#i think that’s kind of a talent. right. like. that’s something valuable

[speedlimit15]

it’s been bad enough hearing “much nice very wow such awesome” irl for the last ten years if i ever phrase some stupid shit that gets popular again im going to either kill myself or become a writer because ppl seem to be drawn to the way i say stuff more than anything else about me. like if i hear someone utter the words “you look like sprayed from a can” it’s completely over for me in one way or another

[canmom]

"don't post links to pirate sites" as a security through obscurity strategy seems... weak. if a pirate site is so obscure that almost nobody can find it, it's also essentially pointless.

but yes, if a pirate site is common knowledge, the feds will be working on destroying it. so the idea is i assume to achieve an intermediate level of obscurity, where you have to have a certain amount of talent for asking the right people or searching the right things to find it. but... whatever capacity for research you are asking people to have on that front, the feds are equally capable of it, and they have a whole lot more time on their hands for tracking down pirate sites! security through obscurity is a losing game for piracy. the perfect sweet spot where people can find your pirate resource but the feds cannot is something of a mirage.

if not that, than what?

the current piracy system involves a few different tiers of accessibility, and various components that are more or less decentralised.

torrents are the most resilient tech because to stamp out a torrent (with DHT enabled) you have to suppress every seed. so, you have big public torrent trackers like TPB; these are well known and rely on hopping domains and redundancy for security. the ratio of seeds to leeches tends to be low, but the number of users is large enough that there will be at least a few seeds out there for most stuff. torrent clients have gotten a lot better at seeding strategies that take into account your seed ratio and what's currently available in the swarm, so if you just leave everything on seed and open your torrent client fairly often (use a VPN though lol), you don't really need to think about it.

then you have private trackers; these operate on an invite basis. the problem with this is that when the pool of users is so small, the odds of a given seed being online are also small. to prevent torrents dying, they gamify it: you get points for seeding and if you don't have enough points you can't download anything until you seed more. to help people get back in the game there will be 'freeleech' events. being active on a private tracker takes a bit of work.

and of course you have to get in in the first place, which tends to require a proven track record of seeding on other private trackers, and some kind of interview with the operators. getting involved in private trackers is a much bigger ask, you have to figure out where to get your foot in the door, and work your way up to the more insular trackers. it's like a mini subculture. it's valuable, but not scalable.

at the top level of inaccessibility is the warez scene. this is a whole subject that i'm not even gonna get into, go read wikipedia. historically this is where the files actually come from, before getting distributed on public trackers, usenet etc. but good luck getting in there lmao, they are understandably quite paranoid.

of course, for stuff to get on pirate sites you need somebody to go the effort of ripping and encoding it. this is where a major point of failure exists. when RarBG went down recently, the biggest loss was not the existing archive of torrent links, which can be backed up - it was that they were very active at converting scene releases into torrents with a decent balance of file size and quality, which then filter out into the various public trackers. that is much harder to replace! but what killed RarBG wasn't even suppression by authorities - according to their statement, it was a bunch of the admins getting covid or dying or fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war, which made the whole operation impossible to continue. so despite the thousands of people who download RarBG torrents, this single point of failure was overstressed and broke.

as far as the ethics of spreading links to pirate sites go... if it's something like a mega drive, yeah, the chances of a takedown are pretty high if it gets noticed! no question. but those things are by nature short-lived; if you want to use that for archival you're building on sand. there's also databases like emuparadise, but there was no saving that through obscurity, it just took Nintendo a minute to bring the case.

in this kind of centralised case, the clock is ticking from day 1. what we want is to maximise the number of people who are able to save copies while it's up, and then some of those people can put it up again somewhere else and keep the authorities playing whack-a-mole. (for a small collection of files, a sensible measure would be to make a torrent and a mega drive side by side, so that people can download the mega drive and then add the torrent to their client to seed if it gets nuked.)

as for torrent sites, the thing is that torrents rely for effectiveness on a swarm that is either very large or very responsible about seeding. if it's a public tracker, it has to be well known or it's pointless. instead of security through obscurity, the form of security for these sites is try to make the resource itself hard to take down - operating the tracker/archive in countries that don't have copyright treaties, maintaining mirrors, and of course distributing as many seeds as possible so the torrent can stay alive even if the site goes down.

the major problem with a dead torrent site is discoverability. if it's harder to find the torrent, fewer people will download it, the existing seeds will gradually go offline, and of course you can't download a torrent that you don't know exists. and while you could imagine a system of broadcasting metadata about a torrent (title, encoding etc.) in a DHT-like way but that would be so vulnerable to fakes and spam. maybe some kind of cryptographically signed 'this torrent is good' declaration is possible? I know certain torrent clients tout discovery features, but honestly I don't know how well they work. I'm sure there are projects that are way ahead of the game than me on this question.

but yeah anyway trying to browbeat people into not sharing links to pirate media is 1. futile, by the time you see it the cat is out of the bag 2. not a sustainable strategy for security. if you wanna lecture people, 'use a VPN and seed your torrents' is evergreen ;p

[mr-mandalorian]

there was sturmhond’s second in command, the princess that never was.

nikolai lantsov x reader, arranged marriage, angst/comfort, haven’t read to books so this strictly follows season 2

she was promised to the second prince. she didn’t know it at the time, but nikolai was the one to plead his parents to accept the deal. what a scene she caused that day, her father squeezing her arm a little too tight as he presented her to the royal family. she was all polite smiles and curated answers, her beauty undeniable in her satin gown. it was a perfected act, nikolai could only watch in amusement as guards swarmed her. when he reached to greet her with a kiss on her hand, she slashed at him with a hidden blade.

from that moment on, he knew that she would always be the woman to hold his heart.

and she hated herself for harboring similar feelings. she was an only daughter, an asset her father was sure to exploit. the last thing she expected was to find a kind man by her side, one who shared the same distaste for arranged union. when nikolai was preparing for sea, he didn’t ask for her to follow him. she was free to do as she pleased, and yet she chose to go after him.

and she was proving herself to be a valuable part of the crew. direct yet diplomatic, trusted by all as she unintentionally took the place of second in command. at times when there was a difficult decision to make, she felt crowds of eyes pointed at her instead of their captain. she didn’t mean to overstep, but the prince never dimmed her light.

she watched as the first army bowed to nikolai, the ravkan wind suffocating compared to the salt water breeze. and when no one took notice of the soon to be princess, she stayed silent. she should’ve been pleased, no longer a bride but just an acquaintance of nikolai’s that happened to tag along. and yet somehow it stung, feeling restless and out of place in the spinning wheel.

so when nikolai proposed to alina and turned to her for approval, she could only offer him stunned silence. y/n was no fool, she understood the need for this calculated move. and who was she to deny him? a prince was free to do his own bidding.

“dorogoya, please say something. it’s not like you-“

“right away, my prince.” she wished for the earth to open and swallow her whole, how embarrassing as she fumbled with her pockets, looking for the piece of jewelry that was just another secret out at sea. “you’ll be needing this.”

“you- you had this with you the entire time?” nikolai couldn’t help but grin as she revealed the engagement ring. he understood the weight of it, how she was never given a choice of who got to place it on her finger. and yet, when she was free to get rid of it, she continued to keep it on her person.

“just in case i needed something to trade if you ever got captured by pirates again.” she tried to save grace, ears tinting pink.

“you wound me, moya lyubov. you know i’m too good to let it happen again.”

his charm wasn’t working, y/n not in the mood for pet names without meaning. her eyes found alina and mal on the other side of the room, having their own quarrel about the proposal. she couldn’t help but feel like her and the tracker were the same.

