#country getting attacked

[grecoromanyaoi]

how n y is brendanicus/yuri-alekseygaybitch or whatever his new url is still a popular blogger... the 'happy ukraine invasion day' guy? the antisemitic freak who labels every criticism of his antisemitism as zionist propaganda? that guy?

[ganondoodle]

Empress and her Bodyguard.

(OCs, grey haired lady Zaphira she/her, demon Shargon he/they)

(also some details up close)

and this guy bc i find him funny

[missbubblesoda]

just the commander enjoying his summer I guess.

“Baby, can you pour me another one please?”

Buy me a ko-fi☕️?^^

[crabussy]

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life and. I just feel like crying over that fact. a few years ago I was sure I’d be an anxious miserable wreck for my entire life but now I wake up and I love the world and I promise one day you will too. please keep going please hold the world tight. you will giggle at something silly with a stranger. a staff member at a place you frequent will smile when they see you. an elderly person will look at you gratefully for helping them. you’ll cry about stupid stuff and laugh about it later. you’ll drink cold water during a hot day and it will be the best sensation ever. being alive is the best thing I’ve ever experienced.

[merwgue]

As a 100% Palestinian reader, I cannot help but draw unsettling parallels between A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and the Israel-Palestine conflict. And before anyone jumps in to say, "It's just fantasy, stop politicizing it," let me point out that fiction, especially high fantasy, has always drawn from real-world politics, whether the author intends it or not. In the case of ACOTAR, Sarah J. Maas has created a world where the power dynamics between Velaris and the Hewn City uncannily reflect the realities of Israel and Palestine—and frankly, it’s disturbing.

Let’s dig into the specifics.

Velaris vs. Hewn City: The Clear Israel-Palestine Parallel

In ACOTAR, Velaris is depicted as a glorious utopia—an elite city hidden from the rest of the world, full of freedom, creativity, and unending peace. It’s where the privileged live in perfect harmony, far removed from the chaos and conflict in the outside world. Now, look at how Israel is often framed: a “beacon of democracy” in the Middle East, a place where "civilization" thrives, while the rest of the region is portrayed as chaotic and violent.

Then there’s Hewn City, the dark, dangerous underbelly that exists under Rhysand’s rule. It’s described as a place full of corruption, violence, and depravity, where the people are so unruly and savage that they must be kept at arm’s length, locked away to protect Velaris and its precious, innocent inhabitants. This mirrors the common portrayal of Palestine in Western media as a place full of violence, where the people are oppressed because, according to the dominant narrative, they bring it on themselves. The inhabitants of Hewn City are viewed as a threat, just as Palestinians are often seen as the aggressors, needing to be kept in check for Israel’s “safety.”

Rhysand’s control over Hewn City reflects the very real power imbalance in Israel’s occupation of Palestine. In the books, the people of Hewn City are confined to their dark, hidden underground realm, much like Palestinians are restricted to Gaza and the West Bank by Israeli checkpoints, walls, and permits. They cannot freely access the beauty and prosperity of Velaris, and the few times they are allowed into the city, they are treated as dangerous outsiders who must be closely monitored. It’s the same system of segregation and restriction that exists in Israel and Palestine today.

"Safety" and the Need for Control: The Dangerous Narrative

One of the main justifications Maas uses for keeping Hewn City locked away is the trauma of Mor, who was abused by her family in the Hewn City. Let me be clear—abuse is horrific, and no one should have to experience what Mor did. But to use her trauma as a reason to vilify an entire city and keep its people under strict control? It’s an incredibly troubling justification, one that mirrors the very rhetoric used by Israel to justify its occupation and restrictions on Palestinians.

Israel often cites the need for “security” and “safety” as a reason for its continued control over Palestinian territories. The narrative is that Palestinians are inherently violent, prone to terror, and therefore must be locked behind walls and checkpoints for Israel’s protection. In ACOTAR, the people of Hewn City are portrayed in a similar way: dangerous, aggressive, and in need of control. Velaris is the “good” city that must be protected at all costs, and Hewn City is the sacrifice made to ensure that peace. Sound familiar?

Mor’s trauma is used as an excuse to justify Rhysand’s iron grip over Hewn City, much like the trauma of Israelis is used to justify the occupation of Palestine. The people of Hewn City are collectively punished for the actions of a few, just as Palestinians are collectively punished for the actions of extremists. The fact that Velaris thrives in peace while Hewn City remains locked away in the dark reflects the very real power imbalance in Israel and Palestine, where one group’s safety and prosperity are maintained at the expense of another’s freedom.

Rhysand: The Benevolent Dictator with a Savior Complex

Let’s talk about Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, who controls both Velaris and the Hewn City. Maas portrays him as this noble, benevolent ruler—someone who’s doing his best to maintain peace and safety for his people. He’s painted as the ultimate savior, the one who can juggle the pressures of keeping Velaris prosperous while keeping the “dangerous” people of Hewn City under control. But beneath this facade of benevolence lies a savior complex that echoes the very rhetoric used by Israel to justify its control over Palestinian land.

