#card Capital gang

[writing-heiress]

Seven Seas AU: Heartslaybul

Crew Name: The Hearty Pirates

Total Bounty: 1.06B Madols

RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS

Epithets: The Crimson Tyrant, the Prince of Hearts, Tyrant of the Sea

Bounty: 810M Madol

The only son of Queen Elizabeth of Hearts & King Consort Reagan, making him the first Prince of the Queendom of Roses. Riddle idolized his mother the most and wanted to be like her. He did this by memorizing every 810 of her rules from such a young age. Once he learned about Queen Elizabeth’s time as one of the Seven Warlord Pirates, Riddle asked his mother if he could learn how to be a pirate captain from her, to which she gladly accepted.

TREY CLOVER

Epithets: The Tyrant’s Mad Hatter, the Loyal Club

Bounty: 98M Madols

Trey was the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth’s favorite bakers, who practically live in the Hearts Castle. This means that Trey grew up pretty close to Riddle. Him & Che’nya would sneak Riddle out of the palace and have him explore the capital town as a young boy rather than the Prince. After Riddle got the Queen’s approval to become a pirate captain, he asked Trey to be his first-mate to which the young baker’s boy agreed, wishing to stay close to his childhood friend (and make sure that he doesn’t kill his crew or give them a reason to mutiny).

CATER DIAMOND

Epithets: Splitting Diamond, the Socialite

Bounty: 77M Madols

As the first and only son of a high-ranked banker, Cater is nothing short of an expert of how the noble society operates. He joined the crew mostly to get away from his rather mundane life. Away from the nosy nobles and their gossip. Away from his sisters who has used him as their living doll since he could walk. As part of the Hearty crew, Cater could finally be himself.

ACE TRAPPOLA

Epithets: Trump Card Ace, the Magician

Bounty: 30M Madols

Ace’s recruitment was honestly quite the story. See, Ace came from a middle class family despite his brother being heavily favored by the QoH. But regardless Ace grew up pretty like any other kid. That was the case until he stole from Riddle, who had just collected lots of Madols. Anyways, he was caught and tried for the crime of stealing from not just a pirate, but the Prince of Hearts. Ace was about to lose his head when his brother Jack asked Queen Elizabeth to at the very least lower his sentence to not death. Good news is that it worked and Ace got to live. Bad news was Ace was now part of the Hearty Pirates, which was his new punishment.

DEUCE SPADE

Epithets: The White Rabbit, Stone Cold Duke

Bounty: 45M Madols

Deuce, much like Ace, came from middle-class. He was a delinquent, a rather tough one at that. His speed was something no one his age could ever match. Deuce continued his delinquency for years until he heard his mom crying to his grandmother about how Deuce has been. That was when Deuce was about to quit his delinquent lifestyle for good until he saw some other delinquents cornering someone. After defeating and scaring off the gang, it was then that Deuce just helped Prince Riddle himself. As a way to pay him back, Riddle offered Deuce to be a member of his crew to which Deuce readily accepted.

Masterlist

Tagging — @adrianasunderworld @mangacupcake @fair-night-starry-tears @the-trinket-witch @the-weirdos-mind @queen-of-twisted @liviavanrouge @abyssthing198 @yumeko2sevilla @yukii0nna @boopshoops @achy-boo @kousaka-ayumu @ice-cweam-sod4 @twsted-princess @starry-night-rose @tragedytells-tales

[bu-blegh-ost]

EP. 113 spoilers

Sooo, we got a wild one, huh?

Price himself exists in a completely new context that we need to take into consideration.

Was him running a gang a product of his own vile personality, or a result of him and his mother's descent to poverty after Rose's disappeance? Did Rose support them financially from afar or were they self sufficient? If they were, was his mother's pregnancy the reason she wasn't able to work to support herself and her children? Did Price ever blame his elusive absent father figure for the cards he was dealt in life? Did he even know who Rose truly is? Was Reuben's decision to take Chip under his wing an act of kindness, an offer made to a boy just as lost and alone in this world as him, a carefully crafted revenge plan or... something else..?

And now there's a chance that we'll never know. Reuben is stuck, paralyzed for gods know how long, kept gods know where by those still loyal to him who would never let Chip get close again, and on top of that in a heavily guarded capital of Mana in which they are violently wanted. There is no going back for him and Chip, their relationship. Chip may not remeber all of it, but there is too much trauma, pain and betrayal between them to make room for conversation or understanding.

And if so, how is Chip to fullfill Rose's last request? How is he to bring his last words to his captain's family when the only member he knows, he can never reach out to again. Would Chip make different choices when dealing with Price if he knew? Should he have? Should his past matter in how he views him in the present, and are his circumstances a valid excuse for the person he chose to become?

Many questions on Chip's mind right now, many of which I'm sure he's been contemplating during that sleepless night.

[didyoutrydynamite]

In Renegate AU, how would a game of "Remnant" go? Like the one from JNRZ durables. Would they gang up on Jaune, or are they so competitive that it is free for all? Does Neo use her semblance to cheat?

Renegades: *Currently into their third hour of Remnant the Game*

Cinder: *Playing as Atlas, currently occupying Vacuan soil, her immense armada's blockading Vale and Mistral as she continued her brutal invasion on Adam's territory.*

Ah, my dear Adam, you continue to fight against the inevitable. You see, your resistance is nothing more than a fleeting illusion, a feeble attempt to defy the natural order of power. You cannot prevail against the might I possess. Surrender now, and I may grant you a merciful end. Embrace the futility of your struggle and bask in the superiority of my dominance. I promise, under my rule this world will see a new age!

Adam: *Playing as Vacuo, has long ago activated his Faction's Special Condition, where despite losing his Capital, he now can continue fighting as long as his Leader is alive and he meets a certain Morale Threshold. He is now waging guerilla warfare on Cinder's invading forces, and has started instigating civil unrest in all other factions to increase Grimm count so no one can overrun his rebel cells.*

Your words may be laced with arrogance, but they cannot smother the flame of our determination. We refuse to be shackled by your oppressive rule, for we believe in the power of unity and the resilience of the Vacuan spirit. We will rise against your tyranny, forging a future where freedom reigns and your reign crumbles. *Stands up, knocking over his chair* So, prepare yourself, you demon, for we are the embodiment of hope, and no matter the odds, WE WILL NEVER YIELD! FREEDOOOOOOM!!!

Neo: *Playing as Mistral, cheating her ass off. With her Semblance, she's been disguising troop placements, switching cards, twisting the borders of territories, and fudging every dice roll. All other players have to constantly tap the board or flick her cards to shatter any possible illusions she conjures. It's to a point where not even Neo know's what's real anymore and has gone mad with power as a Goddess of Mischief and Deceit over their tiny flat world.*

(Behold, mortals, the one who dances in the shadows, the embodiment of chaos and cunning. I, Neo Politan, revel in the twisted tapestry of this world. Through deceit, I unravel the fabric of your feeble existence, leaving naught but confusion and despair in my wake! See how the world crumbles beneath my touch, a testament to my unstoppable might. Every thread of trust unraveled, every heart ensnared by my web of lies. Chaos, my eternal companion, dances with glee as I tear down the foundations of your fragile order. MWHAHAHAHAAH!)

