#i'll have a re-read later

[get-kayned-idiot]

the magnus protocol ep2 spoilers under the cut !

as someone who likes cataloguing, i think magp002 is flesh-aligned. possibly also stranger. flesh is the fear of being mutilated beyond recognition, of being changed (physically). yeah, there's not a lot of 'fear' in regards to daria making the adjustments, but being aligned with a fear doesn't just mean fear of something. in fact, most avatars (as seen in tma) tend to kind of worship their patrons (simon fairchild, judy the fire lady*, and obviously jonah magnus), so daria does seem like she's on the brink of being a flesh avatar. maybe she'll show up in later episodes, who knows? (jared hopworth, that you?) the stranger isn't the main fear in magp002, more of a... side fear. the fear of things not being 'quite right'. the uncanny valley, basically.

it's implied a bit when daria talks about her dysmorphia, during one of her adjustment sessions when she talks about how some parts 'weren't quite right yet'. it's a little stranger-aligned, with the little identity issue thing, finally seeing someone interesting, someone worth knowing when she looks in the mirror after she visits ink5oul.

not quite stranger, but there's specks of it. the flesh is the main character in this one.

no theorizing here, but just some analyzing and rambling. i didn't go deep into it, mainly because there's a bit of trouble organizing the thoughts. i just like assigning fears to statements, what can i say?

*yeah i forgot her last name

[sforzesco]

FRACTURE

something about the phrasing in this specific text. is delicious to me.

Antony, Fulvia, and the Ghost of Clodius in 47 B.C., Kathryn E. Welch

bsky ⭐ pixiv ⭐ pillowfort ⭐ cohost

[lurkingteapot]

it's missing bad buddy hours again

[adamnablelittledevil]

I believe there's some weird connection in how Lestat behaves with his father, Gabrielle, Marius, Gretchen and/or David. I don't know exactly how to connect the dots, but I think there are parallels there.

[wonder-worker]

are there any books you'd recommend for Isabelle of Angouleme?

Hi! I’m really not an expert on Isabella of Angouleme so I'm probably not the best person to ask for recommendations for her. Here are some I've heard of, though I haven't read all of them:

"Isabella of Angouleme: John's Jezebel" by Nicholas Vincent (King John: New Interpretations). I haven't read it myself but I've heard good things!

“Maternal Abandonment and Surrogate Caregivers: Isabella of Angoulême and Her Children by King John” by Louise J. Wilkinson (Virtuous or Villainess? The Image of the Royal Mother from the Early Medieval to the Early Modern Era). It focuses more-so on Isabella's tenure as queen, the period shortly after John's death, and her decision to leave England. Despite what the title may imply, it's sympathetic to Isabella and analyzes her situation in detail.

“Co-Operation, Co-Rulership and Competition: Queenship in the Angevin Domains 1135-1230” by Gabrielle Storey, her PHD thesis which collectively focuses on Isabella of Angouleme along with Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Berengaria of Navarre. You can read/download it here, it's an excellent piece for all four women.

Sally Spong has written/is writing:

Isabella of Angouleme: The Vanished Queen (Norman to Early Plantagenet Consorts). You can see her conclusion here. It's nuanced and sympathetic, though not without its issues and pre-conceived notions.

Isabella of Gloucester and Isabella of Angouleme: Female Lordship, Queenship, Power, and Authority 1189-1220 (PHD thesis University of East Anglia).

“Isabelle d’Angouleme, By the Grace of God, Queen” by William Chester Jordan. You can read it online here, though I will say that it's ... very very questionable, accepting the sensational claims of lot of unreliable sources (including the idea of John abducting Isabella in a fit of uncontrollable infatuation) entirely at face-value.

“The Marriage and Coronation of Isabelle of Angouleme” by H.G. Richardson, available here on JSTOR.

Isabella has also been the subject of two complete French biographies till date:

"Isabelle d’Angoulême, reine d’Angleterre" (Aquitaine: 1998) by Sophie Fougere.

"Isabelle d’Angoulême, comtesse-reine et son temps (1186-1246)" [Actes du colloque tenu à Lusignan, 8 au 10 novembre 1996] by Gabriel Biancotto, Robert Favreau and Piotr Skubiszewski.

There are also a few blog posts about her (here and here) which may help if you want a brief overview of her life, though they can get a little sensationalistic sometimes.

Hope this helps! If anyone knows any others, please feel free to add on!

[thegoldenavenger]

i got tired so fast drawing this :( anyways, for The Grand Unified Theory of Shěn Qīngqiū for one of the beginning chapters.

[ecosystem-administrator]

Mayhem Moondrop

WoL/OC tag meme! thanks @anneapocalypse for the tag!

