#glad to see people denouncing it

[uncanny-tranny]

Begging people to learn that fetishization is a specific form of dehumanization that sees the target primarily as a (often sexual) tool for somebody to achieve their own goal. A person who fetishizes somebody will often not recognize somebody's humanity because they are primarily focused on their own desires.

Fetishization is not when somebody likes a person (especially a marginalized group). Fetishization is not when a person in an out group sees a marginalized person as an equal and appreciates them as an equal. It is not dehumanization for somebody to treat a marginalized person like an autonomous person who can make their own decisions.

It leaves a very bad taste in my mouth when people assume that the only reason you can be "into" a marginalized person is that you want to dehumanize or ultimately abuse them. It sends the message that our marginalization is preventing us from "truly" being seen as a person from anybody. You aren't placing the blame on systems of power, you are punishing marginalized people for their marginalization.

[catboyvulture]

Do you ever look at the news and think to yourself: "Huh, the way they use the crimes a single person has commited to demonize an entire group and as justification to deny them human rights sure does remind me of the way they used to talk about people of color and gay people"

And do you just then go: "Nah, surely this time they are correct." ???

Also please use at least something remotely trustworthy like the Washington Post to dehumanize people.

Also Love Nikki literally has a trans girl character so wtf

I'M LITERALLY TRANS MYSELF💀 Guess your mindset makes me violent and that I'm denying myself human rights then? Always great to see "allies" telling people what they should think as if we're a monolith, not giving cult vibes at all

Almost like you're the one "demonizing" an entire group of people instead of seeing that things like this will happen when women's and girls', especially black women, safety isn't being upheld, which will hurt both cis women AND trans women as it 1) leads to vulnerable women (many black) not being safe from violence and 2) others trying to paint an entire demographic in a bad light 3) idiot messages from ppl like you lol

Also if you'd followed me you'd know I HC several SN characters as trans💀💀

[steddielations]

There’s a dog that comes around the trailer park when Eddie moves in with Wayne, back when his head was shaved and his eyes were still haunted by the walls of his dad's house. No one wanted to play with the gaunt looking weird kid, so the first friend he made in Hawkins was this big brown dog, way bigger than any others. It was almost scary, wolf-like but he acted like a puppy, nudging Eddie with his snout, cheering him up, always wanting to play like maybe it was lonely too.

Then Eddie made friends at school, the dog visited less as he got older and more sure of himself, denouncing cliques, especially the jocks who lorded over everyone. The dog stopped visiting entirely and Eddie started to worry something happened to it.

Years later, he spots it with Robin Buckley of all people. She’s talking to it, which might seem strange but Eddie always felt like the dog was a good listener too. After that, he tries to find his old friend again and one night, he catches a glimpse of him but he disappears into the woods.

Instead, Eddie sees Steve Harrington later that night, disheveled and dirtied, total opposite to his usual pristine polos and perfect hair. It’s so out of place, the first of many times that Eddie sees him while out looking for the dog. Eddie never says anything, can’t imagine Steve reacting well to a moonlight conversation with the freak. Sure, Steve was iced out of the popular crowd for reasons all around the rumor mill, made an odd match with Robin at their mall job before the fire, and weirdly enough the new Hellfire boys seem to worship the ground he walks on, but Eddie has no impression of Steve beyond that.

Then Chrissy Cunningham dies in his living room. Eddie runs like hell, terrified and ashamed, hiding in the boathouse. He feels like a scared kid again and finds himself wishing for the dog, his first friend that never judged him and always made him feel safe.

That’s when an unlikely group shows up and Eddie has no time to hide, like they tracked him there by scent. Steve Harrington rushes right to him with big brown puppy eyes that feel so familiar somehow, so comforting. Stunned, Eddie lets Steve wrap him in a warm hug, nuzzling his ear with soft assurances, “Hey, it’s okay. I’m so glad we found you. You’re okay.”

To Eddie's amazement, his body just melts into Steve’s embrace, like greeting an old friend.

[dreamingofep]

Merry Christmas, Baby🎄💋

A/n: Here’s a smutty little Christmas blurb 🤭 I’m incapable of writing anything short, sweet and to the point so this will have to do! I wrote this with 1970’s E in mind but I also thought about Vampire!E too (of course) so picture what ever Elvis era you want. Merry Christmas 🎁

Word count: 1.6k

Tw: SMUTT, some cuteness

December 24th, 1970

The twinkling lights on the Christmas tree softly lit the living room. You were content sitting on the couch by yourself, enjoying the fire and the murmur of conversation through the house. Elvis was around mingling with everyone and being a good host. You were glad the night was settling down, you wanted to spend time with just him. This was your first Christmas together and wanted to make it special.

All the presents were unwrapped, food was eaten, and the house was decorated to the nines. You didn’t want the season to end if this was how Graceland looked. It always looked beautiful but something about the Christmas glow of the house made it even more remarkable.

You turn your attention to the dining room and feel your heart flutter at the sight of him. Lord, he was stunning, no amount of time with him would make you immune to his good looks. Especially the way he was looking at you tonight. It didn’t help that you were teasing him to no end throughout the night. You were begging him to make love to you before the party began and he wanted to make you wait. You didn’t like that and would make it your mission to make him crumble for you. You’d kiss him on the neck, something he couldn’t denounce, or stroke his thigh with your hand, getting dangerously close to his crotch.

That look in his eyes was dangerous now. That’s a look you’ve gotten when he’s about to ravage you. You can’t handle that thought with so many people around. His gaze doesn’t waver and only intensifies.

Like you were the only thing he wanted as he subtly licks his bottom lip. You hold your breath and look down, praying he doesn’t see how you’re coming unglued by him already.

You nervously take a sip of your drink and set it down on the coffee table. You’re about to glance over at him again but someone’s voice has you distracted.

“EP, play us something before we leave!”

You look at Elvis and see him give a cute, cheeky little smile. He gets up from his seat at the dining room table and straightens out his shirt.

“Sure, why not,” he grins.

Everyone gets all excited and starts to funnel into the living room area where you were. You get up and offer your seat to someone. You want to be as close as possible to him and take a seat on the couch by the piano. Before he takes a seat at the piano bench, he picks you up and gives you a much-needed kiss. It left you breathless and a bit startled by the passion of it. He sits you back down and goes to the piano.

He plays a couple of chords to warm up, humming to himself to get in key.

Merry, Merry Christmas baby

You sure did treat me nice…

The low, sultriness makes your whole body freeze. Oh, you knew what he was doing, he was trying to tease you. Try to make your cheeks burn and get you uncomfortable in front of everyone.

You lean back against the sofa and look at him with a lustful gaze. He looked damn good and you were sure he knew it. He wore all white today and the whole outfit was tailored to fit him perfectly. You watch those long fingers dance along the keys, making the piano play in perfect tune.

You look back up to his face and see he’s wearing a smug smile, probably proud of himself for seeing how he’s got you feeling.

I said Merry Christmas baby

You sure did treat me nice

He sings that last line and turns slightly over his shoulder to look at you, his eyes drinking in your crossed legs. You feel your heart gallop at that one singular look.

Completely weak.

