#escalating actions

[firstoccupier]

Scarborough Shoal: Latest Developments and Reactions

WPS News Staff Reporters Baybay City | January 22, 2025 West Philippine Sea Events: Tensions in the West Philippine Sea are currently heightened as Chinese air and naval forces have been engaged in conducting “combat readiness patrols” around Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine government has lodged formal protests against China’s “escalatory actions” in these contested waters, reaffirming the…

[orb-weaving]

Recognition

[apollos-olives]

it's actually so sad seeing how islamophobia is still so rampant in america. i'm the president of the muslim student association on campus and today a hijabi girl came in and told me about a situation where she was religiously and racially targeted by a PROFESSOR. and the worst part wasn't just the targeting, but it was the fact that she said she was so scared to speak up and tell anyone about it because she was afraid that no one would believe her or do anything about it for her.

we as muslims in america are always told to just put our heads down and take it. it hurts to see how we're told to handle abuse and islamophobia by ourselves and not reach out for help. we're tired of tolerating abuse and hatred for no reason other than pure ignorance. white americans please educate yourselves for the love of god.

[mamawasatesttube]

it's like, i really do enjoy most of the bats as characters and i really do like a lot of their comics. but also i am sooooo tired of them being hailed as better than literally everyone else. both in fanon but also in comics (modern ones are esp egregious imo, like WHAT was that shit about batman and the joker being the most dangerous men on the planet. hi. have you heard of lanterns? speedsters? supers? actually if i keep listing groups who could kick batman's ass we'd be here all day). they're like kudzu. that shit needs to stay in its native environment (funky little neo-noir detective stories) and stop being an invasive species (putting down everyone else to make them seem cooler). put bruce wayne back into a murder mystery setting that isn't about saving the world but is about saving one person or one family that no one else would've saved right now or so help me god. the whole invasive species cross contamination thing is unhealthy for both him And the other ecosystems he keeps getting transplanted into. please. it's so dark in here

[evie-doesnt-write]

I feel because of Jinx and Viktor’s popularity in fandom (having some of the most annoying fans in Arcane fandom) and the attention they receive in the show itself, people forget/don’t realise how bad they were done by the writers in s2

[mollysunder]

A while back I saw someone ask if Vander would have accepted Jayce's deal to give Jinx up for Zaun. The resounding response was "No", because Vander was already put in that position (sort of), and he chose to protect his children by giving himself up, and Vander would never be in that position to begin with. Those are correct statements, but they're not relevant to the question.

The question was, if Jinx decided to escalate tensions with acts of theft and violence that brought Piltover's attention, would Vander let Jinx be sent to Stillwater? I think the chance of him saying yes is at least more than 0.

We're not talking about all the kids getting caught up in a robbery gone wrong. We're talking about an older Jinx going solo into Piltover for targeted destruction havoc. In a universe where she everyone's still alive, Piltover still exists, and her hatred for that place would still burn and grow with time. The question really was, if Jinx put Vander in the same position Silco did in the past would he decide to give her up?

For Vander, what's on the line isn't Zaunite independence for Zaun, it's the safety of his family, his friends, and the population of the Undercity against Piltover's retaliation. He'd probably have even less moves to play than Silco did at the end. Vander can't give himself up, Jinx's name has already been leaked, and he is agonizingly aware of what Piltover's capable of.

Would he try to have her sent away? Vander wasn't willing to throw someone else under the bus for the kids in the past, so would he do it for a young adult Jinx who's more responsible for her actions? Would he think Stillwater is a better alternative for Jinx who may end up getting herself killed? Maybe he can try to plead for banishment (though that seems to be reserved for Piltovans)?

The question really stuck with me because Vander was willing to kill a man he considered his brother because he went too far, what does that mean for a daughter that won't back down from her own agenda?

