#honouring fit in a unique way

[swissyyroll]

something about bad asking pac if he kept a part of him with him and him just going “i cut off his finger and put it in my pocket!” so horrifically beautiful

[nayatarot777]

a love letter from you to you 💓

i’d appreciate if you check out my patreon! thank you sm for taking the time to take interest in my readings ☺️💓

• pile one •

‘you’re so intelligent. so focused and direct with how you manage your life. the way that you perceive the world is clear-sighted and knowledgable. some people may say that you’re ‘too cold’ or ‘too cutthroat’ but i believe that they just don’t see the value of your mind. of your insight and the ability to curate foresight. i admire how you can always see how somethings going to work out. or how something’s going to end based on probabilities and information that you’ve collected about said thing or person. i admire how you use your voice and your mind as a weapon that others don’t want to mess with. and i love how you have a strong sense of morality that you stick to. i feel pride whenever you speak up for the sake of implementing justice. whenever you defend yourself or another. it takes a certain type of brave person to do that, and there doesn’t seem to be many around you. to stand on your own for the sake of honouring your sense of right or wrong is an extremely strong thing to do. you’re not a follower like the rest. you’re not someone who prioritises fitting into a group of people in society who most of the time don’t even like nor respect themselves. you’ll always be seen as a threat because of this, but it’s one of my favourite aspects about your personality. your mind is a unique one.’

• pile two •

‘my favourite things about you are your boundaries. it shows that you care for yourself. you respect yourself and your limits. you’re aware of what you can and can’t take and ensure to protect yourself from breaking point. you’ve had to constantly defend yourself from people who turned on you. from people who acted like they had your back. but once they showed their true face, you had no problem with putting up barriers between you and them. you don’t fuck around with yourself. i love it. as well as your determination to do whatever you feel like you need to do to protect yourself despite everyone else’s opinions that may disagree with what you do. i love how you’re your own priority. you don’t wait on anyone else to prioritise you for you. you’re your own defender. your own protector. and once you decide to slam those boundaries in place, you don’t budge from them. you’re a person of your word. you keep promises to yourself. loyalty to yourself. and i respect that.’

• pile three •

‘you’re always balancing the scales. keeping the score and making sure that both positive and negative karma comes to those who deserve either. some people think that you’re being pretentious, because they don’t know what it’s like to have a strong sense of justice. a strong understanding of what’s right and wrong to do to another human being. a lot of these people do understand - but they don’t care. i find it so funny when they miraculously start caring once they come across you though. you’re literally walking karma. you speak nothing but the truth - unbiased and fair towards people. regardless of how people get triggered by this. you’re a peacemaker at heart, and you just want to make sure that energies in your life stay in balance. you have such a balanced mind yourself. the way that you can view someone who you might not be so fond of in the most accurate way possible. no biases. if someone deserves props, you’ll give it to them - regardless of how you feel about them personally. and the same applies to when people need to be held accountable for their bullshit. you’re genuine. not controlled by your ego but in control of your ego instead. you’re too mature for a lot of people around you, but that’s not your problem. you always do what you feel is right. and in a world like this, i admire your persistence at this.’

[sirludox]

please tell me all about your zosan pony verse i love them!

Oh my god it would be an honour! I'll start off by mentioning that the reason I chose Sanji as a pegasus was I see his more flamboyant personality fitting that better and i just could not imagine a horse wielding 3 swords without some sort of help so I tinkered how unicorn magic works slightly with it being more closely related to mental and physical strength rather than just being a sort of cheat code haha! Also it was fun imagining a more brutish unicorn compared to the usual elegance of one! Zoro did in fact lose his horn with his first meeting of Mihawk! I was debating making him lose it when he lost his eye but I felt like him dedicating himself even more to training and meditation to make up for what he's lost fit better with it occurring much earlier on than randomly off screen like his eye. Sanji also witnessing him lose his horn yet still declare his loyalty and never losing a fight again would push Sanji to join the crew since he cant fly Sanji, like I said, can't fly mostly related to a) the deformed genes from the poison and b) his wings were bound down when he was a kid by Judge while he was imprisoned much like how he had the helmet on. While their growth wasn't affected, having no prior training on top of the messed up genes means as much as he can do with "flying" is gliding off of tall places or high up but even then that's limited. His "sky walk" is still done with his legs like in the original, so while he can technically "fly", he can't feel the wind between his wings like he normally should for having wings and so he often enjoys spreading his wings out on windy days to ease the desire of "freedom"! He uses his wings primarily as he would hands now, using them to carry food and dishes out and express emotions with them, and absolutely hates having them constricted (it begins to freak him out slightly). Sanji then learnt to use his legs (mostly his back ones) for fighting from Zeff (whom im still debating lost a leg or a wing) and the rest is history! These two still bicker and are the exact same as they are in the original, just with the bonus addition of them bonding over them missing their core "features" of their kind, a broken horn and useless wings. They never ever bring these aspects up in a way to offend/insult the other, as they know they're both rather sensitive topics, but they both use what they've lost to their advantage and dont let any of it hold them back Some more unique quirks they have now are:

Sanji preens/grooms his feathers a LOT and takes a lot of care with them. These days (20's), he's allowed Zoro to preen him when he can't from injuries, and Zoro is good with it/surprisingly gentle after learning from Kuina

Unicorns usually rub/touch horns gently in a comforting manner between family or extremely close (wink wink) others, and butting heads/clashing is more aggressive (which is why zosan often bump heads when arguing). As a trade off for the preening Sanji will often gently touch his head to Zoro's as thanks, or when he's in a particularly bad spot (be it physically or mentally) as a way to comfort him without words being needed to be said. Sanji doesn't know the more romantic connotations of it <3

Sanji tends to "fluff up" during preening as subconsciously finding it extremely relaxing and pleasing and Zoro pokes fun at him for it a little but not too much to avoid scaring him away

40 year old Zosan here has Sanji much more comfortable asking Zoro for a preen or "demanding for it" and Zoro finds it "so annoying" but does it anyway (theyre grossly in love)

Sanji will tease Zoro for being so "brute" as a unicorn, and Zoro teases Sanji for being a "dumb peacock"

Sorry for so much of a ramble haha they're just so much fun to work with, and included a couple sketches to kind of go along with things and explore other characters! If you (or anyone) has any other questions I'll be happy to answer ❤️ (sorry if some of this doesnt make sense haha)

[theroyalsims]

ROYAL WEDDING: WHICH TIARA WILL ANYA WEAR?

Aside from guessing which designer has been tapped to make Anya's dress, people are also taking bets on which tiara she'll wear on her big day!

The recent banquet only intensified people's curiosity over which tiara Anya will be wearing for her wedding. That's not exactly an easy decision to make, considering HRH has quite a lot of tiaras at her disposal. So here's a quick look at some of the sparklers that we *might* see atop HRH's head come her much-awaited wedding day. We split the tiaras under four categories: The Favourites, The Diamonds, The Necklaces, and The Emeralds, plus a bonus category!

THE FAVOURITES

The Brindleton Foliage Tiara

The diamond and ruby piece was given a rebirth by Queen Emilia when she dusted it off and had it repaired and slightly altered. The tiara, considered a blood princess tiara, can only be worn by blood princesses. It's been a hot minute since Her Majesty has worn the piece, and it's now perhaps more associated with The Crown Princess.

