#but perhaps we go w/ new thread?

[devianttxrts]

cairo had an unfortunate tendency of judging people, she knew she did, especially when they came from money. it wasn't even intentional most of the time; a habit she was unaware she was doing until she was and reigned those thoughts in as needed. everyone had flaws, at least she was working on hers and whatever prejudice it counted for. in a twin vein, after some rare real talk between them, she was realising rosalie wasn't so bad, either. she was actually kind of funny, and a lot more intelligent and kind than cairo had given her credit for. maybe she'd judged the woman too much on a surface level - or half so, because part of it was definitely because of what came out of her mouth. "of course you are. why do i get the feeling that this is going to inflate your ego and decimate mine?" she was only teasing, which wasn't something she thought she was capable of when rosalie was concerned - and, more peculiarly, she actually felt a little charmed by the woman. maybe this whole honeymoon thing and whatever was in store for them afterwards wouldn't be so bad after all. "it's alright." despite her nonchalant tone, it was said with a smile, the water now lapping against her skin relaxing her a little more.

rosalie couldn't pretend she knew what it felt like to live without the safety net of her trust fund, but she wasn't so self-absorbed that she couldn't imagine it and do her best to be empathetic. although this marriage of theirs was strictly done out of revenge and mostly for her own benefit, she knew that she owed cairo as much to make it worth something for her. she couldn't ease how jaded she was, necessarily, but she could maybe provide her with the same safety net she had, to an extent. rosalie of course didn't question this instinct to do as much, she just kept quiet for a moment, laughing softly as the blonde seemed to reluctantly give in to her. "oh, trust me, i'm already used to it. it's the norm, blondie. i think you've gotta get used to it." she pointed out smugly, though she felt some genuine relief that maybe they wouldn't spend this entire honeymoon at each other's throats. quipping back and forth she could do, feeling like she was torturing cairo by just existing? it felt like a little too much for her. she swam back a little, giving her some room as she slid into the pool. "nice, isn't it?" she teased, eyeing her for a moment before she began to swim over to one of the nearby pool loungers.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

pinning to the workshop corkboard: you've heard of winston "i'm cassandra" billions clairvoyance concepts for fun & profit, hear also of winston billions sphinx concepts (you must be This understanding of what he means to proceed)

[pensbridge]

S3 First Reactions 🪞🐝🦋🪶

❤️ Already fangirled about the whole engagement night - the hugs, Hyacinth!!!

Colin not being able to stay away for that long after their engagement announcement and immediately excusing himself at Anthony's suggestion is exactly what I'd expect of him. ×

❤️ Colin calling out Portia. "out of love." 😢

❤️ "OUR BRIDGERTON NAME" is so important, because it's reiterating that Penelope's getting to choose her family when the one she was born into is so awful

He was so nervous when she didn't respond to their new home.

"Because I love you...Pen." 😢

"Are you sure?" PEN, no 😭😭😭

❤️ That mirror moment (i love how he said "the way your eyes shine when you look at me..." callback to her complimenting his eyes) "...And other things..."

bxtch they stuck with the thread of Colin not opening his eyes to stay in the dream and Pen checking to see if it's real when they kiss

The eye acting of Nicola and Luke! (they are being doe eyes x the intensity of his gaze or w/e it is)

The gulp <3 Nicola

"You are so beautiful."

❤️ The first time!!!

"I hope my husband.." - Fran, AND John -"I would not dream of it" 😯 asdfjgkglyl

Kate & El (got their s2 vibes)

Ahh, the "Do I look a mess?" "You are my mess" was delivered so perfectly.

cute, cute, cute riding through town in carriage (no personal space)

The hand kiss in front of portia!

Colin handing Eloise the spoon 🤣

❤️ the charades game - the cutest thing (they're holding hands)

Also, fuckin Anthony being tooo competitive 😆

Peneloise rights! The back 'n forth in the game 😬

The panic attack was high-octane; the concern in the scene was cute xxx

❤️ Fran looking at John & Violet hating this story lol.....and then, me noticing her realization to another child in love

❤️ The look & collar tug in the church (polin is so dorky & domestic already)

❤️ Soooooo....the spontaneous dance in the church is better than I thought it was gonna be...their goofy footwork, spinning in a multitude of circles "dancing with MY FUTURE WIFE in THE CHURCH WHERE WE WILL BE MARRIED" bye

Part 1, the ton jokes and bullies them and Part 2, we just see people that can't help but get happy and giddy when they see their young love. Violet and Lady Danbury awwing at polin and embracing them in the park!!!

❤️ "I am going to look at the very fine wainscoting" -John, please! 😅

"Not every attachment must be dramatic and hard-fought." - Francesca 😢 bby, you're right

I legit went from this man has the crazy eyes ppl talk about to *tired eyes Wide-Open*... Bi Benedict?! ..I'm getting Bi Benedict?! (I was like: Why?Is?He?Staring?at?him?Like?That? (i knew i sensed the vibes! The Best Surprise!!!)

"This dance does not compare to a private waltz in the church where we'll be married." She's SO cute! "Well perhaps we shall have to add some flourish." Stop. km now (that's so him! he is so dumb; they're married already and dumb as they should be! ×)

Props again with the deaf representation & the sass when Miss Cressida enters the ball

"A scandal writer for a daughter. Can you imagine?" - Portia (i'm sorry i love this whole sequence)

Polin gets more perfectly dork w/stepping on feet being included during their dance at The Mondrich Ball (that's very them)

Thank god for Bridgerton giving us hour long episodes in this 2nd part.

❤️ Eloise admitting she's wrong (and so casually) 😢 ps i think they both have faults but i just love this

❤️ "The column began because I felt powerless in my own home." - Pen (well, i'm glad she said it!)

ok, now Pen admits her faults. all is right again

❤️ Irish accent again

"You are Lady Whistledown." This reveal was everything

omg, was this the scene where he wasn't supposed to cry, but did?! What would I have done without this reaction in such an important moment?! 😢

I love how Penelope highlighted the voiceless as she said she should with Eloise in her new edition of Whistledown

Violet to Agatha - "..but I hope you know that my care for you is not contingent on your aid." 😢 (she sees her)

This whole fight outside the modiste's. 😭

"I have been careful. You have been foolish.."

❤️ "I LOVE YOU" and he was shocked (an 'ily for you' moment) [i was not expecting the follow up to his line to go like that]

❤️ They deserve a hot passionate makeout before they are married where they get completely caught up after fighting.

"What am I chopped liver?" yes Anthony in this situation you are.

❤️ Violet calling in Kanthony for Colin marital advice

❤️ Yellow

The look at each other down the aisle.

❤️ Vows. Weddings on this show are usually so unhappy, but I appreciate that Colin is still so reassuring & clearly beaming about this when there is residual upset/confusion.

❤️ Eloise cryyinng

Ben's line to El- "..The friendship you have with Penelope... As the one you have with Colin." xxx (she doesn't wanna lose them)

"OUR child will always be a Bridgerton, but I should like them to know that they are a Sharma as well." fxck 🥲

"I should like to dance with my husband.."

The disappearing people in the wedding dance. like they're the only 2 ppl in the room! (Bridgerton either has it out for me [to cry] or loves me so much)

ANTHONY 👁👁 Marcus & Violet

Colin's hand caressing on Pen's face at the end of the dance they're really coming for me (bro did he almost kiss her?!??? i freaked out; had to rewind)

The queen excusing all non-Bridgertons + "Penelope, you are a Bridgerton now."

I kind of love that "Everyone except the Bridgertons are to scatter," but Lady Danbury's just there

GOD (I knew it as soon as it was coming) Eloise hugs Pen <3 🥲

ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod bi Ben

❤️ The hair grab!

This printer's assistant is on my shit list

SCOTLAND!!! JOHNCESCA

"It is not up to you what we do." 🤭❤️🤣 Colin mad but still ready to defend his wife (as it should be)

"I know my father was a good man and you are a good friend." Violet-Agatha feels

🙀He kept the letters!

💛John's words to Mama Bridgerton (her children's traits)

She said she was a fumbling mess in front of Edmund like 5 minutes before she is fumbling in front of Marcus

"Then how am I meant to help you?" ❤️ "By loving me."

❤️ Pen's love confession

"....to be a young lady to whom no one listens." - Pen!~Eloise shared look

Philippa + her "bugs"

😲 Lady Danbury x Pen (she knew! ❤️)

❤️ Colin's love confession (them crying together x)

El traveling with Johncesca

Mi-MICHAELA Stirling ... Bridgerton I swear if you are queerbaiting

OH MY GOD! Mama Bridgerton's words -FRANCESCA is fumbling her words.

❤️ Colin focussing on the hands in bed

Pen on top!

"Your father is always trying to distract with a clever word &..." "You think my smile is beguiling?" x "I could not have written without the help of Auntie Penelope." They are so obsessed with each other

Philomena?! did i hear that rt? omg Philippa

Yay we got confirmation of Colin's book! (I can only hope they're sitting in bed reading next season).

[lets-try-some-writing]

i remember the younger primes being outcasted/mistreated by the older primes after the battle w/ unicron in the covenant of primus, though i don't remember if thirteen was also mistreated since i haven't read it in a long time

so i was thinking maybe a short story about thirteen being mistreated? but like, marginally more since he's thr absolute last of the thirteen

I got you pal.

━━━━━━ ⊙ ❖ ⊙ ━━━━━━━━━━━━

Giftless, powerless, without purpose. That was what they said about him nonstop. They did not mean to be cruel, Thirteen could see it in their optics. They were merely stating what they saw as a fact. That didn't stop it from hurting. That didn't keep him from wandering aimlessly in order to escape their backhanded words.

