#even zero ain't healthy about it

[vixlenxe]

All the Wanderer collectively being like ‘I know whoever I build a relationship with is gonna end up dying before me, even if they’re not human’, & coping in their own ways.

... Not all of them are healthy... though others are definitely more unhealthy then others.

[freestyle-crocodile-trashpile]

Smooth

Summary:Your more than just a criminal, your a smart one. No recklessness with you

Type: Scenario:??:Arthur Morgan & GN!Reader

Verison:rdr2

~

"How'd you do it?"

Arthur looks at you, the one person in this camp who actually looks out of place. You look sweet, young, noble even. People don't see you as a criminal- not even a horse rider half the time. You can walk into a town and rob them clean and everyone still loves you. He's watched you walk past people who have hunted him and other camp members for their bountys- your like butter, slipping through every crack like it's nothing, slipping through obstacles and dodging bullets by walking straight into them.

"Mm? What do you mean?"

You turned to Arther, furrowing your eyebrows at him. He could mean maybe things, theirs more than one thing you do. You fish better then him, hunt small creatures, smooth talk people, kids, theirs so much he could be talking about. It's not that your better than him, just a tad bit smarter.

"You...your so damn good at bein' a criminal. How? It's like your made for this, but you only joined us last year at least"

Arthur seemed actually frustrated by this. He's had to kill so many people because of this line of work, and you practically just smooth talk them into killing themselves. There zero trace of you anywhere- while he's fighting bountys off his hat. With a hum you looked forward again at the lake. You two and gone hunting and where currently camping out. It was just you and him. And... actually kinda nice. Arthur doesn't talk to much alone, just a few things here and there. The silence of nature was lovely.

"Well...when you think before hand it helps a lot. But, I just understand the brain, Arthur. When you know more it helps out a lot. Its why I can hunt and fish better than you too"

Arthur huffed, finding your words a little annoying. He wasn't stupid, just reckless sometimes. And even then it's not often. Arthur thinks things through, so why are you still so much better than him? What's he doing wrong.

"I ain't stupid, so yeah are you so much better. Why don't you get hunted like me?"

Your chuckle pissed him off a little, looking at you with a small frown. When you looked over at him, all smug with a big ol' smirk he wanted to just go to bed. He hated talking to smug people.

"When you look less rugged and like a beast people see you less as a threat. You big Arthur, bigger than me. And I have a more...gentle approach to things."

Arthur relaxed abit. As much as he hated that answer, you were right. He was a much easer threat then you, if he didn't know you then he might've just waved you off. It's a good thing you went to Dutch instead of him, Arthur would've ignored your request with how small you were. When you shifted Arthur looked back over at you, noticing the more sad look in your eyes.

"you see, I grew up poor. Got use to using my innocent look to get things. People saw me and women pitied me, gave me things. And when I realized everyone looked at me and just saw a kid, I started to steal."

Arthur hummed, liking that answer much more then you just getting the people. But still, he wanted to smack that smug look off your face- only because of how smug you were, not you, he just hated that smug look. Arthur has come to enjoy putting smug people in their place, it's more fun when his not target is a smug bastard.

"I just learned that when you look sweeter, less healthy the people are less likely to question you. I mean, why would a brittle person kill a brute? Doesn't make any sense."

No wonder you looked like you'd snap. You weren't necessarily skinny- well, that he could see. Your clothes much bulk you up abit, you just had that look of weak bones that he didn't understand. There was always something about you- something that made him tick. Not in a bad way, he didn't dislike you like Micah or Bill. Arthur was just a little frustrated with how well you do when you've barely been with them- to him this is your first time. But there's so much he doesn't know.

"we should sleep, there's a elk we gotta hunt for the camp. Good night Arthur"

Arthur made no move as you stood up, walking over to your tent to snuff out the oil lamp and adjust your bedroll.

"Yeah, we should. Night, Kid"

There was a grunt behind you as Arthur stood up. He waited until you laid down before putting out the fire and snuffing his own oil lamp. It wants to cold so he wasnt worried about his blanket. You were definitely an odd person, so much to discover- and to much for his impatience ass.

~

[A/N:Red Dead has been eating away my brain cells guys. I hope you enjoyed]

[hainethehero]

Steve Rogers Trauma: A TED TALK

Why is it that any kind of commentary/analysis on Steve Roger's trauma has to be met with comparisons to Bucky or Tony's trauma? Or most of the fanfics I read completely gloss over Steve's trauma?

Some of y'all legit do not care or are blind to Steve Roger's trauma throughout the Captain America & Avengers films and it shows. And this isn't hate to any fanfic writers but rather an observation of most stucky and stony fanfics which seem to minimize Steve's character & trauma in favour of highlighting their fave's. And of course it's fine that people want to write about Bucky or Tony or even Nat's trauma, but MOST TIMES* I've read these fics and they all have an intentional disregard for Steve's traumas.

And this speaks to the wider discourse around Tony, Bucky & Steve- the three characters most written about in mcu fanfics.

Because why is it that anytime I bring up Steve's PTSD or his illnesses or the hell he would've gone through pre-serum, people always HAVE to add in their 2cents about, "well yeah & Bucky went through worse." Like.???? No, I'm not talking about him.

I absolutely love Bucky and he's one of my favourite characters in both the comics and the MCU but, respectfully, this ain't about him.

I'm talking about Steve and his life. The crap he would've had to deal with both in public and at home. Especially the horrors both he and Sarah would've gone through because of Joseph Rogers who was a terrible person and an alcoholic who beat up on his wife and sickly kid.

And even post-serum when he's completely healthy and living in the future now, I'm still seeing popular narratives about "Yeah he's alive now & hasn't gone through half of what Bucky's endured over the past 70yrs." OR "He's had it easy compared to Bucky who was being tortured by HYDRA."

Um, no one's saying Bucky's treatment under HYDRA was a good thing??? But we're talking about Steve here, not Bucky?

And how he was literally frozen in a state of purgatory & how traumatic it would feel to be ripped out of it and then basically thrown to the new world on your ass without any kind of therapy or help. Most people make it seem like Steve was in a Sleeping Beauty kind of sleep and then woke up completely fine. And I will admit the MCU has been the main culprit of that narrative because they deleted so many scenes that humanized Steve Rogers, that now the gen pop thinks:

he's perfectly fine

has zero trauma

should complain about nothing

hasn't had it hard like Bucky or Tony

is a lesser hero because of all of the above

I recently had a convo with a friend & we were talking abt the scene in Avengers 1 when they were all at each other's throats. And they said that Tony was right about Steve being a laboratory experiment & everything special about him came out of a bottle. And I'm like... yeah nah, that's the lazy ass writing that Whedon perpetuated that now makes Steve one of the most misunderstood heroes & people in the MCU. Because he was special before the serum because of his consideration of others. He was special because not only did he hate bullies, but he also went out of his way to protect those that couldn't protect themselves KNOWING what that confrontation might cost him as a chronically sick person. Tony needed a whole ass arc about literally witnessing & living first hand what his weapons were doing to innocents like Yinsen & his people, to change his ways. Steve didn't have, nor did he need any of that to make him special. (AND BEFORE THE TONY STANS COME FOR ME, I LOVE TONY, HE'S LITERALLY ONE OF MY FAVES IN THE MARVEL COMICS & MCU) But this hatred for Steve is ridiculous.

And once again, it's the MCUs fault because they made Tony the ultimate hero of the Avengers at the expense of Steve Rogers' character. Him being able to prove he was "worthy" all along by lifting Thor's hammer was a cheap payoff in the end, much like the entirety of Endgame was. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

[the-scooby-gang]

Character assassination and delayed puberty: VelmaHBO mishandling of Fred Jones

As I write the "I watched Velma HBO so you don't have too" reviews for episode 1 and 2, I decided to post this thought process I had regarding Fred's mischaracterization and, specifically, about the choice of giving him delayed puberty.

In the show, Mindy Kaling's self insert (because that ain't Velma in this or in the next life) comes to the conclusion that Fred is such a "spoiled white privileged brat" that his body didn't see the point of growing up at all.

First of all: Fuck that

Second of all: Whose brilliant idea (we all know who, but lets pretend for a second here) was it to turn FRED JONES: cheerleader; net lover; circus enjoyer; himbo friend; golden retriever sunshine boy and "I love my friends and my van so much you guys" into THIS?!?!

Is it because he is white, blond and has blue eyes???? Because it would be easy to make him into a caricature of white supremacy???

Yes. That's exactly why they changed Fred. Because it was easy.

I will go deeper on this in the full review of episode 1 and 2 (god help me) but this whole show is written in the most lazy way possible with jokes that would have fit perfectly in a edgy early 2000s show, where characters become those straw men versions of liberals conservatives IMAGINE exist.

Where people of color complain all the time about white supremacy but don't go deeper into it, its just complaining for the sake of complaining;

Where they bring genuine arguments people make but with zero nuance or though behind them, instead the writers put what THEY imagine it is about and, 99.9% of the time, they attribute it to people being "tOo sEnSiTiVe" and " tRiGgErEd SnOwFlAkEs"

Where people blow things out of proportion and accuse people left and right of being fascists (when they call Fred "Hitler" the background character says "he looks like Hitler. And I'm not just saying that because we call anyone Hitler nowadays") completely disregarding the WHY people in real life are calling out fascist behavior when they see it. Hello rise of fascism happening on the world, how is the INVASION OF CAPITOL IN AMERICA and THE INVASION AND DEPREDATION OF THE PLANALTO IN BRAZIL going for you?!;

This show is Family Guy. I would say it's worse than Family Guy even.

Third of all: Delayed puberty is an Actual Thing That Happens To People. It's something that can happen at random or it can be a genetic disorder shared in the family. It can be a symptom of something way more serious or something benign.

Many people that suffer from delayed puberty suffer from low self esteem because they have to watch their friends grow and develop when the same thing's not happening to them. They may feel like they're never going to catch up.

People are bullied over this, people develop depression.

And now these people are the punch line of this mean spirited joke.

I can even envision a better show where Fred still has delayed puberty, but instead of being the butt of jokes where people keep commenting on the size of the penis of this HIGH SCHOOLER, they treat as the constitutional delay it is. Fred is a late bloomer. It may be caused by a pattern of growth and development in his family, it may be a chronic illnesses he has. Can you imagine Fred with something like asthma or diabetes?

Lets go with that, lets imagine a Fred with diabetes, who is not receiving a proper treatment for said diabetes (maybe because his parents subscribe to that style of parenting where they are more concerned about appearances than the well being of their kid. "No, he has no problem. He is a perfectly healthy Jones."

Or they are the kind that say shit like this: "He doesn't have blurry vision he is just a lazy student, that's an excuse," or "You would stop going so much to the bathroom to piss if you stoped drinking water all the time" or even "I told you to not stay awake all night on those weird net making websites, now you're tired in class. What kind of mother they must think I am..." "But I didn't stay up all night, I swear–" "Don't you lie to me Frederick") and as such the side effects and symptoms are left unchecked.

So the Fred Velma, and we the audience, are introduced too is the heir of this fortune... who can't stay standing because he is constantly tired, has completely given up on trying to apply himself on school because he can't see the fucking board his vision is so blurry, has passed out at least once in gym, drinks water like he lives in a dessert and is so self conscious about his body that even his girlfriend hasn't seen him shirtless even once. The swim team hasn't seen him shirtless even once, so there are these whiplash inducing photos in the year book where is a bunch of guys in speedos nest to this one dude in an early 20th century striped swimming suit.

In episode 1 itself Velma's vision of Fred can start biased, after all from a distance a person that doesn't know Fred personally can chalk his behavior to "rich dramatic boy that knows he doesn't need to put effort into learning since he already has a fortune guaranteed for him after all this, so he is just sleeping and vibing and being dramatic through high school" but as the episode progresses and she gets to know Fred, she notices that the image doesn't fit. Fred, who has such in depth knowledge about physics and mechanics, who clearly loves his girlfriend very much and feels bad about the murder of this girl he considered a friend. The image of "Rich guy that doesn't care" is not fitting.

