#holding someone accountable is necessary and valid

[musclesandhammering]

Young leftists get so many things right but the one thing they consistently get infuriatingly wrong is not understanding that the core principle of progressivism is empathising & coexisting with people who fucking suck.

The "radical leftists" on this site who talk constantly about the importance of solidarity and kindness and compassion and then immediately tell anyone who disagrees with them to kill themselves are going to be devastated when they learn how much of actual union organizing involves talking to people whose politics you find incredibly repugnant and meeting them where they're at in order to find common ground

[thedroloisms]

I think what's worse about people doing it to Dream is he's very reluctant to call attention to it himself so people do it for him and it's not just with abuse. They'll do it about him being queer or about having rsd and people need to realise if he wanted to use those things as excuses but he doesn't. Like it's okay to recognise the influence those things have on a person but you can't reduce an issue down to a single factor and remove all the nuance.

i mean yeah he "doesn't use it as an excuse" because 1) he'd be crucified even harder than he already is 2) people already make things up in their head abt him using it as an excuse when he doesn't (like claiming he uses his RSD to get out of things, which was particularly hilarious back in 2021 or whatever when it seemed debatable if he even knew what RSD is) (like this is the same guy who like, during every drodcast around that time, would like list off textbook adhd symptoms and then be like 'yeah idk why i do that tho') but ... that's. like.

like the point i was making isn't just "we shouldn't make excuses using his abuse/queerness/neurodivergence because he doesn't do it" -- in situations where a conversation revolving around smth like queerness or victim advocacy or neurodivergence is relevant, then i don't think these topics should be barred from conversation? as an example, people used to get on people's cases all the time about mcc 14 and how you shouldn't talk about neurodivergence in relation to it while dream was like. clearly and obviously overwhelmed and out of it literally almost until the end of the conversation because of the buildmart rework. just because dream wasn't going "wow, this was an overstimulating environment that clashed terribly with my adhd" out loud on stream doesn't mean people couldn't independently hold conversations about how the game was kind of designed to be stimulation hell, with or without relating that conversation to dream.

obviously people should have more tact when they talk abt abuse specifically, re: dream. i just...don't think that throwing his situation into his face (especially as a weapon to use against other people) is in any way appropriate. people can, have, and will use his experiences against him.

but back to my main point, it's less about "not using these things as excuses because he doesn't" and more about "not using these things as excuses when they're not excuses." like. while i understand that being a survivor, being queer, being nd affects literally everything you do...as you said, there's a difference between understanding the impact something like past abuse can have on your feelings and actions and concluding that your actions and feelings are valid because of your abuse.

like. just as an example. if a DV victim acts erratically while details of their specific situation are being dredged up and said person does things out of character for themselves like shutting down their accounts on social media and refusing to acknowledge an important situation Immediately, even if they themselves don't bring up the specifics of their situation, i think it's fair to say "hey yall are lacking any empathy whatsoever to a survivor of DV who is a victim in this current situation, grow up and piss off."

on the flip side, if someone who's been through abuse is harassing people online and doing things like campaigning for them to lose their platforms and refusing to give any information as to why they believe this is necessary or provide any proof outside of "just trust me, they're bad bro" and cries that they're trying to do the right thing because they're an abuse victim...being an abuse victim does not excuse your current behaviors, many of which are enabling and/or encouraging abusive actions and telling people (such as abusers!) that your corner of the internet is a safe place for them to make baseless accusations (including towards their victims) as long as it's towards someone you don't like. which is, you know, fucked up and kinda abusive. i sympathize with the trauma that these people have been through, but bringing up your victimhood is not immediately relevant to the current situation and also doesn't excuse abusive actions.

i hope that made sense?

[theblackfemininesociety]

Girl Talk: How To Properly Hold Someone Accountable.

“You know that I love you, that’s with a passion but I’ll hold you accountable for your actions”

— ‘Accountable’ by BLXST

☕️ Let’s Have a Girl Talk:

In a society that often perpetuates toxic behaviors and fosters a culture of disrespect, it is crucial to explore alternative approaches to accountability. The Black Feminine Society embraces the idea that we can hold individuals accountable with love, genuine respect, and compassion, without resorting to demeaning and disrespectful tactics.

By confronting issues with a solution-oriented mindset and fostering progressive conversations, we can pave the way for positive change and growth.

This blog post delves into the power of accountability, the role of love and respect, and the importance of proactive engagement.

Accountability, by definition, involves acknowledging our mistakes, taking responsibility for our actions, and making amends where necessary.

The Power of Accountability:

Accountability is a fundamental aspect of personal and societal growth. It involves taking responsibility for one's actions, acknowledging the consequences, and actively working towards healing and restoration. Within the Black Feminine Society, accountability is approached as an empowering tool that encourages individuals to reflect, learn, and evolve. By holding ourselves and others accountable, we create opportunities for personal development and collective progress.

The truth is, genuine accountability is rooted in love, respect, and compassion. It is about holding our sisters accountable without demeaning them, without disrespecting them, but instead, acknowledging their potential for growth.

Tough love is not about harshness or severity. It's about transparency and honesty, delivered with good intentions and from the heart. It's about acknowledging the issue at hand and addressing it directly but kindly. It's about making the other person understand that they are loved and respected, even when they are being held accountable.

However, the reality is that holding someone accountable can often be challenging and uncomfortable. It becomes even more complicated when we want to ensure that the process is filled with respect and compassion, instead of negativity.

•

•

So, what actions can we take to encourage compassionate accountability in our society?

🩷 Understanding & Empathy:

Recognize the individual's experiences and feelings and validate them. By doing this, you're telling them that their perspective matters, and you're willing to walk alongside them on their journey to improvement.

👄 Speak from Love, Not Anger:

It's crucial to communicate from a place of love and genuine concern, rather than anger or frustration. This doesn't mean you shouldn't express your feelings; it just means you should do so in a way that doesn't belittle or disrespect the other person.

🩷 Focus on the Issue, Not the Person:

When holding someone accountable, concentrate on the behavior or action that needs addressing, not the individual. This approach ensures the person doesn't feel personally attacked, facilitating a more open and productive conversation.

✨Propose a Solution:

Confronting someone about an issue is the first step, but it's equally vital to present a solution, plan, or support. This positive action sets the tone for a progressive conversation and shows that you're invested in resolving the issue together, not merely pointing out faults.

🩷 Give Them Space:

After the confrontation, give the person some time and space to process the information. It's important to respect their need for reflection.