Most of his siblings ignored him or otherwise regarded him distantly. He was a decoration at the best of times and a roadblock on days when the patience of his kin was limited. Prima threw him out of the way once, and Quintus threatened to drop him in a vat of acid just to see if an energy being could melt. If he wasn't a waste of space, he was a training dummy. There really wasn't much of a choice on his end. he didn't feel pain, so of course it was only logical that he assist in things that had him performing as an object rather than a person. Thirteen was not their equal, not in the optics of his fellow Primes.

The only one who treated him well was the most unlikely of the Primes. The only other partial outcast.

"Thirteen, my little Prime, what have they done to you this time." Solus ran her digits along his armor, the armor she made for him when she saw how damaged his original shell had become. It was a gift forged with love after she finally witnessed how carelessly he was being treated.

Where before she had largely ignored him, now she coddled him. Perhaps it was the fact that Thirteen was being damaged, or maybe it was simply because she had been mostly unaware of his presence. It could have even been because she saw another outcast in him. Whatever the case, she tended to him.

"Another scorch mark..." She sighed as she pulled him into a hug. It was a new thing for him, but Thirteen melted into her embrace all the same. She was the only one who understood. She was the only one who cared.

"I'm sorry they cannot see your light as I do." She shook as she caressed his helm so lovingly forged for his use. He could feel her tears trickling onto his armor. He wanted more than anything to wipe them away, but there was little use. She was the only one of their number who did not match the mold set by the others, and Thirteen was the broken Prime lacking in power and frame. They were outcasts, and neither of them were going to cease being scorned for their oddities any time soon.

"I promise you, I will change things for us. We will be seen, and when I can convince the others, I will personally make you a seat at our table." Solus cupped his face, her violet optics burning bright with passion. She would do as she promised, regardless of the cost. Thirteen wished he had a voice to deny her wishes with. He was fine being discarded so long as he had her. He needed no seat at the table of the Primes. He needed no respect or honor despite how much he longed for it.

He just needed Solus, and he needed her to be safe. Standing up for him would only make her a target. Her oddities already had her position hanging by a mere thread. If she were to act out on his behalf...

"Don't, please don't. they will hurt you as they do me."

His words meant nothing. She could not hear his pleading thoughts as she comfortingly began the process of touching every new scar upon his frame. It did not hurt. He was incapable of feeling pain. But by Primus, did every mark feel like a scorch on his spark.

"I will speak with Megatronus. If all goes well, we may gain him as our ally and fix things. Don't you worry Thirteen, this too shall pass." She pressed a kiss to the crest of his helm, a motherly gesture that Thirteen cherished. He prayed that she would endure, that her passionate spark would last forever.

And yet, he had a feeling it was not to be.

[askuemki]

@vivgst new thread <3 (I have the cut so it won't be a pain to scroll lol)

I've never watched Death Note, but I guess Ill just say L is my favorite since we share a name (technically) Honestly? my answer is simple w/ what animal Id be Almost ANY cat (not the flatfaced or folded ear ones though they can have some bad health issues :( ) Like if you're a domestic cat, you have the stuff to survive both in the wild, or in someone's house. You have super scenes of smell, night vision, claws, sharp teeth, AND probably enough smarts to not get eaten by dogs or smth. On the other hand with humans, at least 70% of the population would adore you, and maybe even take you in to pamper you. It would be very easy to get them to do your bidding since you'd be just some animal, and perhaps put above your caretaker's needs. Pets? Affection? Just act all adorable and stuff and they'll give it to you, cling on to them and they'll say they're your human now. On the other hand (or paw) there's the wild cats!! Still very cute. Still very cool. Now your defenses are upped by a ton, and people still find you cute. Though with how shitty environmental conditions are, and with the bigger cats slowly going to extinction :( , I may or may not just stick to domestic cats But hypothetically.. It would be neat to be either a snow leopard, tiger, or a jaguar. I love snow leopards for their big fluffy tails, and it would be cool to be able to roam through snow and stuff, but that seems to get a little boring from time to time. Love tigers for their stripes, I don't think they can roar..?? But that doesn't change anything. Think Tigers and Jaguars are both pretty efficient in survival, but I'd pick Jaguar just for their athletics and HUGE bite force (least from my 1st search). Or maybe, maybe not because there's an outfit/skin or two of Valeria's that are based on jaguars.. (or leopards, but ill go w/ jaguars) im obsessed w/ this woman man hdwhadwjadawnk OH ALSO ON THE TOPIC OF BIRDS??? AS FUN AS IT WOULD BE TO BE A MALE BIRD AND SHAKE YOUR COLORFUL BUM AROUND, THERE WAS A WHOLE ASS WAR W/ EMUS AND AUSTRALIA Honestly who wouldn't wanna be a relative of a dinosaur, but smaller and just as fucking scary Also for vacation.... I don't like going on vacation. I just like being in my sad little room, on the internet or drawing my ass off But, Id love to visit Japan and see their Ghibli Studio museum, it's so cool... Or even just go to a few hotels or smth here and there, I love their stellar technology, I love how everything is so cute or neat there, oh and I especially LOVE the social rules there, I'm a goody-two-shoes at heart and perfectly agree with being "nice"... Like yeah sure I may not like you or the opposite, but at least we can co-exist without biting our heads off (unlike the fucking us) and japan seems open to their culture being explored by others, so I'd totally love to (respectfully) participate in some traditions here and there OR I could visit Europe. Like not even a specific country? Just Europe. Cuz the US is like really fucking big, and a country like France is apparently as big as Texas. And it would be cool to take a week trip just exploring cultures and stuff (well everything except food, I'm a terrible picky eater ugh) Vacation in the US scares me tho, I'm fine where I'm at rn Maybe id be a little open to going to canada.. but bc of how they're treating the Palestine genoside rn maybe like later in life if they redeem themselves, but like the us? Fuck them too I think crocodiles r cute, but I wouldn't wanna go near one :3 Most of my relatives are either in the Philippines or Maryland, I barely know abt them now Never thought I'd be the one to be the gay cousin, ngl

[suzukiblu]

WIP WEDNESDAY GAME

Taken from @kedreeva.

It’s WIP Wednesday, time for a little accountability, sharing your work, and getting a kick in the pants.

Here’s how it works:

In a reblog of this post (so people can find you in the notes) or new thread (w/ rules attached) if you want to play on your own, post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to play!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can’t share from (for example, an event or gift fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. I’ll be searching the reblogs to find people to send asks to!

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!

If you see someone posting a WIP Wednesday Game snippet, send them an ask! Make them write.

file names:

Cassie makes a claybaby

we are so pleased with this Match

Amazon Kon

Krypton lives and Kara did not sign up for this

the one where Kon's soulmark is fake

snippet from “Cassie makes a claybaby”:

“This is a disaster,” Cassie says, making a face at the mess of wet, sloppy clay on the table in front of her. 

“You added too much water,” Kon tells her, not looking up from his own much less messy lump. “You need more clay.” 

“How do you even know that?” Cassie asks, eyeing him suspiciously. Them all taking this stupid ceramics class together was Bart’s idea–he’s currently at the table in front of them, busy excitedly arguing with Cissie about why they should make matching bookends–and the teacher was extremely fucking unclear on how much water was “too much”. 

“Mae and Linda used to sculpt,” Kon says with a shrug, using one of the weird wire-topped tools the teacher left out for them to literally peel a few chunks out of his clay. Cassie has never been so baffled by a method of making art. “They showed me a couple of tricks back in the day.” 

“Who?” Cassie asks in bewilderment. Kon’s mouth tightens for a moment in a familiar “someone you apparently forgot” kind of way, and then he just shrugs and peels some more of his clay off. 

“Never mind,” he says. Cassie feels–unsettled, briefly, like she does every time this happens. Every time Kon mentions someone who apparently existed before and doesn’t exist now, or at least not in any way that any of them have noticed or recognized. Things that unhappened are bad enough, but people . . . 

It makes her think of him, cut off from all of them, and wonder how many other people that might’ve happened to. Was Kon the only one? Are “Mae” and “Linda” out there somewhere too, lost and missing them? 

Should she be missing them? 

“I don’t think we’re artistic enough for this,” Tim says from the table behind them. He and Greta seem to have pooled their clay into one weird blocky, amorphous monstrosity. Cassie isn’t gonna ask, mostly because he’d started muttering about Clayface when the whole idea for this class had come up to begin with. Anita comes over with a fresh block of clay and smacks it on top of the other two’s. It looks like the Minecraft idea of a snowman. 

Cassie suspects that perhaps they’re not all taking this class as seriously as they could be and that the only reason the teacher hasn’t thrown them out is because she’s currently distracted with, like, twelve other people. Still, it’s only one day, and they just signed up for it as a fun little hangout thing to go do together, so whatever, it’s not like it matters. 

“What are you making, Kon?” Greta asks curiously. “It looks nice.” 

“Angel,” Kon replies matter-of-factly without looking up from his clay-fiddling, and doesn’t elaborate past that despite the fact Cassie cannot imagine a less religious friend she has, including the declared atheists. Kon’s sculpting does look nice, though, especially compared to everyone else’s. Bart’s clay is all squished into Escher-esque nightmares and Cissie hasn’t even touched her block, and again, Tim and Greta and Anita appear to have just made a Minecraft snowman. But given how seriously Kon seems to be taking this (given that Cassie’s never heard of a “Mae” or a “Linda” in her LIFE), Cassie figures she should at least try, and goes to get some more clay to add to her mess.

