#hence. the piracy

[via-the-cryptid]

very briefly in middle school (sixth grade I think?), I wasn’t allowed to watch Sailor Moon. I had gotten all the way to the Dead Moon Circus arc, in which the outfits got significantly weirder, and my mother comes into the living room and goes ‘hey so. what’s going on here?’ and apparently the short skirts were fine, but whatever the fuck the amazon trio wore was not. anyways that didn’t stop me at all because I figured out how to pirate it on my tablet (a gift from my grandmother and the only technology I had that could connect to the internet, since eleven year old me did not have a phone). to this day I still haven’t finished that arc though. I should really do that sometime.

reblog with the tv show ur parents wouldn’t let u watch when u were younger in the tags i’ll start mine was married…with children

[ruvviks]

BODYTALK OUT NOW ‼️‼️ buy your tickets for our next show here or listen for free somewhere on the internet if u search hard enough 💋👅💖

[clove-pinks]

In the continuing Americans Will Use Anything But The Metric System saga.... uhh, it's because of pirates from 230 years ago! No really!! :(

To be less flippant—I doubt anything would have changed, had that ship reached its intended destination. Embracing the metric system seems to have been a thing with Thomas "Invade Canada" Jefferson alone, without a broad base of support, and the USA is just Perfidious Albion 2.0. I mean, right after the French won our war of independence from Britain for us, we turned around and started the Quasi-War against France? I just don't see us loving the kilogram over more familiar (English) customary units.

[lilypucks]

hii hello mutual, question for you

what are your top 5 favourite games or really any pieces of media

hi hello!! funnily enough i actually only have/play rain world right now though i do hope to eventually try more

top 5 pieces of media in no particular order:

rain world of course - got into it the most recently and am most fixated on it currently

20000 leagues under the sea (didn't like either of the movie adaptations i watched though)

turnip boy commits tax evasion - this one actually is another game i got and played through the demo on my phone and watched my friends play it as well .truly an Experience

big fan of the moomins my favorite media relating to them r the original books (especially moominpappa at sea) and the 90's cartoon (i watched around a season of the 2019 show too and liked it but am bad at watching shows and haven't gotten around to watching more)

the 'all the wrong questions' series by lemony snicket (prequel series to asoue that i enjoyed more than the main series itself)

[sarucane]

Why did Ed think becoming a fisherman made any sense at all?

Seriously, this was always a ridiculous idea. Stede gets zero blame for laughing the first time Ed says it--it's an even crazier and more extreme whim than Ed saying "we'll go to China." And it's reasonable that it blindsides Stede for Ed to be leaving--a few hours ago Ed was making Stede breakfast in bed and taking Stede out to his favorite restaurant, and now he's leaving forever. That's a hell of a mindfuck there. So why does Ed think it makes sense to follow this whim?

Ed starts this episode by throwing away his leathers. He's trying to discard and excise the 'kraken' part of his personality, trying to consciously transform into something else (hence wearing Button's clothes).

At first, he's also trying to embrace being with Stede.

He volunteers information that shows how important Stede is to him by describing the mermaid vision. But, just like when he told Stede about how "sometimes it's nice to just be patient," Ed's not directly owning his feelings here. He's skimming right past the fact that it was he, himself, who was choosing (unconsciously, but still choosing) to die, and his bond to Stede is why he came back. In fact, the closest he comes to actually saying he felt a certain way is by admitting he panicked over the twine.

And Stede, who just feels so secure in this relationship right now, more comfortable in his skin than we've ever seen him, just does not get Ed's insecurity. He doesn't reassure Ed by saying "the breakfast is great with or without the twine" he says "it actually made it!" And when Ed tells about the vision, Stede doesn't seem to register how big a deal it was.

They're not communicating here, they're just not. They've had this very intimate experience, but there's still distance between them. The visuals reinforce this: they're at opposite ends of the bed, they don't come close to touching at any point in the scene. Ed's dressed and Stede's comfortably naked.

Ed snuck out of bed and went to throw his leathers away by himself. He doesn't tell Stede what he's done, and Stede doesn't comment on Ed walking around in Buttons' clothes. Ed's thrown away the kraken--and then he watches Stede embrace being "a sea god."

And this fear and disconnection to Stede goes right back to how Ed's been acting ever since he came back. He's not been opening up to Stede. He's not been willing to get vulnerable with Stede again; he doesn't trust himself not to wreck it and get his heart broken, and he doesn't trust Stede not to break his heart. The filmmaking choices (bless this amazing meta for explaining it all) have been signaling this ever since they found each other again: they love each other, but they're on different wavelengths.