[il-predestinato]

I love that everyone close to Max and Charles keeps dropping Lestappen content. 😊

This time, it’s Brad on IG story:

[hplonesomeart]

SMG4 fandom how are we feeling about the carnival coming up. I’m scared and going to scream :))

Plain sketch version without the grey background blend btw wahooo

[basilbots]

They better give Nexus a redemption arc or I'll riot. Canon is doing them so dirty, demonizing a grieving person.

It's a mess and Nexus fucked up yeah but not so much I think he deserves to remain a villain forever

[elvisqueso]

Kendrick has another track after 'not like us' mark my words: that was just the falling action and now we're waiting on the denouement

[rxttenfish]

while aaravi remains firmly within "yeah miranda has a difficult personality and isn't very easy to get along with + has many rough edges which are slowly being worked on but still going to be an issue" after having been very much so within the camp that miranda is a Vexing Bitch upon first contact/getting to know her, she DOES go from "miranda is unpredictable and dangerous as a merfolk and large macropredator and her emotions are inscrutable and random" to "merfolk aren't very hard to understand or predict and it's very easy to stay on the safe side if you keep basic rules in mind and don't freak out the second something unexpected happens"

[featherymainffins]

*remembers Dungeon Meshi* The Winged Lion

[seraheart]

They should be tasked with making a new Detective Conan movie but this time there's isn't allowed to be any of the following:

- bombs and explosions

- more than one (1) skateboard scene and it should mostly function like an actual motorized skateboard

- impossible sniper skills

- inane not-really shipping bait that goes nowhere

- action finales so over-the-top out of touch with the tone of the rest of the franchise that they don't feel like they actually happened in the same story

- Bourbon

- Bourbon's 54352 tragic backstories

You know. Stop with the low-hanging fruit and go back to at least kinda trying to write something good instead?

[hel-phoenyx]

New Year's Eve, part 6

Following through on the story with @soupedepates and @corneille-but-not-the-author

I'll have to admit, I didn't think the first thing I'd see when coming to the function would be the eyes full of contempt of some of my colleagues.

I'm used to it, being middle-eastern and all. But they're more... Fueled than usual. Even more than the time my mother's maiden name slipped out. Even more than the time Sigismund Warsowar was kidnapped.

Even Amandine is looking at me with those cold, cold eyes. Well. I've seen colder. I have a mirror.

Well.

It doesn't take me a long time to understand what happened.

I am not showing it in any way. Never have been, never will. But this is making me radiating with absolute rage.

So while I was out of the precinct, this little shit came here with his big fairy eyes and decided to spout fucking nonsense about me, and more importantly my relationship to Tyr ? For what reason ? Because I told him, in front of your face, you were flirting with another guy ?

What, couldn't handle the unavoidable rejection ? Or he held his balls high and you are together now, so you can't imagine someone could just be friends with him without THOSE kind of feelings involved ?

You're a fucking menace, to me, since you litteraly outed me to the most dangerous place I'd ever get outed, even with the token trans girl ready to fight for our rights. And to Tyr. Did you even imagine the consequences on HIM ? Or are you too buddy-buddy with cops to imagine those people are DANGEROUS.

Starting with me. Because I do not intend to let that slide. Let's see how weaponised racism can become in the right hands, you unsufferable slut.

I walk to my desk with a grim smile. I don't like those methods, but I know how to manipulate police. Just shake in front of them the threat of terrorism for the sole proof of a racised family and some of them will run on it like dogs toward bones.

Or, well, it is what I intended to do. But I am stopped in my tracks. By none other than Sigismund Warsowar.

My eyes run cold when I see his tired face.

"Well look who's here, the man of the hour. Trying to play hero again so you can feel good ?"

He sighs, invites me in his office. I do not answer. I do not move.

Try to make me bulge, Warsowar.

"Listen, Fenrir, he says in front of my refusal to cooperate. I just need to talk to you. about all this."

My smile gets snarkier.

"Because of what, your pretty little friends going to the precinct to spread rumors about me ? It wouldn't even do any good to tell you they're false."

"So you are not trying to sabotage the relationships of the man you have a crush on."