You could not look at him for a second longer.

Well, I wanna kiss you, baby

He took his time on that last line, smugly smiling and chuckling softly. Clearly not thinking of just kissing you.

He plays a few more songs and your guests start to leave. You say your goodbyes and make your way upstairs, needing to gain back your composure before being alone with Elvis. You quickly make it to the bathroom and see your weakened demeanor.

Your cheeks were flushed and your heart still raced by the thought of him. Damn it he has you so weak and he loves it.

You hear the bedroom door open and you try to straighten yourself out.

“Baby?” His deep voice rang out in the quiet room.

“Yeah I’m here,” you say nonchalantly.

He turns the corner and smiles at you, nodding his head approvingly.

“Mmm, just as I had thought,” he says coyly.

“What?”

“Pink little cheeks,” he says low, caressing your face, “probably thinking about somethin’ naughty in that head of yours.”

“I would never while there are guests around,” you quip.

His hands trail down to your hips and squeeze there. You lean into his body, loving his hands on you and sighing.

“Let me put some naughty ideas in there then,” he taunts. He lifts you onto the counter and spreads your legs, leaving enough room for him to stand in between. His lips cover your neck in kisses, sending a bolt of electricity through you. Your arms wrap around his neck, almost instinctively now, and try to pull him closer if that is humanly possible. He kisses you so intensely and his hands are igniting the fire inside you.

You moan breathlessly into his mouth, craving more of him than you thought. You wanted to feel more of his warm skin and your fingers frantically worked the buttons off his shirt. You quickly get it off his body and pull the sleeves down. His hands move quickly too and easily find the zipper on the back of your dress. He peels it off of you and you lift your hips up to get the dress completely off your body.

Your hands are back on each other and kissing each other like you never have before. It felt perfect. You both knew exactly what you needed before uttering a word. He momentarily takes his hands off of you and you hear him working his belt off of his hips. You look down and watch as he unzips his fly and lets his pants fall to the ground. Your cheeks redden more as you look at his length.

Oh God, you needed him. You needed him so badly.

You look back up at his face with needy eyes and he swears a little smirk on his lips.

“What are you thinking about now?” He asks.

“How much I want you. Why?” You try to say holding it together.

“Mhmm good. I’m thinking the same thing,” he says as he rubs the tip of his cock through your wet slit. You groan at the friction and wrap your arms around his neck again.

He pulls your hips forward on the counter so you’re more on the edge and he lines himself to your entrance. He slowly pushes himself inside you and groans as he feels you squeeze around him. You scratch at his back, pleasure searing through you as he slowly pumps his cock in and out of you.

He takes you slowly, holding onto your body tightly and murmuring how good you feel. His lips cover your neck in kisses, surely leaving marks there to remind each other what you did tonight. You do the same to him, making him buck his hips into you harder if you nip him. You quietly cry his name as your release builds. He loves hearing how good you’re feeling and how you want more.

His hand drifts down to where you’re connected and he finds your swollen bud. You squeeze his bicep when he does this and look at him in shock. It felt good but you were so sensitive, on the brink of cumming already.

“So good baby, you feel so good,” he growls into your ear. You squeeze your eyes shut at the sound of his voice, low and gravelly in your ear. It sends shock waves through you. Hearing how much he is enjoying this makes you want to give more to him. You lean away from his body to look at his face and you see his eyes gazing at the reflection in the mirror.

His heated eyes meet yours once more and he’s breathing heavier, fucking you harder than before.

“I love you, I love us,” he breathes. All you can do is whimper in agreement. With his cock stuffed inside you and his fingers rubbing your clit, you feel yourself about to go over the edge.

You hold onto him tighter, feeling your orgasm loom and get even closer.

“Elvis oh God,” you cry out.

“Good baby, takin’ me so well. All fuckin’ mine,” he growls.

Your body tenses and your core flutters, unable to hold back your release any longer. You squeeze around him and whimper in ecstasy, feeling as though you’ve been shot into the stratosphere. He groans heavily as he tries to fuck you at the same pace but he can’t. He’s close too and you feel too good to stop him from coming.

He holds onto your body tight and buries his face in your neck, whimpering your name. You feel his hot release pour into you and you both are a sweaty, sticky mess. He moves slowly as you both are coming down for your highs. Your entrance was overly sensitive after all of that and he was too.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you.”

“Merry Christmas Baby,” he says low and sultry like at the piano.

“Mmm, my new favorite Christmas song,” you tease.

•

•

•

Tagging:

@loving-elvis @neptuneismysister@velvetelvis @ccab @theresalwaysep

@sillybookmarks @dkayfixates

@ellie-24 @rktismylife-blog.

@myradiaz @tacozebra051

@18lkpeters @flwrs4aust @emma181873

@austinswhitewolf@eliseinmemphis

@everythingelvispresley@chasingwildflowers @idontwanttoputanything. @ohjustpeachy-

@elvisalltheway101 @austinsmutler @kingdomforapony.

@generoustreemystic @claire-elvisgirl

@ashtag6887 @burnthheparaphilia @richardslady121

@jaqueline19997

@returntopresley. @iloveelvis @rimartin11@that-hotdog @louisejoy86 @misspresley@cattcb@annapresley8

@arrolyn1114 @raginginkedslut @epthedream69

@mh777ep1938

@50sexyshadestashionista

@oldhOllywOod @hooked-on-elvis @livelovedilfs

@sloppiest-of-jos @thisis-theway @gatheraheart

@aphroditebabygirl @faeolwen

[queerprayers]

Hello Johanna :), sorry to drop something so negative into your inbox, but I was wondering if you'd have any wisdom or insight to share about how to square God's love with a disabling condition I have which is over time becoming more and more disabling, and taking away the things I love and which filled me with life when I was able. I lean on God so much, but I am finding it difficult to feel loved (and loving) when everything is taken. I was an athletic person, that was taken away, I loved to read all day and watch films - I am now unable to focus my eyes on a book or screen for more than 10 minutes at a time and rely almost entirely on text to speech. Even typing this out hurts. Life hurts right now, I know God's love is here, always, but I don't know where to find it when I struggle to see, struggle to walk, am stuck in an extremely small and limited life. I can't help feeling that I would be a much better Christian if I could see without struggle and pain, could read more, watch 2 hour films again, if I could walk and run in nature like I loved to do. I could help people with my body and my mind. I feel like an empty cup for the world and for God. Anything you throw at this I would love to receive

Hello beloved, I'm doing my best to keep this succinct for your sake, but this is not one of my strengths, for which I apologize. I do live with disability, but I don't pretend to understand your experience and if I say something you don't connect with or doesn't reflect your life, I hope you'll forgive me. Thank you for using some of your precious energy to reach out to me—I'll try to make it worth it.

No apologies for negativity. This is honesty. Personally I hate unearned positivity. Your pain is real, and I know what it is to lose the ability to do something beautiful or important or even just not boring. I want to give you hope, not optimism without substance.

