#if this theory turns out to be correct for me I guess I'll have to try to find a new lip balm that tastes good and does its job

[orchidvioletindigo]

Per this video and some of the comments on it my new conspiracy theory is that Burt's Bees did something to their lip balm formula to make it actually dry users' lips out and create a dependency on it. Planning to test this out myself as I've been using Burt's Bees lip balm for years. I love it for the flavors but do frequently feel the need to reapply, which until now I had thought was just because I was autistically sensitive to the perception of less than balmy lips. Starting tomorrow I will not be using it to see how my lips fare on their own.

I do have some Aquaphor healing ointment I can use to protect and treat my lips if that turns out to be necessary. I've got a leg up on the cold, dry winter air with my face masks so doing this now isn't really a concern.

[odditycircus-2002]

Mortal Kombat 1 Intros with Medusa!Reader

Spoilers for Story mode: Proceed with caution

Yourself (Mirror Match)

Y/N: How could you possibly willingly marry that snake?!?

Y/N 2: My dear snake gave me the fruits of knowledge you could never imagine. /

Y/N 1: Ugh, let me guess, you’re also married to Shang Tsung? Y/N 2: No, I am happily married to Syzoth. /

Y/N 2: Such a disappointment looking at my carbon copy. Y/N 1: It isss more disappointing that you are as insanely depraved as you are!

/

Y/N 2: Have you considered the benefits of Kytinn royal jelly for your cure?

Y/N 1: Ha! As I- Mmmhhh, You may be on to something. /

Y/N 1: I thought Lord Lui Kang turned you to dust! Y/N 2: Do you really think my husband and I would not have any contingencies? /

Y/N 1: You made Empress Sindel do WHAT? Y/N 2 gives a malicious chuckle: Pulling her strings was some of the most fun I had in a long time.

/

Y/N 1: You have some rather questionable taste in bedfellows.

Y/N 2: At least I can hold mine without fear of being stabbed instantly.

/ Shang Tsung

Shang Tsung: Across all timelines, we were meant to be.

Y/N: Never in this one or the next will I ever belong to you!

/

Shang Tsung: You have to understand what you saw in my lab is what true progress looks like.

Y/N: To think, I ever marveled at watching you work with your magic.

/

Shang Tsung: I know you would love the rare flora that can be found on my island-

Y/N: I rather see a carnivorous plant digest you slowly.

/

Y/N: I regret not ending you when I had the chance.

Shang Tsung: Don’t blame yourself too much, my sweet. I know you still hold a torch for me.

/

Y/N: You will NOT lay a hand on Baraka!

Shang Tsung: I will not let a filthy beast get in between us!

/

Y/N angrily: Every day, I wake up to find a stranger in the mirror.

Shang Tsung softly: And yet, you're the same clever woman as always.

/

Shang Tsung angrily: It wasn't enough to steal my birthright, but you also had to take away my soul mate?

Lui Kang: I did nothing of the sort, YOU drove her away.

Baraka

Y/N coquettishly: Do not go easy on me, Baraka.

Baraka: I know how you like it rough.

/

Y/N: So we are in agreement?

Baraka: Only IF you win, I'll stomach any greens you want me to eat for the next 3 moons.

/

Y/N: Sometimes, I wish we could-

Baraka: So do I, Y/N

/

Y/N: I heard from Ashrah that you asked her to end your life if you were to lose your mind.

Baraka: I did not want to burden your soul by having you take my life.

/

Baraka: How close are you to finding a cure?

Y/N: As much as I loathed to admit it, Shang Tsung's research has put me even closer to finding a permanent one.

/

Baraka: If you want to enter the Kytinn Hive, you’ll need to fight harder than ever before.

Y/N: I know I can trust you to watch my back, my friend.

/

Baraka: Stay away from Y/N, Sorcerer!

Shang Tsung: You cannot stop destiny, savage!

Syzoth

Y/N: I have so much to thank you for, Syzoth.

Syzoth: It's the least I can do for all I've been complicit in.

/

Syzoth: Does your skin still burn, Y/N?

Y/N: Not really, but my skin has been itching and flaking like mad.

/

Y/N: If I had known what Shang was doing to you, Syzoth-

Syzoth: Then you probably would been given a worse fate.

/

Syzoth: Zikandar barely survived the Kytinn's attack, and you want to follow them to their hive???

Y/N: If my theory about Kytinn royal jelly is correct, I could finally cure Tarkat!

/

Y/N gives a smug grin: Think you can slip out of my constricting hold?

Syzoth grins in return: If I can slip past Shao's forces, I'll have no trouble doing the same with you.

/

Syzoth teasingly: I believe you and Baraka would make a tremendous mated pair.

Y/N: Th-th-that'sss very kind of you to say, Syzoth.

/

Syzoth: I know what you did to her wasn't an accident.

Shang Tsung: I am not as heartless as to do that to my precious flower.

Mileena

Mileena: Why did you not tell me or Mother sooner about what happened?

Y/N: By then, your mother would not hear anything I had to say.

/

Mileena: Don't you regret being unable to save Mother?!

Y/N: My regret haunts me no matter the hour.

/

Mileena with desperate hope: Are you really close to a cure???

Y/N: I'm close to a breakthrough, but I will need a legion of soldiers to collect the most important ingredient.

/

Y/N: You did not happen to skip your required meditative exercises to sparr with Tanya again, did you?

Mileena: And what if I did? Skipping one session won't kill me.

/

Y/N: If I had found a way to treat your symptoms sooner, your mother would never have welcomed Shang Tsung into her court.

Mileena: One way or another, that Snake would have found some way to slither into the court.

/

Y/N: For what you did for the Tarkatans, you are already proving to be a fine Empress.

Mileena: It warms my heart to hear such praise from you.

/

Y/N: We are both trapped in bodies not our own.

Mileena: I pray to the gods that we may one day find a cure for you as well.

Shao

Shao: I almost regret not inviting you to join my cause.

Y/N: Your father should have let you die as a child!

/

Y/N: Your so-called "Patriotism" is nothing but a ruse to hide your lust for power.

Shao: And here I thought you were clever as your reputation says.

/

Y/N: I was tempted to leave you to die of your wounds, countless times.

Shao: Hah! For a Healer you are rather callous.

/

Y/N: I have to say, Reiko makes a far better statue than he ever did as a soldier.

Shao: Reverse your curse, witch!

/

Y/N: In hindsight, it is not so ssssurprising that your pride would have you betray the Empire.

Shao: I fight against the Royal Family for the sake of Outworld!

/

Shao: What in the Netherrealm did you do to my troops?!?

Y/N: I simply had the wildlife you hunt around your camp eat some special shrooms.

/

Shao: What do you truly know of War, Little Healer?

Y/N: Enough to know every possible way the mightiest can break.

Sindel

Y/N: I cannot fathom you as some vile harpy.

Sindel: Nor I with you as a heartless mad woman.

/

Y/N: I have deeply missed your hanging gardens.

Sindel: Perhaps later we may visit them together for old times sake.

/

Y/N: I am happy to report that Mileena is improving in mind and spirit

Sindel: I hope the same could be said for her body.

/

Sindel hurt: Why did you not come to me after what Shang Tsung did to you?

Y/N: I feared you would turn me away like you did with Lei Mei once you saw my visage.

/

Sindel: Care to explain the statue that strongly resembles Reiko in the middle of my garden?

Y/N: He had it coming to him.

/

Sindel: I am sorry, Y/N, the answer is still no. As Empress, I can not risk catching Tarkat.

Y/N hissing: If you only ssssaw what disgraceful conditions you forced the afflicted to live with!

/

Sindel: I am happy you found joy as I did with Jerrod, even with his disease.

Y/N surprised: What has Mileena been telling you now?

Johnny Cage

Johnny: Seriously, what did you see in Shang Tsung?!?

Y/N, with an exasperated sigh: Only what he wanted me to see.

/

Johnny: You will NOT believe how much my fans ship you and Baraka.

Y/N: Ship? Do they plan on building a boat for us?

/

Johnny: I totally have a chance with Katana... Don't I?

Y/N: *Hisses in amusement before responding* Ahhh, you are amusing Earthrealmer but no.

/

Y/N: Dammit Earthrealmer! I'm a healer, not an actress!

Johnny: But you already have the part down to a T!

/

Y/N: I too am something of a jokester.

Johnny: Ehhh no offense beautiful, but I'm not one for your brand of dark comedy.

/

Y/N: Why would you show me such a film???

Johnny: I swear, I forgot that's what happened to Medusa in that scene!

/

Baraka: Care to explain why Y/N seemed so frightened when she returned from your abode?

Johnny: Wait, wait, wait! I can explain!

/

Ashrah

Y/N almost smugly: So I resemble a demon?

Ashrah: That’s not exactly a good thing, Y/N.

/

Y/N: Baraka asked you to do what now?!

Ashrah: I pray you can find a cure for his condition before it comes down to that.

/

Y/N bashfully: Wh-what has Syzoth been telling you?

Ashrah: So are you and Baraka not a couple?

/

Y/N: I will gladly help you put down Quan-chi, as long as you do the same with Shang Tsung.

Ashrah: Together, we will put a permanent stop to both our tormentors.

/

Ashrah: My kris appears rather split with you.

Y/N: Considering some of things I’ve done, that doesn’t surprise me.

/

Ashrah: I am grateful you support Syzoth and I.

Y/N in a happy tone: Just be aware that if you hurt him any way, you’ll be begging for death. /

Ashrah: For a healer, you’re rather…

Y/N: Violent? That's always just been me.

A/N: Don't forget to like, reblog, and comment as I love hearing from y'all! Stay weird, my fellow humans.

[bellanoche-oxo]

I'm sorry this isn't a commission, but I just have a question about your art. Feel free to ignore this, of course. I was really amazed by your Miku drawing from December 16th. Seeing such a high-level piece, I wanted to achieve something similar, but no matter how much I try, I can't replicate your shading and highlights. I was so genuinely curious that I couldn't sleep. Could you possibly give me any hints or advice?

