#four is better than two

[lotus-pear]

i think you guys are onto smth..

i unironically got invested in this HELP

[synthrocket]

One giji concepts :)

[yourlocalgreg]

OMG ITS TWO IS BLUEEE

(I saw this and I search on Google two is blue)

Blue Two Supremacy

[pimento-playing-hopscotch]

I love this show and it means a lot to me,

and I feel disappointed and a little bit misled tbh by the choices they have made-

These are two thoughts that can coexist btw

[rustedleopard]

I know how in Clover Lives AUs people love to talk about how Starlo and Ceroba and Martlet would basically adopt them, but what about the Feisty Four? Obviously I don't see their relationship with Clover being as close as it is between Clover and Martlet/Starlo/Ceroba, but like, do you really think they wouldn't have been put on babysitting duty more than a couple times? I feel like they'd love the kid and would gladly take them under their (somewhat irresponsible) wings. They would've gotten into enough situations that Clover is used to being slung over Ed's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Moray feels like they have a duty to ensure Clover's safety as the self-imposed "most responsible one" even though they're no better than the rest of the Feisty Four because they can easily be convinced into doing things. Ace teaches Clover all sorts of card games and card tricks and how to cheat at all of them. Mooch teaches Clover how to pickpocket in the hopes of "corrupting the sheriff's precious deputy" like they haven't stolen money from those neon green pants, lol. The phrase "Don't tell Star and Ceroba. Especially Ceroba!" has been uttered by the Feisty Four after getting into then out of situations enough times that Clover has learned to barter for their silence.

[harrycollins]

Elden Ring is like... what if a fantasy world in which women could be more significant than men was made but correctly

[sysig]

Ayy hap day! A cheer in the murk, hope it's as good as can be

It was pretty good, ty ♥

[beneathsilverstars]

guys i think my depression meds are working

[gliphyartfan]

@yandere-linked-universe @stars-for-thought @imprisioned-in-the-hole @screaming-until-god-hears-me @crestfallenmermaidan @ice-cream-writes-stuff @linked-heroes @Justanerd1

Oh hey! Another post!

What could it be this time?

crimeboys

-

-

He hadn't expected this turn of events.

He had expected something bigger involved, something that would shock him, maybe something that would even leave him breathless. What he never imagined was this.

He supposed he did receive that and so much more.

Looking up from his place, entranced by familiar concerned eyes. He was silent, whatever words he could have said now lost.

“You okay?” He could listen to that voice for the rest of his days, and he would never grow tired of it.

Never.

“Uh, yeah…” Legend murmured and inhaling deeply, attempting to keep his voice steady as Her scent drifted by him. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

More than fine now. So much more than fine.

----

----

There was a level of adjustment when it came to experiencing many things.

Moving to a new area, mourning the loss of someone, whether they still lived or didn't.

Having to say goodbye to the routine you were so used to, to the people you've met along the way, and making way for the unfamiliar. It was understandable that an adjustment phase was an necessity.

Eventually, you find a new norm, a new area, new people, a new routine that all becomes equally as familiar as the old.

You learn to try new things along the way, take up new hobbies, or learn to adapt the old to the new environment.

It all rounds up to adjusting to the new and settling into it as if you always were there.

Living in an entirely new world was an adjustment of a massive scale.

A new world with new history, way of life, form of governments and societies. It was all so different, so very new.

And the adjustment period was also similar. Similar to when you take off old shoes and step into a new pair, eventually the new pair become as comfortable as the old. Though the time it takes for that to happen is different for everyone.

It helps when some of the familiar comes along with you, especially if the familiar had the time to adjust first, to know where they’re going and how to help you navigate through the new areas in which you yourself were discovering.

Legend did not envy Time for the solitude he had been forced to endure before the first of them appeared.

In a way, he respected him greatly. Time was left to survive in a world that was so utterly alien to their minds, reverted as a child and forced to make a life for himself in a place that would eat him alive in ways their own home wouldn't. Left alone without any contact from anybody or anything that was remotely familiar, besides what he himself could manage by his own power and what items followed him here.

To eventually make a place for himself, to adapt to a world that tried to consume him, grew from the trials that had helped him prepare for the arrival of the others. Time became the kind of man, that was feared and respected, someone who was better able to protect what was his. Who could stand alongside his sword brothers and look at the life they continue to crave in this world with pride.

To prepare that life for the one person they all missed dearly.

It was a great adjustment indeed, one that needed patience and great trust. If not in others, than in one's self.

So Legend was not bothered by their leader's inquiry over his sudden request.

"I'm not against a meeting, but coming from you?" Time spoke softly. His gaze soft as it rested on him. "As I recall, the last time you announced for a gathering, there was a brewing gang war headed our way. " He added.

Legend scoffed lightly and shook his head. "I suppose I should be glad that means you take my call seriously." He stated,"And I promise, no surprise territorial disputes."

He hated those things anyway.

"Yet you seem distressed" Time remarked back."Oh, believe me, far from it." Legend smirked crookedly. "This is going to be good."

Time nodded, though curiosity flickered in his eye at those curious choice of words said, he turned his attention to the opening doors of the meeting room.

"Really Vet? Just had to pick today for a meeting??" Wind grumbled loudly, throwing his hands up,

"Couldn't you have at least waited another day? There were some wares at the docks I wanted to look at-damnit blacksmith, stop shoving!"

Four was unphased by the daggers being directed at him as he kept shoving the sailor into the room.

Seems the sailor tried to sneak away as per usual.

Four nodded to the two in greeting as he led the younger boy to his seat, which happened to be right next to him. The table was quite long enough for all of them, and it seemed the rest of the Links weren't too far behind as Twilight walked in, Sky close behind.

"Sky! How's business been?" Legend asked after he sat. "It has been quiet." Sky answered as he looked up at Legend before returning his gaze back to the table as he sat down.

Twilight looked around the table with curious interest as Hyrule and Wild arrived and took their seats. "I thought another meeting wasn't for another month?" He inquired.

