#invoked such a strong emotional response

[possibly-maybe-okayish]

THE WAY MINAS VOICE SOUNDS AT THE END OF THE SEPTEMBER 18th EPISODE?? AAAAAAAAAAAA

[blackberry-sage-tea]

"The Dalish gifted an Eluvian to the Grey Wardens so we can get in Weisshaupt" is just so emblematic of my problems with the game, because you can tell--it feels to me--that the thought process was "We need to have an Eluvian in Weisshaupt, Eluvians are an Elven(TM) thing, the Dalish are the Elven(TM) faction, so let's just say they were the ones who gave one to the Grey Wardens".

The Dalish have been established over all three games as a people who have spent the last thousands of years desperately scrounging for whatever scraps of their culture they can find, a struggle that has cost them dearly as typified by Merrill's plight trying to restore a single Eluvian which had previously Blighted two of her clan mates (an Eluvian that she can't open or use, and doesn't actually know what it's for by the end of her quest line). Multiple Dalish in Inquisition are killed trying to regain their history ("The Knight's Tomb") or trying to prove themselves by regaining even a talisman related to their culture ("Someone to Lose"). They are an insular and guarded people because outsider interactions frequently invoke a heavy toll in Dalish lives, up to and including entire clans. And yet, we are supposed to believe in a single throwaway piece of dialogue that in the 10 years between Inquisition and Veilguard, the Dalish have (offscreen) gained enough access to Eluvians as a piece of technology that they can afford to just "gift" one to the Grey Wardens without explanation.

There are constant revelations of this kind where pre-established parts of the lore are just thrown out the window. Things that had great emotional weight or impact in previous installments of the series are used for cheap thrills or plot-hole fills without explanation, justification, or even gravitas from the game. You have a moment in one of Emmrich's quests where you stumble through a portal directly into the Fade that Hezenkoss opened in Blackthorne manor, and you're tasked with closing it again. All of this is done entirely without the Anchor or even an implied blood sacrificial ritual, and it is never commented as anything particularly groundbreaking (when going into the Fade physically through tearing a hole in it was a Big Fucking Deal in Inquisition). You encounter a Compassion spirit in a side quest investigating the deaths of citizens in Tevinter who were murdered by a demon of Despair, and it is strong enough to not only retain itself through sensing the (unanswered!) suffering that these people experienced, but it also resolves to protect others to keep them from the same fate (when Cole was so traumatized by a single person's death that he completely reshaped his entire being around them). So on and so forth. Don't even get me started on Bellara's comment that the ancient elves "made most of their buildings in the Fade".

I'm not asking for someone to hold my hand and spoonfeed me information. I frankly don't care if an obscure codex entry, a reddit AMA question, bluesky tweet, or headcanon exists somewhere to patch in or bandaid over all of the jarring details like this, because it doesn't change the fact that the game itself should be doing this. The game itself should be taking the time to explain this in a way that is not missable, the game itself should be taking these things seriously, it should recognize when it is doing contradictory things and rush to justify itself accordingly, because these are things the emotional beats of previous stories hinged on. Like, when the game has Taash say a line like "The Qun isn't a prison, you can leave if you want", it's the responsibility of the writers to show that this is Taash being misinformed, not because I'm too stupid to headcanon that this is the case, but because this line is a symptom of how the entire game's writing seems to have forgotten about the Ben-Hassrath as a thing that exists in this setting.

Previous Dragon Age games are no stranger to "We quietly removed Solas' network of agents and spies offscreen"-style writing, but it usually didn't feel like a constant deluge periodically uprooting my emotional investment and immersion. There's only so much I can take in good faith before I realize that this game was just not written with any care towards ensuring that the worldbuilding made sense and felt right to the player, leading to awkward backpedaling in reddit threads like "no the Crows haven't changed as an organization, these are just the unique Good Crows and we forgot to mention it".

I just can't look past this shit anymore.

[pearlprincess02]

8th house synastry overlays (asteroids)

inner planets overlay & outer planets overlay

north node in 8th house overlay

north node person: in this synastry, the north node person is drawn into a profound journey of transformation and growth through their connection with the 8th house person. positively, this dynamic encourages the north node person to embrace vulnerability, explore deep emotional bonds, and confront fears surrounding intimacy and shared resources. their relationship can lead to significant personal development, helping them to tap into their potential for regeneration and renewal, ultimately guiding them toward their life purpose. however, the intensity of the 8th house energy can also present challenges, as the north node person may grapple with issues of control, possessiveness, or fear of losing their independence. if they resist the lessons of surrender and trust, they might find themselves caught in cycles of emotional turmoil or dependency, preventing them from fully realizing their potential in this transformative relationship.

8th house person: for the 8th house person, the presence of the north node brings an opportunity for deep personal evolution, urging them to confront their shadows and embrace transformative experiences. this relationship can help the 8th house person recognize the importance of shared vulnerability and the power dynamics inherent in intimate connections. on the positive side, they may find themselves developing a greater understanding of their emotional depths and the necessity of letting go in order to grow. however, the challenges posed by the north node's influence may also trigger fears around loss or betrayal, prompting the 8th house person to either withdraw or become overly controlling in response to their insecurities. if they can navigate these fears and embrace the lessons of mutual trust and emotional sharing, they will unlock their full potential for growth and healing within the relationship.

couple tropes: transformational pair, soul growth journey, deep divers, intimacy teachers, shadow work partners, destiny fulfillers, power strugglers, resourceful team, fear confrontors, regeneration duo

south node in 8th house overlay

south node person: in this synastry, the south node person brings a sense of familiarity to the relationship, often invoking deep-seated patterns and unresolved karma from past experiences. positively, this can create a strong bond based on shared understanding and emotional depth, allowing both partners to explore themes of intimacy, trust, and shared resources with an intuitive grasp. the south node person may help the 8th house person reconnect with past lessons, leading to personal growth and healing of old wounds. however, the challenges arise when the south node person's attachment to past patterns leads to stagnation or dependency. they may struggle to release old habits, such as avoidance of emotional vulnerability or fear of commitment, which can prevent both partners from evolving. if they remain entrenched in these patterns, they risk repeating cycles of pain and conflict rather than moving toward the growth opportunities that the relationship can offer.

8th house person: for the 8th house person, the presence of the south node signifies a profound exploration of karmic themes related to intimacy and transformation. this relationship can evoke memories of past connections and emotional experiences, providing the 8th house person with an opportunity to confront and resolve deep-seated issues surrounding control, power dynamics, and shared resources. on the positive side, they may find themselves able to process and release past emotional baggage, paving the way for healthier patterns of intimacy. however, the downside is that they may also find themselves entangled in cycles of dependency or emotional drama, struggling to break free from old habits that no longer serve their growth. if the 8th house person fails to recognize the need for transformation, they may inadvertently perpetuate negative patterns, leading to feelings of frustration and emotional entrapment.

couple tropes: familiar strangers, emotional historians, karma confrontors, resurfacing Issues, intimacy revisitors, dependency duo, shadow partners, the transformative journey, the pattern repeaters, healing connection

lilith in 8th house overlay

lilith person: in this synastry, the lilith person often brings intense and powerful energies that awaken both partners’ hidden desires and obsessions surrounding intimacy and power dynamics. on the positive side, this connection can lead to a profound exploration of sexual attraction and emotional depth, allowing both individuals to tap into their raw, authentic selves and embrace their desires without shame. this synergy can facilitate deep conversations about taboo topics, promoting a safe space for vulnerability and self-discovery. however, the challenges arise when the intensity of these hidden desires turns into obsession, potentially leading to possessiveness, jealousy, or a fear of abandonment. the lilith person may struggle with navigating their own emotional depths, leading to potential power struggles and unhealthy attachments. if not carefully managed, this relationship can oscillate between passionate connection and destructive obsession, making it essential for both partners to maintain open communication and healthy boundaries.

