved father issues. So what if he did? Whose business was it but his?)

-

It’d taken Meng Yao a while to fully adjust to the Cloud Recesses.

Some parts he’d figured out right away – the way they all flattered themselves as gentlemen even if they were actually little more than hypocrites (Teacher Lan and his personally taught nephews exempted, of course), which of course meant that Meng Yao’s ability to act pitiful at the drop of a hat and cleverly turn black into white made him a teacher’s pet at once. The vegetarian meals were easy enough to adapt to, given that his mother hadn’t had the money for meat all that often, and the training and cultivation and all that wasn’t any challenge for his excellent powers of retention – he had ambitions of becoming one of Teacher Lan’s aides one day, and worked assiduously towards that goal. Even waking and sleeping early, which was practically the opposite of his schedule at home, was something he could adjust to, given time and incentive.

It was his mentality that took some time to adjust.

Meng Yao had perhaps grown up with too many of his mother’s stories, painting an image of a matchless paradise – at the start, he looked at everything around him, serene and elegant but not quite as rich and shining and thought that it would do, for now. When he’d first arrived, he had had every intention of making a good reputation for himself and using that reputation to get his real father’s attention – he’d liked Teacher Lan from the beginning, despite his best attempts to not let his heart be swayed, but he’d reasoned that if a teacher was like this, then a blood-related father would be even better.

And so, for the first half-year, he’d treated his time at the Cloud Recesses…not lightly, no. He was extremely serious about making sure to get the maximum benefit he could. And yet, at the same time, he still was not really committing himself to the place.

This wasn’t where he was going to live his whole life, he reasoned; it was just a stepping stone to a better future. That meant he would exert himself to point out things that made him look good, to eliminate obstacles in his path, to win himself allies, but not bother with those longer-term problems, the ones that really ought to be fixed but which would take a great deal of effort with little reward other than annoying people.

His feeling of superiority and emotional distance lasted right up until the first discussion conference.

From a distance, Jin Guangshan was everything Meng Yao could have imagined – perhaps a little too similar to the clients that his mother often saw, a little dissolute to pull off the air of a refined scholar he affected, but wearing more gold than Meng Yao had ever seen in his life, with a retinue of servants that dwarfed the other sect’s. Each of those servants were dressed more finely than even main clan cultivators in some of the smaller sects, and though Meng Yao’s Lan sect guest disciple clothing was of such quality that he didn’t need to fear their disdain, he couldn’t help but be secretly impressed.

He'd exerted himself more than usual to trade away all of his chores and duties, freeing himself up to take on patrol duty near the Jin sect. He’d perhaps daydreamed about some sort of encounter – nothing active on his part, of course, but he couldn’t quite resist playing through some fantasy of catching someone’s eye by chance, getting called over, a “You have a familiar set to your chin, who’s your father?”, a shy halting admission, recognition, a joyous reunion…

Instead, his father spent the entire night getting drunk and cursing the Lan sect’s hospitality for not providing him with girls to go with his liquor, calling Lan Qiren a miserable prude with a stick up his ass right in front of the Lan sect disciples that clenched their fists in barely concealed rage. He’d seen Meng Yao all right, ordered him to come forward, but it’d only been to mock him in front of all of his servants – and not even for being his bastard son, no, that would involve bothering to pick him out from the crowd or to ask who he was. No, he’d mocked him simply for being one of the poor disciples that Lan Qiren had taken in, all because his accent was marked with the distinct tones of Yunping rather than the sweetness of Gusu.

“Tell me, boy,” he said, breathing fumes into Meng Yao’s face and making him feel suddenly as if he’d never left the brothel – that the Cloud Recesses had all been a vague dream, and now he’d woken up and lost it all. “How does that old fart Qiren expect you to pay him back for all he’s done for you? I heard the Lan sect includes a pretty face as one of its standard requirements…”

Meng Yao put his gaze above his father’s head and pretended to be deaf.

“It seems like rather a lot of effort,” one of his father’s attendants remarked. “Even if Second Master Lan wanted a boy to warm his bed, couldn’t he just buy one like any normal person?”

“Bah, boys,” his father said, and leaned back, waving his hands in dismissal. “Why would anyone bother with a boy when you could have a soft woman instead? Just as long as they’re stupid enough – you know, there’s nothing worse than a woman who’s talented and knows it, too smart, always trying to get above their station…”

“You’re thinking about that whore in Yunping again, aren’t you? The one that interrupted your dinner and made a scene, claiming you’d promised to take in the son she bore you?” the attendant said, laughing. “I told you, you should’ve just killed her for her impudence rather than just having her beaten and thrown out. That way the matter wouldn’t still be bothering you…”

“Go away, boy,” another servant said to Meng Yao, who was frozen stiff in belated terror, nausea churning in his stomach as he realized his mother could’ve gone out one day and never come back, and he would never have known why – or maybe it was that he’d been spending his considerable time and brain on pleasing someone who would have done that, who nearly had done that. “Your accent’s brought back bad memories, don’t you see?”

Meng Yao left.

No, to be more blunt: he fled. He ran away, hot tears filling his eyes until he couldn’t see – belly full of regret and disappointment, crushed dreams feeling like broken shards of glass in his mouth and throat.

He tried to tell himself that it was better to find out now, when they were still distant, before he'd sold his soul for the futile chance to get that horrible man's affection, but he couldn't quite throw off the shame of knowing that if he hadn't heard such a thing up front, he probably would have done that. Would have humiliated himself like that, and for what? A man who regretted not murdering his mother?

He ran right into Lan Wangji, who was also on patrol.

Lan Wangji took one look at him and grabbed his wrist, dragging him away from the main pathway and all the way to his uncle’s rooms.

Lan Qiren was still awake despite the late hour, writing something at his desk, but he set aside his brush at once. “What’s going on?” he asked, frowning. “Wangji – Meng Yao – one of you report.”

“Meng Yao was on patrol by the Jin sect,” Lan Wangji explained as Meng Yao furiously tried to dash away his tears using his sleeve.

“Who permitted that? First year disciples aren’t permitted to patrol during discussion conferences,” Lan Qiren asked, his frown deepening. “It wouldn’t be proper – ah, but no, I recall now. I suppose it was inevitable. Wangji, well done, and thank you. You are dismissed.”

After Lan Wangji left, he turned his eyes on Meng Yao.

“You volunteered, didn’t you?” he asked.

Meng Yao felt his back go cold: Lan Qiren knew, then. It had never been said out loud by anyone as far as he knew, and yet it was clear that Lan Qiren knew who his father was – and probably his mother, too.