Hey, sorry for making you wait so much for this answer, i've been finishing some projects and i barely had free time. Anyways i'll try to do my best on explaing my coloring and lighting methos and you also asked me to explain how i create the folings of the clothes. Please take in consideration that 1 i am not native in english so it's a bit difficult for me to explain myself sometimes in this language and i may have some misspelings, sorry about that, and also 2 i am not great at explaing my drawing process bc i kind of turn off my brain when i draw lol, but i can explain the fundamentals that i know and help me create! Last thing i want to let you know is that i've started glazing my art, this is a metho to protect the images for AI images generators and it leaves a kind of pattern /effect on the image that i did not put there during the drawing process.

with all of this said let me start explaining things!

Learn the basics:

This may come as a cliche i guess, but yes my first ever advise to anyone is learn the basic theory on lighting and colors (on anything related to art tbh). You don't really need to spend a lot of money on books and such as there are lots of resources online like videos and documents you can read for free. It's not necesary to be an expert and even the smallest mount of knoledge is enought to inpruve your art a lot! , i find it very interesting to learn the way things work too so don't think you'll get bored of it!

To be frank, i am actually not very good at lighting lol. My lights and shadows are not very correct, but since i do have a lot o control over my colors and i know very well how to used them it kind of compensates and creates a very recognisable (i think) style.

just u know basic shitty advise that everyone is going to give you but it works! if you have free time try watching some videos or reading some documents about color theory shadow and lighting!

Your working space:

So this is something that works FOR ME not everyone likes it, you can try it see if you like it and if you do, cool! if you don't … that's cool too! When drawing on digital i prefer it when my base layer is grey instead of white. It helps with my headaches too but it's more about the fact that starting in a middle tone when coloring (in my opinion) makes the process of briging out both shadows and lights easier, let me give you an example:

Drawing from complete light (white) to compplete darkness (black) may condicion you to actually lose control in the contrast betwen these areas, i prefer staring in a middle place (grey) and that way is i want to show darkness i'll use a darkr color and if i want to show light i'll use a lighter color, but if i start on white i can't use anything lighter. I think i did a HORRIBLE job explaing myself there, but yeah it just helps me control my color valius a bit more lol.

this is the color that i used:

Another inportant thing about your woking space is you brushes, in my case i prefer using textured brushes that mix well, and i prefer using very thick strokes, if it's too think i'll just color pick the transparent color and ease it! I work in CSP i don't know what you use, but just in case i'll give you the setiings of the brushes i use the most with their codes so you can find them

Sculpting with lights and shadows

As i said before, i am not very good with light yet, so this is something that i do to help me with the process. When you think about it, lighting is used in art to give volume to the piece, not in every case bc rules in art are not there to be followed but to asist us when we need to take a creative decision. The way that we can start with our Sculpting is by creating a very easy first guide othe the shadows and lights and to do it with very big block, so that we get the general shape first,we don't neet to get lost in the detailds yet

The actual coloring

When drawing my process is divided in three stages. I first create the doodle/lineart, that doesn't neet to be super neat as i will fix it during the rendering. The basic colors, and the rendering.

During the preparation for the rendering when doing the base colors i recomend that you give special atention to the focal points of your illustration, in this case for example that's her face and the top of the hair, that's why i gave so much more atention for this part in comparation to the shirt, that it's literally not shadowed yet. Then another step that i use normally before rendering and that i can NOT RECOMEND ENOUGHT!!!! GO WILD WITH THE COLOR CURVES!!!! OMG!!!! THAT STUPID LITTLE TOOL IS SO FUCKING COOL!!!!!!!!! like for real, it gives effects that i have not been able to achive in any other way and omggggggg use the fucking color curves pleaaaaaaseeeeee

ok i'm notmal again , lets continue.

For the rendering i usually convine all the layers of the drawing on one layer, then use a textured brush that has low opacity of mixes very well fot the actual work. Tbh here is very i can't really help you a lot, bc i have no idea what i'm doing when i render i just don't know, the only thing i recognise is that i try to esare or clean the lines from the doodle/lineart, and i focus a lot on creating volume in the places that are more important.

Skins

An specific thing that i do a lot when it comes to coloring skin is using an undertone in red (literally) I will put the basi color, use the brush to mark where i want shadows to be in a very vibrant red and then use a blue / green / pruple (depends on the skin) to finish the shadowing. Thios metho is nice for lots of occasions, but take in consideration that it doesnt work for example for very dark scenarios where the character is suppoused to be in the shadows, as that red tone works as a outline for the light. It just depends on the situation.

Clothes foldings:

Ok so here the only thing i can give you an advise with is to remember that the way that clothes fold dependes on gravity and that gravity works in curves most of the time that have two (or more) attachment points that are going to determinate theit trajectory. Example:

And remeber that this creates (again) a volume, that there is an inside part, that it's probably going to be draker, and an outside part, that it's going to be lightter. With this info you can start practicing with images of clothes.

this is as much information as i am able to recolect on my coloring process bc i am horrible explaining , spacially on text and in english, and i am also not very much aware when i draw, i kind of disconect. I still hope this is enough to help you a bit on your learning journy.

I may try doing a video at some point if i ever have the time so i can explain my coloring while i actually do it bc if not in that situation i'm not sure i'll be able to remeber what it is that i did.

My last piece of advise is to watch speedpaints and livestreams of artists you like during their drawing process and maybe even tray to imitate them while they are drawing to see what it is that they do exccly.

hope you have a good day and lot of lucks ! be proud of being able to create and be proud of being an artist!

[ametunns]

THIS CONCEPT IS SO FAMILIAR WITH THE CAGE. And this idea can't leaving me-

Below I'll discuss the character Keeper in the BATDR; some guesses about the role of this new character in the Cage. Enjoy reading!

# The Keepers. In the BATDR >>>

ofc in the ink world this versions of the Keepers are works because -

a giant gear in the spine is not bad for balance when picked up a weight stuff in forward;

the third hand is nice for supporting a thing or a person (not just for correcting its back lol/j);

ability to flying is actually about movement, way to make a painful high-speed strike by massive left hand / catching by right hand. Рerhaps "crawling" on appendages rather than legs makes it easier to walk around the ruins of the studio. And once again - they can fly.

Despite the fact that they have yellow inside, which indicates the presence of a soul, they do not react to the Signal Towers. I can only suggest that Wilson created "Yellow ink", and inside Keeper are not "Golden ink". Otherwise the Golden ink would have provided a link to Demon power, and metal octopus would have been against Wilson sooner or later.

...I personally think that it is easier to get the lost one's soul with the help of saws, and then start changing the soul in order to place it inside something. Like make a "soul semblance" - "Yellow ink" as I called it; get fairly similar minds, which is ideal for Keeper.

In case he's design looks silly, slowly moved, pretty blind because of the game mechanic-

but if you take them as those who can:

performs certain tasks,

move through space almost without interference,

catch the intruder,

conduct an experiment,

or even performing small construction work (for example, conducting power grids through a train tunnel)-

Within the framework of the lore of the world, these creatures, as they are, have done a lot.

# But what about the previous version of Keeper? Let's check out >>>

This creation is much more complex than would be seen...

Yes, we saw how Boris was turned into Brutal. That the mind can be partially rewritten. The sawing process also has a rewriting process. But-

A hybrid of a living mind and metal structures for the first experiments...it sounds like rewriting biology so that the body doesn't go crazy and start self-destructing because of unperfected souls and the realization of what they has become. And even Wilson can't make a perfect soul if he invited Audrey in the Cycle.

...Aaa-and also can tell about the REAL HUMAN in IT'S CREATION AND BLOOD...but a little later-

Attempts to create Wilson own being is unstable...and that is why we'll can meet them in a Cage!!! :D

# Details in the photos >>>

First thing - is another hoses behind;

Second - he had 3 hands, and maybe one of them (as possible 4 hand) is free from the lockers; you can also see that the lower hand is thinner and the plate on the outside of the palm glitters;

Last thing - a familiar detail.

Nothing more...

but a general similarity to the concept

# His role in the Cage. Theories and thoughts >>>

It's interesting things...Let's back to the thought that it can be a human. How much it will affect the story? Well-

Role #1 - He's a living proof about experiment of humans.

...the Gent corporation literally drowned people in ink ("Fade of Black");

And there is a temporary antidote to ink in the form of the chemical "iron oxide", which also resembles blood ("The Lost Ones");

It seems that through chemistry and past research, Wilson was able to create colored ink, a way to get back to the real world, and in collaboration with Alice, who lives in half of his house, and with Ink Machine, he was already beginning to think about creating a Keeper. About getting "the first good soul"...Pick out the right clothes, became anyone from Arch Gate Pictures, not just a humble cleaner. But after understood the difficulties (let's say, with blood) and maybe managed to update the methods for creating ink creatures...And my theory "Yellow ink" from Lost Ones.

Due to the details, a human being in the creature is doesn't't look like something unexpected, but it would definitely be intriguing.

Role #2 - If he's able to talk, new information about the corporation. Maybe even about Alan Gray. Maybe gives some hints of how getting away from the Cage idk just a thought-

A human being who was trapped into a monster for someone else's purposes it's pretty similar to Henry...ahem

Role #3 - Abilities of the blood. Perhaps we'll see hints of blood power in Lone Wolf. But in essence - there will definitely be something new...and something more powerful.

...What role will he play for the Henry.. it's unclear:

It's easy to say - this is the enemy who thoughtlessly wants to kill the hero.

It's easy to say - we can have a possible "free it" quest for game necessaries.

Possible to say - two points together 🤝

The last thing what I wanted to say:

‼️ I'm praying LIKE HELL he's not leaked FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS like it was with all the new BATDR characters. Like Sammy-🥲

---

thank you for reading! If you have any ideas or thoughts, comments please! I'll be interested ⭐

☕ Have a good time!!

[saeyoungchoismaid]

Okay so I just finished my first round of Andromeda Six and here are some thoughts I have (both good and bad!). Pls feel free to comment with your thoughts or send asks or message me or whatever!! I'll update this anytime I get more info or think of smth new to add lol. Warning: obvi will contain spoilers.