Jaune: *Playing as trusty Vale, a bulwark of honor and courage stands against the war torn world of Remnant. Grimm thrive and grow fat with gluttony on the horrors these lands now face. He faces riots and unrest in his city streets thanks to Adam's revolutionaries, his people face hunger and famine thanks to Cinder's blockades, and now he can't even trust his own eyes thanks to the chaos and confusion of Neo's powers.*

Guys, this is by far the most fun game of Remnant I've ever had, I'm glad we're friends. 😊

[professorlizzard]

The beaming creature pressed a piece of laminated paper into the bartender's hand. Confused, he lifted towards the light, and realized it was a business card. It had GUNSLINGER written on it in a bold capital font, surrounded by four crude revolver sketches. He glanced at the creature. It was evident that he deemed this as a sufficient form of identification that would answer any and all lingering questions. The beaming creature pressed a piece of laminated paper into the bartender's hand. Confused, he lifted towards the light, and realized it was a business card. It had GUNSLINGER written on it in a bold capital font, surrounded by four crude revolver sketches. He glanced at the creature. It was evident that he deemed this as a sufficient form of identification that would answer any and all lingering questions.

"Not talking ay? Well, I have one of those bona fide mind readers on my gang. Round Robin will get to your secrets." Gunslinger was still confused. He had nothing to say that was not self-evident, and he did not have any secrets. The aforementioned Round Robin floated by, him being a hovering many limbed beetle. He wore a mortar board on his head, probably to announce to the world "Look out! I am smart". He placed one of his hands on Gunslinger's head, and a few moments passed by. Silence. "Anything good?" said the bandit leader. Round Robin replied, his voice quivering. "This is outside my paygrade. I quit." He stormed out of the room, much to the confusion of the bandits. Gunslinger didn't understood what was happening either, but he was glad he could help someone abandon the life of crime.

Snippets from a story that doesn't exist... experimenting!

[docwritesshit]

The Chains that Bind us (HuskerDust)

Summary: Angel Dusts had another tough day at work, so Husk distracts him with a quick lesson on the art of poker

Authors note: Let me just say, I have only played Texas Holdem consistently so that's what you are getting here. Also, the capitalization on certain words is very intentional. You'll see what I mean while you read

Warnings: Abuse mention, alcohol, gambling/poker, sexual mentions but nothing vulgarly described

There were days few and far between Angel wouldn't come home with a new bruise with makeup caked in it, or a new already closed scab of some sort.

Husk knew. He fucking knew and it killed him seeing that spider still going back, under no control of his own and out of fear for his own life, his own soul.

He knew the feeling though. He was on a leash hunself. Alastor made sure Husk was aware of the thin ice he slid on, always quick to brandish more of his sharp teeth when talking with the little cat. The ghost of the shackle he had around his neck squeezed more when Alastor was around, reminding him puppet strings that encircled the bartender, making him dance around like a fucking show pony.

Husk huffed when Angel came back from another day at work, rubbing his eyelids as the spider all but collapsed onto the bar stool, resting his head on the bar top while his hands held the back of his head.

Husk sighed, tapping the bar top right next to the pornstars’ ear. The spider looked up, bags under his eyes heavier than Adam’s head that had to carry all his ego.

”You good, Angel?” The cat asked. The spider sighed low in response, head back down on the counter.

”Val had me do stripper shots right after a few gang bangs, and I'm sore all over.” Angel Dust responded. Husk sighed, pouring the dude his usual, sliding it over to him. Angel looked at the glass, and took a sip, sitting up in his stool a bit more.

“Thanks, kitty.” Angel said. Husk scoffed at the nickname Angel gave him, forcing the small lift of his lips back down.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s my job.” He replied. The actor smirked, leaning his cheek into his palm with his elbow anchored to the counter.

”Y’know… You never told me how things were when you were an overlord.”

Husk bristled at the sudden comment, looking away and reorganizing the shelves for the upteenth time that day.

”Yeah, what about it?” He asked, tone a bit more snappy. Angel chuckled, eyelids drooping a bit.

”Aww~ c’mon, can’t a few friends share some old stories?” The spider smirked more, leaning forward more. “I wanna know what’s under that wall of steel you have over your heart. It’s only fair.”

Husk rolled his eyes, his wings tensing around him as he glared at the sinner on the other side of the bar top.

”Oh yeah, what’s in it for me?”

”Weeelll~”

”Other than the way you usually… provide for other people.”

Angel huffed, tapping his fingertips to the rim of his glass as he thought. Husk folded his arms over his chest, tail beating against the wall behind him in a soft rhythm in tune with Angels incessant fidgeting. The spider finally smiled, snapping his fingers at the cat.

”I’ll take you up on that offer to teach me poker.”

Husk raised an eyebrow. He vaguely remembered shit talking about Angel poker skill when Charlie brought out exercises with board games. Something about humility and sportsmanship, he wasn’t entirely sure. He does recall how even Sir Pentious bested the poor spider, though it may have had something to do with his egg minions sneaking cards into his deck when he thought no one was looking. He did say he would teach the spider the basics of it, but nothing really happened.

”… fine. Let me get tipsy first though, I’m too sober for this.” the cat relented. The spider whooped, taking his drink and going over to the couch in the lobby as Husk made his own drink, rifling through the tables drawers and pulling out a deck of cards.

Husk trudged over to the couch, drinking the whiskey and sighing in content as the sting went down his throat, the familiar burn now settling on his tongue. God, the things that would be so much better in his life if he only ever felt that feeling…

Angel flicked the cat's wing, making Husk hiss and recoil. The spider smiled, sitting on the other side of the table, tossing the deck to Husk. Husk narrowed his eyes.

”We both know I can’t shuffle for shit. Besides, I like seeing your hands at work~” Angel said. Husk clicked his tongue, setting his drink down and shuffling the cards, trying extra hard not to fall on bad habits and count them.

The cards were mixed up as good as they were gonna get, and he started to deal with them.

”In poker, there are a lot of things at play, most only at the mercy of fate itself and probability.” He started to explain, sliding Angel two cards and taking two cards for himself.

”First is Texas Hold’Em. Cause it’s honestly the easiest game for me to explain the hierarchy of the combinations of the ways you could win for me.” Husk said, snapping his fingers and stacks of different colored chips appeared before him and Angel. The spider jumped, and looked at him with raised eyebrows.

”You can summon that on a whim?? How come this only just came up?” He asked, smirking.

Husk shrugged, separating the stacks and sliding Angels over to him. “Did you ever ask before?”

Angel chuckled, running a hand through his hair. He hadn’t… he hadn’t asked a lot about the cat, honestly.

Why hadn’t he?

The spider shook his head of those thoughts, and tilted his head as Husk told him the different chips' value.

“White is one buck, blue is two, red is five, and black is ten. Got it?”

Angel hummed in acknowledgement, listening closely as Husk explained how the rules worked, how he would be the big blind and have to start the ante up with only one or a few more chips, depending on how far into the game you are and how many people are playing.

Husk took a sip of his drink, throwing two white chips in, and knocked on the table

”That means a check. Meaning I ain’t got shit and don’t want to raise the ante. Now, if you have something like a high card or a high pair, you would typically raise but I like to see what the deck has to offer before I do anything.” The bartender took a card off the pile and put it to the side.

”You always burn a card before you pull the three cards,” he explained, taking three more cards one at a time and setting them one by one on the table. Angel nodded, taking a quick glance at his cards and leaning forward to get a better look at the cards on the table.

Angel hesitantly threw in a red chip, and Husk lips tilted up, his eyebrows raised a bit.

”Big spender, huh? That shows confidence. Or arrogance. With you, could be one or the other.” He commented, and matched Angels bet with a red chip of his own. Angel huffed.

Was this how he was back when he gambled a lot?