Rhysand’s rule over Velaris and the Hewn City isn’t just about keeping peace—it’s about maintaining power. Velaris thrives on the backs of the people of Hewn City, who are kept locked away for the benefit of the elite. Similarly, Israel’s success and security often come at the cost of Palestinian freedom. Rhysand’s grip on Hewn City reflects Israel’s grip on Palestine: it’s about control, power, and making sure that the oppressed stay oppressed while the privileged thrive.

And let’s not forget the fact that Maas tries to make us believe that Rhysand is the “good guy” in all of this. Much like how Western media often portrays Israel as the victim, Maas paints Rhysand as someone who’s just doing what needs to be done to keep his people safe. But the reality is that his rule is built on subjugation and control, just as Israel’s dominance over Palestine is built on occupation and oppression. Rhysand’s actions, like Israel’s, are justified in the name of “security,” but at what cost? The people of Hewn City are treated like criminals, locked away from the light, while Velaris basks in its utopian glow.

The Hewn City’s Lack of Freedom: A Reflection of Palestine’s Struggle

The people of Hewn City have no freedom. They are not allowed to live their lives in peace, to enjoy the beauty of Velaris, or to have the same opportunities as the citizens of the Night Court’s capital. They are kept in the shadows, oppressed, and forced to submit to Rhysand’s rule. This mirrors the very real struggles of Palestinians, who are confined to small, restricted areas, denied basic freedoms, and subjected to daily humiliation at checkpoints.

In ACOTAR, Maas paints Hewn City as a dangerous place that must be kept separate from Velaris for the safety of the people. But what she’s really doing is justifying oppression in the name of security—something that Palestinians have been dealing with for decades. The walls and barriers that exist between Velaris and Hewn City are no different from the walls and checkpoints that divide Israel and Palestine, keeping one group oppressed while the other thrives.

Conclusion: The Troubling Parallels in ACOTAR

As a Palestinian reader, it’s impossible to ignore the troubling parallels between ACOTAR and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Whether Maas intended it or not, the dynamics between Velaris and the Hewn City reflect real-world systems of oppression where one group’s freedom is built on the subjugation of another. The people of Hewn City, like Palestinians, are treated as dangerous outsiders, locked away from the utopian world of Velaris in the name of “safety.”

Rhysand’s rule mirrors the real-world power imbalance between Israel and Palestine, where one group’s prosperity is built on the suffering of another. The justification of security and trauma is used to oppress an entire population, while the elite thrive in peace and prosperity. It’s a narrative that’s all too familiar, and seeing it play out in fantasy form is both exhausting and infuriating.

ACOTAR may be fantasy, but its themes and dynamics are very real—and as a Palestinian reader, it’s hard not to see the parallels between the people of Hewn City and my own people. At the end of the day, Maas’ portrayal of Velaris and Hewn City reflects the same troubling power dynamics we see in the real world, where one group’s peace is built on another’s oppression.

Also I have the right to talk about this since it's MY country being invaded and MY people getting killed and MY family Is also there so, don't you dare comment something stupid

[sscarletvenus]

someone wore this to the cricket world cup final in india. the channels broadcasting turned away the cameras and played ads.

he walked in front of millions AND the prime minister of India.

through this person's incredible bravery, Indians who stand with Palestine, Indians who have to spend their days under a fascist regime, have a representation that does them justice.

our voices of dissent have been crushed through harrowing persecution.

in 1981, India issued a postage stamp with the Indian and Palestinian flags flying side by side, and the words "Solidarity with the Palestinian people." India was the first non-arab country to recognize the state of Palestine.

the country i have lived in for 18 years is a dignified member of the post-colonial world. its citizens have moral backbones. they are often murdered or imprisoned for having it.

[sleepyorchidmonster]

What if king Henrik managed to steal Malleus's egg after defeating Meleanor?

The main point is that the egg WOULDN'T hatch because it needs love (and even in canon it took a couple of centuries to hatch, despite the presence of Lillia and Maleficia).

So after a few tries, he discards his plans and keeps the egg as a trophy. Years pass and a five year-old Silver finds the trophy room while playing. He stumbles into the pedestal holding the egg, but manages to save it before it falls.

The child then senses a tiny heartbeat, and realizes there is a baby inside the egg!

The egg hatches immediately. Baby Silver loved it at once (the way he did once upon a dream).

And that's how we get a Dragon Prince journey (sorta).

After the dragon hatched, Silver went to talk with his animal friends to see if they could help (he loves his parents, but he couldn't just tell them he went to the trophy room to play, some instinct of his was also telling him they couldn't be trusted).

He left the little dragon under the care of a mother bear and went to the library to see if he could find anything. He came across a few old books from before the Silver Owls that described the Draconias (the little prince was so excited! His dragon friend could become a friend friend! He didn't have any friends besides the animals! And the dragon was even a fellow prince!)

But first things first! His dragon friend needed to meet his actual family, they were probably worried sick! So he grabbed a few maps, marked out the closest fae castle, told his parents he would go play with the animals in the woods and left.