He knew that Meng Yao was – that he wasn’t anything more than –

“You are one of my most promising disciples, Meng Yao,” Lan Qiren told him, and poured him a cup of tea from his own pot, pressing it into his hands. It was finer tea than Meng Yao had ever had in his life, full of smoke and flavor. “The rules say Be loyal and filial, but they also praise reciprocity. You have not been recognized, and have not received your forefathers’ grace. You can fulfill your obligations to chivalry through your respect for the parent that raised you.”

Meng Yao stared down at the teacup. Lan Qiren had completely misunderstood the nature of Meng Yao’s concern – he was disappointed in what his father was, not worried about not living up to his obligations of being a filial child. And yet it was a little nice to hear that as far as Lan Qiren was concerned, the rules said that he could tell his father go hang for all he cared…

And that he ought to honor his mother, which was something no one who knew her had ever said to him.

“Even if she –” His voice stuttered. “Even if she’s a…”

He couldn’t say the word.

“Appreciate the good people is not qualified by class or profession,” Lan Qiren said, and his monotone voice was blissfully without emotion, as if this were just another lesson in class, and not the deepest hurt of Meng Yao’s life. “I have never met your mother, Meng Yao, but you are a good child – diligent, organized, sincere, with good judgment, and you clearly adore her. That tells me everything I need to know.”

Meng Yao burst into tears.

-

Meng Yao liked Lan Xichen a lot, but he also had to admit that sometimes, the older boy was, well…

“Dumb as a pile of rocks,” Su She announced.

“Do not criticize other people,” Meng Yao said piously, but then chuckled, shaking his head. “Say, rather, that he’s naïve and sheltered, and overly inclined to believe the best in people.”

“Like I said: dumb as rocks. How many times is going to get himself swindled into being someone’s sword or shield before he figures out that the problem is him?”

“Some people don’t have the capacity to understand the depths of humanity’s foulness –”

“Yeah, dumb ones.”

“Su She, please.” Su She held up his hands in surrendered. “At any rate, if Lan-gongzi is going to keep falling for people’s tricks, it’s beholden on us to help protect him.”

“You just don’t want Teacher Lan to be sad about something serious happening to his nephew,” Su She said knowingly, but he was already nodding. “All right, what are we going to do about it? He outranks us. We can’t exactly tell him to his face that he’s being…”

He paused.

Dumb as rocks went unsaid, but then, it didn’t need to be said out loud for the meaning to be clear.

Meng Yao sighed.

“You can only trick someone so many times,” he said. “If we want to keep him from getting tricked by other people, then we have to trick him first. And better.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lan-gongzi likes to save people,” Meng Yao explained. “He really sees himself as a chivalrous gentleman – he puts chivalry first, even though Teacher Lan says Learning comes first. That’s why he always sides with whoever he perceives to be the underdog in a given situation, no matter how wrong that impression is. That’s how most of the people who’ve been tricking him have gone for it: playing the victim, appealing to his sense of righteousness, pulling the curtains over his eyes to obscure what’s actually happening.”

“Okay. So?”

“So, we’ve both got miserable backstories – you being taken from your family at a young age and then bullied, me with my mother and, even worse, father. If we get him on our side, early on, he’ll side with us over anyone else – that way we can keep him from getting roped into other people’s private grudges.”

Su She frowned. “That seems a little manipulative.”

“It’s for his own good, and that’s what’s important,” Meng Yao said, and smiled faintly. “Wouldn’t you agree, Lan-er-gongzi?”

Su She jumped, turning around just in time to see Lan Wangji, who had been standing in the shadow of a nearby tree, step out.

He had a serious expression, as always, but a thoughtful one.

Meng Yao waited patiently.

“You cannot take advantage,” Lan Wangji finally said, and Meng Yao knew he’d won the most important ally in the battle to save Lan Xichen from himself. “That would change it from a virtuous act to a selfish one.”

“Like we need anything from him,” Su She said haughtily. “Maintain your own discipline.”

“Arrogance is forbidden.”

“It’s not arrogance if it’s justified! It’s just self-confidence!”

“Do not argue with family,” Meng Yao quoted, and was pleased to see both of them drop it at once. “Listen, we all share the same goal, and we have to start somewhere, don’t we? We’re stronger together than apart. Together, we can do anything, even protect Lan-gongzi.”

That and more, he thought as the other boys nodded, following his lead. Lan Xichen is just the start.

-

“The Wen sect will make trouble sooner rather than later,” Meng Yao said thoughtfully, one day. His friends turned to look at him. “Yes, I’m serious.”

Lan Wangji nodded, serious as always, but Su She scoffed.

“You can’t even convince that Wei Wuxian boy to leave poor Lan-er-gongzi alone,” he said snidely. “How exactly are you expecting to bring down the Wen sect?”

“I don’t convince Wei Wuxian to leave Lan-er-gongzi alone because Lan-er-gongzi doesn’t want to be left alone,” Meng Yao said. “Obviously. Isn’t that right?”

“You should call me by name,” Lan Wangji said, which wasn’t answering the question and definitely wasn’t denying anything. “You were saying, about the Wen sect?”

Meng Yao smiled.

-

“What brings one of Teacher Lan’s most promising disciples to the Unclean Realm?” Nie Mingjue said, peering at him thoughtfully. “You’re at the wrong time to be one of the usual messengers.”

Meng Yao smiled at him.

“I think you’ll find that we have similar goals, Sect Leader Nie,” he said. “When it comes to making sure that certain people in our lives don’t get hurt by the bad decisions of others, I mean. In your case, it’s your younger brother, who’s a friend of mine –”

Friend, source of information, it was all about the same thing in the end. Meng Yao didn’t have real friends outside the Lan sect, but he’d been very careful to cultivate good relationships with all his most important peers.

“- and for me, well. A teacher for day, a father for a lifetime. I’m sure Sect Leader Nie can understand the importance of protecting one’s father – right?”

“You don’t need to use any sophistry on me,” Nie Mingjue said, rolling his eyes. “If you have an idea on what we can do to stop the Wen sect before they go and burn someone’s house down, I’m all ears.”

By chance, Meng Yao did.

It was a good plan, too, daring and brave in equal measure. If it worked the way he hoped it would, he’d win enough fame to get Jin Guangshan to beg for him to join the Jin sect – not that he would, of course.

Meng Yao knew what he wanted, and he knew how he was going to get it, too.