Join the sisterhood, Follow us on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK

[amoripomoea]

i keep getting hit with these like. weird waves of sadness over liam's passing yesterday?? a big chunk of what shaped me as a person during my teenage years is gone and it's such a weird and sad feeling.

i don't really have the words to describe how i feel about this (well, i do, but they're not like. brief. or clear). the liam payne i'm sad about losing was gone awhile ago, i know that, but part of me always hoped he would get to receive the professional help he so clearly needed.

anyone who was obsessed with one direction knew that liam really lost his way and fell into addiction almost immediately after the band broke up. he's needed help for years. he did go to rehab awhile back and started to heal a bit but clearly things got bad again.

i'm aware that death does not make someone innocent. you are allowed to be surprised and sad by the tragic loss of a life while also holding them accountable for the shitty things they've done. those two things can and should coexist. i know the internet is allergic to nuance but PLEASE exercise some critical thinking and perspective. this is not as black and white as it seems to be on the surface. keep in mind that there's also a lot that we just don't know.

this grief is so nuanced. like i said, i don't support what he has done in the past -- i haven't supported him in YEARS because of the things he's said and done. i stand w all of his victims that spoke up, and i hope they're all doing okay rn and that they know that none of this is their fault.

there's something so weird and sad about combing the emotions of coming to terms with the fact that the person you idolized as a teen turned out to be a bad person, along with the rough and weird feelings of grief that come with that same person dying suddenly, gruesomely, and tragically.

this is all so tragic, so weird, so surreal, and SO hard. there's a lot of weird conflicting and nuanced emotions running through not just me, but so many of us who grew up loving one direction. i'm aching for 12-15 year old me who wouldn't recover from this. i'm destroyed for his son who survives him, his family, friends, and the other one direction boys. my heart also aches for his victims, who i'm sure are experiencing a lot of conflicting and weird emotions about this. i can't imagine what they're all going through right now and can only hope they're doing okay.

this is the first major celebrity death ive experienced, at least with a celebrity i genuinely loved and obsessed over growing up. ik a lot of people feel the same way too.

whatever you're feeling about this right now is valid. you have the right to feel however you feel. you can mourn the loss of someone who meant a lot to you as a child while also remembering that they turned out to be a bad person.

sorry i keep talking abt this but it hits so hard. like i said like 30 times this is so weird and hard and confusing to a lot of us one direction fans who stopped supporting liam a while back bc of his actions. grieving with perspective and nuance is necessary here but it's not easy.

i hope my fellow one direction fans are doing okay today <3

[inuhalfdemon]

No One Can Know... (2/?)

Word Count: 733 Words

Chapter 2

"Who's been here since day one!? Who's been faithful as a nun...?" - Hell's Greatest Dad (Alastor)

"CHARLIE!" 

Lucifer's voice grated into Alastor's ears as he leered over the reunion between Charlie and her father. 

Alastor knew that this visit was...inevitable. As much as he wanted to keep Lucifer's involvement out of his area of things; he knew Charlie would eventually extend the invitation to her father to come and see what all was happening with her big plans regarding the hotel. Really though, it was very poor timing…

Still; he could at least see to the "introductions"; be a gracious host as the hotel manager before slipping away at the soonest moment he possibly could so that Charlie could go about her showing all that she wished to the King. 

Then, Lucifer just ignored him.

Alastor stood by the entire time; just waiting to be acknowledged and the absolute fucker actually made a point of greeting the pets before casually stepping away; completely dismissing Alastor. 

Alastor passively watched as Lucifer proceeded through the lobby; offering vague and unhelpful comments to the hotel and the welcome the current residents were making for him. Alastor realized: Lucifer couldn't say shit regarding the hotel. Parts of the deal they had made prevented him from it. Interesting... However - upon seeing Alastor's obvious addition to things - Lucifer was then able to cut in with: 

"Oh! What in the unholy Hell is that!?" 

That was his cue. Despite his irritations; Alastor thought it best to play...civil.

He'd have his fun, of course. He'd greet the man; all smiles and poking a few clever jabs at the King...

But, then Lucifer dug in: implying Alastor was someone he had never even heard of - suggesting he was merely a bellhop to the hotel and then...fucking calling him a hazbin...to his face...in front of everyone within the lobby.

Alastor wildly laughed; at the comment thrown at him – choosing to hold on to that last shred of self control before Lucifer threw it back in his face.

Lucifer wanted Alastor to crack; to give any little indication that the two – in fact – knew each other. If Alastor slipped here; then his deal binding him to Lilith and keeping him at the hotel would be made void. Alastor had been – on all accounts – playing nice. He, too, had reasons of seeing Lucifer break their little façade. If Lucifer wanted to him to play into this little song and dance…well, who was he to refuse to partake in such entertainment.

It wasn’t hard for Alastor to find his digs into Lucifer by way of his daughter. Alastor knew the reasons for Lucifer’s required absence but Charlie did not; nor could Lucifer offer any sort of explanation that would remain within the confines of their deal. It was too easy for Alastor to emphasize his having been there for Charlie since day one; being the authoritative figure she emotionally needed to turn to for guidance and validation in all of her efforts in making her dream a reality.

Lucifer quickly steered the conversation toward the other residents; encouraging Charlie to talk about anything else. Alastor’s irritability quickly bubbled to the surface.

It was time to take things up a notch.

His shadow made quick work in detrimenting the chain that supported the large chandelier hanging above their heads; sending it crashing down into the lobby – sending a clear message to Lucifer that Alastor was growing tired of this little game…

Laughing; Lucifer saw the message for what it was:

“Haha! Alright, then…”

Lucifer meant to show Charlie that she needed him more than some hazbin Radio Demon. If she saw this; Lucifer’s involvement in things could change drastically – effectively reducing Alastor’s. Lucifer trusted Lilith…but, wondered at her decision to involve the sinner and entrusting him with the protection of their daughter and in ensuring all necessary steps were taken in seeing their plans fulfilled.  

Alastor anticipated Lucifer’s response to his antics; though he found the reference to his tentacles being served up on a platter rather risky…If Lucifer supposedly did not know who Alastor was; how did he know he possessed them? Still; the analogy went over everyone’s heads and Alastor proceeded to dig deeper into the tumultuous relationship that was his with Charlie.