Ed's trust in Stede is brittle, even before he gets the idea that he and Stede want different things out of life (piracy vs anything-but-piracy). So, Ed goes out and sits with himself. Then he takes Izzy's suggestion and he listens to himself, to his desire not to live a certain life anymore.

But rather than deciding to talk to Stede about this, he decides he's going to leave before the conversation even starts.

Ed gets really, really close to real communication with Stede here. He admits that he doesn't feel safe in the relationship, and that the speed and intensity that Stede has reveled in have made Ed feel less safe.

And even now, even though he lost all track of Ed for a big chunk of the day and now he's being surprised by deep withdrawal--Stede is still all in. He could have been heartbroken or angry. He could have panicked and apologized, or frozen and shut down the conversation.

Instead, Stede listens. And he tries to make good on what he told Ed: "I love everything about you."

But Ed doesn't really hear this, because he doesn't trust Stede, the connection between them, or himself. Because "Trust no one" includes not trusting oneself.

Rather than engaging with what Stede actually says, Ed starts ranting, and uses his own insecurities to push Stede away. Stede's right, it is panic.

Stede mirrors Ed's body language all through this part of the scene. He gets what's happening, understands insecurity and what it can trigger (particularly related to an insecurity of "I'm bad for you you're better off without me") deeply--which is why it's so easy for him to forgive this later.

But while Stede understands exactly what's going on now that Ed's finally talking to him directly, for Ed it's all confusing and happening much too fast. So he shuts down, lashes out, and bails out.

Figuring himself out is complicated, navigating his relationship with Stede is complicated, trust and self-realization are complicated. Fishing, on the other hand, is simple. Unlike love or psychological integration, there's no risks in fishing.

[writing-for-life]

Considering this is a site where so many people have aspirations to become professional authors or artists, I think it’s really astounding that many (often the same) people encourage book piracy. And by that I mean: They don’t just do it behind closed doors (whatever, do what you have to do and keep it to yourself)—they actually package it as some act of immeasurable kindness in the name of “social justice”. And I’d say: If you’re not a professional author and have no experience in or with publishing, hence don’t really understand what it means to make your living as a writer, maybe just… don’t? And if you ever want to sell your books, maybe also just… don’t?

It’s not some cool subversive thing in the name of social justice you’re doing. You’re really hurting authors with it, and it’s in no way comparable to “fighting the big bad streamers.”

Yes, Neil Gaiman will be okay, but if you’re saying it’s okay to do it to him, you’re also saying by extension it’s okay to do it to lesser known authors. And those authors make up the vast (and I mean vast!) majority of authors. But maybe you’re one of those people who think that all artists are minted and picture them in La La Land, entirely possible. If that’s the case, maybe educate yourself what the median income of authors is, be very surprised and wake up. Sometimes, it really helps to think before hitting post. And if rants are not your thing, this is the exit sign because I’m not going to mince my words…

Here are a couple of really good comments from *that* post that people should maybe inwardly digest before they prioritise being oh-so-understanding and supportive of every Tom, Dick & Harry who “can’t afford the book” via piracy (how about buying them one instead if you care so much. No? Thought so) over supporting authors, artists and, yes, libraries:

(Re the last comment: Or use online libraries—they’re also free. That was also part of above post btw. Libby, Hoopla etc exist for a reason.)

If that’s all too hard, then let’s at least stop pretending on here that we care about supporting authors and artists while vocally supporting book piracy. Because really, it’s the same in all arts, even if the symptoms are slightly different—take it from one who is both a published author and used to be a stage performer.

And to say it quite frankly: These “ideas” are probably held by the same people who were tearfully blabbering about the arts being what kept them going during the pandemic and then forgot about it all when lockdown was over. Or maybe they are the same people who think that art is a “jolly pastime”, and that everyone should just be content to “do it for the love of it and give their art away for free because awwwww, so amazing, here, buy food with my exposure bucks.” Go on then, write and consume fanfics and create fanart, problem solved. Just don’t ever ask for the pro art that inspires it again. Ah no, I forgot, it’s all made for money and soulless anyway, innit? Why oh why then do you want to consume and pirate it though?

You’re not progressive and/or supportive of artists. You just have no clue how making a living in the arts works and think your comfort (= “I have to have all the things even if I can’t afford them”) matters more than someone’s livelihood (namely that of the people who devoted their lives to creating that art for you), and it really shows.