"Patience rancher, the meeting won't start until dear old captain arrives anywa-oh look who the devil let out to play!" Warriors glared at the other Hero as he entered the room.

"Well..." Time taps the tip of his pen on the table and looks at Legend, motioning to the others.

"We're all here." He eyed his advisor with curiosity.

The others turned, watching as Warriors sat down and Legend stood.

"First of all, sorry for the abrupt call." Legend apologised with a nod. "Now I'm aware no one really knows why I wanted you all here so badly. "He explained."But I assure you that you will leave this meeting very satisfied with the information I'm going to reveal to you."

He paused and watched everyone's faces intently. "Now allow me to first announce this doesn't involve any of our businesses." He stated, pausing again to gauge their reactions. "You don't need to concern yourselves over any potential fights or interlopers." They simply nodded, some relaxing as he continued. "Next, I want to make this as transparently clear as physically possible," He leaned forward and looked at each of them,

"Our every action from this point on, will have drastic consequences if we make even one mistake."

Everyone sat in silence as Legend took a deep breath,"I trust no one will talk about this outside of this meeting. Honestly, I doubt you would risk doing such a thing, right?" Everyone nodded, not sure what they were agreeing to, but trusting Legend completely. "Good."

Was all he said as he pulled out his phone and began tapping away, only looking up when he was done.

And simply waited.

Waited for the world to change for all of them.

Legend couldn't help the spark of anxiety within him. He couldn't help it. There was no way he would miss the significance of what is about to be revealed. This moment of revelation.

What they have waited so long for.

He knew exactly where this is going and he's not about to let any of them waste a chance like this. Not after the amount of work they all put in. All of it for the sake of a future they desperately craved.

So he was quiet as the first phone began to ring.

As all their phones began to ring.

He watches the eight of them look at each other, reaching for their phones to check what was sent to them.

If only he could truly find the words to describe the stillness that filled the room, a silence that could be heard despite no sound being made. A silent wait that was as palpable as an ache within one's chest. No one spoke for a while. No one dared move as they all stared at the image that was on their screens. No one breathed, as if to prevent this moment from breaking.

As if to prevent what they were seeing from being an illusion.

Shaking hands, widened eyes, choked breaths, yet none reacted until someone broke the moment that the veteran brought them.

Legend supposed he should be grateful for the captain, as he brought his fist down on the table with a resounding bang, jolting everyone that had been frozen in stillness.

Though he did admit to not appreciating how the good captain gripped his shirt and pulled him up to his face.

"Well aren't we responding violently..." Legend hissed as the collar of his shirt tightened around his neck.

"You have some nerve..." Warriors seethed, pulling Legend into closer proximity and raising his voice, the anger apparent in his face and tone. "You think this is funny? Huh? Has this world distorted your sanity that you would taunt us with this?!??."

Legend remained silent, though he felt his grip on his collar becoming harder and tighter by every second. He scowled as he realized there was nothing he can do to get the captain to release him from his grasp.

"Answer me!!!" Warriors snapped, and before anyone could stop him, he shoved forward until he was slamming Legend's body against the wall, the sound and feel of his body making contact causing the veteran to wince in pain from the impact. "Is...this really necessary..?" Legend gasped, hands reaching up to grip the one holding him in place.

"Stand DOWN captain!" Time ordered, hands on the table, half way out of his seat.

The entire room fell silent as all heads turned to watch them, some out of their seats, others gripping the table, some not even looking away from their phone. Warriors didn't care to notice. His whole attention was fixated on the young man in his grip.

And Legend, his eyes locked with those blue ones; burning with anger as he struggled against the Captain’s hold. He tried to pull at Warriors' wrist. He didn't budge. The only response he got was a glare that made him pause momentarily, before a small smile found its way onto his lips as a thought sparked in his head.

"Dear gods..." He breathed, "You're jealous..."

It was barely audible but everyone heard the words regardless."What?" Warriors growled, but Legend laughed despite his position, leaning towards the captain as best as he could as he whispers once again, this time slightly louder.

"You're jealous," He grinned, it was not kind, "Because I was the first to find her."

He smirked at the growing anger directly him before continuing, "And you don't like that I was the first one to be near her again."The blond laughed even as the captain pulled him forward and slammed him back against the wall, the back of his head hitting the wall behind him, and he grinned smugly, "I guess I would have felt the exact same if I had been in the same boat as you," He remarked, chuckling despite his position.

"To have to accept that I wasn't the first one to be blessed with her presence. To know I wasn't the first one who would hear her beautiful voice, to hear her beautiful laugh, to have her eyes focused solely on me even if for the briefest of moments! and to see her beautiful smile... why..it would have been just so unfair!" Sharp laughter echoed throughout the room, as the group tensed at both his words and his tone.

"But I'm NOT you!" He gasped through his laughter, either uncaring or unaware of Warriors' slacking grip on his shirt.

"I get to say I was first to see her, hear her! I get to be blessed by having HER eyes look at me and ONLY me, even if it was just for a mere. moment." He bared his teeth in a mockery of a grin, exhaling through his nose as he stared down the paling, angered. trembling captain.

"So I suppose I can forgive your behavior this once. After all, it's not everyday you learn that our darling was found." Legend said, expression calming as he looked at everyone, with a faint grin, teeth just visible, before looking back at Warriors.

"However if you ever attempt to manhandle me like this ever again, I'll begin to consider a severe level of retaliation against you." Legend threatened, tone quiet.

Silence followed as they stared each other down. No one moved.

"You can't be this lucky..." was all Warriors could utter as he stared at Legend.

"We searched...for so long..." He came out as a whisper as his eyes seemed to stare through Legend.

"We searched for so long..." He repeated, "and you find her...by pure chance..." His body trembled, shaking his head as if in denial.

"Captain," Tone softening as he reached up and placed a hand on a trembling shoulder, "I would never begrudge you for wishing you were in my place, and for hoping that you were the first that found her again. Would you begrudge any of us for feeling the same if the roles had been reversed?"

