#eli's darkest hours

[elliot-rambles]

BRO WHAT?!?!?! OKAY LIFE UPDATE TIME BC WTF!!!!! - I'm adopted?!?!?!?! - my age was incorrect all my life and i'm actually only thirteen???!!!! - my birth mother is nowhere to be found and my birth father is in prison?!??!! - I'M HALF JAPANESE????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????!!!!!!!????!!!!!! please tell us if you're uncomfortable with me interacting with you now that i've made a post abt this/actually put this on the internet! i'm very worried that now I breach people's DNI bc of my (only just found out) real age! @elliott-the-creature @hibiscuspearswithopaljuice @asqadia-banthen @aspenonpawzzz @the-crystal-femmes @justalexisfine (pls let me know if uncomfy with tags!!)

[elliot-rambles]

please give me this, I feel so bad right now and I think this would help a little bit (it would help a lot)

[I.D. an edited pyramid graph of maslow's hierarchy of needs where large text covering every section of basic, psychological and self-fulfillment needs read "people online telling me they like the thing i made". end I.D.] (image description by @lemondoddle )

[raurquiz]

#happybirthday #garyoldman #actor #harrypotter #andthePrisonerofAzkaban #batmanbegins #thedarkknight #tinkertailorsoldierspy #dracula #darkesthour #TheFifthElement #redridinghood #hannibal #TheBookofEli #robocop #DawnofthePlanetoftheApes #TheWomanintheWindow #HitmansWifesBodyguard

[catofadifferentcolor]

Terrible Fic Idea #31: A Maiden Dark and Fair, but make it f!Jon Snow/Jon Arryn

Perhaps I've just not searched the darkest depths of AO3, but I've seen relatively few fics where it's The Vale that's key to Jon Snow gaining the Iron Throne. There are tons where he relies upon the might of The North, more than a few that join or replace it with The Westerlands or The Reach or even The Crownlands, but almost none where the primary stepping stone to the throne is the might of The Vale.

And because I have a slight obsession with female Jon Snow fics, my mind immediately went to what if Jon Arryn, in need of an heir, married f!Jon Snow?

Just imagine it:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an unmarried lord of a Great House, must be in want of a wife - and Jon Arryn is facing the end of his house if he doesn't produce an heir.

But now he's outlived three wives. Marrying a girl as young as Lysa was a mistake, but even he couldn't see his third wife throwing herself and her only living child out of the Moon Door after she was discovered to be cuckolding him with Peter Baelish.

And so, thrice widowed and eight decades old, Jon Arryn must marry and produce an heir before he dies lest The Vale tear itself apart over succession.

Shortly after Jon Arryn comes to this decision, he receives a letter from his foster son, Ned Stark, sharing all the usual information and expressing deep concern for his bastard daughter, Serena Snow, whom he fears his wife will force to marry the first man who asks for her hand just to get her out of Winterfell.

Jon Arryn, seeing a solution present itself, asks to marry Serena himself.

It is, perhaps, a stupid decision for the Hand of the King and Defender of the Vale to wed his foster son's bastard daughter. Except: 1) There are very few potential brides from the Vale he can chose without offending a significant faction of his bannermen, and those that remain are still objectionable for one reason or another; 2) Lingering resentment from the Rebellion means that no lord from Dorne, The Westerlands, or The Reach would offer their daughter to Jon Arryn, even if he's the Hand of the King; and 3) Of the remaining kingdoms, Ned Stark's bastard might very well be the best choice if he wants a wife from a large family of some standing with a decent head on her shoulders.

Plus, Jon Arryn genuinely feels guilty that he wasn't able to do more to prevent the Rebellion. He feels that it's partially his fault that Ned wasn't able to wed Ashara Dayne, Serena's presumed mother, and thus his fault the girl is a bastard to begin with.

The result is the same: Serena Snow becomes the fourth Lady Arryn of the Eyrie.

It is a remarkably successful marriage, given that Jon Arryn would be of age with Serena's great-grandfather had he lived. Other than the requisite attempts for heirs, they live more like uncle and niece than husband and wife. This is in part helped by Jon Arryn's role as Hand, which keeps him in King's Landing most the year, while Serena stays in the Eyrie managing the Vale in his stead.

Before his death, they have three girls: twins, Emma and Elys, and little Elena, who was no more than twenty-four hours old before a raven arrived from King's Landing saying her father was found dead in his bed.

And so as we come upon the events of canon, Serena Arryn, 18, is now a widow of a Great House and regent to her two-year-old daughter, Lady Emma Arryn.

In her time as Lady of the Vale, Serena has made herself beloved by the banners and commons alike by the simple act of being present. There hasn't been a Lady Arryn in The Vale for any significant amount of time in decades. Add to that Serena has a good head on her shoulders and support from The North and The Riverlands through her family ties and, well, she's much more secure in her position than Lysa was in canon.

As for what follows, I see the real meat of the story taking place after Serena is widowed - in fact, I see the message that her husband is dead being the opening scene of this theoretical fic. Rather than exploring the dynamics of a May-December relationship, it's about being a young mother and widow - about being a young woman in a more-or-less secure position of power, growing into that power, and coming of age despite being a mother thrice over already.

There's politics in the background, of course, with Ned unfortunately losing his head in King's Landing - but here Serena throws the weight of The Vale behind Robb early on and is on scene to provide much needed, peer-to-peer advice. This keeps the Red Wedding from happening, either by forcing Robb to keep his betrothal or keeping Catelyn from making it in the first place.

Additionally, the strength of The Vale makes The Reach decide throw their lot in with Robb rather than Joffrey after Renly is killed. As part of this, Serena agrees to marry Garlan Tyrell.

The combined forces of The North, The Riverlands, The Vale, The Reach - and those parts of the Stormlands that didn't go over to Stannis after Renly's death - defeat Joffrey.

Stannis holes up inside Dragonstone, in largely the same position Queen Rhaella was tactically shortly before her death. The island is eventually stormed and he choses to burn rather than be captured.

Shireen, the only legitimate Baratheon left alive, is made Lady of Storm's End. Robb, never raised to kingship, goes back to Winterfell. Jaime, never released from captivity, is sent to the Wall. Tyrion gets Casterly Rock - and marries Sansa Stark, which to everyone's surprise is one of the most successful marriages of the age.

