#celebrities are people and like most people they have both the capacity to be good and the capacity to be complete jackasses

[dead-loch]

I can never wrap my mind around people who STILL “look up to” celebrities (any celebrity, your fav is not an exception) and expect them to always be on the ‘correct’ side of things. have y’all not learned?

[poopingonthefloor]

Davesport is Toxic NOT abusive

(((WARNING: PRETTY LONG POST UNDER THE CUT.))) I've seen some people making the claims that Davesport is comship/proship (ok well i've more seen people bitching about it) and im tired of the Davesport slander so this will be an analysis of their relationship. My motive isn't to force anyone to ship it or anything- i really dont care what you do with your life, my frustration is just when people try to make up REASONS why they don't like the ship, even though its literally canon (and not badly written). My main point is -- You can hate what you want. You don't need a reason, and it doesn't need to be bad just because you don't like it. But I will not take any slander on their ship nor any slander of people who like davesport. Davesport is absolutely toxic-- No DSAF fan would disagree. They are literally child murderers with little to no souls and literally are physically disfigured to the point they don't have the capacity to feel proper humanity anymore. You cant expect 2 men who live their lives willingly murdering and then partying in vegas to celebrate on repeat to be gentle and kind to themselves or anyone else.

However, its NOT abusive. I've seen multiple people (mostly from twitter screenshots) claim that Davesport is abusive or the way people portray it is in a fetishy or romanticizing way of abuse, when that's just not the case. I don't blame a lot of people, since a lot of it comes from reading context and intent of the artist, which not everyone is good at-- BUT I'm here to assure you that MOST people don't intend to do that much and just like to portray how their dynamic is canonically like or portray Daves obsession with Jack. Another argument I've seen (by a twitter screenshot...) is that people are comshipping Davesport because people draw Jack annoyed a lot at Dave when...thats not true? That's just Jack's personality, first off:

(From the Dave x Reader fanfic by Directdoggo)

"Jack is a bastardman not very touchy-feely. We can see this in many scenes, where Dave more or less says “I love you” and Jack responds with deflecting humour, or outright scorn. When Dave says it for the final time, this time, Jack tries to say it back, but can’t outright, only getting out: “Why is this so hard?” and “I hope you can find peace with what you’ve done.” Which Dave understood the meaning of. (Hey, better than Henry (LEGACY Jack) hearing “I love you” and proceeding to tear Dave limb from limb, huh?"

(Directdoggo describing Jack's personality)

I know it can be a little confusing to some people, but as someone who struggles with similar issues, just because he struggles to express intimately doesn't mean he can't love anything. Sometimes people are just different and communicating like that doesn't come as easily, even to the people you're closest to. To make it as easy as possible to comprehend-- He's quite literally a tsundere. (Minus the exaggerated ridiculousness in anime) He loves Dave, he just cant bring himself to say or act like it. The dismissiveness or rudeness in response to Dave's affection is not abuse, it's just a defensive response since he doesn't know how to say it back. (His way of being "shy") -- Also note its important that Dave UNDERSTANDS this about him by that point.

However Jack isn't the only thing I've seen regarding the claims that their ship is abusive-- and to debunk all of those I'm going to explain the three points that keep Davesport from being abusive, and I'll use Henry x Dave (which is what I'll call it to prevent it getting confused for FNAF willry) as an example alongside it since its super obvious why that one is messed up. Firstly, They are both bad people. By this point, Dave and Jack are murderers. It's just not surprising that they will be willing to kill each other at at least some point, considering they are willing to kill 5 year olds without remorse- and they'll both deserve it. It's only their own faults that they teamed up with the other, and it's meant to be the ultimate irony when Jack becomes even worse than Dave by "An ending". My point is- they're bad people. It's not like they're owed perfect company or would choose wholesome people to hang out with when they're literally both child murderers. Dave wasn't evil and didn't want to kill by the time he teamed up with Henry (and even after it was Henry's fault), so by that point his suffering was absolutely undeserved.

Secondly, They're lacking any specific power dynamic. Unlike Henry and Dave- whom have several levels of "Age, Father figure, and Employer", the most important one is that Henry is Dave's abuser. He manipulated him and purposefully harmed him both mentally and physically, whereas Dave never had any intention of doing either because Dave loved him and didn't want to lose him (because he had nobody else) This obviously much different with Dave and Jack, whom other than being taller and several years older than (which you can argue their 6 year age gap is weird but they didnt get to know each other till they were both older than 30 so by that point age difference doesnt rlly matter and (also theyre "mentally" like 24 and 22 canonically anyways (as much as I usually hate that argument)) Other then that they are only co-workers. This is a bit more arguable during DSAF 1, where Dave comes across more threatening and comes across like he's manipulating Jack, but I don't exactly count that because I wouldn't say theyre "shippable" or in their "situationship*" by that point (but also because them even being a ship was barely considered by the creator at that point obviously)-- whereas Dave is certainly more easily recognized as sincere to Jack in DSAF 2. Jack also is not someone who is afraid to defend himself against Dave, as shown by the fact he's willing to call out Dave's ridiculous behaviors (which is reasonable of him to do).

(Also from the Dave x reader fanfic) (I just think this specific screenshot debunks any sort of "power dynamic" claim)

My Third and Final point: There is a CHOICE involved I haven't really done much Dave defense in this post, but his defense is very simple: He is literally physically unable to comprehend guilt or conscience. Dave didn't want to murder anyone in the first place, but it was Henry who fucked with his (literal) head so much to the point he stopped being able to feel guilt. He doesn't care about murder and doing wrong because he CAN'T care. You can't really let that reflect Dave as a character when he's really not in control of himself in the first place. Now with that, that doesn't change the fact he could certainly affect and hurt people, and it's fully up to Jack as to whether or not he wants to deal with this purple man's freakish life choices and hobbies or not. And that's honestly super dependent on the ending you decide to base Jack on. Most people see the 'canon' endings to be: Gnarly ending (DSAF 1) -> An ending (DSAF 2) -> Good ending (DSAF 3) Where in all of these, Jack DOES choose to deal with Dave and basically is completely cool with murder. You don't have to follow those endings if you don't want to, but that's just typically what the modern "Davesport" is known for, but its what I'm using for my defense (considering this is a defense of both fandom and canon Davesport.) Though as opposed with Henry and Dave- Dave had no choice. Henry only ever manipulated him into thinking he did, and Henry made sure to feed this whole 'we will be a family' ideal into Dave (who never had one) so that Dave would be terrified to lose him. Jack never manipulates Dave (when teamed up with him), and Dave never manipulates Jack (tho arguable in DSAF 1 as well). They stay with each other despite all of their issues, and I believe its due to some co-dependency (imo I think Jack is also obsessed with Dave just in a different way before DSAF 3) Which isn't healthy, but not...inherently abusive.

I believe my main three points kind of cover the most of why I dont consider Davesport to be inherently a bad ship, but like I said- if you don't like it, none of that matters anyways. You dont NEED a reason to like something, and I wont try to convince you why you should ship something because I like it. Just don't hate it just because of what someone else says-- 90% of the dsaf fandom aren't comshippers, and Davesport isn't gross or "toxic /neg" just because it's not healthy. I think "Don't fetishize/romanticize literal abuse like its normal or sexy" and "We should explore more complicated and unhealthy dynamics" can and SHOULD coincide with each other!!!! I think Davesport is great because of how bittersweet it is that these two people finally found solace and acceptance in each other but couldn't get past the self-sabotaging nature of what Henry turned them both into, ultimately making it impossible to work out forever. I think embracing the Davesport makes the (kind of aged) trilogy a lot more enjoyable of an experience and I DO encourage any davesport skeptics to keep an open mind. [Pretend I wrapped this up super nicely I can never do that--- Also this is open for conversation and/or debate, and also yada yada my bad if i said something randomly terrible I have extremely poor social skills lol let me know so I dont do it again yada yada] *Also if anyone doesnt know a situationship is (at least in the context im using it in ive heard other definitions for it but its not a real word so i actually dont care) when 2(or more) people basically treat eachother like lovers but they never communicate this outright and dont technically officially date but like they treat and commit to eachother like a partner would) (So its kind of what all those people who playfully flirt and call each other their spouses as a commited running joke are in)

[bonefall]

So why's BB!Skystar like That? I'm not looking for a justification or excuse mind you, and I understand he completely refuses to better himself, but not even someone like him is born evil.

I'll get to his origin and tell you exactly how he grew up, but lemmie be clear about something. I don't think people respond to what they experience in a proportionate, 1:1, "hard times go in, bad guy comes out" sort of way.

People aren't bread and yeast. We don't follow a recipe for "becoming a bad person." You don't add trauma and then from there they choose to be a bad person because of their pain or not. No one is born evil, and the other side of that coin is that EVERYONE has the capacity for it.

Extremely privileged, charmed, blessed people with wonderful home lives can also become awful people. Violent, demanding, murderous ones. The "why" is "choice."

That answer's not satisfying because we want it to be deep and interesting. Like it makes it "mean" something, or adds some kind of "logic" to it. But you won't get it.

EVIL is simple. It feels good to get what you want. It feels good to hurt the people who keep it from you. POWER is even simpler. It is the act of making others do what you want. It's as simple as childish entitlement, indifference, or spite. Gratification that outweighs guilt.

If you're looking for some grand tragedy, you won't find it here. Nothing he went through was particularly unique and there was no grand ideology at play. His dad vanished when he was young and so did Gray Wing's. The Tribe dealt with a famine and several people died, including members of Bright Storm's family.

The only thing special about his birth and upbringing, in particular, was that he was quite privileged from the start.

Clear Sky and Gray Wing in the Tribe

From their very birth, both kits were welcomed and celebrated. They were destined for greatness from the start. Their mother was Quiet Wing, a direct descendant of the Stoneteller, Half Moon, and the father was a respected leader and political figure, Tempest Sky.

(This was before the Tribe would eventually become three camps, "Wards," united by a river. Tempest might have been considered an early leader of such a Ward.)

The older kit, a perfect image of xeir mother, was said to be the inheritor of her legacy as a relative of their founder and holy speaker. Xey were named Gray Wing. The younger, who would surely become the natural leader his father was, got the name Clear Sky. In their language, Koof Yaawrl-- Not just a sky without clouds. A perfect, flawless sky.

The two of them grew up with great opportunities. Connections are everything to their culture, and they had their pick of any amount of interests they wanted a paw in. The hunters would happily bring them along if asked. The crafters had extra patience set aside just for them. A good deployment of a mew and baby eyes could get them some extra scraps at dinner. Everyone wanted to make their little mark on such special, talented kits.