-

“This is a lovely house, A-Yao,” Meng Shi said, running her hand along one of the soft tapestries on the wall. “Truly lovely. Whoever you rented it from has good taste.”

Meng Yao bowed. “Thank you for the compliment, Mother. I put a lot of thought into it.”

“You own it?” she asked, surprised. “But don’t you live up the mountain, with the sect?”

“I do. This is for you.”

“For – me? A-Yao! This is too much – how much must it have cost–”

“I saved the Lan sect’s core texts from being destroyed,” Meng Yao said. “I’m an inner sect disciple now – I could ask for a dozen houses like this, and they’d grant them to me without blinking twice. Teacher Lan would insist on it.”

“Teacher Lan,” his mother murmured. “That’s the one you’ve taken to treating as your own father, isn’t it? You’ve spoken so much of him, in your letters…”

“There’s no need to scheme,” he told her. “He wouldn’t notice your flirtations, anyway.”

His mother arched her eyebrows at him.

“He’s really oblivious.”

“Still…”

“Really no need,” Meng Yao said, and couldn’t help but smile at the memory of Lan Qiren pulling him into a hug when he realized that the books – and Lan Xichen – were all safe from the Wen sect’s attempt to burn down the Cloud Recesses, and, later, again, that Wen Ruohan was dead. He may have deliberately schemed for that second hug, and he might or might not have plans for more. “He already takes me as a son.”

His mother relaxed.

“Good,” she said, and smiled herself. “So, A-Yao, was I right, all those years ago? Was the Lan sect a good fit for you?”

“Yes, Mother,” Meng Yao said. “Yes, it was.”

[dukeoftheblackstar]

@bart1607 Excuse my emotional train wreck of a commentary because I am a ho for this man.

So I'm an absolute ho for Plo, okay? And I don't mean that in a sense that I'm just blindly lusting for him, but I genuinely love him. Love him to bits, reverently, unconditionally, and extremely devoted to this Kel Dor king like, ma'am. Ma'am. I will not fucking shut tf up about him, okay?

I'm also on a constant quest of finding how Plo is doing. I am petitioning for him to retire back to Dorin and bear my kids, okay?

But in all seriousness, I love this.

I love this for reasons no one talks about how Plo is doing most of the time. And though we've rarely interacted, I think this would be the source of it once or twice, I do. I'm beyond addicted to the pain that lingers in having to live 380+ years of your life dealing with loss and now losing 'a child'.

It's the angst that I adore exploring because there is never a time to grieve and I will die by the hill on the fact that no amount of meditation and connection to the force will ever rid you off that pain. The force will not alleviate you of that lingering memory, the 'i should have', the doubts, the wishes, the I could haves — and the only option is acceptance.

Acceptance with your self-made closure and hope that life and it's funny little way of fixing things lets you live enough to actually be at that moment. But he doesn't get to live that long to make a proper goodbye, to make a proper apology, to close that chapter on a good note the right way — not the way of a Jedi, not the way of a Kel Dor, not the way of a living individual, but by the way of choice.

Cause now you gotta imagine and deal with every single thing that reminds you of them. There's the creche maybe, there's maybe a drawing Ahsoka made when she was younger, a spot he'd indulge her in stories or lectures or spar, her firsts in the temple and even the silent galleries where at some point she would have probably laughed or shared a joke that is just between them?

The same corridors that she might have held Plo's hand as he guides her to maybe enjoy the sunset or some shit and you know, that's gonna take time. Time that is so crucial in a chaotic-ridden galaxy on top of being a Jedi and a General whose mind should always be clear to ensure not only the success of the mission but the safety of others.

Will he lose another today? Is she okay? Is she safe? And then there's the justification that he trained her well, that the other Masters trained her well and though the trust in her and perhaps the force is there, having someone walk out on your life knowing that you could have prevented that is a different kind of pain — more so if you were that person's home.

I can't write about this the whole day but you know, I shouldn't. But over all, I just wanna give you the biggest hugs for writing this. For keeping his grace and dignity to not crumble when he clearly is. To keep his usual demeanor of keeping to himself unless people ask him if he's okay, if he's still standing.

Because no one does that anymore. Not intentionally at least.

If Ahsoka is truly gone, then Plo will feel guilty for the rest of his life. Her loss was very painful for everyone, especially for Plo Koon, who realized that Ahsoka was really gone and will not come back. 

I think about this a lot because it's one of those things that you know for sure ruined him for himself because the conflict between (1) keeping a proper front as a Jedi who should not be attached, (2) a father figure/parental figure who found and I would assume raised him closely compared to others at most, (3) another loss as if the loss of masters, padawans, friends, clones, isn't enough to have lived this long and witness so much death and loss in every possible meaning is just.. you know? Breaks my goddamn heart.

For Plo Koon, Ahsoka was still the little child he found on Shili and brought to the Temple. 

I am bawling, okay? Because I feel this so damn much in my heart because I love Plo to an ungodly extent for meaningful reasons than just listing for my husband #2.

But yes, right? The pain. The word pain isn't even sufficient to define what he could have been feeling right there and then. Death and loss isn't something new to him. Heck, he barely had time to grieve Tyvvoka and Qui-Gon for sure, and then some others. Micah too. But it's always a different feel when you loose a child — and I will happily fight for the fact that Plo was 'dad Plo to Ahsoka' no matter what angle people see it. He found her.

He found Her.

Plo Koon blamed himself for Ahsoka's departure from the Order because he felt very responsible for her. After all, he was the one who brought her to the Temple and showed little Ahsoka how it looks like to be a Jedi. Over the years, Plo developed a strong family bond with her and served as her mentor. Plo had let Ahsoka down and was feeling very bad for what happened. As someone who was like a father to her, Plo shouldn't let others treat her like a criminal. 

SEE?! THISSSSSSSS! BABE YOU GET ME OMG.

Plo Koon looked down and sighed again. “Ahsoka was like a daughter to me…” 

RIP DUCH. BABY LET ME MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

Plo never even thought that he will lose Ahsoka so quickly and suddenly. However the worst thing was, that he didn't even get to say goodbye to her.  

"Goodbye, Little 'Soka..." said Plo Koon to himself, looking at the skyline of Coruscant, which was illuminated by the rays of the setting sun. He then moved away from the window and left the Jedi Council chambers. He was no longer feeling sad and so depressed. He hoped that Ahsoka will be able to cope and maybe one day they will meet again and reunite. 