“y/n, listen. i know you never wanted this and now we have a reason to end it. take as much as you need, your father won’t hear a word about it. return to sea, or-“ he cleared his throat, somehow more nervous asking this than her hand in marriage. “or stay as my advisor. it would be foolish of me to let go of your talents.”

hearing these words years ago would’ve had her over the moon. she’d be overjoyed, running through the door without saying goodbye. and yet she found herself unable to move, her breath hitching at his offer. he was giving her a reason to stay.

“i suppose it would be dangerous to leave you without supervision.” she tried her best to look nonchalant, but if a heartrender walked by, surely they’d think she was having a heart attack.

watching sturmhond flirt his way out of tricky situations was one thing, but seeing the way the prince treated his new lyubov was another. it was once y/n that got to intertwine their fingers, got to hear sweet nothings fall from his lips. it was all pretend but she couldn’t help the ugly feeling blooming inside her chest.

“i see changing brides is as easy as changing clothes, brother.” vasily mused after the engagement became public over dinner.

“good riddance to that feral girl you were so obsessed with before, no amount of money attached to her family could make her a worthy princess.” the queen nodded along, eyeing her second son.

alina watched as nikolai flexed his jaw, ignoring his family. instead his eyes were roaming the crowd, searching for someone. and when he found who he was looking for, alina had to bite down a gasp. there was sturmhond’s second in command, the princess that never was.

“y/n, it seems congratulations are in order.” zoya leaned over the the table, a smirk painted on her lips. “you’ve managed to escape a boring, pompous royal life.”

“pardon?” tamar leaned in just as close from the other side, nearly brushing noses with zoya.

“seriously? am i the only one who remembers that y/n was promised to nikolai?” the squaller stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world. it should’ve been, but people only cared for saints.

y/n placed a gentle hand on tamar’s shoulder, ordering her friend to back down. instead she raised her glass, deciding the next best thing was to drown her sorrows. and soon she was laughing, her head thrown back like she was back at sea, enjoying a late night drink with her crew. with liquid courage and burning cheeks, she extended her hand to mal. she felt the need to cheer the tracker up.

her vision was becoming difficult as she danced, failing to notice that mal had twirled her into someone else’s arms. it was only when he spoke did she realize the warm hand on the small of her back belonged to her beloved prince.

“i barely get to see you now, moya lyubimaya.”

“don’t call me that.” she exhaled in content, resting her head on his chest as they swayed to the slow song playing.

“it’s never bothered you before.”

“i didn’t care if it was real or not before.” she admitted, the poison in her veins untying her tongue.

“and what if i said it had always been real, moya lyubimaya?”

“i would call you a liar.” she looked up at him, so beautiful with her doe eyes and long lashes. and then she was pulling away, leaving the prince lonely in a room full of people.

there was little time for sulking after that. the spinning wheel fell under attack and y/n was second in command once again. it was like second nature to stand besides nikolai, ordering people around and keeping the situation from spiraling further. when he was mulling over what to do with genya, she threw a warning glance his way. if an advisor he wanted, an advisor he would get.

there was no denying that they were good together. even when it came to facing the darkling and his army of grisha and shadow, y/n never lost her head. that was until the church, until a certain sharp shooting durast trapped them inside with a shadow of the size of two men. that was the only time y/n didn’t think, she just did as she pushed the now king out of the way, shielding him from the monster coming his way.

she couldn’t remember much after, just fragments of conversations and trembling hands trying to glue her back together. the thought of nikolai safe and sound lulled her to sleep.

when she rose, she was met with genya’s wide eyes. she was tending to her wound, the awful gash on y/n’s abdomen requiring everyday tailoring. the grisha smiled then, a genuine smile for the first time in days. she pulled away to reveal the king asleep in a chair next to y/n’s bed.

“wouldn’t leave your side.” genya whispered before walking over to wake him.

it was like he was struck by lightning, nearly tripping over himself as he rushed to the woman’s bedside. grasping her hand tightly in his, he thanked the saints with tears in his eyes.

“please, moy tsar, you’re embarrassing yourself.”

“you will send me to an early grave, woman.”

“clearly, it will be the other way around.” she dared to glance down, genya having left her abdomen exposed. it wasn’t pretty, thick dark stitching slicing her belly in half. she nearly jumped out of her skin as the king placed his palm on top of it.

“see this scar?”

he nodded towards his hand, revealing a long pale line trailing through all of his fingers.

“this is where you cut me the day we met. i refuse to get it tailored, to keep as reminder of you everywhere i go.”

“nikolai-“

“i know it was an act of protest, but you had me falling head over heels. from that moment on, i knew you’d be the one for me. my second in command, i would fall apart without you by my side. i had this whole grand gesture planned, to make up for how you were treated before. but i can’t wait a second longer.”

he pulled out the ring y/n had returned him. suddenly it held no weight to it, it was light as a feather sitting on her finger. like it was always meant to be there.

“and what of your pervious engagement?”

“well my advisor was out of commission for a while, so i haven’t really thought it through.” she rolled her eyes at the king’s teasing. but she couldn’t help but allow herself to smile, wiping the smug look off his face with a kiss.

[larkingame]

Hello!! Are you having a nice day? I hope you do!!! I wanted to ask, could u maybe tell us what the different classes are? Tumblr's search function always lets a girl down and the detailed info is not in the pinned post as far as I can tell, so I can't find the info :( Thank u and have a lovely weekend 💕💕💕

hi! today's going okay so far! thank you for the ask :)

so there are seven classes in larkin! in the game they kind of function like the traditional class system in a game like dnd combined with their background system, meaning they not only shape the players skills and abilities, but they also have an effect on some of their viewpoints and values, as well as having an impact on their relationships with other people in the world!

the outlaw - this is your traditional criminal class/background. an outlaw abrams has managed to survive through any means necessary--something that Wyatt doesn't exactly approve of, given his own 'moral code' 🙄this class is great with intimidation and making connections in the various underworlds that larkin's version of the US has to offer. character's like Nash might not take too kindly to some of their methods, but he would have to admit--they're effective.

the healer - this is your 'doctor' class, well, as close as one can come to being a doctor without any formal training. an expert in traditional medicine, a healer Abrams has survived on the kindness of others after delivering babies, pulling bullets out of rogues and tending to sick kids. Wyatt is particularly proud to call a healer Abrams his kid! Cassidy and Ethel would find you particularly valuable--as the Ward gang is currently down a healer.

the showman - this is Larkin's version of a bard. An expert musician and storyteller, you live for the stage, you shine best when you're entertaining, swaying an audience. Wyatt isn't particularly favorable towards your selected path in life--he thinks your talents could be put to better use doing something else--but you're his kid no matter what. Already kind of mentioned this, but Cyrus has a soft spot for musicians!

the conartist - this class aligns the best with the barest bones version of the MC, when they were first being developed in 2020. They've followed in Wyatt's footsteps, selling forged land-deeds and miracle tonics, swindling unsuspecting bleeding hearts out of their pocket change and making a big old show of it all the while. An expert at manipulation, Wyatt couldn't be prouder of the little conman you've turned out to be. Rose finds the conartist a little suspicious--like people trust them far too easily, but Dominic on the other hand, loves the way Abrams can get people eating right out of their palms.

the thief - this Abrams has sticky-fingers, great with pick-pocketing and breaking into places they shouldn't be, they'd consider themselves something of an expert thief. with a boost to dexterity, this Abrams has nimble fingers that help in terms of picking locks and other delicate tasks. Wyatt thinks you could be doing something a little more honorable, but he'd be lying if those nimble hands of yours didn't come in handy from time to time. Reyes absolutely adores the way this Abrams can rob a man blind without them even realizing.

the gambler - holding 'em and folding 'em is this Abrams' specialty. They've been counting cards since before they could read, shooting dice before they were old enough to enter a casino and hustling pool long before their twenty-first birthday. Wyatt is pretty happy with the little cardshark Abrams' has turned out to be, he admires how well the can keep a lid on things--well, usually. Hollis is hesitant around this version of Abrams. They usually have people figured out the moment they've met them. But this Abrams? This Abrams is unreadable--and they hate going in blind.

the slayer - now, every version of Abrams is a vampire hunter, though the slayer takes a different approach to the craft. Vampire hunter is all they are, it's all they'll ever be, it's what'll kill them one day--but they've long accepted that. Their knowledge of the Vamp world is unparalelled, their dedication to slaying all of Vampire kind rivalling that of the Pope's dedication to Christ. Wyatt is...well, Wyatt worries more about the slayer than he does the other Abrams'. Montero and Adam, both being Vampires themselves have differing opinions of the slayer, but--they'd be lying if they didn't say they weren't at least a little wary of them.