The reality is, the ways we serve God have to change. Money, time, energy, broken relationships, aging, illness, disability—our lives are impermanent and fragile, and we cannot depend on any of it. Once we think we've figured it out, the tables turn. The minute I think I get it, that I am living out what I believe, something always happens. The things you mentioned have been ways you've given the world such beautiful gifts, and sooner than most, you are losing some of them. In my care for my neighbor and my grandparents, I see how frustrating and embarrassing it is to need help with things that used to be easy. How limiting it is to have to find a different, more achievable hobby. But such is the way of a moving, mortal life.

I'm so glad you know that God's love is present and something to lean on. The ways you honored God with your action were manifestations of that love—but the story cannot stop there. God willing, most of us will live long enough to be disabled. If action were the only to honor God, we would be instructed to denounce those without it. We may as well die young. And of course there are Christians (and many others) who have treated disabled people like this. But Jesus directly answered a question put to him (for a change) to tell us that no one sinned for a man to be born blind—there is no straying or lack of serving God or punishment in disability, whether in our ancestors or us. Rather, the works of God are displayed in him. (Yes, there's a whole lot more to the chapter, but I'm only going to make this point instead of a hundred.)

You say you could be "a much better Christian"—it is true that the good Christian you imagine, the one you used to be, the one you would be if only things were different, is not someone you can be right now. If I had more money, I would give more to others. If I had less fatigue, I could be more politically active like I used to be. Maybe I could have been a musician, without my chronic pain. If my grandfather had not developed Alzheimers, he could have preached a decade longer. There are so many ways we could be the good Christians we imagine in our head—but they aren't real. We live in this world, not one with no limitations. We would all be much better people if we never got a headache or never had to worry about paying rent or never experienced trauma. Some things we can change, by putting in the work in our personal lives or in our community to bring about more justice and health—but our world is not something to be fixed. It is somewhere to live, trusting that God has a future for us, one where "mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away."

So, we cannot be the Christians we imagine in our heads, if only the world had not happened to us. The question then is, what Christians will we be? In our small lives, with our limitations, when things are taken from us, when our cups are empty. It's easy to be generous when we have too much, but Jesus said blessed are the poor. It's easy to protect others when we are strong and in control, but Jesus said blessed are the meek. It's easy to ignore suffering when we are not affected, but Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. What kind of Christians will we be, with what we are given? Meek ones, hungry ones, poor ones. God's grace can only pour into empty cups. God's power is made perfect in weakness.

I just read the first chapter of God Hunger (by John Kirvan), which was on Longing through the words of C.S. Lewis. Lewis says that "This hunger is better than any other fullness; this poverty better than all other wealth." It is better to long for God than to be satisfied with the world. Which does not make it hurt less, only makes it holy. And If this is not enough for you right now, know that you do not have to walk the road alone. 

Moses could not speak as he was called to, so Aaron spoke for him. We can't do everything, nor can we do it alone. And what you still have, no matter if it is small, is what you were given to give back to the world. If it is rest today, so be it. Asking for me to throw my words at this may have been all you had that day. And our small connection, your willingness to ask for help, my thoughts (if there's even a shred of usefulness in them), glorify God.

For everything there is a season. In my church, our prayers ask that those who need help may have "understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help." This always strikes me. God is glorified when we help, but also when we accept help. Without the beloved, there is no love. I desperately hope you have understanding helpers, with time and energy for you. But you are also part of those good works—accepting care with grace.

Paul tells us that just as the body has many parts and yet is one body, so it is with Christ. That we were all baptized into the same body. "If the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,; that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?" We need each other. Sometimes our lot in life is to care for others, and sometimes to be cared for—but really, they are one and the same, part of the same body of Christ. 

Love is not equal, it is not fair. Christianity makes no room for equitable exchange or reciprocity or bargaining. What we cannot give to the world, God asks us to receive anyway. When we give things up for Lent, I like to think we are coming closer to the state of having nothing but God. You have no choice, which is full of pain. But the final truth still stands: when we have nothing but God, we have everything.

You're in my prayers. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you as you are, in the new ways you will find to exist, in the knowledge that disabled people throughout history have found strength in the love of God, that the better Christians we become exist in our own lives—we don't believe in alternate universes. There is this, now, and there is the world to come. Advent brings us hope for both these things. Be an open cup, for the world and for God. It will not be filled with the past, but the future.

<3 Johanna

[matan4il]

Watched Eurovision last weekend and tried to only pay attention to the music but oof, the Israel derangement was horrid. Were any of the other contestants nice to Eden or at the very least not total assholes to her because where's she's from? Please tell me someone was decent or even mildly professional.

Hi Nonnie!

I'm glad to tell you that there WERE people who were personally decent to Eden and the Israeli team, from what I've heard.

One of the parts that suck is that it feels like talking about it too loudly might bring those people into the line of fire. I can say that about myself, that while I was treated awfully by some people in fandom, I've had people be absolutely wonderful to me, and I've had to keep my mouth shut and not thank or celebrate them publicly, because that would have drawn the fire to them. They absolutely do not deserve that. And it sucks that I can't even be openly grateful. Same with the people friendlier to Eden, we Israelis have heard stuff, so we know of them and are thankful, but I don't think anyone has said anything too public, because no one wants to endanger them.

Still, I hope it's been long enough since the final, that we can safely share a few things. Also, I'll emphasize that most of this is hearsay, I can't verify any of it, because it wasn't published officially, this is just the stuff we hear.

The Israeli singer who grew up in and was representing Luxembourg was really lovely with Eden. Tali could have easily avoided ANY association with Eden, so I give her credit for not doing that. The German singer was the nicest to the Eden and Israeli delegation, and I also heard that Germany actually stood up for Israel when the EBU wanted to disqualify it, rightly pointing out the differences between this situation and Russia's ban. I heard good things about the Austrian singer as well, the Latvian, and the Georgian singer. There's probably more that aren't popping into my mind right now, but this is a start, and it's nice knowing kind people, who won't bully a 20 years old singer just because of her nationality, do exist, right?

Another part that sucks is that even some of the people who were nice backstage to Eden, were only willing to do so away from the public eye. I think the most extreme one is the 2023 runner up, Finnish performer Käärijä. He ran into Eden backstage and was totally cool with them doing a short, quick rendition of his ESC song together (which you can see in the link below). It was clearly just two people who love music having fun together, but once the vid was posted online, people started attacking him for supporting genocide (because that's not a leap of logic at all), and he quickly put out a message denouncing everything he's said and done ever, including being born. Then he just had to reassure all of his bullies that he's "okay" even further. The Norwegian 2023 singer who was supposed to deliver her country's jury results had already announced she won't as an anti-Israel measure, so when he was supposed to give the Finnish jury vote, he simply announced he won't, letting people make the connection, and figure out for themselves that it was an anti-Israel move.

Still I think you can take the ones who weren't loudly nasty to Eden, and assume most were nice enough to her privately, even if not publicly. To figure out who those probably were, on top of the ones I mentioned above, I'll just give a short rundown of the performers who were being awful about Israel to different degrees (so you can figure out who was at least decent by way of elimination): Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, the UK, the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Slovenia, San Marino, Denmark.