FILONI BETTER SLAP SOME PLO ON AHSOKA SEASON 2 OR I SWEAR TO GOD —

Goodbye, Little 'Soka...

Hello there! 🤗 I hope, you'll enjoy this fic! ❤️

Summary: This is what could happen inside Jedi Council chambers, when Ahsoka left the Order. Everyone is sad about her departure, but Plo Koon is the one, who is suffering the most.

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Angst

Word count: 1,782

Link to AO3:

[teaveetamer]

Hold up! There are people who actually believe that the clothes in 3H are period accurate? 3H?! How stupid are they?

One look at the uniforms and anyone with passing interest in historical fashion knows that they are a modern design. F!Byleth's outfit is nothing you'd ever see until late in the 20th century!

If 3H is fashion accurate, then all male characters should be in tights and poofy pants while all female characters wear floor lengths skirts, corsets, and crazy updos.

I like the clothing designs in 3H with Edelgard being my favorite. But never will I claim that they are historically accurate or appropriate! Their world and fashion is fantasy! It can take inspiration from history but not fully replicate it. That's just stupidity inviting mockery.

See, if 3H were a better game then I might assume that the anachronisms were actually intentional. We know that a society existed before the current iteration of Fodlan that was extremely advanced in technology, and presumably the humans we have inhabiting Fodlan could have perhaps come across more modern styles of dress that we have now. E.g. a tailor or seamstress in Enbarr digging up an old drawing of a hoodie in a library somewhere while doing research for new designs, so they decide to replicate it and it gets massively popular. Then we find out later that, actually, that's something the Agarthans wore back when they ruled the planet and it's another piece of evidence to show just how significantly they influence Fodlan society.

Except 3H isn't a good game, and so the anachronisms go completely unaddressed and we're just supposed to believe these extremely modern styles of dress are normal in Fodlan because... they just are, I guess. No real reason.

If M!Byleth were a bit more out there in his design I think you could also make the argument for F!Byleth being intentionally very out of place looking, since Byleth is intentionally supposed to be very odd compared to the people they're surrounded by + they have a connection to this past society (because of their link with Sothis). Except that doesn't work either because M!Byleth fits in perfectly with the kind of clothing you see at the monastery, while F!Byleth is a significant outlier.

So I assume I'm not supposed to make anything of her design, because surely anything thematic would have been carried over between both versions? Like could you imagine F!Robin with the clearly Plegian-style clothes and the mark of Grima, but then M!Robin just looks like joe schmoe off the street? Or if F!Corrin had the pointy ears, red eyes, white hair, and bare feet but then M!Corrin was brunette with brown eyes, normal human ears, and wore shoes? Or even if one version of Alear didn't have the split color hair and heterochromia?

[wolf-queer-discourse]

Adventures in Aphobia #1

So I was scrolling through Tumblr the other day (a regrettable mistake as always), and I had the great pleasure of seeing this joyous post.

*deep breath*

Not gonna lie, posts like this make me real pissed. Pissed because the person who posted this exists in a space where they feel comfortable enough to post this online. Pissed because these posts are so common and often face little backlash. And pissed because there’s nothing better than allosexuals condescendingly explaining to asexual people why they’re dirty attention whores who invent their own oppression. Ace people deserve to be defended against this horseshit. Young people see these posts, and it’s extremely damaging to have your identity be nothing more than fuel for people in discourse to mock you and demand you bled in order for them to notice your pain.

Anger aside, many people do not see why this post is wrong, so why is it? Let’s unpack this clusterfuck of bigotry:

“would love to see substantive evidence of systematic “aphobia” that isn’t actually just misogyny, toxic masculinity, or rpe culture.”

God damn, we are not mincing our words here XD. A few things: systematic in bold, which tells you if you do not make a blood sacrifice on the altar of queer pain you will not be taken seriously. Potential nitpick, but systemic and systematic are not the same thing. I believe systemic is the word they’re looking for. Systematic implies a lot more intentionality that can be hard to prove. Systemic merely means that systems, in their current state, do aphobic things, which they absolutely do.

“Aphobia” in quotes is absolutely rich. Not only will this person refuse to acknowledge systemic aphobia, which is only one type, but this poster casts clear doubt upon the mere concept of aphobia in and of itself. We love to see it.

There’s a lot to unpack here. The statement, as clearly condescending as intended, is sort of correct, though it doesn’t mean a whole lot. Systemic oppression is about the systems in a society (government, healthcare, etc) discriminating against people. Systemic oppression is not bigotry faced on a person-to-person level. In short, systematic oppression is something a person experiences in their overall life, while personal discrimination is experienced on a personal level by people who are not singularly in control of the systems. This post boils down the negative comments ace people face into being called “weird”, which is an understatement for sure, but calling a gay person weird isn’t systemic oppression either.

It’s still bad and discriminatory.

This is such a snotty way to dismiss aphobia as some mere, insignificant comment with no meaning as if it doesn’t reinforce society’s painful aphobic views in the same way casual homophobic comments reinforce heteronormativity and society’s hostility toward gay people.

Ace people face discrimination in healthcare, most notably, which is systemic discrimination, but the systemic discrimination of asexuals really ought to be its own post if I’m to nosedive into it. Even if ace people faced no systemic discrimination, it wouldn’t make this point anymore correct. Discrimination is a perfectly valid reason to feel disregarded by society, and often only ace people are denied the right to feel this way and are instead gaslit into admitting what they face is no big deal and they’re just making it up for attention.

The experience of being pressured to have sex when you’re allo vs ace is very different. The vast majority of allo people do not plan to be celibate their whole lives. Many ace people do not want to have sex, ever. “Waiting for sex” in much of western society and in Christianity is seen as pure and honorable. Yet being asexual and never wanting sex is seen as a deviant disorder and people are accused of robbing their partner of sex forever.

There’s really a specific flavor of sexual pressure that is unique to ace people. Sex being to “fix” someone or because they “just need to try it”.

In this respect, aphobic sexual pressure is better compared to that faced by gay people and lesbians. Lesbians especially often can face this same struggle, men pressuring them to have sex because they think lesbians just need to “try it” or to “fix them”. I can imagine this poster would have no issue acknowledging lesbophobia being the root of lesbians coerced into sex with men, yet she does not give ace people the same.

Imagine if someone said (and knowing our fucked world, someone probably has): “Lesbophobia doesn’t exist. It’s just misogyny. Straight women are coerced into sex too!”

