#however with the state of the world i Highly Doubt That

[divinegrapes]

FEEL THE LAW!

a challenge.

Are you tired of affirming and persisting? Are tired of consistent spiraling? Are you so focused on your circumstances you feel hopeless? STOP right there. @aphrodieties and I GOT YOU.

The law of assumption governs the universe and no one is exempt from this phenomena. Understanding the law is truly a privilege however feeling the law is priceless and the key to a fruitful existence.

The goal of the next 7 days is to consistently identify with your true self, Your godliness.

"I ask you: are you really keeping the faith? Do you always turn to your imagination and, no matter what happens, do you remain faithful to the state imagined? If you do, you have passed the test." - Neville (this quote here is your BIBLE).

Rules.

1) Stop asking questions and start doing. (no running to blogs for reassurance, reassure yourself, God is capable of reassuring,he reassures the world)

2) STICK TO THE BASICS! No void, vain repetition, and following the newest community trend.

The basics : Accept it and Sustain it.

3) Don’t question yourself and do what feels correct.

The whole purpose of this challenge is to identify with your inner man, your eternal being. Your eternal being has no questions for it is ALL KNOWING. You are all knowing.

4) Ask yourself in times of doubt . “Would God be worrying about this? Should I be worried about this?” YOUR I is GOD. It is EVERYTHING and Nothing at the same time. You are not your body, personality,thoughts and emotions. That’s not who you truly are, It’s who you CHOOSE to be. Ultimately you are nothingness.

5) Do this mediation, EVERYDAY. Feel the law and feel that you are God.

It is in no one’s best interest to say that reality is fake but I will say that your reality is what you make it.

Lectures to listen to this week (not mandatory for the challenge but highly recommended.)

Be angry and not sin - Edward Art

Law and Liberty - Neville Goddard

Fulfillment of God’s Promise- Neville Goddard

The pearl of great price - Neville Goddard.

Try to internalize these in the best way you know how , whether that be : to listen on repeat, journal your thoughts and/or meditate on the message. Just internalize the information and feel it to be true.

By the end of this challenge your self concept should be rock solid and you shall view your outer man in your desired light because your inner man has been fully embraced. All your “desires” will be realized.

Please update @aphrodieties and I !! we’ll love to hear about your successes, your new found faith and unshakable confidence.

[mmgwritings]

I'M GONNA TAKE MINE OF YOU WITH ME

Character: Kaz Brekker / Wife! Reader

Prompts: There is a word for children who lose their parents, but there is none for parents who lose a child.

Warnings: Canon divergence; Angst; Character death; Grief; Kaz suffering; i'm sorry :(

Never trust the Saints; they give and take away.

Initially, a curfew was imposed. Without prior warning, patrol officers closed all clubs, brothels and merchant mansions, causing a commotion among the population that was soon violently suppressed. Later, when the disease spread from the interior of Kesh to the suburbs of Ketterdam, the healers' homes became crowded, and before long even the healers needed the assistance of the Grisha in the merchants' hospital.

Thus, Ketterdam remembered how to act. They had faced an epidemic before and would face this one with the same practicality. The funeral bells echoed incessantly throughout the day, while the bay south of the city was used to transport the bodies, piled on fishing vessels confiscated by the Council of the Tides. The former party town, Ketterdam, has transformed into a highly efficient funeral operation.

Burials were strictly prohibited. Thus, when the boats failed to remove bodies from the city quickly enough, in less favored neighborhoods, residents were forced to dispose of their loved ones on improvised pyres in the middle of the street.

This was the first scene we saw upon arriving in Ketterdam through the northwest gate, when the carriage had to make an abrupt stop in front of a pile of twisted ashes, which at first glance appeared to be the remains of slaughtered animals. However, horror soon hit us when the coachman, in a state of shock, vomited and exclaimed: “They are people, Saints, they are people!”

From the windows of the houses along the street, I could briefly see thin faces peering through the cracks in the windows. They were, without a doubt, the relatives of those poor burned creatures. Their looks were blank, as if they had already resigned themselves to the idea that the remains of their loved ones would end up on the street. I hastily closed the windows to hide the cruelty, but it remained etched in my eyes even when I closed them.

The trip was quick and extremely stressful, from Lij to the capital it was just two days of march that lasted the longest a lifetime. The exhausted horses showed visible signs of fatigue when the coachman left us at the hospital doors. However, as quick as it was, it apparently wasn't enough. The little girl was remarkably pale, her lips were dyed purple and her eyes were trembling under the weight of nightmares caused by the fever. My dear girl, a gift bestowed by the saints, the reward for any act of benevolence I have done in this world.

My mother used to say that the saints' mercy was unfair to mortals, because, as divine beings, they no longer understood the pain of any sacrifice, they no longer understood what it was like to lose someone. They were above everything and everyone. But I was a stupid young woman, I ignored my poor mother's advice because I thought it was the condescending words of a woman with pagan customs.

“Mommy,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with exhaustion, her eyes barely opening.

"I'm here my love. It’s going to be okay,” I whispered as I took her small, feverish body into my arms. At the beginning of the year, I could barely hold her on my lap for long, she was growing fast and turning into a beautiful, healthy five year old. Now, feeling how light her body was in my arms, my heart squeezed with pain.

Despite it being the early hours of the morning, a small crowd was sitting on the steps. They were probably sick people, but not sick enough to get a bed inside the hospital. I was trying to carefully pass between them, when, at the door, Nina appeared.

She was dressed in the black clothes of the doctors, with the distinctive blue apron of the merchants' wing, stained with small drops of blood.

“Y/N, come this way, sweetheart. I’ve already prepared everything for her,” said Nina, her kind face and caring voice leading me down a corridor to the east of the main hall. She was different since the last time I saw her, during the holidays. She looked sterner than ever.

“Any news from him? Did Kaz send any letters? Do you think he will arrive today?” I asked as I followed Nina through a corridor packed with doctors, heartrenders, healers and all sorts of people. I must admit that, little by little, the composure I had managed to maintain during the last two days of the journey from Lij to Ketterdam was starting to crumble. Felt like I was on the edge of an abyss, spiraling into darkness.

Nina looked at me with sadness as she led me into a small, but well-lit room with a comfortable bed, where I rested my daughter. She was in a restless sleep and quietly muttering nonsense words, the fever must be getting worse.

“Kaz didn't send any letters, none of them. Y/N, they must be on the way,” Nina reassured me. “Now, I need you to stay calm for her, please. We will examine her immediately, but you also need to undergo tests. You could be as sick as she is.”

“No, you don’t need to. I'm not going to leave her alone here” I said, freeing myself from Nina's hands the moment when a tall, tired-looking man entered the room, he seemed to be middle-aged, even though he was visibly a Grisha.

Nina walked over to him and they started talking in whispers, probably discussing the situation. It was not uncommon for merchants and their families to seek privileges in cases of calamity, but being Kaz Brekker's family, these privileges often extended to any kind of perk. Obviously, by now, the entire hospital knows that the wife and daughter of Ketterdam's biggest criminal are looking for help.

I sat next to my daughter, holding her soft hand and massaging her temple with my fingertips. Just like she is my joy, she is Kaz’s world. The gravity, the humanity, the warmth that keeps him alive. She looks much more like him: her light eyes, her dark hair and even her pert nose. At times, they seemed to share the same thoughts, to the point where I felt like I was somehow invading their space. She was his world.

Kaz would be able to destroy cities to protect her from her enemies, but that would not be enough to protect her from death.

Death came. It invaded my life so abruptly that I didn't even have time to cry for mercy. One moment, my daughter was in a restless sleep, and the next, she was convulsing, with blood pouring from her eyes and nose... The harrowing sounds were the most terrifying, they seemed to echo endlessly in my mind; it was the sound of her choking as she tried to breathe through vomit.

When it was all over, as my daughter lay on the bed with her head at an awkward angle, a horrible sound filled the room, resembling a wounded animal. I couldn't take my eyes off her to find the source of that sound. Only then did I realize that I was the one issuing it.

Once, when I was a child and still enjoying my hunting adventures with my brothers, we witnessed a fox with its cub in a trap set by my father. The cub was trapped, one of its paws shattered between the iron teeth of the trap, it was still too small to understand human antics, and its mother, whether out of compassion or instinct, killed it before we could get closer.

In those minutes when I was afflicted with acute pain, I reflected on that fox mother facing the suffering of her cub. I thought about how I didn't have the same courage as her, about how I would rather rip my own legs off with my teeth and offer myself to the hunters in exchange for freeing my cub from his torment.