…

The slander spider got his answer after six rounds of the game. Husk was one to get under one’s skin, pull at their faults as they played. He taught Angel Dust as they played, and even folded once and let Angel win a round. But he… To put it bluntly, was a bit of an ass.

Angel snapped a bit after losing for the third time in a row, glaring at the cat.

“Aw… is the little actor mad the only thing he’s good at here is bluffing?” He teased, tail swishing behind him. Angel snarled,

”Oh yeah? Big talk for someone who lost their-“ Angel’s lips sealed themselves, and shook his head. Husk stiffened, his tail stopped swishing. Angel grimaced.

”Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed that-“

Husk held up a hand to silence the rambling, and sighed.

”No, no. I was asking for it. Sorry. Old habits die hard, eh?”

Angel sighed, going over to sit next to Husk, leaving space between them.

“Still, that was shitty of me to say.” he said. Husk hummed, rapping his knuckled under his chin.

”Yeah, no. You see why nobody missed me when good ol’ Al put the collar on me and pulled harshly. I was a dick back then.”

Angel scoffed, and rolled his eyes.

”Yeah, we’re in hell. I’ve seen dicks, of both variety’s, more than I see my own room daily. You’re not the only asshole here.” Angel said. Husk grunted, his wings shuffling a bit.

”That’s not the whole thing… I was a nuisance. The only reason I wasn’t dealt with before Al came is because no one wanted to deal with my cocky ass.”

Angel snorted, and Husk shot him a look, before smiling a bit.

“Alright, poor word choice on my part. Point is, no one wanted to waste their energy on me. I wasn’t feared, or respected. My presence was tolerated and annoying to deal with so they just didn’t bother.”

Angel pulled his lips in a tight line, eyes narrowing as Husk described his experience.

”Oh please, most of the overlords are annoying nowadays. Have you seen the Vs lately?”

Husk barked a laugh, looking at the spider next to him.

”I have… and I have a desire to maul one of them,” he said. Angel chuckled, placing a dainty hand on his shoulder.

”If you do get the chance, make sure it sticks.” Angel responded. Husk smiled lazily, placing a claw over Angel's hand.

”Will do, angel.”

Husk ignored the way he saw Angel's makeup smeared, exposing the fresh bruise on his shoulder. He would talk about it when he needed to.

Being under the thumb of an overlord who treats others like a plaything or a pawn would be demoralizing for anyone. Being the plaything is a whole different story. Husk could feel the ebbs of the phantom metal hanging from his neck. He wouldn’t pretend to know the extent of what that sleazy moth makes Angel go through. He won’t push about how he saw the way his shoulders sagged more today, and knowing the weight had more to it than just tiredness.

Angel had his own struggles, his special hell tailored for him by the one who owned his soul. His own chains made be of the same smoke that fucker breaths, but they held more weight than Hush could comprehend.

The least he could do was to distract him from the weight of his own chains, even if it meant that Husk helped him carry the weight of it. He lessened his load, why not return the favor?

[what-gs-watching]

“Everything you do, you’re doing for someone you care about.”

Fun fact, kiddos - it’s now been just over a year since I was fired and that is absolutely wild to me. It doesn’t feel like that long, and it feels infinitely longer. I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to get through it for a while there, but I’m pretty thankful for where I ended up. It turns out, workplace trauma is a real thing even if I feel stupid saying it, and it’s weird and thrilling to finally be in a situation where I feel seen and supported. 

And I have to say, I appreciate that I’ve had this little corner to rage through all of those inconvenient and gross and upsetting feelings, while content has kept my spirits up (or appropriately down). The internet can be a wonderful place. 

And so is this season of Only Murders In the Building. It can be hard for a show to maintain quality the longer it goes on sometimes, but honestly OMITB is only getting BETTER. My sister was texting to say this might be the best season yet, and she might be right. 

DISCUSS.

Episode 2: Gates of Heaven

GANG. Steve Martin is fucking incredible. This episode was soooo good. After discovering Sazz’s remains in the incinerator, Charles is still covered in her ashes and it’s heartbreaking to see him shaking and panicking about trying to wash ‘her’ off - the entire scene of him in the bathroom trying to wash it into a bowl so he can pour the water into a mason jar and let it evaporate - jesus. It was ridiculous but like, how else do you react to that? I can’t imagine. 

And then the crew has to figure out what to do, deciding to capitalize on having some time before the police arrive, because NYC’s 911 line has an incredibly long wait.

So Charles and Mabel go to investigate the tenants of the Arconia’s west tower, who apparently are all lowly renters (GASP! The horror) since they’re convinced the shot must have come from across the courtyard. They insist that Charles stay in his apartment, he was clearly the target, and so he waits and he frets and he’s on hold and of course he’s seeing visions of Sazz. Just like Mabel had with Tim Kono. But it’s more devastating, more satisfying this time, because we’d seen some of their friendship and I love that they delve into it even further. 

Having Sazz do the voiceover on this episode really was perfection. 

And how good was the surprise visitor Charles gets while he’s hiding out in the apartment? It makes me think that Sazz’s killer got in to drag her body to the incinerator through the tunnels. “A mix of parkour and psychosexual manipulation” is up there on the list of best quotes of the series, for sure.

Meanwhile, the Westies are WEIRD and Mabel and Oliver end up playing a card game with them called “Oh Hell” which the internet tells me is actually a real thing and apparently they also hang a pig leg in the bathroom that they chop at with a knife? It’s all very suspicious.

But the most important part of the episode is when Charles describes working with Sazz, how he’d do his scene up until the most dangerous part and they’d yell “CUT” and Sazz would say “tap in” and finish the stunt. She took every single hit for him.

Also, the scene where Charles describes Sazz helping him make friends on the set of Brazzos? Jesus. “You took care of me in every way a person could take care of someone.” My heart, y’all. 

Eventually, once the police have come and gone (I love that Detective Williams shows up and is exasperated with them as always - “shut the fuckin’ fuck up”) they luminol the floor and discover that with her last bit of strength, Sazz scrawled “tap in”. She absolutely knew what was going to happen. How effing devastating.

Episode 3: Two For the Road

Obviously I’m going to say I loved this episode because of my frankly unhealthy love of Zach Galifaniakis. I can’t stop, I won’t stop - detective Williams and I have that in common. She shows up at the beginning to feed the gang information since the FBI has taken over the case, and when she sees Zach walk into the apartment she loses her mind, and I’ve never felt so seen - “scrumptious fuckable baklava” indeed. 

Of course Mabel is upset their movie doppelgangers have shown up by Oliver is over the moon, he wants to convince Zach to get into his character, so they decide to split up with their actors to investigate.

Y’all, Eva Longoria is obnoxious immediately. Like, absolutely the worst. Talking about “her Mabel”. But I just finished rewatching Schitt’s Creek so I really enjoyed Eugene Levy being SO into Charles. It’s adorable. He’s convinced Charles is some deep, fearless savant. 

Eugene and Charles trying to get the Westie with the eye patch to remove it because they are wanting to see if he has a bruise from a potential gun kickback, is pure awkward comedy gold. They’re “yes and”-ing each other. Hilarious.

Eva and Mabel end up at Christmas-all-the-time guy’s apartment and Kumail Nanjiani plays it really well. Kid really is fit. And Eva is still the worst, but I love that it turns out that he actually hates Christmas, but keeps up the charade because his most successful fitness video was Christmas-themed and he’s now he’s trapped because social media is a fucking disease (she says, writing a blog entry she’ll post to complete strangers).

