#i have. so many thoughts. about what i have witnessed

[heathersdesk]

Hi there! Let me see if I can help.

The concept of Outer Darkness/Perdition in Mormonism isn't analogous to the traditional notion of Christian hell in a lot of ways.

Our scriptures don't speak on these subjects in great detail because these fringe topics exist outside of what the purpose of our scriptures are, which is to connect us with Jesus Christ and return us home to our Heavenly Parents. What information we have on this aspect of our cosmology is therefore limited and exists surrounded by speculation from various leaders in our Church.

The only thing we know for certain is that to end up in Perdition is to deny the sure witness of the Holy Ghost. That's it. That's the only way a person ends up in Outer Darkness. We're not even entirely sure as a people of what that means, other than it requires such a sure and complete knowledge of God that most (if not all) of the human race is incapable of doing it. We're not even sure of the complete nature of the offense. Is it a betrayal? A rejection? A destruction of a specific type that frustrates the plans of God? We don't actually know. The only examples we have in our cosmology are Lucifer, his followers in the War of Heaven after he became Satan, and Cain.

The title of Sons of Perdition also comes with many unknowns. Can women be sent to Perdition? Some would say that anyone who hasn't been ordained to the priesthood of God can't possibly access Perdition, which would leave women out. We don't know if that's true or not. We also don't know if it is an eternal punishment. I once saw a statement from Brigham Young speculating that those in Outer Darkness will eventually have their forms dismantled and sent back into the Universe to be recycled.

Do we know that to be true? It seems more benevolent than endless punishment. I have no idea if that's something that's even possible. And this was coming from the guy who also thought the Moon was inhabited. The only thing we can say for certain is that Brigham Young is unreliable in his theological declarations because of his willingness to speculate. But that's the only such statement on the outcome for people in Outer Darkness, which I had to find by searching for it. It's not something we concern ourselves with as a people. It's not a place we invoke against others in such a way that we have any degree of certainty of who will qualify. We just don't think about it that much, other than to acknowledge it exists. But we also imagine a God who developed a kingdom of heavens so complete specifically with the intent to destroy or punish as few people as possible. We don't believe in a God who delights in punishment.

Contrast this with the traditional notion of hell in Christianity as eternal and endless punishment, through literal pain and divinely sanctioned anguish, for any human who disobeys God.

The closest thing to hell in Mormon theology is the life we're currently living on earth. The injustice and maliciousness, the deprivation and pain, the sorrow and anguish that typifies hell exists only in one phase of God's plan for the human family, and it's here on earth. And even that has an end. And once we're finished, it's never going to be this hard ever again.

Life on this earth is the closest thing to hell I think we will ever know. That's what I take from the Plan of Salvation. I tell people I don't believe in the Christian notion of hell because I don't believe a kind God can invoke a punishment that doesn't end.

seeing people discussing the concept of hell and how cruel the idea of eternal punishment is like, wow! i know this belief system you would love if not for your knee-jerk reaction against its name

[genevawrenn]

I am still brainstorming about The Secret League of Alchemists [tr!Sneeg, tr!Clown & tr!Ros] after today's streams [Ros & Sneeg have VODs] cause there are simply so many good points that happened and that conversation played out exactly how I would have wanted it to. From both a character and creator POV, well-fucking-done.

Alright, onto this ramble [from now on I will be talking about character unless I specify].

First of all, I am so fucking glad Sneeg was the one to notice the fact Ros left Yellow and had the tough conversation about what happened with her. Up until that point, at least from the VODs I have seen, Ros has only really known his silly, bantering side, I am not sure she even really trusted him to be venerable up until today when she took a chance and I am so happy she did. She watched him and Clown drive each other insane and had issues differentiating between their tones if they were serious or not but I think she finally understands how Sneeg acts when he is locked in on something.

Because he handled everything BEAUTIFULLY.

He took the time to sit down and listen to her, asking thought provoking questions as he tries to narrow down the motivation of their opposition. Checking with their comfort before giving them the respect of privacy and taking them to somewhere no one would follow, allowing them to speak freely and without judgement. Speaking straight up of what he was witness too, backing them up whenever they needed yet giving the respect to make the decisions they have to.

I absolutely ADORE the fact Clown also showed up, and without second guessing anything about the subject content and immediately locks in, takomg the time to listen to his obviously hurting friend. The fact he tries to talk about Sneeg's machine upon his arrival on the mushroom island and Sneeg refuses for the conversation to be deflected, instead forcing the subject back to the one he wished to focus on and its so masterfully well done.

Clown and Sneeg have surprised me the most, I think, loyalty wise. The Kingdom of Fools was a unity of misfits who became family forced together through gathering materials and protecting against attacks from all fronts. They have become an inseparable trio who has now proved they have one another's backs, alongside Foolish, as that's who they believe the core of the Kingdom is. They are willing to tackle issues head on together, refusing to let anyone stumble and fighting at their side until the bitter end.

Clown, Sneeg, Ros and Foolish have become united through circumstances and family through loyalty, only hoping for the best for the fellow members of their Kingdom.

I love how Sneeg describes Ros as being the castle, the centerpiece of their faction. She started the foundations to give them shelter and fought back each exhausting time it has been threatened. She is the origin, the keystone, the bloody heart of the Kingdom of Fools gilded in gold and royal purples. She was the interim Queen when Foolish fell, immediately accepted and backed up by the rest of the Fools.