And the Iron Throne? The next male-line claimant is Doran Martell, through his distant grandmother Daenerys, daughter of Aegon IV. Few would accept that, especially if he refuses to leave Dorne and abdicates in favor of his brother Oberyn. Robb could claim it by force, but he has no desire to rule and not even his allied Great Houses would accept that.

Except, while all of this has been going on, Serena has quietly learned the truth of her heritage - and the secret has slowly made itself known despite her best efforts otherwise. (I'm inclined to say she becomes the Mother of Dragons, finding a cache of dragon eggs either in the Eyrie from Daella Targaryen's time or in the crypts of Winterfell.)

Plus, Serena has distinguished herself as Lady and Regent of The Vale. During the war, all of Robb's allies saw how she was his most trusted advisor - and how it was she who brought The Reach into the fold, and negotiated peace with Tyrion. And The Reach has always wanted their blood on the throne.

And so Serena becomes Queen of The Seven Kingdoms as Visenya Targaryen I. Her eldest daughter, Emma, remains ruling Lady Paramount of the Vale. Her children with Garlan Tyrell take the Targaryen name, with the eldest named heir to the Iron Throne.

Bonuses include: 1) Catelyn and Serena fighting like cats and dogs at all opportunities, for all the expected reasons. This reaches peak drama around the time Catelyn tries to release Jaime Lannister as in canon, only for Serena to prevent it. They eventually reach an accord, dealer's choice how grudging it is. 2) So much family bonding. As Robb's alliance is basically held together through his mother and sister's marriages, it is family drama to the utmost degree. To which end, Robb is a doting uncle and Garlan a beloved stepfather to Serena's daughters. 3) Realistic travel times, depictions of the difficulties of medieval travel, and the breathless liberation of flying on dragon back and overcoming it all.

And that is... surprisingly more than I thought I had. As always, feel free to adopt this bun, just link back if you do anything with it.

Other Jon Snow Headcanons: Aegon the Unyielding | Aemon the Adventurous | Baelor the Brave | Lady Arryn | Lady Baratheon | Lady Lannister | Lady Stark | Prince Consort | Prince of Summerhall | Queen Mother

More Terrible Fic Ideas

[nysocboy]

Gemstones Episode 3.9: Baby Billy is Bi, Peter Plots Revenge, and Kelvin and Keefe Cuddle.

 Episode 3.9 seems rushed -- it could easily be three hours long.  The marital-problem and sibling-problem plots have been resolved, but we still have Uncle Peter, The Simkins, Dusty Daniels, and Bible Bonkers, and the writers have to find some way to tie them all together!

Baby Billy is Bi:  Still trying to sell the siblings on his Bible Bonkers game show, Baby Billy (Walton Goggins, top photo), reveals he is friends with Dusty Daniels, the racing champ.  We cut to a scene of the two, plus famous actor Gene Hackman  (played by Kevin Murray) in Monte Carlo on New Years' Eve, 1999.  They're awaiting the Y2K bug, hugging, dancing, and dropping acid as if it's the end of the world.  

We cut to a bisexual after-party, with Dusty, Baby Billy, and Gene Hackman having sex, maybe with men, maybe with women.

"Wait, " Jesse asks, "Did did you have sex with Dusty Daniels?"

"I doubt it,  but you never know...that's not the important part of the story."  The important part: he can talk Dusty Daniels into leaving his fortune to whoever wins at Bible Bonkers, the Gemstones or the Simpkins. 

So Kelvin came out to the family yesterday after years anguish, angst, self-doubt, backing-and-forthing, and annoyed viewers, and he still hasn't said the word.  Now Baby Billy comes out as bi with utter nonchalance.  Why couldn't he have said something to his nephew during Cousins' Night, or back in Season 1?

El Molino: We cut to a locust splatting on a windshield.  It's Uncle Peter and Chuck, driving the U-Haul full of explosives.  Peter has finally come up with a plan,  He doesn't specify what it is, but since it involves the Gemstones and explosives, it's not hard to figure out.  They're nearly out of gas, and the militia took all of their money, so they stop at El Molino, a real Hispanic supermarket with two locations in Charleston, to use the cash-counting machine.  

While Peter is inside, the U-Haul explodes!  He thinks that Chuck has been killed.

Out to the Family: The family gathers in Eli's parlor to watch a tv news report about Chuck's death.

Wait --when did the siblings stop hating their father?  Was a reconciliation moment cut?

 Notice that the guys are sitting on the right side of the room.  In four shots, Keefe moves from sitting a few inches away to leaning against the chair, his shoulder touching or almost touching Kelvin's thigh. They are so close that Kelvin can't move his hand or foot without bumping into him.

  They used to be very careful to avoid public displays of affection, holding hands under the table and forehead-pressing instead of kissing.  Now they casually cuddle in front of everyone, even family members who did not see the kiss.

They discuss the Bible Bonkers Family Feud-style game show.  The siblings will compete, but they need two more.  They were going to ask Chuck, a big Bible nerd, but he's dead, so it will have to be Karl and May-May.  

More Bible Bonkers after the break

Of all the gas stations in South Carolina:  Homeless, friendless, abandoned by his family, Peter sits outside a convenience store.  He prays: "I am in my darkest hour.  I am but a lost sheep in need of a shepherd.  Please give me a sign."

At that moment, Keefe pulls up in the Smut Busters van.  He's using that van for everyday chores?  Surely he and Kelvin have a dozen cars.  

He's listening to the song "Holy Lightning Rod" by Blesst, a Christian metal band (created for this episode?).  In Season 1, he considered metal music Satanic. He's come to realize that you don't need to give up things that you love to be a Christian, like heavy metal, Goth/Fetish outfits, and sex with guys.

Did God send him as the sign, to bring Peter back to Christ?  If so, it doesn't work -- they don't recognize each other.  (After all, they have only seen each other once).  So no soul-winning for Keefe.  But Peter does steal the Smut Busters van.