I don’t care about anyone’s Google history and even said so several times on here when people asked (this is the latest one, and yes, I see the people who had a “reaction” to this one or the reblog above, but I bet that’s “coincidence”). Do whatever you want to do, it’s your choice, keep it to yourself. But stop pretending that piracy means “caring about the noble cause”, because repackaging entitlement as social activism is performative crap…

[princess-of-the-corner]

Weirdest QUALITY of the three main villains of Star Wars' original trilogy is that, in their own ways, they're so evil that most "common" villainous actions are beneath them:

Tarkin: he's a high functioning psycho and perfectly aware of this... And channels it into what he genuinely believes is the greater good of the galaxy, slowly escalating so that at while the start of his career he drastically lowered piracy in an entire sector by putting the previously unstoppable members of a pirate gang in a container slowly falling into a sun, broadcasting their plight, and shooting down anyone who tried to rescue them, and at the end he blew up Alderaan and killed three billion people to show the galaxy that neither history and reputation nor a planetary shield can save those who disrupt order and peace in the galaxy (and in the middle of both he tried to have Ahsoka executed to establish the Jedi weren't above the law, only to be appalled when it was proven she was innocent. He hadn't completely lost it yet). On the other hand he's openly bisexual, treats his men well and leads by example, only cheats on his wife because she's genuinely insufferable (to paraphrase Londo Mollari, she shows him his place in the universe: as far away from her as he can), genuinely good with children and a good parent, and his goal is a galaxy at peace, even if he has to kill one of the few people he can call friends to do so (because at some point he figured out Palpatine was responsible for much of the evil in the galaxy, and he was next on the list after the Rebel leadership).

Darth Vader is full of hatred for almost everything and everyone, especially himself. He doesn't have time for petty acts of evil and torture unless they serve a goal. And if his men screw up and take responsibility, he can even be forgiving as long as it's not extremely stupid or they don't make a habit (see Ozzel's death: Vader told him "you have failed me for the LAST time", indicating he had screwed up at least once before... And Vader didn't even demote him. Or captain Bolvan, once in command of Vader's personal ISD and busted down to artillery captain after it became clear he was almost as unhinged than Grievious, hence he was put in a position where his talents could be used but he couldn't sterilize a planet).

Palpatine thinks everyone in the universe is inferior until proven otherwise, and he's a massive pervert. But he won't even touch anyone who doesn't give him informed consensus (and that includes all children and adults otherwise unable to give it), because in his mind such a privilege should be earned and if they refuse it's not on him them being stupid. He's also not a racist because everyone's equally inferior unless they can be useful to him, use the Force, get it (hence why his only real friend was Tarkin, he got it. Then Tarkin figured out who was the origin of most evil...), or actually outsmart him (when Padme did exactly that in the Clone Wars he wasn't even angry, just respectful to his former political apprentice for actually getting on his level).

George Lucas created three villains so evil they circled back into having virtues.

That's fuckin wild actually

[tryinghardtobeoptimistic]

Might get spoiled so click at your own risk

Okay, this preview [X] makes everything clearer now

Just my takes if you will 😉 Spoiler ahead Spoiler ahead Spoiler ahead (just basing on all the previews I've seen)

This somehow put my heart at ease that atleast for our Gentlebeard/Blackbonnet will have a happy ending together as couple. Everything is in the episode description.

Episode 6 is pretty much that party on the boat. So my take too is wedding or pre-wedding party for Lucius and Black Pete. Then we have Ned Low crashing the party, torture involves. According to the preview - "they look to Blackbeard/Ed for the assist only to find Stede is more readily available", so it seems that Stede will be the one saving the day. I also think yes they will bang cause of those pics in bed ;) (and that's just right after the party crashing cause Stede's wound is already healed/healing)

Episode 7, preview says:

I think towards the end, Ed and Stede will somehow choose to separate for a while to clear their heads off and really think what they want (Ed wanting to retire while Stede continue the piracy). Hence the dress down of Ed. Maybe ep will end in a cliffhanger while the 2 are separated, British navy will attack the Republic of Pirates.

Now for the final ep, what makes me kinda sure they will be together (which will happen in the beginning) is this scene where they were fighting the British navy and running towards each other. You can see the expression of Stede here, like he doesn't want to lose Ed again, never ever and vise versa. Also a lot of touching happening. I felt like they decided they don't ever wanna let go. Then just based on the preview again, everyone will team up and eventually win. As for Izzy, not quite sure if he got abducted or he's making a fuckery. And no I don't believe he will die.

