#command-and-control leadership

[alianoralacanta]

OP's interpretation, if the notes Frank Herbert left behind, is somewhere close to the intended interpretation: There is definitely an implicit warning, in a lot of my work, against big government . . . and especially against charismatic leaders. After all, such people-well-intentioned or not-are human beings who will make human mistakes. And what happens when someone is able to make mistakes for 200 million people? The errors get pretty damned BIG! I'd also like to add: taking steps to try to make the hierarchy less vertical (as Paul attempted when refusing to kill Stilgar and when explicitly raising Chani's status above her official position in front of everyone) will not, by itself, avoid the trap. Actual avoidance of this takes a quite different imagination to the sort that would plan to reach the top of a pre-existing vertical hierarchy in the first place. (So different that Frank died before figuring out a fully satisfactory approach to the problem, despite releasing six books in the sequence and starting to plan a seventh).

I know people like to interpret Paul as an outright villain of the story and while that's not unreasonable, I personally love another interpretation.

It doesn't matter if you are a kind person with good intentions, it doesn't matter if you are smarter that anyone else and it doesn't matter if you can literally see the future, NO ONE has the right to hold absolute power over other people.

Systems with strict vertical hierarchy cause oppression. There is no way around it. Even that one guy who you think is better than that shouldn't be put at the top.

Paul being portrayed with many positive character traits doesn't muddy the message, it enhances it.

[hiddenincommand]

The Apex of Authority: The Unrelenting Power of Fall-Fronted Leather Breeches

In the unassailable hierarchy of dominance, power is not merely an attribute—it is an absolute state of being, a force that consumes and commands. Fall-fronted leather breeches are not garments; they are emblems of an Alpha’s supremacy, molded exclusively for the one who leads with an iron will. Only a true Alpha, unyielding and devoid of weakness, is worthy to wear them. For these breeches do not accept mediocrity; they repel it, scorning any lesser being who dares to even dream of such privilege. To suggest that a coward, a faggot, or a lesser creature might adorn these symbols of absolute power is not just laughable—it is a crime that warrants immediate and merciless correction.

The Infallible Fall Front: A Weapon of Readiness

The most defining feature of these breeches, the fall front, is a testament to the Alpha’s unparalleled control. It is a barrier that both conceals and grants access, an instrument that exists solely for the master’s command. The Alpha, who always goes commando, requires no hindrance when the moment arises to exert his will over those who submit to him. The fall front opens with ease, a seamless, calculated act that signifies readiness—an Alpha is never caught off guard, never waiting, always poised to claim what is his, whenever and wherever he chooses. To witness this act is to understand one’s position: under his power, bound by his dominance.

The breeches are not designed for comfort or frivolous indulgence; they are built for supremacy, engineered to remind both the Alpha and his submissives that the power to take and command is ever-present. When the fall front yields, it does so to reveal authority in its rawest form. It signals that the Alpha is prepared to demonstrate his dominance with brutal efficiency, a display that leaves no room for defiance or doubt.

Leather: The Second Skin of Supremacy

The leather is chosen with purpose—thick enough to command respect, supple enough to move with the precision of its master. It encases the Alpha’s body like a second skin, polished to a gleaming surface that reflects the eyes of those daring enough to gaze upon it. Each step taken, each shift of the leather, serves as an audible warning: the one who commands these breeches is a being whose authority is absolute, whose dominance cannot be challenged.

The cut is unforgiving, accentuating the strength of the Alpha’s form with meticulous detail. The flared hips and tailored seams are not mere aesthetic choices; they are statements, declarations that scream power and masculinity. The breeches adhere to the Alpha’s thighs and flanks, reinforcing every sinew of strength, every movement a reminder that the man within them is poised to take what he desires without delay or compromise.

The Symbolism of Command and Consequence

Statistically, only an infinitesimal fraction of men would dare even to touch fall-fronted leather breeches, and among them, the number who could wear them as they were intended—as the weapon of an Alpha—falls to near null. These breeches do not tolerate pretenders. They are a tool of subjugation, a declaration that the man wearing them holds the power to break and dominate without hesitation. They are built to reject weakness and to punish the insolence of any lesser creature who might dream themselves worthy.

The fall front is not merely an accessory; it is a strategic element of control. It opens only by the Alpha’s hand, a gesture of dominance that renders the submissive powerless. This act is not just symbolic; it is an assertion of superiority—an Alpha can take what he commands, whether in private chambers or in an open display of supremacy. The world conforms to his will, not the other way around.

A Relentless Display of Readiness

These breeches, molded to the Alpha’s form, serve a singular purpose: to broadcast unchallenged readiness and superiority. When the fall front opens, it reveals more than flesh; it reveals an indomitable spirit, a readiness to act and claim in a manner that is unmistakable and absolute. The Alpha does not hesitate; he dominates. The breeches enable this seamless execution of power, ensuring that when he decides to take his subs, there is nothing in his path—no barrier, no delay. The sub understands their place beneath him, knowing that the command can be delivered with unflinching immediacy.

Personal Command from Sir Cedric:

These breeches are not mere clothing; they are a forged testament of my command, an emblem that signifies who dominates and who is subjugated. The fall front is mine to open, revealing my authority whenever I choose, asserting a power that knows no restraint. Let no lesser man, no coward or unworthy creature, dare to approach this garment as anything but an object of their own submission and inferiority. The Alpha wears these breeches as a warning and a promise: he is always ready, always capable, and those in his presence are there to serve or be forgotten. To question this, to entertain even a whisper of imitation, is to invite an unyielding reminder of one’s place—at the mercy of the true master.

