#instead of encouraging and teaching his beliefs.

[metalmachineherald]

listen listen. lol viktor is the machine herald. arcane viktor is the arcane harbinger. it’s a small difference in words but it’s the best description of their differences.

[unsolicited-opinions]

Bro no one hates jews for ethnicity, news are hated for faith.

If you are an atheist "jew", no one gives a shit about you.

Stop pretending to be a victim and trying to appropriate antisemitic struggles.

I'll address these point by point.

Jewish readers, please share your thoughts!

You wrote: "No one hates Jews for ethnicity, [J]ews are hated for faith."

"Hitler...defined the Jews as a race and not a religious community, characterized the effect of a Jewish presence as a “race-tuberculosis of the peoples,” and identified the initial goal of a German government to be discriminatory legislation against Jews."

[Source]

More here

As David Baddiel put it, "I'm an atheist, but that would get me no free passes out of Auschwitz."

The Jews are a people. Judaism is the traditional religion of that people. A Jew who does not engage with that religion does not cease to be a Jew by Jewish definitions OR by antisemitic definitions.

You wrote: "If you are an atheist Jew, nobody gives a shit about you."

First, see above.

Second, you're incorrectly assuming that a Jewish atheist is not engaged with Judaism.

Here's the thing:

Judaism isn't necessarily theistic.

Let's set aside the explicitly non-theistic movement of Humanistic Judaism for a moment (huge topic for another time) and just talk briefly about theism in Judaism.

Most kinds of Judaism, while certainly encouraging faith, do not require it. There are no thought crimes in Judaism, no crucibles of faith, and no requirements that one announce or perform proof of belief for witnesses. Those things are often parts of Christianity and Islam, but in Judaism...not so much.

In Jewish thought, it is not what you believe about metaphysics which lifts you up, ennobles you, improves you, or makes the world a better place. In Judaism, you pursue those things by how you behave.

Sola fide is a Christian concept which Judaism does not share. Judaism is a profoundly existential religion with ethics which are overwhelmingly humanist.

I was raised in Reform and Conservative congregations...and non-theistic/atheistic/humanistic views were very common there.

When I was studying to become Bar Mitzvah, our congregation's Rabbi made crystal clear to me that there was no contradiction between my identity as a Jew and my inability to swallow the idea of an anthropomorphic, sapient, interventionist God who cared at all about petitionary prayer. He felt that wrestling with God was a very Jewish thing to do. He introduced me to Maimonides' apophatic theology. Decades later, I'm still grateful.

Many Jews pray, I believe, not to be heard by God, but so they can hear their own hearts and minds. This is why kavanah is important and why I disliked (and still dislike) prayer-by-rote and rituals performed for the sake of ritual. It's more mindfulness meditation than petitionary prayer.

There's a famous Hasidic story, recorded by philosopher Martin Buber in his "Tales of the Hasidim," about how Judaism views atheism:

The Master teaches that God created everything the world to be appreciated, since everything is here to teach us a lesson.

One clever student asks "What lesson can we learn from atheists? Why did God create them?"

The Master responds "God created atheists teach us the most important lesson of them all- the lesson of true compassion. You see, when an atheist performs an act of charity, visits someone who is sick, helps someone in need, and cares for the world, he is not doing so because of some religious teaching. He does not believe that God commanded him to perform this act. In fact, he does not believe in Goda at all, so his acts are based on an inner sense of morality. And look at the kindness he can bestow upon others simply because he feels it to be right."

"This means," the Master continued "that when someone reaches out to you for help, you should never say 'I pray that God will help you.' Instead for the moment, you should become an atheist, imagine that there is no God who can help, and say 'I will help you."

You wrote: "Stop pretending to be a victim and trying to appropriate antisemtic struggles."

I invite other Jews to advise if I have appropriated anything which is not mine.

Your opinion, though? Your view, as a non-Jew, about what is or isn't Jewish? On what is or is not mine in my heritage? Your claim, framed by your obvious and absolute ignorance of my life, my family's history, Jewish history, Jewish theology, and Jewish philosophy, that I have not experienced antisemitism and am "appropriating?"

I don't have a single fuck to give about any of that, and neither does any other Jew

Still, thank you for the writing prompt. It helps to crystalize my own thinking and provides an opportunity to educate.

[etz-ashashiyot]

This is truly a half-baked thought, but: something that kinda shocked me a bit when talking to a Catholic co-worker some years back (we frequently had mutually respectful interfaith conversations) was his reaction to my explanation of the Moshiach in Jewish theology. Namely, that Moshiach comes after we've proven ourselves worthy of it, and that ultimately tikkun olam, the repair of the world, is our responsibility.

He was horrified.

He thought that was so much pressure and "so fucking bleak" that there wasn't someone swooping in to save us from ourselves.

And I think about that a lot, and how Judaism is very much an empowered religion in that way and how disempowering that dim view of humanity is.

It also just surprised me because the Christianity I was raised in was also an empowered faith, in that I was taught growing up that we were the body of Christ in the world now, and it was our job to be his hands feeding the hungry, his feet marching for justice, and his voice teaching peace and compassion for all. And it's really sad to see how far this specific insidious theology has reached, that encourages Christians to sit back and watch the world burn or pour on the gasoline instead of clothing the naked, healing the sick, welcoming the outcast, stewarding creation, and fighting for a world in which the meek will inherit the earth, the lion will lay down with the lamb, and the swords will be beaten into ploughshares.

Anyway, I just want to offer up a moment of gratitude to the Christians who do center their faith in acts of love and who will actively work alongside people of other belief systems to make the world a better place for us all.

[eksvaized]

StripClubOwner!Simon x Reader

After you start dating Simon, who is the owner of not one but three popular strip clubs, you find yourself deliberately avoiding them.

The main reason for this aversion is that you don’t want to be trailing behind him for hours on end while he attends to his business. Moreover, it’s difficult to ignore the way the dancers gawk at your boyfriend with obvious admiration, which they don’t bother hiding. Not even when you're glued to his side, holding his hand.

You’ve never considered yourself a jealous girlfriend. You’re secure in your relationship and you trust Simon. But there are moments when you find your confidence waning. This often happens when you see the amount of attention that he attracts, particularly from the girls who work for him.

They're always around him, their eyes following his every move, their laughs a bit too loud, their smiles a bit too wide. The intensity of this attention becomes especially palpable when he walks into the dressing room to hand out their checks. It’s almost as if the atmosphere changes—the air electrifies with expectation. The girls straighten up, their backs arching subtly, their faces lighting up.

It’s these moments that leave a sour taste in your mouth. You try to brush it off, to reassure yourself that it’s all in your head. But the feeling of insecurity, instigated by these instances, clings to you, stubborn and unyielding.

At first, Simon’s unaware of the turmoil brewing within you, oblivious to the anxiety you feel and blind to the fact that you are increasingly crafting excuses to avoid setting foot in his clubs. This avoidance goes unnoticed by him for a while, your subtle changes in behavior flying under his radar. But when he finally picks up on it, it leaves him feeling more than just a bit frustrated.

That frustration eventually leads to a conversation where he asks you directly about your reluctance to visit his clubs. Faced with his question, you spill your guts out about how it all makes you feel insecure.

Simon, to his credit, listens to your concerns. He doesn’t interrupt or dismiss your feelings, instead he absorbs your words, letting them sink in. After that intense conversation, things change subtly between you two. For a while, he doesn’t bring up his work.

However, there comes a night filled with laughter, deep conversations, and a hearty dinner. Admittedly, the two of you indulge in a little too much to drink. Simon, ever the extravagant spender, spares no expense when it comes to fine alcohol. You, on the other hand, despite not having the same tolerance, try your best to keep up with his pace. The result is you ending up in a state of giggly euphoria, while he, accustomed to such indulgences, barely feels tipsy.

Amidst this atmosphere of light-hearted intoxication, Simon, with a serious expression that starkly contrasts the jovial mood, proposes a solution for you to overcome your insecurity. He suggests an idea that is as unexpected as it is intriguing.

“Dance,” he says. "One of the girls would teach you,." His belief is that by doing, you would not only come to see that you are every bit as talented as his dancers, if not even more so, but you would also realize you don’t need to be jealous or feel insecure.

