#i really need to make hair recommendation post because i know some amazing creators whose hairs deserve so much more attention

[adelarsims]

draconified him :) he's so... glacial

and this hair by @tianshi88 is a work of art

[darkpoisonouslove]

Riven x Musa

Ok, so I keep seeing posts everywhere that basically badmouth S8 and after seeing ten seconds of the trailer (YIKES to the animation, what’s wrong with the industry that they are making everything anime? Powerpuff Gen Z, I’m looking at you – obs: I didn’t watch it fully yet) I can see where some of the criticism is coming from but anyways…

My favorite Winx!couple EVER has always been Musa x Riven since I was kid and first watched the show (Netflix is not helping ‘cause I ship them even there).

I remember yawning at Bloom/Sky, rolling my eyes at Stella/Brandom and making a completely incredulous expression that I could literally feel forming on my face at Helia/Flora (can anyone say ‘unrealistic’?). Timmy/Tecna are a second favorite.

And why my Winx OTP are Riven x Musa followed after Timmy x Tecna? Because it reflects real life. In real life you’re not gonna stumble into people whose real and deep relationship problems are solved in twenty four minutes (not even that considering that some episodes present the “problem” half-way through said 24 minute-episode).

The breakup between Riven and Musa in S6 (spoilers everywhere after all) was one of the most mature breakups in the history of breakups with the hope for the future (yes, I’m completely ignoring S7, sue me, the whole thing was one huge filler anyways). And, after reading a lot of opinions on both ends (defending Musa/attacking Riven and defending Riven/attacking Musa) and watching the episodes in question (reuniting through reconciling) I think I can give my own analysis.

Since Musa AND Riven (individually and as couple) are my favorite characters in Winx, I think I CAN give a fairly unbiased view (hopefully).

*clears throat*

Ok, keep in mind that I’m defending BOTH of them, because I ship them too hard not to.

Musa Being OC (sometimes being called ‘brat’): C'mon, people! Musa and Tecna are OC since S4 anyways, where are the tomboy and the nerd? With the sneakers, T-shirt and comfortable-looking clothes? Noooo, now they all need neat skirts and hot pink high heels and long, glamorous hair. Do they look good? Of course, but and I would totally be less pissed if there was ANY indication on the reason for the change. Are they just maturing? Expressing themselves differently? Crowd mentality? Tune and Stella finally broke Musa down and Tecna followed soon after? Was it just to please Riven and Timmy? ANYTHING (even the 'pleasing a boy’ would at least be A reason - a ridiculous one that would piss me off, but A reason none the less), was just a sudden impulse that took?

Sure, we can talk about “character growth” until we are blue in the face, but the matter of the fact is that there was none.

The changes we see in Musa and Tecna are basically the creators making them more like the rest of the Winx (I’m including Aisha in this too, where is the sporty girl that matched the boy’s interest in extreme sports? C'mon! Even Bloom and her Girl Next Door looks are replaced with Bratz and Clueless-level of outfits).

Is anyone really going to look me in the eye and say Stella wasn’t a shallow (if friendly and good-natured) Mean Girl? She got better, but as I re-watch the show (currently in S3, meaning almost half-way through the content), Stella still worries more about her hair than anything else even while under literal fire.

More and more, Musa, Tecna and Aisha are losing their identities and what made them, IMO, the more badass Winx.

How did the two on the left went from this…

… to this:

Yeah, yeah, Musa still sings, Tecna still technobabble and Aisha is still a Warrior Princess but Aisha was the first one to go Bloom and Stella on us with Musa and then Tecna following soon after. It’s not just their clothing style, it’s the way they carried themselves too.

Right now? The only thing keeping them apart is their BF blues (different kind of blues) and some personal interests (singing, shopping, tech, the whole drama with Domino/Sparks, etc). But that’s IT, their personalities are going down the drain!

Sorry for the long-winded text, but the reason I’m expressing my disappointment at their change is because Musa’s reaction fits it. S6 we have such an AMAZING breakup (didn’t even think that was possible, WTH, right? Amazing breakup?) only for her to be mad as hell at Riven at S8? Bad writing, that has been dragging her (and the rest of the Winx) down to becoming just one unilateral, shallow character (the Specialists are also falling into that pit, what in the world did they do Helia in S8? He sounds like Thor telling about his “brave exploits” there, yikes). And continuity what? What continuity? Do they even remember how the breakup was written?

But ok, let’s put the Audience View aside for a moment and focus only on the In-Universe terms.