8th house person: for the 8th house person, the presence of the lilith person activates their latent desires and can bring a heightened sense of awareness to their own obsessions and vulnerabilities. this dynamic can serve as a catalyst for transformation, allowing the 8th house person to explore their sexuality and emotional depths in ways that feel both exhilarating and intimidating. positively, they may experience a sense of liberation as they confront and embrace their darker desires, fostering a deeper intimacy with the lilith person. however, the downside is that the intense energy can lead to overwhelming emotions, making it easy for the 8th house person to become fixated on the lilith person or lose themselves in obsessive thoughts. if the 8th house person fails to maintain balance and boundaries, they may find themselves spiraling into emotional turmoil, leading to issues of dependency or control. ultimately, the journey is one of self-discovery, where they must learn to navigate their desires responsibly while fostering a healthy, dynamic connection.

couple tropes: forbidden lovers, intense connection, shadow explorers, obsession duo, desire unveilers, power players, secrets keepers, emotional alchemists, healing partners, passionate turmoil

chiron in 8th house overlay

chiron person: in this synastry, the chiron person brings their unique brand of healing and pain to the relationship, often navigating the depths of emotional and psychological wounds tied to intimacy and shared resources. positively, this connection can foster a profound healing journey, as both partners confront their traumas and vulnerabilities within a safe space. the chiron person may act as a guide, helping the 8th house person to unpack their pain and embrace transformation, leading to greater intimacy and understanding. however, this dynamic can also evoke significant challenges, as the chiron person may inadvertently trigger the 8th house person's deepest fears and insecurities. if they are not careful, this relationship can oscillate between deep healing and painful reliving of past traumas, creating a cycle of dependency or emotional turmoil. therefore, open communication and a commitment to healing are essential to navigate the complexities of this relationship and unlock its transformative potential.

8th house person: for the 8th house person, the presence of the chiron person highlights their own wounds related to intimacy, power, and vulnerability. this relationship can serve as a mirror, reflecting their deepest fears and emotional struggles, which can be both enlightening and painful. on the positive side, the chiron person may provide the 8th house person with the support needed to confront their fears, facilitating a healing process that encourages emotional growth and resilience. this connection can lead to significant breakthroughs, as the 8th house person learns to navigate their pain and reframe their experiences. however, the downside lies in the potential for overwhelming emotions, as the 8th house person may find it challenging to face the intensity of their wounds. if they become too enmeshed in their pain or overly reliant on the chiron person for healing, it may hinder their personal growth. Ultimately, the journey is one of balance, where both partners must navigate the fine line between pain and healing to foster a nurturing and transformative relationship.

couple tropes: wounded healers, the painful reflection, healing journey, intense connection, emotional alchemists, trust builders, shared secrets, power struggle, the catalyst for change, healing romance

juno in 8th house overlay

juno person: in this synastry, the juno person brings a deep sense of commitment and loyalty to the relationship, often elevating the bond to a level of profound trust and devotion. positively, this placement encourages an emotional intensity that fosters a sense of security, allowing both partners to explore the depths of intimacy and vulnerability together. the juno person often feels a strong connection to the 8th house person, viewing them as a partner worthy of deep devotion and fidelity. however, the intensity of the relationship can also create challenges; the juno person may struggle with feelings of possessiveness or fear of betrayal, which can lead to jealousy or insecurity. if not managed carefully, these feelings can undermine the trust they’ve built, potentially leading to conflicts or emotional distance. ultimately, this relationship thrives on open communication and a mutual understanding of each other’s needs for trust and devotion.

8th house person: for the 8th house person, the presence of the juno person highlights their deep desires for loyalty and emotional security within relationships. this connection often fosters a sense of shared devotion, as they both seek to navigate the complexities of trust and intimacy together. on the positive side, the 8th house person may find themselves feeling profoundly connected to the juno person, enhancing their willingness to open up and invest in the relationship. however, this can also lead to challenges, as the 8th house person may fear vulnerability or feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the juno person's commitment. their tendency to conceal their deeper feelings or fears can create misunderstandings, leading to potential rifts in trust. therefore, the success of this relationship hinges on both partners’ willingness to communicate openly about their feelings, fostering an environment where trust and devotion can flourish without the weight of unexpressed fears.

couple tropes: soulbound lovers, intimate confidants, committed partners, trust fall, intense devotion, the fear of betrayal, emotional healers, mysterious connection, power couple, devotion in darkness

eros in 8th house overlay

eros person: in this synastry, the eros person experiences a profound and magnetic attraction to the 8th house person, igniting intense passion and desire. on the positive side, their connection allows for explorative and adventurous sexual experiences, where both partners are encouraged to delve into their deepest fantasies and hidden pleasures. the eros person may find themselves captivated by the 8th house person's sensuality, leading to a dynamic and exhilarating sexual chemistry. however, this intensity can also lead to complications; the eros person may feel overwhelmed by the depth of emotions involved, risking the potential for possessiveness or jealousy if boundaries are not respected. when the eros person's desires clash with the 8th house person's complex emotional landscape, it can create tension and misunderstandings, necessitating open communication to ensure both partners feel secure and satisfied in their sexual connection.

8th house person: for the 8th house person, the presence of the eros person activates their desires for intimacy and emotional connection, enhancing their sexual experience in profound ways. this synastry fosters an atmosphere of deep eroticism and exploration, where the 8th house person feels liberated to express their sensuality and desires. positively, this connection can lead to a transformative sexual bond, characterized by a profound sense of unity and emotional depth that elevates their experiences beyond the physical. however, the intensity of this placement can also be challenging; the 8th house person may struggle with vulnerability, feeling overwhelmed by the depth of their emotions and desires. if they harbor fears or insecurities, it can lead to emotional withdrawal, creating barriers to fully enjoying the passionate experiences with the eros person. to maintain a fulfilling sexual connection, both partners must prioritize honest communication about their needs and boundaries, ensuring they navigate their desires together.

couple tropes: forbidden lovers, passionate explorers, emotional seduction, sensual alchemists, fantasies unleashed, intense lovers, jealous hearts, the bond beyond the physical, risky rendezvous, transformative duo

all observations are done by me !!! @pearlprincess02

main masterlist

[just-a-ghost00]

What they think when they see you vs what they show (possibly 18+)

You can pick your group thinking about a crush, a lover or anyone you are curious about. But this has to be someone you know currently. It can't be a future person.

Group 1

Their thoughts - 2 of cups, 7 of cups, 8 of cups, Strength, page of cups, knight of cups , back of the deck is The Sun

"I can’t let them know I like them. I can’t show them how I feel for them. I have to act strong. I can’t be vulnerable. My god, I wanna ask them out so bad. Would they even care? They would reject my offer, I’m pretty sure. They must like stronger individuals. Surely I’m not their type. I should better leave. But I can’t. I feel so drawn to them. Hell, what should I do?! Should I stay or should I go? God they’re so beautiful. But I can’t tell them, now can I? I hope they don’t notice I’m staring. Omg they’re looking. Act normal, act normal!"

For some of you this person may be in a connection with someone else already and they are trying to reason themselves and repress their feelings. For others, this person thinks you’re destined to be together but for some reason they are afraid to confess their feelings. It’s like in both cases, the person feels like your holding their heart in your hands. They feel like your hostage. They think you have a lot to offer and you are really independent so you wouldn’t need them nor be interested in them. It’s like they tell themselves "what would such a person do with someone like me? I don’t deserve them". They think you are generous and kind, very emotional. As sweet as the marine air, as beautiful as a sea shell. Water seems to be very important to this person. Reminds me of that Aphrodite painting where she’s standing on an oyster. You’re like a goddess/god to them.

They think that you bring so much light and optimism in their life. That your sweetness is a welcomed relief in their chaotic life. They want to bask in the feeling of you. They think a lot of positive things because they idealize you. You’re like an angel to them. A creature so pure that they wish to keep to themselves but are also afraid to hurt. It’s like they think they’re a beast and you’re the beauty. However in their mind there would be no happy ending for the two of you.

Their actions - ace of pentacles, 4 of cups, 5 of wands, 4 of wands, 3 of cups, The Emperor, 3 of wands

This person is doing their best to pretend they don’t care. They look as calm, cool and collected as they possibly can. They want to look professional and disinterested. I’m getting specifically the message that this person hides behind their spouse/partner to avoid being in contact with you or try to convince you there’s nothing going on. So either they would send their partner to interact with you or they would invoke them in conversations. Also they could be showing off their engagement ring as a reminder.