I hope I helped... Have a good day! xoxox

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[venusbyline]

I agree with you GRRM also writes scenes of pedophilia and rape except that unlike you he does it to denounce these acts and not to romanticize them. . Of course I don't blame you for incest because it's a pretty big part of asoiaf but I'm just trying to understand what you find "romantic" (i don't know what other word to use) in rape? you say you write this because it can help some people who have experienced trauma but honestly I don't see how it could help them except to bring back bad memories

I'm not blaming or anything, I'm just trying to understand your point of view which is different from mine.

Good day.

TW: dead dove fics, talks about rape and pedophilia

hey, i'll only answer anon asks about my "rape/non-con" fics if the question comes in a polite way, like a genuine doubt or constructive criticism. so ur question it's okay, tysm for this btw :)

in my view, i don't think GRRM actually does this as a way of denounce something. despite the books having some scenes that were really shocking and that seem like a "denunciation", many others were also simply thrown there and that was it, many times they also didn't really need to be so graphic. in addition to the dubcon in some scenes too. and pedophilia is clearly very romanticized by him and by the fandom itself (like Daemyra being one of the most famous ships and people pretending that there's nothing wrong with this couple), but i respect your opinion.

getting back to the main focus of your question, i don't think there's anything romantic about rape/non-con. even though i write the fics, the focus of the actions is often on a character other than the reader, so obviously the "narrator" isn't so trustworthy. think about it this way, Lolita only seems to romanticize pedophilia because it's written focusing on the pedophile's thoughts, feelings and actions.

rape is wrong and disgusting, everyone knows that. i really don't need to write the reader saying this for the male character to the people understand, i really don't need to write two paragraphs in the fic about the male characters feeling bad about themselves. it's wrong, everyone who reads or writes understand that too.

and i didn't say i'm trying to help anyone, i said that contrary to what many people think, fics with TW "dead dove do not eat" are frequently read and written by people who have already suffered something similar. and speaking particularly of myself, who has suffered traumatic situations involving both rape and pedophilia, i feel more comfortable writing and reading fics that simply "throw the graphic scene in there and it's over" than reading stories that focus on the criticism behind and focus on the angst part.

is this a healthy thought? ofc not. is this a good method of therapy? ofc not. everyone knows that. but the concept of comfort is something very different for each person. every person who has dealt with these situations can deal with all of this in their own way. some people will obviously have triggers if they see graphic scenes or even mere mentions. others find comfort in this cuz they already know what's coming.

the brain is something very complex, just like psychology in general. not everyone deals with the same situations in the same way. what's comfort for one can be a trigger for another, and vice versa too.

anyway, ik saying all of this won't necessarily change your or anyone else's point of view, but i'm glad i can share my thoughts. all of you guys can have your opinions and that's okay.

[silvermoon424]

Hi Katy! How are you? I hope you're having a good day.

I was wondering if you knew what's going with r/sailormoon?

I guess people have gotten fed up with the mods or something? I've posted on that subreddit in the past, so I know the mods can be rude (to say the least).

Most of the posts pertaining to this situation seem to have been removed.

Hey! I'm good, thank you! Hope you're doing well too.

Wow, okay, I had NO idea what was going on and had to do some digging. The information is very sparse but I think I was able to piece together what happened:

A few days ago, a popular artist posted a 3D artwork of Neo-Queen Serenity to r/sailormoon. The artwork was removed because it "reeks of AI." The artist very politely messaged the mods and asked them what happened, offering to send evidence that proves her authenticity. The mods muted- and later outright banned- her. One of the mods also blocked her on Bluesky when she tagged them asking what happened.

You can read the whole thread here:

People later started sending hate to the two mods (RockyCoon and lemonaid83), which the artist denounced. It got to the point where RockyCoon decided to shut down the subreddit and step down as mod. As of right now, the r/sailormoon subreddit is shut down and will remain that way until a new mod can take over.

Okay, so time to give my opinion on this whole thing.

Right off the bat, let me say that harassment is wrong; RockyCoon and lemonaid83 should not be sent death threats over a fucking fandom subreddit.

THAT BEING SAID- I'm glad people are acknowledging what a shitty place r/sailormoon is and how awful its mods are. It sucks that the mods were harassed into it, but I'm glad they're stepping down because they really do live up to the powertripping Reddit mod stereotype. You can see people in this thread (from a smaller Sailor Moon subreddit) talking about their negative experiences with the mods.

The mods' policies and strict adherence to an arbitrary set of rules really stifles the community. The biggest example of this is the whole "no self-promotion" rule. Artists get hit with the banhammer for daring to link to their socials where people can see more of their work or commission them (because fuck artists for trying to make a living I guess). Meanwhile apparently it's fine for people to post uncredited artwork.

Okay, I gotta rant about this because it still pisses me off so much. Just a few months ago an artist posted pictures of Sailor Moon props he'd made; he makes props and other replicas for a living and they're just gorgeous. Tons of people (myself included) asked him where we can buy his work or commission him. He had to DM us all individually due to fears of being banned for self-promotion. But then the mods caught on and deleted the post anyway.

The artist and I were DMing at the time and he told me how disheartening it was to get a lot of traction for his business only for the mods to derail it because of stupid, arbitrary rules. He wasn't really a Sailor Moon fan himself (he only made the props because his wife, a Moonie, encouraged him to) and I hate how this incident must have tainted his view of the fandom.

So yeah, ANYWAY, I hope this fiasco results in r/sailormoon getting better mods and not sucking anymore. Again, I don't condone harassment, but I can't say I feel too bad for the head mod. They've been super shitty for years and actively made the Sailor Moon fandom a worse place to be in.

[lemonmaid]

I kinda imagine Vil as a borderline Almond mom/wine mom personality.

Arrange but happy marriage with Leona, who acts like those dads in those 90s rom-coms, "Yes dear 🙄" or letting you have his black card, "use your own money? No let daddy pay for it".

Imagine this AU where Vil was a successful actor and model in his younger days, now pushing forty a successful fashion designer.

Leona "was" the heir to a successful family business that had been around for a few centuries, but was cut off after the paparazzi took some compromising photos of him in college, causing his family to quickly cut him off and publicly denounce him. Giving him a wake-up call, he quickly studied law, graduating early, getting his own law firm where he has spent five years conjuring a 500-page defamation lawsuit and a will contest.

He and Vil met at a social gathering.

Leona rest against the wall, staring at everyone in the room, watching.

He did notice a certain blonde eyeing him since he walked into the room, but who wasn't? This is the first time he has been to a social gathering since the press release.

Leona took another sip of his glass, "Leona Kingscholar correct?".

Leona eyed the blonde, "Yeah, you're the actor right?".

Vil rolled his eyes, "Yes, Vil. Vil Schoenheit".

Leona shooked Vil's hand, before going back and looking at the crowd. Vil joined him on the wall, sipping his glass.

"Vil Schoenheit you say? Hmmm you don't suppose your the same Schoenheit who pushed his competition off the runway stage?" Leona side eyed.

Vil remained quiet, taking a huge gulp of his rosè, "allegedly".

Leona chuckled, "allegedly".

Vil smiled at him, "I come with a proposal".

Leona raised his eyebrow, "I'm listening".

The next month the two had the most extravagant wedding, competeing against Ashlynn and one of the Charming brothers.