God saved you:  In the wilderness church, Karl and May-May mourn Chuck's death, clear off brush, and pray -- then she crosses herself   Surely somebody on the staff knew that only Catholics use that gesture.   Suddenly Chuck walks in!  He's alive!

Cut to the family back in Eli's parlor.  This time it's just Eli, the siblings, and the Montgomerys. Chuck explains that he made sure the parking lot was empty, then set off the explosion and ran away, so his Dad would think he was dead and he could escape.  

It still caused a lot of property damage, and no doubt terrorized the shoppers, who thought they were being targeted by a hate crime.  On August 3, 2019, a gunman opened fire in a Hispanic Wal-Mart in El Paso, Texas, killing 23 people and injuring 22. Surely the writers were thinking of that incident when they specified a Hispanic supermarket.

"Why were you super-mean to us, while we were in captivity?"  Chuck doesn't explain, but he avers that he didn't actually want them to die. Then why were you shooting at them?  Besides, he blew up the van to save them.  Doesn't that make up for the kidnapping?  I thought you blew up the van to save yourself.

So, about Bible Bonkers?  Chuck is a Bible expert, so May-May can drop out. The team will consist of Jesse, Judy, Kelvin, Chuck, and Karl.

Later, at the amusement park, Chuck tries to apologize to Jesse. They bond over having Daddies who are embarrassed by them.

The Bible Bonkers Filming:   Apparently several weeks have passed. The Bible Bonkers set is finished, and they're going to film the first episode.  Isn't it a conflict of interest for the Gimstones to sponsor the show and compete in it?  But I guess they'll be donating the prize money to the church.

In the dressing room, Billy offers to give the sibling  the answers to the quiz questions.  Apparently once a grifter, always a grifter.  They refuse.  He claims that their parents were so neglectful, he practically had to raise them. 

As Gideon drives Eli and May-May to the filming, they see Peter in the stolen Smut Busters van.  He's up to no good!  Follow him! Why didn't Keefe report the van missing?

On set, the band starts to play and the dancers twirl about. Showtime! Baby Billy does a cheesy stand-up bit, then introduces the Gemstones vs. the Simpkins. 

Notice Kelvin's textured single-breasted green coat, "The Attico" from Farfetch, "The global destination for modern luxury."   It will become important later.

 The Simpkins team includes siblings Vance, Shay, and Craig, not seen since Episode 1, plus two young Asian girls.  Apparently they are ringers: there is no indication that any of the siblings has a partner or children.  Compare with the Gemstones, who, for all their faults, have devoted partners. 

Baby Bill asks easy fill-in-the-blank style Bible questions to Jesse-Vance and Judy-Shay.  The Gemstones lose.  

Now it's Kelvin-Craig's turn.  First Kelvin does a self-aggrandizing coat-swirling dance. Keefe, watching from the VIP section with the other partners, responds with a  weird robot thing.  It looks like he's following along with the move they practiced.  

Meanwhile, Gideon, May-May, and Eli follow Peter to the Salvation Center.   Couldn't they have called the police from the car?  Don't these people have cell phones?  He drives to the loading dock, on a day when there are no services, so he probably expects the church to be empty. 

When the Gemstones confront him,  he announces that he has filled the Smut Busters van with explosives, triggered by his fitbit watch.  Wait-- where did he get a second batch?

 May -May yells that both his sons are inside.  Chuck is alive after all.  At this point, Peter would probably give up the plan, but he is interrupted by......

The full review is on RG Beefcake and Boyfriends

[elliot-rambles]

i feel so bad for her no tags bc majority of my mutuals get triggered from stuff like this, but if you see this, please reblog!

Ok guys, I have shit to say and y’all need to listen.

@furrygladiatormusic is a perv

He said he’s going to “leak” @theodditylacey when she didn’t even do shit. Lacey and I think he’s going to leak a random girl and say it’s her, please everyone either say something or mass report him. He’s insane, he was sending PORN to a 13 year old and calling me a fag when he himself is one!! He’s extremely homophobic when he is literally part of the community and he’s a republican. Please everyone watch out and do something about him.

Lacey and I wanted to post this so if any girls are being harassed by him they can come forward and we as a community can do something about it.

Please reblog this to get the word out

[barlupiins]

The Lamb of God: Fyodor vs Jesus parallelism analysis

With the new anime episode that has ran ahead of the official manga release, every BSD fan's timbers have been shivered upon Dazai's feign in the face of death once again, Chuuya's year-long vampirism turning out to be also an act (go theatre kid go), Fukuchi's death, and Fyodor's supposed "death." While the manga readers have been fed these cliffhangers every month and endured them through crazy twitter threads and coping mechanisms, anime watchers received this within a week…

Anyway. Everyone is talking about Fyodor's "death" scene, and I'm certain that 90% of people are convinced he is not dead yet, amplified furthermore through his recital of Jesus's final words before his death on the cross:

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?”

This translates to “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—God, why have you abandoned me?, this being said in the middle of the darkest hour of Jesus’ suffering when he had died on the cross (this will be elaborated even more later).

It's evident that with this knowledge that our favourite rat man is not dead as he harbours many parallels to Jesus Christ; the crux of the Christian religion, who ultimately on the third day, Jesus rose again and "conquered" death by spilling his blood which is necessary for salvation. Death in Catholicism is the ultimate punishment of sin. If we were to link the context of sin from Christianity to Fyodor's perception of sin, this sin that Fyodor came to believe to be found within ability users.

In this analysis, I won’t draw any theories, as I am not a theory person, but through analysis and examination of the current sources in theology, I aim to perhaps solidify our current understanding of Fyodor’s character and his motivations. I also aim with this little analysis that Fyodor's death is indicative of something much larger than we have; a transcendence of body, mind, and soul, something similar to the Holy Trinity, which is the sole pillar of the Catholic faith. To do this, we would need to further inspect Jesus’ function within the Christian religion. 

Jesus Christ: The Religious Figure

Jesus died on the cross as a consequence of sin that he had not caused, but sin that was imposed upon him due to the external world riddled by sin. In the bible’s fashion, this is again also another fulfilment of the Old Testament, via Psalm 22, here, Jesus becoming the new King David—his crown being the crown of thorns, the cross being his throne (I love religious imagery so much ugh). Jesus' crucifixion is the enthronement of Jesus Christ to the "upside down" kingdom of God.