He continued softly, eyes full of understanding as he spoke, his hand moving so it was gently rubbing circles into the others shoulder. A slight shudder ran through the captain, his own hand releasing it's hold on the other's shirt and coming up to grasp Legend's own, gripping tightly.

"No," he whispered hoarsely. "Not after everything we've experienced."

"Then taken my warning to heart, but know you are forgiven." Legend replied before taking his hand away from Warrior, and returning to stand by Time, clapping his hands to divert attention away from the captain.

"Taking her appearance in the picture into consideration, she's roughly about the same age she was when wandering into our world." Legend started, everyone slowly settling back in their seats, "from the lack of personal items, other than some textbooks she had on her, it's safe to say she lives in the general area." He paused for a bit before continuing, "Which means her typical hangout spots are close by as well, perhaps a side job if her schooling allows it." Legend nodded, looking around. Everyone had their eyes trained on their screens where (y/n) was smiling so cheerful at friend offscreen.

To see her again, even through a photo, was enough to leave them lighthearted in all the best ways. A warm coursing through each of them as they drank in the sight of her beautiful smile.

"She looks so happy..." Sky murmured quietly to himself, leaning forward a little, eyes filled with longing. Twilight smiled kindly at him next to him, placing a comforting hand on Sky's shoulder. "Yes," He agreed quietly, "So happy and carefree. She looks exactly like how I remember her being," He paused and laughed. "No, she looks even more beautiful, doesn't she?"

"Do you...do you think she'll accept us?" Hyrule asked, tone quiet as Sky and Twilight looked up to meet his gaze. "I mean- I just...wish to not make the same mistakes again." Twilight grimaced but hummed in agreement, returning his gaze toward the screen.

They all stew in their thoughts. Guilt, shame, hope and joy. All of it twisted inside them.

"You know...I'm kinda glad it took this long..." Wind admitted, his eyes latched on to the picture.

"I mean, not that I enjoyed having to wait so long but...we're more settled in this world now compared to a few years ago, we're more prepared for anything."

"Curious choice of words." Time chuckled, "but nonetheless yes, in a way, you are correct sailor. This is a good opportunity for all of us." He stated. bringing the attention to him. "We need to start anew, to make amends for what we have done. And hopefully, in the process, we won't lose ourselves down that dark path we once traveled," He frowned. "I don't wish to consider the possibility of us failing, but...anything could happen-"

"Plan for possible failure but aim for success." Four interjects, looking relaxed yet eyes gleaming with energetic resolve.

"Plus we'll keep each other in check, won't we?" Wind asks, turning his attention back to the rest of the Links, a smile bright in his face. He turns to look at Sky, who's eyes have stayed glued to the screen ever since he stopped on Wind. His face remains stoic. "Sky?"

"...We should bring her here..." That sent confusion coursing through the group.

"Huh-?" Sky looked up, grimacing at the attention on him.

"I-I mean...we have the facilities, power, influence and capabilities to keep her safe and cared for." He continued, nervous yet with eagerness shining in his eyes.

"It seems now is the right time to-"

"We can't." Legend shaking his head as he quietly replied, frown on his face.

Sky flinches, the phone in his hand creaking as he gripped it tightly.

"I just..believe that now would be a good time to bring-" Legend raises a hand to halt his argument.

"We. cannot. bring her here." Sky stared back at him, jaw clenched, knuckles turning white.

"She is safer with us." He states again, tone deep and firm.

"We. Cannot. Take. Her." Legend repeats as slowly as he could, eyes focused at the skyloftian with warning.

Sky glares daggers at him while clenching his fists even tighter. A tense silence fills the air between them as no one dares to move a muscle. Sky stares defiantly back, daring Legend to disagree with his plan. Legend stares back, silently debating if he should even humor this argument.

"Why do you believe we should bring her here?" Time's voice breaks the heavy atmosphere, drawing the attention away from the tension that's permeated the room. He did not look at Sky, attention focused on the phone in front of him.

"A-Are we not fully prepared? Determined? We all want to keep her safe." Sky answers, eyes still focused on Legend,"I just..think we've established ourselves enough to provide for her. I'd rather not put her life in danger by leaving her somewhere exposed-"

"So you believe her safety relies on us." Time interjects, it was not a question. "That she is currently vulnerable and exposed without us there."

That wasn't much of a question either, but it seemed to cause further unease amongst the others. There was no response. Not from Sky and certainly not from any other of the Links. Legend understood they were worried. Worried about (y/n), worried about the future. They didn't dare to ask for reasons why.

Sky straightens his shoulders.

"She is not safe out there." He reiterates.

Time nodded in acknowledgement, fingers tapping the surface it rested on.

"She is not safe out there." He repeats back to him. Sky nodding firmly.

"Tell me then, how is she safer here?" Sky seems to be thrown off by the question.

"P-Pardon?" Time finally looked up at him. Sky swallowing.

"How. is she safer. here? He repeated for emphasis. It seemed to catch Sky off guard.

"I...um..." Sky trailed off. Time's gaze did not soften, it was unreadable.

"Well, you see-" he began."The thing is..." His lips thinned as he glanced towards the others. but only seeing the same confused, uncertain looks.

He felt lost.

"We..-" "We lost her due to greed Sky knight."

Sky flinched at the rough voice that spoke out.

Time nodded at Warriors as he approached and took back his place at the table.

Warriors clasped his hands and looked at Sky with hooded eyes.

"We lost her because we were consumed with our own wants and desires." He continued. "So blinded by our addiction to her presence, we never considered what she wanted." His eyes looked down at his hands for a brief moment before returning to stare down Sky.

"We drove her away due to our arrogance and greed, plain and simple." He ran a hand through his hair, pausing before looking up.

"Tell me veteran," Legend raised an eyebrow at the acknowledgment. "How did you react when you first realized she was there?"

