#i hope these tags are okay to use

[lokislittlesigyn]

Hello!

I'm reaching a point of desperation. Asking for some help/advice regarding orthostatic intolerance .. If you know about this or know about people who'd be willing to discuss it, I would be extremely grateful for any help I can get. It's starting to feel hopeless. Shares are appreciated. ;;

I want to make sure I'm understanding something. I'm autistic, so sometimes words don't quite translate to me: a sentence written a specific way may be difficult for me to interpret.

With that in mind, TL;DR: What is the diagnostic criteria for POTS? Is it that you have to have a 30bpm increase from a resting heart rate (or over 120bpm) AT ANY POINT upon standing in a 10 minute period, or SUSTAINED FOR A FULL 10 MINUTES?

Why I'm asking (VERY long under the spoiler):

I've been experiencing worsened symptoms upon standing for the past several years, ever since I got COVID. I've always had some weirdness in my body - of various kinds - but it's never been this severe. (For instance, I've been "cold-natured" and had cold hands and feet and my hands/legs would turn purple when I was young, and I'd get winded when exercising, maybe "uncomfortable feelings" (which I think now is blood pooling?) in my legs, but I wouldn't struggle to the point I am now.) I'm experiencing:

Dizziness and lightheadedness, sometimes feeling like my head is spinning, upon standing. I usually have to stop and wait for my head to feel less dizzy before I can walk, a solid few seconds, then I'm okay Enough to get going.

A severe increase in heart rate upon standing, especially if I was lying down (30-60 bpm from what I've monitored), but it happens if I was only sitting down/squatting too.

Blackened vision bordering on loss of vision, sometimes loss of hearing, upon standing

MUCH more fatigue with general tasks despite the fact I've been consistently exercising, doing HIIT workouts to keep my body conditioned, daily, for the past 4 years!!!

Extreme shortness of breath and dizziness, sometimes to the point of wondering if I'll faint in the shower. (today I took my heart rate while in the shower and it was over 150bpm. I was just standing there. Shaving.) I haven't fainted yet.

Significantly worse symptoms in the morning vs the evening or at night. At night I actually have energy!

Sluggishness, lethargy in the mornings, often leading into the afternoon

Issues with prolonged standing - I have to wear 20-30mmhg compression socks to be able to stand or have long days out, like when I'm selling things for my job or going out for an active day with friends.

Everything gets worse when I'm menstruating. :))))))

This has had a significant impact on my life. And from what I can gather, it sounds like POTS. I've been pursuing a diagnosis for two years. Doctor after doctor has addressed other concerns: we've done blood tests, heart monitors, ECGs, ultrasounds - my heart is physically healthy. I went to a cardiologist who specializes in POTS, and he looked me in the eye and said "I think you have POTS." MULTIPLE TIMES.

And I do already do what I can with this. I exercise (again! Literally four years of decent exercise! 45 minutes a day! And I recently started walking an hour a day so I get nearly 2 hours of focused activity!!!), I ONLY drink water and plenty of it, and I eat salt on my food. I already do everything.

I'm worried this is affecting my outcomes. Specifically, I'm worried since I've been essentially doing the "treatment" for this type of thing, that my result are better than they would be otherwise.

The tests:

I've actually done the gold standard tilt table test, and apparently I didn't have the numbers necessary to diagnose me with POTS. I was diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance (the heartrate issues) and vasovagal syncope (which is the issue with vision/hearing upon standing, I guess). But given my symptoms, I feel very strongly my body is exhibiting signs of POTS. That's .. a big reason I'm making this post.

My "official" tilt table test results (taken last year) were, to make it brief:

Baseline: 59 bpm

Tilted 30 degrees: 60 bpm

Tilted 45 degrees: 76 bpm, then 64 bpm

Tilted 70 degrees: 78 bpm. It hovered around the high seventies/low eighties for a bit, then at the thirteen minute mark, went to 94.

My heart rate didn't go below 80 for the rest of the test, which was about 20 more minutes. The lowest it got was 82 but it would waver between 85-87 and 94 mostly; the highest it got was 101, when my blood pressure dropped significantly and I had to ask to be laid down so I wouldn't fall down off the table.