Later, when Nina released me from her embrace with a pale, tearful face, speaking words I could barely understand, I considered how naive both I and the hypothetical fox were being in placing our faith in the benevolence of a superior, divine being. Tearing out my legs, my heart, begging, crawling – would that make any difference? Probably not. Yet even so, I would be willing to sacrifice myself for centuries on end in exchange for my daughter's life.

When I got up from the ground, with shaky legs and still immersed in a painful lethargy, I walked over to my daughter. The heartrender had cleaned her face, but there were still bloodstains on the collar of her blue dress, the same one she had received as a birthday present from her father and which she loved because it made her feel like a fairy.

When I held her little face between my hands she was still warm, it seemed like at any moment she would wake up and smile and tell me it was just a trick. But it wasn't, I spent a long time holding her face waiting for this trick to end and it didn't happen.

When I placed a kiss on her forehead, my tears fell on her face. It was an eternal kiss, I didn't want it to end, I didn't want it to be the last. However, when I pulled away, Nina wrapped me in a comforting hug. Finally, she retreated to a corner of the room, leaving me alone to watch over my pain.

I held my daughter in my arms, I ran my fingers through her hair, her face, memorizing every little detail of her. Finally, when she was starting to feel cold and heavy, I moved closer to give her another kiss, and this time, it was Kaz's goodbye kiss.

It was outside the hospital that Kaz found me. Nina took me outside when a team of healers told us they needed the room. In Ketterdam, the city of death, they are very practical about sorting things out. I was sitting on one of the steps, trying to catch my breath and looking at nothing, when Kaz, Inej, Wylan and Jesper arrived in a grain truck.

I didn't understand what emptiness was, nor how distressing it could be. I had no idea that it could be deafening, that the blood would rush through my veins and that everything around me would feel cold to the touch. Emptiness was the absence of all emotions, and at the same time, it contained them all. And the pain of emptiness made it extraordinarily difficult to notice anything around me other than the image of Kaz.

He was disheveled, his black coat was dirty with dust, and his hair was messy, as if he had spent the last few hours pulling out the strands. His usually restrained blue eyes were showing all of his emotions. A shadow hovered over them, something I had never seen before: fear. And I didn't know how to act other than getting up, walking a few steps, and finally succumbing at Kaz's feet in the hope that the ground would swallow me.

My breathing is heavy and shallow, sobs tear from my throat. There were no more tears, it seems that I was no longer able to produce them, however, a rain began to fall on us, as if it could cry what I was unable to. Above me, Kaz was standing still. He was like a wall that refused to fall under a storm, under the weight of reality. He refuses to vocalize whatever he's thinking, I think he's also feeling empty. It's as if any trace of humanity has been drained from him.

Would he become Dirtyhands, being all practical while he waits for the poor creature I've become at his feet to pull herself together? Or would he become the fox cub caught in the trap, hoping I could rip his throat out when he, for the first time in his life, didn't have a plan to get around the situation?

“Y/N, darling,” whispered Inej, as if calling my name could tie me to the ropes of the earth again. Besides, what else could she say?

Is this the moment when I would hear the lamentations, the pity, that would follow me for the rest of my life when they found out about the daughter I lost?

“She's gone,” I said, lifting my head and looking at Kaz. “We were waiting for you... but she got worse, so I came to Ketterdam. I really thought she would get better, but she's gone, Kaz” my voice broke completely.

I think whatever strength had kept Kaz up until that moment was gone. He turned his back on us, walking toward the side of the building, his steps swaying as if he were drunk, until finally he collapsed. A scream tore through his chest, a scream of rage, of frustration and sadness. But above all pain.

There is a definition for children who lose their parents, but there is none for parents who lose their children.

What are we now? A mother without a child? What would I do now? Just go home and put all her things together in a box like party decorations?

I got up and walked over to Kaz, hugging him from behind. We lay huddled in the rain, me holding Kaz's body as he thrashed about in a horrible cry. I offered whatever comfort I had: I kissed his head, whispered empty words, held him close to me. If I wasn't a mom, then Kaz wasn't a dad.

He would never hold her in his arms again, he wouldn't smile when she played with his gloves, which were too big, and he wouldn't stand by her bed on sleepless nights, watching her sleep.

“Kaz, she loves you more than anything” I said. Loved, whispered my treacherous brain. Then, fighting the lump in my throat, I said, “They've already put her with the dead people.”

Kaz shuddered, the crying became silent. The vision no parent, least of all Kaz, wants to imagine. Like any other death in Ketterdem, whether of the poor or the rich, our daughter's would be treated with little ceremony. No mourning, no funeral.

She, who was always warm, was now alone in the cold of the Harbor.

On the days when Kaz couldn't bear any touch, she was the one who defied him by clasping her little hands around his neck. Or on the worst days, when he came from the Barrel with someone's blood on his sleeve, she covered him with kisses and smiles. Kaz loved her the moment he saw her, covered in blood, wet, crying... and warm. When she was a baby he treated her like porcelain, if he could he wouldn't even let me touch her.

My hands met Kaz's, he was clutching his chest as if he wanted to rip out his own heart. I held him, afraid that he would somehow disappear under the weight of his own grief. If he leaves too...

“On the trip, when she was awake, I told her that you love her. That you love her so, so much,” I whispered in his ear. Then, the worst. “I gave her your kiss goodbye”

How can we survive this?

“No, Y/N,” Kaz said in a pleading tone, “I’m sorry, please. I'm so sorry"

When we lack words, guilt appears. It's our fault? Were we really that horrible?

The Saints. They give and they take.

[dragonbma]

Miscellaneous Sky City folk (mainly Reginald and Milo) rambles because I can:

Being the head guard, Captain Reginald’s main priorities are tending to Benedict and Isa. What time he doesn’t spend with them, he’s usually at the jail making sure order is maintained and prisoners are well-kept. Because of this, he doesn’t spend much time outside with the residents of Sky City like the other guards do.

Being so close with Benedict, Reginald understands how crucial every little resource is. In his eyes, the worst crime (aside from harming the Eversource) is to purposely throw something into the void.

Reginald first met Milo when he was imprisoned for “egregious wasting of resources.” The captain was appalled to hear someone had dropped a block over the edge, but upon overhearing a conversation between Milo and another cellmate, he quickly learned it was an accident and felt bad for the poor man lamenting the loss of his garden. He did attempt to convince Isa to let Milo out, explaining things as a misunderstanding. However, Isa declined, stating that if she bent the rules for one person, she’d have to bend them for everyone. Although she did entrust a dirt block with Reginald to plant near Milo’s inn to replace the one he lost. :]

Time in the cell made Milo bitter. Before that, the innkeeper always been an upstanding citizen. He felt betrayed that his little mistake had not been seen as an accident considering he had no previous record of troublemaking. (Unless you count advocating for a less strict system of resource distribution troublemaking.) Chatting with Reginald was one of the only things that kept him sane in the dungeon. Milo often asked how his inn was faring without him and had occasional questions about the Eversource. I don’t have a good idea of how long he was imprisoned, but he does describe it as “a very, very long time” so I’m lead to believe a few years at least. (Maybe 5-10 or 15 at most?)

WOW WHERE HAVE I HEARD THAT BEFORE?

JOKING. I highly doubt he was in the cell for 30-40 years.

Ok sorry back to the rant. When he was finally released, Milo was overjoyed to find a dirt block with a small flower waiting for him outside the inn. He assumed one of his friends requested it for him.

The punishment for discarding resources over the edge is not only time in jail, but also having your requests for more resources revoked. This ensures that no one maliciously continues wasting materials. This is also a major reason Milo started Build Club: the law no longer allowed his requests for resources to be granted. :[

Build Club spawned out of Milo’s idea of a better world where he and his comrades had the freedom to create whatever they wanted with no regulations. It started with him rambling about his ideas to those who stayed in the inn and to his surprise, his beliefs were shared among many of them. Eventually his friends opted to save their requested resources to create the hideaway that would harbor the rebellion. Milo also had suspicions that land existed beneath the city, but Isa forbade him from trying to test his theory as it was dangerous and would likely result in loss of resources if he didn’t get himself killed first.

Guards seem unphased by outsiders which leads me to believe that people do occasionally enter Sky City, but probably use ender pearls to travel between islands? Honestly I have no good explanation for why the guards are so nonchalant to “strangers.”

The iron golem Jesse created in Build Club looks out for the residents while they get accustomed to life on the ground. It especially likes following Milo and the club members around. Isa probably questioned where the heck it came from and Milo accidentally let slip that it was from Build Club. “WHAT IS BUILD CLUB?” “Uh… oops.”