Another thing this person does is that they are always making sure they’re not alone in your presence. So if they interact with you, it will mostly be when there’s important gatherings, especially when there are other people around that they know. This way, their conversation with you would look pretty natural and mundane, even to your eyes. It’s like they’re taking you in doses. They would juggle between times of no contact and contact.

Though they want to look disinterested they also want to look their best, just in case lmao So they would literally puff their chest to look bigger or play with their hair to draw attention on them. They would wear their best outfit or accessories, put themselves in positions of power to impress you. They would act like they’re the next hottest thing. Also they would try to be brave so maybe they would do risky things or like act like a savior around you. Especially if they notice you’re in need of help. They would be the first to nonchalantly offer their help and remind you that "though they’re super busy because of their numerous responsibilities, they would do their best to help you out should you ever be in need ". This person feels really old school lmao Also they seem like the type of person that watches too many unrealistic rom coms lmao (or porn)

Group 2

Their thoughts - 7 of cups, The World, 4 of pentacles, The Empress, 8 of pentacles, knight of swords, 9 of wands

Okay this person’s thoughts are pretty intense and quite horny / kinky. If I felt like writing their actual thoughts for group 1, here I feel like this would be a bit triggering in some way. So I’m gonna describe as best as I can and as respectfully as I can lmao To be completely honest, this person is a simp for you. They want to "drink from you". I’ll leave that to your imagination. They think that you are incredibly attractive and 100% their type. They want to possess you. But they don’t want to rush it. They like the thrill of the chase. They think that they want to lift you up and have you as they please, against the wall or on any surface they could find. They think that the world lies at your feet and that they would give you the world if you asked them to. They think that, being the absolute baddie that you are, you would have a fair amount of options. And that makes them uncomfortable. Because this person doesn’t like to share their "meal". They think that they should carefully plan how they’re going to approach and seduce you because they know you won’t be fooled. They know they have to be clean and clear if they wish to have you by their side. They think you’re feisty and in your power. You bow to no one and take no orders and this person would loooooove to be the only one to "tame" you. They think that you’re a freak in the sheets. That you would match their intensity. Their thoughts are mainly sexual. There isn’t much room for feelings in this person’s mind.

Their actions - The Tower, Ace of cups, Page of swords, page of wands, 8 of swords, 8 of pentacles, 7 of pentacles

This person acts very unpredictably. One day they’re super open and sociable, fun and patient. The other they’re an absolute asshole. It’s like they’re trying to confuse you so that you don’t know where they stand. They appear as immature. They constantly contradict themselves. Either their actions don’t follow their words or it’s like they don’t think things through and just act randomly. They are chaotic in the way they communicate and act. But most of the time they are defensive and put up barriers between the two of you. They’re the type of person that would purposefully ignore your messages, leave you on red and then pretend they didn’t see it because they were "too busy". They play hot and cold basically. As if being shady was the key to success.

This person would also try to provoke meetings with you by inventing problems or persuading people to interact with you so they can get you out of trouble. They would also surprise you in unexpected manners to keep you entertained. Like they would gather information about you from stalking your social media or interrogating people around you and then give you exactly what you needed as they pretend it is only a coincidence. Like "hey I just got this chocolate from someone but I’m sick so I can’t eat them, would you mind eating them? I don’t want to throw them away" when they’ve clearly spent at least a solid hour looking for your favorite chocolate on purpose.

Group 3

Their thoughts - The fool, knight of pentacles, 6 of pentacles, The Emperor, 7 of swords, page of swords

"They look so calm and peaceful, so carefree. I wonder how they can look so good and be so calm when all around them seems so chaotic. They look so tired sometimes and sad even. I wonder if they're okay. They're so put together. I'd like to get close to them but I feel like they wouldn't be open to it. I wish they weren't so uptight. Maybe we could be good friends. Or work together. They seem like a good person. They look like they've been through a lot though. They're so guarded. Aren't they hiding something? Are they really as they appear? I don't know if I can trust them. They're so strong. Even in the face of adversity, they stay true to themselves and kind to others. I admire them for that. It could be so easy to resent or hate people but this person is so genuine. They keep giving though people hurt them. I hope they can protect themselves and stand up for themselves. They don't deserve the hate they get."

Okay for some of you this person knows you from work or school. There are people around you that try to control you or bring you down. Especially, jealous people that want to give you a bad reputation because you don't follow their tracks. This could be true especially if you have a different vision of how work should be done or how people should be treated. They envy your energy and the attention you get. This person you're asking about has good intentions and a good opinion of you but they're confused as to why other people don't seem to see you like they do. They also have a hard time figuring you out. You impress them as much as you scare them. They could be your coworker or maybe a patron that frequently comes to your workplace and has seen your evolution. For others this can be a friend of yours or a family member. I don't get romantic feelings from this group but rather platonic ones. Now it doesn't mean that their opinion and feelings can't change/evolve. This person specifically admires your professional attitude, your strength and resilience. They admire your giving nature and your tendency to give people a chance instead of judging them at first sight.

Their actions - 10 of swords, 6 of pentacles, 4 of swords, knight of wands, Wheel of fortune, ace of pentacles

If this person may have appeared as cold and distant towards you at first, they got warmer as they got to know you and observe you. They like to watch you from a distance. They feel like they can have a more objective view of your essence if they're not involved directly. But at the end of the day, this person can't resist the pull. They had to get closer because they found your energy interesting. So at first, they would remain strictly professional. To the point where sometimes it would be as if they were a ghost. They would pretty much never interact unless it was really important. But most of the time they would remain hidden. But then the wheel turned because something made them take interest in you. Maybe it was something you did or something you said. For some I'm getting that they realised how important you were when you were gone. There was a period of time when you were the one that stopped communicating and it made them ponder about what you were up to and how you were doing. When you came back, this person started to act more friendly. They could have gotten you gifts or offered help, which they wouldn't have done before.

They acted differently for sure. More open to conversation, more present in your life, offering practical advice or helping you even before you asked. For some I'm getting the sense of someone leaving positive reviews or giving you extra cash, leaving littles notes on your desk to cheer you up. Trying to get the community around you to support you more by talking to other people about how nice of a person you are and changing the general opinion of you. For some this person would even take your defense in public without you being aware, trying to restore your honor. They feel more protective over you. Kind of like a surrogate dad or a mentor energy. When they got to see you, for some I'm getting the mental image of someone trying to uplift somebody else's spirit by shyly giving compliments in the disguise of a joke. Like for instance they would playfully comment your outfit but manage to tell you it looks good on you in the process. I felt the need to ask spirit for more information so I drew another card from the deck. You got The Star and The Devil. On the first card there's a female figure pouring water into a pond while she fondly looks at two cranes sitting nearby. There's a third crane in her back that she's not aware of. The other shows a feminine character with one blind eye and a mischievous look.

I'm getting several possibilities looking at this combination. One the one hand, it kinda confirms what I've been saying about this person protecting you and acting behind your back. As the Star card can be related to the Internet and the Devil card can represent naysayers/people with bad intentions, it shows that this person has been defending you online. I'm getting a scenario where a group of people is having a private conversation on any social platform where they talk baldly about you or make fun of you. And either this person has been calling these people out or they went as far as to threaten them of filing a complaint in your name. On the other hand, these two cards could be showing that this person is two faced. They may act kind and sweet in front of your face, but talk badly about you behind your back. Or, if they're not dissing you, at least they're playing the game to get favors out of you. For instance, they could be complimenting you a lot, hoping you'd forget something they did or said about you that hurt you.

[lavellaned]

Actually I think one of the reasons why this game is so awful to get through is how it treats abuse, abusers, and abuse victims.

Under cut due to length of rambling:

First of all, Morrigan. Abused as a child by her mother, Flemeth aka Mythal, learned about the world and how to interact with it in a skewed way. Was treated in a way that no child should be by anyone let alone their parent.

Fast forward to Inquisition, particularly a worldstate in which Kieran is alive. The scene in the fade where Morrigan confronts Flemythal is one of the most important and special scenes in all of dragon age to me.