In the morning, you find that the idea which seemed brilliant the night before doesn’t hold the same allure. However, after a week passes, before the club opens its doors for the night, Simon drives you to it and introduces you to his top tipped dancer.

You’re immediately intimidated, unsure of what to expect. However, as it turns out, your fears were unfounded. The dancer is a lovely woman, slightly older than you, patient and understanding. She starts you off with simple moves that you can practice on the floor. Once she sees you getting comfortable moving around in heels, she encourages you to try some moves on the pole.

The following week is spent training intensively, and surprisingly, it becomes a fun. This happens especially once you find your balance and stop falling each time you raise your legs in the air—the initial awkwardness fades away, replaced by a growing confidence in your movements.

As the month passes, your readiness to step onto the stage grows, but it only happens after a lot of persuading from Simon. He reassures you, tells you he wants to show off all the hard work you’ve put into your training.

And show you off, he does. After your debut performance, you’re met with an overwhelming amount of positive attention from the rowdy men in the audience who can’t tear their eyes away from your body. The thrill of being on stage, combined with the generous tips you receive, makes you want to dance again.

You become a regular performer at the club, captivating the crowd with your mesmerizing dance moves and the way your body moves. You never strip, daring only to shed a few pieces of clothing here and there, but that doesn’t prevent you from becoming the customer’s favorite—your aura becomes a magnetic pull, drawing in patrons night after night.

Simon’s overjoyed when you decide to leave your shitty job and start working for him. His excitement, however, doesn’t blind him to the need for certain rules. He puts several in place, but there’s one rule specifically created for you — no lap dances. Under no circumstance is anyone allowed to lay a hand on you.

But there are those who dare to break the rule. Occasionally, men attempt to get their hands on you. But each time, they end up with broken fingers.

Surprisingly, the pain and humiliation don’t deter them. They return to the club the following night, attracted to you like moths to a flame.

I wanted to write a short fic based on this, but I already have many WIPs >.<

[spookieloverslittlemind]

Their favourite part of you (emotionally)…

includes: Michael Myers, Pinhead, Brahms Heelshire, Art the Clown, Sun and Moon (fnaf), Marta (Outlast 2)

Michael

Your warmth - naturally, what Michael appreciates most about you is what he has never received from anyone else in his life: warmth. You look at him and see more than just The Shape; you can dare to look at him and treat him with affection. Tenderness. It’s an alien sensation, and Michael can’t agree that it makes him happy, because happiness isn’t something he really feels, but it does make him feel…at peace. Content. Michael can’t reciprocate your warmth, but he does try to reciprocate your affection in a rigid sort of way, and that’s how you know he appreciates the trait in you.

Pinhead

Your understanding - there is nothing Pinhead loves more than learning new things; you being able to teach him every intricate detail of you: your life, your friends, your family, your job, your body, your likes and dislikes, without judging him for all of the questions he asks of you and instead just understanding that he wants to learn you, means the world to him. Pinhead never wants to frustrate you unless it’s sexually, so you understanding him so deeply and appreciating the layers of his being rather than fearing him at a surface level, opens his eyes to the depth of human beings.

Brahms

Your patience - Brahms is aware that he’s incredibly needy and has been known to act up to get attention, so your patience with him means absolutely everything; that you don’t discipline him with any kind of harsh punishment, instead gentleness, teaching him that he doesn’t need to misbehave or do things he knows will upset you when all he wants is your attention. Learning that he can simply ask for that from you is a monumental step from Brahms, because he is so accustomed to only getting emotional responses from his parents when he did something wrong. Your patience shows him a different way, a more peaceful and loving way, that has him feeling more cherished than ever.

Art

Your skittish nature - to be honest, there is nothing Art loves more than scaring you; to hide behind corners and jump out at you, startle you awake, the fact you never adapt or learn to expect it and continue to just jump out of your skin every single time? Art loves it. And he loves the aftermath, too, when he drags you into his arms to coddle and rock you with silent shushes while he plays with your hair, rubbing your arms to soothe you, like he’s not the reason you just experienced palpitations. It’s a lovely little game of manipulation that Art adores, and you learn to love for the cuddles you get afterwards. Call it aftercare.

Sun and Moon

Your kindness - your ability to amend your kindness to apply most efficiently to both Sun and Moon never fails to amaze them; you so easily switch from being kind and encouraging and fun for Sun, to being calm and reassuring for Moon, and both states are simply examples of the kindness that radiates from you. So few have ever bothered to learn the intricate differences between Sun and Moon, but you have, and you’ve done so out of kindness, to treat them both with kindness that best suits them as individuals. Two halves of a whole, yes, but two entirely separate halves, and when either malfunction, it is always you that is sent to deescalate the situation because only you know how to best get through to them.

Marta

Your submission - not even in a kinky way (though that definitely also applies), but the way you submit both to her and to God like it’s in your nature regardless of your personal belief system; that you don’t judge or question her faith beyond asking what she or God would suggest to guide you with certain moral dilemmas etc. You accept her as she is and you trust her completely to care for you, for both of you, and leave righteous lives down your intertwined paths. Marta’s faith is her only experience and understanding of love, and it is through that she learns a different kind of love, with you. Had you defied her, or held any trait above your submission, she probably would have just killed you (hot) x

[jayladfanpage]

What do you think is the most important trait for Jason? This is totally the first time I've ever asked you this question

Yep totally the first time. I didnt accidentally delete the first ask at all

Anyway the answer is his hypocrisy.

Now, I know I talk a lot about Jason's love and his fears and stuff, but I think all of his everything can be better understood through his hipocrisy and his actions vs his words. Here's some instances that stick out to me:

• Sasha/Scarlet from Batman and Robin (2009)

One of Jason's Most Hated Things is the concept of child sidekicks. He hates that shit so much. However, he literally kidnaps a child from a mental health facility to make her his sidekick.

[Batman and Robin Vol.1 #3]

(While Morrison's Jason is... far from good, the concept of Sasha is one of my absolute favorites, so we're talking about it.)

Jason preaches about Batman being morally wrong for having another Robin after his death, and yet he takes Sasha with him to bloody, disgusting massacres he commits, and encourages her to participate in his "branding," exposing her to the violence of his beliefs.

[Batman and Robin (2009) #4]

BUT!! It's important to note that Jason cares about Sasha a lot. To the point where he's willing to work with Dick and Damian to get her to safety (aka, with him).

[Batman and Robin (2009) #25]

He actively teaches her violence and hatred and these very polarizing beliefs, and he does that because he loves her.

• Jason's idea of a criminal in Beast World

We all know Jason's backstory. We all know he stole the tires of the Batmobile and that's how he met Bruce. That story implies that Jason committed a lot of petty theft before he got picked up by Bruce, and it was his main source of income.

In UTRH, it's talked about how Jason belives that Bruce isn't effective against the "dress-ups" because they know he won't kill them, implying that Jason kills to scare said dress-ups, the bigger fish.

However, in the Scavengers story, we get this speech bubble:

[Beast World: Gotham: Scavengers (2024)]

Jason, as a child, is willing to do what he needs to survive, and yet kills other people who are doing the exact same thing. He talks about hunting down the bigger fish but we never get to see him actually do that at any point. (Seriously, the only Rogue I can remember him killing is Captain Nazi. Which was 8 years ago.) Instead, we get canon confirmation that he harms the little guy, the ones who are just trying to get by.

• Robin vs Red Hood and sex work

When Jason is Robin, we see him hurt pimps and (maybe) kill Felipe Garzonas for sexually assaulting women. He's pretty strongly against the abuse that comes with sex work.

[Batman (1940) #422 and #424]

But in UTRH, it's stated that Jason literally becomes a pimp.

[Under The Red Hood (2006)]

There's nothing to indicate that he treats his girls any better or any worse than other pimps in Gotham, but the fact he becomes a pimp at all is enough to prove my point.

(That panel is also the best way to show my... mild distaste for utrh)

There are definitely plenty more instances of things like this but those were the first to come to mind. Hope the answer is satisfactory!!