The Stafford Tiara

The impressive tiara, which features a graduating scroll motif, is an 18th birthday present by the Stafford Royal Family to the Crown Princess. Personally dubbed as "her favourite," HRH has worn it through the years, and she even wore it for her official portrait a few years ago. We won't be surprised if HRH picks this stunner for her royal wedding!

THE DIAMONDS

The Brindleton Comb Tiara

The Brindleton Comb Tiara is one of the most unique and versatile pieces in the royal collection. The all-diamond diadem is composed of three individual combs. Each can be worn individually, or they can be locked into place to form the tiara. HRH has worn it a couple of times, and she seems to prefer to wear all three combs in one go, making it seem like she has a halo of diamonds that goes all around her head.

Brindleton-Rennaux Tiara

Speaking of versatile, the latest tiara to join HRH's collection is also quite customisable, thanks to its removable central diamond, which can be replaced with accompanying "extra" stones. The piece has garnered the nickname "Brindleton-Rennaux Tiara." It was commissioned by Prince Jacques for Anya's thirtieth birthday. The diamonds used for the piece were derived from the private collection of Prince Jacques' mother, the late Queen Theodora of Rennaux.

THE NECKLACES

The Queen Astrid Necklace Tiara

This all-diamond tiara was an anniversary present to Queen Astrid (Anya's maternal great-grandmother) from her husband, King Frederik. It was originally meant to be a necklace, however, the late Queen commissioned the royal jewellers to transform it in such a way that it could be worn as a headpiece, too. The Crown Princess has worn the tiara twice - at Princess Katrine of Arendahl's wedding, and more recently during last week's Selvadoradan Banquet.

The Debonne Tiara

Another necklace-cum-tiara Anya seems to love is the Debonne Tiara. The piece was a present from Lady Amarie Debonne to the late Queen Astrid. It features a dainty floral motif, which includes diamonds and pearls. The headpiece is set in yellow gold and it matches Anya's engagement ring perfectly! HRH has also worn this tiara twice - first during her state visit to Tartosa, and she also wore it for her engagement photoshoot.

THE EMERALDS

Queen Ophelia’s Birthday Tiara 

This now-iconic tiara was a birthday present from King Leopold to his wife, Queen Ophelia. The piece is also very flexible, and can be worn with emerald pendants, pearl pendants, worn with just the diamond hoops. The Crown Princess has donned it a handful of times, and should she wear it for her wedding, it would be a wonderful way to honour her grandmother.

Brindleton Lace Tiara

According to Brindleton customs, brides are encouraged to wear emeralds on her wedding day for good luck, so The Brindleton Lace Tiara definitely fits the bill! It forms part of the Brindleton Emerald Parure, and most people probably remember it as the tiara that Anya "stole" from her sister Eleanore during the latter's wedding a couple of years ago. Whether or not Anya will be petty enough to wear it to her own wedding, guess we're going to have to wait and see!

Queen Emilia's Birthday Tiara

This meaningful diadem that features a large central emerald was an 18th birthday present from King Leopold to his daughter, then Crown Princess Emilia. Through the years, many royal heads have worn the tiara including Crown Princes Anya herself. There's a chance Anya might choose this as her wedding tiara given its relevance and history, and of course, as a way to honour her mum.

BONUS CATEGORY: THE HONOURABLE MENTIONS

While some say that brides should not wear pearls because their tear-shaped appearance symbolises tears to be shed due to a sad marriage, others claim that pearls are good luck and signify a fruitful and successful union. Some pearl tiaras that could be worn by Anya include The Queen Astrid Diamond and Pearl Tiara (L), which she wore to her visit to Selvadorada; The Brindleton Bow Pearl and Diamond Tiara (C) which features an array of suspended teardrop pearls; and the Brindleton Clam Tiara (R), which HRH once wore in an official portrait.

Of course, Anya could surprise us all and pull out a long-unseen tiara from deep within the royal vaults, or even a newly-commissioned piece for her wedding day! Either way, we're quite certain it'll be a stunner, just like all the other tiaras HRH has worn in the past.

One thing's certain, though. All this tiara talk has us desperate for more royal wedding updates!

[lilianasgrimoire]

Altars

A witch's alar is a divine place. it's unique and sacred. There will never be 2 of the same. Each altar is personal, one of a kind. Most altars, however, will have similar or the same items, such as a cauldron, candles, an athame (a small blade), and a symbol to represent the craft of the individual (pentagram, flower of life, etc.). There is no set of items to make an altar an altar.

You do not need to go out of you way to get expensive for specific items for your space. You may only need a regular bowl as the cauldron and some herbs with a grimoire. Another's space may have incense or a smelly candle. Some alters are decorated for the season, special festivals, items for specific deities or even spell jars. Should you want to decorate your dedicated space traditionally, it would have a specific layout, particularly during spell work.

How to Set Up an Altar

Typically, a cloth will be placed on the table (but it isn't a necessity). A pentacle/pentagram will be placed on the table and there will be 4 corners to represent the elements.

North = Earth = crystals, bowl of salt, a plant

East = Air = incense or/and burner

South = Fire = candles or something that holds a flame

West = Water = a body of water (bowl or cup).

Other witches may have many more objects on their alter, or they may keep it minimal. If an individual works with deities, they may included a candle or item to hold a space on the altar for that particular spirit/deity. Items also differ based on their belief system.

Most commonly, witches use:

Pictures or statues of the deity to honour them, or/and a symbolic item to represent their certain God, should they work with or worship one.

A chalice may be used to represent the feminine aspect in the Great Rite (Wicca), which is usually filled with wine, juice or spring water.

A bell can be used to mark the start and end of a ritual or used to sound cleanse a space.

The Athame is a blade to represent the male or masculine of the Great Rite, to direct energies and cut doorways in the circle. Also can be used in rituals to 'cut ties' energetically and spiritually with another person.

A wand to direct energies and create the temple of the protective circle (usually cast before doing spell work)

Crystals to promote, banish or maintain specific energies.

Altars do not need to be in one spot or a specific way. Altars can be spread out over shelves, tables or even over several rooms. Alternatively, they can even be pocket sized for your own convenience! It's your space - make it how you like it and what works for you and your situation. An Altar is designed and tailored to fit the witch using it.

Some witches don't even have altars, but most do. Altars are not a necessity in your craft and neither is what you put on it, so there should be no pressure as to make one.

[22to22]

It's my birthday

and the thing you can do to celebrate is check out Spindlewheel, a tarot-like storytelling system where you weave a story from card to card.

Spindlewheel is a unique system where the deck has as much to say about the story as you do, but the story is bespoke to you and your friends every time. Every Spindlewheel game is a constructed scaffolding for story structure, ranging from western four-act stories in Spindlewheel Classic, to tense bombastic duels to the bitter end in Meet Me In The Field of Honour At Dawn, to sorting out a trio's complicated feelings for each other in Love Machine.

The goal of Spindlewheel is to tell a satisfying story. Your character might win wealth and fame, or they might crash and burn. Both of these are victories if they fit the arc of the story you’ve told, and bring satisfaction to you as a storyteller.

How do you play? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Spindlewheel’s fundamental verb is interpretation.

Each card’s text evokes an idea.  The upright and inverse text are different. Sometimes they’re diametrically opposed; often, they’re two sides of the same coin.

