#i think that's it i think that's the reason i'm still struggling

[running-with-toast]

The "sin of empathy"

The rejection of democracy. Socialism is a joke, communism is a threat, anarchism is unspeakable. These are ideas that cannot be entertained. Horizontal power demands cooperation. Empathy.

The fearmongering and appeals to disgust and implication of immediate personal threat. "Gang members are gonna come to Your house and make Your kid eat bugs! Are you gonna let them get away with that?!" The gut reaction overrides critical thinking. Action is demanded. Empathy is suppressed.

The demonization if the poor, the homeless, and drug addicts. Ignore them. They're dirty. It's probably their fault anyways. They're just looking for a handout they don't deserve. They aren't your problem.

The demonization of the stranger. Migrants, black people, jews. Outsider, infiltrator, dangerous, disgusting, inhuman.

The denigration of the queer as subversive, and the denigration of the feminine as shameful. Traits perceived as masculine, individualism, ruthlessness, inflexibility. Admirable. Traits perceived as feminine, vulnerability, compassion, empathy. Shameful.

The push to gut public education. Robbing families, isolating children from their peers, stunting their cognitive development and their ability to relate to others.

The spreading of illiteracy, leaving people unable to make informed choices or seek out new perspectives or navigate the world or do anything other than believe what they're told.

The spreading of conspiracies, sowing distrust of academics who might offer better explanations, or make the unfamiliar less scary, or encourage critical thinking, or make you question authority.

Demonization of cities as hellholes. Single family homes and uninhabitable suburbs. Fences and freeways. Camera doorbells and delivery apps. The fucking pandemic. Isolation.

Generative ai. It can make your art for you. It can talk to your family for you. It can be your friend. Talk to it. You don't have to talk to anyone anymore. Isolation.

And now, the sin of empathy. Stated plainly. A command to take a part of your mind, a fundamental building block of your personhood, and crush it.

It's always been about empathy. Everything they do. It's been their strategy for decades at least. They're trying to build a country of people with unshakable faith. People who won't bat an eye when protesters become prisoners and prisoners become slaves. People who will cheer for migrants in cages and foreigners under rubble. People without empathy.

I've been thinking about this a lot. I feel like I've discovered the missing piece, but I'm still struggling to synthesize it. I don't know what to do. How do we spark empathy in people who view it as a weakness? How do we teach people who experience challenges to their world view as a test of faith? How do we free people from a conman they have pledged undying loyalty to? How do we rescue a whole country from a cult?

The one thing I'm really scared of, the conclusion I don't want to reach, is that the supporters are just. Different. Fundamentally. Unable to feel empathy, unable to think for themselves, unable to be reasoned with, unable to be changed, unable to be saved, unable to be stopped. Because if that is true...

What other options are there?

[pricegouge]

shovel talk

it's not even six in the morning and yet the shovel grates across the walkway, grit of pebbles beneath its steel edge scraping and catching. it balks in unsteady hands, tries again with another drawn out rasp before meeting the wall of the bank. trembling as it rises, it spills a portion its spare load back across the pavers before being tipped meticulously atop the mountain of snow that runs parallel the walk. she lets the shovel fall carelessly ahead of her and grits her teeth, rises an inch and scoots forward minutely, dragging the cheap lawn chair she's been perched on along by a hand shoved between her knees, gripping the seat. it scrapes just as much as the shovel, heavy with implication. she's not even wearing a proper jacket, just a flannel over a zip up hoodie, the wool weave of her button up already beaded with melted snow.

she looks ornery and mulish, but so are you and you can't just keep walking past.

clear blue eyes turn on you when you call to her, ask if you can help. her hands might shake but her gaze is level, taking you in from head to toe before scooting herself along another inch. "shouldn't be doin' that," she advises, voice croaky in her old age.

"neither should you," you counter, nodding at her makeshift mobility aid. it teeters when she turns to chuckle at you, though she hides it in a cough. stubborn old bat, you can already tell.

"anyway my son will be here soon."

pursing your lips, you look the walk over properly. the poor woman's already done over half of it - how late is the son exactly? but you don't comment on it, step closer when her shovel catches on a shelf of ice instead. "give it here, please," you offer rather diplomatically. she frowns apprehensively but does as told, shuffling her seat back a smidge to give you room to work. it takes a couple tries but you catch the bottom edge of the ice, ply it back and huck it over the bank easily enough. it thunks as it sinks through the snow, a real ice breaker.

"and here i'd pegged you for some soft, sweet thing," she laughs, sheepish.

"must've loosened it for me," you shrug, and turn to finish the walk while she's distracted, laughing herself into a minor coughing fit. "should you go inside?" you offer, unsure if it's a good suggestion seeing as that would leave some strange woman alone on her front lawn.

thankfully she just waves you off as she calms herself down, heavy breaths clouding around her like the smoke that's probably catching up to her. "can't. gotta take credit for your work when my son gets here."

"oh, i see how it is," you snark, and purposefully leave a good quarter inch on the paver, a base level that will freeze solid soon enough and create another sheet of ice for her to struggle with in the future.

she just eyes you, thin eyebrow pulled low on a once-heavy brow. she may be old and frail but it's a sort of sternness that doesn't dull with age and you can only smile to yourself as you fix it. no wonder her son still comes by to help. "he running late?" you ask conversationally, nod up the path where she's already done most of the work by way of explanation when she hmm's at you.

"oh, no. he'll be two hours early, probably. which is why i'm out here three hours early. a woman's got to have her pride, after all."

you nod along as if that's reasonable. "well what's he gonna do when he gets here, then?"

"fix my water heater," she gripes. "say, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

it earns an unladylike snort from you, but you don't think she's the type to mind. "'fraid not."

the stoop is easy enough, just a quick swipe to clean the steps. you note the name above the door with some interest, a misplaced desire to keep tags on her, come back and check maybe. "got any salt, mrs. price?"

she motions you toward the open garage behind her but sticks a hand out for help as you pass. her grip is surprisingly strong on your forearm, the fingers of her other hand digging into your tricep almost cruelly when she uses you to drag herself up. you snatch the lawn chair up before she can even try it, nod toward the garage questioningly.

"next to the overhead, please," she agrees, and you find the bucket of salt right beside it, an empty coffee can already filled and ready for dispensing. when you emerge from the garage, there's a truck parked out front.

"give me that," mrs. price hisses and you jump to find her so close, already snatching the can from your fingers. old bat can still move.

the driver's door creaks when it closes. you can only see the top of a blue beanie from over the roof of it but mrs. price doesn't wait to see him before hollering at her son. "i thought you wouldn't be here until nine!?"

tall and burly with his mother's same stern brow, price junior rounds the corner of his truck and frowns between the two of you."and i thought you didn't like when other people shoveled for you," he counters before tacking on a quick hi pet towards you.

"hi -."

"who's shoveled for me?" she demands, motioning up the walk with another spray of salt. "did this all on my own."

he hums as he comes closer, boots crunching over the thin dusting of snow that still coats the driveway. you sincerely hope mrs. price didn't shovel all that, but judging by the banks that line the drive you suspect a service was likely hired. why they couldn't take an extra two minutes to clear an old lady's walkway you'd never know. you think maybe the son is wondering the same, the way he's inspecting the short stretch critically, but when he opens his mouth it's not at all meant to insult the snow removal service. "you're losing your touch, woman."

you're unsure who's more offended, yourself or his mother. "what's wrong with it?" you blurt, unheeding of the way mrs. price elbows you again.

"i've done a fine job," she supplies, trying to save face.

he just tilts his head at her patronizingly, rocks up onto his toes to appear unnecessarily bigger. "you've forgotten we're expecting more snowfall soon. you'll want to widen the walk to push the banks back, make it easier to shovel out the next storm."

this ass. "well if you'd wanted it done right, you should have shown up on time," you huff, unreasonably defensive of the quick job you'd done.

he's still got that insufferable expression on when he turns to you, but you think you see an edge of something playful glimmering in his clear blue eyes, that same expression his mother had worn when she'd asked if you could perhaps also take his job fixing her water heater. "'on time' would be hours from now," he reminds you. "would you have had this all fixed by then?"

the worst part is, calling him out on the insult would mean admitting you'd done it, and you're suddenly very aligned with this man's mother re: his versus her pride. instead you turn his own words back on him, leaning close to your new friend to ask her if she's going to take that.

she chuckles. "oh, don't mind him. john here's just scared because he knows his job is at risk."

you watch john frown between the two of you, the furrow between his brows deepening in a way which brings you too much pleasure. part of you wants to stay, keep carving away at his pride, but you're now running late for work and you still have a few blocks to walk. "well, it was lovely to meet you, mrs. price," you say with an overly formal shake of her hand.