And I don't know but trust OFMD writers, I just know they are on our side, they won't give us everything we wanted and take it all in the end (fcking shame on me if they did tho 💔 Also if I'm not mistaken David said that he prepared an ending which is pretty much satisfying just in case they won't get a Season 3 renewal.

So that's it :) I've never really written a fanfic but everything is running in my mind.

[hallowgracie]

Americana in High Fantasy

As apparently this is the project that is gearing up to take over next when To Sail on Seas of Sky wraps up, I've been thinking more about House of Apocalypse lately and its setting.

House of Apocalypse is a high fantasy project taking place in another world that is inspired by California in the 1970s. How I came to this idea was kind of an interesting one.

There have been a lot of discussions lately about how fantasy--especially high fantasy--is very much locked in medieval Europe, maybe venturing as far forward as the Edwardian era if anything. While there have been attempts to include other traditions and continents, I realized that for all that a lot of Americans such as myself write fantasy, we don't often write fantasy about our country.

This is an idea that has intrigued me for a long time. One of my abandoned projects, Sorcerers of the Iron Circle (later the Divine Legacy) was initially a take on this, taking Regency-era fantasy and putting it across the pond to the Federalist era in a fantasy country inspired by America. To Sail on Seas of Sky also has this element, being inspired by the New World era piracy and how certain elements of piracy and pirate culture eventually fed into American ideals of democracy and self-sufficiency.

Because while Europe has its divine right of kings, China has the Mandate of Heaven, we in America have our cultural myths surrounding democracy and the American Dream.

There has been a lot of discourse and disillusionment with the ideas in modern American culture, and for good reason. But as someone who was once a little girl who played with American Girl dolls, I still cannot help but hold a fascination for our cultural myths.

We tell a story of young revolutionaries who were creating a brand new system, one that allows the people to decide (while avoiding the question of which people) and a more fair and equal system than the divine right of kings (again, debatable in real life). We tell stories of people who forged new lives out of terrible circumstances, of people coming to America for new lives and finding it, a found family of sorts.

Hamilton as a stage musical does a really good job at exploring the cultural myths and pathos surrounding our Founding Fathers and the Revolutionary War. These ideas are really powerful, and I think they should be explored in a high fantasy setting.

We enjoy seeing the cultural myth of the good king taking the throne and revitalizing the land--why not enjoy the cultural myth of young men from differing circumstances and homelands of birth changing the world to create a more fair system and marking their place in history?

I love American history, and while my country does not always do me proud, I find a lot of intrigue in our stories and cultural values and myths. Hence why I want to explore them as a fantasy writer and make some fantasy worlds inspired by America.

[siryouarebeingmocked]

"I like obscure media, so MY piracy is justified!"

This is a stupid argument on it's face, and more so when most pro-piracy arguments are about pirating mainstream, popular media. And if it weren't for popular media, piracy wouldn't be so popular in the first place.

Hence the lawsuits.

Which means this person might not even be able to download that romanian synth if it weren't for the other people using torrent sites to spread Maroon 5.

So this is pretty clearly a made-up standard.

[amazingdeadfish]

if you do drawing reqs, can we get mayor in different clothing from different time periods... specifically the victorian era? i'd love to see your interpretation of what he would wear, since i liked the 1950's one a lot!

The funny thing about this question is the fact that the Victorian era is in fact, a long period of time (1820s-1900s). There's a lot of differences in fashion all across the globe during this time period.

But I'm about 82% sure that you must be talking about British Victorian era clothing. And adding into that, middle class fashion. The 'educated' class. The people who owned businesses and factories and the ones who could spend their leisure time doing whatever and wearing whatever. Because that's definitely what the Victorian era fashion was known for. The extravagant upper class clothes. Not the working class, or anything below that.

So, after a little bit of a google inspo search, I think you were expecting something like this:

Mayor in middle class, British, Victorian, masculine fashion. He probably wouldn't be too bold with their outfits in order to fit in. It was quite fun to draw this guy in a top hat and tail coat (even more fun than looking at all of the different types of Victorian neck wear haha). But, honestly, if we are going to be a little bit logical about this, he would not have arrived in England (if he's ever been there at all) all dapper and nice straight away.