[noirandchocolate]

For no particular reason at all (*coughIjustgotengagedmyself*), I've been thinking about Yiga Clan marriage proposal headcanons, and so I will share them today!

Clan members propose with ruby jewelry. For them, rubies are not only color-coordinated with their masks and traditional uniforms and outfits, but are highly symbolic. For one thing, they're the color of blood. The blood they and their ancestors have shed due to their betrayal by the Royal Family and the rest of Hyrule. The blood they hope to shed in achieving revenge and justice. And most importantly, the blood that binds all members together as a Clan, and that will bind the specific couple together as a family. For another thing, rubies in the AoC/BotW/TotK world have some heat and even fiery properties when utilized by those with magical talent. From a practical perspective, that means a jewel can literally warm the wearer up even just a bit on a cold night in the desert (or the Highlands, or anywhere else), if needed. From, again, a more symbolic perspective, the fire the gems are associated with is both the fire of the Clan's fervor toward their goal, and the fire of passion and love between the giver and receiver!

"But KidK," you might ask, “Rubies are valuable gemstones. Where does the Clan get them and why wouldn't they be selling or trading them for food and other supplies, since they're a marginalized and impoverished community in relation to the other races/groups of Hyrule?" The answer to the first part is, well, they live in a cave complex under a mountain range, and in Hyrule gemstones are just kind of found in rock formations all over the place. They find them, just like Link does in BotW etc. They’re rare! It’s not easy! In fact, going on a little quest to find a ruby to be made into one's proposal jewelry is part of the custom! But they do it—and that in itself is a part of showing the recipient how much the giver cares!

As to the second part of the question... Hey. It's cultural and the jewelry usually isn't that big or ostentatious--it's stuff that can easily be worn under a uniform or disguise. Everybody's not walking around with huge honkin' gems all over them. The custom has developed over millennia and it has all the symbolism I just said. Practicality sometimes takes a backseat to that kind of thing, and this is one of those cases. Plus, there's always the fact that in dire straits, a person with a ruby ring or necklace or such, out on a mission could always sell it. Or the Clan could pool such items as resources. I want to say the latter has probably happened at least a few times in the group's long history. But this is not something done lightly; like an Earth human in poverty having to pawn an engagement ring, it is...sad, to put it lightly, if such a thing becomes necessary.

Additionally, proposal jewelry and the gems set in it can be reused! Sometimes the quest to find your ruby is just keeping your grandfather's ear cuff to give to your sweetheart! Heirlooms/ancestral items are very important to the Clan in general, and this kind of thing is no exception. Again, it’s about showing care and commitment; using a family heirloom might be “easier” physically and time-wise, but it shows the giver wants to welcome the receiver to their family, and would give them something precious to do so.

All that said! In more recent times, Yiga who are for one reason or another unable to find their own rubies can always ask Master Kohga! Because. His father, back when he was his own mother's Right Hand, obtained a pretty big stash of them somehow (theft) and later doled them out to those in need while he was Master, and our current Top Banana is happy to do the same with what's left of the supply. He has tried to add back to the hoard when he can, too. The man loves love, and loves the Clan's tradition, and will help out a lackey in love whenever possible!

The proposal jewelry can really take any form but as stated, it's usually on the small side just so it can be easily worn (and concealed when necessary), especially when the recipient has a more martial role in the Clan. Small rings, earrings, tighter armbands with a jewel inset, things like that. Kohga's father gave Mama Hotaru a choker-style necklace with a larger ruby as its centerpiece, and later, after he became Master, had the jewel etched with his official insignia (you know, the Eye with the three horns on either side, like TotK Kohga put on his battle mech). And similarly (to honor his parents) but more over the top (because he cannot be stopped)...well. I'll invite you to look at this art by my girlfriend @purpledemonart and see if. Maybe you notice anything. That might make a little more sense after reading this far into this post.

ENOUGH ABOUT THE JEWELRY!

Either member of a partnership can propose to the other; the Clan doesn't Do divided gender roles.

What's more, the Clan has pretty much never cared about the sex and/or gender of who anyone wants to marry. (They really very don't consider it a big deal. They don't even have labels for sexualities like we do. They just kinda...live, and love who they want and try to find partners compatible with their attraction and who love them back. "Oh, she only likes women? All right, looks like I a man don't have a chance." Even for a Master, there isn't any pressure to produce a blood heir through a heterosexual marriage, since adoption or otherwise passing the title to a non-child relative or unrelated person is incredibly normal.)

There also isn't any one tradition about what you have to do to propose, like there's no "get down on one knee" Thing. Proposals are as varied as the people who make them! Some will be casual about it and ask over dinner at the dining hall, some will be a little more planned and take their partner up on the cliffs to ask as the sun sets, some might yell the question in the middle of a sparring match, some ask in song or poetry! Bringing your and your partner's families together for a meal and asking in front of everyone is popular. But really, anything is fair game.

HOWEVER! The traditional words used to ask are, "Would you join your soul to mine?" And the traditional acceptance is, "May our souls be joined." This hearkens back to the Ancient Sheikah, who used these same words. I headcanon that spirit and soul as concepts are incredibly important to the Sheikah and Yiga, and the way the question is phrased alludes not only to a partnership for the duration of one's life, but a bond that will transcend into the next. May our souls be joined. May our journey continue even beyond death. May we be linked forevermore.

The word Yiga use for "fiancé/e" is "intended"! As in, "My intended is so handsome," or, "Intended, would you lift your mask so I can kiss you?"

Following the proposal, the couple must wait at least six months for their wedding. This tradition was meant to prevent people from recklessly getting into marriage, and to promote general cohesiveness as many customs dating back to the Yiga Clan's early days tend to. Once partners are engaged they can get their sleeping space assignments within the Karusa Complex changed so they're sharing or alongside each other, they can get their task assignments arranged so they can work together or have breaks at the same time, or if they're due to be sent out of the Valley on a mission, they can go together if at all possible, etc. The idea is to allow a couple to spend more time together and make sure they really want to. Y'know. Join their souls. Marriage is not treated lightly! For spiritual reasons, to make sure partners are compatible and unlikely to break up and cause fractiousness between themselves and/or among family and friends, to also make sure both parties really are fully on board with the idea, historically there’s been lots of reasons.