"pleasure doing business," she agrees with a wry smile. "see you again bright and early next snow storm."

john doesn't budge to let you pass, instead squints down at you in open assessment. you note his cheeks are rosy with the cold and you briefly hope he gets stuck outside fixing the damn walk, cold wind stinging the chapped apples of cheeks which his ridiculous beard doesn't quite cover. they scrunch up when he affects a smile, lend a sort of disarmingly childish quality to the patronizing tone he still can't quite drop. it just pisses you off even more. "didn't actually catch your name," he prompts, gloved hand extended, as if attempting to continue the ruse.

"that's because i didn't give it," you chirp in your best customer service voice. you brush past him when he can only blink in confusion, the contrast between your words and your tone evidently too much for him to process so early in the morning.

"she usually pays me with breakfast if you want to stick around!" he calls after you, far too late to start acting sweet.

you nearly slip in your haste to spin around and fix him with an overly saccharine smile. "oh, i already ate. got here at five," you lie, just to watch his face crumble into genuine concern.

behind him, his mother's thin mouth twists into a cheshire grin and you stumble away before she can solidify any real plans.

too bad she's just as stubborn and ornery as you.

too bad john's worse than both of you.

[herrmannhalsteadproduction]

You Had Me at...

He didn't know why he was even still awake.

No, that was a lie.

He knew exactly why, but he also knew it was stupid and silly and completely outside the realm of possibility. He just hadn't been able to help himself.

He'd stayed up and watched the clock, waited as the minutes ticked by until it was officially Valentine's Day, and held his breath...

And then nothing.

He'd huffed out a laugh, telling himself he was more embarrassed than disappointed because honestly, what had he expected?

Evan to show up at the door to declare his love? To want to get back together?

To want him?

That wasn't Tommy's life. That was fantasy. The stuff of romcoms, not the real world.

Reality was getting into his ratty pajama pants and an ancient, worn-soft LAFD t-shirt (that still had a B and a U and a half-peeled Y on the back) and accepting the fact that he was once again alone for this stupid, fake holiday...that he absolutely loved.

Sighing, he made his way out to the kitchen and dug around in his freezer until he found the pint of cookie dough ice cream that Evan had left there and Tommy had been avoiding for the past three months. What was the point of leaving it? Evan was never coming back. It wasn't like he'd be there to get mad at Tommy for eating it and why let it go to waste?

He stood there, staring at the ice cream.

His therapist would have plenty to say about him struggling to let himself have things, but that was a problem for Tuesday Tommy.

...screw it.

He was eating the ice cream.

Tommy snatched the container out of the freezer and set it down on the counter, ignoring its accusing stare as he grabbed a spoon out of the drawer.

"This is for the best," he muttered. "I'm putting us both out of our misery, okay? We can't wait forever. He's never coming back."

He tapped the spoon against the lid, frowning when a faint knock sounded back.

"What the fu-"

The knock again, louder this time and clearly coming from the front door.

Tommy set the spoon down beside the ice cream, grabbed his phone, and crept down the hallway toward the door. He was still debating calling 911 when he caught sight of a familiar silhouette through the window and his heart stopped.

He'd know those curls anywhere.

Evan startled, hand still raised when Tommy whipped open the door.

"Shit," he said, eyes going wide. "I mean, not sh-not that, I just...I wasn't expecting you to answer so quickly and I'm still kind of working on what I'm going to say..."

"...did you want me to close the door and give you a minute?" Tommy asked after another weighted beat passed between them. He'd stand back in the hallway for as long as it took. As long as Evan needed.

"No!" Evan jolted forward, hand flexing like he was ready to catch it - as if Tommy would willingly close a door between them ever again. "I..."

Tommy waited, drinking in the sight of Evan as he fidgeted on the front porch. He itched to tug the lip free that he was chewing on, but he was equally afraid to touch him.

He didn't think he could bear it if this turned out to be a dream.

"I watched them all," Evan blurted out suddenly. He rubbed at the back of his neck, cheeks going red. "All of the movies I could remember from your shelves. T-the romance ones? And then Maddie recommended some more."

Tommy didn't know what to make of that. "Why-"

"Because everyone said I wasn't allowed to bake anymore," Evan said, as though that was a sentence that would clear things up. "But I had to do something, right? To stop myself from calling you every second that I was awake."

Wait, what?

"And I figured, if I couldn't stop thinking about you, then at least, I could maybe get inside your head and try to understand where we went wrong - where I went wrong," Evan barreled on like he wasn't completely upending Tommy's brain. "I watched them all and in every single one, ever single one, the couple has a fight and b-breaks up because, well, for all kinds of reasons, but it was because they were always missing what was right in front of them."

Evan took a deep, steadying breath, bracing himself on the doorframe. "I said a lot of stuff that night, but I missed saying the most important thing of all. I felt it, felt it so much it felt too big to say, but that was a mistake." He looked up, meeting Tommy's gaze with bright eyes.

"I love you, Tommy. I love you. I'm sorry I did everything backwards and managed to leap ahead all at the same time." Evan shook his head, blinking back tears as Tommy fought to hold back his own.

"I'm sorry I ever made you doubt that what I feel for you is real," he said "The most real and right thing I think I've ever felt in my life and I don't want to lose you. The last few months have been...I felt like I was missing a part of myself. Like my heart has been out there in the world without me and I've hated every minute of it."

"Please," Evan said, searching Tommy's face, hope threaded through every letter. "I know we have a lot we need to talk about, but can we - can we try again?"

Tommy took a shaky breath, still half-convinced he was about to wake up and have all of this ripped away from him.

"Please say something," Evan whispered, his shaky plea finally snapping Tommy into action.

He reached out to cup Evan's cheek, stroking a thumb against his skin as he leaned in. "You had me at 'shit'," Tommy said, a helpless smile twitching at the corners of his lips.

Evan's mouth dropped open as Tommy's words sank in. Relief warred against an extreme pout as he poked at Tommy's chest. "Did you seriously just Jerry Maguire me? I can't even-"

The rest of his protest was cut off when Tommy yanked him inside the house for a searing kiss, kicking the door shut behind them.

"I love you too," Tommy murmured against Evan's lips as he pressed him into the wall. He tried to get the apology he'd been agonizing over for the last three months out between kisses. "I'm sorry I ran. I got scared and stupid and I want this. Want you. Want everything."

Evan groaned, grabbing at him as he gave back as good as he got, kissing every part of Tommy he could reach without letting him move an inch out of his arms.

"Stay," Tommy gasped when they finally broke apart for air. "Please stay and just sleep beside me and we can talk properly in the morning?" He wasn't prepared to let Evan out of his sight any time soon.

"Try and get rid of me," Evan said with a little laugh as he rested his forehead against Tommy's. They kissed once more, softly, knowing they had time now. Letting out a happy sigh, Evan dropped a tiny peck on the end of Tommy's nose before releasing him and moving toward the kitchen.

Tommy went to lock the door, freezing when Evan let out a garbled noise of outrage.

"Is this my ice cream?"

Biting back a grin, Tommy headed toward Evan and his continuing grumbles...

And let his grin actually spread when he rounded the corner to find Evan standing there, holding out a second spoon.

[dolche-tejada]

"I don't care about the rest of your lack of comprehension in the medium but don't disrespect DEKU!"

What lack of comprehension ( I spent my time debunking the pile of crap you're writing in my mentions, you haven't wrote a single relevant argument so far.

As for Deku, I don't see why I should respect this fictional character. He's plain as hell, people constantly glaze him for his amazing traits when his showings struggle to keep up, he has no interesting flaws to nuance him as a character and is just a mouthpiece for the shitty themes of this manga, his character arc mostly consists in him learning to use his powers (how fascinating really...) and he utterly failed his main goal at the end out of sheer incompetence.

"wtf!! be mad cus your favourite villain died!!! but don't you dare accuse Deku of being lazy!"

Why ? Because you don't have any solid counter-argument to refute the fact that he stayed on his ass for 8 years without training to keep being a hero ? And that he needed Bakugo to offer him an easy solution on a plate to do something ?