It took everyone a while to warm up to the Aiden after everything that happened, but the Blaze Rods did eventually redeem themselves.

The creeper explosion left Captain Reginald with burn scars. While he still does his best to take care of the founder, the sight or sound of a creeper causes him to freeze up.

Reginald calls Benedict “ma’am.” Send post. 🐓

Most of the folk in Sky City are tall. Not Milo though. He’s short.

Bonus: When I first played Order Up, it took me forever to choose whether to turn myself in or flee because I couldn’t decide whether I liked Reginald or Milo more. (Too many of my decisions are based on me wanting to get character dialogue.) Having played through both their paths MULTIPLE TIMES, I still can’t decide. They’re both neat.

That’s all I have. See y’all on the other side.

[derpydoteddrake]

I’m actually very curious, how do you think Viktor’s arc will end in Arcane (act3) & also how could it impact his relationship with Jayce ?

Oh wow a question! Hello there!

Since s1 ended my bet was that it will end with: jayce failing to destroy the core, viktor will lose his mind to it and the series will not conclude their rivalry story but kick it off and they end up roughly where they were in lore.

And I always thought the series would use Viktor as a hook for future stories to show that there are still conflicts on the horizon.

One thing that they hinted and definitely gonna come into play is his reluctance to sacrifice warwick, I think even actually he will come around to doing that, or maybe they will do that to him.

And also his resurrection will mess him up further.

So I still think something similar will happen/is happening, however the thing that got introduced that complicates things is:

Viktor is too god damn powerful, currently the series is teasing that by the time he finishes his transformation he will be basically a demigod who can puppet corpses.

I thought they would bulk him up so he will be a more obvious threat, but this is a bit too much. He can not end the series with the implication that he is just vibing in zaun like the og, so I think they way they solve this is either:

-just killing him (would be probably an ambiguous death because of the time travel shinegans)

-seal him away like Viego

-somehow they sever him from the arcane and he wants to get back that connection.

Since his transformation will probably be a last episode thing, I highly doubt his story will conclude 100%, but he also won't be in a state where he can end the series just casually existing in the world like the others.

And how will it impact his relationship with jayce... we don't quite know what's up with him, yet. But by what he is saying in his skin, he is not over the idea of saving Viktor and he is probably trying to find a timeline where the arcane doesn't destroy everything.

I don't think he is above killing Viktor at this point tho, but It's hard to tell what his exact plan is since he just left viktors body there which allowed him to be resurrected, even though it's implied he did this a lot. I definitely dont thin jayce hates him tho, he did look upset over what he has to do.

The only ending I really dont want is the implication that the only thing left for viktor is for jayce to put him out of his misery. What i always like about viktor is how his character could go in so many directions (he could be even actually redeemed, or he could have even become the next big bad of pnz), and taking that away from him would suck imo.

[fantastical-euphoria]

this was me at a one direction concert back in 2014. had myself a blast (besides the last half bucketing down rain). little did i realize just how much this band was going to shape my life, and my tenure on this wonderful place called the internet.

i became massively obsessed over all the boys, harry especially. i thought they were always wonderful people, sunshine and happiness all around. just straight up good people.

i always put my faith in harry, louis, and niall. fan testimonies were off the charts, always stating how amazing they were. zayn i questioned for only a time, but i know now that i was reading too much into it and the golden rule has always been to never fully trust anything you read on the internet. i’m wary of this and have been a sceptic in many, many cases/articles.

now, what i never questioned or considered was liam. he was kind of a wild card for me. i initially thought that he, too, had the same wonderful lovely demeanor as the rest of the boys. they’re british lads, young, so typically you’d stereotype them as innocent charming bucks that are too easy to fall head over heels over.

just these past couple years, that image i had formerly painted for liam has since been tarnished. i feel safe in saying that liam did it to himself. he was the igniter of his own downfall. it wasn’t the fans. *it wasn’t maya.* did his former management and current management play some type of role in it? possibly and probably.

still, i’ll echo what millions of others are typing at the moment, this was far too sudden, far too soon. i didn’t expect any of what was being published on the internet to get to his head that fast, let alone that much. the mental toll that this, *all* this, has taken on him, coupled with addiction torment that he has clearly been battling for a few good years now, is probably the most lethal combo out there. it can lead to what the articles were describing. aggression. that’s not the liam that so so many of us knew. it was the drugs. it was the alcohol. it was the mental drainage. still, we know that the past cannot be erased and his actions are still irreversible, and abuse/assault can never be forgiven.

i cannot imagine the weight that’s setting in on his whole family, and his young son who now has to grow up without a father figure in his life. i cannot imagine how his management is feeling right now. but most importantly of all, i cannot imagine how the boys are feeling. they just lost a brother. they will always remember/commemorate him as their lifelong brother. i cannot even BEGIN to imagine them in tuxes at liam’s funeral… if they even decide to show up. i highly doubt zayn or harry will. if anyone, louis and/or niall, because they’ve been the more actively and vocally supportive of him. i expect all of them to post at least some little thing about this, however, knowing their history of being respectful.

as the days, months, weeks, and years pass, we are slowly watching this grim reality of a disintegrating childhood and, at least for me, teenage-hood unfold before our eyes. this definitely has been one of the more devastating blows. as much as i somewhat anticipated it… i never expected it to come so soon.

i know the fact that this will never become a reality will forever haunt us. if one direction hasn’t been scarred enough in their tenure, this will definitely feel like a gaping gunshot wound.

i’m still reeling, and i’m still processing this. for those who have checked in on me, thank you. for those that i’ve checked on, understand that i’ll still be here, with a hand extended, and an ear to listen. we’re all in this together, grieving over such a devastating loss, not just to the one direction community/fanbase, but to the entire world. liam touched a lot of people, not just fans.

if you have any further thoughts on this, feel free to sound off in the comments. this is a safe space for everybody. ❤���

[starsreality]

I wanted to use hypnagogia/sats to wake up with the desired face (instantly, not gradually) but I read that this is only possible with the void state, is this true?

No, the hypnagogic state can also be instant. During the state, your awareness of the 3D reality is highly limited and subconscious mind is extremely susceptible to any assumptions.

But your perception of the hypnagogic state also comes into play. If your assumption of the state is that it’s instant then it is, however if you assume the opposite then it’s slow and limited.

I recommend when imagining your desires, think from the place of truly having it and leaving the doubts alone. Putting your focus on your inner world.

[goingbuggy]

Crazy thought: is there any chance buggy will come into alliance with Blackbeard? I don’t know it’s just how luffy is paired with shanks for obvious reasons makes me wonder if there will be alliance like that in the future. Possible angst? I don’t knowoooow

I wouldn't call it an impossibility -- some crazy plot twists will probably happen as One Piece reaches what looks like its penultimate arc -- but given Buggy's past thoughts on Blackbeard, I doubt it would be by his own hand. Remember, Buggy was the one to point out how suspicious Blackbeard seemed to Shanks; he even went as far as to call Blackbeard a "monster." And that was when Blackbeard was still a kid!

Although it's been quite a while since then, it's safe to say that Buggy has never thought highly of Blackbeard. So, if we're brainstorming about a hypothetical alliance, I think it would only occur out of necessary-but-mutual gain. We don't know how many poneglyphs Blackbeard has currently, but it has been speculated that he might have taken Law's, and that he might have Big Mom's as well. It may even turn out that Blackbeard has/will have the last road poneglyph. In that case, a temporary, two-faced sort of alliance might occur. Or, in a more comical twist of fate, Buggy could be the one to get the last road poneglyph, and accidentally start a wild goose chase across the seas. Regardless of the scenario, I can only see the potential for a relationship that is strictly business and give-and-take.

To add to your idea, though, Blackbeard is similar to Buggy because they both take advantage of chaos for personal gain. Unlike Shanks and Luffy, Buggy and Blackbeard tend to slip through the cracks; it's not that they don't have presence, per se, but that they appear unassuming enough that others underestimate them. Shanks, Whitebeard, Ace, Law, Koby, Hancock: Blackbeard has a knack for catching powerful players on the world's chess board off guard, and this has always been his greatest asset as a pirate.

Buggy, too, flies under the radar. We see this most explicitly in his interactions with the marines; he lessens his torture at Impel Down because they don't realize he's a devil fruit user, and after Cross Guild successfully puts bounties on marine heads, Tsuru outright states that they've "severely underestimated him." Like Blackbeard, Buggy laid low and waited for his chance, spending his days in the East Blue before rapidly expanding his influence in the New World. However, unlike Blackbeard, none of this really seems purposeful on Buggy's part. This is what separates them -- Blackbeard is full of intent, but most of Buggy's future gains simply fall into his lap, where he then chooses to take advantage of the situation.

