#dedicated to a fictional character

[hotspace39]

I’m visiting Ianto’s shrine tmro AGH! AGH !

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

The world if people stopped applying their understanding of "conservatism" and "religion/christianity" through a very modern, deeply American view onto Death Note (a manga from the Early-mid 2000s which is very much set in the cultural and societal context of early-mid 2000s Japan and all that entails):

[batfambyval]

Okay here’s the thing I’m really annoyed about concerning Tim Drake:

He didn’t remain CEO in more than name. He let Lucius take care of everything he just used the position to create his Neon Knights initiative. He isn’t running WE. He is however running NK. He’s traveling around the world setting up NK locations in cities with lots of at risk youth. He’s not running a Fortune 500 company he’s running a non-profit charity organization dedicated to protecting kids and getting more people on a stable path earlier in life. He isn’t out here dealing with rich, white, assholes so he can make money for himself! He’s doing it to better the world, he’s doing it for education and a safe environment for kids around the world! And he is facing a lot of resistance from the rest of the rich and powerful. He is endearing himself to no one in the business world because his ultimate goal is to dethrone them all by fixing the wage gap. He wants people to have choices so the rich and powerful can’t exploit them as easily.

Tim Drake is not a business man. He has the skills, the ruthlessness and the determination but not the desire. He uses his status and money to help people in need. And it’s a more realistic way of helping the world. You can’t just throw money at problems and expect them to go away. Donating money doesn’t help nearly as much as using money to create systems that help people get the skills and opportunities they need. It takes dedicated work and meticulous oversight and it’s not something that can be done casually. It’s a commitment, not a hobby. The world is to fucked up for any easy fixes. But Neon Knights is a great idea, a long term solution if done correctly. I’ve always thought that fixing education and making sure everyone has equal opportunity from a young age would fix a lot of the issues in the world. More educated people making smarter decisions, more diversity because everyone’s success in entirely merit based. Anyway I’m getting off track. Point is, Tim isn’t some business man with charitable contributions here and there. He’s dedicated his civilian life to the long term benefit of society. He’s not a slacker or a full time vigilante. He’s out there building an entirely new system, a global network of people and locations dedicated solely to helping kids have better futures.

[thesongthesoulsings]

I had to...

[trying-to-get-somewhere-real]

really feel like fandom needs to get more comfortable with ambiguous dynamics, and how that ambiguity can be a feature not a bug! i notice this everywhere in fandom now, but this post is about sydcarmy the bear cause that is my current hyperfixation lol. sitting with ambiguity is the lifeblood of so many (all?) queer ships (also, importantly, my real-life queer experience) but i think it’s often relevant for straight ships too. no one is making sydcarmy antis ship them but to say ABSOLUTELY NOT because the nature of their relationship at this very moment is not easily defined is missing so much that is rich and interesting and sexy about figuring out what the dynamic is. *especially* for fan content (which is what a lot of us are here for actually!) using fic and meta to explore what certain words, body language, editing choices, music choices, etc mean is what makes our brains light up! (mine at least)

tension between two characters is the sexiest thing and ambiguity heightens that tension imo! whatever happens or does not happen with them in the future, at this very moment in time the undefinable quality of their relationship creates the space for shipping. this used to be a rather basic concept in fandom that seems to have gotten lost in the past however many years. i guess the primary anti response to this would be that the dynamic is *not* ambiguous—it is platonic—but like, i am with @eatandsleepwell who just included the following in this excellent post today:

and the thing about syd and carm being friends is that. they’re not. or at least not yet. or at least they need more to be friends. friends know your mom is dead, they know what your relationship with your parents is like. friends can easily hang out with each other after work. friends can be apart without the sense that the separation is akin to devastation. 