[beatrice-otter]

Time Travel killing Jesus and the religion of empire

There's a post about time travel going around tumblr, and somebody tagged that they would kill Mary before the birth of Jesus, so that Christianity wouldn't exist. Problem is, while that might indeed kill Christianity, it would probably just mean that Constantine would slot Mithraism into his Imperial domination schemes instead. In the late 200s AD there were two mostly-underground monotheistic mystery cults rapidly gaining adherents in the Roman Empire. There were a lot of similarities between the two, at least superficially. For example, there was a lot of emphasis on communal ritual meals. One was Christianity. The other was Mithraism. Constantine was intrigued by both. We know he was involved in Mithraism in his youth. But what Constantine really liked the idea of using religion to unify the Roman Empire. By the 300s, the Roman Empire was beginning to fragment, with regular civil wars. Constantine came to power in one of those civil wars. He thought that if everyone worshiped the same god (instead of different gods worshiped in different places, with the Roman pantheon and emperors as a thin veneer of unity), it would help keep the whole ramshackle edifice together. (Spoiler alert: it did not.) So he picked one of the two monotheistic religions that was rapidly gaining in popularity, and encouraged people to convert to it, heaping power and wealth on (some of) them. And that's how Christianity became an imperial religion. Christianity changed rapidly in response to that. Major parts of the religion were changed or dropped entirely. For example, until Constantine, the vast majority of Christians were strict pacifists. In most communities, soldiers were required to leave the army and find a new trade before they could be baptized. Obviously, this was unacceptable if Christianity was going to become the religion of the Roman Empire. In a straight-up choice between pacifism and Imperial power, the Christian church as a whole dropped the pacifism like a hot potato. 100 years after Constantine you have St. Augustine laying out the "Just War" theory where war is fine as long as you have a good reason for it. That's a complete 180 from everything the early Christians believed. There are many other examples of things that got dropped or changed in Christianity to make it more palatable to Imperial might. There are a lot of toxic things in Christianity as we know it. But the thing is ... many of them come from this process of adapting their beliefs and practices to fit what Constantine (and later Emperors, and the entire power structure of the Empire) wanted Christianity to be. Namely, something tame that affirmed and enforced the existing Imperial power structure. And Christianity has been a partner and tool of the power structures of the dominant culture ever since. This is one of the reasons there's so much difference between Jesus' teachings and Christian teachings, in so many cases. In a straight-up choice between faithfulness and power ... a majority of Christians in the last two thousand years have most often chosen power. But here's the thing. If Christianity didn't exist, that doesn't mean none of this would have happened. It just means that Constantine would probably have chosen Mithraism instead. Do you think the Mithraists would have been any less willing to take the power and wealth on offer to them, in exchange for becoming a lackey of empire? Do you think Christianity was uniquely corruptible? I don't.

comments Comment? https://ift.tt/uspfvE9

[savingsallow]

— Random Facts About Ale

[get to know this resident lover boy be why tf not]

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(1) Adept Duellist

Alejandro possesses a genuine passion for dueling, viewing it not just as a competition but as an elegant dance of strategy, timing, and skill. His dedication has earned him a reputation as one of the finest duellists at Hogwarts, where the thrill of the match pulses through his veins.

Professor Hecat, with her rigorous training and insightful teachings, is his favorite mentor, inspiring him to refine his craft and embrace the nuances of each duel.

—

(2) Nature Enthusiast

There’s a unique joy Alejandro finds in tending to plants, as it reflects a blend of patience, nurturing, and growth. His fascination began in childhood, where he would assist his mother in cultivating her garden of vegetables and herbs, learning from her both the joy and teachings that come from nature. This bond offered him an appreciation for the slow unfolding of life and the quiet lessons it holds.

In addition to his love for plants, Alejandro has an unwavering affection for animals of all kinds. His 'toxic trait' is his resolute determination to pet any creature he encounters, regardless of how friendly or fearsome it may be. This endearing quality often surprises others, as animals seem instinctively drawn to him, responding to his gentle demeanor and warm presence.

—

(3) Proud Muggle Heritage

Yes, Alejandro proudly identifies as a Muggle-born.

Coming from a religious family that viewed witchcraft with skepticism, Ale's journey into the magical world was complex and fraught with challenges. When his family discovered his powers, instead of rejecting him, they chose to embrace and protect him. They kept his magical abilities confidential from the outside world to shield him from the scrutiny and potential ostracism associated with their religious beliefs.

Once sorted into Slytherin, Alejandro faced the harsh realities of fitting into a house with a reputation for elitism. Enduring taunts of being called a "Mudblood," he worked tirelessly to prove himself in this new environment. His background instilled in him a strong sense of justice; he became a vocal advocate for those who faced discrimination, particularly his fellow Muggles. This commitment often put him at odds with the more traditional values of his peers, showcasing his bravery and integrity.

—

(4) Aspiring Poet

When he finds a moment of solitude, Ale often turns to his journal to express his thoughts and feelings through poetry. This creative outlet serves as a refuge, allowing him to unwind and examine the intricate tapestry of emotions swirling within him. Each poem becomes a reflection of his experiences, from the beauty of nature to the complexities of his relationships. This artistic side not only enriches his character but also offers glimpses into his inner life—revealing the layers beneath his charming exterior.

—

(5) Unreturned Affection

(shot by: @acslytherpuff ❤️‍🔥)

Alejandro's heart has long belonged to Val, a deep and unrequited love that shapes much of his emotional landscape.

His infatuation ignited during their fifth-year DADA class when Val triumphantly defeated Sebastian in a duel, a moment that left an indelible mark on him. From that point on, Alejandro yearned to be closer to her, and remarkably, they developed a close friendship that he cherished deeply.

(shot by and mc, alvin, on the left belongs to: @acslytherpuff )

In his quest to spend more time with Val, Alejandro enrolled in flying classes despite his lack of enthusiasm for the subject. His willingness to step out of his comfort zone speaks volumes about his dedication to her—he even joined the Quidditch team, knowing it was close to her heart. Through both joyous times and challenging moments, Alejandro has stood by Val’s side as a steadfast friend, offering support and encouragement, even as his heart ached with unspoken feelings.

Despite the clarity of his emotions, he has refrained from explicitly confessing his love for Val; instead, his actions often speak louder than words. Whenever she’s near, Alejandro is transformed from a suave, flirtatious charmer into a clumsy, endearing mess, making it clear how smitten he is.

His chance at romance nearly materialized during their sixth year, but Garreth's unexpected arrival complicated matters and ignited jealousy in Alejandro, whom he secretly despises. Nevertheless, Alejandro’s selflessness shines through—his newfound angst is tempered by the knowledge that if Val is happy and safe, that’s all that truly matters to him, even if he isn’t the one who makes her feel that way.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

[damicxyy]

The Unstoppable Spirit: Why I Love Bachira Meguru

In the world of anime and sports, few characters resonate as deeply as Bachira Meguru from Blue Lock. His boundless energy, unorthodox style, and infectious love for soccer make him a truly unforgettable character. My admiration for Bachira goes beyond his skills on the field—it’s his fearless individuality, unwavering belief in his dreams, and magnetic personality that have left an indelible mark on my heart.

First and foremost, Bachira's unique approach to soccer is what initially captivated me. In a sport often defined by structure and strategy, Bachira brings creativity and unpredictability. He plays with a childlike joy, treating the ball as if it were his best friend. His dribbling skills and flair for the dramatic showcase not only his technical prowess but also his artistry. Watching him weave through opponents with seemingly effortless ease reminds me that passion and imagination can break through even the toughest barriers.

What truly sets Bachira apart, however, is his unshakable confidence in his individuality. From his wild hairstyle to his quirky mannerisms, he is unapologetically himself. In a high-pressure environment like Blue Lock, where individuality often clashes with the demands of teamwork, Bachira never lets go of his essence. His commitment to finding "a monster" within himself, and his belief in others' potential to do the same, inspires me to embrace my own quirks and pursue my goals with the same fearless determination.

Bachira’s personality is another aspect that makes him so endearing. Despite the cutthroat competition in Blue Lock, he remains warm, playful, and supportive of his teammates. His ability to bring out the best in others—whether it’s challenging them on the field or encouraging them to believe in their talents—is a testament to his generous spirit. Bachira’s interactions with Isagi, in particular, highlight his knack for building genuine connections, even in a hyper-competitive setting.

Lastly, Bachira embodies resilience. His backstory reveals a young boy who often felt isolated due to his unconventional style, yet he never let that loneliness dim his love for the game. Instead, he channeled it into his relentless drive to grow stronger and find others who shared his vision. Bachira’s journey is a reminder that embracing one's uniqueness can lead to profound personal growth and meaningful relationships.

