#discord: tenacity

[skycowboys]

Heya!! Just got to sift through the artbook as it arrived a few days ago and i am absolutely IN LOVE with the art, blown away by the concepts and character art– all of it is fantastic and delicious food for the noggin, esp as an artist myself, and a horse + wild west enjoyer. ^v^)o In essence: 10/10, yall outdid yourselves! 

I also had some questions, if it's okay, (no pressure or anything)– but I was interested in maybe making a character for the world (if we can do that sort of thing); and I am absolutely enraptured and fascinated by the concept of “Boltslayers”, and I love, love, love the Lightning fish. (Big monster/creature design enthusiast so i adore them snbgdhjndgh)

1: are there any kind of specific pegasi that Boltslayer pilots would use/ride for that sort of thing? Or is it up to the pilots discretion/preference? (i.e: if longwings would be preferred for speed and maneuverability for example!)

2: I'm also super curious if Boltslayers hunt Lightning fish to keep their populations in check, and/or if it's like an actual career (as actual big-game hunting), or if it's more or less a ‘’hobby’’ for some, as a way to get some extra coin or whathaveyou. 🤔

Anyway yeah that sums my thoughts up haha XD apologies for the yapping. Might check out the discord server at some point! Can't wait to devour more of your amazing art in the future. Best wishes!! ~ NEO 💜

Hello!

I'm so glad you received your book <3 And I'm so glad you like it! I put a lot of time into it and it's fun to see it resonate with people :)

Heck yeahhh! Boltslayers are fun! One of the characters in the upcoming comic is a boltslayer. Here's a sneak peek of her -

Yes! Broadwings, certainly. Within that class, there are a few breeds that do exceptionally well like firefoot and deepwood broadwings (Sniper above and Semrah below are both deepwood broadwings).

These broadwings have extreme tenacity and focus. Just as important is the bond between pilot and pegasus. Both have to 100000% trust each other with zero doubts because when you're hunting lightning fish, doubt means death. Any pegasus that has those qualities can be used in a hunt.

2. Boltslayers most often hunt lightning fish as a job. The payday for felling a LF can be massive and can be residual as long as the LF is being harvested. Boltslayers work with trusted merchants who manage the harvesting after the LF is down, and collect the boltslayer's cut of the materials sold over time. So boltslayers don't have to hunt very often.

There are some who hunt for sport, but the majority of boltslayers see the sport hunters as posers and will avoid them. To a *real* boltslayer, pitting yourself against a LF will result in a death: you or the LF. Risking your life for sport is seen as stupid and disrespectful to the LF, who will throw everything it has at you. Why waste a whole LF for your own glory? Even if the LF is harvested, a sport kill is seen as cheap and distasteful. If you're a sport hunter, good luck trying to find a team that'll hunt with you.

That said, all boltslayers are crazy daredevils in some respect. Hunting LF is incredibly dangerous and difficult. It takes a certain kind of person to master it. Boltslayers like to spend time at Fen's Ascension and practice their skills in "mock hunts", where you're really just playing chicken with young LF and don't actually engage in a hunt to kill. This can be done alone, where as real hunts are done in teams.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I hope that answers your questions! We'll all be happy to see you in the Discord if you choose to join :)

~ Larn

For anyone new seeing this aaaaask:

Art book | Sky Cowboys Discord Community

[tinum]

Memento Vivere - Harumasa x Reader (Angst)

Summary: Harumasa's death and everything that comes after it. Warnings: CHARACTER DEATH, possible errors, maybe ooc Word Count: 1.6k Notes: the plot hole is actually filled with hidden lore about the reader guys! It's totally intentional, trust me! Thanks to the anon who requested!! ill work on it ASAP <3 okay, i think i did pretty good on this one but i really struggled with the ending tho. Let me know what you think.

The beginning. To every start, there must be an end. No matter how gently you stretch a rubber band, it is bound to break. What can not be cured must be endured, and what is endured succumbs with you.

Harumasa lays in your arms, his own body giving in to the weakness he had been born with. Tiny crystals have begun their spread across his cheek. Slowly sleeping below the skin, splitting muscle and replacing it with a mineral you hope you'd never seen him wear.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." You repeat like a mantra. It was you who had gotten him into this mess. If you had not insisted on him accompanying you, He would have been back at the office, slacking off as he deserved. "It's all my fault. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Hey now, you didn't know this would happen." His voice was gravelly as if the corruption had already made its way to his throat, permeating his voice box.

Behind you, your bangboo's buzzing circuits shoot out sparks as it twitches helplessly on the concrete. It repeats the same dialogue over and over. The echoing fills you with insurmountable rage, and each discordant repeat of your failure fills you with a burning desire to smash it into pieces.

You stumble over your words, scanning your surroundings. "We have to get out of here. Maybe there's a chance-"

Harumasa cuts you off, gently squeezing your hand. "I think we missed that boat a long time ago." A brutal cough overtakes his words, leaving nothing but grits of dust.

"Stop it." You spoke gravely. "Stop talking like that!" You didn't mean to raise your voice. Comforting him is what you should be doing, not yelling as if he is in the wrong.

Harumasa couldn't help but chuckle. He had always admired your tenacity, even if you were lying to yourself.

"Hey.. remember what I asked from you?" His eyes reach yours, the brilliant gold now a cold yellow. You nod sullenly; tears cloud your vision.

"That's good." Harumasa looked down at his legs; crystals had already formed around their length. "It seems like I have nothing to worry about, then."

You held him for a few moments, your breaths fluctuating as you struggled to hold on to your sobs. You aren't sure what you're waiting for. The end was inevitable; once corruption took root, it would only spread.

"C'mon.. you promised. You wouldn't go back on a promise, would you?" He rested his head on your shoulder, unable to hold the weight alone. He reaches for your thigh, pulling out the dagger from its sheath.

The bough finally breaks, and sorrowful tears shove themselves past your waterline. "I can't.."

"Please." He begs. You were being selfish; you knew you were. Stretching a few moments with him while he was suffering an insoluble torment.

He places the dagger in your palm, folding your fingers over it. Guiding the dagger to his chest, he whispers, "please."

The crack of rocks becomes more apparent as it travels up from his legs at an alarming speed. No longer could you delay your parting. It was a matter of seconds now.

Oh, how you wish you had more time—more time to spend doing the things he loves and more time with him.

The cool steel punctures through his breast. Penetrating faster than corruption could leech. In your arms, he ceases his breathing. The hand, cradling his killer, falls to his side, never to rise again.

-----

The world was cruel to those who can't acclimate. A goodbye will only fall deaf to those who refuse to listen. It will always loom even if they ignore what happened, waiting for the day they let their guard down.

When you return to work a few weeks later, you expect to see him sitting at his desk, his head resting gently on the piles of paperwork he has yet to do. You know it's impossible, but you can't shake the routine you have grown to love.

Once you are seated at your new desk, one far from his, a voice gently calls out your name.

"I think it's best if we talk-"

"Don't." You don't bother turning around; you don't want to see them.

"Please, just give it a chance. It would be beneficial to us all if we had a moment to talk about him."