[starlytenight]

Ya know, if Arthur ever wondered at some point who should take over as the next leader of the GSA should something happen to him before NME is defeted, he will at least now know Meta would be a good fit for the role. I mean this guy has been able to make what has to be one of the most powerful group/temporary army that the univers have seen with all the different people the dark blue knight have gathered. By mostly accident I might add.

Arthur's second in command is Dragato, since he was the oldest of the young kiddies and showed a lot of leadership skills. He's more likely to pick up the GSA than Meta is considering Meta has soooort of gone against a lot of what Arthur told him, liiiike bringing in highly dangerous Demon Beast-Dark Matter hybrids and a literal toddler into war.

With some convincing, he might consider it, but there's also the tidbit Meta Knight would likely decline that offer since he's more concerned about his faction than even more people. (After all he's already managing all these others as it is and most don't really consider themselves to be Star Warriors like the Zero Units, or even the Squeak Squad.) He would have to also deal with others potentially going against him or questioning his judgment given the "undesirables" and "questionables" he recruited. (Demon Beast stigma is really REALLY big.)

The Meta Knights are sort of a fine line between still technically within the Star Warriors umbrella under Meta Knight's jurisdiction, but also technically unofficial since Arthur never approved or tested any of these "soldiers." Most by default wouldn't be allowed in by virtue of being a Demon Beast or a criminal sooo Meta broke a lot of rules for his little crew.

In other words, it'd be a big hassle for Meta and Arthur, but not impossible if he really wanted to, but as mentioned, Meta might not want that in the end.

That aside, it's a bit hard to say what will happen to the GSA once Nightmare is gone too. It was created to fight back against him. What happens when that goal is reached? You'll see.

[daisyachain]

Dani and ‘Berto had a strong dynamic through New Mutants that X-Force Annual #3 makes a case for reviving. They’re both gregarious, assertive, but pragmatic and compassionate leaders and where they clash is their similarities. Both of them together can accent their worst traits even though they’re the best of the New Mutants (Dani’s authoritarianism and temper, ‘Berto’s arrogance and immaturity). Have them both choose to be co-leaders on a team, force them to both go undercover in the same organization, whatever it is, someone needs to do just what Nicieza does and place the focus solely on their relationship so that tension can be brought to a max

[hiddenincommand]

“Two unsuspecting specimens, standing exposed and vulnerable, as if waiting for a Master’s discipline to bring them purpose. They’re free for the taking, ready to be molded, ready to be caged, and fully trained to understand their place. A capable Master knows when prey is ripe for refinement, awaiting the order and control they lack. Pathetic creatures, yet their potential lies only in obedience and submission.”

[hiddenincommand]

The Perfect Faggot: A Life of Complete Submission

In my world, there is no room for ambiguity. Power and hierarchy are absolute. There are those who command and those who serve, and at the very bottom of that structure lies the faggot. The perfect faggot is not a man in any real sense—he is an object of service, a creature of submission whose very existence revolves around fulfilling the needs of the one who owns him. That is his only purpose.

To speak of the perfect faggot is to understand that he lives not for himself, but for the Alpha to whom he is bound. His life is one of total obedience, of unquestioning devotion, and of complete erasure of self. His body, his mind, his actions—everything belongs to the one he serves. He does not seek pleasure, for pleasure is irrelevant to a faggot. His sole focus is on service, on being the tool through which his Master achieves satisfaction.

Absolute Obedience: A Faggot’s Core Duty

A perfect faggot knows that his primary role is to obey, without question, without hesitation, and without the slightest flicker of resistance. Obedience is not just expected; it is demanded. The perfect faggot understands that he has no autonomy—his body, his mind, his every thought is governed by the desires of his Master.

I do not waste my time with creatures who question their place. A faggot who serves me does so without pause, without thought of himself. When I issue a command, it is carried out instantly, and if it isn’t, that faggot’s life becomes a living hell. The perfect faggot knows this and lives by it. Obedience is not negotiable—it is his purpose. He exists to serve, and he does so with every fiber of his being.

A Faggot’s Life: Void of Desire, Filled with Duty

The perfect faggot has no personal desires. He lives not for his own fulfillment, but for mine. His chastity cage ensures that he remains focused, that his own base needs are locked away and forgotten. The only pleasure he derives comes from knowing he has pleased me. His mouth, his body—they are nothing more than tools, instruments designed to serve an Alpha like me.

Let me be clear: a faggot’s purpose is not to find his own gratification. A faggot is not a man, and he has no claim to such things. His body exists to be used at my will, whether to satisfy my desires or to perform tasks that ensure my comfort. The perfect faggot knows this and accepts it without question. He understands that his worth is measured only in how well he serves me, not in his ability to seek out his own pleasure.

Perfection in Service: Always Ready, Always Available

A perfect faggot is never off duty. His life revolves entirely around my needs, my whims, and my satisfaction. He is always ready, always available, waiting in constant anticipation of the next command. His mind is sharp, focused solely on what he can do to better serve me. His body, locked in chastity, kept clean and neat, is always prepared for use.

When I call, he responds. When I open the fall front of my breeches, he knows exactly what is expected. There is no hesitation, no delay. Whether it’s his mouth that is needed to serve, or another act of submission required, the perfect faggot offers himself without pause. His purpose is to serve, to be available whenever I demand it, and he finds fulfillment in that role. There is no higher calling for a faggot than to serve a true Alpha, and he knows it.

