#i've had this floating in my head

[mayhaps-a-blog]

I admit, I am not often within the realm of Despair. I expect I spend most of my time in Dream’s realm, with occasional visits from Desire, and of course I walk the paths of Destiny (as we all do) with Death waiting at both ends.

But I dream a lot about Despair.

Some have complained about Despair’s depiction in the Sandman, comic and TV show, which Gaiman has countered by reminding them that Despair is, in fact, his favorite character, and he did not depict her as a caricature or a cruelty but with love and respect in every line. Perhaps Despair looks different to others – as an Endless, she does, indeed, look different to everyone – but at least for me, I think his depiction is just about right.

(Perhaps for you she is thin, so very thin, big, dark eyes following you out of her skeletal face, wasting away and whispering that you should waste away with her. Perhaps she is tall, muscular, a heavy hand resting on your shoulders, always, always holding you back, holding you down. Perhaps she is barely a shadow, flitting at the edges of your vision, always there, interrupting every task, impossible to ignore.)

Despair, to me, is heavy. She is the dark cloud that weighs you down; she is the warm, suffocating blanket that refuses to give you up. In Despair’s embrace, every move, every step, is a struggle, a weight, as she whispers to you: “No. Don’t. Stay with me, forever.”

And Despair loves you.

Your every sob, your every sigh; your every bad day and grumble and mumble and groan, she adores. She would love nothing more than you gather you tight and hold you forever; she will wrap you up and never, ever let you go. If you let her.

Despair is a true friend, who loves every dark part of you, every dark secret, every silence. She is not, perhaps, a good friend – in many ways, she holds you back, pulls you down. Enables all of your worst habits, encourages you to sink into your worst self. (I think perhaps we all have friends like that, and if not, you’re quite lucky, or have few friends. They can be good friends, fun friends; but perhaps best kept at a distance, if they can be.) She’s the kind of friend who can bring down the room simply by breathing – the absolute worst at parties.

But she will always, always, be your friend.

When every other friend has deserted you, when you’re cold and alone and at your worst, she is there. To smile, and hold you tight; to watch, and whisper, “It’s okay. I’m still here. I will never, ever leave.”

This is not, perhaps, meant as a comfort. But in the cold and the dark and the fog and the mirrors that only show your worst self, your worst life, what else can it be?

Despair is not, generally, pretty. She has no interest in such fripperies as social niceties in appearance. She is not, generally, kind. But there is no one, nothing, in the entire universe that could possibly love you more. No matter what.

And that, in the end, is what makes her beautiful.

[lazylittledragon]

if i had a nickel for every au spawned from twitter that i SWORE i was going to be normal about

[abd-illustrates]

I AM FERAL FOR YOUR HEARTLESS STORY AND CHARACTERS LIKE- *unholy demon sounds*

I'm just dying to ask so many questions about it cuz- I prolly rewatched your videos about heartless like almost 30 times by now.

Flint and Eira are like a ship right? If so what is their ship name cuz I'm just brainrotting on those two a ton.

I am in love with them all but I love Flint and Eira the MOST!

A big fan for a long time now but only now came across your Tumblr 😭

TYSM!! 💖

I got an anon ask a while back suggesting "Winter Solstice" for their ship name and as far as I know that's the name that stuck haha 💙❤️‍🔥

(If anybody has suggestions or names they already use for other Heartless ship combos too you'd be welcome to leave them in the replies here! It's always so interesting to see which characters combinations y'all enjoy (^^)/)

[sunshiline-writes]

Whumpee's who don't know how to give up. They just keep fighting, they keep talking back. They scream that they'll never be broken.

Why? Because they have nothing to lose. They've lost everything already, home, family, friends. All they have is the fight. It's a type of control. They fight because it is all they know how to do. The gentle words and touches from Caretaker isn't enough to stop them from fighting even them. They kick and scream and snarl. Caretaker tries to convince them they don't have to fight anymore.

The only response is a plate being thrown at their head.

[semisentient-entity]

Was sketching my Tav and it got a little out of hand. Tried something different with the colors and shading and didn't bother with the rest. Might draw them more, but who knows.