"I said don't. I don't want to talk about this, okay?" She noticed how you tiptoed around the subject, too afraid to speak his name.

"I won't force you," she pauses, unsure if she should speak. But I think he would want you to attend his funeral." She gently places a card on your desk—a funeral.

You wouldn't. You had too much work to do.

-----

It comes in waves. A sheet of weight that crushes you, you can fight against the tide till it recedes, but it always comes back. Violently.

He should have never gone with you. It was his fault. It's his fault for coming. It's his fault for being sick. That's what you keep telling yourself over and over till you are choking on your guilt.

When you are not blaming him, he comes in your dreams. He haunts your safe haven, removing the white and painting it red. His figure is tainted with corruption, and his eyes are a different shade than you remember. He laughs, and he jeers, mocking your own failure to protect.

You were weak. Weak in battle and weak against him. Everything he says rings true, no matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise.

-----

Wishing for a different outcome. If you were given the chance to reverse time, what would you do differently?

Sometimes, you ponder if you could have done something to prevent this from happening. If you had told him no that morning, would he be laughing with you today? How about if you took a different route in the hallow? Would he have safely made it out? You have repeatedly run through all the possibilities in your mind, looking for a new path to alter.

If you had one wish, it would be to see into the future. You would make sure you would never make the same mistake. You'd protect him this time.

You smile fondly at your fantasy.

-----

The world is bleak, but it's worse without them. The battle against the tide has been lost. You let the water submerge you.

You haven't been to work in almost a month. Getting out of bed was already daunting, but seeing his desk was more so. Even the thought would cause tears to well up in your eyes. You didn't want to cry anymore, but you didn't know how to stop.

Once you had reluctantly drifted to sleep, he spoke. It was soft and tender, a strong contrast to his previous visits. His eyes were that familiar shade of sunset you had remembered. His flesh had broken through the corruption, no longer tainted with pain. It was truly him.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You're stronger than this."

"Harumasa!" you call out, reaching for him, hoping to feel his warmth, but your hand passes through.

"Hah, that doesn't work, I already tried."

"Is it really you?" you whisper, your illusionary hand caressing as close to his face as you can. Your eyes snap to his features, his eyes, his nose, and his hair, painting a memory. "I miss you so much."

His hand hovers over yours; there is no sensation of touch, but something else overwhelms you—a warmth so beautifully him.

"I miss you too." He eyed gaze upon you as if you hung the sun itself, and you couldn't help but do the same.

When you can't handle his stare any longer, you pull him into a hug to the best of your abilities. For a moment, you feel like he's real again.

But as the way of all things, it must come to an end. Just as quick as the warmth came, it began to disappear. His figure slowly blended in with the backdrop of your dreamland.

"No-!" You stumble towards him, but he is already gone.

"Don't rush. I'll see you when you get here, kay?"

You woke up with a gasp. The room was grey, except for a single ray of light shining through the crack of your curtain.

Perhaps you would get out of bed today.

-----

It is never truly gone, just bearable. A wound so deep can heal, but a scar will always remain.

The dream where he spoke so tenderly was his last visit. He never returned, no matter how often you tried to recreate that day. The wounds have healed, but they left their mark. The world may have gone on without him, but yours had stopped the day he passed. You weren't sure if it would ever spin again, but you'd be damned if you didn't try.

Returning to work after your final meeting was daunting, but his words cleared the clouds in your mind, allowing you to see clearly for the first time. If you had just pulled the curtain, you'd realize the light had been shining there all along.

The members of section 6 were your light. They carried the burden of loss just like you did. They cried and screamed for a second chance, just as you. Allowing them in was allowing yourself to heal. You deserved that much.

So, you will allow yourself to heal. Day by day, you will carry on your work, fighting for everything he believed in, just like he would for you.

[henrysglock]

Superspy!

This post is just me breaking off the UD double agent section from my time loop theory post (14 Jan. 2024). It's not new, just wanted it separate for ease of referencing.

I'm not sure if anyone else outside the my discord server has noticed this, but in every season there's at least one instance of the UD just...offering up information.

"It does?"

Yup! Let me explain.

On first glance, we look at things like Nancy's vision and even El's vision with Billy in the cabin, and we go "Oh, it's because [insert "the bad guy's cruel/he wants to scare her/his hubris will be his downfall/all serial killers want to be known for their crimes" etc here]"...but maybe that's not the case.

For example: Vecna told Nancy his backstory, and then he immediately went

"Oh hey, so not only am I revealing my identity (Which may help you find out more about me via lab records later on, things like...maybe a list of my abilities, or my weaknesses, like the fact that I have a nut allegry. Allegedly.), but I'm also gonna give you a sneak peek of my apocalypse plans. For free. As a treat. Don't use these to prepare or anything. I'm totally not giving you a head start".

Terrifying, yes. A taunt and a threat on surface view, yes...but also showing his hand. "I want you to tell Eleven everything you see" Why. Why would he want that? He may be confident in his plans, arrogant, even...but he's not that stupid.

I'm serious, though. Check it out in comparison to Henrys visions of the future. The pattern is patterning:

We can track that back to El's cabin scene with Billy, wherein he tells her she shouldn't have looked for him, warns her that they all can see her, and that they're going to be coming after her...and he cries about it. That's vision Billy. That's someone else who piggybacked into El's mind from Billy's mind. Billy doesn't have powers. He can't piggyback into minds. That's not real Billy, just like how Billy in Max's vision wasn't the real Billy. That's someone with the ability to piggyback into minds (sit with that for a beat, it'll come to you). The person giving El that vision warns her.

Why on earth would that person tell her that they can see her, that they're coming for her? That's sensitive information! It would be smarter to let her think she's safe and use that false sense of security to catch her off guard.

In fact, this pattern patterns so well that I'd like to argue this: Henry's TFS visions, Nancy's vision, and El's vision are all the same type of behavior displayed in NINA's chess scene, just in different contexts.

Henry ("Henry") gives some kind of scary prophetic information ("He and the others are going to attempt to kill you", "I would very much like to show you where I am going", "You're going to kill me, aren't you?"), and then we're left to question if it's a scare tactic, manipulative misinformation, or helpful inside information.

It's not that the Mindflayer or Vecna can't hide things from people (see: "Somewhere he didn't want me to see")...like, say, the fact that the Mindflayer is now able to see El, or that Vecna's planning to open 4 gates with his 4 kills.

It's always this miraculous "Huh! Weird info-dropping behavior from the UD's side. Shouldn't look that gift-horse in the mouth though. It's probably just a writing oversight or a shoehorned exposé, so really there's no need to question it." situation where it's just...information that's offered up with no real explanation.

Some of my favorite examples:

...and it's all topped off with Max's line:

"He's been telling us his plan this whole time".

That is to say...You're telling me:

The first message from the Upside Down isn't any of the messages that are concretely Will's, but instead it's the one that's a repetitive Henry line...and it's conveyed in a distinctly not-Will style? A message that saves Joyce, something that's definitely not in the UD's best interest given her tenacity in finding her boy...but is definitely coming from the UD nonetheless?