Clear Sky was a little general type. He wanted to be a leader right away. He loved hunts, he loved being in charge of other kids, he loved the way people listened to him. He wasn't familiar with the word No and was almost always the top banana of a group of other children. Even if they were older.

(Gray Wing in contrast was more of the game-creator, the "old soul," the kid who got along better with adults than other kids. Less of a leader and more of the guru, good at networking and settling disputes between people.)

While they were still kids, Tempest Sky vanished.

He was missing for days, and was assumed dead. There's plenty of ways to vanish in the mountains, but no remains were found. The Stoneteller tried to contact his spirit over and over to confirm his death, and he never came. So it was most likely that he just... left. Or maybe was taken.

Either way, they didn't really get closure for it. It was an awful thing to happen to a little kid, and Clear Sky took it really hard. A while after that, their stepdad entered the equation. Stone Peak wasn't big or strong or special, he just made their mom happy.

Gray Wing LOVED this man. After some friction, him and Stone Peak became excellent friends. They had a deep sense of respect and camaraderie. Clear Sky hated this. It was like Tempest Sky was being replaced before his eyes.

It was years before Stone Peak and Quiet Rain had a litter, well into Clear Sky and Gray Wing's adulthoods. It burned Clear Sky a new one to think that she was moving on from his father, who could still be alive. Maybe it's part of why he was so willing to throw his half-brother out into the snow, that fateful winter.

When Jagged Peak and Fluttering Wing were about half a year old, there was a terrible drought. It wasn't "overpopulation." It was a bad season. NOTHING could have stopped it. Lots of cats died.

Fluttering Wing was one of them-- along with some of Bright Storm's immediate family, Fox Claw and Petal Claw's mother during a hunting accident, and many more.

At the height of this drought, the southern river's level was so low that it became a scorched, crackled path with only a wet scratch of mud running along the middle. This dry riverbed beckoned to be followed downwards, until the water could be found again. THIS is the "Sun Trail;" a path carved by the sun.

It was Gray Wing the Wise who interpreted this as an omen. Xey believed it was their ancestors showing them the way to safety. The rest is history.

But the bottom line is...

Skystar's upbringing wasn't a supreme tragedy. He faced adversity just like everyone else, but he'd NEVER bring up the privilege that he had when he was young as something unfair to be examined. Tempest being a respected leader whose connections gave Clear Sky lots of opportunities is only spoken about in terms of Clear Sky being a "born leader" or "coming from greatness."

All of his charisma, his achievements, his command over other cats, that's all something he's "worked for." All of the adversities are examples of how strong HE is, in contrast to other cats, even if they went through the same exact struggles.

Why is he the way he is? Why is he so controlling? Why is he violent? Because he will take what he wants, and no one can stop him. He likes power more than he cares about the consequences of treating people poorly, so he cries "unfair!" if you take his toys away.

Stand by him and the rewards are sweet and delicious. Deny him what he wants, and he will crush you. He chooses how he treats you based on how much he likes you, and at the rotten heart of his behavior, is the simple choice to be this way.

[mpregandproud]

Isaac II (Part 10)

Time is flying by. It's been 5 years since my last delivery and Isaac and I have talked a lot about our life plan. While we have always dreamed of having a huge family, and we really have, we haven't had any more children since Andrew, Adrian, Jon and Michael were born.

And it's not because we didn't try, because shortly after Sandra, Cal, Patrick and Isaac became parents, we were overcome with an immense sense of fatherhood. But apparently men, just like women, have a time in our lives when we stop being fertile. As there are still not so many men with the capacity to get pregnant, there is not much information about it. But after three years of trying and failing to get pregnant, considering our history, our doctor told us that we are going through male menopause, andropause he called it.

I did not take the news well, although in the end, at 53 years of age, it was more than expected. If after giving birth to the quadruplets I was unable to regain the shape I had before giving birth, after the news this was mission impossible. I drowned in food the anxiety I felt knowing that I would never again be able to generate life.

You'll say I'm an idiot. After giving birth to 21 babies in two decades, and expanding the family with grandchildren, who would want to have more children. Really, anyone you tell that we wanted to experience pregnancy one more time would think we were crazy. It took me months to understand what the people around me were thinking, but it's complicated for someone who has built so much of his life these past few years around his pregnancies, this new scenario was complicated.

The good thing is that I had Isaac and the kids by my side at all times. My sister and my friends Lucas and Adam were a great help in understanding that I had to enter a new stage in my life, the grandfather stage. I already had six grandchildren, the children of Sandra and Cal and Patrick and Isaac, wonderful, beautiful children. Although I was still raising my youngest children, the prospect of more grandchildren filled me with excitement.

Dylan, Nate, Philip, Edward and Cristina, now out of college and working, introduced us to their various partners. Dylan had met Jessica, a beautiful girl who was Miss of her country, I can't remember where is she from. Cristina had Veronica as a girlfriend, and apparently they don't want to have children, they say they prefer to be the cool aunts. Edward is very reserved, but from time to time he let slip the name of a girl named Pamela. Philip was dating Peter, coach of the local soccer team and son of my friend Frank, whom I never imagined as part of my family. Nate, on the other hand, has inherited my husband's gift for flirting, so every now and then he would come home with a guy or girl he had just met and with whom he was already planning his life forever.

Sandra and Cal are still happily in love. They have decided to continue with Cal's parents' business, and not to resume their studies. Little Samba is the most handsome boy in the world, no wonder, having the parents he has. They got married a year after becoming parents, in a small ceremony with their immediate family and little else. They wanted an intimate celebration to celebrate their love with those closest to them.

Bruce, Ken, Charlotte, Ivana and Jason have started their college experience this year. This is not the case of Patrick, who decided to stop for a year to be able to raise his children with more attention during the first months. He and Isaac combine their studies with part-time jobs from Monday to Friday and full-time on weekends. Both have made their first steps as photographic models. As their parents we helped them as much as possible, although we were surprised by how clear their ideas about their life as a couple were. They lived in a small house that allowed them to live comfortably, but without too many expenses, in order to save and be able to progress later on. Two teenagers were giving a life lesson to four grown adults.

A few weeks ago, on the birthday of their sons Anton, Ian, Benji, Liam and Zach announced to us that they wanted to get married. They had been living together for a long time and deeply in love, so I guess it was the inevitable step in their lives. I cried like a little girl when Patrick told Isaac and I that he was getting married. In addition to the excitement of seeing a son get married, there was also the emotion of seeing myself very much reflected in the story of these two boys who, at just 20 years old, were living intensely the life they wanted.

Two months after the announcement, the big day arrived. Little by little the guests arrived at the venue. All our children and their respective partners, nieces and nephews, friends, some teachers, colleagues from work and sports teams… the room was filling up waiting for the two lovers. Sandra attracted many stares, especially from those who did not yet know that she was pregnant again.

While keeping an eye on our youngest children, I ran into Lucas and Adam, both impeccably dressed in gray. It seemed unbelievable that these two men my own age had this physique, with no exercise according to bastard Lucas, and I look like I'm eight months pregnant. It doesn't help that I've given birth to a good portion of the guests at this ceremony. And it also doesn't help that my husband has insisted on keeping me fat because it makes him so horny. I look more and more like my father.

After a few minutes Isaac arrived accompanied by his brother, Dan. The groom looked gorgeous in his navy blue suit, bow tie and a flower in his lapel. You could see him standing there looking so handsome and nervous waiting for Patrick to arrive. When he walked up the aisle he didn't talk to anyone, he was staring at the door of the venue, he was a bundle of nerves. Even with those nerves on edge we could see why he was dedicating himself to being a photo model. The boy was the spitting image of his father Lucas when he was young, the same Lucas I was madly in love with as a teenager.

Five minutes later Patrick arrived accompanied by my husband Isaac. Isaac looked spectacular, and I was reassured to see that he had also put on some weight in recent years, not as much as I had, but he was not as thin as when we first met. Although he has aged more than I have, he looked like a handsome mature Hollywood actor in his navy blue suit.

Our son stepped forward a bit when they arrived near the altar. The poor guy only had eyes for his future husband, Isaac. He walked briskly over to where he stood and took his hand, smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.

“Hold my hand you too, I'm about to burst into tears from excitement,” Isaac whispered in my ear as he sat next to me in the front row. I pinched his cheek tenderly and gave him a peck on the mouth.

After a few minutes of speeches from friends and family, Dylan, our oldest son and the master of ceremonies, invited the grooms to dedicate their vows to each other. The first to speak was Isaac.

“Patrick, I can't believe we're here, on this day we've dreamed of so much. We've been dating for six years, but I think I remember being in love with you for as long as I can remember. You were the mischievous little boy with the charming smile that I always wanted to play with when my parents took me to your parents' house. As luck would have it, we connected and time brought us together in a way I never imagined we would with you. I think all of us gays are scared to take the step of starting a relationship with our best friend in high school, but I will never, ever regret kissing you at the end of the hallway on the second floor of high school. You have given me the five most beautiful children in the world and you have filled every second of my life with light. I want to share with you the rest of our lives, expand our family and the happiness we share. I love you,” Isaac said. The audience applauded and he, deeply in love, kissed Patrick.

“What can I say now?” began Patrick, which was followed by some complicit laughter from the audience. “The gift of gab has never been my strong suit, but I've been writing down what to say now for weeks. I come from a huge family and grew up watching both my parents love each other deeply. I don't think I was ever aware of how much I wanted to build something that looked even the slightest bit like what the two of them had built. From a young age I knew I was gay, and I don't know why I thought that because of that very fact I wouldn't have the ease of having children that my brothers did. But then you came into my life. The boy I have been in love with since I was 5 years old. Our love was complicated, for some people we are like cousins and for others even brothers, but for me you have always been my best friend, and now the father of my children and the man with whom I share every moment of my life. You kissed me that fall day in high school, and my life changed forever, everything made sense. Since that moment I have wanted to share every moment with you. My friends and siblings know that I am not able to have a conversation, no matter what the topic, without mentioning you 20 times a minute, you complement me and you have made me grow personally and emotionally. Can I ask for more? I don't think so. I can't wait to put the ring on your finger and make official in the eyes of the law what has been official in our hearts and family for six years now. It will be the first step in the rest of our wonderful lives. I want you to join me on this journey. I love you, Isaac,” Patrick finished, planting a kiss right there for Isaac.

Dylan uttered the relevant questions and they both responded with a resounding “yes”, to which our eldest son told them “you can kiss the groom, or should I say husband”. The two melted into one, kissing passionately. The guests were clapping and throwing petals and rice at them. Lucas, Adam, Isaac and I were in the front row, four 55-year-old men crying like babies watching our sons united in marriage and sharing their happiness with everyone.