Bonus: A small reference to this thing I wrote not too long ago.

(Taglist under the cut)

@abluehappyface @possibly-eli @the-cinnamon-snail @pinelo-hearts @katherann227 @bloodiedbyers @lysergidedaydreams

[radiosummons]

Real talk: Does the Jedi Order have a tax exempt status?

I know it's somewhat of a meme to make jokes about how the Jedi don't know how to pay taxes, or rather questioning whether they get paid or make any income at all. And, yes, this question is kinda dumb in the sense that whether the Jedi Order has tax exempt status or not, it doesn't effect the over all story or any actual SW lore in any way that actually matters.

I also know that tax exempt status works differently in other countries besides the US (yes, hello, I am American. I hate it here, too). But for the sake of taking this very dumb question at face value, would the Jedi Order:

1) Count as a religious institution in the eyes of Republic law?

2) If so, would their status as a religious institution have any impact on whether they attained tax exempt status from the Republic?

3) What standards and regulations would the Republic IRS have in place regarding tax exemption?

4) Do the Jedi even have an accounting department?

I would peronally argue that, yes, the Jedi Order is in fact a religious institution. On the account of the obvious connection to the Force and heavily coded (if not just downright) religious practices that the Jedi follow.

However, even if the Republic were to grant the Jedi Order the status of a lawfully recognized religious institution, I'm not sure if this would actually lead to them a guaranteed tax exempt status.

According to United States IRS standards and regulations, the Jedi Order could and would also be seen as a religious institution. However, one of the biggest stipulations for retaining tax exempt status is that the religious institution does not attempt to or make any influence on legislative or attempt to influence political campaigns.

(Palpatine voice: Ironic).

Now, if the Republic had similar stipulations, I would argue that, no, the Jedi do not get tax exemption. Mostly because one of the longest known duties associated with the Jedi Order is their role in assisting with galactic diplomacy. It would be literally impossible for them to not get involved in some capacity, especially when their aid is often directly requested (whether by a Republic aligned planet or not).

That being said, this is all going by the standards of the IRS. And at the risk of sounding too jaded, there are hundreds if not outright thousands of religious institutions in the US that should have lost their tax exempt status decades ago. And yet ....

Obviously, this all ultimately depends on what standards the Republic would theoretically have in place for situations like this. And while I would never actually want George Lucas--or any other writer for that matter--to attempt to give us a canon answer, I can't help but wonder.

Even if the Jedi Order was completely self-reliant--which I personally don't think is possible due to them, well, living on Coruscant for thousands of years-just as an example. It just doesn't make sense to me that the Jedi would limit themselves to only what they make in house when they could have easy access to other local businesses, ya know?--whose to say that they wouldn't still be required to pay for taxes like regular citizens?

The Jedi Temple, again, has literally been there for thousands of years. I don't think it's entirely out of the realm of possibility that the Republic wouldn't have sent their own SW IRS agent at least once to audit the Jedi Order.

I honestly wouldn't even be surprised if that Jedi Order would be given a slight form of tax exemption, but only if certain conditions were met. Like, I don't know, what if an official member of the local Coruscantii/Republic government were to make a direct request for the aid of the Jedi. Maybe they'd get a tax write off for all the transportation and housing (or vehicular damage) they'd acrue while on this government sponsored mission?

Or what about this? Business institutions in the US get tax write offs for charitable donations (which the fuckers exploit to hell and back, fuck me). I have to wonder if there was a point in time (maybe the early years of the ye Old Republic) where someone had to bring up the fact that a lot of what the Jedi do could count fall under charitable tax deductions. So if they wanted to continue taxing the Jedi Order, they'd probably have to change up the definition or something.

Idk, man, I'm sort of spit balling random thoughts at this point.

I'd also like to say that I believe the Jedi do, in fact, have an accounting department. Just to keep thing running smoothly in regards to the Temple budget and so on. It would be kinda hard to keep a place that big with that many occupants still around and for that long without having someone keeping a close eye on the Order's spending.

Mostly, though, I just find the idea of the Jedi being audited absolutely hilarious.