In fact, I think it would be more likely that for a while, he would (even if just for a little bit) wear things similar to the working class of Britian. Coal soot and all.

Look at the silly man! Like a newspaper boy. Obviously he will rise up the ranks of the class hierarchy but like, come on, he probably had to shove coal into a train furnace at least a couple ten times. I hope these designs satisfy you, they're not much, but I hope it was what you were thinking of.

I would also like to bring up the fact that, again, there are a lot of different periods of time during the Victorian era! One notably, the American Wild West (1860s-1890s)!!! Hence, I of course have a cowboy Mayor design (rather plain like the others but I haven't put too much thought into it really, maybe I should):

And then there is the fact that before the Victorian era was the age of piracy. While technically for the west that period was decades before Queen Victoria came into power (1650s-1730s), the biggest flat fleet in China (and, I think also the world), was at its most powerful during the 1800s-1810s (literally a mere decade before the Victorian Era began)!!! That decade was under the leadership of Zheng Yi Sao, one of the most successful pirates in history. And of course, I do like to think the Mayor must have encountered her at some point. He might have been intrigued by the powerful woman she was.

So of course. Pirate Mayor:

Out of all time periods I do like to think that Mayor was at his most grumpy at this point (even worse than their Chief era). Life out at sea was not very glamorous. But hey! They're a pirate! That's so cool!

If any of you are still here reading my rambling, I also want to say that this question just reminded me of an old drawing I drew last year. I kind of cringe looking back on it but I'm still just a little happy that I actually drew the thing.

You can probably spot them, but the pirate and cowboy Mayor designs are there (right next to each other too)!!! Along with, some 1900s designs. A doodle I made about the Mayor through the ages :))).

Thanks for sending in the request! It was fun to answer :))).

[sakurasnowfall]

Hey! Could you write a Opla Usopp x reader fic, where Usopp reassures the reader that they belong in the straw hats and that they’ll find a place just like he did? could reader be Afab please?

Hi! Thank you so much for requesting. I am SO SO sorry it took me so long! I wanted to make sure I did this right. I did my absolute best to try and make Usopp as in character as possible, and make the dialogue okay. Also, Anon, if you resonate with reader in anyway, then I will be Usopp and tell you that there is a place in this world for you, weather you have already found it, or are still finding it. Oh yeah, also, lets just say for this, Kaya and Usopp never had romantic feelings for each other.

Thank you so much, @inkperfect for your feedback/proofread!

I am using () as a placeholder for the reader’s name.

CW: None, really. Implied identity/gender dysphoria/thoughts of not fitting in, being uncomfortable within your own skin.

Sometimes...it was too much. Although the salty ocean breeze carried the promise of adventure, the freedom of piracy, the start of a new life, it also seemed to give a voice to the constant unease () felt when left alone with their thoughts. The stiffling murmurs of the relentless battle between their body and mind would take breaks, sometimes participating in moments of quiet, only to spring back into ambush in moments like these. The Strawhats, of course, had welcomed () with open arms immediatly, hence why Luffy had so warmly invited them to join his crew, however they could never get over the fact that there seemed to be one key differnce seperating them from the rest of the crew. Luffy was the man with his heart set on becoming King of the Pirates. Zoro, driven to become the greatest swordsman to ever live. Charming Nami, wanted to draw a map of the world. Whimsical Usopp, strove to become a warrior of the sea. Gentlman Sanji dreamed of finding the all Blue. So what did () want? Beyond that, or perhaps closer, how could they know what they want if they didnt even know who they were? At the moment, the only thing they wanted was to finally feel okay with who they were. To feel good in their own skin for once. Maybe that amounted to nothing besides the ambitions of the other Strawhats. Maybe that was a battle () would have to fight alone. They didn’t belong on this crew of dreamers, with their heads held in the direction of the next adventure. How could Luffy have accepted stranger into his crew? As far as () was concerned, they were a stranger to everyone aboard the Going Merry. Luffy. Zoro. Nami. Sanji. Usopp. () themself. A sharp pang shattered their thoughts, as something hit one of Sanji’s  pans hanging from the wall, an exclamatory voice cracking ()’s spiral.

“Another perfect shot from the Great Captin Uso- OH, shi-shoot. Hi.” Usopp had jogged down the stairs into the galley before noticing ().

“My bad. I didn’t think anyone was down here.” Usopp rubbed the back of his neck for a moment, before walking over to take a seat near (). A small smile escaped ()’s  lips at the sharpshooter’s antics.