They went on a honeymoon in the Caribbean, and when they returned they told us that in a few weeks they would be moving to the big city because of a job offer they had both received. A modeling agency had noticed their wedding photos and wanted to sign them, for which they had to move to the city, where they would find the best job opportunities.

Since their departure we spoke to them very little, as they had an impossible schedule of photo shoots, catwalks and interviews. A year after their wedding, taking advantage of the fact that Lucas and Adam were with us at home, we made a video call with them. They looked overjoyed, deeply happy with their life together. They told us how they were balancing parenting their five children with a career as demanding as modeling.

“Dads, we have something to tell you, that's why we called you”, Isaac said on the other side of the screen. “We found out a few weeks ago and we wanted you to be the first to know. Isaac and I are going to be dads again, we're pregnant", said Patrick.

The end of Isaac II

This story will continue…

[v-arbellanaris]

PLEASE share about the Cullen Cult Arc

sighs. this is my second time writing this post ;~; literally why does the autosave option exist if tumblr doesnt actually bother to autosave anything, i dont fucking get it.

this is going to be much briefer than the original post i wrote because im still REELING over how tumblr just ate the entire fucking post. its fucking gone. and idk if i have the energy or mental capacity rn to rewrite the whole thing. basically, this arc - which is the arc i developed for him in vee verse - is the arc i think cullen should've had in dai.

firstly, i'm not retconning anything he said or did in dao or da2. this is because those things serve a narrative purpose. cullen is a good templar - that's the entire crux of the problem. he exists in these two games as a narrative tool; he represents the views of the chantry. as such, anything you do with his character arc cannot be divorced from the reality of the mage/templar conflicts, and the glaring issues of the chantry and must, actually, address and involve those things, because cullen is a product of his surroundings. i'm not saying this to minimise or give him excuses for anything he's said or done, but that is made true for him by his very positioning in the narrative as being the chantry's voice. for most of my playthroughs, which lean pro-mage, cullen is an antagonistic force - he has to say and do horrific things, and it would be stupid for me to retcon the horrible things he did.

secondly, my main issue comes from his writing in dai - probably to no one's surprise. i am not unopposed to having a redemption arc for him in dai - this is villain-fucking the blog, sorry not sorry - but the problem is that he does not have one. to have a redemption arc, the following two things needs to happen:

the realisation/acknowledgement/knowledge/whatever that he caused harm to people with his actions/inactions

addressing the False Belief that he has embraced that has previously justified his harmful actions/inactions in order to accept the Truth (this is just basic character narrative construction).

and dai fails to do both of these because the writing team in inquisition is physically incapable of admitting the chantry is wrong and has done wrong and will continue to do wrong. they are physically incapable of looking at fucked up power dynamics and clear cases of oppression and not going "but what if the oppressed people. wanted to be oppressed. NEEDED to be oppressed, even."

which leaves his character arc - whether you want to consider it redemptive or not - confusing. he's trying to shake a lyrium addiction? sure, okay. but why is he addicted to lyrium? why is being addicted to regular ol' lyrium bad? it's not blue lyrium that killed meredith, it's not blue lyrium that corypheus and samson are using.

you get confusing things like cullen's entire character arc being centered around lyrium addiction... but no one seems to give a shit if the inquisitor takes lyrium and becomes a templar, except cullen. you get confusing things like cullen's entire character arc being centered around recovering from lyrium addiction and the templar route in dai and you get to the scene where all the templars get their lyrium draughts. the ceremony and chanting and celebration around getting the lyrium, when barris takes his draught, which is frankly revolting. but it highlights the inconsistency - lyrium, this scene tells us, is good. because the templars are good, and they use it for good. yet cullen's entire arc is about overcoming his lyrium addiction, but don't worry!!!! templars are still good and lyrium is still good. its fucking INCOHERENT!!!!!!

he is addicted to lyrium because that is how the chantry maintains absolute control over its templars. it is a mind-altering substance that causes paranoia, which the chantry specifically takes advantage of and feeds with their all mages are inherently dangerous rhetoric, which is a false rhetoric, as i've pointed out before. but instead of acknowledging any of that, dai's writing goes "lyrium is Bad because [mumble mumble] and its So Important that he doesn't take it so that [mumble mumble]".

because the story is physically incapable of uttering anything even vaguely critical of the chantry.

so, this covers my main issue with his writing in dai. i would ideally try to fix it - without retconning anything he did in dao or in da2. this is what the cullen cult recovery arc is referring to.

i'm not going to go into it in too much detail but the templar order - inclusive of the seekers - fits a lot of the parameters of a cult. specifically, the BITE model, but also this checklist, and a whole bunch of other parameters i found when researching into cults for this specific reason. (which. makes sense. seeing how the orlesian chantry is was also technically a religious cult that becomes the main religion of the lands by actively slaughtering all the other sects)

but what's particularly interesting about it specifically is that, in-world, no one else seems to think it's a cult. for all of cullen's views, he is not the extreme end in da2 - alrik is. meredith is. what's particularly disturbing to me about cullen's point of view is that because he's a product of his environment, because he's a narrative tool representing the chantry's views, cullen's opinions and actions are actually a normality test. people in thedas don't find cullen's views repulsive because most average joes in thedas agree with him. i think it's easy to forget cullen isn't the outlier in-universe - we are.

but, canonically speaking, this is what happens: cullen, like most good antagonists getting a redemption set up, misses his chance to Embrace Change at the end of da2. he sides with meredith too late for it to matter or make a difference - mages (who you learn on the templar route, he's not exactly eager to kill) who he's supposed to protect are already dead. but what happens in kirkwall shakes him to his core and he looks to leave the order entirely - a good step.

the problem is that he leaves the order to join the inquisition. the inquisition, which is headed by the left and right hands of the divine. the right hand of the divine is a seeker herself. the inquisition is spearheaded and justified by the divine, who he has been trained for most his adult life to be subservient to. the divine who formed the inquisition to replace the templar order and hired him to essentially train and recreate the order.

worse, still. no one thinks he did anything wrong. kinloch was not his fault, it was the fault of greagoir and the older templars who were simply not vigilant enough, meredith told him. how he acted to keep order in the circle and the city after the viscount was executed is admirable, cassandra tells him. he was only following orders, leliana admits grudgingly, he stood up for what was right when meredith went too far. no one thinks he did anything wrong, because he is a good templar. because all the atrocities he committed were not committed against people - they were committed against mages, who are not people, not like you and me.

cullen hops from one cult to the next. the inquisition is the exact same thing he's always done and known, just repackaged - quite literally, considering the inquisition's symbol. but canonically, he thinks it's something different. he wants it to be different.

it's not, though.

so, the thought process behind my thoughts for him boils down to this: how does he get the language to describe exactly why this is wrong? how does he get the language to describe why it matters, why it's important, that he hurt real people? how does he get past the Lie that he believes - that he has to be a good templar, to stop anything like kinloch from happening again, since kinloch happened because they weren't vigilant enough, because they were too sympathetic to mages?

his arc shouldn't have just been about overcoming lyrium addiction. his arc should have been a story about recovering from being part of a hate group, a story about recovering from part of a cult.

there's several ways to go about it, i think. and if you want to specifically know how i'm going to do it, you guys should encourage me to write vee verse 😌

[luvrbug]

Hello, can I request a headconnon of the straw hat reacting to you dating the monster trio. If you can do poly that would be great. Thank you. Have a wonderful day.

hi! i don't write poly, but i can do these separately! I'm not super confident in my ability to write poly relationships u_u... also didnt include jinbe!! idk how to write him that well and i didnt want to fuck up his part

«─────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ───────────»

Luffy

▸ Nami and Usopp are in shock. Luffy? Blunt, completely romance aloof Luffy romantically involved with someone?? Someone like you??? Nami is really interested to see how much someone paid you for this...

▸ Zoro is indifferent, honestly. Good that you two are like, idk, smacking faces and doing all that mushy couple stuff. He's happy but isn't really that invested or suprised.

▸ Sanji is absolutely devastated if you're a woman/fem aligned at all. Grieving. Hes in complete denial that Luffy, who showers once a week and has the romantic capacity of a beetle could get you before he even had a chance... If you're a guy/male aligned sanji is a big supporter!! good for both of you. (still jealous but denies it. internalized homophobia !!!!!!!)

▸ Robin is the BIGGEST reason you even are together. Luffy's romance counselor. Wins award for most patient with Luffy's bullshit award. Proud mom vibes.

▸ Franky is probably YOUR romance counselor. He's got some experience in the department and doesn't mind giving advice. He's SUUUUUUPER supportive of you and Luffy !!! Proud father we love to see it.

▸ Brook is so sad..... do you think he could bribe Luffy with meat for your panties..? Jokes aside, Brook includes more romance songs in his rotation. Gotta set the mood for.. one person at least.

▸ Chopper is too busy attempting to take care of passed out nami + usopp and poor, depressed sanji to really celebrate....

Zoro

▸ Nami and Robin are at least 50% of the reason you and zoro are together. Zoro has the emotional awareness of a fucking rock and will just sit there and stew in his feelings for YEARS if no one does anything.

▸ Luffy is happy as long as his nakama are happy! Someone accidentally let it slip to him that zoro liked you and he just . said it straught to your face. A for effort!

▸ Brook and Sanji react the same way as if it were Luffy.

▸ Usopp is pretty happy! Nami has been complaining to him about how dense the two of you are for a couple months, so he's glad that's over. Glad that you found someone to love honestly.

▸ Franky thinks you two are a SUUUUUPER cute couple! Just happy his nakama are finally happy together.

▸ Chopper is now your surrogate son. He and zoro are close as hell and youre probably close with chopper too! familial snuggles.

Sanji

▸ Nami, Chopper, Usopp, and Zoro are all in Shock. Sanji? Pervert, flirts with every woman he sees, Sanji ... Settling down? With one person? And devoting (most..) of his attention solely on you??? None of them can believe this, and Zoro is disturbed at your choice in men.

▸ Brook sheds a tear... or would, if he had year ducts (yohoho!!), but he's happy for Sanji! And you, of course. cranks up the romantic jams at dinner.

> Franky and robin are once again the supportive parents of the group. Robin is glad Sanji has finally found someone to settle his... overbearing attention on, and Franky just loooves when people he care about are happy together.

▸ Luffy is SO using you to get more food from sanji. Im sorry but its what can and will happen.