I think after Foolish sacrificed himself it brought a lot into perspective for the remaining members, and Sneeg made his choice of who he would stand by in times of chaos. He found a warrior-in-arms with Clown who despite all their bickering, both would protect each others backs without question.

"You are the Kingdom, The entirety of the Kingdom was built around a structure you made, willingly."

Perfect guards for their Kingdom, otherwise known as Ros, the Royal Architect. She is the foundations, the structures and the walls who will save her people despite the weather that batters her and the sieges that befall her fortifications.

But like hell she is facing it alone, especially now.

She created a safe space for her people to gather and build their future, now in her times of strife two of the people who earned her respect stepped up to protect her when she stumbled.

I haven't watched much of Clown's content, or Ros before this world but now I want to know so much more.

Because I see the reputation Clown wears like a comfortable, worn sweater, totally confident with what his ruthless nature has bought him. But even someone so terrifying can hide a soft heart, and Ros has clearly earned the terrifying pvper's friendship.

Simply by being herself and building a home, people gathered to inhabit it and now are willing to go through hell and high water to save their safe space. Two of the server's most feared have made their stance known, at the side of the personification of everything their Kingdom stands for.

Its beautiful poetry watching the one who nutured malice instead of love get his just desserts, and I am eagerly awaiting their King's return but I trust in the core trio who has kept this Kingdom afloat week after week.

They are strongest together, and today proved that in so many ways. I adore and love this trio, and hope this open communication remains a habit between them, because knowing they can come to one another without judgement and be reassured of their worth.

Sneeg made sure to have emphasis that Ros has an incredible amount of worth to the Kingdom even beyond the castle she built, because she is the keystone who united them and holds them all together.

Oh my Secret League of Alchemists, though I did not know you before I am delighted to make your acquaintance now. One of my favourite tropes is scary souls who have a soft spot for those they care for, I hope it continues long into the future because they cooked a whole meal and then some with each and every action from today's story.

Bravo. Give me more.

[ceratedfish24]

thoughts on grain and Scott?

Hehe just kidding <3

I adore Pesky Poppies! They make silly little games for each other, and they so clearly want to impress each other. I mean, Grian going absolutely all out in Scott’s escape rooms and Build and Seek every single time and Scott being an absolute sweat in the Life series? They love each other’s games so much. They love it when other people make silly little games for them. Their relationship is so playful and spirited.

I always think about when Scott talked about how, when he first met Grian, Grian didn’t trust Scott. Grian thought that Scott was too happy all of the time to be genuine, that Scott was trying to use him for clout, but then Grian got to know Scott and began to realize that, no, Scott’s just like that. What must Grian think of Scott now, then? Is that why Grian is always so giddy and excitable around Scott? Because Scott is so pleased to be there and non-judgmental and pleasant to be around that Grian feels safe and free while still feeling challenged and exhilarated? In wits and competition and sass and mischief, I think that Grian feels like he’s met his match, which is not something he gets to have all of the time.

Also, Scott doesn’t hesitate to indulge Grian. A lot of Hermits “Grian proof” their work, which is understandable, especially after the tunnel bore incident, but Scott doesn’t have to do that for a couple of reasons. First of all, many of Scott’s games are timed. If Grian’s pressing a bunch of buttons and pulling a bunch of levers and doing things he maybe isn’t supposed to be, then he’s using up valuable time. Second of all… Grian… really likes to follow Scott’s rules..? Grian doesn’t like to cheese Scott’s games. He likes to win fair and square. He doesn't really like exploiting things Scott didn’t account for. That’s not very typical of Grian. I really do think that Grian likes to impress Scott.

Thank you for the ask!🩵

[corporationsarepeople]

On what to do now

(Shared by Ben Lowe on Bluesky)

A dear friend of mine asked me:

"Ben ... serious question: What the fuck do we do? We ordinary citizens without access to any real levers of power."

I wrote him a lengthy reply which he said he found helpful, so I thought I'd share it.

"Hey friend, it's indeed a dark time. This is fascism which relies on people being frozen with fear, and thinking they are powerless, and thinking they are alone.

One thing I’ve been trying to remind people is there is very little you can do, but that does not mean there is nothing you can do.

The Talmud says that when a wedding procession and a funeral procession come to an intersection at the same time, the funeral must yield to the wedding.

Because above all, we who are alive should celebrate life and being alive, and that we are still here in the world.

So the very first thing you can do is make sure people around you aren’t overwhelmed, that they can breathe, that they have sources of strength, that you find and recognize and allow moments of joy.

The second part is to refuse to be powerless. Look around your community. See the people and institutions that fascism threatens, and take steps to protect them. On a day to day basis, one of the most important ways of defending against what is coming are also some of the most mundane.

Yes, go to rallies and yes make calls and be visible and take actions of direct resistance. That all matters.

But between those moments, if public transit and libraries go unfunded, coordinate to give people rides and volunteer or loan your books. Tutor or pick up trash or perform public music.

Weave the world you refuse to allow to be taken away from you.

And prepare yourself now to help people who will be singled out by malice or neglect. Think about what you can do for them. And meditate on what you will commit to and how much danger you are willing to put yourself in. Will you hide people in your home? Will you stand in front of police?

Will you still speak up if we’re told we’re not allowed to?

These are impossible questions, of course. But we should all ask yourselves in earnest, now, what the person we hope each of us is would do in those situations, and make commitments before those moments come.

Finally, do not allow those around you to believe any of us is alone. Community saves lives. Connection brings hope.