i don’t really think they’re friends! they are a weird third thing that is so delicious to me, and every single day right now very brilliant people are writing hundreds of words on this website attempting to interpret what that thing is or could be. this is the lifeblood of fandom! and the demand or expectation that ships have neon signs above them that say ROMANTIC to be valid romantic ships is just very odd to me. syd and carmy are weird and intense about each other in a way that is not easy to parse but once you decide to try and parse it, it’s such a satisfying experience as a fan. they had some major blow ups in s1, and in s2 managed to largely avoid them with the asl sorry but clearly were in unspokenish conflict much of the time (that they managed to diffuse just barely; mostly by syd walking away!) besties is not the word i would use to describe them at all. besties do not struggle this much to communicate. there are so many wonderful complicated bonkers things going on there and the purpose of this post isn’t to get into them but just to point out that they’re there.

anyone who thinks it’s easy to reduce them to any one given thing right now isn’t paying enough attention. and not being able to categorize them easily isn’t a bad thing for me. it’s the constant thrum of what is this? what is this? what is this??? that makes fandom great and i wish that didn’t feel like a hot take right now.

[shima-draws]

Shima is it Coralaw 👀👀👀

...................MAYBE

[thewitchkingiscool-ace]

[fantasygerard2000]

Magnifico simps the moment people acknowledge that him as a bad guy:

[redstrewn]

Last min speed doodle for my fav poor violent meow meow

[dinosaurwithablog]

I think that it is cool that the TV show, Castle, has generated a series of books written by the protagonist on the show, Richard Castle. They are available for perusal in your local library. I didn't enjoy the Derrick Storm books as much as I enjoyed the Nikki Heat books. I love how they incorporated the characters from the TV show into the books. The names are changed, but we know who they are. In my opinion, that's dedication to character development 👏🏽 😊😋

[pesulapikan1412]

Happy Birthday , Aoko!

doing this for aoko’s bday w kaito <3 as for the fanart… glad i hv 29 days to celebrate it. buy a cake for this!! since this year they gave a lot of official merch 🥹🫶

well, another pics! <3 ft amigurumi kidao (custom) from my friend

that’s it!!! again happy bday aoko!! n____n

[kassandras-one-braincell]

giggling thinking about watching hercules with kassandra 😭 at some point she’d get so fed up she’d start like- pacing around ranting about it and then eventually just turn the tv off and leave the room

She'd be an absolute nightmare. At first, she's disgruntled by something, and you have to remind her that it is a kid's film, and mythological accuracy wasn't the priority, otherwise it definitely would not be a kid's film. She'll settle down again, mumbling a "you're right, you're right" only to start up again 10 minutes later.

The pacing around kicks in at just after the halfway mark, at which point you would be the one to suggest switching the telly off or finding something else to watch. But Kass refuses because you wanted to watch it (not that you've been able to thus far) and that wouldn't be fair to you. She manages to keep quiet and still for another two minutes but the second they arrive at the Underworld, whoo boy, she's unleashing a string of Greek profanities that would hospitalise a nun.

Kass excuses herself from the room at that point, wanting you to enjoy the ending, oblivious to the fact that you haven't been able to pay attention to anything past the first few minutes. Of course, she feels bad about this when it gets pointed out. You let her make it up to you with cuddles - the easiest way to get her to simmer down after a petty rant - and you put on Drag Race while massaging her palm to reduce her cortisol levels lol

[cienie-isengardu]

I don't really agree with your takes on Kuai Liang. You hold him to a standard far higher than his circumstances allow him. You say he should have confronted the Lin Kuei but the moment he saw them, they immediately tried to kill him and Tomas without any chance. You assume Liu Kang helped him when an intro suggests Liu has left him on his own. You say he should have returned and taken over Lin Kuei, people who rejected him and never gave him a chance but take issue when he tries to get stronger to face them. You conveniently leave out the part Kuai wants others to not touch Bi-Han and Lin Kuei and that's why he's in Outworld to stop Bi-Han according to intros.

I think you're more than a little biased against MK1 Kuai. It's getting obvious.