In conclusion, my love for Bachira Meguru stems not only from his exceptional soccer skills but also from the life lessons he teaches through his character. He is a symbol of individuality, creativity, and resilience—a reminder that staying true to oneself can lead to extraordinary achievements. Watching Bachira play, laugh, and dream has not only deepened my appreciation for Blue Lock but also inspired me to approach life with the same passion and authenticity.

[joshiji-darlingyuyuno]

𐙚˙⋆.˚ 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐱 𝐤𝐰𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐧 ๋࣭ ⭑⚝

synopsis: learn a little about seventeen and suin (and alittle bit of suin with ateez and aespa) kwon suin masterlist

suin's mentorship has also played a pivotal role in the musical development of the Seventeen members, particularly Woozi. As a young trainee, Woozi recalls how Suin was his primary inspiration and teacher, guiding him with unwavering patience and encouragement as he honed his songwriting skills. Her belief in Woozi's talents was instrumental in shaping him into the formidable composer he is today.

after Seventeen's first major win, Suin's generosity as a leader shone through when she gifted the members a brand-new dorm, a gesture that left them feeling deeply grateful and further reinforced their bond. The Seventeen boys, in turn, have a playful habit of affectionately referring to Suin as "noona" and gravitating towards her, seeking her guidance and protection.

the boys were obsessed with the glory (her kdrama), they'd binge it and constantly make references to it during going seventeen, even reenacting scenes during lives, concerts, or going seventeen.

they did express their heartbreak and struggle to watch the more intense scenes that involved suin's character dongeun, ex. scenes with her mother

but they were so mesmerised by all her confrontation scenes, where she would confront yeonjin or sara

its known among carats and svt that she doesn't really like to scold the members, especially the younger ones, "noona wont scold me"

suin was also a huge part of their training, she was their vocal coach, and they much prefered being trained by her than their actually teacher

as she was kind, understanding, patient, and determined to help them progress

the members have time and time again expressed their graditude regarding her teachings

and how she still continues to monitor and coach them through songs, especially as she sits with woozi while they record their vocals

and she does her best to make it an enjoyable experience, she encourages them to improve instead of shaming them for lacking

the members have openly admitted that she basically raised them

while they were trainees and lived in that small dorm, even though she was busy with her own schedules and didn't live with them, she would still see them practically everyday to check on them and feed them, sometimes even going there at 5 am to get them ready for school, making breakfast, or packing lunch for the younger ones

jeonghan even told carats that she used to iron their school shirts for them

dino and seungkwan said that, there was one time, she sercretly replaced their school shoes when she noticed they were getting too old and worn out, they pretended they didnt notice but they were so touched by her actions

it has to be said

she is the best going seventeen player (?), she somehow wins a majority of the time, she's very sneaky, especially when she teams up with jeonghan

to the point where, svt members will beg for mercy if they ever paired up

and the staff knows so they started seperating them

cause there was a time when suin even played the staff and producers

suin loves to knit, crochet, and craft

so she often makes the boys small gifts, such as, winter gloves, hats, or scarves

to the point that, they will brag to each other about her gifts

one time mingyu, came to her, pouting and sulking that dk got a scarf and he didnt (even though she made him a whole ass sweater)

according to suin, he followed her around like a duckling while she made him a scarf after he begged for one (he even asked if it could be cooler than dk's)

this also made dk sulky

so eventually just made them matching scarves so theyd stop fighting

she even made seungcheol a bucket hat after hoshi stole his, which he promptly shoved in hoshis face "HA! she made ME a hat!"

(which made hoshi a lil jealous)

she also listens to fan suggestions, such as makin woozi a rice ball hat, or wonwoo cat ears for his headphones (she also makes the member's pets gifts too)

also the members openly brag on interviews that, for special days like birthdays or when they release a solo, suin hands them her black credit card to spend on something they want

she also does this to the other idols under her entertainment. she'll hand ateez and aespa her black card when they have a win, achievement, birthday, or once hongjoong said she just randomly gave him and the members her black card on a random day saying "you all worked so hard these days, go and eat alot of meat okay?"

she booked an all expense paid trip for a relaxing spa vacation for ateez after their coachella performances

and yes she'd also make handmade gifts for ateez and aespa

but lets keep in mind

although suin is considered soft to her members n others

she is still pretty strict

ateez said that, she still will push them to be ambitious, and aim higher but be humble

a mindset she has engraved into seventeen

"did i teach you to dream small? no. never underestimate what you can do."

and svt members said they were so grateful that she didnt spoil them, especially when they werent popular, that created a mindset that push them to work hard

a treatment she did for ateez and aespa too, she never spoiled them. she told them she will never give them handouts, that everything has to be earned

if they wanted to be successful she will not, and refuse to make them famous, they have to do that on their own. through their own ambition, determination, drive, and grit.

but of course she always made sure to remind svt, atz, aespa to remember what they were doing all of this for

fans yes, but also do it for yourself.

many have praised her for this mindset. and source this as the root of why all groups under her management are successful yet humble, as they have built their own success.

suin is svt's number one supporter

she push her members to pursue what they want, especially regarding their career

she has always wanted jun to pursue acting, but he's backed out due to svt activities

but when she saw the opportunity, she told him to take it immediately.

she was the one to propose the members start doing solo activites

seventeen were the entertainers for kyungsoo and suin's wedding

svt, exo, btob, sang and hosted the wedding

and of course there was a dance battle between ateez, svt, aespa, exo, btob, and taemin

there was even a secret performance where they all did a dance routine for suin, covering her history of songs

btob specially asked to do all her sexy songs

day6 were the musicans for when suin walked down the aisle

hongjoong and woozi worked together to produce a song for them, with the lyrical help of everyone

they even shot a short film for them, clips of suin n kyungsoo, but also with the others

suin and woozi have dedicated songs to the members:

circles - wonwoo, cheers to youth - hoshi, kidult - seungcheol, yawn - seungkwan

but what fans notice (and producers/editors/staff) is how the members look at suin

they look at her with so much fondness and admiriation

they really embodied the trend "look of love" tiktok edits (iykyk)

and in this svt family, she is the grandmother

the members even directly call her "halmeoni" lovingly

as she perfectly embodies the role of a doting grandmother who cant help but adore her grandchildren

and seungcheol is her son, and jeonghan is her daughter in law lol

but who secretly likes her daughter in law more than her own son

she is the one the members run to when their parents (coups n hannie) say no "noonaaa~ hyung wont let me ...." or "halmeoniii~ dads being mean to me :<<"

she'll even play along, "aigo, you just like your father!"

or "tsk tsk, coups, please pay more attention to ur children"

haha its a joke that d.o is their grandfather, so much so that even the members play along and joke saying "halmeoni, wheres halaboji?" "aahh he's on the farm sweetie" HEHE iykyk (farmer d.o)

during game caterers, hoshi said that, one time, hoshi found suin's wallet and found pictures of the members in it, but not just their pictures, it even had some of their baby photos (she was very embarassed) they teased her endlessly, saying she really was a grandmother

then dokyeom added that, now they would even print out new photos for her to update her wallet

suin has a habit of caressing their face or hair, especially pinches their faces, she loves to do it to the older members because they dont get that treatment and only the younger ones get it

u guys know how sometimes babies or pets wuld stare at their parents while they do stuff (just cuz their curious or clingly), yeah, they do that to her

especially dino, dk and myungho

one time, dino just sat in the corner of her hotel room, while she did a live, he didn't say anything he just sat and watched her, when asked he said "i just wanted to be with you" (aww)

however, when asked, suin said that mingyu is her giant child, and coups is her sulky child

however a running gag is that whenever the boys do something sexy (such as go shirtless, etc.) when they realise suin is watching they get embarassed and run away "it feels like my mom is watching me.."

also suin is sorta nosey

so there are memes of suin sneaking glances at wat the members are doing, such as texting, or reading something

aaa okay thats it so far!! thats all i can think of, please feel free to comment any headcanon u have! im super interested in wat yall think

kwon suin masterlist

comment for requests or if u want to be on the taglist!! hehe thank youu >3<

[dylandaydreams]

thinking about patrick zweig…

[disclaimer: 18+ minors dni!! i have very little experience posting fanfic i’ve written so please be nice! this blurb talks about/ignores Catholic/Christian beliefs so don’t read if you’re not rocking with that. mwah thank you!]