Growing up through abuse as a child you never think "I don't deserve this", you mainly think things like "Why is this happening to me?" and "Bad things happen to me." You know that these things are bad and make you feel bad, but when your baseline for how you should experience the world is abusive, you don't have the point of reference to think otherwise. And then you grow up. You look back on the abuse through the eyes of the child who experienced it but also through the detached, adult view that you currently have and have to reconcile the two. It's not easier nor pleasant. Getting to the age your abuser was/getting into the position of power your abuser had over you is difficult. Being at that stage and picturing yourself doing what was done to you to someone else is fucking sickening, and then you start to realize "I wasn't the problem, it WASN'T my fault, YOU are the one that's fucked up." But a lot of people can't and therefore the cycle of abuse continues.

But Morrigan does. She straight up tells her abuser "I will not be the mother you were to me." To have a character who survived childhood abuse be able to reach a point in their life where they can take back their personhood from their abuser is pretty damn important, actually. To this day I get weepy just thinking about it.

And then fucking veilguard happened.

Not only does it not matter if Kieran is alive or if Morrigan drank from the well (something that would BIND HER SPIRIT TO HER ABUSER), but Morrigan straight up let Mythal hitch a ride in her. The very thing that Morrigan tried to prevent ever since the first goddamn game? And we're all just supposed to accept and be ok with this?

The only way I can see this not being a complete character assassination of Morrigan is if Mythal just straight up possessed her unwillingly/killed her. Have Mythal use Morrigan as a information receptacle for new players, but also use old players' already-implemented relationship with her as a way to manipulate them. Either way, shit sucks.

Then there's the Crows. You know, the guild who takes children from brothels, orphanages, the streets and puts them through Hunger Games levels of training in which they either die or survive to become a slave assassin for the rest of their life. Not in veilguard. We're all just one big happy family. We rule Antiva, yippee!

Finally, there's Solas. One could argue his entire existence is the product of abuse, and everything that has happened in Thedas is because of it. I think framing his regrets as physical manifestations that want to kill him is a really interesting narrative choice. Unlocking the regret murals was one of the very few parts of this game that invoked a strong emotional response from me, not just because I'm an unapologetic Solas Enjoyer but because the implications are heartbreaking.

And then the game has you sit through the most fucking unbearable CBT group therapy session to talk about them with some of the most annoying damn people in Thedas who treat the literal apocalyptic levels of abuse Solas went through for millennia as something like a joke? And we the player are not given the option to challenge this? This game makes the point to force the player to agree with the flippant attitudes brought up from this.

Then brings up the final scene with Solas. Do I think the meeting with Mythal and Solas was handled well? Yes and no, but that's for another time. Solas is so far in the trenches of the trauma of abuse that he will not stop until his abuser pretty much tells him "I'm done abusing you." I think this was good and bad, again another time.

The way Solas interacts with his abuser is the direct flipside of how Morrigan does. You see more than one way someone can heal/not heal from it.

Morrigan, someone with arguable little power in the world, stands up against her abuser unflinchingly.

Solas, described through history as a GOD, someone with unfathomable amounts of knowledge and power, cowers and offers his abuser a literal weapon to kill him with, unprompted.

If this was a good game, it would be about regret but also about survivor's guilt, something that those who survived abuse have to deal with for the rest of their lives. But it's not, because it's a a bad game.

[theweeklydiscourse]

Zutarians when Katara isn’t used as a prize for Zuko’s redemption arc and doesn’t fall to her knees and suck Zuko’s dick the second he isn’t a racist cunt toward her and instead actually loves Aang, someone who is her best friend and a fellow genocide survivor who understands her trauma and treats her with utmost respect

This is so exciting…my first deranged anon! I’m glad that my humble Zutara discourse could reach you and stir such strong emotions in your heart.

This ask serves as a reminder of the disingenuous nature of antis when it comes to discussing the politics of ATLA. Look closely at the provocative language anon uses as well as their hyperbole, notice how extreme of a characterization it is. See how much of the show they need to rewrite and omit to give their argument a leg to stand on. Notice how they invoke “genocide” and “racism”, not to make any sort of coherent commentary on the show, but to bolster their ship and make their claims seem less outrageous.

According to this anon, we should abandon our tastes in fictional ships and instead *checks notes* be morally obliged ship the two characters on the basis of shared trauma…what a compelling reason lol. Also, the “treats her with utmost respect” is not lost on me, apparently in anon’s mind “utmost respect” includes kissing someone without their consent and dismissing their trauma because their response to it doesn’t align with your values.

[astra-ravana]

Necromancy Basics

What Is Necromancy?

Also called death work, necromancy is the art of interacting with the spirits of the dead. Necromancers may have many reasons for doing this including, but not limited to, divination, communication, healing, and cursing. Necromancy is an ancient magick, practiced in many forms, by almost all cultures, for thousands of years. The spiritualist movement of the 19th century popularized mediumship and gathering for seances. Today, necromancy is not as commonplace, but many witches still reach out to the dead to enhance their craft and to shift their perspective on death.

Many fear death, but the reality is that death eventually comes for us all. Death is a part of life, a process of nature, and an element in and of itself. Death has an energy that is capable of empowering those brave enough to face it head on.

Working With The Dead

Necromancy can be carried out using many different methods and for different purposes. Contacting the dead can actually bring peace to the living, helping them understand and embrace their own mortality. Conversely, ghosts can be employed as a means of baneful magick, cursing targets with their presence. The nature of the spirit will determine their influence on the living. As such, there are a few notable types of spirits:

• The Beloved Dead- The spirits of your dead friends, relatives, and ancestors. These are people who were connected to you in life, or by family ties. These spirits can be contacted to bring healing through closure as well as for general communication. They can lend their energy to workings, empower and heal you through their presence, as well as protect you from harm.

• The Mighty Dead- These are spirits of fame, notoriety, and influence. Having made a mark on the world in life, they still have much to offer in death. This type of spirit is fantastic for divination, empowerment, gaining knowledge and skills, and deep communication. The can be invoked by a necromancer through their name.

• The Dark Dead- These are the tormented souls who haven't moved on from their own traumatic death. They are full of sorrow, confusion, and rage. These types of spirits are extremely strong and should only be contacted by a skilled practitioner. Often, violent or intense hauntings are the work of these spirits. They can influence emotion and energy and can also exhibit poltergeist behavior.

• Animal Spirits- Dead animals can also be contacted through necromancy, often using the animal's skull or bones as a beacon and vessel. These spirits can empower workings, offer protection, or even help you connect to nature on a deeper level. Deceased pets can be worked with similarly to the Beloved Dead.

Furthermore, there are numerous methods and techniques one can utilize to achieve communication with the dead. These practices are not limited to the dead, as you can utilize many of these to connect with non-human spirits and deities as well. The most notable means of communication with the dead:

• Mediumship- Being a medium means you can psychically communicate with the dead. While some people are born with the natural ability, others can develop it over time from exposure to the spirit world.

• Seance- A group endeavor to summon a spirit, usually lead by at least one medium. Many other methods may be employed during a seance. These can be long events, often lasting hours.

• Talking boards- A talking board, often referred to as a ouija board, is perhaps one of the most widely known means of communicating with the dead. These boards have been used for centuries in various forms, usually by moving a planchette across the letters and symbols.

• Pendulum/dowsing rods- Also used to detect water underground, these useful tools are very sensitive to energy. A pendulum is a weight at the end of a cord or chain that swings in various directions and circles in response to energy. Dowsing rods function very similarly, but they are held loosly in the hands so they can spin freely. Most dowsing rods are made of copper wire, bent into an L shape. These can be used to detect spirits as well as calibrated to answer yes or no questions.

• Tarot/oracle cards- Cards have often been used to communicate with the dead. They can provide valuable insight into the nature, feelings, and traits of spirits as well as key events of their life/death. I recommend being a skilled reader before using this method to contact the dead, as there can be miscommunication.

• Mirrors- Mirrors can act as portals to the spirit world as well as make it easier to see spirits. Black mirrors work especially well for this as they limit distractions, allowing one to better focus or scry for answers.

• Technology- Modern necromancy definitely has an edge thanks to ground breaking devices often utilized by ghost hunters. Inventions like the ghost box and ovulus are made specifically for speaking to the dead. These can be expensive, however. An affordable alternative is a digital voice recorder which are able to pick up spirit voices or EVPs (electronic voice phenomena). Simply ask a series of questions, with pauses in between, and play it back to hear any responses.