Small imagined conversations:

Vil: "stop scowling, you're gonna get crow's feat".

Leona: "Yes dear".

♡

Vil: *getting ready for bed with five different creams on his face and using a quarz roller* " I mean, did you see what she was wearing tonight? Everyone knows you don't put brown on brown, you put brown on creme and then make it lighter, ugh it's like her PR team didn't even care- this was a black tie event".

Leona: *wearing his reading glasses, already in bed, reading papers* "mhm".

Vil: "Ugh don't get me started with the wine the event had, absolutely dreadful. Be glad Jamil wasn't there, he would've made a scene immediately".

Leona: "You're right dear".

Vil: "I know I am".

♡

*the two publicy shopping after getting married*

Vil: *grimacing* "who is your wardrobe manager? This isnt the 1970s- plaid suits are... bleh. Come Brioni is over on the corner".

Leona: *rolling his eyes*.

Vil: *looking at the store's around them* "if we ever have kids, I will rather then be caught wearing Louxs Vuxtton than ever wearing a... Jucci item".

♡

*their adopted sons Ruggie and Epel*.

The two were rough housing all day, to the point where they broke Vil's secound favorite mirror.

Vil: *eyebrow twitching* "just wait until your father gets home!".

*later*

Leona: *rubbing his temple* "How I both give you $50 bucks each to pretend to walk out of this room crying and you promise not to break anything for the next three months".

Ruggie and Epel are somehow being raised by the same parent but have different personalities. Epel is still fighting on everything; meanwhile, Ruggie acts like the sibling who is doing everything right but is constantly sneaky. (Just like their normal personas in the game but like they were raised by Leona and Vil).

Currently, Ruggie and Epel are banned from 54 country clubs, each time they ask the staff to call "daddy" (Leona) to bail them out. They don't wanna be embarrassed by their Karen like mummy (Vil).

*last time they asked Vil to get them*

Vil: "I'm sorry? What did you assumed they did?"

Staff: "sir, they both stole food from other people's tables".

Vil: "how were they supposed to know that wasn't theirs?"

Staff: "they... were labeled?"

Vil: "Oh please, we don't need this! My husband is a lawyer!".

Idk something about Mom! Vil and Dad! Leona raising Epel and Ruggie as their bratty, spoiled rich kids itches my brain.

[aphroditesmoon]

sea, swallow me (part I)

jacaerys velaryon x fem!velaryon!reader

Part 2

summary: when jacaerys finally meets the hidden bastard of corlys velaryon, he loses interests in his betrothed Baela and intends to make her aunt his, but are you really what your family has made you up to be?

warnings: this fic is inspired by the movie 'song of the sea', CANON DIVERGENCE, slowburn, aged up jace (18 yrs old), reader has selective mutism (she CAN talk), reader is 5 years older than jace, selkie! reader, reader's race is NOT specified. cursing, nsfw content in future chapters,typical ASOIAF sexism, typical asoiaf targcest.

A/N: this part is moreso an introduction, the next chapters will have more stuff going on promise<3

taglist: @marytargaryen , @cdragons , @libdarkheart

♧♣︎♧

The day that the rumours of Corlys' Velaryon's illegitimate child was spread by the man himself in vague tell-tales, was the same day that Prince Jacaerys Velaryon was celebrating his third name day.

The skies on Driftmark turned dark by afternoon, a rare sighting of a thunderstorm had appeared. And while every mankind on the land had went off to hide themselves in the comfort and warmth of their homes, an 8 year old child of the seas drifted ashore, she had not drowned, but she knew to act that way as to lead the oblivious guards towards her.

Brought onto land to be passed around to the servant quarters, you fell right into the master of the land himself.

Corlys should've brushed you off, should've sent you right back to the kitchen maids, but the unnerving bravery in your eyes hadn't made sense for a child that was supposedly, probably, had almost drowned due to a shipwreck.

So he took in the sight of you, standing tall, wordless when spoken to, similar even when not. A white complicated looking hugging your body. He is not one to be superstitious, even moreso his wife Rhaenys who had been againts his suggestion the moment it was spoken aloud, but his heart made him halt whenever he even thinks of shrugging you away.

The trusting unknowing look you have for him wasn't helping, you gazed at the life around you in awe, suprise, and even fear at times. So he did what everyone warned him againts, he announces her as his bastard child from a dead noble woman, and them proceeded 1to denounce your illegitimacy, claiming you under the Velaryon name.

The whispering guards and chattering servants could talk all the wanted, for all they knew, the real truth of who you were was uknown to everyone but Corlys Velaryon.

♣︎♧♣︎

Your heart's yearning was divided in two. The calling of the sea, and the wanting of land. You were not as free as you sister Laena nor your brother Laenor, and you weren't given respect as much as they did either, given your known identity.

But you relished the joy of being able to dance on your two feet, to feel water as how it feels to a man, and to see the people in a much closer view.

You don't mind the constant nagging of your maidens as they fuss over your unkempt hair or your bare foots often forgetting their shoes. You asked for this, and you don't regret it. Besides, there was no one there for you in the sea, your kind understood you, they know you, but your mother has left you in her death, and you don't quite crave the grief and loneliness again.

Though now that you've grown, you realise, it was quite inevitable either way.

The day you lost your sister, you thought that was the end of it, but the gods had taken your brother too soon enough. You cried for the first time that year, and you felt what the mortals had written poems and ballads of.

For all of your wanting of more freedom, you were glad to be confined in your room during their funerals.

You would've thought that the passing of her children would make Rhaenys Targaryen more open towards you, but you were wrong. You were greeted with hostility you've never known. The glare she often saved for you reads what others couldn't understand; it should've been you, not them.

Laena's daughter Rhaena had been placed under her care soon, you rarely saw her. Rhaenys' making sure that your paths never cross.

But even with the power she held over you, your father's power proved to overtook hers when he announced that you were to be introduced to society, and to your extended family, for your own benefit and the Velaryon's house, in his own words.

So you locked up your white coat in your treasure box, and you prepared yourself for your first feast, a celebration for your two and twentieth name day.

♣︎♧♣︎

The attendance for your feast was outstanding. The servants had said so, it hadn't been a minute since it started, and the usually empty hall was already half full.

You knew from Corlys' warning, that half of these people aren't really here for your name day celebration, they're here to see if the rumours were true. "Do not talk to anyone I haven't." He speaks sternly. You stared at him blankly, receiving a sigh of realization. "Right, well, don't, warm up to anyone I haven't." He corrects himself.

You nod once smiling thankfully at him before leaving his chambers.

He and Rhaenys would be the first to be announced, and then Rhaena, and then you.

But staring at the large doors hiding what you've heard to be a room full of nothing but hungry vipers, your stomach churns.

You flinch when you feel a set of hands clasp your shoulders gently. It was Rhaena. "Are you alright?" She asks in a hushed tone. You nod your head twice.

She holds you still as her eyes lingers on yours longer than before. "Do you want to walk together?" She asks again.

You don't hesitate to accept her offer, nodding at her question. Please, you almost whispered back. She smiles at your answer and you feel her hands slowly sliding away. "Alright, I'll let grandsire know, don't fret." She tells you soothingly betore making her way to Corlys.