Discipline and Devotion: The Core of a Faggot’s Existence

A perfect faggot understands that his role is not just about physical submission—it is about discipline. His body must be maintained in perfect condition, kept exactly how I expect it. His grooming, his attire, his appearance—everything is a reflection of his service to me. The perfect faggot is always immaculate, dressed in the way I demand, groomed to the highest standard, because he knows that his appearance reflects directly on me, his Master.

But more than physical discipline, a faggot must possess mental discipline. His mind must be focused solely on my needs, on anticipating my desires before I even voice them. He must be sharp, always thinking of how best to serve me, how to make my life easier, more comfortable, more pleasurable. His devotion must be absolute. The perfect faggot knows that his only worth is in how well he satisfies his Master, and he takes pride in that fact.

A Faggot’s Purpose: To Serve and Obey

The perfect faggot understands one simple truth: his existence revolves entirely around me. He is not a man; he is not an equal. He is an instrument of service, a creature whose sole purpose is to fulfill my needs, obey my commands, and offer himself for my use whenever I choose. His life is one of complete submission, and he accepts it without hesitation.

There is no higher honor for a faggot than to serve an Alpha like me. His body, his mind, his very being—everything is devoted to ensuring my satisfaction. His chastity ensures that his focus never wavers, that his thoughts remain fixed on his duty. His every action is governed by my will, and his only reward is the knowledge that he has pleased me.

In this world, there are those who command, and those who serve. A perfect faggot knows his place. He is not here to question, to seek, or to desire. He is here to serve, to obey, and to exist solely for the pleasure of his Master. And when he serves me well, he knows that he has fulfilled his one true purpose.

[hiddenincommand]

“Here stands a faggot, exposed and ready, flaunting its emptiness in silent anticipation of a Master’s claim. This is the posture of one who knows it exists for something greater than itself—a raw, unformed potential awaiting the firm hand of discipline and purpose. Such a creature, stripped of any illusion of autonomy, is nothing but a canvas for a true Master to shape, control, and command. It yearns not for freedom, but for the weight of authority to bend it, mold it, and instill in it the relentless discipline it was born to serve. This one is ready—hungry for the brutal journey from mere flesh to obedient tool, waiting only for the presence of one who understands its deepest nature and can harness it completely. An empty vessel, longing to be filled with purpose through the uncompromising hands of mastery.”

Nils Tatum

[hiddenincommand]

“A slave’s existence isn’t merely for my pleasure—it’s to satisfy every one of my whims, whenever I desire. A good slave understands that their sole purpose is to serve, to sweat, and to break under my demands, not just in moments of lust, but at all times. Their life is for my convenience, their obedience is my right. Worthless without my command, they exist to grovel, to clean, and to ensure my world runs perfectly, while they remain insignificant in comparison. Their greatest reward? Knowing they are useful enough to remain in my service.”

[caparrucia]

Full offense and pun fully intended, but I genuinely think the very existence of "dead dove, do not eat" was a fucking canary in the mines, and no one really paid attention.

Because the tag itself was created as a response to a fandom-wide tendency to disregard warnings and assume tagging was exaggerated. And then the same fucking idiots reading those tags describing things they found upsetting or disturbing or just not to their taste would STILL click into the stories and give the writer's grief about it.

And as a response writers began using the tag to signal "no, really, I MEAN the tags!"

But like.

If you really think about it, that's a solution to a different problem. The solution to "I know you tagged your story appropriately but I chose to disregard the tags and warnings by reading it anyway, even though I knew it would upset me, so now I'm upset and making it your problem" is frankly a block, a ban and wide-spread blacklisting. But fandom as a whole is fucking awful at handling bad faith, insidious arguments that appeal to community inclusion and weaponize the fact most people participating in fandom want to share the space with others, as opposed to hurting people.

So instead of upfront ridiculing this kind of maladaptive attempt to foster one's own emotional self-regulation onto random strangers on the internet, fandom compromised and came up with a redundant tag in a good faith attempt to address an imaginary nuance.

There is no nuance to this.

A writer's job is to tag their work correctly. It's not to tag it exhaustively. It's not even to tag it extensively. A writer's sole obligation, as far as AO3 and arguably fandom spaces are concerned, is to make damn sure that the tags they put on their story actually match whatever is going on in that story.

That's it.

That's all.

"But what if I don't want to read X?" Well, you don't read fic that's tagged X.

"But what if I read something that wasn't tagged X?" Well, that's very unfortunate for you, but if it is genuinely that upsetting, you have a responsibility to yourself to only browse things explicitly tagged to not include X.

"But that's not a lot of fic!" Hi, you must be new here, yes, welcome to fandom. Most of our spaces are built explicitly as a reaction to There's Not Enough Of The Thing I Want, both in canon and fandom.

"But there are things on the internet that I don't like!" Yeah, and they are also out there, offline. And, here's the thing, things existing even though we personally dislike or even hate or even flat out find offensive/gross/immoral/unspeakable existing is the price we pay to secure our right to exist as individuals and creators, regardless of who finds US personally unpleasant, hateful or flat out offensive/gross/immoral/unspeakable.

"But what about [illegal thing]?!" So the thing itself is illegal, because the thing itself has been deemed harmful. But your goddamn cop-poisoned authoritarian little heart needs to learn that sometimes things are illegal that aren't harmful, and defaulting to "but illegal!" is a surefire way to end up on the wrong side of the fascism pop quiz. You're not a figure of authority and the more you demand to control and exercise authority by command, rather than leadership, the less impressive you seem. You know how you make actual, genuine change in a community? You center harm and argue in good faith to find accommodations and spread awareness of real, actual problems.