Use the card as an anchor for the part of the story that you’re telling.

A card can be a person, an event, an attitude, or a physical object. Use as much as the entire card, or as little as a single word. A card is interpreted twice: once when it enters your hand, and again when you play it. It does not have to be the same interpretation.

FOR EXAMPLE: I might draw the Hearth card and Reflect that I feel like people closed their doors to me; but I might Engage that card later, declaring I won’t do the same to someone else, and play it to invite someone into my home.

It's a really excellent one shot system: it takes no prep, every setting is procedurally generated for each table, and most games are GMless. The games that are GMed are designed to support improvisation and provide coherent throughlines so the GM can focus on moment to moment play. It also works as a GM tool within other systems for when you need an ominous portent or an answer to a question where a dice roll just won't cut it.

It also makes for pretty damn good radio. Check it out on Party of One, An Atlas of the World Unknown, You Don't Meet In An Inn, Follow the Leader, and played extensively in the devlog Spindlewheel Stories where you can listen as the game takes shape over time.

Did I mention it's got an open SRD? Anyone can hack the system and sell their games. Here's a collection of people who have done just that!

Curious?

There's lots of ways to try Spindlewheel online for free! give @spindlewheelbot (by Caro Asercion) on twitter an @ for a "classic" spread inspired by the celtic cross, or a single card "vibe check"; print and play the deck with the original legacy art or play it on playingcards.io; or play it on Tabletop Playground and Tabletop Simulator.

Convinced?

Head over to www.teacabbage.com/spindlewheel to pick your digital copy of Spindlewheel on itch.io and roll20!

[darkdemeter]

WATCH IN SILENCE

✘DARKSIDERS FILED CLIPPINGS | War x Female Watcher!Reader ────────────────────────

A cantankerous behemoth that treads the path of destruction and chaos in his wake. A rider adorned in the banner of red, his trademark hood, and beneath the darkness of his cowl is the war-enamoured glare of whitened blue. A hue far too complicated for any mortal to comprehend. This bringer of all things conflict, and pursuer of vengeance to a fiery engine that can never be sated, his reluctance towards trusting you is to be expected.

For a Watcher bound to the plating of his gauntlet and deeper into his very soul, can only mean that the Charred Council questions his loyalty to them. Untrusted to go about his tasks, to serve the balance, he is now at the tether of a parasite that will feed and revel in the status of your power over him.

But he learns quickly that you do no such thing. Intend nothing of the sort. You just follow behind him as if it is you who is at his leash. He contemplates your motives in his mind, and you do nothing to invade him there, for that is not yours to pry into. There is much silence to be found between you both and he finds appreciation in the beginning of it all. But there comes a time that his appreciation begins to fester into worry. 

Why do you not speak? Why is it that you just watch him?

It is a matter that you’re fascinated by him. A juggernaut of all things chaos, destruction and desolation, in contrast to the vow of his honour; his duty to serve balance and the level of dedication he strives for to make peace for the realms. For one of the four that is known to be fuelled by tempering vengeance and bloodlust, he has a strict code to which he conducts himself to uphold. Duty-bound to his role. You find him a very intriguing rider of the steed known as Ruin. A fitting comrade to his master. 

He senses something about you that sets you apart from other watchers, unlike the more obvious telltale signs and oddities, but within the pulsing energy of your shaded body; he feels that there is a sense of commonality between you both. 

Yes, much like himself, you are not as ancient as the others. No, you are young. And so, that commonality forges a bond between. You understand the struggles he goes through in being the youngest of his siblings. At times, not taken seriously, and other times he is teased and taunted relentlessly with only Death being the main mediator to rid his youngest from such torment. You too struggle with this ordeal within the spiralling, ethereal pool of the watchers. But by no means do any come to your valiant rescue. 

So when you are chosen to be bound to the red cowled Horsemen, you do well to ignore his scornful glare and allow your eyes to crinkle with a mouthless smile. Finally, you are given reprieve from your own torment and what’s more, you get a chance to explore the many worlds. 

At first, he’d been confronted by this… unique behaviour of exploration. The way you gravitate towards the smallest and most mundane articles in your path, you found there to be something entrancing about a single, white petalled flower that remains fighting against the rubble and corruption around it. Or from the wayward cast of your gaze that appeared to become lost in the intricate layout of the realms you travel to. No matter where you are, you always manage to find something that piques your peculiar interest. 

And in meeting Vulgrim, the demon trader who bargains boons and goods in exchange for souls, who’s hunger knows no bounds, is allured by that younger scent of yours. The fiend is salivating in his thoughts and lipless grin, you force yourself to hide behind War, whether as an act of cowardice or self-preservation, but it spurns the Horseman into action. That of defense. To protect you, the baritone of his voice warns Vulgrim off. That by the Charred Council - and by him - you are protected. 

War is silent about his intrigue of your gentle, silent nature. You are often out and about, lingering on the horizon of his watch and never straying too far from him.

"What is it, little Watcher?" he grumbles to you eagerly pounding on the plate of his pauldron to gain his attention, glancing to where you enthusiastically indicate towards a point of interest. In reply, he gives a stern nod of his head. The closest sentiment of thanks you can get from the near-silent rider. But adventurous voyages are cut short to retreat into the crypt of his body and soul when danger lurks near. Despite the inward haven, you find it hard to simply wait out the carnage and a strange sorrow fills the void where a heart should be when you see him falter, inflicted with wounds wrought from battle.

Because of this need to see him unharmed, you will yourself to be brave. Fighting against the demonic forces of Hell’s army, War finds himself becoming overpowered. In your determination to aid the youngest Horsemen, you put yourself in the league of danger, and drive a sharpened point of a broken blade into the beast’s side with a shrill battle-cry. 

At the cost of being grappled and tossed into a wall of torn and reformed rock, War is given the opportunity he needs to gain the upper hand. 

After that particular fight, War notices the slumped form you take and despite his limited expertise, he attends any injury you sustained in the attack.

“This should help, little Watcher,” he says, uncertainty evident in the way he scowls, his low-silken voice drawls with faded hope of helping you. But it matters little, you’re gladdened by the tenderness of his actions. The four are not exactly known to be courteous. And Watchers are despised by them, and any other spiritual being for that matter, so to be taken under his care despite any reservations of loathing he may hold for you; it creates the illusion of a smile in your glowing eyes. 

War doesn’t smile in turn. Nor did you expect him to. But the bevel between his ashen brows ceases just a little and the glaring mask of his stoicism wavers that tiny bit more. Lowering the blackened limb of your bound arm, he stands to his full height before you after having bandaged your wound. The sound of your voice after all this time visibly shakes him, his fangs bared and eyes growing wide.

“Thank you, War…”

[literatureloverx]

The Fairest One of All, our dear Snow White,

We know some of your fictional crushes. I mean, your biggest ones. But I was wondering if you could share with us all the fictional crushes you've ever had, all the ones you can remember? Is there a pattern between them? Well, there certainly is a pattern with mine. I don't know if that's a good thing though. But the real reason why I'm asking you this question is I'd like to see if maybe we have other shared favorite characters from different shows/movies/books etc. I relate to you, I feel like we are so opposite yet so similar at the same time, you are better than me at putting my thoughts into words. That probably would explain why you're my favorite blogger. Anyway, without prolonging this message any longer, please be safe and take care of yourself - keep up your great work. You’re unique and I find your passionate personality to be very inspiring.