Graveyard Etiquette

Graveyards, cemeteries, and burial grounds are excellent places to make contact with the dead. These hallowed spaces are often hubs for spirits and can be very valuable to practitioners who conduct themselves properly. The rules for graveyard necromancy are as follows:

• Leave an offering at the entrance for the cemetery guardian. Also leave an offering at any graves you work with. Traditional offerings include coins, liquor, tobacco and flowers.

• Ask for permission before taking anything from a graveyard and leave an offering in return.

• Ward/shield yourself before doing graveyard work. You can wear a pentagram or other protective symbol, or cast protection magick on yourself.

• Treat the graveyard and every grave with respect. Try your best to fix any damages done by others and keep the grounds clean of litter. Doing this will earn you major respect from the resident spirits.

• Always thank the dead for their time before leaving.

• Consider cleansing yourself after a visit, to ensure nothing follows you home. You can also wear a hood/scarf so spirits don't grab onto you, as they usually go for the back of the neck/head.

Graveyards are considered to be liminal spaces. These are special settings that exist in a place of transition and are known to be gathering places for spirits. Any magickal working done in a liminal space will be enhanced by the energy of that location. Other examples of liminal spaces include crossroads, hedge rows, halls, and doorways.

Relevant Posts

Necromancer's Tool Kit

Liminal Spaces In Witchcraft

The Pendulum

The Dark Dead And Baneful Necromancy

[lucindasthighs]

OOUHGU IM THINKING ABOUT THE RO'MEAVE SIBLINGS AGAIN AND MAKING IT YOUR PROBLEM

Garroth had the most of Garte's "good side" growing up, and as he was their only child at the time, Garte and Zianna favored him. He learned kindness and empathy from his mother as she stroked his hair at bedtime; He learned responsibility and loyalty from his father as the king told him of the future in store for him. He learned love from them. But then his father changed. Garroth learned to protect from his mother, standing in front of her when Garte yelled, just in case. He learned to sacrifice from Garte, complying with the king's many demands and rules "for the good of his people."

Vylad was born into a cold world. Garte treated him well at first, letting the child ride on his shoulders throughout the castle. But that candle of love was snuffed without remorse soon enough. In the end, from his father, he learned hatred and disgust. He had to hide from it. Yes, to hide away and be invisible, that's what he must do to survive. Survive. Survive. Survive. That's all that matters. But.. this cold world was not without comfort. In his mother's arms, he learned pity. Pity for the woman cursed with compassion and pity to all the bleeding hearts before and after her. He learned fairness from his older brother Garroth, who never saw him as lesser or wrong. Finally, Vylad learned that the cruel machinations of the world favored the strong over the good, as he plummeted into the depths of hell.

Zane, perhaps, was doomed from the start, being the young and malleable last son of Garte. Once his brothers died, there was no light that could combat the darkness weaving its way into his soul. Oh, Zianna tried to hold on to him; but Zane had already learned so much from his mother. She could not keep her own children alive. She could not protect them, protect him, as much as she liked to pretend her arms were a shield. She could not love him the same way she did his brothers because she was weak. Zane did not care when his brothers died. He didn't cry when he realized their shared bedroom would be silent forever. He never stared at the empty, faded spot on the wall where the family portrait used to be. Those emotions were useless, as his Father taught him. Zane learned how to get power; to invoke fear; to be a leader; to manipulate; to crush all those in his way without a drop of blood on his hands from Garte. The infallible High Priest, the benevolent leader of the Jury - that is Prince Zane Ro'meave.

[evereverest2]

Little Monster - Terzomega

2.8k words ~ smut

Terzo asks Omega for another night together. Omega can’t stand his guts.

[warning: terzo is struggling and omega has no sympathy. this fic is pretty angsty and dark, so don’t read if you’re expecting comfort]

i decided to post this one.. i just couldn’t stop thinking about it.

[parts:] next

—

Omega stood idly in the back of the cathedral, listening to Secondo’s sermon. While was not obliged to be there, he liked the atmosphere of being in mass. Human-watching. Studying how they interacted with one another and the worship. Feeling their moods shift from listening to praying. If he just focused on one person praying, he could almost know their thoughts completely based on how their emotions shifted. Sad, hopeful, angered, desperate. He found the art of studying humans an interesting one, such complicated yet simple creatures.

“Enjoying yourself, Omega ghoul?”

Omega shut his eyes in annoyance. He should have sensed him coming.

“Can I help you, cardinal?”

Terzo stood by his side facing forward, but tilted his head at him. “You tease when you call me that. I missed you.” His voice dripped with the alcohol he abused. He smelled sweetly of wine.

“Not now.”

Terzo looked out at the congregation, avidly engaged with Secondo. “No one is looking, carissimo.”

“No.”

In all senses of the word, Omega hated Terzo. He wanted power but avoided responsibility. He was sloppy, useless, and did not have a strong loyalty to the Ministry. He often heard him spreading rumors among the siblings about his slightly older brother, Secondo. Talking to him was a chore in itself, though Omega was obliged to humor him.

“Secondo talks as loud as a garbage truck. They will not hear us, mostriciatto.”

“No.”

Omega suddenly felt his hand on his ass. He disciplined himself to stay still. Even staring straight ahead, he could see Terzo’s mischievous smirk in his mind’s eye. He gave him a decent squeeze.

Though Omega wished to kill him most days, they had been engaged in a secret, sexual tryst that Terzo often liked to invoke. That was what led Terzo to drag his sorry ass out of his quarters to beg Omega for attention.

“Let go,” he growled through grit fangs.

“Make me.”

“You’ll regret this.”

“Will I? Are you threatening your cardinal, mostriciatto?” Terzo teased.

Omega boiled with anger. “It’s not a threat if I do it.”

Terzo slyly moved his hand into his pocket, just barely able to feel the outline of Omega’s dick with the tip of his finger.

Omega seethed.

Terzo said, “Why do you not just come with me? Must you stay here?”

Omega was as silent as stone.

“Do not be like that, you are like a kitty who did not get his food.”

He was committed to his silence. Terzo tried to get his attention again, but Omega elected to walk away. He came towards the other side of the pews, partway to the front of the church where there were witnesses, and Terzo just stared at him from the back of the room. After a few minutes, he disappeared out the door.

Omega blew out a slow breath. Terzo was nasty when he was drunk, which was always.

What they had was circumstantial at best; a cardinal who took too much of a liking to a ghoul, finally convincing him one day to sleep with him. Like a dog fed scraps, he kept coming back with his needy eyes, begging for more. Omega saw little harm in indulging himself, especially when he could take out his anger and abhorrence of the cardinal on him. That was, as long as their affair could be concealed.

After mass, instead of mindlessly following Secondo around for the rest of the night, Omega surrendered to his lust and found himself standing outside the cardinal’s quarters, still in his uniform and mask. He knocked softly, looking carefully down the hallways, before stepping inside.

Terzo was on the ground in front of his couch, his head propped up on the side like he had slid off it. He wore a black suit, his dress shirt unbuttoned halfway, one sleeve rolled up, and his belt undone. He nursed a glass of red wine. Lying next to him was a spilled bottle.

“Omega ghoul,” Terzo murmured, staring at the glass in his hand. “My wine is on the floor.”

Omega, unphased by his intoxication, crossed the room and squatted over him. He grabbed Terzo’s throat, which made him look up.

“Clean it, then.”

His command was clear. The pathetic cardinal swallowed, and Omega roughly let go. Terzo took a drink, set his glass on the ground, and began licking the wine off the floor. Omega grabbed his head, pushing his nose into the hardwood. Terzo released a weak whimper, breathing harshly against the floor.

“Mostriciatto…”

Omega pulled him up by the hair, tilting his head to the side to look at him. He waited expectantly, watching stray red drops run down his cheek.

“You will not kiss me if I keep drinking the floor.”

“I don’t want to kiss you.”

He dropped his head roughly back to the ground. He whimpered.

“Keep cleaning,” Omega grunted.

Terzo’s pink tongue flicked from his lips again.

Terzo irritated Omega. Scum made better company than the drunk bastard skulking around the halls of the ministry. His intoxication made him hard for Omega to read, which annoyed him more that he could not glean his intentions. All he knew was he was oft horny, always drinking, and indignant of his position as cardinal—but only because he said as much.