So, in that sense, I think Buggy and Blackbeard could have a very harmonious alliance, if they both unite to stir chaos, then split to reap the consequences as they each see fit.

[arcane-knowledge-archives]

Genshin Impact Kami Scaramouche Alternate Universe

Or GIKSAU for short A short world building post of what it would look like if The Balladeer won

Right so let's talk about Scaramouche. As much as we adore him being Wanderer I feel as though we brush past his godhood far too quickly, I am here to correct that error with an AU.

What if he won? What would he do?

This blog will basically be my interpretation on what could happen, however there are plenty of other timelines that I may briefly mention.

He wouldn't enjoy endless power for long, the Tsaritsa still wants the Archon's Gnosis for whatever reason, and I highly doubt she'd just let him have it. His grace period lasts for a few days at most. He will be in a constant state of anxiety when the Fatui inevitably make their move to take his Gnosis back. On the surface, the Fatui have total control over Sumeru, but underneath that mist of deception is a tense stand-off between Scaramouche and an army. Both sides awaiting for the other's first move.

A fight between Harbingers will come eventually.

Scaramouche needs to plan carefully. Dottore made him, and he can take him apart just as easily.

As much as Scaramouche would adore waging war against the Electro Archon, he must focus on the war currently knocking down his door.

Dwelling on that could take years off of my lifespan so let's move onto something ever so slightly less tense.

As intense as the Fatui can be, it's expected that the people are affected too. Sumeru, known for its colourful culture has taken a bleak turn. The colours are darker, the air crackles with something suffocating, and it's already beginning to become dystopian. Even the forests have gotten darker.

The only "safe" place is the desert. Plenty of people have fled to Aaru Village to escape the wrath of the Fatui. Rations are slimmer, entitlement is at an all time high, and the village is overpopulating.

So many still held out hope for Lesser Lord Kusanali, but that hope was swiftly stomped out during her public execution.

The Sages cannot even celebrate their victory. After discovering their plans to manipulate Scaramouche, the god decided to make an example out of Azar. Not one of the Sages will step a foot out of line now.

The culture would not change overnight, but Inazuman inspired themes would begin popping up in everyday fashion, architecture and cuisine. The mixture of two separate cultures aren't always smooth, but Scaramouche's underlings find a way to make it work.

The city would expand, aristocrats from Snezhnaya finding their new vacation home, or some moving permanently. The higher class would take over the city in no time, and the remaining Sumeru residents must adapt if they wish to stay. Dori has certainly been having a lovely time engaging with more people with her acquired tastes.

The arts have not completely died, but it is more or less preserved for the higher class. Scaramouche could care less, this is more of the doing of the people, it's considered a great honour if he shows up for a performance. Zubayr Theatre has been completely renovated, it's one of the only places without an Inazuman touch to it. Nilou fought tooth and nail to keep it that way.

Nilou is still praised for her stunning performances, but it's always spoken in a condescending manner. Very similar to how obnoxious tourists speak to the residents. The theatre seats are always full, the only reason being so that the aristocrats can claim to be cultured. Poor Nilou being used as an object for someone to brag about. Her passion for dancing has nearly been drained from her, the only time she's happy is when she's dancing with the children of Aaru village.

Don't think I've forgotten about Haypasia. In honour of her being Scaramouche's first follower, she has been appointed as the High Priestess of Sumeru. Her sermons are passionately insane, speaking of sacrificing their mind to their god, purging their own human emotions. Only the extremists seem to appear to the temple regularly.

Soon a new face will arrive some time after, when Scaramouche has asserted his dominance over the nation. You will witness first hand of the unspoken truths of the city.

[percheduphere]

LET'S TALK ABOUT NEURODIVERSE AND DIFFERENTLY-ABLED/PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES REPRESENTATION IN THE LOKI SERIES

Thank you so much for your patience and your amazing ask, @indulligence! Special thank you, as well, to all the gif artists who made this meta possible.

I've been champing at the bit to get to this one, and I finally made it!

As a disclaimer, I am not a doctor, and I recognize we should take care in pseudo-diagnosing fictional characters as we don't want to perpetuate stereotypes of our neurodiverse and differently abled/people with disabilities communities. Having said that, if interpreting a character as being neurodiverse and/or differently abled/having a disability brings you comfort and joy, you should certainly do so! Canon is a sandbox. Fictional worlds and characters are meant to be engaged with for your pleasure.

I do cite a few medical graphic and their sources below. If any of those sources are problematic in any way, please let me know and I can switch out the graphic for one from a better source.

LOKI - ADHD [?]

At first glance, Loki's characterization in Thor 1, Thor 2, and Ragnarok don't seem to present him as having challenges with executive function. He appears to be able to focus and sustain focus, able to organize, and able to sustain effort and process. Loki also has exceptional memory.

[source]

As for mood, many mood symptoms of ADHD overlap with depression, the latter of which Loki clearly has. Nevertheless, it should be noted that ADHD and depression are often comorbid. He could have both.

[source]

While memory and effort are not concerns, Loki has consistently shown challenges with impulse control, managing frustration, and modulating emotion. A number of his most consequential choices (i.e. inadvertently directing Malekith to his mother, chasing after Sylvie, etc.) are influenced by his emotional state rather than premeditation. This may suggest that if Loki has ADHD, he leans toward Type 2: Impulsive/Hyperactive:

[source]

His characterization in the Loki series changes somewhat to include more hyperactivity and swings between hyperfocus and difficulty regulating attention and focus. Loki gesticulates, fidgets, and moves a lot more in the series than the movies. He also talks much more quickly when excited.

Do I think these changes were intentional? I honestly have no idea. Whatever the case, I think it's lovely that the Loki who becomes the most powerful hero in the MCU is also the version that demonstrates a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD.

MOBIUS - NEUROTYPICAL / HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON (HSP) [?]

I think Mobius, for the most part, is neurotypical. Even with Loki being his special interest/hyperfixation, he doesn't exhibit the other symptom criteria to meet a Level 1 Autism diagnosis, an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder diagnosis, or an Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder diagnosis.

He may, however, be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

[source]

Mobius's empathy for others, perception of behavior, observation of circumstances, and deep appreciation for beauty (particularly when it comes to the beauty of people) are exceptionally strong.

NOTE: Even when the stakes are dire, he's still willing to give Ravonna and Miss Minutes the benefit of the doubt. He really is a sweetie pie. A sweetie pie who can and will slap you if you deserve it.

I think Mobius may mask his strong emotional responses regularly in order to be able function in the TVA. There were only two incidents, when he was unable to suppress his feelings, and those outbursts were remarkable:

That said, Mobius doesn't quite meet the other symptoms of HSP, which include sensitivity to stimuli, being easily startled, and aversion to violence. As we see in the series, Loki's antics don't overwhelm or startle him, and he has no issue with torture when he deems it necessary.

It is possible that Mobius may have Acquired Neurodivergence post-series as a consequence of trauma in the series finale. At present, we have nothing in canon to support this, but many fanfics show Mobius struggling to cope with the loss of Loki, his home, his family, and his identity. This severe level of loss can cause a variety of mental health conditions and disorders that may impact Mobius's future ability to function in a neurotypical way.

SYLVIE - ACQUIRED NEURODIVERGENCE [?]

I've written about Sylvie's sexuality here, and I think some (if not most) of her quirks when it comes social interaction, emotional intimacy, and physical contact may be explained by trauma. As such, I think some of her behavioral symptoms, which can be mistaken as autism, is actually the result of PTSD causing structural changes to her brain. Loki likely has this as well.

Like O.B., she is verbally blunt and appears to demonstrate lower empathy, especially with those she disagrees with.

To be clear, this doesn't mean Sylvie doesn't have empathy. She does, as can be seen in the gif above. What I mean is, her empathy and ability to demonstrate it are generally low throughout the series. This is likely a psychological defense mechanism. Having lowered empathy is advantageous if growing up in apocalypses is the only means of survival. Every friend and lover she's ever had is either dead or will die because of those apocalypses or because of who she is to the TVA.

Unlike O.B., Sylvie initiates social interactions and develops friendships more easily. Sylvie has acquaintances, if not friends, in John (McDonalds,) Eric (bartender), and Lyle (record shop). NOTE: You can tell the writer is a man when the bias in creating side characters skews male instead of female. Sylvie should at least have ONE girlfriend in her 1982 timeline, but she doesn't.