Or is it because you're salty that Deku is indeed so incompetent at being a hero that he didn't even bother thinking about a plan to save Tomura when it was his main goal, and this despite having weeks ahead to think about it ?

Either way, cope harder pal.

"Lazy my foot bro. Bye bro. You spitting nothing actually."

First time someone trash one of your favs ? Don't worry it will be okay, just take a seat and some deep breaths.

"All the long paragraphs just took proof you lack of respect to the author"

Indeed I don't respect Horikoshi as a writer... And so ?

"and the rest of it just to prove you're just a person who spewing nothing."

He said after failing to prove me wrong even once.

"After losing One For All in the My Hero Academia storyline, Deku faces significant challenges."

Source : Trust me bro

"His journey without his quirk is explored in the series, particularly highlighting his determination and ingenuity in adapting to his new circumstances."

What "new circumstances" are you even babbling about, he literally came back to what he was at the start of the story and even said it isn't anything new for him to be quirkless again.

"They demonstrate that strategy, training, and personal growth are crucial. However, Deku's case is unique because his identity and journey have been so closely tied to One For All"

And in practice, how does being a former OFA user could stop Deku to work out to become a fighter like Shinso, Knuckleduster or Nighteye ? Go ahead, I'm curious.

"which fundamentally shifts his path when he loses it."

Lmao seriously ? That's the best you came up with to hide the fact that Deku never even tried to work out to still be a hero ?

Cause without the bs, you're basically saying : B-B-But it must have been really hard for him to lose a power he only had for not even 1/6 of his life, that's why he couldn't learn martial arts for some reason :'(

What a solid argument, I can't argue with that indeed.

"None of them loses quirk and they're birth with the quirk."

And so ? Besides you know that Knuckleduster also used to have a quirk before AFO stole it from him ? Well guess what : It didn't stop him from learning how to fight and being a quirkless vigilante so nope, you're just looking for excuses.

"Deku also train as crazy as them."

To learn how to use his quirks, not to compensate being a regular human like Stein or Nighteye does.

"Wtf bro, use your brain."

Funny you talk about brain, I was precisely about to ask you if you're having a stroke right now ? Because I can't decently believe anyone could write so much shit in a row without suffering from brain damage.

"Deku's struggle post-losing his quirk can be interpreted more as a narrative choice by the author"

Even if it was the case, that doesn't make Deku any less of a lazy ass bum. He lost OFA during the ellipse and immediately gave up on being a hero, until Bakugo came up with a solution Deku wouldn't have waited for if he was nearly as resilient and well-written as you think he is.

"Kohei Horikoshi, to explore themes of identity, resilience, and the essence of what makes a hero"

No argument here either, just random bs to hide the fact that you don't know how to refute my point.

"It's true that Deku relies on technology, but this can also be viewed as a form of adaptation and teamwork, core values in the manga. Didn't Tony Stark relied on his tech as well? What makes a hero? A quirk. No. A sense to help another person, to protect."

Lmao don't even try. Tony doesn't just sit on his ass and stop being a hero when he doesn't have his armor around him, whether in the comics or the movies (Iron-Man 3 is literally about that). It's even one of his most famous quotes in the MCU : "If you're nothing without this suit, then you shouldn't have it"

Well Deku at the end is nothing without his suit/OFA. It's not an opinion, it's not arguable. It's factual. He doesn't just rely on technology, he's entirely dependent of it. Without his suit, he just stand there without doing anything for years while looking passively at his friends living his dream.

"The eight-year time skip where Deku waits for technology to compensate for his lack of a quirk might be critiqued as a plot device to advance other stories or to give Deku a new form of heroism."

Except he does exactly the same thing as before but with an high-tech suit. If Deku really intended to seek for a new form of heroism, he would have declined the suit so no, "he seeks a new form of heroism" my ass.

"It's not necessarily about laziness but about finding a new way to be a hero when the conventional methods are no longer available to him."

Which is outright false as evidenced in my precedent point, just above.

"This development allows for exploration of his character beyond his physical abilities."

Is this development with us in the room ?

"Deku's growth in different aspects, like leadership"

He never showed at any point leadership skills, only teamwork at best but m'kay.

"strategy, and inspiration, rather than just physical prowess."

Inspiration isn't a hero skill. As for strategy, he didn't have any growth in this aspect either since again, he totally gave up being a hero for 8 years straight.

"In summary, while your addled and rude aspect of critique might view Deku's reliance on external help as a sign of laziness, it can also be seen as part of his character development arc"

On one side actual facts, on the other side your headcanons. Damn, I wonder which one carries more weight ?

"showcasing his adaptability, the importance of teamwork, and the broader message that heroism transcends physical power."

Watch out, you still have some bit left at the corner of your mouth.

"The series uses this plot to explore different facets of heroism, which is a central theme in mha."

The story didn't explore crap. Again at the moment Deku lost his quirk, he just stop doing shit for almost a decade despite having options to still be a hero. All the meatriding and headcanons in the world won't change the fact that Deku is fucking lazy and didn't grow up since Chapter 1 where here again, he never even tried to work out to compensate being quirkless and improve his chances to be admitted at UA.

"I'm done with MHA fans that only read and crop panel for their benefits and play the narrative to fit their imagination."

"Don't you never actually comprehend the material in your hands?"

Try at least to score one relevant argument before saying remarks like that, it's hard to take you seriously otherwise.

Well that was shit. Now sorry but if your next reply is as idiotic and dishonest as the previous ones, I will likely just block you. Given how low you set the bar, I won't waste more time and energy refuting your delusions.

You know, I think this ending would have been slightly less of a fucking disappointment if the heroes hadn't been so unfairly favored by Horikoshi compared to the villains. I mean, seriously

Deku destroys every bone in his body multiple times throughout the story and is warned that if he continues, he'll permanently lose the use of his limbs ? Everything's fine, his body's just got used to being reduced to a bloody pulp somehow so there's no consequences for him. In fact even when he literally loses his arms to Shigaraki, he gets them back two minutes later thanks to Eri because guess what ? Her horn still works even when cut off from her body. How convenient.

Gran Torino gets his ribcage obliterated by Shigaraki ? Don't worry guys, he'll survive that despite his old age and injuries, and this to have no particular role in the plot afterwards.

Bakugo dies heroically trying to buy time before Deku arrives ? Lmao, did you really believe it ?? No of course not, Edgeshot just uses his last-minute Deus Ex Machina to save his life at the cost of his own and- Oops nope he's fine too, my bad !

Hawks murders a criminal fleeing for his life in cold-blood ? The best Hori has to offer is him completely free and in charge of the HSPC.

And no, losing his quirk isn't a real consequence for him because not only it literally played a major part in saving the world with Vestige!Hawks raising an insurrection among AFO's quirks, but also because his quirk has always been the element through which people exploited him.

Endeavor abused his family for years and completely destroyed his eldest son ? No jail time and no media backlash for that, the only blame he received was due to the heroes' failure to stop the League during the Raid Arc.

And don't even get me started on this bs about facing hell or whatever for what he's done : He's literally free and wealthy ; he has Rei, Fuyumi, Shoto, his sidekicks and Hawks on his side ; and all the difficulties he's apparently going to suffer are off-screened.

Deku had to sacrifice OFA and his future hero career to save the world ? Guess what, Bakugo invested all his time and money to make him an Iron-Man suit and now he can still be a hero with everyone else.

There are plenty more examples of this but I think you get the idea. Now let's take a look at the villains' ending :

Toya is now a piece of charcoal kept artificially alive for the few years he has left, unable to move a finger, and whose few minutes a day during which he can stay awake will be spent talking to his father who abused him as a child.

Toga, a literal teenager, killed herself to save Ochako and because she knew it's still better than rotting at Tartarus her whole life.

And not only did she die but she did by bleding to death. Let me repeat for those who have trouble grasping what I've just said : In a manga where the heroes can survive having their heart blown to bits, being impaled Kakyoin-style or smashed against buildings like a fly on a windshield, one of the main antagonists died of a fucking hemorrhage…

As for Shigaraki, after learning that his very birth and all the tragedies of his life have been orchestrated by AFO, after all this development and narrative promises about him being saved in the end... Deku just kills him.

Because despite all his speeches about saving him, it seems like the best our MC could do was beating him both physically and mentally until he crumbles to dust…

Compress on his side is apparently locked up for life and kept alive by machines too.

A begging Kurogiri tried in a desperate attempt to save Shigaraki, only to be unceremoniously blown up by Bakugo and dying off-screen without anyone giving a shit, including Aizawa and Mic.