She doesn’t even know what she’s gonna make, honestly. 

Fuck it, maybe she’ll pull a Hippolyta and just make herself a kid. That’d be kind of funny. And also be better than just biting Kon’s idea, probably. Like, show more engagement or whatever.

[targwh0re]

New Ideas for HOTD Rhaenyra Fashion pt.7

First time I’m doing one of adult Rhaenyra’s costumes, and we’re starting off with the one I hateeee the most of all:

I just, it’s so-it’s so, wtf is this shit?!?!?

I get it’s a sort of call back go her of outfits when she was younger but bruh😶 you’re telling me this is what she chose. Even her younger outfits were better than that. And I get it, I get it, it’s supposed to be maternity wear but reminder that this:

Is what Alicent wore when pregnant with Helaena. And this is what Rhaenyra wore right after the birth:

Both are hella fire, stunning. The dress Rhaenyra’s wearing is very Velaryon esque, slowly, loose, a sort of beached of Greece type beauty. Now she can still wear Targaryen colors, but she can also still have some representation of her Velaryon marriage (as we really tryna post a happy front so no one thinks about daddy Harwin😘)

So I think she’s still be wearing something similar, but perhaps representing both family’s. This being an under dress:

With it blue threading running through the red it could easily be designed a scales.

I’d also add an open fronted petticoat so that she could keep her arms warm and protect her belly or breasts if she feels the need as a woman whom has freshly given birth.

I’d use these three for design reference:

Taking the pattern from the red gown, the design of the green gown w/ the white designs, and then the golden medallion chains binding them together from the third design.

I’d change the color of the petticoat to a Targaryen black, and trade the white designs for gold ones more similar to the ones we on her blue dress. As you can see the zigzagging in the first picture of the three is reminiscent of the blue threads on the red dress meant to be worn under so honestly those could just be changed to gold. Keeping the golden belt with the rubies in the second picture, I’d disregard the highest neck piece with the laces in the front. I’d keep the spacing of the open front in the third picture, turning the bands of the front to match the fabric of the underdress. The gold on either side of the bands could be formed into dragons heads (perhaps reminiscent of Syrax’s head if ur feeling fancy). Lastly, I think I would make the inside fabric of the petticoat a velaryon blue, replacing the yellowish color we see on the interior of the dress in the third picture.

Sorry if that was confusing, I might’ve got a little too descriptive to show you what going on in my mind 😭

As for her Jewelry, I just saw a Reddit post made before hotd came out about the color of Joffrey and Jace’s dragons. They were actually correct for the most part about Vermax (Jace’s dragon) so I have faith in their theory that Tyraxes (Joffrey’s dragon) is red & black or something similar.

(If you want to read their theory about how the colors of the dragons belonging to Rhaenyra’s first three sons reflect the Conquerors original three dragons and Dany’s three dragons check it out on Reddit u/OneirosDrakontos)

That being said I’d want to reflect his hatchling, or at least egg on her jewelry. (Bc I also saw someone say Rhaenyra wears a ring for everyone of her three sons @atopcat) Maybe it’d be cute if she did something to reflect their future dragons after their birth with her jewelry as well.

Red and black for Tyraxes, gold for the ring she wears for him:

Her hair is more of a simpler extent, as I feel like though time hasn’t calmed down her fashionista tastes to an extreme extent, she’s more concerned about her newborn baby than her hair right now.

Something like this, but instead make it a half-do w/ hair still hanging free from any binds/braids:

Replace the pink ribbon and bow with two Velaryon Blue colored bands with gold design embroidered onto it, golden thread braided at the edges of the fabric. Perhaps the bow could be replaced with a golden three headed dragon pin stick through the braid so it appears as if mini dragons heads are roaring at those walking behind her.

[s-b-party]

Imbibitor Lunae & Bailu of the Path of Permanence

****Spoilers for Imbibitor Lunae companion quest****

The title might not make sense now but trust me I’ll explain lol

To sum up Imbibitor Lunae’s companion quest, it looks more into Dan Heng’s past life as Dan Feng

As we see the internal conflict amongst the Vidyadhara, we also take a close look at the relationship between Dan Heng & Bailu as two high elders (past & present)

There are 2 main sides who want different things when it comes to the high elder: those who want Bailu to stay as the high elder & those who want to change the high elder

The main reason for those in support of Bailu is that she herself was chosen by Dan Feng previously, so it is a case, as Jing Yuan states, of legitimacy

Those in opposition of Bailu do not acknowledge her bc they believe she is weak

And of course a majority of the vidyadhara we see (aside from Bailu) does not want Dan Heng back anywhere amongst them bc of what Dan Feng did

To clear up some possible confusion, there are 2 crimes at this point that Dan Feng may have committed, one is in regard to Blade’s backstory & the other involves the transmutation arcanum; the one that seems to be more relevant in this companion quest is the 2nd one

NOTE: In my original thread on Twitter, my phrasing was poor so it sounded like it was all facts but it's still essentially theories/implications at this point so I apologize for my bad phrasing over there if that's what you saw first, remember to take with a grain of salt

*For context of the 1st crime, it's implied that Dan Feng granted immortality to someone of the short-lived species which turned out to be Yingxing aka Blade; it is known that immortality is taboo on the Xianzhou so it would not be surprising if Dan Feng got punished for helping someone become immortal, leading to his molting rebirth & eventual exile as punishment*

*Arcanum comes from Latin meaning secret, could also be referring to a cure/medicine at times, transmutation refers to the process of changing one material into another (they need to have similar properties in order to be transmutated i.e. one metal to another metal, etc.)*

When we look at the dialogue of some of the characters, we can see some who mention a “draconic abomination”; we don’t know for certain who this is referring to, some would suggest Bailu because of the word “draconic” but what doesn’t click immediately is that they seem to talk about this abomination as if it was violent which doesn’t seem to fit Bailu’s temperament; now we aren’t completely sure of everything that happened back then so perhaps this could imply that Dan Feng tried to alter the transmutation arcanum multiple times & got different results aka there were experiments; Bailu’s last character story explains that something likely went wrong w/ the transmutation arcanum which stunted her growth so it would seem that Bailu’s (re)birth wasn’t typical (she also hasn’t seen any dreams of dragon ancestors); idk if I would go so far as to call her an abomination so it might be someone else

The changes made to the transmutation arcanum were to help the Vidyadhara escape the constant cycles of rebirth & to give them a way to procreate normally; it seemed that Dan Feng somehow managed to find a solution to that & this was his 2nd crime (because he was playing god by creating life)

Now the reason why I mention all of this is because it can be tied into what the existence of Long the Permanence could mean and I think that IL & Bailu could be considered as those who embody (not follow) the Path of Permanence (I know they are the Paths of Destruction & Abundance respectfully but hear me out 😂)

HYV recently released the video regarding Long & it brought up an overall interesting question: what is the meaning behind the existence of permanence?

For Preceptor Taoran, he states “Only by comprehending & aligning with the way of the world can one’s path lead to everlasting existence. Countless new creations emerge when one dragon meets its end among the morning stars. For the Vidyadhara, this is the true meaning of the Permanence.” (2:16 in video)

Now obviously not every Vidyadhara is going to agree w/ this but it does bring up what the 2 sides in the quest truly seek; there is an irony to the reasoning behind both sides’ views against Bailu & Dan Feng/Heng respectively

In Bailu’s case, she is seen as “weak & useless” & the high elder should be someone strong and yet she has healing capabilities that make her extraordinary even among the Vidyadhara; Dan Feng was known to be a warrior but then he committed sins which involved tampering of life & immortality for which he was punished

Both are resented for something they lack or something bad they did but they are revered for the traits they do have

Bailu is revered for her healing abilities but resented for her lack of strength, Dan Feng was revered for being a strong warrior but resented for messing w/ life

I’d like to suggest that the quest presents Bailu & Imbibitor Lunae as 2 halves of a whole which make up the Path of Permanence, life (Bailu of abundance) & death (Imbibitor Lunae of destruction)

As Taoran stated, life is full of changes and those who understand the world & its laws can reach everlasting existence; life is full of cycles of life & death which Bailu & IL symbolize

Even more interesting is how well Bailu & IL get along with each other despite their differences & how others view them; they are a great duo to depict balance

At the end Bailu wonders why Dan Feng chose her as his successor & even though Dan Feng committed some crimes, part of me thinks that him choosing her makes sense if we look at it symbolically (after destruction comes life & it’ll repeat), it all comes back to life & death which is needed for balance & it’s this balance that makes up Permanence

So what about the other Vidyadhara? What they want is one or the other, representing imbalance which would contradict a bit of what Taoran stated was the meaning of the Permanence

Now this isn’t to say that Dan Feng was right about doing what he did or that they should get rid of Bailu, what I want to emphasize is that the Vidyadhara’s internal conflict beautifully depicts the question of what Long’s revelation about Permanence signifies for them

There isn’t truly one single correct answer; if we refer back to “Exodus of the Five Dragons” Penman Oppenheimer gives 3 possible answers that could answer that big question

The thing is not everybody is going to have the same answer

Some might agree w/ either of those that Oppenheimer suggested, others might have different answers, but that is just how life is

We often say that nothing lasts forever which is true but I think that some of the things that do last forever are life’s beauty & its complexities

[bubblegum-blackwood]

You guys I went to go see the ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA and it was SO EPIC but of course I have terminal VC brainrot so I was thinking of the murder family going to musical performances together almost the whole time. Anyway have a snippet of the rule 63 AU I'm writing because I couldn't get this scene out of my head (one of my first attempts in a loooong time to write in first person and I actually think it turned out okay!)