you’d known that this was wrong your whole life. these impure thoughts went against everything you were raised to believe in. you were you were well liked at school & even drank occasionally. but you had been taught that these feelings were unholy. whatever desires you had in the past, you’d been able to distract yourself from them, or ignore them, in one way or another. you had been trained to remove yourself from any situation that encouraged these thoughts, & pray the Hail Mary until the feelings had passed. you had tried to do the same when you met patrick zweig.

you’d been polite & reserved, turned down his offers to go out together with his friends, to get drunk or dance or whatever it was they were going out to do. you were fine with one on one hang outs, usually in your dorm so you could politely kick patrick out so that you could pray as soon as the feelings started. despite your initial resistance to him, you & patrick slowly got closer. you’d ignored his crude comments about other girls, the way he so obviously slept around with no regrets or repercussions. you even ignored the occasional compliments he threw your way. they made you blush, but you convinced yourself they were never sincere. if you thought too hard about him telling you that you looked nice, you would have to excuse yourself to go pray.

unfortunately, your attempts to cling to the teachings you had been following all your life were in vain. it all came crashing down on that day. you had come back to your dorm exhausted from the long day of school & work, & sweaty from the blistering summer heat outside. of course, as soon as you stepped across the threshold of your dorm, patrick texted you. you two were close enough that he know your weekly schedule, so he didn’t even ask if he could come over, just texted “omw”. you showered quickly & had just finishing getting dressed when you heard a knock on the door.

“it’s open!” you yell towards the door, & it clicks open a second later. patrick entered your room & quickly moved across the floor to sit on your bed, the only possible sitting place given that your desk was tiny and uncomfortable. he pulled out a bottle from a bag he had clutched in his hands, & titled it towards you, smirking. “want a drink?”

“well, hello to you too, patrick.” you replied dryly, sitting next to him on the bed with a respectable foot of space between the two of you. he grinned & twisted the cap off the bottle, then took a swig himself. he titled the bottle towards you again when he had finished swallowing, & you pretended not to have been watching the movement of his throat. you took the bottle from his hand & took a sip of it yourself. the warmth spread through your body & you sighed, closing your eyes. “fuck, i needed this.” you mutter. “mm, bad day?” patrick replies, his fingers brushing yours as he grabs the bottle back. you open your eyes just to roll them & sigh. “the worst.” patrick nods sympathetically. “talk to me.” he offers.

so, aided by sips of alcohol, you rant about your day to him. & as you do, minutes pass by, & the two of you continue drinking, & talking, & slowly inching closer until your thighs are touching on the bed. you’re tipsy but not drunk, & everything feels warmer & slower. maybe that’s why you don’t look away when patrick meets your gaze, & don’t move away when he starts to lean forward, & don’t stop him when he slides his hand up your bare thigh. your eyes close on instinct & you wait for him to close the gap between you two. you feel his lips hover just inches away from yours, but instead of kissing you right away, he whispers “is this okay?”. you’ve barely moved your head to nod, & his lips are already on yours.

warm & soft, patrick kisses like he needs you. it’s clear he knows what he’s doing, his actions quickly & easily drawing small sounds from you. without ever separating your lips, he moves on the bed so that he’s facing you rather than being next to you. patrick runs his hands up your thighs & grips your waist, dipping his tongue into your mouth to deepen the kiss. your hands are sliding up his neck & tangling in his hair, pulling him even closer so your bodies are touching everywhere. he’s clearly hard against you, & you gasp into his mouth when you feel it. you feel him smirk into the kiss & he mutters “you alright, doll?” into your mouth.

somehow, that sentence shakes you out of your stupor. you pull away from him despite how badly you want to feel him even closer to you. “i- i shouldn’t.” you shake your head. patrick furrows his eyebrows. “what’s wrong?” he questions. he vaguely knew that you were religious, but had no clue why you politely kicked him out so often, or refused to go out with him. he had no idea of the extent of your teachings. “it’s wrong.” you murmur. “what is?” he replies. you gesture to the two of you, now with more space between you than before. “what we were doing, these feelings…” you shake your head again & refuse to meet his attentive gaze. “i’m not supposed to.” he scoffs. “whoever told you that?”

your eyes snap up to his in shock. “it’s what i was taught all my life. the church i was raised in, my family, my community. they all believe that doing something like this is wrong.” you explain, lowering your gaze shamefully. there’s a heavy silence for several seconds, during which you imagine countless terrible scenarios. patrick leaving, never talking to you again, spreading this personal information around the school, humiliating you…

his voice interrupts your spiral. “can i ask you something?” you nod, your eyes still trained on the floor below you. “did you feel good?” patrick asks. your brow furrows. you contemplate whether or not you should be honest. it would be embarrassing to tell him the truth, but it’d be worse if you lied. patrick can read you like a book, he would call you out right away & then it would all be even worse. so you decide to be honest right away.

“yes, of course. but-“ he places a finger over your lips before you can finish. he moves closer to you again, so your thighs are touching & your faces are inches apart. “how good?” he presses. you chew on your bottom lip before replying, your voice slightly muffled under patrick’s finger. “really good, pat, but i shouldn’t-“ he interrupts you again, this time by placing a kiss against your neck. the finger that was resting on your lips trails down your neck, sending shivers down your spine. “then how could something that feels really good be wrong, hm?”

you sigh into his touches & your eyes close on instinct. you can’t bring yourself to fight him any longer.

your lips crash together again with a renewed fervor, both of you moving to face one another. patrick’s hands resume their journey of your body, his hands gripping your thighs before sliding up to your waist. your arms loop around his neck in order to pull him closer and you tug at the hair on the nape of his neck, causing him to grunt into your mouth. patrick pulls away in order to leave wet, open mouthed kisses along your jaw & neck, & your eyes are half-lidded while he does so, trying to savor the sensation while also being in disbelief that this is happening at all.

“i wanna ask you for something.” he mumbles against your neck. “mm?” you reply, inviting him to continue. “do you wanna suck me off?” he asks, moving down towards your chest. “i- uh,“ you gasp, the bites patrick is leaving along your collarbones distracting you. “please?” he adds. “if- if you want me to, sure.” you manage to choke out. you’ve obviously never done anything of the sort, but patrick’s actions are making it hard to focus. & besides, there’s very few things you wouldn’t do for patrick.

patrick laughs, the sound deep & throaty, making you shiver. “if i want you to? baby, i’ve been dreaming about your mouth on my dick since i met you.” he admits. your eyes go wide, & you grab his face, pulling him up to meet his gaze. “seriously?” you question. he nods with a smirk & a hum. you blush & lean forward to kiss him again, finding more confidence due to his confession. “okay.” you whisper against his lips, & slide down to your knees in front of him.

he spreads his thighs & his bulge is evident even through his shorts. you’re being guided purely by instinct & patrick’s reactions, so when you reach out to palm him & the brunet groans, you take that as a good sign. you keep moving your hand along his bulge & adding more pressure until patrick slides your away from off his shorts & pulls them down, along with his underwear. you gasp when you finally see him, & your eyes go wide. he laughs at your reaction, but cuts himself off when he sees the worry in your face.

“hey, you don’t have to.” he comforts you, lifting your chin with his hand so your eyes meet. “we can just kiss, or i can-“ you cut him off with a shake of your head. “no, i want to do this.” you reply determinedly. he raises an eyebrow. “alright. well, knock yourself out, princess.” he leans back on his elbow to watch you. you move your gaze back down to his cock & take a deep breath to steady yourself. you realize you need something to ground you before you put your mouth anywhere near him.

you take another deep breath & close your eyes, moving your hand in the familiar direction you always have. & in that dorm room, on your knees between patrick zweig’s legs, you make the sign of the cross. “holy shit.” patrick blurts out, his head dropping back against the bed. your eyes open & you smile at him. “okay.” is the last thing you say before you start sucking him off.

[cyb-by-lang]

Deluge Scrapped Scene

As a reminder, Deluge is the branch in the timeline where Shinso is the bonus hostage picked up by the League of Villains instead of Kei.