As someone who has spent many years singing with others, I've seen the combination of tone in harmony is only part of the beauty; so much of it is the feeling of shared creation, of being a part of a whole that, once joined, cannot be meaningfully separated into its constituent parts.

Help those who begin to despair understand they are not alone, that you love them and that their existence matters. And do everything you can to prevent the growth of hatred and dehumanization in those around you.

It is so easy to give in to hate, to stop trying to understand the other. Even as resistance may mean bearing witness to true darkness, we cannot stop seeing the humanity in those around us.

This will be hard, but we aren't going to build a better world after this until we're able to do so.

And there will be better things after this. It is on us to lay that groundwork, even now.

And while it's completely unclear today what that will take, the one certainty is that it will require not just hope but faith in humanity to bring that world about.

Faith in other people is an act of defiance, and they can't make you stop if you refuse to.

Sending you love and hope and stubbornness from Brooklyn."

(And I'm sending that to all of you, too.)

Benjamin Lowe

benjaminlowe.bsky.social

[balkanradfem]

I wrote this post in a word document, and I named this document 'not got stabbed yet', so that's the theme today.

I mentioned someone was slashing my bike tyres in the park, and it happened two times in 4 days. I thought, you know, crazy park person was after me, and I need to stop going to the park with a bike, if I want to avoid this.

However, something else happened next. Something that truly chilled me. My bike tyre was slashed the day after, and I hadn't been to the park that day. Not even close. I've been to work, and then visited a store, for 5 minutes. Someone found my bike and slashed it either at my workplace, or at the store. Someone had to follow me to find it there. Someone knew where I worked and shopped.

The tyre had a very small hole, so it deflated very slowly, and I only realized it was flat after I got home. I didn't know whether it was slashed while I was at work, or at the store. I took the tube out to check it out, found no thorn or any natural signs of damage, and called the police again. I wanted to know if there was more reports of this happening.

This time I was in luck and got to talk to a police woman! So I was happy, and I was able to share more details, such as where, when, how many times it happened, she was willing to hear me out. However, she did not take it seriously. She told me somebody probably got offended that I parked my bike at the park, because it is 'the park', so they wanted me to stop leaving it there, and since the third time hole was so tiny, it was possible I just ran into a thorn. I allowed that it could not be ruled out, but it was incredibly unlikely since I was only riding it directly on the street, not any grass or branches, and I did not find a thorn inside of the tyre. Usually when I do run on a thorn, it will get stuck in the outer tyre.

I explained I was worried about being followed, and legitimately scared of going to work next day, but she said I can't shut myself in, I shouldn't be scared, I shouldn't let someone know they've managed to unnerve me with this! And I'm facepalming, thinking, what kind of girl power is this? Is a stalker gonna quit if the victim is not unnerved enough? Wouldn't that inspire them to escalate behaviour? I sighed and thanked her for listening to me.

There were no other reports, she couldn't even tell me if it happened before at all to anyone. I looked up online if there were records of it happening to anyone, anywhere, but only articles I could find were about mass slashing on one location, like one person slashing 30 bikes at once. It was never about just one person having it happen repeatedly.

I was thinking about what was the point of this, and decided if it's not a crazy revenge for something (and I don't know what, I don't have beef with anyone in the entire city), it has to  be to stop me from using my bike. So I would have to walk. And be much slower. Much more easy to follow. And apparently I was already followed, if they managed to find my bike at my workplace. I was scared to go to work again.

To make things more interesting, I was at that point reading 'Career of Evil', which is jkr's book about a serial killer who stalks and murders women, and some of the book was written from the killer's perspective. This part helped me, because it revealed how it could actually be a bit difficult to attack a woman if she's only walking trough public places with people around, refusing to be out at night, refusing to go into dark alleyways or overcrowded bars and dance clubs. He couldn't do it out in daylight where there were witnesses. I had to stop and think whether this book logic could translate to real life, and if this holds out in reality. Can I protect myself just by being in open public spaces, in front of witnesses? Can I be sure I won't get stabbed if I stick to these rules? And I figured, yeah, that actually tracks, nobody will stab me in front of witnesses. And if I'm on my bike, it's harder to catch me. As long as I can quickly repair my bike every time and use it to get around, I should be safer than walking.

But I still felt unnerved about being followed, so I decided to go to work in a disguise. It was a different location and I didn't want to be followed there. I put together a jacket that was a different color than my usual one, put on a wig, different shoes, pants; it was obviously mismatched upon a close look, but if you saw me zooming by on a bike, you couldn't tell it was me.

Next morning, I nervously entered the workplace all costumed up, and people thought I was pulling a funny prank on them and were delighted. They insisted I stay in my new getup to show me to more people to get a laugh. They acted like it was the most fun thing I ever did. I played along, thinking how this is a convenient reaction, because I didn't want to take the disguise off immediately, for the chance that I'm still followed.

Later they asked me why am I in a mascarade, and I explained what happened. They then confirmed I'm definitely being followed, and started listing all cases where a woman got stabbed jogging or walking outside, which was just great to hear.

My bike remained whole that day, and I got home in my disguise safely as well. Now the question remained – do I stay home scared to go out all day? Do I just go around in a disguise everywhere? I needed to know why this was happening to me. And I felt sick of being scared and agoraphobic. So I made up a plan.