Things nearly got out of hand when Lucifer dared to touch him; clenching Alastor’s suit jacket and actually pressing his face to his as he was yelling:

“Oh, you tacky piece of-“

If not for Mimzy…who knew what may have transpired next. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3

[believerswithkamala]

Why you can be against abortion and still vote for someone who wants to legalize it.

I do not like abortion. I think it is a difficult, sad, and complicated thing. I believe in an ideal society there would be no abortion because in an ideal society there would also be no poverty, no rape, the adoption system would be seamless and all relationships would be healthy. But we don’t live in an ideal society. And poverty, r*pe, unstable relationships, and abusive relationships all exist. The foster care system and the adoption system is messy and often traumatic. There are circumstances where women could die without an abortion. We can and should strive to get as close to an ideal society as possible, but we will never get there. Abortion needs to be legal and accessible and it’s not a woman’s fault. It is a product of systemic issues within society.

Legalizing abortion just allows women to access care that is unfortunately often necessary. It is a hard choice and it’s important that women have the autonomy to make the difficult choice. What I might see as an unnecessary abortion might seem very necessary to someone else. And both arguments would likely be valid.

This doesn’t mean we have to accept abortion and do nothing about it. We can strive to fix the issues that cause it. We can strive to create a society where relationships are more stable. We can make sure everyone receives proper s*x education and birth control is easier to access. We can strive to improve the foster care and adoption system. We can strive to reduce poverty, which is a step Kamala Harris can and will help with if she is elected. And we can change our perspective of rapists. If r*pists were held accountable, less women would have abortions because of it and less women would endure that unimaginable trauma. Again, Kamala Harris became a prosecutor in part because she wanted to hold these people accountable. She understands this issue on a very deep level.

I don’t believe children of r*pists are less valuable than any other child, but I do believe that a woman who had her body violated should not have to carry a pregnancy that resulted from that. Most likely the abortion would occur before the unborn can feel pain and while it is very sad, if a woman feels that’s the best option then it is the best option.

Abortion is sad, but it is sometimes necessary and women need to have the right to make their own decisions. There are systemic societal changes we can make to reduce abortions and that’s what we should pursue instead of banning procedures that are often necessary and blaming women for getting them. It’s not a woman’s fault. It is a symptom of societal issues.

[smilepilled]

Words of (important) advice to anyone struggling with their mental health while in online spaces, based on my personal experiences. Please reblog if this is useful to you, or if you'd like otherwise. Understanding these things has helped (and still helps) me in ways I can't begin to describe. Thank you if you choose to read; I may add on to this post if I remember anything.

⠀

【 01 】 "No Discourse" Rule.

More often than not, most of any discourse online is exclusively a free headache that, in return, does nothing to proactively ensure people's wellbeing — it's like punching a solod iron wall over and over and expecting it to bend (it will not). You are more than encouraged to learn about things from multiple viewpoints and hear about people's cases, but in the end, it's always best to stay clear from it. So many efforts are put into meaningless theory wars, and it's always best to step away while keeping yourself aware. This will preserve your energy, sanity, health and time.

⠀

【 02 】 Don't Gotta List 'Em All.

You honest-to-cod (🐟) don't have to list every single disorder you have to pass on the message that you are in this situation. This is something that I did a lot, and in the end, it's needlessly exposing key functions of your brain. This can enable people to use these symptoms and/or eactions to triggers against you — manipulation, grooming, turning you dependant, et cetera. I personally like to say I "have some loose screws" or that I'm "weird" for the sake of simplicity — be careful with what you share, for it can be turned against you maliciously.

⠀⠀

【 03 】 Some People Suck, And That's That.

Some people will be ableist, sanist, inhumane and hateful no matter how much you try to make them understand or how much you try to make amends with them. Some people will be extremely childish (or just unhealthy) to the point they will hold every single mistake against you. This is not a problem on your end, and you must learn on your own terms to move on from people like this. Mistakes from other people are necessary so that they can learn — being angry at them actively will only hurt you, and temporarily bother them. You can make peace with them by understanding they've been tricked (propaganda, learned bigotry, etc.) into being so ragingly ignorant or spikeful. Free yourself from even giving them a reaction at all.

⠀

【 04 】 People Are Not Always Evil / Coming For You.

Similarly to the point above, make sure to not immediately assume the worst from someone. Some people struggle with conveying tone, or comprehending it, or with choosing words — and many other things regarding communication. Some people are genuinely curious when they ask you about something, wanting to learn about it in spite of their own ignorance about it. While it is not your obligation to educate/inform them, it's always best to remember that these opportunities are highly valuable for you, and people like you as well. Through understanding, people can learn to not have emotional reactions to certain patterned behaviors from disordered and/or disabled people — and that's a win for everyone, even when they're not disabled/disorderwd, because it humanizes the people next to you with logic. The communication between individuals is a golden, mystic key to peace.

⠀

【 05 】 Your Account/Blog Is Yours; Treat It Like That.

Someone doesn't like what you post? They can block you, without strings attached. I personally often worry a lot about being blocked, because it can mean I've done something unspeakably bad — but thinking of the way people can just curate their online experiences always helps me calm down, at least to some extent. Also, you DO NOT have to change your interests, your views or your way of posting to fit into other people's standards. Keep in mind, however, that specific standards and actual valid criticism are two different things; being accessible, kind, and having proper tagging (or content warnings) are generally important things. Plus, while you should stand your ground, you must also know when to listen to advice or constructive criticism (never destructive). Don't change for others, but don't keep making the same mistakes.

⠀

Be Kind To Yourself && To Others. 🤍

[Plain Text: Be kind to yourself & to others. white heart emoji /End of Plain Text]

[pure-garbage]

Not-So-Quick Thought Dump

I'm currently working on a handful of chapters that are actually incredibly important to me. I've been a victim of domestic abuse in the past, so it's an unbelievably difficult topic for me to write about. As much as writing can provide therapy and catharsis, I'm still only human and I get triggered sometimes trying to work through trauma I've personally experienced. I'm sure I'll end up hiding all the pain under a few layers of comedy, which is also fine. That's valid as an art form(I think).

That being said, I'm very pleased with the way I present the situation playing out roughly through chapters 123, likely to around 127. Character aspects like the ones explored here are a huge part of the reason I love the straw hat women so much, especially Robin(Lots of love for Nami too, but she is significantly younger and I head canon her as less experienced/wise).

Robin is the friend I always wanted but never had when I was dealing with my own struggles. She's centered, she's grounding, she's practical, and she can be amazingly fierce when it come to protecting/advocating for the people she cares about.