I want it to be a Velma and Daphne epiphany. About Daphne talking about all these things Fred has told her or that she noticed about him to Velma as they look for clues and it hits Velma as a she connects all together. The tiredness, the pissing, the thirst, the blurry vision.

Daphne may have not seen it because she is too close but with Velma's outside perspective the pieces fall into place.

Now lets imagine that instead of cop lesbian moms, Daphne could have lesbian doctor/nurse moms. They take him to them and they give him what he desperately needed:

"No, dear. You're not lazy, or broken, or an attention seeker, or any other bullshit your parents called you. You have diabetes. Type 1 to be precise."

After Daphne and Velma hug a crying Fred until he has no more tears to give, the series progresses with Fred now treating his diabetes as one of its recurring plot lines.

I want Daphne to have extra insulin in her purse, I want Shaggy to help Fred with his new diet, I want Fred and Velma to go exercising together and have deep conversations about body image and how they deal with it (Fred with his delayed puberty, Velma with her extra weight)

"Mature" and "Adult" content doesn't need to be edgy sex-violence-and-drugs.

It can be simply a story of a high schooler having to deal with diabetes in a country were insulin is expensive as fuck, some parents are more willing to let their kids suffer than offer any kind of help or even admit that there may be a problem in the first place, of dealing with body image and things that are out of your control.

Just a thought.

This is a post by The-Scooby-Gang, thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

[palmtreesx3]

Act 1 - Foreplay

Aphrodisiac (Robin's Chapter)

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Summary: (6.8K) The pair are settling in at The Hideout but not without some bumps in the road, and are exploring the city and sampling a bit of all that it has to offer. Steve is trying hard to find things that he likes to do and he's totally baffled to see Robin so effortlessly spreading her wings. Robin's got a date. A real legitimate, public date and she quickly gets fixated. Meanwhile Steve's got another lonely evening by himself. The pair - well maybe just Robin - gets in the mood in this Robin-centric installment of Act 1. 

Warnings: it's a sex shop and generally just NSFW so 18+. Sex toys and self-exploration, female masturbation, shop talk, fluffy affection, LGBTQ acceptance (which isn't much of a warning, it's a goddamn right), self-loathing, mild depression and *you* make your first appearance.

Almost-July, 1993

What Robin failed to consider when wagering a digital pet bet with Steve Harrington is that this boy was born and raised competitive. She forgot that in the Harrington household "lose" wasn't in their vocabulary. She also forgot just how forgetful she is. Ironic. So it should have been no surprise that in the last 24 hours, her Tamagotchi has been sick three times and was always beeping incessantly. 

"Rob, you're a horrible mother. You're gonna owe me 5 drinks before we even get our first paycheck." Steve gloats, tucking his healthy, happy, bouncing pet into his pocket before sitting down to lace up his sneakers. 

Meanwhile, Robin who is shoving her feet unceremoniously into her Chucks ignores the shit talking and dishes out some of her own. "Dude, we have to do something about this." She kicks her chin in his direction as he smooths out his clothes. 

"What?" Steve snaps back.

"I can't believe you still dress like that. Honestly. 1984 called, they want their Sears Catalog back." 

"Ok Robin, sorry I didn't know you also got a job as the fuckin fashion police."

"I'm just saying, small town Indiana polo fashion ain't gonna cut it in the big city, boy. You wanna keep bagging hotties like you did the other weekend, we'll have to do something. You don't have to dress for mommy anymore." And as she says the last bit she immediately winces "Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean … "

"No it's okay, Rob. I know what you're trying to say. Maybe. Maybe once we have some extra money I'll get something new. You can help me. Deal?"

After a few weeks of exploring, Robin and Steve have zeroed in on quite a few of their own places. A bench they prefer in the nearby park, nestled in the shade of a swaying willow tree; a greasy corner store that sells the best breakfasts to sop up what's left of an evening out; an arcade that makes them nostalgic and think of the kids at home and gives them something to talk about when they call; and this place - a nice little coffee shop tucked in between towering complexes and quaint stores just one block over from their place. There are always records playing of the baristas favorite bands, the coffee is good and strong and cheap and they're always open when they need it. 

Steve and Robin have gone to the coffee shop almost daily since they found it. But this time Robin was out on an errand herself so she popped in on her own to grab two cups to-go and bring back to the apartment, where Steve, no doubt, was still sleeping. Perusing the wall of records in rotation while she waits for her order, Robin is startled by a quiet voice beside her, whispering closer in her ear than she's used to from a stranger. "This week it's good stuff, huh? I'm loving The Smashing Pumpkins new one." the voice says. 

Robin's eyes dart to her left and quickly back up to the wall of vinyls, the stranger's proximity and attention making her squirm just a bit. "My last .. girlfriend. She was into all the pop stuff. Not really my vibe, ya know." And at that, Robin's eyes rise to meet the womans who is standing next to her. There's not much that can actually shut Robin Buckley up, but here's a few: a really fuckin' beautiful girl, eye contact and someone casually talking about their sexuality. It was the perfect storm. 

Robin bit her plump, pink lips and nodded at the stranger, feeling a little ridiculous at the interaction so far. What is she supposed to say? Do I ask her about her ex- GIRLFRIEND? Do people really talk that openly here in the city? I don't even know her name! Robin's voice may be silent but her brain is going a mile a minute.

"Alex." The stranger says. Just as the barista shouts Robin! Your order is up! in the background. 

As Robin reaches across the counter for the two steaming cups, Alex counters "And I'm assuming you, are in fact Robin." with a grin. "No boyfriend today?" She says, and as Robin's eyes twist in confusion, she pipes up again "No no, I'm sorry, I'm not being weird I swear. I just come here a lot and I've seen you guys. Nothing freaky I promise."

"No." Is all Robin awkwardly says, totally deadpan. 

Alex waits for more, but nothing comes. After a moment she chuckles, picking up her own cup of tea and raising it to her lips to take a sip, but not before whispering out "No, what?" in a question. 

"Ha. No. No he's not my boyfriend." Robin says as she plays with the hem of her denim cutoff shorts. 

"Ah, too bad. He's a hottie." Alex shrugs and Robin stands confused. It's happening before she knows it started and Robin's dumpster fire of a brain starts rambling. 

"Wait. What? No he's not my boyfriend he's my roommate and yeah we come here, we're still kinda new in town. We're actually from a small town - Hawkins - but what… I'm sorry I thought you said your ex-girlfriend liked pop music so… "

"Yeah. That's what I said." Alex takes another nonchalant sip of her steaming mug. 

" So .. but Steve. He's… " Robin stutters out. 

"Well he is hot isn't he?" The woman counters. 

"I mean, yeah I guess. He has no trouble with the ladies if that's what you mean. Always Mr god-damned Popular cause he has perfect fuckin' hair but I swear they should see him in the morning, it's not all rainbows and butterflies then!" and the words just keep spouting out of her mouth uncontrollably. 

Alex looks on at her, almost endearingly, as she lets her go and spit it all out. "You done?" She asks. 

Robin nods, mutters an apology for her rambling and starts to head towards the door "I should go. Nice to meet you, Alex."

She shuffles her steps quickly in an attempt to bolt as far away as she can from the pretty girl who she just made a fool of herself in front of. God, I'm gonna have to tell Steve we need to find a new coffee place. Shit. 

"Wait! Wait, sorry. I can be intense." Alex muses, kicking her feet at the chair next to where they stand, before looking back at Robin's flushing face. "Yes, I did say ex-girlfriend. I also said your whatever he is is hot. I'm not stalking you, I just must get my tea when you guys get your coffee and, I hope I don't make you totally run off in terror when I say this next part, but I'm gonna anyway - I have just been distracted by you guys. I thought you were both pretty hot and I was distracted by the coffee shop couple every time I'm here. You were solo today so I thought I'd break the ice. Sorry. I hope I'm not making this weird "

Robin's mouth is absolutely hanging open right now. 

"Yeah, so the tables turned pretty quickly and I'm thinking I'm the one that should be embarrassed right now so, hopefully I see hot coffee shop couple around and I didn't totally scare you away from this place. " 

"Oh God, no. The coffee is too good and too cheap for us to stop coming here. He's not my boyfriend. Steve is 100% my roommate and that's it, no coffee shop couple here. Yeah, he's hot but don't you ever tell him that. Christ, he doesn't need a bigger ego. And the last time I talked to a girl like you I think I peed my pants, so excuse me I'm going to go hurl myself off the Willis Tower, if that's okay with you?"

Alex lets out a deep laugh. A genuine one. She reaches out to touch Robin's forearm, to keep her there… or ground her, she's not sure which. "Please don't. I can't have you falling if it's not for me." and at that Robin's eyes go wide as saucers. "Are you free tomorrow? Maybe we could get dinner? Downtown. Meet here so it's not weird and sketchy first…that is, if your hot roommate doesn't mind I borrow you for a bit?"

She's stunned. Robin has never been asked out on a date before. Is this a date? Holy shit.

She musters up every ounce of courage she has to smile and nod. "I get off work at 6, so can we make it 7?" Only to be interrupted in that moment by the shrill chirping on her keychain signifying yet another dead digital pet. 

A wide, sparkling smile spreads on Alex's face as she starts to head out the door, turning back to shout out "7:00, meet you here. Can't wait! "

And as soon as the bell on the door dings and she's sure it's shut, her brain starts catching up and Robin drops both cups of coffee on the floor. 

Today, Murray is not entertained by Steve. Usually the banter between the pair has remained humorous and for the most part, friendly. Today Steve is just pissing him off. 

First Steve dropped an entire shipping box of condoms, spilling single wrapped rubbers all over the floor. It took him an hour and twenty three minutes and three side-eyeing customers stepping over him to clean them all up. Then Steve knocked over the mannequins like dominoes after he struggled with the BDSM display Murray assigned to him for the second part of their shift. Robin snickered as Murray delegated the task to Steve, knowing damn well it was just to make the boy suffer. Robin watched gleefully, sitting at the register, resting her chin in her hand as Steve grumbled through the entire task. At one point, he was fumbling so much with all of the straps and buckles and ties that before he knew it the head of the mannequin he was attempting to gag toppled off its shoulders and knocked three other mannequins down in its wake. All Steve could do in response was throw the ball gag to the side as he stormed off, yelling back "Tell that asshole I took my 15! I'll deal with the bondage when I get back!" 

As he marches off in anger, Murray does in fact slide over and lean down next to Robin. "How's Casanova doing? BDSM not his thing, I see?" He chuckles. Robin cocks a sideways grin at him shaking her head. "He doesn't even know what his thing is, Murray. He's just a lost little puppy."

"What about you, Red. You doing good?"

"Yeah, yeah I am. I think he's stressed because he's not really finding his thing. He's used to things coming easy for him and they're just… not here."

"What does Mr Hometown Heroes' emotional journey have to do with how you're doing, huh?"

"A lot, actually. He's absolutely a bumbling fucking idiot, but he is the kindest person I've ever known. He has a weird way of showing it, but that's because his parents are Grade A assholes. He's been more supportive to me than anyone on this planet and I am trying so hard to help him but I don't know how." 

"Well, Red, this is a journey of lifelong self-discovery. Ya gotta learn to love thyself before you can love another. That goes for both of you, ya know?" and with that, he pushes off the glass countertop and saunters back to his office while humming an indistinguishable tune. 

When Steve returns from his break Robin recognizes the look on his face. It's the one that comes back ready with his head in the game after an excruciatingly awkward pep talk he gave himself - out loud. If anything, all those years of organized sports at least gave him a method to get himself back on track. 

That's why it was so abysmal to watch as he confidently tried to help a young customer, flowing brunette hair curled and brushed out into bouncy ringlets, asking in a tiny voice behind batting eyes to be pointed in the direction of the Ben Wa. 