Terzo started panting. Omega noticed he was shallowly grinding against the floor, clearly desperate for friction. Omega changed his position to kneeling next to him and used his other hand to slam his ass down, gripping tightly and keeping his hips still. His fingers dug into the fabric as hard as they could. Terzo groaned. He tried to thrust himself upwards, but Omega’s grip was strong, and tightened on his hair. He heard him gasp.

“Omega— Please— Let me go—“ Terzo gasped.

Reluctantly he did, realizing Terzo was choking. He rolled on his back and coughed harshly. The outline of his dick was clearly visible in his pants. Even while he gasped for air, he stared at Omega pleadingly. When he had settled, his hand subtly reached down to play with his own bulge.

Omega did nothing, just watched. Terzo got bolder, unbuttoning his pants, pulling them down just below his hips. Before he could reach the prize, though, Omega hoisted him up, carried him to the bed, and threw him on the mattress.

Terzo rolled to his stomach, steadying himself on his knees so that his ass was raised in the air, his pants falling around his thighs. His hand slipped between his legs, his fingers pressing against his asshole. He looked at Omega, his head lying against the bed, with hazy and needy eyes.

He was desperate.

Omega growled, “If you wanted to jerk off by yourself, you shouldn’t have teased me.”

Omega pushed him over, forcing him on his back. He yanked down his own pants and climbed over him. He dangled his dick over Terzo’s face, holding himself over him in what was almost a push-up. Terzo knew what to do, taking it in his mouth obediently. Omega rolled his hips and started fucking his mouth.

Terzo took it well. His hands exploded Omega’s lower half, his fingers slipping around his balls, thighs, and ass. The extra stimulation added to his grunts and moans.

Even as his chest rose more shallowly, as his fingers gripped more tightly, Omega did not let up. The human’s warm, wet mouth was doing wonders to satiate the risen passion burning within him. He knew Terzo had seduced him for his own desires, his need to be treated like shit. Strangers could not mistreat him as well as the hellish fury who he knew already hated him. It was a wonder why Omega bothered to keep coming at all. Perhaps he loved to torture Terzo. It was more vindicating than glaring at him behind the mask silently.

Terzo gripped his thighs, breathing harshly, clearly wanting relief. But Omega was close and he did not want to let up. His throat was a perfect and tight hole for his cock, even if it was choking him. Listening to Terzo struggling to breathe was getting Omega off even more. The more he gasped, the tighter he was.

How he despised him. Enough to cum down his already constricted throat.

Omega lifted himself up with a grunt, standing next to the bed and pulling his pants up. Meanwhile Terzo was doubled over spitting up cum on his bedsheets. He gagged as spit dripped from his mouth, retching like he was close to vomiting. Omega was indifferent.

It took a decent few minutes for Terzo to pull himself together. He laid on his bed, pants still down, his dick now soft from choking for so long. When he could breathe again, he whispered in a raspy voice, “Mostriciatto, will you give me my wine?”

Omega shook his head. Terzo crawled out of bed towards the couch where he had set his wine glass on the floor. He sat against the couch and took a long drink. When it was empty, Omega watched as he crawled to his coffee table to open another bottle, ass out and dick wagging. Not from a lack of shame, but a lack of awareness. He was wasted.

Omega was disgusted. This was the lowest that humanity had to offer. Terzo looked so pathetic he felt, for once, pity.

“Omega ghoul,” he slurred, crawling to again sit against the couch on the ground and pouring wine in his glass. “Will you touch me now?”

His dick noticeably twitched, growing to a half-on. Omega silently shook his head.

“Please.” He looked up at him, his arm swaying in the air before he took a drink. Omega denied him again, turning towards the door.

A sob. Omega stopped. Where before he had felt little through the veil of wine, now there was a surge of misery emanating from Terzo, so strong it strangled his heart. He turned to look at him again.

“You do not like me?” Terzo wailed. “Am I not handsome enough? Do I not choke down your dick? Mostriciatto, you think I am bad in bed, si? No! I am good, I am sexy!”

There was an anguish that ran much deeper than the superficialities he cried about, a pain that Omega had never sensed in him before. It went beyond his intoxication. It was something he hid. He could feel it twisting around every neuron, lurking behind his thoughts. It was impossible— how did he hide this from a quintessence ghoul?

Terzo continued to break down. He took another drink and began pumping his dick, which was not even hard. “I don’t need you for fun, ghoul! I am il maschio, I can do my own!”

He visibly was not into it, gripping onto himself without rise. He continued crying into his wine glass, and though he obviously could not get himself up, he continued to try.

Omega could not stand it any longer. He turned to leave again.

“Wait!”

Terzo scrambled behind him, his glass audibly clattering to the floor. As Omega reached the door, Terzo threw his body against him.

“Don’t leave, caramissio, don’t leave…”

Terzo’s snot and tears soaked into his shirt, to his annoyance.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Do not leave me.”

The sadness flooding from him was overwhelming, unfortunately triggering his sympathy for him. It must have been lonely to be Terzo. Omega knew the only attention he got was when he was spreading rumors and lies, that otherwise he went unnoticed in Secondo’s shadow. Omega was all he had— and Omega hated him.

He tentatively wrapped his arms around Terzo, who readily clung on to him in return, weeping against his chest. Omega gingerly rubbed his back and allowed him to cry.

After a few minutes, he seemed to calm down. Terzo pulled back slightly, looking up at him, his black eyes and lips smeared to all hell. He suddenly grabbed Omega by the crotch.

Omega’s eyebrows knit together in irritation. “Terzo…”

“Please, I want you, mostrichiatto. Just once tonight, fuck me up the ass.”

Omega felt the loathing return to him. Terzo was just a whore, in the end. But he would oblige, because he felt sorry for the pathetic cardinal.

“Fine.”

Omega lifted his slight frame and brought him back to the bed. Again, Terzo was quick to raise his ass in the air, his asshole puckering at Omega greedily.

Omega once again lowered his pants, gave himself a few strokes, knelt behind him, and shoved inside without prep or lube. Terzo groaned painfully, burying his head in his covers. Omega mercifully paused for his benefit, even reaching beneath him to start yanking on his cock.

Terzo tightened and relaxed around him, moaning. He bit his finger, body relaxing with pleasure. When he began pushing his hips back for friction, Omega began thrusting.

Terzo took up the task of stroking himself off so Omega could grip his love handles as he moved. He whined and panted, peeking at Omega over his shoulder. Even with his bizarre eyes, he looked desperately cute. Omega, feeling aggressive as a result, yanked Terzo’s shirt down around his shoulders and raked his claws down his back, just to see his skin turn red and bleed. Terzo moaned at the contact, his head disappearing into the bed again.

Omega grabbed him by the hair and yanked him upwards so that his back was pressed against his stomach. Holding him around the waist with one hand, touching his chest with the other, thrusting all the while. Omega slid his fingers against his nipples, rubbing and pinching them as Terzo whimpered. Terzo kept jerking off all the meanwhile, steeped in his sexual bliss, likely overstimulating himself just to make his mind go blank.

“Carissimo…”

Omega pushed him down again harshly, the bed bouncing with the force. He planted his elbows on either side of his shoulders and thrust quickly into his tight ass, which would clench with every change of movement. Terzo grabbed his wrist with one hand and let the other return to stroking after he had used it to catch himself.

“Carissimo…” Terzo moaned again. Omega did not like his pet names, said to him as if they were more than they were. He voiced his distaste with a bite to his shoulder, deep enough to draw blood. Terzo screamed in pain. He followed it up with harder thrusts, clapping against his body, almost making him lose the balance in his knees. So strong were his thrusts that Terzo started shouting his moans.

He felt Terzo’s arms quickening and could physically feel his orgasm build up in him. Omega focused, feeling the tense string of his arousal threatening to snap. When his mind had found it, he gripped it tightly, stopping him from his release.

It took the drunken Terzo awhile to realize. He was desperately yelling, mumbling incomprehensibly in Italian. He wanted to finish. Omega could feel it take over every cell in Terzo’s body. He wanted the release. He wanted to think of nothing but the floods of chemicals in his mind.

But he didn’t let him.

“You’ll cum when I’m finished,” Omega grunted between thrusts.

Terzo had neither the words nor the capacity to deny him.