But let's play your game. Let's pretend we're all brainwashed cop-abiding little cogs that do not own a single working brain cell to exercise critical thinking with. 99% of the time, when you cry about any given thing "being illegal!!!" you're correct only so far as the THING itself being illegal. The act or object is illegal. Depiction of it is not. You know why, dipshit? Because if depiction of the thing were illegal, you wouldn't be able to talk about it. You wouldn't be able to educate about it. You wouldn't be able to reexamine and discuss and understand the thing, how and why and where it happens and how to prevent it. And yeah, depiction being legal opens the door for people to make depictions that are in bad taste or probably not appropriate. Sure. But that's the price we pay, creating tools to demystify some of the most horrific things in the world and support the people who've survived them. The net good of those tools existing outweighs the harm of people misusing them.

"You're defending the indefensible!" No, you're clumsily stumbling into a conversation that's been going on for centuries, with your elementary school understanding of morality and your bone-deep police state rot filtering your perception of reality, and insisting you figured it out and everyone else at the table is an idiot for not agreeing with you. Shut the fuck up, sit the fuck down and read a goddamn book.

[cosycafune]

SINFUL DEVOTION

0.9k words. you're a deity, something sylus can't have. yet, here the two of you are -- recklessly fucking each other. an impossible power dynamic crackles between you two, but the forbidden sexual deeds make sylus' devotion tragically sweeter. he's the closest he can ever be, but it's almost not enough. you're to be rightfully worshipped, not coddled. 1/??? masterlist.

acts: unprotected sex, mating press, breeding kink, degration, rough sex, praising, creampies, devotion, forbidden love, begging, worshipping, hickeys and more.

a/n: this is supposed to be short bc it's a prologue. I'm actually so obsessed with him, that it hurts.

A deity, the embodiment of the unfathomable, that’s what you are. However, that status is disregarded now – tainted by a devoted Sylus. The strings of fate, intimacy and your sinful hearts swell and suffocate you two. Even though you both carry the gift of destruction, pain, control and leadership, this moment opposed everything you both stood for.

Nonetheless, you and Sylus carry a sexual franticness, insatiable lust and an unestablished base for you both. Desperation, humiliation and longing clings to the two of you. This intimate moment, where you’re folded into a degrading mating press, begging Sylus to pound you harder, dissolved your unreachable status.

Men like Sylus were ones you avoided, but he had sweetened and buttered you enough for you to have him so deeply within your guts – filling you up with his fruitful seed. Over and over and over again, you allowed yourself to be subjected to Sylus’ sexual reign – crying out his name. Worship seeped from your lips consistently, fuelling Sylus’ high ego drastically. 

Even though you sang his name, sex-drunk, he always devoted himself to you – whenever you were both sexually sober.

Currently, your lewd cries are captured by his ears as he glances down at you – grinning mercilessly while he pounds into you. Sylus held no sexual mercy for you, pouring his feelings, his heart, his thoughts and his genuine nature into each thrust. Deep down, you knew this forbidden form of art was his way of self-expression – due to you attempting to resist him. Through your swollen cunt, your cries of pleasure, your troubled breaths and orgasms, you let Sylus almost express his thoughts.

“Sy’, more!” Weeping, painfully overstimulated, you beg for more – overwhelmed by his harshly snapping hips.

“Aren’t… you greedy?” Hazily questioning you, lust-coated, Sylus lazily grins at the power imbalance between you two – relishing your celestial features scrunching.

“P-Please…breed me,” Humiliating yourself, begging Sylus, you gift him desperate, teary eyes – your eyes rolling back at his thick cock kissing your cervix.

“I’ll..destroy myself…just for you, “ Sylus declares through a deep thrust, feeling you tighten around him – fuelling the forbidden fruits that adorn you both.

“Ngh! ‘Gonna cum! ‘Too much!” A trembling mess, you lewdly bellow – vigorously shaking as Sylus sets an inhumane pace. 

Content, he burrows his deepest within you – unwilling to free you from his intoxicating physique. A physique that swells your every thought with his gigantic dick, his crimson eyes, his ivory hair and the yearning that marks him. The end of your world is seconds from drawing near, but Sylus’ presence smearing you is all you could think about – choppily breathing.

“Handle…it!” Gruffing commanding you, moaning, Sylus batters you with his pace – satisfied at you attempting to push some of his ample cock out of you.

“Can’t…hold,” Mentally blanking, your body strangled with warmth, a moan tears out of your throat – leading to you intensely finishing.

Right now, the only thing that mattered to you was Sylus, his cock and the longevity of his pounding. 

“S-Same,” Pricelessly trying to hold out for you, Sylus lowly responds to you – slamming his cock so deeply within you. 

Mellowly, his large balls would pulverise your bubble butt – drawing more attention to your soppy cunt, your mewling and his whimpering and grunting. Yet, this notion encouraged Sylus more – throwing almost everything he had on the line for the addictive taste of you. Sure, the two of you are fucking in one of his bases – surrounded by many dangerous clients that want you. However, he can’t bring himself to care right now – cock-bounding you so deeply. 

Sylus divulged as if you were to crumble beneath him, leaving him with fleeting winds.

Yelping, you jolt at Sylus’ cock hardening into you. Sylus is an absolute mess, panting whilst his furrowed brows knit closer. Longing for more, he drives his cock impossibly in you – watching you mischievously. Not once did he break eye contact, continuing his mean mating press – enjoying the warmth of your fluttering cunt. An hour had skimmed by, but you both refused to care.