"Oh yeah, I got you covered on this! Haven't been here long and I never heard of those before our manager got one for us and just the other day I stopped in at this place that looked interesting… "

The customer's eyes narrow, not sure where Steve is going with this conversation just as Murray joins in next to Robin to watch the drama unfold. He brought popcorn this time and was audibly chomping on it with an open mouth behind a gaping smile. "I gotta see where he's going with this." Tilting the bag towards Robin in an offering as they watch. 

"Yeah, so if you just go down the block a few more streets you'll see a place on the corner. It actually says Ben Wa on the window, so you will definitely see it when you get there. I was surprised at how much I liked it!" Steve says to the miffed young lady as she is heading for the door. "Have a great day! Enjoy!" Steve yells after her.

"What the hell man! Where'd you send the good paying customer!" Murray outstretched his arm towards the door before reaching into his bag to throw a kernel of popcorn right square into Steve's forehead. 

"What the fuck, Murray. She wanted to know where to get a fuckin sandwich. Last time I checked we don't sell sandwiches!" He yells as he spins his outstretched arms from left to right, showing off the wares inside the shop. 

"A sandwich? You fuckin' small town nincompoop, no! Ben Wa. Ben Wa balls. She wanted to put 'em up her coochie you idiot!"

Beet red from holding back, Robin finally lets out a cackle that fills the entire store. "Oh my God, someone get me a white board! You gotta be shitting me. This is better than watching him sink at Scoops, hands down."

"Wa-what are you talking about? Ben Wa - like the sandwich from that Korean place? You got it for us for lunch three days ago!"

"Oh for the love of God. You're pretty but you're dumb. BAHN MI. Say it with me BAAHHHN MEEEE" he overemphasized.

"I-i… well.. what… what the fuck man! I don't know!" 

Meanwhile, Robin is on the floor with tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. 

After Robin gets her shit together and Steve returns to his normal shade of sun kissed peach, ever the educator, Murray fills the pair in on what the customer was actually looking for. Pulling them over to a display case in the rear, a menagerie of colorful metallic, glass and silicone balls are laid out for viewing. All the sizes as big as or smaller than an egg, Murray explains both their practical use as well as how they can be used for pleasure. 

"See some ladies come looking for these after they have a baby, nothing to do with getting off… for now at least … everything to do with tightening things back up again. Just a run of the mill afternoon at the vaginal gym shesh." Steve grimaces as the analogy but nods in understanding. "Girls …or guys - might use them to stretch themselves out a bit and train their holes." Robin looks on, fully engaged and taking all the information in earnest. "They have little weights inside though, so if you're wearing them for a while or they're jostling around there's a whole lotta movement in there if you know what I mean. A few tugs on those strings and you got yourself a party." 

The rest of the day goes off without a hitch, but gnawing at the back of Robin's mind are a bright red pair of Ben Wa balls from the display case, round and smooth and silicone, shaped like two cherries on a lime green stem. She's never owned a toy before, and she's feeling kind of intrigued, so while Steve is in the employee room gathering his things and clocking out, Robin seizes the opportunity to pull the toy from the case and ring it up quickly. She rings up the amount, and hastily keys in her employee discount before slipping them into her satchel just before Steve returns to the floor. 

Robin has increasingly spent her free time idling around town and making her own discoveries. She finds herself often at a community park enjoying some local outdoor music that pops up regularly on the weekends and has stumbled upon a vintage bookshop a few doors down from the coffee place that she has made a comfortable home in their reading nook a few days a week while also making fast friends with the laid back cashier there on the weekends. 

Meanwhile Steve has failed at any attempt to casually find something he likes to do on his own and, as evident today at work, there's something that's got him stressed and Robin thinks this is it. He tried to join her at the community park, but he has yet to get into any of the music they're playing and he joined her once at the bookstore when she excitedly wanted to share her big find with her friend, but he just didn't get the hype after sitting there thumbing through a book he had no interest in actually reading. The apartment doesn't have any cable, and there's only so much coffee shop and Tamagotchi a guy pushing 30 can handle. Needless to say, city life isn't coming as naturally for Steve as it is for Robin and that is throwing him for an absolute loop. 

After a long talk on the fire escape over a cigarette, Robin actually had some wise insight into Steve's problem. "Dude, it's because you don't have any hobbies! Tell me one thing you've ever done because you chose to do it?"

"Robs, I played sports for years! Of course I have hobbies!" 

"No. That's not what I mean. Who signed you up for those? Who made sure you made the varsity team your first year? Who told you to run laps? Do you still play them now? Just cause you convinced yourself you liked it, doesn't mean you actually did."

And that resonated with Steve. He thought about why he actually liked all the baseball, all the nights on the basketball court and all the swim meets - it wasn't because he actually liked the sports, he liked how it made him feel to win. For his dad to give a shit every once in a while. For his teammates to need him. So Steve stayed up late that night, gazing at the stars on that fire escape and thinking long and hard about how he has spent his time - team sports that his dad got him into that eventually made himself feel useful, dialing up radio stations that played music he heard at other people's parties and cassette tapes of other people's favorite songs in his glove compartment, cooking meals that he has to or else he wouldn't be fed. 

The only damn thing he ever chose to do himself was watch out for those godforsaken kids back home and even through all his griping about them, it was always worth it. But driving a bunch of preteens around doesn't constitute an interest. "Fuck man, I don't even know myself." He muses into the late night sky, taking one last long drag before closing the window behind himself and idling off to bed. 

The next day, the two had a late start at The Hideout, and Robin threw her satchel over her shoulder while yelling out to Steve "Dingus, I'm going out to the bookshop for a bit. Need anything while I'm out?" 

"Nah Robs, I'm good."

"Kay - don't miss me while I'm out and you're home sulking!" She pokes, and the door clicks shut behind her leaving him in the quiet. Steve reaches for the radio and as he dials the station over to filter out the static and he's immediately back to thinking about last night. Why am I even putting on this station? I don't even think I like these songs, do I? He thinks to himself. So Steve sets out that morning to try and figure something out about himself. 

Inspired by the records displayed every week at the coffee shop, Steve finds himself fingering through bins of Vinyls at a record shop he found as he walked about the neighborhood. "Anything we can help you with, man?" the employee asks as he approaches. 

" Uh yeah. Actually I think…I mean, I think I want to get some records."

" Oh bud, happy to help! What are you into and what kind of player do you have?"

Steve stares at the man, stubble on his jawline, in a fitted yellow Queen T Shirt that looks worn and soft coupled with his ripped denim. A man that looks like he knows what he likes. Steve's stare is blank and he's absolutely at a loss. "I'm sorry, I have no idea. I should go."

"My brother, music is for everyone. Let me hook you up and we'll figure it out. No need to stress."

The man spends the next hour showing Steve how to use a basic model record player. They try out a few different vinyls to see what he might like. After a while, the pair have a stack piled up next to the record player - Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Tears for Fears, Red Hot Chili Peppers and a few others littered with popular music and rock artists he didn't really know by name before - and Steve is checking out. 

As he's getting ready to hand over a stack of cash to the man that helped him discover what kind of music he likes, they're interrupted by a deep hum, "Now that's a nice stack you got there." Steve turns around and is a little taken aback by what he sees. It's you…and you're standing there all casual and comfortable, looking very at ease in the record shop. "Hey Brian. What's up?" You nod in the kind man's direction.

"Hey hot stuff, I got what you came for back here. Just let me finish up with this guy and I'll get you taken care of. "

"Hi" Steve waves in your direction. "I'm sorry." No one quite sure what he's actually apologizing for in the least.

"No need to be sorry, you were here first. I just came to pick up the new Pearl Jam record and I am in absolutely no rush."

"Pearl Jam?" Steve questions. 

"Yeah man. Eddie Vedder? You might actually like it, all things considered." The man named Brian motions to the eclectic stack Steve has accumulated during his visit. 

Looking back at you standing there, not impatiently, just smiling brighter than the sun, he mutters "Yeah cool. Yeah I mean, if you have another can I add that? I'll give it a try."

And as Steve loads up his wares in his arms and turns to leave, your charismatic smile finds him one last time, " I hope you like it… ." You draw out waiting for him to fill in the blank. 

"Steve." He finishes for you.

You nod, "I hope you like it, Steve"

The next night at the apartment, Robin is gearing up for her date and she is absolutely in her head about it. She has asked Steve one hundred times today if he's sure this is a date. "But Stevie's she .. I really think she might just want to hang out and be friends." 

"Robin, I swear to Christ if you don't just STOP this." Steve sucks in a clipped breath before continuing on. "It's a date. I'm one hundred percent sure this girl asked you on a date and you're going. Relax, please! Fuck, you're stressing me out and I have nothing to do with any of this!" Steve shouts for the last time tonight, leaving Robin in the bathroom doorway, staring at herself in the mirror trying to make herself presentable.

Through the damp hair falling into her vision and the steam still speckling on the mirror after her shower, the girl is trying desperately to hype herself up and get ready to spend time with Alex. But Robin is not a confident creature. She's starting to feel herself crawl back inside the cave forged deep in her personality and carved into the bedrock of Hawkins, Indiana. "I gotta fuckin' snap out of this." She says to her reflection, splashing water on her face and retreating back to her bedroom. 

She hears the new and welcome sound of vinyl scratching from Steve's bedroom, before the reverberation of Fleetwood Mac's The Chain blares loudly through the walls. She sighs, sitting there still wrapped in her towel from after her shower, mind wandering to Alex and her tall, thin frame. Still not sure how a girl like that was referring to her as the hot one, Robin's thoughts drift to the deep black of the woman's mascara, fanning her eyelashes out and emphasizing her deep green eyes. She thinks about how she was too much of a spaz to appreciate the curve of her cupid's bow and she's still not sure if she was imagining the softness of the swell of her hips or not. 

Mixed up in thought, Robin's forearms graze the front of her towel and the rough material scratches at her exposed nipples underneath. She lets out a wispy gasp, not realizing just how turned on she was until that second. Her mind is racing. She looks at the clock and sees she has 20 minutes until she needs to head downstairs to the shop to meet Alex. Immediately she eyes her bedside table, knowing those deep red, cherry Ben Wa balls are sitting just inside. She thinks about what Murray has been saying and all of his preaching about “loving thyself before you can love another, Red!" and with one last racing thought of the woman who actually wants to take her on a date… out in public, she's clamoring for the drawer. 

She has never been more grateful that Steve has picked up a new interest, and that it was a loud one, because as she lets the towel draping her body loosen while she's leaning back into her soft cotton pillowcases she lets out a soft whimper before she's even touched herself once. Robin tentatively lets her soft hands and glossy nails trace the outline of her slit, delicately rubbing and pressing on where she needs it most and experimentally flicking the hood of her clit. After considering things one last time, she purses her eyes closed tight and holds her breath as she guides one of the cherry balls inside her opening. 

The gasp that leaves her throat this time isn't soft and quiet and she finds herself gyrating and writhing as she rubs and tugs at the cherry stems attached to her toy. The weights inside are rolling and undulating just like Murray said they would, sending vibrations up and back down her body. Robin feels filthy, thinking about Alex as she uses her free hand to rub at her clit while still pressing in and tugging at the ball with her other, but not filthy enough to deny how much she is enjoying this game she is playing with herself. 

Robin's eyes are rolled back in her head as her orgasm rushes over her, the weights of the ball continuing to move and rattle inside coax her through her comedown. Thighs shaking and breath stuttering, she lets out a deep sigh "Holy fuckin' shit. I love my job." 

Fumbling and running late after her little self-love session, Robin bounds through the doors of the coffee shop a little dramatically. As part of her grand entrance, she knocks her hip into the chair of the two-top situated right inside the entryway and doubles over at the pain. "Shit." She means to whisper, but instead says at a volume loud enough to reach the back of the shop, and if the entrance alone didn't alert Alex to her arrival, she certainly would have heard that.  