And Spinner will now spend the rest of his life struggling with the extra quirks inside him that affect his body and mind, while having to cope with the thought that his boyfriend best friend and companions have either died alone or are locked away for life in horrifying circumstances.

Clearly not the same as with the heroes...

Now don't get me wrong, even if they suffered just as much from the consequences of their actions or the plot as the League, this ending would still be a disaster in terms of writing but AT LEAST it wouldn't reek that much of hypocrisy.

[prettylynnpup]

The Roommate

"C'monnn... Why is it taking it this long to come home?" You wondered aloud to yourself. Your roommate usually gets home from work around 7, and you watch your shows and eat together around 7:30. It's now 7:45 and there's absolutely no sign of it.

"Is something wrong? Is it safe? God I hope nothing happened-"

You're cut off by a *knock* at the door, proceeded by the jingling of keys. It usually knocks when it gets home to let you know that it's there. Thank god, it's home!

"You're here! I was waiting so long Lynn, what kept you?" You hopped out of your seat at the couch and excited walked toward the door.

"Wait, you actually waited for me?" There's a bit of surprise in its voice. Why is Lynn surprised you waited for it? Of course you did! Routine is very important to you, and you would keep telling yourself that "routine" is the only reason you waited. It's embarrassing to have feelings for your roommate, after all.

"Uh, yeah. We normally have dinner at 7:30 and I was just starting to get worried... I m-mean, you know how important these routines are to me!" You looked at it with those doe eyes of yours. You really wanted to hammer home how upset you were about your routine being missed without warning.

"Okay, look, I know I was gone but I promise it was just to get gas. First I stopped at that place on Mangrove, but they were having issues with their card readers so I had to go all the way to Lowans Drive."

"Out to Lowans??? Was there really not another gas station closer?" It doesn't often happen that the gas stations aren't working around here, so you're extremely surprised to hear that Lynn had to go somewhere 20 minutes away from here just for gas.

"Yeah... Regardless of where I went or how long it took, I'm gonna make it up to you, okay?" Lynn promised. You suddenly realize that it's been holding a bag this whole time.

"Hey, uh, what's in that bag?"

Lynn taps your forehead. "Don't worry about it."

Worry about what? What were we talking about?

"What do you want for dinner, hon?" Lynn asks. You blush a little at the pet name, and struggle to bring your mind to the question at hand.

"Uh, what options do we have?" You'd rather know what you're working with so you can make an informed decision.

"Well, there's those leftover shrimp tacos, the rotisserie chicken, ramen, hot dogs, or we could run out somewhere together if you'd like," Lynn lists for you.

"Can we finish off those shrimp tacos? I'd rather fish not sit in our fridge for too long." You reminisce on the Tuna Salad incident... What a terrible day that was to have a working nose.

"Absolutely, do you wanna set up Jojo while I cook?" Lynn asks.

"Yeah, I can do that." You answer, setting off on your respective tasks.

-

You've both settled in for dinner and are eating while watching anime. It's a very comfortable silence shared between you and Lynn - you've done this hundreds of times before, after all.

"Hey, uh, I'd like to explain the real reason I was late."

You look over at it. The real reason?

"It wasn't to get gas?" You'd been so willing to just believe it, so it almost hurts a bit that it lied to you.

"It wasn't." Lynn pulls out the bag from earlier. Opening it and pulling out the contents, you see a collar, leash, and edibles.

"I was hoping that we could, maybe, try something tonight?" It looks at you so sweetly, but you can tell there's something nefarious going on under that look.

"T-try what?" You stammer back. Fuck, the implications of this have you flustered. What in the world would Lynn want to 'try' with you with those three items?

Lynn taps your forehead again. It gets a bit harder to think. H-how did it do that?

"Well, I was hoping to, maybe uh, have you as my pet tonight?" Lynn shakes the collar and edibles at you invitingly.

Has it been researching your fucking kinks? How did it know to get edibles *and* a collar and leash? You didn't know how it knew, but you were definitely turned on at the idea. Oh fuck you still haven't responded...

"Uhm. I-I uh... M-maybe, w-we could try that..." You're stuttering over your words so bad. It definitely knows how bad you want it. Fuck this is so embarrassing...

"Pet, I know how long you've wanted me for. We share a bed, so I see the dirty things you look up at night. And don't think I didn't notice you researching 'how to stop being into your roommate' a couple days back. I know how bad you fucking want this, so please just..."

She taps your forehead one more time. "Give in."

"Y-yes mommy. P-please let me be your pet mommy." The words spill out of your mouth before you even knew what you were saying. It was like your deepest desires were being pulled out of you by force... Not that you really minded.

"Good pet!~" Lynn locks the collar around your neck, then puts the leash on it. Almost instinctively, you've put yourself on all fours. Lynn looks into your eyes, and holds out the edibles toward you.

"Does puppy want a treat?~"

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[coquettebratzdoll]

ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅

WE ARE NOT YOUR GODS

Hi dolls! I'm back after a long, long hiatus (Bratz is back). Honestly, getting off Tumblr for a while and just taking time for myself and my life was the best thing I could've done for myself. I feel so much more refreshed and rejuvenated. My blog turned 1 year old a few days ago (yay!) so consider this my comeback post as well as a 1 year anniversary post.

Enough yapping, it's time to get to the point. We are not your Gods; people who shifted/entered the void state are not your Gods; thinkers such as Neville Goddard and Edward Art are not your Gods; people who run shiftblrs and loablrs are not your Gods; methods, techniques, meditations, and whatever else are not your Gods.

It's really as simple as that. Some of y'all really don't understand that we are just people: we don't have all the answers.

"But Athena, can't you just-"

No, I can't tell you why you haven't shifted after years of trying; I'm still figuring things out myself.

No, I can't manifest for you in the void state; it'll only be true in my reality and not yours.

No, I can't hand you all the answers on a silver platter; I am simply giving you my knowledge, experience, and vibes so you can take what resonates and leave what doesn't.

I get it, I used to be in the same boat. All these things felt so elusive and I mythologised them in my mind. After all, those bloggers were seemingly the "proof" I needed to know that everything I believe in and work towards is actually achievable. However, this mindset can quickly devolve if you aren't careful.

You see, these thoughts can create a reliance on external sources of validation. You can't really believe that shifting/manifesting/the void state is real or possible without others proving it to you. Soon enough, anecdotes aren't enough. You'll want more, really, something that you can grasp onto and give you hope that it's really true. This can lead you to putting other things onto a pedestal, creating a dependence on outside factors for everything: validation, motivation, you name it.

Let's go back to the basics (I wanna, wanna, wanna take you to the basics):

There are the 3D and 4D realities.

The 3D is what you perceive on a daily basis: it is the reason why you can "physically" read and interact with this post, along with other daily activities. However, it is not real. The 3D is a reflection of your dominant assumptions, beliefs, and state.

The 4D is the only real reality. It is what we would call our "imagination". Everything and nothing is simultaneously real in the 4D. It is the only genuine reality.

By putting all your reliance onto outside factors, you are giving your power away as well. It is also leaving you vulnerable to toxic mentalities and negative thinking because you are cementing the belief that you aren't enough. This is harmful not only to your journey, but also your mental and physical health as well. (Note: the opposite of always being happy can also be harmful as well. The best advice would be to allow your emotions to come as they do and to not suppress or exaggerate them. Shadow work and meditation are also things to look into if you struggle with either one).

Please, remember that we are not the answer, we do not hold the key, and we do not hold the power: you do. At the end of the day, your journey is a solo one and the things you'll discover about yourself are yours to find.

[plumpybread]

Now that you've drawn Ororon for the first time I believe, do you have any ideas about how the weight ties into his tribe's culture? Just like you've analysed the other tribes before, are you going to do the same with Masters of The Night Wind and/or Flower Feather Clan?

I plan on talking about the other 3 Natlan tribes in the future, yeah :]! I think I'm just gonna wait for when the next version drops with Varesa and Iansan so we get the final tribe to make it one cohesive post and avoid fragmentation of information since I understand it can be hard to keep up with the AU from all the dozens of posts (especially for people who aren't familiar with the game)

As for why Ororon is so obese, I had two possible explanations I was juggling in my mind to choose from:

The first one was the idea that the Masters of The Night Wind tend to purposefully gain weight as it might improve their spiritual senses, and Ororon was simply part of this cultural aspect of the tribe. The idea kind of fell flat when I thought about it for more than a second, though, since we know Ororon is very retracted from society and I don't think he'd be that influenced by the tribe. Also, I didn't want to have too many obese cultures, since Meztli/People of the Springs was meant to be the very fat one of them all, so I ended up scrapping the whole idea.