“D-Don’t…want to lose you,” Wavering, Sylus mutters – thrusting deeply before he finishes within you. 

Devoted to you, Sylus can't help but grow lonesome – noticing the pitiful truth that lingers: you’re mentally unable to be his. Even as he plugs you with his baby batter, you’re still something greater than he ever is – surpassing him indefinitely.

Someone who’s destined to reconstruct and rule the world. However, Sylus wanted to hold more than sinful devotion.

Love. He wanted you to admit your heart, but you hid behind your painful status.

Collapsing mentally against you, Sylus swiftly pulls out of you – smitten at the sight of your swollen cunt plump and spilling with his thick seed. Naturally, this was your most vulnerable state – but you allowed Sylus to admire it. After all, the two of you have only this moment to express yourselves – before the chaotic night comes to an end.

“Sylus, we…can’t be here for long?” Regally speaking, slightly exhausted, you feel Sylus crumble into your arms – longing to be held.

“‘Can’t we…stay like this a little longer?” Desperate to be held and cared for by you, Sylus slyly begs you – his whiny question swaying you.

“Just a bit, but the deal at the masquerade ball isn’t going to make itself,” You speak, running your fingers through Sylus’ ivory locks – wanting to coddle him all night.

Knowing this is forbidden, you conceal your care behind your exhaustion – desperate to confess to Sylus. However, you’re unable to confess your heart – aware it’ll lead to your status as a powerful deity being your demise.

“If you insist, sweetie,” Vulnerable, a sinner within your arms, Sylus snuggles into your breasts – airily speaking.

Sinful devotion, but at what cost?

__

do not copy, modify or claim any of my works as your own. all rights reserved; cosycafune. 2024. small banners credit: cafekitsune <3

[rxmxa]

pluto observations

(pain → power) 𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 I've been thinking about my pluto square mercury aspect and how in a previous post I stated that I felt like with that square I used this aspect in a way where it would make people uncomfortable (like talking about sex in the middle of a dinner or cursing at my professional office job LMAOOO).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 Squares will always cause friction and its about redirecting the energy (my pluto is square sun as well and also my ascendant). But in general, I realized that the power pluto holds is in timed SILENCE and that's where there's a difference between making someone uncomfortable versus them being intimidated in a way that is producing respect.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 think about how we all stand up in SILENCE when a judge walks in or how the CEO sits at the head of the table in meeting. Pluto aspects are all about commanding attention through action (and mere presence) rather than words FIRST. And then when it is time to speak, it makes that even more significant if its well-timed and carefully thought out.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-mercury aspects can gain respect through this deliberate pause, almost as though waiting for others to catch up to a deeper level of understanding. Instead of talking so much in my relationships and interpersonal interactions (mercury in the 7h), I forced my mercurial ass to STOP and OBSERVE and listen and most importantly, slow down. and that drastically changed the way I interacted with people (especially my coworkers) with my pluto in the 10h.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 in terms of redirecting energy, think about it like this: pluto is where you take your power back, where you exude that power. The planet is how that power presents itself (venus, in relationships, mercury in your words, sun in your personality) and the houses are where the energy is going to be present the most.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 For example, if you’ve got Pluto in the 3rd House conjunct Mercury, it’s not about overpowering (pluto) with words (mercury). it’s about channeling them with intention. Instead of letting that intense truths dominate the convo, you can use it to become a voice that challenges, empowers, and heals. Maybe you grew up feeling unheard or silenced (common Pluto 3h themes) But now, instead of staying quiet, you use that to fuel you. You dive into the taboo, bring hidden truths into the light, and transform discomfort into power. Your words become a force for change because they come from a place of raw honesty.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 It’s about harnessing that Plutonian depth through Mercury’s words, Venus's charisma, Mar's drive, Neptune's spirituality etc and knowing when to speak and when to hold back. Use that energy intentionally, so it doesn’t control you. you control it.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 its about balance because I've said before that with pluto-sun aspects especially, you feel like you're transforming so frequently, its like your old self sheds over and over not in the span of a year, but in months, in weeks you might have drastically altered (pluto) the way your leadership, ego, will power, creativity, vitality, purpose and identity (sun) function. It's all about deciding who does and who does NOT get to see all the multifaceted sides of you. Not everyone deserves to see your passion, your art, your ideas on full display!

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-moon and it's all about transforming (pluto) your responses, habit patterns, feelings, receptivity, sensitivity, the way you nurture (moon). Its about deciding who does and who does NOT get to get a reaction out of you. Make your emotions (moon) carry fucking VALUE (pluto).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 Pluto is said to rule all that is hidden, unseen, or buried, including secrets, undercover work, strategic planning, and the roots of plants. think about the value of the unseen, the way we see the end result and the roses are blooming but we don't see the roots stretching and growing and making space. Think about gold deposits nestled within rocks or scattered through riverbeds. To extract either, you have to be willing to dig below the surface, undergo intense transformation, and maybe even navigate through darkness.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 Think about the value IN SILENCE. Think about the how things (people, plants, plans) grow in silence, how we pray and reflect in silence, how we pause in those spaces of silence, how silence sometimes can be the best reaction and answer. think about how hurtful the silent treatment feels? how it hurts? thats the power of silence.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 That pause can create intrigue or even foster respect if you have pluto aspects to your personal planets. Instead of making people feel uneasy (when we use the energy poorly), our silence draws them in, making the conversation both challenging and magnetic (when we utilize its power).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 When we hide things its usually because it deserves some form of protection or value, no? So people with pluto aspects, why would let you just anyone see you mad, just anyone see you upset, why would you lash out at any little comment? Why why why why? That is your fucking energy and you can make it PRICELESS (think about the gold buried beneath the surface, would you so easily offer that up?). You think beyonce is sitting there responding to every hate comment in the comment section? No baby she is getting PAID!