My primary focus is on the Age of Calamity branch of the timeline, so as one last headcanon, I think that after Astor showed up in the Valley and kicked off the Clan's involvement with bringing about/assisting the Calamity and then later fighting against it, pretty much nobody wanted to propose to their partners because no one was sure what the future would hold (except Astor claiming to, but he kept his cards close to his chest and of course didn't deign to speak with random Yiga lackeys in any detail). Even though the Yiga had for centuries believed Calamity Ganon would destroy their Royal enemies and Hyrule as a kingdom would fall, it was never completely certain what kind of world would result after that goal was achieved. Sure, they thought it would be a time of wonderful freedom and revenge for them, but basically, people weren't really thinking so much about romance or kids when there was a conflict ahead--even if they thought they'd be on the victor's side. And then…well, if you’ve played or watched you know what happened. But now! That the Calamity has been vanquished with their help and the world is rapidly changing for the Clan...one sign of the hope they feel for this strange and unexpected future is that people have been going searching for telltale red glints in the rocks and caves of the Highlands and beyond...

I also have a TON of headcanons about actual Yiga marriage ceremonies but I'll make a separate one for that when I get some more time to write it out!

[jeffgerstmann]

So apparently AEW pays well and that's bad?

I know a couple of current WWE folks who definitely got better contracts simply because AEW existed and, thus, created a world where people might jump ship and go somewhere else.

But yeah, I don't know, people are fuckin' crazy. That said, with all of the recent free agent talk going around and that article that is all "WWE needs to look in the mirror about why they keep losing free agents to AEW," I think that's a little off the mark.

Like, yes, in a theoretical, big-picture kind of way the WWE should probably ask themselves why people would want to work anywhere else. And they can chalk it up to "well, we've had some negative press lately" or "this person just didn't want to work as many dates" or whatever. Each case will be different. But I think in the three recent cases cited, there are very real life reasons why none of those three would go with WWE. It's great that the offer from AEW was better and, honestly, I think those signees will easily find more success in AEW than they would in WWE.

Like let's not kid ourselves here: WWE could have offered Okada a fuckton of money, but would he actually make a meaningful mark in the WWE? He'd come in, the announcers would have to spend a ton of time educating the audience on why he matters because most of their audience doesn't watch anything else, and he'd probably just end up being the next foreign heel. The types of great matches he had in NJPW aren't really the kinds of things that WWE is looking for or especially needs more of. They'd probably rush him into a main event program for three months or so and then do something embarrassing with him. He'd be tagging with Nakamura in a team with a vaguely racist-sounding name or something shitty like that. He'd be another amazing performer in search of a meaningful storyline and the WWE's midcard is fucking stuffed full of guys like that right now. He'd be losing to Karrion Kross by Survivor Series.

Tack on the notion that WWE's business is doing really well and they're selling tickets everywhere they go and inventing new, more evil forms of revenue all the time and it's easy to see that WWE doesn't need Okada. They need to be making sure that they have a fresh crop of young talent ready to take over when the current headliners fall off or move on. At 36, Okada isn't quite that guy.

However, Okada is a great fit for AEW and its audience. Too good, actually. I mean I don't think he'll be a "needle mover" on the ratings because anyone in this country who knows who Okada even is already watches AEW. They're super-serving their audience. They're "building golden toilets" for their fanbase. As someone who really likes that shit, I'm stoked. But the weirdo ratings nuts online who live and die by television ratings are melting down over "is Okada a draw or not" or something. And I think it'd probably be obvious to anyone who really sat down and thought about it that Okada wasn't ever going to drag in a whole new American audience.

I'd say mostly the same thing about Ospreay. He'd become the leader of the Catch Wrestling Crew or whatever the fuck they're called now.

The other thing I'd say is that, over time, a better program will probably attract a larger audience. So AEW's programming is better by way of these new signings. They're great performers and I think they both have the ability to be super big in the US for years to come, provided they're working somewhere that plays to their strengths.

Bringing Sasha Banks over to AEW has a chance to bring in new audience since she had a level of fame here in the States already and, hey, maybe fans of hers weren't already watching AEW. It's possible! Punk did it, right? We'll see. That might immediately make her more valuable than Ospreay and Okada. That said, there are already a ton of women that I'd love to see more of on AEW TV, so inserting another star at the top of that division kinda rubs me the wrong way.

Either way, I think these three specific cases are, well, specific enough that trying to use this to claim that WWE is "losing out" on this free agency stuff is probably wrong. They know how much they're willing to spend on an individual talent, they've been at this long enough to have a pretty good idea how some of these people are likely to monetize once they get there, and they're simply not going to overspend on any talent anymore because they're really focused on trying to bring in new talent and raise them up through their system. For all we know, AEW overspent on all three.

But they aren't spending my money, so fuck it! It's awesome! I only get mad when the people I want to see are locked behind the ROH paywall. Like Athena! Put her on real TV, she's fantastic! What the fuck!

[naruhinamain]

your favorite content from them: Secrets of the Hidden Leaf "Please keep writing 🥺"

your favorite content from them: "Prey", "Monster" & "Naruhina Oneshots" "You wanna know something? I'm still in awe of being able to call you "friend." It's something that never fails to amaze me. I used to look up to you (and still do!)but from a distance. Your talent, your incredible way with words, and your ability to create beautiful masterpieces always left me mindblown. (I remember "Monster" was one of the first stories I read when I first joined Wattpad – crazy, right?) Your writing constantly blows me away. Your writing consistently blows me away. No matter what you tackle, you deliver. It's always a 1000/10. You touch the keyboard and create wonders. You're truly one of a kind. 🛐🛐🛐 I never want you to doubt yourself or think your writing isn't good enough because it is, and it always will be! 💪🏽❤️ Just know that you'll always have my support, without a doubt. Our friendship means so much to me, the simple fact that I can reach out to you anytime and we can talk for hours about anything – it's truly valuable! 🥹💖 But I do wish you'd take a break from time to time. I feel like you push yourself so hard; girl, you gotta chill, haha! Taking breaks is perfectly fine. You don't have to be so tough on yourself. Any effort, no matter how big or small, will always be met with love and support. Never forget that. Love you. Keep up the fantastic work! ❤️🫶🏽"

your favorite content from them: "Butterfly"

your favorite content from them: Prey

your favorite content from them: "Monster," "Prey," "Late Night Confession," "Fallen," "A Bride for Gamakichi," and "Ravenous" "Sessakag has the RANGE. I feel like if Sessakag's stories were art, all the colors would be really rich and deep, like every description and moment has so much "fullness." I feel really lucky to be in the NaruHina fandom right now and to be able to read all of Sessakag's stories!!!"

"You have a special ability, all your stories are different in good ways. It never gets boring reading your masterpieces"

your favorite content from them: Prey🕷 "The Queen of the weird font on Tumblr?? I'm probably not the only one, but I associate you so much with that font you're using for your fic titles and posts (and that won't paste the proper way, sigh). I cannot be the only one 😂 Anyways, big fan of your work, cannot wait to see were you take us next!"

LINKS: TUMBLR || AO3 || FF.NET || WATTPAD || AFF @sessakag

[eridanidreams]

Snippet Sunday

tagging: @bearlytolerant, @silurisanguine, @aro-pancake, @fangbangerghoul, @atonalginger, @aislingdmdt, @fshenkoescape, @ninjaofnaps, @lisa-and-shadow, @a-cosmic-elf, @thatsgoodsquishy0, @hockeydemon42, @fomagranfalloon, @violenceandviolets, @therealgchu, @staticpallour, @artemis-crimson, @genesisarclite and @constellation2330

More from the upcoming chapter of stars through my fingers...

They wandered the gaming area for a while—it wasn't just the Mile people bet on here. No-holds-barred fistfights in zero-G, whether a smuggler would get through security, how long a LIST colony would last against the Fleet (Cait's eyes went pink at that one, and it took a good several minutes for her to calm down). All the while keeping up a smile, trolling for Mei Devine.