“No worries.” Maybe some company would be good right now anyway. () gaze fell on Usopp’s  slingshot, which had been placed on the table as he sat down close to them. “Where’d  you learn to shoot like that anyway?”

The Sniper perked up from his hunched position dropping popcorn kernals into his pocket. “Huh? Oh. I guess....I guess you could say its in my blood.” He broke out into a grin, as he hopped up to stand on his chair, snagging his slingshot, and weilding it dramaticly. “My dad is the legendary Sniper....Yasopp of Great,” he proclaimed, his trusty weapon aimed at an imaginary foe. “Braving the treacherous waters of the Grandline, chasing adventure. A warrior of the sea.” The energized marksman jumped back off the chair, sitting back down. “I wanna be like him someday. Brave, I mean.”

() nodded, thinking about it. If there was one thing they were good at, it was being disappearing when they wanted to. They had been able to glean quite a bit of information about the crew this way. Just by listening silently, gathering scraps of concersations, an over the shoulder glimse of a journal or a map here or there. They knew Usopp wanted to take inspiration from Yassop, but also make a name fr himself. How amazing was that? How amazing would that BE? To forge a path of your own. To charge at your dream at full speed? ()’s  inner turmoil surfaced again, thinking about how Usopp seemed to fit in perfectly into this family of dreamers.

“Hey, you uh....you good?” For the second time that day, Usopp broke their thoughts.

“Hm? Yeah...yeah. I’m good.” They could tell he didn’t beleive them, quirking an eyebrow.

“Ya know its pretty hard to fool me right? I mean.....I once saw through the blatant lies of the vicious Captain Kuro, grasping victory out of his sterling claws because of my immaculate perception.” The sharpshooters words tugged a small smile from (), which he returned. Maybe telling SOMEONE wouldnt hurt. But maybe it wasnt a good idea.

“Usopp.......”

“Yeah?”

“I - nevermind...”

He scooted his chair closer, craning his neck to see ()s face better.

“How long did it take you? To feel...okay. Here, I mean. In the crew. To find a place with everyone?”

“Not long at all.”

“Oh.....” Again, the marksman could tell something was off. He hesitated before extending a gentle hand to ()’s  shoulder.

“Hey. It takes time, okay? All of us felt out of place until we found a place to belong....however stupid that sounds.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Usopp removed his hand from their shoulder, leaning back in his chair a bit. His hands once again found his slingshot, rubbing the base with his thumb. “I mean.....I was a nobody. I was a liar. Ya know? After my mom, I.... think Kaya was the only to really kinda see who I was. The village saw me as a liar. Klahadore or, Kuro, whatever....saw me as a liar. Heck even I knew I WAS a liar. Then Luffy showed up and he saw me in a different way. Then I got to come here and fight all these bad guys and go on all these adventures....” again, he lifted his slingshot, lining up his shot before launching a popcorn kernal into the inside of another hanging pan. “And I got to meet you,” he said, nudging () gently with a small grin. “And maybe I’m not a...Great Captain. Or a Warrior of the Sea.....yet. But my point is, I found my place here. And I didn’t do it alone either.” If Usopp rarely missed a shot, now was no exception. The sharp shooter’s words had hit their mark exactly. Usopp still often embellised the truth, but a lie wouldn’t dare to come near a subject like this. () moved closer, resting their head on his shoulder, grateful. They felt the weight of Usopp’s head land gently a top their own after a moment. “I’ll help you figure it out. We all will. Kay?” () nodded, enjoying the gentle silence that followed. Whatever worries they had been having earlier that day seemed to wash farther and farther away with the churning waves. Maybe Usopp was right. Maybe they COULD find their place with this crew. With this family. And all those doubts would be punched away, cut in half..left behind. The voices tormenting them could be shot down, and kicked away. () shifted a little closer to Usopp, knowing that his promise was far from a stretched truth. For the first time in a LONG time, they felt safe. Safe, and ready not to fight themself, but to fight FOR themself, with the help of the Strawhats, and especially, Usopp.

[ivory--raven]

Are we catching this here? Izzy lost his leg. At least to the knee. This is so important.

Ed's cutting off Izzy's toe - which was already a disproportionate response to Izzy threatening him - set off a series of events culminating in Izzy losing a leg and using a prosthetic. Season 2 is about the actions taken having serious consequences - and maturing enough to reckon with them. Stede has to own up to leaving Ed. Ed will have to own up to maiming Izzy. Izzy will have to own up to his behavior last season - and to his feelings.