OBVIOUSLY though,  my favorite part of the entire thing though is the fucking montage of Zach and Oliver learning Oliver’s character. Zach playing the flute and their matching shoes  and their creepy ass smiles and running with shopping bags and the little kick at the end. Holy hell, he’s beautiful. 

But he’s also a dick, he pretends he’s invested in Oliver only to talk shit behind his back. He’d told his agent he wanted to play deep, psychosexual dramatic characters and he thinks Oliver is just a pure fluffy narcissist. Howard’s speech in defense of him is sweet and also depressing as hell but it turns Zach around, at least. “You’re this technicolor cockroach refuses to die. I HATE you, but I love you.” 

Funnily enough, at the end of the day, Eugene realizes Charles isn’t complex, he’s just a chicken shit. How the turn tables. 

They do end up with some clues though - a picture of the Westies with one person’s faced scratched out, the ‘tinsel’ they found in the sniper’s nest isn’t tinsel at all, and after Mabel decides she’s going to squat in the empty apartment/crime scene in the West Tower, they get a warning from a stranger on the ham radio they’d stolen and monitored. Shit’s coming together…

Episode 4: The Stunt Man

I think y’all know what my favorite part of this episode was, but we’ll get there in a second because right away we’re back to Charles seeing visions of Sazz. This time he’s dreaming she’s wandering through a forest and he’s trying to catch up with her. I really appreciate that he isn’t discounting what he’s going through, he immediately gets up and sets to work creating a murder board especially for her, and he includes what he says to her in the dream, she’s trying to get to “paradise”. Charles does not seem like the type to lean into his mind running away like this, but he’s doing it for her. 

It’s the emotional stakes that are making this season so satisfying, for sure. 

While Charles is doing that, we find out that Oliver is down a social media rabbit hole because he’s worried about his relationship with Loretta and he found a picture of her posted with a mystery dude hugging her so he does what any insane teen would do, and he creates a finsta. Which is hilarious. And even more hilarious because he’s doing his internet stalking on the world’s largest ipad. The back and forth about his brightness setting was absolutely hilarious. 

But social media leads them to a bar Sazz had been at the day she died, and here is where we get to my favorite part. It’s a stunt man bar because that’s totally a thing, and who do they stumble upon while trying and failing to get any information? Ben Glenroy’s stunt double!!!!!!

AKA, Paul Rudd with a weird Irish accent and a missing tooth. Fucking amazing. What an incredible way to utilize him. I just can’t. His attempts at impressing them with his stunt double moves is so ridiculously silly. What a charming little weirdo. 

Turns out Sazz was there to see a chiropractor because she was in consistent pain from all her years as Charles’ double, she’d told the doctor that she was retiring because of a relationship she was in - she said she was tired of giving more than she got, but she didn’t know how to get away. Obviously, Charles thinks she was talking about him but could that be a red herring, y’all? 

Charles’s guilt drives him to ‘tap in’, and he volunteers to lay in state for Sazz’s funeral at the stunt man bar because they said “no body, no funeral”, and it’s really sweet. He gets pelted with breakaway bottles and the entire affair devolves into a brawl because Ben Glenroy’s double somehow ended up with a real bottle and while Charles is passed out from the blow, he remembers that that Sazz had a life dream to open a trampoline park for kids so she could teach them how to fall. 

Oh, and Mabel discovers that the Westies are probably not a cult, and are just participating in a rent-control scheme - Professor Dudenoff had rented all of the apartments on the floor, and he lets them sublet from them because they are just straight up weirdos. He sends them ham and they pay him $200 a month (???! holy shit), and they tell Mabel all of this because they’re gonna cut her in, as long as she keeps it out of the podcast - she’s the right kind of weirdo for them, apparently. 

So I guess that makes sense, but there’s got to be other shit going on, right? There has to be. And clearly there is, because when the gang heads out to the site of Sazz’s never-built trampoline park, they stumble upon the producer of their movie, who immediately proceeds to point a GUN at them. What the eff? 

Here’s my thing about shows like this: I never really want to try and figure out what’s going on. The ride is the best part. And so far, OMITB is delivering like only it can. What a gift.

[throes-of-warm-tornadoes]

foundation and empire by isaac asimov: a ramble

i renewed my library card! in other words, here is a semi-serious review/summary/commentary on the first book i read. i even used capitalization for some seriousness factor

This ramble will start with the first book I read: foundation and empire by Isaac Asimov. He’s actually quite an interesting man. He was born in 1920, but his mom lied and said that he was born a year before so that she could enroll him in the first grade. He taught himself to read when he was five and encouraged his sister to do the same, which explained the girl power vibes present in this novel.

If you are familiar with my other ramblings, I doubt it comes as a surpise that my favorite character is Bayta. I found her confidence and sass so refreshing. I could barely even tell she was written by a man. I’ll explain the lore so we can appreciate her character further.

Well—okay. Full transparency: I didn’t fully understand what was going on in the book 100% of the time, so I’ll just be giving a rundown of the bare necessities. In true sci-fi novel fashion, we follow a variety of characters as they traverse the Galaxy in their spaceships. Among these characters is General Bel Riose. 

General Bel Riose is fucking annoying. The prolouge sets up this big giant larger-than-life prophecy about the Galaxy falling. Like, there was this whole thing about a guy named Hari Seldon predicting the fall of the Empire as everyone knows it. But don’t worry! It eventually makes a comeback and is back better than ever—after thousands and thousands of years. But don’t worry (again!) Hari Seldon and his gang of fellow professors/scientists figure out a way to reduce the gap between barbarism and civilization to a mere thousand years. (Or something.)

Then we get to the first chapter, and Bel Riose immediately ruins the vibe. Are you familiar with William Penn? Legend has it that he was sent to America for being a royal pain in the ass, eventually getting the entire state of Pennsylvania named after him. Bel Riose reminds me of him. In fact, maybe they are distant relatives. Right from the get-go, Bel Riose tells us about how he doesn’t even have a purpose. He’s just interrogating a guy from a rebel planet because he literally has nothing else to do. He’s good at fighting, but there’s nothing left to fight. So his leader sent him away, and now an elderly man named Ducem Barr has to face to consequences.

Long story short, Bel Riose and Ducem Barr collaborate to find the Second Foundation. You see, there are two Foundations, and they’re very powerful. To take over both means to be an unstoppable force of nature. They find some other guy named Lathan Devers, who is a Trader (aka a traitor… the homophones work very well), and Bel Riose captures him for information. 

This is where things start heating up. This is my first time ever reading a Big Girl Sci-Fi Book, so I was resigned to slugging through a ton of details about the innerworkings of the military industrial complex, but I’m happy to report that Lathan Devers took it upon himself to save the plot. Simply put, he knocks Bel Riose the fuck out. Then he escapes with Ducem Barr. We follow them on their adventure as they try to avoid capture, and this is where we learn about something interesting:

The Mule.

So, for context, a mule is a horse-donkey hybrid. A freak of fucking nature. The Mule in this story is no different.

And, finally, this is where we finally meet Bayta and Toran (aka her man). Before I explain their purpose in the story, I just want to geek out over Bayta. She’s sassy right from the get-go, which I appreciate. And I appreciate that she’s not scorned for being sassy and confident and intelligent even more. And I love love love that Toran isn’t ridiculed as a weak man/husband for “letting” her tease him and participate in political affairs. They’re equals. She teases him and they call each other names and they engage in silly wrestling matches. They’re cute. 

What I love most about this book—and other forms of sci-fi content—is that you still get a glimpse of the current social/economic/political climate that the author is writing in. Like, we’re millennia and millennia into the future and yet there's still a character that questions why Bayta is hanging out with her rag-tag gang of (male) space buddies, because people in the 1950s were probably reading this book and wondering the same thing. Why does Toran let his wife talk to him like that? Why does he cook her dinner? Why isn’t he more assertive?