In this way, Fyodor ‘died’ because of the success in the execution of Dazai’s plan. I don’t believe that Dazai is a parallel of Judas, as Judas was a follower of Jesus prior to his betrayal. Dazai was evidently never a follower of Fyodor—this more suiting Nikolai’s character. This however is perfect, as Nikolai was the catalyst for Fyodor’s death as he had initiated the escape game, which thus triggered Dazai to enact his plan of small things that converged into the death of Fyodor. 

Fyodor’s motivations and ideals are still very mysterious to the fandom, but we can gauge the best we can by observing the function of Jesus within Christianity. Jesus is dubbed by many titles—"The New Moses", "The Son of God", "The Son of Man", and "The King of The Jews." All of these names highlight a specific nuance in Jesus' role, and why he is so praised and worshipped upon in the Christian faith and its sub-branches. Jesus fulfils old scripture, in Christianity, the Old Testament. Jesus is a medium of God that had been delivered to earth to example the definite Word—which essentially is the ultimate desire of God and his vision of what he deems as the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. In short, before I go on a whole tangent, Jesus’ name, Emmanuel, translates to “God among us”—therefore, is the fulfilment of God’s promise to save the world from sin that had been threaded throughout the abundance of prophecies in the Old Testament (I can elaborate on this if anyone is interested as there are a few biblical technicalities as to what God is restoring the world to [which is the Garden of Eden, but what is the Garden of Eden, if that makes sense, you know?]!). Because again, as a consequence of original sin (note: ‘sin’ is a divergence from God–the lack of ‘good’) sin became virulent. 

With this brief religious education segment of Jesus’ role as a Messiah, we can thus gain perhaps a little context on Fyodor’s ideals and his motivations. 

Fyodor Dostoevsky and Jesus Christ

Fyodor’s ideals have been established earlier in the manga that his goal is to utilise the book in order to make a world without the sin of ability users. This ideal carries far too many religious context, and aligns with the mention of New Jerusalem in his ability’s namesake novel, Crime and Punishment.  

Now, of course, Fyodor is not actually Jesus. While this conclusion may be non-sequitur, there are various justifications which make this apparent, thus eradicating some crazy theory of Fyodor being the legitimate Jesus in BSD as…he’s Fyodor. But I will lay the bones out here anyway: Fyodor didn’t die on a cross lmao, the fact he is completely dressed up in contrast to Jesus who had been stripped off his humanity via clothes (which were donned upon humans in Genesis by Adam and Eve as a consequence of sin)...this can also be indicative of the fact that Fyodor himself is riddled with sin—this sin in his eyes being the fact he is an ability user. That is out of the way now. 

However, this also raises and further supports the links that people have been grappling with in terms of Fyodor's parallels with the themes discussed in the novel Crime and Punishment (C&P). To preface: Fyodor does not completely embody Raskolnikov, nor the entire narrative of C&P, but it does retain a few features within it. I don't claim to be the most intelligent about this novel, and I am still trying to arrive at my own conclusions and understand it. That will take time. This is what I know: putting Raskolnikov’s obsession over the story of Lazarus aside, it’s revealed that Raskolnikov believes in the new Jerusalem, which is a world that has been completely and ultimately fulfilled of God’s promises—which is to eradicate the world from sin. With the book, we can conclude that Fyodor is trying to reach this “New Jerusalem” due to his ideal to create a world without the sin of ability users. 

Within this as well, we can gain some insight into Fyodor’s character and the possibility of his resurrection through Psalm 22. As aforementioned, I mentioned the link between Fyodor’s ‘final words’ and Jesus’ final word, with Jesus’ quotation of Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? being a direct reference to the first line of Psalm 22 in the darkest hour of his suffering. Therefore, Psalm 22 is exemplifies the entire experience of Jesus’ passion during the crucifixion as he died for his people whom he bore the sins of, the most profound expression of suffering and eventual declaration of faith within that suffering and grief. 

(Psalm 22:19)

It wouldn’t be too divergent if we were to consider the possibility of Fyodor’s suffering through this lens. “My God, My God” exemplified Jesus’ relationship with God as his Son, thus making Fyodor’s recital of these lines serve as an amplification of Fyodor’s perspective and devout intimacy in his relationship with God. While I doubt Fyodor is feeling every visceral human emotion during his death—with the possibility that he is alive and made it out with a plan, this is a suffering he has experienced before, and currently—just not as saturated as he would in his ‘darkest moments’ which is in his mysterious/unrevealed past. Here, Fyodor, as Jesus had felt, is experiencing the withdrawal of God’s fellowship as well as God’s wrath towards humanity by utilising Jesus as a substitute—being impaled in the stomach, and crashing into the tower. 

This raises the inquiry of why ability users are considered as a sin. With the biblical context of sin, we can draw the conclusion that it’s the mere existence of ability users that Fyodor is referring to—this however also raises the inquiry of where do abilities come from. I have a processing meta-theory regarding the metaphysical nature of Bungou Stray Dogs, but I doubt that’s something that I can completely develop here, as it’s just a thought that I’d like to develop more by re-dabbling into the franchise once I have the time.

By examining the biblical undertones referenced through Fyodor's character, and examining said source material, we can perhaps gain some more insight into his motivations and perspective. I wouldn't say that it would reveal everything about his backstory, the true core of his ideals, but by beginning here, it's perhaps a solid first step towards understanding his character. If anyone wants an elaboration for anything I mentioned within this little analysis ramble, please let me know and I'd be happy to provide !!

[ginevrastilinski-ocs]

Shadowhunters Universe Timeline

AKA how my stories align with canon books!