OUROBOROS (O.B.) - LEVEL 1 AUTISM [?]

Here he is! Here is our favorite neurodiverse ray of sunshine! Our autistic cinnamon roll! The MVP of season 2!

Now, I have mixed feelings regarding how people on the autism spectrum are portrayed in media. While they are often shown as socially awkward, they are also shown to be exceptionally brilliant in their area(s) of interest. This is quite flattering and often true in real life, yet I worry that this creates a stereotype that not only are all autistic people "geniuses", they are also geniuses in a way that is useful to a capitalistic society. That expectation isn't healthy and perpetuates the belief that a person is only valuable if they are useful. Further, it is a narrow portrayal of the autism spectrum. It is important to have representation across that spectrum instead of stopping at Level 1.

But I don't like being a Debbie Downer, so let's focus on the good representation that can be found in O.B.!

O.B., in a lot of ways, reminds me of Entrapta from She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. He doesn't always read social cues correctly, which often plays out as fantastic comedy relief on screen when the stakes are outrageous.

Like Entrapta, his science and engineering aptitude are nearly unmatched if not for Victor Timely. However, the hyperfocus O.B. exhibits does have negative consequences, as exemplified when he explains he lost his job and wife due to dedication in creating a TemPad prototype. Despite these losses, O.B. is resilient and looks forward to what comes next (another possible symptom of his neurodiversity).

I love that O.B.'s neurodiversity allows him to believe Loki when Loki finds him on his branched timeline with his "crazy story". It is also what allows him to see the patterns in Loki's timeslipping and propose, with confidence, that timeslipping can be controlled.

He is also a very good friend. Though he might not be the "huggy" type, he always makes an effort to find concrete solutions to big problems. I would say that O.B. is Loki's second closest friend in the series after Mobius.

I can't tell if it's O.B.'s autism or O.B.'s inner asshole that's fucking around with Loki in this scene. Not once but twice! Either way, I love it (and the fact that Loki resists the temptation to zap him back).

CASEY - LEVEL 1 AUTISIM [?]

What I appreciate about Casey is that if he is interpreted as autistic, he is not a super genius. He is still quite gifted, but I think he represents where a good number of level 1 autistics actually land in life. I feel this is a much healthier portrayal and balances out O.B.'s genius representation nicely.

NOTE: Look how cute they are! They must be protected at all costs.

I am also so happy that Casey and O.B. found friendship in each other. We have to give B-15 (Verity) credit for this. The only reason they met at all is because B-15 had the presence of mind to think of Casey to help O.B. with the Loom debacle.

Together, they become unstoppable, but there's one more friend who completes the Science Club Trio ...

VICTOR TIMELY - SPEECH IMPEDIMENT/LEVEL 1 AUTISM [?]

Since I've discussed autism interpretation and representation at length with O.B. and Casey, I'm going to concentrate on the portrayal of Victor Timely's speech impediment.

I also have mixed feelings regarding the media portrayal of people with speech impediments. This medical condition is often used as a means of showing a character is "meek" or "harmless". I don't doubt that this character feature was chosen for that exact purpose, to immediately contrast Timely against HWR in the quickest, most efficient way possible. Unfortunately, this kind of narrative "shortcut" leads to stereotyping people with speech impediments accordingly.

It's a good thing, then, that Loki series takes the time to add some depth to Timely's character. Yes, he has a speech impediment, but he is also very willful, crafty, and brave.

[callmethehunter]

Oh dear Anon, you have made my day! These are great questions about my favorite subject in the world: Robert Plant.:D And as far as that goes, I could (and will) go on and on about this forever, I’ve got so much to say!!

I’ve been obsessed with Robert’s music as well as with his personal life for years. I find him to be a multifaceted, highly talented and intelligent person who embodies traits that one would think were mutually exclusive, yet are somehow at home in him. He is without a doubt, totally outrageous and extroverted, he wants to be the center of attention, yet he is also reclusive, a deep thinker who is keenly aware of the world around him while also being introspective and self-aware. In his own words he has said

“It's part of me to get off on those moments where... well, what people would call attention. Obviously, that isn't the be-all and end-all of life, but at the states of creativity that I've reached, well, it helps the lyrics along a little bit.”

“ I’m pleased with how ridiculous I am. I like me. Though I’m not a huge fan. I know when to switch me off.”

I do think he has a very warm heart. He is genuinely interested in other people, in experiencing the most out of any given situation.

In my opinion, he loves the idea and the feeling of falling in love. He gets off more on that than on the longevity. It’s like he’s got ADHD in the aspect of love lol!! I say this because of the number of serious relationships (and not so serious relationships) that he has had in his life. I’m sure he was saddened when they ended, but then he’s moved on to the next great infatuation and adventure. He’s quite capable of starting again, as he has shown multiple times both in his personal and professional life. But I also think it’s a testimony to his heart that he’s been able to continue to be friends with his past loves. “There have been people I've warmed to over the years but, as the situation I'm in is so fleeting and transient, I've always known it's going to be over kind of real quick.”

I mean think about this: after having children with two sisters, Maureen (his exwife) and Shirley, they have been able to raise their children in what looks like a loving extended family. His sons, Logan (with Maureen) and Jesse (with Shirley), are half-brothers as well as first cousins. Just think on that for a moment. In a recent picture, there’s the entire family on vacation: Maureen, Shirley and their children with Robert, as well as Robert and a previous girlfriend, Jessica something or other (don’t remember her name). He’s not confined to societal conventions. He could give a flying fuck. I love that free spirit and he himself has said (and I paraphrase) that he may come across as being a good mate, but in reality he’s out to do whatever the fuck he wants. (And it shows!! )

He says, “...if you do what you think is right for the benefit of everybody and everything and you make decisions, then to go back and regret them afterwards - it's a futile experience and it's not worth thinking about. Because life just unfolds. Provided you do your best and you think you're on the right track, you can only be right or wrong. But to regret it - I don't think there are any huge errors or misdemeanors.”

In the area of friendship, however, he is fiercely loyal. He and Bonzo were like brothers till the end, and even still, Robert honors his dear friend. He’s also been able to maintain friendships with so many people from his hometown- people he knew before he was famous. He puts away the trappings of fame and fortune to be the good old Black Country boy, riding horses and playing with goats, walking around in the forests and enjoying nature.

“I think I could sing and shear a few sheep at the same time.” He is the picture of the word “earthiness”. Able to be the rock god on stage as well as the humble farmer on the farm or at the local pub. He’s loyal to his soccer team and to the sport itself which has been a lifelong passion. And I love that in him.

Is he a hedonist? Absolutely, he has tasted every pleasure there is to taste. His every material wish could be a reality in an instant...He has done drugs, had hundreds of one night stands. He is a highly sensual man. IMO the sexiest man that’s ever walked the planet. His sizeable bulge perpetually stands* as a symbol (no pun intended*) of his virility and lust (and I like it!!) He exudes charisma and raw sexual energy. He’s done it all to the highest level, partied and cavorted around the globe. What a life he’s lived!!

But in his lyrics there is also a deep spiritual side of him: I think he is a modern day troubadour and philosopher. His lyrics touch on that, “it is the springtime of my loving” ….“In the light you will find the road” “when all is one and one is all” “Then as it was, then again it will be, though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea” and I could go on and on with other examples. These are just what popped in my head. “I am a reflection of what I sing. Sometimes I have to get serious because the things Ive been through are serious” He’s had moments where he is the “golden god” as well as tragic moments such as the loss of his 5 year old son and the loss of his dear friend Bonzo. These are definitely reflected in his music.

All in all, in his own words:

“I'm like one of those firecrackers that goes off in your pocket occasionally. I'm not really struggling with it as much as the people around me. But at least I'm not doing too much damage to anybody or to myself. It's just the condition I'm aware of.

And he’s still got a twinkle in his eye.

Thank you for letting me go and on about this man, he holds such a special place in my heart. He is a beautiful and joyous old hippie full of wisdom and talent.. He has created a lasting legacy and I hold the deepest admiration for him, despite his human frailties or shortcomings.

[hrefna-the-raven]

Heart of Steel

Fallout masterlist - main masterlist

Inspired by this great song of Manowar:

Summary: You are a former soldier before the Great War, frozen in the vault only to wake in a world you didn't recognise anymore with your husband killed and your son kidnapped. You stumble through the Commonwealth, having searched far and wide with Detective Valentine for your son until you stumble upon Paladin Danse at the Police station. His Brotherhood wakens your desire to belong somewhere again and so you join them, but upon meeting Elder Maxson you weren't sure anymore if it really was the right decision....