The people running the test said they got enough information even though I ended the test early, and every doctor insists the tilt table is the "gold standard" test - the absolute best - for detecting POTS, even though it doesn't EVER take you to 90 degrees? It slowly tilts you up, which allows your body to adjust? And I had to hold myself up, the straps holding me down were just for positioning I guess??? What do you mean this is a better test for something that impacts me when I'm going from lying down to a full 90 degree upright position within seconds?????

I've done two "poor man's tilt table" tests, or standing tests, at home. Below are the numbers. The first time I did it (2023), I didn't know you should take it at intervals for 10 mins, so I only did 5.

BP: 124/69 hr: 72 - laying down (This was after 5 minutes of lying still, not speaking, and actively trying to relax)

BP: 124/80 hr: 139 - first stand up (I stood up "normally," I didn't rush to stand or jump up)

BP: 123/89 hr: 131 - 5 minutes after (I stood still, and made sure to not lock my knees too much)

The second time (2024), the person helping me with the test didn't understand we needed a full 10 minute reading, so we only got up to 8 minutes. Still, these were the results:

Resting: 66 bpm

Standing: 131 bpm

2 mins: 96 bpm

4 mins: 95 bpm

6 mins: 97 bpm

8 mins: 95 bpm

Doctors look at my symptoms and remind me well, we treat POTS ad Orthostatic Intolerance the same. They don't think it matters if I technically have a specific diagnosis or not.

I know this. I have been told this so many times. I want the validation of a diagnosis I fit the criteria for. I want to be able to explain to people what's going on with me. I want, since I'm at the ripe old age of twenty five and can barely shower in the mornings, the bare minimum of having a name for what I have to deal with every single day.

But I'm really worried. I'm worried I've ruined my chances of this being caught by exercising/"treating" it too much, or I'm misunderstanding the diagnostic criteria, or I'm just stupid in general, being overdramatic and should give up because I've been told I have orthostatic intolerance, what does it matter if it's POTS specifically?

But this looks so much like POTS. This sounds so much like POTS. And I am getting the numbers necessary, or else ones a WHOLE lot like them, at home. And that's what's bothering me?

If I wasn't taking standing tests and finding such high bpm increases, which again, seemingly fit the diagnostic criteria, I wouldn't be bothered. But I am.

This past week I went to nurses that work in a specific doctor's office, the doctor who apparently "diagnoses everybody with POTS." I was hopeful they'd listen. They did a standing test in the office.

My heart rate started around 70 when resting. (there's multiple reasons it was higher than what my "actual" resting rate is, but I won't explain that; this post is too long already) I stood up and it went to around 125. And then within a few minutes, it went down to 80 or 90, I wasn't checking exact numbers.

They couldn't diagnose me based on those numbers.

i can't shake the feeling if i'd been able to relax fully, or had just gotten my body to unwind, i might have had a resting rate of 60 - closer to the baseline when i was allowed to rest before the tilt table - and could've gotten diagnosed.

i feel like a failure.

Advice, information, all is appreciated. If anyone understands the diagnostic criteria, or has a similar story, I'd really love to hear. Thank you.

[aluminumneedles]

I'm knitting in the corner at a party

and guys my age stop by to tell me I remind them of their aunt, of their grandmother. This is a compliment and I take it as such. They confess to having tried crochet once, and I smile. They get back in line for the bathroom.

I'm knitting in the corner at a party and a queer woman sits on the floor next to me, arranges her skirt, and smiles up at me. (I try not to blush.) She asks me all the questions on her mind about my craft and I answer them, hands still moving. We swap yarn sources. She doesn't stay, but she knows where to find me.

I'm knitting in the corner at a party and everyone knows where to find me when they need a minute, when socializing is too much and the music is too loud and they need to catch their breath. They pretend to be checking in on me, which is sweet, but I can see the relief in their eyes the moment they stop performing for a house full of people. They sit down and tell me things and all the while they never take their eyes off my hands.

The party has wound down and I'm still knitting and the hosts, two guys in their twenties, thank me for "helping to curate the vibe." I had no idea that's what I was doing. I leave the party having forgotten to drink anything and without that woman's number but with many rows added to my top-down raglan sweater. I call it a night, and a good one.

[forgettable-au]

FORGETTABLE-AU (Page 61-64)

* I-I don't think we were talking about the same thing...

[BEGINNING] [PREVIOUS] [CONTINUE]

[queerdraws]

projecting on luffy again. get bited.