Because this is the fucking future, idiots. Women can be blunt. Women can attend political debates. Women can save the literal goddamn Galaxy.

And she does! It was so cool seeing how Bayta was so consistently crafty and intelligent while still being incredibly sweet and empathetic to those around her. 

Enough geeking out about Bayta. We have a plot to get through.

Anyway, with Bel Riose (finally) dead, we’re introduced to Bayta and Toran and a scientist named Mis. Mis is a psychologist that specializes in Hari Seldon’s work. (Reminder: Hari Seldon predicted the fall of the Galaxy.) Enough time has elasped (like, 100 years) that The Mule has effortlessly taken over entire planets. The leaders from those planets are his most trusted advisors. His enemies are his biggest supporters. How did this happen?

That’s what Bayta and Toran are trying to figure out. Along the way, they meet a clown on some strange planet as they try to gather intel about The Mule. He was being harrassed by some police officer, so Bayta and Toran step in and save him and basically take him under their wing. Toran didn’t like him—he was like the son he really wasn’t that enthusastic about having—but Bayta has a major sweet spot for him. His name is Magnifico, and he was The Mule’s court jester. Magnifico lives in a constant state of panic and anxiety because apparently The Mule liked to torture him for fun.

So there we have it: our sci-fi gang of certified ass kickers. Their objective is to find the Second Foundation, because the First Foundation has already been infiltrated by The Mule. (Reminder: to have both Foundations is to have all the power.) With nothing but a spaceship and their own wits, they manage to escape imminnent danger and hostage crisises by the skin of their teeth.

This is where we get into spoiler territory (as in I am going to spoil the series. If anyone is still reading this—which I doubt—and wants to read the series, stop right here. I’m about to reveal the shock of the century.)

So, Mis is trying to figure out where the fuck the Second Foundation is when we get some more lore about The Mule. He’s more than a hybrid—he’s a Mutant. His powers? Well, he’s basically like the most extreme version of an empath. He can manipulate people’s emotions, which explains how he managed to take over entire planets so easily and why he has so many people that are on his side. And—wait a minute. Magnifico is so fucking afraid of everything, to the point where everyone has such visceral reactions to his mere presence, and everyone believes just about anything that comes out of his terrified little mouth—

Strange, right?

Well, if you’re like me and have no media literacy,  not really. To be honest, I felt super bad for Magnifico and was very upset whenever people were just slightly mean to him. And so did Bayta. She’s the reason why he’s even alive enough to tag along with them on their adventure (or so it seems…), so they end up on a planet where Mis has the resources to study Hari Seldon’s findings in more depth. Magnifico is the main person that hangs out with him, and Bayta notices something:

Mis’ life force is draining. Rapidly. Sure, he’s studying his brains out, but he’s literally deteriorating. He finally figures out where the Second Foundation is, but right before he can reveal that information, Bayta promptly shoots him with her gun.

Basically, I’m kinda over explaining this book. It was fun in the beginning, but I’m getting very self conscious over how long this is, so I’ll just cut to the chase. Basically, Magnifico is a very pitiable character. Everyone in the book agrees with this. But so many people pity him to the point of trusting him. Like, who cares if he’s in the room while we discuss top-secret information? He’s just a little freak. Who cares if he’s good at playing an instrument perfectly fit for mass destruction? Not like he’s capable of using it for anything homicidal.

Well, they’re right about one thing: he is a freak. But he’s not harmless.

Basically (again), Bayta comes to the conclusion that Magnifico is The Mule because they’re both very good at emotionally manipulating people. Understandably, I couldn’t get into every single event in the book—mostly because I barely understood it when I read it—so you’re just gonna have to trust me on that one. 

Anyway, I personally really loved the ending. I couldn’t tell if Bayta genuinely liked him or was just pretending to be kind, so to have it confirmed by The Mule himself that she was the first person that was actually sweet to him was honestly so heartwarming. It’s a pity he’s a war criminal. 

Oh! Also, back to the mule (hybrid of a horse and donkey) conversation. At the end, The Mule basically implies he’s infertile (just like a mule) (hybrid of a horse and a donkey) because Bayta got grossed out that he was gonna force her to be his bride and he was like “nah. First of all, I don’t like you like that. Second of all, I am not capable of performing husbandly duties. Why else do you think I'm called the fucking Mule?” and for the first time since starting this book I felt smart as fuck. And it only took me 282 pages to get there. (The book has 282 pages.)

Anyway, to end this longpost off, here are my two favorite quotes from the book:

1). “It’s a dead hand against a living will.” I just know Isaac Asimov had to take a walk after writing that line that was COLD

2) (Bayta is talking) “All right, silly. Now let your lower lip droop and give me that dying-duck look—the one just before you’re supposed to bury your head on my shoulder, while I stroke your hair full of static electricity. You were fishing for some drivel, weren’t you?’” In other words so glad that the “dudes making the dead fish face to signal that they want affection” is apparently a timeless gesture

[khainovo]

unnamed american university says his hair is a safety hazard, and it had to be cut down for the greater good. card capital 1 gang thinks its a crime against humanity.

[gravesung-moving]

WELCOME TO SHELTER ISLAND.

There is a city in upstate New York, glamoured and hidden from the rest of the US, where magic flourishes in secret. No, it isn’t the small coastal strip of land in the same state with the same name. Shelter Island, this Shelter Island, is accessible to strangers only by accident. Fell asleep on the R train in NYC? Wound up there inexplicably one morning when you opened a door that wasn't there before? Teleported in from another universe on accident and got stuck there because the City won't let you go? Possibilities are endless! 

Shelter Island is a reclusive place, welcoming its own but near-impossible to seek out. Some theorize that the city chooses its residents. Some chalk it up to magical anomalies. No matter their stance, those who live there agree that in some strange, unexplainable way, the City is alive.

Genre(s)

Shelter Island as a setting contains many possibilities for stories of different genres. While no theme is off-limits, some are stronger and easier to pull on than others. For example, here are a few of the inspirations for building the setting:

early 2000’s techno-kitsch (leetspeak, over the top hacker counterculture, etc.)

Gothic Americana

absurdist comedy & satire about the modern age (capitalism/advertisement culture, memes, life on the web)

uncanny-valley atmospheric horror (think Night Vale, The Magnus Archives, SCP, etc.)

street crime, gangs & the mafia (peaky blinders, many many mob movies, six of crows, etc.)

Residence

Those who end up in Shelter Island by accident are henceforth welcome into the city, so long as they don’t enter with the intention of exposing it. The City knows. Trust that it knows. Most of the citydwellers were born there, but every year there is a steady trickle of new residents as well.

Because of this, there are New Resident Info Desks peppered around common entry points throughout the city. Here, you can get temporary housing, an ID card, and other resources to help get you started as a citizen. Geography and Demography

Despite the name, Shelter Island is actually not an island. Legends say the city once sat in the middle of a lake. After some geographic event over a century ago, the water around it receded, leaving a sunken halo around the city. The name stuck, however, and now it’s considered a bit of an in-joke among residents.

Shelter Island is laid out like a three-ring target. The central “bullseye” (called citycenter) contains the 1% — both literally and figuratively. The middle ring (called cityproper), home to roughly 40% of the population, is made up of suburbs, apartments, shopping districts, and other highly metropolitan middle-class neighborhoods. The outer circle (the Ring), containing nearly 60% of the population, is shoddily constructed and tightly packed with buildings, alleys, and people.