The amnesia thing - I think the biggest thing for me that I wanna talk about rn is the whole royalty thing. While in general the whole thing is a really cool idea and either way I still love the plot, I think the whole 'I'm royalty' thing was WAY too obvious. Like the SECOND the a6 crew revealed where they found me, I was like "okay cool so I'm the princess got it." and then everything after that only fueled that theory (which obvi turned out to be right). Idk I just think if you're gonna have a game that's based around your main protagonist having amnesia, you need to make the player just confused as the char yk what I'm sayin? Like I shouldn't be able to know stuff that the char I'm playing as doesn't know yk? 😂

Nerissa - I think one of the biggest things for the fandom (that I've seen really only on Tumblr by the way lol) is the whole Nerissa thing so here's my two cents lol. I actually really like the plot twist of Nerissa being alive. My only thing is that it doesn't really make sense and bc she's alive, the whole thing with Vexx at the prison where he breaks down kinda gets (almost?) vetoed in response. To explain, I think it doesn't really add up that, at first, Oppo and others were like 'yeah, only the youngest princess' body wasn't found' (which in general was already weird cause ??? how do they know that her body wasn't found but then people also apparently quote unquote "didn't know she existed" like huh????). They mentioned NOTHING about the literal heir's body being missing??? Like idk if Zovack did that on purpose (and if so ???? homie wyd lmao) but if not, it's a big plot hole in my opinion lmao. Also just the fact that she was literally shot by Vexx (who held her bleeding out and dying body in his arms) and then shows up later like 'yeah no I'm completely fine actually' is CRAZY. Like what kinda medicine do these folks got that makes that so easy?? Like she's not on crutches, has a cast, a limp, like ANYTHING. It's absolutely bonkers to me. It's just very OP like okay so she can literally be shot in the future now and I literally won't react cause she's apparently immortal 💀 N e ways I think it's cool that the MC can choose to basically defy Nerissa and be like miss girl you're so wrong and I don't wanna do that is SO SLAY. Cause yeah no she was not it at first (and I lowkey didn't like her for a phat min). Also, kinda off topic, but I was surprised they actually showed what she looked like. Like, I guess her skin tone is ambiguous enough to work, but I think it would make more sense if they just said somewhere that the king had more than one wife, had a side hoe he got pregnant, yk smth like that lmao

Different species/race - As someone who has only played the game once, I'm not completely sure about what I'm about to say next, so pls correct me if I'm wrong! I think it's really cool that you get to choose from 3 different species in the beginning of the game. I was hoping that this meant that this would change your backstory, but from seeing some posts about this on Tumblr, I'm assuming this means that certain things will change but overall your backstory is the same and you're still royalty. Which is fine as long as the different species thing actually makes a difference. I just thought it'd be cool for one if it's like oh you're a human? Yeah, you're Peg'asi. Oh, you wanna be Tilaari? That's cool, but this character doesn't like you bc of it. Like that kind of thing would be super cool! Anyway, either way it's fine lol it's just a thought I had

Vexx - I haven't seen anyone say otherwise, but I personally really love Vexx and his arc/development. I never really blamed him for what he did since it was literally done against his will (and turns out Nerissa is alive anyway so it's like okay I can't even be upset that you killed her when she's literally alive). Something I will say though (which is kinda similar to my stance on the amnesia thing) is that I think it'd be nice to have a little more doubt on whether or not Vexx is on our side or not. Like, when you first find him and regain your memories, he's pretty cutthroat after the shock he initially feels. After that though, anytime you see him, it'd be described as 'an emotion I can't decipher crosses his face' or 'a piece of the old him flashes in his eyes' kind of thing and I was just like "yeah okay so he's good but is just being brainwashed or being blackmailed or smth." Like, there was no danger in it. Not once was I ever like "omg no he's gonna kill me/my friends/my boyfriend/etc!!!!!" Like no dude he's just a lil guy that needs help lmao. So yeah, a lil more uncertainty about him would've been super cool (or even an alt route where he really is bad and they didn't make him do anything. like there could be choices in the memory section of the game of your time in the palace where like if you were rude to him, he actually betrayed y'all kind of thing)

Kitalpha - I might just be dumb, but when Aya was explaining her backstory about her home planet, I was a little lost. Like, I understand the basics ig, but I overall am still confused on how it actually got destroyed lol. I read the Wiki and it still kinda doesn't make sense to me. Also, the info dump they give on this (and a lot of stuff in general) is CRAZY. Like I need so much time to process what you just said and you're already laying another bomb on me lmoa. That aside, I think it's really weird that such a (apparently) major planet that (apparently) hosted a major species went supernova 10 years ago and you just never hear anyone talk about it??? Even Aya says that people kinda just forgot about it and moved on. Like girl HOW?? (Like okay yeah with the whole Zovack thing I can understand cause they got more important matters ig but he only overthrew the throne a MONTH ago like what were people doing before then lmao). It also didn't make sense to me as to why no one wanted to help them??? Like Aya explains that they were just met with closed doors from EVERYONE. Like why??? What about a dying planet/species is so bad that people are like 'yeah, that sucks and all, but we aren't gonna help. Good luck w that tho! 🥰' Also, I saw someone on here say that they wish there was more definitive features for the Kitalphan than just having gills and I agree! I didn't even notice that Vexx had them for the longest time. Also the fact that we never get a scene where Aya/you/Vexx get to actually use them (to my knowledge anyway) is insane. Like, what's even the point of giving them the gills then??? lmao

Update: I found this post that explains more in detail about the races. "It was, despite that, their own choice as to whether to live above or under water, and those who chose to do so submerged, had their bodies altered to further adapt to their environment; webbed fingers and toes, bright colored skins to allow for better camouflage among sea life, nictitating membrane over their eyes. Those who chose to live inland, on the other hand, kept to the more human appearance, with only the gills telling the difference." So, from my understanding, those who choose/chose to live underwater are the ones that are more fish like whereas the ones who choose/chose to live on ground are the ones who look like Vexx and Aya (more humanoid looking but still fish-like qualities like gills). Still think it would be cool if we could then meet a Kitalphan that chooses to live underwater!!

Time - speaking of it only being a month, it's only been a MONTH bro???? Like, Zovack overthrew the throne, had the entire Peg'asi family killed, you've been with the A6 crew trying to regain your memories, visit like 4 planets, find love, discover your sister is alive, and start planning out your plans for a war all in ONE MONTH. Like, ig it's not super inaccurate, it's just kinda crazy yk? 😂 I saw someone say that they wished we could've spent more time on all the planets and I completely agree. For some like Orion, it makes sense that we couldn't really stick around lmao. For others though, I didn't understand why there couldn't be more downtime ig? Idk maybe it's as simple as there's nothing interesting enough to write about that will keep the player's attention that's not just boring filler? But eh idk how much I believe that. Instead of info dumping a lot of stuff, they could've spread it out for moments like these where like yeah we aren't exploring this planet or whatever necessarily, but we are learning more lore while we are here getting gas lol. Also the fact that other planets get mentioned but we don't actually get to see or learn anything about them. I can't think of any examples off the top of my head (but if anyone really wants I can go through the logs to find them), but like planets or stations they'd stop to refuel or whatever just never really get talked about. I think there was a place that was similar to Teranium or Cersa that everyone was like 'omg be careful here like don't wander off alone' and then like nothing happens (or am I crazy and mixing my stuff up and I'm just yappin??? lmao. I'll probs come back and edit this once I play the game again). (I actually think it might've been the pitstop they mentioned that was ruled by mercs so they probs wouldn't have any problems with the K'Merii. Maybe it's the place they're supposed to go to on their way to Goldis?? Cause isn't it that the place that Khandar (help is that their name??? Google isn't telling me his name help pls 😭) said he has contacts??)

Damon - I'm so down bad for this man it's not even funny. His route is the first and only route I've done so far and I really just have one thing to critique I suppose. I fell in love w his char bc he's this super tough, mysterious, elusive guy that teases the shit outta you and just in general dgaf lmao. When you choose his route, pretty much all of that goes out the window. Now, don't get me wrong here. I still love Damon and I love that we get to see his sweeter/softer side, but I don't like how his bad boy side kinda just disappears. Like, maybe in chap 9/10 it'll show up more, but since choosing his route, he's kinda just become a big ol softy (which again I love that about him but I just kinda miss mean Damon lmao). Like, when the whole Wren thing happened, I feel like as soon as Wren points the gun in our face, OG Damon would've gone FERAL. Like, even if knows he can't actually like stop them or whatever by fighting, like just starting to mouth off to get attention off of us would've been so UGH. Idk maybe this is just a me thing bc I like crazy men but yeah would've liked more consistency ig in that aspect?? lmao. Like, there was one point in the game where I lowkey almost didn't choose Damon cause he was such an asshole (and almost went w the other loml Bash). Like THATS THE ENERGY IM HERE FOR. Make him a morally grey char and stick w it yk what I mean? Yes, he has walls up and he's actually very sweet and care about his found family and has a soft spot for cats and blah blah blah, but you also need to remember his upbringing and why he is the way he is ykkkkk

June - Maybe this gets explained later or more in his route, but when he's explaining his backstory and who he is, I was a little stumped. I mean, he wonders the exact same thing, but why is it that he can withstand the testing that was done to him and is now a super human, but his own twin brother and soldiers and whoever can't. What makes him so special? I figured he was able to become this super human and the K'Merii and whoever couldn't bc he was being tested on when he was still in the womb. Again though, if this is the case, why did his brother not make it? Would love to know more about that whole thing

Okay I'll stfu for now...but I'm sure I'll be back LMAO

[shadows-lovebug]

Here's a small Sonadow oneshot called "Late night calls" <33

Another rainy night in green hills..

And Sonic still couldn't sleep. The time was currently 1:54 a.m. and everyone in the house was asleep, well.. except for him. Sonic looked over to his right where Tails- his little brother's bed was and frowned when he saw that he was comfortably sleeping.

Both Knuckles and Tails were out.

Great.

Sonic groaned and slammed his pillow over his face repeatedly and groaned into it turning on his stomach and reached for his phone pulling the charger out of it before getting back comfortable in his bed, there was probably only one person- er- Hedgehog who could put him to sleep and that was his boyfriend Shadow.

Of course Sonic hadn't really told anyone that he was dating Shadow or even had a boyfriend but it wasn't a surprise that Sonic had a thing for boys I mean he was pan after all. Well only Knuckles knew about Shadows existence but he swore not to tell anyone. And Tails? Well Tails was too young to even know about that stuff.