Notes: I haven't played FO3, so I don't know tiny Maxson and I haven't quite finished the BoS story in FO4 so I'm not quite sure where this is exactly headed as I type the chapters as I move forward in the questline^^

Chapter 1 - Welcome to the Brotherhood of Steel

"The Institute Scientists have created a weapon that transcends the destructive nature of the atom bomb", Elder Maxson spoke purposefully.

Your gaze drifted towards his commanding presence, acknowledging his tall and undeniably attractive stature. During your time you travelled the Commonwealth, you never encountered anyone who exuded such confidence and grace. He paced in front of the new recruits like a predator stalking its prey and yet his radiant confidence stood like a shining beacon amidst the darkness of this world.

"Therefore, the Institute and their "synths" are considered enemies of the Brotherhood of Steel, and should be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly", he gruffly stated, carefully observing the recruits.

A knot formed in your stomach upon hearing those final words. While encountering various synths during your search for Kellog, not all of them had been friendly. However, influenced by Nick's unwavering assistance and his quest to find your son, you were convinced that shooting each and every synth on sight couldn't be the right course of action. Nick had saved you countless times, without gaining any advantage out of it and you seriously doubted he'd ever be an enemy to anyone who didn't deserve it in the first place.

Maxson noticed your attention drifting away, evident in your slouched posture and vacant eyes as your mind was clearly preoccupied with other thoughts. Whether or not he could discern the exact thoughts running through your head, he felt a sense of his authority being questioned.

"This campaign will be costly and many lives will be lost. But in the end, we will be saving humankind from its worst enemy... itself. Ad Victoriam!", he slammed his fist proudly on his chest.

The voices of the other recruits interrupted your trail of thoughts prompting you to join them in mimicking the gesture. As they left, you stood awkwardly in front of the Elder, a faint sense of panic tingling beneath your skin as you realised you were now alone with your new superior in the room.

"Requesting permission to speak, Sir", you asked, every muscle in your body tense as your ingrained military habits took control and you continued upon seeing the Elder nod, "Paladin Danse informed me that you wished to speak to me personally."

Maxson looked a little surprised as you spoke up. The others within the Brotherhood always treated him with respect, some fearfully even, but your way of talking reminded him of old military records he'd read up on.

"Ah, right. The new recruit Paladin Danse spoke so highly of in his report. I was told you're quite the skilled marksman, which is an exceptional achievement for a civilian like yourself... It takes quite a lot to impress the man that much, especially for recommending you for such a quick and impressive promotion. Were you already skilled with a weapon before you joined?"

"Yes, Sir, in a way. I'm not sure if Danse mentioned it but I'm from a vault, I was kinda stuck in cryostasis for over 200 years, prior to that, I served in the US Army", you nervously chuckled as you recounted your journey into the vault after seeing the bombs being dropped.

Maxson's eyes widened, revealing his surprise for a second before he regained his stoic composure. You intrigued him greatly, a beautiful woman out of time, having served during the pre-war era, now finding herself aligned with the Brotherhood and by extension with him. He was determined to unravel the mysteries that surrounded you. The coldness in his voice faded slightly and he leaned in closer as he spoke, his eyes staring straight into your soul.

"It's quite fortunate that you came across Paladin Danse then, isn't it? Most of our people are young and inexperienced, and some have even come from a life of crime and thievery. But you are quite different, aren't you? And I presume you must have been an exceptional soldier, otherwise you would have most likely been assigned a non-combatant role, or maybe even left out of the vault altogether. I'm sure that the Brotherhood has great need of someone like you and could be quite useful as a Sentinel or even a Paladin yourself."

You sensed a shift in his demeanour, your gaze trailing over his form, noticing the subtle change as he reverted back to the hardened exterior you initially witnessed. All that praise, almost flattery, the prospect of climbing the ranks so fast without even knowing you had to come at cost, one he'd surely reveal soon enough.

"But I have to ask one thing... How do you feel about Synths?"

His question ignited a panic, crawling underneath your skin while your mind pondered on a possible answer. Given his speech earlier, you were well aware which answer was the right one to get you on his good side and yet...lying would was the opposite of everything you stood for. Regardless of the consequences, you refused to simply utter the words he wanted to hear but you wouldn't exclude diplomacy either.

"I'm unsure, Elder. I understand they can be dangerous and yet, one of them saved my life and is trying to help me find my kidnapped son. I'd deem it unjust to simply shoot him on sight."

For a fleeting moment, Maxson's gaze drifted off, a slight frown forming, or maybe it was more of a twinge of regret, crossing his face before he cleared his throat and spoke sharply again.

"Remember our principles, Aspirant. EVERY Synth is a threat to our mission and our values. NEVER trust one under any circumstances, regardless of them appearing kind or helpful. They are only acting that way to manipulate and trick us."

"May I ask a question in return, Elder?", you asked in a calm tone.

It was a careful delicate dance around the principles of this Brotherhood and the man's unyielding view on people who's worst and best sides you came to experience while searching for your husband's killer. You could tell from the Elder's blank expression that your audacity to push this subject further after his warning irritated him. However, what you couldn't see was that, deep within the inner turmoil that defined Arthur Maxson, he almost relished in the fact that someone finally dared to challenge him fearlessly yet respectfully. Unlike most recruits who blindly followed his every command upon stepping foot on the Prydwen, which certainly smoothened the daily operations of the Brotherhood, you possessed a spark of individuality that intrigued him, one that each of the others lacked. After all, it often was this very spark that led to great deeds, exceptional knights for the Brotherhood. Perhaps, it was even the same spark that had propelled him towards his current role as the Elder of this faction.

"Very well. Go ahead and ask", his eyes were locked on you now.

"How can one make sure oneself isn't a Synth?"

This clearly caught him off guard, he was expecting the usual question about why every one of those machines would pose a threat but this was something new. You sensed his hesitation to answer so you elaborated further.

"I come from a time where Synths didn't exist, they are, as so many other things in this world, new to me and I clearly experienced them differently than the Brotherhood did. So how I would I know that I'm not one of them? Or anyone else around me for that matter?"

Maxson seemed puzzled by your question, as if he had never considered it to this extent before and while he had to admit that you made a valid point, he remained determined never to openly acknowledge this fact to a new recruit.

"The Institute wouldn't dare to put one of their own creations in the Brotherhood of Steel on purpose. We've also taken measures to make sure a Synth cannot infiltrate us in any way. A Synth is a machine, and therefore I know that I am not one. And neither are you."

The corners of your mouth twitched into a faint smile, pleased to see your plan unfold perfectly. He didn't need to voice it out loud for you to detect the subtle indications of doubt, the hint of hesitation as your question struck a nerve, and in just a fraction of a moment, it became apparent to you that beneath the hardened and austere exterior carried by the Elder, there laid something more concealed.

"Thank you for reassuring me, Elder."

"You're dismissed, Aspirant", you nodded and turned around but stopped when he continued, the severity in his voice returning, "as a former soldier you should be aware of the consequences of questioning your superiors. You'll be cleaning the showers and latrines down at the airport, all of them. Consider this your first assignment and a lesson. Welcome to the Brotherhood of Steel."

You let out a sigh as you made you way towards the elevator. After spending over two centuries in cryo sleep, waking up in a desolated Wasteland to join a faction like an army, only to be punished with the task of cleaning their bathing facilities for asking a single question. Was it truly worth it? You chuckled to yourself as you pressed the button of the elevator, a triumphant grin spreading across your lips. Yes, it was. You struck just the right nerve to get a faint glimpse underneath the Elder's stoic surface and you were determined to take whatever punishment he'd throw at you if it meant you'd finally get through to him. There more to him than he'd show and you were too intrigued to let it slide.

Little did you know that Arthur stood by the window, observing the bustling soldiers moving around the main airport building just underneath the Prydwen. His mind was consumed with thoughts of you, the timeless woman, who wiggled her way into the Brotherhood, the same mischievous yet well meaning spark in her eyes he was all too familiar with. He knew exactly what game you were playing with your question. But two could play this game, he thought to himself, a hint of amusement curving his lips. He'd see how you dealt with the punishment. What secrets could he winkle out of you? Suddenly a trembling sigh escaped his lips. Would he be to resist you if the mysteries around you would turn out to please him? Only time would tell, for now, the most important was to free the Commonwealth of the Institute's threatening claws. Ad Victoriam, he mumbled to himself, closing his eyes as he desperately tried to banish the images of you from his mind.

This recruit would either be a curse or a blessing and the very least, a challenge.