"Ever heard of friends, Warsowar ? Because apparently, sweet Domhildr has not, since she's trying to fuck mine in all ways possible."

Sigismund's face go sour. But he's still calm. I hate that so much. I'm trying to infuriate you, gods, must you get as still as a goddamn machine ???

"You hurt her, you know. While getting at me. And I know I'm probably the last man needed to make this right, but I have to try. I don't know why you have it in for me, or what I've done wrong, but..."

I cut him with a laugh.

"Have it in for you ? Damn, Warsowar, you are so lost in your own self-importance it's almost funny."

That behavior shouldn't surprise me from the son of the mayor and yet. I guess there is always ways to get surprised. again, and again, and again.

"I don't care about you in particular. Right now you are just the most annoying, privilegied white, rich fucker I have ever met. Don't act like any of this is about you. It has never been."

My smile disappears. What's left of my face

Is only rage.

How dare he

How dare he act like every thing that happens in the world centers on his pretty person.

"What I care about is that my best and first friend, the only person I care about in that fucked-up world that isn't people hurt by that damn system, is in the middle of a fucking drama because that bitch is not seeing she's hurting him and no one here is able to communicate properly. What I care about, Warsowar, if you can see that on the top of your huge ass pedestal, is that he's complaining about how he's always second choice because he is cast aside for the sake of people like you. I care about not even being able to help him get past that because, surprise ! Those kind of people take him away from me. And you can see gayness in that little speech, at that point I don't care anymore."

I laugh bitterly when I see his dumbfounded face.

"So no, I do not have it in for you, at least not more than any other rich white man. I simply pity your choice of girl to crush on."

The silence that follows my tirade is heavy.

I suppose I have made my point. However, when I try to come back to my desk to enact my revenge, I'm stopped by a hand around my wrist.

"Stay here, Fenrir."

It's him? again. What the fuck does he want now-

Why is his face so determined.

"You can spit your venom as much as you like, you won't deny everything has been started by your actions and your actions alone. No matter how much Domhildr has hurt your friend, you made everything worse by talking like this in front of their face."

What-

What is he talking about ?

I did what I had to. So everything is finally resolved. If Tyr isn't able to talk about his goddamn feelings that should be his problem, and not Domhildr making it the one of all the precinct starting with me-

Fuck, Tyr. If we got that whole scene, there is a chance he will get consequences. Now that I've mentioned I'm his friend, and people think I'm gay for him, maybe-

Shit. That's problems I hadn't anticipated.

i'll have to do something about that, first.

Sigismund still looks determined.

"You may feel wronged by all this situation and I don't know you enough, but you look like the type to retaliate. Don't escalate that, please. For everyone's sake including yours and your friend."

....

Damn him trying to teach me a lesson.

I rip myself from his grip and walk without a word.

My revenge will wait. I need all this to die down first. For Tyr's sake.

***

It's seven in the morning when I get a call.

i'm jumpy ever since that whole scene. Laid low for some days, tried to find the good moments, but it only got me more furious. This rumor is still sticking to my skin, I fear it won't ever die down.

Domhildr has now shown her face to the precinct after that. Sigismund doesn't talk about her anymore. Good.

But I'm still afraid Walpurgis will kick me out for disturbing his law and order. Or I'll get a call from my colleagues about to hit the gay out of me. Or anything like that.

So I am extremely surprised to see Kriss's number on the screen.

I pick up the call. On the other side, the coldest voice I've ever heard rips through the speaker.

"Hello, Fenrir."

"Kriss. What earns me the pleasure ?"

A hiss.

"It's not gonna be a pleasure for long, you absolute shitface. I have Tyr at home, right now. Gustav is brewing him the special heartbreak tea because he can't stop crying since TWO DAYS. And the moment I manage to get some other words from him than "I'm a fucking disgrace" and "why do I hurt everything I touch" what do I learn ?"

She doesn't even let me time to answer. Her voice is full of a rage I have never heard in her. Not even after Tyr was hurt during that riot.