The barista greets Robin cheerfully by name just as Alex walks up to greet her with her hand outstretched, coffee cup there as an offering to break the ice. "I thought you might need a pick me up after work. She hooked me up with your usual order, so… "

Robin feels her freckles burn at the gesture, like they do after a day at the lake in the sun. She catches Alex's eyes scanning her body and she feels her chest flush, no doubt accentuated by the emerald green satin tank that's cut a bit lower than she usually ventures. The deep color making her hair, her eyes and her fair skin pop, covered by a cropped denim jacket DIY frayed at the edges has definitely caught her date's eye. 

"I wanted to pop into this Gallery I really love, if you don't mind indulging my creative side tonight? It's a great spot and… there's a graphic artist showing there now I just gotta check out before it's gone. It's this amazing social commentary on pregnancy as a lesbian. Like a totally butch lesbian decides to get pregnant with her partner, so what now? It's just… I gotta see it. The diversity at this place is phenomenal."

Robin's wide eyes are not white in astonishment this time, but instead they're with pure intrigue and reverence. Knowing that not only are there people like her in this city, but enough people that feel the same or respect it enough to go to an art gallery to check out doodles about a pregnant butch lesbian and it's not the butt of a homophobic joke is… enthralling to her. She nods vehemently "Hell yeah, that sounds…  really amazing. I mean… I'm not used to that kind of transparency, so, yeah. Let's do it."

And as they turn to leave the shop, coffee and tea in respective hands, Robin feels the tickle of a finger brushing her open palm. Barely registering what is happening, she finds herself in a brief yet unnecessary panic as she feels Alex's hand settle in, intertwined with hers. She can't help but scan her surroundings for passerby oggling the two women holding hands and walking down the sidewalk, but she saw not one the whole walk down the block to the train platform. The thrill of holding a pretty lady's hand out in public is sending tingles up her spine, or maybe it's the gentle, internal humming of the Ben Wa balls she opted to keep inside for the evening, but Robin could definitely get used to this. She smirks at herself as they ascend the steps towards the incoming train and asks curiously,"So tell me, what's this artist's name?

Meanwhile, Robin just missed Steve on the same platform not 10 minutes earlier. Shortly after Robin finally headed out, Steve found himself standing in the kitchen staring at a barren refrigerator - nothing more than a carton of milk, some OJ and a row of eggs left in there for him to choose from. He tries not to be irritated at his current situation, but he can't help the groan he lets out as he reaches for the phone, readying himself to order way too much pizza for one lonely guy on his couch late at night. 

Before he finishes dialing he shakes his head, thinking about how he doesn't have to keep himself cooped up here. He has done so much on his own, but all of that was such a… necessity. Is it really that crazy to go off and do something alone without it being totally pitiful? "I mean, Robin goes places by herself all the time." He muses to himself. 

So that's how he found himself hopping off the train downtown and wandering into the first restaurant that looked reasonable and …  good. Not just food but something he might actually enjoy tasting. It's a quaint Italian place. Authentic, by the looks of it. Walls lined with corked bottles of olive oil and limoncello, twinkle lights strewn over the white lattice work ceiling, the unmistakable smell of carbohydrates and garlic. 

This is yet another something he hasn’t ever done before. Not just a quick bite or a fast food, but instead going out to a proper restaurant and sitting down for a real meal. Solo. Alone. Alone but NOT lonely, he thinks. In the past 24 hours since Robin pointed out that he never does anything for himself that he enjoys, he has done a lot of introspection and has made it a point to seek out new experiences hoping something will stick. Sitting at the cozy little restaurant place downtown adorned with faux plants, and filled with tables of other guests, he finds himself so grateful to have Robin’s perspective and support. So instead of worrying about how he's not sharing the table with a date, or Robin or anyone else for that matter, he's toasting to her, in absentia.  

On the other side of town, Robin and Alex find themselves tucked into a booth at a dimly lit, definitely more trendy than she’s ever experienced before in her life, kind of bar. Alex has the table filled with an assortment of bites to eat and has ordered up all of the bartender's signature drinks on a mission to get Robin to broaden her horizons and shake that small town dust off of her coattails. “Ok, so, we have to find something here that you’re into. You can’t just tell me warm beer or straight shots are your drinks of choice - every city girl’s gotta have their go-to cocktail.” 

Robin first confidently grabs at the Manhattan from the selections laid out in front of hrr, recognizing the deep amber of the liquid and the familiar smell of whiskey that reminds her of Steve. It is quickly after she brings it to her lips that she sputters it back out, spraying the cocktail over her hand and most likely, her date. Alex says nothing about it, eyeing the ruby red blush on Robin’s cheeks and chest, but she stifles a small laugh before she says “Got it. No whiskey cocktails. Check. Here, here…cleanse your palate.” She says, handing her a small plate filled with creamy green, roasted artichokes splayed out like a lotus flower. “They’re the best in the city. Stuffed artichokes - ya know? They’re my favorite. Doesn’t hurt that they’re an aphrodisiac, huh?”

And if Robin hadn’t already spit out that whiskey drink, she definitely would have at that. So bold. So brazen. Dumbfounded that even at how blatant Alex has been with her flirting all night, it didn’t prepare her for that comment and the implications it held behind her eyes. And when Robin didn’t move to immediately grab a bite, Alex instead responded by picking up a delicate stuffed petal and holding it out to Robin’s pillowy lips, urging her to open up. She tentatively parted those lips and took a bite, wide-eyed at the flavor and simultaneously at the way Alex’s eyes remained locked on hers. 

Before the end of the date, Robin had successfully spilled a cup of water, knocked over the salt shaker and tried sips of 6 different cocktails before she settled in with a bright orange and red drink in a highball glass, lips wrapped around the straw and playing with the stem of the cherry hanging over the side of her glass. “This one is definitely a winner.” She grins, as she turns to look at Alex, excited to have found something that she likes while simultaneously excited that she finds she doesn’t really care that she did no less than 10 embarrassing things on this date anymore. She doesn’t feel embarrassed in the least and that is still a pretty new feeling for her.

“Why am I not surprised? I should have known.” Alex laughs out.

Robin shrugs, a questioning look in her eye as she sucks down the last of the drink, rattling the ice as the straw drains the cup of the last of it, loud enough to turn a head in the booth next to theirs when she forgets she’s someplace a certain level of chic that Hawkins must repel just by its sheer podunk nature.

Alex leans in close, right next to Robin’s ear to whisper, but makes sure she pulls back just as quickly to watch the flush spread over her freckled face like she knew it would “I should have known you’d like Sex on the Beach.” Sealed with a wink. 

And with that, the ice wasn’t the only thing rattling anymore, as Robin is keenly reminded as she feels the shudder travel up and down her spine that she chose to keep those Ben Wa balls.

"And she said what to you? Oh yeah, your date wants to get in your pants. For SURE.” Steve said as the cool edge of a frosted mug hit his tongue. It was a long day at The Hideout and they barely had time to shoot the shit between odd jobs and a colorful group of customers, and Robin got in so late last night that he didn’t even get to grill her about her date when she rolled in. Disregard the fact that Steve was tucked soundly in his bed after a nice warm belly full of pasta and red wines (who knew, he liked red wine? He sure didn’t). After such a long day, and the bet hanging in the air, the pair stumbled upon a local dive bar on their walk home and that’s where they find themselves now - unwinding and finding themselves totally relaxed in the warm, dimly lit and unceremonious Benny’s Taproom.

“God, Steve, I don’t want to talk about it!”

“What do you mean, you don’t want to talk about it? You owe me three drinks and you’ve gotta spill your guts, Robbie.” 

“Ahhh, I don’t want to hear about the bet, Steve! I’ve been a little distracted. My keychain has been the least of my worries, genius.”

“Excuses, excuses.” he winks, the beer tasting even better knowing it was his prize for caring for his tamagotchi much better than his friends, just as he suspected. Robin cycled through three whole pets so far, while Steve’s has grown into a thriving, young thing and he gloats about it every moment he can. “Now, spill it. I need to know the details about your date, Robin. Stop avoiding this.”

As they sit there arguing over digital pets and sharing (or avoiding) stories of their night prior, a gravely ahem comes from over the bar as the gruff, stone faced and bearded man behind it places his hands wide on the counter in front of the two friends. “If you’re in my bar, drinking my drinks, then you gotta share, missy. This place is boring lately, and you guys are fresh meat, so please…entertain us with your stories. I gotta live for something around here.” he sternly says to the two, before he smiles wide and says “If you’re here, you’re family, so listen to your friend and give us the scoop, for God sakes!” 

Robin tells them about her first date - about all of the coy flirting, about all of the embarrassing things that didn’t feel so terribly embarrassing in front of her date, about all of the appetizers and cocktail tastings, about the menu items spread out on their table with double entendres and that Alex kept ordering things she kept referring to as Aphrodisiacs “I swear I thought aphrodisiac was another word for Oysters, and then I thought that it meant something sexual just because … oysters. They’re like…ya know.” as she blinks her eyes downwards to her lap.

“Oh honey, he is into you.” Jim breathes out as he adjusts to lean back against the sink with his arms crossed.

Maybe it was Robin’s tight-lipped smile in response to that, or maybe it was how Steve gargled his last sip of beer right back into the mug before setting it down on the ratty old, stained coaster on the bar, but Jim’s eyes flitted between the pair looking for the information he must certainly be missing. 

“Ah!” He claps his hands together as he takes Steve’s mug, swirls it around eyeing the backwash, throws it in the sink and fetches another one. He immediately moves over to the tap to refill it while noting “Alex…. He’s a she…isn’t she?” 

Jim leans over the bar, braced on his elbows and spends the next twenty minutes telling her that she's just had a taste of what the city has to offer. .. a taste of dating. A taste of Alex. And if she's feeling like that - if one taste is making her feel so so good, it's worth embracing it and diving right in.

TAGLIST: @livsters @katie-tibo @johnricharddeacy @angywritesstuff @k-k0129 @tisthedamnseason69 @middle-of-the-earth @thebrazilianatheist  @mochminnie @micheledawn1975 @falling-throughthe-hourglass @rafaaoli @ash5monster01 @gabessock @onyxslayss

The artist referenced in this Chapter is A.K. Summers who did, in fact host an exhibit at a Chicago Gallery in 1993. See her work Pregnant Butch here

[not-goldy]

Correct me if I'm wrong. Since they been enlisted, Jimin hasn't posted for anyone's bday right? Not Tae's, Suga's, Hobi's, RM's or JK's. Right? His last bday post was for Jin right before enlistment, right? He might not feel like being in a bday posting mood cause of where he's at. His mood could just be blah being in there, you know.

However, I said a long time ago Jimin needed to stop going all out for their bdays publicly cause he gets zero in return, same with promoting their albums and work when he gets zero, esp from his soulmate bestie. JK did go all out for his Face, but has been quite about Muse, besides commenting about Closer Than This and listening to Who on AYS. Jimin being there with Jk on his bday I'm sure matters, but we all know deep down Jk was probably flabbergasted cause Jimin didn't post publicly for him. We know he expected it cause Jimin always posted publicly for JK, even when he was with him. So I know deep down it stung, no matter how much Jk plays it off. Gotta return the same energy and posting a thirst trap or acknowledging his bday once every 2 or 3 years is not the same, esp when Jimin does every year. I don't think Jimin didn't post cause they're arguing or anything, but maybe he didn't prioritize it this year and I say good for him. Wish him a happy bday and go and let him sulk cause we all know Jk did. Just like he did last year. Remember when JK told a reporter at the airport his bday sucked and he didn't get traditional seaweed soup and Jimin said he called Jk, so he might not saw him in person and that is probably why it sucked and why Jk was so vocal about it sucking lol. You gone learn today. lol

One thing about Jungkook he's gonna voice that pain and displeasure he ain't gonna suffer in silence 🤣

He definitely didn't make it a priority this year especially when he took time off to come support Tae's layover anniversary😹😹

Listen I feel you

I'm generally not in a headspace to entertain one sided nonreciprocated efforts but we can't say that Jungkook doesn't reciprocate when it comes to JM.