Going through my own experiences, I never had anyone who told me what I was going through was not okay. It can be incredibly confusing to be victimized by someone you have strong feelings for, whether that's romantic or familial. One of the hardest things in the world to realize is that two things can be true simultaneously: you can love someone and still not be okay with the way they treat you. You can create boundaries, have tough discussions and try to change behaviors. If change isn't possible, it becomes necessary to walk away, which is a separate challenge in and of itself.

Also the concept that someone can hurt you without meaning to and that's still not acceptable. It's easy to make excuses for the people who hurt us instead of holding them to account. Justifying the actions of someone you love is a hell of a lot easier than communicating with them. It's a lot easier than telling them you aren't okay with what they did. It's a lot easier than asking them not to do it again. Especially if they don't realize or don't want to admit that they hurt you. Maybe they were just playing. Maybe they thought you could handle it. If you're tempted to make excuses for them, you'd better believe that if you try to have a conversation about what happened, they'll likely make excuses for themselves.

This point cuts extra deep, at least for me, because it goes both ways. We can hurt the people around us without that being our intention. Hurting someone doesn't automatically make you the bad guy. Every fight in a relationship doesn't necessarily have a 'right' or 'wrong' side. It's fine to have a little self-forgiveness, but it has to be paired with caution. Don't make excuses for yourself instead of taking responsibility. The only thing you can really do to wrong another person is violate the boundaries they set knowing that you're doing so.

Whatever happened, even if it was a little thing, a petty thing, a 'stupid' thing: if you didn't like it, that's enough reason for it to never happen again. That's called setting a boundary and anyone who cares about you will respect the lines you draw in the sand and go out of their way not to cross those lines again. Which probably sounds super basic, like it should 'go without saying', but some of us were raised in dysfunctional households. For us, this really basic knowledge is a completely alien concept that we learn about later on. It's a life-changing epiphany if you're lucky enough to realize it consciously.

So if there's one lesson I can impart with this little arc, I hope that it is this: love and respect go hand in hand and they have to be mutual. Put the work in, be considerate, but don't forget to demand the same effort and consideration in return.

And walking away from a bad situation never makes you a bad person.

[icanseethefuture333]

hello, could you do Zendaya red flags/green flags?tysm

Zendaya's flags 🏳️‍:

Green flags 🟩:

Acknowledge(s/d) when her behavior was self destructive or self sabotaging and took accountability for her actions instead of being angry and blaming others

Stays clear of things that could set her down the wrong path (substance abuse, hanging with a bad crowd, etc)

Feels it is important to heal from generational trauma and wants to set herself and her future family free from those toxic cycles

Her character Rue has been a outlet for her and she hopes that she will be able to shed light on those suffering from mental illness or drug addiction

Very intelligent

Uses whatever tools she has (mentally or an actual object) to achieve success

Shows gratitude to what she has even if it's little or a lot

She is able to turn anything into something magical (scripts, art, a performance, etc)

Fast learner

Stays out of gossip

Trustworthy

Considerate of the feelings of others

If she doesn't have something nice to say she doesn't say it at all

Wants to do things that haven't been done before as an actor

Passionate about creating more spaces or roles for black people or poc in general

Refuses to let Hollywood change her as a person

Defends herself and others from people in hollywood, she will never let anyone turn her or someone into a victim while she's present

Good communication skills

Would gladly share tips on things she's knowledgeable about when asked

Could have wanted to be a teacher if she wasn't famous

Red flags 🚩:

Can be detached, cold, blunt, or aloof when talking to people

She needs to learn to balance logic with empathy, she's too logical or overanalyzes things at times

Projects an image or uses her characters she plays as a way for personal gain

She's constantly acting or playing a role even when she doesn't need to

Inner child wounds (something happened to her when she was a child where she was unable to defend herself, so the possibility of not having control again terrifies her. Zendaya needs to learn to let go and understand she can't always be in control all the time)

Holds grudges or anger towards her past

The show "Shake It Up" could be a bad memory for her. She gets triggered when it gets brought up or feels bitter about it

Takes it very personal when her partner does something that hurts her or makes a mistake, she's valid when it comes to her feelings but she also needs to learn how to forgive when it is necessary, otherwise she could be losing the people that she cares about and also care for her

She possibly suffers from sort of mental health problem (Post traumatic stress, Anxiety, or Disassociation. Its like she's numb or nervous at times. This isn't necessarily a red flag, but it's something people have to be mindful of when getting to know her)

Lets her talent get to her head. When things don't go as she planned or what she wanted, she can be very stubborn and arrogant

Nags or complains a lot when she's not in a good mood. Can be a downer or ruin the vibe when she's around others. Its very obvious when she's not happy and it can make some people uneasy

"Nevermind I'll do it myself"

This is a interesting take but she could be reverse codependent??? Like she's so hyper independent that she wants to always take care or help her partner to the point they don't know how to be responsible for themselves anymore?

In her relationships her partners loses their identity, they just become known as "Zendaya's partner"

Similar to the dynamic of Barbie and Ken in the movie ("Barbie" "and Ken" vs just Ken)

[riverofrainbows]

The thing about diy HRT, and all the people wanting to decentralise and diy the pharmaceutical industry upon the anarchist rapture revolution.

Is that these people are vastly underestimating what it takes to produce safe and effective medication, and a steady supply at that, and just how many different medications there are and just how complicated and high tech many of them are.

And yes i know about the people producing insulin in a low tech environment, and I'm sure they're very hard working and that it's better than nothing by far, and apparently pretty well done. And i also know that they rely on modern high tech methods and data for at least getting their instruction details and quality management specifications.

And I've seen a tiktok of someone claiming to make diy hrt, and claiming to distribute it too, and it was full of serious concerning quality issues, from the weighing method and portioning of the solution being inaccurate to the sterilisation method being neither sufficient nor quality controlled via bio marker nor thermometer at all, to their vials being neither cleaned right prior nor pyrogen free and their quality control afterwards regarding particles and proper solution of the powder non existent. They didn't confirm the identity of the raw materials they got on the internet, nor did they use water for injection or buffer the solution or even check the pH to see if they'd have to. Because that's the kicker, it was a solution for injection. Where the very necessary quality standards are even higher than something like a topical medication, for which they were also not cutting it regarding their production quality.