[pisspope]

rei and zeke bday hcs cause like,,, why not (but also bc its what the ppl voted for)

tw: implied sex, references to canon typical violence

zeke

- its not that his parents didn’t celebrate his birthday at all its just,,, it was usually a small affair with influential PTA members and their kids. in other words, no one zeke got along with. very much a “seen not heard” while the grown ups sip mimosas type deal

- and of course zeke does everything in service of disappointing his parents so!!! its party time

- honestly u could try to throw a surprise party but good fucking luck this man is snoopy as all hell. every time ur out just a little too long with pieck or porco (they’re bickering over how early to buy balloons) he’s got u on the horn like “i know ur planning something”. would never accuse u of cheating bc he fully believes his own hype and knows u wouldnt DARE cheat on Adonis Himself (Narcissus more like but w/e)

- so yeah he’s probably at least a little involved in the planning of it all, wants to backseat drive because hes “not a loser who plans his own birthday party”. sending u screenshots from his notes app with his favorite colors, songs, what cake he wants, etc. lowkey insufferable

- day comes and you’ve rented out the kid’s bday party section of a bowling alley/arcade and filled it with every friend you can think of that isn’t vaguely shitty or hasn’t been burned by zeke in some way. so like… maybe 10 people, gabi and the kids included so they have a believable cover story if the staff asks who the party’s for. not that they’d care but zeke loves to play like he’s so sNeAkY and sHiFty by telling everyone it’s a party for udo or something.

- that man can BOWL and he’s an ass about it. the sorest winner in the world. in every universe he will knock down 10 or more little dudes with a rock and cheer and whoop and holler like an idiot. jeering at porco when he gets a gutter ball and you see reiner pull him aside like “just let him have it today. its his big day.” as if it is not ALSO reiner’s big day

- played with the idea of him getting a devil’s food cake and reiner getting an angel’s food cake for the lolz but he’s not sharing a party on his life so. coffee cake 100%, both because he likes it and because the kids don’t, which means more to take home. schemer that he is

- does ask for gifts but is pretty insistent about it being under 20 dollars (so he can see who overspent and ACTUALLY loves him. male manipulator). falco gets him an officially licensed sock monkey and he cries (pussy). whispering to u after that if his parents ever die horribly he’ll adopt him

- heading to the connected arcade after and, second verse same as the first, he kills at skee ball. breaks the record on each machine one after the other just to show off, gets all smirky holding the wad of tickets, talking about how he “does it all for uuuuu” and gives u the wettest sloppiest kiss on the cheek just to embarrass u

- does actually give u all his winnings tho. the high score, the posterity, the want to be remembered,,, the ego boost is enough, u can have the 2100 ticket pikachu plush <3 (u will never hear the end of this. i pity u)

- def gets home with his leftover dessert in hand and gifts in bags on his wrist, smile more genuine than usual. opening the door and letting u in, gifts and food quickly forgotten in lieu of giving you a proper thank you for helping put all this together

- 100% squeezing ur ass and asking if there’s any leftover cake for him, knowing it’ll make u roll your eyes but that you’ll relent bc the cheese is part of the charm (and boy when he gets that treat he asked for? he EATS)

reiner

- something something something same birthday complete opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of how they celebrate it

- wants his bday to be a nice quiet affair with the people he loves most, his little found family and maybe karina if hes feeling generous that year

- if u plan a party in any capacity hes gotta be part of the action! wants to hang streamers, balloons, any little things you decide on to spruce up your place for the event (please don’t call it an event he can’t handle the pressure)

- also u can’t have a cookout bday bc he will insist on working the grill the whole time. shark coded, will drown if he isn’t doing something 

- the party itself is extremely laidback, feels more like a big hangout. ordering 3 of his favorite type of pizza, bringing out beanbags and comfy chairs from other parts of the house so everyone can sit in the living room together. gabi and falco take the tv hostage to play video games and colt and bertholdt somehow get roped into it. it’s raucous, but comfortable.

- u and gabi collab on a homemade cake, but reiner is the baker in the family and gabi just likes the excuse to make a mess. end up making some easy cookies and buying a walmart sheet cake, and its a good thing, too, because just the sight of his name is enough to make him tear up. “you didn’t have to do all this” what, make a phone call to get ur name on a cake? the bar is on the floor unfortunately

- no presents because he can’t handle the pressure, but there’s a couple cards and his lip trembles over each one. zeke gets him a card that’s obviously for kids with stickers inside but he tears up at that one too because “it even comes with a little gift… so thoughtful…”

- rest of the party is spent doing more of the same, a couple beers are thrown back, maybe tosses a football around or something. very classic suburban white picket fence dream party. it brings reiner a quiet joy, one that he keeps close to his chest, a memory that he’ll look back on over and over.

- the guests start to filter out one by one until its just u and him, picking up paper plates, putting away leftovers. its all very domestic, it might actually be reiner’s favorite part. to just be with u in companionable silence, scooting around and putting the house in order. domesticity is something sacred that he never thought he’d have, and its a joy to share it with u.

- he INSISTS on sitting on the couch with u after, gives u those big eyes that he only gets when he wants u to pet his hair, falls asleep to one of his favorite comfort films with your hands on his head, totally content

- wakes up in the wee hours and carries u to bed like the big bear of a man that he is, not expecting anything of you, just wanting u to be comfortable. tucks u in and gives u a kiss like it’s your birthday or something

- and it’s not a gift bc reiner specifically requested no gifts, but if he wakes up to u wearing something special the next morning, something that leaves nothing to the imagination, i mean… maybe the party doesn’t have to be over quite yet

[cyb3rtarot]

Pick a Pile: autumn message + vibes + Halloween special

Hi everyone! I was not expecting this to be my first PAC but I felt called to do it. We’ll get a message of the season for you, the autumn vibes your energy gave off, and an extra message based on something spooky for Halloween! Hope you enjoy :]

Disclaimer: for entertainment only! The “autumn vibes” are Fall imagery that your energy reminded me of; “extra details” are real-life details of some people in the pile. I read with tarot, oracle, and my intuition. This reading used the Tarot of Mystical Moments, a recolored Smith-Waite tarot, and homemade oracle cards.

Pile 1 ➝Pile 2

Pile 3➝Pile4

Pile 1:

Message [the Empress rx, Death rx, the World rx|| ace of cups]: hi pile 1! You guys may be having trouble with the energy of release that the later months bring. There’s an overarching grief or melancholy for autumn; it feels like an emptiness where someone used to be. Try to have self compassion by getting extra rest and self care while you process emotions. Enjoying the celebratory or traditional energy of the holidays could brighten your spirits (even if you do something small by yourself); I do see many of you are very into Halloween and decorations. Pouring into self love and understanding is a good focal point. A portion of you are already in a committed relationship, and accepting the comfort and warmth of your partner will also be helpful.

Autumn vibes: black birds flying into a dusky sky, crystal balls, long black dresses, old movies, blurry/grainy videos, dark makeup and stiletto nails, matte lipstick, purple sunsets, hanging out with friends until night, denim jackets, dark rooms with old rugs, feeling deep nostalgia, looking through old photos and cameras, yellow street lights in empty parking lots, a vague but deep longing, skulls, pumpkins, visiting a relative, Warmth by Mityrion

Halloween extra—Vampire [five of wands, two of cups rx]: I channeled a vampire very strongly for you! Your energy came through before I decided to do the reading lol, you might have an imposing presence. There’s an alluring and magnetic aspect to you; others could feel hypnotized. The message I’m getting is you‘re attracting a lot of attention, and everyone wanting your energy may be overwhelming. Some of you have energy vampires around; those who make you ill at ease and are always seeking you even if it only causes conflict. You are more interested in solitude and peace. Some of you are content in a monogamous relationship and are getting bothered by others who have feelings for you. You may be bombarded with platonic or romantic invitations, and dance around people’s feelings with strategy so they don’t blow up at you. You are powerful and intelligent; make sure to protect your energy from draining sources!

Extra details: may tap fingers/fingernails on desk a lot, taking care of a grandma or was close to a passed grandma (for some of you I’m seeing white hair in a big bun/updo and circular glasses), missing passed loved ones in general. Meghan Markle or the British royal family could be significant? Black hair, curled bangs, interest in the occult. Twilight (both the time of day and the movies/books), “dark” feminine or femme fatale energy, someone madly in love or infatuated, Bojack Horseman, scorpio, 8th house, dances

~~~

Pile 2:

Message [the Moon rx, three of pentacles, Judgment|| the Sun]: hi pile 2! The energy of autumn you guys seem to be embodying is harvest and celebration! It looks like this year has been a journey in terms of healing repressed parts of yourself (heavily related to your Halloween message). After putting in the work, the current time is about enjoying the fruits of your healing. You’ve come out of the lessons with a greater capacity for appreciation and joy. For most of you, it looks like your loved ones or peers have been a big part of this growth; I do see you guys like to spend a lot of time out with friends. You have a clean slate for this new version of yourself, and you’re encouraged to continue basking in the blessings with those you love.

Autumn vibes: soft cotton flannels, knit hats (with pom-poms), boots, rural areas/small towns, orange leaves scattered everywhere, long walks, hanging out with your friends in the middle of nowhere until nightfall, hot coffee, hot chocolate with marshmallows, the woods, leather jackets, knit scarves, snowy mountains in the horizon, stepping on leaves even when they’re not crunchy, getting scared while exploring old buildings, local scary legends, snow crunching underfoot, trying to warm your hands, baking, drinking hot apple cider when it’s ice-cold out

Halloween extra—Cryptid [the Empress, the Star]: I channeled a cryptid for you pile 2! I don’t know a lot about specific cryptids, but I was mainly seeing something very hairy, humanoid, and bat-like. A small portion of you may resonate more with the Loch Ness Monster. The message I’m getting here is you guys have or are currently recognizing who you are and accepting that. In the past you may have conformed to others’ standards and this bred self hate or lack of self entirely. A place of self love and understanding is the focus, where you accept all your quirks and individuality even if others can’t. Some of you may be making peace with your expression of gender after turning away from it. You’re removing parts of yourself that are inauthentic or performative, and this is fueling the blessings you’re currently receiving!

Extra details: glasses (particularly a thick black frame), buying coffee (or hot drinks) out very frequently, taking aesthetic Instagram pics, the midwest, very cold Fall and Winter, small but close friend groups, light blonde hair, clumsy, hesitant, patient, moving somewhere warm or farther south; relatives with a thick Southern accent, bread, drawing/painting, millennials, the British Isles, Samhain

~~~

Pile 3:

Message [king of wands, the Emperor rx, the Fool rx|| the Sun]: hello pile 3! Interestingly, all the piles so far are getting similar advice in different fonts 😅. You are also getting a message about embodying the more joyous aspects of Fall’s harvest energy. You guys are in a mindset of doing what needs to be done according to your responsibilities and not much more. You may feel dissatisfied with the same old routine but not feeling up to doing anything else. This is the stoic farmer bringing in his crops to prepare for Winter rather than a lively harvest festival (metaphorically). You’re being encouraged to embrace that latter energy and warm your spirits in some Fall celebration—even if it’s finding ways to cheer yourself up in your head. Clouds do give way to sunshine!