I cut this scene for redundancy, but it's fun on its own for being in Midnight's POV.

Kayama Nemuri jolted up when her phone vibrated on her desk, dislodging a pile of paperwork tall enough to form an avalanche. After a couple seconds to find the purple liquid glitter case amid the disaster, she flipped her phone upright and blinked at the caller ID. 

Giving out her working phone number to her homeroom was one of those choices Nemuri didn’t make lightly, but she was determined to be available in a crisis like any hero. She carried it into the field during nighttime patrols, which meant she might respond even faster than police in some cases. Knowing that one of her students was a disaffected child soldier had, if anything, reinforced her belief that making time for them was vital. Plus Ultra, after all. 

“Midnight speaking. Gekkō-san, is everything all right?” 

“No, Kayama-sensei,” was said in such a wretched tone that Nemuri shot to her feet and grabbed her whip off the rack on her desk. Someone was going to feel the business end of it by the end of the night. 

Transferring the call to her wireless headphones and then tucking her phone into her costume, Nemuri said, “Talk to me, Gekkō-san. What’s wrong?” 

While staying late at UA wasn’t solving any problems, Nemuri hadn’t felt comfortable heading home while her friend was preparing to be lambasted by the press. Shōta waved off her offer of assistance with his damned tie, again, but she’d been among the teachers who waved him and Nezu into their chartered car to the broadcast studio. Sekijirō, Power Loader, Cementoss, and All Might were all still active, according to the teacher group chat, but she was pretty sure that no one was about to visit the staff room and interrupt her attempt to keep busy. 

And now she was headed for Power Loader’s most ambitious portal experiment like that’d give her a leg up on the situation. She wasn’t sure whether to thank or curse her sense of impending doom for giving her the option now. 

“I was just on a call with Shinsō-kun,” Gekkō mumbled, her voice tinny as Nemuri descended the nearly-empty building. 

Howling wind on Gekkō’s side obliterated any detail Nemuri might otherwise be able to get from listening to background noises on the call. Was her student out in public this late? Given the number of highly publicized villain attacks, Nemuri expected even Gekkō to be staying safe indoors. She was supposed to be avoiding any more stress. Every single red flag in Nemuri’s head was waving. 

The explanation surpassed all expectations, despite being relayed in Gekkō’s low, upset voice: “The League of Villains grabbed him.” 

Nemuri stumbled down the last two steps, one hand lashing out immediately to grab the handrail. Muffling a vicious curse against her whip, she took a breath to steady herself and then said, “You’re sure?” 

“Unless the League got rid of Compress and Toga Himiko and Kurogiri.” Gekkō let out a bitter laugh as cold as winter. It sounded like defeat. “I muted my phone when I realized what was going on. They…I heard them talking.” 

In what felt like a different life, Nemuri encouraged Shōta to join her in teaching at UA. As the homeroom teacher for 1-A, she’d been sure he’d train any student who showed promise into a real hero. His pragmatic views weren’t something Nemuri’s classes had time for, but she knew their value. And she’d winced when 1-A this year ran into villain after villain like some brutal carnival game, patterns emerging from effectively nowhere. It was brutal, unfair, and yet—some part of Nemuri was quietly, pathetically grateful that her students didn’t attract that level of attention. No more than the rest of UA. 

And now this. 

“Multiple pro heroes have been organized into strike teams on the League’s known bases,” Nemuri told Gekkō anyway, because she wasn’t supposed to encourage vigilantism even from her most wayward student. Even if she understood the impulse. Her heels clacked on the floor as she proceeded down the hall. “We’ll get him back.” 

Shinsō was Nemuri’s as much as he was Shōta’s, and fuck if Nemuri wouldn’t find out exactly when and where to crack some skulls. 

Toga Himiko, Compress, and Kurogiri. Nemuri didn’t need much of an imagination to work out how they might have worked together to kidnap Shinsō. With the Sports Festival as reference, it would have been as straightforward as stopping his Quirk—possibly with a knife to his throat or in his mouth—and shoving him through a portal, as long as they had the element of surprise. 

None of them were heavy hitters, but they didn’t have to be. 

And Nemuri was out of position and off the roster to help. Between that and their lived experiences, her reassurances to Gekkō rang utterly hollow even to her own ears.

“That’s assuming the League wants to recruit him,” Gekkō pointed out, sensing that doubt and seizing it. “And I don’t trust that. I can’t.” 

Nemuri’s heart went out to her class’s self-proclaimed misfit—who’d genuinely latched onto Shinsō like a mother bear with a new cub—and still, Nemuri didn’t want to risk her. They’d all just agreed to let Gekkō sit this fight out. This was too much. But at the same time, Gekkō’s brutal upbringing made basic considerations like “laws” hard to get through her skull on a good day. She understood them, but she didn’t prioritize in a way that let anyone rest easy once they knew about her motives. Nemuri’s contacts—specifically Nezu—left no ambiguity there, nor did Stain’s hypothermia. 

What Nemuri wouldn’t give to just let these kids be kids. 

“I already called Sensei,” Gekkō continued quietly, with just a touch of steel entering her voice. “I’m done sitting and waiting for things to get done.” 

Nemuri, opening the door at the exact moment Power Loader looked up at the powered-up portal generator, managed to avoid Gekkō’s mysterious “Sensei” by sheer chance. One moment there was empty air, and the next there was a man in grayscale standing between her and Power Loader. Only the faintest whisper of moving fabric served as a warning, and Nemuri suspected it was a courtesy to offer even that much. 

“Good evening, Power Loader and Midnight.” The stylized fox mask turned Nemuri’s way. In that same polite, upbeat tone, Gekkō’s nightmare teacher went on, “Or is it Maijima Higari-san and Kayama Nemuri-san when it’s this late?”

Clearly wrong-footed, Power Loader managed, “Who are you and how did you get in here?”

“I’m a teleporter and I’m a teleporter,” he replied, deadpan. The masked face turned toward Nemuri. “And I was looking for Kayama-san.” 

“Hero names will do,” Nemuri said firmly, before Power Loader could trip over himself figuratively while literally doing so. Again. “Though we don’t have one for you, at least not in that getup.” 

“‘Fox’ will do.” He bowed, just a fraction. “I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, and I doubt All Might or Principal Nezu are currently available, given the circumstances,” said Fox. That masked face dipped a little, with the lip of the hood shadowing its top half with a palpable air of menace. “But my student called for help. What kind of teacher would I be if I refused?”  

“Agreed.” Nemuri tapped her earpiece, drawing Fox’s attention to it, and added, “My question is if you’ll follow our lead,” Nemuri said, waving her free hand to indicate UA and maybe this world in general, “or if you plan to tear off on your own.” 

“Good question,” Gekkō muttered in Nemuri’s ear. 

“Hm. Well, I’ll be right back with an answer.” With a quick salute, Fox vanished between one blink and the next. 

Dammit. 

There was a quiet beep as Nemuri’s call with Gekkō disconnected, which probably sufficed as an indicator of Fox’s teleportation range. From what Nemuri remembered, she lived within the city. They’d have to come up with something to augment that, or this mission was getting nowhere fast. 

Gekkō didn’t talk to the adults at UA about anything if she could avoid it. Even Gekkō’s consultations with Nezu and All Might were more mission-focused, from Nemuri’s understanding. She probably barely understood that the point of high school was to get an education and make friends. All of the trust prerequisite to that experience was lying broken on the floor long before UA.  

And now her best friend was missing. Kidnapped. Any faith that pro heroes could handle the situation just fine was dead on arrival, probably made even worse by the recent failure at the training camp.

God dammit.

“Midnight. Exactly how involved have you been in all of this?” Power Loader asked, once it was clear that Fox would not be coming back instantly. 

“His kid’s in my homeroom.” 

“Ah.” And with that, Power Loader clearly decided that more information was for people whose department budget wasn’t going violently up in flames every other day. 

With that, she pulled out her phone and scrolled down her contacts list until she found Eyesore Goggles, clicking the green call button. 

Shōta answered on the third ring. If her guess was right, he was either backstage or regretting his life choices or both. He was a multitasker.

“Nemuri, what—?”

“Is Principal Nezu next to you right now?” Nemuri asked sharply. “Because I have an update for the strike teams.” And, with the most gentle tone she could manage amid this new hell, she added, “The League attacked again. It’s Shinsō.” 