Omega had his way with the little man, biting him once more just to hear his pain. The cardinal was a bitch, but he was his bitch. No matter the strange surge of pain and misery Omega had felt from him, no matter his need to be drunk at almost all times, no matter the way he clung to Omega and begged for his companionship. Terzo was nothing. Omega was just using him; That was all they were. Terzo liked it this way. He liked to be hurt by him.

Right?

Omega came again with another vicious bite, and mercifully released his mind hold on Terzo. Terzo jolted with him, and they came together, dripping in synchrony, sighing as one. Again, Omega was quick to stand and pull up his pants, ready to leave at the first opportunity, even if his legs felt more weak than before. He adjusted his mask, his shirt, righting himself until it looked as if nothing has happened at all.

“Omega ghoul…” Terzo said softly, having collapsed on his stomach. “…Will you stay?”

His back and shoulders looked as if he had survived an encounter with a lion. Perhaps he had.

“No.”

He was steely, silent. Terzo was quiet for a moment.

“May I have my wine?”

Omega, haven given up, grabbed the bottle near the couch and handed it to him. Terzo sat up to drink, his eyelids heavy as he gazed at him.

“Please…?” he murmured slowly.

Omega shook his head. He had already stayed longer than he wanted. Holding Terzo all night was too far for what they were.

Nothing. They were nothing.

He took a swig, shaking his head. “Mostriciatto, you asshole.”

Omega took that as his cue to leave, and this time, Terzo did not stop him. He heard the bottle thunk to the ground as he left. Terzo had passed out. Omega did not turn back.

[parts:] next

buy me a kofi <3

[qoldenskies]

Is there anything in CL/CC that you feel like people have missed that should've been obvious, or are obvious to you, or are important in general?

ive usually been pretty open about a lot of small details when prompted, but one in particular i bring up a lot 'cause nobody else will is raph's response to the curse and how COMPLICATED the way he reacts to it is.... he is the ONLY one that falters when under the throes of it. leo and mikey show the tiniest bits of resistance early on, and they notice that something is wrong, but once they get deep in, they never actually hesitate. raph does REALLY late in.

he hesitated when he benched donnie from the team, he felt guilt. he was going to hurt donnie after he broke shelldon, and he stopped himself. he tells leo to knock it off at the family meeting and derails the dogpiling to get to the point. he could have broken down the door EASILY when donnie ran to the bathroom. he sighed like it was bothering him before striking him to the floor. he only joined the fight after leo got hurt. he was strong enough to snap donnie's neck in one hand and he only strangled him.

anyways shout out to THIS paragraph from the next chapter

(donnie didn't notice raph crying, he was too out of it, for the record. although notice that after the curse breaks he refers to raph's eyes as "cloudy")

so much of raph's guilt comes from his resistance. he was the most cognitively aware. the connecting emotion that it invoked was righteousness, vindiction; and with raph, that is the thing that he values the most. he barely got physical and aggressive, and only really waited until he HAD A "REASON" to. mikey's an enabler but i would argue raph is the most passive early on, because even when he does some nasty shit it's all things he can twist into being "reasonable." donnie's being shitty and not asking him before doing things. donnie isn't actively providing enough. donnie causes problems in battle. donnie's more trouble than he's worth, and raph puts the team above all else.

but the moment he shoves mikey after coming out of the closet, it's free game. i enjoy thinking about raph in context to CL the most because it speaks to the nuances of donnie's relationship with him; there's self-restraint. raph has always had to grapple with the fear of hurting them on accident, and the fact that donnie already kind of has an established complex about his weakness speaks of past baggage about the topic. raph knows how to control how rough he is with donnie. he doesn't find himself fretting about him as much as he does the other two, because he's been so convinced of how capable he is, how important he is, but god did he used to, and that still bleeds into his behavior now.

for raph, this is worse than if he'd just been a hateful caricature of himself, at least leo has that (although leo is haunted by his needless, excessive, meticulous cruelty, so it's not much better). the curse preyed on what raph values the most, that intense dedication to doing the right thing, to being a good person. to being a hero.

now, he has to live with knowing that he will always second-guess himself when he turns his anger on his family, even when it's for a good reason, and that he will never, ever be able to trust his own decision-making without thinking about how fucking convinced he was that donnie deserved it when he put his hands around his throat.

except for the person that caused all of this. it may be on leo's mind more (and leo will be much more reckless about it, because UNLIKE raph he isn't avoiding his own anger), but raph is more direct about his intentions in his internal monologue; he is going to fucking KILL them.

at least that he can stick to; if anyone tries to hurt his family like this again, they're going to pay.

(the person responsible has to pay. raph HAS to pin it on someone else, so he doesn't admit the misguided fear that he has deep down; that it's him who's the problem. that from the beginning, this was completely his fault, for not noticing the groundwork that allowed donnie to submit to the abuse.

raph and donnie are more similar than you'd think)

[majokkid]

Engaging the Doppel as Shadow Work

The work I am presenting here is not a replacement for therapeutic practices administered or recommended by a professional. If you do not have any previous experience with Shadow Work, I urge you to have a conversation with a professional, such as a therapist, or a trusted and seasoned practitioner and decide whether or not it would be most beneficial to do this work on your own. I would also strongly advise any magical hero to have a strong foundation in grounding and shielding practices before engaging in any Shadow Work.

In the mobile game Puella Magi Madoka Magia Side Story: Magia Record we are introduced to the concept of the Doppel. According to the official Magia Record website, "Magical Girls in Kamihama City can summon a power known as a Doppel. Only awakened Magical Girls have this ability, which allows them to invoke a portion of the Witch power in their Soul Gem when it becomes fully tainted."

In the Puella Magi Madoka Magia universe, a magical girl typically becomes a Witch when their Soul Gem turns completely black from developing too many impurities. When they use their magic, experience strong negative emotions, or sustain physical injuries, the magical girl’s Soul Gem gathers impurities and becomes progressively darker. Generally, the way to rid a Soul Gem of its darkness is to extract it with a Grief Seed or Grief Cube but inside of Kamihama City, however, the ‘Doppel’ power can be invoked instead.

If a Doppel is summoned, a subconscious confrontation occurs between the magical girl and their Witch self, in which the Witch attempts to convince the girl to give in to their inner darkness and relinquish control. Usually, the Doppel user will reject their inner darkness and the Doppel will be semi-autonomous; but by fully accepting their flaws and achieving a catharsis, a fusion referred to as a Doppel Version can be achieved in which the user is fully in control of their Doppel powers.

Doppels are extremely powerful, making them useful in battle, but come at high risk to its user. This transformation is only possible because of the trauma a magical girl is forced to endure, whether as a consequence of their wish to an Incubator or by merely existing. Most of the time, we need to suppress our traumas and anxieties just to get through the day but the Doppel System is a stark reminder that we can become over-encumbered at any moment. (Not to mention that in its semi-autonomous state, the Doppel will thrash about and attack without abandon, potentially causing serious harm to its magical girl and those around them.)

So, as magicians and magical heroes, how can we utilize the Doppel System in a healthy and constructive way? How can we harness the power of meeting our inner darkness and bringing it out for good? The most obvious, and arguably most difficult, method I can think of is engaging in Shadow Work.

The goal of Shadow Work is to bring suppressed personality parts back into our consciousness and learn to accept and even love them. This is easier said than done, as Shadow Work forces us to confront parts of ourselves that we rather not know about and then actually take responsibility for that which we judge in ourselves and others. Like the Doppel System, Shadow Work asserts that the solution lies not in the permanent avoidance of our darkened soul parts, but in their full acceptance and approval.

Shadow Work a process of acknowledging the ‘ugly’ parts of ourselves and learning to love them despite our judgements or fear of them. Our shadow parts can look like many things in our conscious lives including:

Jealousy

Addiction

Depression

Anxiety

Codependency

Self-sabotage

Excuses

Lies

Procrastination

Resentment

Passive-aggressiveness

Bitterness

Aggression or Anger

Violence

Victimization 

Guilt and shame

Lack of confidence

Issues establishing or maintaining boundaries

Shadow Work is also trauma work; many shadows are created as a result of developmental or attachment trauma when we were children and didn’t have the resources to deal with our emotions fully and so are stored in our bodies and in the stories we tell ourselves. Your shadow can control your life and will keep presenting you with uncomfortable opportunities to integrate it, as Witches and the Doppel System threaten to do.