[shootingstarpilot]

"by our own hands or none" and/or "a sudden burst of sunlight" because the first one sounds ominous and the second solidifies even more for me your good taste in music -bumbledees' nonfandom account

BUMBLEDEES HI FRIEND <333

Oooh, okay, so for "a sudden burst of sunlight-"

Listen, you know what first kiss dynamic I'm really a sucker for? It's when two people know each other so well- they've settled into a life together, they love each other even if perhaps the words haven't been spoken yet, but they both know it so that's not even that important- and they're leaving for the day, one of them bends down, steals something off the other's plate, and they're both laughing and soft and it's just so easy to lean in, and they don't even really realize what's just happened because it's just such an easy and natural next step, and it's only after one of them has left and is halfway down the hallway that they both realize at once-

Yeah. That.

And now, for "by our own hands or none-" because it's you, I'll share something that relates to Certain Things Shared In Comments:

"You can leave now," Needle continues. Gentle. Coaxing. "You can leave now, and still be the hero. The one who got a brother out." Helix wants him out of the crossfire. He wants him safe, he wants him gone, but his tongue is furred to the roof of his mouth and he cannot say a single word- Needle's smile sharpens. "Or you can push your luck," he says cheerfully, "and I'll gut you like a fish and dump your body off the catwalk." "You wouldn't-" "Wouldn't I?" "He's my brother-" "Doesn't look like you're his, though, not from where I'm standing. And batchmates aren't worth shit if they're not brothers too, that's what Stitch said." "You-" "Me. You don't get to trade one life for another, Zygo, that's not how it works. You got him out, you got him to us, and I'd kill someone for you if that's what it took to thank you- but that doesn't obligate absolution." Zygo takes a step forward, hands curling into fists, and Helix finds his voice at last.

ALSO. HELL YEAH VIENNA TENG. I ALWAYS GET SO DISPROPORTIONATELY EXCITED WHEN I FIND SOMEONE THAT SHARES MY TASTE IN MUSIC <333

[mlpoutofcontext]

In the Cheesecake Factory

Where your fears and horrors come true

In the Cheesecake Factory

Where not a single soul gets through

In the Cheesecake Factory

Where your fears and horrors come true

[triplehearts]

Drawing scarian isn't enough I need to learn how to write them.

[billpottsismygf]

Scrolling through my old posts to check my current companion tags and I found my reaction to the series 8 trailer and it's so wild seeing me of 10 years ago say I'm not convinced by Peter Capaldi yet, who is my favourite Doctor of all time.

Like, I know he takes a while to warm up and I know it took me even longer to emotionally accept the fact that David Tennant had been knocked off the top spot, but it's just so weird to see!

[legendofrhythm]

Had an idea wracking my brain for a while and I could never think of how to draw it so you get it in short-form literature instead.

[It's Side Order related]

[septimus-heap]

I just saw your Marcia and Cerys childhood friends au and thought of a random crack au, so since you inspired it you have to read my half-asleep ramblings. Sorry.

Marcia/Cerys childhood friends is canon in this (obviously) and I have no idea when it takes place- maybe a few years into Sep’s apprenticeship or smthing. Anyway, Sep found some random cool magyk thingy in the tower library and brought it to the palace to show to Jenna bc it’s cool and for plot reasons. So Jenna and Sep are trying to figure out what this thing is, poking it and stuff, and decide to have Sep do some show-your-secrets spell or what not so they can figure out what it is.

Marcia shows up at this point to ask Jenna if she knows where Sep is, sees what they’re doing and freaks out. She instantly shoves Jenna and Sep away from the magyk artifact thingy, yelling for Cerys at the same time. Cerys appears because Marcia actually sounds worried, figures out what’s happening, and tries to figure out with Marcia how to stop it as best she can (being a ghost and everything) but before Marcia and Cerys can figure out how to stop it, some fancy lights show up and the two of them vanish. Jenna and Sep start screaming for someone bc they have no idea what just happened but now the dead queen and Marcia are missing and something’s really wrong. Silas bursts in, maybe with Sarah and/or some of the other Heaps, but before anyone can say anything, two teenagers just kinda. Fall out of this giant sphere of light. And these teenagers see people surrounding them- Silas or someone is ready to fight- and panic, running out of the Castle.