Either way Sonic was thankful that Knuckles wouldn't expose him. But he still kept an eye out...

Anyways, Sonic's thumb hovered over Shadows number before he pressed the call button and waited.

"Hello..?"

A voice said a second later and Sonic's face lit up instantly. "Just the Hedgehog I was thinking about~" He said smuggly and giggled when he heard Shadow let out an annoyed sigh. "Sonic it's almost two a.m. why are you calling?"

Shadow asked not even trying to hide his current feeling of annoyance. "Wellllll I was calling because I couldn't sleep I figured talking to you would put me to sleep" Sonic answered getting straight to the point and the call fell silent for a while. "Of course you called me."

He muttered.

"But this is not my problem nor do I care"

"Yeah I know you never care about me"

"Have you forgotten that were still rivals and I still do hate your entire existence?"

Sonic giggled.

"Your the one who confessed your feelings to me remember?"

Yes. Got him.

Shadow sighed for the second time that night. "Do not remind me.. Just because we're dating does not mean I'm going to be all over you.." He said and Sonic rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah you could at least care about me" The Hedgehog frowned.

"I never said I didn't.."

"But you said- ugh nevermind. Your so confusing sometimes" Sonic hummed before it was silence again. "So now what?"

Shadows voice startled Sonic who jolted feeling a little sleepy. "I don't know..I was hoping you'd have something to talk about.." He said.

"Your getting sleepy aren't you?" Shadow asked as Sonic scoffed. "No. That's stupid." He added rolling his eyes and Shadow chuckled softly. "Sure you aren't.."

Sonic rolled his eyes once again before checking the time. "it's only 2:12..." He whined. "I'm guessing we're gonna fall asleep on a call again?" Shadow questioned as Sonic shrugged. "That's if you don't hang up on me out of spite"

"Are you giving me reasons too hang up?"

"You said it not me"

Shadow scoffed. "You can be a real pain in the ass Sonic." He retorted as Sonic snorted. "It's my job too." He said before yawning and snuggling deeper in his covers.

"Just go to sleep I'll be here in the morning."

"I don't know if I can trust that."

"I'm pretty sure Maddie is going to be questioning why your still sleepy or didn't get any sleep in the morning an-"

"Ughhhhhhh alright I'll sleeeppppp" Sonic whined and a small smile twisted in the corner of Shadow's mouth. "Good. Now go to sleep"

"Hmph."

There was silence before Shadow let out an irritating groan. "okay okay I'll go to sleep." Sonic said quickly and with yet another eye roll.

He grabbed his throw pillow and cuddled it slightly wishing that it were Shadow and yawned once again before his eyes closed on its own. His theory was correct Shadow was in fact the ONLY Hedgehog who could get him to sleep.

And within second Sonic had actually fell asleep. The only noses were the rain and his soft snoring. On the other end Shadow smiled weakly slightly happy that his annoying ass boyfriend was asleep but like he promised he didn't leave.

"Goodnight Sonic.."

And with that both Sonic and Shadow fell asleep..

(silliness with Sonadow (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠))

[5pace5pr0ut]

DCAs Connections in Help Wanted 2 Update! (FNAF Theory)

Hello! :) I'm gonna be rambling about the DCA and its connection to the past (before the franchise took form) based on what was shown on the mural that we saw on the old factory.

Again, this is gonna be a ramble (it's gonna be going all over the place, so I may or may not sense (lol)) and most importantly, this is purely speculation (so please take this with a grain of salt!) ^^

Note: This is the first time I'm writing a theory, so bear with me (lol) & feel free to type your thoughts in the comments or rbs below (for civil (and fun!) discussions as we theorize together! :)

So, inside the mural (looking at the upper half) there was the blue rabbit (we can safely assume that it's some form of bonnie) and the golden bear (golden freddy or fredbear, at this point, we don't know which is it or if its something else entirely) but, just above the two, we can see a Sun and Moon motifs on either sides of them.

The Sun motif is positioned on the right, while the Moon motif is positioned on the left. Which makes me (and all of us) wonder, how are the two connected to this blue rabbit and the golden bear ?

To bring up what other theorist have said, many have speculated about a traveling circus back in the day, and from the looks of the bottom half of the mural in hw2's update, it clearly shows that many theorists were in the right direction.

As for Sun and Moon though, many of the dca fans already knew they these were theater boys (or old stage performers) from the way they're dress (seeing as they're jesters, so they've been used for the theater) so, we could likely see them performing with the rabbit and the bear, or separately (maybe on their own stage). Perhaps one (the bear, alongside Sun) would perform during the day, the other (the rabbit alongside Moon) at night (or it could flipflop throughout depending on show/audience). Again, either or, they're somehow connected to both the rabbit and bear within the mural.

However, if you think about them in a symbolic way, Sun and Moon could potentially represent Afton and Henry respectively. Since the two would be working together during that time (in sotm).

So, hear me out. Moon in a way could represent Afton. And what's he commonly associated with? Rabbits. And throughout sb, Moon is under the influence of Vanny, so I found it kinda funny that with this update, Moon is the one who's associated with rabbits (heck, he was in Bonnie Bowl as well, which made me wonder why he was seen there out of all places when you (the player) face him in hw2).

Also in hw2, in the claw machine ending, there are two slight altered endings the player gets. The first one being with Moon and his usual white eye, black pupil, and the second being, once the player obtains the bonnie mask, that Moon's pupils turn red.

Why? Does he now know the player (or the one who we play as)? How does he know the player? What connection does he have to the player, from the moment the player gets the mask?

So, I'm guessing Steel Wool may have trying to establish this connection for a while now (about Moon and rabbits now that we see the hw2 update) but may have been overlooked. Idk, who knows?

As for Sun, he could represent Henry, if Henry is the one commonly associated with bears (I think, correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while since I've been in the fnaf fandom). So, with Henry and Afton working together, it kind of parallels to Sun and Moon in a way. Light and dark, good and bad.

I don't know if Eclipse will show up in sotm (hopefully they do) but I'll put it anyway. Eclipse in a symbolic sense could represent Edwin, tying the two (Afton and Henry) together to build up their business, just how Eclipse keeps Sun and Moon together in order to function as a unit.

Anyway tl;dr - Sun and Moon (& Eclipse by extension) are very much ingrained with fnaf's past, we just have to put the pieces together to figure it out (like most theorists been doing i guess lol).

That's it! Just wanted to ramble. Again, take this with a grain of salt! :)

[sweetteaanddragons]

Stormlight Archive: Wind and Truth Thoughts and Theories

Lots of spoilers below.

Kaladin - I love the herald thing. I think it retroactively makes @nevertheless-moving's AU of Kaladin being time traveler mistaken for a herald even funnier, and it was already hilarious. I am dying to see fic where Kaladin-as-herald DOES time travel, someone DOES assume this, and they are actually correct, but not in the way they think. They start guessing historical names, and Kaladin has to go, "Well, I guess Jezrien is closest, but it's not quite like - " and everyone runs with it.

I am hoping for SO MANY reveals/interactions when he returns in the next series. I want him to go flying in to save Adolin from something in an 11th hour rescue and Adolin to have that "You're ALIVE?" moment. I want him to reconnect with his baby brother. I want Szeth to try to murder Ishar to avenge Kaladin's death only for Kaladin to have to intervene.

I love it.

Adolin - I love his arc in this book, and I love how his habit of talking to his weapons/armor has paid off such huge dividends. Slightly concerned about the firemoss; having seen what addiction did to his father, I hope he'll resist that path, but it does worry me a little.

Shallan - I'm assuming she won't manage to return in the interim between series, so this is looking like a long separation. At least she can talk to Adolin?

. . . her nausea/hand to her stomach thing is entirely understandable from emotional context, but given *tropes,* I'm kind of thinking she might be pregnant.

Szeth - I enjoyed his arc, and I loved learning he got married; I'm hoping he's very happy.

Gavinor - I'm betting his storyline and Lift's are going to be heavily entertwined in the next series since Lift feels partially responsible for him going through the rift in the first place. I'm also betting his storyline will ultimately end positively, as a counterpart to his father's tragedy.

Odium: You know that cut Hamilton song? "You have invented a new kind of stupid/a let all the animals out of the zoo kind of stupid/a you really did not think this through kind of stupid/Listen?"

Yeah, that's how I feel about his decision to recruit the Blackthorn and I am delighted.

It is 100% in character, given what he tries to do with Dalinar and Jasnah throughout the book. It is also, I think, a fatal mistake.

He has recruited the Blackthorn. A being with all the memories of his other self. A being with all the potential of his other self.

All of it. Including the bits that grew to fight Odium.

Navani is still alive. His sons are still alive. Does Odium really think they'll let this last remainder of Dalinar just . . . trot merrily off to war without trying to stop him?

Retribution ACKNOWLEDGES that the perception of Dalinar is what shapes the Blackthorn. Public perception that largely paints him as Retribution wants, sure . . . but Dalinar, prior to his death, become a tragic hero known for fighting Odium and RELEASED A BOOK WITH HIS WHOLE LIFE STORY.

Does Retribution really think he can keep that public perception pointed in the right direction forever?

The Blackthorn doesn't even make him any promises. He just says that fighting is "what I do."

He is 100% going to turn on Retribution eventually, and it is going to be glorious.

Other thoughts:

Dova is going to be a problem eventually.

I like the time bubble aspect; that'll let the events of Mistborn trilogy three play out before we catch up with Roshar.

I think the next Roshar series is going to be a massive crossover event for the cosmere.

I adored the musical chairs aspect of the final fight in Azir.

Loved the reprise of "Honor is dead, but I'll see what I can do."

(I also love the wind's little "Please don't hate me" to Kaladin.)

Definitely convinced that the overall plot of the cosmere is going to be "So we shouldn't have killed Adonalsium, now we need to put the pieces back together. This is exactly what I wanted, so I'm thrilled!

Oh! And given the emphasis in the book on the dangers of Shards turning their backs on planets and their people for too long, I think Retribution is going to find his distraction is going to cost him. He made a lot of promises in this book . . . and then did huge damage to the ecosystem and the landscape, massive psychological damage by hiding the sun, and vanished, utterly failing to enforce whatever social plans he had.