The main characters are the ones that have a pov in that book | the other characters are listed from the one that appears the most to the one that appears the least

Series: Life And Death

See The Heavens

Canon Timeline: The Mortal Instruments [Book 1-3]

Main Character(s): Elys Herondale

Other Characters: Lydia Shaw - Brian Lockwood - Alicent Shaw - Jackson Milligan - Pepper Orla - Morrigan Rowe - Dealindeh

Raise Hell

Canon Timeline: The Mortal Instruments [Book 4-6]

Main Character(s): Elys Herondale

Other Characters: Lydia Shaw - Brian Lockwood - Alicent Shaw - Jackson Milligan - Morrigan Rowe - Reign Proctor - Pepper Orla - Leah Harlan - Cassandra Blackthorn - Beleth - Jack Herondale

Champagne Problems

Canon Timeline: The Infernal Devices

Main Character(s): Selene Carstairs

Other Characters: Theodore Clarke - Alicent Shaw - Pepper Orla - Leah Harlan - Henrik Kade

Don't Fear The Fall

Canon Timeline: The Dark Artifices

Main Character(s): Cassandra Blackthorn

Other Characters: Elys Herondale - Jack Herondale - Henrik Kade - Camie Evans - Sagan - Marceline Seymour - Farrah Merryweather - Dealindeh - Nico Lightwood - Vice Verlac - Leah Harlan - Beleth

In The Middle Of The Darkest Night

Canon Timeline: The Last Hours

Main Character(s): Violet Lightwood; Samuel Milligan

Other Characters: Cressa Wayland - Selene Carstairs - Henrik Kade - Farrah Merryweather - Beleth - Alicent Shaw

Something Wicked

Canon Timeline: The Wicked Powers

Main Character(s): Cassandra Blackthorn; Nico Lightwood; Vice Verlac

Other Characters: Lenni Clarke + Others TBD (Since the series is not out yet)

Mystical Time

Canon Timeline: The Bane Chronicles + Other Non-Canonical Tales

Main Character(s): N/A

Other Characters: Alicent Shaw - Morrigan Rowe - Elys Herondale - Pepper Orla - Selene Carstairs - Theodore Clarke - Henrik Kade - Lydia Shaw

Deck The Halls (That We Once Walked Through)

Canon Timeline: Tales From The Shadowhunter Adademy + Other Non-Canonical Tales

Main Character(s): Vienna Lightwood

Other Characters: Elys Herondale - Jack Herondale - Violet Lightwood - Selene Carstairs - Samuel Milligan

Ghost Town

Canon Timeline: Ghosts Of The Shadow Market + Other Non-Canonical Tales

Main Character(s): N/A

Other Characters: Violet Lightwood - Selene Carstairs - Alicent Shaw - Camie Evans - Cressa Wayland - Pepper Orla - Leah Harlan - Elys Herondale - Jack Herondale - Cassandra Blackthorn

[quilt-giving]

(Every quilt has a story)

Eli Wallace stood by the observation deck window of the Destiny, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse of space before him. As one of the few survivors aboard the ancient ship, he had become intimately acquainted with its mysteries. The quilt he had created, spread out across the room, depicted a story that seemed to mirror his own.

The first block showcased the USS Enterprise, its sleek lines and iconic saucer section capturing the essence of exploration and adventure. Eli had always admired the crew of the Enterprise, their courage and determination resonating with his own longing for discovery.

Next to it was Heveena's necklace from The Orville, a delicate symbol of love and connection. Eli's heart ached for the people he had left behind, especially for those he had cared deeply about. The necklace reminded him of the bonds he had formed on Earth and the sacrifices he had made for the greater good.

The Stargate from Stargate Universe was another prominent feature on the quilt. Eli had found himself on a remarkable journey through the Stargate, traveling to distant galaxies and encountering both wonders and dangers. The Stargate represented the infinite possibilities that lay beyond the boundaries of known space, reminding him to never stop seeking answers.

In a corner of the quilt, a Ferengi Dabo table from Deep Space 9 was depicted, symbolizing the unpredictability of life. Eli had learned that sometimes fortune favored the bold, and at other times, it tested one's resilience. The Ferengi's pursuit of profit and the intricate game of chance mirrored his own experiences of navigating the uncertainties of the universe.

Amidst the quilt's intricate patchwork, Klingons stood tall and proud. Their fierce warrior spirit reminded Eli of the battles he had fought, not only against external threats but also against his own fears and doubts. The Klingons represented the strength and resilience needed to survive in a hostile universe.

And finally, the interior blue lighting of the Destiny suffused the entire quilt, casting an ethereal glow on the tapestry of stories. It was a constant reminder of the ancient ship's presence, guiding and protecting those who called it home. Eli had spent countless hours marveling at the ship's beauty, finding solace in its gentle embrace.

As Eli gazed at the quilt, he felt a surge of gratitude. Each block was a fragment of his own narrative, a testament to the trials and triumphs he had experienced. He had woven together a story that encapsulated the essence of his journey—a tale of exploration, love, unpredictability, strength, and the enduring light that guided him through the darkest of times.

In that moment, as he stood in the observation deck of the Destiny, Eli Wallace realized that he was not just a passive observer of the universe, but an active participant in its unfolding story. And with renewed determination, he set his sights on the endless horizon, ready to embrace whatever lay beyond.

[undertheelectricstarspodcast]

More than one threat looms over Cair Mallplex: the raging dust storm and the huge shadow of Elizabeth Haven snuff out the last of the wan light. And there’s no escaping the specters of the past that have arrived. Featuring a one-off nickname, a mystery solved, and a question of what it means to be human.

[daimonclub]