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-ascendant and it's all about transforming (pluto) your outlook on life, outward behavior, self-awareness, self-concern, build, health, appearance, individuality (the 1h). Who are you gonna give the time of day to? you need to STAND UP.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-mercury and it's all about transforming (pluto) your rational mind, thinking process, all forms of communication, the way you move in your neighborhood and local spaces, the way you travel throughout spaces. It's about deciding who does and who does NOT get to hear what you have to say. It's about deciding and trusting your gut on when it's best to sit back and observe or take advantage of that split second pause in the conversation to circle back to you. It's about deciding on how you will react when someone talks over you..

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-mars and it's all about transforming (pluto) your aggressiveness, assertiveness, initiative, independence, the way you pioneer your ideas, the way you compete (mars). Accept that those themes in your life will be CONSTANTLY shifting. And that doesn't make your flaky or wishy-washy or indecisive, it's what you were meant to do. TO be AND to act and start over! and to do that over and over and leveling up every time you do. (that's also why in synastry/composite, I feel like when there is a mars-pluto aspect it gives off those vibes of those couples who post before and after pics and they look so fucking sexy, strong and just good as fuck together after).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-venus and it's all about transforming (pluto) your forms of affection, attraction, aesthetics, desires for beauty, contracts, balance, values, harmony, relationships (venus). You can't be out here dating just anybody! You are especially prone to energy vampires! You better mind your pussy (lmaoo, but no I'm being so serious... people with this aspect will walk into someones life and level them up and then the other person will just take and take and take)

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-jupiter and it's all about transforming (pluto) your perspective on growth, philosophy, your relationship with higher education, long distance traveling, communication, expansion (jupiter).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-saturn and it's all about transforming (pluto) your structures in life, your definitions on your values and limits in life, restrictions (external and internal, self imposed and imposed by others), your perspective on time, the use of it, your maturity, your authority, your relationship to authority itself (saturn).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-neptune and it's all about transforming (pluto) your imagination, psychic sensitivity, confusion, fears, spirituality, your artistic side.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pluto-uranus and it's all about transforming (pluto) your uniqueness, individuality, hopes, wishes, your humanitarian causes, your social circle, groups you are in, your ideas on what revolution truly looks like, on what reform looks like, on upheaval in your personal life and also the collective.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 there will be signs/ triggers when its time to transform. It can all feel very subconscious until you actually pay attention. For example, I have a 10h pluto square 7h sun aspect. Every time something major was about to shift with my career or professional title (10h) there was a disruption (square) in my relationships (7h), usually a break up, whether a friendship or romantic connection. And it wasnt until later when I was looking thru pics that I noticed that my hair would be cut or dyed right before any big changes (that sun in the 7h , and also my sun at a libra degree= beauty, aesthetics).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 now that I know that, I know that whenever I have the urge to change something drastically about my image or there's change in my public life there is going to be an effect on my relationships, beauty and aesthetic and me knowing it will not stop it but with the square I can do what I can to make it be less abrasive, for example: taking preemptive steps that are transformative but gentler, so if know these areas are gonna be impacted, then making sure im checking in more with my relationships (7h), already thinking ahead of smaller less drastic changes in my beauty routine that will still make me feel good, owning the change in general, knowing that the ways I was working before will no longer apply in the next version of myself im stepping into <3

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 And sometimes there is no time to be catching people up! like to you it will feel natural because its always been like that but then people around you might be like damn they're acting brand new all of a sudden tf? LMAOOO but its not a facade! Its just this constant cycle of of transformation. That's why you have to SHOW people how you are to be treated. DON'T expect to just get it. How different do you think people would react if a judge walked in cracking jokes or with poor posture or with a timid voice? NO. they have to be in control (pluto) of their presentation (sun).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 and thats not me saying force a different personality, thats not me saying pretend to be someone you're not, thats not me saying to talk to people crazy or be an asshole. Work with your own energy. I am a very loud, energetic and talkative person. But when I was like that with everyone when I was younger and just blurted what came to mind I was not feeling respected and rightfully so bc why would someone pay attention to someone who has a comment for EVERYTHING... When I realized that people had to earn to see that diff side of me, that it was special to share that curious, eager side of me with my close friends and loved ones, with people who I feel safe and already have a connection with BUT that in general in other settings there was a time and place where I had to finding that sweet spot between leaning in with the direct intensity of pluto-mercury and knowing when to step back, letting a little silence do the talking.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 and I am not saying it's going to feel nice or be easy. It’s not. We know Pluto isn’t just intense stares across the room. It’s also about trauma, change, death, the ugly shit that happens behind closed doors that no one wants to talk about or look at. Pluto-Mercury and yes, people are going to be thrown off, might give you shocked glances, or Pluto-Ascendant and yes, people are going to see you in ways they never anticipated, shaken by the sheer force of your presence. They might look at you and wonder, What are they holding back? Or What is their fucking deal?