S6: You’ll always be my hero.

S8: What on EARTH are you doing here. 

I laughed a bit, the contrast just got to me but instead of getting mad at one or the other like most of the fandom, I laughed.

Musa followed that by saying that Riven has not maintained contact and just in that I would be beyond pissed as well and giving my support to Musa. WTH, Riven? I think that each season is more less six months to a year? Sort of? Still, zero contact for so long even after ending on amicable terms and wanting to stay friends? And he went off on his own! A text now going, “I’m not dead” would be the bare basics for Musa not to worry herself bald!

BUT then I also read comments about how this was a two-way street, why didn’t Musa call either? That’s unfortunately something that I very much doubt will ever be explained. One of those: did it or didn’t it? Musa could have called and went straight to voicemail with no signs of life from Riven or she might not have called and just expected him to call as if feminism were dead and all initiative must come from the guy (which doesn’t even fit because they parted as friends).

Since we have no info on the above, I put it on both of them. It’s not fair to say, “HE should have called!” or “Why didn’t SHE call?” because we don’t have fricking context. So the only thing we can take is: no contact.

BECAUSE I put the lack of contact on both of them, Musa’s reaction was a little too much, however, Riven shows up all smirks and leaning against a tree with his arms crossed and I would have flashbacks to S1 if it wasn’t for the animation style that made all the guys look like girls. Dude! Not the time for that kind of posture. Not saying that he should be all sheepish and rubbing his arm as if he had done something horrible (again: we don’t have context on the no contact) but a more neutral approach was warranted here. Nobody does themselves any favors with that kind of attitude no matter what how high of a horse they may be (rightly or not) riding on, if anything I would react like Musa solely on that one.

Next episode we have that Riven convinced the guys to follow the girls in some mission and Musa was angry. Again: I would be too. WTH? Yes, yes, they helped and if it wasn’t for them, the Winx would gotten seriously injured but Musa did have a point saying that this demonstrated that they had no trust in them and need their hand held, it was no sanctioned mission like on Earth after all. BUT, Riven does something that I would never expect from in S1-4: he explains, he reasons it, he puts it in all the words that he does trust Musa and co and that he only wanted to show that he’d be there for her (you know? One of the main issues in S6 that made them breakup in the first place? His inability to conciliate Specialist work with supporting his girlfriend and ultimately failing or feeling like failing in both?) and Musa still pouts, crosses her arms, and turns around. Geez. I expected that one from Stella, not Musa. I think the closest Musa has ever come to THIS was back in S2 when Jared explains that Riven was the one to recommend that he interview Musa and yada yada yada and she got mad and stomped off on the poor guy that didn’t even understand what was going on (only to immediately apologize to Jared and recognizing that it wasn’t him that she was mad at… like I said: what character growth?).

Riven then goes to show that he indeed grew when he asked for advice from Sky and Brandon (WTH, right? Can we picture that happening back in S1-3? He very grudgingly would LISTEN to UNSOLICITED advice from Nabu and Helia in S4-6). And does a very, very goofy and embarrassing show of affection. Yeah… again… I can picture Stella loving the light show with her face for IDK how many people to see but not Musa (although can we really blame the guy after the series went out of its way to make Musa all Stella-like? Clothes, attitude, the only thing missing is making Riven carry her shopping bags around and call him “Shnookums” (although the mental image is already enough for me to fall over laughing, just for the face Riven would make). Still, I have to count that one against Riven if only because (as much as the show gives only lip service to it) Musa isn’t Stella.

Riven being mind controlled (again) aside, those two are back together. And on the overall? Riven showed more growth than any other character in the show COMBINED (he is the Zuko of the show), that doesn’t go to say that he didn’t make mistakes since coming back in S8 (but that was more a guy trying to win back a girl than… betraying his friends for a pair of nice legs or… IDEK like in S1 – where, mind control or not the show itself made sure to make it clear that he had free will) or that he is now the one out of Musa’s league. I think that NOW it can actually work… if the show allows him to keep the progress, Musa is the next to see her flaws and work on them (which she showed to be able to do since S2) and put effort in the relationship. The difference between them is that Musa can actually work on herself and the relationship at the same time. That’s not me saying she is better than Riven in any way, everybody has their own pace and their own way to cope, to improve and to self-reflect.

I still root for them.

~*~

PS-IDK why, but I read posts about how Riven changed so much and posts about how all his progress disappeared and he is now back to his S1 attitude and I’m just cofused. Yeah, different of opinions and so on, but such opposite opinions on the subject of a guy whose relationship was focused on three episodes? 