Autumn vibes [TW paranoia, creepiness]: a single light on in pitch blackness, going to the kitchen in the dead of night, feeling alone yet watched, staring into the void, cloudy and dusty blue skies, cool coastal towns, eerie emptiness, liminal spaces, lighthouses, cold waves breaking on rocks, quiet solitude, lovecraftian-horror novels, the smell of tobacco, libraries in the evening, dark circles, feeling like the only person in the world, blurry faces in the distance

Halloween extra—Ghost [the Tower, the Empress]: many of you already feel like a ghost, disconnected from everything. A major upset happened that you’re still not “over.” This event shook you to the core and even destroyed some sense of self. Afterwards until now, you’ve been going through the motions and trying to survive, but not really “living.” However, I see that the metaphorical dust has settled. Now that things are not so unstable, you can come out of just “being” and start “doing.” What felt like the end was not, it was the prologue for something new.

Extra details: being blunt, the month of October or number 10 could be significant (besides it being Halloween), sitting in shopping carts, nihilism/apathy, smoking, denim jackets, the NorthEast US or cold, coastal areas. Reading. A town with a very small population. Big, empty parking lots, Lorde (particularly the song Team), feeling numb, grief, spooky video games, having lost a friend or friends being worried about you, being the breadwinner or living alone, dominant, money, spark of hope, standing alone on the beach

~~~

Pile 4:

Message [the Star rx, seven of wands, the Moon|| king of pentacles]: hi pile 4! It feels like you guys have been in a situation where stress is mounting very slowly but constantly. You could feel upcoming respite, but you’re not quite there yet. For a lot of you this feels like holding out for an upcoming break (maybe a holiday break). You guys are embodying the liminal, aimless energy that the last moments of the year bring. You may already feel like you’re in those strange days right before New Year’s where everything feels up in the air and you have no idea what’s going to happen; there’s a sense of not knowing what to do in the future. That’s what potential feels like! Autumn is reminding you that success and bounty comes out of uncertainty.

Autumn vibes: reading comic books in the evening by lamplight, making a big deal of your Halloween costume, trick or treating, costume parties, mounds of candy, watching the Sun fall behind the cityscape, old TVs, watching cartoons and funny Halloween movies into the night, wrapping in a tiny blanket, leaves brushing past while you walk, going to other neighborhoods to see the holiday decorations, varsity jackets, hands in your pockets, seeing your breath in the air, days getting short but feeling long, indulging childhood nostalgia, kids running down the street with capes, enjoying the cool air

Halloween extra—Shadow Person [the Star, page of wands]: for you guys, I’m channeling shadow people. I heard, “he’s just standing there… menacingly!!” Funnily, for other pile’s Halloween specials their energy and message matched the creature well, but for you guys it feels different. I think it’s because you have a more lighthearted energy, like if you were a shadow person you would troll people for laughs lol. Anyway, your cards seem to say the same thing! You guys have already gone in and out of really dark times—you’ve been in the shadow and separated your identity from it. Even if you’re in one right now, you’re not at the lowest point you’ve been and there’s potential for positive change. You’ve gone through the ringer probably more than once. You’re trying to ride the waves of life with a laugh after seeing the cyclical ridiculousness. You’re encouraged to use what you’ve been through to examine life from a new perspective of both light and shadow. Other people may not understand you at all without having your experience, but their perception doesn’t determine what you are or do.

Extra details: you guys may REALLY like comic book superheroes and villains (specifically DC; catwoman and the penguin? Also Spiderman), the hat man, goofy energy, conventions, an urban area with a lot of beige + brown buildings, swinging your hands while you walk, jacket pockets, high school, peace, religious friends or community, baptisms, lively churches, cartoon crossovers, planning to move once you finish this chapter of life, water is a very significant element; you might like sea animals, deep emotional world, strength, graduations, coming off as intimidating, not knowing what to do next, winter break, missionaries, Steve Lacy, Freddy Krueger

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

300 Follower Celebration Lorepost — Ceredell!!

Welcome back to another episode of Worldbuilding™! So happy to have new followers, and I can't wait to bore y'all with more world building!

Without further ado, let's begin!

Ceredell is one of the most complex regions in Triworld, with a vast history and more gore than the average slasher movie. Once upon a time, it was a flowering, forested region much like many others, whose name was lost to time. But one day, Terras, an artificer, discovered a way to generate magic. He thought to make his home flourish, and in the manner of mad scientists everywhere, endeavoured to do so by turning himself into a god.

He was successful. So successful, in fact, that he managed to wreck the whole of Ceredell, send it careening into a cursed land, and turn himself into the Void, in the process. (Read about that mess here) From that sunny, cheerful moment onwards, most bodies of water in the region that would come to be called were poisoned, things came out of the sea-turned-Void, and people died by the thousands. It grew so bad that in the northern provinces, living beings had all but died out.

That changed when a group of adventurers, led by fifth Prince Remington I of the southern kingdom Olip-Olep, decided to venture into and reclaim the cursed lands. There, they discovered that, while horrible things had sprouted across the lowlands, and fishing in the sea produced masses of rotting corpses, the mountains held something that made it all worthwhile: Soulstones.

Soulstones were an (up until then) incredibly rare gem that could store magical capacity. Much like diamonds formed under pressure, the concentration of magic was such that regular stone had been turned to soulstone, both sucking the worst of the curse out of the mountains and providing a foundation for an expanded Kingdom. So Remington I plopped himself in the long-abandoned castle of a king whose name has been forgotten (and named it something that has also long been forgotten), gleefully imported people over from Losaras and Olip-Olep, and set about to creating his new Kingdom.

Now, unbeknownst to him at the time, the tunnels he declared ‘mines’ were already inhabited, by spirits. They were a people made from the cursed dead, imbued with immortality, translucency, and more murder in their hearts than any mortal had previously seen. In their language, they had named the land Ceredell, or Mountain-home. King Remington I took that name from them, much like he took their homes and means of living. The spirits were, quite naturally, furious at the mortals' intrusion, forming the basis of a rivalry that would culminate in the Lich-Queen's coronation.

Though they fought valiantly, the humans overwhelmed their numbers, and the spirits were forced to flee to other lands. But that is a story for another day. 

King after King ruled the region, with a few Queens scattered in for good measure, the people of Ceredell came to find ways of surviving in the unforgiving lands of Ceredell, and life went on. They turned the river corpseflesh into stew, carved runes to float their cities far above the carnivorous monsters, and turned their undead homeland into a sanctuary. 

Then it all went wrong. The Void, all-knowing, all-seeing, all-traces of Terras gone, got its hands on three youths. Two sisters and a young man, each having strayed too close to Void. The two girls were found by guard-hunters, lost and precocious beyond belief. The elder sister, in particular, had the far-sight of an Oracle, and so the captain of the party brought her back to the castle. They took the little sister along for the ride, not suspecting it would be their downfall.

The girls were named Ramaeria, after wisdom, and Iraela, after the corpse-tree forest they were found in. Both names turned out to be accurate. 

Ramaeria grew up to be an Oracle of the highest calibre, gifted the world on a platter by the King. Her one flaw was her softness, her love for the cruel crown prince and her still crueller sister. She had seen their ends, seen how easy it would be to drown her blood and save the Kingdom, but could not. No, she watched her only family grow up from afar, too poisoned by fear to reach out and too struck with love to kill her.

Iraela grew up bitter and hateful, friend only to death and the books that lined the old library. Her very blood boiled with death, and the ability to reverse it. She looked out of her castle tower and saw her Queendom in the monsters that prowled the wilderness and the leafless trees. So, when she finally came into her powers, she struck without a second thought, to claim the throne she considered her right.

I could tell you the rest of the story of Iraela and the Lich-Queen she would become, but that would be spoiling you, would it not? Go read it here instead.

Now, an observant reader would notice the mention of a third figure: the man. Who was he? Why was he? What gift-curse did he receive from the Void? I have an answer for each of those.

The man was Maizen, Shatterer of Worlds, gifted a berserk fury and bloodlust that rivalled the Lich-Queen's. When she drank soup and dreamed of her heritage, he paved the way for her, scything through the southern cities of Ceredell, ripping society apart with wanton glee. One cannot truly say if Iraela could have taken over Ceredell without his help, if the forces of undeath would have been sufficient without the whirlwind of murder. One thing is for sure, however: He took a massive bite out of the armed forces of Ceredell.

Between the three fated ones and their choices (or lack thereof), Ceredell fell within two decades. All that remained were the Deadlands, home of ghouls, revenants, and the berserker bloodline, ruled over by an eternally vengeful Lich-Queen.

I suppose you could call it a bad ending. The spirits would disagree, however. The mortals who had taken their home from them, had gotten their just desserts at last. The ghouls would disagree too. They had finally found a home and a generous Queen. The berserkers, some Void-touched, some wanderers from lands that could not accept their curse, were grateful for a land that adored their blood-thirst.

For many, the Void was a saviour. Terras had achieved his goal, in a roundabout way. He had brought magic to the realm, and made it thrive. The locals weren't who he might have anticipated, and the route it took to get there sure did have a lot of genocide, but the outcome was as he wished for.

So, I suppose it might well serve a warning to you all— Be careful for what you wish for, for you might just get it.

Taglist:

@coffeeangelinabox, @dorky-pals, @calliecwrites, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @shukei-jiwa

@thewingedbaron, @pluppsauthor, @cowboybrunch, @wylloblr, @possiblyeldritch @ramwritblr, @urnumber1star, @fortunatetragedy, @bigwipscholar, @ratedn

@vampirelover890, @possiblylisle, @illarian-rambling, @the-ellia-west

@finicky-felix, @evilgabe29, @glitched-dawn, @rivenantiqnerd, @dragonhoardesfandoms

@drchenquill, @everythingismadeofchaos, @owldwagitoutofyou, @dimitrakies, @beloveddawn-blog

@riveriafalll, @the-golden-comet, @rascaronii, @trippingpossum (Anyone else who wants to get added can tell me in the comments, pm me, or send me an ask about it!)

[carmen-berzattos]

Thoughts on that ceasefire statement?

So I have several people asking me about this. I do have some thoughts, but you'll have to forgive me, I am only able to engage with this passingly.