Quotes and aphorisms on gratitude

Quotes and aphorisms on gratitude Quotes and aphorisms on gratitude, a collection of ideas to recognize emotions to express appreciation for what is important for living together gratefully. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. Aesop Nothing more detestable does the earth produce than an ungrateful man. Decimus Magnus Ausonius Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie Gratitude is a humble emotion. It expresses itself... not for the gifts of this day only, but for the day itself; not for what we believe will be ours in the future, but for the bounty of the past Faith Baldwin As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John F. Kennedy He is not rich that possesses much, but he that covets no more; and he is not poor that enjoys little, but he that wants too much. Francis Beaumont Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. Jacques Maritain A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. Henry Ward Beecher Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. Henry Ward Beecher Next to ingratitude the most painful thing to bear is gratitude. Henry Ward Beecher Grant us brotherhood, not only for this day but for all our years - a brotherhood not of words but of acts and deeds. Stephen Vincent Benet Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. Marcus Tullius Cicero Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue. William John Bennett Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart -- a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water -- I accept with joy. Bhagavad Gita You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough. William Blake There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy. Ralph H. Blum Be glad today. Tomorrow may bring tears. Be brave today. The darkest night will pass. And golden rays will usher in the dawn. Sarah Knowles Bolton Because gratification of a desire leads to the temporary stilling of the mind and the experience of the peaceful, joyful self, it's no wonder that we get hooked on thinking that happiness comes from the satisfaction of desires. This is the meaning of the old adage, 'Joy is not in things; it is in us.' Joan Borysenko Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. Lionel Hampton Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to count the times, but to gain the prayer. We cannot quit praying because heart and soul are in it. We pray "with all perseverance." We hang to our prayers because by them we live. We press our pleas because we must have them, or die. E.M. Bounds It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God. E.M. Bounds When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful. Roy Bennett For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile. Elie Wiesel There is neither encouragement nor room in Bible religion for feeble desires, listless efforts, lazy attitudes; all must be strenuous, urgent, ardent. Flamed desires, impassioned, unwearied insistence delight heaven. God would have His children incorrigibly in earnest and persistently bold in their efforts. Heaven is too busy to listen to half-hearted prayers or to respond to pop-calls. Our whole being must be in our praying. E.M. Bounds I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. Henry David Thoreau I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. G.K. Chesterton To say prayers in a decent, delicate way is not heavy work. But to pray really, to pray till hell feels the ponderous stroke, to pray till the iron gates of difficulty are opened, till the mountains of obstacles are removed, till the mists are exhaled and the clouds are lifted, and the sunshine of a cloudless day brightens - this is hard work, but it is God's work, and man's best labor. E.M. Bounds Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation. John Ortberg Grace is available for each of us every day -- our spiritual daily bread -- but we've got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow. Sarah Ban Breathnach Let's choose today to quench our thirst for the "good life" we thinks others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts. Sarah Ban Breathnach Whatever we are waiting for -- peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance -- it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart. Sarah Ban Breathnach Cold prayers shall never have any warm answers. Thomas B. Brooks Look, as a painted man is no man, and as painted fire is no fire, so a cold prayer is no prayer. Thomas B. Brooks If you want an accounting of your worth, count your friends. Merry Browne This race is never grateful: from the first, One fills their cup at supper with pure wine, Which back they give at cross-time on a sponge, In bitter vinegar. Elizabeth Barrett Browning Gratitude to benefactors is a well-recognized virtue, and to express it in some form or other, however imperfectly, is a duty to ourselves as well as to those who have helped us. Frederick Douglass What if, today, we were grateful for everything. Charlie Brown Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life. Rumi Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings you and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you. Eileen Caddy Remember that not to be happy is not to be grateful. Elizabeth Carter Leave off wishing to deserve any thanks from anyone, thinking that anyone can ever become grateful. Galius Valerius Catullus He who receives a good turn should never forget it; he who does one should never remember it. He who receives a benefit should never forget it; he who bestows it should never remember it. Pierre Cbarron Non-cooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet. Julia Child Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life. Northrup Christiane No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. Alfred North Whitehead There is no quality I would rather have, and be thought to have, than gratitude. For it is not only the greatest virtue, but is the mother of all the rest. Marcus T. Cicero In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. Dietrich Bonhoeffer If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. Frank A. Clark All good things of this world are no further good than as they are of use; and whatever we may heap up to give others, we enjoy only as much as we can make useful to ourselves and others, and no more. Daniel Defoe To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach. Demosthenes Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Charles Dickens Glee! The great storm is over! Emily Dickinson There is no better excess in the world than the excess of gratitude. Jean de La Bruyère Deficiency motivation doesn't work. It will lead to a lifelong pursuit of try to fix me. Learn to appreciate what you have and where and who you are. Wayne Dyer Gratitude is a twofold love -- love coming to visit us, and love running out to greet a welcome guest. Henry Van Dyke Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. Cicero Just because you like my stuff doesn't mean I owe you anything. Bob Dylan If the only prayer you say in your whole life is "Thank you," that would suffice. Meister Eckhart I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new. Ralph Waldo Emerson Sufficiency's enough for men of sense. Euripides Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. Epicurus Maybe the only thing worse than having to give gratitude constantly is having to accept it. William Faulkner Gratitude opens the door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude. Deepak Chopra Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep. Felix Frankfurter Most people return small favors, acknowledge medium ones and repay greater ones -- with ingratitude. Benjamin Franklin When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it. Benjamin Franklin Eaten bread is soon forgotten. Thomas Fuller Express gratitude for the greatness of small things. Richie Norton The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for. Norman Vincent Peale Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse. Henry Van Dyke To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. Johannes A. Gaertner Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul. Amy Collette Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive. Edward Gibbon That's the trouble with directors. Always biting the hand that lays the golden egg. Samuel Goldwyn That's the trouble with directors. Always biting the hand that lays the golden egg. Samuel Goldwyn If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. W. Clement Stone Every dog has its day, but it's not every dog that knows when he's having it. Winifred Gordon Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one. Baltasar Gracian Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity … it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude. Clarence E. Hodges Of all the people in the world, those who want the most are those who have the most. David Grayson After my mother's death, I began to see her as she had really been.... It was less like losing someone than discovering someone. Nancy Hale Gratitude is one of those things that cannot be bought. It must be born with men, or else all the obligations in the world will not create it. Edward F. Halifax It is not only blessed to give thanks; it is also of vital importance to our prayer life in general. If we have noted the Lord's answers to our prayers and thanked Him for what we have received of Him, then it becomes easier for us, and we get more courage, to pray for more. 0. Hallesby When the world is so complicated, the simple gift of friendship is within all of our hands. Maria Shriver It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. Charles Spurgeon Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust Jesus is moved to happiness every time He sees that you appreciate what He has done for you. Grip His pierced hand and say to Him, "I thank Thee, Savior, because Thou hast died for me." Thank Him likewise for all the other blessings He has showered upon you from day to day. It brings joy to Jesus. 0. Hallesby The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest. William Blake ‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. Alice Walker Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. Eckhart Tolle I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new. Ralph Waldo Emerson We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives. John F. Kennedy When we succeed in truly thanking God, we feel good at heart. The reason is that we have been created to give glory to God, now and forever more. And every time we do so, we feel that we are in harmony with His plans and purposes for our lives. Then we are truly in our element. That is why it is so blessed. 0. Hallesby It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack. Germany Kent Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. Melody Beattie How few are our real wants, and how easy is it to satisfy them! Our imaginary ones are boundless and insatiable. Julius Charles Hare Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. Oprah Winfrey Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. Lionel Hampton Gratitude will shift you to a higher frequency, and you will attract much better things. Rhonda Byrne The public have neither shame or gratitude. William Hazlitt Find gratitude in the little things and your well of gratitude will never run dry. Antonia Montoya The past with its pleasures, its rewards, its foolishness, its punishments, is there for each of us forever, and it should be. Lillian Hellman True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him. George R. Hendrick Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart. George Herbert Who covets more is evermore a slave. Robert Herrick Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other. Randy Pausch Enough is as good as a feast. John Heywood There is satiety in all things, in sleep, and love-making, in the loveliness of singing and the innocent dance. Homer Let him who has enough wish for nothing more. Horace To stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going down on one's knees and thanking him. Soren Kierkegaard Every professional athlete owes a debt of gratitude to the fans and management, and pays an installment every time he plays. He should never miss a payment. Bobby Hull The average man is rich enough when he has a little more than he has got. Dean William R. Inge There must be fired affections before our prayers will go up. William Jenkyn A harbor, even if it is a little harbor, is a good thing.... It takes something from the world, and has something to give in return. Sarah Orne Jewett Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed. Samuel Johnson There are minds so impatient of inferiority that their gratitude is a species of revenge, and they return benefits, not because recompense is a pleasure, but because obligation is a pain. Samuel Johnson Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. Ralph Waldo Emerson So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied. Helen Keller I've had an exciting life; I married for love and got a little money along with it. Rose F. Kennedy Gratitude is a useless word. You will find it in a dictionary but not in life. Francois De La Rochefoucauld In most of mankind gratitude is merely a secret hope of further favors. Francois De La Rochefoucauld Do you realize what this means? The fact of being alive... I still find it staggering that I am here at all. Christopher Leach One is never fortunate or as unfortunate as one imagines. Francois De La Rochefoucauld The gratitude of most men is nothing more than a secret desire of receiving even greater benefits. Francois De La Rochefoucauld There is a certain kind of lively gratitude that not only releases us fro benefits we received, but also becomes a return payment to our friend that makes them become indebted to us. Francois De La Rochefoucauld Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. Melody Beattie Too great a hurry to discharge an obligation is a kind of ingratitude. Francois De La Rochefoucauld We find very few ungrateful people when we are able to confer favors. Francois De La Rochefoucauld My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I'm grateful for it the way I'm grateful for the ocean. Anne Lamott Man needs so little... yet he begins wanting so much. Louis L'Amour We think that we suffer from ingratitude, while in reality we suffer from self-love. Walter Savage Landor Too much is unwholesome. Georg C. Lichtenberg One can get just as much exultation in losing oneself in a little thing as in a big thing. It is nice to think how one can be recklessly lost in a daisy. Anne Morrow Lindbergh Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever. Charlotte Brontë One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay "in kind" somewhere else in life. Anne Morrow Lindbergh How those holy men of old could storm the battlements above! When there was no way to look but up, they lifted up their eyes to God who made the hills, with unshakable confidence. Herbert Lockyer Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day, which must be done, whether you like it or not. James Russell Lowell Were a man to order his life by the rules of true reason, a frugal substance joined to a contented mind is for him great riches. Lucretius Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. Jacques Maritain Let me burn out for God... prayer is the great thing. Oh, that I may be a man of prayer! Henry Martyn What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want. Mignon McLaughlin Fortunate are the people whose roots are deep. Agnes Meyer Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and friends. Courtland Milloy There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves so much everywhere in which to delight, and for which to be thankful. Lucy Maud Montgomery I look back on my life like a good day's work; it was done and I am satisfied with it. Grandma Moses Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts. Andrew Murray Nothing will content him who is not content with a little. Greek Proverb Swift gratitude is the sweetest. Greek Proverb Reflect that life like every other blessing, derives its value from its use alone. Samuel Johnson Swift gratitude is the sweetest. Greek Proverb When you consider everything we have is a gift from God, it's amazing how little gratitude we show. Giving to others is such a small way to say thank you. Charles L. Overby Gratitude - the meanest and most sniveling attribute in the world. Read the full article