*

Later that same day, I went out with my bike in my usual outfit, bright and noticeable jacket, and my laptop in my hands. I went to the park. I carefully tied my bike behind where I was sitting, and opened up my laptop, which had a bit of tape covering the light from the camera. I was filming the bike with my webcam while I was on the laptop. It was almost obvious what I was doing, from the way I was sitting and leaning, but I was there to find out whether the tubestabby was a freaking idiot or not. Either he would fall for the trap, stab my tyre, get caught on camera, and I would know who did it. Or, he would do nothing while it's being filmed, and I could sit in the park, and do whatever I wanted to, safely.

My bike was fine half an hour later when I headed home, and I then had to review the footage, to see if anything happened. Bike was on camera the entire time, nobody came close to it, but also I was on camera, and while I was reviewing it, I had the crazy experience on seeing how my own face looks while I'm online, reading messages, scrolling trough tumblr. At first all I could see were my eyes moving left to right rapidly, I was speed reading, looking all scared and nervous because I did expose myself to a possible stalker and I was not having a good time. But as time went on, I saw myself breaking into smiles, because I had read something funny, and by the end of it I was just grinning and laughing, the internet humor broke trough my nerves and made me forget the fear. Tumblr is okay.

I was satisfied. I had been to the park, I wasn't stabbed, my bike was not damaged, and if I kept this up, I could be in the park and be safe by the means of obviously recording the bike. I can't do it at night time, as my webcam will not pick up a picture in the dark.

I'm not that spooked out anymore, I was freaked out when my bike was slashed the third time, and not even in the park. It is still scary that it's happening to me only, and I'm not targeted randomly among other people. And that it happened on a different location that nobody should have known I'd be on. If I catch the culprit it will take effort not to try and fight him immediately, because I am truly weak due to my impinged nerve and that guy has a sharp object. But he is a coward, destroying my stuff behind my back, never facing me and telling me what his problem is. I refuse to be scared of a coward with a sharp object.

[diminuel]

Ugh, my heart, that new timetravel au comic delightfully combined comedy with the angst of Xebec basically losing everything, that shit hurt. T_T

Regarding Crocodile's memories or the lack of them, I think both have their very own angst potential though in very different ways.

No memories would leave him with so many questions regarding his conception and parents when he's young but I imagine at the time of Xebec appearing again he would have most likely found his peace with never knowing. Though that makes me wonder what the reason for his anger with Whitebeard would be in that case? And whether Whitebeard would have recognised him or, more likely, not have made the connection with the "daughter" he believed to have been killed. Would Crocodile get his memories back or never remember? That would mean much angst for his parents even if he maybe wouldn't care (can't miss what you don't remember).

Crocodile remembering would mean many twisted feelings regarding his parents who both abandoned him for different reasons out of their control. The relationship with the "surviving" parent fraught with misunderstandings and resentment, and then there's Xebec who died. I imagine Crocodile would also have feelings of abandonment and anger about him but less than with Whitebeard since Xebec would have the "excuse" of having been killed and now learning that he didn't but just got punted into the future means digging up old hurts that never really healed.

In both cases Xebec gets the short stick and has to find their place in this new time, I actually feel very sorry for him. Makes me vote for Crocodile remembering just to give them closure. Big fan of sending these characters to therapy, they should be studied like bugs. <3

♥♥

I have the same thoughts regarding Crocodile's memories. The reason I was suggesting no memories in the first place is because it has initially been pitched to me as Rocks being flung into the Stinky Child AU where Croc has never known his parents. He's just a kid abandoned on some island, trying to survive on his own, no grand family name that he knows of, in fact, no name at all.

But I did imagine that in different AUs or AUs of the Stinky Child AU (AUs of AUs are my specialty *lol*) he is Rocks' child.

Anyway, there is more potential for conflict if Crocodile does remember Rocks' defeat, being lost/ abandoned, and clashing with WB later in life. Which I think is going to be a horrible experience for Crocodile (and WB too maybe if he at any point realizes just who Crocodile is.) and I like torment. :3

(Ah. I just now came to wonder just how potentially witnessing or just knowing that Rocks' death was at the hands of Roger and Garp would influence how Crocodile sees either of them. I don't think Crocodile would at any point be able to express any sort of sentiment about them if he tries to keep his lineage a secret. He might even not tell Dragon anything, even once he finds out whose son Dragon is (it might make him instantly back off for a while). Rocks' bloodline died that day, Crocodile was never going to breathe a word of it to anyone.)

[i-cant-cast-that-yet]

Listen, I had a whole diatribe typed out train of thought style on aroace shen yuan, but I miss clicked somewhere and now it's gone but while I'm too tired to rewrite it all I'll give yall the spark notes.

Please keep in mind, this is mostly based on my specific experiences with being aroace-- as I myself am, and also me hard-core projecting. If this comes off as strange, it's because I'm a little strange myself. Also this probably makes no fucking sense so good luck.

Aroace Shen Yuan:

He's aware of PIDW Binghe being archetypically "hot," but doesn't personally get the appeal. He's seen the fanart, he's read through the copious amounts of papapa in the novel, he's aware that Binghe is suave n sexy n mysterious and that on paper he's supposed to be a chick magnet, but naturally shen yuan is straight so He's not into it obviously.

And you know what? I really do believe that pre-transmigration shen yuan wasn't actually attracted to fictional binghe. Not even in a parasocial or subconscious way. He was, however, definitely obsessed with his blorbo. It was about his deep fascination with the specific trope inversion binghe represented. It's the one thing that kept shen yuan engaged when the novel gradually took a nosedive beyond anything resembling a self-respecting internal narrative and fell face first into weekly updates of binghe's conquests and escapades. It's about how much shen yuan loved to read about binghe having to use his wits to overcome his obstacles when his early life disadvantages came to rear their heads and keep him from blasting through all obstacles. His weaknesses eventually made him strong, and even though that plot point was likely the first to disappear with the in-world discovery of xin mo, the promise that binghe might retain that level of intrigue kept him worth slogging through the rest of the novel.