I get that they don't want to be bound by these soft traditions especially if it's gonna get them dragged when they inadvertently forget to post and what not- but I make an exception when it comes to Jimin's birthday. Perhaps Jin too. I will drag them to hell and back if they don't post for these two😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Suga and Hobi have been nothing but consistent and considerate towards the members too and I expect that they are treated with the same care and consideration.

It's not really a big deal but I find it triggering as fuck.

And I feel for Jimin he doesn't do any of these with hopes of getting a return on that investment. He is a genuinely sweet person which is what makes this whole situation suck.

Jk is my boy bet he took it like a champ checking his phone every now and then to see if his pookie posted. Bet he had nightmares and wrote a song about love slipping away 😭😭😹

His browser history be like " what does it mean when your bf wishes you a happy birthday but does not post you on his social media' " does he still love me?" "Signs he is losing interest.' "is he mad at me?" 'my boyfriend has changed help"🥺😹😹😹

If you can't take don't dish. And while I want them to be as loving as possible towards each other I also need them to stand on business have standards have self love and self respect.

Personally I've given up on their birthday cultures now I just want my man Jimin to focus that energy on the members who give it back to him- Hobi, Suga, Jin, Joon. We want to see healthy dynamics up in these streets

[bloodmoon24]

Was messing around the incorrect quotes generator cuz I was mostly inspired by ur partner with xer chazmint quotes and I wanted to fuck around with them - anyway, here's sum w/ staticradio, mixedtime and, introducing, chazmint to the mix :)

Melissa: Hey, what have you two been doing? Kitty: we were helping Papermint with his wedding vows and we were kicked out of their house for making it inappropriate. Travis: How is “Nice ass, Chaz” inappropriate?

Vox: Guys, I’ve been meaning to tell you… Alastor and I are dating. Alastor, Velvette, Rosie, and Charlie: gasp Vox: Al, why are you surprised?!

Bezel: Hey, I was wondering, have any of you guys ever seen Chaz's bedroom? Vox : No, he refuse to let any of us visit. You know what that means. Trazuil, nodding: Dungeon. Bezel, nodding: Rich. Alastor, nodding: Homeless. Feedback, nodding: Secretly in the mafia. Vox: What? No, I meant he's messy. What the hell is wrong with all of you?

Chaz: You know, when Bezel comes over, Trazuil can get a little… Vox : Psycho? Papermint: Scary? Alastor: Drunk? Chaz: All three.

Trazuil: Look, last night was a mistake. Bezel : A sexy mistake. Trazuil: No, just a regular mistake.

Vox : Dom or sub? Alastor: I guess Domino's, since I don't go to Subway that much. Don't see why you'd put them in the same category though.

Alastor: Hey, I’m getting in the shower. Wanna help me out? Vox : …Have you never taken a shower before?

Bezel : You look good in that hoodie. Trazuil: You know where else I'd look good? Bezel , zero hesitation: My bed. Trazuil, at the same time: By your side- wait, what?

Trazuil: look Bezel , I'm not slut shaming you but… Trazuil: Actually yeah, I'm TOTALLY slut shaming you.

Alastor: Vox , what do you call people you go out with but don’t try to sleep with? Vox : …People?

Vox: Is it still visible? Where Alastor slapped me? Bezel : Your face looks like a don't walk signal. Chaz: Your face looks like a photo negative for the hamburger helper box. Trazuil: A palm reader could tell Alastor's future by looking at your face. Feedback: The phrase 'talk to the hand cause the face ain't listening' doesn't work for you, because the hand is your face. Vox: …A simple 'yes' would've sufficed.

Papermint: Chaz kissed me! Bezel : Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Papermint: It was unbelievable! Bezel : Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Vox: Okay, we wanna hear everything. Bezel, get the wine and unplug the phone. Papermint, does this end well or do we need tissues? Papermint: Oh, it ended very well. Bezel : Do not start without me! Do not start without me! Vox: Okay, alright, let’s hear about the kiss. Was it a soft brush against your lips or was it like a, you know, “I gotta have you now” kind of thing? Papermint: Well, at first it was really intense, you know? And then, oh God, and then we just sort of sunk into it. Vox: Ohh… So, okay, was he holding you? Or was his hands on your back? Papermint: First he started out on my waist and then they slid up and then they were in my hair. Bezel and Vox: Ohhh. meanwhile Chaz eating pizza in the apartment: And, uh, and then I kissed him. Alastor: Tongue? Chaz: Yeah. Travis: Cool.

Chaz: Are you an F5 key? Because that ass is refreshing. Papermint: Are you a software update? because not right now.

Papermint: I don't need to go to bed. I'm not tired, I'll be fine. Chaz: But, darling, I'll be so lonely without you. Come curl up in my arms so I can feel whole again. Papermint: O-oh. Well. Are you trying to seduce me into healthy sleeping patterns?? Chaz: Is it working?

I am very proud of myself 4 doing this >:D

-📼 anon

Hahahahah!! I love these! I even recognized some of these!

[raviolirash]

I think people overindulged in analyzing the characters to the point of them being their projections and not the characters anymore. Like, yes, they are fantastic little guys, but it's usually not that deep. Stories like theirs are pretty common among D&D players. Maybe it's because I'm new to TheFandom™ world, but I've seen takes sooooo stretched that I wonder if we did play the same game.

Yes, there are some meaningful messages about grooming, hubris, trauma, manipulation and corrupting power, and that's great, but it's not a philosophy treatise.

It's a D&D game, a BG3 one: there will be Bhaal, bad guys (squiddy, in this case) and a party of adventures that will do funny things. And that's frankly ok. I'm more surprised on how Larian gave us a great freedom on choices, not just with the dialogues, but also with ambient interaction. Or the great effort that they've put in acting every single line and writing the description of every single item.

I'm happy that people felt seen and happy playing the game, but sometimes an interaction is just an interaction, no need to try to find a hidden message or a great meaning behind it.

I agree and disagree and here is a rant.

Tldr. It's healthy to write analysis and it's good to make your brain think and David Cage should have his fingers cut off. Also the "it's not that deep" crowd is incredibly annoying.

I don't think it's particularly good to have a "consume product, get excited for next product" mentality when it comes to media and just drift through life. I'm not saying that every piece of media deserves a deep analytical philosophical treatment as some of it is just horseshit, but it can be a very fun exercise to just think about things. Even thinking about why something sucks in detail is an exercise in clearly laying out your argument, which is a valuable skill to have. It's also okay to say "Hey. This thing is objectively terrible, but I nonetheless love it without any elaboration." That's me with Cube Zero. It is an awful movie, I love it so much! I think writing unironic deep thoughts about how the plot of the movie is actually deep and it is commentary on the prison system and capitalism is incredibly stupid.

However.

I think when we resort to mindlessly consuming content without giving much thought to it with a "it ain't that deep" mindset is when good writers get burnt out and we allow hack frauds such as David Cage to fester. And that is criminal to me. Because fuck that guy. We get a video game where a robot is forced to sit in the back of the bus in an incredibly poor analogy for racism, and people enable him and say that it's good writing and he announces a new game and we are in hell! Who keeps giving him money?

That being said. There are many times when writing actually means something and it's frustrating when people dismiss it as "lol silly dnd game". Some people do over-analyze it, yes. Some people say something incredibly insane like that woman with a 7 minute video about how Wyll is a cop with NPD. What the fuck was that. But here is the thing with writing: Unless you're Steven Moffat, words and actions in a story are almost always written to actually mean something. It's written to be important and it's healthy to think about it. In TV shows, yes: sometimes the curtains are just blue because the person decorating the film set just felt like blue curtains would look neat. It is an entirely different thing when explicitly pointed out in written form or said in dialogue.

I often think of that one interview with Harlan Ellison, where he discusses Ellen in IHNMAIMS. A reader of the book didn't know that Ellen was black. Harlan being Harlan, asked them what the fuck the reader was talking about as he literally wrote the line "…her ebony skin in the snow" in the goddamn book. The reader didn't forget that line! In fact, they thought that it was some unimportant metaphor and it wasn't that deep. So he pushed extra hard for Ellen to be black in the game adaptation because people were just that fucking stupid.

[madly-empirical]

Surprises from reading IWTV for the first time I knew the TV show was a reinvention/reinterpretation from the books, but just coming off of re-watching the movie there were some things that I was surprised to find out: - Louis helps Lestat kill someone before he's turned him into a vampire (???) - Louis kills Lestat's father but makes him forgive him first without knowing the full story (it's like a mercy killing because the old man is dying so that "merciful death" nickname is a whole thing isn't it) - Louis kills a priest for being understandably annoyed when someone confesses to have been killing for a hundred years (did you think he wouldn't be offended be serious louis) - Louis says killing people was not a moral, but an aesthetic choice (very surprised, I thought the killing people was the main point of conflict but no?)

- There's a subplot with another wealthy slave-owning family where Louis tries to stop Lestat from killing a young man and is involved with his sister named Babette when he fails (it doesn't go well for her...) - Louis knows that Lestat wanted to be priest but was taken out of school by his father - Lestat calls books "mortal nonsense" (lol) - Louis' late brother who had religious visions also had yellow hair so parallels - Louis is weird about money (he's spending all my money, but he never has trouble getting his own, I have to manage everything, I keep him dependent on me, etc., etc.) - Lestat massacres the slaves on his way out, and Louis appears to join him (Very hard to tell for sure) - Louis drags nearly everything about Lestat except for his physical appearance - Lestat falls asleep at the opera (they're long Louis!) - Lestat loves Macbeth and will shout lines from the play at passersby on the way home (unfortunately that's the love of your life) - Claudia is colder and creepier in the book (it's interesting that she never plays music after Lestat is gone...) - Lestat threatens to kill Claudia all the time behind her back and at least once to her face - Louis notices that Lestat is afraid when Claudia asks questions about vampires stuff - Lestat, in a clear fib, tells them there's no other vampires besides them - Claudia tells Louis that she's going to kill Lestat and he's in the room where it all goes down - Claudia gots the hubris ("Do you think I will have my power and his when I take him?") - She is also super convinced that Lestat is dead the second time, but girl why? - Claudia and Louis have troubles before Armand shows up stemming from the murder of Lestat (she did tell you what she was going to do!) - Louis pretends to a vampire hunter to explain some weird stuff in Eastern Europe where they find mindless vampires (like some else said, why would you bring your 5 year old daughter to the vampire hunt??) - When they can't find any other vampires like them, Louis is like I might have believed that we were the only ones if Lestat was the kind of person to have been some kind of serious sorcerer — but he clearly ain't (lol) - Louis is totally head-over-heels ignoring all red flags and ready to go as soon as Armand shows up (even after Armand is like killing vampires is exciting that's why it's forbidden and btw I used my powers to influence you to make Madeline a vampire...) - Madeline is a dollmaker and makes elegant miniature furniture for Claudia so she lives like a fairy queen - Armand keeps going on and on about a tower and how a healthy vampire would survive falling off it (-_-) - Armand is like yes, mindless vampire are called revenants and it's like how do you know that but no one asks - Lestat is in Paris when Claudia is killed, clearly tricked and confused he thinks he can take Louis home with him (He is also afraid of Armand. Insane that there's like ten years between the publication of IWTV and TVL, it's so clear that something went down between the two of them but there's zero hints in IWTV on what it was) - Lestat is frantic and weepy when Louis sees him in his grey gardens area. Louis thinks he is dying the way vampires die according to Armand, he can no longer endure immortal life (maybe it was the being murdered more than once that got to him Louis? Just maybe that might have had some effect...) Overall, I found book!Louis infuriating, hypocritical, complicit (NOT passive) and kind of self-involved. Impossible to tell what it felt like to read it for the first time without having knowledge from later books. Reading TVL makes me more sympathetic towards book!Louis because there's just so much he doesn't and couldn't know — especially about Armand and his hypno-powers. Obviously, it's very likely that he was doing a similar thing to Louis to what he tried to do to Lestat. Also, Lestat's version of himself sounds exhausting. He wants to go out every night!!

