#dad's guide

[phantobats]

I like to think that Bruce has a meticulously maintained order of where and how to store all the gadgets in the Batcave. If it's not followed properly, his entire day is ruined and his disappointment is immeasurable - and Dick knows this.

So whenever they fight, Dick will absolutely sneak into the storage and place the slightly larger Batarangs with the smaller ones, switch the flash grenades with the smoke bombs, and maybe even park the Batmobile slightly sideways instead of having it face the exit directly.

It drives Bruce crazy, but he can't react outwardly lest his other children notice and this cursed psychological warfare begins spreading.

[strawlessandbraless]

If only I had known what was in store for me when I sat down to watch the supernatural pilot at the ripe age of 14 in the summer of 2005

[midnottart]

Voltron S07E05 redraw • The moment Keith realises he's about to get a stepdad

[densewentz]

Take Your Kid to Work Day (with Dream's decidedly more alarming version of an artist rendering their kid's drawing)

[sentiniel]

the beginner's guide asks, "i did this to you; how do i be good? am i good, despite everything i've done to you? despite me hating myself?"

and wanderstop replies, "yes. yes, you are good. say it back to me. okay. good. trust yourself a little more. sit with the pain, discomfort and loss. let yourself grieve. we will be here for as long as it takes. we will only move again when you are ready."

[drawkill-dragon]

Soundwave, Champion of the pits of Kaon

Guiding Star Soundwave reveal!! And a little snippet of how D-16/Megatron (and Bee) first met him. D-16 is just a little awestruck. Bee is trying to figure out why that name and face remind him of the memorial Sentinel constructed in Iacon for the High Guardsmechs who died in the last days of the war against the Quintessons.

[champion-prism]

but all might's characterization drawing so much strength from mother figures. his victory pose, his laugh, from his earliest memories with his mother. learning to smile and be strong from nana. thinking of nana in his worst moments and gaining strength- i thought of her as my own mother, being formed as a person by nana's life and death. i dont know why hori specifically chose to make the seventh holder a woman (shigaraki's story would have worked if nana was male) but i love that toshinori yagi is a mama's boy.

so much of the media i love has cool male mentors or emphasises fathers, male mentors, or if women are a source of drive or inspiration they exist in that capacity as lovers; but to have an Incredibly Powerful male hero that goes "yes, i derive all my strength from my mother-figure mentor" is so dear to me. his earliest memories of his happy childhood featuring his biological mother.

[thebat-musicman]

WIPS I COULD REREAD OVER AND OVER AGAIN:

Wants and Needs (well, mostly wants): Chefs kiss, I am in love. Tim is so evil and so cute. Such long chapters that i totally love.

1-800-Gotham: SO MANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS!!!! All the bats want to adopt Jax and think Angel is evil.

Drake’s Spoiled Brat (I’m sorry Dad): As you can see I am a SLUT for Tim joining the batfamily late or early. This is also filled with identity shenanigans which are my favorite.

little menace: He’s such a cute little monster. Timmy is deaged to a vaguely evil toddler which is just awesome.

Double Trouble: CHAOS LORD TIM. Nothing else exists of this which is so disappointing as im in love now.

Jason Todd’s Guide on How to be Haunted with Minimal Stress: MWAH I AM KISSING THIS. I literally reread this the second i finished it. If it’s abandoned i will host a funeral. Dick, Tim, and Damian are sent back in time and Robin!Jason mistakes them as ghosts. They’re all surprised by what a sweet innocent child he is.

god turned human: Percy Jackson crossover. It only updates once a month which is so sadddd. I need to know where it’s going.

[lucksea]

havent decided how i want the introduction to go yet but i imagine it would roughly be one of these two

[llamahearted]

chicks dig the fuzzy dude (it's 2002 and they are nine years old and someday they will realize they wanted his exact gender the entire time)

prints ✩ track

[shroomerr]

minor spoilers for @mantequillamcwhoremick ‘s fic Chaos Plan, Chapter 20!!

How I pictured that one moment in chapter 20 when Kenny spotted Kyle and Stan

[kerryweaverlesbian]

Dean Winchester of Supernatural fame is NOT reading parenting books he is putting on Cheaper By The Dozen, Daddy Daycare and Honey I Shrunk The Kids taking notes.

[cienie-isengardu]

Sokka's sexism

Sokka’s sexism from the earliest episodes is an interesting case, because the Southern Water Tribe, at least from what was presented to us on screen, doesn’t seem to operate that much on gender roles? Especially when compared to the Northern Water Tribe?

I mean, yeah, warriors (men) went to war, while women, children and the elders stayed at home. But as Hama’s story shows, when Fire Nation attacked Southern Water Tribe, both female and male benders were fighting against invaders arm to arm and it seems like they were the actual first line of defense there, not the non-bender warriors.

In contrast, during siege of North Pole, in the final of Book 1: Water, we don’t see any female bender helping defend their home except Katara, who was involved in protecting Aang when he was in Spirit World.

Since all the waterbenders were captured from the Southern Tribe, it makes sense that non-bender warriors stepped in and got involved with war, while the kids and elders were left under women’s care.