Will, who fell total prey to the Mindflayer in less than 3 days, was not only able to figure out how to defeat the Mindflayer, but was also strong enough to convey it in Morse code? The Mindflayer, who is able to keep secrets (see below), just...let that information slip?

El, who acknowledges that the Mindflayer is more than able to hide things from her, is suddenly sent into Billy's memories and allowed to find the source completely unimpeded? (and she was sent, you can look at the positioning on "Billy's" hand in real time if you think I'm exaggerating)

The Mindflayer, as "Billy" (Remember: not actually Billy, because Billy can't give visions or invade minds), is telling El that because he's able to see her now, and that she shouldn't have looked for him? The Mindflayer, which was supposedly building the Fleshflayer to track El down and kill her? Suddenly he's telling her she shouldn't have done the very thing that allowed him to find her more easily?

Vecna's giving up all the information about himself and his plans before he's even gotten the 4th gate open, despite him being so secretive about it up until that point? He's not cocky enough to broadcast his plans earlier, but he is cocky enough to tip off the girl who found his family and drew all the connections...the "detective" of the group in ST3, about what's happening/going to happen...and tell her that she needs to tell Eleven, the girl who kicked his ass into Dimension X as an eight year old, all the future plans she sees?

Henry's visions in TFS are scaring him into resisting the Mindflayer, making it less likely that he's going to upgrade to killing humans, i.e. the very thing the Mindflayer wants him to do?

None of that makes any damn sense...until we hit this last point:

Orderly Henry is known for giving inside information about "Papa" to El with no clear motive other than getting her to leave the lab.

So, with this new frame of view, I'd like you to chew on this:

"He's been telling us his plan this whole time." vs "He's been telling us His plan this whole time."

By which I mean: "He's been telling us some other man's plan this whole time."

[Mike voice] Superspy.

As a parting thought, I made it all into a nice, neat set of collages:

I'll leave you all with this final, parting bit, too:

None of this even touches on them shoehorning in an entire arc about a spy who goes by the name Enzo/"Henry".

He isn't actually named Enzo/Henry (he's Dmitri), though (hello Edward), but he is working as a guard and feeding inside info about the KGB (CIA equivalent) to Hopper/a "bald" American:

...in hopes of setting said bald American free from prison/hell:

...only to get himself caught up in a creature massacre:

That kills off all the other guards and shaved-head inmates (while he himself is the sole "inmate" with longer hair) and sent on the run afterward.

Okay. I guess. That's fine. Nothing smells Creel-y about that.

Not mention, of course, the interpretation of the Russia arc paralleling Vecna and Hopper rather than El and Hopper. Local father figure gets his ass kicked and sent to "hell" from which he has to escape to go home. Like. Yeah, I get it.

I'd like to posit that this might be a spot for further exploration irt multiple parallels -> multiple versions of events, as per my series on the NINA fight (which showed us at least 3 tangibly different endings for the 4.07 fight). We could very well have one version focused on a Murray/Yuri type deal, one with a Hopper type deal, and one with an Enzo type deal depending on which ending they were involved in. That's just speculation atm though.

[totothewolff]

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[glitchy-npc]

Tenacity

Done as a discord prompt, Tegan and Ortega have an impromptu sparring session that goes...poorly. Sidestep era days, pre face reveal. 1,051 words.

The training mat is supposed to soften the blow and while it's better than concrete, it still hurts when Ortega’s throw lands you flat on your back. Maybe you shouldn't complain, it wasn’t hard enough to activate your pain gate and it would have been far more embarrassing if he caught you. You have an audience after all. Steel and Anathema watch from the sidelines, having paused their own workouts to watch your impromptu sparring session with Ortega. 

He had been the one who suggested it, with a cocky smile and a challenge that was impossible to say no to. You're starting to figure him out, how he likes to bait people, throw them off guard. A guard you put up once more after picking yourself up off the mat, ignoring his outstretched hand. You won’t let him coddle you, not with witnesses.

You watch his feet as he moves hoping they’ll telegraph his next move since the static hum of his mind reveals nothing. It's inconvenient, like fighting with a blindfold. Maybe you should have asked him to fight with one hand tied behind his back. But this is something you need to prove to yourself. That you're strong enough, good enough to run with the Rangers. 

You should have been watching his hands. His left hook catches you by surprise, cracking against your cheek bone and you know it will bruise because you feel your pain gate kick in, slowly muddling the sharp sting of the blow. It's a sensation you’re becoming increasinging used to. At least your mask hides the damage. As well as your expression. 

Ortega winces in sympathy. “Oof, I really thought you would have sidestepped that one.” A wink is all he offers by way of apology. Not that you would have accepted one. No one has ever apologized to you in your life, no reason the Marshal should, just because he’s friendly. 

Friendly when he's not trying to kick your ass in front of his coworkers. Focus. You need to get past that reach. No way you can slug it out with how much taller he is and there's nothing near you besides empty space that you could use to your advantage. Part of you wonders if Steel and Anathema are keeping their distance out of concern for stray lightning bolts. It's been known to happen. 

No, you’ve got to get him off his feet, on the ground. If you can get him into a lock you might be able to get him to tap out. 

You duck low under his raised guard and lock your arms around his torso. With your pain gate active you barely feel the body blow he gives you and you sacrifice your footing for the aid of gravity, sweeping your leg behind his dominant one, using your momentum to bring him off balance. He doesn’t fall like you wanted him to, rolling to diffuse the impact, but you’re still locked together. And what's worse, he's on top. But while your arms are pinned, so are his. He has the audacity to smile at you and you're sure it's not just your imagination that reads the suggestion in it. 

Ok. Time to fight dirty, your enemies would. You crack your forehead into his nose as hard as you can, your pain gate saving you from the worst of it, not so much for Ortega. 

He swears in Spanish but the surprise blow is enough of a distraction to roll him off of you. Not that he lets you get to your feet. 

He’s fast but then again you knew that. He grapples you down again. Longer reach, heavier body, what were you thinking? It's not long before he has you pinned, face down, one arm trapped beneath you, the other locked behind your back. You struggle despite it but your kicks find no purchase.

“Tap out!” The Marshal voice. Looks like he's not playing anymore. 

Drops of something wet and coppery smelling hit your mask. Blood? Did you break his nose? You’ll call that a victory even if your arm beneath you is shaking with the effort to get him off you. You push with every bit of your strength, trying not to think about how you’ll feel once your pain gate resets.

“I said tap out!” The pressure increases on the arm he has a hold of. You don’t feel the pain but there's a tightness in your shoulder that worries you. He could break your arm. 

Easily. 

“Fuck you!” It’s all you can think of to say as you feel your eyes sting. What made you think you could take on Charge of all people? He’s been in the hero game for years, there's a reason he was made the Marshal. And you? A runaway little cuckoo who was never made for combat. Small. Weak. Everything your blue-skinned siblings said you were. You squeeze your eyes shut hard, half to push back the tears, half to muster the very last ounce of strength you have.