OTHER INFO: FULL SETTING GUIDE PINTEREST BOARD PLAYLIST

A Note from Raine

All of the characters in my muse roster (including on my other blogs) either exist in this setting natively or have a verse within it. Shelter Island is the ever-evolving product of many, many years of work by Reu and me, and I'd absolutely love to craft SI verses for your muses if you're interested!! Come on in, the water's fine(?)!

[universestreasures]

@thuganomxcs Sent: 'Stand up, Vanguard!' for me to tell you what Cardfight Vanguard character I'd think you'd write and why. (Accepting!)

Character Description:

Katsumi Morikawa, voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama, is one of the major supporting characters in the original Cardfight Vanguard series. A Card Capital regular, Morikawa started off as a bully to the series' protagonist Aichi Sendou, stealing his precious Blaster Blade card in order to use it to beat against the guy who beat him last: Toshiki Kai. However, after witnessing Aichi's first game against Kai and how different he seemed to be when he fought so hard to get his card back, he came to respect him and call him a friend. He is always seen hanging out at Card Captial with his best bud, Izaki, and tries to get involved with whatever the main gang is doing.

Morikawa is the very definition of a passionate guy. He is an overly enthusiastic individual with great pride in his skills, but also enjoys being a mentor to others in the gaming space and even calls Aichi his 'pupil'. He is also a big fan of the pop idol group Ultra Rare, having a hug crush on Kourin Tatsunagi in particular. The guy has a bigger heart than his brain and is very reckless and a bit dumb, but he's very lovable and always tries his best.

Morikawa doesn't use primarily one clan in his deck like most of the cast, with the only real consistent thing about his decks is how many Grade 3's he stuffs into it (because in his words, they are the best!). However, because of this his decks are often very unbalanced and borderline unplayable, which is why he loses most of his fights. When given a proper deck, his skill really shines. The card most associated with him is Juggernaut Maximum, a cyborg defensive tackler in the Spike Brother's clan.

Why Do I Think You'd Write Them:

Morikawa is the vanguard equivalent to Kuwabara, and I think that speaks for itself as to who you'd vibe well with him. More than just that, Morikawa is a very comedic character with a lot of heart and unexplored potential I think you'd do amazing at fleshing out. Plus, he's so harsh darn lovable and so fun to watch on screen (he's a big fan favorite and the center of a ton of memes) that I think you'd really enjoy writing! Legit he'd be the king of dash shenangins. Also, he'd fit perfectly into YYH so there's that too.

[xogiada]

giada d'amiano.

(JORDANA BREWSTER, CIS FEMALE, SHE/HER) Oh, is that GIADA D’AMIANO I heard the FORTY- ONE year old is INTUITIVE. But don’t let that pretty face fool you, they are also MANIPULATIVE. Makes sense seeing how they are COUNCIL in THE SERPENTS gang. penned by ally

basics.

full name: giada rosalia d’amiano nickname(s): g, gia, ms. d’amiano face claim: jordana brewster age: 41 birthdate: may 4th star sign: taurus gender: cis woman pronouns: she/her sexuality: bisexual gang: the serpents, council  cover: boutique owner birthplace: milan, italy  current residence; new york, new york languages: english & italian & Portuguese theme song: gloria - laura  branigan

reflection.

face claim: jordana brewster. hair color: dark brown eye color: espresso brown height: 5’7 build: tall & slender, and loves her risotto alla milanese tattoos: tramp stamp from her rebellious teen years. small butterfly because her favorite aunt used to call her "piccolina farfalla" little butterfly in italian. scars: burn mark on her leg from boiling pasta

family.

mother: antonia d'amiano father: massimo d'amiano siblings: francesca d'amiano (35) alessandra D’Amiano (31) pets: tba

personality.

characteristics:  intuitive, clever, quick witted, savvy, manipulative, reticent, opportunistic, passionate, loyal, dramatic, particular, innovative, honest  fears:  small spaces and off the rack couture  hogwarts house: ravenclaw passions/hobbies: designing clothes specifically lingerie for her boutique, cooking her family’s secret recipes, entertaining, shopping, watching old hollywood films especially ones starring sophia loren, playing cards and smoking cigars, supporting ac milan football club, fashion week  drugs/ alcohol/ smoking: not opposed/ in moderation / cigarettes and cigars socially   colors: classic black and white, pops of red and jewel tones. aesthetics: cigar smoke and lipstick stains, having an ace up her sleeve, homemade vino, power suits, imported issues of vogue italia, stilettos tapping impatiently, family style dinners, fur lined dressing gowns, upping the ante, sketches and 100s scattered over marble countertops, sips of espresso, focaccia to finish off the last bits of sauce, 3AM strokes of genius, a spritz of dolce & gabana, mascara stained satin pillowcases, fashion week in milan.

biography.

Giada was just a child when her father uprooted his family from Milan, Italy to New York City to join her grandfather in the Serpents gang he would eventually become a council member of. Growing up, she was the principessa, and apple of her mafiosa father’s eye. Though she was surrounded by the family business, daddy’s little girl was always thought to be just that and young Giada was kept as in the dark as much as possible when it came to his dirty work, deemed by her father a man’s business.  It was a challenge that made his endeavors all the more intriguing to her. While her mother urged her to help her with Sunday dinner, Giada found herself sneaking off to play cards and smoke cigars with the neighborhood kids. She was sharp, intuitive, and business savvy taking after her father more than mother. Quickly, she learned the ways of the streets, and the higherary of the families. Eager to prove herself, Giada used her cleverness to hustle kids and make a pretty penny. Her efforts only disappointed her parents, and the more Giada was kept away the more she began to rebel, even falling for a boy from a rival family.  Naturally, it couldn’t work and by the time Giada was 17, she was shipped back to the motherland in hopes of straightening her out and keeping her away from the family business. She lived with her Zia Teresa outside of Milan learning the ways of the old country. Her zia taught her all the secrets behind the family recipes, how to sew, tend a garden, and above all else that the most important thing in this life is family.   After living in Italy for five years, Giada returned from the fashion capital not only with renewed sense of clarity, but with a degree in fashion merchandising. She and her siblings became incredibly close afterwards, and she is the first one to invite everyone over for Sunday dinner and a round of scopa. She found love and met a person who would later become her ex-fiance. In return, her father gifted her Moda Bella, not only as a reward for a job well done but also as another distraction in hopes she would be too busy with the boutique to concern herself with business dealings.  And for a while that’s exactly what Giada did; she kept her cards close and played the long game. For while there is a queen in the deck, one must be careful how they play it.  When the D’Amiano patriarch passed, she couldn’t help but jump at the chance to become a part of the serpents in her father's honor. She started off small, offering up her boutique as a stronghold in addition to 30 percent of the earnings and eventually working her way up the ranks, even becoming a leader for a few short years.  Now at 41, Giada has gambled away her chance at love and a family of her own to be dealt in at The Serpents table. She earned a spot as a council member with a hunger to keep the momentum going. She is willing to do just about anything to prove that she too can play with the big boys.

PINTEREST I SPOTIFY | WANTED CONNECTIONS

[japanese-cryptic-beauty]

The nightmare of Visual Novels

So, I found this one website recommending Visual Novels (VN) for reading immersion. (Not to be confused with "graphic novels" which is, at its heart, a fancy term for comic book...) These are basically computer games where you follow a sort of branching story. A very typical one is the "dating sim" where you interact with a variety of love interests and try to, well, "romance" them - by choosing actions they may like, playing the game multiple times to achieve different endings, etc.