Well... that certainly was a curious question wasn't it.

The room was quiet on the heels of the man's inquiry. It was a contemplative silence.

"You want to know?" Legend broke the silence, his voice deceptively light.

He nodded to himself, not waiting for a response from anyone.

"Let me tell you then." Legend clasped his hands under his chin. He leaned forward, Sky swallowed thickly.

"I had merely gone to class without a single thought of anything special happening." He started, looking to everyone. "I had not once thought about my actions, nor had I taken the slightest note of where I went. I simply chose to play the part of student for one day, minding my own business. Sit through an orientation video, pack up and head back here." He continued "Sitting through it all without an ounce of emotion. Only apathy."

He paused, watching Sky. He looked away. "Until, of course, my mind was captured by thoughts of her. Understandable really, she means much to us all. My thoughts being so focused on her that I completely disregarded the words the teacher spoke in front of me." He continued. "At that point, I was more focused on my own thoughts then the real world around me." the corner of his mouth twitch before he caught himself.

"She had already arrived before I realized it. Her voice immediately catching my attention."

He leaned back, sighing. "I had always genuinely thought I would have had a better grasp on my reaction should I ever see her again. But in reality, there was no preparation for the sight that met my eyes at that very moment." He smiled softly. "My heart felt like it jumped out of my chest, my palms grew sweaty, and my mouth went dry." He sighed again.

"When I looked into those familiar eyes, I felt like my whole body turned inside out. It was like every fiber of my being was trying desperately to find the most beautiful sight in the entire universe. Even though my mind was screaming to do something. Say something, Run to her, yet I felt so stuck in place." His eyes were cast downwards, reminiscing the memory. "There was absolutely nothing I could do. Nothing whatsoever." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I could feel my heart constrict at the mere sight of her and all I wished to do was hold her again."

He sighed, his hands resting on his lap."But alas I didn't know what to expect." He laughed bitterly. "I saw her and all my rationality died that very second. For whatever reason, I couldn't take my eyes away from her. So I sat and watched her even when the room darkened." The last sentence was spoken quietly.

"She sat right in front of me, did I mention that yet? I couldn't tell if that was a blessing or the sweetest form of torture. To be physically so close to her, yet still be so very far. to be close enough that all I had to do was lean forward and I could possibly catch her scent. Legend exhaled through his nose and frowned, staring intently at his hands.

"I reached my hand out to her." Everyone was staring at him, silent. Legend's expression blank.

"I was so consumed by..." He shook his head, as if the words were lodged in his head. "I was desperate to want her HERE. with US. I wanted her here so badly, at that moment, I genuinely did not care how badly she would have reacted to my actions."

"I wanted to hold her again, tell her how sorry I was. To make up for every failure and mistake I committed against her."

He stared at his shaking hands. "And I think that's what scared me into stopping." Legend closed his eyes, breathing heavily, his head hung low. "To risk losing everything over the mere chance of forcing her here by our side." He choked on the last word, his eyes shutting tight. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't let myself destroy what we worked for, before we even had a chance to start ...So I pulled back and did nothing."

Legend lifted his head and opened his eyes, they were filled with pain."I just...couldn't bring myself to ruin her happiness for my own sake...." He looked at each and every one of the Links before focusing his gaze on Sky.

"Not again. I'd kill and be killed before I allowed myself to do so again."

It was a silent battle of wills, between the veteran and the pale knight, as Sky stood his ground. One staring at the other, each trying force the other to submit.

A long silent standoff, each refusing to give way until, eventually, Sky slowly lowered his gaze.

A victor was chosen.

Legend closes his eyes, his shoulders unnoticeably relaxing.

Time broke the tension once more as he tapped the table with his pen.

"Your words have been heard and strongly acknowledged Veteran." Time said calmly and evenly while gazing towards Sky who remained still, his head lowered. He took in a deep breath before continuing.

"What would you suggest we do?" Legend sighed and rubbed his neck.

"Gather what information we can is a good start." Legend answered as he rose to his feet. "We'll start with finding her general information. Whereabouts, schooling schedule, whether or not she has employment."

He looked at the group."We need to be discreet however. As much as we wish to be near her, we don't want anyone noticing us around her." He gave each of them a pointed look."Understand?" Nods were stiffly given.

Legend turns away, signaling the end of his participation.

Time eyed him carefully and returned his focus to everyone.

"Captain, take Wild and begin obtain her general details." Warriors nodded towards him and looked to the cook, who acknowledged the order.

He turned to Twilight and nodded."Send a scout to rummage through the school files and I want you to look up the teachers in charge of her classes." Twilight gave him thumbs up in acknowledgement.

Twilight looks thoughtful and towards Wind who was staring at his phone again, seemingly lost in thoughts."Wind, can you and Hyrule get together and talk to some of your informants? Put a word out?."

Wind and Hyrule jumped at being called upon but nodded and stood up, turning to face the older male."Do you want us to inform you if she's spotted by any chance?"He asked, his blue orbs glancing back and forth between Sky and the leader, Hyrule wringing his hands next to him.

"Yes, please." Wind nodded and left, Hyrule following close behind heading down the hallway.As soon as he disappeared, everyone took that as a sign to end the meeting.

"Four, with me." Twilight calls out, motioning Four to follow him.

Warriors nods to Time and Legend as he rises from his seat, his eyes lingering a bit on Legend as he walked past. Legend scoffed and punched the passing captain on the arm.

Warriors scowls but says nothing, understanding what wasn't said.

All forgiven given the circumstances.

"Sky..." The Skyloftian twitched and looked up at their leader.

"Go gather yourself," Time ordered softly,

"I will send someone out after you once I've received a response from one of my sources. I will need you with me for some business. In the meantime, you are dismissed." Sky nodded, slowly turning and making his way out of the room, his frame still tense. Leaving Time and Legend alone in the large room.

"...Well...that was quite a show." Time remarked, leaning back in his chair.