@butchybats this is for you because it was inspired by your blog FEM!LESTAT IN VICTORIAN MENSWEAR YOU'RE WELCOME

“Lesya, we’re going to be late if you don’t hurry up!”

“Yes, yes, I know, I’m almost ready!” Lesya’s door was closed to me, but I could hear her flittering frantically about as she rushed to finish getting herself all done up. The orchestra was in town, and how could she resist buying us both tickets? I was always ready to go before she was; the woman was prone to fussing over every minute detail, and on good days I found her meticulous attention to her appearance almost endearing, but more often I rolled my eyes at her preening. I tapped my foot impatiently, loud, so she was sure to hear it, and she called out again, “I’m coming, cherie!”

She opened the door, and my mouth went dry.

She had cut off all her luscious golden waves and styled what remained as a man of the era would, and to match she had donned an exquisite three-piece suit, somehow tailored perfectly to her, but where would she have gotten such a thing, although I only stopped to wonder about the details of that after the night had already passed. The waistcoat was of the same red silk satin she so loved to wear in gowns, her shirt beautifully crisp and white against the blood-red tie, the jacket and pants of fine black cashmere wool, with black velvet lapels and a rose in her breast pocket, and on her feet she had placed an exceptionally-made pair of men’s leather dress shoes. She wore no makeup, not that she needed much at all anyway, and it seemed she had bound her breasts, or padded out the rest of her torso, or perhaps a little bit of both, and the overall effect was flawlessly masculine. She smelled like masculine cologne. I could do nothing but stare.

For once, bashfulness coloured her lovely smile. She asked, with a bit of hesitance, “Do you like it?”

I simply nodded, once, and swallowed, and my brow furrowed. “But why?”

“Why not?” she shrugged. “Besides,” she stalked closer with a grin. “Now I can do this in public and no one will give us a second glance.” And she kissed me on the mouth, hungry, vicious, irresistible.

As a woman Lesya possessed an air of elegance and gravity that I have never seen matched, utterly dazzling with her curled hair and fancy jewels and pearls and voluminous skirts, but despite having temporarily put aside her feminine trappings I was drawn to as a crow to a shiny soda can tab she was no less breathtaking for it, presenting a different kind of polished magnificence while still feeling essentially like herself, which I found quite charming. And though I voiced my concerns to her about the possibility of being recognised, the transformation had been so thorough that likely I only saw Lesya behind the masculine facade because of how intimately I knew her - much more intimately than anyone in New Orleans who might have attended the performance that night. We would be indistinguishable from any other lady and her gentleman escort, and so we smiled to ourselves and she offered her arm to me and I took it and we walked out of the house together, and she helped me into the carriage as any gentleman would and threw herself into my lap, nipping at my jaw between indulgent kisses. I was still too much in shock to stop her, and I closed my eyes, let the feeling of her mouth and hands on me wash over me like little bursting fireworks, such vivid and exquisite sensations.

It was strange to see her walking about without ehr hair piled on top of her head like a bouquet of golden threads, strange to see her walking about with no skirts trailing behind her to obscure the sensuous curve of her thighs. I found myself looking down at our feet, mesmerised by the strong strides she took, the movement of her legs, the swish of the fabric around her ankles.

She introduced herself as Monsieur de Lenfent, though she refused to tell me the significance of that name, and said she was the son of a family friend, visiting from France. Everyone was absolutely smitten with this Monsieur de Lenfent, as they were smitten with Madame de Lioncourt, which delighted her greatly. She flirted endlessly with all the young ladies there, and every once and a while turned back to win at me with a mischievous grin. She had the time of her life; she dressed in men’s clothes when we went out together several more times fater that, and no one ever suspected a thing, which gave her that thrill she always chased after.

She walked me into the concert hall on her arm, and we took oru seats as they dimmed the lights, the sound of the tuning orchestra enveloping us. To this day such a noise has the power to transport me back to that time, and it creates a vaguely warm feeling in my chest. So many memories of our little vampire family like this among the company of mortals, a time I sometimes wish I could go back to, if only to ensure I better appreciated it while it lasted. I was still so young then, and still so enthralled by the way my vampire eyes saw the world, and often while Lesya became absorbed in the genius of the composition I became absorbed in watching the performers make their music, the look of bliss on the trumpeter’s face or the intense, focused gaze of the man behind the timpani drums, the elegant gestures of the conductor enacting his call and response with the thrashing flautist and the graceful first violin. The rows of violins, violas, cellos, double basses, so expertly employed. I reached out and took Lesya’s hand in the darkness, and she gave it a gentle squeeze, rubbing her thumb across my knuckles, and then I experienced one of the most profound revelations I have ever been blessed with at a concert such as this. The music surrounded me, enveloped me, wrapped me up as in a blanket and rocked me slowly, and everything I saw blurred save for two rows of string players, illuminated in perfect clarity, all their bows moving in unison. The orchestra seemed like all one cohesive unit, one singular creature, and as the notes swelled the beast heaved great elegant breaths as it stirred in rumbling slumber and whispered secrets in my ear.

The symphony came to its close. Total silence reigned for one trembling heartbeat, then the whole room erupted in applause like a shower of hail battering the roof above us. My head spun. Lesya leapt to her feet, one of the first to do so, and I followed suit, my dead chest beaving with unspeakable emotion.

As we left, Lesya held out her arm for me, and I clutched onto her elbow as if to remind myself that she was real, or perhaps to convince myself that I was, and she kissed me gently on the cheek and lead me out the door. The sudden cold of the night air stung my cheeks and snapped a little bit of life back into me, snapped me back into the present moment and out of my hazy epiphany, and I breathed, relaxing my shoulders.

In the carriage, I laid my head on my shoulders and wrapped my arms around her waist and closed my eyes, and I don’t do this often but I believe I fell asleep to the feel of her hand stroking my hair.

[halcyon-autumn]

Doing some concept writing for a Dragon!Egwene au to try to get a feel for character voices and see if I like the concept enough to commit to it. Set in the showverse, except Rand and Egwene are twins and not romantically involved.

It took a lot for a viewing to surprise Min. She’d Seen beggars who would one day wear the rich clothing of lords, and noble ladies who would one day be reduced to peasants. She’d Seen wedding rings and swords in the hands of people she’d never expected to hold either, and she’d Seen a staggering number of truly horrendous ways to die. The viewings that she’d had today did not surprise her, not really; the rings and towers and even that fellow with blood running down his face had long since lost the ability to surprise her. Nor did someone bursting into the door of the unremarkable pub where she worked.

It was a surprise to see the boy with the Aiel coloring burst in. She’d been expecting the girl.

There was an intensity to him that she didn’t like. The intense ones might get violent or weepy, which were both irritating. At least he didn’t look hopeful.

“I need you,” he said, “to tell me that I’m not the Dragon Reborn.”

“Okay,” Min said flatly. How nice to be able to deliver good news for once. “You’re not the Dragon Reborn.”

He frowned, disbelieving. “You don’t have to protect my feelings.”

She snorted. “I definitely don’t care how you feel.” She turned around so that she didn’t have to see his face. Once he realized that he wasn’t the Dragon Reborn, he might start looking hopeful. She hated when they looked hopeful. “You’re just another guy in another bar that wants something from me.” 

He sighed. She scrubbed hard at the bartop without looking at him, as though a little elbow grease would make a difference in this dump. “Look,” he said “I think we got off on the wrong foot. I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Rand -”

“I know who you are.” She was wavering, she knew it, and she didn’t want him to be polite to her when she was about to fuck up his whole life, and probably a couple of other people's lives too.

He's asking, she thought. He's asking and I'll answer because he’s probably the type to follow me for answers until he hears what he wants. That’s not my problem and not my responsibility. She turned around and oh, light help her, the boy looked so earnest. She dropped into a chair and tried to decide how she wanted to get drunk when this was over. “I need you to tell me that you want to know what I have to say.” Maybe, against all odds, he'd say no.

Rand just nodded. She sighed, stood up, and poured them both some whiskey.

“When I look at you, I see plenty,” she said. “I see a black tower. I see a sun that is rising and setting at once. But the Dragon Reborn -” she paused, and then poured them both a drink. “When I was a child in Tar Valon, the first thing I ever Saw, was when I looked at a soldier holding two babies, fresh from the front of the Aiel war. He was holding two babies - one with that same black tower and rising sun I see around you.” She saw a few other things too, but she had a hard rule about never speaking of viewings that involved herself. “And the other baby was shining so bright that it burned my eyes, surrounded by herons and strange winged creatures and a distortion in the air like the pattern itself was wrapping around the baby. Something impossible. Something remarkable.”

“Egwene,” Rand said slowly. “My sister." He closed his eyes. "It’s always been Egwene.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, not sure if she was sorry that it was the girl or sorry that it wasn’t him. Both, perhaps. “I’m sorry that you have to watch this happen to her.”

Rand stood up. Her vision flickered and for a moment he wore a stiff necked black coat with a sword pin on the collar -  some future path that the threads of the pattern would drag him towards. “She’s not going to go through it alone.”

Min let him leave. It wasn’t a vision, just an educated guess, but she’d be willing to guess that Egwene al’Thor was already gone.