A few minutes after that, Rhaena scrambles by your side as your father and his wife enters first before you, their names loudly announced, as if everyone and their mothers didn't know who they were. Humans are hilarious.

Your hand unintentionally grips Rhaena's as your names were announced after. Her fingers easily intertwining with yours. "Don't smile." She notes quickly when she saw you grinning widely. Your smile died immediately. You walk side by side, your feet trying to move in the same rhythm and steps as hers, and your eyes watching straight at your seated father, staring back at you with a small smile etched on his lips.

You could feel the stares still when you finally reach the table, giving out a elieved sigh as you take your seat by Corly's right, Rhaenys to his left, and Rhaena to your right, hands still clasped together until noble houses are starting to be announced.

You do as you're taught, you smile and nod, and let your father do all the talking.

House Lannister stood out to you most so far. You can't decide if Jason Lannister is arrogant or bad at arse kissing. A person to turn any conversation about themselves

"You are as beautiful as they say." He starts, eyeing you in whole. "Tell me my lady, do you ever envy your siblings that had dragons?" You hesitated, turning to Corlys instead of responding.

"She does not, and the both of us know she would not need one, my dear girl fares better in the sea." He answers for her with a bitter laugh at the end of his sentence, as if shooing the man. "Ah I see, truly a daughter of yours then." The table turns silent. Jason Lannister's own smile dissapear as quickly as it came, realizing his mistake too late.

Your father's lips pursed together, a brow raised as he leans closer to the table. "Yes, she is." The coldness in his voice indicated the Lord of his time to leave. With a quick thank you and honor to meet you's, Lord Lannister leaves.

You hear the man next to you mutter an incoherent insult under his breath, wiping a hand over his already tired face. "People have eyes, Corlys." Rhaenys justifies. "And Mouths." She added, making him groan as House Baratheon are announced. "Oh believe me, I know." He replies shortly, awaiting Lord Baratheon. Thankfully the man was quick, and polite, though you were sure you weren't the only one who noticed how his eyes stayed on your face, a judgmental intent behind them.

But at least he knew not to say anything disrespectful out loud before walking off.

You watch your father's eyes light up for the next house, a relieved sigh escaping his lips. House Targaryen. "Finally, a house with more manners." His wife snorted at his words. "Pretend niceties aren't manners." You feel Rhaena stiffen next to you. "That boldness of yours will get you in trouble one day Rhaenys." He warns lightly, in which she only hums carelessly in return.

You almost laugh at contrast of the white and darkhaired family walking your way. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, heir to the throne, holds your eyes as she walks nearer. You hae never met your sister in law before, you've seen her through faraway window glances, but she looked at you like she's seen you, like she recognises you.

Her husband, prince consort Daemon Targaryen however, you have met. Once, while he had been staying in Driftmark with Laena during her pregnancy with Rhaena. He saw you leave Laena's room the same moment he was about to enter and spoke your name in a guess. When you turned in his direction at the call, his suspicion was confirmed. What he never understood howerver, was why would Corlys go through many lengths of restricting her from meeting people and hiding her identity?

The court wouldn't have given two shits over another man's bastard daughter. He knows it well enough.

It seemed the question he bore was the same question everyone else wondered, thus why they're all here, willing to feign courtesy and respect towards a so called bastard.

Now he's seeing her again, and it makes things even more confusing. Surely he knows how ignominious she'd feel, being put under the spotlight after 15 years of entrapment. Did he know that this feast was as good as feeding you to wolves? Was that what he intended to do in the first place? Sell you up to the first noble lord willing to take in a bastard Velaryon girl as his wife? And why did Daemon Targaryen cared so much about this girl, when he knows that nothing about her deems worthy of his attention.

Those thoughts ran through the mind of Daemon Targaryen until he's close enough to you that he had to turn his eyes towards Rhaenys' and Corlys' faces instead.

"And where has this lovely dear been all along?" Rhaenyra was the first to speak, greeting the lord and lady of the house properly first. "Ah well, if you had been here more frequent with my son, you could've caught her plenty." He replies easily.

Daemon hummed and bobbed his head. "It's true, I believe this isn't the first time we've met, yes?" He raises a brow at you, a small warm smile painted on his lips.

You responded with a smile that matched his and nodded once. The veracity in your every move made you look like a puppet with strings he's not sure who holds in their hands.

What Daemon Targaryen has not realized yet, was that Corlys velaryon's hands on you were barely a grip. They lead you because you let them. And for a girl who swam her way up into one of the most richest and well known houses of Westeros at 8 years old, you knew more than anyone thought.

♣︎♧♣︎

The dark coloured halls of the Velaryons were lit brightly with gold ornaments and lights. Jacaerys doesn't think he's ever seen much wealth be spent on his mother's own wedding.

The singer hired for the event pauses only for a few minutes before she resumes her orchestral performances. No one pays the music mind of course. The center was you.

He'd kiss your hand and tell you that you had your father's eyes. But that was a lie. His ears maybe, if he squinted closely at yours. He smiled at you and he says the things that he should. It is lovely to meet you. It is a lovely feast. May you continue to age as gracefully as you are now.

And then he walks away and never look back, just as he's told to.

It shouldn't be that big of a deal, or at least thats what he thought. But his mother had given him clear instructions earlier that evening. Do not mingle, do not talk more than you should, the rumours around you sre bad enough. The people will see what they want to and spin those pictures into false stories.

A bastardy affair? Laughable. He's sure the Queen would eat it right off her spy's hands. But still, his gaze on you lingered.

You had an air around you that gave the idea of naivety and carelessness. But he's not so sure if that's the real case here, or are you just so sure in your own sense of self and identity to not fear the men ready to point their fingers in your direction at the first moment they could.

He hopes he'll never see you again after this, his curiosity has always won the best of him.

"She is pretty, though Rhaena's right, you only see how much she resembles grandsire when you're up close. I've met her once, as a child. I don't thisnk we talked at all, but I do remember her gifting me a scarf." Baela's calm voice reached his ears clearly even through the loud chatting and extravagant music.

He raises his head from his food to glance at her. "That's nice, do you still have it?" The girl shook her head and pursed her lips. "No, Rhaena stole it, and then lost it." His face breaks into a grin. "Sounds like her."

He gives another quick glance to your table and looked again when he notices you weren't there. His head moves slowly until he catches the sight of you, standing straight, in front of Dalton Greyjoy. The Red Kraken was what they called him.

Jacaerys could see him speakingas he frowned, glancing from your face to the nothingness behind you as he's deep in his own talking. You were silent, only your eyebrows moved up and down to indicate understanding. He forgets sometimes how some men prefer their women mute.

The Greyjoy boy was waving his hands now, as if an invisible object laid before him. You start to lean slightly againts the serving table and he wondered the same thing you were; when will he stop talking?

"He's a little bit too young to be that pretentious now, isn't he?" Jacaerys says loud enough for Baela and Lucerys to hear him. "He's a year younger than you." His younger brother quipped. Jace frowns. "What? He's 17?" Baela hums in reply. "Doesn't make him any less pretentious." Jace concludes, earning a laugh from both of the people seated by his side. "Ah yes, he's probably explaining how killing people works to her." Baela adds. "I wish someone would tell him how conversation works, she hasn't said a word still." Luc says, the three of the them staring at you now.