[roseprincesskristina]

Count Hunkula ((Vamp! Yami Yugi X Yugi))

((Sup, boils and ghouls! Princess Tina here once again wanting to offer y'all my steamy spooktacular semi long fan novel right heretofore your utter observation. Halloween may be coming tomorrow, but it ain't too early to celebrate at all, heck no! Anywho, feel free to enjoy reading this bone shivering tale about a youthful King of Games and his crowned Egyptain sovereign. Happy Halloween 🎃😄))

Onto this tranquil inauguration of Autumn, a mild comforting season emerging itself gracefully by a voluntary visit toward the metropolitan town of Domino City, Japan, populated with numerous health minded denizens both youthful as well as elderly conjoined altogether to share the similar pure halcyon, even to decorate every single vegetative leaf of dual trees and bushes across the entire country with a gentle swipe of a paintbrush to morph them into five beautiful colors of the seasonal rainbow, a tender hearted young man plus new owner of a still remained Kame Game department named Yugi Moto aimlessly ventures throughout a crimeless municipality upon an ordinary saunter into the center of a relaxing afternoon nightfall wielding double bagged hoards of supplies in his hands to carry all the way home safely.

Indulging with sheer thankfulness for absolute peace caused by the fair temperature alongside a melodious breeze offering its friendly embrace to entrap his late petite anatomy, adorable cheeks, and caressing the tri hued spiky hair dough in an invisible hand makes the empathetic King of Games to whistle out his rapturing sigh of relief while continuously traveling farther from the food market only to obtain at least several meals including beverages he had purchased earlier into daytime due to the gaming establishment/household possessing zero supper or refreshments whatsoever, Yugi decides to proceed onward at the park for a 40 second break upon the solo bench to set himself as well as the bag of groceries on a clean seat before returning back to the abode cautiously into one peace.

Capturing numerous silent breaths while feeling partly worn out during a semi lengthen exercise walk around the cleansing city in complete ease other than his recent adolescent years in Domino High according to the pint size figure he used to have regardless about becoming a target for crucial bullying, yet instead, it was a worthwhile effort of getting within an appropriate physical shape to stay active for not only healthy reasons by lonesome, but with invigorating duels as well.

Ascending two crystal clear violet pupils of his cutely ginormous eyes above the decent navy bluish skies with an addition of the flawless winter moonlight teeming along the glistening stars that possess true beauty in appreciative awe despite diamonds or any other kinds of different gems that some others gaze toward the window of a jewelry store especially a pawn shop, he would hardly witness anything so breathtaking such as this heretore in his youthly adult life until today.

Accurately an excellent observation of the blissful dusk that will surely become a perfect medicine to cure every brain such as the kind spirited Moto's into a non state of paradisic dreams to simmer away the dreaded nightmares about violence, greed, then mostly as well as the Shadow Realm.

Few seconds have swifted like a fox into a marathon race, the entitled dueling champion had finally reached onward to his destination, AKA, the game building after a hard working stroll all over the urban streets holding grocery baggage in both arms just to increase a few muscles inside his slim physique.

"Phew.... Boy, I never knew that doing daily chores like this can be a rough exercise than running laps at the gym in high school. No wonder my Grandpa had went all the trouble for retreating the groceries for our house." Said Yugi, blowing off his panting sighs from his mouth to relinquish his breathing from the usual leg work by walking.

"But on the bright side, at least I made back to the game shop safe and sound with all those groceries. Thank goodness for that."

With this cast aside, he would grab onto the handle of the second market bag that was carried into his right hand with the left one as his other dives inside his leather school pocket to fish out his keys before unlocking the door.

Until suddenly, unbeknownst to the Dark Magician user who took his swell time on playing the difficult Crane game deep into his pocket to win the keys then began to open the door, it was mysteriously unsealed by an anonymous individual other than his grandfather Solomon Muto, who recently used to live here before his retirement.

Procuring the keys that he successfully dug out of the pocket at last, especially in time to insert it to the keyhole of his residential house, he then shockingly finds that the once sealed door has been Open Sesamed without problems.

"Huh? What the....? Why in the world is the door completely open when I had immediately just locked it before I left? Hopefully it wasn't another Orichalcos incident like the previous one. Or maybe it was a robbery of sort? Looks like I have to find out myself." He said, putting away the keys in his pocket where he gently yank it out from then extends his hand to the knob to slowly push the door open while advancing inside the lobby and wholeheartedly locked the door at once.

Afterwards, he would look as well as investigate around the gamely vestibule in abundant directions even left to right included only to see if the whole object followed with Duel Monsters booster packs are all here, sealed up into the glass counter where they rightly belong.

Relief began to pat the lad's back in reassurance as he himself sighed into fast consolation by dialing his anxiety down to a short minimum. His imaginations have yet again obscure his senses as he chuckled naively cuing his hand to rub his head behind.

"Heh. What a relief. It turns out there's no such thing as an Orichalcous cult nor robbery for me to worry about anymore. Guess it's just me and imaginations again."

He headed horizontally to the kitchen room to lay both bags on the solid table, then slowly unleashes his upping stretches with duo arms in mid air before storing nourishment into cabinets as well as the refrigerator. Speaking of, he simply got started to do so right away.

Exiting from the dining area wiping non sweat off his forehead, the duel strategist would ascend upstairs to his bedroom for a well earned rest and relaxation. Barely realizing about these trails of rare unexpected ignite candles that placed in the hallway while he reaches to the room opening the door. Until an unknown but special surprise in storation has awaited him from the beginning.

"W..Wha? What in Ra's name is all this doing in here? And why are all these scented candles scattered everywhere, even in the hallway I just walk through? And... Is that...a coffin?" He questions in his thoughts, scrutinizing each as well as every unexplainable items that are decently decorated in the restful lair.

Preventing himself from the attempts of drowning within an inescapable ocean of craziness yearning to engulf him thoroughly downward its throat following the stomach, Yugi shook offward his conscious opinions as he carefully tip toped to the coffin in wonders of what or who could be inside of it. Praying that won't be his beloved grandparent, whose already in Domino Retirement House For Elders such as him, to be in that case.

Although before that his soft mitted fingers would outstretch its path toward it, the door of the undead casket, have been thrusted unrushingly open by a masculine palm that undoubtedly belongs to someone, especially to Yugi, incredibly familiar.

A nameless person, an unbeatable sexy version, had later started it all as a masterplan only to lure his "victim* into a "false sense of security" by unsealing the lock of entry door downstairs, then placing the candles in the hall as a clue for the youthed individual to follow.

Once the coffin door have served its purpose by agaping itself easingly for this stranger, now emitted himself out of the cist then landed on the stainless carpet donned into a kinky black vampiric attire that matches his leathering pants and cape, with a tighten crop top hugging the masculine pecs insanely excluding the godly, hardened midriff adding with six packed abs gifted by the deities of beautification themselves.

Making his beguiling approach straight over to his "captive" swaying side to side with the movement of his chiseled hips, Hiding his flexing arms in the back of his head while flashing his handsome grin of a casting spell toward the now astonished boy, who he usually remembers as his loving partner from the Millennium Puzzle just in time to infiltrate his expression by a cherry blush.

"P....Pharaoh?"

"Well, good evening, my dear Aibou~ To what do I deliver this pleasure of meeting such a beautiful young specimen such as yourself~?" Spoke the bewitching Pharaoh, offering his enchantful wink to his bashful astoundee before him then takes the hand planting a kiss.

"This is unbelievable.... You did all of this, for me..? But I thought that a burglar had broken into our establishment just to steal something from the store. Not to mention training cards too. Please tell me I'm hallucinating...."

"He he he he~ It is alright, Yugi~ You are not having a bad dream or an unrealistic nightmare at all~ For everything around here is utterly pleasant and safe as it is right now~ There are no signs of criminalities, casualties, and most importantly, not the Shadow Realm~"

"Really?"

"Indeed~ A Pharaoh such as myself, shall never deceive one another~ Including not to you, my adorable partner~"

"Aww... Pharaoh~..."

"That is the truth I have spoken~ Now then, allow me to perform the honors of absorbing the concerns throughout the kiss from your peaceful lips~..."

The dracularic seducer, now closer enough to Yugi, begins to inflict his manly hands upon his lover's chipmunk cheeks as well as accelerate his face toward his former vessel at a romantic speed only in the precise timing to inject his lips deeply inside the compassionate mannered youngling, who too, then responded into a sweet osculation.

Entrapping as well as cuddling each other in the comfort of Yugi's bedroom during this center of an eternal smooching, seconded with the Game King directing his lips and tongue to sexually trace even savor a sweet taste abundantly over the half teen's sensitive neck countless times.

"O....Ohhh~... Oh Pharaoh~.... Pharaoh~.... Please don't stop savoring my neck~.... I find it rather enjoyable when you do it~....." Moaned Yugi, singing out his sexy cries from his lungs.

"Mmm~... Yes, my darling mortal~.... Release your harmonious voice and sing for me~.... For such music is very suitable to the emperor such as I~ Yet none shall ever become more lovely and trustworthy than you~..." Replied the pleasuring king, limitlessly making intense love onto the duelist's collarbone.

Once more, true serenity combined with the decent atmosphere that is Fall, have cherished everyone as well as everything within the depths of Domino into a thoughtful hug. Never forgetting, to also combine the beloved dueling duo such as Yugi and The Pharaoh Atem as one in a romantical moment.

The End

[r0yalgrimmartz]

💎Cytherea Megami Headcanons💎

I've did headcanons for Kore, imma do one for Cytherea. Just love how my best ideas usually come from me sitting on the toilet for the next half hour. Also, MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING for mentions of child neglect/bullying/miscarriage/form of child abuse.

((Also as a disclaimer, I feel the need to say that while yes, Cytherea doesn't exactly have the greatest support system to some extend and with how she's grew up, I am in no way in any shape or form justifying her actions for how she treated everyone else. As someone who was horribly bullied when I was in my early teens, yeah it massively fucking sucked. I've gotten over it and have tried to deal with the aftermath of it in a healthy manner. I feel the need to say this as a victim of being bullied myself, because I'm not trying to justify her actions nor wanting people to sympathise with her. Yes, you can sympathise with her to some extent with how she's been raised, but Cytherea is purely meant to be someone who's supposed to be working towards redeeming herself and not having it handed to her. She needs to learn from her past behaviour and mistakes and feel regrets.))

Anyway:

- An only child, just her and her parents plus her own personal maid. She comes from a well known, famous and wealthy family line generation known as 'The Megami Group'.

- The absolute embodiment of Regina George. Like, it ain't even funny. Plus if you mix early season one Chazz and season two Zane it's even worse.

[CUT TO BREAK UP TEXT]

- Normally tends to care about popularity at the beginning of the season, but after meeting Kore, her only goal and drive is to beat Kore and anyone at a Duel, no matter what or how savagely. Kore had ignited some sort of "crazed" obsession for winning and beating anyone and crushing them. Specifically Kore.

- Her clothes, acrylic nails, make up, skin care and shoes probably cost more than your mortgage.

- Is Norwegian. Has been taught to learn English and other languages as well, from French, Spanish, German, Greek, Italian...Especially Japanese.

- Lives purely out of spite. She absolutely thrives off pissing off others.

- Despite earlier on having loads of "friends", she can't help but always feel alone. That there isn't anyone really there for her. To be honest she thinks she prefers being alone, yet subconsciously kind of seeks out wanting someone.

- Dates Ilya Hadesu in first season, kinda dies out in the end of season 1 and beginning of season 2.

- Due to the constant neglect from her parents, she has always tried proving to them that she is worth something. To gain their love and affection that she used to crave. Seeing other kids have loving parents kind of infuriated her to the point she lashed out or tried to physically hit said person.

- Cytherea was basically a product of...literally not exactly a wanted child by both of her parents. Her parents basically never planned to have kids, but once Cytherea's mother fell pregnant accidentally, her father had only hoped it would be a boy. Of course, Cytherea ended up being a girl, thus both parents really had zero interest in her.