Another example comes from “a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery and trust”, known as ice dodging. As Bato explained, it is a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members and in their village “done by weaving a boat through a field of icebergs.” When a child turns 14, their father was supposed to take them to ice dodging, so they could earn their mark. Though the episode itself was focused on Sokka’s ceremony, Bato never specified it as something that boys alone should do and not only Katara (girl) but also Aang (outsider) is allowed to take part in the ritual. Once Sokka proved himself, everyone of their group got a mark, as a sign they passed the test. Interesting thing to note, since Bato did not specify it is a rite of passage for boys alone, it suggests girls were expected to know how to sail in boats of the Southern Water Tribe. Of course, again, war didn’t allow to continue this tradition as men (Hakoda, in case of Sokka & Katara) left to fight against Fire Nation.

Later, when Sokka and Katara reunited with their father, Hakoda did not try to send away Katara nor relegate her to just a medic job during the invasion. In Northern Water Tribe episodes, we learned that teaching for waterbenders there was defined by gender - women were allowed to learn only how to heal, while men how to use their bending in fight. Hakoda, nor Bato nor other of their warriors even for a moment questioned Katara’s presence on the battlefield nor the presence of women in the ranks of their allies like a blind, 12 years old Toph or the female water benders from Swamps or female(?) soldier from Earth Kingdom

And during battle, Katara did not fight in rank with other soldiers, she first alone secured Appa during submarine attack, then alongside her brother and father took down guardhouses - Hakoda himself told her and Sokka to attack one when he took down the other one

showing how much he trusted his 15 years old son and 14 years old daughter while ordering them attack on Fire Nation adult soldiers hidden in well guarder place.

Later, when Hakoda got seriously injured and Sokka temporary took the command of their forces, we could see that Hakoda relied on Katara to follow his troops and not ever once tried to send her back “to safety” or argued she should leave him behind, as often it happens with heroic (male) figures. Quite the opposite. When Katara offered him to “wait here if you want”, Hakoda firmly said “I want to press forward with the others”, which meant his daughter needed to come with him directly into an already ongoing fight (even if they stayed more at the rear of their army, they were still on battlefield).

She and her brother, alongside with the youngest members of Invasion, were forced to flee on Appa once the battle was lost, but no other adult woman was included. During Zuko’s coronation, when all war prisoners were released, in the background we could again see the female character(s) from Swamps.

And let's not forget how impressive Hakoda was by Suki when she single-handedly captured the warden at Boiling Rock prison and did not try to stop her from fighting against Ty Lee alongside Zuko and Sokka against Azula.

Understandably, we have no idea how the Southern Water Tribe and its culture looked like before the war, even arguably, the characters themselves may not have a clear idea due to growing up in dire times. But my point is, Hakoda and Bato, the two main adult Southern Water Tribe’s warriors that Avatar: The Last Airbender allowed us to know more about, have never shown any direct sexism toward Katara or other female characters. And though Sokka was the oldest boy at their village, there is no reason to think women did not hunt in absence of men, because one person would not be able to provide for a whole community 24/7. Also, as Hama proved, the Southern Water Tribe’s waterbenders were capable of fighting and their gender did not play any vital role the way it happened in their sister tribe at North Pole. 

Of course, Fire Nation’s repeated attacks affected residents of South Pole and their living conditions but from the little bits the show gave us, I think it is correct to assume if Sokka grew up with Hakoda around to guide him as he should, his behavior would be different from the sexism and dismissive attitude toward Katara or Kyoshi Warriors. For one, logically thinking Southern Water Tribe’s warriors need to do all the cooking, sewing and keeping their camp clean all on their own during war so it is not a “girly job” but a vital part of a warriors skills to survive and ensure their equipment is in the best condition. But Sokka doesn’t know it, because there is no one to teach him the importance of those skills. All Sokka had was father’s farewell words to cling to - and I’m not sure if Hakoda truly expected his son to be able to protect Katara and the village in his absence, or he just tried to make Sokka feel a bit less depressed about being left behind. You know, by giving him purpose and a Big Important Job to focus on and to feel needed and trusted. 

Which leads me to think that Sokka’s sexism is not rooted in Southern Water Tribe’s culture itself, but in his own insecurity and pressure of being the oldest boy in the village. If girls could be warriors - and be better than him - it would put into question all his self-worth, purpose and the trust given by father. Once Sokka met Kyoshi Warriors and later all the skilled girls, it challenged him on a very personal level, but he accepted the truth and moved on and alongside, finally became a true warrior and a man. 

And I find it indeed an interesting case, as Sokka’s sexism and dismissal of girls is not necessarily stemming from the culture he is part of, but rather is the effect of not knowing said culture & pre-war history of his Tribe. And of course, from his own insecurity. 