That’s perfectly fine if you do not agree with my take on Kuai Liang. I’m not here to convince you or anyone to my ideas, simply explaining my reasoning since you asked 🙂 

“You say he should have confronted Lin Kuei but the moment he saw them, they immediately tried to kill him and Tomas without any chance.”

I think you mistake two separate events. I said he should confront Lin Kuei when he learned the truth about Bi-Han not aiding their father in need, right away when he defeated and captured his brother. Tomas thought he would do so, to take the title of Grandmaster and prevent further damage. But Kuai Liang outright rejected this idea, thinking Cyrax and Sektor would still stick to Bi-Han despite the grave accusation. In that scene Kuai Liang chose to cut his ties with Grandmaster, as was seen when he removed his emblemant of Lin Kuei, saying "You are my grandmaster no longer" . Which I guess could count as him leaving the clan. 

From story mode we know only that they took Bi-Han with themselves and a few chapters later, Tomas noted that Lin Kuei refused to aid Liu Kang. But as far as dialogue goes, neither Scorpion nor Smoke said they were attacked by Lin Kuei or in any other way persecuted and I don’t think there is any source claiming that for this specific point in time. Otherwise Kuai Liang and Tomas would either mention they needed to run away from their people to join Liu Kang for the battle or would not be there at all, if the clan wished them dead or hurt.

The attack you mentioned comes AFTER Titan Shang Tsung was defeated and again, comes from Scorpion’s ending and not story mode itself. Which is a second, separate event from the one I referred to in my previous post. In my opinion Kuai Liang should take control over the clan right away Bi-Han was compromised, because it was his duty as the second-in-line. And most likely he was trained for that possibility, as being Lin Kuei was a hazardous job and Grandmaster Sub-Zero was personally involved with doing Fire Lord’s bidding. So no, I don’t think this is holding Kuai Liang to a higher standard, as he is not a mere warrior forced to step in and solve the critical situation all by himself but a man raised as part of the ruling family and with a birthright to do so. Expecting Scorpion to do his duty hardly feels like demanding too much. But it is perfectly fine if anyone does not agree on this one with me. 

So yes, I say he should have confronted Lin Kuei and no, Tomas and Kuai Liang were not immediately attacked between chapters. Lin Kuei refused to aid Liu Kang and at this certain point in the story, it is all they did as far as source materials goes to my knowledge.

“You assume Liu Kang helped him when an intro suggests Liu has left him on his own. “

Yes, I assume so, as for me characters BIO and story mode are a more truthful source than intro dialogues that don’t give us the full context of the interaction, or characters’ endings that aren’t always 100% compatible with the next game (and I do acknowledge that my opinion about Scorpion's ending may change once the new story will be released). Sadly, I have no idea what intro dialogue you're referring to. It would be helpful if you could paraphrase it for me. I checked out MK Warehouse’s page but did not see anything fitting? Or did you actually mean Scorpion’s ending?

“You say he should have returned and taken over Lin Kuei, people who rejected him and never gave him a chance but take issue when he tries to get stronger to face them. 

Yes, as I said before he should do so right away when Bi-Han allied with Shang Tsung but was defeated in one on one match. Sure, the sources strongly imply for us that no Lin Kuei beside Tomas supported Kuai Liang which I admit is pretty surprising. I imagine there were still plenty of people who loyally served his father and to think all of them rejected Scorpion in Sub-Zero’s favor says a lot about the political mood within the clan. Me wishing for Kuai Liang to confront Lin Kuei right away after the failed mission is not saying he would succeed but he definitely could at least try. Instead all the story mode said on the matter is that he doesn’t think Lin Kuei will make him the next Grandmaster due to Cyrax and Sektor, which again raises a question why his socio-political status would be so low between his folks if BIO alone introduced Scorpion as a REVERED Lin Kuei Warrior.