[yannaryartside]

SYD DEREVES AN ACTUAL MENTOR

One of the funniest excuses Sydcarmy deniers use to say the relationship will not make sense is because Carmy is supposed to be a "mentor" for Syd. The reason why I think that is funny is because Carmy has not been her mentor for a whole second in the series. I speak about this as someone who had art mentors and teachers:

A mentor is supposed to be able to see the raw talent in their students and guide them to polish it and discover their artistic voices. The key to the whole situation is the word "guide." They are an external observer, providing clues, instruction, and evaluation but not pushing their voices so the students will become like them instead of following their own artistic impulses

Now, if I am honest, I don't think Carmy has been a mentor for a single character in the show. Maybe he recognized Tina and Richie's potential by sending them to places where they could learn new skills based on their previously displayed talents. But the only one actually supporting Marcus in his journey is Sydney, it is not like Carmy ever stopped to ask Marcus if he had any doubts about the fancy pastries he was making. Sending Marcus to Coppenage was Sydney's idea, which makes me wonder if he ever thought Marcus was ready for an experience like that or if he just approved it because he trusted Sydney's judgment. Besides recipe overview and leader of the kitchen flow, Carmy is not a teacher, and certainly not someone who has invested time in guiding people through individual creative processes.

Carmy has acted more as a counselor/motivator. He comforted Marcus on his mistakes. He has encouraged Sydney on her menu ideas (s2 only, we will talk about that later). He showed his belief in Tina's talent by gifting her the knife.

But he has not been a mentor, in the sense that Sydney's artistic voice is forever silenced by his lack of interest in deep collaboration or exploration of Sydney's unique talents. She provided a couple of recipes of her own creation, with some of his suggestions. But all of it has more the tone of a partnership than an actual mentorship. They were supposed to have equal weight on the menu before Carmy called it quits; he even let her suggest ingredients and finishes. He values her opinion. He is not trying to teach her things, if anything, he hired Sydney with a solid idea of her talents and used them to put keep his shaky shop afloat.

In season 1, she had to put all of her energy into guiding a staff that Carmy had previously failed to dominate, and it is not like it was easy, but she managed to put everyone on the same page. When it was time for her to show her skills in providing a simple and efficient menu idea, Carmy made a whole effort to introduce a complicated plate to the staff. It is almost like he is competing with her, but again, we will talk about that later. Needless to say, nothing in s1 was mentorship at all in my opinion. She managed with all the skills she already had. Even Carmy mentioned that managing the staff was something she had previously done but didn't like to do, and Carmy never provided them with support or advice, is almost laughable. The story repeats itself in 2 when he ignores how much she needs her presence at the restaurant; he was supposed to be a leader, and he wasn't.

Probably the thing that Carmy has taught Sydney the most is how much he believes in her, wich helps her to belief in hersef, even if his behavior rarely provides her with support for her to flourish as an artist. In 2, she picked up Carmy's work like crazy, which is not a space to create; she was merely surviving and going through a real creativity crisis.

All of this to say is that I really hope she gets the opportunity to shine in another place, even for just a bit, and maybe get another mentor, someone who recognizes her knowledge of chemistry and encourages her to explore her voice, a resolution to her creative block in s2. This is not something bad or something to think Carmy failed Syd; artists and mentors can be a rare match, and maybe because Carmy never wanted a student, he wanted a friend/partner, and ironically, he is not very good at that dynamic either. God, when defining their relationship, Syd is the first to say "partnership," I don't think she expects him to "molde" her or mentor her. Equal creative weight.

They have introduced other chefs that I think could be the mentor Syd actually needs. I am partial to Olivia Coleman's character because I think they have a lot in common. But these other two will be cool, too. Or any other chef they could introduce.

To finish here, I will say the only type of "teaching" I will like Carmy to give Sydney, will be of this nature:

Anyhow, thank you for reading. Nor credited gifs in order: @chefkids, @songkangsbottomteethcirca2020

[bibibbon]

One thing that makes me laugh about Hori's world building is the question are heroes allowed to kill, since Hori is a coward who can't decide, it disrupts the world building to an absurd degree. If Izuku had aimed to kill Tomura from the start, then Hori's narrative would have rewarded him. Izuku would still have OFA, possibly Ochako as his girlfriend and applauded as a great hero. The standard hero ending. But Izuku tries to save Tomura and fails miserably and is forgotten by his friends and the public. What is Hori trying to tell us? Kill then ask questions later? Based on the story Izuku should have taken Gran Torino's advice, he would be sad in the short term but he would have been happier and forgotten about the LOV.

Hi @agentterios 👋

MHA'S whole narrative messaging around the subject of "are heroes allowed to kill?" Is presented in an incredibly confusing and unsatisfactory manner.

Horikoshi doesn't directly address the question however, he does indirectly address it by introducing a variety of elements to his story surrounding the question itself.

You have things like:

The development of nomu intelligence. By the nomu's developing basic human intelligence this makes it so that the line between being human and a nomu so incredibly slim that if well developed this plot point could of been tied to heteamorphis discrimation with a side of people taking the route of one has to look human and another side pointing out that humans don't have a specific look in mha. There could also be more development with endings point of the only difference between nomu's and humans is that one is a puppet. This would make civilians question societies expectations for what a human is and would the heroes kill them next because they are comfortable with killing nomu's who are almost like them

Hawks and twice. I have talked about hawks and twice a numerous amount of times but my point still stands hawks could of saved twice instead of killing him. Yes, hawks did try in the beginning of the fight and his mission to semi try and save twice as his intention was to never kill him until dabi intervened and hawks lost it reverting to what the hpsc taught him and taking out the danger infront of him. Now, hawks should of had more introspection on this decision realising that he could of saved twice yet didn't and couldn't because he viewed himself not to be fast or capable enough to stop twice and chose to revert to instincts and the hpsc teachings of killing to dispose of the threat. Hawks could easily link his experiences and give advice to izuku about shigaraki. Hawks also needed more public consequences about killing twice because why the hell is the public more concerned about hawk's villain father then the fact that he killed a man? Was this to show where societies priorities are at? How messed up they are? And if it was why wasn't this brought back up?

Lady nagant. We needed more of lady nagant in general. The way she was used and created to be a killing machine. The way she only killed those who didn't fit the status quo even izuku's own reaction to her killing needs to be studied. The way izuku didn't have much of a reaction to her killing people but he had a huge reaction to finding out that she specifically killed the previous minister of the hpsc makes me think that hero society has a huge belief thay certain lives are much more important than others and that ranking is never fully explained but it seems like the outcasts of society like twice and the people lady nagant killed aren't important and wouldn't evoke a huge reaction to people because they don't care for them and hero society has infulenced that belief.

Izuku and shigaraki . This is the biggest element in the story and the most underdeveloped in my opinion. Why does izuku want to save shigaraki? Why does shigaraki only want destruction? Everyone encouraged izuku to kill shigaraki and believed that his death would be the only way to stop everything and in a way they were right. Shigaraki had to die for this to be over and it just seemed so badly done. Izuku gets labeled as a murder but also praised (barely) for his actions. Its so weird, how am I supposed to expect that society is going to rebuild itself to a better version when it ended in the most repetitive and toxic way by killing and upholding the status quo.

Endeavour and his aggressiveness. Enji has multiple records of flipping attempted murder whether that be him viewing vigilantes and villains as objects to be easily killed like nomu's or the fact that he cannocially has many reports of property damages.

Dabi's fate. My point stands that death would of been mercy for poor dabi. So are there cases when killing should happen or should all villains be forced to live even if it has to be through horrible circumstances like dabi's? At this point it seemed like toga's death was a better ending then dabi's.

In conclusion, mha's status quo was never really broken or rebuilt into a better version and the discussion surrounding the question should heroes kill? Was never properly answered or changed.

The series begins with the answer that Yes! Heroes can kill but they can only kill villains and rejects of society while keeping all of this away from the public eye. However, if it is in the public eye just dehumanise the victim, its not like hero society didn't continually threaten villains with all the graffiti in toga's House or the publics reaction to dabi.