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 For trines and sextiles, this energy may feel less harsh or happen more naturally, but it is still very strong. With Pluto in a trine or sextile to another planet, people want to be around you because theres this strength in a quiet way. they may see your Plutonian traits as strengths instead of threats.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 on the other hand, squares create tension, and there is a mix of curiosity and also discomfort. People might feel drawn to you yet uneasy at the same time. Some ppl might see you as a force for change or a force to be reckoned with, but then other ppl may feel challenged or intimidated, its like you're revealing truths that are both enlightening and a bit unsettling. its basically like, they just don't wanna see it, they want pluto out their face LMAOOO.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 When Pluto's energy comes to the surface through conjunctions, it can't be avoided at all. People may either be impressed by how smart you are or feel defensive around you because you seem to show them secret parts of themselves. You show them the shit about themselves they want to ignore or see as "taboo" This can make people admire you or feel uncomfortable, depending on how they react.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 and that's why you have to be able to command respect and learn how to protect yourself because even though you can't control how other people react completely you can get them to second guess themselves and think before they try to hurt you or come at you. you can get them to think about they should approach you versus just a rash and sudden reaction (which is what people usually have to anyting plutonian, whether people or pluto ruled things like blood, power, secrets, intense emotions).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 That's why it's so important to be confident and set clear limits (instead of leaving people wondering, oh I wonder what she would do if I did this? leave them thinking, "oh I know for sure that I will not get a reaction I like if I do this.")

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 And I don't mean this to be a bully or an abuser and have people scared of your reactions! bc plutonians know what it feels like to suffer at the hands of others. All I am saying is that when Plutonian energy is present, people are less likely to behave impulsively when you command respect. you can influence others to think twice before responding hastily, as this energy already tends to elicit powerful emotions. It's all about projecting an air of seriousness that makes people around you pause and think before they dare to challenge or undermine you (and again, I mean this in situations where your emotional, physical, and mental safety is at risk).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 tw: sexual harassment. For example, my cousin has a pluto-mars conjuction in the 8th house and she has been sexualized all her entire life for her body type. As kids/teens when we would go out together I use to be the one to stand in front of her and tell grown ass men to fuck off. She would have guy friends that would always crack jokes that she would let slide and then one day he tried something when they were alone and she was shocked, betrayed and angry. He felt comfortable enough to do that and she was still very young and unable to be in her full power. But her now? A friend kissed her without her consent once when they were at the club and she slapped the fuck outta him and cut him off. She is QUICK to check any disrespect and it makes people second guess. Her energy shows she is prone to extreme reactions (pluto) on matter related to her body and sexuality (8h) mixing with the desire and lust of others (men), especially men.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 Another example, my friend has Venus in the 10th house trine Pluto in the 2nd house and she naturally attracts a lot of attention (10h) for her beauty and charisma (venus). But in the past she has gotten in relationships with partners who are jealous of that attention she is getting, who desire to control her (pluto) bc of her beauty but also shame her for it and it really affected her self worth and her perspective on her own values (2h). Unlike squares or conjunctions, it felt easier or more natural to redirect that energy once she transformed all the venusian themes of her life. Did she get hurt? Yes. but she bounced back in a diff way. She had a big change in how she saw her own worth and what she deserves when Pluto's power was reclaimed in her 2h. Relationships that were bad for her and tried to control how she looked had caused her a lot of pain and made her doubt her worth. But Pluto is also the key to getting power back. She had to handle these shady and sometimes scary situations, which made her stronger and helped her learn more and care more about herself (2h) than what other people think of her and her reputation (10h).

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 its not going to be pretty or fun when you have to transform into someone new. There is a lot of grief and mourning, but trust me when I say you will be so proud of yourself. When I think about the pluto-sun aspect in my chart, the pluto-ascendant, pluto in the 10h, and how it had manifested for me: my loving father dying when I was 7, other loving and safe father figures like grandfathers and uncles dying years after, having an abusive stepdad, pushing my mattress against my door when he was home because my door didnt have a lock and he was crazy, having to stand up to him in court, defending my mother, getting scolded by authority figures, getting scolded by the judge LMAOOO and telling me he was gonna have me removed from the room pls, getting shushed, getting told to be quiet, getting told my needs didn't matter. When I think about ALL OF THAT SHIT and how I took all of that I used that to drive me, to push me to study, to get a degree, to move out, to learn how to defend myself.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 on days where there are power struggles (pluto) in my job (10h) and im getting riled up i have to stop and be like why am letting this one person, an acquaintance, someone I honestly dont even respect lol, get a reaction outta me? out of all of the fucking shit I went thru u think im gonna give u the satisfaction of seeing me crash out? FUCK NO.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 and that's really what it is. where is pluto in your chart? How are you reclaiming your power? How are you making sure you don't become another hurt person that causes another hurt person? How are you going to break the cycle? How are you going to make sure that your pain doesn't define you and that the trauma you went through doesn't control how you act in life? Where are you giving your power away? Where are your words of wisdom?

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 It's about putting together the parts of yourself that other people have tried to break and making them strong. Fears, anger, and a sense of helplessness are all parts of the shadow that you need to face and decide that they will no longer rule you. For me, was about standing up to people in power who tried to silence, to my own self-doubt, and to a home that seemed to tell me I didn't matter. But now? No one can make me feel smaller than them. Confront what makes you uncomfortable and take your power back.

[rassicas]

I've gotten a hold of a very rare issue of Nintendo Dream from October 2017, containing an interview with the Splatoon developers. like seriously, i hadn't seen any documentation of this anywhere. HUGE huge thanks to @squidhominid, who spent Too Much Money to buy a copy and scan it!! Since a lot of it is formatted in blurbs like what's pictured above, I'd been unsure how to organize and share translations...I've decided I will gradually share snippets of it like so and compile it all later. Please be patient. Translation under the cut.