The reason as to why Ororon is so obese is because of Citlaltonac's influence.

When the idea of genderbending female characters was brought up, I put Citlaltonac (the closest male counterpart to the name Citlali) at the top of the tierlist alongside Ganyu at over 2,500+ pounds. Citlal (just as a way to abbreviate the name) is over two hundred years old, and with his character and a personality like his, I can easily see him progressively grow fatter and fatter as decades went by, now being completely immobile under all that lard, but still eating himself further into extreme obesity.

Ororon, having been raised and mentored by the immobile shaman all his life, would've definitely developed the same eating habits as him, so it was no shock to anyone in the tribe when he just did not seem to stop getting more and more obese.

He's now almost at 800 pounds of pure fat, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. He's starting to struggle pretty hard with basically anything at this point, his low-hanging stomach always getting in the way, but he's just accepted it as part of his life, unbothered by the reality of his incoming immobility if he doesn't stop growing.

[phoenixqueenwrites]

Just echoing the OP here:

I love Solas for his complexity and for his struggle with himself. I do see a number of Solavellan fans making him into a totally innocent sad puppy. That is a disservice to him. Just as much as casting him as a thoughtless villain.

I'm still not sure everything he does in Veilguard is forgivable, but I made peace with the fact that I fell in love with a character who walks the line between redeemable and irretrievable long ago. He is neither a vindictive villain, nor a misunderstood hero, but I DO believe his intentions drag him ever so slightly further toward the dawn than the sunset. However, it remains that when desperate and cornered, he reacts without thought. And he lets his pride make him deaf to reason or alternative and justifies the consequences with his regrets. I do think there were elements of Veilguard that went a bit too far, or simplified his more callous side too much, but I certainly will not say that it isn't there. I will be mourning [redacted] for a long, long time.

I think a common misunderstanding towards Solavellans (or Solas enjoyers in general) is that they like this purified fanon version of him as this poor innocent guy who did the things he did by accident and shouldn’t be held responsible for any of it.

No. His appeal lies in him as a metaphor for all the ways you can be broken and bent and twisted that your reality becomes as twisted as you. The line between love and manipulation, and how faint it can become under the right circumstances. How easy it can be for a victim to turn into a perpetrator. The themes of duty and regret, social identity and the nuances of perspective when it comes to morality. Discussion of how much intentions and external influence actually matter when it comes to one’s actions. And, my personal favorite, the question of how far can you go and still remain redeemable.

Most Solas enjoyers I have seen and interacted with like him because of this, not in spite of it. There are plenty of very hot less morally confusing characters to love in this series, all with their own lovable traits. And sure, some people might try to water down his character, but that’s a minority in my experience.

[stilljuststardust]

Be done with it.

The reason you're stuck where you are is you're still thinking from the mental state of "I don't have it yet" or "I'm trying to have it" instead of letting yourself think from it. I do mean letting yourself.

Pushing yourself and making yourself do more and more to "ensure" it works is often because you are still thinking about it as if it can't happen.

If you're struggling to manifest and trying to "lock in" your mindset right now may revolve around harsh correction and trying to force yourself into doing the right things.

The thing is, often in this state we end up reaffirming two things:

That we do not have it

You need to do something in order to have it.

Maybe you "locking in" sounds something like this internally: "I would have it if I-" "I just need to-" "if only I could-" "when I finally-"

What are these all implying? That you do not have it and that what you are doing is not enough to have it.

So what should you be thinking? You should be thinking as if you already manifested it. There is NO reason to be thinking from the "trying mindset" if you are attempting to live in the end. It's living in the end not living in the "im almost there, once I do this I will be"

It's not that methods are bad, I advocate for them. As someone who struggles with vague instructions, I find then to be extremely helpful. The problem is manifesting that your method never works or that you need to do something different in order for it to work. Thinking that it isn't working is manifesting it not working.

You have to let your method be enough. You have to accept that accepting it is enough. It is that easy.

[ltwilliammowett]

If you want to read my straight forward and honest concern about women's rights and the threat they are under (which has been neutrally observed and documented as simply factual), and see it as rude or problematic (you called your inbox hell - well it's hell for women in their daily lives to no longer have long fought for protections that we still need, let's get some perspective here), that tells me all I need to know about your refusal to prioritize or even really care about women and girls. I promise you misogyny is more painful and damaging than the inconvenience if pointing out said misogyny on the internet to people who are willfully ignoring the misogyny. Stating facts of the roll back of women's rights and the real impact leftist politics has in that roll back is not hateful to anyone; rather it's supportive to women and girls in our struggle. You, like many others, dont seem to believe misogyny is a real or is serious concern for half the human population, including for women in North America, Australia, the UK and New Zealand (not just in so-called third world countries where, as it happens, women are also being prevented from speaking out and documenting the misogyny against them). Misogyny at home is just as important as misogyny abroad. And furthermore if you think standing up for women's rights in an even handed way that is frank about the mechanisms through which women's rights and protections are being shoved aside instead of upheld, is transphobic, then maybe women's rights and the trans movement, as it currently stands, are diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive. If I am forced to pick between protecting women and girls, or protecting people who rely on access to women and girls spaces for their validation (this is the reason they specifically give, afterall, for insisting on dismantling these rights of women), then I'm going to pick women and girls every single time.... Someone has to.

Your first message was the most harmless I've received, and that doesn't apply to yours. Secondly, you're mixing apples and oranges. Hatred against women and regarding women as inferior is a huge problem, and I mentioned that. But what does that have to do with trans people? The cases you listed are minimal. Misogyny is terrible and comes from education, culture, religion and government rules that do not treat women as equals.

Why does a woman have to cover herself (forced, not voluntarily) in front of a man? Because she ignites his sexual desire, she is not allowed to raise her voice because she is considered sexually provocative. A woman has to serve her husband at home, to separate from him when she has her period, she has to be circumcised so that she gives the man more pleasure, etc. Why is a woman allowed to be killed if she has brought shame on her family, why is she not allowed to decide about her own body and have an abortion, for example... All of this is completely wrong and I am completely against it. This must be stopped and changed. These are the cultural, educational, etc. things that I have mentioned, but what does a trans person have to do with it? As I said, the special shelters and the regulations are difficult and need to be regulated. There are mixed washrooms, gyms, saunas and in sports, regulations are coming. But what just happened is also not correct, that one simply tries to exclude trans people and see them as third-class people.

I think I know who I'm dealing with, and if I'm right, then we've had a similar discussion about a trans doctor before.

We're talking at cross purposes and I'm no longer willing to talk my head off when we actually mean almost the same thing.

[bluespring864]

source: Sporting Misadventures with Chris Hoy on Acast

Some of the Most of the highlights:

"Overall it was a good experience" Typical Andy enthusiasm, folks :D

oh and he really is hell bent on criticising his perceived inexperience and flaws as a coach throughout...

also he was really careful throughout to speak in hypotheticals about the future of the coaching partnership, clearly they were still discussing it at this stage

tells the story again about explaining to everyone that he couldn't think of anything worse to do than coaching "and then in the car on the way home about thirty minutes later I was on the phone to Novak and he asked me... to help him"

"And I was like... 'Okay that's a bit different. Like, that's quite unique." Okay let me translate. This is Andy speak for: 'Novak, that's completely insane. I like it, though.'

"You know, I consider him to be one of the best athletes of all time"

"I enjoyed the matches. I liked sitting at the side, watching matches from a different perspective. I enjoyed the analysis, and preparing and planning, like, the strategy and everything."

"I'm a poor communicator. Something, you know, something I've always struggled with. But then when you're part of a team and kind of leading the team it's really important that you're communicating well with people and giving them clear direction. So... I think I did an okay job with that. But I found it hard. I found that really demanding."

"I spent way too much time in my room just watching videos of tennis and almost, like, overanalysing matches, like, overpreparing." Is anyone surprised.

[about giving secrets away from the matches they played in the past] "Yeah, we spoke about that quite early on [...] It wasn't so much, 'this is what you did wrong' it was more like 'this is what you do right'. When I was playing against you and you were doing this, it was so hard to play against for these reasons. [...] This is what it looks like and this is how it feels like for the player down the other end."