It’d be pathetic bullshit. Toxic masculinity, misogyny and many other issues can all tangle into combined messes with other forms of bigotry. Lesbophobia is an experience that deserves to be recognized apart from misogyny, even if the two are linked. Please stop erasing ace people’s experiences with this when it’s not the same thing.

Honestly, though, this post, as trashy as it is, if anything, is perhaps, really asking: Is there any type of aphobic experience that’s inherently exclusive to ace people?

I still wager to go say, yes, yes there is, but I must make an important point first:

Most experiences of queer discrimination are not limited to queer people.

Homophobia and transphobia are both experienced by cishets in certain instances. Feminine straight men can be victims of homophobic harassment. This does not disprove the fact that it’s homophobia just because a straight man is the victim of it. A tall cis woman with broad shoulders and a lower voice may be the victim of transphobic remarks or comments. The basis of these comments is rooted in transphobia, however, so the fact that the victim is cis does not erase the transphobia.

People who argue that experiences ace people complain about can be experienced by allosexuals are not poking a legitimate hole in doing this. Certain experiences related to aphobia can and are experienced by allosexuals. If you do not acknowledge this, then homophobia and transphobia aren’t real because cishet people have sometimes experienced them.

Despite cishets sometimes experiencing queerphobia, most of us acknowledge that their experience of that bigotry, however unfortunate, is not the same as that experienced by actual queer people. It’d be quite homophobic for a feminine straight man to claim he knew just as much about the gay experience as an actual gay man. Similarly, when allosexual people relate experiences that were rooted in aphobia, it’s overstepping a line when they claim asexual discrimination isn’t real because they experienced elements of it too.

Cishet (cishet including allosexuals) people do not experience their doctors telling them their sexuality might be a disorder or caused by trauma. Allo queer people can experience this with their sexualities too.

“using sex appeal to sell products is misogyny, it is not engineered to gross sex-repulsed people, it is meant to objectify women.”

This is a strawman thinner than my last nerve. Uh, what? What ace people are you seeing that literally think sex appeal was engineered to gross-out sex-repulsed people?? I don’t think this is a core argument??

Yes, sex-repulsed ace people sometimes complain about sex appeal in media being uncomfortable. But that’s it. Every time an ace person shares a discomfort of theirs doesn’t mean it’s the entire basis of their oppression. For the love of God, let ace people discuss their experiences without being blow-torched over not being oppressed enough with an individual discomfort. 

BONUS ROUND

(This was in the tags)

“Completely vilifies celibate individuals” 

...no…? What…? Huh…? 

The most charitable interpretation of this vague accusation is that the poster means celibate people face aphobia as well, due to not wanting to have sex. I have no idea how this “vilifies” anyone, but that aside, as said before: people who are not queer can face aphobia. Also worth noting that society treats celibate people way better than ace people, which is really another example of aphobia. Celibate people can be told they’re missing out (which could be at very least related to aphobic ideals), but they’re rarely called broken. Celibacy is seen more as a respected, controlled ideal in allo people, but when ace people want to do it, they’re just mentally ill.

Anyway, the post was aphobic trash, and it needs to be debunked more often. Mocking ace people online is not a good look anymore, guys. Don't be ugly.

[mardereads19]

A Comparrison between Az’s Chapter and Cassian’s Chapters in Acofas

Today I found myself inspired by @thereaderspeaks ‘s post and what I had to add about it, to write this long-ass post comparing Az’s chapter in Acosf to Cassian’s three chapters in Acofas.

@rhyssescups does an amazing job in this post (and @psychee92 in this one) of comparing Az’s chapter to Cassian’s POV in Wings and Embers. I’ll also attach @psychee92 ‘s comparison of both batboys’ attitudes after their respective solstices. But I’m going to concentrate on Az’s POV and Acofas rather than Wings and Embers.

There are a LOT of things in common, so when you add the posts linked above to this one, you’ll see how Azriel’s emotions and his interaction with Gwyn mirror those of Cassian. Everyday I find more peace of mind regarding Elriel.

Before I begin, I want to clarify that Emerie is not in Wings and Embers, but on Cassian’s perspective in Acofas. I had seen many people on Tumblr and on Twitter saying (by mistake) that she’s in W&E, so I wanted to point that out. It is Mor who is mentioned in W&E. How Cassian does not want to tell her about Nesta, etc. For more on that, check out the links I attached above.

There are many elements that Cassian and Azriel share in their chapters and I decided to divide them into categories. I’ll support them with quotes so that we have the receipts. With that said…

Let’s get started!

1. Distance

In both instances there was something that separated the couples and caused distance. 

In Cassian’s case it was post-war-Nesta and even Cassian himself (it was pride that kept him ignoring her all through the party until he couldn’t take it anymore and ran after her, simple as that): 

In Azriel’s case it was his understanding of what he feels for Elain and the fact that she has a mate. But also, let’s add Rhys’s order as a new element that will cause distance.

2. Emotions

Cassian did not allow himself to think about Nesta because of the feelings that stirred up in him.

Anger, passion, confusion.

And Azriel… 

Well, well, well... What do we have here? 

Anger, passion, confusion. 

He was ready to spar it out of his system, too, like Cassian.

3. Something the batboys associate with their mate Archeron sister

I noticed that in both cases, Cass and Az had given their girls something that they associated with them, be it material or other.

For example, Cassian’s was names for Nesta’s poses.

He saw Nesta stand in any particular way and if it was something she repeated he gave that pose a name. It is something he associates with her.

In Azriel’s case, we know he gives Elain a rose necklace. 

Roses signify Elain because of what she does: gardening; But also, it could simply represent them. Their way of spending time together (here’s a post of different refences of Elriel in the garden by @silver-flames​) and their relationship that has been slowly blooming in secret, like how that charm shines with colors when it’s in the light, but looks ordinary in the dark.

4. The batboys hurting the sisters

In both POVs the Illyrians hurt the Archerons. 

Cassian does it out of anger. Because Nesta kept rejecting him. Instead of holding his tongue, like any mature person should, he tells her something that destroys her (we know by her reaction).

See how her eyes go empty? 

Well, in his chapter, Azriel hurts Elain, too, though it pains him as much as it pains her because he did not do it intentionally. 

5. The sisters rejecting/returning the gifts

Nesta rejects Cassian’s gift, though I wouldn’t have taken it either after what he told her. This quote comes from before his insult, but my point is that she left without taking the gift.

Also, notice how Cassian hadn’t wanted to give Nesta her present in front of the others, something that Azriel does, too, though for different reasons. Cassian had feared rejection and had been waiting for her to approach him.