[krazieka2]

Here's a big old Fire Emblem Search & Find I did for the FE3H Masquerade Zine! Find the Golden Deer, but see if you can't find the rest of the students as well! For the ultimate challenge, see if you can't name every character! (Disclaimer two characters are NPCs with no names)

[harmonictechnicality]

It’s the way Steve places a pin in that damn map of Hawkins. Two fingers, muddy knuckles. Fuck if Eddie knows the actual destination because all he can navigate is the curve of Steve’s index finger as he smooths out the edges of the map.

And it’s stupid, right? Because the world is folding in on itself and he’s looking at a guy in the kind of way Victorian novelists would only describe as ‘longingly.’ It’s objectively stupid. Probably some adrenaline bullshit that a doctor could explain with a brain scan.

The rest of the group has scattered, plotting amongst themselves. Pulling plans out of their asses. Finding layers of courage behind clues and cassette tapes.

Eddie should do that too. Plan. Make decisions. Do anything other than stare at the dirt underneath Steve’s goddamn fingernails.

“Please blink, Munson.” Steve says while clearing his throat. He’s been doing that a lot. Which is, like, understandable after coughing up lake water all night long.

He clears his throat again. “Show sign of life before I ransack the supply bag for that shit you call music.”

“That… shit?” Eddie spits out the words. Briefly forgets his swirly Steve feelings because of the fucking audacity on this guy. “Rightrightright, because Bob Seger is so fucking dignified, huh?”

“Uh-oh.” Dustin murmurs behind him.

“Because Old Time Rock and Roll is the highest ranking of ear candy?” Eddie searches through their duffel bag until he finds Steve’s Vecna Saftey Tape. Waves it around wildly as he speaks. “Forgive me. I didn’t know entry-level chord progressions were considered Carnegie Hall worthy these days. But by all means, call my music shit.”

He throws the tape at Steve’s lap before dropping back down to his seat on the couch.

“Well,” Steve smirks. “At least we know if the music won’t wake you up, mocking it sure as hell will.”

“Guys. Focus.” Nancy steps into the center of the room. Everyone nods, even Eddie. They listen intently to her directions. Henderson doesn’t interrupt her, not even once.

Nancy’s entire demeanor is charged with currents of determination. It’s honestly impressive. Truly. She could convince congress to change the fucking constitution if she wanted. Have the supreme court eating out of her palm with how persuasive she can be.

And the only thing that distracts her, is the same thing distracting Eddie.

Two fingers. Muddy knuckles.

Eddie follows her gaze back over to Steve. Her expression softening when she sees him.

It’s cruel and expected. Cruel that Eddie has to witness such softness, knowing exactly how it feels. Expected because wedding bells can practically be heard every time those two interact with each other. No one can deny that.

But knowing all this doesn’t stop the cruelty from squeezing Eddie’s stomach till his insides feel raw.

He swallows down his flimsy fantasies. Keeps repeating those words from back in the woods:

It’s jealousy, it’s jealousy, it’s jealousy, it’s-

“Hey, man.” Steve says.

Man? Not ‘Nancy, my betrothed?’ Not “Nancy, my muse?”

… Man?

Eddie blinks. Glances up to see Steve looking at him. “Your taste in music isn’t complete shit.”

Which isn’t exactly an apology. But the teasing scratches an itch in Eddie’s brain that he hasn’t be able to reach for a very long time.

“Yeah.” Eddie says. “I guess Bob Seger’s stuff is… intermediate. Assistant managerial-level chord progressions.”

He pauses. Then leans in and adds a quick, “At best.”

They both laugh a little. It’s cut short by Steve clearing his throat again. One of the many reminders that they’re not well.

That nothing they’re going through is fair. Not even in the same universe as Fair. Eddie’s eyes fall to the red markings around Steve’s neck. Wonders if that makes his cough hurt worse.

“Look.” Steve nudges Eddie’s arm. Pulls his attention back into this moment. “We’ve got this, okay?”

Eddie can’t exactly tell if there’s softness in Steve’s eyes - the same kind Nancy gives to him so freely. Or if it’s just regularly scheduled Concern. But it doesn’t even matter because Steve said that.

We.

‘We’ve got this.’

Him and Steve.