[nutzo0001]

rant

- ) or that feeling, "living in the future" when y2k came, it was for people, like dream, fascination - hope: - year 2000 is at the door, world looks bright, internet is "ough" to "solve" all our problems, maybe even "to topple the game (of rich bastards) down"... -- feeling like this - if you got me (this sentiment, dream of utopia, unity, mutual understanding "coz of net" - oh man, if they knew...) - which reminds me of thread [sic] "MLP and New Sincerity" - about being sincere, "you", - all that *sweet* (or not) jazz...

addendum:

#0 punks and emos of 2000s-2010s: basically "When we were young" fest, - safe for fact it was then "current thing": pic-rel + all those rock, punk, emo, - things playing on radio --- a psyop??? + 80s (music, not aesthetics) nostalgia occuring around that time... : music-rel (yeah, pretty much this playlist is "getting rich" from nostalgia - go, figure :/)

#1 youtube campaign "broadcoast yourself" - dawg man, i am so confussed how we could "get bought" over this - and believe come corporation! it sounds so - ironic; looking at it from lens of someone, living in *these* times "after fad"... - really believing(?) that commonmen can, thru sheer "influence" thru net, shape world... (what a joke!!!) [were we sold on *this feeling"!???]

#1b general naiivity over "corporations allowing us all this" - how was that not suspicious!! i wonder... (letting our guard and awareness so low) ~ but then, werent we (born 1999-and so; living with siblings (sister), of 8 year difference...)

#1.5 campaign of web providers (geocities, goDaddy or such), *basically* saying "be you"/"promote yourself"

(if you get me, that is; i am - getting nostalgic, over something i very fogly remember - in fact, now i get - why those "boomers" over here are getting nostalgic over living in socialism (when, they were kids... - so was i...)

--- WAS this all^ psy-op - contrarian messages, just "selling feeling", scham, make-believe dreams?

or is it that *there somewhere*, it was "all taken away from us" - well, as i see, that is very little probability, and it was just tactic to "get everyone on net" - those fxxx bastards!! (#me, being naiive...)

On Apathy: Man. I don't want to shit on the current generation too much because it's been done to death, but you're gonna be hard-pressed to find a late zoomer/Gen-A who can use a hammer or any other tool properly. It's like there's no awareness of the world around them. We're talking missing 9/10 of the time with a hammer. Honestly, I think they're just tired of it all and don't care to learn anymore. I can't blame them. It feels like the whole world is falling apart, but never enough to bring an end to the stress that comes from it. Perhaps it's a demoralization sort of thing. A "_______ is going to happen so it won't matter anyway." sort of situation. Everyone is just tired and doesn't have the energy to care.

- aHR0cHM6Ly9mb3J1bS5hZ29yYXJvYWQuY29tL2luZGV4LnBocD90aHJlYWRzL2RvZXMtdGhlLXpvb21lci1nZW5lcmF0aW9uLWhhdmUtemVyby10ZWNoLXNraWxscy41OTgwL3Bvc3QtODQxNjc= (pssst)

end: - i was played on. -- world of broken promises pre-2001~2008... --- "you need to be unique to stand out", so, next step in my mind was > "no way to be normie" >> i never knew what *they* (who?) meant - does computers screw us all in some way? or was is that we made ourselves... we build them... then, we dont know ourselves > you dont know things until it is too late? or > was it "The Plan"? use people as puppets > "NPC Naysayers"? - to make all sorts of crazy laws? power-trip? I dont want to - but, do i HAVE TO be bad, in any sense? -- Last time i had any confidence was in 2010-2015... but it was nothing much, it was just fuzzy feeling. there were bad things, yet, i felt fine... so, do i hate myself now? because - why? am i afraid to lose that? then, what happened!? is it some kind of trauma - or simply, disability to adapt? maybe thats why --- i miss 2008-2013 - times when i could be naiive. myself. no pretend, even if i wanted to... is it only now that i am afraid? or am i going insane and want to blame others for "making problems to sell cure"? - maybe i never was teenager, so with strict and boomers-like parents, it is like i have to make my dreams now - if i only wanted to - if i wasnt so emberassed... -- "teen-ages in stasis"? > peter pan syndrome? --- i dont want to live in my head - but what to do - - what i even want?? - am i afraid of success, of being "too strong", "bad" to others? there are like milion things...

AM I NORMAL?: could be, maybe i am just afraid to be

The commercial exploitation of the web has become a growing facet of the world economy, particularly in the last several years. In June 1999 NUA Internet Surveys estimated that 179 million people are connected to the Internet worldwide. A recent study by the University of Texas sponsored by Cisco Systems estimated that the "Internet Economy" generated $300 billion in revenue in the United States alone.

Conrad Johnson and Brian Donnelly, “A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND THE INTERNET “, Part 6, Columbia.edu, (Oct 24, 2003).

[blackuigryphonvr]

THIS is what Pokemon GO looked like in my area in 2018:

2018 iPhone Pokemon Go looking "rural"

THIS is what Pokemon Go looks like NOW (2024) where I live:

Well, I've been testing this for years, so there's definitively an ample amount of data that proves there's a group of saboteurs that target South Weymouth Massachusetts. There's also that no infamous incident in February 2020 on Reddit where they were bragging about sabotaging my area, and full on fighting with me. They even actively got me banned 3 times in 2020, and I had to change my identity, and pretend I was a dude from 2020-2022, and even changed my name 4 times. #PokemonGo

There's some evidence 🤔 it's connected to an Ingress beef as well. I've had a list of suspects as well. They seemed to have originally been targeting an Admin in my area, perhaps out of envy. They also seemed to have confused me with said admin, or thought I was his underling. That's not how we do things in Weymouth. We're not master & slaves, we're neighbors, n each player has their own unique areas of specialties.

Also, the god level players in Greater Boston live in Weymouth, not just masters of raids, getting Hundo, Shundo, n rare shiny Legendary Pokémon, but whom r naturally blessed w luck, somehow. Or, they're the very best GBL & PVP Players. I know who they r, we all know each other, do raids, share tips, help newbies, n coach people to achieve. We also cultivate tolerance, talking stuff out, n safety. We've had some bad experiences here n there, so we like women players n kids to be safe. We also interact w players in other towns, n car pooling is very popular.

As far as game play goes, we're good.

But, I'm talking about #NianticWayfarer

Because the vultures are REAL!

I've had to figure out, n navigate these punks. They appear to have OCD, n reverse psychology issues, n do stuff out of spite. There's a group of them (including on Reddit) n they take screen shots, probably have extra fake accounts, n they login to Wayfarer , n scour Wayfarer for stuff in Weymouth. Especially in South Weymouth, where we live. This has been going on since late 2019, when Wayfarer 1st went live.

We used to think it was so odd that all the best advice we dug up from Ingress players, as well as resources, for the new Wayfarer rules was not working out.

So, it was a common excuse of "lazy reviewers" or "lazy voters". But, I kept getting accused of being an "Abuser", and a "Racist". FOR PLAYING POKÉMON GO??? FOR SUBMITTING A WAYPOINT TO WAYFARER???

WHO DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO???

But, I noticed that while posting inside our local Discord server, for Wayfarer, if I told everyone WHICH locations I was submitting, they'd all fail, and quickly.

But, when I submitted stuff, and DID NOT TELL the Discord server thread which ones I was doing, I noticed those usually went through.

This was a very consistent pattern. But, everyone in the server was still very status quo oriented like "it's just lazy voters".

THEN IT HAPPENED!

IN February 2020, they started bragging! IN PUBLIC! ON REDDIT! N THEY CALLED ME "AN ABUSER". THEY ALSO THREATENED TO BAN ME, WHICH THEY ACTUALLY DID.

Here in Weymouth, we coordinate, n we can be very motivated & diligent, including myself. I coached people to get really good at this. I also took much of my strategy skills I learned from playing Ingress, to strategies on Wayfarer. [ Another Ingress thingy of mine. ]

These punks also would sabotage my Google maps account. They'd move my Google points out into the ocean, or the wrong locations. This is how evil they are. They also smeared me using a fake account in Discord. They know all my social media using my BlackUniGryphon names on them. I actually never even did anything to them. I've never seen them face to face. They r just vicious. Someone also hacked my original BlackUniGryphon Reddit account n I can't even recover it because they changed the email address. They also made a Reddit account using my Google email, n got it banned for really bad behavior, n there's nothing I can do to fix it, n it gets notifications for explicit gay sex stuff, that I can't even turn off. I didn't even know they made that account until long after it was banned, because I was busy XP grinding to Level up in Pokémon Go.

This is just SOME of the stunts they pulled.

But, to show u an example of the nonsense they group vote on, n coordinate as saboteurs, the reasons they give r literally the exact SAME, including from OTHER PLAYERS I KNOW that aren't even my account.

These r all submitted around the same time n from different accounts of different players, n all in Weymouth. SOUTH WEYMOUTH actually.

Notice they cited "Rejection Criteria" as "Temporary or Seasonal Display", or "Generic Business". Another bogus one is "Mismatched Location"

Notice how they're all the same?

They pick the same reasons, to intentionally sabotage it. Other times these locations were submitted, they'd use different coordinated rejection reasons that were exactly the same reason, as tho they pre-determined what the rejection reason would be. Like "BAD Photo" or "Orientation of the Photo", or "Blurry Photo", or "Racist", or "Abuse" or "Unsafe".

This time the saboteurs chose "Generic Business" or "Temporary".

Also interesting to note is, we haven't submitted anything in months except for 1 guy I know, and he gave up for a long while in Weymouth. I haven't submitted anything in months, other than Appeals...

Well, we did a batch, n u can see the dates showing January, then placed them on hold. Of those batches we did, we told no one publicly, just ourselves.

And, since the vultures were not on the prowl, they started getting approved. These were locations that were the stubborn ones. The ones that obviously go through in other towns. And, things getting approved started creating new PokéGyms as well. Plural.