It seems to be after he lost his leg, his ability to carry out the physical aspects of piracy (though we saw him in practicing, and he found quickly regained skill and taught Stede) Izzy had to really hone in on what his life was about. Hence the whole "piracy is about community" thing. And the switch from Izzy's career as a pirate being serving Ed to being community... that's such growth.

[snoleopard7]

my NAQ "white room" theory

we all know that the white room was the thing that got the demo copies of naq recalled, but what was it? it's only ever mentioned in passing by both NAQtube and plasmapunk2001, and in a very vague matter. the only info we have was that it was "upsetting and ill-suited". so what was in the white room that got the game recalled?

one thing a lot of people bring up is that the recall commercial threatens a max 5 year prison sentence for people who don't get rid of their copies. people assume this is proof that there was like cp on the demo copies or something, but if so, the prison sentence would be much longer, and lightyear games probably would have gotten in some intense legal hot water (which would have likely prevented them from working on naq double trouble). instead, let me bring up something my friend @unorthodoxrocks suggested: the max jail sentence for piracy is 5 years.

let's say that the white room was, say, a glitched unfinished part of a level that allowed you to access the entire game beyond the boundaries of the demo (portal xbox 360 demo style). this could be framed as piracy, since you got the demo game for free and weren’t supposed to have the whole game. since this demo was released about halfway through naq’s development cycle, the rest of the game might even have unfinished content not meant to be seen by anyone that doesn’t work at lightyear games. with all that in mind, you can probably understand why lightyear doesn’t want those random people who won the sweepstakes to own the demo anymore. bouncehouse also likely wants nothing to do with it, due to the massive piracy panic of the early 2000s (you wouldn’t steal a car, etc), hence the recall ad saying that the demo doesn’t reflect bouncehouse or it’s affiliates.

i can tie this into the next point people often bring up: the commercial instructs owners of any demo copies to get rid of their copies rather than giving them back to bouncehouse/lightyear. again, people use this as a way to say "there must have been something mega-illegal on there", but i disagree. i’d hazard a guess that the reason lightyear doesn’t want the copies back is because they already have an archive of the exact version of the game put on the demo copies, so they can just use that to figure out what caused the white room in studio. and as for bouncehouse, what are they gonna do with five illegal ps2 games? so if lightyear didn’t want the copies, I don’t see why bouncehouse would either.

“but snoleopard7, none of this sounds very upsetting and ill-suited, now does it?” and you’re right. being able to bypass demo restrictions isn’t enough to get a game recalled. rather, I think that it may have been something else related to the white room that caused the panic, as well as the piracy stuff.

again, let’s say that within the white room there was, say, a strange asset. something akin to the infamous California Speed billboard placeholder (pictured below). a disturbing placeholder or in-development texture or model of some sort.

i wouldn’t put it past Thomas Snyder to do something like the California Speed billboard. to be honest, it seems rather in-character of him. I can just imagine a detailed model of Celeste’s face hole sitting in a reference pose in the white room, unused in-game. and i’m sure that’d be enough to scare a younger player into telling their mum that they saw something scary on the ps2. and then the mum calls bouncehouse/lightyear in a fit of rage, demanding that the game is banned. and then the recall happens, etc etc.

this theory also works very well when you consider how vigilant the ESRB were in the early 2000s. infamously, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas got it’s rating changed from Mature to Adult Only, because of a scrapped sex mini game that was only accessible through illegally modding the game. so I don’t see why whatever shit Thomas Snyder was cooking up in development would slip under the ESRB’s watchful gaze.

anyway that was my theory. thoughts?

[thecomfywriter]

I don’t know what to ask for f’dryx but I just have to Know about him. It’s a need.

Describe him in three words

And maybe a little random info dump 🥺 (literally it can be the randomist details)

oooo fun fun fun! sorry this is so late, smihi! let’s get into it :)

f’dryx in three words? drunk, innovative, and resilient

bro is creative and ingenious with his ideas. he often slips out of sticky situations not because he had the skills or talent to, but because he deliberates all his options. and above all—he is a survivalist. nothing is below him if it means he survives. hence the resilient thing.

the drunk is because bro is a full on drunk holy shit. i’m talking, he got lost at sea and he started having withdrawals type of alcoholic. it’s a problem. 💀

as for random details? i won’t give you facts lmao but i WILL give you my favourite f’dryx quotes

but first, here’s his picture

F’dryx best quotes:

“What is life without another drink?”