I want to make a few things clear: I'm originally from Iraq. I do live in the U.S. now, but I grew up in Iraq. And like most Arabs, the Free Palestine movement is unquestionable for me. I have been an uneqovical supporter of Palestine my whole life. Which means the past couple of weeks have been excruciatingly painful. And the horrifying circumstances of it have taken over almost my every waking moment. That, coupled with my own childhood of living through a war which the past two weeks have been triggered again and again, have really tanked my mental health. I mention this to make clear that I will speak to this question just this once, to articulate some of my thoughts around it. In order for me to do the work for Palestine sustainably which I fully plan on doing, I need space to step away from it. I'm choosing this website with the pretty images to be said online space. So I will not engage in any further discourse after this. Even now, I will engage only as far as my mental capacity will allow. As I'm sure you can understand, I am utterly exhausted, and what little energy I have left is better expended elsewhere. I thank you for your understanding.

I want to start by pointing out something that I unquestionably liked about his statement, because I think it's important and a lot of people won't read this whole thing: His mention of the West Bank. The media attention has focused a lot on Gaza, and rightly so. But Palestinians in the West Bank have been suffering gravely for the past two weeks under the tyrannical rule of the settler colonial Israeli government. You should all go read about this and learn more. Palestinians are getting arrested, kicked out of their homes, being brutalised, harrassed, and murdered. It's starting to get *some* coverage now, but still not enough. This would also be my time to remind you that the West Bank is not at all controlled by H*m*s so like, bitch what's your excuse now?

the gist of my thoughts: Is Hozier a Palestinian freedom rebel? No, absolutely not. Is he a hateful supporter of genocide? Also, no, absolutely not. I think Hozier is a well-intentioned celebrity with passing knowledge of what's happening, a publicity team that curtails his words for better or worse, and who has a lot to lose if he missteps in any direction. Whatever we may think of his actual politics that we can glean from his music is not quite the same as coming out with a very clear statement that could put him, and a lot of the people around him at risk. And I mean that both physical safety and otherwise. I think saying something very overtly pro-Palestine could very well put a target not just on him and his team, but possibly on fans attending his concerts in droves right now, especially since he's in the U.S. right now which is a) not his country and b) the country that's primarily funding this war so like fuck me the pro-zionist sentiments here are still STRONG (I just got egged yesterday at a protest and wearing the keffiyah has genuinely made me fear for my life for the past couple of weeks). This may be disappointing (it is), but I frankly have very little energy left to truly feel disappointed. More than anyone, I would have loved for him to come out, blazing fires in his eyes, carrying the Palestinian flag. But alas, I knew that wouldn't happen except in my wildest dreams. I understand that people want to hold him accountable. But it does feel to me like expending this level of energy on a celebrity whose statement was frankly more nuanced than what even media outlets have said is just not where I'm at. I understand if that's where you're at. But it's not something that I can currently engage with.

This is the extent to which I am able to speak to this at the moment. I am sorry if it's not good enough or extensive enough. There's so much that you can pick at, the framing of it, the specific wording that he used. Again, for better or worse, but I just do not think this conversation is where my currently very limited supply of energy should go to. It is up to you whether this is where you'd like your energy to go <3

I hope you're all well. Sending you all so much love.

[avengerscompound]

The Interview - Chapter 14

The Interview - A Captain America Fanfic

Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Rating:  E

Warnings: smut (MF, vaginal sex)

Pairing: Steve Rogers x OFC Melody Danes

Word Count: 1879

Summary:  Melody Danes gets the break of a lifetime when as a lowly intern, she’s assigned to write a profile piece on Captain America.  Steve Rogers is a hard man not to fall for and as she and Melody get closer and Melody’s career takes off, jealousy leads to sabotage, and the potential to bring her whole world crashing down.

Chapter 14

When Melody and Bobbi were settled into their new apartment, they held a housewarming party.  It was a celebration of both the move and the change in their lives.  Melody was well and truly in the depths of her new job, and Bobbi had quit hers at the bar.  They were both in serious relationships.  Things were changing for both of them in good ways and they wanted to celebrate that with their favorite people.

The apartment wasn’t large but the pair set things up with music, drinks, pizza, and other snacks.  Melody couldn’t help but think about the parties she’d had back in college.  The only thing missing was the keg.  Maybe one day she’d be the dinner party type, but apparently, that wasn’t the case yet.

Most of Bobbi and Melody’s friends showed up before Steve or Bucky got there, and as Melody surveyed the room she started to worry Bucky and Steve were going to feel out of place.  Or worse, that their friends wouldn’t be able to be normal about them being there.  Neither man seemed like the type to go to a bunch of parties where everyone crammed into a tiny apartment and drank beer out of solo cups.  Maybe they’d be the cookout types, but not this.  Add to that both were famous superheroes and Melody and Bobbi’s friends were pretty far from famous, they could get swarmed and asked for selfies or autographs, even if they had all given the talk about treating Steve and Bucky like normal people.

“You think Bucky and Steve will be okay?” Melody said as she moved up beside Bobbi.

Bobbi turned and shrugged, her face scrunching up a little.  “It might be a little much for Buck.  He has come to the bar to see me a few times, but he didn’t seem to like the crowds or how loud it got.”

“It’s not going to get so loud here,” Melody said.  “And it’s not super crowded.”

“Yeah but the crowd might be more intent on him than they are at Stonewall,” Bobbi said.  “He’s okay with people wanting to meet him, but I think if they’re all over him, it might not be easy on him.”

Melody frowned.  “Steve’s used to it, but he goes into work mode.  I really don’t think this will be his scene.”

She shrugged.  “Can’t change everything about yourself for him right?  It’s one night.”

Melody sighed and nodded.  “Yeah.  I guess you’re right.  I’m sure he’s been to worse events than this.”

“I mean, I can guarantee they both have,” Bobbi joked.  “That’s kind of their job.”

The men arrived not too much later along with Sam Wilson.  There had been a hope that they’d be able to talk him into coming.  Melody and Bobbi had invited Matthew along and the group was hoping they might hit it off.

“You made it!” Melody said, practically skipping over to the door.  She wrapped her arms around Steve’s waist and got up on her tiptoes to steal a quick kiss.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” Steve assured her.

She pulled back and gestured the three in.  “Come in, come in.  Let me get you all a drink.”

“I might go find, Bobbi,” Bucky said, looking around.

“She’s in the kitchen,” Melody said, patting his metal arm as he passed.

“You sure this place isn’t exceeding capacity,” Sam joked, following her to the makeshift bar set up on a side table.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure the fire marshal will be very upset with us,” Melody joked. “What can I get you both?  No wait, you know what, let me introduce you to someone.”  She looked around and spotted Matthew by the window.  She waved to him. “Matt.  Matthew.  Come make some drinks for my friends.”

Matthew came sidling over.  He was wearing black jeans and a black fishnet shirt that showed off his toned physique.  He was practically glowing as he approached.  “Hey.  Is this the beau I’ve been hearing so much about?”

“It is,” Melody said.  “Matt, this is Steve.  Steve - Matt used to work with Bobbi as Stonewall.  And Matt, this is Sam Wilson.”

Matt smiled and held out his hand. “It’s a real pleasure,” he said as he shook Steve’s hand and lingered as he shook Sam’s.  “I mean it.  A real pleasure.  All you guys do for the world.  I’m honored.”

“I’ve been meaning to get to Stonewall,” Sam said and looked at Steve.  “That’s a big historical site.  It was the site of some riots in 1969 because the police kept raiding it.  It’s publicly recognized as the start of the gay rights movement.  It was a popular gay bar at the time.”

“Still is,” Matt said.  “And I’d love for you to come by.  I’d buy you your first drink.”

Sam smiled and gave him a small nod. “Then I’ll have to get out there soon,” he said.

“So,” Mat said, clapping his hands together.  “Can I make you both a drink?”

“I’m not much of a cocktail drinker,” Steve said.

“Then I know exactly what to make you,” Matt said and grabbed the rye whiskey.  He mixed up a Manhattan for Steve and then an old fashioned for Sam.  As he was mixing the old-fashioned, Melody led Steve over to the food, just to give the two men some room to get to know each other.

“You think they’ll hit it off?” Steve asked, looking over at them.

Melody shrugged.  “I hope so.  Matt’s a really good guy and pretty political.  He goes to a lot of rallies and protests.  But there is a big gap in lifestyle between bartender and Avenger.”

“That’s true, but the same can be said for a journalist and Avengers and we’re doing well aren’t we?”

She smiled and tucked herself into his side. “I like to think so.”

“Yeah, me too,” he said and looked down at her.  “I love you, you know?”

Melody blinked up at him.  She hadn’t been expecting that at all, especially not in the middle of a crowded room while a Hozier cover of an Arctic Monkeys’ song played.

“You don’t have to say it back,” he said.  “I just wanted to make sure you knew.”

“No, no, no,” she said quickly, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “I just wasn’t expecting it here.  I pictured you being the big declaration of love type.  But this is better.  I love you too.”

He put his drink down and leaned in, kissing her deeply.  His hands went to her cheeks, cradling her jaw as his thumbs stroked her skin.  She felt like she was floating.  She was in love with Steve Rogers and he loved her right back.  Even if she still had the occasional frat house-style party.  She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him in closer to her.  Steve pulled back a little and looked down at her.

“Don’t get yourself too worked up there,” he teased.

“Me?” she yelped. “You started it.”

“I can sure you, ma’am, I would never,” he teased.

“Come with me,” she said, taking his hand and leading her toward her room.  He laughed quietly and shook his head as he followed along.

She closed the door behind him and put her hands on his chest.  “Couldn’t wait at all, huh?” Steve teased, his arms circling her waist and pulling her close. “Was it the ma’am that got you all hot and bothered?”

She laughed.  “It was absolutely not the ma’am,” she said. “I would be happy if you never called me ma’am ever again.”

He laughed and leaned in and kissed her, his hands sliding down over her ass and back up under her skirt, smoothing over the lace of her panties.  She pushed her ass into his hands as her hands trailed down to his belt.  “Steve,” she whispered.  “I want you to fuck me against the wall.”

“Your wish is my command,” he teased and kissed her again, backing her up against the door.

She hastily pulled down her panties without breaking the kiss, and Steve chased her lips as she ducked down to push them past her knees, but they never once broke apart.  As she pulled down her panties, Steve unfastened his pants, and when his cock was free, he fished in his pocket and pulled out a condom.

Melody took it from him and tore it open.  When she’d rolled it in place, he lifted her suddenly and pressed her against the wall.  With a quick stroke, he was inside her, and her moan was being muffled by his lips as a jolt ran straight up her spine.