As our shadows form and present themselves in different ways, there is no set approach for dealing with them. Shadow Work can be practiced by:

Self-observation and mindfulness Practice being present and conscious of your reactions. Identify your triggers; when your reaction to an event or someone’s behavior is out of proportion it is usually rooted in your past and in your shadow.

Practicing emotional inquiry Develop a sense of curiosity for your inner emotional world and view your emotions as information.

Journalling Start with a prompt that forces you to identify parts of your shadow or go with a stream of consciousness.

Analyzing your favorite stories Make a list of your favorite media and jot down their rough storyline. Think about the characteristics of your heroes and how they might relate to you, your unfulfilled potential, or secret desires. This is an intuitive way to explore your shadows by looking for symbols and archetypes in the stories you resonate with most.

Sitting with your shadow in meditation Learn to sit with yourself in silence. Just being able to be with yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings is a powerful way to get in touch with your shadow parts and sit with your emotions.

Inner-child work Since most of our shadows are created during childhood development, there is a lot of potential here for healing and integration. There are many guided meditations out there that can help get you started on this particular journey.

Seeking therapy and/or coaching

By working in these ways, we can essentially tap into the Doppel System and achieve untapped magical potential by integrating and purifying our shadows.

This post is part of my Magi Praxis series. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or you have attempted anything I have shared and want you share your experiences, please send me a message! I am always happy to go back and provide further explanation as well. ☆

[jiangwanyinscatmom]

The SMBH of Fanon and The Spaghetti fixation of Jiang Cheng

A supermassive black hole (SMBH or sometimes SBH). Black holes are a class of astronomical objects that have undergone gravitational collapse, leaving behind spheroidal regions of space from which nothing can escape, not even light. Every large galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its center. In astrophysics, spaghettification (sometimes referred to as the noodle effect) is the vertical stretching and horizontal compression of objects into long thin shapes (rather like spaghetti) in a very strong, non-homogeneous gravitational field. It is caused by extreme tidal forces. In the most extreme cases, near a black hole, the stretching and compression are so powerful that no object can resist it.

What do these terms mean in context of Jiang Cheng? One is at the focal point of part of the novel Jiang Cheng is significantly tied to the thematics and consequences surrounding our main character Wei Wuxian. As our protagonist, Jiang Cheng being Wei Wuxian's emotional antagonist is central to the creation of the novel and it's plot progression for its continued arcs for him. He is important for what conclusions and continued strength Wei Wuxian finds for his convictions and actions.Jiang Cheng is a fellow needed center of our Story universe.

There are irrefutable "laws" of this story universe made by its creator (Mo Xiang Tong Xiu). He had been a childhood friend of Wei Wuxian, he had blamed Wei Wuxian for his tragedies, he had wanted him to be his support, he had wanted him under his loyalties, he tried to protect Wei Wuxian, he immediately regretted this protection when faced with consequences. His jealousy and inferiority towards someone that was supposed to be beneath him that continued to overshadow him in ability and fame grew. This hate overtook any care he had until he was able to see nothing but flaw and wrong and finally used that to say he must be killed and deserved death. This hate was excusable until he was faced with his own part in their unraveling relationship and stark morality that was never the same.

Fandom, likes to twist this center until it is stretched out into unbelievable extremes to say that all that was done by Jiang Cheng was either appropriate by human natural response, or it was one of our natural centers, Wei Wuxian, is actually wrong and needs to be morphed to fit the now widened hole that is distorting the created universe.

This effect now begins to leak out of the intended universe to stretch out into what it means for the fact that the audience is intended to perceive by its creator. The natural facts of the creator are now wrong, they are not intended, it is a lie and now I can say intended natural morality is perceived differently because I see Jiang Cheng as personally correct, or, simply because I feel bad he must and needs a happier ending because his universe's natural conclusion for him is incorrect. I can become the blackhole that stretches his natural intentions to be something that is unfamiliar to the work, I can cover it in falsehoods that seem natural in language as I speak and use human empathy. Reasoning is not needed when I use emotion to distort a reaction I want to invoke that was never intended by creator intent. I feel it, so it must be, if others do not, I will make them even if I need to change the words and actions within his natural universe and creator and even him to cater to this effect.

Jiang Cheng will be changed until he and its world make me feel comfortable to inspire a stretched perception that has voided its original state of being. Fact is not fact any longer when I try to insert emotional fallacy into indisputable story trajectory and author intent is dead.

[v-tired-queer]

⚠️ Post trigger warnings: mentions of people being queerphobic, mentions of past mental and emotional abuse, mentions of using religion to justify being a jerk, descriptions of physical symptoms of anxiety, mentions of parents passing away

- - -

It took me two months and a bit to realize that the way the inside of my body suddenly feels cold, the way my stomach feels like its dropped, why I need to take deeper breaths to feel like I'm actually getting good air, and the way my body starts to shake uncontrollably around WICS (Woman I Can't Stand--it's the most polite thing I can call her) is all due to a panic response. I haven't had a panic attack since high school, so suddenly going back to having physical symptoms of my anxiety threw me for a loop. I thought I was dehydrated.

It's such a strange sensation for me. Mentally, I'm not really panicking, at least not at the forefront of my mind. WICS can't do anything to me. She has no say in what does or doesn't happen in this house, she doesn't live here, and she can't do anything with my stuff. The worst she can do (and continues to do) is run her mouth and be, simply put, mean and annoying. I wondered why she, specifically, invokes such a strong reaction out of me, and then I realized: she's just enough like everyone who's abused me all rolled into one.

She's mentally and emotionally tormented me since the day I had to decide to take my mother off of life support in ways that my ex step-father would be proud of. She hides behind religion to excuse her bigotry and carries around a self righteous attitude that makes my dad look like an atheist. She argues with her mother more than my parents did, and that took up 90% of my childhood. She mouths off about me and voices her very loud objections about the way I live my life (in relation to me being queer) to everyone she can behind my back like we're in high school. And the one time I had a seizure around her she chose to do absolutely nothing--not even put a pillow under my head--and complain about me to her sister on the phone instead, like basic first aid is a privilege I don't deserve.

Just one more week, give or take. One more week and then I'll be out of this God forsaken house and away from these people for the rest of my life. I won't have to deal with her or anyone else here anymore. I'll be safe. I'll be okay. I can finally move forward.

And the best part that probably makes me at least a little bit petty? They don't know when I'm leaving, which means they don't know when my brother will be coming by for the appliances and shelves that belonged to our mother.

Hey, we're just following Biblical law: it says that he, being both the son and the oldest, inherited our parents belongings when they passed. He agreed to take said he wanted them, and it's his right to have them. Sorry, WICS. She'll just have to get her own coffee maker and kitchen shelves 💁🏼😌

[sosoribro]

will wood's love, me normally is a normal song that totally does not invoke any strong emotional response within me

[ebenelephant]

Thinking about when 'A Little Life' drama was all over everywhere, and while there definitely are valid critiques to be made, a lot of booktubers were talking about how people were confusing a book invoking a strong emotional response with it actually being good art. And it's just... what do you think the point of art is? These bound pieces of paper reduced people to aching ugly tears; it did it's job. We can argue day and night about problematic messages and unbelievable premises, but at the end of the day literature that can inspire debate and controversy and above all else emotion in the masses is an undeniably great piece of art. That doesn't mean you need to like it.

[sparklecryptid]

*walks in and sits on your counter like a deranged megafauna that thinks it should be inside*

If a headline or article conforms to your beliefs and worldviews you need to fact check it

If a headline or article enrages you or makes you feel vindictive you have to fact check it

If a headline or article tries to put one group of people against another you need to fact check it

If a headline or article is from a source you don’t recognize you need to not only fact check it but also the source it’s from

If you can’t fact check it then at least realize that you should be skeptical of headlines and articles that invoke strong emotional responses in you and use that time to interrogate why it’s invoking such a response in you. Is it challenging a deep seated belief? Is it making you feel attacked? If so why are you feeling attacked? Can you detected any biases within the article? If so what kind? Is it making you feel satisfied and within the ‘right’? Why? What’s it doing to make you feel that way? Does it gain anything from making you feel that way? Are you willing to be wrong? If you are wrong, what are you going to do about it?