Legend sighed loudly, rubbing his forehead tiredly, "We're gonna have to watch that one until he settles down." he muttered under his breath, his eyes glued towards the phone screen in front of him. "Not like this isn't a delicate matter at all."

Time chuckled lightly, "As if an easy road was ever a choice for us." Chuckling louder as Legend proceeded to flip him off.

"While I didn't expect it to be so...intense," Legend waved a hand to the empty room as if to remind Time of the chaos of a few moments ago.

"I do hope this meeting was satisfactory in your eyes?"

Time gazed down at the phone screen in his hand, his eye taking in the smile that was captured in the image within.

"Yes..." He answered softly.

"Very much so." He couldn't help the quirk of his mouth, amusement shining in his eye.

"Well worth the wait."

Legend's own chuckles filled the empty room.

[serotoninisheldinkiwis]

spoilers for transformers earthspark (up to ep5) after the cut!!!

so I started watching earthspark and i have EMOTIONS abt it but mainly i'm looking much too far into the interactions between Bumblebee and Optimus and humming in thought

okay so! i'm gonna start off with the characters- Robbie and Mo are very good siblings- even with their faults, which just makes them look like even more accurate siblings- and I like them both a lot! Dot and Alex- we haven't seen them as much, but both of them are really fun! Alex's interactions with Bumblebee are absolutely hilarious as much as they're fandomish, and Dot doing her best to hold her family together- as weird as it's getting- is (impressively) working! All around strong human cast, at least for me! (Schloder is a tentative maybe. don't know enough about him yet but he's kinda a clown)

Twitch and Thrash!!!!! i!!! love them!!!! twitch is lowkey more my favorite (her personality and colors and vibes beseech me) but thrash is also a decently respectable transformer! they're both trying their best and making mistakes and working to fix them. it very much reads as two young people not knowing anything about the world and working it all out, and in general i love that! it has led to a teensy bit of annoyance (HELLO WHEN BOTH YOUR MOM AND YOUR WAR VETERAN MENTOR SAY MAYBE SWINDLE ISNT TRUSTWORTHY MAYBE THAT MEANS SOME TRUST?) but i also know that them experiencing that broken trust leads to the greater understanding of the Difference between the decepticon (only one as far as i know) that's redeemed vs the many others that haven't been

bumblebee!! i'm very much intrigued in this version- he seems older, which his design kinda helps to convey! the more almond-shaped eyes, the all around boxier shape- even with the more rounded shapes that he does have- he just reads as more of a young adult than a teen in this version, which i'm up for!!

but then with bumblebee there's also (what i'm guessing) is a s t r a i n e d relationship with optimus- which is (afaik) the first time we've seen bumblebee and optimus with a strained/not close relationship

i mean. bumblebee's very first episode he was in consisted of:

called out of hiding after who knows how long

being assigned to teach two literal newsparks how to be Cybertronian

him having to adjust to civilian life in the timespan of a day

him having to adjust to being a *celebrity*

him having to adjust to living *with people*

him having to save the life of a kid he was trusted with

and ALL of that was without a support system! bumblebee tried reaching out to Optimus, multiple times! the first time he tried to get help from Megatron- admittedly, he just never got a shot to use that advice, so that gets a pass- but the second time when Elita was on the call? she gave him vague advice, and then hung up on him when he started venting about it. like he hadn't been thrown into a completely alien (to him) situation and was, understandably, struggling. (i also think it's weird that megatron and elita didn't tell optimus that bumblebee called? like you'd think they let him know about the scout HE put on a mission struggling a bit with it

and then episode 5!! bumblebee called optimus! 28 times! 2 8 t i m e s!!! with information that could endanger the kids! and optimus waved it away with 'i was in orientation' LIKE BRO? if your highly capable Scout that's fought in a W a r is calling you that many times, i feel like you quietly step away from orientation and call back to find out what's going on???? why would you just ignore that??? what optimus has essentially done is throw bee into the deep end and toss a booklet of how to build a diy life preserver and i personally am VERY INTERESTED to see where the show takes it. bc i absolutely feel like their relationship is NOT where it normally is in transformers media (which is interesting! a fun change of pace)

either way, you also have the fact that bumblebee says that the Maltos is the first time he's felt part of a team in a long time. how long has he been in hiding? if not too long... how long has he not felt to be part of Optimus' team? how long has it been?

[moregraceful]

EVERYBODY SHUT UP!!!!!! PAT SIELOFF IS PREGNANT!!!!!

1. Birthday cake from Sierra and Kelly; 2. Gritty soft serve ice cream cup; 3. Sign for Erik Johnson's 1k celebration; 4. Jersey Devil Christmas tree ornament.

[posallys]

I just talked to one of my profs (I love him) and he compared me to a student of his that started her phd at MIT in microbiology this year (I love him) every time I talk to this man I come out feeling like I just had a hype session (I love him) he's gonna write me a baller rec letter (I love him)

[batsplat]

hi batsplat! i would like to say that you are an absolute pillar of the motogp community on here, like you are truly so so appreciated. both for your knowledge and also for the way you write about things (i think you could write 3000 words on a grocery store trip valentino took in 2003 and still make it super interesting reading)

i was reading your post about your favourite rivalries that didnt include one of the aliens, who would you personally include as part of that list? (versus who is really good but not quite alien status) id also really like to know if (and who) youd count as aliens from the pre-motogp era, and if theres been a difference over time about how often we are seeing aliens or if theyre easier/harder to spot as technical developments have sped up

hope you have a great day!

that's so sweet... thank you that's such an incredible compliment dsdkhfkhfd

about the aliens, the way I use the term is entirely as a historical descriptor, not as a qualitative assessment of any riders. it's a useful shorthand for a specific riders in a specific era, but to me it has limited relevance outside of that era. so to be clear we're talking valentino, casey, dani, jorge and marc - and according to common wisdom this usage originated from colin edwards' 2009 comment:

“But as I’ve said before, I’ve got to be pleased to be finishing next best behind those four guys, or should I say aliens. “They are riding out of this world and to be right behind them means I’m doing the best job I can and that’s about as good as I can hope for at the moment.”