[elliot-rambles]

not to be whingy and sense-of-self-less on main but I kinda want a new name/side name. I like the name Eli - it's literally MY name (or my chosen name), but it needs smth more I think like... idk send help also want to do a retheme/finish making side blogs for all the main fictives and sysmates but the crippling anxiety of being perceived holds me back in a way I cant explain wth please give me feedback guys!!!! or else I'm going to go insane!!!!!! if you don't like talking to me just tell me and I'll stop sending you asks!!!! please!!!! please please please!!!!!!!!!

[optimisticpoetrycandy]

Title: The Lighthouse

Once upon a time, on a secluded cliff by the sea, there was an old lighthouse. It had stood there for over a century, guiding sailors safely to shore through countless storms and pitch-black nights. The keeper of the lighthouse, an elderly man named Eli, had taken care of it for as long as anyone could remember.

Eli loved the lighthouse as if it were a living thing. He polished its glass, oiled its machinery, and climbed its spiral stairs every night to light the lamp. He often spoke to it, sharing stories of his own life, as though the lighthouse were his only friend.

One stormy night, as the wind howled and rain lashed against the rocks, Eli’s lamp started to flicker. For the first time in his life, he felt a pang of fear. He knew sailors were out there, relying on the light, and the thought of them being lost haunted him.

With trembling hands, he searched for a way to keep the light burning. His oil was almost gone, and there was no one nearby who could help. He was alone. But he refused to give up. He tore strips of cloth from his own jacket, dipping them in the last of the oil, and kept feeding the flame, minute by minute, until dawn.