Steve didn’t give her any time to adjust, he just started to thrust into her, each stroke shoving her against the wall. She clung to him, her nails digging into the corded muscles on his back as he fucked her.  They continued to kiss, using it to muffle their moans.  Steve’s movements were frantic and unrestrained.  He fucked her fast and deep, trying to make this quick, so they don’t draw too much attention to themselves.

Steve kissed along Melody’s jaw. “Touch yourself,” he whispered, his voice a low gravel against her ear.

She shivered and slid a hand between their bodies and began to play with her clit.  He began to suck on her pulse point and his hands tightened on her hips.  With all the different points of stimulation, Melody quickly began to fall apart.  Her whole body buzzed as hot currents ran up and down her spine, and spread out through her like wildfire.  Her head fell back against the door and she clenched her teeth as she bit back a moan.  It made her whole body clench and she bucked against Steve, as her orgasm rapidly approached.

She stopped rubbing her clit, and grabbed Steve’s face, pressing her forehead against his, and looking deep into his eyes.  “I love you, Steve,” she moaned.  “Fuck, Steve.  I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” he said, his hips stuttering.  “Melody.  Sweetheart.  You’re my heart.”

He kissed her again, and she pushed her hands into his hair as she kissed back frantically and needily, nipping and sucking at his lips.  Her orgasm hits, taking her over completely and she shudders against the door as her toes curl and her cunt clenches and squeeze Steve’s cock, milking him.

Steve’s hips stuttered as her orgasm brought his on too, his balls tightened and he jerked forward, shoving her hips against the door as he came, his cock pulsing inside her.

They stayed like that as Steve’s cock emptied and then stilled.  Their kissing went from frantic and passionate to deep and tender, and very slowly Steve slipped from inside her and set her on her feet.

“I love you,” Melody whispered as she finally broke the kiss.

Steve smiled softly and brushed her hair back from her face.  “I love you too, Mel,” he said and pecked her lips once more.  “Now, we better straighten up and get back to that party or they’re gonna know what we’re up to.”

“Good idea,” she said and stole one last kiss.  She didn’t have the heart to tell him, they all likely already knew.

// NEXT

[ask-a-bot]

Alright, alright, let’s change this around shall we? Instead of berating each other with what we don’t like about each other, how about we encourage and uplift one another? I’ll go first:

Optimus: your dedication to the protection of life and freedom is legendary. You seek the good of those around you and do your best to be the peace maker in any given situation.

Megatron: your wish for justice and fairness for all is just as admirable as your desire to repent from your past. Your repentance of your wrongs and your perseverance in making things right should be celebrated and commended.

Bumblebee: Your joyous personality has the ability to make everyone’s day better and brighter. Your friendship with others is priceless.

Starscream: Your desire to learn is so amazing to see! You have a wide range of talents, and seeing you grow your talents in meaningful ways is beautiful!

Hot Rod: You are very sensitive to how other people feel, which makes you an amazing friend to be around! You are wise beyond your years, and I believe others can learn a lot from you and your sensibilities.

Kup: Hot Rod’s behavior and growth is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice you put into raising him. Your loyalty has no bounds, even going as far as staying loyal to Prime’s command even when others demanded/tempted you to stop. You’ve worked long and hard.

Now, it’s your turn, guys. Say something uplifting about one another.

🤨 I think you said it all for me.

I'll have a try. I like that Megatron was one of the first to welcome us. I like that Optimus has been really trying to make up lost time. I love Kup for always looking after me, even when I made it hard. I like that Star's been teaching me stuff about Earth and spending time with me. I like that Bumblebee's a teacher now.

OK... I've done this before, but I'll try it again.

Megatron, I admire your courage. It takes guts to rebel and lead a crazed faction like the Decepticons, but it takes all the more to admit you lost your way and try to set things right.

Kup, taking Hot Rod on has to be one of the most selfless acts of sacrifice to have taken place during the war. You say it was a pleasure and I don't doubt it, but I know you wanted to keep on fighting. Thank you for doing as I asked.

Starscream, your creativity and inquiring mind make you quite unique. You're always trying something new, learning and adapting.

Bumblebee, your ability to befriend humans has always made interspecies relations look easy. Your friendliness, polite attitude and optimism are your best points. Dot and Alex have grown to consider you a son or nephew. I can see why.

Hot Rod, I am impressed by the young mech you have grown into. Kind, confident, fun to have around. Truly, you're a credit to Kup.

Wow! Thanks, Optimus.

Optimus, I appreciate all that I have learnt and continue to learn from you. You are faithful and... and... a better leader than I could ever hope to be.

Starscream-

Uh-oh...

Where are you going? Sit down. Your love for music, games, art and... and... well... all that interests you... Optimus phrased it better than I. Hrrgh...! I admire your tenacity. Your desire to learn and adapt. Your... drive. You will make a great leader one day, but you still have a lot to learn. At the moment.

Kup, Hot Rod. I have only known you both a short while, but you have already taught me much.

Bumblebee, like Starscream, I see in you the capacity to lead well if you work hard and learn.

As a race, we all have much to learn.

I don't know what to say. I thought my speed and scouting skills were my only good points.

You've got a lot of good points, young'un. It's just that you've still got a lot to learn.

Hot Rod, I like that you're a bigger dumbaft than I am-

Bumblebee!

OK, I think we'll call time on this little exercise for now.

Good idea. For now, I think we have had enough.

[allergictocolor]

Character Profile - Fester Addams

“[Uncle Fester] is incorrigible and, except for the good nature of the family and the ignorance of the police, would ordinarily be under lock and key. The complexion, like [that of] Morticia, is dead white, the eyes are pig-like and deeply imbedded, circled unhealthily in black - no teeth and absolutely hairless. He likes to fish but usually employs dynamite or any other unfair means. He keeps falcons on the roof which he uses for hunting. His one costume is a black greatcoat with an enormous collar - summer and winter. He is fat with pudgy little hands and feet.” - Chas Addams

We’ve already gone over the fact that Charles Addams did not fashion Gomez after himself. He actually stated more than once that Fester was “like me - or how I feel I look - with a bit more hair.” Fester was sometimes pictured with the family, but more often alone, just being a weird creep. Perhaps Charles Addams, with his dark sense of humor, saw himself as a weird creep, and saw Fester as his avatar.

Charles Addams never specified how Fester was related to the rest of the family. In the descriptions he wrote for the producers as the show was in development in 1963, he didn’t even say whether Gomez and Morticia were married, or what their last name was. I’m not sure whether he was even aware the TV family was being named after him, but more on that in the Grandmama post.

The show itself doesn’t really make it clear right away where Fester fits in the family tree. Most of the family members refer to him as “Uncle Fester”. Gomez explicitly says, “He’s my uncle” more than once. Early in the second season, Gomez and Morticia celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary and tell everyone the story of how they met. In the flashbacks, Fester is Morticia’s uncle, brother to her mother. The actor who played him, Jackie Coogan, was about 16 years older than the actors who played Gomez and Morticia, so it could make sense that he was a generation older.

As the first actor to play the character, Coogan got to pick Fester’s voice and mannerisms, which have endured for the most part in all following iterations. He has a nasal voice and goofy manner. Even at his most menacing, there’s an aura of slapstick to him, as if all three Stooges were reincarnated simultaneously in him.

The 60s TV show made great use of those trick light bulbs you can still buy today to demonstrate Fester’s magic power of generating electricity. This seems to have been created just for the show, and it’s commented on many times. Gomez relies on Fester to power several small appliances around the house, and they consult a doctor when his electrical capacity wanes. It also manifests as electromagnetism, allowing him at one point to attract a metallic paperweight to his hand. In the 1991 movie, a bolt of lightning allows Fester to regain both his memory and his electrical ability. In the Netflix series, he demonstrates this ability for dramatic effect and to save a life.

In the sitcom, Fester spends a lot of his time in the family’s “playroom”, also known as the dungeon. He naps on the bed of nails, sometimes with concrete bricks as a pillow. He gleefully offers the iron maiden as a place for guests to chill out. He frequently uses a press to alleviate his chronic headaches. (Not a completely unfounded treatment. I sometimes wear a tight hat for mine, and it works!) The original comics depicted torture equipment, and the family’s love for these things endured beyond the sitcom. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar playroom if some of the action in season 2 of Wednesday takes place in the mansion.

Another thing that comes up often in the sitcom is Fester’s search for love. Many times, he has a pen pal (how to catfish people before the internet) or tries to find a date in some other way. This is an uphill battle for him, due to his appearance and lifestyle. While Gomez is ridiculously wealthy, that doesn’t seem to extend to the rest of the family. Fester is living there rent-free, and doesn’t have a job.

In the 1991 movie, The Addams Family, Fester is Gomez’s older brother and therefore heir to the family fortune, and he’s manipulated into taking over the mansion and kicking the rest of the family out. Of course, there’s a happy ending, just like in a sitcom. In the sequel, Fester’s romance is central to the plot, and once again he’s manipulated. But his best match is someone just like him. Similarly, in the 2019 animated film, he ends up with someone who is off-putting to everyone else.

When Fester shows up in Wednesday, we only learn a little about him. He has the same nasal voice, wardrobe, and electrical ability. In this story, he’s a criminal on the run, a former mental patient, and proud of both. He mentions that he can crack a safe (something the sitcom version did back in the 60s), but Thing does it instead. He drinks a bottle of ketchup and tries to eat some bees, but Wednesday stops him. In that one episode, he provides enough information about himself and his past to potentially make some people want more.

It appears that Netflix is working on a spin-off series based on Fester, but if they’re smart it won’t be based on Fred Armison’s version of the character. He certainly did a fine job, but most of what made Wednesday successful was the age of the characters and the school setting of the series. I think that if they want to make a successful spin-off about Fester, they’ll focus on some earlier part of his life, possibly even the time when Gomez and Morticia were in Nevermore and he “dropped in” on them, “usually with a knife between [his] teeth.”

[bri-sonat]

NSFW Questions About Gwen's Big Five - Part Eight

Questions are taken from this. The original poster deactivated their account, so it's the reblog that is linked. All the questions are modified and some are removed (either because the question had already been answered or because it referred to hetero relations.)

NSFW Questions About Gwen's Big Five Masterlist

Finally, the long overdue last part in this installation until mine and daydream’s next venture. Thank you for coming on this smexy journey will us! It has been, as always, a team effort between @daydream-cement and I. With the occasional assistance from my love, @na-shoba. Until next time!

Are they into any BDSM?