[leonbastralle]

Mammoth...Boxing? Replies

I apologise for the amount, most of these didn’t show up in my activity at first so I had no idea I had so many to do...good luck navigating and finding yours, I recommend your browser’s search function ;)

pxelface replied to your post “You know what, Fable's getting a story.”

AND MY OTHER BABY?

pxelface replied to your post “You know what, Fable's getting a story.”

MY BABY

WELL WHAT DO YOU THINK DO I LOOK LIKE SOMEONE WHO WOULD SEPARATE THEM

pxelface replied to your photoset “F: I was just wondering…since you’re her best friend I should ask you...”

*happy dance* ITS HAPPENING

YES

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “F: I was just wondering…since you’re her best friend I should ask you...”

And me, please. I need great grandbabies. ;)

Patience! There might be one on the way, but tbh I’m a tiny bit busy rn...and I do wanna return to my other saves finally.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “F: Ally! Good to see you. I wanted to ask you something. A: Um…of...”

I like this one the most.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “F: Ally! Good to see you. I wanted to ask you something. A: Um…of...”

Ally's hair is A+.

Glad you like! I wasn’t sure about any of them, so.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Is it just me, or is something going on here…?”

Fable is still my favourite.

Same...

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “J: Oh please! It was my pleasure.”

Getting their flirt on.

ticklemerainbows replied to your photoset “F: Ally! Good to see you. I wanted to ask you something. A: Um…of...”

Her face gives me life

Whose?

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “V: Oh my, what a huge mess. I didn’t expect such a thing to ever...”

I'm coming out of break to give you all the love and to take on a mammoth.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “F: Thanks for sticking around for my birthday, Jade!”

And the fight with the mammoth is back on!

Thank you for the new reply title. Maybe I should do a banner...but effort.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

I'm sorry for all the spam.

Don’t be sorry! I just wish my dash had shown it sooner...I mean I do have some time rn so I don’t mind.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

And by dove, I think I've done it.

Until there’s more...there’s always more.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

These beautiful full lips. 

Teach me your ways!

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Too hot for the game to handle.”

My little clone baby. I'd love to put Fable with Caleb and Daisy. Just to see all the clones.

You may, I can send you her file.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Spontaneous birthday party time! (which is also why I didn’t dress her...”

Ahh, answering my previous comment with this one. I see you.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “F: Worried for us? For me too?? But Ally’s your best friend! J: Of...”

I like everyone else changed and Fable didn't.

Well I debated this for a while so...I do pride myself with being a mind reader ;)

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Meanwhile, the younger ones have retreated to the old children’s room....”

So, only the first gen is affected. Everyone else will age and die.

Nope, it was explained in the crisis chat in Oasis! Eliana and Dorian were alive when it happened too, so so are they.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Celeste is not happy. C: But that means I will keep seeing my dogs...”

Alas, yes.

Did I give you a valid point to think about? ;)

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “B: *sobbing* Oh Ellie! I’m so, so, so sorry! E: …mum? Come on, mum....”

I'd personally not take this as bad news. I mean, I could live forever and stay young. Sign me up. ;)

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO LIVE FOREVER

FOREVER YOUNG?

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

ELIANA, MY BABY!

YASS

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “It’s his first time on a trampoline.”

I like he shaved for the past.

He didn’t, he used to not have a beard when he arrived, I suppose the future has its tools.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “B: No…not this again. I need to go back.”

I joke.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “B: No…not this again. I need to go back.”

Yes, do.

Well she means it...kinda. Her anxiety is always less bad when she’s in Oasis (it’s what my game does)

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “There’s a line for the chocolate gnomes and everyone got stuck :/”

Victoria was ahead of the crowd. I'm going to miss her little pink hair.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “There’s a line for the chocolate gnomes and everyone got stuck :/”

Not that I don't have her sim file.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “V: I’m gonna miss this girl.”

And I'm going to miss you, my lovebug.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “A: Eugene…may I have this dance? E: Of course, mylady.”

Bye, my precious pink haired baby. May we see you again one day. ;___________;

Well...now that the tides have turned, you will. If uni lets me live to tell the tale.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “A: Eugene…may I have this dance? E: Of course, mylady.”

Now for home, finally.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

TIME FOR HOME!

BUT OASIS IS PRETTY SO MANY THINGS I STILL HAVEN’T TRIED

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

She still looks so tiny.

well she didn’t grow too much, just got older xD

pxelface replied to your photoset

this pose is soooo cute

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

And seconded, Makayla. Seconded.