"if I was able to hear from Novak, or Federer or Nadal..." Well, I think Novak might be on a permanent first name basis now. Only took about 25 years :D

"I do think it's sort of a unique perspective that I have on Novak's game"

"I've competed against him in the biggest matches, on the biggest stages over a 10, 12 year period. I've studied his game. A lot. But also experienced what it's like to play against him. And practiced with him as well, and all of those things."

asked who he would have coached out of the big 3, given the choice: "I think, probably Roger." RIP Novak :D

talking about Roger having all the options, all the shots at his disposal: "To be fair, Novak was really good with this as well"

"It doesn't really matter who's coaching those guys, provided you're giving them clear direction." It does matter to one guy though, Andy, you do realise that?

"Lots of people can watch a tennis player and go 'right, this is the strategy if we're playing against them' [...] but not all of their players can execute what you're asking them to do. And that was the thing, for me, with Novak, that was amazing. In a couple of the matches I gave him the strategy that I thought would work and would be beneficial. And the way that he's able to execute that and do exactly what's being asked of him because of his technical abilities, you know... yeah. The way that he strikes a tennis ball, the way that he moves on the court... And just has no weaknesses, really." Well this counts as waxing lyrical. Well done, Novak :D

P.S. I would recommend the full podcast episode, he does tell a few hilarious actual 'sporting misadventure' anecdotes as well :)

[oxymoronictransfem]

I saw this and I found it interesting, I do like the points made.

Edit: I misinterpreted this post initially, the post did mean to acknowledge how passing does still result in some forms of systemtic privilege. I still like my points here though so I'll leave it up.

A lot of people misunderstand what privilege can mean and I don't fault them for it, the narrative around privilege itself is pretty faulty.

The dictionary definition of privilege is “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group,” which in part is correct though I think it doesn't properly highlight how prominent that immunity aspect really is.

People who pass as a privileged social position do experience their own struggles. Trust me, I'd know. It hurts to have my transfemininity or my indigeneity invalidated in my day to day life when they're meaningful parts of identity. Being told “you pass so well” is one of the most hurtful insults I hear for so many reasons. It also sucks and leaves me vulnerable to not receive as much support or community for those things.

As much as this is all true, what's also true is that there are certain degrees of violence I'm largely exempt from. I'm less likely to be targeted on the street for being a trans woman, I'm less likely to have anti-Indigeneity weaponized against me. My parents and the medical system don't recognize me as transfeminine. That's a privilege that exists at the same time as the difficult parts. They're privileges because I'm exempt from something, not because I've gained something.

Plus if part of the reason I'm marginalized is because I'm living in fear of being recognized as who I am, I have to think about the people who are immediately “clocked” that way.

In the case of white passing mixed people or straight passing queer people the same concept applies. There are certain forces they are definitively exempt from: mixed people with pale skin and straight hair are exempt from colourism and texturism. That's a privilege but it doesn't automatically mean they take up the same social position as their oppressor. Their positionality is complicated, it is precarious and it is a very difficult position to live. It comes with its own challenges and its own benefits, people like us deserve the space to voice our experiences but we should also be invested as much as possible in uplifting those who suffer the most from certain forms of marginalization.

Marginalization varies like that, it targets its victims differently. It isn't cut and dry for most people, they tend to inhabit diverse intersections of privilege and oppression where their designations put them in varied places. Everyone has systemic privileges even within their own forms of marginalization.

All of these things can exist at the same time.

I want to talk about the terms White, Straight and Cis passing privilage... And how they're kind of inaccurate to the average passing persons experience.

It is not a privilege to have to shove down, hide, or escape a part of your identity for your well being and safety. It is also not a privilege to have people ignore oart of your identity for their comfortability. The only privilege is when people know and respect your identity unfaulteringly.

Mixed folks who have lighter skin or straightened hair aren't experiencing privilege. They're experiencing white people projecting whiteness and erasing their color. That is hurtful and any advantages are quickly lost if you dare argue with them on how they see you. It's also lost if you stand up for fellow poc or the issues their community faces.

Bisexuals who are having either Straight and Gay people assign them heterosexual even though many preach "don't assume or force anyone to out themselves." It's not a privilege I imagine tl be told that you look straight when you aren't. I as a masc butch I don't feel validated being called straight why would a bisexual?? Also with the ammount of families who project their want for you to be with the opposite sex/gender even after you come out is a major fucking loss actually.

Being cis passing means shit comments, the risk of being outed and then hurt, and other queers projecting their belief there is a "gay look" on you to the point where they'll act like you're on cis peoples side for "following the binary too close."

Personally I think it should be called _____ passing safety or something similar?

Because that's the main reason people hide themselves to pass. And it's the reason they don't argue when someone assigns them and identity. Is because of fear of backlash, harm, or even the risk of death.

Idk it's not fully fleshed (So feel free to add your own thoughts on the matter) out but privilege implies gain, and none of those really gain youanything. Especially if it can be taken at. moments notice if they learn who you actually are.

[butchpeace]

Hey, I don't know if you ever heard the sentence "death before detransition" but I think that's very disrespectful and hateful against detransition and transpersons themselves like.. You'd rather die than accept yourself? That's not good, you should never kill yourself because of any reason and to say that just shows how deeply they're afraid to accept themselves. I'm a detransitioner myself and trust me I thought a lot about that because I also never wanted to detransition but here I am and I'm still struggling especially since the hormones fucked up my body and I can't change it back. I'm stuck with it and reading stuff like that "death before detransition" really hurts and triggers me and noone should ever say that, as I mentioned earlier it's disrespectful and hurtful against detransitioners AND transpeople. You should always accept yourself even tho you may not like it. I know it's hard, I think every detransitioner knows that it's hard and not an easy road to go but it's always better than to kill yourself. So if anyone reads that sentence, please don't listen to it. It's not worth it, everyone deserves love and a life!

Judging by the type of people I’ve seen use the phrase “Death Before Detransition”, they’re more likely to kill other people than themselves if they’re denied HRT.

But yeah I agree. That phrase, and trans people’s general attitudes, paint detransition as the most horrible thing in the world. And that’s exacerbated by all the trauma porn type depictions of detransitioners in conservative media.

It makes detransition seem like the tragedy, when the real tragedy is that we transitioned in the first place. I’m so much happier after detransition than I was when I was pretending to be a man. Detransition is really such a beautiful and positive thing, genuinely the best thing I’ve ever done in my life! That doesn’t mean it’s easy, and it doesn’t mean I haven’t been through hell and been traumatized by transition. But detransition is the light at the end of the tunnel, not something that dooms us to a tragic life of misery.

I agree that all the negativity surrounding it is really bad for trans identified people, and especially for those who are thinking about detransition.

[esquilone]

What I would say/i guess about women who are attracted to Dutch Van der Linde and Sean MacGuire:

RDR2 and You

❤︎ Based on that request! ❤︎

❤︎ Note: the images aren't mine, they're from Pinterest, I just edited them and changed details and made a cover for this post! :p

Right... I don't think Dutch and Sean are characters I'm going to be able to give a good assessment of, so much so that my focus is more on Micah and Javier, but I've done some research with some things I already knew, I've just added them with others and put together some unfinished texts, okay? I hope they match up a bit with reality and what I believe would make a woman like men who look the same as them.

𝓓𝓾𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓥𝓪𝓷 𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓛𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓮 -

Why do some women like Dutch van der Linde?

Dutch has an absurd magnetism. He is a charismatic leader, always with a speech ready and the ability to make anyone believe in him. This can be attractive because he has that energy of a “great man, a man who knows how to solve everything.”someone who seems to know exactly what he is doing (even when, in reality, he is just improvising so he doesn’t appear to be falling apart).

Psychologically, he represents that figure of the “revolutionary dreamer,” someone who challenges the system and promises a better future. Many people are drawn to this kind of idealism, even when it turns dangerous. He also has a way of seducing without needing to be direct, simply through the power of words and presence. Want proof? Many incredibly intelligent members (Arthur included) followed Dutch and Hosea blindly. However, I strongly believe that Dutch always had a slightly psychotic tendency. I firmly think he struggled against his own selfishness and greed because Hosea was there to put him in his place. He probably revealed this side of himself during the Blackwater massacre and robbery, but the ones who witnessed it are already dead, so no one could say anything without proof. Hosea often showed both excitement and disagreement toward Dutch’s plans, and I believe it was because he had already seen that darker side of him.