Azriel had not given Elain her present because Lucien, her mate, was there.

And of course, Elain returns her gift after Azriel left her standing in the hall with the words “this was a mistake.” I wouldn’t have stayed with that necklace either, not when it reminded me of that moment.

6. Regifting/Comparing

Something particular that happens in both characters’ PoV is the regifting of the objects the batboys used to relate to their girls. I do not think they are necessarily wrong, just that it happens.

Cassian uses the name of one of Nesta’s poses to describe Emerie.

He also compares her way of speaking and the look in her eyes to that of Nesta.

Azriel regifts the necklace that represents Elain to Gwyn (though he doesn’t give it to her personally, just hands it to Clotho for her to do it), and describes her with the same quote he used on the necklace (Elriel). 

I have my own theory on why the thought of her smile makes him smile. Soon I will explain.

7. Getting rid of the gifts (decisions made in haste)

Cassian being all impulsive and throwing the very expensive and extremely unique gift to the Sidra:

Gotta love our hotheaded overgrown bat. (My baby!! <3)

Then, we have Az making the dumb decision of regifting the present because somehow he couldn’t get rid of it (symbolism but not the post for it).

He was in a bad place when he made the decision, and even Clotho points out that his eyes are sad. 

The quote in purple is important to note. The theory about Clotho not giving Gwyn the necklace? That line is good for it. The fact that he told Clotho to give the necklace to anyone as long as he didn’t have it and the sadness she gleaned in his eyes is enough for her to know there is more to it than what he tells her.  

I also want to point out that we know for a fact that Cassian regretted getting rid of the present and that he knows he had been foolish that night. So, considering how parallel to each other these chapters are, I’m sure that Azriel will, too.

8. Distraction/Consolation (Aftermath)

I think it is important to highlight how Cassian got to the Townhouse late and was followed by a worried Mor, who most likely consoled him after his disastrous evening with Nesta...

...and compare it to how Azriel had needed to release unspent energy and was successfully distracted from his bad juju by the short lesson he gave to Gwyn:

He straight up says he’s thankful for the distraction. That was what the whole convo had been for him -in a good sense. 

It also aligns super well with @silverlinedeyes​ ‘s theory of Gwyn being a lightsinger in how they appear to people when they are lost. Gwyn was there when Azriel needed someone (even just to distract him), be it coincidence or not, and that cannot be ignored. 

If Gwyn does take on a role in Acotar 5, I think it will have a lot to do with being his friend and confidant (and trainee), someone who will help him figure out what to do about his situation, just like how she unknowingly helped him on solstice.

9. Empathy towards the Valkyries

Another parallel that I found in the chapter is how Cassian felt empathy for Emerie’s situation upon looking at her...

...and how Azriel’s interaction with Gwyn brought about the same reaction:

This is what I was talking about earlier. Notice how he sees her pain and grief and prefers when she’s happy to when she’s sad? Who wouldn’t want that? That is the same mentality I apply to his smile at the thought of her smiling. That he is glad that something would make her happy after what she has been through. Especially after remembering her past (within the last three pages). 

10. Emerie and Gwyn’s attitudes

This was super curious for me! Look at how both girls say goodbye to the batboys:

Emerie being a whole independent female, and Gwyn… 

All business. 

Literally got the same energy from them. 

Gwyn finished the convo and continued her practice like the badass warrior that she is. There was no demure glance or cloy blush anywhere. The interaction was not romantic, purely platonic. Just like Emerie’s with Cassian.

11. This interesting parallel:

These two moments that are almost identical:

Cassian tells Emerie to give the Illyrians the clothes he just bought and to tell them it was the High Lord’s gift. He does it because he knows the Illyrians would not accept them if they knew they came from Cassian.

Azriel:

Another one (DJ khaled voice). 

“Just tell her it was a gift from Rhys.” 

Why does he do that? Because it wasn’t romantic and if Gwyn had known she’d have brought it up in conversation. He just wanted to be rid of it, so he gave it to her, perhaps as a way of thanking her for the distraction yesterday, but nothing more. 

“If there’s another priestess here who might appreciate it, give it to them.” He didn’t care who’d have it as long as it wasn’t him. 

Conclusion: 

(Wings and Embers + Acofas) Cassian = Acosf bonus chapter Azriel

That’s the real formula bestie SJM used and the receipts are here. 

Azriel mirrors Cassian in emotions, actions and interactions. 

Remember how Nesta Antis began shipping Cass with Emerie after their interaction in Acofas simply because they hated Nesta? Their scene had zero romantic energy, but Nesta Antis still did it. 

Well, history repeats itself with Elain.

Regarding Gwyn: So far, I see no build-up to something more than a friendship. Like we explored, Az’s scene with her was similar to Cassian’s with Emerie. The differences lie in that Gwyn is more energetic than Emerie and that Az’s shadows reacted to her power (she has powers, read about it in the lighsinger theory). 

There is literally nothing more I can add. 

Peace out.

[sidespart]

The Fall of King Romulus

Summary: Twin Princes Remus and Romulus are cursed at birth with Honesty and Obedience. When Romulus, who cannot disobey any order, is told to kill his brother the next time he lays eyes on him, he changes his name to Roman and runs away. Roman joins up with a misfit group of adventures and plans to never return to his homeland. But the fae have other plans for him...

This was originally a fake fic but I decided to turn it into a real fic because it looked like fun, The fake fic can be read as a prologue. 

Warnings (for whole fic not necessarily individual chapters): Violence, mind whammying/memory altering, curse of obedience related consent issues, references to sex, references to war related injuries/PTSD, references to child abuse/neglect (YMMV on that one but just in case), antagonstic-but-not-exactly villian!Janus, Extremly-moraly-dubious-but-not-exacty-unsympathetic-Remus

Chapter 1 

Previous (prologue)     Next Chapter 2

When Roman had first left home, he had no intention of making friends.

Romulus had never had them, unless you counted Remus in their younger days. Royal life was often one of seclusion and once his… particular problem… had come to light, his parents  took the necessary steps to ensure he was as isolated from others as possible.

This was for his own good. Romulus could not protect himself. Romulus was a liability to the himself and the Kingdom. One slip before a supposed playmate could lead to discovery and disaster. His father explained this to him when Romulus was eleven, and had taken to following the young Marquis de Orenlla around like a love sick puppy when the family visited the palace.