You feel your bodies lift ever so slightly and then…

“Enough!” Suddenly all the pressure is gone as Steel drags the Marshal off of you and you quickly scramble to your feet. Anathema stands in front of you, close but not touching you as Steel stands in front of Ortega, barriers between you two. 

There's a strange look in Ortega’s eyes as blood flows freely from his nose, you’re not sure if you approached him now if he would hit you or hug you. 

“You should have yielded…” His voice is softer than it had been before, unsure, not a tone you’re used to hearing from him.

“I think we're done for today.” Steel says with a finality you can feel. Even if he’s an asshole, he’s at least good at keeping a cool head. He offers the Marshal a towel and suddenly the sight of his blood makes you nauseous. You need to get out of here. 

“Whatever.” Is all you offer by way of goodbye, turning on your heel to storm out of the training room.

“Sidestep, wait! We can-” Anathema’s voice calls out to you but you’re already out the door. You walk as fast as you can, it takes all your willpower not to run.

Nobody stops you.

[yakshrimpy]

hihi hello, introduction post lets GOOOO!!!! (<- bars)

🎣 my name's Phil! 18, it/xe & mirror pronouns 🦐

im all over the place and have a lot of fun with a lot of different projects and a lot of different fandoms (lie)(its mainly minecraft). expect consistent inconsistency while i post about the same 3 characters at varying levels of tenacity for forever and ever, Woo!

☆ tags:

[] ⟡✩☆ • #yakspeaky - text posts, general yappage

[] ⟡✩☆ • #phil draws - all my art Babbyyyy!!!

[] ⟡✩☆ • #yakreblogged - reblogs

[] ⟡✩☆ • #dailysitch - daily art prompt project!

[] ⟡✩☆ • #potmusic - my 1800s ocs Wolfe & Moore

[] ⟡✩☆ • #visage! - anything about @visage-game

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thanks for stopping by! o/ my inbox is always open for questions, chatting, & requests!

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Ares (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- My Headache by Zeus

Destroyer of Men, The Bloody Prince, The City-Stormer by the people of Olympius

Bro by Apollo

Beastie by Lyssa

Brother Bear by Hebe & Eris

Honey by Hera

Age- 18 (immortal)

Location- Unknown

Personality- Ares is an overwhelming, violent, destructive guy. He's also extremely reckless, bloodthirsty, and impulsive. He never turns down a fight. At times, Ares is praised for his courage, tenacity, & physical beauty. There's also this painful vulnerability to him, which only a few have seen.

He has the standard abilities of a god. As the god of war, battle, combat, conflict, strength, endurance, courage, bravery, valor, determination, fearlessness, fear, dread, terror, horror, panic, wrath, anger, rage, fury, outrage, indignation, bloodlust, violence, brutality, ferocity, barbarity, carnage, savagery, aggression, murder, killing, slaughter, manslaughter, massacre, assassination, execution, bloodshed, weaponry, arsenal and armor his other powers/abilities include pyrokinesis (his fire burns a dark red-orange color), battle precognition, haemokinesis (blood manipulation), telumkinesis (being able to telekinetically control various weaponry), communicating with/shapeshifting into his sacred animals), limited necromancy, his sonic battle roar, and odikinesis (being able to manipulate the feelings of war- like hate, rage, & fear). He’s also dominantly experienced and knowledgeable in all military tactics.

His sacred plants are maples, nettles, hellebore, pansies, poppies, buttercups, burnet, verbena, willow, aloe, yarrow, garlic, onions, ginger, thyme, rosemary, basil, pepper, paprika and all thorny plants- such as thistle, hawthorn, cacti and even the rose.

Noticeable physical features include his intense coal black eyes as well as his tattoos- which covers most of his body. 

Some of Ares’ most notable tattoos includes a lotus scepter (dedicated to his mom), a golden apple (dedicated to Eris), a lit torch (dedicated to Eileithyia), a little fountain (dedicated to Hebe), and even a bloody lightning bolt (dedicated to his father).

He’s the son of his parents- Zeus (god of the sky, thunder, & lightning) and Hera (goddess of women & marriage). 

Other members of Ares’ immediate family include his full brother Hephaestus (god of the forge) as well as his full sisters Eris (goddess of strife & discord), Hebe (goddess of youth), and Eileithyia (Ella) (goddess of childbirth).

He’s surprisingly fluent in Serpentis!

He also has a bunch of half siblings (including, but not limited to) Apollo (god of the sun, music, poetry, healing, medicine, archery, plague, light, & knowledge), Dionysus (god of wine), Athena (goddess of wisdom), Hermes (god of roads, travelers, thieves, merchants, messengers, speed, trade, sports, borders, thoughts, communications, money, & luck), and Artemis (goddess of the hunt & moon).

Ares enjoys listening to rap, heavy metal, hip-hop, & punk rock music. He also doesn't mind classical music from time to time- saying that it's his “decompressor.”

His primary address is a loft apartment at The Black Knife- the tallest luxury high rise apartment building in the Little Sparta neighborhood of New Olympus. The building is an architectural feat of glass, steel, & black chrome. Ares shares the loft with two of his good friends (and Zeus’ employees)- Kratos (god of strength) and Zelus (god of envy, jealousy, & zeal).

The interior design of the loft is very industrial with the color scheme being red, black, & steel gray. There’s barbed wire lining the ceilings while there’s a stuffed boar’s head at the front door. On the walls inside there are stuffed animal heads along with various mounted weaponry- including a pair of Astrean Silver katana swords. There’s plenty of black leather furniture along with metal & glass furniture pieces. 

Ares also owns a beach house in Themyscira in addition to a mansion in Sparta, one of his sacred states.

At his mansion in Sparta he owns over two dozen pets- including vultures, boars, hawks, & various dogs- rottweilers, bloodhounds, german shepherds, pit bulls, as well as doberman pinschers. 

Even though he has a royal issued chariot- a feat of red & gold pulled by four black immortal fire breathing horses named Aethon, Phlogius, Conabus, and Phobos, Ares primarily likes to get around in his hulking black motorcycle.

Ares also has a royal issued helm and crown (for official appearances). His crown is a simple black steel circlet set with big fat square rubies.

He’s a proud “momma’s boy.” Ares loves Hera, her comforting scent of jasmine that he picks up whenever they hug, and her positive affirmations whenever he’s feeling down on himself. When he first used to visit her at the townhouse after she filed for divorce- the two of them would have a cup of tea and she’d even trim his hair.

The role as his mother’s protector started very early in life for Ares as a young godling. He was a witness to his parents’ screaming matches (that never became physical). Zeus would retreat to one far end corner of the palace while Hera would remain in the royal bedroom- crying. Ares (after watching the servants), prepared a cup of kashmiri tea & brought it to his mother, wiping the tears from her face. He regrets not saying goodbye to her before he left.

A go-to drink for him is a high flyer. He also likes beer, bloody marys, cola, red wine, steamrollers, whiskey sours, pomegranate juice, whiskey sours, tomato juice, boilermakers, black russians, dirty martinis, in addition to rum & cokes. A usual from The Roasted Bean is an olympian sized dark roast coffee (no sugar).