Sincerely yours,

-🛵🌻

My dear 🛵🌻-anon, always coming up with the most thought-provoking questions… ♥️ I’m truly honoured to be your favourite blogger, thank you very much.🥺 (and you’re always welcome to share more thoughts!).

I’ll approach this chronologically, as I think it’ll give you a clearer understanding of my development over the years.

The first-ever anime crush: Zero Kiryu from Vampire Knight

I know… it’s a questionable anime/manga. But I was around 12, so bear with me, haha. I liked his seemingly cold exterior and, of course, his design. I was drawn to his inner turmoil—hating vampires with every fibre of his being while still being so deeply, pathetically in love with the vampire princess (who, by the way, I found utterly insufferable. Her stupidity was nerve-wracking, even for the 12-year-old me).

MBTI type: Definitely a Fi user. I would type him as an ISTJ, but I’m not entirely sure. It’s been way too long. *cries in 21*

Shin Se Gi from the K-drama Kill Me, Heal Me

The male lead of this drama has dissociative identity disorder, and Shin Se Gi is one of his personalities—if I’m correct, the first one to manifest. I didn’t watch this show to learn about the disorder (it was portrayed more as a supernatural phenomenon than an actual identity disorder), but purely for enjoyment because Kwak Tae-geun (Ji Seong) is an actor I deeply respect and love. I’m not sure if I would love the character as much if I watched it now, but my 14/15-year-old self certainly adored this undercover, soft-hearted bad boy. The comedic timing was spot on, and the actor perfectly brought out his charm.

MBTI type: This one is tricky. ESTP seems fitting, but I could also see him as a Fi user. I’d need to rewatch the show to conduct a proper analysis. However, ESTP makes sense, as I recall typing the core identity of the male lead as INFJ. ESTP is the subconscious counterpart of the INFJ personality type, meaning they share the same cognitive functions but in reversed order.

Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass

The mastermind with the goal of the greater good for humanity. Most ardently, my type. The many girlfriends aspect didn’t sit well with me, though. I believe I was around 14 here as well.

MBTI type: INTJ.♥️

Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan

I was forced to watch Attack on Titan by my friends. Initially, I didn’t want to because it was so brutal, and I dislike excessive blood. However, I’m not as sensitive anymore (or at all), and AoT plays a huge role in that. Levi struck me as this beautiful man carrying more burdens than anyone should. The strongest yet the most unfortunate, sad one. He has such a big heart despite never fully showing it. He isn’t just a father figure but an incredibly dimensional character. I loved him for quite some time—it even bordered on obsession. I remember this era very clearly: I was 16, and it lasted until I was about 18.

(Seriously, his A Slap on Titan version will NEVER stop being funny to me. PAHAHAHA PURE GOLD. “Petra… please don’t cry. You’re so ugly when you cry.” “JAEGER BOMB.” “This was a great tea party… I just sat here and insulted all of you, and nobody talked back.”)

MBTI type: I think ISTP fits, as many type him that way anyway.

Isaac Foster from Angels of Death

Looking back, I realise I’ve always had a soft spot for people who are pure—not in the traditional sense, but in a spiritual and childlike way. Despite being a serial killer, he didn’t have much choice but to become who he was. He was aware of his own shortcomings, like his illiteracy, and he appreciated help, even if he didn’t express it positively or openly. He’s a deeply tragic figure, but I loved him in a pure, untainted way. I saw immense potential for him to become a good person because all the necessary traits were there. If only his chance for a better life hadn’t been taken from him… He was, and always will be, worth saving. And worth loving. I believe I was 16 or 17 at the time.

MBTI type: People type him as both an ISTP and ESTP. Where exactly is the strong Ti? I would type him as an ESFP.

Dabi (Touya Todoroki) from My Hero Academia

This might sound absurd, but I’ve cried over this man. I know he’s a fictional character, but there are real children out there like him, and it’s heartbreaking to see them failed by incompetent adults. They lose their chance at a better life. Seriously, he was just a child—what else could he have done? His desire to establish a new world order without the pretense of heroism resonated with me, though I don’t think he was entirely right. He was spot-on about some of them, like his father, for sure, but generalising wasn’t okay. The moral dilemmas that pushed and pulled the Todoroki family intrigued me. Honestly, I started reading/watching MHA solely because of him after seeing a random edit, skipping straight to his debut—lmao.

I’m not entirely sure why I liked him, but it must’ve been the saviour complex. My fixation with him lasted about a year.

MBTI type: People type him as an ISFP, but I don’t see him as a Fi-dom. He’s certainly too traumatised for accurate typing, but I’d say he’s an ISTP.

Malleus Draconia from Twisted Wonderland

The ancient dragon boy with a feverish need to connect, love, and cherish, yet also the need to isolate himself. To be alone but not lonely. I found his psyche fascinating. Knowing he’ll outlive his friends and family is heartbreaking, and it’s intriguing to see how that fact shapes him. His slow descent into madness—humming that lullaby and all—hooked me briefly when I was about 18. Maleficent is one of my favourite Disney villains, and I liked that he’s her descendant. Note: I’ve never played this game; to my knowledge, it’s not accessible in Europe.

MBTI type: Many type him as an INTJ… but where is the Te? I only see an INFJ with unhealthy Fe and obsessive Ni.

Scaramouche/Wanderer from Genshin Impact (Never played the game, lmao.)

One day, I saw a video of him on Youtube. It explained how his character was inspired by Queen’s song Bohemian Rhapsody. Naturally, it piqued my interest because it’s a song I already knew and liked. That led me down the rabbit hole—I researched his character and stumbled upon official videos where he spoke about his life, humanity, and the gods in such a deeply pessimistic and existential way. His dread and detachment intrigued me, and I couldn’t help but want to understand him better.

MBTI type: Fight me if you want, but I firmly believe he’s an unhealthy INFP. No way this man is a strong Te user.

Fyodor Dostoevsky from Bungo Stray Dogs

Hereby, as a picky eater, I solemnly swear: if my excessive, gut-wrenching crush on this man ever fades, I will eat one of the dishes I despise (though, let’s be honest, that’s never going to happen). I’ve been obsessed with him for three years now. I “met” him when I was 18, and it’s been downhill (or uphill?) ever since.

MBTI type: INTJ.♥️

William James Moriarty from Moriarty the Patriot

Here we are again—another man with the dream of creating a better world. In his case, he wants to build a better society and future. He’s brave, strategic, and intelligent. It goes without saying that I’m a sucker for masterminds, right? I believe I was 18 or 19 when I encountered him.

MBTI type: he could be an INFJ, but I’m not sure. I need to analyse him throughly someday.

Griffith from Berserk

I even wrote an analysis on him, which captures exactly why I find him so intriguing. His ambition, charisma, and overwhelming drive to achieve his dream fascinated me. My interest didn’t last particularly long, though—I believe I was around 19 at the time.

MBTI type: ENTJ.

Sauron/Halbrand from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

An ancient evil mastermind with good looks? Say less—my type through and through.