People are going to be TICKED.

Which of course provides opportunities.

Especially when the two territories NOT affected by Retribution are right there, enjoying the sun.

(Jasnah, returning for round two of debate for Fen: I can guarantee you that neither I nor any of my descendants are going to block out the sun.

Fen: Will you just let us sign the paper already?)

[darkseed-two]

👉👈 I hope my Extensive Ask Resume isn't getting annoying btw. Suffering the curse of being the only other person Here.

I'm chipping at my story and bc it is on the mind. How to you See the relationship Mike and Jack have. Like in general but also ideally in your soul…??? If that makes sense.

do not apologize for your questions my liege i look forward to them whenever i log into this evil villains lair of a website. also upcoming spoilers for the film vanilla sky...if you havent seen it. i recommend. but only if your tear ducts can handle the floodgates andalso if your eyes and ears do not tire of looking at and hearing tom cruise for an extended period of time. also i havent actually watched that film since i was like 8 so my perceptions of it may have skewed but its stuck to me HEAVY after all these years

also I feel at this point in time we need to establish some sort of shorthand for when discussing something in the context of either of the two main theories (ancients are real vs its all in mikes head) so im just gonna start saying Ancient Truther Canon (ATC) and Ancient Denier Canon (ADC) as of now on

I know exactly what you're sayin!!! Honestly, with either canon, I feel Jack at LEAST holds an itsy bitsy affinity for Mike considering hes his normal world counterpart / alter, & like, is the easiest target ever on planet earth to manipulate/bully. so Mike's tissue paper brain is endearing to Jack in the way that its like "Awww. Look at this organic! hes so soft, malleable, and would die instantly in a fight against me. I'll guess let him think im his friend while I fuck over his stupid baka life behind his back. as a treat❤️" but then as time goes on he grows slightly more attached to him. only slightly though.

ADC wise I absolutely do wholeheartedly believe that the ds2 devs/writers intended for jack to be some sort of offbrand arthur fonzarelli fictive as mike most likely experienced his childhood in the seatbelt-less 70s. (Also, completely off topic, this is partially why I feel like if ADC was fully canon then mike HAS to be like some sort of brain in a jar like in the film Vanilla Sky. Because im my Mind I wholeheartedly believe that Slim would also be one of Mike's alters as he feels like an offbrand fictive of Slim Goodbody (popular childrens 70s programme) to me. They even kinda speak the same. However other normal world people know of Slim's existence so it makes me think that EVERYTHING everything is in his mind. It would make sense as to why everyone is so fucking weird and nonsensical, especially the more time goes on. this scene from vanilla sky visualizes this idea) Fonzie feels like a suave slightly egotistical role model/mythological paul-bunyan-type authority figure to me so of course im projecting that onto mike in this scenario. fonzie in happy days is notorious for being able to ride his motorcycle literally fucking anywhere at all + can physically/emotionally manipulate people & also the laws of physics at the snap of his fingers. so it would only make sense that Jack would be like, this supportive cool suave hip guy motorcycle friend who ultimately turns out to be the shapeshifter. Theres also a vague joke of him doing something bad to the jukebox at hanks diner which HAS to be a reference to happy days. I could also argue that Hank is a nod to Al Delvecchio but Hank feels like just a generic old mom&pop burger joint guy to me. anyways getting back on topic. if my mentally ill senses are correct then I guarantee you that mike pretended that the happy days gang were his friends back in HS. Aint no way that boy played pool with the cool kids. hes a damn liar. aint nobody friends with the weird little nerd who fences and stares at people. stuart little ass extracurricular activity. also saying this now: sorry for getting offtopic again but i personally diagnose mike with inappropriately staring at people unintentionally due to 1) the waiting mechanic in ds1 B) everything that went down in ds2. and 3) i also had this problem as a mentally deranged child where i would just like stare the fuck off into space while thinking about something else when walking from class to class & people would wrongly assume that i was staring at them sexually when its like Bitch. Im thinking about crocs right now while staring downward so i dont trip over something. im not fucking looking at your punani. what the fuck do you want me to do?? close my eyes while walking?? and this caused many a friendless day. so now this is mikes problem Sorry. also this is probably why hes in advertising man needs to be in a cubicle away from people unless theyre corporate weirdos who are just as mentally unstable as he is

anyways back on topic i feel these are main sources of why he had little to no friends as a child + the death of his father shattering like any semblance of confidence he mightve had (although i cant remember atm at what point in mikes life that he died, if its even mentioned at all) so of course later in life mike would develop a fully fledged fonzie fictive (say that 5 times fast) when in his most vulnerable moments & is in dire need of a supportive role model who would beat the shit out of somebody if they tried to hurt him. in this case, jack would take over the front of mike's headspace and act as a guardian in stressful situations like with the jimmy gardner encounter. of course this set up enables mike to exert all his pent up bottled rage (of unresolved childhood trauma & recent traumas of being brutally raped) through jack which ultimately results in many deaths. so tl;dr their relationship ADC wise to me is that jack is the cool guardian/role model/friend that he always longed for, and since mike's self esteem is at an all time low in ds2 I imagine that jack's betrayal stems from that; nobody treats him with geniune respect and gentle care, not his mom, not rita, not hank, nobody. so in his mind at this late in the game, it would probably be like, "why would a cool guy like jack love a pathetic whelp like me? theres no way thats geniune, this has to be a pity friendship." although it still does catch him off guard when jack betrays him because deep down inside mike there was still a (dark)seed of hope that at the very LEAST he was worth SOMETHING to jack, especially after defeating the ancients again. im pretty sure with ADC the whole being stabbed in the back thing is purely symbolism and in "reality" he probably killed himself immediately when sims gave him an incredibly upsetting "reality check" (which. yet again. reminds me of vanilla sky)

for ATC (completely ignoring the fact ds1 and ds2 kinda fucked up consistency wise) I do like that one idea i mentioned before of jack being like, underdeveloped physically/mentally back in ds1 (whether his DW counterpart is supposed to be the mirror gloopy or the vagina-shaped drekketh guard is up in the air to me and honestly both could apply here anyway as mirror gloopy very easily could be a budding shapeshifter and the drekketh guard could cocoon/hatch into something else) and growing more mature/competent as mikes mind decays is so epic and awesome to me. in this way he is not unlike a homunculus. not seeing mike as a father here but seeing jack as a fucked up spiritually attached twin-like parasite that sucks all the life energy out of him slowly and surely the more mike spirals downward.

the ancients probably werent too happy about mike fucking up their shit so they went out of their way to snatch up and force his dw counterpart into being like the perfect little fonzie friend for him and since mike is special girl #1 jack of course would have special plot armor that allows him to travel into the normal world without instantly dying. i feel like jack having this power has to be directly attributed to the parasite thing because no other dark worlder can do this. I also reckon that it really did not take the ancients very long to come back because in the necronomicon in ds2 theres apparently a photo of mike and also a photo of his house from ds1 in it and its like. only jack wouldve been able to get a photo of the normal world so??? huh??? what??? huh??? how did this happen dinesh. also im pretty sure this book is made on behalf of regular dark worlders and not the ancients so that specific thing is confusing to me, maybe jack was normal for 0.2 seconds before being indoctrinated by the ancients? anyways was jack actively stalking mike on behalf of the ancients/or DW'ers the whole time he was popping in and out of mental wards?? was he secretly shapeshifting into orderlies just to get more information out of him in order to befriend him more easily later? maybe he even mentally tortured him in the wards for fun. who knows. also in relation to this I really love how its established that DW'ers have a whole cenobite thing going on and find pain to be pleasurable soooooo... just uh. leaving that little tid bit here. also i am deathly afraid that im just pulling this out of my ass but i swear there was something somewhere i read where DW counterparts know & are fully aware of their normal world counterparts, so maybe jack passively absorbs Mike Lore into his biomechanical brain over time without having to go out and gather it himself. although I do really like the idea of jack secretly stalking his every move. jack in this time would probably start to feel pitiful for mike knowing full well that hes going to absolutely destroy mikes life behind his back. and when jack finally settles down and actually befriends mike firsthand, hes not too emotionally attached to him at first and is just playing the part he was given. when mike defeats the ancients, jack probably isnt too happy about failing the one fucking thing he was assigned/groomed to do by his ancient evil alien dictator "parents" (save them from mike) but at the same time he has grown an affinity for mike the same way a mother grows an affinity for her incredibly ugly baby so he at least tries to comfort him by telling him none of it was real all along (like tryingto be like ohh no worries. all fake. you can die now. no more problems to take care of). which of course is very very far from being comforting but this is also a serial killer biomechanoid were talking about so hes trying his best . okay. ! he also kinda does give mike an out when he offers mike to try and stab him. mike didnt HAVE to attempt it. but I feel like jack mightve just killed him anyway out of spite.

also id like to clarify my use of the word "groomed" up there, in my mind with the ATC scenario i feel like if mike sling-shotted those fascist alien bitches back into the tar pit they came from permanently in ds1, jack would NOT have gone through and done all that bullshit. all of the DW'ers wouldve been free from the reign of the ancients so there would be no reason for jack to actively stalk and manipulate mike. maybe he would simply be a photographer for the necronomicon and nothing else if he still happened to have plot armor to travel into the normal world. with the ancients coming back in ds2 i feel like they picked out mikes DW counterpart on purpose to manipulate and train him into being not only a class traitor for other DW'ers, but also turning him into their groveling fetchquest bitch who does anything they say. they also are said to have rewarded him for his treacherous behaviors against his own kind and if thats not manipulative in this scenario then i dont know what is

With all of this out of the way, I feel like in my perfect little sunshine and rainbow unicorn world where no one dies and jack goes out of his way just to chill with mike for some reason, I would want jack and mikes relationship to be similar to whatever the fuck richie and fonzie had going on in happy days which i will attempt to but really cannot properly describe with words. so. heres this i guess first of all. secondly jack would be like this tough cool suave guy that is mikes bff & jack would be like all macho man and try to toughen mike's pansy ass up & theyd both be like haha no homo bro. but then they both go home and touch themselves at night while thinking about the other. until it inevitably culminates in one impulse driven night of ravenous but awkward sex between the two that makes the whole vibe weird from both mikes internalized homophobia and jacks suave laid-back persona being completely shattered. until eventually to break the tension jack says fuck it and starts referring to him as his bf and then it goes from there. also jack since hes a DW'er he'd absolutely would have intensely violent kinks/fetishes/fantasies which he would have to subdue the urges of purely for mike's safety but it would eventually wear down on him keeping that all in so. hmmmm 🤔☕️ incheresting. not too sure how he would go about letting that all out <- im lying im fully full of ideas so full yum

also sorry if some of this doesnt make sense im answering this at 3 am as per usual

[mangaka-lanani]

Frozen 3/4

Hello I see that my predictions and theories were correct for the past 4 years about Frozen 3 and 4 I followed the Scandinavian myths and asked questions about the secret of Elsa's strength and rejected what was said in Frozen 2 Now I will unleash my thoughts I got the thread I was looking for Now I have to guess what the plot and the whole story are

Remember my theories I wrote earlier about what will happen?