That, and the longer the story goes on, the more tragic binghe's narrative becomes and the more protective shen yuan feels; the more righteous indignation the narrative evokes in him. Binghe is disrespected by the very text he's borne from in the perversion of his original wants. Binghe wants a home, love, stability, respect from his peers, and most importantly, he wants security and the apologies he was denied as a young boy. As the story goes on, these desires are given solutions that don't address the root causes via endless harem drama. This is likely because of xin mo exacerbating binghe's insecurities and amplifying his need for dual cultivation to manage his own unstable meridians, but for an ace shen yuan, this reliance on not only sex but meaningless sex with wives who because of circumstances outside of anyone's control cannot truly give binghe any of the emotional consolation he needs to work past his own issues, must have been infuriating. Add on the layer of vague disgust at having to be essentially coerced by an evil sword to rely on sexual encounters for both your physical wellbeing via cultivation, but also as a thinly veiled imitation of a coping method for binghe's complete lack of control over his childhood circumstances, and then to watch those real issues get chopped up into monster of the week papapa with whatever new fetish bait wife airplane has cooked up for the masses? I'd go fuckin bonkers too, man.

All of this to say, I think when shen yuan dies and ends up as shen qingqiu and then meets young binghe, he's probably intensely second-hand guilty alongside his terror and confusion. This is his Little Guy, his Big Terrible Dude, all wrapped up into a doe eyed, bruised little boy that he's supposed to bully now under threat of death. This is the little boy with so much kindness in his heart and so many more reasons to hate instead. This boy hasn't chosen hatred yet, but now shen yuan has to play his part in incubating that choice towards anger and self destruction and there's nothing he can really do about it.

He tries, of course, because shen yuan isn't going to let some nebulous system strong-arm him into abusing a child, even if in the end he can't avoid the truest of damning events in the endless abyss, he tries because he can't stomach letting this boy hurt more than fate is bound to force him to hurt himself.

But I'm losing sight of the point here. Back to the aroace funny bit.

I think that within the text of the canon svsss novel, we have enough textual evidence to safely call shen yuan demi. Yes, that man is deeply repressed, but something about his specific flavor of fond, resigned acceptance to binghe's actions post canon in relation to their marital bed n whatnot, I think he's attracted to binghe, but I don't think he's like...*attracted* attracted. This is where the grey area really begins. There's a sort of attraction that as an ace person I like, conceptually experience. The idea of having someone being like, handsome and having big muscles, and being into you, etc, that's all well and good in a vacuum, but in reality? Rather not.

I'd like to posit the idea of shen yuan being eventually comfortable trying to open up both to himself and to binghe largely because for the longest time, shen yuan still has the internal feeling that nothing in this world is real.

That binghe is still, at his core, fictional.

Idk about yall, but attraction to fictional characters is so much more palatable than attraction to a real individual. Mind you, I am actively aroace, and I've never dated in my 23 years alive, so this is real projection hours, but I digress, I myself have had a handful of crushes in my runtime that I've never bothered to act on out of pure disinterest in the act of romantic or emotional connection with others.

When you can't see yourself wanting to engage with the full complexity of another person on such an intimate level, either emotionally or physically, but you still feel deeply attached to them on a level bordering obsession, its...disconcerting to say the least. I feel like if shen yuan cared so deeply for binghe, would put up with his clingyness and his antics and his possessiveness, but never fully saw him as real? It'd be devastating if binghe even found out, and shen yuan really doesn't want to hurt him, but he can't manufacture a feeling where it doesn't exist. He's devoted to binghe, he enjoys making binghe happy, he wants to be with binghe, but he knows he isn't feeling the way his wives were written to feel about binghe and that makes him worry.

Sure, he feels 'a frission of heat' or whatever bs airplane had yapped about occassionally, and binghe's muscles do indeed 'bulge provocatively' quite often, but it's not the same, dammit. He loves binghe, but he's not quite sure he's in love with being in love. He's attracted to binghe, but none of the tropes he's been pushed into by the system have done anything but make him roll his eyes and sidestep whatever papapa plot line he's stumbled into.

And just maybe, it all makes him feel like he doesn't actually love binghe, and that he's been lying to him all over again. That he's doing exactly what shen yuan tells himself he was forced to do against his will, and that he's chosen to hurt binghe this way.

What shen yuan doesn't understand is that binghe realized a long ass time ago that his shizun isn't a very romantic person, but he is nothing but caring. That his shizun may not be a typical lover, but that couldn't matter less in binghe's eyes because shen qingqiu is choosing to keep binghe around even when it so clearly goes against what feels natural to the other man because he simply wants to have him around.

There's a lot to be said around the idea of "ace people can still love," and how it leaves a bad taste in my mouth as a predominantly aromantic individual, but that's neither here nor there, but I think there's something even more impactful to be spoken about people who can't, don't, or won't love in a "normal" or "typical" fashion, but who still choose to hold space for another in their life. For those who find themselves in love with someone who can't quite love them back "properly," but who yearn so strongly that they take what they can get. For those who don't need flowers and declarations of undying love, but a listening ear and a willing companion to spend their days with.

...

Also I think it would drive bingge up the fucking WALL trying to seduce his not-shizun and pulling out all the stops only for literally none of it to work lmao.