- Cytherea has her own personal maid, which was hired originally as a midwife by Cytherea's mother to aid her throughout the pregnancy. Her midwife was also pregnant at the time, but unfortunately miscarried in the later stages of pregnancy. However, once Cytherea was born literally a week after, seeing how both Cytherea's parents had little to no interest, the midwife ended up wanting to stay and become a maid for them, personally for Cytherea and to take care of her. Thus forth, she had become more of a parental guardian and more so a paternal figure towards Cytherea. Cytherea seeks her out for parental guidance most of the time. Even going so far as to teach Cytherea little things, such as sewing and even getting Cytherea into knitting. Proper manners, table manners and elegance, plus playing the piano is what Cytherea learned from her maid.

- Just an add on from the last point, but whatever achievements Cytherea gets that are usually brushed off by her parents, her maid will always be there to support her and even praise her massively for her achievements. Even if Cytherea still seeks out her parents validation.

- Cytherea has....so many achievements. From ice skating, to horse riding, skiing, acrobatics, swimming...She is first place. Always first place. She will never settle for less no matter what. Mocks anyone that's in second place, calling them "first place in being the biggest loser".

- Definitely has bullied students at Duel Academy. Equally. Doesn't matter who it is or what they look like, at the end of the day, everyone will suffer her wrath.

- She is either loved by the school, massively hated, or is greatly feared amongst the lower dorms. Has created many...many enemies. Such as Alexis, Chazz, Aster, Bastion, Zane, Adrian...probably more but Syrus massively fears her. Hassleberry dislikes her attitude, even saying to her face one time. Cytherea threatened Hassleberry with something just so he could shut up. Hanae absolutely hates her guts. Massively.

- Kore is oblivious to Cytherea's threats and their rivalry after Kore stood up to her. Kore for some reason tries to befriend Cytherea (despite Chazz literally warning Kore several times to not to), even going so far as to get her a little silly gift for Cytherea for her birthday. Cytherea had screamed at Kore that she is worthless and will be nothing but a pathetic rival. Yet, Cytherea still had the gift Kore made for her to this day.

- Does not cross Miyu in the slightest. Her and Miyu are on...civil terms shall we put it. Something happened during season one where Miyu somehow managed to strike fear into Cytherea during a duel. Cytherea has not dared to even face Miyu since. But she will never admit it.

- Loves scented candles. Has several in her dorm room. Plus has a hobby in knitting and sewing (callback to previous points ago). She finds peace in it.

- Definitely tried to provoke Sartorius at one point. Literally insults and berates the entire white dorm in season two. Might have hired someone at one point to blow up the white dorm because...why not. How Cytherea has now be expelled or you know- CHARGED is beyond anyone's mind.

- Somehow became friends with Jaden in season two. Much to his friend's hatred. Starts to slightly mellow out with her behaviour at the end of season two and during season three.

- Has some...deep admiration for Axel. Probably at some point was stuck with him during their time in the other dimension. When Axel felt fear, Cytherea probably stood up and took over the reins and was probably like "move your ass we got a Supreme King to fucking kick the fuck out of". But yeah, throughout season three her admiration for Axel builds up. Could be a crush? Hell no she doesn't get crushes...she thinks. Either way, she keeps her mouth shut about it till like season four when she then is like "...okay you're cool I'll only admit".

- Throughout season four, Cytherea isn't exactly the extreme mean girl she was compared to season one. Sure she still acts mean at times and a bitch during season four, but Cytherea is more...self aware about the people around her. Granted, the gang don't let her off the hook, she has to earn their trust and respect. Especially when Kore isolates herself after what happened, Cytherea tries to help her. Even being firm, blunt, yet understanding towards Jaden as well. Considering the horrors that they all went through.

- Is disowned by her parents at some point during the series. I don't know how yet, but probably during season two where Sartorius probably pulls some shit, alerting her parents and gets to the point they disown her. Thus making Cytherea realise that this whole time she didn't need them, considering her maid only ever acted as her guardian and ever helped her. Thus, once she graduates from Duel Academy, she tries to take a portion of her family's company, building up whatever she has and actually becomes more successful than her parents with the family name. She eventually asks her maid to adopt her to be her legal daughter, and the maid ofc agrees.

- Does actually briefly date Kore for like a year and a half after they graduate but then break up once they decide to just keep it as friends since they realised they were better as friends. Did Chazz find out? Yes. Was he happy about it? Haha- He was fucking furious.

- She always wears diamonds. No matter what outfit. Diamonds are essential.

- Hates the smell of flowers. Thinks they look pretty but she thinks they have a pissy smell to them.

- Religiously follows a morning and night time skin care routine. Will never miss out any steps, nor miss out doing the entire routine. If she does, there will be hell to pay.

- A big morning person. Likes to wake up bright and early to get a head start of the day. Will always wake up at 6AM. The latest she'll lie in will be 7:30AM, no later.

- Enjoys a lot of teas. Very much a tea enjoyer, any variety of tea flavours.

- Always dressed up. Will never be caught dead in lounge wear or in lazy clothing. She is always dressed to impress and outshine everyone.

- Upon first glance she doesn't look athletic, but thanks to her years of ice skating and other activities she participated in, she is quite flexible and strong, mainly strong in the legs.

- Is quite a mean duelist. Sometimes plays dirty but tries to play fair. Shows no mercy and never holds back. She goes all out on destroying her opponents. Does not like showing weakness.

I think that's all, unless there's more I might edit later or mention in the later future.

[starlightshadowsworld]

Danganronpa 3 Despair arc episode 8

Thonks.

Annnd Junko has already gotten to Mikan.

I'll say it makes way more sense to me that someone would join Junko.

Than so done wanting to join Munakata.

Junko's cruel but she's very good at making someone feel like she cares about them. She finds people who the world ignores or belittles and is able to get them to trust her.

And she'll build them up as much as she'll shatter them, and it'll get to the point they depend on her.

Much like Mukuro.

While Munakata has these big ideas but he screams of entertainment. Like first game Byakuya if he never developed or made any friends.

People who think the world owes them a favour.

The fact Munakata managed to get a hold of two people who adore and would lay down their lives for him, is insane.

Gotta wonder what the hell he did to them. Because that is not healthy nor normal.

I think it's interesting because he and Junko are very similar individuals, in terms of how they view and treat others for their own goals.

Anyway, back to this.

Is... That the last supper but everyones a Monokuma and it's a puzzle?

Okay than.

And than she throws it, because of course she does.

The pieces falling over the faces of the 77th class.

I like that, it's clever.

And the dig at Ryota for not wanting to go to the celebration.

I think the person I'm the most afraid and curious to see interact with Junko, is Nagito.

That's gonna be interesting, because even by Remnant status, that boy ain't right.

The reserve course kids crowding the gates of the main building, honestly I don't blame them.

They were all used by the school.

I know Hajime was selected but any one of these kids could've become Izuru Kamakura.

We saw that with Natsume, just how far people are willing to go.

Wasn't expecting Ryota to figure out that Mikan is being brainwashed, or the footage from the student council killing game.

Yeah throwing up at the sight of that is the most normal reaction to this shit.

People laughed at Makoto screaming and than passing at the sight of Sayaka's body, that is the proper way to respond.

I'm not mock him for being unable to comprehend that Junko did this, because honestly its a lot.

We're so used to Junko that remembering a time we didn't know she was the mastermind is wild, because it was insane when we and the survivors found out.

It was unfathomable that someone who was their friend and classmate could do something so horrific to them.

Man theres a lot of rants in this one.

Confirmation the student council was a test run, wild thing to say but yeah given the later games production it makes sense.

I don't know how Mikan got brainwashed watching this video, presumably it was this one, and Ryota's okay but idk maybe they'll explain it later.

Also wow... There's a lot of reserve course students. I didn't think that there would be that many but in hind sight, yeah makes sense.

Definitely makes the project worse.

Ohhh there climbing the gates.

... Wait... That kid... That just showed for like a second glance.

Was that... Matsuda? Yasuke Matsuda, Junko's boyfriend.

... I didn't know he was in this.

Which I guess doesn't make sense because he clearly helped her with everything. But I've never seen him, ever I have heard of Danganronpa Zero but I've never gone into it.

I know, my bad.

Hmm that makes things interesting, if that actually was him because he's the Ultimate Neurologist and she's brainwashing people.

I know he had a hand in the memory wipes but not this.

.... Maybe don't mention that you went on a date with Izuru.

Wasn't expecting this discussion on student protests.

Yeah listen to Chisa guys you'll be fine... From the reserve course students that is... Although... Maybe not.

Man watching them try and just sweep this all under the rug like it was absolutely inhuman and disgusting, is vile.

I have no sympathy for Hopes Peak or it's staff in regards to this.

Especially those who were involved with the Kamakura project.

Because even those who weren't still are trying to brush off multiple student deaths.

It's fucked up.

Mikan... Noooo back away. This got very uncomfortable.

I never thought I'd be glad for Junko wacking Mikan across the head with a chair... But yeah, that was... Ahhh.

... I forgot how uncomfortable despair Mikan is... I'm getting despair disease flashbacks.

I love how the execution music went off.

Teacher Junko giving a presentation on why Ryota should help with the "mutual killing video."

Mikan being the test subject suddenly makes everything make more sense.

Poor Mikan.

Oh fuck so Junko manipulated Ryota into helping her so she wouldn't go after his class... Man...

Knowing she does just that anyway... And that he will live to see it, God that's awful.

"Alas my 12 zodiac generals" Gundam showing up with 12 hamsters on his arm.

Love it.

And Nagito has returned.

No one cares, poor Nagito but your not Mikan.

He didn't recognise Hiyoko because she's taller now, love that.

And they're all going to help her.

Wait, why does Nagito need to talk with Peko.

At least they left a note this time when they all left class.

Juzo kicking around reserve course students saying they should know their place.

Ew.

And Munakata's here, great.

You know I think Gundam's onto something with his whole Mikan may be devoured by the gates of purgatory, definitely seems that way.

Nekomaru having 2 umbrellas is everything.

I do love that the whole class went to find her, I'm just... I don't think this gonna be a fun discovery.

Are you fucking kidding me? Of course it's Nagito who accidentally finds a secret passage

Of course it's him.

He knows, he absolutely knows.

"I didn't do anything you've got to believe me."

Oh Ryota... Oh this poor boy. He's just sat in the dark looking absolutely terrified and begging these guys to know he's innocent.

I feel so bad for him, he looks and sounds absolutely terrified.

The guilt he feels and knowing it's going to get so much worse... God..

Mini Miyazaki is a fun nickname tho.

And Junko's here.

I wonder if Junko knows her class by now and knows Makoto's talent, because if so her reaction to hearing Nagito's talent is so much funnier.

Just, so bored.

OH so that's why Nagito needed to speak to Peko, so she can keep Mukuro busy.

Good idea, how he knew about her is beyond me but damn.

Nagito you shady bitch.

I forgot how scary and creepy Mukuro can be, like Junko takes the reins and the cake for being the worst of the two, but man.

Can see the family resemblance.

Okay but when she yelled "which pisses me off" she even sounded like Junko, but not the same..

Which is cool because it shows she has the capability to imitate Junko, which she will do in the first game.

I know they have the same voice actor, but I still find it cool how similar but distinct they are even down to their voices.

Man all we need is Sakura and this would be the best 3 way duel in history.

Awh Ryota... He's just staring into nothing repeating that he hasn't done anything.

Annnd Nagito is hope speeching.

Man, I can't believe it's been so long but I should've expected it.

I WASN'T EXPECTING THE GUN THO

WAAAAAT!!!

Who gave Nagito a gun?! Why does Nagito a gun?! What is happening?!

I thought he was just gonna start preaching, nope... Man's got a gun.

The Russian roulette game in the second game is never gonna feel the same after this.

Oh he just found it over seas? Where were you that you just found a gun?

Good to know Nagito is against killing people but will if he has to... Man he just waltzed into this episode out of nowhere and it is instantly so much more chaotic.

Somehow.

If he had just shot her, that would be the end of everything. Mukuro night go insane but yeah, that would've solved a lot.