It turned out to be true

I remember that the fans made fun of them

I just rejected everything that was said in Frozen 2

And I delved into the story and its details

And I spent nights reading Scandinavian mythology

And I re-watched the movies and even the live-action series Once Upon a Time

In addition to the book Frozen Heart

Now I'm happy that I'm on the right track

And that those who made fun of my words are now saying the same theories as me

Now I'm going to unleash my thoughts

Those questions that Jennifer asked

I'll use them and I'll be able to understand them and thus get to the plot

[catboygirljoker]

luxuria as in lust but not simply 'for power' but also 'for life' [xigbar sneaking off to disney town extra incognito to get a delicious sundae the size of his head if not larger]

anon i am so sorry. you have auctivated my atism. "lust for life" works better thematically to me than "lust for power" because. ok the short answer is "lust for life" is stored in the same part of you as what you'd traditionally call lust, like, horniness, but "lust for power" is somewhere else. for a full explanation—

[lowers my projector screen, shuts off the lights, turns on my powerpoint presentation]

much of christian theology and philosophy, especially/including early-to-medieval christian theology (which is where the seven deadly sins comes from), is greek philosophy with a different hat on. (<-dramatic oversimplification but if it weren't we'd be here all day.) the specific idea im gonna talk about right now is Plato's theory of the structure of the soul*¹:

Logos (Greek logistikon)—your logic, reason, intellect. the "highest" and "most advanced" part that "rules over" the others. located in the head.

Thymos (Greek thumoeides)—your emotions, passions, spirit. located in the chest. could also be called the "heart".

Eros (Greek epithumetikon)—your gut carnal basal desires and needs. hungry sleepy horny itchy in pain. located in the belly.

when we studied this in my philosophy classes [boo hiss of course you were a philosophy minor in college] we usually called them the Head, Chest, and Belly, and i'll be calling them that here, which is why i bolded those words.

the seven deadly sins*² have at times been categorized by these parts of the soul.

the Head contains pride and envy (both are centered around your rational ideas of yourself and others)

the Chest contains wrath and sloth (sloth has kind of an interesting history as a Deadly Sin, short version is there have been times when it's more closely linked to depression than laziness which is why it's here)

the Belly contains greed, lust, and gluttony.

so, the Belly is where all of the hedonism is, all the indulgence for earthly passions. "lust for power" in my mind connects more strongly to pride, which, i guess you could Themes that with Luxu being the MoM's "mini me" in some ways, but if luxu's Themes ended up being closer to "lust for life" that would feel more true to me. i just think it's really interesting that they named such an important character lust and i'd be disappointed if they went with a rhetorical cop-out with "oh he inspires lust for power" etc. and avoided the "base, carnal desires" angle entirely!

DISCLAIMER: all of this is an objective factual description of what i have learned about these ideas. i don't think it's True, i don't think you should go acting on it, im not making any kind of moral point about it. like you neeed to understand the greeks (and christians) were capable of getting SO racist and misogynist about this. i just like thinking about Theams and Motifs and Symbolisms.

anyway. all that to say anon. correct. you get extra credit on the final.

*¹funnily enough you can see the platonic structure of the soul in Kingdom Hearts—the idea that "heart" "body" and "mind"/"soul" are three different substances that can be extracted and divided from each other. this is because the ideas from Greek philosophy that found themselves in Christian philosophy have, thanks to Christian hegemony, trickled down through the ages to find themselves in mainstream American/Euro/English-speaking-centric fantasy genre tropes and media that uses those tropes!

*²fun fact, the seven deadly sins do not come from the bible—the last time i tried to find out their exact origins i ran into some trouble finding concrete sources, but at the very least they were introduced into christianity in like the triple digits AD

[sonkitty]

The Sideburns Scheme Post #56

(For reference: The Sideburns Scheme)

Crowley, Good Omens 2, Episode 4, The Hitchhiker, broken

...

Sideburns Check

The above image is slightly brightened.

The sideburns are long. I think the long sideburns are the "human" reading during the minisode as a reversal compared to the present day.

...

Brighter Red Streak Check

With his hat finally off, Crowley has a visible more saturated red streak of hair. I'll go over my theories about that in the Story Commentary.

...

Hairstyle Changes

The sideburns are still long, but now the hat is finally off.

When Crowley faces and addresses Mrs. H, his hair looks more red compared to when he turns around to look at Aziraphale. Then his hair looks darker, and the red in the streak is more subdued.

...

Earthly Objects

(For reference: Earthly Objects)

Crowley opens the case of broken bottles. Only one thumb is shown to touch it, but he has all five digits visible with his right hand to indicate his previous touch. So, my own guess would be that he's aiming to get credit for the touch by having his hand shown in such a way.

Mrs. H. has two questions with, "Broken? All of them?"

That could give them a standard set to start the scene.

Mr. H. has two more questions and Crowley uses her name, "Mrs. H."

While these two are interacting, Aziraphale does have a visible touch with his hat, and there is someone known to be playing the piano, even if they are only shown from behind.

Mrs. H. repeats her name back to Crowley. She touches her own purse and rubs her gloved hands together. She mentions the number, "40". She continues on for a bit before the piano interrupts her swearing.

While she was talking, a Rule of Three was met with three of the girls entering and passing through the ongoing conversation.

Aziraphale takes out a white handkerchief when offering to help Crowley.

...

For paying attention to the pockets...

In my attempts to figure out anything, I noticed two cuts where there's a black top hat on a table on the stage behind Mrs. H. with what's probably a stuffed rabbit. Presumably, it has something to do with the magician. In the other cuts, the hat and stuffed rabbit are not there.

The girls who pass through, specifically pass through between Aziraphale and Crowley, which draws attention to them being on their "correct" sides for most of the scene.

...

(For reference: The Rainbow Connection Part 4: The Door Trick and The Door Catch)

I said this minisode had clues for The Door Catch, so let's look for clues about The Door Catch.

One of the most important elements in The Door Catch is that somehow, some way, the shadows of the green leaves on the back of Aziraphale's coat are allowed to be the Green of the maintained Rainbow Connection.

While neither Aziraphale nor Crowley sit during this scene, the piano player is visually pocketed between them, and that piano player has her back to us, the viewer.

A really tricky and difficult mechanic in the Rainbow Connection is from non-rainbow-colored shades: black, white, brown, and gray.

I think there is a findable poem that goes:

Black blocks.

Brown borrows.

Gray shades.

White keeps.

The "gray" is spelled as "grey" in the official subtitles, so I'm just using the spelling I'm more familiar with.

When I was drafting this part into the relevant post, it occurred to me check that this minisode might have a clue for each one. The clue for "gray" is the most obvious one, later, but I wanted to see if others could be found.

Black and white together seem to do something like a trap.

The piano player is wearing all black with, presumably, a black dress and black shoes. I'm mainly noticing it's a match for white because this scene initiates the clue for White.

Aziraphale pulls out a white handkerchief and waves it around. This handkerchief will be used again later during the actual Bullet Catch act.

...

Story Commentary

Who broke the bottles? Was it the Metatron messing with the story because he's got something against whiskey? Or was it Aziraphale's wishful thinking so he could have an excuse to help out Crowley? Or is it just part of the written story from one or both of them with the clues within the games?

Well, my guess would be the last one of those since it matches with my overall theory, but the other theories are good too.

Now about that more saturated red streak of hair...

One of the theories I have on it, here, is that this 1941 minisode is experiencing something like a "bleed-through" effect from the present day. It's closer in time than the other minisodes. So, the streak is there as part of this "bleed-through" effect. Season 1 established that Adam could retroactively change reality. Someone or something could be doing that in this story.

Another theory is that the streak is there because of either Crowley performing his miracle for the bomb, the books, or both, or Aziraphale performing his "real miracle" to make sure he and Crowley survive the bomb.

I had a present day theory that the streak is an after-effect of a Big Miracle that Crowley performed, but things don't quite match up with that theory because of various parts in the story where it disappears and my not finding any good guidance or reason for why it would disappear since I don't know how many drafts the story has and how it fits.

Plus, there are clues the streak is actually a result of the lightning...somehow. That doesn't fit either, but I'm generally suspicious of the camera work when Crowley first shoots the lightning out.

Mrs. H. has dealt with Crowley and makes no comment on that streak, but humans generally don't comment on Crowley's appearance as it is. If she does actually see it, and has seen it, then that would put the "bleed-through" effect as the more likely theory.

So, those are just ideas I'm throwing around. I'm more uncertain on them compared to stuff like the Threshold Tricks, the supernatural zone made with help from the sideburns, and the connection Aziraphale and Crowley make through borrowing each other's homes.

...

That's it for this post. Sometimes I edit my posts, FYI.

...

Main post:

The Sideburns Scheme

[liviavanrouge]

Eliana: *Lays curled up asleep in a corner, her back facing everyone*

Romana: Sorry love, she won't even let Bailu near her...she just huddles more into the corner

Jing Yuan: *Sighs, shaking his head* I was hoping she'd feel more at ease around you, I guess my theory was wrong

Yanqing: Then what do we do now? We can't help her if she doesn't trust us!

Jing Yuan: We know, I hope tomorrow maybe there's a bit of progress...