(jorge discusses valentino as an alien in 2007, see here. which might be complete coincidence, but has always made me kind of curious whether the word was floating around in the paddock in some capacity before edwards 'coined' the term)

the thing is, right, it made sense to treat those four (and later -casey +marc) as distinct from the field, because they were winning almost everything. one reason for this was that they were very good, very skilled riders. another was that from 2007-15, only four to six bikes were capable of regularly challenging for wins at any one time. it was a massive field disparity that quite frankly was partly enforced through machinery. that's why it makes sense to include marc in that term: it's not just the fact that he was very good, it's the fact that he was riding a repsol honda that was the best or second best bike by a long way for his first three years in the premier class. in 2016, motogp returned to michelins and introduced new technical regulations - and for all intents and purposes, the alien era ended. it ended when eight different riders won in eight races that season. yes, marc, valentino and jorge were still the top three in the championship... but it's the difference of whether you go into a weekend convinced you know the winner will come from a list of four riders, or if you very much do not know that. between 2008 to 2015, apart from the aliens, a grand total of two riders claimed wins - dovi on a repsol honda in 2009 and ben spies on a factory yamaha in 2011. both of those were wet races (which of course are generally more open than dry ones). so just to reiterate: a greater number of riders won in 2016 alone (9) than in 2008-15 combined (7). (in 2007, a further two different riders won races - capirossi on the championship-winning factory ducati and vermeulen on the suzuki.) yes, obviously the aliens were very good riders, nobody is going to argue with you over that... but those numbers? they're only possible in a specific version of motogp - one that only existed for a few years

honestly, I don't even really use the term 'alien' to describe valentino pre-2006 or marc post-2016. it's just not that useful to me... aliens to me is a 'pack hunter' thing, where even if some of them are injured or are having a bad day or whatever, at least one of them will basically always be there to pick up the pieces. marc and valentino might have dominated the sport as a whole - but not all of their championship seasons were completely dominant, and there's only so much any one athlete can dominate in the sport... you're not going into every single weekend thinking 'oh yeah they're definitely going to win' (yes, yes, there were two times per year where you did very much do that with marc). which is different when you compare it to the aliens as a pack, where you could be confident that ONE of them would end the weekend on the top step of the podium

which is why I just don't apply the alien term to anyone pre-valentino - it's not because I think they were less good or less talented or less anything, it's because for me it's a term that's more about an era than it is about individual riders. you have to treat each era on its own, and I'm not really a big fan of inter-era comparisons. it's just kind of impossible to say whether a rider in the 1970s is more talented than one in the 2020s, whether ago's numbers are more or less impressive than marc's and so on... the sport has just changed in so many ways over the years. of course, in sports you do generally have this upward momentum where each generation is 'better' than the last. sports has gotten more professionalised, there's been massive advances in terms of pedagogy and sports medicine and exercise science and all of those things - all of which already affects how athletes train from childhood onwards. the young aren't more 'talented' in the sense that they were born with an innate superior ability to compete at the sport, but they are more 'talented' in that their ultimate ceiling will be higher as a result of all these gradual changes over time. these things can change quite quickly even (and if other sports is anything to go by, I wouldn't be surprised if the nineties/early noughties brought some big changes in that regard) - so already between, for instance, valentino and marc there'd probably been a real shift in how young talent is being nurtured

(the most blunt illustration of this is that young valentino's lifestyle was completely different from that of young riders today, in terms of how much time he spent training in the gym, sleeping habits, nutrition etc etc. athletes now can't get away with that much deviation any more, and indeed valentino had to massively change his approach in the 2010s to remain competitive - but of course it's different if you haven't been doing this stuff since you were a kid. I think we can safely assume valentino's 2003 supermarket trips looked rather different from marc's 2017 ones)

being good in pro sports may in some ways be harder now than it was in, say, the eighties, and the level of competition you're facing might be higher now - but of course, it would also by extension be unfair to judge those athletes by the standards of today. also, different eras are going to lend themselves to different profiles of rider depending on competitive trends, type of machinery and so on - even very basic stuff like how tall you are might have helped you in a certain era and hindered you in another... so what does that mean for talent? if we're discussing 'talent' at all, how can we possibly treat it as anything other than relative to the era we're discussing? to me, it just makes these comparisons between different generations pretty pointless... or well, I like talking about some of this stuff in a more holistic 'isn't this interesting' kind of way, not a 'this is why xyz is better than xyz' approach... this kind of thing is also why I finds goat debate such a uniquely boring way to spend your time, incidentally

this is a very long way of saying, I don't have a metric by which I judge athletes pre-2000 as 'alien' or 'not alien'! I think you have similarly dominant athletes, though again it is so tough to decide how much of that is down to talent and how much of it is down to bike advantage. if you take doohan's title winning seasons for instance:

yeah, look, sure, you can call him an alien as far as I'm concerned - if I'm watching these races live I will be expecting doohan to win in any given weekend. I'm still kind of missing the pack hunter feel in some of these seasons, so I won't know for certain the winner is going to come from a very short list. like take 1998:

not really one group vs the field, is it? and yeah, even if I consider doohan an 'alien' in some of those seasons, I'm still not going to call him that - because the term was essentially coined in 2009 for a specific group of guys that one other guy was later added onto. the competitive landscape and demands of doohan's era were so different that it feels off to try and go back and label him or any other past riders aliens... they were phenomenally talented, yes, they were great champions, yes, they can be called as good as the aliens, sure - but why wrench the term out of its historical context? is it still an analytically useful concept if you do so, except as a way to generically refer to a rider as 'very talented'?