Everyone follows, and is really confused when people on the street see these two girls tearing through the streets and just freeze, gaping at them. The girls head to the Wizard Tower and run in, apparently knowing the password, and by the time the Heaps catch up, the stairs are moving ridiculously fast, and every single person is gaping at the stairs. Sep asks what’s wrong and some random wizard goes, ‘Why the FUCK are the ExtraOrdinary and the late Queen running around- alive- looking like teenagers??’ And everyone starts yelling. Meanwhile, in the past, a very confused Alther and Queen Mathilda are trying to figure out why the ExtraOrdinary apprentice and the Crown Princess are suddenly over a decade older, and dressed as the ExtraOrdinary and Queen.

(The amulet doesn’t transfer over when Marcia and Cerys get sent to the past, so it’s just on the floor of Jenna’s bedroom or something)

(Also Jenna and Sep somehow know Cerys. Maybe this is set after Fyre. Switched versions of Marcia and Cerys are about 19. The present has a teenage queen (Cerys is older than Jenna so while she’s here and alive she’s queen) and ExtraOrdinary Wizard)

I have zero idea with this au is. Do with this what you will. I am so so sorry for this gigantic whatever this is.

Okay I've been not answering this bc I want to Add but idk what to add bc this is already so good. 10/10 comedy PLEASE send me more

[loumauve]

the goddamn toast water post just made me utter "history is fucking real" in the most solemn and serious tone of voice, out loud, to myself, in the goddamn bathtub

[rindemption]

a tiny sneak peek at what's going on at my other blog.

I have 20 ocs

...20

I'll get the ones I think I'll talk about the most up and active then I'll do my real, proper announcement about the blog. It's going to be a work in progress for a long time- if I wait until it's fully done it'll be ages so I'll settle for done enough to be functional then finish it on the go

[snudootchaikovsky]

MAGLUCK WEEK: DREAMS

THERE'S AS MUCH RHYME AND REAOSN KN THIS AS THERE IS A COHERENT THOIGHT IN MY DREAMS MEANINF THAY THERE IS NONE

[coolcattime]

our lady of balance, to favor one, she ignores the other…

It is not a slight on the side of the goddess, she does not mean to give any favour to one of her precious followers over the other, but the scales shift and she gives her favour more to one than the other. Yet, who does she favour? Both claim the other.

The champion looks at the pirate and sees a woman that gets the relation and reward that he carves. All the questions he has, she just knows the answers. She has powers and rewards beyond what he ever receives. Though the thing that gets into his head the most is how she smiles at her, how even in his brief moments with the goddess, he’s never seen that sort of look directed towards him.

Yet the pirate sees the champion, the one given the title higher than her own despite knowing so little about the goddess he worships. He speaks of having been given the task of finding her, of freeing her, of the mission she’s been working on her entire life. And then her goddess appears for the first time in years. She sees her face, sees the smile she’s wanted to see for so long, but there’s no explanation as she looks to the man as if one simply isn’t needed. It seems there's no question the champion will be the one to save her, so why does the pirate feel a need in her soul for answers?

Both are looking for something completely different, something the other would never want. Yet when the goddess interacts with the other, they cannot help their own feelings. The champion of jealousy, the pirate of doubt. Yet the goddess sees none of it, not until it’s far too late.

“It was stupid, I had it planned out in my head like it was a story. Like I was some shining knight coming to rescue a princess, that'd be worth all the sacrifice and pain in the end. I really saw myself as the hero and then… then Sparklez. Look, please don't try and convince me again, there is a difference between now and before. Maybe if there wasn’t I wouldn’t have looked at him and seen your real knight in shining armour. You don’t trust me the same… and maybe you were right. I have ended up in this mess, after all, but I wish you had at least mentioned him before… it would’ve hurt less. I’d say I’d be willing to talk to him, to try and figure something out, but we both know that’d be a hollow promise. I’m out of time… I wish you were actually here… I’d ask for a kiss, but instead just remember me as something better than this. I’ll miss you… Ia.”