Romana: I hope so as well...

~~~~

Eliana: *Stares at the food being offered to her*

Jing Yuan: *Smiles slightly, hoping to coax her closer* I don't know if you like pancakes but they're delicious, you should try some

Eliana: *Crawls over to him, nearly falling when her hair covered her vision*

Jing Yuan: *Perks up surprised as the child sat herself in front of him*

Eliana: *Grabs a pancake, taking a bite out of it, perking up* ....good..

Jing Yuan: *Chuckles* Yeah, it's good right!

Eliana: *Nods, grabbing two more then scooting back into her corner, huddling into it*

Jing Yuan: You can come out you know, we have a bath prepared for you

Eliana: Ice? But the ice is cold and I got sick last time...

Jing Yuan: *Stared at her alarmed then shakes his head* No, no ice! It's a nice warm bath, I can show you if you want

Jing Yuan: My wife is out with Yanqing, Junji and Yaling, so I'll wait out here and you can tell me when you're in

Eliana: Warm bath...

Jing Yuan: *Holds his hand out* I can show you

Eliana: *Blinks twice then reaches out, taking his hand*

Jing Yuan: *Chuckles* Alright, let's go!

~~~~

Eliana: *Stares silently as Jing Yuan washed her hair, looking around the bathroom*

Jing Yuan: Don't move too much, soap can get in your eye

Eliana: *Looks at the bubbles* Soap...

Jing Yuan: Close your eyes

Eliana: *Covers her eyes with her hands, water being poured onto her head*

Eliana: *Lifts her hair up, noticing it was straighter and cleaner than before* Huh...no more dirt

Jing Yuan: *Chuckles* So your hair is a bright orange, couldn't tell because of how dirty it was

Eliana: Orange?

Jing Yuan: It's a color! Yanqing can teach you about colors when he returns with our guest

Eliana: *Turns around in her bath, staring at him* Colors...

Jing Yuan: *Chuckles, placing a hand on her head* Don't worry about it right now, okay?

Eliana: *Reaches out, touching Jing Yuan's hair* Messy...?

Jing Yuan: *Laughs* That's what my wife says, a lot!

???: Honey?

Jing Yuan: Can you get yourself dried and dressed?