MBTI type: INTJ.♥️

Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings trilogy

I wasn’t sure where to include this because, technically, I’ve known about Aragorn since childhood. I grew up with the LOTR movies since my parents loved them, but my realisation of how perfect he is only hit me recently. Honourable, brave, intelligent, and trustworthy—he is everything one could want in a man. That being said, nobody’s perfect. His moments with Eowyn? I didn’t like those. (I mean, come on, I’m basically Arwen, children.)

MBTI type: INFJ.

Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars

This is another character I’ve been familiar with since childhood. I love his “fallen angel” storyline—it makes him such a tragic character. I had a crush on him even as a 9-year-old, though it was obviously just a childhood crush—nothing too serious (although none of them are serious because they’re all fictional characters, but you know what I mean). The reason he isn’t included earlier in chronological order is that, like Aragorn, I’ve known him for so long, but my moments of admiration came much later. My fascination with him would always fade after a few weeks of obsessing, only to resurface repeatedly over the years.

MBTI Type: This is by far the trickiest one. In his childhood, I might have typed him as a Te-dom, specifically an ESTJ. However, his adult version seems more like an Fi-dom to me, particularly an ISFP. The other types I considered but ultimately found didn’t fit as well were ENTJ and ESFP. Despite spending far too long analysing him, I’m still unsure about his exact type.

In conclusion:

I have noticed a clear trend in my preferences. I love pure characters with immense potential for redemption, but I’m equally drawn to unhinged masterminds who thrive on calculated corruption for the greater good. It seems complex. I probably need someone else to psychoanalyse me (you know who you are) because while I may excel at analysing others, I’m hopeless at analysing myself.

[anyhow-everything]

bestie .... im having ..... binchan thoughts

https://twitter.com/jislvtt/status/1750676034096111646 https://twitter.com/minomoroll/status/1749652343803777527

-may, @skzms

Oh my god, I'm so sorry for letting this just rot in my inbox! I saw it, wanted to respond later, and then apparently forgot :D But guess what guess what guess what!!!! This ask now has the honour of being the first piece written on my newly fixed laptop. (This is pre-skz binchan)

Binchan both are more of a night owl, they often spend hours upon hours in the studio obsessing over that one detail to get the song just right. Take after take just doesn't seem to fit, and after years of working together, they know each other very intimately and often can tell just by the slightest detail about the other that something is off. This is how they find themselves in a rather unique position some day: after a rough morning with early and hectic schedules, during which both had to pretend that they're fine and not desperately want to go back to bed, they finally get to lock themselves in the studio and do what they truly love; create music.

Chan already visibly relaxes the moment the first notes hit his ear drums, and Changbin follows soon after, closing his eyes and just letting himself get carried away by the beat for a bit. "So, we left off yesterday with the transition to the pre-hook, right? I kinda want something there, something unique, something that shows our own flavour, just to set the mood for the powerful hook that's to come. I just don't know what I want exactly? Let's work on that for tonight, just play around a bit, experiment, we still have time for this" he sets out the agenda for the night. And since the leader has spoken, this is exactly what they do. They goof around, trying out different sounds melodies and rhythms, just to see what feels right. But alas, nothing seems to work. It's fun at first, like little children who found out that hitting something makes noise, so they do it over and over again. And they fail. Each time. Over and over again. The sun is long gone by now, everything's dark outside and the building is mostly empty when Chan finally lets out a defeated sigh. "I swear this song is going to kill me at some point. Nothing works! Why does nothing work? What am I doing wrong?"

It's now that Changbin takes a first real look at his leader after quite some time of being laserfocussed on work, and he sees it immediately. The little frown. The slumped shoulders. The way his hands fidget. He's agitated, and it makes him loose control over his racing (and most likely self-deprecating) thoughts. He needs a distraction, something to set his mind right again, and he needs it now. And Changbin has just the idea. "Hyung, do you trust me?" "Of course I trust you, Changbinnie. Why?" "Here, let me try something. Close your eyes. Don't look, just feel what's going on around you"

Chan looks skeptical, but closes his eyes nonetheless. Takes a deep breath. Listens to his quickened heartbeat. And feels.

The first thing he feels is the cold breeze of the air conditioning hitting his right shoulder. The second thing he feels is the seam of his cropped shirt brushing against his rips, trapped between chest and arm. The third thing he feels is a hand gliding over his cheekbone. The fourth thing he feels is hot breath tickling against his neck. The sixth thing he feels are plush lips against his own. Slow. Relaxed. Soft. Not like the rushed and stressed day he had, but like a summer breeze kissing him, reminding him that it's there, but not actually interrupting. He kisses back.

They've kissed before, plenty of times, both sexually and platonically, but not like this. Never like this. Never like they have all the time in the universe, never like a hurried second is a wasted one, and never like nothing else in this world could burst their little bubble right now. Before it always felt like they needed to hide, like they needed to quickly get this over with, like they had to be aggressive to keep intruders out. This is new. This is nice. This is comfort. He never wants this to stop.

And so he doesn't. He kisses back, he leans into his friend, he slowly lets his hands explore his body, and in what simultaneously feels like eternity and an blink of an eye they end up naked on the couch, bodies entangled, heated contact shared between just the two of them. It's everything and nothing at all, and Changbin does everything just right. He's sweet, he's careful, but he knows his leader by now, he knows what he likes, and - even more importantly - he knows what he needs. There is no screaming, or marking, or harsh words. Just sweet compliments, soft giggles and little sighs emitted by the two of them, until they collapse into each other's arms panting.

It takes a while for them to recuperate, but when they do, Chan is already overflowing with ideas. "So, I thought, we always wanted the hook to be impactful, right? And so we wanted the transition to also be impactful. But, what if - instead of monotony - we go for a contrast? Make the transition smooth, make it soft, just broaden the spectrum of this song, showcasing the bandwidth we truly have! What'd'ya think?" Changbin smiles and Chan's entire world lights up. Within then more minutes the song is finished. The boys go home satisfied and happy, and everything becomes even more colourful when they get home and immediately are attacked by their favourite quokka asking for cuddles.

That day Chan learned something important, and he made a promise to himself. Harmony is important in a group, yes. But harmony doesn't mean similarity, it means complementarity. It means knowing each other and knowing each other so well that you can be a support system without having to be asked first. If he wants to form a successful group, he needs to make sure of that first. And that is how the "testing" has started.

Where these the binchan thoughts you were having, lovely?

[laufire]

WE WILL DEVOUR THE NIGHT BY CAMILLA ANDREW – REVIEW

I had the honour to receive and ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This review might contain some vague spoilers of the novel, as well as reveal information pertaining to the first instalment of the series.

Camilla Andrew’s sequel matches, and then surpasses, the mastery of its predecessor. This second novel takes care to expand on the unique worldbuilding of the universe she created; it delights on taking the characters to their limits to show us new facets of them, always unafraid of showing either their ugliest sides, or their aspirational nature, as well as in including some additions to the familiar roaster that enrichen the story; and it ties it all together with a neat bow, using the lyrical prose the author has us accustomed to in order to elevate each already striking aspect of the tale.

The book starts thirty years after where “When the Stars Alight” left off, plunging us alongside Princess Laila, its lead, into the thorny political situation she’ll have to navigate. Andrew knows exactly how to showcase the interests of several characters and factions at once, portraying their clashes, their alliances, and everything in between and making us understand where they’re coming from, and how each small piece of the board might affect the outcome of the conflict between two opposing forces: the Solarites, maidens from the stars who rule Vysteria, and the Occassi in Mortos, a race with chaotic powers in a more hostile society.