Eventually—as they'd known she would—she took the bait.

Cait's hand tightened on his arm a half-second before a voice spoke up behind them. "Sam Coe."

Sam pulled Cait close against him, arm around her waist, as they turned. "Ms. Devine," he replied amiably.

Mei Devine gave him a flirtatious little smile. "I'm told you spent a great deal of time here before I took it over." She gestured to the room about them. "Do you think it's an improvement?"

He hid his disgust under a sunny smile of his own. "I must confess to havin' a bit of nostalgia for the old days, but," he let his eyes wander across the people getting rich on other people's blood, "this is probably better for business. Fewer gunfights, for certain," he added as one of the Ecliptic guards crossed into his view.

"Oh, it is!" Devine tossed her hair back. "We get all kinds of business in and out. In fact," she gave him a speculative look, "I have to wonder if you're looking to get back in the game. A man of your talents could find it very… lucrative."

"Could be that's true," he replied. "Would have to be worth my while, though."

Devine laughed. "Well, then I wouldn't waste any time on young Jade over there." She gave Sam a sly look. "Her sister's a Freestar Ranger. But of course, you know that."

He smirked. "Well, this ain't Freestar space, is it? We got reasons not to spend time at the old homestead." He glanced at Cait, giving her a squeeze. "Ain't that right, darlin'?"

Cait took the cue admirably. "Except for Neon," she said softly, giving him a wide-eyed look. "Neon can be fun."

"Ain't no place like it," he agreed. In so many ways. "Just chock full of… opportunities."

Devine's eyes narrowed, giving her face a particularly vulpine look. "Well, if it's opportunities you're after, I might be able to arrange something. A meeting, say? With someone whose operation is… significant."

Cait's body was taut with nerves; Sam ran his hand up and down her side in a soothing gesture that an outside watcher would take for salacious. Playing the part—the Coe brat, all grown up and still getting into trouble. "I might be interested," he said. "Favor for a favor, I take it?" He offered Devine an engaging smile. "You're far too savvy a businesswoman to offer something that valuable for free."

"You do know the way to a woman's heart," Devine purred. "But it's simple enough: it's been too long since we had proper entertainment. If you could provide that… the famous Sam Coe, a runner on the Red Mile. Why, you might be a bigger draw than Donovan Rhys!" She put her finger to her lips coquettishly. "Especially since he keeps coming back alive. I'm afraid he's just gotten too… reliable."

Sam chuckled. "Well, now. That's an interesting offer. In my younger days I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it, but…" He trailed off, the very picture of a man caught by a dilemma.

"I can assure you, the prize is worth the price," Devine said. "Run the Mile for me, and I'll give you Marco Graziani."

[f1-birb]

It's kind of insane how Lando is so fucking consistent that the P7 of 2022 has become P2 in 2023 and you still have people questioning his skills, talent, dedication, and drive. He is doing SO well, but unfortunately he does not have the machinery to drive right past Max and into the distance like Naomi and Co. think he should. If he has an actual shot at victory, he'll defend with his life- hell, we've seen Lando force Max into mistakes before, he certainly has the ability if McLaren gives him the car.

Lando's consistency is something I think is constantly taken for granted

like looking back at last year, where there were clearly 3 teams miles ahead of everyone where P7 was sort of the best you could hope for, "best of the rest" as they even called it, the only driver not in one of the top 3 teams to score over 100 (by a good margin, and a better one over P8)

and now we look to this year, where it took 3 races to even score points (8 in Australia), he was up to 12 points after Monaco, we should've got points in Canada but stupid penalty, and then the Austria upgrades happened

from race 9 of this season to now, with 3 GPs still left, Lando's scored 164 points. 164. he's had the most P2 finishes out of any driver. he is so consistent and with the stellar work of the "boys and girls back at the factory" bringing the upgrades and the boys bedding them in, and getting them to work, it's been incredible to watch him

anyone who still doesn't rate him literally isn't worth the time or breath arguing with, he's proven how valuable he is not just as a driver, but as a team player and as a teammate

[ivaspinoza]

the observer effect (notes to myself)

I've been super busy with my job, and I've also been working on a bunch of personal artistic projects at the same time. Of course, I feel productive, but exhausted and kind of rushed, which I don't like. To me, slow living is not a trend, but a need for which concept I'm constantly going back to— because I truly believe the post-modern schedule is one of the biggest issues we have as human beings right now. Everything is too much, too fast, and the current global mental health conditions can confirm.

We need time to process, feel and be sure of stuff. Thinking through life and choices, meanings and feelings takes time.

Today, after printing zines and drawings (testing and experimenting), I was happy, but anxious. Everything is going as I planned, but I have so many other ideas I want to try, ideas that I might prefer, and things I want to refine. It's not only perfectionism: it's respect for my own creative process, a unique, valuable, and authentic process that will determine my quality, how my message is delivered to my audience and the endurance of what I created. I don't want to be trapped by the fast paced culture that doesn't let us develop the bare minimum skill before trying to make money!

I don't remember where I saw this, or who said it, but it was basically an artist saying how much early exposure can kill the development of skill, that artists are actually supposed to have time away from everything and everyone, time to mess it up and experiment, time to have a mentor maybe, but if not, time to be away from observant eyes and be on your own. ''In physics, the observer effect is the disturbance of an observed system by the act of observation.'' Anyway...

Of course, there is also a bit of perfectionism (that I believe all artists must learn to master, which I still haven't been able to do): '' Maybe... This looks shit and I'm being an idiot. I can see too many mistakes. I need to work harder. Do I even have the time for this? It's going to take ages until it's good enough. For every test, I'm spending my paper and ink! Well, if I want to make any money so this is worth it, I better hurry up!''

So... Another observer is bad, but as my own observer, I am also not very good. Great.

Do you know who is a good one at this? My husband. He just leaves me alone, because he knows I hate people looking over my shoulder as I create something. He gives me space. He doesn't make a big thing out of it, so I'm not embarrassed or pressured by the ''talented, amazing artist'' mask.

When he got home today, I ran to him, as I usually do, and I shared everything I had done. He was excited and appreciative (he is not the kind of person who will compliment just for the sake of ''making you feel good'', and I adore him for that — because I know he is being honest and that means I can be truly authentic, I can question and challenge myself instead of living for pleasing others, which he never—thankfully— allowed me to do). While he was sharing his perspective and making me feel more confident than ever, he said something like:

''You can keep experimenting for as long as you like! I know you enjoy exploring and refining, so you can just try everything until you feel sure!''

My inner child pouted (and so did I). He smiled.

''Even if I make no money out of it?'' I had to ask.

''Of course. Even if you never, ever make any money. I just want you to be satisfied with what you do. You don't need to rush.''

No, but seriously now: that made me cry. I guess I will be taking my time! He hugged me and I said thank you for holding this space for me and all the things I carry, for helping my creativity to be free, tax-free, and to develop naturally, without the pressure of making a profit, of instantly making it work. I do love taking my time, but I also need to point out that having this man who can smell the raw, secret and invisible conditions of my soul from miles away is literally the best thing ever.

He never allows me to lie to myself and to hide, and believe me... I've tried. Resisting is only worse. At some point, I will have to descend into my most vulnerable room, in the underground of my mind palace, and he will be there, sitting, drinking his tea, calmly waiting for me to arrive so we can clean the messy room together.

With that said, I will just be grateful and go back to my creative space, inside this safe frame his masculinity created for me, which is the definition of provision and protection, and I will keep enjoying my process in my own time. No pressure. No rush. Just delight!