Ares’ relationship with his father is less than non-existent. He doesn't even remember if they were ever close when he was a godling. A few weeks after news of the divorce went public, Ares went to the royal palace to finally confront Zeus about the constant disrespect he’s shown Hera. Things were said and before long, fists were raised, furniture was destroyed & thrown about, and a lightning bolt was shot- sending the war god through the window. Ares would’ve been a bloody heap of ichor and bones had he not materialized vulture wings on his back in time. 

He was so humbled and embarrassed after that, that he decided to leave Olympius for a while entirely. Ares left a note for his current girlfriend Eos (Titaness of dawn), left behind his smartphone and most of his belongings at the loft, threw a black duffle bag on his shoulder, & hasn’t been seen since.

Ares knows that if ever he decides to come back, he’s due an ass kicking from Eris. Out of all of his sisters, she’s definitely the one closest to him. They’re a trip-hop sadcore music duo called Discordic Harmony. She sings while he raps. 

Ares can play the drums and the synth keyboard & he can even beatbox! 

His favorite song of theirs is "Bite the Bullet."

He loves the sloppy joe sandwiches from The Bread Box.

Ares loves annoying Ella and Athena & he even partakes in the tea parties Hebe has with her dolls. He also takes her to the arcade and Palace Playtime toy store, where he bought her a stuffed pegasus.

Three of Ares’ most favorite desserts are his mom’s kulfi, as well as the dark cherry baklava & chocolate fudge cake from Hollyhock’s Bakery.

Nationwide, Ares is the top manufacturer of guns- which is used by the police & military. 

He serves as an aide to the country’s military along with Athena.

In New Olympus, Ares has a bar called The Crushed Skull and a tattoo parlor called Blood & Ink.

There’s also nationwide shooting ranges called The Andreiphontês Armory.

Before Ares left, he even founded a motorcycle club called Zeus’ Angels.

He's vehemently against steroids and growth hormones.

In the pantheon Ares is cool with both of his uncles- Hades (god of the dead) and Poseidon (god of the sea & earthquakes), Thanatos (god of death), Hestia (goddess of the hearth), Adranos (god of fire), Lykos (goddess of wolves), Palaestra (goddess of wrestling), Alala (goddess of the war cry), and Urso (god of bears).

His official mentor was Menoetius (Titan god of rage, violence, & rash actions).

Ares can’t stand Eos’ older brother Helios (Titan god of the sun).

He also admires Perses (Titan god of destruction), Kydoimos (god of uproar & battlefield confusion), as well as Polemos (god of the war cry).

Ares used to have this HUMONGOUS crush on Enyo (goddess of war, destruction, bloodlust, & devastation).

He’s had many romantic relationships in the past- including with some amazons from Themyscira, Nike (goddess of victory), Lyssa (goddess of rage & frenzy), in addition to brief flirtations with Achlys (goddess of the death mist, poison, misery, & sadness) and Ailuros (goddess of cats & warfare). Ares also had a FWB situation with Tisiphone, one of The Furies.

He loves watching movies that have high octane action, violence, & gore!

His favorite foods include the inferno burger along with olympian sized cajun fries and inferno chicken tenders (with buffalo dipping sauce) from Olympic Chef, steak (smothered in onions), a slab of spicy barbeque ribs (with extra hot sauce), overstuffed gyros (with extra tzatziki sauce), in addition to his mom’s tandoori chicken with white rice.

In his free time Ares enjoys wrestling, basketball, archery, hunting, working out, sword fighting, playing video games, boxing, poker, pankration, mixed martial arts, and hanging out with family- without Zeus’ presence.

"War doesn't always determine who's right. It determines who's left."

[efadefoks]

I decided to put everyone into one post and to talk about some assosications I have with the characters and their cards

The Fool (Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment. [If the card is] Reversed: Negligence, absence, distribution, carelessness, apathy, nullity, vanity.) Of course it is Han Juwon in the begining if the story. "In many esoteric systems of tarot card interpretation, the Fool is interpreted as the protagonist of a story, and the Major Arcana are the path the Fool takes through the great mysteries of life." He is a Fool afterall: careless in his investigation, doesn't think about the people around him. He thinks he is the smartest guy in the room and the bestest boy in the area.

The Lovers. Here I decided to interpret it in the most literal way. But the card itself provides quite a nice explanation too. "6. THE LOVERS.—Attraction, love, beauty, trials overcome. Reversed: Failure, foolish designs. Another account speaks of marriage frustrated and contrarieties of all kinds." I really love the ending. The whole reunion thing is straight out of the romance story. That's why I chose this image to represent this card. The moment of piece at last.

The Hermit. When I first thought about this collage idea I was absolutly sure who should represent this card. "9. THE HERMIT. Prudence, circumspection; also and especially treason, dissimulation, roguery, corruption. Reversed: Concealment, disguise, policy fear, unreasoned caution."

The High Priestess. Oh Jihwa my beloved. There were several posts about her recently. She is a wonderful character. "Secrets, mystery, the future as yet unrevealed; the woman who interests the Querent, if male; the Querent herself, if female; silence, tenacity; mystery, wisdom, science. Reversed: Passion, moral or physical ardor, conceit, surface knowledge." Tell me this is not about her, I'll wait.

The Sun. The Moon. The Star. I thought it would be really symbolic to choose three young (and dead) characters to represent this cards. (of course, LDS is alive and old now but I think we can considr his younger self to be buried somewhere really deep in his mind. He wasn't the same person he'd been before his sister disappearance). Another thoought that I had in mind while making these three pieces was that scene from the first episode. The dialogue with Mother and her friend. "You are so lucky to have your daughter. Such a pity the God decided to balance it with your son." How almost everyone thought that Lee Yuyeon was a blessing and her brother - just a delinquent.

19.THE SUN.—Material happiness, fortunate marriage, contentment. Reversed: The same in a lesser sense.

18.THE MOON--Hidden enemies, danger, calumny, darkness, terror, deception, occult forces, error. Reversed: Instability, inconstancy, silence, lesser degrees of deception and error.

17.THE STAR.--Hope and bright prospects, Reversed: Loss, theft, privation, abandonment; another reading says: arrogance, haughtiness, impotence.

Kang Minjeong is a little star flickered out too soon.

The Magician. "Tarot experts have defined the Magician in association with the Fool". "While the upright Magician represents potential and tapping into one's talents, the reversed Magician's potential and talents are unfocused and unmanifested."

The Strength. One of my favourite cards and my favourite brave girl. I need to come clean I am not a fan of a lor of women portrayals in asian culture. But Yoo Jaeyi just stole my heart. She is kind, she is angry, she is loving, she is grieving. She is real. She is her own person. I love this image of her. "8. FORTITUDE.—Power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity; also complete success and honours. Reversed: Despotism, abuse of power, weakness, discord, sometimes even disgrace."