And, okay, was Steve referring to a collective ‘we?’ Sure, yeah. Obviously. But Eddie is allowing himself to wallow in delusion while the world’s expiration date remains questionable.

So he aims a lovesick smile at Steve and sighs. “Whatever you say, Harrington.”

[marcysten]

Kinktober week 4: ritual

[blooodymoon]

A "RETURN of the Number of PERSONS FLOGGED in the BRITISH NAVY, in each of the Years 1845 and 1846; specifying the Name of the Ship, the Offence, the Sentence and the Number of Lashes Infficted." Parlamentary Paper, Number 661 of Session 1847

So after reading the Post about Jopsons Flogging by @handfuloftime I went down a research rabbit hole because I wanted to see if their exist sufficient & specific enough Data to accuratly compare his punishment and put it in the historical context.

I found this Website, which features the two tables from the Parlamentary Papers and their Source.

(Note: The tables on the website are incomplete and inaccurate in certain places. I compared it from top to bottom to the original source and corrected/added the informations in my table.)

I used that as a basis for my own table, where I also added Averages and Sliders so people can search the Informations!

(Apparently Sliders don't work on Mobil, and I don't know enough about Google Sheets how to fix it :/

If anyone knows or if you find a some kind mistake please let me know.)

This week I visited the University Libary, which has access to the Parlamentary Papers Online, to see if such tables also exist for earlier years but sadly 1845 was the first year where they went into such Specifics.

(I hope to add some of the Years after 1846 to the table, when I can.)

Earlier years only had these Informations per Year:

Total Number of Punishments

Total Number of Lashes

Highest Number of Lashes Inflicted at One Time

Lowest Number of Lashes Inflicted at One Time

This Information for 1839 - 1846 under the Cut.

Also under the Read More are some Graphs, Medians & Averages about Flogging for Drunkenness Alone, seperated by Seamen, Marines, Boys and Everyone!

Hope that someone find this useful/interesting !

Corporal Punishment for Drunkenness Alone

Everyone:

Lashes Sentenced Median: 32,75 (1845: 36 | 1846: 31,4)

Lashes Sentenced Average: 31,07 (1845: 31,13 | 1846: 31,02)

Lashes Inflicted Average: 30,8 (1845: 31,02 | 1846: 30,58)

Seamen:

Lashes Sentenced Median: 36 (1845: 36 | 1846: 36)

Lashes Sentenced Average: 34,37 (1845: 34,62 | 1846: 33,86)

Lashes Inflicted Average: 34,33 (1845: 34,41 | 1846: 33,86)

Marines:

Lashes Sentenced Median: 31,4 (1845: 32 | 1846: 31,4)

Lashes Sentenced Average: 30,8 (1845: 31,09 | 1846: 31,09)

Lashes Inflicted Average: 30,8 (1845: 31,09 | 1846: 30,69)

Boys:

Lashes Sentenced Median: 24 (1845: 24 | 1846: 33)

Lashes Sentenced Average: 26,22 (1845: 24,4 | 1846: 28,5)

Lashes Inflicted Average: 25,33 (1845: 24,4 | 1846: 26,5)

Years

1839:

Number of Punishments: 2,007

Number of Lashes: 59,341

Highest: 60 | Lowest: 3

1840:

Number of Punishments: 2,026

Number of Lashes: 60,302

Highest: 48 | Lowest: 1

1841:

Number of Punishments: 2,066

Number of Lashes: 61,669

Highest: 50 | Lowest: 2

1842:

Number of Punishments: 2,472

Number of Lashes: 71,024

Highest: 100* | Lowest: 1

1843:

Number of Punishments: 2,170

Number of Lashes: 63,985

Highest: 60 | Lowest: 3

1844:

Number of Punishments: 1,411

Number of Lashes: 42,352

Highest: 72+ | Lowest: 6

1845:

Number of Punishments: 1,070

Number of Lashes: 33,511

Highest: 48 | Lowest: 3

1846:

Number of Punishments: 1,077

Number of Lashes: 32,360

Highest: 50* | Lowest: 3

*By sentence of a Court Martial.

+By order of the Commander-in-Chief for theft, in a shop at Chusan, and violence to the natives.