(definition presented at Cambridge Dictionary)

If you meant “return and take over Lin Kuei” in regard to leaks, then again, I do stand by my previous statement. He should take an active part in bringing back Lin Kuei on the righteous path, reclaiming his home and position, if he truly was so dedicated to his duty and father’s teaching. Otherwise leaving Lin Kuei on their own terms may lead to another conflict and in result put Earthrealm at risk. I do not say doing so would be pleasant or easy for Kuai Liang, but what else could be a better way to honor his father and the tradition he revered so much than personally restoring father’s legacy? A legacy for which Scorpion rejected his own brother and future offered by Sub-Zero? Though again, feel free to disagree, as this is just my personal opinion. 

I take no issue with Kuai LIang getting stronger and preparing for the war. I would be quite disappointed if he didn’t do so, as he is warrior first and foremost. Last time I only pointed out that MK1 Kuai Liang has better means to face Lin Kuei than his previous incarnations even had. Which is why I rejected your statement Scorpion and Tomas had not enough time or resources to do anything. If we go with intro dialogues, it seems they used the given opportunity very well, as in the relatively short time Shirai Ruy rose in such power they felt ready to face Lin Kuei on their own terms. Or more precisely: hunt down Bi-Han.

Scorpion: Bi-Han's trail has led me to Sun Do. Li Mei: I'll abide no vigilante justice, Kuai Liang.

or

Raiden: How goes the hunt for Bi-Han? Smoke: I've never chased a cagier quarry.

You conveniently leave out the part Kuai wants others to not touch Bi-Han and Lin Kuei and that's why he's in Outworld to stop Bi-Han according to intros.

Conveniently leaving? Nah, the only reason I did not go into great details about all intro dialogues is simply the fact that those intros do not contradict in any way my statement. Both brothers are fully ready and willing to hurt each other to fulfill their goals and show little regret over this (with only Tomas actually preferring the reconciliation). Kuai Liang rejecting Kitana or Raiden’s help or Mileena's demands as he wishes to deal with Bi-Han by himself is not an example of Scorpion regretting the fratricidal struggle. Same with Bi-Han rejecting Havik’s offer

Havik: Aid me, and I'll destroy the Shirai Ryu. Sub-Zero: That is *my* privilege, Havik.

Funny though how you conveniently left that Bi-Han too rejected help from his allies in regard Kuai Liang at least once or that he actually is willing to make peace with Liu Kang (what most likely would stop the war between brothers)

Sub-Zero: You want peace? Let us be. Liu Kang: The Lin Kuei's sins aren't easily forgiven.

or that he is willing accept Tomas back if he submit 

Smoke: Are we to be enemies for life? Sub-Zero: Unless you submit, Tomas.

Which is not much, but frankly, at this moment it is more than Kuai Liang’s intros offer in regard to calming the clans war. Understandable, as Scorpion has right to be bitter and angry but even Liu Kang is concerned about his vengeance:

Liu Kang: You allow vengeance to consume you. Scorpion: I should not punish Bi-Han for his crimes?

But like I said, showing a bit of good will here and there or brothers seeing their conflict as personal matters that should be resolved between them does not contradict my statement that both Bi-Han and Kuai Liang are willing to face the other in fight and if needed, even hurt each other’s friends and family. So in all fairness, I’m not sure what you are accusing me here? 

I think you're more than a little biased against MK1 Kuai. It's getting obvious.

The thing I’m definitely biased towards is the NRS forcefully bringing back the Shirai Ryu vs Lin Kuei conflict that was solved in MKX almost decade ago. If you think this is a personal bias toward Kuai Liang then sure, why not 🙂

[whereistim]

Do you think tim is sexist

I think some of writing is definitely a product of the era, in the nineties, with reflections on the writers like Dixon. Absolutely! But as with older media you have to give them some leeway when it comes to what would be casual-isms, and learn from their mistakes.

And as a point, a lot ‘Tim is sexist’ points come from interactions between him and Steph where he is trying to actively stop her from being a vigilante. His arguments range from her being untrained to that she isn’t in it for the right reasons. And he’s right, she’s bot.