Tagging in turn: @elizabethrobertajones, @tinygamertris, @gachabastard, @thesingingscorpio, @vitaecryptid, and @grahatiasravetower just in case you see this in a few months when you remember to log in again

(Choose whichever WoL/OC you want, do it more than once, ignore me entirely. what am I, a cop?)

B A S I C S

Name: Mayhem Moondrop

Nicknames: Mayhem is already a stage name and doesn't really need abbreviating. They will respond readily to whatever non-obscene epithets you choose to bestow, though.

Age: mid to late 20s at this point? 23 at the start of ARR

Nameday: 18th sun of the 4th astral moon

Race: Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te

Gender: No (agender)

Sexuality: Yes (pansexual and polyamorous)

Profession: Bard (actor, folklorist, and historian all in one word, what more do you need?)

P H Y S I C A L     A S P E C T S

Hair: Black, currently worn short but growing it back out - they had to cut most of it off after nearly losing an ear at the edge of the universe.

Eyes: Silver - Moon Keeper eyes are slightly reflective

Skin: Grey

Tattoos/scars: I don't mod aside from reshade so until they give us a fashion accessory, you'll just have to imagine an Archon mark on their right cheek post-Endwalker. They have relatively few scars - the most prominent is along their scalp, mostly covered by the hair that's still growing back in from when it was left.

F A M I L Y

Parents: Their mother was a poacher-turned-bandit in the Black Shroud; she was killed by Wood Wailers when Mayhem was barely old enough to say their own name, and they don't remember anything about her, or the gang she traveled with. Father unknown, and considering how Keeper culture works, was likely never expected to participate in parenthood beyond the siring of a child anyway.

Siblings: Due to how Moon Keeper naming conventions work, Mayhem is aware based on their original name that they were not their mother's first "son". No siblings have ever come forward to be associated, and they've never been interested enough to go looking.

Grandparents: Under the circumstances, good luck. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Emotionally they sort of consider Jehantel to be their grandfather, although it's not something they've ever discussed outright.

In-laws and other: No in-laws, although Count Edmont would be perfectly willing to consider himself for the role even though they were never married to Haurchefant; Mayhem is polite but keeps their distance a little bit because they don't want to explain to him their opinion on the Fortemps family dramas. Post-Endwalker the adult Scions are involved in a polycule which technically would add Wilfsunn and Bloewyda (as Urianger's adoptive parents) to the potential in-law list (excellent) but might also add Matoya (terrifying), so we're just not going there. As far as other blood relatives, in theory Mayhem could go back to the Shroud and find their mother's clan in hopes of reaching out to find some, but they're not interested in participating in traditional Keeper culture (which is highly gendered), and none of those people came looking for them when they were getting raised in Gridania, so they don't feel like there's much point.

Pets: None; they're not really an animal person

S K I L L S

Abilities: They've always been good with a bow, which was how they got their start as a wagon guard for some traveling performers, and gradually invited to participate in performances as their interest became clear. Over time, they've started to learn a few other fighting styles: red mage for when they want to take center stage rather than play narrator, astrologian for when the path of the story needs a little help to get on the right track, and most recently warrior so that they can pick up where someone else left off. They trained a little with firearms when they were in Ishgard, since Stephanivien had access to the best practice shooting range that would actually welcome outsiders, but ultimately they prefer archery.

Hobbies: Reading, writing, crafting, performing. For all that their formal education was pretty basic and perfunctory, Mayhem is a deeply curious person and loves to learn, and to share the knowledge they've gained in turn. They have a knack for understanding how to connect to an audience and meet them where they're at in order to draw them into a story or an explanation. While they were with the performers they also learned to make and repair costumes, and have kept up the practice enough that they're now a fairly accomplished weaver. Naturally, as a bard, they also sing and dance, and relish the chance to get back up on the stage from time to time to put on a proper show.

T R A I T S

Most positive trait: I would say their curiosity. The drive to learn and keep learning, to never assume they know everything, has kept them humble and compassionate throughout their journey.

Most negative trait: Avoidance and deflection. They love learning about other people but they rarely talk about themself, and especially early in their journey they took a very long time to bond with others in a way that would actually make them want to stick around. It wasn't until near the end of Heavensward that "run away and change your name and try to never look back" stopped being an option in the back of their mind.

L I K E S

Colors: They usually default to green for clothing choices, but they really love vivid colors in general, especially in intricate patterns. Thavnair was a delight.

Smells: Subtle, natural smells, mostly - flowers on the breeze, the forest after a rain

Textures: Soft and fuzzy, squishy and comfortable. They like the subtle roughness of old paper, too.

Drinks: Usually favors cool and sweet and fruity. Still has a melancholy weakness for hot chocolate.