So, after a while it's hard to keep it quiet, and we bragged a lil bit.

Well..... the vultures noticed, n went to Wayfarer, n sabotaged the last of the batch in Voting.

I've gone through this process over & over for years. All predictable patterns at this point.

Bur, the stuff that we, or I, couldn't get through in 2019-2022, is pretty much LIVE & in the Niantic games now. We know IITC MOBILE, we know Ingress, we know Wayfarer. We know how to change our writing styles, we know how to adapt. We know long term strategy. I even use decoys as a method to test if the vultures are active. I'll submit something intentionally knowing it's got a lower chance of passing (because I know the rules from the older systems) n when the vultures r out, it'll get rejected quickly. But, there's times when my decoys passed through. Which shows that it's subjective, and not objective.

Like I wouldn't expect a bland generic coffee shop, or plain or pizza takeout, to go through. In my opinion, it should be a special & unique one, or ethnic one. So, objectively that shouldn't really go through. But, ones that actually SHOULD COUNT N QUALIFY SHOULD go through. But, if it was in Weymouth it wouldn't, but in other towns it would, n did.

When it comes to being a hateful person, there's only so long u can keep that up, because it's toxic & draining. So, they often give up, n stop logging in to sabotage the area because we don't submit anything.

It's basically like applying principles from Algebra, or mathematics. Like subtraction is addition in reserve. Or, division is multiplication in reverse. Or, things like factors & variables. If u get more & more data that shows a result, we can plot that data.

We can find: trends, averages, rates, coronation.

And even tho originally there were no jerks in my face telling me they were sabotaging me/us, they eventually DID brag on Reddit. They also expressed their motives, which were often an attachment to this idea of weilding power over others, a drive to feel superior, or righteous. Or psychologically weaponizing rules. If u gotta behave like that to pretend u r the hood guys, n I'm the bad guy, u r seriously sick in the mind.

But, even BEFORE they bragged about it, I could tell something was up just by analyzing the patterns in the results, n treating as experiments using the scientific method.

I could think working backwards & forward, like Algebra using variables and factors.

I could also change the way I wrote my blurbs to see which tested better.

Despite the haters, I (and my Community) have turned a desolate place into a thriving one.

Anyways, I won't be mentioning names. There was at least 1 player from Reddit that we smoothed stuff over with.....

But, I won't be naming them. I still will do raids with naughty players because I find they can overcome prejudice by exercising tolerance. I also believe in talking stuff out. But, let's be clear, some people actually r sick in the head, n WANT TROUBLE. If they talked it out, they wouldn't have strife, drama, n trouble because it's something they feed on.

I've also noticed that, sometimes some people can suddenly change. It does happen. N there's no logical explanation. Sometimes, not everything is logical.

U also need to be flexible, but also not end up inside a trap of some sort, mentally, metaphorically, energetically, egotistical, pridefully, ideologically, or otherwise.

There's no 1 set way of doing anything, n no 1 definitively correct method or WAY of accomplishing it.

No good deed goes unpunished.

U could do everything 100% perfectly flawless, n still get screwed. Because it's not actually about being right. N that's WHY it stings.

But, get stung enough times, n u get thicker skin, or u don't even feel it. It's just a number.

I coached so many players through this same mayhem. Remember, it's NOT REALLY ABOUT YOURSELF, IT'S FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOUR PRIDE MEANS ACTUALLY VERY LITTLE....

But, let's keep it real, the BRAGGING is built into the game... so, u should show ur accomplishments....

I honestly wouldn't have even cared.... but, those vulture made me into this.

HATERS CAN KISS IT!!!!

你不知道我是谁！

Anyways, it turns out YOU DON'T WHO WHO I AM!

[lifesver]

[ louder, groundshaking boss music in retaliation ] howdy kels :)) i very much share the sentiment that meeting you has been nothing short of so amazing, hilarious, heartbreaking, and so much good vibes so far ♡ i've said it quite some times before i know, broken record, but truly am so very happy to have met you, gotten to write all these absolutely wild aus and dynamics with you and i am so very cheering on what all of it - and what you will bring to our dashes - in the coming year c: i'm very VERY much looking forward to seeing where you take leland, to be able to read all your newspaper publishings across the dash, and where these kiddos will take us all. im very happy to be in this little corner with you guys. :) ♡

you bring such a strong breath of life into leland - he's realistic, he's brave even when he's absolutely terrified and has no clue how to go forward. his love for his friends is so very clearly shown in everything you write regarding either the dires or the friends simply goofing around. he comes across like such a living, breathing character and its thanks to the dedication and love you put in for him. from a guy that gun seems adamant on reducing so badly ( and so fucking wrongly ) as so one-dimensional, icky gross jock stereotype, you've allowed him to grow into such a precious, adorable, kind-hearted guy that honestly? i feel most people would kill to have as a friend. he's silly and warm and goofy in all the right ways and when things go wrong he's so complex and fractured and his depth truly gets to shine in those darker moments.

which of course brings me to that note; all the flavors of the dire aus :))

it has been SO MUCH FUN and SO VERY HEARTBREAKING getting to write with leland and maria in NOSY in particular. their dynamic alone is so gut-wretchingly tragic just on surface level, but the depth that it sinks into, in all of their trajectories, all of their shared dynamics with johnny & lamb, their complex and confusing feelings towards the friends, its been absolutely a blast getting to brainstorm and shoot ideas at all hours about it and im so thankful i get to be part of that experience with both you and lamb. your minds and your love for leland and johnny really bring out such a passion in return to me to write and brainstorm more and its been an amazing experience bouncing ideas off from you two. i absolutely cannot wait to see how, whether in threads or in ask responses, NOSY / WSU and all its different trajectories and more play out as this new year goes on.

i also very much enjoy all the little ideas and hcs and posts we all get ot bounce off of one another - esp getting silly with the aliases, im just adoring all the ways that we're expanding these kiddos to places gun could Literally Never honestly.

ill end it here but know i admire you, your characterization of leland, the love you have for him that so clearly shows in everything you post, your writing as a whole ( because holy shit i adore leland's inner thoughts, how you describe the world and people around him at any given moment!! )and likewise that i read your work, even simple hcs, and its inspiring to get to form a reply to.

i love you and value you and your friendship and as a writing partner and i truly hope this year is nothing but great and rewarding to you as well!! ♡♡♡

UGH RENEE i finally reply to this bc it's so kind and i need it on my blog. i did not expect u to uno reverse me but perhaps i should have, in fact, known-- no but like idk man i don't have a lot of words but this means so much 2 me and i'm so happy to write with you and be ur pal and just be crafting these dynamics and completely out of hand narrative arcs. like it's so nice to just go off the rails w you ik i can pitch something unhinged and u will pull up with another several paragraphs and suddenly we're crying on the ground in shamblse. it keeps happening -- (and i love it)

ur so sweet TT___TT thank u for tolerating me and the jock we love u. i adore all our dynamics so much. and i wanna hype you and ur writing up all the time you always insp me!!! raaaa

i look forward to hanging out with you even more in the new year, and seeing all that you do with your writing on here, it's such a blast to collaborate, and you guys all keep me inspired to write on here and think of new stuff. (and shout out u in particular for always leaving me about a thousand inbox prompts that hurt my feelings that i am possessed to draft 23423432 word replies to. thanks for enabling my angst and drama and dire writing ur so real for that genuinely)

i have waxed poetic in ur inbox i'll shut up before i just ramble the same nonsense here but like ily sm MWAHH

[lobster-tales]

Beat the Daylight

Sequel to Face the Noise, an Arcane Rock Band AU

Rating: M

Chapter 15: The Art Studio

Summary:  Caitlyn finds out the truth || Jinx speaks to Silco

This work is available here on AO3. Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14

Caitlyn never knew that Mel was an artist.

She examined the sharp, abstract lines on the canvas. It made sense why Mel hid her work from everyone. In every stroke, every scrape, Caitlyn could read her emotions, the feelings she usually kept away. So this is where they all ended up.

Mel herself was pouring them both some tea as she processed the news. “Ezreal’s gone? You’re absolutely certain?” There was an odd tremor in her voice.

“Seems like it,” said Caitlyn. “We have no idea where he is, and he won’t answer his phone.”

Mel crossed the length of her private art studio to offer Caitlyn’s cup. They sipped quietly, surrounded by artwork. Considering how clean and well kept Mel’s office was, this was a nice change of pace. The clutter was comfortable, lived in. The mess didn’t need intention or purpose, it just existed. This was her sanctuary, the only place she could truly be vulnerable.

“And the investigation?” Mel asked.

Caitlyn sighed. “It’s… in progress. Viktor bugged Silco’s office, but that’s all. He’s too busy,” and she muttered sourly, “hanging out with Jinx.”

“Oh good,” Mel said in a strange rush of relief. “Has she said anything about the other band? Any conflicts? Weaknesses?”

Caitlyn frowned at her. “I… don’t really know. He said Finn has been very aggressive about his expectations but that’s about it.”

“Well perhaps Viktor can help us sabotage the next round. Do you think he’d be willing?”

Caitlyn gawked at her. This was so unlike Mel, to speak of sabotage. Why was she so concerned about winning? She already had all the money and power in the world. Why did she need more?

Mel recognized her tenacity and dialed it back. “No, you’re right, we shouldn’t. What was the rule again?” she asked. “Do we need the same band members as we started with, or just the same number?”

Caitlyn had the rules memorized since the first week. “Number.”

“Good. So we could potentially find a replacement.” Mel’s finger tapped on her mug. “What about you? You know how to play piano.”