As the game progresses, he reveals this dark side more and more—he becomes paranoid and manipulative, his biggest red flag. However, this doesn’t stop some women from being attracted to complicated men, thinking they can “save” them or bring back their good side. (I mentioned this in my analysis of Micah.)

I believe Dutch truly loved once, and that was Annabelle, who was murdered by Colm O’Driscoll. He becomes violent and loses patience when talking to Colm about her, not because Colm apologized, but because he showed complete disdain for what happened. I think this event pushed Dutch further toward becoming cold and violent out of pure selfishness. So yes, if Dutch loved a woman enough, he could sacrifice anything for revenge in her name. He mentions more than twice how much he despises Colm for killing her, and Arthur even tells him something like, “You should let go of revenge, you killed his brother first once.” But Dutch refuses to let it go.

Dutch's old love: Annabel

Anabelle is one of the greatest mysteries of Dutch’s past, something he never truly got over. She is almost like a ghost in his story—someone who represents a time when he was still a different man, perhaps more noble, less corrupted by his own pride. We already know she was murdered by Colm O’Driscoll—I’ve mentioned this before—the impact of her death is one of the reasons why he never truly committed to anyone again. He may have romanticized Anabelle in his mind, turning her into a perfect and unattainable figure. This might explain why he never treated Molly the same way.

And what about Molly O’Shea?

To me, Molly is a perfect example of someone who fell in love with the idea of Dutch rather than the real man he was. In fact, I believe he presented himself as the perfect, caring man to her—maybe because, in some way, she reminded him of Anabelle. Molly got involved with this strong and charismatic leader. She is described as a woman of “high class and society,” so we see that she left some things behind—perhaps for Dutch? I’m not 100% sure, because Molly is a proud woman, someone who wants to be seen and considered the best. She wanted to be the woman by his side, but Dutch never gave her the attention she craved. He was more focused on the gang and his own delusions of grandeur.

So as time passed, she realized that he was not really available for her, not giving her attention that she had always received, without time for her. This led her to a cycle of frustration and resentment, until, in a moment of anger, she made the mistake of saying that she betrayed him (when in fact, she didn't) she just wanted him to look at her again like the first time, you see that she drank, probably because she lacked the courage to say everything she wanted.

Molly was nothing more than a shadow of what Dutch wanted—a woman who loved him desperately but could never reach his heart. She spent her time trying to be seen by him, wanting the love he had already given to someone else, and she was consumed by it. Molly's tragedy is that she was just one more in the long list of people who believed too much in Dutch and ended up destroyed by it.

Attraction to Men Like Dutch – The Fascination with Power, Dangerous Charisma, and Protection:

Women who are typically attracted to men like Dutch are often influenced by deeper psychological factors, which can range from unconscious patterns to past experiences. His manipulative charisma triggers something called the halo effect, where his intelligence and eloquence make him seem more trustworthy and desirable than he actually is, creating the illusion that there is no need to worry because he appears to predict and plan everything before it happens. Additionally, there is the visionary leader archetype, someone who seems to understand the world better than others, a man who promises a grand future—something extremely attractive to those seeking emotional security or meaning in life.

(Most people who seek emotional and physical security are women, which is why it is not uncommon for younger women to choose older men, as in some cases they resemble the protective presence of a maternal figure, but in a romantic sense.)

Another explanation may also lie in what is called attraction to the charismatic narcissist. Men like Dutch are magnetic because they project absolute confidence and power, qualities that can activate primitive instincts of survival and protection. Some women also feel that they could be the “exception” for him, the only one capable of conquering his true love and being the constant companion by his side, which reinforces and fits into the savior fantasy, where they believe they can bring out the good side of a troubled man. But in the end, this usually leads to frustration and pain because the truth is, Dutch belongs to no one but himself—and perhaps his first true love. If you happened to be the kind of woman he truly desires, he might surrender that pride for love, but you would have to be the most unforgettable. He is the type of man who is nearly impossible to have kneeling at your feet.

What would it be like to be in a relationship with him?

If Dutch were truly in love, the relationship would be intense and psychological. He thrives on control and admiration, so he’d naturally take on a protective, almost mentor-like role with a younger woman. He’d enjoy being the one who teaches, impresses, and leads. In the beginning, he’d be incredibly charming—seductive, confident, making her feel like the most important person in the world. But Dutch also has a narcissistic side. He craves absolute loyalty and validation, and if he ever felt like he was losing control or giving in too much, he could emotionally distance himself. If she became an obstacle to his ambitions, he would likely grow cold, prioritizing his dreams over her. Dutch always seeks something greater, something that fuels his ego, and if he ever felt trapped, he wouldn’t hesitate to walk away.

However, if she wasn’t an obstacle—if she admired him, supported his vision, and fueled his sense of power—then he could be deeply devoted in his own way. He would spoil her with attention, make her feel special, and keep her close as his most trusted confidante. As long as she reinforced his greatness and never made him feel small, she could be the one person he’d truly hold onto.

What would it be like if it was the opposite of an obstacle, but rather his pure Love for her?

If Dutch truly loved this woman and saw her as his ally, he would be intense and protective. His affection would come through striking gestures—firm embraces, deep kisses, holding her waist or face while speaking in an intimate and captivating tone. He would love to see her admiration and make sure she knew how special she was.

He would show his affection through small luxuries—a ring, a necklace, or something symbolic; he is a man of refined tastes. If she strengthened his pride, he would protect her above all else. In his most vulnerable moments, he might lower his guard only for her, lying beside her at night, sharing his dreams and fears—things he would never admit to anyone else.

( - ❤︎ - )

𝓢𝓮𝓪𝓷 𝓜𝓪𝓬𝓖𝓾𝓲𝓻𝓮 -

Sean???? Oh my, he's the complete opposite of Dutch, I know a few things about him that I believe define him as the man he is; boy, Sean seems to be younger, not as young as Lenny or Tilly, but young, Arthur calls him a "kid" sometimes. He's that outgoing guy, who makes fun of everything and never takes himself seriously. He has a chaotic and youthful energy, a free spirit that likes a good fight and a good drink. Many women are attracted to this type of personality because he is the opposite of monotony. It brings fun, and a little irresponsibility. Psychologically, he can represent that guy who makes you forget the problems, who requires nothing but to live in the moment. In addition, he has an Irish accent that can be very charming for some people, and his self-confidence (even exaggerated) gives a certain charm. I've talked to some people in English and I don't understand the accent because everything seems the same to me, but the redneck accent of the United States I can feel when they speak, so the Irish would be a faster accent and with some elongated words when pronounced. He is bold, playful, often drunk—a man who takes pleasure in teasing and being teased. He makes people laugh when they don’t want to, and even when the entire gang is sighing in frustration, they know he’s an enjoyable presence. He pulls you into situations you never imagined yourself in, and suddenly, you realize you’re enjoying it. There’s something pure about the way he throws himself into life—fearless, without overthinking the future. He may not be the most reliable, he may be reckless and quite irresponsible, but there’s something charming about that—because with him, life is never dull.

Sean MacGuire’s Possible Red Flags:

Sean has always had a chaotic energy—in a fun way—but he can also be frustrating. He’s not the kind of man you can trust with your life—let alone your heart. He’s the guy who disappears for days and returns as if nothing happened, probably laughing with a wild story to tell. He also has an inflated ego, always believing he’s the center of attention, which can be annoying if someone tries to have a serious conversation with him.

And… what about Karen? Well, they had a fling during Sean’s welcome-back party at camp, but it was never serious. Sean never seemed like the type to commit—he lives in the moment and doesn’t get attached. That carefree attitude can be thrilling for someone looking for excitement, but frustrating for someone wanting something deeper. He makes you feel special in the moment, but the next day, he might be making another woman laugh just the same. However, he didn’t really flirt with other women at camp, at least not openly. There’s even a scene where Karen almost slaps him, possibly days after their fling, and later she cries, saying he only cares about her when he’s drunk. Sean asks why she’s upset, and she just says everything is fine and tells him to keep doing whatever he was doing. After his death in Rhodes, Karen starts drinking heavily, which might say more about how much she actually cared.

What Attracts Women to Sean?