Funnily enough I know the concept mostly from the world of anime and manga, one of these meta things where there are now stories being written about VN - which themselves are stories and a way of story-telling. For example, "The World Only God Knows", where a dating sim addict is called upon to romance "actual" girls to drive hellish spirits out of them. Or the hilarious "Romantic Killer", where a gaming addict is forced into living a dating sim scenario.

But this is not about dating sims or the contents of particular VNs, this is about learning Japanese. I came across a website recommending learning Japanese through VNs, and the arguments were convincing:

You get the dialogue displayed on-screen which allows for reading it carefully.

You typically also get a voice-over, so you get also additional listening immersion, something harder to do with, let's say, anime. (Because VNs pause after a certain point and give you time until you continue. Also, depending on streaming site, you don't get Japanese subtitles / CC captions. Like on major anime streaming site Crunchyroll which typically has none of that.)

You can enlist certain programs for capturing text from the most common VN engines to actually use a dictionary with it.

So, sounds great, right?

The Shit You Can't Buy These Days

Welcome to the world of modern capitalism, where the prevention of spending money advances faster than the ability to actually buy stuff.

Huh?

This starts when you try buying these things. The geniuses that try to sell us things have decided that it's not good if we can simply buy stuff. No, this content is surely for that person in that market and can not be had anywhere else. Fans of manga may already be aware of this - some English translations of manga can only be bought in English-speaking countries because obviously those could be the only people ever interested in them...

So, if you live outside of Japan, you obviously have no interest, and hence get no way, to buy Japanese language VN. You may be able to buy an overpriced translated version on some console somewhere, but we won't let you lay your fingers on our precious software, no.

Hurdle #1: Money, money, money

So, there's a site called "DL Site" where you can legally buy Japanese VNs and, surprise, download them. This site also sells for example manga.

One problem: Payment providers, at least the usual Western gang thereof, doesn't like this website. For some reason, payment providers or major credit card companies nowadays like to stay as far away as possible from anything that could be classified as "adult entertainment" - and frankly, many VNs have that vibe. Not all of them. But these payment providers either limit themselves to a squeaky clean portion of the store (manga only, though) or are not available at all.

Mind you, I wasn't hunting for smut. I merely was trying to buy a VN.

I then went on an odyssey for finding a way to pay. Most options were Japan only - either obviously so or more subtly. Credit cards only work if issued in Japan. At some point I got myself a LINE (the Japanese chat app) account to use LINE Pay - only to find out that I cannot transfer funds into it for no apparent reason.

I was about to give up when I found the solution for the payment problem, which is as obscure as it gets. The payment providers don't want to be associated with the content, but there's a companion site to DL Site where you can buy coupons. These coupons can be redeemed into points that are equivalent to Yen and which you can pay with on DL Site, circumventing the absence of Western payment providers. (It actually works just fine, but it does look a bit fishy at first...)

Problem #2: Nah-nah-naaaah-nah

By which I mean: You didn't think it was so easy, right?

Now that you legally own something you paid for and downloaded it unto your Windows computer, can you play it?

No!

For you see, the publishers of these games have quite some opinions as to who can play their games. "Japan only", that's what. Seriously.

What used to be the dreaded copy protection in decades past is now some silly gating of content behind dubious checks that are made to ensure that the Japanese content can only be enjoyed in Japan.

I don't even pretend to understand why!

Seriously, the software in questions may check:

Your timezone

Your language settings

Your input settings

Your locale (date, time format, etc)

And only if these are sufficiently "Japanese" it may permit you to actually play the game you own (after all, you entered your serial).

The lengths to which a game company goes just to prevent you from playing their game, not for pirating reasons, but simply for ensuring that you are Japanese, is absurd.

At first I tried to run the game inside a virtual environment, "Virtual Box", but no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't start there. It was quite a demanding little game... for something that plays some music and shows mostly static images and text.

But... do you really want to change all your content, input, language, and time settings to Japanese to start a game? Do you?

There's a way to simplify this a bit. You can have a second account on your Windows computer with all these settings in place, I called mine simply "Japanese". But frankly, that's also shit. Because to use a separate account you have to sign out of your main account, which closes all your apps, browser windows, etc. (Yes, Windows isn't exactly a true multi-user system in its consumer version.)

So this is a big hassle to just play a game for half an hour. (After all, you're brushing up your Japanese, you aren't fluent, so you'll probably tire of it at some point.)

Conclusion

Trying to lay your hands on a Japanese VN as a gaikokujin (foreigner) is a major hassle. Frankly, after managing to make the game run, I didn't actually play it because it had been so tiresome to actually make it work and there were major hoops to jump through just to get it to start.

Now, if you have a second computer, say, a laptop, this can all be navigated, but I spent hours on two separate days just to get to the point where the game was bought, downloaded, installed, and worked. The requirement to mangle some fundamental settings on my computer to just start many of these games doesn't sit well with me.

I never even installed the support for dictionaries because I felt I was done with it.

[daddyd0nt]

Can gender be abolished if AFAB people will never feel safe alone in certain situations with AMAB people, and we continue to view them as "armed" and "unarmed"? Will that not always enforce that the two have inherent rigid differences, behaviorally as well as physically? It just feels like a very pessimistic form of feminism. Really, this is separate from trans people entirely. Even if trans people weren't a thing, is it not deeply depressing to imagine men will always be a threat? And if gender were abolished, and everyone was living happily without it, wouldn't it be a bad situation for men/AMAB to then be seen as inherently dangerous in a world that's move passed those issues, if such a world could ever come about? It's a weird comparison, but it makes me think so much of Zootopia, where everyone lives together in harmony without eating meat but "predators" are still treated unfairly because they're supposedly inherently dangerous to "prey". And not for my sake as a "predator", but for the sake of AFAB people, I don't think I can believe in a version of feminism that relegates them to forever and always being "prey".

Gender is the system by which females are subjugated and males are uplifted so i absolutely see abolition as a possibility even if males continue to be "armed". Biologically in almost all species males are predators and females are prey (ducks for example, regularly commit gang rape, as do dolphins, rape is not a human issue it is a male one that takes place across the entire animal kingdom). Males have an appendage that they can use as a weapon against females and females have the biological risk of becoming pregnant. Unless we get to the point where we put boys in a chastity cage at birth and give the key to their wife to only unlock when she is in the mood for sex, rape will always be a problem. So will murder. So will assault. Violent shitheads will be violent, it is part of our nature as apex predators and as mammals. I don't think it is pessimistic, i think that it is realistic, we will never eliminate rape just like we will never eliminate murder. I don't think the world will ever "move past" the issue of biological sex, which is why I think it is so important to recognize it and not replace it with gender identity. Also in Zootopia, the carnivores WEREN'T a threat to the prey animals, that is why they could live in harmony. Once the carnivores broke the social contract and started attacking they were appropriately treated like they were dangerous. I only see a world without the predator/prey relationship between the sexes in the case of like mandated chastity devices or automatic chemical castration but that is a human rights violation so it isn't exactly in the cards. You can reduce rape through consent education but there will always be men who find their thrill in the lack of consent. I don't think it is pessimistic to look at the situation realistically. I don't think females will ever be truly safe around males until society either "disarms" them from birth or we reach complete segregation/separatism. I also believe in capital punishment for sex crimes. It is not a happy reality but if we are being realistic that is the situation we are dealing with. I wish I had something more cheerful and optimistic to offer.