Her nose wrinkled. “I know how to play some classical, but that’s about it.”

“That’s fine,” Mel mused. “We could play a track over you if needed, you could just pretend.”

“Mel,” Caitlyn said, exasperated. “Look, I want to win as much as anyone, but at the end of the day, it’s just money.”

She went still. Eerily still. The moment stretched out, until finally Mel let out a shaky breath. “Actually, it’s not.”

“What do you mean?”

“... I haven’t been completely honest with you, Caitlyn. I didn’t want anyone to know, especially anyone in the band, because I didn’t want to add to the pressure. But the truth is, I constructed this whole thing, Hex Records, the contest, the battle of the bands, all of it, with a single goal in mind. Granted, the publicity has been outstanding, and we’re selling more Hextech products than ever, but that wasn’t the point.”

“Then what was?” Caitlyn asked.

“Jinx.”

A thread of terror wove its way along Caitlyn’s spine. All this time, Mel just wanted another star? “You- this was all so you could represent her?”

“No,” Mel scoffed. “Well, I suppose if she wants to, after all this, I wouldn’t turn her away. But no, my intention was never to replace her contract, just void it. I knew Silco would never let her go, not without something else on the line. I had to make things as interesting as possible.”

“... So what else is on the line?”

Mel’s shoulders remained squared, even if her face fell. “If we lose, I must resign from the Senate.”

Tall, narrow windows let in the light, softened by clouds. Outside, it began to rain. Gently at first, but then it picked up in intensity. Thunder rolled in the far distance.

“Why?” Caitlyn asked, stunned. “Why would you agree to that? Especially with someone like him.”

“Because I know what he’s like,” Mel said, her voice firm. “I’ve spent years at war with Silco, listening to his speeches and plans, hearing countless reports of the pain and harm he’s brought to everyone in this goddamn metroplex. And I’m tired, Caitlyn. I’m tired of Silco bullying everyone into submission. When Ekko and Benzo told me about Jin- about Powder’s situation, I knew that was the last straw. Someone has to take a stand.”

Caitlyn thought back to the pub, to the way Benzo swept Mel into his arms like she was a member of the family and had always been. And in a stark moment of clarity, Caitlyn realized that Mel was much more than Ekko’s sponsor: she was his friend. Having Mel Medarda’s sponsorship was nothing compared to having her love. She would burn the world down for those she cared about, though she would do it in a way where you never even realized the fuse was lit until the flames were licking your feet.

And that’s what made Mel so influential in the Senate, according to Caitlyn’s mother. Her craftiness, her diplomacy, had managed to pass through more bills in the last four years than the rest of the Senate had in the last twenty, not to mention that she was the only one willing to challenge Silco. But Cassandra had mentioned before that Mel’s sense of justice was her greatest strength and greatest weakness. And now, that was coming to fruition.

“But Mel…” said Caitlyn. “The Senate…”

“They’ll elect someone else. Someone with more money, maybe someone with the drive to finish what I started.” Mel set her mug beside a bouquet of paintbrushes. “That was always my greatest shortcoming, the reason my mother sent me away from Noxus. I’ve never been a fighter, Caitlyn. I don’t have the stomach for it. I’ve always hidden my warfare behind schemes and bribes.”

“You’ve done what was needed to survive,” Caitlyn acknowledged. “Indirect warfare. Vi and Jayce could take a few notes from you.”

Mel laughed dryly. “Perhaps if I had their impulsiveness, this could have all been avoided.”

Caitlyn’s phone buzzed in her pocket. It seemed like she was constantly getting messages now, from social media, from news outlets. Now that the second round was complete and the score was tied, the contest had exploded in popularity. The entire metroplex had become involved. Everywhere she went, Progress Day and Fissurefolk posters hung in shop windows. T-shirts were selling like mad, and apparently there had even been a few mild altercations over the bands.

And it was all for Powder.

Tears welled up in Caitlyn’s eyes as she thought about all of the lawyers who said it couldn’t be done, all the city officials who were too scared to fight on Powder’s behalf. The bruises on Vi’s knuckles and arms from fighting the Shimmer Hotel bouncers, not to mention Vander’s leg injury from doing the same.

Yet it was Mel who got them closer than ever before. She put everything on the line for one person, someone she had never even met face to face. And she did it for Ekko, for her new family. But most importantly, she did it because it was the right thing to do.

Caitlyn set down her tea and hugged Mel, squeezing her in an embrace. When the initial surprise passed, Mel returned it, holding her just as tightly.

“Thank you,” Caitlyn whispered into her shoulder. Mel smelled of jasmine flowers. “Thank you for fighting for her.”

They remained locked for a few more moments, before Mel cleared her throat and pulled away. “I’ll talk to Silco. Perhaps something can be arranged.”

                                                           ☆ ☆ ☆                                                  

When Silco entered his office, Jinx was in his chair, waiting for him.

He wasn’t startled by her presence though, just nodded in greeting. “Still haven’t returned to band practice?”

“Nah, I’ve had too much fun playing hooky.” She peered at him through the brass telescope.

“How’s your head?”

“Fine.” The word was short, curt, and Silco considered her with caution.

“... Good. I’m sorry he hurt you. He will never bother you again.”

“Eh, I’ve fried bigger fish.” She spun in his chair, rising. Jinx sidled around the desk, hands behind her back. “I never knew Finn was a magician. You know, ‘cause he’s made himself,” she fanned out her fingers dramatically. “Disappear. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

She watched his face, trying to detect guilt, but he kept his cards close to his chest. “I can’t say I’m surprised, under the circumstances. Perhaps he ran.”

Her expression was cold. “Perhaps. But say he doesn’t come back. That’s in the rules, you know. ‘Each band has to continue with the same number of members’. Then what?”

“Funny you mention that,” he said. “Mel’s office called us this morning. Apparently, they’ve also had a dropout.”

Fear and hope mingled in her chest. “Who?”

“Ezreal.”

Now it was his turn to study her reaction. But she was sure to offer nothing, saying, “Good. They’ll sound better without him.”

Silco asked, “You wouldn’t know anything about why he left, would you?”

She offered a shrug. A casual shrug, a Viktor shrug.

He sighed. “So the rest of the world gets to know about her, but I don’t.”

“What is there to know? Blondie wanted a night out in Zaun. I was just a tour guide.”

“It’s more than that, Jinx. I’m not a fool.” He perched on the edge of the desk. “If you want her, then just say so. I can always add her to the arrangement.”

Her instinct was to lash out. Oh yeah? Who are you gonna offer up against her? Sevika? Margot? But she had to be careful. She couldn’t let him know that she already knew about the real stakes of the contest.

He continued, “You know they’ll never win. The girl is as good as yours.”

She already is. But Jinx didn’t say that. Lux was already in enough danger. The only way to protect her now was through lying. “Pfft, I don’t want her,” she scoffed.

Silco cocked an eyebrow. “But I thought-”

“The only thing I wanted was to knock her down a peg. She was their perfect little princess, and now everyone thinks she’s a slut.” Each word was a wasp in her mouth, stinging her tongue. “And you said it yourself, Ezreal left. All according to plan.” Jinx made a show of wiping her hands.

She must have been a good actress, because he bought it. “Why didn’t you tell me about this plan? I could have helped you.”

“You’re busy. Besides,” she cracked a menacing grin. “Don’t you trust me?”

“... I do. Of course I do.” His shoulders relaxed as he admired her. “Well done, Jinx. I’m impressed with your… ruthlessness.”

She joined him on the desk, perched at his side. “Silco? What happens if we lose?”

“We won’t-”

“No, I-” she huffed. “I know. ‘We won’t lose, I never lose’ blah, blah, blah. But that last round made me… anxious. And they did win. So, for my peace of mind, if by some miracle they come out on top, what’s on the line? Just the money?”

“Yes,” he said, without hesitation. It was like a stab to her gut to hear how easily he lied. “That’s all.”

She pretended to be reassured, embraced his bony frame.

“Was there anything else?” he asked. “I don’t mean to rush you, but I do have another appointment. I can cancel it if you need me to.”

“No, that’s fine. I should probably rest up anyways.”

She had only crossed halfway across the room when he said, “Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask. Since we’ve lost a band member, I need to ensure that no one else… ‘disappears’. I trust you and Sevika, but you know Viktor better than anyone. Do you still think he’s trustworthy?”

She held his gaze without wavering. “Yes.”

“Good. Thank you.”

Jinx stepped into the hallway, and found herself face to face with Margot. But Margot’s usual calm collection had been rattled. Her eyes were swollen and puffy: she wasn’t wearing her day-to-day dusting of makeup. She backed away from Jinx, skirting around her to give her space. She was acting so strange.

Margot’s eyes lifted, and landed on Jinx’s temple, and the cut there. She shivered, then entered the office.

Of course. Finn. Jinx had always assumed that Margot saw him in the same light that she did, as an annoying coworker. But the more she thought back on it, she realized they had known each other for years, way longer than Jinx had been a part of everything. They spent so much time together: fuck, they were friends, weren’t they? Maybe even best friends.

Her heart ached. She would have said the same of Viktor only a few days ago. Jinx had been careful to avoid him, and he had given her space even though he didn’t know why she needed it.

Jinx couldn’t fend off her curiosity: she leaned against the closed door, listening. Margot’s voice was muffled, the cadence of her speech interrupted by choked sniffles. Her distress became too much, and Jinx had to pull away. She never liked Finn, but she did care about Margot, even if Margot’s love for her was probably just political. She respected Margot for how unassuming she appeared to be, when in reality she harbored more secrets than anyone. She had always been the one to reign in Finn: if she had been there in the dressing room that day, maybe things would be different.