(The right observer will disturb you right).

✶ mention list for writing posts (let me know if you want to join): @caustic-splines @hersurvival @icantdance @poetici @informedimagining

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@crow-with-a-typewriter

[trek-tracks]

Hiya! for the Star Trek ask game:

8) which captain would you like to serve under, 15) top 3 fave alien crewmates and 36) which social issue would you like to see tackled?

8) I'm kind of surprised at this answer, but the more I think purely about the characters, the more I think that SNW Pike would be my favourite captain to serve under. He's a little warmer and less distant and reserved than most of the other captains (other than Sisko, who I also considered, but I'd rather travel than be on a space station) to people outside of his main circle, and I would like to be invited for one of his home-cooked meals. TOS or AOS Pike, less so. Plus, Anson Mount and I graduated from the same small MFA theatre program, so I feel a certain sense of loyalty. It's like we both went to Dramafleet.

15) Oh this is tough, tough, tough! How dare! Well, I'd have to say Spock, for one; I think he's being overused right now, but I can't help but love that sarcastic mess of a half-Vulcan. I also have a huge soft spot for Deanna Troi, maybe because she's my girl Bev's BFF. And I was debating between Kira, Jadzia Dax, Tuvok, and Garak (all amazing), but then I realized that I'm actually going to give the third spot to D'Vana Tendi because I love her and she is me if I were more talented at both science and violence. (T'Lyn is also ranking up fast on my list.)

36) So many social issues! Trek has dealt with disability many times before, but something I'd like to see it acknowledge in a more complex way is the incredible range of opinions disabled people have in relation to their disabilities, and how that should inform care, treatment, and social policy. There are many things we consider "disabilities" that the people who have them consider integral parts of who they are (many people, for example, have spoken about their autism as something that should be accommodated rather than removed), versus disabilities where many (not all, because there's no such thing as a monolithic opinion, but more prevalently) consider them to have no positive aspect, and would rather they be "cured." For example, my type 1 diabetes has shaped my life, but if I could have it gone tomorrow, I would do it without hesitation or reservation. I'm not sure how they would delve into this discussion, but I think it would be a valuable one, if handled well.

Thanks so much for the ask!

[hypersonic04]

Part One:

I haven't written anything in so long, but today I had a sudden burst of inspiration for an enemies-to-lovers series with Ross? If anything, this is for me to simply live my fantasies (lol). word count: 1,467

My shoes are squeaky on the floors, and it's like the fluorescent lighting of the hallway makes me even more conscious of the nails-on-a-chalkboard noise emanating from my footsteps. I cringe to myself and pray that the band aren't recording anything important right now - I don't think the sound of rubber against wood flooring in the background of his song is something Matty would see as valuable to the band's development.

I try to blame my lack of sleep and hydration for the swirling feeling in my stomach, however I reckon it's probably more to do with the fact that today is my first day working with them. Working in music is something I've always wanted, but throwing myself in at the deep end with one of the biggest bands in the industry was not exactly my plan. When someone like Jack offers you the opportunity to write with The 1975, you don't pass it up.

I reach the room that Jamie pointed me in the direction of, a sign stuck on there with blu-tack - 'WRITING IN PROGRESS'. My lungs feel like they can't fill up properly as I attempt to take a deep breath, my hand drifting to the doorknob.

It was almost like I commanded the door to open with my mind. It swings open aggressively before I can even touch it, and I'm met with what I can only describe as a biblically-accurate Jesus.

He's frowning, and I can't help but feel like I'm already in their way. He excuses himself past me with pursed lips and a raised brow, slipping past me and swiftly making his way down the hall I had only been nervously pacing minutes ago. His shoes didn't squeak, though.

"Uh, hi!" I say, perhaps a tad too sprightly for the atmosphere of the room. "I'm Iris, I-"

"Lovely to meet you, Iris. I'm Adam," He stands up and holds his hand out, the first out of the four of them to greet me. It seems like they were having a meeting of sorts, the three remaining men in the room each sat on sofas. Adam almost seems relieved that there had been a change of topic upon my entrance, the tension in the room easing slightly as he shakes my hand. "This is Matty, George..." He gestures between them and they give me a friendly smile each, the kind you might give to a new colleague in an office.

I stand awkwardly in the doorway, and it's at that moment that I begin to question everything. What was I thinking? Why did I possibly think that writing music with a very established, very successful band was a good idea?

"I, uh-" I wrack my brain for what I'd practiced to say next, but the whole situation is nothing like I had expected. I mean, there's only three of them here, for a start.

"Jamie played us a few of the songs you've worked on, you're really talented." Matty states matter-of-factly, still sat with his legs spread wide, an acoustic guitar leaning against the side of the sofa.. "I didn't realise you'd worked with Phoebe."

"Thanks," I smile quickly and subconsciously run my hands over the denim around my hips, immediately stopping when I realise how visible my nerves are. "Yeah, we met through Jack."

"How do you know Jack?" He asks, and it takes me a few moments to recognise that his bluntness is not a reflection of his opinions of me, but rather just his general manner.

"We met at The Brits. I was there on a uni placement, and we just kind of got talking." I nod, as if the gestures affirms my place in the room.

"Do you want a drink or anything, before we start?" George stands up suddenly and it's almost a comfort, a swift diversion from my professional accolades and connections.

"Yes, please," I smile. "Just water will be fine, thank you."

I take a seat on the sofa and grab my notebook, scraps of verses and snippets of bridges scribbled down in virtually unintelligible hand-writing. Looking up as George hands me the bottle of water, I notice the look they exchange between themselves.

"I'm really sorry, I don't mean to be forward, but isn't there supposed to be four of you?" I break the silence, an airy chuckle masking my anxiety.

"Uh, yeah," Adam starts, but is quickly cut off by Matty.

"Yeah, Ross." He looks at me with a face that suggests he's pissed off. "but someone's in a bit of a mood today, so he's not going to be joining us." He sighs.

We start by discussing what their main focus is at the minute, the direction they want their fourth album to go in, their usual creative process. It feels like a priviledge to have such knowledge, my brain simply a sponge for information like this. I think Matty can sense me engagement as he talks, going into detail as I make notes like it's a lecture. The icy atmosphere in the rooms thaws gradually, as do my nerves and apprehension at being in a recording studio alone with three strange men. I admire their respective passions for music, whether it be playing it or producing it, and it's as if there's a sense of respect between the four of us as we discuss our plans for writing.

The conversation flows easily, until it doesn't.

The door swings open, exactly as it did about an hour ago when I was on the other side of it. My breath hitches as he enters the room, my eyes glued to the notes sat in my lap. There's an almost frosty silence creeping in, and I wonder what could have possibly happened between them to cause this.

"Ross, this is Iris." Matty introduces me as offers me an apologetic smile, his eyes creasing at the edges.

I look over to where he's stood, the door closing behind him and suddenly making the room feel a lot smaller. Ross' eyes are dark - really dark. Nearly as dark as the hair he wears pulled back, and the beard that decorates his face. I swallow nervously as I give him a smile, the twisting feeling in my stomach worsening when he doesn't return it. I look away, half because of the anxiety pooling in my chest, and half because I'm convinced that if I'd have stared for any longer, I wouldn't have stopped.

"Nice to meet you." He replies, his back turned to me as he fiddles with the knobs and faders on the dashboard. I hear George inhale sharply, his frustration clear. Adam shifts uncomfortably in his seat, clearing his throat.

"We've just been showing her some of the songs we're working on. Feel free to join us." Matty says sharply. "You know, seeing as it is actually your band, too."