“Longer.”

(F’dryx and Yern)

—

“Brother if we’re already dying, we might as well start living. Cheers to that!”

(F’dryx pouring himself another chalice)

—

“I cannot believe I am going to die before my great great grandmother.”

(After being poisoned at sea)

—

“You know, I wanted to be a bard when I grew up but I see that shiny knife or yours is quite sharp, so piracy doesn’t sound too bad.”

(After pissing off the pirate recruiters)

—

“I SAID I WANTED TO DIE, NOT SUFFER! IF I WANTED TO SUFFER, I WOULD JUST STAY ALIVE!”

(After being sentenced to death via torture)

—

“Be honest— do you think I look ugly with a beard?”

“Well... I mean...”

“Okay you’ve said enough.”

(after finally being rescued from shipwreck and encountering another person for the first time in a year)

—

(In the middle of a battle)

“This reminds me of the time I was chased by a man-eating pig!”

(Sees the concerned faces of all his friends)

“What, I’ve never told you that story?!”

(Gets axe thrown at him)

“Okay, another time!”

—

“Oh, wonderful. You’ve left me entrapped with a horny horse.”

(On the isle of Elen) <- i don’t even think this is canon anymore but it’s funny lmao so i might just do it for the gag

—

“So what is your biggest fear?”

“Dying.”

“Oh well... shit. Don’t I have some bad news for you...”

(Conversation between F’dryx and his dying comrade)

[apollo-the-chaotic-gremlin]

Just realized I've not done a post on my Minecraft oc's lore, oops.

Astrophel is a creature from the nether, a goat version of a public but a lil different. Current name for his species is goatlin but that's just a placeholder until I get a better one. His kind basically lives so deep in the nether that no humans have ever seen them (hence them not being in the game lol), and they were driven there partially by their feud with the piglins (its the nether, everyone hates everyone but tries to be nice about it, which means not killing each other and starting f pointless wars. They're smart enough to know that's A bad idea) and partially because of the war between the piglins and the humans.

Astrophel was banished from his homeland for crimes which he refused to stop and rehabilitate and such, and since he happened to be the grandson of a somewhat important figure (which he doesn't know but his granddad does), he wasn't executed, but banished. Never to return. His crimes were piracy (on the Boiling Seas aka lava oceans), witchcraft, and theft. The theft happened on land and so was not counted as part of the piracy.

His mother, the daughter of the aforementioned mentioned grandfather, happened to not want to raise a child, which resulted in him being thrown to the streets as a small infant (the dad was a male prostitue) which resulted in him stealing food to survive and killing hotline from a very young age (5-6). For a while, he'd been taken in by a gang of kids like him (they don't have orphanages, their philosophy is survival of the fittest so if a kid doesn't survive to adulthood, even without parents caring for them, then that meant they werent fit to live anyways) who taught him how to hunt hoglins. Astrophel left the gang when he was press ganged (I think that's the term I want, its where someone forces someone else to join a ships crew by kidnapping them, like in the book Kidnapped) into joining a very undermanned ship in poor condition with a slightly insane captain.

From there, Astrophel grew too love the sea and sailing, and since he happened to be on a pirate ship with pirates, he ended up being charged with piracy. Also, he was definitely not treated well, having to fight to defend himself from the other crewmembers several times (killing each other was only frowned upon if it were someone important-ish, the majority of the crew was replacable) before he established that he was a formiddable foe in battle. He may be scrawney, but he's fast, and he uses that too hid advantage. And he does not fight fair.

At some point along the way, his ship was captured by the goatlin version of a navy and the crew put to trial, and he was banished and whatnot. Now that he's in the over world, he does not miss the nether at all. He only returned a couple times for materials needed for his witchcraft, and hated it. Since he's from the nether, its a bit cooler to him than other people, and water is uncomfortably chilly, and snow just hurts. He made himself learn to swim (he got a fisherman from a nearby village to teach him) so he could continue sailing (though its only in small rowboats, he is not able to build a large ship, let alone find a crew) and since that was the only thing he missed, he's way happier in the over world than he was in the nether.

Also, his original name was not Astrophel in the nether. He changed his name to it once he got settled enough to contemplate these sorts of matters. Astrophel means 'star lover' (according to the baby name website I found it on) and he felt that fit him, and he's trans so he didn't want to be called by a name that didn't fit him.