Chapter 2 - Tour of Duty

Feel free to reblog if you enjoyed the story :)

[pinkeoni]

The Importance of Lonnie Byers in Season 5

After much theorizing and consideration, I am confident beyond a shadow of a doubt that not only will Lonnie be present in season 5, but that he’s actually crucial to the main plot of the story.

I’m going to first explain why I think his appearance will be important from an objective storytelling point of view and then theorize what I think his role is actually going to be.

TW: Discussions of child abuse.

Lonnie’s absence has created major unresolved conflict with both Will and Jonathan

I wanna start by saying that I’m looking at this from an objective storytelling point of view and not in the context of real world situations.

Lonnie has only appeared in season 1 and has not made an appearance since. In fact, he hasn’t been mentioned by name, only indirectly mentioned majority of the time by Jonathan. Will and Lonnie haven’t even shared a scene. This creates a huge hole of unresolved conflict between Lonnie and his sons. In fact, the only member of the Byers clan who has resolved their conflict with him is Joyce.

When Joyce is in an emotionally vulnerable state, Lonnie shows up and she clings to him, despite how much he belittles her. Eventually Joyce stands her ground, defends herself, and then demands that he leaves. We can see that Joyce has finally moved on from him once she has moved on to different and better romantic partners in later seasons. She hasn't even mentioned him, not in the way that Jonathan has.

In each season, Jonathan has brought up his father through dialogue. It usually revolves around Jonathan's inner conflict of fearing that he is becoming like his father, and that his father has affected who he is today.

And given that this has been brought up in every season, we see that this hasn't been resolved yet. Lonnie returning would be a good opportunity for Jonathan to come to some kind of self realization.

In the case of Will, it's pretty unclear how he really feels about his dad. Aside from a few lines of dialogue from season 1, we don't get much in the way of Will's point of view. However, I do think that Will misses his dad. I think this could also create interesting conflict between Will and Jonathan; Will is highly receptive of their dad coming back and Jonathan is not. Jonathan and Will have never really had any conflict before, so it might be interesting to see them fight about something. If everyone is on the exact same page about Lonnie, and there was a simple resolve, it wouldn’t be interesting to watch.

Again, as stated above, I want to be clear that I'm looking at this from a fictional storytelling standpoint. I don't think that abuse survivors need to confront their abusers in person in order to find closure, however when discussing fictional characters and character arcs, leaving the show without any confrontation from either Jonathan and/or Will would leave that conflict open.

Lonnie's absence tells me that they are holding out on something big from him

The fact that Lonnie has not shown up in the past three seasons informs me that when he does show up, he'll likely be the catalyst for a major plot point. Think about it this way, if Lonnie were connected to some kind of major plot twist (such as Will's powers) then it would make sense to not bring him back until the last season, because doing so prematurely could set in motion some of the larger set pieces that needed to be saved for the ending.

I think if Lonnie were truly unimportant to the future plot, then they could have wrapped up his arcs with Will and Jonathan earlier. I think he could have easily fit in to season 2, especially with the focus being so heavy on the Byers family in that season. But no, they are holding out on him until the very last season, which speaks to the importance of his role in the main plot of the story.

Lonnie is likely connected to Will's powers

Now that I've explained why he is important to season 5's plot, now comes the part where I theorize about what his exact role in the story will be. Namely, I believe that he is connected to Will's powers.

I'm not going to go into all of the theoretics involving Lonnie and Will's powers, that would just make the post even longer than it already is. I've made a few posts in the past exploring Lonnie's possible connection to the lab, which I think is highly likely. You can read them here, here, and here.

I have another large theory post where I discuss how Lonnie may have even been the trigger for Will's powers here, which relates to another long theory post I made regarding Will's childhood memories here.

There's a lot of different ways this could go, but either way, I think Lonnie is a major part of Will's powers and is likely connected with the lab. Will doesn't remember this very well, but seeing his dad again could likely jog his memory.

Lonnie could likely die, following a pattern set by the show of abusive figures dying

I've theorized about how this could go in a number of different ways, but the ending is still the same. If Lonnie were to die, it would be the third in a pattern of abusers dying that started with Billy's death and was continued with Papa's death in season 4. There also seems to be a string of deaths involving father figures, starting with Bob and season 2 and again continued with Papa in season 4. Either way, Lonnie Byers your days are numbered.

Here's a rough timeline of my prediction of how I think the season could go:

Lonnie returns very early on after the time skip. He claims to be there to make amends with and spend time with his boys.

Joyce and Jonathan are weary of his return and intentions but Will is excited to see his dad again.

Joyce decides that Will's feelings about his dad should be up to him, while Jonathan is more combative. This creates tension between Will and Jonathan.

Unsurprisingly enough, Lonnie is there for his own personal gain, probably connected to the lab. Most likely sent in by Owens

As Will discovers the extent of his powers throughout season 5, his childhood and the extent of Lonnie's abuse will likely be revealed to him, forcing Will to contend with the fact that his father is a monster

The above bullet is a mirror to El's arc last season with Papa. Except now, Will will likely be horrified to learn this information and will want to see his father as good as much as possible.

There is a final confrontation between Will, Jonathan and Lonnie which is likely the climax of whichever episode it's in, likely episode 6 or 7.

Lonnie's arc ends with his death.

I know that a lot of the details are a little loose toward the end, this is something that I'm still theorizing about and putting together. Regardless of specifics, Lonnie's importance and likely appearance in season 5 is something I'm still highly confident in. Let me know what you guys think, or any predictions that you have!

[shattereddarknessau]

…. *the mysterious skeleton turns to face you*

So… it’s you huh….? I suppose you’re here to listen to this unfortunate backstory? Perhaps here to grant me your pity?

Now……I suppose I could tell you what happened. Not that I highly doubt you’ll be interested……hm? What’s that? …..You are?

…..*sighs* Fine. If you insist. I shall tell you the story of how Rubytale ceased to be. *the mysterious skeleton reaches for the book, and begins reading the story*

“Once apon a time, two races ruled the land, humans…and monsters. The two races were ruled by two leaders King Topaz, and Queen Aquamarine. One day, The Crystal Ruby of Balance grew out of control, causing the entire AU to vanish of the maps, and...” *he stops reading for a second*

Wait a minute….*the mysterious skeleton  turns to the pages, to find false information*No….T-This is not right. It’s all wrong. Nothing in this book is right! It doesn’t talk about the REAL story at all. They’re leaving out the tragic events of his childhood. There was no “King Topaz”, damn those delusional authors. Always spreading lies about history.

…. They’re choosing to forget what REALLY happened to my people. *he disintegrates the book of lies*

I think it’s about time you learn the real story of Rubytale, the true tale.

On day, a selfish soul decided to steal the crystal to absorb its magic for their own greedy desires, oblivious to the horrible fate they have brought upon innocent people.

The crystal was the only thing keeping the world together, it was known to guarded for centuries, people praised the crystal, as if it were a might god, however, the guards had grew lazy over time, letting it slip into the wrong hands.

To the sound of footsteps approaching, the selfish soul dropped the 2,000 year old crystal on the ground and ran away in a panic to save their own skin, leaving the AU and the damaged artifact behind. The guards came back to see what the selfish individual had done.

“Oh the horror, The Crystal Ruby of Balance has been damaged, we’re all done for!!” said one of the guards in a state of fear. In a moment of despair and sadness, they dropped to their knees and begged the magic crystal for forgiveness, but it was too late.

A bright glow begin to emerge from the crystal, blinding everyone in the room, it rose to the sky like a big shining star, and began striking everything in its path.

An emergency evaluation was scheduled that morning, screams of terror can be heard all across New Home City, the crystal blocked the light of the sun itself, causing the sky to become too bright for the eyes…

Broken pieces of the crystal had formed into giant meteors that came crashing down on buildings and homes. By the afternoon, the entire city was destroyed, with some civilians injured and others killed.

The last remaining survivors ran and ran as fast as they could, yet they were no much for the rubies destructive power. No one was spared, and they were wiped out without a trace.

……

….My apologies, I shall keep reading for you.

The queen simply watched, frozen in horror of watching the entire earths population in the AU parish so easily. She knew there was not enough time left, so she grabbed her ten year old son and used her last remaining bit of magic to send him to a safe place somewhere in the multi-verse.

She had a granted him a staff as well known as ‘The summoner’ which will allow him to summon any Sans at his disposal to help him in time of need as well as travel to other worlds.

However, the child couldn’t get it to work, no matter how hard he tried. He was sent to void between the fabric of time known as the “Timespace”, it was like an empty canvas, nothing to see yet.