Ross turns around quickly and rather that aiming his stare at Matty, it finds me. I involuntarily raise my eyebrows in surprise, looking to the other boys in search of answers, perhaps. His icy glare lands on me for a few seconds before he appears to give in to something, huffing loudly and making his way to the seat furthest from me. I wonder whether it's intentional as he folds his arms across his chest and looks between the four of us expectantly.

The discussion carries on, and it takes everything in me not to get up and run. His mere presence makes my muscles stiffen, and every time I look up and see him staring at me from across the room, I feel sick.

"So are we all ok to meet again tomorrow? I think it would be better if we use Real World, it's better for recording the strings and stuff." Matty talks as he gathers his notebook and belongings from the coffee table in front of him. We all agree, and before we can make further arrangements, Ross is already leaving the room. I stand there, my hands by my sides, a sense of disappointment overwhelming me.

"It's nothing personal, Iris." George tries to justify, raising from his seat as frowning at me. I nod, also gathering my things and stuffing them into my tote bag. "Honestly."

I don't know what I expected - they've known each other forever. It was naive of me to think that I was going to swan in and connect with them all immediately, writing some gems and leaving with a paycheck and four new friends. Nevertheless, the disheartened feeling that swells in my chest hurts.

"We'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" Matty rests a hand on my shoulder, and the whole sense of familiarity in the exchange makes me feel a tad better about the impression I've made.

"Yeah, I'll be there, 12pm on the dot."

[centrally-unplanned]

could you explain more about the incentives for universities not to hire candidates unless they got academic jobs immediately upon graduation? I don’t know much about academia and this is fascinating

Sure! It definitely doesn't have 'one' answer or anything, but most of it stems from the fact that universities, pretty-much uniquely, are hiring people for lifetime appointments. The idea of a tenure-track position is that you will work at the university for your entire career. This pretty radically changes what you are looking for in hiring - you care way less about what they are going to do for you now, and instead care about their 'potential' along that 30+ year trajectory. A few things flow from that, and different people think different things matter:

Some would argue that one's talent is both locked-in by the time you are a ~30 year old graduating academic, and that said talent is visible to hiring committees. Essentially, if someone is going to be a rockstar academic, you can tell right out the gate, they would have shown the signs already. There are no "diamonds in the rough" out there who don't get hired, so you shouldn't really bother with them. As such hiring committees spend their time going through the pool of unclaimed talent to find the next crop of high performers. Since I, as a uni, can capture the *entirety* of your career output, I only care about that full potential - if someone is a bit better at this-or-that today by being 3+ year more experienced, I don't care.

The above is probably a factor, but imo its not the full story by any means. Another factor is institutional fit - think of who is doing the hiring. Budget committees and managers? No, they only have advisory say - faculty are hired by other faculty. Which means you are hiring a coworker, co-author, co-teacher for the next several decades. You want someone who is essentially fresh and impressionable, who is going to mold into your organization, adopt research interests that align to your dept strategy, and make all that easier for you. This is a bit of a principle-agent problem moment, but also for something as personality-based and locked-in as academia having a department that gets along is valuable.

For my own perspective, I personally think for a lot of places in academia success is a bit arbitrary. Talent matters ofc but at the margins everyone is talented, and people get their prestige from the institutions they work at as much as their ideas themselves, and those higher-ranked institutions give them greater resources to make their ideas work. As far as this is true, then who they hire kind of doesn't matter, right? They just have to be good enough. As such if the committees have weird opinions about this-or-that thing, they never suffer for it, it never gets 'punished' by reality. They could choose any of their candidates and be fine. Like the first belief, about how 'talent outs quickly' - is that true? Probably to some extent, but also it doesn't matter as long as uni committees believe it's true - they don't have to be right.

Finally, academia in most places is an employer's market; the supply of candidates always massively exceeds demand. This works similar to the last point - they never need to challenge their own ideas about what is optimal hiring because they have their pick. In particular, why was someone not hired for 3 years? Luck? Probably, honestly. But what are the odds it's because they have some defect that is hard for me to see? Its possible, right? So why take that chance, I don't have to. I have total control. In unbalanced markets marginal issues can be elevated to dominant concerns because there is no price to paid for that.

I'm sure there are more issues, it's a diverse world after all and each academic discipline has its own norms. Just some of the factors at play!

[neptunes-sol-angel]

✷ ◌ ˙₊ From One Reader to Another✷ ◌ ˙₊

This is a pick a card reading dedicated to readers and the impact that their gifts have on others and why they should continue to share them. A little encouragement for us to trust in our abilities and that what we do matters more than what we realize. ♡

Pile One

I wish you knew how potent your ability is. To be able to utilize the shadows from your past in order to be a guiding light for others. How much strength it takes for a person to trust themselves within a cacophony of distorted "truths". How much wit it takes to uncover your ears from your inner demons' confrontations in order to become the pied piper that induces them onto your side. As you heal yourself, you heal others. The beauty in your readings, is the way that you're able to manipulate with malefic energy. You don't  heal others by making the truth soft and the self awareness hard. You heal others by teaching them to accept that the harshness of a truth, but treat it with soft self awareness. Softness is often equated with weakness but weakness is subjective. You teach others the power in their vulnerabilities because healing doesn't have a maximum, it has range. Your insight, successfully demonstrates that there will be phases in a path, loops and turns, detours, it will never be cut straight through because it isn't supposed to be. I know you may feel like the quality of your work is determined by the engagement it gets, but we are living in a world that has numerous of people that are still covering their ears or wish to ignore what's in the dark. However, don't let that discourage you about this work that's meaningful to you. You saw a vision amid your pain and felt drawn to share it. Continue to do it because wisdom is given its name for a reason, you have it. Not because of what's trending right now at the moment but because it's timeless. You aren't speaking a foreign language, you're speaking a universal one known as empathy. Someone is always listening and is deeply soothed by your readings. Others will catch up when it's time.

Pile Two

Your readings are versatile and colorful in every way because you have the gift of channeling insight that helps others on the path of confidence and unconditional self-love. Your readings are meant for everyone to read and resonate with. The impact of your readings makes others dig deep to realize that external judgement can be wounding, but the judgement that we inflict on ourselves is scarring. This can look like overworking ourselves, allowing people that don't deserve us to stay in our lives, critically insulting our body, face, mind, and talents, etc. Your readings touch others in a way that makes them realize that a huge chunk of peace that they're longing for, starts within, and that it's time to embrace themselves so that we can reach empowerment. You make people feeeeeeeeelllll good, ok? Not a tingling sensation, but in a powerful way. Your readings help others make the first step when it comes to improving their self-esteem which is is to re-evaluate how they accept compliments. When someone compliments you, they're acknowledging YOU. We forget that and tend to move towards a self-loathing response or deny ourselves the praise by thinking about someone else, but you hit the right spot in telling people about themselves to where they'll finally say "thank you" in many different ways. You offer people a new perspective in how they see themselves that will help make positive changes to their personal development and cutting out anything that deters them from that. Keep sharing your messages because a pivotal way for more kindness to appear in this world is when we start being kinder to ourselves. Your readings evoke that in other people, I hope you know how valuable your insight is.