O T H E R    D E T A I L S

Smokes: Nah, too much risk of messing with their voice

Drinks: Enthusiastically at social gatherings. Has been carried to bed more than once.

Drugs: Doesn't seek them out but is willing to partake if offered.

Mount Issuance: Their Grand Company mount has lived a pampered courier's life at the Rising Stones ever since the Scions moved in, and has most recently been transferred into Tataru's possession. Mischief, the black chocobo they consider their primary mount and companion, was a gift from Haurchefant, and is technically a little too big for them because Ishgard breeds chocobos meant for Elezen and Hyuran riders. They love her anyway.

Been Arrested: They've always managed to talk themselves out of trouble, aside from MSQ incidents.

[aliencatastrophe]

I've finally collected every Dork Diaries book, if I get the chance I'll definitely re-read them all >:3c. I'm so happy since I've been wanting to complete the collection since forever (^_^)/.

[sovonight]

well, anomen has been knighted, and i'm left insulted that he never attempted to begin his romance even though i would've had to shut it down for xan anyway 😞

[nianderful]

i absolutely want to watch sonic prime before season 2 drops but i planned to devote the summer to new warriors

[ladyofthelands]

i am currently re-reading The Desert Storm @blue-sunshine-mauve-morning by and Re-Entry by @deadcatwithaflamethrower.

have gotten to Remberance III Chapter 13 and quinlan's line made me have the worst idea.

And none of them terrify him so much as the fact that Naasade almost, almost chose differently.

i was thinking about what RE!obi-wan was doing 5 years after the republic fell (when TDS!obi-wan went back in time) and what would happen if TDS!obi-wan had been Venge.

i dont think TDS!obi-wan would have gone after Sidious like RE!obi-wan to create Venge (i am currently in OtherWhen, Part IV in the lead up to Venge, and obi is having the worst time) and the two of them have very different headspaces.

i was just thinking about quinlan falling because he saw Master Naasade's life, and thought to myself what if quin knew about Venge, but Ben did not. How messed up would that be. Just Ben thinking he knows all about his own life but then quin has the sulfer in his eyes and knows. he knows things that ben does not

i'v made my heart hurt

[unproduciblesmackdown]

love this as posted by goosebumps completionist on twitter as a gtm:pota + gts (series (book) (i also saw the episode but it underwhelmed)) pota enjoyer and also to an extent goosebumps generally (i have only read so many & cue the variation within one zillion of them like "oh right i have only just rediscovered i Did read monster blood b/c a couple details Were familiar to me, but overall it was so unmemorable i forgot this")

noting any of the way being Undead works out here lmao like that basically you're alive and having a mostly typical time. but if you're a ghost you do have that ghost quest to get to, which is why you're a ghost. and if you're having a fully corporeal revived time (which ghosts mostly are. or entirely, as far as anyone ever knew or it was ever mentioned with phantom brian colsen out here) it is also just another tuesday....unless it's not! (welcome to dead house (need to kill some people to sustain you)) (a zombie in trouble (will have to attack with all your fury. do they kill people in a required supernatural way? that's their little secret)) also love the written Goosebumps Humor like this is so funny already. a zombie in trouble. i admit it.

[lynxgirlpaws]

To be clear given your pinned if someone told you that their pronouns were she/her you wouldn’t start intentionally they/theming them unless they asked you to stop correct?

Oh yeah no absolutely not!!! That is mostly for people who insist they/them isn't valid, which is not just really shitty but just objectively incorrect !!

I'm not ever gonna purposely use any pronouns someone doesn't say they use, honestly I've been on the recieving end of mildly annoying they/themming :/

If I ever do fuck up in that regard however, I more than welcome being corrected, like genuinely if I get it wrong by accident please !! Correct me !

I can't lie I . Completely forgot about that part of my pinned and, regarding your concern it could definitely use some re-wording or something. Thank you !

Edit; hey just remembered uh this includes neopronouns and stuff like. As I said I'm never gonna use the wrong pronouns on purpose, that includes anything other than he she or they like. Again, if I ever get this fucked up you have my 100% permission to tear my ass up about it !!!

Okau off to sleep

[stellarish]

Edited about 600 words' worth in half an hour and I'm feeling really good about it.

[iridescentis]

I finally got around to editing chapter 3 but I added so much I have to wait AGAIN so I can re-edit it later THIS SUCKS

I have got my inspiration back tho so hopefully I’ll get to write more often :)

[yeahivegotanaccount]

re learning volume and perspective and all that: have you tried drawabox? it's very artist focused and almost painfully granular at times but my understanding of shape in space did improve even though I didn't get very far into the exercises

Nope. Thank you, I'll check it out!