As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Eli collapsed beside the lantern, exhausted but triumphant. He had kept the light shining through the darkest hours, just long enough for the ships to find their way.

The lighthouse was quiet now, its job done. And Eli felt an overwhelming sense of peace. He knew then that, like the lighthouse, he had found his purpose—not in being seen, but in being a guiding light for others, even if they would never know his name.

[ecto42]

TL;DR- Try TTRPGs, roleplay forums, and more! Before you go to an addictive AI with no outside input.

Hi Tumblr, I have this video specifically referring to the AI chatbot story and it made me want to share some experiences of mine that feel similar, but were with real human people.

I spent years doing online text only roleplay as a teen, and now as an adult I regularly play D&D with friends as well as with other RPGs like Cyberpunk, etc.

So, when I was a teen I spent hours of every day in middle school doing Harry Potter role plays on Omegle. It was hella awkward, hella cringe, and ultimately I stopped because I saw how the space was devolving. Initially I made a ton of other friends from other countries and other states in the US that had similar interests to mine. I loved playing characters that were “dark and edgy” as I, much like the characters from My Immortal, wanted to be dark and edgy in a cool way and not in a “I am a goth from South Park being made fun of,” way.

This eventually led to me doing what I would call roleplay therapy, where to test the waters with people you take an aspect of yourself and play with as many iterations of it as you can. I found myself in NSFW roleplay, general like “Oh hoho we’re wizards in a castle!” Roleplay, and “This is the darkest timeline, Harry Potter is dead and gone and now we’re doing a guerilla warfare.” I loved it and remember it fondly and this was way before D&D.

I, as you can imagine, had no idea what consent really meant, I had no boundaries kept when playing these characters, and I really formed a dependency on literally exploring other characters to figure myself out. By the end of it I was staying up until 3 am every night essentially sexting strangers over the internet with nothing but an ASL to go off of, and the anonymity of the internet to keep either of us from knowing who each other were. Relative to what a lot of my AFAB friends received this was incredibly tame. It was, however, an addiction in the anonymity of Omegle, the chat histories rarely being backed up, and the ability to just bail at any time. There was no real accountability, only the consent of “Hey, do you want to do a dirty roleplay?” And taking people at their word and usually that mean hanging up and trying again, and if things went too far or got too uncomfortable hanging up anyways. Kind of like an unspoken BDSM safe word.

I saw this video and the section about this woman talking to an AI chatbot and it honestly made me both miss that addictive roleplay arena, as well as made me really crave that kind of anonymous intimacy in a (what at the time developed into a) respectful consensual manner where anyone can nope out at any time. I think usually when people can’t get exactly what they want they go to writing for themselves. I really hope that somewhere out there other people who just want that basic form of connection with some anonymous protection will do something more akin to what I’ve done as an adult, and seek out similarly minded friends who love and support them and build up and build out communities, and allow there to be a silly fantasy element to them. The person in the story very easily, back in the day, could have went onto Omegle and asked as their opener “I’m looking for someone to roleplay Arthur Morgan from RDR2 with me, are you down?” And found someone, and it’s kind of sad to me that it’s easier to find an AI chatbot nowadays than it is to find a friend with that interest.

Having feedback from another person and having it be earnest and unbiased is very helpful, but people shouldn’t be your therapist if they’re your friends. Seek help if you need it, and don’t be afraid to reach out to community at large. I understand though how easy it is to fall in love with Luna Lovegood, Corvo Attano, or my old OC, at least as best as I can remember:

Eli Black (20, Ravenclaw, M, Thick Dark Wavy Black Hair with a blue streak in the front, Bright Blue Eyes, Thin muscular build, 6’0”. One of Eli’s eyes {if I remember correctly this was very inconsistent on my part lol} had been slashed through as a child and healed with dragon blood and caused it to sprout scales where the scar is, also leaving their eye with a sharp and draconic look. Typically wears: Hooded black trench coat, black tee shirt, black skinny jeans with a studded belt, and wears a big pair of large black combat boots with blue laces, dark eyeliner, blue and black nail polish.) ~and then there would usually be some spheal here about how Eli was an auror and a really great Ravenclaw student, and basically a detective. I used to watch a lot of Psych.~

Thanks if you bothered reading all the way through!

[flowers-and-fichte]

On the stereotypes of WW2 buffs

Hello!

Novalis here again. Just something I've noticed not just on Tumblr but all around as a whole.

Many people stereotype WW2 buffs as those nerds who know every type of 1940s tank and aircraft known to man. Others may lump in neo-fascists, who are not real WW2 buffs, just assholes who want some of the worst parts of history to repeat.

There are different aspects to WW2 history, as with other parts of military history. While I do follow everything done by the militaries involved, especially that of my home country, the U.S., I also take a close look at the civilian and political perspectives, but especially the former. For me, WW2 history is more about the people than the weapons, but if you're interested in the weapons and vehicles that's perfectly okay; I have nothing against it.

Personally, some civilian actions I find interesting are how English citizens coped with the effects of the Blitz, French and German anti-Nazi resistance, the many efforts to save Jews from persecution, and intelligence groups like SOE and OSS. I have also read several accounts by Holocaust survivors. So many of these stories are harrowing and filled with emotion, which I believe have helped me get a good understanding of these times. Some good books I have found are really interesting; you can check them out if you want.

The Unwomanly Face of War (Svetlana Alexievich)

The Splendid and the Vile (Erik Larson)

The Zookeeper's Wife (Diane Ackerman)

The Only Woman in the Room (Marie Benedict)

Lilac Girls (Martha Hall Kelly)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford)

The Correspondents (Judith Mackrell)

The Night Train to Berlin (Melanie Hudson)

Night (Elie Wiesel) -> this one is really sad, just a heads-up

As for movies and shows...

Band of Brothers -> literally the best military series ever

The Zookeeper's Wife (based on the book)

Operation Mincemeat (Netflix Original)

The Monuments Men

Darkest Hour

WWII in Color (multiple series on Netflix)

Churchill's Secret Agents: The New Recruits (Netflix Original)

The list is much bigger, but here are my tops. Feel free to give me some recommendations; I'd love to see what you like!

[poridge]

I forgot how insane the last warriors book gets...