Pile Three

This group is a combination of both piles one and two. Something is interesting about the vibe you have as a reader. You're both youthful and wise beyond your years. I would describe you guys as the "mothers" of the community—you guys are original and creative, abundantly blessed with new ideas to bring that are both innovative and iconic. You could be discouraged by your peers by either their envy or criticism (most likely both) of your unique way of channeling stuff for the collective, or face shadiness about your age as if it makes you any less talented or useful. You're able to effortlessly bounce between both dark and light topics. What stands out the most in any reading that you do, is how others feel nurtured by what you're saying, and how you help guide others to removing blockages when it comes to love (in general, not just romantic). Readers in this pile are divinely drawn to divination. Even if you do "give up", it doesn't stay that way for long because you're meant to channel insight for others. The issue is how you feel when you're doing it. Maybe you feel both over-qualified or under qualified to the point where you may feel like you have to shrink yourself to get engagement for your posts, or even when you put so much time and effort in your readings—you still don't feel like it's enough. It's imperative for your gifts and your wellbeing to flow with how you feel and do readings because you want to, not for the money or the attention. You cannot win over everyone's validation. You don't need to. You strengthen your gifts when you become more aligned with knowing who you are and what you bring to this community. Ancient wisdom runs deep within your soul, but your role in this lifetime, is to manifest it into something that embodies who you are right now. Keep doing readings with your own twist, you don't have to be like everyone else. You are only successful as you are authentic with yourself.

Pile Four

I feel like you guys point out the things about spirituality and self awareness that other people won't, in your readings. You guys are truth seekers and revealers. You have no interest in channeling things that people want to hear when you can just say it to them for free without any cards (but still you have no interest in doing that either LMAO). You guys are underrated channelers that could rub a lot of people the wrong way but in the end, people are thankful for the raw honesty that you bring when it comes to reading for any major aspect in their life, especially love. I feel like you're highly against selling people a dream or false perceptions of what divine love and past life connections look like. You bring so much realness in this community but it's not something that's appreciated until it's too late for people to realize, but again, people always end up thankful that there are readers like you that are able to draw the line between what's hidden or what's simply an illusion. You don't deliver the truth in a way that's irresponsible though, you know what precautions to take as a healer, you're here to build someone's character, not break it down. You execute your messages in a way that's wholesome and from the heart without belittling the collective. You're valuable in this community because people need to know that the practice of divination isn't a cheap scam. Psychics are real. Some good—some bad, but readers like you help the collective discern which are the bad apples, but enlighten that the good exists.

[theambitiouswoman]

Hi, I found your tumblr recently and I...need help. I don't have a lot of people to talk to. Not my mom, siblings, no one. I'm kind of the dark horse in the family. But long story short, is it wrong to have thoughts that can take your life permanently if you've always been alone because of your mental illness/disability? I have been taking steps to improve, like watching self-help videos and talking to therapist but I am deemed "unhelpable" or "unsaved". I didn't know depression and multiple personality disorder can make therapist stop talking to you. Sorry, just need a strong voice

Hi friend, I wanted to answer you because I didn't want you to feel ignored. However, I am not equipped to really advice you on this. I am really sorry that you are going through this. Depression can be extremely debilitating and it is something you can't force your way out of. In my humble opinion, I think this adds more stress on you. I am the dark horse of my family too and it has always been difficult to have them understand me. I am also always the one to blame for problems too. Which can feel very exhausting on its own, but especially worse when we are not emotionally in a good place.

I think, thoughts like the one you mentioned are more common than you think. Intrusive thoughts are dangerous. I don't know exactly but more than 1/4 of people suffer with depression at least once in their life. As for the intrusive thoughts, I think it would be good for you to decide in your mind that you are going to have these thoughts. This way you can talk yourself through and out of them.

You should not feel this way. And honestly I feel so bad that you do. It seems like you are making an effort to work through this. And you are right, I agree. Videos, books and talking to people can only do so much.

I know I am very tough love on here, but the reality is, there is no timeline for you to get through this. I just know and believe that you can. It won't be easy. But you have to try to make an effort to do the best you can every day, with whatever you can. Just try. Even if you don't get very far. That is okay.

I think its very important for you to rebuild yourself, and this involves looking at the situation differently. So maybe start there. You are in this position and you want to get out of it. Try to make an effort, when you can to begin exercises that will help you feel good about yourself. From exercise, to working on a hobby or talent you may have. To something as simple as getting dressed. Yes, I know sometimes we literally just can't. But trying even in your mind, starts to switch the chemistry of your brain. This is important because the first person who needs to recognize how valuable you really are, is you.

In regards to therapy, have you tried seeing another therapist? Maybe that therapist specifically is not equipped to deal with your specific situation. Which is actually a real thing, so it is not a reflection of you being hopeless.

I hope you heal and get through this. You are not alone in this situation nor do you deserve to be in it. Depression is not a reflection of who you are, or have the potential to be as a person. Sending you so much love <33

[danggirlronpa]

i like your interesting take on tsumugi as a protagonist. i don't hear tsumugi a lot in terms of meta reasons and appreciation and i'd like to hear your though about tsumugi being a main protagonist please. :)

I'd LOVE to. Protagonist Tsumugi is something I really do think fondly of and often wish for.

Firstly, I think Tsumugi is really the only mastermind who you feasibly could play in a perspective of without making them forget they're the mastermind (a la Izuru). So much of V3 is either pre-planned or run by others on Team Danganronpa that her actual involvement as a mastermind is essentially nil - she's just doing damage control. It would be very easy to foreshadow the reveal without outright revealing that she's involved, the same way as with Kaede in the first trial.

Tsumugi is also the V3 character who has the most vested interest in keeping the trials going and making sure they get solved, because if the trial ends there, then there's no show. I could absolutely see Tsumugi's protagonist interventions ("No, that's wrong!") as being subtle interventions to make sure that the group is on the right track, but justified in her not quite knowing the answers because she isn't an ace detective, she's just a cosplayer with a mic in her ear to tell her when she needs to get everyone back on track.

I also think that playing as Tsumugi would play into V3's greater theme of culpability and the control of the audience. By playing as the mastermind, you are directing the killing game. Within the fiction, you, the player, are personally responsible for what happens here. Again, Kaede plays into this in a lot of ways as well (I think a version of the game where you still play as Kaede at first would serve this AU best), but the slow burn of it all makes the realization that much more horrifying, in the same way as the realization that everyone is Remnants at the end of SDR2. Kiibo as protagonist could also accomplish this, since you'd be more connected to the in-universe audience, but I think Tsumugi would provide an interesting take unique to her where the player is really taking on the role of Team Danganronpa itself.

There's an overarching theme that Tsumugi fits into with previous protagonists, too; Komaru had no connection to the mastermind, Makoto was friends with the mastermind once, Kaede and Hajime were accomplices to the mastermind once, and Tsumugi is the mastermind/accomplice to the masterminds. You get the final entry into this sort of sliding scale of connection to the villain, which in current DR is kind of dangling open-ended.

And she's also the only character in V3 who really plays into Danganronpa's overarching theme of the imposter complex ("plain, plain, plain")! I think it'd be so cool to have a take on the I'm Just Some Guy nature of DR's protagonists that is actually very talented, but still has this low self esteem because of the way they think about their talent. They tried to do this with Shuichi a little bit, but imo it wasn't very effective, because it never really came up; Shuichi's arc wasn't about learning that he is actually a good detective, it was about overcoming trauma. A Tsumugi arc where she learns that her talent is valuable, that she can have an impact on the things and people she cares about - especially when we, as the audience, think she's talking about supporting the other players, but in reality she's talking about supporting the killing game? Oh. Ooooooooh. I love that shit.

I do generally think that they should have done a lot more with Tsumugi's character. And, in fairness to them, there are reasons for Tsumugi being just a quiet background character without much impact - it's the big startling counterpoint that she's secretly the mastermind, compared to the more traditional tropes of the rest of the game; Tsumugi's reveal is what really blows the game wide open and makes you rethink the entire story thus far. I just personally think that there are ways they could've done it more effectively, to really give it that oomph.