I love it ;_; let me tell you it took me ages to find all the good ones for this scene!

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

It's a good job that they are cute.

No more doubts?

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Poor Caleb got his ass handed to him during his last elevator ride. E:...”

Again, I will destroy.

Go ahead, you have my okay for the elevator.

amixofpixels replied to your post “Replies To Fangirling Mostly”

I get to see my sims slowly continue to take over Annie's game. This pleases me.

I imagine ;)

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “C: That was…amazing!!! Oh my! B: I know, right? *sighs* I wish I could...”

LOOK AT HIS PRECIOUS FACE!!!!

IKR I HAD TO CAPTURE IT

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

But then again, sims logic.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

That cannot be the most safest place to do the business.

I wanted to try it :3

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Fixing him up (he’s now a friendly cook bot) and then saying good bye...”

Still not forgiving it. 

amixofpixels replied to your photoset  “He finds the fact that his creator is wearing his sleepwear quite...”

Deffo, a rude one. Can we destroy this one, please?

BUT HE’S EARNING CALEB MONEY

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Caleb got up at the break of dawn to make one last plumbot and didn’t...”

The return of people doing stuff in their underwear.

Absolutely.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

Cutie patutie. Is that even how it's spelt.

no :P

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Girlfriends!”

Let's not presume things again, shall we brain?

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Girlfriends!”

Why am I just learning that they both are female? I always kind of presumed that they were 'others'.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “And S.I.M. is up as well ♥”

Robot love.

It’s all good! I never specified, will do that next time when I have bots. If it happens again.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Such grace.”

Much more than me. I fall flat on my butt with any kind of balance.

I actually leared to tie my shoelaces while standing on one foot! Difficult times make you badass ;)

amixofpixels replied to your post “Late Late Replies”

Because we all know how lazy I can be with catching up.

amixofpixels replied to your post “Late Late Replies”

Beyond excited for Summer to appear. Hopefully, I don't miss it.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “E: Well that turned out to be a giant mess. I didn’t even know that...”

Home, and maybe one day, my special babies will appear. ;_____;

Dude don’t make me feel bad, she’s not gonna show up for quite another while...all the work is honestly getting ahead of me rn.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “The couple who charges together, stays together.”

I'm going to miss these two but not as much as Capri Sun.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “V: Oh my, what a huge mess. I didn’t expect such a thing to ever...”

I'm going to miss Capri Sun, as they are my favourite. ;______;

Shhh. Just. Shh for a month or so.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “A: Please. Can we just cuddle and not think about anything that...”

Cuddles are the best. It's well known. ;___;

True. I mean, they are important. I don’t think I could do with just cuddles for the rest of my life tho.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “C: If you and OYDIS are gonna go out into the world, you need to be...”

I like the robot has respect. Good robot, I regret saying that you should be destroyed.

S.I.M. doesn’t have any angry modules installed, so she’s not mad. OYDIS might be planning a prank tho...

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Performing for the fams!”

Is it wise to be doing this at 2:30-ish in the morning. I dunno.

nope,

amixofpixels replied to your photo

Like everything you do, stunning. ^-^

DON’T EVEN ;_;

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “O: Caleb-Creator. I want you to not worry. It will all be fine. As for...”

My little baby is a proud papa!

He is, in many ways!

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

I've missed way too much, man.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset

The robots will be gone too?

All the tech will be, yes :/ I don’t like it either, but it was the most logical outcome.

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Button needs some soul food to process all this.”

Key lime pie for the win.

(I never had any)

amixofpixels replied to your photoset “Fable, I think Victoria might have adopted you… V: SHE’S SO SQUISHY!!...”

Victoria needs a baby or two. I'm going to have to do that.

True, I’m not doing that :/

smile-beautifuly replied to your post “Tiny Reply Post”

I did c:

Thank you ;_;

smile-beautifuly replied to your post “I need to catch up with the Robbins ;_; I love them but I'm so far...”

Sorry for spelling it wrong by the way... and yes I couldn't resist cx

Nah it’s fine! I didn’t really notice xD

elvensimming replied to your photoset

<3 <3 <3 She's beautiful.

she is ;_; man Idk why it never shows me the hearts any more...

zauglom replied to your post “Tiny Reply Post”

NOOOOOOOOOO BRING THE WISKERS BACK!!!

THEY WERE FUTURISTIC I CAN’T (I’d do something else but don’t know what)