The trek was very long and dangerous, but the entire forest was on his side. Baby Silver kept talking to Malleus, explaining life as a prince, introducing his animal friends, and trying to find out if he liked to eat berries.

They avoided war-stricken areas and managed to reach fae territory. And that's when things took a turn for the worse.

Henrik and the Silver Owls found them. Apparently, the egg was missing and a search party was assembled to follow its magical traces. Baby Silver didn't know that, and went to greet his uncle, saying that he was helping out a friend find his family!!

Henrik looked at his nephew, then at the dragon, and went for the kill, literally. The kid couldn't even defend himself, as his uncle cut him down with a simple strike (dawn knight was at home).

And that's when baby Malleus's magic blew up.

A snowstorm of cataclysmic proportions struck, complete with fire tornados and lightning. At the center of it all stood two children, the tiny Silver that was bleeding out, and Malleus, who had taken a human form and was trying to close the wound (he changed forms because he was scared and emulated the only thing he could think of as strong and protection, and that thing was five year-old Silver). Meanwhile, all of the animals formed a protective circle around them.

Luckily, reinforcements soon arrived. Both Lillia and Maleficia came (that storm could only be a Draconia's doing, they would NOT lose the egg again). They made quick work of the rest of the Silver Owls before rushing to Malleus's aid.

The animals let the faes though, as if they knew the dragon had finally found his kin. But Malleus wouldn't let go of Silver, even when the kid started telling him "Look, we found your family!! You're safe!", smiling despite the pain and looming death.

With the use of "Far Cry Cradle", Lillia quickly explained the situation, and the faes made the decision to save the human. They had a much too big debt with this child, who was so innocent it hurt.

They were also keeping the human. If that despicable man was his UNCLE, then no way in hell were the rulers of Briar Valley going to give the child back to his family. It would be a disgrace to the Draconia family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, there a a few ways this AU could go.

1. The faes weren't able to save Silver. They create a monument in his honor and he becomes the only human they respect. Relations with the Silver Owls may improve now that Henrik is dead, if they can convince Dawn Knight his son died to save Malleus.

2. The faes save Silver, who lives in Briar Valley until the end of his mortal lifespan, acting as Malleus's big brother and knight. The Silver Owls are angry, but eventually come to an agreement once they realize there was no mind control involved.

3. The faes manage to save Silver, but the wounds were so grave that he had to stay in magic stasis for a few hundred years. Receiving the BOTW Shrine of Ressurection treatment. Due to the nature of the magic, he lost his memories, got silver hair and became sleepy. He later wakes up and becomes the Silver we all know and love. Malleus still sees him as the older brother, but thinks that now it's his turn to protect the human!

[i-can-sabotage-me-bi-myself]

Pennsylvania, I am super disappointed in you and disgusted by you. If this moldy peach wins that's it. I'm fucking leaving. My life is already a dumpster fire but I'd rather drown myself in a tub than live through another 4 years with that rapist as president

[willowcrowned]

they should let me write Aquaman 3: White House Visit where Joe Biden is forced by virtue of international diplomacy to shake Aquaman's hand

[norsesuggestions]

That is not how eurovision popularity works....

Listening to a usa based podcast talking about eurovision and the host was like:

"It is lucky usa do not compete in eurovision because with our pop - culture dominance we would win everytime"

Oh honey..... that is NOT how getting high scores in eurovision works. You would share last place with UK, every single time. LITERALLY

[prudentfolly]

Day 31: Heroic

"It didn't feel heroic then. Only desperate."

I ran the vault and my brain exploded.

[ganondoodle]

seeing the video of palestinians tearing down the apartheid wall and i cant help but feel a similar kind of joy as when seeing the pictures from when the wall seperating germany fell, with masses of people storming it and helping each other climb qwq

[susie-dreemurr]

Netero, from Japanese anime HxH, looking like the literal devil while nuking a man that tried to dialogue with him: you understand nothing of humanity’s infinite potential for malice!

Random reactor in YouTube: Netero was right, this was 100% necessary.

[nightfal1n]

"I miss you"

"I miss both of you"

+ Timelapse

[knownoshamc]

When my grandpa was around 14 years old, he joined the Greek resistance against the German and Italian occupation (smuggling food, helping Jewish people hide). One of my mom's stronger first memories is going to a protest for the war in Vietnam. One of my own, is standing in a protest against the war in Afghanistan, with people screaming "φονιάδες των λαών, αμερικανοι!" ("Murderers of people/nations, [are the] Americans"). Now I go to protests about Azerbaijan with an Armenian friend.

People have always stood against wars, against the deaths of innocent people.

Why now, protesting against the war in Palestine, is wrong?

[galactic-aesir]

I feel like we dont talk enough about the fact that (if you follow popular fanon), Miles Edgeworth went from living 11 years in Germany (earthquake every couple decades) to fucking Japanifornia (bajillion earthquakes a year). Bratworth’s first year back must’ve sucked.