And I'm extremely concerned seeing people pointing out very real issues with the pharmaceutical industry and with the lack of bodily autonomy about medications when not best practice but politics and greed govern the access to those, but then they don't immediately discuss how their post apocalypse bathtub ibuprofen can conform to good manufacturing practice (GMP), how they're not just seizing the means of insulin production but also of borosilicate glass and autoclave and sterile filter and HPLC machine and mass spectrometer and freeze dryer and needle production.

And again, I understand and think it's valid that people are frustrated, but please don't just have plans for what you want to abolish about the pharma industry, also have plans on how you will run the supply lines for antibiotic sirups for children. For 78 different kinds of blood pressure medication. For that very tricky and complicated medication that only a few thousand people in the region need, that someone still needs to produce for these people and you need to make available to and ship to these people. For the rest of their lives. Do you have plans for that?

And don't tell me "it will figure itself out". When you haven't ever mentioned or thought about pharmacopoeias or how to detect nitrosamines (gas chromatography) or know how many people die every summer because their medication for blood pressure or heart issues isn't adjusted to heat (a haunting amount). Or read a meta study overview on what antibiotics are most effective for low tech crisis environments. Or thought about how to get to clean room class A (hint: it involves laminar air flow with sterile air and thinking about sewer systems and what kind of paper towels you can use to not get fibers in your vials).

Don't talk about how people can do it themselves if you don't wear a mask in public or know how to hold your fellow people accountable for shit ass production quality on parenteral medication (aka stuff going directly into your blood stream!).

And this is not telling you to shut up, this is trying to be a cautionary tale. To have glorious ideas of shaping the future, you need tedious and detailed information and to be real thorough about quality management and accuracy and scientific methodology.

And for the love of trans and intersex and disabled people staying alive, don't inject anything from anyone who can't answer everything about good manufacturing practice with concrete and thorough details, and doesn't mind you to ask these questions.

[writingforfishes]

were you at all uncomfortable or nervous starting your blog? i’ve wanted to start my own hiccup blog for some time, i’m a pretty active lurker in the small community here on tumblr, but i’ve always felt too nervous. if you did feel uncomfortable or nervous at all, how did you overcome that enough to start your blog?

Short answer: Yes. I overcame it because my mental health needed affirmation and validation and I could do so while keeping my anonymity.

Starting a blog like this, regardless of it not being connected to anything else of you elsewhere on the internet, is scary. Simultaneous to this blog I'm part of a very insular online forum. It is not a healthy place for me, but I still post fiction there.

I think I have some advantages in being able to feel safer having a blog like this. Mainly, I live alone and thus don't have as many fears of someone peeking over my shoulder or using my computer.

As far as overcoming, I think it became necessary once I saw that there was (or had been) a small hiccup kink community here to make this blog in affirmation to myself and to others that having a hiccup kink was OK and could be celebrated safely and that I was not an unsafe person for having it.

This part of myself is very, very difficult for me to be OK with. I had been ignoring the desires until I needed to fulfill them. I had been peripherally acknowledging that I even have this kink. That bothered me about myself. If anyone else told me of any other kink they had that was similar to mine (not inherently harmful to innocent/non-consenting people) it wouldn't bother me in the least. Why, then, does it feel so painfully shameful for me after I have gotten so far in my identity as a nonbinary asexual person to accept this part of myself?

That was ultimately the inspiration of starting the blog. I was able to completely separate it from my main blog on tumblr. That helped. I was able to name it something that couldn't be associated with any online name I had before. That also helped.

My writing style is apparently pretty identifiable, and one person (after we spoke for a while about my inspirations for the characters I write about) has been able to link me to my main; but they are part of the hiccup kink community, so it doesn't bother me as much as if it were the other way around.

I suppose, ultimately, (and pardon my blathering because I know I'm being too wordy) what helped me deal with the fear of starting this blog was putting up very strong boundaries for myself.

This blog is my safe space and will not be interlaced with any of my other online identities.

I do not interact (knowingly) with minors, and I expect that to be respected. (I obviously can't control this completely as I accept anonymous asks.)

I will not interact with any blogs that aren't kink-related or kink-friendly.

If it becomes necessary, the block feature is my friend.

I do not access this account publicly or on a smartphone.

Tumblr is one of the last few places on the internet where anonymity can actually be achieved successfully. I appreciate that about this community. I have no fear of being found out for my real self.

I think another benefit I might have comes from being older. One, I care much less what strangers think of me. Two, my friendships aren't based mainly online anymore. At least not in online communities. I hold no fear in being outed in that way.

Overall, making this blog has been incredibly therapeutic. If you are able to make one safely, a sock account linked with your altered email address might be helpful. But feel free to lurk if need-be as well.

Ultimately, I think if writing a blog is what you need you'll figure out a way to do so as safely as possible.

I hope any of this was helpful...heh.

[archivalofsins]

I feel like when people don't have a solid reason to not forgive a character. Suddenly, the victims' feelings are taken into account, and things that were forgivable elsewhere are suddenly not okay. Ultimately I'd really like to be like all biases are valid because that's how Milgram is. However, going how dare you be honest with your wife while simultaneously stating you shouldn't have lied in the first place is about the funniest contradiction I've ever heard.

Because it's like damned if you do damned if you don't logic. This is made funnier that apparently some people's lines in the sand are quite literally, "I can excuse/defend blatant murder but I draw the line at not being honest".

Like admittedly I feel a certain way and the ammount of effort people are going to in an attempt to go hold on don't say gender has a part in this or point out the blatant hypocrisy when it comes to this and Mahiru's case is just blatantly disingenuous. To me, it feels like basically saying don't defend that man by saying what he and Mahiru did are similar or try to explain anything or even state your feelings on the matter.

All while lacking any self-awareness of one's own personal biases or how biases exist at all. Like at one point this trial, the fandom is going abortion is a choice all women should have. Yet, now people are going getting a divorce is something people need to really consider the wellbeing of their partner before doing. A good partner would really consider how this would make the other party look or feel if they go forward with something like that.

Somehow, not realizing or choosing not to realize this is the exact reason he expressly states he should have just kept lying. I fundamentally do not and frankly don't want to understand how someone could imply something so damaging for people of all genders.

Especially when no fault divorce is currently under scrutiny again in the United States. The last thing anyone should be doing is re-stigmatizing peoples right to end a relationship whenever one of the parties sees fit. It is just such a regressive mindset, in my opinion.

The statements I've been made aware of through other parties are incredibly damaging and disrespectful to years of progress made in this area. So, I'd like to say just to make where I'm at crystal clear if anyone is feeling a certain way about how Kazui's trial is going, I get it.