Sources: A "RETURN of the CORPORAL PUNISHMENTS inflicted in the ROYAL NAVY, in each of the Years 1839 to 1843, both inclusive, stating the highest and lowest Number of Lashes at each Time, and the aggregate Number of Lashes in each Year [ ]" Parlamentary Paper, Number 308, of Session 1845 + ABSTRACT of Total Numbers of CORPORAL PUNISHMENTS inflicted in the NAVY, and the Total Number of LASHES Inflicted, in each Year up to the 31st December 1846 [ ]. Parlamentary Paper, Number 661, of Session 1847

[the-magpie-archives]

Tips for writing London as a setting if you've never been there

London's a popular place to set a story! It's often imagined as sexy, cool, and suave. Whilst this is sometimes true, the thing that it predominantly is, is absolutely and entirely chaotic! So here are some aspects that you may not know about:

-Public transport is absolutely crucial to the infrastructure! Few people drive in London because of how well connected it is, and bus stops and train stations are often used as meeting points or details in directions.

-There's a LOT of crime, like, a lot. All cities have it, but London has a lot of variety. Stabbings are incredibly common (to the extent where it becomes a bit of a joke), almost everyone has a story where they've found or seen a dead body, and there are many money laundering/drug den fronts under the guise of highstreet shops (they're not well hidden).

-Despite it's chaos there's a strong code of etiquette most people hold themselves too. Some are actual rules (stand on the right side of escalators, don't queue jump) but some are simply social expectations (don't stop in the middle of the pavement, keep your bags close to your body, don't take up multiple seats.)

-A lot of tourists to the city are COMPLETELY FERAL and widely hated. They'll stand in the middle of the road, block up bridges, swing around cameras and selfie sticks in busy places, and completely ignore the social standards of polite society. People Do Not Like This. (also American tourists have a tendancy to just randomly start conversation with people? It's a bit weird and generally not done but it's not strictly a bad thing.)

-Rush hour is INSANE. We're talking almost static traffic, trains so packed that you're pressed into people on every side, buses that are so full they can't stop to let more people on. Some days it's better some days it's worse, but if you can avoid travelling at those times YOU DO.

-There are a lot of scam artists on the streets. Most major cities have these, they suck, they're aggressive, and they'll take your money! Some give you flowers and then force you to pay, some take photos of you and boost up the price to get them, there's always new ones, they're relentless, and you've gotta tell them to fuck off.

-Black cabs are not at all popular for normal people! They cater to tourists, rich people, and old people. They're great, the cab drivers are hard working and very knowledgeable, but they're also very expensive. Awful as it is, uber's cheaper if you're desperate, but buses go everywhere so it's just not really worth it.

[fiepige]

Saw some old vines and got inspired:

So here y'all go, Spiderverse as Vines!

[dendroaspis-viridis]

I'm begging you, BioWare... Learn from the mistakes of Baldur's Gates past...

[temdatem]

@snippit-crickit i drop this in front of your door knock and run away as fast as my legs can allow

[r0semultiverse]

Small indie artists in need of support for moving out by September!

💜 These lovely folks [@QuinsCurse (they/them) & @sswitchblade03 (xe/xem and he/him)] are part of a small queer-owned Youtube community I'm in. 💖

💖 If you could lend a helping hand by reblogging & queueing this post up until the start of September, I'd greatly appreciate it & I'm sure these fine folks would too! 💜

⚠️ Do not tag as d*nations or anything like that! ⚠️

"Hi everyone! Requests are officially closed as I am opening emergency commissions! Please consider supporting me as we are getting kicked out and have managed to find a place that’s affordable but need to save up 5k by the end of the month! Anything helps! I also have a dontations page if you are willing to help do that! All the money received from commissions will be going to the deposit! https://ko-fi.com/quinscurse/commissions https://ko-fi.com/quinscurse/goal?g=32"

⚠️ Do not tag as d*nations or anything like that! ⚠️

"https://ko-fi.com/sswitchblade03/commissions https://ko-fi.com/sswitchblade03/goal?g=0 EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS!! My roommate ‪@QuinsCurse‬and I are needing about $5000CAD for a down payment on a new place as we need to be out of our current place by September! Every bit counts! My goal is to be set to $3000CAD. I will draw anything (coloured and rendered) for $5 CAD each! If you are willing to give more it will be appreciated. Examples of my work below!"