The Devil. Do I even need to explain myself? Well probably yes. Another candidate for this card was you guessed it - Han Kihwan. But after some thinking I finally decided on this one. "15. THE DEVIL.—Ravage, violence, vehemence, extraordinary efforts, force, fatality; that which is predestined but is not for this reason evil. Reversed: Evil fatality, weakness, pettiness, blindness." While Juwon's father is the evil person and the real villain of the story I do consider Kang Jinmuk the Devil.

[grimowled]

Any headcanons about some of the ways Stolas can be possessive/condescending with Blitzø sometimes?

the first thing to note about stolas is that he does NOT respect personal boundaries. he simply believes they do not apply to him - this entitlement stems from both aristocratic privilege and, of course, being a demon lord; after all, one does not harvest souls by, tch, respecting boundaries. stolas deems them human constructs meant for those who lack the power to impose their will. our dark prince in fact thrives on his ability to transgress these limits, whether for personal gain or the sheer thrill of domination. he has an innate superiority complex that bleeds into his relationships, including with blitz, whom he views as simultaneously fascinating and beneath him.

secondly, there is a painfully clear cut hierarchy between the prince and his imp lover; which means that stolas' perception of blitz is shaped by hell's intrinsic power structure, and, by extension (with notable exceptions), all hellborn imps are tools or servants - useful, ambitious, but inherently disposable.

but what does that actually mean to stolas?

it's not really about societal class - it's more nuanced than that; before creating such ranks and construct, hell is, at its very origin, a place where the fallen made a haven, and a dominion for the lost and the damned; for stolas, hell's true & ultimate currency is POWER, harvested through the collection and shepherding of souls, chaos, and influence over mortal and immortal realms alike. so, naturally, he doesn't rest on his title as a passive birthright, but actively upholds it by honing his skills, sowing discord, terrorising and creeping into the lives of mortals, and ensuring a steady influx of souls to hell, to expand the domain's overall power.

his authority over blitz and others is a natural extension of his role as a predator and soul-harvester. the transactional relationship he initiates with blitz is, to him, just another way to leverage his influence.

that follows that he treats those who are beneath him condescendingly, but he appreciates those who strive to climb the ladder with audacity and tenacity, like blitz and his crew. while he may even feel a shred of admiration for blitz's cunning and resourcefulness, it is filtered through the lens of condescension. he respects him only insofar as one might respect a particularly clever pet: something worth keeping but always under one’s CONTROL. possessiveness is another facet of stolas' sense of superiority. everything and everyone in his orbit are extensions of his domain, especially if their souls or services are owned by him; blitz is no exception. initially, he sees him as just another piece of property - a transactional exchange of services for the grimoire. however, as his fascination with him deepens, this possessiveness takes on a more personal and obsessive edge. blitz shifts from being a pawn to a most prized possession stolas feels entitled to dominate and keep close.

so, stolas' warped affection manifests in invasive and domineering behaviours, which he sees as a natural expression of his superiority and care; these include but are not limited to:

summoning blitz at any time without considering his plans or desires.

scrying on blitz’s whereabouts and calling or appearing unannounced, often in compromising situations.

physical dominance, such as unwelcome touching or grabbing, as if blitz’s body is his to command.

unfiltered remarks, sexual or otherwise, with no regard for comfort or consent.

lavish, unsolicited gifts meant to assert his wealth and generosity while reinforcing blitz’s indebtedness.

imposing decisions on blitz’s behalf, treating him as incapable of making his own choices.

forcing blitz into roles and jobs he deems necessary, regardless of his actual feelings.

all of this because stolas genuinely believes blitz should be grateful for his attentions and not be devoured or worse, discarded by the demon prince; from his point of view, he’s offering him a rare privilege: the favour of a prince, the protection of a demon lord, and indulgence in carnal pleasures others could only dream of. he also assumes blitz secretly enjoys this kinky dynamic, interpreting any resistance or discomfort as coyness or pretence. this delusion blinds stolas to the very real harm he does, as he equates his desire with affection and blitz's begrudging compliance with consent.

as the transaction progresses into a situationship, stolas' complicated feelings for blitz grow more tangled. lust turns into fixation, and his obsession with his darling imp begins to blur the lines between ownership and longing. he becomes more erratic in his behavior, oscillating between domineering possessiveness and vulnerable moments where he seeks blitz’s approval or affection. this emotional turbulence only deepens his confusion, leaving him torn between his role as a depraved demon lord and his burgeoning, twisted infatuation.

[roguephenon]

Of Infinitys and Beyonds

Earth.

A class-G planet.

The only one in its locality capable of sustaining carbon-based life due to its abundance of water and atmosphere.

Home to over eight-point-seven million lifeforms, the planet's dominant species is human; of which there are approximately seven billion.

Of that number, more than three-quarters are over the age of thirteen.

In other words…

…Adults.

The air within the ship was cold and desolate, much like the—

—Wait, wait, hold on.

Haven't we done this already?

…

We definitely have done this before. Maybe even twice.

This bit is practically word-for-word what we've covered before.

Why go through it all again? You get it. Big decision. Big stakes. A lot of looming lights and drama. Blah, blah, blah. Let's just skip ahead to the good part.

Okay, how does fast-forward work again?

We got blurred flashes of a captive in chains.

A council of bickering alien children. Fun.

A beam of light, a voice pleading, "This isn't what the Kids Next Door is about!"

The prisoner vanishing in a pillar of light, yadda yadda…

And then—

"–oh, and sometimes, I like to write RECURSIVE fanfiction–"

Oops! Too far.

Gotta rewind just a bit—-.

"THE DECISION DOES NOT COME LIGHTLY."

There.

That's better.

This should be a good enough spot to pick back up.

A new, blinding light, perhaps even more so than the sun's, rained down upon the chamber, silencing everyone. The chorus of voices spoke as one, in harmonious union despite the discord that had just echoed through the space.

He felt all of its focus on him as it spoke.

"THE DECISION," he slowly intoned, "IS—"

"Don't do it!" a voice behind him pleaded in desperation.

He turned, looking back at the figure in chains—Numbuh 9L, he remembered.

She had fought until the very last moment. A part of him admired her tenacity, the spark in her refusal to give up.

But he lamented that this had to be how it went for her...

"SUPPRESS!"

A massive pillar of light descended upon her, and within a flash, she was gone.

He was alone in the chamber once more, staring down at the console before him.

"THE DECISION IS…"

He took a deep breath, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"…NUMBER INFINITY'S."

[asongofgoldenfireandblackblood]

Players Wanted:

House Martell ❂❂❂ Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken

House Martell of Sunspear, the ruling family of Dorne, exemplifies the fierce independence, pride, and resourcefulness that define the Dornish spirit. Unlike the rest of Westeros, House Martell embraces equality between men and women, ensuring that their principled belief in freedom and resilience is reflected throughout their ranks. Their words, "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken," serve as both a rallying cry and a reminder of their refusal to be conquered or diminished. In their golden spear piercing a red sun lies a symbol of their authority and unyielding tenacity. Skilled diplomats as well as warriors, the Martells navigate the complex politics of Westeros with wit and subtlety, ever-mindful of their fierce loyalty to their people and their land. Though whispers speak of long-buried feuds and hidden ambitions, House Martell’s strength lies in their unity and adaptability, as they balance peace and conflict with a steady hand on Dorne’s neck.