If anyone is annoyed about others wanting to put a blanket over all the hypocrisy, denouncing divorce as a concept and option that many people should have the right to pursue if necessary for any reason, or even just the focus being put on simply the lying and not the actual murder. I want to make this clear that the real world is not Milgram's verdict, and there are people in this world who understand that saying these sort of things, behaving in this sort of way, is not helpful to anyone.

These are people reaching to prove a point because they hate a fictional man so much that they refuse to evaluate who that point may hurt. Stooping to that level over something like this is an easy way to get into an endless mud slinging contest. End of story.

At the end of the day, all ten prisoners are objectively and irrefutably murderers. However, to be candid, I've seen people defend worse in this fandom, which says a lot about how ridiculously disparaging this is to see considering the logic being used to support a guilty verdict that I've heard. I hope this isn't a downer of a post.

I'm leaving it untagged because it might be, and reblogs are off because these are just my personal feelings overall. But- yeah. . . Shit sucks to see can't even lie.

[mbti-notes]

Hi mbti notes, I’m an ENTJ having issues with a superior at work and would appreciate your perspective. I find myself reacting with anger to a lot of her decisions, more than just frustration at what I consider to be bad policy changes. I try to stay polite in the moment but I recently had to rant about her to trusted friends. I am not the sort of person to hold grudges, so this is a weird and bad feeling for me. I think it is because her decisions are just plain mean and I have no way to argue against them since they arent necessarily irrational or illogical. They will save the business money, but I feel uncomfortable with them (being vague for privacy). No one else working there seems to be bothered so I wonder if I am more angry than I should be, though my friends agreed it sounded unnecessarily mean. I guess my question is how to deal with authority you disagree with without going straight to confrontation. And also why my anger feels so out of proportion. Thank you

You are entitled to your opinions and your feelings are valid. Feelings and emotions reveal important truths, which is why accounting for them is necessary for good decision-making and denying them can be harmful. Feelings and emotions become disruptive or unhealthy when you aren't able to acknowledge them, understand them, process them, and use them to enhance your existence - these are all important elements of emotional intelligence.

Anger is an indication of significant injury or brokenness. Whenever you encounter an unfair, unjust, or unethical situation, anger is the appropriate response to the relationship fracture, the betrayal of trust, and/or the damage done to the victims. Without anger, humans wouldn't have the motivation to rectify/prevent problematic social situations. When you don't address these problems properly, the social environment easily becomes toxic and harmful to everyone.

Anger is a very strong and draining emotion because it's meant to quickly spur action that stops/prevents harm. Where people often get confused is they experience all this anger burning inside themselves and they have no idea how to handle it or where to channel it. Some people can't handle the intensity and repress it, only to have it pop back out in destructive ways. Some people get consumed and express it, which only fans the flames of an already tense situation. Are there alternatives to repressing or expressing?

To handle feelings and emotions wisely:

Take them. Accept them. Allow yourself to feel them fully.

Listen to them and hear what they're telling you to do.

Try to look at the situation from different perspectives in order to prevent yourself from getting too biased in judgment.

Pause and tap into your better self to determine what the best course of action is.

Moral problems aren't black-and-white most of the time. Complex moral problems do not have perfect solutions, which is why they are difficult to reason through and resolve. No matter what, someone's going to lose something, so all you can do is try to minimize the losses by carefully considering several possible outcomes, i.e., use Ni to visualize the best possible course of events.

In your case, there seems to be three separate issues to address:

1) The Merits of the Decision: By putting yourself in the company's position, you are able to acknowledge that the decision was advantageous, so you have no logical grounds to counter it. Okay.

But keep in mind that such decisions are never perfectly justified. They are usually based on some data as well as some underlying value judgments. Perhaps a different manager/executive would've looked at that data and made a different decision based on a different set of values. The devil is in the details. Expose the details of the decision-making process and you may find grounds for objection.

For example, although it was an "advantageous" decision for the company, was it absolutely "necessary" to decide in that particular way? Asking this kind of question changes the angle and opens up a different avenue of inquiry. Of course, you might not be in a position to answer the question. But you asked for perspective, so that's one alternative way to approach the argument.

2) The Ethics of the Decision: You take issue with the manner in which the policy change was communicated or implemented ("sounded unnecessarily mean"). You pin the blame on a particular superior. How you handle this depends on what your ultimate goal is.

E.g. If your end goal is to get the policy amended, then you'll have to speak with the people who have the power to change it and convince them with compelling arguments. If your end goal is to get this superior to communicate better, then you'll have to determine whether she'd be open to feedback and come up with a constructive way to deliver the criticism to her (i.e. without blaming and shaming). If your end goal is to alleviate the suffering of the people who will be most impacted by this policy change, then ignore the superior and deal directly with the victims.

3) The Power Differential: You are constrained by the rules and norms of a superior/subordinate relationship. To continue point #2, you have to determine what your end goal should be, but what you set as your end goal is largely determined by how much influence you have over the situation. Since I don't know your status in the company, I can't make any judgments on this matter.

Even when you don't have the power to influence the higher-ups or make big sweeping structural change, doing so-called "smaller" things to alleviate suffering is also very important for mending injury or brokenness. This would be a positive, constructive, and ethical way to channel and release anger. Even venting about the problem with colleagues can be productive, if it leads to greater unity among staff for pushing back against future injury. From anger's perspective, it's better to do something, even in part, to right a wrong than just do nothing and submit to it.

[ripples-in-the-river]

ADVOCATING FOR GAZA AS SOMEONE WITH HYPEREMPATHY

Are you tired of seeing posts about the genocide in Gaza everyday?

I am, too. We all are. Trust me, everyone's tired, too.

I know that it's not because you don't care. You care so much that you don't want to see it, because it hurts too much, and you'd rather go on with your life and pretend you never heard of it.

I get it. Trust me, I do.

But I'm guessing that you wouldn't feel happy with just ignoring everything, either. Right? Because you care. Of course you do. Everyone does.

Let me present you with ways to advocate for the people of Gaza, and help spread awareness, without burning yourself out and wanting to just explode the entire planet and move on from the human race:

-Make your own posts. Spread awareness within the limits your hyperempathy sets for you. No need to use graphic images, graphic descriptions, anything that sets you off. Just vague but powerful terms, that explain the situation without making you want to die.