Anyway I'm gonna go rot in a corner at work now, lmk if I should like, elaborate further on anything or delete this haha

[jujuicykaisen]

HCS or Scenario please on what if Sukuna develops an interest in Yuji's SO? This is just like Ichigo and Hichigo!

Honestly, I'd be so interested in seeing Sukuna and Hichigo/Zangetsu face off. Both have got that crazy laugh down pat.

Characters: Yuji Itadori, Ryomen Sukuna

Contents: gn!reader, as ever Sukuna is his own fucking warning, voyeurism?

Yuji Itadori and Ryomen Sukuna

Imagine being over a thousand years old and being the greatest jujutsu sorcerer and the greatest cursed spirit of all time. Now imagine that you've got to spend all of your time staring out through the wide, guileless eyes of a goody-two-shoes, shounen protagonist boy.

Sukuna's bored out of his McFucking mind 99.9% of the time, and he takes his entertainment in any way he can get it. Most of the time, that's just through ragging on Yuji constantly inside his head, but alas, the brat's learned how to tune him out.

Amidst all the crappy movies (he's going to kill Gojo for that) that Yuji watches, the endless internet memes, the stupid, asinine conversations the boy has with his friends, and watching Yuji blindly grasp his way through the intricacies of jujutsu (seriously, imagine being a rocket scientist and watching someone learn how to add and subtract in real time), there is only one point of interest: you.

At first, you were just a convenient stick with which he could torment Yuji. He'd mock the boy for his puppyish infatuation, calling him weak, calling him soft, and ragging on Yuji's attempts to get your attention.

Over time, though, perhaps it was madness from the isolation or boredom, or because Sukuna's not had any action in a thousand years, but his thoughts started to linger on you more than just pondering how he could use you to annoy Yuji.

That, or it's being marinated in Yuji's hormones and forced to witness the boy's many fantasies about you. (I don't know if Yuji's got the balls to jerk it while Sukuna's in there, but if he does, Sukuna's probably been influenced by that too.) As aloof as the King of Curses might want to remain, he's stuck inside his irritating, hormone-addled vessel and sometimes there's a bit of bleed-over.

Yuji doesn't have access to Sukuna's thoughts as far as we know, which is probably beneficial for his mental health, so he doesn't know how much of an interest Sukuna has taken until the curse himself comes out and says something. Yuji's not suspicious enough to twig something's up when Sukuna brings you up more than usual. He just thinks the guy's being more an asshole than usual.

At first it's just comments on your appearance that aren't insulting. Weird, but not too ominous, right? Then Sukuna just goes right the fuck ahead and manifests a mouth on Yuji's cheek to tell you that you're a fine piece of ass and if you want a real man, you can do a lot fucking better than Idiot-adori.

Listen, Sukuna doesn't beat around the bush. (Unless you're into that kind of thing.)

Yuji is HORRIFIED.

He slaps a hand over the mouth, only for it to manifest on the back of his hand instead and keep talking. The only thing he can do is blurt a bunch of apologies and run away, trying in vain to force Sukuna back down, like fighting nausea or an unwanted boner. Meanwhile, Sukuna's laughing uproariously in the back of his head.

Yuji might think he needs to end the relationship and live like a monk in order to spare you Sukuna's lust and interest, but you might not be willing to give up the relationship over something like that, and Yuji doesn't really want to break up either.

Despite the mockery, Sukuna's interest is genuine. He finds you interesting, which is rare in a world that's become so terribly fucking boring since his heyday. That's not something he's going to let go of easy, and while he and Yuji are stuck together, that puts you in a fairly awkward situation.

How are you supposed to be intimate with Yuji when you know that Sukuna's in there too, rubbing his four hands together and watching with a lascivious grin on his face? In a way, you're in a relationship with Sukuna already, willing or not, because he's been an unwilling voyeur this whole time. Is it somehow more weird now because he is willing? That's something you and Yuji are going to have to decide.

I'm not gonna lie, lines are gonna get blurred and things are gonna get hot and freaky. You might be in the middle of fucking Yuji and then suddenly there's an extra mouth in a very interesting place, and Sukuna's voice is bleeding over the top of Yuji's, telling you what a good little human you are and how he'll spare you when he finally reclaims power and tears the jujutsu world apart.

Yes, that's his idea of dirty talk.

If Sukuna and Yuji ever switch out while you're in the vicinity, watch out. Sukuna's got two hit lists. One is your regular hit list, a bunch of people he wants to kill. The other his is "hit that" list, and your name is at the top of the second one.

He'll fuck you six ways from Sunday until Yuji switches them back, all the while taunting the boy about it seeing how Yuji likes being in the backseat for once.

You're in no position to complain, because you're in a lot of different positions...if you catch my drift.

Congratulations to the world's most dysfunctional throuple!

[knaveumineko]

Umineko Episode 3 Blog: Once Upon A Time

I had a feeling a topic like this would eventually come up. There are only so many "unforgivable" things a man in Kinzo's position could have done to his unrequited love. Somehow, it seems the truth was far worse than I thought.

I had found Episode 2 to be a largely uneventful affair. I liked the focus on Shannon and Kanon's characters at the start, and their relationship to "Beatrice," and Rosa was a riot as usual, but beyond that a huge chunk of it felt like I wasn't really getting much new information. Episode 3 kind of feels like Episode 2, but better. The magic part of the story is more interesting and has more meaningful implications on the mystery side of the story instead of being random nonsense, the game throws interesting twists on the mysteries of the previous games (killing off all of the servants on 1st Twilight was such a cool idea), and Ryukishi has provided so much important context regarding the killer's motivations, where before all we knew was that it was Sayo and her reasons had something to do with her solving the epitaph.