⚠️ Do not tag as d*nations or anything like that! ⚠️

[problemduetest4life]

Jean Moreau/Shawn Anderson One-shot

I was bored so here's less than a 1,000 words for these goofballs I wrote for a warmup, set in @kevinsdsy 's Trojan's social media AU

“No, it’s crazy that they would think this is a date,” Shawn said, playing the straw of his drink. “Like us? Going on a date? Wild assumption.”

“Yes,” Jean agreed. “That would not be my first thought.”

“That’s what I’m saying! But if Derek and Jeremy are thinking that we’re going out then they must be thinking about us in that way, right?”

“In what way?” Jean asked, confused.

“In a romantic way, like we’re people who could potentially go out on dates.”

“But this isn’t a date,” Jean clarified. “We’re not people who go out on dates, then. They are wrong.”

“Damn.” Shawn rested his foreword on the table. “Way to crush my hopes and dreams.”

Jean hummed in response, taking a sip of his coffee. He was well used to Shawn dramatics by now.

“But it could be a date,” Shawn said suddenly, a flicker in his eyes.

“What?” Jean asked.

“Jean Moreau, would you like to go out with me?” Shawn asked theatrically, jumping to his feet and holding out his hand. Jean was utterly lost though somewhat amused. That was why he liked hanging out with Shawn after all.

“Very funny, Shawn,” he said, not moving from his seat. Shawn took both Jean’s hands in his.

“Do you want me to get down on one knee? I’ll propose. If that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.”

Jean raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

“Why do you want to anyways? Just to prove you’re ‘dateable’?”

“No!” Shawn said in false offense. He plopped back into his seat. “It wouldn’t matter anyways. No one’s asking me out.”

“Fine,” Jean said. “I will go on one date with you.”

“Yes! Everyone’s been saying we should get together. It’s just meant to be!”

“Everyone?” Jean asked, suddenly self-conscious.

“Well, no. Mainly just Jeremy but...”

Jeremy, Jean thought. There was slightly cinching in the muscles of his chest but he brushed it off.

Somehow, they ended back in the apartment watching some silly movie Shawn had picked out. It wasn’t unlike everything other time they had hung out, but Jean could see Shawn tweeting something that was likely going to get at least one of them in trouble.

They were crowded together on the couch. With of their heights and builds it was always a tight fit, a jumble of long limbs and rearranged pillows. Shawn’s hair kept ticking Jean’s nose as the other man lay back against his chest. Jean pulled up his hood to cover it.

“What’re you doing,” Shawn murmured sleepily.

“Fixing your hair. It’s going to make me sneeze,” Jean complained.

“What?” Shawn twisted around to look up at him. Jean was about to repeat himself along with another snarky comment when he saw Shawn’s eyes widen. Their faces were inches apart and Jean was suddenly very aware of how close their bodies were. It usual for them to be physically close with one another and this was mock date after all, right? He swallowed sharply. Shawn blinked slowly, his eyes lashes were blonde and so Jean hadn’t noticed how long they were until now.

Just as he was about to pull away Shawn asked, “are we doing this?”

Jean nodded and met him halfway for a kiss. Shawn’s lips were chapped but they were warm and inviting, nonetheless. He sunk lower into the couch, parting his legs further so Shawn could comfortably lay between them. It felt oddly familiar, Shawn’s callused hands slipping under his shirt to clutch at his torso, pulling him deeper into the kisses. Jean felt safe between the quilt covered couch and his friend above him. He slipped his tongue into Shawn’s mouth.

“So that’s why it’s called French kissing,” Shawn laughed.

“Shut up,” Jean said, “and don’t you dare tweet that later.” He looped a finger in the collar of his shirt and pulling him into another kiss.

They stayed like that for a while. The only sounds were of the creaking couch and their breathing, caught up in one another’s movements. Jean pushed off Shawn’s hood to run his hands through his hair, giving it the slightest of tugs. Shawn made a hitching noise, muffled by Jean’s mouth.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from the action on the TV, startling them both. Their teeth clicked slightly, and Shawn pulled back, hoisting himself up with one hand on Jean’s chest.

“Jean,” Shawn breathed. Jean sat up, sensing the moment was over. “I’m down bad for Derek.”

Shawn looked at Jean expectantly. Jean shrugged. “That’s good. According to his tweets, I would say he feels the same.”