-Get your info elsewhere. Tumblr doesn't hold a monopole on militantism. Other news sites or papers cover the issue. Maybe they explain the issue in more positive terms, or in easier to swallow phrasings. Maybe they put the focus on what you can do to help, or which countries have taken an official stand against the massacre.

-Mute the tag. I know you feel guilty for doing it, but mute the goddamn tag. You can get your info elsewhere, sign petitions elsewhere, talk about the issue elsewhere. Tumblr doesn't need to be the place you talk or think about Gaza. So mute the goddamn tag if it's burning you out. Please. Do yourself a favor. Besides, burning yourself out won't help anyone. So mute it. There are other ways you can help.

-Sign petitions. There must be at least fifty petitions out there, all in favor of stopping the bombings. Some might be for your country to take an official stance. Some might be for the Israeli government to stop the war. Some might be for the United Nations to bargain for more than a four-day ceasefire. Maybe you'd like to sign some of them.

-Talk about it. There's a world outside Tumblr. Not everyone has an account (no shit, right?). Talk about it with people who might not know. Make a post on Facebook or something. Tell your aunt, or ask your teacher about it.

-Focus on the positive. Lord knows there's an overwhelming amount of negativity in this whole shitty predicament, but there IS positive. What's the positive? The volunteers. The heroes. The people working to get the war to stop. The famous people and politicians taking an official stance against the horrors. Us, on Tumblr, working hard to spread the word that what's happening in Gaza is straight out of a goddamn horror movie, like what the fuck, seriously, what the fuck even?

My point is that we all have our ways of helping. Some of us straight-up go to Gaza and take people out of the rubble. Some of us work at the UN to get a peace treaty going. Some of us work on the news coverage. And I bet they don't all have Tumblr accounts -- but their help is still very, very valid and very, very appreciated. Crucial, even. Absolutely necessary.

So when you hear about things that make you want to just drop dead, or that make you wish God would send another one of those floods and just be done with the entire planet already; when you're tired of hearing about dead children, bombed hospitals, panicked citizens and even more things you'd find on the Devil's daily crossword puzzle, please remember that there are other ways to stand up for the people of Gaza. You don't need to burn out. There are other ways to help. Fuck, you can send money, I bet; make your official Facebook status something like #saveGaza2023; you can pray, you can send money, you can use your political connections if you're involved in your local politics group, you can... I don't even know what else you can do, but I'm absolutely fucking sure of one thing: you can help without reading about all that bullshit about dead kids. So stop reading it if it hurts too much. Do other things instead.

[assorted-yeets]

The art of emotional transference

In the intricate tapestry of friendship, I am an ardent believer in the transformative power of the profound philosophy of gentle parenting. Reveling the vibrant colors of the emotional transference, sitting by my friend('s)/(s') side. Immersed in their world, seeking to understand the delicate brushstrokes of their feelings, offering validation and encouragement with ease, like a painter adding the finishing touches to the masterpiece.

It's 2023, dawg; this art’s got its roots far deeper than the realms of conventional child-rearing. Compassion and empathy create a foundational bedrock of trust, allowing my kin to confide their thoughts and struggles in the space of profound acceptance. The joy I derive from being their pillar of support becomes an unspoken, symbiotic enrichment for their lives and mine.

But, soft! and yet, I must tread carefully. Why? For this emotional dance can be like wielding a double–edged sword. As an empathetic soul, I willingly absorb their joys; and unfortunately, so, I also fall a–sponge to their sorrows. To preserve the beauty of this connections, I am still in the process to learn how to establish boundaries and prioritize self–care, guarding against the risk of burnouts and meltdowns.

As the recipients of this gentle parenting, my friends find solace and catharsis in being seen and heard. Knowing that someone genuinely cares about their emotional journey, cultivates a profound sense of belonging and acceptance in their heads and hearts. But I am mindful that this approach isn’t one–size–fits–all, and both ways. An individual responds to the same situation in distinct ways at different given points of time; let alone different individuals in different situations. A lot of permutations and combinations kinda work, isn’t it? On the other hand, us as listeners, may struggle with emotional weight (our and theirs), and it is crucial to be honest about your emotional capacity. When the load becomes too heavy, seeking professional help or directing them to appropriate resources is an act of kindness.

Alas, even amidst this nurturing environment, I am wary of the fostering dependency. Traces of this risk lie veiled in every single interpersonal relationship an individual can have. Just as an art instructor empowers their students to find their own creative voice, I too, encourage my friends to seek personal growth, take responsibility for their actions, hold themselves accountable, when necessary, acknowledge their own efforts put into something, not under or overestimating their self–worth, practicing mindful self–awareness and to develop resilience. A delicate balance is the key to perfection, even brilliance in the relationship with yourself and the other interpersonal relationships no matter how close.

Concludingly, the captivating dance of the emotional transference through gentle parenting in relationships, (be it a standard child–parent or not,) becomes a potent elixir for building unshakable foundations of connections and offering meaningful support. Guided by active listening, positive reinforcement, reassurance etcetera, paints a beautiful canvas of validation and understanding for our folk. However, in this waltz of emotions, we must harmonize our mental well-being, lest the splendor of our connection shall lose its luster. Like skilled artists, being there for our friends with intelligence and grace serves to create a symphony of mutual support and care, a timeless masterpiece if you will.

[stargazeraldroth]

Ooohhh, good luck with your schoolwork, then! And don’t push yourself too hard~

I get what you mean! To be honest, I tend to make him lean more towards good, myself- It’s just how I view him, in no small part (like you said) thanks to all of the overly malicious interpretations of him. And honestly, especially with the other Stars, I usually interpret him as “good-leaning chaotic neutral,” so really, I’m probably biased, too! Also, he definitely, absolutely does need therapy- To help recognize and process his own feelings (and validate them), to help him recognize social cues he tends to disregard, etc. If nothing else, he’s lived for so goddamn long and seen so much shit that he could do with talking to A Professional about it and just getting it off of his chest. And that’s just with his canon role as a Protector… If you view anything with, say, Gin as canon, he probably needs it even more. And I’m a sucker for Gin/Ink, so I like taking it into account, heh.