Brienne: No.

Larissa: Light bondage. 

Lucifer: They are into lots of things and BDSM is one. All you need to do is ask and they will participate happily. 

Phasma: …Yeah.

Miranda: Some bondage. She would even do handcuffs too. Not much more. 

Have they ever wanted to have sex with someone but knew they couldn't for any reason? Why?

Brienne: No.

Larissa: Yes. Morticia after she was with Gomez, but she was taken so she wouldn’t have an affair. 

Lucifer: There aren’t many out of Lucifer’s reach. 

Phasma: No, she gets what she wants.

Miranda: For the most part, she wants to have sex with obtainable people (besides the fictional characters and the celebrities that play them)

Do they like dirty talk?

Brienne: She’s not very good at it, but she tries her best and she enjoys being talked dirty to in some capacity.

Larissa: Absolutely! She loves her dirty talk to be banter that encourages whoever is dominating her to be rougher. 

Lucifer: Yes they do! They love to whisper filthy things and have filthy words spoken back. 

Phasma: Phasma is always spewing the most vulgar, godless, sinful, crass, filthy, depraved, perverted, crude, dirty talk known to mankind.

Miranda: YES! She likes talking dirty and receiving dirty talk.

Are they loud or quiet during sex? 

Brienne: She can be both but she prefers staying silent for a few different reasons.

Larissa: She starts out quiet and it slowly builds, getting louder and louder. 

Lucifer: Depends on the situation.

Phasma: Both. Depends on where she is.

Miranda: Loud. She is rarely quiet. 

Have they ever been interrupted during sex or masturbation? By who/what?

Brienne: It could possibly happen, but hasn’t happened yet.

Larissa: That one time in the locker room in high school when she and Morticia were caught by François. 

Lucifer: Interruption should only be under dire circumstances. 

Phasma: No one would dare interrupt.

Miranda: When the visiting detective fucked her in the storage room, she didn’t get to return the favor when someone came searching for the detective. 

What kind of porn do they like to watch?

Brienne: Her partner’s porn.

Larissa: Lesbian porn, made by lesbians for lesbians. 

Lucifer: Not a huge fan of porn.

Phasma: Lesbian porn, obviously made by lesbians for lesbians. Not for the male gaze.

Miranda: Amateur lesbian porn with plenty of cunnilingus. 

Have they ever confessed to someone that they made them horny and they masturbated to the thought of them? 

Brienne: No. Maybe when she and her partner have been together long enough that nothing can embarrass her anymore.

Larissa: She admitted it to Morticia once.

Lucifer: They don’t masturbate often, but they do share their impure thoughts with their partner. 

Phasma: In hints.

Miranda: When she and her partner get close enough to share that information.

Have they ever masturbated because their sexual partner wasn’t there when they needed them?

Brienne: No.

Larissa: Yes. 

Lucifer: No.

Phasma: Yes.

Miranda: Yes. 

Have they ever had a one-night stand? Do they still keep in contact with them?

Brienne: She has not had a one-night stand, but if she did, she would feel bad if she just ignored them so she keeps in touch, bless her heart.

Larissa: Yes, and no she didn’t keep in contact.

Lucifer: Yes, and no.

Phasma: Yes. Many. Not really, she contacts them when she wants a quick lay.

Miranda: Yes, and yes. 

Have they ever had friends with benefits? Are they still beneficial?

Brienne: No.

Larissa: Yes, especially when she started as headmistress. It was easier than having a full-on relationship.

Lucifer: Absolutely. 

Phasma: Friends? It's more of a acquaintances/people-with-benefits kind of thing. And they are all very beneficial.

Miranda: Yes, she has, but no they are not friends any longer.

[asteriskdisasterisk]

idk I just think that the Hero and Partner taking turns to teach the other something important just by being themselves is so good. Specifically with trust, while they were stuck in the future and after in the post-game.

I imagine that when Dusknoir betrayed Lex and Ollie, they were both equally devastated, but Lex couldn't be surprised. Yes, he never felt so close and connected with someone before, but with Dusknoir's status as a celebrity and the way he acted with such bravado most of the time...Lex just couldn't be surprised.

But Ollie was. She was heartbroken and disbelieving. She had so much respect and admiration for Dusknoir, wanted to be just like him, refused to believe that his kindhearted actions were entirely fake.

When Grovyle told them the truth, Lex was already primed to believe it, he had tossed away any doubts the second Dusknoir grabbed Ollie to pull them into the dimensional hole.

Ollie couldn't, wouldn't, believe it. Even if it made sense. In the moment, it felt much more rational to face Dusknoir and any potential danger he brought instead of listening to Grovyle.

And so Lex had to stop her. He had to get through to her. She couldn't understand how he was so calm through all this, but the truth is he was tired. Lex may not remember his past, but there are some experiences that stick with you forever. Even if he couldn't understand it back then, his initial instinct to not trust Dusknoir was a warning.

He reminds her of Drowzee, of how his seemingly good actions were all a means to an end. "If someone shows you who they truly are, you have to believe them."

It's with some struggle, but Ollie believes Grovyle's words in the end. Dusknoir's further actions would only validate them more.

But then, you know, Dusknoir has his redemption arc. And obviously Lex and Ollie are not very willing to take this at face value, regardless of Grovyle's insistence that it's genuine this time.

Over time, Ollie would see him make the effort to prove himself and eventually trust that it really was genuine. She had seen and experienced so much since being in the dark future. With Team Skull giving her the relic fragment when it mattered most, with Drowzee and his transformation into a good and helpful citizen, and with Grovyle, of course, revealing his selfless nature when he was once known as a thief.

Dusknoir wasn't too much different. He had the capacity to change, like anyone else. There was the warm feeling of hope in her heart.

Lex couldn't, wouldn't, accept it. Even when the evidence was in Dusknoir's favor. There was too much risk in trusting him again.

And so Ollie talked to him. Had to prove it to him that Dusknoir could be their friend. He couldn't understand how she could just forget what happened. Ollie wasn't naive. Of course she never forgot, and she may never find it in herself to forgive either, but it wouldn't be fair to not give Dusknoir a chance.

There was good in him and she was more than willing to let him show it. "Everyone deserves the chance to change."

It's with great apprehension, but Lex eventually comes around to the idea of Dusknoir being genuinely redeemed.

I just...idk. I really like how these two balance each other. When someone learns that the truth can be as cruel as it is necessary, and in turn they can teach that kindness is a choice we must make to better the world and the people around us...

idk man im soft dont touch me im Having A Moment-

[selfproclaimedunicorn]

4, 16 and 21 for the tav questions!

Thank you, omg, somehow I did not anticipate one of these 😅. Also I'm doing this for both my Tavs because I love Mardora & Guemarir equally

4: What would your Tav's romance scenes look like? How many would they have?

For Mardora, I think she'd have 4 if you picking her to spend time with at the Tiefling party counts? The first one/tiefling party would be pretty lowkey & sweet. Drinking together to celebrate & having a quick little kiss before Mardora sends Tav/Durge to bed because "we should make this choice with clearer heads;" the second one (also in Act 1) would be a "we have clear heads now" followup. Third scene is after you've unlocked some quest progression you can only do in Act 2/learned her backtory & Tav/Durge gets the option to be like "Mardora, you don't have to take care of me, let me take care of you this time" (save her from being a people pleaser, please). And then finally, in Act 3, there'd be a really sweet star gazing scene where she talks to Tav/Durge about dwarf stuff & reveals she's been calling them the sappiest, most intimate-&-reserved-for-life-partners pet-name in existence ever since hitting "excellent" opinion/reaching Act 3 (depending on when you hit scenes/vs approval)

Guemarir feels a little tougher to figure out because you are definitely, 100% able to flirt with him from moment 1. You meet that man & you are immediately able to tell him how pretty he is & how much you want to hit (because believe me bestie, he's doing the same). I think he'd have more than Mardora just by virtue of his own sluttery. Maybe 5? I do not know what is a normal amount of romance scenes because I've only finished Lae'zel's & I'm maybe only halfway done with Astarion's? This ain't about them though.

So I think Guemarir's tiefling party night would be him promising to stop being a tease & finally give Tav/Durge that dick after the party's died down & he's not entertaining people with his ✨️dulcet tones✨️ anymore. The second scene is about Guemarir having tiefling angst & daddy issues because by this point the refugees are on the way to Baldur's Gate & you've definitely encountered his dad, so he's having a rare moment of depth; Tav/Durge has the option to comfort him & give him a lil smooch, mayhaps cuddle by the fire at camp. Scene 3 is at the beginning of Act 2, & Guemarir apologizes for his moment of vulnerability "won't happen again, silly manwhore hours only from here on out," & Tav/Durge can talk him through not having to put on a persona with them because of sincere feelings. Guemarir is taken aback, but jazzed because this is new territory for him. Scene 4 is Guemarir trying very, very hard to take Tav/Durge on a "date" at camp; he made dinner, there's a tablecloth on a stump, he lit candles, he plays a love song on his lyre. It's very precious & he is doing his best to do sincere romance instead of "wham, bam, thank you ma'am/man." Last scene is in Act 3, Guemarir invites Tav/Durge to hang out with him & he has a really sweet talk with them about being grateful for them giving him the opportunity to have a romantic relationship instead of just a bunch of random hookups, Guemarir & Tav/Durge can fuck at the end of this scene, though.

16: What do they do for fun when not adventuring? What are their hobbies?

Mardora is a huge book worm, she reads a lot when not adventuring. Maybe not as much reading as Gale, but enough to discuss books with everyone's favorite magic item eating wizard to a pretty satisfying capacity on his end. She also keeps a very meticulous journal, & she knows how to make jewelry. She's not good at it, but she can do it, & being able to do something even kinda rudimentary with metal is a source of pride for her because Dwarf.

Guemarir's whole thing is being a wandering bard (and slut), so he's mostly just playing music. I feel like he's dabbled in poetry & writing his own compositions, but never in any kind of serious way he likes showing to people. He also knows a lot about tea & is a pretty decent cook!

21: Describe a defining moment from their past which makes them who they are today!

When Mardora was the dwarf equivalent to, like, 10, she got separated from her mom while they were out-and-about, & it was a priest of Moradin who calmed little Mardora down & helped her. That plus getting the virtues of the dwarffather & of helping others in a personal, one-on-one way while looking for her mom left a big impression & very much laid the foundations for a lot of later events that turned her into the Mom Friend Ultimate Good Guy she is by the start of the game.

13-year-old Guemarir was forever altered when he met his dad for the first time & found out he's the son of his mom's patron. Until then he just kind of...had not questioned why a half-elf's kids were tieflings? He probably had some theories about a tiefling baby daddy, but learning him & his 2 siblings are fully a demon's kids & that he's got boocoo half siblings left an impression. Especially since his dad is just, like, really invested in having a lot of (his own) kids at his disposal "if he needs them." That whole thing just really made him...kinda judgemental & gave him some very, very hard stances on making deals with devils.