Lot of people would've lived.

Makoto would be a loooot less traumatised.

"Your the biggest hope fan boy I've ever met." Oh so she doesn't know about Makoto yet.

Although yeah Nagito is definitely worse.

Izuru showing up too.

What was that, hope spidey sence?

Guns jammed, typical.

Oh no way Izuru has ultimate luck as well... Confirmed 3rd luck boy.

I know he has talents, that's his thing but genuinely wasn't expecting them to include luck. Because so many people even the people with that talent don't consider it one.

Here's the confirmation it indeed was one.

I know he's gonna be fine but wow Nagito got shot.

Ryota screaming in the background, I hope this therapy... A lot of it.

Kid just wanted to draw anime.

And Nagito's okay.

Ryota got out! But the others are still in there. I keep saying it but poor guy, I didn't give too shits about him before now and now... Now I just wanna give him a hug.

It's gonna be a miracle if Ryota doesn't end up with the same amount of survivors guilt as Makoto.

Not too worried about Chisa because we know she survives this but it's still tense.

And end credits scene... Where Chiaki recognises Hajime.

Well you found him.

The whiplash this episode is giving me...

[eolewyn1010]

Charité, season 4 - episode 6

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... No, it was just the worst, and there were spoilers in it.

You know, it shouldn't be so easy to hack the entire hospital's system. Because it shouldn't all be one centralized system! This is not safe, and I'm judging it.

Are we supposed to feel bad for Ferhat now? Cheer him on as he's struggling to rescue his patient, who's locked into his room and unable to call for help? Well. See. It was Ferhat who brought his patient into this situation in the first place.

If she can pursue her research anywhere, why does she need to leave Berlin at all...?

Poor Discount Daniel Sträßer looks like shit. Marlene, do you have a moment to help the more likable of your boyfriends?

What a perfect timing for Maral to be locked in with a woman who's on the verge of giving birth and thus would be Maral's wife's patient! Such a serendipitous cOiNcIdEnCe!! And then she says, "my baby isn't due before seven weeks from now" as if that wouldn't guarantee her to be in labor by the end of the scene.

"Photovoltaic systems are so last decade, honey!" I wish the oh-so-modern technology this season would be a little more than a shiny gimmick.

"My life is so haaaaard! And I won't acknowledge my part in that." Maral, would you like some cheese with that whine?

As for pregnant ginger lady, woman up and tell your boyfriend he's not the baby daddy.

This spiral staircase is stupid. I'm not even sure it was there before. This shot of Ferhat heaving himself upstairs is stupid. This architecture is stupid. Everything is stupid.

How. How did she go from first aches to full-blown 45-seconds labor pains in such a short time? They can't have been in there for longer than twenty minutes!? That ain't healthy.

"You've given birth already; you know how to do it" - oh, well, in that case! Why need gynecologists at all? *headdesk*

Remember season 1 when the midwife failed at an external cephalic version of Mrs. Ehrlich's baby? Yeah, so, Maral, who has zero gynecological training, succeeds with that. Cool. I'm still not sure how the baby doesn't strangle itself on the umbilical cord during this little twist maneuver.

Sitting through an external crisis together makes talking out your relationship issues and acknowledging the behavior you need to work on superfluous, you know? Marriage salvaged, Maral's character development = 0.

For being seven weeks early, that's a big baby.

For having just been given birth in, that hallway is remarkably clean. Did she just cross her legs on the placenta and shit?

Ferhat being all drama llama about saving his patient whom he's so close to, dragging him into his arms and all, was such a homoerotic set-up. And then he didn't even resuscitate him mouth-to-mouth. Cowards.

Nice of the systems to go back online before poor Minister Blowhard gets a scar from his surgery or something equally horrifying.

The Red Herring of Discount Daniel Sträßer being responsible for the hacker attack is out of proportion.

See? He wants to live after all! So Ferhat was right to do what he did and will suffer absolutely no negative consequences for being a horrid doctor and human being! ...I hate everything.

"annoying stubbornness"? Yeah, that and the violation of his patient's rights.

Oh, boy, where do I begin to count what is wrong with the big resolution of "Discount Daniel Sträßer's brain chip was hacked and he had no control of his own actions"?

It directly contradicts established canon. Remember Ferhat's "no one but yourself can enter your own thoughts" talk with that little trauma patient? Yeah. Apparently, the person-coded accessibility of cerebral technology doesn't apply when the plot says so.

This chip is programmed to intervene in the regions of his brain where the epileptic seizures occur. How, just how does that translate to hypnotic control of his actions and suppression of his ability to make conscious decisions? Has a neuroscientist had a look at this part of the script?

Obviously, it was the Evil Redhead SJW. We get it; you people think demonstrators = terrorists.

If this is something that is possible, why on earth are these chips legal at all? Are you telling me the doctors who developed this method of epilepsy control didn't know how extensive the chip's access to the brain is?

We can programme people to do our bidding from a distance. We can do surgery across two continents. We cannot call the godforsaken security in the building to tell them there's a terrorist attack going on and one already identified person needs to be restrained.

I expected them to at least dramatically slice out the chip.

For good measure, we get a scene of Dylan kowtowing before Maral and telling her that Charité neeeeds her. idgaf anymore.

Clichéd speech about charity, check.

Why does 2049's Yrsa wear a shoulder harness à la Daenerys?

"I can't get my will?? Inconceivable!" Ok, Rich Bitch's offended face is a little funny.

Discount Daniel Sträßer is now wearing a headband instead of the chip, as he was recommended way back when. Unhackable and dating! He and Ferhat each are holding hands with Marlene. Poly yes, gayness nuh-uh. Ah well, at least Marlene gets one person in her life that might be nice company. Not you, Ferhat.

This trophy is fugly. Is that art, or does it go into the trash?

Her son is in the audience, but I think the conflict about his choice of job doesn't get resolved.

"Some self-deprecating comments on myself in my speech and hypocritical blahblah about responsibility makes all my bad deeds undone!" Maral has the balls to talk about responsibility and welfare. Shoot me.

And now I'm supposed to read, too? Previous Charité protagonists had the decency to speak their epilogues themselves.

"ending the age of antibiotics" - no, honey, the age of antibiotics is ended by the spreading of multiresistant microorganisms. Gosio's, Ehrlich's, and Fleming's works aren't hypothetically supplanted by Little Miss Ego's success; they are very realistically endangered by the sheer speed with which bacteria mutate.

My final line would be: "Neither Maral Safadi nor Ferhat Williamson are ever held accountable for their respective malpractice."

I'm gonna write a little "Final Thoughts" bit as a summary of some points on the season and for additional notes. But overall, wow, the show really unlearned what made it strong in the first place. I was so sure I would hate the futuristic setting. I don't. I hate the character writing. These people suck.

[brain-rot-central]

This is a rant about the Gale romance. Nothing bad necessarily. Just an analysis of why I can't no matter how I try lol

I'm a Gale supporter but tbh his whole "with you I forget my goddess," thing is highly unsettling to me.

He's not forgetting his goddess necessarily. He's replacing his goddess with you. He's worshipping you instead. Which, to some, yeah! They may like that. But in actuality, you shouldn't be worshipping anyone but yourself to that degree.

You can love someone and value them. But to worship them is bordering on obsessive, almost to a level of dependence. And given Gale's highly volatile background (the man literally just came out of a year long depression where he drank himself into oblivion frequently and/or contemplated suicide multiple times, not to mention was manipulated since childhood so he has ZERO sense of self outside of Mystra because he was literally groomed to do nothing but worship her and give himself over to her whenever she wanted), that's not healthy and probably will not end well.

Imo Gale gets attached way too quickly and way too deeply. It's unnerving. In his defense, yes, he eventually falls in love with himself toward the end of the game. Gains respect for himself and believes himself to be more than just a pawn in a game of chess. Which is what self-respect and self-love is, and a long-term healthy relationship can absolutely help foster those things. But it's highly unrealistic for someone to get to that level of self-acceptance and security within 3-4 months (that's like the max timeline for the game from what I understand, and apparently that's even being generous).

I mean yeah I'm trying to apply real world logic to a video game and I know you don't do that (don't question the laws of video games, I know), but I just cannot do the Gale romance for that reason. I support him. He's a great choice. He's handsome, witty, and resourceful. But the level of desperation is too much for me.

I'm not your salvation. I don't want to be anyone's salvation. I'm very aligned with Astarion's whole "fuck the Gods, they never did anything for me anyway," take when it comes to religion/worship.

Help me grow as a person. I want to be two shitty people who tear one another apart and rebuild ourselves together through love and understanding of the world around us. I want to be a better person together. That's why, to me, Astarion's romance makes the most sense. He's incredibly jaded at the beginning of the game, but through love he learns compassion (UA ending). Probably because it mimics my own experiences in love but yeah.

Gale is great but his whole partner-worship thing is murky. I totally get why some people would be into that, though. And that's totally fine. Just ain't my cup of tea.

[shadowmaat]

A reminder, in light of recent news

A great many of us have fantasies about meeting our favorite celebs. Many of those fantasies involve the celeb either falling in love with you or just shagging you silly. Nothing wrong with a bit of harmless fantasies, right?

There have also been numerous posts about how incredibly gross and unhealthy it is to attempt to share those fantasies with celebs. That's important to remember, too. Your fantasies are meant to he harmless (at least outside of your head).

Another huge red flag that should be stabbed right through your eye: don't act like you OWN a celebrity. If, for example, they get married, BE HAPPY FOR THEM. It has zero effect on your fantasies. You can continue your daydreams and smutfics and whatever else you want regardless of their marriage status. Hell, regardless of their breathing status. What you do NOT want to do is threaten them, their spouse, or yourself with harm. Not even as a "joke." That shit ain't funny, kids.

The celeb who lives in your head is already a fictionalized version of the real person. The real person getting married changes NOTHING, but if it still bothers you just imagine an AU where they didn't get married. Or, y'know, try for a threesome and add to the fun. LOL!

Fantasies are a fairly normal thing, but there are some hard and fast limits to them and there are some lines you shouldn't cross. Keep it safe and healthy, kids. And dream on, in the best possible sense of the term. :)

[gaylittlelasagna]

Some of the best dialogues ever (euphoria)

1. You've got to believe in the poetry because everything else in your life will fail you, including yourself.

2. It’s so weird to think that, like, no matter what happens, the universe is just out here giving, like zero fucks

3.Without the self-criticism, I'd be lost.

4. Real love is when you can’t exist without someone, when you’d rather die than be apart, and the whole world goes dark, and nothing else matters but the person standing in front of you.

5. It's not even the lies that hurt, you know? It's the fact that you're never really emotionally prepared for someone to leave you

6. I feel like I've found, like, this amazing balance where I'm like happy and healthy and I'm not looking to anybody else for that happiness, you know?

7. Sometimes two people in the universe who aren’t meant for each other find each other.

8. Everything's that good to you ain't always good for you

9. If I could be a different person, I promise you, I would. Not cause I want it, but cause they do.

10. Maybe people are nostalgic about high school because its the last time they can dream.

11. She hated her life, not because it was bad, but because when you hate your brain and your body, it’s hard to enjoy the rest.

12. You are my everything. Any moment with you is my favourite.

13. And everything stops: your heart, your lungs, then finally, your brain. And everything you feel and wish and want to forget, It all just sinks. And then suddenly, you give It air again, give It life again.

14. All I know is, life is not a Nicholas Sparks novel.

15. I spent my whole life afraid people were going to find out that I was fat. But honestly, who gives a shit.

16. Its like love is super dark and no one ever talks about it.

17. The absolute worst part of depression is that even though you know you’re depressed, you’re unable to stop yourself from getting worse

18. Real life is always such a let down

19. I think I want to be as beautiful as the ocean

20. I had a therapist once who said that these states will wax and wane. Which gave my mother relief, because it meant that in the bad times, there would be good times. But it also gave her anxiety because it meant that in the good times, there would be bad times.

There are others but these stand out