And Tim reasons for being Robin are the most morally solid out there, so for him, her morality is a big issue. Unfortunately that all just gets clumped in with the argumentative statement that she can’t do it because “she’s a girl”. And I think that reflects more on the writers lack of nuance than Tim as a character.

And why would writers do that? So when she does become a vigilante, it’s even more impressive, against the odds, girl power! It’s heavy handed but for there to be conflict there has to be opposition, and due to her lack of support, it had to be Tim.

Tim surrounds himself with women while in the mask and out of it. He learns from Lady Shiva and works with the Huntress and Oracle. He’s been seen working with Catwoman and recently Harley Quinn too.

Unfortunately there aren’t many civilian women he doesn’t have some sort of romantic entanglements with, but again that’s very much a pitifall of the writer. And he comes out of a lot of these relationships with friends

I’m quite partial to the Tim and Tam kiss because it’s very much a ‘Holy shit I’m alive, my blood is pumping, no thoughts head empty’ kind of situation and I, and so many others, like to think that after that Tam goes ‘why did I do that?’ And they both acknowledge it was an adrenaline thing (I’m a sucker for impulsive actions after near death).

He holds a lot of respect for his fellow heroes too, from congratulating Cassie on being leader and his affection for Cass (these comic bros gotta be more creative with their names). Respecting Cissie’s decisions to retire without complaint and even allowing girls into the team that was just initially three guys in a cave. (In this day and age they would of started a podcast!)

You could argue ulterior motives for these decisions but you could do that for anything, after all that’s what anxiety is for! 🫠👍

Do I think he’s sexist? Nah. To me he’s one of the ✨ gals ✨

[konshokoentaiko]

i need to write a lawlight au where l and light are contestants on an idol survival show à la idol producer (2018)

[shsl-box-worshipper]

Realized that I haven't posted my CL OC here at all. Cuz fuck it, cringe culture is dead and I like her

This is Alexandrie Fontaine, or, as she likes to be called, Alex.

Since tumblr basically borked the image quality, here's what it says about her character, with some additions here and there:

She's the typist at Kadic News, in that she's the person behind how it looks and how its formatted via using a 2000s era version of photoshop (which she happens to be quite adept at). She's apart of Yumi's grade and class and is legitimately one of the smartest kids in her class.

However, she's an anxiety-ridden stress nugget who continually forgets to sleep and overworks herself. Part of her character design is literally what I call 'Perpetual Eyebags of Insomnia'.

She's a sarcastic snarker and is typically seen as a chill person to be around (She rarely raises her voice and her default mood is tired). However, she is also known to be quite blunt with how she talks to people. These stem from her being an introvert, who'd rather just mind her own business than get herself involved in other people's drama (Ironic since she works for the school newspaper).

Her main likes are cola (she's addicted since it acts as a lite coffee for her), a band called Geiger Husks (a techno/nu-metal/punk band with a post-apocalyptic theme. Their logo is a red gas mask, which is on the back of her jacket), Sundays (because there are no classes on Sundays at Kadic), horror movies, and pizza.

She dislikes soup, when people are being idiots, being forced to talk to people, and The Subdigitals (she finds them too poppy and her peers constantly play their music to the point that she's grown to hate them).

And of course, since she works at Kadic news, she works with Milly and Tamiya. Alex publicly states that she has a professional relationship with the kids and nothing more, but she secretly likes the kids and appreciates their company.

However, she hates pre-XANAifcation William and Sissi. William is because he kept trying to flirt with Alex and ask her out on dates, even though she is not interested in the slightest. And Sissi because the girl has a tendency to bully Milly and Tamiya which can easily invoke Alex's wrath more often than not.

I very much intended her to essentially be an additional side character. Another face at Kadic that sometimes gets involved in the plot and sometimes not. She's not a member of the Lyoko Warriors (though that can obviously change) and was made to be a chill big sister character for Milly and Tamiya.