A Song of Golden Fire and Black Blood is especially seeking the closest younger sister of the Ruling-Princess Aliandra, Princess Coryanne Martell, as well as their mother and the former-Regent now Dowager-Princess of House Martell, Lady Loreza Dayne, and her good-brother, the younger brother of the late-Prince Qoren, Prince Edric Martell.

Learn more about House Martell HERE, send us a raven with any questions and when you're ready to apply, join our Discord to chat with our players who want to see more from House Martell, and reach out to our only active member of their house so far, the Ruling-Princess Aliandra Martell (Rust!) at @theprincessofd0rne

home — navigate — wanted — discord — apply — directory — faq

[koritea]

The Quest To Find The Element of Magic

My next gen au ponies (+ co)!

A hodge-podge friend group from different places around the world that have found themselves under the employment of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.

Their quest? To find out why magic has slowly been disappearing - and potentially find their sixth element, the element of Magic.

Quick bios under the break!

Tulip, They/He/She Kirin 34 in pony years(??) Element of Honesty - Earned for their hard work in helping their species adjust to having voices again, and teaching others how to talk about their problems instead of exploding about them (literally) Currently enrolled in Starlight's school of friendship Major hardship: They see honesty as the most important trait - and anything less than complete honesty makes them agitated and upset. They expect their friends to be just as upfront as they are, and are betrayed when that isn't how most people communicate.

Dazzle, He/Him Pegasus 22 Element of Laughter - Earned for his tenacity in the face of bleakness and his ability to lift other's spirits. Currently studying aerodynamics at Moon Dancer's Academy Major hardship: He has no issue in seeing the light for his friends, but when it comes to his own personal problems, Dazzle can't seem to drag himself out of the dark pit he's fallen into.

Lucky, They/Them Unicorn 23 Element of Loyalty - Earned for their determination to do right by their friends and all creature kind. Currently enrolled in Starlight's school of magic, and reports directly to Twilight for their Elemental endeavors. Major hardship: Feeling like they lack a true purpose of their own, which is mirrored by their blank flank, Lucky feels like a fraud when they take the lead - they know they're meant for something, they can feel it, but without the markation, the imposter syndrome is driving them crazy.

Scarlett Chaser, She/Her Unicorn 25 Element of Generosity - Earned for her boundless giving nature, Chase will put down whatever she's doing to help out friends and strangers - no problem is too small. Currently employed as a bartender Major hardship: Chase tends to give too much - while also worrying endlessly that others don't have enough.

Bramble, He/They Deer 18 Element of Kindness - Earned for his ability to see the good in everything, Bramble is particularly patient with fussy elders. Currently enrolled at Starlight's school of friendship Major hardship: …Nothing, really. Bramble knows their boundaries and when enough is enough.

Some fun facts:

After graduation Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, Moon Dancer decided to open her own school for all types of ponies - much like Starlight's school of friendship, the studies revolve around helping each other in your learning, but with a major focus on having a more well rounded, educated populace around Equestria.

Celestia and Luna are both retired and live peacefully together on an island with like. two dozen swans.

The mane six (besides Twilight) have all passed at this point, and there's a garden set behind Canterlot castle with statues of them in remembrance.

Discord is around, but mostly just bugs Twilight from time to time when he's bored.

[onlyymirknows]

4, 7 and 8 👉👈

Hello! Thanks for the ask and nice to see you 👋

4. what was the last straw that made you finally block that annoying person?

I block people pretty liberally. Sometimes I use it as a mute button for people who post a lot of a certain content I’m not interested in. But in terms of blocking because I dislike the user, I’m not a fan of people who seek out others posts just to be mean on them. One of my first posts on here was about Gabi and someone hopped on the post to tell me how much they hate her. I blocked them pretty quickly.

7. what character did you begin to hate not because of canon but because how how the fandom acts about them?

I don’t really hate any of the characters tbh. But I definitely have a mental bias against Eren, Zeke, and Floch because of the weirdos who argue that they were right? It’s slowly fading since leaving reddit but damn I got tired of “sigma Eren” and “chad Floch”

8. common fandom opinion that everyone is wrong about

I haven’t really seen anyone talk about this one way or the other on tumblr. But amongst my friends on a different discord server, I strongly disagree with their insistence that Eren and Reiner are “the same.” Maybe they are in terms of their stupid levels of determination, desire to put their mark on the world, and willingness to do awful things.

But their motivations are so wildly different that I can’t compute them being the same. When Reiner says under the stage “it wasn’t my history and environment that made me this way” I laugh sadly at how untrue that is 🥲

maybe he thinks that’s his way of taking responsibility and that’s cool. But he was absolutely made by growing up in Marley with an abusive mother. His tenacity is at least in part rooted in the desire to get approval. This isn’t the case for Eren. It’s different.

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: daily transits 6/8

This Saturday 6/8, the ingress of Mars into Taurus marks a significant shift from impulsive, action-oriented energy to a more grounded, steadfast approach. Simultaneously, the day is colored by challenging aspects, particularly the Venus-Saturn square and the Mercury-Eris semi-square, which could lead to miscommunications and emotional coldness.

Mars Ingress into Taurus

Mars, the planet of action, drive, and assertiveness, transitions from fiery Aries into the earthy sign of Taurus at 9:34 p.m. This shift from Aries to Taurus represents a move from spontaneity and immediate action to a more deliberate and steady approach.

Determination and Persistence: In Taurus, Mars expresses its energy through determination and persistence. Taurus is a fixed earth sign, known for its reliability, patience, and focus on tangible results. Mars in Taurus is less about starting new projects with a burst of energy (as in Aries) and more about seeing things through to completion with unwavering tenacity.

Stubborn Resistance: While Mars in Taurus brings a commendable level of endurance and stability, it can also manifest as stubbornness. Taurus is resistant to change, preferring familiar routines and reliable outcomes. This can make it difficult to adapt to new circumstances or let go of outdated methods, leading to potential conflicts when flexibility is required.

Sensual Pursuits: Taurus, ruled by Venus, values comfort, pleasure, and sensual experiences. Mars in Taurus may channel its energy into pursuits that enhance physical well-being and enjoyment of the material world. This can include anything from working on long-term financial goals to indulging in sensory pleasures like good food, music, and nature.

Venus-Saturn Square

Earlier in the day, the cold-shouldered Venus-Saturn square (19°02' Gemini-Pisces) dominates the morning hours. This aspect often brings challenges in relationships, financial matters, and our sense of pleasure and enjoyment.

Emotional Distance: Venus-Saturn squares tend to create feelings of emotional coldness or distance. There may be a sense of restriction or limitation in expressing affection and warmth. Relationships might feel more like obligations or responsibilities rather than sources of joy and comfort.

Financial Concerns: This aspect can also highlight financial concerns or limitations. There might be a need to take a more cautious, conservative approach to spending and investments. It's a good time for practical, long-term financial planning, though it may feel less enjoyable.