(Ps I do think that izuku was handed the short stick and would of suffered either way. Even with the horrible execution the series make it clear that izuku chose a thorny, hard path but what's worse is that the path doesn't seem to be worth it or hasn't changed anything)

Also izuku's whole arc doesn't depend on him having a love interest and a quirk because he could be a hero without those things it's the execution that sucks

[jenanigans1207]

Objectively, we know that Dean raised Sam because John was never around. But do you ever really stop to think about the details of that?

Dean changing diapers, reading Sam bedtime stories about love and happily-ever-afters that are so different from the life they lead. Dean checking under the bed for monsters because toddler Sam overheard John talking about some monster of the week. Dean helping Sam get dressed and then laughing when Sam insists on dressing himself in plaid and polka dots together.

Dean teaching Sam to ride a bike with and without training wheels, bandaging his knees when he falls and kissing his cuts all better. Dean teaching Sam to throw a punch for when the kids make fun of them for being the “new kids” again.

Dean teaching Sam to shave, to tie a tie, to drive. Teaching him to believe in himself and his own dreams, helping Sam with homework.

Dean enforcing bedtime, making midnight snacks, dealing with snotty tissues and a kid who won’t take medicine when he’s sick. Dean washing off sticky fingers during bath time and holding little Sammy’s hands when he’s first learning to take his first wobbly steps.

Dean singing a made up lullaby to Sam when he can’t sleep and carrying wet wipes around with him to clean up any messes Sam makes.

And then do you ever think about how he did all of it to try and give Sam a better life? Teaching him to tie a tie so he can take a girl to prom instead of using that skill to impersonate an FBI agent. Teaching him to read, helping him with his homework, encouraging him to go to college even though he knows it’ll break his heart and give him hell to pay once Sam leaves.

Like, objectively we know Dean loves Sam and raised him. But if I stop and think about every milestone, every skill Sam has, every belief he holds close and the fact that Dean was the one who shared all of that with him, who gave so much of himself to teach Sam everything he knows? I could just cry, it’s so tender.

(And then do you ever think that nobody (other than Bobby when he could) taught Dean all these things? That Dean had to figure most of this stuff out on his own? He had to try and fail, and then try and fail again, over and over until he got it right. And all he did was use that failure to try and prevent Sam from failing. Dean had to learn everything himself and then made damn sure that Sam never learned anything by himself, made sure he was there for every single thing Sam ever needed.)

[the-devils-library]

A Brief History of Satanism

I see quite a bit of misinformation circulated about Satanism's historical origins, both online and in the pages of books, so I thought it may be worthwhile to give a breakdown of the truth as my research has shown it to me. I have no official credentials as a historian, but I'm a theistic Satanist who takes my religion and my research very seriously. I encourage all to read my words and respond with corrections if they notice a mistake in my work; that being said, I will likely demand sources if someone's "correction" conflates with what my research has shown me.

First off, I'm going to disappoint many of my fellow theistic Satanists with this announcement: Satanism is not ancient. It's not older than Christianity, it's not even as old as Christianity, by a long shot. I suspect this need to insist that Satan and his followers are an ancient faith (or that they can somehow be found within other faiths, such as comparing Satan to Pan or Shiva) stems from Christianity. Christianity was once a very new religion in comparison to those that surrounded it, and in order to gain followers and create legitimacy for themselves, Christians had to insist that their religion was the only true one, that their god had been pulling the strings from the beginning, and that if you looked back in Jewish holy writings you'd find evidence of Jesus and his teachings. Let us Satanists not make the same mistake.

And secondly, to disappoint the atheists in the crowd: LaVey didn't invent Satanism. Yes he was very impactful on the Satanic scene, especially in the anglosphere, but he didn't invent the entire religion.

Alright, let's start at the beginning.

Satan, and the concept of worshiping him, began in the minds of Christians. That may seem like a let-down to some people, but it's the truth. Satan as a powerful lord of evil and enemy of God didn't exist before Christianity. The concept of the satan, or adversary, existed within Judaism, a famous example being the satan of Job, but this was a job for an angel working under God. For further understanding of the Jewish satan you'd have to look into Jewish writing on the topic, but if you want a basic historical explanation, Elaine Pagels' The Origin of Satan gives good context in simple terms. For now I'd just like to emphasize that Capital-S-Satan does not exist in Judaism. That's where the word came from, but it had a different meaning from what Christianity gave it.

When Christianity came along, of course, they began to use the word Satan to refer to the enemy of God, and thus anything they considered to be ungodly or against their beliefs was instead under the domain of Satan. Jews, Pagans, other Christians with differing beliefs or customs, anyone was fair game to be accused of being a Satanist.

This does not mean any of those people were actually worshiping Satan.

"Satanist" was not a real religious identity that anyone claimed, it was an insult and an accusation hurled by Christians at those they wanted to oppress, silence, and control. The Christian worldview did not allow for cultures and religions other than there own (or even variation within their own). If someone wasn't a follower of God, then they were a follower of the Devil, end of discussion.

It is very dangerous, therefore, to assume that any of these people accused of Satanism in the far past would actually have self-identified as Satanists. In my mind it is comparable to thinking the "witches" of the Salem witch trials would've self-identified as such (they did not, they "admitted" to witchcraft under torture. I hope I don't have to explain why that isn't a reliable thing to cite when trying to parse whether someone was a witch or not). By claiming that any group persecuted by Christians in the far past were secretly Satanic, we are not only stripping those people of their actual identities and cultures, we are agreeing with the Christians who harmed them.

To my knowledge we don't see anyone actually viewing Satan in a positive or sympathetic light until the emergence of Romantic Satanism in the late 1700s through the 1800s, with writings by poets like Percy Shelley and of course John Milton. Romantic Satanism, it should be emphasized, was not a religious movement, but an artistic one. Different writers of the era had varied religious identities, from Christian to the beginnings of Atheism, but while they were writing about Satan with more nuance and personality than he'd ever been given before, they were not worshiping him or intending to write holy texts.

It isn't until the 1900s that we begin to see inklings of truly religious Satanism, and not always by that name exactly. Aleister Crowley, founder of Thelema, had some Satanic flavor to his persona (calling himself the Beast 666), despite saying he did not consider himself a Satanist nor worshiped Satan. Crowley's contemporary, Maria de Naglowska, founded a sex-based magical society and religion called The Brotherhood of Eulis, which centered on Satan as the embodiment of Reason, and the story of Adam and Eve as the original magical act of a woman granting magical knowledge to her lover through sex. The Neo-pagan religion Adonism was founded by Franz Sättler, who equated Adonis with Satan in a positive way. There are more to name but this post is already lengthy.

These movements were scattered, some were not well-documented, and many happened in Europe and the original texts were never translated to English. I believe this is part of the reason why Americans and others in the anglosphere may only know of LaVey as Satanism's modern father, because of course, in the 1960s, we got the Church of Satan, and their accompanying Bible. Again, this is a lengthy subject I'm sure I'll make more posts on later, but LaVeyan Satanism is, to my knowledge, the origin of the atheistic Satanism movement, the worldview that deities aren't real (though magic may be, depending on how closely we're sticking with LaVey's worldview) and Satan is a figurehead used to symbolize self-worship. Though they share very few philosophical values, it is due to this version of atheistic Satanism that The Satanic Temple exists today, practicing their own version of Satanism, also without literal deities. It is also due to the CoS that the Temple of Set came to be, as it was originally formed by LaVeyan Satanists who wanted something more theist.

With the creation of the internet we have seen many Satanist authors and some scattered churches, covens, and groups arise; Marie RavenSoul (edit: RavenSoul no longer considers herself Satanic, and has converted to Christianity), Aleister Nacht and Magnum Opus, Rev. Cain, Brother Nero, and others. Some of these groups and authors inspired one another, others seem to have sprung up on their own. Others, I'm sure, have been lost to time, and that saddens me as a scholar of Satan and his followers. But that is part of my mission with this blog, is to track down and keep record of every Satanic resource I can find, no matter how obscure.

Follow The Devil's Library here on Tumblr for more posts like this, as well as book reviews in the future. Ave Satanas to my fellow followers of Satan, and to all others, I bid you good day.

[DISCLAIMER: The Devil's Library is not affiliated with any of the previously mentioned groups or authors. It is an independent project by a single Satanist. Do not mistake my mentioning of an author or group as endorsement for their beliefs and practices.]