Silco’s wrath, his protectiveness over Jinx used to be comforting. But now she was afraid. Afraid because she, like Margot, had someone to lose. And she cursed herself for it. Because even if Viktor lied to her, even if he betrayed her…

She still wanted to protect him.

Jinx entered her bedroom and rested against the closed door. There was a new instinct, a fight or flight response that leaned towards the latter. But she already knew what happened to those who defied Silco. He loved her too much to hurt her, but the rest of her circle was fair game. In order to protect them, she had to stay. There was no shortcut, no way over or under: she had to go through.

Jinx steeled herself. She’d been distracted by the contest, by Lux, by Viktor, by her homecoming daydreams. She lost sight of who she was, what she was here to do. Silco kept the truth from her, and that burned, but not as much as Viktor’s lies.

That was the worst possible outcome. That everything had been a ruse: all their heart to hearts, their late nights in the studio. That was the ending she had to prepare for, that he would laugh in her face for believing it all. That every night after they left the studio, he would call Vi or Ekko and Caitlyn and they would all laugh at her tracks and her dolls and her.

She pulled out a trunk from beneath her bed, the lock clicking as she opened it. Her weapons rested in safe foam, neon handwriting scrawled over the customizations. Jinx lifted one of the pistols, feeling the weight of it in her hand. She moved to the window, aiming the pistol at the sky, pretending to fire. Zaun was spread beneath her balcony.

This was her destiny. Silco would win. She never had any doubt about that. Even when his back was against the wall, he always found a way to win. And when he did, this city would become theirs. If she was going to rule over an empire, she had to be willing to keep it, by any means possible. Her thumb brushed over the pistol’s hammer.

They disrespected you, Fishbones growled in her mind. And God help anyone who disrespects the queen.

[kyuohki]

3 how you feel about your current WIP

12 a trope you’re really into right now,

18 if you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic

3 how you feel about your current WIP:

I'm writing between chapters on Kintsugi and the last chapter of Scorched Earth.

Kintsugi has a bunch of scenes written with no real chapter number (just a bunch of question marks); I'm both having fun w/ the h/c, but banging my head on the desk on trying to thread them together.

Scorched Earth is just chugging along, with a slight tangent bc the worldbuilding bug bit (still debating on keeping or moving it into a side story). I'm hoping it'll be up before the end of the year! *crosses fingers*

.

12 a trope you’re really into right now:

Been trying to write a couple of amnesia fic (that Gogo!Resh'an idea is still on the brain, along w/ poking an old FF6/Asscreed fic w/ the AC crew taking the place of the FF6 charas.)

Also been reading some smutty, dead dove, "serial numbers filed off" shorts (it's written as a 3 part series, but it could just be considered a 3 part book. It's got size difference, mind break, pet-bdsm, "no happy ending" tropes (kinks?). I don't know. *headdesk*

.

18 if you keep them, share a deleted sentence or paragraph from a published fic:

I have this for Scorched Earth, Ch7:

“Are you sure you felt it?” “It was faint, but it definitely was Solar magic.” Two was the most sensitive to magic, and One didn’t doubt what she had felt. “All the Solstice Warriors have been accounted for. How is there a new one?” “A fluke? Or a distraction?” “This Solstice Warrior is just a boy. And he seems unbalanced.” “Unbalanced?” “It appears that he’d been heavily wounded. And he is suffering from hallucinations.” … “This could be to our benefit.” “Oh?” “Go on.” “He has a great potential of power. If we manage to tip him further, maybe we could use him.” “Having a Solstice Warrior in our pocket? Sounds fun.” One nodded slowly. He’d have to see this unknown Solstice Warrior himself. Then perhaps…yes. Two could start on their plan. “Let’s see who this boy is.”

I was still getting a feel for the Acolytes in my head, and this was intended to feel like a scene in the game where the four are seen in Clockwork Castle...but I just didn't like it. I didn't really have a plan over who was saying what before I scrapped it. The next cut to the Acolytes was when Two arrived on the island, and then inspiration hit of her already being there and setting up for Lucent's fall.

[drawpaintwritemakethings]

Good morning. 

The other day I listened to an interview with Robert Skidelsky, member of the House of Lords and classic example of Refined Old British Guy. At one point in the (cheery) conversation he listed his Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as ...

1) nuclear war 2) environmental collapse 3) pandemics 4) our dependence on networks

... and it was that last one that caught my attention. He talked about modern networks as these strange creations our lives have become enmeshed within, that we both rely upon and are vulnerable to. We don’t understand them. And when they fail, we are undermined, damaged or ruined. 

And then I couldn't stop thinking about networks, and how they are everywhere. And how so many of them are maddening, crumbling or unsound these days.

Take simple networks, like the people in your life. Not like it used to be. Think about how you grew up – inside a certain, easily-defined physical world of family, neighbourhood or town, school, friends and perhaps teams or clubs (I had a paper route, so my network was a bit larger, but kids don't do that anymore). With grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins as the occasional, second-tier outliers. These days the extended family unit is now more likely a single family unit. Or single parent family unit. And while we might have greater access to 'friends' online, this is like trading a horse for a picture of one. Or a windswept sea for a wading pool. No danger, no depth, no wind in one’s hair. With the added injury of social media not even pretending to be about anything social any longer, just another delivery system for bursts of entertainment and advertising. An algorithm serving flotsam. On Threads, for example, I see artists complaining about this every day, how Instagram no longer shares their work, even among their followers and peers. How something that was once useful as a tool is no longer worth the effort. Or, put another way, is shit. And I'm only seeing these comments on Threads because it's new, and Meta hasn't figured out what to do with it yet (read: how to turn it into shit).

And what kind of connection do you feel to the network of your workplace, where everything is run by a corporate-woke HR dealing in the meaningless currency of awareness days and mandatory culture training, and half the labour is remote, and your position sits somewhere between tenuous and disposable? Do you feel future-proofed? And how many of you feel like the institutions you work for no longer know what they're about, or are managed horrendously, or not at all, and are stable only in a lethargic sense, as if sleeping, or slowly drip-by-drip failing?

And then think about the matrix of electronic networks in your everyday life, draped over you like extra skeletons or skins. Computers and tablets and phones and entire star systems of passwords and cards and codes and keys. Endless, endless screens. And sometimes these systems work and sometimes they don't, and things break and things are badly designed, or designed with malevolence in mind. Navigating the kind of electronic maze you'd expect to find in a Kubrick fever dream, just to locate the page where you can check a box and press save. 

Your email full of phishing and scams. Every second photo you see doctored or faked or generated by A.I. News items that you have to look at like Columbo. Your kid who corrects you on language but can't find their way out of the neighbourhood without an iPhone and Google maps. Not that they go anywhere anyway. Economic networks that seem designed to blow up every so many years. Supply-chain networks that can break anytime. Government networks that operate like the Forbidden City, cadres of mandarins sending emails to each other, having meetings about meetings, but wholly unable to actually do things. Build things, make things. The best they can do is mail out $200 cheques to everyone. 

It seems to me that I used to live in a system where you had to find the right person to get or do the thing, which was a certain kind of skill (relationships, knowledge, etc), whereas now it's about finding the right system to game for the big payday (influencing, shamelessness, etc). 

Minds are meaning-making machines, but when that meaning is defeated by bad networks, people feel helpless. Or unhappy. Or angry. And then they behave badly. 

Which is great for elections, isn't it? All over the world the incumbents are either losing or taking a beating. While our Canadian federal election probably won't happen until the new year, the outcome is already baked in (the guy that no one likes anymore will lose to a guy who no one likes much either). 

Meanwhile my American friends go to the polls tomorrow. What has that election looked like? What have been the big ideas? Oh wait, there were no ideas. It was Faux Democracy versus Fake Fascism. The Stage Managed Candidate versus The Orange Villain. It's awful, seeing Bernie Sanders out there stumping for Harris. But he has to, because Trump is such a stupid, Big Gulp swindler, who will run a government that looks like Wrestlemania. 

Oh, he doesn’t mean what he says, he says a lot of crazy stuff. All I care about is that when he was president the economy was better. He’s not capable enough to do all that dictator stuff. The people around him will keep him in check. I don’t like him as a person but maybe we need a gangsta. And so on. I’ve heard enough of this kind of thing to think that he will probably win on Tuesday.  

But, just like with the Martian on Bugs Bunny, there will be no ka-boom. There will just be loads of vulgar incompetence, obvious criminality and mock-Christian culture war pornography. Some rich people will get a tax break, certainly, and in the background all the unstable, pernicious networks will continue. 

Until the day they don’t.

Good luck to everyone tomorrow, djb

Information networks straddle the world. Nothing remains concealed. But the sheer volume of information dissolves the information. We are unable to take it all in. — Gunter Grass

This Tinyletter (yes, I’m still calling it that) has been brought to you by the vanity license plates …

GHOUL KHANSOLO NEUROSCI NMBRDDAR HERRZZ BREJAK SLYTAURS JAVA GRL ILVMINI MISSMP LTL BRIT KNTR 44 YOU LIE GAAAARY SYLV D POPPATOY A90SUPRA YRALIH C BISCIT THE PKG LDACOSTA MUSCTCHR RN KATIE TINMAN01 ANA JINA HICKSTER BETTYVES

… with a big thank-you to Meg F!

E / T / C / E / T / E / R / A my Etsy store / my Big Cartel store / my Instagram / Kiss Me Deadly, original ending / We are undone, prepare to die. / kid dances to impress / you need to wellness / donkey loves chicken