"You decided to meddle in his love affairs and tell him to his face and Domhildr's she was seeing another guy, while implying very strongly she would choose him before Tyr ?"

"Well, would she-"

"Shut up. I don't want to hear a word from you yet, and the next one better be an apology. For your information, after your little altercation, she, quite angrily might I add, confessed to him, and you got so good under his skin he couldn't say anything. So now I have to deal with his heartbreak, her heartbreak, and the consequences of your actions on everyone involved including Sigismund Warsowar."

"Kriss-"

"I said shut. UP. You are an absolute disgrace, Fenrir Wolffsen, and I am sick of you trying to sabotage everything Tyr has that you didn't give him. Because it is what it is, right ? You're just jealous you're not his most important person anymore."

I think the speech is over. I can hear heavy breathing on the other side of the phone. and, now that Kriss isn't talking anymore, I can pick up the soft voice of Gustav telling what looks like an encouragement.

I can't even say anything.

I am just

Standing

There.

Kriss sighs, and starts talking again, a little calmer.

"This is not what I expected when I got back from Sweden with Brynja and Aarni. Both are extremely angry with you, by the way. So even though I don't want to meddle for more than necessary in that kind of business, I will be taking things over. You just reflect on your actions and you better have an apology ready for Tyr when he will want to see your face again."

"I..... suppose I will."

"I would tell you to apologise to Domhildr, too, but that'll be too far-fetched for you asshole. But you will talk to Sigismund like the grown man you're supposed to be and say sorry you involved him in this mess."

I stay silent. Like hell I will. I will not grovel to the damn mayor's son.

On the other side of the phone, Kriss's voice just sounds tired, now.

"Listen, I owe you my life and I haven't forgotten that. It's the only reason I still haven't cut you off. But you went too far, Fenrir, for something too petty."

Another sigh.

"Now I'll have to call Domhildr to see how well she's faring with my idiot brother emotional unavailability. And try to get Gustav to talk him into confessing a better way. Because, eh, the cat's out of the bag, now, why not take advantage of this ?"

...

No. No. No. You can't. She will take him from me. She will lock him away in one of those stupid relationships. I don't care that Tyr's poly, I don't care who he loves, I don't want to

I don't want to

I don't

want to lose my friend again.

"Wait, Kriss, you can't-"

"Sure I can. Watch me. You made your bed, Fenrir, now lie in it. Also, count yourself happy I don't give to the police an anomymous tip about who's the mole giving away every last one of their patrols to rioters."

She hangs up on those words.

Leaving me in the silence of my flat.

Alone.

[mollysunder]

Renni's attack on the memorial ceremony didn't need to be a part of some larger plot orchestrated by Ambessa. One of the reoccurring ideas in season 1 was that Piltover constantly underestimated and dehumanized their counterparts in Zaun. It was so second nature to the Piltovan cast that they couldn't see the direct line of their actions and consequences that lead to their situation.

Renni's attack is just another one of those consequences, because Jayce killed her son, didn't try to save him, walked away from his body, and didn't even offer Renni an apology. Of course Renni was going to try to kill him, she's a dangerous chembaron who's lost her factory and her child. It's genuinely insane to think no one thought this was a possibility, but it perfectly tracks with Piltover. The Piltovan cast constantly centers their own feelings and perspectives over their counterparts in Zaun.

"How could they do this at a memoria?!?", because Zaunites like Renni are grieving too. Her son didn't get any dignity when he died (and neither did Silco), so why should Piltover? Throwing Ambessa in as the secret puppet master just flattens the whole conflict because suddenly this natural progression in hostilities and critical failures in understanding are sidestepped by an outside party.

[sleepylostboy]

I should be in the shade of a nice tree on a picnic date right now. One that will inevitably lead to making love in each other’s arms, our bodies pressed together as the sunlight dances across bare skin through the leaves. And that ends with soft kisses as the sun falls lower, and a gentle breeze that’s just enough to make us pull each other tighter, neither one of us wanting this moment to end