With his world gone forever and everyone he cared about, he cried for hours and hours, he screamed for help, he sat for hours hoping someone would COME TO HIS AID AND TELL HIM THAT EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE OKAY….that he was safe now….that someone now cares for him…

..And yet….NOBODY CAME… “Where is my savior?” he said…

“Where was my happy ending damn it?! I don’t deserve to suffer like this!” The child shouted in a fit of rage.

“The story is incomplete there has to be more to it than this… this can’t be my fate. It just can’t be, someone has to come for me, they just gotta!”

The child repeatedly said to himself every day, hoping to keep his sanity alive, as the the days became weeks, and the weeks became months, and months became years.

The years of isolation and loneliness took every last bit of a motion that poor child had left in his heart, he grew emotionless, dull, unable to smile again. He swore to kill the bastard responsible, and when he did, he would bathe in their blood.

And would you like to know who the child was?

That child….was ME….

The End of Dark’s Backstory.

(P.S The art was drawn by his younger self to explain his POV of the story and how it affected him badly)

Original Rubytale by (rubytale-chapter2)

[quizicalgin]

Confusion and minor speculation

So, it seems that the launcher refused to install the file as it is currently. Plan B was install the doll as a package and try to place it, and that made the game immediately crashed.

So it's still somewhat behaving as I expected. However, I'm assuming people could still use the doll to some degree, or did it just crash whenever they tried to use it?

Did it just attach itself to lots at random, even in that state? Or were they still usable back then, were placed as decor, and then spread before people knew it was the cause of their game breaking woes?

Scarily enough, the most recent report of an infection I can find is one in 2023 from the exchange. It seemed to still effect their game the same way as previous reports?

This leads me to wonder if I do need to roll back my game to the earliest versions in order to get it to "work", if it won't install or function with the latest version.

That aside, here are some things I do know from the files:

The original doll was made with tsrw version 1.0.12

The updated version that was released was made in version 1.0.14

The files I found included the C# code for the dolls "talking" function, and while I'm not the best coder, I can read enough of it to say that there doesn't appear to be anything in it that would make it behave maliciously. I may need a second pair of eyes to look at it for absolute confirmation of that, though. Considering how talented Rebecah was, and how much more advanced many of her other mods were, I find it highly doubtful the fault is in the code here.

This gives me new speculation as to why the doll would attach itself to lots on its own. How does anything become attached to a lot in the sims 3?

That is something I have admittedly never fully understood, how CC could be shared through lots or sims that way. Mainly because when I would save sims to share them they never had the CC go with them from what I remember? But that was over 10 years ago the last time I made one to share, and I would have to look at my old sim DLs to see if my memory is lying or not.

Getting back on track, the game has to have something in it to make it randomly assign the doll, right? New children in the worlds have to get teddy bears somehow, and since both doll variants were cloned from the bear, perhaps it spread that way. Only problem is that doesn't line up with the reports of people that claimed they received it from tattoos or other item downloads. The doll isn't flagged as anything but a kid's toy, so it wouldn't just randomly attach to anything else.

The main theory, as rude as it sounds, is that I think the people that said that weren't aware of just how MUCH they downloaded from the exchange. Maybe it wasn't a spree, but they may have DLed a sim, or a home, in addition to those items, or an item that was used as storage, as we did get storage units in WA that had released around the same time as the doll. The only reason I still want to double-check that though is due to a couple of the reports coming from respected people, and I can't imagine what they would gain lying about it.

Although they could just as easily fall under my theory, but that's why I'm trying to dissect this thing.

It could very well be, depending on your pc and QOL mods installed, that the doll may not be a threat anymore. I'll be making a trip back to the exchange, since it seems that perhaps the files I have might not be sufficient to infect myself.

[dolls-self-ships]

Hi everyone, I know it's been a while since I've posted any art, but I'd like to adress my semi-recent post regarding the current attack on Palestine (yes, that is still happening, and yes, you should still care) and my caution around posting Disney related content, as Disney has pledged millions of dollars to support Isreals military attack on the Palestinian people.

Obviously Disney isn't the only company that has done this, and has a long standing reputation for being an awful corporation. So I just wanted to say that while I may continue to post Disney related art, I would like to take this time to officially state that I DO NOT SUPPORT DISNEY THE CORPORATION. I love their movies, their art, and their story telling, but I highly detest the awful things the company has done. So, going forward, I will be distancing my art from the Disney lable itself, and just focus on the characters and world building. I will no longer be adding 'Disney' to my art tags, and I will always highly discourage the purchasing of any Disney products, streaming services, ect.

I don't want to completely erase any mark or inspiration they have left on my art, since the studio is why I started drawing in the first place, and their creations will always mean a lot to me. But I also don't want to completely ignore what's happening, as I continue to post things inspired by a very horrible company that is supporting a very horrible thing. I was worried my art might be giving them a platform, but I honestly don't think it'll make a huge difference whether I post my art or not. What I DO think will make a difference however, is being constantly and openly vocal about Palastine. The people, their lives, and their culture. I post most of this on my main blog, as this blog is a lot more personal, but never doubt that I am always in support of Palastine.

And if you're reading this and would like to make a better impact, targeted boycotting of the companies is absolutely the most affective way to do it. The BDS has provided a list of companies that are of the utmost importance to focus on.

Alright, that's all I have to say for now, sorry if this post seemed a bit unecassary and long and over-dramatic, but this issue is something that has been very important to me.

Take care everyone! ♡

[vaalthus]

The End of Magic Part 1 (spoilers)

Ah and here we are...

Ya know I already understood that there was already a layer of egotism behind Jaania trying so hard to defeat us, to ensure her vision of a perfect world came about, but to hear in the aftermath that she drained herself to the point that even had she won against us she wouldn't have been able to enact her spell really is something else. Though I suppose it really goes to show how desperately she wanted to prove that she was the hero of this story now.

At least now, she's willing to admit that motive was coming from an unhealthy place, it's just a shame it took being so utterly crushed and hitting rock bottom for her to realize that. But oh boy does it put some of the jabs she throws at us in other parts of the story in a new perspective.

Moving on to more pressing matters however,

I just love this reaction image from Warlic so much. Bro was seriously just like: "OH SHIT, GOD IS AWAKE!!!"

I actually kind of love that Warlic, when presented with the threat that is Aequilibria awakening, immediately resigns Lore's fate to annihilation and for any survivors to flee the planet. And he's right to think that way because as he lays out the crux of the problem Loreians are trapped between a rock and a hard place. They aren't equipped with the might necessary to challenge the Elements and destroying the Core would just kill everyone and everything and I highly doubt talking to them is going to convince them to not destroy the world as everyone knows it. So, what other option is there but to run away?

Fortunately for the inhabitants of Lore, Jaania plans to redeem herself by turning the Aequilibria into spaghetti water. Okay jokes aside this is pretty decent plan to keep the Elements from erupting while still giving allowing mana to flow to all of life on the planet at least until we can figure out away to avert the crisis completely. Truth be told I think this is a rather fitting fate for Jaania. She strove to dramatically alter the foundations of Lore to achieve a state of perfection and now she must do all she can to preserve those foundations lest letting everyone on the planet dying.

Ah character growth ya love to see it.

I also love how that there was no way Xan was going to get left out of helping Jaania and Warlic hold the Aequlibria at bay when they started cooking up ways to account for their spell eventually degrading. That and the fact that they are known as a bit of trio so it only makes sense for him to be included in this vital moment. In a way, Jaania, the past version of herself anyway because present clearly was not okay with Alex getting mixed up in this, got what she wanted: for them all to be working together. It's just a shame it took so much heartache and world ending catastrophes for that to happen.

Man I love me some plan executing montages

I'm becoming increasingly convinced Kathool was taking inspiration when transforming Remthalas into his eldritch form. Also, starting to see what the Aequilibria meant when they proclaimed they made the twins in their image, as their better children.

Ah so Sepulchure had Akriloth Jr. all along. I suppose it makes sense given he would have wanted to keep the young great dragon close for his own means when he was left a shell of his former self. It's good he's kept him a secret though I kind of wish Ahisma and Tipu had lived to see them again. There is still the matter of Akriloth's responsibilities as the defender of the Plane of Fire which will have to wait for now of course, but I suspect them living up to their role will be vital in future storylines.

This image breathes new life into me, that is all.

THE GREAT DESTROYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NEAR. THE GREAT DESTROYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NEAR. THE GREAT DESTROYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NEAR THE GREAT DESTROYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NEAR. THE GREAT DESTOYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NEAR. THE GREAT DESTOYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NEAR.THE GREAT DESTOYER HAS ARRIVED. THE END IS NE-