I think I may have read that one, too! I… Also cannot remember the title, though, whoops. But! I could see his abandonment issues (and probable RSD, at least in my opinion (no I’m not projecting hush-) because Look At Him) playing into how he takes all of this- And the entire thing combines with his other issues and the fact that protecting the Multiverse is kind of a Big Deal to him, and it all just. Really, really starts to weigh him down, I think. He’d be trying to go over everything he did- Wondering if he did something to make them think he hated being soulless, like you said, or how he led them to think that he needed saving from the Creators (which, maybe he does, just. Not like this), or how me screwed up so much that two of the people he bases his understanding of morals off of went off the deep end. Did he interfere too much? Is this going to happen to others? Was there a way he could have seen this coming and stopped it? Blue and Dream would probably hate that he’s thinking that way (and maybe it even feeds more into their delusions, because how could he think like that? It couldn’t be their fault, right? They’re in too deep now, they can’t just stop-), but Ink is gonna spiral into self hatred and spiral hard, no matter how you look at it.

Core deserved to go a bit feral and wreck havoc on people who hurt the ones they love. Just a little bit. You know. As a treat. For real though, they’re definitely the sort of threat you regret overlooking, because even if they, physically, cannot do anything to you, kiddo’s got Influence and Knowledge and probably a damn good Scary Face. They’re definitely gonna assemble the squad to get their artistic pal back.

Depending on how badly off Ink is in the moment (both emotionally and physically), Cross might actually start out as a necessary caretaker AND protector for him- No one wants to decide things For Him, given everything that happened, but also, if he’s refusing to take his vials and not letting himself feel or function, someone needs to try and make sure he’s at least semi-healthy, you know? Either way, given time and A Lot of healing, I definitely see it developing into a much healthier, much happier friendship and partnership- With Cross probably acting like a Big Brother sometimes, because you know, Oreo Bros. And by that I mean, once they regained their bond, he gleefully holds having almost an Entire Foot on Ink over his head, and stuff like that (let them tease each other and be goofballs, they need it-).

Core and Cross are just gently giving Ink hugs and head pats while Error is just that one video of the guy awkwardly petting the other guy with a broom. And Fresh, in my mind, has plenty of motive to keep Ink Alive and Kicking because, if the Protector is gone, the chances of his Primary Food Source dying out goes up. Also I just really like the dynamic he’d bring to this particularly chaotic table, it’d be fun.

AHAHAHAHA HES SUCH A FUCKIN MANBABY AND I LOVE IT. Tantrum throwing Error over what would, to other people, be Weird Shit is always just. So funny to me. If Blue and Dream do kidnap Ink, I imagine he’d be a likely source of rescue, because the indignity of Someone Else having the nerve to capture His Rival would drive him insane.

O O F. That’s a tough (and painful) one. My first thought is that, if they wish for Ink to have a soul, and to not be “burdened” with the role of Protector anymore, the Overwrite reconstructs his old soul and locks him back in his old, unfinished AU… With just the sketches and his own thoughts for company. Unless it erases his memories, I don’t imagine he’d cope well with the sudden onslaught of Feeling so much and being in his Worst Nightmare.

My OTHER thought is that they wish to be Ink’s “perfect protectors” or something along those lines, but without any real guidelines, so now everyone has to deal with Shattered Dream and a Much More Deadly Blue running around and refusing to let Ink go anywhere.

Alternately, it goes right… For them. By locking all three Stars in the Doodlesphere and rendering it impossible to breach. Talk about an opportunity to gaslight poor Ink.

YOU KNOW GIN LORE!?

I'm sorry for shouting at you like that- but I have not been able to find a single thing about Gin's lore! Like I have a name, that's all I know. All I know is his name and that he had a close bond with Ink, or something like that. I don't even know where to look for this man's lore, which sucks because he?? Looks cool to me??? And he's Ink's friend???? I genuinely don't even know what Gin's lore is or what AU he's from-

Okay so that either refers to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or rejection sensitivity, and honestly? I'm here for both of them (I have looked as their basic definitions and nothing more). I, too, suspect that I may have some problems when it comes to abandonment and rejection... but this isn't a therapy session and I'm trying to be mysterious about myself, so we won't dwell on that. I can get behind Ink spiraling into self-hatred, that's a whole mood. Also, I just feel like if Dream and Blue tried to reassure him that it wasn't his fault (and of course they would, why wouldn't they step in?), Ink wouldn't believe them. There's just no other explanation for it, to him. Especially if they were to try and explain their reasoning to him.

I want you to know that I read "artistic" as "autistic" and didn't bat an eye. That's some self-projection right there.

Ooo yes yes, I understand exactly what you mean! I can see Cross being a necessary caretaker for the time being, if only to keep Ink functioning. Also just to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything drastic, just as a precaution.

HJBVHHJBHJGG- Error with the broom?? Trying to comfort Ink by probing him with it?? Splendid imagery. He never learned how to comfort people, he's doing his best. He's improvising for the situation and I think that deserves some credit.

If Dream and Blue were to kidnap Ink, Error would be that one clip of the tank pulling right up to the house's door. I hope you know what I'm talking about, I think it's the perfect example of this. Error being a huge manbaby and having tantrums is something I live for, but it's so rare to find it in fanfics?? At least from my own experience. And I attribute that to the fact that Error's also greatly mischaracterized by a majority of the fandom as some sort of saint, but that's a topic for a different day.

(I will never want to rant about this.)

You know... I'm the one who suggested the hypothetical scenario, but you didn't have to assault me with that first interpretation /lh. My poor baby- especially because I'm pretty sure Ink doesn't actually remember anything from before waking up in the Anti-Void?? So he'd be confused and petrified, with no way of stopping his emotions or processing them. This also means that Broomie's gone for good, how could you do this Anon?

I do love me some Shattered content. Some nice Shattered and Ink interactions, we love to see it, love to see it. Some "nice" interactions. In this case, it's definitely a hostage situation, even before they hypothetically emerge victorious. Since Shattered now has tentacles, he can basically keep Ink restrained at all times, if he were to catch him. I can picture the scene: they use the OVERWRITE on themselves and, as soon as they do, Ink feels it. Something is wrong. So very wrong. The story- stories- they're different now. Something's gone wrong, he needs to fix it, but he's probably too bewildered by what he just witnessed to react properly. And for a little treat, just a little seasoning, imagine that he feels actual pain whenever something major like this- something so extremely off-script- happens. If the pain's great enough, it would render him stunned just long enough for the two to strike.

In the situation where they get locked in the Doodlesphere, I imagine there would be a scene where Ink's just processing everything. He's like "Creators... what the actual fuck?" The Creators really went to get the milk, huh?

Alternatively, Nightmare's probably just somewhere, eating popcorn while watching this whole thing go down from start to finish.