Eliana: *Nods, letting go of his hair*

Jing Yuan: Alright, I'll introduce you to our guest when you come out

~~~~

Jiaoqiu: *Stares with wide eyes, his ears slightly back*

Eliana: *Stares at him, wearing one of Jing Yuan's old shirts, the sleeves covering the scars along her arms*

Jiaoqiu: Her name was Eliana, correct?

Romana: Yes, she's not very...trusting either..

Jiaoqiu: I'll see what I can do

Jing Yuan: Eliana this is Jiaoqiu, he's someone who's gonna help you, not hurt you

Eliana: *Looks at Jing Yuan then at Jiaoqiu* ..okay..

Jiaoqiu: *Holds his hand out being careful to not startle her* Come with me so we can do a check up

Eliana: *Grabs his hand, limping as she walked beside him*

Jing Yuan: We've made a good small step, love

Romana: Huh?

Yanqing: You managed to get somewhere with her?!

Jing Yuan: *Nods, smiling* Indeed, she sat close to me when I offered her food and she didn't get scared when I offered my hand to her

Jing Yuan: She..let me wash and bathe her as well, I was nervous at first because she was such a small and scared child

Romana: *Chuckles, smiling at him* Jing..

Yanqing: Do you think Eliana will want to go with Jiaoqiu

Jing Yuan: As much as I don't want her to be out of my sight, I think he's the best option to aid her at this moment

Romana: *Nods* Besides, she can visit whenever she wants to

Jing Yuan: That, I hope she does, if she goes with him that is

Yanqing: Yeah

~~

Jiaoqiu: *Looks over Eliana's scars* Hm...

Eliana: *Stares at him, then reaches out, patting his tail*

Jiaoqiu: *Chuckles* Is that interesting to you?

Eliana: It's fluffy...

Jiaoqiu: Hm...how about you come with me, I do need a little assistant around this time

Jiaoqiu: Also, I think you'd like my home!

Eliana: *Looks down* ..can I still visit this place, they were very nice to me....

Jiaoqiu: Of course, I'll even personally bring you whenever you want

Eliana: *Nods, watching him wrap bandages around her arms and legs*

Jiaoqiu: So, my new assistant, may I give you a nickname?

Eliana: Nickname?

Jiaoqiu: Eli? How's that?

Eliana: *Points to him* Qiu!

Jiaoqiu: *Chuckles, playfully fanning her with his fan* Qiu it is for me!

Eliana: *Giggles, surprising the foxian man*

Jiaoqiu: *Smiles slightly, handing her his fan* Careful

Eliana: *Fans Jiaoqiu, making him chuckle*

Jiaoqiu: Let's get you back in these clothes and inform everyone of your departure

Eliana: *Nods, holding her hands up*

@queen-of-twisted

[italianpersonwithashippersheart]

Only Friends Backstories and Secrets

I don't do this usually but this show is making me insane so here it is, an Only Friends Theory.

My personal theory is that every main character (not sure if this applies to our lesbians yet, too early too tell) has 1 solo backstory detail and at least 1 or 2 relationship backstory detail to uncover. We already know some of them, but some are still a mystery. I have some theories. The biggest is the Mew-Boston one.

I'll go in order

Top

Solo Backstory = Childhood trauma (almost died in a fire) + Insomnia (Can't sleep alone) + Possible drug problem??

Top-Boston = They fucked once, obviously

Top-Sand = This one is still a mystery but there is something there, drug delear? Ex hook-up? Top hired used to hire him to sleep with him (like in the same bed not for sex - or for sex we don't know). For now there is too many possibilities.

Mew

Solo Backstory = I have no idea, but there is something. There is a dark spark in that man eyes, I don't know what it means, but it's there.

Mew-Boston = Leaving my theory for Boston Section.

Not sure tbh maybe Mew-Ray = How they meet? Why does Ray love him?

Ray

Solo Backstory = His mom died, at first I thought it was suicide, but after reading @bengiyo stray thoughts I realized it was probably alchool poising.

This one is another sure. Mew-Ray probably (see above). Maybe also with Boston, they have not intereacted directly or alone yet, idk.

Sand

Solo Backstory = Based on the writer twitter response on the car accident theory my best guess is that someone he loved was in car accident because they were either drunk driving themeself or hit by a drunk driver.

Sand-Nick = When did they meet? Why? Are they university friends? Please tell me someone else is intrigued by how First and Mark played that scene, it literally sent sparks in my brain. I want to see more of them.

Sand-Top = Like stated above in Top section, there is definately something going on there. They do not like each other.

Nick

Solo Backstory = Something involving his parents, I think Nick lied about that store being a family business. I think he was living in a hole of an appartment because he was kicked out by his parents. Also is the Camboy theory correct? Is he one already or he is going to become one?

Nick-Sand = GIVE ME MOREEEEEEE!!!!!!

Nick-Top = Maybe, if Nick and Sand are friends he might have around when that thing between Sand and Top went down, and in the preview we saw him look at that picture with Boston and Top. Maybe it's not just jealousy but recognition on his face.

BONUS = Was anyone else reminded of Together With Me Side couple?? I had to look up the names: Farm and Bright the older Player Doctor and The University Student. Farm was an innocent boy and ended the series heartbroken and becoming just like the player and the player ended up lonely and regretting it. (We will ignore s2 for this parrallel).

Boston

This is my biggest theory section. It ties a bit into the Together with Me idea and with Parrelles in general.

Solo Backstory (+ possible reasons he seems particulary weird about Mew) = I am not sure if Jojo did something like this before because my memory sucks, but Boston could be the kind of character that had a bad expierience with sex and a realtionship and that turn into only wanting sex and thinking he is only good for sex.

What if he was someone's Nick? What if Mew and Boston knew each other first, either in High School or first year of University. What if they both liked the same boy. And they were both young and inexpierienced. What if that boy tried to get with Mew first. But Mew didn't sleep with him. And what if that boy then went to Boston. Young, wide-eyes Boston who fell for it. What if they had a sex relationship, it went on for months. What if that boy asked for sexual things, more and more, I am reminded of that Together with Me scene with Doctor Bright almost convincing Farm to an orgy and him leaving (at least I think he left before it could start). What if it was something like that except Boston didn't leave.

And then what if after all of it, the boy dumped him. Because well he couldn't bring Boston to his parents could he? He is a slut now? A sex thing, not boyfriend material, too easy. What if he compared him to Mew something like "Now your friend Mew, he is the kind of guy would make a great boyfriend, he has his virtue intact"

For now it's just a theory, something to explain Boston obsession with Mew's virginity and that wanting to basically win Top over Mew. I also love the idea of Boston being someone's Nick before and that Together With Me parrallel would not leave my brain. Anyway that's it.

[beingfacetious]

please give us the correct negative Ted lasso review

Oh my God. This feels like a trap but I can't help it

update from the other side, this is no joke 2k words long and it's not uh happy lmao so dead dove do not eat

TL;DR:

Bill Lawrence's involvement lessened every season and it fuckin' shows

There were arcs and plot points established over the first two seasons that the writers very obviously just changed their minds about for this season

Takes about this season being dark/ending sad on purpose are MUCH too generous. like giving WAY too much credit.

It turns out most of my feelings boil down to "it's not aggressively bad it's just nonsensical"

How tf was every episode twice as long as in previous seasons but everything important happened offscreen

FIRST OF ALL, since MONTHS before the season started airing, I've nursed a conspiracy theory that Bill Lawrence left the show because of creative differences with Jason Sudeikis and that therefore this season would be significantly less good than previous seasons. This started when I saw Bill tweet that he was going home, basically, and I figured we'd get "season 3 is in post" news shortly thereafter but instead there was that weird stuff about things being delayed because of rewrites...? Anyway, that is mostly to say that I was ready to think this season was worse because I love Bill Lawrence's storytelling and have forever and you should give Cougar Town a shot if you haven't yet it's no Scrubs but it's sweet

There were interviews early in the show in which I swear Jason/Brendan/whoever said they pitched the show to Bill because he's fuckin' good at TV and he basically said "this is a great idea but you're writing to the wrong ending, it should be this," and they were like "wow you're right that is a better ending." I can't find that now but I did find this from a more recent Bill interview:

I ran that show the first year because Jason was still shooting movies while we were doing the writers room. Then, at the end of that year, much like Gary with me, I was like, “Ah, I’ll spend a couple of months teaching him how to edit.” But after like a day or two, he’s like, “Yeah, I got it.” (Laughs.) So, the second year, we ran it together, and I’m only able to do other things now because that guy ran the show himself the third year, as it should be. It’s his voice and his world this season.

Now look, Bill Lawrence is obviously not trying to throw shade here because he's lovely and also this is a Hollywood Reporter article and how immature would that be, but I can throw shade for him and I will: Jason Sudeikis is a talented comedic actor and seems like a very nice man and he had a good idea for a show, and his instincts to involve an extremely experienced showrunner with an insane talent for feelsy found family sitcoms were good and he should have stuck to them!! Telling Bill Lawrence you're good after two days of editing instruction or whatever is stupid!! Insisting on your voice and your world when BILL LAWRENCE'S VOICE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU and also you CO-CREATED THE WORLD whatever gdi

OK fine I'll do Ted/Rebecca next. Obviously I was in for Ted/Rebecca. I wanted them to put their faces together. But look, I'm not a shipper over all else; over all else I want a good storyteller to tell me the story they want to tell. If I expect things or see them coming, that's not bad! That's good! If I'm surprised by things, that's good too as long as it holds together! "Subverting expectations" shouldn't look like spiting the audience, a lie is not a twist, etc. SO. If Ted and Rebecca were meant to be platonic soulmates, that's fine!!! I don't NEED them to kiss!!! But I do not believe these people are even friends in season 3, after season 1 and tbh most of my favorite parts of season 2 were about how much they impact each other's lives. That's a dropped ball and there's NO REASON to have not made time for them to interact meaningfully because every episode was so fucking long. Instead I guess we had to know how super sad Rebecca was about not being able to have children but not need to talk to anyone about it and immediately be fully over it. Also see a lot of lingering shots of Rebecca...looking at a matchbook...

sfjbkfgs early in the season they very obviously established that Rebecca's arc was going to be realizing she actually loves the team and wants to support them and see them succeed because of her own heart and not to spite Rupert, and I guess that happened but why didn't it happen gradually in ways I could see, why did it happen in an episode in which I'm supposed to have known all along that this has to do with her childhood self ?? and in which Rupert has a FULL personality change to facilitate her sudden realization. In what fucking world would he invite her to that meeting, because she's smart or because she brings ~diversity or because maybe he wants to sleep with her again? None of it tracks at all lmao but it was also the episode in which I really enjoyed Tony Head so whatever

speaking of not tracking, Nate.........I've never been invested in Nate especially but he was SO cartoonishly evil at the start and then kind of never again. I was braced for a redemption arc I wouldn't care about but that didn't even really happen?? he got a girlfriend and realized Rupert was a bad role model? it turns out his dad thinks he was a prodigy and always just wanted him to be happy, which, lmao WHAT where????? and what am I supposed to believe about Jade changing her mind about him btw because she's seen people be terrible to him at that very table before AND she has to know he loves the place and the food because he's there all the time, so what was the revelation that turned her from relatable-via-Nate-ambivalence to suddenly heart-eyes just fdslelugatw so much of my feeling about this season isn't even like it's bad it's just it's nonsense

One of my big complaints about the season is just Keeley's whole deal. Separating her from the team/rest of the cast was a wild choice. Barbara is fine but I also would have been perfectly fine without her and none of the other new characters for the PR side story added anything to the show. Especially if at the end Rebecca is just going to write Keeley a check for the chump change she needs to run the agency. Why didn't we just do that to begin with??? I guess this season I'm supposed to think Keeley ~learned to be independent in various ways but, again, I don't ?? And her needing to not be with Roy I guess as part of that and then get back together offscreen but then not really be together maybe but then also possibly having throuple vibes later that never get acknowledged feels, whatever, like something Bill Lawrence didn't write sdfjlsefaj,lwte I know this is my unsupportable argument that post I RBed was making fun of but idc

also Jamie wanting to be with Keeley at the end of the show feels extremely Harry Potter epilogue to me lmao Jamie you don't have to marry someone you went to high school with there are so many people

Roy was fine this season. He didn't have much to do but that's probably for the best lol. Him taking Ted's job is probably the only main character ending I feel like makes sense for this season and the overall show. Him training and begrudgingly becoming friends with Jamie was always funny.

OK one of the wrong reviews was basically like if you don't appreciate this season you don't appreciate classic tragic structure. Fuck off with that. First of all this was a sitcom about soccer so even if they were going for a classic tragedy in season 3 that's stupid and they shouldn't have been. But I also just don't think that's what was happening ??? I think I'm supposed to believe everyone gets a happy ending and I just don't. Like the whole oh it's sad that Ted ends up where he started and it's about how persistent optimism and kindness can burn you out or whatever, that's...if that's what they were going for, again, why tf, and also could we have seen that like. at all. Ted barely Teds for anyone this season (frex the previously mentioned never talking to Rebecca). ROY Teds more than Ted in season 3. If we got to see Ted trying to Ted even, like, twice, and either not being able to dig down and find the positivity or I guess noticing that he needs someone to be that for him, OK, fine. A Ted/Keeley scene would have been a PERFECT vehicle for this. Didn't happen. idk if we're supposed to think he's getting back together with Michelle but that would be so...so bad ??? like what about Tan Lines??? why even have Tan Lines??? even if not, we just left completely unaddressed her starting a relationship with their marriage counselor, which is also BAD lmao. God why did I have to see so much of Michelle this season. Michelle video calls every other episode and two lines for Dr. Sharon. Nonsense. lol one of my friends summarized Ted's ending as "yeah going back to the unfulfilling life that didn't work before the show started is a victory for our protagonist"

Even the soccer of it all re that whole thing was silly. Oh marriage counselor boyfriend is a bad guy because he doesn't care about the soccer game. Oh Ted is happy now because he's coaching Henry's rec league soccer team. like it's fine that EVERYONE is still together in Richmond but he's "home" now and still around soccer which is good because we definitely saw him learn to love soccer during the course of the show. sure Jan

(to be fair I am not the audience for "it's about the kid" plots so even if I felt like it worked from the start of the show for Ted to choose moving back to where Henry is, which I don't, I wouldn't care for it, so maybe those criticisms aren't especially valid) (I didn't care about JD's kid either)

speaking of the soccer though every single scene that revolved around the actual soccer team was essentially perfect. Great use of so many of those boys. Very few notes. Sam in particular had a few nice things this season and of course Colin. Another incorrect review by a critic I actually like very much was complaining about Colin's story this season and it being tired and overdone and not caring about Trent's or Isaac's parts of it, but I actually really disagree! It was well done and it was nice to see in the context of professional sports where, sorry, coming out and being received well is not a cliche thing that happens a lot! Also, hot take! Zava was a good part of this season! Nice contained little story that impacted some characters I actually care about plus he was legit funny! Sometimes things in a comedy should be funny! I'd honestly watch three more seasons of Richmond-focused half-hour episodes with idk probably Brett Goldstein in charge

I haven't mentioned Beard because I just never understood what I was supposed to think about him lmao. By far the funniest character overall but I never felt settled on whether he was meant to be a manic pixie comic relief BFF or if he was like...a real person?? It strikes me as potentially bad that he was so worried about Ted's mental state all the time and never really mentioned his own and that was sort of a thing in the weird s2 episode but then not again? I felt so much ire about so much else I didn't have any for him marrying Jane lmao but I do understand the people who are upset about that because that sure seemed pretty toxic, but wasn't it supposed to be played for laughs? Does that fit in a show that's supposed to mainly be about people treating each other well because we're all we've got? idk, RIP Beard, sorry your best friend in the world wasn't at your wedding because it would have been narratively underwhelming to see him leave and then see him back at a future major event or whatever

idk idk, season 1 Rebecca was one of my favorite characters ever and I was so angry in the middleish of the season about how much I felt like she was being wasted, but by the end I was just like...I mean, what's to be mad at. She's not even her anymore. Ted wasn't Ted anymore. Nate I guess literally reverted back to season 1 Nate which also is that...okay...him ending up lower than he started out feels not great

Good for Mae and the bar boys though, used just the right amount this and every season and always a damn delight

OK this is ridiculous I'm going to be done now. I do want to say I enjoyed several episodes this season a lot! A couple top 10 potentials! I really enjoyed the Amsterdam one actually because it reminded me of like a Nancy Meyers movie, very nice and warm, but it feels worth noting that that is not a feeling I would describe as being struck by fucking lightning :))))))

in conclusion maybe we as a nation can move on now from giving SNL alumni we find charming huge budgets and ethereally talented casts and collaborators and letting them get us emotionally invested in their midlife crises sandbox playing

[spadefish]

update on dental situation (tw for grossness)

When I went to the ER, the nurse told me it was probably cellulitis as opposed to an abscess. 'sure,' i figured, 'i guess that makes sense since it feels HARD and also i've had a root canal up there so idk where an abscess would even be fitting.' I asked her 'can you drain it?' she said 'no, i think it's solid, it's not a liquid, i don't think i can get anything out. go to this dental specialist on wednesday to see if it's loosened up enough by that point to be drained.' 'okay,' i said.

MY theory was that it was just So Very Full of Fluid that it had gotten super taut. As it turns out, that was correct! It opened up and drained today. There was SO much fucking goo in there, dude. So much goo. At least my face isn't swollen now but it IS still sore and I can feel that gross empty pocket now.

Called the ER and was like "hey, i have a visible hole in my gums now, should i come back in or am i fine as long as i'm on this antibiotic + steroid?" she said "come back in if you run a fever of 100.4 or if you feel Suddenly Bad." I'm like 'that's an arbitrary metric, but okay.' Current temp is 99.6, so not quuuiiiite low-grade fever yet. I'm on a steroid so being a degree higher than usual is normal.

Roommate said he'd take me if I need to go back in, so at least I won't have to drive myself this time if it escalates. Gonna try calling the emergency dentist again tomorrow morning to see if they want to stitch it up or anything (because it is a hole in my mouth where i put food). The nurse told me "not to eat on that side," but... it's the very front of my face. it's right under my nose. sigh.

I'll make another post if anything happens.