“Well, sure,” Shawn. “But you don’t have anything to admit? About Jeremy?”

Jean looked away. Shawn sighed and settled back down against his chest. “We’re hopeless romantics the two of us.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“I’m going to post that the rumors are true and you punched me in the face,” Shawn grumbled. “Also, that you’ve recruited the freshmen into satanic rituals.”

“Those are lies. I can just tell the truth that you’re secretly a chronic overthinker,” Jean said before squinting at the TV screen. “And you have a kink for making out during Cars 2.

“I don’t know if I should be proud of my influence or disturbed that you’re using it against me,” Shawn said before yawning. He fell asleep shortly after, his phone left unlocked beside him. Jean picked it up, considering what chaos he could bring with full access to Shawn’s twitter account.

[i-may-be-an-emu]

Hugs (if you want them) for all my american moots and honestly just everyone who’s scared 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂

[sukibenders]

Glinda mentions to Elphaba how Fiyero can't stop thinking about that moment in Dillamond's class, or that he's having thoughts in general and how it worries her because it's not something she's used to from him (which is him thinking about actual things), in contrast to Elphaba, who doesn't seem all that bothered and, even more so interested in the manner when Fiyero brings up how he can't stop thinking about when they rescued the lion cub. I don't know about everyone else but for me, even with this scene probably being added for lighthearted value, I also see it as another piece in the puzzle cementing how Fiyero's and Glinda's actions will, eventually, either pull them closer or further away from Elphaba. I lowkey don't like it when people act surprised or confused as to why Glinda was spelled or get annoyed that Fiyero is in her place but I, personally, don't think she would have helped in that moment, specifically in the movie.

Prior to the train scene, Glinda is shown to, not only, be completely rude and spoiled (as shown with her literally fainting over not getting her way), when in class, she publicly points out Dillamond's inability to pronounce her name correctly even though it's an obvious struggle, parading in front of the class how easier it was for her other teachers to do it, then being dismissive during the rest of the lesson when learning the importance of history and why to learn from it (correct me if I'm wrong, as it has been a minute since I've seen the movie). All that already tells me that she doesn't really care for the animals' cause, let alone enough to follow Elphaba and Fiyero into the woods after stealing the lion cub and I think, subconsciously, Elphaba knew that. In fact, I can only see Glinda trying to sway them to leave the cub and how what their new professor wanted to teach probably wasn't all that bad (not saying that she would want the cub to be harmed, just that she would try to rationalize what's going as we've seen her do before). This is the same woman who, after learning that the Wizard was a fraud and responsible for the missing and harmed animals, still tried to justify his actions and berated Elphaba for not "acting accordingly" to the news, but yet we still think she should have been there to save the lion cub? That she would have helped those animals alongside Fiyero and Elphaba? I think it could allude to how Glinda could/will be used to help further push propaganda for the Wizard, especially given how it benefits her socially, as figures of propaganda often don't think too hard, or enough to critique the system around them not because they aren't smart enough too (for the most part), but more so because they understand how their world works and understand the consequences that follow when stepping out of line.

You don't have to like Fiyeraba or even find Fiyero interesting, but to purposely ignore what the movie is presenting you is such a cop-out. Fiyero enters the film being a sort of anti-establishment-like character, caring little if he gets kicked out of Shiz for breaking the rules, or just hardly caring in general (something Elphaba calls him out for), and so on. Why wouldn't he be down to rescue the lion? Even if it was to just feed his rebellious streak, he still would have gone, but when he and Elphaba meet, he's on a talking horse and they are conversing like lifelong friends. That might add another layer to the pair saving the lion. Even if he wasn't on the same level as Elphaba at that moment, the train scene shows that it had a profound impact on him that he couldn't shake. I think, had he been presented with the choice of joining Elphaba or staying, he would have gone, not only for her but also because he now knows that the Wizard is a fraud and most definitely wouldn't stand for what he [Oz] is doing. This is what sets him apart from Glinda which, isn't necessarily me hating on her but just stating facts. Glinda isn't/won't be willing to sacrifice her position and what it brings her, until it's too late (which is the tragedy of her character and her relationship with Elphaba), while Fiyero risks everything, even to some extent his own body (Scarecrow) and, in the end, gets to stand with Elphaba.