I'm told that people at the time found Episode 2 too difficult, and Episode 3 was in some ways a response to that, which is why we get treated to Virgilia explaining what an unreliable narrator is to Battler for the sake of those poor souls who hadn't caught on up to this point. It seems like Umineko has finally finished establishing its basic narrative tricks, and now we get to just have fun with it, although "fun" is maybe the wrong word for the main topic of this post.

Beatrice gets a bit shifty about explaining her backstory, as we'd expect from her. She wants us to believe that her death, as witnessed by Rosa, makes it impossible for the secret mansion to have any connection to the Rokkenjima murders, but it's clear that the Beatrice in the prologue is not the one from Rosa's story. Unfortunately, we've gone full Yu-Gi-Oh at this point and we have way too many different Beatrices running around, so for the sake of my sanity:

Beatrice I: Kinzo's mistress from long ago. May or may not have provided gold. Commit suicide after her daughter was born.

Beatrice II: Daughter of Beatrice I and Kinzo. Met Rosa. Died after falling off of a cliff.

Beatrice III: girl who broke a vase in the prologue. Describes Kinzo as her grandfather, which, troublingly, means she's probably Beatrice II's daughter.

Beatrice: Battler's nemesis in the meta-plot. On a metaphorical level, she's sort of a vague amalgamation of everything and everyone who's received the name of the golden witch.

Virgilia: Beatrice III's caretaker, who appears in the meta-plot and magic narrative as a mentor witch. In reality, Virgilia is Kumasawa. It's a well-executed Chekov's Gun: we were told in Episode 1 that Kumasawa often quits and then comes back after a while. The implication seems to be that whenever Kumasawa "quits" working for the Ushiromiya family, she's actually just being reassigned to the secret mansion to look after whichever Beatrice is staying there.

Sayo: masterminded the Rokkenjima killings, while occupying the role of the golden witch.

Eva: Kinzo's eldest legitimate daughter. Took over a significant chunk of the killings in Episode 3, after solving the epitaph. Was it simple greed, or are we again finding out that the epitaph hides an additional secret that makes those who solve it lean toward committing the killings?

EVA: Eva's inner child turned witch. Typically appears in the magic narrative to explain away the killings. Symbolically represents that Eva and Sayo do not have the same ends, even if they end up using the same means.

Ange: I guess they're just letting anyone be a witch these days.

Beatrice's explanation about being locked in the body of Beatrice II tells a horrid story between the lines: Kinzo had a daughter with his mistress, and after her death, he groomed his daughter to serve as her replacement. The fact that Kinzo has an extra grandchild we can't account for would seem to imply that he tried it twice. Beatrice tries to obscure this fact by working through Rosa, who didn't have enough context to understand the situation.

In any case, based on the timeline I'm guessing that Beatrice III is Sayo. She's the only realistic candidate I can think of who's involved in the story, and explains a lot. The servants are willing to work with Sayo out of a sense of obligation toward her, both because Kumasawa at the very least probably feels a lot of guilt at being complicit in the situation, and because Sayo probably became the de facto head after Kinzo died. I bet he'd sooner appoint her than anyone else in his family, although the rest of the family would certainly have disputed the claim if she'd come forward initially.

I do wonder what Kinzo was thinking having Sayo become a servant. Maybe a cover story, since the truth behind her birth was too shameful to admit? Another possibility is that the servants just got one over on ol' Kinzo and sent Sayo to the orphanage at some point, pretending she was someone else. I feel like Sayo had to end up at the orphanage somehow, even briefly as part of her cover story, since she needs to meet Kanon at some point.

The implications of this on Sayo and George's relationship aren't great, but we've already crossed that line by now, and Episode 2 did establish that Shannon avoids being physically intimate with George. Did Shannon enter this relationship in some attempt to get control over the family's assets, knowing that her claim would not be respected under normal circumstances, or did she only come to fully understand who she was and where she came from after solving the epitaph?

Sayo's connection to Beatrice feels very different now. Sayo probably doesn't even remember her mother, so the closest she's got is the legend of the witch. No wonder she takes on that role to get revenge on the family. The whole theme in the first letter of taking back what's rightfully hers fits much better as well.

We still don't fully understand Sayo's motivations. The whole conversation on the beach about Battler's childhood crush really feels like it's foreshadowing a reveal later. I'm guessing it's something like: Battler threw out a cringy line about coming back for Sayo on a white horse because he was 12, and then ditched the family. Back in Episode 1, George asked Shannon why she had stayed employed as a maid for so long, after already saving a fair amount of money. The truth was that Sayo was envious of Battler leaving everything behind, and, like her mother blindly trusting Rosa, she secretly clung to the childish notion that one day he really would come back for her and take her away from Rokkenjima and the Ushiromiyas, but instead Battler came back and implicitly revealed what she probably should have known: he never took it seriously, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

That's enough of that depressing topic. Next time, we get treated to Peak Eva Content.

[fluffthefluffer]

Twisted wonderland characters as things my friends and I have said

pt 2.

(Yuu is things I've said)

Pt1 . . . PT3

. . .

He’s like “I spent so much on my skin care, like okay faggot - Yuu talking about Vil (I'm gay don't come for me)

. . .