“Suppose that boy notices,” his fathers voice was a hiss, his hand gripping Romulus small shoulder hard enough to bruise “suppose he realises you will do anything he asks, and he asks you for family secrets? Suppose he waits until your are older and orders you to favour his family, to give them position in court, to promote them above their deserved station- or to harm their enemies. Do you understand the risk you’re taking Romulus? Swear to me you will keep to yourself. Please.”

Phrasing, Romulus had come to learn, was extraordinarily important when dealing with his curse. The final ‘please’ from his father had turned the order into a request – something Romulus could technically choose to ignore. But the grip on his shoulder suggested it would not remain his choice for long. So he nodded at his father and swore to keep away and was rewarded with a smile and a hand stroking gently though his hair, before he was dismissed to go and study before his afternoon lessons.

He should have been lonely. But he had his parents and his instructors and his servants. And the occasional, highly orchestrated, public appearance wherein he would adopt a practiced air of aloof politeness, wave and make measured conversation with those who would never dare to give him an order. It could have been worse.

Still, he understood that once he left it would be necessary to speak to many more people then he had up to now. He would need food and shelter and work and direction, none of which he had had to procure for himself before.

So he prepared himself to make conversation with strangers, perhaps acquire acquaintances. He expected to find admirers once he was far South enough that he could perform with his lute without fear of recognition from the crowd. He hoped, perhaps, for some romances, some temporary but dashing companions to join him on adventures. He had read about such things during hours spent locked up in the palace library and told to entertain himself.  

He had not planned on making friends. Traveling with anyone for too long, getting to know them and allowing them to learn about him – it inevitably increased the chance of them discovering his secret. Of exploiting him as his parents had warned against. It was not worth the risk.

And yet.

And yet somehow, he had acquired three.

Virgil and Patton and Logan.

Brave and kind and wise.

Not a drop of aristocratic blood between them but without doubt the most noble companions a man could wish for. When he thought of them, of how they had accepted him into their little band of misfit adventurers, his heart felt more full, his mind more alive and sharp than it had been in years. His blood buzzed with creativity and songs of friendship, love and loyalty sprang from his lips almost unbidden.

Not right now however.

Right now sort of wanted to kill them. Specifically Virgil.

Roman scowled at the surrounding trees “If there are any depressingly dressed half elves out there who want to APPOLOGISE for being JERKS the floor is open!” he called.

The trees remained silent. They had done that the last three times he tried.

Roman left out a dramatic exhale and flopped back on the ground.

The thing was. He knew, intellectually, that this wasn’t Virgil’s fault. Not Intentionally.  

Virgil was prickly. And unpredictable. Last night, Roman had wailed in dismay at the sorry state for a fire the young man was building. Virgil had responded that they would be lucky if there was no fire at all, since that would mean no one would have to be subjected to Romans cooking. Roman had insulted Virgil’s hair. Virgil had made a creative suggestion for where Roman could stick the firewood he was holding.  And back and forth the insults went until between them they had built up the fire and set the stew boiling upon it.

It was banter. Virgil had been giggling the whole time, Patton hadn’t interjected once to tell them to be nicer.

And then this evening they’d gone hunting for firewood together. And Roman had made some sly remark, hoping that Virgil’s fire building skills had improved somewhat overnight.

And Virgil had turned round and snarled at him to “shut UP Princy. I don’t need you to help me – just, just get lost.”

Virgil didn’t know about the curse.

Romans mouth had dropped open in surprise. And before he’s had time to close it, his feet had spun round one hundred and eighty degrees and marched him away from his friend, away from the path, deeper into the heart of the forest.

His feat had carried him on a winding route, over one shallow stream and through an extremely dense thicket of brambles that left Roman desperately hacking away at the thorns in front of him before they could shred him to ribbons. He had eventually stopped after an hour of relentless marching and sprawled at the foot of an impressively knotted oak tree.

Unsurprisingly, his surroundings were totally unfamiliar. The trees grew so thick here it was impossible to see more than twelve feet in any direction. He was well and truly lost.

Roman had spent an unsatisfying few minutes ranting to the trees about elves and their unpredictable mood swings and marching and blisters and curses and Virgil’s still subpar fire lighting skills until eventually he had run out of steam and settled himself down for a good sulk.

Phrasing was important. Virgil had told him to get lost but he hadn’t said to stay lost. And now that he was lost, there was nothing to prevent him being found again.

Patton was an excellent tracker. The idea of sitting around waiting to be rescued stung Roman’s pride, but his feat had already been aching from the days travel before his unintended march. His stomach growled, the smattering of cuts from the brambles burned, and evening was already turning to night. The most sensible thing to do was for Roman to stay where he was and wait to be found.

Assuming they wanted to find him.

Roman bit his lip sharply to try and banish that line of thought. They wouldn’t leave him.

Although, he drew his legs up and wrapped his arms around his knees to fend off the evening chill, There was a strong chance they wouldn’t find him tonight. Patton had looked exhausted when Virgil and Roman and left on their hunt for firewood, in fact he’d been falling behind all day and –

Oh.

Patton and Virgil were born in Krutova and Finaley’ed respectively. Two small neighbouring kingdoms, politically insignificant and famous only for their densely forested landscapes and their intense dedication to wiping each other off the face of the Earth. For the past eighteen years bloody war had raged between the two. Roman had never asked directly, but he was fairly certain that this  conflict was where Patton had acquired his enormous broadsword, his limp and, quite possibly, Virgil.

Neither of them liked forests. They carried extra tension as soon as they stood under the shadows of the trees. In addition to that, the uneven terrain aggravated Patton’s hip, sometimes leaving him hissing between his teeth with every step.

Roman had been walking up front with Logan all day, arguing the merits of modern Raspanzean poetry compared with the old masters. He had thought they had called a halt to the day a little early, but was tired enough himself not to question it. And really, since he and Virgil had been on fire and cooking duty last night it should have fallen to the others today…but Virgil had scampered into the woods as soon as Patton was settled on his bed roll, and Roman had gone chasing after.

Virgil fretted. He fretted after all of them, but Patton most of all. And Roman had chased after him when he was already stressed about his best friend and then started needling him about his fire making skills.

Roman groaned and pressed his face into his knees.

Maybe he was the jerk.

“It sounds like it.”

Roman sighed, hating the whine in his voice as he replied “but he still shouldn’t have taken it out on –“

Romans head snapped up so fast he hit his skull hard against the oak tree behind him. Wincing he twisted his head left and right, but the area remained deserted.

He frowned. Perhaps he was more exhausted than he thought –

“You certainly are over tired little Prince,” Roman made a sound which he refused to think of as a shriek  and scrambled to his feet.