This conflict is personified by the two central characters and their impossible romance: Laila and Darius, a bastard son now turned king. Their relationship is at the centre of the story, and the sequel more than did justice to their explosive beginnings and whirlwind courtship in WTSA. As someone who has always adored a good exes-to-lovers story, they kept me at the edge of my seat, getting me as worked up as they did with the rising tension, caused by their tumultuous history and the palpable dormant feelings still between them. The state of their dynamic at the end of the novel is one of the many things that builds the anticipation for the third and conclusive book.

Each of them has individual arcs that contribute to the darker bent the sequel takes. As someone who loves Laila, in particular, following her arc during these two books, seeing the changes she goes through, was immensely satisfying. After her actions in this book, she’ll be changed forever. And I love that the romance, far from detracting from her development, adds depth to it. Seeing her situation, knowing it in all its intimate details, I understand why she turns to Darius; why there is such an appeal to her on loving and being loved by the monstruous, and the strengths it gives her in other parts of her life. Not one single person in the entire book thinks the two of them together is a good idea, and that, to me, it’s part of the appeal: the absolute defiance of it, and the freedom it can represent for Laila… for now.

The other characters in the ensemble are not far behind on the development department, or any other. Characters already present in the first book, like Amira (Laila’s mother) and Lyra (her lionheart, her friend, her past lover) are pushed to the limit, as is their relationship with Laila, in complex ways I rarely get to enjoy among female characters. Let alone having so much care and attention destined to them, to the intricacies of their dynamics. There were other old favourites (and not so favourites!) that made their appearances to steer a lot of the exact kind of trouble (and fun) I want to see in my stories.

But the new additions are what has me most enamoured with this book. There’s Sabina, a young occasselle who doesn’t fit her society strict gender norms and struggles to navigate it; Elina, a medical practitioner in Soleterea that offers insight into that territory, and into the world of those human witches; or Sadik, the counterpoint to Elina and her tragic romance: a human man who, devoid of magic, has sook to obtain power in other ways.

Serafina, however, is the star among them. She’s Darius’s estranged mother, some whose presence still lingered despite her outward absence during the first book. She makes her first appearance in WWDTN, and she’s a hurricane that will leave nobody indifferent, inside or outside the story. Camilla Andrew dedicated a short novella to her origin story, “The Sanguine Sorceress”, which I heartly recommend to anyone who feels curious about her character. Or to those of us who appreciate morally ambiguous women and a good revenge tale.

And to conclude this review: I recommend “We Will Devour the Night” to those who enjoyed the first novel. For those who never read it, I’d recommend the whole series to anyone who gravitates towards luscious, descriptive prose; who appreciates a good doomed romance; and who craves more stories complex female characters and otherworldly, fantastical settings.

goodreads + storygraph

[gemsofgreece]

I'd like to drop in an opinion of someone from Eastern Europe about this whole "West vs. East" thing that American, British (and sometimes French) media/public loves to put out, seeing that they are the absolute (if we aim for these definitions) West compared to South and East of Europe: those are completely inapplicable ideas stemming from the West alone.

Like, I don't understand why it's so hard for the ultimately Western countries to understand that hell of a cultural mix going on around East and South (respectively and individually, not mashed together) of Europe is not separated into the simple categories of West and East, especially not in the Western idea of a "progressive West" and "barbaric East"; a lot of our countries have always been Eastern-leaning and only got pulled into this whole narrative of Western society recently. And a lot of us are still only notably Western, being excluded on many occasions as not being Western "enough".

I'm sorry for such a disconnected rant, I hope my point ("Western idea of how West & East interact in Eastern and Southern Europe is absolute bullshit") was clear regardless. I'm happy to see you talk about this crap, I hope you take good care of your mental health. I can't comprehend the issues of the Greek state in terms of Western treatment of your country fully, but it's relieving to see that others are speaking out on the issues East and South of Europe seem to be both going through.

Have a lovely day!

Yes and also I am not exactly sure what “western culture” is supposed to stand for. More human rights? Blandness? Money? I always thought the financial and social progress and protection of rights in the West is a matter of many sociopolitical and economical parameters that are not the same to what a culture is. And like you said, this progress is fairly recent (in the long run of history) and it is not directly or straightforwardly linked to any particular culture or civilisation.

Culture does not operate in boxes, it is a fluid and continuous evolution of people’s expression and it does not fit into categories. The conditioning that occurs lately with which the west attempts to westernise East and South Europe is embraced by some people but what those people actually embrace is an opening to more short term opportunities for economical growth and social progress. This is why it is a sociopolitical phenomenon in its origin, except it has cultural repercussions as cultural influences are naturally invading alongside the welcome social reforms and they impact the younger or more impressionable people.

Since you wondered about Greece, its case is a little different. The way it is perceived in terms of cultural orientation is very funny and unique. Geographically, Greece along with Cyprus is the most southeastern culture of Europe. Politically and culturally, you will see that Greece is officially considered a part of Western Europe!!!

This placement is honorary. Yes you read this correctly; honorary! Honoured to be considered part of the west for being the good ol’ “cradle of the western civilisation”. Thank you so much. In short, Greece is an eastern place which everyone has silently agreed to mislabel as western simply because they dig the ancient influence that much.

Having said that, since the formation of the modern Hellenic Republic, the Greeks were indeed determined to more or less follow through with all the reforms and policies that would shape the society according to the western principles. This is why you will often see Greece ranking in between western and Eastern European countries regarding various social, political and economical markers. This all began even before the Greek revolution - the Greek nation had to adopt a western orientation in order to fight off the Ottoman Empire effectively and win the sympathies of west Europe. Most Greek expats of power had fully embraced and prospered in the western ideals of Europe and did their best to bring them to the Greek subjects of the empire. It would be thus unfair to claim the West actively forces the westernisation of Greece - Greeks have been consciously oriented towards the west all the last centuries. The problem is that the West stands bewildered before the various and potent eastern elements of the Greek civilisation - at times it chooses to ignore them and at times it demonises them (ie Byzantine Empire, which ironically was far more secular than many western nations at the time). The worst consequence of this is an effort to fabricate a strong bond to the ancient culture while expelling all the eastern elements as compromise for which Byzantine and Modern Greeks are responsible, distancing them from their heritage as a result. And the worst, many Greeks have internalised this, inevitably welcoming also unproductive influence like other Eastern Europeans.

The responsibility lies with the Greeks to understand that their culture does not fit any box the West feels comfortable with and it does not have to. I don’t care so much what westerners think as seeing young Greeks being clueless enough to feel sorry for not being “western enough” or thinking that eastern elements first invaded the culture with the Turks.

It can be said for so many countries that they are not leaning either eastern or western exactly in this made up spectrum and Greece is certainly among the ones that this can be said about the most.

Have a great day too! ☺️

[deepreviewvoid]

I LOOOOVE your Lyney story so much!! It was really nice to see a healthy, established relationship and the different scenarios that come with it. My favorite part (if not all) was how you wrote them supporting each other through their ups and downs and the little tidbits about how they spend their time together. Not to mention the quips and banter, which were the icing on the cake. The way you portray the love between two best friends for life is incredibly sweet ❤️

I hope you write more for Lyney, but I'll enjoy any story as long as it's from you. Thank you for writing! 🩷

Ohhh myyy 🥺

Can I just express how much I was over the moon to recieve this message from you? You have graced my inbox with this absolute heart warming appreciation towards something that comes from my heart, so really, you've just hugged my heart back.