So far my anthropology class has taught me 3 possible theories on how dinosaurs could’ve died by: asteroid, mass drug overdose, and/or they couldn't get hard - Deuce

. . .

I desperately can't wait to witness a twink death up close. It'll be like if 9/11 was a gay tragedy - Yuu

Tom Holland - Ace

. . .

Just to clarify I'm not pregnant - Leona

Aw shucks 😔 - Yuu

. . .

What if instead of Sigmund Freud it was Sigmund Freak and it changed absolutely nothing - Cater

. . .

thats what friends are for. War - Lilia

. . .

How many old ladies did you run over - Yuu

Not enough - Crewel

. . .

If you don’t shut up I’m gonna cream in YOUR food -Leona

And I’ll keep eating -Rook

. . .

You would be a good ass looking Milf - Deuce

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT - Ace

Oh my - Yuu

. . .

its fucking season - Rook

. . .

If it was morally ok I would fuck a rotisserie chicken because they are attractive- Ruggie

. . .

Walking into Hobby Lobby brings me peace and tranquility - Vil

Walking into Hobby Lobby makes want to not commit suicide - Epel

Stupid. - Vil

. . .

Thank God for 9/11, or else we wouldn't have emos- Cater

. . .

You kow why I love October? - Vil

Because of your birthday? - Epel

No, it's cuz years ago, today, I was born - Vil

. . .

I need back shots, Weed, and a fucking lobotomy- Yuu

.

.

.

[pinetreeshack]

oh my god. wow. absolutely magnificent

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

How much longer 'til your luck runs out?

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[thefrogdalorian]

I think on this fine Saturday afternoon it's a good opportunity to take a breather and remember that there are really no ethical paparazzi pictures. Every single one is inherently exploitative.

Just because photos were taken on a movie set, when someone is 'working,' does not make the practice any less invasive and creepy. Imagine just going about your day, doing your job and having some weirdo snapping pictures of you to sell without your consent for others to endlessly repost online.

There are thousands of pictures of your favourite actor online already. Plenty taken with his knowledge and consent. I'd really like to see more of them on my dash, rather than the creeper shots.

And don't get me started how disseminating these pictures directly leads to people going to said sets. What starts off as admiring how good someone looks has real world implications.

No, hanging around a movie set and disrupting people doing their jobs is not harmless fun or a way to show your appreciation.

If you hang around a movie set, you are a stalker.

Don't tell me that it's okay to take your online admiration for someone offline. You may admire him but he does not, and will never, personally know you. He will never be your friend/boyfriend/daddy. He is a stranger.

The only way meeting your favourite actor is going to happen is at a convention or maaaaaybe a movie premiere if you're incredibly fortunate. You know, places they appear specifically to meet fans (or not in the case of premieres, where the purpose is to promote a movie. Which is also completely understandable if actors don't stop. You are not owed an interaction).

Of course, you cannot help it if you randomly run into someone you admire in the wild. Even then, consider that they probably won't be all too thrilled to be approached in public by a complete stranger. It's up to you to gauge the situation, but remember there is a person at the heart of all of this.

Boundaries and respect are a kindness which deserves to be extended to each and every human being regardless of their looks/talent/fame/wealth.

Fandoms blur those lines a little too often for my liking and I think just scrutinising what you're interacting with, or what behaviour you could be possibly falling down that slippery slope towards is nice to do every once in a while.

I mean no malice with this post and it is not directed at anyone in particular. It's something I cannot help but feel strongly about because I've seen this destructive cycle time and again in fandoms over the years. It's not healthy and it makes us all a little bit more disconnected from our humanity for it...

[angelbambisworld]

I once saw in a comments section of a KISS video(Can't remember what one)and someone said that Gene's hair looks like black cotton candy. I know they probably meant that as an insult but ngl he do be looking hella chewy sometimes

[snobwhimsicality]

hello chat i am going to be a hater in tags for a moment (jst finished natlan act IV)

[thenecropolix]

I cannot stop pondering a potential Jekyll and Hyde au with Sasha.

I never read the orginal book, but having dome some digging, my understanding that Jekyll was trying to separate his "good" from his "bad" but we know at the end of the day, he and Hyde were always the same person, it was a matter of circumstances (at least how I see it).

The story behind his character interested me because it involved a teacher Stevenson knew that was found guilty for a murder, a man that from Stevenson's perspective "appeared" to be normal in how he conducted himself; naturally, I suspect the entire character of Jekyll/Hyde is based on the concept of perception and how one conducts themselves around different people (you wouldn't act around your coworkers the same way you'd act around family for instance). To one group of people, you appear as one way, but then imagine their surprise that's not how you act around a different set, as if you were a totally different person.

Such thinking has led me to the thought that the concept of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde could be applicable to masking, stimming, and emotional regulation in neurodivergent people. Given that neurotypicals expect us to conduct ourselves according to their standards and detest the way we express ourselves despite its benefits, we are forced to put on a facade that pleases them to the point that people question if we're on the spectrum to begin with.

Considering how Autistic coded Sasha Nein is, I can't help but consider him in a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde situation where the transformation into Hyde is less about indulging in immoral tendencies and moreso the repression of stimming or allowing oneself to indulge in behaviors that are looked down upon by a neurotypical society. To "normal" people, the neurodivergent person may appear beneath the definition of a "proper" person and is treated as such when the reality is their is nothing wrong with them other than they process things differently. I feel that such a subject would be interesting to explore with Sasha's character and the fantastical, gothic nature of the Hyde formula.