Standing not three feet- two feet – five feet- three feet from him, stood – hovered - sat – stood a figure in – black – yellow- black – shadow – gold - black. He- she – it – he? Laughed sweetly and stepped – slunk – prowled – flew – stepped closer

And drew back abruptly as Roman held up his dagger between them.

Roman’s sword was the best he could buy, made of blended steel with a bronze handle. He cleaned and sharpened it religiously and practiced often. It was beautifully made and perfectly balanced, suitable for a solider but ideal for a traveller in who knew how to use it.

Romans dagger was old and brittle. And more than once Logan had tried to surreptitiously throw it out and convince him to replace it with something usable.

But it was made of pure iron and it kept the scowling fae at bay.

Looking directly at the fae made something in Romans stomach twist. But he kept his eyes at a squint and held the dagger firm between them, even as his arms shook from the effort.

“What do you want from me?” he gritted out

“What do I want?” The fae’s face would not quite settle, the edges shifting and billowing, but when he smiled Roman was certain he saw fangs “You’re the one trespassing in my home, little Prince, I should be asking you”

Suddenly the fae was as close as he could come, his face less than an inch from the daggers edge. Up close, Roman could see two eyes clearly, one black and one pulsating with a sickly yellow light. “Come to make a deal with the devil, Princey?”

Roman squeezed his eyes shut and held himself firm, even as the shaking began to spread over his entire body.

“I am. A. Lost. Traveller.” He gasped out “I. mean. No. disrespect. To you. Or. Your court” for what felt like an eternity the shaking continued, rattling his brain and sending one knee crashing to the floor. And then it stopped.

Hesitantly, Roman cracked one eye open and looked up. The fae had, mercifully, settled its form. It had picked a face identical to Romans own, save for the yellow eye and scales that spread over its left side. A cloak of shadows hid most of its body from view, but when it moved towards Roman now it seemed to slither rather than step.

“You mean no disrespect” it nodded towards the dagger still clutched in Roman’s sweaty hands “but your bring a weapon to my home?”

“it is a shield, my lord, not a sword, despite it’s shape”

The fae harrumphed, a disconcertingly human noise, and circled Roman once. “You’re not from around here.”

“I’m lost, my lord.”

“I know that” The fae stopped in front of Roman again and rolled it’s eyes. “I meant you are not one of the town folk who trespass in my wood so regularly. You know how to speak to me.”

Roman opened his mouth to say ‘in my fathers Kingdom the Fae are welcomed, and representatives of the Saelie court attend each ball and function’ but managed to snap it closed before he made a sound. Rule one for dealing with the Fae, even those considered allies, was not to give them any information that they didn’t already know. “You flatter me my lord” he said instead.

Roman still hadn’t moved from his half kneeling pose and now the fae coiled down so that they were once again face to face. “Most humans in your position” he said, “would have already started begging for a deal to relive them of their…little problems. What’s the matter Princey, curse got your tongue?”

Roman couldn’t help the way his heart rate sped up at the faes words. But he did his best to keep his outward face calm. It was true, the first deliberate order he had received when his curse was discovered was to never talk about it, he couldn’t have brought it up to this fae if he wanted to.

But more than that – the fae who allied themselves with his father’s court had done everything in their power to remove the curses from him and his brother. Nothing had worked. “A gift once given can only be taken back by the gifter” an elder sprite in the guise of a kindly woman had told his mother. “And their gifter is unlikely to return here.”

The gifter was also unlikely to be a snake shaped creature tied to a southern forest. “I want nothing from you my lord, except to be allowed to leave your home” Roman intoned honestly.  He had wondered, for a moment, when the creature had called him Princey – but Virgil and the others often called him by that nickname. If this was a lord of the forest he could have heard them  when they passed by.

The fae stared at him for a long moment. And smiled. “Liar.”

Roman frowned – “what-“

“Roman!”

Roman jerked his head to the side, the shout had come from close by, he was sure. “Pa-Padre?”

A whisper in his ear: “time to go home Roman.” Roman quickly looked back to the fae, but it was gone. On the ground where it had been, lay a single oak leaf dyed a brilliant, autumnal, yellow.

He didn’t need to look up at the oak trees leaves to know they, like every other tree in the forest, were still a vibrant green.

“Roman! Roman are you here?”

Without much conscious thought, he reached forward and snatched up the yellow leaf, burying it deep in his pocket.

“I’M HERE. Patton? Virgil? I’M OVER HERE”

Within minuets all seven foot of Patton was crashing through the tree line and baring down on him, Virgil not far behind.

“Roman, oh my goodness we were so worried! Are you hurt? Can you stand? Why do you have your dagger – did something happen?”

“Princy! Shit are you – are you okay? I am so, - I’m really- We looked EVERYWHERE“

“I’m fine.” Roman promised ‘Its fine’ he added to Virgil, “I just – I figured you needed some space so I tried looking for wood on the other side of camp. Guess I got a little turned around” He allowed Patton to pull him to his feet, giving them both his best sheepish grin. Embarrassed but ready to laugh at himself. He really had got lost. Silly Roman.

It’s not like he could tell them about the curse.

“We’re not the far from camp” Patton told him, he glanced around frowning slightly “I’m sure we searched through here before.”

“I was trying to make my own way back,” Roman lied easily “I probably ended up walking in a circle and missed you.”

It’s not like there was any point telling them about the fae.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine Pat, what about you? How’s your leg?”

“Oh this old thing?” Patton gave them a wide smile “it’s just fine, Ro, don’t you worry. Now I think I know a short cut back, you two follow close to me alright?” and with that the large man spun round and headed into the trees.

Virgil and Roman shared an exasperated glance. The man was clearly in agony.

“Listen, Princy I-“

“I’m sorry too.” Roman cut him off.  Bumped his shoulder against Virgil’s and winked. “Now lets get back to camp before Logan paces a trench in to the ground hm?”

Slowly Virgil nodded, although he was still staring at Roman guiltily. The two of them headed into the trees together, collected Patton from where he was half collapsed against an elm, and the three slowly made their way back to camp.

By the time they were explaining what had happened to Logan, the memory of the fae had faded like mist.

With a days more travel they would be out of the forest and on a path to Steveange. The largest and greatest city of the Central Kingdoms. From there they would have to chose whether to head east, towards the coast line, west to catch the merchant festivals or north, where Roman had always refused to travel.  

Stuck between two pages of Romans notebook, a unseasonably yellowed oak leaf shivered.

Time to go home.