Not to mention its the first ever message I recieve in my inbox lol

I am so glad you find how I wrote the chemistry and character to be fitting and healthy. This will always be my vision for genshin characters to make their unique stories and traits shine, and it is my absolute honour to have you read anything I do.

Thank you so much!

I don't know if you've seen, but I do have a Wriothesley fic of similar style (3 scenarios and a bonus) it's over a year old so maybe so not as polished, but I hope it is to your liking.

I sometimes reread it and laugh at how funny it is ngl, it's way more crack than Lyney's, and literally no Angst.

I'm currently working on a Capitano fic. However, it's not a romantic one. It's a fatui fiction with heavy lore implications with Natlan and the Harbingers and such, it's about Comradeship and virtue basically, includes Childe and Arlecchino too.

I hope this fiction comes to light haha, I'm a very ambitious writer which has its pros and cons of course.

Sorry for the long message, Im just really appreciative and i ought to let you know about what i'll probably dish out next.

I wish you a most wonderful day ❤️ ✨️

[bronzeageyuri]

Things I love most about Theseus & Asterius ❤ AZ will get his own post because this is already long as hell

I love Theseus' huge eyebrows and his hooked nose ❤ I've mentioned it before but they're genuinely my favourite physical features of his, I think it's so cute that his eyebrows are notably darker than his hair. I think his chin dimple is cute too. And I think it's so funny (positive) how his Confident Smile leans into him looking a little menacing 😭 it's very fitting for him and the kind of guy he is. Of course. I also love that he's very ridiculous and over the top. That he never does things in halves... he's the kind of person to get completely and utterly focused on something until it's done (which can be a bit of a double edged sword for him in his interpersonal relationships as u can imagine). He has a very strong sense of justice and has a deep love and passion towards those he cares about. Even though it's not confirmed I do think it's very, Very likely that Theseus is the one who does Asterius' hair- the style he wears is very much in the king's taste. And how sweet is it that this king/warrior/hero would so lovingly tend to his dear friend in that way... I think of him and how despite he's so boastful he's really, really insecure and it affects his relationships. He loves Asterius; in his eyes Asterius is Redemption and Honour and Love. The idea of ever losing that is painful for him! This sometimes leans into possessiveness, but Asterius is so kind (in his own way) and patient, too. I do think something Theseus could learn is that he shouldn't pin all his hopes and dreams onto one person, even if that one person is equally dedicated to him. Which is part of why it makes me happy to imagine him giving Dia that same trust and devotion too, it unloads some of the burden from both of them (and maybe opens a door for Dia to be a bit more open too... she's very reluctant when it comes to talking about herself, you know.) btw i wish we lived in the reality where "theseus throws flowers to the audience" was finalized and put into the game. Like I get why it didn't (i can easily see it being so difficult to animate And making that animation clear in a way where u know what he's doing at the scale hades game is in) but it's true in my heart that he does that. btw.

I love Asterius' droopy eyes and his cute ears :~) And I love that he's so big 😭 I don't mean that in a pervert way (For Now.) but it's always such fun to imagine being very easily picked up by him... he's not as talkative as Theseus, but he's very emotionally intelligent and introspective in a way that's just wonderful to me. He's noble, he has a lot of main- he hasn't moved from thinking of himself as a Monster, though I think he is at a state where he realizes that his uniqueness as both man and beast is not a bad thing, like it may have been to him in the past. Sometimes I wonder how he feels, living in a state that's In-Between. Not completely a human, but not completely an animal either... it must be lonely at times, even if he has his share of fans and admirers. In something I've been slowly writing, I thought about the idea of being "Home" for him- a place where he feels like he belongs. To be able to support him in such a way would be just such a special thing. I don't think it would "heal" the deep hurts he has, they're a part of him; they've shaped him into the man he is now. But it would give him a place to rest his weary head when he needs to. I think Asterius isn't romantic in the same loud way Theseus is romantic. He shows his love in much quieter ways, speaking with actions more than words. (Though he attempts, at times, to say it in words too- because he realizes how putting forth that extra effort is something significant, and he knows its meaningful). And I just think it's so wonderful to..... well, how to word it... there was a time in Asterius' past where happiness and fufillment were things that would have been completely unobtainable for him. Isolated and lost and then force to do monstrous things to survive. He was probably content enough when he died... Erebus wasn't exactly a pleasant place, but it was somewhere he could walk around and explore. somewhere where he didn't feel hungry all the time. he has a chance now, though, to enjoy the things he wasn't able to in the past. to become the Person he wasn't able to in the past! Being a part of that is just something special.

[thecpdiary]

Living My Life: My Truth, My Authentic Self

In a world dominated by facades and social masks, embracing my own truth is profoundly empowering. This isn’t just a philosophy I follow; it’s a way of being. My truth is uniquely mine, untouched by the judgments or expectations of others. The idea of lying feels not only uncomfortable but almost impossible for me, because truth isn’t just something I speak – it's the very core of my spiritual beliefs and identity, guiding how I move through life.

The Freedom of Truth For me, telling the truth isn't an obligation. It's liberating. When I speak about my truth, I free myself from the weight of pretending or having to craft half-truths. Lying, feels like walking through life holding chains, holding on to stories that aren’t mine, juggling versions of reality that aren’t aligned with who I am. But honesty isn’t always easy. The truth is raw, unfiltered and real. My truth is exactly that. But there's a unique clarity in owning who you are – for everyone – not just me. I live, write and communicate with truth, honesty and integrity. I let go of the need to manipulate situations, to avoid conflict, or to try to fit in because I know the only thing that matters to me is that my words and actions reflect my authentic self. The Challenge of Telling the Truth in a Dishonest World Despite my commitment to truth, I recognise that we live in a world where dishonesty is rewarded. White and black lies, social politeness and hidden truths seem to be woven into the fabric of society, in everyday life. Sometimes, this makes truth-telling a lonely journey. It's certainly a challenge. It's often said 'the truth hurts.' But I don't believe it hurts as much as dishonesty does. The temporary sting of uncomfortable truths in the longer term, will pale into insignificance over continual white and black lies. The truth, no matter how hard, builds trust. It invites deeper relationships and encourages transparency in return. Why Lying Is Difficult for Me

I find lying difficult because I'm not a liar. It takes too much energy – keeping track of what I've said and to whom means juggling false stories that don’t reflect my reality, who I am as a person. Lying feels like constructing an alternate universe, one that drags me further from who I am. Truth, on the other hand, is effortless. It's a natural expression of myself, requiring no fabrication—just presence and honesty. When I speak from the heart, there's no need for pretence. The Power of Owning Your Truth Living and breathing truth not only continues to shape my intentions, but has also deepened my relationship with myself. Self-deception is one of the hardest things to overcome. What were once small white lies can turn into black. When you're honest with yourself about your feelings, your life and your limitations, you begin to live more authentically. You make choices that are rooted in what you want, not in what society expects of you. By owning my truth, my story, as hard as it is, I am able to navigate my life with a sense of purpose. The truth has given me the courage to speak up when it matters and the confidence to stand by my values, even when it’s uncomfortable. Truth, to me, is not just about avoiding lies – it’s about fully embracing the reality of who I am, of my total existence. My writing, my truth, enables me to open the door on my feelings and that helps with mental health – where in the past with autism, my feelings have continually remained locked. The CP Diary helps me to show up, no matter the circumstances. Living in Alignment Living in truth has to be continuous – it's not a destination. It requires a deep commitment to live with integrity, even when it’s challenging. It means accepting the parts of yourself that may not always align with societal expectations, but honouring them anyway. It’s about realising that the most valuable thing you can offer the world is your authentic self.