"She's mute, Luc." Jace corrects, turning back towards the table, watching as his mother and Daemon make conversations with the other houses. "No she's not, Rhaena said she's heard her talk to grandsire before in one of her letters." The boys' eyes widen. "Then why does she never talk to anyone else?" She shrugs, feeding herself a spoonful if pudding.

A sigh escapes him as he pushes away his plate, his appetite lost. If he'd ask you to talk? Would you? Is that what it was, had no one asked you to talk?

Dalton Greyjoy's face seems unamused as you shook your head at him, his mouth moves once more and his head tilts at you in question, you shook your head again, immediately moving away from him, and straight into Jacaerys' stepfather. The 17 year old took in his defeat and walked away, and Jacaerys watches as Daemon Targaryen speaks so slowly that he can't make up what he's saying fron where he's situated.

You held a steady posture, and your face doesn't give away any reaction, it is stoic, but not cold. "Should I ask her to dance?" Jace suggests. Luc and Baela shares a look of disagreement. "Right in front of our parents? You know we shouldn't get too close to her." He almost doesn't even hear what his betrothed says when he stands up abruptly. "I'm gonna ask her."

Baela stutters and he hears Luc mutters for the love of the gods, as he makes his way to you and Daemon.

He can see his stepfather sigh audibly when he arrives. "Ah, You've met Prince Jacaerys, the heir after his mother, Rhaenyra. Jace, we've been talking of her fondness of the sea, your father said he's only taken you sailing with him when you were 8?" You nod, acknowledging the prince with a smile.

"Then, have you been on a dragon? Surely Laena or Laenor must've offered you a ride once." You shook your head.

Daemon's grin only widens. "Well that only means that you're long overdue a staying at Dragonstone, right Jacaerys?" A nervous laugh leaves the younger man. "Oh yes, I do a bit of uh, sailing sometimes, on my mother's orders. I also have a dragon." He explains, taking in your beauty properly.

"You've seen a dragon up close?" He tries, watching Daemon relaxes as his eyes darts from you to Rhaenyra. Both men are disappointed when you sshook your head, nudging utin Corlys' direction. "He worries to much for you, it is true that getting too close to a dragon for someone without valyrian blood in their veins, is dangerous. But with the right company, you won't have a problem."

You suffer the awkward conversation between the two men, willing for someone to drag you away.

It wasn't that they were rude, or terrible. But you don't think you've ever talked to this much people in your life. Your voice disaappears as it always do, and your usual smile is starting to feel forced.

You were enticed by the idea of travelling to Dragonstone. You've never seen much if anywhere outside of Driftmark, it was boring. But you also knew that the Targaryens are no different from the other houses. They don't offer kindness in return for nothing. And they sure as hell did not see you as family, for you know how much they protect their families.

So why such civility and effort? You could offer no allegiance as a bastard, nor could you even be used as a pawn.

You've blocked out half of what Daemon Targaryen has been saying the past two minutes, eyes still on him, trying to ignore the boy staring intently at the side of your face.

When the older prince finally excuses himself, you were relieved, only to turn around towards his stepson who's been awaiting your attention. "Do you dance?" You shook your head. A dissapointment 'oh' came after. "Do you not know how?" He tries again. The same answer prevails.

You could dance if you wanted to, but you doubted it'd make you feel better. In fact, you're sure dancing with him would attract more attention and not just to you. His mother surely won't be pleased with more rumours surrounding her son. So you give a bow and you leave, walking far away enough until you're sure he's not looking.

But you don't see him watching you barely sit by your father for barely a second before disappearing completely from the crowd. And you didn't see him do the same thing.

[cctinsleybaxter]

that post is important to me because several people on this site (including the circle i run in) called out gaiman's behavior on here as being legit worryingly inappropriate and i think were, tragically, able to process his being an abuser (though of course not the form of the abuse itself) more readily than the rest of the world- but i also keep seeing people being overtly smug about that* when No One i've talked to thought to question the widely-accepted narrative that he had left the church at a young age and denounced it; really is at the heart of the abuse/torture so i'm glad the article took on that angle

[megbanned]

The fic is done! I'm just doing a quick read through of it but I should be posting it on Ao3 soon and then I'll make a post on my Tumblr for it (don't worry I'll @ you so you see it)

That Evil!N worker drone sheet helped push me that tiny bit left I had to do. Honestly kinda wanna make a follow up so I can actually explore NUziV rather than just the start of it.

Also I'm really sorry if I got the characterization wrong, especially on N. I kinda based it on how I characterize V but I feel I made him a little too soft. So again, sorry in advance if I got it wrong.

Do hope you enjoy it though! I love writing for other people's AUs. It's so fun but also nerve-wracking because I'm like "Oh god they're gonna hate me if I get one detail wrong and they'll denounce me and the king shall have me executed."

Really love your work though so I'm really glad you let me write a fic about it!

Yay!!! I want to read it AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA xD!!!!

I'm still need to do a lot for this AU, but don't worry if you mischaracterize a character, I'm always reading the ideas they give me for this AU, so seeing different points of opinion helps me a lot! so feel free to give him the personality that seems right to you, I would like to see how he develops ouo!!

And don't be afraid of it, it's an honor to have a fic from this AU!!! I'm happy that you liked it so much so I would love to read it!

[noahschnappinfs]

no seriously I’m extremely worried for noah, i hope he really has avoided spending too much time on the internet and is having positive support

i don’t like to speculate about people’s mental health so i won’t say too much about that but i’m glad he’s been open about going to therapy and that he’s got a strong support system. he seems to be doing great lately and i hope he keeps thriving. he also seems to have cut back on being online so much and that’s good too, he also seems to have made peace with certain things that are happening and is just living his life which is also good.

i mostly posted about the recent death threats because i can’t fathom how people can be so heartless and start using a real death and make it about noah when he’s got nothing to do with it. i honestly felt a bit down because i used to be a hardcore 1d stan in my teens so i was extremely shocked about the news and then i started seeing tweets threating noah and i was even more shocked by that behaviour. i genuinely had enough.

i just wanted to shed some light on it, all those jokes that people pretend are harmless, are not harmless and not funny at all. it’s time for the whole fandom to actually pay attention to how people treat noah, he’s an extremely young person that is just starting life and he can be affected by them as any human can be. i’m just 3 years older than noah so let’s say we’re in similar phases of life and i don’t know, yesterday i just felt even more how awful it must be at his age to be dealing with all this. i just think people need to call out this kind of behaviour, it’s time because everybody’s silence allows it to continue.

wishing death on him is not activism, you aren’t a good person if you try to pretend to be morally superior but at the same time you are actively bullying and wishing death on somebody that you don’t even know. i’ve said a million of times, you have the right to not like him and stop supporting him as much as you want, that’s your choice but leave him alone.

i’m glad i’ve seen some people also denouncing this and i hope i see more of it every time it happens because it will happen again because the internet has this crazy unhealthy obsession with noah at this point. it’s just a joke to them and he’s their chosen punching bag, they don’t care about peace or life, they just want engagement and attention on social media.