In relation to the characters from Story Mode The Rule-abiding Octarian Army

---Is Octavio a DJ and a general? Inoue: Well, his name is General DJ Octavio (laughs). He commands the Octarian army, so naturally he's a general. [[TN: Octavio's JP name includes "General" rather than just "DJ Octavio" like in english.]] ---Going off of that, there are other ranks, right? Amano: That's right. The Octarians as a species act seriously, so if they didn't have ranks they wouldn't be able to work properly. (laughs) Inoue: Originally, we made Octavio as a character as a pair to Cap'n Cuttlefish on the Inkling's side. Now as for why Octavio is an octopus that holds wasabi sticks... the act of "grating" wasabi made us think of "scratching", and "scratching" made us think of "DJ"...So he came to be both a general and a DJ. [[TN: takowasa, or octopus and wasabi paired together, is a popular izakaya snack. Same goes for atarime, (cuttlefish's JP name) dried squid. It's supposed to be like a snack showdown.]] Nogami: The Octarians are led by music. Octavio makes his own music to control them. Inoue: The music tells them to move and work according to the rules (laughs). ---So, for him as a general, is the music just for controlling the Octarians? Or does he enjoy it? Amano: It is for leadership, with that 'duntz duntz' sort of tempo. So I think for him, he sees the popularity and influence of the Squid Sisters as something that has a military-like controlling power. ---Is Cap'n Cuttlefish unable to turn into squid form, and can Octavio not turn into humanoid form? Amano: Cuttlefish can probably transform and produce some ink, but not like he could in his younger years. It's like when your grandpa says he's gonna do a squat, and he can kind of do it, but not really... it's like that. Inoue: Octavio became unable to take on his humanoid form due to an injury he got long ago. In a Sunken Scroll in S1, you can see a figure who appears to be Octavio before he was injured.

[[TN: This has to be the true origin to the information of Octavio being unable to take on humanoid form! I was troubled by the fact that when this info was brought up by the writers of nintendo dream in that 2018 issue in a way that made it sound like obvious information, they didn't say when or where they heard it...but this is it.]]

[sorrelchestnut]

I've seen a fair number of posts both here and on reddit that question why Tav (or the Dark Urge) would end up as a group leader for any other reason that "game mechanics say so." There's the requisite "okay, well if you play a high charisma character I guess it makes sense," or on the other end of the spectrum, "if you're playing Durge and murder someone right off the bat everyone would be too scared to tell you no." And I get where people are going with this! I really do. But it also fundamentally misunderstands a facet of human nature, which is that the vast majority of people do not actually want to be in charge, because that means being held responsible for the outcome. Accordingly, most people will dither when a group consensus is needed: have none of you ever tried to get a group of friends to agree where to go for dinner? Yeah, it's like that, but waaaay worse.

A lot of times "leadership" is just the willingness to say, "fuck it, y'all do what you want, but I'm doing this." I see it all the time in a corporate environment, where people will go back and forth on group meetings without anyone making a decision until finally one brave soul goes "in my opinion the clear answer is x" and then everyone gratefully goes along with it. Because now it's not their responsibility when something goes wrong! They're just following along with someone else's suggestion, and maybe it works or maybe it doesn't, but at the end of the day they don't have to worry about the consequences unless they're personally affected. In which case they might step up and argue back, and then they're stuck being a leader, too. Welcome to adulthood!

Lae'zel is the only one who ever even tries to exert some kind of control, when she tells you to follow her lead on the ship, or calls you her subordinate in the Grove. But, crucially, she doesn't ever make any serious attempt to take control: you can just tell her, "lol, no," and she sort of confusedly gives way, because she doesn't know how to handle this scenario. In her world there are commanders and subordinates, and everyone knows where they stand and falls in line. She's never actually had to take control of a situation and so at the first sign of resistance she falls back on the dynamic that's familiar to her, which is executing the commands of someone older and more experienced. She goes through a lot of growth over the game, to the point that she can take over as a resistance leader in her own right by the end, but at the beginning she's a wet-behind-her-ears private with some decent combat chops and it shows.

Otherwise, your party consists of:

Shadowheart, who's trained in infiltration and assassination and does NOT want a lot of attention brought to her or her mission for a variety of reasons;

Astarion, who has literally been a slave for two centuries and canonically takes a while to realize that he can exert an opinion beyond complaining about it;

Gale, whose only friend is his cat and couldn't project-manage his way out of a wet paper bag;

Wyll, who was probably trained for command at one point but has been doing the lone-hero thing for a decade and has a very large secret that he's trying to conceal; and,

Karlach, who's only ever been a bodyguard and a soldier and is genuinely just happy to be here.

Honestly, it would be more a surprise if Tav/Durge didn't end up as their unofficial leader, given the general power dynamics at play. The first time Tav/Durge says something like, "fuck it, we need to do something instead of stand around arguing about it, let's go check out those ruins over there," it's a done deal. They're The Captain Now! As long as they don't make decisions that fundamentally oppose something dear and important to the other group members, they're not even going to get any argument. Because at the end of the day, not one of these walking disasters has enough trust in themselves and their decision-making skills to feel any kind of certainty that they can choose the right path forward. If someone else is going to take that decision out of their hands? They're going to follow, no questions asked, right up until the moment they can't.