If Dutch is a dangerous addiction, Sean is pure mischief. What makes him attractive is that he has no filter—he says what he thinks, and what he thinks is usually funny. Physically, he has a rougher charm. He’s not the best-looking guy in camp (at least not in my opinion!), but he has that mischievous smile, that glint in his eye that makes it seem like he has a secret only you can uncover. He’s not a typical heartthrob, but his energy is irresistible. Many women end up with men who make them laugh, caring less about looks when the personality is that magnetic. His carefree and spontaneous nature is also a big part of his appeal. He’s not always trying to impress—he simply is that way. That makes interactions with him feel genuine, even if he’s not the most reliable man around. For those who love a free spirit, someone who lives without fear or restraint, Sean is hard to ignore.

His playful and teasing nature creates a quick sense of intimacy, like he’s someone you can truly be yourself around—laugh until your stomach hurts and forget about your worries. He provokes and challenges, but never in a threatening way, which can be exciting. And his slightly childish pride can even be charming, making it feel like he’s always trying to impress, even if he won’t admit it.

Attraction to Men Like Sean – The Charm of the Teaser and the Free Spirit

Men like Sean represent a different kind of psychological fascination. They are teasers, playful, and INSISTENT, which triggers a phenomenon called the chase effect—the idea that the more someone provokes and challenges you, the more engaging they become. Their bold and daring nature creates tension, a push-and-pull dynamic that can be exciting for many women.

Additionally, Sean fits the archetype of the man who pursues, which can activate something known as validation through desire—when someone feels more attractive and valued because they are being intensely desired. He has no fear of showing interest, and that can be irresistible, especially in contrast to men who are more closed off or indifferent. He’s not a bad choice. c:

How could Sean be if he was really attracted in the romantic sense, by a woman?

If Sean truly liked a woman, he would show affection in a spontaneous and playful way. He’s not the type for grand romantic declarations, but he’d express his feelings through teasing, cheeky nicknames, and casual touches—throwing his arm around her shoulders or messing up her hair just to hear her complain. He would probably try to impress her by telling exaggerated (or completely made-up) stories about his adventures, just to make her laugh. In more sincere moments, he might lower his guard and be surprisingly sweet—holding her hand when no one was looking or pulling her into a dance for no reason, just because. And despite his reckless nature, if he truly cared, he would try to protect her in his own way, even if it meant getting into trouble to defend her.

At his core, Sean’s affection would come from his loyalty and the way he’d make sure to always be around, making life lighter and more fun.

Conclusion:

Dutch Van der Linde and Sean are the complete opposite of each other, each reflecting a different type of masculine figure for different women, or perhaps there are high and low levels! It all depends on the person.

I hope you liked it, goodbye! ❤︎

[gothamite-rambler]

17 again?

Stephanie: Why do you look like you’re seventeen?

Tim: What do you look like, Barbie?

Stephanie: Barbie wishes she were me! Seriously, why do you look seventeen?

Tim: How do I look seventeen?

Stephanie: You have this slight baby face and a kind of skinny body with some muscle tone probably from playing track or baseball to appease your parents and you drink energy drinks, thinking it’ll help you study.

Tim: That- Okay, I took track because I enjoyed it! And My body isn’t built like a seventeen-year-old! Plus, my brain struggles to focus for numerous reasons. I don’t like to dwell on this, but my dad died when I was sixteen... That was six years ago!

Stephanie: That is fair... but like some people I hang out with always ask if you are a teeanger or still going to high school. Are you, like, secretly seventeen or something?

Tim: Steph, you’re a year older than me and in your twenties. If you’re twenty-three, how old would I be?

Stephanie: Twenty-two, obviously.

Tim (raising his voice): Okay, so I’m not seventeen! Why does everyone keep saying that? I can bench three hundred pounds and I dropped out of high school! I'm C.O.O. I'm aware I'm the skinnier Robin by default, but I've passed seventeen many years ago.

Tim kicked the ground in frustration. Stephanie tapped her chin, chuckling.

Stephanie: You’re one of those people who ages slowly until you hit your forties. If you scored Bernard and help run a company, that proves you’re aging. Plus you look good for your age.

Tim: Thanks, that helps… I think.

Stephanie: Bernard, what do you think?

Bernard (who had been quietly sitting on the couch eating sushi): I chalked it up to a good skincare routine. I have yet to be proven wrong.

Stephanie: You are such a kiss-up; I love it!

Tim laughed, covering his face.

Tim: I swear, I take vitamins and work out, but my body ages weirdly.

Dick (walking past): You get used to it. I've been looking twenty-four for a few years now.

Tim (amused by annoyed): That’s still in your twenties! I can’t with you people.

Bernard: That’s why you love us!

[theambitiouswoman]

How do I overcome self-esteem issues in dating?

Growing up, I don't have pretty privilege like some of my girl friends do, and guys normally would not approach me because I come across as "intimidating" (I have a RBF). I've approached guys I had crushes on at school but I always get rejected, they say that I'm better as a friend than a romantic partner.

I thought my luck finally turned around when I met my ex on a dating app. He checked off many things on my list e.g., successful career, financially independent, exercises regularly and takes care of himself. But after several months I realized that he only dated me because he was lonely and it was convenient for him. He didn't want to commit to me when I asked for something serious. I was crushed. I felt like I was undeserving of love and am convinced that I'll never find someone who will accept me as a partner because I'm not my type's type.

I'm trying to pick myself back up again. I started going to the gym, doing proper skincare, eating healthier, and dressing up better to feel good about myself. But I still find myself secretly hoping for the validation of successful and attractive men when I'm in social settings, as if that proves that I am an equal or "at their level".

I'm aware that this mindset is toxic but I'm struggling to find an effective way to grow out of it. Appreciate your thoughts on this.

Hi beautiful girl

I just want to say how much I admire your self awareness and the effort you’re putting into bettering yourself. It makes you stand out in the best way 🤍 It’s so hard to be dedicated to growth when we don’t feel our best. Use this as a building block for your confidence in case no one has ever told you.

Now, let’s talk about this whole “pretty privilege” thing. Yes, some girls might have an easier time getting attention, but attention and genuine connection are two very different things. You’re not looking for surface level validation—you’re looking for someone who truly sees you & trust me, that’s worth way more than a few extra DMs from guys who just like a pretty face who want you for bad reasons. Pretty privilege is not just about looks and I hate how much the internet emphasizes it. Because pretty privilege is also about your confidence and self respect. How tall you stand. How you put yourself together. How you treat others. I see countless girls who aren’t wildly attractive by societal standards who get treated with “pretty privilege” and you know why? Because they are confident.

I totally get the frustration of feeling like you’re “not your type’s type,” but that’s just a story your past experiences have made you believe—it’s not a fact. First of all, men don’t date who they want, they date at the level of their self esteem. I’ve said this many times before and I’ll repeat it. Men literally never know what they want. Anything you hear men say that they do, it really means the opposite. I’ve never seen this not be true. Because men will always cling to a woman who makes them FEEL, since men have so much trouble with emotion. The right person will find you incredibly attractive, not just in looks but in energy, presence, and personality. You already have so much to offer & you don’t need to prove your worth to anyone, especially men who don’t recognize it. So instead of worrying about if a guy likes you, ask yourself if you like him. Learning to disconnect from the approval of others is important for confidence. And if you approve of yourself, you don’t care what other people think.

You’re already doing amazing things for yourself—the gym, skincare, eating well, dressing up—and that’s exactly where your focus should be. Instead of seeking validation, shift the energy into being the woman you admire. And when you walk into a room, don’t wonder if successful men will notice you—ask yourself, Do I even find them impressive? (promise most aren’t lol — you’re going to have to trust me on this) Do they bring the same value to the table that I do? That little mindset shift will change everything.

Become your own biggest fan. Ask yourself, If no one could see or comment on what I do, would I still want to do it? If the answer is yes, that’s self approval. Unfollow or distance yourself from anything that makes you feel like you need to prove your worth. Instead of trying to impress others, focus on whether they impress you. The most magnetic people are unapologetically themselves. Thats incredibly hot. And everyone is drawn to a woman whose life revolves around herself. Seriously that’s all you’re missing!!! You’re doing so great!

Decenter everyone and center yourself!

You’re not behind, you’re not lacking and you’re absolutely deserving of a love that feels easy, mutual, and aligned. Keep growing, keep glowing and trust that the right people will come into your life because of the confidence and self worth you’re building—not because of how much you chase external validation.

Love you, most of these guys don’t deserve you anyway. Especially with all of the work you’re doing for yourself. Too good for most. A man needs to earn you and work twice as hard to keep you. And men love working for something babygirl.