Constructive Efforts: On the positive side, this square can provide an opportunity to build more solid, reliable structures in our relationships and finances. By facing challenges head-on and addressing weaknesses, we can create more stable foundations for the future.

Mercury-Eris Semi-Square

Adding to the day's challenges, the contentious Mercury-Eris semi-square can lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings. Eris, a dwarf planet associated with discord and disruption, brings a provocative and rebellious energy to the mix.

Miscommunications: The Mercury-Eris semi-square may exacerbate tendencies toward misunderstandings, arguments, and mental friction. It can be easy to misinterpret others' words or intentions, leading to unnecessary conflicts and tension.

Provocative Communication: This aspect may bring a tendency to speak impulsively or provocatively, stirring up issues that could have been avoided with more careful consideration. It's important to be mindful of our words and strive for clarity and empathy in our communications.

Integrating the Influences

Balancing Determination with Flexibility: As Mars moves into Taurus, focus on channeling your determination and persistence into productive, long-term goals. However, be mindful of the potential for stubbornness and resistance to change. Strive to balance your steadfastness with a willingness to adapt when necessary.

Navigating Relationship Challenges: The Venus-Saturn square may bring up issues of emotional distance or financial limitations. Use this time to address any underlying issues in your relationships and finances, working towards creating more solid, reliable structures. Remember that challenges can be opportunities for growth and strengthening your foundations.

Communicating Mindfully: With the Mercury-Eris semi-square in play, be especially careful with your communication. Strive for clarity and avoid impulsive or provocative statements. Take the time to listen actively and seek to understand others' perspectives to minimize misunderstandings and conflicts.

Embracing Sensual Pleasures: Mars in Taurus encourages us to indulge in the pleasures of the material world. Take time to enjoy sensory experiences and activities that bring comfort and relaxation. This can help balance the more challenging aspects of the day, providing a source of grounding and pleasure.

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[alleightbits]

Idea for an ending to 20020

(credit to @stellar-revolution and @salted-arctic for inspiration in a fan Discord server)

Picture this: Nick and Manny finally making the trek back to San Diego’s home field. It takes them centuries of dodging adversaries to build up the necessary OBT all over again, but they decide to do it together. They do not want to be separated any more.

And then they make it. They embrace. They kiss. And as they both collapse down on the field in disbelief, taking it all in, they discuss how the other teams have probably seen their scorecards update. How, despite history texts becoming interminably long stretches of boredom in the wake of stagnant immortality, perhaps only finely perused by true diehards, they’ve permanently etched their names in them.

And as they both agree that the beauty of life sprouts from humanity’s tenaciousness, we segue to the probes, watching this momentous occasion unfold. Nine and Ten notice Juice is unusually quiet. Privately, he wishes he could celebrate as fully as the Californian duo can. He wishes he could cry joyful tears.

They cautiously ask if he’s okay, and the words that spill out of him are unlike any ramble he’s done before. How he created and managed this national-sprawling game out of love, and pride. How he was so excited to show Nine, who admired the state of American football right upon discovering it, something more complex, more exciting, with more detail that he’d hope they’d be receptive to when it’s explained. How he wanted to impress Ten, who’d had an equally-attentive eye to football, but would never admit to appreciating its present-day eccentricities.

And the humans? Well, it took a lot of rule negotiations, and a metric ton of put-on seriousness as commissioner, but Juice knew they’d excel. Humanity, in its infinite lifespan, needed new amusements, and that suited Juice just fine. It was all for moments like this one, ones that help them realize that they’re happy to be alive, that life can be beautiful. Ones that the probes, in their status as eternal observers, can experience vicariously.

As his speech degrades into bunches of typos and keysmashes, Nine and Ten reassure him that his efforts weren’t wasted, that they love him as much and as deeply as he loves them. In that moment, a silent understanding forms among the trio that tenacity truly does bring beauty.

[sloshed-cinema]

The Fountain (2006)

Few filmmakers approach life’s great questions with less humility than Darren Aronofsky. Whether it’s the Honors Freshman English Earth metaphor and Biblical allegory of mother! or the boundless pedantry of The Whale, Aronofsky moves forward with a misplaced tenacity and self-assurance not befitting of the subject matter. Existentialism isn’t exactly groundbreaking in art, be it on film or across other media, and there’s healing and engagement to be found both in creating art that questions the nature of life and in dissecting those works. It can take many forms. The quiet introspection of Ingmar Bergman’s Winter Light or the bombastic annihilation of Lars von Trier’s Melancholia each have a staying power in their own right. Aronofsky’s fable of the persistence of love across oceans of time in The Fountain does something different: it feels adjacent to parody, or at the very least smacks of insincerity. Despite its trifold structure, the basic thesis isn’t too difficult to untangle. Dying is a strange journey of grace that not all can accept, but it is something that must be. There are other forms of eternity, perhaps, or of persistence. Tomás/Tommy/Tom’s quest to preserve his love’s life is always a fruitless one, and this chronicles his journey to understanding that. Interweaving the stories, finding visual motifs throughout, on paper sounds like an interesting narrative structure. And in points it achieves a modicum of success: Tom using the pen gifted to him by his deceased wife to tattoo a wedding ring on his finger to replace his lost one, uniting his blood with her ink, has a genuine poignancy to it. But Aronofsky is so declarative about his statements, so bombastic in their execution, as to both seem on some level like he’s the first person to ever make such statements, and to almost mock them in this discordance between intellectualism and spiritualism. Superficially silly imagery like Tom achieving galaxy brain status could be forgiven—lord only knows half the shit David Lynch cooks up looks corny as hell, but it just works with his vibe, for instance—but to go from zero to nirvana undermines an emotionally honest inner journey. It’s less irritating than Darren Aronofsky has proven himself to be capable of elsewhere, to be sure. But in its execution it comes across more as a middling exercise in narrative structure masquerading as existential pondering and healing.

Using colonial Spain during the Inquisition was certainly a move. On an aesthetic level, it feels like a mashup of The Lord of the Rings’ Elf Music Video Scenes (looking at you, Aragorn floating down the river in Two Towers) and Apocalypto, though of course the release timeline wouldn’t work out for Aronofsky to have been ripping that off. Bafflingly, though, perhaps JJ Abrams stole this film’s silly map-knife idea for his own epic sci-fi catastrophe in Rise of Skywalker. Mid-00s vibes aside, building some kind of National Treasure situation out of the Maya leaves me scratching my head. The indigenous people are presented at once as savages to these conquistadores, but also demonstrate their practices to be rooted in blood, the priest immediately baring his throat once Tomás goes Super Saiyan. Izzi has an almost fetishistic fascination with their beliefs, also inadvertently espousing their notion that death is a path to awe, and the nebula Xibalba is… the nexus of all of it or something. So these Maya got it all figured out and are woke to accepting death, but also fuck ‘em.

THE RULES

PICK ONE

Select either DEATH or LIFE and sip whenever it is mentioned.

SIP

A time jump happens.

The ring motif appears in some form.

Slo mo running.

BIG DRINK

Someone says 'Xibalba'.

Nebula imagery.