[skinnymeanfaggot]

sorry to keep talking about this but it needs to be said. how many people have actually READ the document on alex. because i keep seeing claims the authors never made and DENOUNCED, and im seeing people quote the number of screenshots but not the content inside of them. a callout can be 200 pages long but having a lot of content does NOT mean the content is at all correct. in this case, there is so much bullshit in it its genuinely unreal and i would link the doc analyzing it but it got reported by biased people

alex is very clearly innocent in my eyes, but if you dont believe me you need to ACTUALLY look at the document to come to that conclusion. and when the analysis comes back, read that as well and check your internalized ableism and transmisogyny as well.

i truly hope she recovers from all this. every single person who didnt even read the doc, making pedo and grooming allegations, should genuinely be ashamed. there is not a SINGLE sexual interaction with anyone under 18 and all of the sexual interactions were completely consensual. you cannot actually read the document and come to the conclusion that she is a dangerous person.

for those who are starting to realize the truth, im glad, but i really think everyone needs to check their biases here

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

A story of discovering scripture’s depictions of a God who is more than male.

The following is an excerpt from God’s Tapestry: Reading the Bible in a World of Religious Diversity in which author W. Eugene March has a revelatory conversation with his mother. For the entire passage, see this google-books link.

Some years ago I received an unexpected phone call from my mother. She was clearly agitated and thought I would share her concern, a theological concern. She was agitated about the language that had been used in fashioning a prayer to God in a study book that she and other women in her congregation were using.

…The issue was a prayer on which feminine metaphors were employed to describe God’s love for Israel. Wombs, labor pains, and nursing at nurturing breasts were used in a prayer to God. When Mom and her Bible study friends read this prayer, the explosion was not pleasant. And not surprisingly, an unofficial ‘denominational’ publication circulating widely in her congregation fanned the fire of my mother’s zeal to denounce perceived heresy.

It took me several minutes to get her calmed down enough for us to talk reasonably. When I did, I asked her to read the offending prayer to me. As she did, I recognized the clear influence of Isaiah. I said, “Hey, Mom, that language is straight out of the Bible.” She said, “It is not!” I said, “Yes it is!” “Is not!” “Is too.”

Finally, I asked her to get her Bible and we had a long-distance Bible study of some selected verses from the book of Isaiah:

For a long time I have held my peace, I [God] have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. (Isaiah 42:14)

Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. (Isaiah 49:15)

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her – that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. For thus says the [Holy One]: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:10-13)

After she had read those verses, there was a long pause, and then she said, “When did they put that in there?” “It’s been there all along,” I replied. “Well,” my dear mother continued in a somewhat subdued tone, “why didn’t anyone ever tell me?”

“Why didn’t anyone ever tell me?” That is one of the questions that prompted this book. There are so many misconceptions about what the Bible does and doesn’t say, so much ignorance among otherwise well-educated, capable people. In my experience, the people in the pews are often well ahead of the clergy when it comes to the matters that really count in the way we order our daily lives and structure the communities in which we live. Their attitudes are usually based on what they recognize from their own experience of life. But they need knowledge about the support the Bible can offer and encouragement and permission from their leaders. They often think that what they believe must be heretical or offbeat, since no one assures them otherwise.

Further Reading:

Explore the posts in my #God beyond gender tag 

See this post in particular

See this timeline of feminine language for God throughout Christian history 

[stupidrant]

It's reassuring to see more people point out the matter of Angrboda not having the same experiences as Atreus with social interaction, let alone courtship given years of isolation and total loneliness (with no one around but her unstable grandmother who wouldn't even speak to her, would torture her animals&call Angrboda "nothing" and express regret she didn't throw her to the wolves right after birth). Furthermore, I personally was never in the "Angrboda is oblivious to Atreus's crush" camp (it didn't cross my mind at all when playing the game). I was glad that the game didn't go a cliched route with boy's one sided pinning and girl not giving him time of the day (stories that overpopulate media because heavens forbid women - fictional or real - actively show or spell out their interest for a male character).

Not only was their interest in each other - including blossoming romantic feelings - completely mutual, but Angrboda could not be MORE open about her own feelings for Atreus. The scene where she initially rejected the flower was the only moment of misunderstanding of his intentions on her part. And it had everything to do with her not realizing the implications of this gesture of attention (again, due to lack of socializing/lack of knowledge on courting customs in Atreus's realm). Once Angrboda gained minimal experience with human interaction and a support system in the form of not just Atreus but his nearest and dearest she carefully kept that flower among her treasured paints (symbols of her self expression).

Her actions and behavior immediately after Angrboda turned down the flower are also telling (and admittedly, the decision to pluck a flower on the territory Angrboda nourished, taking care of every inch of Ironwood and every living thing there, was a remarkably silly - albeit genuine and cute - move on part of Atreus; like I said before, it's akin to someone plucking a flower from another person's garden, then giving it to said person, whom the garden belongs to, as a "gift"). Few scenes later Angrboda continued to tease and joke with Atreus, took him to see fireflies (Classic Romantic build up scene TM), told him how glad she was he came there, protected him from Gryla (not just with magical paint but literally shielding him with her own body - just took a screencap of that and squealed), verbally let him know - twice - that she didn't want him to leave, initiated physical contact with Atreus several times (Atreus only instigated it once, in the very end) and opened up to him about her trauma of losing both parents, just to make him feel better (right after enduring another trauma of being denounced by the only family she had left).

In every scene where Atreus takes a step towards her Angrboda either reciprocates or expresses sadness and dejection when he gives her promises she doubts he would keep. Precisely because she'd want nothing more than for him to keep them but knows it's unlikely because of the prophesy and other circumstances . She thanks him for inviting her to come with him but notes her animals need her - and Atreus himself must have realized it was an impossible request at that point; she tells him she was glad he came to Ironwood but when Atreus promises to visit her later Angrboda instantly grows crestfallen (although moments earlier she had been exited to share a beautifully lit and glowing evening with him) and sorrowfully asks "when". Making it clear that obviously she'd love to see him again and "won't be busy after Ragnarok" - but she doesn't believe she'd still be on his mind then and that Atreus would even spare her a thought after everything he's bound to go through.

When Atreus takes her hands in his in the end Angrboda originally looks dumbfounded - another gesture of courtship she's not used to and has no experience with - but she doesn't take distance or pull away. Quite the contrary, she reciprocates physical closeness (leaning towards his face) but tries to dispel the intimacy of the moment by taking their interaction to a safer and more familiar - for her - territory by asking Atreus about the giant visions. And then the first thing Angrboda does is acting, yet again, for the benefit of Atreus when she softens the impending separation for him and Kratos ("it's for you too"). When they say goodbye Angrboda hugs him tightly (we now know she told him she would "miss him" - another display of affection, completely unprompted, from her) and gives him her marble. It's blatant that she has feelings for him and doesn't hide them but she doesn't know how to conventionally transform them into romance just yet.

Even kratos catching on and asking mimir abt it like how can one truly deny anything at this point 😭