Conclusion For those who find it difficult to lie, the path of truth might feel isolating, but it is also profoundly freeing. It’s a life where you can walk with your head held high, knowing that the words you speak and the actions you take are a true reflection of who you are. My truth is my truth—and it’s empowering.

In a world full of dishonest intent and illusions, living in alignment with your truth is the ultimate act of self-respect. It’s about trusting your voice and knowing that the truth, and while not always easy, it's exactly the right thing to do.

For more relatable, inspirational and lifestyle blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com

[tiredspacedragon]

Kopeke

First Impression: My first exposure to Kopeke was in Legends #8 Downfall, so this is an odd one. I didn't discover a lot of the pre-2004 story that existed outside of the Chronicles books until much later, so the first time I heard of Kopeke was reading about him, the newly appointed Chronicler, recording Hahli's account of the Mahri's mission. He doesn't exactly get much character there, my reaction to him basically began and ended with finding this new named character, who I assumed had been created for the book, interesting, mostly just for being the new Chronicler. I had a much stronger reaction when I encountered Kopeke later in much earlier material like MNOG, and discovered this was an established character who's been around since the beginning.

Impression Now: Oh he's lovely. I appreciate his uniqueness in being a Ko-Matoran who keeps to himself not because he wants to be alone, but because he's just shy. The little guy's probably a sweetheart once he warms up to you. I still find him a fascinating choice for the next Chronicler, though. Not that I think he's a bad choice; in fact it's very fitting for a member of the Chronicler's Company to become Chronicler themselves, especially the quietest of the bunch; but it makes me wonder if Greg had anything planned for the character going forward. I mean probably, given that so far being named Chronicler had been a euphemism for "you'll be a Toa in two story years."

Favourite Moment: I don't know if I have a favourite Kopeke moment in canon, honestly. That's the downside of being a character with so few appearances. That said, I do have a favourite Kopeke moment in fan content, specifically from Vrahno's Struggle in the Drifts. (Minor Spoiler Warning) Near the beginning of the video, Kopaka and Pohatu come across an ice sculpture of Kopaka, carved by Kopeke, left out on Ihu's hills because Kopeke is shy about his work. Pohatu notes the sculpture's quality, apart from the Akaku's scopes being on the wrong side. Kopaka then looks around warily before using his powers to reshape the sculpture's head so that the scopes are on the right side. Unfortunately, the sculpture is later destroyed in a confrontation with a squad of Kohrak, with most of it being completely smashed while the head is snapped clean off. At the end of the short, Kopeke ventures out to the site of the sculpture, taking in the destruction caused by the battle between the Toa and the Bohrok, until he finds the head of the smashed statue. He picks it up, examines it, notes that the scopes are on the right side, and says "Good," before unceremoniously dumping it in the snow and walking away. Perfection. (Spoilers Over)

Idea for a story: Well, Takua got his journeys across Mata Nui, helping the Turaga, solving mysteries, and facing down Rahi, and Hahli had her Kolhii tournament and her little quest to recover the crystals from those unexplained temples, so naturally Kopeke, as the newest Chronicler, is bound to go on a great journey of his own. I can see him tangled up in some adventure that has him crossing paths with the Toa and Glatorian as they seek out the Great Beings, perhaps even uncovering some of their secrets himself along the way.

Unpopular opinion: I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion so much as an uncommon one because so few people care about it, but I've never been a fan of Kopeke's redesign. I definitely prefer the sand blue Komau over the dark gray Matatu. I mean on the one hand I get it, they wanted to release Kopeke as a set alongside Matoro in 2003 and they didn't want both of them to have the same colour scheme, so they made Kopeke gray. Fair enough, but they didn't need to change his mask too. The lore explanation of his Komau being damaged in Kolhii practice and him choosing a Matatu to honour Nuju is nice, but I don't think it was necessary. Especially since it makes Kopeke less unique among the Ko-Matoran. Both Nuju and Kantai already have the Matatu covered, but no other known character in Ko-Koro wore a Komau. Like, it's not really a big deal, I just think his original design is better for him, that's all.

Favourite Relationship: Maybe a cop-out, but I enjoy Kopeke's relationship with the Chronicler's Company as a whole. We don't get to see him actually interacting one-on-one with very many characters ever, so I make do with enjoying his place in this group dynamic. I like to think he'll settle in eventually as he gets used to having these friends and slowly, but steadily, opens up to them.

Favourite Headcanon: So, in MNOG, Kopeke says this to Takua: "Wisdom is ever the burden of the Turaga. I do not expect it from you." Which is just a vicious thing to say. But Kopeke isn't really portrayed as rude otherwise, just shy, so I like to think that he didn't actually mean this as an insult. He probably meant it as a reassurance, as in "Hey, it's the Turaga's job to know what's going on all the time, I don't blame you for not being totally on top of things." And then after Takua left he probably spent the next while kicking himself over how incredibly rude he accidentally sounded. Poor guy.

[moondirti]

Hi, I've stumbled onto your work for the first time with animalic and the way you write absolutely blows my mind. Just the flow of the words, the pacing, the in-depth characterizations, descriptions, and the level of care you have with your work is amazing! I always been afraid of starting to write, but reading your work inspired me to pick up a pen for the first time. I was wondering if you had any tips for an aspiring writer and what the process was like trying to write this fanfic.

thank you so much! im so honoured that my work gave u the push u needed like?? hdjsjdjs that’s incredible! i wish u the best of luck <3

when it comes to tips, it’s important to first acknowledge that every writer’s workflow is vastly different and that, often times, you’ll need to nail down your own in order to realise your full potential. however, these are some things i keep in mind that i think would help you too!

write with intention; a big thing that helped me was realising that there is no one-size-fits-all formula. when i start the brainstorming process, i come up with a couple of things that are unique to the story (for animalic, it was reader’s powers/backstory and her relationship with miguel). it’s important that these be your very foundational elements, because they’re where you’ll be branching out from. everything i write, i write with either – or both – lenses in mind, so that everything has a sense of cohesion and builds on one another.

read out loud; i do this all the goddamn time and my roommates hate me for it, but something that truly helps me figure out pacing and sentence structure is reading my wip out loud. your brain races through words, so things tend to blur together and you lose the actual voice of the narrative. by sounding it out, you’re looking at it through a fresh perspective, which will help you find problem spots or clumsy language.

vary your prose; pacing does not need to be as tricky as it is, not if you understand how the average human consciousness works. think about it - when you’re stressed or rushed, do you linger on small details? odds are the answer is no. when i write action, i keep my sentences and descriptions short, as averse to the more flowery style i equip for moments of tension/dawdling. it helps keep reader engaged while leaving room for errors in judgement

this isn’t all of it, but i hope it works for ya<3