which is also why I personally don't describe anyone since then as an alien. this doesn't mean I don't think fabio or now pedro aren't as good as those guys were, I just don't think they've been given the opportunity to have that kind of hold over the sport. fabio won five out of eighteen races in 2021 - and he did so on a yamaha that basically only he was able to consistently get a high level of performance out of. which is deeply impressive - but unlike say casey in 2007, he didn't have those other riders to dominate all the other races. eight riders won a race that season! it's just a fundamentally different competitive landscape. personally, I'd be perfectly content if we don't get another alien era. of course 2007-15 isn't all bad, but for good reason most fans' most fondly remembered eras are either 2001-06 or 2017-19... yes, at times one rider was too dominant, but it still felt like more riders had a shot at victory - and most importantly the quality of the racing was generally very high. this kind of domination by a few mega talents on the best machinery can get drab pretty quickly (though of course a lot of the blame for decreased race quality needs to be assigned to the 800cc era 2007-11, not to any of the aliens themselves)

I'd be quite happy to retire the term alien going forwards... except as a useful shorthand for a specific group of guys who have mostly retired. it shouldn't be used as a way to bash the young stars, as if they just can't measure up to the legends of the past. which would be dumb! again, plenty of ways in which motogp is harder now than it ever has been, though the most important thing is that it's just... different. not better, not worse, just different. sure, maybe we'll get another equivalent to the alien era, even though I personally think it's quite unlikely. if it happens, yeah, let's discuss cranking the term out again (and, yes, if you look at the current season and ignore sprints... if this current trend continues then we can have the debate at the end of the season. pecco and jorge despite all their apparent inconsistencies are currently building a pretty solid case for themselves) (now I've said that they're both gonna crash out of assen huh)

that being said! I don't exactly neatly follow this principle myself, because sometimes I do use something like the term 'alien-like talent' to refer to fabio or pedro... obviously, you can argue this is basically the same as calling them aliens in everything but semantics. so what's the criteria there? when do I use this term? I think to me it's just... instant, 'in your face' talent. they arrive to the premier class and they shine basically immediately. valentino got a relatively sedate start to the premier class by alien standards - which is fitting, because he's not really about that blistering raw pace. still, he wasn't far from being a rookie champion, got ten podiums, two wins... not too bad. casey was on a satellite team, but he got pole in his second ever race and came painfully close to winning his third. dani got a podium on debut and fought for the championship for almost the entire season. jorge got pole in his first three races and won his third. marc won the second time out and of course secured the title in his rookie season. compare that to fabio - pole in his fourth ever race on satellite machinery, fighting for wins in his first season. pedro got a podium in his second ever race and is handily outperforming everyone else on that bike

so it's about how quickly these guys pick this stuff up, how quickly they make that step from one level to another - though again, it's important to stress you can't just neatly compare these achievements! valentino's first two seasons were on 500cc bikes, which were notorious for being kind of evil. some of these riders started on satellite bikes (we're not counting valentino here), and there's also plenty of talk about how the bikes have become more complicated to ride now, making pedro's rapid adjustment even more impressive. but in every case, there is just this ability to 'be fast immediately', whatever the circumstances... and it's worth pointing out that even though pecco had a mediocre rookie season, he was incredibly quick in 2019 pre-season testing. jorge martin secured his first pole position and podium at his second race in motogp

speaking of, those two were already a touch older when they joined the premier class. there does generally seem to be something to the idea that in motorcycle racing, if you are not already very fast at a certain age, you will have a quite definitive ceiling... and from valentino onwards, the age by which you need to already have reached that standard of 'very good' seems to have gone down. when we're talking about talent and throwing around the term alien, this feels like another important change to mention - doohan was not winning his titles as a 22 year old! neither was rainey! or schwantz! or lawson! or... actually spencer was very young, yeah. but I think you get the point. I cannot tell you definitively why this changed, but it clearly has changed. in the 21st century, only two riders have won titles when they were older than 26: valentino (29-30) and jorge (28). valentino and marc were both 27 when their dominance over the sport ended (even if valentino secured titles after that point and marc will very probably do so as well). casey was 27 when he retired. (fun fact: pecco bagnaia is currently 27 years old.) so overall it's pretty rare in grand prix motorcycle racing to operate at the top of the premier class for more than a certain number of years - but the precise age window in which you are likely to be at your best does seem to have shifted pretty radically this century. which should demonstrate how hard these things are to compare... like I said, talent is often assessed by how quickly you are good at something - but if we called mick doohan a late bloomer, it would be wildly ahistorical

and yeah, look, this idea of 'you have to be good young or you will have a certain ceiling' is hardly unique to motogp, lots of sports are like that... another measure of this precocity that's perhaps more useful than just 'age' is looking how long it took them to win a title from when they joined the premier class (if they did so at all, of course). it's generally very fast! marc year one, valentino, casey and joan year two, jorge and fabio year three... and, well, pecco and hayden year four. of course, there's exceptions to this 'be fast immediately' rule - athletes who ended up being very good and title contenders who had slightly different paths getting there. the sete's and dovi's of this world - and to a lesser extent hayden too, who unlike those two was only even really a title contender in a single season... but generally speaking, those riders seem more heavily reliant on circumstances playing out just right to have a shot at a title

or perhaps! perhaps it's going to change! especially if you look at repeat champions, pecco does become a bit of an outlier in how he got there this century, doesn't he? compare the numbers he was posting in his rookie season vs valentino, casey, jorge and marc. and in some ways, you can extend this even further and say he's a massive historical outlier in terms of any premier class champions. there was an article about this in late 2022:

and some more about how historically unusual he is:

isn't that great? you don't become premier class champion with that kind of a rookie season, but pecco did! hey, aleix was a serious title threat in that season, which is a far more remarkable story still! and the thing is, right, if you're studying the current era and are labelling some riders aliens but leaving out pecco... then no offence but what's the point? look, who knows, maybe marc and pedro and david alonso are going to dominate the next twenty titles and pecco will have been a weird blip. but isn't there something fun about believing that a bunch of different riders could eventually develop into title threats? wouldn't it be kind of cool if you don't have to just write someone off age 22 any more? I don't know, I think it's a neat development! I hope it sticks around! there'll be plenty of alien-level talents in the future, but personally I wouldn't mind at all if there were no more aliens

[dark-elf-writes]

Also also also- sorry but Asmodeus hearing Bel call himself a mom.