[sleepyminty]

Put into perspective, had dad quixote survived, Vergilius would gain another fan who wont stop yapping. Another lost another gain which would have been funni

[nintenka]

DAYS OF MISCHIEF 2024

happy halloween! 🕯️🎃

i tried my best to squeeze in a halloween piece before it was too late LMAOO

[midnight-weird-thoughts]

I know it has been nearly a year since the whole thing about Toichi being alive, and I am sorry if anyone said this before let me know and I can delete this, I was just taking a break to engage with the real world, but after rewatching some episodes I decided the only way I will accept this concept, is if they make him the Big Bad. The guy in charge of the Black Organization, as far as I know, is called Renya Karasuma. The earliest I can remember the name being dropped was in the Sunset Manor case with the mansion made out of solid gold. I remembered it because KID disguised as Kogoro. But the point it, he was there. I don't remember if we were told why he was there or on what information was he basing his infiltration on, but it's kinda ""coincidental"" that KID often appears when The Boss is discussed or alluded to in the episodes. This wasn't the only occasion. It is actually kind of a recurrence. Also, we know that Karasuma is in his hundreds at least, and Vermouth's age is unknown either, but she is older than Jody who is in her late-ish twenties (based on how long would it have taken her to become an FBI agent). The apotoxin is an interesting project to be having in a criminal organization even if you spin it as a fluke in a poison-making process, it is still a weird side-effect to have.

A pill that de-ages and seems to have no other adverse effect on the person. Not even mental capacity loss to the level a child's brain would have. And then we have an immortality giving gem also being sought after. And the world does have real magic, as we see with Akako. It is not just supersticion.

Toichi was also suspiciously on time to somehow save Chikage from those men who tried to blackmail her into stealing something. We are told he became a thief for her, which is an interesting impulse from a — presumably until then — law-abiding magician. Plus the skills he had to escape armed members of the organization...

And it is theorized that Chikage was the one to teach him disguise. He somehow came to teach Yukiko and Vermouth and passed on those skills further. How did this arregnement take place? Did he advertize he wanted students? Is that things world-famous magicians do? Doesn't it usually happen by specific tutelage? Wouldn't Yukiko had to have thought him out herself? Where did Sharon come from in that equasion then? Also, in which country did it happen? Did Yukiko move to America? Was Sharon on "vacation" in Japan? Did they track to an unrelated country where Toichi was in that time period just to learn from him?

If Toichi was really helping his wife by redirecting focus to himself, how did he not notice that Vermouth was shady? He was after an organization of people, reportedly. His new student was shady. Both were big name career criminals. Neither of them were careless people. Yukiko was a civilian, it makes sense she didn't know. But these two? On an unrelated note, Vermouth was said to be the Big Boss' favorite.

Also, a little etymology. As we all know anime characters names are all just horrible puns. But this time it is actually pretty funny the kind of coincidences you see. Kaito we all know is a pun on "thief" in Japanese. But it is not just him in that family. Toichi spells his given name like this 盗一 . 盗 means "steal, rob, pilfer" according to a dictionary, and 一 means either "one" as in a numerical or "best in".

A funny name for an internationally wanted thief. A pun from the author, but in-world a funny name to chose for your child. My friend and I actually used to joke that there were an entire dynasty of thieves in the Kuroba family and they just liked to make it subtly obvious.

But that is not the only thing. Kuroba is spelt like this 黒羽, where 黒 means "black" and 羽 means "feathers". Funny when the Big Bad's name is Renya Karasuma. Where Karasuma is spelt like 烏丸 where 烏 means "crow, raven" and 丸 means "circle". And Renya is spelt like 蓮耶 where 蓮 means "lotus" and 耶 means "questioning, question mark, interrogative". The question mark is KID's symbol in the ironic "?" "!" exchange that Toichi and Yusaku came up with. Chikage, for the record, is spelt like this 千影 where 千 means "thousand" and 影 means "shadow, silhouette, phantom", but that is neither here nor there. It could be her real given name or she could have changed her name, because what are the odds that the two best thieves in the world come from the same country and happen to be in the same part of a huge city at the same time? (Half-French Kaito, my beloved, but this isn't about that.) If she did change it, it is also a play on the organization. If she didn't her parents maybe wanted an actor and got a thief. Cursed by a name and all. I know this is all over the place, and I am grasping at straws and probably sound like a conspiracy theorist, but that reveal really destroyed me. The Kaitou Corbeau episode was a betrayal, and I can't even think of what Kaito's mental state was like then under the Poker Face. I saw fics where it was actually Chikage who dressed up like that which, coming from a mother, I would consider a form of psychological torture even playing with your child's trauma like that. So if Toichi does wind up being alive, I hope for nothing less than him being the Main Antagonist of the entire series. I know this is unlikely to happen, given how Karasuma's silhouette was drawn as an old man's and Gosho has proven to not be able to write healthy relationships of any kind (from Kogoro and his hitting of Conan and his alcoholic womanizing tendencies to the abandonment of parents being played as a quirk to the jealousy and dysfunctionality between Shinichi and Ran and other couples being shown as "cute" and many other instances), he will probably have Kaito forgive both Toichi and Chikage, but damn... But well, the Kurobas have proven to be masters of disguise and Vermouth doesn't seem to age, so there's that