[polikszena]

Since we spent quite a lot of time on the bus, and had some ideas, I have written a few ficlets with the IMF gang having a holiday in Paris. Going to be very random, mostly Ilsa/Ethan-centric, starting with a huge cliché: the 'there's only one bed' - trope.

Mission: vacation - Part 1:

The border

"This could be worse."

"This could be much, much worse."

With his hand still on his suitcase, Ethan Hunt looked at the double bed in the middle of the room. Next to her, there was Ilsa Faust, staring at it, too. His gaze then shifted to her and a smile touched his lips. When their eyes met, they both started laughing.

"At least it's pretty big," she said. "We'll have plenty of space."

Ethan nodded in agreement, although he found the whole thing a little absurd.

They had just arrived to Paris a few hours ago to spend a few days there. Not as agents, but as a group of friends, discovering the capital of France. They booked rooms in a small hotel in the middle of the city with a view to the Quartier Latin. Everything was perfect, except for this goddamn double bed.

Not that he would have minded to share a bed with Ilsa, but they weren't dating; they hadn't even shared a kiss. Not that he wouldn't want to. It just didn't happen. Still, sleeping in the same bed seemed too much at this stage. On the other hand, they had been through a lot together, in deadly missions, working in as allies or against each other. Sharing a bed was nothing compared to that.

A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Come in!" Ilsa said, and Benji Dunn ducked his head into the room.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Apart from the bed, yes," the other agent replied.

Benji stepped inside to take a closer look, and seeing it he pressed his lips together.

"Oh, that," he said with a nod. "Well, they don't have another room, I asked it already."

"And I'm not gonna sleep with him," Luther Stickell also appeared in the room, gesturing towards the tech agent. "He's tossing and turning all night."

On their way to Paris they drew cards to decide who would share a room with whom: Ethan got Ilsa and Benji paired up with Luther.

"It's okay, we'll draw a line in the middle," Ilsa said. "That'll be the border."

"And if Ethan crosses it, he's dead," Luther said with a chuckle.

"Or if I cross it," she added.

"I'm so glad I'm not in this room," Benji sighed.

***

At the first night they went to bed with their backs to each other. At least that was the last thing Ethan remembered. However, the next time he opened his eyes, he found himself lying next to her with his arms around her waist. Shit, he thought and moved away as quickly and carefully as possible.

Waking up, Ilsa Faust couldn't recognise where she was. It took her a moment to remember that she was in Paris, in a small hotel, curled up next to Ethan Hunt, her hand resting on his chest... Oh, wait. This shouldn't have happened. With a silent swear, she removed her hand and rolled over, hoping she hadn't woken him up. She froze when she noticed him turning onto his back with a grunt. Biting on her lower lip she waited if he would say or do anything, but he stayed still and silent. She let out a small sigh as the tension left her body. Moving as far away from him as she could, she put her head back on the pillow.

"Hey," she then heard his sleepy voice. Shit.

"Sorry for waking you up," she said.

"I just wanted to say that I'm not taking that border thing seriously at all," he said softly as he leaned on his forearm to see her better.

A smile touched her lips and she rolled over to face him. He was smiling as well. In fact, she had never seen him this gentle and peaceful before.

"I don't take that too seriously either," she told him.

"That's good, because I woke up next to you earlier," he admitted. "I swear, it wasn't conscious. Sorry about that."

"It's okay," she assured him.

He rolled onto his back again and adjusted the pillow under his head.

"You can come here if you want to," he offered.

Her smile grew wider and she felt her cheeks turning a little red - was she blushing?

"I have a feeling we'll end up like this anyway," she said.

"Me, too," he chuckled.

A small, relieved sigh escaped his mouth when she laid down next to him. It was the first time he saw her this vulnerable as she rested her head on his chest. He fought the urge to press a kiss on the top of her head, just put his arm around her.

"Good night, Ethan," she said.

"Good night."

Part 2 I Part 3

[amtrashlmao]

P for the fandom related questions... I want to know what ideas you have in that brain of yours

cardfight Vanguard AU where Aichi Sendou is the same timid kid who got bullied a lot - and he still meets Kai and everything else happens - but everyone in Card Capital is a big mafia gang thing that cardfights for fun (and possibly as a job i am unsure) and they're too soft to let Aichi know that they're a big gang.

(yes that would make Boss Lady Misaki canon, this is the point.)

everyone outside Aichi's friendgroup knows he sticks around them but Aichi is completely oblivious and he doesn't understand why everyone is scared to go near him, or anger any of his friends.

(the gang thing would have started because of Kai, and Misaki (with Miwa ofc) was hired to keep the place up and running while kai is Nowhere To Be Found ™️ )

[archivelondonfalling-rpg]

Things to do in London in February

VALENTINE's DAY is just around the corner. Who will your character cosy up to in those chilly days of February?

Snatch those Ellie Goulding or Carly Rae Jepsen tickets before they're gone. Or perhaps would you rather head in CAMDEN for the Rock music festival?

Dance, dine and have the time of your life. That's what Mamma Mia! The Party promises on their poster. If I were you, I wouldn't miss it.

Van Gogh : the immersive experience : Art fans and instagramers alike have been flocking to this exhibit.

If you prefer to support your contemporary artists, the ICA is celebrating their 75th anniversary. Take to the dancefloor and prepare for a spirited evening. 

The ROYAL CORONATION walking tour takes you on a trip down the history of British coronation. This is certainly something that will delight tourists and those who enjoy the quirkiness of it all. Is it the place to voice your distaste for monarchy or the new king? Who am I to say.

Head to the pub, order a schooner or a pint and enjoy the Six Nations rugby tournament with your pals !

Or, if you're more interested in good ol' football : the men's Champions league resumes on Valentine's Day, so now would be a good time to tell the love of your life about it !

Former US presidential candidate BERNIE SANDERS will be doing a book signing for "‘It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism" this month. If it's your character's cuppa, it would be a shame to miss it.

Last but not least, it's time for the LONDON FASHION WEEK again. If you're not invited, look out for plenty of spin-off events, after-parties and sales popping up in the city while the models strut their stuff.

Below read more : a sneak peak of the next event

Preparing for the PLOT DROP

With this NEW SEASON comes a NEW FEATURE : plot drops won't be as much as a big surprise as before, allowing your characters to prepare for events and make world building easier and smoother for all. Here are a few hints at what comes next :

THE JABBERWOCKS have just selected their new leader, Theodore Byrne, cousin to Malachi Liddell, their former leader gone missing.

These days, tongues are loosened only to advance on how to play their next card. Do they want to secure their backs or strike hard, and remind London, but especially their thieving and murdering friends that they have no intention of being replaced? Business resumes and without the treaty, nothing prevents them from selling their products on the land of the Jolly Rogers and to nibble, little by little, on this territory which once belonged to them.

The JOLLY ROGERS, meanwhile, elected by democratic and universal vote, Javier Vidal at the head of the organization. The latter not being known for half measures or for excesses of diplomacy, will invite the members of his gang to prepare for a sizeable heist on the casino (The Red Rose Casino) of their lifelong enemies. They'll take advantage of a public event to both infiltrate the party and rob the Jabberwocks of what could have been a very good evening.

As for the media, and members of the government : they'll be invited to the event personally, for the Liddell family is a corner stone of this city, and not the sort of donators you want to turn your back on.

Civilians and law enforcers will have seen the posters announcing a night to remember all over the city. Inhabited by the atmosphere of the roaring twenties, the casino will be dressed in gold and black and invite you to dance and spend the night away, so prepare your nicest dress, straighten you bow tie and join us for this decadent event !

Please like this post once you've read it.