You know he’s helping Greg throw that baby shower. You know he’s embracing being the uncle. You know he’s silently looking over Percy when he visits as a shovel talk.

It’s then ruined cause Himbo but yeah.

… unless Azzy is also Percy’s uncle which causes the drama of ‘WHO DO I GIVE THE SHOVEL TALK TO’ while he steals away Jason and Thalia cause fuck Zeus.

Azzy would immediately jump onto the baby shower plan and would get Bel all the “best mom” things he could get his hands on.

Tbh Percy isn’t exactly fully adopted but Azzy has announced himself as Sally’s soul brother separated at the birth of time after one (1) wine and baking night so he definitely is conflicted as he is the loving uncle of both halves of Percabeth. He settles for a heart to heart with both of them to make sure they’re both good or as good as can be expected after the Tartarus reveal and leaves both conversations content that they will be fine.

Oh Jason and Thalia are absolutely his. He thinks his adoption of them was his own idea when in fact it was Nico, Percy, Hazel, and Annabeth planting it in his head because none of them can stand the idea of their friends as Zeus’ anything much less his kids.

[hel-phoenyx]

Oli belongs to @thal-ent and Domhildr to @soupedepates

I knock on the door with quite a lot of difficulties. Well, for my defense, it's hard to lift your hand when it's full of bags for a sleepover, pastries and the Switch lying down somewhere.

We're having those quite a lot since our little "discussion". I've started coming back to my flat just so she could come in and I would not have a grinning nephew on my back. Or worse, a grinning sister. Would you believe the moment she saw Domhildr at her home sitting on my lap, she shouted in all the house "No fucking on my couch, Tyr, you horndog !"?

Gustav had to remind her Fen was upstairs. And even then, she couldn't stop laughing.

But, well, today it's at her place. And I've taken everything. The onesie, the pillows (can't sleep weel without my pillows), snacks, clothing for tomorrow. Don't think I have forgotten anything...

"Tyr ! Finally here, I was waiting for you~"

In fact, I had forgotten something.

I'm covered from head to toe because the weather is still quite cold, even in the beginning of the afternoon. And, in what's left of my innocence, I expected Domhildr to do so too. But it is underestimating her.

Because she is now standing on the porch in a full set of lingerie. Nothing else.

i blink. Try to not let my eyes deviate. Yes, we are in a relationship, and yes, I've always found her beautiful, especially right now in the damn lingerie set my godforsaken sister bought her for Christmas. The dark pink is complimenting her skin tone and brown hair perfectly. Showing off her tattoos and moulding her figure so well it looks like it was made for her.

And of course, because it's Kriss and she has a taste for expensive things, her presents are also expensive. Velvet and silk expensive.

Nope. Nope. Not imagining taking that off. Get away, thoughts of kisses and brushes against my skin, fuck off, lingering feeling of velvet inbetween my fingers. Not right now, for fuck's sake !

I may be particularly red, right now, because she looks extremely satisfied.

"Enjoying what you see ?~"

Very much. Especially when she's posing lavishly in a way showing her tattoos and pushing forward her chest.

"....... You really are making a habit of taking me by surprise."

I let go of my bags, close the door, and that little shit is now embracing me.

"You know I can always take you~"

She winks at me.

Usually it's the kind of things that would make me fold. Or, before our conversation and during my seemingly hopeless pining, run away to Oli.

However, this time, it looks so exaggerated that I burst out laughing.

"Ha ! Not today, Satan."

"Heeey, are you calling me demonic-"

She looks offended, but a kiss in the forehead and every shout melt into a giggle. Gods, she's adorable.

"Well you are beautiful enough to send the most pious man to damnation. But I'm not in the mood, have not planned for this, and hell, I don't even have protection on me."

"I always do, you know~"

Oh, I'm aware, do you know how long I have known you ? But it's not an argument strong enough to weaken me, especially with your relationship to sex.

"Yeah, but this kind of things take two, does it not ? Also I am perfectly content with just seeing you, lingerie or not."

And I intend to do things right, regarding sex. Like, not do a Brynja and sleep with her drunk, unplanned and definitely not in the right headspace for this, for example.

She pouts.

"You're weak."

"If I was, we would not be talking this way right now, trust me-"

"Oh, get a room, you two," a third voice intervenes while she was about to retort. "I'm not in the mood to witness another kind of pining."

I turn towards the inside of the apartment to cross eyes with Oli, in a big sweater and pants and a teasing smile on his face.

Are they fucking kidding me right now-

Domhildr is still giggling and pressed against my chest. I sigh and take her cheek in my hand, she leans in like a kitten. Cute.

"So you're trying to arouse me while knowing Oli was there ?"

"Don't worry, they say with a laugh. I would be out at the first moan."

"Or I would have invited her, who knows, you still have a lot of pining to resolve, Tyr~"

Oh please not right now. I roll my eyes, pinch her cheek, she starts laughing and it's the most beautiful thing I've heard today.

"You're little shits, you know that."

Wouldn't have them any other way, but still.

"Com'on, let's go make ourselves comfortable. You look like you're freezing in there, Domi."

"Oh I think i'm rather hot~"

"That's not the question, being pretty is not warming you up. Let's put ourselves under a plaid and play a bit of Smash Bros, for lack of smashing."

Both of them burst out laughing, and Oli guides me and all my things to the bedroom while Domi is stealing the food I brought, my plaid and my Switch to prepare the games corner.

It's worth nothing that when I wake up the morning after, they're both snuggled against me under the covers, the Switch laying down on one of the bed's corners and Domhildr curled up in one of my sweaters.

[nikki-rook]

Favorite Caskett moments Season 4 x